I’m almost over the jet-lag. I imagine I will be completely on California time as soon as I have to go back. That’s the way it works, right? In any case, my trip has been a good one so far. I wake up early (really early) and fiddle around for a few hours. Sometimes I take a refreshing dip into my friend’s hot tub. There is nothing like being in a hot tub in the morning while listening to the birds sing and the cacophony of frogs. I spend a lot of time catching up with friends, chatting about life, and trying to persuade them to visit me in Florence. And I eat. And sometimes, I find myself soaked to the bone and sweating at the same time, happily swinging an ax.

The other day I went to meet a friend to eat. Brunch. A true delight. While C.R. and I were pulling out of the driveway, we were stopped short by a tree that had fallen and was now blocking the road. Damn, there goes all of that planning. Instead, C.R. ended up staying home and I crawled through the branches and went to meet my friend at the top of the road where she planned to pick me up.

The brunch was lovely. I ordered biscuits and gravy and she ordered waffles. We split a side of ham. Very American. Very heavy and very delicious. We chatted happily, soaking in each others’ company for about an hour. She dropped me back off at the tree, which I crawled back through to C.R.’s side of the world.

C.R. left with her hubby to go run errands (he came back from work and picked her up on the other side of the tree), while I settled in with a blanket, a fire and a choice of movies. While trying to pick an appropriate one for my mood, a friend showed up. I met him through C.R. and the hubby, and we have thoroughly enjoyed each others’ company since. He came with another friend of his, and offered to clear the tree and I decided that I would help. Armed in a poncho and work gloves, I marched out to meet the guys at the site of the incident. I took an ax and hacked at a medium-thick branch until there was just a tiny patch of wood between the trunk and freedom. It was pouring rain and we were getting soaked. But it felt so good to be doing some heavy labor in the California air.

We garnered the help of a neighbor with two chainsaws to finish the job. I didn’t touch a chainsaw because I have seen too many movies. I really, really like using two legs and two arms. But I helped clear the brush, and soon enough, there was a path through. Proud of our work, we went inside and sat by the fire drinking beers and chatting about food. Now that we had options, it seemed the best thing to do was just enjoy ourselves and be there with each other.

My entire body is now extremely sore. But I am happy. After all, it happens on occasion that a tree may fall in the way and obstruct the paths we choose. But in those times, maybe all we really need is a poncho, an ax and a couple of friends to clear the way.