Catching the Sun and Catching Up

I don’t need to rehash the details of why Canadian patriotism has risen to an all-time high of my lifetime. If you know, you know. It was a little bit weird to be in the US as the world’s “dumbest trade war” erupted.

That’s how the Wall Street Journal described it. You can’t shop Canadian in southern California. We talked to just one Californian about world affairs. She had just lost her house to a fire in LA. She also thought the whole “51st state” threat was a one-time joke. We explained that it wasn’t funny!

This trip was booked and arranged well before last November’s US election. Erin and I have gotten together someplace warm for many years. (She books, I take advantage! 🙂 )Now, we get together also to do a live episode of Gracefully and Frankly. (Episode 111 is on YouTube HERE.)

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, here are 11,000 words about my trip.

The Sunnylands estate. We enjoyed an incredible tour of the 25,000 sq ft home. The Annenbergs were billionaires who built it in the ’60s. In addition to being generous philanthropists, Sunnylands was home to some historic agreements. Every President from Nixon onward has visited, except for the last two. The artwork alone is worth $1B.

At the Living Desert. Erin met goats. I fed a giraffe. And we spotted a rhino that some people didn’t even notice. A rhino chameleon?

Lulus is one of those fun Palm Springs restaurants that uses the colours and the vibe of the city. Everything is fun and bright.

This is what’s in my mind’s eye when I think of the trip. Happy friend and her happy dogs.

Erin always makes me a snack bag for the flight! Porter didn’t disappoint. They’re our new fave airline.

Now it’s down to the business of shopping Canadian. I just purchased my fave sugar-free chocolate without noticing it’s made in Philadelphia. I promise to do better.