More From Napa

Today reminded me of the central role art plays in all of our lives, whether we realize or choose to value it or not.

These teenagers pushed themselves well out of their comfort zones to create these pieces. And that is what art is all about.

-30-

Art Show in Napa

Drove up to Napa early this morning to watch Julia and her fellow students present their final projects at the Oxbow School of the Arts. She gave a compelling explanation of the research and thought that went into her healing quilt, and was very articulate and composed. In heals (above) she is eye to eye with me.

Such a strong, lovely, talented young woman and has spent the fall among so many other impressive people from all over the world at her school. I talked with many of her friends and fellow students, all of whom also made impressive presentations about their projects.

One young woman from China told how she built two interlocking three-legged chairs to illustrate the relationship of siblings. As a person born during China's one-child policy, she has no siblings.

Others explored depression and mental illness among artists, body image issues, surveillance and AI, and many other substantive issues.

What a day!

Afterwards we went with friends to one of the Napa area's many great restaurants. A great day!

All Okay Here

A nice long talk with Aidan in Missoula today about an essay he is writing about a recent Margaret Atwood novel about the dystopian future for our species. I love the way he thinks about fiction. He is a very good writer.

I also appreciate the intellectual development that happens for our kids during a college education at a quality state institution. I can tell he is in good hands. He is growing and changing.

It is cloudy and a bit rainy here today. We keep hearing that a record El Nino is on the way, which would change the dynamics here during this historic dry period. I love the rain -- hell, all Californians love the rain at this point.

I'm just doing the laundry and about to cook myself an omelette. A very quiet Sunday here in S.F.

-30-