![\"Plum](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/r9f.352.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Plum-Blossoms.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEven though we are in the midst of a drought, the Japanese plums are blossoming. They always do this time of year: It’s Nature’s Valentine to Northern California.<\/p>\n
To celebrate Valentine’s Day and my 60th birthday, my friend Mary and I went to Filoli<\/a>\u00a0the day before, on Friday the 13th. On the drive down, I passed a movie marquee advertising Fifty Shades of Grey<\/em>. I listened to NPR, which featured holiday stories about polyamory and how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Ebola zones. I felt a tad conventional (and very, very lucky) with my box of See’s chocolates for my husband all set for the big day. But soon I arrived in\u00a0the staid territory of Filoli, a refuge for ladies who lunch. Their Valentine feature was fifty shades of camellias spilling out of teacups:<\/p>\n And, better than an assortment of chocolates, more of nature’s confections:<\/p>\n \u00a0 *<\/p>\n How will you celebrate?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Even though we are in the midst of a drought, the Japanese plums are blossoming. They always do this time of year: It’s Nature’s Valentine to Northern California. To celebrate Valentine’s Day and my 60th birthday, my friend Mary and … Continue reading <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Happy Valentine’s Day!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n