Grab Bag: From Scales to Smiles

I have been laying low in the blog world lately, but trying to drop in when I can to hear what is going on with friends--and strangers. If any of you have had any news, feel free to shout it out here again in the comments. I know I have missed a lot. 

It's a cold windy day here in California which is kind of nice. We had Santa Ana winds just a few days ago and this feels more like Christmas. Nearly all the leaves have been blown from our liquid ambers and our backyard has a golden carpet of l...