Where_CS Light_NN1 takes_VVZ its_APPGE Color_NN1 From_II the_AT Sea_NN1 From_II here_RL 1_MC1 can_VM see_VVI the_AT candy_NN1 store_NN1 shaped_VVN like_II a_AT1 Dutch_JJ windmill_NN1 ._. 
Atop_II its_APPGE red_NN1 ,_, peaked_VVD roof_NN1 sits_VVZ an_AT1 eight-sided_JJ dome_NN1 painted_VVN white_JJ ,_, with_IW windows_NN2 too_RG small_JJ ,_, too_RG toylike_JJ and_CC too_RG curiously_RR placed_VVN for_IF anyone_PN1 to_TO look_VVI through_RP ._. 
I_PPIS1 used_VMK to_TO imagine_VVI someone_PN1 lurked_VVD in_II that_DD1 stubby_JJ tower_NN1 watching_VVG me_PPIO1 ._. 
But_CCB this_DD1 is_VBZ impossible_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 make-believe_JJ windmill_NN1 ,_, with_IW make-believe_JJ windows_NN2 ._. 
Last_MD year_NNT1 in_II a_AT1 storm_NN1 its_APPGE vanes_NN2 blew_VVD down_RP ._. 
Few_DA2 people_NN think_VV0 of_IO it_PPH1 as_II a_AT1 windmill_NN1 anymore_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ just_RR a_AT1 candy_NN1 store_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 Dutch_JJ girl_NN1 on_II its_APPGE side_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 is_VBZ fading_VVG fast_RR ._. 
All_DB day_NNT1 she_PPHS1 faces_VVZ the_AT sun_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 doubt_VV0 that_CST many_DA2 who_PNQS pass_VV0 by_II realize_VV0 she_PPHS1 is_VBZ supposed_JJ to_TO be_VBI Dutch_JJ ._. 
The_AT store_NN1 is_VBZ called_VVN Buckhart_NP1 's_GE ,_, which_DDQ might_VM be_VBI a_AT1 Dutch_JJ name_NN1 ,_, except_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT long_JJ sign_NN1 over_II its_APPGE door_NN1 features_NN2 not_XX a_AT1 girl_NN1 but_CCB an_AT1 enormous_JJ heart_NN1 ,_, and_CC gazing_VVG from_II within_II the_AT heart_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 well-antlered_JJ buck_NN who_PNQS looks_VVZ pirated_VVN from_II some_DD Yorkshire_NP1 hunting_NN1 lodge_NN1 ._. 
The_AT heart_NN1 was_VBDZ red_JJ once_RR ._. 
After_CS the_AT vanes_NN2 blew_VVD down_RP they_PPHS2 painted_VVD it_PPH1 white_JJ ._. 
The_AT buck_NN is_VBZ white_JJ ._. 
The_AT girl_NN1 is_VBZ white_JJ ._. 
The_AT eight-sided_JJ dome_NN1 is_VBZ white_JJ ._. 
Where_CS the_AT morning_NNT1 sun_NN1 catches_VVZ it_PPH1 ,_, the_AT dome_NN1 gleams_NN2 and_CC leaves_VVZ an_AT1 angular_JJ flash_NN1 on_II my_APPGE retina_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 look_VV0 away_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 landmark_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 candy_NN1 store_NN1 ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 want_VV0 to_TO tell_VVI someone_PN1 how_RRQ to_TO find_VVI my_APPGE house_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 mention_VV0 Buckhart_NP1 's_GE ._. 
Everyone_PN1 knows_VVZ where_RRQ it_PPH1 is_VBZ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 live_VV0 across_II the_AT street_NN1 from_II Buckhart_NP1 's_GE ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 say_VV0 ._. 
A_AT1 strange_JJ identity_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 famous_JJ road_NN1 passes_VVZ between_II Buckhart_NP1 's_GE and_CC me._NNU an_AT1 old_JJ road_NN1 that_CST curves_NN2 along_II the_AT coast_NN1 and_CC carries_VVZ thousands_NNO2 of_IO cars_NN2 a_AT1 day_NNT1 ,_, tourist_NN1 cars_NN2 ,_, visitors_NN2 '_GE cars_NN2 ,_, beach-bound_JJ and_CC water-_NN1 seeking_VVG cars_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 seacoast_NN1 town_NN1 ,_, spread_VVN along_II one_MC1 edge_NN1 of_IO Monterey_NP1 Bay_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ winter_NNT1 now_RT ,_, the_AT end_NN1 of_IO February_NPM1 ,_, a_AT1 leap-_JJ year_NNT1 day_NNT1 ,_, in_II fact_NN1 ,_, the_AT twenty_MC ninth_MD ,_, the_AT rarest_JJT day_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ winter_NNT1 ,_, and_CC the_AT stream_NN1 of_IO cars_NN2 along_II this_DD1 famous_JJ road_NN1 is_VBZ thicker_JJR now_RT than_CSN it_PPH1 ever_RR was_VBDZ in_II the_AT summers_NNT2 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 first_MD discovered_VVD the_AT town_NN1 ,_, fourteen_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
And_CC what_DDQ about_II this_DD1 year_NNT1 's_GE summer_NNT1 ?_? 
Who_PNQS dares_VVZ predict_VVI what_DDQ that_DD1 will_VM bring_VVI ?_? 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX a_AT1 wide_JJ road_NN1 ,_, two_MC lanes_NN2 laid_VVN perhaps_RR thirty_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
In_II this_DD1 state_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 for_IF anything_PN1 to_TO last_VVI ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ already_RR 1964._MC and_CC this_DD1 is_VBZ Santa_NP1 Cruz_NP1 ,_, resort_NN1 town_NN1 for_IF that_DD1 great_JJ megalopolis_NN1 rapidly_RR surrounding_VVG San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 Bay_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 range_NN1 of_IO mountains_NN2 separates_VVZ us_PPIO2 from_II the_AT megalopolis_NN1 ,_, and_CC so_RG far_RR we_PPIS2 only_RR feel_VV0 the_AT explosive_NN1 overflow_VVI on_II weekends_NNT2 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ just_RR a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ._. 
Everything_PN1 in_II California_NP1 is_VBZ just_RR a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB so_RG far_RR this_DD1 town_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN spared_VVN ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ one_MC1 reason_NN1 I_PPIS1 came_VVD here_RL ,_, to_TO taste_VVI it_PPH1 again_RT ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ why_RRQ I_PPIS1 watch_VV0 Buckhart_NP1 's_VBZ from_II my_APPGE window_NN1 ._. 
Who_PNQS knows_VVZ how_RGQ old_JJ it_PPH1 is_VBZ ?_? 
Forty_MC ,_, maybe_RR fifty_MC years_NNT2 ?_? 
This_DD1 house_NN1 1_MC1 watch_NN1 from_II is_VBZ even_RR older_JJR ._. 
Sixty_MC ,_, the_AT owner_NN1 tells_VVZ me_PPIO1 ._. 
Older_JJR than_CSN Buckhart_NP1 's_GE and_CC higher_JJR by_II a_AT1 cupola_NN1 ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 sit_VV0 up_RP here_RL in_II this_DD1 cupola_NN1 and_CC watch_VV0 the_AT dome_NN1 of_IO Buckhart_NP1 's_VBZ hard_RR enough_RR ._. 
1_MC1 do_VD0 n't_XX see_VVI the_AT traffic_NN1 ._. 
For_IF long_JJ moments_NN2 it_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX there_RL ._. 
I_PPIS1 burn_VV0 my_APPGE eyes_NN2 on_II his_APPGE gleaming_JJ dome_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT stream_NN1 dies_VVZ ._. 
Buckhart_VV0 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ said_VVN ,_, lived_VVD here_RL once_RR himself_PPX1 ,_, roamed_VVD these_DD2 redwood_NN1 rooms_NN2 ,_, kept_VVD the_AT little_JJ garden_NN1 ,_, and_CC each_DD1 morning_NNT1 crossed_VVD that_CST small_JJ acre_NNU1 of_IO apple_NN1 trees_NN2 to_II his_APPGE store_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX live_VVI here_RL long_RR ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 has_VHZ lived_VVN here_RL long_RR ,_, not_XX in_II the_AT twenty_MC years_NNT2 this_DD1 house_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN rented_VVN ,_, not_XX since_CS the_AT original_JJ candy_NN1 man_NN1 died_VVD and_CC took_VVD his_APPGE secret_JJ formula_NN1 with_IW him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC the_AT deed_NN1 to_II the_AT land_NN1 changed_VVD hands_NN2 ._. 
In_II the_AT old_JJ days_NNT2 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 estate_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT aura_NN1 about_II it_PPH1 of_IO a_AT1 southern_JJ novel_NN1 ._. 
The_AT old_JJ Frazier-Lewis_NP1 place_NN1 ,_, everybody_PN1 called_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT lawn_NN1 spread_VVD two_MC hundred_NNO yards_NN2 down_RP to_II the_AT sea_NN1 ._. 
The_AT grounds_NN2 covered_VVD what_DDQ has_VHZ become_VVN several_DA2 square_JJ blocks_NN2 of_IO bungalows_NN2 ._. 
The_AT lake_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ now_RT a_AT1 state_NN1 game_NN1 preserve_NN1 came_VVD with_IW the_AT land_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 private_JJ vista_NN1 from_II the_AT wide_JJ front_JJ porch_NN1 ._. 
In_II those_DD2 days_NNT2 the_AT candy_NN1 man_NN1 would_VM go_VVI next_MD door_NN1 to_II his_APPGE candy_NN1 factory_NN1 ,_, lock_NN1 himself_PPX1 in_II a_AT1 small_JJ upstairs_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, and_CC mix_VV0 his_APPGE formula_NN1 for_IF the_AT chocolate_NN1 confection_NN1 that_CST made_VVD him_PPHO1 famous_JJ ._. 
But_CCB the_AT candy_NN1 man_NN1 died_VVD sometime_RT before_II the_AT Second_MD World_NN1 War_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE sisters_NN2 died_VVD without_IW issue_NN1 ._. 
The_AT family_NN1 died_VVD ,_, and_CC this_DD1 immense_JJ house_NN1 was_VBDZ gradually_RR surrounded_VVN ._. 
The_AT grandeur_NN1 that_CST depended_VVD so_RG much_DA1 on_II distance_NN1 and_CC perspective_NN1 was_VBDZ lost_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 became_VVD a_AT1 rental_NN1 property_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 closed_VVD his_APPGE little_JJ factory_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT its_APPGE weathered_JJ wooden_JJ frame_NN1 bulges_VVZ next_MD door_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 hundred_NNO years_NNT2 of_IO dusty_JJ ,_, warping_VVG furniture_NN1 ._. 
The_AT candy_NN1 he_PPHS1 made_VVD there_RL made_VVD him_PPHO1 a_AT1 fortune_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 suspect_VV0 that_DD1 is_VBZ why_RRQ Buckhart_NP1 lived_VVD here_RL a_AT1 while_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ searching_VVG for_IF the_AT formula_NN1 that_CST died_VVD with_IW Frazier-Lewis_NP1 ._. 
Imagine_VV0 Buckhart_NP1 scouring_VVG this_DD1 creaking_JJ house_NN1 for_IF any_DD scrap_NN1 of_IO yellowed_JJ paper_NN1 ._. 
Sometimes_RT late_RR at_II night_NNT1 the_AT wind_NN1 rises_VVZ from_II the_AT sea_NN1 in_II a_AT1 sudden_JJ thrust_NN1 that_CST shivers_VVZ the_AT ceiling_NN1 ._. 
Nails_NN2 draw_VV0 ,_, floorboards_NN2 settle_VV0 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ almost_RR certain_JJ then_RT that_CST Buckhart_NP1 is_VBZ up_RP in_II the_AT attic_NN1 again_RT ,_, creeping_VVG and_CC tapping_VVG the_AT walls_NN2 for_IF hollow_JJ spots_NN2 that_CST might_VM hold_VVI the_AT long-lost_JJ recipe_NN1 for_IF the_AT chocolate_NN1 marvel_VV0 that_CST only_JJ Frazier-Lewis_NP1 could_VM concoct_VVI ._. 
Buckhart_NP1 's_GE hunch_NN1 was_VBDZ reasonable_JJ ,_, if_CS he_PPHS1 ever_RR thought_VVN to_TO search_VVI ,_, because_CS this_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 house_NN1 of_IO gothic_JJ secrets_NN2 ,_, of_IO hidden_JJ nooks_NN2 and_CC dark_JJ stairways_NN2 ,_, sudden_JJ rooms_NN2 and_CC unpried_JJ window_NN1 seats_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 house_NN1 to_TO explore_VVI on_II a_AT1 rainy_JJ afternoon_NNT1 ._. 
When_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ built_VVN ,_, two_MC years_NNT2 after_II San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 's_GE earthquake_NN1 and_CC fire_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ elegant_JJ ,_, a_AT1 Victorian_JJ climax_NN1 ._. 
Everyone_PN1 must_VM have_VHI built_VVN such_DA houses_NN2 that_DD1 season_NNT1 ._. 
This_DD1 town_NN1 is_VBZ dotted_VVN with_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
From_II here_RL I_PPIS1 can_VV0 sec_NNU their_APPGE spires_NN2 ,_, turrets_NN2 and_CC domes_NN2 ,_, gables_NN2 ,_, newel_NN1 posts_NN2 ,_, and_CC dormer_NN1 windows_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX help_VVI thinking_NN1 ,_, though_CS ,_, that_CST this_DD1 is._NNU first_MD of_IO all_DB ._. 
a_AT1 boy_NN1 's_GE dream_NN1 house_NN1 ._. 
Tom_NP1 Sawyer_NP1 deserved_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
Penrod_VV0 Schofield_NP1 should_VM have_VHI planned_VVN adventures_NN2 here_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 house_NN1 for_IF Jack_NP1 Armstrong_NP1 to_TO surround_VVI ,_, for_IF the_AT Katzenjammer_NN1 Kids_NN2 to_TO invade_VVI ,_, for_IF Huckleberry_NN1 Finn_NN1 to_TO find_VVI floating_VVG down_RP the_AT Mississippi_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 have_VH0 always_RR coveted_VVN old_JJ houses_NN2 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 boy_NN1 's_GE fascination_NN1 for_IF the_AT ancient_JJ and_CC curious_JJ ,_, similar_JJ to_II the_AT way_NN1 I_PPIS1 once_RR collected_VVN coins_NN2 ,_, and_CC later_RRR old_JJ cars_NN2 ._. 
Not_XX vintage_JJ cars_NN2 ._. 
Just_RR old_JJ ones_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 have_VH0 sought_VVN old_JJ houses_NN2 as_CSA one_PN1 seeks_VVZ an_AT1 old_JJ man_NN1 whose_DDQGE tales_NN2 verify_VV0 what_DDQ sometimes_RT seems_VVZ never_RR to_TO have_VHI existed_VVN ._. 
Call_VV0 it_PPH1 a_AT1 yearning_NN1 for_IF continuity_NN1 ._. 
In_II California_NP1 I_PPIS1 have_VH0 watched_VVN mountains_NN2 change_VV0 their_APPGE contour_NN1 ,_, seen_VVN orchards_NN2 swallowed_VVN by_II bulldozers_NN2 ,_, known_VVN whole_JJ towns_NN2 to_TO sprout_VVI in_II a_AT1 summer_NNT1 ,_, watched_VVD familiar_JJ roads_NN2 inflate_VV0 like_II inner_JJ tubes_NN2 to_II thrice_RR their_APPGE size_NN1 ,_, and_CC felt_VVD square_JJ miles_NNU2 of_IO asphalt_NN1 raise_VV0 a_AT1 valley_NN1 's_GE temperature_NN1 until_CS seasons_NNT2 lose_VV0 their_APPGE shape_NN1 ._. 
Such_DA transformations_NN2 are_VBR ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, the_AT experience_NN1 of_IO the_AT Western_JJ world_NN1 ,_, in_II one_MC1 form_NN1 or_CC another_DD1 ,_, for_IF the_AT past_JJ couple_NN1 of_IO hundred_NNO years_NNT2 ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 is_VBZ nothing_PN1 new_JJ to_TO seek_VVI permanencies_NN2 in_II a_AT1 shifting_JJ environment_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB in_II California_NP1 things_NN2 change_VV0 faster_RRR than_CSN in_II most_DAT other_JJ places_NN2 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 happened_VVD to_TO fasten_VVI on_II old_JJ houses_NN2 ,_, like_II hoary_JJ boulders_NN2 in_II the_AT inexorable_JJ flood_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 first_MD saw_VVD this_DD1 one_PN1 from_II several_DA2 blocks_NN2 away_RL ,_, actually_RR saw_VVD its_APPGE cupola_NN1 first_MD ,_, which_DDQ rises_VVZ higher_JJR than_CSN any_DD building_NN1 in_II sight_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 rests_VVZ atop_II a_AT1 black_JJ roof_NN1 so_RR sloped_VVD it_PPH1 's_VBZ almost_RR a_AT1 house-long_JJ steeple_NN1 ._. 
The_AT cupola_NN1 is_VBZ square_JJ ,_, with_IW a_AT1 pointed_JJ roof_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE own_DA ,_, and_CC windows_NN2 on_II all_DB sides_NN2 ._. 
The_AT top_JJ panes_NN2 are_VBR stained_VVN maroon_JJ ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 overlooks_VVZ a_AT1 lake_NN1 surrounded_VVN by_II eucalyptus_JJ trees_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB between_II the_AT house_NN1 and_CC lake_NN1 runs_VVZ that_DD1 road_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE stream_NN1 of_IO Jaguars_NN2 and_CC Impalas_NP2 and_CC Thunderbirds_NP2 ._. 
So_RR one_PN1 enters_VVZ from_II the_AT rear_NN1 ,_, up_RP a_AT1 narrow_JJ alleyway_NN1 ._. 
From_II the_AT ground_NN1 it_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 fortress_NN1 of_IO flaking_VVG gray-green_NN1 ._. 
Along_II one_MC1 side_NN1 a_AT1 wide_JJ staircase_NN1 rises_VVZ to_II the_AT second-floor_JJ porch_NN1 ._. 
Around_II the_AT porch_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT original_JJ front_JJ door_NN1 ._. 
When_CS we_PPIS2 first_MD approached_VVD ,_, the_AT house_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN two_MC years_NNT2 empty_JJ ._. 
The_AT foot_NN1 of_IO the_AT entry_NN1 stairway_NN1 was_VBDZ lush_JJ with_IW high_JJ grass_NN1 ,_, untrimmed_JJ rosebushes._NNU and_CC a_AT1 choir_NN1 of_IO wild_JJ ,_, white-mouthed_JJ lilies_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT of_IO the_AT banisters_NN2 '_GE latticed_JJ siding_NN1 had_VHD fallen_VVN away_RL ,_, so_CS they_PPHS2 sagged_VVD and_CC leaned_VVD ._. 
At_II the_AT head_NN1 of_IO the_AT stairs_NN2 ,_, beneath_II the_AT porch_NN1 's_GE vast_JJ overhang_NN1 ._. 
a_AT1 ragged_JJ wicker_NN1 rocker_NN1 nodded_VVD in_II the_AT breeze_NN1 that_CST blew_VVD up_RP from_II the_AT beach_NN1 and_CC across_II the_AT lake_NN1 ._. 
Peering_VVG through_II the_AT heavy_JJ windows_NN2 and_CC through_II dust_NN1 that_CST lay_VVD like_II gauze_NN1 over_II everything_PN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 saw_VVD paneled_JJ walls_NN2 of_IO heart_NN1 redwood_NN1 ,_, twelve-foot_JJ ceilings_NN2 ,_, cherrywood_NN1 sideboards_NN2 ,_, and_CC walnut_NN1 chests_NN2 ,_, dark_JJ Boston_NP1 rockers_NN2 ,_, chandeliers_NN2 of_IO brass_NN1 ,_, with_IW yellow_JJ bulbs_NN2 as_RG big_JJ as_CSA streetlights_NN2 ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 had_VHD lived_VVN upstairs_RL for_IF two_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 had_VHD lived_VVN downstairs_RL for_IF twenty_MC ._. 
The_AT lower_JJR floor_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 warehouse_NN1 for_IF the_AT relics_NN2 of_IO two_MC families_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT family_NN1 of_IO the_AT candy_NN1 man_NN1 whose_DDQGE forebears_NN2 had_VHD survived_VVN the_AT Donner_NN1 Party_NN1 disaster_NN1 of_IO 1846._MC and_CC the_AT present_JJ owner_NN1 's_GE family_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS arrived_VVD in_II this_DD1 region_NN1 soon_RR after_II the_AT Civil_JJ War_NN1 and_CC acquired_VVD the_AT house_NN1 when_CS the_AT candy_NN1 man_NN1 passed_VVD away_RL ._. 
In_II that_DD1 downstairs_NN1 repository_NN1 we_PPIS2 found_VVD a_AT1 delicately_RR carved_JJ chest_NN1 of_IO shelves_NN2 holding_VVG hundreds_NNO2 of_IO birds_NN2 eggs_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 room_NN1 full_JJ of_IO elderly_JJ sewing_NN1 machines_NN2 ,_, another_DD1 room_NN1 filled_VVN with_IW carved_JJ bedsteads_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 four-foot_JJ engraving_NN1 of_IO Queen_NNB Victoria_NP1 that_CST had_VHD never_RR been_VBN uncrated_JJ ,_, a_AT1 moth-eaten_JJ Union_NN1 Army_NN1 sergeant_NN1 's_GE jacket_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 certificate_NN1 of_IO merit_NN1 for_IF that_DD1 sergeant_NN1 signed_VVN by_II Abraham_NP1 Lincoln_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 first_MD edition_NN1 of_IO the_AT first_MD proceedings_NN2 of_IO the_AT California_NP1 State_NN1 Legislature_NN1 (_( 1850_MC )_) ,_, turn-of-the-century_JJ sepia-tones_NN2 of_IO the_AT descendants_NN2 of_IO the_AT Donner_NN1 Party_NN1 survivors_NN2 ,_, framed_JJ photos_NN2 of_IO long-gone_JJ redwood_NN1 giants_NN2 ,_, back_NN1 issues_NN2 of_IO the_AT San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 Chronicle_NN1 announcing_VVG the_AT First_MD World_NN1 War_NN1 through_II a_AT1 split_NN1 in_II the_AT linoleum_NN1 ,_, other_JJ issues_NN2 lauding_VVG Calvin_NP1 Coolidge_NP1 ,_, Ramon_NP1 Navarro_NP1 ,_, Rin_NP1 Tin_NN1 Tin_NN1 ._. 
Blending_VVG with_IW the_AT dust_NN1 and_CC the_AT fumes_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 spirit_NN1 hung_VVN in_II the_AT air_NN1 above_II those_DD2 old_JJ clothes_NN2 and_CC furnishings_NN2 and_CC documents_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 knew_VVD it_PPH1 had_VHD drifted_VVN up_RP to_TO permeate_VVI the_AT whole_JJ building_NN1 ._. 
At_II sixty_MC years_NNT2 of_IO age_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 house_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE storerooms_NN2 of_IO neglected_JJ history_NN1 reached_VVD that_RG far_RR again_RT into_II the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE past_NN1 ._. 
Twice_RR sixty_MC years_NNT2 still_RR is_VBZ n't_XX long_JJ ,_, by_II Eastern_JJ or_CC European_JJ standards_NN2 ,_, but_CCB in_II California_NP1 it_PPH1 is_VBZ about_II as_RG far_JJ back_NN1 as_II a_AT1 non-Hispanic_JJ Caucasian_NN1 can_VM expect_VVI to_TO reach_VVI ._. 
Unless_CS of_RR21 course_RR22 you_PPY count_VV0 the_AT walls_NN2 themselves_PPX2 ,_, the_AT ceilings_NN2 and_CC the_AT door_NN1 frames_NN2 cut_VVN from_II nearby_JJ forests_NN2 that_CST grew_VVD a_AT1 thousand_NNO years_NNT2 before_II the_AT Spanish_NN1 came_VVD ,_, walls_NN2 whose_DDQGE very_JJ touch_NN1 can_VM send_VVI one_PN1 's_GE nerve-ends_NN2 probing_JJ fern_NN1 layers_NN2 of_IO primeval_JJ loam_NN1 ._. 
And_CC so_RR we_PPIS2 rented_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, at_II a_AT1 bargain_NN1 ,_, agreeing_VVG to_TO help_VVI the_AT owners_NN2 restore_VV0 its_APPGE livability_NN1 ,_, having_VHG found_VVN ,_, it_PPH1 seemed_VVD ,_, a_RR31 great_RR32 deal_RR33 more_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 roof_NN1 over_II our_APPGE heads_NN2 ._. 
Even_RR with_IW this_DD1 wealth_NN1 of_IO continuity_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, it_PPH1 must_VM be_VBI pointed_VVN out_RP that_CST such_DA a_AT1 house_NN1 located_VVD somewhere_RL else_RR ,_, say_VV0 farther_RRR inland_RL ,_, in_II the_AT Sacramento_NP1 Valley_NN1 or_CC in_II the_AT Mother_NNB Lode_NP1 ,_, would_VM have_VHI held_VVN far_RG less_DAR fascination_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ appealed_VVD so_RR is_VBZ that_CST it_PPH1 overlooks_VVZ this_DD1 stretch_NN1 of_IO coastline_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 belongs_VVZ to_II this_DD1 particular_JJ beach_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 curve_NN1 of_IO bay_NN1 ,_, to_II a_AT1 fall_NN1 of_IO northern_JJ light_NN1 I_PPIS1 have_VH0 spent_VVN fourteen_MC years_NNT2 running_VVG to_II ._. 
A_RR21 lot_RR22 depends_VVZ on_II the_AT light_NN1 here_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 shapes_VVZ the_AT mountains_NN2 and_CC draws_VVZ a_AT1 mossy_JJ green_NN1 from_II those_DD2 high_JJ meadow_NN1 patches_NN2 that_CST never_RR turn_VV0 brown_JJ ._. 
Down_RP along_II the_AT river_NN1 that_CST runs_VVZ through_II town_NN1 ,_, the_AT light_NN1 swells_VVZ up_RP under_II a_AT1 cloud_NN1 of_IO seagulls_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 rise_VV0 in_II a_AT1 swirl_NN1 ,_, between_II the_AT concrete_JJ bridges_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 turn_VV0 ,_, soar_VV0 ,_, dive_VV0 like_II a_AT1 shower_NN1 of_IO white_JJ sparks_NN2 and_CC descend_VV0 again_RT to_II their_APPGE marshy_JJ ,_, low-tide_NN1 ,_, inland_JJ island_NN1 ._. 
In_II later_JJR afternoon_NNT1 the_AT light_NN1 turns_VVZ the_AT bay_NN1 white_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 catches_VVZ eucalyptus_JJ leaves_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE undersides_NN2 up_RP ._. 
like_II a_AT1 thousand_NNO new_JJ moons_NN2 ._. 
Where_CS Light_NN1 Take_VV0 Its_APPGE Color_NN1 from_II the_AT Sea_NN1 reveals_VVZ a_AT1 writer_NN1 's_VBZ nuanced_VVN appreciation_NN1 of_IO place_NN1 and_CC exhibits_VVZ his_APPGE mastery_NN1 of_IO style_NN1 ._. 
From_II the_AT cupola_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE house_NN1 in_II Santa_NP1 Cruz_NP1 --_NN1 that_CST radiant_JJ city_NN1 by_II the_AT sea_NN1 --_NN1 Houston_NP1 introduces_VVZ us_PPIO2 to_II subjects_NN2 closest_RRT to_II his_APPGE heart_NN1 :_: the_AT timeworn_JJ candy_NN1 store_NN1 across_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, the_AT light-trimmed_JJ mountains_NN2 by_II the_AT sea_NN1 ._. 
and_CC his_APPGE forebears_NN2 '_GE journey_NN1 to_II California_NP1 ._. 
This_DD1 selection_NN1 of_IO essays_NN2 and_CC short_JJ stories_NN2 ,_, drawn_VVN from_II forty_MC years_NNT2 of_IO writing_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ always_RR thoughtful_JJ ,_, always_RR truthful_JJ ,_, at_II times_NNT2 playful_JJ ,_, and_CC invariably_RR original_JJ and_CC engaging_JJ ._. 
