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December 1986   Dear Ron and Hazel,       Our picture this year is of Blooming Ocatillo at Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California.  Most of the year this plant looks like thorny dead sticks about 12 feet tall.  When the rains come, it blooms for a short period before drying up again.        This year for the first time in 24 years we have all our kids away from home... All are in college.  Eric is at UC Santa Cruz but will be changing to UC Davis in January.  Miguel is a senior in Botany at UC Berkeley.  He is planning to apply to grad school soon.  Alex is in his 2nd year at Stanford.  He plans on "some" science for a career.  They will all be home for Christmas (woops! there goes the peace and quiet!!).  We all hope to get out to the desert for some camping and relaxing before returning to our various endevours.  Our Best Wishes for a happy holiday season and new year for you.         Irma and Michael.

Willow roots — Coyote Creek
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
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