We need to reclaim the ethical high ground of what California should mean,

I don't claim any moral or ethical high ground, but I also have chosen not to run for public office. Shouldn't there be a higher standard of conduct for public officials?

Mission Revival red-tiled roofs glowing carmine in the sunset.

A city where everyone seemed to live in a bungalow on a broad avenue lined with palm, pepper or eucalyptus trees, where there was never any snow.

[The colors on citrus-crate labels] went beyond nature and spoke directly to fantasy: apricot, purple, cobalt blue, sea green, cinnamon, cinnabar, mauve, yellow, orange.

All things considered, she would have to be the most conspicuous and influential of the first ladies in the history of the state.