By Chandrama Anderson
E-mail Chandrama Anderson
About this blog: About this blog: I am a LMFT specializing in couples counseling and grief and have lived in Silicon Valley since 1969. I'm the president of Connect2 Marriage Counseling. I worked in high-tech at Apple, Stanford University, and in ...
(More)About this blog: About this blog: I am a LMFT specializing in couples counseling and grief and have lived in Silicon Valley since 1969. I'm the president of Connect2 Marriage Counseling. I worked in high-tech at Apple, Stanford University, and in Silicon Valley for 15 years before becoming a therapist. My background in high-tech is helpful in understanding local couples' dynamics and the pressures of living here. I am a wife, mom, sister, friend, author, and lifelong advocate for causes I believe in (such as marriage equality). My parents are both deceased. My son graduated culinary school and is heading toward a degree in Sociology. I enjoy reading, hiking, water fitness, movies, 49ers and Stanford football, Giants baseball, and riding a tandem bike with my husband. I love the beach and mountains; nature is my place of restoration. In my work with couples, and in this blog, I combine knowledge from many fields to bring you my best ideas, tips, tools and skills, plus book and movie reviews, and musings to help you be your genuine self, find your own voice, and have a happy and healthy relationship. Don't be surprised to hear about brain research and business skills, self-soothing techniques from all walks of life, suggestions and experiments, and anything that lights my passion for couples. (Author and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Calif. Lic # MFC 45204.)
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My husband and I, with our adored Papillon, Bixby (yes, named after Bixby Bridge), were hosted by Hofsas House in Carmel. We had an amazing getaway, especially after staying home for 14 months.
Right in the heart of Carmel, we walked to the beach for sunset. Blooming agapanthus were everywhere, riots of flowers’ scent reached us amidst the fresh ocean air. Sitting in the sand, I felt tension drain away. I had everything I wanted and needed with my beloved and pup by my side.
It would be so easy to stay in Carmel for a while. The internet connection is work-worthy. Our two rooms were about 1000 square feet (I thought a pool table would easily work in one bedroom!), with two baths, three beds, and a kitchenette. The pastries from a local bakery made the continental breakfast noteworthy. Since so many of us are working from home, why not work in Carmel? There’s plenty of space for you and your beloved, or your family and dog.
Carrie, the owner of Hofsas House is the granddaughter of Donna Hofsas who started the hotel in the 1940s. The Bavarian murals were painted by Maxine Albro, who painted alongside Diego Rivera in San Francisco.
Carrie was a huge help; she pointed us to restaurants and guided us to Garland Ranch Regional Park, where we could bring Bixby. About eight miles inland on Carmel Valley Road, Garland was full of wildflowers (and a 4’ gopher snake) and views of the valley.
Sitting outside, we had tasty crab tacos and cioppino at Flaherty's. Chatting with others and admiring their dogs was refreshing—a pre-Covid experience we relished.
Wandering around Carmel, looking in art galleries, is a favorite pastime. I have an avid interest in impressionism, and seen paintings of Big Sur at the Carmel Art Association.
Alas, we had to come home (my husband doesn’t work online). Refreshed, relaxed, and filled with joy, we made our way home to Silicon Valley.
