Happy 50th CA Bill!
I'm in So Cal as well...moved when I was 5 from Boston, so a non native...
Your story resonates with me, and being that I am only months into the Alembic Club (and I just purchased a second Alembic Spoiler bass, pictures and history request soon to post) I totally understand the comfort here.
(Really good folks here)
My dad passed a little over a year ago, and during a trip to clean out his house, I unconsciously grabbed a pen that was a token gift from when he was supporting the Ronald Regan Foundation, way back when.
On the side of the pen is the inscription, "It can be done."
(I'm not a Reagan expert, but assume it was somewhat of his motto?)
Well, this pen became my mantra for taking on the refinish and restoration of my first used Alembic bass(a bucket list item) as it became apparent that the bass was not in 'excellent' shape as represented.
Instead of buyers remorse and despair, the bass, this club, and my late dads pen are my inspiration to refinish the bass to as good as it can be.
It can be done. Right!
Welcome to CA anniversary!
Condolences for the loss of your mom.
I'm sure she's looking down, proud that her son always called his mom.