Nurses at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville call 88-year-old resident Marie Lumos "a pistol," and it's easy to see why.

Her friend, Gianna Peralta, recalled a remark Lumos once made while eyeing fellow diners at the Vets Home during mealtime. "I want you to stop for a second. Take a look around. How the heck did we win a war?"

Peralta, a 15-year-old New Technology High School student, got to know Lumos while she participated in a school program called "Tech Lends a Hand," created to foster local volunteerism. Peralta recalled the day in early May 2006 when she met her friend at the Vets Home, Lumos' home of nine years. "She was here in the dining area in her wheelchair and we were both with friends," said Peralta.

When her school's volunteer project concluded near the end of May last year, Peralta decided her visits to the Vets Home couldn't end. She applied for a volunteer position there so she could continue visiting Lumos and other Vets Home residents. Peralta inspired her mother, Kathleen Peralta, who also began volunteering at the Vets Home in June of 2006.

When Peralta was involved in the "Tech Lends a Hand" program, she said, she took Lumos, a mother of five and grandmother of 16, to Mass, the Vets Home recreation room and other areas. Now, she said, they don't travel far, but still enjoy each other's company.

Another of the Napa teen's volunteer activities includes putting on impromptu piano concerts in the Vets Home recreation room, often playing a version of "The Isle of Capri" for Lumos, who knows the lyrics by heart.

Some might regard the friends as an odd couple -- At 15, Peralta's left ring finger is unadorned, while Lumos was the longtime wife of a veteran. (Her late husband, Gerald Lumos, served in the Navy during World War II.) Lumos grew up in the wide open spaces of Fallon, Nev., where she rode an early model Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Peralta, a Napa native, lives in the suburban Napa neighborhood of Alta Heights.

The women, while close, also come from two distinct eras. While growing up, Lumos delighted in the decidedly low-tech joys of ranch life and found entertainment listening to programs on a radio stationed in her family's living room. In contrast, Peralta is a member of her school's robotics club and carries a cell phone.

In spite of their differences, the duo still connect regularly at the Vets Home, usually once a week. "We talk about everything -- how school's going, what life was like when she was younger, about golfing, horses and music. And both of us are not into TV too much," Peralta said, adding that they share a similar sense of humor.

The friends are both avid readers. Peralta said she likes books containing subject matter ranging from Camelot to the supernatural. One of her favorite books is "A Certain Slant of Light," by Laura Whitcomb. Lumos, however, likes to peruse Golf magazine and is especially fond of westerns. "They're all taken from real life," she said.

Lumos has 88 years' worth of life experience -- its trials and joys -- and she is happy to share occasional advice with Peralta, who listens intently to her friend.

Examples include: "Have fun but know when to be with (boys) and when not to be with them."

"Don't take life so seriously when you're young."

"School is important."

Said Lumos, "It's such an absolute joy to have someone to listen to me."

Peralta said she appreciates her friendship with Lumos because she's so easy to be around. "I like her personality. She's so fun to be with and she's a people person. You can talk to her about anything. Marie tells you to do what makes you happy."

Lumos looks forward to visiting with Peralta. "I'm a sucker for young people. It's because of the family I raised. And being around someone younger than 60 is great," she quipped.

Besides volunteering at the Vets Home, Peralta is in New Technology High School's book club. She is a straight-A student; plays the electric guitar and piano; and recently received scholarships to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at UC Berkeley and Summer Search, a nationwide scholastic program. Peralta has also participated in Talent Search, a college prep program, and plans to study medicine at Johns Hopkins University.