Fog City

I love these photos. When I was a young man and my son Ramsey was 2, we figured, what the hay, we'll just get a package of Hostess Cupcakes, put two candles in and sing Happy Birthday. That was 1978. When my son Cassidy's daughter, Ashby turned 2 last month, he thought it would be funny to do the same. And when I turned 64, I thought this could become a family tradition. And so it was.

Fog City

Me and Lauren in our Ray Bans, and Ashby Jaye enjoying the festivities.

The Raher Girls waving Old Glory! Christine, Lauren and Ashby

Ashby has the best and safest seat in the house, her daddy's perch!

What, only a chip, where's my burger?

I'll take two if you please!

The 4th of July has come and gone. As with most events of supposed significance, I continue to procrastinate about posting my thoughts and photos. There is always a basic urge to celebrate in some form, but as the day approaches, just how, eludes me. I've gotten too old for dense crowds, and painfully high decibel levels, so what to do. Driving long distances is always a deterrent, as is schmoozing for hours with folks who don't share my opinions and perceptions. Fortunately my son and daughter-in-law, and my delicious granddaughter live in the near suburbs. We visited them enthusiastically to watch a typical, main street, American parade, wave our flags, and dress up in the Red, White and Blue. Access was easy, crowds were navigable, and my granddaughter could see all she wanted. We ate burgers and drank root beer and cream soda, and felt satisfied. A Happy 4th!

Fog City

As you know, time slips away, even more quickly as we age. At my age the days can become remarkably similar, only certain activities distinguish one from the other. Day light turns to night, but even the natural process can seem unable to differentiate. What is today, let me think, oh it's Saturday. See what I mean.
I did manage a brisk walk to the beach this morning, which was almost enjoyable. The day was bright and warm, with little wind, but every ilk of human was careening around. Large groups of cyclists sped hither and yon, small organized foot races filled streets and walkways, bumping into each other. Then the ubiquitous tour buses spewing diesel fumes stopped and started at all points of interest. The only ones indifferent or aloof from such frenzy were the buffalo lounging in their bare dirt spots across the meadow.

I did get down to Carmel last week for a NCGA sanctioned golf tournament. It was a two day event, the first round at Poppy Hills, and the second at Quail Lodge. The courses were in tremendous condition with firm fast greens. Greens we Lincoln duffers rarely get to play. It took considerable adjustment and more than a few mistakes were made. Scoring was by accumulating the two best balls of the four played, and subtracting the Index of those two players. We didn't play our best, but there is a lot of pressure in tournament play, and we finished tied for 9th in a 20 team field. So that was OK!

Fog City

Cass and Lauren holding my most special granddaughter Ashby. Look at her eyes, I like to think she has my observation qualities.

The lovely Elise trying her best not to act silly, and I think with the camera in such close proximity, it worked. Thanks Elise!

Christine and myself sharing the glow from our progeny and beyond.

Ah the happy couple basking in joyful knowledge, we made it this far!

Fog City

It's Monday. I walked to the coffee shop, ordered a cup, sat down to ruminate, and thought, I must look like the rest of the senior citizens staring out the window. Frankly there was something comforting about such a scenario. I watched the young select their beverage, and rush out tucking folders under their arms, peering into their iphones for help, with an urgency I surely didn't envy. I got up and left after my back began to ache, and meandered home.

Yesterday was another great Mother's Day, even though I'm not a mother. Christine organized a day at the races. The extended family, grandparents to infants, gathered for a Sunday brunch in the Turf Club at Golden Gate Fields. Everyone enjoyed a variety of food, over and over, and collectively got quite giddy about their whimsical betting. Whimsical it was, for no one won any money of note, but everyone wore an ecstatic smile! All our lovely ladies had their photo taken with the winning jockey after the 6th race, and a beautiful photo it is! Until next year...

Fog City

I'm steaming! I just wrote a paragraph, which I quite liked and clicked to add photo and the whole operation disappeared. And Christine wonders why I'm on the computer so long, well I have to do everything about 3 times, not only that, then try to remember what I was commenting about. Arrgghh! It is Monday morning and we are in the throes of our brief summer. The temperature is in the mid 70s and the sun is working it's magic. It's tank top time! The weekend was exceptionally beautiful enhancing our two day lawn bowling tournament. You wouldn't think such an aesthetically pleasing spectacle could be so physically taxing, but I'm here to testify, it is! The club members are an extremely nice bunch, and a perfect antidote for the usual procession of murder stories on the news. I'm pooped this morning honing my computer skills. Really? Anyway I was pinning a food item on Pinterest and came across this refreshing website, and naturally wanted to share it. Check it out and enjoy. http://iowagirleats.com/

Fog City

I have a list of things I want to do, but to my chagrin I take on the characteristics of a snail, with no direction. I have a magazine and a much desired book dead in front of me on the table. I will complete both soon, but I find a sort of reverse satisfaction in creating layers of procrastination. It's a mild application of Murphy's Law; don't do today, what you can put off until tomorrow, and on and on. I have other more serious projects which haven't passed the embryonic stage, like writing a memoir, or seriously and physically losing unwanted blubber, or getting real about my urban documentary film. So you see fraction and abstraction continue to be a distraction. Later!