Fog City

I keep thinking, and this goes on and on, about buying a tire pump for my bicycle, at the hardware store. But I don't. My alter ego seems to think I need to live longer, impress the multitude, and lose weight, or at least the midriff causing me anxiety. And riding a bike is suppose to be an ingredient, one of several, which will help. But here I sit in an ever deteriorating 65 year old body, screaming why bother. Now days exercise just induces nagging pain in my back, leg joints, lungs and leaves me depressed knowing I'm incapable of, what once came so easily. I'm considering joining the Y, so I can use the elliptical machine, the stationary bike, and treadmills, but that takes a mental commitment, which I know I would squander, and then feel guilty about the monthly fees. You see I've calculated most scenarios, and have for a long time, but now the reality of physical age has become a major factor. Too bad. Recovery time is longer, diet and nutrition are much stricter, just trying to stay in some kind of shape needs radical reform. But what, am I willing to try, and do I even care. Today I went lawn bowling, which is hardly aerobic, even though motion is required. A rather high degree of skill is necessary to compete, and the social interaction is nothing but positive, so in the larger scheme of things, I consider this activity worthwhile. It certainly doesn't reduce my waistline, but it makes me feel good. What more can I ask.

Fog City

Summer is here. You wouldn't believe it, but we've experienced an extended heat wave. Of course here, close to the ocean, the temperature was simply perfect. 75 degrees. But inland, especially where Cassidy lives, in Walnut Creek, the days were over 100 degrees, lasting longer than a week. He and Lauren hosted a low key 4th of July celebration. Cassidy grilled hamburgers, which we ate closer to noon, to avoid the heat of the day. Brendan and Elise shared in the festivities, adding their usual humor to the proceedings. Lauren created a fruit salad in the image of our American flag. Impressive! Ashby the apple of our collective eye, turned 3 the day before on the 3rd. She wasn't at all concerned about hearing Happy Birthday being sung to her, or for that matter, being in the limelight. Her real achievement, which she did enjoy sharing, was finally going potty in the toilet. A true milestone. It was a fine day indeed. I'm very grateful for my family! Enjoy a few photos.

Fog City

What can I say. We were quite inspired after our close encounter with the "Blues Broads." Driving back across the Bridge, the City was sparkling like a jewel in the night, and we realized we hadn't seen the digital light show, streaming down each cable of the Bridge. The best vantage to see such spectacular art is Pier 7. A work of art itself, lined with old style street lamps, benches facing each way, an uneven boardwalk, and views to die for. We walked half way down the Pier, and sat marveling at the light show, both on the Bridge, and the beautiful skyline.
Although a bit dark and amateurish, I think you can grasp a little of what we were seeing and feeling!

Christine walking down Pier 7, as you can see we had this wonder to ourselves!

The digital light show, moves both vertically and horizontally, creating moving abstractions.

A perfect place for reflection, no pun intended.

Fog City

We recently were prompted to venture across the Bridge to Berkeley, for a night of classic and powerful Blues. These ladies, all legends in their own right, combined to remind us all, what good music is all about. They are known as "The Blues Broads," from left to right, Dorothy Morrison, Tracy Nelson, Angela Strehli and Annie Sampson, and can they wail.

Here we are having coffee and juice, at a sidewalk cafe, prior to the show. The entrance to UC Berkeley is across the street, and we watched the parade of gowned graduates marching in, for one of many graduations.

Fog City

Well faithful followers, if there are any, it's time to get something down on paper. My journey of life has flowed without interruption for an extended period. My only real concern is this old age paunch which has gotten slightly out of control. I attribute my inability to reverse the problem, to the inevitable age factor. Once I could jog calories into oblivion, but with joint pain, reduced stamina, and literally no motivation, my only recourse is to eat less. And we know that doesn't work. Oh, it works for awhile, but then a holiday (eating), a family gathering (eating), a pizza with my name on it (eating), all happen more frequently. I have my personal resolve, however diminishing, and I will prevail. Keep your fingers crossed.
We've recently returned from Palm Desert, and the home of Larry and Linda Brooks. It was the occasion of our annual golf tournament and food fest. What made it special this year was the sharing of new babies. There were babies everywhere. We met Neri and Adam's daughter Noa, Steven and Amanda's son Layton, Cassidy and Lauren's second daughter Reese, and the older toddlers, all around two years old, Isaiah, Lila and my sweetheart, Ashby! Whew! Luckily Larry has the space to accommodate such chaos, even a swimming pool to placate frayed nerves. Actually smiles were the attire for all participants, and everyone had a great time. I'll try to raise a couple of photos to represent our good time.

Fog City

I finally had a chance last week to take the bus downtown, specifically skid row. There is a vacant hotel standing idly on the corner of 6th and Howard. It has been designated for demolition for new development. The interesting thing is for the past 16 years it has been a work of art. A virtual sculpture. There are, miraculously, chairs, TV's, refrigerators, beds, sofas, lamps, any and all types of furniture protruding from the windows on each floor. I've driven by hundreds of times, always marveling. Here are a few photos depicting this unique and doomed work of art.

Fog City

I was lawn bowling yesterday, on a warm San Francisco afternoon, and a friend asked when I was going to update my blog. I thought to myself, hhmmm, good question. This blog site has taken a relative back seat to all the other activities out there, in social media land. I also get the sense that no one actually visits here, which minimizes my motivation to keep it current. But I suppose someday my children will resurrect these postings out of sheer curiosity.

It's been a long 4 months since I last visited this space and it has occurred to me, one very special event has changed my life, and all of our family's lives. Reese Casey Raher was born on December 8th, and for you Catholics, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. In her short 3 months, she has grown chubbier, now laughs at the least prodding, and so far has a wonderful disposition. We were graced the past two weekends, having the little ones, Reese and Ashby, stay with us. It's such a joy to witness the speed of their mental development. Ashby is really smart, and has an imagination that is far beyond her nearly 3 years. She'll sit in her little rocking chair, watching the cars go by, and exclaim how they are lions and tigers. I better add a couple pictures at this point.

It seems the photos automatically insert themselves where paragraph breaks are. I found a couple more I like. One I especially like because Ashby has captured my expression, which is peacefully watching golf on TV. I've titled it "Zen and the Art of Golf Viewing." Anyway the girls have naturally become major players in my life. People, places, activities, I once considered so significant in my life, have in some cases just disappeared. Do I miss them, well not really. At my age, I'm a completely different person. Although I remember what once moved me, and cling to some aspects, like the music, the ideals, but I don't have to preach, or sell what I think is right. I can just observe the little ones get smarter and smarter, and rejoice. Maybe I had a little something to do with the family river as it grows and spreads like a delta. When I look into their eyes, I feel good that I passed this way.