A Day in the City

Stanford is forcing people to us their vacation. It is a cost savings measure for the University, but it has also been a wonderful excuse to take an extra day off here and there during the summer.

David and I went to the city to see the Ansel Adams Georgia OKeeffe exhibit and SFMOMA. What a perfect day!

We took BART into the city and stopped at Peets. They had decorated the coffee house with an 80's theme.

The museum exhibits were fantastic.

Pictures here.

and now Funerals

I just got back from the hardest funeral I have ever attended. One of the young men who grew up in our neighborhood, went to school and played sports with my children, was killed in a firefighting training accident last week. There has been plenty of publicity about the tragedy and that isn't what I want to dwell on here. Anytime someone so young dies there just aren't words to describe the pain and fear that ripple through one's heart.

But, what was amazing was the sense of community in the church today. The young men and women firefighters - hundreds of them - who came to honor him. The teachers and parents and coaches who came to support the family and each other through this moment in time. And not to get to "preachy" because I hate that -- but the priest's reminder of the promise of a life beyond this one. In whatever form it takes.
-- Amen

...and Anniversaries

After the wedding on Saturday Dave and I headed up the coast to my Mom's place at Sea Ranch. We spent the evening celebrating our own 20 year anniversary.

I suppose I could use this space for my diatribe on the institution of marriage and its purpose in society, but I'm not going to. Not because I don't have a lot to say, because "I do", but because Dave and I had too good a time to spoil it with my own ramblings. We actually enjoyed the drive through traffic together, we made each other laugh, we got up to Sea Ranch and had a wonderful dinner of tuna sandwiches, salt and vinegar potato chips, and beer!

The coast was fog filled, but we saw plenty of deer, jack rabbits, and had a lovely visit from a fox that frequents her yard.

Weddings ...

We went to a wedding this weekend. Brian and Julie's wedding. It was wonderfully affirming. I've been growing rather cynical about life-long commitment lately. You know how sometimes you look at two people and think to yourself "I give it 3-5 years - tops." What you NEVER think that way... well I do... all the time. I suppose it is my age and my stage in life and definitely a topic for another post, but in any event, that wasn't at all what I thought at this wedding.

I thought to myself "Yes! These are two people who are meant to be together!" They are meant to raise children, take care of aging parents, and most importantly to take care of each other. After spending Saturday watching them commit to each other before God and friends, I just might start believing again in the idea that marriage continues to have a place in our in society after all. Gee, I am actually tearing up as I write, but only for "a Hallmark moment"(sniff).

What? Oh, you want to get onto the important stuff.... dresses and food!

Julie looked amazingly lovely. The ceremony was more religious than I anticipated. The best part was when Brian spoke his own vows through tears and then through laughter had written "Julie's vows for her". The second best part was when Brian had the ring bearer bring up a camera so that he could take a picture of the two of them right after they were pronounce "man and wife".

My full set of pictures is here
The wedding was at the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. The food was amazing! As was the free flowing wine and champagne. I didn't take any pictures of the food (I should have sorry!) but here is the menu

Appetizers
* Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
* Seasonal Fruit Wrapped in Parma Prosciutto
* Full bar, Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Rodney Strong Pinot Noir, Roederer Estate Sparkling White
3-course lunch
* Mixed Green Salad - Everett Ridge Sauvignon Blanc
* Chilled Lobster with melon gazpacho - Ferrari Carano Chardonnay
* Main Course:
o Local Petrale Sole - Dutton Estate Pinot Noir
o Grilled Prime Striploin - Seghesio Zinfandel
o Potato Gnocchi - Dutton Estate Pinot or Ferrari Carano Chardonnay
Cake
* Full bar, Pedro Ximenez Alvear 1927

Dave and I stayed at a B&B called the Camellia Inn right in Healdsburg so we could walk to the "rehearsal dinner" -- another word for party. That party was at the Bear Republic Brewery. I liked the Red Rocket Ale the best and Dave liked the Racer 5 Pale Ale.

Pictures of our room at the B&B. Nice, huh? I didn't take pictures of the whirlpool tub, but it fit two perfectly!

Kids and Adults

When Kara came to visit she said something to me that I have been thinking about. She told me that when she was younger and attending my father's church that "I treated and spoke to her like she was an adult" and she appreciated that. She was an incredibly mature young woman and I liked her spirit even when she was little, but I though about that comment. Maybe that is why, although I love my children tremendously, I much preferred them as they got older.

I was never one for babies or even little kids... don't get me wrong.... I love to smell their heads and nursing both of my girls was an amazing bonding experience. As they got older I liked to make them laugh, read to them and tell them stories, but I really began to enjoy them when they became people with opinions different from mine. When we could discuss adult things... like politics, love, and sex.

I think my mother was much the same way. I remember that Mrs. Cooper, from church, once told her that she treated me too much like and adult and because of that I spoke to adults like an equal. Obviously she didn't appreciate that. Haha! It seems so funny now, but back then children were to be "seen and not heard." Yes, my I remember that my Grandfather would tell us that at the dinner table.

I know that things are changing and that most children are being raised to speak their minds, but even as parents do that they also seem to be protecting their children so much more than before. Just an interesting juxtaposition.

4th of July

Rafting down the Truckee River on the 4th of July has become a tradition in our family. We have our rafts, take our dog, and have a great time.

We have it down to science. Drop one car off at the bottom of the river. Pack everyone in the other car. Go up to the launch area, put on the sunblock, blow up the rafts, and away we go!

This year, like last, we were joined by my brother and my sister-in-law Marcy and nephew Jordan. We had a blast!

Mammoth

We went to Mammoth the scatter Nana's ashes. It was a family affair. We rented a condo with Cath (Dave's sister). We headed though Yosemite and over Tioga pass. We got there Friday evening and just hung out with everyone.

Most people who aren't from CA haven't even heard of Mammoth or they only know it as a ski resort. But, Mammoth is a beautiful area to hike and fish in during the summer. In fact David and I spent our honeymoon almost 20 years ago.

Saturday we headed up to Twin Lakes and rented boats. We had a great time rowing around and the waterfall was lovely. After we hiked up to the old mines below Hart Lake. Most of us made it all the way to the top!



Finally, at 3:30 we all met at Horseshoe Lake to walk back to the place where Pop had his pack station. Coralie (Nana) spent her summers up here as a child with no running water other than a stream near by. It was the perfect place to put her to rest.


Then back for a family picture.


Full picture set.