A Box From The NorthWest.

I saw a salmon jump out of the water once in Seattle.  We were visiting some mighty nice folks.  A little bit silly.  One, not the best at writing back during the year.  You might say kind of a pain.  You might say that.  I wouldn't.  Just the same, we know they are out there and welcoming whenever we head back North.

The previous week we found a UPS notice attached to our door from S&D.  I asked Dexter- who is S&D ? He thought about this for a moment and said conclusively, "Sarah and Drew".  Ah, great!  However the package turned out to be something Maria had ordered in support of a friend selling jewelry from Stella and Dot.  Oh well.

           But on December 22, along with 350 other packages that came in, was this one....

                    Pretty big box. Loaded with cookies, Chex mix, granola, mixed nuts, coffee, apple butter, candy, spices and more than I can fathom, imagine, remember.  Just immense.  Most of this put together individually crafted- like sister Kathy's stuff. 

         We realized that we had to look deeper; something peering from within the granola.  Finding meaning...

                                       
                                                                 deeper still....

                                                                 of course.

                                                                  and friendship.

First Video ; Season's Screams Of Joy

A Day With Dad

     
Last week we invited Dad out and without hesitation he replied, yes.  After days of cold and rain, Saturday was a good one; weather dry with the temperature mild and not cold.  We could sit in the sun with our first stop at Boudin's on the Wharf.  It's been years since Dad has been here with places to explore that he has never been to.

Clam chowder and sourdough bread and I've got a pretty content father.  Sitting at a table with the warmth of the sun watching tourists and the F line streetcar stroll by stimulated his interest.  Joining us was Maria's old pal, Justephanie (Stephanie/Stretch).

Then a walk to the Mechanical Museum (Museum Mechanique) recalling Playland and the old time arcade games and music machines.  Dad enjoyed the foot messagers the most, willingly going for second and third rounds.  He told Maria a story of how brothers can get on each other's nerves. Once his brother Harry took a bite out of his apple, Dad took what was left of the apple and bounced it off of Harry's head.  At the Mechanical Museum, the boys racked up pockets full of gumballs.

Following was a short drive to A T &;T Park which Dad has never stopped  to visit.  Today we were there to show Dad the brick.  It didn't take long to find.  Watching him I didn't get a true read of what he thinks of it but it was important for me to have Dad see it first hand; a real physical proximity.

Other than one remark from Dad that we were taking him out to use his handicapped placard, it was a very good day.  We took you out big guy because we love you!  Very proud of the care the boys show him, and together the three won the hand wrestling match with the robot wrestler.  How can you beat that moment?

                                         Oh! Stretch scores 24.  Bri-Guy 44.  Just sayin'...

                                                 Vapor-Trx.  Still a very nice video game!

                                                Round 2 of the amazing foot messager

They Choose The Path They Take

Despite how we might advise or attempt to direct, our children will choose to follow their muse, skill set and desires.  We hope this includes good decision making but one never knows for sure.  Additionally as parents we have to allow them the opportunities, however unique or non conformist these opportunities may be.

Oliver, and Dexter before him have always excelled at free climbing, and recently O Zone has achieved being the top of his age group, at age 8, in the nation. His climbing coach continues to develop his skills while  having us sign off on new waiver forms.   Certainly we are concerned about their safety while continually questioned by others in our parenting responsibilities.  However the joy and freedom the boys feel when they climb is never dismissed and ultimately, if it gets them out of the house now and then, all the better.  They need to experience the world.  The solitude of the climb will always triumph the void of the flat screen.

You can see Oliver ascending the far right peak.

                                              This one "was a breeze".  Colorado, 2012.

Oliver loves Rollee Coasters, Dexter Likes His Dad

What You May Not Want To Do

It's a good idea to get some rest; take a nap.

It's a good idea to eat and support local business; get a sandwich from a neighborhood deli.

It's a great idea to stop and smell the roses; if you've got someplace like Golden Gate Park, get there.

If you get there by using a car, stop awhile.

But you may not want to take a nap-even a short one in your car, in the park with a sandwich.

You might wake up to see this.