Fifty years ago today I left for Europe.

I left via San Francisco to New York and Iceland. I spent 13 months traveling first to the Scandinavian countries, then Great Britain (not Wales) and back onto the continent and working in Zermatt over the winter and my sister joined me there and we traveled to Rome where she stayed and I went on to Greece and back to Italy. I traveled by train and hitchhiked. I've never been back. I walked all over cities and really got a feel for the countries. I kept a journal. I'm still friends with KS I met in the French Riviera at the youth hostel. She married a guy she met in Europe. My niece was born in Rome after the moon landing.

10th grade class picture at VSHS

Mother died in January and this was my class picture. My childhood friend Eileen sent it to me yesterday. I seem to remember that girl so many years ago.

It could have been worse.

Six, five years old and under!

Independence Day and Concord's 150th anniversary

I had a full day planned and there was more available I could have done that I did not do. Here's what my 4th of July looked like:

Put Old Glory out and hung the flag banner to turn on at dark. Prayed.
7:45 a.m. to 9:00 went to neighbors to cheer on 5K runners and was invited to a delicious breakfast buffet. I had to run home for my red winter parka!
9:00 left for my second breakfast at the ward and sat with STEM and family.
10:00 arrived at parade in time to stand for our National Anthem.
Noon attended 150th anniversary celebration for Concord founder Don Salvio Pacheco and dedication of statue. I had a tee shirt I gave the artist and she accepted with thanks.
1:00 to 2:00 ice cream social at Galindo House and Historical Society Museum seeing the Lopezes and Walkers. Live singer and a lovely event on the lawn.
2:30 to 3:00 laps at the pool.
4:00 to 7:00 Twilight Zone binge.
Ate some food at home and juiced for Thursday.
Got an invite for dessert and visit from neighbor and to watch fireworks in their yard.
8:00 Started A Capitol Fourth on PBS.
8:30 to 10:00 at neighbors for a lovely visit and fireworks set off at Mt Diablo H.S.
10:00 Watched the rest of A Capitol Fourth.
Prayed.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/07/02/concords-150th-birthday-includes-statue-for-city-founder-don-salvio-pacheco/

https://www.visitconcordca.com/events/july-4th-run-parade-fireworks-150-year-anniversary/

https://patch.com/california/concord-ca/calendar/event/20180704/349323/july-4th-parade-ice-cream-social-fireworks-2018-concord

Thrills and spills

Father's Day. Daddy is wearing necklaces made by his boys.

We picked oranges twice, the sweetest, juiciest ever.

 MB, MM, JD at Lindsay Wildlife Experience in front of the sweet barn owl.

In HOA pool with winged angels, JD and MM.

 MM and JD in the front yard.

MM on the library playground slide.


My son came June 10 and stayed three nights with me, here on business. His wife arrived with the children June 13 for a week and they enjoyed two nights away together. I had the grandchildren overnight four nights and every day was a great time with planned events including bowling with three families, outdoor concert, burritos, and dancing, Lindsay Wildlife Experience in W.C., picking oranges twice riding tiny cars, baby pool, 30-minute laps for me on nice enough days and once after MM joined me in his water wings, a Corvette car show and playground fun with us all followed by dinner at Naan 'n' Curry, attending church on Father's Day and being invited to a giant pot luck with friends after a fun time in the afternoon at my home. We all attended a friend's youth basketball game. I read lots of books to my grandchildren and set up two baby pools in the front yard. MM got a record 15 stacked blocks. We played Chinese checkers and Scrabble Junior. We went to two library story times and the dinosaur stories went great with the dinosaur shirts the boys wore that day. The playground by the library is new and fabulous. The tuna sandwiches and chips picnic was delish. Then inside the library was free lunches for children later and planting in the library patio. I showed them the stick-pull game the prophet enjoyed playing and they liked it too. Twice when we waited in the car for shopping I tutored them and sang songs. We stopped by to pet Sheba, the beautiful little black cat. They all took naps to go to the drive-in the last night and were all packed up to spend the night with friends and leave for home. We Facetimed E and D!

The end of an era

RR retired today after being my sup these past 14 years. She worked 37 years and looks about 37. Yesterday was an in-house buffet in the morning and in the afternoon she was presented with two dozen red roses and cards with over $200 in cash. She's always encouraging us to be our best and help each other and by doing that we've made her look good. I was asked to say a few words to present her with the flowers and cards. Today we took her to Don Ramon's. She gave another one of her encouraging speeches of appreciation. I stood and asked all to raise their glasses. Through thick and thin, sick and well...good luck in your next chapter. I think there were 20 of us at one long table at the end of the dining hall. One retired clerk came for the celebration. One is missing from the picture. I ordered shrimp burrito and guacamole. Delish. I just stepped into her office. It's devoid of her spirit and I'm on the verge of tears. She asked for a hug after the luncheon and I told her it'd been grand. She thanked me for everything and said she'd enjoyed our visits. Good luck to her in her next chapter. There will never be another one like her. My friend V and I walked over together and she gave me a beautiful three-diamond ring on the way. And it fits on my right hand. Real or not it's gorgeous and what a sweet gift and friend.

Shrimp Burrito$11.95

Juicy shrimp sauteed with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, rice and beans rolled in a soft flour tortilla with guacamole, sour cream and salsa fresca on the side. Order of Guacamole $7.25.

Flan was given to RR who passed it around the table for all to taste and I finished it off. Yum.

Me, Mike, RR, V in RR's office 30 May 2018.

Family togetherness

Z and E's birthday celebration

S and ZP

Me and JD

A and P

A, P and R

A, P and R

Christmas 2017.  Good times. Paul's commencement was May 3 and his convocation May 4, 2018. Z and E's birthday celebration was Sunday. They turned 1 and 3, one day apart.