Sunday, June 23, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Surf's Up
Some time has gone by again. A few big things have happened, some of which I may write about at another time, but for now I just have some baseball and Rylee's birthday in mind to tell you about. I also have many pics to upload from our camera. I'll get those here soon, too.
This has been such a terrific year for the boys playing baseball. Jackson has been playing for the Yankees in the minor league. Rylee has been playing machine pitch (sometimes called Rookie League) for the Marlins. It's been a real treat to go to all the practices and games and watch them. We've gotten to know the players, the coaches, and the parents...even grandparents and other family, and that's been a fun part of the season, too. The parents become good friends, and we often chat with them in the stands during the games. Several discussions about camping and fishing and other sports and just about anything you can think of. We tell stories. We ask about things. Did you bike here again? How was your trip? We prep the fields. I bring a camp chair for Cyndi and we all try to find a bit of shade. I often get antsy and have to pace, often leaning against the chain link to clap and give some encouragement. The minor league field is next to the concession stand, which has the best hot dogs, frito pies, and green chile cheeseburgers. Rylee likes the nachos and cheese. It's also a treat to see the camaraderie among the boys on each team. They genuinely support one another and have learned to act like a team. Baseball teaches a lot, and Jackson's coaches, especially, have been outstanding.
Jackson is in the middle of tournament season now. Tournaments are played in minors and above, so Rylee's season has ended. Jackson is anxious for the season to end. (We've been playing since January.) He was specifically asked to play on the all-star team to play other minor leagues around the area during the summer, but he declined that. They finished their season in first place. They won their first tournament game, but last night they lost in the bottom of the 6th when the home team scored a run. They were tied 2-2 in the top of the 6th, after a fierce defensive battle on the part of both teams. It's double elimination; next game is on Thursday.
It's been such a treat to watch Jackson play. Last night was like so many of his games this season. He pitched two full innings. You could feel the pressure in this tight game. On the mound, he takes time to collect himself, then focuses on the catcher's mitt, balances, and throws. It is very methodical. One parent asked if he played chess, the way he studies each of his pitches. He has an uncanny ability to throw strikes that drop right over the plate. He throws very few wild pitches, which keeps any runners from advancing and scoring, and he hardly ever walks a batter. When the batters do hit off him, as they did in this last game, they usually get grounders that Jack's teammates field and make the out. He's been very effective, and it's also great to see his teammates make the solid defensive plays behind him. Last night, there was the prettiest of an almost, classic 4-6-3 double play. The other team did not score on him.
At bat, Jackson is the premier bunter in the league. He leads off and lays down the softest bunts just inside the line and runs hard for first, almost always getting on. From there, he is quick to steal and this year he has developed a great slide. Last night he took out the short stop sliding into second. He also played second base last night, and he got a hard grounder to make the throw out at first.
Rylee wasn't challenged enough this year, but he had a chance to shine and develop his play at first base. The coach put him there from the beginning since he quickly learned to stretch and make the catch and the out, despite the fact that he is so young and therefore smaller than most of his teammates. One parent remarked at the last game that he was just a vacuum cleaner at first. He plays in front of the base line, and with the artificial turf in the infield the grounders come fast and hard. He always charges and moves in front of the ball, and you can see his big first baseman's glove scoop the ball up. He's not afraid to take one in the chest, too, if it has to come to that, since he is so determined to make the out. He'll chase any popup, fair or foul, and get under the ball for the out. Another parent remarked how fast he is on the bases. He is such a determined runner and has a beautiful slide. He's getting smarter about running and plays. He hits good drives off his bat. It didn't hurt to get some more batting experience this year at this level. The coach treats him different from most of the other players. For one reason, Ry listens and learns fast. For another, his skill level is beyond most of the other players, but they all have improved remarkably over the course of the season and it's fun when you see something that looks like real baseball. His team hands out little awards after every game, and Rylee has come away with most of the fielding awards. His end of the year party is next week, and he and his teammates are getting some nice warm up jerseys, in lieu of trophies.
He's anxious to sign up for fall ball, while Jackson is ready for a season of soccer.
Before the last game, Rylee kept telling me about this scenario: there's one runner on third; no more than one out; he's playing first as always; a grounder is hit toward him; he fields it, tags the base for the force, and fires it home to the catcher for another out, saving the run. He wanted so much to make that play. Arthur, who has played catcher almost the entire season, is good and can make that catch and make that out. I think Ry and Arthur make the best combination on the team. I told Arthur's dad about Ry's scenario. That scenario actually came up during the game. Ry gathered the grounder, made the out at first and threw hard to the catcher as the runner from third was coming in. Arthur caught the ball at home as the runner was sliding. Oh, it was so close! I turned to Arthur's dad and we laughed with joy.
Ry's next to last game came the night that Jackson's team was the team of the game at the Isotopes. That was pretty cool. The boys dressed in their uniforms and brought their gloves. Before the game they had all the hot dogs, sodas and ice cream they could want while the Isotopes had their pregame warm up and batting practice before dressing up for the game. Then the boys were taken down to the field, along the third base line in front of the home dugout, where some pictures were taken as the professional players emerged again for their final warm up in their uniforms, many of them walking down the line of boys and giving them high-fives. Then the boys stood in front of the dugout, and the Isotope players would come over to them to sign balls and gloves. Finally, the boys got to take their position in the park, alongside the Isotope players, for the Star Spangled Banner. Jackson got to stand next to the starting pitcher by the mound. The boys sat together in the stands for the game, trying to catch fouls or get a player to toss them one. I got Jackson a ball after the game, after they ran the bases, a tradition for all children at all of the games.
School ended before Memorial Day. There was an outdoor graduation for the fifth graders, and they sang some fun songs. Jackson got a "diploma". He'll really be moving on next year. Cyndi and I attended a parent social at the Academy one evening. It's all so impressive. Rylee was excited at year-end about the great teacher he had and his gifted class, and began preparing ahead already for next year's gifted project. Last week, he read the Tin Tin graphic novel Jackson got from Ariel, and I watched him play with tiny toy soldiers in the sandbox outside. Jackson, meanwhile, is as full time on the computer as he can be and he still talks about building one this summer. Cyndi takes them to the pool as often as she can, while she is studying for a Series 65.
Rylee began to count down to his birthday about ten days out. He also remembered Ariel and Chris' anniversary would fall the day before. He didn't have much of a wish list. He wanted a dog but the house is small, the yard is small, and there may be some allergy issues in the house. Then he started mentioning a rabbit, and that started to sound like a good idea. A few days before his birthday we did some research and I even visited the nearest animal shelter and was surprised how impressive an operation and facility it was. On Sunday, a day before his birthday, we surprised Ry and took him there. A rabbit adoption organization would be there that morning, too, to answer questions as they cleaned up the rabbit room and cages. A man, everyone called him the bunny man, spent over an hour with us as Rylee picked out just one rabbit and began to hold it. Her name is Limes, and we've stuck with that name. Poor rabbit seems to have had a very rough start to May, after probably being lost from a home at some point, but she is very gentle. We brought her home, after buying a rabbit cage, and food, and litter, and hay. She is in the boys' room now. Both love her.
Ry went swimming with a friend on his birthday. He also celebrated with Nicholas's birthday. We had pizza on Sunday and cake and ice cream on Monday, and he got a few other presents he wanted: Tin Tin volume 5, a major league baseball rule book (okay, that wasn't actually on his list), basketball shorts, a skateboard shirt, and a set of Legos. He's been smiling a lot lately.
Cyndi, meanwhile, has made new friends with a wild rabbit--Rylee calls it Frederico--that hangs out in our yard, along with a robin and a couple of sparrows. It's our own menagerie. They come around when I'm outside, too, expecting to see Cyndi. The grass is coming back, finally, and a couple spots I seeded are sprouting now. The lavender will make it another year. The aspen is shooting up. The state is having an extreme drought, and a couple of fires sprang up last week. There's been no rain for as long as we can remember.
Ariel is running the San Francisco marathon with her friend Emily on Father's Day weekend. She says it's hot in New York City now. She called once as she was doing several loops around Central Park.
I'll say more, but I'll start working for the District Attorney in Raton in a couple of weeks.
This has been such a terrific year for the boys playing baseball. Jackson has been playing for the Yankees in the minor league. Rylee has been playing machine pitch (sometimes called Rookie League) for the Marlins. It's been a real treat to go to all the practices and games and watch them. We've gotten to know the players, the coaches, and the parents...even grandparents and other family, and that's been a fun part of the season, too. The parents become good friends, and we often chat with them in the stands during the games. Several discussions about camping and fishing and other sports and just about anything you can think of. We tell stories. We ask about things. Did you bike here again? How was your trip? We prep the fields. I bring a camp chair for Cyndi and we all try to find a bit of shade. I often get antsy and have to pace, often leaning against the chain link to clap and give some encouragement. The minor league field is next to the concession stand, which has the best hot dogs, frito pies, and green chile cheeseburgers. Rylee likes the nachos and cheese. It's also a treat to see the camaraderie among the boys on each team. They genuinely support one another and have learned to act like a team. Baseball teaches a lot, and Jackson's coaches, especially, have been outstanding.
Jackson is in the middle of tournament season now. Tournaments are played in minors and above, so Rylee's season has ended. Jackson is anxious for the season to end. (We've been playing since January.) He was specifically asked to play on the all-star team to play other minor leagues around the area during the summer, but he declined that. They finished their season in first place. They won their first tournament game, but last night they lost in the bottom of the 6th when the home team scored a run. They were tied 2-2 in the top of the 6th, after a fierce defensive battle on the part of both teams. It's double elimination; next game is on Thursday.
It's been such a treat to watch Jackson play. Last night was like so many of his games this season. He pitched two full innings. You could feel the pressure in this tight game. On the mound, he takes time to collect himself, then focuses on the catcher's mitt, balances, and throws. It is very methodical. One parent asked if he played chess, the way he studies each of his pitches. He has an uncanny ability to throw strikes that drop right over the plate. He throws very few wild pitches, which keeps any runners from advancing and scoring, and he hardly ever walks a batter. When the batters do hit off him, as they did in this last game, they usually get grounders that Jack's teammates field and make the out. He's been very effective, and it's also great to see his teammates make the solid defensive plays behind him. Last night, there was the prettiest of an almost, classic 4-6-3 double play. The other team did not score on him.
At bat, Jackson is the premier bunter in the league. He leads off and lays down the softest bunts just inside the line and runs hard for first, almost always getting on. From there, he is quick to steal and this year he has developed a great slide. Last night he took out the short stop sliding into second. He also played second base last night, and he got a hard grounder to make the throw out at first.
Rylee wasn't challenged enough this year, but he had a chance to shine and develop his play at first base. The coach put him there from the beginning since he quickly learned to stretch and make the catch and the out, despite the fact that he is so young and therefore smaller than most of his teammates. One parent remarked at the last game that he was just a vacuum cleaner at first. He plays in front of the base line, and with the artificial turf in the infield the grounders come fast and hard. He always charges and moves in front of the ball, and you can see his big first baseman's glove scoop the ball up. He's not afraid to take one in the chest, too, if it has to come to that, since he is so determined to make the out. He'll chase any popup, fair or foul, and get under the ball for the out. Another parent remarked how fast he is on the bases. He is such a determined runner and has a beautiful slide. He's getting smarter about running and plays. He hits good drives off his bat. It didn't hurt to get some more batting experience this year at this level. The coach treats him different from most of the other players. For one reason, Ry listens and learns fast. For another, his skill level is beyond most of the other players, but they all have improved remarkably over the course of the season and it's fun when you see something that looks like real baseball. His team hands out little awards after every game, and Rylee has come away with most of the fielding awards. His end of the year party is next week, and he and his teammates are getting some nice warm up jerseys, in lieu of trophies.
He's anxious to sign up for fall ball, while Jackson is ready for a season of soccer.
Before the last game, Rylee kept telling me about this scenario: there's one runner on third; no more than one out; he's playing first as always; a grounder is hit toward him; he fields it, tags the base for the force, and fires it home to the catcher for another out, saving the run. He wanted so much to make that play. Arthur, who has played catcher almost the entire season, is good and can make that catch and make that out. I think Ry and Arthur make the best combination on the team. I told Arthur's dad about Ry's scenario. That scenario actually came up during the game. Ry gathered the grounder, made the out at first and threw hard to the catcher as the runner from third was coming in. Arthur caught the ball at home as the runner was sliding. Oh, it was so close! I turned to Arthur's dad and we laughed with joy.
Ry's next to last game came the night that Jackson's team was the team of the game at the Isotopes. That was pretty cool. The boys dressed in their uniforms and brought their gloves. Before the game they had all the hot dogs, sodas and ice cream they could want while the Isotopes had their pregame warm up and batting practice before dressing up for the game. Then the boys were taken down to the field, along the third base line in front of the home dugout, where some pictures were taken as the professional players emerged again for their final warm up in their uniforms, many of them walking down the line of boys and giving them high-fives. Then the boys stood in front of the dugout, and the Isotope players would come over to them to sign balls and gloves. Finally, the boys got to take their position in the park, alongside the Isotope players, for the Star Spangled Banner. Jackson got to stand next to the starting pitcher by the mound. The boys sat together in the stands for the game, trying to catch fouls or get a player to toss them one. I got Jackson a ball after the game, after they ran the bases, a tradition for all children at all of the games.
School ended before Memorial Day. There was an outdoor graduation for the fifth graders, and they sang some fun songs. Jackson got a "diploma". He'll really be moving on next year. Cyndi and I attended a parent social at the Academy one evening. It's all so impressive. Rylee was excited at year-end about the great teacher he had and his gifted class, and began preparing ahead already for next year's gifted project. Last week, he read the Tin Tin graphic novel Jackson got from Ariel, and I watched him play with tiny toy soldiers in the sandbox outside. Jackson, meanwhile, is as full time on the computer as he can be and he still talks about building one this summer. Cyndi takes them to the pool as often as she can, while she is studying for a Series 65.
Rylee began to count down to his birthday about ten days out. He also remembered Ariel and Chris' anniversary would fall the day before. He didn't have much of a wish list. He wanted a dog but the house is small, the yard is small, and there may be some allergy issues in the house. Then he started mentioning a rabbit, and that started to sound like a good idea. A few days before his birthday we did some research and I even visited the nearest animal shelter and was surprised how impressive an operation and facility it was. On Sunday, a day before his birthday, we surprised Ry and took him there. A rabbit adoption organization would be there that morning, too, to answer questions as they cleaned up the rabbit room and cages. A man, everyone called him the bunny man, spent over an hour with us as Rylee picked out just one rabbit and began to hold it. Her name is Limes, and we've stuck with that name. Poor rabbit seems to have had a very rough start to May, after probably being lost from a home at some point, but she is very gentle. We brought her home, after buying a rabbit cage, and food, and litter, and hay. She is in the boys' room now. Both love her.
Ry went swimming with a friend on his birthday. He also celebrated with Nicholas's birthday. We had pizza on Sunday and cake and ice cream on Monday, and he got a few other presents he wanted: Tin Tin volume 5, a major league baseball rule book (okay, that wasn't actually on his list), basketball shorts, a skateboard shirt, and a set of Legos. He's been smiling a lot lately.
Cyndi, meanwhile, has made new friends with a wild rabbit--Rylee calls it Frederico--that hangs out in our yard, along with a robin and a couple of sparrows. It's our own menagerie. They come around when I'm outside, too, expecting to see Cyndi. The grass is coming back, finally, and a couple spots I seeded are sprouting now. The lavender will make it another year. The aspen is shooting up. The state is having an extreme drought, and a couple of fires sprang up last week. There's been no rain for as long as we can remember.
Ariel is running the San Francisco marathon with her friend Emily on Father's Day weekend. She says it's hot in New York City now. She called once as she was doing several loops around Central Park.
I'll say more, but I'll start working for the District Attorney in Raton in a couple of weeks.
Monday, May 6, 2013
surfing lesson
There were a couple of spots David and I mowed that had poison oak. David pointed it out to me. Some we just mowed over. There were a couple of spots on a hill I worked on. No problem with long pants, socks and shoes, but when I capsized the next day I took off my wet socks and I think there was still some oil on my shoes that rubbed off near my ankles. A couple of small red splotches showed up when I got home. I avoided irritating them and they've gone away. I read up on it and learned it is not contagious; it really requires contact with the plant oils.
This is a good year for baseball for both of the boys. I did hear many good things about Jackson's game pitching while I was gone.The coach said it was phenomenal, and then started him pitching again in the game this past Saturday. He pitched two innings. He's working on speed, and last night at home he tried more movement in his arm. But he has lots of accuracy, and the ball he throws is deceptive. He spends time before his throw, and gathers his focus and balance. His teammates chat him up with encouragement and back him up whenever there is a hit. Very few walks; no wild pitches. Several 1-3 outs. A really nice 6-3 play, and we're going to start seeing some nice double plays soon. His team won 12-0 against a team that was undefeated. There was some grumbling among parents and coaches on the other side of the field, but we had a great time on our side in the cool morning. Jackson had a couple of hits and a couple of strike outs, swinging. A nice bunt and some strong base running, even a couple of good slides. He played first the remainder of the game. (He needs a new glove!)
Rylee's team won 11-0 on Saturday. He played first again. I filled in as a field ump, so I got to see Ry play close-up. Early into the game, a hard hit came his way. The infield for this level is artificial turf, and the ball comes hard and fast. Rylee got in front of the ball, which came off the turf fast, off his glove and into his chest and cheek. Ry didn't miss a beat, scooped up the ball and ran to first for the out. Another hit was very wide off first and I watched Ry scoop it up and drive to first faster than I'd ever seen. I could see the determination in his face. The batter also was running hard to first. I called the runner safe, but I told Ry later that his coach thought he'd beaten the runner to the bag. Ry also scored several times, a nice slide into second, and a good hit into shallow right field, where the real grass, cut long, stops most hits. Both boys batted in the no. 2 spot.
By the last couple of innings, the day had warmed considerably. I started thinking seriously about hydration for myself, and I noticed the players on both teams were getting worn down. By contrast, Jackson's game was in the early morning, still quite cool, and I watched him joking with the coaches about computers at the start of the game. Last night, as the boys played catch in the front yard, Jackson pitching, Rylee catching and calling balls and strikes, I wondered if this will be something they do in years to come. At one point in the morning, they just got pissed with each other and started fighting. Rylee got his feelings hurt, Jackson tried to make it right, and Rylee retaliated. After telling them they were both wrong, and both right, I made them shake hands. They thought that was funny. We wrapped mom's birthday present and signed a card the boys' found, and later we baked a cake.
Rylee went to the school's spring fling on Friday evening. It was like a special two-hour recess for him. He played with his second-grade classmates, first on the inflated jumpers and slides and then on the regular playground. The kids were shouting "onomatopoeia". They knew what it meant, but I think they did it for the penultimate syllable. Lots of kids and parents. I waited in line for pizza slices for me and Ry, and then got him to join me in the faster line for the shaved ice.
I'm ending with a few snapshots I took on my phone. The first is Ry's desk. It shows many of his Lego sets: buildings, ships, all sorts of cruisers and minifigures; some comic books and a book he's reading; and the two sea urchin shells. The second is Jack's desk, with the two monitors, and maybe you can make out the microphone and a small speaker and lots of plug ins coming off the side. Since the boys don't read this blog now, I'm pretty sure, I didn't think they'd mind this glimpse. And maybe it would be fun to see later. The third is a pic I didn't use from the White Sands trip but I think it may be interesting to post.
Today is cool with a mild breeze, a touch of dampness, that reminds me of my time near the ocean. Big white fluffy cumulus clouds lolling about in the sky above in all directions makes me think rain is coming.
This is a good year for baseball for both of the boys. I did hear many good things about Jackson's game pitching while I was gone.The coach said it was phenomenal, and then started him pitching again in the game this past Saturday. He pitched two innings. He's working on speed, and last night at home he tried more movement in his arm. But he has lots of accuracy, and the ball he throws is deceptive. He spends time before his throw, and gathers his focus and balance. His teammates chat him up with encouragement and back him up whenever there is a hit. Very few walks; no wild pitches. Several 1-3 outs. A really nice 6-3 play, and we're going to start seeing some nice double plays soon. His team won 12-0 against a team that was undefeated. There was some grumbling among parents and coaches on the other side of the field, but we had a great time on our side in the cool morning. Jackson had a couple of hits and a couple of strike outs, swinging. A nice bunt and some strong base running, even a couple of good slides. He played first the remainder of the game. (He needs a new glove!)
Rylee's team won 11-0 on Saturday. He played first again. I filled in as a field ump, so I got to see Ry play close-up. Early into the game, a hard hit came his way. The infield for this level is artificial turf, and the ball comes hard and fast. Rylee got in front of the ball, which came off the turf fast, off his glove and into his chest and cheek. Ry didn't miss a beat, scooped up the ball and ran to first for the out. Another hit was very wide off first and I watched Ry scoop it up and drive to first faster than I'd ever seen. I could see the determination in his face. The batter also was running hard to first. I called the runner safe, but I told Ry later that his coach thought he'd beaten the runner to the bag. Ry also scored several times, a nice slide into second, and a good hit into shallow right field, where the real grass, cut long, stops most hits. Both boys batted in the no. 2 spot.
By the last couple of innings, the day had warmed considerably. I started thinking seriously about hydration for myself, and I noticed the players on both teams were getting worn down. By contrast, Jackson's game was in the early morning, still quite cool, and I watched him joking with the coaches about computers at the start of the game. Last night, as the boys played catch in the front yard, Jackson pitching, Rylee catching and calling balls and strikes, I wondered if this will be something they do in years to come. At one point in the morning, they just got pissed with each other and started fighting. Rylee got his feelings hurt, Jackson tried to make it right, and Rylee retaliated. After telling them they were both wrong, and both right, I made them shake hands. They thought that was funny. We wrapped mom's birthday present and signed a card the boys' found, and later we baked a cake.
Rylee went to the school's spring fling on Friday evening. It was like a special two-hour recess for him. He played with his second-grade classmates, first on the inflated jumpers and slides and then on the regular playground. The kids were shouting "onomatopoeia". They knew what it meant, but I think they did it for the penultimate syllable. Lots of kids and parents. I waited in line for pizza slices for me and Ry, and then got him to join me in the faster line for the shaved ice.
I'm ending with a few snapshots I took on my phone. The first is Ry's desk. It shows many of his Lego sets: buildings, ships, all sorts of cruisers and minifigures; some comic books and a book he's reading; and the two sea urchin shells. The second is Jack's desk, with the two monitors, and maybe you can make out the microphone and a small speaker and lots of plug ins coming off the side. Since the boys don't read this blog now, I'm pretty sure, I didn't think they'd mind this glimpse. And maybe it would be fun to see later. The third is a pic I didn't use from the White Sands trip but I think it may be interesting to post.
Today is cool with a mild breeze, a touch of dampness, that reminds me of my time near the ocean. Big white fluffy cumulus clouds lolling about in the sky above in all directions makes me think rain is coming.
Friday, May 3, 2013
surfing
I usually blog from the perspective, as much as I can gauge it, of our family, but I just returned from a trip on my own to my parents' home outside of Monterey and thought I'd spend some time describing my visit with Mom & Dad, David, Beth & Gary, and Lisa. David first suggested the trip, since he was going to help out around the house, and then Beth and Gary helped arrange my flights. As usual, Lisa was the point person for coordinating much of the time, and she and Mom must have figured out the meals together. There were lots of good eats, and a little wine. David grilled tri tip, ribs, and a roasted chicken, while Lisa cooked a stroganoff the last night. Lots of Lisa salads, and Beth made a potato salad that was different and amazing. Dad supplied ice cream, Beth blond brownies, with and without nuts, David Panamanian coffee, and Mom laid out breakfasts and lunches. All wonderful. Mom packed a lunch for my return flight.
Beth and Gary picked me up from the airport and we drove down to Salinas together that evening. David, Dad, Gary and I spent some hours on Saturday and Sunday cutting grass, with a tractor, a brush mower, a lawn mower, and a weed whacker on the hills, before breaking for meals. The land is about 6 acres and I finally figured that this was the cut after the growth season there and just before the Hawaii trip. Beth and I also visited Lisa at the pool she manages. Such a really lovely place, and I could tell immediately how she was a perfect fit. They must love her there. But with her teaching, it means never having a day off. She did say she was planning a trip with Sarah to visit Michael and his family.
Beth and Gary held over another night and left on Monday. David and I spent the better parts of Monday and Tuesday boating in the bay, rowing the boats he made and keeps stored down there just for these trips. Monday we rowed over to Wharf No. 2 from the Coast Guard launch, past the sea lions lounging under the wharf--and even on some of the boats moored outside the marina--and along side the seals and otters, and had a breakfast at loulou's. I really enjoyed this and wanted to return on Tuesday, but it's closed on Tuesdays, we discovered. (When I searched for the website address for the link, I also discovered that tripadvisor readers' rank it the no. 1 restaurant in Monterey.) We met one of the owners. The next day we ate at Lopez Taqueria, across the street from the wharf, and ate on a picnic table next to the beach, in the park where Terra and Karl had their rehearsal dinner. (I couldn't find a good web page, but I discovered it may have been formerly known as La Casa Bodega and may be now owned by a family that owns a restaurant nearby.) Good tacos and burritos.
We spent some time at the divers' beach near Cannery Row after rowing on Tuesday, and the day before we did go to the other, popular wharf and got a beer after the rowing. I got the boys some sea urchin shells there. When we were on the municipal beach the next day, David suggested collecting a couple of beach rocks for the boys, too. Rylee loved these gifts, and I let him think I picked them up in the tide pools, as well as on the beach. I don't know if Jackson was so impressed, but he certainly was glad to see me when I got home and we've spent more than the usual time together since.
I have to tell you how we came to be eating on the beach. We decided to row onto the beach and not dock. David went first, straight in, as he should. Then I rowed toward the beach. A half-second before I hit the surf, my boat turned and it rolled over the wave and capsized with me. Sopping wet, a sight I'm sure. David thought this made for a great adventure. Luckily, I had a dry fleece stored in David's boat to change into.
While I was gone, the boys had a couple of baseball games. I'm sure to hear from the parents how they did, 'cause Jackson reported he pitched one entire game, very unusual in his league, what with a stringent pitch count. His team won and the coach gave him the game ball. Meanwhile, Rylee got a break from first base and finally got to play catcher for a change, his long favorite position. His team won, too. He said he got one in the knees and "they let me walk it off" before resuming catching. He also told me about what might have been a pretty play where he ran in from first to get a hit ball and then tossed it to the pitcher who was running over to cover first. It sounded like he still got to first before the pitcher, but together they got the out. Cyndi reported that Rylee's teacher conference was full of praise for him, including marks for a good sense of humor and the teacher's go-to student to explain a new lesson to the rest of the class. Both boys looked to have grown a few inches while I was gone, and it was so good to be back with them.
I had a wonderful chat with Ariel as she was sitting on the plaza below her place in Manhattan. The weather sounded perfect, trees blossoming, that sort of thing. There was discussion in Monterey about all the kids, Jenni and Jacques' baby on the way, and a possible "reunion" for us all in Asilomar, instead of the Hawaii idea we bandied about a couple of months ago.
Beth and Gary picked me up from the airport and we drove down to Salinas together that evening. David, Dad, Gary and I spent some hours on Saturday and Sunday cutting grass, with a tractor, a brush mower, a lawn mower, and a weed whacker on the hills, before breaking for meals. The land is about 6 acres and I finally figured that this was the cut after the growth season there and just before the Hawaii trip. Beth and I also visited Lisa at the pool she manages. Such a really lovely place, and I could tell immediately how she was a perfect fit. They must love her there. But with her teaching, it means never having a day off. She did say she was planning a trip with Sarah to visit Michael and his family.
Beth and Gary held over another night and left on Monday. David and I spent the better parts of Monday and Tuesday boating in the bay, rowing the boats he made and keeps stored down there just for these trips. Monday we rowed over to Wharf No. 2 from the Coast Guard launch, past the sea lions lounging under the wharf--and even on some of the boats moored outside the marina--and along side the seals and otters, and had a breakfast at loulou's. I really enjoyed this and wanted to return on Tuesday, but it's closed on Tuesdays, we discovered. (When I searched for the website address for the link, I also discovered that tripadvisor readers' rank it the no. 1 restaurant in Monterey.) We met one of the owners. The next day we ate at Lopez Taqueria, across the street from the wharf, and ate on a picnic table next to the beach, in the park where Terra and Karl had their rehearsal dinner. (I couldn't find a good web page, but I discovered it may have been formerly known as La Casa Bodega and may be now owned by a family that owns a restaurant nearby.) Good tacos and burritos.
We spent some time at the divers' beach near Cannery Row after rowing on Tuesday, and the day before we did go to the other, popular wharf and got a beer after the rowing. I got the boys some sea urchin shells there. When we were on the municipal beach the next day, David suggested collecting a couple of beach rocks for the boys, too. Rylee loved these gifts, and I let him think I picked them up in the tide pools, as well as on the beach. I don't know if Jackson was so impressed, but he certainly was glad to see me when I got home and we've spent more than the usual time together since.
I have to tell you how we came to be eating on the beach. We decided to row onto the beach and not dock. David went first, straight in, as he should. Then I rowed toward the beach. A half-second before I hit the surf, my boat turned and it rolled over the wave and capsized with me. Sopping wet, a sight I'm sure. David thought this made for a great adventure. Luckily, I had a dry fleece stored in David's boat to change into.
While I was gone, the boys had a couple of baseball games. I'm sure to hear from the parents how they did, 'cause Jackson reported he pitched one entire game, very unusual in his league, what with a stringent pitch count. His team won and the coach gave him the game ball. Meanwhile, Rylee got a break from first base and finally got to play catcher for a change, his long favorite position. His team won, too. He said he got one in the knees and "they let me walk it off" before resuming catching. He also told me about what might have been a pretty play where he ran in from first to get a hit ball and then tossed it to the pitcher who was running over to cover first. It sounded like he still got to first before the pitcher, but together they got the out. Cyndi reported that Rylee's teacher conference was full of praise for him, including marks for a good sense of humor and the teacher's go-to student to explain a new lesson to the rest of the class. Both boys looked to have grown a few inches while I was gone, and it was so good to be back with them.
I had a wonderful chat with Ariel as she was sitting on the plaza below her place in Manhattan. The weather sounded perfect, trees blossoming, that sort of thing. There was discussion in Monterey about all the kids, Jenni and Jacques' baby on the way, and a possible "reunion" for us all in Asilomar, instead of the Hawaii idea we bandied about a couple of months ago.
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