The Central Coast Coughlins



Aunt Janet & Uncle Edd

Every year since Amara was a baby, Don and I have made our way down to visit his brother Edd, sister-in-law Janet and cousins, Nick, Reba & Scott. Each year we enjoy a few days of both fun and relaxing times at their peaceful piece of paradise not too far from San Luis Obsisbo. As the girls have gotten older and can remember each visit more easily they now look forward to their visits with their aunt, uncle and cousins with memories of visits prior. Sometimes the cousins are not always around but we have begun to build some strong ties with them too.

We get to see the Central Coast Coughlins at other times in the year but to have a few days with them one on one has really helped make the girls bond with them stronger. Amara loves to bake with her Aunt Janet, do puzzles with Uncle Edd and to run around on their 5 acre spread. Havana, just now 3, has begun to enjoy time in the pool and on the trampoline with her uncle, playing games and reading with her aunt and chasing poor Lazo dog around the yard. This year the girls even gave him a bath. (which really meant Janet gave Lazo a bath while the girls watched!)

What I want the girls to remember most about this part of the family is how warm, patient, generous and loving they are. Aunt Janet always gives to the girls in a way that is present and gentle. She makes time for them without hesitation. Amara wants to bake, sure. Havana wants to read a book, Aunt Janet will read to her. They love getting so much positive attention from someone who loves them.

But it's no wonder Aunt Janet is so great with our girls. She raised her own three kids to be some remarkable people. Nick, Reba and Scott all have the same generosity and kindness as their parents. They are respectful and open minded as well as adventurous and outgoing. I pray my girls have some of the same qualities as their cousins do.

And then their is Uncle Edd, who is a big kid himself in many ways. His big hearted natured makes him warm and welcoming. The girls can't get enough of him. "Uncle Edd" can be heard like a mantra all day long each time they are in his presence.  Even when their Uncle is trying to read the newspaper, the girls don't give him any peace! But Uncle Edd is a good sport. During this last visit, the girls got a kick out of it when he showed them the gazillion tiny frogs living in their defunct hot tub. And Amara looks forward to each morning to take the long walk up the driveway with her Uncle Edd and Lazo, to get that newspaper that he doesn't get to read.

When Havana was born, Janet (along with Don's sister Paula) came and spent 3 days taking care of us. I don't think I can find appropriate words to describe what that meant to me and how their presence and hard work helped us transition to life with our second baby. Janet and Paula were like tag team angels who helped keep Amara entertained, kept us feed, made sure the laundry would get done after the many Havana blowouts and just helped us feel connected to family in a way that was soothing, healing and grounding. As long as I am in this body, I will be grateful to Janet for all the love, energy and time she gave to our family that week. Things like that are priceless.
The girls don't yet realize how lucky they are to have an aunt and uncle like Edd and Janet.  For now, all they know is how much fun they have with the.  But as they grow, they will realize this and I am sure they will treasure how blessed they are.

Baking chocolate chip cookies this past summer. (2012)

Baking cupcakes in 2011.

Baking together in 2010.

Pool time with Uncle Edd.

There's always silly fun to be had!

Uncle Edd encouraging Amara to try one of the apples in his orchard.

Amara telling Uncle Edd that the apple was "yucky!" (alittle too sour, I think!)

Lazo Dog

Aunt Janet always exciting things for the girls to do.

With cousin Nick. (2011)

With Aunt Janet, in 201,1 having a snack after a morning trip to the beach.

Piggyback time with Scott at Easter this year.



Havana's turn!

With Uncle Edd in 2011

Scott, Joanna, Emily ( the twins are cousins from Aunt Paula) and Reba. This was at our wedding in 05.

Papa's Things

It's not just mama's things the girls like to play with. Both Amara & Havana have taken to trying on their father's clothing! And on some nights, Amara will use her Papa's shirt as pjs.

El-Sobrante Sroll

I lived in El-Sobrante about ten years before I ventured out to the annual El-Sobrante Stroll. El-Sobrante, which means 'The leftover', is a funky, unincorparted town just northeast of  infamous Berkeley. But El-Sob has it's  fair share of folks living outside of the box. Whereas the radical nature of Berkeley is welcomed and the norm, the folks of El-Sobrante tend to be folks who want a little more space, privacy and there is a wider variety of difference. The annual stroll is the perfect way to size up who and what is going on in this part of the Bay Area.

I wasn't sure if anyone was in there. I was hoping there wasn't!

If you look close, you will see a passenger inside!

Each year, this old VW is brought out for painting. This kind of creative impulse is most welcomed!

Don taking a go at it

You know you live in the Bay Area when a there is a 'Cosmo Jump' jumpy house with peace signs, flowers and the symbols for male and female.

KPFA (sister station to WBAI) is a wealth of real news.

The Hells Angel's have had a strong presence in El-Sobrante for years.

Havana with her friend Niobe. In the background is one of our favorite restaurants. Great papusas!

This dude is running for office.

If the Hell's Angel's isn't the motorcycle club for you, you can always join Satan's Sons.

Havana meeting Rosie the donkey.

Leonardo's Produce Stand (supporting our new local farm stand)

Damin, the heart and soul of Leonardo's Produce

There is another great produce stand in our little valley and our family is hopeful they will be there for many years to come. Leonardo's Produce starting selling produce earlier in the summer and has been working hard to make a go out of farming and selling produce. It's been great to have to travel only a few miles down the road to get some very tasty and always fresh fruits and veggies from our local farm stands in our sweet little Alhambra Valley.

The Leonardo of Leonardo's Produce is actually the 9 year old son of  Damin, who is the heart and soul of this operation. Damin worked down the road, at the Alhambra Valley Farm, for many years before branching out on his own earlier this year. Damin, along with his wife Rosa, have set up a farm stand in the beautiful area just off Bear Creek Road. For now,  much of what he is selling is not farmed on the land but he has begun to grow some of his own crops with plans to expand. It is Damin's intention to grow his food without pesticides. And, Damin is one of those people whose upbeat mood, enthusiasm and motivation is encouraging. One of the reasons we became such big fans of the farm stand at the Alhambra Valley Farm was because of Damin. Over the years, our family has gotten to know him and we look forward to the summers and our visits to the farm stands. 

A few years back, we hosted some Chinese high school students who were visiting the USA for the first time. Animals and farms were something they had not seen before in their crowded urban homes. So early one morning, I took them down the road to see the emu and lama, olive trees and other crops. Damin was there that day and he was kind enough to let the students get up close and personal with the animals at the farm including a then 3 minute lamb. That Damin was willing to invite us to witness such a miracle made those young girls week. He has a warmth and openness about him and it is that openness and warmth, along with his hard work to bring good food to people, that I am hoping will keep people coming back to his stand.

With so much commercial farming nowadays, it is refreshing not only to know who is growing one's food but to know they are doing so in a way that is healthy for the planet and the humans who consume it. It is my hope that is Divine Order has plans for a long successful farming career for Damin, Rose and their son (who patiently stays with his family at the stand on weekends).