Sleeping Beauty

 

Amara Pearl taking a mid-day siesta. It may seem a bit odd, but I love to see her sleeping soundly. She is, and always will be, my beautiful Amara Pearl.

Goodbye Ole Truck

 

Don had his Ford truck since 1994. That is a very long time. It has been driven almost two hundred thousand miles, as Don drove it from Socal to Norcal for years, before moving permanently to Norcal in 2004. He then continued to drive it once a month to work at UCLA for quite some time. In the very beginning of our relationship, we packed up the truck for a weekend of camping in Sequoia National Park. I remember the hours long drive in that sturdy ole thing. Later on, there were a few times I drove it to work, always a bit frustrated at the seat that would suddenly slide back while I drove down the freeway, unable to hit the breaks or gas! But she was a 5 speed and I did enjoy shifting those gears, when the seat was in place!

Eventually, we got a new (ish) SUV, which I drove and Don took over my Honda. And the old Ford sat in the driveway. About six years later, I bought a new SUV, Don took over the old SUV and the old truck sat in the driveway.

Occasionally Don used it for compost runs or to pick up items, like the play structure that the girls used for years or to pick up a new water heater. But mostly, the old truck sat in the driveway. A few times a year, someone would ring the bell and ask Don to sell it. He thought about. The truck continued to sit there. Over time, it became fodder for the family. It barely ran and then one day, he tried to drive it and the wheels caught fire. Our friend came and saved the day (or truck) and then it sat in the driveway for several years more. Until.....

Amara got her drivers license this summer and Don, at long last, bought himself a new car. An electric car, perfect for commuting and then after so many years of sitting on the the driveway, the old truck got picked up and taken to the junk yard. And after all those year, of teasing about Don's old truck, I actually shed a tear when the tow truck hooked it up and drove away. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to Don's old truck. It was an eyesore for sure. We teased and joked about it for years. But it was a part of our family history and while we were glad to see it go, it was a bit sad too. 

Goodby Ole Truck.

Working 9-5

 

While it's not technically not 9-5, Amara got a job! She is doing seasonal work at Michael's, here in town, which is a perfect fit for her. Amara loves arts and crafts so what better place? She is working Friday, Saturdays and Sundays, usually a 4 1/2 hour shift each day. She works the cash register and on the floors. She finds the work fun, rewarding and has made some work friends (is that surprising?!)  

Amara comes home after each shift with funny stories of the interesting customers who frequent the store including those who might fall into the unsavory category (she has learned just how many folx shoplift!) Sometimes she sees familiar faces, which is always fun and then I get photos texted of her at work when surprised friends say they saw her working.

This has been a positive experience for Amara. She has wanted to earn money for herself for quite some time. Now she is making money and saving money, while also learning important responsibilities and people skills. I love that she wanted a job and went out and made it happen for herself.

Amara is hopeful that she might continue working after the holiday season but even if not, this has experience has boosted her confidence and reminder her just how capable she is. We are very proud of Amara but then again, we always are.

Save the Turkey Day 2023

This year for Thanksgiving, we made our way to Colorado to visit some of our family who now resides there. Aunt Liz, Uncle Dick, cousins Sasha and Alesky have all moved there in the past few years. The girls went out for a few days last summer and asked to return for the holidays and we were thankful it all aligned. Don and I were thrilled to finally see the new home of Dick and Liz and spend some quality time together with them. Big family gatherings can be fun but overwhelming. It's hard to spend more than a few minutes chatting. Having a smaller holiday allowed for deeper conversations, some fun game time and a few walks with the dogs that felt peaceful and unrushed.

Don and the girls left on Monday. I joined them a few days later. That turned out to be a good thing. I came down with a terrible cold and needed a few days to recover. Colorado, with it's mountains and vast landscape is quite a special place. We did not sightsee but just being with family in this grand place was restful and a little tiring as we were not used to the altitude. We did get to visit the Wildlife Sanctuary, where Liz is a dedicated volunteer. It was quite something to see abused wildlife have such a safe, open and loving space to spend their remaining years. Liz was wise in choosing the day we visited. It was sunny and in the 60's. A few days later, we woke to 20 degrees and snow, which was quite spectacular. I may not want to live where there are winters ever again but visiting is a different story. The girls were tickled by the beauty of the fresh snow. I particularly enjoyed the first moments of daybreak, when the whole earth feels quiet and still. It brought back so many memories. I was glad the gals got to experience some snow while we were there.

The week was short but sweet. We had a great dinner plus the added bonus of one of our Argentine cousins, Tommy. We also had a blast with Reggie and Sammy, the four legged children in the house. I was tempted to bring them back to the Bay!

Festival of Lights on the Northern California Coast (Diwali)

I have known about Diwali, (the Hindu Festival of Lights), for many years but from a distance. I am not Hindu but have been involved with Hindu practices and around Hindu teachings my entire adult life. But I still was not that familiar with this symbolic festival. Then, when a dear friend (Veenaa), who was raised in that faith sent out an invitation to attend a Diwali ceremony at her beautiful, peaceful retreat home up on the Northern Coast, in the town of Gulalala. I felt a strong inner yes when I read the email. I guess it was time to get closer acquainted with Diwali.

 I initially thought about inviting some friends and went in that direction. Then I heard another inner calling; that bringing the girls would be a bonding and healing experience.  Despite their calling me a hippy, I am  the girls to spiritual practices and healing opportunities, I am most grateful any opportunity that will allow for both connection to self, to Spirit, as well as planting seeds that may blossom later in life. Seeds that will support and nurture their highest and best good and the paths they will walk on.

With the strong yes motivating me, we headed up early on Saturday morning. We made our way slowly, stopping for bagels and cheese in Valley Ford. It was early and we while we started out tired as soon as we saw the spectacular, rugged West Coast and the rolling hills that lead to black sand beaches and jutting rocks, we were invigorated.  We made stops at pullouts to take in the views, snap some photos and to just give thanks for being able to be alive and witness such remote glory of land and sea.

When we reached Veenaa;s we were able to rest before the festival began. We had spent time at her (and her partner David’s) special home and retreat center, which is nestled within redwoods. The girls were not quite sure what to expect. I was not really either but once we gathered in the dance studio space, Veenaa explained that this festival is about remembering that light outshines the darkness; that the good in the inner and out worlds will win out over evil; that light shines stronger than any darkness and that honoring the light that lives within is imperative for a healthy, balanced exsistence.

We spent time dancing, individually and with partners. The girls were both a bit uncomfortable but Auntie Veenaa included Taylor Swift, Sia and Rhianna dance remixes that got them moving and shaking. There was some even some rolling on the floor at times. It filled my heart to see them get out of their heads and into their bodies

Havana was a little more reserved, being more of an introvert. At one point, she felt she had enough and asked to excuse herself to do homework. She felt unsure of this decision but clearly had enough at that point. I encouraged her to take care of herself and to never do things that push her boundaries and limits; that speaking up and self-care are essential life long actions. When it came time to take our lite candles (after a ritual of using the candles to honor the light in each other), to the little pond on the property, to symbolically let them go, Havana rejoined the group for this part of the ritual. It was a lovely way to wrap up a lovely evening. We broke bread afterwards, getting to know each other with stories and our experiences. When it was time for sleep, we rested well. 

We had to wake up early the next morning to get home but there was something sweet about waking up before sunrise and making our way back down the rugged California coast. The colors that emerged from the darkness made for perfect stops to take in the morning glory and give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

Trick or Treat '2023

 

Halloween is our favorite holiday. Since the girls were little, we would take our time finding the 'right' costume. I loved it when I could pick their costumes but I loved it even more when they were able to decide for themselves. Over the years, my two gems have come up with some outrageous, scary, and original Halloween outfits. This year, Amara did a group costume with her friends; A loca Goldilocks and the 3 bears; one who was a bit crazy themselves (that would be Amara- she is who came up this version). Havana was a flamingo. Super cute, original and fun.

We have always done trick or treating with friends. This year, the group grew quite a bit. Eleven teens, who I fed before they headed out. It may have been a bit much, hard to navigate so many. But they mostly had fun.

I was a bit disappointed that my gals were too grown to need me to walk with them, as they knocked on doors down by Hercules by the Bay. That part was a bit sad for me. I decided next year, before Amara goes to college, I am tagging along! Halloween has always been a friend thing but also a family thing and this year, I was reminded once again, that my two gems are quickly approaching adulthood. I want to make as many more memories as possible.

While they are growing up fast, they still are kids. They still counted their candy as soon as they got home, a long standing competition to see who got the most. Through repeated telling, they relived a neighbors haunted house that gave them all the spooky chills, when we stopped on our way home for one last trick or treat. They went to bed tired but happy. Halloween is supposed to be scary, and it is, but it also makes the heart smile as well. 

You’re Never to Old for a Pumpkin Patch

Covid 19 took away visits to pumpkin patches. That was awful. But last year, when things were open, the girls did not really want to go as they were older and Don wasn’t up for it either. I was no happy about that. Pumpkins are wonderful. We love this time of year, with making Halloween a special day and each year the girls carve pumpkins with their dads. Buying them at Trader Joe’s just did not count. So this year, I made sure we would go back one of our favorite family outings. We invited along friends to make it more enticing. With plans made, off we went, only to have it pour down rain along the way. The patch we picked was closed but in Petaluma there’s a lot of pumpkin growing, so off we went to another spot.  We all cheered when it was open. The kids had a blast, their young selves shining brightly through their teenage selves, with pumpkins and a hay maze and even a small petting area with cows, pigs and horses. It was delightful.  Amara and I even took a tractor train ride. Funnel cake and snacks topped off our very sweet visits and we left with boosted moods and happy inner children, because pumpkin patches are wonderful medicine for the heart and soul. (My inner child even wrote a silly poem for this blog; see below)

Pumpkins big

Pumpkins small

Pumpkins make it a happy Fall

Round and orange, a little bumpy

When you have a pumpkin, there’s no room for  being grumpy

Pumpkins to pick

Pumpkins to eat

No matter what you do, they are always a treat

They boast your mood

They make you smile

And pumpkins will last on your porch for a good log while

Pumpkins are good for one and all

So pick some pumpkins to bring some smiles this Fall.