Live in Las Vegas: Visiting the Enchanted Wonderland at the Bellagio Conservatory

“There is both whimsy and wisdom for those willing to look beneath the surface of the messaging of this amazing exhibit”

Each season, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are transformed into a whimsical wonderland by the creative hard working botanical staff for people of all ages. Like everyone else who was there, Cecile and I were in complete awe of the intricate, distinctive, and stunning floral display. Ironically, even though it can be at tad congested at times—after all, it is Las Vegas we are talking about—it offers a rare oasis of tranquility and respite from the busyness of the strip and casinos.

In the South Bed, the Bellagio has brought back the Enchanted talking tree that greets guests as they walk in. Look a little closer and it appears that its' eyes are following you. In the North Bed, guests discover two stunning tigers that stand 10 feet tall with foxes nearby. It is a subliminal reference to the famous Chinese idiom, “A fox exploits a tiger’s might,” which is a tale of a fox about to be devoured by a tiger. The sly fox cons the tiger to follow him around to show the tiger what a big shot he is, and in so doing everyone runs away. Impressed, the tiger lets the fox live, never realizing people were fleeing from him, not the fox who had assumed the tiger’s majesty. Duh! 

However, the 2018 seasonal display, entitled “Falling Asleep,” featuring a bigger than life sleeping goddess in the West Bed, made of natural materials like hydrangeas and oak leaves, left us feeling awakened and transported into another realm as one would experience by watching a Harry Potter film. 

The exhibit as a whole was inspired by Demeter, the “Goddess of the Harvest" who was the most generous of the great Olympian goddesses in Greek Mythology. She was much beloved by her service to everyday people for teaching them how to grow, preserve and prepare the grain. She was seen as the nurturer of humankind. She empathized with the universal human experience of suffering and grief—as she experienced herself. It is a message to all of us to stand firm for what is good, decent and right, especially when we encounter adversity, when powerful and/or misguided forces conspire against us. Moreover, she also teaches us that even during times of great sorrow, we can experience great joy.

Postscript: the Harvest display runs through Nov. 24, 2018 and the popular holiday extravaganza runs from December 1 through January 6, 2019

Source: about the tiger adapted from the Category Archives: Bellagio Conservatory

Couples Baby Shower at Rinconada Hills & A Letter to Our Unborn Grandchild

It was so exciting seeing and helping some of Michelle and Kyle’s friends set up the intimate banquet room with decorations, photos, flowers and catered food.
It made the anticipation of having a grandchild all the more real. When Mary Roy, a dear friend and former patient of mine from Sacramento heard our daughter Michelle being pregnant and heard she was due to deliver the end of November, she wrote: “How beautiful, I’ve been wondering when you’d announce the most wonderful miracle and joyous experience of your senior years! Wow!!! Be ready to have the opportunity to be so close and participate in her development. It is so amazing. I can just imagine those little arms around your neck, what joy! Contratulations!

Letter to our Unborn Grandchild

It’s hard to believe that in 10 more weeks you will be here—a new life, a new baby—made of stardust. It is not too long ago your parents (our beloved Michelle and Kyle)
sent us some amazing images of you when your mom was at the doctor’s office. You were just the size of a raspberry. Later, your features began to appear. Seeing you, made us visualize your mom and dad and the family's joyful anticipation of your entrance into a new world. The excitement that you are almost here is almost
too much to take all in. But, give us a chance precious one. For where there is love there are no barriers. Your mom and dad wrote in my birthday card last month: “We can’t wait to watch you take on a new role as Grandpa to little ‘Baby Lewis.' She already loves you.” Of course it goes without saying that if your grandma Cecile is as good a grandparent as she was a mother, you are in for a special treat. Grandma is "kvelling" right now, which someday you will learn is derived from Yiddish, which means to be “delighted,” and “to gush or swell with joy.”

As I write these words, your grandmas and grandpas pray that you grow, develop and continue to be nurtured within the warm, watery wonder world that your mother’s body has created for you and is your current home. But, once you are born to the outer world you will see light and motion and make out images and soon begin to make eye contact with those who love you, and see color and hear sounds, like the singsong voice of your mommy and daddy, your grandmas and grandpas as they talk to you and sing you lullabies, and so much more. You will fill a space in the hearts that we didn’t know existed—PURE BLISS. We can’t wait dearest one.

Postscript: On this auspicious day it was also Michelle's other mom, Kim's birthday. Happy Birthday dearest Kim!🎂🍷🎈🍾♥️

Dinner at Capers & a Nostalgic Musical Review by the Bee Gees Gold Tribute Band

“We write songs about people and situations; we tell stories in our songs, but we don’t give sermons.” —The original Barry Gibb on songwriting

Our friends Sophie and Bernie Weinzimmer invited us and friends Steve and Susie Brenner to join them for dinner at Capers Restaurant, a casual American bistro. This was followed by a nostalgic performance by the Bee Gees Gold Tribute Band starring John Acosta as Barry Gibb, at the historic Heritage Theater presented by Frequency Entertainment. Considered the ultimate Tribute band, the International sensation who have toured around the world arrived here direct from Las Vegas, bringing the look of Barry, Robin and Maurice along with their incredible harmonies and legendary songs of the 60s and 70s.
The Bee Gees were the first Australian act to top the US charts in 1971 with "How You Mend a Broken Heart." 

Some of the top songs performed were “Staying Alive,” one of the modern day feel-good funky movie songs of all time that was written to celebrate surviving during tough times. And, “Night Fever” a strong disco single which was incorporated into the 1977 movie "Saturday Night Fever," re-kindling flashbacks of my fellow New Jerseyite, the incomparable John Travolta. The audience was engaged, dancing to the music that re-ignited forgotten memories of yesteryear and leaving everyone smiling and with sore hips.

Some trivia about the Original Bee Gees:
Maurice Gibb was a champion paintball player. Unfortunately he was a champion alcoholic whose marriage to Scottish pop star singer Lulu dissolved on the rocks of heavy drinking. He used to get hammered with Ringo Starr.

In 1967 Robin Gibb and his fiancé at the time survived Britain’s sixth worst train disaster. The original Barry Gibb, age 70 still performs on stage with his son. 

Photo credit of the original Bee Gees, the folk/rock/pop sensations: Chris Walter/Wireimage at the 1977 Music Awards

#beegeesgoldtribute #saturdaynightfever #barrygibb

Dinner & Reconnecting with Friends Overlooking our Tuscan-Style Stone Patio

"Good Food, Good Wine, Good Friends, and a Deep Sense of Gratitude, Life is much too short for anything less.”

I am convinced that nothing brings people closer together than food. Cecile, Jason and I enjoyed an intimate low-key dinner with friends, Jan and Gary this weekend. With all the prep work done earlier in the day, we all had plenty of quality time to spend together. We began with an assorted cheese plate including a creamy Brie and crackers with a rich and decadent organic sour cherry spread we had acquired at the farmer’s market earlier in the day. There we sat sipping wine out on our newish Tuscan stone patio overlooking the Romanesque fountain adorned with the head of a lion, two cherubs and our newly replanted garden. 

Jan and Gary share our love for travel. Like myself Gary is a bit of a raconteur (French: storytelling in an amusing way). I like to write stories and Gary loves to tell them.
He was born in the great state of Hawaii as evidenced by the Aloha shirt he was wearing. He loves local theater, art, golf, biking and socializing.
As he said: “Having an active network of good friends is a primary ingredient of a satisfying, healthy life.” Amen to that!

After the appetizers, I placed the fresh Salmon that Cecile had marinated and wrapped it in tin foil and placed it on the grill to steam while Gary and I walked around the lake of our gated community. This was his first time at our new downsized humble abode and the rustic walking trails Cecile and I have come to love.

Cecile had a fine meal waiting for us that included fresh heirloom tomatoes with Burrata Mozzarella cheese, fresh corn salad, sautéed green Padron peppers, rainbow potato roast, and teriyaki glazed Salmon.

In terms of libations, Jan and Gary made a generous contribution to the table: two bottles of wine, and a special belated birthday bottle of Sangiovese for me.

Jan was happily sporting a colorful scarf we gifted her for her really belated birthday. Time and circumstance had kept us apart for some time and we were savoring being together. 

For dessert we enjoyed a blueberry loaf, Lemon sorbet and Babka cake, that are common in the Eastern European Jewish tradition. You may recall the Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine miss out on the last chocolate babka while at the bakery and had to settle on the cinnamon babka which Elaine considers a “lesser babka,” but Jerry begs to differ. We had no such conflict as we offered both cinnamon and chocolate to our guests and they were both yummy.

Celebrating Cecile's Beloved Cousin Joyce's 90th Birthday In Sacramento

Celebrating Cecile's Beloved Cousin Joyce's 90th Birthday In Sacramento

"Generosity is a practical expression of love.”—Gary Inrig

Labor Day weekend is not exactly the best time to travel to Sacramento or anywhere for that matter, but when we were invited to join in the celebration of Cecile’s cousin Joyce Berger’s 90th birthday celebration, we were all in. We have so much respect and love for Joyce, we wanted to be a part of the festivities.

It has been said that the spring of generosity never runs dry for the person who willingly gives from the heart. This describes Joyce to a T. 
When Cecile and I first moved to California, it was Joyce and her late husband Bill Berger who helped us find our footing when we were looking for a place to live and open my Podiatric Medical and Surgical practice in San Jose. They referred us to a family friend who was a realtor in our area that found us the perfect place in an old neighborhood near the Rose Garden district.
In the early years when we would drive up to Sacramento to visit Joyce and Bill and their son Jeffrey, they invited us to stay at their home and whenever we went out to eat with them they always picked up the tab. They wouldn’t have it any other way. Sometime later while Joyce was still mourning the loss of Bill, we invited her to join us in London and Rome and we had the most amazing, memorable time. 

Throughout the years we became aware how Joyce helped many family members who fell on hard times or had some missteps in life. She has a heart of gold and I would say she is generous to a fault, but there is no fault in being generous of heart. Her first impulse is to give whether it be to her community, her synagogue, friends or family.

Cecile and I checked into the Larkspur Suites near the Mosaic Law Congregation, a Jewish Synagogue where a ceremonial blessing (Kiddush) was being sponsored on Saturday morning in honor of Joyce’s 90th Birthday. Rabbi Reuven Taff, the spiritual leader of the Conservative Temple led a vibrant, uplifting service, sprinkled with humor, warmth, love, scholarly readings and Hebrew chanting. Taff trained at the Theological Seminary in NYC, Received his B.A. in Religious Studies from California State University (Northridge), pursued his rabbinical studies in Israel where he ordained in 1988. And, last but not least in 1999 he was honored by President George H.W. Bush to preside over and conduct the first annual White House Chanukah Celebration with the President, Vice President and their families. Joyce loves her rabbi and the feeling is mutual.

An informal luncheon (Oneg) for about 200 congregants and family members followed the Service—once again sponsored by her son Jeff and family. We were invited to Joyce’s home for dinner along with some of her friends, neighbors, and family members who came in from Northern and Southern California, Detroit, MI, Chicago and Macedonia. It was so special to see everybody. 
Some of the photos include Joyce with Cecile and I, Joyce with her loving granddaugther, Ariella in front of the birthday cake, Cecile and I with Ariella and various family members who I have come to love over the years and spent many a Thanksgiving with in Chicago while I was attending Podiatric Medical School. Marrying into a Jewish family has been a blessing.

From one Virgo to another (our birthdays are two days apart), Happy Birthday dear Joyce. We will never forget you and Bill for helping Cecile and I on our way up the ladder in life. “Biz hundred un tsvantsig,” which you may know is the Yiddish expression for “May you live to the age of 120,” alternately meaning wishing you good health. We love you!

The Perfect Trifecta: Hiking, Biking & Restorative Yoga

"Movement is a medicine for creating [a positive] change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states."—Socrates

We are blessed to be living in one of the most hospitable climates and picturesque areas of the world. The day began with an early two mile hike with Cecile and Daisy on the 100 acre grounds where we live. We bumped into neighbor John Perry who recently sent me the attached photo of a Belted Kingfisher resting on a boat dock post, a bird he has been attempting to photograph for four years. 

Later in the morning I drove over to my friend Jimi Hunter's abode off Highway 9. He invited me to join him on another biking adventure on the Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga Foothills. The former competitor biker knows these areas like the back of his hand. With the exception of Highway 9 and a few other busy streets we explored the quiet roads less travelled. We stopped in front of the large brick home on Chester Avenue that Cecile and I, Jason and Michelle spent some of our most precious years.

We bumped into a biking club. There were about 15 of them sweating, huffing and puffing. Jimi and I were on electric-assist bikes. 
“You want to get guys like this mad,” he said, “just pull out in front of the pack,” he added with a devilish smile. Within a block from these bicyclists, there were two workers fixing underground pipes. One held a Slow Sign. He waved, smiled, and yelled out to us, “Now that's the way to ride a bike if you can afford to buy one.” Of course there is a presumption that when you use an electric assist bike you’re cheating. Au contraire my dear friends. It is not so different than when we went from regular bikes to three to ten gear shifts, when we were kids. Technology has made it possible for guys like me in my late sixties to re-enter the biking world, climbing steep hills, and loving it. 

We all need healthy exercise activities in our lives that take us away from our computer keyboards or driving even short distances in town. Many of us have explored astonishing little only to witness life passing us by.

We have been up to Montalvo Arts Center many times. The historic villa and surrounding grounds once belonged to the late California Sen. James Phelan. I used to do varying watercolor renditions of the Villa with the Saratoga Community of Painters. We used to refer to it as the “Big House.” When I first moved to California in 1975 I had no idea that the surrounding 175 acres was a county park.
Villa Montalvo was the last but certainly not the least place we explored.

We went to Mr. Pickles for lunch. One sandwich can feed a village. We then went back to Jimi’s home, put the bikes back into his garage. He pointed out the abstract painting that was done on his garage door by one of his former students. Tibetan Prayer flags hang under the car port. We sat around his Buddha fountain and garden, feeling satisfied and grateful for pushing ourselves to commune with nature, exercising our bodies, getting a little sun and breathing in this precious air. I went home for a well deserved nap and went to a 6 PM one-hour restorative yoga class, and captured the this sunset between the trees. Ahhh! Life is good!

I went home for a well deserved nap and went to a 6 PM one-hour restorative yoga class, Ahhh! Life is good!

Reflections on my 68th Birthday, My Bronzed Baby Shoes and a Day of Celebration

My I-Phone was a abuzz with birthday greetings yesterday morning. I want to thank all of my family, friends and yoga teachers for all your good wishes.
I realized I had overslept and missed my 8AM yoga class—but hey it’s my birthday, I told myself, why not? I saw a birthday card and a little booklet Cecile left for me over my sink basin that was entitled 1950: Remember When…A Nostalgic Look Back in Time. 

The richness of life is not only realized in savoring each moment but in recalling the memories, hopes and dreams of my parents who literally taught me how to stand and walk on my own two feet and they left behind a keepsake to prove it—my baby shoes they had bronzed—a tradition that goes back for many generations, and has become an interesting family heirloom (see photo). 

The history of bronzing goes back to before the 6th century B.C. It was originally used to bronze statues, picture frames, dishes and other household items.
Since 1934, the American Bronzing Company has bronzed over 14 million baby shoes for sentimental, loving parents who wanted to memorialize their baby’s or toddler’s first steps.
In other words to freeze a special moment in time. My bronzed baby shoes are a reminder that my parents loved and nurtured me.

I took a late morning swim at Bay Club Courtside with my new Finis Snorkle and a pair of goggles and Finis Duo Underwater MP3 Player that was gifted to me by good friend Jimi Hunter who uploaded it with 800 songs. I had the entire lap pool to myself, unusual for a Sunday.
After swimming some laps I picked up Cecile and Jason and we went to Effie’s Restaurant that serves breakfast all day long. The person in the booth next to us was also celebrating his birthday.

When I was born in 1950 the average Life Expectancy was 68.2 years I had told a radiologist name Richie at the club. “That means you have 2 more months to live it up,” he joked.
But, since I was born the updated Life Expectancy models show that I have 16.9 years of Additional Life which would bring me to 84.9. My late mom lived until 88 and my dad as many of you know lived two weeks shy of 101. “You have great genes,” my friends tell me and my response is always the same: “As long as I don’t get hit by a truck, I will fine.😎Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fatalist. But, as we all know life happens when we are busy making other plans, so my motto is to live life like there is no tomorrow.

After gifting me a Nike Elite Gym Bag, Jason and Alex treated us to a colorful, sumptuous birthday dinner at Furusato Japanese Restaurant, one of our favorite places to eat.

Considering "furusato" means nostalgia for a past and generally speaking “one’s hometown” with connotations of a place that is not a city, but a memory that invokes a strong sense of nostalgia with warm and positive emotions it seemed a fitting place to celebrate both the past and the present moment. 

Photo of me standing on the limb of a tree with my trusty little camera-taken in Sicily when I was 7 years old.

Lunch with a Friend at LeQuy French Vietnamese Restaurant

After taking a yoga class and a swim at Bay Club Courtside this past weekend, I met my friend Jimi Hunter at LeQuy for lunch, located in a strip mall in Campbell, CA.

I ordered Pho (pronounced fuh) which many people know is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and thinly cut meat (or chicken) that comes with a side bowl of fresh raw Thai basil, bean sprouts and hot green peppers that you can add to the broth if you choose. There are also vegetarian versions. Jimi had a vegetarian dish with tofu and crispy noodles and we shared the very addicting Avocado Spring Rolls filled with rice vermicelli, fresh veggies and tightly wrapped in rice paper. 

I never knew what the word “Quy” meant. Vi, one of the restaurant staff told me it means “precious,” a romantic homage to her bosses wife.

SInce immigrating to the United States, the Le-Nguyen family have embraced American culture while staying true to their Vietnamese roots.
They want their customers to know that they infuse their meals with only the freshest ingredients, make their sauces and broths from scratch and take the time
and make a great effort to make sure their food is pure and flavorful which means no artificial ingredients or MSG.
WIth an emphasis on healthy eating, they are committed to using herbs and spices high in antioxidants including, turmeric, ginger, cloves, lemongrass, and garlic, to name a few.

When it comes to preparing traditional Vietnamese food it is governed by the Asian principles of Wu Xing (the five elements). The Vietnamese are well known for balancing five taste elements such as spice, sour, bitter, salt and sweet.
Each of these elements correlate with five organs in the body: gall bladder, small intestine, large intestine, stomach and bladder. Generally speaking cooks try to include five nutrients: powder, water, minerals, protein and fat as well as five colors: white, green,
yellow, red and black in their dishes. The end result are dishes that are balanced and colorful and attractive to the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

Over the years Vietnamese dishes in Southern Vietnam have been influenced by Southern Chinese immigrants and the French colonists.

The food servers at LeQuy are very attentive and friendly. They have an elaborate menu selection including gluten free and vegetarian options. There is a cozy little bar that is ideal for people who are dining alone or don’t care to wait for a table. They also provide catering services and have a banquet hall in the back for special events.

In closing, don’t let the old fixtures, furniture, the blue checkerboard curtains and the American Diner-type atmosphere take away from it’s authenticity! Embrace the casual ambience. Its part of its charm, and the hassle free parking is a plus.

Photo Credit for last photo of baskets of fresh ingredients: Freedom Asia Website

Experiential Dining at Mynt Leaf Asian Cuisine Proves to Be a Feast for the Senses

“The foods of Southeast Asia are some of the most distinctive and flavorful dishes in the world…” —Landess Kearns, HuffPost

I received an email today from a woman named June, who I see at various yoga classes now and again at our health club. She, her husband George and a group of friends are going to a concert this coming weekend at the Mountain Winery Amphitheater and she wanted to dine at a restaurant I had told her about—before the show—but couldn’t recall the name. 
“It’s Mynt Leaf Cuisine in Saratoga,”I wrote back, “that specializes in an exotic blend of Asian Fusion dishes.” 
Cecile and I have become regular patrons over the last few years and had dinner there last Saturday with Cecile’s Mahjong friends Lori and Marleen and their husbands Rob and Mark who have also become fans.

When you enter Mynt Leaf there is a golden bronze-like Buddha image in a meditative state superimposed on a red and white painted lattice design at the top of the wall near the ceiling. Many people associate a meditating Buddha with peace and tranquility and incorporate images and statues in their homes, gardens and place of business in an effort to create that state of being for themselves and for their customers. Even for those who know little about Buddhism the Buddha image has become a universal symbol that reminds people to be mindful, and aspire to go with the flow in times of stress.

From the artistic point of view, the walls and surfaces are laden with Thai artwork and statues, canopies of colorful fabric hanging from the ceiling, ornate vases of flowers, yellow and beige accent curtains, crimson and burnt sienna pillows that adorn dark wooden benches and chairs, black napkins with red and gold decorative jewel-like napkin rings and silverware that glistens in low ambient lighting making for a pleasing and comfortable dining experience. It is an experiential feast of the senses to be sure.

The 3D Golden elephant menus are filled with a huge selection of imaginative tantalizing dishes for the most descriminating palates, with a wide variety of vegetarian options suited to the spice level of your choosing. We began our meal by sharing Thai style Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad, Garlic Noodles with New York Steak, green beans, my favorite Yellow Curry with grilled salmon, carrots, potatoes and onion, and Crispy Trout as you can see is standing erect in our friends plate.
"Hmmm, rather phallic looking," someone said to break the silence as we were all gawking at it trying to figure out what it was. I guess the chef took some bizarre artistic culinary license.

Other reasons to dine at the Mynt Leaf, are the attentive service, reasonable prices, low noise level—quiet enough to carry on conversation, fabulous “people watching,” and last but not least their “Bring Your Own Beer or Wine Policy” with a twist—no pesky, wasteful corkage fees. 

P.S. Kudos to our friend Lori for taking a week out of her summer to volunteer to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria.

Managing to Get By with a Little Help From our Friends & a Broader View of Life's Challenges

“Man plans, and God Laughs.”

—Old Yiddish proverb

It has been a challenging two weeks. Despite our best-laid plans, Cecile and I had to cancel our much anticipated three week tour of Bolivia, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands with our friends, the Byes. But, as they say, life goes on.

We are blessed to live in a rich supportive, multi-cultural community, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I bumped into an Iranian American friend at Courtside Bay Club. I shared with him the personal issues that forced us to cancel our trip. We then went on to talk about the twin-engine Cessna airplane that recently took a sudden nose-dive and crashed into a parking lot in Santa Ana, CA. Five people died, including an Iranian woman in her early 60s who was a beloved mentor to our friends son. Suddenly, the personal challenges and setbacks Cecile and I were experiencing paled in comparison.

I went to get a haircut at “Happy Cuts” and was assigned to a gentle soul and good-humored Vietnamese American hair stylist named Kim. She asked if I travel much? I spared her the details about having to cancel our trip and spoke about our travels to South East Asia including Vietnam earlier in the year during the Vietnamese New Year (TET). Like the much beloved late Anthony Bourdain, we love Vietnam and the Vietnamese people.

Later in the afternoon, I bumped into our next door neighbor, Vladimir, a retired engineer with a passion for furniture restoration. I asked him for some advice on repairing a picture frame that had fallen off our wall. Vladimir is a native of Moscow who has lived at Rinconada Hills with his wife Lucy for 20 years. He meticulously fixed the frame in his garage with the skill of a surgeon. 

After a delicious nap, Cecile and I were among the honored guests of our friend's Ruth and Stan for the Friday Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) meal at their Almaden Valley home. Many of those present were transplants from the East Coast like myself. Though the Bay Area will always be our home there is nothing like exchanging the colorful New York and New Jersey tales of my childhood with those who can more readily appreciate it.

It has been said that hospitality is simply an opportunity to show love and care. Stan and his gracious, vivacious and charming wife Ruth express that in spades. Forever generous with her praises, I have never heard Ruth have a bad word to say about anyone among her large network of friends and our mutual acquaintances. She is always the light and life of the party and derives a great deal of joy in sharing the attibutes of her friends at any given gathering.

Shabbat begins as sunset approaches with the lighting of the candles and a blessing over a special braided bread called Challah that is broken into pieces and passed around for everyone to share. Though it is not a tradition I grew up with, I gratefully embrace it as my own. Our good friend and neighbor Mark Brodsky originally from Long Island, chanted the Hebrew prayer with a deep voice and rhythmic cadence, something he always enjoys doing when the opportunity presents itself. 

This ancient ritual, is symbolic of giving thanks to the creator for the food we are fortunate to eat and the mechanism by which the raw grain from the blessed earth is used to make the bread that finds its way to the table of most Jewish households around the world. 

We ate our main meal under the night’s sky. Ruth made her signature brisket (delish…), along with asparagus, salad, miniature potato pancakes, followed by an assortment of cookies, and apple pie for dessert. The conversations flowed as easily as the assortment of wines being offered. No one gets through life without scars, without “tsuris” which in Yiddish means aggravating trouble, and that includes everyone we broke bread with at our table.

Ruth’s favorite quote in this regard is that “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” Though attributed to John Lennon, it has descended from an old Indian proverb. Its first contemporary use was by Portuguese writer, Fernando Sabino. It means one should be happy because everything is never going to be completely the way we want it to be unless it is the end, so accept the fact that life is always filled with flaws and enjoy the moment. We all have personal setbacks, losses of loved ones, illnesses or accidents, broken hearts and at times tortured minds by events beyond our control. On the other hand, life can provide us with unanticipated good fortune.

Biking on the Los Gatos Trails to San Jose Airport & Watching the Planes Come In

“Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
—Albert Einstein

I was invited to take our Sondor's E-Bikes on the road for an extended ride by my good friend Jimi Hunter.
Our 27 mile round trip journey began meeting in front of Courtside Bay Club where we are members. We crossed the street and entered the grounds of Netflix Headquarters and Campus, making our way to a little unknown pathway in the back that exits onto the Los Gatos Creek Trail heading toward Campbell. There are nicely paved trails on each side of the creek that loop around the ponds which were still abundantly full due to the winter rains. We continued on the main trail on the west bank until the overcrossing at Campbell Park. We then took the southern segment of the LG Trail that ends in San Jose where we had to navigate some city traffic for a short time until we picked up the trail again further downstream. The City of San Jose is working to connect the trail to the Guadalupe River Trail in Downtown San Jose.

Jimi pointed to a number of homeless encampments under the overpasses. I felt a bit of sadness, wondering what led to their misfortune. Before I knew it we were at our planned destination: the outer grounds of San Jose Airport where the planes appearing bigger than life were preparing to land. It was such a rush to witness the Southwest Airline jet seen in the photo come so close overhead. 

We bumped into a couple of dudes who admired our bikes. After giving them a tutorial on the features of the bike Jimi offered them to take his for a spin. Jimi’s a generous spirit that way. I am still gun shy after letting a friend ride my new shiny red Vespa motor scooter when I was 15. He crashed it—damaging the front end in the process. One guy accepted Jimi's offer and he returned elated, thanking him for the opportunity.

We then made a pit stop at a convenience store for water and an energy bar and headed home. Along the way we saw reservoirs, a community of geese munching on the bright green grass with the LG foothills in the back drop.

I took a delicious nap that left me refreshed. I was concerned that my body would be aching the next day and was pleasantly surprised that I worried for naught. I felt great!

Friends, Family, Fireworks and the "Fountain of Youth" on the 4th of July

Cecile and I began our day with a 7:30 AM walk up and around the top of hillside and down and around the picturesque lake where we live. 
Shortly later, I went to Courtside Bay Club, where I was cheerfully greeted front desk staff members, Haley and Greg in their 4th of July flag decorated hair.
I swam and spent several hours relaxing by the pool, doing some contemplative reading, cross-word puzzles and watching an Aqua-Fit class get underway on this mild, sunny, breezy California day.

With all the political rancor, division and negative news from the Cable News outlets bombarding us daily, the 4th of July
was a perfect day to relax, taking time to be with friends and family, being thankful to those who fought for our freedom while remembering those—known and unknown beings—whose freedoms haven’t come so easy.

I walked over from the adult lap and exercise pool to the family pool on the other side of the club, chatted with a friend and sat and watched the overflowing fountain
with the blue umbrella top as seen in the photo. Metaphorically speaking, it reminded me of the mythical “Fountain of Youth,” a spring that restores the youth of anyone who drinks and bathes in its waters. Explorers of old were looking for a physical location written about in fantasy and fables. The metaphor has been lost in translation. It is not a physical place of course, but rather a metaphysical place that when awakened regenerates the physical being while elevating our consciousness. In this case it is a different kind of freedom, one not dependent on circumstances or events happening outside of ourselves. 

After taking a late afternoon nap we went to a 4th of July dinner party on the tiled patio of our friend’s Mark and Marleen’s hill-top home that overlooks the Valley. Strategically, it was the perfect place to socialize with friends and witness the colorful fireworks display with friends and our son Jason and Alex. The energetic and patriotic marching music of John Philip Sousa was playing in the backdrop reminding me when Jason and I played the clarinet and saxophone respectively for the Saratoga Community Band back in the day.

On the week of this 4th of July and going forward:

May all Beings be Peaceful
May all Beings be Happy.
May all Beings be Healthy
May all Beings be Safe
May all Beings be Free

Celebrating at our Friend’s Sophie & Bernie Weinzimmer’s 70th Birthdays at Castillo’s Hillside Shire Winery

The guest invitation set the theme for the evening: Blast from the Past: "Dear Dudes and Dudettes, Turn the big 70. Bell bottoms and tie dyes would be fun threads to wear.” Over 50 friends and family members were in attendance for the funky evening that included the birthday couple’s beloved children and precious grandchildren. 

Sophie and Bernie join celebrities like Billy Crystal, James Taylor Stevie Nicks, Ozzie Osborn, Alice Cooper and Steve Tyler to name a few who have or are celebrating the BIG 70 this year. Can you dig it?

Dear Sophie and Bernie, in the words of Richard Gere, …”We are always the same age inside. Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, you can only live it once. Do not regret growing older, it’s a privilege denied to many.” 

Thanks for inviting us to share your special milestone. The setting was enchanting, tranquil and serene. I had a moment to reflect and meditate at the whimsical pond and we were graced with a beautiful sunset.

May you live everyday like it’s your birthday!

Peace Out!

Ode to the K9s & the Power of Art Creativity to Promote a Good Cause

During our recent visit to Chicago, Cecile and I spent the last two days at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in the Magnificent Mile’s vibrant downtown commercial district. Everytime we went out for a walk around the neighborhood I found myself mesmerized by a colorful sculpture depicting a police dog in front of the Hotel EMC2, a few doors down.

Later I discovered that The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and the PAWS organization (a national model for animal sheltering) partnered up to create a public art installation of fiberglass sculptures depicting police dogs 54 inches in height. Artists were commissioned to decorate and embellish the dogs in imaginative ways.

The one shown here with me at its side was one of three dog sculptures created by artist, Ken Klopack that was sponsored by Hotel EMC2. According to his website, "his art was inspired by the thematic designs of the hotel interior, which promotes the creative spirit of the arts and sciences."

Ken Klopack earned a Master’s Degree in art education at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). 
He was an art teacher in the Chicago Public School system from 1971-2005. He earned a Master’s Degree in art education at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU).
Over the last 45 years this award winning teacher has been active in the Chicago art scene such as the Gold Coast Art Fair and the Hyde Park Art Fair, and is the author of “Show Off Your Art.” I was very impressed with his body of work. Shortly after we returned from the Windy City, I came across this untitled poem which I decided to call:

Ode to the K9s 

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. 
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”
—Author unknown

https://www.chicagok9s.com/sponsor-a-k9/
http://www.kenklopackart.com/news1.html

Celebrating Our Son Jason's Birthday at The Palms Restaurant with Family & Friends

As your loving parents, we wish you a life full of joy, light and meaning.

Cecile and I hosted Jason’s 37th Birthday party at "The Palms" restaurant, housed in the historic Mary Coggeshall Victorian Mansion (circa 1891) in downtown Los Gatos.

Jason, Cecile and I arrived 15 minutes early, and our Indian born waitress, Kremo (means thankful and grateful) escorted us to an intimate dining area with a partial see through cheese cloth drape on each side. We had a drink while waiting for Alex, Kim and Al Chien and our daughter Michelle and Kyle to arrive. 

Ron Garald envisioned a “Roy’s Light” type of restaurant modeled after Roy Yamaguchi, an award winning chef on the island of Maui whose restaurants we frequent each year during our family vacation. The Palms location, with palm trees, selected pieces of island decor and spacious outdoor seating areas, couldn’t have been a better spot for Garald to realize his new Pacific Rim restaurant dreams.

For starters, we had the Kalbri grilled beef with a vegetable stir fry, Red bell pepper Hummus, and California Calamari. Many of our guests opted for the popular Palm Burger with bacon, fried egg, butter lettuce, caramelized onions, pepper jack, chipotle mayo on a brioche bun with a side of fries. The rest enjoyed Tiger Prawns with Vegetable Stir Fry, Alaskan Sea Scallops, Halibut with Asian noodle and Halibut with garlic mashed potatoes and Filet of Steak.

The waitress brought out a chocolate bread pudding with a dollop of ice cream and candle on top for the birthday boy's dessert. After Jason blew out his candle, we showered him with gifts. Jason, no matter how many years have gone by since you came into our lives, your mom and I experience great joy celebrating your birthday. As you know, we love you to the moon and back and so do your friends who have come to know you.

An Unexpected California-Style Dining Experience at “Pacific Standard Time" Restaurant in Chicago

When I saw the white building with the name Pacific Standard Time in the River North areas of Chicago, I was a bit perplexed. Somehow, I didn’t get the memo that we were going to a restaurant whose menu was inspired by a convergence of West Coast cuisines. My wife Cecile, her sister Sherry and our niece Emily and I joined our nephew Jacob Schwimmer, his wife Amy and her well-traveled parents Mark and Sharon.

The eatery bills itself as, “A restaurant that brings the warmth and authenticity of California farms and artisans to the heart of downtown Chicago.” The large contiguous windows that wrapped around the exterior threw off plenty of light. The warm wood accents and spacious interior gave it a comfortable and casual feel just like restaurants in the South SF Bay Area. 

Jacob, who is the general manager of Nico Osteria—a critically acclaimed Gold Coast seafood restaurant—made the arrangements. It turns out one of the former chefs from Nico is the executive chef and one of the co-owners of Pacific Standard Time. Jacob, who has been in and around the food and hospitality business since the early 2000s has never steered us wrong. Our 3 hour plus feast of the senses did not disappoint. 

We shared a number of dishes including: Pizza, Roasted Beet Salad, Marinated Ahi Tuna, Swordfish, Roasted Black Cod, Roasted Skirt Steak, Palm Sugar, Lime, and Red-Curried Chicken Wings and fresh oven backed pita bread. We topped it off with Olive Oil Cake with Creme Fraiche Ice Cream to name a few.

Joining in Celebration of our Nephew Zachary Weiner’s Bar Mitzvah—a Jewish Rite of Passage

“Few of us go through life without taking part in some kind of rite of passage.”—Hank Nuwer

Zachary is the proud son of Cecile’s younger brother Mark and his wife Barbara Weiner. The weekend celebration began with a Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner hosted by Barbara's uncle Stuart & aunt Susie in a private room at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Skokie, IL on Friday evening. Many of our friends in California are familiar with this authentic family style restaurant at Santana Row in San Jose. However, the concept restaurant was founded in the Greater Chicago Area in 1991 by “Rich Melman’s Lettuce Entertain You." 

Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah took place yesterday morning at Congregation Bene Shalom which was founded in 1972. The synagogue welcomes Jews of all denominations, interfaith couples and the hearing impaired. The senior Rabbi officiating the service was Dr. Douglas Goldhamer. He is also President and Professor of Mysticism at Hebrew Seminary which he founded. For the past 45 years he has been the only full-time rabbi serving the deaf Jewish community in the United States. He is known for using healing prayer based on the great Kabbalistic thinkers.

The late mythologist, Joseph Campbell calls a Bar Mitzvah a “right of passage,” to help young boys move to the next phase of their lives with self-awareness and confidence. The words Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment.” According to Jewish law, a boy becomes an adult male around the age of 13. The history of the Bar Mitzvah dates back to the fifth-century in which the father recites a blessing thanking God for freeing him from responsibility for the deeds of his son who is now accountable for his own actions. 

Young boys like Zachary spend months of preparation studying the importance of observing the precepts to help deepen their understanding of what it means to be Jewish. Upon becoming a Bar Mitzvah, it is customary to read from the Torah (what Christianity calls the Old Testament) or other sacred Hebrew texts and describe what it means to them. Zachary chose a reading having to do with social justice and advocating for people in need or wrongly accused. 

One of the most impressive parts of the religious ceremony was when Zachary—who wore the prayer shawl that was handed down from his great grandfather—used “sign language" while reading Hebrew from the Torah. Zachary’s reading was virtually flawless. As Rabbi Goldhamer said rather "tongue in cheek," Zachary you didn’t do a good job, you did a great job.”

The religious ceremony was followed by a celebratory dinner, DJ led entertainment, activities for the kids and dancing in the alumni hall of Northeastern Illinois University where Zachary’s dad Mark serves as the Director of Dining.

Dear Zachary, your aunt Cecile and I want to congratulate you on a job well done. We are very proud of your achievements and the kind, bright young man you have become. You can be rest assured there will be other momentous milestones on your life’s path. We join your proud and loving parents, your beloved sister Ilana and extended family in wishing you a bright future. Enjoy the ride and take the time to experience and enjoy the fullness of life along the way! Mazel Tov!

Dinner at Uncle Julio’s & the Visual Delights at Westfield Old Orchard outside of Chicago

Dinner at Uncle Julio’s & the Visual Delights at Westfield Old Orchard outside of Chicago

We are staying at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, across from Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, a stone’s throw away from where we used to visit Cecile’s beloved late parents, Margie and Harry. During our first night here we had dinner with Cecile’s brother Mark, Barbara and their children Ilana and Zachary—the soon to be Bar Mitzvah boy at Jameson’s.

Last evening Cecile and I had a Tex Mex dinner at Uncle Julio’s at Old Orchard. It is no wonder it has grown so rapidly since its debut in Dallas, Texas in 1986. The restaurant’s decor is classic Hacienda Stye and the original recipes employed are based on using the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Everything is made from scratch.
We began with homemade tortilla chips, salsa and fresh guacamole along with their signature frozen Margarita Swirl that combines a margarita layered with home-made sangria. We shared their special Skirt steak Fajitas and seared Ahi salad.

It’s amazing to see how shopping malls like Old Orchard have transformed the role they play in people’s lives by creating experiences that go well beyond traditional shopping. After dinner we walked around the colorful shopping center grounds. There is a real sense of community involvement here. We loved seeing the colorful art planters and the outdoor mannequins display that were created by New Trier’s High School students in Marketing and Merchandising in Fashion. They skillfully use recycled materials donated by Bloomingdales Lululemon and Nespresso as seen in the photos. There was also an unexpected Organic Garden filled with fruits and vegetables created by Old Orchard in partnership with The Organic gardener Ltd. The harvest is donated to the neighboring Niles Food Pantry.

There were many other visual delights including museum quality bronze sculptures by William Duffy, European-style fountains, sundials, Koi ponds, seasonal flowers, imaginative children play areas and lounge chairs to read, rest and take it all in. We finished the evening browsing the bookshelves and magazine racks at Barnes and Noble which has become a dying species these days before calling it an evening.

Daisy Gets Her 15 Minutes of Fame

“Every dog must have its day.”—Jonathan Swift

Daisy was featured in the Paw-Gress Report publshed by the June, 2018 edition of Rinconada Hills Register.
Walking Ms. Daisy helps keep Cecile and I fit. We clock up to three miles a day taking her on the winding trails where we live. The photo accompanying her bio was taken by our son Jason when he first adopted her six years ago. I added a few other photos to this post.
She loves to sunbathe on the patio or a cozy spot indoors where she can find a sun spot. 
Recently, Cecile bought her a hooded cave bed that replicates the feeling of being in a cave. Nestling in a tight enclosed space seems to provide her a sense of comfort and security. As a thin-furred dog who gets cold easily, the cave bed retains heat and keep her warm.
This is perfect for dogs like the Daze who love to crawl under blankets.
I hope you enjoy her story.

Brunch at True Food Kitchen with Loved Ones and a Memorial Tribute to Anthony Bourdain

“Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur
in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food inself.”—the late Anthony Bourdain (See my memorial tribute to him below!)

Since Cecile and I will be leaving for Chicago next week and won’t be around for Father’s Day, we gathered together this mild 79 degree sunny day for a scrumptious Father’s Day brunch at True Food Kitchen in Palo Alto with Michelle and Kyle, Jason and Alex. It was the perfect place to socialize, share a laugh, get caught up and strengthen relationships. 

We were escorted to our a table by a young woman with interesting looking green dreadlock extensions that seemed to complement the green movement. True Food Kitchen has received gushing kudos on social media from celebrities like Gweneth Paltrow, Drake and Chris Hemsworth. 

Our young male waiter who bore the legend Honest* on his T-shirt took our orders. I had my usual Ancient Greens with Miso glazed sweet potato, turmeric, charred onion, snow peas, grilled portobello, avocado, hemps seed topped with a filet of salmon and a Bright Eyes speciality cold-pressed juice drink that combines apple, ginger, beet, pineapple, turmeric and carrot juice. 

True Food Kitchen continues to build up its street creds as the place where “Eating Well is Always in Season.”
Even before it won the 2018 Daily News First Place Reader’s Choice Awards, it was and is, one our favorite eating digs
for healthy eating based on the anti-inflammatory diet of Dr. Andrew Weil, the self-described guru of holistic health. I love the spacious dining areas inside and out and the open kitchen that connects patrons with the culinary craftsmen and craftswomen that prepare the dishes that incorporate “great-tasting ingredients that are at the peak of freshness.” 

It appears True Food Kitchen has now taken their popular waiters and waitresses T-shirts that bear legends such as Honest, True, Shine On, and Green Goddess into an online apparel phenomenon for consumers.

After we said our goodbyes to everyone Cecile, Jason and I took some photos together and I couldn’t resist taking photos of the pom pom looking white hydrangeas and other flowers, fountains and bronze sculptures.

Memorial Tribute to Anthony Bourdain:
Cecile and I were heartbroken to hear the news of the suicide death of Anthony Bourdain who once said: “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride!” One could easily take this out of context. I revere my body as a temple, but what I believe the celebrity chef, author and great story teller meant to say was we should see the world, see how others live their lives, try new things, eat their food, have an open heart and live life to the fullness. It coincides perfectly with all the things I write about on Facebook and my blog: enjoyyourlifenow.net

We had the pleasure of seeing and hearing a talk by Bourdain at the Flint Center at D’Anza College in Cupertino several years ago. The place was packed. We were seated only a few rows back. He was a Jersey boy like me, five years my junior. He was adored by his fans. We recall one overzealous fan stepping on stage and rolling his pant leg up and showing a tattoo of Bourdain. “I’m not sure what to make of that,” he said with an amused and bewildered look on his face. You could tell the witty, provocative star was caught off guard. That being said, His unscripted talk was a delight.

I loved his sense of adventure, his humanity, making himself transparent to the world, sharing his past nearly deadly addiction to heroin as a young man and in the process helped people feel they were not alone in their struggles—whatever they might be. It was President Obama that reached out to CNN to arrange the meeting with Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam. He was the person everyone seemed to want to be, who Don Lemon said was more of a journalist that many like himself in the business. Who Cristiane Amounpor said his show went beyond food and travel. He wasn’t afraid to tackle the political hot button places and events of the day during his travels to places like Iran and Israel, Libya and Myanmar (Burma). He strove to understand and help us understand one another’s stories, culture and struggles, believing the best way to do that was over a meal. He willl be missed. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Photo Credit CNN: Bourdain having a beer and slurping down some noodles with President Obama during a “Parts Unknown” episode in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2016.