My New Happiness Machine: A Specialized Turbo Ebike that Fell into My Lap at Just the Right Time

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.”

—Audrey Hepburn

“The way I think about a pedal-assist electric bike is that it’s just like I’m riding a regular bicycle, but with the fantastic illusion that I’ve magically gained the superhuman fitness of a Tour De France rider overnight (without the steroids-my emphasis:).

—Jimmy from Skirack Bike Department

I hadn’t planned on buying a new bike. I was happy with my sporty little black Sondors E-bike with the red wheel rims that I purchased online four years ago that impressionable young boys and girls would point at as I was zipping by and say, “daddy look at that!” The tipping point came when a Sondors' tech support person based on looking at photos provided by Arthur Rodriguez, my mechanical bike repair specialist determined that the internal parts of my rear hub-based motor had excessive corrosion. This was causing the wheel to annoyingly squeal resulting in a recommendation to replace the motor.

Meanwhile, in the words of Denzel Washington who played Frank Lucas in American Gangster, “My man” James (Jimi) Hunter who got me into Ebiking was aware of the situation. For some time now he has been urging me to upgrade to a high performance bike with local support. I resisted. But given the supply chain issues exacerbated by the pandemic and the frequency of how much I ride (six to seven days a week), he knew this was the ideal time for me to make the change.

Jimi found a listing on Craig’s list for a Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 with only 80 miles on it. He encouraged me to move on it quickly, since there were a shortage of bikes out there and I would save a $1000 from the current retail price and taxes. Unlike the Sondor’s Hub-Drive system, the Turbo is a Mid-Drive motor that resides within the frame and modulates how the power is delivered by providing a seamless, silky smooth, natural ride. The motor is simply an extension of my own strength (a force multiplier if you will). It senses exactly how I am pedaling. Whether it is slowly, quickly, with a little or a lot of power, and reacts accordingly. It is twenty pounds lighter than the Sonders. It is made of Aluminum alloy and is a great cruising bike with a high capacity battery allowing it to go 28 MPH. It can climb a steep hill before you realize you just passed it and you can adust the gear settings for a more or less workout.

There is a rear light at the end fo the back fender, a supernova headlight and comfortable seat deserving of someone like myself that rides over a hundred miles a week. The irony is that the Turbo Como I wound up purchasing is the same model and style as my biking buddy and neighbor, Bill Rothenberg, though one year newer and with some nice enhancements.

I feel so grateful to have a great support system (my posse) for what has become my favorite activity since the pandemic. My bike repair specialist Arthur who will replace the motor on my Sondors which I will put up for sale; my biking buddy Bill who always has my back and has shown me so many short cuts in and around our neighborhood and beyond, and Jimi whom you can always rely on for wise biking advice even when you are not ready to receive it.

Balmy and Pre-Sunset Dinner at the Wine Cellar at the Old Town Shopping Center with our Dear Friends

“For all the bad that came from the pandemic, reminding us of the joys of dining al fresco is a silver lining.”

—Rebecca King, food writer

We had an intimate and romantic dinner with our dear friends and neighbors Susan and Nelson Bye at the Wine Cellar on their award-winning patio as the sun was beginning to set between the trees. During the pandemic we mostly took turns having dinner on our respective backyard terraces at Rinconada Hills tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ever so slowly we have been venturing out to enjoying fine cuisine at local restaurants that offer outdoor dining. Established in 1966 the Wine Cellar in Los Gatos (Spanish for The Cats) is the only remaining original tenant of the Old Town Shopping Center that was once a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1875.

Nelson and I had an 805 Honey Blonde Ale for starters, Cecile enjoyed a glass of the signature Rombauer Chardonnay and Susan had a rum and diet coke. We had cause to celebrate, not just our enduring friendship but our upcoming trips that we have booked on a riverboat cruise in the Washington and Oregon area in the fall and the Great Lakes Victory Cruise beginning in Toronto next Spring and ending in Cecile’s home town of Chicago.

Once again Nelson and Susan brought a bottle of 2012 Campofiorito Amarone della Valpolicella red from Nelson’s collection to accompany dinner. We enjoyed Hoisin-glazed Australian free range Grilled Lamb Lollipops with asian cabbage salad, garnish, beurre blanc (gluten free); Flash fried Panko-Crusted Prawns with tangy cocktail sauce and fresh lemon. Harvest Salad with orchard pears, apples and candied pecans, mixed greens, gorgonzola cheese, citrus vinaigrette, toasted bread slices with grilled chicken; and a very special pan-roasted Parmesan Crusted Halibut with tomato-basil tapenade, tomato beurre blanc, Yukon gold-smashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.

For dessert we all had an exquisite mixed Berry Puff Pastry composed of fresh strawberry, blackberry and blueberry compote sandwiched between a crisp pastry with fresh whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

It was to die for.

After dinner with took some photos together with the very colorful Beautiful Los Gatos Cat posters in the backdrop next to Sephora before heading home with the renewed sense of freedom from the fallout of the pandemic becoming more palpable.

Dog Day Afternoon on Memorial Day: A Day of Remembrance, Reflection and Leisure

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

—Unknown

My friend and biking buddy Bill Rothenberg invited me to take an early bike ride to beat the expected heat wave, but I slept in and began my solo ride at 10:30 AM. The Greeks and Romans considered “dog days,” as those hot, sleepy afternoons when dogs (and people) prefer to lay around and languish in the summer heat. I’m not one of them unless a pool is nearby. That will come later. As I write this the temperature is 95 degrees. By the time I rode my bike onto our driveway, Bill had already completed his ride and was walking his dogs Misty and Roscoe at about the time I was talking to my neighbor Bonnie with her black dog Blue and her friend who was walking her dog as well. It looked like a Labradoodle show and set the tone and theme for the day. When I hopped on the Los Gatos Creek Trail, heading toward Campbell and then San Jose for an 18 mile ride, I saw a mass of people in the distance. As I approached them more closely, I noticed it was a group walking their dogs. I stopped riding for a few minutes to take some photos of this rare spectacle.

By the time I made it to the colorful Willow Glen section of San Jose, I was ready to strip off my light, bright yellow riding jacket and indulge myself in a large icy blended "Apples and Greens" with ginger and energy boost. I saw a young girl and her dad sitting near the entrance with their little racing bike No. 4 also taking a respite and cooling off. I love this downtown area and though there are closer Jamba Juice shops, it was an excuse to ride. Not that I need an excuse to ride, mind you. After all it is never about the destination but the journey which always includes people watching and enjoying nature. When I returned to our home at Rinconada Hills, the flag in front of our clubhouse was flying at half mast, reminding me to take a moment to honor those who’s served our nation and who are no longer with us.

Postscript: The phrase “Dog Days” of summer is actually a reference to the fact that during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. Also Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 American biographical crime drama starring Al Pacino chronicling a 1972 robbery and hostage situation that goes bad. Dog Day Afternoon is a metaphor meaning everything and anything (plans made, emotions, work, friendships, weather, etc.), can turn bad, very bad, unexpectedly and quickly with little or no chance of making it better.

Enjoying the Seasonal Wildflowers During our Bike Ride Around Lexington Reservoir and the Snake at the Side of the Road

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”—Henry David Thoreau

Thirty minutes south of the San Jose urban center, is Lexington Reservoir County Park that serves as a water supply for the area and is available for recreational purposes such as rowing, fishing, paddle boating managed by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. The 950-acre lake in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains is home to the San Jose Row Club.

One you arrive at the base of the reservoir from the Los Gatos Creek Trail, the mostly paved road traces the outline of Lexington Reservoir

As the road pitches down, the ride gets really interesting. In the beginning I used to be a timid descender anxiously clutching my brakes. But, having hydraulic brakes installed a while ago, accompanied by the large contact to the road afforded me by my fat tires, I am more confident careening down the mountain side at about 30 MPH. Bill has a more expensive Specialized bike that offers him the same advantages. Located at 17770 Alma Bridge Road in Los Gatos Lexington Reservoir is considered one of the top 15 best lakes in the San Jose area. I love the seasonal scenic vistas made more beautiful with the wildflowers as seen in the photos I took.

As we rounded the reservoir on the last leg of our ride, Bill pointed to a snake on the road. I had circled back to take a photo of what appeared to be a dead snake.

I use the words "appeared to be” dead because there are what’s referred to as "zombie snakes,” snakes that pretend to be dead or “play possum,” so to speak.

When a snake is feigning death, it will flatten its head to make it appear larger and then hiss, fill its body with air, roll over on its back and open its mouth and let its tongue hang out. luckily those type of snakes are not known to be harmful to humans.

Nevertheless, I have an active imagination and the snake on the road which looked like a Western rattler made me think of a story I read in Smithsonian magazine a few years ago about a Texas resident who discovered a Western diamondback rattlesnake nestled in some flowers in her back yard, causing her to let out a scream. Her husband quickly came to her rescue and decapitated the snake with a shovel. When he bent down to pick it up several minutes later, the severed head of the snake turned around, grabbed onto his hand and, bit him releasing all of its venom. He was air lifted to a hospital, went into septic shock, experienced internally bleeding, and nearly died. So when Bill stomped his foot on the ground and yelled out (Hah!) I nearly jumped out of my bicycle seat. We continued our ride and decided to make our way down the less trodden path to the edge of the water to take it all in. The skies were blue, the water was tranquil and aside for a few men fishing in the distance, we had a mindful moment of oneness with nature which is by far one of the joys of riding.

Sweet & Intimate Mother's Day Brunch at the Chiens Thanks to All of Us Being Fully Vaccinated

“Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is a glorious life force. It’s huge and scary—it’s an act of infinite optimism.”—Gilda Radner

We were invited to a Mother’s Day brunch by our son-in-law Kyle’s mom, Kim Chien, and her husband Al.

Our daughter Michelle was holding our recently born granddaughter, Emmy. Our son Jason was able to join us and Kyle's brother Chip and his fiancé Katie also attended.

For families like ours, who relied on the vaccine before feeling totally comfortable reuniting with extended loved ones, it was a welcome step toward normal. Mother’s Day 2021 marks the first holiday since the coronavirus vaccine was made available. Hugs were shared and it felt good. In fact, it is safe to say that we will never take a hug for granted again.

The general family interactions are coming back on schedule with a new focus. Emmy’s pre-natal development & eventual birth in February gave us something to look forward to during the challenging pandemic winter months. She brings a burst of hope and happiness as Lyla did when she was born. We all went through this pandemic not knowing what would happen, and we can see once again that life goes on.

The Chiens provided the food and drinks and Cecile and I brought desserts from the renowned “Icing on the Cake." We sat having drinks first while lounging under a shaded trellis in the outdoor lounge area of the Chiens beautiful home getting caught up before sitting down at the table for brunch. Ever the hostess, Lyla insisted on pouring her uncle Jason a glass of champagne with his guided assistance of course. She also wanted to carry a bloody Mary to the table for Al (Pops) who was closely behind.

After brunch, the presents came out. Once again, Lyla was eager to carry the bags of gifts to the well-deserving mothers and grandmothers (Cecile, Kim and Michelle). The one bag Lyla toted outside was almost as big as she was. Anticipation, excitement and joy were in the air. The mothers loved their gifts. Just earlier everyone was raving about the sweets from Icing on the Cake, but the real Icing on the Cake was witnessing and holding our sweet granddaughters, Lyla and Emmy, and realizing that they are growing up in an atmosphere of love and attention showered upon them by a family that loves them unconditionally.

A Memorial Tribute to my Sicilian-American Mother Maria who Passed Away on Mother's Day Eight Years Ago

“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”

—Leo Buscaglia

My mom died on Mother’s Day May 12, 2013, at the age of 88. She was born in Roccalumera, Messina, in Sicily, which at the time was a poor fishing village. She arrived in the United States in 1947. She married my dad and had three sons and one daughter. I was the eldest child born in 1950. She was devoted to her family and loved her grandchildren. She worked hard as a seamstress for a local coat factory in Hoboken, NJ. I used to help her sew hook enclosures for fur collars on women’s coats when she got permission from her boss to work from home.

She was a beautiful woman, and when she smiled she lit up the room. She had a wicked sense of humor, was well liked, and was always hospitable to my childhood friends. She was also devoted to helping our grandparents and her siblings in the old country by regularly sending them clothing, gifts, and financial assistance whenever she could. She taught us to be proud of our heritage, wanted us to have the education that she never had. I have her to thank for introducing me to my late mentor, Dr. Carmine Sippo, a dean at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY whom she grew up with in Sicily and paved the way for me to become a podiatric physician and surgeon. When I was young, and later when I achieved success in my professional career, Cecile and I, would invite my mother to join us and Michelle and Jason to Sicily to see the family who lived a block from the Mediterranean Sea. They welcomed us with open arms that left us with unforgettable memories.

Let’s hear it for all the moms (or mom-like life guides) near and far, still with us and those who have passed on:

Your mother is always with you.

She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street,

She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick,

The fragrance of life itself.

She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well,

She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of the rainbow,

She lives inside your laughter, the place you came from, your first home…

She’s the map you follow with every step you take.

She’s your first love, your first friend…

Nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space…not even death.

—Author Unknown

A special Mother’s Day to our dearest daughter Michelle, my love, Cecile, and Cecile’s beloved late mother Marge Weiner

Italian Dinner with Friends in their Beautiful Backyard in a Flower Garden Setting

The Pastaria and Market in downtown Los Gatos has become our favorite place for take-out food.

Our friends and family agree and have followed our lead. The plan for the evening was to meet Bill at 4:45 PM for a pre-dinner bike ride, and scheduled pick-up and delivery to Bill and Sarah's backyard at 5:45 PM where Sarah and Cecile were enjoying refreshments. The Rothenbergs moved into Rinconada Hills, a gated community sometime after we did over five years ago, and live just a short block away. We have known each other since our kids were young. The pandemic had forced Bill and I to create our own Door Dash type service strictly for our respective families and friends, made possible by the attached courier bags on our back fender racks.

Dinner was almost aborted as Bill got a flat tire on the Los Gatos Creek Trail that we took on the way back adjacent to Vasona Lake. Holding the record for the most flat tires in a year (5), I know that sinking feeling, especially in a place there is no car access. Fortunately, my handy portable electrically charged inflater pump at the bottom of my bag saved the day. It didn’t hurt that it was only a slow leak which allowed Bill to ride all the way home. Bill has bailed me out plenty of times, so it was nice to be in the position to reciprocate and being able to continue on with our social evening together with the ladies.

Sarah and Bill really know how to utilize their abundant outdoor space in their backyard with several levels of decking, a quaint gazebo which is a main focal point, elaborate, colorful and big roses and other flowers and plants including tomatoes that help to create a scene straight out of a storybook. Coupled with Bill’s artistic talents in painting and woodworking (his brother is an artist in NYC) that includes wood wind spinning widgets hanging from the gazebo and van Goughesque sunflower murals on the back and lower corner of his good neighbor fence to name a few.

The inspired setting is much better than a restaurant. We had an intimate dinner under a trellis and patio lights. We brought two bottles of Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses Rose' wine that our son-in-law Kyle and Michelle gifted us and Sarah and Bill provided several beer and flavors of our favorite Talente Ice Cream. A restaurant grade propane heater eased the mild chill of the evening air.

Bill and Sarah’s dogs Roscoe and Misty provided the entertainment. Bill lifted Roscoe onto his thighs and jokingly stated this is our “lapdog" (photo), while Misty was nipping at Roscoe from below as if to say, “It’s my turn, I want some of that love too!” Van Goughish floral fence designs in the back corner part of his yard. As a former watercolorist for over seven years with the Saratoga Community of Painters I appreciate the childlike wonders and courage of an artist. Vincent van Gogh himself is quoted as saying he found “comfort in contemplating sunflowers.”

Postscript: After we finished off a bottle of the Gerard des Roses Rose’ Bill took a cutting of a rose from one of his and Sarah’s rose garden and placed in the bottle for me to give to Cecile. A class act.

Enjoying Outdoor Dining at Mextizo Restaurant & Cantina: A Logical Choice in these Pandemic Times

After a year of mostly picking up take-out food on my way home from a bike ride, Cecile and I were in the mood for outdoor dining the other night. We chose Mextizo Restaurant and Cantina, formerly the home of The Blue Door restaurant at the West Gate Center in San Jose that featured Greek-inspired cuisine in an upscale setting that was affected by the COVID-19 shutdown. I had written a couple of positive posts while the Blue Door was in operation and had the chance and pleasure to meet Sylvia Foundas, one of its' founders.

She and her husband Peter, whose family is steeped in the restaurant business were faced with the challenge of making a big change in their offering. They decided to create a new concept restaurant and brought in Executive chef, Everardo Andrade who was a former cook at Reposado in Palo Alto and Olla Cocina in San Jose before joining the Blue Door Restaurant team. Andrade created a menu that reflects the food he enjoyed growing up in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The irony is that many years ago, the 8,000 square foot space was home to the Chevy’s restaurant chain. The owners believed Mextizo was a better fit for the neighborhood that they opened almost a year ago. The shutdown was a perfect time to engage in several weeks of a major renovation.

We ordered a beer and strawberry margarita with salsa and chips to start. Cecile enjoyed three Empanadas Vegeterianas for her entree that included cilantro avocado masa stuffed with shiitake mushrooms, butternut squash and Oaxaca cheese served with salsa tatemada and Mexican coleslaw. I had a delicious Traditional Asada: Grilled hanger steak marinated in adobo that was topped with Mexican green onions, cilantro, guacamole, radishes and red tatemada salsa. This was complimented with a side of refried black beans. We can’t wait to try some of their other offerings in the future.

Even though Cecile and I have been fully vaccinated, we are still avoiding indoor dining for the time being unless there is an open door with plenty of ventilation. “According to a recent article in The New York Times citing peer…peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, the odds of indoor transmission are about 19 times as great as the odds of outdoor transmission.” Of course other studies state there is a less than 1% chance of Covid-19 transmission with indoor eating. While they fight it out, we believe it doesn’t hurt to err on the side of caution.

A Coastal Biking Adventure & Soaking in a Hot Tub at a Magnificent Beach House with a Million-Dollar View

“To me, it doesn’t matter whether…the sun is shining…as long as I’m riding a bike I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

—Mark Cavendish

Bill and I were invited to join good friends James (Jimi) and Jennifer Hunter yesterday at a beach house in Aptos where they are vacationing with their grandson Wesley. Mutual friend, Gary Covell joined the guys for a morning bike ride along neighboring beaches which included Manresa State Beach and La Selva Beach near Watsonville, Seacliff and Capitola. Jimi, a retired teacher, former triathlete and always the jokester welcomed us at the private gate of the home of a friend, wearing a white and green top hat with a cannabis leaf imprint, and a black Bicycle Outfitter shirt.

The magnificent three bedroom, three bath 2,200 square foot home known as La Casa de La Contenta (Spanish for House of Contentment) combines the love of nature and luxury and captures the essence of California coastal living. It sports a million-dollar panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and includes a relaxing hot tub which we luxuriated in after our 25-mile bike ride.

The Hunters also hosted lunch, which included BBQ chips, chocolate chip cookies, beer and soft drinks. La Casa is nestled within the grounds of New Brighton State Beach, one of the most popular and most visited state beaches in California.

This popular recreation spot is connected with Seacliff State Beach, where the Ohlone Indians thrived for thousands of years on the area’s plentiful natural resources. From the back yard

deck one could see Seacliff’s famous fishing pier in the distance that extends out to a unique concrete tanker, the SS Palo Alto, a remnant form the World War I era that never saw wartime service. It was turned into an elaborate amusement center, and later brought to rest in the shallow water near the beach. During our ride we stopped to take a group photo near this landmark.

Postscript: Jimi led us to Seascape Park, in Rio Del Mar where we unexpectedly found ourselves in the midst of a Tai Chi class in progress. Having taken Tai Chi classes at Courtside Bay Club—as did Jimi—we were happy to see the students keep their calm without being distracted by our intrusion in their space, and we respectfully moved on.

Picnic at Oak Meadow Park with our Granddaughter Lyla & Sitting in the Cockpit of a Decommissioned USAF Jet

“In the end, kids won’t remember that fancy toy you bought them, they will remember the time you spent with them.”

—Kevin Heath

"We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”

—George Bernard Shaw

Oak Meadow Park, is considered the gem of all Los Gatos parks. It features a large 12-acre playground

including a real decommissioned USAF T-33A “T-Bird,” America’s First Jet Trainer (Nicknamed: "Shooting Star.”) Lyla inspected the outside, walked onto the wing of the jet and sat in the cockpit.

I couldn’t help thinking about my nephew Andrew (Drew) Augustine, an F-15 Crew Chief at the United States Air Force stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and his lovely wife Kaylyn, a former airman in the USAF, who now works for VSE Corporation in Okinawa.

The park also sports a scaled-down red fire engine, corkscrew slides, swings, playhouses of different sizes, BBQ and picnic facilities, a large grass field for youth soccer games, a carousel, and a one-third scale Billy Jones Wildcat railroad that offers rides on steam-engine locomotives year-round in a creek-side setting.

Whenever I want to assist Lyla on climbing a play structure she always lets me know if she doesn’t want me to help her. She pushed my hand away, and said, "No Papa, I want to do it myself.” She’s fearless. It was a very colorful day. Parents were out riding bicycles with their kids. One guy was throwing a frisbee for his dog to catch in mid-air. Lyla met a cute 2-year old like herself who shared the steering wheel of the red fire engine with her.

Dogs are not the only living creatures that need a wide berth to run and play. So do children. Before we sat down for our picnic on-the-grass, Lyla began to run toward a whimsical covered performance stage a thousand feet away where summer concerts usually take place. A man watching began to laugh, saying: “Wow, she has a mind of her own, doesn’t she.” I smiled and said, “You don’t know the half of it.” It was like chasing a running back to the goal line. When she got to the stage she commanded it. She walked all over it in a circular fashion and I encouraged her to dance. Like the decommissioned USAF Jet trainer, she is the family’s “shootings star.”

We finally had our picnic on the grass. Lyla seemed very contented as she sat on Cecile’s (Nonnie’s) lap. The three hour playtime flew by. Yes, we were tired but contented as well. I couldn’t help think about the musical lyrics of the late Paul Vance:

"When this old world gets me down and there’s no love to be found;

I close my eyes and soon I find

I’m in a playground in my mind

Where the children laugh and

The children play

And we sing a song all day.”

Lyla awakens the child in us and we give her the space to be who she is: a loving, curious, determined, joyful child who knows she is loved unconditionally.

Happy Birthday to My Biking Buddy Who Always Goes the Extra Mile to Enjoy the Ride: Circumnavigating Lexington Reservoir

"Every mile brings new possibilities. Here's to another year of going wherever the road takes you."

—Author Unknown

At 8:26 AM I sent a text to my friend Bill Rothenberg to wish him a Happy Birthday and asked him if he would like to circumnavigate the Lexington Reservoir. A former Triathlete his comical response was: “I am one-third through my birthday triathlon: Dog walk: Done [he has two Labradoodles, Roscoe and Misty]; a Swim at 9AM and around 9:45 AM, a bike ride.” So, the answer was “yes."

On this beautiful, mild, sunny day we hit the Los Gatos Creek Trails, stopped in front of Vasona Reservoir and made a pit stop at Great Bear Coffee, where I treated Bill to a large iced coffee. Bill, doesn’t go anywhere without his caffeine fix to jumpstart his day. For myself, I’m a Jamba Juice kinda guy. Since Great Bear doesn’t sell Jamba Juice, I ordered their large special new Watermelon, Citrus Lemonade drink. Sugar is my fix and I added a breakfast muffin.

After hopping on a pedestrian/cyclist bridge behind downtown Los Gatos, we resumed our ride, switching to a gravel pathway parallel to Highway-17 leading to the Lexington Reservoir County Park. As many times as we have done this ride, it always feels fresh and new; mainly because like artists we recreate the experience newly each time. The other thing Bill and I have in common is that we are both Cycopaths: persons suffering from chronic bike riding disorder with abnormal urges to ride and feel free:-)

Though there are sections of the reservoir that are drying up due to draught conditions there were still some spectacular views of the water. The "creme de La creme" is when we got to the last quarter of the ride where we experience the coolness of the forested canopy and later switching from the paved roads to the narrow dirt trails just above the reservoir. All in all we rode about 28 miles with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet which took over three hours including returning on the creek trails most of the way home.

Final birthday greeting to Bill, a guy who has many talents, lives life at full throttle, who has introduced me to many trails and shortcuts, always has my back and, is fun to ride with. Best of all, we have great wives, his Sarah and my beloved Cecile who support our cycling adventures.

Reciprocal Back-to-Back Outdoor Take-Out Dining from The Wine Cellar and Aldo's with our Good Friends

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

—Charles Shultz

“True friends are like diamonds—bright, beautiful, valuable and always in-style.”

—Nicole Richie

We were invited to join our good friends Nelson and Susan Bye in their back yard terrace for a take-out dinner from the Wine Cellar. The Bye's provided the drinks and Cecile and I brought chocolate cupcakes from from "Icing on the Cake” for dessert. They sat at the head of the table on one side and we sat at the other. Though the Wine Cellar restaurant was serving dinner under their big white tent on their outdoor terrace, we were perfectly content avoiding the crowd and enjoying the view overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains as the sun was beginning to set. Though the temperature begins to drop after 5PM, we felt the warmth from the two towering, glowing restaurant-grade heat lamps that Nelson strategically placed for our maximum comfort. More recently, we ordered take out food from Aldo’s Restaurant and dined on our outdoor terrace with our Roman fountain flowing in the backdrop. Once again the Byes brought a bottle of 2012 Amazon della Valpollecella and Blue Moon Light Sky citrous wheat beer. We provided Dove dark chocolate ice cream bars.

Even though things have opened up of late and Cecile, myself and the Byes have been fully vaccinated, given the times we are in, we didn’t feel we missed out. With the recent birth of our new granddaughter, Emmy, we are still acting with an abundance of caution and still avoiding large social gatherings.

After all living in the same gated-community as the Byes, we don't have to drive outside the premises, there is no loud chatter or loud music to contend with, and we don't feel rushed to finish our meal. The three plus hours we spent in each others company during both get togethers never went so fast. Though we have adapted pretty well to the pandemic lifestyle, we speculated when it would be safe enough to resume re-booking our Great Lakes cruise from Quebec City and Montreal to Chicago we were forced to cancel last September. Though, It still feels like a distant dream. We are still shooting to resume our annual family vacation in Maui in December and perhaps rescheduling our Great Lakes trip in the early spring 2022.

For all who have endured difficult emotions triggered by the pandemic and accompanying collateral damage and financial and personal loss; are the subject of political oppression (i.e., the brutal military coup affecting our dear friends in Myanmar, etc.), and are feeling a sense of isolation:

May you be well.

May you be safe.

May you be happy.

May you be peaceful.

May you be filled with loving-kindness.

May things turn around for the better.

Love,

Dennis and Cecile

The Meditating Buddha Statue in our Atrium Has Become our Granddaughter Lyla's Imaginary Friend

“Minds are like flowers; they open when the time is right.”

—Stephen Richards

“See the world with the innocence fo children.

Approach the world with the daring of children.

Love the world with the readiness of children.

Heal the world with the purity of children.

Change the world with the wisdom of children.

—Neale Donald Walsch

Somehow the meditating Buddha in our atrium garden—one white and one black—has become Lyla’s imaginary friend.

One day she pointed to the black Buddha and asked what’s that? “The Buddha,” I said. She had a difficult time pronouncing his name at first. But, in no time she learned to say his name very clearly. I didn’t try to explain what the iconic figure represented except to say he is "happy and peaceful.” After all, she is barely 2 1/2 years old. One day, she had the desire to wash the Buddha with a wet paper towel. I’m really not sure why, but she did so with such gentleness and joy as if it were one of her favorite dolls. One day she witnessed me placing a rose on the lap of the Buddha. Suddenly, every time we baby sat her, she asked to do the same. She also began to take a few petals from our large potted jade tree and placed them in the lap of the Buddha and even try to feed him.

Today is Buddha’s birthday in the United States. In Asia it is celebrated during different times of the Lunar calendar. Temples are decorated with flowers. A special ceremony called “bathing the baby Buddha, is a popular ritual especially among children. People pour water over a statue of the Buddha. It is a way to show respect to the Buddha for his teachings and to celebrate new beginnings. It is symbolic of a purification process on the inside not an actual cleaning of the body.

Flowers are considered the most suitable offerings to the Buddha. There are frequent references to flowers in the sacred scriptures that the Buddha enjoyed their presence in the monasteries and gardens at the edge of Ganges, where he taught and meditated more than 2,600 years ago. Buddha means “one who is awake,” attributed to when he became enlightened. The former prince was not a god, but rather a philosopher, mendicant, meditator, spiritual teacher and religious leader who lived in ancient India.

In the town of Luang Prabang in Laos, where Cecile and I visited a few years ago, we witnessed and participated in rituals that form the basis of everyday life both for the monks and ordinary lay people. Every gesture and every object has a meaning and a history stretching back centuries. Many of these rituals are accompanied by flowers. The best flowers to offer are those that fall from a tree or plant, for it is believed that to cut a bloom is to destroy a living thing. The idea being not to remove or take anything that is not freely given, a hard concept to teach a child. Flowers represent impermanence—a central teaching of Buddhism. They are sweet-smelling one day and foul and withered the next. They also represent generosity and symbolize the beauty of enlightenment. The jade plant is often called the “friendship plant” and is a staple in many Asian households. In places like Bali, India, Thailand. Laos, Nepal you will see the remains of offerings everywhere.

The Lotus Flower grows in the deep mud, far away from the sun. But, sooner or later, the Lotus reaches the light becoming

the most beautiful flower ever. It is highly regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.

Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition: even when the roots are in the muddiest of waters, the Lotus produces

the most beautiful flower. The Buddha is sometimes depicted sitting on a Lotus Flower, symbolizing the one who overcame

the trials and tribulations in the material world and became enlightened, just like the lotus flower which begins to grow in the

muddy water but manages to surpass the water and produce the perfect flower.

Lyla, who wore a flower print dress today painted today with two brushes, planted a soon-to-become flower garden that Cecile bought for her and before we took her home

she helped me spread rose petals on the lap and at the foot of the Buddha.

Happy Easter & Happy Spring: For Our Granddaughter Lyla it's All About Rabbits, Easter Egg Hunts & Other Forms of Play

"I think we need to do some deep soul searching about what’s important to our lives and renew our spirit and our spiritual thinking, whether it’s through faith-based religion or just through loving nature....”

—Louie Schwartzberg

“I still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and true love. Don’t even try to tell me different.”

—Dolly Parton

"The moment you stand up and claim your divinity,

Christ is reborn within your heart,

Buddha rejoices,

Mohammed dances upon the mountaintop,

Lao Tzu winks approvingly

And the Promise of the Tree of Life is Fulfilled....”

—Walt Whitman

Cecile and I babysat our 2-year and four-month old granddaughter Lyla today. She was dressed for the Easter season. She had a pink "Hoppy Easter" top with a long-eared bunny rabbit on front, floral print pants, white slip-on sneakers with a decorative butterfly (certainly a symbol of transformation) on top. Before going for a bike ride, I colored with her, and when I returned, Cecile was blowing bubbles with her. We took her for a walk to see the turtles sunbathing on the rocks in the lake and ponds in our gated community. There were rumors that white tailed bunny rabbits were being sighted. Sure enough, as I had hoped one did make an appearance. Lyla was captivated. She was also captivated by a two-tiered fountain of flowers next to our neighbor’s driveway, and while sitting on a large white decoy Swan at poolside.

Cecile and I are an intermarried couple. I was raised Catholic, She was raised in Judaism. Having been in the midst of remodeling our home these past few months

we weren’t able to celebrate Passover with family and friends. Though I have a deep appreciation for my birth faith, especially the Christian mystics, my main interest is in the Eastern traditions involving mindfulness practice. I also love nature, and springtime is my favorite time of the year. With my interest in cycling and photography I can immerse myself in the most in-the-moment heart-opening experiences that make almost every day a special holiday.

In early April, even sooner in California, birds are chirping and preparing their nests for offspring, flowers are popping up from the ground and trees are getting green buds.

Green thumbs are tending their gardens and watching for the first signs of bulbs they planted last fall. Even if Easter is not a religious holiday for you—and perhaps more so if it is—there is something to be said about seeing the first flowers of the spring season begin to bloom in your garden.

In short, the world is coming alive after a long and cold winter for so many as it does each year at this time. Moreover, the Covid-19 vaccines are being administered in full force giving the most vulnerable among us a big sigh of relief. Easter being a symbol of hope, renewal and a new life is certainly at play this year more than ever before.

Our secular symbols of Easter: eggs, baby chicks, rabbits, are the first contact young children have with the celebration of Easter. For many children—including myself when I was a child—Easter was, and is, a time of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter egg hunts, Easter baskets with chocolate rabbits, shimmery foil covered chocolate eggs, and jelly beans inside.

But, what do all of these Easter treats mean? The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and associated with festivals celebrating spring. It has also been associated with death, rebirth, and kingship especially in pre-historic Egypt, Crete, and Mesopotamia. In Christianity, Easter eggs were said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and his resurrection. According to some sources, decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition dating back to the 13th century. Eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter. Over the years, it evolved to decorated eggs being hidden on Easter morning for children to find. The following poem by Richelle E. Goodrich about Easter resonates with me in many ways including the miracle of transformation in the "change of seasons and "resurrection of souls."

Easter is…Joining in a birdsong,

Eying an early sunrise,

Smelling yellow daffodils,

Unbolting windows and doors,

Skipping through meadows,

Cuddling newborns,

Hoping, believing,

Reviving spent life,

Inhaling fresh air,

Sprinkling seeds along furrows,

Tracking in the mud.

Easter is the soul’s first taste of spring.

—Richelle E. Goodrich

Photo credit for “Cosmic Egg” is Salvador D

Biking the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park & Revisiting the 1,000-Year Old Toppled Redwood Tree

Just outside of the quaint village of Aptos, CA, lies a serene oasis called the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. It is named after the matriarch of the Marks family from Salinas who donated the land to become a state park.

There are over 40 miles of well maintained hiking, jogging and biking trails, and fire roads meandering through 10,000 acres. Waiting to be discovered are second growth redwoods and oak groves in rugged semi-wilderness terrain, that rises from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet with panoramic views of the Monterey Bay from Sand Point Overlook.

Bill and I met a couple of mountain bikers at the lookout point who we passed along the way as we peddled to the top. One had only been riding a year and was absolutely loving the joy and freedom of cycling. The other, more experienced rider who had the same brand of riding gloves as mine was equally exuberant. Suddenly, he said: “Sir, do you mind me asking how old you are?” It’s rare that anybody calls me “sir," and my first instinct was to turn around and see who he was talking to:-). “I’m 70,” I responded smilingly. “Oh, great,” he added, “it gives me hope and inspiration,” for the future. Ironically, I have made the same sort of inquiry whenever I encounter someone ten years my senior still riding. As they say everything is relative.

Historically, almost all of the redwood forest we were in the midst of, was cut down during a 40-year logging boom from 1883 to 1923. When loggers departed the Aptos Creek Canyon, the forest began to heal itself from the scars of the past. The Forest of Nisene Marks is a monument to the miracle of forest regeneration.

On October 17, 1989, about a dozen miles below the Forest of Nisene Marks, the 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta Earthquake tore through Aptos Creek Canyon snapping redwoods and Douglas fir tops like toothpicks, loosing sand and stone, sending violent and destructive tremors rippling across Northern California. It flattened downtown Santa Cruz and collapsed the Bay Bridge. Our swimming pool at our former home in Saratoga rocked up and down from side-to-side like the Tilt-a-wheel amusement ride of my New Jersey youth.

Though Bill and I enjoyed the thrill of rugged and varied terrain trails, not to mention some of the cleanest and coolest air in California, it was a challenging. At times I felt I was riding a bucking bronco, especially during the plunging descent.

When we got to the guard attended entrance parking lot, I invited Bill to check out the site of a 1,000-year old "Advocate Tree" that was uprooted during a storm in The Forest of Nisene Marks in January 2019. This majestic “old growth” landmark redwood once stood at over 260 feet and had a circumference of 45 feet. It had been around during the time of the Anasazi (“Ancient Ones”) cliff dwellers, believed to be the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians. It was alive when Genghis Khan ruled Mongolia, when Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, William Normandy invaded England, when the Spanish Conquistadors conquered the Americas. It was alive during the African Slave Trade, the Salem Witch Hunt Trials, and the American and Civil Wars.

Postscript: I first witnessed the fallen Advocate Tree shortly after the storm that caused its’ demise in 2019. I had climbed on top of the colossal toppled tree that had broken into several monumental section. See photo of me standing on top of its massive trunk and of our friend James Hunter standing along its’ length.

A Self-Guided Cycling Tour of the Embarcadero Waterfront & the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge

"San Francisco itself is art, above all literary art. Every block is a short story, every hill a novel. Every home a poem, every dweller within immortal…”

—Williama Saryoyan

San Francisco is a tie-dyed, technicolor haven for free spirits and open-minded sentient beings and it was great to revisited it. Bill and I off-loaded our bikes from his SUV near the Chase Center indoor arena, the home venue of the Golden State Warriors in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. We then made our way to Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team in South Beach, and began our 3-mile roadway ride—with pauses in between—on the Embarcadero waterfront, one of the most cycle-friendly coastal stretched in the city. This palm-tree laden coastal parkway is a cyclists’ dream. Embarcadero means “pier” or “a place to embark” in Spanish. We then paused at Rincon Park, where the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s massive “Cupid Span” sculpture depicts a colorful bow and arrow angled downward.

Sea lions made their appearance on pier 39 in the Embarcadero more than thirty years ago, and became a permanent fixture. Waddling and raucous barking and behavior has captured the imagination of tourists and residents alike. Last year, a hand-painted series, illustrated by Bay Area artists of six-foot-tall colorful fiberglass sculptures in their likeness were spread across the waterfront, downtown and Golden Gate Park as part of a yearlong art Installation celebrating their 30th anniversary (now 31) of their takeover of Pier 39, following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

The historic Ferry Building that serves as a terminal for ferries first opened its doors in 1898, played a major rule in the city’s growth and commerce leading up through WW2. It houses one the city’s most vibrant marketplaces. On top of the Ferry Building sits a 245-foot clock tower with four clock deals, each 22 feet in diameter (photo). Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood can be seen from the Embarcadero district.

Of course, the main attraction is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge which is actually dark reddish-orange. It is a stunning piece of architecture and the pride and joy of San Francisco. The American Society of Civill Engineers voted it one of the Modern Wonders of the World. For all its beauty and charm it is considered one of the most photographed in the world.

The last two times we biked across it, it was shrouded in fog. The other day we were blessed with a clear, albeit windy day and as we approached the bridge the view was absolutely breath-taking. There were more walkers than bicyclists. We were able to see the skyline of the city and the notorious Alcatraz Island that once housed America’s most infamous prisoners like Al Capone. It closed in 1963 and re-opened as a tourist attraction in 1973.

As I approached the bridge proper, I could feel the anticipation growing in my stomach as I had felt before. The great tower and cables loom bigger than life. An electrical surge of joy overcame me. The gust of wind was invigorating. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their face. It felt more like a pilgrimage to a sacred site. In many ways it “is" a sacred site.

On the way back over the bridge we stopped at Vista Point. I had the good fortune to meet a senior monk from the Dhammakaya Meditation Center in Morgan Hill who is originally from Thailand and was also enjoying the sites. His familiar saffron robe, fluttering in the wind brought me back over ten years ago when I did a three-week silent meditation retreat at a Burmese Monastery in Lampang, Thailand that was well supported by the business community in Bangkok. It is the only city in Thailand that still uses horse carts as a means of transportation.

Postscript: Bill and I were admiring the Powell & Wide Street Trolley when the driver offered to take our photos in front of it. He informed us that Krispy Kreme was giving away free donuts for showing our vaccination card through the end of 2021. Maybe, next time:-)

Celebrating our 44th Wedding Anniversary with my Beloved Wife Cecile and Still going Strong

“A Marriage is a commitment to that which you are. That person is literally your other half. And you and the other are one…a marriage is a life commitment, and a life commitment means the prime concern of your life…In marriage, every day you love, and every day you forgive. It is an ongoing sacrament—love and forgiveness…Like a yin/yang symbol…Here I am, and here she is, and here we are.”

—Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

“A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are…Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise.”

—RIchard Bach

It is hard to believe Cecile, that we have been married for forty-four years which is the equivalent to 528 months,16,060 days, 385,440 hours and 23,126,400 minutes. When I think about our relationship, it is akin to the flowering red Camellia we planted on the side of our town home at Rinconada Hills that we both adore. In China, the camellia represents the union between two lovers. The delicately layered petals represents the woman, and the calyx (the green leafy part of the stem that holds the petals together) represents the man who protects her (Though God knows you’ve saved me plenty of times:) The two components are joined together, even after death. Typically when the petals of a flower fall off, the calyx will stay intact. With camellias however, every botanist knows that the calyx and the petals fall away together which is why the camellia also represents eternal love or long-lasting devotion.

As your husband I want you to remember that in my book you are beautiful, compassionate, loving, worthy, important, special, unique, talented, irreplaceable and a pure soul.

Happy Anniversary, my love. I look forward to the next chapter in our lives. As the camellia teaches us, a true love story has no ending.

Postscript: A few photo memories of the last leg of our 30th anniversary trip in 2007 that included a colorful day at the Hong Kong Flower Show which curiously was celebrating its 30th year anniversary.

Threatening Rain Clouds Dazzling Sunsets and Snow-Capped Mountains: Enjoying the Majestic Quality of Mother Nature from My Bicycle Seat

Terri Guillemets once said: "Clouds are the sky’s imagination. And their different shapes and colors are a fodder for our power of imagination. They are what we want them to be. Their gathering to cover the sun, and dispersing to uncover it again, is splendid to watch. There can’t be anything bad or sad about them. Watching them float by is a beautiful experience; and…watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time.”

Weather in the Bay Area the past few days has been unpredictable. Sunny, and bright blue skies one moment, and in the next moment increasing dark rain cloud formations seemingly about to burst with much needed rain.

There was a pretty steady flow of cool air as I rode the protected Los Gatos Creek Trail to get my bike tuned-up in San Jose. Just looking at the snow-capped mountains made me shiver. Considering we are quickly approaching spring, this was unexpected. In contrast, on the way back home nature was offering up a full palette of colors. The sunset was bursting with so much color and intensity, I was in awe. Yesterday, my biking buddy Bill Rothenberg and I rode to the boat launch area on the lower end of Lexington Reservoir in the foggy Santa Cruz Mountains. The rowing team were carrying their boats above their heads as they walked on the dock ready to launch their boats for practice.

A helicopter was flying around the reservoir and then landed near the waters edge. The contrast between the varying weather patterns was like watching a split screen TV weather channel showing what was going on in the different parts of the state. All of this was a reminder of the versatility and majesty of mother Nature.

Sometimes, I feel like I am riding my bike in the clouds, and becoming one with them. It reminds me of a quote by Leonard Louis Levenson: “A pessimist sees only the dark side of clouds, and mopes.” I used to feel that way. He then added, “A philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all, he’s walking [or riding] on them."

When I don’t have my head in the clouds, I take note of what’s happening on the ground around me. As I ride the underpass tunnel on the paved trail below a city street, I see a large mural of rainbow trout to the right of me (photo). I note a family feeding the ducks in one of the percolation ponds; A father and young son riding the underpass of another city street.

A father in a low-riding tricycle reaching over with his right hand and tenderly tapping the low back of his boy who is attempting to navigate a steep incline, in front of him as I trailed behind. He made to the top, not an easy task. The father is proud for him. Heck, I was proud of the young boy.

There is no way to feel totally isolated, even in the midst of a pandemic when you go out there and see people living in the moment. They are walking their dogs or letting them run free in the dog parks, people are hiking, fishing, running, rowing, skateboarding, riding their unicycles, and physically challenged individuals on their motorized wheel chairs, even when its cold or damp outside. Almost everyone wearing masks, doing their part to keep safe and others safe.

A Classic St. Patrick's Day Dinner Last Evening with the Chiens

“May you bring light to the home

Warmth to the heart

Joy to the soul

And love to the lives you touch”

Irish Blessing for newborn Emmy and big Sister Lyla

It is rare that we get to eat a classic St. Patrick’s Day feast of corned beef and cabbage, green-mashed potatoes and carrots, but thanks to our son-in-law Kyle’s mom Kim and Al Chien, Cecile and I were invited to join them, our daughter Michelle, granddaughter Lyla and, our newest granddaughter, sweet Emmeline (Emmy) last evening.

After catching up on our day, we enjoyed some drinks. Green beer, as it turns out has nothing to do with the original celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day. But drinking does, and so we did. As I approached Kyle at the kitchen counter, he offered me a beer. It was not just “a” beer, but a blend of beers. Blending Guinness dark beer with a Harp Lager beer has a long celebrated history. Kyle poured half of my glass with Harp Lager. Then, like an alchemist took a spoon, turned it upside down, and held it over the liquid surface and slowly poured the rich, creamy, dark Guinness Draught, the king of Irish beers over the back of a spoon. If done correctly, it will sit atop the other beer and you can see a clear boundary between the two. The reason this works is that Guinness isn’t as dense (not heavy) as some believe as Harp Lager beer.

Then, we helped ourselves to a buffet of lean, moist and delicious corned beef, green-mashed, roasted rainbow carrots, cabbage and, fresh-bake sourdough bread. For dessert, Kim (Lollie) with Lyla’s help made a colorful, rich layer cake that contained cream cheese, whipped cream and chocolate filling.

The grandmothers, Cecile (Nonnie) and Kim (Lollie) bonded with Emmy who currently has blue eyes and is making smiley faces. There is nothing like a newborn to warm the heart and soul of the family, and of course Lyla always entertains and is showing increased affection to her baby sister.

Happy St. Patrick's Day in Honor of a Roman Brit that Became the Patron Saint of Ireland

“For the whole world is Irish on the seventeenth o’ March!”

—Thomas Augustine Daly

“Ireland is a land of poets and legends, of dreamers and rebels.”

—Nora Roberts

“May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need the most.”

—Irish Blessing

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

—Oscar Wilde

Since around the ninth or tenth century, the people of Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St.

Patrick. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade actually took place on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish

colony in what is now known as my namesake city, St. Augustine, Florida. Legend has it that St. Patrick was not Irish at all. He was born in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family, kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. After escaping, he returned to Ireland and is largely credited with bringing Christianity to its people. He taught that the three leaves of the native Irish clover (the shamrock) represented the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit).

St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t widely celebrated in America until Irish-American immigrants made it popular in the 1700s. Though St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland, the parades, parties, and the practice of dyeing rivers green (i.e., the Chicago River), is purely an American tradition to demonstrate Irish-American pride. In a surprise tweet, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the Chicago River was dyed green in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The surprise dyeing of the river was done to avoid large crowds gathering at the waterfront. This is the second year in a row that the traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Postscript: While a young adult living in Hoboken, NJ, my friends and I used to take the Path train to McSorley's Old Ale House in NYC to celebrate. The iconic Irish pub was established in 1854. The bartenders were Irish and there was sawdust on the floors (See photo).