Aloha: Welcome to Maui

To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.”

—Elizabeth Gilbert

For our family these four words in the title of this post represent the most magical words in the English language. Cecile & I began vacationing here since the late 70s. The only thing that has changed is that this is the first time we have flown on Hawaiian Airlines from San Jose rather than schlepping to San Francisco. Also our family caravan has gotten larger, and we had to rent an extra large SUV to accomodate all of us plus all the accessories. During check-in, we took up a lot of floor space. Little Emmy was sitting in a cross legged seated yoga position seemingly meditating like a little Buddha:-)

Seven of us arrived on the island yesterday afternoon including our daughter Michelle, husband Kyle, our grandkids Lyla & Emmy & our son Jason. It is Emmy’s first time and it looks like she will follow the footsteps of her big sister as a good little traveler. We are staying at the Maui Marriott Ocean Vacation Club on Kaanapali Beach for our two week stay & can’t wait for Maui the Aloha spirit to work its’ magic on us as it had always done during good times and bad. We only missed going to Maui one year including during the pandemic.

Happy Birthday to our Precious Beautiful Daughter Michelle

“A daughter may outgrows your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.”

—Author Unknown

Dearest Michelle,

If your mother and I could only give you one thing in this life,

We would give you the ability to see Yourself as we see you

Every single day, whether we are with You or not.

Your beauty, your kindness,

Your compassion and heart full of Love doesn’t go unnoticed.

How happy and proud we are of you As a daughter, mother, sister, wife And devoted friend.

Perhaps then you would be able to

Understand just how special

You really are to us,

And all those who know you.

Have a great day!

Whoops! I’m a day early, more time to celebrate

Love Mom and Dad

P.S. Some photos from great times that have come and gone, mostly from our travels abroad and other wonderful memories.

My Son Jason and I went bike riding on the Los Gatos Creek Trails on a Sunny Autumn Day

“Four wheels ride the body. Two wheels move the soul.” —Author Unknown

The beauty of cycling is that as long as you’re ready, you can cycle anytime of day. This is what I do, cycle odd hours and just have fun and have “me" time. I have even helped other’s catch the cycling bug as others helped me. I also ride regularly with a friend and neighbor. But, seldom do I have a chance to ride with Jason which was a special treat for him and for me. He works from home and works out on his Peloton which he enjoys. I play outdoors (I’m retired) mostly riding and swimming. So during this time we met in the middle and I invited him for a short afternoon ride. Of course my idea of a short ride is over ten miles. So he was surprised afterwards when I told him we rode 14 miles. He thought it was four which proves the perennial wisdom: “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

We hit the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Campbell Park and reversed course and rode the Trail back towards Los Gatos, stopping to enjoy the various bridges, waterfalls, Vasona Lake reservoir and spillway, the Vasona Park Bridge, and through the large empty parking of the national headquarters of Netflix that backs up to the trail and the train tracks in the front before crossing Winchester Avenue and Pollard on our way home. I motioned with my hand to Jason with my right hand that we would circle Jack Fisher Park. As we did I heard a “Baa” sound. At first I thought I was hearing things. There are no farms in this neighborhood. Sure enough it was a small black sheep with protruding horns being walked on a rope leash by a young girl. I stopped and asked if I could take a picture and she obliged and told me her pet sheep was seven months old.

Chinese Take—Out Dinner with Friends from Hong Gourmet Cuisine & a Fiery Sunset Delight

“A sunset is the sun’s fiery kiss to the night.” —Crystal Woods

Cecile and I picked up our and our good friends Nelson and Susan Bye's take-out order from Hong’s Gourmet Cuisine in downtown Saratoga. On the way back, we saw this magnificent fiery sunset over the 13.9 acre Central Park Orchard, a Saratoga Heritage Landmark that ensures that the land would remain undeveloped. Years ago I used to dowatercolor paintings with the Saratoga Community of Painters. Before Silicon Valley became the global center of technology, the valley was known for acres of orchards that covered its landscape. I had to stop to take it all in and took the attached photo. I had also decided to take a selfie with the sunset in the backdrop but then decided why spoil something that was already beautiful on its' own:-) When we got to Nelson and Susan Byes' home I had asked Nelson if he had noticed the sunset since the back of their townhome has an unobstructed view of the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sure enough, Nelson had taken a photo as well.

Nelson and I had a bottle of Pliny the Elder that gets its’ “World-Class” street cred for popularizing the double IPA from the Russian River brewery. I don’t normally like the bitter taste of IPAs but this one is balanced with fruity hop aromas and flavors and was a nice counter-balance to the sweet Chinese sauces of the sesame chicken, Chicken Chow Mein and the Filet Mignon in Black Pepper Sauce Cecile and I ordered.

An avid collector of wine, Nelson also offered us a glass of a red proprietary blend of wine from “The Prisoner” Label in Napa Valley. Apparently, Lady Gaga’s Las Vegas residency backstage is stocked with Prisoner wines. The controversial name was inspired by the classic sketch Le Petit Prisoner by nineteenth-century Spanish artist Francisco Goya.

A Memorable Thanksgiving Family Gathering & the Plight of Native Americans

“If the only prayer you ever said in your entire life is thank you, that is enough.”

—Meister Eckhart, theologian, philosopher & mystic

In the spirit of the Eckhart quote above, Cecile and I want to thank our dear friends Kim and Al Chien, for their

generous hospitality and for creating a sacred space—a place of refuge if you will—for all of us to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

We had the traditional meal of Turkey and Ham along with a variety of vegetarian delights and delicious desserts. Given the nagging pandemic it was a long time coming. Except for our granddaughters Lyla who will be three soon, and her baby sister Emmy who is nine months old everyone has been double vaccinated and most have had their booster shots including our son Jason, his partner Alex, our daughter Michelle and husband Kyle, his brother Chip and Kim and Al. It was so liberating not to have to wear a mask. As usual Lyla and Emmy were the entertainment for the evening. Lyla got a little ahead of herself and wanted all of us to sing Christmas songs. So we happily obliged and sang Rudolf the Rednose Raindeer together and she asked for an encore:-)

On a more serious note, not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. According to NPR, Members of Native American tribes from around New England gathered in the seaside town overlooking Plymouth Rock, where Pilgrims settled, to mourn Indigenous people worldwide who’ve suffered disease and oppression that European settlers brought to North America. Brian Moskwetah, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council believes that his tribe known as the "People of the Light” whose ancestors go back 10,000 years owe his tribe a debt of gratitude for helping Pilgrims survive their first brutal winter. He believes it’s important for everyone to be thankful for his ancestors who played an intricate role in the birth of our nation. The peaceful protest also highlights the profit-driven destruction of the Earth and fighting the commonwealth and federal government to hold on to whatever little land they have left.

In an empathetic and balanced view, there was an article that appeared in the Daily Californian about a Latina woman who said when she was a kid, she enjoyed Thanksgiving. It was a time to spend time with family, eat great food and 'appreciate the presence of loved ones.’ Most everyone can relate to her experience. But, as she became older and understood a lot more of her family history and the history of the holiday, it took on a new meaning. How can she and her family celebrate a holiday with such a controversial background. She posed the same question to her dad, and his response struck a chord. Yes, it is true there is a ‘horendous history’ of colonization beyond anything we could comprehend, and its important to acknowledge this, but we don’t gather on Thanksgiving to celebrate the country or how it began. We gather on Thanksgiving to celebrate each other and transform tools of oppression into tools of celebration.

https://apple.news/A7dykfKunQjCTaVwU-3oIhg

https://www.dailycal.org/.../how-my-family-celebrates.../

Dinner at a Filipino Bistro with Friends & Our Personal Connection to the Filipino People

“It’s simple, flavorful, delicious and goes perfectly with beer.”

—Anthony Bourdain about Filipino dishes

Cecile and I had dinner with our friends Sarah and Bill last evening at Tapsilog Bistro, known for its Filipino cuisine. Tapsilog is referred to as Little Manila in the heart of Campbell with a cool vibe and interesting decor, delicious, hearty, and authentic food with a great beer selection. One of the first things you notice when you walk into the restaurant is a framed photo and autographed red boxing glove of former professional boxer Manny Pacquiao nicknamed “PacMan.” He is regarded as one of the great professional boxers of all time. He has been serving as a senator of the Philippines since 2016. He officially declared his candidacy in the 2022 Philippine presidential election on September 19, 2021 as nominee of the country’s ruling political party. Ten days later he retired from professional boxing.

Bill had a Red Horse beer and I had a Mango Cart beer. We ordered Fried Chicken and Pork Lumpia Spring Rolls with Spicy Sweet & Sour dipping sauce for the table. For our main dish, we ordered Super Silog: BBQ Chicken (2 Skewers) served with a mound of garlic fried rice cucumber salad,and two eggs prepared to our liking. Tapsilog TAPA (aka: Steak and two Eggs)—Certified Angus thinly sliced top sirloin steak with a mound of garlic rice

Grand Silog: Various choices of two or three or four meats including pan seared fish, steak and sweet sausage with rice and eggs, and Pancit (stir fried egg and rice noodles). They also have an array of burritos and many other offerings.

Bourdain once said, "Filipinos are for reasons I have yet to figure out, probably the most giving of all people on the planet.” During his special appearance at the World Street Food Congress at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in 2017, the late eloquent food critic spoke to The Manilla Times about his "personal connection” with the Philippines, saying, "like so many American children, his daughter was "largely raised by Filipinas.”

Cecile and I too have had a personal connection with the Filipino people. In the early years of being a practicing podiatrist I worked in skilled nursing facilities where Filipinas worked as compassionate caregivers and nurses aides. When our children Jason and Michelle were young we hired a special live in nanny named Norlita whom they adored. Throughout the years we donated boxes of clothing for her large family in the Philippines and treated her like a member of our family. She traveled with us to Hawaii. We witnessed her swearing in to become a US citizen and even attended her wedding. On occasion she would cook some traditional Filipino dishes like lumpia, empanadas, pancit noodles (Filipino comfort food), and seasoned thinly sliced sirloin steak with squeezed lemon, onion with sticky rice. She continued to do this for years even after she retired as a nursing aide at a local hospital, and private home caregiving assignments. We were blessed to have her in our lives. The kids refered to her a yaya, which roughly translated means nanny or caregiver in Tagalog.

https://tapsilogbistro.com/

All Aboard! Train Ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad & Brunch with our Daughter & Granddaughters

“You can buy children and grandchildren anything in the world, but nothing compares to the memories you create with them."

Recently, Cecile and I made last minute plans to hook up with our daughter Michelle and our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy for a steam engine train ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (BJWRR) through Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks in Los Gatos. We used to take Michelle and our son Jason there when they were kids. We found it to be a delightful experience for children and adults alike. Watching the kids get on with their loved ones with a sense of breathless joy steals your heart. Everyone, even at a bit of a distance wave to the passengers as if to say, right on, have a great ride. Of course the children and adults wave back. There is a certain Disney feel to riding in the cars being pulled by the 1/3 scale-sized locomotive as the horn from the conductor sounds off while leaving the station.

Speaking of Disney, few people know the BJWRR almost became part of Disneyland. According to Peter G. Panacy, its’ CEO, in the early 1950s, Walt Disney himself paid a visit to Billy Jones’ ranch in Los Gatos where Jones was running his Wildcat Railroad since 1943. Disney was looking for pieces to build up what would later become America’s iconic amusement park and had heard of Jones’ railroad. A fellow train buff himself, Disney initially thought the Wildcat Railroad would be a worthy addition, but later decided it would be too small for what he had envisioned. Disney and Jones remained friends for years and Jones was invited to be a guest engineer on the Disneyland Railroad shortly after its completion. After our little adventure, we took the girls to a delicious brunch at Effie’s. We ate outside in the front veranda and the waitress oohed and aahed at the baby sisters, Lyla and Emmy, and encouraged another waitress to stop by our table.

Excerpts from the poem, the “Train of Life,” by Jean d’Ormesson, a metaphor for enjoying your life now with your loved ones so when your time is up you will leave behind treasured memories of your journey.

"At birth we board the train and meet our parents and grandparents, and believe they will always travel by our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train and they will be significant i.e., our siblings, friends, children, grandchildren, volunteers, and even the love of our life.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells…

The mystery to everyone is, we do not know which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live the best way, love…, and offer the best of who we are…because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories on the train of life.”

Photo Credit: From the BJWRR Collection of Billy Jones (left) and Walt Disney (right) standing next to Jones’ famous 2-pot steam locomotive. Heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who take care of and conductor the trains for many to enjoy including my old friend and master tinkerer Anthony (Tony) Hoffman.

https://bjwrr.org

Recalling My Dad Being Honored at a Veteran's Ceremony at the Iconic Justice Brennan Courthouse

“Congratulations, Mr. Augustine. Thank you for your service.”

—Editor of the Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy Journal

“I’m absolutely filled with life and soul. It’s so satisfactory to see…[Mr. Augustine’s] personal service to others.”

—NJ Freeholder Albert Cifelli

My dad lived a simple but charmed life in many ways, in spite of being orphaned at the tender age of six through 18 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Orphanage and St. Michael’s School for Boys in Scranton and Hoban Heights, PA. In the fall of 2013, at the ripe old age of 96, my sister Josephine Mcallister and I had the pleasure of witnessing our dad being recognized for his lifetime achievements by former mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, the NJ Board of Chosen Freeholders, chaired by Anthony Romano, and NJ State senator Brian Stack. On April 15, 2014, dad was honored at a Veteran’s Ceremony along with approximately 80 other Vets (and family of Vets that had passed away) in the grand rotunda of the iconic Justice Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, NJ. He was the oldest living veteran in attendance.

Our dad received two Hudson County Military Service Medals and a Citation Certificate for his many years of service in the US Army. He served as a personal aide to friend and mentor, Army Chaplain, Capt. William Walsh in San Antonio, TX and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in MD, until September 15, 1942, when he was given an Honorable Discharge just before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The event was a joint effort by Hudson County Executive, Thomas A. DeGise, the Officer of Veteran Affairs, and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders chaired by Anthony Romano. The medals and Citations denoted the people of Hudson County’s thanks for their service to our nation.

Dad died on December 18, 2017, almost three weeks shy of his 101 birthday. He was one of a kind and will always be remembered. Though he was a conservative, he was very touched after receiving an autographed portrait of the Obama family after reaching 99 years of age.

Back History: In 1935, dad hitchhiked across the country to San Antonio, TX to follow in the footsteps of his brothers Joseph and Anthony Augustine in the Army, where they served in the 23rd Infantry and later the 15th Field Artillery at Fort Sam Houston (Photos).

Postscript: Our nephew Andrew Augustine, has proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for the last 10 years. He is currently an F-15 Crew Chief stationed in Okinawa, Japan with his lovely wife Kaylyn, a former Airman in the US Air Force now working in the private sector (Photo). Our late cousin, Nicholas Girone was a US navy veteran and his son Carmine Girone is a veteran. Finally, my sister Josephine's husband Joseph Mcallister is a Navy Veteran. He was stationed in San Diego, CA and Manilla, Philippines. He took many of the photos at the Veteran’s ceremony.

Thanks dad, for gifting me your medals before you died. I will treasure them forever.

The Way we Were; The Way We Are: Still Together and In Love: Happy Birthday Cecile

Remember the 1973 Sydney Pollack film around the time we met in Chicago while I was attending Podiatric Medical School, called "The Way We Were,"starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford, a heartbreaker with a foregone conclusion of two people who are helplessly in love but culturally different? The idea of an unattainable aspiration of two people staying together who were from two different cultures, one Jewish and the other a Gentile (non-Jew) like myself who grew up Catholic. The play and the film featured Streisand’s iconic song of the same name. The lyrics:

Mem'ries light the corners of my mind

Misty water-colored mem'ries of the way we were.

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind

Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Can it be that it was all so simple then

Or has time rewritten every line

[If we had the chance to do it all over again, tell me, would

we, could we.]

Mem’ries may be beautiful and yet

What’s too painful to remember

We simply choose to forget.

So it’s the laughter we will remember

Whatever we remember the way we were...

My answer to the one line of the lyrics: If we had the chance to do it all over again, tell me, would we, could we,

would be a resounding yes: I would choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality. As we enter the last chapter of our lives we are so fortunate to enjoy the continued unfolding dance of life. And that whatever was too painful to remember, looking back on our lives we chose to recall what was beautiful, not painful. For with pain and the pushes and pulls of a relationship comes learning, understanding, forgiveness, and hopefully compassion for each other and the human condition.

Finally, other than the customary rituals of dinner together and flowers, my gift to you is a BIG Thank You. Thank you for your unconditional love, for bearing me/us two beautiful well adjusted wonderful children in Jason and Michelle, for always watching my back, for your patience enduring all my peccadilloes, standing by me through the highs and lows, for making wherever we lived a warm and loving home, and the time and effort you put in to making our relationship strong. How blessed we are to have two precious granddaughters, Lyla and Emmy to dote over. Our lives are so rich because we chose each other, and our love stood the test of time.

Revisiting a Bicycle Ride to Lexington Reservoir Following the Recent Atmospheric River Storms

"Rain is a precious gift to humans, to wildlife, and to nature.The next precious gift is a reservoir to catch and conserve it.”

Since the recent atmospheric river storms sent record-breaking billions of gallons off water into the parched reservoirs, Bill and I thought we would ride up to Lexington Reservoir County Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains and see for ourselves if it made a difference. While everything looked a lot greener, and the reservoir a bit fuller, experts say, “It wasn’t enough to make a significant dent in the statewide draught." Hopefully, more rain is on the way in the winter months.

Unlike today with the bright blue skies, yesterday the clouds were abundant and slowly moving through in the most playful way as seen in the photos. Lexington Reservoir is an artificial lake on the Los Gatos Creek near Los Gatos. Aside from Bill and I not being affected by the draught as cyclists, neither are the rowers of the Los Gatos Rowing Club on Alma Bridge Road who are always a welcome sight. They offer year-round recreational and competitive rowing programs for middle school and high school students. Many of the alumni have gone on to row at top colleges and several have competed in the Olympics.

The ride initially begins on the Los Gatos Creek Trail a short ride from our homes and continue along the back of downtown Los Gatos and onto a wide gravel path that is immensely popular to dog walkers and hiking enthusiasts. If you a cyclist however, you might want to avoid it during the weekend. There is a short steep climb at the very end of the path that requires some grit and focus and switching the bike into low gear. After leveling out for a bit, there is a short downslope followed by a straight diagonal line about a quarter mile in length before reaching grades around 15 percent. At the top of the climb is the scenic Lexington Reservoir. We decided not to circumnavigate the reservoir as usual which cut our round trip ride from 25 to 18 miles.

Postscript: On the ride back on the Los Gatos Creek Trail, I stopped to take a couple of photos of The Main Street Bridge Mural Project next to the freeway of An Ohlone Indiginous Village including a bear, that was sponsored by the Town of Los Gatos and painted by Volunteers. Wooboi Weary is the Designer/Director

Remembering My Late Sicilian-American Mother Maria

"All that I am, or ever hoped to be, I owe to my angel mother."

—Abraham Lincoln

My mom was born November 2, 1924 and left her body on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013. She was born in Roccalumera, Sicily in the Province of Messina. Her maiden name was Micalizzi. She came to the United States in 1947 and gave birth to me in 1950. She was a devout Catholic, and devoted mother to her children.

Over the years my wife Cecile and I had the pleasure of inviting her as our guest to visit family in Italy and Sicily on several occasions, and treated her and my late dad Frank to vacation with us in Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, and stay with us multiple times at our home in California.

Thanks to mom, I was encouraged to visit a childhood friend of hers from Sicily, Dr. Carmine Sippo who became a mentor and introduced me to the field of Podiatric Medicine and Foot Surgery. She was a blessing to our family and my childhood friends adored her for her generous hospitality. She had a million dollar smile, a contagious laugh, and a sharp wit. She was a woman like no other. She gave me life, nurtured me, dressed me, kissed and hugged me, but most of all loved me unconditionally.

Nothing can separate us. Not time, nor space or even death. Thank you mom for everything you did for us. You will never be forgotten.

A Halloween Pizza Party and Our First Trick or Treat with Our Granddaughters & Family

“There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick or treater looking for a brightly lit front porch.”

—Robert Brault

Cecile (Nonnie) and I hosted a Halloween Pizza Party last evening and along with 50 plus residents in our gated community at Riconada Hills, we volunteered to make treats available to trick or treaters. We were given a map with the addresses of all the participants. Our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Kyle brought our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy to take part in the fun. They were decked out in their matching green dinosaur costumes. Cecile and I had matching pumpkin T-shirts. Kim and Al who live nearby were excited to join us. Cecile and I provided Lyla with an orange flashlight which was a hit especially when it got dark. She had a soft cushioned pumpkin bag with a handle to place her candy in and wouldn’t part with it for anything. Kyle rolled Emmy in a stroller behind us to neighboring homes who were all too happy to receive us.

What’s cuter than little kids in costumes? Nothing, in my book. Their joy over dressing up and getting Kit-Kats, Skittles, Reese cups and the like are their own reward. Well, not so fast! Cecile used to buy the candy back from our kids Jason and Michelle after they went trick or treating, and they never had cavities and we saved on dental bills. Emmy is too young (8 months old) to know what she was missing. Will Michelle be able to buy the candy back from Lyla who will be three years old next month? She is really strict about not having sweets in the house. Only time will tell:-)

The invitation from the managers of Rinconda's Homeowners Association (RHOA) sent us an invitation that read:

Double, double, toil and trouble, fires burn, and cauldrons bubble…calling all witches, goblins, and ghosts…get ready for the spookiest night of the year, as the scary pandemic days fade away all the goblins and vampire get ready to prey. The fun begins when the clock strikes 6 PM on all Hallows Eve otherwise known as Halloween. Come hunt for treats through the treat map, all addresses with a Jack-O-Lantern will provide a snack. Credit was given to Steph Contro for coming up with this wonderful idea.

Postscript: Thank you Kim (Lollie) for making and bringing the caramel apples. They were great. Just ask Lyla:-)

Remembering My Late Good-Natured Brother Michael Two Years Since his Passing

“Like a shooting star, flying across the sky, so fast, so far, gone much too soon, with no time to say goodbye."

My brother Michael who was named after our grandfather on our late father Frank's side, tragically took his last breath on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 2019. It was nine days before his 61st birthday and a day before our late mother Maria’s birthday. All Saint’s Day is celebrated in honor of all saints of the Catholic Church both famous and obscure, including my brother's namesake St. Michael the Archangel, one of the most revered angels not only in Christianity but Judaism and Islam as well. Michael is of Hebrew origin and means “gift from God.” All Saints Day stems from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between heaven and the living.

Ever since he was a little boy Michael had the smile of an angel. Goodness oozed out of him. He became an altar boy, and later an Eagle scout under our father’s tutelage as his scout leader. He was modest, and never looked for praise. He was never one to boast except in jest, worked hard for the ones he loved the most, and was well regarded by his co-workers and his boss in the construction industry as a team player who took pride in his work. His dreams were seldom spoken and his wants were very few. He loved his children [Michael, Jr., Andrew, Brock, and Alex], his nieces, nephews, and his siblings too. Like all of us he had his ups and downs. Life was not easy at the end. Looking back, I would describe it as "a smile behind a vale of tears.”

With the passage of time I don’t really think of Michael as really gone away, but as having reached his destination—a safe zone filled with love, majesty and grace. Moreover, a place of warmth, and comfort where there is no such thing as time, days or years, where the only thing that passes away are our troubles, burdens, regrets and fears. His spirit has already ascended to his final resting place, at peace for eternity in that heavenly space.

The desire to be remembered lies within our genetic code. It is why we carve our initials in tree trunks, press our hands or feet in cement before it dries, and chalk our names and images on walls, rocks, and caves. We want to leave our mark, to be remembered. By the same token we want to remember those we’ve loved and lost, not only for them but for ourselves, to mend, to heal, to live on, and to never forget. We love you Michael.

Postscript: My fondest memories of Michael will always be the time I spent with him and my brother-in-law Joe in Kenya and Tanzania in 2006 where he was the most relaxed and carefree. It was a trip of a lifetime.

Getting into the Halloween Spirit at the Queens Saratoga Pumpkin Patch & Historic Saratoga Village

“The farther we’ve gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we’ve come to need Halloween.”

—Paula Curan

The countdown to Halloween this weekend is getting shorter. As you approach the stoplight that marks the entrance to downtown Saratoga there is a large black sign with gold lettering that says: "Welcome to Historic Saratoga Village EST 1848.”

On either side of the sign are a colorful stuffed character. To get into the Halloween spirit each year downtown merchants place a character outside their shop that best describes what they are selling. Cecile and I like to have lunch and walk off our meal by pausing at each establishment on Big Basin Way and take a photo of each of some of the characters. One of our favorites are the four creative stuffed characters in front of the Gilbert Dupont Salon doing whimsical yoga headstands. Others that we like are firemen, an astronaut, and the bee keeper.

The other photos were taken at the Queens Saratoga Pumpkin Patch, a one acre lot that features a petting zoo, a cow train, a boat ride on a large plastic inflatable pool, pumpkins of all sizes for sale, a gift shop, all sorts of stuffed animals, and colorful painted murals on wood of the likes of Homer Simpson and a variety of other cartoon characters.

It has been a great fall tradition for over 30 years. We used to take our kids to visit here, buy pumpkins and get them ready to carve their jack-o’ lanterns. This year we took our granddaughter Lyla here after preschool to keep the tradition. The patch is favored by Halloween enthusiasts who love to decorate their homes for the season. The pumpkins are locally grown including by growers in Half Moon Bay. Bales of hay, corn and gourds are also for sale. Our favorite photos are of our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy with our daughter Michelle and of Kyle with them on their outing to Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch in San Jose.

Happy Halloween to family and friends near and far.

Babysitting our Granddaughter Emmy is a Gift That Keeps on Giving

“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.”

—Lois Wyse

Now that our loving granddaughter Lyla, nearing three years old is in preschool, most of the babysitting we share with other grandparents each week are now focused on our precious good natured seven-month old granddaughter Emmy (short for Emmeline) whom Cecile and I gladly babysit on Mondays and Wednesdays.

It is exhausting to be a parent living and working in Silicon Valley while raising a family. The arrangement we worked out with our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Kyle who now live closer to us has created a closer bond for all concerned. They really appreciate the help and we are flexible enough to happily provide the assistance. If either of the grandparents takes ill or goes on vacation we graciously cover for each other. The trade off is worth it. They have the help they need and we get to be a part of our granddaughters lives. As grandparents we give them a cultural connection and reassurance of their roots, and in exchange they give us continuity that our lives will live on through them. Cecile and I marvel how Lyla and Emmy have developed their own unique personality.

There’s an old saying: “A grandchild is a treasure whose worth you cannot measure except by the love in your heart." Even when they are not in your arms, on your lap, or in your home, they are always in your thoughts especially when you're on vacation. They make your world a little softer, a little kinder and, a little warmer. It is the simple moments with our grandchildren that so often become the most precious memories. They are like flowers, you never get tired of watching them grow. Bottle feeding Emmy has a calming effect on us, and watching her eat cut up strawberries, avocado, carrots, squash and yogurt is not only nurturing but a source of entertainment. She has learned to let out a yell when she wants more.

These photos mostly of Emmy since her big sister Lyla is in pre-school all day were taken over the past few weeks while in her stroller while we walked on the trails around the lake, ponds, and waterfalls where we live and while babysitting her in our home.

A Windy Cloud filled Sky Bike Ride and Lunch with a Friend at Andale’ Mexican Taqueria

“Clouds are on top for a reason. They float so high because they refuse to carry any burden.”

—Jasleen Kaur Gumber

Yesterday was a great day for a bike ride. The clouds were in abundance, making all sorts of dazzling patterns. I love how they arrange themselves high up in the sky in interesting and beautiful formations as seen in the photos I took. As a kid I gazed at clouds for long spells daydreaming while laying on the grass. They have the power to bring rain and within hours or days dissipate, reminding me that everything changes in life just like moods, thoughts, emotions, and aging. The air was cool and windy. Trees where swaying in the direction of the wind. There were some dark clouds on the horizon, forewarning rain was on its way today, and here we are the rain came and went for now.

Bill and I got off to a late start. We met at 11:30 AM, close to lunch hour and knew at some point we would be hungry.

We left with the idea of riding our bikes on the protected Los Gatos Creek Trail to the back of downtown Los Gatos and having lunch at Andale’ Mexican Kitchen Taqueria To Go, a little cantina with a lot of heart at edge of the strip. This eatery is not to be confused with the larger Andale’ Mexican Kitchen and Bar Patio across the street, owned by the same family.

I can’t think of a better name than Andale’ for a Mexican Restaurant that is geared up for a quick bite. The Taqueria has very limited seating on the inside as well as seating in front which allowed us to more readily keep an eye on our bikes. One of the most popular uses of the word ‘andale’ is as synonym of ‘hurry up’ or ‘come on.’ As a synonym for ‘come on’ it means to show agreement as to a situation or proposal, in our case we agreed to have lunch. It also fits the synonym of ‘hurry up,’ as in hurry up and eat, we have more riding to do.

Andale has a decent menu. Bill had a burrito and I had fish tacos, though most often I order their fresh mesquite chicken salad. On the way home—virtually a circular loop—we took a quiet scenic short cut to Highway 9 (aka Los Gatos-Saratoga Road), at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains and another short cut to and through West Valley College back to Rinconada Hills where we live, having completed a 15-mile loop.

Cecile and I Offering our Best Birthday Wishes with a toast to Our Son-in-law Kyle

A loving husband to our daughter Michelle, devoted dad to our most treasured granddaughters Lyla and Emmy, and a avid cyclist whom I have had the pleasure to ride with on a few occasions.

Postscript: We called to drop off some birthday gifts for Kyle and some treats from "Icing on the Cake" and were asked to join them for dinner (Take out from Brothers Italian Restaurant), an offer we couldn't refuse:-)

Slurping Down a Steaming Bowl of Ramen Noodles with my Son Jason at a Family Owned Japanese Eatery

“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”

—Anthony Bourdain

Several years ago Former President Barak Obama and the late food critic Anthony Bourdain proved that you don’t need a five-course meal at a fancy restaurant to enjoy yourself when they sat down on plastic chairs and slurped down some cheap, but delicious noodles at a restaurant in Hanoi. Our son Jason stopped by, and it was Cecile’s Mahjong night with her friends. I asked him if he wanted to grab dinner out. I told him I had a craving for Ramen noodles. He was of like mind and found one close by near the Pruneyard, called Hinodeya Dashi Ramen.

We were first-time customers and didn’t know what to expect. We chose to sit on their covered outdoor patio. The place has nice casual atmospherics. The waitress told us to order online by placing our cell phone over the barcode on our table to check out the menu. Before, I was able to take out my credit card, Jason said he was going to treat. It was the best offer I had all day:).

We ordered a bottle of Sapporo, a crisp refreshing lager and a side dish of Gyoza, which are dumplings filled with pork and chicken and served with dashi sauce. For the main dish we ordered Tori Paitan (Chicken Ramen). It was a nice layered dish with Ramen noodles and a tantalizing rich dashi-style broth at the bottom followed by leaves of fresh spinach, fillet of chicken, Shiitake mushrooms, a half soft boiled egg at the top, and a slice of crispy kale on the side of the dish. The Ramen was fresh and we loved the savory taste. What distinguishes Hinodeya from many Ramen bars with its light clear dashi-style broth is fish-based as opposed to being pork-based. The owners are a Japan-based family whose culinary business ventures go back 136 years in Northern Tokyo founded in 1885. Hinodeya first made its debut in San Francisco ten years ago. Seven types of ramen are offered with wheat noodles or vegan spinach noodles. Home Ramen Kits available for takeout or delivery. I am definitely going back again for more.

Photo Credit of Former President Obama & the late Anthony Bourdain (Reuters)

An Exotic Dinner with Friends at Mandala Indian Cuisine

“Life is like Indian food, both are tasteless without spices.”

—Kumar Naresh

Cecile and I were invited to join our friends, Sarah and Bill Rothenberg for appetizers and drinks in their backyard patio that was followed by dinner at Mandala Indian Cuisine, a recent addition to historic downtown Saratoga. We managed to get outside seating with a heating lamp. I have had the good fortune of visiting India three times back in the day. Whether I stayed at an ashram (a meditation and yoga retreat center) or a hotel the food never disappointed. The same can be said even more so for the Mandala Indian Cuisine Restaurant. The food experience including the presentation was a true feast of the senses.

Bill had a bottle of Taj Mahal beer and I ordered a bottle of Kingfisher beer. Sarah happily sipped through a Mango Lassi, a sweet yogurt drink traditionally made with yogurt, cream and Mango. We ordered Naan, a tandoori baked unleavened bread, one of the most popular Indian flatbreads for the table, as well as Papadum, a thin crisp made from black gram flour that is accompanied by three basic Indian chutney dipping sauces

Indian food is full of complimentary flavors. It provides balance, color, and cleanses the palate. Mandala offers an extensive list of exotic dishes that can be intimidating to some people of western cultures unfamiliar with the food choices. It might have something to do with fear of the unknown. People assume that it’s all curry and therefore all spicy. In reality, all palate preferences are fully represented from spicy, sweet, hot, and sour. You can tell the helpful waiters to ask the chef to tone down the spice.

We decided to share the following: Chicken Momo: a famous Nepalese style steamed chicken dumpling served with tomato and sesame chutney; Lamb Rogan Vindaloo: Lamb cooked with potato with blend of spices; Mix Tandoori Kebabs Platter that included Seekh kebab, salmon, Chilean sea-bas, tandoori chicken and rack of lamb skewered in a clay oven served with vegetable puldo; Vegetarian Biryani: Saffron basmati rice, mixed vegetables, mint, fried onions cooked dum-style,and white Basmati rice. This was accompanied by Raita, a basic condiment, made from yogurt with cucumber, mint and toased cumin seed used to cool and temper heat and spice. Instead of a traditional midday buffet, the three owners of Mandala elected to offer a “bento box” for lunch, with more than 30 entree choices which has been reported to have won over customers.

The inside of the restaurant is nicely appointed, including a bronze statue of Ganesh, the elephant deity that sits high up on a wall shelf that symbolizes wisdom, understanding and is considered the remover of obstacles that paves the way for people to move forward in life.

Postscript: Meaning of Mandala: It is the interplay of vivid colors and ancient symbols. Tibetan monks spend hours creating mandalas with grains of colored sand. The purpose is to call the community to meditation and awareness of something larger than their own small world. Once made, they destroy it. Why? The underlying message is that nothing is permanent. All things are in a state of flux. It may be beautiful, ephemeral, and moving, but it is temporary, just like the beautiful and artful presentation of food we ate for dinner. That said it was good while it lasted:-)

The Joy of Running Together Sculpture that Captured Our Imagination

“In honor of the Bloomsday Run…This sculpture represents people of all ages and nationalities, creating a positive symbol by acknowledging the larger spirit of our local community and the world.”

—David Govedare, the artist

As a novice watercolorist for several years with the former Saratoga Community of Painters in Saratoga, CA, I have an appreciation of art including muralists and sculptors that make a statement for the public good. In this case, I was absolutley awestruck when my eyes first layed sight on the Joy of Running Together sculptures, a public work comprised of 40 life-sized figures, all posed in the motion of running located near the finish line of the race. I loved it so much I wanted to be a part of it—as you can see in the photo as did our friend Susie Bye, a triathlete who beat me to the finish line:-)The sculpture is intended to give encouragement to the runners in their last leg of the race.

The Bloomsday Run is an annual timed road race in Spokane, WA where we recently visited for a few days. What began as a small run with about 1,200 runners over 40 years ago has become an annual tradition and national running event attracting tens of thousand of runners every May, thought the last two year were done virtually due to the pandemic.

“The Joy of Running Together,” sculpture by Govedare is a gift to the City of Spokane by individuals and businesses who helped sponsor the work in friendship with the Lilac Bloomsday Association (1985).

*Bloomsday celebrates Thursday 16, 1904, the day depicted in Irish writer James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character that the novel chronicles