Lyla Explores Her Inner Artist Before Christmas Eve Dinner

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

—Pablo Picasso

Binge painting is a known phenomenon in the art world. Many artists will wait for inspiration to hit them and when it does they can draw and paint for hours. It can get pretty messy especially for a three-year old like Lyla. What began as mere finger painting using water-based watercolors turned into wearable art from head to toe as you can see in the photo of her sitting on my lap at dinner time. Painting is more than just a simple activity. It is a way to express emotions, ease frustrations, use their senses, explore

color, process, and outcomes. Kudos to Kyle, for bringing out the paints and paper that Lyla asked for to engage her inner artist.

Lyla is not limited to painting, she led us in singing Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer while dancing (video clip). It didn’t matter that it was during Thanksgiving dinner at Kyle’s mom and Al’s home. Toddlers bend time and protocol according to their own needs. And in the process bring joy and laughter to us adults by just being themselves in the moment, when given the space to do so.

There is also edible art. Michelle, Kyle, his brother Chip and our son Jason created a fabulous meal: Meat and Vegetarian Lasagne, which as a first generation Italian/Sicilian,

is music to my heart, not to mention my stomach. Michelle made a Kale Pear Salad, Cecile made roasted Brussels sprouts and Jason made a Banoffee pie, layered with caramel, fresh bananas and fresh whipped cream dusted with chocolate in a graham cracker crust. Kyle made me two Moscow Mules in the signature copper cup which was probably one too many, but what the heck it was Christmas Eve.

We were happy to hear that our granddaughter Lyla loved the Toniebox we gifted her, a child-friendly audio system that allows kids to listen to music and stories using their own portable speaker. It has been all the rage. Little Emmy loved her doll and is already bottle feeding her while seated on Kyle's lap.

Merry Christmas to Family and Friends near and far.

Postscript: Video Clip of Lyla Leading us in Singing Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer while Dancing

Merry Christmas Holiday Season From Our Family to Yours From Maui & California

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality.”

—Washington Irving

“Hawaii is paradise. It sounds cheesy to say it, but there’s music in the air there.”

—Bruno Mars

As most of you know, we spent half of the Christmas season in Maui, in the land of swaying palm trees and abundant tropical cheer. So as they say in Hawaiian, Mele Kalikimaka. While the much anticipated holiday season may have looked different than last year, the precautions we took to stay safe during the pandemic were worth the exercise for us to enjoy time in the sun and and engage in island-style holiday cheer with our kids, Kyle and granddaughters Lyla and Emmy.

Maui is a stunning island with beautiful beaches, balmy winds and a plethora of palm trees. But the best thing about the island is when you can go there and do absolutely nothing and still have an amazing time. It was a time to enjoy some much needed R and R, and to reconnect and enjoy being together without having to do anything touristy. As always Lyla and Emmy were the source of our entertainment and joy. We grilled, ordered in, and frequented a number of fabulous restaurants nearby and visit with friends. There was plenty of space for everyone. Hearing the waves lap up on the shore, listening to soft, relaxing island-style Christmas songs, while sipping on Mai Tais that Jason and Kyle prepared and kept a pitcher in stock in the refrigerator daily.

When Cecile and I started to come to Hawaii over forty years ago it felt a little strange to see Christmas celebrated on the islands. After all, I was used to a very different kind of Christmas growing up in New Jersey with the cold weather and snow. I really did experience a white Christmas. But, it didn’t take long to adjust to a Christmas season in paradise.

I included some photos of Christmas decorations that added to the holiday spirit.

A virtual holiday hug to all,

Dennis and Cecile and Family

Wishing my Wife's Sister Sherry Who Makes her Home in South Carolina a Special Happy Birthday

“Side by side or miles apart sisters will always be connected by the heart.”

—Author Unknown

Dear Sherry,

Cecile and I wish that your birthday celebration will be as special as you are. We both see you as a person who always deserves the best and nothing less. You have been a devoted mother, sister, friend, and dedicated teacher of special needs.

I am proud to call you my sister-in-law and it has always been a pleasure to have you visit us in California and to see you at family gatherings. I’m not sure if you are aware of this but the name Sherry is taken from the French word ‘cheri’ meaning dear one, which fits you perfectly. I have included a photo taken from a framed one of you (left) and Cecile (right) which she treasures and sits prominently on a shelf above our TV. Most of the other photos were taken at our nephew Zach’s Bar Mitzvah luncheon at Maggiano’s Little Italy at Old Orchard and dinner party at Northeastern University in June 2018, including of you, Cecile, and your beloved brothers Mark and Lawrence.

We wish you much peace, joy and happiness.

Dennis and Cecile

Pirate Ship at Kid-Friendly Discovery Cove Pool & a Family Dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen In Maui

"Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.”

—Disney’s Lilo & Stitch

The Pirate ship named Discovery became Lyla’s favorite place to go. It is child-friendly and a perfect place to interact with parents and grandparents as well. The play area even has cannons that shoots water as well as decorative yellow and green turtles that Emmy and Lyla

love to sit on and was a perfect area to take family photos.

For dinner we went to Monkeypod Kitchen, located at Whalers Village, a place were foodies, beer lovers, and families gather together after a long day at the pool or beach. It is funky and lively. There are surfboards hanging from the ceiling above the bar. Waiters zip by with trays of tempting foam-topped cocktails and slice of creamy desserts. We were seat4ed at a breezy outdoor patio with great views of the Pacific. The bar takes up the entire length of the room and offers 12 craft cocktails. We had their signature Mai Tai topped with fluffy honey-lilikoi foam. The food is consistently good and didn’t disappoint. The art is very Hawaiian.

The Restaurant was named after the Monkeypod tree that thrive all over the Hawaiian Islands. Also known as a rain tree, it is an ornamental tropical leguminous tree that has clusters of flowers with crimson stamens, sweet-pulp pods eaten by cattle, and the wood is used in carving. Samuel L. Clemons (aka Mark Twain) relatively unknown at the time planted a Monkeypod tree over 150 years ago while on a brief visit to Hawaii as a reporter for the Sacramento Weekly Union.

Lyla Feeding the Japanese Koi Fish & Flying a Balsa Wood Glider at the Maui Marriott Ocean Club

"The bright colors of the fish, the hypnotic swimming patterns, and their eager cheery disposition can charm adults and children alike."

Before taking her scheduled ceramic fish bank painting class with Michelle, I took Lyla on the blanket of green grass in front of the Marriott Ocean Club to fly a light weight Balsa wood Jet Fire Glider reminiscent of my youth. It was Lyla’s first time and she was really into it. Even when it broke after ten throws, she struck an optimistic tone. “We can still fly it Papa,” she said. So we repeatedly threw the parts of the broken segments into the air only to see them flutter to the ground as she giggled joyfully.

Afterwards I strolled her to the kids activity desk to pick up food in a paper cup to feed the Koi fish in the open air main lobby that has several ponds to choose from. This was Lyla’s second outing. Cecile and Michelle and I had taken her the other day. Koi is a Japanese word meaning “carp.” Carp were raised and are known for their bright color patterns in Japan in the 1920s. By the twentieth century, ornamental varieties were favorites all over the world. Koi were first exported to Hawaii in 1947. Because of their large size, beautiful colors, friendly personalities, longevity and high value, koi are one of the most likely fish pets. They are the universal symbol of peace. People all over the world are attracted by its’ peaceful and friendly characteristics. Watching them swim is very therapeutic, melodic, and relaxing.

Hang Loose: Otherwise known as The Shaka & The Spirit of Aloha

The “Shaka”—an unmistakeable pinky and thumb salute—as seen in these photos is a symbol of Aloha.

The greeting has become an embodiment of and “island style,” conveyance of friendship, compassion, and solidarity among the diverse ethnic cultures that make up Hawaii’s history, and has become well known around the world.

After coming to the island for over forty years, it is not uncommon to meet new friends and see old friends from the main land.

On this trip we got together with our vivacious spirited friend Jenny and her husband Mel for a drink. Jenny is a student of the late American spiritual teacher, and guru of modern yoga, Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) and has attended his island retreat on Maui for over twelve years. I have been an admirer of Ram Dass, attended a talk by him in San Jose, CA when he first came to prominence and have read many of his bestselling classics including “Be Here Now.” Cecile and I met Jenny in yoga class at the Marriott Ocean Club resort many years ago. After living in Texas for many years she and Mel who is originally from Zimbabwe are moving to NYC across the Hudson from my home town, Hoboken, NJ. We wish them much happiness on their new journey and hope they will still be able to make it to Maui next year.

We also got together for a drink with our yoga friend, Sanae at the Lokelani Pool Bar. She used to be a member of Bay Club Courtside in Los Gatos, CA and moved to Maui in September. Knowing we were in Maui through one of my Facebook posts, in the spirit of Aloha she reached out to us, expressing an interest to see us, especially logistically we were so close from where she lives (photos, including one taken with the Shaka gesture).

The Shaka’s origin is mostly credited to Hamana Kalili of Laie, HI, who lost the middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Kalili was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved into the shaka as children imitated the gesture.

This Shaka statue seen in the photo taken at Whalers Village on Ka’anapali Beach was created by local artists Amber Cara Hickman and Athena Medina, of Maui Art Life, from reclaimed polystyrene originally used on a movie set. As a team, they have collaborated on a multitude of mixed media installation art pieces and multi-sensory experiences and their mission is to create unique art that supports the local economy with a resourceful strategy, an artistic eye, and a commitment to reduce the overall carbon footprint where possible.

Aloha and Happy Birthday to My Sister Josephine in New Jersey

“A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood.”

—Ann Hood

Happy Birthday Josie

As my sister we are part of the same family tree

You share a part of me

That no one else shall ever see and vice versa.

And while the time zone and miles divide us,

The bond we have still lives inside us.

Sharing memories, love of our Italian heritage and

Grateful to have shared such wonderful parents

Who gave us the gift of life.

Wishing you a fun filled day.

Love,

Den

Celebrating Our Granddaughter Lyla’s 3rd Birthday at Waicoco Restaurant in Maui

“The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your grandchildren."

Lyla had a fun-filled third birthday on Thursday. She wasn’t the only one celebrating. The resident Cockatoo (see photo) at the Marriott Vacation Club was also born on December 9, though it turned 17 and was talking up a storm to anyone who passed by.

Lyla was so excited to open her presents. Later our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Kyle took her to Lahaina Animal Farm and Petting Zoo while we babysat Emmy. Later they took her swimming and hosted an intimate sunset dinner party. Lyla and her baby sister wore matching red print dresses. We strolled down the oceanfront promenade to Waicoco Restaurant for 6 PM dinner reservations at the Westin. Waicoco is the newest restaurant on the culinary scene of Ka’anapali Beach serving up fresh and creative dishes with a Hawaiian flair. The oceanside eatery boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific with expansive outdoor seating. As the sun began to fade behind the horizon, we saw Catamarands and other boats in the distance.

We began the evening with Mai Tais. Most of the entrees we enjoyed were a piece of culinary art. The ones that stood out were the Five Spice Braised Short Rib Curry with Okinawan sweet potatoes, piquillo peppers, cauliflower, long beans and crispy peanut that I ordered, and the one our son-in-law Kyle feasted on which Crispy Soy Clazed Pork Belly with kimchi fried rice, uncle louis’ sausage, scallions, with lime mayonnaise and two Kalua Pork Bao Buns. Cecile, Jason and Michelle had the Seared Local Fish (Waloo) with Kiavwe smoked grits, miso glazed baby corn, charred piquelllo pepper relish, and thai herbs.

For dessert we ordered a couple of chocolate chip cookies and ice cream dishes for the table. The waitress brought a slice of cake with a candle which after a few attempts Lyla blew out. Aside from the soothing sound of the surf, we benefited from piped in music coming from an outdoor wedding overlooking the ocean about a hundred feet from us including “Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars. I decided to bring Emmy who is nine months old closer in to witness the event and she was absolutely mesmerized as I rocked her back and forth in my arms. As we walked back to the Marriott, the bright stars felt close enough to touch. Of course Lyla and Emmy are the little shining stars in our family.

Michelle's Birthday Dinner Party at Japengo at the Hyatt Regency in Maui

“We are so grateful for the great memories and moments we’ve shared like this this one in Maui, and we

look forward to so many more.” —Mom and Dad

Since Michelle’s birthday is December 3, and we left for our annual family vacation the next day, we didn’t have a chance to celebrate, so we made plans to celebrate in Maui.For anyone going to this wonderful island these days, you have to book your restaurant reservations well in advance of your vacation plans. We decided on Japengo, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa’s award winning restaurant just next door to the Marriott Vacation Ocean Club where we are staying. Some say it is regarded as one of the best on the island. Kyle, Michelle and Jason can attest to the quality of their food as they had eaten there before. The chefs at Japengo offers up Asian-inspired cuisine with local flavor and a scenic coastal ambiance, and ocean views. We were seated at an outdoor door patio overlooking the resort’s waterfalls, pool and Ka’anapali Beach. The truth is whenever we get together to celebrate family events like this we are contented anywhere we go. But, this was something special.

We began our gastronomic adventure with Mai Tai's and starter dishes such as Kung Pao Duck meatballs, Tomato and Creamy Corn Risotto, Crispy Pork Belly Bao Buns, Korean Seafood Pancake. Cecile enjoyed Mango and Prawns Salad as her entree, I had Stir Fried Local Vegetables and Tofu that was fabulous and Jason, Michelle and Kyle had an assortment of Sushi Rolls, while our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy shared a children's size fresh mahi-mahi, veggies and rice. The had an absolutely great time at the dinner table and brought us all much joy. As a substitute to a traditional birthday cake, we feasted on Kaanapali Ice Cream Pie, a brownie crust layered with fresh bananas, ice cream topped with caramel and chocolate sauce.

Postscript: Mikaela (mah-KAY-le) is the Hawaiian version of the Hebrew name Michelle & Japengo means widely open for new experiences.

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.