A 28-Mile Bike Ride on the Stevens Creek Trail to Shoreline & the Palo Alto Bay Trails

“Nature is the purest portal to inner-peace.”

—Angie Weiland Crosby

My friend and neighbor Bill Rothenberg and I loaded up our bikes on the back of his Suburban and drove to the bicycle and pedestrian ramp at the intersection of Dale Avenue and Heathersone Way in Mountain View.

This gave us access to the nature-centric Stevens Creek Trail that leads to Shoreline and beyond. Thanks to a series of bridges and underpasses, this route is a devoid of any car traffic—which is essentially a bicyclist’s dream. Thanks to planners and conservationists we are blessed to have some of the greatest walking a biking trails.

Bill and I passed the futuristic Google building and its unique canopy roof design that provides natural light to the interior spaces, while at the same time providing energy efficiency and fosters good heath for its employees. Nearby is the Stevens Creek Tidal Marsh Trail, Shoreline Lake, Golfing links, and two restaurants, bird sanctuaries in the Palo Alto Baylands including such species as Barn Swallows, Green-winged Teal Ducks, Double-Crested Cormorants, Shorebirds, Seagulls, Egrets and many more. We rode the gravel and dirt paths to the Palo Alto Airport to watch the small private planes depart and land on the runway right over our heads.

We made a pit stop at the Art in the Park exhibit at Byxbee Park Public Art Installation that provides a place for visitors to reflect on how nature and art interweave and enhance the experience of this open space. There is also the City of Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and Lucy Evans Nature Center.

Bill and I enjoyed Cheeseburgers and salad for lunch at the Bistro at edge of Shoreline Lake before continuing another several miles back to the car for our drive home, feeling rejuvenated and at peace.

Taking our Granddaughter Emmy to the Westgate Center's Indoor Kids Play Area was a Hit

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”

—Kay Redfield Jamison

Over the years Cecile and I must have passed this amusement and play center with flashy and colorful coin-operated kiddie rides and play structures for some time. The other day it occurred to us what a great place to take our granddaughter Emmy, especially during the rainy and cold winter months whereby the local park doesn’t make it an ideal option. She loved it, and it was such a fun thing to do during our babysitting day. What makes it extra special is that just under two years old, Emmy has been putting together strings of sentences and has such an engaging sense of humor. Kids are always drawn to flashy rides that include sounds and music as it engages their brain and sensory systems. Seeing her happy makes us happy.

Dinner at Royal Taj India's Cuisine with Good Friends & Memories of Visiting the Taj Mahal

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” —Steve McCurry

Our good friends, Sarah and Bill Rothenberg asked Cecile and I if we would like to join them for dinner at the recently remodeled Royal Taj.

The first thing I saw after we exited Bill and Sarah's SUV was a full moon. In Hindu literature and folklore, the moon is associatd with romance, friendship, pleasant nights and kinship. For starters we had Papadam, a deep fried Indian cracker, Onion Kulcha (Naan bread stuffed with onion). For our entrees we collectively feasted on Chicken Tikka Masala; Gosht Vindaloo (Lamb with hot spicy sauce with potatoes); Saag Lamb (Lamb cooked with spiced cream spinach); Saag Paneer (Fresh spinach with herbs and homemade cheese); Saffron flavored basmati rice garnished with peas, and Raita (Cool whipped yogurt with cucumbers) a nice accompaniment to neutralize the spicy Indian dishes. In other words it cools the palate, and has a myriad of probiotic health benefits.

Bill and I shared Taj Mahal Premium Lager Beer which has a rich full body, smooth, refreshing flavor, and unique aroma. It too is a nice accompaniment to the spicy and delectable dishes mentioned above. It was my first alcohol drink since Christmas Eve, and I savored every drop. This beer is a connoisseur’s delight. The label on the bottle depicts the heavenly beauty of its namesake, the Taj Mahal, a monument erected in Agra by the Shah Jahan in memory of his beautiful wife between the years 1631 and 1648. This jewel of Muslim art is one of the universally admired masterpieces of Unesco World’s Heritage Sites.

It is funny how the mind works. I made three pilgrimages to India and when I looked at the picture of the Taj Mahal on the colorful label on the beer bottle it brought me back to the Himalayan Institute USA’s Spiritual Excursion I took in February 2003. We stayed at a yoga and meditation center on the Ganges River. One of the first sites our group visited was the magnificent Taj Mahal (see group photo)

After the Storms: Witnessing Nature Interrupted During Yesterday's Bike Ride

There were park closure warnings posted on the Los Gatos Creek Trail recently, advising walkers, runners and bicyclists like myself that the risk of tree falls and mudslides will remain in effect for the next few days. There were barricades along the trail to indicate flooded areas. Yesterday was a great day for a bike ride. It was cold to be sure but the sun was out to take the edge off the the 40 degrees temperature. There were still barricades and detour signs and there was debris everywhere. After years of severe draught, Mother Nature is making up for it all in one go. I always wondered where all the birds go during heavy rains? Well, it depends on the type of bird. Some of the larger seabirds like gulls and pelicans are capable of riding out of a storm by flying out of a storm’s path. Land birds take shelter in bushes and trees. For some birds like ducks, heavy rain is an opportunity. Flooded fields provide new territory for them to search out lots of insect larvae and worms that come to the surface to eat. Then there are insects that come out to dry themselves are easy pickings for birds. Birds will begin to sing, an indication the weather has improved and a bountiful feast is at hand. I spotted cormorants, a white swan, an egret and a multitude of ducks. The creek beds were filled and spillway from the reservoir had opened further to allow more water to flow downstream. What I have learned from birds is to be accepting of the storms [short of being catastrophic], singing in the middle of it, and grasping the reality of the feast that is to come our way.

Postscript: Though I didn’t ride with my friend Bill who was visiting family in Ohio, I bumped into him along the way as he was returning from his ride and I was just beginning mine (photo), we had a roadside chat just off the trail.

Dress Up Costume Party & Take—Out Lunch from the Saratoga Farmers Market

“Fashion is such a fairytale and it is such a fantasy.”—Marc Jacobs

The dress up party was unplanned. Nonnie Cecile had searched her stash of costumes from when our daughter Michelle was a child. It was amazing there were enough there that our granddaughters Lyla and her baby sister Emmy could wear. It brought back memories of when Michelle was in a musical theater summer camp at the Jewish Community Center directed by Laurel Perelman-Cohen.

Our take-out lunch from the Saratoga Farmers Market was delayed as the girls got in character and spontaneously showcased their costumes. Lyla dressed up as Minnie Mouse and Emmy dressed up in a pink tutu which she called her “princess" outfit, and then added a witches hat, and a court jester. I founded it interesting and comical that at the finale they used our fire place hearth as center stage together to show their costumes. They were having so much fund and delighted us to no end. The late Kate Spade once said: “As far as I’m concerned playing ‘Dress Up’ begins at the age five and never truly ends.” Emmy proved her wrong, Emmy is almost two, which shows you're never too young to play dress up.

The girls enjoyed their Salvadoran papusas from the Tio Santos Mexican Stawl, and Cecile, Michelle, and I loved our vegetable crepes, chicken pot stickers and steamed barbecued beef buns.

Sicilian Dinner from Italian Brothers Restaurant with Friends & Lunch with our Daughter & Granddaughters

"Food taste better when you eat it with friends and family."

Saturday evening Cecile and I, and our good friends Nelson and Susan Bye ordered some great dishes

from Italian Brothers Restaurant in Los Gatos that we had delivered to our home. It is a genuine family owned business founded by two brothers from Sicily that offer truly authentic cuisine. Marco, the Maitre D’ and one of the brothers arrived in America from Palermo, about six years ago. After working in his uncle’s restaurant, he had a dream of opening his own, and convinced his brother Giacomo who is the executive chef to bring his family over to join him in his venture. Having spent much time visiting family in Sicily over the years, it brought back some fond memories.

Cecile put together an antipasto plate of roasted eggplant, prosciutto, salami, cheese, crackers and pita bread and a side of nuts. Collectively, we ordered minestrone soup, Brussel Spouts with pancetta and garlic and brandy sauce, meatballs in tomato sauce, rigatoni pasta with peas, onions and olive oil, pappardelle Rustica in meat sauce with peas and mushrooms, grilled fresh Salmon with roasted patatoes and broccoli, Chicken Parmigiana, and a generous portion of heated Italian bread slices.

For dessert, Cecile made a berry crisp that as usual was hit. She also prepared a plate of colorful French Macarons and Zabar’s Jewish Homestyle Rugelach, and the Byes brought some See’s candies.

We had Sunday brunch at Effie’s classic American restaurant with our daughter Michelle and granddaughters Lyla, and Emmy. The girls loved their Mickey Mouse pancakes.

A Solo Evening Bike Ride: Witnessing the Roaring Vasona Reservoir Spillway Ushered in by the Storms

“Waterfalls are exciting because they have power…they have songs, and they have boldness and craziness!” —Mehmet Murat ildan

Finally, we had one day without rain. After running some errands with Cecile, getting take-out food for dinner, I decided to take a bike ride. I intended to ride five miles to beat the 5:15 PM sunset. It was frigid out, but I was dressed for it. Five miles turned to ten, as I decided to check out the Los Gatos Creek and Vasona Reservoir Spillway. Based on past experience, I knew it would be a sight to see. The falling rain from from virtually nonstop storms have made the water in the Los Gatos Creek along the protected riding trails running deep, wide and fast. It even flooded part of the walking and riding trails. Vasona Lake Reservoir is rising and turning the spillway into a rather magical—albeit violent, roaring waterfall, the likes I have never seen before. I made my way down the muddy embankment off the biking trail to get an alternate view from at a safe distance. The white egrets and other birds were loving it, and so did the few walkers and bicyclists like myself. A spillway allows water to flow away from the reservoir during normal operation and during a flood. It should do this in a way to protect the integrity of the dam. By the time I made my way off the trail, past the back part of Netflix Headquarters and and passing Bay Club—where I’m a member—it was dark. The stunning spectacle I just witness made me feel alive as did riding in the night.

Happy New Year 2023: May it Be a Year of Peace, Joy & Freedom

“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction” Every moment is a fresh beginning. Life’s not about expecting, hoping, and wishing. It’s about doing, being and becoming.”

—T.S. Eliot

Though Cecile and I are bit under the weather literally (serial rain storms), and will be spending New Year's Eve at home, we and our family wish you a New Year of peace, joy, and a sense of freedom. In the words of Neil Gaiman, “May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art—write, or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

While you’re contemplating the new year enjoy the youtube video clip by recording artist, Jon Batiste called “Freedom.” [see link below]! It’s about breaking through barriers, like James Brown or Elvis Presley did to become who they wanted to be and in the

process allowed black and white people to become who they wanted to be by “unlocking something in people that they were trying to hold in. These people became beacons of freedom, and you look at the way they move and the way they express who they are onstage. That becomes the way you want to be in life.”

Whether you are going out or staying in for New Years Eve this recording will make you feel like dancing your way into 2023.

Postscript: “Freedom” earned Job Batiste nominations for Grammy awards for ‘Record of the Year” and ‘Best Music Video.'

https://youtu.be/3YHVC1DcHmo

Thanks to good friends, Jimmy and Jennifer Hunter for forwarding me the Batiste video clip

Amazing Asian Art and Sculpture Collection and Whimsical Lush Gardens at the Hyatt Regency Maui

One of my favorite things to do during our annual family vacations to Maui is to mindfully tour the extensive Asian museum-quality art and sculpture collection throughout the corridors and amidst the lush manicured gardens and lagoons of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. The sculptures—many of them Buddhist—seem to go along with the wise words of one of the most celebrated religious figures in the world: The legendary Siddhartha Gautama, also know as Buddha, who once said: “Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” The simple message and the inner peace that the artworks that accompany this post inspire, are responsible for the appeal of the Buddhist art among people around the world. In the fourth and fifth centuries B.C., the time of the great thinkers such as Plato and Socrates in Greece, Lao-Tzu, and Confucius in China, India had its own great philosopher, thinker, and inspirational teacher: Buddha, who achieved enlightenment while meditating under a banyan tree.

Happy Hanukkah Day 3 (A Jewish Festival of Lights) & The Hanukkah Gifts we Brought Our Granddaughters

"Hanukkah is about the spark of the divine in all of us...”—Suzanne Fields

This past Sunday there was a Chanukah (alternate spelling) San Jose event for family, friends and the community

at Santana Row’s stage area where there was live music, dancing, singing including the children, and lighting of the menorah by Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld of Chabad House Almaden in San Jose, and others. A free Menorah and Candle kit were given attendees upon request. We had been invited to attend by Mendel whom Cecile and I have come to know over the past year. He is a real mensch and knows how to bring people, families, and a community together. It made no difference that I am not a Jew, though Cecile is, and our children were raised in the Jewish tradition and were Bar and Bat Mitzvah’d. However, in past years, I have worked with rabbis in interfaith dialogue, led meditation services and spiritual readings before Shabbat services, and even sang in a temple choir at Shir Hadash, a Reform synagogue. All this to say, I have a deep respect for the tradition and have done self-study in Judaism.

Unfortunately, for personal reasons we weren’t able to attend the grand event. But after, we got back from vacation in Maui

with our family including our granddaughters, I received a heartfelt message from Mendel, informing me that the event drew close to 2000 people. He added that had been thinking of me and said he was sure we were going to have some beautiful upcoming family celebration this year and wanted to take this moment to wish me and our family a happy Chanukah. The Rabbi ended with “May the light of the Menorah that shines so brightly continue to shine for you and your family.”

Speaking of light, Cecile and brought some Hanukkah gifts for our granddaughters Lyla who goes to Jewish preschool and her little sister Emmy who will begin part time in January. The custom is to give one big present and smaller presents for each of the eight days of Hanukkah. But, the light in our hearts that they place there, are for us, the most precious and joyous gift of all.

Origin of Hanukkah: It is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Syrian army. It also celebrates a miracle that happened during this time. During the dedication of the Temple, there was only enough oil to burn the candles for one day. However, the candles burned for eight consecutive nights, giving the Jews time to find more oil. The eight days of Hanukkah celebrates this miracle and it teaches Jews, and perhaps all of us, not to curse the darkness but to light a candle, for if you keep your face towards the sunshine in the midst of adversity, the shadows will fall behind you.

In the Company of Exotic Birds on Maui: A Metaphorical Gateway Drug to Learning More about Nature

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has song.”—Maya Angelou

I love being in the company of birds. From the time we landed on Maui, they made themselves known, especially when we were lounging around the lush vegetation near the pool and every time we had dinner in open air restaurants. At the Marriott Ocean Club, they have a cockatoo named Kukui (photo) who loves to whistle, and charm passersby by talking to them or mimicking their speech. It was heartening to notice that they kept Kukui mostly outside his cage. He is popular with the kids and adults alike and is well taken care of by the staff. I visited him before and after yoga classes. Our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy got to see and hear Kukui on the way to their art classes in the activity center.

There is an amazing on-site African Black-Footed Penguin habitat at the Hyatt Recency Maui, as part of their wildlife program that include exotic cranes, black and white swans and flamingos that hangout in the lagoons and ponds. Our daughter Michelle and Kyle took our granddaughters to visit them at their 9:30 feeding in the Atrium Lobby. I visited them recently before my yoga class. On average these playful creatures consume 100 pounds of fish every week. They are fun to watch swim, sunbathe, dig burrows in the sand, and just waddle around. This species of penguin is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list of endangered species due to a combination of threats they face in the wild. I actually got to be in the midst of these beautiful creatures during a camera safaris in South Africa. African penguins are one of 14 species that live in warm climates. They can hold their breath over two minutes, swim more than 12 mph and dive over 400 feet. They are nicknamed “donkey pegs” for the braying sounds they make. One a year they lose all their feathers, a process that is referred to as molting.

The Black-Crowned Night Heron named Henry, is not an official part of the penguin habitat. He is basically a wild bird the visits so frequently that he has become part of the family. They can fly up to 35 miles per hour and can be seen surface swimming, diving or walking through shallow water.

Mynah Birds with yellow beak, feet and around the rim of the eye, were a constant presence. They are native to Asia.

One bird I was surprised to see while taking a walk, was a mother hen teaching her chicks how to eat earthworms in a patch of grass she unearthed. Apparently, baby chickens can eat mealworms beginning at around one to two weeks old. The high protein value makes words more nutrition than any other treats. You can’t really see the worms, but it is apparent this what is taking place.

"One reason…birds matter—or ought to matter"—says Jonathan Franzen, "is that they are our last, best connection to a natural world that is otherwise receding. They’re the most vivid and widespread representatives of the Earth as it was before people arrived on it."

Family Dinner at Hula Grill with Live Hawaiian Music, a Hula Dancer & the Original Hula Pie Dessert To-Die-For

“The Pied Piper” of Hawaii Cuisine.”

—Los Angeles Times about Pittsburgh-born, Chef Peter Merriman

Cecile and I hosted a family dinner at the Hula Grill in front of Whaler’s Village, located in the heart of Kaanapali’s south beach, also known as, “Dig-Me Beach.” It offers a stunning view of the Pacific and of the island of Lanai and Molokai. Dinner was served on the restaurants outdoor patio with live Hawaiian music and a hula dancer, which our granddaughter Lyla, particularly loved watching. We had everything from farm greens salads, fresh grilled Mahi-Mahi, Crab-Topped Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi, Fresh Fish tacos, and shared sides of Roasted Beets, Colorful Wood-Roasted Glazed Carrots, Bamboo Steamed Greens, Pumpkin Hummus with Pita and raw carrots and cucumbers. Lyla and Emmy had Mac Cheese and Fresh Battered Fish. Dinner was followed by two Original Hula Pies the size of small footballs. It is made with chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted Mac nuts, and whipped cream, Hula Pie is one of the best guilty pleasure desserts of all time.

In 1994, Pittsburgh native, Peter Merriman, partnered with TS Restaurants to open Hula Grill on Maui’s famed Ka’anapali Beach, and was touted as “the best fish house in the islands” by Honolulu Magazine.

The son of a respected food writer of the Pittsburgh Gazette, Chef Peter Merriman, cut his teeth on the finest culinary fare the city had to offer. He played football in high school and has reportedly uses the sport as a metaphor for cooking and running a restaurant. "It’s a team sport and you need a team you can count on."

He did an apprenticeship a the Woodstock Inn of Vermont, after earning a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. From there he worked at Martha’s Vineyard, then off to Germany where he worked for the Intercontinental Hotels. Later, with his partners he opened a number of successful restaurants.

Kyle & Michelle Treated us for a Memorable Brunch at The Gazebo Eatery in Napili

“Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.”

—Paul Theroux

The Gazebo Maui is a small, hidden out-of-the-way gem located poolside at Napili Shores condos about 20 minutes from the Marriott Ocean Club resort where we are staying.

It was introduced to us by our son-in-law Kyle some years ago. He and his family used to frequent the eatery daily while on vacation when he was a kid. He affectionately refers to it as one of his favorite places to eat—of all time. The view is picture postcard perfect as it sits right on the ocean adjacent to Napili Bay. They serve only breakfast and lunch. They also serve mammoth-sized portions that include banana pancakes, omelets, breakfast burritos, burgers, sandwiches and so much more. They are also known for there huge signature fried rice platter that includes chunks of meat and veggies.

The well-loved, open air diner with congenial staff and fast service for good value is decorated with tropical plants and abundant Hawaiian memorabilia that line the upper walls as seen in the photos. We continue the ritual of eating here on our annual family vacation.

Observing a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (HONU) Basking on Kaanapali Beach Near a Capsized Boat

I overheard a woman tell my daughter Michelle that there was a beached giant turtle in the front of the Maui Marriott Ocean Club Molokai. As it turned out it was a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) near an abandoned boat that was shipwrecked from last years storm while we were here. Honu are the only sea turtles in the world that regularly bask or sunbathe on shore. Though singular sightings near where we are staying are infrequent.

A sign was posted letting tourist know the turtle was not stranded, and should not be touched or fed, and view them respectfully from ten feet distance. Of course, several weren't heeding the distance restrictions. They are native, wild animals that are best left alone. They are protected under State and Federal law. Do not disturb on land or in the water

Many people consider honu their family guardians. In Hawaiian culture hey are a symbol of wisdom, longevity, good luck, peace, lifelong protection and mana (spiritual energy). They are depicted in ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, artwork, and mythology and represent the eternal link between man, land, and sea. They are thought to live up to 80 years and reach maturity at about 200 pounds.

Honu or Turtle Wisdom:

Spend more time at the beach

Let worries roll off your back

Swim at your own pace

Enjoy time by yourself

Come up for air

Trust the flow

Slow Down

Breathe

Happy Birthday Michelle: Here are Some Recorded Magical Memories in Living Color

"What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”

—Karl Lagerfeld

Dearest Daughter Michelle,

When we look at you and how much you have grown as a human being, we feel so proud. It’s not just the beauty

in your face, but the shining spirit that lights up our world and the hearts of friends and family who have come to know and love you over the years.

We don’t know where the time has gone or when yesterday became today, but hopefully the photos I recorded (or arranged to have recorded) since you were a child will bring back some fond memories. Each time we think of the joy you have brought to our lives, as Lyla and Emmy have brought to your life, Kyle’s and our extended family. What comes to mind is how much we are all truly blessed.

It was great to see you, Kyle and the girls this evening at your home and can’t wait until you guys join us and Jason in Maui next week to celebrate your birthday again, and record new memories.

Aloha!

Mom and Dad

Lunch at the Bell Tower Cafe with Friends: Housed in a Former Church with 19th Century Origins

Old friends are like old stories. You have to visit them from time to time. Cecile and I recommended our favorite place for casual dining, perfect for a Sunday outing with our dear friends, Nelson and Susan Bye. It was a chance to refuel, be grateful for our blessings, take a deep breath and relax.

The historic Bell Tower Cafe in the heart of Saratoga has three patios and fresh-air seating options. One open-air patio sits in the front of the cafe, and two covered and heated back patios provide patrons and their families, comfortable dining areas. They welcome dogs with complimentary water and dog treats. They offer breakfast and lunch dishes all day. For eggs benedict fans, I counted eight variations on their extensive menu. They also serve an assortment of breakfast burritos, omelettes, waffles and pancakes, crepes and classics. Other offerings include sandwiches, panini, combination plates, burgers, salads, soups, fresh squeezed orange juice, cocktails, beer and wine, coffee, coffee and cappuccino, etc.

Churches worldwide have been given an afterlife by savvy entrepreneurs who Convert them to libraries, schools, housing, bars, theaters and restaurants. The Bell Tower Cafe was a former Methodist Episcopal church dating back to 1896. This charming Saratoga eatery that opened in 2010 provides fresh air and the freshest of ingredients. All the produce is locally grown and they make their own bread, potato chips, baked goods and sauces.

They offer patrons friendly, attentive and quick service.

Bell Tower has an idyllic shady garden, stone cherubs, potted plants, and an arbor with vines and flowers. There is even a red phone booth that in the age of cell phones is an whimsical relic of the past. The building was used by the Red Cross during WW l, the city of Saratoga’s Town Hall, and even a school. In 1924 the church became an art gallery and sometime later housed a bridal salon. Though there is no longer a bell to ring in the Bell Tower, I love to ring few of the ornate bells located on a stand in the reception area just in front of a blue sign that boasts, “Best of Saratoga 2012.

A Thanksgiving Eve Spin Art Studio and Pachinko-Like Slot Game with the Grandkids

“If children are the rainbow of life, then grandchildren are the pot of gold.”

—Author unknown

Cecile and I accepted an invitation from our friends and neighbors, the Rothenbergs to bring our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy to an outdoor Spin Art Activity and a Pachinko-like Slot Game with their granddaughter Eliza. Their sons Clark was visiting from Austin, while Bennett and his wife Kristina, Eliza and baby Gus-whom I got a chance to cuddle with-were visiting from Chicago for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Spin Art is a very popular activity for children. Check out the Amazon website and you will find an abundance of spin art machines or you can make a homemade one which my creative friend and biking buddy Bill Rothenberg did using a forty-year old record player he had in storage. For the canvas you can use thick paper or paper plates. Pick up a medium like tempera or activity paint, a smock, apron or old clothes and you’re all set to go. Emmy took to the spin art right away and turned out a couple of fun pieces. Lyla was more interested in the Pachinko-like game and being with Eliza. Bill created a modified version of the Japanese Pachinko in his and Sarah’s side yard, a game suited for kids and adults. It involves launching miniature striped and solid pin balls by feeding them up a crank delivery system Bill designed which goes into a feeding tube that leads to a slanted play board as seen in the photos and video clip.

As the balls drop down the board they randomly end up in numbered slots below. Each numbered spot is worth a certain amount of points. Bill added a little variation to the game by declaring if the grandkids choose the striped balls, they win, and if the grandpas choose the solids we win. Having met Bill and Sarah’s granddaughter Eliza from Chicago for the first time, she was shy during the spin art, but was very animated when she and Eliza won two out of three.

Postscript: Traditionally Pachinko machines can be found in Pachinko parlors. The earliest form of Pachinko was called “pachi-pachi” for the click-clacking, rolling sounds the balls make which is half the fun. Later, the game gained an adult audience and became known as Pachinko when the board was made vertical and prizes were offered. Takeichi Masamura became known as the Father of Pachinko.

Early Dinner at Fresh Catch Fish House at Stanford Shopping Center with our Son

Generally speaking I am not a fan of shopping malls, but Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, is in a league of its own. It is considered to be Northern California’s premiere open-air shopping which includes upscale high end stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman

Marcus, Wilkes Bashford, and over 140 world-class specialty stores. With designer facades and interiors beyond the the boring commercial architecture of old, since its major renovation several years ago. There are a number of amenities that makes spending time at the center an

absolute delight. This place is a monument to affluence and privilege as it can get, and boasts “breathtaking gardens, sculptures, and fountains, that accent the garden-like environment that people come all over the world to see. The Center also has an abundance of places to sit outdoors, where you can have a cup of coffee, or an ice cream cone, people watch and dog watch. There are about 14 restaurants to choose from including P.F. Changs China Bistro, True Food Kitchens, The Melt, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and California Pizza Kitchen to name a few. Cecile, our son, Jason and I decided on the spacious and sustainable Pacific Fresh Westcoast Fish House. It appeared that we all in the mood for salmon. Jason had a salmon burger on a poppy seed bun with salad and fries; Cecile enjoyed a salad with grilled salmon and I had two Salmon Tacos with refried beans and salsa and chips.

While Cecile and Jason were waiting in line to buy some See’s Candy, I took some photos of artist, Albert Guibara’s humorous three signature Bronze "pin heads” sculptures that were designed and built on site in Burlingame, CA. A lifelong resident of California, Guibara was born in LA, and spent the entirety of his professional life in San Francisco. I also love visiting the whimsical Frog Fountain called the "Merfrong Family” public fountain (1978) by David Gilhooly, that is always filled with coins thrown in by passersby. It is always a great hit with kids and adults alike.

Exotic Dinner with Friends at Kabul: Authentic Afghan Cuisine

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”

—James Beard

Have you ever attempted to make plans for dinner with friends and can’t think of where to go. How soon we forget about some great eateries of the past that escape our consciousness because it is not in our neighborhood. Bill recommended Kabul Authentic Cuisine, a place Cecile and I have gone to several times with friends back in the day, forgetting how good it is on many levels. The exotic entrees, the relaxing and hospitable ambiance, the big portions, and reasonable price have propelled them to the center of the Silicon Valley dining scene. Kabul came into existence in 1987 and moved to Sunnyvale near Murphy Street’s Restaurant Row, a year later. Owners, Najib and Adib Naimi’s traditional recipes are derived from their mother’s kitchen in the heart of Kabul, Afghanistan when they were teenagers, passed down from generation to generation. Afghan Cuisine is imbued with robust spices found in their home country and surrounding neighboring countries.

We shared two appetizers: Aushak, onion-filled dumplings topped with yogurt and meat sauce, sprinkled with mint; and Manta: dumplings filled with ground lamb, onion, and spices, topped with yogurt and vegetables. Bill and I had a Heineken and Sarah had a glass of wine.

For our entrees, Cecile and Bill ordered Kabul’s Combination Kabab: a skewer of lamb and salmon, with a side of fragrant pallaw (seasoned rice)

and salad. I had a skewer of lamb and chicken with the same side dishes, and Sarah had Marinated lamb loin chops, with rice. Each entree comes with Afghan nan which is almost a meter-long and half-an-inch thick. The skewers are sort of menacing. thoughts of sword swallowing on America’s Got Talent (AGT) came to mind, and Bill re-enacted what that may look like and I got him on video:).

Afghanistan is located at the culinary crossroads of many cultures. The food relies on spices such as cumin, sesame, cinnamon and coriander, which is also central to Indian good. The country’s many types of kebabs show kinship with the Middle East, including the liberal use of yogurt which gives the dishes

a cooling effect in contrast to the aromatic spices. As we feasted on our delicious food, it was difficult not to think that the country from where these delicious recipes are derived from, that nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan, almost half of its population suffering from food insecurity die due to Taliban’s rule, the US-led economic sanctions, and extreme droughts triggered by climate change.

Postscript: When we were escorted to our tables and took a seat, the first thing I noticed was a haunting image of “Afghan Girl”

who was arrested amid a refugee crackdown. He piercing sea-green eyes, captured by photographer Steve McCurry and was published on the cover of National Geographic.

Cecile and I Had Lunch at the Falafel Drive-In that Food Network Star Guy Fieri calls “Falafelicious"

Cecile and I suddenly had a yearning for a Falafel Pita sandwich. Feeling a hint of nostalgia we decided to go to the Falafel Drive-In, located in San Joe near our former residence and foot clinic we established in 1975 after moving from Chicago. For the uninitiated, falafel is a Middle Eastern delicacy comprised of deep-fried falafel balls made of chickpeas and lava beans with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini sauce and their signature harissa chili sauce (if you want). It has been a popular spot since it was established by the late Anton Nijmeh, a former Palestinian policeman turned pig farmer before he and his family moved to the United states in 1966 for a fresh start. In 2003, Falafel’s Drive-In added American fast food (Including meat and chicken) to their menu to please their loyal following, but still remains true to its roots. But the mainstay remains the falafel pocket sandwich that initially became a hit with vegetarians. They also serve hot dogs, fries, burgers, kababs, gyros, tabbouleh, banana milkshakes, and the honey-drenched baklava to satisfy the sweet tooth.

Falafel Drive-In has become a bonafide institution that has been dishing out the irresistible falafels for over five decades and has attracted a customer base of students, tech entrepreneurs, engineers, construction workers and a diverse sampling of ethnicities from virtually every conceivable background.

Falafel Drive-In had become so popular that Guy Fieri made a televised visit there in 2007 and the show was featured on his Food Network series, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Though the founder, Nijmeh passed away in 2006 at the age of 76, his family continues his legacy and are still very much hands-on with the

the business.

Postscript: Thank’s to artist Lila Gemellos whose colorful murals I adore and seen a taste of in downtown Willow Glen, Falafel’s Drive-In has a great deal of ambiance. Her 600-square-foot three-walls of outside eating area mural is not only and homage to their restaurant but all things Silicon Valley and beyond. Included in the mural is Guy Fieri.