A period piece souvenir photograph of Cecile and I atop a colorful wooden mural of a donkey in the lobby of the Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas, where guest and family were staying for our nephew, Michael Augustine and his beloved wife, Lauren’s wedding that took place at Clark Gardens Botanical Park in Weatherford, the next town over . This meme represents a reenactment of the visitors to Mineral Wells, around the twentieth century seeking entertainment. Legend has it they found it in part, by donkey rides up a trail that crossed a 1000-step staircase, built in 1905 to the top of East Mountain. About half way up, photographers, J.C. McClure and later J.L. Young, took souvenir photographs of visitors at this popular crossing.
Fiesta Mexicana at Rinconda Hills Featuring an Aztec Cultural Dance Performance
"The Aztec dance is meditation in motion. It brings the dancers into a meditative state, with the repetitive rhythm and movement, channeling energy to the gods. It represents the connection between man and god, of body and soul, and is a form of prayer and communication."
Cecile and I with our friends and neighbors Susan and Nelson Bye, Sarah and Bill Rothenberg, and Jane and Murray Cook reserved a table for Fiesta Mexicana at the Clubhouse at Rinconada Hills in Los Gatos, CA. The event featured fresh, delicious gourmet-style Mexican cuisine prepared by assistant manager, Ray Ramiriz. The room was colorfully decorated. Beer, wine, and Margaritas were served with appetizers followed by an authentic spiritual Indigenous Aztec dance performance by Esplendor Azteca—Xipe Totec. Most of the dancers are from Mexico City. The group is dedicated to promoting the traditions handed down from their ancestors. It is a form of prayer, that involves
dancing and singing. Dancers, who move as one in a circle, wear angle rattles known as chacayotes, and some rattles in their hands. Before dancing begins, one dancer uses the ceremonial copal incense burner (resin from tree sap) to clear bad energy. They ask permission from the elements and the four directions. Moreover they ask the universe for permission to touch the Earth. Two of the elders stood by tall Aztec drums known as huehuetl that is made from wood and animal skin. As the drum beat picks up and builds, the formation. These magical dance performances is another way for Mexican Americans to reconnect with their history and culture.
Dinner was served buffet-style and strawberry shortcake was served for dessert, after the dance performance. Thanks to the many volunteers like Dee Blumenthal, Kathy Ramos, manager, Mike Yarman, and his assistant manager, Ray Ramiriz, this was a fabulous evening. I and many others had the opportunity to speak and take photos with the dancers. It reminded me of the time I spent in retreat with others in Mexico with world renowned shaman, Brant Secunda, the founder of the Dance of the Deer Foundation. I got to experience ancient teachings and rituals, and sacred dances, including the “Dance of the Deer,” after which his foundation is named.
Hanging Out In the Midst of Taylor Swift Fans Outside Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA
“Life isn’t how to survive the storm. It’s about how to dance in the rain."—Taylor Swift
Bill and I road our bikes on the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail to Levi Stadium yesterday afternoon. We've done this route many times exploring the extensive amount of biking trails around and beyond the perimeter of the stadium. Bill worked at Levi Stadium for five years back in the day, and knows this area like the back of his hand. This time, by design we found ourselves in the midst of thousands of Taylor Swift fans who were partying outside the stadium gates many hours before she took the stage—whether they had tickets or not. Security was tight including bomb sniffing dogs, cops on bicycles and motorcycles to secure the perimeters.
It was the Bay Area’s first sold-out Eras Tour and the “Swifties” were all decked out with pink cowboy hats, cowboy boots, sparkling glittery ball gowns, and T-shirts emblazoned with the words “we love Taylor.” I took a photo of one fan wearing bright pick pants, several friendship bracelets on her right wrist, carrying a poster that read: Swifties All The Way From NEWFOUNDLAND. Even Bill good-naturedly got into the act by donning a pink cowboy hat:-) It was reported that the concert was expected to become the highest-grossing musical tour of all time, exceeding more than One Billion Dollars in revenue. Unfortunately, there were only 60,000 seats and a million Taylor Swift fans that wanted tickets. Disappointed fans had to content themselves with congregating outdoors together and enjoying clips of the three-hour performance.
Credit for the two Taylor Swift Photos: Jessica Christian/The Chronicle
25-Bike Ride to and Round Lexington Reservoir at the Foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains
“Riding a bicycle is the closest you can get to flying.”— Robin Williams
Bill and I took a 25-mile mid-morning bike ride (round trip) to the Lexington Reservoir (an artificial lake) via the Los Gatos Creek Trail to beat the heat that was forecasted for the mid-afternoon the other day. Once reaching the Lexington Dam in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, we took a clockwise road loop which placed us on the side of the road closer to the water allowing us to catch respectable views of the lake thanks to the series of rain storms awhile back that made it more full. The only real climb along the ride occurs as we approach the farthest point of the reservoir. There is a half-mile climb that averages 8% grade. It’s a nice rollercoaster-like ride with a high number of turns and curves that goes around the reservoir in about 45 minutes. However, during the last quarter of the ride, the road continuing on was blocked due to construction crews repairing sections of the road that had collapsed due to the heavy rains according to one of the crew members. No problem, we simply circled back and were able to complete our ride, none to worse for the experience. We saw three paddle boarders a few hundred feet below us and noticed that the previously dried out lake bed leading to an arch was now full compared to previous rides during the draught conditions (photo).
Lexington Reservoir is the third-largest reservoir in Santa Clara County. The reservoir is contained in Lexington Reservoir County park which includes hiking trails and great views of the reservoir and Silicon Valley. The towns of Lexington and Alma are submerged ghost towns under the reservoir. Lexington used to be the halfway stop for stagecoaches running between San Jose and Santa Cruz.
The First Annual Summer Jaw-Dropping Car Show in Downtown Campbell was a Blast
Though I’m not a car buff in the strictest sense of the word, I do appreciate it as an art form, and so does my riding buddy Bill, whose idea it was to ride our bikes to the show this Saturday morning. In some sense it was better than the classic cars I saw at the San Jose Parade on the 4th of July. This car show in historic downtown Campbell was more accessible
from the standpoint that the cars were stationary and car buffs and admirers of these impeccably maintained machines were able to take their time viewing them from all sides.
Young and old alike were drooling with envy at the jaw-dropping classic beauties. The owners of were available to ask questions and lavished with praise for their creations. Though I don’t use the term often, it was utter “eye candy.” There was Aqua BMW that appears in one of my photos that had the words "Wedding Gift" on what would normally be a license plate. There were even a few custom-made bicycles and their owners that we got to speak to.
The every day culture of Downtown Campbell is generally a place that dazzles residents and visitors alike with mouth watering eateries, fashion forward boutiques, and fun retail and ice cream shops, along with live or piped in street music. There was popcorn stand, petting zoo, bounce houses, and face painting for the kids.
Postscript: For those who live locally, and enjoy riding bicycles of all kinds, there is a family friendly “Pre-Ride” bike that rolls through the streets of San Jose. It is being hosted by “The Others BC” on Saturday, July 29, that will be meeting and departing from San Pedro Square located at 87 N San Pedro St. San Jose, CA. The Pre-Ride will be followed by the 2023 Shiny Side Up Show that will take place on Sunday, July 30th from 10:00 am-4:00pm. More details will be posted on the link below as we get closer to the event.
Buddha Day: Celebrates his Birth, Enlightenment and Death Plus Gratitude to My Esteemed Mindfulness Meditation Teachers
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
—Buddha
"Love makes you warm; Anger makes you burnt; generosity makes you free; Greed makes you tired;
Wisdom makes you clear; and delusion makes you cloudy.”
—Ashin Kelasa, Buddhist Monk from Amarapura, Myanmar
Buddha Day is celebrated every first full moon of the ancient lunar calendar. This year it takes place on Friday, May 26. The United Nations began celebrating Buddha Day in its headquarters and offices in the year 2000. The holiday is marked with ceremonies at temples around the world, as well as meditation centers in the U.S. and abroad, reflecting on Buddha’s teachings. Buddhism can be traced to the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. in India. Historians believe Siddhartha Gautama, as he was so named was born into a wealthy royal family in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. His father shielded him from the outside world by confining him to the palace, where he lived in princely luxury. Yet, it was not enough. Something persistent as his own shadow, drew him into the world beyond the palace walls. There, in the streets, he encountered three simple things: a sick man, and old man, and a dead man being carried to the cremation grounds. Nothing in his pampered life prepared him for this experience. When his charioteer told him that all beings are subject to sickness, old age, and death he could not rest. As he returned to the palace, he met a wandering ascetic walking peacefully along the road, wearing a robe and carrying the single begging bowl (to collect food) of a sadhu, a religious ascetic.
He then resolved to leave the palace in search of the answer to the problem of suffering. After bidding his family a silent farewell he rode to the edge of the forest, cut his hair and exchanged his finer clothes for the simple robes of a wandering ascetic. After six years of searching for a solution of human suffering, and studying under various teachers, Gautama, spent 49 consecutive days in meditation under the Bodhi tree, where he attained enlightenment—enjoying the freedom and tranquility of liberation and becoming the Buddha, the "Awakened One." After his death in 483 B.C., Buddha’s followers started a religious movement, and his teachings evolved into Buddhism.
Postscript: My main meditation teachers over the years in Burma were Michele MacDonald (photo) and Steve Smith of Vioassana Hawaii.
Dropped by the Obon Festival in the Heart of San Jose's Cultural Treasure—Japantown
“There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from...[and enjoy].”
—Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
After attending the first exotic car show in Campbell Saturday, Bill and I decided to ride our bikes to the vibrant community of Japantown to checkout the Obon Festival, which is a celebration of Japanese culture and heritage that takes places every summer. We arrived just as the food booths and San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin—which organized the event—opened. The church is supported by many volunteers and sponsors.
Bill and I had Teriyaki Chicken breast and rice. Then, I visited the interior of the temple which had several altars. The docents were very welcoming and said we could take as many photos as we wanted. The festival featured the popular San Jose Taiko drummers who celebrated their 50th Anniversary. At about 12:30 we watched the Stanford Taiko Drumming group perform. They were superb. Bill had mentioned that one of his sons, Clark was in a Taiko drumming group while in high school. Bill and I have a lot of respect for the Japanese culture and cuisine, and have both spent time in Japan for pleasure and business.
The first Obon Festival was held at this same location since 1935. For Japanese natives, Obon can translate to mean "The Lantern Festival" or the "Festival of the Dead,” honoring the spirits of those who have passed away, who have influenced and contributed to their lives. The idea is also to create an environment that brings the community together. Everyone is welcomed, and we certainly were...In some ceremonies in places like Hawaii, at the end of the Obon festival, lanterns are released into the nearest body of water, so that the spirtits of the ancestors can return to the other worldly realm.
Postscript: As we were riding our bikes out of the festival, I spotted an owner of some Akitas, a large, powerful, muscular breed of dog, orginating from the mountains of northern Japan. "I used to have one named Ninja," I said: “Would you like to pet them," he asked? When I got off my bike to accept the invitation, they startted barking. The owner said, “They are very gentle.” And gentle they were.
Celebrating Sorelle Starr Berger's Bat Mitzvah Hosted by Cecile’s Cousin Jeff & Sheri Berger
Cecile’s cousin Jeff and wife Sheri’s daughter Sorelle, had her Bat Mitzvah Friday, June 16. The services were at the Mosaic Law Congregation in Sacramento. A Kidush Lunch took place afterwards. The evening Festivities were held at Lakeview Estates and Winery located twenty minutes from the heart of downtown Sacramento. The secluded and peaceful site was nestled among the trees on a private, sprawling 20-acre property with a spectacular view of the lake. Our son Jason, his partner Alex, our daughter Michelle, husband Kyle and our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy, and Cecile’s sister Sherry visiting from South Carolina had a fabulous time reuniting with family we haven’t seen in some time. In a sense, the event was also a family reunion.
Dear Jeff and Sheri,
We couldn’t help but notice the little girl
You once held so tight
Tucking her into bed each night
How she’s grown and come to be
The fine young woman you nurtured her to be
Tears of pride and joy rolling down your face
As you watch her find her place
Your sweet young daughter who is by far
A wonderful example of a shining star.
May your remembrances of her childhood stage,
Comfort you through this magical “Coming of Age”
Now ready to study Torah with great ambition
And follow the journey of your Jewish tradition
May the sacred Star of David
Shine upon your daughter today
On this her memorable Bat Mitzvah Day.
Mazel Tov!
Dear Sorelle,
You’ve blossomed into a beautiful young lady.
We marveled how you embraced your studies to become a Bat Mitzvah.
Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your life and we wish you all the best in your future studies and activities. By the way, It’s worth noting that the extra attention you gave our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy made them very happy. With the beautiful dress you wore, she and her little sister Emmy thought you looked like Elsa, the character from the Disney movie, “Frozen," whom they both adore.
Love,
Dennis and Cecile
Memorial Tribute to a Dear Friend: AL Nakatani Who Accepted his Mortality with Grace & Wisdom
Yesterday, June 14, at 9:50 AM, our dear friend, Alexander Nakatani, retired social worker for the Veterans Administration transitioned to the heavenly realm, with his beloved wife, Jane, a retired elementary school teacher at his side. He was 86. The cause of death was cancer of the spine. In the face of heartbreaking tragedy they had lost three sons, Glen, Greg and Guy. Two from AIDS and one from a gunshot wound by an illegal immigrant over a parking space. The story is told by author Molly Fumia, an expert on the grieving process, in “Honor Thy Children” (Conari Press). The book tells the story of the family’s trajectory from homophobia and denial to emotional healing. Initially horrified to learn that Guy, their youngest son, was gay, the anger and shame they initially experienced was replaced with unconditional love. I had met Al and Guy, their last son to die of HIV when I attended a talk they had given at a local high school, that Cecile recommended I attend. Guy died in 1994 a the age of 26. Cecile and I became supporters of the Honor Thy Children Foundation. Al and Jane moved to Maui, and we would make it a priority to have them join us for lunch on Kaanapali Beach where Cecile and I took our annual family vacation.
Back in the day, I decided to do a silent 10-day meditation retreat at the Silver Cloud Ranch on Mt. Haleakala. At the end retreat we were gifted a beautiful Lei. I managed to get two more and had the privilege to place them on the tombstone of Al and Jane’s sons: Glen, Greg and Guy.
Not too long ago, I received an email from Al, stating he had stage 4 cancer of the spine, and he was going to have Hospice come to his and Jane’s home. We spoke by phone and it was the most intimate conversation I have ever had with someone who was dying. Al, shared with me he wanted to chronicle his dying experience. So Cecile and I became one of over 70 people within his circle that had received status updates. It turned out to be tutorial of sorts of how to accept one’s mortality.
Al, Thank you so much for courageously, lovingly, compassionately, consciously, and transparently sharing the stages you went through in your final journey. We will treasure them always. You showed us how to "Die The Good Death.” Ars moreindi—a Latin term meaning—“the art of dying” was coined in 1415 when a Dominican friar published a book instructing its readers how to achieve “the good death.” This amounted to spending one’s last days reflecting on triumphs, surrounded by family and friends with a sense of fulfillment rather than despair. For centuries, a “good death” was considered the ultimate culmination of a successful life and was diligently sought by many. Today, a clear obstacle stands in the way of those of us who would do the same—a deep aversion to death. By failing to confront our own mortality and by consistently avoiding difficult conversations with those who are terminally ill, we are doing ourselves a disservice and making “the good death” nearly impossible for those we cherish.
We are so grateful for your willingness to share your final journey with all of us with such candor and openness. it is a true gift and blessing to us all. When we spoke by phone awhile back, I was humbled by the fact that you had made peace with your prognosis, and was preparing for your passing. You were essentially saying goodbye, letting us know you love us, that you feel a spiritual connection to us all, and that you were ready to follow the natural progression and evolution of all living things.
E ho’omaha me ka maluhia (Rest in peace!)
Dennis and Cecile Augustine
P.S. Jane, we are sending hugs and love your way. We are so happy to hear that Al was able to complete the HTC (Honor Thy Children) Sanctuary and do the Ken Fong Podcast in early May while he still had the strength too do it.
Buddha Day: Celebrates his Birth, Enlightenment and Death Plus Gratitude to My Esteemed Mindfulness Meditation Teachers
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
—Buddha
"Love makes you warm; Anger makes you burnt; generosity makes you free; Greed makes you tired;Wisdom makes you clear; and delusion makes you cloudy.”
—Ashin Kelasa, Buddhist Monk from Amarapura, Myanmar
Buddha Day is celebrated every first full moon of the ancient lunar calendar. This year it takes place on Friday, May 26. The United Nations began celebrating Buddha Day in its headquarters and offices in the year 2000. The holiday is marked with ceremonies at temples around the world, as well as meditation centers in the U.S. and abroad, reflecting on Buddha’s teachings. Buddhism can be traced to the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. in India. Historians believe Siddhartha Gautama, as he was so named was born into a wealthy royal family in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. His father shielded him from the outside world by confining him to the palace, where he lived in princely luxury. Yet, it was not enough. Something persistent as his own shadow, drew him into the world beyond the palace walls. There, in the streets, he encountered three simple things: a sick man, and old man, and a dead man being carried to the cremation grounds. Nothing in his pampered life prepared him for this experience. When his charioteer told him that all beings are subject to sickness, old age, and death he could not rest. As he returned to the palace, he met a wandering ascetic walking peacefully along the road, wearing a robe and carrying the single begging bowl (to collect food) of a sadhu, a religious ascetic.
He then resolved to leave the palace in search of the answer to the problem of suffering. After bidding his family a silent farewell he rode to the edge of the forest, cut his hair and exchanged his finer clothes for the simple robes of a wandering ascetic. After six years of searching for a solution of human suffering, and studying under various teachers, Gautama, spent 49 consecutive days in meditation under the Bodhi tree, where he attained enlightenment—enjoying the freedom and tranquility of liberation and becoming the Buddha, the "Awakened One." After his death in 483 B.C., Buddha’s followers started a religious movement, and his teachings evolved into Buddhism.
Postscript: My main meditation teachers over the years in Burma were Michele MacDonald (photo) and Steve Smith of Vioassana Hawaii.
Lunch at the Colorful Felafel Drive-In Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.”
Cecile and I couldn’t decide where to go for a quick lunch. Since I needed to get my car washed, we decided on the Felafel Drive-In, an old time favorite that was nearby. Since it first opened in 1966, it has become a San Jose institution. I say an old time favorite, because we used to go there all the time beginning in the mid=seventies we established the Park Avenue Foot Clinic near the Municipal Rose garden. Not long ago we rediscovered it. Though they have an expanded menu, we settled for a delicious Felafel Pita Sandwich with hot sauce, and it was delicious as usual.
Guy Fieri described Felafel described the Felafel Drive-In on his show in the fall of 2007 as “One of the hottest Middle Eastern restaurants in the area which has truly been a roadside attractions for many years. The ambiance was improved immensely since the old days, thanks to my favorite muralist Lisa Gemellos who in the fall of 2012 had finished a three-wall mural of Felafel’s Drive-In that she called “An homage to the restaurant and all things Silicon Valley, (and a bit beyond)*
*Rose Garden Resident (April 14, 2012). The attached photos are just a small portion of the actual 3 wall mural with images of the late Steve Job, and Guy Fieri himself.
Taking Our Granddaughter Emmy to a Local Farm Followed by Lunch at Effie’s Restaurant
Cecile and I took our two-year old granddaughter Emmy to the two-acre Westmont Agricultural Farm, not too far from our home, and across from Westmont High School in Campbell. We had taken her big sister Lyla here once before. More than 200 Westmont students study agriculture, grow greenhouse plants and raise animals, as part of the last Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Silicon Valley. We did a self tour, first visiting the cows that seemed happy to see us. Emmy got to pet one. We then visited the chickens, pigs, and goats. I saw a young teenager volunteer open a door that I knew was filled with caged rabbits, and asked if Emmy could get to pet one of them. She happily obliged. She took out a rabbit that happened to be her pet, named Cash. She told us her sister owned several of the other rabbits.
After our little outing we took Emmy to Effiie’s restaurant for her favorite Mickey Mouse pancakes. Cecile had a shrimp salad and I had a tuna sandwich on toasted wheat bread and fries. One of our waitresses took a liking to Emmy. One thing led to another and it turned out that her daughters went to Westmont High School and she was very familiar with the school’s agricultural sciences program and the farm. She said she always knew where her daughters were and it was a very wholesome program overall.
Riding from Santa Cruz to Capitola For Lunch in Celebration of National Bike Month
“Life is Brief and Fragile, do that which makes you happy on a regular basis, because the next day promises nothing"
National Bike Month is promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrate in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, it offers a chance to showcase the many benefits of biking. My good friend Bill and I drove over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the beach trail along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz watching local surfers catch waves in front of the historic lighthouse and and the Surfing Museum. There was a lot of damage during the recent storms, including sidewalks completely into the ocean below which simply meant we had to ride around the orange protective barriers for about ten minutes.
The rock wall of West Cliff can be seen beyond the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf where the raucous seagulls were flying on the thermals, and the barking herds of gregarious sea lions took shelter on—as they always do—the wooden beams and joists below at the very end of the pier.
We continued on riding, passing the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk which includes thrill rides including the Cliff Hanger, Crazy Surf, Cyclone, Typhoon, and the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster to name a few. Since its opening in 1907, the “Boardwalk" was referred to as the “Coney Island of the West.” Once past the boardwalk, we reached the 10-foot wide multi-use path along side the San Lorenzo River Railway trestle, and then onto the Santa Cruz small craft harbor that holds about a 1,000 wet-berthed vessels used for commercial fishing, pleasure power boats, and sailboats.
We also stopped at the nearby Walton Lighthouse which serves as a signal for the Santa Cruise Small Craft harbor boats. As I reached for my cell phone in my left pant pocket to take a photo of the lighthouse, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. It was missing. I remembered taking my last photo on the pathway next to San Lorenzo River Railway Trestle. Bill and I circled back. I knew it was a long-shot as it was about a mile away, but I had to see it through before mourning the loss. I had Bill call my phone hoping someone would answer or we could hear a ring in the near distance. He tried five times. Miraculously, on the fifth ring we heard a light ring. Bill found the cell phone sitting on a flat, two-by-four section that capped the length of a wooden fence. I breathed a sigh of relief. Some compassionate stranger must have seen it laying on the ground and placed it on the fencel.
Returning back to the harbor, we spotted a some happy local fishermen cut, clean and wash their big catch of Rockfish (a.k.a. Rock Cod). Moving on we passed Aldo’s Italian Restaurant which was bustling with patrons on the outside patio underneath white umbrellas. We then headed to Capitola Village. As we approached Bill pointed out a missing section of the pier that was damaged by the same storms that had affected Santa Cruz, rendering it unusable. When we got to Esplanade Park, there stood the familiar bronze sculpture of snuggling Sea Lions. Bill and I had lunch at Zelda’s. We were famished. He had a seared Ahi Salad and I had a Mahi-Mahi Sandwich that didn’t disappoint.
Postscript: As we headed home, sirens were screaming as multiple fire trucks, an EMT, a sherriff’s vehicle, CHP, and Cal-Fire whizzed passed us. After arriving home we found out that authorities in Santa Cruz County recovered a body of a 29-year old man off the coast at Scott’s Creek Beach after a vehicle
veered off Highway 1 and drove off a steep cliff into the Pacific Ocean. The driver, from Dallas, Texas, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Life is short indeed.
A Mother's Day Brunch at our Humble Abode: Our Granddaughters Were all Bubbles & Giggles
“Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small, a mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest
gift of all.”
It was the most perfect Mother’s Day. We had an outdoor brunch in honor of three mothers: our daughter Michelle, her mother and my beloved wife Cecile, Kyle and brother Chip’s mother Kim. Also, our special thoughts went out to Al’s mom, Dana Chien, who was unable to attend.
Cecile prepared a mixed assortment of empanadas, and cheese blintzes, Kyle barbecued Chicken apple sausages and Italian sausages, and made a pitcher of Mimosa with fresh orange juice from the local farmers market with pressed cranberry juice after the one Cecile was a hit. We also served bagels with lox and cream cheese, fresh cut veggies for dipping that Michelle brought, and Kim brought the most delicious cakes from Manresa Bakery for dessert. After dessert the moms opened their gifts.
As usual, our granddaughters supplied non-stop entertainment. Their Nonnie Cecile and Papa Dennis gifted them each a hand-held bubble machine to enjoy and keep them busy. Lyla asked if I would put on our Roman fountain in our back patio, which I happily obliged. After a while she and Emmy decided emerge themselves into the fountain as it were a kiddie pool and sprayed the two plaster cherubs and lion head. Later they turned their targets to our sliding glass door, then each other, and lastly took aim at some of us at the table.
In closing, I would like to dedicate the following short poem by Kelly Roper which rings true for me and our children Michelle and Jason.
“A heart full of love,
A head filled with wisdom,
Gentle hands that had soothed our children,
Lips that always speak the truth with kindness,
A beautiful soul filled with goodness and light.
What more could a man ask for in a wife and the
Mother of his children?
To me, you are perfection,
On Mother’s Day and every day."
A MOTHER’S DAY Ode to our Sicilian-Born Mama Maria who is Always with Us
“She was an independent woman of stature and grace. She had beautiful eyes and a lovely face. An audacious strength from deep inside. In her I knew I could always confide.”
—Sharlynn N. Manning
It was Mothers Day 2013. I had taken a red-eye flight on United Airlines from California to New Jersey, not knowing whether mom would be alive when I got there. Even though a sibling believed she was rallying back, I felt a strong silent prompting to be at our mother’s bedside. As it turned out, she passed away in the afternoon in spite of heroic efforts by doctors to keep her alive. My siblings Josie, brothers Michael and Steve at her bedside, taking turns holding her hand as she transitioned to the heavenly realm.
The following poem by Deborah Culver called “Your Mother is Always with You was adapted in our mother’s memory.
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick,
The fragrance of life itself.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winters’ day.
She’s the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep…
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s the place you came from, your first home on earth.
She’s the map you follow with every step you take.
She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy [when you didn’t get your way].
But nothing on Earth can separate you.
Not time.
Nor space.
Not even death.
Happy Mother's Day, Mama!
Celebrating a Jewish Festival with a Community BBQ at Almaden Winery Park
On the Jewish Festival of Lag Baomer, many Jews honor the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who, after spending many years reading the Torah [Hebrew Bible representing God’s revelation to Moses] continuously in a cave filled the world with a shining spiritual light.
When I read the invitation on Facebook, I noticed that aside from a BBQ and picnic there would be a bounce house, horseback riding, face painting, fun games, and raffle prizes, and a bonfire. I immediately thought of our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy. I posed the idea to our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Kyle, and they were all in. Much to Lyla’s surprise, two of her classmates and friends from her preschool attended. As shown in the photos the girls had a blast, as did all the other precious children present. Cotton candy and popcorn were served.
The invitation to attend this festival called "Lag Baomer" came from Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld, the founder, director of The Chabad House who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In just a few years the young rabbi has won over the communities of the South Bay with his affable, upbeat, and welcoming personality. He has been to our home and we were invited—along with other guests to his and his wife Mussi’s home over a year ago for Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) during the Jewish New Year.
The Lag Baomer festival commemorates two historical events according to Jewish tradition: the passing of revered Second Century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who proclaimed that the anniversary of his death be a time of rejoicing his life; and the end of a plague that killed some 24,000 students of another great rabbi, Akiva Ben Josef who lived around the same time as Rabbi Shimon. In Israel, on Lag Baomer, people flock to the site of Rabbi Shimon’s gravesite in a small village on Mount Meron in upper Galilee.
The day of celebration and special customs follows a 32-day period of semi-mournings for the deaths of the Akiva’s students. During these weeks, observant Jews refrain from pleasurable activities including weddings, haircuts or listening to music. But on the 33rd day (that the word “Lag” represents), these restrictions end and the day becomes one of the most festive in the Jewish calendar. Lag Baomer celebrations are particularly associated with bonfires, said to have a mystical significance. Some Jews attribute Rabbi Shimon with the authorship of the Zohar (means shining light), the foundational text of Kabbalah (Mystical Judaism).
Attended the 2023 Rotary Art Show: A Celebration of Art, Creativity & Community
“Art is important. We tend to think it is a luxury, but it gives people deep pleasure because beauty is the personification of hope that something grander is at work.”
—Gil Dellinger, painter
Year after year The Rotary Club of Saratoga Fine Arts Show provides a community—focused event committed to providing a platform for artists to showcase their work to the public on the beautiful grounds of West Valley College. It is the highlight of the year for artists and art lovers alike. In addition to the art exhibitions, the show featured a variety of interactive experience, including artist demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
Why bother going to art shows? Professor Samir Zeki, a neurobiologist with the University of London, scanned the brains of volunteers while they viewed 28 works of art, and discovered when a person views art they find beautiful, it triggers an immediate release of dopamine into the brain-a chemical related to feelings of love, pleasure, and desire. Involvement with artistic or cultural activities is associated with better health, lower anxiety and lower occurrences of depression.
Having spent about 7-years doing plein air watercolor painting with the Saratoga Community of Painters, it improved the quality of my life, it opened my mind to new ideas, and helped me become more self-aware. I have included photos I took of many vibrant and inspiring pieces from Rotary Show for your enjoyment.
Happy Cinco De Mayo Weekend: It’s History and Cultural Significance
For Americans with or without Mexican ancestry, the day has become an excuse to toss back shots of tequila with salt and lime and feast on tortilla chips smothered with melted orange cheddar cheese, a custom unfamiliar to most people in Mexico. In other words, like many holidays it has become commercialized, so much so, that it will run through the weekend.
However, in the United States, the date is largely seen as a celebration of Mexican American culture stretching back to the 1800s in California. It is usually marked by parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions, or folkloric ballet.
Cinco de Mayo is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day which falls on September 16. In reality the holiday commemorates Mexico’s unexpected victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The conflict had begun in 1861, after Benito Juarez, then the president of Mexico, suspended the nation’s foreign debt payments, and Napoleon III responded by sending French troops to invade.
The war was fought between 6,000 Mexicans and 8,000 French forces and despite being heavily outnumbered, General Ignacio Zaragoza and his troops were able to declare victory over its adversaries. The victory in Puebla galvanized the Mexican forces but turned out to be short-lived, and France later occupied the country, installing Maximilian I, as emperor. It wasn’t until 1887 when the Mexican Republic finally expelled the French, executed Maximilian I, and regained control of the country.
He is Gone But Not Forgotten: Celebrating the Life of Longtime Friend Mark Brodsky
After valiantly battling a life-threatening illness, our dear friend Mark Brodsky died Tuesday, May 2, at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View just minutes before Cecile and I went to sit vigil at his bedside. Mark can best be described as a mensch, which in Yiddish means to be supportive, to be a friend, and to have a caring heart. He also had desire of giving back to his community. He was a former mayor of Monte Sereno, and much beloved by the Rotary for all his mitzvahs (good deeds). He was also a policy advisor for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) who advocated proposals to reduce congestion on local freeways and reshape development. When Cecile and I downsized to Rinconada Hills seven years ago, he and his beloved wife and our dear friend Marleen followed our lead by moving into our gated community. It wasn’t too long before Mark became a board member of our HOA and got involved with the Tennis group.
A graduate of San Jose University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mark worked in the semi-conductor industry for many years, before deciding to start his own business called Laser Mark’s LLC, in 1988. It became the technology leader in Laser Processing Services. He also built custom lasers. Lasers were something we had in common, as I used a carbon dioxide in my podiatric medical practice back in the day. He also once made me a laser engraved business card, and other novelty items.
Mark loved his family, and his friends. He was a social butterfly, and never turned down an opportunity to attend a party or celebration. He had an endearing smile, a positive attitude, loved ball room dancing with Marleen. He also loved his Jewish faith and tradition, and loved telling jokes and stories. We were both born in 1950, and our birthdays were two months apart, his on July 26 and mine on August 26. Our respective wedding anniversaries were a day apart, and our favorite place to go to eat Italian food was Aldo’s, and Asian food at Mint Leaf.
Our favorite group activity with our circle of friends was our annual barbecue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz that Marleen would organize for us sometime during the Jewish Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. One of the favorite rituals Mark and the group loved was a ceremony called Tashlich. We would each take a morsel of bread and cast it into the ocean. It represents letting go of our mistakes, errors in judgement, regrets, and guilt in the hope that they will be washed away, like the bread in the current, our hearts would open to blessing and gratitude for the new year.
Rest peacefully Mark, and know your life was and is a blessing to all.
Postscript: Friends and family including our daughter Michelle and husband Kyle attended the gravesite burial service at Los Gatos Memorial Park yesterday and a repast luncheon afterwards at Rinconda Hills
Participating in the Viva Calle SJ Open Street Event From Willow Glen to the Municipal Rosegarden
Bill and I had a unique opportunity on Sunday to enjoy a day of fun connecting with other residents of all ages in the Greater San Jose Area in a whole new way by participating in the Viva Calle event. The name combines the Spanish “Viva Calles,” which can mean both “the streets live” and “long live the streets.” The route began in downtown Willow Glen where we met Bill’s cousin Del and his wife Cathy who live a few blocks away to join us for the ride.
This was not just a bicycle event, but an open street event to leisurely walk, bike, skateboard, scooter, rollerblade and explore the city like never before. Miles of San Jose were temporarily closed. It was not a race. There was no start of finish on the route. It was pure freedom. There were business, and community service booths set up on both sides of the street and business owners along the route were encouraged to place visible signs and banners to promote their services. There were bicyclists playing music, skaters were dancing in the streets. There were first aid booths, and even a rock climbing structures. The San Jose Sharks had a booth, as did Arthur, the Bike Teacher who was fine tuning bikes. There was a cotton candy booth, and many more as seen in the photos. One unexpected highlight was watching the elite BMX Freestyle team do acrobatic biking stunts on ramps. We also enjoyed the young children and adults perform traditional Mexican dance.
Afterwards, Bill and I rode to the San Pedro Square Market for lunch and enjoyed a Vietnamese Chicken salad. There were a large group of people in several sections outdoors watching the Golden State Warriors play the Sacramento Kings.
In the end the Warriors edged out the Kings 126 to 125. Steph Curry posted 36 points which I’m sure made Bill’s cousin Del—who was wearing a Curry T-shirt very happy. By the time we got home, Bill and I clocked 27 miles.
