Street hockey...car museum...bocce ball...ice skating...the time passed in a blur of activity, as I listened to the familiar banter of the boys.

Until yesterday morning...

when it was time to part ways the voices were quieter and the eyes were softer and cast downward. Suddenly my little boys grew older, as I heard bravado in phrases like "have a good trip home," "take care", and " have fun, but not too much fun."

The word good-bye was distinctly absent. Not that I can blame them, as it is the hardest word to utter when the heart is reluctant.

And without a doubt the hearts were reluctant, even mine.

The mood of the day was reflected in the weather, as the forecasted rain came in the night. The heaviness of the moisture in the clouds was too much too bear, and it poured.

Day 2

'Tis a bit cooler today...

so Ron suggested a visit to Planet Granite. Kade and John spent the morning climbing with Ron to anchor them. The little monkeys can still scale the walls!



Though coming down looks like the most fun!



Then we were off to see the ocean. The clear blue skies made for a beautiful view...though a bit deceptive because the wind was cool. Nonetheless, the boys chased the waves...and the waves chased them!





Jumping the waves was the next trick!





And the sun set on another memory filled day!

Best Friends in San Fran

In the heart of the city, Kade and John started the day.



Waiting patiently for the cable car so they can roll up and down the hills of San Francisco together.



A perfect flip of a coin helps wishes come true!



Always a reason to smile for ice-cream and chocolate!



A quick rejuvenation nap on an old boat prop in the warm California sunshine.



Us? Captains?



Intrigued by Alcatraz from afar.



Jun Yu plays the ehru on the street corner in Chinatown, and when Kade and John stop to listen he played Happy Birthday! How did he know that the boys were celebrating Kade's birthday belatedly?



Ohhh...the surprises of San Francisco shared with friends are the best!

Friends

Today, my son is sitting in class...probably watching the clock as the minutes tick...slowly. I suspect the voice of the teacher is merely a drone in the background.

He is anticipating the landing of the plane carrying his best friend, John.

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In Greycliff, Montana the boys' lives intersected at Kade's birth. The rest is family history from birthdays to holidays to play-filled ordinary days--the boys were together. Their friendship was special from the beginning. They were partners that seldom squabbled and quite frankly what one didn't think of the other did...lucky for them, they had charming smiles.

The boys were inseparable...until we moved.

But for this weekend, the adventures of Kade and John will continue...stay tuned!

Once...

upon a time long, long ago (well, 14 years to be exact, but anyone who has a teenager will agree that it was at least a stone age ago when she/he innocently cooed and smiled at you) there was a mama bear.

The mama bear craved Rice Krispie treats.

The mama bear made Rice Krispie treats. (This delighted her sister bears very much.)

The mama bear ate Rice Krispie treats.

Soon a little cub was born.

As she grew, the little cub and her big sister would eat Rice Krispie treats too--soon a brother and little sister joined them.

The cubs grew and grew and grew.

***************************

One day, when mama and her cubs were out shopping, mama bear noticed something familiar, "A vintage bag of Taco Doritios!"

The no-longer-little cub didn't even miss a beat, "But mama we can't eat those-- they are expired!"

Never-mind.

Then mama bear travelled down memory lane again a few weeks later, as she gazed at the Rice Krispies' promotional display. Several years had elapsed, but she piled six boxes of the cereal into the cart (which would also score the biggest savings) and tossed in a few bags of marshmallows for good measure.

Home again, the cubs noticed the potential treats immediately. As a matter of fact, the groceries weren't even put away before the no-longer-little cub was already mixing up the first batch. (This is one of the few pros of big cubs.)

Mama bear was delighted to have fresh Rice Krispie Treats--though she did have to do the dishes.

Then mama bear blinked and the treats were gone! The entire pan disappeared!

Luckily, there was more cereal and marshmallows...but night after night the treats disappeared and the dishes appeared.

This displeased mama bear greatly.

Now mama bear understands why notoriously protective mama bears chase their cubs away after a couple years.

Chinese New Year's Parade

The lion dance is my favorite as the dancers move rhythmically to the cymbals, gongs, and drums. The colorful details and wooly trim entice me every time.



A rapid, long, frequent explosion of firecrackers welcomed the year of the dragon. The pearl of wisdom led the dragon in an exuberant dance that delighted crowds.



Navigating easily through the streets on stilts, these elaborately dressed street performers were all ages!

The street sign marks our location which was several doors down from Fred's childhood home--though he would have climbed up the hill and watched the parade on its traditional route through the heart of Chinatown on Grant Street.



Dancing through the streets, these young kids were impressive!



The Eastern Bakery still stands on the corner. Fred remembers the bakery from childhood.



The bean cakes are special New Year's treats, so when I found them I photographed them, as the line was long!



The parade photos were the work of my son, and he also captured this photo of his sister that I love! Very clever.

So my hubby plopped down in his favorite black chair.

"You didn't by chance watch my Penguins play tonight?"

"Well, I did manage to catch the third period while I was running on the elliptical. Montreal was ahead 1-0, but the Penguins turned on the heat in the final period scoring twice, but Montreal answered with another goal. Overtime was unproductive, so the game went into shootout--which is what i was trying to watch when you so rudely interrupted with your call from your meeting so I didn't really listen to you. Anyway, the shootout was amazing--Malkin did a 360 before scoring! The Penguins answered every goal until the third one and then Montreal took the game."

My husband sat watching me smiling from ear to ear not saying a word...even when I came up for air.

Silence.

Then he declared, "It has taken nearly twenty years, but she's finally catching on!"

Humph...

Center Ice

Hockey.

In January, the teams were mixed up again for in-house hockey.

The very first game of the spring season was a blowout for my son. I can't even remember the score or maybe I don't want to, but I will acknowledge the opponents were in the double digits as my son's team struggled to score one or two goals.

The following weeks were just as grim.

A new goalie who barely stands as tall as the net struggles to stop the puck. By the end of the games, the referees pick him up after the scored points and pat him on the back and utter words of encouragement through the face mask.

Resourcefulness slowly emerges from all the players on the team, though admittedly the frustration bubbles up.

Truthfully, it is even hard to watch the games as the scoreboard rolls ahead rapidly for the opposing team (just for the record hockey is a low scoring game). My heart lurches for the little goalie every time. He is learning to hold his own with the younger kids, but as soon as the older kids skate out, it is a struggle.

It is hard to lose without even a fight, but my son is learning some important lessons about character.

A couple weeks ago, he skated off the ice, grinning despite the beating. He had played hard and he had a good game. He knew he had done a good job, and he was proud. Later he commented, "Is it really that hard to score against a little goalie half your size and then celebrate like it was an amazing victory?"

He is right it really doesn't take much skill to score under those circumstances. He also recognized that sportsmanship is important. Trompling the little, inexperienced guy and then dancing your superiority is not cool.

Now guess what?

The team won last week.

Yep, it was a tough victory, but they did it! The score was 4-4 with 30 seconds to go and his team scored a goal. A close victory, but it was so sweet. It was a movie moment of emotion as the boys gathered in center ice. Gloves flew, hands enthusiastically slapped helmets, and finally genuine hugs--all topped with beaming faces radiating utter joy.

My heart smiled just as big as I watched the boys regroup for the handshakes.

The strategy is simply. Teamwork is paramount. Skate hard. Work hard. Turn the puck around immediately--don't even let it cross center ice. The sole responsibility for stopping the puck does not lie with the goalie. It is everyone's responsibility.

In the end, it wasn't the victory that was so sweet. It was seeing the boys come back week after week and work harder.

It was a reminder that the best lessons in life are hard won.

Seasonally Confused...Again

The yellow daffodils are in full bloom.

The grass is turning into a thick, green carpet.

The sun is warmly embracing the day.

"Winter" is over--all six weeks.

My seasonal calendar has included all four seasons for the past 39 years, and it is not so easily reprogramed in a couple years.

In February...

I should be able to see my breath in the morning.

I should see a white blanket and the craggy brown branches overhead.

I should be complaining about how long winter is.

So what am I complaining about?

I don't know.

It just doesn't feel like spring...even though it looks like spring.

Another Day

Today is Fred's birthday.

96 years of living and he tells me, "When you have had as many birthdays as I have, it is just another day."

My little boy turned 12 a several days ago. He was so excited because now the world is open to him for all those activities that state, "Must be 12 years old." Our culture notices 12.

But Kade also noticed that he will also be excluded from some things--"Children under twelve."

Fred has celebrated 8 times more birthdays than Kade.

We are planning to celebrate with Fred on Saturday. His wife selected the restaurant in South San Francisco. She loves the fresh shrimp salad on Saturdays because the seafood comes off the boat and into the restaurant that day.

As I was explaining this to Ron, he asked me, "Where does Fred want to go? It's his birthday."

I looked at him in surprise--of course, Fred wants whatever his wife wants. It is just easier that way.

"Why did I ask?" Ron finished.

Fred is 45 years into his second marriage with nearly 70 years of matrimonial bliss total--far longer than Ron has been alive.

It has taken a few years, but Fred is wise.

A happy wife puts the happy in birthday.

Perhaps Ron will gain this wisdom in the next 40 years--if he is lucky!