Forgive me...water polo again!

The water cascades off her as she rises out of the water to hurl the water polo ball.  Her face grimaced in determination.  No fear, the ball will fly through the air!

Though the next quarter brought her into unchartered territory.   Goalie.  She lurks like Jaws.  Her brother insisted the photo needed to be set to the scary music.

Then she springs to life propelling herself out of the water and blocks the shot!

Cadet

As my cadet stood atop one of the Santa Cruz mountains, I watched the morning sun come up over the glistening San Francisco Bay with the city skyline outlined in the distance.

I squinted in the bright rays, as I watched her stand at attention patiently and listened to the barking orders.  My emotions were a cocktail--partially proud and partially worried what the day would hold.

As I breathed in the morning air, I noticed a quietness in her face that not all cadets had.  It was in that glaring light I realized that my cadet had done this before.  Relocation bootcamp has been brutal through the years.  Just stare straight ahead and move through the day with hope that it will eventually get better.

As I reluctantly walked away, I knew in my heart she would be fine.

11 hours later at the end of the day, I watched as she dropped for push-ups with her comrades.  Exhausted, she waited in position for all the cadets to be in proper position.  The grueling day showed in her first push-up, but she quickly regained her strength and persevered.  The final whistle blew and the cadets were dismissed.

A few minutes later I watched her smiling and chatting with a reporter.

Nine more weeks to go.

The evening sky enchants.  

With a flourish, the sun often paints a dramatic farewell to the day.

The transformation is my favorite time of the day.  It puts life in perspective.

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

Though after the darkness descends, one should drive with the car lights on.  

Ironically, my daughter just arrived home to inform me that a police officer pulled her over and commented, "It is a little dark, isn't it?"

Oops.

Luckily she produced all the necessary documents--registration, insurance, and license.

Of course, she isn't legal to drive with passengers yet, but her sister leaned over and waved and smiled and introduced herself as the younger sister.

Luckily the very nice policeman did not revoke her license, as he was easy-going about siblings.

I suspect the "little sister" who continually expresses her frustration that everyone thinks she looks like her "big sister" is grateful this time that their relation is so obvious...so her mother doesn't have to drive her to school!

Tutorial

Water polo.

My first encounter with the sport was in Pennsylvania at our neighborhood pool.  The kids would practice for swim team throughout the week, and on Fridays they would play water polo--introduced by their passionate high school coach.

My girls hated it.

I never saw the official game until I caught glimpses of water polo during the summer Olympics.  Ironically, it was the first Olympic team sport in 1900; however, the women were not included until 2000.

Yesterday, I watched my daughter in her first water polo game.  Then I had to come home and search for tutorials-- which I will continue to do today.

My daughter's team is small--just a handful of girls.  The program is still emerging at their high school.  One of the senior girls was delighted after the game, as she proclaimed, "It was our best loss yet at 7-11.  We have never been that close!"  

Nikela (#9) is trying to block the pass.

Waterpolo is a rough, aggressive sport.  It also requires being in excellent shape as the six players and goalie tread water or swim the entire time--no touching the bottom.  Games average one hour with 7 minute quarters plus extra time for calls, then the teams break for five minutes between quarters. 

Nikela loves it.  She has a good arm and can hang onto the ball with surprising skill.  Her aggressive defense shocked me, as she has always tended to be an observer.

Now if I can just figure out what is going on, I might be able to keep up with my daughter's game as the season progresses.

Chayse and I try to ride my tandem bicycle to school every morning.  I prefer this foremost because of the traffic, and secondly because it gives me a workout without carving out extra time for exercise.

This morning I received numerous offers from acquaintances to pick up Chayse which I politely declined.  Perhaps I need to clarify that we are riding our bicycle because I can and because I want to...not because I have to (which would still be a good reason).

On my return home today, I followed the trail along the waterfront in the quiet foggy mist of the morning versus the fumes and roar of traffic.  I rolled by a blue heron standing quietly in the water.  I watched three pelicans swim in formation.  I paused.  I breathed deeply.  Admittedly, the trail is a bit longer, but it is worth the extra mile!

As a child I recall my parents reminding me to go the extra mile, but frankly as children my brother and I were more fascinated with creating shortcuts through the farm.  Admittedly, our shortcuts usually held all kinds of adventures and exploration--nonetheless who would go an extra mile??

The lens of age clarifies the wisdom of parents and grandparents.

Labor Day Fun

'Twas a grey and foggy San Francisco morning, as the fireboat idled in the background and the anticipation of the kids grew as they waited for their ride.

Slowly, the sun broke through and the sky cleared...just in time for our ride which we were sharing with my cousin and her family!

The upper deck granted magnificent views of the bay.

A new pilot was all smiles!

Nestled beneath the Bay Bridge the firehouse also includes a firetruck.  These firemen respond on land or sea!

Afterwards, we dined bayside at a seafood restaurant before heading back home.  The beautiful afternoon warranted a kayak excursion.

12.

"Mom, it is hard being 12."

I gazed at my son curiously and waited.

He continued, "Because at school we are all cool and mature, but the second you get home you just want to be a kid and play."

Play, my son, play.  I thought to myself.  Life and responsibility will quickly take these carefree days.

"But I have a little sister to play with."

Ah, a sibling to keep you young and let you play free.  I remember my little sisters gave me an excuse to swing at the park--my favorite though I was far beyond the years that it was cool.

"Play, my son, play!" I advised.