Rick and I hosted our 61st high school class reunion a few days ago. Just thinking about the number of years blows our minds. Our class held their first reunion a few years after graduation because one of our good friends died of cancer. We all decided that we wanted to spend time together before …
I was chatting with friends the other day about songs we love and that bring back memories. For example, “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof was sung at Rick and my wedding because we grew up together. The song was one that would connect our parents’ memories. After that online conversation, I remembered more …
I’ve had people ask me why I stay in California with the looming threat of earthquakes. I usually tell them that I would rather be rocked and rolled by an earthquake than go through a hurricane or tornado. An earthquake can shake you up, and we have plenty of faults in California that do just …
When I was a child living outside a small rural town, it was easy to wander creeks, hidden lakes and hills. As I grew older, backpacking sounded like fun. Gather some necessities (like food and water) and a light sleeping bag, and stuff it all in a backpack, strap it on and off you go. …
I couldn’t wait to drive a car. As soon as I was old enough, I got my permit and pestered my dad to teach me to drive. Dad was thorough, especially about “blind spots”. To make sure I got the message, he walked around the car and stopped in several places so that I had …
One of my fondest memories is visiting the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco with my parents and brother. First stop inside the neoclassic Victorian building was at the open-air alligator pit where people tossed pennies on the sleeping giants for good luck. Surrounding the alligator swamp were glass-covered cabinets and drawers filled with …
On a long ride around Happy Valley Road, my friend and I decided to pause from peddling in the hot summer sun and explore a creek a few miles from home. I’ve always loved creeks, the sound of water pouring over shiny rocks which always look jeweled when wet. I love the branches of trees …
When I was a child spending part of the summer with my Grandma Wulff in Livingstone, my brother and cousins organized a “snipe” hunt. I didn’t know what a snipe was and they made it sound like some mythical beast that roamed the almond orchard at night. Only at night, mind you, only leaving some …
They say that people often pick a dog breed that looks like them. Scientific research claims so, though I have a hard time believing it. I’ve seen people with French bulldogs, and they don’t look anything like them. Thankfully. Rick had a much-loved dachshund named Bonzo Von Silverquel, (yes, I’m serious!) nicknamed “Beau”. Beau was …
I just finished reading a wonderful manuscript about whether animals are in heaven, which reminded me of pets I have loved over the years. The first dog of my memory was Dusty, a German Shepherd. She lived heart-leashed to my brother (and sometimes to me). My brother loved to explore the neighborhood. One day he …