family Archives - Page 2 of 4

August 25, 2015November 24, 2017

Our Escapist Weekend

A few weekends ago, the weather forecast showed temperatures in excess of 100 in San Jose both Saturday and Sunday, so we got out of Dodge and had two days of family adventure:

Saturday in Santa Cruz @ Harvey West Park
John John is proud of his walking stick.

There was as event being set up for a Boys and Girls club, which meant we eventually left amid the booming bass of a sound system manned by a millenial (as indicated by musical selection and order), but while the morning was still cool-ish, and quiet, John John had fun with this enormous beach ball, the likes of which he’d never seen.

Sunday in Mill Valley
Throwing rocks in to streams with friends. John John later tried to scale that rock.

This photo was followed by naked romping in the water. A good way to cool off!

Refreshed after a much needed bath to remove mud and grime, having some cheese on Papa’s lap.

July 31, 2015November 24, 2017

Monterey Bay Aquarium

On the 18th my mom and I took the bean to his first visit of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. “John John,” we told him, “we are going to go to a place where we will see lots of different kinds of FISH!”

“Viff!” he exclaimed (That means fish, for those of you who didn’t already know).

“Yes! And maybe we’ll see jellyfish and sharks and crabs and penguins!”

“Octopus!” he added on his own.

“Yes, and maybe even an octopus!” I said, amazed.

He was excited. My favorite thing about watching him be engaged is that ‘quiet attention’ face of pure engrossment and concentration. You’ll recognize it on the second image down. He is a little sponge.

^^^Quiet attention forever!^^^

Now, he can pronounce ‘fish’ correctly (though I must concede, I’m a little sad…’viff’ was so cute, though he does still say ‘Sea Animo.’ I’m sure that, too, will be short lived. He’s growing up!) and can properly identify those ‘animos’ on his ocean-themed pajamas: Sea Turtle, Hammerhead Shark, Mako Shark, Whale.

Good times! Nice memories!

July 26, 2015November 24, 2017

Guadalupe Park Playground

We used the Guadalupe Park playground across from the Shark Tank. It was a Saturday morning. John John had fun on the slide.

There were a lot of homeless people around, sleeping on the grass, or messing around in the bathrooms. I knew there would be homeless folks there because I went to the discovery park drum circle near there back in the nineties, and there were many then.

There were two other families. It’s too bad it is underutilized because it is a nice playground with plenty of shade. The playground for toddlers was almost totally unused for play, with many people set up there, sleeping or sitting on benches. Because no one uses it for the intended purpose, it isn’t a great place to play.

July 9, 2015November 24, 2017

In-N-Out hat

We’re going to Montana later today, so we got burgers for lunch. John John had fun with the hat.

June 3, 2015

At the Farm

On Memorial Day we went to an open house – well, open farm – of one of the farmers who comes to our year round farmers’ market. It was about 50 minutes away, near Watsonville. John-John picked and ate raspberries and strawberries from the plants at this organic farm. “No pesticides, maybe just a little dirt,” we were told. And, as they say, dirt don’t hurt.

Added bonus – FARM EQUIPMENT:

May 30, 2015November 24, 2017

Kabuki, April 2015

Kabukiza, the Kabuki theater.

Inside views.

Us.

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

Bamboo shoot

One of Baba’s past students always sends her fresh bamboo shoot in season, springtime. These grow a foot or more into the ground and must be dug up. They are the young part. First you simmer the whole shoot for quite a long time, many hours. Then you discard the tough outer layers, to get to the heart. It is available in packaged and pickled forms but is best when fresh, like we are preparing it here. It has flavor similar to artichoke or heart of palm, but with a crisper mouth feeling. It is eaten as a salad, in stews, as a ramen garnish. It was in season while we were in Japan, and we had it prepared many different ways. It tastes best at home.

May 28, 2015May 28, 2015

At the Hakone Open Air Museum

On day two or three of our Japan sojourn, we went to the Hakone Open Air Museum and had a little tail end bit of Hanami. Even a bit of the kind where the petals fall off in the breeze, like gentle snow cascading through the air.