Light

Hi,

Our last weekend in the U.S. was a full one.  The weather for the 4th of July was clear and perfect, the day after was cloudy and cool.  How does that happen?

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Sixteen Candles” by The Crests.  See if you know this ‘Easy Monday’ tune:

“When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go __.  When you’ve got worries, all the noise and the hurry seems to help, I know, __.  Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city.  Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty.  How can you lose?”  Hint:  It’s a location in most cities.  

As you may remember, holidays and festivals are times when fireworks and explosions are the order of the day.  This year’s Fourth of July celebrations seemed larger than in the past.  Maybe the folks in our neighborhood were trying to make us feel welcome.  There were whistling things, silent spectaculars spewing sparks, display fireworks the looked like smaller versions of the big pro shows, and of course, things that just blew up and made loud noises.  August started pulling the strings in some of the little ‘safe’ fireworks in afternoon.  When it got dark, a family a few doors down started setting off ‘family packs’ of colorful assortments.  A few minutes of that and I was done.  I must say, it was nice to not hear giant explosions into the night, or at 5am. 

The biggest treat for us over the holiday was a visit from our Godson Darryl and his daughter Kaylani, who is one year old and too cute for words. They live in Lompoc, California and it took a bus, and a train for them to get here.  Kaylani entertained us until she finally crashed.  It seems amazing that this man we met when he was 13, is now the father of a beautiful baby girl.  We were impressed with what a good dad he is.

The 4th is usually a time for picnics and BBQs.  Ours consisted of Lisa and Anna doing some shopping and sight-seeing and me hanging out with The Boys.  We had a sit-down dinner prepared by Anna.  The roast chicken was the best chicken I’ve had this trip. Anna’s chicken was moist and flavorful, due to the fact that it was stuffed with fresh herbs from her garden.  Brava.

The song ‘Hotel California’ was inspired by an actual place.  Have you ever wondered how many hotels bear that name?  I have, and when I saw one in downtown Palo Alto, I just had to take a pic.

Early Sunday morning I took Lisa to the airport for a flight to San Fransisco, where she was met by her step-sister, Karen Jo.  They drove to Palo Alto, for the memorial being held for Eva Zirker.  There were at least 60 friends and well-wishers in attendance and it was a beautiful way to pay tribute to a vibrant member of the community.  Lisa returned late in the evening, and I got to do something I haven’t done in a very long time: drive to, and around LAX at peak arrival time.  I will never complain about Chiang Rai traffic again (555).   

I spent part of my Sunday seeing what mid-day Sunday looks like around Olvera street and Union Station.  That’s where I took Darryl and Kaylani for their trip back to Lompoc.  I keep forgetting that it’s summer time and that means ‘High Season’ for tourism.  Today I saw the Hollywood Tours’ double-decker bus just as it was pulling into Olvera Street.  It was full.  

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Nothing can dim the light

that shines from within.”

~Maya Angelou