A Trampoline!
I came home from California to find this new toy in our yard. That Becky can be quite resourceful when she wants to be. She had it all set up and ready for bouncing with no help from parents!

The close of the perfect Birthday Month
The highlights, of course, are documented in the blog, but a few acknowledgements are in order.
First, for those who asked, no, Dan did not forget my birthday month this year. I had a fabulous hotel room on the beach that came with – my whole family!
Second, Julie gets the prize for being the first to schedule a birthday celebration as well as the last!
Third, I would like to thank Craig, who knows my car history, and sent me a virtual Maserati (displayed here).
Last but not least, I would like to thank my boss who, after only a couple of years of hints, actually gave me flowers.

Major upheaval
Poor Dan had to work all weekend, (although he couldn't miss doing his favorite chore, grocery shopping, or pass up an opportunity to play with the Bremerton Symphony [even though he hasn't seen his wife all week]) and had to put up with further stress from me deciding to rearrange the house and buy new furniture. He as much as admitted that he believes you never need to change or replace anything unless it is broken. Once you buy furniture and arrange the house, why change it???
Modeling the top choices for new sofa and chair is that famous actress, Hannah. Notice her PJ costume and teenage lounging poses - totally convincing for the actual use of the furniture in our house.

Mary's book tour turned out to be WILDLY successful. Everywhere we went people were reading her book! We had a flight delay, so I was able to roam about the airport and discreetly photograph a few of them.
The successful author returns home in her chauffeured limo.

Panorama View of Capitola
Isn't this the cutest little town?
This is the view from our breakfast spot, Mr. Toots, an internet cafe across the street from our hotel.

Capitola

Some of Mary's fans recognized her outside of the bookstore before the reading and were thrilled to have their picture taken with her.


This was our romantic little room in our cute little hotel.

Judy G
We make a stop in Palo Alto to visit Mary's friend Judy who is a fabulous artist. (www.judyg.com). We knew that we had arrived when we saw the sign on the roof.

We were so inspired by Judy's artwork, that Mary and I intend to start new careers as painters.

Our regular place for breakfast in San Francisco
Very French (except the waiters were not surly).


And it was right across the street from Historical Landmark #141!

Todd and I squint into the sun.
I was going to put in some pictures of the beautiful San Francisco architecture, and tell some of the outrageous stories I heard of Mary back in the days when she lived here. But Dan wanted to see a picture of his brother. Normally this blog does not give in to the pressures of its readers regarding the content of what will or will not be published, but an exception is being made today. Dan also tried to pull the "good husband" string by listing all the things he HAD to do in my absence.
took out the trash and recycling
brought in the milk and eggs
fed the cats and dog
changed two light bulbs

Food and Fun in San Francisco
Here we are at this very moment in the very famous Trieste cafe amoung the Bohemian types. The novelist works on her new novel and the bloggist catches up on her blog.

Our hotel. We are right above the cable car line.

Mary's reading in Marin

Mary chats with one of her readers.
She gets to meet Todd. And Julie!

Being tourists

Our strategy for Dan since he needs to get going at the crack of dawn, was for me to take him on a really long beach walk while the kids slept in. Then we could have a yummy breakfast outside - one of the greatest pleasures in life.


me


We were nervous about meeting Doug and making a good impression on him. I think he thought I was weird. We got to have Rachel along for dinner Monday night.

Beach Patterns

Touring UCSD



Gwen shows us the inside cool spots.

Kelp Research
The big storm in honor of our arrival washed a lot of kelp up onto the beach.
Most of the large kelp is "elk kelp" (Pelagophycus porra) and is normally in deep water.


Kelp researchers on the job.



Zalophus californianus sunning among pelagophycus porra.