What up?

It's been a while, and here is what we are doing at the moment, standing by as Gavin is exploring and discovering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsOZ8vFMZoA

We also now have a permanet address, just rented a house in Oceanside less than one munute from Aariel, and enough room for the kids to play.
To help with the rent we renting out a room on AirBnB.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5447338?checkin=04%2F08%2F2015&checkout=04%2F13%2F2015&guests=2&s=VvAa
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I will get some time soon to write more.

Nice surprise

Last weekend, we were going to the Santa Ynez Valley for Patricia's 52nd high school homecoming reunion.  As is our habit now, we booked into a great AirBnB in Los Olivos, and off we went. Our plan was simply to watch the Pirates' Homecoming game and crowning of the Homecoming Queen on Friday nite, go to the reunion lunch on Saturday and drive back on Sunday.

Los Olivos is the small town in the Santa Ynez Valley where Patricia grew up. I got all the stories from times gone by, just like when I took Patricia to Australia for the first time. You might remember that Los Olivos became prominent a few years ago when it was featured in the movie Sideways.

When we got to Los Olivos, we checked into our AirBnB and were made to feel very welcome, Sharon was like a sister and opened her house and made us feel right at home. It was then to our delight that we discovered that Saturday was 'The Day in the County' or for short, 'Los Olivos Day.'

First we went Friday evening to the Homecoming game. As I found out, it is a time when Alumni come home to their old high school to meet with their, by now, also old friends.

It was very fun for me as I have never been to a high school football game, and all the ceremonial goings on around it. Unfortunately our team lost bigtime, 14 to 59, but it was fun to watch and tell them what they should be doing from the stands.

Saturday morning I got up very early (5am) and went for a long 2 hour walk in the country - temps in the 40s, no lights and a beautiful star studded sky.

On my way back into town, all the vendors for Los Olivos Day were busy putting up their tents to display the wares.

Still setting up

Close to 10, we walked our two blocks to see the parade. It was like nothing I have ever seen before, and I was very tempted to join them, just to be seen and wave.

There was humor: "Small Farmer"

and a Big Tractor

Lots of antique cars

The only town I know with a
 flagpole in the middle of the
main street.

There were many other attractions passing by, like The Family School, a Guide Dogs training school, wineries, 4-H kids, a dance school, a dancing horse, etc.
After the parade was over, it was time for looking and shopping for some gifts.

The day was very full. We sat and listened to a young jazz bands and tasted some great wines.

After this, we went to the reunion with about 25 people (out of a, graduating class of 100) and there was lots of food and great conversations.

Before leaving the valley as always, we went up the mountain to the place were Patricia and I got married and took a selfy.

As always, Patricia is moving the mountain to San Diego

Then it was time to head back to Oceanside.

Early mornings

Early mornings are not for everyone, but I  enjoy going for my walks at 5am before I wake up, so about half hour into the walk I ask myself where am I and what am I doing here.
Right now, we are staying in Oceanside about two miles south of the pier, so this is my walk, along the beach listening to the calming sound of breaking waves.

Full moon, and the tide is very low

Out there in the distance is where I am going.

I guess I am not alone

Everyone is lining up to catch some fish.

So is he/she just waiting.

Plenty of fish in the sea (mackerels) 

Then there are the professional anglers

And the ones left over from last night

It is a perfect morning for taking great photographs

Like this

If this does not get you out of  bed early in the morning, you must be in a better place.

Random Pictures

Springtime offers up the best Sunclipses.

Wow, what a building.  Designed by Frank Gehry from the inside out, this houses the Business School of Management at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland.

From any angle, it is
spectacular.

Spring is beautiful everywhere, and in
Cleveland, it has just started.

Bunch of butterflies in the botanical garden

There was a display of the biggest
cockroaches I have ever seen
at the Botanical  Gardens

And where do I find my Patricia?

Patricia enjoying a break in Little Italy
in Cleveland after walking all over the museum area.

We also had a quick look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

This is why we went to Cleveland:
Yuja Wang played Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto #3 with the Cleveland Orchestra, absolutely exquisite and well
worth traveling to hear.

Aariel working on a project at her school during Volunteer Day.

Gavin as always is a big helper

Opa and Gavin having a rest

after reading. 

Becky and Ben are here for the month
of May,  just to hang out with Gavin
and help out.

Can you say cool dude?

I am on my knees vacuuming broken glass off the lawn. 

The wind was so strong last nite, it blew over a glass top table and broadcast glass over about 20 feet of lawn.

In the meantime, Gavin is helping
with watering.

After we made a rack for dads surfboards

Then it is time to clean up our workshop

Everyone came for the Easter egg hunt.

The grownups are just looking on.

Easter was a total success.

The bunny left lots of eggs.

We also had an Eater egg hunt
at Chris and Corina's place.

Our friend Winnie let us have her Timeshare
in Oceanside for a week.

Gavin was exploring all the empty cupboards
in the place.

Gavin doing his pencil roll with
Oma's help.

Wow, that was a fast tumble.

I wonder if I'll be as big as
coach Dave someday.

Not to forget our years potato harvest.

Last but not least, Dad is teaching his
son how to skip stones on the surface of
the ocean.