Lake Tahoe Day Two...

Got up early and had to walk to 7-eleven for a toothbrush....left mine in Reno, by mistake. Forgot what a bargain it is to buy things in this little Lakeside Resort: 5 bucks for the basic toothbrush. Better for my teeth and everyone around me, just the same.

After David made a great breakfast it was time to head out to the water for a quick ride. The girls have to be back in Reno, for the day (softball practice) and David had patients to see. So, I opted to stay here and rest - I'm having a lot of fun - but energy is a little low.

Once again - the weather is so incredible and the lake was smooth as glass and nary a boat around. The girls got lots of intense riding on the ski raft and I learned how to pilot the boat. Reluctantly, we all headed back to the house, after an hour and a half and they all took off - with me just hanging here and resting. Just as we were heading up to the house, Morgan and David found a water snake - beautiful creature. That Morgan is such a brave one.....see the picture.

Some pictures, to share, of course:

• Margaux and Madeline, just before we got on the boat this morning.
• Morgan and Madeline riding the wake
• Margaux in the driver's seat
• Morgan and the snake
• Me, kicking back....loaded with sunscreen (got burned a bit yesterday.....totally forgot the lather up)

Lake Tahoe, June 24.....too beautiful.....really!!!

It's about 5pm on Wednesday and we've been up in Tahoe for the entire afternoon. Went out on the boat first thing - weather was beyond incredible, the lake surface was like glass....and there was pretty much not a soul around. We got a couple of hours of buzzing around on this speed raft thing - pulled behind the boat, driven by David. I got a good and crazy run myself - with Morgan - we had fun.....as did everyone else.

Went to the store, got dinner stuff and we're going to BBQ chicken skewers, roast some corn, and have a great time..... after Jacqueline drives up (when she gets done with work). It's about an hour drive from their place in Reno....to their place on the lake....awfully convenient and nicccccce!!!

Here's me just a few minutes ago - and one of the view from the deck of the house....

A Quick Trip To Reno....

After a depressing re-entry into life in Palm Springs I was moaning and groaning to Jacqueline on the phone one day. I attributed part of my BLUES to the basics of jet lag....the rest to that sort of feeling of solitude after being around a group for a while. There are moments when you just say -"I can watch any channel on TV I want" or, in my case "I don't feel like cooking just for myself....I'll microwave something"....and this went on, night after night after night.

During this phone call we cooked up a plan for me to take a trip to Reno to see the whole family - and their new addition. In April, David and Jacqueline's German Shorthair female - SAGE, gave birth to puppies. STORM was the female/puppy the family decided to keep. Here's a picture, from this morning, after the two have had their morning back yard "you know what" and before the rest of the family wakes up. They sleep seperately, but like to snuggle a bit in the mornings....

Also, a picture from dinner last night, at a great local Reno restaurant La Famiglia Ristorante

Possible trip with David and the girls to Tahoe today....will post on this later....

A Parent....

Most of you know I've turned 50 this year. I continue to feel blessed and grateful for so much in my life; family, friends, France (thank you, again, Lepplas!!!!) and so much more. Reconnecting with people from my high school years has been a big boost and helps me to remember where I've come from and gives me a great chance to reflect on everything that has been part of this amazing journey.

This year marks another milestone for me: I'm getting my first dog. A birthday gift from my friend David Madison, my dad and my friend Nick....

On my way back to Palm Springs, this past Sunday, I stopped off to see Sally Rosenthal and her great family to look at the new litter of English Cocker puppies, born last month. Ginny, the mother, gave birth to an unblievable 8 babies. One didn't make it, so she's been very busy taking great care of the remaining 7 little ones. Before we sat down to a delicious lunch (thanks to Sally's husband Doug) I got to visit the puppies - which, as you can see, do look more like hamsters, right now, than the gorgeous English Cockers they will grow into. I was drawn to one of the puppies, just for his independent spirit, but it's too early to determine which will be going to pet homes and which are destined for masters who want to take on the rigors of raising a show dog.

I'm at the top of the list to pick from the pet dogs. This determination is made by a combination of assessments, mostly to determine if there are any medical predispositions that would make the dog ineligeble for entry into dog shows. More photos during my next visit, at the beginning of July, when I'll get to see the puppies with more fully developed personalities, and possibly pick my puppy out......Mid-August is when I officially will become a PARENT!!!!!!

The photos are:

• The little ones, all huddled together, while mom takes a break from the box.....
• Me with three of the adult cockers that are part of the household, including the mother of the puppies, Ginny, at the left, in the photo, on the couch, at Sally and Doug's house
• Me falling striking a pose with one of the adult dogs - a total love of a dog....
• Demi-tasse, an 8 month old female, who is so incredibly beautiful (and she knows it).......

Hometown Friends...

Though I was born in San Francisco, moving to Pleasanton didn't happen until I was 10 years old. I've lived there, off and on, for much of my life.....Therefore, I call Pleasanton "my hometown" and this weekend was quite a homecoming event. Here are some of my favorite people from Pleasanton.

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• Melantha - was one of my serious "buds" from way back (she was one class behind me....)
• D'Aun (Wolford) Goble - married Roy, her high school sweetheart...and worked liked crazy on Saturday. She's an amazing person and good friend. Thanks to her and Roy for dinner at their amazing home Friday night....
  
• Julie (Bushman) Bos and family - great husband who worked like a dog on Saturday - and two wonderful daughters....
• Susan (Thomas) and me, on Saturday...she was the baton twirler in marching brand - we spent a lot of time together during our band years.....
• Anne Moorefield with John Whitbred - he was a sort of jock type in high school (READ: not too hot on band people) who has been a very proud band booster for his kids for many years - and a really great guy.

An Inspiration...

Finally I'm feeling more human - and up to getting some posting done from Saturday's great event at Foothill High School's retirement celebration for Bob Moorefield. He's been working hard for more years than you can imagine - - creating a music program at my alma mater. I'm sure the reality of it will hit him once the fall starts and he's got free time. He was celebrated in fitting fashion on Saturday with the help of many volunteers and over 800 current students/former students parents and band boosters. The Pleasanton Weekly wrote a great story - which gives you good view of Mr. Moorefield's legacy.

Here are some pictures from the day.... The last picture is me with Bob's (saint of a) wife, Anne.....she's been such a huge part of supporting Bob, the band, and just being her amazing self, all these years. Next post about my friends from high school who were there.....

My Hometown...Pleasanton

Here's a quick post - more on this past week, and some reflections on the France trip, to come. I'm at the Oakland Airport - a full week after arriving into SFO from France. Sorry there haven't been any posts in the past week. The bottom line - I've been completely wiped. My last big international trip was a full 10 years ago, when I went to Australia with my friend Tony Sabella. Wow....what a difference a decade makes.....it's been a week of total exhaustion and trying to get back on track. I've been at my dad's house in Pleasanton, and during the week, we've been planning and prepping (food) for yesterday's celebration of the retirement of Mr. Bob Moorefield, the first band teacher at Foothill High School - my high school....started (yup....it was a brand new, freshman only, at the time, facility). He's been at the helm of what was a very small music program, in the beginning...which has now grown to proportions and with a reputation of excellence and pride. 800 or so current students, past students, parents and a few other folks gathered at the football stadium, yesterday, to celebrate "Moorf's" retirement. It was a day full of great food, weather (yup...more perfect weather!!!), and seeing friends from many years ago. Great people and a really great time. I'm tired and heading to Burbank airport, where I'm renting a car to see my new puppy for the first time. An English Cocker, born 4 weeks ago, which I will get to take home in another 8 weeks. It just seemed like an ideal time to stop by, meet the breeder, and drive the two hours (one way rental car) to Palm Springs - home!!!!! Can't wait.

Here's a quick picture of Mr. Moorefield (Julie Bos at left was food and beverage chari, D'Aun was on the committee and worked like heck all day, my DAD who worked like he was 20....thanks Dad, and on the right is Mr. Moorefield) from yesterday - more to follow.