Last week I challenged my friends and family to pick up at least one piece of trash a day. I took the kids for a walk this morning around our neighborhood. I picked up this plastic spoon and rusted nail from the sidewalk. Have you picked up a piece of trash today?
Sophia visited us with her parents for 3 weeks in July/August. We tried to show her all our favorite places in Kansas City. Here she is at Kauffman Garden:
Beauty and beauty.
Auntie Carol and Meg, enjoying the sun outside at the Cline Pendulum Club.
Relaxing in the sun, drinking some delicious wine, tasting the yumminess of truffle, and enjoying the company of our handsome hubbies. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
Tio and Jake, enjoying wine on the patio.
EDK truffle fries, the most amazing thing you’ll ever taste in downtown Sonoma.
#BecauseWeLiveHere
It’s not hard. Just one piece! Well, today I picked up several pieces of glass I found along my running trail on the eastern edge of Petaluma, but the point is, just a little bit at a time will make a big difference.
Every little bit helps. So when you’re out for a walk or going to the store, pick up that wrapper that someone neglected to throw in the garbage can, or the empty bag of chips floating across the soccer field. I guarantee a trash can is on your way to wherever you’re going, or at least nearby, and you can always wash your hands!
So I challenge you all to take that extra 10 seconds to pick up one piece of trash a day. You’ll feel great about yourself for doing it!
I recently chatted with a friend about Morro Bay. He and his wife were there for a week last month, and it made me think back to our trip down last Thanksgiving. Jake and I went through Morro Bay on our way to Avila Beach, and it really was beautiful.
After parking near Morro Rock, we started walking along the beach. In the midst of the rocks and small waves inching up the sand, we saw a flock of seagulls dancing around. This particular bird didn’t seem to mind my presence, so naturally, I snapped a few shots.
I meant to post this yesterday, but here you go. It’s from a visit to Portland earlier this year. The storm clouds were coming in, and the view from our room was spectacular.
Riff, ram, bah, zoo….
Happy Birthday to YOU!!
What a handsome birthday boy!
On this glorious day, many MANY years ago, Mr. T was brought into the world. Now today, with almost all of his girls in town, we get to celebrate him getting older and wiser.
Happy Birthday Pud. We love you!
Yesterday I retired. In 1972 I graduated from UMKC Law School and passed the Bar. 41 years later, I am retiring from the Bench. It has been great. Not always easy, but rich with memories and friendships.
Today, I continued my life with no orders to write, no trials and no probationers. I had no need to get ready to work or to do–well–anything. It felt strange, but in the way that you like to feel at the beginning of any adventure.
I can tell you my priorities for the next two weeks: visits with friends and family, work in the yard, non-profit commitments. But for the first time in four decades, I cannot tell you my long-term plan for the future. It is thrilling, really. Do I want to write, or take photographs? Do I want to travel, or save the world? How do I decide, after all these years, what will most give my life meaning? It is a gift I give myself to figure it out.
I can compile my own bucket list! I have all the time left to me to figure it out.
Alcatraz Island – View from the ferry.
“Break the rules and you go to prison. Break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz.”
You see this quote posted in several places throughout the tour of The Rock. I don’t recall who said it, but it has an impact as you walk through the 22-acre island. The island was first used as a U.S. Military Base in the 1800s. It wasn’t until 1934 that the island began operating as a federal penitentiary.
Building 64 and the Warden’s House on Alcatraz Island – View from the docks.
The first thing you see as the ferry pulls into the dock is Building 64, and then the ruins of the Warden’s House up above. Building 64 was originally constructed for military officers and their families, and was later used to accommodate the families of the guards working at the prison.
Many of the buildings, including Building 64, fell into disrepair over the years. When you visit the island now, many of the buildings are in ruin, or have been destroyed. However, the Cellhouse has remained in decent condition. The tour is self-guided, and includes the use of audio headsets. You can walk through the island at your own pace, taking in the history and scenery.
Here is the view from the Cellhouse of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
I particularly enjoyed the photographic opportunities on the island. The broken buildings with the beautiful blue of the bay in the background, the view of San Francisco, the sailboats in the water. Even the flowers along the pathways were beautiful. However, I know many people are interested in some of the facts about the prison, so to appease those curious minds, here are a few bits of information I learned along the way:
There are many other fascinating stories about the island, from the perspectives of inmates, guards and others who occupied the island. I highly recommend taking the tour. We’ve been twice now, and it’s more intriguing with each visit.
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Tours are available through Alcatraz Cruises. Go to http://www.alcatrazcruises.com to book your tickets. They sell out quickly though, so I would recommend booking your tickets as soon as you know your travel plans to San Francisco.
We have no affiliation with Alcatraz Cruises. We have simply taken the tour, and we loved it!
While up in Redway this weekend, we had a little tent set up by the river. It was a perfect place to get in out of the sun and relax while reading my book. This was my spot for several hours in the afternoon, with an occasional dip in the river to cool off. What a great way to spend a relaxing weekend.
Shifting the Balance 