David and Dave & Carolyn

Bon Jour!  

David, I'd like you to meet Carolyn and David.  

Carolyn and David are planning to be in Toulouse next month - a city they've visited before, and love.  I've mentioned you to them before when they were on their way to Toulouse, so Carolyn asked for an introduction.  I am beyond pleased to share acquaintance between us all, and to introduce you to one another.  

I'm cautious about 'over-introducing' people to one another, so I'll keep this minimal.  All three of you are interesting, kind, intelligent people, with good hearts, and lots of excellent stories to share.  Life has taken you to homes as varied as Indiana and Colorado to Vancouver Canada, Malaysia, and Lawd knows how many more (your stories to share, not mine).  I learn something new every time I speak with any of you ... and usually find us sharing laughter with each lesson.  

I hope you will reach out to one another, to see if connecting up next month will work.  My only regret is that I can't share the occasion.  I'll be somewhat homebound for a few months yet, as I break in my new replacement left ankle - but look forward to seeing each of you soon.  

Love, 
Michael

Children of Sanchez

Every child belongs to mankind's family
Children are the fruit of all humanity
Let them feel the love of all the human race
Touch them with the warmth, the strength of that embrace.

Give me love and understanding, i will thrive
As my children grow my dreams come alive
Those who hear the cries of children. God will bless
I will always hear the children of Sánchez. 

- Chuck Mangione, Children of Sánchez

Mark's Son

Hi Mark, 

I don't want to intrude - now, or any time, as you are going through the coming time with your son.  There is no 'right' thing to say, so I will try to keep it to a minimum.  

Any time you would like to share an update on him; he had a good/bad day, he felt well enough for us to go drop a line for some spring Chinook, or whatever--or if you would just like a sounding board to share how fucking unfair this is--I am your friend, and I'm here for you.  

I usually say too much, under the best of circumstances, to I'll leave it here.  Please give my best to Andy; I love you both.  

Michael

Mother's Day - 2025

Among my earliest memories was Mom asking me where it hurt, and kissing my 'owies'.  For those owies that were out of reach of kisses, she offered, and encouraged 'a few Hail Marys'.  As I wandered to and from belief in the supernatural, I never took a step away from belief in the healing power of her Hail Marys, and remain grateful for them to this day.  She taught us all the meaning of love, forgiveness, and empathy, traits I still look to as my north star.  

I don't say a lot of Hail Marys these days, but I am forever grateful to have this woman, full of grace, in my life.  Happy Mother's Day!

Everyone is Welcome

Remember back in grade school, when you were a youngster, still finding out where you fit in the world.  Each new grade presented new challenges; a different, strange classroom, tougher assignments, a 'musical-chairs' remainder of rearranged classmates.  It's really a lot to take in.  One of the few steady, reassuring things in a youngster's life is the idea that they are welcome, and that they are valued just as they are.  That trust establishes a relationship with learning that will last a lifetime.  

I am blessed with friends who teach at this vulnerable level; beyond getting the kids through learning objectives, the best of them focus on the emotional state of the young spirits entrusted to them.  

Signs like these play a surprisingly important role in that ... in reassuring an uncertain child that there is a place for them right there.  

It's difficult to imagine what provokes a school, or school district, to force a teacher to remove these affirmations.  But it's not at all hard to imagine what goes through the mind, and the precious, vulnerable hearts of the kids who see them disappear.  

These are strange times we find ourselves living in; fear, prejudice, and ignorance being passed off as values.  And it's horrifying to imagine that being passed on to the next generation.  

Everyone is Welcome

Costco - Chrstmas Eve

I hope this won't seem mean, but ...

[and don't we love sentences that start like that?]

I did a U-turn in the Costco parking lot yesterday, and went back home, because by 10:30, the competition for spaces was already ugly.  But I had to hit Costco again today, and planned to get there a half-hour early, to get a spot, and get in line at the door.  I checked their schedule online  this morning at about 8:40, only to see that they were opening, not at ten, but at nine.  Eek!  

I set aside my remaining half-mug of coffee, threw on the nearest clothes I could find, and bolted.  I got there about ten till nine, slipped right into a prime parking spot, and saw that they had already opened the doors.  I went in, and enjoyed one of the most relaxing Costco trips ever.  The few people there were in  good moods - smiling and laughing, casually chit-chatting about how pleasant the morning was.    I found everything pretty easily, then had my choice of checkout lines (well, not really 'lines', since there weren't any, but you get the idea).  I was out the door, shopping complete, and home by ten.  

That wasn't mean was it?  

Ricky Henderson

I've never been much of a dedicated sports fan.  I've enjoyed passing allegiances to Oregon, then Oregon State, but nothing serious.  But my move to the SF Bay area right after college in 1988 coincided with a high point for the Oakland As, and I was blessed With a convenient cohort of relatively new Chevron engineers, that didn't have a lot of competing plans for a summer weekend.  It was the first time I had been to a big league park, and I was floored.  The stadium was easily accessible via BART, and the outfield bleacher seats were cheap, with easy access to beer.  

Watching bash brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGuire, along with an all-star cast of teammates play extraordinary ball was a fine way to spend an afternoon.  It's probably the only time in my life, before, or since, that I could name the entire  starting lineup of a team in any sport.  

But, as cool as they all were, there was nobody who compared to Ricky Henderson.  As good as he was in the field, and as lead-off batter, once on base, he was a combination of poetry and Vaudeville.  Pitchers couldn't concentrate on the batter, because they knew that any instant, Ricky would steal another base.  If baseball can sometimes be slow and lethargic to watch, that was never the case when Ricky was on base.  

I could go on ... but it's December 23rd, and other responsibilities call.  

RIP to the stolen base king!