Saturday, June 28, 2008

Devin's visit to AZ

We certainly enjoyed having Devin in our home and with us as we traveled to visit his cousins in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. He enjoyed getting to know his cousins. He was quite the traveler, as his pictorial adventure is posted here. We look forward to having him again in the future for another adventure!! He is leaving today to return home to see Naomi and his parents. Be sure to ask him about opposites!!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Submarine Shower

When I was very small, dad taught me the art of the "submarine shower". For those that never got the pleasure of experiencing one of these showers, the way you do it is to turn on the water, jump in get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water rinse off and get out. Little did I know that knowledge would come in handy more than 30 years later.
Our water provider, EBMUD has started mandatory rationing for us due to a drought. We need to come in 19% under our baseline water usage. I am doing several things to try to meet this goal, but one of them is the submarine shower. It's amazing how much water is basically wasted during a shower. You really see that when you take a submarine shower.
So thanks, dad. It's a small thing, but it's one more valuable lesson you taught me. It just took longer than normal for me to appreciate it.

The Praying Mantis

Mom enjoys riding her new-to-her bike. It is a BMW R1150R Rockster model. She rides to school and back home again most days. She is a hero to her students on campus because she is a motorhead!! You go, girl!!

The Praying Mantis

The Praying Mantis
Mom's bike

San Francisco Trip - 2007

During our trip last summer to San Francisco and eventually to San Diego, we took a day ride around the Castro Valley area to a scenic area known as Mount Diablo State Park. I distracted Barbara as we were maneuvering the switch back roads on our way down from the peak. Barbara endured a slow speed accident resulting in a few broken ribs, a broken clavical, and a punctured lung. She spent 10 glorious days in the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. She has survived to ride again. She got back in the saddle and has ridden to school already this year.

The Rider - Before

The Rider - Before
Before the accident!!

The Rider - After

The Rider - After
After the accident!!