Blogging experienced a bit of a set back this morning while getting set-up in my step-daughter’s new house. The power went off in their Oakland neighborhood so there was no internet and not enough battery power to get going. I had already gotten my run in and started to cut and paste from my phone to add today’s update. As a result, I’m a couple hours late getting this typed before the delay. While we waited for the repair crews to restore electricity, we constructively decided to go for a walk around the Bay with views of San Francisco in the background. However, first it was necessary to manually detach the safety release on the overhead door to even get out of the garage. 

Last evening, I reunited with college friends from fifty years back and finally got to meet one of their sons. We last got together in Santa Barbara for the collegiate soccer championships, but have stayed in touch through Zoom Leadership meetings. I got a tour of their 1911 home and the outdoor music venue that they built in their back yard. We enjoyed some wine and charcuterie and talked of old times. I must have blabbered too much because my throat was a bit irritated, a condition that I’ve dealt with since doctors removed a wart from my vocal cord. My friends have lived in this historic house for thirty-five years while I’ve moved at least twenty times in that same timeframe. After also treating me to a drive through their Oakland neighborhood they returned me to my step-daughter’s house for dinner. All that conversation was great fun but I was already exhausted from the early morning flight, cross-country, coast-to-coast journey, and three-hour time change. Bed time came early or late depending on the new clock settings.

With the power restored, we’re headed into Sonoma to continue my wife’s 65th birthday celebration. She blew out the candles on a homemade banana cake last night as we sang the song. Wine and a gourmet dinner is on the agenda for today and Giants baseball tomorrow. The birthday girl prefers that I keep her anonymous in my posts so let’s just call her Wayne. Party On, Wayne!