Whatever you do, just don't dis muh tush!

This past Saturday, my mother and I had a field trip to the Berkeley Bowl. It was only a couple of years ago we used to go to Berkeley several times a week. We'd have lunch and go for a hot tub at the Y. Now it is a much more infrequent event.

We had lunch at the original Bowl. When we got there it was not crowed, especially for a Saturday. I parked my mom at a table and headed straight for the head, before getting our self-serve lunch. This beautiful ebony princess with corn rows and all gave me one great big 5 year old smile as I hurried on my way. Although I was in a state of near emergency, I had the presence of mind to return the smile and throw in a wave.

When I got back with lunch she and her carbon copy younger sister along with a happy proud daddy were sitting at the other end of the row tables from where my mother and I sat. She kept smiling at me. And what could I do but return those wonderful warm friendly smiles? I have always liked children. They are the most special of people. Our future rides with them, and it is everyone's duty to help them be the best person each one can be. My then 5 year old daughter was torn away from me by our cruel, destructive, inhumane, crippling custody laws and practices. She is now ten, and her father has now been absent for half of her life. My love for her is always on display, and shows as I dote on other children.

Waited until all 3 had settled in, I planned my act and then it was show time. It was one of my best performances ever. I put the father at easy and then concentrated on charming his daughters.

“Hi, I'm from Juneau, Alaska and I am taking my mother to lunch, just like your daddy is taking you. She's sitting right down there. This is your daddy right? I'm conducting an informal survey. Do you have a few minutes to answer a few questions?” They look at their daddy, who smiled and told them it was OK.

Cutting right to the chase, my first question was, “You two are Princess right?” And it went on. Ages, names, do you have your daddy wrapped around your little finger? Then right when I was getting to my big finish, this guy who was sitting behind me caught my attention. He was making some kind motioning signal with his hands. I though he was saying the he couldn't stand up because I was blocking his way. Couldn't believe he'd interrupt me for something like that. “Hey all you have to do is step back, or if you like I'll stand aside,” I told him. He looked at me like I was stupid. Then he told me he was eating his lunch and my butt was in his face. I couldn't believe it! Like I wasn't bent over so no crack was visible, no gas had passed, and I had even had a shower shortly before. But I kept my cool, only because I didn't want to spoil my act. But a couldn't resist telling him, “At least it's a cute one!”

Then back to the finish, I told the older sister that in my car was the cutest puppy ever. And asked if she would be willing to trade her younger sister for my puppy. She thought and thought and couldn't make up her mind. I ended with, “Good thing you're not an older brother, or it be a done deal!

The father smiled thanked me for coming over, and I went back to mother and our lunch with such a great feeling.

Continuing on my journey through life.

From my Facebook page 10/11/10

No more Costco!

After 15 years + no longer employed by Costco!! It was time for a change. I have always said,”that if it is not fun, why do it?” Unfortunately it hasn't been fun for a while. I have been doing some substitute teaching, taking it easy, and sleeping way 2 much! What's next? Whatever it is it will be something that I've never done before! So there are new doors to open and walk through!

Continued here on 10/18/10

Life keeps tossing change-ups! Am down in Bay Area. Came down for a very brief visit. An old family friend soon to be stepson was getting Bar Mitzvahed on Saturday, 10/14. Then in the evening he – the step-dad, not the Bar Mitzvahie – was getting married to the mother of Mr. B Mitzvah! My mother wanted to go. So nothing would do except that I come down from Alaska to take her. Let me emphasize that I came willing. There was no pressure of any kind used or needed.

My mother needed a blood transfusion. She has amyloidosis, a somewhat rare form of cancer with amazing deliberating effects! Although mom was only planing to attend the Bar Mitzvah, she was hopping the transfusion would give her an energy boost, as it has in the past. We arrived at Kaiser for her 9:00 AM appointment a little early. Then the blood wasn't ready until 11:30! They insisted on hooking mom up immediately, even though she had to urinate. It was quite a trip to rest room. Mom in her wheelchair, me following with the transfusion contraption. Then it was back in the chair for 4 hours!. Mom is in that chair for 7 hours +! Good thing she saved 5 minutes by getting hooked up before she went to the rest room. After that she was just too tired to go anywhere but home to take a nap.

Clarification - My mother has received very good care at Kaiser.  This was an exception.
As for me there was no way I was going to leave her at home and so anywhere. Besides my souvenir of Boston, a Brooks Brothers suit, had disappeared from the closet where I had left it from my early September visit for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. While I am still from the '60's and the step-dad/groom is a refugee from Canyon, I would, however, have felt out of place going in my blue jeans.
After this my journey through life is probably going to change. Am going to be here until 11/2. Then I will be back around 11/18 and remain until after the first of the year. Or maybe I'll just stick around indefinitely. So for now that means no more substituting. And I am a little unsure about what I am going to do for work while I am here. Maybe I will just collect UI. There is always a chance that I will go back to Costco. I was here for 15 months and had a blast at the Concord Costco. Even now over 2 years later, when I walk in am greeted like I am everyone's favorite person of all time.
When I got back to Juneau in April of '08, I promised Sasha that I would never leave her for so long. Even though I went up to visit every 2 months it was to long a time. But my situation with Sasha is different now. It hardly seems like it would be possible, but I am seeing her even less then when I was in California! And less then at any time since her mother insisted on separating 5 years ago! I will keep my apartment in Juneau this time. It is just to good to give up.
Oh for sure I will warn you when I do write about my views on child custody battles. The harm that has been done to Sasha by keeping her away from her father is not pretty. But for now don't get me started. It is to hard to stop.
My mother is 88. Until 2 years ago she was doing just fine. Then out of nowhere she fractured a hip. She didn't fall, but there was the fracture. Then her hands started to give her pain. This is an effect from the amyloidosis. I don't think she is going anywhere soon, but I want to spend as much time with her as I can. Joni, who I am separated from never, by her own admission, understood why I felt the need to go and take care of her when the need might arise. Hold me back, it is about to start.

Until next time.....