Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Peg's first trip to SF in eons: blogging from the road



Spent the day in San Francisco. Zoë's off this week. Spent some time in Japan Town and got some gnarly, strange snacks at a store that was started by the owner's Japanese grandfather in 1907. Dried whole anchovies, several packages of strange snackety things, and (see photo) cuttlefish jerky. Soft and stringy. We finally had to put the damn bag away-- could not stop eating it. Munching down dried cuttlefish in a motel room with my girls. This is the life!

One of our favorite haunts is the Exploratorium, a wonderful hands-on science museum at the Palace of Fine Arts (where Janis Joplin was famously photographed with her psychedelic Porsche). Peg rested in the car, walked around the reflecting pool and read while my little scientist and I had a blast inside. Nothing like a Tuesday afternoon in the middle of February to keep the thundering horde at bay. Felt like we had the place all to ourselves.

Staying up here in Corte Madera, just north of The City.  Big pool with a hot tub. Peg's first foray into a public pool since early June. The hot water started bugging her feet (neuropathy), but we had fun.
Tomorrow we'll do a morning swim, then head up Mt. Tamalpais for a hike of undetermined length. Peg's idea. If she gets poohed, she can always sleep on the way back to Sacramento.


Monday, February 15, 2010

(A) Happy Valentine's Day

Zoë was off skiing with our friends the Andre's today and tomorrow, so Peg and I had the house to ourselves. It was a great day, but did not involve cards, chocolate or roses. Sometimes just sharing moments and getting stuff done is more memorable and meaningful than the "Hallmark holiday" stuff.

We planted a blueberry bush and some Scottish moss, and pulled up a bunch of weed mat so the Vinca Minor could take root and spread more easily. It was in the upper 60's today and absolutely glorious to be outside.

At sunset, we took a fairly long hike just off the American River on a mountain bike trail and saw about 20 turkeys flying up into a tree for the night. The best part of the hike for me was that Peg had the oomph to do it. There were times this summer when she couldn't even get up out of the chair to get a glass of water, or would have to lie down after eating anything. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Noticed a change in me today. When we were doing yard work before Peg was diagnosed, we sometimes bickered over how to do this or that. Getting bogged down over who was "right" about the details, versus just enjoying the collaborative process. Today, Peg was just so happy to be alive, and to be present with me in our work, and I really got it. It's not about the task, or doing it exactly the proper way, or even how long it takes. It's about being present and taking it all in.

And what a lot to take in... 68 sunny degrees, our neighbor's grilled chicken odor wafting into our yard, wildflowers blooming in February, laughing and holding hands with my wife... what's not to like?