San Ramon's Art and Wind Festival

Can you believe this crazy weather?
It's about 80 degrees and yesterday only 50!

I had a lot of plans for this weekend but we ended up at the Art & Wind Festival .
I'm not enjoying crowds at any opportunity but the boys had a great time.
And we haven't been to this local annual event yet!


One of those colourful kites and fly it high, that's what Maarten wanted to have most of all!

Shell Ridge

I just got back from a bike ride.
After my hike on Tuesday I'm happy I can enjoy my daily workout without pain again!

Maria, a friend of mine, asked me to join her on hikes organized twice a week.
I should have payed more attention to her remark of being 'a little sore' after her first hike with the group.

A 'five-mile-something' sounded as a great way to meet the group.

I was already pleased by their starting speed promising a challenging hike in this hilly terrain.

And there were hills! The sun soon dissolved the cool morning fog.
Also the group got slowly spread out along the trail following the white flour arrows made by Susy, our leader.

We walked uphill, down and up to the ridge and down again...
And still in the power walking pace!
Only a second I thought about my forgotten camera.
I wouldn't be able to take a picture anyway!

I have to admit there was a moment I felt really very bad.
Should I blame Gilbert or admit that I'm in a bad shape?

This was the first time after a hike I was happy to see houses again. Somewhere out there my car was waiting!

I shouldn't have been so stubborn trying to keep up with the leading group.
As for Maria, she is a marathon runner after all!

Stubborn?
I can't wait for my next hike with them!

Sunny and Unseasonably Hot...

...was the forecast for this weekend.

Even though some friends from Europe expressed some jealousy about our current weather I would suggest to change the 's' for 'r' in the word 'unseasonably'.


Likewise our unreasonable hope to cool down on the other side of the bay.
The temperature difference was very slight or none at all.
And we were really sweating while playing soccer at Dejda's birthday party.

In the summerly bay the coolest place is usually the beach.

But not today!
Exceptionally for the season also the coast is struck by the heat wave.
Yet thanks to the ocean breeze the heat is more bearable there than in our valley.
Maarten was traditionally 'hunting' for starfishes and even 'swimming' in the icy water!

Awater

I spent last night by analyzing and interpreting Martin Nijhoff's poem.
I can guess what you are thinking...

Anyway it was one of my study tasks and it turned out to be more interesting than I'd expected.

While riding my bike today, psychically recovering from my morning dentist visit, I couldn't get Awater out of my head.

There is no reason to be homesick.
It's good to know that I'm not the only one that misses her past sometimes.

Should an Atheist Join a Church?

The neighborhoods we've lived in are rather sterile. You won't spontaneously meet people on the street, I'm not talking about making friends.
The life in this country is made around cars after all.
Everyone would come home drive into their garage and you would not see them unless they are leaving again in the morning. The most interaction with the neighbors for the most part is through waves.

Today I was asked to join a church. This is not the first time this has happened. Always before, I had resolutely refused this offer. I wouldn't have even thought of it.

With the exception of a short pause after the Velvet Revolution, I have always considered myself to be an atheist, even though with my own spirituality and beliefs.

But somehow now I give it a little more thought than usual.
I have to admit that so far in my 'American' life I still miss the community feeling which I grew up with.
And the church promises friendly community and fun for the children.

But should an atheist join a church?

To Go Or Not To Go

Babi has safely landed in Amsterdam and all is back to normal.
Only Maarten has to get accustomed to his school schedule again.
I guess, nothing in California made much of an impression on babi than him, her grandson.
They had a great time together.

That's why I'm rethinking my decision not to visit Europe this year.
Also because my sister's family couldn't come here, it would be a good opportunity to meet there all together.

A very tempting idea, but, on the other hand, I probably haven't recovered from my absolutely awful past flight experiences yet.

Snake!

We went for a hike to the wet hills today. Everything has grown so much after the rainy days, the trail was muddy and very bushy.


I'm glad it was me who almost stepped on this 'little' gopher snake.
My mom was asking for her heart pills and Maarten, busy with collecting lady bugs, didn't show even little interest in the snake.

"Babi" Has Arrived...

... all by herself!
We did some 'precautions' to take her out of possible trouble with customs and immigration officials and she managed pretty well.

Too bad my sister's family decided not to come at last!
But I understand. These days I wouldn't feel comfortable to take a 7 month old baby on an air plane either.

Like all other visitors, we've ever had, also my mother expected the California weather to be sunny with a blue sky.
But the grey clouds pushed together already on her arrival day and it started to rain down all of a sudden.
And it is still raining even now, three days later.

As for me I don't mind the rain at all.
Today I went biking in the nearby hills and it was very pleasant. Thanks to the rain everything smells so strong and nice, it is so peaceful - I love it!

I only wish there were less squished newts on the road...