"Grand Avenue, San Francisco, California, U.S.A." — Flower Drum Song

When I was about ten, my dad took us to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Flower Drum Song" about Mei Li, a young Chinese illegal immigrant who'd come to Chinatown in San Francisco in the early fifties. From that moment I was in love with the idea of exotic Chinatown and always wanted to go there. Ted and I have been a few times, but when our friends Dennis and Karletta invited us to go we were eager to see it from a locals-who-love-their-city point of view. Dennis (behind the camera in these photos) and Karletta took us on an "insider's" tour that was pure deliciousness of sights, sounds and of course dim sum.




Karletta had her favorite shops and showed us a restaurant her father used to take her to for special occassions. It had changed some, but still had preserved a lovely Asian charm that Mei Li would surely have sung about.

Two peas ...

Spring decided to explode through the Winter grey this year right around the first week in March. Flowering trees in arias of "Pink!", field-grown bulbs chiming "Yellow!" and the almond orchards in the central valley (along Hwy 5) were a concert of sweet-scented blossoms. Can I hear an "A-MEN!" and "Glory Hallelujah!"? It's no wonder we humans celebrate this time of year with a vengeance — Life's passion expressed in Nature is EVERYwhere.





And speaking of passion, how 'bout dem Hot Cross BUNS!?! I'm grateful that bakeries normally offer these sugar-glazed pillows of perfection for only a few weeks in the Spring. If they baked them all year 'round, my own self-rising doughiness would be even more out of control than it already is! (http://www.costeaux.com/news/)


Further commemorating this time of year, Ted wore his spring green linen shirt the day we went to meet our friend Terry for lunch in Berkeley. We were a little early, and when Terry showed up —"sproing!"— she was wearing an entire outfit in the very same color! Dare I say, two peas in a ... Yeh, Ted and Terry are decidedly podlings, and somehow I manage to squeeze myself in there too.

We enjoyed each other over lunch at Chez Panisse Café (http://www.chezpanisse.com/menus/cafe-menu/) and fell completely head-over-heels in Spring rapture with their Burnt Caramel Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce. I called the Café the next day and spoke to Carrie their pastry chef to see if she'd share the recipe, and she DID! Of course it's a restaurant recipe that makes a truckload of ice cream, so we have to divide it by a bazillion to make a smaller amount ... and I need to get an ice cream maker. If you have a good brand to recommend that doesn't cost a Fort Knox fortune, let me know. Can't wait to try it...

Happy Spring Everyone!

Our Family's Winter Olympics

After my mom died last November, my dad wanted to come down from Oregon to L.A. to see his brother and sisters for what would probably be the last time, since they're all in their 80s and in varying degrees of health. My brother, sister and I were pretty worn out dealing with issues around my mom's mental illness and ultimate passing. For me, I just didn't feel I had energy to pull a reunion together for him (yes, whining), and I felt badly about it. Then, as if by magic, my cousins grabbed the baton with a vengeance, ran fast and hard, and won Gold in every category!

Cousin Kenny made the first sprint by initiating contact with my dad and brother creating an opening for dialogue. No easy feat as they don't answer their phone much, and are difficult to reach. Then Cousin Jeffrey took the lead and contacted all the other cousins to pool resources. Cousins Andrea and Alec offered to host the reunion, Mark and Lani offered transportation, Shelley her home for dinner, and all the rest — aunts, uncle, dozens of cousins — first cousins, second cousins, once-removed cousins, martian cousins (you know who you are) — pitched in to provide airfare, food and lodging. Cousins Barbara and Bernie generously let Ted, me, my sister Joanne and niece Samantha, stay in their home. Everyone opened their arms and their hearts to my dad, my brother and us in a way that was ... well ... Olympian! And yes, I'm KVELLING!

Have a look and imagine a Gold Medal around each and every neck ...



Above, seated in chairs left to right: My dad Les (with cane), his brother Al, sisters Gloria and Elaine. Standing behind them are second cousins and seated in from of them are third cousins. Yes, we are breeders!


Above left to right: Cousins Amy, Bonnie, Matt and Matt's girlfriend (forgive me for not remembering her name. My bad, but she looks like a move star doesn't she? Okay. My poor attempt at reconciling for not remembering her name...)


Above: My dad with his brother Al. Al's reality is a melange of past and present. He may recognize you (or not), but then may believe he's on a boat in WWII at the same time. He's sweet and funny and definitely in a dream where time is suspended and the expanse of his life is experienced all in the present. Rocks your world for sure ...


As always, too much food. (See! It's not my fault I'm so food-centric!)
Above left to right: Cousins Kenny, Mark, Bernie, Toni.


In foreground above, left to right: Looking at old photos are cousin Shelley (love her!), cousin Barbara (love her!), cousin Jeffrey (love him!), Auntie Elaine (love her!)



Above: Les, Al, Gloria, Elaine and Elaine's daughter Angie sprawled across their laps.


Above: My cousins Andrea and Alec's home. Al, Gloria and Les enjoying each other.


Above, left to right: My sister Joanne, her daughter (our niece) Samantha and cousin Shelley.


Above, left to right: My brother Larry, cousins Judy and Andrea (what are they doing?).


Above, left to right: Cousins Lani, Andrea, Judy, & Barb laughing it up!


Above left to right: Larry, Samantha, Ted, Joanne, and cousins from my mother's side of the family ... Ronnie, Linda, Joyce and David.

Well of course there are a gazillion more photos, but you get the idea. Getting everyone together was no small achievement, so a big Gold Medal Thank You to everyone who made this happen. You created a precious memory that will be remembered by all. (Well maybe not by Uncle Al, but he'll be happy anyway!) Love to you all!