Onward from SF:After the Big Event and subsequent celebration Thursday night, we went with Rachel to her place, where we spent a comfy night. We left in time for her to join in the fun of a regular business conference call with Pong The Wrong as we headed over to help Dylan with a bit of furniture moving. After stashing all the furniture in his office upstairs, returning the rental truck and getting a bit of lunch (lovely pho for me), we took off towards Santa Barbara (about six hours distant) in the rain.
Diana, Tom's sister, had just officiated a wedding at the beach and still felt up to making us a wonderful dinner at her wonderful home as we were arriving. Dick was, unfortunately for us, traveling in Chicago, so it was just we three. They live in Montecito, a gorgeous community full of trees and gardens in the hills just south of SB. It's not always such a paradise, however. Last fall, they had been evacuated from their home because of the Tea Fire, which scorched about 2000 acres and burned 230 homes and part of the Westmont College campus (just yesterday, Diana reported through Facebook that there is yet another, smaller, fire burning nearby as I write this, but they seem to have it surrounded with no structures lost--so far). After dinner, their son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Rachel, plus uber-cute Grace, their daughter, came over for a wonderful visit. Cherry Garcia was also on hand to make the whole affair even more wonderful, if that were possible.
Next morning, Diana took us to breakfast at a lovely restaurant right on the beach. Oh my! There's the perfect way to begin a day! Could have hung out there, well, we might be there still, had we not made other commitments (lucky for D&D). Off to Carlsbad/San Marcos.
There was a past/present Forte party/reunion at Chris's in Carlsbad Saturday afternoon/evening. That morning, my mom had called to say that Milsie, her 90-year-old stepmother (my step-grandmother) was in the Tri-City Hospital after having suffered a massive stroke on Wednesday. Tri-City happens to be in Vista, near Dad's house. So, on the way, we stopped in to see how she was doing. Not so great, as it happens. Arthur, her sole surviving son and her caretaker/companion for the last 18 years, was there. We could tell that Milsie knew we were there, but she was in ICU, all hooked up to all sorts of machinery, and could only respond to questions with eye movements. Somehow, though, I could discern some strength and determination in those eyes. It's a bit early to know what her progonisis might be, though, but she could amaze us all.
I hope so.We arrived at Dad & Jean's and met the new doggie, Shu-shu, a teensy (5#) yorkshire terrier that they'd adopted straight from a closed-down puppy mill, where her life had been quite a difficult one. She's about three, had had a botched C-section to deliver a litter and almost no human contact. Dad and Jean have put SO much effort and $$ to help her heal properly (nearly didn't make it) and to help her adjust to a life indoors. The house-training is ongoing, but she's making progress. SO cute!! It seems Dad's lap is her favorite retreat, but she's slowly opening up to other humans (even me!). Here's a cute pic of Jean and their sweetheart doggie, Abby, too. Two pretty kitties round out the household. Two things: puppies, good; puppy mills, BAD BAD. Don't forget.
Tom had a wonderful time at the party, seeing his good friends and present/former colleagues and families. I would have loved to go, but I have so little time to spend with Dad and Jean, that I opted for the latter. We had a great time, too! Dad, 81, still works in real estate, Jean is mainly retired, but works part time doing her magic office organizing. We laugh a lot.
We hung around a bit Sunday morning, but finally left for church in El Cajon.
