Category: Fourre-tout

He is short… about 3 feet from head to toe, but don’t let this small detail fool you. It is said that “dynamite comes in small packages” and spending a week with a grandchild can be a volatile affair.
It is a very TALL order to babysit a short kid.

He may look like an angel, but this cherub-faced imp is Beelzebub in disguise. Barely two and a half, this kid has a short fuse… and a long memory. If he does not get his way, he will protest, loudly.

Fortunately, like a hero of Ancient Greece he was fitted with two Achilles heels: food and cars. He can, therefore, be distracted and bribed with grub or a new toy.

He has a limited vocabulary but understands more than he lets on. His uncertain pronunciation makes him difficult to comprehend but he will righteously correct you if you misunderstand him.

He is as cute as a button and wherever he goes, this charmer projects the same charisma as a pretty girl. The bouncer will always give him an automatic pass without checking his bag. He may carry three pounds of dynamite, but his seraphic smile wards off any further inspection.
By the way, never try to take away what you give to a kid. They are absolutely intransigent about that. A deal cannot be broken!

Nowadays grandparents need a lot of stamina to keep up with grandchildren.

Children are like crazy, drunken small people in your house. Julie Bowen

 If you ever accept to take care of your grandchildren for more than 3 days, you better go through a Marines Corps fitness program before letting the little tykes invade your domain. Hand to hand combat training might also be a good idea.

But no matter how demanding this experience can be, it is also rewarding. There is nothing more gratifying than the smile of a small child.

And they are never more endearing than when they are resting in the arms of Morpheus clutching their security blanket.

Alain

Most everybody has seen her or played with her. She is difficult to miss. Due to some medical impairment, she is socially awkward, but she has proved to be a genuine pétanque aficionado. She practices almost daily and has tremendously improved her game.

When she started to come to the field, she was way off the mark and many people showed little inclination to play with her. But her dedication to the game and hours of practice paid off.

She is now surprising many with her pointing skills. Instead of being a hindrance she has become an asset to her teammates, and her almost childish delight after delivering a good shot is touching and heartwarming.

Pétanque has also helped to transform her from a bashful, withdrawn individual to a more confident human being. She was once reluctant to any physical contact, but she now demands a peck on the cheek when meeting somebody.

So, for all the above and other varied reasons, I nominate Susan Wyatt MIP (most improved player) of the year.

When you see her, let her know how much you appreciate her newfound confidence and ability.

Three hearty cheers for Susan! Rah rah rah!

Happy holidays everyone! Joyeux Noël and Bonne Année a tous!

Papa Noël

Yesterday I rode SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) for the first time and I am totally sold on it. I might even go back to work (just kidding) merely for the pleasure of riding this train.

If you are a regular commuter (or if you use any form of mass transit in the Bay Area), acquiring a Clipper card is a must. With this pass, you will never have to search for coins, bills or credit cards. You just swipe this magic wand in front of a small screen and you are validated. You do this at the departing station and again at the arriving station. This is by far the easiest way of paying for your fare.

So again, yesterday we departed from the Novato Hamilton station at 10:11 am and were in downtown Santa Rosa at 10:54 am. The 43 minutes ride was very smooth and there was absolutely no comparison with the noisy trains of yesteryear. The wagons appeared to ride on rubber tires and there was very little shaking.
At this time of the day, the train was not crowded and we easily found some seats. We indulged in some coffee while watching the scenery going by. You can also use your phone thanks to an excellent Wi-Fi network.

For the time being, this train goes from downtown San Rafael to the Sonoma County Airport. Later on, it will extend to the Larkspur Ferry and all the way to Cloverdale. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if I had to commute daily to San Francisco (especially when the Larkspur station will be open) I would ride the SMART train. I guaranty that this mode of locomotion will significantly lower your blood pressure.

In Santa Rosa, after some “lèche-vitrines” (window shopping) we stopped at the Omelette Express café for sustenance. It was crowded but we easily found a table. The portions were copious and the waitresses appetizing.

Santa Rosa reminds you everywhere that it was the home of Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts. There are statues and pictures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and the whole gang everywhere. We wanted to visit the Charles Schultz museum, but it was too far from the train station. We discovered too late that Santa Rosa offers a complimentary shuttle (ParkSMART) from the SMART station to the Old Courthouse Square.

The ride back was equally smooth and we were back in Hamilton at 1:44 pm.

SMART, a truly smart way to commute!

Alain

To look at photos of this event, click on the “My Photos” link located on the right side of this page. For best viewing, go Full Screen.