Above – A pencil portrait drawn of my dad many years ago by one of his firemen cohorts from Station 22. You’ll find this portrait hanging in my upstairs half-bath. You can’t sit on the toilet without seeing it. I felt it an appropriate place to hang it since he always referred to the bathroom as his “library.”

Today my dad would be 89 years old. He was taken by liver cancer at the young age of 48, on my 22nd birthday.

Don’t ever underestimate the love between a father and his daughter, or between a father and his son(s). It is powerful through life and death!

As each day passes, remember those you love and those you’ve loved, and hold them dear to your heart.

Blogged with strong memories & with an over abundance of LOVE on Amma’s iPhone and MacBook!

Above – No Zoo visit is complete until you’ve stuck your finger in a gorilla’s nose!

THREE weeks ago the 5 of us went to the Zoo. It was overcast and threatening to rain and all the animals were out.

We took the bus ride and we were glad we did. On the upper deck we could see everything.


We love the flamingoes. Maya can even stand like one.

Maya did a really good job of licking all the sugar off her dad’s bunuelo.

The Sky Ride.

Can you identify the poop?

Why, it belongs to the Giant Anteater!
Sky Ride on the way back.

Good advice …

The Zoo’s got some beautiful foliage.

I’m writing this post while watching the Superbowl. The Patriots aren’t doing so well late into the third quarter. The commercials are good though and Lady Gaga’s Halftime show was spectacular!

Revisiting this post. :57 left in the game & Patriots tied it up!! SOOO EXCITING. Best Super Bowl game I’ve ever seen. WOW!!

REVISIT #2 – WOW!!!!!! Great game! Unbelievable!!

I can’t leave out the boys from the North, so here’s a sneak peek of them at Woodacre Park. I love you boys!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and MacBook with LOVE.

Above – Today’s featured image is Sparty’s (well, not so) new haircut. He got it a couple weeks ago but I’m so far behind in posting photos I’m just getting to it. Here he looks like a sweet, innocent little boy. Don’t let the haircut fool you … 🙂

A couple weeks ago I attended a workshop in LA for my most senior teacher Manouso Manos on the day of his birthday. This vegan chocolate cake was not only huge, but absolutely divine. I picked out and ate a piece with lots of frosting and filling to hype me up for my long drive back to San Diego. YUM.

Below, Kando and Alo doing artwork.

Alo having a nice hot cup of cocoa on a cold day. Notice the picture on the mug – It’s a photo I took of him at Presidio Park when he was only days old. On that day I brought my good camera and took a lot of family photos I’m sure he’ll be interested in seeing when he gets older.

Photos Robb sent me that he took at the Train Museum (I think in Sacramento).

Time out for a snack while on their field trip.

Meanwhile, back in OB, Sparty helps Amma carry dog poop down to the trash can. He jumped on the task when I asked him if he wanted to carry the poop. Doesn’t every boy want to carry dog poop in a bag with a smile on his face?

Shopping with Amma and Pappa…

Station 22’s engine outside Von’s again. We see this engine here a lot.

Back at the house, Sparty has a lunch of chicken noodle soup and avocado. This boy eats a LOT of food.

After gymnastics and before jiu jitsu Maya spent some quiet time with Pappa while Sparty was taking a nap. She was one tired girl.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and iMac with LOVE!

Today’s rainbow courtesy of Mother Nature.

May you find your pot of gold in the form of a future of happiness and good health at the end of your rainbow.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Above – Kando and Alo out on a field trip with their dad with their mouths filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at Briones Park. I wonder if that’s huckleberry jelly ??

Below – Close encounters of the Moo kind.

On the train at the Zoo.

Here are some photos I took of Sparty a couple weeks ago before music class at Liberty Station.

There always seems to be something to climb on for a photo op (Grandma Jo Jo, these are for you) …

Station 22. Somebody’s smiling from up above!

Can’t leave out Maya’s gymnastics group …

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone & MacBook with LOVE!

Above – Goodbye to the holidays. Here’s one last look at my favorite pick for 2016.

Below – #1 honorable mention – Del Mar & Guizot Streets.

The wife of one of Ron’s good friend has a very serious stomach cancer. These are photos Ron took of Maya & Sparty with their daughter, 9 year old Allyson. Ron and the kids have been spending time with Allyson, keeping her occupied & feeling loved. Here they are enjoying a beautiful day at Sunset Cliffs.

Take the time to tell those you love “I love you.”

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Above – Getting all four of these little rascals to look and smile at the same time and for longer than a split second so I could get a photo was quite a task!

Christmas morning we all got together at Ron’s for one last visit before everyone headed their own direction.

Here are some other photos Robb took on our Potrero trip.

That was fun!

Now here’s something stupid …

Supercharged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!