Good friends

Had a bunch of friends over for dinner last night.  Great group of people.  Mostly Democrats who were trying awfully hard to maintain their enthusiasm about Obama and, at the same time, not be overly cynical about McCain’s VP pick…hard to do.   Really don’t want to “swift boat” her.

We were invited to a neighbor’s house warming in the afternoon.  Lovely people, great family.  While we were touring the house we bumped into a young woman who professed to be a Democrat and had supported Hillary…but has now decided to vote for McCain.  I asked her for her reasons.  Principally, she said, “I don’t want to let the Middle East oil fields fall into the hands of terrorists.”   I hesitated and said “excuse me, isn’t that how we got into the nightmare we’ve been living for the last five years.”  No matter.

While we’re on the subject of elections.  I read David Brooks article in the NY Times about Obama’s acceptance speech.  I consider Brooks, a relatively conservative Republican, intelligent, incisive and generally fair.  I agree with him occasionally and respect his opinions and motivation….but, I found this article beneath him.  Insulting at best, bitter and stupid at worst.

Time to go…

All good things must come to an end.  We got to the Burbank airport way in advance of the plane’s scheduled departure.  Just enough time for Isaac to have a plate of pasta (at 10am!), buy a bunch of magazines, take some more photos and laugh at the ones we took during their visit.  The Berkeley kids were on their way around noon and we took Morey back to Calabasas where he had a list of chores awaiting his arrival.  We’ll miss all of them.  But I’m sure they’ll be back.  More photos here…

The moose came too.

From one musician to another

Morey and Isaac discovered this clarinet player behind the parking structure in downtown Ventura.  Wasn’t too long ago that you couldn’t get either one of them to go up to a stranger and ask questions.  Guess we all grow up.  I remember when Nana wouldn’t talk to the AT&T information operator…that’s changed!  The boys were curious about the instrument and the gentleman was kind enough to explain that he was in that location because the sound was amplified by the surrounding concrete structures.  No need for a megawatt amp system.  More photos here…

Self-portrait

Morey’s become quite the photographer.  That’s in addition to cross country track, the clarinet, guitar, marching band and I can’t remember what else.  Oh yeah, he’s planning an exchange trip to Israel.  At 14, he’s taller than Nana.  Pretty good accomplishment for a kid who only weighed 2 1/2 pounds at birth.

There’s always time to eat!

Isaac and Nana share some laughs while waiting for burgers

So many books, so little to eat

 Isaac’s favorite expression at the end of a meal is “what are we having for dinner.”   We started the day with pancakes, had ice cream at the marina, burgers and fries on Main Street Ventura, three helpings of pasta with lots of cheese and, finally, Nana’s famous blackberry cobbler with ice cream.  Then we went to the bookstore…fortunately, none of the books looked tasty enough.  More photos here…

 

The Hat Store

Isaac the Ice Man

  

Moose Man Morey

 

Bella the Vamp

Funny what you can make a day of.  The hat store at the Marina is always a fun place.  I think we aggravated the owner who eventually insisted we either buy something or depart the premises.  She was a bit of a pill but the hats and the sunglasses were great.  I must admit that the thought of head lice kept popping into my head. 

Visiting Ventura Harbor

Pretty warm in Ojai.  So it was off to the Ventura Marina.  As usual, the kids had no trouble posing for pictures.

Visiting the Camels

As is our custom, we had to visit Boris and Maureen (I can never remember their real names).  They are neighbor Bob’s camels who were born in Oregon and shlepped to Ojai.  Bob really wanted a pair of teradactyls but couldn’t find them.  The camels will eat anything you put in front of them, including my hat.  No top teeth and very soft muzzles.  Don’t worry about your fingers.

Grandkids Invade Ojai

Our grandkids spent three days with us last week and we survived the event without any broken bones.  As long as you keep them fed and your hands and feet away from their mouths, you stand a reasonable chance of making it to your next birthday.  More photos here…