Tennis Team


Schuyler's high school tennis season has just come to a close, and a friend just sent me the J.V. team picture (he's the tall guy in the front). I love seeing all the boys smiling and hamming it up, because it's been a big commitment and a lot of work for them. At times during the season, we had some fraught moments in which Schuyler was frustrated and fervent parental pep talks were delivered. He hung in there and is really glad that he did.


Long practices and

longer bus rides. Wins, losses,

Gatorade and smiles.

Vasco's Amazing Journey


Today I drove my friends Cathleen, Maury and Vasco to LAX. They're beginning an epic journey to Vasco's country of birth, Malawi, in order to finalize his adoption and application for U.S. citizenship. I'm so excited for them, and really wish I could tag along. But I've got to hold down the fort here at home--so I plan to follow their progress via email and Cathi's blog updates, and send up a few prayers every time I think of them.


One long round trip from

Laguna to Africa

and back. Then: you’re home!

For Willem, on his 13th Birthday


From the moment

you burst into the world

at a high rate of speed

one sunny May day

thirteen years ago

(you’ve heard the story

about how Dad and I barely

made it to the hospital

to have you properly delivered)

you've been my quicksilver baby,

my towhead in constant motion--

here one minute, then gone

and back again, with an imp’s grin.

Equal parts smart

stubborn

and sweet

you could charm a snake

or a vice principal.

Whether holding a slingshot

or a bottle rocket

or a bass guitar

you are my mischief and music,

my reminder that

life is a gift

and can be

really

truly

fun.

Cross Purposes

I haven't been known to chain myself to old-growth trees or to pontificate about global warming at cocktail parties, but, look: I care about the environment and especially hate to see people trash our oceans. I do what I can, the least of which is to not throw garbage on the ground. Good grief--we've got signs on all the storm drains in town explaining that they drain directly into the ocean. So when I see something like this, especially from someone representing a company selling so-called eco-friendly energy solutions, it makes me crazy! I mean, dude, first take the log out of your own eye...


Seen this morning

on southbound Pacific Coast Highway

at Cress Street:

a louche, bleary-eyed young man

(behind the wheel

of a pristine company car

logo-ed up with

“Green Solutions”

and

“Solar Power Systems for You!”)

flicking a lit cigarette butt

onto the roadway

Oasis

Sigh. My girls' weekend in the desert was so much fun I didn't want it to end. We talked for hours. I laughed so much that my face hurt. My friend Cari's home is so lovely and understated, just like she is. And being in her pool made me feel like I was in a David Hockney painting. Thank you again, Cari!


A pale aqua pool.

The cooing of mourning doves.

Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice.