Monday, December 3, 2012

Holiday Greetings 2012


To 2012, we say “Good-bye”.
Yet before we go, let me “quickly” try
to take a look at what happened this year
though we cannot cover everything here.
Some U.S. happenings, some world events,
a few business items, disasters, science.
In the U.S., we had our elections.
The American people made their selections.
Obama’s got another four years.
The Republicans lost; Romney/Ryan shed tears.
The Democrats kept their majority
in the Senate, so now we’ll have to see.
The rich will pay a higher tax IF
the Congress fixes the “financial cliff”.
The income tax for the middle class
should not go up and thus if passed,
we can pay down the deficit.
American families voted for it.
The Supreme Court, upheld the “fine”
Called it a “tax” and said,
“Pay and don’t whine.”
Individuals needing Obamacare
by 2014 will be covered.  It’s fair.
World Series winner. 
“Go Giants,” yelled the crowd.
Made San Francisco fans very proud.
Business items:  Facebook shares publicly sold
$38 – Wall Street gold.
BP pleaded guilty for the Gulf Oil spill
paying 4 billion dollars and also will
compensate for the 11 who died there.
Can money pay for a life?  It’s fair nowhere.
Over 12 million people are still unemployed,
so freelancers are hired; health benefits avoid.
With episodic income, paychecks are quite few,
This is playing havoc with the economy, too.
What happened worldwide? 
Here’s an overview:
An oil embargo by the EU
for uranium enrichment “Stop ‘em if we can.
that troublemaking country they call Iran.
America’s still in an open war.
Our own boys still dying
and the Afghans are sore
especially when civilians are killed or have died.
That war’s going nowhere. 
We failed though we tried.
Bashar al-Assad is killing his own
Syrian people, tyrant on a throne.
Kim Jong Un launched a long-range missile
The North Korea “show”, we watched it fizzle.
Putin for the third time, won the presidency
though protests made clear that not popular is he.
Hugo Chavez, again Venezuela’s choice
back in power, by the people’s voice.
Mubarak of Egypt sentenced to prison.
Morsi, a Muslim, was the people’s decision.
François Hollande beat Szarkozy
and a new government in Greece, soon to be.
A seat for indomitable Aung San Suu Kyi
in Myanmar’s Parliament, democracy.
The UN declared Palestine a state.
In Gaza the rockets keep falling, can’t wait.
And Israel’s building more settlements, Jeez!
They killed Hamas’ al-Jabiri. No peace!
The Summer Olympics in London were seen,
and the opening ceremony included the Queen.
Michael Phelps swam, 19th medal to date.
Athletes competed,
made their countries feel great.
Disasters:  where people died in two hurricanes:
Isaac in the Caribbean
brought flash floods and rains.
Sandy caused havoc on the East Coast – New Jersey,
Connecticut and even in NYC.
8.6 earthquakes in Singapore, Indonesia,
Tsunami warnings in Thailand, Malaysia.
Even in Italy, a 6.0
In our own South and Midwest, a huge tornado.
Wildfires in Nevada, New Mexico,
blackened the forests of Colorado.
Russia, Manila, had fires, too.
People died, homes were lost, what they went through!
No escape for workers in an Indian factory.
Honduran prisoners – 300 tragedy.
The Costa Concordia, off Italy, hit a rock,
capsized this cruise ship.  That was a shock.
150 died, in Nigerian plane crash.
West Nile virus deaths in Texas.
Spiral injections caused meningitis.
Who’s responsible for what’s put in us?
Scientific breakthrough - DNA discovery:
gene switches can cause diseases,
where there’s no recovery.
Physicists wrote a major article:
Higgs Boson is the Universal “God” Particle.
A rover landed on Mars – named “Curiosity”.
Could there be life there? 
Two years and we’ll see.
* * * * * *
 
Now for our own year if you care to know.
Read on in rhyme – out loud and slow.
 
DAVID at year’s end was age 39.
Film and marketing, trying to combine
in his career path, distribution worldwide
at PanGlobal Entertainment,
assisted Brett, to decide
what should be done for features, indies,
reality series, and documentaries.
Now at The Testing Group (TTG),
a quality assurance lab, for Blu-Ray and DVD.
Major studio clients need their products Q A’d
so Dave’s learned what’s needed, in this trade.
He likes what he does,
but he works when they call.
His paycheck comes sometimes & then not at all.
We keep very close on the phone and emails.
His advice & wise counsel, we seek, never fails.


 

LANA, 46, Frank’s daughter by birth,
lives in Plano, but works in Dallas/Fort Worth.
As Director of Sales and Marketing, she sells
for Mariott International, chain of hotels.
She’s mother of Riley, and wife to Tony.
She’s serious about cancer walks
and raising the money.
She “walked for the cure” in Washington, D.C..
She finished in three days. Hooray Whoopee! 
TONY runs a copy shop in Dallas,
manages Inventus; his own little palace.
Keeps in touch with Matt in San Francisco
and Jessie on the farm where organics they grow;
cooks for Lana & Riley, plays golf, & reads, too
loves the Cowboys and movies;
with Ri, the two do.

RILEY’s now 10 in the 5th  grade in school.
Student Council President.  We think that’s cool.
In the gifted program; loves to write and swim.
As grandparents, we are quite proud of him.
 

FRANK is now age 74.
The stress-of-work lifestyle he has no more.
Sleeps when he wants to, reads and plays chess,
looks at Facebook with interest, more or less.
Again took English 35A
and wrote about his “great escape.”
when he left Hungary,  ‘twas a pivotal time
in 1956, when still in his prime.
He repeated the class at the JCC,
writing and recalling in “Every Life’s a Story.”
He’s done some travel diaries,
integrating ideas with his memories.
Spends time with Barry, his friend with whom,
works at the Christian Science Reading Room.
Keeps in touch with George and Nick in L.A.
Worries about their health; good friends are they.
We celebrated our 40th anniversary year,
Together as partners.  So come on, let’s cheer
for the husband and wife team of Sally & Frank,
the former teacher and employee of the bank.
 
DAN 67 says that this year
had no real highlights, but listen hear!
He met with LOWELL ORREN from BHHS
scanned & got ready for all the guests
a photo mural of the class of ’62
their 50th reunion: who knew who?
Saw who was or wasn’t a Beverly someone.
They all met at the Beverly Hilton.
With LEN, History of Recorded Sound
still is where he’s daily around.
Drove up north to Mendocino’s hills
re-united at the house of Hildegard & Bill’s
When we came down, did an interview
‘bout our dad, for the doc
that I definitely will do.
Dinner with Shirl, ritual that’s nightly
Both keeping eye on the other, quite rightly.
We also talk often because he’s right there.
On the speaker phone; some thoughts we share.  
 
 






 MOM, that’s SHIRLEY 92
Doing just fine with nothing much new.
Still does her crossword puzzles, so she’s,
connecting the neurons to her synapses.
With friends in the HUD house,
plays BINGO for a dime;
at the Tuesday night movies,
she has a good time.
Her answer to, 
“What would you say about your year?’
Shirl says quite frankly, “I’m glad to be here.”
An example of her humor, (but let me warn ya):
“Feelin’ great for the state I’m in – California!”
 





ZOLI’s daughter STEPHANIE (22),  ALAN, TROY, 2,
drove from Merced to spend hours, a few.
A family lunch, El Toreador.
We talked, took pictures,
Troy played on our floor.
We congratulate both, for they graduated.
Frank’s Facebook account keeps us updated.
 





 
As for me, SALLY, I’m 71.
It’s December now, and I’m still on the run.                               
Newly retired, so Frank ‘n I have left home.
You can read more about it as part of this po’m.
The students, the teaching, the classroom I miss
so I plan a short stint in the new year, my wish.
‘Twas a thrill for mom and my treat to seek,
to be together in Mexico for a week.
One project I started – a doc about my dad,
Never knew so much material I had.
Photos and tapes and sheet music galore.
Just opened the scrapbooks and files for more.
Interesting man, talented musician.
Working title:  “Moments of Recognition”. 
As for DAN CYTRON:  One Artist's POV,
now available for you to see,
on Amazon Instant Video
for $1.99 - good price and good show.  
                    
                    RETIREMENT
When don’t you need your resumé?
On the day you retire, you can throw it away?
“Yes,” I said, “retire,” and today it is true.
I’m finished; it’s over; I’m done; I’m through.
But it’s with regrets that I call it a day.
After 45 years I’ll step down, if I may.
Now I’ll look back on those years
         from right here,
And think of the things that I did year by year.
It won’t be like Edith,
         of “All-in-the-Family” fame
Who said at a reunion when this question came,
“So, what ‘ve you been doing since graduation?”
[high voice] “Well, the first day I got up.
Let me think what I’ve done.”
I’ll not tell you day by day,
         nor even year by year,
I’ll make it short, to lessen your fear.
I went to school at UCLA,.
I majored in English and then sped away
To teach in a high school
         in the U.S. Peace Corps
In Lagos, Nigeria, in 1964.
After, I traveled in Europe, the Middle East,
Did the “Grand Tour” like a gypsy,
but, believe me, at least,
I tried all the food, saw art, churches, too.
Came back to UCLA.  What else could I do?
Then got a Masters in Film and Folklore.
Then L.A. Adult School let me in the door.
Taught GED and Adult Basic Ed,
Civil Service Test Prep,
         WIN Program from the Fed.
Support for nurses, upholstery, auto tech,
Grammar, composition, I did it by heck.
Even taught classes in ESL
At Roosevelt night school, teaching was swell.
In 1972, I got married to Frank,
working for BofA, world’s largest bank.
He got an offer, too good to refuse –
Transfer to S.F.  So with nothing to lose,
We moved here in l975
One-year-old David, Frank, and his wife.
In Oakland, for seniors I showed my slides.
Marlin Perkins/Huell Howser – was I in disguise.
2009, no more slide travel shows.
They closed their classes.  That’s the way it goes.
                           * *
In Summer ’76, I went job fishin’
Got my first teaching class, in the Mission.
Also taught at MLVS
Vocational  Ed is always the best.
Then a stint at ITP,
Miao, Hmong, Cambodian,Vietnamese, Chinese.
Adult literacy, started in l979.
Just to hold a pencil was considered quite fine.
Adapting to the U.S. in so many ways.
Education was social work,
and I learned “patience pays”.
A teacher learns from her students for sure
Where ABCs, empathy, and compassion blur.
                   * *
Have done teacher-training in Beijing, China
Did it in Daegu, South Korea.
Have been a mentor for UC Extension.
SHINE Volunteers, too many to mention.
Been a Master Teacher and one-to-one coach
For many-a student teacher,
         and tried to approach
this teaching task, I enjoyed, too,
To encourage and help in what they had to do.
Have given those workshops on “Say It in Song”
“Tips on Teaching” and what can go wrong.
Also made a teacher-training video,
Included my colleagues,
         who showed what THEY know.
Wrote two published workbooks,
       LITERACY IN LIFESKILLS
More pain than gain, but paid a few bills.
Book One is for Literacy A
Reading ‘n writing and what they should say.
Book Two is good for a real level one
Students learn English while having fun.
I started on Filbert Street, 1981
Chinatown Campus - It’s been a long run.
Every level, from Literacy to 9
You name the class, and it’s been mine.
I even tried credit, but non-credit stuck.
And over the years, I’ve had quite good luck.
I’ve loved my classes, my students, most peers.
I’ll take with me memories
         from all of these years.
Now to CCSF, I bid adieu
And leave with a great big, “I thank you.”
                           * * * * * *
 
We’d like to report
‘bout our TRAVELS AND TRIPS
& tell you in rhymed anecdotes & short quips.
(Last)WINTER BREAK was three weeks long
A few days at home, and then we were gone.
Off to LA to see Mom, Dave, ‘n Dan
to help clean up – whatever we can.
Mom’s collection of magazines and books.
Robert’s stuff in boxes, in bags and on hooks.
David’s garden, planted succulents and cactus,
Indoors reworking – maid’s training & practice.
New Year’s at Len’s, then New Year’s Day,
Saw Tin Tin; it technically blew us away.
Then RANCHO MIRAGE on January 3rd,
There for a meeting to decide in a word
if there was a there there; it somewhat bewilders,
for the doc we’d planned, on Michael Childers.
One fun thing happened, Dave held a “toy” –
Schlessinger’s Oscar, for Midnight Cowboy.
The project turned out to be a “no go”
But something will show up, as we all know.
We then drove to Indio, to Shield’s, a date shake
& samples galore, what sweet snacks they make!
Stayed in Westmoreland and then moved on east
mountainous roads, desert scenes, an eye feast.
Toward YUMA, Arizona, then to MEXICO
For a day in SAN LUIS RIO COLORADO.
When crossing back over, 2 inspections got we;
Orange peels forbidden; bags looked too heavy.
Small-time harassment by the Border Patrol
Tested our cool and our self-control.
Stopped outside Yuma, a reservation went on
Met Will, Joyce, and Judith
from the tribe called Quechan [Kitswan]
Talked about language preservation
And other things on the reservation.
Took back roads, horse ranches,
state parks with small lakes,
California’s great, when leisure one takes.
Blue skies and sunshine, Highway 79.
Our short get-away was really quite fine.
                          * * *

MLK weekend before school in SPRING,       
GRETCHEN, Frank and I did a fun thing.
Drove up to DUNSMUIR to visit our friends,
JANET and VINCENT.   Life tends
to be exchanging emails and such,
But up there, there’s outdoor beauty so much.
Mt. Shasta at sunset at 7000 feet,
Orange tints on tree tops;
wood fireplace, warm heat.
CASTLE CRAGS viewspots
inspire poets’ thoughts.
Breakfast, lunch ‘n dinner; we enjoyed it, lots.
                         * * *



We always like it when we can take
A little vacation during the SPRING BREAK.
Berkeley Rep on Sunday, the matinee,
Saw “Red” about Rothko, a wonderful play.
Monday of the week, a group of us went in,
Packed the literacy stuff – Rod, Lori,
             Marianne, Lin
Tuesday, we drove down to L.A.,
Had a lovely, family, 5-day stay.
Wednesday, Mom and I were able,
To Visit Robert at Country Villa Maple.
Dave and I shopped everywhere
for Friday’s “Passover”, a pot-luck affair.
Mom lit the candles; Dan was the lead.
Dave asked, the four questions;
Marvin’s Hebrew, good indeed.
Andrea, Tom ‘n Mary read their parts, too’
Len, Mike, and Frank did the “Dayenu”.
“Who Knows One?” and “An Only Kid”,
Charoseth, matsoh, wine, macaroons – all did.
It was a nice gathering of friends and family.
Our hope is to keep up this ceremony.
Feri saw George and went out to eat.
How nice it is when “barats” can meet.
Saturday, Santa Monica College, the place,
A farcical drama, “Arsenic and Old Lace.”
Murders, police. Watch out for that wine,
And do pay attention at whose house you dine.
Sunday we drove back on Highway Five,
With a dinner stop, a 7-hour drive.
                     * * *
SUMMER
The date was in the middle of June,
to the Southwest, a canyon, a desert, a dune             
Our first stop was PRIMM,
         the NEVADA stateline
Whiskey Pete’s hotel, $30 was fine.
From the Barrow gang, Bonnie and Clyde,
saw the bullet-ridden car, in which they died.
On to LAS VEGAS, with no plans to do,
A time-share presentation - the info we knew.
To buy was not a possibility
but to get the gifts was a surety.
A Harrah’s buffet, we got for free.
Then a show called “Legends, a Legacy.”
Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley,
Blues Brothers, Tina Turner -
         all “alive” for us to see.
Plus dancers and a band,
         perfectly dressed from heads to toes
In a nightclub setting, with original videos.
                   * **
Seniors have perks, one’s a $10 pass
for National Parks - a lifetime it lasts.
So ZION “a place of refuge” we went.
The beauty of sandstone, literally God-sent.
Drove through the tunnel, from the mountain cut
to the Checkerboard area, very special, but
our plan, the GRAND CANYON
         was the focus at hand.
A world of wonder stretched out on our land.
So first we camped at Jacob Lake.
Tried to sleep there but stayed mostly awake.
Had lots of hope but our prospects were dim
of where to stay there on the North Rim.
But we got lucky, having no reservation,
Got a campground spot, from a cancellation.
The North Rim is grander
         and the trails offer views
of five different rock layers in many hues
from early morning till late in the day
we walked, drove, and saw beauty,                 
         so hard to say,
but took many pictures so that when
we want to remember and relive again,
we’ll see Roosevelt Point and Point Imperial,              
a stupendous sunset at Cape Royal.
From a ranger in one of his geologic talks
we learned some history
         of the Grand Canyon rocks.
Astronomers with telescopes tilted up high
pointed out Saturn with rings in the sky.
In the old wooden Lodge,
         there for visitors and guests
treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast.
                          * * *


 
CORAL PINK SAND DUNES,
         a Utah State spot
Shared shade with a family; 104 degrees hot.
Setting for movies, some of them old
like “Arabian Nights” &
         “MacKenna’s Gold.”
Walked on the dunes -
          sunflowers, mormon tea,
deer, rabbit tracks - beauty absolutey!










Drove across the expansive scenic land                        
Back to ZION, which was unplanned
but again got lucky because we found
an empty space in the Watchman campground.
An evening program of the Milky Way
and how cities take the dark skies away.
To the Emerald Pools, lower, mid, upper falls,
Virgin River cut the sandstone walls.
Hot we were but in a good mood
Canyon towers, cactus flowers,
         squirrels that take your food.
Gorgeous national treasures, are these parks;   
Get from them pictures and poetic remarks,
How lucky that these experiences we find
to take away and store in our mind.






Back to LAS VEGAS, stayed at “El Mirador”
like a Hollywood location from way before.
Had a pizza, pasta, and salad buffet
watched gambler’s losing, night and day.
Wonderful reunion with old friend JEANINE
Imperial Palace for brunch, pig-out scene.
Drove to L.A. stayed there for a week.
Had a party at Dave’s; the food it was Greek.
We reminisced about my first teaching chore
Showed a DVD, my Nigerian Peace Corps.
Andrea, Mark, Mike, Mary, and Len,
Robert, Sydney, Mom, Feri, and Dan.
The occasion, my retirement,
         Frank’s and my birthdays, too
Nice to gather with family - so rarely we do.
Dave, Frank, and I, we also took Mom.
Saw a movie, pre-teen love,
         “Moonrise Kingdom”
Squeezed in some gardening;
         organized some stuff
No matter how long, the time’s not enough.
I visited Ronda; George and Nick, Frank saw
Got to spend some time with Dave, Dan, and Ma.
We all went to Theater West, “Arise and Sing”
Clifford Odets reading,
         ‘twas MARVIN KAPLAN’s thing.
Directed and played Jacob; the cast did its best
A memorable performance at Theater West.
                            * * *

LATE FALL
SERGIE our savior and neighbor divine
Drove us to the airport.  We got in line,
Went through security - the full body scan
Given to every child, woman, & man.
One stop, Chicago, then LaGuardia, NYC,
To the Westside Y, 12th floor where we’d be.
The city was ours, as was Central Park.
back ‘n forth to the east side
         (but not in the dark).
Dogwalkers, horse carts,
         pedicabs, people running,
bikers, some sitting and others were sunning,
baseballers, photographers, locals, and tourists,
harpists, guitarists, and saxophonists,
chipmunks and birds and ducks in the lake,
fountains, huge rocks, and rowboats to take.
To 2nd and 84th for a Hungarian meal,
Columbus Day Parade - all-American feel,
with Italian flags, bands, ROTC.
No better place could then we be.
“Imagine” memorial on the west side,                              
John Lennon shot but his memories abide.
The Folk Art Museum, an exhibit, “Foiled Art”,
folded flowers, photos, painted glass - all a part.
Thank God we just missed the superstorm
that flooded the East Coast
         with high winds, not warm,
and with it, electrical outages came.
Cursed be this hurricane, Sandy by name.
Toured the Guggenheim by Frank Lloyd Wright,
an exhibit entitled “Picasso, Black & White”
from his late blue period to cubist design
down the spiral walkways, his style did unwind.
Living one block down from Lincoln Center
Made it so simple that we could enter
three separate times - the City Ballet,
The New York Phil, Il Trovatore.
We caught one show, a drama in fact,
The play was “Cyrano de Bergerac”.
Town Hall was one of the places we shot.
The house, the stage, and the outside we got.
Planning a movie ‘bout my violinist dad
at 21 he played there.  Now, that’s not so bad!
The Photography Center, a South African show
with pictures and videos to let us all know
that there was a struggle, Apartheid is done.
Mandela was freed and the blacks the vote won.
A special trip we took so we
could pick up some Hungarian pastry.
Poppyseed, apple, cherry, and cheese.
Bought eight big pieces, our tastebuds to please.
                       * * *
Took a train from Grand Central to RYE to look    
to see where Frank was a short-order cook.
His very first job in the U.S. of A.
at the private sea club called Coveleigh.
We got a map and walked ‘bout four miles,
past mansions, huge lots, in varying styles.
Landmarks historical - the harbor and schools,
the cemetery - New York’s suburban
         land jewels.
55 years, it remained in his head.
Gorgeous fall leaves in bright orange and red.
A found wine glass there in the grass,
         he picked up,
remembering when they forbade him a cup.
Too tired to walk, so we hitched back to town.
Train to Manhattan.  Felt glad what we’d found.
                         * * *
Took the Megabus from New York to D.C.
Four and a half hours,
         it was straight through, easy.
LANA booked us for a week in ARLINGTON,
at the Garden Inn, Hotel Hilton.
Her mission, 60 miles, to walk for a cure
for breast cancer, a tough task for sure.
DAVID flew from LA for the weekend.
Oct. 14th, for his birthday to spend.
A family gathering, how nice for us four
Plus the capital city was ours to explore.
The newest memorial to MLK,
his sayings, his image emerge in a way
that out of a rock, we can see
the man who dreamed for equality.
Next on the route was FDR,
a President who tried to raise the bar
for those who found the economy
in need of the New Deal - many an agency
established to get folks out of depression.
Eleanor, his wife, made the best impression.
The third memorial on our walk was done
for President and writer, Thomas Jefferson,
a mammoth site overlooking the water,
a proud-standing statue and words that we utter:
“When in the course of human events . . .”
Democracy, our biword, still makes good sense.
David thought we had time just to see ‘em
a quick run-through of the Holocaust Museum.
Took our card of a victim to recall
the horrors of the war, the Nazis et al.
Both LANA and DAVID flew to their home
and SALLY and FRANKIE were then alone.
A day at the Hirshorn, there Ai Wei Wei,
sculpture garden - beautiful display,
contemporary art, some known and some new
and then Air and Space - exhibits a few,
like surveillance techniques, rocket ships, planes,
Wright brothers, Armstrong, flights famous names.
American Indians on display, too,
Their own museum, we went through.
Different tribes, their artifacts explained.
Old traditions and how they have changed.
Saw LISA MARTIN in Silver Spring.                            
Ate dinner at Nando’s. A really nice thing.
Outdoor program, it was a bit cold,
but the Venezuelan drummers our attention did hold.
I even won a music CD.
Our meeting was great, and I was lucky.
                       * * 
The Library of Congress showed Herblock cartoons.
Obama and Romney debates, like buffoons.
Times hardly change so the drawings show.
Environmental degradation & corruption still grow.
Then to the highest court in the land,
the Supreme Court building, justice in their hand.
A movie, the actual courtroom we saw
where lawyers and justices argue the law.
The evening’s program, “Cinderella” in dance,
Mariinsky Ballet, saw their performance
at the Kennedy Center, to Prokofiev
Colorful, well-done, a fairytale of love.
If family and culture and travel we need,
then a great two weeks we had, indeed,
                    * * 
LATE FALL
At the Jewish Film Festival, I and ELI
Ushered, line controlled, did hospitality,
Volunteer perks - docs, shorts & features
like going to film school, with films as your teachers.
Not just I, but FRANK did, too
Used my vouchers, and he got to view
really good movies; it sure was fun.
We loved doing it, like a lottery we’d won.
Speaking of ELI, my good friend moved away                 
She and PHILIP decided not to stay,
so off to London; they wanted to be
with Oscar, Ivan, Aneil, and Sophie.
I said, “Don’t throw that out!”
         as you make this huge shift
So computer and furniture, they gave as a gift.
And thus I was forced to organize
my whole house’s contents, and what a surprise.
I found things hidden I had forgotten,
so out came the trash bags - and I put a lot in
but boxes and boxes of stuff I can’t throw
are thus in the closets, and the basement they go
I’ve thrown out old papers;
         I’ve put files in order.
I’ve cleaned up some spaces
         (though I’m still a hoarder).
As for retirement, I’ve had some time now
to reflect on the effects and understand how
a person who’s worked all her life can just not
do and go to the very same spot.
It’d always been the very same thing
Back to the classroom with students waiting.
This year is different; my days have changed.
My life now has been rearranged.
                          * * *
RILEY, our grandson, LANA ‘n TONY’s son
Is 10 years old and decided to come
to San Francisco, city by the bay,
In August, he flew here, for a one-week stay.
Walked the Golden Gate Bridge, ‘cross ‘n back together,
Trekked in Muir Woods,
         and Lombard Street, another.
Chinatown, the Pacific Ocean, a pool swim.
We definitely had some good times with him.
One week later, Tony’s son, MATT, 22,
moved into our living room, “Oh what to do!?”
It’s not easy to find an apartment to rent
especially in S.F. where the rent makes a dent
in everyone’s paycheck.  You just ask MATT.
Took three weeks to find a place for his hat.
Our place was his place,while he started to work,
a place of refuge and a B & B perk.
Now he is settled and lives on his own.
Price Waterhouse accountant,
         paying off his student loan.
                         * * *
On the occasion of the 200th birthday
a wine-tasting and a gallery display
for the Count who came from Hungary,
the vintner whose name is Harasthy
who came to SONOMA, he did quite fine
with cuttings from Zinfandel &Tokay, made wine.
Sonoma and Tokay, a sister cities event -
dancing, singing, music - Feri and I went.
              * * * * * *
 





With my friend from high school, 
      SUE OGLOVE (Merin)
on Highway 5, the driving sharin’,
like Thelma and Louise, two gals on the run,
to see our moms and also my son.
We also had a reunion lunch treat
with ELLIE B. CLOTHIER on Larchmont Street.
Memories from over 50 years ago.
We three played catch-up with photos to show.
                       * * *
I did my usual straighten-up stuff
at Mom's place, yet never enough.
Time spent with David.  So nice to see him.
We even went to the Getty Museum.
Line drawings by Gustav Klimpt we saw
whose talent for people, was able to draw.
Also saw Dan, who comes to Mom's place.
So we had some time to talk face to face.
                   * * * * * *

 
Feri and I drove to L.A.
David and he were our airport valet.
On November 1st, both MOM and I
together the two of us did fly
to PUERTO VALLARTA in Mexico
thanks to ALICE LIPSCOMB,
         Mom’s friend from long ago.
We stayed in her timeshare called Costa Sur.
It was a great week, and that’s for sure.
Mom got a passport, packed clothes for the heat.
Our apartment was lovely;
         the view, couldn’t be beat.
A king-sized and a sofa bed, had we
a view to die for from our balcony.
Sunsets each night - pink, gold, silver, blue.
Snorkling with the fishes
         and a warm pool, spa, too.
Wifi and bingo - a breakfast Mom won.
Speaking of food - enchiladas and flan,
Mexican huevos, tortillas, camarones,
salsa, guacamole, chips y frijoles.
4 to 6 happy hour with Jim and Maureen
vodka ‘n tonic with popcorn, the scene.
GERI and ALICE would be there, too.
The sun would set, by the pool.  What a view!
Marimba music, live songs by the sea.
Very memorable camaraderie.
Arrived on the Day of the Dead, so was there
for skeletons, candles, food they prepare
on altars with pan muerto, drinks, and flowers,
paper cuttings, biographies.  Traditions have powers.
A parade at night, costumed dancers in pairs.                 
The setting: Los Arcos.  I sat on the stairs.
At the same time, the ladies were OK
at an Oktoberfest with beer and buffet.
To downtown we went, and we did it by bus
and walked to the mercado. 
         Yes, Mom sure did cuss
the suspension bridge and the cobblestone street,
the dust, and dirt, the humidity and heat.
But she got some souvenirs to ease the pain -
a blouse, some earrings,
         painted plate, and a cane.
We saw iguanas up in the trees
In the sun eating their favorite leaves.
Museo del Cuale, ‘bout West Mexico,
Archaeological pieces of worth, they did show.
The malecón is a classy boardwalk.
We sat, walked, sat, had some time to talk.
The plaza and church, Guadalupe with crown
where Liz and Dick Burton were, when in town.
A super bus trip not to forget
for breakfast in a restaurant; recall the egret?
‘Twas MISMALOYA, resort by the sea.
Hired a small boat to take us to Los Arcos,
         Mom ‘n me.
Turtle rock, the devil,
         fish black and orangish/yellow,
blue skies, breeze light
         and the seas calm and mellow.
We watched the pelicans, fishermen, too,
had our picture taken as the arches went through.
Mom stayed with her friends
         one day of this vacation
and I went to listen to a time-share presentation.
Torture as it was, got through it OK.
I ended up, with the money to pay
for all our expenses.  Then wasted some time
trying a second one, but greed is like crime.
Nevertheless, I photographed and found
that Puerto Vallarta is a very charming town.
We stayed healthy,
         no problems when all was done.
A week to remember with Mom.  It was fun.
* * * * *




Every day need not be the same.
Shoot at the target; stand there and aim.
Reflect on beauty and nature; take time
Make a sweet drink out of lemon or lime.
Take moments to breathe –
take in some fresh air.
Challenge yourself when the odds are unfair.
Be curious, amazed, thrilled, and upbeat.
Don’t look down; get up, get off your seat.
Make the most of your time and use your talents. 
Keep your head on straight,
and keep your balance.
Experience wonder.  It’ll make you feel grand.
For 2013.  Now strike up the band!
We hope you stay healthy; be happy, too;
keep positive thoughts;
then “good” will come through.
Together, let’s hope for a peaceful New Year,  
more understanding, and a whole lot less fear.
Our thoughts are with you. 
We send hugs and kisses,
bundles of love, and all our warm wishes.
                                                                                                       FRANK and SALLY