Coronado Beach Since I was 7 years old or so, my family and I visited San Diego every summer to see my Aunt Emma and cousins Chuck and Renée. I always swore I'd lived there when I grew up and learn to surf, grow up on the beach and fish every day from the piers. Southern California was idyllic for a young child and captured my imagination like no other place. But as I grew older, Austin, Texas seduced me with its music, rivers, lakes, and carefree lifestyle, so I moved to Austin and UT where I loved to float the San Marcos and listen to the blues.
But San Diego is never far from my mind, though I may have given up hopes of ever being a surfer. Even though I am a hemiplegia, I still try to make it out to San Diego at least every few years to visit my old friend Bobby Vargas, whom I have known since 1st grade. Both our mothers are named Berta (together we are Berta's Boys), and we just lived across Grandview Park from each other. Now he's got a growing family with many lively grandkids compliments of his daughters Jessica and Mary and son-in-laws Andy and Jay. His daughters had arranged a 60th birthday party, even though he celebrates his birthday in December.
But San Diego is never far from my mind, though I may have given up hopes of ever being a surfer. Even though I am a hemiplegia, I still try to make it out to San Diego at least every few years to visit my old friend Bobby Vargas, whom I have known since 1st grade. Both our mothers are named Berta (together we are Berta's Boys), and we just lived across Grandview Park from each other. Now he's got a growing family with many lively grandkids compliments of his daughters Jessica and Mary and son-in-laws Andy and Jay. His daughters had arranged a 60th birthday party, even though he celebrates his birthday in December.
 Jessica and Mary lead, "Happy Birthday to Bobby!" | |
It is the start of summer and there is plenty to celebrate. While Chris and I stayed with Bobby and his wife Rebecca, it was as if we had gone back to the future, since we were graced with the presence of all of Bobby's grandchildren: Lucinda, Joaquin, Lorenzo, Kai, and Roman. Everything revolved around the kids, just like my house, so we felt right at home. Roman and our little Oliver are just 2 weeks apart. Dillon is 6 and my adopted grandson Atticus is 4, while Joaquin is 5. Kai and Lorenzo are 2 years old. Our Ailah has Lucinda by about 7 years.
Ron, Jay's dad, had his real birthday on this occasion, and was there visiting along with his wife Lannie, both were in SD for Kai and Roman's baptism the following day. The baptism was performed at a Lutheran Church, which up until then I had never been. Kai and Roman were in excellent spirits, and the ceremony went off without a hitch.
But let's get back to the party. One of the 1st things an old chum from junior high days, Don McChesney, said to me was, "Where are the cowboy boots?" He reads my posts. I was both amused and impressed by this casual observation.
Once the guests began showing up, I was happy to see many familiar faces. I was seated with my back to the French doors with Don to my right, facing the whole length of the backyard, at least 50 yards to the back fence, and with a basketball court over my left shoulder on the resurfaced patio. Bobby had the court leveled with concrete last year so it provides a safe place for hoops and, on this occasion, dancing.
Ron, Jay's dad, had his real birthday on this occasion, and was there visiting along with his wife Lannie, both were in SD for Kai and Roman's baptism the following day. The baptism was performed at a Lutheran Church, which up until then I had never been. Kai and Roman were in excellent spirits, and the ceremony went off without a hitch.
But let's get back to the party. One of the 1st things an old chum from junior high days, Don McChesney, said to me was, "Where are the cowboy boots?" He reads my posts. I was both amused and impressed by this casual observation.
Once the guests began showing up, I was happy to see many familiar faces. I was seated with my back to the French doors with Don to my right, facing the whole length of the backyard, at least 50 yards to the back fence, and with a basketball court over my left shoulder on the resurfaced patio. Bobby had the court leveled with concrete last year so it provides a safe place for hoops and, on this occasion, dancing.
Who invited "The Donald"? Mariachis serenaded the party for some 2 hours while the guests consumed tacos provided by the caterers. Then the DJ took over and played great music that people of all generations could relate to, which means everything and anything, from cumbia to Michael Jackson.
My niece Amanda, who is an Austin transplant and now lives in Encinitas showed up, as did my dear neighbor David Yanagidate, who is my actual oldest friend ever since our boyhood homes in El Paso backed up to one another. I had not seen David since Mary's wedding, 3 years ago. He showed up with his wife Phyllis and daughter Melissa, her husband and daughter. We were able to reminisce and find out what was new.
Bobby's nieces Francis and Clarissa and a nephew, Elias, were also there. Francis sang 2 songs with the mariachis. Many guests brought Bobby bottles of tequila as gifts, and there was a 15 gallon keg of the Dos X's that was floated before the end of the party. By the end of the night, I was still standing and was able to pull myself up the stairs from the den to our guest bedroom where Chris was already asleep. I had eaten well and limited myself to four beers and a shot of tequila, all right, 2 tequilas. It was pretty smooth stuff.
The day of the party I took a shower. Since I had noticed many folding chairs in the yard made of plastic and metal that had been designated for the party, I thought they would fit nicely in the shower. I asked Chris to set me up and took a very nice shower, free from falls and other nervous situations, such as a "bath mat foot trap" .
Breaking news. I received word today that Vernon Wescott passed away Wednesday morning. He is Jessica and Mary's grandfather and a good friend to Bobby. My condolences to all.
I'm going to have to finish this story in another post because it's gone on too long. And to tell the truth I have been sidetracked with another project. I have become involved with American Writers and Artists Inc. as I begin to establish myself as a copywriter. Copywriters write for advertisers who are trying to sell a product or services. So I'm going through a three-month course on how to do it. Until next time . . .
My niece Amanda, who is an Austin transplant and now lives in Encinitas showed up, as did my dear neighbor David Yanagidate, who is my actual oldest friend ever since our boyhood homes in El Paso backed up to one another. I had not seen David since Mary's wedding, 3 years ago. He showed up with his wife Phyllis and daughter Melissa, her husband and daughter. We were able to reminisce and find out what was new.
Bobby's nieces Francis and Clarissa and a nephew, Elias, were also there. Francis sang 2 songs with the mariachis. Many guests brought Bobby bottles of tequila as gifts, and there was a 15 gallon keg of the Dos X's that was floated before the end of the party. By the end of the night, I was still standing and was able to pull myself up the stairs from the den to our guest bedroom where Chris was already asleep. I had eaten well and limited myself to four beers and a shot of tequila, all right, 2 tequilas. It was pretty smooth stuff.
The day of the party I took a shower. Since I had noticed many folding chairs in the yard made of plastic and metal that had been designated for the party, I thought they would fit nicely in the shower. I asked Chris to set me up and took a very nice shower, free from falls and other nervous situations, such as a "bath mat foot trap" .
Breaking news. I received word today that Vernon Wescott passed away Wednesday morning. He is Jessica and Mary's grandfather and a good friend to Bobby. My condolences to all.
I'm going to have to finish this story in another post because it's gone on too long. And to tell the truth I have been sidetracked with another project. I have become involved with American Writers and Artists Inc. as I begin to establish myself as a copywriter. Copywriters write for advertisers who are trying to sell a product or services. So I'm going through a three-month course on how to do it. Until next time . . .
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