Cough, wheeze, sputter...when diving one expects to hear the soothing sounds of the ocean waves, the whimisical barking of seals and sea lions and the occassional screech of a sea gull. Rusty and I spent two days recertifying for diving in Monterey. Unfortunately, as Rusty and I were diving, all he must have heard was me gasping for breath. My mild case of asthma made recertfying a difficult experience but manageable. Monterey is a beautiful place filled with the California mellowness one comes to expect in a coastal city. We enjoyed good food, the full hot tubbing experience, and moments of pure nirvana beneath the ocean waves. The weather was fair, but very foggy. The area where we recertified hosted tons of divers. Hopefully, we'll be finding a less public spot for our next trip.
Rusty and I spent Thanksgiving day at our friend Dominic's house. He and his family were very gracious hosts and the food was a mix of traditional fare and enchiladas. Certainly a relaxing day with refreshing cocktails. It's odd to have a Thanksgiving sans family; quiet, calm and polite. I miss the fruit cocktail cake, the mild dramas and the special event European wedding china (white with engraved foliage on the rim).
The next day (black Friday) I decided to brave downtown San Francisco. The fighting, the kicking the scratching to get the last on sale gift set...I hope I didn't hurt anyone. I spent sometime watching the skaters at the Embarcadero outdoor skating ring. After, Rusty and I went to the movies and then downtown to Union Square to look at tourists and the Macy's tree now with LED lights. We were completely immersed in the midst of crass commercialism, throngs of crowds, twinkling lights, and extravagent window displays. Let the season begin.
During the weekend, we also bought our tree. After years of pine scented greenery straight from the Christmas Tree farm, we have caved to the pre-lit, better than real variety. Easy to set up, strong branches for oversized ornaments and better than natural symmetry. Even though Rusty vowed never to have a plastic tree, he saw the sad state of the trees in the area at twice the price we have traditionally paid. I have no preference toward plastic or real trees as I'm the type of Christmas Scrooge willing to forego a tree altogether. Every once in awhile, I spray the Glade Room Freshner, Christmas Pine Scent, to feel less California Christmas and more rustic North Carolina Christmas.
We're gearing up for the holidays with our yearly chili and cocktail party for Rusty's birthday. I'll be posting picutres from that party soon. Our house is open to any and all visitors. Hope to see you all soon.
3 comments:
We need to get our tree soon. Fortunately, living in Maine means an abundance of balsam firs at reasonable cost.
I want some of walt's chili!
Keep up the good work.
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