Cold as a San Francisco Summer

This year, the adage that things can be as cold as a San Francisco summer holds little weight as temperatures remain pleasantly mild.  The sun continues to shine and the fog continues to arrive late and leave just after dawn (if it comes at all).  Bay area residents aren't sure how to prepare for decent summer weather and with a few degrees rise in temperature, the mood can change from friendly to New Yorker in no time flat.  

The weather during Med and Bill's visit earlier this month was absolutely beautiful.  Perfect for sight seeing and gallery hopping.  We had a magnificent time showing off our favorite spots and discovering some new places with our North Carolina loved ones.  

We spent the Fourth of July weekend in Guernville at a house on the river.  Thanks to Matt and Ryan for putting us up for the night and letting us sit on a few inner tubes for hours on end soaking up beers and sun.  On the Fourth of July we lounged on the beach near Jenner, CA (a small coastal town) in a secluded paradise!  Very few others to share the beach.  A perfect day with a cool ocean breeze forcing even the most intense German to relax.  

In other news, Rusty has spent much of July playing with his new grill.  This ceramic smoker takes some getting used to and we've tried all sorts of foods from tri-tip to pizzas, but I have yet to enjoy a hot dog off of the thing yet. Of course using a smoker for a few of Oscar Meyers' finest would be complete over kill, but the German in me has gotta have some sort of sausage or it ain't truly a Barbecue.

Last weekend, Dominic and Oscar hosted an afternoon Barbecue.  The company was excellent and the wine was flowing.  This could only mean one thing:  a walk over to Kato's for Karaoke.  We, again, had a great time at Kato's.  I am waiting for the day that Amy, bartender extraordinaire, gets fed-up and has us all thrown out onto the streets but as of yet, it hasn't happened.  

Last night, an almost perfect evening with the Avett Brothers at the Fox Theatre.  You gotta love these high energy "Folk" musicians from North Carolina.  Their blend of folk/rock/mountain music/punk is a combination hard to imitate.  Certainly infectious.  By the way, the Fox Theatre?  Beautiful!  We were on the floor with the hoy ploy, a really friendly and fun crowd.  Lots of flannel and bearded college students with pretty young girlfriends, everyone throwing lots of love to the boys on the stage.  A great way to spend an evening.  

As great as July has been on our stay-cation, we do have some sad news to report.  Tasha has left the building...she will be missed.  

Eulogy For Tasha (Our Cat)

“That cat must be yours!” I said after Rusty had just been swiped by a black and white kitten, drawing blood from the side of his nose.  “This pretty one is mine.”  With that we adopted two cats, litter mates only similar in their eyes, from the Durham pound almost eleven years ago.  

Tasha has recently disappeared.  Last week the vet told us a tumor has been growing inside of Tascha and she has been losing weight, down to a scant 3 lbs. 15 oz.   We chose to take her home and provide some spoiling before the inevitable.  A few nights ago, Tasha disappeared out the back door and has not been seen since.  We believe she left to die alone.  

I’m choosing to believe Tasha has curled up under a flower covered bush and passed away peaceful.  Rusty, of course, believes she is on some wacky Disney style cross country adventure with an otter, squid and a spunky hamster and may be coming up the drive any minute.      

In general, I have very little love for cats, but Tascha was different.  She spent most of her formative years sitting on my chest waiting for me to fall asleep.  She then went to the foot of my bed for most of the night.  This was a nightly occurrence and heaven fore fend I should not go to bed at a reasonable hour.   

Later years, here in California, Tascha had come out of her shell and was known to wait on the sidewalk to be petted by every neighbor.  When the street was slow, Tascha would wander the neighborhood looking for people.  

It turns out she wasn’t mine after all, she was the neighborhood’s cat.  She will be missed by three year old August who insists on visiting her often, and the women working from home who feed her too, and the men across the street who pet her as they sit on the steps drinking beers calling her "The Model" because of her lithe graceful moves and constant poses anytime anyone is watching.  But most of all she will be missed by Rusty and myself.  She was a good cat and for someone who has no affinity for cats, that’s saying a mouthful.