Skywatch Friday - March 24, 2016

It has been raining so much, it would seem like the California drought should be at an end.  Gray skies continue to be the norm with an occasional bright sunny day to remind us that we shouldn't bemoan this monsoon-like rainfall.  When I was up in Sacramento this past weekend, visiting my two grandchildren - and their parents, of course, I was amazed to see the water level of the Sacramento River, with trees almost to their tops, under water!  Soon, with spring arriving in full force, the river will go down to its more normal levels  and the rice paddies will be planted.  

I am participating in 

Skywatch Friday.

Point your camera toward the

heavens and join in the fun!

My Saturday Pinks - Beverly's Pink Saturday - February 26, 2016

Spring has definitely arrived in San Mateo, California and the San Francisco Bay area.  These are just one variety of beautiful flowering trees that delight me these days.

I am so fond of elephants - the live variety and any kind of ornament, jewelry, and work of art depicting them.  I think I have passed that on to my precious granddaughter who will be three-years-old April 13th.  I saw this beautiful elephant throw on Amazon and got it for Harper.  However, I loved it so much, I have kept it and will have to order another for her!!!

I am participating in

Beverly's Pink Saturday

Add your pink photos and join in the fun!!!

Skywatch Friday - It Looks Like Rain - February 25, 2016

While California is still suffering from drought conditions -
and outdoor watering is being restricted - gray skies such
as these over my San Mateo neighborhood have dumped
much needed rain.  It is wonderful to see the reservoir along
Interstate 280 fill with water.  

I am participating in 

Skywatch Friday

Add your photo and join in the fun!

Monday Mellow Yellows - Schubert Bakery, San Francisco, CA - February 21, 2016

I came across this photo, taken four years ago, when Warren Fukushima, my friend of over fifty years, left the warmth of Hawaii, to visit me in San Francisco.  We stopped for coffee and a sweet treat at Schubert's Bakery on Clement Street.

What a spectacular place that was!  I had the hardest time
deciding what to eat.  I've often thought of returning but, thus far, I've managed to resist the temptation.

The bakery case was filled with so many yellow confections, perfect for Monday Mellow Yellows!

I am participating in:

 Gemma Wiseman's 

Monday Mellow Yellows

Trying to Play Catch Up! - February 21, 2016

Days are passing so quickly.  I had my final post op visit with my orthopedist, Dr. Belzer, but I still have a few more physical therapy appointments.  My shoulder feels great, however, and I should have no problems with my return to India.  

Welcome to the World, Isaac Vukasinovic - February 9, 2016

Much to my consternation, I didn't make it to Roseville,

California Kaiser Hospital in time to greet my new grandson.  After one false start last week, Alex and Laura decided not to call until Laura was actually admitted to the hospital and, since the Sacramento area is a good two plus hour drive from San Mateo, traffic and weather permitting, I arrived after his debut.  Much to her relief, I'm sure, Laura's labor was pretty brief and sweet Isaac was all swaddled and resting comfortably in his daddy's arms when I arrived.

With both children, Alex and Laura declined to know the sex of their baby in advance.  I was so delighted that their firstborn, Harper, was a girl.  Having given birth to THREE sons, I wanted the delight of having a girl in the family.  This time, I wanted a boy!  How nice of Alex, with his determining chromosome, to accommodate his mother!

Isaac Vukasinovic arrived at 0054 on February 6, 2016.  He 

weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 ounces and was 20-1/2 inches long. 

Both uncles were waiting with me at the Vukasinovic home when the baby arrived.  We had a celebration though Isaac slept through most of it.  His "big" sister, Harper, was clamoring to hold him and, occasionally, with mom carefully supervising, she was allowed to do so.

Uncle Jeremy ( left ), Uncle Shawn ( in his Air Force uniform ) and dad, Alex ( right )

Uncle Jeremy ( who will start his new position in Chicago next week ) with his nephew

Harper LOVES her uncles!

What beautiful smiles from Mommy and Harper!

I wish I weren't living so far away in San Mateo.  I hope I can 

get to Sacramento a few times before my departure to India

on April 13th.  I will fly first to Tampa, with my good friend 

with whom I've been staying.  After a three day visit with

Charlene Payton, my friend of over 45 years, Kris and I will board Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas ( my first cruise in over five years ), for a two week transatlantic crossing which ends up in Barcelona.  After five days there, Kris and I will fly to India.  She will stay with me for six weeks - I am so excited to actually have a friend with me in India.  We'll go to Goa and Jaipur and some other places.  I haven't planned our complete itinerary yet.  She returns to the U. S. mid-June but I'll stay on in India till around the first of November.

By the time I get back home, baby Isaac will be so different. I'm hoping Alex will be better about Skype than he has been in the past!!!

The Video of the 173rd Basic Academy of the Oakland ( CA ) Police Department - February 3, 2016

My middle son, Alex Vukasinovic, graduated from six months of training at the Oakland Police Department on January 8, 2016.  I've never seen him more dedicated to completing anything.  It was especially difficult because Oakland is eighty miles from his West Sacramento home.  He had to go from being a very hands on father to studying for hours, commuting, often staying overnight at his older brother's home, when there were late night commitments.

He did it, though, and we were so thrilled on graduation day.
I saw this video at graduation but, in the excitement of the occasion, with family around, laughter and glee, it didn't impact me as it did just now, watching it alone.  I have to admit, I shed a few tears.
  
Congratulations to all you young men and women who made it through, even the experience of being tasered and tear gassed.  I pray you absorbed all you needed to make you the best officers possible.  Even more so, I ask God or the gods, depending on your beliefs, to always have your backs, your
fronts and each other.

Again, Alex, I can't tell you how proud I am of you - as I am of Shawn and Jeremy, too.

Well, I tried to embed the video on my blog ( Oakland PD allows it ) but, somehow, I couldn't figure it out.  I guess I should have consulted my brilliant Indian IT professional,

Shiju Sugunan.

At any rate, I'll just post the link and you can see it that way.  It's on the Oakland PD Facebook site, on the left side of the page as you view it, under video.  I see Alex several times in the film...with his "Vukasinovic" sprawled across his back on this sweat shirt or work out gear.

If you watch it, say a little prayer for these young officers, that they make it to retirement, without mishap, and put a lot of bad guys away.

https://www.facebook.com/Oakland-Police-Department-391011254354978/?fref=ts