Shapely Ankles

Is there anything more badass / sexy than a lady out walkin’ her dog in sweatpants and her Caterpillar sh*t kickers?
Tell me they don’t SCREAM attitude…  LoL!!!
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On This Day In:
2022	Going Beyond
2021	Shapely Ankles
	Beyond Thar Be Dragons
2020	Skyin’
2019	I Hope He Has A Lot Of Room Down There
2018	What Time Is It?
2017	Gifts
2016	30 Seconds
2015	Success
2014	Create The Fact
2013	Overpowering Curiosity
2012	On Planning The Invasion Of Iraq…
2011	This And That
	I’m Bettin’ On The Bible

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And Miles To Go Before She Sleeps

Hil at SFO before flight to Liverpool
Today I drove my wife to San Francisco International (SFO) Airport to catch a flight to Manchester so she can be with her family (in Liverpool).  Hil flew back earlier in the year to spend time with her mum before her passing.  Her mum’s health has been poorly for some time and has recently taken a turn for the worse.  She has just been released from hospital to hospice care.  It is a time of mixed emotion for us as while we will miss her mum, she will be joining her husband (George) who has been waiting on her some 20 years now.  I guess “Papa’s” calling her home is finally getting too much for “Nana” to ignore.
Here is a photo of Hil’s mum and dad (“Nana & Papa” to our kids) in happier times:
Hil’s Mum and Dad with Big Smiles
And here is a post of mine from back in 2011:   Things I’ve Learned From Life – Nana Carter
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On This Day In:
2022	“Tends To” Is Not Always
2021	The Beauty Of Life
	Seeds
2020	Better Sooner Than Later
2019	Possibilities And Challenges
	And Miles To Go Before She Sleeps
2018	What I Tell You Three Times Is True
2017	And So On
2016	Kept
2015	Envy * 2
2014	Destiny For The Talented
2013	I Do Not Fear It
2012	Until Found
2011	Reducing Goods To Data
	The Fog Of Civilization Building

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Progress On The Honey Do List

The following are some before and after photos of our recent work on trying to upgrade the look of our home by painting the back and side fences.  Note:  we didn’t actually try to “fix” the fences.  We only painted them.  This is based on what I learned 40+ years ago in Basic Training:  “If it grows, trim it.  If it don’t grow and don’t move, paint it.”  I’m including three older “before” photos for comparison…  A lot of work, but we’re happy with the results.  Not bad for a couple of retirees.

Before After James Back and retaining wall done. Shiva at “Before” back fence. Back, retaining wall and north side done. Hil and Shiva Awkward corner behind tree Back done; south side to go View of patio area South side fence done North side fence done . On This Day In: 2022 We Just Need Will And Leadership 2021 Standing Next To Anyone? Pitter Pater, Pitter Pater 2020 Only Now 2019 I Think I’ve Been Blurred 2018 Progress On The Honey Do List And It’s Mostly Free, Too! 2017 Both Dismissed 2016 Poetry Isn’t Going To Work 2015 MA Fix Getting Better 2014 Actually 2013 Unfortunate Evolutionary Accidents 2012 Tense (Past, Present And Future) 2011 What Is Your Preference?

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30th Wedding Anniversary

Hil & me on our wedding day at City Hall in San Francisco, CA (3 Dec 1984)
An unsatisfied woman requires luxury, but a woman who is in love with a man will lie on a board.
—    André Maurois
[Happy 30th Anniversary, Hil
Thirty years ago we would watch TV together lying on a rug with flattened cardboard boxes for an underfelt, huddled under a blanket, you leaning against me and me leaning on a single stuffed cushion.  We were on our own, just getting started, in love and with nothing but hope for the future.  See how far our voyage has come…  And hopefully, how far we’ve still to go…
Love Always,
Your Kev
XXX
00
X
—    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Happy 37th Anniversary, Hil!!
2020	Happy 36th Anniversary, Hil!!
2019	Sampling 3:16
	Happy 35th Anniversary, Hil!!
2018	Happy 34th Anniversary, Hil!!
2017	Happy 33rd Anniversary, Hil!!
2016	Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!!
2015	Happy Anniversary Hil!!
2014	30th Wedding Anniversary
2013	Number 29 (And Counting)
2012	Hammer ‘N Roses
	Happy Anniversary
2011	I Can Hear It Now

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Number 29 (And Counting)

Hil & me on our wedding day at City Hall in San Francisco, CA (3 Dec 1984)
A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.
—  André Maurois
[Happy Anniversary, Hil
You are still the greatest daily joy in my life!
Love Always,
Your Kev
XXX
OO
X]
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On This Day In:
2021	Happy 37th Anniversary, Hil!!
2020	Happy 36th Anniversary, Hil!!
2019	Sampling 3:16
	Happy 35th Anniversary, Hil!!
2018	Happy 34th Anniversary, Hil!!
2017	Happy 33rd Anniversary, Hil!!
2016	Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!!
2015	Happy Anniversary Hil!!
2014	30th Wedding Anniversary
2013	Number 29 (And Counting)
2012	Hammer ‘N Roses
	Happy Anniversary
2011	I Can Hear It Now

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Happy Anniversary

Hil & me on our wedding day at City Hall in San Francisco, CA (3 Dec 1984)
To Time and Circumstance, which have been kind to me.
—    Isaac Asimov
From his book:  “Opus 100“
[Today marks the 28th anniversary of my wedding to my lovely wife, Hilary.  Twenty eight years, three kids, three continents, three houses later…  I love you more each day…    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Happy 37th Anniversary, Hil!!
2020	Happy 36th Anniversary, Hil!!
2019	Sampling 3:16
	Happy 35th Anniversary, Hil!!
2018	Happy 34th Anniversary, Hil!!
2017	Happy 33rd Anniversary, Hil!!
2016	Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!!
2015	Happy Anniversary Hil!!
2014	30th Wedding Anniversary
2013	Number 29 (And Counting)
2012	Hammer ‘N Roses
	Happy Anniversary
2011	I Can Hear It Now

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There’s A New Dog In Town

Waiting to go inside…  Is that camera still on me?  Did someone say, “Squirrel”?  British gardeners require constant supervision…  Hey Youse, give us a treat!  Just a little shade…  In yer face training…  Are you ever gonna get a life, Dad?  The kennel never said my new home was a fixer-upper.  I’ve gotta do everything myself around here…  Yeah, the garden’s ok now, but wait until I’m done with it…  A quick pause between making trouble.  That’s right – I’m gorgeous!  Not quite enough shade…  She’s not fully trained, but I like blonds.  There’s like NO privacy in this house-hold!  Squirrel???  Someone please take that camera-phone off him!
Introducing “Shiva” – the newest member of the Barrett Family.
75 pounds of Anatolian Shepherd and Golden Retriever.  Two years old and compliments of Tony La Russa ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation).
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On This Day In:
2022	Removing Self-negotiation
2021	Republican Congressional Leadership Continues The Big Lie
	You Just Can’t Hide
2020	Cut To The Chase
	Fun Fog
2019	True Piety
2018	I Would, Too (A music-video for all)
2017	100th Day (of the Trump Presidency)
	Both Unlucky
2016	Or Blog
2015	Stretched Today?
2014	Outta Here
2013	Getting Words Right
2012	There’s A New Dog In Town
	Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
2011	A Conservative Is…

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Good-bye, Val

Val and Family – Christmas 2011 Sarah and Val as a puppy Hil and Sarah with Val at Martinez James with Val in front of the house.
The following are the “10 Canine Commandments“.  The day after Val passed, they were posted by a friend on Facebook.  I don’t know if there was any significance for her at the time she shared them on Facebook, but they were another reminder of how much we loved and are missing our Val.
1.	My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years.  Any separation from you will be painful to me.  Remember that before you buy me.
2.	Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3.	Place your trust in me.  It is crucial to my well being.
4.	Don’t be angry at me for long, and don’t lock or chain me up as punishment.  You have your work, entertainment and friends.  I only have you.
5.	Talk to me sometimes.  Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when you are talking to me.
6.	Be aware that however you treat me, I may forgive you, but I will never forget it.
7.	Before you hit me – I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8.	Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.  Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
9.	Take care of me when I grow old.  You too will grow old someday.
10.	Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say “I can’t bear to watch” or “let it happen in my absence“.  Everything is easier for me if you are there.
If you can promise me these things, I will give you my unconditional love.  Something money cannot buy…..  REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU
—————————-
Back in February of 2001, the week of Valentine’s Day, we adopted a little German Shepherd / Pit mix.  We named her “Val”.  She had been found on the street and was terrified of people.  The animal rescue people (ARF), said she had been abused before being abandoned.  We welcomed Val into our new house (new to us as we had just moved back from overseas in December of 2000) and over the next 11 years she has helped to make it our home.
Val had hip dysplasia and so she never turned out to be the jogging mate I had hoped she would be.  In fact, we could rarely walk her for more than a few blocks before she would develop a limp which would be noticeable for a couple of days.  So, Val became a house dog.  She had run of the back yard, but mostly she would play tug-of-war with her toys and the kids or just lie in the sun.  Val seemed to accept her role as a house dog and would rarely venture outside the front door – even if it was left wide open.  She would go have a nose – look up and down the street, but rarely go out.  Up until near the end, she did love to go for short walks around the block.  I’m sure it was all of the new smells she couldn’t find in the yard.
Val also had extra claws on her two front legs.  The ARF folks said it was common on dogs that have been in-bred too much (as is the dysplasia), and they made us promise not to have them surgically removed unless she accidentally tore them.  We promised and they never bothered her.  We used to kid that Val was our “X-dog”, because she was a mutant.
Val was a part of the family.  She was always there to greet us when we came home from being out.  She would bark at the door until we opened it and then run between us to say “Hi” to each of us like she’d not seen us for months – even if we were only gone a half hour.  Val was a true “pack” dog.  She hated to be alone when she could be near someone.  Constantly under foot, she would lie down on your feet when you sat on the couch to watch the TV.   Most of all, Val loved Hil.  Val would follow Hil from room to room – not to get a treat or anything – just to be near her.  We used to kid each other that Val was Hil’s extra shadow.  Hil bought a little placard to keep on the wall near the back door titled “Chores List“.  It read: “1.  Let dog out;  2.  Let dog in;  3.  Let dog out;  4.  Let dog in…”
About six months ago, Val developed a distended tummy.  Val started getting skinny everywhere else and losing energy.   I think both Hil and I knew there was something wrong, but we didn’t really want to face it and we just put it down to her being over 10 years old.  We were feeding Val more, but she was continuing to lose weight everywhere except her belly.  Finally, Hil scheduled a trip to the vet.
Val saw the vet on 28 March and they said she had large tumors on her spleen and liver and probably the cancer had spread to other places too.  They said it was operable for her spleen, but because it had spread, she would not have long anyway.  We decided to bring her home and make her final days as comfortable as possible.  The vet said, “When she starts to go, she would go down quickly.  She will lose all interest in food and not want to move.  She will start panting and her gums will get pale.  When that happens, bring her back and we’ll help her.”
For the last two weeks, Val was treated even more like the queen of Sheba than she usually was.  A new chewing toy, lots of treats and plenty of scratches…  And she loved it.
On Thursday, when I got home from work, Val didn’t get up to greet me.  She didn’t even raise her head.  I checked her several times to make sure she was breathing and to give her a few scratches.  She got up when Sarah got home from school about two hours later, but she had barely moved the whole time in between.   When she sat back down, she was panting.
Hil got home and let Val out for her business and then Hil called me over.  Val was passing blood in her urine.  She was still panting and was completely off her food for the day.
We called the vet and they said to bring her in right away…
We got Val’s leash and she seemed to buck-up.  She went right to the front door and was panting excitedly.  When we started for the car, she got even more excited (because this meant her favorite walks).  When we got her to the vets office, she was shaking terribly.  They examined her and asked us what we wanted done.  We signed the forms and paid the fee.  They spread a blanket on the floor so she would be comfortable.  The doctor gave Val her shot and she passed on quickly while the three of us were petting her.  She simply relaxed with her head in my hands and then stopped breathing.  The vet checked her pulse and said she was gone.
Sarah, Hil and I continued to pet Val for a few minutes and then we left her to have her ashes spread over a field in Napa.
The house is less full now without Val here to greet us.  But in a strange way, I feel like she is still here.  Like a legendary Chinese guardian dog, Val is still waiting at the door to welcome us home and still ready to bark to protect us from danger.
Rest in peace, girl.  While we remember and celebrate your life with us, we also mourn our loss.  Thanks for being a part of our family.  We miss you.  We loved you.  I loved you, you silly, playful, wonderful dog!
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On This Day In:
2022	Or Simple Truths You Don’t Want To Believe
2021	I Never Could Keep A Secret
	A Half A Mile Or So
2020	Facing The Truth
2019	How Much Is Your Education Worth?
	Is America Ready: Mayor Pete – 2020!!
2018	Disruptive Definition
2017	A History Of Small Insights
2016	Be Uncommon
2015	Ooops!
2014	What Price Freedom?
2013	Remembering Val
2012	Good-bye, Val
	Survival Value
2011	Traitors In Our Midst
	Life Ain’t Easy

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Final Competition

Today, Hil and I drove down to Merced, CA to watch our youngest daughter (Sarah) participate in her final Concord High School Marching Band competition.  They still have two more performances in December, but those will not be “judged” competitions.
Sarah plays the flute in the Marching Band and Cymbals in the Percussion Line.
This is Sarah’s fourth and final year in Band and the following photos are just a few from this trip and from the Santa Cruz Band Review (back in Oct. 2010).  Also included are a couple of photos showing the Band Moms helping to get the students ready for the competition.  The dedication of some of the Band Moms to their kids and to the Band / Music program is really something to watch (and experience.)
Enjoy…  (And please support Music and the Arts in your schools!!!)
Sarah at school – with flute Sarah at summer Band Camp Sarah with the Minuteman Rifle One of the Band Mom’s fixing someone’s hair One of the Band Mom’s fixing the jacket of a student One of the Band Mom’s fixing Sarah’s Shoe Concord High School Shield Girls Sarah’s friend (Jelitsa) – one of the flag bearers (center) Showing no love to the cameraman (Dad) Lines and diagonals – when correct, the many become one Attention!! Band Attention!! On the march In Santa Cruz Rushing to get ready for percussion line In percussion line Attention!! Sarah warming up before the competition Sarah relaxing and lost in thought Playing Flute Playing Flute Hil at Santa Cruz beach Hil at Santa Cruz Beach Yours truly… Lookin’ casual in Santa Cruz
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On This Day In:
2021	It Still Isn’t
	Swinging And Shaking
2020	One Is Not Plural
	On And On…
2019	I Think I’ve Just Been Argoted
2018	Good-Bye AG Jeff Sessions
2017	On Our Wall (Part 2)
2016	I Beg The Question
2015	By Their Fruit
2014	Proven Worth
2013	From Missouri
2012	Recipe To Write: Start With One Aching Urge
2011	Ip And Rib
	Real Things
2010	Final Competition

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Orange Outside (Too) & Fear The Beard

This weekend, I upgraded some of my Giants kit to go along with our advancing into the 2010 World Series.  I also got shirts for Hil and the kids.
Hil making me laugh Fear The Beard Fear The Beard – Dyed black for the World Series Hil and me selecting images for the web Hil and me showing off our new Orange
You’ll notice I’ve dyed my beard black (FEAR THE BEARD!!) for the Series!!!
Go GIANTS!!!  I AM ORANGE INSIDE!!!
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On This Day In:
2021	Do What You Can
	From The Shadows
2020	Mostly To Just Smell A Few More Roses
	Above The Storm
	R.I.P.: Jerry Jeff Walker
2019	Ought To More Often Than Once
2018	Talking About Egypt, Not The White House
2017	Left Behind
2016	Self-Restraint
2015	In The Midst
2014	Match Book
2013	Disservice And Disingenuous
2012	Giants Win Game 1 Of The World Series 8 to 3!!!
	On Death
2011	The Spirit Of Universal Connectivity
2010	SF Giants Pitchers Witness Protection Program
	Orange Outside (Too) & Fear The Beard
	Non-Taxing Read

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The Magnificent Seven

Here’s the seven photos Hil and I keep on the dressers in our bedroom.
All three munchkins together Hil & me on our wedding day at City Hall in San Francisco, CA (3 Dec 1984) James – about 3 yrs old Rebecca at 9 months – first visit to Liverpool Rebecca (about 5yrs old) Sarah’s school photo in Saudi Arabia Sarah in pre-school
Where your treasure is, there also is your heart…
—     Luke 12:34
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On This Day In:
2021	What You’ll Find
	I Know I’m One
2020	Voting Has Consequences
	We Will Get There!
2019	Mutually Exclusive
2018	Basic Rights
2017	Thoughtful Attitudes
	Surprise!!
2016	The Bell Tolls
2015	It Is What It Is
2014	What Have You Learned (Gently) Lately?
	Orange October (I)
2013	Ignore The Man Behind The Curtain
	For A Time
2012	What Are Your True Measurements
2011	What It Is All About
2010	The Magnificent Seven
	Giants Fever!!

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Just Cuz

Just because one can never have enough photos of your wife and yourself on the web, here’s another…
Sunset at Crater Lake – Hil & Me
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On This Day In:
2021	Well Within Our Power
	Hammer Time
2020	3 November Is Coming!
	Bee Gees’ing
2019	Senate Republicans: Impeachment – Because It Is Right!
	Dave’s Not Here, Man!
	Mixing Business And Pleasure
2018	Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct
	HF2: 1940’s Grapes
2017	Proof Sits In The Oval Office
2016	Tragic Determinism
2015	Maybe It Should Be Clearer
2014	Make It Your Strength
2013	Four Score
2012	The Ruler
2011	Forever
2010	Just Cuz
	How Do You Mend A Broken Heart?
	It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review)

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