It’s Saturday morning. Debbie and Sam left the house @ 6:00am for a tennis tournament in Santa Barbara. Simon has found his way into bed with me. He keeps kicking off the covers. I notice that it’s cold. Real cold. The sun’s out but it’s cold. The week full of heavy rain, wind, and hail appears to be over. We plowed through about 1/4 cord of firewood and I’m wondering where have all the umbrellas that we used to own have gone to.

Simon Picking Up His Brothers at Ocean Charter

Like many things these days, severe weather in southern California is short lived. We got a busy schedule today. I just hung the laundry on the clothesline and my hands are cold.

The Stairway to the 3rd Grade

Ollie and Theo are playing The Game of Life (Simon is just watching) Henry is holding his own sports center by checking the scores from The Australian open and last night’s basketball scores while talking to lord knows who on the telephone.

Ollie's Froggy Boots

At 10:30 Simon is going to the park to play with his friend Sookie and her Omi. I’ll pick some cerviche’ up at La Playita for lunch and drop Theo and Ollie off at Riviera for tennis. Henry and I are going to Pauley Pavillion to see UCLA play Washington St.

To Splash or not to Splash...

Later on tonight Henry has his own basketball game. He’s plays at Penmar Rec. Center and is on the Bruins. They are 0-2 but just got a new kid who is 6′- 3″. I got this strange feeling their team is going to win tonight.

Henry and his Bruins

Dinner last night was homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I wanted to pick up some cheese at Andrews Cheese Shop, get some coffee beans and a bottle (or 6) of wine. Lately,  I’ve been buying my coffee beans at Terroir Coffee. Today I’m off to Intelligentsia Coffee in Venice. My cardiologist has suggested that I only have 1 espresso a day but I indulge myself  and go for #2.

A Cup of Intelligentsia

When I leave the coffee shop I see a rainbow towards the east and decide to use it as a sign and head west to see the beach after the storm. The parking lot is flooded and empty. The storm seems to have come and gone leaving a wind swept sea and crisp clean air.

A Puddle Picture

The waves are pretty big but blown out with no shape whatsoever. It’s nice though to take a few minutes and watch, to take it all in and take a few pictures.

Bay St. After the Storm

The beach is great what can I say. Rain or shine. The closer you get to the waters edge the closer you get to nature and yourself. Time is up. Time to start picking up the wee ones. First stop- The pool to pick- up Ollie.

Ollie Taking a Plunge