Remembering Someone Special

I'm up early today, can't sleep, thinking mainly about my former father-in-law, Carey Matthiessen, who died a year ago. Back east, the family is gathering for a remembrance. My two youngest, Dylan (22) and Julia (19), have been navigating the trains, subways, Lyfts, Ubers, taxis, and buses the past few days to get to the ceremony.

I'm proud of them, as West Coast kids, for their ability to figure out those systems, which differ in many ways from ours out here. But also for their family loyalty.

Personally, I miss Carey. He was a wonderful person to talk with -- he taught me all about raising oysters, his main preoccupation -- which requires almost as much attention as raising children. We were both aware of the analogies.

When you live a long life, you get the opportunity to meet many people, but only a handful in the end can be special in your world. Carey was one of the special ones in my life. We had many great conversations.

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The DMV

My driver's license expired last month, and the first appointment I could arrange to renew it was today. I took a cab over to Fell Street and the crowded facility with a long-time reputation for rude service and long delays.

A couple of hours later, I took a cab back to the office, with my provisional license in hand, or at least in pocket. I had passed the eye test, the written test and provided the necessary documentation to get a renewal. And the service was polite and professional. (Maybe it helps to be old with white hair?)

I can't tell you how stressful this was for me. Lots of standing and waiting, worrying about the tests and whether I had the right papers on me.

But all went well, and I met two nice cab drivers during the process.

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Water Heater Blues

Working from home for second straight day because we have no hot water here. Workers yesterday and today have determined the old one is finished and needs to be replaced. Hope fully that will be accomplished today.

I took the opportunity to clear out some junk from the laundry room. This place really is too cluttered for my taste.

I like engaging with the workers, who invariably are minorities, probably little educated, and fun to talk with. I admire the work they are able to do; at my age, I am too frail to do anything like that.

My landlady has been here a lot; she bargains hard with the workers. It looks like this particular job will cost her $1,400. Days like this -- I am happy to be a renter, not an owner.

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Apple Blossoms

I noticed the apple tree in my backyard is blossoming. This seasonal renewal is so inspiring to me, even though the apples taht result are not really edible. I wonder, though, whether they might be useful if baked in a pie?

Maybe I will investigate.

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Who is Coming Next?

https://www.kqed.org/news/11665221/kqed-newsroom-special-edition-youth-takeover

Friday night, we aired a special edition of Newsroom. We featured a 17-year-old co-host and had three other high-schoolers as guests. As it turned out, they were all girls and people of color.

I did my usual thing and talked to them in the green room, hoping to help them get comfortable before going on the air.

They were all delightful and so impressive. It gives me hope that the emerging generation is so articulate and committed.

Please watch via the link above.

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