Cooking For Those You Love

Here are images of the spaghetti I cooked for Dylan (19) today, after he got his buzz-cut; and a shot the Aidan and Dylan together on my block; and last night's chicken that I cooked for Aidan (20) after we got home from the game.  I am pretty sure nobody reads these posts any longer because that is what Google tells me. So I am writing only for myself, I suppose.

When I was a boy we were taught to thank our mothers for everything they did for us, including cooking meals.

As an old and frail man, I find still having the ability to cook for my kids is one of my greatest pleasures. I have to believe many generations of Moms feel as I do.

No need for thanks. It was my pleasure. I do not know how much longer I will be able to do it, but it would be fine with me if the last thing I did was to cook a meal for my family.

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Baseball!

Dylan and I sat in club level seats with a great view of tonight's game, a 0-1 loss, unfortunately, but we had a good time. It is a joy that he likes to watch sports with me; he is a great companion. All six of my kids are Giants fans and they all have been to multiple games over the years.

You might call it a family tradition.

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New Boots Arrive

I do not mean to sound like a consumer (a term I hate) but part of my job as a parent is helping my kids get the things they need. I probably blogged about this last fall when I visited the boys in Missoula and bought them boots.

But those were cheap boots, and Dylan's broke a while back.

This weekend we identified and ordered some well-constructed boots. They arrived today and here he is, trying them on.

He says they fit great.

I know this sounds like a tiny post from a journalist like me, but lately I have been as interested in the tiny domestic details of my life as the big journalistic work we are also doing. There's news on that front too but maybe for another post.

For tonight, I am happy my youngest son has a new pair of boots!

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Smart TV Day

My two youngest helped me purchase my first flat-screen, HDTV today. They joked that our existing TVs were relics from so long ago only weird collectors would want them. So out to the curb went one, into my bedroom the other and into the living room came our lovely new flat-screen HDTV.

Basically I bought it for them, but I'm sure it will be very nice for me as well when I watch my favorits sports, politics, news and movies.

What I enjoyed most about the shopping process was how much fun the kids had. Dylan took the lead installing all the new equipment, assisted by Julia. Aidan had to work.

I just stood aside, amazed. This new generation has so many skills doing these technological things. I've become something of a relic myself.

But I'm happy to defer to them.

We also ordered a new pair of tough boots for Dylan. The ones I bought him in Montana last fall have fallen apart.

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Birthday Get-together

Happy Birthday, Laila!

My first child was born today juts a handful of years ago. She is now a Mom with three kids and a great husband. We all hope to get together tomorrow or again next weekend to celebrate her birthday.

What a week! At work, my online team continues to produce brilliant journalism. We have two big exposes coming next week.

At home, my kids spent a lot of time here, in this rundown flat. Aidan loves his power diet of chicken breasts, egg whites, potatoes and green veggies. He and I have been cooking a lot.

Dylan loves his spaghetti, made from ground turkey, olive oil, basil, onions, and garlic. Plus Mexican food from El Matate.

Julia loves fresh fruit that is not quite ripe -- i.e. peaches, and organic Mac & Cheese.

Me? I love all food. Most of all, I love having my kids around. This was a very nice week.

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Homecoming

The Missoula kids arrive at SFO!