Babar's Nightmare

Babar's Dream- An Illustration from Babar the King by Jean DeBrunhoff (1933)

One of the unexpected privileges of parenthood is being able to rediscover some of the delights of children's books. Read from a contemporary perspective, the Babar books have unpalatable colonial and racial aspects. The stories and art are compelling nonetheless. In the third installment, the King of the Elephants is having a troubled time; there is unrest in the kingdom, and his dear friend The Old Lady is deathly ill from a snake bite. As he sleeps, he is visited by a sea of Misfortune, represented by grotesque creatures labeled "illness", "ignorance", "despair", "fear", etc. "Graceful winged elephants" come to chase away Misfortune, and Babar awakes refreshed, and TOL recovers. This depiction of his worries always moved me, and at times I feel like that when return back to the States, as I did for six weeks in May and June. There is such an intense compression of dramas, traumas, business, and time restraints, it can feel overwhelming. There are the Graceful Winged Elephants of dear friends, family, and fellowship to help ease the burden. Also, when you get back from a "vacation" and look at the photos, it is much easier to recall the good times than the bad.

You won't get much sympathy when your travels take you to a quite posh seaside resort in Laguna Beach, where I went for an endocrinology conference. The biggest trauma there was the embarrassment of having to wait in a queue in my Nissan Versa for valet parking behind the Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Montage Hotel, Laguna Beach, CA

The So Cal trip also took me by San Diego to see my father, and to Morro Bay, where Los Larsons abide. For the second year in a row, I got to watch NBA basketball Finals Game 5 with Lars and Kate (great fun for all Warrior fans, and great to see them).

Panoramic View over Morro Bay and Rock

An early stop on our trip was to go to Davis, CA to celebrate Heather F's n^th birthday.

The Birthday Girl with Heards and Nishikawas

A later visit with HF and David N included a visit to the new yurt and the old Co-op.

My brother Charles recently was out of the hospital and I was fortunate to see him literally start to get back on his feet, with major assistance from his wife Pam and their tremendous network of loyal family and friends.

Family members, like people and their pets, seem to look more similar as years go by.

We made a little more time than usual to spend in our home in Fort Bragg, and it was much needed. I ended up working four grueling days in the hospital. I will simply say, if I had even a sliver of a doubt about my decision to take my talents to the South Island, it was extinguished. No matter how much time we allow, it never seems enough. We explored a wonderful new public walkway along Glass Beach and the ocean through what was mill property, and appreciated again what a beautiful and special place the Mendocino Coast. It was a joy to see a place you have lived for over 30 years from a brand new perspective.

Looking down on Glass Beach

The best part was catching up with our many friends, like Judy V, Linnea M, and Sue and Richard N.
We maximized the chance to catch up with Christine and Doug, and even had Sunday brunch at the Little River Inn with Christine, Adriane S., and my sister Margaret, up to scout out plans for leading a tour of Seniors up here later in the summer.

Adriane, Xtine, and Margaret

Another reason I can't really expect any pity: we ate really well. Going back down to the Bay Area we stopped in Healdsburg for lunch with Terry K at Bistro Ralph. It is always great to see her.

TK, trying hard to forget she is a 49er fan

I was overdue for a trip to Watsonville to see Emma and Rick Nestler, both recuperating nicely for problems earlier in the year. Connie and Bill joined us for a feast, the first one Mrs. N has prepared in a while. Two pies, no waiting! Spectacular!! And with Dr. N, we played his first game of dominoes  (he was masterful) since an unfortunate man vs. table-saw dispute.

There was a lot to celebrate with my sisters et al.: Cheryl's BD, Cory's BD, and Xania's HS graduation. Margaret rented a beach house at Stinson Beach the last weekend in May to help everyone celebrate, and we were able to spend a night.

Last but most, the key reason to return in June is to celebrate many Sofia M W Heard events: her BD, his BD, their wedding anniversary, and of course to keep up with the grandkids rapid growth and development.
I had a great time riding bikes with Kimarra.

From Sofia's FaceBook page

Do you remember when you had this much fun riding a bike?

I could fill pages of the blog with photos of my incredible grandchildren, but for the sake of those perhaps not as enthralled if they are not yours, I will include two collages.

Kimarra- Age 5½

Isaiah- Age 2½

And of course, there was Sofia's 25^{th
(I can't believe my baby is a quarter of a century old!).}

The Heards celebrate Mommy's BD

On June 24 it was time to wing back to New Zealand, and the relaxing feeling of returning to my regular, uncomplicated life and work. Cold winter weather had arrived, as I could see from the window of the plane over the Southern Alps.

The low winter sun over Caroline Bay is still quite lovely.

There was one big difference on returning to work, however. Dr. Bernhard Kuepper, a fixture since before I arrived here, has taken a leave of absence to work in Queensland, Australia for six months to see if the situation is better for him there. I wish him the best of luck, but would certainly welcome his return if it doesn't work out.

BK and his Groupies

His  fellow Senior Medical Officers share a farewell toast- Nic, Camille, me, Thomas, and Bernhard.

We didn't miss celebrating Independence day, as Camille Hemlock invited her fellow Yanks to a hotdog and chips and dips party. I brought this patriotic cake....

and Louise the pharmacist donated a box of home fireworks (hoarded since Guy Fawkes Day in November)  for our pleasure. Thanks Louise!

And a Happy Belated 4th of July to all you out there.