Jim Schrempp's Web Home

More sad news this time as her dad passed away. It wasn't unexpected, but it's still sad. We made quick plans for a trip to the UK and spent 10 days. Five with her mother before the service, and five with her sister's family. The service was very, very nice. There must have been 100 people, friends and family. After the service we all went to a local pub for a remembrance. I got to renew my acquaintance with Alison and Keith, and Alan and Pat. I also met a lot of people for the first time. As often happens, she hadn't seen some people for many years. A few said they might come to visit us - I hope so, we like visitors. We spent a few evenings with her high school friends; they talked of old times and I tried to keep up.

Alan and Jen were nice enough to host us for the second half of the trip in Birmingham. Tim is now a tall teen and Katie is working on getting there too. Both are fun kids. Jen was on vacation that week and we got to be a big family. They taught us a few new games, and a new spin on Monopoly that keeps it from dragging on. Jen cooked for us a few times, which was delicious. One night we went to see The Technicolor Dream Coat put on by the children's theater. They had only four days to produce it and it came off well. I haven't been to that kind of thing for years and I thoroughly enjoyed it. From times when a few of the older kids acted, to times when it seemed like 50 pre-teens were running around the stage, pausing to say a few words. Tim also gave us many demos of Guitar Hero, while Katie unintentionally shamed me into buying my own iPod Touch so I'd know how to work the damn things.

After the good time we had at Domenico's we had to try the Friday bash at Devil's Canyon brewery. These parties are outside, behind the industrial building that houses the tanks. The place was packed, there was live music. If that's your kind of thing, then this is a good time. I felt like I was back at a college kegger. Too many people just standing around drinking. Damn, I seem to get older every year...

...and heavier. Denise set us up with tickets to the Unico crab feed. Chet and Tracy were there too. And the crab. Jesus, there was a lot. It's always loud but not raucous. This year I didn't win anything in the raffle; just as well.

Don and Cindy married this month, and what a party! The wedding was small and done in a nook of their garden. The weather was perfect. The off to dinner at Zibibbo in Palo Alto. We had several appetizers, which I mistakenly thought to be the meal (is anyone surprised?). Then came family style top sirloin on a bed of mashed potatoes. We met Don's nephews, Cindy's high school chums from Fargo, and Don's college roommate. I like a good dinner and good conversation. Several work in the entertainment business and I enjoyed hearing their perspectives on my own work. Off to a night of dancing at The Little Fox. The crowd was big as so many friends joined us. The night was capped off with some chocolate tarts from Fleur de Cocoa, said to be one of the best on the West coast. (I have been addicted to their indescribable hot cocoa.) Imagine our joy when Sue came over the next day for a chat and brought us half of a left over one. OMG.

It's been a big time for celebrations. Edi turned - we won't say how old - and threw a bash at the historic Buena Vista Winery. Built in 1857 it claims to be California's oldest premium winery. Again, nice appetizers that really did do a job as dinner. Edi's family was there and after a few drinks, offered numerous tributes to her longevity. We had a long talk with Joan and George, who are just nice folks. We'd given up on finding a place - everyone wanted two nights from us - when Janet came up with Marriot American Canyon. I've never even heard of the city. The city web site has no history - oh, incorporated in 1992. The hotel was nothing special, but big and clean and very comfortable. After the shindig we sat around the conference table in Janet's suite (!) until we were too tired to move.

Dina invited us to her April 15 Taxes Are Done! party. As we walked up to her door the porch was papered with old tax forms. The trash can out back was the "final filing" box. I whipped up a quick dip of garlic, sour cream, yoghurt, lemon juice, paprika, and some Tabasco brand Chipotle sauce. It was a bit too garlicy, but still a hit with the crowd. I talked to a lot of fun people. One woman lawyer is good friends with the EFF lead attorney. I enjoyed hearing her thoughts on intellectual property. Ever since reading The Future of Ideas, I can't get enough.

Several friends have come through town. Brent has stayed with us a number of times. I enjoy having him in the house. We talk politics and forest service happenings. Stan and Pam were just in town for a nice long laughing dinner at Spasso.

Nights out we're always looking for things to do. The Kite Runner at SJ Rep was enjoyable. I have yet to read the book; friends tell me the play was very true to it. A bit hard to believe all those coincidences, but I can overlook those for a good story. We were in the UK when Maureen Dowd spoke. We did make it to Fareed Zadaria. He gave an interesting perspective on the war, politics in Washington, and the global economy. He was more bullish on the future of American competitiveness than many others. At times it was a feel-good "come on guys we can do it" kind of talk. Much has been said about all the engineering graduates in India and China. Fareed said, "Where are all these grads coming from? Sure there's IIT, but it can't graduate 300,000 engineers a year." His explanation is that India counts a six month refrigeration tech grad in the engineer category. When you take those out of the mix, the per capital rate of college grads is much closer.

Again her house was on the Going Native Garden Tour. This year there was more publicity and we had 200 visitors, double last year. With the odd weather, the garden was different again. The poppies were in bloom, but not in abundance. The clarkia (farewell to spring) have taken over the side strip, but they are only blooming now. She had plenty of other flowers up, and it was spectacular. I'll add some photos here soon. Thanks to Wendy and Barb for helping to weed at the last minute and then spending all day with me on the greeting table. We finished up our entry to Spring with the CNPS flower show.

The Victorian Preservation Association of San Jose completed their work on Hill House. Hill was a photographer and a founder of the Sempervirens club. He was instrumental in establishing California's first state park: Big Basin. The house has been moved to one end of Kelly Park, where History San Jose has put a number of old buildings. Another place I didn't know existed. They have over 25 restored historic buildings including the electric light tower that used to welcome people to San Jose. History park is a good way to spend an afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and just hang out.

She's in recovery now. Her torn meniscus has been snipped and we're just waiting for the swelling to go down. I'm being nurse, which is not really my strong suit. I feel I'm found wanting. (Tip o' the hat to Paul for the 'shopping.)

The weather has really gone back and forth this spring. We've had some great clear days, then some really hot days, then a week of arctic air that chilled me to the bone. Yesterday it was cold, today it's mild. Hard to know how to dress. I guess short pants and a fish shirt will have to do.

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Here's a list of some sites I've enjoyed

Genealogy

Some family names that we research (well, if someone writes we write back):

Engelhorn
Englehorn
Kolm
Hopkins
Lewis
Bernitt
Schrempp (of course!)