Thursday, June 26, 2008

This is really stretching us . . . But as I read the other entries I found it really cool - you all write so well - I will never compare - but here goes. First of all, I have to say what a great time I had chaperoning Alec's friends on his Sr. Trip. We rented a beach house on Balboa Island - a reclaimed island between the mainland and the Newport peninsula in California. Other than making a trip to the grocery store, you can park your car for a week and walk or as I did . . . buy a cool beach cruiser bike, with a basket of course, and you have total freedom and feel like you are ten years old again. There are great little places to eat, shop and of course there is the beach. The beach is accessed via a ferry and unfortunately the price has gone up to $1 ; $1.25 if you have a bike. We are going again with another family in August and I can't wait!! The kids take their long boards and ride them everywhere - we trade off when they want to ride my cool bike. Summer at its best.

As far as reading goes, I have recently read a memoir titled, The Last Lecture. It is a short read of a father about my age dying of pancreatic cancer who wants his children to know who he really was. Originally given as a lecture it was posted on utube before it was written and published. I am now reading a great historical fiction; The Pure Land. It is an account of the Scottish merchant, Thomas Glover, who as a young man sought his fortune in Japan in the 1860's. In addition to his fortune, he was instrumental in overthrowing the Shogun and also lived a life that inspired the opera Madame Butterfly. Mark has just finished reading the Bourne Identity for the second time and is now reading his favorite author of all, Clive Cussler. Yes, fortunately for Mark he is still writing.

4 comments:

Chefwife said...

That sound like such a fun trip. I'd love to see the boys riding on your beach cruiser! :)

I've heard bits of the "Last Lecture", but I should read it all for myself. Thank you for the recommendation!

Diana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diana said...

Dang nabbit! It (the blog) posted my comment twice and when I tried to delete one, it left "removed by the author" which makes it sound like I have something to hide. Now I have to remember what I said. And I'll never say it again as well; I tell you it was brilliant.

Diana said...

Michelle, For some reason I thought your post was from Mark. I was picturing him on a blue and orange beach bike (with basket) rediscovering his inner child. I realized my mistake when you shared your recent reads. (Which I will look for)

Mark, This blog could use some Adreniline/Testosterone Genre book reviews. I was thinking also of a "Save Your Marriage Video List"
(You know, movies with Matt Damen/Nicolas Cage, an impossibly beautiful frumped down supermodel and an improbable script that keeps you guessing) Mike and I just watched "Next" and everybody was happy.