“Resume Your Life.”

This adventure blog has been on hold for five months. It is time to document our Home Runs and Curve Balls.

(HR) Pete completed his Airplane Instrument Rating! He logged over 100 hours of air time over several months. The airport became Pete’s second home and evenings were typically spent reviewing test questions or watching flight videos. This is in addition to his Civil Air Patrol duties and flights. He has wanted this for years. I’m so proud of him. We’re ready for some coastal excursions.

(CB) We endured what has become known to most Californians as the Public Safety Power Shutoff. Our northern CA utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, currently in bankruptcy proceedings, has been blamed for poor equipment maintenance and is shouldering the blame for several of our devastating wildfires. Now, during anticipated gusty winds, dry conditions, and heightened risk of fire, PG&E will preemptively shut off the electrical grid. We endured 6 power outage events in the months of October and November, each lasting 2-3 days. For us, it was a minor inconvenience, but for some businesses in communities north of us, the several outages (lasting a week or more at a time), broke them. They lost food and customers, and so restaurants and small grocery stores went out of business. It is very sad.

(HR) We had an epic date night attending the Opening Gala for the San Francisco Symphony. This was a black tie affair celebrating the achievements of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. There was a red carpet welcoming the gowned and tuxedoed guests. Paparazzi snapped photos of the “Who’s Who” (including us). The music was, of course, sensational, and the after parties in the tents surrounding the symphony hall were amazing. We enjoyed catered bites of deliciousness while several bands played to the various musical tastes of the crowd. It was overwhelming, honestly. We didn’t stay long.

(CB) We lost our dear Aunt Jake (Jacqueline Thompson) to a sudden illness the next day. We had planned to dine with her, but she was hospitalized, so we dropped in before leaving town. At age 93, having lived a very full and adventurous life, she was ready for rest. In a matter of hours she passed peacefully. I’ll remember her as kind, witty, poetic, philosophic and always very classy. Rest in peace, A.J.

(HR) I had a total hip replacement in November. I am amazed at the efficiency of these procedures. I was walking the halls that evening, home the next day, and off pain medication within two weeks. I had excellent home health care and physical therapy, and the very best personal nurse (Pete) anyone could ask for! I was officially released by my orthopedic surgeon this week. His parting words were, “You can resume your life.”

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you know that these sweet words have a deep meaning. We plan to resume our boating as soon as it is safe. Until then, it’s wait and dream, and fill the time with smaller adventures near home.

I’ve got one planned in the next two weeks! Stay tuned.

Note: Feature image courtesy of Zayde Wolf.