As the sun rose in the east, the neighbor’s heavy-laden avocado tree glowed pink with new light. The palm trees gently shook their fronds as the temperature began its morning rise, eventually reaching a pleasant 65 degrees. But we weren’t preparing to stay and enjoy the weather. We had a picnic to pack and chains… Read More San Diego – climatic dissonance
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Up to that point in my life, I didn’t know such an experience existed. Cognitive dissonance. When we returned home, that day was the one we told everyone about. It was ten years ago, but four children and many relocations later, I remember it like it was maybe… Read More Morocco – climatic dissonance
“Time to take down the tree that smells like vomit and clean up the huge mess.” A friend posted something along those lines on social media recently. Indeed, rotting tree stump is an unpleasant aroma. And I know I’ll be finding needles under the couch at least until Memorial Day. As I carefully removed the… Read More The Journey Tree
I have mental snapshots and memories of the main house on the family compound. We were living with a Kipsigis family on their rural Kenyan land, surrounded by rolling hills, grazing cows, and red dirt. In this main building, we shared meals around a long table and the boys slept in the corner, having given… Read More George H. W. Bush, from a dung floor under a tin roof in Chebitet, Kenya
Seasonal traditions aren’t constrained by climate. I have celebrated many a Christmas in the southern hemisphere, sweat pouring from my brow, dripping onto the wrapping paper on my lap from a just-opened gift. Christmas doesn’t always mean snow, cold, and a warm fire. I have spent Easters anticipating the cool-ish rains, glad to leave the… Read More Pumpkin Patch Island Style – Oahu, Hawaii
Spring break raves and mission trips. Maybe a port visit while on a cruise. That’s why people go to Mexico, right? In 2004 I was in France for a semester and spent a weekend with a friend’s family in Paris. His parents were profuse in their praise of the cultural heritage and sites of Mexico,… Read More Crossing the Southern Border – San Ysidro, Mexico
Falafel, bulgogi, polenta. You won’t find these items at San Diego’s best international cafe. In fact, the menu is usually limited to Scandinavian specialties. The patrons, however, are known to show up in their own regional and traditional dress, speaking languages from all over the world. I would argue this cafe has the most diverse… Read More San Diego’s Best International Cafe
