That time of the year

Posted on May 4, 2026 | 4 comments

We are back home after a super busy 3-day weekend away to see our kids. If you are a friend on Facebook then you saw a few pictures and heard my story.

It had been our goal this year to see at least one of Judah’s track meets, but the track schedule just never seemed to align with our schedule. If we were in the Bay Area on a Thursday, the usual day for the meets, then it was for a medical appointment at Stanford. Our granddaughter’s dance performance DID align perfectly. She works all year for this big 2-day production and it was this past weekend. We would be in town (well, in the county) and could be at two events on one day. That is a big deal for the Zodys.

Due to his parents’ hectic schedules, we would need to pick Judah up from his middle school and take him to the track meet. Sounds very simple, doesn’t it? Hah! This is the Bay Area where nothing is ever simple when it comes to travel.

We arrived in town from Fresno with plenty of time. We picked up his track gear and snack from his house. We zipped across the freeway and got an early checkin for our hotel room. We dashed down the 101 freeway and got to his school a few minutes before the early dismissal for Friday. While sitting there, waiting, Terry figured out the route to take us to the school where the track meet would be held. Judah hopped in the car and off we went.

The route would take over 50 minutes. The route would take us through the backroads of San Mateo County. The route would take us through some of the most expensive real estate in California. Narrow roads. Twisty paths. Absolutely beautiful countryside. To just south of Stanford University.

Judah did very well at the track meet, taking first place in both of his events. His dad arrived before Judah’s events so we all got to share in the glory. Our son-in-law took Judah back to San Mateo and we headed out for the same destination, just taking a different route, one that we knew fairly well. Terry and I were both exhausted by 6:50 p.m. which caused us to take the longer route back, approximately an hour to get to the performing arts auditorium where our granddaughter would perform.

We were late for the dance performance, but it was okay because we would be back on Saturday night to see the performance in its entirety. Over 40 dance numbers, all performed very well. On the second night when we sat in the balcony, a couple sat behind us who didn’t have anyone in the performance but had been told by their neighbor how great this production always was. It’s in it 22nd year with dancers from freshmen to seniors. It is our granddaughter’s second year to perform. Everything about it is first class.

When it was over I asked the couple how they liked it, and as I figured, they were blown away by the professionalism. “It’s definitely not the usual high school production,” was their comment. Music, lighting, choreography, staging. All top-notch. That’s why I’m quite happy to go two nights. Plus, we watch from two different locations. First night, on the floor level; second night, in the balcony. Two totally different perspectives.

On Sunday we went to our daughter’s church, where everyone has known us for 26 years. We are family to these people. Our daughter served communion and gave the sermon and then we all partook of lunch which was part of a fundraiser for the summer’s mission trip to El Salvador. Our daughter and granddaughter will be going on that.

And today we are back home and I’ve spent the day doing laundry. Our next time away is in two weeks when we go for another track meet and a band concert. It’s that time of the year.

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Future thinking

Posted on April 27, 2026 | 13 comments

Because of all that is going on right now in our life, Terry and I are concentrating on just the next 5 years. We are keeping that at five years because last year we were also saying “for the next five years,” so it’s in small increments right now.

We learned yesterday that another couple in our church, in their late 80s, has decided to sell their home of over 50 years and move to one of the upscale senior housing projects in the city. It’s one that rents various unit sizes, from 2-bedroom free-standing cottages to very simple studio units. We have known many people who started in a larger unit, and as they aged, and perhaps the money depleted, moved to smaller and smaller units. It’s on a month-to-month basis.

There are a couple of other very high-end residential places that have the occupants “buy-in” with the peace of mind knowing they will always have a home, right up to the end. One of the earlier residents was a woman in our church who moved in at 55 and stayed until she died at 100. At one time the buy-in was $100,000. I have not checked for a few years, but the last I heard it was $350,000. I’m sure it’s double that now. And there is a monthly maintenance fee, too.

Terry and I have laughed about going to this high-end type retirement home, knowing we don’t have that kind of money to buy in. And yet, would we have the money for a month-to-month rental? We enviously look at some in the San Mateo area with monthly fees over $9,000. High-rise apartments, overlooking the city, the bay, and with easy access to shopping and services. Again, we don’t have that kind of income. Even with the sale of our house.

So, five years out…we will stay here in our house. In 5 years we will have been here 50 years. Then, we can ponder the question of where to go next. Of course, that is with the idea that life will remain as it is now. We are not foolish enough to believe that nothing can change. We see it so much with our elderly friends…events that change the course of one’s plans.

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Whirlwinds, literally

Posted on April 25, 2026 | 2 comments

Fast week, crazy-weather week…and after today I will begin to prep for the next round of busy, hopefully with better weather.

Actually, I started prepping for next weekend during the past week. Our granddaughter’s dance performance will be the first weekend of May (can you believe it is already May??) and that will be the start of the marathon month. I’ve got lists made of things to do this next week which I am hoping will keep me on track. I’ve got my calendar (paper because I just cannot keep track of a calendar on my phone) lined up with all sorts of notes, and I plan to sit each day with that calendar to make sure (ha ha) it all comes together.

As for this past week. Whew! The weather was unbelievable. If you watch the news, you may have even seen our tornadoes, but they were minor compared to those in the midwest. E1 was the strongest. No human damage, but almond trees were pulled out of the ground, horse barns were dismantled, outlying buildings were de-roofed. (Is that even a word?)

The wind and the rain (and hail) were phenomonal in our backyard. Fortunately the roof and the tree branches held. But there is a new leak on the patio roof that caused some flooding right up to the sliding glass door. I found one of our cats in the front yard, during the hailstorm, hiding under the Italian cypress. He was quite happy to be rescued.

We also rescued baby kittens that were born in our yard in the past few weeks. (I know, just what we need, more cats!) The babies and their mothers had been safe, tucked in under pruned branches that Terry had not been able to get cut up before the babies showed up. They seemed quite happy and safe there, until a torrential downpour hit. Then we heard pitiful crying as we headed out to move patio furniture and to sweep away the water. Fortunately, with two small cat houses, and Terry’s quick rescue moves, we got them in, wiped down, and snuggled into the small, snug, carpeted houses for the duration of the storm.

By the next morning the mama cats (who happen to be sisters) had rescued their children and returned them to the space between the greenhouse wall and the side fence. Our next door neighbors had chimed in when they heard the original cries from the kittens, but by then we had made the rescue, and now the cat families were back in their places.

I am grateful for the home and yard we have. Lots of safe space for the people and the animals. Our neighbors on the other side have similar spots on their yard and patio so some of our cats rode out the storm over there. Their dogs were safely ensconced in the house. I’m not too sure about the dogs in the yard behind us. They do have a patio where I think the dogs sleep so hopefully they stayed safe during the deluge. The wild weather broke records for rain and low temperatures for these dates.

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This OG really appreciates good service

Posted on April 21, 2026 | 13 comments

I took the Subaru to be washed on Monday morning. Rain was in the forecast for Tuesday so I was hoping few people would be at the car wash the day before. I was right. I’m not planning to be out on Tuesday, or maybe even Wednesday, so I wasn’t concerned about rain. I just needed all the dead bugs washed off. Oh, and I had noticed the cargo liner was getting a bit grungy, but I have never requested it be cleaned, just vacuumed, so maybe the car wash people could take care of that, too.

Let me tell you about this car wash–it has been in Fresno for over 50 years. I know this because I was using it before I got married, and we just celebrated 51 years. Red Carpet Car Wash. Once closer to downtown, but for the last 30 or so years, midway to downtown, on a main thoroughfare. Easy to get in and out. Red Carpet has always offered superb service.

This is not a ride and wash, this is a FULL SERVICE car wash that really does use red carpets on their property. The service for decades was outstanding. But then, the next generation took over. Prices, of course, have increased over the years, but the service really started to decline. I chatted about this with one of the original workers from way back in the 1970s.

Edward started there as a young man, pumping gas (that service went away 20 years ago), drying vehicles, running errands. He worked his way up to supervisor. He oversaw the whole operation by the time we had this chat and should have been retired, but he said it was too hard to leave because they had trouble getting the kind of employee they once had. The original owner, the grandfather now, had been good to him, always paying him well, giving him promotions, allowing good vacation time. He just couldn’t leave yet. But he no longer put in the long hours, the full week. He, too, was cutting back.

A few months ago when I got my car washed, I noticed a difference at the check-in. Very pleasant young man who did some upselling. I didn’t need what he was offering, but since I have taught salesmanship, I was impressed with how good he was. I told the supervisor when I picked up my car (she just happened to be the person who was drying and detailing the car). She said she would make note of that and let him know. I left an extra tip with her for him.

So, on Monday morning, I was pleased to have another young man at check-in who was not only very pleasant, but also chatty, as am I. (Bet you didn’t know that about me!) I showed him my cargo liner and asked if they could do something with it. He had two solutions–one free, the other $2.50. I asked about time, and he carefully explained the time to do it, and since few people were there on a day before rain, he figured 20 minutes, tops. I took the $2.50 solution and am so glad I did. The cargo liner looks like it’s brand new.

I told the cashier how much I had enjoyed the young man at check-in and how helpful he was. She gave me his name and asked that I write a review and mention him. I did.

Then I watched the detail guy and the pains he took to get everything back in place. When I picked up the car and handed him my ticket, he handed me the keys, initialed my ticket, and reminded me that I could bring the card back for one dollar off the next wash.

“Oh, yes, I know. I’ve been doing this for over fifty years.”

“Oh,” he laughed, “you’re a real OG.”

“Yes, yes I am,” I replied and handed him a large tip. The service has definitely improved and this OG really appreciates it.

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the third Sunday in April

Posted on April 19, 2026 | 2 comments

…and the pace is quickening…

Our grandson ran his first track meet of the season on Thursday. Since we were unable to be there, our daughter sent videos of each event (they only did three due to time and temperature [late and cold]) with commentary. Although sorry to miss it, I wasn’t sorry to miss the cold air and the late hour.

Our granddaughter is feeling the pressure due to State testing and upcoming dance performance. She also has AP testing this next week. We will be there for the dance performance.

May looks to be very busy for us as we will be in the Bay Area on three occasions–granddaughter’s dance, grandson’s band concert, Terry’s PRRT at Stanford.

So what did I do this past weekend?

Friday morning I was up and out early to pack food for the large food distribution done by another Presbyterian church each month. It’s a 3-day effort but I only show up for packing grocery bags as the other two days are way beyond my capacity. You can see a picture of some of my packing buddies here.

On Saturday I did a variety of household chores. The weather was absolutely perfect so I worked in the backyard in the afternoon. Rain is forecast for the next week, but right now the backyard is dry, and something is eating holes in my geranium leaves. I ran the sprinklers while sitting on the garden bench with the cats. The view of the yard can be seen here.

And now, Sunday morning. A more relaxed Sunday for us. We were able to sleep in since Terry doesn’t have choir for a few weeks. After Easter things around the church relax for a few weeks. The pace will pick up just as we are gone again and Terry will miss choir a couple of Sundays in May. Life and times at the Zody’s…

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I should write a blog post

Posted on April 15, 2026 | 4 comments

I have said those words to myself every day this week. Here it is Wednesday, in my part of the universe, and I am going to write a blog post…

Or try…

It’s been a week (and it’s only Wednesday). Although we are both still standing, it’s not been a very good week.

Terry and I had our COVID boosters a week ago. The Stanford medical team told Terry he could get one if he did so with time between treatments, and there has been plenty of time…his previous treatment was in mid-January, and the next one won’t be until end of May. His blood counts were not up to snuff to do the second treatment in mid-March as originally scheduled. You may remember I had to hustle around and make changes in hotel reservations…even this week we are getting updates on appointments for scans and MRIs leading up to the next treatment.

But, about that COVID booster…I did fine but Terry seems to have caught a cold afterwards, or some sort of respiratory ailment. My throat has been yucky for about two weeks, even before the vaccination, but that was due to pollen. ClaritinD has kept me functioning. Terry could not function Monday. Nor Tuesday.

This has thrown my whole week off as I had so many plans for this week, fun plans, with friends. Monday and Wednesday–cancelled. I’m holding out for Friday as Terry slept well last night (Tuesday) and seems on the mend this morning. I probably could have kept my Wednesday date, BUT it would have meant a day out of the house, leaving all the work around here to Terry, and I’m not sure if he’s up to that just yet. There is much “heavy-lifting” to our life.

I spent Monday getting yard work done so I could load up the “green compost” can for Tuesday morning pickup. Terry should have been out back, cutting up a large pear tree branch that came down during last week’s storms. Oh, my, gosh. So much rain and wind. That’s why I had to get work done on Monday because he wasn’t going to be able to get out to use the chainsaw for that downed branch. I did my best with tree loppers and pruning shears and filled the green can, but the main limb is still there. And, it’s leaning against the back fence.

This tree incident should NOT have even happened had Terry attended to the limb BEFORE the storm as I had asked him to do. I could see what could happen if it got soaked in the rain and then the wind blew. It happened a few years ago when the limb had grown out, over the greenhouse pad. It’s a lovely shade tree, and that branch has been specifically trained to grow that direction, but it must be occasionally pruned. He didn’t think it needed it. So, here we are.

Monday I missed Ladies Who Lunch and today I am missing a presentation by author Amy Tan at Fresno’s Convention Center.

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A bright spot in a week of not-so-bright news

Posted on April 11, 2026 | 3 comments

The weekend after Easter…what a fast week that was. The week before we go out of town and the week after we come home…two weeks that go by in a blink.

This past week brought so much sad news. I will not share it all here because typing it would just replay the trauma I felt at each situation. Just know, dear reader that what landed in my periphery was not joyous. Until…Friday when we watched the Artemis 2 splashdown. This was an event we all needed after the crazy week just had. A job well done. A successful mission. Hard work rewarded. A bit of glory for a country that has drug the world through the mud the past week.

A photo collage on Instagram speaks volumes about how the women feel about the Artemis 2 mission.

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After Easter aftermath

Posted on April 7, 2026 | 4 comments

We are back home after a few days in the Bay Area with our kids. It was an absolutely lovely time. Getting to see the kids is fabulous. We also love our daughter’s church family. It is always good to see them and catch up. We hadn’t been with them since September but they have kept up on all our doings through our daughter’s updates. This group of people pray for us on a weekly basis. They don’t say much about it, but we know from their love and caring attention.

We got up early Easter morning and headed out to the San Francisco Bay, eastside, for sunrise service with the other hardy souls. Here is my Instagram post.

Our grandson was baptized during the Easter church service. This was special to me in many ways. My dad and I were baptized together on Easter Sunday way back in the mid 1960s. This is the link to Instagram for some pictures from the day.

There was an egg hunt after church service and a lunch served by the church. Our daughter’s church connects to the Presbyterian church next door where the Presbyterians have a lovely children’s playground that is shared with the two churches. They used it on Easter for the grand egg hunt. The last photo on the Instagram post shows some of those participants, hanging out, waiting for the GO signal.

Later that day our little family of six headed downtown San Mateo to have dinner at our grandson’s favorite restaurant. We said our goodbyes afterwards and went our separate ways. Back to Fresno, back to school, back to work this week. It was a lovely time had by all.

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The last 10 days went by in a blur

Posted on April 4, 2026 | 5 comments

Happy Easter weekend. We are off to spend the weekend with our children and grandchildren. I have much I would like to share, but the time is fleeting for our departure. We are in sort of a holding pattern for Terry’s next treatment. His blood tests are good and the Stanford team is ready, but the timing is not working with all that we have planned in the next two months. I think I have the Stanford doctors understanding how important it is to live life to the fullest while we can.

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Fifty seven years later and I’m still pondering college

Posted on March 31, 2026 | 4 comments

It’s been 57 years since I picked a college to attend. Actually, there wasn’t much from which to pick. I chose the state college (later to become a university) in my town. the other choices in my town were a Mennonite college, of which I knew very little, and the community college which sat on the grounds of what had been the now State College. It was the site where I took my SAT. (Remember the SAT? It’s still a “thing” that high school students take.)

Early in my high school career I had considered a California University for which the state is famous. However, I jinxed that in my junior year of high school by dropping my Spanish 3 class. The university system required three years of foreign language, the state colleges did not.

I also received a full-tuition scholarship to the state college. How do you turn down free money? And, I could live at home. My mother would take very good care of me for the next four years while all I did was go to school and get good grades. In my junior and senior years I did get a job, not so much for the cash but for the experience. I knew no one was going to hire me with just a college degree. I needed to prove I had something worthwhile to offer to a company.

Now, all these years later, our granddaughter is off looking at possible colleges in other places than her home town. Her home town happens to have some very topnotch schools, and who knows, she may end up at one of them, but her parents, her grandparents, and I think herself, wants to see what else the state has to offer. Unlike her parents, she wants to stay in California.

Our daughter, granddaughter, and a friend of the granddaughter, are out visiting southern California schools this week. Our daughter sent pictures of the schools they visited on Monday–Westmont and Cal Lutheran. At 16 I didn’t even know these schools existed, and if I had, it never would have occurred to me to go visit them. I was the first in my family to attend any kind of college, and it would actually stay that way for a few decades until our daughter left for college.

Have I ever mentioned that not only did I get a good education right here in town, but it’s also where I met Terry. We never had a class together, and he should have been graduated by the time I did meet him as he is four years older than me. He had taken time off for active military duty (it was during the Vietnam War) and he kept postponing filing for his diploma and was taking just one class the semester I met him. I was doing a research project for the college as to why students did NOT graduate in four years (I was an exception to that) and Terry’s name was on the list to interview.

It was all put together through a class I was taking on designing marketing surveys, getting information to help with marketing products and services to the TARGET market. I was (and still am) very good at designing survey questions. Which brings me to a current topic–our church is trying to figure out its next steps after our current pastor retires. So, they (and I have no idea who the “they” is) developed a survey. I won’t get into the details, but I would never have let my high school students go out with such a poorly designed survey.

So, what did you learn in college that you still use today? For me, it is a whole lot, and it is also about meeting the man to who I have devoted most of my life, all because I knew how to ask the right questions.

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