Fireworks Cupertino Independence Day 2014

We attended the fireworks show in Cupertino.  It was very good, but I still haven't figured out where you sit to avoid a tree being in your way, at least obstructing part of the view.  Sitting with us were: Natalia; Charity, Anthony and Camberly; Jeremy, Kayla and Skylar; Kayla folks and LoraLi.  LoraLi had small lawn chairs for she and Tony and her friend.  We ran into Larry and Jo Hollist and their son who was born the exact same day as Tony and in the exact same hospital; they were in the NICU together.They fireworks show lasted for over 20 minutes.

Cupertino Has Really Changed

We went to Cupertino for the Independence Day fireworks.  Quick drive through town showed some of the changes in Cupertino.  The big one is Apple relocating to close to where we use to live, on Tantau.  There is also a new building behind IHOP.  And then the high school has a whole different look.

Pruneridge Ave. is blocked for Apple Construction.  Preparation being cone now.

The building

New building behind IHOP

Cupertino High School

New cafeteria and administration

Our old house is looking the same; roses are doing well

Independence Day: Afternoon and Evening

July 4 we picked up Natalia at the airport, and then headed to Cupertino.  After driving around town to see some of the changes we headed to the grocery store, Lucky who had corn 6 for $1.  We then settled in at Creekside Park, in the southwest corner where they have a barbecue grill.  For lunch we had sandwiches, and then kept ourselves entertained.  I enjoyed a book, and we all played some games, and Tony enjoyed climbing, and the playground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8N_EQPkW_s&list=UUUEd30vKIa3CW6YQDuSxQcQ&index=1
Miranda, Tony, Natalia bouncing

We barbecued for dinner.  Charity's Anthony (they arrived after Charity's work) took the honors with the grill; corn, hamburgers and hot dogs.  I was saving our watch the fireworks spot.  Kayla, Jeremy and Skylar joined us for dinner.  The corn was most excellent. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIMDRLlSd-c&list=UUUEd30vKIa3CW6YQDuSxQcQ

The Wardle Fourth of July

We started early with a Fourth of July Breakfast at Northland Ward.  Caleb helped lead kids on the Bishop's horses, and then helped with the retiring of a flag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRprrEy12vw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUEd30vKIa3CW6YQDuSxQcQ
We then hurried to Cupertino, to swim in the Blackberry Pool where Charity works.  We made good time, and were able to get in free.  The pool was crowded.  It was a hot day and it was free for the fourth.  We ate lunch at the park, barbeque hamburger with chips.  There was a band playing old rock and roll songs.
We went back the pool, and decided we had swum our fill, and wanted to get out of the sun.  We drove by the high school to see the addition, and went to Valco Mall to get out of the heat.  While at the mall, Tony drove cars for a bit.  He gave everyone turns.  The car was very sensitive, which made it hard to steer.
we then headed to the park for a picnic dinner, and the fireworks.  Charity and Anthony joined us.  Kayla and Jeremy were also at the fireworks, but with Kayla's family on the North field.  We decided to try the south field.  Tony made some new friends as there were some members from Anthony's ward there.  They kept him supplied with caps and shiny things.  I took Tony to the park to play.  There was a band of old people playing older songs, jazz style.
The evening concluded with fireworks, goodbyes and a long ride home, which went rather quickly with no traffic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFgUfTPCwXg&list=UUUEd30vKIa3CW6YQDuSxQcQ

Caleb on the Roof

I found these pictures that Charity took of Caleb on the roof of our home in Cupertino.  This was after they had redone the roof.  I don't like him going on the roof.  However in Cupertino it was a little safer than now that it is twice as high.

Sky Light

corner of Tilson and Calvert

Schulkens roof next door

 The Schulkens were great next door neighbors.  I bet we got on their nerves with foster babies and bad habits, but we tried to make up every year at Christmas when we would carol.

Tiny tiny backyard

Life in Manteca and Cupertino 42

This has been another week of concerts, four in all, two in Manteca, and two in Cupertino.  This week has been the Cupertino High School Spring Concert under the direction of Mr. Arons.  This concert featured Capella performing "Lion King" (Nancy Orton did costumes.)  Adam Ure and Scott DChye were giraffes--very tall boys.  Alyssa Orton was a lion.  The men did Beach Boys, and the women's groups "Mary Poppins" and "Wicked."  Mary Poppins is an old favorite. One thing funny was they performed "Changed for Good" which was also presented in the Manteca High School Concert.

Sheri came to town for MD appointment and discovered "Starzz on Stage" was performing.  This is a younger version of the company all the kids danced and sang for.  It was at the Cupertino church, in the gym, so we saw many old friends.  We also saw many young people when the kids performed, who are not so young now.  They sang and danced to "Fun, Fun Fun" which the men of Cupertino High School performed a couple days before.  They ended with "God Bless the USA" which my kids use to also end with when they were in Starzz.

It was also the Sierra High School Spring concert.  Caleb again sung his solo "For the Longest Time."  There were a few new songs.  One was a women's song.  Caleb received a couple awards.  One for being section leader, and the other for the best helper and attitude called the
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHaeRxe0s7E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XDUsImLh_Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRbp1aXKeCY

Finally, today, Caleb with "Hot Spud" performed a three song set for "Battle of the Bands" in Manteca.  Two songs I have previously shared, but I recorded the third which featured a solo vocal.  Caleb was on drum all three songs.

The Battle of the Bands was at the Senior Center, and I discovered some more murals.  For the most part the depict local farming scenes and history.  I apologize for the blurry nature of some, the lights were dim for the concert.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRbp1aXKeCY

What I Saw Driving Home

I was driving home on Tantau, and saw a man on the sidewalk with a strange tool around him.  Basically, he was learning to walk.  The tool held him up, and behind him was a woman, I presume his mother, helping him move along.  He leaned forward on the contraption, and it had wheels.  He slowly manipulated it forward with his woman's help.

It was the most incredible thing.  I turned around and drove back past, and then turned around and drove pass again, going very slowly, until a car pulled up behind me.

Three things struck me.   One is the struggle to do something the rest of us take for granted.  I don't know the history or the problems this man had, whether a stroke as an adult, brain injury or cerebral palsy from childhood.  What I do know is that he was struggling to regain the ability to walk.  How much drive he must have had, when he could just have given up and accepted his incapabilities. 

The second is medical advancements.  I had never seen a medical tool like the one he was using.  It was much more than a simple walker.  It actually could support his weight, and allow him to stand up, while he practiced his walking. 

The third is the love of the woman with him.  To be honest, I am not sure if it was his mother, wife, sister, or caretaker.  But she was putting just as much effort as he was into his walking practice.  She stood right behind him, making sure the walking tool did not roll too far, and making sure he was steady on his feet.

So I must admit, this was just a little thing, but I was moved almost to tears as I watched them struggle along.  I wanted to yell out the window, "you can do it."  But I let decorum guide my response as I drove past.  Perhaps they may not have wanted the attention.