I fill my car up with gas usually on Fridays before I meet with Dina for writing at Juice and Java. I seem to travel about 100 miles a week, running around town. It doesn't seem like very much.

If I were to walk a hundred miles every week I would be in great shape.

So my car gets to stay in great shape moving me around the community.

With the kids visit I got into the pattern of having a fire in the fireplace every evening. Today I went out to the store to buy more wood and pressed logs.

Tonight it isn't cold enough for a fire. We had a warm sunny day and my heater is not needed to night. Spring is on the way.

It is so quiet around the house. I have a fire in the fireplace. The day was warm but now it is chilly. I have been working on my physical therapy exercises and now my shoulder and arm are sore. I guess no pain, no gain. I hope that is true.

The issue is patience, learning to wait until the suitcases are packed, the last cup of apple juice is drunk, the shoes are found, the toys are packed and unpacked and everyone is ready to actually climb into the car to drive to the airport.

The house is neat and quiet now and the boys and their moms are gone. I already miss them.

We took our afternoon walk at Big Sur State Park. We paid the $9 entrance fee, parked in the picnic area and walked up over the hill. The stone bridge across the river was gone. 'a big gaping hole.

I kept looking at the missing bridge. The stone supports were still there but the cross beams were not.

It is surprising how hard it is to accept such a big alteration in the environment. My mental mind just would not adjust.

The four kids were running around the house, teasing and screaming, ignoring the adults' request that they put their shoes on so we could drive them home.

Finally I got out of my chair and roared, STOP. PUT YOUR SHOES ON NOW AND BE QUIET.

they stopped and looked at me and then put their shoes on. And we drove them home.

But I feel a little embarrassed that I had to resort to such a loud roar. There must be an easier way.

Some of my relatives ran into the ocean today to celebrate New Years Day. I stood at a distance and cheered them on. they then went home and took hot showers and felt pretty good. I had no impulse to do the same.

The tide was high, lots of people walking on the wharf, the sun came out. A good way to begin a new year.