GATI GREETINGS 2023/2024
GATI GREETINGS AT THE END OF 2023
LET'S LOOK BACK. ARE YOU READY?
Are some good things and an awful war.
It’s not to remind you; it’s for times to come
When we look back at the smart and the dumb.
Now that I’ve stated, what makes me concerned.
No one can solve stuff. That’s what I’ve learned.
A lot is still muddy, confusing, unclear.
But let me just air what has happened this year.
THE WORLD SITUATION
What stands out especially, on the world stage
The reasons and cause of many people’s rage —
The war between Israel and Hamas,
Bloody, tragic, hatred, no solution, alas , , ,
No peace in the future, no two-separate states.
What Palestine wants, Israel hates.
Finding answers is as hard as granite.
Think of those many overloaded boats,
Migrating Africans, all with high hopes
Of making in Europe a different new life
Without the hardships ’n political strife.
But Europe can only absorb so many.
The Migrants say, “The sky’s falling.” to quote Henry Penny.
Again, the solution, easy it’s not.
Come in A-I. Give it to a bot.
But A-I is just another player.
There is some danger, like a soothsayer.
ChatGPT has technical breath.
It may help in some ways but worries us to death
That real people, not machines do decide things,
Without our control, like planes without wings.
At 4:17, no one was awake,
February 6th, the ground it did shake
On the border of Syria and southeastern Turkey
Earthquake disaster, earth movement jerky.
7.8 magnitude, two minutes long,
Innocent people who’d done nothing wrong.
Buildings collapsed, bodies buried below.
All turned to rubble, so where could they go?
For those who did not die, rescuers came,
Those who lost family, never to be the same.
Countries sent help but overwhelmed were they.
Aftershocks, no supplies, day after day.
Like miracles, some few were pulled from underground.
Voices heard then rescued. Lucky they were found.
On TV, the Internet, on radio we heard —
38,000 died; 90,000 injured.
Was cold over there. How do you survive?
The kindness of strangers. Attend to those alive.
No food or water or blankets or a tent
No money, no nothing; everything went.
No sanitation, no toilets, no showers.
All at the mercy of those who have powers.
Syrians were already suffering from war.
Those who survived were pleading for
People to help, leaving politics aside.
Especially when so many had died.
For young and old, this real-time drama
In need of aid, a collective trauma.
In Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, Columbia,
Myanmar, Congo, & Libya,
Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Niger,
And those with guns in this country I fear.
Whether natural disaster or civil war
We cannot and should not any folks ignore.
Each is a major tragedy
Affecting people wherever they be.
Humanity is primary when the crisis is bad.
All of this makes me feel terribly sad.
Blimey, by golly, a hullabaloo,
In “bloody” LONDON, a huge, big-to-do
A historical but outdated spectacle was seen —
KING CHARLES the III and CAMILLA, the Queen.
The coronation, pomp and ceremony,
Great Britain on show — a bit phony.
An ancient tradition with some modern twists.
Can you wave like they do? Hands from the wrists?
Crowns, scepters, gold carriage, horses, an old throne,
Jewels, pomp, flags, crowds and bands, HARRY alone.
FUKUSHIMA Nuclear Power Plant
At the end of August, with pleas, “No, you can’t
Empty water so polluted
Even if they say that it’s diluted.
Tried filtering cesium and strontium out
With tritium, they say they have less doubt.
But there’ll be cloudy water preventing the sun
From getting to corals, then dead they become.
When chemicals settle on the ocean floor,
Polluting worse than it was before.
“Risk” is the word, used comparatively,
With hazardous discharge; it should be “safety”.
Who can we trust to decide carefully?
We’re all afraid; we have reason to be.
China stopped Japan’s seafood importation
Due to the water’s contamination.
This affects Korea, the Pacific Islands too,
The fishermen’s livelihood — we’ve all been “screwed”!
AFGHANISTAN
What has happened to women and girls?
The question that lingers and in the air whirls.
The Taliban want females to hide
How can the world, be on the side
Of no education or work only at home,
Wear only burkas and we’ll give you a bone.
Protests against them; this is their fight.
By burning their headscarves; they know they are right.
As Billie Jean King has said, “Do it, yup, yup.
Show up. Stand up. All you women, speak up!”
In DERNA, LIBYA, on the 10th of September,
Heavy rains came flooding, not hard to remember.
Those who survived told of bodies washed away,
Rubble everywhere, nowhere to stay.
This storm caused two dams to collapse and send
Over 11,000 lives to their end.
Streets turned to rivers, heavy rainfalls to blame
In ETHIOPIA, SOMALIA, & KENYA deaths came.
How can I say this? It is still shocking.
September 12th, trembling and rocking
In MOROCCO, a deadly earthquake
Measured a whopping 6.8.
Widespread and horrible massive devastation
3,000 died and in desperation
Survivors called for worldwide aid.
Oh, so awful, with their lives they paid.
THE U.S. — POLITICALLY SPEAKING
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| San Francisco |
President Biden & Xi Jinping
In November, they had a meeting,
21 countries, each an Asia-Pacific nation
Met to discuss trade, investment, cooperation,
‘Tween China and our side, talks “candid & constructive”,
These formal events, to prevent things destructive,
Communication was open, and it led
Cobert to joke: “He said and Xi said.”
The summit was held in San Francisco,
But we stayed at home, not near did we go.
To Mexico where it’s used in fentanyl.
‘Bout Taiwan, agreed to talk, military-to-military
So after the election in January
If Taiwan the island’s independence votes for
At least China and the U.S. will talk before war.
Handshakes were given and to each a cordial smile.
Good to see something positive for awhile.
Our judiciary branch — the SUPREME COURT
Is known as SCOTUS, when said in short.
Precedents seem to mean nothing at all
Especially where law is concerned, please recall
That Roe v Wade gave women the right
To legal abortions, not out of sight.
Now SCOTUS made DOBBS the law - 6 to 3
Making the States decide individually.
A lot of uncertainty. Do women have a choice?
Women have certainly here lost their voice.
There’s a new battlefront — abortion by medication
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration
Make legal questions in the months to come.
In the meantime, two pills can really help some.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION for college admission
Now’s been ruled out by a new court decision.
Perhaps the issue of discrimination
Can be dealt with, anticipation.
Merit of course should be taken in account.
What about legacy, if “Yes”, what amount?
What about sports or the testing score?
Essays ‘bout hardships - life stories, more?
So to satisfy the importance of diversity
for admission to a top university
More thought must go into what, who, and how.
Wrongs can’t be righted, at least for right now.
CLARENCE THOMAS is a right-wing judge,
Will not move, no, will not budge
Even though he was the recipient of such
Affirmative action, he’s against so much.
The reason he says this, he thinks people’ll say,
“You got there where you are today
Given a chance you’re not good enough
Like a scarlet letter. You’re there so be tough.”
KAGAN, the Justice opposing this view
Says, “I got in this way, but deserved it, too.”
BIDEN determined to cancel student loans
The SCOTUS 6 displayed some other tones:
“A President can’t just modify or waive
The student loans the government gave.”
And so it stands, student debt remains
And half a trillion dollars is owed in claims.
One more item, an imagined case —
A web designer hypothetically could face
A gay couple and decide to refuse
To do their website. The couple would lose.
Concurring opinions for this law they “fixed”,
Clearly conservative, the SCOTUS 6.
So much to talk about. Here are my views.
One thing that bothers and gives me the blues.
It happened one night as on TV I turned
To a program ‘bout Saturn, on NOVA I learned
From pictures spectacular taken by Cassini
Its rings and surface no longer so teeny,
But glorious images, rock chunks and ice,
No life forms can live there; for life, it’s not nice.
Hydrogen, helium — that’s what it has.
This is a planet, a huge ball of gas.
Contrast that to our own planet Earth.
Think of the life forms. For us, there’s no dearth.
Just look around us, there’ re insects, birds, man,
Animals, fish, reptiles, plants — yet we can
Not seem to see how unique that we are,
And cherish what we have. It’s so bizarre.
We should be in awe of the concept of LIFE!
Why do we destroy, ignore, and cause strife?
We’ve got our oceans with gardens below,
Fish and all mammals are born here and grow.
We’ve got our forests with trees growing tall
And yet we’ve cut down most and that is not all.
We’ve got our rivers that flowed to the sea,
But dams have been built so that nature’s not free
To run wild, we stop them or control their course.
We make use of everything and always by force.
Caused some species, extinct to go.
Is it ignorance or a purposeful show
Of arrogance, maybe a rich man’s disease?
Consequences be damned — commerce if you please.
We’ve overwhelmed the Earth with air pollution.
We’ve poisoned our waters. What is the solution?
Just science and technology, we have in mind.
No future in front, leave history behind.
When will we stop to just be amazed
Think ‘bout what we have and what we’ve raised —
Ideas, children, plants, cities
While trying to understand all the mysteries.
There are no planets like Earth where life grows.
So far, it’s only us, so science knows.
But that seems enough for me. AWE is my state.
Join me in WONDER. There is no debate.
How LUCKY we are to live every day!
This chance to be here. There’s no way
We shouldn’t be thankful and treat our fellow man
As well as the environment, the best way we can.
Why hurt other creatures, animals, the land
The mountains, the oceans, the rivers, the sand?
It all depends on our attitude, right?
We can re-think, change darkness to light.
We were sent to Earth, on this planet we landed.
Life is a gift, don’t take it for granted.
The 2020 Election is still in the news.
Though seems it’s like having two left shoes.
One side is moving ahead as it should
While the other, as Trump thinks, is just no good.
But in the meantime, life moves on.
New news enters, old news is gone.
Dominion Voting Systems — yes, indeed
Did their best and did succeed
Against the false claims at FOX, day ’n night.
The voting machines did everything right.
Even though FOX lied and said TRUMP had won,
Said hosts and producers, “We’re just having fun.”
‘Cause if they lost audience, that meant lost money,
And FOX wasn’t laughing ‘cause it wasn’t funny.
FOX had no case; falsehood was on trial.
Settled at the courthouse, a $787.5 million pile.
They tried to ruin democracy.
Momentary win against lunacy.
One development for their prime-time program
Seems he was too-outspoken a man.
They fired TUCKER CARLSON; kicked him out the door.
He and his opinion. worked there no more. [April]
There’s POLICY and POLITICS — two “Ps” in a pod.
Facts vs. opinions; science vs. God.
The first are the programs ready to go
The second is the talk ’n talk that we all know.
Only means something when “we the people” get
Socially and economically out of debt.
Public safety is our ultimate goal,
Background checks, before a gun’s even sold.
Do all these people need to own guns?
Can’t we be good and not all be nuns?
Even though more killings keep taking place,
Congress can’t seem to move. What a disgrace!!
So many mass shooting, robberies, suicides. . .
Guns aren’t the answer. Is the problem “pride”?
That folks with guns think they’re better than those
Who do those deadly deeds; it’s they who chose.
Who’s got the solution? Who’s ready to say,
“Enough of this vanity? Fight “anger” some other way.
Republicans fighting the CULTURE WAR
against abortion, immigration, the poor,
Teaching of history, race, LGBTQ
Affirmative action, gender — are a few.
Democrats do think individuals count,
But conservative issues, to a hill of beans amount.
The climate’s important; bonds and stocks are not fine,
Unions can speak up — workers rights on the line.
Government must help those who’re in need.
We pay our taxes; that money’s the seed
To fix bridges, roads, the infrastructure,
and find for the poor and homeless, some “cure”.
Maybe the good that we’d all like to see
Can never happen when there’s poverty
And hunger and drought, then hurricanes and flood
Wars over territory, injuries, death, blood.
Pessimism overcomes the wishful me
Of hope and happiness and sanity.
No problem for me to take a stand
When it comes to education, demand
African-American history
It should be taught as should LGBT.
Mexican, Indian, and women’s contribution,
Along with the U.S.’s Constitution.
This should not, be propaganda
But well-thought-out studies which do demand a
Course that teaches what’s important to know,
Like the slave trade and the meaning of Jim Crow,
The Civil War and after, Reconstruction,
The good progress, bad deeds, build-ups, destruction,
The Harlem Renaissance, the fight for civil rights,
And distinguished people who’ve made these their fights.
It’s fair game to be informed, in a democracy
We learned this: “The truth shall make you free.”
CLIMATE COMMENTS
High winds from a hurricane, dry grass caught on fire,
Historic Lahaina — the results were dire.
The city now a graveyard, burned down to the ground.
People died but even worse, thousands were never found.
That this place LAHAINA, old whaling capital turned
Into a ghost town, tragically burned
Picturesque harbor, post-card memories where
Years ago we too visited there.
Signs of warning are everywhere felt
Trouble in ANTARCTICA, dangerous ice melt.
The Emperor penguins, birds with distinction
At this rate, by 2100 — extinction!
We live in the fog most of the year
But at those times when it’s bright and clear
We bask in the sun, sit under the trees,
Feel bad for hot spots where there is no breeze.
As I understand this past year was the worst
Hotter since weather records were first
noted. And now we can compare the world’s weather.
Water and air temps are higher than ever.
120 degrees day after day
Sauna ocean swimming and baths in the bay
Climate thoughts and talk are all around
For Earth to survive, some solutions “we’ve” found:
It’s not something solvable in just an hour.
There’s SOLAR, WIND, GEOTHERMAL, and HYDROPOWER.
For cars, EV can replace oil and gas.
Everyone — low, mid, and upper class.
Stop making plastics and products with coating,
Either voluntarily or perhaps stop by voting.
Mini-plastics, PFAS, we’re killing each other
With “convenience” now. In the future, take cover.
It’s a dooms-day future, and we won’t be here.
And the Earth perhaps might just disappear.
Record downpours in GREECE - the results - a huge flood
HONG KONG suffered too from water and mud.
In BRAZIL there’ve been downpours, in CHINA and TAIWAN.
Drownings and death, mudflows at BURNING MAN.
POLITICAL COMMENTS
REPUBLICANS don’t seem to want history taught
‘bout gender and race, ‘bout slaves sold and bought
They are quite satisfied with a small portion
Of either not-at-all or a six-week abortion
For gun restrictions, they’re on a mission;
For immigration reform, they won’t even listen.
Foreign policies either China as our foe
Or get Hunter Biden, and Joe has to go.
Ramaswamy, DeSantos, Haley, Christie, Scott,
Political sideshow, for a short time, they got
But no real strong voices to oppose their man Trump
That despicable, low-life. It’s he they should dump.
It went all year ‘round, politics at its worst.
They’re a bunch of balloons, just ready to burst .
Dems and Republicans used to agree
To get things done democratically.
When it came to the budget, there was a deadline
But no real progress, all the leaders declined
To take on this problem of government spending.
The arguments continued. They are never-ending.
Facing a shutdown; deadlines, they didn’t meet.
Services can come to a halt; they repeat.
They kicked the ball down the road a bit
And said they’ll soon be dealing with it.
DONALD TRUMP’S LEGAL TROUBLES
Trump’s been sitting on the hot seat.
Said it’s a “witch hunt” of lies and deceit,
But we know better it’s he who has lied.
He works from a place of power and pride.
In only 4 months, 4 indictments he had.
Each one shows that he’s really bad.
Words like “obstructs”, “impedes”, “interferes”
Incendiary speech whene’er he appears.
Federal crimes, by him and others
They are a pack of criminal brothers.
Michael Cohen paid hush money; yes, that’s clear.
To Porn star, Stormy Daniels, Trump’s cover-up affair.
That is one indictment Trump tried to deny,
But it stuck in New York. Lying does not fly.
#2 Trump retained illegally
Classified docs of national security.
Refused to give them back from his estate.
Thinks he’s above the law, a “king” or potentate.
He’s really dishonest; knows he lost the election
Tried to persuade officials, to certify his selection.
“His electors” should vote for him; Pence should’ve said he won.
But his VP wouldn’t do it, and what was done was done.
We did see on January 6th, Trump rallied one ‘n all.
His followers then rioted, at the Capitol.
DONALD JOHN TRUMP tops racketeers
With 18 co-defendants, to the judge, give three cheers
For the 4th indictment, a crime, RICO act,
In the state of Georgia, to overturn the fact.
His Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, and loyalists many,
Lawyers John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani.
According to the RICO laws, all criminally involved.
Then in court, to be judged. This case to be resolved.
His tweets, his statements and phone calls,
He thinks are great but, are his downfalls
Even the merch he sells with his mug shot
He convicts himself, right on the spot.
But it depends, on who they pick.
The jury can do the right thing, can convict!
OTHER SIGNIFICANT STUFF
A hallmark of this past year, were some Hollywood strikes.
Uncertain project job specs, up-down market spikes.
Union members wanted, a lot more to say,
Agreed to certain time frames, contracts, and pay,
Residuals defined, pensions, & health plans,
The writers and the actors supported by their fans.
The Writers Guild (WGA) struck 148 days,
Talked of excerpts to be used on TV and in plays,
Now more secure when for episode-TV
There must be no writers, fewer than three.
The SAG/AFTRA Union, and studios are agreeing
That actors should be compensated for their work that’s streaming.
On screen, on radio, and also TV,
A-I can’t replace background workers we see.
The other union, UAW, that for workers fought
Making car buyers think as they bought
Ford and GM workers, more than six weeks,
Now got wage increases. The contract it speaks
For auto workers retirement and wages
Each of the companies involved now engages
With employees for their benefits will abide
As did Toyota and Honda decide
Though not going union, they’ll pay workers more
So everybody wins, better than before.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
FRANK (85) has his own routine.
Still taking classes and writes in between
Zoom meetings when, prompts are given
And also when he feels that he is driven
To tell of his past. Then the memories come back.
He’s also writing fiction ‘bout a UFO attack.
Classes are through CLC.
Teachers Marina and M.G.
Then once a week at a café meeting,
The ladies come for their face-to-face reading.
BETH and her sister ELINA,
JANE and RANK and CYNTHIA
FRANK’s other, favorite activity,
Lucky’s groceries, Noah’s bagels & Peet’s coffee.
At the Lakeshore Plaza he hangs out,
Sits and enjoys watching people walk about.
At home in his “office”, he scrolls Facebook posts,
Family and friends’ news, pictures, and boasts.
Watches YouTube, film clips, nature, music, sports,
Netflix movies, and shows of all sorts.
Opinions and news, broadcast in Magyar,
Police programs, Fox Channel, news from afar.
Never watches an actual TV.
His IMac’s his eyes on the world, streaming free.
One more thing, the game of chess, at his computer sits,
Wins, draws, losses analyzed — this game of wits.
FRANK’s dear friend NICK he’d known since age two,
Passed away this year. Good friendships are few.
Came here as young men from Hungary,
With him first drove across this whole country.
FRANK, NICK, and GEORGE in their early teen years
Supported each other — shared boldness and fears.
He and GEORGE email every other day,
‘Bout things that are good and things not OK.
Updates on Facebook, talks to brother LACI.
Once a week Skypes to him in Hungary.
LACI was plagued with bladder cancer,
Cared for by ZSOLT, Gati real family doctor.
FRANK had three, count ‘em, three bad health scares,
Giving us both a lot more gray hairs.
COVID, a heart attack, and high blood pressure,
Each time we thought how much life we treasure.
Temperature 104 degrees — COVID.
Worked like a cure when they gave him PAXLOVID.
Thursday morning, September 28th,
FRANK said that this time, was time to have faith,
That the ER doctors could tell with a test
About the pain he had, in his chest.
Off to Kaiser we drove once again
Hoping to get their fast, and then when
they checked his vitals, blood and x-ray
Said, “You’re going nowhere. It’s here you must stay.”
The nurses and doctors said, “Let’s see if we
Can fit you in for a surgery.
They did fit him in, but it was too blocked,
His obtuse marginal artery could not be unclogged.
Doctor said the blockage could be handled with a stent
After getting ready and prepped, to surgery he went.
But no operation; too dangerous to do.
They rolled him back, not having a clue.
The contrast used in the pre-procedure,
We hoped his kidneys were not harmed for sure.
We talked to the doc when back in his bed.
He’ll keep taking meds; he’ll do that instead.
He must check his blood pressure two times a day,
Eat right and exercise, the healthy way.
FRANK wants a disclaimer from me, that we
Do NOT agree, politically.
I’m left of center; he’s on the right.
For political discussions, we always fight.
He waves the American flag on most issues,
Traditional values he always argues.
So when my opinion, you’ve heard me express,
Comment on something or did address,
Take it as mine and not FRANKIE’s,
He asked me to note this, would I please?
August 4th and 5th
LAUREN and TRAVIS — CK Contemporary Gallery,
were super to us, DAN’s family.
At the Beacon Grand, the Old Sir Francis Drake
Joined other artists, and on Friday did partake
In a lovely dinner - drinks, dessert, entrée
Time to greet, meet and talk in a casual way.
Next eve, the gallery hosted a classy event.
That’s why DAVE came up, so we three went
To the 10-year anniversary for a VIP crowd,
And five of DAN’s water colors, there did him proud.
DAVID (50)
Works at the Testing Group, is a QC
Checking and re-watching every big movie
To see if it’s ready for DVD or BluRay
At his “home office” — “remote” as they say.
Released in February, no big whooping plans,
But at Comic-Con in July, Mysterious Galaxy
And at the Tin Roof, Dave signed& folks did Kevin see
The closest thing to promotion that Schiffer might have wanted
Could have been more raz-a-ma-taz had they really launched it.
We do love movies, so each Saturday night
It’s a tradition; we watch with delight
Plenty to choose from NETFLIX or Kanopy,
Good fiction or a fine documentary.
Then talk about it on the phone
And don’t even have to leave our home.
Folks reading this, please excuse me
For including what I wrote DAVE personally:
It’s also a book on SHUTTERFLY
Here’s a link, if you want to stop by.
50’s a number you might want to hate.
Then again, turn that 'round, let's celebrate.
The same for what life brings, how you see the thing
Could be just cut-up glass or a diamond ring.
Dad and I knew from the start, our little boy
Gave to us, like nothing else could, happiness and joy.
OCTOBER 14, 1973,
From the beginning, you made us very happy.
Though born in LA, San Francisco by two.
Sloat, Hoover, Lowell were the schools you went through.
CCSF, then Santa Cruz UC,
Then back to LA to the industry.
Started on the bottom in jobs for TV
And also worked on a Hollywood movie.
Learned how to edit, joined the union for a time
Even post-produced a film - horror/crime.
Communications, Film/TV Criticism - an MA
From Cal State U, the campus in LA.
Market Research for Nielsen company;
Quality Assurance Technician, plus he,
Wrote KEVIN SMITH: His Films and Fans
Now hatching game ideas and other plans.
Loves podcasts, movies, is a pop culture expert
Political junkie, digs down in the dirt.
Knows how to travel, here and world-wide,
Has done it solo no-one by his side.
Australia, Sri Lanka, NYC,
San Diego, Mexico, Hungary.
Here in LAS VEGAS, a place of just fun,
Fake buildings, truth undressed, some've lost, some've won.
We're so glad to be together with you
Spending time, being close, LANA & TONY, too.
Cute as a bug from when you were little
Can think through problems, just like a riddle.
DAVE, it's been 50 years since your birth
For us you're a jewel, a diamond on earth.
No words can really express our thought
No present could we find or possibly bought,
How lucky we are that you came our way!
Many memories and all our love.
HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!
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Seems distant in time, then poof, done gone, went.
But, so that the memories stay fresh in our minds,
Here are some brain jogs to refresh those times.
Just the two of us, FRANKIE and me.
Walked to West Portal at 2, backpacks only,
First stop the Tunnel, took MUNI Metro
Then BART to the airport we call SFO.
Then on Frontier, most basic airline.
Flew off to VEGAS, and all there went fine.
We arrived first; shuttled to rent-a-car.
Our KIA was reserved. It wasn't that far.
We waited one hour for you and met there.
You came from LA on Spirit Air.
High-rise hotels stretching out to the sky
Las Vegas daytime, dull city. Far cry
from the night-time effect where all the lights glow --
Gambling, drinking, eating, and watching a show.
On Friday, LANA and TONY flew in from
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, they'd come.
Together we drove 'bout an hour away.
VALLEY OF FIRE -- a beautiful day!
500 million years ago this desert was a sea.
Marine plants and animals thrived here. Can you believe?
Limestone from the ancient sea, skeletons compressed;
Attention must be paid to rocks -- facts are known, not guessed.
Sandstone comes from Silica or it's from calcite.
Red from Iron oxide, mixed with creamy white.
Gypsum is a mineral, deposited & sea born.
Conglomerates are pebbles, also water worn.
The scenery was gorgeous. We learned a few things too.
Walked a little, got up close, as well as the grand view.
In the evening, FRANK stayed back
SAL, LANA, TONY, DAVE.
Went to Planet Hollywood, night life they did crave.
The original Mentalist put on a show.
Some of which baffles; until now we don't know
how with eyes covered, he's able to do
some feats so clever, yes our minds he blew.
DAVE and SAL turned the Rubic’s Cube thrice
LANA and TONY assisted. 'Twas nice.
Ubered it back to the Residence Inn
Las Vegas night out -- fun time and a “win".
A similar night out in 1999
A hypnotist made them sleep and wake up fine.
LANA, DAVID, TONY, and ZOLI
Participated in this reverie.
It happened on that very same day
After eating at the lunch buffet.
We walked around the well-known casino.
This picture shows the family at the famous Flamingo.
One more thought about ZOLI,
This year he would have been 60.
Three separate rooms in our hotel suite
Fridge, microwave, three TVs complete.
Breakfast included; parking was free.
Thanks to TONY and LANA for their generosity.
Early Saturday morning when it wasn't too hot.
The Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun
A partial solar eclipse was done.
The sun like a nickel covered by a dime,
Its corona visible at 8 Pacific Time.
We saw it with dark glasses, and yes we got
The very best pictures our IPhones shot.
After the eclipse, we found our way
To a pan-Asian all-you-can-eat buffet.
We loved the food; they piped in the song.
We had a great brunch and all sang along,
Wishing Happy 50th Birthday to Dave.
Our hugs, love, and wishes to him we all gave.
Colorful Fremont Street, playful downtown,
Street artists, artisans, tourists all around.
Scantily-clad gals with feathers for hair,
Butts and boobs hangin' out. Come have a stare.
Dance to the music. Look, the light show.
Glitter and glitz everywhere that you go.
We talked to RILEY, on a call from school
San Marcos, U of T. The phone's a great tool.
with 18,600 seats; indeed you did hear!
U2, the band, now playing has powers,
Tickets from 140 to a thousand dollars.
Walked from our parked car, saw the lighted outer graphic,
Crossed two big streets, ran before the traffic,
Didn't see the concert or a movie -- but we two
Had an evening adventure, a last birthday-to-do!
Leaving Las Vegas with nice memories,
Returned our car and the Budget keys.
LANA and TONY left after us.
We caught the airport shuttle bus.
Made it home and so did DAVE.
Happy 50th birthday. Now we can rave!
SALLY (82)
In April, took Southwest Airways to LAX
So as to organize and to fix
What needed to be done at DAN’s studio
To get stuff ready for the Bakersfield show.
FRANK saw me off. DAVE was there in L.A.
Ready to help with my L.A. stay.
Borrowed his car and to the task wedded
to Santa Monica Airport, immediately headed.
Managed to find and identify where,
Each piece had a place, with great care
Packaged for shipping, it was a start
To get to Bakersfield Museum of Art.
There an exhibit, CIRCLE OF SAM
For people who worked for SAM FRANCIS, like DAN.
The Opening was the 25th of May.
Drove down from SF, were there on that day.
DAVE came by bus/train, he met us there
Made it quite special, this art affair.
Outdoor in sunshine, speeches begun
And inside paintings on white walls were hung.
It was quite nice and all went well
SAM was remembered. Let me proudly tell
DAN’s huge “Fire on Los Angeles Street”
Thick-colored acrylic, an eyeful, a treat.
Next morning we drove back in the Honda to LA,
And made it our home for the rest of our stay.
Electronic gadgets perhaps to renew
Or maybe sell, if condition OK
To someone looking to buy on ebay.
Mostly he helped to decide what’s e-waste
And then we disposed of it, did that post-haste.
Catalogued paintings, in the back space
In hope that the system will help me keep pace
Where each of those beauties can easily be found
On the shelf, against the wall, to the right on the ground.
Not only was DAN a genius with paint,
But also on top of what I know I ain’t.
Semi-conductors, and relays
Optoelectronics leaves me in a haze,
Power sources connectors, capacitor kits
Converters, tools, conduits.
He still gets mail, from these folks at our place.
No doubt he liked these. I’m imagining his face.
When talking of things about which I care
Seems I’m spinning many plates in the air
When frustrated, I take to writing in rhyme.
These have been happening all the time:
DAN’s paintings, DAVE’s book, Trust’s legal case,
Taxes related, no time to waste.
DAN stored DAD’s violins. With these, complexity,
So got a certificate, of authenticity —
His Jacob Fendt, London-made 1830-40.
It bears a label of Pedrinelli.
DAVE helped and I sold it to Jesse Maschmeyer
A knowledgeable and local luthier
I thought if and when, my 80s came to be
I could just sit, read, cook, watch a movie,
But life presents challenges, all come at once
Figure things out or you feel like a dunce.
You should have wisdom for the years that you’ve lived
Experience from life, advice you can give.
The price to pay is money and time.
As you get older, there’s no time to whine.
I do what I think’s right; with little time to rest
And hope my resolutions come out for the best.
Hard to believe such numbers appear.
Each birthday we all see that our number climbs
One higher, older, from childhood times.
LANA was employed then couldn’t find work,
Knows the hotel business, not as a clerk.
She can sell rooms to teams, conventioneers,
Groups who need a place, for themselves and their peers.
She’s got a new job but jokes on the side.
Hopes she can stay employed, enjoys the ride.
TONY (64) is a manager at the Residence, Plano.
so good he’s trained his staff, just what to know,
when he takes off a round of golf to play,
they know on whom the blame to lay.
When we stay at a hotel, rooms are less or free.
They get us perks, being in hospitality.
RILEY (21), a student at UT [University of Texas at San Marcos]
Taking all the courses, to get his degree.
Major: Fine Arts and Communication,
Theatre and Dance all wrapped in one.
Program includes TV/Film acting,
Analysis, theory and scene writing.
Readings of older theater works, directing his own play,
Dramatic scenes for TV shows, writing what to say.
History of the theater, prep for teaching, too.
Took a summer session so he will get through.
We will get together Christmas in L.A.
Time to catch up on our lives up to the present day.
ALAN, KELEB (10), TROY (13), and STEPHANIE (35),
Part of our extended family.
We stopped to see them, on the way to L.A.
She’s Frank’s granddaughter, ZOLI’s by birth,
A lovely lady and so down-to-earth.
To see the kids and how they’re growing
Talk to ALAN and STEPHANIE, thereby knowing
‘Bout ALAN at Gallo his job secure.
STEPHANIE survived but at times was unsure
Before being hired at another company,
Enjoyed Costa Rica, traveled to that country.
KATIE ’n MICHELLE, our neighbors next door.
SAMMIE and JAY, their kids we adore.
SAMMIE’s now 6 and little JAY is 4
Both so different, life’s never a bore.
Here they are dressed up for Halloween.
Dos Caballeros, cute as can be seen.
On August 5th, joined PEARL and JOE’s celebration
50 years of marriage, Hawaiian-themed occasion.
Food and drink, band, and a video recall.
“Listen, don’t talk!” Joe’s advice to us all.
For RONDA’s birthday to PEBBLE BEACH drove
Highway 1, CARMEL, PACIFIC GROVE.
Looked at the art when we went into town.
Ate well and slept well and walked all around
DAVE, FRANK, and I like the culture road.
FRANK and DAVE also Otello saw
LA Opera has its own fan draw.
We also ate dinner with KAREN and STEPHEN.
Old friends we see rarely, but before leavin’,
Reminisced and laughed, talked of times past.
That’s what friends do ‘cause life goes by so fast.
It was our 51st Anniversary,
September 2nd, decided to be
In SACRAMENTO with friends MARCIA and RICH,
At Paragary’s, nice restaurant in which,
We ate; then saw their house so lovely,
New furniture, expansive, really felt free;
The gorgeous garden as big as a park
Pretty at sunrise, prayerful at dark.
Proud to have three CYTRON’s, hang there day and night,
Colorful paintings, an elegant sight.
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS in Golden Gate Park,
3-day music marathon, from morning till dark.
A mix of very listenable bands,
Instruments played in capable hands.
Blue grass, acoustic, rock, and country.
It’s a yearly happening and yes it’s free.
Creative songsters, some known, some not known.
People with friends come, & some come alone.
Families, singles, couples, friends.
All sorts of people, each loves or pretends
To have a group or an act they know;
But most just come for a first-class free show.
Nursing moms, lots of dogs, dads pushing strollers.
Food and drinks, planned and packed, brought in on rollers.
Wine, beer, and chicken, the finest of bread,
Chips, nuts, fruit, cheese, weed - great picnic spread.
Old hippies, young gens, folks of all ages
Sharing the grass in front of the stages.
Food wagons, of all kinds and sorts
Thousands come to enjoy it like sports.
Warren Hellman, years ago, started it all.
The pandemic stopped it. Then again in the fall
The groups were booked and in October
Like a club reunion, I returned and went over
The music was great. I took my friend PAT
On the grass on beach chairs, in the sun sat.
We relaxed, people-watched, thousands were there.
To enjoy the music, an outdoor fun fair.
All of us now are retirees.
I go back to 1964
59 years ago - ugh, yeow, wow, roar!
I read the newsletter, attend the annual meeting,
Now done on ZOOM, so it’s computer home-seating.
Interesting topics like climate, art, news,
Recollections, books and film reviews.
At S.F. City College, especially
Many ESL teachers were PCVs
A group of us gathered at TINA MARTIN’s pad
A wonderful pot-luck party she had.
How do the SCRUB JAYS know I’m not a bird?
How is it possible, seems so absurd
That PUFFY knows, she can knock and I’ll come
Give her and JR peanuts, then some,
More if she comes back and knocks once again
Over and over. She seems to know when
I will be there. It’s a daily routine.
Two species so different, confounds me, I mean.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The political season started already.
The news comes often, daily, and steady.
Republicans talk of God and guns,
Books, borders, babies — these are the ones
They hope to convince us to vote for their choice.
I on the other hand, do have a voice —
More social programs, restrict who owns guns;
Note who run big businesses, the greedy ones.
Be for progressive causes, samples are these:
Climate, pro-labor, health care, cure disease.
Keep in mind the great middle class,
Fair wages for workers, low prices for gas,
Civil rights for everyone. These goals are so tough,
But I say cut the spending on the military stuff.
Our fundamental differences no doubt won’t be solved.
And yet we should all have thoughts and be involved.
When not thinking politically,
Hope you can think critically.
Often we want things, but in words only.
We say and write them, but they sound phony.
We ALL want and hope for, who has the keys?
“Somebody, out there, unlock PEACE, PLEASE!”
For Jewish New Year, time should be spent
To reflect on the past year and then repent.
Think Rosh Hashanah is a way to start
Over again with a clean slate and heart.
Try it again, it’s the “Head of the year”.
We need NEW BEGINNINGS, They say, “Start from here.”
For Chinese New Year, the Dragon reigns.
I like that also. No one complains.
Use as many new years as you want to start over.
Instead of mud, we can dance in the clover.
This symbol of luck. We take it as fact.
Good fortune we wish for. Look forward not back.
Lastly, I say “Sorry” for being so down.
Sometimes, there’s only bad news around.
But I can see the sunshine; a new year is coming.
With any beginning, yes, I’m off and running.
No one says you have to, stay down and depressed.
The New Year is NEW; put the bad thoughts to rest.
With ideas and opinions thoughtfully weighed,
I still can change lemons to lemonade.
So from us three — love, hugs and more.
Have a healthy, stress-free
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