Picnic in the Arboretum

Picnic in the Arboretum, originally uploaded by AmagoMundi.

The boys and I had a nice lunch in the LA Arboretum today with Tutu.
We fed our leftover bread crusts to the mutant carp and Canada geese.
We do miss our number one Momma, though. She is enjoying a fabulous 24
hour vacay in Lompoc, CA.

Trains

Trains, originally uploaded by AmagoMundi.

Brunch at Milltown

Brunch at Milltown, originally uploaded by AmagoMundi.

Momma needed some time to herself, so Daddy and the boys went to
Milltown for a pint and brunch. Then we walked around Carrboro and
looked at the rail-related artifacts. Now we are all having a nice lie-
down.

Thank you, SWH

There is this "friend" of mine on Facebook who is really more of an idol. She is an artist whom I admire greatly and when I asked to be her friend, she accepted. Today, as I was browsing her page to view a recent sculpture of hers, I came across this quote:

" Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth, "You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that —It lights the whole sky.

~ Hafiz

I feel like this is an apt description of the love of a parent. Not necessarily a new parent like me, but a parent who has worked and sacrificed for years and years to help his or her child survive, develop, learn and flourish. I am only now realizing the difficult job that is parenthood. That my mom and dad never told me how hard it was (and I know I was a handful at times!) reveals how gracious and selfless that love can be.

Best Meal Ever: Last Night

Handmade corn tortillas from La Vaquita
Red cabbage (pour some boiling water and vinager on it in advance to soften it; then drain)
A's special sauce (mayo, cholula, chili powder, lime juice)
Lime juice
Cholula
Perfect avocado
Perfectly sauteed mahi mahi (salt, pepper, light flour dusting)
Secret ingredient: diced onion shoots

An Excerpt from my Great-Grandfather's Journal at Christmastime

"At Christmas time in Sweden there is always plenty to eat even in the poorest home, lutefisk, risgrynsgrot, surlimpa, and plenty of fresh meats as the farmers all butchered before Christmas and a little of the meat got into even the poorest hut."

Why I Love my Wife

I'm sitting in the living room, working on an essay I have to write, and A is in the kitchen reading books to B. She knows I can hear her, so she says things she knows will make me laugh:

B, flipping the page: "Mommy, look. It's a miniature Schnauzer!"
A: "Yes. Isn't she cute?"
B: "Yes."
A: "Daddy's going to get Mommy a miniature Schnauzer for Valentine's day."

Buffalo Snow!

Buffalo Snow!, originally uploaded by AmagoMundi.

Here is Joaquin being tortured by his grandparents in Buffalo.

The Facebook Archive

One of my mother's cousins has been busy uploading photos from the family archive. I came across this one of my mother, her sister, and their parents in front of their house on Danby Avenue in Whittier. I would guess that my grandparents are about our age in this photo. I'm having a strong feeling of the uncanny now.

Our First Snow

Our First Snow, originally uploaded by AmagoMundi.

Our first snow in Chapel Hill!