5 posts tagged “fremont”
The other day I was at the neighborhood Safeway, shopping with Maggie. She was ahead of me, skipping down the aisle, her blond braids swinging. As I perused the sour cream section, an older gentleman came over to me, his blue eyes twinkling. He put his hand on my arm and nodded his head in Maggie's direction.
"I just had to come over and tell you," He said with a smile. "When I see your sweet little girl, I can't help but think of..."
And let's just stop right there, shall we? Because, what I was expecting was something like this: "When I see your sweet little girl, I can't help but think of my daughter at that age." Or maybe "I can't help but think of my granddaughter who six this week." Or something along those lines. Right? I did Meals on Wheels for years and years, I pretty much thought I had heard all of the "I remember when" comments from older folks.
So, I stood there, nodding, smiling, and waiting for his friendly comment. But this is what came out of his mouth:
"When I see your sweet little girl, I can't help but think of that girl in Tracy who was murdered a while back. Such a Tragedy"
Oh Man, I wish there had been a video camera on my face right then, because it went from friendly and interested to absolutely horrified, but trying not to look TOO horrified, because obviously, he wasn't a child killer, right? RIGHT? And there he was, with his hand casually placed on my arm, looking deeply into my eyes. And Oh My God. I just sort of sputtered something like, "Oh my Goodness!" And slowly backed away with a tub of sour cream in one hand, and Maggie's hand clutched firmly in the other.
I know he wasn't a child murderer. He was just trying to be conversational. But jeez. He needs to work on his conversation starting material. That was VERY uncomfortable.
Okay, okay, I know I have waxed poetic about how much I love Fremont, but I have a secret to confide. Sshhhh, come closer, I don't want Fremont to hear...
We would actually really like to live a little bit further North. In a town that is a bit hipper and more walkable.
Eventually we see ourselves living in Berkeley, or Albany (where Kevin's parents live), or El Cerrito. All of these places are very very expensive. And we would have to probably downsize, but someday, that is where we would like to end up. Depending on Kevin's job, of course. And now, my job. And Maggie's school. And, naturally, the housing market. (which, by the way, in Berkeley, has barely taken a hit in response to this nasty recession -- that is how badly people want to live there...)
Berkeley is just so darn cool! With so many interesting parks, and museums, and shops, and restaurants. And they are all so much funkier than the strip mall land where we live. Sigh. I can't help it. Don't be mad at me, dear Fremont. It is just the way I feel...perhaps if you got a cute little downtown like the one we visited last weekend on 4th street in Berkeley...
Where we visited the Vivarium -- which was filled with snakes and lizards and turtles. So many of them. And one of them wanted to go home with us, I think...
They can take a bucket of paint, and paint anything they want to. How often do you see that happening?!
Everything that is on the playground has been made by volunteers, with children helping out. The supplies and tools and paint are all donated.
It is a wonderful communal feeling to be there, and you are surrounded by all sorts of kids.
Don't believe the hype. (or get swayed into thinking that just because you spent $4 on a teeny weeny scoop, it must have been good) It was so so. In fact, my last trip to 31 flavors was more satisfying. And we have THREE Baskin Robbins in Fremont! So there. Harumphh.
Pssst....Don't tell Fremont that I was unfaithful to her, please. I don't want to hurt her.
Okay, not that Central Park...The famous one in New York city...but my Central Park -- right here in Fremont! I will now continue with the lovefest that I have been having with my town. Because I gotta say, California is a wonderful place to be in the Summer. (Ummm, except for earthquakes and fires...but other than that, it is pretty great) And Fremont is really really trying to be a place that families flock to.
Their summer time concert series is one more way that they are trying to offer "culture" to the masses. For free! Alright, you may not have ever heard of any of these bands, I hadn't. But still, the place was PACKED!
Maggie loved the whole scene. There was a bounce house, and arts and crafts, and little prizes you could win. And of course, the playground is right there. Oh, and did I mention... we can walk there from our house! Wheeee! That really is the best part. It is a huge park, Central Park, with a lake, and four different playgrounds, and softball fields, and a huge library right there.
Anyway, it was nice to have someplace to go on a warm Thursday night. And I was walking towards my house to go home, this is what I saw in the setting sun:
It is July. It is July and they are already putting out Halloween stuff at the local Thrift Town thrift store. If it were Target or Safeway, I would roll my eyes and mutter something about commercialism. But since it is Thrift Town, and nothing is more than 5 dollars, I can say "Whoopee! Time to get some goodies for the dress up box!" Here is what we came home with last week:
There were lots and lots of princess and fairy dresses, too. (of course) but those were not for us. We have some fabulous princess dress that have been custom made for Maggie by my cousin.
The mermaid dress was bought expressly for Maggie's 5th birthday party. There will be an Under the Sea theme. The super girl dress was purchased for its pure Grrrrl Power. And for the shiny boots that accompany it.
I also bought a purple page girl wig. But that is for me. Why? Not sure. I have always wanted purple hair. Ahhh, yes...good old Thrift Town. So very very affordable. And yet, so very unnecessary. I realize that I am helping with the demise of the planet...
Consumerism!....Why can't I quit you?!
But look at those boots! And that mermaid tail! How could I resist?
We have a farmers market within walking distance. It is every Sunday, and is on the way to church. It has become a weekly ritual. I love it. Especially since reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver --
Aren't they glorious? I have been gorging myself on plums and peaches all week. And the vegetables are filling my fridge.
Maggie comes with me to the market and if she is well behaved and not whiney, She gets a treat. Either a honey stick, or a balloon animal. On this day she got lucky and got one of each, since I had my camera and wanted to capture the scene:
Walking around in that balloon hat was no small feat, let me tell you! Especially with the crowd of people that were there! There are honestly, hundreds of people strolling up and down the two blocks that make up the market!
Any idea on recipes for these? Any time I ask the sellers in the market, the answer I get is "stir fry"! But I need a little more direction than that....
Still, I am excited when I discover new recipes. No one can live on Tuna Noodle Cassarole forever. Or really, ever. And my reliance on pre made foods has really taken a nosedive since reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food.
