Extra Feet

Scanning world headlines, this one caught my eye:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Yet another human foot has washed up along the British Columbia coast.

Police in southwestern British Columbia say a left foot was found partially submerged in water on Westham Island, south of Vancouver, Monday morning.

It's the fifth foot in less than a year that has washed up on shorelines along islands in British Columbia

The four previous feet were all right feet wearing socks and shoes, and two of them were size 12.

The last one was found on May 22 on Kirkland Island in the Fraser River.

Police are trying to see if they are linked.

Gee, do you think there could be a connection?

South Bay living

Did you follow our spring house hunt, in which we looked for a house to settle into on the Peninsula? If so you might have been surprised to read we are in fact moving to a townhouse on the outskirts of Los Gatos. The short explanation is that this simplifies things. We already owned the place in LG, and decided a sure thing in the SouthBay was worth more than potential on the Peninsula (though we did look at some lovely homes). The decision making process was a bit of a roller coaster, and I'm ever so grateful to our patient and understanding families.

So this weekend we finalize our move from comfortable temporary lodgings at my dad's condo in Santa Clara, to the light-filled two-story townhome we purchased from David's grandfather Verl five years ago. And next week Verl will be joining us, moving back to the area from Santa Rosa, where he retired after David moved to Texas. In preparation we've been fortifying the insulation, making some changes for Verl, planting a few summer veggies in the patio area (thanks Pauline!), arranging (or finding new homes for) our furniture and stuff, and planning for several major updates (among the 1973-era appliances are the dishwasher and air conditioner, items which were undoubtedly quite luxurious back in the day).

We look forward to living there. We also look forward to having guests and parties and Sunday night dinners and movie nights and anything else that keeps us in touch with our friends. I hope you'll join us.

P.S. I would be remiss if I did not mention my joy over Obama's speech last night. Left me positively verklempt.

Birthday Countdown

For those of you not in the know, we are moving to Los Gatos next week. Also, my birthday is coming. Consider yourself informed.

We returned yesterday from our road trip to Oregon. (Check out selected pics.) A few highlights:

• We drove up I-5 and down 101 and stayed in three Oregon towns: Medford, Seaside, and Newport. We learned a lot about local history, bought virtually nothing but food, and decided the Prius is not the car for us.
  
• Oregon's beaches are absolutely gorgeous--sandy, long, easily accessed, and numerous. (They also happen to be lapped by some of the coldest water you'll ever not stick your toe into.)
• Oregon is very hilly.
• I loved the Japanese Gardens in Portland, where the free tour was particularly helpful in showcasing the careful planning of this delightful park. But don't talk on your cell phone while inside.
• I imagine the smell of thousands of roses in full bloom at the famed International Rose Test Garden must be overwhelming on a sunny day. I wouldn't know, as there was neither blooming nor sunshine going on the day we passed through.
• There's a thriving beachtown industry on the Oregon coast, offering all levels of comfort, from hike-in camping and trails to large hotels and vacation home rentals.
• Gasoline is strictly full-serve in Oregon, and prices are still at least $0.25 cheaper per gallon than in California.
• If you like clam chowder, fish and chips, and oysters then you will be well fed on the Oregon coast.
• If you like coffee, then the many non-Starbucks drive through coffee businesses will keep you well caffeinated while in the state.
  
• S'mores can be made quite satisfactorily in a microwave.

Titled

Not that you asked, but...

We have been engaged in a battle of wills with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for over a decade now, trying to get the title to our Subaru. Well, had been. Today, finally, the Subaru is truly ours.

This would be the car we've driven for almost 13 years. The one that has been registered to us in four states (counting CA twice). The car that has taken us across the country three times, accumulating more than 175,000 miles along the way. The car we paid off a decade ago. The car which I thought of as the first car I'd ever owned, but that was never legally mine because of inexplicable, bureaucratic confusion (mostly on DMV's end).

Right before we left for Oregon, we received the long-anticipated title from Virginia. I had thoughts of photographing it as a keepsake before turning it in to CA DMV, but when the moment came I was too excited and forgot to get the pic. Instead I rushed over to trade in my massive pile of stapled forms for one receipt and two license plates (which were being held hostage until said title arrived). The woman who helped me laughed at my enhusiasm (she probably doesn't see many people truly excited to be at DMV). But I don't care, because now the "Bubaru" is a recognized member of our family (yes, along with Pavel and Chester and Triple G and all the other non-sentient beings who inhabit our world).