It IS Oakland…

It’s windy, cold and clear. The Grand Old Oaks on the hill are ruffling in the bluster, looking like the ‘fros sported in the ‘sixties, as they were buffeted by breezes on Peace Marches and CORE, SNCC, SDS, and Black Panther demonstrations.

It IS Oakland...

As of today, we’re taking extra precautions in our home.

Yesterday, at mid-day, in the intersection of our street with the main drag up into the hills, a neighbor was held up at gun point in her car, robbed, and struck in the face by the butt of the gun. This was the boldest anti-social act of several committed within the last three weeks within a few blocks of home.

I’m heartened by the PRO-social actions of neighbors coming by to introduce themselves, bringing our rubbish bins in from the street, in our absence, and the general congeniality of folks we’ve met in the neighborhood and businesses nearby.

A movement is afoot to have a contracted security company patrol the streets here in Chabot Park. This action is similar to what our daughter’s neighbors have done in her sweet, but at-the-effect-of-hungry-or-angry- ones neighborhood. Oakland Police Department is stretched too thin. Response times to burglary reports or alarm systems going off range from forty-five minutes to two hours. Neighbors are taking things into their own hands. We will probably join the ranks of folks paying a premium for what we hope will be more frequent and consistent patrolling.

It IS Oakland, and Berkeley adjacent...

In our travels out of San Francisco by way of Berkeley Sunday, we came across the Berkeley Bowl Market. Wow! Better than Whole Paycheck in their selection and price. Just don’t try to PARK there! One of our camp family members gave us a gift card there. Can't wait to use it!

We hope to have the TIME this coming weekend to explore more. We’ve had guests every weekend since we moved here, except the one during which we went to camp! VERY wonderful to have the world come to us, and to have deep conversations around the table... and some kazoo, piano, and guitar playing.

The granddaughter held court with six camp counselors supporting her play Friday night. She smelled the safety and bossed us around with perfect imperiousness.  

Tonight I start a writing class, led by a Bodynamics/SE colleague. Should be fun... and an impetus (boot to the butt) for me to get writing more consistently.

While I MISS my familiar peeps in Southern California, writing, being with the grandie, and semi-retirement are the perks of the move. Plus more time with my honey!

Thugs be damned. There will probably be thugs even on the MOON... should we choose to move again!