Squeaking in a Little Bit of August
August 29, 2018
So my last post ended on my return from Zumba Convention, with stitches (see header picture) and it has been another busy. Well, not for all the people affected by the California fires. My header is a smoky sunset from my office window.
Big sigh...
Anyway, on August 5, we attended the funeral of Norma Gray, mother of our classmate, Larry. She had just celebrated her 90th birthday in May. Our 8th grade class of '72 represented well. Sue Herrenbruck, Michelle Fleury Freeman, me, Lucien Freeman, Beverly Kelleher Croshal, Larry of course, Pam Rodriguez Zeiter, Kathy Williams Chere and Timmy Smith seated. Timmy was getting around with a cane. I may have mentioned there was a cancerous tumor crushing his spinal cord. It was removed and they said he probably would never walk again. He showed them!

My brother's class represented. Karel Gray of course, Mercedes Tejada, Pete Rodriguez, Michelle Smith Ayala, my brother and Michelle's husband, Rudy Ayala and Father Jayson Landeza, who gave the eulogy.

A lovely service for a matriarch and pilar of the Berkeley Community.
Motsy got his namesake tattooed on himself. Mot.

A sad thing happened. A member of the Zumba community took his life on August 13. Depression. Michael Commiskey first attended Mia's (or maybe Leah's) Zumba class at UFC years ago. A military veteran and retired from the sheriff's office, he found his new passion. He went on to open Studio 925 in Pleasant Hill but alas, it was not to be. He had to close the studio. Last I heard, he was working at Kaiser as a masseuse. And then this tragic news. Even though we had not been in contact in a couple of years, it was still a shock. He was only 55. RIP Michael. (Second from right.) This was at a fundraiser we did for a fallen officer a few years ago. Me, Michael, Adrienne, Sepi, Mia, Officer ?, Tammy, Mari and Cynthia.

Shelly's 50th Birthday came and went. I went to see Ellen Degeneris with Mary Alexander. FUN, FUN, FUN!
Lots of Bocce. Lots of Friday morning Strong by Zumba classes with Elisa (and Tuesdays with Tina).
Had dinner with good friends Kathy and Robert and their son, Adam. Um...what happened to tiny baby Adam who is younger than Nat? Anyway, he's off to Davis for his junior year. Pre-med.

Nat visited and come to one of my Wednesday Zumba classes at In Shape Pittsburg. Nat went home. My Little Honey Bunch went on another boulder climbing adventure with the jeep gang.
And pretty much, that brings me to the end of August. Well two more days! |