2020 Quarantine – Marty Magic Travel

Our Garden Oasis

Art made this koi fish and dragonfly gate for our 30th wedding anniversary. I was surprised and delighted that Art carved portraits of two of our koi fish into the gate. We have been sheltering at home since March and having a backyard oasis has been our escape. As winter settles in, the yard is not so lush but we continue to enjoy it under the warmth of outdoor patio heaters.

Several years ago, two ducks would visit our pond. They haven’t come in a few years but this year the crows and the hummingbirds visit. Our yard has been great for socially distant family gatherings and our immediate family of 7 will celebrate Thanksgiving outside this year. The weather is predicted to be 61 degrees and sunny. Yeah for long underwear and patio heaters!

I have two bearded dragons as pets and in the spring and into late summer they love grazing in the clover. We lost our sweet Hoochie Poochie this March and I adopted two other dragons soon after.

May your lives be filled with both thanks and giving this holiday season.

A Cautiously Divided Father’s Day Sushi Party

Art and I continue to isolate at home with occasional sightings of our family from afar. Father’s day was one of those rare occasions and once again, I divided our spacious back yard into three sections with caution tape. Art and I kept to our designated area but John, with permission from the McCormack family crossed the line into their space.

Using dishes and tapestries brought home from Japan, I set up three Japanese themed tables and we ordered sushi from the Sushi Garden. My grandchildren are all sushi monsters and was it my imagination or did our koi fish circle the pond more anxiously as we ate?

The food was excellent, the weather perfect and it was a joy to spend time with our immediate family.

Caution Tape Mother’s Day

It’s been over four months since the Magic Family gathered together but after much playful planning, our three families gathered for a Mother’s Day celebration. With yellow caution tape, I divided our spacious back yard into three sections with a wedge of patio connecting into our kitchen where Art and I could sit.

John's Pond Side Table — John’s Solitary Pond Side Table

I planned for alfresco dining and set up three decorative tables for our socially distance families. For the few days prior, I worried and watched the Santa Cruz weather report change from blissfully sunny to heavy afternoon fog but on Sunday by 4:00 P.M. the sun was shining brightly and we enjoyed a magical back yard barbecue.

The clouds parted at 3:30 and our party curtains rose at 4:00 P.M. John entered from the stage left garden gate and Alisha and her family entered from the stage right garden gate. Our koi pond was the neutral zone and I created a safe wedge for Art and me to sit with access to our kitchen. The caution tape was mostly for fun but it helped keep our grandchildren within mindful boundaries.

Our Socially Distant Mother's Day Barbecue — Our Socially Distant Mother’s Day Barbecue

I believe we are all living our own stories in this upside down world and I wanted to share a bit our our story with you. We are all running the same race and don’t have a clear idea of where the finish line might be. We look forward to seeing all of you when we reach the finish line!

Be well….