Excerpt from Village Stories For Village Children by Valborg D. (Bobby) Close circa 1948

About Steve

On this day Stevie’s mother gave Stevie 2 sugar lumps for him, and 2 sugar lumps for Happy, and 2 sugar lumps for Hughie. But Stevie couldn’t find Hughie and Happy. He ate all the sugar lumps himself.

Later he found Hughie and Happy. He asked his mother for more sugar lumps. His mother said, “No, you ate theirs, and now it is time for lunch. We are going to eat lunch with Don and his mother.”

Stevie was very cross. He wanted the sugar lumps. He didn’t want to eat lunch away from home. His mother told him, “You may eat lunch at home and take your nap. But I will have lunch with Don’s mother.” Stevie would not eat lunch. So his mother put him in his bunk bed and went to Don’s home.

When she came home, Stevie was on his sister’s big bed asleep. His face had tear streaks all over it. Beside him was his big dog. She lay close to him. She looked at Stevie in a sad way. She would not leave Stevie, or wag her tail. Her face said “You are a bad mother.”

Then Stevie’s mother patted the dog and kissed Stevie. Stevie woke up and smiled, and the dog wagged her tail.

Holiday Greetings All,

Accomplishment is subjective, temporal and overrated.

I have kept a “to do” list since my early 20’s. I found it was the best way to avoid continuously thinking all the things I wanted to accomplish over the next day or two. For decades this list was at least a half page long (steno pad) with a half dozen-dozen or more pressing tasks to do “that day”. I would fill a page every day or two and when the jobs were done and crossed off I’d start a new page. I’d go through a steno book about every month or two as testament to a busy lifestyle.

When I sold the ranch, the list became much shorter. Yet there were things to do and the notebook was still useful. The past few months however, my ambitions hit an all time low. I write down the same mundane things every day: dog (walk) ride (bike), fish (feed), clean bike and little more. Of course it’s absurd to write down the same thing day after day, but I do it from habit and for the occasional added item or appointment. I like to see the familiar notepad on my desk, check it and cross off the “jobs”,, even the silly ones.

Mind you I am not unhappy or bored. My days are filled doing the things I enjoy: riding my bike, going to 24 Hour Fitness, coffee , reading or visiting at Starbucks, walking my dog and frankly, little else of consequence. I cannot think of how I might improve the status quo. Move somewhere else? Impossible to improve on present location. Get a job? LOL! Relationship? Tango (dog), friends and extended family sufficient. Volunteer, charity work? No good deed goes unpunished. I am in a word, content. My only lament: I cannot mark time in this good moment.

Suggested epitaph: He squandered his life having fun.

Time line 2008

February 11, 2008 Beloved cousin John Hale passed away in Austin, Texas, age 80.

February 14-16 Trip to Austin for John’s Memorial Service in Marble Falls Texas. John’s Daughter Betty and Sister Martha in attendance.

April 1 Eligible for Medicare at age 65

April 11 Greg Robin (SBCC 1985 cross country team mate) and I visit Dave Williams (1990’s YMCA swimming friend) at Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital. Dave diagnosed with brain tumor in September 2007.

April 11 Multiple April Birthdays celebrated at Chad’s with Verity Allen (1980‘s running friend), Bill Siemens (1990’s YMCA pal) and others.

April 13th Team Chicken Ranch BBQ at Steve Daniel’s. April 16th Visited mid 1960’s college roommate Mike Largent in Carmel Valley. April 17th Sea Otter RR. A-fibbed near race start hampering performance. One and only bike race in 08. Hope to race more in 09; a fibs now in remission. April 26 c. 800AM Dave Williams passed away at age 51 at Sarah’s House. May 4 Early 1980’s pilot friend Larry Kostroski flies in from Tucson in his Beech Bonanza. Late dinner at the Elephant Bar. May 5 Breakfast at Jeannine’s with Corey and Larry; Larry and I visited former Toro Canyon neighbor and Kostroski employer Kerby Spicer (Late 70’s Toro Canyon neighbor) at Transpac Marine, Kerby’s shop since 1956. May 8 Dave Williams Memorial at Shoreline Park attended by me and about 100 of his admiring friends. May 16 Long Beach mid 1960’s era friend Tony Corona called to report mutual friend Larry Martinez was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. June 9 I buy a mint 1994 Dodge Stealth RT with 54,500 miles in Irvine, CA. June 11 Swedish friend 1969-70 Agneta Holm vacations in Victoria, BC. July 11 Niece Jo Ellen Samson (Tennyson) visits me in Santa Barbara. Lunch at the Fish Enterprise. July 19 MOD (Mitsubishi Owner’s Day) in La Mirada. Friends Larry and Nancy Martinez, Tony and BJ Corona, April Allegro, Chuck Heidbrink, Bruce Lemmon and Hank Levin attend. Late lunch at Polly’s Pies. July 20 Batman movie with Susan Farber, cycling friend. July 22-25 Trip to Austin to see Betty and Marty, help with John’s personal effects. August 5 Ventura County Fair with 1961-62 Army buddy Arnold Ouslander. Fabulous performance by Suzanne Somers. August 20 I visit Jim Otto, Baldwin Hills Grammar School friend. We visit his Mom Marie in San Marcos. August 22-24 1970’s Long Beach handball friend Bruce Lemmon visits. August 23 House warming party at Corey and Gwendolyn Welles house at Cate School. Aaron Long, Bruce Lemmon, Dave Lettiere’s parents in attendance. August 30-September 4 Labor day visit to Todd Tennyson’s. Jo, Amy and Beth, children and husbands in attendance. Observation of EJ Tennyson’s passing on Sept. 2, 2007. September 26 Festive Team Chicken Ranch (Cycling team) party at Cabrillo Pavilion. September 29 Larry Martinez passed away in Mexico from a brain tumor c age 67. October 8 Jim Otto visits for the day. We went to 24 Hour Fitness in AM, had lunch at Chipotle’s and visited my old ranch. Tango had a great time; ran like a bullet from the saddle to the exit gate; needed the rest of the day to recover. November 11th Per Jensen, pilot friend from the Long Beach 60’s visits. Lunch at Brophy’s (as usual) with Per’s friend, retired UAL pilot, Phil. We tour the Marina after lunch. November 26-28 Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with Ginny and Harvey Ruffin, and Laurie, Mark and Jake Harner. Drove new Dodge Stealth. Unprecedented rain. Bicycled Red Rock Canyon. November 30 1970’s Health Department friend Clete Hilliker checked in after a long absence. December 5 Alex Briscoe, ranch purchaser, called to say how much he loves my former land. He tells his 2 year old son “Steve planted all those trees (on impossible hillsides)”. Then they enthusiastically agree “Steve was crazy!” It’s pleasing to have sold my land to someone appreciative of my efforts and enthused about continuing the legacy. December 20 Joyful Hanukah celebration with Amy Kornberg’s (Tennyson) in laws in Westwood. My first visit since Amy/Scott wedding 19 years ago. Reacquainted with Scott’s Dad and Mom, Maurice and Louise (Holocaust survivors-4 years Auschwitz and Dachau), Scott’s Brother Howard; Howard’s Wife Iris and their children Matt, Seana and Allison (twins) , and Scott’s Sister Marion. Amy and Scott’s children (my Grandnephews and Grandniece), Zak, Micah and Isabelle also present. Humble respects to Maurice and Louise for overcoming unthinkable obstacles to raise such a fine family. December 23 A most excellent 50th Birthday party for cycling buddy Gene Raphelian at his Montecito home. 80+ must be the new 60+ judging by the vigorous and youthful appearing Gene R parents, Harvey Ruffin and the aforementioned Kornberg parents. December 28 Major crash during polo field sprint. I wasn’t involved but about 6 riders went down hard. Ambulance required, but no life threatening injuries apparent. Dangerous sport at times, but too exhilarating to quit. Wish me luck and hope for the best! December 31, Jan 1, 2009 Plan to visit Bruce Lemmon and tour Long Beach, my home town 1964-79. January 1, 2009 Plan to join “mega” New Year’s Day bike ride beginning in Belmont Shore. Mini reunion at Hof’s Hut, Long Beach Marina, approximately 2PM. All are invited. Steve