Monday, May 12, 2025

2025 Bremerton - Day #1

Up at 4:30 am, I pulled away from the house at 5:30 am. Parking in the Sacramento Airport Garage, I actually got an odd eletric car charger on the west end of the second floor.

Although the TSA Pre line was pretty long, I breezed through with CLEAR. I caught a 7:25 am Southwest Flight to Seattle. Boarding with A41, I was able to get a nice aisle exit row seat on a newer 727. I will never understand why more people don't gravitate towards the exit rows.

The flight was on the ground in Seattle on time at 9:25 am, but sat waiting for a gate. Eventually, getting to the gate and off the plane, Wallen picked me up at Arrivals.

We had breakfast/lunch at 13 Coins near the airport. Afterwards, we parked Wallen's truck in short term parking and waited for Snipes at Sourced just outside the security gates.

Snipes rolled up about 1:30 pm. With a stop in Tacoma for groceries, we rolled towards the Wallen's house in Bremerton.

Dropping our stuff at their house, we headed to the Boatshed for a beer or two.

Jill, Wallen, Snipes and I finished the day catching up on the hardscape along Phinney Bay. Wallen barbecued New York steaks. We had a very late dinner.

After dinner, Wallen pulled out some pictures albums. There were two pictures that I was surprised to see: one from 1985 and one from 1995. I will post them as a Throwback Thursday in June.

It was after 11 pm by the time that I crashed...

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Mother’s Day 2025

After spending Saturday getting the downstairs organized and put back together, we focused on cleaning up the deck on Sunday. With the kitchen remodel under way over the last three plus months, we have left the deck in disarry. We made a trip to the shed for summer boxes and rugs. We are planning to start doing some entertaining in the coming weeks.

To celebrate Mother's Day, I took Sharon to dinner at Allora. It is one of her favorite Sacramento restaurants.

I had the four course menu with the wine pairing including: KINGFISH CRUDO [ARUGULA SALSA VERDE, CASTELVETRANO OLIVE, PISTACHIO]; CAVATELLI [WILD MUSHROOMS, PEA SHOOT PESTO, PARMESAN, GREMOLATA], and; ZABUTON [CHERMOULA, FINGERLING POTATO, ARTICHOKE, BROCCOLINI, LABNEH]. Zabuton is a steak sourced from the chunk primal. It was very good.

Sharon had the three course menu with wine pairing including: COPPA DI TESTA [DELTA ASPARAGUS, BLACK TRUFFLE, CURED EGG, RICOTTA SALATA, BLACK GARLIC], and; BLACK COD [BUTTERNUT SQUASH HUMMUS, ROASTED VEGETABLES, AGED BALSAMIC]. We both had MIGLIACCIO [STRAWBERRY, CREME FRAICHE, SEMOLINA, RICOTTA] for dessert.

On the way home from the restaurant, we called Drew. He had called while we were having dinner. Jack called just as I was going out the door to walk Tiber and talked to Sharon.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Kitchen Remodel - Day #101

THE KITCHEN REMODEL is essentially done. The final inspection by the county was completed on Wednesday. The contractor showed up for the last time on Friday to complete a couple of small details. Outstanding items at this point include the mesh for the door of the bar cabinet, mounting a frame TV and getting the downstairs painted.

Sharon and I spent Saturday cleaning up and putting stuff away. The only real issue is that we are not going to put everything back in the pantry until after the downstairs is painted.

The initial pictures of the kitchen before the demo started are here. After the downstairs is painted, I am going to post a final set of side-by-side pictures comparing before and after.

Friday, May 09, 2025

Zoom Call with Nooter

Nooter and I had a zoom call for a little over an hour this morning to catch up.

Sharon and Tom's Oregon Adventure 2025 - Day #5

A long travel day.

Sharon and Tom rolled from the Valley River Inn in Eugene about 6:50 am. They made a quick stop for pastries for breakfast and then had lunch at Yaks on 5 in Dunsmuir.


After 490 miles and nine and a half hours, they pulled up in Carmichael just after 4:30 pm.

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Sharon and Tom's Oregon Adventure 2025 - Day #4

Sharon and Tom spent the night at the Valley River Inn. Just as they were getting ready to go out for a walk along the river, the white smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel. They watched the announcemnt of Pope Leo XIV and the commentary about his background.

The objective for the day was lunch at the King Estate Winery. Tom is a wine club member there and had a pick-up.

Sharon and Tom hiked along the Willamette River in the afternoon.


They finished the day with dinner at Marché. Sharon had steak and frites for her entree.

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

2025 Athletics versus Mariners

Larkin and I went to the Athletics versus Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball Game. The first pitch was 12:35 pm.

Jacob Wilson had two doubles and drove in a run in his first four-hit game to help the Athletics jump to a 5-0 fourth-inning lead off Mariners starter Bryan Woo. The Mariners rallied from the five-run deficit to beat the Athletics by the score of 6 to 5.

Rowdy Tellez hit a three run home in the sixth (his fifth) to get the Mariners within 5-4. Tellez played high school baseball at Elk Grove High School. He graduated in 2013. While at Elk Grove, he was teammates with several future Major League players, including J. D. Davis, Dom Nuñez, Derek Hill, Nick Madrigal, and Dylan Carlson. Tellez was recognized as a 2013 Baseball America High School All-American and a Rawlings First Team All-American during his time there.

The attendance was 9,697.

With Sharon on a roadtrip to Oregon with her brother Tom, I finished the day watching the movie September 5.

Sharon and Tom's Oregon Adventure 2025 - Day #3


After breakfast at the Ashland Creek Inn, Sharon and Tom headed north. They made a stop in Medford to look at a rental property that Drew is buying.

Sharon and Tom are spending two nights at the Valley River Inn in Eugene.

They finished the day with dinner at Rye. They both had the special: Oregon chinook slamon with Greek salad and basmati rice.

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

Golftec plus St. Andrews at Waymaker with Larkin

Tuesday morning, I had a lesson at Golftec. I am continuing to work on trying to get my swing inside out rather than outside in. Frankly, it is a struggle working to break fifty years of bad habits...

After the lesson, I wandered next door to Waymaker Brewing. Larkin joined me. We played the Old Course at St. Andrews. I enjoyed the afternoon, but I struggled. I didn't play as well as when I played with Jack, Drew and Sharon.

I really need to spend some time on the range after every lesson. I have too many different swing thoughts in my head.

Sharon and Tom's Oregon Adventure 2025 - Day #2

After spending the night, Sharon and Tom had breakfast at the Ashland Creek Inn. Sharon noted that the breakfast wasn't quite as expansive as when we stayed there on our anniversary trip.

They walked in Lithia Park in the morning.


After the walk, they headed to Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. They tasted and had a charcuterie plate for lunch. Sharon said that the wines were solid, but the views were great.


They finished the day with dinner at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar. Sharon had black cod as her entree.

Monday, May 05, 2025

Celebrating Morgan's birthday plus sushi adventures with Lee and Clem


With Sharon in Oregon with her brother Tom, I took Morgan, Daniel, Lee and Clem to Shilla Teriyaki & Sushi Bar to celebrate Morgan's birthday. We had a Love Boat #2 with Spicy Johnny, Hole in One, Rainbow and Samurai rolls.

The restauarant is located in an odd spot along Highway 50 near Camino. The food was surprising good.

Afterwards, I went back to Morgan and Daniel's house for birthday cake.

Sharon and Tom's Oregon Adventure 2025 - Day #1

Sharon and Tom are off for a few days on a roadtrip to Oregon. Rolling from the house about 10:30 am, they were in Ashland by 5:15 pm with a stop for lunch in Red Bluff.

They are spending two nights at the Ashland Creek Inn in the Devon Suite. Sharon and I stayed there on our 25th Anniversary road trip in 2021.

Sharon and Tom finished the night with dinner at Hearsay Restauarant. After craft cocktails and appetizers, Sharon had grilled swordfish for an entree.

Sunday, May 04, 2025

Sunday morning bike along the American River

Sharon and I rode 15.24 miles from William Pond to Cal Expo and back. It took us just over an hour and a half.


I was interested in seeing the Campus Common Golf Course. After being closed for a number of years, it is scheduled to reopen on May 8. It looks like there is still some work to be done on the course, in the parking lot and around the clubhouse.

Thursday, May 01, 2025

At Ancil Hoffman

On Wednesday and Thursday mornings, I went to the driving range at Ancil Hoffman. Working on my swing, I feel like I may have finally unlocked something. The Golftec instructor has been highlighting that I am bringing swing back too far. I get my swing into a good spot, but keep raising up. Working on that and getting my hands behind me, I felt good on the range.

Debbie, Jim, Sharon and I teed off at Ancil Hoffman at 3:32 pm on Thursday afternoon. We have tried to get into a routine of playing with them as often as we can on Thursday afternoons. Jim and I walked, while Debbie and Sharon rode.

I was very happy with how I played. I felt like my work on the range actually translated to the course. I was striking the ball solidly. I three putted three greens and my chipping is still hit and miss. With one mulligan, I ended up with a fairly honestly scored 55.
Although it was slow over the first two holes, it took us about two hours and fifteen minutes to play nine. We sat and had a cocktail on the patio after the round. I really enjoy having Ancil Hoffman so close.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Alex Isola

There are several people that Jack played baseball with and against that are still trying to make it in the game. This includes Alex Isola, Nick Sogard, Dylan Carlson and Darren Baker.

Jack played with Alex Isola on the Walbeck and Jesuit teams. Alex was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. He was invited to Spring Training with the Twins this year, but now appears to be playing in an independent league. His current team is not a farm team of a specific MLB franchise. Alex doesn't have an At-Bat at the Major League level.

Register Batting
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
201718UtahP12NCAA1228243610040033.250.333.292.625
201718MedfordGWLSmr522432054469150758303028.337.421.512.933
201920Texas ChristianB12NCAA54220187285070531202546.267.377.385.762
2019202 Teams2 LgsA-RkMIN25908114255031710519.309.356.482.837
201920Cedar RapidsMIDWAMIN18625671530290059.268.323.429.751
201920ElizabethtonAPPYRkMIN72825710201810010.400.429.6001.029
202122Cedar RapidsHACA+MIN9841836247881501752105389.243.342.425.768
2022232 Teams2 LgsAA-RkMIN612562163561901143013547.282.379.477.856
202223WichitaTLAAMIN582472103360901040013245.286.377.471.848
202223TwinsFCLRkMIN3962100130032.167.444.6671.111
202223GlendaleAZFLFal16675761350012001011.228.343.316.659
202324WichitaTLAAMIN1104654086611422020585250100.279.366.480.846
2024252 Teams2 LgsAAA-AAMIN893523073566150737423868.215.301.332.633
202425St. PaulILAAAMIN702742372851130529413153.215.303.333.636
202425WichitaTLAAMIN197870715202801715.214.295.329.624
202526LancasterATLLInd418144510130025.357.444.6431.087
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2025.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

A couple of musings about the trip to Las Vegas

Drew asked me how Vegas was. I shared a couple of observations.
  • Phil and Marlene have a nice home in an interesting area. The house is very different than anything that we have seen them live in before: very contemporary. It is located in the Blue Heron Shoreline development at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. They are walking distance from the Lake Las Vegas Village with shops and restaurants.
  • Friday night, we went to dinner at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. I was shocked at the number of people playing slot machines as we walked through the casino to the restaurant. The cigarette smoke was obnoxious. I continue to be dumbfounded by casinos and slot machines.
  • While I knew that Las Vegas was growing, I was surprised by the amount of development in the Henderson area. While we were landing on Wednesday, I noticed that there was a lot of residental areas south and east of the airport. As we drove 30 minutes from the airport out to Lake Las Vegas, we passed through a large number of new subdivisions and a number of areas that are being ready for more homes.
    • In 2015, the population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area was approximately 2,280,000. In 2025, the estimated population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area is 3,000,000. The population has grown by approximately 720,000 people which represents a growth of roughly 31.58% over the decade.
    • In 2015, the population of Henderson was approximately 175,381. Estimates for 2025 indicate a population of 349,460. The population has grown by approximately 174,079 people which represents a percentage increase of roughly 100%!?!

Monday, April 28, 2025

Jerry Padavano

I worked with Jerry at Sutter Health.
Gerald Padavano
APRIL 3, 1954 – JUNE 2, 2020


Jerry’s journey began April 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a devoted husband, father, Grandpa, Uncle, Friend, leader, and a fighter. His life was fulfilling and he always made the best of each day. He was known for making jokes and always made you feel at home in his presence. Jerry's parents were Mary and Gerald Padavano. Jerry had a younger brother Laurence Padavano who passed away. Jerry married Carol Ann Olito, on October 13, 1974, in Long Island, New York. Together they shared two sons Joseph and Jason Padavano. Joseph married Jennipher and together they are expecting twin boys. Jason married Caroline and have two children Andreanna and Jason.

When Jerry was younger, he enjoyed playing baseball and listening to his records. Jerry had two childhood best friends growing up Vinnie Buscarino and Anthony Pasini. The high school Jerry attended was West Babylon High School and graduated in 1972. One of Jerry’s favorite classes in high school was chorus, and some of his biggest accomplishments was going to vocational school for computers.

Receiving awards for the Book Signing Reception Honor and the Sutter Health Information Technology CIO award. Jerry worked in California at Sutter Health Hospitals as a vice president of twenty-six hospitals. Jerry Retired on May 9, 2014, in Florida. He spent his retirement exercising, watching the New York Mets, spending time with his family, and discovering a passion for photography. Jerry also loved taking vacations, some of his favorite spots were Las Vegas, Vermont, and Lake Tahoe.

Jerry was an active member of his community and was involved in was the American Cancer Society and was the president of the Harbour Club, and was a member of the St. Patrick's Church. Jerry was a fur dad twice to two dogs Heidi, who lived till she was seven, and another dog named skip, who lived till he was seventeen Jerry’s amazing journey ended sadly, and he passed away in hospice on June 2, 2020. Jerry’s life was a blessing, his memory a treasure, he is loved beyond words, and missed beyond measure.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

2025 Las Vegas - Day #5

I started the day with a Peloton core workout on the skydeck.

Marlene made a nice breakfast of bacon, bagels and an egg casserole. Afterwards, I spent some time with Phil and Marlene working to reconnect a number of wireless devices to the new SSID.

Concerned about the number of spring break travelers, we rolled to the airport about 11:30 am. Marlene was flying to Sacramento on the same Southwest flight with Sharon and I. Checking the luggage was relatively easy. While there were long lines at other check-in counters, it seems like everyone who was flying Southwest just had carry-ons!

We breezed through security with CLEAR and TSA Pre. With some time to kill, the three of us got a table at Jose Cuervo Tequileria right next to our gate. We had some chips, salsas and guacamole.

The Southwest flight to Sacramento boarded on time at 2:00 pm. Boarding with B25 and B26, Sharon and I sat in a row towards the back with Marlene. The flight pulled away from the gate on time, but then sat on the taxi way for almost 45 minutes. The pilot said that there were 18 planes in front of us.

We were on the ground about 20 minutes late just before 4:30 pm. The adventure began for Sharon and I. It took about 45 minutes to get off the plane and get our luggage. I left Sharon with the luggage (two big bags and two golf bags) and got in a long line for a shuttle to the East Lot. It took over 30 minutes to get a shuttle, get to the parking lot and drive back to pick her up. With a 30 minute drive home, it took an hour and forty-five minutes from the time we landed to get home. We got home about 6:15 pm.

It was a very nice trip.

Saturday, April 26, 2025

2025 Las Vegas - Day #4

I did a 10 minute Peloton bodyweight workout in the morning. We went to the Hilton in the Lake Las Vegas Village for breakfast (pancakes and omelette).

After breakfast, I spent some time helping Marlene change the SSID and default password on their wireless. We had an odd struggle. After finally getting everything working, we started reconfiguring all of the things that were connected wirelessly...


Marlene, Phil, Sharon and I played the Reflection Bay Golf Club. I rode with Phil. We had a 1:10 pm tee time. The course doesn't have a driving range; it just has some mats and nets.

I was very disappointed in how I played and started to get frustrated. I was driving everything left. One of the few holes that I played well was the Par 3 Eighth. You can actually see this hole from Marlene and Phil's house. I hit my drive pin high to the bunker left of the hole, chipped out on to the green and two putted for a bogey. On the dowhill Par 4 fifteenth with a stiff wind behind us, Sharon hit her drive 270 yards!?!

It was a slow day. The round took us 5 hours and 15 minutes.

We had a late dinner in the Lake Las Vegas Village at The Speakeasy. I had a Greek Turkey Burger, while Sharon had Angus Beef Sliders.

On the way back to the house, we stopped and listened to a band playing on a floating platfrom along the shore. When we got back to the house, we had a nightcap and visited. It was after midnight by the time we crashed.