We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...

We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...
1997's Climb

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Tonio, on gardening

         Each morning, that I am able to take the bambini to school, we walk through the rear gate, past the pre-school, past the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms, holding hands, saying good morning to all of the teachers who bravely stand among the swarming, energized children...to Kim's 'Smiles Grown Here' garden.
        The kids love a little quite time as they take in the beauty of the flowers, shaded by mesquites.  Autumn will sit on the stone bench that was added by the PTSA...Tonio will pick out bits of fallen mesquite pods...and weeds. 
        Last week, he noticed some exceptionally large weeds had invaded the garden.  Each morning, he would try, in vain, to remove them.  Finally, yesterday, he succeeded in ripping off a large part of the stalk.  It was so big, he could not throw it over the fence into the desert.  Cody went over to help him. 
        After school, his teacher, Jenny Rienstra, told me how during recess, Tonio once again attempted to remove these large weeds.  "He had a good day in class and finished his work", she smiled with a thumbs up..."But...he's obsessed with those weeds!"
          I was glad he had a good day, so did Autumn.  I told Tonio, let's go home, change and come back to school with shovels and bags for the weeds.  "Thanks Dad.  I'm obsessed with those weeds!"  Parroting Jenny : ) !
         And we did.  His little friends Monis and Alyssa were still there and quickly came over to help.  We dug out the largest ones and pulled the little ones.  Tonio was finally satisfied.  At peace.  He carefully and lovingly, replaced the memorial stone for Kim's 'Smiles Grown Here' garden.  "There."  He said, standing back to admire his work.  "Now everyone can see Mama's stone and read it too!"

          It was hot and humid as we left Cottonwood to drive over to Cienega to pick up Cody.  But Tonio was not finished gardening yet.


          These guys know how much Kimmy loved her garden.  She'd sit out there most mornings...and spend at least a few hours a week trimming, dead heading flowers, etc.  Her neat little piles of clippings along the top of the garden wall - I'd follow behind her with a garbage bag cleaning up.  She understood the therapeutic value of a garden - it is why she felt so strongly about having a 'functional' garden at the school for the inclusion kids to be able to dig and plant flowers and to have for the entire school to enjoy...This time of year, with the monsoon, brings growth, greenery and a kaleidoscope of color from the flowers...
         
          I told the kids there were tigers out back.  And, possibly, jaguars.  Recent rains had the grass growing rapidly (a good thing!), weeds too.  So, Tonio came out and helped me get things back under control. I have all of the kids help in the garden from time to time.  When a plant or flowers need to be replaced, I will have them choose what they'd like to add to Mama's garden. Tonight,  Tonio weeded.  And when I trimmed up the olive trees, he raked the clippings into piles (carefully rehanging the few angels left in the large olive tree out front) and heaved the piles into the waiting garbage can.  He picked ripe cherry tomatoes after weeding our little garden (basil, egg plant and cherry tomatoes).  Watched me cut the grass and trim the edges...and then went hunting frogs - he found two little frogs and a lizard!

           Tonio had restored order to two gardens that he loves, that give him some sense of closeness to his Mama, the gardens that she so loved...the flowers attract beautiful hummingbirds and butterflies that the kids will sit and watch.  Recent rains have the garden looking the best it has since Kimmy lovingly tended to it up through last September...the bambini find smiles out there...

             Love,
                      Dave

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Tonio's memory...

       I know I told you, that I asked Kim to haunt me...I spoke with Lupe and Manny about that last night, wondering, if sometimes I 'stretch' this, looking for meaning in the stars.  Making things into something...like the clouds today...they reminded me so much of the dancers that Kim had once painted so long ago...
       And then, today, I listened to the Offspring's 'Gone Away', for the first time in awhile, remembering how appropriate those lyrics are.  I replayed it several times...and dammit, when I pulled up Kimmy's blog tonight, the jukebox randomly que'd it up - coincidence?  Or haunting?  I'm inclined to go with Kimmy on this one...You could hit play on the jukebox and sing along, if you'd like - I do.  Although I prefer the studio version, it was not available on this particular jukebox...


Gone Away Lyrics
Artist(Band):Offspring


Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal it's so unfair

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me

I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away
Gone away, gone away, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Oooooo, yeah oooooo, oooooo, Ohh yeah.

I'll Save Your Soul
Whoa. Yeaaaaaeeeaaeah. Mm.

I reach to the sky
And call out your name
Oh please let me trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away
Gone away, gone away, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

And, from Aunt Becky, who told me about Happyplace.com:
I had blogged that Kim once wanted to go to clown college!!!  Haunting?  You decide.

        Anyway, I spent the day at school today.  First, in Jenny Rienstra's class (she has a wonderful teaching style and the kids really respond) having the opportunity to grade papers, file, staple progress reports (trying not to peek!) and, my favorite, helping some of the kids read and then take accelerated reading tests on the books they finished (I got to read with Tonio's best bud, Monsi!).
       Next, I walked on down the sidewalk to Casey Rudzena's class (innovative, engaging - a fabulous teacher!) and graded some papers, did a little cutting and filing, deliveries, etc.  It's so nice to give back to these dedicated teachers who give so much to our children.  Especially for all that they do for Tonio and Autumn!!
        After school, as we hopped in our truck in front of a big monsoon blowing in, Antonio piped up "Dad!  I have an idea for Mama's blog!!"...and here it is;

               Two Halloween's ago, Tonio was very sick...too sick to Trick or Treat...he laid in bed, very sad...Kimmy attending to him - sending me out into the land, with Cody and Autumn, so they could knock on strangers doors and demand candy...
               "But Mama had a plan", Tonio remembers..."As soon as I felt better, she dressed me up in the scarecrow costume." circa 2000 - Cody wore this at age three, Kimmy made this!  "She gave a piece of candy to you, to Cody and one to Autumn and had everyone go into their bedrooms.  Then, she held my hand and we walked to Cody's room and knocked on the door.  When he answered I said 'Trick or Treat!' and he gave me a piece of candy.  Then, we walked down the hall to Autumn's room.  We knocked on the door and she gave me a piece of candy, too.  Then, we knocked on your door and you opened it and when I yelled 'Trick or Treat', you gave me a piece of candy, too!!  That was so fun.  And so nice of Mama."
               The mind harbors many more memories than we are capable of having floating on the surface.  Some, necessarily, sink into the murky waters of our minds...who knows what brings them flailing to the surface, demanding our attention??  This was one memory, that I was glad resurfaced for Antonio.  A happy memory.  He was so excited to contribute.  And that was what Kim did.  She took a bad memory, of Tonio being sick for a favorite holiday, and replaced it with an awesome memory!

                The monsoon was good to us tonight.  We enjoyed nearly two hours of thunder, lightning spreading multiple arms across the sky and lots of rain, bringing the sweet smell of the desert...I chose to grill during it.  Wielding my spatula like a mini lighting rod as I grilled chicken and asparagus (thanks for telling me about Janene's olive oil on tin foil with asparagus trick, Angie - I added two cloves of minced garlic, for good measure)...Then, we opened up the house to bring the monsoon in to us...Autumn thought it was chilly as the temps dropped into the 80's! 

                So, it was a good day - the best part for me?  Sharing my home brewed iced tea...And the bambini were all home for dinner tonight, devouring the chicken, asparagus and corn on the cob (sprinkled with Tajin)...as we enjoyed the rains...

                  Love,
                       Dave

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Better than I deserve

            I get lost sometimes.  At my bookstore...I don't do it consciously.  It's just that, sometimes I find myself walking down a row of books, looking at each one, without seeing them...I guess it's kind of like sleep walking, but during the day. 
            Today, I was lost in Science Fiction, when I heard someone say "Are you finding everything allright?".  It was one of our finest Booksellers, Paul, walking towards me with a grin.  "Uh, hi Paul...sometimes.  Sometimes,  I just like to look at the books to see if one of them speaks to me."  "Are you OK Dave?"  he asked.  Sure.  "How are the kids?"  "Everything."  I told him.  And then Paul hit me between the shoulder blades - "You know, I don't know if Kim ever told you this, but one time, I told her how much you mean to us.  How much you inspire us and keep us upbeat.  We never see you down.  But, I told her, if you ever see Dave down, you please tell him this."  I thanked Paul.  He went on.  "You know, I have a better relationship with my wife, because of you and Kim."  My heart.  "Paul, thank you.  When people tell me things.  Like that. It, well, it...it just helps me know she is still here helping people, as she always did."  And, it also makes me know that she did not die in vain...I pray there are people still feeling as Paul does.  And I can't tell you how blessed I am - to have someone tell me that, especially when, there I am, wandering, lost...doing nothing...

             Earlier in the day, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sister Jeanette over at Our Mother of Sorrows.  When I called, I asked her how she was doing today.  "Better than I deserve to be doing!" she answered enthusiastically.  "Sister, would you mine if I borrow that line?"  I asked  begged her.  "Please do.  You know, we spend so much time worrying about little things - what ails us, what we must do, what people might think, what we don't have - and we fail to see just how blessed we really are.  How much we really have.  So, I thank God for all He has given me and blessed me with -I'm alive!  I can do so many things that others cannot! and I realize, I am better than I deserve to be!!".  I am that. I love her! 

              And, I am too.  Lupe cooked up another incredible dinner for the bambini and me, after picking them up from school, helping with homework and engagin them in a stunning array of arts and crafts!! She truly cares for the bambini and makes time to be there for them...for us.

            So, thank you Paul...Sister Jeanette...Lupe/Manny...Angie...for boosting me up today, so I could feel better than I deserve to feel!

                Love,
                       Dave

PS Oh, and to Aunt Becky, for her hilarious post about 'foodies' - Kim would have absolutely loved that one!  She always said "I am NOT a foodie!  I just like to cook!" 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Survived the Weekend!!

                    Ahhhh, Monday...It was nice to see we could hit the curve ball, to a certain degree...although, there were some minor meltdowns this morning - some tears...some fears...we all stayed up too late - it was my first close at Barnes & Noble since Kimmy got sick back in October and the bambini were anxious to tell me about their day!  Thanks to the multiple folks who helped with the little ones!  Cody and I stayed up until after 1 a.m. - riveted to http://www.80smusicvids.com/ (thanks Tom, my old District Manager, for sending us that link!).  Laughing at some of the 'hair bands' that I thought were so cool in the 80's (many of which, Kim and I had actually seen!  Like Britny Fox) And, reminiscing some of the 'better' bands, like Bauhaus and their David Bowie cover of Ziggy Stardust.  Cody couldn't stop talking about the fantastic cookout Janene and Brad treated him to at their house - steak, potatoes, etc, as we searched through the videos...Thanks guys!   Overall, the kids had a fun weekend!  We even got in a Starbucks run and grocery shopping trip with Angie, who brought her can in case she needed to whack somebody with it, but is doing so well, she doesn't really need it to walk.  The kids stayed up until midnight Saturday watching 'Soul Surfer' with Breanna and Lexy and still got up in time for 9:00 Mass and Viro's!

                   I came across Kimmys planner, from Rincon Vista Middle School, as I hustled to get the three kids out of their comas and ready for school...I always loved her handwriting - it makes me smile...so neat, yet care free and, well, happy.  The extra large loop on her lower case g's, the soft, double swoosh of her w's.  Cute side notes to herself.  Two years ago, she had been planning Vail Pride Day teacher/staff and volunteer luncheons with Amy Smith.  She had lined up a lot of information for an event that wouldn't take place until February.  She was focused!  The theme that year was "Making a Difference".  She enjoyed the work and would take over as chair to plan the event in 2010...
                 Picture day was this week two years ago...it is this week, this year, as well...She had begun planning the Spirit Assembly for September and an upcoming dance.  She had organized coverage for the school's snack bars, for all events - what was needed, who was supplying it, how many volunteers.  It was interesting to see, that the number one provider of donations to Rincon Vista, was Wendy Anderson, manager of our Safeway in Rita Ranch!
                 There were notes about Book Fairs she was assisting with.  Entertainment book fundraiser (hey, that's this week, too!). Donation letters that needed to be written (I was her 'ghostwriter' and Cody and I were put in charge of knocking on business' doors! 'Because I'm a behind the scenes girl', she tell me!). Notes about taking care of National Junior Honor Society's community hours, and a golf tournament at Santa Rita Golf Course she was working on.
              She was busy.  Everyday.  We used to joke that she was her own best volunteer, as she was only paid for 15 hours, but worked at least 40 per week to keep the events rolling smoothly for the kids!  AND still did so much around our home, cooking, decorating, etc!!
               In her planner, I found an old school newsletter tucked neatly in the rear flap...Kim had a full page 'Thank You Parents and Volunteers!' in it.
          " December was a huge month for our volunteers!  Nicole Delgado and Nancy Niemer rock the band room!  The holiday performance was amazing with the help of these wonderful ladies.  Classroom volunteers include Gina De La Ossa, Louise Rempfer, Kathie Lorenz, Donna Mysak and Della Ellis.  Our teachers couldn't imagine their day without these valuable team members.  Sports registration ran smoothly with the awesome help of Ana Huizar, Shelly Urias and Rita Sassone.  Lorraine Faoro and Veronica Marcantonio continue to give their best with all their PTA hours!

               Fieldtrip chaperones for the "Shyann Kindness Project" included Chris McDaniels, Deborah Caufield, James Upsaur, Jinnifer Lugo, Martha Figuera, Gail Herr, Dan Godwin, Wendy Anderson, Amy Jo McCarty and Jennifer Sidoma. 
              A huge thanks to all our 'Cruise-In for Pancakes' volunteers, including, Gina and Juan De La Rossa, Dave Conca, Jenna and Brent Edwards, Amy and Tom Muszynski, Brian and Betsey Deevers, Grant Taylor, Marcus and Jennifer Gonzales, Veronica Marcantonio, Lorraine Faoro, Aubry Wilkes, Joan Sturgis and Bradley Warnack.  Thank you a million times over for your help with this event!  We served over 450 people in this great event and had nearly 20 cars on display. Going from  to car show to recruit classic car owners, acquiring donations, setting up volunteer coverage, etc, etc.  It was a lot of fun!).

              If you would like to be a part of our Volunteer Team, please stop b for a volunteer packet!  We'd love to have you join us!
                                                         Kim Conca, Volunteer Coordinator

               Wow, she was motivated and motivated so many to help out at Rincon Vista - for a 'behind the scenes girl', she sure had great communication skills, too, as everyone knew what their roll was and where they were supposed to be.  I loved working with her on these events - she was a fantastic team player, making you feel appreciated, important and necessary!

               Her smile brightened the day... : )

               Love,
                    Dave