From: Steve Close Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 6:05 PM To: Steve Close Subject: 2014 Christmas Letter 2014 Christmas Letter and Timeline Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! Shifting interests and abilities come with age: I’ve decreased bike riding (from 200+/week to under 100) and increased walking/slow jogging (up to 20 a week) and swimming, often in the ocean. I don’t go to movies or watch as much TV. I quit the Y in favor of 24 Hour Fitness. I don’t ride my motorcycle or drive my Stealth very much; use RV and bike more. No racing this year. I take naps when possible. I bought some land near Frazier Park and have developed a “passion” for improving it. Mom, Bobby Close, advocated having a passion for something, and it’s true, passion adds zest to life. I bought a smart phone (Samsung Galaxy 3), and enjoy being able to communicate with outside world from my remote mountain location. I used to keep a diary for reviewing the year and writing this Christmas letter. Now I post current activities on Facebook, so merely have brief calendar notes to review the year. I mainly note trips, visits to or from friends, and, most sadly, the passing of dear friends, so read it and weep. February 4, Cycling legend and friend Barney Berglund passed away; February 18th, trip to Niece Amy Kornbergs in Corralitos, CA (near Watsonville), central gathering location for Todd Tennyson (brother in law), Jo Ellen (niece), Beth (niece), Zak, Micah and Isabelle (Grand nephews and nieces) ; February 26, I found out my faithful Jack Russell Terrier, Tango, had kidney failure; March 12, Tango put down; March 25, met Long Beach pilot pal, Per Jensen, at Brophy Brothers; March 31, saw and spoke to twirly girl, Niyata, by the beach, so named for her year 2009 practice of spinning circles on the beach near Rincon; April 4, Met Per again at Starbucks; April 12, 1985 SBCC co-athlete, 2004 overall winner of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara Triathlons, Corey Welles, stopped by on my Birthday; April 27, spoke to 1970 era girlfriend, Margy Sterling, on phone about her poor treatment in hospital; April 28, met former Audubon and Dorsey classmate Dave Rubenhold and wife, Flora Rubenhold, in Summerland; May 4, celebrated friend and cycling legend Avalon Balker’s birthday with friends at her house; May 11, Mothers Day, the last time I saw/spoke with cycling friend and legend Carlos Soto; May 17, Barney Berglund Life Celebration at fellow cycling friend Geoff Rockwells; May 18-19, went to Jim (pal since c3rd grade at Baldwin Hills Elementary) and Bette Ottos to celebrate Marie Ottos 90+ Birthday; May 20th met 1970 era health department friend Hank Levin and new health department friend Sang Han at a Chinese Buffett, May?, I made and withdrew an offer on property in Cuddy Valley; May 26, I bought .79 acres of land near Frazier Park for $10,000 from Carl Clines; June 1, Carlos Soto passed away; June 8, Carlos Soto Celebration of Life bike ride; June 10, met with David and Flora Rubenhold at Summerland Beach Cafe; June 20, Carlos Soto Memorial at the Rose Garden in Santa Barbara; June 23, Larry Kostroski (1980 Santa Barbara flying friend and ranch helper) called from Catalina Island, but we were unable to meet; June 26 Housewarming party at Avalons; July 20, Cycling friend Randall Tinneys Birthday bike ride (with stylish socks provided by his lovely wife, Lola); August 9-11, Amy Kornbergs, Beth Tennyson, family visit; August 22, called Margy on her Birthday; August 27, looked at and eventually bought c 1K solar power system at Lous (L&M Hauling); September 17th, met with Stan Larsen (good friend and first electrician at my Toro Canyon Ranch.. Stan was there the day we fired up the first pump at the first well and watched as geysers of water shot skyward from the many leaks along the pipeline.) at Padaro Beach Grill; September 19th, I learned mobile home park neighbor Rosemarys dog Sprout died; September 25, Dena Kimbrough died (the sweet lady that brought me Tango, May 2001); October 4, I met 1961 Army pal Arnold Ouslander at the Avocado Festival; October 10, went to Ottos; October 11 Dorsey High Reunion at Costa Mesa Country Club, saw former Dorsey High swim team members Mike and Pat Murphy and Jim Gunter and very old friend Chuck Heidbrink (Nursery School at Baldwin Hills Village Green); November 22 Met Jim Guelda and Susan Cardoza (friend since 1980 meeting at East Beach in Santa Barbara) at Worker Bee; November 24, Jim and Susan at Nut Belly Pizza; November 26-29 Amy Kornbergs with family for Thanksgiving in Corralitos; December 11, 1969 Health Department coworker Clete Hilliker called; December 12, Shannon Sterling’s dog Velvet died; December 17, David and Flora Rubenhold’s cat Max died; Plans to go to Laura Harners new house in Arizona for Christmas, hope to see Ginny and Harvey as well. Love, Steve
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 02:50:15 +0000