What a Weekend!!

    Last week, I reminded my daughter that we had tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes’ annual California Clasico soccer match with Los Angeles Galaxy team on Saturday. L.A. is our arch rival so it’s always an emotional match. I look forward to it every year.
    Soccer. My friend John Burns, was the one that first got me interested in “The Beautiful Game.” Then my grandson played goalkeeper for Leland High School all four years. By my second year of watching soccer I was hooked for life. For several years John and I  bought season tickets and when he passed away last year, he willed his to me. Since then Brenda has been going to the matches with me.   
     “Uh oh,” Brenda replied. “I think Nancy is coming up this weekend.” Nancy is Brenda’s sister-in-law and lives in Valencia, California. She hops a plane every so often to come and reconnect with Brenda and get a large loving dose of her beloved nephew, Tony. (My grandson.)
    “No worries,” she said. “I’ll get two extra tickets then Nancy and Tony can join us.”
Saturday was also the day of the Pride Parade and the Grateful Dead were playing in Santa Clara!
     “Let’s take Caltrain  up to Stanford instead of driving,” I suggested. Once we figured out the timetable and train number we were all set.
     Saturday arrived and I went to breakfast with my friend, Angie while Brenda and Nancy hiked in the morning. Then, Brenda, Tony, Nancy and I met for pedis before we headed to the Diridon Station to board the train for Stanford. Once we got off the train it was about a 3/4 mile walk to the stadium. We just followed the other people wearing Earthquakes gear. My friend John and I had done this for several years and it was always a blast.
     The California Clasico is always held on or near the 4th of July so there is a spectacular start to the game with sky divers landing on the field, carrying huge American flags and a sizzling fireworks display after the game.

Here he comes

Almost there

Happy landing

 The whistle blew and San Jose came out gunning for L.A. with determination. L.A. scored first but then my favorite player, Chris Wondowloski slammed in a goal and the Quakes never looked back. Final score, Quakes 3, Galaxy 1. Yay! Sitting right in front of me was a guy wearing a Wondo shirt. I want  one!

  

A sky on fire

During the game the sky became dark and leaden right before a mind-blowing sunset. It looked like the sky was on fire! After the game we stayed to watch the fireworks and we all agreed. It was almost as dazzling as the sunset!! Kidding. it was actually one of the best displays I had ever seen; well worth hanging around for. We caught the train back to San Jose and I fell into bed exhausted.
    Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. It was the day my sister was going to be Baptised at our church, Good Samaritan Episcopal church.

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

 Sue's whole family was here from Encinitas, California to share the day; her son, his wife and their two darling boys. My daughter, Brenda and grandson, Tony attended as well. As Susan’s sponser, I had a couple of duties and both of us were a little nervous. We needn’t have worried, Father Mike went over the whole ceremony with us before the service started and everything went off without a hitch. Everyone in the congregation congratulated Sue with much hugging and tears. After church we all had coffee in the Heritage Room before we headed out to California Cafe in Los Gatos for lunch. What a blessed day! By that afternoon I was done in.

      Oh, but wait, there's more! Usually I have Sunday dinner with Brenda and Tony but I was so knackered I decided to stay home and get some rest. About 6:00 p.m. I opened my front door to let in the cool evening air and to my delight, the Jewish Community Center in front of my townhouse was having a festival and their headliner for the evening was none other than the famous Hebrew Reggae singer, Matisyahu!

Matisyahu

I sat on my front steps and listened for an hour. What a treat! What a weekend! What a wonderful weekend!