SLO and Graduation

We took another trip up to SLO for a major event: Graduation. Mia’s brother James graduated from high school and is going to Santa Clara University in the fall. This was a major achievement considering how many days he was in the hospital or too sick to stay in class.

The school’s ceremony was at the mission right in downtown, brought a huge crowd for the small class size, and was altogether a really great thing. I found it interesting how much of the speeches were emphasizing how technology will take over everything in the future. It was very different than my graduation 13 years ago. They had a party for James and the next day we went to their friend’s house for another party. The backyard setting there is amazing and something I would try to have someday. The property is tucked along a canyon road and railroad track, but that acts as a good thing – they have an expansive backyard with chickens and other farm animals, gardens, fire pits, and so many other small touches to make it comfortable.

In between the celebrations I got to surf with James and we all entertained an energetic and teething puppy. At one point the neighbor golden retrievers came over to give Rosie her first experience that she isn’t the only dog in the world. Rosie went from trying to be the alpha in the house to totally letting the friendly bigger dog run the yard. Then she fell asleep on a backpack next to two different empty dog beds.