Sharpening Cupid’s arrow on Pilot stories I...

Sharpening Cupid’s arrow on Pilot stories

I read with arrow-sharp interest and a heart-shaped eye all of

your series about how to share valentines with your loved one. As

usual, it was very entertaining. After 25 years of marriage, I needed

a fresh way of saying “loving you mucho” to my sweetie. I mean,

roses, candies, jewelry is always so expected and hardly ever a

surprise. A night out? Ah, we do that as often as we can. So, what to

do baby?

I was going to make Valentine’s Day an entire day’s event,

beginning with a morning kiss and ending with an evening lullaby. I

told Anne that she belonged to me the entire next day, not to say no,

not to make adjustments, just do with me as I do.

She agreed with a toast of our evening glass of wine.

Valentine’s morning began with a sleep-in way into the

mid-morning. Our son Matt was in Puerto Vallarta with amigos; Jenny,

our daughter, is at San Francisco State; mother-in-law was at her

other daughter’s home.

Bruiser, the wanna-be Doberman Cockapoo, was uncharacteristically

very quiet. How stoically silent and vast our little rancho was. I

roasted a cup of black and tan coffee espresso style for me and

heated Zen tea for sweetie. After coffee, tea and a little bit of we,

off to exercising we went.

Anne loves to walk, but she shimmies more like a Porsche Carrera

while I cruise more like a ’64 Chevy Impala low rider, so while she

walked I went to the gym for my gut check workout.

Funny, how together we were even while separated. While I danced

to a spicy salsa on the stair master, I knew Anne was strutting

through the Back Bay with Bruiser.

We met up at home. I showered and dressed at the gym.

While Anne readied herself, I made reservations for a

mid-afternoon lunch date at the Chart House in Newport Beach. Sitting

at the small booth overlooking the Bay, we were very comfortable

being at peace within our mutual presence; our romance was second

nature to each of us.

The atmosphere was cozy with hardly anyone there. We were well

catered to. As usual, we shared each other’s food and sparkled at

each other.

We walked a short distance across the street to our car under a

faded turquoise sky. It occurred to me that Anne and I very seldom

walk anywhere together without holding hands or being arm in arm. I

vowed to myself never to take that for granted.

With a pink and lavender dusk approaching, we went to Fashion

Island to buy each other gifts. Anne knows I like a cigar at about

this time and urged me to smoke outside while she meandered inside.

She knows I’m not fond of window shopping. I smoked a velvet wrapped

Liciencado robusto near the fountain enjoying the diversity of people

strolling by.

When I met Anne inside one of the stores we began looking for each

other’s gifts. I really enjoyed this part because I wasn’t in a maze

or fog about what she might like or not. She pointed, I paid and give

it to her for the price of a kiss.

Something you suggested in a part of your series really captured

my attention. I’ve discussed it with Anne before but she was pretty

much set against it. A tattoo. Not just a tattoo, but a permanent

illustration commemorating my commitment to wife and family within an

image of my Native American heritage and spiritual journey. I already

have a tattoo from my street-banging days that is fortunately covered

up. That tat is basically meaningless. The tattoo I want I would be

proud to display in appropriate places.

It would be a Dream Catcher with praying hands at its center.

Three feathers would adorn the bottom; one larger with smaller ones

on each side-symbols of Anne and our children. An even smaller

feather would be close to our praying hands, a symbol of Joshua, our

first born who passed on. Lavenders, yellows, reds, and turquoise

would light up the silent images and speak in mystical tongues. Anne

is not convinced.

Maybe I could commission a painting or something instead?

We discussed that on our way home. We were tired. Watched a little

TV. Enjoyed the silence of only us and yet missed every one who was

not there. Anne kissed me and, as she fell off to sleep, I watched

her as her lips slowly formed into petals of a smile. My soul swayed

to a lullaby of joy, and I cried a little cry for happy. Valentines

had never been so memorable.

So, thanks for another commendable job.

AL ENCINIAS

Newport Beach

A well-deserved tribute for Larry Capune

We attended the gathering for Larry Capune at Dover Shores. It was

a great tribute to a wonderful person. In addition to his years at

Dover Shores, less not we forget all his time spent on Balboa Island

showing movies in the summer and being such a help to Balboa Island

Yacht Club members and their families. Thanks Larry.

CINDY HOUSTON

Balboa Island