Dear Family, Friends, and Diary,
Weather does not usually play much part in life around Fresno. Winters hardly deserve the name. Summer is hot, but not worth discussing. Rain happens a bit in winter and, hopefully, a little bit more in spring. But, this week we had to talk about it!
On Friday, tornado warnings chased us into our basement. This was probably an overreaction, but that was the advice of the broadcast warning. In fact, there were three touchdowns of EF1 twisters both west and northeast of us. That doesn't qualify the Central Valley as Tornado Alley, but at least we have something to talk about.
Weather was also part of our weekend plans. There were two outdoor events scheduled for Saturday. First would be "Porchfest", with scores of musical groups slated to play from dozens of Fresno neighborhood porches. And, later in the day, The Fresno State Womens Aquatics Teams were fund raising at their almost-annual Luau.
I tested my bad knee with an afternoon walk around our own neighborhood to see what porches were sending out sound. This was more walking than I had been able to do for almost a week, so I didn't take it lightly and, in the end, the soreness was fixed (enough) with an ice pack. And I had some pictures of a fun neighborhood:
Some folks were waiting for the rain to show up?
Only a couple groups are shown here, although there were a half-dozen venues on my little walk.
Fun for everyone who showed up - and the rain held off.
Friend Jeanne is the head coach for the Fresno State University Womens Swim and Dive Team and in most years she organizes a Spring luau to raise funds for the extras her swimmers and divers can use. The crowd was smaller this year, due to both the weather and to schedule conflicts with Fresno Porchfest and the Clovis Rodeo, but we were enthusiastic nonetheless.
Here is the picture record of all the activities that we have come to expect from the Luau.
We were greeted at the gate by a smiling swimmer selling us raffle tickets.
Inside, the gray skies promised rain, but not yet.
Fund raising included a silent auction, but this year we were not tempted
by the gift collections. Maybe next time.
The Luau is time to see friends.
Swimmers Aliz and Laurea and neighbors Debbie and Annie.
The Fresno Polynesian dancers are a regular feature of Jeanne's Luau.
This year, the rain forced a smaller show, but one with more connection to the audience.
The show included audience participation,
but this year we managed to not be "selected" to show how we could not dance.
Swimmers did better.
By time for dinner, the rain had arrived, but tents worked to keep the food dry. The trips back to the tables, were a little wet, but nothing damp spirits.
Of course, the meal highlight is always dessert. For the Luau, this is handled by the swimmers and divers themselves. Groups of two or three girls each prepare a dessert and each audience table says how much they will offer for their choice. Highest bids choose first and there are cheers and laughter all around. Our table "won" the pudding and cake prepared by Aliz and Laurea, a giant bowl that could have fed far more than the six people at our table.
Remember that raffle? I had put all our 15 tickets in the buckets tied to the two clothing prizes that might fit me. When a swimmer read a number that matched mine, I had won the puffy swim parka! Now I need to go swimming in cold water, so I need it! When?
Coach Jeanne thanked everyone for their support and we all thanked her for putting together a fun evening - rain or not. And we had to thank all the swimmers, divers, and coaches for making the Luau something we look forward to.
There 's nothing near term on our calendar, but stay tuned.
John and Marianne