Submitted by Anna on Thu, 2013-05-02 00:00
Pictured here are a few Livengood family events during the first half of 2013:
- Visit to the de Young museum in San Francisco to see the "Girl with the Pearl" exhibit (Ellen, Miranda, Dick and Anna the photographer)
- Family at Miranda's piano recital -- she's a talented musician, and her interest doesn't seem to have waned)
- Photos from two of Matthew's track events: Simplot in Pocatello, ID and one of the local invitational meets
Submitted by Anna on Mon, 2012-09-03 15:18
The pictures above and below show some of the fun things we and others in the family did this past summer. Dick and I continue to volunteer at the garden at Deer Hollow Farm and the Archaeology Lab at Santa Clara University. Since we started in the spring we've been helping them organize their accessions, including drawers and drawers of historical maps. In July, things got more interesting when a "dig" started on campus at the site of a future parking structure.
Submitted by Anna on Sun, 2012-06-10 20:39
Who can resist Bambi? Not us, for sure. We recently had our first fawn of the spring season nibbling on the bed of ivy in our back yard. (The deer make a regular run of the bed, taking only the newest, most tender leaves. This little guy's (or gal's) mother was demonstrating the neighborhood treats.)
Submitted by Anna on Fri, 2012-06-08 15:46
Submitted by Anna on Sat, 2012-05-19 00:00
On May 19 we ran the Sweatin' for Sammy 5K along Coyote Creek. It's a race benefiting a little girl with a rare genetic disorder that denies her full mobility. It was a nice family-style race, not too big, friendly, and well organized.
As so often happens to us lately, we were the only runners in our age categories, so... we came in first! We also had the pleasure of running with an 84-year-old, who of course also won in his age group and now serves as our inspiration to keep going!
Submitted by Anna on Wed, 2012-05-16 00:00
Matthew was having another terrific track season, but unfortunately he suffered an Achilles tendon injury and didn't make it completely through. However, he was honored for his many early-season accomplishments in a recent Evergreen Valley High School sports recognition ceremony.
Submitted by Anna on Sat, 2012-05-12 00:00
Video
See the Battle of the Bands video.
Miranda has been in the Chaboya Middle School band all during the school year, but about halfway through she switched from clarinet to percussion. She's mastered the drums and also plays some of the more exotic percussion instruments like the marimba.
One of the recent concerts was at our closest Barnes and Noble store where several local school bands played for the entertainment of the customers.
Submitted by Anna on Sun, 2012-04-15 15:13
Photo gallery
See more photos in the "2012 track" gallery.
Blog
Matthew is still winning, setting records, and having fun in track this spring. So far he's run in local, regional, and invitational meets, one of which was rained out by a late spring storm.
The photos in the linked gallery above are from the Evergreen (home) and Willow Glen meets.
Submitted by Anna on Sun, 2012-04-15 14:16
Submitted by Anna on Fri, 2012-04-13 21:13
A number of wild creatures share the Villages (our current condo complex) with the human residents, including toads, which seem to be enjoying the abundant rain we're experiencing this spring. Although we have no domestic pets of our own, we enjoy seeing the animals parade past our windows all day long, and we've come to think of them as fellow residents of this beautiful place.
Submitted by Anna on Wed, 2011-12-14 14:31
On December 12, Matthew was honored by the Evergreen Valley High School coaches with a "Most Valuable Runner" award. This was the second year he's received the award.
The potluck dinner was also attended by his proud parents, sister, and grandparents. We'll all be showing up at the track meets in the spring to watch him continue to grow in what appears to be a perfect opportunity for Matthew to show off his considerable talent.
Note: To see a summary of Matthew's accomplishments to date as a promising young California runner, click the link below.
Submitted by Anna on Sun, 2011-09-18 19:56
On September 18, Dick and I ran the 5K Race to the End of Summer at Coyote Creek. It was also a half marathon and 10K, but we had plenty of company in the 5K except in our age categories, which for both of us was over 60. This happens to us regularly: The oldsters are dropping out of active sports, which makes us all that much more likely to win or place.
That was the case this morning, with Dick taking a second and I a first. We even improved the time over our last 5K, which was two weeks ago.
Submitted by Anna on Fri, 2011-09-16 00:00
Photo gallery
See more photos in the "Lake Cunningham" gallery
Blog
Today Miranda ran her first cross country race as a 7th grader at Chaboya Middle School. It was a 2-mile course at Lake Cunningham, and she did an awesome job as a relatively new runner. She practices every day at Montgomery Hill Park, a very hilly course. As you can see from the slideshow, it looks like a good time was had by all and participants, and we adults thoroughly enjoyed the show!
Submitted by Anna on Fri, 2011-09-16 00:00
Submitted by Anna on Thu, 2011-09-15 00:00
On September 15, Matthew ran a two-mile course at Montgomery Hill, the course where he used to train when he was still in junior high. He did such an outstanding job running the 400 in spring track that he finished that season as a varsity runner. Now he's doing the same in cross country at the longer (2-3 miles) distances. In this particular race he shaved about a minute off his former PR.
Submitted by Anna on Mon, 2011-09-12 14:59
During the weekend of September 10-11 we kept Matthew and Miranda company while their parents were in New Jersey. We were all eating lunch in their back yard while their two "kittens," Morgan and Sparky, cavorted around the patio. Suddenly Sparky leaped into the grass and lifted up what looked to me like a small rag, all bunched up.
Submitted by Anna on Tue, 2011-07-26 10:16
After I got all sentimental over our balcony petunias, I had an experience that changed the picture completely.
As part of the clean-up in preparation for our trip to South Lake Tahoe, I was discarding the bowls of flowers, which would not have survived the 10 days on their own.
Without using garden gloves, I stuffed the plant masses into a trash bag, and... promptly got stung by the yellowjackets that had nested there (unknown to me)!
Reality calling!
Submitted by Anna on Thu, 2011-06-09 00:00
Photo gallery
See more photos in the "Livengood" gallery.
Blog
On June 9, Miranda graduated (or as they put it, "participated in the promotion ceremony") from Silver Oak School . The Livengoods no longer have a kid in elementary school. On to Chaboya Junior High!
Submitted by Anna on Sun, 2011-06-05 00:00
Photo gallery
See more photos in the "Livengood" gallery.
Blog
On June 5 Miranda participated in a piano recital featuring all of her piano teacher's students. She played a very special piece, "Walz of the Wee Mice," which Ellen played in her first recital all those many years ago. It brought a tear to the eye of both Mom and Grandma! Miranda is a very poised and confident pianist!
Submitted by Anna on Wed, 2011-05-25 19:27
Photo gallery
See more photos in the "Livengood" gallery.
Blog
Miranda's spring band concert (one of her last events as an elementary school student) was on May 25. She's been taking clarinet since last fall, I believe, and she's already signed up for band as her 7th grade elective. She's taking after her mother, who also played clarinet (and sax in the jazz band) all the way through college.
