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I'm not particularly adventurous but sometimes do crawl out from under my rock to see what the sunshine feels like. Here in Southern California, both adventure and sunshine are readily available. So here's a bit of photographic evidence that we Martins do go outside and dip our toes into the cool stream of life now and again. Adventure #1: Jenny Rides Horses With Alicia First we shall chronicle the main event of Jenny's tenth birthday. The young lassie had the desire to "go ride horses with Alicia". Sara found a place that was willing to provide the horses and trails. She, Jenny and Alicia then went about this business of climbing atop horses and scampering about the countryside. If you don't believe me, just look at the picture... 
It's Alicia and horse. Then it's Jenny and another horse. The horses are real. This photograph was not taken out front of Kmart with coin-operated mechanical horses. It was taken by Sara who was on yet another horse in front of Alicia. It seems possible that Sara was either sitting backwards on her horse or her horse was headed straight toward Alicia at a full gallop. Perhaps this is why Alicia appears to be turning away, grimacing. Who wants to be involved in a head-on collision with a horse? Good thinking, Alicia. As for the birthday, that went off without a hitch the day after the great horse adventure. Well, perhaps there was one hitch. Jenny was glued to the couch with a stomach ailment for most of her birthday. She bore this disturbance with an admirable attitude. Adventure #2: Nina Discovers the Water Hose
This was a good time. I was filling the 12' pool so that Sara could do some high diving and water ballet. There was about 3 inches of water in the pool and I had just finished a harrowing game of solitaire Marco Polo. I decided to try David Letterman's fun game "Will It Float?" and so tossed Nina into the murky deep. She soon discovered the water hose and began waving it around. I snapped away with the camera as she and the hose struck various entertaining poses. This shot was one of my favorites... 
Immediately following the self-inflicted water shot to the face, she dropped the hose and crawled straight for mommy, blinking and coughing. Adventure #3: The Company PicnicSara and I work at the same outfit and each summer they try to rope us into going to the company picnic. This year they lured us in by having the picnic at Knott's Berry Farm, which is about 10 minutes from our house. They provided all the hot dogs, barbecue ribs and Mrs. Knott's chicken you could possibly stomach, then they handed us free tickets and herded us into the theme park. Quinn, Jenny and I followed Sara as she pushed the stroller with an air of conviction such as would lead one to believe she had a clue where she was headed. We soon deciphered that there was no such clue. Climbing aboard the train was mentioned by someone and next thing you knew we were headed off toward some other indistinct target. At last I made the assertion that we needed a map and sent Quinn back to the front gates to fetch one. I followed him at a safe distance and once he'd secured the needed map and spun back 'round for the return trip, I snapped this marvelous photo of the lad...  In looking at the picture there and considering the large structure behind Quinn, I have determined that there's no chance I'll ever climb aboard the thing. The choo-choo wasn't open and it wasn't long before we had all determined that it was pretty hot and fairly crowded at Knott's Berry Farm. I knew this would be the case way back when I heard of the sinister plot to have the company picnic at a major theme park in the dead of summer on a weekend. Quinn wanted to go home. Sara was close to agreeing. Jenny still wanted to ride Jaguar. So we headed for Jaguar and while Quinn and I sat with Nina, who was sleeping in the stroller, Sara and Jenny got in line for the desired coaster. After a great while of waiting I decided to snap a couple of pictures of folks going by on the Jaguar coaster. With picture #2 I scored a hit, capturing the very vessel carrying my wife and daughter. See if you can spot them (hint: they are not the dark complected gentleman sitting up front)... 
Soon after the Jaguar jaunt we were all clamoring for home and a drink of water that wouldn't set us back $3+. But before we could bolt for the vehicle, Sara, Quinn and Jenny did a bit of shopping in one of Snoopy's establishments. I sat outside on a short rock wall, waiting with the still-sleeping Nina. They were in Snoopy's joint for quite the long while. At some point a lady sat down right next to me and began emitting a series of top-volume whistles directed toward someone on the other side of the theme park. This woke Nina up. Immediately following this blessed event a strange toddler toddled over and began climbing on me with affection usually reserved for folks you have at least seen before. It was awesome. It only took Sara and the kids another 20 minutes or so to finish buying whatever Snoopy was peddling. Then it was off to the vehicle and home. Yay. Adventure #4: Steven Runs With the Bulls at Pamplona
There really isn't much to tell. Paco was running in front of me and the bulls were getting uncomfortably close. So I reached out, grabbed the bandana tied around his neck and pulled myself past him as I hurdled some other dude. Paco was immediately gored by the bull. You can see this moment captured in the picture. He and I laughed about it later at the hospital as we wondered aloud why we chose to even wear bandanas around our necks in the first place. The red karate belts were his idea all the way though. Check it out, I lifted some guy's wallet as I ran past him... you can see me clutching it in my left hand. I don't remember what that thing is I was clutching in my right hand. Things were crazy for a while there and I can't recall every detail. I probably won't run with the bulls again. Looking back, it was a pretty foolish move.
That's it for our August so far. Hope yours is going well. | 
