Bear River Pickleball Tournament

Kelvin had a known out of town conference in Tahoe this week but our pickleball friends kept talking about an indoor tournament at Bear River Recreation Center (Loleta, about 45 min from our house). While I think pickleball is generally fun, I'm not as competitive or intense as Iver nor Kelvin, but Iver really wanted to play competitively and enter this tournament.  He's been playing multiple times per week, for hours at a time! 

Iver and I played our first (and only) tournament in Arcata in November, coming in as runners-up in Mixed Doubles (with Jonathan, he won the Men's Doubles Championship!).  Kelvin and I took third in the 3.5-and-higher tournament in  Eureka in January, when I, disappointed in my own performance, vowed not to enter any more tournaments until I could get my volleying technique down.

In order to be officially linked to this tournament, we had to sign up for Fwango and DUPR, both  Pickleball apps, which allow rankings (I rated myself at a 3.25, while Iver considers him much higher), and I had to make Iver his own accounts as an independent player with his own e-mail account.  I also now have "Playtime scheduler," an app where you can see and join local pickleball games like at Carlson Park, nice outdoor courts which is where we prefer to play.  

In any case, we went to the gym on Saturday morning to start our < 3.5 pickleball tourney with the other seven teams.  We played pretty well, not losing any matches in the five matches of round-robin play (first-to-11-win-by-1), and then went on to the brackets, where there were three (single elimination) rounds (although they did have one game for third place). While we'd seen and played with many of the players at this tournament, we didn't know the couple (Becky/Toby) who we played in the Final (Becky had a unique lob serve and Toby hit with a lot of slice), but we handled them well, leading for almost all the match and eventually winning 15-12 (I think that was the final score!).  Sara, who runs the McK pickleball drop-in, got the whole final on video, which was fun to watch later!  My volleys were much better this time around, now learning to keep less of a continental grip and more of a forehand grip even at the net, and choking up on my paddle for quicker reaction times.

Niall brought some activity books and hung out on the sidelines while we played, and he did well (he did express, however, that he was hoping we'd get bounced in the elimination bracket so we could go home earlier!).  We visited him in between our games. We stayed a bit past our match's conclusion (and medal acquisition!) to watch some of the rounds of the 3.5-5.0 players' brackets (there were so many teams that entered that there were two divisions! I think the winner was a mother/14-year-old son pair from Crescent City). 

Iver was excited to learn that his "DUPR" rating was 3.726 by winning this tournament. I might now call myself a 3.5-ranked player, but definitely would have struggled to "play up," although that is what I told Iver we could do if we won it all.  I have to say that, while Iver is raring to go for the next one, I'm not excited about playing the 3.5-5.0 players competitively anytime soon, so I'll stick to Saturday recreational pickleball without stakes!  I think K and Iver will enter an August tournament locally but I may stay on the sidelines :) . Thanks to Humboldt Bay Pickleball Club and its leadership for organizing a great tournament for all ages! 

Arcata Forest PR!

We've had dry and warm weather lately so it was a good year for the Arcata Forest 5.5 mile run on Saturday. None of my family members opted to run (worn out from the Foggy Bottom Run a couple of weeks ago or just preferring pickleball), so I carpooled with Jenna.

Despite varying amounts of training, I had run basically identical times (1:01:46 in 2024 and 1:01:50 in 2025). I probably have run more miles this spring than in previous years with mostly non-rainy weather, and have been swimming as well, which is good non-joint-hurting endurance and cross-training for the legs. However, I don't have a pacing watch or really any goal times for races-- other than to do my best and feel good finishing.

The hills on this course are pretty brutal (there's even a "HA HA" in chalk on one incline due to how frustrating and exhausting they are!) and I'm not much of a hill-runner or trainer so did slow my jog and do my usual power-lunge (walk) up the steep ones. However, the course ends with a long mostly downhill slope, which is where one can make up time if your knees are cooperating (while being careful not to trip on tree roots).

I was surprised to see the clock as I came around the final bend-- I finished in 57:07, more than four minutes ahead of the previous years' times and the only time I've ever broken the hour mark (sixth for women in that distance for a "PR" [personal record]). Jenna came in second for women and our boys' track coach, Kristin, passed me mid-race and finished a few places ahead of me in the standings.  I didn't get passed by any septuagenarians with walking sticks as in previous years though, which makes for a good race!

My legs felt pretty good at the end-- I still had some sprinting in me, which bodes well for future finishes in long runs and even a marathon in October, for which I finally decided to sign up after some waffling about the level of my commitment!  I won't be training too hard for 26.2 miles until later in the summer so as to not get too burned out/injured, but it's pretty encouraging that I have seen myself get better at running (faster) even as I advance in years in middle age, and that I can wake up and run 6-10 miles without too much strain (I think this range is my sweet spot for running, to be honest! I don't enjoy the short, three-miles-or-less runs as it takes me a few miles to warm up, but half marathons or more do take a toll on my lower extremities and feet).  After ibuprofen and ice, even my shins are doing well this year (the softer forest floor, compared to paved concrete trails, probably helps). 

Bingo: out of my comfort zone

 

I am a woman of not-that-many hobbies!  I love a good Friday night movie night in sweat pants or being on the couch (or in bed) with a good book (and in bed by 9:45 p.m.).

A co-worker, Kendra, reached out to me on Thursday inviting me to play Bingo on Friday night." My first thought was, "To go out to play Bingo seems like it would be a lot of effort after a work week." Also, the last time I played Bingo, I was probably about eleven years old (the kids have Zingo, a picture version that is similar).  However, I did remember that one of my 2026 goals (not resolutions) was to do more "social" things this year, when invited, and to try to step out of my comfort zone in more ways than one.  I considered, but had a lot of questions for Kendra, notably "Where is Bingo and how long does it last?"

She clued me in that a group of MCHC folks go periodically to the Heights (formerly Cher-Ae Heights) casino in Trinidad, and that "Early Bird" bingo started at 6 p.m. but it could go until 10 or 11 p.m. (!). Kelvin encouraged me to go and "have fun," while they stayed home.  I opted to drive my own car rather than carpool so I could leave once this Grandma started getting sleepy.  I learned all about the nuances of "adult" Bingo-- you can buy different paper "packs" to play, with the chances of winning quite a bit of money depending on how the games go.  You can use these marker "dobbers" (being a newbie, I got a free one!) to "dob" the called-out squares, while you could also "dob out" the non-relevant squares if you wish.  There were interesting shapes like "fly-swatter + fly" and "goal post" that were winning designs on the squares (not just your run-of-the-mill five in a row like I was used to!).  Electronic tablets also tell you when you're getting "close to" or winning, so the paper "dobbing" is actually not mandatory, but you do need to loudly call out "Bingo" to claim your your money.  Several people in our group won some money, but alas, I did not (nor did Kendra after I transferred my last few papers to her when I had to call it a night circa 9:20 p.m.).  At 8:30, there was even a thirty-minute Bingo Intermission! Sodas at the casino Bingo hall were apparently free (but you could buy other drinks or food if you wanted. I, having had my Early Bird dinner at home before my Early Bird Bingo, did not partake).   I recognized several other community members (and patients) at the large hall. 

MCHC crew including Jenn and Mel, Kit, and Kendra (with the purple hair)

I'm not sure that I'll return to Bingo anytime soon, as I am not very into gambling-type games where you pay to play but win by chance alone, but I joined in in order to be social and it was so nice of Kendra to include me in the outing (most of the others were shocked to see this super introvert out and about on a Friday night!)!  

Trying to lean/dive in a bit more this year over here!  Bingo first. What is next?  

One Battle After Another

Kelvin is really into movies and Oscars-watching. We used to (pre-kids!) host an Oscars Party, but haven't in years. Kelvin did record this year's Oscars on Sunday, but we only watched a few clips before going to bed.

We awoke to found out that  One Battle After Another, a movie which was filmed partly in our local towns of Arcata and Eureka (overpass by Cal Poly Humboldt, woodsy cabin in Kneeland, phone outside Murphy's Market in Eureka), dominated the 98th Academy Awards, winning SIX Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director [Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor [Sean Penn]; Leo DiCaprio was actually bested for Best Actor this year by 'Sinners'' Michael B. Jordan. Check out our local LoCo news article here, with additional links describing some of the casting/filming and impacts on local culture (they actually shut down Open Door's North Country Clinic for at least one day because of all the filming madness in Arcata!).

I know many people who enjoyed this film, a fairly violent and twisted political thriller. I did watch it (over about three sessions, a few weeks ago), mainly to be able to connect with Humboldt scenes. The acting was good but the content was not really up my alley.

Nevertheless, I am proud to have had our town (and some local actors-- including Carlos, who sometimes plays pickleball with us), featured in this acclaimed film! Go and watch it (I think on HBO) if you haven't!

Felting and Folding

The kids are more into sports than crafting these day, and I'm not a very crafty person by nature. However, in January I posted about a new (pseudo-crafty) hobby, book-folding!

I folded this for Jenna, who shares my love of reading (and actually likes running) and who turns 40 this month!

Niall and Iver both watched me folding and wanted to get into it, as well, so they both requested that I thrift  long-enough books for them to undertake projects. Niall measured and did the folding for both of these!

Niall also has been learning "felting" (a craft I'd never heard of!) at school, and requested some kits so that he could make creations at home. Basically, it involves poking at wool with a "felting" needle to the point that it becomes more compact in shapes like balls, ears, and animals :) 

While drawing and painting will likely never be my thing, it's neat to hear about *new* crafts that I (and kids) can get behind!

Foggy Bottom Milk Run 2026

As a family, we participated in the 48th annual Foggy Bottom Milk Run in Ferndale on Sunday, put on by our local Six Rivers Running Club, to which we have a family membership. 

I don't usually like to drive (or pay) to run just a few miles so I decided to sign up for the 10-mile race (at 12:05 p.m.), while the kids (along with many of their schoolmates) made a FN team for the 2-mile race at 2pm (which Kelvin reluctantly joined, mainly to help Niall). I've been doing some long runs lately, contemplating (but not yet committed to) a marathon attempt sometime this calendar year, so ten miles (on a "bottom," which sounds very flat) in not-rainy weather wasn't a huge stretch challenge for me to complete, but I'm still not very fast (I still get shin splints but tried out some new size nine Asics shoes and vow to change my shoes at least every ~500 miles which, to be honest, I haven't done in the past)! 

Despite difficult parking in downtown Victorian Ferndale, the race was really well organized, and Kelvin got a lot of helpful information on Saturday, when he picked up our race bibs.  There were lots of helpful volunteers at the race start and along the way, directing turns and traffic.

I couldn't get my audiobook to play in my earbuds and they died 1.5 miles into the run anyway, but I managed to feel good and run a pretty good time for this old fogey among mostly flat paved roads, alongside pastures with happy-appearing cows (and some goats). It got a bit rough at miles 7-8 with some rolling hills and fatigue setting in (the sun also came out but the weather was still good- in the 50s), but we runners were encouraged by cute bovine-punny signs at mile makers along the way with things like, "The herd is behind you" and "You're doing UDDERLY fantastic!" My time (1 hr 32 min, with a 9:14 mile average) was respectable, although there were about 56 people who finished ahead of me (they counted aloud at the turnaround point a little over 6 miles in!). 

High-fiving at the end! 

The two-mile race started at 2 p.m., and, after a break for some water, I feared that I'd get kind of bored/cold on the sidelines waiting for the 2-mile finishers. I got coaxed into running the 2-mile race with the kiddos, even though I hadn't signed up (our friend's son Jonathan was also along with us).

Fuente kids with amazing coach Kristin!

Soon after the race started, Iver, as well as Niall, took off, leaving me to wonder why I decided to join in (given that I'd already had about 10 miles plus some warm up mileage behind me!). Nevertheless, the momentum of the moving crowd made it hard for me to stop and walk back to the start line.... so I just continued on, finishing much more slowly than my family (but alongside a few Fuente runners in about 19 min).  

Check out these kids' times (race results at Hubertiming)!

Jonathan crushed it, in 13:05 (8th place overall).

Iver was in 14th place overall (out of 835 finishers) and Niall, 40th! 

Kelvin couldn't even beat Niall, who sprinted to the finish! I think he's on his own from now on!

The schools' under-11 girls placed 2nd for teams, which was great.

We enjoyed Ferndale milk products including popsicles at the end of the two-mile race, which was much appreciated. I, for one, had had a not-too-heavy brunch around 10 a.m. before leaving the house, but was getting hypoglycemic (Iver also said he had his characteristic vomiting episode right at the last home stretch-- he held it in until crossing the finish line in this race!).

Some of the our FN runners were interviewed on the local news (check out the video starting at 1:32)-- so cute!

By the end of the day, this was my (phone's) mileage report! I'm happy to report that my new shoes seem to be helping my shins. What a day!

Ciencias 2026

 

It was time again for the fourth and fifth grade science fair. This winter-spring, Iver again chose a sporty project-- with his friend, Silas, they tried to determine in which quadrant (upper right/upper left/lower right/lower left) a goal kick  (against a defended goal) was most likely to result in a score.

I was a bit wary of the number of variables involved in the project (notably goalie proficiency) and the amount of data needed to draw a statistically-significant conclusion (they did a series of 80 kicks a piece, divided over two data-collection days, and randomized in shooting location order to get their results), but other than helping provide rides and a clipboard/help to record their data, I stayed uninvolved. 

I thought their poster was well done. Their conclusion (the highest percentage of scoring was in the lower right quadrant) was not what I would have hypothesized (my guess was upper left for a right-footed kicker) but it confirmed their hypothesis (as soccer players, they may be onto something!). Other kids' projects involved measuring plant growth and physical science evaluations of acid, water, and gas. "Nature Joe" didn't have a snake booth, but there were other exhibits (including one with a very enthusiastic entomologist Kevin) that showcased different science projects. 

Until next year!

Courtside

 

Niall has just one game left in his (six-game) basketball season, which has been a lot of fun!  It's been really amazing to watch this petite (1% for weight, 3% for height) guy dribble and race around bigger seven- and eight-year-olds to steal, rebound, and score (in eight-foot hoops) in his three-on-three games, even as "traveling" and "double-dribbling" among the other kids is not enforced at this level.  He loves Steph Curry, a fellow "little guy," and has be inspired to be one of the best and definitely most coordinated players on his team, despite his diminutive size. While the "noncompetitive" games (at this level) are not scored, Iver has been Niall's personal stats-keeper, and we found that N averages about ten points per game, and gets close to a double-double (points/rebounds or steals) most of the time! 

We followed his basketball game with "Fuente day" at Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) where Kerry, a fellow second-grade mom and professor, helped organize a day where we entered for free.  We watched the women take on a San Diego area team (San Marcos), where they were (as the teens say) "cooking!" leading by up to twenty-five or so, with great rebounding, passing, and points in transition. The game got a bit close towards the end, and they ended but winning by a mere ten, but were in control the whole way.  (The men's game followed in a double-header, but we didn't stay for that one-- we were kind of basket-balled out!).

Iver hung out with his cool fifth grade buddies for most of the game. 

These are the courts we usually frequent: (Larson Park)...

... with (Iver talked me into) another pickleball tournament coming up in a few weeks. I have some Saturday training to do!