Think you’ve solved the puzzle? Text or email the answer to Myles. Fastest solver will receive a shout-out in next year’s blog post.
Scroll down past the fruit emoji for puzzle’s solution
And oh yeah, here’s what’s up with our family in 2024:
Fenton, the big brother, is, in the words of a Jason Robert Brown musical we all like to rock out to, “just about to turn, just about to turn thirteen.” One week into summer vacation, we were notified that his middle school building had been condemned and that all the students were moving into the Berkeley Adult School campus. It was a wild ride, and nobody knew what it would be like at the start, but Fenton and the rest of the Longfellow Tigers gave it their best and all us adults were inspired and stepped up and the transition is going surprisingly well. Fenton plays D&D after school with friends, goes rock climbing every week with his grandfather, and enjoys Coder School. He bakes outstanding chocolate chip cookies and is still the absolute best at explaining board game rules. This year, after a lot of waiting, Fenton got a chance to play one very complex space-travel board game with a traitor mechanic (“Battlestar Galactica” if you want to know) and it took 4+ hours but it was as fun as he’d hoped it would be. I was there: it was great, and I’m not just saying that because I was the traitor.
Asher, the little brother, is still all-in on Dance-a-Vision, where he can be found twice every week with his teacher and mentor Ms. Carla. Asher makes up new songs every week with his wonderful music therapist Rob and does lots of cover art drawings and writing of track lists for their many theoretical albums. He loves reading Dav Pilky books, and this was the year Asher was introduced to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which left a lasting impression. First as a read-aloud book at bedtime, through all 3 movies (original, Tim Burton, and Chalomet) Asher’s fever for Wonka stories and make-believe play is Gloop-level insatiable. Asher also still loves playing “Beasts of Balance” and this is the year he got into playing Minecraft. He received a commendation in his classroom and before long he is going to be too big for me to yeet across the living room into the couch, but for now I’m trying to do it every day.
Last year, Laurel’s garden co-op was newly minted, and this year the harvest of their collective action has been most bountiful, with recurring appointments of outdoor work parties that she loves. Laurel is doing an amazing job with a remodel at our house that will allow Asher to sleep in his own room and me to work in an office that I don’t share with the toddler’s bed. It’s been a big undertaking but she’s in her sparkle zone when it comes to things like choosing molding (excuse me: moulding) so y’all will have to come see the finished outcome next year, because the last time she did up a space like this it was featured in a home reno magazine so you should be on tenterhooks. Laurel is on the Firewise committee for our neighborhood, helping to keep us and our neighbors safe through the magic of defensible space and she’s on a mission to get the neighborhood to plant native.
I was very fortunate this year to notch some big wins, such as hosting a Survivor beach drop event in Hollywood, winning the 66th Bay Area Pun-Off, and being honored with the Bernie De Koven Big Fun Award for my work at Wise Guys Events. And that makes me feel wonderful. But it’s the many deep, vulnerable walk-and-talks I have had with my good friends this year that make me really emotional and grateful. I had two major spiritual experiences this year, which is two more than I have most years: one at a yoga retreat in Hawaii and one attending Jonathan Richman’s acoustic set in a redwood grove. In the new year, I wish for you many moments of peace and insight like the ones I had on that island and in that amphitheater. They are rare and precious, but I can wish for them anyway.
We will remember 2024 as the year we…
… took a family trip to Disneyland, our first ever together, and Asher’s only visit aside from once when he was worn as an infant
… dropped in on a trivia night competition at hotel pool bar where we happened to be staying one night in Santa Cruz and winning first place, unseating the local team of heavy-hitters
… all went to Tuolumne Family Camp together and had an incredible time in the watering hole with family and playing board games galore, despite the 100+ degree temperatures every day. Maybe next year we’ll see you there.
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Our card is a puzzle! It’s solvable using only the front and back of the card and your wits.
Are you SURE you want the answer?
How about some hints first?
Tiny hints: What letter is missing from the second photo?
What is being held instead?
Who is holding it?
Do you know any French words?
… Got it yet?
Massive hints: The dad is holding an item instead of the letter that appears on the front of the card but not the back. If you say what he is holding, and then (in a way) what he isn’t holding, you will have said the name of a fictional character associated with Christmas
Ready for the answer?
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“PEAR, NO L.” The French word for father is “père” and Myles (the dad) is holding a pear instead of an L. If you say “pear, No L” it sounds like “Père Noel” which is Father Christmas, AKA Santa Claus. Bearing the gift of puns that are unbearable … or perhaps un pear able? Certainly without com-pear.