At 6:00 am, we are awake and ready to go. After a cup of coffee, we headed to the garden, where we harvested, set up additional rabbit barriers, and gathered the corn stalks that were harvested this year.
The rest of the morning we piddled in the back yard. We had Tom Heaton over to do some things I am not allowed to do, such as using ladders. He got rid of four bird nests, moved our gas cannisters to the car, and other handyman items.
Monday means the gym. Before we go, I need to weigh myself, and for that, I need Mary’s assistance.
The gym was pretty good today. I only needed one crutch when I was leaving. The old body held up pretty well under all the stress and strain. I am back down under 200 pounds again!
I have decided my favorite machine in the gym is the water cooler.
After departing the gym, we went directly to the Orange Ranch Market, a unique and eclectic shopping destination. We selected a variety of goodies to try, including some of the finest fruit we have ever seen.
Our main goal was to get Mary the T-Bone steak she has been wanting. A T-bone steak is a cut of beef that includes both a strip steak (New York strip) and a tenderloin (filet mignon) on either side of a T-shaped bone. It’s essentially two steaks in one, offering a diverse flavor and texture experience. The T-bone is cut from the short loin of the cow, with the bone acting as a natural divider. This cut is also known as a Porterhouse Steak.
OK, I went to the butcher and asked for two T-Bones. He wrapped them up, and I saw the $161 price and nearly fainted. Mary almost crashed the market basket into a display. We looked at each other and asked, “What did we do?”
We called the police department and requested a patrol car to escort us home.
These puppies were two and a half pounds each! Oh my!
I needed to run by the bank to help pay for these!
We know Charlie is after a truck, and we stopped to look at one on the way home. We are not too sure he would appreciate it, but it would keep him out of the bars at night.
Charlie, it’s a good start!
We got home, and I got the wheelbarrow to bring the steaks inside. We decided we would have one for brunch. But how the devil do you cook something so big? We almost had to roll out the BBQ.
2 1/2 pounds of delicious steak!
It was thick, so I had to pan-fry it on both sides to get a good crust. Four minutes per side on high seemed to do the job.
We let it get to room temperature before applying the seasoning.
We used our new Hex-Clad pan, heating it to HIGH so the meat would sear quickly.
Cloves of garlic are added to the pan.
After the first turnover, we added two tablespoons of butter and then basted the steak with it during the four-minute searing process.
The stove fan was on full blast to keep the fire alarms from going off!
Time to rest before being attacked by Mary! The truth of the matter is we only could finish two-thirds of the steak so we put the remainder in the frig.
Join us on the website for the full celebration!
I wish it were true, but alas, we are going to have brunch at the Elks and then see the Elvis Presley show.
The Elks Father’s Day Lunch not only features a great menu but also a spectacular show with a rockin’ tribute to the King, starring internationally acclaimed musician and actor Scot Bruce as Elvis. Scot celebrates what made Elvis not only the King of Rock & Roll, but also the King of Cool! See the magic that made a generation swoon in the 1950s and ’60s, before the white jumpsuit, sunglasses, and glitter of Vegas. Along with his 4-piece band, Bruce meticulously and respectfully recreates the electrifying musical excitement of Elvis in his prime, right down to the vintage instruments, hip threads, and grease in his hair. From Elvis’ humble beginnings at Sun Records to the Ed Sullivan Show (when America caught its first glimpse of him), through his Hollywood career, and to his black leather-clad 1968 comeback TV special.
I opened a box from Colleen and thought perhaps I should soak it in the bathtub first, but I took a chance. Wow! I hit the jackpot. A Father’s Day card, a coffee mug, a candle, and a T-shirt!
I drink from it every day when I do the Daily Diary!
How true!
Thank you, Colleen and Mark, for my Father’s Day surprise.
Robin and Bob came by early, and we all drove together to the lodge.
The Apollo Man!
We had a table right on the dance floor up front!
Best seats in the house!
Stories were told and retold. Brunch was terrific. We had all the beef ribs we could eat, and they were excellent!
Our champion storyteller was holding court, keeping us in stitches the whole afternoon!
Stories are told.
Vicky and I gave a demonstration in swing dancing to all the shy people around us!
Vicky and Paul tear up the dance floor.
At intermission, we got a group picture.
Yeah Yeah, the gangs all here!
Elvis played “American Trilogy,” which caused tears throughout the lodge.
Elvis visited us.
I had a glass of liquid so I would have enough courage to get up and dance. P.S., it didn’t take much!
The lemonade was outstanding
We moved across the flow like we were ice skating.
We danced several times to great 1950s music!
From the lodge, we stopped in at Axe’s Bar & Grille and had some jalapeno poppers and hot wings.
It was a wonderful day with family and friends. We did miss Colleen, Joe, and Zack, but there is always next year!
Let me leave you with one thought (I’m such a boy!)
We are expecting an 80-degree day, so we’d better get to tending the garden early before the heat hits. Our peppers are still producing, even after we’ve given away thirty of them to friends. The ones below are mild and excellent in salads.
Remember: Gardeners know all the dirt!!
Keep them coming, little plant!
Mary thought about doing some painting or other fun arts and crafts things, but after remembering what the closet looked like, she stayed with me all day! As Mary often says, “When in doubt, just add glitter!”
Oh my!
The cucumbers are so good that we decided to visit Trader Joe’s and purchase a special mix used for cucumber salads. Mary makes a cucumber salad to die for. One can eat a boatload of salad and not exceed 50 calories. My kind of salad!
Cucumbers, often mistaken for vegetables, are actually fruits, specifically berries, and are remarkably high in water content, making them excellent for hydration
We had six of these guys hanging around.
The best way to garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.
While the veggies are doing well, the grape vineyard is doing magnificent. We have been keeping a close eye on the grapes this year, trimming back the suckers and ensuring the inner part of the plant receives adequate sunlight. The plants have responded well!
Remember: Life is full of grape expectations.
We have two to three weeks of table grapes to devour in another month!
We were thinking more like this:
Table grapes will do in a pinch!
Mid-afternoon, we went out to do errands. We visited Home Depot and purchased additional plants, as well as small trellises for the cucumbers and melons we have in pots.
Then we went to Trader Joe’s and came back with a basket full of goodies, we always do. Finally, we stopped at Marie Callender’s and picked up a cherry pie for our neighbor, Jeff.
The people at Trader Joe’s are so friendly; it’s a pleasure to do business with them!
Upon arriving home, we began to unpack the car. Mary went to the backyard to get the wheelbarrow when my phone buzzed, alerting me that the US Army Parade was beginning. I turned on the kitchen TV and then headed outside, yelling for Mary; I did NOT tell her what it was about.
We watched the parade with both of us having a little tear in the corner of our eyes. Mary enjoyed it as she was a Captain in the US Army and recognized many of the insignias.
When Mary was in the army, her soldiers would follow her anywhere, but only out of curiosity. Her staff likened Mary to a small puppy – she runs around excitedly, leaving little messes for other people to clean up. They also said, “This Officer should go far, and the sooner she starts, the better.”
We need a strong military and military leadership; thank you, President Trump!
The parade ended with the American flag flying proudly!
God Bless America
Oh, I didn’t mention that we got two filet mignons at Trader Joe’s. The stakes are products of Argentia, and they were terrific. You know, when the steaks gossip, they really know how to beef up a story.
This beef was so rich, it should come with a bank account.
Bringing them to room temperature is essential!
After being seasoned with salt and pepper, they receive a three-minute sear on both sides in a very hot pan. The garlic cloves work well but tend to burn after a few minutes of cooking.
Sizzle sizzle little star!
Mary’s cucumber salad and freshly picked corn (picked while I was preparing the steaks) made for an effortless but fantastic dinner.
Life does not get better than this!
We sent over to Jeff’s, bringing him a half-cherry pie and some cucumber salad. We visited with Jeff for a while and watch the morons in LA doing their street dance to protect criminals and waving the Mexican flag.
Returning home, we went into the swim spa. Both heaters were on full blast, warming our robes while we sat in the hot water, cooking away! My gardening suit got more wrinkled!
Scout was sound asleep, so we had suspicions that he had been up to no good!
Sometimes Scout can be rather sneaky!
After going inside and getting comfortable in the TV room, we fell soundly to sleep. We lasted about five minutes watching TV. Tomorrow is a busy day; it’s Father’s Day, and we are off to the Elks with family and friends.
We checked our calendar twice and sure enough, we had nothing planned. This is the second time this week. That means it is gardening time.
We took out showers, and it occurred to me that if you drop soap on the floor, is the floor clean, or is the soap dirty? With my mind racing to the finish line, I wondered how a sponge holds water when it’s full of holes.
I get confused easily!
By 9:00 a.m., we were out in the garden, trimming, pulling weeds, deadheading flowers, planting, tying up, and yes, harvesting! Carlos and his crew arrived around 11:00 a.m., and he took care of the lawns and trimmed several plants that we hadn’t had a chance to attend to yet.
The temperature was perfect, high 70s with a slight breeze. As soon as Carlos was gone, I got into my gardening outfit, which I should have ironed since it was full of wrinkles.
On the bright side, I scare away the birds!
We did several chores, including:
We trimmed the dead leaves from the Hydrangea that Becky sent her Mom last year. It is doing well in the front yard.
The hydrangea is a common flower known for changing color based on the soil’s pH level and the availability of aluminum
The problem with growing corn is that it all comes at the same time, so Mary and I have been having corn at every meal.
When Mary made dinner, I found myself wondering again, this time it was why is bacon called bacon and cookies are called cookies, when you cook bacon and bake cookies?
We got the shuckin’ and butterin’ down to a science.
Detailed Steps:
1. Prepare the corn: If you’re using fresh corn, ensure it’s still in its husk. If you have shucked corn, wrap each cob in a wet paper towel.
2. Microwave: Place the corn in the microwave, either with the husk on or wrapped in a paper towel. Cook on high for 2-4 minutes, depending on your microwave and the number of cobs.
3. Adjust cooking time: If you’re cooking multiple cobs, increase the cooking time by about 2 minutes per additional cob.
4. Check for doneness: The kernels should be tender and a slightly deeper color. If the kernels are still too firm, microwave in 30-second increments until they are cooked to your liking.
5. Allow to cool: Remove the corn from the microwave using a towel or pot holder, as it will be hot. Let it cool slightly before handling.
6. Shuck and enjoy: If the corn is in the husk, you can shuck it and enjoy. If it was wrapped in a paper towel, remove the towel before shucking.
The corn was outstanding.
We had a nice dinner and settled in to watch some TV. I remembered about my new lighting system for the front yard and decided to go outside with my trusty iPhone, from which I can control the light. Since I was in my jammies, I had to run back inside when a car drove by. I did not want to moon the neighbors.
The lighting was a tad too blue, so I made a split-second adjustment and ran inside.
The high intensity light worked but it also drew in some bugs!
Tomorrow I will experiment some more, but I think I will have to settle for white since the banner is blue.
The sign can now be seen from the street!
We continued watching TV until about 11:00 pm when we crashed. When we crashed, my wonderer was working again, and I thought about, if you’re invisible, and you close your eyes, can you see through your eyelids?
Life is too complex!
It’s Thursday, and that means we go to the Elks. Mary and I discussed dancing, and she wants to take a dance class to refresh our skills, and I agree, until I found out what she had in mind!
Down, Girl, Down I Say!!!
Scout was running in circles because he had heard he was going to the beauty shop today, which meant he would be beautiful for a week! We got ready to go, and I backed the van up to the curb, making it easier for his majesty to enter this chauffeured limo. We talked to him about not getting his nails done with nail polish this time; that was a little “over the top”!
We brought fresh corn from our garden to the Elks, and Will misunderstood me when I said, “It’s in the bag.” We all took a vote, and this is an improvement.
We all rushed to tie it around the neck, but then decided to forgo the opportunity!
Will and Iris took four ears of the magnificent corn, and reports came back later in the day that the corn was perfect!
Will is now back under control!
When we get bored, we play with our food just like little kids, but we are a lot more artistic.
Mary provided the nose!!
George and Bob listen to a great story from Will.
Bill Capps joined us, and a little later, Sandee joined us as well.
It was another fantastic lunchtime cavorting session with harpoons flying back and forth at an astounding rate!
Bill, George, Will, and Bob departed, and it was just Sandee and us. Sandee finished her lunch, and we joined her and talked about the upcoming wedding on the 21st. She was delightful, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her.
After departing the Elks, we went to the hairdresser’s shop, called “The Clip Joint”, to pick up Mr. America. Upon seeing us, we went into the sashaying mode of wiggling his tail and throwing his head back and forth so we could see his mane.
We took the time to drop off some chili and carrot cake to Jeff; we’re attempting to fatten him up!
Of course, we had to walk back and forth several times, eliciting compliments and posing for photos. We was singing to “West Side Story”.
He keeps remembering “West Side Story”
My digital camera almost ran out of film!!
He was worn out and finally lay down to sleep for the rest of the night.
I swear that between his hairdresser and Mary’s desire to take pole dancing lessons, they are driving me crazy (which, by the way, is a very short drive!).
We went into the TV room to finish off Mondo Cane and got into another action comedy from England called “Deep Cover”. It was pretty funny. Three improv actors are asked to infiltrate the London underworld by the police.
Mary fixed a gourmet dinner of crackers and spreadable cheese along with some beef jerky; it turned out to be a movie night.
At one of the self-generated intermissions, Mary came in with a gift-wrapped package. I immediately thought it was her leather-lined dancing pole outfit. Nope! It was my Father’s Day present, and it was summer jammies! Yes, Paul now had summer jammies to wear while watching TV. They are shorts on the bottom and a loose-fitting soft top! I immediately modeled them for her and was also feeling pretty, although I did NOT sing like Scout.
We hit the sack around 10:00 pm and went right to sleep. I was still hearing Scout singing in my head.
We were both barely able to make it to bed!
Morning has arrived with a vengeance, and I am ready to take on the challenge. I decided to send Mary to the gym, and I would stay home. When I explained my plan to Mary, she grabbed me by the ears and put me in the car, carefully tightening the seatbelt so I could not move. We made it to the gym, and the beatings began.
On to the mat I went, and Nadia grabbed my legs and, with a quick twist, I was in a life-threatening situation. I was face-to-face with the tips of my shoes! While twisted up into what amounts to a pretzel, the gym participants (all of whom we know well) began telling jokes. Oh my, it was difficult to laugh and cry simultaneously.
The gym’s pet cuckoo clock announced it was 10:00 am, and we were released to complete the day. We held each other’s hands and consoled each other about the last hour of torture.
I’ll swear that the crazy bird was laughing at us leaving the gym in such pain!!
Then it was decision time! What should we have for breakfast? Since Dianne was recovering from COVID, we decided to go to Benji’s and have breakfast, and pick up something for Dianne and Jeff.
For Dianne, we selected Jewish Chicken Soup with Kreplach, a classic and comforting dish. It typically features a flavorful chicken broth, often made from scratch using chicken pieces and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions. The kreplach are small dumplings traditionally filled with meat (usually chicken or a mix of meats).
We brought her a quart of this delicious Jewish penicillin!
For Jeff, we got a patty melt. The patty melt, a classic American diner sandwich, typically features a hamburger patty, melted Swiss cheese, and caramelized onions, all served on grilled rye bread.
While often credited to Tiny Naylor, the patty melt’s origins are somewhat debated, with some sources placing its creation in the 1930s and others in the 1940s. It’s considered a variation of a cheeseburger, but unlike the standard hamburger, the patty melt is traditionally served on grilled bread and often includes caramelized onions.
While their food was getting readied, Mary and I shared a breakfast burrito.
I reminded her that I was nacho typical burrito lover!
She considers that half… I fooled her and divided it into thirds, one of which we took with us!
We dropped off the penicillin with Dianne, but kept our distance and did not go inside.
Arriving home, we, of course, visited the garden right after dropping the patty melt off with Jeff.
We are keeping an eye on the plum tree because when the plums begin to change color, the birds show a great deal of interest. This year, I am going to take the initiative first!
While visiting Jeff, we noticed a lot of bird poopies in front of his door. We looked up, and sure enough, a bird’s nest had formed in a hanging decoration above the door.
Watch out for what is falling from the ceiling!
Not wanting Jeff’s house to get messed up with fresh bird droppings, Mary and I went home (across the street) and retrieved a tall ladder, wire brush, 1/2″ steel wire mesh, shears, and some skinny wire. We were on a mission.
In short order, the pesky birds were left homeless, and we high-pressure washed the patio area, removing the black-and-white little gifts from heaven. The gifts now reside in the flower beds, where they belong.
We were assisted by our neighbors, who also came with tools, and between the four of us, it was “Mission Complete!”
Back home, we visited our yard. Everything was OK except the damned rabbits attacked our Japanese Yardlong Beans and ate the leaves. It’s time to declare war on these little beasts!
The apples are looking wonderful!!
The Sungold tomatoes are beginning to ripen, and we will have them available for the next two months. Sungold tomatoes, a popular variety of cherry tomatoes, are known for their sweet, golden-orange color and firm texture. They are a hybrid developed in Japan and are widely grown and appreciated for their flavor.
The Sungold tomatoes are amazing!
National Corn on the Cob Day is observed annually on June 11th. It’s a day to celebrate the quintessential summer side dish, enjoyed at picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings. We picked two ears and Mary boiled them in a mixture of water, butter, and milk! They were excellent.
We will be eating a lot of corn for the next week!
The corn is on the right side of the garden and is ready to be picked!
Oh my, corn FRESH from the garden tastes so good!
Today is National Corn On The Cob Day; we celebrated by picking our corn.
After dinner, we went to the TV room, shared some wine, and watched a movie. It was a warm evening, so we ran the whole-house fan and left the front and back doors open. We had quite a breeze.
By 10:00 pm, we were done and headed to bed!
We were up at 6:00 am and headed to the office after getting our morning coffee. The first part of the attack was battling blood pressure machines! We have two BP machines now! They hum and make terrible noises when they inflate their cuffs. We have races to see who will be the first to report their blood pressure.
What Mary does not know is that I go to the garage and substitute low batteries in her machine with freshly charged ones in mine.
Today’s plan is easy! A beard trimming at 10:45, Mary’s watercolor class at 1:00 pm, and then we are off to the theater to see “Life OF Pi”.
The beard trimming went well, and I had a female barber who did a great job! We returned home and got Precious ready to go. Yes, Precious gets to get out of the garage!
While Mary was painting, I straightened the workbench and hung up some clothes, then did a bit of housework, attending to odds and ends.
Mary drove herself, and when she returned, I was taking a nap (well deserved, I might add). Her masterpiece was outstanding. I named it “Blossoms In The Desert”.
We then got ready for the dinner at the Silver Trumpet and a play.
Dinner was, as expected, outstanding. The management of The Silver Trumpet now recognizes us as frequent flyers, so they come over and visit, and we exchange giggles. He did NOT giggle tonight; take a careful look at the pricing!
We will take six bottles of your finest!
Tonight, we went for a small meal, but couldn’t help ourselves. We opted for the low-cal side of the menu, but it was still a generous portion. The poached pear in a beet compote was outstanding.
Poached pears!
Since we weren’t in a hurry, the cheese board allowed us to pass the time. Everything was perfect and we especially enjoyed the honeycomb on our toasted bread!
The cheese board was terrific; the grapes were perfect.
Mary went for arugula. Even the pronunciation of arugula reminds me of eating a rug.
Arugula, also known as rocket (because it grows so fast), is a leafy green vegetable in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It’s native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for centuries. Arugula is known for its peppery, nutty flavor and is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and folate.
Arugula is commonly used in salads, as a topping for pizza, and in pesto. It is also used as a coating for slippery roads, as a bug spray, and as an insect repellent in elephant bedding. It can also be used in soups and other dishes.
What is an arugula salad?
Ah, my favorite is the lamb lollipops! Lamb lollipops are a delicious and easy-to-cook dish made from individual lamb chops, typically from a rack of lamb, that have been “Frenched” to expose the rib bone. This preparation makes them resemble a lollipop, hence the name, and allows them to be easily eaten by holding the bone.
Mary warned me ahead of time not to yell, “I have a boner” when the lollipops are served. I tried my best! I must have been successful, as my water glass was still full after the pops arrived.
Lamb lollipops!
After dinner, we walked to the theater and attempted to watch the play. Well, at halftime, we exited our rather nice seats in row four and made a beeline for our car. We are incredibly fortunate to have each other, and our tastes in everything are entirely in sync.
On the way to the car, I asked Mary what happened (as I was busy checking for light leaks on my eyelids) and she replied, “I have no idea! Animals on lifeboats, tigers eating things, and….” We both laughed and headed right for home!
According to the Internet, “Life of Pi” is a novel by Yann Martel that tells the story of a young Indian boy named Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel who survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The novel explores themes of faith, survival, and the power of storytelling, ultimately questioning the nature of truth and the role of imagination in human experience.
We did not even stop at Aces on the way home, we went right to bed and watched almost all of “Mondo Cane”, a recommendation by Bib Capps.
Oh my… Never watch this right before going to bed!
Mondo Cane (a somewhat coarse Italian expletive, literally ‘dog world’) is a 1962 Italian mondo documentary film directed by the trio of Gualtiero Jacopetti, Paolo Cavara, and Franco E. Prosperi, with narration by Stefano Sibaldi. The film consists of a series of travelogue scenes that provide glimpses into cultural practices around the world, with the intention of shocking Western film audiences. These scenes are presented with little continuity, as they are intended as a kaleidoscopic display of shocking content rather than presenting a structured argument.
As an example of what we watched (just a few of the scenes):
At 11:00 pm, I declared victory and reminded myself to call Bill Capps and check his sanity!
Happy may be an overstatement. When Mary got up and headed to the office, I was doing battle with the passwords on my computer. She saw a “Lilesfit” in its full display.
I have used the same password for my email since 2010, but this morning the computer gods decided to change it WITHOUT my notice. I fussed and cussed and threw Indian ink into the sink, pretty much making a fool out of myself.
If that wasn’t enough, I couldn’t get into Qwest to obtain my latest bloodwork results. They said I did NOT exist. Here I am, sitting in my office chair, looking into the computer screen, and I AM EXISTING. Finally, I had to log off myself (cancel my account) and then reidentify myself to get access to the QWest held information.
By this time, I was ready to pull the plug and go down with the bathwater!
How very true!!
It’s now 8:30 a.m., and we’re on our way to the gym; I’m still fuming!
After 43 minutes on the stationary bike, my temper tantrum had waned, and I was back to my lovable self.
After my early morning hissy fit and the gym, we went to CVS, and I offered to make breakfast for Dr. Mary, who had put up with my outburst. So, off we went to The Original Pancake House for a delightful breakfast and several attempts at apologizing (I still hate computers).
One look into these eyes and the hissy fit went away!
After breakfast, Mary drove home, and I walked. Finally, I returned home, and it was time to go to the doctor. Mary went picking and had a great selection of fresh veggies to share with Dr. Tong.
Mary went picking before we visited the doctor.
The doctor’s office was decorated quite nicely with rocks, a fish tank, and other Oriental goodies.
I panicked the receptionist when I asked what flavor the candies were, and also mentioned they were as hard as a rock. She looked over the counter and said, “Those are decorative river rocks! Did you swallow one? I’ll call 911!” Then I heard her say to herself, “Now I remember him; he often comes with the nice lady!!”
Well, they looked good enough to eat!
Did You Know? Geodes are rounded, often spherical or egg-shaped rocks that contain a hollow interior cavity. This cavity is usually lined with crystals or other mineral matter.
Geodes are formed in various geological environments, including volcanic rocks where gas bubbles are trapped during the cooling process, or in sedimentary rocks where the dissolution of organic matter or other cavities creates hollow spaces.
Over time, mineral-rich water seeps into these hollow spaces, and as the water evaporates, the dissolved minerals are deposited and crystallize on the inside walls, forming the unique and often beautiful crystal formations found within a geode.
While geodes are commonly found with quartz or amethyst crystals, they can also contain other minerals, such as calcite, agate, or celestine. The type of crystals and their colors depend on the minerals present in the water during formation and geological factors, such as temperature and pressure.
Her office is very peaceful.
Mary got even with the hissy fit! She decided to get me into the doctor’s office and talk about my health issues. The doctor asked me to disrobe (so did the receptionist), and she reached for a box of old rusty straight pins. All of a sudden, while lying on the couch in a restful pose, she began sticking me with pins. I looked like a porcupine.
I knew this was payback for this morning’s tantrum, so I grinned and lay there covered in pins, unable to move for fear one of the pins would fall out, bend, or go in deeper. I lay here in pain for thirty minutes while Mary and the doctor went to the other room and had tea!
NO more tantrums, ever!
When we departed the doctor’s office, Mary had a grin from ear to ear and was whistling. I recognized the tune from my youth.
“Needles and Pins” was a rock song credited to American writers Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono. Jacki DeShannon recorded it in 1963, and other versions followed. The most successful versions were by the Searchers, whose version reached number one.
I had to amble to the car as the 456 bandages made walking difficult. I left a path of bandages from her office to the car.
We made it home after stopping by Trader Joe’s. I promised Mary a filet mignon dinner if she would remove the bandages carefully.
I was too sore to take many pictures, so below is the remains of the steak after I cooked it. The pan contents become the “gravy” to our back over the steaks!
The best part gets put onto the steak.
Meanwhile, and still giggling, Mary prepared the potatoes and string beans while the steaks rested for ten minutes.
Mary fixes string beans and potatoes.
Dinner is ready, so I poured a glass of wine, lit the candles, and sat down gingerly on a pillow due to the needle-induced skin sensitivity.
Come and get it.
Oh my! Despite my serious injuries, the steak came out perfectly. Mary added fresh zucchini to the beans to make a delightful dinner.
As soon as we sat down, Scout came over. I thought he wanted to keep me comfy due to my pain, but alas, his hyperactive nose caught a whiff of the steak. He got three good bites, and then he had some steak!
Oh my, I have died and gone to heaven!
We wandered over to Jeff’s and visited for a while, and watched the LA/OC riots.
Returning home, we were exhausted, so we decided to watch TV in bed. We both fell asleep and didn’t even remember what we tried to watch! Ain’t old e great??
I knew Mary had forgiven me, as I didn’t have to sleep outside with Scout this evening.
Attention On deck; Attention On Deck; the captain is in charge! Yes, Captain Mary (her actual rank) ordered me for a full inspection before I went to the garden for a day’s work. I complied, and she was flabbergasted. I was dressed in sunproof gear, wearing my safety belt, goggles, and cap; I was ready to go!
Then I heard her say, “OUT, Damned Spot”, the other Scout and and I ran for the back door, into the patio, and across the concrete to the safety of the garden. We slid to a stop within inches of a concrete wall.
We planted the new Japanese Yard-Long Beans along with the cucumbers.
We finally have beans!
A quick inspection of the garlic revealed that they are ready for picking. They will be on our dinner menu for the next few weeks.
I had no idea, but some people experience an intense fear or anxiety reaction to garlic, known as alliumphobia.
We have our garlic.
We have great zucchini this year!
Zucchini for everyone!
Casa Valencia Vineyards is coming on strong!! We will have gallons of table grapes in a few weeks.
We stomp the grapes in about three weeks.
The Bell Peppers are growing daily. Another couple of weeks and they will be stuffed on the dinner table.
Bell pepper trivia includes the fact that they are botanically fruits, not vegetables, and the color of a bell pepper indicates its ripeness. Red peppers are sweeter and have more vitamin C than green peppers; they are ripe green peppers. Bell peppers originated in Central and South America and were introduced to Europe in the 16th century.
You are about to be stuffed.
We headed to Bill Capps’ home around 2:30 pm and2:30 had a pleasant visit with his kids and long-time friends.
Hop-A-Long Capps!
We managed to lower the liquid level of a bottle of Stoli while enjoying the afternoon.
They will be united on June 21st!
At 3:50 pm, we met up with Joe and his in-laws at Duke’s Place in Huntington Beach. Duke’s Huntington Beach features a “Barefoot Bar” area, offering a more casual experience. Reviews mention being able to order from the bar menu or the full menu in the bar section.
The downstairs dining area at Duke’s Huntington Beach is called Sandy’s Beach Grill.
Joe and the boys celebrate Alex’s 16th birthday!
Amy was the adult supervisor for the afternoon; a job I would NOT want to wish on anyone!
Amy is taking it all in!
We headed home around 66:00 pm”The Beekeeper.”
The Beekeeper is a 2024 action thriller film produced and directed by David Ayer, with a screenplay written by Kurt Wimmer. It stars Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad, and Jeremy Irons. The film follows a retired government assassin who sets out for revenge after his kind-hearted landlady falls victim to a phishing scam.
The Beekeeper was released in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios and in the United Kingdom by Sky Cinema on January 12th, 2024. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $162.6 million worldwide against a budget of $40 million. A sequel is in development.
We were tired and I missed the last fifteen minutes of the movie!
