The End Of The Week Is Upon Us!

Posted on Friday, January 30, 2026 by Paul

Mary was still conked out when I made my first coffee this morning!

I took the image above after I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and used eye drops!

I always wondered what made the little kids scream when I went outside in the morning to pick up the newspaper.  I mean, all I was doing was getting my daily dose of world events and crossword puzzles!

Was it the sight of my hair—frizzy enough to resemble a mad scientist’s after a lightning bolt, or maybe it was my fuzzy slippers that looked like they sprouted legs and danced their way out of a cartoon?  Because let me tell you, the way those kids squealed made it sound like I was the ghost of Grandma’s old cat making a surprise appearance at breakfast!

There I was, all proud and determined, strolling out like a majestic lion about to claim its territory.  Instead, I looked like a combination of a zombie and a grizzly bear, shuffling toward the mailbox like I was auditioning for “Dancing with the Stars: Morning Edition.”

Now I get it—my morning routine must have been more shocking than the headlines themselves. Who could blame the kids?  It was probably like seeing Bigfoot on a coffee run. “Mom, I swear I saw a creature that’s part monster, part newspaper enthusiast!” I should probably start charging them for the show.  After all, what’s better than a morning scream fest with a side of current affairs?

So, howcome it looks like the picture above after cleaning up, and Mary can pop out of bed and look like this?

It’s not fair!!!

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V-Day Is Coming Soon!

Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2026 by Paul

We are just two short weeks away from Valentine’s Day, and I am already excited about the Elks Lodge Love Boat dinner dance.  We will have Colleen with us that evening.  She might be a little late, as it is her mother’s 80th birthday and they plan a celebration.  The birthday party will be a luncheon, and since it is well known that old bats do not stay up late, the party should end early, and Colleen can join us!

Speaking of the upcoming Elks shindig, Mary has picked out her dress for the Elks Valentine’s Dinner Dance themed “Love Boat”.  The new dress should go great with my red sequined coat!  I need to find Mary a red captain’s cap to go with the dress, perhaps from Amazon?

Mary was going to attend a CME class tomorrow, Friday, but sitting in a classroom environment for eight hours will not work given her back condition, so she cancelled her session.  We were going to stay overnight in Pasadena and then go to the Huntington for afternoon tea.  If I can arrange for a courtesy cart to drive from the front gate to the tea house, we may try going out; otherwise, we will stay home and reschedule.

While surfing the web, I came across this remarkable but little-known fact that you might find interesting to discuss at your next cocktail party!  Just think: you could approach a new acquaintance and ask, “How is your philtrum today?” or lean forward and say, “Did you know your Philtrum is showing?” or “Would you like to hear about my recent Philtrum operation?”  The possibilities are endless!

The philtrum is the vertical groove between the nose and upper lip, present in most mammals.  It serves as a scent-enhancing, moisture-trapping structure in animals and as a remnant of facial development in humans.  While crucial for canines’ sense of smell, it is a vestigial feature in humans.

Key Philtrum Facts:

  1. Animal Function: In dogs and many mammals, it is a “vegetal groove” that uses capillary action to transport saliva from the mouth to the nose, keeping it moist to better trap scent particles.
  2. Human Purpose: In humans, it has no apparent active function but serves as a “vestige of evolution,” marking where the facial components fused during early development.
  3. Origin of Name: Derived from the Greek philtron (meaning “love charm”), it was historically considered an attractive or arousing part of the body.
  4. Medical Significance: A smooth or flattened philtrum is a recognized clinical feature associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), often used for diagnostic purposes.
  5. Mythology: A Jewish legend suggests an angel taps a baby on the lip before birth, causing the groove and making them forget all the secrets of the universe learned in the womb.
  6. Cosmetic Alteration: A “lip lift” surgery can shorten a long philtrum, creating a more youthful or defined facial appearance.
  7. Appearance Varies: Philtral columns can be parallel, triangular, or concave, with specific shapes being more common in different genders, according to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

It’s 8:00 am and Manual just showed up to wash the fleet.  Mary is still sawing logs, and I will use this time to work on the garage since both cars are out.

After Mary woke up, she asked about the cars, and I told her they were all done and wrapped up.

I decided to go to the market and do some shopping, and I definitely overachieved!  There was enough food and goodies in my basket for a small army.  I spent several hours in the afternoon putting everything away and looking for “science projects” lurking in the refrigerator, as well as severely outdated items to toss.

The entire trunk got filled with groceries!

After getting home, I fed Mary a McDonald’s burger sans fries.  I figured it was either that or some gourmet cat food, and let’s be honest, who can resist a Big Mac?

Then it was time to venture into the garden for my next great adventure: a thrilling episode of “Prune Wars: Grapes Strikes Back.” I donned my finest gardening gloves and went to town on those grapes like a contestant on a reality show, determined to impress the judges.  “You call this a vine?  I call it a living salad bar!”

Now the grapes are ready for their spring/summer growth!

Next, I tackled Bed #3, which needed a little more attention than I thought I could handle.  I emptied two bags of soil into it and turned the soil in by hand.  At this point, I was beginning to feel like I was preparing a plot—not just for plants, but for an epic gardening competition.  “And the prize for Best Bed goes to… me, for being the only one crazy enough to do it by hand while it’s getting colder than a polar bear’s toenails!”

The “black soil” is 100 pounds of Gromulch meant to top off the garden beds!  Two more bags to go in bed #3, and then it will be ready for Tomatomanic in late February!

The beds will be ready within the next three weeks!

“The world’s largest (and most fun) tomato plant sale” comes to Roger’s Gardens for the 15th year. Scott Daigre and his staff of Tomatomaniacs offer an astonishing selection of over 250 heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, including new varieties for 2026.

Just as I was about to invent a new gardening dance to celebrate my hard work, my body chimed in with an enthusiastic “Nope!  Time to call it a day .”  So, nursing my sore muscles and a newfound appreciation for indoor heating, I hobbled back inside, thinking I should probably add “professional grape pruner” to my resume—or at least my LinkedIn.

We watched more episodes of “Ted Lasso” until about 10:00 pm when I declared victory; the groceries were finally put away, my back pain was at a minimum, and my eyes were slowly closing.

If we had a machine that measured the time between me going horizontal and entering a deep sleep, it would be measured in milliseconds.

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Down And Out!

Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 by Paul

Mama doesn’t feel good!

Even after resting yesterday after watercolor class, Mary’s back was still on the fritz.

In slang, “fritz” almost always appears in the phrase “on the fritz,” meaning something is broken, not working correctly, malfunctioning, or out of order, like a faulty appliance.  While its exact origin is debated, it likely comes from the German nickname “Fritz” (for Friedrich), possibly linked to early German imports before WWI.

At 7:00 am, I contacted Peak Performance via the Enigma Machine to cancel our performance.  The receptionist told us that the audience that usually gathers outside the gym, peering into the facility while Mary and I do our workout, will be disappointed.  I asked the receptionists to explain the circumstances and to offer rainchecks for our next “performance”.

After the cancellation call, I went to the office to begin the day.  Translation: Doing the Daily Diary!  Without Mary, I made coffee and cleaned up the kitchen from last night’s dinner.  Observing a bag of oranges on the kitchen island, I decided to make myself some fresh orange juice.  Was I surprised when the inside of the oranges was blood red!  Then I remembered picking up a bag of oranges from Ralph’s a few days ago.  I squeezed the oranges and drank the results, feeling like a vampire.

These puppies were REALLY red!

Blood oranges are distinct for their crimson flesh, caused by anthocyanin pigments that develop only when nights are cold.  Originating in 17th-century Sicily, these sweet-tart fruits are a natural mutation believed to be a cross between a pomelo and a tangerine.  They are prized for their raspberry-like flavor and, in Italy, are protected for quality.

By 11:30 am, we were in the Silver Fox, zooming toward a new hair parlor in Huntington Beach like two flamingos on roller skates.  Thank goodness for GPS—without it, we’d probably have ended up in a taco truck asking for a haircut!  I mean, who knew “turn left at the giant inflatable cactus” was an actual direction?

Do not laugh, she was practicing on a rather large bowling ball!

From Huntington Beach, we headed south to Linda’s new salon, where we both got coiffured!  After some serious effort on Linda’s behalf, we walked out looking like $1,000,000 in counterfeit bills.   While Mary was getting her last operation, I went to Starbucks and got her a latte and some egg bites because she skipped breakfast!

Mary chowed down her breakfast as the Silver Fox winged its way to Dr. Tong’s office in Irvine, where Mary was to get a back treatment.   She got an acupuncture treatment in addition to some painkillers.

We finally returned home around 5:00 pm, taking the side streets to avoid the afternoon traffic on the 55.  I assisted Mary into her jammies and onto the La-Z-Boy couch.  After assessing our hunger, we decided some cottage cheese (for protein) and peach halves (for dessert) would be just right.

At Becky’s recommendation, we began watching Ted Lasso.  Ted Lasso is the Apple TV+ series about an American football coach, played by Jason Sudeikis, who moves to England to manage a professional soccer team (AFC Richmond) despite having no experience with the sport.  The show focuses on his optimistic, “good-guy” approach to winning over the skeptics, players, and British public.

At 10:30 pm, we switched off the lights, signaling the end of the day.  Mary took her nighttime medication and settled into bed, while I remained awake to finish my daily diary entries.  The quiet of the house enveloped me as I reflected on the day’s events, capturing my thoughts and experiences before finally succumbing to sleep.

At 8:00 am tomorrow, our car wash guy is coming to bathe the three babies, so I need to be up and ready with the keys in hand!  Given how Mary’s back feels, we will make a last-minute decision about Girl’s Night Out in the morning.

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Tuesday And That Means Watercolor Time!

Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 by Paul

OK, world, here I come!  Dressed and fed!

Mary slept again until 8:30 am, as those pain pills seem to be working.  We stayed in the office until the late morning.  I needed some additional dirt for the garden and was planning to get it from Home Depot.  As I signed on to their website, I noticed they deliver.  Wow, I do not have to load the basket, wheel it to checkout, roll it to the van, and finally unload it into the back of the van!  For $35, they will deliver to my driveway!

Sure enough, within two hours, a lovely man in a pickup came calling and dropped off eighteen bags of fresh soil.  I looked at the bags, reached into my pocket, and offered him $100 to take the pile to the back yard.  At first, the deliveryman said, “No problem, I’ll do it!”   I insisted he take the money because I was thinking about me walking back and forth to the garden eighteen times, and that was not going to happen without getting tired and ending up with a sore back!

The pile was still big after I opened six bags and distributed them; twelve more to go!  It will be there tomorrow!

Tuesday means watercolor day.  Mary was feeling pretty good, and I loaded up the car and off we went to the paint class.  I returned home and went to work, but alas, at 2:00 pm, the iPhone whistled, and it was Mary needing to come home.  Mary’s back had a relapse.  I jumped in the car and raced to the class to pick her up.

She painted for just under an hour, and the result was, well, let’s say, an abstract representation of her existential crisis!  Either that, or she traded her work for that of a hard-drinking four-year-old playing nearby (after paying him a substantial amount of money plus some old cookies from her purse).

Back pain is not a pretty sight!

With great care, I brought her to her favorite spot, the La-Z-Boy recliner, where she had her heating pad, book, and needlepoint work ready to go.

I excused myself and headed to the garden, where I continued trimming the blackberry vines and adding new acidic soil across their bed.  In another two hours, I will be done with the berry garden.  I used my latest Amazon purchase, and the gloves worked great!  I was able to reach across the bed without getting bitten by the thorns!

Blackberries thrive in slightly acidic soil (\(pH\) \(5.5\)–\(6.5\)) because this range maximizes nutrient uptake—specifically iron, manganese, and zinc—while supporting healthy growth and fruit production.  Alkaline soil binds these essential nutrients, making them unavailable, which can cause poor, yellowing (chlorotic) growth and reduced yields.

COOLJOB Thorn Proof Rose Pruning Garden Gloves for Men, Long Sleeve Padded Yard Work for Bush, Blackberry, Cactus, Heavy Duty/Puncture Resistant/Machine Washable, Xlarge, Navy

The berry bed is 20 feet long by 30 inches wide, and I managed to trim and resoil about 60% of the blackberries.  At this rate, I’ll finish just in time for the next ice age. Every year, I promise myself I’ll remember which branches are protocanes and which are floricanes, but honestly, at this point, I’m just praying they don’t all turn brown and keel over dead!

Pruning is NOT as easy as it looks!

Pruning blackberries involves two main steps: cutting back old, fruited canes (floricanes) to the ground after harvest and, during the dormant season, thinning new canes (primocanes) and shortening their laterals to 12-18 inches to encourage strong, productive growth for the next season, aiming for 4-6 strong canes per plant.  Always prune in late winter/early spring or immediately after harvest, removing dead, damaged, or weak wood to improve air circulation and yield.

When I designed the garden, Mary asked about why the concrete was between the beds other than for the trash barrels.  I told her it was for allowing the trimming to dry out and for us to tromp down on the cuttings, so putting the remains into the trash cans would be easier.   With that explanation, I present the evidence.

The trimmed plants get to lie on the concrete for a few days because then the thorns start to soften, making it easier to put them into the trash cans!

The lower left are the remaining raspberries from this past summer.  I may pull them out entirely and put in new blackberries instead as we like blackberries better!

In two more hours, this bed will be done!

As it was getting dark, I came inside and fixed dinner.  We had a can of macaroni with beef over rice, and I added a bowl of sliced peaches for dessert.  No alcohol this evening, we went for good old H2O!

Then I sat down on the La-Z-Boy with Mary, and we watched several episodes of “Suits”.  Mary saw everything, and I saw about half, the rest of the time I was checking for light leaks!

Just us!

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The Weak Begins With A Trip To The Weightlifting Wonderland

Posted on Monday, January 26, 2026 by Paul

Lookout gym, here I come!!!

We arrived at the gym 30 minutes early, ready to conquer the stationary bike like it was a wild stallion!  After burning enough calories to earn a participation trophy, we transitioned to the fun and games—also known as the “let’s see how many bizarre exercise machines we can pretend to use” challenge.  Spoiler alert: I think I just invented a new sport called “pretzel Pilates!”

We took the van today as it was filling up with donations to the Goodwill, and while we were near Tustin and 17th Street, we stopped at Benjie’s for breakfast.  We shared a veggie breakfast burrito, and I added a bagel and creamcheese to the order.  We drank our fill of coffee before going down the Street to the Goodwill.

We used our phones to check our day’s schedule, and it turns out we are free from outside influences!

Time for breakfast!

This is what a full tummy looks like!

All smiles.

Mary handed me more than half of the burrito, and I practically inhaled it!  I mean, I went from “What’s for breakfast?” to “Where did my burrito go?” faster than a dog chasing a squirrel.  At this rate, I might need to start taking burrito-eating lessons or at least invest in a bib—the way I devoured that thing was a sight to behold!

Benjie’s is our favorite hangout.

On the way home, we stopped at Home Depot and bought six 100-bag bags of raised-bed potting soil because the beds needed some revitalized soil.  I spread five bags on the first bed, so I’ll need another nine bags tomorrow to finish ff the small beds, which are each 25′ by 4′.

Colleen called while we were loading the van, and we chatted for a while.  She and Mark are on a cruise celebrating their wedding anniversary!  We are lucky to have them in our lives!  They deserve four days at sea without anyone around.

We also got two new blueberry plants, since the ones in the garden didn’t like the summer heat and are pretty much dead.  We plan to put new blueberries along the west wall so they get morning sun and afternoon shade!  All we need is a few pots.

Also, weather permitting, I’ll be fertilizing Mary’s rose bushes—because clearly, Carlos decided they were more of a suggestion than an actual garden last Friday!  I mean, with how much he trimmed them back, I half expected to find a tiny “Welcome to the Rose Bush Spa!” sign hanging from one of the stumps!

The gardening activity begins!

After dumping the new soil and spreading it out, I turned to the berry patch and trimmed about 50% of the berries back.  Hopefully, tomorrow, if it’s warm enough, I will continue trimming, add about 6-8 bags of high-acid potting soil to the area, and plant some additional berries.

It was about 4:30 pm, and it was starting to get cold as the sun set, so I went inside, and Mary and I watched several episodes of “Suits”.  Mary did her needlepoint, and I watched the tube.

Around 6:30 pm, Robin called, and we also chatted for a while.  Robin wanted to get the latest back status on Mary.

We had such a fantastic breakfast that we were not hungry, so dinner at 8:00 pm consisted of two biscotti sticks each and a glass of milk!

Yummy!

Biscotti, originating from ancient Roman legions, are twice-baked cookies designed for long-lasting nourishment on long journeys.  The name derives from Latin bis (twice) and coctum (baked).  Initially, they were hard, durable biscuits, not the sweet dessert known today.

We crashed at 10:45 pm, forcing ourselves away from Suits.  Donna was back at work, and the vote on the managing partner was about to take place.

Good night, all!

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Sunday, Time To Rest!

Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2026 by Paul

Mary slept like a log, and after 12 hours, I decided to turn on the heat, since the house was 61 degrees and my bathrobe wasn’t keeping me warm!  I changed into jeans.  Finally, at 8:20 am, she woke up and came into the office just as I was heading to the thermostat.  I offered to make her coffee, and it was so cold, I cupped my hands over the Keurig coffee containers as soon as it came out of the machine!

As the coffee was being brewed, I decided to sneak a piece of the fruit cake we bought each other for Christmas.  I could not believe it was almost empty!  I will start an investigation as soon as I warm up—right after I finish eating this tiny piece and cover my tracks with strategic crumb placement.

I analyzed the potential suspects!  My spouse, probably.  Or possibly a very determined squirrel who has developed a taste for dried fruit and has been casing our kitchen.  The squirrel theory is looking less likely given the surgical precision of the cuts and the complete absence of tiny paw prints.  I call it The Great Fruitcake Heist of 2026.

EVIDENCE GATHERED SO FAR:

    • One nearly-empty cake tin
    • Suspicious chocolate smudge on kitchen counter (NOT MINE)
    • Crumbs leading directly away from the crime scene
    • Mary’s highly suspicious innocence

NEXT STEPS:

    1. Finish coffee
    2. Thaw out
    3. Casually ask “Who ate the cake?” in a tone that suggests I definitely didn’t just eat some
    4. Point fingers preemptively
    5. Hide the remaining cake in a better spot before Mary finds it

Who doesn’t like fruitcake?  We may adopt these little fellas!

Mid-morning, we received an image from Nick—should we start calling him St. Nick?  It looks like the Avalon is buried under more snow than a Texan’s winter coat can handle!  Who knew Texas could pull off a winter wonderland?  Guess it’s true what they say: everything’s bigger in Texas, including the surprise snowstorms!

B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r

However, a quick check of the weather in New Hampshire revealed the temperature was at +4 degrees, 28 degrees below freezing.  We tried to call Colleen, but there was no answer, so we assume they are upstairs under a pile of bankies!

Diane Porter, my sister-in-law, called, and we talked, catching up on everything.  She is now a grandma two times over.  We are trying to get a time set to drive up and visit her and the family in March.

We (Mary) finished off the puzzle while I was paying some bills.

The noses were the most challenging part!

I fixed dinner using the remainders from our Chinese dinner on Friday, and I added some of the Iranian rice with cherries.  The dinner was pretty good.  We watched TV for the rest of the day until about 10:30.  We watched “Suits,” which is hilarious!

We finally crashed around 11:00 pm.  It was a nice, restful day for Mary’s recovery, which is medical speak for “she complained about being bored for exactly 8 hours straight.”

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A Day To Recover; An Evening To Party!

Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2026 by Paul

Mary slept past 8:00 am this morning, and let me tell you, that’s like Bigfoot getting caught on camera—it just never happens!  But after all the meds she took to relieve the pain, we totally understand why.  I mean, with that much medicine in her system, she probably thought she was on a mini-vacation in Dreamland, lounging on a beach with a tiny drink topped with a little umbrella!

He woke up in such a great mood that you’d think she was the star of a sitcom!  With a smile that could outshine the sun, she flung the blankets off like they were attacking her with bad dreams.  “Weekend, you better watch out!” she declared, as if the weekend were a mischievous toddler about to get into trouble.  She danced her way to the coffee maker like it was a dance-off on a game show, ready to claim her caffeine crown!  Honestly, if the weekend had ears, it would be blushing right about now!

“Anything beats the hospital!”

We opened up a new puzzle and dove in, ready to tackle it with the enthusiasm of detectives on a hot case.  But so far, it’s Puzzle 1 and Puzzalees 0.  At this rate, the puzzle is looking less like a beautiful picture and more like a jigsaw version of modern art.  We’re beginning to wonder if the last piece went on vacation without us!  I mean, how do you even lose a piece?  Did it run off to join the circus while we weren’t looking?  If it doesn’t stop mocking us, we might have to send a search party—or declare a truce and invite it back for a pizza party instead!

Around 3:00 pm, Mary decided we would go to a birthday party this evening.  Sandee is turning 75, and we need to celebrate!!

Although she has reconciled herself to sitting through dance music, she does NOT want a repeat of Friday am!

While getting ready, a thought occurred to me (always a dangerous situation).  So, I posted a sign outside and am awaiting any takers.

We headed to the Elks lodge to gather with friends Vicky and Jum, Bob and Dinna, along with several other Starlighters, to celebrate Sandee’s milestone of 75 years.  The evening unfolded beautifully, featuring a wonderful dinner and heartfelt conversations with everyone present.  After enjoying dessert and sharing joyful moments, we decided it was time to head home, as Mary was starting to feel discomfort in her back and needed to take her medications.  We made it back, settled in, and were in bed and asleep by 9:00 pm, grateful for the lovely evening spent with friends.

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Another Exciting Day In The Adventures Of Mary & Paul

Posted on Friday, January 23, 2026 by Paul

It’s 1:30 am, and Mary’s back pain has grown to the point that she cannot move and is crying.  I told her we were going to the ER, and she immediately agreed.   Waiting for 911 was out of the question, so we threw on some clothes and headed to the Silver Fox.  The traffic was nil, so from home to St. Joseph’s was less than 12 minutes.

I parked right up front, and I had arranged for a wheelchair, which the attendant used to take her inside.  After parking, I hurried to catch up with him at the check-in counter, where Mary was busy registering.

Mary raced around the waiting room, attracting a lot of attention with her hair blowing in the breeze!

Within fifteen minutes, we were in a room, and Mary was changed into a hospital gown, open in the back (I notice these things).  A few minutes later, the nurse joined the party and put in an IV and started Mary on fluids, readying her for IV meds if needed.  The doctor dropped in and ordered an EKG (to rule out cardiac causes), an X-ray, a CT Scan, and several blood tests.  The tests went fast.

The doctor also ordered two pain relievers, which kicked in faster than my neighbor’s lawn mower on a Saturday morning!  We suspect it was just a muscle spasm, which we all know is like your muscles throwing a surprise party—only they forgot to invite us and just decided to cramp up instead!  OUCH!!

How can a lady look so darned good after riding in Mr. Toad’s wild ride at 1:30 am on a Friday??

After the test results came in, the doctor appeared and revealed the tests were inconclusive, meaning it was probably a muscle spasm.   Lower back spasms are involuntary, painful contractions often caused by muscle strain, resulting in a tight, locked-up sensation.  They commonly affect the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscle, leading to sudden, intense pain that can restrict movement.

By 10:00 am, the pain had subsided, and we headed home via Starbucks so Mary could get an egg bite and a latte for breakfast.

Arriving home, Mary plopped into her recliner and began either reading or doing needlepoint, anything to stay inactive.  I popped to the pharmacy around 1:00 pm to pick up her meds.  Dianne came over with serious meds, a big batch of her chicken/spinach soup – the Italian equivalent of Jewish Penicillin.

Dianne’s recipe worked miracles; Mary felt better and was speaking fluent Italian within minutes!

Old “fast gingers” Paul kept the family apprised of the happenings, including Dianne, Robin, Joe, Colleen, and Becky.  Becky decided to change her weekend plans and drive to LA early to surprise her Mom!

At 6:20 pm, I swung open the front door like a game show host revealing the grand prize and pretended to welcome Donna and Bob with all the enthusiasm of a puppy at dinnertime.  Mary, bless her heart, looked like she’d just spotted a unicorn when she saw Becky come through the door.  She was like, “Oh wow, this party just upgraded!”

Becky burst in like she was the main act at a rock concert.  Mary was so excited to see Becky that she went completely speechless, I swear, her jaw dropped so low I thought it might have been trying to audition for the role of “Wide Open Danger Zone.” You could practically see the thought bubble over her head saying, “Becky!  In my house!  Quick, someone call the paparazzi!”

It’s time for dinner!

We talked for a while and then decided we would order from Yang-Ming as Mary was not up to going out!.  Becky marked up the menu, then Mary, and finally me.  We called, placed the order, and twenty minutes later, I was on my way to Yang-Mings, which is less than two miles away!

We dined by candlelight, gobbling down the cuisine like there was no tomorrow.   No wine tonight as Mary’s meds warned against alcohol, Becky was tired from driving all day, and I was happy with a Diet Coke and water.

No wine, just water and a Diet Coke!

Becky headed back to Newport around 8:00 pm, and we settled down to watch TV.  AT 11:00 pm, Mary was sawing logs and was watching another episode of Suits.

We crashed.  It has been a long and eventful day!

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The Only Thing That Changes Is The Weather!

Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2026 by Paul

Mope, not today!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Last week it was so hot that I considered applying SPF 1000 just to step outside. This week, it’s like Mother Nature’s gone bipolar—highs in the 60s and rain! At this rate, my wardrobe is just going to be a mix of tank tops and an umbrella. I feel like I need a weather therapist to help me cope with this emotional rollercoaster!”

It could be worse, as Dover, New Hampshire, has a high of 30 degrees, Colleen will be freezing!

Mary had a modification made to our bed without my knowledge.  Apparently, I was snooring too much, and she pulled the lever about 3:00 am this morning. I never knew it was coming!

OUCH!!!

We decided to invite Gary Parsons, Zack’s father-in-law, to Gir’s Night Out, because after retiring, he was starting to feel lonelier than a sock without a match in the dryer.  We figured he could use a little adventure to spice up his post-retirement life, especially since Peanut, his wife, still had several months left on her “working prison sentence.”   So off we go: three errands, one confused Gary, and a girls’ night that promises to end with either laughter or questionable dance moves at the local karaoke bar!

To add to the fun, Sydney joined us!

We departed for home around 2:30 pm, and Mary rested her back while I continued doing chores.  About 4:00 pm, I joined her inthe TV room and promptly fell sound asleep!  After a short nap, I went back to doing chores.

We often talk about Scout; he was such a good baby!  I used AI to build a short movie about him.  He comes up in conversation all the time.

We watched some TV, and between rain clouds, I took out the trash, and he crashed about 11:00 pm.  We finished off the evening by watching three episodes of “Suits,” a fantastic series.

“Suits” concluded after its ninth season, which aired from July 17, 2019, to September 25, 2019. The decision to end the show was made by USA Network, the network, as part of its programming strategy. While the series had a dedicated fan base and received positive reviews, it ran its natural course, and the creators decided to wrap up the characters’ storylines. The final season consisted of 10 episodes, which provided closure to the arcs of key characters, including Harvey Specter, Mike Ross, and Rachel Zane.

Good night, all!!

Posted in Dining Out, Elks, Family, Friends, Working Around House | Leave a comment

Mid-Week Meaning Going To The Gym

Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 by Paul


Estimated reading time: 3 minutes


It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for our weekly pilgrimage to the House of Pain, where we pay professional ninjas to legally assault us under the guise of ‘wellness’.  First, we enter the establishment carefully so they do not see us, and we hop on the stationary bikes facing the parking lot, fingers crossed that we were not seen.  Then, we are off to the races, generally cycling 4-6 miles at a blazing speed that would make the Tour de France professionals green with envy.

Around 9:00 am, we are discovered, and our trainers come to get us (usually with an oxygen bottle in hand!).  Then, it’s snap-crackle-pop time for the next hour, and our poor bones and muscles are tormented by adept, crack, expert, master, proficient, and skillful providers of pain!

When we hear the local train whistle at 10:00 am, we bolt from the facility and run to the car, careen out of the parking lot, and race for the safety of our little home.   But first, the errands must be accomplished!  I sprinted to the market in a desperate quest for anise liquid, only to find the shelves mocking me with their emptiness. Apparently, my local grocer doesn’t support my licorice-flavored dreams. Thankfully, Amazon has stepped in to save my soul—delivery is scheduled for Saturday, assuming the delivery driver can handle the raw power of that much black jellybean energy.

After my market failure, we went to UPS, and I mailed four packages to the kids.

Anise liquid is a distinctive licorice flavor from anethole, its “ouzo effect” clouding when mixed with water, its role in iconic liqueurs like Ouzo, Pastis, and Sambuca, ancient medicinal uses, and even other surprising applications. It’s a key ingredient in baked goods and savory dishes, prized for centuries as both flavor and remedy.

Today was a special day.

I do, I do, I do, I do!

Once inside and safe, we do a quick check for missing or broken parts before continuing on the day’s adventures.

Mary’s back was still hurting, so we stayed home.  She rode the couch all day, and I puttered around the house.  When Domi and crew came to clean house, we scampered into the office while they were doing their thing.   After they left, Mary went back to the TV room, and I provided her with cold packs for her back.

We had leftovers for dinner, which I made by simply reheating the mashed potatoes and lamb chops.  The cucumber/yogurt salad was perfect, but Mary sliced up some additional Persian cucumbers to add to the mix.  We poured a glass of wine and dined while watching the TV we have set up on the kitchen island.

After dinner, Mary went to the TV room to rest, and I completed the Starlighter’s Website.

The dance theme was “Glitter Winter Ball”, we fit right in!!

We finally crashed about 10:00 pm, as tomorrow is another semi-busy day.  We are also expecting half an inch of rain in the morning.

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