Happy Birthday Mary!!

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by Paul

Mary gets a birthday cake!

Cake?

We are ready for Memorial Day!

Brunch is served

The girls make their selections.

Mary has a :I Hated This Week”

Jim and Paul enjoying brunch!

Oh My!!

Off to the USO dance.

:ome dance time.

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We Are Off On A Quick Staycation!

Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2025 by Paul

We were up at 6:00 am getting ready for the weekend.  Can you imagine me in white?  I am a dirt magnet, and if I make it from the car to the picnic area without a prominent spot on me, I will be amazed!

We fixed a little picnic basket; Mary put enough stuff in there to feed a small army!!

We are off on an adventure with Vicky and Jim!

Did You Know?  The historic Lanterman House in La Canada Flintridge will host a free Summer Picnic and Ukulele Rendezvous on Sunday, May 25, from noon to 4 pm Visitors are invited to enjoy music, games, and tours on the grounds of the century-old estate.

The event at 4420 Encinas Drive will feature pianist Randy Woltz and ukulele player Conrad Cayman.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments to participate.  The house will be open for mini-tours, and guests can dance in the second-story ballroom.

Visitors are invited to bring picnics to enjoy on the grounds, and complimentary cookies and lemonade will be provided.  The Assistance League of Flintridge will operate a booth selling vintage and second-hand items from its Bargain Box.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lanterman House was constructed in 1915 for Dr. Roy Lanterman and his wife, Emily.  Architect Arthur Haley designed the reinforced concrete home in a U-shaped Mexican Colonial hacienda style, complete with a fountain courtyard and English Arts and Crafts design elements.

Dr. Lanterman built the concrete structure partially due to fire concerns, having witnessed the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.  The lavish home included modern conveniences and a ballroom to persuade his reluctant wife to move from Santa Monica to what was then a rural area.

We expect to have a lot of fun and later in the day, we will join Vicky and Jim at the local dining establishment!

Turning back the clock!!

 

The plans of mice and men.

The picnic was just getting underway!

Inside, the furniture was all original,

We were dressed for the occasion.

The kitchen utensils were interesting.

The ballroom was amazing.

We had a perfect table. thanks to Vicky!

We dressed for the occasion.

Mary was asked by severak men for a dance.

After the picnic, we went to the hotel and got ready for dinner.

My favorite place, Restaurant San Torini

Fish Soup for Paul!!

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We Did’t Even Leave The House!

Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2025 by Paul

We decided to rest today since we will continuously go for the next two days!  First things first, our daily one-mile+ walk in the hood.

We took the flat walk today to save our energy!

We thought about taking Scout along, but alas, he preferred to sleep!

We read the flyer posted on the street corner on our walk and were sorry that we would miss the event.  It is nice to see neighbors get together to remember our fallen soldiers.

A nice thought!

The rest of the day, we worked in the garden, with Mary trimming the grapes and me trimming the roses!  The yard looks pretty nice since it was mowed yesterday.  The corn is doing its thing, and we even assisted by shaking the tops of the corn plants to help them along.

Mary baked some cookies for Jeff, our neighbor, and we visited him late in the afternoon, around 5:45 p.m.

Returning home, we jumped in the swim spa and soaked up the heat for a good hour before continuing to watch The Blacklist.  We crashed relatively early.

Be careful, little flower, Mary might stuff you!!

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We Didn’t Do Anything But We Kept Busy!

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 by Paul

It was time for the morning walk around the yard, and we were surrounded by our lovely flowers—gladiolas! For the past week, we have cut and taken gladiolas to people when we go out, including the doctor’s offices, the Elks Lodge, and even restaurants we frequent.   They are pretty popular.

The backyard flowers are pretty magnificent.

Glads come in many colors, as you can see below:

Next year we will try some other colors!

The plums look magnificent, and we need to check on them every morning.  As soon as we see a single bird strike, we will move our wind-driven whirlygigs next to the tree.  There are about 70 plums on the branches at this time.

The plums are coming along nicely.

We checked, and the tassels are turning color, meaning they will be dropping on the silks for several days.   The nursery is open for business!  Remember, unless the tassels fall on top of the silk, the corn kernels will not fully form!  Some of our corn plants are in the process of producing three ears of corn!

  1. The average ear of corn has 800 kernels in 16 rows.
  2. Only 1% of corn planted in the United States is sweet corn.
  3. Corn cobs always have an even number of rows.
  4. The types of corn grown in America are dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, popcorn, flour corn, and sweet corn.
  5. The world record for the tallest corn stalk is more than 35 feet.
  6. An acre of corn eliminates 8 tons of carbon dioxide from our air.
  7. There are 125 calories in a cup of corn.
  8. An ear of corn has one silk stand for every kernel.
  9. Each corn plant produces one to three cobs each.
  10. More than 90 million acres on earth are dedicated to producing corn.
  11. Corn was first domesticated in southern Mexico more than 10,000 years ago.
  12. Corn became more widely popular in the late 1700s when it became accessible to Europeans.
  13. Corn is used in foods like cereal, potato chips, soft drinks, cooking oil, and more.
  14. Corn is used in non-food items like fireworks, glue, fabric, crayons, fuel, paint, laundry detergent, cosmetics, and plastics.
  15. Corn is grown on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.
  16. Usually corn is yellow, but it can also come in colors such as green, red, or white.
  17. While many consider corn a vegetable, it’s actually both a grain and a fruit.
  18. Sweet corn becomes starchy easily, so it should be eaten within a few days after picking.
  19. The scientific name for sweet corn is Zea mays saccharate or Zea mays rugosa.
  20. The first mechanical corn harvester was invented by the Gleaner Harvester Combine Corporation in 1930.
  21. A bushel of corn can sweeten 400 cans of soda.
  22. Most countries outside of the United States call corn maize.
  23. 91 gallons of water is needed to produce one pound of corn.
  24. Maize is a Taino word that means “sacred mother” or “giver of life”.
  25. The United States produces about 1/3 of the world’s corn.

Corn as high as an elephant’s eye!

Yes, hollyhocks are edible!  All parts of the hollyhock plant, including the roots, leaves, and flowers, are safe to consume.  The flowers and leaves are often used in salads, desserts, and teas.  The roots can be used to create a nutritious starch.

Along the west wall, I placed several hooks into the brick wall to tie back the Hollyhocks and keep them from falling over due to the prevailing wind.

We have Hollyhocks in three places in the front yard, all ten feet tall or better.

To begin our experiment, we picked only four blossoms.  The entire blossom, including the stamen and stem, is edible.

All parts of the hollyhock plant, including the flowers, leaves, and roots, are considered safe to eat. Hollyhocks can be used in various culinary applications, from garnishing dishes to adding flavor to teas and salads. 

We picked four beauties!

To make the stuffing, we mixed cream cheese, yogurt, diced olives, and a garnish together  We used a tad of pepper but no salt since the olives are already salty.

“Chopper-In-Chief” doing her thing!

The filling was placed in a freezer bag, and a hole was cut in one of the corners. We will pipe the stuffing into the flower! The culinary definition of pipe is to create a continuous, smooth, or decorative line using a pastry bag fitted with a tip.

The surgeon was ready to operate!

After the piping was completed, we placed them on the dish we used for the lamb lollipops.

Lamb lollipops, also known as French lamb chops, are a visually appealing and easily edible cut of lamb.  The term “lollipop” refers to how the bone is prepared: the meat and fat are scraped away, leaving a clean bone “handle.”  This makes them easy to hold and eat like a lollipop.

The lamb was trimmed and ready to be put in the oven for three minutes per side!

Three of these make a perfect meal!

We used some of our vegetables from yesterday’s corned beef dinner.  The lollipops are blackened on purpose using a sauce I prepared from scratch.  They were very tender and quite delicious.

We had a magnificent dinner!

After dinner, we cleaned up the kitchen and headed to the TV room to continue watching The Blacklist.  We are in season eight now; there are only two more seasons to go!!  We watched until 11:30 p.m. and then crashed.

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Thursday Has Arrived; We Face It Together!

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 by Paul

A stroll in the garden is quite peaceful. We can hear the bees buzzing, the birds chirping, and the elephants moving through the trees near the vineyard.

The backyard flowers are quite magnificent.

There has been no wind this year, so the Santa Rosa plum tress is doing wonderfully. Santa Rosa plums are edible and known for their delicious sweet-tart flavor, making them great for fresh eating, baking, or making jams and preserves.

The plums are coming along nicely.

Oh My!  As high as an elephant’s eye and waving in the breeze.  Corn pollination typically occurs when the tassels (male flowers) release pollen and the silks (female flowers) are receptive. This process usually begins within a few days of the tassel emerging from the whorl. Pollen shed and silk receptivity last for about 5-8 days, with peak pollen release usually occurring in the morning.   I promised the corn not to yell out the window, “Get A Room” this year!

If your corn doesn’t get properly pollinated, it can’t produce those creamy kernels – it’s that simple

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the sex life of corn:

1. Tassel Emergence and Pollen Shed:  The tassel, which emerges from the top of the plant, opens and releases pollen in the early morning.

2. Silk Emergence:  Silks, which are the female flowers and are located on the ear, emerge from the embryonic ear within a few days of the tassel emerging.

3. Pollination:  Pollen is dispersed by the wind, and when it lands on the silks, it fertilizes the ovule.

4. Timing:  Pollination is most effective when the tassel and silks are both mature and receptive, typically within 3-5 days of silk emergence.

5. Factors Affecting Pollination:  Weather conditions, particularly high heat and humidity, can affect pollen shedding and silk receptivity, potentially delaying or reducing pollination.

Corn as high as an elephant’s eye!

While the corn is doing its thing, the zucchinis are going theirs!  We have given away many zucchinis already, but several have met our new zoodle machine and become low-calorie spaghetti!  We love our machine and use it quite often!

Noodles in process!

 

Zoodles this evening!

We headed to the Elks for Girls Night Out after stopping at CVS for some prints and then to the dry cleaners, so I will have shirts to cover this magnificent body! Mary suggested using a Vons bag, but I find the handles hang down too long.

Girls Night Out was fun, with Barry, Bill’s youngest son, joining us. We cavorted for quite a while before leaving for home to get my blood pressure log, which we had left at home. We had a 2:45 p.m. appointment with Ty Cobb, my heart wizard.

He poked and prodded and looked at Mary’s medicine adjustment and said she would make a good heart doctor; her adjustments were right!

We made further adjustments and then decided he wanted to see me back in a month.

Blood tests play a crucial role in revealing information about heart health by measuring various markers and components in the blood. They offer insights into risk factors and potential heart issues. These tests can help predict risk, diagnose conditions like heart attacks and heart failure, and monitor treatment effectiveness.  My BNP was not good, and if you believe the statistics, I am good for about three years!

We made zoodles and then enjoyed a relaxing evening with The Blacklist.

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Hello Wednesday! We Are Again On The Run!!

Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 by Paul

Yeah, no gym this morning; instead, we are going to a vascular surgeon for a consult about my carotid arteries!  The carotid arteries are a pair of major arteries that supply blood to the head and neck.  They branch off the aorta and ascend through the neck to the brain.  The carotid arteries are essential for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain.   I have had one plugged for many years, but the second one shows signs of wear and tear.  If it gets plugged, I will depart this life sooner than planned.

A vascular surgeon specializes in treating the vascular system, which includes arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.  They diagnose and treat conditions like aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins.  Vascular surgeons perform both open and minimally invasive surgeries, including endovascular procedures like stenting and balloon angioplasty.

Looking at the calendar, Dr. Mary and I began moving into our new home four years ago, and Ortega got the job; they had no idea what they were getting into!  A caravan of trucks worked day and night to transfer all of our ill-gotten goods from Seal Beach and “on the hill” to the new abode christened Casa Valencia!

Turck number 43 arrives.

They did not need GPS, follow the tire tracks!

We did NOT have gym today, but went to see a vascular surgeon about my carotid artery issue.  She was excellent and did a lot of explaining.  I am now scheduled for a CT Scan to get additional clarification.   We should know in about two week whether or not I will be undergoing corrective surgery or not.

Since we were out and close to Benji’s deli, we decided to have brunch, which meant we shared one of their huge pastrami sandwiches!  It was plenty enough for both of us, and I didn’t even have a root beer float!!

We went VFR home from Benji’s, which took about nine minutes.  The rest of the day, we did chores around the house before getting ready for the show!  Sho?  What show?

The pride of Wales, Sir Tom Jones, has been performing for over 50 years, with a staggering back catalog of classic hits.  From his early hits like ‘Delilah’ and ‘It’s Not Unusual’ through his pop resurgence of the 1980s with his cover of Prince’s ‘Kiss’, Jones has never been afraid to reinvent himself.  Now on the edge of 85, catch the legendary crooner live on the Defy Explanation tour, coming to North American shores this spring!

We had dinner at the Silver Trumpet, which was, as usual, outstanding.  The swordfish was excellent, and Jim went for the Salmon.  The girls went for salads with Mary, also adding some lamb lollipops to the feast!!

Dinner with Vicky and Jim

After dinner, we waited for the ladies before walking across the street, a short block, to the theater.

Dashing and de-boner gentleman await their ladies!

The show was terrific, although we would have liked it more if he had sung some of his oldies, but it was OK.

85 and still singing

We had great seats in about the tenth row from the stage!

Great fun!!

We clapped and, in some cases, sang along with Mr. Jones.

Half time.

Walking out after the almost two-hour show, we stopped so Vicky could use her “good camera”.

Just us!

As we stood there, I overheard two people talking to each other.  I felt bad for Mary having to be with “the ancient one!”

Indeed

Jim and Vicky are enjoying life and seeing new things all the time.

Leaving the theater.

When the show was over at 9:30 p.m., we walked to the car and headed home.  Home to the Seagerstrom/Southcoast Repertory is about a 15-minute drive because the traffic was all going the other direction.

We watch some more of The Blacklist.  We finally gave up at midnight and went to bed!

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Tuesday Became A Busy Day!!

Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 by Paul

I crashed early and Mary stayed up polishing silver until Who-Knows O’clock!  I know it was late because I was up at 5:00 am ready to go, and Sleeping Beauty was sawing big logs, and she didn’t even stir when I got out of bed!

Sometimes I wonder why she puts up with me!  Our friends also wonder!

We expect our cleaning crew to arrive on Wednesday, so we started early this week.  Everything was hung up in the closets with care.  It looked like someone was expecting St. Nick to be here.  According to my calendar, not for another 219 days, and we won’t be home to see him this year; we will be chasing penguins in Antarctica!!

While Mary was asleep, I went into the kitchen and made coffee.  Then I heard a strange noise.  It was a funny sound, and it quacked me up.  There it was decked out in its feathery finest, Mr. Duck!

Derned Duck checked the pool temperature before going in for his morning swim!

Failure of the watchdog!   The best he could do was to manage a yawn and roll back over.  Nary a whimper for our alarm system!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Lazy Bones #2 saw the duck and didn’t say a thing!

I managed to get up and amble over to the spot where Mr. Duck had been sunbathing!  Snif sniff bark bark and he went back to bed.  I am surprised he didn’t go in the house and find some duck food for Mr. Duck or at least turn on the pool heater.

Finally, I convinced Scout to go out by the pool, and he said, “Hey, Daddy, I think there was a duck here!!”

We had some serious coordinating activities to do today!  Mary has a watercolor class, Scout needs to go to the vet, and Dianne needs to pick up her car.  After careful consideration, I chose option number three hundred and two!

  1. Take Mary to her watercolor class at 12:30 pm, and return home!
  2. Do nothing because I had no time; corral Scout and put him in the van at 2:00 pm.
  3. Go to Dianne’s and pick her up (along with Scout) at 2:20 pm
  4. Drive to the class to pick up Mary (2:40 pm)
  5. Drive to Dianne’s auto shop in Orange near the traffic circle, arriving at 3:15 pm.
  6. Take Scout and Mary to the vet (Scout has the appointment), arriving at 3:30 pm.
  7. Return home 4:15 pm
  8. Panic to get ready to depart for the Legion at 4:30 pm.
  9. Eat tacos and do some line dancing at 5:15 pm!

I was required to wear my chauffeur’s costume the entire time!

The Casa Valencia resident artist was busy today:

She sells seashells by the seashore!

The tacos were great and the dance a load of fun.

Go girl, go!!

Just us!

Since Scout just had his shots, we departed early to ensure he was doing well.  When we arrived home, he was well and happy to see us.  The three of us went to the TV room and watched The Blacklist until midnight; we are closing in on the last of the series, only 75 episodes to go!

 

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Another Week Begins, This Is My 4,181th!

Posted on Monday, May 19, 2025 by Paul

Oh no!  It’s that time again when I must put on my suit of armor and wander forth into the jaws of my personal trainer, Nurse Ratchet!  Today I had to tell her my lower back was giving me fits, and she immediately threw me down on the floor (which by the way is hard on the armor plating) and began a tribal ritual which she learned while traveling up the far reaches of the Amazon.   Fortunately for me, this time it did NOT involve poison darts or pygmy alligators or piranhas!

After an hour of hearing snap, crackle, and pop sounds, my back was pain-free; however, the rest of my body was in severe anguish.  I was told, “This too shall pass!”  I am still waiting.

Selecting our next meal!!

As we passed the frozen dessert section, Mary said she heard a voice from the freezer.  I thought she may have hit her head at the gym, but I also listened to the sound.  It sounded like Dolly Parton singing!   I turned up the hearing aid and sure enough, it was Dolly and she said, “Take me to Jeff’s house!!)  Then it hit us.  We were asked to get a peach cobbler for Jeff, his favorite!

Peach cobbler is called a cobbler because the biscuit or batter topping puffs up when baked, creating a texture resembling the cobblestones of a cobbled street.  The term “cobbler” also hints at the dish being put together haphazardly, using whatever ingredients are available, like how a cobbler (a shoe repair person) might fix a shoe.

Guess where this is going?

I was warned not to take pictures since she was makeup-free, but who needs makeup when you are this pretty?

The evil eye is watching my every move, but why???

Why is she smiling??

The evil eye watched the margaritas, ensuring the 36″ long straw I usually carry with me did not make it into her glass when she was not looking.  Who, me?

NOW, we know why!!!

The chili verde burrito drove in by itself and parked in front of me!  It was quiet, perhaps battery-powered.  It was huge and spoke to me (in Spanish), “Betcha you can’t eat the whole thing!”    I oiled up my jaws with a big swallow of the margarita, and the entire burrito disappeared in minutes.

The word “burrito” means “little donkey” in Spanish.  Some believe the name comes from the appearance of a rolled burrito resembling a donkey’s bedroll, while others think it’s because they used to be sold from donkey carts.  In Mexico, burritos are typically smaller and have fewer ingredients.  The first burritos are said to have been made in Juarez, a city that borders Texas.

 

This burrito was HUGE!

Mary fixed up two beautiful artichokes for dinner, as I was still full from the burrito; it had the last laugh!!

We went over to Jeff’s and visited.  We brought him his cobbler.  We kept half of it since it was family-size!

We then focused on the hot tub since it was a gym day.  We soaked for about an hour.  I used the jets directly on my lower back, which made it feel even better!

We then turned on the TV and continued watching The Blacklist.  This time, we kept busy as we polished a beautiful tea set that Irene had given us (her new place was too small).  We wanted to put it out in the formal dining room and show it off; it was beautiful!!!  I worked until 10:00 p.m., at which time I crashed.  Mary kept working.

Thank you, Irene, we will keep this beautiful set on display and use it often!!!

I should note, the platter is a work in progress.  It required some additional TLC.

The Sandman came soon and I was off in dreamland!

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Sunday Was A Busy Day!

Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2025 by Paul

P-s-s-s-s-s-s-t, that’s me on the left! Mary is the cute one!

It’s morning, and our walking hooves are on and ready to take on the day!  We played the waiting game for about an hour until the outside temperature hit a toasty 65 degrees—because stepping outside in anything less would be like launching ourselves into a meat locker!  Who knew we’d become temperature sommeliers to avoid frostbite?

The new route was relatively flat, and we moved along at a staggering rate of one mile per hour, leaving a trail of dust and debris behind us!  The important thing is that we are moving!!

We have a new path now!

On our way, we discover things that were previously unknown to us!  We saw a 1940s clothes dryer, solar-powered, no less, still being used!

Works like a champ!!

We note new flora and fauna as we progress through the trail.  The little cactus seems to be saying, “Look at me!” We know that if we get close, it will jump out and bite you with a poison quill!

Cactus spines, often mistaken for thorns, are actually modified leaves that help the plant survive in harsh environments.  They serve multiple purposes: protection from animals, shading to reduce water loss, and even potentially propagating new plants.  These spines are designed to be difficult to remove, further deterring herbivores.

 

It was quite a standout.

A little farther down the path, Mother Nature provided a rather innocent-looking trumpet vine for us to examine.

Trumpet vines are native to North America and are known for their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.  They are woody, clinging vines that attach to structures using aerial rootlets and can become invasive outside of their native range.  The scientific name Campsis comes from the Greek word “Kampe,” meaning “bent,” referring to branches bending under the weight of flowers.

Mother Nature’s colors are amazing.

Yesterday, I washed off a nest that had formed under the garage’s eaves, and to my surprise, I washed away three baby birds.  Well, I was sad about the birds, but they are messy.

After our walk, we heard chirping and saw the mother bird flying around as we approached the front of the house.  We looked carefully and there were three baby birds in our rubber tree.  They had somehow managed to get into the rubber tree for safety, and Moma was feeding them.

Watcha doing, birdie??

We rested and did chores around the house before getting ready for the Starlighters’ bi-monthly dance, this time themed “Apple Blossom Time.” It was held at the Elks, and we were prepared for a great evening of dancing and visiting.

We were the greeters this time.  We were surprised that Vicky had displayed one of Mary’s paintings— an apple blossom painting!

Mary was recognized.

We do the photography and are the club’s secretary (plus we do odd jobs).  We got an early picture of ourselves before all the guests and members arrived.  We had 87 people here this evening.

Just us!  Yes, I am wearing pink!

We were the last ones to leave after helping Bob with the iron couch and other equipment.  During the evening, we ordered one glass of “good wine” and then opened a bottle of the really good stuff, Two Buck Chuck.  We find it amazing that we are both so alike.  So we find solace in the $75/bottle stuff, no!  We enjoy Trader Joe’s wine offering, Charles Schwab’s “two buck chuck,” which is now $3.25 when on sale!

We drove home om about seventeen minutes and then watched two episodes of The Blacklist before visiting the Sandman!

The end of another romantic evening with my bride!!!

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Saturday Has Arrived Full Of Clouds And Drizzle!

Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by Paul

Robin was up early; she went to the kitchen.  I was up early; I went to the office.  When Mary arose, we all got together.  We chatted and talked to Colleen to check up on Calhan’s progress.

So what do we have here?  This image is a genuine two-story outhouse attached to a two-story hotel.  Until I read the details, I did NOT want to be on the first floor (for obvious reasons).   I feel this way sometimes, especially when the password fairy sprinkles her dust on my computer!

Oh my!!  Look out below!!!

To bring it up to date, I colored the old outhouse, revealing some additional details.  The second-story “two-holer” is on the back of the building, so the droppings miss the folks downstairs!  This is a great idea!!

Oops!!

So, back to the main story.  We all decided to walk, and tried a new route to pass Linda’s wonderful garden.  Her garden is located about half a block from our place, and it was spectacular, as usual!!

The pink flowers were everywhere!  The image shows Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas.

Flowers everywhere!

The lilies lined the front fence, revealing a manicured lawn complete with bird feeders in the ees.  Lilies are a flowering plant that is known for their large, colorful, and often fragrant blooms.  They grow from bulbs, are native to the northern hemisphere, and are commonly found in Asia, Europe, and North America.  Lilies are popular in weddings, bouquets, and other regal ceremonies.  They are also poisonous to cats, so it’s important to keep them out of reach of your furry friends.

The lilies were magnificent.

I planned to have lunch there, but Mary reminded me it was someone else’s lawn!  Phooey, I had a plan!!

We love their front yard.

We looked at Lind’s roses and wondered if they were climbers.

Do you climb?

They are definitely climbers, and they have hundreds of flowers.  We are going to the plant store to find a couple of these for the front yard so they can overhang the entranceway!

Silly question!!

Linda planted Evening Primrose, which will take over the place unless she is careful.

Mexican poppies!

The red lantana looked like a charcoal fire.  Lantana is a popular ornamental shrub known for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.  It’s a heat-tolerant plant that can be used in containers, landscaping, and hanging baskets.  Lantana is also part of the Verbenaceae family, with the most common ornamental species being Lantana camara.

A bed of red!!

Oh my, a rock varnmit!

We are being watched.

We have a new route that is not hilly, yet provides a mile’s worth of effort.

I started the GPS a little late, but only about 400 feet!

After our walk, we were starved, so I suggested the Original Pancake House.  This way, Mary did not have to cook, and we could share the breakfast (their portions are amazing).

The Original Pancake House for breakfast!

Our eyes were bigger than our tummies!

We loaded up!!

Returning home, Robin wanted to try the trike, so she zoomed down the street!

Robin tries the trike!!

We rested for a while and then got ready for the Fullerton Elks Saturday night event, the local high school jazz band.  They were terrific!

We are at the Jazz Club High School Band at the Fullerton Elks!

We sat with George and Beverly, longtime friends and fellow dancers.

Beverly and George are a great couple and good friends.

The event lasted from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and included a fantastic Italian dinner.  We had a glass of wine and then danced several dances.

The lodge had a 50/50 drawing, so Mary and I brought five tickets for each kid (and their instrument).  We hoped one of them would win, but an adult won the drawing.

 

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