Day Three – We Toured; Mary Worked!

Posted on Saturday, September 26, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We were up early; we could have breakfast with the schoolgirl, but alas, she wanted to make a good impression and went to school early (…and she has a highly polished apple in her possession)

Robin and I had breakfast before our tour began.

Breakfast is served

I went for the salmon, bagels, and cream cheese! Robin and I selected a private tour this morning.

There were only four people today, so we had all the room we needed!

Our chariot awaits
Our chariot awaits

Off we went in a cloud of dust! The first stop was Acadia National Park, which is the smallest but most visited national park!

  • Location: Mostly on Mount Desert Island along the Atlantic coast.
  • Known for: Rocky beaches, forests, mountains, lakes, and ocean views.
  • Famous spot: Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
  • Activities: Hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, kayaking, and scenic driving.
  • Wildlife: Deer, foxes, seals, seabirds, and many other animals.
  • Popular road: The Park Loop Road, which takes visitors past many major sights.
  • Best time to visit: Summer and fall, especially when the leaves change color.

In short, Acadia National Park is known for its dramatic coastline, mountain views, and outdoor activities.

We got bearings here!

We meandered through a small portion of an area made to represent the remaining part of Acadia.

We could see fish in the pond!

We continued walking for about 30 minutes, and the displays of plants and flowers were amazing.

We could see fish in the pond!

From the reserve/preserve, we traveled to the

Thunder Hole is a famous shoreline feature in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

It’s a small inlet carved into the rocky coast where incoming waves rush into a narrow channel and partially submerged cave. When conditions are right, trapped air and water are forced out with a loud booming “thunder” sound, and spray can shoot high into the air.

A few useful things to know:

  • Location: Along the Park Loop Road, between Sand Beach and Otter Cliff.
  • Best time to visit: Often 1–2 hours before high tide, especially when the surf is strong.
  • Safety: It can be dangerous during rough seas. Stay behind railings and off wet rocks—unexpected waves can sweep people off their feet.
  • Experience varies: Sometimes it roars dramatically; other times it may just gurgle if the tide and waves aren’t right.
  • Nearby sights: Sand Beach, Ocean Path, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff are close by.

It’s one of Acadia’s classic stops because it combines dramatic ocean views, rugged granite coastline, and a bit of natural sound effects. Robin went all the way down, but I was favoring my leg, so I sat at the top watching people.

It did sound like thunder!!

Thunder Hole is a popular tourist attraction!

The sign was not kidding
The sound could be heard for quiter a distance.
It was a long walk to the hole!

From Thunder Hole, we went to Beaver Lake and got out to stretch our legs. Because of the upcoming storm, it was quite windy!

Hike time!

The stop was short but refreshing.

The wind was almost gail firce so we did NOT go to the water.

We found a nice park bench and Robin decided to go into business.

No takers???

Then we went to the mountain, Cadillac Mountain, to be precise! It was 2,700 feet tall and the highest point on the East Coast!

Cadillac Mountain is one of the most famous places in Acadia National Park, Maine.

It is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, rising about 1,530 feet(466 meters) above sea level. From the top, you get wide views of Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands, Frenchman Bay, and the surrounding mountains and coastline.

  • Famous for sunrise: Cadillac Mountain is known as one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise during parts of the year.
  • Summit road: You can drive to the top on Cadillac Summit Road, but in busy seasons you usually need a vehicle reservation.
  • Hiking: Popular trails to the summit include the North Ridge Trail and South Ridge Trail.
  • Views: The summit has short walking paths with excellent panoramic views.
  • Weather: It can be windy and much colder at the top than in Bar Harbor, so bring a jacket.

It’s one of the must-see spots in Acadia, especially if you like sunrise, photography, or scenic mountain views.

Bar Harbor was directly to the east of us.

Now, it was time for lunch, and we stopped at a small restaurant. I had their chicken sandwich, and I got a glass of vino.

Lunch time!

From there, we returned toBar Harbor and rested, awaiting the arrival of Dr. Mary. She got out of class at 2:15 pm. Robin got cleaned up and we headed for Lobster Icecream.

Lobster ice cream is a real novelty dessert, most famously associated with Maine, especially around coastal tourist areas.

It’s usually made with:

  • A butter-flavored or vanilla ice cream base
  • Small pieces of cooked lobster meat
  • Sometimes a hint of salt or extra butter flavor

The taste is unusual: creamy, slightly sweet, buttery, and a little seafood-like. Some people love it as a fun Maine experience, while others try it mostly for the novelty.

It’s not a common everyday flavor, but you may find it at specialty ice cream shops in Maine, especially near places like Bar Harbor or other coastal towns.

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Mary Goes To School

Posted on Saturday, September 26, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

We slept like it was out of style. Robin, who is usually up and moving at 3:00 am, was called at 10:00 am, and she was still asleep. This traveling takes a lot out of you!! So Mary and I went downstairs to the dining room and had a wonderful breakfast!

We enjoyed breakfast while watching the boats go back and forth. Perhaps they are getting ready for the big storm coming our way!

We had a spectacular view of the bay

Mary dove into her breakfast like there was no tomorrow and even took some of my bagel!

Breakfast is served

After breakfast, Mary headed to school while the old man (me) got ready to go out with Robin (the sleephead). We walked down the street a spell and ran into a very nice restaurant. It looked like a hole in the wall from the street, but the inside was huge and quite modern.

Clams and lobster, her specialty

While Robin was munching on fish, I decided to have a nice salad… in fact, I ordered two vertical salads!

The two-fisted drinker (I ate the salad first!!)

After my salads, I had crab-and-lobster-stuffed mushroom caps! Delicious! Robin and I took off for a four-hour walk through “town”. Robin visited every store and kept the economy running. She looked like she was shopping for Christmas. During our long walk, I stopped at a pharmacy and picked up some additional allergy medication.

The town is 235 years old!

I kept track of the incoming storm, and now it is scheduled to hit tomorrow evening around dinner time.

Noreaster heading this way!

A nor’easter gets its name from the strong winds that blow from the northeast over the coastal area. These storms happen most often and are most violent between September and April.

At 4:00 pm, we headed back to the hotel and meeting hall to pick up Mary for dinner, eager to hear all about what she learned in school today—because apparently we were now the proud parents of a fully grown conference attendee.

Silly me, I misread my watch and got us to the conference center an entire hour early. Nothing says “seasoned traveler” like arriving with the confidence of a Swiss train and the accuracy of a broken sundial.

Since the conference center was approximately the size of a regional airport, Robin decided to walk the premises and get her steps in. Meanwhile, I took up residence in the lobby, where I sat politely looking at and listening to presentations I was not technically attending. Within minutes, I had the facial expression of someone deeply engaged, while understanding just enough to nod at the appropriate moments and pretend I belonged there.

Off to pick up Mary after school

Since Mary skipped out without us, we went back to the hotel, just two “doors” down the way, and met up with Mary for a drink before dinner!

On my way to the bar, I met “Bark, TheWonderr Dog”. He is a Pyrenees, and he was so friendly I had to sit and talk to him for a few minutes!

The Great Pyrenees is a large, fluffy livestock guardian dog originally bred in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.

Key facts:

  • Size: Very large; males often weigh 100+ lb / 45+ kg.
  • Coat: Thick white double coat, sometimes with gray, tan, or badger markings.
  • Temperament: Calm, loyal, gentle, protective, and independent.
  • Original job: Guarding sheep from wolves, bears, and other predators.
  • Family life: Usually affectionate and patient, often good with children.
  • Training: Needs early socialization and consistent training because they can be stubborn.
  • Exercise: Moderate daily exercise, not usually hyperactive.
  • Barking: They often bark a lot, especially at night, because guarding is their instinct.
  • Grooming: Heavy shedding; regular brushing is needed.
  • Best for: Homes with space, secure fencing, and owners who understand guardian breeds.

In short: the Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant—sweet with family, but naturally protective and independent.

We went to the bar and had a bottle of Chardonnay between the three of us. We also struck up a conversation with the barkeep and the pizza maker! We sent them the AI results; everyone got a giggle or two from the photos.

Our pizza chef was good to talk to.
The bartender was quite funny.

We drank our wine slowly before making our way back to the conference center for the lobster bake!

Always happy!
One small drink before dinner.

Off to the clam bake! They had excellent corn, pots loaded with veggies, and three or four LARGE pots with whole lobsters waiting for us!

I named him “Red”

Lobsters are marine crustaceans known for their hard shells, large claws, and long antennae.

  • Habitat: They live on the ocean floor, often hiding in rocks, reefs, or burrows.
  • Diet: Lobsters are omnivores; they eat fish, mollusks, worms, algae, and sometimes dead animals.
  • Body: They have a hard exoskeleton, which they must shed as they grow.
  • Molting: When a lobster molts, its new shell is soft, making it vulnerable until it hardens.
  • Claws: Many lobsters have two different claws: one for crushing and one for cutting.
  • Lifespan: Some lobsters can live for several decades.
  • Color: Live lobsters are usually dark greenish-brown, blue, or reddish; they turn bright red when cooked.
  • Defense: They use claws, antennae, and quick tail flips to escape predators.
  • Reproduction: Female lobsters carry eggs under their tails until they hatch.
  • Human use: Lobsters are considered a valuable seafood in many parts of the world.

In short: lobsters are tough, bottom-dwelling sea animals with strong claws, long lives, and a unique growth process through molting.

Using my culinary skills, I prepared three lobsters, one for each of us. A waiter came by and offered to show us how to do it without using a knife and fork. Robin and I enjoyed a second lobster, and I even had a third one for good measure.

Here you go, ma’am!
It’s everything it is cracked up to be!!!

The girls really go all in on this lobster bake idea!

Bye-bye lobster
Munch munch

I was full to the brim.

Red is trying to talk, but I do not speak lobster very well!!

We walked back to the hotel and decided we were a) full and b) tired, so we hit the hay! It was a long but interesting day!

Good Night

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T=0; It’s 4:00 a.m., And We Are Off!!!

Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

At 2:00 am, the alarm went off, and I jumped up and completed my last-minute packing. It was a scurry of activity. Robin was also up and moving, and a few minutes later her nibs poked her head up and joined the activity. At 3:50 am the iPhone vibrated. I thought it was mad to start work so early, but the driver let us know he was out front.

When he saw the stacks and stacks of suitcases, he almost passed out!!

The girls rode in the front seat with the driver, and they tied me over the hood!

We made it to the airport in record time, 45 minutes from start to finish and nary a car on the freeway! The other cars left the freeway when they saw the overloaded stretch limo whizzing down the freeway!

We were at the gate seated by 5:00 am, so we had two hours to drink coffee and plan the trip!

Sitting at the airport at 5:00 am

We travel First Class, which means two things: First, we arrive first; second, we get a drink first!!! The taxi ride to the runway takeoff point was fun. We could feel every bump! I called the pilot and gave him last-minute instructions.

Heading for takeoff!
Bye Bye LA

As we taxied, we spotted one of the Boeing Buildings in El Segundo.

Then we heard the roar of the engines, and I shook; the plane stayed still. BLASTOFF!!! In a matter of seconds, we were flying over the clouds and yelling for a drink! There were many rainbows to be seen. I could not figure out why the rainbow surrounded the shadow of our plane???

Rainbows are everywhere

Robin kept checking on us, telling us to behave…yeah, fat chance of that!

What are you doing back there????

The flight was smooth and the food acceptable. I had four BMs during the flight (Bloody Marys)

We were in and out of Philadelphia quickly and caught a puddle jumper for the rest of the adventure. The last leg was only 70 minutes, kind of like LA to SF.

The view of the Maine forests was beautiful, and there were many lakes. It was almost a full moon this evening.

Dusk is approaching

We rolled into Bangor fully expecting to hop in a car and cruise toward Bar Harbor with at least a little daylight left—very optimistic of us. Then they announced the plane parked in front of us at the terminal was having “issues,” which is airline-speak for “get comfortable, you’re not going anywhere.”

So there we sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes, watching our scenic daylight drive slowly turn into a nighttime mystery tour.

Bye-bye, sunlight. It was nice almost knowing you.

Bangor is a huge airport

By the time we finally got a car, the Moon was up, the Sun was down, and our optimism had officially left the building.

Then came the great luggage Tetris championship. Somehow, we managed to cram every bag into the car, leaving Robin approximately 14 inches of backseat real estate to fold herself into like a travel-size lawn chair. I would’ve taken photos, but I was laughing too hard to operate basic technology.

When we got to the hotel, we unpacked, parked the car, and then Robin—armed with her trusty GPS—treated us to an unexpected grand tour of the city. The GPS kept insisting, “Only 500 feet ahead!” which she said at least ten times, making me suspect we were either walking in circles or being led by a very incompetent navigator whose GPS was on the fritz.

On the bright side, we got our mile walk in before finally discovering “The Thirsty Whale,” which, at that point, felt less like a restaurant and more like a promised land.

We found a place to eat

The food and wine disappeared! The girls shared a salad, and I woofed down a jalapeño burger!

Wine and burgers!!

We took the first walk back to the hotel. We hid Robin’s GPS and followed our nose home.

We kinda unpacked, and I hit the bed with such a thud that 45 ducks, who were sound asleep on the adjacent water feature, took off screaming!

Good night, all!

Good Night

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T-1; We Are Ready For The Adventure!

Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Today we are off again for self-induced body bashing. We saw that the Peak Performance gym had had some serious remodeling overnight. Paul and Mary joined a futuristic gym, expecting treadmills and smoothies.

Instead of the normal machines, the trainers greeted us with giant mechanical training arms, spring-loaded boxing pads, and a machine called “The Motivator.” “Beginner class!” shouted the JC and Francis (today’s trainers).

Wham! I was bounced onto a foam mat. Boing—Mary was launched into a pile of exercise balls.

After ten minutes, we were dizzy, bruised, and exhausted. “Great workout,” Mary groaned. I nodded from inside a yoga mat where I was hiding. “Same time week after next when we get back?”

Our trainers are great people, although sometimes a little rough around the edges!

Francis also doubles as an outstanding chef!

JC told us he likes to dance, and her came equipped at the last part at our home.

His singing of the song “I Am Pretty” fell on deaf ears!

Even though it was raining, Ethan said he was going to go swimming.

Sometimes Francis and Ethan team up on us!

Then Antony arrived (a little late); it’s always business. Antony and his bride brought models of their latest equipment selection for the Peak Performance workout center in Villa Park.

When we arrived back home, we continued packing. I got the electronics almost ready to go! Then we were off again to the Elks to visit Bob and Bill, since we would not see them for two weeks.

Lunch was excellent, and then we headed home,e where Mary took her now-famous “Post Elks Nap”. I woke her up at 4:00 p.m., and we continued packing and getting ready for Dianne’s Birthday Party at the OC Mining Company!

We arrived at 6:00 pm sharp, and everyone was already there! The pictures tell the entire story!

Once the party got started, there was no turning back!!!

We called the Fire Department ahead of time!

Fast Eddie was taken by surprise!

I was serious for about 45 milliseconds tonight!

Caught escaping! Dianne with her brother and sister exiting the establishment!

We met Robin at home and finished packing. Deadline to hit the sack is 10:00 pm, since we have to be up at 2:00 am for a 4:00 am departure to LAX.

Good Night

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Another Busy Day!

Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

No gym, that is a plus! But that does NOT mean we don’t work. We packed and organized until 9:30 am, when Mary took off for an appointment. While she was gone, I made a list of all the “wireless” stuff we have to take, and it was a load! Wednesday night,t it all goes into what we call the E-Bag (electronics bag). Computers, phone chargers, hearing aids, e-books, etc. On my!!

The Airport Police are going to ask if we robbed a Radio Shack!

While Mary was at her appointment, I finished off my clothes, did some serious super-gluing, and cleaned up the kitchen

Mary was home for a few minutes before having to run to her painting class at noon. Off she went in the Red Rocket (Precious), and I continued preparing for the trip, charging the laptop and transferring some files to it so I could keep working while we were gone.

Around 3:20 pm, Mary rolled in with Jumbo!

We worked for a while, then our cleaning people came two days early. We bugged out at 4:30 pm and headed to the Elks for Alvaro’s initiation, a Boeing friend we sponsored. Robin and I got there early, and with Bob’s help, Robin gave us some tips on how to pack electronics ,

The “spare parts” bag is a fresh set of underwear for the initiation ceremonies!

We all had dinner and talked before the 7:15 pm call to get ready!

The girls went home early, and Bob and I stayed for the initiation! At 9:15 pm, everything was done, and I headed home in the Red Rocket.

Mary was already crashed,y so I stayed up until 10:20 pm, and then I joined her for some much-needed rest!

Good Night

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To The Gym & Packed!

Posted on Monday, September 21, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

It’s Monday, and even though I tried to hide from the calendar, I could hear screams and yells in my head, which meant GYM DAY! We arrived a little early, and I got in eight miles on the upright stationary bike! When I jumped off the bike, my legs kept pedaling, and I nearly ran out the door!

Mary was also working quite hard, and that is a good thing. Two days a week at the gym is excellent for our age.

You go, girl!!!

Afterward, we headed home and finished off the bagels and goodies from Sunday morning before getting to work packing for the trip!

Between packing, I worked on the Starlighters website, finishing off the final details. It is ready to go!

We worked until about 7:00 pm and decided it was time for some TV.

We crashed at 10:00 pm. Tomorrow is another busy day!

Good Night

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Sunday has arrived; we are busy!!!

Posted on Sunday, September 20, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

I was up and moving at full speed at 6:155 am because we are expecting company around 9:30 am. David and family are dropping by before they go to the baseball game, so we needed to get ready!

At 7:00, the Silver Fox and I headed forEinstein’s’s Bagels on Yuston and picked up a dozen beauties. I asked for them to be sliced, and the nice lad said, “No problem!” I was not! She fed them into an electric bagel slicer, and within 20 seconds, thirteen bagels were sliced to perfection!

The electric bagel slicer is most commonly credited to Murray Lender of Lender’s Bagels.

Lender helped popularize pre-sliced frozen bagels in the mid-20th century, and the electric bagel slicer helped make bagels easier to mass-produce, freeze, package, and sell widely. There were later patented improvements by others, but Murray Lender is the name most often associated with bringing electric bagel slicing into commercial use.

Poof! In at the top and sliced at the bottom!

Selecting bagels was a difficult task; I almost ordered “one of each,” but I kept my cool and made careful, thought-through orders!

Oh my!!!

After heading home, I worked feverishly with my bride to make ready for the arrival. I sliced and diced, set the table, and checked out the drink offerings. I am like a major domo! I am Mary’s majordomo. A majordomo is a person who manages a household or organization on behalf of someone else. Historically, a majordomo was the chief steward of a large house, estate, palace, or noble household. They supervised servants, managed daily operations, handled schedules, and made sure everything ran smoothly.

The bewitching hour occurs, and first things first, we head to the garden

Ethan found the berry patch!

Soon after, Adam was making selections from the remaining peppers and tomatoes and loading up his box of goodies!

Decisions decisions!

Once we finished in the garden, we came inside for some goodies.

Adam is a Cracker Jack!

We enjoyed a nice brunch and shared stories of days gone by. I learned more about Pokémon than I ever wanted to now!

Pokémon is a Japanese entertainment franchise about creatures called Pokémon (“Pocket Monsters”). People called Pokémon Trainers catch, train, collect, and battle these creatures.

It began as video games in 1996 and grew into a huge franchise with an animated TV series, movies, trading cards, toys, and games such as Pokémon GO. Pikachu is its best-known character.

GGood-lookingfamily!!

The kids had to leave early to catch this afternoon’s baseball game, so we did a quick tour of the house

The kids loved the library!!

After they departed, we rested and then got ready for the Starlights’ Autumn Glory dance at the Elks.

See all the pictures from the dance on our website.

Click image to see the details!

We danced a lot this evening, swinging and swaying to the music and inventing new steps along the way!

I should mention that we were not the only ones “gettin’ down’ and dancing!

We were home by 10:00 pm and crashed; it has been a long and busy day!

Good Night

Posted in Dancing, Elks, Family, Friends, Fun | Leave a comment

A Slow Weekend!

Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Today I did not even touch my camera! We just worked around the house and got things ready for the upcoming adventure. We watched some TV, walked the garden, and straightened things up for tomorrow’s visit with David, Mary’s son, and his family! Some days can be just for relaxing; after all, we are retired.

Since the little boys are coming over tomorrow, Mary decided to make “spider eggs,” but she forgot how she did them. The Daily Diary to the rescue. Guess who gets to chop up the black olives??

Before going to bed, I checked my email and messages, and Colleen found a good picture of my father somewhere on my website (the site has almost 10,000 pages; sometimes I forget where I put things). Happy birthday, Dad; you look pretty darn good for 120 years old!

I have fond memories of Dad and I traveling all over central Europe in the summer of 1961. Dad liked to travel, Mom stayed home, and Dad and I saw the world!

On the SS Vulcaniacrossing fromm New York to Italy, about to go to dinner!

Here is some trivia about the MSS or SS Vulcania:

  • SS Vulcania was an Italian ocean liner built for Cosulich Line.
  • She was launched in 1926 and entered service in 1928.
  • Her sister ship was the SS Saturnia.
  • Vulcania operated mainly on routes between Italy and the Americas, including transatlantic passenger service.
  • She was built by Cantiere Navale Triestino in Monfalcone, Italy.
  • The ship was powered by diesel engines, so despite often being called a “steamship,” she was technically a motor ship, sometimes styled MS Vulcania.
  • During World War II, she was used in wartime service and later returned to civilian passenger operations.
  • After the war, Vulcania helped transport many emigrants and displaced persons from Europe to North and South America.
  • She remained in service for decades before being scrapped in the 1970s.

Good night, all!!

Good Night

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Oh My! We Nearly Lost A Computer

Posted on Friday, September 18, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We were up and moving before 7:00 a.m., heading to the office for our daily cage match with the digital world. On the bright side, I learned several colorful new words that apparently can be used to describe a computer — none of which are listed in the owner’s manual.

After peeling Mary off the wall and administering emergency treatment — three strong coffees and a stern look at the monitor — she slowly returned to normal.

Okay, okay… it wasn’t that bad.

There was no wine involved.

It was coffee.

Lots of coffee.

The computer, however, may never be the same. It got so scared that it panicked, froze, made a weird noise, and spilled 1’s and 0’s over the floor.

Poor thing had a digital accident.

Strike one!!!

After beating the computer to death and yelling incantations not heard since the Vikings landed in the New World, we went for a walk in the garden. Many of the vegetables went into hiding from Dr. Mary!

We spotted some pumpkins brave enough not to hide, and they soon severed their relationship with their vines! In a few weeks, they may become Mary’s world-renowned homemade pumpkin pie!

Directly from the garden

We walked around the garden pulling the last of the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. When we return from our trip, everything else will be decapitated, and we will be ready to plant the winter garden! Of course, that means we will have to turn the soil, pick some weeds, and put in a round of fertilizer!

When we get to work, Mary will put on her farming duds and call the pig to help!

On the farm!

Our basic plants are doing well because of the forest this year, with several of the plants growing four feet tall!

The Basil Forest

Basil is a fragrant herb commonly used in dishes such as pesto, pasta, salads, soups, and Thai dishes. It can be a healthy addition to meals, though it is usually eaten in small amounts.

Potential health benefits of basil:

  • Rich in antioxidants: Basil contains plant compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols that may help protect cells from oxidative stress.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: Some compounds in basil may help reduce inflammation, especially when part of an overall healthy diet.
  • Supports heart health: Basil contains small amounts of magnesium and potassium, and replacing salt-heavy flavorings with herbs like basil may help lower sodium intake.
  • May support digestion: Basil has traditionally been used to ease mild digestive discomfort, though evidence is limited.
  • Contains vitamins and minerals: Basil provides vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and manganese in small amounts.

At noon-ish, we went back inside, and Mary prepared the daily vittles, consisting of a homemade pastrami sandwich and ta-bool-la, complete with our cucumbers and hummus. Mary keeps us well-fed and well-nourished.

Lunch is served!

Her sandwich creation was fantastic! The English muffins are a treat, and the lettuce and tomatoes were freshly picked from our garden! The pastrami was from Monday’s lunch. This beats a hamburger any day!

A healthy lunch

Around 2:00 pm, Joe arrived and heroically completed the Great Flagpole Relocation Project of Casa Valencia.

Previously, the flagpole stood in the garden outside the fence, which meant that every time I wanted to raise or lower the flags, I had to embark on an expedition through bushes, dirt, and rose bushes—basically a patriotic obstacle course with thorns. Joe, being a man of both wisdom and self-preservation, suggested we move the pole inside the fence onto the concrete front patio slab, where flag duty would no longer require jungle survival skills.

We cleaned out a hole the cement-driller guys had made in the pad, positioned the flagpole foundation tube, leveled it with the precision of NASA engineers, and filled the hole with rapid-set concrete. By tomorrow afternoon, the flags will once again fly proudly over Casa Valencia—without anyone needing a machete or a tetanus shot.

Afterward, Joe came inside and enjoyed some of Mary’s homemade tookies while making work calls, proving he can multitask at an elite level: business in one hand, cookie in the other.

And best of all, I got two great pictures of him, which may or may not be used later for historical documentation, blackmail, or the Casa Valencia Hall of Fame.

Our own construction worker!

After Joe departed, we continued getting ready for the trip. Mary ironed my shirts, and I polished some shoes.

The nightly call to Robin occurred at 7:30 pm. We laughed and giggled with her and Bob for almost thirty minutes.

We then settled in and watched a Reacher spinoff, Neagley, until around 10:00 pm. Neagley is an American action crime television series created by Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton for Amazon Prime Video. Based on the character created by Lee Child, it is a spin-off of the television series Reacher. It stars Maria Sten, who reprises her role as Frances Neagley from Reacher.

I had allergies last night and kept blowing my nose, sniffling, and coughing. It must have sounded like a Model-T just as it ran out of gas!

So, when I dozed off, “The Kleenex Fairy” apparently visited me.

Apparently, the Kleenex Fairy had reached her limit with my sniffling, sneezing, and Olympic-level nose-blowing.

Taking matters into her own tiny, tissue-powered hands, she staged an intervention while I was asleep — burying me under a mountain of Kleenex like some congested archaeological exhibit. Naturally, she also snapped a photo right as I was waking up, because even magical beings need evidence.

As I slowly came to, confused and partially mummified, I heard her make her escape — accompanied by a very distinctive cackling sound.

After finally digging myself out of Tissue Mountain, I did the only sensible thing left to do:

I went to bed.

We finally crashed around 11:30 pm.

Good Night

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Another Thursday Means Girls’ Night Out

Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The clock read 6:00 am, and my eyes opened, ready to take on the day. Sleeping Beauty made some sounds but then fell back to sleep, as yesterday was very busy! Finally, at 7:08 am, I ran in and kissed her, and she awoke immediately… screaming and throwing things at me! She was expecting a handsome prince, not me!

Come with me, and I shall take you away… to Peak Performance!

And off we went in the carriage drawn by seven little dwarfs! At the gym, we rode our bicycles for miles and gleefully watched the staff and members dig into Antony’s birthday box of dates.

Dates were not really “discovered” by one person. They grow on date palm trees, native to the Middle East and North Africa. Ancient people likely found them growing naturally and realized they were sweet, nutritious, and easy to dry and store. Dates have been cultivated for thousands of years, especially in places like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula.

  • Dates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, grown for over 5,000 years.
  • They come from the date palm tree.
  • Dates are naturally very sweet and are often used as a natural sweetener.
  • A single date palm can produce hundreds of pounds of dates in a year.
  • Dates are important in Middle Eastern and North African cultures.
  • They are commonly eaten to break the fast during Ramadan.
  • Dates contain fiber, potassium, magnesium, and natural sugars.
  • Popular types include Medjool, Deglet Noor, and Barhi.

On our way home, we decided not to eat breakfast since we were heading to the lodge for lunch; it’s Girl’s Night Out!

Lunch at the Elks was fun, as always, and I got the tickets for other friends who are joining us on Halloween. We have finally figured out our costumes for Halloween!

After returning home, we both took our beauty naps. Mary’s worked; mine did not!

Mary decided dinner needed to be light and healthy, so she tried her homemade Tabbouleh.

Tabbouleh, also transcribed as tabouleh, tabbouli, tabouli, or taboulah, is a Levantine salad of finely chopped parsley, soaked bulgur, tomatoes, mint, and onion, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and sweet pepper.

Tabbouleh is a traditional Levantine salad with deep roots in the eastern Mediterranean, especially in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan.

Its history is closely tied to the mountain regions of Lebanon and Syria, where fresh herbs, wheat, olive oil, and citrus were common ingredients. The dish likely developed as a simple rural food made from what was readily available: parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions, bulgur wheat, lemon juice, and olive oil.

The word “tabbouleh” is generally believed to come from the Arabic root related to seasoning or spicing, reflecting the dish’s bright, herb-heavy flavor. Unlike many modern versions outside the Middle East, traditional tabbouleh is primarily a parsley salad, with only a small amount of bulgur added.

Tabbouleh became a central part of mezze, the spread of small dishes served across the Levant. Over time, migration helped spread it around the world, especially to Europe, the Americas, and Australia. In many Western adaptations, the bulgur or couscous portion became larger, but in classic Lebanese-style tabbouleh, the herbs remain the main ingredient.

Today, tabbouleh is strongly associated with Lebanese cuisine, though it is enjoyed throughout the Levant and beyond as a symbol of fresh, seasonal Mediterranean cooking.

Delicious!

Again, I am blessed with a partner in life who loves trying new things and is fearless in the kitchen.

By the by, my next recipe is banana bacon. Say what? Yes, banana bacon! Great in sandwiches, burgers, breakfast plates, or chopped over salads.

Ingredients

  • Peels from 2 ripe bananas, washed
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Optional: a few drops liquid smoke

Instructions

  1. Prepare the peels – Wash bananas well. Peel them, then scrape the white inside of the peel lightly with a spoon.
  2. Cut into strips – Slice the peels into long bacon-like strips.
  3. Make marinade – Mix soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, oil, and liquid smoke if available.
  4. Marinate – Coat the banana peels in the marinade. Let sit for 10–20 minutes.
  5. Cook – Heat a pan over medium heat. Fry the strips for 2–3 minutes per side until dark, sticky, and slightly crispy.
  6. Serve – Let them cool for a minute — they crisp up more as they cool.

The rest of the day we piddled. Mary did her packing list for the trip; I put together the roll-around cart. We made our daily phone calls. I worked on our Apple Picking Website and updated our Halloween 2026 Website.

After dinner, we watched Reacher again. Mary decided to check for light leaks (her eyes closed and she took a nap). I ended up staying awake until 1:00 am when the Sandman sent a nasty text demanding I get horizontal.

Good Night

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