Meet the real Energizer Bunny! Mary was outside picking veggies at 6:30 am!
Busy? We walked through the garden at 6:30 am, followed by breakfast and a 10:00 am appointment with Scout’s doctor. At 1:00 pm, we had an appointment at the gym, a 2:40 pm appointment with Dr. Annie (I have a loose tooth), and a dinner appointment with Vicky and Jim at 5:00 pm. Finally, we are going to the Barkley Theater at 7:30 pm to see Celtic Throne. A typical day with the occupants of Casa Valencia! Let’s get started!
Poor Scout! At this time of year, his allergies get to him, and he’s miserable, so today, he went to the vet and got an allergy shot!
The baby scratches constantly, so it is time for a shot!
I trimmed the Brussels sprouts from the plant, bagged them, and we soaked them before putting them in the frig. The last harvest was fantastic, as we love Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are named after Brussels, Belgium, where it is believed they were first widely cultivated in the 16th century. Sometimes called mini cabbages, they have appeared on “most hated vegetable” lists due to their potentially bitter flavors caused by sulfur-containing compounds.
I clipped off the remaining Brussels sprouts; they were excellent!
The lights still go on from the motion detector at 6:30 am, OR perhaps they were warning the bunnies that Dr. Mary and her pet scalpel had just entered the garden.
6:30 am, and the doctor is in the operating room.
I’ll try my best to make it funny:
Mary is on a mission for those SunGold tomatoes because apparently, they’re like eating sugar cubes! She’s also discovered some sneaky squash, and we’re both gearing up to pick green beans because apparently, they’re at their peak growing period. It’s a veggie treasure hunt out here!
Dr. Annie got a gift from Dr. Mary today!
The box was bursting with goodies! We’re delighted to have our friends enjoy the veggies because we’re practically swimming in fruit all summer. When we go on vacation, we’ll have to invite friends to help with the fruity invasion!
The veggies are looking fantastic.
The spaghetti squash is about done. There were eight on this particular plant; two had already been picked. We have at least one more plant growing in the back of the garden!
Here Are Some Fun Facts About Spaghetti Squash:
Name—Spaghetti squash gets its name from its resemblance to spaghetti. When cooked, the flesh separates into strands that can be used as a substitute for noodles. Spaghetti squash is also known as spaghetti, noodle squash, and vegetable spaghetti.
Color—Spaghetti squash’s orange flesh contains more beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for vision, skin, and immune function.
Nutrition – Spaghetti squash is a nutrient-dense winter squash with fiber and low in calories. It also contains potassium, folic acid, vitamin A, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B6, and niacin. One cup of spaghetti squash has 40 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of fiber.
Preparation – Spaghetti squash can be prepared by microwaving, boiling, steaming, or baking. After cooking, you can gently scrape the flesh from its shell to make it look like angel hair pasta.
History – Spaghetti squash was first grown in Manchuria, China, in the mid-1850s.
Spaghetti Squash, anyone?
9:45 AM, and the adventure begins! It’s time for our dog’s annual shots and to consult the doctor about his constant scratching. I think he’s trying to audition for a role in a flea circus!
On our way, we use the time to make appointments and take care of phone business. I now have my Trapeziectomy scheduled for early August. It removes the trapezium, a small, cube-shaped bone at the base of the thumb joint that connects the thumb to the wrist. This is the most common surgery for thumb arthritis and can help with pain that worsens during movement or activity. After surgery, the surgeon may fill the gap with a tendon, artificial joint, or spacer. Most people experience improved symptoms, such as decreased pain and better use of their thumb, after a trapeziectomy.
We were at the doggy doctor’s office for an hour and then returned home to drop off Scout before our appointment at the torture chamber at 1:00 pm. They discovered one additional muscle in my poor body that had not been bent. By 2:00 pm, we were free and on our way to the dentist.
The tooth decided it was time for a solo adventure and made a daring escape. After some cleanup and some expert super glue application, we were back on the road—thank goodness for TLC dental work!
No ouchs here; Dr Anne is pain-free!
After visiting Anne, we zoomed home to change clothes into “theater duds,” so we could be presentable. We both wore green since we were seeing Celtic Themes.
Vicky made reservations for four at Muldoons, a famous watering hole near the Fashion Island shopping center. Muldoon’s ivy-covered double-brick building wins architectural awards because of its four unique spaces, including two distinct pubs, a beautiful patio, and a charming dining room, all under one roof! The Dublin Pub was the first bar, built-in 1974 entirely of oak, brick, and brass, with the bulldog mascot stunningly rendered in stained glass. It expanded into a beautiful dining room with loads of fun!
It is an excellent hideaway from the typical day in Newport!
When in Ireland, Guinness is mandatory! We enjoyed the beer but MAry, being so generous, poured half of hers into my glass.
Muldoon’s has Guinness.
I participated in the fine event, downing a pint (and a half) as we made it through dinner.
We both enjoyed a pint!
Vicky called and said she and Jim would NOT make it as they were still in Downey at a doctor’s office. We took the reservation and made it for two.
An hour later, we got a call from the captain of the rocket named Kuhn Starshooter (a flying machine that sometimes takes on the appearance of a Kia Genesis) , saying she was fifteen minutes away. We heard a sound like thunder in the background, but it was Vicky going through the sound barrier.
A few moments later, we smelled burnt rubber and heard squealing noises from the back door. Then, a loud sound reminded me of drag chutes opening on the Space Shuttle! A cloud of blueish-grey smoke wafted through the restaurant and we could just make out two people coming in our direction, coughing loudly.
It was Vicky, still wearing her flight suit, towing Jim, eyes glazed over, making the sign of the cross and mumbling something about “warp speed” and the “Wookie.”
We were almost done, but Vicky knew exactly what they wanted and placed the orders; we had a lovely meal.
My partner-in-crime had her favorite, a stuffed baked potato. The stuffing was pieces of steak with peas and slathered with cheese.
Guess who got potatoes with all the trimmings?
We departed Muldoons at 6:45 pm for a fifteen-minute drive to the theater (according to our GPS). Vicky said to follow her; she knew a shortcut.
She fired up the rockets on her vehicle. Jim was shaking his head while fastening his five-point safety harness and putting on his crash helmet/ All of a sudden, flames shot out the back pf Vicky’s vehicle about fifty feet, singing the stone wall of the parking lot, and poof, she was gone.
There were faint fumes from the hydrogen and oxygen remaining.
I fired up all six cylinders of our meek little Lexus and attempted to follow her and keep up. Poor Silver Fox was embarrassed that he could not keep up. We did manage to follow her as Jim kept throwing our bread crumbs and prayer notes as we went through Newport and just under Mach one!
We pulled into the parking lot behind Vicky, and Jim was kissing the floor and mumbling something about Terra firma.
We walked to the theater but had to stop for a photo op!
Just goofy us!
Vicky had the tickets, and fortunately, her walking speed was a tad slower, so we could manage to keep up!
“Come on, guys!!”
We made it! Jim was ready to go inside. His flight suit (complete with a parachute) was neatly folded and put away!
Always an adventure with Vicky!
When we got inside, Vicky asked me to check the seat number, and I told her immediately. She said, “No, check the one on the back of the chair!” To my surprise and delight, Vicky had purchased a lifetime seat tag with my name on it! I was flabbergasted, especially when I found out it was for perpetuity! This was NOT inexpensive.
Thank you, dear friend, for the wonderful thought. Anytime we go to Barkley, I will ask for “my chair” in Row L (Duh!), seat 2!
One can always count on Vicky for an extraordinary thought!
The show was terrific. The Celtic Throne was created by Herbert W. Armstrong College and Armstrong Dance, with original new music from Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne (Heartbeat of Home), Celtic Throne celebrates the dramatic and mysterious origins of Irish dance. Infused with innovative choreography, dazzling costumes, and spectacular lighting and projection, Celtic Throne follows the millennia-long journey of a music-and-dance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States.
We were all tired after watching these young people, and as a surprise, they were all from Oklahoma! Plus, they are mostly related to each other somehow.
They got a genuine standing ovation!
They were truly unique!
On our way home, Vicky went north, and we went east. As she turned onto the 405 freeway, we witnessed the rocket ignite. Flames poured out of the engines and within seconds the asphalt was melting from the extreme heat.
Soon thereafter, the radio program we were listening to was stopped by an emergency announcement. They reported a UFO had been spotted flashing by Huntington Beach, leaving behind shock waves for miles. Vicky was headed home.
We, in the Silver Fox, were crawling along at a breathtaking 70 miles per hour and miraculously made it home by 10:00 p.m. It was like a snail setting a new land speed record.
