No gym today, as we planned to take Dianne to the doctor for an eye checkup after her operation. We moved gym day to Thursday. Well, around 9:15, Dianne called and asked where we were. We had a puzzled look on our faces. Her appointment was at 10:00 am, NOT 11:00 am. Our first mistake in five years!
So we continued working in the office, waiting for Dianne’s phone call, because she plans to stop by and yell at us. Really? No, Dianne joined us at a Lebanese/Mediterrean restaurant in Anaheim.
I, as the man, took charge! It was OK because I asked Mary and Dianne if it was OK! They allowed me 15 minutes with unfettered control.
Why did the hummus break up with the pita? Because it felt like it was being spread too thin.
We began with some hummus. It is healthy! Hummus typically has about 2–3 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving. Here’s some hummus trivia:
• “Hummus” means “chickpea” in Arabic. The full name is often hummus bi tahini, meaning chickpeas with tahini.
• Its exact origin is debated among several Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, including Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian, Egyptian, Israeli, and Turkish food traditions.
• Classic hummus has only a few core ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
• Tahini is made from sesame seeds, and it gives hummus much of its creamy texture and nutty flavor.
• Chickpeas are ancient — they’ve been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years.
• Hummus is naturally vegan when made traditionally.
• It’s high in plant-based protein and fiber, thanks to the chickpeas.
• Warm hummus is common in some regions; it’s not always served cold.
• There have been “hummus wars” over who makes the largest plate of hummus. Lebanon and Israel have both competed for world records.
• The biggest hummus dish ever made weighed over 10,000 kg.
• Hummus can be ultra-smooth if the chickpeas are peeled or cooked with a little baking soda.
• Common toppings include olive oil, paprika, parsley, whole chickpeas, pine nuts, cumin, or minced meat.
• In many places, hummus is eaten as a meal, not just a dip.
• Chocolate hummus exists, though traditionalists may have strong opinions about it.
• May 13 is International Hummus Day.
Dianne almost flipped when the family platter arrived! We took half of it home with us!
Mary and I dove into the feast like it was our last meal! I get all of her bell peppers and onions, which is good! No smooching tonight! Mediterranean cuisine spans three continents and is anchored by the classic “Mediterranean triad” of wheat, olives, and grapes. This regional style of eating emphasizes fresh produce, healthy fats, and shared meals.
We looked at all that food and nearly passed out. We ordered the family plate, which is one Filet Mignon Shish Kebab, one Salmon, one Juicy Chicken, one skewer of Beef Koobideh, one skewer of Chicken Koobideh, served with Basmati rice and salad. We attacked it with vigor but could only finish about half of the meal.
Then came dessert! Oh my! We had:
- Roche, a vanilla hazelnut mousse with praline and soft caramel filling, covered with milk chocolate and roasted almonds
- Exotic, which was Caribbean mousse (pineapple, coconut, passion fruit, banana, lemon) with Mango and passion fruit filling and pistachio sponge cake.
- Valentino, which is Dark Chocolate mousse, raspberry insert, coconut sponge cake
We loved the desserts, some more than others!
I explained to Mary that these are calorie-free!
We returned home to the sound of our cleaning people, and while working in the office, Mary came across a phone number for Joseph Egan Tracy, my colleague/roommate, which Joe (our son) had given us. We had tried the number several times over the last month, but to no avail. I thought I would try it again, and voila, he answered. We jabbered for thirty minutes. I hadn’t seen or spoken to him for almost 50 years!
Needless to say, I was ecstatic about the call!! To this day, I remember Joe dressed up in a toga while we all pulled a full-sized Roman chariot down 28th Street at USC during Greek Week with Joe riding and whipping us mercilessly!
Quickly, I went to a group of OLD pictures, and I have displayed below a 50+-year-old picture of Joe and me at my La Mirada home, tearing out part of a patio cover and breaking up a concrete patio to make room for a room addition. The addition was almost 800 square feet and consisted of a family room and a bed room/office.
As the cleaners departed, we continued cleaning our desks and got ready for a dip in the pool! Our stack of paper is being reduced inch by inch! No longer are we fearful of an earthquake burying us alive under reams of paper! We kept working in the office until 8:00 pm, when it was time for our daily swim!
We were back inside the house at 10:00 pm and decided it was time to crash. We have a long day ahead tomorrow, starting with the gym, the Girls Night Out, and the kidney doctor.
