Thursday And We Are Off Again!

Posted on Thursday, July 2, 2026 by Paul

Push harder; I still cannot see the scale!!  Mary is always there to assist me!

Another busy day began!  After coffee and our high-level morning strategy meeting—also known as”figuring out what we forgot to do yesterday”—Mary headed to the showers to prepare for Girls Night Out.

While she was busy becoming even more beautiful, I reported to the patio for my own transformation: from an ordinary husband to an amateur irrigation specialist.  I juggled two hanging plants, wrestled a drip line up the patio post, and somehow convinced water to travel into baskets on purpose.

At this rate, I’m basically becoming a plumber—just without the license, the truck, or any idea what I’m doing.

We moved the table inside the house and set up for Saturday’s main event before taking off to the Elks.  The whole time I was working, I was thinking about how much I enjoy my life.

After careful consideration, I have decided to keep Mary around!

The Elks were only six of us today.  Iris and Will, George, and Bob Z!  We enjoyed lunch, and I even went off the reservation and tried their teriyaki chicken bowl with veggies, a nice change!

On the way home, we stopped by Manchurro Farms on Newport Blvd and grabbed twenty pieces of fresh corn.  Now, except for the ice, we are ready for Saturday’s cooking fest!

We also got a flat of strawberries,s which will disappear quickly!!

We headed home and spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for Saturday.  And by”getting ready,” I mean Mary worked while I conducted a very important two-hour field study on the patio chair, testing the effects of beautiful weather on a tired man.

The results were conclusive: sunshine, fresh air, and a comfortable chair will knock me out faster than a lullaby and a warm blanket.

Around 5:30 pm, we saw Robin coming into the backyard from the side of the house.  Apparently our Ring Doorbell’s battery went flat!

We talked for a while, and Mary showed off her latest diamond paintings.  We then headed to Rogrido’s Mexican Restaurant, where we delighted in sampling their menu.  I was not fooling around; I went for the chili verde.

Here’s some chile verde trivia:

• “Chile verde” means “green chile” in Spanish, but it usually refers to a stew made with pork and green chiles.

• The green color typically comes from tomatillos, green chiles, cilantro, and sometimes lime.

• It’s especially popular in the American Southwest, particularly New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California.

• Traditional versions often use pork shoulder, because it becomes tender after slow cooking.

• Tomatillos aren’t green tomatoes—they’re a different fruit, related to the gooseberry, with a tart flavor.

• Common chiles used include Anaheim, Hatch, poblano, jalapeño, and serrano.

• Hatch green chile is famous because it comes from the Hatch Valley region of New Mexico.

• Chile verde can be served as a stew, in burritos, over rice, with eggs, or smothered on enchiladas.

• The heat level can vary a lot depending on the peppers—some versions are mild, others are very spicy.

• In New Mexico, people often ask “red or green?” when ordering chile sauce.  If you want both, you say “Christmas.”

We got a lot of comments about our outfits being patriotic!

Just us, decorated for the season!

After dinner, we called Nick and Layla, and Mary showed them how to download some paperwork, convert it to .pdf format, and upload it to another online application.  The kids are moving to a larger, less expensive apartment closer to their work, and they had to provide some information in .pdf format.

Then it was time for the pool because it was a balmy 93 degrees—also known as Florida preheat.”

Robin had forgotten her swimsuit, so naturally, being the thoughtful gentleman I am, I offered her one of mine.

She turned me down flat, and honestly, I have NO idea why.  I mean, whowouldn’tt want to spend the evening in a slightly stretched pair of men’s trunks with questionable elastic and a mysterious sunscreen stain from 2017?

What the heck is that in our pool?

Robin got a close-up, and here we are singing “Splish Splash”.

45 minutes of floating is really relaxing.

After the dunk, the three of us sat by the fire and proceeded to solve all the world’s problems.  Unfortunately, no one from the world was there taking notes, so they remain unsolved.

We looked up at the sky and could see exactly one star, which felt a little stingy.  Curiosity got the better of us, so Robin grabbed my iPhone and opened an app called SkyView.  I pointed it at the lone bright object, and the app immediately informed us that our “star” was actually Venus.

So not only did we fail to solve the world’s problems, but we also misidentified a planet—a big night for science.

Sitting there by the fire, I thought a lot about my dad, who would have been 120 years old.  I found myself wishing he could see me now—82 years old, happy, healthy, surrounded by people I love, and still learning the difference between a star and a planet.

Not bad for a guy who just got dunked and lived to tell about it.

Dad is sitting in my Aunt Opal’s house, and an old picture of his parents is on the wall behind him!

Dad was an amazing man!

The three of us headed to the TV room and watched the last three episodes of  The Last Ship before toddling off to night night.

Another good day!

 

Posted in Dining Out, Elks, Family | Comments Off on Thursday And We Are Off Again!

Six Months Until Christmas!

Posted on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 by Paul

OK, you got me!  It’s 177 days until Christmas!

Today marks the official launch of our highly classified, deeply serious, borderline Olympic-level preparations for the soirée celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.

Before voluntarily submitting ourselves to Peak Performance and their cheerful squad of fitness goblins, we gathered like true patriots: clutching coffee, inhaling our early-morning protein, and plotting our Saturday readiness strategy with the intensity of generals planning a beach landing.

There were schedules.  There were snacks.  There was mild panic.  The republic may or may not be ready, but we are caffeinated.

We are invincible!!    Mary whispered, “Watch those hands there, big boy!!”

The plan includes:

  • Cleaning the BBQ
  • Setting up the tables
  • Bringing in and cleaning off the patio chairs
  • Finishing decorating.
  • Doing the marketing
  • Setting up the ice chest/getting ice
  • Setting the tables
  • Trip to the liquor store
  • Making the garden ready to visit and pick
  • Getting the pool ready
  • Straightening up the patio

It was time to go get beat up—also known as “working out”—, and as I turned the corner toward the garage, there stood Mary, ready for battle.

“I am ready!” she announced.

I had to gently explain that she was, in fact, three days early for whatever event she thought we were attending—and that for today’s punishment, she needed to go back inside and put on the official uniform of suffering: the warm-up suit.

MARY!  That is not your exercise outfit!

We got to the gym right on time, sprinting toward the stationary bikes like the Tour de France had called and said, “We’re desperate.”

We mounted those bikes like professional cowgirls and cowboys, and I immediately yelled, “Giddy-up, old steed!  Let’s ride the range and catch those no-good rustlers!” at the exact moment a group of high school kids walked by.

There was a long silence.

So naturally, I pointed at Mary and shrugged, as if to say, “She’s been like this all morning.”

After riding five whole miles to absolutely nowhere, we then endured sixty grueling minutes of being pushed, pulled, stretched, twisted, and folded by the staff and their impressive collection of medieval torture devices disguised as exercise equipment.
And that’s why, on Mondays and Wednesdays, I never eat Rice Krispies for breakfast.  I want to be certain that any snaps, crackles, or pops are coming from me—and not my cereal.

After the workout, we went to the market and filled a basket with goodies for Saturday.  We were excited just thinking about Saturday!  One year ago we were all dressed for the event!!

Remember last year!  Robin, Dianne, and Dr. Mary from last year!

OK!  Groceries are put away—well, at least the cold stuff, because we’re responsible adults up to a point.

Then we changed clothes and headed to Huntington Beach for the every-two-month ear-lowering ceremony, also known to civilians as a haircut.

And today, in honor of this glamorous occasion, we took Precious… because nothing says “fresh trim” like arriving in a fire-engine-red car that looks like it’s either headed to a parade or fleeing one.

We arrived at about 12:30 pm, so we have about 90 minutes to indulge in their specials, since their happy hour runs all day!  We decided to sit at the bar and watch all the activities from our perch.

It is located next to our hair salon!

We, being simple folks, settled for a glass of wine to enjoy with all our goodies.  We shared stuffed mushrooms, spicy meatballs, a caprese salad, and something with veal!

The Black Trumpet has quite a selection of drinks!

After the meal, we were tempted by the dessert tray as the waitress passed it under our noses.  My palate went for the chocolate cake, and Mary shared it with me.

We could NOT pass up dessert!

Then the alarm went off, and we went next door to get clipped.

Just us! I need longer arms when we do a selfie!

I went first, then made the highly strategic decision to return to the Black Trumpet for one more glass of wine and a comfortable chair—because after a haircut, a man needs recovery time.

I spent the next hour with my head buried in my electronic book, serving alongside a Navy team on a missile cruiser somewhere near Central America.  We were fighting insurgents, which seemed like a productive use of time compared to, say, folding laundry.

By 3:30 pm, it was time to head home and get ready to go out again.  Today was officially a go-go day.  We freshened up, performed a record-setting eight-minute turnaround, and headed off to the Elks Lodge, where the Elks would investigate Lee for membership.

Mary and I both vouched for Lee as an excellent candidate, which was brave of us, considering we’ve known her long enough to have evidence both for and against her. Then Lee was taken aside for a private interview with the investigator, while Mary and I did what any supportive sponsors would do: we went to the bar.

There we ran into Bill Capps, who was also sponsoring a new member.  We found a table for six and settled in for a fine Elks meal. Lee had steak and a baked potato, while Mary and I split one meal between us—apparently under the mistaken belief that Elks portions are designed for humans and not a small construction crew. We took plenty home.

Lee and I go way back.  We were high school friends, and in fact, we went to the prom together sixty-three years ago!  At this point, the Elks weren’t just investigating her membership—they were practically dealing with historical archives.

Hello ladies!

Lee and I have kept in touch all this time.  Sue and Lee became good friends.  Lee joined us at the Elks for many dances.  After Sue passed, I introduced Lee to Mary, and that has been fun ever since.

At the Elks!

It was dark when we headed home, and upon arrival, we found the TV room and almost finished the series entitled The Last Ship.  At 11:00 pm, we had only three episodes left, but the Sandman won the battle.

What a day!  We were on the go continuously for twelve hours straight.

 

Posted in Elks, Friends, Gym, Just Us | Comments Off on Six Months Until Christmas!

It’s Almost July And It’s Overcast And Cool???

Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 by Paul

I always wondered how she kept her coffee warm!

Our collective carcasses became operational a little before 6:00 am, which is deeply suspicious behavior for retired people.  We’ll be sending our internal timers to the shop for immediate repair.  Retired and awake at 6:00 am?  What is this nonsense??

Before cleaning up and pretending to be presentable for the day, I made a few modifications to the dripline.  Since we moved six stalks of corn to the patio, the planter needed some additional irrigation—although, given the circumstances, “irritation” may also be accurate.

While Mary trimmed, I wrestled with the drip system until everything was properly balanced and no plant could accuse us of favoritism.  We worked until about 10:00 am., at which point it was time to stop looking like garden gremlins and get ready to go.

Before going inside, I checked the berry patch!

The berries are ripening faster than we can eat them!

Here’s some blackberry trivia:

• Blackberries are not true berries botanically—they’re aggregate fruits, made of many tiny drupelets.

• Each little bump on a blackberry is called a drupelet, and each contains a seed.

• Blackberries are related to roses, apples, raspberries, and strawberries.

• Wild blackberry bushes are often called brambles.

• A blackberry plant’s thorny canes can create nearly impenetrable thickets.

• Blackberries have been eaten for thousands of years and were used in folk medicine for sore throats and digestive issues.

• They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants.

• Blackberries turn from green to red to deep purple-black as they ripen.

• In folklore, it was sometimes considered unlucky to pick blackberries after a certain autumn date because they were said to be “spoiled” by the devil.

We go out morning and night to do our picking.

I had to stop picking and eating because we had errands to do!

First, we are off to see the vampire!  Yes, I needed another blood test for a doctor’s appointment next week.   I like visiting my phlebotomy technician sometimes known as Elvira!

Be gentle, dear!  Because Doc Cote is watching!!

After the bloodletting, we went to Benjie’s for lunch since it was right up the street!!  Benjie’s was as expected, wonderful.  I was a good boy and decided NOT to have my normal root beer float since I have gone over my sweet 190 pounds.

Leaving Benjie’s, we went to Staples to get a 2027 calendar because some of our upcoming events are not in 2027.

Next stop was Home Depot, where we picked up some patio hanging baskets and extra potting soil!

The Silver Fox became a pickup truck again!

Home again, home again, home again, all!   Since we are having a party on Saturday, we did some decorating, and I spent an hour separating about 1,000 “diamonds” that were accidentally mixed up yesterday.

Mary decided to decorate me in the process!

While Mary decorated for the 4th, I sorted through 1,000 “diamonds” that had gotten mixed up.

We sat in the kitchen so a) Mary would have a chair that supports sitting up, b) a place where the lighting would not make one go blind, and c) a hard surface to hold the tools and supplies, making it handy!  Oh, I forgot, a place to see the latest episode of “The Last Ship”!

Hard at work in the kitchen.

Diamond painting is a relaxing craft where you place thousands of tiny, faceted resin “diamonds” (drills) onto a pre-coded, adhesive canvas.  It combines the principles of cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers to create vibrant, shimmering mosaic-style artwork.

How It Works:

  • The Canvas: Features a printed design broken down into a grid of symbols and letters.  Each symbol corresponds to a specific diamond color.
  • The Tools: Using an applicator pen dipped in wax, you pick up individual diamonds and place them perfectly onto the sticky canvas.
  • The Diamonds: Usually 5D, meaning they feature 5 cut facets on each side to catch and refract light.  They are either round (easier to place) or square (create a tighter, tile-like mosaic fit).

It’s amazing being married to an MD who specializes in eye surgery.  She performs her artwork with a professional touch!

Today’s mission: finish the July 4th 250th celebration plaque in time for Saturday’s display — because nothing says “patriotic spirit” like racing a deadline with a chisel and mild panic.

Tedioous but somehow relazing.

Each little “diamond” reflects the light so the entire thing sparkles!

We love the results.

We sat there until 11:30 pm, watching “The Last Ship” and sipping Chardonnay mixed with Perrier water to dilute the wine but still enjoy the flavor.

Yesterday, a name came to mind: John P. Mattei.  He was one of my managers in the Shuttle Avionics Development Laboratory back in 1975.   He took care of test equipment, console design, and all the engineering drawings we needed to hook up to the Shuttle avionics boxes that flowed through our laboratory.  He was one of the six managers I had at the time.

I looked him up online today and tried to call the number, but it was no longer in service.  I found out a little later that he was also not in service.  John passed in 2014, almost twelve years ago.  I was nostalgic and a bit sorry his name didn’t come to me earlier.

We crashed at midnight after laughing and giggling all evening long.

Posted in Doctor, Food and Wine, Working Around House | Comments Off on It’s Almost July And It’s Overcast And Cool???

The Week Starts Again!

Posted on Monday, June 29, 2026 by Paul

Mary decided we might stay home today and avoid the gym since she did her exercises early.

After several highly serious, boardroom-level discussions, I finally convinced Dr. Mary that yes, we really should go to the gym and voluntarily subject ourselves to a 90-minute workout.

So off we went to Peak Performance, proudly wearing our latest disguises and hoping the trainers would be feeling sympathetic enough not to destroy us completely.

To improve our chances of survival, we also arrived bearing a boxload of tomatoes and basil for the gang — because nothing says “please go easy on us” like fresh produce.

We are still clowning around after being married five years!

We headed home immediately as Mary scheduled a massage for us at 11:00 am.  She does take care of me!

I went first today, and after an hour I was officially weak as a kitten.  After I managed to get up, I licked a little milk from a bowl Mary had thoughtfully placed on the kitchen floor, then crawled off to my happy spot to recover and reconsider my life choices.

Mary went next and escaped with only a few screams.  She did pretty well.  There were a couple of “ouchies,” a few dramatic “ohhhhs,” and maybe one sound usually heard in haunted houses — but other than that, completely normal.

After the massage, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing until about 2:30, when we headed out to the garden for an hour or so to get things ready for this weekend’s celebrations.  Nothing says “party prep” like dirt, sweat, and pretending we still have energy.

At 8:00 pm, we jumped in the pool and floated around for a good hour, looking less like athletes and more like two retired pool toys.  Then it was off to the TV room, where we performed our final act of the day: sitting very still until bedtime.

Posted in Gym, Just Us | Comments Off on The Week Starts Again!

Sunday And We Are Going To Relax

Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2026 by Paul

We arrived at the office at the same time, checked our emails, and caught up on the news—because apparently that’s what responsible adults do before the real excitement begins.  We’re also looking forward to Hannah and her family visiting in August, so the countdown has officially started.

Around 10:00 am., I mysteriously vanished from the office.  No panic was necessary—I wasn’t abducted.  I had answered the irresistible call of the kitchen to start cooking breakfast.  Priorities!

Sweet bell peppers will soon get mushrooms and broccoli

I thought it would be an omelet, but after a few minutes, a scramble seemed in order.

I added an English muffin and canned peaches to the meal!

The meal ended up somewhere between a scramble and an omelet.

Omelet Trivia:

  • The words “omelet” and “omelet” are both correct.  Omelet is the preferred American spelling, while omelet is more common in British English and French.
  • The world’s largest omelet was made in 2012 in Ferreira do Zêzere using 145,000 eggs and weighed over 6.4 tons (14,000 pounds).
  • A classic French omelet contains just eggs, butter, and salt—no cheese, vegetables, or meat.  The filling, if any, is added just before folding.
  • The French word omelet dates back to the 16th century.
  • An average large egg contains about 6 grams of protein, so a three-egg omelet provides roughly 18 grams before adding fillings.

We added cheese to the mix and it was soooooooo very good!

We spent the rest of the day in the TV room, and in fact, we never got out of our jammies!  We binged on “The Last Ship”.  We did plan to go to the Elks for some Line Dancing, but between the last of Mary’s cold and my face looking like burnt hamburger, we decided to stay home.

Around dinner time, Mary fixed us some sandwiches, which Vicky brought from Philippe’s Restaurant in downtown LA.

In 1918, while making a policeman a sandwich, Mathieu accidentally dropped the sliced French roll into the roasting pan, which was filled with hot juices from the oven.  The policeman said he’d still take the sandwich and left.  The next day, the same policeman returned with some friends, asking for more dipped sandwiches.  The rest, they say, is history.

It is the same as I remember 75 years ago!!!

Did You Know?  Philippe’s is still in the same location they were in 1951, at a machine shop with a hotel on the second floor.   I remember driving all the way from West Los Angeles every few weeks and getting sandwiches with my Mom and Dad!  In the 1980s and 1990s, I would go there for lunch alone and bring back a dozen of their sandwiches for my Aunts who lived in Downey.

As you walk through the doors, you’ll see their unique setup.  Philippe’s has 10 servers that it refers to as “carvers.” The carvers are stationed at a long display counter with 10 lines.  Once you reach your carver, everything else is done from there.  Your carver has everything needed to take your order, make your order, and give it to you right there on the spot.

Whether your choice is one of our famous French dip sandwiches, a bowl of chili, or a hot cup of coffee, Philippe’s setup is part of the tradition that has carried on.  With the restaurant being family-owned, you’ll find an atmosphere and a menu that are always just like the original.

We watched TV until 11:00 pm and called it quits!

 

Posted in Just Us | Comments Off on Sunday And We Are Going To Relax

A Day To Remember

Posted on Saturday, June 27, 2026 by Paul

We had a successful morning.  We got up and were off and running!  Of course, coffee was the official kickoff to the day because it gets our hearts beating.  After spending some time in the office pounding away on the keyboard, we relocated to the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

We checked the RSVP list and, sure enough, the guest list for the Fourth of July keeps growing.  Dianne and Fast Eddie, Vicky and Fast Eddie, and Robin and Bob are all joining us for the celebration.  It’s shaping up to be a wonderful day filled with family, friends, great food, and plenty of patriotic fun!

“I will fly in just after 1:00 pm!”

The get together was very nice and we enjoyed remeeting many of his friends and our nniehbors.

Today we went across the street to say goodbye to our dear friend who passed away.  His daughter, Pam, is hosting an “open house” and has invited many of his friends to a celebration of life.

Few people knew, but he and I were pretty close, and we had a lot in common!  Our spouses passed away within a few weeks of each other.  He and I were longtime ham radio operators; we both had multiple bypass heart surgeries; we were avid readers; we were about a year apart in age; and we both loved technology.  Mary and I would visit him almost every day and generally bring him some of Mary’s cooking or something from the Elks Lodge.  We are sorely missed!

RIP Dear Friend

Pam had two image boards set up.

Returning home around 4:00 pm, we resumed our important national duty of binge-watching The Last Ship.  Five episodes later, we figured we’d earned a break from saving the fictional world, so we sailed ourselves over to the ol’ swimmin’ hole… otherwise known as the oversized hot tub.

For the next hour, we floated around like two retired manatees, soaking away the day’s aches while conducting highly scientific experiments on just how relaxed two people can become.

After drying off, we bravely returned to the TV room where The Last Ship called us back to active duty.  Episode after episode rolled by until the clock finally surrendered at 10:30 pm.  With our mission accomplished, we navigated the long voyage to the bedroom, dropped anchor, and were asleep faster than a submarine diving beneath the waves.

Posted in Friends, Working Around House | Comments Off on A Day To Remember

Friday And Our “To-Do/Must-Do” List Is Empty!

Posted on Friday, June 26, 2026 by Paul

We were lazy this morning and didn’t rise and shine until almost 8:00 am!!!  We can’t stay up past midnight anymore!

I did make one additional watercolor of Robin and Mary in the kitchen.

We walked around the house for a few minutes, and then I took Mary to her toe store, time for some special care for her tootsies.

We returned home and did nothing the rest of the day!  Mary’s cold has returned, so she stayed relatively quiet, and since the weather was nice, she spent most of the time on the patio.   I did some minor gardening around the house and took care of her.

We watched four episodes of The Last Ship, which is pretty good.  Summary:  A devastating virus wipes out roughly 80% of the world’s population.  The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Nathan James, which has been at sea and isolated from the outbreak, suddenly becomes one of humanity’s last functioning military assets.

The crew discovers that one of their passengers, Dr. Rachel Scott, has been secretly researching the virus in hopes of developing a cure.  Captain Tom Chandler and his crew must protect her as they navigate a world where governments have collapsed, warlords have emerged, and civilization is unraveling.

We crashed just before 10:30 pm (we had to see the last two episodes before season two started).

Posted in Working Around House | Comments Off on Friday And Our “To-Do/Must-Do” List Is Empty!

On The Go Again!

Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2026 by Paul

We got up a little late since we do not have anything going on until 9:30 am, a doctor’s appointment for Dr. Mary.  After the appointment, we dropped by the furrier to pick up Mary’s two fox stoles, which were being cleaned/revitalized.  We had no idea what they were worth, but the furrier offered Mary $ 5,000,000 on the spot to take them off her hands.

Here’s some trivia about Art Deco fox stoles:

• Peak popularity: Fox stoles were especially fashionable in the 1920s–1930s, the same era as the Art Deco movement.

• Flapper glamour: They were often worn with beaded evening dresses, cloche hats, silk gowns, and opera coats, adding drama to the sleek Art Deco silhouette.

• Whole-fox design: Many vintage fox stoles used the entire pelt, often including the head, legs, and tail.  Glass eyes and a clasp hidden in the mouth or paws were common.

• Status symbol: A fox stole signaled luxury and social status, since fur was expensive and associated with Hollywood-style elegance.

• Popular colors: Silver fox, red fox, white fox, and blue fox were especially prized.  Silver fox became a major high-fashion fur in the early 20th century.

• Hollywood influence: Film stars helped popularize fur stoles, wearing them in publicity portraits and on-screen as symbols of wealth and sophistication.

Mary!!!  It’s looking at me!

From the furrier, we went to Girls’ Night Out at the Elks and had a delightful lunch with the gang.  We arrived at 11:00 am, which was about an hour early, so we enjoyed a glass of wine for breakfast and spent time on our iPhones reading emails and watching “doggy reels”.

On the way back home, we stopped at the market to get some goodies, since we expected Zack and the gang to come over around 5:30 for a swim.  They got here, and we had so much fun watching the kids and sharing the recent events that I forgot to take pictures!!  Duh, massive photographer failure.

After the kids were out of the water, Mary brought out her s’mores kit, complete with pink marshmallows, just for Lilly.

Mary made some of her World-Famous Bruschetta, and we devoured it in a heartbeat.  We told Zack and Becca about last night’s adventure in the pool with Vicky.

Zack, Becca, and the crew departed around 7:15 pm, and we decided to settle in and watch some TV.  That plan lasted about as long as a paper umbrella in a thunderstorm, because when I woke up at midnight, I found Mary fast asleep.

Mary got ready for bed while I worked on today’s daily diary.  I also absolutely could NOT resist making a watercolor of her nibs from a visit to the Queen Mary a few years ago—because clearly what the world needed was more artistic evidence of my questionable self-control.

Dang!  She gets prettier every year!

Good night, all!

Posted in Doctor, Elks, Family | Comments Off on On The Go Again!

Hump Day Has Arrived!!

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 by Paul

We were up and ready to go to the House of Pain, also known as Peak Performance.  We had our coffee mixed with 30 grams of protein courtesy of the Enure Max Protein drink!

We arrived at Peak Performance right on time and did our usual five-mile bike ride before our resident painmaker summoned us to the first “exercise” — a word I’m convinced is just Latin for “legal torture.”

Everything was going along just fine until I got to the leg press and thought, “Wow, this feels a little heavier than usual today.”

After two sets of 15 reps and some light soul-searching, I finally looked at the weights.
I was pushing 200 pounds.

Apparently, my legs had accidentally enrolled in an advanced class without telling the rest of me.

I looked over toward Mary, and there she was, working with pound weights like they were made of feathers, another good reason I do not argue with her!!

“I don’t always lift heavy, but when I do, I make sure everyone hears about it.”

From the gym, we went home and got the house ready for our cleaning staff!  Yes, we cleaned the house.  It was warm and quite humid outside, so I stayed inside until about 3:00 pm.

We invited Vicky over for a swim, and she made her grand entrance right around 5:30 pm, just as Domilita and the crew were making their grand exit.

We chatted for a bit while Mary whipped up some garden-fresh bruschetta like she was auditioning for a cooking show.  I handled the dangerous work—chopping garlic, tomatoes, and basil—while Mary toasted the bread to golden perfection.

Then I shouted, “Last one in is a rotten egg!”

Apparently, these ladies had been waiting their whole lives for that moment.  They shot out the door at near-light speed, and before I could even process what happened, I heard two massive splashes and saw a tidal wave rise from the pool.

So yes, after all my big talk, I was officially today’s rotten egg.

Right after the splash, I heard them screaming something about a fish?

I heard them singing a duet, “Splish splash, I was taking a bath… along about a Wednesday night!!  Rubba-dub-dub, we’re in the tub, and everything is going to be alright!”   Bobby Darin, eat your heart out!!

The three (four, including the fish)  of us just talked, told stories, and enjoyed each other’s company.  Finally, around 8:00 pm, we dragged ourselves out of the pool, Mary made one more round of bruschetta, and she brought out the heavy artillery, the s’mores!  Marshmallows never tasted so good!!

Here’s some fun s’mores trivia:

• Name origin: “S’mores” is short for “some more” — as in, “I want some more.”

• First known recipe: The earliest published recipe appeared in a 1927 Girl Scouts guidebook called Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.

• Classic ingredients: Traditional s’mores use graham crackers, chocolate, and toasted marshmallows.

• Campfire icon: S’mores became popular because they’re easy to make outdoors and perfect for camping trips.

• National day: National S’mores Day is celebrated in the U.S. on August 10.

• Marshmallow magic: Toasting a marshmallow caramelizes the sugar on the outside, giving it that golden-brown flavor.

• World record: Giant s’mores have been made weighing hundreds of pounds.

• Variations: People swap in peanut butter cups, cookies, caramel, Nutella, fruit, or different chocolates.

• Graham cracker history: Graham crackers were created in the 1800s as part of a health-focused diet.

• Debate: The biggest s’mores argument?  Lightly golden vs. completely charred marshmallows.

We played in the fire until 9:00 pm, and then Vicky headed west into what was once the sunset!

The little guy was lonely.y

During our discussions, we talked about kids today NOT wanting anything old (including us).  I remember my dear Aunt Edith offering me her fine china because our daughter, Claudia, did not want it.

I took it home in the early 1990s, and to this day, it sits in our dining room, with several pieces used almost daily.  I treasure that gift and think of happy times at Aunt Edith’s home when I was growing up (before you say it, I am still growing up!!).

Just a note: Aunt Edit bought that pattern in the 1920s, and it is still available to buy today!

The kids do not seem to care!

After hours in the pool and a couple of glasses of wine, Mary and I attempted the long, dangerous expedition to the bedroom—wobbling like two newborn giraffes on a cruise ship.

Mary hit the pillow and immediately powered down like someone pulled the plug.  I, on the other hand, heroically stayed awake another 30 minutes to complete the daily diary, because apparently even mildly pickled historians have responsibilities.

Posted in Food and Wine, Friends, Fun, Gym, Working Around House | Comments Off on Hump Day Has Arrived!!

Toosday And We Are Busy!!

Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 by Paul

We are getting old because now we add Ensure Protein Max to our coffee instead of milk!

We had our coffee, then changed into our official “working clothes,” which are just regular clothes with a higher chance of dirt, sweat, and regret.

First stop: Orange Farming Supply for additional veggies, because apparently our garden looked at us and said, “Is that all you’ve got?”

Then it was off to Trader Joe’s for some processed grapes… read: wine—very important agricultural research.

Finally, we returned home.  Mary headed to the kitchen to make lunch, while I unloaded the car like a one-man produce-and-wine distribution center.  The cases of wine went into the garage for “storage,” and the vegetables — two wheelbarrow loads — went to the garden, because today we plant!

We picked up more corn and replacements for four tomato plants that had completed their life’s mission and gone to the great salsa bowl in the sky.  We also planted another watermelon and a giant pumpkin, which we’ll be watching carefully, because Halloween is just around the corner, and we expect results.

The trunk was loaded with veggies!

Mary stayed inside for a while, turning our grapes into raisins — because apparently the grapes weren’t feeling old enough yet — and putting away the Trader Joe’s groceries, which is basically a light workout with snacks.

I headed out to the garden and started planting at 10:00 am because nothing says “good decision” like beginning yard work right as the sun starts acting like it’s personally offended by your existence.

After wisely staying inside during “the heat of the day,” Mary eventually joined me in the yard.  While I re-laid the soaker hoses — also known as garden spaghetti — she planted several nursery plants and cleaned up the garbage area like a woman on a mission.

I wrapped up the day by removing weeds and debris from under the grape plants, because after making raisins, it only seemed fair to give the grapes a cleaner retirement community.

Come one, come all… It’s cheaper than the gym!!

It was 6:30 pm, and we decided it was time to quit!

I surprised Mary when I said, “Let’s go swimming.” She looked at me like I’d officially lost my mind.  Because around here, we do not do 75-degree water.  That’s not swimming—that’s a cry for help.  She was not aware that I turned on the pool heater yesterday, so when she checked the duck (our thermometer that floats in the pool), Mr. Duck said it was 94 degrees!

We donned our swimming outfits, which, by the way, saves wear and tear on our bathing suits, and jumped in the water.

Mary has such a way with words!

But when I got in, the pool was really 94 degrees… basically our hot tub wearing a pool costume.  We splashed around for a solid hour like two retirees at a luxury resort with questionable impulse control.

Today was the first time this year we took the cover off the fire pit, and apparently, we had been running an unauthorized reptile-and-cricket Airbnb all winter.

The moment the cover came off, crickets and lizards started evacuating like someone had pulled the fire alarm at a tiny wildlife hotel.  Then, when I lit the fire, a couple more lizards shot out from the rocks with their little tootsies sizzling, clearly filing complaints about the sudden change in amenities.

Burn baby burn!

Mary used the small net to capture floating debris, such as leaves and some honeybees that came for a drink, and frowned.  When she was done, the pool was as clean as when the pool maintenance guy finished!

I learned something new!  Yesterday, when I tried to turn on the pool, it would not work!  I fiddled with the mechanical timer and determined it was dead.  So, I called the pool maintenance man, and to my surprise, I found out that last year he installed a fancy new variable-speed pool pump with a built-in electronic timer and many other features.  What will they think of next?

The old mechanical timer is no longer in the circuit!  I got the name off the motor and went to the trusty internet and printed out the eight-page instruction on how to program the pump, oh my!  I finally got it on and working.

The clouds and the sun put on an incredible sunset show for us — the kind where the sky looks like a stairway to heaven, with sunbeams blasting through the heavy clouds like God had just opened the VIP entrance.

I got out to “test” the firepit, which is husband code for standing near flames and pretending it’s an important technical procedure.

Meanwhile, Mary kept swimming laps, giggling like a teenage girl who had just discovered summer vacation.  She was absolutely thrilled with the surprise pool visit — and honestly, at 94 degrees, the pool was less “refreshing swim” and more “luxury soup with exercise.”

Just before I got out, we called Vicky to invite her over this week, and then Diane Porter (my sister-in-law) called, and we jabbered for fifteen minutes.

Life is good!!

Tonight we did NOT do marshmallows!  We had planned to have dinner, but it was 9:00 pm by the time we finally went inside, so we headed for bed!   It had been a good day!

The fire pit was a perfect way to end the day!

We could see the last of the day disappearing in the west!

We finished off our bottle of Two Buck Chuck (now called Three Buck Chuck).

The Moon was shining brightly even through the scattered clouds.  We sat and talked and decided we would invite people over for the July Fourth celebration instead of going to the Elks.   While the Elk is OK, we thought several hours of visiting with family and friends without the background noise would be a good thing.

We turned off the lights, the fire, and went inside.  The day was officially done!

Good night, hot tub!

We tried to watch TV, but it didn’t last very long!   Mary covered me with a bankie until I finally woke up.  The day was done, but we were not.  Time for a good old pillow fight!  We crashed like two little school kids giggling and laughing!  I love being married to my best friend!

There was still some life in us yet!!  Good night, Gracie!  Good night, George.

Posted in Gardening, Just Us, Vegetable Garden, Working Around House | Comments Off on Toosday And We Are Busy!!