Down And Out!

Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 by Paul

Mama doesn’t feel good!

Even after resting yesterday after watercolor class, Mary’s back was still on the fritz.

In slang, “fritz” almost always appears in the phrase “on the fritz,” meaning something is broken, not working correctly, malfunctioning, or out of order, like a faulty appliance.  While its exact origin is debated, it likely comes from the German nickname “Fritz” (for Friedrich), possibly linked to early German imports before WWI.

At 7:00 am, I contacted Peak Performance via the Enigma Machine to cancel our performance.  The receptionist told us that the audience that usually gathers outside the gym, peering into the facility while Mary and I do our workout, will be disappointed.  I asked the receptionists to explain the circumstances and to offer rainchecks for our next “performance”.

After the cancellation call, I went to the office to begin the day.  Translation: Doing the Daily Diary!  Without Mary, I made coffee and cleaned up the kitchen from last night’s dinner.  Observing a bag of oranges on the kitchen island, I decided to make myself some fresh orange juice.  Was I surprised when the inside of the oranges was blood red!  Then I remembered picking up a bag of oranges from Ralph’s a few days ago.  I squeezed the oranges and drank the results, feeling like a vampire.

These puppies were REALLY red!

Blood oranges are distinct for their crimson flesh, caused by anthocyanin pigments that develop only when nights are cold.  Originating in 17th-century Sicily, these sweet-tart fruits are a natural mutation believed to be a cross between a pomelo and a tangerine.  They are prized for their raspberry-like flavor and, in Italy, are protected for quality.

By 11:30 am, we were in the Silver Fox, zooming toward a new hair parlor in Huntington Beach like two flamingos on roller skates.  Thank goodness for GPS—without it, we’d probably have ended up in a taco truck asking for a haircut!  I mean, who knew “turn left at the giant inflatable cactus” was an actual direction?

Do not laugh, she was practicing on a rather large bowling ball!

From Huntington Beach, we headed south to Linda’s new salon, where we both got coiffured!  After some serious effort on Linda’s behalf, we walked out looking like $1,000,000 in counterfeit bills.   While Mary was getting her last operation, I went to Starbucks and got her a latte and some egg bites because she skipped breakfast!

Mary chowed down her breakfast as the Silver Fox winged its way to Dr. Tong’s office in Irvine, where Mary was to get a back treatment.   She got an acupuncture treatment in addition to some painkillers.

We finally returned home around 5:00 pm, taking the side streets to avoid the afternoon traffic on the 55.  I assisted Mary into her jammies and onto the La-Z-Boy couch.  After assessing our hunger, we decided some cottage cheese (for protein) and peach halves (for dessert) would be just right.

At Becky’s recommendation, we began watching Ted Lasso.  Ted Lasso is the Apple TV+ series about an American football coach, played by Jason Sudeikis, who moves to England to manage a professional soccer team (AFC Richmond) despite having no experience with the sport.  The show focuses on his optimistic, “good-guy” approach to winning over the skeptics, players, and British public.

At 10:30 pm, we switched off the lights, signaling the end of the day.  Mary took her nighttime medication and settled into bed, while I remained awake to finish my daily diary entries.  The quiet of the house enveloped me as I reflected on the day’s events, capturing my thoughts and experiences before finally succumbing to sleep.

At 8:00 am tomorrow, our car wash guy is coming to bathe the three babies, so I need to be up and ready with the keys in hand!  Given how Mary’s back feels, we will make a last-minute decision about Girl’s Night Out in the morning.

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Tuesday And That Means Watercolor Time!

Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 by Paul

OK, world, here I come!  Dressed and fed!

Mary slept again until 8:30 am, as those pain pills seem to be working.  We stayed in the office until the late morning.  I needed some additional dirt for the garden and was planning to get it from Home Depot.  As I signed on to their website, I noticed they deliver.  Wow, I do not have to load the basket, wheel it to checkout, roll it to the van, and finally unload it into the back of the van!  For $35, they will deliver to my driveway!

Sure enough, within two hours, a lovely man in a pickup came calling and dropped off eighteen bags of fresh soil.  I looked at the bags, reached into my pocket, and offered him $100 to take the pile to the back yard.  At first, the deliveryman said, “No problem, I’ll do it!”   I insisted he take the money because I was thinking about me walking back and forth to the garden eighteen times, and that was not going to happen without getting tired and ending up with a sore back!

The pile was still big after I opened six bags and distributed them; twelve more to go!  It will be there tomorrow!

Tuesday means watercolor day.  Mary was feeling pretty good, and I loaded up the car and off we went to the paint class.  I returned home and went to work, but alas, at 2:00 pm, the iPhone whistled, and it was Mary needing to come home.  Mary’s back had a relapse.  I jumped in the car and raced to the class to pick her up.

She painted for just under an hour, and the result was, well, let’s say, an abstract representation of her existential crisis!  Either that, or she traded her work for that of a hard-drinking four-year-old playing nearby (after paying him a substantial amount of money plus some old cookies from her purse).

Back pain is not a pretty sight!

With great care, I brought her to her favorite spot, the La-Z-Boy recliner, where she had her heating pad, book, and needlepoint work ready to go.

I excused myself and headed to the garden, where I continued trimming the blackberry vines and adding new acidic soil across their bed.  In another two hours, I will be done with the berry garden.  I used my latest Amazon purchase, and the gloves worked great!  I was able to reach across the bed without getting bitten by the thorns!

Blackberries thrive in slightly acidic soil (\(pH\) \(5.5\)–\(6.5\)) because this range maximizes nutrient uptake—specifically iron, manganese, and zinc—while supporting healthy growth and fruit production.  Alkaline soil binds these essential nutrients, making them unavailable, which can cause poor, yellowing (chlorotic) growth and reduced yields.

COOLJOB Thorn Proof Rose Pruning Garden Gloves for Men, Long Sleeve Padded Yard Work for Bush, Blackberry, Cactus, Heavy Duty/Puncture Resistant/Machine Washable, Xlarge, Navy

The berry bed is 20 feet long by 30 inches wide, and I managed to trim and resoil about 60% of the blackberries.  At this rate, I’ll finish just in time for the next ice age. Every year, I promise myself I’ll remember which branches are protocanes and which are floricanes, but honestly, at this point, I’m just praying they don’t all turn brown and keel over dead!

Pruning is NOT as easy as it looks!

Pruning blackberries involves two main steps: cutting back old, fruited canes (floricanes) to the ground after harvest and, during the dormant season, thinning new canes (primocanes) and shortening their laterals to 12-18 inches to encourage strong, productive growth for the next season, aiming for 4-6 strong canes per plant.  Always prune in late winter/early spring or immediately after harvest, removing dead, damaged, or weak wood to improve air circulation and yield.

When I designed the garden, Mary asked about why the concrete was between the beds other than for the trash barrels.  I told her it was for allowing the trimming to dry out and for us to tromp down on the cuttings, so putting the remains into the trash cans would be easier.   With that explanation, I present the evidence.

The trimmed plants get to lie on the concrete for a few days because then the thorns start to soften, making it easier to put them into the trash cans!

The lower left are the remaining raspberries from this past summer.  I may pull them out entirely and put in new blackberries instead as we like blackberries better!

In two more hours, this bed will be done!

As it was getting dark, I came inside and fixed dinner.  We had a can of macaroni with beef over rice, and I added a bowl of sliced peaches for dessert.  No alcohol this evening, we went for good old H2O!

Then I sat down on the La-Z-Boy with Mary, and we watched several episodes of “Suits”.  Mary saw everything, and I saw about half, the rest of the time I was checking for light leaks!

Just us!

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The Weak Begins With A Trip To The Weightlifting Wonderland

Posted on Monday, January 26, 2026 by Paul

Lookout gym, here I come!!!

We arrived at the gym 30 minutes early, ready to conquer the stationary bike like it was a wild stallion!  After burning enough calories to earn a participation trophy, we transitioned to the fun and games—also known as the “let’s see how many bizarre exercise machines we can pretend to use” challenge.  Spoiler alert: I think I just invented a new sport called “pretzel Pilates!”

We took the van today as it was filling up with donations to the Goodwill, and while we were near Tustin and 17th Street, we stopped at Benjie’s for breakfast.  We shared a veggie breakfast burrito, and I added a bagel and creamcheese to the order.  We drank our fill of coffee before going down the Street to the Goodwill.

We used our phones to check our day’s schedule, and it turns out we are free from outside influences!

Time for breakfast!

This is what a full tummy looks like!

All smiles.

Mary handed me more than half of the burrito, and I practically inhaled it!  I mean, I went from “What’s for breakfast?” to “Where did my burrito go?” faster than a dog chasing a squirrel.  At this rate, I might need to start taking burrito-eating lessons or at least invest in a bib—the way I devoured that thing was a sight to behold!

Benjie’s is our favorite hangout.

On the way home, we stopped at Home Depot and bought six 100-bag bags of raised-bed potting soil because the beds needed some revitalized soil.  I spread five bags on the first bed, so I’ll need another nine bags tomorrow to finish ff the small beds, which are each 25′ by 4′.

Colleen called while we were loading the van, and we chatted for a while.  She and Mark are on a cruise celebrating their wedding anniversary!  We are lucky to have them in our lives!  They deserve four days at sea without anyone around.

We also got two new blueberry plants, since the ones in the garden didn’t like the summer heat and are pretty much dead.  We plan to put new blueberries along the west wall so they get morning sun and afternoon shade!  All we need is a few pots.

Also, weather permitting, I’ll be fertilizing Mary’s rose bushes—because clearly, Carlos decided they were more of a suggestion than an actual garden last Friday!  I mean, with how much he trimmed them back, I half expected to find a tiny “Welcome to the Rose Bush Spa!” sign hanging from one of the stumps!

The gardening activity begins!

After dumping the new soil and spreading it out, I turned to the berry patch and trimmed about 50% of the berries back.  Hopefully, tomorrow, if it’s warm enough, I will continue trimming, add about 6-8 bags of high-acid potting soil to the area, and plant some additional berries.

It was about 4:30 pm, and it was starting to get cold as the sun set, so I went inside, and Mary and I watched several episodes of “Suits”.  Mary did her needlepoint, and I watched the tube.

Around 6:30 pm, Robin called, and we also chatted for a while.  Robin wanted to get the latest back status on Mary.

We had such a fantastic breakfast that we were not hungry, so dinner at 8:00 pm consisted of two biscotti sticks each and a glass of milk!

Yummy!

Biscotti, originating from ancient Roman legions, are twice-baked cookies designed for long-lasting nourishment on long journeys.  The name derives from Latin bis (twice) and coctum (baked).  Initially, they were hard, durable biscuits, not the sweet dessert known today.

We crashed at 10:45 pm, forcing ourselves away from Suits.  Donna was back at work, and the vote on the managing partner was about to take place.

Good night, all!

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Sunday, Time To Rest!

Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2026 by Paul

Mary slept like a log, and after 12 hours, I decided to turn on the heat, since the house was 61 degrees and my bathrobe wasn’t keeping me warm!  I changed into jeans.  Finally, at 8:20 am, she woke up and came into the office just as I was heading to the thermostat.  I offered to make her coffee, and it was so cold, I cupped my hands over the Keurig coffee containers as soon as it came out of the machine!

As the coffee was being brewed, I decided to sneak a piece of the fruit cake we bought each other for Christmas.  I could not believe it was almost empty!  I will start an investigation as soon as I warm up—right after I finish eating this tiny piece and cover my tracks with strategic crumb placement.

I analyzed the potential suspects!  My spouse, probably.  Or possibly a very determined squirrel who has developed a taste for dried fruit and has been casing our kitchen.  The squirrel theory is looking less likely given the surgical precision of the cuts and the complete absence of tiny paw prints.  I call it The Great Fruitcake Heist of 2026.

EVIDENCE GATHERED SO FAR:

    • One nearly-empty cake tin
    • Suspicious chocolate smudge on kitchen counter (NOT MINE)
    • Crumbs leading directly away from the crime scene
    • Mary’s highly suspicious innocence

NEXT STEPS:

    1. Finish coffee
    2. Thaw out
    3. Casually ask “Who ate the cake?” in a tone that suggests I definitely didn’t just eat some
    4. Point fingers preemptively
    5. Hide the remaining cake in a better spot before Mary finds it

Who doesn’t like fruitcake?  We may adopt these little fellas!

Mid-morning, we received an image from Nick—should we start calling him St. Nick?  It looks like the Avalon is buried under more snow than a Texan’s winter coat can handle!  Who knew Texas could pull off a winter wonderland?  Guess it’s true what they say: everything’s bigger in Texas, including the surprise snowstorms!

B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r

However, a quick check of the weather in New Hampshire revealed the temperature was at +4 degrees, 28 degrees below freezing.  We tried to call Colleen, but there was no answer, so we assume they are upstairs under a pile of bankies!

Diane Porter, my sister-in-law, called, and we talked, catching up on everything.  She is now a grandma two times over.  We are trying to get a time set to drive up and visit her and the family in March.

We (Mary) finished off the puzzle while I was paying some bills.

The noses were the most challenging part!

I fixed dinner using the remainders from our Chinese dinner on Friday, and I added some of the Iranian rice with cherries.  The dinner was pretty good.  We watched TV for the rest of the day until about 10:30.  We watched “Suits,” which is hilarious!

We finally crashed around 11:00 pm.  It was a nice, restful day for Mary’s recovery, which is medical speak for “she complained about being bored for exactly 8 hours straight.”

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A Day To Recover; An Evening To Party!

Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2026 by Paul

Mary slept past 8:00 am this morning, and let me tell you, that’s like Bigfoot getting caught on camera—it just never happens!  But after all the meds she took to relieve the pain, we totally understand why.  I mean, with that much medicine in her system, she probably thought she was on a mini-vacation in Dreamland, lounging on a beach with a tiny drink topped with a little umbrella!

He woke up in such a great mood that you’d think she was the star of a sitcom!  With a smile that could outshine the sun, she flung the blankets off like they were attacking her with bad dreams.  “Weekend, you better watch out!” she declared, as if the weekend were a mischievous toddler about to get into trouble.  She danced her way to the coffee maker like it was a dance-off on a game show, ready to claim her caffeine crown!  Honestly, if the weekend had ears, it would be blushing right about now!

“Anything beats the hospital!”

We opened up a new puzzle and dove in, ready to tackle it with the enthusiasm of detectives on a hot case.  But so far, it’s Puzzle 1 and Puzzalees 0.  At this rate, the puzzle is looking less like a beautiful picture and more like a jigsaw version of modern art.  We’re beginning to wonder if the last piece went on vacation without us!  I mean, how do you even lose a piece?  Did it run off to join the circus while we weren’t looking?  If it doesn’t stop mocking us, we might have to send a search party—or declare a truce and invite it back for a pizza party instead!

Around 3:00 pm, Mary decided we would go to a birthday party this evening.  Sandee is turning 75, and we need to celebrate!!

Although she has reconciled herself to sitting through dance music, she does NOT want a repeat of Friday am!

While getting ready, a thought occurred to me (always a dangerous situation).  So, I posted a sign outside and am awaiting any takers.

We headed to the Elks lodge to gather with friends Vicky and Jum, Bob and Dinna, along with several other Starlighters, to celebrate Sandee’s milestone of 75 years.  The evening unfolded beautifully, featuring a wonderful dinner and heartfelt conversations with everyone present.  After enjoying dessert and sharing joyful moments, we decided it was time to head home, as Mary was starting to feel discomfort in her back and needed to take her medications.  We made it back, settled in, and were in bed and asleep by 9:00 pm, grateful for the lovely evening spent with friends.

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Another Exciting Day In The Adventures Of Mary & Paul

Posted on Friday, January 23, 2026 by Paul

It’s 1:30 am, and Mary’s back pain has grown to the point that she cannot move and is crying.  I told her we were going to the ER, and she immediately agreed.   Waiting for 911 was out of the question, so we threw on some clothes and headed to the Silver Fox.  The traffic was nil, so from home to St. Joseph’s was less than 12 minutes.

I parked right up front, and I had arranged for a wheelchair, which the attendant used to take her inside.  After parking, I hurried to catch up with him at the check-in counter, where Mary was busy registering.

Mary raced around the waiting room, attracting a lot of attention with her hair blowing in the breeze!

Within fifteen minutes, we were in a room, and Mary was changed into a hospital gown, open in the back (I notice these things).  A few minutes later, the nurse joined the party and put in an IV and started Mary on fluids, readying her for IV meds if needed.  The doctor dropped in and ordered an EKG (to rule out cardiac causes), an X-ray, a CT Scan, and several blood tests.  The tests went fast.

The doctor also ordered two pain relievers, which kicked in faster than my neighbor’s lawn mower on a Saturday morning!  We suspect it was just a muscle spasm, which we all know is like your muscles throwing a surprise party—only they forgot to invite us and just decided to cramp up instead!  OUCH!!

How can a lady look so darned good after riding in Mr. Toad’s wild ride at 1:30 am on a Friday??

After the test results came in, the doctor appeared and revealed the tests were inconclusive, meaning it was probably a muscle spasm.   Lower back spasms are involuntary, painful contractions often caused by muscle strain, resulting in a tight, locked-up sensation.  They commonly affect the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscle, leading to sudden, intense pain that can restrict movement.

By 10:00 am, the pain had subsided, and we headed home via Starbucks so Mary could get an egg bite and a latte for breakfast.

Arriving home, Mary plopped into her recliner and began either reading or doing needlepoint, anything to stay inactive.  I popped to the pharmacy around 1:00 pm to pick up her meds.  Dianne came over with serious meds, a big batch of her chicken/spinach soup – the Italian equivalent of Jewish Penicillin.

Dianne’s recipe worked miracles; Mary felt better and was speaking fluent Italian within minutes!

Old “fast gingers” Paul kept the family apprised of the happenings, including Dianne, Robin, Joe, Colleen, and Becky.  Becky decided to change her weekend plans and drive to LA early to surprise her Mom!

At 6:20 pm, I swung open the front door like a game show host revealing the grand prize and pretended to welcome Donna and Bob with all the enthusiasm of a puppy at dinnertime.  Mary, bless her heart, looked like she’d just spotted a unicorn when she saw Becky come through the door.  She was like, “Oh wow, this party just upgraded!”

Becky burst in like she was the main act at a rock concert.  Mary was so excited to see Becky that she went completely speechless, I swear, her jaw dropped so low I thought it might have been trying to audition for the role of “Wide Open Danger Zone.” You could practically see the thought bubble over her head saying, “Becky!  In my house!  Quick, someone call the paparazzi!”

It’s time for dinner!

We talked for a while and then decided we would order from Yang-Ming as Mary was not up to going out!.  Becky marked up the menu, then Mary, and finally me.  We called, placed the order, and twenty minutes later, I was on my way to Yang-Mings, which is less than two miles away!

We dined by candlelight, gobbling down the cuisine like there was no tomorrow.   No wine tonight as Mary’s meds warned against alcohol, Becky was tired from driving all day, and I was happy with a Diet Coke and water.

No wine, just water and a Diet Coke!

Becky headed back to Newport around 8:00 pm, and we settled down to watch TV.  AT 11:00 pm, Mary was sawing logs and was watching another episode of Suits.

We crashed.  It has been a long and eventful day!

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The Only Thing That Changes Is The Weather!

Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2026 by Paul

Mope, not today!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Last week it was so hot that I considered applying SPF 1000 just to step outside. This week, it’s like Mother Nature’s gone bipolar—highs in the 60s and rain! At this rate, my wardrobe is just going to be a mix of tank tops and an umbrella. I feel like I need a weather therapist to help me cope with this emotional rollercoaster!”

It could be worse, as Dover, New Hampshire, has a high of 30 degrees, Colleen will be freezing!

Mary had a modification made to our bed without my knowledge.  Apparently, I was snooring too much, and she pulled the lever about 3:00 am this morning. I never knew it was coming!

OUCH!!!

We decided to invite Gary Parsons, Zack’s father-in-law, to Gir’s Night Out, because after retiring, he was starting to feel lonelier than a sock without a match in the dryer.  We figured he could use a little adventure to spice up his post-retirement life, especially since Peanut, his wife, still had several months left on her “working prison sentence.”   So off we go: three errands, one confused Gary, and a girls’ night that promises to end with either laughter or questionable dance moves at the local karaoke bar!

To add to the fun, Sydney joined us!

We departed for home around 2:30 pm, and Mary rested her back while I continued doing chores.  About 4:00 pm, I joined her inthe TV room and promptly fell sound asleep!  After a short nap, I went back to doing chores.

We often talk about Scout; he was such a good baby!  I used AI to build a short movie about him.  He comes up in conversation all the time.

We watched some TV, and between rain clouds, I took out the trash, and he crashed about 11:00 pm.  We finished off the evening by watching three episodes of “Suits,” a fantastic series.

“Suits” concluded after its ninth season, which aired from July 17, 2019, to September 25, 2019. The decision to end the show was made by USA Network, the network, as part of its programming strategy. While the series had a dedicated fan base and received positive reviews, it ran its natural course, and the creators decided to wrap up the characters’ storylines. The final season consisted of 10 episodes, which provided closure to the arcs of key characters, including Harvey Specter, Mike Ross, and Rachel Zane.

Good night, all!!

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Mid-Week Meaning Going To The Gym

Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 by Paul


Estimated reading time: 3 minutes


It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for our weekly pilgrimage to the House of Pain, where we pay professional ninjas to legally assault us under the guise of ‘wellness’.  First, we enter the establishment carefully so they do not see us, and we hop on the stationary bikes facing the parking lot, fingers crossed that we were not seen.  Then, we are off to the races, generally cycling 4-6 miles at a blazing speed that would make the Tour de France professionals green with envy.

Around 9:00 am, we are discovered, and our trainers come to get us (usually with an oxygen bottle in hand!).  Then, it’s snap-crackle-pop time for the next hour, and our poor bones and muscles are tormented by adept, crack, expert, master, proficient, and skillful providers of pain!

When we hear the local train whistle at 10:00 am, we bolt from the facility and run to the car, careen out of the parking lot, and race for the safety of our little home.   But first, the errands must be accomplished!  I sprinted to the market in a desperate quest for anise liquid, only to find the shelves mocking me with their emptiness. Apparently, my local grocer doesn’t support my licorice-flavored dreams. Thankfully, Amazon has stepped in to save my soul—delivery is scheduled for Saturday, assuming the delivery driver can handle the raw power of that much black jellybean energy.

After my market failure, we went to UPS, and I mailed four packages to the kids.

Anise liquid is a distinctive licorice flavor from anethole, its “ouzo effect” clouding when mixed with water, its role in iconic liqueurs like Ouzo, Pastis, and Sambuca, ancient medicinal uses, and even other surprising applications. It’s a key ingredient in baked goods and savory dishes, prized for centuries as both flavor and remedy.

Today was a special day.

I do, I do, I do, I do!

Once inside and safe, we do a quick check for missing or broken parts before continuing on the day’s adventures.

Mary’s back was still hurting, so we stayed home.  She rode the couch all day, and I puttered around the house.  When Domi and crew came to clean house, we scampered into the office while they were doing their thing.   After they left, Mary went back to the TV room, and I provided her with cold packs for her back.

We had leftovers for dinner, which I made by simply reheating the mashed potatoes and lamb chops.  The cucumber/yogurt salad was perfect, but Mary sliced up some additional Persian cucumbers to add to the mix.  We poured a glass of wine and dined while watching the TV we have set up on the kitchen island.

After dinner, Mary went to the TV room to rest, and I completed the Starlighter’s Website.

The dance theme was “Glitter Winter Ball”, we fit right in!!

We finally crashed about 10:00 pm, as tomorrow is another semi-busy day.  We are also expecting half an inch of rain in the morning.

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Off And Running!!

Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 by Paul

Every day would be entirely too much!

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

This morning was full of amazing events!  Mary beat me up—though I guess it’s more accurate to say she was out of bed before I was.  I could have sworn she made it look like an Olympic sport!  I woke up to her already in the office filling our pill boxes, and I’m pretty sure I heard her whisper, “Gold medal for getting the coffee first!” The only thing I earned this morning was the silver medal in snoozing, but Lord knows, I need my beauty sleep!

Today kicked off with a trip to Mary’s old office for her eye exam, where she was determined to prove that she doesn’t need glasses—until she tried reading the eye chart and ended up mistaking “E” for “Z” and “F” for “Is that a cat?” The optometrist must have thought she was auditioning for a role in a comedy!  By the end, I half-expected her to walk out wearing glasses with neon stickers and flashing lights on them, shouting, “OMG, I married you!”

While waiting for Mary to arrive, I took a little detour into the rabbit hole of Facebook, where I stumbled upon a fantastic gentleman who speaks so candidly that I half-expected him to walk through the screen and shake my hand!  This guy doesn’t just “say it like it is”; he says it like it’s a life-or-death situation and he’s the last lifeguard on duty!  Honestly, I was both impressed and slightly terrified—like I wanted to applaud him, hug him,  and simultaneously wrap him in bubble wrap.

After ninety minutes of Mary playing ‘Is that a letter or a smudge?’ at the optometrist, she staggered out—Mary had dilated pupils the size of dinner plates—and we headed to her watercolor class. It was the first day of the ‘semester,’ and I’m just glad she was painting landscapes and not trying to paint me based on her new, blurry vision.”

Yours truly volunteered to pose lying down naked (the Burt Reynolds pose, but a) they did not have appropriately sized canvases, and b) given the age of this group of ladies, we did NOT have ambulances or oxygen bottles standing by.  The ladies took a vote, and I was kicked off the island!

Who said, “Paul is NO Burt Reynolds!!” I still have a figure, but it is round!

I was dejected, so I went home and cleaned house, worked on the Starlighter’s website, and rested for the night’s theater adventure.

Mary caught a ride home with our neighbor and arrived in time to use an ice pack on her back.  She was still in pain.  The painting lesson went well, but I thought it was for the birds!

After Mary got home, she sat on an ice pack for about 45 minutes before Dru showed up, and we visited for a while.  Then it was off to the Seagerstrom Theater to see “The Whiz”.  This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

But first, we stopped at the Silver Trumpet for a wonderful dinner with Dru and Dianne.  We reserved our usual booth, which gave us plenty of room to move around, and it was quiet.

Look out, dining room, here we come!!

The menu changed slightly.  While everyone went for the lamb lollipops, I opted for the sea scallops on a bed of mushrooms!  They were cooked perfectly and a joy to nibble on!

Seared Diver Scallops, which came with sweet shallot puree, baby squash, zucchini, and brown sage butter.

Dianne and Dru ordered steak and shared a side of risotto.

The girls reported the steak as perfect!!

At 7:00 pm, we decided to take our lives in our hands and embark on the daring adventure of walking to the theater.  It was like we were auditioning for a reality show titled “Survivor: City Edition.” Our hearts raced as we approached the busy street, dodging cars like we were in a game of human dodgeball. 

Honestly, if crosswalks could talk, they’d have been screaming, “What are you doing?!” But hey, at least we made it to the theater.  A little adrenaline rush before “The Wiz” isn’t too bad, right?

We were in Row E (It’s a long story)

Two rows ahead, the girls were sitting, allowing us to yell, “DOWN IN FRONT repeatedly.

All smiles!

The performance was excellent, though we had difficulty hearing all the words; we probably averaged about 40%.

The singing, dancing, and costumes were terrific.

Upon leaving the theater, we were reminded that the weatherman had forecasted fog this evening, and I worried about driving home.  Within two miles of the theater, it was all clear.  Tomorrow morning, we will have fog until probably noon.

The tall buildings were becoming partially obscured by the fog.

As we continued walking, we spotted the office building across from the Silver Trumpet, and I declared it the perfect photo op.

M-m-m-m-m, isn’t management always on the top floor, and if so, they are in the fog, right?

We were home by 11:00 pm and in the sack at 11:30 pm.  It has been a long day, and Mary’s back is still giving her fits.

Good night, all.

Posted in Dining Out, Doctor, Friends, Painting, Theater | Comments Off on Off And Running!!

The Dreaded Monday Has Arrived!

Posted on Monday, January 19, 2026 by Paul

Croak croak!

Up and at ’em!  By 8:00 am, Mary and I  got dressed in our battle gear—a questionable mix of workout clothes and “I promise I can run directly to the fridge” shirts—ready to fend off the dreaded personal trainers.  You know, those fitness ninjas who can spot your lunge form faster than a hawk spots a mouse!

I mounted the stationary bike, ready to unleash my inner Tour de France champion.  I cranked the resistance up to “what-was-I-thinking” level, and suddenly I was pedaling as if the escape route from a zombie apocalypse depended on it.  I hit a magnificent 15 miles per hour—clearly, I was in the running for the subsequent Olympic cycling trials… or maybe just the local coffee shop’s “fastest rider” award!

After 5.5 miles of what I can only describe as a battle royale between my legs and my will to live—throw in a decent amount of blood, sweat, and a few tears of regret—I leaped off the bike as if I’d just won the Tour de France, ready to face JC, my personal trainer.

I always listen to JC, and last week he said I should try curls!

“Alright,” he said, looking at me like I was a slightly malfunctioning robot, “let’s hit the serious workout machinery.” I forced a chuckle, wondering what “serious” meant.  Were they so heavy that I’d need a crane?

We completed the exercise at 10:00 am sharp and limped to the grocery store next door to obtain some much-needed groceries (chocolate syrup, sugar cookies, donuts, and heavy cream).  I swear, JC was watching us go calorically berserk in the store and just shaking his head!  We did get some serious groceries, including baking products, as we plan to make our neighbor some bread.

Upon arriving home, Mary’s back was killing her, so she headed to the TV room to read (the room has excellent lighting from the Sun.  While she was resting, I brought in the groceries and put them away.

Upon arriving home, Mary felt like her back had been cast in concrete.  It was as if someone had decided to use her spine as a personal seatbelt during a rollercoaster ride—up and down, with all the thrills but none of the fun.  She shuffled her way to the TV room, where the sunlight spilled in like a warm hug, ready to comfort her tortured muscles.

Why did her back hurt?  Duh!!

“Ah, excellent lighting!” she sighed, plopping herself down on the couch like a deflated balloon.  The sunbeams hit just right, making her feel like she had been transformed into a reclining Sun Goddess, ready to bask in her well-earned rest.

Meanwhile, I was heroically (and somewhat dramatically) dealing with the grocery bags.  As I wrestled each bag from the car, I felt like a contestant on a game show, trying to transport items without dropping a single thing.

So, while she rested, I planned to load the car with our donation boxes and take them to the Goodwill.  Mary asked whether there was anything I wasn’t using.

The phrase “dead as a doornail” is an idiom used to indicate that something is unquestionably dead or inoperative.  It suggests a state of complete lifelessness or inaction.  The origin of the phrase is somewhat unclear, but it is thought to date back to the 14th century.  The term “doornail” refers to a nail that has been hammered into a door and then bent over to secure it, rendering it unusable—essentially “dead.”

Alas, I could not go because the van’s battery was dead as a doornail!  I called the AA, and they will come out and get me started.  While I was waiting, I thought I would start up Mary’s car and go to CVS to pick up some meds, but again, my plan was thwarted by tiny electrons refusing to move.  We had another dead vehicle.  Precious bit the bullet!

The phrase “bit the bullet” means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable or necessary.  It implies facing a difficult challenge with courage and determination, often after trying to avoid it.

The phrase’s origin is thought to stem from the wartime practice in which soldiers would actually bite down on a bullet during surgeries or medical procedures, often performed without anesthesia.  This act was meant to help manage pain and maintain focus.  In contemporary usage, the expression has expanded to apply to a wide range of situations.

When the nice man from AA showed up, he tested the van and found that a new battery was needed.  To make things worse, Mary’s hot rod had a dead battery, too!  So, we are the proud owners of two brand new batteries.  $500 wne poof, just like that!

Two of them died in the line of duty! CHARGE!

I finally made the trip to CVS using Precious and her new battery.  Between Mary’s back and my battery battle, I decided to pick up In-N-Out burgers for us to nibble on for dinner.

We watched a little TV and crashed at 10:00 pm!  Mary was feeling a little better, and I think the glass of wine helped.

We had a little midnight snackie before turning in!

Posted in Gym, Working Around House | Comments Off on The Dreaded Monday Has Arrived!