July is here, and we are halfway to Christmas! Time is flying. At my age, I have many fewer years to look forward to than the years that have gone by, but I plan to make the best use of my allowed time!
After strolling through the garden, we tortured ourselves at the gym for a solid hour. By the end, we were so done that we had to crawl to the car, plop ourselves in, and wait for the air conditioning to revive us. The workout was good for us, but placing us on the 55 freeway and asking us to chase cars seems a little much!
Being “old,” we had to do our Monday social activity: visiting the pharmacies. We went to Walgreens and then CVS, trying to keep everyone in business. That was so much fun we decided to go home and fill our pill boxes. We did two weeks at a time, and you would swear that it was hailing on a tin roof as we tossed pills into our containers.
It was 88 degrees outside so Mary decided to stay in and do some chores. I, on the other hand, was sent out into the blazing heat to repair the drip watering system. Sweltering in the intense sunshine, I managed to get half of the line fixed, and then disaster struck!
So, picture this: I’m holding a butane hand torch in one hand and a 1/4 plastic drip tubing in the other. I decide to turn on the torch, but guess what? It’s pointed right at the palm of my hand! Next thing I know, I’m not just burning plastic; I’m also roasting my hand inadvertently. Being your own barbecue is less fun than it sounds!
OUCH!!!!!
I raced into the house and put butter on it! Then I yelled for my doctor, but I got no answer! I tried again, but I got no answer! Then I saw her head out in the garden, so I screamed for her help! She came running and properly took care of the problem. After she doctored it, I felt no pain!
We went harvesting tomatoes, onions, basil, and garlic because Mary wanted to make the first bruschetta of the season. I sliced and diced while Mary took care of the bread. She chopped up an entire baguette, and with the exception of two pieces, which we took to our neighbor Jeff, we ate the whole thing!
It was so good, it tasted like Summer!
It was delicious!
While at Ralphs, I approached the very beautiful woman in the large supermarket and asked, “You know, I’ve lost my wife here in the supermarket. Can you talk to me for a couple of minutes?” “Why?” “Because every time I talk to a beautiful woman, my wife appears out of nowhere.”
After stuffing our faces at dinner, we plopped to watch more of “The Good Doctor” and were tucked into bed by 8:30 pm. Between our super intense weekend activities and the heat, we were as exhausted as a sloth in a marathon!
Tomorrow, we are getting ready for the party on the 4th so that we will be running around like chickens with our heads cut off.
We were up early and had our coffee to kick our hearts into gear!
A quick trip to the garden revealed that one of our hose bibs malfunctioned, water was squirting ten feet in the air and the planter was full of water. We were happy that the emergency drain which we put in inches deep in the ground was working. The water excess drained into the flood control channel behind our home.
Mary observed that she has an electric blender, toaster, and bread maker. She said, “There are too many gadgets and no place to sit down!” So I bought her an electric chair.
We will brunch with Vicky and Jim at the Elks Lodge at 10:00 am. Yolie and Irene will also be joining us! We look forward to catching up with everyone over delicious food and great music.
Did You Know? Modern Mariachi music has adopted other genres, such as ranchera songs, the bolero ranchero, and even the cumbia from Colombia. The lyrics of Mariachi songs portray the love of the earth, hometown, native land, religion, nature, fellow countrywomen, and the strength of the country.
According to a popular legend in the town of Cocula, mariachi music as we know it today originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco in the 19th century. The mariachi was the distinctive version of the Spanish theatrical orchestra of violins, harps, and guitars that developed in and around Jalisco.
These six folks were very talented.
We were dressed for the occasion. Next time we are in Mexico we will need to buy red, white, and blue sombreros.
Eye Yii Yii Yii!
I asked Mary if we were being followed. I had this feeling that a photobomb was going to occur!
We had our TV antennas tuned to channel five, KTLA.
Vicky and Jim were having a lot of fun, so we had to tease them a little. We all admired Jim’s shirt!
I bet you wish you had a microphone nearby to capture all the drama!
We are attending a patriotic musical in a few hours, so I was prepared beforehand. I did forget my patriotic hat.
Just me, red, white, and bruised!
Irene and Yolie joined the fun this morning. They are add fun to any activity.
With them, we have appropriate adult supervision.
It’s time for a bullfight. I was worried! It reminded me of a story:
A young man stopped at a local restaurant after a day of roaming around in Mexico.
While sipping his tequila, he noticed a sizzling, scrumptious-looking platter being served at the next table.
It looked good.
It smelled good.
He asked the waiter, “What is that you just served?”
The waiter replied, “Ah señor, you have excellent taste! Those are bull’s testicles from the bull fight this morning. A delicacy!”
The visitor, though momentarily daunted, said, “What the heck, I’m on holiday down here! Bring me an order!”
The waiter replied, “I am so sorry señor. There is only one serving daily because there is only one bullfight each morning. If you come early tomorrow and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy!”
The next morning, the man returned, placed his order, and that evening, he was served the one and only special delicacy of the day.
After a few bites and inspecting the contents of his platter, he called to the waiter and said, “These are delicious, but they are much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday!”
The waiter shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Si, señor. Sometimes, the bull wins.”
Oh My!!!
We had dancers demonstrating some Mexican folk dances. We stayed put for fear we might get run over.
They are whirling and twirling!
They were eyeing the tookies!
Mary got up close for a picture (I think she was after a cookie for dessert!)
Just before 1:00 p.m., we jumped in our car and headed to La Mirada to hear some patriotic music! It was a 40-minute trip, including us stopping to get gassed up!
Tap along with patriotic pride to Mr. Broadway’s flag-waving classics “Yankee Doodle Dandy” & “You’re a Grand Old Flag” – plus “Give My Regards to Broadway” and many more. Theatrical world premieres of unheard Cohan songs, pre-and post-show concerts, and a free CD included!
George Michael Cohan was an American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer and theatrical producer. Cohan began his career as a child, performing with his parents and sister in a vaudeville act known as “The Four Cohans”.
When we arrived, it was 94 degrees—oh my! We had a few minutes, so we called Joe and Zack to see if they wanted to join us for dinner at the Beer Stuben Restaurant, which is part of the new Phoenix Club in Brea.
Poor Silver Fox, he does NOT like the heat!
I can’t believe this theater used to be a Fox Movie Theater in the 1960s and 1970s. I lived three blocks away from it for almost 15 years, and Joe still lives within three blocks of it. It’s like the theater is their unofficial neighbor!
They did a fantastic conversion!
They produce Broadway shows and many other performances during the year. This show was performed twice and sold out both times.
The Paragon Vintage Orchestra performed the music!
Listen to the real thing!
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra is the world’s only year-round, professional ensemble re-creating “America’s Original Music” – the syncopated sounds of early musical theater, silent cinema, and vintage dance. The PRO came into being due to Rick Benjamin’s 1985 discovery of thousands of turn-of-the-century orchestra scores once belonging to Victrola recording star Arthur Pryor. In 1988, the Orchestra made its formal debut at Alice Tully Hall – the first concert ever presented at Lincoln Center by such an ensemble.
We all came from the Elks, and there was quite a change in the music!
Mary was the photographer.
They performed for two hours with a twenty-minute break and received a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
There was not a dry eye on the house!! We also did a couple of sing-a-longs!
At 4:15 p.m., we headed to Brea for dinner with family. There were ten of us. Our son Joe was there with Amy, Alex, and Charlie. Our Grandson Zack was there with Rebecca, Remy, and Lilly. We had a good time and got to visit.
Mary went for the German food.
Remy was bashful today until he moved down to his cousins; things returned to normal.
Becca is a doll!
Speaking of dolls, Amy has a magical feature. I can’t sneak a picture of her. I get “The Amy Look” as soon as I move the camera.
As we headed home about 6:00 p.m., the sun was low in the sky, but it was still 94 degrees! If I wanted to feel that hot, I would’ve just hugged a toaster. The trip home took a grueling 19 minutes, and the temperature was a pleasant 82 as we pulled into the driveway. It was like stepping into a nicely air-conditioned oven!
We tried to be productive and watch two episodes of The Good Doctor, but by 9:00 am, our eyes staged a revolt, and we crashed harder than a computer running Windows 95.
I dozed off twice and once I was awaken by a beautiful dream!
Mary tried on her swimsuit for the upcoming trip to the Caribbean!
We talked to our social director, Miss Vicky, and set up our schedule for Cerritos! We are going with her and Jim to five shows between December and February! The shows are always excellent!
Today we started with collecting goodies for Michele from our garden. Michele, my middle daughter, loves to cook. She is a vegetarian, which in ancient Indian means “poor hunter!”
Mary and Robin go shopping for Michele in the garden!
Michaels is at Katella and Tustin, just two miles from our home. They have almost anything you need, whether you are an artist or a home decorator.
Eat your heart out, Colleen!!
If you squint hard, you might notice that one of Mary’s prized red flowers bravely escaped her shoe and went into hiding. So, we embarked on a quest to find a willing replacement, and once we returned home, it was time for a dramatic sewing showdown. We considered the simple glue route, but with Mary’s fancy footwork, I decided a needle and thread ensemble would be the better fit.
We needed some goodies!
Robin came by at 1:30 p.m., and we got into the Silver Fox and zoomed to Michele’s house in Huntington Beach. She was celebrating her birthday, but her age will remain forever a secret!
Michele escaped the kitchen.
We lounged in the shade in the backyard and mingled with some new pals. The man in the blue shirt hails from India but has been living in the US for a whole 40 years. At 78, he’s a riot to chat with – it turns out age is just a number, and so is the number of jokes he’s got up his sleeve!
We met some charming people.
Meanwhile, the guests share stories inside, and Michele is the perfect hostess, ensuring everyone’s wine glasses never go empty.
Co-workers of Franklyn
We stuck around until 4:30 pm, chatting with the entire crew. Time flew by faster than a cat chased by a cucumber! We needed to get home as Robin had to meet with her friends and discuss the upcoming trip to South America.
Saying goodbye is always difficult.
Lisa texted us and said sorry they could not make it today, but she was suffering from the aftermath of a severe cold and decided to keep the germs in San Diego. Pete and his stepdaughter granddaughter are doing some gardening while Lisa rests.
Pete and Lisa could not make it.
On the way home, we quickly stopped at Chico’s so Mary could get some jeans shorts for working in the garden! We then zoomed down the 22 to the 55 and home, where a short trip to the garden was made so Robin could go shopping.
Back in the garden again!
Robin departed, having to meet with Maggie at 6:00 pm. She got a shot of us before hitting the freeway!
Just us.
Our home is decorated for the event, and the decorations will stay until we return from the Caribbean on July 28th unless my grandson, the caretaker living in the house while we are gone, removes them.
We love our home, Casa Valencia!
After Robin departed, we visited Jeff for a while. Coming back home, I could hear the flag flapping in the breeze. United We Stand, indeed!
The afternoon breeze makes the flags stand on end!
It was nearly 8:30 pm, and we were platitudinous. It was time for bed! We did not even turn on the TV; just crashed! Tomorrow will be another busy day in our lives!
Good night!
Posted inFamily, Friends, Fun|Comments Off on We Face Another Crazy Day, Together!
Coffee and Computers are the way to start the day!
Guess what? This morning, Mary beat me to getting up! I was still half asleep when Scout started wagging his tail. Mary was already gone when I finally opened my eyes! So, I stumbled to the backyard with Scout, and he looked at me like, “What took you so long, buddy?” Clearly, I need to up my game!
Returning inside, I met Mary, who was busy at her computer, making arrangements to visit Baa Haaba, Maine, for her CME class. We will revisit Colleen in September and spend several days seeing the three grandkids and four great-grandkids! Last year was fun, and I suspect this year will not be different!
We spent a few minutes checking out what the pundits were saying about the presidential “debate” and as expected, Biden was a disaster.
We visited the garden for a bit and did some severe rose pruning. We emptied Mary’s wheelbarrow twice with all the clippings from the front and back yard.
The roses and apples are having a party.
The large tomatoes are coming on strong. The green beauty will be red in about two weeks without the use of chemicals!! Green tomatoes are edible, so when they look like this, slice them up and fry them! Because they have a lower water content, green tomatoes are perfectly suitable for sauteing and frying.
Oh my! You are a beauty!!
We checked the red, white, and blue flowers since the 4th is coming soon!
OK, white, blue and red!
In the front yard I put a wire just anove the fence on the left side of the yard; no birdies can sit on the fence and so what birdies to best!
While Mary continued pruning, I connected the mini-tower to the automated watering system.
We worked for several hours and finally sat down after trimming the backyard east-wall roses and putting an entire bag of redwood bark mulch in the movable planters.
Yay, the roses have been mulched! Now they can relax and work on their summer tan.
We talked to Robin, and in the background, we kept hearing an “alarm.” They thought there might be a fire in the wall. Bob tried everything to get the chirping to stop. It was the carbon monoxide alarm. The detector battery turned out to be “dead,” but the alarm said, “Replace my battery!” We think Robin just wanted to visit the hunks!
Did Nick miss the fire engine?
It was dinner time, and Mary fixed a great meal using the steak from last night plus fresh goodies from the garden,
After dinner, I opened the swim spa cover, and we sat in the hot water for 45 minutes. After coming inside, we continued binge-watching The Good Doctor. We are at season four, episode 15, now.
Time to get the giant soup bowl (swim spa) ready for a relaxing dip after dinner!
We finally decided to hit the hay around 11:00 p.m. Tomorrow afternoon, we are going to celebrate Michele’s birthday at her home.
It is Thursday, so a trip to the Elks at lunchtime is in order. But before leaving, we skulked to the garden, watching out for that terrible wild wabbit! To our horror, there was no wrabbit but he left his calling card, or should I say calling turd several places. We were delighted to see that he did NOT get to his favorites, as they are now protected with steel bars (1/2″ by 1/2″ galvanized wire). He did attempt to bite into a pepper plant, but there was one nibble and three droppings; he does not like the hot stuff!
Mary picked a dozen large tomatoes to bring to the gang at the Elks. Through the magic of AI, I replace the background to make it more interesting.
We did some chores inside the house, cleaned up, and headed south to Santa Ana.
The Lodge was not busy today.
We entered and sat down, and our average wine magically appeared. Thank you, Karen! But then came Bob Z., carrying a large box filled with letters, envelopes, pre-stamped and addressed envelopes, and other goodies.
This meant Bob was pressing his dear friends into forced labor! It was time to send the Starlighter’s Dance Club invites to the next dance! It is a lot of work to create the newspaper/invite and individually fold and stuff 100+ envelopes! I know because I did it for years.
I suggested using postcards and writing everything tiny, but our dance group has an older clientele, so small writing was not an option!
These can be mailed for two cents (fifty years ago).
We were pressed into service, and after a slow start, we folded, stuffed, and sealed like professionals. The banter between everyone should have been recorded because we were all laughing and giggling.
We kept Iris busy sealing the envelopes!
We were done in a matter of minutes, finishing just before our meals arrived. Mary ordered the swordfish and shared it with me. I went for the Caesar salad with chicken for protein. Bob did the flatbread, and it was pretty good!
We love our gang!
We went home soon afterward because we left Scout the Wonder Dog inside due to the heat. We worked around the house getting ready for our company!
George showed up right on time, and it was so good to see him. George, Robin, Sue, and I worked together thirty years ago. George was from the finance department and was in charge of keeping my department honest, a truly laborious and challenging task, but he did it with only a few bumps and bruises.
George is 74 and has been retired for a while. Over the years, we have gotten together several times for lunch or dinner and enjoyed reliving those things that never really happened. Part of his family lives in Irvine, so he often comes from his home in LA. Making a stop at our home was easy!
Telling “sea stories” is always fun!
I forgot how tall George was! We dined at the Orange County Mining Company where steak was the order of the day.
I asked the greeter to take a picture of George and me and to do some Photoshop magic to make me look as handsome as him! Good luck with that, greeter!
Now we all got into the shot! It was fun remembering back in time and discussing all the friends we all knew. George and his brother are building condos in Texas these days to stay out of trouble. George is a grandfather several times over, and we got to see the kids as George keeps his phone and photos handy!
We had a wonderful evening.
We returned home and sat for a few minutes, trying to figure out how to meet again. We called a good friend, Teresa Brenner, and chatted with her for a while. We tried to get Alice Caldera on the horn, but she was unable to get to the phone as she had just had hip surgery.
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.
Did You Know? The modern surgical scalpel with a disposable blade was inspired by King Gillette’s invention of the safety razor in 1904. Morgan Parker patented the two-piece scalpel with a handle and removal blade in 1915, which provided stability while still being able to exchange blades between uses.
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.
Today, we had no plans other than to visit my doctor to check my PSA status, which was scheduled for 11:45 am. In November it will have been two years since my operation.
We strolled through the garden and visited the flowers before getting ready for the doctor’s office. The yellow flowers were out in force and lit up the backyard.
It’s the brightest yellow we have seen in years—so bright that I think we need sunglasses!
The decorations for the 4th of July look good, especially in the afternoon when the breeze comes up and they wave around. A fully extended industrial windsock flying horizontally will indicate a wind velocity of 15 knots or faster. Therefore, if you see a windsock flying halfway there (the second half of the cone swinging sorrowfully), the wind speed can be estimated at half of that speed, meaning around 7 knots.
These guys say the wind is 7-10 knots late in the afternoon!
The Mother-In-Law tongues are doing quite well in their new home, and they like being watered once a day for five minutes.
Did You Know? While most plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the day, mother-in-law’s tongue plant also converts carbon dioxide to oxygen at night. They can perform a type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), which is referred to as an ideal bedroom plant.
They will likely grow to be 30″ tall!
We placed additional windsocks on the gazebo in the “south 40”. Don’t forget our Alexa Studio, aka “Johnny Cash Blaster 3000,” for our garden work sessions. It’s like having a 100W Johnny Cash jukebox in our backyard!
All we need is red, white, and blue LED lights, and we will be ready to dance.
The grass is in perfect shape for the August 3rd party!
It is going to be a beautiful day!
We have about 100+ onions in the gardens and use them almost daily! Some are getting huge, so we will pull them and dry them out to make room in the garden for other plants.
I love onions, and it is probably time to make onion soup!
The berries are coming on strong now and will continue to thrive as the days heat up!
We will likely be on vacation when the grapes are ready, but they should last until we return.
We found baby grapes at the top of the vines today, and they will be around for at least 60 days!
The patio area is finally in good shape after this weekend’s work.
We found out where the bunnies stay in the evening, at the base of the apple tree.
At 10:30 am we departed Casa Valencia for Dianne’s house with a large spaghetti squash and a box full of tomatoes. We visited her for a few minutes before going to the doctor’s office near Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Orange,
The doctor read the report and said my PSA was zero (less than 0.2), so the operation remains successful. After two more years of six-month checkups, I’ll be out of the woods obly need to go yearly. Yeah! We texted the good news to Dr. Dan (Becky’s son).
When we left the doctor’s office, it was lunchtime, and we decided to try the Tandoor Indian restaurant on Katella. Marilyn Bailey had recommended it, and she was entirely right.
Good groceries!!
Thank you, Marilyn, for the recommendation! Unfortunately, I remembered about the fat cells!
So very true!
Mary decided to play it safe and ordered the lamb tiki with zero spices and a side salad while I went all in and asked for the tandoori chicken with a spice level of ten! My taste buds went on a rollercoaster while Mary’s salad played it safe like a kid-friendly merry-go-round.
Here are some trivia facts about tandoori cooking:
Origins – Tandoori cooking originated in the Indus Valley Civilization of ancient India over 5,000 years ago. Archeologists have found tandoor remains in Rajasthan, India, dating back to 2600 BC, around the same time as the pyramids. Early tandoors were likely made of clay and heated with wood or charcoal. They were used for various purposes, including baking bread, roasting meat, and keeping homes warm.
Design—The tandoor’s design and purpose evolved as civilizations grew and trade routes expanded. For example, the Romans used a similar clay oven called a “furious” for baking bread and cooking stews. Tandoors have also been found in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations.
Cooking method – Tandoori cooking is a high-heat method that uses direct heat and smoke from an internal charcoal or wood fire to cook food. Baking flatbread in a tandoor continues today in dishes like Indian roti, Afghan naan, and Turkmen chorek.
Tandoori chicken – Tandoori chicken is known for its orange exterior and typically includes chicken, honey, and tandoori masala.
The rice was cooked perfectly.
Mary and I thought the place was excellent—better than driving to Costa Mesa. The service was exceptional, and the waiter was super friendly; he had worked there for twenty-two years.
Before:
I put my chicken on the top of the rice.
After:
I could have licked the plate!
After lunch, we went to Macy’s, as Mary needed some goodies for the upcoming trip. We ended up at JCPenney’s before going home.
Go it!
We were home by 2:45 p.m. I went to the yard to finish work and clean up the HeShed. I needed to be able to get inside without having to do the twist! I finally came in at about 5:30 p.m. Mary had just completed her packing list for the Caribbean. I got on Amazon and ordered two additional suitcases.
We had a light dinner and binge-watched “The Good Doctor” until 10:00 pm when my eyes decided to close!
It’s Monday, so get ready to experience one of my all-time favorite tunes!
5:00 am, and Alexa woke me up. I had a dermatologist appointment in Los Alamitos at 6:00 am. The freeways were empty, and I made it with time to spare. Dr. Newman carved me up taking four biopsies, and I will get the results on Wednesday!
The sailing was great, and I made it back to Orange by 7:30 am, which gave us 45 minutes to visit the garden!
As usual, we were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. After the gym and returning home, we went out to patrol the garden. That dastardly rabbit was at it again, but we’ve got everything it fancies wrapped up tighter than a burrito in wire mesh, so no munching on our watch! The little critter even kindly left us a surprise gift, which we promptly planted in the dirt!
The day was so hot, over 95 degrees, that Mary decided to stay inside with the air conditioning cranked up while I braved the heat to work in the garage. By the end of the day, I was sweating more than a glass of iced tea in July. I put the final rabbit fence around our cantaloupe – those sneaky rabbits won’t know what hit them!
My beard is coming along OK now. Instead of Mary calling me “scruffy,” she now calls me “Gabby”!
At dusk, I gave up and came inside and decided to make a trip to Home Depot to get some tiny screws to fix a July 4th decoration. On the way home, I got some burgers and fries and “cooked” dinner for Mary!
After dinner, Mary picked some sun-gold tomatoes for Jeff, and we visited him for a while. While walking back home, I snapped a picture of the homestead, all decorated for the July 4th celebration!
Red, White, and Blue!
We continued watching The Good Doctor and crashed around 10:30 pm. The heat does us in!
The neighborhood rooster declared it was time to rise and shine at 6:00 am, so I launched my shoes at him, sending him flying off the fence. However, in the process, my shoes ended up in the bushes! I guess sometimes you win (against the rooster) and sometimes you lose (your shoes).
We did some harvesting in the garden and I began the building of ANOTHER anti-rabbit fence; those little suckers are back!
We stayed up to late last night! Reminder: Get eight hours sleep before getting your picture taken!
By 8:00 am we were back in the patio area where we replanted the invasive mints, resurfaced the potting bench, put in the watering lines for the mother-in-laws tongues, and did some trimming. The patio is looking so good now, I’m thinking of renting it out as a five-star vacation spot. Just need to add a mini bar, a hot tub, and a personal waiter named Fernando.
The potting bench needed a new coat of oil. Unlike other finishes that form a film on the wood’s surface, tung oil penetrates deep into the wood fibers, cures to a flexible non-oily solid, and becomes part of the wood itself.
Good stuff if used once a year!
I coated the bench making sure every area that sees the Sun all day is covered.
The finish takes a day to dry, then becomes waterproof and UV resistant.
I moved our Ninja woodfire oven back onm the bench and organized the pellets.
It sits ready to go at a moments notice!
We got it at the Elks during a silent auction and paid $100 for it; we got a deal!
The pellets come in different “flavors”
When I emptied the lower shelf, I found the cover for the oven and am now using it.
We can cook right in front of the kitchen window!
We replanted some of the mint and moved the mandevilla plants so we can see the blossoms as we dine outside.
The colors are amazing!
The Mother-In-Law Tongues are now sitting by the rubber plant and have their own drip system.
The weather was a bit warm well into the 90s most of the afternoon so we went inside and bing watched “The Good Doctor”.
When it cooled down a bit, I went to the garage and hund two additional patriotic bunting flag and we stwill have two more to do tomorrow.
I sprung into action before Mary and dashed out to the backyard to take care of some dead-leaf trimming like the responsible gardener that I am. Mary, my savior, brought me some much-needed coffee, and then we cozied up on the patio to strategize our day of conquering the world. Our grand adventure started with a thrilling expedition to Home Depot for supplies.
Jobs for today:
Trim roses
Hang garden tools inside the outdoor Rubbermaid shed.
Build two additional cages to protect plants from the bunnies.
Move the Mother-In-Law’s tongues to the base of the rubber tree and connect the watering system.
Put oil on the outdoor planting benches and adjust the waterproof covers.
Put up the bird eliminator on the left-hand side fence in the front yard.
Rearrange HeShe and toss out unused liquids.
Pick apples and make a dessert!
We planned to work until 3:00 p.m., get cleaned up, and go to Campus Jaz for a Linda Ronstadt performance with dinner and friends, the usual culprits (Vicky and Jim, Bob and Donna, Yoli and a friend, and little old us).
Mary checked on her roses, and they were thriving like never before! They must have had a good pep talk from the garden gnome.
Matching reds.
My favorite is the butter-colored Julia Child Rose. It looks like you could spread it on toast. The Rose has buttery, bold blooms and a licorice-clove fragrance, which its namesake would have loved in the kitchen.
The morning sun makes it bright.
While I worked on the tool shed, Mary picked for Vicky, whom we will see later today. The peppers look especially good.
The box was a cacophony of colors!
After two hours of walking back and forth to the garage and visiting Home Depot, the tool shed is now organized. The only thing remaining is alphabetically arranging the tools on the rack (just kidding).
We have wanted to do this for two years!
We are off to the Campus Jax theater at the Orange County Airport.
We got to Campus Jax early and sat while they did their sound checks. Ms. Ronstadt stopped by and visited with us for about ten minutes. She looks like the real McCoy!
The real Linda!
In a career spanning over five decades, the legendary Linda Ronstadt captured everyone’s hearts with her enchanting voice and left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. Ronstadt Revival, featuring Shannon Rae, is the premier tribute to Linda Ronstadt. It features a full seven-piece band, including fiddle and pedal steel, to bring you the truly authentic sound of the Ronstadt catalog.
Real, raw, and 100% LIVE music. From Linda’s 1967 beginnings with The Stone Poneys to her extraordinary renditions in the ’70s of songs by beloved songwriters like Smokey Robinson, Warren Zevon, Lowell George, The Eagles, and The Rolling Stones, to her ’80s smash album Mad Love with its New Wave vibe. Shannon and her Ronstadt Revival band will take you on a timeless journey, weaving in stories of Linda’s fantastic life and musical career. We sang along to our favorite hits, including “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and many more!
This amazing tribute band travels far and wide, delivering fantastic concerts wherever they go.
She was quite talkative, but we would not expect any less with Vicky!
Mary and I had excellent seats. We sat at the end of the table, and when the show started, I moved across and sat next to her. We were bee-bopping all night long; a great name for a song.
Lucky me, I sit across from a beautiful lady all night long.
The show begins!
She and the band lit up the room; it was like reliving the 1970s again!
She is quite the performer and she had the entire audience in the palm of her hand!
The entire audience was cheering and singing along!
We made a detour to Aces on our way home to enjoy a glass of wine, and guess who we spotted at the bar? Bartender Mary, with a mischievous glint in her eye. The next thing we knew, Mary had taken over the jukebox, and it was filled with her eclectic music choices. We couldn’t resist dancing some more, but now we were grooving to my Mary’s unique DJ skills.
