Paul & Mary's Daily Diary | Our little space on the World Wide Web since 1996 where we share..

Saturday And We Are Again BUSY!!!

Posted on Saturday, June 7, 2025 by Paul

Today, we work and then play… sounds normal! Well, when I was getting ready to go outside and tend to the garden, I was accosted by the Mrs. (I think it was her, as I couldn’t see through the clothes that were hanging up) about the toilet seat. What have I done, a terrible sin I committed?

I goofed up again!

I quickly put down the seat and headed outside, deciding to brush my teeth later when she was not around.

We ate several of the artichokes, but this one escaped our dinner table and decided to bloom to avoid being boiled alive.

Did You Know? Artichokes, native to the Mediterranean region, are actually immature flower buds, not vegetables, and are rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They’ve been cultivated since ancient times and are considered a delicacy in many cuisines.

They are believed to have aphrodisiac properties, which is why I give Mary two every day. In the past, artichokes were thought to have aphrodisiac properties, and women were even forbidden from eating them in some cultures.

This is an artichoke in blossom.

We worked from 9:00 am until almost 2:00 pm. I removed the last vestiges of the flowers in the vegetable garden, and Mary and I planted zucchini, Japanese Yard Long Beans, and several other veggies we got on Friday.

Below, Mary is washing down the concrete between the raised beds. The runoff water goes directly into the grapes!

Mary tends the garden.

At 5:30 pm, we headed to the Elks to listen and dance to Jermone Dean, who plays and sings like the good old days. There were few people there, but we had a great time dancing until late in the evening; I think it was 9:30 pm!

Being a real pest, I asked our waitress to ask for Mr. Capps’ ID when her ordered his vodka. She did it, and Bill was so happy; he had not been carded in 65 years! We made his day!!

Here comes the line dance!

During this evening’s conversation, the subject of craft homes came up. My aunt and uncle had one of these two-bedroom models, and I recall helping them assemble it.

Did You Know? Sears Modern Homes, also known as kit houses, were prefabricated homes sold through Sears, Roebuck and Co. mail-order catalogs between 1908 and 1942. These homes, shipped in boxcars, contained all the materials needed for construction, including lumber, siding, hardware, and paint, but not cement, brick, or plaster. Although Sears did not sell them for long, a substantial number of these houses were built and remain in existence today.

The original kit house!

We had a wonderful evening with Bill, Sandee, and Connie (her bridesmaid). Mary asked me to dance with Connie, and we went out and cut a rug!!

We got home around 10:00 pm and hit the sack. After a day in the yard, we were done!

Posted in Dancing, Dining Out, Elks, Friends, Vegetable Garden | Leave a comment

Work Work Work

Posted on Friday, June 6, 2025 by Paul

We strolled the garden to see what would be in the next meal, and the cucumbers were coming on strong. These guys begin to grow slowly, and then they take off like a shot.

The morning garden inspection reveals we’d better get busy picking!

Did You Know? Cucumbers, despite being commonly used as a vegetable, are botanically fruits. They are primarily composed of water, around 95%, and are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Cultivation of cucumbers dates back over 3,000 years, with India being their origin.

The phrase “cool as a cucumber” is based on the observation that the inside of a cucumber can be 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding air.

Cucumbers were introduced to the Americas by Christopher Columbus

It’s time for the morning walk, which Robin, our physical trainer, has organized. We headed down the street, only stopping a couple of times for my lower back.

We are off on our morning mile walk with Robin.

At the very end of Valencia, a lady was standing by the gate to her backyard, and she introduced herself. She asked if we would like to see her garden. “Garden,” she said, we said yes! Well, we walked in and were immediately transported to Hawaii! Her children used to live next door, and when they were there, the fence was removed and the two backyards combined into a paradise! (We did not take a picture from the ground, but here is a Google Earth image.)

All three of us were flabbergasted! Who needs to travel? Just walk outside!

There were two pools, several waterfalls, Hawaiian-style palm buildings, tiki bards, and gardens all around, featuring beautiful flowers.

We continued our walk and passed by the veterans’ home.

We like this house!

We found flowers along our way; Mother Nature is truly creative.

The flowers were pretty.

One of the houses was a tad in disrepair, but they had a good idea by placing conversation pieces in the pathway next to the curb. The house was cute, but for want of some paint and minor repairs, it would be very nice. To each is their own?

It’s a nice idea gone wrong.

Inspiring & Philosophical About Walking:
A walk in nature walks the soul back home.
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
Walking is man’s best medicine.
The beauty is in the walking, destinations betray us.
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.

The girls made it home before me, and Mary got out the trike. She came back to get me, but we couldn’t figure out how to get my big butt into the small basket!

Look out, crazy driver.

Today’s walk took us 1.1 miles. The small spot on the map, located in the lower left-hand corner, is where we wandered around the Hawaiian village and visited the owner. By the way, she knows us by the colorful lighting on the house and the holiday banners and flags we always have posted. We invited her to see our garden, so the next time we see her, she can be amazed at the veggies!

We overachieved.

We then worked in the garden for several hours after Robin departed. The sweet peas were removed as they had run out their blooming season and were beginning to turn brown. Now, Mary cannot wear her gardening costume as there is no place to hide.

Well??? Are you coming out?

By 6:00 pm we were pooped out so it was time for dinner. We both showered and got on our jammies before cooking dinner. Mary fixed fresh green beans from the garden and made a terrific salad also from the garden.

The master chef pulled out the filet mignons and let them sit, bringing them up to room temperature. After reaching room temperature, I rub in salt and pepper. Then comes the magic. I set the oven to 450 degrees. But before they go into the oven, I add olive oil and several pieces of garlic to a very hot frying pan; we used HexClad pans.

The steaks are placed on a hot pan and left to sit on one side for three minutes. Searing is essential for a good steak. After three minutes, I turn them over and add two tablespoons of Irish butter (do not add butter early, as it will burn).

We are having dinner tonight.

During the last three-minute searing activity, I ladled the butter and garlic onto the steaks. When the timer goes off, I move the steaks from the pan to the oven (next time I will remember to use hot pads). The steaks cook for another 4-6 minutes, and I check them to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 130 degrees, which is medium-rare.

At 130 degrees, the steaks are removed and placed on a plate to rest for ten minutes, allowing the juices to reabsorb into the meat. Then I cut the meat into bite-sized slices and added them to the plate that Mary had prepared, which contained the green beans and baked potatoes.

Everything turned out perfect.

We had a $22.00 steak that would cost us $100 easily if we were going out. We turned on soft background music and enjoyed ourselves with a glass (or two) of Two-Buck Chuck. Each of our meals probably costs around $13.00, plus an additional dollar for the wine. Taking my bride out for a $28 dinner was amazing (and romantic)

I love to work in the kitchen with Miss Mary.

May did apologize.

Indeed!

After working all day, we were pooped out and hit the sack at 9:00 pm. I woke up to take Scout out at midnight, and the TV was on, Mary was out cold, and the dog was on a mission! We had a wonderful day.

I thank the Good Lord every day for giving me such a wonderful life!

Posted in Cooking, Family, Vegetable Garden, Working Around House | Leave a comment

All We Did Was Eat!

Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2025 by Paul

OK. It is 5:00 a.m., and we are preparing for the CT Scan of the carotid artery. The carotid arteries are major blood vessels that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood. They are crucial for brain function and health. There are two main types: the internal carotid artery, which primarily supplies the brain, and the external carotid artery, which supplies the face, neck, and other external structures. Carotid artery disease, such as atherosclerosis, can lead to stroke, and treatment options like carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty can reduce the risk.

We are far too complicated!

St. Joseph’s, here we come! We arrived 30 minutes early, and I went through the check-in procedure. We were called right on time. They escorted us to the waiting area, and I was taken inside immediately (I was the first patient of the day!).

I was in and out in ten minutes, as I knew the procedure well and did not move a single muscle; they got the picture on the first take!

The blue arrows show blockages in the arteries. I will get my report tomorrow via the online portal.

Aah, I popped out, and there was no Mary in the waiting room!! I tried the ladies’ room, but it was locked; ah ha, I thought to myself. I waited and waited, thinking maybe she fell in, and then, from the other direction, came Mary carrying a Starbucks coffee. She left me for Starbucks!

We laughed and headed to the parking lot.

Mary and my brains are ALWAYS in sync, and we looked at each other and said, “Benji’s?” We are off for breakfast before the next medical session! We shared a huge veggie omelette and had coffee. (Meal #1)

After breakfast, we drove across the street to the Laguna Hills Nursery, where we picked up some zucchini and several other plants.

Always a great selection and knowledgeable staff.

We had some time, so we decided to drive home and put the plants in the garden before our next two stops.

We turned around and headed back to Laguna Hills Nursery, then went four blocks south and got a blood test at the 801 building in Tustin. We had an appointment at Quest, and again, we were in and out in minutes!

Now for some serious work; we headed to the Elks Lodge for Girl’s Night Out. We had Will, Heorge, Bob Z, and Bill C there today, so that you can imagine the interchange. The arrows were flying. Mary and I both had the Yankee Pot Roast special. (This was meal #2)

Back home, we spent a couple of hours working in the garden, preparing it for the planting of the new plants tomorrow. Mary had her little cart filled with trimmings while I dug out two carrot beds and freshened up the dirt with the latest compost.

Mary (on the left) sits and attempts to untangle the carrots that were pulled.

We stopped for a drink of wine and awaited the arrival of our girl. Robin is staying with us tonight.

We decided to take Robin’s recommendation and went back to Benji’s for dinner. This was meal #3.

Robin spotted pickled tomatoes and wondered what they were, so I ordered some. They were delicious!

If you’re interested in the world of pickled tomatoes and some fun facts related to them, here’s some trivia you might enjoy:

Yes, pickled tomatoes are indeed a type of pickle. The term “pickle” refers to a food that has been preserved in brine or vinegar, not just cucumbers. Many other vegetables, as well as hard-boiled eggs or meat, can be pickled.

Pickled tomatoes can be made using various types, including green or red tomatoes. For instance, one method involves blanching firm, red tomatoes and then pickling them in a slightly sweet brine with ginger and pickling spice.

When pickled, they offer a blend of fresh and acidic tomato flavors with a sour, crunchy, and hearty texture.

While recipes and suggested wait times for pickling can vary, some sources recommend letting them sit in the refrigerator for at least a week to allow the flavors to develop fully. However, some people may find it hard to resist trying them sooner.

Yes, they are pickled tomatoes!

We now await the feast to arrive.

We went to Benji’s for dinner.

But before that, we had to have buffalo wings, and these little guys were plump and perfectly fried!

Buffalo wings!

After stuffing our faces for the third time, we headed home, where Mary gave Robin (and her family) her rendition of Binx. We also gave the family a plaque for inside or the garden commemorating Binx.

Robin got Bins’s picture.

The three of us were tired. Mary and I’s jaws were hurting after chewing so much today, so we crashed around 9:30 pm.

I am fortunate to have Mary as my partner in life, as she looks out for me and ensures I maintain a balanced diet.

Scout and I wandered in the back yard to make sure no elephants were hiding in the underbrush! It was a warm evening with the temperature staying around 68-70 degrees.

Backyard at night!

We fell into bed asleep; Mary hadn’t even brought her book with her.

Posted in Doctor, Family, Food and Wine, Vegetable Garden | Leave a comment

Wedensday Has arrived And We Are Ready!

Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 by Paul

We entered the gym carefully, hoping not to be seen by the staff, but alas, we were spotted and immediately thrust into an hour of sheer agony! By 10:00 am, my hurt hurt! When 10:00 am rolled around, we darted out of the gym faster than the Flash could go!

We ducked into the post office and mailed our estimated taxes to the two tax authorities, California and the Federal Government. When the stamp went on, I cried, saying goodbye to the hard-earned money, knowing full well that 30% of it would be wasted by the politicians lining their pockets.

We then went to CVS; we needed more medications. If there were an award for the number of pills taken per day, I would win!

Finally, we got home and began straightening the house before the house cleaners arrived. I leveled the pictures on the family room wall and put up four of Mary’s watercolor paintings.

I placed Mary’s works of art on the Family Room wall! The Dragon Flies made the cut.

Second Place, not too bad for a beginner!

This is the picture Jonathan wanted from our last cruise together, so Mary painted it for Jon!

The flag is Jonathan’s picture; we will deliver it in September. The flamingos were the challenge given to Mary by her instructor.

Our Family Room wall is quite large, and we have room at the top remaining.

We have more room if need be!

We have finalized the arrangements for Father’s Day at the Elks for this year.

We had friends over this evening because the Starlighter’s Board Meeting was cancelled, and we had already procured the snacks! Bill Capps, Sandy, Dianne, Bob Z, Vicky, and Jim joined us for a couple of hours of snacking and sharing stories.

To add a touch of color, Mary created some edible flowers using her new pastry pouch, which allowed her to control the piping of the cheese contents.

Keeping busy and being creative!

The flowers came from several plants around the front yard.

The colors were quite striking when put together.

All of us, when “shopping” in the Casa Valencia Gardens, filled two Ralphs bags to the top with FRESH veggies. They picked onions, tomatoes, squash, string beans, kale, and Swiss chard.

Mid-evening, we received a text from Hannah, my niece, who had just put together a swing that Mary and I had sent when Owen was born. They put it together in the garage, and apparently, Owen is enjoying himself. It’s great fun to see our grandnephews grow up!

We were tired as everyone departed, and we had to be up at 5:00 am to get ready for my CT scan of the carotid arteries at St Joseph’s, being early at 8:00 am.

Posted in Friends, Gym, Vegetable Garden | Leave a comment

We Gonna Grad-U-Ate!

Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 by Paul

Today, we jump into the Silver Fox and head north to Camarillo to attend Megan’s high school graduation. The 90-mile journey was uneventful. With a Breakfast Mac and a Latte in hand, we headed up the 55 to the 405 to the 101 and arrived about 90 minutes later!

We stopped at Diane’s home first and planned the day. Diane rode with us to the school, which was about three miles away.

Upon arrival, we hiked to the back of the line and made our way to our seats. We had Diane (mom), Geoff (dad, Steven (brother), two of Megan’s friends, and us! We had reasonable seats.

Mother Nature decided to drop some liquid sunshine on us, but not enough for an umbrella.

Above the podium was a large TV, which was used to display individual class members, and later, it was used to show the diploma ceremony.

On the big silver screen.

Graduation regalia may seem modern, but it dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities first began to form in Europe. At that time, most scholars were also part of the clergy, which explains the resemblance of the academic robe to religious garments. Back then, the tassel served both a functional and decorative role on early academic caps, and over time, it evolved into what we know today: a key symbolic element representing academic achievement and status.

Someone is pretty happy.

Grandma Mary and Megan share a moment!

It is always nice to get the family together.

Geoff, Megan, Steve, and Dianne.

In the U.S., most high school and college graduates wear the tassel on the right side before receiving their diplomas. After the certificate is awarded, the tassel is moved to the left side to mark the transition from candidate to graduate. That flick of the tassel marks a moment of transformation from one identity to another. One side says you’re on your way. The other says you made it. And if it feels a little bit like opening a door, that’s not an accident. Graduation itself comes from the Latin word gradus, meaning “step.” The tassel marks the one students have just taken.

How come Grandma is the shortest?

Grandma’s little brood.

When the caps were tossed into the air, approximately 130 of them, we thought they were gone, but Steven ran out and sorted through all the headgear, finding his sister’s work of art. Our hero!!

Steve was the hero; he retrieved Megan’s cap.

What a clever idea. Pictures from the last four years are bonded to the top of the cap.

Quite an original idea.

We returned to Diane’s house and dined on groceries from the Cheesecake Factory! We headed home around 6:15 p.m. and arrived just after 8:00 p.m.

Colleen sent a picture of her brood taken on Mother’s Day. Jacquie, Cassie, Grandma Colleen, and Sarah.

Colleen and my granddaughters.

Returning home, we puttered around the house for a bit and then watched “Home Improvement” for about four episodes…we needed a good laugh after fighting all the traffic.

Posted in Adventures, Family, Memories | Comments Off

Monday Was A Day To Relax!

Posted on Monday, June 2, 2025 by Paul

We awoke to the sound of Scout wanting out, and then we looked at the wall clock! Oh my goodness, we have to be on our way to the gym in less than 30 minutes.

We made it just in time and then proceeded to get bashed and beaten for an hour. As we limped out of the gym, we looked at each other and said, “The rest of the day will be great!”

The gym is working, I am now 198 pounds and dropping!

From the gym, we went to Home Depot to purchase some miscellaneous items, including a mosquito electronic trap, flowers, rat bait, and batteries.

Then we went to Trader Joe’s to get some milk, and we strolled out with three cases of wine and five full bags of goodies.

As soon as we got home, Mary put away the groceries and made lunch!’ She tasted the ham to ensure it was not poisoned. (I thought it was a rat bite.)

I never liked sandwiches until Mary began making them!

We spent the rest of the day loafing around, doing odds and ends. Mary worked on her needlepoint, and I moved the Home Depot supplies to the back patio and washed down our rubber tree, which is soon to be moved.

Always a pretty sight to behold!!

We visited Jeff around 6:00 pm and spent some time with him, bringing him homemade cookies.

We watched some TV, and by 10:00 pm, we were done!

Posted in Gym, Just Us, Working Around House | Comments Off

Oh My, June Has Arrived And Christmas Is NOT Far Away!

Posted on Sunday, June 1, 2025 by Paul

I wake up this way, and it goes downhill from here!

Again, we waddled into the office with our coffee and proceeded to make a reservation for our upcoming visit to Diane’s home, and then on to Medford for Mary’s High School Reunion. We were going to take the train, but their online reservation system is so bad that we decided to drive. Six hours to San Jose and another six hours from San Jose to Medford, easy peasy! The train would be almost thirty hours!

Mary wanted to get a new pair of thongs for her feet because Summer is coming fast, but she didn’t seem to be able to get the size she needed.

They all seemed a little tight!

We blew the rest of the day watching “Department-Q”. Nine hours of binge-watching this series took us until almost 9:00 pm!

Dept. Q is a Scottish crime thriller television series created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, based on the book series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. It premiered on 29 May 2025.

Former top-rated detective Carl Morck tackles a cold case while transforming an Edinburgh basement office space into a well-oiled machine, filled with misfit officers dedicated to cracking whatever seemingly impossible cases come across their desks.

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Zip Nada, We Stayed Home!

Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2025 by Paul

Mary made significant progress in the office. After thirteen trips to the file cabinet and fourteen to the trash, her chair is now visible. The desk, not so much!!

We received an email from our dear neighbor, Jeff, who included an image of an oil painting of Linda’s front yard (our neighbor), created by a local neighbor. It was beautiful.

Mary will be taking acrylic painting classes in the near future!

We worked around the office and finally decided to try the pool, but alas, it was still in the high 70s, so we came back inside the house. We plan to look on Amazon for some updated swimsuits.

The weather was warm, with the outside temperature in the mid-80s all day, so we stayed inside and watched the ending of The Blacklist. We got Vicky started, and when she called, she was on episode 4. We told her we were finishing episode 288.

Mary went “shopping (or chopping) in the garden and brought back dinner! Mary makes a mean salad! We had a delicious dinner, and to add to that, Mary made cookies for Jeff, so the house smelled great!

We watched a new series called FUBAR, and it was funny. We finally crashed around 10:00 pm, but before I went to sleep, I looked at some OLD photos circa 1955 and found one of my cousin Claudia and me (with Mom and Dad) seeing Dad off to his Hawaiian vacation on the good ship SS Hawaiian Pilot.

Mom would not travel, planes scared her, and she got seasick easily. Dad wanted to travel, so he found a freighter that went back and forth to Hawaii, part of the Matson Lines.

The image was colorized using the latest AI software.

The construction of the so-called C-3 cargo vessels began during World War II, after the famous “Liberty” and “Victory” ships. This standardized type of ship overtook all other boats as it was more modern, longer, and could also reach a higher speed. After the Second World War, these ships were converted into ordinary freighters and sold to various shipping companies.

The Hawaiian Pilot was built in 1944 and entered service at that time. After the war ended, it was acquired and refitted by the Matson Navigation Company and mainly traveled the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hawaii routes. The cargo consisted of a wide range of everyday consumer goods and agricultural products, primarily destined for the West Coast of the United States. The vessel had a cruising speed of 16.5 knots and a total cargo capacity of 12,500 tons.

On 15 March 1946, she departed the West Coast for Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived in April. She was decommissioned on 11 June 1946 and returned to the Maritime Commission the following day.

On June 26, 1947, she was sold to the Matson Navigation Company and renamed SS Hawaiian Pilot. On 14 July 1953, the Hawaiian Pilot collided with another C3 ship, the SS Jacob Luckenbach, off San Francisco in fog; the Jacob Luckenbach sank, but the Hawaiian Pilot saved the entire crew. The damage to her bow was repaired.

She was again sold on May 8, 1961, to Oceanic Steamship Company, a Matson subsidiary, and was renamed SS Sonoma. On 21 January 1971, the ship was sold to Far East Line Inc. and was finally sold to Excelsior Marine Corporation on 17 March 1972, at which point she was renamed SS Noma. She was sold for scrap in 1973.

I finally hit the sack at 10:20 p.m. and fell asleep immediately. It was a long day of doing nothing!!

Posted in Family, Fun, Just Us, Working Around House | Comments Off

We Made It, Another Saturday!!

Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2025 by Paul

I was up and going about 6:30 am, and I left Mary to get her beauty rest for another hour or so! Scout was happy to see me and shot out the door like a small rocket heading for his favorite grass spot.

I went to the office and began thinking about the past. I remember high school quite well, as I entered high school in 1958. What’s going on below? The typing students are “blindfolded” and are typing what the teacher is saying.

While Mary puttered in the office, I changed the flags on our flagpole to Father’s Day. The flag pole gets heavier every month! I also puttered around hanging up the last of my reorganized clothes in the closets. Now I can find things.

Posted in Memories, Working Around House | Comments Off

Be Prepared, Very Prepared!

Posted on Friday, May 30, 2025 by Paul

Oh my… We checked the calendar, and we are free until 5:00 pm, when the Elks will be hosting Larry Fresch and his band for a night of dancing and tomfoolery!

During the day, we relaxed and did some work around the house. The office always needs attention, and Mary’s desk no longer requires a ribbon to be found; the desktop is clean!

In the afternoon, we got ready for the dance, making sure we had plenty of red panties to go around.

Panties, you ask? Why yes, RED panties. Tonight’s band features Larry Fresch, who used to sing this song at a local restaurant, and when he did, ladies would throw panties at him!

As a timid and conservative person, I procured fifteen pairs of red underwear from Amazon and distributed them around the front table with instructions for the Elks.

Mary, my sidekick and partner in crime, asked Larry to play the song. Larry asked Mary if she had any (red panties), and without breaking a smile, Mary reached inside her blouse and pulled ONE of them out. Larry was frightened! Then, he started singing.