Thursday Has Arrived; We Face It Together!

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 by Paul

A stroll in the garden is quite peaceful. We can hear the bees buzzing, the birds chirping, and the elephants moving through the trees near the vineyard.

The backyard flowers are quite magnificent.

There has been no wind this year, so the Santa Rosa plum tress is doing wonderfully. Santa Rosa plums are edible and known for their delicious sweet-tart flavor, making them great for fresh eating, baking, or making jams and preserves.

The plums are coming along nicely.

Oh My!  As high as an elephant’s eye and waving in the breeze.  Corn pollination typically occurs when the tassels (male flowers) release pollen and the silks (female flowers) are receptive. This process usually begins within a few days of the tassel emerging from the whorl. Pollen shed and silk receptivity last for about 5-8 days, with peak pollen release usually occurring in the morning.   I promised the corn not to yell out the window, “Get A Room” this year!

If your corn doesn’t get properly pollinated, it can’t produce those creamy kernels – it’s that simple

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the sex life of corn:

1. Tassel Emergence and Pollen Shed:  The tassel, which emerges from the top of the plant, opens and releases pollen in the early morning.

2. Silk Emergence:  Silks, which are the female flowers and are located on the ear, emerge from the embryonic ear within a few days of the tassel emerging.

3. Pollination:  Pollen is dispersed by the wind, and when it lands on the silks, it fertilizes the ovule.

4. Timing:  Pollination is most effective when the tassel and silks are both mature and receptive, typically within 3-5 days of silk emergence.

5. Factors Affecting Pollination:  Weather conditions, particularly high heat and humidity, can affect pollen shedding and silk receptivity, potentially delaying or reducing pollination.

Corn as high as an elephant’s eye!

While the corn is doing its thing, the zucchinis are going theirs!  We have given away many zucchinis already, but several have met our new zoodle machine and become low-calorie spaghetti!  We love our machine and use it quite often!

Noodles in process!

 

Zoodles this evening!

We headed to the Elks for Girls Night Out after stopping at CVS for some prints and then to the dry cleaners, so I will have shirts to cover this magnificent body! Mary suggested using a Vons bag, but I find the handles hang down too long.

Girls Night Out was fun, with Barry, Bill’s youngest son, joining us. We cavorted for quite a while before leaving for home to get my blood pressure log, which we had left at home. We had a 2:45 p.m. appointment with Ty Cobb, my heart wizard.

He poked and prodded and looked at Mary’s medicine adjustment and said she would make a good heart doctor; her adjustments were right!

We made further adjustments and then decided he wanted to see me back in a month.

Blood tests play a crucial role in revealing information about heart health by measuring various markers and components in the blood. They offer insights into risk factors and potential heart issues. These tests can help predict risk, diagnose conditions like heart attacks and heart failure, and monitor treatment effectiveness.  My BNP was not good, and if you believe the statistics, I am good for about three years!

We made zoodles and then enjoyed a relaxing evening with The Blacklist.

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Hello Wednesday! We Are Again On The Run!!

Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 by Paul

Yeah, no gym this morning; instead, we are going to a vascular surgeon for a consult about my carotid arteries!  The carotid arteries are a pair of major arteries that supply blood to the head and neck.  They branch off the aorta and ascend through the neck to the brain.  The carotid arteries are essential for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain.   I have had one plugged for many years, but the second one shows signs of wear and tear.  If it gets plugged, I will depart this life sooner than planned.

A vascular surgeon specializes in treating the vascular system, which includes arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.  They diagnose and treat conditions like aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins.  Vascular surgeons perform both open and minimally invasive surgeries, including endovascular procedures like stenting and balloon angioplasty.

Looking at the calendar, Dr. Mary and I began moving into our new home four years ago, and Ortega got the job; they had no idea what they were getting into!  A caravan of trucks worked day and night to transfer all of our ill-gotten goods from Seal Beach and “on the hill” to the new abode christened Casa Valencia!

Turck number 43 arrives.

They did not need GPS, follow the tire tracks!

We did NOT have gym today, but went to see a vascular surgeon about my carotid artery issue.  She was excellent and did a lot of explaining.  I am now scheduled for a CT Scan to get additional clarification.   We should know in about two week whether or not I will be undergoing corrective surgery or not.

Since we were out and close to Benji’s deli, we decided to have brunch, which meant we shared one of their huge pastrami sandwiches!  It was plenty enough for both of us, and I didn’t even have a root beer float!!

We went VFR home from Benji’s, which took about nine minutes.  The rest of the day, we did chores around the house before getting ready for the show!  Sho?  What show?

The pride of Wales, Sir Tom Jones, has been performing for over 50 years, with a staggering back catalog of classic hits.  From his early hits like ‘Delilah’ and ‘It’s Not Unusual’ through his pop resurgence of the 1980s with his cover of Prince’s ‘Kiss’, Jones has never been afraid to reinvent himself.  Now on the edge of 85, catch the legendary crooner live on the Defy Explanation tour, coming to North American shores this spring!

We had dinner at the Silver Trumpet, which was, as usual, outstanding.  The swordfish was excellent, and Jim went for the Salmon.  The girls went for salads with Mary, also adding some lamb lollipops to the feast!!

Dinner with Vicky and Jim

After dinner, we waited for the ladies before walking across the street, a short block, to the theater.

Dashing and de-boner gentleman await their ladies!

The show was terrific, although we would have liked it more if he had sung some of his oldies, but it was OK.

85 and still singing

We had great seats in about the tenth row from the stage!

Great fun!!

We clapped and, in some cases, sang along with Mr. Jones.

Half time.

Walking out after the almost two-hour show, we stopped so Vicky could use her “good camera”.

Just us!

As we stood there, I overheard two people talking to each other.  I felt bad for Mary having to be with “the ancient one!”

Indeed

Jim and Vicky are enjoying life and seeing new things all the time.

Leaving the theater.

When the show was over at 9:30 p.m., we walked to the car and headed home.  Home to the Seagerstrom/Southcoast Repertory is about a 15-minute drive because the traffic was all going the other direction.

We watch some more of The Blacklist.  We finally gave up at midnight and went to bed!

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Tuesday Became A Busy Day!!

Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 by Paul

I crashed early and Mary stayed up polishing silver until Who-Knows O’clock!  I know it was late because I was up at 5:00 am ready to go, and Sleeping Beauty was sawing big logs, and she didn’t even stir when I got out of bed!

Sometimes I wonder why she puts up with me!  Our friends also wonder!

We expect our cleaning crew to arrive on Wednesday, so we started early this week.  Everything was hung up in the closets with care.  It looked like someone was expecting St. Nick to be here.  According to my calendar, not for another 219 days, and we won’t be home to see him this year; we will be chasing penguins in Antarctica!!

While Mary was asleep, I went into the kitchen and made coffee.  Then I heard a strange noise.  It was a funny sound, and it quacked me up.  There it was decked out in its feathery finest, Mr. Duck!

Derned Duck checked the pool temperature before going in for his morning swim!

Failure of the watchdog!   The best he could do was to manage a yawn and roll back over.  Nary a whimper for our alarm system!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Lazy Bones #2 saw the duck and didn’t say a thing!

I managed to get up and amble over to the spot where Mr. Duck had been sunbathing!  Snif sniff bark bark and he went back to bed.  I am surprised he didn’t go in the house and find some duck food for Mr. Duck or at least turn on the pool heater.

Finally, I convinced Scout to go out by the pool, and he said, “Hey, Daddy, I think there was a duck here!!”

We had some serious coordinating activities to do today!  Mary has a watercolor class, Scout needs to go to the vet, and Dianne needs to pick up her car.  After careful consideration, I chose option number three hundred and two!

  1. Take Mary to her watercolor class at 12:30 pm, and return home!
  2. Do nothing because I had no time; corral Scout and put him in the van at 2:00 pm.
  3. Go to Dianne’s and pick her up (along with Scout) at 2:20 pm
  4. Drive to the class to pick up Mary (2:40 pm)
  5. Drive to Dianne’s auto shop in Orange near the traffic circle, arriving at 3:15 pm.
  6. Take Scout and Mary to the vet (Scout has the appointment), arriving at 3:30 pm.
  7. Return home 4:15 pm
  8. Panic to get ready to depart for the Legion at 4:30 pm.
  9. Eat tacos and do some line dancing at 5:15 pm!

I was required to wear my chauffeur’s costume the entire time!

The Casa Valencia resident artist was busy today:

She sells seashells by the seashore!

The tacos were great and the dance a load of fun.

Go girl, go!!

Just us!

Since Scout just had his shots, we departed early to ensure he was doing well.  When we arrived home, he was well and happy to see us.  The three of us went to the TV room and watched The Blacklist until midnight; we are closing in on the last of the series, only 75 episodes to go!

 

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Another Week Begins, This Is My 4,181th!

Posted on Monday, May 19, 2025 by Paul

Oh no!  It’s that time again when I must put on my suit of armor and wander forth into the jaws of my personal trainer, Nurse Ratchet!  Today I had to tell her my lower back was giving me fits, and she immediately threw me down on the floor (which by the way is hard on the armor plating) and began a tribal ritual which she learned while traveling up the far reaches of the Amazon.   Fortunately for me, this time it did NOT involve poison darts or pygmy alligators or piranhas!

After an hour of hearing snap, crackle, and pop sounds, my back was pain-free; however, the rest of my body was in severe anguish.  I was told, “This too shall pass!”  I am still waiting.

Selecting our next meal!!

As we passed the frozen dessert section, Mary said she heard a voice from the freezer.  I thought she may have hit her head at the gym, but I also listened to the sound.  It sounded like Dolly Parton singing!   I turned up the hearing aid and sure enough, it was Dolly and she said, “Take me to Jeff’s house!!)  Then it hit us.  We were asked to get a peach cobbler for Jeff, his favorite!

Peach cobbler is called a cobbler because the biscuit or batter topping puffs up when baked, creating a texture resembling the cobblestones of a cobbled street.  The term “cobbler” also hints at the dish being put together haphazardly, using whatever ingredients are available, like how a cobbler (a shoe repair person) might fix a shoe.

Guess where this is going?

I was warned not to take pictures since she was makeup-free, but who needs makeup when you are this pretty?

The evil eye is watching my every move, but why???

Why is she smiling??

The evil eye watched the margaritas, ensuring the 36″ long straw I usually carry with me did not make it into her glass when she was not looking.  Who, me?

NOW, we know why!!!

The chili verde burrito drove in by itself and parked in front of me!  It was quiet, perhaps battery-powered.  It was huge and spoke to me (in Spanish), “Betcha you can’t eat the whole thing!”    I oiled up my jaws with a big swallow of the margarita, and the entire burrito disappeared in minutes.

The word “burrito” means “little donkey” in Spanish.  Some believe the name comes from the appearance of a rolled burrito resembling a donkey’s bedroll, while others think it’s because they used to be sold from donkey carts.  In Mexico, burritos are typically smaller and have fewer ingredients.  The first burritos are said to have been made in Juarez, a city that borders Texas.

 

This burrito was HUGE!

Mary fixed up two beautiful artichokes for dinner, as I was still full from the burrito; it had the last laugh!!

We went over to Jeff’s and visited.  We brought him his cobbler.  We kept half of it since it was family-size!

We then focused on the hot tub since it was a gym day.  We soaked for about an hour.  I used the jets directly on my lower back, which made it feel even better!

We then turned on the TV and continued watching The Blacklist.  This time, we kept busy as we polished a beautiful tea set that Irene had given us (her new place was too small).  We wanted to put it out in the formal dining room and show it off; it was beautiful!!!  I worked until 10:00 p.m., at which time I crashed.  Mary kept working.

Thank you, Irene, we will keep this beautiful set on display and use it often!!!

I should note, the platter is a work in progress.  It required some additional TLC.

The Sandman came soon and I was off in dreamland!

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Sunday Was A Busy Day!

Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2025 by Paul

P-s-s-s-s-s-s-t, that’s me on the left! Mary is the cute one!

It’s morning, and our walking hooves are on and ready to take on the day!  We played the waiting game for about an hour until the outside temperature hit a toasty 65 degrees—because stepping outside in anything less would be like launching ourselves into a meat locker!  Who knew we’d become temperature sommeliers to avoid frostbite?

The new route was relatively flat, and we moved along at a staggering rate of one mile per hour, leaving a trail of dust and debris behind us!  The important thing is that we are moving!!

We have a new path now!

On our way, we discover things that were previously unknown to us!  We saw a 1940s clothes dryer, solar-powered, no less, still being used!

Works like a champ!!

We note new flora and fauna as we progress through the trail.  The little cactus seems to be saying, “Look at me!” We know that if we get close, it will jump out and bite you with a poison quill!

Cactus spines, often mistaken for thorns, are actually modified leaves that help the plant survive in harsh environments.  They serve multiple purposes: protection from animals, shading to reduce water loss, and even potentially propagating new plants.  These spines are designed to be difficult to remove, further deterring herbivores.

 

It was quite a standout.

A little farther down the path, Mother Nature provided a rather innocent-looking trumpet vine for us to examine.

Trumpet vines are native to North America and are known for their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.  They are woody, clinging vines that attach to structures using aerial rootlets and can become invasive outside of their native range.  The scientific name Campsis comes from the Greek word “Kampe,” meaning “bent,” referring to branches bending under the weight of flowers.

Mother Nature’s colors are amazing.

Yesterday, I washed off a nest that had formed under the garage’s eaves, and to my surprise, I washed away three baby birds.  Well, I was sad about the birds, but they are messy.

After our walk, we heard chirping and saw the mother bird flying around as we approached the front of the house.  We looked carefully and there were three baby birds in our rubber tree.  They had somehow managed to get into the rubber tree for safety, and Moma was feeding them.

Watcha doing, birdie??

We rested and did chores around the house before getting ready for the Starlighters’ bi-monthly dance, this time themed “Apple Blossom Time.” It was held at the Elks, and we were prepared for a great evening of dancing and visiting.

We were the greeters this time.  We were surprised that Vicky had displayed one of Mary’s paintings— an apple blossom painting!

Mary was recognized.

We do the photography and are the club’s secretary (plus we do odd jobs).  We got an early picture of ourselves before all the guests and members arrived.  We had 87 people here this evening.

Just us!  Yes, I am wearing pink!

We were the last ones to leave after helping Bob with the iron couch and other equipment.  During the evening, we ordered one glass of “good wine” and then opened a bottle of the really good stuff, Two Buck Chuck.  We find it amazing that we are both so alike.  So we find solace in the $75/bottle stuff, no!  We enjoy Trader Joe’s wine offering, Charles Schwab’s “two buck chuck,” which is now $3.25 when on sale!

We drove home om about seventeen minutes and then watched two episodes of The Blacklist before visiting the Sandman!

The end of another romantic evening with my bride!!!

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Saturday Has Arrived Full Of Clouds And Drizzle!

Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by Paul

Robin was up early; she went to the kitchen.  I was up early; I went to the office.  When Mary arose, we all got together.  We chatted and talked to Colleen to check up on Calhan’s progress.

So what do we have here?  This image is a genuine two-story outhouse attached to a two-story hotel.  Until I read the details, I did NOT want to be on the first floor (for obvious reasons).   I feel this way sometimes, especially when the password fairy sprinkles her dust on my computer!

Oh my!!  Look out below!!!

To bring it up to date, I colored the old outhouse, revealing some additional details.  The second-story “two-holer” is on the back of the building, so the droppings miss the folks downstairs!  This is a great idea!!

Oops!!

So, back to the main story.  We all decided to walk, and tried a new route to pass Linda’s wonderful garden.  Her garden is located about half a block from our place, and it was spectacular, as usual!!

The pink flowers were everywhere!  The image shows Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas.

Flowers everywhere!

The lilies lined the front fence, revealing a manicured lawn complete with bird feeders in the ees.  Lilies are a flowering plant that is known for their large, colorful, and often fragrant blooms.  They grow from bulbs, are native to the northern hemisphere, and are commonly found in Asia, Europe, and North America.  Lilies are popular in weddings, bouquets, and other regal ceremonies.  They are also poisonous to cats, so it’s important to keep them out of reach of your furry friends.

The lilies were magnificent.

I planned to have lunch there, but Mary reminded me it was someone else’s lawn!  Phooey, I had a plan!!

We love their front yard.

We looked at Lind’s roses and wondered if they were climbers.

Do you climb?

They are definitely climbers, and they have hundreds of flowers.  We are going to the plant store to find a couple of these for the front yard so they can overhang the entranceway!

Silly question!!

Linda planted Evening Primrose, which will take over the place unless she is careful.

Mexican poppies!

The red lantana looked like a charcoal fire.  Lantana is a popular ornamental shrub known for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.  It’s a heat-tolerant plant that can be used in containers, landscaping, and hanging baskets.  Lantana is also part of the Verbenaceae family, with the most common ornamental species being Lantana camara.

A bed of red!!

Oh my, a rock varnmit!

We are being watched.

We have a new route that is not hilly, yet provides a mile’s worth of effort.

I started the GPS a little late, but only about 400 feet!

After our walk, we were starved, so I suggested the Original Pancake House.  This way, Mary did not have to cook, and we could share the breakfast (their portions are amazing).

The Original Pancake House for breakfast!

Our eyes were bigger than our tummies!

We loaded up!!

Returning home, Robin wanted to try the trike, so she zoomed down the street!

Robin tries the trike!!

We rested for a while and then got ready for the Fullerton Elks Saturday night event, the local high school jazz band.  They were terrific!

We are at the Jazz Club High School Band at the Fullerton Elks!

We sat with George and Beverly, longtime friends and fellow dancers.

Beverly and George are a great couple and good friends.

The event lasted from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and included a fantastic Italian dinner.  We had a glass of wine and then danced several dances.

The lodge had a 50/50 drawing, so Mary and I brought five tickets for each kid (and their instrument).  We hoped one of them would win, but an adult won the drawing.

 

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The Week She Is Gone!

Posted on Friday, May 16, 2025 by Paul

We got up early and got ready to go for a walk right after paying bills!  I got so mad at the damned computer that I turned off the power and didn’t touch it until late in the evening.  Those GD passwords are enough to make a guy crazy.

We talked to Colleen this morning, and poor Calhan was admitted to the hospital with an abscessed tooth.

We walked 1.29 miles this morning, and I ran the GPS to track us.    We did OK for two old geezers, considering there were hills involved.

Coming down the hill, we saw the cactus blooms and decided to clip off a couple and cook them up next time.  Cactus flowers, particularly those of edible cactus varieties like prickly pear, have a subtle, slightly sweet flavor often compared to a melon or watermelon.  The taste can also be mild, bland, or a bit of a berry-like taste.  The flavor can vary depending on the species and how it’s prepared.

They are almost too pretty to eat!!

After our walk, we worked in the garden for a couple of hours.  There, I met Mr. Lizzard, who was sunbathing on the top of the fence.  We had a charming conversation.

What do you call a lizard that sings?  A reptile dysfunction! 

Just sitting!

This afternoon, we cooked a three-pound corned beef, and Mary made a wonderful salad from the garden!  We watched TV until Robin popped by.  She stayed the night with us, and we always enjoyed her visits!  After dinner, we went to the garden and picked some goodies for Robin.  Then we went to the TV room and started season six of The Blacklist!

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A Typical Thursday!

Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2025 by Paul

There were no big plans today except for Girls Night Out.  We did take our morning walk, and I made it 0.7 miles, only sitting down once, a new record.  We snapped a couple of shots of our front yard.

We are decorated for the next holiday as soon as I change out the flag.

The front yard flowers are doing quite well and are making the front of the house look great!  The gladiolus has roots in the ground and in ancient history.  Named for their shape and appearance, the term gladiolus stems from the diminutive form of gladius, which means “sword” in Latin.  Translated literally, a gladiolus is “a little sword.” Gladioli are also called xiphium, which comes from the Greek word xiphios, which means sword.  In addition to the name gladiolus, the flowers have been referred to as sword or corn lilies.

Our gladiolas get new homes every time we depart; Mary likes to give flowers to our friends.

The second set of Hollyhocks had emerged to the left of the front gate.  They are seven feet tall already and show no signs of slowing down.

The blossoms will be stuffed this week.

After the walk, we prepared to depart for the Elks Lodge for our weekly Girls Night Out.

We stopped on the way so I could take another blood test.  This time, I fooled them.  I studied for several hours before the test, and I passed it with flying colors.  One Sponge Bob Square Pants band-aid later, I was out the door and on our way to the lodge!

We were pleased to see Ed Roberts and Betty at the lodge this fine day.  The regulars were also there, so nine of us celebrated and drank wildly (isn’t water and Diet Coke wild??).

After lunch, we stopped by the cleaners and deposited several dress shirts that needed TLC.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier go to a Dry Cleaner.  The owner says, “Can I help you?”
They say, “How much to wash an old pair of boxers?”

In the afternoon, Mary took a short nap, and I attacked the flower bed, digging up a celery plant.  The pants always look good, but the taste is not!  So, I looked up why and got the following answers:

Here’s a more detailed explanation of why celery might taste bitter:

1.  Insufficient Nutrients: Celery requires a rich, nutrient-rich soil to thrive.  If the soil lacks essential nutrients, the celery plants might become stressed and taste bitter.

2.  Excessive Heat: Celery prefers cooler temperatures and can become bitter if exposed to prolonged heat stress.

3.  Water Deficiency: Celery needs consistent moisture.  If it’s not adequately watered, the stalks can become stringy and bitter.

4.  Over-maturity: Overly mature celery plants can have a bitter taste.

5.  Lack of Blanching: Blanching, the process of covering the stalks with soil or paper to prevent sunlight exposure, can help reduce bitterness.  Blanching encourages the celery to develop a sweeter, milder flavor.

6.  Improper Storage: Celery can become bitter if stored incorrectly or for too long.

7.  Growing Conditions: Celery thrives in soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8 and requires well-drained, moisture-retentive soil.

8.  Plant Age and Maturity: Harvesting celery when it’s young and tender can also help prevent bitterness.

We watched some TV and finally hit the sack around midnight!

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Theater Day #2; The Staircase

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 by Paul

I finally finished the Mother’s Day website for 2025. It takes one or two days to select from the 110 images I took with the camera and prepare some of the overheard chatter into captions. It’s fun to go back and see the images years later.

Today was Wednesday, and that means bodily punishment complete with whips and chains. This morning, we got there a little early, and I rode 4.89 miles, losing about 150 calories along the way!  We are happy to report that no bones were broken, nor were any tendons snapped; we made it out alive.

We stumbled back home, and Mary whipped up a breakfast/lunch so delicious it could win a Michelin star! I half-expected the Egg McMommys to start doing the cha-cha.  Out new toaster does an amazing job and it even handles bagels!

A new type of Egg-McMommy was served along with a fruit salad.

The cleaning staff rolled in around 1:30 p.m., so we had to channel our inner tornado and clean the house before they showed up! It was like a race against time—who knew dust bunnies could move so fast when you’re trying to shoo them away?

They even dress up around our house.

In the afternoon, my resident artist took to her perch and worked on Binx the Cat.  I took the opportunity to sit with her and we watched more “The Blacklist”; we are now half way through the 288 episodes.

QUIET PLEASE: Artist at work!

We are off to the Silver Trumpet again tonight, and I plan to have my one martini and then eat light so I will stay awake during the play.  We had an amazing dinner, and I managed to order small portions!  The lamb lollipops were fantastic.

BTW: The nursery rhyme was first published by the Boston publishing firm Marsh, Capen & Lyon, as a poem by Sarah Josepha Hale on May 24, 1830, and was possibly inspired by an actual incident

Oh My!!!! Out of this world!!

I was going to do my secret rendition of chopsticks but alas, we ran out of time!

The player piano was doing its thing!!

Dinner was delightful, the martini has bid us farewell, and we’ve got 20 minutes to waddle—yes, waddle—across the street to the theater! If we don’t make it in time, we might just end up starring in our own comedy show right here!

Summary:  A Mother and Son spend their evenings playing cards and retelling stories of Hawaiian legend. Better those than their own, which lurk below the surface. When Son’s former sweetheart resurfaces, both he and Mother must choose how they will embrace the future. A mysterious tale about holding on, letting go and the curious force that pulls us back home.

We all enjoyed the play, albeit quite different from what we expected.  The dialogue was funny yet serious.

We ventured back to the restaurant to rescue our cars from the parking lot prison, then zoomed home like we were in a high-speed chase—minus the cool car stunts, of course. Overall, it was a delightful evening filled with laughter, good food, and the strange realization thatwe will be back on the 21st to see Tom Jones!

Paula and Dan are Mary’s financial advisors and keep her in cash!

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Theater Day #1; Mamma Mia!

Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 by Paul

I woke up tired and had my coffee, but that didn’t even work.  I enjoyed the morning just sitting in the office, looking at the myriad of pill boxes Dr. Mary goes through to make the morning concoction for me.   Her medical expertise keeps my BP right on 120/80, which is good!

We talked about our morning walk and did an abbreviated version of it.  Mary wanted to try the trike, so she donned her black leather jacket, motorcycle boots, and motorcycle hat and was off.

I stayed well behind her because she was practicing making motorcycle sounds as she peddled along.  They were rather amusing and quite unexplainable!  The backfires were alarming.  All the dogs in the neighborhood were barking their heads off.

Hot Rod Mary is throwing caution to the wind!!

There she goes, leaving a trail of audible motorcycle sounds which should require ear protection for those within fifty feet. Note to self: Get Mary a flashing red light to add to the trike to warn the neighbors she is coming so they can cage their animals and protect the small children.

Wait until you see the skid marks!

Mary departed for watercolor school, and I got busy doing chores around the house.  Then came the call, that dreaded call: “Paul, sweetie, I forgot my _________.” Anyone can fill in the blank.  I dropped everything and went to her rescue.  This time,  it was her half-finished “Binx the Cat” watercolor.

I returned home after measuring the times to and from the Senior Center in Tustin; taking the side streets takes 15 minutes, and taking the freeway takes 12 minutes.  So, the choice does not seem to matter.

Mary made it home around 3:30 p.m., and I thought there was something fishy!  My well-honed instincts proved to be correct again!

When I confronted her with my suspicions, she became very coy!

We got ready to have dinner with the Capps at the Silver Trumpet in the afternoon.  They will see the play tomorrow evening, but wanted to dine with us tonight anyway.  We had a terrific meal and enjoyed the company!

Food and service fit for a king!!

We went to the theater, a one-block walk from the restaurant.  By the way, we bought next year’s Broadway Series 2025-26 subscription.  We will be seeing:

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  • Shucked
  • The Wiz
  • Some Like It Hot
  • Moulin Rouge!  The Musical
  • The Notebook
  • Monty Python’s Spamalot
  • SIX
  • The Sound of Music
  • The Phantom of the Opera

Tonight’s performance of Mamma Mia was terrific.  A mother.  A daughter,  3 possible dads and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

For nearly 25 years, people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make MAMMA MIA!  the ultimate feel-good show.  I have seen the show four times, and each time it gets better.  This was Mary’s first experience.    She can hardly wait for next season to begin!!

High energy and plenty of music!!

We walked back to the restaurant and did not stop for a drink as we had a gym class in the morning.  We crashed pretty quickly and are getting ready to return to the scene of the crime tomorrow; we are seeing “The Staircase” at Southcoast Repertory Theater and, of course, having dinner at the trumpet!

Our next visit to the Seagerstrom is to see “The Life of Pi”.  I originally thought it was “pie” and got all excited!!

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