Off to the dreaded gym, where I assumed a position on the upright bike and peddled for 345 minutes, attaining a maximum speed of 0.004 miles per hour. I looked much like a whirling dervish!!
Whirling Dervishes, also known as the Mevlevi Order, are a Sufi mystical sect founded by the poet Mevlâna Celaleddin Rumi. They are renowned for their “sema” ceremony, a form of worship that involves whirling, accompanied by music, to achieve a state of spiritual ecstasy and connection with the divine. The practice is more than just a dance; it’s a form of active meditation and a spiritual art.
The smoke from the burning brakes finally cleared out.
On the way to the car, we decided to stay home as the temperature was supposed to be 86 degrees, and walking around the fair on the blacktop would be arduous at best! Our plans changed by having Robon join us in August; the three Musketeers ride again!
We returned home to clean the house before the house cleaners came to visit. During this time, I watered the new grout so it would cure properly. Grout curing time typically ranges from 24 to 72 hours, but can vary based on several factors, including the type of grout, humidity, temperature, and the thickness of the grout lines.
Around 1:45 pm, we departed for the Crystal Court at the South Coast Plaza! Mary wanted some new swimsuits and we went to “Everything But Water”. She bought two new suits, but as she was modeling them for me, I suddenly got hot flashes, began sweating profusely, and my heart went “pitty-pat”!!
Eight million feet of shopping delights.
Did You Know? Not only is South Coast Plaza one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in the United States, with 250 retailers covering 128 acres, it’s also one of the largest shopping spaces in America. The Segerstrom family privately owns it!
After my old heart settled down, we came home via Aces Bar & Grill and had a small dinner. Mary had a steak salad, while I had some stuffed jalapeños and buffalo wings.
The remains of a ounce proud plate of buffalo wings!
We texted Jeff the selection of tacos Aces offered, and we brought him his selection for dinner.
Before sunset, we were in the pool “splishing and splashing”. Bobby Darin would have been proud of us!!
By 9:00 am, we were in bed and wandering off into dreamland.
Posted inJust Us|Comments Off on Off To The Gym And Then Maybe The OC Fair
5:30 am and we are up and running on all eight cylinders. Well, maybe seven? We spent an hour or so in the office before getting ready for the day’s more serious tasks.
“Mornings are like nature in spring… humming with the sounds of life and the promise of a fresh new day!” —LeAura Alderson
Mary had her painting class at 1:00 pm so she departed for the showers a little early. .
Tom Heaton, our handyman, came over at 10:00 pm and we worked on the patio to get ready for Charlie’s birthday party on Saturday.
Tom worked, and I did other necessary chores like finding the top of the workbench, ordering umbrella accessories for this weekend, getting swimming pool caulking compound, and of course, cleaning the kitchen before the boss gets home.
Mary returned with her latest masterpiece!
Mary gets better every week!
We have a lot of brick around the pool, and some of the mortar has come loose, so we asked our handyman to fill in the blanks. He did a marvelous job, working almost seven hours straight to prepare and repair damage, and complete the mortar work.
We are ready to start work!
95% of the grout has been fixed, and on Thursday, we will do the caulking around the pool proper.
The grout is in!
Cleanup time! The pool cleaner will have a field day tomorrow.
Cleanup is underway!
We visited Jeff, bringing him some cookies, and then headed back to the pool for the infamous midnight swim. By 9:45 pm, we were sawing logs after sitting by the fire pit for a while and finishing off some wine that was leftover in the fridge.
Tomorrow, the dreaded gym and then to the Orange County Fair!
If life went any faster, we would be waving bye-bye as it disappeared into the future without us.
Good night emoticon with nightcap
Posted inWorking Around House|Comments Off on I Love Work; Could Watch It All Day Long!
Most of the day was pretty standard, starting with getting twisted and bent by the tormentors at the gym. I told them my arm does not bend that way, but they did it anyway! I will be out of traction in a few weeks, but feel free to stop by and sign the cast!
Returning home in an ambulance, we wobbled into the backyard to visit the veggies. I moved SLOWLY to the grapes and got several to my mouth using the one remaining arm.
We got ready to go to the Pageant of the Masters, and Vicky has our Fearless Leader this evening. Dianne came by around 3:00 pm and we departed soon thereafter, taking The Silver Fox down the 55 to the 73 to the 133.
On each evening of the Festival of Arts summer schedule, ticket holders are amazed and enchanted by two hours, including a 15-minute intermission, of tableaux vivants (living pictures), incredibly faithful recreations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces.
An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant of the Masters as the best presentation of its kind.
Vicky made reservations at The Lumberyard, just a few blocks away from the event.
It is over 100 years old!!
In 1912, at the bend of Forest Avenue, 23-year-old Joe Jahraus opened the Laguna Lumber Company. He and his father(cigar maker, first postmaster, and real estate agent) built the beautiful French Normandy building that is here today.
Before the lumberyard opening, building supplies needed to be dragged in by mule or floated in on the tides, and therefore, Laguna Beach had fewer than three hundred permanent residences. After the Lumberyard opened, the area began to grow at unprecedented rates, transforming it from a tent town into a thriving city. Laguna Lumber operated for seventy-three years, sixty-two of them in this location, and its architecture, influenced by Joe’s tour abroad in World War I, is one of the most significant influences on the town’s aesthetic.
Half timbers, mud walls, and shingled roofs grace many of the downtown storefronts and homes throughout the city because of this landmark. Today, 384 Forest is home to Lumberyard – a contemporary American restaurant.
I had two selections from the “Tinned Fish” menu! The meal was outstanding, and the company was even better! I also ordered a tin of fish for Bill Capps, who was initially wary of my motives but eventually admitted it was pretty good.
Yummy and unique!
At The Lumberyard, they bring a global seafood sensation to Laguna Beach with their newly curated Tinned Fish selection! These delicacies, once a staple of European coastal cuisine, have evolved into gourmet treasures prized by chefs and food lovers alike. But what exactly makes tinned fish so special, and why is it having such a moment in the culinary spotlight?
A Brief History of Tinned Fish: The art of preserving fish in tins dates back to the early 19th century, pioneered by French inventor Nicolas Appert, who developed a method to keep food fresh for longer voyages. Soon, coastal countries across Europe—like Spain and Portugal—adopted this technique to preserve their bountiful seafood catches. Today, tinned fish is a beloved delicacy, celebrated for its rich flavors, convenience, and the unique aging process that enhances taste over time.
Who’s Enjoying Tinned Fish and Why? Originally popular among sailors and workers for its practicality, tinned fish is now a trendy choice among foodies and chefs who appreciate its nuanced flavors and versatility. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy tapas bars, these tins are popping up on menus worldwide. It’s more than just preserved seafood; it’s an artisanal experience. With over 45 varieties on our menu, you’ll find everything from Spanish octopus to Portuguese sardines and Galician mussels, each offering a unique taste of the ocean’s best.
What to Expect from Their Tinned Fish Experience: At The Lumberyard, they serve their tinned fish with an array of pickled vegetables and crisp crackers, inviting you to explore these delicacies in a casual, shareable way. It’s perfect as an appetizer, an adventurous snack, or even paired with one of our California wines. Be sure to ask about our full selection. Each tin tells its own story of coastal waters, artisanal craft, and flavors that only get better with time.
When is the Best Time to Try Tinned Fish? The answer is anytime! Tinned fish makes for a deliciously versatile experience that you can enjoy as a light bite before your main course or as the star of your meal. Its depth of flavor and variety ensure there’s always something new to discover. So whether you’re a seafood lover or simply looking to try something different, our tinned fish menu is ready to take you on a culinary journey around the world.
Dinner was fun with new people joining us this year!
Bill and Sandee Capps
Our hosts for this evening…
Jim and Vicky!
The official wine tasters!
Paul & Mary
Dianne is ready to see the show!!
John and Linda joined us this evening.
Always a load of fun!!!
I tried to have them select some “tinned fish” but I was unsuccessful!
Craig, Brenda, and her Mom also joined us for considerable horseplay at dinner.
Dianne and Mary pose at the entrance to the theater.
Having been here for the past thirty years, we brought a bankie!”
At half time, their girls went where girls usually go, but on the way back, they spotted the vehicle used in the performance that evening. It took both Dianne and Mary to keep Vicky from driving off.
Definitely Fire Engine Red!!
Remember, we brought a bankie. Well, the temperature got down into the 60s, and the bankie came out, and it was large enough to cover the three of us.
We were snug as a bug in a rug!
10:45 pm and the show is over. We waited until the crowds had dissipated before leaving; why sit in traffic?
Dianne and Mary!
I relayed the story when I was asked to be in the performance. Being fairly astute, I wondered in what work of art. When they mentioned “The Statue of David”, I opted out. I did NOT want to be known as “shortie” the rest of my life! I also thought they would be asking themselves, “Is that a boy or a girl?”
I would have needed a larger blanket!!
We got to the car, which was parked close to the entrance. Getting home was a breeze since all the people who left as soon as possible had already gone.
It was close to 11:15 pm when we got home, and Dianne headed for her house immediately. We were both tired, so we hit the sack soon thereafter.
Thank you, Vicky, for another incredible adventure into the world of art!!
Posted inDining Out, Friends|Comments Off on Four Years Ago Today We Got Married.
We started the day by going to the garden and working for a few hours. Our 4th anniversary of getting married and 5th anniversary of our first “date” are tomorrow, the 28th, the same day as Colleen’s 53rd birthday! We’re heading to Patty’s Place for a 5:00 pm rendezvous with family and friends today, as we have tickets to the Pageant Of The Masters in Laguna on the 28th.
We worked on the patio, getting it ready for our grandson’s birthday, which is coming up on August 2nd. He and 30 of his friends, along with their parents, are coming for a swim party! I told Charlie he would have to behave, or this might happen to him!
We headed to Patty’s around 3:45 pm to adjust the seating arrangements and have a nerve-settling drink before the shenanigans got underway!
We arrived safely at 4:25 pm with enough time to notify Patty’s that we would have a few more than earlier reported; in fact, we filled up the entire patio.
We sat at the bar until the first few people joined us; first was Vicky and Jim.
We had a great time with 26 of our closest friends and family. Between Joe, Vicky, and Robin, we have a lot of pictures that we will post on the website in the next few days.
Dessert, the most essential part of dinner!
Meanwhile… George and Greg meet and have a lot of fun!
George was my financial man when I ran a department at Rockwell; he kept me out of jail!!
My eldest daughter, Robin, had the best seat in the house! From her vantage point, she could see everything going on!
Robin keeps an eye on her bottle.
Bob and Robin make us very happy! We wish that Colleen could have been here, but she is celebrating her 3rd birthday in New Orleans with her husband and in-laws.
An adorable couple indeed!
Married just five weeks, Bill and Sandee are getting to know the family!
Bill and Sandy Capps!
James joined the fun this evening! Bob and Jim always have fun!
The President of the East Los Angeles Girls Club came with Jim and kept the evening moving right along.
Hail to the President… wanna win a turkey??
Charlotte made me face my golf demons with a smile.
Meet the Ladies’ Champion Golfer of Old Ranch!!
Donna is getting ready for the month-long European trip coming up soon. She and Bob are jetting to the middle of Europe and gallivanting across the continent.
She is having a good salad for the last time in a month!
Dianne and Fast Eddie were a hoot all night long! Dianne’s house training activities are coming along just fine.
Eddie and Vicky talked a lot about motorcycles, including races/clubs/individuals.
Eddie studies the menu! Dianne, always smiling!
The Liles’ tribe occupied the corner seats, giving the two grandsons a bird’s-eye view of what adults do when celebrating. Michele suggled right in!
Joe and family with Michele enjoying the evening.
George and I share stories of years gone by! As George says, “Those things that didn’t happen were sure a lot of fun!!”
Mary accidentally spilled her wine (NOT really, but it makes for a good story!!), and as I ran for the mop, I remembered a similar event happening at home a few weeks back. I heard this “slurp slurp” sound.
She didn’t miss a drop!
We departed around 9:00 pm after an extended visit with the Dudas. Going home was quick, as there was zero traffic on the 405. We were home in eighteen minutes!
When we arrived home, we checked our watches to make sure we had enough steps in for the day. Mary came up a little short, but she had a quick solution for the problem.
We had a busy day planned, so we got ready and headed to Mary’s physical therapist at 9:30 am. While Mary was inside, I got the fateful call. While I was attempting to read my book, Mary asked if I could go home and get a package for the doctor. Fory-five minutes later, I returned to the parking lot and carried in the package. Traffic was terrible!
After she returned from the doctor’s office, we decided we wanted to visit our dear friend Irene, who had not been feeling well lately. To brighten her day, we called Irene and she placed her lunch order with us. We headed (we thought) to George’s Greek Cafe on 2nd Street in Belmont Shores, but the GPS was taking us to Pine Street in Long Beach!
Thank goodness we didn’t order it to go, because the usual 40-minute trip ended up taking hours and some change.
Mary dialed in George’s on her Batphone, and off we went happily, when about 40 minutes later, I knew something was wrong.
I forgot to tell Mary that Georges was in Belmont Shores, NOT Long Beach. We spent 25 minutes navigating Long Beach, which has tiny streets.
I first went there in the mid-1990s.
We asked for Nicky, but she was home for the weekend. She now owned the only George’s Greek Cafe remaining. She is a lovely lady!
She is charming, funny, and a shrewd businesswoman!
George and Rodoula Loizides came to the United States almost penniless more than 40 years ago — bringing with them nothing but dreams and three young children.
They built George’s Greek Cafe from scratch, which soon became a legend on Pine Avenue in Long Beach. They and their children — Jimmy, Euripides (known by all as Rip), and Nicky — added two more restaurants in Belmont Shore and Lakewood. As the years advanced, they built an extended family of customers, employees, and friends.
But the longtime marriage of George and Mama Rodou, as she was known, ended in 2019 when the couple died within six days of each other.
Mary and I needed a drink after the harrowing experience navigating the backwaters of Long Beach. We celebrated with a saganaki!
Look out, here comes the alcohol!!!
OPA!!!
We heard the fire department coming this way!!
Saganaki is a Greek appetizer made with fried kasseri cheese. The ritual of adding brandy and flambéing the cheese was started by restaurateurs in Chicago, who encouraged customers to yell “Opa!” as the plate was being ignited. You can recreate the tradition at home in minutes, whether you’d like to spark up a little romance for your bride on date night or just try a fast and fun cheese dish on a chilly weeknight. Serve with sliced fresh or grilled bread.
We finished off our wine before heading to Irene’s home over on Atlantic.
Saganaki and Chardonnay, what a way to live!
We picked up our order, and it was in two bags; we overachieved.
Slurp, gurgle, belch… we are on our way!
We got to Irene’s around 1:30 pm and had a nice lunch with her. She was not doing well, and her daughter is coming down tomorrow to be with her for a few days, hopefully taking her to the doctor.
Irene’s apartment is on the 11th floor overlooking Long Beach and the surrounding areas. Palos Verdes is quite visible in the background.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula, situated south of Los Angeles, is renowned for its breathtaking coastal scenery, affluent communities, and rich history. Trivia about the area includes the fact that it was once home to a Nike Missile base, an honor farm (prison), and is known for its wild peafowl population. The peninsula is also home to the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, a critically endangered species.
We saw a glimpse of Catalina Island, which is 26 miles away!
We didn’t stay too long, as Irene needed to rest.
On the way home, we got the bright idea to call Charlotte and perhaps stop by the club. Charlotte was on the course, and the timing was perfect.
We stopped, and within a few minutes, Charlotte turned the corner onto the 18th hole.
We sat by the window so we could see the golfers at work!
Charlotte joined us soon after we arrived and had pre-ordered her drink of choice, champagne with grapefruit juice.
Always a smile!
We shared medical conditions. Wayne and I are having very similar cardiac issues, and we agreed to continue sharing in the future to see how the men are doing.
Good friends enjoy visiting.
We finally arrived home around 5:00 pm, at which time I decided to take a well-deserved nap. I didn’t wake up until after 10:00 pm. I joined Mary in the kitchen where she was needlepointing. We finally crashed at 12:30 pm. We had a full day!
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on We Came, We Visited, We Went Home!
We were without energy today! We did decide to have steak for breakfast.
The way to start the day!!
We then headed to the garden to do cleanup before the gardener arrived. We started by removing the flowers from around our pet pineapple. They were shading it too much. Now Mr. Pineapple is happy. He should sprout this summer.
The flowers were from bulbs, so we dug them out and transplanted them to the front yard, filling in some blank spaces. We needed some mulch, so that went onto the shopping list!
“Thank you, I can breathe again!”
The baby watermelons are safe in their cages, away from the roaming night monster. What do you call a watermelon that broke the law? A water-felon!
September will be the time to pick these guys!
We cleared out all the dead/dying zucchini, making way for other veggies to be planted shortly.
The underbrush needed to be tossed and readied for more planting.
Did we mention grapes? We have had grapes for the last month, and these guys are perfect for the table. These snacks are much better than M&M’s!
We have more than we can eat, so we send it to our friends and neighbors.
The last of the “big” onions is now gone, but we have over 50 onions growing from eight onion sets we received a few weeks ago.
These may end up pickled and used in salads!
Our vineyard is loaded with grapes this year. We are still looking for the concord grapes, but the table grapes may have overtaken them.
A different type of grape is also ripening.
We checked the berries, and they are producing quite well. Mary and I always visit them and come back with a large handful of berries to enjoy!
Every year, the production improves steadily.
We discovered Japanese yard-long beans last year, and this year we learned how to prepare them best. They are better than string beans because they have no strings, duh!!
We keep picking, and the bushes keep producing!
Corn crop #2 is growing well. We are about 6-8 weeks from getting fresh corn again! We now have several new ways to prepare them!
Thirty plants times two ears per plant means a lot of corn to eat.
We were 90% done when Carlos and crew came to our rescue. They did their usual thing, and then he made a fatal mistake. He asked, “Is there anything you need done?”.
We did NOT hesitate, we pointed to the garden. His crew cleaned up all the trimmings, and Carlos finally got the Baby Tears into the ground out behind the grapes.
Soleirolia soleirolii is a flowering plant in the nettle family. It has several familiar names, including baby’s tears, angel’s tears, peace in the home, bits and pieces, bread and cheese, Corsican creeper, Corsican curse, friendship plant, mind-your-own-business, pollyanna vine, Paddy’s wig, and mother of thousands.
Carlos planted the baby’s breath into the dirt behind the grapes and shade-provided containers. We hope it spreads out to cover the entire area.
Up close, they look pretty good.
They are hearty, love shade and water.
Perfect for the way out south forty!
Grow and spread your wings, little fellers.
After Carlos left, we gave up declaring the morning a success.
We then went to Home Depot, where we filled the trunk of The Silver Fox with supplies for future gardening. We returned with new tarps to cover the workbenches, ant bait, rat poison, a small link chain for storing some keys, a motion-sensitive light to scare away the varmints, some succulents, and some other goodies.
We took some goodies to Jeff and visited for a while. We returned home and watched TV until about 11:00 pm when we hit the sack!
After swimming last night, Mary’s eyes didn’t open until 8:00 am, and then they were at half-mast. I only beat her by thirty minutes. Then I remembered, “The average person needs five more minutes of sleep.”
We headed to the Elks at 11:00 am because we needed to stop at Ralph’s and pick up “the cake.” Ralph’s Market did a magnificent job, and they also found some antlers in their “junk drawer”. I am sure the altlers were from a Christmas decoration.
We carefully laid it in the truck of The Silver Fox!
We had a gaggle of friends here today. It has been five years since we began this lunchtime ritual on Thursdays at noon. The ritual began when Bob Z. pryed me out of the house, making me “move on” after Sue’s passing. If it had not been for Bob, I would probably still be wasting away.
Top Row, L to R: Bob Z, Sydney, Vicky, Jim, George, Bill, Sandee, Karen, and Linda. Bottom Row, L to Right: Mike Ash, Dianne, Mary, Paul, and Iris.
We took several views to capture everything! We broke two lenses during the process.
Iris will be 99 this New Year’s Eve; she always sits to my left.
I did some speechifying, reminding everyone how it all got started. Special thanks to Bob Zaitz, who was the real mastermind of the operation.
After a half hour of talking, I sat down, and Bob Z spoke about his memories of the initial event. After being hit with three tomatoes and a whipped cream pie, he was forced to step back, sit down, and stop talking. I thought Bob was quite eloquent. His sing-song palaver was halfway between rabble-rousing and rapping. Next time, we will suggest telepathy.
Karen also chimed in, mentioning what a lovely group we were. It only cost us ten dollars to get her to say those words, but I noticed behind her, her fingers were crossed!!
I did happen to mention that after the first luncheon five years ago, I got enough courage to place a call to Dr. Côté for the first time (a suggestion from Jan Mongel). We had our first “date” on July 28th, just a few days later!
After Mary asked me out to dinner several times, I finally agreed to go. (It DID NOT happen that way, I begged, implored, pleaded; it was not pretty, but it worked, she said yes!!)
He won the blue ribbon for that afternoon’s speechifying!
Sandee and Bill showed up; we are pleased to see them out and about after being married just four weeks. They always stand out in a group. I remember telling Bill that I thought marriage is like a walk in the park…Jurassic Park. I also mentioned that marriage is a relationship where one person is always right, and the other is the husband.
They brighten up the room.
We all had a great lunch and shared stories from years gone by, some of which were actually true!
Sydney was keeping the far end of the table busy!
Iris, Will, and Sandee enjoyed the chatter among group members. We did miss Mike Andersen, but he was taking care of Bridgette, and that takes priority!
Will was here, but he was missed in the group photo!
At the business end of the table, Bob, Mike, Dianne, and Mary told the GOOD tales of lore.
Tales of Lore generally refer to stories that delve into the mythology, history, or backstory of a fictional world, character, or concept. These stories can be found in various forms of media, including books, podcasts, video games, Elks Lodge luncheons, and other digital platforms. It often explores the origins, legends, and cultural narratives associated with a particular setting or entity.
They were awaiting cake!
Vicky volunteered to cut the cake, and Dianne and Mary served everyone. The cake was outstanding. I was planning to save a piece for Jeff, our neighbor. I examined the scene of the crime where the 1/4 sheet cake had disappeared, vanished, became extinct, dematerialized, dissolved, or otherwise melted away, leaving only the box it came in and a few finger marks in the remaining icing.
Types of Buttercream:
American Buttercream: Simple, sweet, and easy to make, using butter, sugar, and sometimes milk or cream.
Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Made with cooked egg whites (meringue) and butter, resulting in a silky, stable texture.
Italian Meringue Buttercream: Similar to Swiss meringue but with a slightly different preparation method, often resulting in a glossy finish.
French Buttercream: Made with egg yolks and butter, resulting in a rich, decadent, and sometimes airy texture.
German Buttercream: Also known as pastry cream buttercream, it uses a cooked custard base thickened with starch.
Vicky opened the post-luncheon meeting of the “Girls Club of East Longeles”, a fundraiser for wayward men. Ask Vicky about the club, as she has been the president for almost 55 years since its inception.
Vicky tells a story!
We departed the Lodge around 2:30 pm, and Sydney followed us home so she could go grocery shopping in the Casa Valencia Gardens, where magic happens!
Welcome one and all!
After Sydney departed, we both took naps. We’re not lazy, we’re just in energy-saving mode. A nap is a mini-vacation for the mind.
I did better than Mary, as Mary had to wake me up at 5:30 pm. When my eyes opened, I thought it was Friday morning; I was perplexed! I napped for three hours. I must have been tired after all the festivities!
My grandmother was a very tough woman. She buried three husbands and two of them were just napping.
We had a small dinner and then went to visit Jeff for a while. We crashed soon after returning home.
Mary was first up on this fine day. Meanwhile, I was having my midmorning crisis.
A midmorning crisis is a period of self-reflection and emotional turbulence that some people experience during old age, typically between 80 and 100 years old. It’s characterized by a reassessment of one’s life choices, identity, and mortality, often leading to feelings of dissatisfaction, regret, worry about making it to the bathroom before Mother Nature calls, needing to wear Depends, and a desire for better coffee. While not a formal diagnosis, it’s a common experience with various potential causes and symptoms.
We managed to get out of bed and head to the gym, where we suffered great indignities. What kind of indignities, you ask? Attempting to bend over, forgetting where we put our water bottles, losing count of the number of reps we had achieved, trying to avoid breaking wind, and leaving through the door without hitting both sides of the door jam on the way to the car!
When we got home, Mary did the dishes in our new super deluxe dishwasher.
On the way home, we got a text from Vicky, and Dianne is going to join us on the 28th at Pageant of the Masters! This show will be Vicky’s thirty-third consecutive year (excluding the COVID year).
Mary and I got to talking about our dear friends, and we decided to post this sign shortly.
Mary made an excellent lunch. I assisted by chopping up the watermelon. I was surprised it was yellow on the inside. Notice how I cut the melon. When you reach for a “slice,” you get your own “popsicle”.
The yellow sun melon was the best we ever had!
The yellow watermelon was cultivated before the red watermelon and boasts a honey-like sweetness. Yellow watermelons lack lycopene, the pigment that gives red watermelons their color, and instead contain beta-carotene. They have been grown in Africa for over 5,000 years and were even depicted in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, suggesting their significance as a source of water and sustenance in the afterlife.
The smell of bacon drove Mr. Scout, the Wonder Dog, wild. His nose was lit up, and his bark sounded like a herd of wild animals. We had to stop eating and tear off a large piece of bacon to give to him, as we feared for our lives if we didn’t move fast enough!
Turkey bacon is a leaner alternative to traditional pork bacon, offering fewer calories and less fat. It’s typically made from ground turkey meat that’s formed into strips, cured, and smoked to mimic the taste and texture of pork bacon. While it’s often promoted as a healthier option, it’s still relatively high in sodium.
We love turkey bacon!
I do not know what Dr Mary put into the eggs, but I saw onions, mushrooms, and some eye of newt. I am sure there was more.
There was magic in the eggs!
We spent an hour “straightening up” before the house cleaners come; it’s just what we do! When the girls arrived, Mary and I were trying to stuff a summer duvet, and we weren’t doing well. Domilita stepped in and saved the day!
Did You Know? A duvet is a type of bedding consisting of a soft, flat bag filled with down, feathers, wool, or a synthetic alternative, meant to be used with a removable cover called a duvet cover. Duvets originated in Europe and are known for their versatility and ease of care. They can instantly change the appearance of a bedroom with different covers.
We called Vicky at dinner time and asked if she would like to join us and get in hot water! She arrived around 7:00 pm, and we headed to the pool. I put my toe in the water and teased that the water was cold, saying, “I must have turned off the heater by accident!” When Vicky tried putting her toe in the water, I got the evil eye. We both laughed!
Vicky bought a special hat to keep the sun off her face. I suggested she use it as an Easter Bonnet next year.
I jumped in first!!! Someone said, “Now we will have a ring around the pool!” Someone else chimed in. “Look! It’s Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent!” I am not even green!
I was mortified.
Talk about a fashion statement!!!
We didn’t know what to say, “Ah So”, “What happened”, or “Really?”
Mary followed us in, but she also brought us a surprise: marshmallows for a post-swimming dessert!
No self-respecting bug would dare enter the water with these two dennisons of the deep!
After an hour or so of cavorting, we headed to the campfire, where the chuck wagon, where cookie had laid out a spread of marshmallows and bamboo sticks. Life is good!!
Marshmallows are a requirement after a long swim session!
We stuffed marshmallows into our faces, talked about life, giggled a lot, but more importantly, we stayed warm. After being next to the first for quite a while, our towels and robes became dry!
Vicky and Paul are showing each other how to roast marshmallows!
Vicky headed out around 9:30 pm, and we went to the TV/Living room and watched a movie.
While Mary worked on her needle point, we watched Saving Private Ryan; finally, a good action military movie where every other word is NOT something you wouldn’t say in church!
Summary: Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realities of war, as they search for Ryan, each man embarks on a personal journey and discovers the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency, and courage.
Us goof up? Nah, that can’t happen, but it did! We were happy as a pair of clams working in the office when Mary remembered we were supposed to be in Long Beach for some plastic surgery at 8:00 am. It was 9:00 am, and we were sitting there in our jammies. Poof!!
We called immediately and got a new appointment, and we put a note on the schedule to buy Ginger (the surgical scheduler) a bottle of purple gin, Odyssey 1908.
We called immediately and apologized! We “never” miss an appointment under normal circumstances!
We got a message for the surgery scheduler, and I am on for August 23rd for the frontal lobotomy! I will be awaiting the date and will ensure I get the blood test well in advance.
We worked around the house until 10:00 am and then Mary got ready for the weekly watercolor class. I decided we ought to go to El Torito for lunch, as it was only eight minutes from her class.
Tacos are a delicious rebellion against the mundane.
We had a light lunch with a glass of vino (It was 5:00 pm somewhere!)
I drove back home and proceeded on a search and rescue mission for a cooking scale. I knew we had two of them, but I couldn’t remember where they were. I found it in the last place I looked, duh!
I rearranged the booze counter to make room; things were getting a little crowded. I also put the new wine bottles in the wine storage cabinet, and now the countertop is visible again!
Just before I departed to pick Mary up, I got a text indicating she needed three previous pictures and our wall mounting kit container. The instructor asked several of her students to put their pictures up in the lobby of the Senior Citizens Center.
We returned home via the side streets as the 55 is always bust going north in the afternoon.
We called New Hmpahire to talk to our granddaughter and great-granddaughter, but they were out and about. Happy 29th, Jackie, and Happy 5th, Emmerson!
She looks just like her Great Grandpa!!! (Sorry about that!!)
The latest painting was examined and framed. Mary is doing fabulous because watercolor painting is like life. You’d better get it right the first time — you don’t get a second chance!
We had a light dinner, and then it was time to go swimming, but first, we watched “Heartbreak Ridge.” Marine Sgt. Thomas Highway (played by Clint Eastwood) is a decorated veteran of two wars. On his last posting before retirement, he is surrounded by officers with no combat experience who view him as an odd, even dangerous, holdover. Highway is assigned to train a group of undisciplined recruits, including Cpl Stitch Jones (Mario Van Peebles), a slick hustler who has previously encountered Highway. As the old soldier prepares his men for a war they don’t believe will come, the U.S. invades Grenada.
The earring gets pulled off!
Just before I entered the pool, a lady showed up and knocked on my door, asking for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave her a glass of water. I love supporting the community.
The pool is down to 92 degrees, but that seemed okay. We fired up the fire pit, and when we exited the pool, we warmed up.
We watched TV, but Mary decided to watch “Platoon.” After listening to the dialogue for ten minutes, I headed to the office to work on the daily diary.
I thought the movie was about how many times the “F-word” could be used in a single sentence!
Summary: Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he’s on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more sympathetic view of the locals, ends up pitting the soldiers against each other as well as against the enemy.
Attempting to recreate the day was difficult as we were still on cowboy time.
It’s Monday, meaning the torture chamber is soon to be visited. This morning, we crept up on it silently, coasting into the parking lot with the engine off. Needless to say, our plan failed, as we were quickly swept into the Peak Performance offices and got to work! We did about five miles on the stationary bike before the long arms of the trainers got us, and the twisting and turning began.
Like every Monday and Wednesday, we barely survived. Today, not only did we survive, but we also went to the market to acquire some missing ingredients.
Upon arriving home, Mary fell into her cooking mode. Scout sensed what was coming and hid under the couch. I tried to run, but the Alexa announcement, which rang out on all fourteen devices, compelled me to return to the scene of the crime.
Upon entering the forbidden kitchen, breakfast passed me by, going somewhere between the sound barrier and light speed.
We dined before really going to work!
Mary cooked all afternoon, and I watched and pitched in where needed. At the end of the afternoon, Mary had made:
Homemade apple sauce from George’s tree and Ralph’s Market
Banana Nut Muffins because our bananas were starting to look a little worn out.
Pickled Onions we got from our garden. We filled a large Mason jar with sliced onions and topped it off with apple cider vinegar, water, cinnamon, and sugar.
Japanese Yard Long beans freshly picked
We took some warm muffins and apple sauce over to Jeff and visited with him for a while. Then we headed to the pool, which I had lowered to 92 degrees after complaints from management.
Mary, the bug catcher, did not have much business this evening!
We got out and sat by the fire at 9:30 p.m. and decided to go to bed early. The country western dancing from Sunday and today’s torture session did us in!
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