I Started The Day Off All Wrong!

Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 by Paul

Mary was up first and made me coffee.  I needed that after I accidentally stepped on the bathroom scale this morning.  The little voice said, “Please, only one person at a time!!”  Embarassing!

I was 195.5 pounds this morning, and I can see 190 coming up close.  All I have to do is do push-aways for the next week.  Push-aways are when you push your plate away from the table.

We got a nice thank-you from Claudia via email.  We were happy to cheer up her day, perhaps.  I know what being a caregiver means!

Then the doorbell rang…

It is another busy day ahead, with our hair appointment at 10:00 am, followed by returning home to get ready for the Starlighters Board meeting at our house at 6:00 pm.  The problem is that Mary has a PT appointment at 4:45 in Orange, so I will be left alone to prepare for our visitors.  This situation could be interesting.

I have restarted my reading activities after a six-month hiatus; I missed reading!  Back to Clive Cussler adventure books!  I’ve read about half of these already, and I am loading up the Kindle Paperwhite with the remaining books.

I feel sorry for those people who do not read.  I can travel the world, fight the bad guys, and do amazing things just by sitting with my book in hand and perhaps a small glass of wine by my side.

We got home around half-past noon and worked on cleaning up the house before the cleaners arrive, duh!!

Weight report: The “push-aways” didn’t work; I ended up having a breakfast bagel with ham, cheese, and eggs.

We received our Medicare Advantage approval for my upcoming surgery in the mail.  Formally, the surgery is called a “Thromboendarterectomy, including patch graft, if performed; carotid, vertebral, subclavian, by neck incision.”.  That is a mouthful!!

According to Yale Medicine, “Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), also known as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), is a surgical procedure with a high success rate for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).  The prognosis is generally excellent, with significant improvements in blood flow, symptoms, and quality of life.  Many patients experience a cure, with their pulmonary hypertension resolving and symptoms disappearing.”

On our way home, we called Irene and checked in on her; more tests are planned.

We then called Charlotte and she informed us that Wayne, her husband, is being transferred to a care facility for a several-week stay.  The facility is in Tustim, our neighboring city.  We made sure she knew we were close by and she could stay with us or have us come by and take her to lunch or dinner anytime she wanted, since we are so close.

Charlotte had to cancel her trip home to Denmark until Wayne is running on all eight cylinders again!

Colleen, our youngest, has decided to fly out and be with Mary during the procedure…along with Vicky, Greg, Joe, and others.  Mary has a loving support group to say the least!

She’s heading for California!

We finally got home, and I was dispatched to the local Ralph’s Market to get ready for tonight’s board meeting, plus whatever else was on the list.  I returned with roses, five bags, and two watermelons.  Mary should know not to send me to the market alone; I need adult supervision.

We usually go shopping together at the local supermarket.  Last week, I picked up a case of Budweiser and put it in their cart.  “What do you think you’re doing?” asks Mary.   “They’re on sale, only $10 for 24 cans,” I replied!.

“Put them back, we can’t afford them,” demands Mary, and we carried on shopping.

A few aisles farther on, Mary picked up a $20 jar of face cream and put it in the basket.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked!

“It’s my face cream.  It makes me look beautiful,” replies Mary.

I answered back: “So does 24 cans of Budweiser, and it’s half the price.”

Mary went to her PT session, and I got ready for the board meeting.    The board meeting went well as we discussed the future themes for the Starighters.

We need to be thankful to Vicky Kuhn for being so energetic and creative!  She makes sure everyone has a great time!

Mary and Vicky are making life worth living!!

After the board meeting, we crossed the street and visited Jeff.  We talked for an hour before heading home and going to bed.

It was a good day!

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Art And Theater Day, Oh My!

Posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 by Paul

We spent a couple of hours working in the garden, with Mary trimming her roses and me cleaning up under the tomato plants.    We got out there early, but the weather forecast said it was going to be hot; he was right.  Today’s forecast was 88º, and tomorrow’s forecast is for 91°.

By 10:30 am, it was time to go inside.

Mary said something else, BUT this is a family-oriented blog!!

Mary fixed a small lunch, as we are going to the Silver Trumpet for dinner before the show.

Mary took off at 12:30 am for her weekly painting class, and I worked around the house.

Mary had placed a duvet cover on the bed that she had found in China many years ago, but it was too small for the duvet, so I took the opportunity to measure it!  Off to shop at my trusty duvet store, commonly known as Amazon, and voliá, we will have a new 104″ x 94″ duvet tomorrow morning.

A duvet is a type of bedding, typically a large, flat bag filled with down, feathers, wool, or synthetic fibers, used with a removable cover.  Originating in Europe, the word “duvet” itself comes from the French word for down.  Duvets are popular for their versatility, ease of care (especially with a removable cover), and ability to instantly change a room’s appearance.

Mary returned home from the painting class about 3:00 pm with another work of art.

At 4:45 pm, the Silver Fox flew us down the freeway to the Seagerstrom Theater.  We went to the Silver Trumpet for dinner.

I used OpenTable to make reservations and asked for “our booth”.

When we arrived, “our booth” was spoken for and the receptionist started to sit us in another location.  We saw familiar faces, and the manager and head waitress fixed the problem immediately.  We were given “our booth”.  It is nice to be well-known at your favorite fine-dining spot.

p.s.  Our waitress served the real Neil Diamond last night in this very booth!  We could feel the vibes!

We started with a cheese board!

Great way to begin dinner!!

We shared a bottle of chardonnay and devoured dinner, selecting small portions as we wanted to stay awake during the performance, which started at 7:30 pm.

Mary said “no” to dessert until mine arrived, and then she got hungry!

The back of the theater is right across the street from the restaurant.  We had a fantastic meal and a validated parking place – what could be better?  We walked the distance in a few minutes, which moved our dinner around and got us ready to rock and roll for two hours!

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon.  With 140 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway, where the most prominent stars tell their story.

He famously sang with Barbra Streisand on 1978’s “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” The Monkees scored their biggest hit with Diamond’s “I’m a Believer.” Diamond has recorded 39 top 10 singles, landed more than 50 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and nearly as many albums on the Top 200 chart, including nine consecutive.

The music was terrific, and at the end of the show, Mary and I danced our way to the car.  Mary sang, and fortunately, I just hummed!

We returned home in 18 minutes flat via the good old 55 freeway.  The theater is two blocks west of the freeway, and we are two miles east of the highway.  The distances make for quick access, considering it is California.

We checked our email and found out we’re attending a going-away party for our grandsons, Theo and Nick.  Theo is headed to the US Davis, and Nick is off to Texas.   We will miss the boys

We crashed after playing with Scout The Wonder Dog, who decided to stay home this evening and have a quiet meal of pasta from his favorite restaurant.

Posted in Dining Out, Just Us, Theater, Vegetable Garden | Comments Off on Art And Theater Day, Oh My!

Off And Running!

Posted on Monday, August 4, 2025 by Paul

On the mark, get set, Gooooooooo!  We headed to the gym to get our weekly atrocious pain administered with a smile and a “Just five more!”    Five more leg presses and I will lose another inch in height!  We rode our bikes for 30 minutes before entering the “machine room”.

Upon returning home, we went on an exploration of the refrigerator to see what might be there for breakfast/lunch.   Mary discovered some lamb pops, and I found half of a spinach and feta cheese stuffed steak, both from our Greek adventure last Thursday.   With a bit of assistance from Mr. Microwave and Mr. Air Fryer, we had a terrific meal.

We planned to work in the garden, but the current heatwave brought that idea to a screeching halt!  Here is the recipe in case you want to try it at home!

At 12:30 pm, we headed to Huntington Beach for a short visit with Dr. Braga to see how the implants are doing.  I expect the exam to take five minutes, followed by ten minutes to discuss gardening.   Mary prepared a care package for the good doctor.

Before departing, we sent flowers to Irene and Claudia from Avas Flowers.

The doctor’s appointment went well; the implants were successfully placed, and all looked well according to the X-rays and physical examination.

Since there is a Chico’s store next to the doctor’s office, we stopped there so Mary could browse, and she found some goodies.

We then decided to go to the American Legion for dinner since it was just eleven minutes away.  Located on Balboa Island, it was a cool place to spend the afternoon.

We shared a pastrami sandwich and a baked loaded potato!

The temperature was about 74 degrees on the water!

We returned via Highway 55 going North, and it was almost clear.  We made it home in about 18 minutes!

We visited Jeff and then found our way to the Swim Spa, where we enjoyed three cycles of nice warm water.  The sky was pretty clear, allowing us to see some stars.  This part of the evening is our “quiet time” to sit and contemplate tomorrow’s adventures.

We were wiped out, so after the Spa, we watched TV until about 11:00 pm before hitting the sack.

Posted in Dining Out, Doctor, Gym | Comments Off on Off And Running!

Let’s Go For A Drive

Posted on Sunday, August 3, 2025 by Paul

When we got up, we decided to go to the Elks Annual Car Show at the Lodge.  We expected a few cars, but there were probably 150-200 cars and bikes on display!  I fell in love with the 1957 Ford Hardtop Convertible.

The Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner is a two-door full-size retractable hardtop convertible, manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1957–1959.  However, early into the 1959 model year, its name was expanded to Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner.  The retracting roof system was marketed as the Hide-Away Hardtop and was exclusively sold on this Ford-branded model for three model years.

Ford’s 1957 Skyliner was the world’s first retracting hardtop convertible to be truly mass-produced by a car company from the factory, achieving nearly 50,000 sales.  Earlier, French car-maker Peugeot had offered several such models in the 1930s, with the help of a coachbuilding company, which sold only in minimal numbers.  It also marked the first time the hard roof featured a folding (front) section, to retract and fit inside the car’s trunk.

 

Ford was only the second car-maker in history to produce retractable hardtops.

In the process of being restored, it will be a beauty eventually!

The restoration starts with the mechanics and the power plant.

The Elks had about twenty trophies to pass out for the winner of the show, and I spotted this one!

Convertibles, I guess!

Mary was brave and held this one up, but would not walk around the Lodge carrying it!

Indeed!!

We ate at the Lodge, where we both had a breakfast burrito and orange juice.

The Lodge has excellent food!

I could NOT pass this beauty up.  It stood out amongst the more reserved car colors.

The red topless!

We got a call late in the afternoon that our dear friend Irene was hospitalized as she was having severe pains in her tummy and back.  They suspected a form of cancer, but more tests will tell.  God bless this magnificent lady and faithful friend!

Her spirits are up, but that was to be expected!  It’s Irene!

We returned home, and Mary made a tomato pie, and we took some to Jeff.  We are going to take some to the gym tomorrow morning.   We watched TV until 11:00 pm and crashed.

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Our Fifth Oldest Grandson Turn 18 Today!!

Posted on Saturday, August 2, 2025 by Paul

We spent the morning preparing the house for the expected 2:00 pm onslaught of teenagers for Charlie’s 18th birthday shindig.  It’s hard to imagine Charlie is eighteen years old, driving, and heading for college soon!

Eighteen years of pure enjoyment!

Joe came over early and we did the final preparations, putting up the shade covers, pumping up and deploying the pool’s toys, setting chairs up, etc.

Joe needed to relax, so he decided to ride the Swan.  The Swan had a different idea.

Pre-Party Joe tries to ride the Swan.

It was embarrassing to watch a grown 200-pound man get beaten up by a 3-pound plastic blow-up Swan.  What can we say??   We did not hear a single “Ride ’em, cowboy!”

Remember, Swans are majestic, beautiful-looking creatures with really ugly temperaments.

Swan – 1; Joe – 0

The tents will be housing hungry teenagers devouring tacos and burritos in about an hour!   They also serve to keep hot food from hitting the grass!

Tacos, a staple of Mexican cuisine, have a rich history and interesting trivia surrounding them.  The word “taco” is believed to have originated with Mexican silver miners who used the term to describe small explosives wrapped in paper.  Over time, the term evolved to describe the food we know and love, a tortilla filled with various ingredients.  There’s even a National Taco Day celebrated on October 4th.

The preparations get serious.

The patio is set up for the adults to provide the necessary adult supervision!  We all sat outside watching the kids cavorting in the water and swapping stories about those things that never happened.

The patio is ready to receive guests.

The cold drinks are on the patio, ensuring the occasional beer doesn’t get added to the pile of cans.  Kids will be kids!!

Room for everyone!

We heard the area become quiet, which was a reason to be suspicious.

Last one in is a rotten egg!

There were about fifteen teenagers, and they were very well behaved; it was a pleasure to have them celebrate at our home.

Watch the video below to see what they were up to.

The game was “How much water can be splashed out of the pool???”

Stand back, the teenagers smelled food!  The dinner bell had just started ringing, and then a gaggle of teens jumped out of the pool and hit the food lines!

Food is about to be served!

Filler-up!  The meal was quite good, and the people were terrific.   They made tacos and burritos for the people running the snow cone truck in the front yard.  The snow cone people returned the favor and sent snow cones to the cooks.

Joe went next door and asked the neighbors to join in the festivities.

Come and get it!

We had to leave around 4:30 pm, so we did NOT get to see Charlie get his birthday present.  However, Joe took photos that we will see later.  His present, you asked.  It was a full-sized black pickup truck!

We departed the birthday a little early as Bob had two performances at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.

Robon and Nick came by our house and drove us over to Long Beach.  On the way, we stopped by the Caribbean/Mexican Grill, a place where I have been going for thirty years.

Bob dumped for two of the tribute bands!

Bob stopped by to visit right before the show!

Bob goes on in a few minutes!

The noise was somewhat extreme, but all in all, fun!

Having fun!!

At half time, my ears began to yell for help, and Nick drove us home.  He is a good driver.  We got home and crashed.  My head stopped pounding around 4:30 am.

Posted in Family, Fun, Memories | Comments Off on Our Fifth Oldest Grandson Turn 18 Today!!

Pre-Party Activities & Donna’s Birthday!

Posted on Friday, August 1, 2025 by Paul

Today we worked around the house getting it ready for Charlie’s birthday party.  It was mainly odds and ends, plus we had some help from our gardener, who did the heavy lifting.

We then went to Laguna Hills Nursery because they have a great gift shop made for Donna!   We returned with several treasures for Mary and Donna.

We worked around the house until 4:30 pm and then got ready to go to a birthday dinner at Renada’s Italian restaurant near the traffic circle in Orange.  We expected Vicky and Jim, Bill and Sandee, and Bob and Donna.  We go there all the time

On the corner adjacent to the Orange Elks, we get to see all the passersby.

Mary is ready to eat.

Rubba dub dub, bring on the grub!

She ordered he special, veal picata.  Many food historians believe the dish originated in the United States, created by Italian immigrants, likely Sicilian, in the 1930s.  It is thought this happened in America because veal and even chicken were more accessible to the immigrant population here than they were in Italy at that time.

The meal looks delicious!!

There were eight of us, and that means it was a gaggle of people!

Food disappeared immediately!

Donna opened her cards and presents and was delighted.

Vicky’s card has Donna in each of the sunflowers!  Clever!!  A 75th birthday celebration is often called a Diamond Jubilee.

Happy Day indeed!

Bill and I teased each other all night long!

Great fun!

Ladies first!

Sandee, Mary, Donna, and Vicky!

Then the gents!

Dining with friends.

Jim provided adult supervision!

Our anchor in a storm!!!

We alerted the local fire authority about the cake.

“Hello, 911??”

OK, it was NOT that bad, but we did get complaints from the people at the table next to us about the heat from the cake.

You can do it, Windy!!

Good night, all!

See you soon!

The evening was fun, especially when surrounded by good friends!!  We headed home around 9:30 pm and crashed, for tomorrow is the big party, Charlie turns eighteen!

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We Are All Over Town Today!

Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2025 by Paul

On The Road Again (That would be a great title for a Country Western song!)

The alarm clock rudely interrupted our sleep at 5:30 am.  It was set so we could be ready to hit the highway at 6:45 am for a 7:30 am appointment with Mary’s physical therapist.

While I was not uncomfortable sitting in the parking lot in my jammies (the ones with the flap in the back), I was worried about being stopped by a police officer on the freeway and having to get out of the car with my hands on the hood.  If that happened, several things would be flashing.

We were back home at 9:00 am and readied ourselves for outing #2, a trip to Scout’s hairdresser and then on to the Elks for Girls Night Out.

We had a super lunch complete with a comedy show… us!!

We returned home after lunch via Scout’s hairdresser, and now we have to put up with Scout prancing around the house, acting like he is on a runway.

We worked on the patio for a while and then cleaned up to head for Belmont Shores, which is trip #3.  We went to Georges, located just south of Long Beach, for dinner with Vicjy, Jim, and Kyle.  George’s Greek Cafe has long been a favorite place to dine, and tonight, Sontos was there playing live music.

I introduced Vicky to the 8 oz steak stuffed with spinach & feta, lemon juice, spices, and olive oil.  Jim went for the Salmon and Mary tried their lentil soup and a small salad.

Every Thursday at 7 pm for a local tradition—Sotos Kappas live with real Greek music.

We began the evening with two orders of saganaki.  Saganaki is a Greek dish, most famously known as fried cheese, but also encompassing other dishes cooked in a small, two-handled frying pan called a sagani.  The word “saganaki” itself refers to the pan, derived from the Turkish word “sahan,” meaning copper dish.  While cheese saganaki is a popular appetizer, other variations include shrimp and mussels saganaki.  The dish is often flambéed with brandy or ouzo in restaurants, a practice popularized in the US and Canada.

Burn, baby, burn!!

Dang, the alcohol is gone after the flames go out.  When we made it at home, we used Havarti cheese with kalamata olives and lemon juice.

So good, it almost becomes the main course!

Mary is wearing her new eye-catching eyeball blouse this evening.

The eye doctor is in!

We had some excellent wine to go with dinner.

The glasses were perfect.

Kyle, a co-worker, joined us this evening so we got to share our most recent exploits.

Watch out for these two!!!

When the girls get together, it is a recipe for laughter!

These two are always a hoot to be around.

We found out tonight that Vicky was kicked out of her high school!  As the President of the East Los Angeles Girls Club, she found a way to obtain a package of two hot dogs for $1, and she would take them to school and sell them for $1.50 EACH, making a profit of a dollar.  Vicky ought to be my financial advisor!.

Further, she got caught sneaking out of school by telling the “hall monitor” (remember them) that, “What!!  I am a student teacher and I am going to my car!”.

Here’s some trivia about hall monitors and schools in that era:

  • Enforcing rules: Hall monitors were responsible for ensuring students followed rules in the hallways, such as walking, not running, and having a valid hall pass if outside of class.
  • Checking hall passes: Students who need to be out of class during instructional periods need a signed hall pass from a teacher, which hall monitors check.
  • Maintaining order: They helped keep hallways quiet and prevent disruptive behavior like loitering or unauthorized gatherings.
  • Supporting safety: By observing behavior and reporting incidents, they contributed to a safer school environment.
  • Assisting during transitions: They helped manage student movement between classes, ensuring students arrived at their next classroom on time.

 

Thanks, Kyle, for the picture!

We headed home around 9:00 pm, enjoying no traffic to speak of.   We got his majesty, Scout the Wonder Dog, to come inside after we promised to applaud him as he sashayed down the hallway with his new do!

We crashed.

Posted in Dining Out, Food and Wine, Friends, Fun | Comments Off on We Are All Over Town Today!

Off To The Gym And Then Maybe The OC Fair

Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 by Paul

I thought it was a good answer!!

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!

The OC Fair 2025 theme is “Find Your Happy” according to the OC Fair website.  The fair will run from July 18 to August 17.

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.

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I Love Work; Could Watch It All Day Long!

Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 by Paul

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

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Four Years Ago Today We Got Married.

Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 by Paul

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!!

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