Fry Day Is Upon Us!

Posted on Friday, June 27, 2025 by Paul

We are up and moving early today, as it’s De-Box the She She Day.  It’s a long story.   Mary had several boxes in the She Shed that had not been opened since the move, and I wanted to convert the She Shed into an artist’s studio and tea house.   Today, the process began!  I am very proud of Mary!

We moved several boxes to the patio and Mary bravely went through them, separating them into keep for herself, send to the kids, and my favorite, trash!  It’s a shame that the kids probably won’t hold or cherish the various goodies from their childhood and pass them on.

Mid-afternoon, we enjoyed a glass of vino, which seemed to help the process along!

Our gardener pulled out the corn stalks that were done because I can no longer do that myself.  It’s tough to realize that I’m 80 and can no longer do the things I used to do.    I’m getting better at recognizing my limitations, and I’m fortunate that we can accomplish those things.  God bless my son, grandsons, and our handyman!

After Carlos departed, I took the high-pressure hose and washed out the roots so I could keep the good soil in the garden.    The stalks became a lot lighter and were easier to handle.    Tomorrow, I will rake the area, replant more corn, and cut and dispose of the stalks.

Mary saw the action and decided it was time for corn chowder.

The last four ears of corn had been on too long and were “starchy”; not great to eat, but perfect for chowder.

Around 5:00 pm, we went inside, and while Mary made the corn stock, I chopped, diced, sliced, and did naughty things to the corn, potatoes, onions, and celery.  The knife was flying, approaching the speed of sound.

We had never heard of “corn stock,” so we tried it; it worked.    Guess we aren’t as smart as we thought.   We boiled water and tossed in five naked corn cobs (the corn was cut off).

Corn stock with cobs typically refers to a cooking stock made by simmering corn cobs (the bare cob after removing the kernels) with other vegetables and seasonings in water.   His process extracts the sweet, slightly milky flavor from the cobs, creating a flavorful liquid that can be used as a base for various dishes, such as soups, stews, chowders, risotto, or even as a replacement for vegetable broth.

 
The corn looked good, and I filled the bowl with four potatoes, including eight small home-grown potatoes.   We used our onions and celery, and Mary added some goodies from the herb garden.

Magic is about to happen!

I was so excited about the chowder that I forgot to take pictures, but let it be known: my bride is truly a Master Chef, totally fearless of trying new things.   During dinner, I went back for three bowls of the concoction.

What did the corn say to the popcorn?   You crack me up!”

We took some of this delightful brew over to Jeff and spent some time visiting with him.

It was getting dark, and the pool was 95 degrees.   Today’s sunshine warmed it up two degrees, so we imbibed.

It was a glorious evening with the moon shining down like a big Cheshire Cat!

Mr. Doctor said no marshmallows this evening, so I had to go without.   While dying of starvation, I remained calm and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Mary.

Posted in Just Us, Vegetable Garden, Working Around House | Comments Off on Fry Day Is Upon Us!

Thursday And We All Know What That Means!

Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2025 by Paul

We are off to the Elks today.  I took a quick walk in the garden and ate six beautiful plums!  They are just about perfect now, but can I eat fifty plums in two days?

I researched on the Internet and found that plums are high in fiber, which adds bulk to the stool and helps it move through the digestive system. They also contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that acts as a natural laxative.  Eating plums or drinking prune juice (made from dried plums) can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. However, consuming too many plums can cause diarrhea.

After leaving for the Elks, we decided to stop at the beach since the weather was warm.  I soon realized that I had forgotten to bring my swimsuit.  Knowing this, I devised an alternative plan.

Hey, I worked…albeit a little large!!

When driving to the Elks, Mary decided she wanted some lip injections to adjust her appearance.  I told her she was magnificent just as she was, but if she insisted, I had a great idea.

At the Elks, George brought a bag full of apples, which will soon become apple sauce.  Bill and Bob were not present; both had been excused.  Bill was on his honeymoon while Bob was in Oregon visiting his daughter.

Bill and Sandee are near the Grand Teton Mountains!

The Grand Teton Mountains, situated in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, are renowned for their dramatic, jagged peaks and are a popular destination for outdoor recreation.

A fun fact about the Tetons is that French-Canadian trappers named them “Les Trois Tetons,” meaning “the three breasts,” due to their appearance when viewed from the west.

The French have vivid imaginations!

The pool was 92, and we soaked up the sun and had a great time exchanging stories and gazing at the stars.   When we got out, Mary found some marshmallows and we indulged.  Mary had self-control and only ate one, while Mr. Piggy gobbled up three toasted beauties.

Marshmallows, those fluffy, sweet treats, have a history that stretches back to ancient Egypt, where they were made from the sap of the marshmallow plant for medicinal purposes. Later, in France, confectioners refined the recipe by whipping the sap with egg whites and sugar, creating the precursor to the modern marshmallow. Today, marshmallows are enjoyed in various forms, from s’mores and hot chocolate to Rice Krispies treats.

Modern marshmallows typically use gelatin, sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring, with the marshmallow plant sap no longer being a primary ingredient.

 

Another pool night complete with marshmallows.

What can I say?

Posted in Elks, Just Us | Comments Off on Thursday And We All Know What That Means!

Wednesday, We Are Halfway There!

Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 by Paul

Our alarm clock failed, but the backup was working just fine.  At 5:30 am, Scout, our backup system, jumped up and headed to the backyard.  I heard him going down the hallway and followed him promptly.  I opened the screen door, and he was out like a duck on a June bug.  I used my new shoes this morning.  I didn’t think orthopedic shoes would help, but I stand corrected.

Upon examining the wall clock, it was determined that it was Wednesday, which meant it was time to go to the gym.  I jumped back in bed and feigned a terrible pain so I could not go to the gym today.   Mary, being smart, brought in a cup of coffee, and my nose, which had caused my pain-ridden body to mend instantaneously, I rose to grab that luscious brew (I forgot to yell in agony).  She caught me.  We had to go!

We went; we saw; we cried!  We both walked out slowly so as not to attract attention.

We got a text from Joe and the boys; they were in Washington, DC, as evidenced by the Washington Monument in the background.  They were headed to Colleen’s house for a few days while Joe went to a conference.

Rain gear in the summer; must be the East Coast!

After we returned home, Mary prepared an excellent breakfast of bacon and eggs, accompanied by a salad.  We worked around the house until 3:00 pm when Mary had an appointment about three miles from home.   Since her back was still killing her, I drove her to the appointment and picked her up an hour and a half later.

After picking her up, she started talking about dinner, and I interrupted to suggest Yang Ming as an alternative.  She did NOT need to be standing up cooking with a bad back.

I reminded Mary,  “You dim sum, you lose some.”

Yang Ming has been around for years, offering excellent food and fantastic service.  It is where we get our Christmas Day dinner from every year.

It is located a mile from our home.

We, as usual, went wild and had enough food to feed a small army, and enjoyed her Egg Foo Young and Buddha’s Delight, which is a selection of vegetables.   I ordered Vegetable Fried Rice and a couple of appetizers, including Paper-Wrapped Chicken and Cream Cheese Wontons.

Egg Foo Young is a Chinese-American dish, similar to an omelet, that typically includes eggs, bean sprouts, and other vegetables, often accompanied by meat or seafood.  It’s believed to have originated from a Cantonese dish called fu yung egg slices.  The name “foo young” may translate to “blooming flowers” in Cantonese, possibly referring to the way the egg puffs up when fried.

Wontons, a type of Chinese dumpling, are known for their thin wrappers and diverse fillings, often enjoyed in soup. The name “wonton” is said to come from the Cantonese word “yún t?n,” meaning “swallowing a cloud,” which refers to their appearance when floating in broth.

Here’s some trivia about Paper Wrapped Chicken: Singaporean Invention: Although a classic Cantonese dish, Paper Wrapped Chicken, also known as “chee pow kai” in Cantonese, was invented in Singapore in 1953 by an eatery called Union Farm.  Unique Cooking Method: This dish utilizes a unique cooking method that combines the benefits of both steaming and deep-frying.  The paper wrapping keeps the chicken incredibly moist and succulent, while the deep-frying process helps to caramelize the marinade on the outside, creating a delicious brown exterior.

 

Dinner was fantastic, and we brought Pork Fried Rice and Sweet and Sour sauce home for Jeff.  We visited Jeff for a while before heading home; it was getting dark!

Mary didn’t know it, but I had turned on the pool heater the previous day.  The water temperature was 92 degrees, which is perfect for an evening swim.

Alexa is wired up to the outside lights, so we tell her to turn on the gazebo lights; no getting out of the pool needed.

It was wonderful just floating around in the warm water.  The yellow duck lights up and gives us the temperature.

Mermaid, run for your life.

Scout is supposed to like water, but he will not even get close to a pool.  We bought him his own play pool three years ago, and we had to lift him into the water.  He immediately jumped out.

He walked around the pool to ensure we were okay.

The fire pit was already warm when we got out, and we enjoyed a glass of wine while drying off.  The lava rocks get hot and make the surroundings quite warm, even on windy days.

Life is good!

From our vantage point, we could see the entire pool and about half of the backyard.   While drying off, we toasted to being in love.  Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

We also made some phone calls about our little party on the 4th of July.  We have approximately 12-24 people coming over for the party, which is between 1 pm and 5 pm on the 4th.

It was a romantic evening.

When we went inside, we were exhausted and bypassed the TV room, going straight to bed.  No one had to rock us to sleep.  It was lights out.

Posted in Dining Out, Gym, Just Us | Comments Off on Wednesday, We Are Halfway There!

Zip, Nada, Diddily!

Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 by Paul

It was a lazy day, and we didn’t get up until 8:00 am, at which time I marched into the kitchen to prepare coffee!  With the coffee made, I returned to the office where Mary was busy pounding on the computer keyboard as if it were a bongo drum.

I worked on yesterday’s Daily Diary before paying some bills!

While heading to the yard, Mary pulled a muscle in her back, so we decided that Mary ought to rest! While she rested, I headed outside to do some of the planned gardening chores.

My first chore was to fix the drip system on the patio; four sprinklers were not working.   I dug into the group, and sure enough, a rose bush had wrapped its roots around the tubing, cutting off the supply.  With my trusty drip system repair kit in hand, I replaced the sprinkler heads and associated tubing.  After a short test, the planter boxes were flooded with H2O.  We had success.

It’s easy when you have the proper tools!

We decided it was too hot to work outside, so Mary suggested I bring some of the old storage boxes from the SheShed so she could go through them.   There are about twenty boxes of things that Mary wants to go through so we can use the SheShed for perhaps a small Tea House.

A “tea house” can refer to several things, including a private structure for Japanese tea ceremonies, a space for social gatherings and activism, or a venue for enjoying tea alongside food and entertainment.  The term can also refer to a tea shop that sells tea or a place that serves high tea or afternoon tea.

I would cover the walls with drywall and insulate them to improve sound and temperature control.  We already have electricity, and there is running water within five feet of the shed.   Most people are shocked when they discover how poorly I perform as an electrician.

Mary and I had artichokes for dinner, and just before that, we called Colleen.  She was at a water park with Mark and several nephews and grandkids.   The weather on the East Coast was warm, making it an enjoyable day.  Joe was in Boston at a conference, and Collen is keeping Charlie and Alex busy!

Mary worked on her boxes until almost 10:30 pm, at which time we crashed.

I decided to read for a while.  I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.

Posted in Just Us, Working Around House | Comments Off on Zip, Nada, Diddily!

The Week Begins!

Posted on Monday, June 23, 2025 by Paul

Monday means the dreaded gym workout.  I weighed myself and I am now 198 pounds, so I am tempted to declare victory and stop going to the gym, but alas, the cardio still needs to be done.  So we went; we participated and most importantly we survived!

After a quick trip to CVS to pick up some medication, we were about to head home.  Mary announced her plans for breakfast/lunch.  I responded with my desire for a hard-shell taco.  Not to be outdone, Mary suggested we get the Silver Fox washed.

We had the best of all worlds, which was a bag full of tacos and burritos, and a nice place to eat at the car wash.   When the car was done, so were we!  Our tummies were full, and the Silver Fox was immaculate.

The Silver Fox felt loved again!!

Since nothing is on our schedule today, we did what we usually do: we planned the day!

We finished decorating the front of the house by hanging bunting across the garage.

The fence’s design is perfect for decorating.

We measured and did the math so the bunting would be just right.  My trusty sidekick, Mary, passed me the drill, oil*, scissors, measuring tape, and bunting as we moved from one end to the other.  She also stayed near fearing I might go butt over teakettle and land on the ground!  We work together very well, and Mary often has great ideas.

*I always put a drop of oil into the drilled holes to make it easier for the screws to go in!

Decorated!

Then it was time to attack the garden!  Mary planted additional watermelons, and I planted tomatoes, onions, and tomatillos (for Vicky!).  I felt like someone was looking at me, and indeed, Scout the Wonder Dog was keeping us in his line of sight.

Scout supervised us all afternoon from his patio bed!

The onion bed was so full we could never use them all, so we picked many and decided to do our “meals-on-wheels” act with the neighbors.

We had a bed about 6’x4′ loaded with onions!

After pulling out the existing onions, I replanted the area with new onion sets.  We always have fresh onions available!

At 6:00 pm, we declared mission accomplished and decided to visit Jeff.  On our way over to his house, we dropped by the new neighbors and delivered a bag of onions, green beans, and tomatoes.  Our new neighbors seem to be very nice.

The lady of the house is a florist, and we often receive beautiful displays of flowers from her shop!

Onions anyone?  I cleaned them up a bit before making the delivery!

After the visit with Jeff, we came home and called Colleen.  We reached her in the car with Mark, Joe, and the boys, just coming home from dinner.  On the way home, one of my buttons fell off, and Mary, always quick to help, offered her assistance.  OUCH!!

I had suggested a sewing needle and thread, but Mary said she had a better idea!

Always there to assist!

We did one final walk in the garden to decide what tomorrow’s tasks might consist of.  We need to install some bird repellent aluminum strips around the plums.

The plum tree is going wild.  It is only four years old and is producing nicely!

Did You Know?   The chalky covering on a plum is called bloom or wax bloom.

What it is: It’s a naturally occurring epicuticular wax coating, produced by the plant itself.
It’s a waxy, silvery-white substance that gives the plum a slightly dusty or glaucous appearance.

Its purpose is to act as a natural defense mechanism against insects and bacteria.
It helps the fruit retain moisture, preventing it from drying out.

Important note: Bloom is safe to eat.

It’s generally recommended to wash plums before eating them to remove any dirt or potential residues, even though the bloom itself is harmless.

The Santa Rosa plums are tart, just the way I like them!

Mary pointed out the apple tree, which is also producing a lot of fruit for being only three years old.

I see an apple-based dessert coming soon!

After the walk in the garden, we crashed relatively early, around 9:00 pm, after our nightly glass of wine!

To me, “drink responsibly” means don’t spill it.

Mary was in bed, and I was using the nebulizer in the office.   I turned off her reading light, and she left me with a thought for the evening.

My Dr. Mary!

The lights went out at 10:30 p.m. after Scout had finished his evening walk around the garden.  He keeps the elephants away, and so far, he’s doing a great job!

Age 80 might be the new 60, but 9:00 pm is the new midnight!!

Posted in Friends, Gym, Just Us, Vegetable Garden | Comments Off on The Week Begins!

Working In The Garden; An Excellent Sunday Activity!

Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2025 by Paul

What a glorious day to awake and head for the garden with the love of your life and do battle with bugs, weeds, and varmints!  We took our coffee with us and began bright and early at 7:00 am.

First things first, we placed some of the Independence Day bunting onto our front yard fence.  All we have to do is the garage tomorrow, and the decorating for the 4th will be complete!

Bunting, in the context of decoration, refers to fabric or other materials used to create festive displays, such as flags or streamers.

On the way to the vegetable garden, I overheard Mary saying to herself…

We spent a couple of hours planting the new veggies and did a pretty good job.  Then thunder hunger struck.  Yes, it was time to tackle the two-and-a-half-pound Porterhouse.

Bringing it from the fridge using a small hand truck, I powdered its behind with a dose of salt and pepper and waited for it to come to room temperature.  Using a nice bath towel, I gave it a rub-down and then applied a little more salt and pepper!

Into the very hot pan with olive oil it went!  Poor Domilita, she will have to clean the stove on Wednesday!

The steak sizzled under the 450-degree pan for about four minutes per side.  On the second side, I added two tablespoons of butter, making basting the steak easy!

Please listen below while the steak cooks!  We had smoke in the house, so we turned on the whole-house fan, and the smoke cleared up within seconds.  The roar in the background is our stove fan running at full speed!

The crust was perfectly done before I sent the steak to the preheated oven at 450 degrees for seven minutes to finish it off.  Today I remembered that the pan, after being in the oven for seven minutes, was hot.  The hot pads were ready.

At an internal temperature of 130 degrees, the steak came out and rested.  (I didn’t know they got tired!)

While I was slaving away over the hot stove, Mary was making a salad, lemonade for me, and corn on the cob directly from our garden!  It was a feast!!

Mary had the small piece of filet mignon, and I had the New York Strip.  The steak was so big that we both cut ours in half and saved it for later.

After brunch,  we decided it was too hot to work, so we watched a movie.  I did sneak out and give the veggies a drink because the temperature was going to be over 80 degrees.  The veggies were talkative today!

Later on in the afternoon, when the sun had begun to wane, we again returned to the garden and continued our work!  I had a morning sweatshirt on, and my lovely wife brought me a t-shirt instead.   She may have had a message.

Scout was smart and stayed on the patio!

We have had varmints, and based upon the new plants we got, they would be a prime target for a midnight raid.  But I remembered I had a 100-foot roll of chicken wire hidden in the forest at the end of our lot.  It was two feet tall and easy to work with.  With the skill of a barrier craftsman, the chicken wire went up, and the varmints will go hungry!

Get through this, you pesky varmints!

We installed three barriers where the climbing vegetables were planted.  The animals seem to like the climbing plants.   The beans and peas now have a chance to produce.

The barriers were up, and it was 6:30 pm, time to hit the spa!

We finished a movie before heading into the swim spa to relieve our tired and sore muscles.  I was stretched to the limit because my Santa Rosa plum tree is now in full bloom, and the fruit is ripening nicely.  I wanted to get my plums before the darned birds, so I reached high into the tree and got some beautiful plums.

Santa Rosa plums are a popular Japanese plum variety developed by Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, California, in 1906.  They are known for their sweet, juicy, and slightly tart flavor, as well as their dark red skin and yellow flesh with red streaks.  These plums are a favorite for fresh eating, cooking, and making jams.

After the three cycles in the spa, we were like two wet noodles, so we returned to the TV room and watched an old movie before going to bed.

Scout got his dinner with sliced turkey and steak.  He wolfed dinner down in two bites.

At 11:00 pm, we finally went to bed.  While Mary read, I went to the office and took the medical inhalation treatment.

Posted in Cooking, Fun, Just Us, Vegetable Garden | Comments Off on Working In The Garden; An Excellent Sunday Activity!

Birthday, Graduation, Wedding; We have A Busy Day!

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2025 by Paul

Perhaps that was an overstatement; I planned to take over our block, but even that seemed too much.  I settled for taking over our kitchen and making a cup of coffee while doing it!

We enjoyed our coffee while sitting on the patio, as it was another exquisite day here in paradise.

Since we were going to see Michele, it occurred to us that she might need some fresh veggies, so we went harvesting.    I need to remind Mary not to wear her leopard jammies while harvesting, because someone might mistake her for a wild animal and take a potshot at her.

Mary gets the “perfect” corn for Michele!

We returned to the patio, and it was time for Scout to eat and take his medication.  Mary had a slice of cheese and carefully hid the pills inside; Scout took it like a champ!  Then we saw the advertisement in the paper, so we are awaiting a phone call from his lawyer.

We got cleaned up and headed toward Huntiongtonn Beach for a combo birthday and graduation party at Michele’s.   Michele is now ## years old, and Theo is off to the University of California, Davis.  Before he goes, he needs to have his cap put on his head correctly.  So, unwitting suspects were rounded up and given a blindfold, spun around three times, and handed a cap complete with double-sided scotch tape.   Where the cap ends up is anybody’s guess.

Looks just like him; they gave up the idea of using darts!

Mary was selected, and off she went.

She made sure the tape was sticky!

Mary did not quite make the target, and many people will wonder why the eye doctor was unable to see through the blindfold.

Looking good!

We visited everyone for an hour and fifteen minutes, but had to depart for the wedding, which was in Corona Del Mar.   Robin stayed behind and kept visiting everyone.  Bob was in New Mexico playing a gig near Las Cruces.

Just before we departed, a Monarch butterfly came to visit its Milkweed plant.

Did You Know?   Milkweed, known for its milky sap, is a vital plant for monarch butterflies as it’s the only food source for their caterpillars.  While toxic to many animals due to its sap containing cardiac glycosides, Monarchs have evolved to tolerate and even store these toxins, becoming unpalatable to predators.  Milkweed also provides nectar for various pollinators, and its floss was used to stuff life jackets during World War II.

He was as happy as a seagull with a French fry!

Now we zoom in on the Corona Del Mar Community Church for the wedding of Sandra and Bill.  We parked at Sherman Gardens and walked the two blocks to the venue, where we met up with Bob, Donna, Vicky, and Jim.

We did not take pictures during the ceremony (only the photographer took pictures, by request).  The camera resumed operation as soon as we arrived at the reception.

Wow!!!

Sandy looked beguiling at the reception.  I took it upon myself to see that she got appetizers and a drink as soon as she arrived.  That meant I had to carry the bridal bouquet and the gift for the pastor around after her while she visited everyone.

They are off to show their dancing skills!

They entered the Crystal Ballroom to a rousing cheer!  They danced to “Beyond The Sea” by Bobby Darin.

Bobby Darin, born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, songwriter, and actor with a successful career spanning various genres.  He was known for hits like “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” A childhood bout with rheumatic fever left him with a weakened heart, which eventually led to his death at the age of 37 following open-heart surgery.

 

We enjoyed watching them go through their routine and were happy to be a small part of the preparations!

Someone is a happy girl!

We wish Sandy and Bill the same happiness that we have!  We are fortunate!

Just us!!

Vicky and Jim are always fun to be around.

Vicky and I have been friends for almost 40 years!

What is this fine lady whispering in my ear?   I can’t tell you, but I did have an urge to hurry home.

“Really???????”

We departed for home around 9:30 p.m. after performing a couple of dances and leading the Hokey-Pokey dance.  It was surprising that we filled the dance floor with the Hokey-Pokey, but we did.

We drove home, and I thought to myself, I was glad Mary was with me!

We hit the sack and fell off into a deep sleep immediately.

Posted in Dining Out, Family, Food and Wine, Friends, Fun | Comments Off on Birthday, Graduation, Wedding; We have A Busy Day!

Off And Running; Time To Decorate!! I Retired 6,666 Days Ago!

Posted on Friday, June 20, 2025 by Paul

We had to get ready for an appointment with the dermatologist at 9:00 am in Los Alamitos.  When I arrived at the waiting room, I saw a large number of people, so I asked, “How many people have never raised their hand before?”  Mary made me sit down and behave, an ominous task!

Dr. Newman is in his 80s but is sharper than a tack and enjoys his work.  We have become good friends over the past quarter century, even though he sticks pins in me, digs small holes in my skin, and refuses to put SpongeBob SquarePants bandages on his work.

We wanted to have breakfast with Vicky, but she was already out and about, so we went to Old Ranch and “dined” at the snack shack because I told Mary their food was legendary.  The Shack lived up to its reported legend.  Mary had the breakfast burrito, and I had the cheeseburger.  Both were outstanding.  We dined outside and watched the golfers begin their rounds.

He was right on target!!

From Old Ranch, we went to H&H Nursery in Lakewood and bought out the entire stock!  Well, perhaps that is a slight exaggeration.  We did fill up the car with new veggies and another round of corn!

These babies went to the backyard to acclimate in their new Orange environment.

It got quite warm today.  We tried to put up the new July 4th Banner and flag, but decided to wait until 7:00 pm when the temperature drops.

Mary decorated the house, and I assumed a horizontal position on the bed to keep it from blowing away when the air conditioning fan came on.  Mary knew I would be hungry, so she baked me some cookies for when I got up!

When I woke up,  I knew I had reached middle age because my weightlifting consists merely of getting out of bed and standing up.  You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.

While I napped, Mary made me some healthy cookies!

As I roamed around the house, I saw how it changed from Father’s Day to Independence Day in the matter of an hour.  Mary has it down to a science.  I swear she had a magic wand and ran around singing “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo”.  Father’s Day disappeared, and in its place was Independence Day!

“Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” brings to life the enchanting moment when Mary transforms her dreams into reality. Decorations everywhere!!

Everything looked so pretty!

The fireplace gets special treatment!

Red, white, and blue everywhere.

The ever-popular 18″ by 18″ pillows are changed from Father’s Day to Independence Day.  We have eight of them and have sent the pillows to Colleen and Vicky.

I assisted Mary in changing the throw pillows.

Our plants are also patriotic and demand to be decorated.  We followed their instructions.

The green plants wanted to be patriotic.

The TV/Living Room is decorated and ready for some Independence Day movies, including Independence Day!

The TV/living room is decorated.

All flowers have morphed into red, white, and blue.

Dining will be colorful!

We finally went outside around 7:00 pm and put up the banner and flag.  At 7:00 pm, the temperature had dropped into the high 60s, and it was easier to work.

We are ready for the holiday!

At 8:30 pm, during a TV break, I adjusted the house lighting to be red, white, and blue.  Now, the entire place is filled with patriotism!

We watched The Accountant 2 and went to bed around 9:00 pm.  We were pooped out.  We got a text from Joe.  He and our two grandsons were on the East Coast this week, and today they were in New York City.

We tried to watch the movie, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, but finally turned it off.  We were surprised because we didn’t see any tigers or dragons. And then we realizeded why: they’re crouching and hidden.

We got a text from Joe and the boys!  They were in Times Square this evening.

Communication has changed so rapidly in the last 30 years that it’s almost impossible to predict what might occur even in the next decade. E-mail, which now sends data hurtling across vast distances at the speed of light, has replaced primitive forms of communication such as smoke signals, which sent data hurtling across vast distances at the speed of light.

Beware, Times Square!!  The Liles’ are loose!

I checked the internet before going lights out to see if we had flattened Iran’s facilities yet.  I ran across a message that is so true!

Night, night, lights going out.  Tomorrow is another busy day!!

Posted in Working Around House | Comments Off on Off And Running; Time To Decorate!! I Retired 6,666 Days Ago!

Girls Night Out, Doctor, Dancing…We Had A Full Day!

Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2025 by Paul

My cousin Claudia had her 81st birthday today.  She came with us to see Dad off at the pier when he went to Hawaii on the Matson Hawaiian Pilot cargo ship!

Claudia and I are about five years old, so this is 75 years ago!

I know Mary loves me, but I heard from our next-door neighbor, Jane, this morning, something that was a little upsetting.  Jane told me this story…

Mary went to the police station with Jane, our next-door neighbor, to report that I was missing.  In reality, I had just gone to the market to buy Mary some pickles for the picnic the day before.  The policeman asked for a description.

Mary said, “He’s 35 years old, 6 feet 4, has dark eyes, dark wavy hair, an athletic build, weighs 185 pounds, looks good in a Speedo, is soft-spoken, and is good to the dog.”

Jane protested, “Mary!  Your husband, Paul,  is 5 feet 4, chubby, bald, ugly, farts, has a big mouth, and is mean to your dog.”

Mary replied, “Yes, but who wants HIM back?”

I thought about it for a bit and forgave her; I promise to be nice to Scout from now on.

Irne was up and moving at 9:00 am, and we visited on the patio for a while before she left for home.  She stayed with us last night instead of driving home at 11:00 pm.  Robin also stayed with us, but she departed for work around 4:00 am.

We did some chores and then headed to the Elks for the weekly Girls Night Out luncheon.

The Old Men’s Club Weekly Meeting is underway!

Vicky was out and about and asked if we would be at the Elks; yes, indeed!  She always adds life to the weekly meeting.

Vicky joined us today!

When Ronnie came in, Mary found a “challenge coin” in her purse and headed for a surprise attack on Ronnie.

Did You Know?  Challenge coin etiquette dictates that coins should be carried at all times, respected, and presented with proper ceremony.  Challenges can be issued at any time, and failure to produce a coin can result in having to buy drinks or perform a task.

Ronnie is about to be slapped!

Gotcha!!!  Ronnie was desperately searching for a matching coin, but alas, Mary got another drink!!

Gotcha!

Bob told us that at his workplace, the Taco Bell lunch now includes beer and wine (probably to entice people to come to the office).  Bob had to leave early to see if this was true.

Bob is about to head out.

For dessert, they had a large bowl of mixed nuts and seeds, and I couldn’t resist.  I took two handfuls.  Later on in the day, Mary fussed at me!

We departed the Elks at 1:30 pm and headed for Dr. Cobb’s office, where we spent a good hour with him.  He looked at all the recent days and decided to reduce certain meds and plan for me to do another chemically induced stress test.   We need to schedule an appointment, as Dr. Cobb will be present (just in case).

After the test, he will advise us on whether we should take the month-long cruise around South America and Antarctica.

Later in the afternoon, Bill Capps and Sandee came over to practice their dance for the wedding.  Our “ballroom” was perfect, plus we had Alexa, who could play any song they might ever want.  They selected “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin

Practicing!  They looked fantastic!

They practiced walking into the room hand in hand and moving about the room.

After they departed, we visited Jeff for a while, then returned home and watched a little TV.  I made Mary her favorite drink, called “Glad This Week Is Over.”  It is vanilla ice cream with orange-flavored vodka poured over it.  We then add a bit of whipped cream and a tiny slice of orange.  It looked so good that I had one also!

We crashed around 9:30 pm; we’ve had a full day!

Posted in Doctor, Elks, Family, Friends, Memories | Comments Off on Girls Night Out, Doctor, Dancing…We Had A Full Day!

Off For Some Theater And Cultural Expansion!

Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 by Paul

When I made our morning coffee, I was taken aback by the beauty of the day.  Even the birds were flying backwards to see where they had been.  The pool is about 85 degrees; two more degrees and it will get a visit from Mommy and Poppy late in the evening.

It was a beautiful morning.

As the coffee was finishing, I began to think (always a dangerous thing to do).

While in the office, downing our coffee (a necessary activity to get our hearts started), Dianne called and asked if we could have breakfast with her while her car was serviced.  Of course, we altered our plans and went to her right after the gym.

Speaking of the gym, we had a fantastic time this morning.  For some reason, I was out of control and began cracking jokes, leaving the entire gym in stitches.  The girls now call me Tonto, Mr. Gonzales, or just plain Bubba!  (If you know me, you know why!)

From the gym, we went VFR to the car shop where Dianne was having her car fixed.  It had a bug splat on the front windshield, and they were going to remove it surgically.

We drove to the Orange Circle and had breakfast at Snooze.  We enjoyed an excellent meal, with Dianne and I having their Jalapeno Omelet.  Mary, the spice wimp, opted for avocado toast.

Located in Old Towne, the Snooze Eatery team feels lucky to be your go-to breakfast in Orange, CA.  This beautiful historic neighborhood is home to antique shops, locally owned businesses, and a wealth of history.  Whether you’re an Orange local or visitor, we’re here to fill your plate with creative twists on pancakes, bacon, and eggs.  They feature creative breakfast and brunch dishes, and cool off with a Mimosa or breakfast cocktail.  The Pineapple Upside-Down Pancake, Benny Duo, and Snooze Breakfast Burrito are just a few of their favorites.  Our Orange restaurant is open seven days a week, with doors opening bright and early at 6:30 am.

We took Dianne back to the shop, and we headed home.

We had work ahead of us; we had to clean the house before the house cleaners came at 2:00 pm!

At 3:00 pm, Irene came by, followed by Robin at 4:30 pm, and Mary and them had a glass of champagne; I settled for lemonade.

We had a glass of champagne before heading to the theater.

We found six bottles of Wycliff champagne in the guest bedroom.  The box they were in was being used to elevate a Christmas tree.  We had forgotten the champagne was in the box!

It was great having Robin with us.

Now it’s off to “The Muck.”

Did you know?  Walter and Adella Muckenthaler built the 18-room mansion in 1925 atop this hill in Fullerton, and it served as both the center of their citrus and nut farming business and their family home for more than four decades.

In 1965, their son, Harold Muckenthaler, donated the mansion and the surrounding 8.5 acres to the city with the proviso that his childhood home be used to provide the public with experiences that stimulate creativity and imagination, while conserving the estate’s heritage and architecture.

And in 1999, the Muckenthaler Mansion received designation by the National Registry of Historic Places.

Today, although the City of Fullerton maintains ownership of the property, it is managed by The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation and its elected Board of Directors.  The City and the Muck enjoy a strong spirit of cooperation in the best interest of our mutual constituents.

The Muck produces close to 100 events annually.  These include concerts in our extraordinary outdoor amphitheater and our indoor cabaret space.  That includes our five free-to-the-community Cultural Festivals, our Art gallery exhibits, a lecture series, and occasional film events.

The Muck!

We were the first to arrive and sat in row three, center.  We had perfect seats, albeit a tad hard on our gluteus maximusess!   We’re happy we brought blankets to sit on!

The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time.

We were first there, in the center of the third row.  Row one was blocked off for the performers.

We brought our picnic on a small burro because of the weight.  Mary masterfully prepared turkey sandwiches, accompanied by grapes, cherries, wine, Diet Cokes, and water.  Irene brought dessert!  We had a feat fit for a king!

After dinner, I thought to myself, “The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends”.

Bring on the show!

Before the show started, we were entertained with twenty minutes of classical Spanish guitar to get us in the mood.

The set was a Puerto Rican enclave in New York in the 1950s.

The set was simple.

There were 38 in the cast, so we had people all over the place running through the audience; it was a festival of sights and sounds.

There were over 30 in the cast!

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood.  In this place, the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.

“In the Heights” is a vibrant musical set in Washington Heights, New York, centering on a close-knit community and their dreams and struggles.  The story follows Usnavi, a bodega owner who dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic, and his interactions with other residents, such as Nina, who returns home after facing challenges at Stanford, and Benny, who works for Nina’s father.  The musical explores themes of family, community, heritage, and the pursuit of dreams amidst a changing neighborhood.

The story revolves around the lives of these characters as they navigate their personal aspirations and the challenges of their community.   Nina’s return sparks a series of events, including her parents’ struggles to support her education and her growing relationship with Benny.   Usnavi’s dreams of leaving Washington Heights are put to the test as he forms deeper connections with the people around him.  The musical also explores the themes of rising costs and changing dynamics within the neighborhood.

At half-time, the glutes got to Irene, so we departed to find her walker-chair, which had a padded bottom.  Mary found her two padded seats, which we added to the walker seat.  Now, Auntie Irene was happy, and so were we.

In fact, the play was better at the back as the music was not as loud.

After the break, we moved up.

We had two shows going on…The show and Irene clapping, waving, and whistling at the performance.  Irene brings joy to our lives.

Someone is having a wonderful time

After the play, we headed home, which was only an 18-minute drive.

Posted in Family, Food and Wine, Friends, Theater | Comments Off on Off For Some Theater And Cultural Expansion!