We Are Off And Running AGAIN

Posted on Thursday, September 3, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

We had a serious talk this morning, and we have decided that we both must return to work because being retired is tiring! We thought we would have time on our hands, but from sunup (6am) to sundown (11pm) we are constantly busy doing something!

Here are some funny retirement trivia bits:

  • Retirement is the only job where you can be late, do nothing all day, and still feel like you earned a break.
  • Many retirees say they are busier than ever — mostly because every “quick errand” now becomes a full-day expedition.
  • The most common retirement mystery: “How did I ever have time to work?”
  • Naps stop being “lazy” and become “strategic energy management.”
  • The official retirement uniform is whatever you were already wearing when you decided not to go anywhere.
  • “I’ll do it tomorrow” becomes a lifestyle, not procrastination.
  • Retirement is when your calendar finally clears up — and then doctors, dentists, and lunch plans immediately take it over.
  • The best part of being retired: no alarm clock. The weird part: you still wake up early anyway.
  • Retirement means never having to fake being busy — unless your spouse asks what you did all day.
  • A retiree’s favorite meeting is one that was canceled before it was ever scheduled.

After our coffee, we called our son Joe with two messages! One – Thank you for fixing our large door. Two – If you ever set the Alexa alarm to go off at 3:00 am, we will get even!!

We blasted off around 10:30 am and went to get some petrol, and the car does not run well on fumes. From there, we went to the dry cleaners to drop off my latest accident, and then finally to the Elks!

We met up with everyone but missed Capps (home supervising repairmen) and Zaitz (picking up an old-fashioned medicine cabinet for Donna’s bathroom). While we were there, we made reservations for Halloween at the Elks! Our table now has the Kuhns, Liles, Zaitz, Dudas, and Adams. We notified the others and hope they join us!

I went off the reservation and attacked a large hamburger. Mary was, as expected, a good girl and had soup and salad! The burger was excellent, and it promised me NOT to show up on the bathroom scale!

We soon departed the Elks after checking the latest flyers. We headed home to relax before leaving again for tonight’s entertainment. We gave a small gift to one of the Elks’ employees, Lori, and today she gave us some homemade tamales. Mary and I agree on the saying, “Do unto others as you want to be done unto!”

After Girls’ Night Out at the Elks, we went home and rested for two hours because we had a big night planned ahead! We are going to the Muck! The Muck?

Here are some interesting facts about The Muck!

  • The Muckenthaler home is now known as the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, often simply called “The Muck.”
  • It was built in 1924 as a private family mansion for Walter and Adella Muckenthaler.
  • The house is a Spanish Colonial Revival-style mansion, with classic features like stucco walls, red tile roofing, arches, and elegant courtyards.
  • The mansion has about 18 rooms and sits on a hilltop property of roughly 8.5 acres in Fullerton.
  • The Muckenthaler family was part of Fullerton’s early wealthy agricultural and business community, connected to the area’s citrus-era prosperity.
  • In 1965, the Muckenthaler family donated the estate to the City of Fullerton to be used as a cultural center.
  • Today, it hosts art exhibits, concerts, theater performances, festivals, classes, weddings, and community events.
  • The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and historical importance.
  • Locals often consider it one of Fullerton’s hidden gems because it feels like a historic estate tucked into a residential neighborhood.
  • Its hilltop location gives parts of the property a scenic view over Fullerton and north Orange County.
  • The Muckenthaler is also known for outdoor summer concerts and cultural programming, including jazz, folk, Latin, classical, and world music events.
  • Because of its historic look, gardens, and courtyards, it is a popular location for weddings and photography.

We got to our seats as the guys were doing their sound checks, and they were somewhat serious! We opened up the picnic basket and set the table! Mary thought of everything!

“Check check check!”

We got to talking about Jim’s service station creation for Bob’s party, and I could not resist; ChatGPT, here I come! The result was terrific!

Jim at work!

Vicky got perfect seats in Row #3, meaning we were right across from the stage, no looking up or down! We had our own table, which was perfect for setting up dinner.

Having dinner before the show!

Other friends were on our right. Larry and Sandy are from Starlighters and have been friends for years. They live about three miles from us! I could not resist!!

I introduced Mary to the Alley Cats several years ago, and we do NOT miss a performance when they are in the area. Mary fixed a wonderful dinner, and we even had a tablecloth and decorative pumpkins to commemorate the season. Turkey sandwiches, grapes, strawberries, a protein bar, and of course, WINE!!

Royce the Voice was on stage tonight even though he is battling MS; he came to sit in for another bassman who was in the hospital! It was good to see Royce.

It was great to see Royce The Voice back tonight!

The guys got wound up, and so did Mary! You go, girl!!!

Between the songs and the humor, we had a wonderful evening. Food, friends, wine, and song; life is good!

I first saw the Alley Cats in July 1987, three months after their first performance. Here is some trivia about them!

  • The Alley Cats are known for performing 1950s and early 1960s doo-wop music with tight vocal harmonies and comedy mixed into their shows.
  • They perform mostly a cappella, meaning they rely on their voices rather than a full band.
  • Their style is inspired by classic vocal groups like The Coasters, The Drifters, Dion and the Belmonts, The Marcels, and The Penguins.
  • The group is especially known for songs such as “Barbara Ann,” “Blue Moon,” “Sh-Boom,” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and other oldies favorites.
  • They are often recognized for wearing retro-style outfits, sometimes including bowling shirts or vintage-inspired costumes.
  • The Alley Cats became popular at theme parks, fairs, corporate events, cruise ships, theaters, and performing arts centers.
  • They have performed at Disneyland, where doo-wop and barbershop-style vocal groups have long been popular entertainment.
  • Their shows usually include not just music, but also humor, audience interaction, and nostalgic storytelling.
  • The group’s name, “The Alley Cats,” fits the old-school street-corner singing image associated with doo-wop.
  • Doo-wop itself began largely in urban neighborhoods, where young singers would harmonize on street corners, in hallways, and subway stations because of the natural echo.
  • The Alley Cats help keep doo-wop alive for modern audiences, introducing younger listeners to the sound of the rock-and-roll vocal harmony era.
  • They are sometimes described as a mix of doo-wop concert, comedy act, and nostalgic oldies revue.

At halftime, I wandered into the theater area.

We torpedoed Jim because when the guys asked for volunteers, seven of us jumped up and down, pointing to poor Jim. Being good sports, we went on stage and gave the guys some voice lessons.

Jim gave it his all!

He did well!

After the show, we headed home via the 91 freeway and walked into the house at 10:28 pm. The temperature was cool, so we decided to crash!

Good Night

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It’s Wednesday, and We Are Running At 120%

Posted on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

We were up a little late,te but by 8:15 am we were on our way to get beaten up by the best at Peak Performance. Mary and I rode the stationary bikes almost four miles this morning. We worked hard as we wanted to be ready for the upcoming party.

I still want to know why I cannot wear pink!!

So, now that we’d worked off 400 calories, we went to the bank and then the bagel store to replenish our calorie supply with two magnificent “everything” bagels.

We bought two bagels, one sesame, one everything, and carried them home like royal jewels. At the kitchen table, I squinted at the wrapper. “Three hundred calories each,” I announced. Mary frowned. “But if we cut them in half, that’s only one hundred fifty.”

I nodded, impressed by mathematics. “And if we toast them, calories burn off,” Mary added, adding cream cheese. “This is protein camouflage.”

We ate happily until I spotted crumbs. “Those are escaped calories!” Mary swept them into her palm and whispered, “Quick, before they reattach.” We then exercised by laughing for almost nine seconds straight.

We had two appointments before lunch!

Our solar panel washer came by first and polished the solar cells, making them sparkle! The kid must be in hismid-20ss and is doing amazing well!

The second appointment was with Mary’s attorney, as she is updating all her legal documents: Will, Trust, Medical Power of Attorney, etc. I completed mine last year, and it is good to look at them every couple of years!

We send our wills to ChatGPT to ask for advice. I used the following prompt, and you must be intelligent to use AI; the prompts (commands to AI) are the secret!

Please review the attached will and provide a clear, plain-English summary. Identify the main parties, including the testator, executor/personal representative, alternate executor, beneficiaries, and any guardians named for minor children. Explain how assets are distributed, who receives what, and whether any specific gifts, residual estate provisions, or conditions are included. Please highlight any clauses that may be confusing, unusual, incomplete, inconsistent, or worth discussing with an estate planning attorney. Check for potential issues such as missing signatures, unclear beneficiary designations, outdated references, conflicts between provisions, or language that may not match common will practices. Do not provide legal advice or make conclusions about legal validity. Instead, help me understand the document and prepare questions for a qualified estate planning attorney.

The AI analysis was very revealing and raises several questions for the attorney!

After the meetings, we zipped over to Newport Beach, where Dr. Bill performed what I can only describe as a heroic toe rescue mission.

My ingrown toenail had been causing serious drama — the kind where the edge of the nail decides, “You know what? I’m not growing outward anymore. I’m going spelunking into the skin.”

Needless to say, I was VERY HAPPY to have it dealt with.

After numbing my toe — bless modern medicine and whoever invented painkillers — Dr. Bill dug out a piece of nail that looked like the jagged tip of a saber-tooth tiger fang. Honestly, I half expected archaeologists to show up and ask if they could carbon-date it.

Thanks to a generous shot of anesthetic, I felt absolutely nothing, which is exactly how I prefer all toe-related excavations to go.

Dr. Bill is my hero. My toe is free. The fang is gone. Peace has been restored.

Then we headed back to Orange to our favorite Lebanese restaurant to order snacks/food for our guests arriving Sunday afternoon. Since we were there, we, of course, had lunch/dinner. Mary tried their lamb kabob while I opted for spicy sausage!

I go for the peppers and onions while my lovely cannibal goes for the lamb!

Here’s some kabob trivia:

  • “Kabob” / “kebab” generally refers to meat, vegetables, or seafood cooked on skewers or grilled.
  • The word kebab is believed to come from Middle Eastern/Turkic/Persian culinary traditions.
  • Shish kebab means skewered kebab — “shish” refers to the skewer.
  • Kebabs are popular across many cuisines, including Turkish, Persian, Armenian, Greek, Indian, Afghan, Arab, and Central Asian food.
  • In the U.S., “kabob” often means chunks of meat and vegetables on a skewer, while in the UK, “kebab” often brings to mind doner kebab.
  • Doner kebab is cooked on a vertical rotisserie and inspired dishes like shawarma and gyros.
  • Traditional kebabs were likely cooked by soldiers or travelers over open fires.
  • Common kabob meats include lamb, beef, chicken, and fish.
  • Popular kabob seasonings often include garlic, onion, cumin, paprika, coriander, sumac, turmeric, yogurt, lemon, and herbs.
  • In Persian cuisine, chelo kebab — kebab served with rice — is considered a classic national dish.

We thought that was enough for one day, then we remembered we needed to do a Trader Joe’s run for several items, including Four Buck Chuck!

Finally, we arrived home, unloaded the car, and put everything away! Mary went to the garage and pulled out all the plates/knives/napkins we had from other events! Oh my, we could easily set a table for 60. On the bright side, no trip to Costco is required, AND the storage area gets to be reorganized.

After the party, we plan to set up a small stand in the front yard and sell paper goods!

We skipped dinner because our post-lunch visit to Veza apparently identified as dinner and took over the role completely.

After that, we watched Jack Reacher until 8:00 pm, then bravely ventured into the luxurious, bath-like waters of our pool. Thanks to the heat wave, keeping it warm only cost us a casual $700 in gas — practically a bargain, if you don’t enjoy having money.

But come September, when the daily surface-of-the-sun temperatures finally calm down, we’ll shut off the pool heater and return triumphantly to the swim spa, which has been sitting there feeling abandoned, dramatic, and probably composing sad little bubbles.

I thought I heard someone talking and sure enough, our pet Koi had a message for us!

In at 8:00 pm and out by 9:00 pm

We watched more Reacher reruns until 11:00 pm, then crashed. Tomorrow is another big day! We are off to Girls Night Out and then, thanks to Vicky, we are off to the Muck for a rousing evening with The Alley Cats! Never a dull moment!!

Good Night

Posted in Dining Out, Gym, Just Us | Comments Off on It’s Wednesday, and We Are Running At 120%

But We Are Retired!?

Posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The alarm made its UGLY sound at 6:00 am. Since we do NOT have an alarm, the sounds must have come from me! Anyway, I jumped up and checked whether all the files from the old Mac had transferred to the new iMac, and it was nearly complete.

So, instead of waiting, a little birdy (probably a buzzard) whispered in my ear, “Go pull weeds, NOW!!” The buzzard sounded just like my bride, so I got on my cleanest dirty jeans and headed to the garden at 6:15 am shivering in the cold, and the snow was almost 3″ deep. I went into the large bed with my trusty sharp shovel and tiny clippers and began to pull weeds at a frantic pace. I was fearful that her nibs would wander out, see that all the weeds were NOT gone, and beat me again!

I was lucky; only a few weeds remained, and they were on HER side of the garden. Note: her side is defined as whatever side has weeds!!

Trimming the grapes and pulling the weeds.
Fresh mulch to cover the bare spots!

Our larger fruits are doing just fine! Both pumpkins and watermelons develop from a plant’s flower and contain seeds. This makes them fruits by scientific rules.

Your yard is looking pretty good and should be ready for the upcoming party! We invited the trainers at our gym to join us for a social gathering at our home, along with a few of the gym members we have gotten to know over the years! Of course, we did not tell them which Sunday!

Mary went off to paint but returned a few minutes later; the class was canceled. We piddled around the house, getting it clean for the cleaning people. That means tomorrow, we do NOT have to run home and clean up! Besides, Mary’s lawyer is dropping by tomorrow to update her legal papers!

Joe came over with Charlie, and we discussed the backyard lighting and how to fix it for the upcoming party in November. We also worked on the swinging accordion doors to ensure they operated properly. After Joe departed, we worked in the office for a while and then had some corn for dinner!

We jumped in the pool around 7:45 pm and stayed in until we were prunes! Then it was to the TV room for two episodes of Reacher before crashing at 10:00 pm

Good Night

Posted in Gardening, Just Us | Comments Off on But We Are Retired!?

Monday Means “Pain Day”

Posted on Monday, August 31, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

We departed for the torture chamber at 8:10 a.m., giving us just enough time to pedal the stationary bikes roughly five miles through dense forests and scorching deserts. Along the way, we narrowly avoided dinosaurs, boulders, and at least one imaginary tax audit before skidding into the back of the gym, where the torture machines awaited.

I was immediately thrown to the floor by my 90-pound trainer, who proceeded to do things to my body that had me questioning several life choices. Mary was right behind me, and I could hear screams of anguish—in English!

Somehow, we made it out alive once again, though our legs remain under investigation. Mary did compliment me on my shoes!

“Watch out for that club there, Dr. Mary!”

From the gym, we went home, and Dianne dropped by. Mary wanted to take her to a new tailor. On the way back, we stopped at a clock repair shop and then finally at Benji’s for lunch, where we dined in a dark cave (normally called the bar).

Dianne got into the act also!

Nice bone in your hair!!! IS that from Chick-fil-A?

After returning home, we stayed inside and rested. I fought with the new computer, and finally, when it cooled down a bit, we worked in the yard for a couple of hours.

We worked until it got dark. We decided tonight would be movie night, so we watched two episodes of Reacher before crashing at 10:00 pm!

Good Night

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Sunday, A Time To Unlax!

Posted on Sunday, August 30, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Today was, for the most part, a diddly-squat day, a day everyone needs once in a while. We had planned to hit the garden, but we traded it for two hours with Robin, just jabbering, recounting memories, and planning future events (Lookout, Colleen, here we come!).

At 5:30 pm, we met with Jim and Doris, who are our next-door neighbors at Rodrigo’s. He is a doctor, and both of them are great folks. We enjoyed their company.

After getting home, we went into the pool for an hour before attempting to watch “The Greatest Little Whorehouse in Texas” with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. I crashed at 11:30 pm, but Mary stayed up and tried to watch the remaining hour.

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It’s Saturday, Lunch At The Farmhouse!

Posted on Saturday, August 29, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

We were up and ready to go early because we had an appointment with the kids at Roger’s Gardens at 11:00 am. The Farmhouse opens at 11:30 am, so we had thirty minutes to walk through this year’s Halloween displays!

It opened yesterday, so we got to see all the shelves full!!!

We go every year. See last year’s visit right here.

Fearless Mary was ready to go inside!

We entered with great fear, for the displays are spooky and the other customers are even spookier! Everywhere we looked, scary things were waiting to be brought to a new home. We will return and spend much more time when Robin is with us!

We spent a good thirty minutes taking it all in. In one corner, they had a display of what happens when you mix dog breeds. For example:

Airedale + Spaniel = Airiel, a dog that brings in good TV reception
Basenji + Schipperke = Baserke, a dog that’s mad about its owner
Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly
Bloodhound + Borzoi = Bloody Bore, a dog that’s not much fun
Bull Terrier + Shitzu = Bullshitz, a gregarious but unreliable breed
Chihuahua + Whippet = Chiapet, order from TV ads; 3 for $19.95
Cocker Spaniel + Rottweiller = Cockrot, the perfect puppy for that philandering ex-husband
Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport
Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that’s true to the end
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
Keeshond + Setter = Keester, you can’t get this dog off its duff
Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier = Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists
Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by….oh, well, it doesn’t matter anyway
Maltese + any other breed = Maltese Cross
Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors
Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog
Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet
Smooth Fox Terrier + Chow Chow = Smooch, a dog who loves to kiss
Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot
Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog prone to awful mistakes
Cocker Spaniel + Maltese = Cocktese

We went deeper into the maze and found other things we desperately needed to buy! For example, having an octopus in the office would help with the paperwork! Paperless, they said, when computers came around, phooey! We use more paper now than ever!

For help in the office!!

But then we found a book that may hold many Halloween secrets! We ended up buying a book for Robin titled SCARE-CUTERIE: Horror-Flavored Spreads and Ghoulish Garnishes for Creepy Creative Entertaining by Lori Hutchinson (also known online as Ghoul at Heart).

This book perfectly bridges the gap between food and decor by showing you how to build spooky cheese plates, design show-stopping centerpieces, and mix up funny, eerie “booze” (cocktails).

Yummy!!!

What is inside the book you ask about? Mary and I thumbed through it and found:

Funny & Creepy Booze: Includes highly creative cocktail recipes (your “funny booze”) complete with dramatic garnishes, such as the Lethal Injection Colada and the Evil Eye Chiller.

Halloween Cheese Plates & Spreads: Features over 45 spooky food boards—like the “All-Seeing Antipasto” monster face, the “Grim Reaper Butter & Bones,” and the “All Hallows Cheese Board.”

Edible Centerpieces: It teaches you how to craft theatrical food displays that serve as the centerpiece of your table, including tutorials on prosciutto-wrapped skull structures and buttery skulls.

The time was 11:28 am, and it was time to get in line to enter the Farmhouse. We could tell it was getting to be fall by the color of the trees. Leaves turn yellow or gold in fall because trees stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment used for photosynthesis.

During spring and summer, chlorophyll is constantly being made, so leaves look green. As days get shorter and temperatures drop, the tree begins preparing for winter. It slows down food production and starts pulling nutrients back from the leaves into the branches, trunk, and roots.

When chlorophyll breaks down and isn’t replaced, the green color fades. That reveals pigments that were already in the leaf all along:

  • Carotenoids create yellow and gold colors.
  • Xanthophylls, a type of carotenoid, are especially responsible for bright yellows.
  • In some trees, anthocyanins are produced in fall and create red or purple colors.

So yellow and gold leaves aren’t really “new” colors appearing—they’re hidden colors being uncovered once the green chlorophyll disappears.

The reds and oranges were magnificent!

Into the restaurant we marched, brave and hungry, and claimed a table guarded by two enormous umbrellas—basically our own private anti-sun force field. Safely shaded from the blazing sky monster, we spent the next hour jabbering away, swapping stories, family updates, and enough gossip to require a small filing cabinet.

I finally got a good picture of Lisa!

We heard more about James’s engineering job, and it sounds quite interesting.

James, the engineer, is funny and gives friendly jabs with a smile!

Hannah kept an eye on her two boys to make sure they were behaving. Owen stole the show!

Owen keeps an eye on Lisa!

Who? Me?

Yes! You!!!

James and Owen were about to make an early escape so Owen could stay on track for his afternoon nap—very responsible, very suspicious. Sadly, that means our cameraman, James, missed the group photo, but we still managed to capture most of the guilty party! After reviewing the official departure schedule, we have unanimously concluded that Owen was not the only one headed for a nap… James was absolutely in on it too.

Fun Fun Fun

We enjoy family, and seeing the girls again was special. Spending time with James and Owen was entertaining, to say the least! We are looking forward to a visit with Diane and Pat, hopefully before the end of the year!

Just us!!

After lunch, we took Hannah and Lisa to their next destinations. We dropped Lisa off at John Wayne Airport for her flight back to San Jose, and we took Hannah to the Bed and Breakfast in Santa Ana. From there, we headed home to await the arrival of Robin.

Dear Hannah and Lisa,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy lives to come and see us. I can’t tell you how happy we were to see you both (all) again — it truly meant a lot to us.

I felt very special that you made the effort to spend time with ol’ Uncle Paul. It was also wonderful to see Owen and James. Being together again was such a joy, and I’ll remember it fondly.

With love and appreciation,

Unkle Paul and Dr. Mary

When Robin showed up, we went to our favorite Lebanese restaurant and had an amazing meal! We got so busy talking to the owner about our upcoming party that I forgot to take any pictures! We also tried a different version of the tabbouleh. The girls wanted fewer onions, so the owner created a special onion-less batch! Tabbouleh, also transcribed as tabouleh, tabbouli, tabouli, or taboulah, is a Levantine salad of finely chopped parsley, soaked bulgur, tomatoes, mint, and onion, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and sweet pepper.

Returning home, we watched “9 to 5” with Dolly Parton, and it was amazing how much of the movie we had forgotten! Here’s some fun trivia about 9 to 5:

  • Released in 1980, it starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton.
  • It was Dolly Parton’s film debut.
  • Dolly wrote the famous theme song “9 to 5”, which became a huge hit and earned her Academy Award and Grammy nominations.
  • Dolly reportedly wrote the song by clicking her acrylic fingernails together to imitate the sound of a typewriter.
  • Lily Tomlin originally turned down the role of Violet Newstead, but later changed her mind after reading the script again.
  • The movie was partly inspired by real workplace concerns of the era, especially sexism and unfair treatment of office workers.
  • The title comes from the common office workday phrase “nine to five.”
  • Dabney Coleman played the awful boss, Franklin M. Hart Jr., and the role became one of his most famous.
  • The film was a major box-office success and became one of the biggest comedies of the early 1980s.
  • It later inspired a TV series, a stage musical, and ongoing talk over the years of sequels or reunions.
  • Jane Fonda helped develop the project after being inspired by stories from women office workers.
  • The movie’s fantasy revenge sequences were considered especially bold and memorable at the time.

After the movie, we went to the pool, listened to Disneyland’s fireworks, and watched the moon rise in the east! We solved the world’s problem again, as we do most evenings.

By 10:30 pm, we were all prunes and got out to hit the sack! By 11: 30, the house was so quiet you could hear a mouse (if we had any!).

Good Night

Posted in Family, Food and Wine, Fun | Comments Off on It’s Saturday, Lunch At The Farmhouse!

We Are Getting Ready For A Visit!

Posted on Friday, August 28, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

We worked all morning getting the patio ready for our visitors. By noon, we were getting cleaned up as we both looked like walking dirtballs. Hannah and her family are coming along with sister Lisa for a short stay in the Southland! We are anxious to see them!

On a serious note (yes, I do get serious), I felt rather special when I found out the girls mostly came to SoCal to visit “Uncle Paul”. I always had a fond place in my heart for these two and have great memories of Hannah and Jon riding in a battery-powered pink jeep, the girls playing in a plastic castle, the girls watching Uncle Paul make a three-layered birthday cake with enough icing to give a whale diabetes,s not to mention going to Disneyland and other places.

The girls graduated from College and High School in June 2013

Before they arrived, Mary and I went to war with the patio, bravely battling weeds, rogue tomatoes, and mint bushes that had clearly been planning a hostile takeover. We lasted until the temperature hit 95 degrees in the shade, at which point even the patio furniture looked like it wanted to quit.

My arm ended up covered in dirt and scratches from yanking out the tomatoes and mint, so I looked less like a gardener and more like I had lost a fight with a salad. Mary worked her magic on the upright gardens and made them look respectable again.

Then we set up the feeding station for our wayward cat, because apparently we are now running a patio restoration project and a feline soup kitchen.

I worked on the patio!

I was beaten before we went inside and enjoyed a nice, cool shower so I would look presentable when the kids arrived. Mary kept laughing at my face, especially at the eyebrows where I had wiped away the sweat and dirt. Two more swipes and a red rubber nose, I could be in the circus!

Oh My! I’m not old. I’m chronologically gifted.

At 4:00 p.m., the door opened and, to our surprise, a group of overheated people appeared—looking like they had just crossed the Sahara in dress shoes.

When I told them our air conditioner had just broken, they took one step inside, felt the heat, and immediately said, “Bye bye.” Honestly, I’ve never seen people RSVP “no” so quickly after already arriving.

Then the whole mood of the room shifted when Owen—also known as the Whirling Dervish—made his grand entrance. Shy? Not even a little. The moment he spotted the birthday balloon, all heck broke loose.

Boom! Boom! I got a boom!!!!

He attacked that balloon as if it owed him money. Punch after punch, jab after jab—I’m telling you, we may have a future prizefighter on our hands. Either that, or the balloon had said something deeply offensive.

James is teaching Owen early, and Owen approves of the Coors Light! Did he wonder if it could be made with a berry flavor?

Mom supplied Owen with a gourmet berry sampler fresh from Ralph’s Market: blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries—basically the berry Olympics in a bowl.

Then we all sat around the table for about an hour, waiting for the lasagna to heat up, which gave it plenty of time to think about its life choices. During the wait, the girls conducted a full family news investigation, asking about everyone: Colleen, Joe and family, Michele and Theo, Lisa and Peter, Zack and family—no branch of the family tree was left unshaken. We reported everything we knew, everything we thought we knew, and possibly a few things we made sound more confident than they were.

Robin had planned to stop by, but things got complicated with her sister, so she waved us off from afar. She was definitely missed—and so was the lasagna, until it finally decided to become dinner.


We had an Italian dinner with two kinds of lasagna, cucumber salad, coleslaw, and garlic bread. Mary’s Italian ancestry didn’t just show tonight—it burst through the kitchen door yelling “Mangia!”

After dinner, we attacked the cannolis and the birthday cake; it was a hit! We could not get permission from the fire department for 35 candles (it’s considered a fire hazard). I remember when Hannah was born. We were in New Orleans when the alert came through; Diane was in labor. We dropped everything, packed up, and drove to the airport and found the fastest way to Saratoga, California. We flew all night, got there, and met up with Rita (Sue’s Mom), who was already there.

Then it happened: Hannah was born, the church bells rang out (I think it was to warn people), and the geese flew backward to see when they had been! Hannah was here!

At 6:30 p.m., it was officially “Last one to the pool is a rotten egg” time. James and Owen were in first, followed quickly by everyone else except me.

I heroically remained dry on shore, serving as the designated responsible adult, emergency snack coordinator, towel supervisor, and official family photographer. Someone had to document the chaos — and protect the dry clothes.

Aunt Lisa is Owen’s favorite!

Then they were off, but not before we loaded them up with goodies. Anything fattening went with them in order to save us from ourselves! We will see them again tomorrow as we are going to Roger’s Gardens Farmhouse for lunch. Then they were off—but not before we loaded them up with goodies.

Basically, anything remotely fattening was sent home with them as a public service, because we clearly cannot be trusted alone with snacks. It was less “Here, have a treat” and more “Please take this before we do something regrettable.”

We’ll see them again tomorrow when we go to Roger’s Gardens Farmhouse for lunch—because apparently the best way to recover from giving away food is to immediately go out and get more.

Later, we went back in the water around 8:00 p.m. and pitty-pattered around until 9:00 p.m., when the serious business of television called. Tonight there was a full moon, which was fun to watch even though it was hanging low near the horizon—like it was tired too and thinking about calling it a night.

We went back in the water at 8:00 pm and pitter-pattered around until 9:00 pm, when it was time to watch TV. Tonight was a full moon, so that was fun to watch even though it was near the horizon.

The movie is “Finch” (2021), starring Tom Hanks. He plays a man in a post-apocalyptic world who builds a robot to take care of his dog, Goodyear.

At 11:00 p,m we declared victory and crashed. It was a good day!

Good Night

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We Had A Surprise Visitor!

Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

We had a 9:00 am appointment with Amy and her eye doctor, so we had to be up at 6:30 am to get ready and head to Newport Beach. As soon as we arose, we headed to the kitchen to see if the cat trap worked! It did! But unless our cat had radical surgery, had its ears reshaped, and gotten some more teeth, it was not Grace!

It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! No, it’s a super-possum!!

The little stinker likes cat food, I guess. We, of course, let him go since they take care of a lot of critters. Did you know:

  • Opossums are North America’s only native marsupials.
  • A baby opossum is called a joey, just like a baby kangaroo.
  • They have pouches where their young continue developing after birth.
  • “Playing possum” is real: when extremely scared, they can involuntarily faint and appear dead.
  • They have 50 teeth — more than any other land mammal in North America.
  • Opossums are excellent climbers and have opposable “thumbs” on their back feet.
  • Their tails are prehensile, meaning they can help grip branches, though adults don’t hang by them like cartoons suggest.
  • They are surprisingly resistant to rabies because their body temperature is relatively low.
  • Opossums eat lots of pests, including insects, slugs, snails, and carrion.
  • They’re usually solitary and nocturnal.
  • Despite their rat-like appearance, they’re more closely related to kangaroos than rodents.
  • The Virginia opossum is the species most commonly found in the United States and Canada.

We took a closer look!

Almost face to face!

You shouldn’t harm an opossum because it’s generally a harmless, useful animal, and hurting them can create more problems than it solves.

• They help control pests: Opossums eat insects, slugs, snails, rodents, and carrion.
• They’re not aggressive: If threatened, they usually hiss, freeze, run away, or “play dead” rather than attack.
• Rabies is rare in opossums: Their lower body temperature makes rabies much less common than in many mammals.
• They clean up the environment: By eating dead animals and fallen fruit, they reduce rot and scavenger problems.
• They may be protected by local laws: In many places, harming wildlife can be illegal or require permits.
• It’s safer for you: Trying to hurt or handle one could lead to bites, scratches, or exposure to parasites.
• There are humane options: If one is in your yard, secure trash, bring pet food inside, block access to crawlspaces, and let it move on.

If it’s injured or trapped, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control.
Most opossums are just passing through and will leave on their own if they don’t find food or shelter.

This required a closer look-see:

Don’t worry, Joey, we will get you out of that trap!!

By 8:00 am, we were heading south to Newport Beach in the Silver Fox, reaching speeds in excess of 35 mph! Mary, of course, ran to the nearest phone booth and changed into her Indy 500 racing costume, so prepare for the trip!

We are off and racing!

We zipped down to Newport in a little under an hour, and Mary met Amry there for the appointment. From there, we returned home because I needed to pick up the laptop and use it at lunchtime at the Elks. Bob had some edits on his Sunday birthday party web pages. We finished the edits in just a few minutes. You can see the site right here!

The Elks Girls’ Night Out lunch was a success. We all departed full of food and joy in our hearts! Bob joined us today and told us about his recent adventure in Europe and his time floating down various rivers.

Mary and I just enjoyed the banter, plus we are taking reservations for Halloween, which is coming up real soon! So far, twelve of us are going!

After Girls’ Night Out, we headed home, where we knew it was going to be cool. We stayed inside and worked in the office; it is our place for laughing! On the way, I told Mary about a time there was a King who was only 12 inches tall. He was a terrible king, but he made a great ruler.

We decided that next week we would come to lunch in costume!

After all, it is the Elks Lodge!!!

Robin dropped by on her way home, and we shared a Lebanese dinner with her. From all of our tasting activities, we had bags of leftovers. Mary and Robin went through the reservations for our next adventure, making sure I had a wheelchair arranged for the trip. Running from gate to gate is no longer an option for this old body! We are headed to the East Coast next month to visit daughter Colleen and her family! Robin is going with us, YEAH!!

After dinner, we all jumped in the pool and floated around for a solid hour, admiring the moon like philosophers and howling at it like unpaid werewolves.

The temperature of the water was 93 degrees, perfect for lollygagging around!

Robin departed at 8:30 pm, and we went to the TV Room and watched a silly comedy called Delta Farce. Three clueless Army reservists are mistakenly dropped into a small Mexican village instead of being deployed to Iraq. They think they are behind enemy lines and try to free the village from bandits.

At 10:00 pm, it was time for bed, so off we went for a good night’s sleep! I told Mary about my trip to the jungle a few years back.

I was walking in the jungle and saw a lizard with its hind legs telling jokes. I turned to a local tribal leader and said, “That lizard is really funny!” The leader replied, “That’s not a lizard. He’s a stand-up chameleon.”

Good Night

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Mid-Week: Detailed Planning Required!

Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

It’s that time!  We must trudge off to the gym and subject our fragile bodies to sustained abuse! First, we hit the floor, and our legs are stretched,g with several back muscles providing audible feedback in the form of snaps, crackles, and pops! It sounds like someone eating breakfast cereal.

Then, we are asked to get vertical, which is easy for them to say. After some adjustment for the higher altitude and the dizziness goes away, we are faced with some crazy torture devices and are asked to do 15 repetitions. I always count by fives; it helps!

  • Dumbbells – Tiny Pain Handles
  • Treadmill – The Hamster Highway
  • Exercise bike – The Nowhere-Mobile
  • Rowing machine – The Land Canoe
  • Kettlebell – The Angry Teapot
  • Bench press – The Ego Plank
  • Pull-up bar – The Humility Stick
  • Resistance bands – Spicy Stretch Noodles
  • Foam roller – The Scream Log
  • Medicine ball – The Heavy Orb of Regret
  • Squat rack – The Thigh Temple
  • Elliptical – The Confusing Ski Machine
  • Stair climber – The Endless Apartment Walk-Up
  • Battle ropes – Angry Floor Snakes
  • Yoga mat – The Nap Rectangle
  • Leg press – The Quad Crusher
  • Cable machine – The Fancy Pulley Monster
  • Ab wheel – The Regret Wheel
  • Jump rope – The Shin Whipper

BTW, we got voted number one for being so colorful! Our trainers usually wear dark glasses when we arrive!

We are ready to work on it!!

BTW, this will probably be our Halloween outfits for this year!

After the workout, I was thirsty and got to thinking about Coca-Cola when it came in glass bottles, and you would reach into a freezer full of ice and pull out a bottle, snap off the cap, and drink it down

Yes, it did!!!

We popped over to Ralph’s and got some supplies we might need for this weekend, since Hannah and her husband, Patrick, are joining us with their baby. As an added attraction, Lisa is coming along too!

Hannah, Diane, and Lisa (a few years ago!)

The holiday season is almost upon us!

Scarecrows everywhere!
We met up with Hannah, our German friend, at the market!

After Ralph’s visit, we went home to clean the house because… because… because our house cleaners are due in at 1:00 pm! We ran out of toilet paper and are now using lettuce leaves. Today was just the tip of the iceberg, and tomorrow romaines to be seen.

We have driven my Zena’s for years and finally went inside and had an absolutely amazing meal. They have been in business since 1999. Mom and Dad run the kitchen, and their son takes care of everything else. He started there when he was 20 and is not a happy 47-year-old!

Mary took one look at the menu, and she was off and running! Everythingg was good!

Our experience was outstanding! We’re planning to cater a party with several Lebanese friends, so naturally we launched a very serious “research project” — one that required visiting multiple restaurants and bravely eating a heroic amount of delicious food. You’re welcome, science.

As usual, Mary really gets into the things and changes into her Lebanese Dancing Outfit! I darned near passed out!

Okee Dokee!!!

Zena’s was the fifth place we tried, and they absolutely nailed it.

Our waiter, who also happens to be the owner’s son, was fantastic. He explained every dish, made great recommendations, and took care of everything we needed — basically a menu tour guide, cultural ambassador, and food therapist rolled into one.

The meal was excellent, but the tabbouleh deserves its own paragraph, possibly its own fan club. Traditional Lebanese tabbouleh is made with finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, green onions, mint, a little bulgur, lemon juice, and olive oil — but at Zena’s, it appears to also contain magic, because it disappeared in seconds.

I’m not saying there was a fight over the last bite… but let’s say Mary’s and my friendship briefly entered negotiations.

Zena’s is definitely a winner!

The traditional Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad recipe is a healthy vegan Mediterranean appetizer made with bulgur, parsley, mint, and vegetables

After all that food, I went to the paint store to get thinner. It didn’t work.

When we returned home, it was 101 degrees, so we went inside and hibernated the rest of the afternoon! The girls were just about to finish, so Mary and I went into our library and read! Clive Cussler and I are beating the Chinese and Russians at their own game!

At 6:00 pm, I finished my book and joined Mary in the kitchen. We watched Ted Lasso until 7:30 pm, time to jump in the pool!

We enjoyed a glass og vino while watching the Moon become full!

We hit the sack at 10:30 pm as tomorrow is another busy day. Robin is coming over, and we are going to get ready for Hannah, Lisa, and crew!

Good Night

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Tonight, The Theater!

Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 by Paul

GM

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

We had to reschedule this morning because we had an appointment with a GI doctor in Yorba Linda at 9:00 and 9:30 am. We both went in and saw him together. The doctor was really good. Definitely an Indian, but absolutely perfect English and quite funny! He gave us both some advice, and the worst of which was to slow down to one glass of wine a day (I checked, he did say DAY, not HOUR). Poof!

After our visit, we went home. I rode my bike to the liquor store and bought two bottles of wine. Before I left, I had a thought that if I fell off the bike, the bottles would break. So I drank the wine before I biked home. It turned out to be a great decision, because I fell off my bike seven times on the ride back home.

Then we went to the Orange Circle in search of a Lebanese Restaurant. We found it, but the menu was extremely limited, so we decided to walk to the Elks and get a turkey club sandwich and a glass of wine. We will be returning to the Orange Circle for the upcoming celebration.

I sat down for a minute before entering the lodge, and I talked to Mary!

I wasn’t sure what to think!!

The streets were all decorated for the upcoming festival, so we will get to try several types of food and mingle with our neighbors.

Every major country was represented by an overhead banner!

This year’s annual Orange International Street Fair theme is “Rockin’ Around the Roundabout.”

On Friday, 8/30, from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, 8/31, and Sunday, 9/1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., attendees can enjoy a boisterous atmosphere with a range of entertainment. We are going to join the fun this weekend!

After departing the Orange Elks, we went home and took a short nap, just in time to freshen up and go to the Silver Trumpet for dinner, followed by the Seagerstroms’ Phantom of the Opera.

Now entering its 40th year in London’s West End, Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful and spectacular musicals. Since 1986, Phantom of the Opera has become a global phenomenon, with productions playing to 160 million people in 217 cities and 52 territories, in 23 languages. Lloyd Webber’s celebrated romantic and soaring score includes “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” “Masquerade,” and the iconic title song.

Phantom of the Opera tells the story of Christine Daaé, a young soprano whose extraordinary voice enchants a mysterious masked figure known as the Phantom. A brilliant yet tormented musical genius, the Phantom dwells in the depths of the Paris Opera House, casting fear over all who inhabit it.

Drawn to Christine’s sensational talent, The Phantom becomes her mentor, believing she alone can truly bring his music to life, and as he guides her from the shadows, he falls deeply and dangerously in love. When Christine is reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Raoul, now the young patron of the Opera House, she must wrestle with the unpredictable dynamics of a powerful love triangle. The Phantom’s obsession with his new star sets off a dramatic turn of events where devotion, jealousy, and passion collide.

We finally got home at 11:00 pm and crashed!

Good Night

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