An Interesting Day

Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2025 by Paul

Today was a solemn event as we traveled via limo from Orange to Hollywood to inter David Reidy at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

We had to get gassed up for the trip!

We departed after filling up with gas!

The trip was about 45 minutes, and we pulled up in front of the mausoleum just before noon.  We had Dianne and eight of her closest friends.

Packed like sardines.

We pulled up right in front of the mausoleum.

Each area had a name.

Judy Garland’s remains were moved from New York to L.A. at the wishes of Liza Minnelli and, family.  Judy Garland’s remains were moved cross-country to a mausoleum intended as the resting place for her daughters, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft, and other family members.

We took some photos before setting up the display case with some memorabilia.

Sisters…. Sisters….

The girls went to work arranging things.

Setting up the display took several people.

That was a lot of work!

Our work is done.

The essential picture was placed in front of the display.

David and Dianne are in Hollywood.

The employees sealed the case, and it looked fantastic!

Ready to be sealed up.

A beautiful lady with beautiful flowers.

Complete with flowers.

The Hollywood Sign was easily seen from the entrance to the mausoleum.

One can see the HOLLYWOOD sign to the East.

We jumped in the limo and headed to Miceli’s famous Italian restaurant, home of the stars.  We had a delightful lunch

In business since 1949, 75 years.

The inside of the restaurant was decorated to the 9s.

To one of David’s favorite restaurants.

Cianti bottles were hung from the ceiling in every corner of the establishment.

We were almost alone today, but we arrived between lunch and dinner.

It took almost two hours to get home because we hit heavy traffic on all the freeways.   We took Dianne home since her ride was going to Garden Grove.

After arriving home, we watched a quick movie and then hit the sack.  We were pooped.

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Today Is Watercolor Day!

Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 by Paul

I am expecting something like this….

We worked in the office, and Mary sorted out all the medical bills from the last several months.  That was quite a task!

She got ready to go painting around 10:30 am and headed out the door with her supplies at noon for the 1:00 pm class.  While she was out, I got ready for tonight and finished off the Starlighters Website.  When she returned, we had another masterpiece!

As Mary says, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

Mary is getting better and better every week!

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? No, they already have names.

What’s a reindeer’s go-to cleaning product? Comet.

Today was the 42nd anniversary of “A Christmas Story,” which we will be watching again for the 42nd time.

Forty-two years ago, I was just 38!

At 4:15 pm, we headed down the 55 toward South Coast Plaza and the Seagerstrom Performing Arts Center.   We met up with Vicky and Jim and had a light dinner (to stay awake during the performance).  MY taste for alcohol is still gone, so I had an Arnold Palmer!   The lamb lollipops and poached pear were just right.

After dinner, we walked across the street to the Seagerstrom Theater to see Shucked.

We dined at the Silver Trumpet!

Shucked is the brand-new, Tony Award-winning musical comedy full of clever puns, catchy songs, and a whole lot of heart.  Whether you’re a Broadway fan, a comedy lover, or just in need of some feel-good fun, Shucked will have you grinning ear to ear.

This hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical is about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn!  Shucked proves that sometimes tearing down a few walls rather than building them is the only way to preserve our way of life.  This genuine original is turning musical theater on its ear and offering a kernel of hope for our divided nation!

We stopped at the giant corn cob for a photoshoot!

The backdrop is a giant ear of corn!

We had four seats, two aisle apart.  Each of the seats was perfect.  Just far enough back to see the entire performance, we had Rows C and E!

Settled in for a great show!

We stopped for a group picture on the way out and discussed the play on the way to the restaurant to get our cars.  GREAT FUN!!!

The four of us always have fun!

It was fun to drive home and try to remember all the puns we were given during the two-hour performance.  We crashed as soon as we got home; tomorrow is a bigger day.  We are going to Hollywood in a limo!

Posted in Dining Out, Friends, Fun, Holidays, Theater | Leave a comment

Rain Rain Rain

Posted on Monday, November 17, 2025 by Paul

That’s me!

I must admit, the weights were plastic, and I forgot to wear my thong.  We are both getting back into shape because, as we depart the gym, we both complain about sores and aches.

We stopped by Ralph’s Market and did some shopping.

The remainder of the day, we stayed inside, out of the rain, and worked in the office and watched TV.  Cabin fever is beginning to set in!

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Working In The Office! Then We Dance!

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2025 by Paul

Keeping busy!

We worked from 8:00 am until almost two, cleaning out files and reordering things.  We had a break for a bowl of cereal around 11:00 am.  You can see both Mary’s and my desk tops; it’s a fantastic sight.

While cleaning, we watch TV and see a lot of westerns, we call them “shoot’em ups”.

At 5:00 pm, we departed for the Elks Lodge, as tonight is the annual Starlighters Winter Formal!  Christmas in November, wow!  I will stay sober as post-op, booze tastes horrible to me!

As late as 4:00 pm, I had not decided what to wear.  It’s either a black tuxedo, or tuxedo pants with a Christmas jacket, or a bright green sequined dress coat.  Decision decisions!  When I saw Mary’s selection, my mind was made up.

Mary and I decided to bring something for the table since it was “Christmas in November: and we have not celebrated Thanksgiving yet.

Hey, we tried!

Nine Carat Gold played, and we danced a few waltzes during the evening.  Mary took it easy on me!  As I always say, “When in doubt, twirl it out.”

Visit the Starlighters Christmas In November Website. 

Around 9:00 pm, we headed home as I was feeling tired; I am still not 100%

 

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Rain Rain Rain!

Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2025 by Paul

We sat around watching the rain and worked in the office.

Mary decided to make another pumpkin pie, so I joined in the fun!

History And Oorigins

The first pumpkin pies weren’t pies at all, but baked pumpkins filled with spices and apples.

Early pumpkin pies were baked in hot ashes and were more like a pudding, not a flaky pastry crust.

The British introduced pumpkin pie to the American colonies in the mid-1500s.

The first recipe that resembles a modern pumpkin pie appeared in a 1796 American cookbook.

It became a Thanksgiving staple by the 18th century, with some towns even delaying the holiday if they couldn’t get enough molasses for the pie.

First, we washed and halved the pumpkin, scraping out the “guys” but keeping the seeds.  We then bake the halves at 350 degrees for an hour, which softens the pumpkin’s flesh.

Baked for an hour!

Once cooked and cooled down, the tough skin must be peeled away!  We both did the peeling activity.

Why did the pumpkin pie go to a dentist? Because it needed a filling.

The skin must be peeled off.

The skin comes off fairly easily with a pairing knife.

Pealing was easy!

Then the magic; Mary adds heavy cream plus a secret number of spices, including eye of newt and bat wings.

Adding the magic ingredients

It goes into the oven for a solid hour.  We use a crust shield to keep the crust from burning.

Robin and Bob came over at 4:45 pm, and we had a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and then it was off to the Orange County Mining Company, located about a mile from our home.

We had a delightful meal overlooking the city of Orange and Tustin.  I could spot the 55 and 22 freeways.  We could also see LAX airplanes landing.

We returned home and attacked the pumpkin pie; Bob was a happy camper!

Bob’s birthday is Monday, so we celebrated today!

Bob and my deceased son had the same birthday.  Mitch would also have been sixty on Monday!

Everyone was tired, so we visited until 8:00 pm and then split up.  Mary and I crashed soon after.

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The End (Of The Week) Is Near!

Posted on Friday, November 14, 2025 by Paul

Rain will begin momentarily!

Wednesday:

We were up early and went directly to the gym, where the staff took special care of me, working on my legs and upper torso. They commented that I am getting better with each visit. The fact that I am 183 pounds, down from 205 six weeks ago, probably helps!

After the workout, we went to the Original Pancake House and split an omelet; their portions are generous, to say the least.

Arriving home, we decided to take down the Thanksgiving decorations from their yearly hiding place in the garage attic. I volunteered to go up the fold-down ladder, but the good doctor informed me, in NO uncertain manner, that I was NOT allowed on the ladder.

A disorganized attic. Loft, or crawl space, above the residential garage.

Mary went up and brought the boxes to the edge of the ladder. I took the dangerous spot anyway and stood underneath the opening, catching the boxes as she lowered them. Seven large plastic containers later, we were ready to roll into the family room.

The girls were coming to clean at 4:00 pm, and we had to depart for the theater at 4:30 pm, so we got ready to go. Tonight we saw “The Heartsellers”. We took Sydney and Dr. Bill with us and had dinner at The Silver Trumpet before the play.

We ate lightly to stay awake during the performance.

The cheese and charcuterie board was perfect with one glass of wine.

The play is summarized as follows: Two immigrants, one Filipino and one Korean, meet by chance in a supermarket on Thanksgiving in 1973. Longing for connection, Luna invites Jane to her apartment. While their medical-resident husbands work through the night, the women bond over life in America, the families they left behind, and the art of cooking a frozen turkey. Set eight years after the Hart-Celler Act overhauled U.S. immigration policy, this heartwarming comedy was called “a laugh-aloud love letter to friendship” by Broadway World.

We crashed upon arriving home; it was a wonderful day.

Thursday:

Today is Girls’ Night Out, and we did not disappoint. We met up with the regulars and enjoyed an excellent meal. Due to my lack of appetite and desire to stay under 185 pounds, I enjoyed half a pizza and an Arnold Palmer drink. Mary went for the salad and some of my pizza.

After arriving home, we both took naps, and I won the contest. I slept for two glorious hours. If anything kept me awake at night, it would be worrying that there wouldn’t be enough time to have a nap the next day.

Robin came over after work and made up for the hamburger debacle she and Mary had last week. She pranced in the door carrying three hot burgers from In-N-Out, complete with two bags of perfectly cooked fries.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!

After dinner, we went to the TV Room and watched a Hallmark Christmas movie entitled “This Time Each Year”. Robin headed for bed around 8:30 pm, as she had to work the next day. We stayed up and watched “Back To The Future Part III.” It had been a long time since we’d seen it.

It was still funny and entertaining after 34 years.

We hit the sack around 11:00 pm, and we opened the bedroom window so we could hear the rain start.

Friday:

We had grand plans to visit H&H Nursery, but alas, the storm clouds rolled in and we tossed that idea. We did go to Old Ranch and had lunch with Charlotte.   We had a delightful lunch before heading home in the rain.

Beautiful women surrounded me!!

Once home, we lit the fireplace, got on our jammies, and took it easy watching the rain come down.

We watched three Hallmark Christmas movies before crashing for the night.

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The Beginning Of The Week Was Busy; Veteran’s Day

Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 by Paul

Monday:

I took the horns by the bull, slipping into my black ninja costume and following Mary to the gym!  We explained my delicate condition, so my trainer significantly adjusted the regular grueling workout.

We went to the market before going out to lunch and sent in our order for Thanksgiving dinner.  We killed two stones with one bird!

Mary made a REAL homemade pumpkin pie, and it was the best I have ever tasted.  She started with a small “pie” or “sugar” pumpkin because they have a sweeter, less stringy, and more flavorful flesh than larger carving pumpkins.  It was a lot of work, but the results were fantastic.  It did not have the consistency of the pureed pies one gets at a restaurant or in the market.

Absolutely amazing!

I was pooped out, so we stayed inside and watched TV until 0’dark-thirty.

Tuesday:

It was a day to celebrate our armed forces, Veterans’ Day.   Mary got dressed in her uniform, which dates back to the mid-1970s.  She looked pretty good!

The International Boys Choir entertained us, and they were pretty good at singing patriotic songs.

The songs sometimes brought us to tears.

Bob and Mary were dressed in their uniforms; Mary decided fatigues would be more comfortable than a dress uniform.

Looking good, guys!

Just beginning to recover from the operation, I dressed in warm clothes, and I was very proud of my wife (or should I call her Captain Wife?)

The program was excellent, and the hall was full of veterans and their guests.

Bob could not resist a “photobomb” event.

The world is not safe.  The US Military has surrounded me.

On the way home, we got a Vicky-gram.

We just landed at Orange County and it’s about 830 but for me it’s about midnight or after so the car service will pick us up. Take us to Jim‘s house and then Jim‘s gonna drive me home and then I’m going to sleep for seven days just to let my brain rest. I need a vacation for my vacation. Lol.
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The Weekend Has Passed!

Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2025 by Paul

We made our choice, too bad turkey!

Friday, we stayed home most of the day, only going to one doctor, a new record!  We wanted to go to Marie Calendar’s and place our order for Thanksgiving.   Mary had a great suggestion: have lunch and then order.  Alas, timing did NOT work out, but we have a prepared plan for the future.

Lunch was excellent, but I overate!

What’s the problem with eating too much pumpkin pie this time of year?” “You’ll get autumn-y ache.

Friday evening, we stayed inside, bundled up, and watched action movies.   Go, Arnold, Clint, Bruce, and the rest of the gang.   Mary is working on her needlepoint and plans to finish it in the next few days.

Saturday, we worked around the house after Mary returned from her early morning PT appointment.   We got the patio looking pretty good, and on warm afternoons, we can sit out there and listen to Amazon Music.

We had planned to go to the Elks and listen to Jerome Dean, but alas, I was just too tired, so we stayed home.

Sunday, we got the low-down on the Rockettes from Miss Vicky, who is in New York.

Vicky in Times Square after the show!

Vicky’s post show comments:

Yes, the show was at 1:00 today & right now it’s about 9:15, and it was probably the most wonderful show I’ve ever seen. We had the best seats, one level up so that we could see the entire stage & it was just magical. Ever since I was about 10 years old, I’ve always wanted to see them here. Finally, and you guys & Jim have spoiled me.

It sounds weird to be over 70 and being spoiled.

When we came out, it was raining & we were caught without an umbrella or anything, but we were only two blocks away, so instead of taking a taxi, we decided to make a run for it. It was funny.

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Another “Outing”; Getting Back To “Normal”

Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2025 by Paul

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

Today marks four and a half weeks after being taken to the ER.  Two weeks in the hospital and two and a half weeks home.   I am feeling better each day and getting my strength back.  After three surgeries in a span of a month, I’m doing good for an 80-year-old fart.

Today we went to ‘Girls Night Out’  at the Elks, and I survived quite well.

We then went to the vascular surgeon who did the operation.  The results of the test were positive, everything is open, and blood is flowing like it should.

Mary needed some serious R&R after taking care of me for the past five weeks.  Colleen notified Robin and Mary of a local crafts fair.  After some yelling and screaming, Robin came by and kidnapped Mary, and off they went.

While they were out and about, I got a snapshot; Mary has a new friend!

Mary has a friend!

Thank you, Robin, for getting Mary out of the house; she needed a diversion.  Robin and some friends from work did some serious Christmas shopping.

Great fun; new friends!

While they were having fun, I slaved in the office, continuing my quest for a clean room from which to do business!  I dumped my tax infor back from 2017-2021, straightened up the file cabinets, reordered our two boxes of cards, organizing them into holidays and events, and continued to collect power cords.

 

 

 

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Happy Halloween 2025

Posted on Friday, October 31, 2025 by Paul

We were ready to receive little monsters having a large mixing bowl full of treats, but as of 10 pm, we had a total of eight kids!

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