Thursday Has Come On Stage; We Shall Celebrate!

Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2025 by Paul

Mary woke up ready to go to the eye doctor!

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Taxes Are Paid; Bank Account Is Empty!

Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 by Paul

Dr. Mary is invaluable around the house; she assists with my medications!

Wednesday is the day that screams, “Time to squeeze into that gym outfit!” I can barely contain my excitement at the thought of being poked, twisted, and laughed at by the Peak Performance staff—it’s like a workout and a comedy show rolled into one! On our way out, we made a pit stop in the garden to cut some grape leaves. Antony, being a chef, gets absolutely giddy about crafting grape leaf goodies. I mean, who knew a chef could turn leaves into culinary magic? Watch out, Michelin, we’re coming for you!

The grapes are growing several inches every day!

Mary was on a mission, picking sweet peas like a pro, while I stumbled around trying to gather grape leaves—turns out they weren’t as delicious as they sounded! At this rate, I might as well start an underground grape leaf farm..  The sweet peas have a fantastic aroma; everyone loves it when Mary comes in with bouquets!

Dang, she smells GOOOOOD!

As we departed for the gym, we had a handful of pickings. Antony will be making stuffed grape leaves this evening.

Antony will be tickled pink when he sees these!

Walking away from the garden, we noticed we had squash blossoms, which means we will have baked stuffed squash blossoms in the next few days!

Yummy!!

We love to cook, and the stuffing process is a lot like surgery! Mary’s surgical skills will definitely be utilized.

We look into the future and see…..

We entered the gym carrying all these pickings, and it looked like a Rose Parade float that had gone off the tracks. Antony was pleased to see the grape leaves. Grape leaves are very nutritious, and according to the USDA, they are a great source of minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium. In addition, they are also high in fiber, folate, and vitamins A and K. Grape leaves contain many phytochemicals and antioxidants that may contribute to overall positive health.

Antony takes a selfie as we depart the gym!

We walked across the parking lot and went to the bagel store, where we found two “everything” bagels; we hit the jackpot! We had our coffee inside the shop as it was 59 degrees on the patio! The Villa Park Coffee Grove is great!!

Returning home, we split, with Mary staying home awaiting a new poolman and a leak detector. I, on the other hand, took Scout the Wonder Dog to his hairdresser. Tonight we will have to endure his prancing around the house showing off the new do!

He kept singing the song from South Pacific…. “I am pretty, I am pretty!”

We had good news: no water leaks! Our hot water pipes run under the kitchen, and the continual heat pump makes it warm. The suspected patio leak was likely just a “low spot” in the underlying cement patio.

On the pool front, our new pool guy fixed several issues that have been around for a while. We hired him on the spot and are looking forward to much better service than we have had for the past three years.

We had a quick dinner before watching Greenwood.  By 9:45 pm we were in the sack attempting to get warm!

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Tuesday And Spring Has Gone Away; Winter Is Back! Tax Day!

Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by Paul

Today, the calendar is as clear as my brain before I’ve had coffee, except for Mary’s painting class! We got off to a slow start; I think we moved slower than paint drying on a rainy day!

I officially hate computers! I tried to find out how to pay off the Lexus (Silver Fox), and after thirty minutes of trying passwords and usernames, I gave up!!! Then, I tried to renew some prescriptions online but could not get into CVS!  Damn computers!!

As soon as I pay off the Silver Fox, I will buy one of those knock-off Tesla trucks to use with the garden!  I like the dark grey color!

We can hardly wait to park it out front of the house and turn the driveway into a mini car showroom! Let the neighbors get ready for our new “driveway of fame!”

Speaking of cars, we are attending the Packard International Club event!  Perhaps we may have our “new” Packard Caribbean convertible to bring to the show next year!  We are going with Dianne!

This will be our fifth visit together.

Great fun!

Mary drove to the painting class, where another masterpiece was created.  I stayed at home  and did chores.

I liked the way she inked in the outlines!

Of course, I framed it for immediate hanging!

While she was gone, I installed a light above the cupola where she works. The BLNAN LED Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture with Remote Control is a 15.4-inch 36W 3000K-6500K Dimmable Round Low Profile Ceiling Lamp. This will enable her to adjust the lighting to suit the time she paints.

Mary likes the fact I am a “handyman.”

Mary fixed dinner, and we watched Evergreen until about 9:00 p.m. when it was time to crash! Throughout the evening, I checked my blood oxygen level, which remained above 94% continuously. I am on day three of juice drinking; I wonder if those are connected?

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Oh My, A New Week Begins!

Posted on Monday, April 14, 2025 by Paul

Another Monday, and we are happy to celebrate the day!

I did the math; this morning begins the 4,191st week since I came into this world. Mary is a piker; it has been only 3,803 weeks since May 26, 1952. I plan to celebrate my 5,000th week with my bride on October 13, 2040!  I am 388 weeks her senior ( 7 1/2 years).

Scout was again pesty at 5:00 am, so I let him out, locked the door, and returned to bed!  More sleep was needed since we had to face the gym this morning.

At 7:00 am, we were up and getting ready for the onslaught of physical abuse!  We decided to proceed with the appointment even though we had to stop at 9:00 am to attempt an appointment with Dr. Cobb, our heart doctor.

I began my exercises with a warning to the instructor!

Because of the visit to the ER this weekend, I was told to visit the heart doctor ASAP on Monday!

Mary pulled out her Doctor’s Card, and we got a 10:15 am appointment, so we departed the gym early.  As we entered the car, our physical abusers (commonly known as instructors/trainers)  were charging across the parking lot, yelling, “We are NOT done with you two yet; come back!  We will get you and your little dog Scout also!”

We went to the 6th floor and checked in with Dr. Cobb.

As we were sitting there, everyone’s iPhones went off simultaneously! I sounded like the inside of a birdcage. We quickly read the flash banner, which said, “Standby, earthquake detected.”  I thought, “Oh boy, another false alarm,” but the building began to move within 10-30 seconds. The new technology worked, and within a few minutes, the waiting room TV announced the San Diego earthquake. Wow!

He had the report from this weekend’s stay at the St. Joseph’s Emergency Room and asked me how I felt.

After we answered everything, he suggested I stop a particular medication for two weeks and come back so he could run some tests to verify that I was NOT still in “congestive heart failure.”

Dr. Mary and D. Cobb enjoyed each other’s company during our visits. He is a good guy!

CHF is a chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.  Heart failure can occur if the heart cannot adequately pump (systolic) or fill (diastolic).  Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid heartbeat.  Treatments include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake, and taking prescription medications. In some cases, a defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted.

Of course, everything was normal while at the office!

We made the appointments and were off and running—like a bunch of toddlers at a candy store.

As we walked down the hallway to the car, Mary’s brakes went on, her tail lights flashed,  and she screeched to a halt right in front of the gift store. The smell of burning leather permeated the hallway, and several people ran out with fire extinguishers, hoping to save the building.

Mary did well, only circling the store twice and finding only a salt and pepper shaker that might go home with us. She turned the bunny upside down, and I thought she was checking whether it was a boy or a girl, but she was checking the price.

Dollar signs appeared in her eyes as they rolled back in her head; she carefully put the little critter back on the shelf, mumbling something about $29 and highway robbery!

We found our car easily since I left breadcrumbs on the way into the building.   We were headed home when I suggested Mama Lu’s as a potential for lunch.  Mary’s eyes twitched, and I got a mile-wide smile; we were off.

It is on the right, 25% off an old grocery store on 17th and Prospect!

The restaurant or, more appropriately, “Dumpling House”  was open for business! As their welcoming message says:

Welcome to MAMA LU’S DUMPLING, where we craft delicious dishes with the freshest ingredients, blending tradition and creativity. Our mission is to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy great food with friends and family. Every meal is prepared carefully and passionately, ensuring a delightful dining experience. We take pride in our exceptional service and attention to detail. Thank you for choosing MAMA LU’S DUMPLING —we look forward to serving you!

We came in for their vegetable fried rice but ended up with a selection of goodies!  We brought home half the meal with us and then packaged some of the lunch for Jeff, our neighbor.

Mama Lu’s was as good as we remembered.

Finally, we were home with our tummies full. I wanted to walk the yard to see if the shortness of breath was still happening, and it was NOT! I admired Mary’s potted hanging plants, which were enjoying the Spring weather.

Our hanging pots are doing well.

The strawberry search is mandatory, so we get the berries before the birds do.  With Scout on duty, birds are terrified!  His snoring sounds keep them at bay!

On the search for strawberries.

While near the patio, I checked our fruit trees, and they are beginning to get loaded with future fruit. This tree is an apricot, plum, nectarine, and peach tree all in one! We call it a fruit salad tree.

The peaches/plumbs are emerging.

Speaking about the ferocious guard dog, he was on his 2:30 p.m. patrol when I captured him mid-stride. Every fifteen minutes, he makes a complete circuit of the yard (including the vineyard and under the trees), looking for those pesky elephants.

We are always afraid he might spot an elephant and pass out from fright!

Scout on the hunt for elephants.

The lemon tree just got its wake-up dose of iron after a long winter’s nap, and it responded by producing a mess of blossoms. We’ll have so many lemons later this summer that I’m pretty sure I’ll need to start a lemonade stand—to keep my sanity! At this rate, I might even have enough to open a lemon-themed amusement park. Get ready for rides like “The Citrus Twister” and “Lemon Drop Falls!”

The lemon tree is coming out of its winter shock.

Rounding the garden, we saw the corn forest.  These little puppies have grown a foot in the past two weeks, and with the warm weather beginning, they will be eight feet tall in about 60 days!  Corn on the cob is our favorite!

The corn is not quite as high as an elephant’s eye yet!

The mislabeled peas will be left in place this season. They add color and aroma to the garden! They remind me of the poem,

“Mary had a little pea
The pea was pink as snow
and everywhere that Mary went
her peas were sure to go!”

Indeed, everywhere we go, Mary brings sweet peas that are so aromatic they brighten the surroundings.

Sweetpeas by the bushel

We returned inside for a quick nap; the large Chinese lunch was working well!

At 5:30 a.m., we departed for the Orange Art Association meeting, which was held on Tustin Blvd at the Orange Community Church. The demo artist was Denise Busony (denisebusony.com).  Denise is an award-winning artist who will demonstrate techniques for oil painting colorful skies.

We went to the Orange Art Association for a demo.

Mary sat in the front so she could see, while I occupied a chair in the back to allow the other artists a better view of the demo.

Not too bad from a distance.

Oils often need some distance before the entirety of the painting can be appreciated!

The closeup is not pretty.

We returned home and watched two additional episodes of Everwood before hitting the sack.

By the way, Jeff gave me a wearable ring that provides a blood-oxygen content reading and a pulse measurement. He uses it because of his condition, and I thought I might like it, even though I have a different condition. I love it, especially when it reads 97%, and my heart rate is 70 bpm.

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A “Normal” Sunday!

Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2025 by Paul

We are off in a cloud of dust!!!

Robin crashed at our place last night, likely plotting her strategy for conquering the Spring Boutique at the Elks Lodge. I suspect she was scheming to outshop everyone while wearing her lucky shopping socks!  She was undoubtedly welcome since I had just left the ER, and Mary was concerned.

We departed at 10:30 am for the Elks Lodge and arrived just in time to miss the opening rush.  The place was loaded with goodies and people!  Even the patio was filled with booths and goodies.

It was a sea of  “must-haves,” and the girls were ready to help!

The stops along the way were met with “oohs and ohs and ahs and so-cute’s and other female shopping talk!”   I could not remember the last time Bob and I went to the hardware store and stood back looking at the mirror to see how the bucket of paint or new electric tool looked!

I just stood back and was enthralled by the scientific decision-making process and the expressions when new treasures were found.

“I’ll take two of those!”

While watching the ladies shop, and entertaining and ___ experience, I had a thought!

Bob staggered along with me as the girls searched each booth for the treasure of a lifetime.  At first, Bob and I thought we would have to rent a wheelbarrow from Home Depot next door, but the shopping level settled down to a dull roar.

We had just a few grocery bags chocked to the top with priceless mementos of today’s adventure.

They spotted the same “must have” at the same time!

On the third time around, I spotted a sign we needed, but the bags were already overflowing, so I resisted the urge to have it come home with us.

The truth!

We wandered into the McCallan Lounge and had lunch after a multi-lap exploration of every booth in the house. Dianne, Donna, and Bob had already had their breakfast.

Robin and I had Fish and Chips while Mary attacked the chicken Quesadilla! The ladies enjoyed a glass of wine while I suffered through lemonade, in keeping with the doctor’s suggestion from yesterday!

The rabbit had a good idea: a nap!!

Robin liked Mary’s new wabbit.  I even thought it was cute!  I’ll bet he will rest on the mantle when we get home!

After lunch, the girls made another quick pass through the shopping area to see if anything had changed, and indeed it had!  Mary found some bling tennis shoes!  I inquired as to why she needed white tennis shoes covered with silver bling, and I got her answer:

The rationale sounded good to me!

We headed home after filling the trunk with bags or treasures.  Soon thereafter, Robin departed to meet Bob, who was traveling home after having a gig up the coast in San Simeon.

Mary fixed a couple of snacks for dinner, and I made the fatal mistake of not looking at Mary when she was talking. I went headfirst into serious trouble!

After dinner, we watched a movie and finished off four more episodes of Evergreen!  The plot thickens!  The cancer is gone; Rose lost the election; Amy and Ephram are attempting to get back together, and the doctors are trying to be friends again after “the kiss.”  We are in season four; we are getting close to the end!

We were done by 10:15 pm, and Scout The Wonder Dog had already gone to bed!  I tried to get him to go outside, but he would have none of that.  Of course, at 3:05 am, he needed out, which he made abundantly clear by putting his cold nose on my arm, and I woke up thinking a cold octopus was attacking me!

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Hell Of A Way To Start The Day!

Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2025 by Paul

It started differently.

The day was going to be pretty, with temperatures in the mid-70s and a small breeze. But when I arose, I was having a difficult time breathing, and it was difficult to walk. Mary got up a little bit after me and was concerned about my condition.

Using her medical skills, she felt my hand and could tell I was getting Afib.  Afib is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow. The heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat out of coordination with the lower chambers (ventricles). This condition may have no symptoms, but when symptoms do appear, they include palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatments include drugs, electrical shock (cardioversion), and minimally invasive surgery (ablation).

She suggested (hinted, implied, insinuated, intimated, demanded, ordered, etc.) that we go to the ER, and I think she was surprised when I agreed with her.

Note to self: Get new earplugs!

This out-of-breath has been going on for several days and I was getting concerned.

We jumped in the car and drove to Providence St Joseph’s in Orange, which is about six miles away. We chose that hospital because my cardiac and pulmonary doctors are associated with it, and it is an excellent facility.

St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA, is generally considered a good hospital with a strong reputation and accolades. It’s recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Regional Hospital in Los Angeles and has earned various recognitions for specific specialties and procedures.

We walked right in like we owned the place!

As we entered the ER, I saw R2D2 entering the elevator, so I knew I was in the right place.

We were unsure what R2D2 was going to the ER for, but it was him. I beeped “Hello”!

The monitoring machine above my head sprang into action and sounded like a calliope from the circus with all those beeps, bloops, hummed, quacks, whistles, and other strange sounds.   The little graph was jumping around like a kid with an etch-a-sketch!

After a while I learned how to position my body and other organs just right and made the machine play “It’s A Small World”; I guess I am just talented!

Lying down, getting poked and prodded in all my radiant glory!

I saw people walk by and point in my direction.  I wondered what they were saying, and then it dawned on me!

Clearly!!

Mary took GREAT care of me. Going to the cafeteria for brunch and lunch was not easy; finding healthy food in a hospital was not easy; I ended up with a hamburger.

The X-ray revealed water in my lungs, and Dr. Ash was outstanding in explaining what that was and what we would do about it. They gave me a shot of Lasix. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in the kidneys to remove extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which helps ease swelling and lowers blood pressure.

The shot worked rather well and I was doing the 20 yard dash in a flash.  I would say “Mary, NOW!!” and she would jump up, disconnect me from the machines, and run behind me with my hospital gown flailing in the wind warning people not to look or they could  be turned into stone.

She waitied outside the facilities to guard the door just in case I had a problem.  I went inside and sang three chorus of “Splish, Splash (I Was Taking a Bath) Along About Saturday Night”…. Thank you Bobby Darin for the memories.

This reminded me of the book, “Yellow River” by I. P. Freely!

By 4:00 pm and four runs to the privy, I felt a lot better, and the shortness of breath had disappeared.  The doctor decided to send me home, but I had to see the heart sawbones on Monday to determine a course of action.

While all of this was going on Bob Z came by to visit, Joe and Colleen kept the telephone lines warm and even Connor called after we returned home to see how I was doing.  (It’s wonderful to have so many care about you… I felt pretty special!)

Robin came over this evening, and the three of us had a nice dinner that Mary fixed. Asparagus and lasagna with homemade salad from the garden were perfect.

The three of us stayed up until 11:00 pm watching 1923.  Then we all crashed!

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Friday Has Arrived And We Are Ready!

Posted on Friday, April 11, 2025 by Paul

I was reminded that today was gym day, so I searched the closet for my iron suit. I must exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing. I then gave my exercise and workout activities some serious thought, and I came up with the following: The more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap. Stay safe, and eat cake.

I was dressed to keep safe while Antony beat on my tiny little body!

When we finished, we waddled to the bagel store and enjoyed breakfast. From there, we walked to Ralph’s and shopped for groceries. We made the entire circle.

It was about a ten-mile journey from the gym to the bagel shop, then from the bagel shop to Ralph’s market, and then to our car.

After returning home, Mary got out of the “To Do List,” which I unrolled, which was only a three-foot-long section, and studied with great interest.  So, there I was, trying to tear off a huge chunk of paper like I was preparing to wrap a gift for Christmas. I thought I was being sneaky, but then—bam!—caught red-handed by the boss! It was like I was a cat with my paw in the cookie jar, and the way she looked at me, you’d think I was trying to escape with the office printer!

I must find a better place to hide her list next time!!

We walked into the yard, and to our surprise, our strawberry plants were throwing a fruit party! There they were, flaunting their beautiful red berries like they were auditioning for “America’s Next Top Model.” I half-expected them to ask us to rate their best angles! Who knew plants could be such show-offs? At this rate, we might need to hire a bodyguard to keep the squirrels from crashing the celebration! What do you call a sad strawberry? A blueberry!

A magnificent specimen; so is the strawberry!

We worked around the house and took a short nap in preparation for the drive to Seal Beach and Patty’s Place!  We met up with Christine, Kyle, and Robin for a lovely dinner.

We finished off dinner with our regular dessert drink, a Chip Shot! We shared one since we had to drive home over 20 miles away!

Do we look happy? You betcha we do!

Remember to show Nick (the owner) how to take pictures!  He captured everyone but also captured the bright lights!

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

After getting home, we walked over to Jeff’s and brought him some Key Lime Pie, a house specialty at Patty’s! Our home is the house with all the Easter lights. It would have looked better if the garage door had been shut.

I can change the colors from the iPhone!

I took Scout The Wonder Dog out for his evening constitutional, and we had a long father-son talk about “things.”  What we agreed on is summarized below!

It was almost 10:30 p.m., and it was time to hit the sack, so it was lights out. The “Pink Moon” is the name for the full moon that occurs in April, typically marking the start of spring. While it won’t appear pink, it gets its name from the early blooming of certain pink wildflowers like moss phlox. It signifies the return of life and the resurgence of nature after winter.

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Girls Night Out Starts At Noon!

Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2025 by Paul

Amen!

We were lazy this morning and did not rise and shine until after 7:30 am.  We rose but did not shine.   Mary and I went sweet pea picking because we were going to the Elks, and Mary liked to bring everybody fresh flowers!

They are growing high on the vine right now, meaning we need a step stool to get them!

I had a great idea after the walk in the yard and seeing the local wildlife!

By 10:00 am, we were finishing up getting ready to go to Girl’s Night Out at the Elks.  We are departing a little early to go by the dry cleaners; pickup and dropoff time!

We popped in the Elks Lodge about 11:30 am, a little early, so we had some wine and planned out the rest of the day!  Our days are generally full of activities.

I studied the menu carefully and decided a salad with chicken protein would be just right. Mary went for their soup of the day and their house salad. The food at the Elks is first-class, and their specials are often interesting.

Finally, a healthy lunch (if you discount the wine).

Bob and George were carrying on.  Hal and Sydney just came in and made their order with Karen.  I gave Sydney a letter from the LA City Housing Authority.  Those idiots wanted $35.17 to register me and my rental for some idiotic renters service.  I wish Elon Musk were here and put a stop to this silliness!   The government is just out of control!

We had a table full today.

After lunch, we visited with Sydney and her father, Hal, but had to depart at 1:30 p.m. for a 2:00 p.m. appointment with the hearing aid doctor. We get an annual tuneup, which includes sitting in a soundproof room and pushing a button every time we hear (or think we hear) something.

The audiologist’s workstation looked like the cockpit of a 747—with graphs, sounds, and buttons everywhere! I half expected to hear, “Fasten your seatbelts; we’re experiencing turbulence in the high frequencies!” And just like a pilot, they were ready to declare, “Ladies and gentlemen, we may hit some static, but we’ll be cruising at a comfortable decibel level shortly!” If only they had a button for snacks!

Audiologists use a lot of computers.

I went first to make sure everything was safe—because, let’s be real, I’m not ready to be a headline about a freak accident. Meanwhile, Mary was patiently awaiting her turn, looking like she was in a waiting room for a dental appointment, complete with the nervous fidgeting and the occasional eye roll at my antics.

Mary awaits being tested while I get my hearing aids adjusted.

I realized today was special; it’s My Day!

Yesterday was our son’s birthday, so we called and sang him a happy birthday, melting the phone lines between our home and his.  We ran across us at dinner on Joe’s birthday four years ago.  We are so lucky to have him in our lives!

Joe & Amy and us four years ago for his birthday!

When we got home, Joe dropped by and delivered us a “tricycle”! He knew we wanted to start riding for exercise but also knew we would look funny on the bicycles with training wheels. A friend of his had no use for a new Schwinn Trike, so we got it for us!

Beep, Beep, Mary’s bike goes! Beep, Beep, Beep!

We opted out of dinner since lunch at the Elks was so filling.

It was getting dark, so we got prepared to hit the Swim Spa, which helps us sleep well at night. We sat there for almost an hour at 96 degrees, so we were well done. Tomorrow, we will bring the phone out and carefully use the app that identifies stars in the sky! We could see ten stars this evening.

I got both heaters to work after taking them to the garage and overhauling them!

Back inside, we called Robin but got no answer, so we are worried that Binx, their cat, is not doing well!

We went to the TV room and watched Evergreen until 10:15 p.m., at which point I herded Scout outside for a well-needed piddle before going to bed.

Tomorrow is gym time in the morning and then Patty’s Place in the afternoon/evening with Kyle, a co-worker from twenty years ago!

Good Night All!

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Busy Doing Nothing!

Posted on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 by Paul

We had to be in Irvine at 8:00 am for Mary’s doctor’s appointment on Wednesday.  We got up at 5:30 am, got ready, and exited the house at 7:00 am sharp.  Using GPS and our common sense (knowing the freeway traffic patterns), we arrived at 7:45 am.

Mary was done by 9:00 am, and we decided to go to the Original Pancake House, where we had a lovely meal sharing the vegetarian omelet.  I also had some bacon, and they gave us pancakes, also!

Breakfast is done; it’s time to go to work!

We went to Home Depot and got one additional Blueberry plant and some peppers for the garden.  I worked in the yard for an hour until it got too hot.  I cleaned out two of the wall planters so Mary could plant seeds in them tomorrow.

It was in the low 80s, so I finally sat on the swing and listened to Fox News.

I was trying to get up enough energy to go inside!

Before going inside, I cleaned up two planters and added soil and fertilizer.

I put in a couple of miles a day working around the house!  I will never get a speeding ticket!

Mary was busy upstairs painting. She made this today at Jonathan’s request. Jon saw it on the ship we took this past summer, and Mary has been trying to find the time to paint it.

We will frame it and give it to Jon on the family cruise to the Caribbean in September!

I thought it was so good I framed it!

Mary asked me what I thought of the picture, and I thought I had a good suggestion. Apparently, it was not! What am I going to do with a green nose?

We got a picture of the Porter family with both new babies.  The family got together and had a lot of fun.  Grandma Diane looks pretty happy!

We will be planning to visit them as soon as I get over this breathing issue that has been going on for a few weeks.

We had dinner and watched five more episodes of Everwood. Ephram is off to Europe, Mama Jo’s is closing but about to be saved, and Rose is going in for a cancel operation. It’s like a soap opera.

I looked over at Mary, and she was done for the day!

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Time To Say Bon Voyage And Paint!

Posted on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 by Paul

Tuesday has arrived, and we have a breakfast appointment based on the following note:”

From Vicky: What are you doing for breakfast tomorrow, Tuesday? We leave on Thursday morning, and I can’t imagine not seeing you both for two weeks. Maybe we can go to Benji‘s Deli if you don’t have plans. If yes, what time? If not, then we will see you when we get back.

 

I went to the office and spent a pile of money in a matter of minutes; we now have our first-class flights to and from LAX to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to enjoy a cruise with the kids (Colleen & Mark and Jon & Sarah) in September. We are going on the Rhapsody of the Seas for a week!

In October 2023, the United States State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Israel chartered the Rhapsody of the Seas to evacuate United States citizens and their families from Israel after the outbreak of the Gaza war.

The Rhapsody will never be the same!

We then took a brisk stroll through the garden, trying to avoid the ugly gnome that looked eerily like my ex-wife, and then we got ready to head to Benji’s.

But first, a quick pit stop at CVS for my latest medication—because nothing says “party time” like stocking up on my daily dose of “please don’t lose it!” I can’t wait to explain to the staff at Benji’s why I brought my “survival kit” of snacks, meds, and a garden gnome (just in case).

Mary brought Vicky some fresh flowers that were picked right out of the garden!

We visited Jim and Vicky and discussed their trip, which begins on Thursday morning as they wing their way to Italy on the Pasta Express.  Vicky is worried how she will last two weeks without Mexican food; we told her to bring plenty of hot sauce!!

The Italian cruise sounds perfect, allowing them to explore the old buildings and historical sights. Mary and I hope the sea gods will not be restless during this voyage.

Highway to Italy:

A man comes walking on the beach and finds a bottle. He picks it up and removes the stopper. Out of the bottle comes the Spirit of the Lamp. “Thank you for letting me out, I have been locked up for 140 years. I would like to give you the opportunity to have a wish fulfilled”

“Thank you, I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii, but I’m afraid of flying and I get terribly seasick from sailing. Could you make a highway to Hawaii?”

“Certainly, but do you really want me to throw millions of tons of soil into the sea, affect ocean currents and wildlife, make it necessary to change shipping routes and much more? Is it conceivable that you have another big wish that I could fullfill instead ?”

The man thinks for a moment and then he says “Indeed I have, I have always wanted to be able to understand women”

Deep sigh from Spirit of the Lamp “4 lanes or 6 lanes?”

Nenjis is a super place to dine, as they have a little bit of everything!

After breakfast, we headed home to load up on painting supplies, as Mary’s first class of her third set began at 1:00 p.m. After her accident, while gardening yesterday, I decided I would drive her to the painting class, so we loaded up the supplies and returned within six blocks of Benji’s again!

At 3:00 pm, her class finally wrapped up, and I arrived to pick her up at 3:01 pm sharp! Honestly, I was so punctual that I could have given a clock a run for its money. I even looked at my watch and said, “Wow, I’m like a human sundial!” Meanwhile, she emerged from class like a magician, revealing the rabbit from the hat, and sat outside on the park bench, awaiting the arrival of The Silver Fox and her chauffeur.

Mary’s next watercolor project is straight from the garden!

From her freehand sketch, not prompts from the instructor!

We went directly home, unpacked, and sat about making dinner. I took a short nap, and Mary made magic out of yesterday’s leftovers. The air fryer sure works miracles. The salad was terrific, and I was surprised because it made us dine alfresco. (I thought that meant dining naked, but alas, alfresco means dining outdoors.)

The weather was in the high 70s, the perfect way to have dinner overlooking the estate!

We called Claudia, my cousin, to see how Doug was doing. He is back home from the care facility, still in a wheelchair, and needs help seven days a week during the day so Claudia can get some time off.

We enjoyed a leisurely dinner and then headed to the Swim Spa for our nightly hot water and fragrance. Mary said, “You stink pretty!” after we exited the tub! I checked; no rings were around the edges, which is always a good sign!

Relaxing Lavender, Eucalyptus Mint, Coconut Yuzu, Sugarcane Vanilla, Green Tea Matcha, Orange Blossom Neroli

I was hoping Mary never says, “Paul, you smell like a mix of Yuzu and Neroli!”  I would not know how to react except to be embarrassed and run to the nearest shower with a big bottle of kerosene!

On the way to change into my jammies, I stopped by the Loquat tree to see if we had enough fruit for another round of loquat crumble.  The verdict is in; yes, we do!

Tomorrow we pick!!

We watched, or tried to watch, three episodes of Everwood and catch up on the gang and their latest escapades.  At 9:20 pm, we called it quits and headed for bed; we must be up and out of here by 7:00 am, more doctor appointments.

 

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