Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Always begin a busy day happy!
We had to be on our way to Newport Beach by 8:00 am because Mary is going with Amy to the eye doctor. We finally got on our way about 8:10 am and made it to the doctor just in time.
After a relatively short visit, we headed back home to regroup and prepare for our cleaning team’s arrival, led by the ever-efficient Miss Domilita.
Naturally, the moment they showed up ready to make the house sparkle, we made our escape—off to run two errands and visit my heart doctor, because apparently my calendar likes to mix housekeeping with cardiology.
Our first stop was a new-to-us Bank of America, where I went to shake the money tree and put a little green back in my wallet. The moth in there was getting lonely and had started echoing.
Then I heard a voice in the leaves saying, “You’re barking up the wrong tree!”
fter that, we headed to the Express Mail store, where Mary sent a care package to her daughter, Becky. It included some of the goodies we had originally planned to bring her on Mother’s Day weekend—because nothing says “a mother’s love” quite like overnight shipping, a tracking number, and a delivery promise by 5:00 pm.
From there, we were off to the cardiologist for a heart tune-up, and the news was great for an older man—no need to see him for at least four months. The chest pains have gone away since I promised not to lift 80-pound bags of soil nor do any other strenuous work!
The nurse asked me a question, and sometimes Mary’s sense of humor worries me!
What can I say?
And then…it was time to celebrate. During your birthday month, Italian Night at the Elks comes with a free dinner—because nothing says “Happy Birthday” like pasta, a membership card, and the thrill of beating the system by simply being born in the right month.
Since Mary’s birthday is this month, Dianne, Mary, and I headed to the Elks for dinner, where we honored her properly—with food, friendship, and absolutely no shame in claiming that free meal.
Luigi had the pans hot, and the ingredients were all set up!
What would YOU like in your pasta?
I went for the shrimp, and I also selected angel hair pasta. BTW, there was enough for two people!
- Pasta dates back to the 4th century B.C., where an Etruscan tomb showed a group of natives making what appears to be pasta.
- The word “pasta” comes from the Italian for paste, meaning a combination of flour and water.
- There are more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide.
- October 17th is National Pasta Day.
- Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing macaroni to the United States.
- It takes about 5,600 gallons of water to produce just over 2 pounds of dried pasta.
- The three most popular pastas are: penne, spaghetti, and macaroni.
- China is the largest producer of pasta, followed by Italy and the United States.
- In the 13th century, the Pope set quality standards for pasta.
- The first pasta machine was patented in 1600 by Cesare Spadaccini.
The chef did an outstanding job!
Back at the table, we enjoyed a bottle of grape juice and shared stories of yesteryear.
Someone is a happy girl!
Mary chose the chicken and then casually added meatballs because, apparently, her plate was accepting applications. By the time dinner arrived, it looked as though she was preparing a small buffet. Naturally, half of it came home with us—so tomorrow’s dinner is already handled, courtesy of Mary’s ambition.
As the amount of food got smaller and finally fit into the doggy bag, the waiter waited patiently for the surprise.
Let’s eat!! Dianne sent the picture,
Over the teeth and through the gums, look out tonsils, here it comes!
Lalo came to the table and launched into “Happy Birthday,” armed with a slice of cheesecake and a single candle. The fire department had apparently vetoed the idea of using one candle for each of Mary’s years, citing “extreme fire hazard,” “possible structural damage,” and “we don’t have that many trucks.”
We all began to sing, and several fellow Elks sang along with us! Some howeled and some turned their heads and giggled.
May is Mary’s “birthday month”!
Someone is happy!
“I’m one again!!”
We stayed for a while and tried to play trivia, but between the roar of the room and our glamorous seats in the “distant back-country,” we couldn’t hear a thing. So we called it a night—also, Dianne had to get home because Fast Eddie was scheduled to call at 9:00, and apparently, you don’t keep a man named Fast Eddie waiting.
We departed for home, and after changing into our jammies, we watched Yellowstone until about 10:30 pm before visiting the Sandman!
BTW, in folklore, the Sandman is a mythical figure who helps people fall asleep by sprinkling magical sand into their eyes. The “sleep dust” explains the gritty feeling people sometimes have in their eyes when they wake up. In many versions, he’s gentle and comforting, especially for children.
But there’s also a darker version. In E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story “The Sandman,” the character becomes frightening: a sinister figure who steals children’s eyes if they refuse to sleep. This version influenced later interpretations of horror and fantasy.
After reading about the Sandman, I went under the covers to hide from him!
