A Beach Fiesta

The drive to Dillon Beach was as wonderful as always, and I got to be the passenger instead of the driver so I really got to look around at all the animals grazing and Queen Anne's lace in full bloom. Once we arrived at the beach house, there was lots of fog and I was sorry I was wearing shorts. Why do I never remember this about the coast? I've only been going there since 1958!

The dinner was fabulous: chili rellenos, refried beans, citrus salad, and tacos slathered in red sauce, grated cheese and absolutely oozing sour cream. As if that wasn't enough, there was homemade blueberry pie for dessert. The conversation, lacking oldfart topics for the most part, was upbeat...not too much talk of medications, nursing homes and ailments. It was rumored that Harry was going to recite the Gettysburg Address in Welsh (omigod!), but thankfully that did not happen. My right ear is almost back to normal after having Maris's shrill voice loudly screeching into it. Only a mild headache. Such old friends and yet we spend much of our get-togethers trying to outyell one another in order to make our points. It must come from all our years onstage and trying to steal the spotlight.

Fun! But there's no place like home...

Listen to the Quiet

This is MY kind of week, a nothing week. I don't have a single appointment or outing on my calendar for the entire week. My next event is Sunday when I head out to a fiesta in Dillon Beach. This lazy week will be a chance to get some much needed yard work done, enjoy my library books, and take advantage of my stagnate Netflix rentals. The dogs will receive daily walks, and I'll hit the weight room/recumbent bike at the gym several times. I think I could very easily be a permanent recluse. Well, I will be...for this week anyway. Quiet. Just me. Like it.

Listen to the Quiet

Zits and Ass

OK. I admit it. My ass is falling. Unfortunately, that is not the only part of me that is succumbing to gravity. Even my knee skin is slightly starting to sag, and let's not even talk about my upper arms. Since I am now officially a senior citizen, I suppose this is to be expected. Hello, Medicare! But here's the rub: why, oh why, do I still get zits? I have 2 on my nose and 1 on my chin right now. This is not fair, and I object! When am I gonna stop growing zits? Hey, someone could put this to music and become famous. Marvin Hamlisch, where are you?

Pug Pals

Isn't it great when everyone gets along? I love that my household is very mellow and that all the animals have adjusted to one another. Here Ruby chums her good buddy, Cleo, who is somewhat ambivalent when it comes to Ruby's affection. Cleo's favorite cat is Zorro, who is like greased lightning when it comes to getting his picture taken. Needless to say, there are very few pictures of him in existence, and that's the way the skittish guy prefers it.

Ah, my two ladies, both very photogenic in this shot as they bask in the summer's sun on the deck. Always together, they are quite a twosome. How they enrich my life.

Turning Eight

This time Kate was the birthday person, as we gathered for an early celebration at Nika's. Kate decorated the cake with colored plastic frogs, which wound up on the ground once the cake was cut. Puppy Shelby was quite taken with them and unsuccessfully tried to eat several.

Yep! She's eight!

Parking It

Our day together in Vacaville, a half-way meeting place for us, traditionally begins with a stop at the Jelly Belly Store for some gummie treats. Then off to the park we go, after going to the Subway store for some sandwiches.

John and Chris have lots of fun on the teeter-totter.

Alex enjoys all the climbing structures.

Everybody loves the swings, as always.

John loads up on water for the trip home. What a fun time we had!

Parking It

That's a Wrap!

I just saw my last SRT show for this season. I enjoyed the 2 musicals, The Wedding Singer and Mame, the most. Now I look forward to season tickets at the 6th Street Playhouse. Oliver opens this weekend, and I know I'll like that. There are some shows I never get tired of seeing and then there are some shows I am not sure I even want to see. Tartuffe, part of the upcoming season, fits into that catagory. I'll bet the royalties were a bargain!

Slugfest

It's going to be a couch potato day. Why? Because I feel like it. No gym. No walk for the dogs. I guess I could come up with an excuse or two. I have a headache. It's too hot out for the dogs. Lame, lazy excuses from one who loves to loaf. And that's just the way it is today... Tough luck, Cleo and Winnie. Mama's on strike.

All Fixed!

At long last my deck is repaired and ready to be enjoyed. Though the actual building was done last summer, it took me another year to get the staining/sealing done. Now, happily, it is 100% completed and even ready for the winter rain. A homeowner's job never ends, but that's OK with me.

To Market, To Market

Going to the Farm Market to inspect the local produce is a regular outing. We of Sonoma Country are so lucky to have such a variety of wonderful fruits and vegetables, especially this time of year.

As I wander through the market with my basket over my arm, I love that the growers have samples of their products to help buyers make decisions.

However, the best part is when I get home, add bananas and grapes from good ol' Safeway, and enjoy these tasty local products.

Happy Birthday X 2

Here's the birthday cake, celebrating two birthdays: Bill at 61 and Taylin at 2. It was a large gathering, which included 7 dogs and 7 children. Jodie, Alden, Bea, and Bernie traveled from LA to attend, and I was introduced to Kari's newest son, Landen William.



Here's the birthday girl, Taylin, dancing with her cousin, Addy.



Time for Bill to blow out the candles.

Yum!

A Happy Bi-Birthday

A Happy Bi-Birthday