Wordless Home Improvement Wednesday

Dog Days of Summer

There I was...just running errands in my usual haunts, minding my own business, when I spied a brandnew and welcome sight: a hot dog cart. I was there in a heartbeat, wallet in hand.

They had a nice selection with the most unusual being a dog with philly cream cheese and BBQ sauce. I'm not too sure about that one. At any rate, I went for my old stand-by, the sauerkraut dog; and it did not disappoint.

How lovely to know that this cute little stand will be available to me  all day every summer's weekend. I don't think just one dog will do it. I'll definitely be a return customer.

A Dad Day

Another Father's Day without Dad has come and gone; but it is always good to remember how hard he tried, though often failing, to be a good daddy. I have plenty of fond memories, along with the dream that our relationship could have been different. That's just the way it is, but I do wish I had had the chance to tell him how much I appreciated him...and still do.

Since I was both father and mother to my daughter, I always pamper myself a bit on Father's Day, celebrating my successful daughter launch in a low-key way. This year it was potato salad and parmesan crusted chicken. Yes, food.

Always food.

You've Come a Long Way, Baby

Theme Thursday - Camera

My first camera was this cute little Kodak Brownie that I used to hold so seriously at waist level, carefully lining up my desired image, before I snapped away, hoping for a fabulous picture. It would, of course, take weeks to find out just how successful that shot had been, having to first  complete the roll of film and then wait to have it developed. Now, thanks to the digital age, I know immediately if my shot is a winner. And film? What's that?

How far we have come. Not that I traveled west in a covered wagon, but I have lived long enough to be amazed by technological advances. I can vividly recall that boxy first  television with its teensy greenish screen and one channel.  Now my tv is flat, large, crystal clear, multi-hued, and I don't even have to get up off my arse to select one of its many high definition channels.

I can instantaneously send a message to a friend on another continent. No more getting soaked putting my car into the garage in the rain, as I can push a button from inside the car and the door opens, like magic. Cars can talk, directing me to my destination. On and on.

I love the convenience and ready-set-go of today's world, but there is a big part of me that fondly remembers those days of the Brownie box camera...when everything was so much simpler. But, yes, we've come a long way.

Lincoln Land

A day jaunt to Lincoln was on the calender this week; so at 7 a.m., which felt like the middle of the night to this lazy person, I  said farewell to the sad-eyed lady pugs and boarded the CRV to attack my mortal enemy, the interstate. Thankfully, the drive was uneventful and I arrived in Lincoln Land none the worse for wear.

After playing a game of chess with John and getting beaten, we all hopped in the family van to be guests at Alex's pre-school graduation, which was followed by a trip to the infamous golden arches. Happy Meals for all, including me!

Returning home, John and I began another game, this time checkers...where I was the grandmotherly loser. Again. Enough with the games, I thought, and suggested we head out to the yard.

My surprise gift for the boys this trip was...squirt guns, perfect for warm weather fun, and that was the next spontaneous item on the day's agenda. I had a great time watching their imaginative play and joined in the action a bit, though I cannot even begin to match their level of energy. I try though.

However,  sitting in the shade is what I do best. I think Jane and Alex have the right idea.

Sweet Memories

Theme Thursday - Candy

How well I remember Saturday outings to the California Theater on Mendocino Avenue. Once inside the doors, my first stop in the small lobby was the well-stocked snack bar.  My order was almost always the same: a box of Good and Plenty, please. This winning combination of chewy mouth-watering licorice enclosed in a crunchy sugar coating was my idea of sweet perfection.

The Cal, as the theater was affectionately known, has been gone for years, torn down in the name of progress to make way for Macy's.  Decidedly different from today's monstrous cinemas, there was only one theater and one main feature.  We'd patiently sit through the cartoon, newsreel, and often a serial (Hello, Zorro!) before eagerly viewing the movie we shelled out our coins to see. I vaguely remember double features, such a bargain. Kids really could spend all day at the movies.

One Good and Plenty box would be consumed before the cartoon was finished, so I would often find myself returning to the snack bar for more treats. Charms lollipops, buttered popcorn, and cinnamon flavored Hot Tamales were all high on my list; but my junk food highlight was always found in that festive little box of pink and white licorice gold.

Ahhhh...

At last. The summer weather is here, and it is about time. I have put the lounge cushions in their permanent spots, after lugging them in and out, trying to keep them safe from the unpredictable rain.  I have already spent some quality time reading on the deck, enjoying the cozy sunshine and all my plants.

The view from my lounge provides lots of nap-inducing green, and I often find myself closing my book to take advantage of the solace. The pug ladies, my partners in deck lolling, also like the tranquillity and it is not unusual to find all three of us happily snoring away.

Mother Nature was a tease for many weeks, giving us a sunny day, and then hammering us with a tantrum of raindrops, sometimes even accompanied by crackling thunder and lightning. Finally she is wearing her smiley face and blessing us with 80 degree weather, my favorite sit-in-the-sun temp.  Winnie's, too.

So, bring on the bright rays and vitamin D. Of course, once the thermometer hits 100 degrees, which it eventually will, my weather complaining will return and I'll be longing for these days of CA perfection. But until then...