I am starting my own blog because even though I am retired I feel I still have plenty to offer. I have a couple clues how to do this and I will make up the rest as I go along. I want my blog to reflect not only how I feel about four of my passions – books, art, food, and travel – also a little about this new chapter of my life.
I want this to be enjoyable for me to write and for anyone who happens to read it. Although I have to warn you, I have opinions, informed or otherwise, and look forward to expressing them.
In my blog posts, I will write about “this and that” and end the posts with “the other thing,” which is the unique element that enhances or detracts from my overall experience. I wanted to end this introduction with “I hope you enjoy my pithy bon mots,” but my son thought that sounded too pretentious, so I’ll leave it out. Happy reading!
I blogged about my dinner with friends in August of 2021. The food was good but atmosphere and service were not impressive. It is now 4-1/2 years later and giving it another try. It’s lunch with my friend Kathy, and the music was loud. We had our choice of seats.
Kathy said the chicken tacos were good. I thought there wasn’t much taste to the Cubano sandwich. I took the other half home, and my brother confirmed that it was pretty bland. The dessert was cheesecake, which tasted fine once I removed the yellow sauce.
The Other Thing – I sometimes give a restaurant a second chance – but not a third.
Look at where and who! Betty and I finally got together. We met each other halfway, which was Riverside. I had forgotten just how beautiful the Mission Inn is.
It was a beautiful day, so we ate in the patio. We were so busy catching up that I forgot to take photos of our food. Spinach, artichoke dip enjoyed with a glass of chardonnay. Then turkey sandwich for Betty and a BLT without the L for me. My sense of taste has still not returned, but I can taste dessert.
Creme Brulee with fresh berries and a chocolate stick. The only creme brulee I ever had that I didn’t like was actually in Paris. Imagine that!
Anyway, the food was secondary. It was all about seeing each other, and talking about “old” times. I figured out that Betty and I have known each other for almost 50 years. That’s pretty amazing since we are only in our forties (lol).
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture was right across street, so how could we not stop by there.
The second floor was temporarily closed for new exhibitions, but there was plenty to see on the first floor. (Excuse that picture of me. I always close my eyes. Maybe I don’t want to see how I look!)
The Other Thing – A long drive for both of us, but it was so worth it. It seems, circumstances, changes, and geography keeps us apart, but Betty is still my bestie. Nothing will change that.
Returning to the “scene of the crime” as we used to say. This was the hangout for The Three Musketeers (Barbara, Nellie and Betty). We would order lunch, but it was always about the Mai Tais and the gab fest. It’s only Two Musketeers now, and she is far enough away that we don’t see each other that often. But we’re still besties. I’ll be writing more about us in January when we are getting together.
In the meantime, it’s Mai Tais and Prosecco with my dear friend Julie to celebrate the holiday season in style. No matter the time, we always have tons to tell each other. And how better than with an adult beverage.
We did remember to have lunch. Two of Billy’s favorites – Crunchy fried Fish and Chips for me and Coconut Shrimp for Julie. It is important to note that we did NOT order dessert. I don’t know what came over us to act so responsibly.
The Other Thing – Into this new year, I am again reminded how lucky I am to have such true and loyal friends. I am ready for you 2026!!
Segerstrom Center Campus is full of reasons why Costa Mesa is The City of The Arts.
Be sure to experience the sensation when you are inside this metal sculpture.
Next, you are entering California Scenario, commonly referred to as Noguchi Gardens. Located at 611 Anton Boulevard, it is a 1.6 acre public sculpture garden designed by Isamu Noguchi to represent the diverse landscapes of California – the Forest Walk, Desert Land and Water Source. The centerpiece the “Spirit of the Lime Bean” (sorry, no photo) is a mound of granite stones alluding to the area’s agricultural past.
Near the end of or 2-mile tour are architectural wonders you probably pass by without realizing their importance to the culture of our city. AND the Plaza Park tree is up for us to enjoy – a great place to take family holiday photos.
The Other Thing – Thank you Costa Mesa Historical Society for planning this event. I know there are more exciting events coming next year.
Jingle Berry Cocktail, Puffed Brie Pastry, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Garlic Chicken Pasta, topped off with Lemon Blueberry Cake.
Blackberry Margaritas, Taco Asado with Esquites, Three Combo with Chicken Enchilada, Asado Taco and Pork Tamale – topping it all off with Fried Ice Cream and Tres Leches.
The Other Thing – And this is only December 17th!!
My friend Debbie met me at the Albuquerque airport, and we immediately did what we usually do, and found a place to eat. Sawmill is like a very large and uniquely different food hall. Pizza was pretty good, and the fruit tart was from Creme de la Creme.
Then it was off to Debbie’s house in Los Alamos. The next day was the fourth of July and a barbecue with her family. Since Los Alamos is in the forest, there would be no fireworks. Instead 500 drones created a magnificent display of patriot images that we watched from the roof of Debbie’s house.
Our first excursion was to Taos (another city of the arts) to visit the Pueblo. Some Native Americans still actually live there, but many places were open with souvenirs and native art for sale.
Lunch at Legacy Cafe – friendly staff, food OK. Didn’t know that Taos was the home of Kit Carson.
Back to Los Alamos to plan our next adventure. Enjoyed a great bluegrass concert from High Desert Rangers. Her neighborhood is beautiful and full of nature’s wonders.
Off to Santa Fe to the Coyote Cafe for lunch. I refer to it as returning to the scene of the crime – my third time here – always an adventure. Food is good but always too much to finish.
I only flew one way, because we wanted to go back to California on Route 66. Debbie could take me home then continue on to see her dad. I had driven this part of the route before, so I picked certain stops that I thought Debbie would enjoy. First stop was El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, where some of the major starts of the 40s and 50s stayed while filming movies nearby.
Next was Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona. It was closed when I was there in 2015. This time souvenirs were available!
On to Winslow, Arizona and two special treats. The La Posada Hotel was amazing. If we had known just how amazing, we would have planned to stay longer.
Dinner in the Turquoise Room was absolutely delicious in every way. Fried Squash Blossoms, Blue Cheese Salad, Shrimp Pasta – double yum!!
Two blocks away from the hotel we got to stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona. There were not 7 women on my mind, but we did hear a lot of Eagles songs.
Breakfast in a cafe that used to be a bank. The old Diebold safe was still there. Always a souvenir store.
Off to Delgadillos Snow Cap Cafe where the current owner just celebrated his 98th birthday. His family has owned this place since the beginning. Waited quite a while for our burger. This place was busy….not all tourists.
Oatman, Arizona is filled with burros. They run the town, the town takes care of them. They draw lots of tourists who feed them and take photos. I adopted a mother and her baby but they were too big to fit in the car.
The entry to Oatman driving west was a nightmare. It was 28 miles of twisting road with no barriers. By the time we reached Oatman, we wondered if it was worth it to see a bunch of burros.
It did change our plan for the day. Debbie was so tired that we decided to just head for home. So we didn’t see Roy’s Motel & Cafe or Bagdad Cafe. We stopped in Hesperia to rest our butts and eat something. We arrived at my house at 10:30pm. SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING 10 HOURS.
The Other Thing – Although we were disappointed with the end of our trip, but we did have a good time overall. It’s always fun when we are together.
Not the sunniest day, but what day isn’t a good day to be near the ocean. Met my friend Julie for lunch and a test for my recently declining taste buds.
Entry is almost like being in Hawaii – ALMOST!!
Now for the food………
Everything tastes better with wine (I forget who told me that, but it is often apropos). I could taste my fish chowder – it was creamy and pretty tasty (At least I think so). Ditto for Julie’s coconut shrimp. Since I can really taste anything sweet, guess what came next?
That is actually a tower of ice cream on the left. On the right, one of my all-time favorite desserts – key lime pie. I am not even shamed to admit that we made short work of these treats (Truthfully, just me).
A few pix from the Huntington Beach pier area.
The Other Thing – This area always brings back memories for me. In the 1960s-70s, Duke’s was called Maxwell’s, and we frequented it a lot to listen to our friends Rosie & Eddie (She sang, he played the piano). During our first visit to their home, I discovered that one of us sang offkey. I will not name names, but the first initial is “B”.
Went to see the Hockney exhibit and got so much more. This place is awesome – three floors and a downstairs with Liv’s Cafe and a sculpture garden.
There are Jean Arp and Henry Moore sculptures, a Diego Rivera painting.
Andy Warhol’s vision of spring attire and an early work by Tony Berlant. I add Tony here because I went to High school with him. He was always arty – but who knew? I show his work with Warhol’s because Tony was part of Warhol’s New York scene in the 1960s.
This large plate is made of crushed tin cans.. The couple on the right – they are sculptures. I stopped to speak with them – sooooo real!!!
So much of Hockney’s early works – before what we are most familiar with – swimming pools, yards, buildings – sharp lines. David Hockney – an English painter, photographer, printmaker, stage designer and a draughtsman. He sounds like a Renaissance Man to me.
The Other Thing – Topped off our day with a delightful lunch with our La Quinta friends at the Hideout Kitchen + Bar at the Gardens on El Paseo.
Yes, my brother David said this is where he wanted to spend his 80th birthday. Four of us merry revelers joined him for a visit to Disneyland and California Adventure. Joining David were my daughter Kathleen, our very bestest friend Erin, my son-in law Luis (Son Jeffrey was too ill to join us. Maybe he dodged a bullet). This is not the Disneyland of an earlier time. Everything is on an app now, where we choose our rides and the time we are scheduled to ride them. Very complicated and time-consuming. Thankfully Kathleen was in charge of this.
Checking out the familiar spots before jumping into the actual attraction riding. We started off calmly with Pirates of the Caribbean, the Matterhorn bobsleds, and the Jungle Boat.
The next rides were by downfall, and I should have known better. After I was belted in, it was too late to change my mind. Star Tours and Space Mountain rattle your entire body, and I think even loosens some brain cells. That was practically the end of the road for me. I’m 83 for heaven’s sake! What was I doing here? OK – It’s my brother’s birthday, and I guess I would do anything for him.
Time for a snack break (I sure needed one) and a look around.
Off to California Adventure and more ways to have fun (?!). David meets Horace Horsecollar.
We had a lovely dinner and birthday celebration at Wine Country Trattoria.
After dinner, it was off to Soaring over the World (not just Orange County anymore). I already knew I was not going on that one. It kick starts my acrophobia. So while the others went off to enjoy it, I had my enjoyment with a hot chai (yes, there is a Starbucks at Disneyland), watching crowds of people passing by and wondering how the average family could possibly afford all this. We quite enjoyed Disneyland at night, which is quite spectacular!
The ferris wheel was not in operation, but the big attraction in California Adventure for two of us was the roller coaster. Kathleen and Erin were determined to ride it, so they decided to wait in the long line. The rest of us strolled around. When they got up as far at 10 minutes way, the ride suddenly closed down. What a bummer for them.
The Other Thing – We were there almost 12 hours, and even the youngest of us were pretty tired. I was beyond tired, but a good time was had by all.
This, That, and The Other Thing 