Beautiful

One of my besties, Sue, was born in July, 12 days after me. Being slightly younger, this is something she reminds me of each year. Since I’ve known her for 48 years, that’s a lot of reminding, don’t you think? Anyway, we’re both about to be 64, so as the more mature one, I let the youngster tease me. You see, Sue likes to laugh and since it’s on my Favorite Things To Do list, we get along quite well.

Susan AAA

The youngster

To celebrate being one year closer to collecting Social Security, becoming a member of AARP, and taking an interest in commercials promising to disguise age spots, we decided to treat each other to dinner in the city and see the musical, Beautiful. I arranged for us to have dinner at my tennis friend’s restaurant, Hayes Street Grille, and also found some nice seats in the orchestra section at Golden Gate Theater.Beautiful musical

Because I’m directionally challenged, I used the Waze app to find a parking garage between the restaurant and the theater so we could park, then walk to both. Oh, and I also drove us there. I’m sure you’re wondering what Sue did. I can answer that…NOTHING, that’s what. Not a damn thing. But hey, as her elder I’m used to taking care of her, you know? Continue reading

I Love to Purge (Not What You Think)

There’s something about spring that pushes me to get rid of stuff. And now with only 19 days left before summer, I better get the lead out…and the excess clothing I never wear…and the kitchen utensils I’ve forgotten I even owned.purge

I find that over the course of each year I’ve collected more than I’ve purged and I’m running out of space. Therefore, if I’m to continue collecting (and I’m guessing I am), it’s essential purging begin immediately, if not sooner.

So, over Memorial Weekend I did just that. While all of you were smartly spending your time outdoors, I began the weekend with my head inside my wine cabinet. And what I found surprised me. You see, I’m not much of a wine drinker because it makes me sleepy. But I do occasionally enjoy a nice Pinot with pasta, followed by a long nap.wine cabinet

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Sharing Secretsl

We all have secrets. If you think you don’t, then you’re being secretive. Naturally, some secrets are juicier than others. Now don’t get too excited; my secrets aren’t all that juicy. You won’t learn that I’m in the Witness Protection Program from testifying at a mafia murder trial in Chicago. No, my secrets pale in comparison. Here, I’ll show you…Witness Protection Program

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The Sweetest Gift

Mother’s Day is my annual tribute to my mom…an exceptionally thoughtful, giving and loving person who also happened to be my best friend. How lucky was I? Happy Mother’s Day Mom.

My mom, Loretta Rose, with Bailey

She gave me love as well as life; so whatever goodness I may bring to Earth began with the gift of my mother’s heart……Robert Sexton

At some point in our relationship, my mom transitioned from being my parent to also being a great friend. I’d say it happened in 1985, when she was diagnosed with incurable, inoperable lung cancer. Continue reading

Holy Crap: The Final Chapter

As promised, this is the last Holy Crap posting. Here’s how it ended:

Gracie proved to be nearly impossible to trap. Worried she’d inevitably be hit by a car (like Brownie), we brainstormed for a solution when I remembered seeing a discarded portable basketball system on the side of a secluded dirt road. view of basketball hoop 2

We rolled it down to where Gracie eats, cut up licorice plants, then placed a 4’ round net under the hoop. After tying ropes to the edges of the net and connecting them with a carabiner, we looped another cord through that and over the hoop. We covered the net in plantings, then practiced “trapping” a large rock. It worked beautifully, so we put food in the middle.basketball set up Continue reading