Summer is Here!

Its about time! We have been through May Gray, June Gloom and now its July! Finally the air is warming up and the whitecaps are showing up as the cool wind blows the surface. Everybody is out and about near the sea. Its like this. Even though you are strained from work, stressed from the many plates you are juggling, a walk on the beach cools your heels and refreshes your tired mind. I was worn down from all that and still, had the get up and go to feel the breeze and smell the ocean. I love watching the surfers and the kiddies jumping against the waves, the babies diddling with their buckets in the sand. What I did learn is to choose a day during the week and not the weekend when the crowds are full. We were so desert and valley bound for most of our married years that this enticement to just leave your worries behind and drive three minutes to the closest beach fills you up. Its like gas in the car, food in the oven, water down a thirsty mouth. We are mostly made up of water and so is our globe, so doesn't just seem right for most of us to find a place to live near water? Sure, there are some mountain goats and desert rats who would disagree but there is plenty of land, used and unused that calls us to shore. Camp out, eat out, live near the ocean. It will change your mood and your life.

Spring coming closer

I always wanted to live in a beach town ever since my family took us kids to Asbury Park NJ for a summer bungalow vacation. I realized then, that air is different, people are free loving, and the coverlet of any kind of anxiety is gone. I've since observed people who live near the beach during my life. They are not ornery, they smile alot, they breathe deeper and are inspired to walk. Check. Check. Check. It has been through a cycle of 9 months, summer, fall, winter and now spring and everything has changed within the cells of my body. I can see the horizon of water from my patio. I walk to the summit of my community to look down at the canyons that cuddle the ocean view. I drive 3 minutes to any beachfront and walk the paths along with people of all ages, dogs included. I see and feel how water changes the personality, the breathing, the way one socializes with another whether it is a family, a group of hispanic boys eating their burritos, a clan of surfers in wet suits invigorated by the thrash of waves, joggers, the aged tapping their canes, mothers meeting girlfriends while their babies are pushed along on wheels, the strong and the weak, the small and the hefty, all make the effort to move their bodies, strengthen their minds by staring at the horizon. We see the white caps on a windy day, a blistering cold morning, a tempest of chill while the sun sets or rises and we are reborn.

Since we are reminded about the energy and vitality of water in our life, I believe the ocean even a lake or river, changes our beliefs, thus our biochemistry. This will be my first Easter I spend in my beach town and I am filled.

Christmas come and gone

It may seem like all we do is party but hey, we had a few events over the last months. Family gathered and we had to take pictures. Christmas just made it into my sis Cathy's newly remodeled kitchen this year. The contractors still had to put the final touches on it but no matter. The new granite island still handled the groaning load of food. I might point out the new range, and the first in our family to have such a food network extravaganza with the full on heavy gliding racks and double oven that still did not work and the six burners with the griddle on top. Very cool. We kept up with the drippings and clean up because it was so new and shiny. Lotsa food and no where to put it in our bodies.

Cathy and Mike stood up to the test after entertaining out of town family, guests and taking care of Marc's graduation from UCLA. Two days later, they flew to Hawaii for a family vacation.

Our gathering was smooth, free of stress and filled with happy moments, crazy gifts and sweet dessert. To our health and now a Happy 2012!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

Not everyone got in my camera eye, although there were 20 + people who milled, drank, ate and partied. Ages from 15 to 84 feasted on gobs of food ( thats why it is called gobble gobble day) We ate at the tables decorated by sister Mare who did a beautiful presentation of color, candles and warmth. Niece Lea manned the wine bar and the organic juicy martini bar. Brother-in-laws Larry and Mike and Phil did the duty of "I NEED YOU to do something!" as was yelled out by the sister cooks. The kitchen was small, probably way too small to accomodate foot traffic but it had two ovens! We came prepared to lay out a groaning table and welcomed guests, some from out of town. We did miss a few though, boyfriends, girlfriends, ccusins and brothers but we filled the dining room anyway.

The Clubhouse was on the same property that I lived on and we had access to it because of a pre-arranged acceptance. It was really really beautiful. We had a kitchen, hardwood dining room with wine bar, pool deck with tables and chairs, large living area with big fireplace and HD TV. The couches called to many. There was an additional room with game tables and more sitting areas, soft lamps and ceiling fans. The hallway found most of the younger set at billiards and ping pong tables. Rain that was expected never came. Harsh coldness turned to a bright sun filled day and with ovens on, we wished for our beach wear.

Joining hands at the Thanksgiving table was touching as Sister Mare read from small print, a card that was tucked in our late Father's wallet, and fitting as we felt his love surround us. In addition, our new friend Jennifer (and family) who joined us, remembered her recently departed Mother. With Thanks, many heartfelt memories are tagged on to give the whole perspective of why we are grateful.

Once Upon A Time

We live in a strange world. It is nothing like we imagined. It may start alright but eventually we learn of violence, corruption, fraud, hate, bullying, deceit, abuse, unspeakable hurt, abandonment, abject poverty and lonliness. Do you think maybe that is what spurs the Grimm fairytales? Again, its about innocence fighting the surprising controllers. Hmmm. Sounds like our world. Just to divert for a moment, television has become mostly our media ally as we contend with day to day struggles. Its in color! And on the big screen! Bigger than life! And is exhibiting our very thoughts, perhaps not even in mention but there. Oh Yeah! we muse. The reality show buffs have their day in the sun and the evening folks with a final sit down with feet up have their night among the stars. For me, it is the latter. I still remember my safest moments when I heard, Once Upon A Time. Every language has their storyline prefaced by this caption and all end with happiness ever after, or something similar. This new Fall show is a grabber and a keeper; a clever twist on fairytales that struggle to stay alive in a contemporary world. The flashbacks to the storyline we all remember is nicely aligned in synchronicity with the current storyline. You cannot help but see the correlation and the AH HAH that mirrors the writers soul intent creatively.


What have the critics to say?
San Francisco Chronicle dubs it "great fluffy fun".
Washington Post calls it "charming and elegant."
Chicago Sun Times finds it sparkly, but worried about the flipflop flashbacks. ( I find that rather stunning as it blends so well, a feat that is creative in scripting)
New York Times praises the actors. ( you will notice the mastership of veteran actors who have portrayed a very real character) A child who believes in the reality of the fairytale stories colliding with his present world is the pivotal character you will grow to love.

You will see Rumplestilksin as a daring and very bold embodiement by the deft Robert Carlyle who stars in Stargate Universe convincing us he is a sneaky bad guy, thus, expertly defines the role in this drama.

Snow White, the Evil Queen, Jiminy Cricket,Prince Charming, Gepetto, will dazzle you. The intertwining of each character that knows no timeline will surely move you into that world of our childhood and finish up your Sunday night wanting more. Missed the first show? Its available for free on the internet to watch.

Rock Around the Clock

I want to say Ka-Ching but all that comes out of my mouth is Ker-plank. We sisters, Mother and Auntie traveled to the Church of Valley View where we donated to the slots. The pictures started out okay ( see Mom and Aunt Conny who is donning her neck brace, er, scarf) and then after the machines were well fed, we adjourned to food courts and infinity pools and lounge chairs. At least Cathy and I did, as we went into angst to have to part with our dollars. Cheap? no. Cautious and careful? yes. But we all know that a casino is no place to be a tightwad, especially when the machines are 1 cents. Now this was a revelation to me, since I was used to the Church of Vegas tithing at 25 cents and upward. I was estranged. The faithful parishioners were all on disability or Medicare prescriptions toting their appliances to help them stand upright so they could move from one station to another. After all, it is worthy of all to tithe in all places.

The drive down was a bit of comic relief and we laughed our way into Escondido. Laughed so hard that try as we might, we could not capture the audio on our smartphones for a chuckle recall. But as it goes, let me try to remember. One of the topics was the Foodie mentality and the Food network shows. My mother had us doubled over with her declaration that Giada who must wear a minus double zero dress size and who gobbles up rich and decadent desserts must have at least a staff member at her beckon call to hold the bucket so she can cough up the food. "Nooooooo!" my Mother screams, "she does not swallow!!" Then my Aunt in comedic rhythm chimes in, "Contessa swallows!! We died in howls of laughter. And that was how it went one after another topic.

The Casino resides in no where land, hidden in reservation canyons on a hill. Good thing they had the directions down pat because they visit regularly either by car or bus. Now this is worth mentioning. The retired community buses the seniors twice a day, morning with afternoon pickups and then are you ready for this? 3:30 am to pick up at 10:30 am! The graveyard run. Astounding.

Smoke inhalation is a first concern upon entrance to the casino. But then again, the very disabled and respiratory challenged are there with their cigs playing the Wheel of Fortune, awaiting their $12 profit. Cathy mentioned she had seen a woman carrying free chocolates to the high stakes area ( still smoke infested) and we will have to check that out next visit. The non-smoking section has all the sparkly cartoon machines with the asian, egyptian and wildlife flair. No one wins much there. You think 1 cent is a bargain but you forget you have to do 20 spins on 2 lines to make a dollar three eighty. ( don't ask)

We sisters enjoyed Rock Around the Clock, quite entertaining with all the bells and whistles and songs. But that distraction finally gave way to the reality that the machines, once loose, are now tight.

The Free Buffet was quite a show and offered every kind of food you could think up. Everyone gobbled like pigs at the trough and later needed tums. However, life at the slots is always better with a full stomach isn't it?

After we generously gave as much as we dare, Cathy and I slipped into the hotel next door for a respite from the clanging and dinging. Ahhhhh. An infinity pool and lounging and we were almost alone in thought with our potato chips. See pictures above. Then we got texted by the rest of the group and we joined them for some really serious smoke inhalation.

Warning! This is not for the fainthearted although it appears many are having body struggles. I have great compassion for the elderly but not when they push and shove and act rude. Maybe they have donators remorse.

The ride home was another hoot, in the dark at 10 pm and a shower and bed were waiting for me. Let's face it, family fun is always a lift of the heart muscle.

Family Birthday!

Aunt Conny, my godmother, has just reached her 82nd birthday and I planned a ladies luncheon with the sisters and Mom to celebrate her. Aunt Conny is the vanguard of the family. She forged her way to California from the East Coast first, then we all followed, she forged her way to a 55+ community 12 minutes from my presnt home, and we saw Mom and Dad follow. Now a few more members are finding their way nearby.

All I could ever remember about Aunt Conny is her wit, her laugh-outloud-genuine humor, her serious flat out info, about anything, and her love of our family and living life to the fullest. She has bounce to her step and a solidarity about most things related. Her no-nonsense funny slant on life gives us all a belly laugh. And we did laugh all the way through that luncheon and worked off our sitting and crabbing with an old fashioned walk, greeting community residents. We left each other sweetly wrapped in one another's arms knowing full well, the next union will be just as fun.

The sisters pitched in hugely with a delightful menu:
Mimosas, olives, foie gras pate and crackers, fresh figs from Cathy's tree stuffed with blue cheese and drizzled with balsamic before a broil, vegetable and gourmet cheese crustless quiche, spinach salad with a raspberry vinagrette, panini's made with gouda. fontina, pickles and proscuitto, watermelon and mozzarella salad with tomatoes and herbs, and dessert? Aunt Conny brought her own strawberry shortcake!! HA! We had gourmet cookies made by a Ritz Carlton chef and Italian coffee. The inner child in us relished Aunt Conny's favorite pistachio nut ice cream.

The four hours went by fast but we sisters and brothers -in-laws had more in store. Glasses of amazing red wine and more left overs wasn't enough. We took in a late night cinema and finally said our goodbyes after midnight. I'd call that a 17 hour day filled with sweet memories.