To ALL who read our blog

May twenty ten be a blessed year for YOU.

What a JOYOUS Christmas!

Cassie returned to D.C. today, ending a wonderful Christmas here in Minneapolis which started with Casey's & John's arrival on 12/19. At the peak we were 15...two pews worth @ the Basilica on Christmas Day. We all missed Erin & Pepe, Robert & Patrick but were able to have them join us briefly via Skype.

Thank you one and all for a most memorable Christmas.

Vikings 30 vs Bears 36 = 11-4

I am 4 for 4. The Vikes lose every time I am not watching! I hope that the rest of the schedule is not to be played after my bedtime!!!

Vikings 7 vs Panthers 26 = Vikings 11-3

Once again the game was after bedtime soooooooooo I din't have to watch them completely fall apart in the final quarter. Sunday night away games have not been good for the Vikes.

Cassie delayed

Apparently everythong around DC got backed up. Now Cassie's ETA @ MSP is 2:35pm on 12/21.....via Detroit!

C&J are here

The first of many arrived from L.A. this afternoon. They are joining our prayer group so that Cassie will make it here tomorrow afternoon from Baltimore.

PJS is host

After a full day of work Peter took us to the Olive Garden for a great dinner. More meetings today and then to the airport in late afternoon to go home......VIA DENVER!!!

Peter J. is here

He arrived a tad before midnight last night from Atlanta. We were not up to greet him. BUT I did an early morning bagel run so that we were ready for a 7am breakfast so that he could depart @ 8am for a full work day.

Vikings 30 vs Bengals 10 = Vikings 11-2

Great to have Winfield back so that he could win another game ball. Peterson ran for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns giving him a Vikings record of 14 rushing touchdowns in a season. Vikes have won all home games to date this season.

Vikings 17 vs Cardinals 30 = 10 - 2

After my bedtime sooooooooo I din't have to watch.

Vikings 36 vs Bears 10 = 10-1

What a great time to miss a point-after! Too many penalties too.

Vikings 35 vs Seahawks 9 = 9 - 1

Favre started his 301st consecutive game and had a great day: completed 22 of 25 for 213 yards giving him an 88 completion percentage, a career best for him and a Viking record. He threw four touchdowns, the 22nd time he has done that which is an NFL record. AND all that in three quarters!!!

The Vikes had control of the ball for 42 minutes and held the Seahawks to 4 yards rushing.

Now we move on to Overland Park for Thanksgiving and the Turkey Bowl. I'm planning on being a spectator this year.

Vikings 27 vs Detroit 10 = 8-1

Tim and I were at the Dome to see the Vikes get better as the game progressed: 3 7 7 10. We left after Rice scored the final TD and met up with Janzey for the airport run. Tim's record for the weekend was 2 for 2!!!

Tim was wearing his Peterson shirt on Sunday which helped Adrian to 133 yards (7.4) and two TDs.

We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend visit from Tim, who is the undisputed Snake Eyes champ.

Gophers 16 vs Jack Rabbits 13

Strib headline: "Humbling Victory". It was an embassassment. No offense: the Gopher quarterback was booed off the field at the end of the game. BUT Tim and I were there and enjoyed the pagentry of a college game. Janzey went with us to view the venue but not the game.

The new Gopher stadium is awesome and is approaching fan-TAS-tic!

On to the Vikings at the dome this afternoon.

Bye

Even while not playing the Vikes improved their standing in the Conference....both the Bears and the Packers lost sooooooooooo we're three ahead.

Vikings 38 vs Packers 26 = 7-1

The Vikings did it again, beating the Pack a second time this season and this @ Lambeau Field. Winfield was missed, especially during the third quarter when the Packers scored seventeen of their twenty-six points. Favre threw 17 completions for 244 yards and four touchdowns with no fumbles, no interceptions and no sacks. The Vikings have a bye next weekend to rest up for the Lions at home on November 15, when Timmy will be here to join me in the Dome.

"Faith Healer" @ The Guthrie

We went to the matinee to-day.

An extraordinary cast of Sally Wingert, Raye Birk and ......Joe Dowling were in great form in this extraordinary play by Joe's mentor and friend, Brian Friel, who has just turned 80.

This is what theatre is all about.

Awesome weekend

Half with Charlie @ South Bend and half with Lynnette & Pete in Wheaton.

Charlie was a fantastic host, proudly showing off HIS Notre Dame, which was basking in glorious fall colors at their peak. Pizza @ Rocco's with two of his three roommates, David and Nick. Saturday mass in the Basilica's crypt, brunch in South dining hall and then the fabulous concert of the marching band after we had seen the walk of THE Team in suits. Rain during the concert did not deter the band or the fabulus drum session that followed. We left Charlie before the game. Notre Dame did not need our cheers to win over Boston College. Neither did Stanford because they had reunioning Erin and Peter VIII.

Then to 1501 Coolidge Avenue where Lynnette & Pete showed off their new home before taking us out for a wonderful spanish dinner @ Meson Sabrica, where Erin & Pepe had been before us. After a great dessert experience [think gelato]@ Labriola Bakery & Cafe in Oak Brook a good night's sleep on the number bed [mine was 35!]. Following breakfast @ #1501 we spent the rest of the morning @ Wheaton Bible Church. Returned via a tour of Pete's office for a fabulous feast of steak, sweet potatoes cooked on the new Webber.

Our flight home was after a two-hour delay.

And the Vikings gave away a game to the Steelers in the fourth quarter to become 6 - 1 while we were gone.

Packed

We're ready to go to Midway, whence to South Bend for a visit with Charlie, whence on Saturday afternoon to Wheaton for a visit with Lynnette & Pete @ 1501 Coolidge Avenue. Excited.

Vikings 33 vs Ravens 31 = Vikings 6 - 0

A missed field goal with two seconds left permitted the Vikings to remain undefeated.

Farewell Twinkies

They have played their last game in the Humphrey Dome. Next home game will be in 2010 in their new home, Target Field, where they will hang their pennant for this year.

Vikings 38 vs Rams 10 = Vikings 5 - 0

At home or away.... on Monday or Sunday :-)

Color in Minnesota

Yesterday with an in&out sun we enjoyed the color of the Saint Croix River valley, north from Afton State Park. Lunch was a greasy blue cheeseburger @ Leo's in bustling downtown Stillwater. Then north some more to Taylor's Falls for ice cream! Lots of memories of family trips & picnics there many decades ago. The color was splendid, especially when the sun accented it....sumac & maples at their best. Oaks and others not at the peak.

Happy Minnesota Sports Fans

Monday night it was Brett Favre and his Viking teammates with a victory over arch-rival Green Bay to lead the conference with a 4-0 record to start the season.

And then yesterday it was the tale of overtime!

The Twins, before 50,080 in the Dome and a record 15,136,000 watching on ESPN, pulled it out 6 to 5 over the Tigers in the twelfth inning. Now they go to New York for a game this afternoon against the Yankees who have beaten them in their last eight games in New York. Good luck, Twins!

And across the river at their home opener the Wild came from behind by three to beat Anaheim by 4-3, also in overtime. Cassie, Robert and Erin, may they also win their home closer on April 10, 2010.

Today happiness is a MN sports fan. Tomorrow???

Vikings 30 vs Green Bay 23 = Vikings 4-0

Keep going Vikes.

Twins turn @ the Dome this afternoon for an all-or-nothing.

Surgery over

We're home. Surgeon was very happy with his work.

In Janzey's words: All done and well done.

And she can walk. Rehab starts a week from tomorrow.

Surgery day for Janzey's knee

Stay tuned.

Vikings 27 vs Niners 24 = Vikings:3-0

Favre earned his keep taking the Vikings 80 yards in 10 plays in the final 1:29 for a come from behind TD with two seconds remaining.

San Francisco held Peterson to 85 yards and had one of their TDs on a blocked field goal attempt to end the first hald ahead: 14-13.

Rookie Percy Harvin continued his record of a touchdown per game with a 101 yard kickoff return in the third quarter. (Longest in Viking history)

Favre had a good day before the last two minutes. He was 24 for 46 and 301 yards, most by a Viking quarterback in quite a while. And then showed us how to work the last two minutes --- and with no time outs.

Next week we host Green Bay (2-1) for the Monday night event.

Vikings 27 @ Lions 13 = Vikings: 2-0

This time Favre played most of the game which was his 271st consecutive game --- a new NFL record, passing up Jim Marshall, a Viking of old. Favre was 23 of 27 for 155 and 2 TDs --- one to rookie Percy Harvin who went 5 for 41.

The Lions kept Adrian Peterson to less than 100 yards (15 for 91, including a 27 yard touchdown) 6.1 yards per carry ain't bad.

After two games the Vikings look like a second-half team.

The game ball went to Chad Greenway who had two interceptions and got an on-side kick.

Vikings 34 vs Cleveland 20 = Vikings 1-0

The Vikings won convincingly, mostly in the second half and mostly due to Adrian "All Day" Peterson rather than the new quarterback, who didn't play the whole game. Peterson carried 25 times for 180 yards AND three touchdowns, the last of which was an awesome 64-yard romp through lots of Browns with less than six minutes left in the game.

Favre was 14 of 21 for 110 yards and one touchdown to rookie Percy Harvin, (3 for 36). Jackson was 0 for 1, principally because he spent his time handing off to Peterson. GO VIKINGS.

This is it!

Hope you can see the dribble towards the right of the dark.

Farewell to Lynnette and Pete

Leisurely rising today followed by a Janzey-prepared breakfast on our porch.

Whence to Turtle Bread and a Bruegger's for supplies for L&P's drive back to Wheaton. Then to Minnehaha Falls via Minnehaha Parkway. The Falls were a trickle. I took a photo on my cell phone which I sent to my computer but was unable to master getting it on our blog. Picture a dribble.

On to the car rental @ the airport where we said our good-byes. End of a wonderful weekend.

Lynnette and Pete continued

We started the day @ the Good Day Cafe for breakfast. Then L&P left us to go to Grace Church for the 10:30 service.

The afternoon highlight was an hour long cruise on Lake Minnetonka aboard the "Minnehaha", the restored streetcar company's boat that extended the streetcar service of yore which served the Twin Cities in the early 1900s from Stillwater to Minnetonka. The model T Ford put the boats out of commission.

Our cruise was preceeded with goodies from Sebastian Joe's shop near the Excelsior docks! Never miss an opportunity for ice cream.

Home for a homecooked feast courtesy of Janzey and featuring pot roast. Dessert was brownies and Java Chip ice cream. Follwed by Bananagram until bedtime for us.

God blessed us with gorgeous weather.

Lynnette & Pete

It was unanimous: salt bagels and chive & onion cheese! Janzey added scrambled eggs and bacon.

L&P went on a memory tour of Edina and then ended up for lunch with Reiner & Ethan Otterlie. Then we joined them @ Edinborough for the putting course. Pete was the big winner but Lynnette was scoring well in the closing holes.

Naps were in order to recuperate.

5pm mass @ the Basilica, where Fr. Mike O'Connell was the celebrant. Then we walked over to Brit's for a British dinner as guests of Lynnette and Pete.

Whence to bed for Janzey and me. L&P went out to explore the watering holes on Nicollet Mall. We haven't had a report yet.

Lynnette and Pete are with us.

They arrived @ Humphrey terminal last night a tad before 9pm and we were there to meet them.

I am now poised for a Bruegger's run when they wake up.

MN State Fair --- The Great Minnesota Get-to-gether

We did it by bus. "Quite a way to go for lunch" was Janzey's comment on the way home BUT the people watching was awesome. I had the onion flower and we both had brats. For dessert we sampled something new to us: funnel cake, half apple and half chocolate. But that didn't prevent us from also having gelato that was "to die for".

The birth pavilion was filled with family on-lookers admiring calves, ponies, piglets, most of them less than a week old.

The people watching reminded us that God knows them all --- of all shapes, sizes and colors --- each one by name.

We did it by bus in under two and a half hours so our transfer worked for the return trip. How frugal!

Pat has left us

Huge home-cooked breakfast courtesy of Janzey. Mass @ the Basilica and then out to Edinborough for 18 holes of "putt-putt" golf. Whence to MOA for a faewell lunch @ Cantina1...Mexican cuisine. Followed by Edy's ice cream. Pat departed Humphray terminal on Sun Country's non-stop to Dulles where he will hook up with his Mom, returning from Maine.

Wednesday, 8/26/09, he flies to Germany to start his three-year hitch in Hiedelberg.

Pat is still with us

It was a beautiful day for anything outside, including GOLF. I had the home course advantage and also the fact that Pat hadn't played in ages AND his clubs were rentals!

We returned home for naps.

Dinner @ Brit's, outside and upstairs overlooking the bowling pitch.

Pat is with us

Pat arrived in MSP from Chicago yesterday afternoon. We kept him busy answering all the questions we had about his life.

Janet proved once again that she is a great cooker; dinner featured steak and corn-on-the-cob and was, reportedly, the first home-cooked meal for Pat in fifteen weeks.

We introduced Pat to Banana-gram BUT Janet was the big winner. We watched the newest Viking, Brett Favre, make his brief (two series) debut against Kansas City. The rest of the Vikings pulled off a 17-13 victory.

This morning, following a huge home-cooked breakfast, Pat and I will go to Hollydale Golf Course for a round of golf, something that Pat has not been able to do lately.

A fun day @ Hazeltine

Not hot but an occasional shower of rain for which we were prepared.

We arrived @ nine and after watching Couples and Furyk tee of on one we went to "our spot", the stands overlooking the par-three eighth green with a view of the tee. Trees protected us from sun and rain.

We saw "everything": Furyk and Kjeldsen both got pars after hitting their second shots with one foot in the water. Harrington, who was pushing Tiger, got an eight! Tiger had a bogey from a sand trap. That's when we left --- sure that Tiger would win because Harrington was out of it.

The highlight was Furyk exhibiting his bare foot and leg for all to see after his super shot. He tapped in for his par.

A fun day @ Hazeline!

"Seraphine", a French movie

With Jean Nederostek we saw this four star movie, a true story about an artist. We agreed with the four stars BUT this movie is not for everyone.

Best round ofthe year.

Monday golf on Hollydale (par 71): one birdie, four pars, eight bogeys, five double bogeys and NO triple bogeys resulted in an 88 (46 + 42), the first time to break 90 this year! MikeO'Toole gave me permission to boast.

Old home week @ the Guthrie

The Priestley comedy, "When we are married" was thoroughly enjoyable and had a fantastic cast: Raye Birk (17), Barbara Bryne (60+), Helen Carey (25+), Patricia Conolly (15), Bob Davis (50+), Peter Goetz (70+), and, OF COURSE, Sally Wingert (75+). The numbers in the ( ) are the number of Guthrie performances in which they have acted.

The play was followed by a discussion, after which we were able to have a visit with Sally, who sent her love and best wishes to Casey and John.

Then we stopped @ Sea Change (the successor to Cue) for hors d'oeuvres, to which we had been introduced @ the Guthrie's annual meeting last Monday.

A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON.

We're visited by Barb

Barb arrived @ #308 in mid afternoon on Saturday, having put Andy and Connie on planes home after their week+ together.

Barb treated us to dinner @ Spoonriver that evening.

After early mass @ the Basilica we had a sit on THE bench and then home for a leisurely breakfast, after which Barb left us to drive home to Kansas City with a bag of Brueggers bagels.

Excelsior for Crazy Days

Yesterday God blessed us with a beautiful summer day. Sooooooooo after our weekly visit with our friends @ Augustana Care Center we went west to Excelsior for the balance of the day. Crazy Days means that the retailers mark everything down and others come to town for a giant garage sale.

We had a cruise through Lafayette Bay aboard the Minnehaha, which is a replica of the boats used by the Twin City Rapid Transit Company when it ran street cars from Stillwater through the Twin Cities to Excelsior. When we lived on Coolidge Avenue, I used to take the street car to work downtown.

We completed our Excelsior visit with dinner @ Maynard's at an outside table overlooking Lake Minnetonka.

Yesterday was a beautiful day.

From Lima to Minneapolis with love

At suppertime yesterday we had a Skype visit from "the girls" --- Erin, Megan and Annie, together on the couch in Erin's condo. What a JOY.

And the TWINS did it again.

Walked round trip to the DOME and in between we enjoyed brats and a Twins win.. 6-2. The starter, Nick Blackburn went the whole way and the Twins gained a game on the Tigers by winning the series. All the scoring for the Twins was in the fourth. With Mauer on Morneau hit one over the center field fence...it couldn't have been more centerfield...415 feet.

And Tiger won!

And Federer won.

 

 

 

 

A wonderful FOURTH

After noon we drove to Saint Paul and Harriet Island, the site of "Taste of Minnesota", which we "cased" before a cruise up the Mississippi to Fort Snelling. The river is bordered by forest land and we were told that it appears much the same as it was when the early explorers came.

Our return downstream was rained on spectacularly. Janet called it horizontal sheets of rain. The wind blew the chairs around on the upper deck.

The rain was over by the time we returned to Harriet island --- SUNSHINE! We "tasted" "Taste of Minnesota" --- cheeseburgers.

We beat the Tigers yesterday. Today we go to the Dome to win again!

Back to Block E yesterday afternoon

This time for "Public Enemies". Lots of "bang, bang". Best part for me was the music on the sound track with great songs from the thirties.

With the Dorns

The movie @ Block E was "The Proposal", a comedy which we enjoyed and which has fantastic views of Alaska.

Then on for a fabulous dinner @ Cosmos in the Graves Hotel. Mary has been after us to go to Cosmos ever since we had dinner there shortly after it opened.

They are off to Izatys for the weekend for a family FOURTH. Twenty-seven total, with grand-children ages one through twenty.

"Away We Go", a movie.

Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski are a comedic couple providing lots of laughs on their travels to visit some weird old friends as they navigate North America, seeking a home for their "family". Ebert awarded more stars than I would.

Megan and Jim return to Chicago

They are on their way back today. It has been a JOY having them here and hanging out with them.

Fathers Day dinner is served

Jim joined us following his Canadian fishing trip. We were treated to dinner @ #308 concocted by Megan and Jim....a culinary delight, topped off by ice cream from Sebastian Joe's. A delightful conclusion to THE day.

Fathers Day celebration

After mass @ Saint Olaf we were able to get into Keys for brunch.

Megan is visiting

Megan arrived from Chicago by car on Saturday afternoon. I caught up with her and Janzey @ the Dome for a Twins/Astros game. Tickets courtesy of NCF & Twins .... Father of the Year event. Even with four home runs [one by Mauer]the Twins lost 6-5. Now they are once again below .500.

ALAUM Board meeting

Am off to Chicago for the meeting of the Board of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. My farewell meeting!

Peter VIII is here

PJS arrived yesterday noon for the Fathers Essay event today @ the State Capitol. We had dinner last night @ Eli's. This morning I went for bagels and bought enough to go to Wheaton this evening.

Movies

"Angels and Demons" gets two stars out of five. Best parts are those around Rome,which brought back memories of times there.

"Easy Virtue" gets three stars. We had trouble with the Enlish language which at times needed subtitles! A great tango!

"Every Little Step"

We recommend this "The Chorus Line" revisited, especially to those who enjoy dance.

Twins versus Red Sox

The weather was great both inside and outside the Dome BUT the Twins bats were silent.
Walked both ways with a stop @ Brit's on the way home for Arnie Palmers.

Practice

Canterbury Downs

Yesterday was a beautiful day sooooooo we spent the afternoon outside with the horses. We were there for races 2 through 6.

The fourth race was unusual. On the way to the gate #2, November Ten [Ann Symonds' birthday!!!], tripped and threw her jockey and then preceeded to run on her own around the track.

No bets, which was a good thing in that we only picked one winner, Pineapple Joe, in the sixth.

The Main Event

Home from K.C. yesterday noon after a FAN TAS TIC weekend of celebration with the 6uvus. Nineteenth birthdays for Charlie and Timmy and THE GRADUATION for Timmy. It was great to be there to take part.

Who won the great putt-putt contest with a par round? by one stroke?

We're off to Kansas City

To celebrate Charlie's and Timmy's NINETEENTH birthday AND Timmy's high school GRADUATION.

Mothers Day W/Dorns

A movie and dinner @ Minikahda. Dinner was great. The movie got four votes for a rating of 1/2 a star out of four! You may skip "Goodbye, Solo" which earned rave reviews from the critics but no raves from us. It was Mary's pick and she has given us this next pick!

The movie: "State of Play"

We saw it yesterday afternoon. Good cast and good entertainment. Kept us on the edges of our seats [figuratively]

Golf today.

I did it again.... my second 91 this season on Hollydale [par 71].......49+42=91 with two pars and a birdie chip-in on the par-3 14th hole.

Twins vs Royals

We went to the game at the HHH dome and enjoyed the first six innings who managed a no-hitter for that long BUT then the Royals figured him out or he got tired. And we left at the end of the eighth.......down 7-5....the final score. When we got home we founf that Tiger wasn't doing any better than the Twins....he was tied for fourth.

Our weekend

Two movies we recommend: "The Soloist" and "Earth". Spring is having trouble arriving sooooo it was a perfect weekend for movies @ Block E.

Sunday morning we spent with our friend, Sr. Frieda, who recently moved to the CSJ's Bethany Community on the campus of Saint Kate's. We joined the community for mass in their chapel and then went on to Highland Cafe for brunch and to get caught up with Frieda.

The number is 42

We celebrated our aniversary with a visit to the HHH Dome for a Twins/Blue Jays game. April 15, every year, baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson soooooo every player and official on the field was wearing number 42. It made it a little tricky in following the players and it didn't seem to help the Twins one bit. They went ahead 2-0 but this didn't last very long. Toronto tied it up and then went ahead. By the end of six innings, when we left for bed, the Twinkies were behind 8-2, and by the end of the game it was 12-2. But we had enjoyed ourselves and bratwursts AND, of course, some ice cream.

Today Janet is celebrating more than 42 birthdays!

A first for Spring, 2009

A cloudless blue sky and the temperature climbing into the low 50's so........a perfect time to sit on our bench in Loring Park.

We enjoyed it.

April Fool's Day

We're home and it's snowing.

We thoroughly enjoyed our month in L.A. and especially having so many family visitors.

Kate & Anne move on to Colorado

Early this morning we said farewell @ LAX as they departed for three days of skiing.

Saturday evening we spent @ Casey and John's, highlighted by a superb dinner,which was concluded with a shortcake triumph by Casey.

Sunday morning we had a huge breakfast @ Gladstone's, where we were entertained by dolphins who had been aroused by our waiter, when he "pushed the button"! The caramel sticky, and messy bun is HUGE.

We parted with C&J and K&A who went for a hike in the clouds. We went for a beach and boardwalk hike on Venice Beach. We regrouped @ #322 to watch the Palmer Open on TV.
Accolades were expressed for Tiger as he won with a 16-foot birdie putt on the last hole. We celebrated with dinner @ California Pizza Kitchen, after which we returned to #322 for discussion and cleaning up of our ice cream supply.

Today is packing day but we will interrupt long enough for a beach walk @ Playa del Rey and a farewell lunch with Casey and John.

March has flown by.

Kate and Anne

We picked them up at the time they were due in and returned to #322. After lunch....BLTA's [the A is for avacado] we went to the beach @ Playa del Rey for a walk and a sit. We were entertained by two dolphins. After a brief visit to the pier @ Manhatten Beach we met Casey and John @ Baby Blue Ribs, followed by sunset @ Venice Beach.

Friday we drove with Casey and John to Long Beach for whale watching aboard the Caroline. Success with many sightings of a huge fin whale [Fin whales are the second largest..only smaller than blue whales]. But disappointingly we sighted no dolphins.

Today John and I started the day playing the back nine @ the Santa Anita Golf Course with Mike Stangl and his friend Tom. Mike, John and I met Casey, Janet, Kate and Anne @ the Huntington where we were treated to a tour of the cactus gardens by Olga Stangl who has been a docent there for the passed seven years. Late lunch in Pasedina's old town @ Villa Sorriso followed by ice cream [of course].

Tonight we are off to dinner @ Casey and John's.

Quiet time

Laundry done we went north in the afternoon. After a brief walk on Topanga Beach we drove north through Topanga Canyon which ends with an awesome view of the valley north of L.A.

Tuesday was another leisurely day. In the morning we had an hour walk along the beach @Playa del Rey. Then south to Manhatten Beach for lunch at Beaches which overlooks the pier. And we did find some fabulous ice cream @ The Creamery on the main street.

After nap we had some time in the adult pool.

Yesterday we hooked up with Casey and John for breakfast @ Teddy's, a first for us and a first for them. The review: excellent and now on our list of recommendations. In the afternoon we returned to the beach @ Playa del Rey......parking limited due to street washing day!

And now the arrival of Kate and Anne, who are due in almost a half hour before schedule.

Barbara, Peter and Timmy visit us

They arrive on Southwest from MCI on Friday, a tad after nine A.M. After acclimation time the six of us headed for the Getty Villa for a 2pm appointment after an intermediate stop in Santa Monica for a walk along the beach north of the pier.

Casey and John joined us for a wonderful dinner @ Casa Sanchez, which, in addition to a fine menu, provides outstanding entertainment of the mariachi variety by the Sanchez family members and talented friends.

The next day the sun was hiding BUT that didn't deter us from pool time in the adult pool. Then to Casey and John's, where Cassie had moved in, for playtime. The WII provided us with bowling and tennis.

Then a foot tour of the canals of Venice before returning to #322 for a pizza feast in midafternoon. Peter and Timmy then left us to go to Dodger Stadium for the World Baseball Championship game between South Korea and Venezuela. The former was victor 10 to 2.

The rest of us went to UCLA for a UCLALive concert by Monica Mancini and a very talented group of her musician friends....lots of Mancini and Johnny Mercer music, including Moon River.

Sunday morning Cassie departed for D.C. Her time with us had been wonderful but all too short.

The rest of us went to the Rose Cafe for a brunch with Olga and Mike Stangl as our guests. Mike reported on his golf of the day before.... a 38 on the back nine at Santa Anita Golf Course. His career round there has been a two-under-par 33!

We had a quick tour of the Santa Monica Farmers Market and then returned to #322 to watch the March madness of the NCAA playoffs.

Bowing to the weather we went to see Julia Roberts in "Duplicity", an entertainment, before ending our day at The Counter. To heck with calories.

We had one last family meal at IHOP this morning before Barb, Peter and Timmy departed LAX for MCI and Janet went into laundry formation. It's very quiet here.

Monday through Thursday

Monday: with Cassie we drove to Long Beach for a "whale watch". We were out for almost three hours and found many, many dolphins of all shapes and sizes in two different "herds". We had about given up on finding a whale when we spotted one and over the next twenty minutes had four sightings of the same whale, a fin whale, estimated at 75 feet long. Very exciting.

Tuesday: the Feast of Saint Patrick we spent in downtown L.A. Started at Paseo de La Plaza, a market place in the old city. Elevenses at Union Station. We then watched the start of the Parade before noontime mass @ The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Angeles. [The Cardinal was testifying in court!] Then a quick visit to Disney Hall but again no admission to the auditorium. On to Grand Central Market for lunch....each to their own taste!. The last stop was the Bradbury Building, which has been the backgound in many movies. And home in time for a swim. God blessed the feast day with beautiful weather.

Wednesday: Northrup Grumman Day for Cassie. We dropped her off and then went for a long walk on Manhatten Beach, north from the pier. In the afternoon we spent some time on the beach at Hermosa Beach before picking her up about four. She had a great day, caught up with a number of old friends; and was treated like royalty. We ended up at The Counter for dinner. Home in time to witness Obama going south in a helicopter, suitable escorted.

Today we started the day with breakfast @ Casey's and John's and then the five of us went to Newport Beach where we rented an electric boat for our own tour of the harbour and a picnic. Casey left us after the cruise for a meeting and the rest of us visited the Crystal Cathedral on our way home.

Saturday and Sunday

I needed and alarm to get me up on Saturday morning to meet John @ 5AM. I was ready @ 4:45 and so was John.... he had arrived early to pick me up so that I wasn't waiting in the cold. And then off for golf @ the Santa Anita Course where we hooked up with Mike Stangl and Tom, who make up the regular Saturday group. Teed off before dawn on the back nine. Great greens but I couldn't read them....winter hiatus ended up with too many three-putts!

The party @ Casey and John's was a smash. Great food. Great friends. It was wonderful to meet so many of C&J's friends and associates and see how much they are loved and admired. Great time was had by all.

Sunday brunch @ Snug Harbor in Santa Monica and then Cassie went with C&J for a hike in the Santa Moica mountains. We headed for home and a leisurely day. C&J came over in mid-afternoon for swim time and stayed for the evening. Bananagram.

Cassie arrives

We went north yesterday morning through Santa Monica and up the Pacific Coast Highway. We stopped @ Zuma Beach for our morning ocean-side walk. And then north through Malibu which is for ever, a skinny town which is 27 miles from border to border. A lot of the terrain is "protected" and available for all kinds of animals....mountain lions, deer, wild sheep, hares, rabbits...non of which we saw.

Had a great lunch @ the Paradise Cove Cafe. We recommend. Stopped for ice cream at a shopping center near Pepperdine University, which has an extraordinary site.

Then Cassie finally arrived @ 5:30pm. We picked her up @ LAX and went straight to Casey and John's for dinner, whence early to bed.....time change!

Another voice,,,

Wm. called yesterday aft to report that Kimmy came thru surgery well (6 hours) that her colon was indeed a disaster area. Doc said she's been in enormous pain and is well rid of the colon. Prognosis excellent, no sign of cancer. And Timmy arrived safely in due time. PTL
As to yesterdays tour, as John has said, the views along the coastal hwy never get tired. Lovely day, great walk along the beach, who could ask for anything more?
We may have eaten at a Subway yesterday, but we ate outside, on a patio overlooking the ocean. :>) Time to get on our way. Cassie arrives today, circa 6!!!!!

We've been here with Casey & John

We went south yesterday as far as San Pedro and almost everywhere we were we had been with Casey & John previously.

First stop was Manhatten Beach for a walk along the Pacific which was making its usual sound as it hit the beach. Lots of volleyball courts, but no players.

We had a frugal lunch @ a Subway in Rancho Palos Verdes.

We visited the Wayfarers Chapel but our visit to the Chapel was delayed by a wedding. This is an awesome destination but most of the visitors were more interested in having their pictures taken.

We prayed for Kim who was having her surgery while we were there. And also for our friend, John Carr, who is having difficulties with his heart.

Back on the 110 and the 405. Handled that so well that we rewarded ourselves with ice cream @ the Coldstone store near Maxilla & Lincoln.

another voice continues.....

Kimmy's surgery is today. Prayers please! And Timmy left this am to visit Erin and Pepe in Peru. More prayers.
Santa Monica beach is incredible, white sands extending for miles, and of course the surf. Music to my ears. The pier is a playground really, with a roller coaster, ferris wheel and numerous stalls featuring the usual tourist stuff: t shirts, caps, etc. While we were there a hi=school marching band drifted (no marching) to the end of the pier, really a boardwalk, and played a brief concert, so brief we missed it. :>( There were 4 boys playing in the surf, - the water has to be VERY cold. AHHHHHH, youth! Gorgeous today. We're touring the coast, perhaps as far as San Pedro. Adieu for now.

Santa Monica

Wednesday is market day in Santa Monica soooo we went to the market and bought veggies and almonds for Cassie.

Noontime mass @ .......surprise........The Church of Saint Monica, which features a fresco of her on one side of the sanctuary and her son, Saint Augustine, on the other side.

On advice of John we had a spiffy lunch @ The Lobster on the pier which we visited afterward.

Janet was the navigator without the use of the VZNavigator. We're getting to know the surroundings.

Tuesdays are for relaxing

Had a quiet day. Went for a walkabout trying to find a way from our condo to the beach.

Casey and John were here for dinner. A "catch up with them" evening which ended with a rousing game of Bananagrams. "Dit" was allowed but "tory" was not [proper noun].

....continued

thought I was going to a fabulous shopping plaza that I remembered, but it was just Macy's :>( .
J and C are coming here for dinner tonight, just like old times......

another voice....

We don't want Pops to get TOO comfy behind the wheel! Amazing to me that few drivers use their horns. I think it's because they drive so fast that the crisis has past before they can honk. The Cathedral ( the Taj Ma-honey) is really spectacular. Our celebrant yesterday was about 4' tall, eclipsed by the immensity of the sanctuary, but - when he opened his mouth to speak he measured up and then some. I thought when we went to Macy's we were going to a fabulous shopping plaza that

Downtown L.A.

Yesterday we ventured into Downtown! My navigator is GREAT.... Janzey with the aid of the VZ Navigator. We're getting more comfortable with the freeways and traffic.

We started @ The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the noontime mass. The Cathedral is really awesome. The parade of Saints on each side of the nave is especially inspiring.....including some we don't recognize, except by name.

A late lunch @ Kendall's Brasserie, which is within the shadows of Disney Hall. The tour of Disney does not include the auditorium. If we are to see it, I guess we'll have to go to an event.

Post lunch shopping @ Macy's. And then home in time to have a swim in the lap pool.

Another voice....

Son Peter suggested I add a little something, so.... St. Mark's Church has a school, and it is a real treat for us to have children as part of the Mass: choir, readers, etc. They come in all shades, and singing is in Spanish and English. Joyful! Today we're going to St. Monica's, in Santa Monica (where else?) which our "landlady" tells us is magnificent. She, by the by, has sold the condo, thanks to the splendid way we have ordered it for viewing. We've had 4 visitations, one a repeat visit. The repeater made an offer that Laurie accepted. Now someone will be by to check over the place.
Our day yesterday surprised us. The jazz concert at Fisherman's Village was so much fun, cuz the band was great: real performers, as well as musicians. The sax player had white blond hair, and the vocalist, his wife, brilliant red. They really played to the audience which grew and grew, in numbers and enthusiasm. We were there almost 2 hours, and they never took a break.
We've done a lot of walking, and Pops is steady at the wheel driving, though it's a challenge!!
Ice cream is available EVERYWHERE and Pops takes advantage :>)
Casey and John are great, and Casey was very pleased with the reception her play got from all concerned, including the playwrite. Today she and John are "in recovery".
Love to all......

Another voice....

Beautiful Sunday

Nine a.m. mass @ Saint Mark in Venice with recognition of the RCIA candidates. Then on to breakfast.

At Maxwell's which was not as crowded as on a normal Sunday. Probably due to the time change...Spring forward and lose an hour!

Then parked near The Counter and walked Fiji Way to Fisherman's Village for research on boat and bike rentals. Lots of sealife..harbor seals, egrets, pelicans, herons. We lucked out by being there for an outdoor performance by a jazz quartet: Two as One ---the Body and Soul Band. Excellent [XLNT!]

Then home for a late nap.

Casey and John are home. We met them @ LAX and gave them a ride home. Casey was very pleased to be home after her month away.

Eight points three times for the old guy

Venice Beach was our destination yesterday for a walk along the beach, great sand, and along the boardwalk.

Three times we were accosted by teams of two young men who were partcipating in a scavanger hunt. They were awarded eight points (out of 100) for having their picture taken with someone over seventy-five [how did they know?] They had to check my ID!!!

This afternoon Casey and John return home from Portland, ME. Yeah.

Santa Anita Park

Yesterday was Friday and Fridays are free days @ Santa Anita. Being frugal, we went. It's an hour away at our pace...thanks to Janzey, the navigator supreme, and Verizon Navigator we got there without a hitch.

Our horses didn't do as well. One that Janzey bet on led the pack all the way around until the last stride. She had bet to WIN. All three of my bets finished fourth. Fridays are free days!!!

Down the coast to Redondo Beach

Yesterday, a beautiful day, we drove down to Rodono Beach for a "walk around", mostly on the beach with an audible surf. Lunch at the Catalina Coffee Company, a cafe which we would recommend. Returned through Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach and then along the coast on Vista del Mar with a stop just west of LAX, actually at the end of the ruways!

John starts his fiftieth year!

To celebrate John's 49th birthday we had a feast @ Cafe del Rey, which is down the street from our condo and overlooks the marina. Then on to Royce Hall for a UCLALive evening with Los Farruco, the Seville-based flamenco family. It was an extraordinary two-hour, intermissionless performance that "all but shredded the stage"(LATimes).

A good time was had by all. Here's wishing John at least another forty-nine!

Marina del Rey

John met us on Sunday and introduced us to The Counter for dinner.

Our condo is great! It overlooks the marina and a peak @ the ocean is available from our balcony.

Monday dinner @ John's. His audio-visual set up is awesome.

Yesterday we went for a walk around the marina (an hour) and had a swim in the "adult" pool.

This evening we are going to celebrate John's birthday, dinner and a UCLALive event. He departs for Portland for the opening on Thursday at the crack.

Ready for 3/1/09 departure

Not packed yet BUT getting ready to. ;-) (that's a smiley wink!)

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