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.