Saturday's Excitement

The Kentucky Derby!  Crazy hats on the ladies!  A poor competitor to Ascot in England but our own.  I'll be betting (50 cents) any gray horse that's running.  I loves me some gray horsies. 

Happy 88th Birthday Today - Willie Nelson!

Wishing you a happy one today where I believe you will be celebrating at your Luck Ranch  

Under the general heading of "Inquiring Minds Want to Know," Mr. Nelson drives a Mercedes Benz (year not given) powered by biodiesel made from French fries and similar.  It is reliable information that the interior of this poor car smells like the interior of a hamburger  joint.   Willie would possibly say, "Hey you're riding not walkin; aren't you?"  Straightforward, that's the kind of guy he is.

Back in the day, I worked for WHB-Radio and via them I was given tickets (row 10, center ) to a show he was doing in KC and I can testify he loves makin' music with his friends.  The normal stage time for the biggies was always 30 minutes;  Willie sat up straight and played for a solid 2 hours!  If music transcends the soul Willie's going to be with us for a long, long time - and God bless him.

A Quirky Site - boredpanda.com

 This site is greatly varied -today we visited Japan  where grade school-age kids stay 10- 15 minutes after school cleaning up their classroom -buckets, rags for the floors. Real down and dirty  I wonder how many American schools have that feature daily.  It occurred to me and perhaps you that this is a direct steal from country schools here in America when erasers were clapped together to get rid of chalk dust and this was considered a treat by the students.  And this practice has fostered very clean, tidy streets in their cities.  One is so clean that koi live in the waste canals. 

40 pictures of odd and unlikely places cats choose to sleep.  Crazy little devils.  But inventive.

There 23 people per vending machine on average and, further, you can buy your own vending machine which is cost effective - no employees, no payrolls..  

Public bathrooms often have a built in Baby Rack installed into the stall side wall for mothers who bring the kid into the stall with them.  

An interesting thought-provoking site - clearly I recommend it.

Times Three

 That would be the first three times we had dinner "inside" - you know...memory refresher just in case.  You walk in, exchange a few courteous remarks with the receptionist, are subsequently seated; sit down, study the menu and - am sure you know how to eat (just a little joke.) 

The first for us was Madero's on PCH in Redondo.  On walking in we were asked "Inside or out?" and, thinking he was referring to the spacious patio where we have eaten, heat lamps and all and said, "Inside."  He promptly ushered us to our old table!  I couldn't believe it!  I was kvelling all over the  place in pure joy!

Next at bat was Hop Saint Brewery on 190th.  It was wooden tables and benches outdoors during The Ban On Living Right  But now the interior is back to normal -  banquets!  A wood side and a cushion running down the wall side.  The menu?  The same as ever as far as I could tell.  The deviled eggs still are garnished with pulled pork and a spear of leek.

And then came Tin Roof Bistro, but you've heard all about that. 

The Go-To Restaurant to take Arriving Passengers From LAX

And this would be Tin Roof Bistro (or as they now call themselves  TRB) in the Manhattan Beach Mall.  

They have a  sophisticated menu - carmalized Brussel Sprouts; in other words, "This ain't just a burger joint."  They do have A burger - the Smmzy created by the owner when it WAS a burger joint.  It is very juicy and And Richie always asks for extra napkins when he orders one.

The design of the restaurant is Napa Valley vineyards.  Which means  that all of the wait staff wears plaid shirts hanging out over snug britches.  This suggests to me that the well-clad vintner is cavorting through the rows and rows of grape vines smartly in plaid shirts and aprons. 

The place consists of a main dining room; a large patio - chairs on slate floors , heaters and out in front is a thin patio that runs along the front of the building.  All of the seating  is comfortable.

.The first time my sister and bro-in-law came out from Chicago,  I'd arranged with the late Bob Brodsky for him and his crew to take us out for a sail after lunch.  My sister was thrilled and got the biggest kick steering the boat from behind the great big wheel.  She could barely see over it and she is not short. 

Charlie and Rosalind flew out and their daughter was teaching that day so the four of us  dined  alone.  In the coming years, the population at any lunch varied.  From the two of them to seven, all family members.  Speaking of family, it's a hoot when there are a group of them,  "Well, Mrs. Murphy how are you today?"  "Well Mrs. Murphy. I am doing just fine, but poor Mrs. Murphy broke a toe last week." 

Favorites - soup and a half sandwich Charlie and Rosalind, Bob and Pat Brodsky. Jim Newman aka "Jimsie"

All of the vegetarian dishes  daughter and her sons  vegetarians

Pig and fig pizza (and that IS it's name on the menu) chunk-ed fancy bacon chunks. and dried-ish figs  Dynamite shrimp,  Napa Slaw with an avocado reduction.

When it's a bunch of us we get the hay pile French fries.  They come with a with a thick sauce  of blue cheese.  Everyone!  Greedy fingers fly  furiously! .  We almost always have to order more!  

Charlie and Rosalind pre-Covid19 came out twice a year- June for birthdays - both boys, Richie and C and R's anniversary  

January to escape the winter on Long Island. 

And always - From LAX to Tin Roof straight as an arrow.  

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It's Official!

Today I am older than a turtle and a couple of redwood trees!  And while I was  picking up on  this undeniable fact, I realize that:  the older you get, the fewer cards you receive,

Is this because many of the people in my age group use snail mail?  Must be so because when I logged on I had six e-birthday wishes this morning!  And all I had to do was  live to be as old as lying.

I share a birthday with Al Pacino.  It night amuse you to see with whom you share.  But know you won't get a card from them.  E or elsewise.  Have a great day anyhow.  I am.

The Curb Sisters

The American Curb is not good at all for my younger sister and myself.  So I ask myself "Accident or enemy action?"  Recently you will remember if not sympathize when I took a tumble - score:  two broken fingers, one hairline fracture left patella. 

But this is my sister's tale of woe.  When she landed, apparently all of her weight was on her right knee because last night she reported that she'd broken it. And she doesn't weight much at all - never has.

She said she (somehow) drove herself to a nearby hospital; pulled in front of the ER and someone saw her difficulties, brought a wheel chair and helped her out. 

ER offered valet parking She has good planning skills - called her husband to come and get her; arranged with friends who live some 15 minutes away to take her car to their home temporarily.

He remarked to me that it was the first time she'd ever gone to ER for herself.  Her first grandchild's 2 Year Old party is Sunday and I know that will thrill her to bits.

Meanwhile, The Curb Sisters will go their happy ways sounding like a country western duet.  Walkers and limps we go on  full steam ahead, more or less indomitable.