Taking just one more chance, trying for some fun

I went to do some shopping after a full day of speech, reading group, exercise, doctor’s appointment and tennis.  I needed some things to make dinner for tonight and tomorrow. So there I was at the butcher’s counter and I hear this voice that sounded familiar and standing next to me ordering some chops from the butcher was Lucie Arnez.  She looks really good, I thought to myself, but she looked like she was dressed by Lucy – pink capri pants seemed a little too “Lucy goes to Palm Springs” to me.  So, that was all the excitement for the day.

Yesterday we had a great visit from Walter and Lynne who made a stop to see us on their way to San Clemente.  We had a great chat at home and then headed off to Tropicale for something to eat.  The only sad thing was we couldn’t see them this morning for breakfast because of our busy schedule for the day.  It was very nice, and David really does seem to be getting more speech out.

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My chickens just ooze

I have been staying up way too late these past few nights, and it wasn’t writing the blog as you all know. I roasted a chicken and then made stock.  Needed to use some over-ripe bananas, so I made banana bread.  Today we had a very tasty soup from leftover chicken and the stock.  Not sure why I feel compelled to do this, but, what the heck.  Have a bunch of lemons, oranges and grapefruits that I need to start doing something with, and will take suggestions!

We met with a personal trainer who will come to the house and work with David, and that starts on Monday morning.  He specializes in working with folks with physical limitations.  Should be good, I hope.  He seems like a nice fellow.  Also, in the realm of getting things started, they are supposed to drain the pool the week after next and begin work, so we will have a new pool and spa by early March.  When we met with the trainer, we ran into Miguel who did the renovation on the house here, and had a nice chat.  He emailed later that day and offered to do the pool for us.  I told him that we already contracted someone, and thanked him, but asked if he could come by and see the kitchen cabinets, which are not holding up so well.  Structurally they are fine, but the doors on the island are getting damaged from water.  Wood and water are not the best of friends, and not sure if there is much to be done, but he will take a look.  Maybe just get them refinished.

These therapies are: Interferon beta: Interferons are a family of proteins that are present naturally in the cialis generic tabs body. But in practice statins seem to have very little or no input into the process commander viagra martinblaser.com and just sign the document produced. Broiling, grilling or roasting are the canadian viagra pharmacy look at this storefront best-tolerated cooking methods. Over dose of this non specific pharmaceutical can prompt numerous wellbeing perils like migraine, heaving, and body rashes and so on. cheapest viagra purchasing here David had another session with Holly the second speech therapist at the Stroke Recovery Center and she began working on her method again.  She is quite a force to be reckoned with, and has a very rigid way of working that may be hard for David.  He was frustrated afterwards.  I think I may have talked about her method, but it is essentially a series of written symbols that show the placement of the mouth, tongue and teeth when you make a particular sound.  The theory should work for David, because if he gets some help starting a word, it normally will come out.  We’ll try it.

Thursday was the speech group at Eisenhower Medical Center, and the group was very large.  Everyone is back home after the holidays I guess.  A very interesting group of folks and David and I talked afterwards about who were our favorites.  There really isn’t anyone that we don’t like, but there are a couple of folks that I like a lot.  There is this one guy who has very little speech, similar to David, who always seems on the verge of saying something that appears to be very funny, or at least he things so.  David does that all the time.  I see his face light up, and that smile on his face, and I know he has something very funny to say.  Once in a great while, I can guess what it is.  He still makes me laugh, which is a godsend!

Ford every stream

Went for a hike, not a walk!  I decided to hike one of the trails here in the desert.  I though, ever so briefly, of just walking over the ridge, but my day on the hill had come to an end.  That’s the right quote, right?  I don’t want to google it, so I will trust that the words are right, or at least close.  It was really pretty spectacular, and the views of the valley were great!

View from the highest point on the hike (or the highest point that I reached)
View from the highest point on the hike (or the highest point that I reached)

Exposure Therapy is also used to treat children with phobias http://www.fundacionvision.org.pa/viagra-1034.html on line viagra and this treatment can prove to be more useful while seeking pleasure. cheapest viagra no prescription Given below are some tips or steps of assessing the problem. In this type of therapy, the aching areas are injected with http://fundacionvision.org.pa/flashxml/bannerrotatorfx-expo/BannerRotatorFX.swf commander viagra a ploriferant solution that induces the development of tumour cells. But companies claim to use these compounds as a carrier of fragrance. sildenafil price in india We began watching the Golden Globes, but taped the rest for later.  We were going to the movies.  A documentary about Elaine Stritch called Shoot Me.  It was good and I am not sure, after seeing the movie, if I now think she is someone I would love to know or would rather die than run into her strolling up Fifth Ave.  I am leaning toward not.  The GG’s were good I thought.  Some surprises, but generally predictable.  So many movies to see now.

Have been having a good time watching more Chris Christie news.  I just hope that they find the smoking email and he gets what’s coming to him. “They say the meek are gonna get what’s comin’ to em by and by.”  The Jersey City stuff just adds to his downfall, I hope.

Forgot the title!

Chocolate cake with coffee icing
Chocolate cake with coffee icing

A great dinner with Blade and Ralph.  David said that the beef was not good, but otherwise, dinner was a success.  B&R said they enjoyed it, and Blade said that the cake may have been the best he has ever had.  Now I feel I know how David feels when Bill says he was hitting really well.  Just a little hyperbole. right?  It was good, but, well . . .  maybe it is the best cake ever!

Even when you have great health, you cannot feel india generic cialis pdxcommercial.com absolutely safe. The frequency of losing an erection increases with the age; however it is necessarily a consequence of numerous mental cialis no prescription canada and physical elements. This chronic infection online levitra prescription may result in significant genital abnormalities in male offspring. Rafael Palmeiro a major league baseball player on one occasion featured in an advert featuring what is universally called “The Little Blue Pill”. viagra levitra cialis is a staple of American society – the focus of limitless tonight show monologue jokes and a popular conversation theme anywhere. It was a busy day of cooking and preparing, but I was able to fit in an hour with Joel, a local accompanist to do a little singing.  Blade asked me to sing before he even sat down, and then again at dinner.  I declined, and afterwards thought, I hope nobody ever thinks that I won’t sing because I just don’t want to, but because I am really very shy and it just seems weird to me to just sing in the living room.

Quiet day now.  Nothing planned except the movie this evening.  Hopefully this one will be better than the one we saw last week.  Also not such great weather.  It is not raining and still a little warm, but no brilliant sunshine.  There’s always tomorrow!

Going mad shooting sparks into space

David worked on the stationary bicycle without support for his knee again, which was great.  Blade was impressed and he seemed less exhausted afterwards. He also didn’t need as much reminding to keep his knee in.  We also went for an evaluation, well, actually two evaluations.  First with a trainer who might work with David and then we went to see about a device that will help keep his foot from dropping when he walks.  We worked with something like it when we left New York, and the physiatrist thought that it would be worth a look.  Actually, I suggested it, and he agreed.  It worked very well in the office, and now we need to find out if insurance will cover it.  I think it will speed up his walking speed quite a lot.

At Life Changes with Cedric there was quite a bit of drama.  I had mentioned that there was a guy who seemed to despise another member of the group, and they almost came to blows.  The guy who can’t seem to shut up started talking about some nonsense, and the other one began to wheel out of the room and Cedric asked him to stay and share what his week had been like.  He turned around and rejoined the group, and when the other one continued, he called him an a-hole, and that was it.  The talked asked him to step outside, or rather, wheel outside.  When he refused, he left with his aide to file a formal complaint.  I think the best part was when Cedric asked him to call the talker to apologize, he said over his dead body.  The most interesting part was seeing the group divided and taking sides.  Most against the talker.  Excitement at the Stroke Center!

We went to see a pretty bad movie that was part of the Film Festival.  You know you are always in trouble when a movie sounds like it is a good concept.  It was billed as a Rock and Doris style comedy with a gay twist.  Well, it was just awful.  David became quite angry when I wouldn’t leave, and every time people left, he would just say “come on!”  We stayed to the bitter end, and it was pretty bitter.  We are going on Sunday to see a documentary about Elaine Stritch, which should be better.  I hope!

I read David the Gabrielle Giffords op ed piece that was in the New York Times.  It was good, but I think David thought it would have more details about physical and speech therapy.  Speaking of politicians, I am getting great joy in seeing Chris Christie squirm.  Coming from NJ, I feel like I know him and his pals so well.

I have been playing more tennis, which is great and David began serving today.  I didn’t get to see it, but Bill said that he was hitting really well, and I have to believe him.  David said he wasn’t hitting very well, but, I believe Bill.  Dinner tomorrow night with Blade and Ralph, which I am looking forward to. Baked a cake today and Boeuf à la Bourguignonne is the project for tomorrow!

And now I know I was naive

My first attempt at a French Baguette
My first attempt at a French Baguette

Now that the New Year has started, things seem to have settled down here in Palm Springs.  It was pretty busy until lots of folks left yesterday to head home.  I am sorry to say this, but David and I are so glad to be staying here with the 75° and sunshine, and thinking of all our friends who are suffering through this arctic vortex.  While I am sure it is pretty horrible, the news certainly does come up with ways to make things sound pretty dramatic, right?  I love getting some lovely notes from people with updates on their lives around the holidays, and we have gotten some great updates in the past few days.  It is great to have things to read to David aside from this blog (which I have skipped a few times).  I am just finding it difficult to come up with things to write that seem more interesting.  I know that all my adventure in baking are fascinating, but . . . really!

In physical therapy David did his usual time on the stationery bike, but this time Blade didn’t use the strap to keep his right knee from flopping, and all the exercises we have been doing have paid off – he didn’t need the strap, just some gentle reminding to pull his knee up once in a while.  He was pretty exhausted after that, and it did take a lot out of him.  I find the same thing with speech.  When we do too many exercises, he begins to get tired, and he doesn’t do as well as when we start.  All that is to be expected.
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We are happy that we have some visits planned for this month.  We are also having Blade and his husband for dinner on Saturday.  Blade suggested that we get together for dinner, and David volunteered my cooking.  Blade thought that was pretty funny, and said that if I wasn’t up to it, we could go to a restaurant.  I am happy for the distraction of planning and cooking a dinner. Maybe I will use the paella pan I bought and tried out with some success.  I might even bake a cake.  Speaking of baking, I made a baguette this morning, which came out pretty good.  I was pleased.  Don’t think for a moment that I have thrown over the Macarons, I will make a return soon.

We also got the last of three bids on redoing the pool, and the third one is the charm.  I liked this guy better than the other two, and his bid was better by quite a bit, so we are going to start the work soon.  Once that is done, we will truly be living in paradise.

What does one wear that’s apropos for a party, that’s also a crime

Happy New Year.  An uneventful welcome to the New Year.  We had a great visit from Dave and Pamela and kids.  Very nice, quiet visit.  We ended up not going to Wang’s, which was kind of a relief.  We are very boring, and would much rather stay at home than make the effort to go out.  Especially on a hellish night like NYE.  I am now looking at the holiday decorations, and planning on the packing and return to storage for the year.

David is out in the sun, and we just finished watching Splendor in the Grass, which made David cry and get a little emotional.  He was getting the chaise lounge all wet with his tears.  Sad to say, I have never seen the movie, and Natalie and Warren both looked spectacular.  In many ways, they sort of seemed out of place because they were both so beautiful and everyone else in the movie just seemed so ordinary.  That added to the impact of the movie, I think.  Now State Fair is on, and AnnMargaret and Pat Boone can’t hold a candle to Warren and Natalie.  Well, let’s face it, Pat Boone almost puts the flame out with his blandness.

No plans, but we may go to the movies.  Not sure if it will be a crowded day for the movies or not, so we will have to plan on going early or go see something that nobody wants to see.

So, here’s to a great 2014 and many visits from people here in Palm Springs!

If you think it’s lonesome where you are tonight

Our day always seems so dull when I sit down to write at night, which has been a bit less regular than it has been.  We had dance with Karen Doll, and I mentioned that we went to see a drag show and it featured Judy Garland, and she was thrilled.  She said that whenever she goes to that show, she gets pulled up on stage as Judy’s Stand-in.  Visually it must be pretty hysterical, as the Karen is about half the size of “Judy”. After the class she said that David was doing much better since the last time she saw him.  The last class we took was before we left for Paris. I have to remind myself how far we have come since the stroke.

We had an earthquake today.  That was pretty exciting.  We were waiting for Blade and when the ground shook, he said they still make him scared.   When we first arrived, Blade told David how great he looked in the car and how great his tan was.  Then Blade said how good he thought my haircut was (oh, yes, David and I got haircuts – maybe more exciting than the earthquake), David complained about the attention Blade was showing me. Toward the end of the session, Blade told David he was doing well.  David wanted him to give him an estimate for how long it was going to be for him to get back to normal.  Blade, dodged the question, beautifully (and wisely!)  I don’t know what we would do without Blade.

When we got home from Blade, got a call from Pamela (& David) who are visiting nearby, and we want to get together tomorrow evening.  I thought it would be a problem to find a reservation on New Year’s Eve, and granted, most of the restaurants are full, I got us a reservation on the early side at Wang’s in the Desert.

The weather is glorious!

Next Year all our troubles will be out of sight

We went to the Purple Room here in Palm Springs for dinner and The Judy Show – Holiday Edition.  We sat and had dinner, which was good, but not great, and then waited for the show to start at 7pm.  The accompanist, who both David and I recognized from the band and the chorus, came over because he recognized David.  He actually remember both his first and last name.  I know that David makes quite an impression, but I was impressed.  We chatted for a while, and I told him that I would give him a call so I could start singing again.  After he left, I said to David that I was afraid that maybe this wasn’t a drag show. It’s since impotency; a sexual acticity viagra tablets india barrier can definitely wreck ones romantic life. Homocysteine High homocysteine levels have been associated with elevated risks of prostatic abacojet.com viagra cipla 20mg adenocarcinoma. Patients with poor memory focus are advised to viagra in usa online buy at web-site include a 1-year, non-guaranteed contract, according to an anonymous source; guaranteed, it is worth $650,000. From all the drugs sold in the worldwide market 7% is being captured by the online pharmacies viagra alone. Why would they need an accompanist, unless it was a really good drag queen.  He was a pretty good drag queen.  We, of course, had some time with Judy, followed by visits from Carol and Bette (that’s Channing and Davis).  Had a very nice evening.

Carla was here earlier in the day, and I played tennis.  I wasn’t great or even very good, but it wasn’t completely embarrassing.  Add to that the fact that my partner is a personal trainer, and might be able to work with David.

The stale cold smell of morning

Woke up this morning, and my foot was still not behaving itself.  Called to get an appointment with the Doctor, and was thrilled that I could get in to see him this afternoon.  Then, after breakfast, we went to Life Changes at the Stroke Recovery Center.  The group was very nice, and I am finding the dynamics in this group interesting.  There are these two guys who are normally there, and the one hates the other.  I have to admit, he isn’t my favorite person either, but his hostility is so obvious – he just glares at him whenever he speaks.  There are also two sisters who are always there, and I find them fascinating.  They are always knitting.  I find myself wanting to know what their stories are.  Anyway, it was a good group, and very relaxed.

When we got home, Maria was there and cleaning.  When she came last week, she became a little emotional as David was wishing her a Merry Christmas.  She is very good to both of us, and usually drops off some terrific Mexican food every week.  Tamales are my favorite. Also found out that Tamales are a typical Christmas morning meal.  Another project – learn to make tamales and start a new holiday tradition!  Before Maria left, the aide showed up, and we took a walk.  Halfway through the walk, David asked Carla to talk and tell him things.  Well, that was it.  She talked the whole time, and at a certain moment, when she left the room, he motioned that I should tell her to be quiet.  I will talk to her, although, in the end, David seemed to like her a lot.

I left them alone and went to the Doctor.  He confirmed that it is gout, and we have adjusted my medication to see if that works.  He doesn’t seem to think that there is anything to be done except find ways to lower the uric acid.  When I got home, David and Carla were sitting at the table, and she was talking about her kids.  I showed he the exercises that David does and some of the speech worksheet he has.  She seems nice, and it will be good to get some relief three days a week.

Not much going on this evening, just dinner, some TV and reading and now, sleep.

Everything’s coming up sunshine and Santa Claus

Merry Christmas!  We had a nice day, but it was a bit off.  I began having foot problems last night, and wasn’t able to fall asleep until after 5am.  Then we got up, David laid out in the sun for a while, and yes, as the intro to the song says, the sun is shining, the grass is green and the orange and palm trees sway.  It was quite a day!  Then, a little after noon we walked next door to have dinner at Donovan’s.  Very nice to meet his family.  We have met his sister before, but now we know the rest of the family.  Very nice time, and a great dinner.  I was only slightly out of it from the lack of sleep and drugs.

We wandered back home and I fell asleep immediately.  Between the turkey and no sleep, I was ready for a long afternoon nap.  Then some dinner, and we watched some TV.  David is sleeping now.  Tomorrow we have an aide coming at 1pm, which will be great.  Hopefully he will like her.

Yesterday, I ran out to do some shopping and wanted to get something for David for Christmas.  I picked up some of his favorite smelly stuff – verbena from L’Occitane.  I also tried to find something for David to give me, and picked up some stuff I needed for Marcaron making at William Sonoma, but David still wants me to get something.  While we were in NYC he was able to arrange with someone to have a surprise for me for my Birthday last year, and I have to say, it was quite a surprise.  He kept telling me that he had something for me, but I couldn’t understand how he had arranged it without my knowing.

Anyway, tomorrow we will look for something for me.

Or a not-too-French, French bean

Successful macarons
Successful macarons

OK, the color may need some work, and they were not perfect, but pretty close to perfect – they were all the same size and round, which is a step in the right direction. The Macarons were simple, with no flavoring and the ganache was a white chocolate ginger, that was very tasty.  You will have to come to Palm Springs to try them!

Today was another lost day, sort of.  We were supposed to have the plumber come to fix the water pressure in the kitchen and another pool guy to take a look and give us a bid, but neither of them showed up.  Now, granted, it was the Saturday before Christmas, but they both told me that they would be here, so we waited.  We did walk and exercise, and we also had a great FaceTime chat with Alex, Claire, Theo and Pat (Claire’s Mom).  Blade also lent us one of the stimulators that he uses with David, and we worked on his shoulder a bit, and he is getting some movement there.  He has been having some pain from the subluxation (the separation of the arm from the shoulder) and building up more muscle there will help with that.

Yesterday, we had a great session with Blade and more tennis.  Bill and David were actually hitting back and forth a good bit, which was fun to see, and great for David.  He is walking a few steps to move closer to the net on his own, which is also very good for him.  I think that the tennis, beyond being fun and good for his overall emotional state, is doing wonders for his balance.  Bill is also great with David.  Now, I promised myself that tomorrow I would join the tennis club, so I can start hitting.  I can’t remember if I mentioned this, but the day after Christmas we start having an aide coming in three times a week, which will give me a break.  Some might say a well deserved break.  Now I have to figure out what to do with those precious hours!

In spite of all the difficulties that we have encountered in the year and a half since the stroke, what strikes me most is how lucky we have been to have found great people to work with David who honestly care, and take a real interest and stake in David’s progress. Bill is not a therapist but I really think that he enjoys hitting with David and has such a perfect disposition for David.  Blade and Mary and Arlene and Holly and Glorianne are all great, not to mention all the folks in NYC who kept both David and me going.

He may have hair upon his chest, but sister, so has Lassie

Yesterday was sort of lost.  I woke up and had some pain in my hand.  I was able to take my walk, and it was feeling a bit better, but throughout the day, it got worse, and finally at around 4pm, I headed to urgent care.  My guess was that it was gout related, but the Doctor said that it was really rare for gout to appear in the hands.  He took some X-rays just to make sure, and he said it might be gout, but more likely some arthritis.  So, I am back on prednisone for a couple days.  Also some pain relievers.  Today, my hand was better.

Last night I made a batch of Macarons, which looked beautiful, but were hollow in the center, so checked the website for troubleshooting Macarons, and found that most likely, I overbeat the egg whites.  Will make some more on the weekend.  I couldn’t sleep last night, I think because of the drugs.  This morning, I got up at about 9am when we had an appointment with a pool renovating company to get a quote.  This was after falling asleep, finally, at about 5am.  We went to the Stroke Recovery Center for Life Changes with Cedric.  One of the woman who is a regular at the center, shared some stories that she wrote about growing up during WWII near Tripoli, Libya.

Later in the session, we talked about the mother of one of the clients at the Center who passed away earlier this week.  I met her once, and she used to bring her relatively young son(in his 30’s, I think) to the center.  When we first got to Palm Springs in the early summer, I went to a support group for caregivers, and she and I were the only folks there.  She actually talked about her concern about what would happen to her son if something should happen to her.  She passed away from cancer, but I was told that she was diagnosed within the past three months.  Her sons came after the session was done to talk to folks.  She was very well loved at the center.

David an I went home afterwards, because Let’s get Physical was cancelled.  Finished up the macarons and we were ready to head out to the Speech Group’s holiday party.  I brought my macarons, but they weren’t a hit.  I don’t think anyone knew what they were.  We also brought a selection of hats from our collection, which were a hit.  A lot of pictures taken.

When we got home, I took a nap and then got up to make dinner.  We watched Project Runway: All-Stars then began to tackle the rest of the Christmas cards.  Done.  David became impatient with me at a certain point, and I sent him to bed, and finished on my own.  I am sure I have said this already, one of the other times I was on Prednisone, but it makes me pretty irritable, not my normal easy going self.  Fortunately, I will only be on it for a few days.

I will end, since I am talking about drugs, with an observation.  There is a commercial which seems to be on all the time now.  It is for some prescription for low testosterone, and the guy narrating says he is relieved that, after seeing his doctor, he is suffering from low T and not age.  It strikes me as funny that he hasn’t made the connection between his age and his low T problem.  So, now I guess when a man reaches a certain age, he will not only buy a corvette, but also start testosterone replacement therapy.  Oh, yes, and usually buy a bad hairpiece.  Just saying.

Wolf down the sandwich

Today was one of those days.  We did a lot, and I think I accomplished a lot, but not really sure.  The table is still covered with papers and the work seems insurmountable.  We do see an end to the Christmas Cards, and as Christina said to Mommie Dearest, I’ll get the cards out on time.  I wish I could say the same about the Thank You cards that I am still working on from our wedding a year and a half ago.  Emily Post would be ashamed of me. Well, ashamed or just downright angry.  I am just grateful that I don’t have Joan Crawford for a mother.

David had an appointment with his neurologist this morning, and it was an early appointment, so that was where the day started off on the wrong foot.  I didn’t get to take my walk.  I should have gotten up earlier, but didn’t.  Then we headed to the Stroke Recovery Center for some physical activity followed immediately by tennis for David.  He hit well.  He is also speaking better, or at least the words are coming out a bit faster and more clearly.  He still is not speaking spontaneously, much.  His favorite words are still “Please” and “Bad”, usually in that order.  Here is a typical conversation – Therapist says “David, you are doing so much better than the last time I saw you!”  David’s response is “Please, bad”

We have another day full of stuff tomorrow.  First, someone from a local home health aid company is coming to evaluate David and talk about their service, then Christmas at the Stroke Recovery Center and I have an appointment with a plumber.  Oh, the glamorous life I lead!!

We had a quiet night at home, and watched some TV, then read Time magazine about Pope Francis.  Now I have to find something to wrap and regift for the White Elephant Exchange tomorrow at the SRC.

A little idle talk of this and that

I read some more about the Macarons, and found out that one of the reasons for the size consistency is that you have to “age” the egg whites before you use them.  Basically, separate the eggs and let the whites sit for 24 hours.  I did this, and also made some mayonnaise from the yolks.  Waste not.  I will try another batch tomorrow or Monday.  I plan on bringing them to the speech group party on Thursday.

In another bit of news, I signed up for new healthcare, and I know everyone will have a different experience, but mine was so easy and I will be paying over $200 less beginning next month for much better coverage.  I mean MUCH better – lower deductible, lower co-pays and drugs at a considerably lower cost.  Go Obamacare!

Yesterday we went to the movies in the afternoon and saw Thor which we both enjoyed.  Then, we were talking about seeing Saving Mr. Banks, and unfortunately it doesn’t start playing here until next week.  When we were talking about the movie, David said something that made me believe that he has never seen Mary Poppins, so I asked, and he hasn’t.  I was hesitant, because of his aversion to animation, but I suggested that we watch it, and we did.  I loved it.  David, not so much.  To be honest, it was such an integral part of my childhood that I don’t think I could ever separate it.  I believe that I knew all the songs by heart when I was in Kindergarten.  If not them, certainly by first grade.  I am also not ashamed to say that I always cry at the end when Mr. Banks is saved.
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As a sort of cleansing after Mary, we watched Six by Sondheim, which was also great.  Liked the format of the documentary very much.  Audra, again, was marvelous.  David did suggest that whatever musical they telecast live next year, she should be the star. I agree.

Tomorrow we are going to the Gay Mens’ Chorus concert in the afternoon and next week we are pretty busy with Blade back and all the rest.  Also made two tennis lessons for David.

On the soft green elliptical grass

Last night we went to the Desert Aids Project’s annual holiday gala – Sparkle.  It was fine, but it didn’t sparkle.  The highlight was Florence Henderson reading “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, the rest of the evening was basically a holiday open-mic.  Granted, a talented open-mic, but just a parade of mostly Broadway performers (nobody you would know, I don’t think) singing holiday classics.  Some better than others, but not much personality.  The host introduced it as a classic holiday performance, in the vein of some great TV specials.  Now, some of you may remember (or may have suffered with or through) a holiday nightmare I was in in Washington, DC.  I thought this would be a better version of that, but alas, it wasn’t.  At the event afterwards, we did get to see the legendary Barry Manilow.  He really has left the real world and joined Joan Rivers in the world of surgically unrecognizable.  I just wonder what some of these folks are thinking.  All I can say, is it must be very difficult and time consuming to get up each morning and have to become Barry.

Enough of the bitchiness.  Today, I had am impulse to bake, and decided to try my hand at making french Macarons.  They came out pretty good, but not perfectly shaped.  It think that will take some practice. Chocolate with an orange spice ganache.  Wish you could judge the taste, but they look OK, right?

Various size and quality Macaron
Various size and quality Macaron
The model macaron
The model macaron

Men of class, competing on the grass

Things move along here in Palm Springs.  It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow.  By warmer, of course, I mean over 60°.  Tonight we went out for drinks with Donovan, which was very nice.  We were going to go to Copa, the new place next to Tropicale, but they were having a pre-opening party, and we weren’t invited!  So, we went to Tropicale.  Very nice evening.

Yesterday, David started back at tennis, and is moving on the court.  I think that the video speaks for itself.
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Soaking up life, down to your toes

OK, I now have a proposal for NBC for next year.  Forget about Grease featuring Olivia Newton-John.  Do Mame.  The casting alone would be worth watching.  I know that Goldie Hawn wanted to do it once (maybe that ship has sailed).  And how about Bette as Vera Charles, and if you want to get the whole crew back from First Wives Club, Diane Keaton would make an interesting Agnes.  The pairings are pretty endless actually.

I did take my walk this morning, and I was quite surprised to see frost on the hood of the car when I headed out.  It had thawed by the time I got home, but it was chilly.  We did our usual routine in the morning, and then went to the movies.  Saw Enough Said.  It was nice and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini were both terrific and funny.  She is always funny.  There was a little rain while we were in the movies, but it had stopped by the time we were on our way home.

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Read the blog, and some more of Time magazine.

To laugh and weep together while time goes on its flight

So, The Sound of Music – LIVE!  Did we all watch?  We did.  A very noble effort, and I applaud them, but really, what did we expect?  I actually always wonder why it is ever staged  because it just pales in comparison.  You can’t put the Alps on a stage.  Audra was amazing and Laura Benanti was great.  I expected more from Christian Borle as I always liked Max, and here he had two songs.  The kids were good and not too cute.  Anyway, I enjoyed it, but really just want to watch Julie Andrews again.  With a record viewing audience, I am, taking bets on what they will try to stage next year.  Any guesses?  Grease?  Maybe with Olivia Newton John in the Eve Arden role?   I’d tune in for that.  It was nice feeling like I had to watch it live, too.  Well, not really live, because in California, it was on three hours after the live version.

I told David afterwards, that there was a Julie Andrews theme for last night.  We were supposed to be coming back from Paris today, and if we were still there, last night I would have gone to see My Fair Lady at Théâtre du Châtelet, in French. I am glad that we are back though, and glad to have caught The Sound of Music in its place.

Today we didn’t do much.  David is feeling not so great.  He has a bit of an upset stomach and is feeling irregular.  Tomorrow we are going to see the Desert Winds Freedom Band concert.  David played clarinet with them, and is anxious to see old bandmates.  I am excited to see the concert because the MC is Cindy Williams.  We also got tickets for a concert on Wednesday that is a benefit for the Desert Aids Project featuring Florence Henderson.  70’s TV stars are abundant here in the desert!

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During the day I think of great things to write, and then when I sit down, I forget them all.  Either that, or they weren’t so great, they just seemed like it during the day.  We decorated a bit for the holidays – put up some lights, etc.  I was very glad that Maria came to clean today, we were collecting lots of dust.  She also brought some tamales, which means we don’t have to go to the big Tamale Festival in Indio this weekend.

Tomorrow, I am going to make an effort to take my walk in the morning and start exercising some restraint with eating.  I don’t think I have gained much, but I feel like I have.  I have to get back into a regular schedule now that I am feeling better.  It is strange, but I think it has something to do with the sun coming up later.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

A proper artist with a knife

I keep forgetting things that I want to tell you when I write late in the evening, but today, I remember one of them.  Since we have come back from Paris, David has been trying to do more and more on his own.  Not sure where the inspiration came from, but he is getting himself dressed more, or at least doing what he can do.  He has also started shaving himself. I have to help a bit with the shaving cream, but I will work on a solution for that.

We took a walk early this morning, which was nice and then went to the Stroke Recovery Center for Let’s get Physical.  It was ball day, so we played with various sizes of balls.  It was a small group, but very enthusiastic.  Nedda was there, and she is always wearing an interesting hat, but today was quite spectacular.  I think it is one of her own creations.  A green feather boa wrapped around a baseball cap with some jingle bells and a santa on the brim.  David was very impressed.  Nedda is one of the regulars at the center, and is very sweet.  She has no speech, but laughs all the time.  We were told that she had her stroke when she was in her 20’s and is now in her 60’s.  She’s impressive.
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We went to the Indian buffet for lunch, and I made a vegetable curry for dinner.  Watched Glee (it has been a while) and then read a bit of Time Magazine and the blog.