A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{April 17, 2021} It’s Saturday in Chicago! Yoga …Brunch … Walking [a lot!]…Food…Speakeasy!

Just your typical Saturday for us, right?!

We woke up before the alarm, that was nice, definitely don’t want to miss this! Got dressed in our yoga gear, put our clothes over it, no changing rooms at the event, yoga mat and yoga towels in the beach bag I brought to carry everything. There was some planning that went into this! Headed out, Dunkin’ Donuts was across the street, let’s wake up! There aren’t any DD’s close to us here, so we stick to Starbucks, which isn’t bad, PSM’s the choosy one when it comes to his morning cup o’ joe! Same in Hawai’i, the DD was not so good there! They got their first DD only a few years ago, they’ll get there. Uber ordered, just waiting.

Uber arrives, takes up the 2.5 miles to the Lighthouse ArtSpace where the Immersive Van Gogh Chicago is being held and where we were taking a yoga class offered by Core Power Yoga IN the Immersive Van Gogh Chicago Exhibit! We actually participated in a yoga class while the exhibit was happening.

The way the exhibit works, from their site: Be immersed in 500,000 cubic feet of stunning projection animating the master’s oeuvre and illuminating the mind of the genius. Wander through giant projections that highlight brushstroke, detail, and colour as you have never experienced them. Visitors will be immersed in Van Gogh’s works from his sunny landscapes and night scenes, to his portraits and still life. All of that, while set to music.

Originally, we were going spend a weekend in Chicago and go to the exhibit, and depending on the weather, we were going to take the bikes. I bought the tickets and we were set. Well…about two or three weeks ago, I got an email, telling me about the yoga classes in the exhibit! How could I resist!? I immediately emailed and asked if I could exchange our tickets so we could do this yoga class. As soon as they said yes, I checked with PSM which weekend would work best. This weekend it was, so exchanged happened, and…included with our tickets…we could spend time in the exhibit, win-win!

We got there early, got our temperatures checked, and waited, there was a class ahead of ours. The music we heard was nothing like any music any of our regular yoga instructors play! The room was dim, there were rings of light on the floor, spaced out. This is where they want people to sit, socially distant to experience the exhibit, but worked out for yoga, everyone just took a circle and put down their mats. There were three triangle or obelisk mirrors in the room, turns out they were for the event, but looked cool! The instructor came in and we got started about 8am.

As we are getting into child’s pose to get started, the exhibit began. That meant the music queued up, the video projectors started going, and we were immersed in the experience. It was a normal yoga class, well, not normal for us, we now know why it’s called Core Yoga! Wow! There were only two negatives to the entire experience…a few times, the instructor’s mic didn’t work, it was a big room, acoustics, and just technical difficulties and because it was moving all around us, sometimes the floor seemed to be moving, not good! Oh, and when you do a tree pose and the instructor tells you to look at something that’s not moving, to work on balance, and the entire place is moving…ha ha ha. Other than that…we moved, we stretched, we balanced, we downward faced our dogs! we sweat! So much fun!

After class, we got into street clothes and hung out in the next room, sitting in one of the circles on the floor, we missed an opportunity for a loveseat, all good. The exhibit began. Every space in the room was filled with images and movement. There wasn’t a nook or cranny the images did not catch. Look up, over, down, you name it, there was movement. The paintings were swaying, moving, morphing into the next painting, breaking down or deconstructing the strokes of the paintings, getting a feel for how he created them, the colors, the sights, the movements, all made sense in this amazing feet of beauty.

We sat through it once on the ground level, then moved up for the second time to watch it from the balcony, a different experience, you catch things from that angle that you didn’t see from the ground. You really paid attention, well, I did. “Oh, look over there!” “Now, look here!” and it went on from there. We essentially participated three times, nothing like it.

When we left, we headed to the gift shop, we picked up a few things, PSM bought me a mask with one of my new favorite paintings, after seeing it in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette. I love so much of his work, but his sunflowers series, sigh…you know how I feel about sunflowers! I love this mask!

Everything they did in the space was so clever, they stairs and walls were painted with Van Gogh’s work, the elevator, stairwell, even the signs were clever “Gogh this way” “No Gogh – Do Not Enter” “Goghing Up Elevators”. For one who so loves a funny pup, bad dad joke, I was Goghing Ga Ga over all of it!

After yoga and the experience, it was time for brunch! I was hoping to get to a few of my favorite places in Chicago to eat, but, just like the rest of the country, it was opening back up and things were limited. We ended up going to Kanela’s in Old Town for brunch, it was less than a mile away and had a good rating. We got lucky and didn’t have to wait for a table, wahoo. Our waiter was funny, the place a little kitschy, I absolutely love the signs on the way, berry punny!

I had avocado toast with a fried egg, kale salad, and some seriously crispy potatoes, it was seriously yummy! PSM had an açaí bowl and we shared a plate of challah French toast. Mimosa, decaf coffee, and a masala chai tea for me with oat milk.

Time to walk of brunch! We decide to walk the 3+ miles back to the hotel, it warmed up nicely as we were walking, then got downright toasty! ha ha, go figure! As we came upon Wabash Avenue and State Street, the lights were red and the bell was clanging, there were some sailboats coming and the drawbridge was going up! This is one of my favorite things about Chicago! And they still work!

We watched the drawbridge go up, we loved it, even though we really didn’t have a choice, since we had to cross the bridge when we came to it. Oh, sorry! ha ha. We enjoyed Spring in Chicago, flowers in bloom, all the way back to the hotel. At the hotel, hang up the wet yoga stuff, take our shoes off and relax! Executive decision from someone who is dairy sensitive to someone who’s allergic. Pizza and beer for dinner. How could I say no? We were in Chicago and they have bathrooms! HA HA

We were a few blocks from a Giordano’s, one of the two more famous places for deep dish or Chicago-style pizza in Chicago. There are many fine establishments, but PSM hadn’t been to this one and it was close. We got there, put our names in, ordered our pizza, and waited for a table, ended up walking towards the back of the restaurant and there were two seats available at the bar, sold!

We put in drink and appetizer orders and waited for things to magically appear! We went for the motherland! PSM had an Classic Chicago deep dish pizza and I went for the spinach and added pineapple, and for an appetizer, we ordered the combo, so not right! ha ha. Cheese bread, chicken nugget things, and mozzarella triangles. Hey, if you’re in, you’re all in!

Needless to say, there was more than enough food, for a few people, and we both ordered small pizzas! Normally we would share, but we were in Chicago, home of the deep dish pizza, have to get what you really want! NO, we did not eat it all! Let’s just say, there is a very grateful homeless man in Chicago eating really well tonight!

We didn’t feel like going back to the hotel just yet, so we stopped at Plymouth Pub, Restaurant, and Rooftop Bar. I had been there a few times, with work outings, and friends from work. We weren’t staying, just one beer and we were out. It’s got a nice atmosphere, and a decent view.

We left there, went around the block, because the entrance across the street, really wasn’t an entrance, go figure, to Brando’s Speakeasy! No secret knock, pook! We did have to show our IDs to the guy at the door, I held mine up, he said, “you showed me the back”, but all good. I said “You did say you just wanted to see that we had IDs…” Made him laugh. There was karaoke going on in the front, but no available seating, so we were lead to the back, ended up at the bar, and there was one other person in the room, how exciting…and the music wasn’t our taste.

I went up to the front and asked if there was anything in the front, no dice, I leaned over and said, there’s no one back there, it’s kind of dead, and the music sucks. I can’t believe I said that! So rude! Back to PSM I went. All of a sudden the music changed, it was like 70s and 80s, we were loving it! Then…all of a sudden, the room was filling up and everyone was having a great time, apparently, we made our own karaoke bar! Ha ha! When the guy who sat us came back around, I apologized for saying the music sucked, but thanks for sending folks our way!

The lighting was dim, the front room was washed in red, our room was cozy, with tv’s showing old black and white movies and tv shows. There were classic cartoons, black and white, of course, and old movies with ladies stripping, it was a speakeasy.

After about two hours, there was a two hour limit per table, and we were getting there, we sang our way out of the speakeasy and headed back to the hotel. Shoes off, jammies on, lay down, zzzzzzzz.

More adventure awaits tomorrow…but no alarm!

{April 15, 2021} It’s definitely Spring. Look at our killing fields…

As soon as the weather gets nice…one of our dogs, and I shall not name names, except…you could add the word slippers after her name and you would have my favorite movie! HA HA said dog, takes most of the toys in the house and takes them out back, well, into the backyard…and leaves them there!

In the house, it’s take this one out, leave it here. Take that one out, leave it there. Take this one and put it in my dog bed, and this one looks good on the other dog bed, and so it goes. We pick them up, put them in the basket, and there is a basket, I promise, and then moments later…where did they go! As I mentioned, in the Spring, grab a toy, take it outside. Leave it somewhere. Go back inside, grab another toy, take it outside. Leave it somewhere else. Then…if you try to bring it inside, it is either snatched from your hand or if it does make it back in the house, within minutes, it’s somewhere in the backyard!

Now…something they weren’t taught, before we got them, was to play fetch, it would be fun. How it happens in our house…we throw it, mostly Ruby, but sometimes Bee, runs after it, pics it up, races around the yard, then drops it somewhere and comes back to you…empty handed, or empty mouthed, as it were…not exactly the way it works! ha ha. Or…same scenario, just in the house…it cracks me up every time!

JS is going to be watching the pups when we head out of town this weekend and she was very sweet to ask if she could bring them a toy, so I sent her a text, thanking her, and showing her the pile and littering of toys we have. She really is sweet and the pups seem to like her! I can’t wait to tell you how it goes! We left them once last year at a kennel, this time, we’re hoping to be able to leave them with JS whenever we go out of town!

Back to our killing fields…you can see them through the window and when you walk the yard! Everywhere! The worst is when we forget to bring one or two inside…and it rains…ick! Then…it’s so sad when one of the toys just isn’t meant to be any longer, let’s just say…squeaker…gone, head…possibly gone or hanging by a thread, literally, stuffing…gone. Yeah, that happens too. What can I say, they love those toys to death! ha ha, sorry, couldn’t resist!

I love that some of the toys they came with, some we have bought them, and some, were Mollie’s, like Ruby’s absolute favorite opossum, a stuffed one, of course!, is the last toy we bought Mollie. We’re really happy that they are loving on these toys. Oh man, sometimes, when they have a few, or even just one, in the bed with them, and they are snuggled up with it, can it get cuter? Nope!

But…today…I went around picking up the toys from the yard. How long do you think it will take them to make their way, magically, of course, back out into the yard?!

{April 14, 2021} Do you confuse yourself like I do?

Are you like me? Are the simplest concepts the most difficult? The tough ones are a piece of cake? I often fall into this! Tell me something is complicated, I’ll get it, possibly even master it in a short period of time. Tell me something is easy and I am stumped!

I started something Tuesday and I have to continue every third night. When exactly is that? Do I count Tuesday, making it Thursday or do I count Wednesday as the first day and then Friday would be the day? I even looked online for help…not helpful.

Where is the banging your head on the wall emoji? Not the head banging emoji, that’s for rockin’ out! The banging your head on the wall because you just can’t get it! Seriously?!

And guess what…I know me…I’m going to have to count the days off in my head from the last time I counted…for the rest of my life! And you know me…you know it’s true! ugh!

{April 13, 2021} April 13th is Gotcha Day!

We’ve talked about Gotcha Day before, when I talk about SLD and Miss A. This time…April 13, 2020 is the one year anniversary of the day we adopted our furry friends, Bee and Ruby! It’s our Gotcha Day!

We hadn’t started chatting again until December, so you wouldn’t know about our Gotcha Day, you just know we adopted these two, so let me tell you about it. One thing…As I started looking for photos to post, I’m wearing the same sweatshirt today that I was wearing that day to adopt them, what are the odds?!

Sit right back and you’ll hear you a tail, a tail about a fateful meet, that started with a phone call, about eight furry feet! About eight furry feet! [OMG! LOVE! go ahead, you know the tune!] The Beagle was a short little thing, cute, and sweet, and chunky. She had a tail that never stopped, and she stepped with a spring! She stepped with a spring!

The Hound was a bigger dog, long, and sleek, and red. As soon as we met her, on our knees she did rest her head. On our knees, she did rest her head! If not for the pictures of these two, our hearts might be lost. Our hearts might be lost.

When PSM said he was ready, a dog we should get, I started searching and searching, on the inter…net. An American Foxhound was the search request that I entered. Was the search request that I entered. Who knew it would be these dogs who turned out to be the best. Turned out to be the best.

Five Acres Shelter had the pups to view, we submitted an application, on Friday, April 10th, two thousand and twenty [not twenty two]. Two thousand and twenty [not twenty two]. The dogs were so bonded, the shelter made a request…adopt the dogs together, they would be the best. They would be the best. The shelter called us quickly, an interview we did do, they even called PSM’s brother for a reference about us too. For a refernce about us too.

We spoke with the foster mom, she told us she loves these dogs, and hopes they get a good forever home, to rest their furry paws. To rest their furry paws. We made a date to meet, on Monday April 13th. Who could blame us if it was love at first sight for those eight furry feet. For those eight furry feet!

We quickly signed the papers and then paid the fees. Someone took our photo and we were ever so pleased. It was official, the dogs jumped in the truck, we couldn’t believe our luck. We couldn’t believe our luck.

To the pet store we went, to buy some supplies, we weren’t quite ready for the dogs, the timing was a surprise! The timing was a surprise! At home they settled in, as if they’d always been there. And so began our journey of having two crazy, wonderful, goofy, silly, loving, and [sometimes] smart dogs. Having two crazy, wonderful, goofy, silly, loving, and [sometimes] smart dogs.

And there you have it folks, April 13, 2020 we grew our hearts and our home by adding two dogs. As I may have sung, and by the way, I was singing the entire time I was writing, I had to get the melody right, I hope I did, and I hope you enjoyed it! As I was saying, as I may have sung, two crazy, wonderful, goofy, silly, loving, and [sometimes] smart dogs. If you have dogs, you know what I mean.

They really have brought joy into our lives, it was hard when we lost Mollie McDougal, she was such a great dog, but we knew there was love for more pups, and I honestly can’t remember which dog I saw first, Ruby or Bee, but the website said they were so bonded, they were hoping they would be adopted together. And that’s all it took! Ruby is a gorgeous dog, you should see her run! Wow! And Bee, well, Mollie, who was an American Foxhound, looked like a giant beagle, people always asked if she was one! Bee does look a little like Mollie, same coloring, but Ruby has more of her temperment, very gentle.

They are smart, we’ve trained them to do some things, one of these days I’ll get some video of what we’ve been able to do. They listen, some of the time, but what they do, is give lots and lots of love, and kisses, very smelly dog breath kisses, and what more could you want?!

Check out when they play fight, you would think they were trying to kill each other, they stop…look around…keep going! What they have…is each other. When they sleep together, they are always touching, butts, faces, paws, something is touching, and it’s touching.

So…April 13th is our Gotcha Day. We celebrated by going to Starbucks for two pup cups, which they la la la love! They are about dixie cups sized cups of nothing but whipped creme and they go crazy for them! We don’t give them anything but dog food, dog treats and veggies [yes I said veggies!] for the goodies, and every once in a while…pup cups. We take them in the convertible with the top down and they are happy as can be! And… they know where we are and what’s coming!

One of the nicest things that happened today…I got a text from their foster mom with a picture she took the day we adopted Ruby and Bee and the message “Happy gotcha day to your babies! Love, their foster mom, C 💙” Wow! That really touched me! She is a very nice and caring woman who fosters dogs. We texted a few times after we adopted them, I would send her pics to show her how they had settled in. I texted a few pics today to show her how happy they are! What a kind thing to text us on their gotcha day. Thank you!

Happy Gotcha Day! Who adopted who?

{April 11, 2021} What a weekend! Another fabulous new adventure!

It’s Sunday, a decent day, let’s see what it has in store for us! Join me, will ya?!

We started off with the pups, of course. Then…breakfast! Let’s go to The Shack! It’s open again and we haven’t been there for a while! We found two seats right away at the bar, our favorite bartender was working, how could we lose! We ordered breakfast, a skillet and…panckes, waffle, or french toast? Well…they are currently Flipping off Cancer! For every pancake you order, they donate $1 to Kids Rock Cancer. It’s an innovative program that helps children successfully cope with the unique emotional challenges that accompany a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. Through the proven healing power of music therapy, Kids Rock Cancer helps children combat feelings of anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and helplessness. Pancakes it is! All three options are tasty there, but when you can enjoy the cake of pan and help someone out, how can you go wrong! Y U M!

After breakfast, we had some errands to do, so we drove to Lowe’s and weren’t able to do what we needed to, but…I am now the proud owner of this power washer! I cannot wait to get out there and use it! You have no idea! Watch the grime drip down whatever it is you’re cleaning…move away this…clean that, oh yeah!

After Lowe’s, we didn’t feel like going home, we were going to go to the Butterfly House, but there were no tickets available today, oh well, there’s always a next time. But before we made any other decisions, hair cuts were very much in order!

We went to Sports Clips because PSM likes that extra thing they do with neck massages, no thanks I’m good. It felt so good to get a hair cut, it’s been a few months, I honestly can’t remember how long ago, you might, since that post asked if I looked like my bitmoji! HA HA. I did get a nice compliment…I had been talking with the stylist about the different colors we have died our hair, she asked what my natural color was and I told her. She was genuinely surprised that #42 Revlon was not my natural hair color. Thanks! It’s the pasty complexion that makes it work! ha ha! As we walked out, I looked at PSM and thought…”Boy, my hubby sure is cute! I love when he gets his hair cut!” Sigh…

Ok, now what…Looking at my list of Want to go Missouri, I had it! The City Museum! I had heard about it and I was definitely curious!

The City Museum: Explore the unexpected. City Museum is a hundred-year-old warehouse in downtown St. Louis in which artists have repurposed the pieces of old cities to build miles of tunnels, slides, climbers, bridges, and castles. There are secret passages and grand galleries. Playgrounds and ball pits. A circus and a train. A rooftop school bus and a Ferris wheel.

Let me tell you…this was an experience! We climbed, we slid, yes, I said slid! There were a few slides we went down, we crawled, we scooched, you name it, we tried it! There was a 10 story slide, I got half way up the circular staircases and was told the line was ridiculous, so…another time. We lost track of where we were, there were twists and turns, ups and downs, and sideways. Almost every room seemed to be conneted by these structures to climb in, on, through, we weren’t sure where we were half the time!

There was food, but no sit down where they normally have food, but we went into Beatnik Bob’s, which pays tribute to the carnival midway with a collection of items compiled to represent the youthful subculture of the ’50s. they had the world’s LARGEST underpants, yes, you read right! They had games, and old candies, pinball, video games, and so much more in the Odditorium! They had a full bar, aces! We sat with a bowl of vegan chili, PSM had a Gin & Tonic, from a can! and I did something I absolutely la la la love! I played Ms. Pacman! I had SO much fun! $1.50…can’t beat it! I was a little rusty at first, but eventually, the patterns came back and the dots got eaten!

At some point, we went outside and climbed on the amazing structures they had, it was a kids etch-a-sketch or I should say erector set, dream! There were two planes, old tram cars, two pieces of a castle, metal trees and real trees built into the structure. There were screams of joy and screams of terror from some kids, some of the climbing went waaaayyy up! I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun this was for us!

We even met a man who makes shoe laces! This was a branch of The Shoelace Factory. We didn’t get to see him make the shoe laces, that wasn’t happening at the moment, but we watched him cut the spools and finish them off. We talked to him for a bit, he’s been doing this for over 30 years, amazing! They had all sorts of patterns, widths, and colors. He could look at a shoe and tell you what length you need! We each bought two pairs, I might need a few more after looking at this fine pieces of cloth on my feet!

What a treat this place was! It wasn’t expensive and we probably could have spent even more time there! After four hours, it was time to go. I can’t wait for family and friends to come visit so we can take them, so much fun!

We headed back towards home, but we weren’t quite ready to pack it in. Hmmmm. Our favorite nail salon was open, let’s go! Claws and paws please! Part of the reason we both go are the massage chairs and foot rubs, O M G! I was in heaven!

Now…we’re hungry! I know where we should go! Balkan Store & Bakery! This place is owned by our neighbors and we have been wanting to go for some time! It was so worth it! As the name states, a store and bakery and they didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t read the labels on any of the food items for sale, I looked at the pictures and it definitely was fun to look at everything!

I ordered a veggie gyro with grilled eggplant, very tasty! It came with french fries, which I don’t normally order or eat, but they were fabulous! You could really taste the potato! I know french fries are potatos, but there are some fries that lose the potato flavor, I like them when they’re a little thicker, and you can sink your teeth and taste buds into…yup, you guessed it, potato! I also ordered a pear soda, I really liked it, it wasn’t too sweet and smelled and tasted like pears! PSM had a lamb gyro panini, which he enjoyed as well! His came with a side salad, so I shared my fries, I do that with boys I have a crush on! wink wink

We also had a piece of baklava, one of my weaknesses which I don’t normally eat because I can’t have honey, so every once in a while…and we also had a piece of this very sweet donut like thing called a Balkan Tulumbe Pastry, wow, that was something! All in all, a very good meal!

Now…home to hang with the pups. I have to say, all in all…a very good day. Good breakfast, new toys, haircuts, mani/pedis, a new museum, and a new food to try. It’s all in a day’s work! I might need a nap!

{April 10, 2021} It’s Saturday, what new adventures await us?!

It is Saturday, and it’s a rainy day, what should we do?! It started off liesurely, get up, take the dogs for a walk, then…special treat after they eat, jump in bed with me! They absolutely love it and it really is a treat for them because they’re not allowed on the furniture, except the bed, and only when we let them. Now, Ruby can jump on the bed just fine, Bee needs a little help, so it’s not a guarantee they get on there at all! We have done it a few times and stopped Ruby enough that she knows she needs permission.

I was sitting on the bed, Ruby came into the room, and what she usually does is come to the side of the bed for attention, then…for that treat every so often, I ask “Do you want to come onto the bed?”, I pat the bed and she knows she can jump up. At that point, she usually goes back to the foot of the bed and guages how to jump on! As she settles in, here comes Bee…I grabbed Bee and put her on the bed and after they settled in, we snuggled watching tv until it was time for PSM and I to head out. It was a very nice Saturday morning.

We got dressed, headed out for St Louis and went down to the Dome at America’s Center for the Auto Show 2021. PSM has never been to an auto show and he was curious about it. I’ve been to a few and I love cars, so I was game! And hoping they would have some classic cars, which I really love, and I was right!

As we were looking for a place to park, we could see smoke, hear the tires squealing and screeching, and smell burning rubber…we found it! We headed towards the crowd and could see, smell, and hear much better! The street was blocked off and it was the Drifting with Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chelsea DeNofa & Mystery Driver. I honestly don’t know who we saw, it was loud and I missed what the announcer said. It was a lot of fun to watch, the smell was awful, who likes the smell of burning rubber?! but the action was great! I sent this video to my dad with the subject: “This was not me!” For anyone that knows me, I have always had a lead foot and I have gotten so much better, but I knew my dad would appreciate it!

We headed around the block, it felt like many around the blocks, but we made it! The city was a kind of crowded, the Auto Show, a St Louis Cardinal’s game and FEMA had opened a Covid-19 vaccination site at the Dome. The line for vaccinations was crazy long and we went through the same door, but we went to the right, they went to the left. Very glad the line was not as long to get into the auto show!

We walked in and it was not crowded at all. There were signs posted for social distancing, people walking around with signs and instructing people to wear their masks, and people cleaning each car at all times. They were constantly cleaning the outside and as soon as someone got out of a car, they went in to clean, it was very well run. Not to mention hand sanitizer stations everywhere!

We walked in, and if you have never been to an auto show, they are set up my car manufacturer. Some cars you could get into and get a feel how it would feel to own and drive one, some cars were locked, and others were behind ropes, no entry or touching! I lost track of all the brands on display. They had Alfa Romeos, Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Toyota, Jeep, and so much more, and…my favorite emblem…the Volksvagen! They don’t make Beetles any longer, but it was fun to look and drool over a lot of the cars. Some of my favorites were the muscle cars, especially the Mustangs, I told you, I’m a car girl. They even had a SHELBY truck and a Mustang truck, and the Mustang Mach-E, all electric! If you haven’t seen Ford vs Ferrari with Matt Damon and Christian Bale, what are you waiting for?!

There were some classic cars in the same area from the Horseless Carriage Club, founded in 1944 with 150+ members and one of the oldest surviving car clubs in the world. They had a Cadillac from 1937, one from 1941, and 1950 Buick, 1973 Plymouth, and a 1977 Corvette, those were some beauts! That’s when cars were individuals, had character. I’m not saying that today’s cars don’t have character, hey, Annie has a personality, but there was something about those classics! whew…

We walked through the arena by some vendors towards the Million Dollar Mile, these are some of the highest dollar cars. My focus was on the Corvettes presented by The Original Corvette Club of St Louis and oh boy did they deliver! My two favorites were a black Stingray, I think it was a ’67 or ’68 and a 73 Corvette that had about 80k miles on it! That’s the way to own a classic car, drive it!

Nearby was a custom shop, oh boy, what they can do to a car!

Then…mecca! After VWs, my favorite car, one that I can identify the headlights at 40 paces…Porsche. I can’t explain it, there is something wonderful about a Porsche. I’ll be honest, there are quite a few models that I don’t care for, but a 1985 red 911 is one of my dream cars, but…it MUST have a whale tail! I used to own a 1985 gold 944, that thing cornered like it was on rails! wow!

Needless to say, I was a happy camper when we left!

Food, need food! A new place that I had on my list and wanted to try and…vegan options! Mayo Ketchup by Plantain Girl. Fast, casual Puertorican, Dominican, and Cuban food. Plantains…y u m! This is one of my favorite fruits/foods, and what they did with it, wow!

We ordered and hung out waiting for the food while we explored restaurant. The decor was inviting, some color here and there, brick walls, a boogie boarding Santa, some flamingos, and quite a bit of Star Wars kitch. It was a lot of fun.

We started with Tostones con Aguacate, twice fried plantain, smashed avocado, pickled onion, cilantro, lime, SO good! Then I ordered Vegan Jibarito, which is smashed avocado, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, potato sticks, vegan garlic mayo layered between twice fried green plantains. Oh wow, this was fabulous! PSM had El Cubano, a roasted pork, ham, swiss-american cheese, dill pickles, mustard on pressed cuban bread, he said it was yummy!

Back home to take care of the pups and chill for the evening. They were a bit happy to see us, ha ha. What a fabulous day…a car show, classic cars, and a new place to eat. Two more want to do Missouri, check! What’s next?! Cannot wait for tomorrow!

{April 9, 2021} I know it’s Friday, but it felt like a Saturday!

Not complaining! Yup, it’s Fri-yayyyy! I finished most of what I needed to do for the week yesterday, so I worked until about noon and then I was done for the weekend, go us!

We did some stuff around the house, then headed out on the bikes to the Shaw Nature Reserve, they had signs for the daffodils in bloom which I had seen when we passed it on other rides. I love daffodils, you saw them in our backyard, what could make you smile in the Spring bigger than a sea of daffodils?! I remember back in Georgia, I went with TS to Gibbs Gardens for their daffodils, wow! Thousands! in diffferent colors, shades, shapes, and sizes! I

We got to the Shaw Nature Reserve, went in and parked. We saw daffodils, but I think we missed the explosion by a minute. It was hot out and I think they were fuller in bloom a week ago, but what we saw were beautiful! Next year, we’re going at the start of the season! The nice thing, it got is there and when we walked around the grounds, it was beautiful. I know that when the trees are at their fullest it is going to be amazing! For me, I loved the state of the trees as they were because some were still barren, which I think is so stunning, and some were just starting to bloom and bud and to see new life beginning, wow! We didn’t stay too long because we were both wearing jeans and it was getting up to about 80 degrees. We’ll be back for sure!

Back on the bikes, it was time for sustenance. We had passed a sign for Point Labaddie Brewery a few times on this road, so we decided to head there, who knew what was in store for us, but it was a new place for PSM to try some local goodness. If you go…pay attention because the only sign on the road is a blue directional sign that is not very big, you can miss it.

We pulled it, it’s a big barn-type building, lots of property around it, some picnic tables, the kind that have the benches attached, spread out and a tent frame, and lights strung across it and along the tables, I wondered if they had events there, seemed like it, or muic, let’s find out!

We went in and it’s a big open space, you can see right into the back where they brew the beer, the beer and wine list are on the wall above the register and there is a bar and a few of the same tables inside. They had snack bags of chips and cookies, but no food.

We sat at the bar and started talking to the man behind it, the owner’s dad, and J, the guy at the end who is up there a bit, knows the lay of the land. We talked to him about beer, traveling, food, and cars. He was wearing a Mustang hat, figured he was a car guy, yup…three Mustangs, wow! They had low mileage, didn’t drive them enough in my opinion! He does love them though!

Turns out, they do have events! Live music some nights, trivia other nights and on those nights, they have food trucks, which is exactly what I said they needed! We stayed for a while, people came and went, actually, most of them came, got drinks and sat outside. Again, a little toasty in our jeans, I was good inside.

When we talked about food, J and our bartender gave us some great food options in the area, good thing, because we were getting hungry! Snack bags of chips, pretzels, and animal crackers wasn’t cutting it for sustenance! Off we went to one of his recommendations, Letty Lou’s Cafe for Breakfast, Burgers, and Booze. How can you beat that?!

It was only a few miles down the road, away we went! The nice thing… it started cooling off, not as blistering! We found Letty Lou’s, walked in and we were pleasantly surprised! It was a 50s style diner with all retro dinnette tables and vinyl chairs, LOVE! It made me smile, like I was back in my grandmother’s kitchen! I’ve always dreamed of having that type of kitchen!

Our waitress was fun, very chatty, we liked that. We got down to business and ordered food. I had a veggie burger, although, I was torn between that and avocado toast, good thing we can always go back! PSM had what he saw on the menu…a T.V. Dinner! Although it did not come out on a t.v. tray, it looked just like one out of the box, but better! Meatloaf, string beans, and mashed potatos! I had mentioned it when we were looking at the menu back at Point Labbadie’s and he knew what he wanted!

We had fun eating, laughing, talking to the waitresss, looking at the decorations and being together. Another date! Am I a lucky girl or what?! Wait…two nights in a row? Oh yeah! And we’re just getting the weekend started! Seriously, it really did feel like Saturday, we had done so much! What’s next? You’ll just have to wait for tomorrow to see!

{April 8, 2021} I just realized…it felt a little like date night. Now I’m smiling.

PSM was a bit under the weather today, he’s fine, just one of those days. I told you about the storms we’ve been having, Mother Nature doing something to his sinuses, go figure. That being said, he’s been resting and after I took the pups for their evening walk, we were trying to decide what to do for dinner.

Then the conversation begins, you know…”What do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” “Oh, anything.” “Really?” “Sure”. Lies! lol “How about xyz?” “No, not in the mood for that.” “How about zyx?” “Nope, not in the mood for that.” I know, I know, you’v never experienced that, we’re the only ones! ha ha

“Comfort food!” perfect, what does that mean? To me, comfort food, especially after being sick, was always from Steak n’ Shake: Grilled Cheese, Cheese Fries, and a Cherry Coke no ice in their fabulous plastic to-go cup [MUST be a soda fountain drink!]. Everything on that list is a killer for me, but oh so comforting when it’s going in! sigh… Growing up, my mom would make us noodles with creme cheese. And not just any noodles, maybe it’s my own recollection, but it was the wide kosher egg noodles, with the creme cheese melted and smooth, I even make it for myself every so often, in fact I did a few weeks ago, vegan creme cheese! I don’t have a death wish! And with a touch of salt, wow! Enough about that!

For PSM, comfort food is breakfast. We have eggs and cheese, but nothing else for a good breakfast, which involves eggs, toast, and pancakes, some other stuff would be bonus. And who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner? That was a favorite of ours growing up and it felt like that was a Wednesday meal quite often. Those were some of the fun times when my dad would cook, he can cook a mean breakfast!

We tried to order from a restaurant to deliver, all good, then…message from Grub Hub, the order was cancelled, what? Ok, let’s go out. We jumped in the truck and discussed where to go and ended up at…Waffle House! Or, as we would sometimes affectionately call it in Georgia, the awful waffle! I have never turned down Waffle House and the fact that they are all over St Louis, happy am I!

We picked the Waffle House that was next to the hotel we stayed at when we were house hunting back in 2019, so I have an affection for that one. Aside from the three people working there, just us…was that a sign? The food was good, as always, but the service was a wee bit…let’s just say, I don’t think the waiter had worked there very long.

Decaf coffee for PSM seemed to be a challenge and oh brother, I ordered hot tea. Yes, hot tea. Hot water, tea bag, some sugar. His first question…do you want ice for the tea? Huh? In my hot tea? Next question…do you want sweet or unsweet, as he is in front of the two iced tea dispensers…HOT TEA! We laughed about it, but, c’mon! Then, PSM told me they had to call someone to figure out how to make hot tea. Huh?

Let’s order…One All-Star Breakfast, hold the waffle, that means, for those of you not in the know, hold off making the waffle until we’re ready, that way it comes hot and fresh and doesn’t get soggy. It also means, don’t make it the second you drop our food off, give us a few to get there! Eggs, toast, grits for me, bacon on his plate, thank you!

One thing I can tell you, aside from the service on occasion, the food at Waffle House almost never disappoints. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal there and that’s saying something. I used to go to Waffle House almost every weekend I lived in Georgia. It’s a staple and they’re on every block! The eggs were cooked perfectly, the grits were yummy and I didn’t put sugar in until I was about three quarters done with it, that is saying something. I will say, hash browns are always hit or miss, but what can I say, I like them done and crispy! Food, check!

We talked, caught up on our day, laughed, joked, and had a really good time, despite that fact that PSM was under the weather. As I sit here telling you about it, it was like an impromptu mid-week date night and I’m really glad we decided to go out, it felt nice. I like having a permanent date for everything, but this was a date with my fella, I had a good time. I might be blushing.

I hope he calls me for another date.

{April 7, 2021} A rainbow! What a storm!

The storm is here and it is raging! Wow! We were predicted to have rain, but this is one of those ka-razy storms! We were watching the news and the weather report said possible hail. Hail? In April? I’ve heard about April showers and all, but c’mon!

PSM had to go somewhere earlier today and it was one of those raining sideways, can’t see the car in front of you, wipers at full tilt and it still isn’t enough storms. He didn’t mention thunder or lightning, that’s ok, we had that tonight!

He had taken his bike into the shop yesterday to have something checked and we went today to pick it up and we were moving fast because the rain was coming, it sprinkled on me, but that’s about it. Dropped him off, got home, took the pups for the evening walk sooner than later because it was coming and about 630p, the sky was dark and the weather was messing with the antennae on the tv. I know, I know, we decided to watch a tv show in real time, crazy town! The signal was all messed up, going in and out, skewing the picture, you name it, it was happening!

Then…our sweet scaredy cat of a dog, Ruby, was looking for her parents, big time. She didn’t leave PSM’s side wherever he went, there she went. Mollie, my step-doggie I used to tell you about when I met PSM, and was with us in Hawai’i, she was the same, loud noises, thunder, lightning, fireworks, you name it…I’m sorry I didn’t get any pictures, PSM took one of the beds we call a burrito, because sometimes when she gets in it, it folds around her. He brought that back by the chair, she got in it and he covered her with a towel, like a blanket, and she was safe, oh, she also made sure to be touching him any time he was in the chair! Eventually Bee crawled in there, it was a family affair!

At one point, Ruby came out of the burrito bed and laid down right in front of where I was on the sofa and gave me that look. She definitely knows who mom & dad are! SO stinkin’ cute! I was telling PSM, I might have to start a YouTube channel with some of the videos I take of the dogs!

That’s the storm…now…you can’t have rainbows without a good storm and I looked outside and the rain seemed to have let up, the sky was bright, brightest before the storm, right? The next one anyway, and I was compelled to look outside and there it was, right above our street, a rainbow, big, bright, beautiful. It truly was on par with some of the fabulous rainbows we used to have in Hawai’i. I have to say, I’m glad I never lost my wonder at looking at rainbows, they truly are magical and all I could do was smile.

We took advantage of a lull in the storm, it was about 930p, puppy bed time, even though Bee tried earlier! and put them in the crate, good thing, because the storm started up again and it’s going good and steady out there, some lightning and a thunder clap or roll every so often, but the pups are safe in their space, curled around each other, I just checked, they’re snuggling, music and light are on, they are fine.

I sure hope the rain lets up tomorrow, we have something planned and I’m hoping to not have to change plans completely! Fingers crossed!

After all of this…we better have some fab-u-lous flowers in May!!!

{April 6, 2021} Spring…PLEASE STOP…

kickin’ my arse!

First…there were the itchy eyes, I told you about that a few weeks ago, fear not…itchy eyes have not left me, they are both itchy, wet and dry, how about them apples!, but now…flowers are in bloom…looks beautiful…but…now add runny nose and sneezing! Seriously? Spring, Mother Nature, haven’t you done enough? Ha ha, couldn’t you have just made the flowers bloom…without the side effects?

I take my Flonase, every day, all year long, to be exact. That seems to help when it’s not Spring! I don’t remember if Summer is the same, I can’t think right now! And the worst part, all the sneezing wipes me out! I am exhausted! There are some days I have to take a nap in the middle of the day, I can’t see straight! Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love a good nap, just not when I have to work!

Before you ask, I have taken or tried many allergy medications, but…they all make me drowsy! Even the ones that are not supposed to. Being immune to medication is not a super power! ha ha. The other day, just to function, I took a Dayquil, just to stop my poor nose from running. It’s getting sore from the overuse of very soft tissues! I think I went through a box in two days! really?!

Honestly friends, I love Spring. I really do, even though I am speaking out right now, begging for relief. Now, when I was a kid, I didn’t have seasonal allergies, I didn’t know how lucky I was! When I moved to Georgia I was told…if you don’t have allergies when you move there, you will! And I was so lucky for year, but sure enough, in my 15th year or so…achoo! What?! And they haven’t left. When I moved to Colorado…not sure what magic there was, no allergies!

Ok, I’m done. This too shall pass, right? Yup, Fall is just around the corner! I can feel it!

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