“Back and Forth”
Whew! That was a busy couple of weeks, and I didn’t do anywhere as much traveling as McD. I didn’t keep great notes and so I’m going to break with tradition and go in somewhat of a reverse chronological order.
We spent the weekend with four other couples at something called the “Celebrity Dream Estate” in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. This was a very fancy place and one of the few to be found that had five bedrooms and bathrooms. Rancho is about 30 minutes north of San Diego and is located in the hills above the Pacific Ocean. Here are some pictures of the place:
We arrived on Friday afternoon, picked up supplies, and then spent a 
pleasant evening catching up with everyone. Saturday began with a run and walk for D and me, while most of the group went hiking by the coast. The roads were quite hilly and narrow – not completely ideal for running – but a good test for us. The first test was how to get out of the coded gate from the inside without the weight of a car on the sensor pad. We managed to squeeze through and later learned of a code box hidden on a fence post. The driveway is very long.
We did pass Diana’s new estate on our run – just missing a “g”.
Saturday afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool, followed by a lovely dinner at “Pamplemousse” – a highly recommended local restaurant in Solana Beach. I really enjoyed my Duo of Game – a Venison Chop Au Poivre and Lemon Thyme Marinated Quail. This was the waiter’s number one recommendation and I’m glad I followed his lead.
Sunday was my favourite day of the trip. We met Campbell and Molly for lunch at a great Mexican restaurant and then walked across to Cardiff State beach, timing it just perfectly so that the awning and chairs were fully set up by the advance party. Diana was very adventurous with jumping the waves – most of which were several feet taller than her. I’m glad I joined to provide a tiny bit of supervision. Campbell and Molly came back to the house and played games with the crew, while Merry Lee enjoyed watching Campbell’s mannerisms that she thought were doubles of mine.
A really good trip and I know Diana enjoyed catching up with her girlfriends.
This was her second trip out to California in two weeks. She took her Mom back home last week. Clorinda was happy to get back to her grandkids.
Alicia flew back last Thursday and they were able to visit her new University (also Clorinda’s alma mater).
The weather has become quite boisterous as I’m tying this – lots of thunder and the torrential rain that I’ve only experienced in Texas. My new 6 inch gutters in the back patio are passing this test with flying colours – no overspill at all – much better than the old 4 inch variety. Diana is not going to enjoy her drive to the dentist much though.
While Clorinda was with us for a couple of months, Caroline had made a project of organizing her clothes. Diana enjoyed making some videos of her Mom telling stories about the dresses, when she made them, and where she wore them. And then the fun started as Diana decided to model a couple of her favourites.
Finn started work earlier in the week in the produce department at Market Street (a high end grocery store 2 miles from our home). He’s enjoying it and seems to be doing well in the eyes of his managers.
After I dropped him one morning, I finally tried the Del Sur Taco counter that’s inside a Shell station across from Market Street. Folks rave about their breakfast tacos, and they were very good. Looking forward to another visit soon. I know Denny would like all the Mexican wrestling masks.
I’m loving Mark Ronson’s Apple TV+ series “Watch the Sound”.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09qsnkw
The episode on synthesizers had a great piece on a BBC engineer, Delia Derbyshire, who came up with the original Dr. Who theme song using a series of oscilloscopes and wave shapers. Each episode so far has been very interesting and educational.
Here’s a new song from saxophonist Chris Potter with the fantastic James Francies on keyboards and bass pedals:
I watched a film called “You’re Not You” sometime over the last fortnight and really enjoyed it. Hilary Swank’s character (and I’m really not usually a fan) is a classical pianist who has ALS. The story revolves around her relationship with the brash college student, hired as a caregiver, who ends up being wonderful for her. I enjoyed seeing some of the Houston musical hotspots like the sister to Austin’s wonderful Continental Club.
I read “Clever Girl” by Tessa Hadley over the last week or so. Having really enjoyed a short story from Hadley in the New Yorker, I thought I would give this a try.
Here’s a synopsis review:
“Clever Girl is an indelible story of one woman’s life, unfolded in a series of beautifully sculpted episodes that illuminate an era, moving from the 1960s to today, from one of Britain’s leading literary lights—Tessa Hadley—the author of the New York Times Notable Books Married Love and The London Train.
Like Alice Munro and Colm Tóibin, Tessa Hadley brilliantly captures the beauty, innocence, and irony of ordinary lives—an ability to transform the mundane into the sublime that elevates domestic fiction to literary art.”
My review would not be as effusive. The first half was a real struggle, and I got some enjoyment from the second half. Just not my thing – too much hippie commune stuff. I only enjoyed the last few chapters when the “Clever Girl” reaches my age.
Stay safe, kind and sensible in the increasingly nutty environment!