I'm a little late tonight because I had to catch up on my eBay shipments with almost half going outside the U.S. Thankfully, the Europeans are still spending money so it has been a great week.
Tonight I took my friend, Merry, to the Culinary Institute for one of their great five course dinners with a 2000 St Clement Cabernet.
We had a great time and the waiters had fun serving us because when Merry and I get together we're talking and laughing and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
My friends in S.F., Ron and Rosanna are spending the month of June in Buenos Aires and their apartment has two bedrooms SO, I've been invited to join them for part of the month. I am really excited and I definitely will take advantage of the opportunity. Now I need to find some dates that will fit into my schedule. Merry has been there three times so she's already making a list of the places that I need to see. Ron and Rosanna have also been there numerous times so I suspect I'll be very busy while there.
This evening was a new experience. From the outside, the place looks like a dive. When you open the door you walk up two flights of stairs and then enter into a huge bar area with billiard tables everywhere. The dining area is quite small so now I know why reservations are required and hard to get.
The five course dinner with wine was perfect - small portions beautifully prepared and presented like a 5***** restaurant.
We started with Leek, Asparagus and Watercress Soup, Grilled Asparagus Salad, Seared Scallop, Roasted Lamb Loin and Lemon Pound Cake. We were having such fun, Callie and I decided to top the dinner off with a glass of Moscato d'Asti.
We couldn't find any cowboys to teach us how to play pool so we'll have to go back later in the night.
We finished off the evening with a little shopping so it was a perfect "girls' night out".
Today is another sort-of rainy day but the weather can fool us - ten minutes of blue sky - ten minutes of overcast then 10 minutes of rain and so forth. Since today is a Mexican holiday I decided that I must go back to my favorite new Mexican Restaurant and I'm working on a take-out taco salad as I write this.
Tonight will be a new adventure. Callie has invited me to join her at a place called "Uptown Billiards" which advertises themselves as a "Trendy and Upscale Pool Hall". They have a popular Chef who puts out some interesting food and if you book early (5:30 p.m. - perfect for us old folks) we can get a five course meal with a different imported wine with each course for only $20. Tonight the entree is Roasted Lamb Loin so this will be a treat.
This afternoon is a busy eBay day so I need to get busy and make more money since I'm going out so often.
I'm not sure if Callie and I will play pool but it would be fun to try. I figure there's a first time for everything so we'll see..........
You may remember the Carpenter's Song "Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down". Well, today that's where I am.......... My blog tends to always be cheerful and fun but you need to know that there are many secret moments of sadness and melancholy. I miss Gary so much. Today has been quiet - I've finally caught up with my weekend eBay sales and the house is back in order but I'm not feeling well so I have canceled my evening plans and Bella and I are going to sit in front of the fire and listen to music or I'll read a book.
I have started to date but they tend to be a "one time only" event. Those that I date the second time generally end with them telling me enough about their lives to know that I can't continue seeing them; Some examples - the one who has a part-time live-in girlfriend but wants to "see" me when she goes back to her home - or the one who has been married 5 times and is looking for #6 - or the one who has health issues and needs a woman to take care of him - or the one who has a limited income and thinks that I could nicely take care of him - and.................... on and on. I'm taking a vacation from dating so this week I'm spending time with my lady friends who are smart, make me laugh and love to entertain and dine out. I'm learning the value of having true friends - those here in Portland and my many long time friends in California.
50 years ago at 3 p.m. Gary and I were married at the age of 18. Who would have guessed that love could stay strong for that long - and, how lucky we were to have those beautiful years together.
Now I have no choice but to move ahead but he will always have a large piece of my heart. Rest in Peace, my darling........................
Mike and Teresa arrived last night and this morning we hurried off to the Farmer's Market. After stopping for coffee, we returned and got into the car for a trip to Zells for breakfast. They are currently shopping downtown and I'm on my way to the airport to pick Merry up so I'll write more later. I was anxious to share the photos of my beautiful new daughter-in-law and my "hunk" of a son.
