Consider the Radish

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Carnival ELATION on the far side of the MIDWAY. Photo used with permission of Zimmy2n2, 2008.

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Himself: Drive by Perry’s to find all the doors boarded up and the smell of smoke so strong. Great food at Brian’s but more expensive than Perry’s. There were toys for G, a brilliant but socially feral granddaughter and witty Lenora for company. He drove by Ba’s to find her house sold and a yard sale in progress. Few visitors at the museum, and a very lite dinner to balance the heavy brunch. Herself: I felt sad for the “things” I gave her over the years. She put on our front stoop a broken raku pot and an unframed painting I gave her almost twenty years ago. I’m the “thing” lady and should just let the worry’s for the 1800’s commode go…..for again, I am not in charge. Bee called. She was down to make holiday cookies with her sister and found out today her bank failed. She was to call back but didn’t. I did a bunch of small stuff for the trip. Reading: Two sci-fi that are well written but big downers. A small cookbook by R, and a big compendium by Mr. Beard. I think I will take mindless 1950’s books with me on the trip….one with happy endings. Itinerary: Catalina…which we love and where we will take a tour, Ensenada Mexico….we have been there so we won’t get off the ship, and one day at sea. Essentially, we are going in a big circle. Balance: A cup of tea and thou.

I confess, this is the very first trip I didn’t throw everything but the kitchen sink into my suitcase and just go.

Oh, you would have laughed at me. I stood in front of my closet doors wondering what I was going to wear for the next week. Boring, I decided. Since the ship isn’t at all boring, maybe I shall stand out in my black and black with black. Two pair of black pants, grey tweeds for dinner, and two pair of denim….what I wear is dictated by the weather and it is supposed to rain. In the end, everything will go with everything, one hopes, and there will be room in the suitcase for a tile I shall buy on Catalina.

Later I stood in front of my icebox, yes I still call it that, and considered a salad with our lite dinner. Should I use up all the radishes? Was there enough lettuce to make up two bowls of salad to go with our grilled cheese sandwiches? I stood for quite a while considering the radishes.

Perhaps I need to consider the pants instead.


…………..Lenora and Mohave in the delightfully over decorated Brian’s. Reindeer detail outside.

Breakfast Out

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Himself: I ask how was your day? It was a good day, he replies. Busy, busy, busy. Swam, hair cut, Michaels, Smart and Final, thrift store, estate sale on Mt. Helix….where G got me a replacement garlic press. Dinner at Tin Fish….really good stuff. Herself: Swam, thrift store where we were having a 50% off sale, estate sale on Mt. Helix….what a fun, tiny, one bedroom house jammed with collectables. Dinner at Tin Fish….I had the swordfish and he the salmon. Balance: Not eating quite all of my desert.

We planned to take Lenora and Mohave to breakfast at Perry’s. It’s one of the best of the old style breakfast diners we have locally. Giant frittata’s fill a plate putting the extras like potatoes and muffins on small side plates.

No Perry’s. A fire started on the roof last night putting a closure to their weekend business. Hopefully not for longer. We will pick the two up this morning, and on the way to Brian’s American Eatery do a drive by at Perry’s.


Christmas tables in a box.

Lists, lists.....

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Alternative trees, Target, 2009.

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Himself: Swam, went to a fiftieth birthday party, applied for jobs, went to the ladies poetry group and said what he was thinking, brought marvelous and fragile GH home in Grumpy….that was interesting and now we have to take a little Edwardian stool back to Marion B’s. Then he cleaned house and had coffee and delightful conversation with the P2’s, dinner, and played games. I mean, what more could a man want. Herself: Ditto. I did manage to read a poem about Christmas. No games here, and my beard isn’t thickening either. But it was a good day. Reading: The newest Spenser. It’s very good. Almost as good as the early ones were. Balance: Sitting at home reading the new Parker.

The suitcases come up today. Oh, the excitement of it all. Four days at sea wearing what? Nothing formal this time? Carnival has changed its thinking so we are thinking of taking just a business suit…or shall we just overwhelm them all in bling and swim suits? Our usual list, posted here for those who wonder about our list, will be pared down for this trip, and many items on the list will be worn aboard or carried on. We are packing light, and if we spill coffee down out fronts....oh well......

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Can't Travel Without Them Necessities
• passports and visas, driver's license, medical insurance cards, acopy of prescriptions and list of all meds, credit cards - be sure to call credit card company, ATM card or cash, 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary - pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both - "just in case") [Carry On or Wear on], contact numbers, emergency numbers at home [Carry On or Wear on), wallet and back pack, watch [Carry On or Wear on]....short version.

Reading Material and Necessities
• glasses [Carry On or Wear on]
• computer glasses [Carry On or Wear on]
• sunglasses [Carry On or Wear on]
• reading material - books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool [Carry On or Wear on]
• home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home - for sending [Carry On or Wear on]

Electronics and Camera Equipment
[Carry On or Wear on]
• plug adaptor and converter
• cell phone and charger
• laptop computer, bag, cables, et al
• digital cameras
• extra memory cards for digital cameras
• batteries for digital cameras
• battery charger
• extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
• lighted dial alarm clock for cruise ship cabin
• small flashlight

Medicine Kit
• prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag [Carry On or Wear on]
• small first aid kit (band aids, dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone cream, aspirin/tylenol/advil) [Carry On or Wear on]
• germicidal hand cleaner [Carry On or Wear on]
• sun screen [Carry On or Wear on]

Other "Necessities"
• zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
• small umbrella [Carry On or Wear on]
• our pillows and their bag [Carry On or Wear on]
• sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
• hats/caps/visors [Carry On or Wear on]

My stuff
• bras (include strapless if needed for evening wear)
• panties
• night gown and sweats
• compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
• exercise/walking socks
• trouser socks or pantyhose
• purses (day and evening)
• gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
• walking shoes [Carry On or Wear on]
• evening shoes
• costume jewelry and extra watch
• swim suit and big beach towel
• dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
• dress/outfit for formal nights on ship ?
• 4 tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
• 1 slacks, 2 levis
• windbreaker rain resistant jacket with hood [Carry On or Wear on]
• evening sweater
• makeup

His and Hers Sundries and Miscellaneous
[Carry On or Wear on]
shaving kit
• comb/brush
• shampoo
• conditioner
• deodorant
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)

Men's Cruise Clothing Packing List
• underwear (briefs or boxer shorts)
• undershirts
• sweats
• exercise/walking socks
• black dress socks
• belts
• walking shoes
• evening or dress shoes
• sport jacket
• regular ties
• dress shirts
• swim suit
• casual shirts
• slacks and levis (casual and dress)
• windbreaker jacket
• sweatshirt
• raincoat with hood