”I’ve always wanted to smash a guitar over someone’s head. You just can’t do that with a piano.” Elton John, singer, songwriter

Sir Elton did not smash a guitar, but certainly tickled the piano keys to smithereens during his nearly 3 hour performance we attended NOB. His worldwide “Farewell Yellow Brick Road, Goodbye” tour landed in SoCal and what a tour de force down memory lane at the Honda Center in Anaheim as he’s winding down 50 years on the road.

His grand piano was downstage and he was backed by six musicians and incredible theatrics. A gigantic video screen backdrop flowed down onto the stage floor keeping us riveted with compelling videos of the songs, great graphics, and lighting. Your eyes kept darting back and forth between watching a sparkling Elton sing, his colorful costumes and visual highlights sprinkled throughout his career.

I first saw Elton John way back in 1975 at Dodger Stadium … fortunately this time our seats were closer to the action vs. him being a tiny speck way yonder. Fantastic show from the opening pounding chords of “Benny and the Jets” that got the night rolling; to my favorite song prior to the intermission, “Candle in the Wind” and closing out the show with “Goodbye …” as he bid farewell and sashayed away.

We joyfully shared this magical concert with Leyta and Steven, our hosts for the 1st leg of this well-planned trip (tickets purchased over a year ago) You’ll hear their names again as we’re traveling together on an upcoming Mediterranean cruise and the Iberian Peninsula adventure this November.

How do you eat a ​Nena​? A Nena is two elongated, crispy sandwich cookies that are filled with delicious cajeta (Mexican creamy caramel). We buy them locally at Pastelerías Marisa and like to offer them up to future cravers. If you are like me, you take two bites, and the cookie vanishes. However, if you are my friend Steven, you cut it in half, then half again, and then eat just that last piece … such willpower, but overwhelming temptation will prevail and override any guilt as it slowly disappears.

David has always wanted to see the legendary Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer, Darlene Love, perform. She plays the East Coast frequently, so each trip to NYC I always check out her website for local shows (even crossing the river in Jersey if need be!). Fortunately, I’d noticed she was finally playing the West Coast at Pepperdine University in Malibu while we were visiting. David’s response to that was a very ​rápido​, “​claro​ que ​sí!​”

The University honors 9/11 each year with an amazing display of flags along Pacific Coast Highway. We were privileged to see the site just as the sunset over the ocean. We headed into the concert all jazzed up and weren’t disappointed.

Miss Love’s spritely 78 years young and she hits you with a one-two punch knockout performance with her powerhouse, soulful voice. She first gained prominence in the 1960s for the song “He’s a Rebel,” a No. 1 single in 1962, and during that time contributed backup vocals to a veritable who’s who in the music industry. She’s won a Grammy and an Oscar for her role in the documentary, “20 Feet from Stardom” … if you haven’t seen it, it’s worth catching. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is her signature hit played annually when ‘tis the season.

Besides the music and dining with family and friends, many stops were made: Trader Joe’s, 99 Cent Store, Big Lots, Costco, Vons, Party City, Michael’s, Candy Warehouse, Target, etc. David always has an ongoing, long list of “must-haves” and his “secret” sweets drawer was sadly depleted and in desperate need of restocking. Me? I just have Amazon delivered to wherever I’m staying.

​On the Menu … NOB​ (besides shocking prices): Dinner at our old-time favorite, Raffaellos, in San Pedro where we received a very warm welcome back. It’s always been our “Cheer’s” place – even the dishwasher knows our name! My usual Calamari steak with a side of pasta “olio e Aglio” warmed my tummy and a grilled Italian sausage feast was had by David.

Sushi at Kihon with our Long Beach host, Eileen, joined by Larry and Ginger from last week’s Playa del Carmen adventure. Then there was the devouring of Chinese food (which we dearly miss in México) with my Padrino y tía.

Finally, a homecoming breakfast with our cherished yoga family; where I ordered my usual favorite sandwich of Calamari steak and grilled onions on toasted, Parmesan-crusted sourdough. I don’t ever remember ordering any other breakfast dish at The Lighthouse in San Pedro. Seems I can’t get enough Calamari Steak while in San Pedro!