”My singing voice is somewhere between a drunken apology and a plumbing problem.” Colin Firth, actor
Oy Vey ~ back again in LaLaLand and to the ole homestead for the arduous task of overseeing the re-piping of our fourplex, but first – a must stop – Taco Bell! It didn’t disappoint my junk food taste buds … it’s not an Unami nor Nirvana experience – just a familiar taste sensation ya gotta have.
Besides plumbing problems, L.A. City Rent Control coincidentally scheduled their required biannual inspection to boot. Can you beat that?! I’m an uber worry wort by nature, so from flight time until the minute the building inspector left, my worries were they’d find something to write me up for.
Though the apartments are in tip-top shape, they have to ALWAYS find something minuscule to report that I’d overlooked: a loose wire connection to the garbage disposal and patch job to a wall and ceiling in the garage (both results of the current plumbing issue). If he was to come back by the end of this week he’ll find a few more places in need of patching. Hey! The building’s pushing 60 yrs. of age and you’d be facing “plumbing” problems, too.
Plumbing timeline > leak detected > tear into kitchen floor > location of leak misleading > more digging necessary > re-access problem > building re-plumbing required > re-tile kitchen > tear into walls to run new pipes > reconnect > walls need to be re-patched and painted > how to solve a plumbing problem?? Just throw money at it!
My wonderful L.A. hosts, Judith and Steve, fussed over me; preparing great meals, packing my lunches and most importantly they didn’t forget my cookies. Judith bakes the best figgies (shortbread cookies stuffed with port macerated figs) … move over Oreos – you’ve been dethroned. There are about 3 dozen figgies tightly wrapped up in my suitcase (they freeze well). And another plus ~ got plenty of quality puppy time with their two dachshunds, Kyzee and Harlow Mae.
Meanwhile … so what was David doing back home Lakeside? He was dining with friends and attending exercise classes. Our dear friend, Anita, was celebrating her 90th birthday with a surprise luncheon organized by her daughter, Donna. A festive group of about 20 toasted to her life well-lived.
Anita’s my new idol ~ I want to be like her when I grow up… spunky and full of life; always fashionably well-appointed; always kicking her long legs up high during our Sit ‘n Fit class (David once asked her if she’d been a dancer). Anita never leaves home without her best accessory ~ her BIG SMILE! David toiled lovingly for hours creating her a blingy, one-of-a-kind handmade birthday card; he’d never used so many rhinestones and it turned out spectacular.
El estudiante David’s still hard at work with his online classes en Español. He’s practicing daily by conducting over half of our conversations, whether verbal or written, en español. When he’s out and about town, he’ll sprinkle Spanish into conversations. Slowly he’s gaining confidence with the locals, but heaven forbid if they head off into a mile a minute conversation. Despacito, por favor.
LA meals highlights …
- Hawaiian Poke Bowl, shared with my friend, Sharon
- White mushroom pizza at Michaels, Long Beach ~ The Best! Thin, crunchy crust w/tasty enoki mushrooms, shared with my oldest friend, Cyndi
- Steve’s homemade Cioppino, in a rich, chunky tomato sauce stocked with bountiful seafood, the sourdough bread soaked up every speck of that great sauce
- Homemade eggplant Parmesan and roasted salmon sandwiches, two days of lunches that Judith lovingly packed for me…along with figgies and deep chocolate brownies
- Steve’s stuffed swordfish with spinach, shallots, and feta to die for … and the gnocchi was my favorite meal of the week and I had some GREAT ones!
Back home, but not really ~ from GDL we headed straight into the city. We’re spending the weekend in Central Histórico de Guadalajara attending various events related to the annual Mariachi Festival ~ Viva México!
On the menu…..besides his two meals out, David pasta’d himself to death.
