... [edited]....
Now on another note... maybe some folks should begin to send some small hopes and prayers my way ... (or not). ... you see ... have I EVER mentioned that my spouse makes THE BEST Turkey? It's always tender and moist through out ... and it's something she lavishes great time and love preparing for us?
Well... I went out today to meet up with 2 good friends and their kids for an afternoon at the Griffith Park Observatory. I was pretty involved with the preparations... making snacks, packing stuff, double checking this and that ... then we hustled out the door while I secured our loving over-weight Samoyed indoors ... I double checked that he was baby-gated out of the living room and all bedroom doors were closed.
We had tons of traffic getting there but oddly enough all 3 cars actually converged AT The entrance to the Observatory parking lot at the same MOMENT? Strange but a nice beginning I thought... (???)... well... we walked in to stand in line and wait the 40 minutes for the next series of show to go on sale - and I noticed someone ahead of me buying a ticket? Hmmm ... I thought ... what show did that fellow just buy I enquired .. and I learned they still had seats left for the current show which was set to begin in 15 minutes ... and at about 10 minutes before a show they stop selling tix. I realized - oh boy! ... we can get into the planetarium right now! SO we bought and went right in.... PERFECT!
On exiting we hustled downstairs for another (FREE) show starting in 10 minutes at the Leonard Nimoy theater... again PERFECT!
On exiting we went outside on the dining room patio for hot chocolate and had lite snacks (which I packed) ... and enjoied what goes down as one of THE most beautiful sunsets I've EVER experienced of LA. Glittering city lights I've NEVER BEFORE seen from this vantage point with an UNBELIEVEABLE canvas of clouds with the fading glow in the sky. A memory to last a life time in those minutes... and the 3 Dads gathered simply stood there soaking it up ... while the kids drank hot chocolate.
We then went in to view the exhibits - a short 30-40 minutes and then we departed - one to head to a hocky game - I and the other Dad retired to his home where his spouse cooked up a modest but simply incredible HOME COOKED meal .. the likes of which I never see except from my Mom - who's no with us. A simply wonderful meal that brings back a few memories from my childhood meals!
We had long conversations after dinner - talking about all manner of fun and serious things - plus my friend managed a quick and simple repair of my hard drive which I brought for him to look over - woo hoo! - then I departed.
I thought while driving home... WHAT an incredibly perfect day. 2 great friends and thier kids (and most of their families) shared in a humble, simply wonderful and memorable day!
That is ... until I got home. Upon entering ... I was carrying one of my two sleeping kids in the door... and as I entered the dog sort of took a glance at me ... and instead of greeting me he turned tail and I heard him dash OUT through his dog door. OK... so it sounds as if he's been naughty. "So what" ... I thought. I tucked the two kids into bed - then went into the kitchen.
Alicia is out of town this weekend as it's the once a year that she has to work a convention - and this time we did not go. Sometimes we all go too. So I've been on my own a day till next week. And the first thing I notice is ... Oh Noooo.... the refridgerator door is OPEN. The BIG platter with the turkey is on the floor - and has been licked clean. Looking further into the fridge ... about 1/3rd of the bottom shelf is EMPTY... that was where we had some RUTH Chris left overs. Arrrgh! Plus I think there was a small container of Chinese take out too. Plus oddly enough there was also an empty box of Baby cereal. It was one of those pricey organic baby cereal brands... the ones you pay an extra dollar or so for for the privilage of having the fancy label and so on.
So I thought... every dog eventually has his day. Most of the turkey was already gone. The platter had about 1/2 of one breast and I think some greasy left over things/cuts we usually don't eat... and the body of bones had already been discarded (mostly). We still had another medium sized container of turkey cut up ... but the platter was the BIG one at this stage of the game. and our over weight dog got THAT plus a Ruth Chris steak and the box of Chinese left overs. Oh ... AND the box of gourmet organic baby cereal.
I think if Alicia were home tonite she would have gone and shot the poor thing.
I however, gave him a light slap on the back near his tail with a stern "BAD DOG" where upon he ran for the dog door again. Then I bid him come in 10 minutes later (after I cleaned up the floor) ... in a sweet voice I called him in... and he was all wagging tail and ears up. He's an old fella ... and "so what" I mused ...
he too had a totally PERFECT DAY ... as I had. So what!
So what am I gonna tell Alicia? Well... I'll not go and mess up this day worrying about THAT little detail. Anyone with any sage advice is welcome to cough it up. I'm gonna check my email and try real hard to keep this day a simply perfect and beautiful one!
Does this dog of ours look
INNOCENT or GUILTY?
... to help me keep warm as I'm sitting under my blankey on the couch with a cup of Irish coffee...yummy...
....watching my beloved black and gold.
...I'm sure it was magical as always...
