The above is neither Zoe nor Remie. We will meet them later. This is Tuesday, the most conversational cat I have known. She is the delightful hostess at Kathy’s and Phil’s home in Mission Hills, San Diego, CA. As I am still on eastern standard time, she has coffee with me every morning (while K & P sleep) gives me nose kisses, and updates me on the daily activities.
I flew into San Diego Friday night around 8 PM. Lola picked me up and took me to Kathy's and Phil‘s home where Lola‘s husband Adam was grilling lamb chops and waiting with the two kids, Zoe and Remie. Phil had already left for Palm Springs, where Kathy and I will be headed Saturday morning. The family ate Adam's perfectly roasted lamb chops while I drank myself silly. I got my brief introduction to Zoe and Remie. Zoe is 2.5 years old and a bundle of energy and curiosity. She warmed to me rather quickly. Remie is an infant and slept, completely uninterested in me.
Phil’s brother and sister, Barry and Janet, have time shares in Palm Springs where every year when the tennis tournament is scheduled they host a party. I have been kindly included this year in that party. Kathy and I drove there through the most beautiful mountainous areas that are just visually so complex that I could not stop staring at them. The timeshare complex is also beautiful but unexpectedly not desert-like. It is surrounded by two golf courses that are well watered. The party as Kathy described it had the vibe of a teenager party. There were about 20 people packed into a small living kitchen area. Lots of laughter, excellent food and ample wine made for a good time had my all. The following day, our plan was to hike before returning to SD. It turned out to be too hot to hike. We had a quick lunch and then headed back to San Diego.
The next few days were filled with sun and fun.
- Kathy and I met with Lola and the kids for a walk to the Old Trolley Barn Park in the North Park area of SD. Walking in the sun was a wonderful reprieve from the snow in Mass. We had lunch back at the condo with Adam.
- Electric Bike Ride. Kathy gave me a lesson on her electric bike. My unsteady beginning quickly morphed into a stable ride. Granted, I'm no Evil Knievel. Kathy's neighborhood is hilly but free of busy traffic. I'll probably stick with my fat-tire lady bike to ride in my very flat area.
- Sound Bath. In Kathy's neighborhood is a yoga studio where we signed up for a sound bath. A sound bath induces a meditative time that promotes relaxation. One lies in a darkened room while instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and chimes are played. I found if very soothing. My mind could use a regular clarifying.
- Taco Tuesday. Yes, it's a thing. A great thing where friends and/or family gather each Tuesday to eat tacos. I must add that I can never have too many tacos. We again met at Lola's along with Kathy's friend Maryanna and walked the few blocks to the taco stand with the entire gang. My mouth is watering as I write this. It was a laid back, sidewalk dining and cooking time.
- San Diego Zoo. I had such sweet memories of time spent here with Wayne. Kathy, Zoe and I rode the aerial tram that goes from one end of the zoo to the other with views of Balboa Park. We made a round trip and met Lola, Adam and Remie back where we started. It was a nice afternoon of birds, hippos, monkeys and snakes.
I flew Jet Blue to and fro. I highly recommend it. The only snag was the tornadoes over the midwest which caused a flight delay from 11:30 to 1:30. (There was also the national TSA sick out which did not affect San Diego but cause a bit of pre-flight apprehension.) This put me in Boston at 11pm and home at 12:30. Pics of my time at flickr.
