Pat Has Left

Pat left early yesterday morning. 

He was here for five glorious days.

What a wonderful and welcome break from my regular routine!

Pat surprised me with his visit. 

It's not too often that I'm surprised and when I have been surprised it usually isn't good. This was a good surprise.

So, what did we do?

As usual when Pat and I get together we don't have any definite plans but everything seems to flow smoothly. 

We just enjoy each other's company.

The first night here he wanted to see the new Godzilla movie. Pat likes to go to the movie theater. Me not so much. Too many distractions, people talking, getting there, the cost, and the need for bathroom breaks without the ability to pause the movie. But when I go to the movies with Pat, I enjoy the theater because I am with him. 

How was the movie? Goofy but good special effects. Overacted, I was expecting to see Kenneth Branagh anytime appear to chew up the scenery but the Japanese actors performed quite well with the scenery chewing. 

Pat and me leaving the movie theater after see Godzilla

Did Godzille scare me? Well, no. Godzilla is still a man in a rubber suit but fun to watch stepping on buses and cars and swatting at skyscrapers. 

The rest of the week we visited many of the local attractions that the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area has to offer. These are places I never go to on my own. 

What a wonderful week with a wonderful friend!

Thank you Pat for  you kindness and generosity.

Pat, a kind and generous man. My friend.

Guess Who Is Coming For A Visit?

Pat and I during one of our visits to Palm Springs several years ago.

Yes, Pat is coming for a visit!

I haven't seen Pat in person for two and a half years (February 2020). 

Since 2013 we were getting together every quarter for a trip. Twice to Philadelhia (week each), once to Pat's hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and two weeks in California (the past few years all two weeks in Palm Springs). Then COVID happened which threw a monkey wrench in our quarterly excursions.

When COVID interrupted our trips I had already made three airline reservations (American) in advance for my trips. When COVID killed those trips plans, American Airlines kept my money but gave me credits instead for future trips. Since that time I have become the full-time caregiver for Bill so I couldn't make any trips. Those credits were to expire this year at the end of September. I got in contact with American Airlines and explained my situation and asked if I could transfer the credits to my friend Pat. They were very gracious and said they could. Those credits are what Pat is going to use to make the trip down to Philadelphia then rent a car to stay here a week at Casa Tipton-Kelly. 

In addition to using my airline credits before they expire another reason for the trip is Pat can take me to my cataract surgery which is scheduled for this Thursday. Pat's already had cataract surgery so he knows all about "the drops." Also, it will be good to see Pat in person even though we're in contact daily by FaceTime or Zoom. I also would like him to see Bill while Bill is still here. Bill could outlive me but I doubt if Bill will be here next year. He's stabilized but he hasn't got better and he's off his blood thinner medicine. His hospice nurse suggested that there is less chance of a fall if Bill is off of Eliquis. What's worse? A stroke or a fall? We take our chances. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

So today is getting Pat's bedroom vacuumed (it's been unoccupied since he last visited three years ago) and ready for him. He's leaving Canada at midnight and driving to Buffalo, New York to catch his plane. Leaving from Buffalo is a lot better than leaving from Pierson International Airport in Toronto. Believe me, I've done it and I will never do it again. Buffalo is much nicer and more efficient. Usually, when Pat visits he takes the bus but we're splurging this time. I don't want to lose those airline credits.

Even though Bill still needs constant care, he does go to bed at around 6:30 PM. I'm hoping Pat and I can go out a few nights and have a restaurant meal. I haven't been to a restaurant in 2 1/2 years either. I probably should fasten my seat belt for the price increases but it would be nice to break there routine around here at Casa Tipton-Kelly.

When Pat lands in Philadelphia, he going to visit our friend Don McK. Then he will drive down here. Should be here tomorrow evening. Pooped. Straight to his bedroom where I will not disturb him until he's read to go. I plan to put him on my John Deere riding mower while he's down here. He doesn't mow a lot of grass at his penthouse home in the downtown center of Hamilton.

Have a great day everyone!

 

Pat's Visit - Day Three

Pat and Lar on the Wilmington waterfront (Brandywine Creek) outside the Drop Kick Restaurant

Where does the time go?  Today begins Day Three of "Pat's Visit to Delaware."  I didn't even finish posting about Day One.

Let me finish now before Pat emerges from the Casa Tipton-Kelly Guest Bedroom.

After the rather "mixed" vegetarian lunch at the Drop Kitchen restaurant on the Delaware waterfront, we three (me, Lar and Pat) went back to Lar's home for a visit.  I wanted to show Pat the nice, cozy neighborhood that Lar and his family reside.  

Liar with "Sarah" in his home office - we have invaded his space

After that brief visit we bee-lined it to Christiana Mall (the only mall of significance in Delaware, little state that we are) and to the Apple store.  I wanted to check out the Apple watches.  

Pat and I in from of the Apple store at the Christiana Mall in Wilmington, DE 

We went, I checked, and I purchased.  The Apple store didn't have any iWatches in stock so I had to order mine on line.  But I'm glad I went to the Apple store to check out the iWatches in person.  I'm going to be the coolest hotel front desk agent in Lewes with my iWatch when I return to work, at least for a while. 

Me (on the right) with the "Doug", my assigned Apple store salesman 

I always enjoy visiting the Apple store.  So far I've been to the Apple stores in Philadelphia, Toronto and now Wilmington. That Steve Jobs, now he knew how to create a customer friendly and effective and efficient business model.

Pat and I then dropped of Lar (dropped kicked him more like it) at his cozy residence in Radnor Run.  Then we headed south to LSD in our rented, black, smells of smoke, Chevy Impala car.  Enterprise fell down on this one folks, the car was dirty on the outside too.  I guess we should have a made a fuss at the train state and demanded another car but they were so busy we didn't think it was worth it.  We washed the car yesterday.  I also defumigated it.  Still smells like smoke but not as strong.

We arrived at Casa Tipton-Kelly. Pat and Bill chatted a bit then I don't remember what we did.  But later on in the evening Pat and I went to Milton for dinner at the Modern Mixture Too restaurant.  We decided not to fight the Memorial Day Weekend Mob in Rehoboth Beach (we did that last night which I will write about in my next blog) and opted instead for a stress free ride and free parking (Rehoboth is $2.00 an hour). 

Guess who at Modern Mixture Too in Milton

Pat just got up and we're ready for another day of adventure in the wonders of southern Delaware on this holiday weekend. 

Pat Arrives In Wilmington

Pat's bus arrives at the Wilmington train station yesterday

Pat arrived in Wilmington yesterday safe and sound (and pooped) from his 27 hour bus trip from his home in Toronto, Canada.

There he is folks, a little bedraggled but standing upright and in the good old USA!

My friend Liar Lar picked me up in my LSD hovel earlier in the morning to make the 90 mile trip to Wilmington to meet Pat.  

My chauffeur arrives (Lar and me at Casa Tipton-Kelly early morning for the trip north to Wilmington to pick up that Canadian

We were blessed with a beautiful, perfect spring/summer day yesterday.  Could not have been better for our hour and a half ride to the northern part of the state.

We timed it just right because just as Larry parked his car and we walked down the bus station (which is at the train station, very convenient), there was Pat.  

After hugs and hugs we were off to have lunch at a vegetarian restaurant (today's banner picture at the top of this blog). 

Now that was an experience. The restaurant was called "Drop Squad Kitchen" (don't ask).  We couldn't find it.  Me, with my bum leg hobbling around with my cane and we're wandering all over the new refurbished Wilmington waterfront looking for this restaurant.  Me, who is used to leading the pack . . . not this time.  I'm struggling to keep up with everyone.

We finally found the "restaurant", it was located inside "Molly's Old fashioned ice cream shop.  Turns out it is a mother and daughter operation - one half the restaurant being an ice cream shop and the other half (by the daughter) vegetarian fare.

Pat, Lar and me at "Drop Squad Kitchen"

We ordered our fare (which wasn't cheap by the way - $9.95 for the entrees and $7.00 for the smoothies).

Pat ordered a faux steak sandwich which was great!  His smoothie was a chocolate dream. Liar Lar (by the way, I just found out why "Liar" keeps coming up, spell check default!) ordered a faux hamburger.  He didn't offer me a bit but he didn't complain either.  His smoothie (which I took a sip) was also very good.  Now me?  I ordered a falafel sandwich, which I am saddened to say was . . . . . well, how should I put this . . . . terrible.  Well, to be kind, it was disappointing.  No, actually it was terrible.  Don't let my smile in the above picture fool you. Even Pat agreed when he expressed his sympathy for me when he said "I'm sorry."  Ad my smoothie?  It was warm.  What was that all about?  Tasty but WARM?  Maybe it was me.  It was a sour apple smoothie.

Well folks, I have to cut this blog short because Pat's up and we're off to a late breakfast or a brunch or an early lunch. But not before I spray his Chevy Malibu rental which smells like a dirty ashtray, despite having a NO SMOKING stickers in the car.  

Pat's rental car out in front of Casa Tpton-Kelly

I'll continue this fascinating narrative when Pat and I return from breakfast . . . brunch or early lunch.