Two of My Favorite People

Pat getting an impromptu massage from Dr. Spo at Indulge Resort in Palm Springs, California

During my recent sojourn in California I had the opportunity to reunite two of my favorite people, Pat and Dr. Spo. 

I've known Dr. Spo for about ten years now, ever since I discovered his blog through my late friend The Cajun's blog. When I met Pat in 2013, it didn't take me long to realize I would like these two fine men to meet one another. That opportunity happened the next year, during Dr. Spo's visit to Pat's former hometown of Toronto, Canada with his partner now husband Someone. I knew immediately both of these exceptional men would hit it off together. 

Look at them. Not only are they both very handsome and sexy, they are intelligent, witty, generous and self-deprecating. Self deprecating, I am always attracted to people (especially men) who don't take themselves too seriously. Both of these fine fellows are secure in themselves and their place in the world. 

Like many of you reading this blog post, I've known many people throughout my life. I've made many friends. Some friends come into our lives and either die or fade away. Some other friends turn out not to be friends at all, because they bring out the worst in us. Believe me, I've had my share of these "friends."  Then there are friends like Pat and Dr. Spo. They bring out the best in me. And even better, they like and tolerate me, even after they have seen me at my worst. That my friends is the definition of true friends. 

Pat and Dr. Spo, thank you for your friendship. You are both true treasures. 

Cold Spring

Stones for raised garden wall ordered this morning from Lowe's

Man, is it ever cold outside. This is one cold spring. 

I wasn't expecting it to be this cold when I returned from California a couple of weeks ago. 

Three weeks in a row we've had a Nor'easter tearing up the East Coast. Thank goodness, we didn't get any snow here in southern Delaware. The but cold bitter winds make going outside not comfortable. 

Yesterday I had a load of forty bags of mulch delivered. Last week I had a local landscaper edge out my flower beds. That was expensive. I decided not to lay out any more money and lay the mulch myself. I need the exercise anyway (I tell myself). 

This morning I ordered a skid of seventy stones to build a raised garden. Yes, I will build that wall. I need the exercise (I tell myself).  

I've always loved working in my yard. I hate painting but I could do yard work all day. I find it relaxing. But as my body ages, I have found I can't keep up with all that needs to be done.

Me with my hired landscaper (still smiling before the job was completed and paid for)

Four years ago I hired a local Mexican landscaper to help. At first his prices were competitive. He charged by the job. This year he changed his pricing and charged by the hour. Thirty dollars an hour. Yep, you guess it. He charged me for thirty-six hours but no way did his crew work thirty-six hours. And his "crew" often existed of just one guy. I hate situations like this. I confronted him about the hours but didn't get too far. He  speaks limited English. His understanding of English is selective. If I say something he doesn't want to hear, he acts like he doesn't understand me. But if I say something he wants to hear like "I'll pay you $1,000 to edge my lawn", he has no problem. I'm not a good bargainer.  I prefer to pay by the job. If it's a good job, and I consider it worth it, I'll pay. If I think I'm being overcharged, I don't use that person again. I won't be using Miguel again. He did do a good job, but overcharged. There, I feel better now after this rant. One of the reasons I keep a blog, so I can vent.

Now, I'm waiting for that sweet spot of weather between the crisp coolness of spring and the muggy hotness of summer so I can lay that mulch. Hope all that exercise can cause me to lose a few pounds. 

Moving Around In Palm Springs

More posts about our Palm Springs vaca folks!  During our past Winter Excursions to California I haven't posted near as many memories as I wanted to. I hope to correct that oversight this year before spring and summer overtake my interests here in Delaware.

This is a short video of Pat and I in downtown Palm Springs, California. Folks, check out that beautiful, blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds. Every day folks, this was what the weather was like during our weeklong stay in Palm Springs. Oh sure, the mornings were chilly (around 50 degrees) but all days were perfection like this day. 

Pat and I strolled around downtown Palm Springs every day. Early on, Pat said "Will we have enough to do in Palm Springs?"  Well, that was not a concern as Pat soon found out. I now understand why the vibe and weather has made Palm Springs the destination of choice to so many movie stars and others of wealth and influence.

Only two short hours away from downtown Los Angeles, Palm Springs offers a welcome respite from the stress and strain of every day living. This is why I am seriously considering eventually moving to Palm Springs for my "second retirement" should I reach a grand old age. One thing is for sure, I won't be the only old gay man who has chosen Palm Springs for my final days.

P.S.
Check out those fabulous pants on that one guy on the Segway. I want a pair of those!

Me relaxing during another glorious day in Palm Springs, California last month - no snow!

More Palm Springs Memories

Last night I braved the cold, damp wind to attend my HOA board meeting at my neighbor's house. 

A second nor'easter had just roared through the East Coast since I returned from Palm Springs, California last month. Thank goodness we missed the snow here in southern Delaware. Unfortunately my longtime friend Larry, who lives in northern Delaware, was inundated with the white stuff.  Keep those Currier and Ives scenes up there Lar. Don't need that white stuff down here.

Walking through that bone-chilling cold last night reminded me of those glorious warm days I enjoyed just a few short weeks ago in California. This is why every year, as long as I am physically able and can afford it, I will punch a hole in winter and spend at least two weeks in sunny California.

Pat in the courtyard of our rented Airbnb in Palm Springs

The video posted here is of our (me and Pat's) last day at our Airbnb in Palm Springs. Folks, never in my life did I anticipate I would ever stay in such a luxurious place as I did in Palm Springs. Just goes to show you, go for your dreams. They may just some day come true. 

Pat and me at our Airbnb in the courtyard of our rented Airbnb in Palm Springs last month

Reuniting With Tony D. In LA

One of the nice things about our annual trip to California is reuniting with friends. 

This is the third year in a row we have reunited with Tony D. 

This year we met Tony at the Veggie Grill on Sunset Boulevard, me and Pat's favorite place to eat while we're in West Hollywood.

While we were in Palm Springs, we reunited with Dr. Spo and his entourage, which I will write about in a future blog post. 

Friends, a very important part of life. Friends, health, shelter, food and, of course sex. Well, maybe we can live without sex but the other four Pillars of Life, that makes life worth living.

Thank you for your friendship Tony.

Tony, me and Pat at the Veggie Grill on Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California

Thankful

 Me and Travel Buddy Pat in LA

This is one of those days in which I reflect on how lucky I am. 

My health is basically good.  Sure, my arthritis is creeping up on me but I feel I still can get around.

Around me I know too many people who are in failing health.  Folks who are dealing with fatal illnesses. I won't relate the specifics out of respect for those fine people, but I feel bad for them.

This morning I completed filling out my Federal tax returns.  Again this year Bill and I receive a refund because we're filing jointly. 

I live in a nice house. I'm able to go on holidays four times a year with my good friend Pat.

Today is a sunny day.  Oh sure, we still have you know who as president, and that is a source of constant worry for me, but I feel confident that the adults are in charge of the Big Orange Baby. 

Spring is coming. Bill is looking forward to mowing the grass again. 

The daffodils are up. 

Life is good folks.

I am thankful.

The Price is Right! Part One

Me and Pat make believe whooping it up before a green screen. The Price is Right show takes these photos of every member of the audience. You an buy the photo for $20, which I do of course.

February 12th, was our fourth appearance at the taping of "The Price is Right" TV game show.

Again, we weren't called to "Come one down!" by George the announcer. But again, we had a lot of fun the four hours that we spent at the show, most of it in line.

This time I took videos of us standing in line outside. The previous shows I didn't take videos because you have to turn in your iPhones and cameras before you go into the studio. I didn't want to take that chance of losing my expensive iPhone. As it was, I still had to turn in my Apply watch. 

This year I took my iPod to take pictures and videos while in line. One thing we always meet the nicest people in line from all parts of the country. This year was no exception. We met "Jen"  and her daughter "Jacquelyn" from Texas. 

Me and Pat with new friends we met in line at "The Price is Right", Jen and Jacquelyn from Texas

In past years we've been good luck to folks we met in line. Both times the people we talked to were called to "come on down." Unfortunately for Jen and Jacquelyn they weren't called. I wish they were called.

Getting on The Price is Right show security is tighter than TSA getting on airplanes. Here is a show official passing out the forms we have to fill out before we can go on the show. All well organized.

Price is Right employee handing out release forms for all os us to fill out, that's Pat to the right of the picture and our friends Jen and Jacquelyn

Here is a few videos of the seeming chaos of the line of three hundred plus folks waiting to attend one of the two tapings a day of "The Price is Right".



I'll post more about "The Price is Right" on my next blog posting!