Dancing In The Streets of Palm Springs California

While walking on the main street (North Palm Canyon Drive) of Palm Springs during our annual visit, the live music was so compelling that I just had to put a few moves on in public. Of course being the shy, retiring guy that I am I could only do a minute or two before I handing my iPhone over to Pat to really show us how to dance. 

Always so much fun to visit Palm Springs, time to let my hair (or what is left of it) down. I love to dance. Of course I realize I "Elaine Dance" but hey, I enjoy dancing none-the-less. Watch out for next year. I really plan to let loose. 

James Lipton

When Pat and I were in Palm Springs last month, I had a chance encounter with James Lipton, the longtime host of "Actors Studio".  

Pat and I were having lunch at our favorite vegan eatery, Nature's Cafe in Palm Springs. While I was waiting for Pat to collect our order (no waitress/waiter service) I noticed that James Lipton had entered the restaurant with friends. 

Pat waiting for our order at Nature's Cafe, Mr. Lipton and his friends came in that door to the right a few minutes after I took this picture. I didn't take a picture of them, respecting they privacy.

I mentioned to Pat "There's James Lipton."  Pat said "Who is James Lipton?"  I told him that James Lipton was the longtime host of the PBS program Actors Studio.  Pat wasn't aware of that program. Pat and I have a lot in common but I know a way lot more of celebrity, both Hollywood and New York, than Pat does. But then Pat knows way more music groups than I know. Vive la difference!

I excused myself and went over and introduced myself to Mr. Lipton.  I tapped him on his shoulder, and as he turned I said to him that I was honored to meet him or something to that effect.  He turned his head to acknowledge me and responded "You're going to ask me for an autograph are you?"  I told him I wasn't and actually I wasn't. I don't ask for autographs of celebrities.  I told him we had similar names. He replied "Oh."  I only spent about a minute talking to him and left him and his friends to place their order for food. I am very careful when I encounter celebrities (which isn't that often) and invading their privacy. But I do feel a need to acknowledge them if the opportunity presents itself.

Later in the week I encountered Mr. Lipton again, when Pat and I were attending an event at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.  Mr. Lipton was there with the same group he was with at Nature's Cafe. He was attending a movie at the Camelot Theater. He was also wearing the same flowered shirt.  I didn't say anything to him at that time, figuring I already bothered him enough. However, I did tell the counter clerk who Mr. Lipton bought popcorn from who Mr. Lipton was.  The counter clerk didn't know him either. 

Thus I was very surprised this week when I read in the paper that Mr. Lipton died. He seemed fine when I saw him in Palm Springs two weeks ago.  Just more proof how fragile life is. You could be her today and gone tomorrow. A cliche for sure but this is one reason I visit Palm Springs. For most of my life I've put off taking trips, "doing things", waiting for that perfect time.  Well, now folks it is the perfect time.  

My time in Palm Springs with Pat, who is the perfect travel companion/buddy, is a realization of some of my lifelong dreams. I'll probably never move to Palm Springs full time but I do love visiting this oh so perfect location in the midst of winter. A dream come true. 

Right now is the best of times folks. I don't know how much longer it will last but for now, I'm living and enjoying every moment, hour, day, week, month and year. 

Pat and Ron in Palm Springs, 2020

Update On Bill's Vision

Bill with his VA eye doctor

Two days after I returned from Palm Springs, I took bill to the Wilmington Va for more extensive tests on his vision problems. When we last left this question, Bill was very dissatisfied with his previous doctor after his cataract surgery. After his cataract surgery Bill still couldn't read the eye chart. His doctor discovered that he had macular degeneration.  Bill wanted another doctor's opinion. Thus I arranged an appointment with the eye clinic at the Veterans' Administration in Wilmington.

We got up there early Wednesday morning. The doctor saw us right away. For the next two and a half hours he performed tests on Bill's eyes. The result?  Bill has macular degeneration. In fact they determined that Bill is legally blind. Needless to say Bill is very upset about this. He's convinced that if he get just the right pair of glasses that his vision would improve. 

The chief eye doctor and a health care provider came in to talk to me and Bill about what his options are. Audio books. That's not an option, Bill doesn't read and he certainly isn't going to sit still and listen to an audio book. Another option was to go to Philadelphia to a specialist which basically will provide a big magnifying glass for Bill to read. Bill doesn't want to do that either. The health care provider was concerned about Bill's mental state. I appreciate their concern but this is a problem that Bill and I will have to take care of ourselves.  

The health care provider called me the next day to discuss more options. There are no good options. Bill is hard of hearing and now his sight is going. I will take care of him.  When we got home I made him a new batch of chocolate chip cookies. I also fixed his iPad so he can check the weather and his mail. He has trouble seeing his iPad but he manages. 

Those days of the past when we were both so healthy, we took our health for granted. These days, when I'm exhausted most of the day and Bill has his hearing and vision problems, is a new reality for us. We'll manage. 

Palm Springs Visit 2020

Me and Pat on the balcony of our VRBO rental condo at the Biarritz condo with the Mount Jacinto mountains behind us

Another Palm Springs visit has come and gone. Already I'm looking forward to our visit to Palm Springs next year.

What a wonderful time we had during our two week visit. As usual the time went by so fast.

Unlike last year when we encountered torrential rain, this year every day was sunny and mild. The highest the temperature reached was 80 degrees. At night the temperature never dropped below 50 degrees. What a nice respite from the cold temperatures of Canada and Delaware during February. 

We stayed at the Biarritz condos in downtown Palm Springs.  The Biarritz is within walking distance of all the attractions of downtown Palm Springs, which we took great advantage of. Both Pat and I got a lot of walking in, walking that we both miss now that we have returned to our cold homes in Canada and Delaware.

Pat coming down the steps at our rented condo at the Biarritz handing me my key

Our stay in Palm Springs this year like last year was during Modernism Week.  Pat arranged for several tours.  One was a two and a half hour walking tour of famous homes. Very interesting but I was winding down after two hours.  But we did get to see the Lou Costello and Joseph Cotton homes and the stories behind their stay in Palm Springs. We saw many other famous homes including Barry Manilow and Suzanne Sommers who have homes up in the mountains. 

Later in the week we attended a fund raiser at the historic Plaza Theater in downtown Palm Springs. Nancy "These Boots Are Made For Walking" was the featured guest along with two of her daughters and James Darren. We were packed in the theater and the sound was muffled where we were seated but it was fun and interesting to see Nancy who, of course, performed her "Boots" song. She's still got it folks even though she has turned into a little old Italian lady and is no longer the young leggy blonde with white boots. Bless her heart.

On another day we took the double decker bus tour of famous homes hosted by the comedian Charles Phoenix.  We were in luck again, another perfect day for sitting on the upper deck of the bus although leg room was tight. Reminded me of my airline flight out to Palm Springs.  Of all these events I will post videos in future blogs.

Pat and I also revisited out favorite vegan eateries.  We eat healthy when we're in Palm Springs. This year we tried a few new places including to Tiki bars, one of which had wonderful chicken and vegan egg rolls as well as delicious Tiki drinks. Those places were the Tonga Hut and The Reef. We never did make it to the local gay bars like Hunters or Streets. We had too much fun at the Tiki bars. Met so many nice people at this venues also. In fact, during our two week visit we made many new friends who I hope we see again next year.  

Palm Greens Cafe - one of our favorite vegan restaurants

We also attended two parties at the Shag Store.  We always visit the Shag Store when we're in Palm Springs. Pat is a big fan of Shag as I am now. Every year they have a party at the store with free drinks with the Martini Kings band playing outside. I took many videos of which I will post.  Pat is quite the dancer.

The only downside this year is that I fell again and injured my right arm which is still aching. I would like to just once, not fall down during our quarterly get togethers.  What happened this time was I was walking back to our condo by myself (the sun was getting to me) and I was looking at the directions on my iPhone.  I tripped over several sand bags which were on the sidewalk from the previous night's street fair.  This time I didn't fall on my face but braced myself with both of my hands, my iPhone being in my left hand. I ruined my iPhone, which I had replaced at the Apple Store (I had insurance).  My right arm, which I fractured five years ago when I fell going into the American Legion Post 28 to sign up for a van ride to the VA.  Yes, I hit that same arm again. Still hurts.  I may have to get it X-rayed.  

Folks, all my life I looked forward to making visits like this but I never had a friend to do it with. Pat is the perfect travel companion.  He's fun, stays with me and pays his share unlike travel companions I've had in the past who disappeared on the Hunt (for sex) as soon as we arrived at our destination including those "friends" whose way I paid (Brad Corrill, Bob  Murphy, Bob McCamley, Ed Cage - you know who you are).  Yes, I name names.  After those bad experiences I traveled alone but traveling alone is never as much fun as it is traveling with a friend. 

I have so much to tell about our two weeks in Palm Springs including the huge Dodge Ram 2500 truck that Hertz rental upgraded Pat too. Man oh man did we ever butch it up during this stay.  We even fooled a fellow renter at Biarritz who thought we were construction workers like him (he had a Dodge Ram 1500 parked in the Biarritz parking lot near ours).  He was looking for construction work and thought we were fellow construction workers.  Oh my, he must have been so disappointed after he talked to us.  It was fun driving around in that Dodge Ram but what a gas guzzler and parking was also a challenge.  But yet another fun experience driving around Palm Springs in that tank.

Me with our Dodge Ram 2500 with a running board

I took over 1,000 pictures and videos.  I won't subject you all to ALL of those photos and videos in future blogs but I do have some choice ones I will share. Taking photos and videos is perhaps my major joy in our trips. I love taking them and then looking at those videos and photos later and reliving those good times. 

Meeting Bruce Vilanch

I'm back folks!  This is a surreptitious video my Canadian Travel Buddy Pat took of me meeting the American comedian Bruch Vilanch at the Palm Springs airport. We were both waiting for our flights. You may remember Bruce from his four year stint on "Hollywood Squares" after Paul Lynde left. Yes, Bruce was the center square. No, I didn't ask for an autograph or a selfie.  Just introduced myself and greeted Bruce and asked him why he wasn't on TV more often. He joked "You should speak to my agent!"

Bruce Vilnach - American Comedian and Palm Springs vacationer just like me!

I'm be back blogging soon folks. Just trying to get back to my regular routine. My apologies for my absence from my blog the past two weeks. So busy, just didn't have time to blog, but I did have a great time.  Only downside is that I fell again and slightly injured my arm which still hurts. I have to get past that. I would like to manage one of my quarterly adventures and not fall down and injure myself.  Such is the status of my life now as an old man who has trouble walking.  Could be worse. 

Again, a fabulous two weeks in Palm Springs, I took many videos and photos which I will share soon. The best time of my life folks, the absolute best time!

California Here We Come!

Tomorrow at noon Clarence my ride will pick me up here at Casa Tipton-Kelly for a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Philadelphia International airport.  

My flight takes off tomorrow at 7:11 AM.  I'm leaving a day early and staying overnight at the Marriott Airport Hotel instead of getting up at 3:15 AM Sunday morning for my flight to Palm Springs, California.

While I'm in Philly, I'm going to see Don McK., our twice a year Philadelphia host, for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

I plan to blog during our two weeks in Palm Springs but I can't guarantee how often. I know from previous trips, Pat and I get caught up in doing so much that before I know it, we're catching our flights back east.

As I have probably said before, this year we won't be going to Los Angeles. No standing in line for four hours at "The Price Is Right" CBS studio in West Hollywood, hoping for a chance to hear the call "Come on down!"  We've tried this five times (or is it six?), no go.  

I'm having second thoughts about not spending time in Los Angeles. I got so spoiled during our stays in Palm Springs that I decided to forego the LA traffic and just spend two very relaxing weeks in beautiful relaxing Palm Springs. I probably made a mistake. Next year we'll go back to our original schedule; a week in LA and a week in Palm Springs.

Something else I'm noticing this time, I more nervous about these impending trips. This year I have to make a connecting flight (Dallas-Fort Worth).  Back in my Flaming Youth (the 70's) I used to make a connecting flight two, three and even four times a year when I flew to Provincetown, Mass. The connecting flight was in Boston.  I had no problem with making that connection. This time, I'm nervous.  Maybe it's because I'm older and less steady on my feet or maybe because I haven't made a connecting flight in forty years.  

The next time I blog hopefully I'll be in California with my Tavel Buddy Pat. 

See you then!

Rug Cleaning

 

Today we got our carpet and area rugs cleaned!

Remember last week when I posted that Bill brought in some dog poop into the house and tracked it up our carpeted stairs to the second floor?  I've felt icky all week but today I feel great!

I also had several of our oriental area rugs and our basement stairs cleaned along with the now cleared out finished basement wall to wall carpet.  Wow, that was a long sentence. 

Just a few more chores to do before I leave Saturday for Philadelphia to catch my early (7:11AM) flight to Palm Springs with a stopover at the Fort Worth-Dallas airport. First time for me in Texas folks. Won't be staying long though. 

Our previous house we had all oak flooring. With our home here I decided to go with wall to wall carpet in most of the house except for the entry way, kitchen and living room. If I had it to do over again I think I would go with all wood flooring again.  Much easier to clean. But I do like the wall to wall carpeting in the bedrooms and the basement living room area.  

Today was a good day folks.