Update on the Twins

Seven months old and eating and smiling and sitting up.
 Life is Beautiful.

It's Those Darn Weekends!

"Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week, cuz that's the night when my sweetie and I used to dance cheek to cheek.

I don't mind Sunday night at all, cuz that's when folks all come to call.

And Monday through Friday goes fast, and another week is past.

But Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week, cuz that's the night that my sweetie and I used to dance cheek to cheek."

This was a popular song in WWII with all the guys off to war, but I thought of it this weekend--it is the weekends that are the loneliest as any widow, divorcee, single, etc. will attest to.

With me, it isn't Saturday night so much, as Friday night.  That was date night and we often stopped at the Hilton in Mission Bay for dancing before coming home from the movies.  I miss that.

But I see these older couples with each other who act so bored it is sad.  However, the last time I was taking tests at the hospital, there was another lady taking somewhat the same tests and we kept crossing paths.  Her husband was with her all the way and so attentive.  That was nice to see.

All I know for sure is that nobody gets it all in this life--you need to appreciate and enjoy the moments when they come and not be forever looking for that better day--you may have all ready had your best days.  Enjoy!

Trial at Nuremburg

I just rewatched an amazing movie--"Trial at Nuremburg" filmed in 1961--13 years after the original trial took place and 16 years after World War II ended.  Some of Hollywood's finest starred in the movie for less than their usual salary because they felt it was such an important film to make.  In 2008 it was declared by the American Institute of film #10 best film of all time in Courtroom Drama.

"This trial is about 4 Judges who used their offices to conduct Nazi sterilization and cleansing policies. Retired American Judge, Judge Dan Haywood has a daunting task ahead of him. The Cold War is heating up and no one wants any more trials as Germany, and allied Governments, want to forget the past. But is that the right thing to do is the question that the tribunal must decide."

One of the most important quotes from the film is by Ernst Janning, one of the judges on trial trying to explain why they were willing to go along with Adolf Hitler.

"There was a fever over the land. A fever of disgrace, of indignity, of hunger. We had a democracy, yes, but it was torn by elements within. Above all, there was fear. Fear of today, fear of tomorrow, fear of our neighbors, and fear of ourselves. Only when you understand that - can you understand what Hitler meant to us. Because he said to us: 'Lift your heads! Be proud to be German! There are devils among us. Communists, Liberals, Jews, Gypsies! Once these devils will be destroyed, your misery will be destroyed.' It was the old, old story of the sacrifical lamb. What about those of us who knew better? We who knew the words were lies and worse than lies? Why did we sit silent? Why did we take part? Because we loved our country! What difference does it make if a few political extremists lose their rights? What difference does it make if a few racial minorities lose their rights? It is only a passing phase. It is only a stage we are going through. It will be discarded sooner or later. Hitler himself will be discarded... sooner or later. The country is in danger. We will march out of the shadows. We will go forward. Forward is the great password. And history tells how well we succeeded, your honor. We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. The very elements of hate and power about Hitler that mesmerized Germany, mesmerized the world! We found ourselves with sudden powerful allies. Things that had been denied to us as a democracy were open to us now. The world said 'go ahead, take it, take it! Take Sudetenland, take the Rhineland - remilitarize it - take all of Austria, take it! And then one day we looked around and found that we were in an even more terrible danger. The ritual began in this courtoom swept over the land like a raging, roaring disease. What was going to be a passing phase had become the way of life...Once more it was being done for love of country. It is not easy to tell the truth; but if there is to be any salvation for Germany, we who know our guilt must admit it... whatever the pain and humiliation."

It was interesting that they brought out that if these men are guilty you must also place guilt upon Russia, Britain, United States, the Vatican etc. because they had heard Adolf Hitler speak, he had already written "Mien Kampf" -- they knew what he was about and supported him in the 1930s. 

If you have never seen this film, it is a must see in your lifetime, and the message is very timely of what ordinary, decent men will do in extraordinary times.

My Sister Marilyn

I am sorry to say I missed my sister's birthday this week.  Marilyn is the one in yellow on the right.  Her birthday is April 5th but because that date now has another significance (John's  death) I tend to forget about it.

Marilyn is two years older than me and we are quite different.  For one thing she was always the classy dresser.  No matter what, whatever her circumstance, she always has stylish clothes to wear.  I tried to borrow her clothes when we were in high school and college but because we are built so differently I always looked silly in her clothes.  She is athletically built with long slim legs and I, well, you know how I am built.

Marilyn and Dave are the talkers in the family.  In most any group family situation they are the ones that will be doing most of the talking along with Mary, Dick's wife.

Marilyn is the golfer amongst us girls.  I took it in college and tried a little before marriage but it just never 'got' me like it did my Mom, Dad, Dave and Marilyn.

Marilyn has also been a director in church music and choirs most of her life.  We both took the class in college--it clicked with her, not me.

Marilyn also is the friendly one--on any trips or gatherings, she is the one making all the friends and talking to all the people.  She has always had lots of friends.

Marilyn was also the terrific sales lady at the store.  I would always work in the office, as the cashier and bill payer and avoid the floor where I had to talk to people and try to sell them dresses.  One time when I visited her in Golden and she was clerking at a ladies store I came home with a marvelous wardrobe.  She has a knack for finding what looks good on you.

Marilyn is the only one besides me in my family who has lost a child.  And now she has had two daughters pass away.  She has handled it as she handles everything, very classy, humbled and accepting.  Marilyn is the only one of us girls working regularly in a Temple right now.  She is a born leader and good at directing others.

I have been very fortunate to have three sisters and best friends in my life.  Each of us is very unique and different from each other with very different talents and attributes but we always enjoy talking, sharing and spending time together.  As a family growing up we had a very peaceful home with no jealousy or animosity as far as I could tell.  Family is good and sisters are wonderful.

Fish Tacos and Other Yummy Things

When I am in San Diego and out shopping or running errands and it is lunch time I look for a fish taco place.  My favorite place was always on the corner

of Genesee and ? right next to Mervyns (which is gone now).  The last time I was there it was still good even though the place has been remodeled and possibly changed hands.

When at Linda's and using the wonderful El Cajon library  I liked the Rubios on the way home from the library but two days ago I had a fish taco at Rubios at the Grossmont Center and it didn't hold a candle to the fish taco I had at El Rey? (not sure of the name) at the first little mini shops as you come into Pacific Beach on Balboa/Garnet on the right side. 

And yesterday I had another wonderful fish taco at the New Selections Restaurant in Macy's Women on El Camino Real in Carlsbad.  They even had red cabbage and lots of crisp tomatoes plus a pink sauce instead of the traditional white sauce.  Excellent.

 I was disappointed at the fish taco at Wahoo in the Ralph's shopping center off Camino Del Norte and Dove Canyon--too dry.  But the fish tacos I had at Croces downtown were excellent also.  They even had pineapple mixed in with the cabbage and salsa.   And a lot piled on, almost like a salad.

There is another little hole in the wall place as you are leaving North County Fair and headed back up to the Dios highway.  It has all those adobe orangy buildings on the right and a little taco shop that had an incredible fish taco, too and very cheap. 

I read a couple recipes for the white sauce--both called for equal portions of plain yogurt and mayonaisse with lime juice but one added chipotle sauce and the other had various spices.  Also one had the fish fried in a beer batter rather than a plain flour batter.  Maybe someday when I am home and away from fish taco country I will try to learn to make them but here I will just keep trying to find the best or run in for the Flautas appetizer with jalapeno sauce at Chili's Mex at Flower Hill or the Fuji Apple Chicken salad at Paneros Bread.  No In and Out burgers or Jack in the Box tacos for me while in San Diego--too many other good options down here.

More Books I Like

I am always happy to add a new author to my Authors I Like List and I add two more.  I read Nora Ephron's  "I Feel Bad About My Neck" and actually laughed out loud a few times.  That is always a good sign it is a fun book and I see she has others I will look for.  She is the one who is the playwright and producer of some of my favorite movies like "Holiday" and "It's Complicated".  I think she understands women and can write humorously and tenderly about their situations in life.

The other author is Harlan Coben.  I am just finishing "Long Lost" and what an intriguing mystery--about people who appear to be just like you who get caught up in a whirlwind of exciting and scary stuff.  Nothing like a good murder mystery to take you away from the monotony of laundry and grocery shopping.

Easter at the Pulsiphers 2010

I spent Easter afternoon and evening at the Pulsiphers and

I did not get many pictures but...

I love these pix showing the enchanting backyard Kate and Ryan have to play in--they love it.   And

Sarah is so beautifully grown up--hard to believe she is almost 12!

Easter Eggs

Kate and Ryan show the serious art of gathering Easter Eggs!

                                       Is that enough, Mom?

                               I never get tired of this, Mom!

At last, each has a bucketful--again!

Johnny

When John was little, he was always known as Johnny. We miss him--this was one of my favorite ages for Johnny. He was always so curious and creative in his playtime. Six years today without John in our earthly life.

Melissa is 21!

Beautiful Melissa turns 21 and celebrates with brunch at Croces in Gaslamp and I get invited--They go for eggs and french toast and I havea fish taco.  Good food, nice place.

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After brunch there was crepes and gelato in Hillcrest at Chocolat.  What a neat place.   Melissa had her favorite Nutella plus marzipan? and strawberries on her crepe.  Delicious!

Nice to have an older brother to celebrate your introduction to adulthood, right Melissa?

Seattle, Ferry Boats and Victoria

Linda, Maria and I set out for another adventure--destination Victoria, British Columbia.  I was there 54 years ago so do not remember much.

Marjorie and her daughter Karen met us at the Seattle airport and took us to Pike Market--such gorgeous flowers, vegetables, fruit and fish.

 What a neat place.  We had a lot of fun just catching up also.  Sunshine in Seattle!

We caught the ferry the next morning and still lots of sunshine.

There was a breeze in Victoria but still lots of sunshine so we went directly to Buchart gardens in case we had rain the following days.

Butchart gardens were glorious with lots of bulbs in bloom--no roses, too early.

As it turned out, we only had rain one day so we took the boat cruise and saw all the charming house boats worth lots of money. 

 What a way to live.

 Then we caught the museum.
 While the girls took high tea one day

I caught the miniatures.  Inspired me to finish my Seven Dwarfs house--maybe this summer.

I love this picture of Maria and Linda showing their difference in straight and curly hair. My hair was never as straight as Linda's or as curly as Maria's...

The cherry blossom trees were magnificent in front of the hotel. 

And what a great hotel Maria arranged for us--it is wonderful traveling with Maria and Linda because I don't have to think at all, just enjoy. 

 Thanks, daughters, for another great trip.

Matt is 23!

Matt and Melissa, Maria's

children currently living in Vista with her.

The Birthday boy, Matt.

We celebrated Matt's birthday at the Red Lobster in Oceanside last night.  The food was delicious and the company fun.

 

Linda came from East San Diego, El Cajon, picked me up in Rancho Santa Fe and we drove past Vista to Oceanside, far North San Diego.  It was an over hour commute for Linda but we drove most of the way through the interior of Rancho Santa Fe and San Marcos, a very lovely ride away from the freeways.

It was a fun night and it is so good to be around family, something I miss in Lake Almanor.  James Hardy and family were celebrating Lea's birthday at the Ice Rink in University City.