Home at Last!!

Well, my much-anticipated trip to San Diego is but a memory now...a dear memory. I arrived after a lengthy flight from St. Louis to warm sun, blue skies, and light breezes. My best friend, Fran was there to meet me and we immediately went to El Comal for the absolutely best Mexican food! My favorite restaurant; well, one of them. Then off to her house to unload and regroup. She and her Hal have recenly moved into a lovely mobile home a street away from their other home, which is now inhabited by their daughter, son-in-law, and 2 delightful grandchlidren. Here is Fran's house. The entry is so cheery, and the flowers are spectacular. Got settled and spent a wonderful evening catching up. The next picture is of myself and my former teaching partner, Jan. I spent 4 hours at the school and we snagged a lunch lady to take our picture while we were catching up in the lunch area. Jan and I used to take groups of students to Washington, D.C. every spring and groups to Europe every summer when I lived out there...ahhh, the good old days!

On Tuesday, I went to dinner with my bible study group - again, at El Comal. Just can't get enough of good Mexican food!. There they are! I'm right at the very end of the table - wayyyyyy back there, in the dark. Even with the flash on, it is very dark in that restaurant. It was great getting to see everyone again! I miss you ladies!

When the plane landed, I looked out the window and saw a literal carpet of purple. I had forgotten about the jacaranda trees, which are in full bloom at this time of the year. You can't turn in any direction without seeing a jacaranda tree or a eucalyptus tree.

On Thursday, Fran and I boarded an Amtrak train to Los Angeles, then a subway train, and came out at the corner of Hollywood and Vine to see this lovely sight! Our destination was the Pantages Theater in Hollywood for the play "Wicked". What a thrill! I love the music and missed seeing the play when it was in St. Louis and Kansas City. And I didn't want to wait to see it in Tulsa next year. So glad we made the effort to go see it. I think it's even more my favorite than seeing "The Producers" in New York City in 2002!

Sunil was the manager at the Quality Inn in Hollywood. He was so nice. He ordered taxis for us and made sure we were comfy in our room. Thanks, Sunil! And then it was time to mosey to the train station for our ride home to San Diego. Los Angeles Union Station is an old fashioned train station...long, gloomy hallways and tunnels that lead out to the train platform. Luckily, there are nice folks there to direct lost travelers to the right tracks to catch their trains.

I flew home yesterday to meet up with DH...I surely did miss him! Don't get me wrong, I had a marvelous time, a simply wonderful, fantastic, stupendous time in San Diego, seeing friends, eating at my favorite food places, and seeing wonderful beaches (from the train windows) and blue skies. But after 35 years, I kinda got used to having Mr. Wonderful around and I missed him!

To all the folks in San Diego, I say, THANK YOU for being my friend and for being who you are. To all the folks here in Missouri, I say, THANK YOU for being my friend and for being who YOU are. To all the folks who come to read this blog, whether I've met you in person, or met you only online, I say, THANK YOU for being my friend and for being who YOU are. Each of you have blessed me in ways you may never know.

Ok, I'm done for now...have to go finish unpacking...More later.