Roaming through 2013

My life is never dull as a look at 2013 reminds me. Roaming Rita got some mighty fine roaming in along with other splashes of local delights and a few travails. 

Not to go in any chronological order, as that would take forever for you to read but here are some of my most endearing events of 2013.

With great excitement I can proudly announce that I am the proud Grandma of not one, but TWO new grandchildren born this year! Lindsey Marie was born in January and Andy Jr. was born in November. Additionally, we found out that our oldest daughter, Beth, has a baby girl on the way in May, 2014. With the arrival of this little girl, I'll have 8 grandchildren, and I suspect still counting. I so love these marvelous grandchildren in my life! They are my greatest joy.

Kelly Pilger holding Lindsey on the left and Sarah Pilger holding Andy on the right

In September, my hunny bunch, Rex, and I celebrated 40 years of married life together. Our children arranged a special night for us at Hotel Teatro in downtown Denver. (I'm working on a post about this amazing boutique hotel). The children also surprised us with a generous gift card for dinner. It was a marvelous time and I was so proud of our children for pulling it all together for us. 

Our gift card from the children, wine and truffles from Hotel Teatro

Another huge milestone this year was celebrating my husband's 25 year Anniversary as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. Our parish, St. Joan of Arc, honored him with a lovely reception after the celebratory Mass. 

 Deacon Rex on the left, Pastor Fr. Joseph Cao in the middle and Fr. James Cuneo (celebrating 50 yr on the right)

Rex and I at the parish celebration

My travels this year took me from a week of pure lounging joy aboard my friends' sailboat in Marina Del Rey, California, to my son's Masters Degree Graduation in Pennsylvania with side-trips to Delaware and Washington D.C. Dallas was also a destination earlier in the year. 

On my sailing trip, I crewed on David and Chris' 45 foot sailboat.  We crossed the 32 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean from Marina Del Rey to Two Harbors which is about a nice 6 hour day of sailing. Living on the water for 10 days is one of my favorite things to do. I'm always ready for another sail. The beauty of Catalina Island beckons me over and over again. 

When my son announced he was walking his graduation for his Master's Degree from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania, it opened up an opportunity for me to explore an area I hadn't been to before.  In one week's time I quickly explored places I had only heard about. I saw the Delaware River (go George Washington!) and Padre Pio's National Shrine in Barto, Pennyslvania.  I spent a great day shopping in Amish Country (Lancaster and Intercourse). I had a historical look at Gettysburg and in Washington D.C. I glimpsed all the National Monuments and the White House. My favorite place in Washington D.C. was the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. I could have spent days exploring it. In the middle of all this, was Matt's graduation in Pittsburgh. I'm so proud of him. I had to laugh at a picture I took of him. His baby daughter's burp cloth pulled ranked on his Master's hood.

Congratulations, Matt, on a Master of Science Degree in Sports Leadership from Duquesne University

Did you happen to pick up a copy of Shape magazine in 2013? I became an avid collector of each monthly publication because my daughter, Beth Blair, was the Shape Weight Loss Diarist for the year. She had a full page write up with professional pictures each month and twice a month she had articles on their web page. Of course I had a subscription to the magazine but I also bought extra copies. At every checkout I proudly showed the cashier my daughter. One lady teased me that I was only buying one magazine instead of 18 like she would do. I fessed up that it was actually my 5th copy of the same issue.

Beth in the September, 2013, issue of Shape Magazine

Have you ever seen a 515.5 pound pumpkin? Feast your eyes on my son, Andrew's, giant pumpkin that he grew in his backyard this year. It took 6 men to load it on his trailer to take it to the weigh-in. Each year his pumpkins grow bigger and bigger. It's a party-worthy event when Andrew cuts the pumpkin from its vine. Family and friends gather to watch, help and celebrate. 

Giant pumpkins are a sight to see

In April I spent two nights and three days at the five star Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. I accompanied my daughter, Beth, for was an amazing experience at the Woman's Weekend of Wellness led by doctors and specialists from the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at the University of Colorado. We had wonderful seminars, activities (I chose the water aerobics) and the healthiest meals I've ever had in my life (I'm talking tofu, egg whites, smoothies, etc.) The gorgeous setting of The Broadmoor added to the all-over wellness we were being offered during the weekend. I would love to go again.

My room was a lovely South Superior room on the 7th floor

A view of Cheyenne Lake and the conference center from my room

I had never been to a Kentucky Derby party before so when I was invited by cousins I was ready. I had the hat. Mint Juleps were authentic as was the fun and seeing the actual race on TV.

Music also played a memorable time in my year. The annual Ukulele Fest was held on a beautiful October weekend at the Temple Events Center in Denver. The musicians were delightful and I have a few more favorites to follow now. My friends and I always get the VIP pass for the Uke Fest and we get to enjoy meals from the food trucks and the complimentary drinks, poster and ID badge on a lanyard. It's the way to go.

Ten days after the Uke Fest, Jimmy Buffett came to town for his "Songs From St. Somewhere" 2013 concert. Being a member of the Colorado Parrot Head Club gives us (my husband and friends David and Chris) entry to the fabulous tail gate party and group seating. The concert is at the Pepsi Center in Denver and it fills  to the rafters with Buffett fans. A great time is had by all. It's a party not to miss. Look closely at the picture below, Jimmy is playing a ukulele. How awesome is that for us that celebrate both venues.

These were just a few of the special events of 2013. In between I still kept busy, even if not road tripping. I spent days babysitting my granddaughters, and continuing to work at the Racquetball and Fitness Center. I took in a Rockies baseball game. Renewed my CPR and First Aid certifications. I took my precious 28 year old daughter, Mary, (now 29 yr.) to have her tonsils out. Every grandchild had a birthday party and of course, this grandma went to the baby showers. I watched one of my wee ones Trick or Treat and another one sing her heart out in a Christmas program. Oh, and I can't forget the Gingerbread House.  In August Rex and I drove to Loveland, Colorado, to meet up with my friend from 4th grade, Don Joy. He's written a really fun book to read "Murder in Whitechapel, The Adventures of the Post-Mortem Knife". It's a Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper thriller. Look it up, even better, buy a copy.

Mackayla in pre-kindergarten

Morgan and Abbi eating candy off the Gingerbread House

My trip to Dallas was during the first week of January, 2013. You can read about my trip from my January archive. I thought my new year was starting out quite sweet. Before January, 2013, was over though, I was facing the reality of life's travails. I was in the hospital twice, and endured two surgeries for a very large kidney stone. Did I say "ouch"? I'm sitting very quietly and still as the clock ticks towards the midnight chime. In August I fell down...and broke my thumb! I just want to end this year healthy and happy! Here's crossing over into a new, and I hope healthy and happy year.

Happy New Year!

School Days and Mom's Taxi

It's July, 2018, and already thoughts are turning to the start of another school year. My daughter-in-law, a teacher, starts August 1st. The summers are much shorter than when I was a kid. 

As summer melts into school days and even though my own children are grown and out of school I still dabble in carpool lines with my grandkids. Just as when I was in Kindergarten, the time held tradition continues. (I'm third from the right)

When visiting my two oldest grandkids in Minnesota, Grandpa and I were always along for the ride to drop them off or pick them up. This year they are in eight and ninth grade. I remember when they were little and watching for them to find us in the carpool pick up line. Time goes by so quickly.

I always know when our local schools start because an elementary school is my backyard neighbor, I love hearing the kids' noise out on the playground and the school bells ringing. A school zone slows the traffic on my street as school buses rumble past my home.

Grandma Rita in Kindergarten! 

This year another of my grandchildren starts Kindergarten. I remember my Kindergarten days. They were fun and exciting times. One day I had the joy of driving my enthusiastic granddaughter, a Kindergartener, to her school. I think I was as excited to be in school mode as she was. It was a bit intimidating finding my way into the proper place for drop-off and then pick-up. I know all too well there are strict rules about such things. I may be a grandma but such adventures bring back lots of memories of driving my own five children to school.

I had a big, custom van that I drove my children in. I would be waiting for them in the school parking lot and not only my own but all the neighbor kids would come and pile into the van for a ride home. We didn't have to follow a seatbelt law back then so kids sat on the floor in the middle of the row of seats or crowded in however they could. I laughed because most didn't have far to walk home but they loved the social of riding with the others. Once the sliding door was closed, I often didn't even know who all was in the van so I asked for directions to the closest drop-off house. It was a fun time. 

With school starting in August, summer heat still lingers.  Today it reminded me of something I wrote in 1992 while living in Texas. It was a hot carpool day 26 years ago. I don't think the experience has changed very much when the temperatures are soaring. 

Mom's Taxi

Hot!

It is so hot today!

The soles of my feet burn on the asphalt.

The top of my head smolders.

My clothes are wet and sticky.

Even my eyes burn in the intense heat.

Droplets form across my forehead and

I feel drips sliding down my neck.

I'm in my sun-scorched van

waiting in the carpool line.

School will be out soon.

When the bell rings,

I search the crowd for the little faces

I know.

From one school to the next

I travel.

Waiting at each school 

in the August heat,

in  the carpool line,

for my children.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4th of July

My Pledge of Allegiance in Kindergarten.  Way back then there were only 48 stars on the flag.

 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America 

and to the republic for which is stands,

one nation. under God, indivisible. with liberty and justice for all. 

Today, I still proudly salute our American Flag, now filled with 50 stars. May our Red, White and Blue continue to wave over our great free nation. 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Canter's Deli, Los Angeles, California

Canter's Deli at 419 Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA, delivered the most wonderful plate of deli food I ever remember biting into. I don't declare this lightly. I have eaten at some of the most delightful deli-restaurants in the country but I wasn't expecting this surprise. On a recent trip to Los Angeles my friends and I headed out for a late meal on a Thursday evening. Our goal was  a popular food stand. Driving by it we didn't even park the car when we saw the long line of eager diners winding around the building. So it was pure serendipity that I ended up at Canter's Deli. 

This Jewish-style deli opened in 1931 and has been open 24 hours every day of the year except for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Because of it's location near the border of West Hollywood, it has welcomed many celebrities through the decades. Be sure and click on the link to see how many celebs you recognize. I did scan the diners but didn't recognize anyone. (I think the only famous person I ever saw while on a California trip was Sarah Jessica Parker. She had her three children with her. I may have seen others but didn't know who they were. Too bad!) 

After we were seated, I was particularly taken in by the lighted ceiling. I have never seen anything like it. Isn't it awesome? 

Our waitress, Lauri, a 5 1/2 yr old veteran of Canter's Deli, was most helpful. Trying to decide which  reuben to order I asked Lauri the difference between pastrami and corned beef. She smiled and left our table without a word, quickly returning with samples of both. It was such a delight to compare the pastrami and corned beef. The difference was obvious. The pastrami had been brined, partly dried, seasoned with various herbs and spies and then smoked and steamed. The corned beef is salt-cured. When we came in the front door the meat and cheese deli was on our right, brimming with choices. Now I had a better understanding of this Jewish deli offerings. 

Sampling each of the yummy slices of meat, we all agreed on the same order, a pastrami reuben. As an appetizer we also had a plate of kosher dill pickles on the table. This was turning into a meal I wasn't going to forget. 

The first bite of the sandwich told me I had just experienced the best reuben I've ever had. I've always been a reuben fan but this one was above and beyond. From the pastrami to the rye bread it was amazing. The sweet potato fries were delish as well. I savored every bite I took. 

The sandwiches were so big I decided to save the second half for the next day. 

This made room for my friends and I to share the creamy cheesecake. Walking into Canter's Deli we passed by the rows of bakery cases screaming "eat me" so what else could we do?

It's a good thing we shared the cheese cake three ways. It would have been a little sinful to eat one all by ourselves!

Here are some pictures of the other bakery choices inside of Canter's Deli. 

Such temptations!

Canter’s provides one-and-one-half hours of free

Besides the outstanding reubens, something else we appreciated about Canter's was the free parking lot next door (with validation). In Los Angeles, free parking is most appreciated. Since the deli is open 24 hours, this thoughtful sign at the parking lot caught my attention. 

I was surprised to learn that a Colorado cousin, Aurora Lowell, knew all about Canter's too.  At a weekend party we compared notes until our mouths were watering. Has anyone else been to Canter's Deli? This afternoon while writing this blog, I wished I was at that bakery counter. It would have made a very wonderful afternoon treat! 

Kentucky Derby Hats, Mint Juleps and Chocolate-Pecan Pie

I bought my Kentucky Derby hat in Solvang, California, before I even had a Derby party to wear it to. So when cousins, Aurora and Craig Lowell, invited my husband and I to the Kentucky Derby 2013 party at their home, I was ready.

The Kentucky Derby is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. This year that fell on May 4th for the 139th horse race, also known as much for the sporting of elaborate hats on the ladies as for the running of the three year old thoroughbreds. The men at the party were not to be left hat-less though. They joined in the fun.

My husband, Rex, wore his hat in honor of the jockeys. He says it was as close as he could get to a jockey helmet. I thought he was looking especially handsome in his hat. 

Craig, our host, donned his Harley hat. 

Stu didn't complicate his balding head with a hat but he had the Kentucky Derby spirit as he happily filled his plate with foods made with touches of bourbon and all good things. 

Aurora, our hostess sporting her new hat, held up her Kentucky Derby shot glass. She used it to measure the perfect mint juleps.

Kelly and Jeanette were in style in a floppy hat and a hat of many feathers.

Three month old baby Lindsey came with her hat too. She was sleeping so she wouldn't miss the two minute race later. 

Waiting for the post time at the Kentucky Derby party, we were offered the customary beverage of the race, a mint julep. Aurora, our hostess, had made mint sugar syrup using mint from her own garden. The syrup mixed with Early Times Mint Julep bourbon and topped with fresh mint leaves  made an extraordinary and refreshing cocktail for this grand event. 

Churchhill Downs, the racetrack hosting the Kentucky Derby, has hosted this event since the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. The race is one and a quarter miles. With this short and fast track the Kentucky Derby has been characterized as "the greatest two minutes in sports" or "the most exciting two minutes in sports."

This year the rain made a muddy mess for the horses and jockeys. In this picture you can see the soggy racetrack. 

Attendance at the Kentucky Derby is a source of pride as it always ranks first in North America. It surpasses all other stakes races including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. This year the attendance was 151,616, even with the pouring rain. 

After great anticipation, it was finally time for the race to begin. We tossed around who our favorite was to win. We would soon know, as they were off and running out of the gates.

It was exciting when we saw number 16, Orb, pulling out alongside the others as he plowed to the front. His feet were off the ground as he raced ahead.

The finish brought cheers as Orb was first to cross the coveted destination well ahead of the other contenders. It really was all a blur as Orb, Golden Soul, Revolutionary, Normandy Invasion and Mylute were the first five to finish the dazzling race.

Within only minutes the results were in for the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is also referred to as "The Run for the Roses". To the winning horse a luxuriant blanket of red roses containing 564 flowers is awarded each year. From this win, a chance for the US Triple Crown becomes a possibility. The next races will be the Preakness Stakes in two weeks and the Belmont Stakes three weeks after the Preakness. Orb will be running to claim the 12th spot as winner of all three of these events in a 125 year old history. 

After the race results, we still had one more tradition of the Kentucky Derby to partake of, a homemade chocolate pecan pie. Some recipes call for the option of bourbon so it's the cook's call on that. I can tell you the pie tasted as yummy as it looks. 

The party started winding down after the pie and all the part-goers were full and happy. A few of us stopped for some last minute photos to remember this joyous fun. Below is Kelly holding Lindsey, Jeanette, Me, Aurora and Nicky.

And the last picture of the day....my dear Rex and his own Roaming Rita. 

Cheers and since I have the hat, let's keep these Kentucky Derby parties going. Anyone?