YO HO HO AND A (teeny, tiny, little) BOTTLE OF RUM🍹!!!

This Valentine's Day, I didn't have
anything planned because we were supposed to still be in Japan.
I wanted it to be really special to celebrate our new beginning, but I
couldn't think of a thing besides the requisite flowers, candy and other tangible declarations of love.

Now, as you know, I'm a romantic guy and My Tess has been on the receiving end of that for a while now (no complaints so far 😉🤞), so when I asked her what she wanted to do this year, she just smiled and said "Whatever we do is fine, Honey, but please do not go overboard".😒 Dang it! I thought she'd give me an idea.
I looked for ideas online.  Nothing.
And then about a week before Valentine's Day, the phone rang.  The ladies were out, so I answered the house phone because Mrs.D doesn't have an answering machine. It was Tess' Godfather, the one who lives on the boat. He said he was going to be taking his lady friend to Hawaii for 2 weeks and asked if we wanted to use the boat while he was gone.

Me: YES😵 !!! I yelled, a bit too loudly.
GF: Great! Tess has the keys. I'll get her ship shape (😀). Have a good time !
I thanked him and hung up and when the ladies came home, I told Tess to pack her bathing suit.
Tess: But you had already made plans.
Me: Well, I couldn't decide, but this is perfect ! The sea air will be good for you.
Tess: And you😘.
So, I rented a car and they delivered it the next day. I've borrowed Mrs.D's sedan a couple of times and I felt like I was 16 again, asking my mom for the keys. Not fun. Besides, we didn't know when we'd be back and the coiffure has to be redone every Friday without fail !!! 😶

Doppleganger 😬.

Our monthly grocery order had arrived from WALMART two days earlier (Mrs. D likes to do her own shopping) so Tess packed a box, a basket, and a freezer bag and I loaded those in the car (hernia) and went upstairs to pack my pilot case. We never take the laptops or smartphones, just a cellphone in case of emergency (the boat has a radio,etc.) and extra batteries, and a battery operated CD/cassette player/radio.

Before we left, I brought down the presents we had for Lily and Mrs. D. (We had a Rose bath basket shipped to Miss Belle in Louisiana).

A Sakura bath basket for Lily.

and a Lavender basket for Mrs. D. who eyed me suspiciously and asked why I would buy her something for Valentine's Day.

Tess: Mother😢 ! He is being sweet !
Me: I have a client who told me that in Russia the men give Valentine presents to all of their female relations. We......could be related someday......soon😁.
Mrs.D. 🤨 Have you finally set a date?
Tess: Mother !🤯
Mrs.D. : Oh hush. And where is Tess' present ?
Tess: He already gave me the best present possible.
Mrs.D: And what is that ?
Tess: My freedom.
Mrs D: 🤨?
Me: 🤗(Holding out two presents) I got you these too.

😊The requisite Almond Roca.

A Sweet Pea bath basket for My Little Sweet Pea.😉
(The box of fresh ones that I usually have shipped to NY, weren't ready this year, so this was my substitution. Tess loved it 🤗😘.)

 It took us a couple of hours to drive to where the boat is docked, so we decided to head out the next morning. When we walked into our cabin, there was a piece of stationary taped to the TV set.

DIED TWO DAYS AGO. SORRY.

We didn't care. We haven't watched TV since Game of Thrones ended. Yes, we were happy with how it all turned out and nothing will change our minds.

🗡️🏰 House Stark 🐺🗡️

MINI RANT ALERT !!!

 We skipped all of the award shows this year too, but we watched the Academy Awards in Memoriam and that was enough. Putting a big zero (for no nominations/wins) next to an actor's name is a pretty insensitive way to pay your "respects" to him/her. And memo to the producers: Instrumental music accompanied the in Memoriam for decades and it should've stayed that way. Give the big new singing sensation (of the moment) three minutes somewhere else during the show. Let the people who entertained us for decades take their final bows without the caterwauling. Thank you.

AND NOW BACK TO OUR PROGRAM.........😄

I was helping Tess unpack the groceries (hernia #3) when I noticed something.

Me: Sweetie?

Tess: Yes, Honey?

Me: Did you only bring fish?🐟🐠🐡

Creole pompano with shrimp.

Fried bass.

 Tess:Well, I thought that since we were going to be eating some fish that we might try eating only fish and fruit while we are here.

Me: Not another diet 😣!!!

Tess: Just for 2 weeks.

Me: But why only fish and fruit ?

Sweet pineapple and mango 😋.

Tess: The Blue Lagoon.

Me: 🤔???

Tess: They only ate fish and fruit  and they looked so healthy!

Me: They were actors ! They were teenagers !

Tess: Oh, my ears ! Honey, please do not shout below deck.

Me: Sorry, Captain. Well, what did they drink?

Tess: Water.

Me: 😧.

Tess: That box is full of coconut water.

Me: I wondered why it was so heavy😩.

Awww.

Salmon sushi.

Tess: I also brought a few little treats seeing as it is a holiday.

Me: 🤗.

Tess: In four days.

Me: 😵.

Heart shaped chocolate chip coconut cookies. Yum.

The weather could have been better. In the 80's and raining is not my favorite, but if we were still in NY, it would be in the 30's and raining, so take your pick. The boat does have air conditioning and there was plenty of ice in the freezer for my delicious coconut water 😒.And then I remembered the cabinet full of tiny liquor bottles, but when I went to get a little bottle of rum (boats and rum are a perfect pairing, after all. Ask any pirate) for my coconut water, I found it locked.

Me: Sweetie ? Why is the liquor cabinet locked ?

Tess: Because they did not drink in The Blue Lagoon.

Me: Aha ! Paddy did ! He found that barrel of rum !

Tess: And then he died 😭!

Me: Not right away !

She knew I was right. She went away and came back a few minutes later and set three tiny bottles of rum on the table in front of me. (P.S. Coconut water, two thimblesful of rum, pineapple juice, a squeeze of lime and ice. I think I've invented something 😁🍹! But, probably not😌). 

Salmon patties with spinach and asparagus.

Bass with mushrooms.
I know that sounds weird, but it was delicious !

For twelve days,we ate and swam  and enjoyed the silence ,except for Tess' bossa nova CDs that she likes to play on the boat because they remind her of her daddy 😇. We did a little dancing too 🕺💃.

Tess' Godfather called to thank Tess for the big tin of fresh baked cookies she'd left for him and the three homemade dinners he'd found in the freezer.He apologized for the TV again and I told him it didn't matter and why.

GF: Oh, that Daenerys! Rotten to the core! Pretty little thing, but rotten. They have to be pretty INSIDE !

Me: Like My Tess.

GF: Now, you're talking ! I know I'm prejudiced, but she's the best.

Me: I couldn't agree more.

When we got back, we'd found that Lily had baked a cherry pie because she had noticed CHERRY PIE DAY on Tess' crazy calendar on February 15th.

Me: You're 7 days late. 

Is there any fish in it ?

Lily: No, Sir🤨.

Me: Then we can't have any. We're on a fish and fruit diet 😒.

Lily: Cherries are fruit.

Me: Ah, I might get around that on a technicality.

Tess came downstairs giggling.

Tess: I lost 6 pounds !

I went upstairs and got on the scale. 

Me: Woo Hoo ! I lost 11 !😄

Tess: I knew you could do it !

Me: Maybe we should buy a boat ! A houseboat !!!

Tess: Do you want cool whip on your pie ?

Me: No pie. I'm turning over a new leaf.

Tess: You could have a small piece.

Me: I'm going to bed.

Tess said her goodnights and followed me upstairs.

Me: So, you don't want to live on a boat ?

Tess:Do you ?

Me: It was nice. I'd forgotten how nice. Do you miss the house ?

Tess: Sometimes. We lived there for a long time. I miss my onsen and the swimming pool and the ducks.

Me: I know. We'll find a new house with the first two and we'll buy some ducklings and build a pond in the backyard.

Tess: Really ?

Me: Why not ?

Tess: And you know, we can go out on the boat more often, now that we are nearby. 

Me: Good.

P.S. The next morning, we had cherry pie for breakfast and it was Delicious 😋!!! Turning over a new leaf and completely changing your eating habits are two different things. Besides, life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.😉

And the world's best coffee.

If we had any doubts about quitting our jobs, putting the house up for sale, moving several  states away and leaving our old life (and hopefully all of the drama 🤪!!!) behind, we don't now. It was long overdue and looking back,I'm just sorry that we didn't do it sooner. No amount of money, status, or luxury is worth trading your health, happiness, or

 self respect for. 

Tess says that our only real "needs" are a full tummy, a comfortable bed, and peace of mind, and she's right.  Right now, we have all three under this roof and that's great, but it will be nice when we find a new little home to call our own.

This morning, the grower called to tell me the sweet peas were in bloom.

When I picked them up,I bought a couple of packs of seeds from him too.

Me: For our future garden.
Grower: To plant a garden, is to believe in tomorrow.
Me: That's nice ! Did you write that ?
He stepped aside and I saw the sign bearing the quote on a plaque on the wall. When I got home, I Googled. It was actress Audrey Hepburn who said it. Then I went upstairs and put one vase on Tess' bedside table and another in her bath, so that she would wake up surrounded by her favorite fragrance. I wish I could do that for her every day.

I do believe in tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it, but I have learned to be grateful for today and I'm going to savor every moment of it. I hope you'll do the same. 😉💐

💓😋🍕NATIONAL PIZZA DAY !!!🍕😋💓

Hey Kids,
Today is National Pizza Day and in celebration, I am making......PIZZA 🍕!!!
Since we've been staying with Tess' mother, Tess has been making dinner a few nights a week and she thought it would be nice if I cooked one night a week so that her mother would see that I'm "more than just a handsome face" 😄. So tonight I "cooked".

Now, I love pizza as much as the next guy, I've eaten it since I was knee high to a grasshopper (I'll be speaking fluent Southern by the time we move 😕), but I've never actually made it and I wasn't sure where to start. I watched some  YouTube videos, I Googled, and I looked through some of Tess' recipe books. And then I did what most lazy guys who don't want to look like an idiot do.....I went to the store. Good ol' WALMART 🤗.
I bought 4 RED BARON frozen pizzas for $16. The price of ONE Domino's Pizza !!! (Oh no 😟! I'm becoming a Frugal Freida !) I figured that would be enough for dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day😏.

My favorite is Pepperoni.

Tess and Mrs.D prefer 4 Cheese,

and Lily said she was fine with either one.

The traditional Margherita pizza.
(I had a few while I was in Rome.🤫)

Mushroom.

Buffalo Chicken.

French bread pizza.

Hawaiian Ham, Bacon and Pineapple.

Mexican (refried beans,hamburger,
cheese, black olives, tomatoes,green onions).

Apparently, there are also dessert pizzas.

Fresh fruit.

S'mores.

Crazy candy pizza ???
(This one will give the kids a serious sugar rush and possibly nightmares😱).

Pizza Snacks

The homemade version looks amazing !!!
(I've already requested these).

And if course, some of us remember the "pizza" from our school days.

I'm not even sure I want to know what that crust was made out of. Cardboard ? Plaster ? Balsa Wood ?

⏲️ DING !!!😁👍

I forgot the parsley 😣!
(I got kisses anyway😘😁).

On YouTube, I found this video about a pizza vending machine in Hiroshima, Japan. (Warning: This video will cause you to fly to Japan🏯⛩️🍕)https://youtu.be/6hemWBmjwG8The pizza looks amazing ! The machine costs $50,000. I've been thinking about changing careers. I think I might need a partner for this venture. Now, who do I know who🤔has $50,000 ?

While I was Googling I found this great WordPress post about THE HISTORY OF PIZZA.  https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/rosenberg14/pizza-culture-3/

I can't top that.😉Happy Pizza Day !!!

Next Post : 💝VALENTINE'S DAY !!!💝

🎉🎈OUR VERY HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY 🎉🎈!!!

Tess and I would like to thank you
for visiting with us these past 3 years. We've made a lot of changes in both our life and this blog, but we're looking forward to what the future holds and if you want to
come along with us, then you're more than welcome. 😉☺️

February 9th is Pizza Day 😋🍕🍺!!!

🏮GREETINGS FROM JAPAN 🏮

           

IF JAPAN WAS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA !
 Sorry, but I couldn't resist.😁

Last month, when Tess and I told our families that we were moving to Florida, they were thrilled. Like Tess' mother, my parents live in a retirement community there (not the same one that she lives in) and they love it and hoped that we would move there someday. 

When we told them we were  finally going to Japan, they were happy for us, but when the news of the trouble in China reached them, my phone started ringing off the hook  !(Disclaimer: Smartphones do not have hooks). First, Mrs.D., then my parents, then my sister and finally Miss Belle. All of them wanted us to cancel.

 I never thought I would ever say this, but G_d Bless Mrs.D 😁!!!  For once, we were on the same side.

I wonder if it's for sale😉.

MRS.D'S ARGUMENTS
1) It was too far for two unaccompanied ladies to travel alone (She had traveled with a group of 20 from her senior community and they had a tour guide).
2) Tess could become ill in the middle of the ocean. Was there a ship's doctor on board ? (NO😱!!!)
3) There could be pirates😲!!!

I showed her this guy and she said "Saints preserve us !" 😄


4) Had we been watching the news ? (Tess never does. It makes her do this😭).
Her mother proceeded to inform her of what was happening including the part about a Seattle man being the first reported case (I hadn't known this and the ship was sailing from Seattle). 

Care for a swim ?

5) Why were we going in the winter ? There wouldn't be any cherry blossoms, the gardens would be buried under mounds of snow, the koi would be indoors, Tess would get her kimonos wet, she would catch cold, the list went on and on 🙂👍).

Koi.

I agreed with all of it (well, Johnny Depp stealing My Tess from me is pretty unlikely. She likes some of his movies : Finding Neverland, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeny Todd ( this one surprised me because she's pretty squeamish, but she loves the Victorian Era and she liked his singing voice) BUT, she absolutely despises tattoos 🤢, so he's out of luck. 

A lone duck.

After I heard everyone out, I called Tess. We talked for a long time and then she asked what I wanted to do. I said I didn't want us to be separated for ten days, I didn't want to take the chance of her getting sick and I wanted to postpone the trip until spring. She didn't argue, she didn't cry (much) she only nodded. I was relieved.

We've made some big decisions in the last few months to simplify our life and improve it and we're gambling a bit, but you don't gamble with your health. I'm more than willing to relocate (we've both had enough of New York winters),I can find new (more cooperative) clients,but I can't find a new Tess. It took me too long to find her and I know from experience that she's one of a kind💕.

A Samurai and his steed.

She asked if I would still be arriving on Monday and I promised. I'd been finishing up my work on the East coast, packing, and getting ready to leave. I  rented a truck to bring all of the boxes and except for my 

there wasn't any furniture so the move would be pretty easy. We'll be moving into our new place in a month or so and until then we'll be staying with Tess' mother. 
 🤨??? I know, but I owe her one. Tess told me on the phone that her mother had said that when we talked that I had reminded her of Tess' father. Tess said that was the highest compliment I would ever receive from her and then she smiled and patted my cheek and said that it was one of the reasons she had fallen in love with me. 🙂Since I'm not old enough to be her father, I'll take that as a compliment.

When I arrived, I received a warm welcome from all 3 ladies 🙂! Of course, My Tess' was the warmest and sweetest 🤗😘.
I unloaded the truck into her mother's

garage, dropped the truck off and Tess had arranged for a neighbor to meet me there and bring me back to the house🤗. By that time, Tess had unpacked for me, made dinner and was drawing me a bath. Then, she put my clothes in the washer and while she was scrubbing my back, I asked if she was o.k. about us cancelling the trip.

The bamboo ceiling in the Katsura Grill.

She said she was. I told her what my mom had suggested. "How would you like to go to Japan ?"

The ladies found a perfect spot
for lunch.

She looked at me like I'd been out in the sun too long.
 Me: Epcot! And my parents want to meet us there. They suggested that you ask your mother and Lily too.
Tess:But it's so expensive !
Me: Not as expensive as going for real. Besides, they have an Annual Pass. They go to all of the food and wine events.

Imminent showers.

Tess: The travel agent called and she says that I will receive a fifty percent refund on the ship fare.
Me: That's good.
Tess: Yes,I was surprised.
Me: So, do you want to go ?
Tess: Yes🙂.
Me: Good ! We'll rent a car and....
Tess: Nonsense, we'll borrow my mother's. She will not need it until her hairdressers appointment on Friday.
Me:😍.

Tori.

Two days later, we all drove to Orlando to meet my parents. They met Tess 3 years ago and fell in love with her too. They hadn't approved of my first wife and it caused a rift between us, but Tess is nothing like her.

Pagoda.

They had only met Mrs.D once before, but everyone got along really well.

LUNCHTIME😋!!!

The ladies all chose the Teriyaki
Chicken with rice and salad.

Dad had the Chicken Cutlet Curry and California rolls.

I had the Teriyaki Shrimp and Chicken
with Nigiri and California roll.

After lunch, it started to rain, so we ducked into the Mitsukoshi Department Store for a couple of hours. The original in Japan has been there since 1673 😯 !!!

It's stocked with everything Japanese you could think of (although nothing from Milk and Mocha, much to Tess' dismay) , from cartoon characters to Anime, clothes, snacks, toys, tabi socks, books, beauty products, incense, etc. There is a Ayoka Pearl area where you can pick an oyster.  They open it for you and you can buy a setting for it in the adjacent store. I asked Tess if she wanted one.

Tess: I have pearls, Honey.

Me: Kimono 👘?

Tess: I have two, Honey.

Me: Fan ?

Tess: I have......

Me: I know.....three ?

Tess: Seven.

Me: Kit Kat's ?

Tess: No, Honey. We can buy those at Walmart.......Good Lord, is that the price or the bar code number !

Me :(and several people standing nearby) 😆!!!

We wound up each agreeing to buy a pair of chopsticks to commemorate the day, but even that took a while because they had quite a selection.

After shopping, we stopped at the Kabuki Cafe and everyone chose a kakigori (shaved ice with fruit syrup).

Tangerine or melon,

Cherry, strawberry, or blue raspberry.

Tess couldn't decide, so she chose rainbow.

Although the atmosphere is beautiful and the food is good, there wasn't much to do besides eat and shop. A Taiko Drum show happens several times a day, but we all agreed that entertainment is sorely lacking. The senior ladies would have liked a show with Geisha-esque women dancing , singing and playing instruments, Dad thinks a Judo or Sumo Wrestling demonstration might work and Tess thought a small deer Park would be nice. She thought we would be able to feed the Koi, but no. She was disappointed.

Her mother has a small pond in her garden, but no fish. Hmmm🤔.

We had a great day (despite some rain, but we'll have to get used to that). Even though it wasn't really Japan🏯, it made My Tess happy and that's all that matters to

me. We'll get there someday, but even if we don't, we'll always have Epcot and my parent's Annual Pass😉👍.