Los Angeles, California: It was time to return our grandchildren. (Boo!) But, we were able to attend a Dodger game with them on the 4th of July! One last supper at Bubbe's before heading back:
I created some-sort of a lamb kofta situation, served with tzatziki, Greek salad and watermelon.
It's always busy at Lisa & Lenny's house, and this weekend was no exception. Besides the Big Game on Friday and Jurassic Park Rebirth on Saturday, Lisa is taking the kids to the beach Monday for a week of Surf Camp. We grilled burgers before going to the game, so didn't have to spend a fortune on food at Dodger Stadium. (This did not stop me from buying a super-expensive cocktail in a one-time-only-4th-of-July Dodger souvenir cup!)
Members of every military branch held-up a massive American flag before the game and had it "waving" during the Star Spangled Banner.
Except for the actual game, it was a great evening. The Houston Astros were on fire and the Dodgers didn't even have a spark. Houston won, 18-1.... or as DT said: 3 touchdowns. Usually, with a score like that, fans would begin leaving by the 6th inning (you can get home with no traffic and catch the last few innings on TV), but the Dodgers were treating fans to a fireworks show after the game. Everyone stuck around, moaning and groaning. It was worth the wait.
A fun night, and a great fireworks show. When we returned to the house to watch more fireworks on television, it sounded like a war zone in their neighborhood - until well after midnight. One of the dogs, Phoenix, didn't like the noise and retreated to a basket in the laundry room to hide. Poor baby.
DT and I were up before the children this morning and made it home in less than two hours. (The last sentences seriously merited three exclamation points, but I use enough already.) We wanted to be home to watch the 50th Prefontaine Classic on NBC. It was another fabulous track meet, but is sobering (pun intended) to realize Steve Prefontaine died 50 years ago. This meet always features a men's mile run, and this is significant as the mile isn't raced often these days. (It's the 1500m now, and think of the mile as being about a straight-away longer than the 1500m. American track & field switched to metric in the mid-70's, we were slow adapters, but still love the occasional mile.) This year's contest had TWO world records - both by Kenyan women. Faith Kipyegon set a new world record in the 1500m at 3:48.68, and her close friend, Beatrice Chebet, set a world record in the 5000m at 13:38.06. You can watch videos of all the races at this NBC link.
Until my next update, when we hope to have caught-up with all the sheets & towels laundry, I remain, your La Quinta correspondent.