Monthly Archives: June 2026

A Couple of Things…

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Make a wish artwork

1. Why do people make wishes at 11:11? They have two chances every single day, 365 days a year.
Google says:
* Cultural Significance: Many cultures associate 11:11 with good luck and positive energy.
* Numerology: The number 11 is often seen as a master number, symbolizing intuition and enlightenment.
* Mindfulness Moment: Wishing at 11:11 serves as a reminder to pause and reflect on one’s desires.
* Collective Belief: The shared practice creates a sense of community among those who participate.
* Spiritual Connection: Some believe it’s a time when the universe is more receptive to their intentions.
* Habitual Ritual: For many, it has become a fun and lighthearted tradition to make a wish at this time.

Pam says:
* It’s poppycock
* It’s bull puckey
* It’s malarkey
* It’s bullcrap
* But then again…It’s better safe than sorry

Photo of Linda, JR Richards and Pam

2. This week, JR Richards (original lead singer for Dishwalla) played an intimate show at an Italian restaurant in Moorpark, CA, called Carrara’s. It was a solo acoustic on either guitar or keyboards and he absolutely nailed it! He has such a beautiful voice, so well preserved after all these years.
I interviewed JR in 2002 for Buzzine Magazine. The interview was conducted after a photo shoot in Santa Barbara in JR’s car. He remembered the interview when I asked him to sign my copy.

3. I try to keep my opinion to myself when it comes to art whether it be in the form of paintings, music, jewelry, etc… But while walking past a booth at an Arts and Crafts fair recently, I really had to bear down and work on keeping my face composed (showing no opinion whatsoever) as the paintings were truly…”not my cup of tea.” I couldn’t help but glance around to see if others had the same opinion, but as the booth was devoid of shoppers, I guess I wasn’t the only one.

I still believe putting down an artist is evil. So I keep my opinions to myself…or to a close network of friends 😉

4. In one of my recent posts, I wrote about an article regarding women over a certain age should stop doing or wearing. Well I found one entitled, “10 Outdated Things That People Over 60 Should NEVER Have in their Homes.” Yes the “never” was in all caps. It was a blog written by Julia Guerra.
A few of the items were a matter of opinion, but others make sense for our aging community such as
* Bathroom tripping hazards
* Stairs without proper handrails
* Low-slung sofas sectionals
But other items regarding bulking entertainment centers, or formal dining spaces or holding on to relics from your children’s bedroom should continue to be a matter of choice.

5. May I make a recommendation if you subscribe to HBO Max? The series is called Rooster staring Steve Carell. HBO says, “…the new comedy series focuses on the complicated relationship between a successful author and his daughter.” So cleverly written, directed and the actors are spot on. I can’t praise it enough!
See more…

6. While on a recent phone call with a close friend, I told her to guess what I was doing, specifying it was something I really hated. She guessed group texting. I laughed and said, something I hate almost as much…clothes shopping.

Oscar Mayer weinermobile

7. Have you ever seen the Weiniemobile out in the wild? I did once in the late 80s driving down the Conejo grade in Camarillo, CA.

I spotted it, took a double take, and thought, “Am I trippin’?” I wondered if this was finally the flashback I was warned about over fifty years ago.

According to the Oscar Mayer official website, you can track it, and even invite it to your next party though they don’t specify how much that would be.

It seems that every January, Heinz (parent company) offers applications to recent college graduations for a one-year employment to drive one of their six Weiniemobiles on cross-country road trips attending hundreds of events. Saddens me that it’s open to only recent college grads and not to recent retirees because that sounds like a bucket list item to me.

8. I saw that comedian, Anthony Jeselnik, was performing at a nearby comedy club in the Collection in Oxnard, so I snagged a couple of tickets and we took in an early show. No topic was off limits though I cringed at a lot of his off-color humor. I mean it was reeeally REALLY dark. It kinda delights me he hasn’t been “Cancelled” yet! Good for him!!

Dutch oven advertisement

9. While doing research for a new dutch oven for my sourdough baking journey, the image above was one of the several photos advertising the product. Just who do you think is their target audience? It has to be either straight male sourdough bakers, or lesbians. Am I wrong? Or just maybe…the ad suggests if you buy this product you will be as attractive as the woman shaping the sourdough. #FoodForThought

10. From my favorite quotes file: “I love a Hebrew National hot dog with an ice cold Corona – no lime. If the phone rings, I won’t answer until I’m done.” – Maya Angelou

A Couple of Things…

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  1. So…I started a “A Couple of Things” Facebook page. Please follow!
    https://www.facebook.com/ACoupleofThings

And if you’re on Instagram, I’m there too, but guess what? You can’t add a clickable link on the posts…so that sucks. But follow anyways: @acoupleofthings.us

2. As you may, or may not know, I adopted two senior pups about six months before the pandemic hit. It was perfect timing. I did my best to give them their best lives thinking I’d have one maybe two years with each of them. Barnie lived three years longer and Missy nearly six years, I called her my super senior pup. I won’t lie, while I miss them something terrible, it’s nice to not have to be home to feed and/or walk them a couple times a day. They only thing I have to rush home to feed is my sourdough starter.

That being said, I can’t help but linger over posts about dogs needing adoption. I prefer smaller dogs under 15 pounds for a number of reasons such as easy to carry up and down the stairs if necessary (and it was necessary for both the senior pups at one point), plus they eat less which means less poop to clean up. After Barnie and Missy, I thought I would continue to adopt seniors…but I’m allowed to change my mind as long as they’re scrappy. All four of the dogs below are available for adoption, all under 15 pounds. All are potty trained (Fonzi is working on it), they all are social with other dogs, cats and people, and they all walk well on a leash. I kinda feel like Piper is in the lead.
Thoughts???

photo of dog
Piper – 2 1/2 years old.
Yorkie Poodle mix
photo of dog
Fonzi – 6 months old – Pom Poo Chi
photo of dog
Sherman – 1 year old – Poodle Terrier
photo of dog
Flower – 2 years old l- Poodle Terrier

I did get to spend some time with this little fluffball at a music event last night. She’s just a couple of months old and she would soon fall asleep inside my jacket. #NotMyDog

3. Recently I caught Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day. Emily Blunt was amazing. My friend Steve declared Blunt a national treasure, and when I reminded him that she’s British, we agreed to upgrade her as a global treasure. I read an article that Blunt turned down Spielberg’s offer to use AI for that weird clicky noise she makes while doing a weather broadcast. No spoil alert needed, it’s in all the advertisements and previews for the movie. #Props4Emily

Regarding AI and specifically ChatGPT for writers, Microsoft’s Copilot has this to say, “ChatGPT is not recommended for writing because it lacks true creativity, personal voice, and nuanced understanding, often producing formulaic or robotic content.

So trust me, I will never use ChatGPT for my writing, but I do research a lot using Google and it’s generated answers now called Copilot search. I like to give credit where credit is deserved, and I link to the original source when possible.

4. I’ve always enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the Obamas and George W. Bush and his wife Laura. (See People Magazine article) I never realized Bush had such a great sense of humor until I saw the viral memo below. Conservatives do have a sense of humor! #WhoKnew

5. And on that note…Congratulations to our former president, Barrack Obama on the opening of his new presidential center which opened this week in Chicago. It seems my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. Regardless, if I ever do visit the windy city, I will not miss visiting this one.

6. To cover or not to cover, that is the question. Do you cover the camera on your computer when you’re not using it? I use to when I worked on a laptop, but I now use my desktop and it’s an attachable camera that remains in the drawer when not in use.
The webcam cyberattack is known as “camfecting” which is a person maliciously gains access to your device. It’s real and it does happen. One article explains why attackers target webcams: “The motivations for these attacks are varied and alarming. They range from corporate espionage, where competitors seek to steal proprietary information discussed in meetings, to blackmail schemes where attackers record compromising footage. In many cases, it is simply invasive voyeurism.” (website)

Hence, my public service announcement: “Cover your camera!”

7. Does everyone have a “The one who got away” story?

8. It’s Father’s Day weekend, 2026, and of course I can’t help but think of my dad. All those hours spent flying homemade kites, playing in the water at Huntington Beach and building sand castles together, Daddy Daughter dances, racing slot cars, vacations, giving me my first car (1967 VW bug), and of course listening to music at home, in the car, at concerts and at jazz clubs. His love for music and his favorite pets were only surpassed by his love for friends and especially family.
I created a blog in his honor leading up to his passing so he could reminisce with me over what a great life he had. Gilbert R Sanchez |
Happy Father’s Day Dad!!! Miss you so much!

9. From my favorite quotes file, “Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.” – Barack Obama

A Couple of Things…

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  1. I may have hit a nerve on my last post regarding my Public Service Announcement message about talking at concerts. A few friends were concerned with my “sassiness” because I’m usually well-mannered (LOL!!!), and others because they may have been the target for my rant. Rest assured, I keep all conversations to a minimum at concerts, so no, my friends are not the target and perhaps I should rephrase? So instead of “So please take your conversation elsewhere or just shut the fuck up!” I should say, “Please take your conversation elsewhere so others may continue to enjoy the show” (Yawn, Eyeroll). #SorryNotSorry
girl holding sign saying sorry

2. I go back and forth with my hate/love relationship with GoDaddy. On one hand, the company continues to nickle and dime us small businesses, but on the other hand, 80% of their tech help are remarkable! The other 20%, not so much.

3. I don’t go back and forth with my hate/hate relationship with Ticketmaster. I hope someday there is a class action suit against them. They do not allow single tickets to be purchased up near the stage! I’m happy to go to a concert solo and pay that price! I’ve looked into traveling to see one of my favorite bands, but again, I don’t want to sit solo in the nosebleed seats. Turns out, I’m not the only one with disdain for this conglomerate. #HateTicketmaster

4. I have on occasion been sucked into reading articles with intriguing headlines. One had to do with clothes women should no longer wear after a certain age according to a fashion expert. Apparently I already break most rules, though “Avoid massive makeup” is strictly adhered to as is “Opt for comfortable footwear.”

5. I tend to keep rudeness by others filed “closely” away. Like elephants, I rarely forget. I do try to understand those random acts of impolite/insulting/vulgar non-kindness…but then I get bored and file it away for future profiling.

Wiki definition of “Offender Profiling: Investigative tool used by law enforcement agencies to identify likely suspects and analyze patterns that may predict future offenses and/or victims.”

Syd's starter
Syd teaching me about sourdough bread making
sourdough bread
An early attempt at sourdough bread

6. Have I mentioned I went down the rabbit hole of sourdough bread baking? It all started when my evil daughter sent me home with a Christmas present of her sourdough starter. I’m embarrassed to say, I promptly, but accidentally killed it. I would soon learn that chlorine in our water was the culprit, so I only use bottled spring water and my starter is 100% homemade…her name is Betty Boop. I still haven’t nailed the process of baking the sourdough which is a two-three day ordeal, but I’m incredibly close. So yeah, it’s been six months and I’m still learning.

photo of Otzi mumified body
A trove of prehistoric microbes have been found in the mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman.

7. On a related note. The website, AllThatsInteresting.com had an article called, “Scientists Just Used Yeast From Otzi, The Iceman’s 5,300-Year-Old Corpse to Make Sourdough Bread.”
Otzi was discovered in 1991 in Italy’s Otzal Alps and scientists have been studying him ever since. In 2019 a team from Eurac Research Institute began studying Otzi’s microbiome and discovered yeast along with various types of bacteria, so why not make sourdough bread?
My question, “Who was brave enough to try it?” Next they hope to make beer from the yeast….which seems more realistic.
https://allthatsinteresting.com/otzi-the-iceman-yeast

8. Eagle watch update: The eaglets, Luna and Sandy, are now fledglings. They earned the new title once they developed feathers necessary for flight…which I have not witnessed yet. But they look ready to go! It has been noted that both youngsters “branched” for the first time earlier this month, which is to say they hopped/flew to a nearby branch outside their nest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE #FlyLikeAnEagle

9. If you love me, then do me a hard favor when introducing me to a friend. Use their name at least five times. I suck at remembering names. Example: This is my friend Joe. I’ve known Joe for years. Joe is a Fireman. I understand that Joe thinks you’re hot and Joe wants to date you. This I would remember. #BadAtNames

From my favorite quotes file: “I fall in love just a little, oh a little bit every day with someone new” – Hozier, Someone New

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things…

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  1. Here now, a Public Service Announcement: When you are at a live music event such as a concert or listening room and you’re talking to a friend, I am telling you under no uncertain terms that those around you CAN hear you and you are 100% ruining their experience. So please take your conversation elsewhere or just shut the fuck up!
    Bars, wineries and breweries are the exception to the rule. Though at least you could lower your voice.
    Thank you.
Strawberry Festival with Carlos

2. The California Strawberry Festival was fun. Took the shuttle which was located just around the corner from me and spent a few hours looking at a bunch of crap…I mean arts and crafts from all the vendors. We listened to live music from Jayden Secor and a Queen tribute band, the Kings of Queen. Left without eating a single strawberry whether it be in the form of a strawberry shortcake, or a strawberry margarita.

3. It’s been decided, the meerkat is my spirit animal. They’re highly social living in cooperative groups which are called (wait for it)…mobs. Luckily for me, it is illegal to own them as pets. One blogger said, “…meerkats belong digging tunnels under the sun with their clan, not stuck in a human home.” I get it, but damn, how cute are they?

4. My first paying job was via a high school work permit at another school’s remittance office. This was back when typewriters were barely electric (I believe they were IBM Selectric), and the filing system was extremely low tech. But the upside was you really became proficient at alphabetizing.

Bike riders in front of Ventura City Hall.

5. Transportation photo op from 14 years ago in front of City Hall promoting and validating those who ride their bikes to work. It’s the best ride ever…up the coast, right hand turn at California Street and you’re there! For me it was less than 3 miles.

6. If I were on the committee to select the next James Bond, Jacob Elordi would be at the top of my 007 list. I’ve heard the candidate needs to be young, fit, convey lethality, charm and vulnerability and should be British. Elordi is Australian, but is that a big stretch to the American ear? Unfortunately, I’m sure it is to Brits. #FingersCrossed

7. This story posted on social media by the local highway patrol and it caught my eye because it happened around the block from where I live:
“While patrolling the area of US-101 and Seaward Avenue, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered the driver had taken a very “creative” approach to the vehicle’s registration tabs. Unfortunately, artistic ability does not replace valid registration. The vehicle was impounded.”
#Creative #A4Effort #TrueStory

License plate

8. My friend Steve has an undying love of all things Grateful Dead. I’m a newbie, and can’t quite say I’m a fan yet, but I’m recognizing more and more of their deeper cuts. We attended the three-day It Must Be the Roses festival this past weekend here in town. The opening act was Jackson Gillies band,Jax Plays Dead. It was a great way to start the event, I’ve been a fan of Jackson for some time catching several of his gigs up in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.He was also a contestant on American Idol…I believe Season 18.

Full disclosure…I danced more than I thought I would all weekend and, Item #1 above still applies.

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No Matter what kind it is.” – Louie Armstrong

Thanks for listening!