I'm opening a new spa!

✨Introducing Mimosas and Mammograms: The Spa Experience You Didn’t Know You Needed✨

Gather your besties and treat yourselves to the ultimate day of relaxation, rejuvenation, and empowerment at Mimosas and Mammograms! Kick off your experience with a refreshing mimosa and slip into a luxuriously thick terrycloth robe made from the finest cotton—available for purchase at the end of your visit as a stylish souvenir. 🍾✨

Your journey begins with a soothing shower or bath, followed by your choice of indulgent treatments: manicure, pedicure, massage, or facial (brow shaping included). With all-you-can-drink mimosas in hand, you and your squad will be pampered while soft lighting and your favorite playlist set the perfect mood. 

When it’s time for your personalized mammogram*, enjoy the unique experience of a little radiation, one by one, as you take part in this life-saving service. This is more than just a spa day—it's an opportunity to care for yourself and your health, all while having fun with friends!

Whether you’re booking an hour or an entire day, Mimosas and Mammograms is the perfect blend of relaxation and wellness. Make it a celebration you won’t forget—because taking care of yourself has never been so fabulous! 

*Note: Spa services do not require prior approval from your doctor. Complimentary deodorant, lotion, and powder will be provided post-mammogram. Some restrictions apply. Written with the aid of ChatGBT.

Button, button, who's got the button?

Went to lunch with my gal pals and wore a new pair of linen slacks. The waistband had two buttons, one on the inside and one on the outside. Apparently, the inside button is called a French bearer - something I just learned.

Anyway, I was looking sharp.

But, when I went to the restroom later, I found the inside button was missing - the French button could bear it no longer. I glanced around the floor of the bathroom but didn't see the button and wondered where I could have lost it. I had only dressed a short while earlier and drove the restaurant. Maybe when I got in or out of the car? No matter. I still had the outer button.

When I got home after lunch, again I had need to go to the bathroom. This time, as I pulled up my pants I heard the button fall out of the leg of my pants. The question was, where was it all this time? Stuck to my navel? A mystery....

The mystery now is where did I put that button now? I still have a pair of pants missing its French bearer. If I lose the remaining button, I'll not only be out of a French bearer but I myself will be bare.

Très embarrassant!

Brought to you by Christopher Kimball and your local library.

 

Delicious!

This is Umbrian-Style Chicken alla Cacciatora from Milk Street Tuesday Nights Mediterranean by Christopher Kimball. You can find it at the link from Amazon. 

I found it at my local library. 

Stars Matter

I had a dentist appointment on Monday and before I went in, I flossed my teeth. It's sort of like cleaning the house before the housecleaner arrives. But I got chastised last time. The hygienist said she picked meat out of my teeth!

It wasn't meat. It was oatmeal which is what I ate for breakfast that morning. I had brushed my teeth before going but, apparently, I didn't get it all. I could have flossed but I figured she was going to do it less than an hour later so I didn't. I didn't see the sense in torturing my gums twice in rapid succession when it wasn't, in my opinion, necessary.

This time, I brushed, flossed, and used mouthwash before heading to the dentist.

This time, I got praised for my dental hygiene. "Gold star!" they exclaimed.

Why does it still matters to me that I get a good report from my dentist?

Must be the stars.

They don't make me faster but I can wear them with flip flops.

 

Happy feet!

I've never cheered so much at an NBA game!

This was the LA Lakers versus the Philadelphia 76ers on January 28, 2025, at Wells Fargo Center which (and I had to look this up) is in Philadelphia. I was at a restaurant where the game was on TV in the bar. When I happened to glance up and saw it, I thrust my fists in the air and made a quiet cheering noise like a whisper, "Whaaah!" 

Was it for the 76ers or the Lakers? Was it for LeBron James? An amazing play?

It was for a sponsor: "Libby: the reading app."

Yay for reading! Yay for libraries!

Libby Promotes Literacy as Proud Sponsor of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Lakers Literacy Program

" This multi-year sponsorship kicks off with the 2024-25 season and marks a long-term commitment to supporting California libraries. "

"Libby" appeared to be painted on the court floor but it was a virtual ad. This allowed for a sponsor of the LA Lakers to promote its brand on national TV while the Philadelphia audience could have been seeing the ad or logo for something entirely different. 

I'm not much of a basketball fan, as you may have determined. But I am a fan of reading and I'm glad to have seen Libby being promoted on TV. 

Read more, watch less.

Camera One, Camera Two

Edited photo

Original image

The problem now is I lack motivation. How about an urban hike?

Without a goal, I'm pretty damned lazy. But with one, watch out. I'm committed as hell.

I got sick in January and, because of that, missed the half marathon I had been training for. I lazed around the house getting well but falling out of my exercise routine. As anyone knows, it's harder to start an exercise routine than it is to maintain one so I have been rather lax in getting back out there. 

• "It's cold out there."
• "I can do it later."
• "I'm too busy."
• "What for?"

These are examples of excuses I've been using. Also, when I walk longer distances (6 or more miles), I don't get anywhere because I generally confine my walks to the streets and trails in my own neighborhood. This can get a little boring.

Sometimes, I wonder about going somewhere. For example,

• Old Town La Quinta is about 5 miles from where I live. This includes breakfast places, shops, restaurants, a brewery, and regular art and farmers markets - plenty of destinations. I have, in the past, walked the 10 miles round trip, stopping for a coffee along the way. (SilverRock Grill, along the way, is 4 miles and a nice stop for breakfast.)

• Ernies Bar & Grill at PGA West is also about 5 miles.

• Trilogy La Quinta is about 5.5 miles. Cafe Solaz is open for breakfast, lunch, and happy hour while Kitchen Ten Eleven is expected to open soon.

• In the other direction, Big Rock Pub is 5.5 miles.

• Desert Wine Shop is about 7 miles.

• Cantina at Eldorado Polo Club is an easy 1.5 mile walk.

• Downtown Indio is about 3 miles.

The point being, there are plenty of destinations within a reasonable walking distance (depending on your definition of "reasonable"). And, we - as in, a group of us - wouldn't have to walk both ways if we got other people to meet us there and drive us back. Exercise with a social carrot at the end.

There are other urban hikes such as El Paseo or parts of the CV Link but all of the ones mentioned above can be accessed from right from our own front doors.

I'm all for hiking. (I should really try to do more of it.) But even with hiking, you don't really get anywhere except to where you started from. You also have to drive to wherever it is you want to hike. What I like about urban hiking is it could really start from wherever you are.

I need some motivation. Anyone want to walk with me somewhere?