All this and culture too....

Yes, I do read too (some of you skeptics have been asking yourselves, I am  sure....).  I have just finished rereading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.  If anything could confirm  my libertarian tendencies, that book would do it, but if you agree with her or vehemently disagree, she does write a mean book!  (and I mean that it the nicest sort of way). 

For lighter reading, I am readying two books of short stories, by Nathan Englander (what we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank) and Sholom Auslander(Hope: A tragedy) both books that only Survivor's children could write!  And for a little light porn, I recommend the "grey" series (check the New York Times best seller list, believe it or not!)

I also read the Sunday New York Times every week, the New Yorker magazine, and Art passes on The National Standard, a right wing rag that is less rabid and more thoughtful than most! 

So I do spend several hours every day reading.  You know, I really believe that Palm Springs is where they should have looked for the fountain of youth.  Between the warm  dry air and the sunshine, the time to keep your mind going with books and magazines and scrabble and bridge, the good food and the lack of stress - no wonder people live to be 100!

And, to add to the cultural offerings, there was the Metropolitan Opera in the Movies on Saturday.  I can't recommend these performances highly enough.  For those of you who have managed to escape seeing an opera before this, you really should go.  It is the best way to get introduced to the opera.  Every seat is a front row seat, they are comfortable, you are surrounded by people who love the opera, the sound is wonderful, you can see every button on the Met's magnificent costumes, and, oh, by the way, did I mention the music?  Last week, it was Massenet's Manon, a wonderful production all around.  http://metopera.org/ if you want to check out the movie theaters in your area where they are being shown.  (Have I said this before?  Oh well, it bears repeating!)

There have been the usual dinners out this week....

Art, relaxed

Wally also

...as we had drinks on the patio with Art's brother Danny and his wife Peggy (sorry, every so often the pictures don't turn out), before heading out to dinner at Shame on the Moon, one of our favorite places.  (A prize to anyone who knows where the name came from....)

On Sunday, friends and colleagues Andrew and Elaine visited from Vancouver

Once again, wine on the patio, before heading out to a new (to me) restaurant, Niro's, for Eastern European (or, as they like to call it) continental food.  I love having "foodies" for friends - they take me to the nicest places!

And, to top off the week, a party, thrown at the Desert Princess golf club by one of our excercise group couples, Betty and Dennis.

Betty and Dennis, our illustrious hosts....

...and the rest of the gang...

Great food, endless champaigne, great friends (don't we all clean up well?), karaoke, dancing - a wonderful time was had by all!

With all this eating and drinking, is it any wonder that I don't lose weight, in spite of spending an hour and a half every day at the gym?

And, to come home, with the top down, in the balmy air, and yet another wonderful sky...

Are you guys bored with hearing how happy I am?  Sorry, but it beats the alternative!!!!