PARENTS' DAY

Every other Sunday, on Tim's calendar, is marked as "Parents' Day", meaning that he comes to the Manor and willingly helps with whatever I've come up with, usually mundane tasks. Often he joins us for dinner in the dining room and usually Mr. Bob opts to stay home rather than joining us on errands.

Last Sunday, however, we all set out to go to 2 stores I've long had on my unending list of places I want to go. That's the same list that Mr. Bob thinks we're shortening, every time we cross an item off; he still hasn't grasped the idea that I keep adding to the bottom of the checklist.

Our destination was the Silverlake District, rather an alternative, artsy area, with an ambience that borders on the carnival. It's peopled largely by a young crowd that parted to make way for us old folks with our canes. Tap, tap, tap, we made our way to the doorway of a store called The Reform School.

I'd nearly forgotten the thrill of shopping in an independently owned store where the merchandise is carefully chosen without the repetition that gets so tiresome. We browsed, I practiced restraint and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Mr. Bob making a purchase! Who'da thunk it? He chose a moon calendar for 2011.

Leaving that emporium, we headed for the Cheese Store of Silverlake. Years and years ago, I'd jotted down the name as a place that carried a breakfast cheese that struck me as being something I'd like. I don't partake of stinky cheeses, and this was described as mild and creamy, just right for my taste. When I requested it, the first reaction was a puzzled look and a negative answer. The clerk disappeared for a bit........long enough for Mr. Bob to purchase a small wedge of Challerhocker Swiss cheese for himself.......and reappeared with the information of where I could get it, written on a piece of butcher paper.  Such good customer service pleased me and we happily traded places with Tim so he could go in and look around while we sat with Tulip, who wasn't the only pup out for a Sunday walk on a leash.........all were friendly, no barking; just a lot of sniffing.

As we went back to the car, I gathered as many sights as possible, sometimes remembering to use the camera.

Our last stop was at Sumi's in Silverlake. 

There I found a Christmas present which solved a previous dilemma. 

It was a soul satisfying outing, made all the more pleasurable by the presence of Mr. Bob in a good mood. Tim never acts as though these Parents' Days are a burden. Bless his heart.