How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

A couple of years ago while Pat and I were visiting West Hollywood California, we walked by this window of dogs.  This scene reminded me of the Fifties Hit Parade song "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?"  

Remember back to those innocent times of the Fifties?  I used to think I was living in such a boring time.  Hey, guess what?  I would love to have those "boring" times back again, albeit with all my digital devices.

I found this video while organized my 92,260 photos and videos on my iMac. Can you believe I have these many images on my computer?  Can you imagine how many I would have if I was taking photos and videos since the Fifties?

Furniture Store Pat

We all have our favorite diversions. My Travel Buddy Pat's favorite indulgence is to visit modern furniture stores. 

The employees in the modern furniture stores in Pat's home in Toronto, Canada know my friend Pat well. Pat is a frequent visitor to their establishments, as they well know when they see Pat's shaven head enter their floor to ceiling glass doors. 

Pat checking out a recliner at CB2 in West Hollywood

When we're visit West Hollywood in California, one of the first places we visit is the CB2 store at 8000 Sunset Plaza (see banner photo).  We frequent this plaza because that's where our favorite foodie place, The Veggie Grill, is located. A CB2 store is also located there.  

The Veggie Grill in West Hollywood, California

This plaza is located on Sunset Boulevard, right across the street from the Comedy Store and the Chateau Marmont Hotel. Talk about a prime location. Absolutely one of our favorite places to visit when we're in West Hollywood. Of course we have yet to spot a celebrity but that's all right. We enjoy the vibe.

Me and Pat enjoying about to enjoy an excellent meal at the Veggie Grill (all vegan!)

Thus every time we have a meal at the Veggie Grill, we make a side visit to the CB2 furniture store. I have too admit I too like the furniture in CB2.  If I had to furnish my house from scratch, I would definitely use modern furniture. I like that clean, uncluttered look. Unfortunately over the years I have accumulated a mish mash of furniture that I am stuck with now unless a hurricane wipes out my house here in Delaware.

Pat enjoying a smoothie while sitting on his favorite sofa at CB2 in West Hollywood (the sofa is you Pat!)

So when we make our annual visit to California, one thing is always on our itinerary, and that is a visit to the modern furniture emporiums. Last year we even visited one in Beverly Hills. Of course the prices in that store were astronomical but it was interesting to see how the Other Half lives. 

We have yet to visit a movie studio (unless you count "The Price is Right") but you can be sure we'll always visit the modern furniture stores. Hey, I'm okay with that. 

Memories of California Holiday 2017 Part 3

Pat at our Airbnb accommodation on Croft Avenue in West Hollywood, California

Once we finally got settled in our Airbnb accommodations on Croft Avenue in West Hollywood, we had a very restful night.

Our bedroom in West Hollywood - very basic

At first we were both a little put off by having "company" in our Airbnb accommodations.  We're used to entering a space unoccupied when we're on a holiday.  We weren't expecting to see another couple already settled in.  However, we eventually acclimated ourselves to our "roommates", a delightful couple from Germany.  We were so tired that we relinquished the common space to our German co-guests and retired to our bedroom.  

Common space at our Airbnb in West Hollywood - nice big TV but poor sound. We suggested a sound bar for our next stay.

We also had a TV in our bedroom so all was well. One thing we didn't like though was the heavy down comforter.  All those dead ducks who had to give up their feathers. Neither Pat or I could sleep under that travesty.  I pulled the comforter off and stuffed it into the top shelf of the closet. After watching a bit of "Shark Tank" on the TV, Pat and I drifted off to dreamland. A LONG day.

Pat resting on the couch in the common area before our German roommates arrived 

The next morning, we both took showers (separately) in the very nice bathroom.  Our only issue with the bathroom was the shower head.  Their were mineral deposits on the shower head which caused the water to go every which where.  And the water pressure was way to hard.  Taking a shower was a painful experience for my sensitive old dry skin.  I suggested to the owner to replace the shower head with one that wasn't quite so brutal.  We're staying here again next year  and I have no desire to go through that needle sharp shower experience again. If she hasn't replaced the shower head next year we'll just buy one for ourselves.  

Our bathroom at Croft Street

After showering we decided to go to a local legendary restaurant called "Norm's" for breakfast.

Me in front of Norm's restaurant. Which is cooler? Me or that sign? 

 Pat likes the Fifties vibe of this place and I like the food.  Check it out folks, I had an omelette to last me for the week!

My omelette at Norm's, which I had already taken a bite (or two) out off. Pat got a vegan sandwich. Check out those home fries! Fresh squeezed orange juice too! What one would expect in sunny California after all.

Norm's was just the place to get in the mood for our two week stay in West Hollywood. The ambiance, the waitress, the patrons, the food, the smell, the noise, the architecture.

Perfecto!






I'm trying to remember what we did next during our first day in West Hollywood. Pat and I don't go on these holidays with any fixed schedule.  We play it loosey goosey, whatever we feel like doing that day.  Always seems to work our.  One thing we did have on our schedule was attending our second "The Price is Right" taping the next day.  More about that in my next blog posting. But for now we had to go to the local drugstore to get some of those liquid necessities that I couldn't get through TSA on our six our flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. 

My intention was to keep a daily journal of our doings during our holiday but we were so busy being in the moment that I never got around to it.  However, I was able to take many photos and short videos to memorialize our annual jaunt to La La Land. Seeing these photos and videos should jog my tired old head into what we did those days.  One thing I know for sure, we thoroughly enjoy every moment we're in California, wherever we are. Just how fortunate am I to be able to do this every year and to do it with such a good friend like Pat.  Pat, my chauffeur and all around good guy. Not many people can put up with me for any period of time on a trip like this, not even Bill.  That's why he (Bill) doesn't go. Pat can put up with me.  At least for about a week.  Then he needs a break. I accommodate. 

On our way back to our Airbnb accommodations we stopped by the local drugstore. Pat found a shopping cart on the street outside the drugstore and wheeled it in.  



I had expected the prices to be pretty high but they weren't.  Everything seems to be reasonably priced.  At least where we were.  later in the week we stopped by Nordstrom's. I'll relate that experience in a future blog. SOME people in Beverly Hills have TOO much money judging from some of the prices for apparel we saw at Nordstrom's. 

Our first day in California was beginning.  

More Los Angeles Vacation Photos

Hey folks, come with me back to our fabulous ten day stay in West Hollywood, Los Angeles California this past January. 

These photos were taken January 14, 2015 during my early morning walk on Laurel Canyon Road. The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast, where Pat and I were staying was only a few blocks from the fabled Laurel Canyon Road. 

Who lives in these fabulous homes?

Imagine weeding this terraced garden.  I saw a gardener doing just that. 

I love me some palm fronds.  I never tired of all the palm trees.

Laurel Canyon Road, Los Angeles, California

This was the road to Oil Can Harry's.  We will return next year.

This road could use some repaving.  I think Delaware does a better job.

I forget why I took this picture.

A ready made suicide drop.

Houses of rich people in the Hollywood Hills

Again, another picture I forget why I took it.

Good thing it doesn't snow in California. How would you like to get to that house on the top of the hill on an icy driveway?

Wonder how much this mansion costs?  I wonder who owns it?  I'm going to take a wild guess and say an Arah sheik.

Note that I was taking this walk by myself.  I decided to give Pat a break and let him sleep in.  Poor Pat, I was wearing him down with all activity.  I tend to jump up out of bed when I wake up in the morning.  Pat is a snoozer.  He likes to gradually get up after a couple of snooze alarms.  Our next vacation together this is a fact I will have to take into consideration.  





I always take an early morning walk when I am on vacation.  All the years I used to vacation in Provincetown, Massachusetts, I often took an early morning walk while others were sleeping off their previous night of partying. Some of my gay friends would disparage and mock me saying I was "wasting my time" by visiting P-town and not taking part in the sexual carnival. I never got into that thing.  Probably why I'm alive today and many of those same gay friends are not.  Not passing judgment here friends but I've always enjoyed the geography and ambiance of wherever I was spending my time and money on vacation.  Plus, I've always enjoyed and appreciated the peace and tranquility of an early morning stroll in different surroundings. It has always surprised me that so few others feel the same way that I do.





I've always been able to appreciate the small things in life.  Bright, shiny objects do not distract me because I know they are false promises. The best things in life are with you every day.  You just have to stop and look where you are to appreciate what you have. 

When I finished me walk this January morning, in weather which I so much appreciated thinking got the freezing cold back on the East Coast, Pat was waiting for me at the bed and breakfast, all refreshed and ready to go for another adventurous day in Los Angeles.  Next stop, the Griffith Observatory.

The Intrepid Duo

West Hollywood Traffic Jam

During our January vacation in Los Angeles we did indeed encounter the famous Los Angeles traffic. We tried to stay off the Freeway as much as possible but we couldn't this traffic jam we encountered in West Hollywood.

We were returning from our day's outing in the Hollywood Hills sign sighting. We were headed back to our comfortable niche at the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast when we encountered this traffic delay. Not to worry, we were not in a hurry and this was just another chance for us to absorbed the flavor and ambiance of Los Angeles and West Hollywood in particular.  

We wanted to freshen up and go out for dinner.  Dinner again was at the Veggie Grill, our casual, cheap, good restaurant of choice during our wonderful stay in West Hollywood.

We decided to walk to the restaurant on this particular night. Here is Pat walking down the darkened street.

That's Pat in the lime green jacket

You know it's funny but we didn't see any cruising activity while we were in West Hollywood.  Not that either one of us was looking for THAT kind of activity mind you.  But I was a bit surprised.  But then again, we were too old men and Hollywood after all is age obsessed and both of us are way past our expiration date.

We arrived at the Veggie Grill uncruised (I just made up that word) and placed our orders.  I ordered fake chicken with fries.

A vegan (fake) chicken sandwich with fries - very tasty

This is Pat awaiting his order.  At the Veggie Grill you place your order and then they bring it to you . . . . pronto.

I do like the bright colors of this place and the spaciousness and the informality and the price and the food - I liked the Veggie Grill!

Afterward we took a walk down the darkened Hollywood Boulevard back to our bed and breakfast, passing this comic book store. I know someone who would be very interested in exploring this store . . . . Sassy Bear.

A monster comic book store on Hollywood Boulevard

And that folks is my abbreviated posting today.  I've had a busy morning and I'm tired now but I do want to keep my followers informed, interested and happy with current postings of my blog.  

Celebration at The Grove Los Angeles, California

Time to return to Ron and Pat's Wonderful Vacation Adventure in Los Angeles, California:

Today's installment is of me and Pat and our wonderful, lovely, beautiful and gracious hostess Nadege treating me and Pat to a movie at the Pacific Theater at The Grove, the place to be in West Hollywood.  This isn't the Dover Mall folks (hardly). To say I was in culture shock (me, a Walmart and B.J.'s regular) would be an understatement. When we walked into the sumptuous, spacious and luxurious lobby of the Pacific movie theater I realized that I was miles and miles away from the Midway movie theater of Rehoboth Beach. Wow, I could get used to this.

The "Refreshment Stand" at the Pacific movie theater at The Grove (Pat is the third person from the right) - hey Raybeard, how would you like this to be your neighborhood movie theater?

You know folks, I don't think I could ever go back to the Midway Theater in Rehoboth Beach now. I've been thoroughly spoiled. Oh it doesn't take much to spoil me.  I've known from an early age that I have expensive tastes, way above my social strata.  I must have been filthy rich in one of my previous lives. Maybe I was one of those first class Titanic passengers that went down with the ship in 1912.  I don't know but what I do know is that I very easily gravitate towards expensive tastes. I am a snob. 

The movie we decided on was a Liam Neeson movie "Taken Three."  Pat had seen the previous Liam Neeson "Taken" movies and said this was true to the formula.  I liked the movie but I'm more of a "Downton Abbey" kind of movie guy.  But I loved the luxurious seats we were nestled in.  Wow, again this wasn't the Midway theater in Rehoboth Beach. Great surround sound, movie screen and comfortable seats.  What's not to like for $27.95?



After we watched the movie, we exited to the outside to decided what to do next. Nadege suggested the Farmer's Market. Oh, I've heard so much about the Farmer's Market. By the way, the rain . . . . very unusual for Los Angeles but it didn't bother us or the other shoppers at the Grove that day.  it was a gentle rain, not the kind of rain that you always see in the movie, buckets of rain. This was real life rain, not "movie rain" which is actually garden hoses from the side out of camera range.


Looking at these videos and pictures that I took of our California Adventure I am reminded of how lucky I am to be able to record these memories forever. I've been accused (by some) of "living in the past." Well folks, I plead guilty. My only regret is that I didn't take more pictures and videos in my past so I could relive me past and share these good times with those who are interested now. This is my legacy.




Continuing on with our rainy day at The Grove, if I lived in West Hollywood I daresay I would be hanging out at places like The Grove almost every day. So it's a good thing I don't live in West Hollywood because I couldn't afford it. Not with my modest bank pensions and Social Security and part-time job at the hotel in Lewes. I'm just small potatoes man, able to take a once a year fantasy journey to Hollywood and indulge myself with friends for a few fun days. Of course we will be returning next year.  Always great to have something to look forward too.

The food court at the Farmer's Market - The Grove Los Angeles, California

By the way folks, I think I'm finally going to make that trip I've always wanted to make my whole life . . . to my ancestral homeland . . . . England.  Yes, it is true folks, perhaps next year in the spring.  That is if my health holds out and I don't have any more accidents.  Time is a running out folks, the old Hour Glass of Life for me is quickly coming to an end.  I'm always surprised when I look at videos or pictures and realize they were taken six, seven and more years ago.  Time does go by so fast.  Now is not the time to put off That Trip for sometime in the future.  The future is here now.

Look closely and you'll see "Tipton" England - where my clan started out - located in the Black County of Midlands, England

77 Sunset Strip

Back to our stay in Hollywood folks.  Enough with me complaining about Bill's shopping. I just have to be more patient.  

While we were in Los Angeles, Pat wanted to find the original location of "77 Sunset Strip."  Me, not so much but I was up for a walk down Sunset Boulevard right into the center of all the tourist activity of the Walk of Fame.  So we set out one night after we had dinner at the El Compadre Restaurant.  

El Compadre Restaurant 7408 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

Evening was just descending.  We decided to walk all the way down Sunset Boulevard, in the warm, summer like evening air, looking for the original location of the TV show "77 Sunset Strip."  

As the evening grew darker I looked to my left and what did I see?  The fabled Hollywood High School!  Wow!  Could this be THE Hollywood High School?  Indeed it was.  I stopped to take in the moment and try to imagine Lana Turner attending classes at this very building.

Pat taking in the evening in front of the Hollywood High School - how cool is this?

Of course, me being the photo hog that I am I had to take a selfie of me (and Pat) with the Hollywood High School as our backdrop.  Soo cool!

It doesn't take much to impress us folks! I was impressed.  

After taking our photos we continued on Sunset Boulevard looking for the address "77 Sunset Strip."  By the way, I knew it didn't exist but Pat insisted that there must be a plaque or some kind of mark where that address was.  I tried to convince him that "77 Sunset Strip" was just a TV show and some hack Hollywood writers made up the address.  But Patrick was not to be deterred.

A few more blocks and lo and behold, there was the fabled "In-n-out Burger." This is where the likes of Cher and other Hollywood swells stop and mingle with the Great Unwashed and buy a hamburger just like us. We had already eaten and Pat's a vegan, so all I could do was take this picture, making a mental not to myself to stop by at a later date to try one of these famous hamburgers.  I do like a good charbroiled hamburger. 

The cars were lined up for the famous In-N-Out Burgers.  We're not in McDonald's Land anymore

And we continued on, downward, still looking for a plaque or some kind of indication of the original location of "77 Sunset Strip." Here is Pat in front of one of the stores he stopped in during his last visit. We didn't have time to stop in.  So many things to see and do and so little time.

Pat in his element on Sunset Boulevard

I was pretty sure we weren't going to find the location of "77 Sunset Strip" but you know folks, walking down this famous street, in January, with balmy evening temperatures . . . . with a good friend who enjoys many of the same things I enjoy . . . well, life just doesn't get much better than that folks.

More Sunset Boulevard at night

To be continued . . . .

"Cookie? Lend me hour comb."

Return to Los Angeles Postings

A barley hanging on Pat getting some sustenance at the Veggie Grill in West Hollywood

Okay folks, enough with my dreary and boring leg injury and recovery.  With this post we are returning to Ron and Pat's Fabulous Trip to Los Angeles, California.

This won't be a long post because it is still very uncomfortable for me to sit at my computer and upload videos and photos. But that could be a good thing too.  My condition forces me to be succinct.

The photo at the top of this post you'll see a very tired Pat. Whenever Pat and I get together in person, I wear out the little guy. Poor Pat, he tries to keep up with me but I just wear him down.  But to give him credit, he makes every attempt to keep up with me even though he's falling asleep and tends to get a bit grumpy.  After all, he's used to traveling solo and not with a high maintenance, all about me,  ego driven A-personality like yours truly.  

Pat had been to Los Angeles before.  He wanted to stay at the Historic Hollywood Hotel.  He said "It was fine for me."  But what is "fine for Pat" I suspect doesn't quite meet my fussy standards. So we stopped by for a look see.  As you can see from the outside, non too impressive.  But as Pat said, "Good location."  

The non too grand entrance of the Historic Hollywood Hotel

After being suitably unimpressed with the entrance, we went inside.  The hotel is undergoing renovations.  I would say they needed to renovate after some of the Trip Advisor reviews I read.

Pat (in white T-shirt and baseball cap) in the lobby of the Historic Hollywood Hotel

Well, the lobby looked alright but smelled a bit musty.  A bit of "Sunset Boulevard" musty so I guess that was appropriate.  I probably should have expected an aging Gloria Swanson to peek around the corner and proclaim "Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my closeup!"

The ghost of Norma Desmond lives in this hotel

After perusing the lobby a bit more we asked to see a room.  I didn't take a picture of the room because a hotel employee was with us and, frankly, the room was decrepit.  I was embarrassed for the hotel employee but he assured me the rooms "were being worked on."  I hope so because I wouldn't stay in that room we saw. I'm not that down and out . . . . . yet.

I don't remember what we did with the rest of the day.  I think we went back to where we were staying, The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast (notice the prolific use of the name "Hollywood", what's that all about?) for a bit of a rest.  

Later on I dragged Pat back to the Veggie Grill in West Hollywood, near where we were staying for our dinner.  Oh how we loved that place.  Somebody is onto something with that concept.  Fresh vegan options at a reasonable price in bright surroundings, which helped to keep Pat awake.

Pat waiting for me at the Veggie Grill, poor guy, head drooped over.  Maybe it's me. 

So what do you think folks?  Nice to get away from the gray and dreary subject of my leg injury isn't it?  Oh, I'll keep you posted but I do think it's time to make little baby steps transition back to normal life.

The Grove, Los Angeles Part Two

Spending an afternoon at the West Hollywood shopping mall "The Grove" was a very pleasant, unexpected interlude during our stay in Los Angeles.  We would never have known about this wonderful oasis in the middle of West Hollywood were it not for our friend Nadege.  Thank you Nadege!

Pat and I weren't planning on buying anything  but it sure was pleasant wandering around, soaking up the spring like temperatures, and listening to the relaxing music.  One store we stopped in (the video at the beginning this blog) had a wonderful, thumping sound system to accompany our wanderings in their store.  I haven't been to clubs with such a good sound system.  I checked the prices of the men's items; almost all of which were in blacks and grays, just the way Pat and I were dressed so I guess we were in style, and they really weren't outrageously expensive. Lots of those skinny legged jeans in this store at designer prices.  That's one style I'll never cotton too.  I think they look stupid.

We also stopped in Nordstroms.  Nordstroms is a nice store but, from what I saw, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for the likes of us.  This is obviously a store for folks with too much money.  Gold lame sneakers anyone? Only $750. ONLY?  I would have loved to shown this to my Mother who wouldn't spend over $20 for a dress.  



We were killing time waiting for our California friend (and frequent commentor on my blog) Nadege.  We were going to the movies.  We saw "Taken Three" with Liam Neeson.  I hadn't seen the first two "Taken" films but Pat told me this movie was the same formula, which was a bit tired by the third installment.  

One thing I did like though was this theater. I know I've been bursting with superlatives, describing out stay in California but I'm telling you, this was the most magnificent movie theater I've ever been in my life.  That could tell you two things, either I haven't been to too many movies theaters (I have actually) or this was one truly luxurious theater.  The seats, with head rests.  The sound.  The screen.  Now if we just had a decent movie but they're hard to come by these days aren't they?

The lobby of the movie theater at the Grove- and yes, that's Pat in the center walking towards the concession stand for his hot buttered popcorn; he can't watch a movie without popcorn (I can)

Below I make a suggestion to Pat that we buy a festive pair of shoes for our B & B hostess Nina.  Check out Pat's reaction to my suggestion.  The "Ron and Pat" show: to be continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fluff and Fold in West Hollywood

Me with a bag of dirty laundry (underwear) early morning in West Hollywood. That's our rental car (white) in the background)

Laundry, Hollywood style.

Pat and I quickly discovered that if you've been in one laundromat you've been in them all.  




While we were vacationing in West Hollywood we soon found that we had to use the laundromat.  Why?  Because both of us are just so darn anal and fastidious and unwilling to put our hosts to the task of cleaning our dirty clothes (and sheets as the case may be).  

I think it was Day Three that we got up early in the morn to find a local laundromat.  We didn't have to look too far.  It was only a couple of blocks away. 




So, after we had our minimalist breakfast where we were staying we were out in the dawn's early light to find the Hollywood Laundromat.  

Some to our chagrin we arrived too early.  The laundromat wasn't opened yet.  I don't know but I must be on a different time clock than most people, I usually arrived at places of businesses in the morning before they're open.  So we wait.

Pat at the door of the laundry checking the opening time

By the way, I notice the prominent signs "Fluff and Fold."  Am I the only one to see the irony here of the "Fluff and Fold?"  You know, sort of like the play on words that one of our local crab restaurants here call themselves "Crabby Dicks", see here, a not so subtle double entendre reference. West Hollywood, home to some of the best professional "fluffers" in the porn industry.  But I digress.  My apologies for letting my mind wander down THAT lane.

Pat getting the laundry started. Pat is expert at this.

At 7 AM on the dot, the little Hispanic lady, who manages the place showed up and unlocked the doors and we stormed in like shoppers bursting into Walmart on Black Friday. Of course we were the only fools ones in the laundromat. So this is our romantic vacation in Hollywood?  Hey folks, no problem here with me and Pat doing the mundane thing.  That's us, humble as pie.  None of that phony, skinny legged jeans actor waiting on tables identity for us.  We are what we are, two old guys from the east thoroughly enjoying their days in the balmy climes of California.  

Pat enjoying the good life at the laundry

We got our change, loaded our laundry and waited.  What a glamorous vacation! Just kidding folks, actually both of us enjoy routine activity like this.  The important thing, whatever you're doing, is to be with someone you like.  I remember the first time I met my longtime friend Bob McCamley in 1960 at Ft. Devens.  I think that is how we first met, at the base laundry.  We bonded at the laundry.  I'll always remember that one time I was taking our combined clothes out of the dryer and I put Bob's underwear over his head.  He didn't know what I put on his head and as he looked through the fly opening, he said "What's on my head?"  I told him it was his shorts.  Man was he pissed.  I think that was the only time in our fifty-five year friendship that he really got mad at me.  I never again put his shorts over his head.

Me striking up a pose at the washing machine.  Is this exciting or what?  Bet you never read a blog about someone doing their laundry before.  Well, this is the Hollywood Laundry.  That has to mean something. Unfortunately we didn't see any stars doing their laundry. Not even their assistants (although we wouldn't know what their assistants would look like now would we)?

I'm glad we found a laundry nearby.  It wasn't expensive but the water wasn't as hot as I would like.  And the dryers, as long as we ran them, didn't seem to get our laundry totally dry.  We managed.  We finished the drying by laying out the clothes in our room.




Then we were off for our adventure for the day. First to visit some modern furniture stores in downtown Los Angeles.  Then at the end of the day, in time for the sunset, a short trip to Santa Monica Beach.  I'll post that tomorrow.

Me and Pat at the Santa Monica Beach with the Pacific Ocean behind us

You know what's great about traveling with a friend?  No matter what you do you're having a good time.  All those years I traveled by myself.  Couldn't get any friends to travel with me and when I did they soon took off on their own adventure as soon as they landed with someone else.  I guess I was just too boring. Bill traveled with me once but traveling and sleeping in strange beds isn't his thing.  I guess he did too much traveling with his job at G.E. before he retired. He would come along if I asked him but, other than traveling to his hometown of Toccoa, Georgia, Bill isn't one for traveling and I respect that.  But he doesn't mind me traveling with a friend.  Now there is another reason why I've been with Bill for over fifty years and our relationship has lasted that long.  No jealously clamps on me, nor me on him.  That was our agreement when I first moved in with him way back in January of 1965 and continues to this day. We leave the possessive and jealousy game to other couples. That game doesn't and never did work for us. 

I am glad I have a friend traveling companion now who enjoys my company and I enjoy his company.  Someone who is nonjudgmental  who is patient, who doesn't criticize my every move, who doesn't  moan and groan when I take a picture or video or ask him to take one, who doesn't  take me for granted, who has a sense of humor and who is just a nice person. Someone who genuinely likes me. What a novel idea, take a trip with someone who likes me and likes the same things I like. Someone who respects me, and who I respect. Took a long time but better late than never, huh?