A strange day yesterday, but good.
Breakfast at Harry’s:
According to Don, the original Harry was a bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers and he followed the team out west when they moved to Los Angeles. The walls are covered with baseball memorabilia and Norman Rockwell paintings, so yours truly feels right at home there. It’s still family owned and Harry’s son runs it now. It’s very popular, as you might guess, and the staff is fantastic. Of course, everyone knows Don by name. I expected nothing less. He’s a charmer, our Don.
By the way, I’ve only been here a few days and we’ve been stopped twice by people who recognize Don. The first time was in Ocean Beach on the Fourth. The second was at a coffee shop in Pacific Beach, where it turns out one of the employees had seen the production and asked me to take a picture of him with Don.
This is nothing new, by the way. It used to happen all the time when we lived in San Diego. When he was working in Williamstown, MA a few years back, people shouted out to him as he walked down the street.
After Harry’s, we drove to Ocean Beach or as we say it, OB, to visit the antique shops. OB has always been know for the antique shops and malls that are on the far end of Newport Street, a street that stretches down to the ocean. My favorite, Vignettes, is located there. I went inside Vignettes, but Lori, the owner wasn’t in, so I didn’t get to say hello to her. It’s really lovely there, beautifully – dare I say it? – curated. In this case, curated is the perfect word for the way in which the shop is staged.
And then I noticed that the shop next to Lori, which used to be a multi-dealer antique shop, was now a ‘brewery/bar.’ That was unnerving. I walked by it to another multi-dealer shop that I’ve always loved and had an enjoyable time perusing the aisles. Then I crossed the street to a newish shop, which was lovely. As I was leaving, I spoke to the owner, complimenting her on the shop and we got into a conversation about OB and Newport. It turns out that the multi-dealer shop across the street which I had just been in and which has been there as long as I can remember, has been sold to some chain store.
And the micro-breweries have been taking over Newport Street. I found this so depressing. Soon there will only be a couple of shops still standing and Newport will be one long stretch of bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors and head shops. Just another scruffy beach town.
“You can’t go home again” resonates for a reason. It’s never the same. Those shops were the treat I would give to myself when I had a day off during the summers I coached the Shakespeare Rep at the Globe. I don’t want that to change. But it is.
We got back in the car and were about to head up the 5 to Orange County to visit another favorite: Country Roads (an antique shop) but the traffic was so backed up that we turned around and headed to La Jolla, where we poked around in a vintage bookstore.
Don was really tired yesterday, so we went back to the apartment so he could rest before his evening performance.
Don went to elementary school here.
Dog Beach brings back lots of wonderful memories. Winston loved it there – we went often – and when Scout joined our family, she also learned to love it there. So many stories from that beautiful stretch of sand. Beautiful and bittersweet at the same time.
I don’t know yet what we’re going to do today. We didn’t end up at the beach yesterday, so I’m sure we’ll be there at some point today because Don won’t really have any time to do that Saturday and Sunday with two shows each day. His time here is winding down and he’ll miss it. He loves the show and the cast and having a Whole Foods nearby, as well as Harry’s Coffee Shop and the beach.
Happy Friday.
there’s a place like you described here … used to be full of antique shops and other unique stores. now there’s only a couple such shops and more restaurants and bars.
not all change is progress (in my opinion).
glad you are having fun together and can avoid the traffic jams (at least some times).
kathy in iowa
I agree. In fact, I’d say much of change is not progress!
There are a few antique and vintage shops in my town. There’s a lot of junk to sift through and I don’t usually buy. But they are fun to look through, especially the basement shelves chock full of stuff. If I’m looking for something in particular, but don’t HAVE TO HAVE IT, it’s a fun treasure hunt.
I love the hunt, Wendy!
Well…the area sounds like it used to be a great one. Those places (vintage, antique malls), do seem to be dying out in certain areas…but flourish in others. Guess it just depends on the locale. Personally, I don’t think we need any more bars.
With such a high energy show…I can understand why the actors need all the rest they can get. Enjoy your day….soak in any beach time you get! ;)
We definitely don’t need any more bars. Not a big fan of bars!
Do you get a sense that he’s going to be sorry to leave California? It seems there’s a lot that’s familiar there to him and that he likes it, especially a year’round life in shorts/tees/sandals and the invigorating, daily splash in the ocean. The hypothetical…if the pair of you were ready to retire and Don could pull connections to find a charming beach bungalow with affordable rent, do you think he’d be tempted to stay (and try to get you onboard!)?
My former primary care physician (he’s about age 72 now and an avid bicyclist/swimmer) retired to La Jolla about four years ago and he could’ve lived anywhere (was originally from the East, born & raised; came here as a young small-town physician in his early 30s). My dad was from Texas and never considered, not once, going back…despite having most of his family still there but having become dug in to the Los Angeles beach communities from the time he was a teen. My husband’s from the Midwest, could care less about four seasons and despises snow; prefers to stay right where we are in SoCalif , the state where he’s mostly lived since his late 20s. It’s ME-myself-I, the Calif native, who’s the one who always thinks there’s someplace better than here!!
He’ll miss it here, but he also misses our cottage and the beauty of the Hudson Valley. At some point, we may end up back here, but that’s down the road. We really can’t afford to sell our home at this point and there’s too much happening for us on the East Coast. I’m not ready to retire yet, and neither is Don.
But we have talked about selling in a few years and renting some affordable place in La Jolla. Not San Diego or the area in which we used to live. We haven’t even visited there. It’s too crowded, too crazy with tourists and too boring, along with too many ‘you can’t go home again’ changes. But here? We could do that.
Ah, I did catch a wavelength on this with you. Just had a feeling. I never thought my husband and I would be renting at the end of our life but we’re considering it more and more…just like you, a couple-three years down the road, selling this home of ours and having more flexibility to really go and be where we want to, with less responsibility to maintain or adapt a house to our needs. We’re at that point now…just how much more do we remodel, maybe it’s time to pull back on all that; reassess; do we do it for us as our ‘forever’ home, or do we do it for resale and move on. Never thought of it that way; thought our last place, the little cottage, was the forever house. But it’s certainly why we’re also in major downsizing mode with possessions and trying to declutter…need to do it anyway, but…
Then our friends say, oh, that’s not a good idea; you can’t control rising rent; you’ll lose the write-off on your income tax returns; it gets harder and harder to keep moving as you’re aging, and what if something changes with a landlord and then you have to move again, too disruptive. But I worked with a gal who never could afford her own home, she and her husband (both on Social Security now; retired) have a nice little apartment in Santa Barbara where they’re allowed to keep their kitty cat, they live frugally without pensions…so, no big European vacations or luxe golf trips or cruises to the Bahamas…but they enjoy a lot of free things in the city, like parks and art fairs, beach walks and great weather in a beautiful resort area. The city is very contained…I know that because I’ve lived there myself…so it’s easy to get around and do everything you need to do within short distances, and they do have a small car. They live a happy, healthy life and are sort of my role models for how to do retirement right!
We might rent. It’s wonderful to own a home but when we get to the point that the winters and the weather are too much for us in upstate NY, we probably wouldn’t mind renting again. It would be a lot less hassle!
WOW, how your post spoke to me about how “towns are a changin”. And, it ain’t good as far as I am concerned. My little historic town (California Gold Discovery) was so charming, quaint and cozy when I moved here many years ago. Even horses grazing in the fields next to shops in town. Mostly, all gone now. But, if you desire “a little vino”, say no more. Almost every storefront is now a wine tasting room. Granted, the wines are pretty darn good here in this mountain area. But, enough is enough! There still are some boutiques, antique stores and art galleries. But, nothing like time past. However, it’s special to have the memories. It’s wonderful that both of you are having such a grand time. Mary
Thank you, Mary. Some change is good, but much of it isn’t. We see it every day!
It is sad to see things we love change. Quaint beach towns are getting harder and harder to find. Enjoy your last few days there and then your adventure home will start. I know Don will miss this cast but isn’t it always good to get home again. Hugs!
It will be a big adjustment for him. Unlike me with Hartford, which is only a couple of hours away and has the same climate and weather.
They recently tore down an entire block of old buildings in our town to build a CVS drugstore…and a much larger than needed parking lot!..An entire square block…it is so sad when these things are done…You must be so proud when people recognize Don!
Ridiculous!
It happens so much (people recognizing Don – either from the theater or television) that I don’t blink an eye anymore!
Those antique shops sound great. Have a good week end in Sunny California.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Hi,Claudia! It has been lovely to tag along with you and Don. Many years ago, while I lived in Chicago, I had my first visit to CA and saw La Jolla! Could hardly believe my eyes at the beauty of it all. Enjoy the trip home. Annette in Northern CA
La Jolla is sort of spectacularly beautiful! Thanks, Annette!
But Don will have you and surely he will love that!
Becky in very hot Oklahoma
Thanks, Becky!
Used to go to Country Roads several times a year but my favorite was Down Home Country across the street which I hear closed several years ago. Our girl gang always had lunch at two sisters. We would leave here at 4 am to be there when everything opened and leave by 3 to beat the traffic home again. We were much younger, stupid and had more money than now. : D
No one stops Don for Mr Robot?
Not when I’ve been with him!
So good to catch up, Claudia, and I love that you and your man are back together again. The pic of you both in your respective show T shirts is framable!! Love it.
I get you on the brewer pubs…they are a big deal in Asheville. Even my young adult kids drink beverages that contain wheat and who knows what, it’s all a mystery to me.
Our perception of bars differ…my father bartended as a second job as we were growing up. When my mother had t o be away, he sat us in a corner of this blue collar/working class sort of bar that consisted mainly of guys stopping in on their way home from heavy labor jobs. I absolutely loved the 7 Up he served us with colorful straws, in a dark, out of the way corner. We were given coins for the jute box. The laughter and watching him work so quickly and friendly behind the bar was fascinating. So…I have good memories. And we all don’t, in that realm, that’s a given. And life. :)
La Jolla!!!! I’ve mentioned my sons live in San Diego for a while and visiting La Jolla two days straight was fabulous! I loved the shopping and the swanky restaurants…not that I could afford them! We also went to a beach area where we climbed down huge rocks to get to the water. Does it sound familiar to you?
Enjoy your time, forget your problems, soak up the sun, remember those days of old, and Let Go!
Wish I were there…
Jane x
Thanks so much, Jane. Glad you have good memories with your dad as bartender! I used to love drinking 7-up through a straw!
There are several beaches in La Jolla. Maybe Torrey Pines?
I remember, as a child, being on a Greyhound bus with my mom, traveling quite a way to see my grandmother in another part of the state (my mother had grown up in the big city and had never learned to drive; always had taken public transportation). The bus made a stop at what must have been a Mom & Pop combo diner/bar out in the middle of nowhere (sparsely-populated, hot California desert; no air conditioning), and I’d never been in a place like that, where you’d sit on high stools at a counter to eat or drink. I was a bit ‘car sick’, so Mom ordered a fizzy 7-Up for me. The 7-Up came in a tall, clear glass, very cold and icy for my little hands…crushed ice (we never had crushed ice at home!)…and I was mesmerized by the shiny cellophane drinking straw stuck in the glass from which to sip the 7-Up. I remember the kindly man behind the counter gave me not one but TWO straws, one was green and one was red, when he must have seen how entranced I was with them (good distraction, too, from being nauseous). It felt like Christmas! I can’t have been more than age 4; this was the 1950s…love the memory! (I’ve since read that plastic straws didn’t come on the market til later, in the 60s.)
In subsequent years, if I was occasionally out to dinner with my parents as a younger teen, I’d be allowed a non-alcoholic “Shirley Temple” drink and, more often than not, it would come in a sparkly-green, hard-plastic tumbler. Somehow, with the red drink (colored so, because of the grenadine they add to the ginger ale), in that green cup, I’d be reminded of that long-ago day when I was a little girl sipping my 7-Up with those green and red straws. To this day, if I see a whitescape vignette for Christmas…something snowy-looking, with maybe a touch of glittery-silvery and bright pops of red or green…it prompts these little memories…and I don’t know why, except I guess I’ve always been a kind of color fiend!
My grandmother (and my dad0 used to make ice cream floats with 7up and vanilla ice cream. Also with Vernor’s Ginger Ale – a Michigan favorite.
Yum; never had 7-Up with ice cream!
P.S. Hope you get a chance to visit Muir Woods when you are in San Francisco! https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm