Tag: baked ziti

Thursday Thoughts ~ July 31, 2025

~ GrayMareWrites ~ 3 Comments

Happy August Eve! Can you believe July is just about over? Knock wood, the summer temps have been mild so far, but it looks like heat is on the way according to my phones’ weather app. But Mother Nature doesn’t watch the Weather Channel, so, really, anything can happen! Who could have predicted an 8.8 Russian quake that resulted in volcanic activity and a tsunami??

I had a lovely birthday last Friday. We started at The Hilbert Museum in Orange (CA). The last time we’d been there, it was housed on the campus of Chapman University. It’s since moved across the street to two connected buildings of their own and it is a beautiful space, wide open in some areas and intimate in others. And it’s free, with advance reservations. Here are some of the highlights.

This painting brought to mind The Grapes of Wrath. Turned out the artist, Emil Kosa, worked for the 20th Century Fox studios in the 30’s, when The Grapes of Wrath was filmed.

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Thursday Thoughts ~ May 22, 2025

~ GrayMareWrites ~ Leave a comment

I need to make better use of this blog. Besides the fact that I pay for it every year, I’m gearing up to publish my first book (!), a cozy mystery, and 1) I need to stay accountable and 2) I want to take you along on my self-publishing journey. There’ll be challenges, learning curves and it’ll probably get pretty sweary!

So, every Thursday, like I did three years ago… I’m going to write about what I’m enjoying, progress I’m making on my cozy mystery, maybe a rant or two… Just whatever life’s throwing at me and what I’m throwing back.

Here goes:

Our Evil HOA is making us paint our house. The cost is heart-thuddingly high but since we may be (or may not be, who can tell what the future holds…) aging in place here, we have to do the upkeep according to the bylaws. My advice—never NEVER live in a place with a Home Owners Association.

Last Saturday was my late mom’s birthday. Every year, we celebrate her day by having lunch at an Italian restaurant, Graziano’s in Yorba Linda. It’s a family run place with authentic tasting food. So good! Chef’s kiss!

Continue reading “Thursday Thoughts ~ May 22, 2025” →