MONDAY AND TUESDAY

MONDAY: El picked me up at 11:30 and off we went Costa Mesa. It took us three hours, as we stopped for lunch at a nice place about halfway there. Here's El:

Got to the house that Paula's family rented and hugged her and Violet hello. Her brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Cindy were there, along with their two daughters, Michelle and Katy, plus Michelle's husband, Lyle, and their daughter, Julie. We first chatted for a bit, then went to a Cuban restaurant called Habana. Of course, there are many Mexican restaurants here and throughout California, but Cuban cuisine is not common. I had a fish dish and it was very good. Here we all are on Monday night:

From left: Ellen, Paula, Cindy, Andy, Katy, Lyle, Julie, 11, Violet, 17, and me. 

After, we went back to the rental and had some long, good talks. I slept in the fourth bedroom and El stayed at a Ramada Inn nearby. Slept pretty well and got up at my usual time.

TUESDAY:  Up at 6:15 and found Paula in the living room watching a "Dateline" program on multiple murders in Albuquerque. We sat and talked for a bit, instead, then got ready for the ash-scattering. The others got up, Ellen came in, and we all left for the ceremony, which was several miles away in Huntington Park.

As we drove in, we saw the Navy people practicing folding the flag in the parking lot:   

Below: Paula, Ellen, Violet and me:

I didn't get many pictures on the boat, but here are a few and I'll add some more from Ellen later. Here's Paula on our way out to sea:

Part of the quasi-religious flag ceremony:

After, fooling around in the parking lot with my gentleman friend:

Andy treated us all to lunch at Duke's, named for the well-known Hawaiian (Samoan?) surfer. then we said our goodbyes. 

I'm so glad the mother of my granddaughters and I are on good terms. Home about 5:00 and said goodbye to El. She'll be back today, as she wants to go to a shop here, then will take me to pick up my new glasses. Rehearsal tonight and Erica emailed a cleaned-up script; had to ask El to print and bring it with her as my printed is still crapola.