September 4 2026

Friday

Kansas City, Missouri

One day seems like another. The day starts with a streetcar ride down to Messenger’s Coffee for the morning cappuccino and brioche. This morning I picked up a blueberry muslin for Mary rather than the cinnamon roll. She had said although she really likes the cinnamon roll, she wanted to try something else. Turns out that the blueberry muffin was very good, which isn’t surprising since it come from the Ibis Bakery which is part of Messenger’s.

The blueberry muffins from Starbuck’s or Peet’s are made in a central kitchen, and maybe delivered daily. They are usually a day old, fair dense and somewhat suggery. The blueberry muffins from the House of Bagels in San Carlos are usually fresher, lighter and more flavorable. At Messenger’s they had probably come out of the oven less than an hour before it was picked up. So, it was maybe three hours old when delivered to Mary.

The same can be said for the croissants. Starbuck’s and Peet’s croissants and “rubbery”. The ones at Messenger’s are light and crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy one the inside. Of course, when you are standing in the line for you coffee behind you you can watch the bakers making a number of different pastries and breads. You can smell the freshness in the air.

This morning hunger was a little overwhelming. Just after it had gone 10 and I headed to Winstead’s for breakfast. Windsteads is a 1950/60 themed drive-in at the west end of the block towards the plaza from the AirB&B. There are those who will recalled the peach and aquamarine interiors of the 1960s. This is coupled with booths with vinyl covered bench seating so reminiscent of the 1950s. There is even a jukebox, although I am not sure it works. They could have filmed the TV show Happy Days here.

Breakfast was nothing special. This isn’t the place for special. Two eggs up, bacon and hash browns (a little heavy on the grease). However, even with a very generous tip the whole thing was $15. It did what it was supposed to do, satisfy the hunger.

After breakfast I headed to the cigar shop. Along the way I stopped at the Apple Store on the Plaza and replaced the wristband on my apple watch. I got to Diebel’s just after it had gone 10. Bought my two Padron 2000 Maduro, which allows me access to the lounge. Spent two hours in the lounge enjoying my cigars, doing my Italian lessons, and checking my emails. At 11:30 Mary texted me that Harry IV, Rochelle and her were going to the Capitol Grill for lunch. I agreed to meet them for lunch at 12:15. The Capitol Grill is just around the corner from the cigar shop.

Because I had had breakfast, I wasn’t all that hungry, but there wasn’t really going to be any dinner. The boys football game starts at 7 and there is a BBQ in the parking lot before hand, but we just had BBQ and it is still hot outside. So this meal has to suffice as dinner.

In trying to go “light” for lunch I chose a cup of the New England Clam Chowder and Mary chose a cup of the butternut squash bisque with curried apples. Harry joined my choice and Rochelle had the lobster bisque. They were all excellent. I got carried away and ordered the Maine lobster salad with citrus vinaigrette. I didn’t read the entire description but one of the main ingredients was avocado, which I do not like. Otherwise it was a good choice.

My lobster salad

Mary’s salmon

Mary got the seared salmon with avocado, mango, and tomatoe salad with a champagne vinegar dressing. Served on a bed of couscous. She seemed to enjoy it. Rochelle got the ribeye steak sandwich with caramelized onions, hold the bread. IV chose the bone-in dry aged KC strip. They are younger and can eat more than us old folks.

After lunch Mary and I walked back to the AirB&B. Knowing it would be a late night, I took a nap while Mary looked at emails and played word. About 16:30 we took the trolly to IV’s house to meet up with IV and Rochelle to go to the boys’ game. We left at 18:30 and IV dropped us off at the gate near the stadium. Fortunately, who every designed the stadium know about the time of the year games were played and and angle of the sum, unlike the people who designed Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. We found nice seats in the shade.

Oliver didn’t play this game due to his injury, but George served as the center. The game was a bit lopsided, the final score was Pembroke 50 and the guests 0. We got to sit next to Madison’s parents and grandparents. Madison is a freshman this year and is following in Grace’s footsteps on the cheer squad. It was very loud, the hearing aids came out just after arrival which helped a lot.

George is Number 75

George and family on the field after the game.

The game ended and we headed back to IV’s house. The ladies sat inside and enjoyed a glass of champagne while I went out back and had a cigar. We waited for IV to return from dropping off Serra, Pietro and the girls. Apparently, it was all a setup. Grace arrived for the weekend. We weren’t expecting to see her. It was a very nice surprise.

IV and Rochelle drove us back to the AirB&B and we finally got to bed about 22:30. It was a long hot day, but lots of fun.  I had been doing fairly well on my steps this week, 8,000 Monday and Tuesday, 10,000 Wednesday and Thursday, unfortunately, only 8,000 again today. Need to work on keeping at at least 10,000 but it is hard to do in the heat.

Buonanotte and Ciao,

Enrico and Maris