Señor Frog's, Las Vegas, NV

I had supper at Señor Frog's this evening.  I had planned to go there and what sealed the deal was an old dude giving out coupons for free appetizers if you ordered a meal.

I've been to a few Señor Frog's and they are crazy and wild and fun ... this one wasn't.  Except for a table of drunk guys wearing balloon hats, it was mostly families.  Not a good sign :(

Book ~ "Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion" (2014) Jon Katz

From Goodreads ~ In this heartfelt, thoughtful and inspiring memoir, New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz tells the story of his beloved rescue donkey, Simon, and the wondrous ways that animals make us wiser and kinder people.

In the spring of 2011, Jon Katz received a phone call that would challenge every idea he ever had about mercy and compassion. An animal control officer had found a neglected donkey on a farm in upstate New York and she hoped that Jon and his wife, Maria, would be willing to adopt him. Jon wasn’t planning to add another animal to his home on Bedlam Farm, certainly not a very sick donkey. But the moment he saw the wrenching sight of Simon, he felt a powerful connection. Simon touched something very deep inside of him. Jon and Maria decided to take him in.

Simon’s recovery was far from easy. Weak and malnourished, he needed near constant care but Jon was determined to help him heal. As Simon’s health improved, Jon would feed him by hand, read to him, take him on walks, even confide in him like an old and trusted friend. Then, miraculously, as if in reciprocation, Simon began to reveal to Jon the true meaning of compassion, the ways in which it can transform our lives and inspire us to take great risks.

This radically different perspective on kindness and empathy led Jon to a troubled border collie from Ireland in need of a home, a blind pony who had lived outside in a pasture for fifteen years, and a new farm for him and Maria. In the great tradition of heroes—from Don Quixote to Shrek—who faced the world in the company of their donkeys, Jon came to understand compassion and mercy in a new light, learning to open up “not just to Simon, not just to animals, but to the human experience. To love, to risk, to friendship.”

Jon Katz is an author living on a farm with his wife, Paula.  He gets a call that a donkey is being rescued from deplorable conditions and they aren't sure he's going to make it.  Since Jon already has two donkeys, they were wondering if he would take him.  Jon can't resist and names the donkey Simon and they develop an incredible bond.  This is their story. He also tells of adopting an adult rescue dog named Red and a elderly blind pony named Rocky and how they fit into each other's lives.

I love reading stories about animals.  This is the fourth book I've read by this author and I liked it.  I like the writing style and thought it flowed well.  It was interesting to read how he bonded with these and animals get his perspective on having animals in our lives and how they can help us (and vice versa).

Central Michel Richard, Las Vegas, NV

I had breakfast this morning at Central Michel Richard, which is in Caesar's Palace.

I ordered the American Breakfast with "Canadian bacon" (it's ham where I come from) along with a glass of milk.

Flour & Barley, Las Vegas, NV

I had supper tonight at Flour & Barley.

They have a "to-go" next door.

The pizza looked good!

You can sit inside.

It was 26C/79F so I sat outside on the patio.

The High Roller, Las Vegas, NV

This afternoon I went on the High Roller, which is the world's tallest observation wheel.

The High Roller is a 550-foot tall giant ferris wheel. The wheel began construction in 2011 and opened in March 2014. The High Roller features 28 spherical passenger cabins which can accommodate up to 40 passengers each and is illuminated with dynamic multicolored LED lights nightly.

It cost $25 for the 30 minute ride.  You can spend an extra $5 and go in the happy hour cabin where you can drink all you want (I passed).

There were just three of us in our cabin.

And we're off!

The views were great!

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, Las Vegas, NV

I had a late lunch today at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill.

Gord and I are fans of Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef so I thought I'd check it out.

It was fairly packed so I sat at the bar rather than wait for a table (a 15+ minute wait).

It's in Caesar's Palace so it's not cheap.  I ordered a burger and fries (without lettuce, onion and cheddar and added bacon).  It took about a half hour ... Charlie, the bartender, said the kitchen was backed up.  It was good but could have been hotter (I guess it was sitting around for a while).

Book ~ "Purr Therapy: What Timmy & Marina Taught Me about Life, Love and Loss" (2014) Kathy McCoy

From Goodreads ~ Cats aren't a typical choice for animal-assisted psychotherapy but Timmy and Marnia are anything but typical. 

Research has found that petting a cat can lower blood pressure and a cat's purr is thought to help heal body tissues and bones. But not just any cat can be a therapy cat, after all, such animals need to be friendly with strangers and willing to be touched, petted and held by unfamiliar people. They have to be tolerant of loud voices and angry shouting, emotional distress, and sudden movements. It's a tall order for any animal, but a particular challenge for a cat. 

In "Purr Therapy", psychotherapist and cat lover Dr. Kathy McCoy shows how two very special cats rose to this challenge, how they helped wounded souls to heal and how they taught even her lessons in mindfulness, joyful living, and compassion. She also shows readers how animal-assisted psychotherapy works and gives them an intimate and moving inside look at how Timmy and Marina worked with patients, how their double role as animal companions and co-therapists changed lives, and how, after their untimely deaths, the grief shared by those who knew and loved them led to even more growth and healing.

I love reading stories about animals.  This book is about therapist, Kathy McCoy, and her two cats, Timmy and Marina, who found their calling as therapy cats.

Kathy and her husband had always had cats.  When the book begins, they have an elderly cat named Freddie who eventually passes away.  They can't resist adopting two kittens, Gus and Timmy.  Because of his personality, Timmy makes an excellent therapy cat.  Unfortunately Timmy dies during the pet food scandal in the late 2000s.  They adopt Maggie to keep Gus company and then adopt Marina, who also becomes a therapy cat.  Alas, they discover that Marina has feline leukemia and she passes away too soon.  The book recounts experiences of the author's patients and how Timmy and Marina had helped them.

I liked the writing style and found it to be an interesting read.  Yes, it's sad because cats die but it's uplifting to read how they'd helped the author's patients.  It's obvious that the author and her husband love cats.

Thompson Diner, Toronto, ON

After our pedicures, Gord and I had supper at Thompson Diner (Bathurst Street/King Street W).

They serve their beer in an old-school mugs.

Gord was craving Mac 'n Cheese, which is why we went there.  He ordered it with bacon and said it was good and would order it again.

Her Majesty's Pleasure, Toronto, ON

Gord and I like getting pedicures and this evening we checked out Her Majesty's Pleasure (King Street W/Portland Street).  They have been open for less than a month.

You can sit on the café side and have a drink and pastry

You can buy products.

You can have your hair washed and blown out and styled.

Book ~ "Lady Parts" (2014) Andrea Martin

From Goodreads ~ Whether lighting up the small screen, stealing scenes on the big screen or starring on the stage, Andrea Martin has long entertained Canadians with her hilarious characterizations and heartwarming performances. An important player in SCTV, the funniest show ever to come out of Canada, Martin helped change the face of television by introducing us to a host of characters, including the indomitable Edith Prickley. Martin has worked stages, sets and even trapezes across North America, playing to houses packed with adoring fans, all of whom instantly recognize the star who has entertained us for nearly forty years. 

In Lady Parts, Martin, for the first time, shares her fondest remembrances of a life in show business, motherhood, relationships, no relationships, family, chimps in tutus, squirrels, and why she flies to Atlanta to get her hair cut. Martin opens up her heart in a series of eclectic, human, always entertaining and often moving essays. Lady Parts will make you giggle and may make you cry-a powerful collection of stories by a woman with a truly storied life.

Andrea Martin is a star of TV, movies and stage.  Though she was born in Maine, she has lived in Canada and now divides her time between the U.S. and Toronto.

She is the oldest of three of Armenian parents, who split up when she was young.  These are her stories ... of being married (and divorced) and a mom of two sons, dating, her mustang convertible (that was stolen at gun point!), her friends, getting haircuts by Pascal Besimon in Atlanta, her battles with bulimia, SCTV and more.

This was a fun book.  I found it interesting and I liked the writing style.  It was funny and honest.  Though she sounds a bit neurotic, I bet she'd be fun to hang with ... she sounds very caring.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites London, London, ON

I spent last night at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites London on Wellington Road.  When I pulled into the parking lot, I had a feeling I'd stayed here before ... and I had a few years ago when it was a Radisson.

Here is my room ...

A wet bar, including a mini fridge, is to the right when you walk in

Flavurs, London, ON

I had supper tonight at Flavurs on Wellington Road.  Apparently it recently changed ownership.

There are two parts ... the bar side and the dining side.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites London Downtown, London, ON

I had one-on-ones to conduct for a client in London yesterday and today and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites London Downtown, which was near my client's office.

Here's my room ...

There was a separate bedroom, which had no window.