THURSDAY

 Did a bleach wash during breakfast, ate, then tidied up a bit. I then spent several hours on something so important and significant I don't remember what it was. Made and packed my lunch, put it in my cart, then walked over to Von's for grapefruit and pretzels. Went from there to CVS to get denture cleaner, then came back to the middle to eat my lunch.

While there, I called Cheryl to reverse myself yet again. Since Ellen had invited me over for lunch and the pool, I decided, after all, to skip T.O.P.S. I'll have to leave at about 10:00 to take the bus to Ojai and I just don't feel like adding the meeting beforehand. Also called leader Lennie to tell her the same.  

More to my liking, I called Bobbi R., as I had been told her husband, Henry, is in a bad way. He is; malignant tumors are everywhere and he's been hospitalized for two weeks. Sadly, Bobbi herself is suffering from cancer; I didn't want to question her about it, but I believe she' waiting for the latest findings. Damn, life can be hard.

Rehearsal went well last night. We were given work-in-progress scripts of the "backstage action," not yet fleshed out. Mine is described as "One of the founding members of the theatre. Has a very unexpected showmance with Bob." Amber is writing it (Shannon is the writer on the other skit.) The who idea is to show us backstage on on stage, of course.

I videoed just tiny snippets of both the Low Attention Span band, with James, Suzi, and Steve, plus Harper singing, and sent them to myself on Messenger. Unfortunately, I don't know know to transfer them here. Will work on it.

Looking forward to lunch and a swim at El's today.

WEDNESDAY

Got several more mundane chores done, including appointments and so on. Made lunch and took it out to my favorite place to eat. It was very quiet--aside from a few people in the pool, I saw almost no others: 

In the evenings, with the hanging lights lit and a fire in the fire pit, it's very nice.

Home, I chopped the two pounds of onions I had bought on Wednesday, along with the red and green peppers I had gotten earlier. Stowed them separately in the freezer. 

Most the of the day, I thought it was Thursday and that I had rehearsal last night; called Cheryl to tell her I would skip T.O.P.S. this week.  No, Mimi, it was Wednesday yesterday--today, when this blog is finished and posted, is Thursday--AAGH!

Ellen called later in the day to invite me over on Friday--that's tomorrow!-- to go in the pool at her place. She also sent pictures of her new shed: 

And below are Ellen's tootsies in the pool; must remember to bring my bathing suit:

As for "Heart's Desire," El sent me the video of my rendition at the country fair three years ago. I won first prize with this, but I can't imagine why. I think my performance lacks a lot and hope to do better in the upcoming show. I tried to send it via email to a certain Jersey girl who requested it, but I'm not sure it went through. 

TUESDAY

What a good, fun day.  Ellen got here at noon and off we went to Wal-Mart, the dump that happens be the only department-y store nearby, darn it. We got our needs and wants, then El suggested lunch at the Hill Street Cafe. Great--I hadn't been there for several months and we went. I had a Reuben, even though I knew theirs don't nearly measure up to what you get from a real Jewish deli on the east coast. It wasn't bad, though, and I ate most. El and I had a lively--to put it mildly--discussion about politics, what's wrong with the country, Trump, and other trifling matters. However, we've talked with no holds barred before and the important thing is, we know we still love each other. I like the murals on the walls at Hill Street: here are two of them:

Also enjoyable was our trip to Green Thumb, where I got another tomato plant, Ellen got several, and we both got cages to keep them upright. Then it was back to my place, where El spent hours planting the new tomatoes, installing the cages around both, clearing off a lot of the damn needles that fall from the pine tree nearby, and cutting back the geranium. It looks great, although you can hardly see them in the picture--can't wait for my little darlings to grow!

Via email, I had sent director Erica two of my shorter playlets: Locket, a sentimental little piece and When Cooks Confer, a comedy. About the first, I was so pleased when Erica responded about Locket with this: 

"Oh, Rosemary. This is good. REALLY. I want to do it. Right after I stop crying. Got me right in the feels."  

However, Erica said she wasn't able to open When Cooks Confer because she didn't have Microsoft or whatever, so I laboriously copied it onto a PDF document and sent it to her last night. Hope she likes that one, too, although I think the agenda is filled for August 14.

MONDAY

Busy day. Washed and changed the sheets, showered and washed my hair, then assembled my list of  things to do. I called Green Carpet Co. and made an appointment for them to come on August 5. Now I'm not sure why I'm waiting that long, so may change it. Called Meticulous and happy day, they'll be at the house tomorrow to service the sprinklers.  Called Lori to tell her and she was very pleased, as was I. Meticulous will send me the bill via email. I also called Betty Downes, Jimmy's sister, and left a message. 

Left at 11:00, took the 21 to Telephone Road, then the 11 to the Stone Fire Grille where I joined Vera, Grendall, and Renee. Elete (Eleet?)  had stopped just to say hello, but didn't stay, so there were only four of us for lunch. We had our usual good time and stayed for two hours. After we said goodbye, I was waiting at the bus stop when Betty Downes called me back. Here she is at our fortieth class of '54 reunion:

Unfortunately, Betty has had some sad losses: She had six children and two sons died recently within a year or two of each other, followed by her brother, Jimmy Downes. She also lost not one, but two husbands, and her best friend from school, Michelle (didn't catch the last name), who was a year behind us. I was amazed that she didn't know the cause of her brother's death; it seems she and Jim's children are not close. Anyway, we talked for a bit, made the usual noises about keeping in touch, and said goodbye. Home, and I took a nap; felt much better when I got up. 

Rehearsal last night: It went well and Brian had some good ideas for my piece. He brought a cowboy hat and we discussed other props, movements, and so on--I'm still innovating with the delivery. Harper sang her song, which is part of the sketch her mother, Shannon wrote. For a child her age, Harper has a remarkable operettic voice; here she is last night:

And here's her mother, Shannon, directing some of her skit, which isn't yet finished:

Players from left: Ena, Johnathan, Mandy, Suzi, and Sharon.

And then there were our dancers, whose names I don't even know yet. They're full of fire and spirit and  videoed them, getting just a smidgen of their piece, but can't seem to transfer it here. Will try to video more of them on Thursday.

Didn't get to bed until 10:00 last night, but happily, slept soundly until 7:00. 

SUNDAY

Before breakfast, I washed, dried, and put away a load of laundry. Did the crossword, which unfortunately, continued the less-than-interesting trend. Mike messaged me with Violet's address in Savannah, there because she got into their "Rising Star" young artist program; I didn't realize she had started yet. Her seventeenth birthday is on Thursday and I sent her an Amazon gift card. 

Got the news from Jersey that the HVAC people had come and fixed the problem tenant Lori told me about. The system had made a kind of loud humming noise, but luckily, it was a minor problem and cost me only $150.

Went to Von's for carrots, cherries, sweet peppers, and some Heathy Choice frozen dinners. Put the stuff away, then packed lunch and naturally, took it out to the middle to eat. I met Suzanne coming back from the pool and once again, considered going in, but didn't. I don't know why in the HELL I don't take advantage of the lovely pool and spa, but I hardly ever do. 

Washed and trimmed the carrots, added olive oil and Italian seasoning, they roasted them in the oven. This is my favorite way to cook carrots and I like them either cold or heated up. Somehow, I don't really like carrots raw and I never, never buy "baby carrots." They're not babies, they're just regular carrots with most of the vitamins and minerals pared off and they're an abomination, damn it! 

Ellen called and said the water was going to be turned off tomorrow where she lives (routine maintenance or something) and did I want to go with her to Wal-Mart, then lunch?  The vast majority of Mimi's Musings fans (two? one?) will know the answer to that one and I'll be ready at noon. 

Darn, I had a terrible time sleeping last night. Woke up at 2:20 for the usual, then lay awake for hours. Finally got up at 6:00, a half-hour ago, stripped the bed, and started a wash. I have Soaring Spirits lunch today, then rehearsal tonight, so I'll need to nap in between.  

SATURDAY, THE SHOW, AND A BIRTHDAY

As seems to happen often, the first part of the day  was problematic, but the next was pretty good. I got the Access Van to take me to rehearsal, but it was so early, I got there at 8:20 for our 9:30 start. That meant I had to hang around for more than an hour. 

Rehearsal went well and co-director Brian gave me some great suggestions for adding prop pieces to my piece. We went over the whole show twice and here are some take-outs:

The woman above (I was introduced earlier, but can't quite remember her name--something like "Elm.") gave her whole monologue in Ukrainian. What sense does that make? Plenty: We're going to have a translation projected onto a screen  over her head. Also, she was so impassioned, it was clear she was a refugee and spoke about war and its horrors. 

I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but I'm the opening act. There are two ways to look at that: One, that it's an advantage, as the audience will be happily expectant; but two, they may not be quite settled down to turning their full attention to the show. Oh, well, it doesn't really matter much and anyway, it's Erica's and Brian's decision to make.

Amber dropped me off about 12:30 and I had lunch (outside, of course), then dead-headed the geraniums, did a load of laundry, and neatened up a bit. At 4:00, Suzanne stopped for me and we went around the corner to pick up Vickie, and celebrate her sixty-ninth birthday. We went to  La Cabana in Saticoy; this is authentic Mexican, and was very good. It wasn't even 4:30 when we got there and I often have dinner closer to 7:00, so wasn't at all hungry. However, I had a good taco with sides, a good IPA, and, of course, a good time with my two good friends. And what kind of life do I have?  That's right--it's good. 😊

FRIDAY AND A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF

Disaster on the weight front: I gained 2.2 lbs at home, up to 131.6 and 2.4 at T.O.P.S., up to a ghastly 132.6. I was only mildly placated when it turned out the other four attendees had also gained. Anyway, I'd better start doing better or--or what? Sooner or later, I'll be back  up to 204 pounds. Anyway, Sharon had on a starry top and starry earrings--the latter she made herself: 

 She gave leader Lennie a pretty ring for her middle finger, which Sharon had also made herself: 

Home, I was pleased to have been sent a phone number for Jim Downes' sister, with whom I graduated. I'll call her today. I was stunned to read on my friend, Pat R.'s blog, the following about an RC church with a gay priest: https://thecatholicherald.com/new-york-parish-holds-pride-mass-on-trinity-sunday/ I sent it to Vickie and she was pleased. I'd love to know more about this priest. this parish, and especially, the reaction of the official church. 

Ellen and Greg came a little after 1:00 and we went to lunch at Steven's Greek. Greg is very selective about food and besides Steven's, Lure Fish House in town is the only other place he trusts with food. Wild caught fish is the only kind he'll eat and he has other specifications. Next time, we'll go to Lure. 

After lunch, we went directly to Barnes & Noble, where we sat and read and read for about an hour. I still have a gift card, but didn't yet buy anything. I looked into a lot of interesting books and was amazed to find this:  

I emailed Vickie to alert her to it and she was very appreciative. Hey, maybe times, they are (finally) a'changin'!

El and Greg came back to my place and while El and I sat on the patio and talked and talked, Greg make notes from the book he had bought. El had gotten a text from Paula, my ex-daughter-in-law, inviting us to L.A. where she and other member of her family will scatter their parents' ashes. Sounds interesting and happily, Violet will probably be there, too.

In the middle of his morning bike ride, Mike facetimed us about 5:00 and his Mum and big sister enjoyed it. We talked over Thanksgiving plans and so on. Here's Mike when he called from thousands of miles away, of course--it's amazing how we now just take that for granted: 

Rehearsal at 9:30 this morning and Amber isn't picking me up today, so I'll have to bus there unless I can think of an alternative.