Laws

Yes, Housman's sentiments in that poem are mine, exactly. Those laws are not my laws and yesterday made me feel these words:

I, a stranger, and afraid 

In a world I never made.

It was just that nothing much good happened. Betty called to read me some things in which I had no interest, I expressed my discouragement because of what follows below, and as ever, she immediately turned back to her ten-year-old concerns. 

I changed the passwords on my bank accounts and Vanguard, as well as other sites, but I have a lot more to go. I sent to the first few groups my new email address, which was tedious because most of the addresses didn't transfer over. 

At 2:00, as instructed, I called the attorney about our dispute with management about the new (extra) utilities bill. We didn't even talk the whole half hour; he said we didn't  have a case, even though he agreed this was a rent increase in disguise. He did say there were two ways we could react: Demand an accounting every month of the aggregate utility charges, to check the percentage we're being charged and simply don't pay the bill, as they can't evict at this time. When I questioned that, he said it wouldn't lower one's credit rating. 

However, I'm not going to do either. When I wrote the above information to the others, I said I was no longer going to spend time or energy on it. Another problem cropped up that threw me for a loop: Eileen, my tenant in Jersey texted me that the air had again stopped. I had intended to ask Chilly Willie to start on it, anyway, but I thought it would last long enough to get him there. Eileen was rather testy about it and I offered to pay for her to go to a motel tonight. She turned this down and I just hope William (that's his real name) will do the damn thing today .

Anyway, after all that, I had to get out. I bused to the mall/transit center, intending to go to town, but instead, walked up to Lowe's to look for a filing cabinet. They don't carry them. Went to a few other stores, but didn't see what I wanted, so took the 10 home.

I called Suzanne to see if she wanted to sit out front and chat and she did. It helped a bit to do that. I had called Mary Hoffman to chat and she called me back about 6:30. Ellen then called and she had had a lousy day, too, so we commiserated with each other, which helped a bit, too.
I guess the only good thing that happened was that the printer is working again. Long story I won't go into, but I'm in such a low mood, I'm doubting if it will stayed fixed.
(I added the poem as another entry here.)

The Laws of God, The Laws of Man

by A. E. Housman (1859-1936)
The laws of God, the laws of man,
He may keep that will and can;
Not I: let God and man decree
Laws for themselves and not for me;
And if my ways are not as theirs
Let them mind their own affairs.
Their deeds I judge and much condemn,
Yet when did I make laws for them?
Please yourselves, say I, and they
Need only look the other way.
But no, they will not; they must still
Wrest their neighbor to their will,
And make me dance as they desire
With jail and gallows and hell-fire.
And how am I to face the odds
Of man’s bedevilment and God’s?
I, a stranger and afraid
In a world I never made.
They will be master, right or wrong;
Though both are foolish, both are strong.
And since, my soul, we cannot fly
To Saturn nor to Mercury,
Keep we must, if keep we can,
These foreign laws of God and man.

---

Home > Hobbies

Beans And Birthdays

The hacking horror continues to plague me, but I think I'm making progress. Ellen called to tell me older son said I should change other passwords, such as on my bank accounts and investment sites. Okay, will do.

I had soaked my beans overnight and put them in the slow cooker with chicken broth and veggie "juice." (I freeze the water in which I cook some things and use them in other dishes. Why? Because so many of the vitamins and minerals get leached out and I can retain them that way.) 

Betty called several times, as usual, first to tell me she couldn't find something, then to tell me again, then to say she had found it. Nancy called to ask if I wanted to do a virtual Happy Hour yesterday. I begged off, though--I'd like to if we could see each other on Zoom or Facetime, but she doesn't know how and I really don't enjoy it when it's just by phone. I suggested next week and maybe we can connect visually.

Shari, from Dudley House docents, called to say she had gotten a bogus message, too. We chatted for fifteen or so; she and Ken are still stamp aficionados and active in a variety of civic endeavors. 

I went over my past blog entries and picked out the ones that mention Tristan, starting with August of 2007, when he was born. I transferred it to a Word document and Suzanne printed it for me, as my printer seems to be kaput. (See yesterday's blog post.)

Walked to the P.O. and sent it along with a card, a tee shirt, and some dough to that sweet kid--entering teendom!--and hope it gets there by the second. (It's incredible to realize I not only remember his Dad's thirteenth birthday, but his grandmothers, too.)

I walked to the Market for produce, then took the bus part of the way home. Combined with my afternoon excursion, I think I got my daily five miles in. That one was a part-bus, part shank's mare trip to Office Max to look at both their printers and their filing cabinets. I was pleased to hear I could order it on-line and have it delivered free, but I'm not sure if I care for all theirs; I'm going to look further.

Took the bus to the foot bridge street, then walked over that home. On my way, Betty called yet again and we chatted a bit. 

I watched the last, plus "bonus material," of A Beautiful Mind. Boy, talk about nostalgia:  Princeton U.  plays a major part, of course, and to see again that historic and lovely campus--the library, the dining hall, the chapel, and all the rest--just thrilled me. California is wonderful, but I sometimes think "historic" means it were built last year. 

Re the subject, John Nash: I was shocked to read that both he and his wife were killed in a crash five years ago on the Jersey Turnpike. Also, their only child, a son, suffers from the same schizophrenia his father did. Sad and tragic.

    

 

Grass

Ellen called me in the morning and we spent a lot of time devoted to my electronic problems. My darling daughter walked me through the email morass, so I was finally able to switch my gmail address to the preferred one, which is just my name and the @. She's not a teacher for nothing. With great patience, she guided me through the process, commiserated with me over the fact I've probably lost all my Comcast messages, and what's even more important, reminded me that grass is real. 

And all this electronic stuff isn't. 

And the Buddhists burn their houses down every three years, so as not to get attached to material things.  

I needed to hear all that, seriously. And, if I'm not quite walking on air yet, it lifted my spirits enormously. No wonder I was so down: I had been sitting in front of a screen, trying this and going there, fretting about my inadequacy, and feeling helpless and what's more, worthless. I was holed up inside and that's always a bad situation for me. I need to walk and after lunch, I did. 

Took the bus to town and walked down Main, stopping in here and there. I bought two more DVDs--dogs, I'm pretty sure. One is called Crash, with Sandra Bullock and the other Nurse Betty. I bought that only because I thought Betty would get a kick out it. I think it's a comedy, although--geez, the title--maybe it's porn. (In which case, she'd really get a kick out of it!) Anyway, I'll watch it first.

While on the bus home, Jenny, from the Bar Association, called to say she had gotten an attorney for us. She wanted to give me the name, but it was too damn noisy, I said I'd call her this morning.

I stopped at Von's for an unmentionable item (okay, toilet paper) and got some dough to put in Tristan's card. Home, I cut up my mushrooms and roasted them--so good. I had them with tilapia, spaghetti squash, and the last of the cabbage. 

El called in the evening again and we went over more about my email woes. I've decided, just for now, to keep both my gmail accounts and just give most new contacts the simpler one, then eliminate the other.

I continued my little Tristan thing: copying out what I mention about him on my blog, starting with the day after his birth. I'm hoping Suzanne will print it, then I'll put it in with his present. This one is a lot longer than the rest and it assured me that grass is real and so is he.

Friday, August 03, 2007

Little Tristan Edward Phillips is just beautiful! I got up there about 1:00 after finishing some chores at home. Found Jen, Joel, Joely, Alison, and J. and J.'s friend, Jason, in the large, comfortable "birthing room" at Capitol Health Center (used to be Mercer) Hospital. His Mommy was holding Tristan, but let me take him when I got there. As soon as I walked in, Joely said excitedly, "That's my little brother, that's my little brother!"
Unlike my mostly bald babies, Tris has a respectable amount of hair (dark brown, like his Dad's) and ruddy skin. It's hard to tell at this stage but he seems to have "Byrne eyes"--that is, deep-set, as my father's were. He really is an attractive baby. He slept a lot, but also cried lustily, and seemed to enjoy being passed from person to person. When his Mommy held and talked to him, he looked straight at her and made little cooing sounds--so adorable!
Jen's sister had already been in, and her parents were due at 4:30 or so. Of course, Alison and I took pictures. Loved the ones of big Joel, Joely, and little Tristan sitting together--Joely greatly enjoyed holding him. At one point, he said, "Look at this, Mimi" and stroked Baby's cheek, making him turn that way! (Gee, Tris can do tricks.)

Barely Functioning*

What a lousy morning. As many know at this point, having received a bogus message from me, I've been hacked. I was advised to change my password, did so, and now Comcast Xfinity doesn't recognize me or believe I have an account with them. Therefore, I can't get into my email. I spent hours on the phone with Comcast and failed to get a single human to talk to. My son reminded me that I have some kind of piggy-back arrangement with my former next-door neighbor. I called him on both the numbers I have, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet (but see below). 

This has just thrown me for a loop. Son suggested I activate my gmail address, which I have. I hated to do that, but I did. I'm not even sure if it's okay to write the address here or not, so I won't.

One bright spot was Ellen coming over for lunch. We ate in what's getting to be my regular table, out near the pool. El also gifted me with some wonderful produce from her garden.

Those are brownish tomatoes and purple peppers in the upper basket, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes in the lower--what a bonanza! 

Another reasonably hopeful happening: I got a call from "Jenny" at the Bar Association to say she probably had a person who would consult for the $35 a half hour. Today, I'll get in touch with the rest--but by gmail!--and let them know. I want to meet with them to discuss first--plus they'll chip in with the dough.

Got a call from my high school pal, Jeanne D.P. She's now in Jersey, having come from Florida, and is waiting for one of her grandsons to drive her to Lake George, in New York, where she'll reunion with her--uh, "intimate friend," John.

Dr. Jennings called, I told her about my skin problems, and she'll send a referral for me to see a dermatologist . That's the last thing I'm thinking about now.

I called Pat Rogers and we had a good long talk for more than an hour--it was so much fun to reconnect with her. We do read each other's blog every day, but I like catching up more or less in person, too. We think alike in so many ways; sure, in some, we don't, but it would be a dull world if there were no honest disagreements. Anyway, we're both south Jersey and HSHS girls and that's not going to change.

Betty called four times in between all this. Someone had sent her a list of those she graduated with from Miseracordia and she wanted to read it to me. However, she couldn't find it. Her daughter or the woman who comes in to play games with her must have taken it. Yes, I'm pretty sure that's what happened. 

*It seems to be a given that a clerk or cashier must mouth the meaningless "How are you today?" to all customers and I often answer with the title phrase above. Due to my twisted sense of humor, it amuses me that they almost invariably come back with something like "that's good." Clearly, they don't give a rodent's rear if I'm good, bad, or on the point of death, and why should they? I wish they'd just say "hello" or "Yeats is a better poet than Frost," or whatever.  

-----------------------------------

Okay, what happened just now (6:30 am): Frank D., my neighbor called. He told me he's the one who had ended my account with Comcast because he got the bogus message. We changed my ID and email address and tried to get me back on. We succeeded--but only as a new account, so all my earlier email are not accessible. Boy, was I disappointed. Frank asked me to drop the account and go to email, which I will. I'll just have to keep trying to get to Comcast Xfinity to try to retrieve my messages of several years.    

Wins And Losses

I'm up a little earlier than usual, as I was just awakened by a phone call from Laney AC in Little Egg; it's 5:30 am. (For me, that's no biggie, but for some--you know who you are--it would be greatly annoying.)  The AC guy will be there today, then they'll email me an estimate.

It was a better Sunday than most, early on, that is, maybe because I was proud of myself for relinquishing Facebook. Also, I had planned to do wash, and I did, two of them. In addition, I cut up my nice cabbage (as opposed to a cabbage with attitude?), cored and quartered, two apples and put them in the slow cooker. It was good with my salmon for dinner.
I called my cousin, Marifran (my Cincinnati Sis), and left a message. I plan to call a cousin on the other side, too. (No, not that other side, the maternal side.)
Did two loads of wash, lunched, then walked to Smart 'n' Final for blueberries and so on. Walked part of the way back, then caught a bus.
I did some of what I had planned for the patio. Now that the trim above it painted, I wanted to move all the movables back to where they were. I washed my little pretend girl with Suzanne's hose and put her and her chair back. Replaced the large container of succulents, but after that, decided to skip the rest until today. 
You win a few, you lose a few, I guess, and here are my losses:
--My printer still won't print, although it has plenty of ink. I think the ink nozzle has to be cleaned, but I don't know how to do it.

--I was disappointed in A Beautiful Mind, of which I watched an hour last night. Loved the many scenes on the Princeton U. campus--you just can't come close to that in California--but I thought Russel Crowe's accent was poorly done; John Nash was not just American, but from West Virginian. I didn't expect Crowe to talk corn pone, but the Brit accent sneaked in too often. (Anthony Hopkins does a much better Yank.)*

--I still haven't heard from the Bar Association.

--I lazed around too much in the afternoon yesterday.

--I sat down to order my new filing cabinet from Wayfair and, after searching and searching for the one I wanted, called them. Damn, it's been discontinued!

My wins:

--I found Fracture on-line and sent for it.

--I worked on a little project I have in mind for great-grandson Tristan, who will be 13 next month.

--Ellen's coming today and we'll have lunch together.*

--I'm alive and well, the best win of all.

*El told me that Anthony Hopkins lives in Ojai! Where she does! Where I could run into him, maybe! WOW!

 

Telephone

Early on, I called Laney AC to ask if somebody had yet gotten to my house in Little Egg for an estimate, but was greeted with a message saying they're only there M-F. Left a message.

Called Nancy and we chatted for some time. She's having more physical difficulty, including shortness of breath. That's worrisome, as her chronic Anemia is okay. I didn't want to mention it, and I didn't, but I wonder if her weight is a factor. She was quite a bit overweight the last time I saw her and, since being so isolated (she stays in virtually all the time), I believe it's increased.
Called Betty, as I hadn't heard from her in awhile. We chatted a bit, then hung up, after which she called me three more times before 11:00. Her confusion, reflected in garbled speech and even more garbled thought processes, seems to be considerably worse. Shortly after her last call, I was pleased to get a call from Helen C. We talked for some time; she still intends to call Betty to see if their falling out can be forgotten.
In between all this, I started cleaning the kitchen counters, sink, stove, and so on. Then my cousin, Sally, called. I was delighted to hear from her. Sally is just two weeks older than my brother, Frank, and the (adopted) daughter of my Aunt Marie. She lives in San Diego, was widowed eighteen months ago, and we have a long, long history. I hadn't talked to Sally for several years and hadn't seen her since Carolyn's wedding twenty years ago. 
Can she talk? Ha--she's about the champion talker of all time, and I know some contenders. She called at 1:10, as I was shredding my lettuce for lunch, and we talked until 2:30! But I'm glad and I hope to get down to see her one of these days.
After lunch, I walked to Telephone Road, then to Portola Street, then got a bus to WinCo. Bought fajitas, spaghetti squash, grapes, spinach, and lots of others. I just barely caught the number 11 to the transit center, then the 21 to Victoria. (Gawd--why do I keep listing my damn buses and what I bought at the supermarket? I don't know, but I just want to.)
I finally did what I've been meaning to for some time--I posted the following on Facebook. I think it's self-explanatory.

SO LONG, FOR AWHILE...

Snooky Lanson used to sing that on "Your Hit Parade" and I'm borrowing the phrase to remove myself from Facebook. I'm going to stop wasting time on the trivial, the trite, and the tedious, but most of all, the sanctimonious crapola it seems to bring out in people. Oh, I'm not excusing myself from all that, but I can do something about it, and here it is: Goodbye.

The Social Whirl?

Hosted the truncated T.O.P.S. meeting again. I knew I'd be up and I was, but not by much. I weighed in at 130.9, so had a gain of about a pound. Not bad, and at home, I weighed 130.2...
Hmm...it occurred to me, and not for the first time--that I can get obsessive about my weight, so now I'm going to drop the subject--until next Friday.
I walked member Bobbi to the front and we stopped to chat for a bit. She told me about an outfit called VenBo--or Co--or So--or whatever, kind of a bank type thing. I had never heard of it, but that's not unusual; I had barely heard of Ryan Gosling before seeing him in the thirteen-year-old movie, Fracture.
Had breakfast and was planning to walk to Smart 'N' Final after, when I got a call from niece, Carolyn. She had to be in Ventura and was I available to maybe meet in the middle here? Absolutely, and we decided to bring our lunches. She came about 11:30 and it turned out, she didn't have a chance to buy lunch, so I gave her half my sandwich--and a Corona Extra.
I enjoyed so much sitting and talking to my niece. After a few hours, we went back to my apartment and I dropped off my stuff, then we took a short walk over the foot bridge.  We had gone only a short way when she got a call that the car was finished and the driver was there to pick her up. We said goodbye and she said she might have to be coming back next week. She would bring Betty then and that would be fine.
After she left, I finally got the filing cabinet to the trash removal place. It took me about twenty minutes, but wasn't at all difficult. It wasn't heavy when empty and I simply "walked" it there. Finally, at long last, the damn thing is out of my bedroom and now I'm going to be ordering the new, smaller one from Wayfair. 
Gail called to said she had read the book I lent her and could she return it Monday on her way to a house-sitting gig? Sure, and where are you "sitting"? In a beach house in Malibu--wowee! I meet her at the gate at 9:00.
I called Ellen and we had a nice long talk. She has errands in Ventura on Monday and suggested we do the lunch thing out in the middle--yay! She'll come about 1215.
To top off the day, I have my telephone appointment with Dr. Jennings at 3:15 on Monday, also. Not exactly a social whirl, but it's nice to have engagements on my calendar again. 

Thursday

Changed the bed and did a wash, then took off to the market for veggies and rice cakes. It was quite cool (60 degrees when I got up), but warmed up later. As I often do, I walked only part of the way home, then took a bus. That cut off maybe a half-mile, but I still got in roughly two and a half before lunch. After, I cut up the big cauliflower I had bought and popped in the slow cooker.
Went to town in the afternoon and, for the first time in weeks, walked The Promenade. It was a lovely day by then, sunny and warm. I called Stella from there and left a message. Stopped at the library to get the other book by Roger Ebert (Life Itself, which I always thought is the perfect title for an auto-biography). Walked to Ventura Avenue from there and got the number 6 home.
Stella called back and we chatted. She still isn't ready to meet for lunch here in the middle or elsewhere, but that's okay, she'll keep in touch.
I watched another hour of Mirrors and will finish it tonight. It's pretty gory in spots, but not badly done and I like eerie.
Speaking of which: I just looked up Keifer Sutherland on Wikipedia and discovered we have an eerie amount in common! To wit:
We were both born on December 21!
We are both fraternal twins!
He lives in Toluca Lake, California and my cousin lives in Toluca!
He's worth millions and I...
Guess I'm in a silly mood.

Lunch With Jim And New York With Keifer Sutherland

Got a call at 7:00 AM re the AC thing at the house. After talking and this, that and the other, I called a few places and discussed same. Texted Eileen, my tenant, to get her permission to have somebody come for another estimate and she agreed; I called Laney's AC, right in Little Egg Harbor, to do it. I'll see what comes up, and then will just go for the better cost, I guess.
I went over to Von's for two cans of Stella Artois, the beer I like and packed one and a sandwich in my little insulated carrier. Other than that, I mostly just fooled around on the laptop.
The weather was annoyingly cloudy and cool in the morning, but happily, before Jim got here at 1:00, the sun came out. We sat under the umbrella near the pool, ate our lunches, and talked and talked and talked. As usual, we covered a variety of topics: the homeless, the coming change of life on earth, Maria Callas, the Thomas fire, the provincialism of southern California, and lots more.
Jim stayed until 4:00, then we said goodbye. I dropped my things back at my apartment, put two books in my cart, and took off for the park. That got three miles in, which was good, considering it was my only walk. I donated the books at the Little Library (I'm capitalizing it wrongly, just to give it some distinction) and--am I nuts or what?--borrowed three more, although I have too much to read as it is.
Started watching the DVD Mirrors, with Keifer Sutherland, a pretty good scary movie which takes place in New York City. Surprisingly, when I saw the street scenes, I felt a deep desire to go home to the east coast. I don't mean permanently, but I want to see a big city with big buildings jammed together and hordes of people on the streets. L.A. isn't my idea of a big city--it's just a cow pasture that grew.
I want to go to the Smithville Inn and Italian Gourmet for lunch. What's more, I want to stroll down Ventnor Avenue to Rosborough, then walk the boards toward Margate. I can wear disguises all I want, but I'm a New Jerseyan, born and bred, and my ocean is the Atlantic and not the other one. 

 

Back To The Doldrums...

It was a pokey day, the high point of which was food prep. I pared and cut the beets, did the same to the plums, and put the latter in the slow cooker. Also washed, cored, and sliced the sweet peppers and prepared the spinach. I like to have things ready for dinner and not have to prepare them at the time.
I emailed my group (of five) to tell them I hadn't heard back from the bar association and I'd offer fifty; they all agreed to chip in.
I set out for the park, but by that time, it was almost 12:00 and I decided to skip it. Ran into Michelle on the way and asked her about a ten buck contribution toward the attorney. NOT to my surprise, she said she wasn't willing to contribute. Of course, she expects to have the information shared and she can rot in--.
Anyway, all that is moot. I called the bar, Rosie wasn't in, but I left a message and talked to someone else. She was very courteous, but nixed the more money idea and I can understand why. Their program is $35 for a half hour consult and I guess that can't be changed. Anyway, she said most attorneys are very busy now, what with COVID, so I guess we'll just have to wait.
I sent Bianca a message about my suggestion that I arrange for the filing cabinet to be removed, then buy anew and submit the bill. To my surprise, she okay it. However, I called Ellen and she has a cold, I'm afraid. Hope she feels better soon.
Went to town after lunch and picked up a book at the library (one of Roger Ebert's reviews). Then just walked down Main passed all the people enjoying themselves and bused back.
I got the estimate for repair of the AC in Sunrise Bay for over nine thousand. For some peculiar reason, he included the furnace--WHAT? Since when is anything wrong with the furnace?  I'm getting other estimates, dammit.

Full Day And DVDs

Another full day in my busy--but not busy enough--life.
I had to move the movable stuff--pots, potted plants, statuary, and so on--on my patio under the overhang because the painters are here this week. I hope my plants in the ground don't get painted on. They've already painted the other trim and the front door. I'm bemused by the fact the the door was closed at the time, so now the side with the knob on it has a thin strip down it with the old (pale green) paint on it. The new paint is a dark, kind of grayish-brown, so let's hope they remember to come back and ask to have the door open.
I called Dr. Jennings and got an "appointment" (by phone) for next Monday; I want her to refer me to a dermatologist. The skin pop-ups that have developed over the last three months don't hurt or itch, and they're not in very noticeable spots (shoulders), but I guess they should be looked at. I'm pretty sure the other newish skin thing, the rough patch that's on my chest, is related.
Took my cart to the Market for fresh beets and peppers, plus a few other things. Home, I found a nice bag of cherry tomatoes at my door from Suzanne and with my new buys, plus Ellen's largess, and the plums Gail gave me, I'm rollin' in riches.
After lunch, I bused to town. Walked Main (still blocked off, I'm happy to say) and bought three DVDs. I'm much more into this than T.V. and I like being able to pause and watch only so much at a time. HA! I know plenty of people have this new-fangled device that lets you do that, but I'm perfectly happy with my same ol', same ol'.
I watched an hour or so of Premonition, with Sandra Bullock, which is thirteen years old (when you buy your movies at the thrift stores, you don't get up-to-date), but is actually pretty good. It's holding my interest, anyway.

Gail, Angie Dickinson, And Helen C.

I met Gail at the Hill Street gate at 10:00 and we went off to the park over the foot bridge.. Gail, as I've mentioned before, is tall and thin and tried to slow a bit for me, but I still got a workout. I was glad about that; for one, it's even better exercise than walking at a slower pace and for another, it makes me more aware that I walk faster than a lot of my contemporaries, so should slow down for them.
We had a nice enough time, although Gail's conversation style is sometimes a downer; she tends to look on the dark side of any topic, I'm afraid. I was amused--wryly--when she said she "hopes to see seventy." She's now 69.
Anyway we walked to, then around, the park, totaling about four miles, which pleased me. We discussed what we've been reading and I introduced her to the little lending library, from which she borrowed a book. We ranged over other subjects and at one point, turned to movie stars. She had worked years ago at the LA Library and had "met" Angie Dickinson, who had come in for a book. That was in the pre-computer days, and borrowers had to sign for a book. I asked if she had indicated to Ms. Dickinson that she recognized her and Gail said, no, she thought that would be irritating and offensive. Really? I think most actors love to be recognized--not obtrusively and not while they're eating, maybe, but a quick "you were wonderful in --------" is what they live for.
Her encounter with Mrs. Mulwray lead to Chinatown, which we both love, and I told her I have this book:

She asked if I'd lend it to her was thrilled when I said yes. We got back to my place about 11:30 (she wouldn't come in, but waited at the door while I got the book), and we said goodbye. She said she'd like to meet me here in the middle for lunch one day and I asked her to call me. She also left me some nice plums; a friend of hers has a tree and gave her a lot of them. 

Speaking of lunch in the middle: I got an email back from Jim, saying he'd also like o come back for lunch. I called him later we decided on Wednesday. 

Betty called to repeat just about everything we talked about on Saturday. With some hesitation, I called her former friend, Helen C., who had had no idea of Betty's illness. She was very appreciative that I had gotten in touch and will call Betty in a few days to see if that will improve the relationship. Here's how the truth is skewed: According to Betty, Helen called her and angry words were almost immediately exchanged, then somebody hung up on somebody else. Helen's version is that Betty called her and they talked for almost an hour while Betty described her wedding album pictures. After that, it got a little confused, even in Helen's version. However, I'm hoping that Betty will have forgotten her split with her old friend, but we'll see.

Damn, this dementia thing is enough to make you demented.

Chicken, AC, And A Wedding

Lots going on and not all to the good.
After breakfast, I jumped in immediately with food prep. I had defrosted the rest of the very large chicken thighs I had bought weeks ago, oiled, seasoned, and roasted them, then stored in the freezer.
I'm not sure why, but this occupation is mildly satisfying for me. Not, of course, as satisfying as a cold beer on a hot day, but enjoyable, anyway.
Ellen called to say she was going over to Bed, Bath & Beyond in the afternoon and did I want her to stop in and bring me some tomatoes and cucumbers? Is the pope...? Does a bear...? Of course, I did.
Walked to Smart 'N' Final and, while I was there, my niece Maureen, returned my call. I had wanted news about my brother, Frank, to whom I hadn't spoken for a month or more. It turns out he's much worse--that's the progression of Alzheimer's--but I don't want to go into detail. I did talk to him, too, and he sounded fairly normal, but I know he isn't.
If that wasn't a downer enough, I got a text from the air conditioning guy, saying the unit has to be replaced. He'll text me an estimate, but will first add some of the fuelant, or whatever it is, as a stop-gap measure. Wouldn't you know, a heat wave is expected on the east coast.
When I got home, I called my friends, Susan and Walter G., who live across from my place in Sunrise Bay. As it turned out, they had had to replace their AC system last year. Walter said he got three estimates and the one they chose charged $4500. Ouch, but in truth, I was worried it would be in the double digits. Anyway, I haven't heard back from Will, yet, so we'll see. Walter also gave me the names of the guy who did theirs, and another. I do want to get other estimates.
El came about 4:00 and brought me some delicious cherry tomatoes and a cucumber--home grown, of course. We sat out front chatting, always more enjoyable to me than almost any activity.* 
Gail called to remind me that we're meeting in a few hours today (at 10) to walk over the foot bridge and to the park. She's 69, very tall and thin, and is a dedicated walker/biker. I like her, but it's a bit difficult to keep up with her at five foot two.
Betty called to launch into a tirade about one of her long-time (they graduated from Miseracordia together sixty-odd years ago) with whom she had a falling out before she left Jersey. This person had called her, presumably to try to repair their friendship, but no dice with Betty. This is so depressing. I know her friend must be distressed over it and I sympathize. I think I'll call her later.
*Waiting for El, I saw Suzanne in her patio (ours adjoin) and we talked a bit. I was interested to hear that her brother is going to officiate at a niece's wedding, which Suzanne will attend. Oh, he's a priest? Why, no, he got his credentials by mail order. WHAT?! And Suzanne is okay with it? And it's being held in a field in Iowa?  Sister Leo must be spinning in her.... I can hardly get my mind around this, but I'm intrigued.

T.O.P.S.

I had the T.O.P.S. group here and it worked out okay. Lolly came a bit early, as I had asked her and the others found the place fine. The regulars, besides Lolly and me, were there: Lennie, Bobbi, Cheryl, and Sharon. Patricia, who had attended a few times, also came.
Lolly, Cheryl, and Sharon found it strenuous to walk the short distance to the complex center (asthma, braces on her legs, and diabetes/extreme obesity), I advised them to come in through the Hill Street gate and they can park closer.  I have a clicker, but I found out from Javier that the gate is open in the morning for the workers from elsewhere.
I was pleased to have lost two pounds from last week, so I'm now at 129.7, back within my "zone." I said we could meet here again next week.
Didn't have breakfast until 9:30 and, after that, I trimmed and washed my carrots and put them in the slow cooker with raspberry vinaigrette. I then took my cart and walked to Telephone Road (1 1/2). While I was still in the complex, I met a young woman named Amanda, who lives in building 15. We fell into conversation and I found she's a teacher; we talked a bit. Outside the gate, I saw Michelle, the loose cannon, coming. I apologized for my rather abrupt reaction to her on Wednesday, but she hadn't even registered my annoyance. Anyway, I filled her in on the latest re "Tenants Together" and darned if she didn't thank me, then say, "keep me informed." It's hopeless, but I'm actually a bit amused.
From Telephone, I got a bus to Office Max, where I bought printer ink and--strange that they had these--Cascade Platinum dishwasher detergent. The last time I ran the dishwasher, it did a terrible job. Guess I should have rinsed with vinegar as I have before, but why should I have to? From there, I walked over to WinCo and got popcorn,* lettuce (green leaf this time), bread, and a few other things, then bused to the transit center, and caught another for home. 
By the time I sat down for lunch, it was three o'clock. Betty called and I had a hard time being patient with her as she prattled on about this and meaningless that. After we said goodbye, I called Carolyn B., my former Happy Hour pal and fellow Soaring Spirits member. I haven't spoken to for two months or more, but nothing has changed with her.  She doesn't go out at all, although she's only 58. She does have diabetes and says she's at high risk, so I guess it's understandable.
I didn't feel like cooking, so walked over to Von's for their roasted chicken. Had that and my carrots for dinner.
Ouch! I got a text from Eileen, my tenant, to tell me the air conditioner is again not working. I just paid $$479,81 three weeks ago to have something put in. Eileen said she'd call the Chilly Willy guy to look at it, then he'll let me know. I was worried it would have to be replaced and I hope this isn't it.
*I foolishly decided to reward myself for my weight loss by having popcorn and Chardonnay during television. I did, but it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as I thought it would be and now I regret it. I had stopped snacking at night last week, which surely led to my two-pound loss and I want to resume that now.

Thursday

I stripped the bed and re-made it before breakfast (but not before coffee--no, no, nothing before coffee!); added other items and did a wash.
I took off for The Market about 10:30 and stocked up on goodies: cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes. After lunch, I did my  usual with the latter, with onions and seasonings, and popped it in the oven. While that was cooking, I cut up the cauliflower and divided into two portions, then trimmed the broccoli, I'll put the carrots in the slow cooker today.
I called Lolly from T.O.P.S. to ask her to come a little early today.  Since we're weighing here, I'll be showing the others to the middle and I thought it would be best if she waited out front, if others should come when I'm out of sight. To my surprise, she seemed reluctant to do that. I'm not sure, but maybe she sleeps later and consider 8:45 early. (To me, it's the middle of the afternoon.) However, it's not necessary, I guess, so we'll just go with the flow.
Lolly told me that Lora had fallen down stairs, broken a bone in her foot and sprained her wrist. I called her to commiserate; Lora said the sprain hurts worse than the break.
I ran into tiresome Michelle, along with a woman named Kay, who also doesn't use a computer and also would like me to call or text with any news about the utilities thing. Hey, hold your breath until I do that, girls.
Speaking of utilities, the new bill came, which is $66.17. I still haven't heard back from any attorney or the Bar Association; I'll give them a week, then call again.
Impulsively, I took a bus to Oxnard about 3:30. I had no idea if Greg was working, but thought I'd check and darn if I didn't run into him at the door. Happily, he was on a break, so suggested we go over to some outdoor chairs and tables, which we did. We sat and chatted for twenty minutes or so, which was very enjoyable. He had some news I'm not at liberty to divulge here, but I was interested to hear it.
At 6:45, I was just finishing dinner when I got a call from a woman named Angela at "Tenants Together." This is a non-profit organization (a 5013C), recognized by by the state. When I asked how it was funded, she said she didn't know, but they used volunteers and she was one of them. I must have called them, but it was so long ago, I don't even remember them--as with everything else, it seems, they're backlogged. Anyway, I filled her in on the situation and we talked for a half hour. After, she sent me a long email, which I haven't read closely yet.
Talked to Ellen about meeting Greg and her Zoom call with the superintendent. Nothing has been decided yet about the new school year, except that it will start on August 27.
  

Wednesday

I called Nancy about 9:00 to wish her happy birthday. Her son and daughter-in-law (she lives on their property) arranged a terrific event on Sunday.: They had a wine-tasting party. DIL Erin bought six bottles of different wines, plus several kinds of cheese and crackers, grapes, and so one, and made a pretty display on their patio. Then Nancy's daughter, granddaughter, son, and their families, all Zoomed in from Massachusetts. What a great idea! It was especially  nice for Nancy, as she almost never goes out.
Went to Von's for salmon and their beautiful big mushrooms.  After lunch, I did some computer stuff; sent Jim some info on Westminster, as he's an opera buff.  Lunched, then took bus to town. I'm getting sick of doing the same old things and I am HEARTILY SICK OF NOT GATHERING AND SOCIALIZING WITH PEOPLE. Yeah, I'm that sick of it.
Since I'm heartily sick of television, too, I bought three DVDs at one of the thrift stores. Not sure when I'll watch them, as I'm still enjoying S. and S.
Home at 5:00 and I sliced the mushrooms, seasoned the salmon, and put fresh spinach in. Good dinner, but I'm SICK OF THIS WHOLE DEAL!
One thing I enjoyed, though, was making a puzzle of my grandfather's barber shop. That's my grandfather, fourth from the left. The others in white coats are his employees and the other men are customers. I'm not sure who the woman with the baby and the little boy are--I don't think they're relatives. This is circa 1895, I believe.

Ellen called after dinner and we had a good chat. The superintendent (of schools) for her district is having a Zoom call with the teachers this afternoon to talk about what's coming for the new school year. I'll be interested in hearing about it.  

Minutia and Michelle

After breakfast, I put in a load of wash, then galvanized myself to so some cleaning. Did the tub/shower, toilet, and sink, then a quick dust-and-mop of the kitchen. I decided to skip the throw rugs for now; I just took them outside and shook them out. and laid my tub mat on the patio for a few hours. I'm a great believer in the power of sunlight to kill germs.
Went over to Von's for romaine and non-acetone nail polish remover. No, I'm not going to combine them in a dish; I'm using Miracle Nail and after you put it on (a clear polish), for a week, you take it off with non-acetone remover. After that--well, I haven't read that far yet.
I got a return call from somebody at the Ventura Bar Association. I explained our beef and she said she'd try for an attorney willing to consult for thirty-five a half-hour. As advised, I told her I wanted someone up on real estate/rental issues. Gave her my credit card number, but of course, it won't be charged until we get one. I'm not worried about the money, plus I know my fellow mad-as-hellers will kick in. Emailed them the news.
Started off for the park with the DVD of Salem's Lot, plus a book I just finished. As I was leaving the complex, I ran into Michelle and told her the news about the utilities thing.*) I didn't borrow anything else from the little library this time. While there, I sat on a bench and called my niece, Joan, who lives in Brooklyn. This is the daughter of my late older sister, Gene, and is 65 herself. (If she's 65, what does that make me? Not just older, but old, I guess.) We had a good long talk, then I walked to Victoria, caught the 11 to the transit center, and got the 6 home.
In preparation for an attorney's questions, I organized the information surrounding the utilities dispute and will type it up today. Hope I hear from somebody soon.   
Watched the next part of Sense And Sensibility. Now--darn it--I'm starting to think I must re-read the book.
*Now here's something that pisses me off: Michelle, although she's can't be older than 45 or so, "doesn't use the computer." Or the Internet at all, in fact, aside from her phone. So she asked me to call her with subsequent news about this. I keep the others informed via a single email to all. David and James have pitched in and helped and I've met with Leah and Isaac. I had given Michelle my card and she's never called me with any questions. And she wants me to call her? When I raised my eyebrow about this, she said, "Well, you could text me instead."  Hey, Missy, I'm not your secretary and I'm not getting paid for this. What gets me is she said her husband "is into all that computer stuff." Okay, then she can provide his email address and I'll include it. Otherwise, Michelle can go blow.

The District Attorney And Jane Austen

Finally, a person from the District Attorney's office, John Howard, called me back. The woman at Housing Rights had told both James and me we should contact that agency's Consumer Mediation Unit. I thought it was odd advice--why would you start out with mediation?
Anyway, I was right. Mr. Howard told me that advice was in error. He advised me to call the Bar Association and ask about a thirty-five dollar attorney (meaning we could consult for an hour for that price). I called and, of course, had to leave a message.
After conveying all this via email to my fellow disgruntled renters here, I walked to the market for  various. On the way back, I deviated from my usual route--I get tired of the same old, same old--and walked back via Hill Street, then over the footbridge. I enjoyed going that way and it may have added a bit to the three-miles trip.
After lunch, I caught a bus for town.  There were lots of happy people eating as before, but nobody called, "Hey, Rosemary, come join us!" I wish.  Went to the library, as I had gotten an overdue message for the DVD The Devil Wore Prada. I had thought it was one of the ones I bought at a thrift store, but it didn't contain a disk, anyway, so I threw the case away. When I pleaded for mercy to the librarian, she told me no worries, they weren't sending overdue notices, anyway.
I stopped in a store and bought these glasses, which I needed like a hole in the...

But I'm a sucker for puns, so shoot me. The first one says, "Everything happens for a Riesling," the other, "If I have another will it be a Zin?"  Deathless phrases.
Home about 6:00 and heated  up leftover stir-fry and veggies for dinner. Instead of watching another dreary episode of Forensic Files, I put in Sense And Sensibility, one of the DVDs I had bought (not borrowed). I watched for my usual hour before bed and oh, what a joy!  I love Jane Austen and love this film. I'm looking forward to seeing more tonight.

Betty, David, and Gail

Did the Sunday routine and  almost, but not quite, finished the crossword. About 11:00, I took my cart and walked to the park. I called Betty from there with some trepidation, hoping she wouldn't remember the ring thing. I said I had called to see how her knee was doing. Luckily, she did, indeed, seemed to have forgotten about the ring. If there's anything benign about this damn disease, it's that: the memory problem in most cases is deplorable, but when unpleasant things are forgotten, it's a relief. We talked for fifteen minutes or so.
Left off some books and the execrable DVD Salem's Lot and picked up another book to take home.
Going back, I walked some of Telephone Road, then caught a bus to the mall and another from there home.
Before lunch, I checked my email and found a message from David Wappler, a fellow resident here. He asked James Crayton and me to meet him at the complex center at 3:30 to discuss our anti-new utilities bill campaign, not realizing James lives in L.A. James wrote back that he couldn't get here, but I said I would.
We met in the middle, as scheduled. David bought some cans of interesting craft beer, some made in Santa Barbara, that had a citrus bent. I had one and enjoyed it; I bought my last can of Nuts About Rosemary and we nibbled on that, too.
David and I talked for an hour and a half. I told him I had spoken to Stephanie at the Housing Rights Commission after James had and she advised me to call the Mediation place. I did, left a message, but haven't heard back yet. David said he had called her, too, and hadn't yet gotten her. We chatted about other things, too; it was very pleasant.
Home, had dinner, then went over to Von's for salmon, but it was almost all gone. Butcher said they'd have more in today, so I'll go back.
I had called Gail earlier just to say hello. She called me back and we talked. She goes to her daughter's in Thousand Oaks most days to care for her three-year-old, as daughter, who's a stock broker or something,  must now work at home. Gail asked if I wanted to meet next Sunday and walk to the park and I immediately agreed.
Darn, I had trouble getting back to sleep after getting up for the usual. Maybe I'll take a nap today.

Saturday

It was an ordinary Saturday, with nothing much going on, except--ouch!--for an 8:30 am call from Betty. It turned out to be problematic and I don't want to post it here. I would like to share it, though, so I'll outline it in an email to my friend, Pat. I know she'll sympathize.
After I spoke to Betty, I called Ellen and we discussed the situation. There's no "solution" to this, of course, but it helps  to talk it over with someone who cares. I'll call Betty back today, hoping her memory loss kicks and she'll have forgotten about it.
Walked to the Market after breakfast for provisions, then part way back and bused the rest. Even so, I got in about two and a half miles. Lunched, then hopped a bus to town.
Wow, was the joint jumpin'! Most of what I call "the road restaurants" (because their tables and chairs are in the street) were packed people with having a good time. On a beautiful sunny and warm, but very comfortable, day, I wished I had somebody to meet there, too, but so far, no luck with anybody I know.
Stopped in a few stores and bought a book, then just walked to Ventura Avenue and caught the 6 bus home. I decided to have a vegan dinner and enjoyed cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, and Brussels sprouts.

Lunch With Jim

Cheryl picked me up and we went to T.O.P.S.; results below.  Leader Lennie (Lenore) announced that Trinity Lutheran will no longer allow us to  meet outside there. After discussion, I offered to have to group here--not inside, of course, but outside in the nicely-appointed middle of the complex. So next Friday, I won't have to go far.
Washed, trimmed, and chunked the cauliflower I had bought the other day and put in the smaller slow cooker with Italian seasoning. Betty called to say her knees were bothering her; she took Tylenol, but they're still a little sore. Carolyn had taken her for a checkup a few days ago, and the doctor has her massaging them. I'll call her today to see how she's doing.
I made my turkey sandwich and packed it, my beer and a stein in my insulated carrier and went outside to meet Jim at 1:00. We sat at a table with a big umbrella and good shade and proceeded to eat, talk and talk, then talk some more.
Jim didn't leave until 5:30 and boy, did we range over a plethora of topics: academia, of course, including his on-going experiences at Ventura College and my past ones at Rider University. I told  him about Westminster Choir College and Rider's acquisition thereof. Being an opera buff, Jim was very interested. We also ranged over a variety of other items: death, for one. (Jim is a philosophy teacher--that'll tell you something--but he has more questions than I do.)
I jokingly call Jersey "God's country" and was surprised when Jim said he thought he had been there; he and his mother were on a bus trip and and went Mother Cabrini's shrine. He's about as religious as I am, although raised in the usual Irish Catholic way. But it seems he was on a bus trip with his mother when he was a child and that's where they went. (I looked it up later and found that the shrine is actually in New York.) We also talked about childhood, always a good source of gripes and recriminations, especially as, unless you're with siblings, nobody can dispute them. 
After Jim left, I went over to Von's for a few things. Popped a chicken quarter in the oven for dinner, which is all I ate. As I was going to take the trash out, Suzanne came up and we sat out front for almost an hour chatting.
Send Jim Internet info on both the Cabrini shrine and Westminster.

Weight Report

Home, clothed:  130.2   last week, 131.4, so a loss of 1.2 lbs.

T.O.P.S.:             131.7  last week, 132.5, so a loss of 0.8 lbs.

Yes, the scales weigh differently. Also, I decided to skip the unclothed weigh-in, so will just go with the other two.

Santa Barbara

As always when I go to Santa Barbara, it was a long, long day. Left at 9:00 and, as usual, got to Betty's at 11:30. I had made turkey breast sandwiches for our lunch and we ate, then, as usual, played Sorry!, Chutes and Ladders, and double solitaire.
After the boring kids' games, I couldn't stand another minute of it, so I suggested we sit on the balcony and chat. We did, but as usual, with a lot of confused and confusing talk. After, I walked down to Whole Foods to replenish the beer supply (for Carolyn and me, when I get there again), then we played another game. I said goodbye about 3:15 and, after three buses, got home a bit before 6:00.
I called Jim, as I told him I'd remind him about out lunch date (not a date date) today, in the middle of my complex. He had already remembered, but we chatted for a bit.  He isn't the cheeriest person in the world, but he's lucid and it was a great relief.
I was sent a YouTube to a link to my great-grandson's graduation from Bordentown High. They had had a "virtual" one, which I viewed, but this was actual in this strange, oddly different world. It was held outside, with the mask/six-feet apart thing in place, of course. I just skipped ahead to hear his name and see him walk into the frame to accept his diploma.
Betty had asked me to call when I got home and I did, to hear her latest complaints about a non-existent situation. Carolyn then called and we had a long talk. I assured her that--from Betty's perspective--we had had a good day and she was happy to hear it. Carolyn told me that my brother, Frank, in Alameda, who also has Alzheimer's, is much worse. He now has to be bathed and his care is getting to be too much for his daughters and their families. They're now looking for a facility for him. His late wife, Marybeth, died of Lewy Body dementia with similar symptoms. She was in Mercer Central, run by the Sisters of Mercy, where several of us visited her. She died a few years ago.
Talk about depressing...

Wednesday

As I was having breakfast, Betty called. Told her I'll be up to see her today.
After breakfast, I changed the bed and did a wash. Put it in the dryer, then walked to Smart 'n' Final, getting a total of about three miles in (round trip). I got Tide "pods," ground turkey, turkey breast for sandwiches, and--I hate to admit it!--two more 18-ounce containers of blueberries! Now I have six or seven in the freezer, but I'll eat them eventually. I also bought a number of nice fillets of tilapia. Once I got home, I seasoned them and individually wrapped them for the freezer, keeping one out for dinner.
Ellen called just to say hello and we had an enjoyable  mother/daughter girl-talk.  We ranged over a variety of topics, including mortgage rates, insects in veggies, and the house across from her which is under contract and had been priced at more than seven hundred thou. Incredible.
Sent a message to the Ventnor Historical Society, asking for information on deHilldibranth (I know that's misspelled) Hospital, where I had an emergency appendectomy when I was about 19, so 1955. It was in Ventnor on the beach block, past St. James toward Atlantic City. The doctor and his wife and sisters were parishioners of St. James, as I recall. I wonder if I certain medical professional reading this might remember it...
After lunch, I felt sleepy and actually lay down and dozed for about an hour. When I got up, it was 4:00. I went out, thinking I'd catch a bus to town, but the 10 bus, going the opposite way, came along, and I got on that. It goes to Saticoy in East Ventura and I hadn't been down there for months. I just sat and looked out the window, enjoying the ride, then stayed on until it looped around and got back to my stop. Home and prepped Brussels sprouts and had them, the tilapia, and the last of the mushrooms for din-din. Delish.
Betty called again at 5:00 to tell me about a problem with her i-pad, which Carolyn fixed and also about Bred Pitt. Don't ask.
I'll be off to Santa Barbara in a few hours.
Note to myself: I was worried about what to get granddaughter Violet for her birthday, which is tomorrow (today where she lives in Singapore). Emailed her Dad and he suggested a e-gift card. I did that through Amazon, easily enough. I want to record it here, because her sister Vivian's is on the 29th and I'll give her the same ($50).

The Library And Linda

Maintenance guy Gabe came about 9:00 and fixed the two items I had called about. This guy has an attitude which annoys me, but okay, I don't have to see him very often.
Walked to the park with my cart, bringing several books to return, then picked up some others.From there, I caught a bus to The Market for Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and lettuce, then bused home.
Later, I also got an email from the real library to say my request for Bill Bryson's English And How It Got That Way is finally in. I'm still plowing through his Made In America: An Informal History Of The English Language In the United States. 
I used my new Shark and love it--called Ellen to thank her for picking it up. Got a call from brother, Jim, who, I'm afraid, is getting pretty fuzzy in his ninety-fifth year. He and Therese are moving to their daughter's in preparation to accompanying her and her husband to Bangkok next month.
After lunch, it was off to town and the library to pick up the aforementioned book. I walked from there to Ventura Avenue, making a detour into the Von's there to pick up two more containers of blueberries. I now have two in fridge and three in the freezer--I'm a blueberry freak!
Ellen had left me some veggies from her garden, including delicious cherry tomatoes and the biggest cucumber I've ever seen. She included a few florets of broccoli, which I combined with some I had bought and had for dinner, along with roasted mushrooms and some wonderful halibut. After I ate, I looked down at my bowl of broccoli and found this:

Well, people do eat worms in some cultures and they're probably a good source of protein. I sent this picture to El and added I hope he didn't have any late companions now part of her Mum. Called niece Carolyn to see if there's any impediment to me going to see her mother tomorrow. There isn't, so I'll be off to Santa Barbara. 

Still on the puzzle kick, I completed one of my doll, Linda. My nephew, who's writes on horror subjects, insists she's haunted, but that's unfair. She's just a little...well, odd, you might say. (My Aunt Maggie made her outfit and a matching one for me; same for Betty and her doll.)

My Day And Marmite

Before breakfast, I put in a load of wash and showered and washed my hair. After, I went over to Von's to stock up on more blueberries (I put some in the freezer) and for broccoli and tangerines. I made out the check for Tony C., the landscaper who had done a lot of foliage clean-up at my house. The charge was $399.48 (I have no idea why he didn't add the extra fifty-two cents) and I walked to the post office to mail it. That brings my total repairs and so on at my house in Little Egg in the last few weeks to a hefty $974.17, but hey, it's only money.
The big news is that the woman at the Housing Rights Commission finally called me back (I had left a message on June 26) and yes, it seems we actually have a case. She gave me the number for something called the D.A. Mediation Unit and recommended I call. I did and left a message.
Lunched, sticking to my half-hour later resolve, so by the time I finished, it was after two. I just fooled around a bit on the laptop, then did a few minor household chores. Ellen came at 4:00, bringing my brand-new shark. I gave her a check for the cost ($69) and we left it plugged in to charge while we adjourned to the umbrella table area near the pool. I always enjoy being with her so much and it was fun talking together.
El left about 5:45 and went home to drop some stuff off. I found at my door a box from Amazon Prime, opened it, and found this:

It was from my nephew and his wife, David and Polly, who had written on Facebook that I should look for something coming soon. I honestly thought they were sending me pot, as we had talked about it when they were here a few months ago. But this? Why is a mystery, which I hope will be solved on Facebook.

By then it was only 6:00 or so and I impulsively walked to the stop and hopped a bus to the mall. I just walked to Target, looked around, then came back.
Note to myself: On Sunday, I started my revised regimen. I pushed my meal times up a half-hour and resolved to avoid eating (aside from blueberries) during my 8 to 9 pm T.V. time. I'm not happy over the creeping up of the scale; last Friday, it was 132.5 and my comfort zone is between 125 and 130. Two and a half pounds over doesn't seem significant, but it is if I look at the lower end. In that case, it's seven and a half pounds, and I don't want to go there. We'll see how it is this Friday.

Sunday

I was pleased to have completed the whole Sunday crossword (geez, it doesn't take much to please me). Usually, I get most of it, but leave two or three blank. 

Walked to Wal-Mart after breakfast and got magic markers, the sleep aids I've been taking for fifteen years, and a pair of sneaks. We'll see if they're as good as my Easy Spirits--probably not, but I'll give them a try. Stopped at the Market and got a few things, including pomegranate vinegar--looks good. Bused home. 

Betty called and we chatted. She said our brother, Frank, called her and he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Yes, we've all known that for several years, along with what else we know, but I didn't, of course, say that to her.

After lunch, I put several books in my cart and walked to the park and the little library. I put in some (plus the idiotic DVD If A Stranger Calls) and borrowed a few. Combined with the books I already own, I now have enough to read for the next twenty years, I think.

Took a bus to the transit center, then another home. I had bought a big box of beautiful large mushrooms at Von's, which I halved, dressed with olive oil and garlic, and popped in the oven. Added to my turkey stir-fry dinner, they were yummy.

I'm still on the puzzle kick and did this clip art one yesterday:

Betty called again about 7:00, wanting to know if I was coming to see her today--sigh. It seems that every time I tell her I might be able to come on Thursday, she thinks I meant the next day. I think I'll call Carolyn to check and see if this Thursday or another day is okay.   

Nails D'Elegance And The Mafia

I did something wonderful yesterday...rather, it was done to me: a pedicure! I went over to the nail place near Von's at 10 and, after donning my mask, having my temperature taken, and filling out the rather long waiver, I was rewarded with:

TA-DAH!!!!!

Anyway, it felt good, as I hadn't visited Nails D'Elegance (a rather grandiose name for a fairly modest establishment) since March and my tootsies badly needed the attention. I didn't remember that they don't do credit cards, only cash or checks, so I had to go home (very nearby) and get my checkbook.  I almost never use cash and rarely checks, so I need to remember this.
Dropped the check off, then took my little cart to Von's and got a lot of stuff, including beer in cans (I don't like to bring bottles to the middle area) and a number of other items.
After lunch, I had every intention of walking to the park and leaving off some books I had gotten at the little library, along with some DVDs I disliked (why do I buy these things?). However--and incredibly--I turned on the T.V., for some reason and came upon Biography. on A&E. I used to love this on television (a lot of episodes are now on YouTube) and this was about the New York Mafia crime families, in which I have an interest. Feeling vaguely guilty, I sat down to watch. I hadn't realized it was a two-hour show, but I was absorbed and watched it all. It wasn't over until 5:30, at which point I started for the park. I changed my mind before I even got to the footpath, though, as it was dinner time and most likely deserted. Turned back and went home.
I called Ellen after dinner and we had a good talk. I'll see her tomorrow when she brings--I hope--my new Shark and stays to chat for a bit.

Here And There And Jim

Betty called early, but I was about to meet Cheryl out front for T.O.P.S., so had to cut it short. The meeting didn't last long (weight report below), so I was able to have breakfast by 9:15. After, I did my tomato/onion/garlic/seasonings thing, popped it in the oven and while it cooked, called Betty back. She called several more times yesterday, once to read me the notes her three granddaughters in Chicago sent her. They were very sweet.
I called Ellen and we had a good talk. I told her that the Shark she gave me (which I like a lot) no longer holds a charge, so I want to buy a new one. She said she'd go to Bed, Bath & Beyond or Walmart to buy one, then I can pay her for it. Good, I thought, especially since she said she could go Monday in the late afternoon, then we could sit on my patio and visit.
Later, I looked up Shark prices at B. B. & B. and they are, of course, astronomically expensive. They seem to feature the ones that also mop, which I don't want. I use the Bona system for the hard floors and it works fine. Anyway, Wal-Mart seems to have less expensive ones. I had planned to walk down there  today, anyway, as the buses don't run on the fourth of July, so I'll check them out.
After lunch, I bused to town and just walked a bit down blocked-off Main. Stopped and bought two beer mugs--I had only had a fancy high glass and I like holding the handle of a mug. Called Jim when I got home. Those of his summer classes designed for on-line participation are going well, the others, not so much.
I fear the actual existence of academicians whose discipline is philosophy are a dying breed. Considering the state religion is the worship of mammon--skip Jesus, he's old hat--the idea of studying philosophy to maybe to understand humanness better is laughable.
Anyway, the good news is, I invited Jim to bring his lunch here and "eat in the middle, as I did with Olivia" and he accepted. He teaches Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and El will be here on Monday, so will come on Friday. Hey, that's two lunch dates this week. I think I'll ask Suzanne if we could fill my dance card in for Wednesday.

Weight Report

I forgot about weighing myself unclothed, but with them, it was 131.4 at home, same as last week. At T.O.P.S., I weighed in at 132.5, a gain of .02 or 3.2 ounces from last week...AAGH! I'm recording ounces here, fer cryin' out loud--that's obsessive! Also, I have no idea why the two scales record different weights, this week being .09 and that's even more obsessive. Well, the hell with it for now.
.

Various And Violet

Maintenance guy Gabe came about 10 to fix my sliding screen door to the patio., which had been sticking. Shortly after, I took my trusty cart and walked to The Market. Got a birthday card for my younger granddaughter, Violet, plus lettuce, mushrooms, cabbage, and a few other things, then bused back.
Suzanne was going to the pool as I was going in. She got her hair cut and boy, it looks great. Of course, she has that beautiful thick, wavy hair; it would look great if King Kong on speed cut it with garden shears.
Put the my cabbage in the slow cooker and, not having any apples, added some grapes. I walked over to Hallmark next to Von's and got a little pin for Violet. She'll be twelve on the tenth. Considering how the mail's been, I thought she'd probably be married before it comes. Oh, no prob with that--I walked to the post office and found it would be about five times more for postage than it actually cost. Walked home and found another envelope, took the pin out (I'll send her something on Amazon Singapore) and re-sent just the card. I wrote on her card that she reminds me of myself at that age (about to be twelve). Not in looks--she's much prettier--but in her inner self.  I didn't write what I mean by that: She seems sullen, but needy. And fragile.
After lunch, I took off for town. Walked on the blocked off Main Street, pleased to see all the people at the restaurant tables and chairs on the street. By that time, it was after 4:00, so maybe they were enjoying happy hour (sigh...).
While I was waiting for the bus home, Ellen called. She had taken the kitties to the vet and was waiting outside (aides come out for the animals, then bring them back to the car) for them. She said they were very upset at being put in the carrying cases and going in the car.  El has been busy with more fence-painting; she did more sections of it and will tackle another shortly. We had such a nice chat; I always get a lift when she calls.
Home about 6:00 and I had a vegetarian dinner: cabbage and peas. Sounds gross, but it tasted good to me.
T.O.P.S. today.

Olivia And The Beach

A lazy morning. I didn't do much but a few minor chores and poke around on the Internet. For lunch, I spread two flatbreads (something like soft tacos, but elongated) with avocado, added sliced chicken and lettuce, and rolled them up. Packed them and a can of Modelo (Mexican beer) and met Olivia in the middle at 12:30.
Knowing she's very virus and germ phobic, I suggested we eat at one of the rectangular tables, which I think are about six feet, so we wouldn't be closer to each other. Fine with her, but before we sat down, she put on rubber gloves and pulled a container of Clorox wipes out of her bag. She proceeded to use several to rub down the entire table top. Twice. Since my stuff was wrapped in aluminum foil, it wasn't going to touch the table top, but I didn't mind her libations.
Olivia brought only two containers, one with tomato soup, the other with coffee. I think she was afraid to take off her mask--that is, masks, as she wears two--long enough to chew anything. She only sipped at them now and then, anyway. She doesn't take off her masks to talk, either; she slips the top one down, says something, then puts it up again.
I think I'm making her sound like a real nut, but actually, I enjoyed her company. We stayed talking for two hours. She's still mourning the loss of her mother, who lived with her for twenty years--and 
dealing with the end of her marriage. She told the old story: She thought he was happy, as she was, but he started an affair with his secretary and they had a child. The two are now married.
We also talked about religion. She was raised Catholic, but broke away when she was still young. I'm not sure if she was married in the church or not. She now  professes no religion at all. Incidentally, considering she has two daughters in their thirties, I think she's probably in her late fifties or early sixties. Both daughters and her ex are CPAs; no grandchildren at this point.
Anyway, it was enjoyable. We parted close to three o'clock and I took my things home and left immediately for the bus to town. Got off at Pierpoint Street and walked to the pier. I was pleased to see it's now open, so I walked down it. I was a gorgeous day, sunny and fine, although there was a cool breeze. It was so good to see people on the pier and the beach, the Promenade, and even a few in the ocean (brrr):

Walked down to the last bus stop, so I got in about four miles. Home about 5:30, after a good day.

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Note to myself: Finally, at long last, Office Max has refunded my $129.99! Also, I got my medications (Atorastatin and Ramipril) yesterday from CVS Caremark, which comes in the mail. The doctor's office assistant had said I had gotten it filled (a 90-day supply) in May, so it should have lasted until August, but that couldn't be. I finally figured out that I had ordered it in May and they shipped it, but it had never come. The mail has been terrible since the era of CO-VID. 

Holy Spirit

After breakfast, I got my Holy Spirit 1954 yearbook out. I looked at the posed pictures of ignorant youths (I was 'way out in front when it came to ignorance) and mused about them. What would a stranger say about these people? I wouldn't be surprised if, judging by the pictures, they'd think this or that one was popular, another academically superior, a star athlete, or whatever. They'd almost surely be wrong.
It was interesting to note how many romances continued on to marriage--quite a few, actually, but I guess that's not unusual. And so many deaths! Just the ones I know about total at least fifteen and it was a small class. The only fellow grads I'm still in touch with fairly regularly are Jeanne Dollard and Mary Martin (aside from Betty almost daily, of course). Others--Mary Tate, Dee Lang, and Maria Palmer--I'm Facebook friends with, but they rarely post anything. I used to correspond with Betty Mae McGlynn, too, but she died.
Okay, enough of the past; I'm here and I'm healthy and I intend to stay that way.
Walked down Victoria to Telephone and from there, caught the 11 bus to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Bought a new bathtub mat--that is, an in-the-tub one; it's pretty, with blue "rocks" and I had a 20 percent off coupon, too. Stopped in Target, but didn't see anything I wanted. Bused to the mall, then immediately got the 21 bus home.
Lunched, then took up the hall and bathroom rugs and stuck them in the washer. Took out the mat I have in front of the sink and cleaned it off. Vacuumed the living room and bedroom, then did the floor via the Bona routine, first with the duster Velcro strip, then with the cleaner one. Looks good.
Went over to Von's for lunchmeat chicken and a Modelo in a can for when Olivia and I meet for lunch today. After, I sat down at this laptop and, still musing over the long-ago, found something called "Old Friends," where you put in your high school and year and other grads add their info. I couldn't get the whole thing to come out, but here's how it looks:

TEACHING STAFF (all years)            

CLASS OF 1954

= Send message       = Post remembrance Click on a name to view bio
2 msgs  Lewis Bornmann				View Bio Options		Mary Martin				View bio Options
Rosemary Byrne				View Bio Options		3 msgs  Betty McGlynn				View bio Options
Elizabeth Callaghan				View Bio Options		2 msgs  John McHale				View bio Options
William Cappuccio				View Bio Options		Maria Palmer				View bio Options
1 msg  Barbara Cavalli  ( d. Sep 1, 2013 [unverified]) *				View Bio Options		Dolores Sapp				View bio Options
Eileen Curtin				View Bio Options		1 msg  Harry Singley				View bio Options
2 msgs  Donald Devine				View Bio Options		Mark Steelman				View bio Options
Elizabeth Downes				View Bio Options		2 msgs  Mary Tate				View bio Options

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As I'm sure Pat R. will notice, there are several errors, including her brother, John McHale, being listed as graduating in my class of '54. Also, I never heard of Lewis Bornmann, plus Harry Singley graduated with me from St. James in 1950, never went to Holy Spirit, and died young, years ago. As for Mark Steelman, he wasn't in the class, either.