MONDAY

A lot of goings-on yesterday. I washed the sheets and changed the bed before breakfast and otherwise neatened up a little. Left for Telephone Road at 10:30, walking the mile and a bit to catch the 11 bus to the Barnes & Noble shopping center. Lunch with my Soaring Spirits sisters was enjoyable as ever; there were eleven of us, which included five men. I was concerned when my dear friend, our leader, Vera, told me she has a mass in her abdomen. I remember how fearful Vera was when she turned 48 last year; her mother died of breast cancer when she was 48. I was thrilled to hear the mass is benign and surgery will be scheduled soon to remove it.

After good food and good talk*, I said goodbye and bused to town. Strolled Main Street and stopped in several shops, but didn't buy anything. Bused back and at the mall/transit center, went to Target and bought seven grapefruit. Hey, I had that ten dollar gift card and they're only $1.49 each and what's more, they're the best grapefruit around. I've already halved and sectioned one, which I'll enjoy this morning and tomorrow. I admit I'm an addict!

Besides all that, I got a call about 7:00 am with the news that our former neighbor in Ewing, Cindy D., has died at only 64.  Cindy was more than a neighbor to us: She was the grandmother of my two great-grandsons, as her daughter, Jen, had been married to my grandson. I'll write Jen a note of condolence.

Also got a call from Esther Somebody, whom I had met at Dudley House when I was greeter for our Christmas Boutique in November; she took me home when the Access Van driver got confused and we decided we'd like to see more of each other after the holidays. Esther and I had a nice chat yesterday and made a date for next Tuesday, the 14th, for lunch at Rice By Mama, a Thai restaurant in town. Sounds good.

In addition, Stella texted me, inviting me to go with her today to a zoo somewhere with Senior Excursions of Ojai. Me, a zoo? Luckily, I have that dentist appointment, so had to decline. I called her and we caught up with each other. Her only child, Joshua, was here for two weeks in the beginning of December, but didn't stay for Christmas and went back to Spain where he lives. I suggested Stella and I talk next week about getting together. 

My nephew, Wes, and his wife, Heidi, sent me a late Christmas card, which I like so much:  

This shows their combined families: his three girls, her two, and her son, Teddy, as well as their son-in-law in the navy uniform. There's a little synopsis of each member of the family on the back. Wow, Betty would be so proud. 

* Interestingly--well, I thought it was interesting--my meal cost the same as the year I was born: $19.36. I have friends who would think that has great cosmic significance. 😜