TUESDAY

 Niece Carolyn picked me up at 10:00 and off we went to Santa Barbara. On a warm and sunny day, we went directly to Villa Alamar. When we got there, Betty was in the shower--or, I should say, being showered. We waited a short time, then an attendant walked up pushing my dear twin sister in her wheelchair (to my knowledge, Betty no longer walks). She seemed pleased, as far as we could tell, to see us and we three went into her room. Carolyn found Betty's hair dryer and dried her hair while we talked. Betty responds to questions and comments, but her responses make no sense. Still, we enjoyed the visit. Brother Larry called me while we were there and we help up the phone while he talked to her; it's doubtful, of course, whether she understood.

After 45 minutes or so, it was time for Betty's lunch, so we rolled her down to the dining room. We lingered a bit there, then said goodbye. I was proud of myself, as I told Carolyn, that for the first time at the end of a visit, I didn't cry. Here we are yesterday, both of us looking like residents of the funny farm:

We then accompanied Betty to the dining room for her lunch, kissed her goodbye, and went off to lunch ourselves. We ate at a restaurant at the golf club, enjoyed cheeseburgers and continued our far-ranging, satisfying talk--mostly about family matters, past and current--which we had started when she first picked me up. Carolyn drove me home and I got in about 3:00. It was a good, good day, as it always is when I'm with my girls or my twin sister's girl.

BCNN lunch today with Julie and others at the Victoria Pub.

Annoyed Note: Darn, for the third day in a row, I haven't received the paper. Talked to a rep and was told I'd get all three today. So far, at 6:33, I haven't. Now I'm seriously thinking about dropped it, it's so frustrating. Oh, but how I'd miss the crossword puzzles and cryptograms!