WEDNESDAY AND BCNN

 Julie picked me up at 9:00 and we went to the BCNN meeting. A new neighbor of Julie's. Katheryn Something, met up there and sat with us. She and her husband had had a ranch outside Monterey for many years, with lots of horses; however, he died and she moved ot Ventura just three weeks ago. Gave her my card, as she expressed an interest in T.O.P.S. (she's considerably overweight) and she may join. We had a good time talking and I'd like to see her again. 

Speaking of seeing people: I heard someone say, "Hello there!" and turned to see Joanne, Ellen's friend and former colleague at Olivelands school. She has joined BCNN and I told her to get El to join.

The program was by an organization that trains guide dogs for blind and otherwise disabled people. Although I'm about the least doggie-loving person around, I actually found it pretty interesting. I hadn't realized that dogs can also be trained for autistic children and diabetics. Also, there are people who foster the dogs (labs preferred, as they seemt to be most amenable to training) until they're 18 months old.  

We didn't go to lunch after this time, which was fine with me. Home, I was making lunch when Suzanne stopped in and we had a nice chat. She had gone to a gala for St. John's Hospital, where she used to teach--it was a very fancy and expensive affair at some big hotel in L.A. It included an "auction"--the kind where weathly people show their generosity. I was amused when Suzanne told me there was a puppy up for bid; the succesful bidder got it for ten thousand dollars.

It was warm and sunny, but the wind was strong, so I lunched on my own patio. I was so pleased when Ellen called to say she was right outside the door and could she come in? Of course, honey, and she brought me these beautiful flowers for Mothers' Day: 

Even better, she sat down and we talked for 45 or so. She brought me up to date on her present house, which she is selling and the one she is buying. I'll see her on Sunday, too, of course, so that will be a further treat.  El said her friend, Joanne, had already called to say she had seen me at BCNN.

Took the trash out, then picked up the mail. Annoyingly it included a returned card, which I had sent to Diane six days ago. Now I can't remember what the card was for--not her birthday, I know. Well, we're meeting for lunch on Saturday, so I'll let her open it then.

Also in the mail was this book I had ordered from Amazon, by a well-known pacifist, Normon Solomon. Since propaganda pervades our world and how we all respond to it, lackeys that we are--I know I'll find it interesting: