Bought two tops at Kohl's. Did some Breeze editing. Left for LBI about 5:30, but when I got there, realized I didn't know which municipality Mary Ellen lived in ("...in which Mary Ellen lived." Oh, the hell with it.) Found her in Surf City, where she's staying at the summer home of her ex'es cousin. She asked if I wanted to see her house that was burnt and we drove down to Barnegat Light.
I was amazed and aghast at the damage. I had been told "the back of he house" was burned, but wasn't prepared for the almost total destruction of the whole place. It's a very large house on three floors overlooking the bay--a beautiful property--and every room is done for, if not by the fire itself, by water and smoke. The place reeked. Mary Ellen told me she hadn't yet decided whether to have it torn down and rebuild completely or to try to reconstruct. I can't imagine how that could be done, as there's so little to salvage. Luckily, at least the place was heavily insured, so she has no problem with that.
We ate at The Plantation and boy, was that good (not to mention pricey--oh, I guess I just did). I had duck breast, Mary Ellen lamb, and we both enjoyed a few glasses of wine. Had a good, long talk, ranging in topic from the acting company to religion to politics to family. I didn't get home until 11:00 and to bed until 12:00. but have nothing scheduled until Sunday, so may be able to take a nap.

Had a terrific day. Got up to Mercer (County) about 1:30 and tooled around Ewing a bit, going past our old house on Lower Ferry (looks rundown, grass overgrown, etc.), the cemetery (was grieved to see Sean's grave bare), and a few other places.
Arrived at Rider and stopped first at my old stompin' grounds, Human Resources. It was so gratifying to be greeted with such warmth and welcome. Even more pleasurable was when I got to Mona's office. Mona is manager of benefits and my former colleague. At the three or four times I had visited Rider last, she happened to be on vacation or at meetings, so I hadn't seen her for about five years. She didn't know me and what fun when she did a perfect double-take. I've about fifty pounds lighter than I was then and now have blonde streaked hair after years of mousy brown. We had a great time talking and the experience was duplicated with my former secretary, Terry, now assistant to the dean, and my old friend, Vickie, chief of security.
The Awards Reception was great, too, with lots of former co-workers, both retired and active, present. It was held in the backyard of the president's residence in gorgeous sunny weather. I was happen to chat with Shirley K.T., my old boss, who was honored for forty years at Rider. Talked to many others--a number of whom I had hired myself--had some yummy food and even yummier Coronas, and enjoyed the whole thing immensely.
Stopped at grandson Joel's on the way home. They'll be coming for Mother's Day on Sunday, I'm happy to say. Got in about 7:00 after a wonderful day.
Am taking Mary Ellen to dinner tonight, so my wild goings on will continue--yippee!

Got a cam call from P. and N., always an enjoyable event. Saw N.'s stunning portraits; one is of a tiger--and it's burning bright, the other simply the eye of an animal. She's entering both into the Japan Nature Painting exhibition of the Ueno Royal Museum. They're wonderful.
Went over to the V.'s at 11:00 to clarify a few items on their "profile" which I'm writing for The Breeze. They promptly invited me to lunch and I promptly accepted. Had Italian wedding soup and a grilled sandwich, along with a little drop (or "leetle drap," as the Irish say) of Chardonney. Very nice.
Went from there to Wal-Mart to pick up medications and other stuff. Called Billie's salon to see if he could wash and style my hair for the Award Ceremony at Rider today; however, he's off, so I went to the nearby salon that Susan uses and will have it done there. I noticed it's a lot less expensive, too--hmm, maybe I'll switch yet again.
Got a welcome call from Mary Ellen. Her house, which burnt during the run of "Magnolias," is uninhabitable and she's staying at her ex-husband's relative's summer place on LBI. I said I want to take her to dinner, so we'll do that tomorrow.
Did a lot of work on The Breeze, trying to get it into some kind of shape when it comes to organization. Created a "final" folder and put completed articles into it. I think it's shaping up okay.
Later, I did something downright evil: When my niece was here for the play, she left me a big square of chocolate from somewhere and I sat down and ate most of it. To top off the crime, I then went out and got a soft ice cream cone! With chocolate coating! Ugh, I felt queasy after, but it was good going down. Hope I have that out of my system now.

After getting my oil changed, I unpacked and puttered around. Got my passport picture taken at Walgreens's Went to a Breeze meeting at 1:00, which was attended by two women from Cranberry Creek. They co-edit their paper and have had problems similar to the ones we may face. One of them said she had been at the Sunday performance of Magnolias and loved my portrayal of Clairee. Of course, I was abashed and embarrassed and asked her never to dare mention anything about such a subject again--NOT!*
I was intrigued by some things one of the visitors, Barbara W., said, so called her after dinner. She is, in effect, editor of their paper, although she's simply listed as part of the editorial board; she's also a trustee. We had a good chat and agreed that people--troublesome, cantankerous, or saintly--are probably the same everywhere.
Was happy to get darling daughter, Ellen, by web cam call late in the day and we caught up on various things.
*One of our very sophisticated verbal devices when I was in high school; signifies a negation of a preceding statement. Weren't we suave?

Talked to sister Betty and was thrilled to hear her film festival went well. Late in the day, went to a great party up north and stayed over. Was home early enough to keep my 8 am oil change appointment. Have a meeting for The Breeze today, and want to get my passport picture taken after.

Busy and productive day. It was incredibly warm--hot, even--and the day was flooded with sunshine. Talked to sister Betty, whose Santa Barbara Minute film festival was last night. I hope it went well.
Finally got around to putting away stuff from Magnolias--items from the library display window, flyers, and so on--that were strewed all over the study.
Went to Manahawkin for this and that. After lunch, I took the two azaleas over to the cemetery and planted them. The pansies badly needed water, but perked right up after I gave them a big drink. Met a couple and her father there.
After dinner, went to Kohl's to look for a few things. Found a top and a blouse, but am not sure I'll keep them.
Was pleased to get a cam call from Mike about eight in the evening (8 a.m. in Singapore) and could reconnect with the adorable little girls after Mike had been in Sydney for two weeks. Violet wasn't talking yesterday, but seemed interested in seeing her Nana; Vivian was her usual excited self. She was going to her tennis lessons (it was morning there), then to a birthday party for a boy in her class.

What a terrifically nice day we had! The D.'s and I left at 10:00, Frank driving, on a perfect day--brilliantly sunshiny, warm, but not hot, and with only mild breezes. Luckily, the Dorset Avenue bridge is now open. I took them over that and straight down to Atlantic Avenue, pointing out Betty's old house, which looks like a million bucks. I had prepared a little album with pictures of my old haunts taken when I was a child. A lot has changed, of course, and as I shared it with the D.'s, we enjoyed comparing the old and new sites.
We stopped first at City Hall, a beautiful old building, erected in 1928. Admired the architecture and original tiles and other fittings, then stopped in the mayor's office. She wasn't there, but I asked the secretary about the pictures of the old days that used to line the hall and she took us into another room to show them. One depicted St. James before the convent was built--how great to see that!
We then drove a few blocks away to the Historical Society. Madeline D., an old friend from my childhood, was there and we chatted with her, then examined the artifacts and pictures. We strolled to the boardwalk and admired the views, then walked over to St. James. Went into the church, and then the school. It happened to be lunchtime and Ann, the secretary, said we probably shouldn't go upstairs at that time, as it would be swarming with kids. No problem, as that wasn't necessary anyway, and I suggested lunch.
We parked across from Betty's--and Mother's old house--on Washington Avenue, and ate at Hannah G.'s. Of course, it's a neighborhood place, crowded and noisy, but great fun and the food is good. After a leisurely meal, we went to Rosborough Avenue. I knew Dee was in Pennsy, but we climbed up the steps to the porch, then to the backyard and I pointed out the changes since I was a kid.
The next stop was Lucy The Elephant, which they greatly enjoyed. We saw the video on its history, and Frank took pictures when we went up to the howdah on top.
To top off the tour, I suggested the breakwater at Longport. The ocean was tranquil yesterday, but I mentioned how wild it is during a storm, especially in the winter.
That was our day and it was such fun. I know the D.'s enjoyed it, and I sure did. It was a bit before 4:00 when we got home and I stopped over at the V.'s, then at Marge's just to visit and chat.
It's so much fun to go back to where I came from--and so satisfying to know where I am now.