Getting Used to Being Carless

Took a good, long walk  around the neighborhood--uphill, too--and felt more chipper when I got back. Breakfast, then I plunged into the paper work chores I've left slide.
Damn, I had a lot accumulated! No only did I have realms from AAA and the DMV, but all kinds of other documents. Besides that, the stuff from my totaled car still filled one corner of my bedroom. I did finally get them in some kind of order and into the trunk of the new car.
The woman from the election board called to ask if I was still planning to work there. Actually, I had been vacillating about it. Yes, I like new and different activities, and certainly didn't mind the start time of 6:00 am, but being there until 9:00 and possibly later didn't appeal to me. Also, I still wouldn't be able to drive on October 18, which is when my three-hour orientation was scheduled, so-o-o--I told her I was going to withdraw and she could call the next person on the list.
Called Ellen and told her about the suspension. Luckily, she's off on the 22nd and can drive me to Oxnard. We made a lunch date for today and she'll take me grocery shopping after.
Stella called to see if I was walking. She wanted to meet  me, but frankly, I don't want to be tied down to going a particular time with a particular person--too confining. I like Stella okay, but we had little in common, and she seems pretty clingy. I told her I didn't think I was going yesterday.
However, I did. Went to town after lunch, walked The Promenade, then down to the avenue. Bought a large (artificial) pumpkin and an adorable, almost life-sized little scarecrow girl. Hung her on my door, added the pumpkin on the side, and it looks very autumn-y.

Suspension!

Well, I've had better days. I had received several document-type communications on Thursday, including one for my daughter-in-law regarding her father's estate. (Let's hope the SOB left her plenty.) There was one from Motor Vehicle--hmm, what's this?  I opened it and AAGH--!  It was a notice that my license has been suspended!
I was frantic and couldn't understand it. I thought it was because I hadn't reported the accident--but AAA did and so did the cops--I have both their cards. Of course, I couldn't get to Kimball, (but I did walk the neighborhood while I decided what to do next). It was T.O.P.S. day, too, and ordinarily, I just would have walked or even skipped it--I know I've been maintaining well--but the complication was that I had signed on to do the program and had spent hours and energy on the game. I didn't want to hold it over, so I called Becky, who doesn't live too far away, and she agreed to pick me up.
Well, Becky is considerably older than I am and got all confused about what gate to come in. That was finally resolved, but we were late for the meeting. (One ray of sunshine in a dreary day was that I lost a bit--to 127.9, so I'm fine with that.)
Anyway, everybody loved the game.  My Soaring Spirits, Happy Hour friend, Carolyn B. came and I think she'll join. Cheryl took  me home instead of Becky and that was okay. Once there, I gobbled a piece of toast with cottage cheese and a few swallows of coffee, then left for the bus.
Got off at the library and walked to the post office, as I had to send via international express. Added  Paula's document to a shirt Mike ordered from Hawaii.  It's a nice-looking shirt--salmon, with South Seas type figures, but I couldn't believe the price on it. I certainly haven't spent that much on my wardrobe the whole year. I assume he bought it for their upcoming island-hopping vacation. Postage was eighty-three bucks and change, but Mike will reimburse me.
Sent it off, then walked to the Sandbox Coffeehouse and met my new friend, Diane. I fell stepping up on the outdoor deck, and scraped my elbow, but nothing else. We had a sandwich and drinks and good talk. Diane gave me a book: Groucho Marx'es letters (we're both fans) which she said was "extra." So nice of her. We then both took the bus away from town, she got off at the college, as she's registering for a course, and I rode to Telephone Road, then waited for the bus to Market street, where the DMV is.
Long wait, but not as bad as usual, and I was told I had to set up a hearing in Oxnard. Called the DMV there and got it for October 22. Was told I have to get my doctor to certify I'm physically able to drive and the woman said they'd send a form, but I could get a jump on it by getting it first.
Oh, really? Called Primary Medical and after interminable delays, dropped calls, and misunderstandings, was told no, Dr. Jennings doesn't do that, I'll be referred to DMV doctors.  What? That isn't what DMV told me. In the middle of all this, Stella called to ask about Soaring Spirits and I was in no mood to chat, so I more or less said I couldn't talk then. Rode the bus home in a somber mood.
I didn't set the alarm for this morning and didn't get up until 7:15. However, I'm not going to let all this car stuff get me down. I'll take this opportunity to stay in for a change, and get some hanging chores done.

Here And There

Kimball, breakfast, WinCo--the usual.
I went over to Hertz about 10 for Laurie to install Blue Tooth. However, we discovered my car doesn't have it. I understand I can get some kind of apparatus to hook it up, which I may or may not do. I'd like to have it, I guess, but am not that enamored. Besides, I think my accident was partly because I was distracted--it was dark, I was tired--so maybe it's best not to have it.
Caught the bus after lunch, got off at my usual, and walked to The Promenade. It was somewhat overcast and cool, but the surfers were still out, and there were a few strollers. How I enjoy walking by the beach and the magnificent Pacific; it's not my ocean, but it's a lovely ocean, and it's all right with me.*
Walked back up to Main and the library, where I stayed reading for a time. I took out Glass House, an account of the demise of the Anchor Hocking business and the ruination of the small town of Lancaster, Ohio, where it was located. I haven't gotten far into it, but the cover mentions "the 1 percent economy," presumably that the wealthy got wealthy by stepping over the bodies of the company and the town.
Called Nancy and we had a good talk. She didn't come to Happy Hour on Wednesday because of an indelicate condition--no, she's not pregnant--but is improving. Got an e-mail from Stella, asking if I was going to be walking The Promenade. I didn't read it until after I got home, so was able to tell her I already had. Hmm...I'm just as happy not to have a companion when I walk, so I can meander here and there and change any plans whenever I wish. I finally finished the game and will take it in a few hours to T.O.P.S. Hope our members enjoy it.
*I always liked that song: "It's not her face, but it's a lovely face, and it's all right with me..."

Out

Walked Kimball, then was out mostly all day.
Showered and dressed, then began the long, laborious process of Dudley docent dressing. (I don't know how women in the Victorian/Edwardian eras ever functioned, considering the weight and intricacies of their clothing.)
Finally managed and got to Dudley House in plenty of time for the special eleven o'clock tour for the Ventura Garden Club. As she had before, Sheri split the group into two. She thought there would be more attendees coming later, so gave Milenda (or Merada or Marauder or whatever her name was)  the first ten, which left only four in my group. However, that worked out fine; it was actually more relaxed and fun with a smaller group.*
After we docents posed for pictures and chatted a bit with each other, I rushed home to rid myself of outfit. Had lunch, did this and that, then took off for the bus A remarkable phenomena of nature was occurring as I walked out the door: Little liquid droplets fell on my head. Yes, it was raining, but this was California rain, so more like a mist interspersed with half-hearted drips. Nevertheless, I went back and got my umbrella (foolish of me, as I was then stuck with carrying it the rest of the day).
Got off at the library and walked to the post office at Santa Clara Street to mail to Betty my diet regimen, which she had requested. Back up on Main, I stopped at BOA to deposit a check from the insurance company (I'm not sure why they sent it, but I wasn't about to question such largress.) Having some time before I met Carolyn, I stopped into a thrift store to browse and saw a large head of a monster that talks and the eyes light up.  Since I needed it desperately, I bought it, but then was burdened with carrying it, plus my umbrella, so that necessitated buying a sequined bag that says "Jerusalem" on it. Problem solved.
Met Carolyn at 4:00 (Diane was out of town and Nancy wasn't feeling well) at Casa Bella and we had a good time over our soda (C.) and Chief's Peak (R.). Carolyn is very reticent in a group, even our little Happy Hour quartet, but one-on-one, she's more out-going and we had a good talk. (It occurred to me that she's the same age as my older son, but that doesn't seem to have any significance to either of us.)
I had registered to attend a presentation on Opioid addiction at the museum at 5:30 and invited Carolyn to go. She accepted and we listened to a panel of doctors from Community Medical discuss this modern problem. I don't know anyone who suffers from this and knew little about it, so it interested me, just on an information basis.
The program wasn't over until 7:30 and by that time, it was dark. Carolyn insisted on driving me home--I had no problem with taking the bus--so I allowed her to do so. (I keep forgetting that other people don't consider that time late night and may even stay up after 9:00).
Today, I just have to top off the T.O.P.S. game, plus go to Hertz to have Blue Tooth installed in the car.
*It was no fun at all to have the tour interrupted by the unpleasant buzz on all our cell phones at 11:15. This was from Big Broth--uh, our government--and reminded me of air raid practice during WWII, as well as Nazi tactics. Oh, I forgot, it was to "keep us safe," as the oblivious parrot after getting their info straight from the bullshitters.

Chores and Errands

After Kimball and breakfast, I plunged into the chores I wanted to get done. Stripped the bed and re-made, did two loads of wash (one bleach, one not), and finally, at long last, finished the game for T.O.P.S. except for gluing together.
That took until lunch, after which I hopped a bus, thinking I'd go into town as usual, and do my walk. However, I stayed on after it got to Pacific View Mall (where all the buses go to discharge, leave off, and transfer) and when it started  up again, it went in the opposite direction.
I could easily have gotten off and walked back to a town bus, but I had no particular reason, so I stayed on and again went to Oxnard. It stopped at a shopping center, I got off and strolled around for a while, then boarded the next bus back to Ventura.
Got off near my place, picked up my car, and drove to a 99 Cent store (all the items aren't 99 cents; most are 1, 2, 3 dollars and 99 cents, and up). Got what I wanted to add to the game, plus a  few other items.
I received an e-mail message from the Ventura city clerk, asking if I'd like to apply for the library advisory commission again. I had done it last year and had been interviewed (I'm sure they have to interview  anyone who applies) but I didn't take it very seriously and wasn't chosen. Now I'm not sure if I really want to be on this committee. I'll think about it.
Betty called to tell me that the apartment she'll probably move into, was available. She and Carolyn were going to see it and I asked her to let me know how it went.

Stella

Another full day. After walking Kimball and breakfast, I fooled around some more with the T.O.P.S. game--it's coming together, I hope. Changed and went out for the widder group lunch at Stone Fire Grill.
As promised, I met Stella outside; she had brought someone else: Needa, also  in Diane's meditation group, but that was fine. I took them in and introduced them. Needa and Gayle are similar types and bonded instantly. I sat Stella next to Nancy and they compared notes as neighbors in Oak View.
Since I had driven over, I had only water with a  mediocre Greek salad and bread sticks. There was, as ever, some good talk. When we were leaving, Stella asked if I wanted to walk just around the neighborhood and I agreed. However, she had sandals on and had forgotten other shoes, so asked if she could meet me in town. Well, okay, but I'd be leaving the car home and taking the bus, so I wouldn't be there until about 3:00. Fine by her, and we met on The Promenade.
Stella kept repeating how she "couldn't walk much," but by the time we parted, we had gone at least four miles. We met at the Aloha, walked to the pier, walked the length of that, then to Surfer's Point, the bike path up to Main, and back to the Crown Plaza. I didn't push her; she kept insisting she wanted to walk. She does tend to stroll and I walk briskly, so I had to slow down a bit, but it was okay.
By the time we got back to The Promenade, it was close to 5:00 and we stopped at the seaside Crown Plaza patio for appetizers (I had a Modello, Mexican beer, Stella coffee). Said goodbye, I walked back to Main and caught a bus. Didn't get home until after 7:00, when it was close to full dark, but I had enjoyed the day.
Nothing scheduled for today and now I must catch up with all the myriad chores I've been putting off.

Interesting Day

An interesting and fun day.  After Kimball and my usual Sunday morning activities, I worked on the game I'm making for T.O.P.S. Suzanne got back from church at 11:00 and we took off for St. John's Medical Center in Oxnard.
This place is so beautiful, it almost makes me want to get sick so I can be admitted. We went specifically to see the labyrinth--which is formed by low hedges--but there's so much else that's so lovely, I didn't even pay much attention to it. The "Healing Garden," in particular, is just stunning. It winds around almost the whole outside of the hospital.  Below are some pics, one with Suzanne.*  Not only are there beautiful vistas everywhere you look, but soft classical music is piped in, too.
Suzanne treated me to lunch--hospital food, but not bad--after we toured inside and out for about two hours, stopping at her office and being greeted by several of her colleagues. We drove home, said goodbye, then I immediately took the bus for town. Strolled The Promenade, then back up to Main Street and the library.
While I was dipping into Christopher Lawford's oddly boring memoir, my brother, Jim, called. I was delighted to hear from him and, at 92, he's in pretty good shape. It was his wife, Therese'es, 88th birthday. He asked if I wanted what he called our Dad's "diary" from 1945 and wow, yes, of course, I do! He said he'd send it and we had a good talk.
Crossed Main to the bus stop about 5:00 and a youngish blonde woman and I struck up a conversation. We sat together on the bus and I had an enjoyable conversation. I was especially interested in the fact she was wearing a peace sign necklace. Asked her about it and found she's a pacifist, also--very exciting to hear. In our long conversation, I found that her name is Diane, she's 49, unattached, and is thinking about going back to college. I encouraged her to do so and told her I had gotten my B.S. when I was 54.  She had to take another bus to get home and when she left, on impulse, I gave her my card.
After dinner, Diane sent me a text saying how much she like meeting me. I wrote back ditto and we went back and forth; the upshot was, we decided to meet at The Sandbox Coffeehouse on Friday for lunch. I like having a variety of friends of different ages and--maybe--outlooks, so I'm looking forward to knowing her better.

*She sure as hell doesn't look like the Mercy nuns I remember!