Blood, Warm And Cold

Walked over to Quest Diagnostic in Von's when they opened at 8:00 and got stuck first thing. After breakfast, I did a color wash; decided to do whites today.  After they were finished, I went back to Von's for paper products. I knew they'd be bulky, so I took my trusty cart.  Got asparagus and cottage cheese besides the paper towels and t. paper.
Scrubbed and thin-sliced three zucchini, added chopped onions and seasoning, then divided it--some in the freezer and some I ate with dinner last night.
Lunched, then took the back way to the bank to get quarters, then to the store I favor for tomatoes and mushrooms. I had intended to take a bus back, but walked instead. I was carrying about four pounds on each side, so it was a little strenuous, but I made it fine and felt good after.
Did more food prep--roasted tomatoes and onions, plus sliced some strawberries--after perusing stories about the murders in Kansas* on YouTube.
Darn, I probably should have called the Access Van to get to the Rubicon tonight. Terri said she'd drive me home, but we're meeting at 6:30 and I'll have to get the bus there when it's dark. Oh, well, there's plenty of light on the streets and I'll make it.
*The Clutter murders, of course. I used to own In Cold Blood and have read it several times, but I donated it when I moved to Ventura.  A week from tomorrow, November 15, is the sixtieth anniversary of the massacre. I had forgotten what a damn fine writer Capote was and am enjoying this--in a macabre kind of way.

Here And There

Walled the back way, then bused to the DMV for my 9:40 ID appointment. I thought I had everything I needed, but it turned out, I didn't. I was annoyed as hell, but must go back after I collect all the meaningless crapola. Walked from there to Target and get my three nights' worth of blueberries. Home, lunch, then I spent a lot of time on this machine.
I had posted on the Facebook pages of both Hungry Girl--What's Chewin' and T.O.P.S. my before and after pictures, to wit:

  
(I fudged a bit by posting an older picture for "before"; it's more dramatic and was at my highest weight. Nevertheless, both are yours truly.)
However, I didn't count on how many are on those sites. There were literally hundreds of "likes" and "wows," and dozens of comments. Three people sent me private messages, asking if I'd share my regimen. That's what I spent so much time on.
I went over to Von's for grapes and salad dressing, then had lunch. After, I walked again the back way and went to the library. Sat and read for an hour.
Called Nancy to ask about Marley. He still walking on three legs, but doesn't seem to be in pain.
Now, today, I MUST get my blood work done (so convenient, right at the Von's on the next blook) and do a wash. Actually, I want to change my sheets and do a bleach wash, in addition to color.
I continue to enjoy Downton Abbey. Last night Mary and Matthew finally married, but Mr. Bates still languishes in prison.  

Widder Lunch

Up and at 'em at 6:30, but it was really 7:30, or was it 5:30--AAGH!  However, I guess I'm adjusted to regular time, although I don't like it.
Left for Stonefire Grille at 11:00, intending to probably get a bus once I walked the mile to Telephone. However, it felt good and it was a lovely day, so I continued on for about two and a half.
As I approached the front door, who did I see but Carole F.  She had come to my eightieth in Santa Barbara, but as with Doris, we hadn't seen each other in recent months. We greeted each other with pleasure and immediately decided to get together and she asked me to call Sue and invite her, also. I was glad she didn't mention Sherry, but if anyone does, sure, she could be invited, too, although she's a real pain. As I talked to Carole, Carolyn came up; she said Marley, Nancy's little white dog, has something wrong with him, so Nancy wasn't coming. I'll call Nance today to see how he is.
We had a good meetup, with eight people there--one man, which is a common ratio in our group--and probably close to that in the general population of widows to widowers. Greg is a really terrific guy who just retired, although he's only about 58. I was sorry to hear him casually mention that he had attended a first meeting at UCLA with the medical staff that's going to give him a new kidney. I hope, hope, hope, the outcome will be good.
Teri invited me to go to the Rubicon on Thursday to see Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, live theatre and a musical. I accepted and will meet her there at 7:00; she'll drive me home.  
Left after lively talk and hopped the bus to town. Got off at the library, walked to The Promenade, then did the usual loop to Main and back to the library. I had requested Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, which I used to own and have read several times. Picked it up and read a bit in the library, then took it out.
When I got home, I was delighted to get a packet containing yearbook pictures of my great-grandson. Had my homemade been burgers for dinner and enjoyed t a lot. Called Sue--no answer, but I left a message.
Betty called after dinner, again alarmed about "the fires that are right near you." Well, they're not and I wish she'd turn off the television. Happily , I slept like a log; didn't even get up to use what used to be genteelly called "the necessity."
  

DSL And Downton Abbey

So Daylight Saving Time, which I hate, but whaddya gonna do?
Did the usual Sunday and then was pleased to get a call from brother Frank. What a good time we had talking! Yes, he has Alzheimer's and his memory is shot, but dammit, he's still my big bro and I love him so much. He told me about the upcoming trip to Baltimore; I didn't tell him that Betty and I had been invited and that I declined, then Betty did. Just as well. Frank said he's also going to visit our cousin, Sally, in San Diego. Not sure how accurate that is, but I called her and left a message.
I was pleased when Ellen called to ask if I'd like to go to Wal-Mart with her. Sure did, and she picked me up. I was able to get some heavy things: black beans in cans, frozen veggies, olive oil, and so on. She then suggested a walk and we drove to a park near Kimball and walked that neighborhood for about forty-five. Good for me and good for her.
Home, I attacked seven large onions; chopped four and stored them in the freezer and dressed the other three with olive oil, Worcestershire, and soy sauce and roasted in my clay onion baker.
Otherwise, I spent a fair amount of time scanning snapshots from the forties of my sibs and me. I think I'll copy a number of them and send to Frank, as he no longer goes on Facebook or, I guess, on the Internet at all.
Niece Carolyn called after dinner and we had a good long chat. She's planning new helps and enjoyment for Betty--what an angel.
I settled down to watch Downton at my usual 8:00. I had seen part 7, but the disc (2) didn't include episode 8. Put in disc 3 and that said "part one." Watched and, clearly, I've skipped a whole episode. In part 7, Mr. Bates was led away in handcuffs and last night, he had been convicted of murdering his ex. In 7, Matthew was never going to see Mary again and last night, they were married.
Damn, I can't figure out where the intervening episode is.
Unfortunately, I slept poorly last night--hope it doesn't continue.

Color And Cold

Nothing of note happened yesterday, except that I got my hair done. Up to the very moment when I had to tell Mary, my stylist (that's what all we Hollywood stars say, "my stylist"), asked me what I wanted, I was debating whether to go white or not.
Not.
I had it colored again and told her to cut it shorter than usual and it looks pretty good. It's a bit shorter in the back, the way they do nowadays, and that's fine by me.
Stopped at Target for more blueberries--I'm always afraid they'll run out--and bused home. Found a brochure about "Mercy Housing." It seems arms of the Church are engaged in building apartments for the homeless and others who can't afford decent housing. The program is mostly in the bay area--it would be great to have them start it here.
Betty called, frantically upset because, yet again, she lost something. It's small purse which contained credit, Social Security, and insurance cards. Long story about how it got lost and she wanted to know if I'd seen it. The fact that she's in Santa Barbara and I'm in Ventura, thirty miles away, didn't seem to penetrate.
After dinner, I rang Suzanne's bell and we talked about it Mercy Housing. We also discussed the current fires raging and whether the electric company is liable, at least partially, for much of it. Suzanne thinks not, I think they are. According to an editorial that ran in the Ventura Star, the apparatus was neglected while the execs got big bonuses. I'm the cynic, she's the saint, I  guess. I also told her something about Sister Gabriel and she was interested.
Good grief, when I got up, I saw that it's practically icing over here--temp is 49 degrees!

Various

Weighed in at 130.4, which means I lost 1.6 from last week. I'd still like to go down a bit, but am not  anxious about it. The T.O.P.S. meeting was so-so, but I endured it okay. When Cheryl and I came out of the meeting, we saw a broad, grayish-beige swath all across the sky.  Smoke.
After late breakfast (it's always late on Fridays), I got a call from brother Jim, asking if I had a phone number for our niece, Joan. I did, gave it to him, and later, Joan called me, too. We had a long, long talk about a familiar topic. She needs to let this troublesome thing go after all these years, of course, and I think she realizes that, but she can't seem to do it.
Got another, more welcome call, and was told something was coming in the mail for me--a surprise and that's fun to anticipate.
Walked over to Von's for lettuce and it occurred to me I have an order for a blood test that was supposed to be done on November 1.  A branch of Quest Diagnostics is conveniently located in Von's, but I had eaten. Thought I'd do it today, but they're not open on weekends, so I will on Monday.
Lunch, then decided to get the black beans and other ingredients to make bean burgers. Took the bus to the mall and cut across the large campus of St. Bonaventure High School, thinking I'd get to a store I favor, but the way was barred with a chain link fence. Walked all the way back and while I was waiting to take the bus there, Betty called.  She had done what I had suggested, just went to the bus stop and waited and sure enough, the bus came and she got to church. I told her about Pat. R., Sister Gabriel, and me and she was very interested. We talked just like old times, I keep telling myself, but I know that's a lie.

Thursday

After breakfast, I worked on the play. I keep revising and added and am still not satisfied, but am making progress. Spent about an hour on it, then walked the back way to the Hill Street library branch to take return the book on Kim Sung Un. I forgot their Thursday hours are 2:00 to 6:00, so just dropped it off. Continued on to Victoria and stopped for carrots and mushrooms; took the bus home.
Scrubbed and trimmed the two pounds of carrots and put them in the slow cooker with four cut-up tangerines. Added a bit of cinnamon and let 'er go while I bused to town.
For a change, I took the 16, got off at Thompson, and walked to The Promenade.  It was a gorgeous day--pure blue sky, sun sparkling off the water, a gentle breeze. It's been weeks since I walked there and it was so enjoyable. It was hard to realize that not that far away, California was being ravaged by fire.
Circled up to Main and caught a bus to the Mall. Went to Target for my supply of blueberries--three pounds, so I'm good for three evenings. Called Gail as I bused back; I was pleased to hear she could go with me to the "Rumors" production next Friday.
As I approached my door, I saw Suzanne. She told me that a tree down the street had fallen and brought down electric wires. We went out to look and boy, the tree fell right where I had walked in the morning.
Got a call from Betty, who wanted to know if I could tell her when the Santa Barbara bus went to church this morning; it seems it's a holy day. Asking me isn't as silly as it sounds, as I do have the SB bus book. However, I couldn't find it. She called me several more times and I advised her to call the transportation company (they have only a recording), see if one of her neighbors was going (she doesn't know anyone who is), or pray at home (ha!). I finally suggested she just go to the bus stop and wait until one comes alone.
My brother, Jim, also called. He said our niece, Joan, had called him and left a message, but he didn't have her number. Why? Because he doesn't use his cell phone. So  I gave him both Joan's numbers, home and cell.
After we hung up, the book title occurred to me, as it often does after I talk to my siblings: And I Alone Survived.