Saturday

 Walked to The Market and Wal-Mart after breakfast and dealing with email and text messages. Got foil, tissues, oatmeal, and Mothers' Day cards, bused home, and had lunch. I then glanced at the calendar and realized Mothers' Day is only a week away--AAGH! Would the cards to Asia get there in time?  I quickly addressed them, then rushed the half-mile to the post office--luckily, it's only a half mile-away--and mailed them. Home, I jumped in the shower and washed my hair.

In the meantime, I got an email from Carolyn B. finally responding to mine of last week (she says she doesn't look at her email very often--why she even gives out her address is beyond me. Anyway, I called her, she was on the other line, but called me back. We chatted, talked about getting together with Nancy after the 27th, which is when Nancy's daughter leaves. I'll call Nance today and tell her.

I haven't heard back from five of the signups for the Acting For Amateurs class re the meeting day ; will call them today or tomorrow. This is so annoying I may cancel and maybe have it i the fall, instead. Asked Ellen to send me Mike's and Violet's itinerary, which she did.

Julie picked me up at 5:30 and off we went to The Cave for dinner and, shortly after, Lora came in. J. and I had a glass of wine, L. iced tea.  The prices there are very steep and I wasn't hungry, so thought I'd just order and appetizer, but Julie suggested a pizza to share and that's what we got. Now, this wasn't the kind of thing they have stacked in cardboard boxes in the pantry, it was superb. The crust--made on the spot--was of a perfect texture, the cheese properly oozy, the mushrooms just perfect. Although it wasn't a huge one, there was plenty for the three of us. Regina came in as we finished eating; she had told Julie she wasn't going to have dinner, as she had had stomach pains which diagnosed as gall bladder.  She sat down for a half hour, then it was to go to the show. 

Luckily, it was only a few blocks away. We got there about 7:30 and I was surprised to see there were a lot of people there already. We got seats, I was brought backstage for a bit, hugged and chatted with my thespian buddies, then the show went on.

I wish I had taken other pictures, but this is the only one I got:

Stripped down set, six short comedic vignettes, with an intermission in the middle. I greatly enjoyed seeing Ben, Erica, Anthony, Karen and Mike, Jeff and Sharon, as well as several others and there were some newbies I didn't know. 

I wished I could say it was a smash, but it was a very mixed bag. Some of the pieces were really bad: the one with Amber and two other women was truly tedious, since she was only one with the slightest spark. Also, in some cases, obviously the players hadn't been able to memorize in the short time allotted: several were holding scripts and cribbing from them. Some were okay: I was amused to see Anthony in the "22" shirt he wore when we were in Area 22 together in August.

And a "kidnapping" skit was wonderfully funny and well done. It "starred" Ben, back from his walk across the country, another guy, and a woman, the premise being she's kidnapped, then turns the table on the kidnappers. It was very clear that all three of the actors were a cut above.

Julie and Regina cut out at the intermission and Lora took me home. I didn't mind--I like Lora a lot. I like Julie, too, but Regina can be a pain--ultra-opinionated and bossy. Anyway, the show wasn't over until almost ten, Lora dropped me off and, foolishly, I started watching A Man Called Otto (I'll see the rest tonight) and didn't get to bed until 11:00. Got up at 5:15, not enough sleep for me, but maybe I'll take a nap before leave for the garden tour at noon.  

Friday

There were only five of us at T.O.P.S.; nevertheless, Sharon brought enough food to feed an army. You can't see them with the lid one, but in the blue container were two layers of rolled Mexican somethings. I can't remember the name, but some were with beef, some chicken. She also brought a variety dips to put on them, plus the tableware. It doesn't look like much here, but everybody had more than one and she took some home. I had two and skipped my usual oatmeal and citrus breakfast. 

                                      

Ever the fashion leader, Sharon paired her hot peppers shirt (it was actually her husband's) with these earrings:

As for the reason we were actually there, I lost .08 both at home and at T.O.P.S., with weights of 127.8 and 128.7, respectively. Yes, the numbers were reversed and why or how I have no idea. 

Didn't get home until 10:30 and, having skipped breakfast, made my lunch, packed up my cart, and set off for Diane's. Walked the mile and some to Telephone Road to get the 11 bus. When I got to east Ventura, I stopped first at Goodwill to drop off some donations, then walked the other half-mile to the park across from Silvercrest.  

She was already there, I sat down, we ate, and--talked and talked and laughed and cried a bit, and talked. It's always a pleasure to be with Diane; no, we don't agree on everything--she always has a lot of mystic stuff going--but we can confide in each other and on many topics, we're in complete accord. I was pleased that she'll be in my acting class, too. Anyway, the weather turned lovely--blue, cloudless, 70--and we didn't say goodbye until after 4:00. 

Had the rest of my turkey stir-fry for dinner, then called Jim Obviously, I still had a lot of talk in me, as we were on the phone for forty-five minutes. Since I'm booked today and tomorrow and he has class on Monday, I invited him for lunch on Tuesday and he accepted. 

I've been continuing to poll my prospective acting class for a day they can all meet and I'm annoyed it's such a chore to get that arranged. So far, Monday seems the choice, but I hadn't heard back from everybody yet. 

Thursday

Went over to Von's for a few items, stowed them, and made my lunch, then walked to the area on Hill Street where Diane and I have had lunch. It was pleasant, but a little breezy, and rain had been predicted, so I didn't go on to The Market, as I had planned, but walked the footbridge home. 

Got a list of signups for the Acting For Amateurs class--seven in all, but later, Dusty, our prez, said she'd like to be in, so good. Also, I'm having lunch with Diane today and will try to persuade her to to the same. I know her neuropathy is worse, also that it's a chore for her to walk to my place from the entrance, but A For A will be in the all-purpose room and the Access Van can drop her right at the door. 

I found a rather fuzzy photo of my kids at Monticello, c. 1971, and asked somebody at Photo Restoration and Repair to improve it. Two people did and I like both results. As can be seen, the second one, though sharper, distorts a bit, so the faces aren't as natural.                                                  

The little smart-aleck* in front is my boy, Mikey, of course, now a 57-year-old Dad and resident of Singapore. The others look a little impatient, too--maybe they were tired of getting their picture taken? The smaller girl in the white top called on her way home from work yesterday, just to say hello. She does that often and it always gives me a lift. 

Other contacts: Sharon called to say she was bringing "food" to T.O.P.S. today, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. (Okay, but this is a weight loss group, remember?) and Bobbi texted me to say she won't be at the meeting, as she has a doctor's appointment. I don't know why people call me instead of leader Lennie--could it be because she lets all calls go to voicemail?  Also, she doesn't do text, PM, or email, so there you are. 

* I got an early Mother's Day gift from the little smart-aleck, which is lovely:

And so was the loving note he sent with it, but I won't add that.

Wednesday

Got up at 5:30 and pulled together and packed up some of my extensive acting stuff, including this from Welcome Home, my debut with Fractured Actors:

Julie picked me up at 9:15 and off we went to Beach Cities Neighbors And Newcomers at the yacht club. It was jammed, as usual, but I laid out my display. The sign-up sheet was already out--along with a remarkable number of others for prospective groups and I added the invitation: 

The meeting itself seemed to drag on and on. After president Dusty made announcements and so on, Barbara, the activities director, introduced those who had new groups and I said my piece ("this is not a discussion group," etc.) The business meeting went on for more than an hour, then the speaker--the director, or whatever he's called--of the seaport in Port Hueneme, which is a small city in Ventura County. The first part, the history of the place, was interesting, the rest  snooze fest.

After, about thirty of us, including Julie and me, went to lunch at The Greek. I just had a bowl of clam chowder and a beer (not hungry, for some reason) but enjoyed talking to Joan Somebody, Barbara Somebody, and Pat Somebody. Joan signed up for my acting class; not sure who else did, as I won't get the list until Carolee Somebody collects and records them. 

Home about 2:00 and found an email from Connie K. with the news that, after a three-year hiatus, the Maritime Museum in Oxnard will again present "Art Comes Alive" in August. She asked all who participated before if they wanted to reprise their roles (I was a Dutch fishwife). I do and wrote back to that effect. She emailed me again to ask if my "niece"--it's actually my nephew, Steve, and his family--wanted to do it again, also, and I sent them the message.

Lora texted me, suggesting we have dinner before we four go to the Fractured Actors show on Saturday. I mentioned this to Julie as we drove home and she suggested The Cave--a stroke of genius, as it's very near the show and it's a neat place. I haven't been there for about a year, but Nancy and I used to go and I'll be glad to revisit.

I was a little concerned that Diane wasn't at BCNN, so texted her and she responded that her legs were bad again. I was so sorry--I knew she was looking forward to the meeting--and we texted back and forth, then made a date for lunch on Friday in the park across from her place.  Walked over to CVS to get my medication and that topped off the not particularly interesting day. 

(My letter about Biden and the White House correspondents' roast was published as written yesterday.)

Tuesday

Vickie texted, saying she had made potato salad and wanted to share with Suzanne and me; we went over picked up our portions. Vickie said that Mary had been a wonderful cook, it was her recipe, and she had actually helped Vickie with it. Rather than thinking that was weird (Mary died in December), I was touched by it. And the potato salad was so good.

Suzanne stopped in after to discuss a situation concerning one of her siblings. Since she's the oldest of five (used to be six, but the Downs Syndrome brother died in his forties), she seems to be the advisor and confident of the family. Anyway, we talked it over for a half hour or so. She asked for suggestions, I gave some, but only because she asked and then I couched it in tentative terns; "maybe he could try this...possibly, he'd consider that...sometimes, so and so will help..." Unsolicited advice is one thing I mightily resent and I want to be sure I don't dish it out.

I left after that for town. Stopped in a few shops, then met Noreen at Paradise Cove. However, there was a sign on the door that they didn't serve lunch on Monday through Wednesday, so we went a few doors down to Peirano's, which we like just as much. Had a great time--for almost three hours, on one of our marathon talk fests. Finally left and I walked Noreen to her car. Darn, there was a forty-dollar parking ticket on it--she was parked in the handicapped spot and had forgotten her placard (she has knee and hip problems walking). I suggested she call the police department and tell them that. Later, when I was riding home on the bus, she called and said she was told if she brought in the evidence, the fine would be revoked.

Julie called to say she'd pick me up today for BCNN. I asked her to go a little early, as my Acting for Amateurs course will be announced and I want to put some information about it on a display table. Ever agreeable, she'll come at 9:15. I hauled out some of my--surprisingly abundant--ephemera and readied it to take to the meeting.    

Here's another terrific "Ventnor at dawn" shot from Sean Gleason:

Movin' On Monday And Bullshitter Biden

Things started looking up yesterday. For one thing, the sun came out about 10:00 and that gave me a lift. For another, I met my Soaring Spirits friends for lunch and we had a good, convivial time. I was pleased to see that Carolyn B. came; she, Nancy, and I used to go to Happy Hour together every week. That ended via COVID, but I told Carolyn I'd call Nance to see if we could renew that activity.

On my way, home I got a text from Ellen to say she had loaded into her car the easel I asked to borrow and would come by with it after work. She did, but as she had said, it was very heavy and bulky, being made out of thick wood. She had barely been able to get it into her trunk and we agreed I wouldn't be able to handle it.  She took it directly to Goodwill and donated it, glad to get it out of her shed.

El had no sooner left than I looked on-line to see where I could get an easel. Hey, Michael's had them. Ironically, that's in the same shopping center as Stone Fire Grille where I had had lunch a few hours before, but I didn't have anything pressing to do, so I bused right back there. It was already over 4:00, so I didn't get home until 7:00, but that was okay.

Luckily, they had a full-sized, but light (I'm not even sure if it's plastic or some kind of balsam wood) easel and I bought it for sixteen bucks. It was easy to take home, just six or so legs plus the hardware to put it together. I'll tackle that today.

Other business: The Ventura Star had an article on Biden's attendance at the White House press corps annual "roast." It reverently reported that before the frivolity, our esteemed leader "acknowledged the several American journalists under siege in authoritarian governments around the world." How anyone could have listened to that without throwing up is beyond me. In reaction, I sent this to The Star--we'll see if they print it:    

--The hypocrisy of the United States government and its lackeys in the press is fabulous. At the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, President Biden deplored the journalists who are "under seige in authoritarian countries." The Associated Press in the Ventura Star dutifully reported on his crocodile tears, and the name of Julian Assange was never mentioned, of course. Mr. Assange, an Australian citizen and the founder of Wikileaks, has been detained for eleven years, first in asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy, then in the U.K.'s Belmarsh Prison, where he remains. His misdeed? He revealed U.S. war crimes, notably including the notorious "Collateral Murder" video. His supporters around the world are fighting extradition to the U.S., but one rarely sees any mention of this in the mass media. Maybe its representatives should hide their heads in shame.-- 

Stultifying Sunday

Somewhat of a down day. For openers, it was very overcast, always unpleasant to me, plus cooler than I like. Also, it was Sunday, by itself kind of dreary in my estimation. The crossword was pretty good and I got it all, then changed my bed, washed linens, and re-made. 

Decided to go out for name tags (just those little "Hello, I'm" things), so took my cart and set off. Walked to The Market first--no name tags, then Wal-Mart--no name tags,--then CVS--no name tags. Bused to Target at the mall where I finally found them. Bought blueberries there, too.

Bused home to find an email from Diane with documentaries on ancient Japan.  I watched the first one--it was pretty long, but interesting--and will see the others later. Emailed the link to the Tokyo trio.

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/how-japan-began/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rss

Other than that, just putzing around. Ho-hum and come on, sunshine and warmth, make an appearance.

Soaring Spirits lunch today--that's something, at least.