MONDAY

When I opened the fridge in the morning to get my tangerine, the light didn't turn on. I had a spare one, so screwed it in, but it still didn't light. Uh-oh, I thought the fridge is dead. Called maintenance and shortly, Fabian (I think that's his name) came over. He checked, then un-screwed the bulb and re-screwed it, and it worked. Wouldn't you know--I just hadn't put it in right.* 

Didn't do a whole lot the first part of the day, aside from a color wash and stowing away the Easter decorations. Suzanne stopped in to give me a small piece of key lime pie she had had for Easter. Diane called to see if I can meet for lunch today across from the mission. Yes, indeedy, and I'll see her at noon. 

More excursions are coming up i.e., the Dudley House covered dish tomorrow. I bought chocolate chips to make the traditional cookies for my contribution.  Called Julie, who will pick me up at 5:45; should be fun. Also, Ellen called to say Greg had said he'd like the three of us to meet for dinner at Lure. That sounds like a great idea to me--we'll go on Thursday. Ellen will come early, so she and I can first look for new sneaks for me.

Speaking of my social life: I left early for dinner with the Soaring Spirits gang, but stopped at Target on the way for eggs and a six-pack of IPAs. It was a smaller than usual group: seven of us, but as ever, we had a good, convivial time. Vera, that dear girl, took me home, as usual, so I got in about 8:00.

* If I were really depraved--or a normal 16-year-old boy--I'd make a naughty joke out of that. 

SATURDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

💫💫💫💫💫SATURDAY💫💫💫💫💫

The Access Van got me to Ellen's about 10:30 and I was presented with a lovely tulip plant for Easter.  We had a bite to eat, then Ellen prepared a big salad and we took off for Santa Barbara. Got there and were greeted by niece Carolyn, her Dana, and of course, Calvin, who almost knocked m over with his tail. Great-niece, Claire, was just leaving for work (doggy day care). Also there were niece, Francine, her husband, Charlie, and two of their three sons, college and high school age. We all sat in their lovely back yard with sandwiches and drinks and talked happily. This was family, the best kind of companions. 

Carolyn and the boys decided to bike to a restaurant at the harbor and the rest of us would drive and meet them there (except for Charlie, who decided on a nap, instead). Here's Carolyn, in her biking gear,  talking to Ellen in their beautiful backyard, which also has a newly-installed hot tub:

                    

...the three girl cousins:

Carolyn, Ellen, Francine

Ellen drove Francine and me to the harbor and we met Carolyn and Dana there. Went to a nice, casual, seaside restaurant and had Margaritas and other drinks, plus glaucoma, chips, and fries.

From left: Dana, Carolyn, Francine, yours truly, and Ellen.

I wish I had gotten a picture of Charlie and the boys, but they didn't join us at the harbor, so I didn't. We went back to Carolyn's for more chats, then said goodbye after hugs and kisses and "love you" all around. And yes, I do love them.

El drove us back to Ojai and we got in about 6:00. She made us a bite for dinner and Greg came over about 7:30 so we could play our favored game: yummy for gin rummy! We played until 10:00, actually past my bedtime, but it was fun. Slept soundly until 6:15--actually better than I've been sleeping at home.

💫💫💫💫💫SUNDAY💫💫💫💫💫

As mentioned, I slept well and got up at 6:15. Took my weekly med, waited the half-hour, and poured my coffee. I sat reading a wonderful cookbook by Ima Garten, then another on healthy eating, which was even better. Ellen has getting more and more interested in cooking and Greg, of course, has always been a marvelous and inventive cook. He came over shortly after we had breakfast, bringing over his partially prepared main dish for dinner. We visited for a bit and I took this of the three buddies: Ellen, Cessy, and Greg (Gwennie was out, no doubt killing things):

Then the three of us (not Cessy) took off for the Ojai Meadow Preserve, where we enjoyed a hike of about a mile. It's a lovely area with lush greenery and soaring hills that overlook the site, and the weather had turned wonderfully warm. 

Back at El's, the two cooks busied themselves with preparing dinner, which was de-lish. Besides Ellen's roasted Brussels sprouts and potatoes, Greg had outdone himself with a main dish that contained both salmon and cod. They were united in a wonderfully flavorful tomato sauce, made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and a variety of subtle spices. 

After we finished, Greg and I went to Bart's Books, a constant hang-out for Greg, which I greatly enjoy, too, and we stayed for 45 or so, happily browsing. I have a lingering interest in the Kennedys and found this, which I bought for ten bucks:

Back at El's, I got the standard Access Van message that I'd be picked up between seven and twelve minutes. After hugs and thanks for a lovely weekend, off I went. I'm looking forward to seeing El again this week, as I asked her to come with me to buy some new footwear. We'll choose a day later. Hey, that was one of the best holidays I've had in years!

FRIDAY--AND A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Weight report: up a pound at home to 128.6; up .09 at T.O.P.S. to 129.4--AAGH!  That means I'm teetering on the very edge of my comfort zone of 130! I'd better shape up or ship out this coming week. Meeting was okay, as usual, but nothing to write home about (one of my mother's expressions). On the way home, Cheryl asked me about my blog (which I had mentioned in the meeting) and she may be looking into it one of these days. 

Home at 10:00, breakfast, then I took a hour's or so nap. This is getting to be a habit, but one I want to break. When I nap, it effects my overnight sleep, which as I've mentioned before, hasn't been ideal. Anyway, I got up, did a few household chores, then went over to Von's for vegetable broth, strawberries, pretzels, cottage cheese, and other uninteresting items. I did, however, get a box of Ferrero Rocher candy as a hostess gift for Carolyn. 

Packed my small suitcase for my overnight stay at Ellen's, then called the Access Van to take me there. Made my lunch and, since they're working on the sprinkler systems in the middle, took it to one of the table/umbrella areas here and there in the complex. Ate while I read my book, then went back home. I ran into Suzanne as she was also coming in and for chatted for fifteen or so. Told her I'd be at Ellen's over Saturday night and asked her to slip my Sunday paper under the doormat. 

I spent some time slicing the nice fresh strawberries. I stowed them in the freezer, then cored and seasoned two big apples, and baked them in the oven. Ate one during my hour T.V.-watch and boy, was it good.   

So what kind of ★SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT★ is Mimi talking about? It's this: I won't be posting here tomorrow, as I'm staying over at Ellen's and it's just too much of a hassle to bring my laptop and the crapola that goes with it. I'll add my combined entry covering my Saturday Santa Barbara sojourn and Sunday at Ellen's when I get back.  Hoppity-Hop, ya' all!

THURSDAY

Got up to follow my usual routine: top off this blog, play some games, check Facebook, email, and so on...except I couldn't get on the blog, damnit. For some strange reason--and I swear I hadn't done anything different--the non-functioning old blogs came up. I could see the blog, as anyone else can, but the "new post" section wasn't there. 

This had happened before and the guys at Asurion fixed it, so right after breakfast, I bundled up my laptop and accessories and walked across the street. Evan, one of the very nice young men who work there, got it better again; I guess the thirty bucks a month is worth it. He said to go to the top right and click on my pic, then change email from old rosemarymolloy7@gmail.com to current rosemarybmolloy@ gmail.com. Okay, will do.

Home and finished up the blog, then did a few household chores. I filled out Easter cards for Suzanne and Vickie, then made lunch and left for town, dropping off their cards at their doors on the way. 

The weather was not that great: Very overcast, cooler than I like, and with some wind. It was very quiet on Main Street and by the fountain:   

...but I ate my lunch there, as ever. Just stopped in a few stores and didn't find much to buy. (I buy too much, anyway.) Bused home and got in a bit before 5:00. 

Ellen called after dinner and there's and offer on her house; exciting news, but she still has to reveal some things which I hope will be routine. 

Note: My sleep pattern has changed, unfortunately, and I don't like it. For the past few nights, I've ben going to bed somewhere around 10:00, falling asleep, but then waking between two and three am. I lie there for too long--usually for an hour or more--before I fall back to sleep again, usually getting up at 6:15 or so. I'll have to work on a solution to this. 

WEDNESDAY

 Got picked up by the SCAN-provided Lyft driver at 12:50. She--Marisela--was so pleasant and friendly, I had a great time talking to her. She drives for Lyft, Uber, and a service that will pick up children under 18. I was a little taken aback by that, until she said there's an extensive background check, in-depth interviews. and all kinds of other safety measures. Most of the drivers are men and all have been polite, but maybe a little reserved. Maybe there's a difference between men and women--ya think?   

I didn't have to wait long before I saw Dr. Ficks. Of course, the osteoporosis is not going away, and she said she wants to increase the dosage of my once-a week medication. The earlier dose (35 mm) had slowed the progression before, but no longer is. Okay, I trust my doctor and I'll go with that. Interestingly, she remembered and mentioned that my son lives in Singapore. I told her he was not in Vietnam and that his daughter, my granddaughter, Vivian, had gotten an summer internship at Cornell in medical research. That prompted a discussion about Hamas and Israel--interesting, but she seems to swallow the party line. 

After I left, I bused to the mall, as I had packed my lunch and decided to eat it there. Did so, then picked up some salmon and cereal at Target, strolled around, and bused home.

Lorraine called and we talked a bit. I got a lovely Easter card from my girl, Ellen; she should be getting mine to her today. I also sent one to my other children, grandchildren, and greats, and will drop off some for Suzanne and Vickie. 

TUESDAY

Ellen got here at 11:30 and off we went to Diane's. Diane doesn't cook much herself, but she served up a light lunch: a small salad and a frozen shrimp dish, with Jello for dessert. This was accompanied by Chardonnay and a packaged pina colada; Ellen had a small amount of the latter and I had some, too. 

Diane has two sons, but no daughters and we commiserated over the fact that her sons and their wives are avid Trump fans and, in fact, are fundamentalist Christians. When I mentioned that I'd like to ask someone who favors Trump why, they reacted the same way everybody does: By telling me their version of why, which includes how wrong and bull-headed the Trump-lovers are. But this is exactly what I don't want--I want to hear it directly, in their words, thank them, and keep my freakin' mouth shut otherwise.  

Anyway, it was very enjoyable and we stayed until close to 4:00. Went right home because El wanted to do her hair, as she's seeing some former colleagues today. When I got home, I was hungry, so had some cabbage, then some crackers and cottage cheese.  At that point, I was sleepy, so took an hour's nap.

Have to see the endocrinologist at 1:30 today. Damn, I hate doctors, although Dr. Ficks is nice enough. I called to have Lyft take me and said I'd bus home, as I may want to stop somewhere after.

MONDAY

 Another rather slow day. I changed the bed and washed the sheets early on, then tidied up a little. I gathered up the newspapers I had saved to give to Vickie's friend, and dropped them off. Speaking of Vickie, I was happy to see this on her Facebook page+:

--Corporate Games fun today playing in the Billiards 8-Ball event at Stiix Billiards. My teammate, Michelle and I worked our way to the Gold Medal match and won the Silver Medal representing the County of Ventura! Our County 1 team won the Gold Medal 3 to 2. What a great day!--

Vickie on the left with her pool partner, Michelle.

I had more newspapers to drop off at Vickie's, whose friend seems to have a problem with reading. I believe she has Asperger's, as she rarely goes out, although she's in Vickie's age-late sixties.

Anyway, I dropped them off, then prepared and flavored the two big apples I had gotten at Wal-Mart, added Stevia and cinnamon and just microwaved them. I much prefer baked apples in the oven, but I didn't want to take the time.

Readied myself to go to Von's for things I had forgotten the other day. As I was leaving, Vickie came to my entrance walk and we stopped to chat for a bit. Then Suzanne walked up and the three of us talked. Suzanne invited Vickie and me over for Key Lime pie on Saturday, but I'll be at Carolyn's; she said she'd save me a piece.

At Von's. I got cabbage, more apples, and sweet red peppers. Put them away at home, then packed my lunch. I was going to sit in the middle, but it was a little too cool and breezy, so I chose another outdoor area to have my lunch and read my book.

Back inside, I chopped the cabbage and two apples and put them in the slow cooker. Rough-chopped the peppers and stored them in the freezer. Actually, I didn't do it by myself; Elvis and Tammy Wynette were with me. Had the cabbage and mixed veggies for dinner.

Ellen called to say she'll stop for me at 11:30 for our lunch date at Diane's. I'm looking forward to it, as good grief, it's been four days since I've gone out for lunch--I'm practically a hermit! (Or should that be "Hermitette?")