I can't believe it: I knew DST was over and I was to turn the clocks back, but I completely forgot it. Got up at my usual 5:30--I thought--and aagh! It was 4:30!
Oh, well. I did my morning stuff, then took a longer than usual walk--uphill, too. Breakfast, crossword, then I roasted some chicken drumsticks I had bought the other day. Had three for lunch, along with salad, then took off for town, earlier than usual.
Walked The Promenade, then went to the library; darn, it was still only quarter of three. But at that point, Stella called to say she was at The Promenade and did I want to walk? Why, sure, and I retraced my steps for the four blocks to meet her outside the Crown Plaza.
We walked to the pier (one of the longest in California), then all the way to the end of it. While we were there, Betty called to say some things were moved into her new apartment and when was I coming to see it? This week, I said, and asked her to have Carolyn call me.
Stella and I then went to the Aloha for nibbles and for me, an Aloha stout. I don't usually like darker beers, but this was good. We ate and chatted and by the time we were ready to leave, it was dusk. Stella insisted on driving me home, which wasn't really necessary, but she did. Got in at 6:15 and aagh! it was dark! Straightened up a bit, then rang Suzanne's bell. She invited me in and we chatted for a bit.
Guess I survived another back-to-standard-time switch, but I sure don't like it.
Monday, November 05, 2018
Sunday, November 04, 2018
Alzheimer's Program
When I went out to get the paper about 7:00, Suzanne was on our mutual front walk, watering her spider plant. We gabbed about this and that for a good twenty minutes. I told her I was going to the Alzheimer Caregivers program; she was going back to St. John's to see how her--well, her sister sister--was doing.
Cut my walk short, then had breakfast, showered, and dressed. I was out front by 10:54 and the Access van came shortly after. I was pleased to see the driver was Anthony, who drove me during my first trip. Got to Oxnard and Family Circle before 11:00.
I came in about the middle of the second talk (about meditation, which I found interesting), then listened to the owner of a home health care service. After that, we were treated to a box lunch and in the lunchroom, I ran into Margaret A., who is a nutritionist. She worked at SCAN when I had my acting group there and we were thrilled to see each other. She oohed and aahed over how I looked, which puzzled me until I realized the last time she saw me, I was 52 pounds heavier.
The other speakers were also good, especially a pharmacist, who talked about medications for dementia. Unfortunately, there isn't very good news on that front, as none are known to do much more than possibly slow the progress of the disease for a time for some people and the success of the treatment is temporary. In addition, many suffer unpleasant side effects, including nightmares and hallucinations. Dismal news, but at least a lot more research is being done.
The program was over at 2:00, but incredibly, I didn't get home until almost 5:00. Driving, the trip from Oxnard would take roughly twenty minutes, but I had various buses to take, plus I looked around in a few, and so on.
Stopped in Von's before I went home for grapes and frozen fruit. Suzanne had her door open and came out to ask me about the seminar. I told her how good it was and we talked on our doorsteps for a half hour.
So-o-o, I didn't get the afternoon walk in, but no prob if I miss now and then.
Cut my walk short, then had breakfast, showered, and dressed. I was out front by 10:54 and the Access van came shortly after. I was pleased to see the driver was Anthony, who drove me during my first trip. Got to Oxnard and Family Circle before 11:00.
I came in about the middle of the second talk (about meditation, which I found interesting), then listened to the owner of a home health care service. After that, we were treated to a box lunch and in the lunchroom, I ran into Margaret A., who is a nutritionist. She worked at SCAN when I had my acting group there and we were thrilled to see each other. She oohed and aahed over how I looked, which puzzled me until I realized the last time she saw me, I was 52 pounds heavier.
The other speakers were also good, especially a pharmacist, who talked about medications for dementia. Unfortunately, there isn't very good news on that front, as none are known to do much more than possibly slow the progress of the disease for a time for some people and the success of the treatment is temporary. In addition, many suffer unpleasant side effects, including nightmares and hallucinations. Dismal news, but at least a lot more research is being done.
The program was over at 2:00, but incredibly, I didn't get home until almost 5:00. Driving, the trip from Oxnard would take roughly twenty minutes, but I had various buses to take, plus I looked around in a few, and so on.
Stopped in Von's before I went home for grapes and frozen fruit. Suzanne had her door open and came out to ask me about the seminar. I told her how good it was and we talked on our doorsteps for a half hour.
So-o-o, I didn't get the afternoon walk in, but no prob if I miss now and then.
Saturday, November 03, 2018
T.O.P.S. And A Talk
I had a fairly interesting experience yesterday afternoon--interesting and somewhat weird.
Did the uphill walk, changed, then waited out front for Cheryl to pick me up for T.O.P.S. I was pleased to weigh in at 128.3, staying within my desired range. The meeting was actually pretty good; at least, there wasn't as much extraneous talk.
Had breakfast at 10:00, then walked over to Von's for chicken and oranges. Requested the Access van to pick me up today to go to the the caregivers program in Oxnard. Called brother Larry in Florida and we had a long talk. I learned brother Frank will go to the Christmas gathering there and I'm actually flirting with the idea of going. By the time I did a few little household chores, it was lunchtime, after which I left for town.
Walked The Promenade--yesterday, the ocean was as serene and placid as its name suggests--then walked up to Main and the library. I happened to see a typed-up notice on the door of the program room that there was a speech on "respect" going on. Oh, hell, I thought, I'll slip in the back and check it out--don't want to disturb the audience.
Except there was no audience. The room was set up with fifty or so chairs and I was the only person to occupy one. There was a man of about 60 at the podium orating away and a much older man in the back operating video and sound equipment. Weird? Yes. Incredibly, yet, I sat there and listened for a full hour. I didn't really have anything else to do and I kept thinking he'd say something intelligent, but it was not to be. His theme? How the democrats and liberals and women and blacks and gays--yeah, I got the picture--are maligning Trump unfairly, etc. He referred to past presidents, also, admiringly for the repubs and disparagingly for the dems. He even trotted out the old charge of Obama being a Muslim and I wasn't the least bit surprised when he equated military worship with "patriotism."
I'm not sure why I sat there so long; just too lazy to get up, I guess, and I actually felt sorry for him. I didn't want to hurt his feelings by leaving--after all, he was speaking solely to me. Oddly, he never looked at me, but into the back of the room where the camera was running.
Anyway, I talked to him after, but didn't lambaste him. For one thing, I agree that dem politicians are the scum of the earth; of course, so are repubs. Plus, I wouldn't even know where to start. I did mention I've been Vietnam, since he had referred to our invasion there--approvingly, of course, with great disdain for anti-war activists. Anyway, his name is Jack Remington and he gave me his phone number and e-mail. Gawd, does he think we'll settle into an intellectual relationship or something?
Did the uphill walk, changed, then waited out front for Cheryl to pick me up for T.O.P.S. I was pleased to weigh in at 128.3, staying within my desired range. The meeting was actually pretty good; at least, there wasn't as much extraneous talk.
Had breakfast at 10:00, then walked over to Von's for chicken and oranges. Requested the Access van to pick me up today to go to the the caregivers program in Oxnard. Called brother Larry in Florida and we had a long talk. I learned brother Frank will go to the Christmas gathering there and I'm actually flirting with the idea of going. By the time I did a few little household chores, it was lunchtime, after which I left for town.
Walked The Promenade--yesterday, the ocean was as serene and placid as its name suggests--then walked up to Main and the library. I happened to see a typed-up notice on the door of the program room that there was a speech on "respect" going on. Oh, hell, I thought, I'll slip in the back and check it out--don't want to disturb the audience.
Except there was no audience. The room was set up with fifty or so chairs and I was the only person to occupy one. There was a man of about 60 at the podium orating away and a much older man in the back operating video and sound equipment. Weird? Yes. Incredibly, yet, I sat there and listened for a full hour. I didn't really have anything else to do and I kept thinking he'd say something intelligent, but it was not to be. His theme? How the democrats and liberals and women and blacks and gays--yeah, I got the picture--are maligning Trump unfairly, etc. He referred to past presidents, also, admiringly for the repubs and disparagingly for the dems. He even trotted out the old charge of Obama being a Muslim and I wasn't the least bit surprised when he equated military worship with "patriotism."
I'm not sure why I sat there so long; just too lazy to get up, I guess, and I actually felt sorry for him. I didn't want to hurt his feelings by leaving--after all, he was speaking solely to me. Oddly, he never looked at me, but into the back of the room where the camera was running.
Anyway, I talked to him after, but didn't lambaste him. For one thing, I agree that dem politicians are the scum of the earth; of course, so are repubs. Plus, I wouldn't even know where to start. I did mention I've been Vietnam, since he had referred to our invasion there--approvingly, of course, with great disdain for anti-war activists. Anyway, his name is Jack Remington and he gave me his phone number and e-mail. Gawd, does he think we'll settle into an intellectual relationship or something?
Friday, November 02, 2018
Various
Took a somewhat shortened walk, but made up for it later. Rolling my trusty little cart, I took the bus down Victoria and visited three different stores for Romaine, tomatoes, ome-something (Wal-mart's Equate knockoff of Prevacid), raspberries, and blackberries.
Home, I chunked the three pounds of tomatoes, sliced a big onion and green pepper, added my olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings, and popped it in the oven. Cut, cored, and softened a nice butternut squash and pre-cooked it in the microwave. Got my last piece of sea bass out of the freezer, had lunch, then took off for the town bus.
As I was leaving, I ran into Gordon, a guy who lives here I had met briefly before and we started chatting. I was surprised to hear he had to have dialysis three times a week; he certainly doesn't look old or feeble; I'd say he's in his early fifties. Anyway, I mentioned about my road test and he offered to take me to DMV on the thirteenth. Yes, indeed, I'll take him up on it and I hope to get to know him better. Gordon was carrying some nice succulents he had bought. I asked if he knew Suzanne and he doesn't, but when I said she was my next-door neighbor, he said how much he admired her patio garden. Great, I'll introduce them and maybe have both over for dinner some time.
Walked The Promenade, then stopped in the library and took out a new Marilyn Monroe bio. I'm a sucker for books like that, although you'd wonder how there could be anything new about her. Hmm. I've read a few chapters now and it seems there isn't. I may or may not continue.
Home, I chunked the three pounds of tomatoes, sliced a big onion and green pepper, added my olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings, and popped it in the oven. Cut, cored, and softened a nice butternut squash and pre-cooked it in the microwave. Got my last piece of sea bass out of the freezer, had lunch, then took off for the town bus.
As I was leaving, I ran into Gordon, a guy who lives here I had met briefly before and we started chatting. I was surprised to hear he had to have dialysis three times a week; he certainly doesn't look old or feeble; I'd say he's in his early fifties. Anyway, I mentioned about my road test and he offered to take me to DMV on the thirteenth. Yes, indeed, I'll take him up on it and I hope to get to know him better. Gordon was carrying some nice succulents he had bought. I asked if he knew Suzanne and he doesn't, but when I said she was my next-door neighbor, he said how much he admired her patio garden. Great, I'll introduce them and maybe have both over for dinner some time.
Walked The Promenade, then stopped in the library and took out a new Marilyn Monroe bio. I'm a sucker for books like that, although you'd wonder how there could be anything new about her. Hmm. I've read a few chapters now and it seems there isn't. I may or may not continue.
Thursday, November 01, 2018
Walking And Talking
I did plenty of walking yesterday: the uphill before breakfast, then two miles down Victoria, plus almost two more to WinCo. This took awhile because every now and then, I stopped to sit at a bus stop and use the phone.
Called my brother, Jim, in Virginia and made initial arrangements to visit Therese and him when I go east for Thanksgiving. Talked back and forth with Betty and niece Carolyn about me going to see Betty's new apartment next week; not sure what day yet.
Got my favorite, Dave's Killer Bread, and fresh blueberries at WinCo, hopped a bus to Sprouts for swordfish and salmon, then home. After lunch, I took off for town and walked The Promenade for maybe one and a half--the ocean was excitingly wild again--before meeting Diane at Casa Bella.
We had an enjoyable time, probably partly because we avoided the quantum physics topic. Diane's son drove her to Santa Barbara the other day, because the universe (or Zeus or The Great God Woozoo or something) told her she should live there. She has the idea she can live free in an SB hotel if she uses its facility to conduct her mindfulness class there. Yeah.
Diane also received a call from Silvercrest, an over-65. lower-income apartment complex run by the Salvation Army. I've been there and it's very nice; I think it would be ideal for Diane, as she now has a very small studio. I hope she doesn't let the idea of SB deter her from considering it.
We stayed more than an hour and it was getting to be dusk before we parted. I walked down to the store where I had seen a very nice corner shelf unit I thought would be great for Betty's new apartment. Well, yes, it would be, but how could I get it home? Decided to skip it, and left.
It was 7:00 and full dark by the time I got home. I rang Suzanne's bell, she invited me in to see her pictures of San Luis Obispo and also told me the long saga of Sister Katie's hospital stay (she has a clot in her lungs). While we talked, the doorbell rang and there were Batman, a unicorn, and two cartoon characters; all were surely under ten. Suzanne gave each a tangerine and they all said "thank you." They live in our apartment complex and we chatted for a minute with the two mothers accompanying them. What adorable kids and how good it was to see them!
Was at Suzanne's for a full hour talking, but enjoyed it. Annoyingly, walks or no, I had a restless night and was wakeful, but feel okay now.
Diane and me at the museum last Saturday:
Called my brother, Jim, in Virginia and made initial arrangements to visit Therese and him when I go east for Thanksgiving. Talked back and forth with Betty and niece Carolyn about me going to see Betty's new apartment next week; not sure what day yet.
Got my favorite, Dave's Killer Bread, and fresh blueberries at WinCo, hopped a bus to Sprouts for swordfish and salmon, then home. After lunch, I took off for town and walked The Promenade for maybe one and a half--the ocean was excitingly wild again--before meeting Diane at Casa Bella.
We had an enjoyable time, probably partly because we avoided the quantum physics topic. Diane's son drove her to Santa Barbara the other day, because the universe (or Zeus or The Great God Woozoo or something) told her she should live there. She has the idea she can live free in an SB hotel if she uses its facility to conduct her mindfulness class there. Yeah.
Diane also received a call from Silvercrest, an over-65. lower-income apartment complex run by the Salvation Army. I've been there and it's very nice; I think it would be ideal for Diane, as she now has a very small studio. I hope she doesn't let the idea of SB deter her from considering it.
We stayed more than an hour and it was getting to be dusk before we parted. I walked down to the store where I had seen a very nice corner shelf unit I thought would be great for Betty's new apartment. Well, yes, it would be, but how could I get it home? Decided to skip it, and left.
It was 7:00 and full dark by the time I got home. I rang Suzanne's bell, she invited me in to see her pictures of San Luis Obispo and also told me the long saga of Sister Katie's hospital stay (she has a clot in her lungs). While we talked, the doorbell rang and there were Batman, a unicorn, and two cartoon characters; all were surely under ten. Suzanne gave each a tangerine and they all said "thank you." They live in our apartment complex and we chatted for a minute with the two mothers accompanying them. What adorable kids and how good it was to see them!
Was at Suzanne's for a full hour talking, but enjoyed it. Annoyingly, walks or no, I had a restless night and was wakeful, but feel okay now.
Diane and me at the museum last Saturday:
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Olio*
I extended my morning walk, going the uphill route. Changed my bed and did the sheets and other whites in bleach at the laundry place. Ran into Suzanne as I was taking my clothes and we chatted for a bit. She wanted to show me pictures of San Luis Obispo, where she had spent the weekend with some other sisters, but was on her way to work, so said we'd catch up later. Sent an e-mail to Diane, asking if she was game to meet for Happy Hour, although Nancy and Carolyn had decided to skip, as they didn't want to drive on Halloween. She accepted and I told her to pick a spot.
Hopped on a bus to get to the 99 Cent store and bought a few items. Home for lunch, then to town. Betty called while I was on the bus, asking again for me to come to Santa Barbara to see her apartment. Yes, I want to, but the lease doesn't start until November 2, anyway. Returned Chris Hedges' America, The Farewell Tour to the library, then headed down to The Promenade and the Pacific Ocean.
Boy, was it rough. I had never seen the waves so high and every time they crashed down, I could hear a deep, rolling noise, exactly the way thunder sounds when it's nearby. That was made by the rocks that line part of the beach, rolling around under the water. Some of them are pretty heavy, too.
Home and rang Suzanne's door, but she was just out of the shower and had to go back to St. John's because one of the Sisters, who has Alzheimer's, had been omitted. We'll catch up later.
*Ha! I don't think I've ever seen this in real life, but it comes up fairly often in crossword puzzles. It means a hodgepodge, a mix of this and that.
Hopped on a bus to get to the 99 Cent store and bought a few items. Home for lunch, then to town. Betty called while I was on the bus, asking again for me to come to Santa Barbara to see her apartment. Yes, I want to, but the lease doesn't start until November 2, anyway. Returned Chris Hedges' America, The Farewell Tour to the library, then headed down to The Promenade and the Pacific Ocean.
Boy, was it rough. I had never seen the waves so high and every time they crashed down, I could hear a deep, rolling noise, exactly the way thunder sounds when it's nearby. That was made by the rocks that line part of the beach, rolling around under the water. Some of them are pretty heavy, too.
Home and rang Suzanne's door, but she was just out of the shower and had to go back to St. John's because one of the Sisters, who has Alzheimer's, had been omitted. We'll catch up later.
*Ha! I don't think I've ever seen this in real life, but it comes up fairly often in crossword puzzles. It means a hodgepodge, a mix of this and that.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
DMV
I PASSED THE DMV TEST--YAY!
Walked in the morning, but cut it a bit short. Had breakfast, then got back on-line to take the practice tests. Changed and ate just a few mouthfuls of turkey, then went out to wait for the van. My appointment was at 1:15, but the "envelope" the van person gave me was 11:59 to 12:15 and darned if it didn't get here at the earliest.
That meant I was 45 minutes early for my appointment, but I really didn't care. The DMV office is near a shopping center with restaurants and I thought I might have lunch there after (as it turned out, I decided not to).
I was given an eye test and the written test first (I was surprised the latter was on paper, not on-line), then the "hearing" took place. It was just me and Mr. Chacon in his office--but it was under oath and was recorded. There's no point in going through it; suffice it to say, I passed and Mr. C. made an appointment for me to take the road test on November 13 in Ventura.
I was out of there before 2:00 and called Access to be taken home. However, I was told I couldn't be picked up until between 3:00 and 3:30, so I called to cancel when I found out there was a bus stop nearby. Got on a the 22 bus and--surprise!--it stopped at St. John's. Impulsively, I decided to go in and say hello to Suzanne.
Surprise again--she wasn't working yesterday, which I was told when I finally found her office. No prob, I just took the next bus (no. 22) out, which went to East Ventura, then boarded another (no. 10) that goes down Telegraph. Had a light salad, then prepared to go to town, although it was after 4:00 by that time.
Biggest (and best) surprise of all, as I was nearing the bus stop, a car stopped and it was Ellen! She was going to Target, so I hopped in, and went with her. We shopped, said goodbye, then I went home and relaxed.
Walked in the morning, but cut it a bit short. Had breakfast, then got back on-line to take the practice tests. Changed and ate just a few mouthfuls of turkey, then went out to wait for the van. My appointment was at 1:15, but the "envelope" the van person gave me was 11:59 to 12:15 and darned if it didn't get here at the earliest.
That meant I was 45 minutes early for my appointment, but I really didn't care. The DMV office is near a shopping center with restaurants and I thought I might have lunch there after (as it turned out, I decided not to).
I was given an eye test and the written test first (I was surprised the latter was on paper, not on-line), then the "hearing" took place. It was just me and Mr. Chacon in his office--but it was under oath and was recorded. There's no point in going through it; suffice it to say, I passed and Mr. C. made an appointment for me to take the road test on November 13 in Ventura.
I was out of there before 2:00 and called Access to be taken home. However, I was told I couldn't be picked up until between 3:00 and 3:30, so I called to cancel when I found out there was a bus stop nearby. Got on a the 22 bus and--surprise!--it stopped at St. John's. Impulsively, I decided to go in and say hello to Suzanne.
Surprise again--she wasn't working yesterday, which I was told when I finally found her office. No prob, I just took the next bus (no. 22) out, which went to East Ventura, then boarded another (no. 10) that goes down Telegraph. Had a light salad, then prepared to go to town, although it was after 4:00 by that time.
Biggest (and best) surprise of all, as I was nearing the bus stop, a car stopped and it was Ellen! She was going to Target, so I hopped in, and went with her. We shopped, said goodbye, then I went home and relaxed.
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