Rain, Rug, And The Godfather

It rained, rained, rained all day again! Happily, it's supposed to be dry today--good thing, since I'm going stir crazy cooped up in here.

The guy from Yandoo Communications came about ten and re-connected the Wi-Fi thing. He was a nice young man and I gave him some lemons from Ellen's tree. I trust both the laptop and the new phone will be happy now.  Called Ellen and we chatted; she's working on something for her class, preparing already to go back to work. 

I'm working on some projects myself, including a little rhyme for Joel, my grandson, who turns forty on January 7. As I've remarked in other contexts, I can't believe I'M forty, let alone.... Finally, his gift, which I ordered for him a long tune ago, came, This is it:

It supposed to create the illusion that one is going to be sucked into the vortex. I think he'd get a kick out of it, although when I opened it, it didn't, unfortunately, look quite that dramatic. Got on my rain gear and went over to Von's, then Hallmark for a card. The former was jammed--whether because of approaching New Year's Eve or the rain--dunno.

Spent several hours on anther little rhyme-y project, which will remain under wraps until later. Couldn't think of what to watch, so slipped in The Godfather, parts one. That and part two are still good to see, but part three, as I recall, is a good example of greed conquering art.

Happily, I've been sleeping well lately, although I haven't been getting the exercise I usually do. I think--HOPE!--the rain has stopped and I can get to the market today--running low on staples.

Gr-o-a-n-n....

Not one of my better days. For openers, it rained all day--early, in an annoying drizzle and later, it came down like a bitch. (If I had wanted rain, I would have stayed in Jersey.)

I had problems again with the new phone; called Mike, but he wasn't in and I left a rather frantic message. I then got all my rain gear on and went over to Von's. Ran into Suzanne coming home from San Francisco, where she saw her friend, "Sister B." (for Beatrice).  As I was chatting with her, Mike called back, but I missed it, called him, then PMed him and this went on and on. Later, I got a message that he was driving all day.

Anyway, I talked to Yandoo Communications, then to Ellen and I'm not going to go into all the crappy ins and outs, but the upshot was, El called Yandoo herself. She explained the situation, then sent me an email outlining it, so I can converse with the technician. He or she will be here today between 8 am and noon to re-hook up the Wi-Fi, or whatever.

Kept poor Ell on the phone for long periods while she guided me through some--a very small portion--of the intricacies of the Apple I-11. I'm not sure if I'll ever get comfortable with it, but I'll try. Ellen has been remarkably patient through all this, the dear girl.  I suspect that's because she's used to to dealing with third-graders.

I messaged Wes, who hadn't been feeling well and happily, he wrote back that he was considerably better. I also got a lovely return message from Heidi in response to the PM I sent her. 

To suit my sour mood, I started watching The Godfather; don't gimme one of your cutsey-poo Sound of Music fairy tales, Fredo! 

Tuesday

So life is change: I called Carolyn to ask about Wes'es condition. We had a good talk and I learned he doesn't feel terribly ill at this point, but of course, must stay in the Air B&B.  I was startled to learn that his fiancée, Heidi (whom I've met and she's wonderful) took the five--that's FIVE--children back to Chicago twenty-four hours after they had arrived late Monday night. She had not only her own daughter and son, but all three of Wes'es girls--what a trouper!

Then Ellen called early to say she thought she had overreacted about Wes coming down with COVID, so what if we go to the Santa Barbara Apple store after all? Fine by me and she picked me up at 11:00. We got there only to find they didn't have--or were able to do or something--what what's needed.  Anyway, El figured she could do it herself. We stopped to pick up sandwiches at The Savoy, an outrageously overpriced place, typical of pretentious SB and went back to her house.

Greg left shortly to go to work and we had lunch, then El worked for an hour or two setting up my new I-phone, transferring Gmail, photos, and all the other apps and data without which modern life would come to a screeching halt. I was startled to be told the phone cost a thousand bucks. Mike, being with Apple does get a discount, but even so.  My Cricket cost twenty-five bucks. Sure, this is far superior in every way, but still...

Nevertheless, I love the phone. It's so much clearer and brighter and already, I can see how much better it will be, once I'm comfortable with using it.  

"Up In The Air" In More Ways Than One

Ellen and I had planned to go to the Apple store in Santa Barbara, but she called at 10:00 to say she had a backache, so had postponed until today. Actually, that suited me better, as it was raining and I didn't feel like going out, anyway. 

Called Jim to see if he was available for lunch--he was and I started looking around to see what I could feed him. I hard-boiled two eggs and got out of the freezer chicken, rolls, and crystal pickles. Served these along with the chocolate-covered nuts I had made and he devoured most of it. Naturally, I also had red wine for him, German beer for me, plus we each had small glasses of port.

After Jim left, I did something truly decadent I haven't done for years: I sat down and turned on the television during the afternoon!  Watched the DVD of one of my favorites movies, an oldie (2010) but goodie, Up In The Air. It has to do with some aspects of human resources (after so many years at Rider, I can relate), plus has a bittersweet love (or lust) story and is just a treat. 

Later in the day came unsettling news: Ellen called to tell me that my nephew, Wes, who's visiting Carolyn from Chicago, has come down with COVID. His fiancée and three daughters are also there and we had hoped to see them before they leave. This puts the kibosh on that, of course, and unfortunately, Mike and family had been with them at Carolyn's on Monday. With El on the phone, I PMed him, now in San Francisco, and we discussed the situation.  We decided not to go the the Apple store until--well, later some time. Mike and family are scheduled to fly back to Singapore on the thirty-first. 

Damn this disease and I'm hoping Carolyn and her family, plus Mike and his family, escape it. 

Monday

Ellen and I mostly just lazed around early on after Greg went to work.  Had lunch, then we took a walk around the neighborhood, but boy, it was chilly--51 degrees in both Ojai and Ventura. It was a bright and sunny day, but we could see snow on the high hills in the distance. 

El made an appointment at the Apple place in Santa Barbara for 2:30 today and she'll pick me up at one-ish. I'm going to see some kind of guru who will guide me through the intricacies of the new phone.  Too bad that Mike and family will leave for San Francisco early, so we won't get to see them again while they're here.

Arrived back at my place about 4:30, said goodbye to my dear girl, then spent forty-five or so unpacking and putting away. Jumped in the shower, after which, I had one of my sketchy dinners: baby potatoes, crystal pickles, and iced tea. Did the Sunday crossword, but at six pm, it didn't feel right. (Am I a creature of habit? Bet your booty I am.)

Back in my own bed with my electric blanket (heaven!), I slept well. Happily, I'm able to do the same at Ellen's. 

The Day

 A wonderful, wonderful Christmas! 

On the left, darling granddaughters, Vivian, 17, and Violet, 13, and beautiful daughter-in-law, Paula. At the top of the table is the hostess, incomparable Ellen, then her fiancé, Greg, who may--or may not--actually be wearing the hint of a smile. Then there's the geeky old lady next to her and the photog, my Mike.

After Ellen had spent hours on the preparation, the Singapore/Santa Barbara contingent got her about 2:00. Lots of talk, laugh, and fun ensued, then Ellen's charcuterie (a pretentious name for appetizers) was put out and all indulged along with drinks of choice (pomegranate Margaritas, wine, soda, tea, hot and iced). 

We then opened gifts and of course, all got a lot of nice things. My present for Mike caused much hilarity: I thought cufflinks was a good idea; after all, he's an executive with a very major corporation and--dress shirts, you know. So I bought some at the Monet experience gift shop.... Good grief, Mimi, he's with Apple, where they wear tees and cut-offs  to the job!  Anyway, we all suggested maybe either he or Mike could buy a shirt the needs cuff links--if they even make them anymore. We later Zoomed with my two other children, in Arizona and Tokyo and that was a treat, of course.  Little Mr. K. showed us some of his train artifacts and also played a piano rendition.  

My children gave me (for my birthday) gift of an Apple phone. Mike intended to set it up with the data on my little Cricket, but since I didn't have the password, El will take me to the Apple store later to do it. I was probably not as grateful as I should have been because I thought I had to pick up a different carrier, which would be three or four times the thirty bucks a month I pay now. No, I was mistaken, so now I'm looking forward to having it.

Mike and family left about 7:00 and it's iffy whether we'll be together again while they're in the U.S. . They're going to San Francisco early tomorrow, but tonight, Wes and his girls are coming from Chicago to Carolyn's, where Mike and his may be seeing them. 

I was invited to Vivian's graduation on May 21 and boy, am I in a quandary about that.  I would love, love, love to be there, but the thought of a 20 hour or so trip across the Pacific is daunting . Will mull it over. It could be moot anyway, as right now, Singapore is not allowing visitors from the U.S. That ban would have to be lifted, of course.

"Linner" was served at 4:00 and it was the traditional tamales. Tamales? Yes, this is southern California and it's traditional here. The mother of Ellen's colleague at school home makes and sells authentic tamales and I can honestly say they were the best I ever tasted. They were individually wrapped in paper, then in the usual corn husk (which, when I first had them several years ago, I thought was supposed to eaten) Ellen had also made guacamole from scratch and that could be added.*

*I occurred to me how much more sense this makes, rather than the elaborate turkey dinners, duplicates of the Thanksgiving meal, I always used to make for Christmas. 

The Eve

Mike came at 7:30--so good to see him!--and we had a sketchy breakfast of oatmeal. Packed up the presents and so on--an enormous pile--and took off for Ellen's Said hello to her and Greg (he was just leaving for work), dropped some of the gifts and my suitcase off, and drove to Santa Barbara. 

I was just charmed by the house they rented. It's what I think is called a craftsman cottage, built in the twenties, but thoroughly restored inside and out. The owner is a contractor and she had the woodwork--floors, doors, archway surrounds brought back in the original (teak, oak, or something). Happily, she didn't keep the original kitchen two bathrooms: Those are thoroughly in keeping with the style, but of course, all new and up-to-date. It would be just perfect for me and I jokingly said I'd like to buy it. Cost? One point six mil.

Loved seeing my daughter-in-law and darling granddaughters and we had a fine time together. Went to the supermarket for lunch items, talked, laughed, and so on, had lunch, then Ellen got there and after chatting for a bit, Mike took the girls to Carolyn's to see Claire, and we four went to the Santa Barbara cemetery. We all like them and this one's beautiful; it's set on gently rolling hills and overlooks the Pacific. We wandered around reading tombstones' and Paula declared she wanted to be buried there. I reminded them of who soulfully considerate I am, in that I'm already posted, so to speak, on Pat's tombstone--everything there but the date.

We then went to the pier--you can actually park on it--joining the crowds who had the same idea. One of the highpoints of the day was the appearance of an enormous and brilliant rainbow--or rainbows--that persisted for hours. We all took pictures of it and, when I'm able, I'll post some here. Was it a Christmas miracle or an easily explained meteorological phenomenon.  One of the many things for which I'm grateful is that I have a family of--cynics? Or realists? 

Back to the house where we said goodbye (they'll be here today for Christmas), then El and I drove back to her place, had dinner, watched something or other on TV, during which I fell asleep. Soon went to bed and slept like a rock.  Good, good times and Mike and fam will be here today.

Note: On a later entry, I'll put on a few pictures.

Further Note: It's iffy whether I'll be able to make another entry until I get home, which may or may not be tomorrow (Sunday).