TUESDAY

Uber guy picked me up at 9:30 for my dermatologist appointment in Oxnard. As ever, he was sent to the wrong entrance, but I called to correct. Got there early; Dr. Sun took me early and blasted my new lesions right away. Incredibly, I was out the door a little after ten--earlier than my 10:15 appointment actually was. Hey, I can live with that.

I walked down to the Whole Foods shopping center and went to Target for their yummy grapefruit. I bought three--oddly, they were only $1.29 each; they're $1.49 at the Ventura Target. Also picked up a six-pack of my favorite: Hazy IPA. While there, I called Noreen to see how she was doing emotionally and we made a date to meet for lunch at Pirano's in town. 

On the bus, I met two women, Barbara and Betty. I was surprised that anyone who live there would be on the bus, since they have a van and many residents still drive their own cars. However, they were going to Macy's, then Danny's for lunch, so I guess they're okay with the bus. We chatted happily and I told them my association with The Townhomes, gave them each my card, and asked them to call me. We'll see if they do--I hope so.

It took me an hour and a half and two buses to get back to Ventura, but I made it by 12:30, only to find Pirano's closed--not sure why. Anyway, we went down Main to that little restaurant on the corner (can't remember the name), and had a nice lunch and, of course, much intense and satisfying conversation. Noreen's friend, Gary, is going to drive her to her brother's place up north on Tuesday, then to her granddaughter's for Thanksgiving. They're just around the corner, right? Dream on, this is California; it will take them roughly seven hours to get to the brother's and another four to her granddaughter's. Anyway, I was glad to hear she was feeling somewhat more hopeful.

We said goodbye and I strolled around town a bit, then bused home after stopping for a lemon and low-cal popsicles at Von's. Now I'm preparing to bus to Santa Barbara, meet Carolyn, and see Betty.

MONDAY, MIKE, AND THE EMPIRE

I spent some of the morning dealing with Little Egg Harbor Township, after getting a notice that my mercantile license (for having a rental property) had again been denied. This time, the reason was because the water bill hadn't been paid. Now, when I first rented the house, I asked to have the water bill (which is every three months) put in my tenant's name, but that wasn't allowed. Therefore, it is sent to me and I put it in another envelope and send it to the tenant, who is responsible for payment. I'm not sure what happened this time, but I know I sent it to Lori. I emailed her to ask about it.

After that, I should be ashamed to admit it, but I'm not: I spent most of my day until 4:15  playing "Match Royale" on this laptop. So shut me--I just didn't feel like going anywhere or doing anything productive.

It was chillier than  I'm used to--in the middle sixties--and fast getting dark, but I took the 21 bus to the transit center and from there, the 11 to the B & N shopping center to meet the Soaring Spirits gang for dinner. I wasn't in the best of moods when I got there, but after good talk with Vera, Susan, Glenda, and Grendall, I perked up. 

I also chatted with a newcomer named Pat--small, slender, and very nicely dressed. She was married for five years, divorced for ten, then remarried to the same man for thirty years until he died--reminded me of Taylor and Burton.  During a discussion, though, I asked if she was religious and when she answered "No, but I'm spiritual," I lost interest. "Spiritual" is Queen Cliché of the Kingdom of Cliché and what I called a "weasel word." It can't be pinned down as to meaning, as it means different things to different people, and in my book, that makes it meaningless.* However, I had an enjoyable time.

Dermatologist appointment in Oxnard this morning and tomorrow, Santa Barbara and Betty. 

Here are a few pics of Mike with his--uh, friend, in Shenyang, China: 

They stayed at the Grand Hyatt.

Mike and Monica. Interestingly, the coffee shop is inside a Catholic church. Hmm, this is The People's Republic of China which, BTW, its economy is head and shoulders above that of the U.S. According to Richard Wolff and others, this shabby empire is waning and sadly, I'm afraid that's true. Corruption does that to all empires, sooner or later. 

Mike has to have minor surgery on his nose when he gets back to Singapore tomorrow. Coincidentally, I'll be at the dermatologist's in a few hours. 

*Years ago, when I told a very slight acquaintance I wasn't religious, she said smugly, "No, but you're spiritual." I almost stuck a fork in her eye.   

SUNDAY

 A fair amount of activity yesterday, starting with the weekly med, changing and washing of the linens, and the big--and this time very satisfying--crossword. Cleaned up a bit, then packed my lunch and walked the mile down Telegraph Road to Ace Hardware. Got light bulbs and the stretchy bracelet-like thing that holds my keys--very convenient. Also went to Dollar Tree next door for several items.

From there, I walked to Kimball Park, another mile and a bit, intending to eat my lunch there. As I did, my neighbor, Lorraine, called, saying she was making soup and could she borrow some flour? Sure, but I wouldn't be home for a few hours--she said she was in no rush and to call her when back. 

Got to the park, but it was a little cooler and breezier than I had thought, plus there were lots of high and junior highs having soccer practice. I considered sitting down to watch--I often enjoy that--but all things considered, decided to bus home. Did so and left off my purchases, packed a small container of flour, and called Lorraine to say I decided to eat in the complex middle and why didn't she meet me there?

She did and while I had a late lunch (by that time, it was past 3:00), we chatted. Lorraine is not exactly similar in background, personality, outlook--or much else, frankly--but I enjoy her in small doses and yesterday, we had an enjoyable time together. After an hour or so, we parted and I took myself home.

In the meantime, Sharon called to ask if I was inviting one of my neighbors to the T.O.P.S. brunch on Friday. Of course not, why? Because I had made a remark after she said she'd invite Louisa, who  had been a member--oh, five years ago, but not since. Why in the world Leader Lennie thought that was okay is beyond me, but I shouldn't have said anything. I think Sharon is disgruntled, but whatever, but I don't feel like dealing with her on a kindergarten level, so the hell with it. 

SATURDAY

 Nothing much going on in the morning. Later, I walked to the P.O. to send some of the overseas Thanksgiving cards and check the weight of a gift I had intended to send to Jersey. When I learned what the postage would cost, I reluctantly changed my mind. It was so expensive, I'm going to try to come up with an alternative. 

Walked home and packed my lunch, then  took the 21 bus to the transit center. While waiting for the 6 to town, I glanced down at my shoes and--good grief, they didn't match!

Well, it was dim in the bedroom and they were right next to each other and they're the same brand, size, and col... AAGH! Not the same color and not even the same style! However, I don't think anyone else noticed and if they had, I don't care.

In town, I a cocktail shaker and small ice bucket; bought them to take them to the T.O.P.S. brunch on Friday, in case I make Bloody Marys. Of course, I don't know how to make Bloody Marys--I'll have to look it up.

Ate at my usual across from the mission, then bused home. I texted Suzanne and Vickie to set up a day for me to take them to The Little Lion for a thank-you lunch. We decided on next Saturday, but then I realized Mike is coming in that day, and I don't know what time, so I scratched it. We'll come up with an alternative. 

FRIDAY

I was down 1.2 at home and down 1.7 at T.O.P.S. to 126.6 and 127.3, respectively. The meeting was partly one of our therapy sessions and partly about the brunch I'll host here next week. We all decided we'd simply simply get weighted, then eat and visit, rather than have a regular meeting--fine by me. 

Ellen called to ask if I had electricity hers in Ojai was out, which seems to happen fairly frequently (I don't think I've ever had an outage in Ventura). She speculated that someone had hit the transformer--again--and darned if she was right, as I found out later. 

It was after 11:00 when I finished breakfast and I spent some time on Facebook, then did a few boring,  this 'n' that chores. I decided to walk to the P.O. to see how much a package I may or may not send to Jersey would cost. However, when I got outside, it was chilly--62 degrees--and the wind had kicked up again. Darn, I just had to turn back, even though it's only two blocks away.  Went back and decided to tackle some food prep instead. I had a lot of fresh veggies, so I did a stir-fry prep with the tomatoes, mushrooms, sweet pepper, plus ground turkey, of course, Because I now have a freezer more or less full, I decided to stow them in the freezer, and did.

Called SCAN to have Uber pick me up for my dermatologist appointment on Tuesday. So far, I've never booked a return trip, because I prefer to go somewhere after and bus home.

Mike Face-Messaged me. He has some obvious lesions healing on his nose--yes, Basel cell--one of which will get surgery next month. I was surprised to hear he was leaving for Shenyang, China, last night, to visit the childhood home of  a friend of his, for four days. I'm looking forward to seeing him a week from today, when he comes in for Thanksgiving. Oops, that reminds me: I had asked Suzanne and Vickie which day they'd like to go to lunch at The Little Lion, next Saturday or Sunday, but I'll have to switch that because Mike comes in on Saturday.

Also, re The People's Republic of China, I found this video by economist Richard Wolff. It's an hour long, but I watched every second. It rings true and I defy anyone to prove otherwise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0lPWGlwPvk&t=155s

On a lighter note, I found this on Facebook--love it, love it, LOVE IT:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1091736859201383

About 4:00, I went over to Von's to pick up a few things, so now my larder is full and I'll be eating down what I have stocked in. 

For the third time in the last year, I got Wordle in two. Only once have I gotten it in one and that was a few years ago. 

THURSDAY

As mentioned, I had a restless night, but felt okay when I got up. Did the everyday morning things, then packed my lunch and took off for the library. As I was walking toward the gate, I ran into Vickie. Every once in awhile, she gives herself a ten minute break (she works at home) to stretch her legs, a good idea. I told her of my plan to take her and Suzanne to lunch at The Little Lion as a thank-you for taking me and picking me up at The Airporter. She was pleased about that. I wasn't pleased at all to hear she had to have an infusion yesterday--I'm not sure if it's for the cancer or her other maladies, but I hope it's not too bad. 

Got to the library (behind it, actually) to, as usual, find Diane already there.  We settled in and, also as usual, sat and talked happily for a good three hours. I was sorry to hear Diane is now reconciled to using the rollator (a kind of walk, but sturdier) all the time. She's self-conscious about it and, in the past, when for instance, she came to one of my performance or to BCNN meetings, she would take her cane. However, her neuropathy is advancing and that's no longer an safe option.

Anyway, we had our usual convivial time. Said goodbye and I went to the library to return a book, borrow two, and buy one. Stayed there for a bit reading. I walked home over the footbridge and glad I had gotten that exercise in--a total of two miles. When I got home, I started on some food prep, first cooking up a large (two pound) bag of frozen mixed vegetables. I prefer fresh, but like to have frozen available, too. I stowed some in the freezer, the rest in the fridge to have it the next few days. I also put in a freezer container the "juice" in which it was cooked.  I often save that and use it for something in the slow cooker, as much of the nutrients go into the water.  After that, I cleaned, seasoned, and roasted the cauliflower I had gotten at WinCo. Ellen called while I was in the middle of that, so she asked me to call her today. 

What did I have for dinner? Mixed veggies and cauliflower, of course!  

WEDNESDAY

No particular reason I put the day in caps, but it's like a title, so I did. (These are the globally important things that clutter my mind.) Went with Suzanne to WinCo and stocked up on this and that. Home by 11:00 or so and I spent time--too damn much time--on the upcoming T.O.P.S. brunch. I email Mary Ann B., at the suggestion of leader Lennie, although it's been several months since Mary Ann has attended. However, she wrote back that she'd be delighted to come and will bring syrup, butter, and so on (for the waffles). Bobbi asked if I would invite Julie--hmm.  Now, Julie's a friend of mine, but she dropped out of T.O.P.S., maybe a year or so ago, so I doubt if she'd be interested, but I texted Lennie to get her input.  Julie would come, anyway, but maybe.

Did some food prep with the big mushrooms I bought, but other than that, I just kind of fooled around. I had intended to walk to Ace Hardware to return the metal bracelets to hold my keys for plastic ones, also to see if they have the bulbs I want. However, I just didn't. I spent time watching and listening to Patsy Cline (she and Elvis have become favorite of mine) on YouTube and fussing around with this and that.

Now, this worries me a bit. On Tuesday, I didn't follow my usual walking and busing because I didn't feel well and thought it was better to rest. Yesterday, though, I was fine and, except for going to WinCo with Suzanne (in a car), I just walked around the complex a bit after getting the mail. I don't want to this to become a habit and am glad I'm meeting Diane for lunch today. 

Nature corner: The moon at 5:00 pm was beautifully brilliant and I took a picture of it. Unfortunately, it barely shows up, so readers will have to take my word for it:

Darn,  just as I suspected would happen, I slept poorly last night, even though I took the sleep aid. Got up for the usual at 3:15--that seems to be my witching hour--and didn't get back until six something. Both the RLS and the arthritis were acting up, for some reason, before I got up and took medication.  The alarm rings at 7:00 now and I just turned it off and slept until 8:00. I feel okay nd hope my trek to our lib lunch will encourage a full night's sleep.