Wednesday And Trump--HA!

A good and productive day, although it was surprisingly cool and overcast, even a bit drizzly. (Seems ironic that my stay in Jersey was almost all under sunny skies.) Did some food prep: washed and cored my three pounds of apples, seasoned them with the usual, and popped them in the oven. I reserved one for after dinner and set up the rest two-by-two in the freezer for later. Hard-boiled four eggs for sandwiches in the next few days. Took the pound of ground turkey from the freezer, defrosted and cooked it up, then returned it to the freezer. Soon, I'll get onions, sweet peppers, and other veggies to add. 

While I was doing this, I heard from my great-nephew, Betty's grandson, Finn, 23. who is touring Europe and has been for some time. I don't know how he finds his way around, but he's managed to go to several different countries on his own., He's now headed for Alsace-Lorraine, where our antecedents were from. We've been texting back and forth via Instagram for several days, which I enjoy so much.  

I got a call from Tony C., the gardener to say he was going over to look at the ailing Japanese maple at 8 Sweetwater. Called me back later to say he'd try to save it by spraying, which would cost me fifty bucks. I told him to go ahead, but was a little miffed to say I should add $3.13 for tax. I thought that was bush-league, but didn't say anything and sent him a check. I also sent my tenant, Lori, the water bill (the water company won't put it in anyone's name but the homeowner, although the other utilities do) and mentioned what Tony would do. 

Also wrote out a birthday card for Cheryl, the pal who picks me up every week for T.O.P.S., then discovered I had used all my stamps. No prob, I walked to the P.O. to get more. On my way, I passed Von's and was amused to see this:

There was lots of wonderful merchandise:

Wowee, you can buy yourself a lovely tee there, too:

I chatted with the young man with the display; clearly, he was being paid, as he wasn't a Trump fan. Like me, he wasn't a Harris fan, either. We kind of agreed it's the system that stinks and it's immaterial to those we bomb who wins the charade.

Stopped at Von's for a few frozen dinners--I've down most of the freezer--and a Mr. Eraser. Had some yummy breaded shrimp for dinner, along with leftovers--yam and leftover string beans. Called Ellen and was happy to hear she and her knee are progressing well.

I've been able to sleep until about 6:00 since I started taking the OTC ZZZ-Quil, but I'm a little uneasy about taking a sleep aid every night. Maybe I'll try going without it if I have a particularly active day. 

Tuesday

 Packed my lunch, took my cart, and hustled off to meet Diane by the library. She teased me about my sending error of Sunday (not sending, that is), then we settled down to good talk. Of course, she heard all about my Jersey sojourn and I heard about her meeting her sisters in Vegas for three days. That was to celebrate her birthday and darn, I forgot I had gotten something for her from Laurita Winery. Will bring it next time I see her.

We parted about 3:00 and I decided to walk to Victoria Care Center about 1.5 miles to see Jim. He was in bed and watching some news show about the situation in Ukraine, Palestine, and around the world. He's very frail, as he has been and seem a bit less oriented than when I saw him last. Luckily, he said he had gotten "some" of his mail; he had been concerned bout that. It's very had to understand him, as he speaks so softly, plus there was no place for me to sit, so I thought I'd leave after ten minutes or so. To my surprise, Jim said, "don't go," so I stayed about a half hour longer. I'll drop in again next week or so.

I was interested to see that someone had sent him flowers. I looked at the card and saw it was from Burrows Real Estate. I think the owners of Jim's apartment use them to manage, so good--I assume they know where he is. When I asked about his mail, he said "a friend" had brought some of it. When I left Jim, I went to talk to the social worker to see if there was anything new, but it was after 4:30 and she was gone for the day. She'll call me tomorrow.  

When I was at Jim's bedside, Kim from the office here called to cancel our 1:00 meeting for today. Why? Because I was gong to bring my laptop over and she was going to walk me through the Bilt rent payment thing, to which I wasn't looking forward. Shee called to ask if I had seen the note at my door--no, because I had been out most of the day. She then announced that the apartment complex has been sold--it's now owned by FPI Management, Inc. of Folsom, CA. Hey, it won't effect much in my life, for now, anyway. so it's fine with me and now I don't have to get into the BILT thing. Of course, FPI has its own annoying system, which tenants will be inflicted with later. 

Bused home from there and stopped at Von's for apples as I want to make applesauce. 

Monday

Ellen and Greg got here about 11:30 and while Greg went to Peets for coffee, El reported on her doctor visit; happily, things are going well with the surgery recovery. She brought an ice machine, which she said was given to her--I assume it was covered by insurance--specifically designed for knee surgery. You put ice and cold water in the tank, which flows through a hose to a kind of flat contraption to wrap around the knee. El also lay down on my bed and did her daily exercises for the leg while we brought each other up to date on our recent doings. 

Greg came back at 1:00 and we went to Steven's Greek for lunch. It was, as ever, great fun to be with them--we had plenty to talk about. They came back to my place and both lay down for a short nap. While they did, I swept the patio, dead-headed the geraniums, and cleared the pine needles from the succulents. El's P.T. appointment was in Oxnard at 3:15, so they left about 3:00. I'm so glad she's progressing so well, and so grateful to Greg for taking such good care of her.

Ordered my calcium citrate complex from Amazon and refill of Ramipril (for blood pressure) from Express Scripts. I had called the doc to get some before the full Rx comes and within an hour, CVS texted me to come in and pick them up. I hope I'm nearing the end of things I have to do to compensate for being away for two weeks. 

Now here's a puzzle: When I was in Jersey, I got a note asking me to call the Public Guidance Office about possible assistance for Jim. I waited until yesterday to do so, and when I did, the woman I reached said he wasn't listed in their office, as they work only with those with conservatorships. I assume that means people who have been declared incompetent to care for themselves. The part I don't understand is who wrote the note and who suggested I call them. I'll follow up tomorrow, I guess.

TODAY, I'm meeting Diane for lib lunch and I made sure I sent a confirmation!  In response, that naughty girl said she's bring extra wine to reward me. 😄

Sunday--And Is My Face Red...

Why's that? Read on:

Got up at 5:00 and did a color wash during breakfast. After fooling around with this and that, I packed my lunch and set off over the foot bridge to meet Diane at the library. As I was leaving, I ran into Leah upstairs and we chatted for a bit, so I didn't get to our rendezvous until 11:59. Diane wasn't there yet, which was odd, as she's usually early. I sat and waited for her...and waited...and waited. At 12:20, I called her and it went to voice mail. At this point, I was alarmed as the last time Diane didn't show up, she had had a seizure and was in the hospital. Finally, after calling her again, I called the office where she lives and left a message asking that somebody check on her (but I don't think the office is staffed on Sundays). Anyway, she finally called me about 12:30, saying I had never responded to her suggestion for lunch. AAGH! I looked and there's so "sent" message from me to her. I know I had written it out, but forgot to hit "send." Okay, we made a make-up date for tomorrow and this time, we'll both show.   

Anyway, I stayed to eat my lunch--why not?--then stopped in the library which, happily, is open until 2:00 on Sundays. Sat reading for a half hour or so, then took out the book and bought another. I didn't feel like going home after, so bused to the mall and Target (two days in a row) for olive oil and butter spray. Home at 4:00.

Ellen and Greg will be here today and, I hope, we'll go to lunch in between her appointments--looking forward to that, of course.  

Saturday--She Said My Name...*

My two weeks in Jersey and Pennsy were great, but it's still nice to be back in the familiar, tried and true. Of course, I'm still catching up with all the "paper" (read "computer") work that seems to increase with time. Nevertheless, I indulged myself by packing my lunch, busing to town, and eating at my favored spot across from the mission. There was a fair amount of people in town, enough to make it festive, but not uncomfortable. I saw a bride about to make her grand entrance to be married at the mission:

There were a number of tents with vendors along Main Street and one was promoting a show at the New Art City, a small theatre in town. The show is by a stand-up comedian named Bill Posley who's doing something called "The Day I Accidentally Went To War." Interested, I asked the man in the tent if it had a pacifist angle. He equivocated about it and this led to a ten-minute discussion. Of course, he urged me to attend and gave me this discount come-on:

I considered it, but when I saw "honoring the veteran experience" and looked up this guy, I saw he's anything but, a pacifist, so thanks but no thanks. However, it was kind of interesting to talk to the guy.

From there, I bused to the mall and Target to pick up grapefruit and the disposable plastic glasses I favor when I pack a lunch. Home, I put together a stir-fry with my usual ground turkey and chopped onions and peppers, plus Italian seasoning. This time, I added a can of diced tomatoes and it turned out really good.  

Just put in a load of wash, but it's 6:00 am, so I won't run it yet, as I don't want to disturb Leah upstairs. Meeting Diane today for our lib lunch and I'm looking forward to that. 

 * Text from niece Carolyn on Friday: "My mom just said your name clear as day." I wrote back, "Tell her I said 'I love Betty.'"  I miss her so much.

Friday

I was down 1.8 at home to 125.6 and down 1.4 at T.O.P.S. to 126.6. Meeting meandered all over the place, as ever, but it was nice to be there after a two-week hiatus.

Home, breakfast, then I plunged again into getting back to normal. Called the office and made a date with Kim for Wednesday at 1:00 to get up to speed on the Bilt thing. Wrote notes--yes, I actually hand-wrote them and sent them by snail mail. One was to my son's mother-in-law in Japan sending sympathy on the death of her husband; son will have to translate. The other was to Lisa, a part of our family not blood-related, but I think very highly of her. She fashions sea glass and other tumbled glass into lovely ornaments and wall hangings and gave me this cute little guy:

                                         

Lisa has a website and seems to do well with her business. She's also a pickleball player as everybody the universe seems to be except me.

Also spent time on food prep: Went to Von's for a number of things to restock the larder, including three big apples, which I cored, seasoned (Stevia and cinnamon), and cooked in the microwave. I'll have them for evening snacks.  E-mailed nephew Wes to ask if he wanted me to send him back the Ventnor book and got a nice note in response to keep it until I see him.

Ellen called and we talked for a long time. She'll be here on Monday, thanks to Greg, in between her doctor and P.T. appointments, then we three will go to lunch. I'm so looking forward to seeing her. 

I got an invitation to the Dudley House covered dish on October 22nd. I've gone for the last six or seven years and taken Jim with me. Unfortunately, that's not possible this time and, to be realistic, probably never will be again. I guess I'll ask a friend to go; otherwise, I may just have to take the Access Van. 

I'll call the Public Guardian Office and the Care Center on Monday to follow up on the Jim situation. 

Thursday

Hoo-boy, I spent most of the day on the chores that had piled up while I was gone. Although I didn't get to bed until 11:00 Wednesday night, I got up yesterday at 5:00 am. Oddly, I didn't really feel any jet lag or tiredness. I dealt with various, including getting a start on the documents that have to go to Little Egg for the mercantile license. Texted Lori that Tony, the gardener, had called to say he'll look at the Japanese maple and see if it might be treated or would have to be removed. 

I went over to the office to discuss the damn new Bilt arrangement they have for rent payment Of course, I don't have to participate; I could authorize BOA to send the rent itself automatically, but that means the utility bill, which varies from month to month, so I would have to do it separately. I spoke to Kim, the "assistant community director" (grandiose title!) and, in fact, was impressed with her professionalism. She suggested I make an appointment to see her, bring my laptop, and she'll help with the Bilt registration thing. I said I had heard the complex was going to be sold and she confirmed it. Hey, I don't care as long as I can do my thing here. Went from there to Von's for broccoli, frozen blueberries, and plant milk, then continued my catching up labors and, believe me, they're far from finished.

Ellen called to say she has doctors' appointments on Monday and suggested she come here in-between (possibly to lie down, as she's still recovering from the knee surgery), then we could go to dinner at Lure Fish House with Greg. Sounds good and we'll do that.

T.O.P.S. this morning and I'm quite sure I've gained. Although I was very active in Jersey, I also went out to eat a lot; I'll soon see how bad the damage is.