TUESDAY AND RELIGION

 Slept well again and just did the everyday stuff until lunch. That I ate with Kathie, Paula, and LaVerne and it was good--for Taco Tuesday, it was chicken tacos.

Hung out after until Bingo at 2:00. I won three games, but only five of us were playing, so it was hardly a big payoff. I was surprised that Mary G. stopped me after to talk about something about which she feels strongly; up to a point, so do I. We discussed the religious overlay that's noticible at The Orchard.  Every Sunday, there's a minister who comes to preach and there are frequent Bible study gatherings. Also, a resident who regularly plays hymns on the piano in the multi-purpose room and others can sing along.  The Chosen* series is shone on a regular basis. All these are scheduled and listed on the weekly printoout. Now, I have no issue at all with what people believe and follow. However, I do object to paying to live here and being bombarded with what seems to be heavily evangelical leanings. Also, this is what's on the piano in the multi-purpose room: 

Note the cross.  Mary and I will talk about all this and possibly discuss it with management, but I'm not optimistic about any change. 

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise. I didn't care for the entree, so had one of their yummy hot dogs along with sweet potato fries.     

* The Chosen portrays the life and ministry of Jesus in first-century Galilee and Judea through the eyes of those who met him, blending Gospel events with imagined backstories to give depth to the disciples and other figures. Notable for its high production values, diverse cast, and record-breaking crowdfunding, it has been praised for its emotional impact, relatable characters, and authentic setting, though some note its creative liberties. Critics and audiences often regard it as compelling and worth watching, even beyond religious circles.

MONDAY

 Slept well and participated in balance class at 10:00. Our volunteer leader, Jacquie, has invited us over to her area residence for Halloween. It has something to do with a miniature train, but I'm not quite clear on it.

Had lunch with Kathie, Paula, and Denise, after going down the long staircase; the elevator was closed for repairs, but was operational after lunch. It will be again today, but is no problem, as I take my cart, rather than the bulkier walker. I hadn't intended to, but took a nap after lunch, then filled my medication containers. 

Did a half-hour on the stationary bike, then just hung out playing Internet games until dinner. It was a large, well-made salad with strawberry dressing and we all loved it. I talked to Chef Michael after and complimented him. I sat with the regulars, Kathie, Paula, and Denise and we had our usual in-common talk. Unfortunately, Kathie is having some family problems--hope it's resolved soon.

SUNDAY

 I slept well, I'm happy to record, and didn't get up until 6:00. Although I was brought up to believe doing servile on Sunday was a sin, I decided to defy the edict and change my sheets. I dressed in yesterday's clothes to get the wash to the laundry room, then stayed in them to transfer to the dryer and then pick them up and re-make the bed. After that, I jumped into the shower, washed my hair, and was ready for the day.  

Lunched with the regulars: Kathie, LaVerne, and Denise; Paula was out with her daughter. The other person who did, though, was Denise'es husband, Trent. He had lunch with us and is quite a character.  He lives a few hundred miles away up in the mountains and she lives here at The Orchard. They don't plan on divorce, but can't get along living together. Hey, if they're both satisfied with the arrangement, why not?

At 3:00, I went down to see my friend, Suzy, and her band, "Skin to Steel." They were terrific, as ever:

L. to r., front: Eric, Suzy, and Brian

In the back, Steve, who's Suzy's husband

And here's Eric Lewis, my friend, Cheryl's son, doing a solo.

Cheryl and her husband and sister came, too.

I sat with Paula, then Denise came in and sat with us, too. Kathie didn't show at the show, although she said she might be going. I think her negativety would ease if she'd get a little more involved, but hey, that's her choice ot make. 

Anyway, it was great fun and I think everybody enjoyed it. When I got back to my place, I got a call from my brother, Larry, from Florida. He said he's doing okay, although slowing down a bit--he'll be ninety-five on his next birthday.

SATURDAY

 As mentioned, I had slept poorly and got up at 6:00. After a time, I revived and did my little household chores, as well as played games on the laptop; happily, the Internet was back in operation. Spent twenty minutes on the stationary bike, which I want to do every day.

Had lunch with Kathy, Denise, and Paula. At Kathy's instigation, we're sitting at a different table, but LaVerne opted not to join us. When we have five, she thinks it's too crowded--her choice. After that, I went to the little "store" to pick up a few essential. 

At 2:00, I went to quarter Bingo which, after an hour, changes to dime Bingo. I won two and had an enjoyable time, especially with Mindy''s vodka and orange juice cocktail, served with her freshly baked German pancakes. 

Had dinner with the usual crew, the five of us sittin at a larger table. I was so stuffed with the aforementioned I just ordered a fruit plate and took it home to eat later. 

FRIDAY

 Friday was pretty much a disaster for a lot of Ventura. When Cheryl picked me up for T.O.P.S., she said the electricity had been out for her whole section. She and her husband live up in the hills with a great view, but precarious electrity.  The high winds meant Edison had turned off the juice. Luckily, that didn't happen here. What did happen is that the Internet went down later.

First, though, my weight: I was up .02 at home and .01 at T.O.P.S. for respective weights of 141.8 and 142.8; not good, but not too terrible. Sharon was already dressed in one of her many Halloween-y oufits with matching earrings:    

They're hard to see, but are actually little witches with a fringe.

Sharon also brought me some cute little earrings she had made--kitties in pumpkins!

Besides all that, Sharon invited all of us to a fifty-fifth wedding annivesary for her and Lewis. It's on November 14 and yes, I want to go.

Home about 10:00 and I'm not even sure what I did until I went downstairs to partipate in a kind of "throw the cloth bag into the hole" game. We played in two teams and the game will resume today, as it was dinnertime before we finished. I thought I'd be bored, but actually, it was pretty good fun.

What followed dinner, though, wasn't: The Internet went down in the whole building--maybe, for all I know, areas around the campus. I think it may have beern because of the incredibly strong winds, as that caused the electricity outage. Luckily, it was on when I got up just now at 6:00, and I fervently hope it stays.

Had a terribly time sleeping last night and will definately take a nap before lunch. 

THURSDAY

Put in a white wash, then went down to lunch with Paula and Denise; I'm not sure where Kathie and LaVerne were, but we had a good time. After, I finally started separating the mile-high pile of paper I need to file. 

 I forgot to mention that on Wednesday, Mary Hoffman had called me. She said she had run into George Wimberg and he asked that I call him.  I did so yesterday and we said hello, but he was at a function and said he'd call me later.

Virtuous me, I then spent an hour filing the mountain of papers I had accumulated over weeks. Also sent the water bill to Lori, my tenant, as she's the one who pays it. Finally finished, I went to dinner and aside from Denise, the regulars, Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula were there. It was Mediterranean shrimp with sides and was pretty mediocre, I thought, but I ate it anyway. 

Slept well, but again am not  looking forward to T.O.P.S. for obvious reasons. 

WEDNESDAY

 Had lunch with LaVerne, Paula, and Denise--Kathie was out with her daughter. We had cod with a good sauce and asparagus and even better talk. Denise just had to have two teeth pulled and is still recovering, but she was in good form.

After lunch, Ellen called and we discuss the power of attorney thing. She spoke to the attoney who did her friend, Joanne's, mother. Sounds good, as it will include "in trust" stuff and so on. I'm glad she's taking care of this.

Went downstairs to have nurse Jasmyne do my BP. Happily, it was 132 over 81, good for me. I think the increase in medication Natalie made did the trick, as the BP has been good when I take it, too. 

I watered my plants on the porch and cleaned up a bit out there before changing to meet Katherine and Julie when they picked me up at 4:15. We were early at Portolas Restaurant in Oxnard, but that was okay. About fourteen of us met for dinner and had a great time. I had fettuchine Alfrado--yummy--and a good hazy IPA, and enjoyed the talk and laughs all around. Home a little before 7:00 (I'm not often out that late) after a very enjoyable outing. Hmm...much as I like living at The Orchard, it's good to be away from there every once in a while with other friends.