MONDAY

Slept okay, but felt a little draggy when I got up at 6:00. However, I revived, spent time on financial matters, and stripped my bed. Took the sheets to the laundry room, put them in, then went to balance class at 10:00. Retrived the wash, went down to lunch, and sat with LaVerne, then Keith sat with us, bringing a  friend named David; I think they met in the Navy. Anyway, David is a big talker and I enjoyed his patter. He' owns a house in Fillmore and is considering The Orchard; we'll see what happens there. 

Back up stairs, I didn't do anything productive aside from watering the tomatoes. Soon, it was time for dinner. I sat with Kathie, LaVerne, and Bee; Keith sat elsewhere. Dinner, egg salad on a croissant, was so-so, but the carrot/raisin salad was good.

Again, I slept well and got up with the alarm. I'm toying with the idea of busing to the mall--may or may not.

SUNDAY AND SHOWTIME

The Access Van got me to Ellen's in Ojai about noon and she gave me a chicken sandwich for lunch. We chatted a bit and she "heard me" on the script, then drove me to the Veritas for the 1:00 cast call. Most of our group were there and, luckily, Steve, Nelso, Bob, and I were able to rehearse several times before the show started at 2:00. I got a chance to snap only one picture and this isn't very representative, but it illustrates the somewhat primative conditions:

In the front row right is Jesse Somebody, the high school student who received the scholarship given in Carol's name and next to him his acting teacher. As for the rest of the audience, it was wonderfully responsive and appreciative. Several came up to me after with praise and appreciation for my verse and our short piece, which turned out to be wonderfully well done--I was a little worried about that. To top it off, champagne was served to the audience and I had a glass after the show. The whole day was terrific--what a relief.

Ellen picked me up after and we stopped into a gift shop before meeting Greg at Sea Fresh. They have great seafood, but I had a hankering for a cheeseburger and that's what I got. We had a good time, as ever, then we said goodbye to Greg and Ellen drove me home. She invited me to stay over at her place on Saturday, then we'll go somewhere for the fourth of July. Sounds good.

What a good day, thanks to the success of the show, perfect weather, and the sleepover next week, to which I'm looking forward.  

SATURDAY

Washed, dressed, and went downstairs for lunch with Kathie and Keith. I left halfway through, as the Access Van picked me up at 12:30. Hobie, the driver, had two more stops to make, so I got to the Veritas by 2:00.

Reheasal went okay, although I still have a little problem with memorization and knowing when to say what to whom, but hey, I'll get it by showtime--if not, I'll improvise. We rehearsed until about 4:00, then Ellen picked me up and drove me home, getting in when it was almost dinnertime. I rushed upstairs and changed, then got to the dining room in plenty of time.  Didn't see Katie or Keith, so sat with Barbara, Trudie, Carl, Carol, and Stan and enjoyed it.

The Access Van will pick me up in a few hours, then take me to Ellen's for lunch, then she'll get me to the Veritas by the one o'clock call. Tentative plans are for El, Greg, and I to go to dinner after.

FRIDAY

 I texted Mary Ann and called Sharon to tell them I wasn't going to T.O.P.S.  I had my two appointments at 2:00 and 3:00 and thought I'd bus to the mall to buy a skillet for my cabbage/onion dish. However, I just didn't feel like it after such a poor sleep, so I didn't.

Had lunch with Kathie, Keith, and Bee, then prepared for my appointments in the salon upstairs. Elika took me at 2:00 and I chose the same lavender polish as last time--I just like it. Caitlin then did my hair--wash, a cut, and blow dry and it really looks good. I had a great time with both of them. Didn't get home until after 4:00.   

Dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, Dyan, Denise, and Bee, so we added chairs to the ends of the table for four and it worked out fine. We had a discussion about Jehovah Witnesses; it seems that one of the residents--Paula--is one and left the dining room when we sang "Happy Birthday" to Keith. Hmm...I jut looked it up and discovered that they believe birthday and other holiday celebrations are of pagan origin, so evil.  

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An historic note:

This is a picture of Abraham Lincoln's funeral cortege in Philadelphia on April 24, 1865 and the crowds that gathered to see it. I knew a woman who had been there. She lived in Philadelphia, taught piano lessions, and spent summers in Ventnor. She went to our church, St. James, and my mother knew her. She had been stricken with polio as a child and hadn't walked since. At he age of three, seated on her father's shoulders, she was taken to see the cortege. When she was in Ventnor, Miss (can't recall her name) needed someone to push her wheelchair and take her for walks on the boardwalk. At the age of ten, I was hired to do so and was paid a quarter an hour.  

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THURSDAY

 Went to bone builders from 10:30 to 11:30, then caught the last ten minutes of "Town Hall and Food for Thought." This is a periodic gathering with Director Tiffany and Chef Michael where residents ask questions, express concerns, and so on; I guess it's pretty standard in this kind of facility. Anyway, I praised the hot dogs (from Nathan's, who sell the best) and asked about the sugar content of the "no sugar" ice cream. I found out it has no added sugar, but some ingredients may have sugar. Well, that's not "no sugar," is it? I avoid sugar, but once in a while, I indulge.

Went from there to lunch, sitting with Kathie and LaVerne. The latter's granddaughter and family, from Dallas, came to visit yesterday evening--lucky her. Back in my apartment, I thinly sliced the cabbage and onion I had bought; not sure how I'll cook it, but I'll give it a shot.  

I went downstairs thinking I'd go to Trivia, but I was early. Saw Trudie, who "leads" Trivia and sat down to chat with her for  half-hour or so. Trudie is a big talker--this place is filled with them--but I enjoyed her stories. Decided not to stay for Trivia after all, and went back to my place.

Called Elika to make a date to do my nails today at 2:00. What I want to do is take the bus to the mall before that and pick up a few things. 

I was annoyed to get an email from Suzy to the effect that dress reheasal tomorrow has been changed from 5:00 to 2:00 o'clock, as she has a conflict in schedules. Okay, I called the Access Van back and switched my pickup time and place. 

Had dinner with Kathie, Keith, and the newcomer, Denise. She looks a lot younger than the seventy-six she is and is quite attractive. She and her husband are separated and he lives "up in the mountains." She has two daughters and a dog, as well as, unfortunately, some vision and other problems. 

Damn, I woke up at 2:30 and foolishly got up and played my match game before going back. I planed to take the bus to the mall to get a skillet before my manicure at 2:00 and haircut at 3:00. I may have to take a nap instead--I'll see how I feel after coffee. 

WEDNESDAY

Went to balance class from 10:00 to 10:30, then went upstairs to wait for Ellen to come. She did, as promised, at 11:30 and we went off to Jasmine Thai for lunch. Yum, was my chicken and salad and rice platter good--and plenty, so I took half home. 

After, we went to Wal-Mart and, wonder of wonders, I got everything on my shopping list--to the tune of seventy-five bucks, and it was well worth it. El came back with me after and helped with a few household needs, then "heard me" on the script for Sunday. She left at 4:30, at which time it was the dinner hour.

Sat with Kathie, LaVerne, and Keith. I skipped the entree--ham and sides--in favor of one of their big and delicious hot dogs and even had a dish of huckleberry ice cream. I introduced myself to "the new girl"--Denise, who moved in a few days ago--who lives down the hall from me on two. 

After dinner, I spent an hour or so on necessary chores--putting my newly bought items away, preparing for tomorrow's doings, taking trash to the trash place, and otherwise occupying myself.

TUESDAY

 Went to bone builders class at 10:30, which lasted an hour. After, I went back to my apartment and exchanged my walker for my cart. Vickie and Suzanne pickeed me up at noon and off we went to Casa Soria.(I undertand that means "House of Seriousness" or something similar.) I was amazed to see on the lunch menu that a courtesy Margarita was offered; of course, I got that with my tamale.

We had a great time talking and catching up. However, I was dismayed to learn from Suzanne that SO-FI management had her thirty-year old, thirty-feet- high ficus cut down. Worse, they had also cut down the ficus that Ellen gave me when I moved to SO-FI and had had planted in my patio then, eleven or so years ago. They didn't even alert Suzanne and the girl who is in my old apartment before they had it done.Aside from that, it was fun and so good to be back with Suzanne and Vickie. We promised to keep more in touch, although Suzanne will be at a family gathering for the next two weeks. I think I'll see  if Vickie and I can go see Jim then.

I got home in time to join the dime Bingo group and won the first game I played. That lasted until 3:30 and I stayed after for Trivia with Trudy, Keith, and Rick.  It was then time for dinner and I sat, as usual,  with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne.   

Sent e-cards to son, Patrick, in Japan, who will be 67 on Sunday, June 28 and to great-grandson, Joel, Jr., who will be 24 on the same day. For Joel, I added a gift card; maybe I'll send a See's candy gift card to P. and family. 

Ellen's coming today and we'll go shopping, then to lunch.