FRIDAY

 I don't know what's wrong with this blog, but I was sure I had started the Friday, July 17 entry, but it isn't here. Okay, to repeat: Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Bea, then got ready for Ellen to come pick me up for the cardiologist visit. She did, at 2:30 and we got there for the 3:00 appointment. News was good, Dr. Wang sees no heart problem and that wasw a relief.

We got back in time for me to go to Friday Happy Hour and that was enjoyable; so was the Margarita I had, of course.  After, it was almost time for dinner (since it's so early), so I went back down. Didn't see any of those I usually eat with, so sat with Allan, Beverly, and Frances. That's okay once in awhile and Allan's a nice guy, but Beveley simply complains about everything imaginable: the food, the service, the housekeeping, the this, the that--it annoys the hell out of me. Keith came down, but very late, as usual, and he sat by himself. No prob for him, as he carries a book everywhere he goes and simply reads during meals if nobody sits with him. 

Now I can't use the unattached keyboard and the mouse isn't working either--darn!

THURSDAY

Somewhat of a nuthin' day: Incrediby, I slept until 8:00 am, then mostly played Block Champ until time for lunch.  Ate with Kathie and Keith and enjoyed a made-to-order hamburger and a cold beer at what management called "Celebrate 'Merica" lunch. It was yummy, I have to say.

After, I took a nap, then finally started better organizing the utensils and things under the kitchen sink. I still have plenty to go, but at least, am glad I turned my attention to it.

Dinner with Trudie, Carl, and Babara. Trudie, the non-stop talker, is going through a variety of medical procedures--unfortunately, that includes some worrisome conditions. However, we had a good visit and I enjoy her.  

Nothing much else going on. I continued watching the royal family stuff on T.V.--not sure why I've gotten into that, but it's okay. 

Today, T.O.P.S.--I'm not optimistic--and in the afternoon, the cardiologist; I'm hoping for a good report. 

WEDNESDAY AND TACOS

 As mentioned before, I slept well. I had been afraid my coffee hadn't been deliveredf yesterday and I'd have to settle for instant, but checked outside my door and--great, there it was.

Had lunch with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne. Kathie told us Cheryl's son had fallen three stories from  a scaffolding and hit his head. He's in the hospital, of course; I saw Cheryl in the elevator and expresed my cncern.

UBER, via SCAN, picked me after lunch for my much-dreaded ophthomolgist appointment. Having grown up with progressive myopia, about my worse fear in life is going blimd. I do have macular degenration and if it worsens, I know that possiblity is there. Happily, after a series of tests, Dr. Teel pronounced that she saw no change--what a relief. 

Another Uber driver for Scan took me home and I had an interesting exchange with him. Bob is an older guy--86, I learned--and I sat in the front seat while we chatted. I won't go into detail, but I asked him how long he'd been driving for Uber and learned he started in order to earn $20,000 in order to put his wife's invention on Amazon. What is it, I asked and he took out a small box:  

Naturally, being a sucker for anything new, I asked to buy it and he sold it to me for twenty bucks. Took it to dinner with Kathie, Denise, LaVerne and Keith and we had great fun laughing over it. LaVerne looked it up on her phone and yes, it's sold through Amazon for eighteen bucks. I never made a taco in my life, but I'm going to get the tortillas and and filling and give it my best shot!

BTW, I ordered a new desk chair from Amazon and it should be delievered on Sunday. Also texted Elika and asked if she could do my manicure on Monday at 3:00. Yes, she can and she will.  

TUESDAY AND RANDY MANTOOTH

Ellen picked me up at 10:15 for my radiology appointment. This was to check on the blood vessel in my neck. It wasn't too bad an experience and we then went to Two Trees for lunch. I had a yummy "strawberry bliss" salad, so large I took half home for later. I got in in time to play dime Bingo and won three games.

Rode the stationary bike for a time before going down to dinner and sitting with LaVerne and Keith. I got a turkey burger instead of the main entree, breaded chicken wings. 

I've been watching a show on the dress styles of the females in the royal family, emphasis on Kate and Megan and continued last night. Took my shower and, I'm happy--and amazed--to report I slept soundly until eight a.m.

Today, I go to Miramar Eye, to which I'm not looking forward. Uber will pick me up and I'll call them to take me home. Friday is the cardiologist and I hope that's the end of the medical genre for a long time.

😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔

Entry from January 6, 2026:

Dinner with Kathie, Cheryl, and Keith and we put two more chairs around to include Bee, and a guy, Chris, whom I just met. While we were waiting to be served, somebody mentioned that Randy Mantooth was at the next table. I went over to introduce myself and chatted with him for a bit, mentioning my association with Fractured Actors. He was very cordial, but when I asked if I could take a picture, he said he'd rather I didn't, as he "didn't want to be star." 

Randy had been in a number of T.V. showes, notably Emergency. He lived at The Orchard for several years; he died last week. I found an Instagram about him on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=897896572747737&extid=MSG-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing&mibextid=

😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔

MONDAY

Went to balance class at 10:00; (the other) Kathie was there, along with a larger group than usual--maybe fifteen or so. Keith came in an dI introduced him to Kathie.

Had lunch with Kathie and LaVerne, then Ursula joined us. After that, I didn't do a heck of a lot except play Block Champ. This is a game where you piece together items that look like sections of a brick wall, maybe. I've gotten to alternate that with my matching games.

Did the stationary bike for about ten minutes before going down to dinner.  Sat with Kathie, LaVerne, and Denise. Virtuous me, I skipped the salmon burger (although I've had it before and like it) and had fruit and cottage cheese. We had some good, superficial talk; I often don't feel like discussing preofundtries with dinner companians, so that was good. 

Later: Ordered coffee from Amazon--very convenient, as ever, and it should arrive today. 

SUNDAY

 I've developed what may not be a good sleeping habit: I get to bed about 10:00, read for a bit, then sleep until 2:00 or 3:00. I then feel wide awake and get up and play a game on the laptop. Sometimes I repeat this, then get up at 7:30 or so--late for me. I want to change this and will make an effort.

Took sheets to the laundry, changed the bed, and otherwise spruced up the place. Played some more games, then went down to lunch. Ate with Kathie, Denise, and Bea; ordered the main entree, Jambalaya, but it proved too spicy for me and I sent it back in favor of fresh fruit and cottage cheese. Denise is a talker, but is often interesting and she asks others about their ideas. I was surprised, though, that she believes in astrology, fortune tellers, and so on. However, each to her own...

After lunch, I finally got around to filing the pile of papers I've accumulated over the weeks. That took an hour and I have a few pieces I'm still trying to decide whether to file or toss. I attended to a few other bookkeeping items, too, and it feels good to have done it.  

Went down to dinner and found a new resident at the table with Kathie, Denise, and LaVerne. Her name is also Kathie and we had a long getting-to-know-you talk. Her real first name is "Waverly," she said, which, incredibly, her mother didn't tell her until she was an adult. She's has a variety of physical problems, I'm afraid, and she lost a son through suicide; has another son and a daughter, but no grandchildren. After dinner, she took the other Kathie and me to see her apartment--a studio, but nicely arranged.

In the shower, I finally devised a way to conveniently stow the showerhead so it's more convenient to use. Watched a bit more of royal family doings, but I think my interest is waning. Slept okay, although I did wake up at 2:00 am for the usual, but went back and got up at 5:30, an okay time for  me. 

SATURDAY

Excluding the temporary lapse of my laptop, it was a fun day. I took the bus to Danny's Deli to meet Noreen for lunch, but before that, stopped at The Bargain Box and bought two nice tops and some drinking glasses. 

As always, I enjoyed Noreen's company, but her obsession with Trump--and what a horror he is--is  a little unnerving. Noreen is 91 and says she sees no reason to go on living because of him. However, I steeered the conversation away from D.C. and its problems and we talked about other things. Lunch was good, as usual--I had a vegetarian buritto and Noreem a salmon bowl--we also endulged in an IPA for me and champagne for her.

Said goodbye about 2:00 and bused home. Got in for the last half hour of dime Bingo and borrowed money to play. Luckily, I won one, so was able to repay from that.

Called Ellen and that dear girl walked me through getting the laptop back in working order. I don't know what I'd do without her and I never want to find out. 

Dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, and Denise, with whom I had a lively discussion about the Internet and our difficulty (in some instances) in handling computer-related things. Surprisingly, Denise, although at 79 she's younger than the three others at the table, was most bothered by it. 

I didn't sleep well last night, but after getting up twice was able to go back; just got up at 7:30.