Widder Group Lunch

Skipped the morning walk, had breakfast late, did the crossword, then moseyed around for a bit. Called the Access Van to pick me up this morning for my 7:15 doctor appointment. I was told they'll be here between 6:09 and 6:30. Okay, I'm reconciled to possibly having to wait around when I go somewhere. I'll take the bus home.
Showered and dressed for the widder lunch and set off at 11:00. Instead of taking the bus, I walked down Victoria to Telephone (1.5 miles), then caught a bus the scant mile to the B & N shopping center. I was so early I stopped into Sprouts to see if they had anything I wanted. They didn't.
Continued on to Stone File Grille and, although it was still a little before noon, Vera, Gayle, Greg, and Susan were already there. I ordered my usual roasted cauliflower and Chief Peak, and settled in with one of my tribes.*
Carolyn came soon after, but Nancy didn't; nor did Stella, whom I had invited over the weekend. A newcomer, Sydney, whose husband had died of cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism, joined us.  What a lovely person: young, pretty, very sweet; he died four years ago, when their children were 3 and 6--damn, that's unfortunate. Anyway, she said her therapist had recommended our group. She, Carolyn, Susan, Gayle, and I talked together openly and honestly. Carolyn's and Susan's husbands had both taken their own lives with guns, Gayle's and mine were ill for many years. Others lost their spouses or partners through accidents, but we all share a sorrow and it's good to be with them. The other Susan, the obnoxious one, came late and corralled me at the silverware station to rattle on about herself, her book, her blog, and other boring topics. Luckily, the seat next to me was taken, so she sat a distance away. A few of us lingered to talk (others had to get back to work), but we eventually said goodbye until we meet for dinner in two weeks.
I was going to go into town, but decided not. Amanda is coming at 5:30 today to clean up my laptop and I wanted to get the hard floors done. I doubt very much if she would notice or care, but they needed to be done, anyway. Did so, took all the area rugs to the wash place, and threw in my gardening gloves. I never put these things in the dryer, but spread them on the patio to dry; will put them back on the floors when I get home.
* We were talking about our "tribes" the other day at Happy Hour. Nancy said her tribe was the knitting club in which she so involved. I have the tribe I mentioned above and it occurred to me that I have another tribe: the bus riders. I know many can't afford a car, some have a disability, and there are other reasons, but there we are, united in some unknowable way, moving together inside a steel shell.
This is my fifth day without driving.