The Marvel of the Millennium!

What was? The fact that I spent all morning clearing out closets and drawers is pretty amazing itself, but the real gasper is that I now have two empty drawers in the white dresser!  What a feat!

My go-to girl said she'd take the stuff and me to the thrift store today to donate them. I always keep at least a rough track of what I give so I can take it off my income tax (and yes, I always get the donation slip from Goodwill).  

After lunch, I quit and bused to the mall. I had seen a little cast iron skillet at Ross and it was calling my name. I bought it, then went to Penney's looking for a juicer. I don't want the fancy, plastic kind that has a level to pull; I just want an old-fashioned glass one, so I can juice the wonderful lemons from Ellen's tree. Went to Target--nope--and to Penney's--nope nope--but there I saw a set of three ceramic knives, paring, utility, and large chef.  I saw these in action in Arizona and have wanted them ever since. Happily, they were on sale and I bought them. It then occurred to me that Ellen was surely going to give me a Mother's Day present and this could be it! I'll suggest that to her this afternoon. 

Seasoned my neat little pan and had a single egg in it for dinner, along with rice, spaghetti squash and Brussels sprouts. An odd meal, but actually pretty balanced, I think.

Mike posted this on Facebook, along with others. It's the moon-view out of his home in Singapore and I think it's--well, a marvel, too:

 

Easter Sunday And Monday

Had a good and fun Easter holiday. The Access Van dropped me at Ellen's in Ojai on Sunday at noon and I sat down with her and Greg for lunch. Greg had made stuffed peppers, but not the traditional kind. His were filled with ground turkey combined with a number of difference seasonings, and "worked" so it was soft and fit easily into quartered sweet peppers. This was served with a salad and made a  delicious lunch. I asked for and got the recipe, of course.  

Greg had to work from 2 to 10, so he went off and El and I sat in the yard with Margarita--ha, ha, I mean , MargaritaS and they were yummy, of course. It had been overcast and a bit chilly in Ventura, but was lovely and sunny in Ojai.  As is clear from the following pics, we didn't dress up the way we used to in other days, but so what? We had a great time, anyway.*

After our Margaritas in the yard, we went for a walk around the neighborhood. Ojai--and particularly the Meiners Oaks section where Ellen lives--is a wonderfully interesting community. When it comes to styles of architecture and layouts, you see anything but cookie-cutter development homes; every one seems unique. Many, as Ellen's was, were build as small, single-room houses in the twenties and thirties, then were added to. That makes for quirky, but charming differences. There are a lot of low stone walls, flowered trellises, and other features that add to the ambiance. They look fairly modest, but the prices are anything but: On Sunday, the Ventura Star listed the median price of homes in Ojai as $1,150,000.00. 

Yesterday, we lazed around a bit, said goodbye to Greg, got my costume out of El's shed, then drove to my place. El had brought her squeegee and a bucket and, while I made lunch, she cleaned my sliding glass door. She then looked at the TV (I had a minor problem, but it seems to be resolved). We ate, after which I walked her to her car and off she went. 

In another hour, I left for Stone Fire Grille and the Soaring Spirits dinner gathering. There were only six of us, including two newbies, Steve and Scott. They both told harrowing stories of losing their wives: Steve, four years ago, of cancer, Scott, just three months ago, of COVID combined with a blood disorder. We all listened and bonded and were there with each other. I left about 7:30 and bused home. By the time I got in, it was full dark, but no prob.      

* There seems to be a new trend--a step up to illiteracy, it seems to me--of putting an "s" on "anyway." I've heard this several times on YouTube videos and it drives me BONKERS!  

Saturday

NOTE: I'm not taking my lap top to Ellen's, so there will be no Mimi's Musings tomorrow. I hope my legion of readers will survive. (That means you, Miss Patti-Cake!😍) 

Changed the bed and did a white wash, then went over to Von's in the morning for various. Decided to call the Access Van to get to Ellen's today, since I'll have a small suitcase and a plant. I'll be picked up at 11:22 to go to Ojai. I was surprised to hear I still have twenty-one dollars on my "account"; it's been so long since I've used the van, I forgot about it. 

Erica, my new acquaintance from Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers, returned my call and we made a date to meet for lunch at Finney's next Tuesday. LaVonne called to say happy Easter and we chatted. 

Jim came, as ever, at 12:30 and happily, was in a somewhat better frame of mind. It's still very difficult to draw him into conversation--I just keep prattling on, otherwise I'm afraid we'd sit in silence. As we always do, we first sat on the couch to talk, then when the food (hot pasta casserole, corn bread, and homemade applesauce) and drink (red wine for him, beer for me) were ready, we sat at the table, of course. During our meal, Ellen called. I told her I had arranged for the Access Van and she was pleased about that; said she'd take me home tomorrow. Good, because dinner with Soaring Spirits is at 6:00; I'm not sure if Julie will take me, but no prob--I can get there by bus. After talking to my dear daughter, it occurred to me--as it doesn't often enough--how very lucky I am.

Jim and I discussed Graham Greene, Ethel Rosenberg, and espionage, among other topics. I decided I didn't want him to take me to Green Thumb for tomato plants, after all, although he was willing. I'll get them another time. Jim left about 4:00 and I walked him to the mailbox. Went home, had a bite, then showered and washed my hair. 

Easter card from Tokyo. I'm not convinced my eight-year-old, native language Japanese, thought of it himself! (Names obscured.)

Friday

 I was down a tad in weight: .08 at home for a weight of 127 and about the same at T.O.P.S. There were only four of us at the meeting and, as ever, it was mostly just a social hour after Lennie read an article about keeping positive thoughts and similar boring, new-agey crapola. We somehow got into aging and at one point, I mentioned how infuriating it is to be addressed as "honey," "dear," or similar intimate terms by cashiers, servers, and other people you don't know from Adam. It's demeaning and trivializing, sez I, and even worse is to be called "cute." This prompted a lively discussion, pro and con, which was at least more stimulating than positive thoughts. 

Late breakfast, as usual, then I tidied up and bused/walked to Aloha on the beach. It was a bit cool, but wonderfully sunny on the beach. Met Noreen and we settled in for a good, long lunch and heart-to-heart talk. She and I can talk frankly to each other, being almost the same age (she's a year older) and with some--not all--similar ideas and thoughts about life in general.

We said goodbye and I strolled around town for some time. Stopped at the library, then at a few shops; by the time I got home, it was after 5:00. I cooked up some chopped onions and tomatoes together, added it to the pasta/tuna/peas mix I had in the freezer and had it for dinner.

Jim called, as ever, at 7:00 and, as ever, will be over for lunch today. I asked him to take me afterward to Green Thumb to get some tomato and pepper plants. Wow--I guess finding the vegetable and herb soil awakened the farmerette in me. 

An Extremely Long One--For A Reason

Went with Suzanne to WinCo and got some good stuff. It's especially helpful to be able to include heavy or bulky items which I can't carry when I don't have my cart. As soon as I got home, I started in on food prep and readied spaghetti squash and applesauce. I asked the all-knowing Internet if rice could be put in a slow cooker and yes, indeed, so I used my smaller one. Had some with dinner and it was good.

At the recycle area, I found an almost full, thirty-pound, bag of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil someone had left, and lugged it home in my cart. It says it's for vegetables and herbs, but I assume it can be used for flowers, too. Come to think of it, maybe I'll get some tomato plants this year, anyway. I scooped out about half for my own use and asked Suzanne if she could use the rest; she was delighted to have it. Laboriously dragged it her patio, so we could share.  

After lunch, I bused to town to the library.  As I had intended, I took out The End Of The Affair, but then my eye fell on the new book section--AHA! There was a biography of Ethel Rosenberg, which I immediately snatched up and took out. Here's why:

Exactly twelve years and two days ago, I met one of the Rosenbergs' two sons, Robert Meerpool. (The boys had been adopted and their names changed after their parents were put to death.)  I wrote about meeting him on this blog. This makes for a very lengthy entry, but I don't care; I've added it at the end.

While I was busing home, Ellen called. Happy day, she now has ten days off (Spring Break) and she invited me to come for Easter and stay overnight. Sure thing, especially because we intend to indulge in Margaritas before dinner. 

The Rosenberg/Meerpool Entries 

Thursday, April 08, 2010

...On Sunday, I'm going to attended a brunch in Ocean City for The Rosenberg Fund for Children, headed, intriguingly, by Robert Meerpool, the son of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were executed as Communist spies a half-century ago. More on this later.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The talk by Robert Meerpool was fascinating....Meerpool and his daughter, an attorney, use these venues for fund-raising, and have done a lot of them. They don't give the impression that they're bored, superior, or practiced at glad-handing, but are warm, friendly people. He helped himself to brunch and chatted with attendees and she got me coffee. I didn't realize until they were introduced later who they were.

A music stand and chairs were set up in the dining room where, I assume, the usual furniture had been removed, and Meeropol spoke there. He covered a lot of the topics in his books, both of which I had read, and he was very engaging. He spent about half the time on his parents' story and the other half on his organization "The Rosenberg Fund For Children." He did not insist on his parents' innocence, but pointed out that the crime for which they were convicted was trumped-up and the punishment meted out--death--was inappropriately harsh. As I've mentioned before, it's generally accepted that his father did pr0vide the then-Soviet Union with "secrets," but they did not concern the atomic bomb. Also, this was during WW II, when the Soviet Union was a U.S. ally; Julius was passionate about the evil of the Nazi empire and wanted to help defeat them. As for Ethel, the consensus now seems to be that she was aware of her husband's actions, but had no part in them. If they had "cooperated" with the government, they would almost surely not have received the death sentence. All mixed up in this sad affair were the "red scare," antisemitism (open and covert), and the heavily conservative mood of the time.

Meerpool's book, An Execution in the Family, was on sale for $10 and I bought one, adding $15 as a donation to the Fund. I had already read it--remarkably, our little library had a copy--but want to have it to go over again. The author signed it, added the date, and I chatted with him and his daughter for a few minutes.
Talk about a unique family. Imagine talking to a relative stranger and the subject turns to your parents' passings: "My father died of a heart attack, and my mother of cancer. Yours?" "They were executed on the same day by the United States government."
There's a conversation stopper for you.

 

NOTE:  I have no idea why the font size and spacing are so screwed up. Tried to fix, but couldn't. 

Wednesday

I had made an appointment for a booster shot--or rather, a booster booster, as I'd already had three  doses--and went over to Von's for it at 10:00. After, I walked to The Market and got more cute little graduation items for Vivian. Some I'll have here when Mike, her Dad, comes next week, including a kind of small box with a place for a picture of the grad. The rest I'll send back for her with Mike.

Suzanne texted to ask if I wanted to go to WinCo this morning and yes, I do. I need some trash bags, coffee, and veggies, so we'll leave at 9:00. I tried to call Erica, the woman from BCNN who, for some reason had facetimed me last week instead of calling. When I called her, there was no ringing tone, then a recording came on and a man's voice said to message instead. I did and also texted, but I haven't heard back from her. That makes three people I know who have major problems with their phones. Being on that topic prompted me to call Noreen and we made a date for lunch tomorrow at Aloha. 

About 2:00, I started out for the bus, but there was such a chilly wind that I just walked around the block and went home. Lay on the couch and fell asleep for no more than a half hour or so. I was a little mopey, but snapped out of it. 

Literary Report: I finished A Burnt Out Case and am now deep into The Third Woman. This is not fiction, but is an account of Graham Greene's love affair with a wealthy American woman. Both were married, of course, but Greene never let his marital status come between him and his screwing around. 

Tuesday

In the morning, I walked to Smart 'n' Final and picked up a few things, including a small cauliflower and wine. I then bused to the mall and Target. I wanted to add to the little graduation item I had gotten for Vivian, but didn't find anything interesting or fun. I had seen some at The Market and I'll go back there today.

Stopped into Ross (they didn't have anything I liked, either) and ran into Noreen. We chatted and made a date for lunch on Friday. Think I'll suggest Aloha at the beach.

Home, had lunch, then trimmed the cauliflower and put it whole into my smaller slow cooker. It cooked up nicely and I had some for dinner. 

I had thought about going to Oxnard to stop in on Greg, but didn't. Instead--unusual for me--I lay down on the couch and took a short nap. When I got up, I made an appointment for today at 10:00 to get my second booster (Pfizer) right across the street at Von's.  So convenient. Think I'll go from there to The Market. 

I guess I was a sucker to pay $19.95 to E-Yearbook. Yes, they had the 1942 HSHS yearbook with my sister and brother-in-law in it, but they didn't have a lot of others I wanted to see. On another site--free--I found my brother, Jim's college yearbook--St. Joe's in Philly, class of 1950.

It's just as well we can't see the future, I guess. When Jim--or Jimmy, as we always called him--had had his picture taken, he never dreamed his father wouldn't be at his graduation. Or anywhere else above ground after June 2, for that matter.   

Boy, I miss him. Now he's 96, living in Bangkok, and I doubt if he remembers me. I'm afraid he's no longer the quiet, kindly, intelligent big brother I used to have--well, still quiet, yes, and I'm sure he wouldn't be unkindly, but the other? Maybe I'll get in touch with Chrissy, his daughter, to see if we can do a Facetime session or something. Or maybe I don't want to. 

Monday

Spent an hour after breakfast getting in touch with those who hound me, including yet again, the Ventura Star. This time, I had gotten an email to the effect that my payment was overdue. Long, boring story I won't go into, but of course, it wasn't, I pay automatically, and so on. Also straightened out various minor problems with CVS Caremark, Bank of Amazing Idiocy, and the New York Times.  

After that, for the second day in a row, I walked to Wal-Mart, as I had forgotten face scrub and oatmeal. Bought this silly unicorn for darling Vivian, soon to be a big college girl at University of Hawaii:

Took my BP at W-M again and it was 119/74, which I was electronically told is normal. Happy day, I recovered from my high blood pressure overnight! And without even doing anything! 

I was so pleased to get a call from Mary Hoffman. I hadn't spoken to her for about a year and we had a good long talk. She wanted to know how Betty is and, of course, I told her the sad truth. She's doing well herself and so am I, so that's good. 

Lunch, then it was off to town. I bought a DVD of Dirty Dancing--always liked Patrick Swayze (sigh)--and that was one of his best. It was a nice warm (upper sixties), sunny day, but extremely windy. I was actually almost blown off my feet at Main and Palm. On my way home, Lynn Wetzel called. She's the director of docents at Dudley House and I confirmed I'll do the duty in June. Must get my costume from Ellen's storage shed and study my lines--it's been three years since I've done it. 

Ellen called while I was on my way home. That's always a treat and we had a good chat. We've agreed that when Mike's here, he'll sleep at her place, but tentatively, I'll have him her, Mike, and Greg over for dinner the day he gets in. 

Sunday

I skipped breakfast, since I was meeting LaVonne for brunch at 11:00. Showered, dressed, and took off for the Hill Street Café. It's a scant mile via the overpass and I was early, but LaVonne came a short time later. It's always jammed for their Sunday brunch and yesterday was no exception. However, they have some two-person booths and we were lucky enough to get one right away. I couldn't resist the bottomless champagne glass; it comes with a carafe of orange juice, so you make your own orange blossom(s) and oh, yum, was it good. I also had eggs Benedict and yoicks, my bill came to thirty-eight bucks! But so what, we had a good time talking. 

Said goodbye to LaVonne and walked home, but immediately caught the 6 bus. I was headed to Trader Joe's for leeks (got the recipe from Greg), but impulsively got off at the big flea market at the college. It was jammed and fun to be there. I walked all around for a half hour or so and enjoyed it, but bought only a half dozen tangerines. Continued on to the mall and bought the leeks. 

When I got home, I was in a crazy cookin' mood, so made up a large portion of my ground turkey stir-fry. I had already chopped three large onions, which I browned before adding the meat and garlic. I put in a little red wine, which I must remember to do more often. Had some for dinner and froze the rest for later. 

I also prepared the leeks, which entailed cleaning and boiling them before dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Dijon mustard. They're then marinate for an hour at room temperature. Greg had served them as appetizers, but I had some with dinner and they were delish. 

Stopped in at Suzanne's to give her a rose in the vase she had last given me a rose in, and we talked a bit about Vickie's adventure with Bennie.  LaVonne called in the evening and we chatted. I wrote out a response to James re Vickie possibly getting involved in some way with Bennie's future care--she can't possibly take anything else on--and sent it to her for approval.  

Saturday

Crazy weather: After two days of 90+, it was 55 when I got up at 5:00. By the time I left at 9:30 and walked to Wal-Mart, it had warmed up to a very pleasant 67 degrees. Got the few items on my list and saw a sale on jeans. I got a medium--must try it on for fit, but it looks okay. As I always do at Wal-Mart, I took my BP. It was 132/76 and I was informed that was high. Since I'm so ignorant, I don't know whether to be alarmed or not. Okay, I've decided not to be.  

Bused home and was in by 11:00. I made turkey breast sandwiches and took a bowl of applesauce out of the freezer for a side. Jim came, as ever, at 12:30, and as ever, we sat and talked for a half hour before sitting down to lunch. He's in a much better frame of mind, having had the plumber fix the drain and we had a good session. He didn't leave until 4:00, after which I ran into my young upstairs neighbor, Leah. I invited her in, and we had a great time talking. 

After Leah left, I was at this laptop and I happened to look out the window. I was surprised to see Bennie, from next door, all bent over and being escorted home by my friend, Vickie.  A few minutes later, she came to my door to tell me she had seen Bennie on the overpass, by himself, leaning against a support. She went to rescue him and take him home. (Before his retirement, Vickie had worked with him in Ventura County Behavioral Health.)

Vickie came in and I emailed Bennie's brother, James, who lives in L.A. to alert him about Bennie. Vickie and I both think that although Bennie has aides in every day, but not all day, should probably be in a facility. It isn't safe for him to live alone. We then ranged over a wide range of topics, including her Mary, worsening in "Holiday Manor" (Vickie isn't satisfied with her care) and my twin, Betty. She stayed for an hour and a half, and it was a good, woman-to-woman session.    

Later, James texted me to thank me and to ask if Vickie could get in touch with him. I forwarded his message to her.  I'll be meeting my new friend, LaVonne, for brunch at 11:00 at the Hill Street Cafe, and will walk over the very overpass Bennie did. 

Weight, The Pool, And Graham Greene

I gained a pound, consistent both at home (127.8) and at T.O.P.S. (128.7). That's okay, but I want to stop this in its tracks. Five of us were at the meeting, including Sharon, who was the big loser with ten pounds. That wasn't, of course, one week's loss: She hadn't been there for four weeks and had been sick. She keeps track, as I do, and showed me that she's now under three hundred--yay! I felt for Lora, who picked me up, who had been sure she'd break the two hundred pound mark. Disappointingly, she didn't, but we all encouraged her that she will next week. I told her I clearly remember doing exactly that when I was at that weight--looking for the big break-through into the one hundreds.

Late breakfast, as ever on Fridays, then I walked to the P.O. to send Mr. K. the little gift. I had paid three bucks for it and when I found it would cost $17.90 to send, I took it home. I might ask Mike to take that and the sweat shirt I got for K's birthday back to Singapore and send it from there.

I was pleased that Jim called about 11;00 to say he had gotten a plumber and had the drain unclogged. Jim never calls during the day (if I don't call him Friday evening, he calls me), so this was an innovation. He has to pay the plumber himself, being worried the landlord would raise his rent otherwise, but I guess he's able. Happy day, he sounded so much better, relieved and light-hearted--well, light-hearted for Jim, which may seem somber if it were anybody else. Of course, he'll be over for lunch today--it's Saturday. 

I then did something truly radical: I went to the pool! It was almost as hot--lower nineties--as it had been on Thursday* and that first (and only) dip was just heavenly. I got out and started eating my lunch, which I had brought with me: a sandwich and a bottle of Heineken. Of course, it's forbidden to bring 1. glass and 2. alcohol to the pool, but ask me if I care. 

I was pleased to see Suzanne come in; she had swum her daily laps earlier, but had left her watch and was there to retrieve it. She sat down for a half hour to chat, always a pleasure. Contemplating retirement, she had informally notified her boss, who asked her to stay on until June to train the new hire. Suzanne, however, was firm in saying she would finish after her "next event" (her presentation on health education scheduled for the middle of May) and good for her. Home, showered, then went over to Von's for lunchmeat and yogurt. 

I've started re-reading A Burnt-Out Case, by Graham Greene. I had forgotten what an incredibly wonderful writer he was. He had been called the best living (when he was living, which is no longer the case-- he died in 1991). The book is not the usual fiction stuff: It's about a man who has lost his interest in life, along with his (Catholic) faith, and then moves to a leprosy colony in Africa, operated by priests. I've only completed the third chapter, but it's even better that what I remember. This is no action adventure, nor is it anything like a "man finds God again" tract or, for that matter, "man loses God and finds something else." I'll say no more, except that it's just a marvel of intelligent thought.   

*Crazy weather: When I got up a half hour ago, it was 55 degrees and it's predicted not to get higher than the upper sixties all week.

Hot

Yep, it was that hot.

Did three loads of wash, then thought I'd walk to the post office to mail a little gift for Mr. K., in Tokyo. I started out, but turned back when I got across the street: It was so hot, I actually thought it was foolhardy to continue. I even toyed with the idea of going in the pool. However, I had other things to do, including reading the rest of my big sister's diary. I also signed up (and paid twenty bucks) to join E- yearbook. 

In my sister, Gene's (not "Jean's") 1942 yearbook, I also found my brother-in-law, John Molloy. Incredibly, I don't believe I ever met him. He was an gunner or something during WWII. He was captured and spent time in a German concentration camp. I think he suffered from depression and maybe other emotional illnesses; he seems to have rejected the rest of the family after he returned home. I know he married someone named Patricia and they lived in the Midwest and had one son. John died 25 or 30 years ago. Here he is as an HSHS grad:

Sherry, from Dudley House, called, asking if I could docent on May 1. However, Mike is coming on April 29 and will stay over until May 1, so I want to be here. I told Sherry I'd do it in June. Now I have to not only get my costume from Ellen's, but study my spiel--it's been so long since I've been there. I mentioned to Sherry that I'd be at the docent covered dish on May 11 and will probably bring Jim. She gushed over that, saying how much she likes Jim. (She's seen him exactly twice, both times at the docent covered dish.) Of course, whether I bring him depends on whether we're still speaking or not.

At 7:30, I got a Facetime call from Erica, whom I met after the BCNN meeting on Wednesday. I thought it was a little odd she contacted me that way, but no prob. We chatted and will, one of these days, make a lunch date.  

An odd occurrence: After dinner, I picked up my mail and saw what was obviously a bill from the Ventura Star. What, after all my long-running payment problems with them, now they're sending me a bill? I didn't have my glasses on, so couldn't see the addressee lines, but opened it. Yes, a bill, but then I looked: It was addressed to "Mary M------n, apartment ---". That's Vickie's partner, now in a memory care facility, but that's my address! I took it over to Vickie and we agreed that the Star is a screw-up and may not be in business long. Also that we must be the only two people in the complex--or in Ventura-- who subscribe.

Wednesday

Julie picked me up at 9:30, along with her friend, Sharon, and we went to the Neighbors and Newcomers meeting at The Comedy Club on Ventura harbor. I hadn't been terribly enthusiastic about going, as last month's program (global warming and we should all get electric cars) had been a bore. 

This speaker, though, was dynamite. She was "Chef Amy" and had instituted a course at the county jail to train inmates to be food people--cooks, sous chefs, and so on.  Having been in human resources, it interested me immensely; in addition, she had a wonderful delivery, full of life and verve.

After the gathering,  about twenty of us walked to The Greek restaurant for lunch. the room is mostly windows and overlooks the water, an ambiance I loves. I met, and bonded with Pat, who is an artist and also an adventurous lady (she's driving by herself to Arizona and New Mexico shortly); Dee Dee, who  retired after many years in banking, then was a tour guide in various areas of the west (she was born in Brentwood and I told her all I could think of was O.J. Simpson); Erica, who is a native Californian; and Lauren, who wants to get into film-making and might want to call me to discuss. I gave them all my card and will be happy to hear from any.

Home about 2:00 and I bused to Miramar to get my new glasses. It'll be a chore getting used to bifocals, but I can now see middle distances perfectly. I think I'll still use my dollar-glasses for close work, but that's okay by me.

I had intended to bus to a particular store in midtown, but started walking and went the mile and a half without realizing it. However, I saw on the door that it's now open only on weekends. Presumably, they have a staffing shortage, as so many have lately.

Got home, Suzanne stopped in and brought me a lovely rose from her garden, then we had a glass of Irish crème and chatted happily. She confided that she's going to retire soon, her fibro neuralgia being more painful than ever. Good--she's 74 and it's high time. She's apprehensive about it, though--she's been at St. John's for 35 years--but I know she'll find activities in retirement she likes to do.

I made oven-roasted cabbage "steaks" for dinner. Yes, that sounds bizarre, but I happened to see this on-line and wanted to try it. Brushed with olive oil and seasoned with garlic salt, it was yummy, I thought--it may not be for everybody, though. 

Tuesday

From 9:00 am to noon, I was on the phone and laptop, getting my affairs in order.  Called Little Egg township tax collector, Dayna, talked to the assessor, Dawn, and found I can't pay in installments the additional property tax of $1250 (for the six years I didn't live in Jersey, so don't get the widow of a vet deduction). That's not really a problem--I just transferred some dough, sent it electronically, and I'm finished. However, it took time because I had to go back and forth from the tax collector to the tax assessor. 

Dealt with the Ventura County Star with a deal of great deal of rage and frustration. The upshot is, I'll pay $32.00 a month instead of $44.00. (That's just two lines of type, but it took 25 minutes and ten years off my life.)

Ascertained that, yes, I received refunds for both the items I returned to Amazon. I actually LIKE dealing with that company; the Star could take a few hints.

I called Holy Spirit about the group picture I posted yesterday of girls in my class and their mothers. Talked to a very nice person in administration, who asked me to email the picture to her and she'd try to find info about it. Did so.

Did a few other crappy finance-y chores, then resumed reading my dear sister's diary. I then looked up her yearbook: Holy Spirit, Class of 1942. Here are some pictures from it. It's too bad the graduates' pictures were in caps and gowns--they're not very becoming on anybody. (She, of course, is in the lower picture; I can't seem to crop the other grads out.)

Above she's second from the bottom on the right; that's not a good picture of her, though.

 

Gene with one of her many boyfriends on the boardwalk. 

I love reading the diary, but you can't stay in the past too long--you may never escape. I put it aside and had a quick lunch, then took my cart and walked to The Market. It was a glorious day--temp in lower seventies, no humidity, and enough sunshine and blue skies to satisfy even me.

Also walked to Wal-Mart for staples: cabbage and Brussels sprouts and went over to the bus stop after. There, I met yet another woman and we started to chat. We got off at Telephone (she lives in Cypress Garden Independent Living and I wanted to go to the other Von's there), we exchanged names, and I gave her my card and asked her to get in touch. Hers is Alice. I assumed she was about my age, and was amazed when she told me she was 93. It's higher unfair that she looks several years younger than I do!

Home and it was only 4:00, so I again violated my own rule, got my book (incredibly, about the almost half-a-century-ago Watergate scandal) and a beer,and sat on the patio for an hour and read. It was wonderfully peaceful and good to be there:

Got a call from my new friend, LaVonne, and we chatted, then made a date to meet for brunch at the Hill Street Cafe on Sunday. This morning, Julie will pick me up and we'll go to the Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers breakfast meeting, then presumably, to lunch. Hey, my social life is heating up and that's good, too.

Good, Gooder, Not-So-Good

 I'm going to sketch this out quickly, as there was lots of activity--and not all good. 

What was good was reading my dear big sister's diary. I printed it out, but am reading it on-line. It runs through 1939, when she was 15, to parts of 1940 and 1941. The entries--most is about her busy social life in Ventnor, at Holy Spirit, with girlfriends and boyfriends, her crushes, the parties, and the multitude of friends. She was so pretty and so full of life. She was much older than Betty and me, of course, and I only vaguely remember her as a teenager--she was married at 22, when I was 11. In one of her entries, she said she had "taken the babies (that's Betty and me, folks) down the beach." In another, she said she had "helped the twins find crabs; they like to see them, but not to touch them."  She also wrote about dancing with a boy she liked and how much fun it was. "But it ended at last. Why do things have to end?" That almost broke my heart.

Another gooder: Julie picked me up at 11:45 for the Soaring Spirits lunch. I was surprised when she said she wasn't coming in because she wanted to go home and nap; she had come back late the previous night from a week-long trip. I protested that she hadn't had to pick me up, I would have had no problem getting there, but she brushed that off.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time, of course, with my widow and widower friends. Hugged Vera, Susan, and Gayle and talked happily with newcomers Diana (her wife died only last month) and Ana (her husband died a short time ago, too). Stayed chatting after, then said goodbye and bused to the transit center. I impulsively got on the 21 bus, thinking I'd take it to Oxnard, but I changed my mind and got off at Wal-Mart to get oatmeal. 

My new friend, LaVonne, texted me with her phone number, and I texted her back, asking if she was available for lunch on Thursday or Friday. She hasn't yet gotten back to me. 

The not-so-good part: Home, and I took my Gene Match return box, containing my swabs, to the office to ask them to put it in with their outgoing mail. I was surprised when Jasmine said she was just about to call me. Why? Because, she said, your "ledger" shows that  you're in arrears with rent. What? How can that be, considering I pay it automatically through my bank? No, she said, my rent wasn't paid in September--six months ago! After that, there ensued a long session of Jasmine looking up and printing out things, me trying to get a handle on it. The upshot was, I took what she gave me the material and I said I'd get back to her with my information. Looked it up when I got home and it looks to me as if it was paid, but I'll have to pursue it further. Jasmin also told me there seems also to be a month when I didn't pay the utilities bill, and possibly, I did overlook it, and will have to research that, too.  Along with the fact that I owe $1250 to Little Harbor with the veterans tax thing, I may be on the street soon.

The very good part: Ellen called, then came over after school to get the coffee pot I had borrowed. She also brought the recipe for leeks I had asked Greg for. Best is that she stayed for an hour and we had a good talk, ranging from the dance she's doing with her third graders for Cinco de mayo, my problems with Jim, and the rent thing with management. 

So, on balance, I guess the good outweighed the bad and really, I'm not that concerned about the money  thing--it just seems a minor annoyance at this point. (I should be ashamed of myself: Only those who are financially secure would ever write such a thing.)   

Sunday

A good day, starting with the crossword, which was punny and funny. Got all but two answers before I put it aside. I mentioned yesterday that I had wanted to resume transcribing my Dad's work diary. After breakfast, I sat down for an hour of it, and boy, this is going to take a while. I'm only on February 17 (1945) and it goes through the year. Okay, a few days at a time.   

Before lunch, I swabbed my gums for the Gene Match Alzheimer's Study I'm in. You can't eat or brush your teeth for an hour beforehand, so that was the right time. Followed the instructions for packaging and mailing and I'll drop the box off at the post office today.

I definitely didn't want to sit at the laptop all day, so got my cart, put in the Amanda Knox book I had finished and walked over the footbridge to the Little Lending Library in the park. Picked up two books from there, then thought I'd take the bus and maybe go to the mall. Went out to wait and saw a woman I've didn't know, but have often seen on the bus. We fell into conversation and like me, she hasn't driven for a year or so. I was sure she was a lot younger than I am, but no--she's actually six months older and will be 86 in June. We got on the bus, exchanged names--hers is LaVonne--I gave her my card, we chatted, then both got off when we saw an outdoor event going on at a Telephone Avenue complex. It was actually and kind of combination of antique cars and various booths. We greatly enjoyed talking to the vendors and LaVonne got a taco. This was one of the attractions:

I thought she was adorable, so took her picture. She was part of the show for Industry Horror, which has a shop downtown; I often pass it. 

Anyway, it was fun to be there. After, LaVonne accompanied me over the footpath to my place. I invited her in and she stayed for fifteen or so for a glass of water and a chat. I then took her out to Telegraph and Victoria, where she could get a bus home. Julie called and will pick me up for lunch with Soaring Spirits at 11:45. This is the first time we've met for months and I can't wait to see my friends.

Just stripped the bed and will put in a wash before breakfast. 

Joan, Jim, Muckie, and a Gathering

After digging out the picture with Sister Peturna, I called my niece, Joan, to ask her to look in the 1930-194? diary that her mother, my sister, had kept in high school. I wanted to find out if she mentioned anything when Sister was our au pair. Happily, Joan said she had typed it out and would email me the copy, which she did. I had read it years ago, but will look forward to it again. I told Joan I'd been typing out my father's 1945 work diary and would send her that. 

At about noon, I was so pleased to get a call from Muckie Datesman. She said she was "returning my call," which I made, by the way, about a month ago, and we laughed over that. We had a good talk, then Jim came and I told her I'd call her back after. 

As we usually do, Jim and I firs sat on the couch and chatted. I showed him the Gene Registry box I just got--must swab my mouth and gums here and there, then send in.  We talked over a few more things, then sat down at the table. I just served hard-boiled egg sandwiches, along with my applesauce and  lemon cake/blueberries/yogurt for dessert. Wine and beer, too, of course, then we each had some Molloy's Irish Creme. After, we again sat on the couch and talked. Jim suddenly got very solemn and said he wanted to say something. 

I actually became uneasy, thinking it was something--well, I didn't know what, but something I didn't want to hear. But it wasn't; it concerned a problem in his apartment. He doesn't want to notify the landlord because he thinks his rent will be raised. I know what he pays and it boggles the mind. I won't mention the amount, but incredibly, it's four hundred a month less than I pay, although his apartment is considerably larger than mine, plus he has two bedrooms. It's certainly in as nice an area and is as well kept, it seems to me, so I'm amazed. What's even more amazing is that Jim said his rent hasn't been raised since he moved there seven years ago. I just find that impossible to grasp, having tenants myself. 

Anyway, it seems he has some plumbing problems and he's afraid if he tells the landlord, his rent will be raised, so maybe he should pay for repairs himself. Sheer idiocy, but he asked me to go on the Internet to find various handymen, then search each in the Better Business Bureau site to see what their ratings are. Some were on, some not, and Jim wanted me to look up what the ratings mean--another exercise in futility, if you ask me, but I spent a full hour and a half on all this. Jim seemed oblivious to the time and effort this took and, as ever, expressed little appreciation. We (again) had words and I'm beginning to wonder if this friendship is worth it.

It was five o'clock when Jim left and I immediately called Muckie and we had another great talk until close to six. She mentioned that someone had given her the picture below (which I may have posted here before--not sure) and we tried identifying people. I had put the picture on Facebook some time ago--I think it was from Jeanne Dollard Painter--but have yet to come up with the occasion. These are all members of my class of '54 and, interestingly, Betty and Mom are in it, but I'm not.  Muckie, who uses neither email or anything else on the Internet, asked for Betty's and a certain friend's 😄 contact  information, which I gave her. Before we hung up, we resolved to keep in closer touch.

Friday

Home: 126.8 for a gain of .04; T.O.P.S.: 127.7, for a gain of .09. I'm fine with these tiny ones, of course.

I did the very short quiz program, then took out Molloy's Irish Crème, the glasses, and some Ritz Crisp and Thins, with creamy onion and sea salt, and served it up. Everybody loved both.

"Everybody," though, consisted only of Bobbi, Lennie, Lora, and me. Sharon had called me at 7:00 am to say she had been sick all night and Julie was on a trip. However, the four of us had a good time talking--what's in T.V. commercials, gender liaisons, and relatives. We then veered into our childhoods and upbringings and I mentioned my mother, with six children, had an au pair stay for the summer. She was a high school girl from Philly--this was common when I was a kid--who later became a Sister of St. Francis. My mother kept in touch with her for years and I have two pictures of Mom, Betty, and me visiting Sister Peturna (?) at the convent. The pictures are dated 4/14/41, so we were four and a half. Incredibly, I remember the occasion and I recall being very bored and restless--so was Betty--while Mom and Sister talked on and on:

I was amazed and delighted when Bobbi, who grew up on Long Island, NY, mentioned that she had been an au pair herself when she was 14--in Ventnor!  She didn't remember than name of the street, but said she had stayed only a month because she became homesick. 

Anyhoo, it was a good session, although (or maybe, because of) it had nothing to do with why we were actually there. My brother, Larry, called while it was going on and I said I'd call him later, which I did when I got home. We talked for one hour and five minutes and I was so pleased to realize he's still all there; Larry will be 90 in June.  

Had a late lunch (2:15), then took off. I walked over the foot bridge to Telephone Avenue, then bused to the mall. Went to Target and got a few things, including a little Easter gift for Mr. K., my grandson in Tokyo. Going home, I started composing a name rhyme for Larry for his birthday. Have to keep working on it.

I called Jim at 7:00 and he said if I hadn't, he would have called me--okay, good. We talked for a bit, then--natch--I invited him for lunch. He accepted--natch--and will be here, as ever, at 12:30.

P.S. The answer to yesterday's quiz question?  According to the study I have, it's Florida that has the highest percentage of both overweight and obese citizens.

Thursday

 After the previous busy days, I had a quiet one. Slept well, getting up only once, then back to sleep until 6:30. After breakfast, I cored and quartered the four pounds of apples I had bought at Smart 'n' Final, cut up a big naval orange, added cinnamon, and set them to simmer in the slow cooker.  

I then went over to Von's for the heavy cream and Sensodyne I had forgotten on Wednesday. As I was coming back, I ran into Michelle, my neighbor, who is the most talkative person I've ever met and I mean that sincerely. She simply never stops and she has this up and down delivery that's enough to curdle my blood. This time, she went on and on about her mother and how mean she is--I've heard this many times before--and how her mother doesn't understand how much Michelle misses her father, who recently died. Michelle is about fifty, by the way, and the mother is 87. Michelle asked if I'd walk with her to the DVD some day next week, roughly four miles away. I'm not so sure I want to go that far in one stretch, so I'll think about it. 

Made up the Molloy's Irish Crème (it's fun to use the spelling with the accent mark, even though that's French, not Irish) and happily, it fit perfectly in the container I had bought for it. I'll bring it this morning to the T.O.P.S. meeting. Also worked up a short--very short--program, which I had promised to do. Here's the first question: 

1. What state has the highest percentage of obesity? a. Mississippi  b. Florida  c. California d. New Jersey. Answer tomorrow!  

I spent some time deciding how I'll get the crème, glasses, and crackers to the meeting and finally decided on a kind of heavy canvas carryall I have. I don't know why I go to such lengths (and spend the amount of time and money I do) on things that are just whims of mine. I think it's because I sometimes get restless and bored--I just don't have enough to do. I'm considering joining Friends of the Library and maybe some other kind of volunteer work, but do I really want to? Not sure.

After lunch, I lay down for a nap--only an hour--and felt better when I woke up. I don't want to get in the habit of napping every day, though. For me, I don't think it's a good idea. I was re-invigorated enough to do some work in the patio: deadheaded the geraniums and cut back the daisies. Looks nice.

Anyway, after the crème had been in the fridge for several hours, I sampled some. Oh, mama, is that good!