WEDNESDAY

 A see-saw day, both good and very un-good.

We got to Santa Barbara and Villa Alamar about 10:30 and found Betty in the activities room along with other residents. Michelle, one of the activities leaders, was leading a kind of bingo game, matching up small pictures. Only one or two of the ten residents could do it, but Michelle was adept at helping them. After, I sat with Betty after she was wheeled to the dining room for lunch. She ate well--by herself--and I enjoyed seeing her do that. What I didn't enjoy was a phone call I got from cousin Sally's son, Duane, while I was there. 

He called to tell me sad and sudden news from Encinitas: his brother, David, had been found dead a few hours before. I was stunned speechless. I had chatted with David at the parties a few days ago and had met him before. David had some kind of slow-learner problem and went to special classes in school. I always thought he had Asperger's Syndrome, as he was very reclusive, had little sense of humor, and was unsocial in the extreme. However, he did have a job (stocking shelves at Ralph's supermarket), drove a car, and lived in his own apartment. Duane told me he had been dropped off at home, but was called later and there was no answer. At this point, they have no idea why he had died or how. He was only in his middle fifties and seemingly, was in reasonably good health. Here is David during Sally's birthday dinner:

Left Betty and met Carolyn at a German restaurant in town. Had a good lunch with good German beer, plus an enormous German pretzel, which we happily shared (fork is for perspective re size):

Dropped Carolyn off and drove back to Ventura. Unfortunately, there seems now to be another fire (or fires) in Oxnard and smoke was in the air. 

Today, I'll go to the dentist to get that filling, then will be picked up by Ellen. We'll do lunch, I guess, and as for anything else, I'm game.

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More from the party days--from left, seated, Jim, a friend of Duane's and David. Standing, Cooper.

At head of table, Duane, to his left, Evette, Tristan, Kendra (back turned) and Evette's husband.

At table, Doreen and her husband, Alan. I had been next to him, but got up to take the picture. On my left, at other head of table, was Sally.