Finally got to Kohl's and picked up the dark-colored pants I've been wanting: denim Capris and black Bermudas. Now I'm not so sure I like the Bermudas. My everyday arguments with the clothing manufacturers include the idiotic "hip-hugger" style. I want my waist defined, not passed over! And wouldn't you know, the Bermudas hug the hip--grr!
Saw and spoke to Ellen briefly on the web cam. She was on the phone with the appliance company, asking them to install an ice-maker in her new refrigerator. She showed me her kitchen cabinets, which she painted with primer after taking the doors off; she'll do those separately. As for me, I'm meeting Dee, the owner of our ancestral home on Rosborough Avenue, today for lunch.

Just got up at 6:15. That's practically sleeping 'til noon for me; must have needed it.
Nothing much went on yesterday. Got a lot of paperwork cleared up and did laundry. Chatted with Frank next door and visiting daughter, Margaret. Toyed with the idea of going to the pool, but didn't feel like putting on my suit. Sat and read while Pat was at the bay. He said quite a few people were down there, including Charlie, Old George, and others who were at our party. Gave him ham and leftovers for dinner.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

It started to rain as soon as the parade got under way, but just a drizzle. There were about fifteen in our group, and I was pleased that two were children. We carried banners reading "Peace Is Patriotic"* and "Peace Pilgrim" (for info on this, go to to http://www.peacepilgrim.org/). The Unitarians were with us, too, carrying their own banner.
The route was about a mile and a half long and there were thousands of spectators. We handed out little flags and were received courteously. It was gratifying that, every once in a while, on-lookers would burst into applause; one man gave us the raised fist salute. I was particularly struck by two middle-aged women in beach chairs who clapped, waved, and shouted to show their support.
I had been told there was a van to get back to our starting point, but I had skipped Susan's and my walk, so wanted to get that in. (Actually, I overshot a turning point and probably walked two miles back to my car.) Stopped in to see Pat's niece, dear Donna, who lives in Smithville. She gave me a cup of tea and we had a nice chat.
Rest of day was ordinary. We didn't have Fourth of July plans, so I decided to give Pat an old-fashioned Fourth dinner. Went to Acme for supplies and served up hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob, devilled eggs, and fruit salad, all of which he enjoyed. I had a new-fashioned Fourth meal: asparagus, avocado, and chicken burger.
Talked to Betty. She said she had called "your daughter" to ask if she could go there if she's evacuated (forest fires above Santa Barbara). I thought it was odd she'd think of traveling back to Jersey, but then realized she meant other D.D., Ellen, in Ventura.
I plan to go to Weight Watchers this morning, as I haven't been for three weeks. I believe I've gained a bit, but am okay with it if I did; will record the new weight here.
Later: Holy smokes! Lost another .8 for a total of SEVENTY pounds off. Am in the twenties, too--just barely, at 129.6, but that's okay. Considering the partying and so on I've been enjoying lately, I'm surprised and pleased.
* I was, and am, conflicted about the wording on the banner. I question whether peace is "patriotic," and especially that "patriotism" is assumed to be a positive force. Maybe so if it remains a simple appreciation for what's dear and familiar, but too often, it seems to me, "patriotism" balloons into nationalism. And that, of course, has been the source of all wars from the beginning of time.

Splash! Had great fun at the pool with Joely and Tristan. They got here (with Mommy Jen and Aunt Christine) before noon, I packed the lunch I had made, and we walked to the clubhouse. We all plunged in immediately, Joely with his boogie board, and enjoyed the sparkling water. When we got hungry, I distributed the ham and cheese sandwiches, veggie chips, fruit salad, and soda (I had brought a big salad and broccoli for myself). Spent about two hours there, then walked home.
Our friends and next-door neighbors, the D.'s, were outside with their daughter and grand, 2-year-old Harper, who are here until Saturday from North Carolina. Of course, I exclaimed over Harper and they over the boys.
Pat had decided to skip the bay, so we got out the toys (I keep a big stash in the guest room closet), chatted, and watched Tristan as he tore through everything he could get his hands (and mouth) on.
As Alison had told me, Christine is pregnant. Whether her boyfriend will see her through is questionable, but she seems pretty casual about it. She's having morning sickness now, but I assured her that would pass.
The New Egypt entourage left about 3:30 and the rest of the day was quiet. Called Susan to tell her I won't walk this morning, as I'm going to march in the Galloway 4th of July parade. The Coalition for Peace and Justice will have a banner reading "Peace Is Patriotic" and that's where I'll be.

Took Pat to the dermatologist, then home for lunch, then to Lab Corps. Finally, at long last, we got that done. BTW, the skin cancer thing is on-going and "Chuck," the physician's assistant (we like him better than many of the doctors we know), took biopsies from three spots.
Nothin' much else went on. Got the good news from Ellen that she bought her plane tickets and will come in on August 1 and stay until the 7th. Wish it were longer, but won't dwell on that. Can't wait to see her in the flesh!
Heard from Alison, always a bright spot in the day. She starts at Little Egg school district on Monday--has been working with Bayada Visiting Nurses (?) for several days.
Looking forward to the precious little boys coming today. Will pack lunch for all of us when I come back from walking.

Took some donations to the thrift store, including four of Aunt Claire's elegant suits, then stopped at Tucker Tom's for tomatoes (love that alliteration!). Old George was invited to come at 5:30, but showed up at 4:45 while I was on the phone with Betty.
This guy, who turned 83 on Monday, is such an satisfying guest. As I think single men often do, he usually eats the most basic--and blah--foods: frozen dinners, cheese sandwiches, things out of a box or a bag, all processed to a fare-thee-well. Well, he fell on the barbecued ribs, baked potatoes, zucchini casserole, string beans, and fresh fruit salad, the ingredients for all of which I had in the house. George enjoyed several servings of each, then a big wedge of cake (our anniversary cake, refrigerated since the party), and expressed great appreciation. He left about 7:15 with warm thanks and a container I made up for him of the fruit salad (cantaloupe, grapes, and blueberries).
Was finally able to reach Ellen and see her new furniture. It's beautiful--a huge armoire, and a love seat and sofa in a striking red, along with a new chair. Her colleague, Joanne (same last name!) was there and had gone to the pool with her. Ellen has also seen quite a bit of her neighbor, Linda, who's a prosecutor, for heaven's sake. El will get her plane tickets today--she wants to arrive about July 31 and leave August 6. Would love to have her stay longer, but she has to prepare for the new school year and has a lot to do at her new place.
Made a date for lunch on Monday with Dee (Rosborough Avenue) and will bring her dups of the pictures I found from when we lived there. Will take Pat to the dermatologist today, then for his "renal inefficiency" test, for which he doesn't have to fast.

Being a virtuous little housewife, I performed a multitude of domestic chores yesterday, too mundane to list. Visited Lab Corps to finally straighten out the prescription confusion (V.A. faxxed it twice, illegibly both times, which generated four calls by me, plus two visits to Lab Corp, plus much gnashing of teeth, screams, and cries etc., etc., etc.).
Called Betty about noon and was surprised to hear she was at LAX waiting for a shuttle home. I had thought she was leaving today; I miss her already. We re-hashed the party and various sisterly topics, then said goodbye.
Was pleased to get a call from Jen to ask if she, her sister, and the two little boys could come down on Thursday to go to the pool. Great, I replied, and I'll pack a lunch to eat there.
After leaving Pat dinner, I drove to Brendan Byrne Park to go on an evening hike. Got there by the start time of 5:30 and found only the leader, Faye. Nobody else showed up, so we set off and geesh, was it hot! Also, there were whole battalions of black flies trying to make us their evening meal--unsuccessfully, as we were awash in bug spray. Oddly, these little discomforts made me feel good--as if I had braved enormous adversity to triumph over nature. (Talk about pathetic!)
Anyway, Faye and I completed 6 miles at a much brisker pace than is usual with larger groups. I was proud I was able to keep up with her.
During the hike, Ellen called. She had showed Pat her new furniture on the web cam and I'll see it today--can't wait! She said she'd buy her ticket for August, when she'll come during Patrick and Natsue's visit--doubly can't wait!
After my shower and before w. and p., I talked to Alison, who complained that the editor at Advance, the OT magazine where her article will appear, practically eviscerated it. I sympathized, but secretly smiled. I've read dozens of biographies of writers, and this was a constant gripe with all of them!
Old George called Pat to say the doctors think he's doing very well after his heart surgery. I told Pat to invite him for dinner, so we'll have him over tonight. Think I'll make barbecued ribs in the crock pot.