Miserably dreary day: rainy, windy, and dark, my least favorite. However, there were a few bright spots, notably a call from sister Betty. I should have spent the day doing useful things, but I didn't. Went to Acme and stocked up on veggies; later, put new potatoes, onions, garlic, and spices in the small crock pot and let them become yummy. Washed, trimmed, and cooked cauliflower, asparagus, and broccoli; ate some and will have the rest tomorrow. Made vegetable broth to use in soup with the trimmings; froze that.
Aside from that minor stuff, just spent time fooling around on the computer. High point of day was the web cam call from Ellen--we had a nice chat--interrupted by one from Mike, which I had to defer. Did get a chance to see sweet Violet on Daddy's lap. Another high point was a call from brother Larry from Miami, inviting me to go on a cruise to Mexico in June. Lots of members of his humongous family are going and I'm seriously considering it--think I probably will.
Eye doctor appointment this morning, to which I'm not looking forward. My biggest fear in life is blindness and was told a few years ago I have some kind of holes or dots in the back of my eyes. Can't remember if that's a sign of macular (SpellCheck can't spell it, either) degeneration or not, but it scares me a lot. Last time I went, last year, the doctor said it was "stable," which is good news. Hope it stays that way.

Went to The Wizard of Oz at Pinelands Regional last night and boy, was it FABULOUS. It followed the Judy Garlard movie very closely, even to the extent that "Dorothy" sounded like her in both song and dialogue. Special effects were spectacular and the performances were downright professional. Funny thing: A important segment was included that had "the jitterbugs"--a troop of at least twenty-five--dancing in tap and free form (or whatever the non-tap type of dance is called) in a rousing number. I'm very familiar with the movie version of The Wizard; can recite whole pieces of dialogue and know virtually all the songs and I'm sure there were no "jitterbugs" in it. Wonder if it was originally in, then left on the cutting room floor (a phrase from bygone days).
As for the original Wizard--the book--I may be the only one on the eastern seaboard who has actually read it. It's very different from the movie, has added characters, for one thing and there's even a different "feel" to it, it seem to me. What's more, I've been to L. Frank Baum's grave. He's buried under a big mausoleum in Forest Lawn Park in California.
Went to the show with Susan and Walter and, after, accepted their invitation to come in for a glass of wine. Didn't get home until almost 11:00; when I did, had a message about our trip to upstate Pennsy to see the kids next weekend. Can't wait.
Earlier in the day, Brett finally got here about the front door. He fixed it, which is fine, but I've lost interest anyway. While he was here, Libby B. called to say she didn't want to be interviewed for this month, after all. Okay by me, I have plenty on my plate as it is, and I'll call her in April.
It's Sunday and I'm so hoping my darling daughter will call me on the web cam this evening between 6 and 8 my time. Haven't seen her for the longest and I miss her! Of course, I'd love to hear from my other kiddies, too.
NOTE: I'm happy to report that my insomnia is gone. Slept like a log the last few days; son Mike was right, I guess, that it was jet lag. (Oh, he's always right about everything--NOT!)

Very enjoyable day. Barb, Pat, and I went to the Sugar Mapling van tour in the N.J. Forest Research Center in Jackson. Very informative, especially considering this: Who would believe you could get maple syrup from trees in Jersey? The Park Rangers also elaborated on bee-keeping and Shiitake mushroom growing--very interesting. Only drawback was, we were OUTSIDE most of the time. Good grief, it was cold! Most of the time, we were standing on frozen ground while the lectures were given at various stations where the actual activities went on. When we heard we would next go to the sugar shack, we were thrilled, thinking it was inside and warm.
It wasn't. It was outside and cold. I thought my toes would be frost-bitten and cursed myself for not having the foresight to put on two pairs of socks. Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable day. At about 11:00 (it had started two hours earlier), we went in the toasty warm Visitor's Center, then ate lunch in the van, which the driver heated up. Really a fun day. Barb, Pat, and I have gone on a number of Ocean County van tours and are planning to go on one to "Bartram's Gardens" in Philly and "the Swedish Colony" up north.
Firmed up lunch for Betty and me on Wednesday, with Ellen V. at our usual place, Applebee's in Manahawkin.

Sad story of my kitchen floor: When we moved here eight years ago, we spent an extra TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS upgrading that floor from pokey, everyday vinyl tile to a rustic, cool-looking (figuratively, not literally) Italian stone. It reminds one--I fondly hope--of Tuscany or something. It's beige overall, but variegated in tone and is purposefully pitted, the way the floor in a villa overlooking the Amalfi coast would be...
It's the bane of my life! Although it doesn't "show the dirt," as my mother's genteel expression used to be, it's impossible to thoroughly clean it unless you get down on your hands and knees with a scrubbing brush. Which is exactly what I spent HOURS doing yesterday. What a job. But it does look nice.
Earlier, I went to exercise--the three-mile, yet--and, although I walked plenty during my trip, I really felt it in my upper thighs. Good, I'm back in the game.
E-mailed back and forth to friend, Ellen V., and tentatively set up a date for lunch on Wednesday. Betty will be here and I'd like to introduce them.
Spent time writing up some of my Vietnam experiences for The Breeze. Must get busy on the other articles, including one on Our Town for the April issue, too.
Called that devil's spawn, Comcast, to say I can't possibly install that godforsaken "digital device" they foisted on my and made an appointment to have them come do it. Will cost fifteen bucks, but that's okay.
Barb H., her sister, Pat, and I are going "maple sugaring" today, as part of another Ocean County van tour. It's includes three miles of walking, about which I'm pleased. Must pack a lunch. Tomorrow, the G.'s and I will attend The Wizard of Oz at Pinelands Regional High. That should be fun, too.

Went to Manahawkin to the SOCH thrift shop, but found nothing suitable for the play. Made an appointment to get the income tax done. Stopped at Shop-Rite and otherwise putzed around.
I let my subscription to Vanity Fair lapse--I just don't have enough time to read magazines--but for some reason, they keep sending it--okay by me. Loved this month's issue--"Hollywood!" Stories on Lauren Bacall at 86, and Eva Marie, about the same age, Mel Gibson, and others. Seems to me, for all its outrageously snobbish appeal, it has some of the best writing around. There was a piece on Ireland's economic downfall that was just enthralling. Scary, too.
I'm expecting my erstwhile (oh, I just like to use that word) handyman, Brett, to come at 10 to repair the door insulation he put in before my trip.
Have had insomnia ever since I got back. Fall asleep easily, but wake between 2 and 3 am and can't get back. Darn, I hope this doesn't continue.
WIDER: From the incomparable Chris Hedges:
We are wasting $700 million a day to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while our teachers, firefighters and police lose their jobs, while we slash basic assistance programs for the poor, children and the elderly, while we turn our backs on the some 3 million people being pushed from their homes by foreclosures and bank repossessions and while we do nothing to help the one in six American workers who cannot find work. These wars have taken hundreds of thousands of lives. They have pushed millions into refugee or displacement camps. They have left young men and women severely crippled and maimed. They have turned our nation into an isolated pariah, fueling the very terrorism we seek to defeat. And they cannot be won. The sooner we leave Iraq and Afghanistan the sooner we will save others and finally save ourselves.
But the full essay needs to be read, especially our casual murder of children:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/No-Other-Way-Out-by-Chris-Hedges-110228-844.html

Happily, I'm the recipient of a beautiful, hand-knit wool scarf and two pair of knitted booties. They're from my new friend, Libby B.; her husband has some kind of partial paralysis in his legs and I lent him Pat's transport chair. He can keep it as long as he needs it, which I'm afraid, will be for life. She was so grateful she gave me the terrific handmade gifts.
Went to rehearsal last night, although my part wasn't covered. Just wanted to get into it. Director Tonya had costumes there and I selected a skirt, blouse, and hat, more or less in 1906 style. Found the skirt is much too big, so will return it and try for another. Maybe I'll go to the thrift store and see if I can find anything appropriate.
Talked to Betty, who's coming to stay over on Tuesday. We'll go to lunch, too. Going with Barb H. and her sister, Pat G., on a van tour on Friday.
WIDER: Fred Reed, cynical and profane, is one of my heroes. His work shines with so much truth, it hurts. Hurts bad. This is just a portion of a recent essay:
America is the world’s greatest debtor nation, China the greatest creditor. We cannot possibly repay what we owe, so we must either default or inflate. If another choice exists, I am unaware of it. And yet the government spends, spends, spends, and borrows, borrows, borrows. No one is in charge. No one cares. All line their own pockets. Wait.
Rationally, this would seem a good time to let go of unaffordable luxuries. But no. The US continues to buy things it can’t pay for, to play roles it can no longer maintain, because it pains the national vanity no longer to be the biggest kid on the block. The monkey can’t let go.
The millstone around the American neck is the Pentagon. The direct cost alone of feeding the military contractors is almost mortal to a sinking economy: $720 billion this year, plus another $120 billion requested...
The rest is here:
http://www.fredoneverything.net/MonkeyTrap.shtml

Still settling in. Unpacked, did mountains of wash, and drove to Santori's for a supply of veggies. Made a big salad and had it for lunch. Made up the miso soup N. had given me and had that for dinner--very good.
Talked to friend Marge and sister Betty. Latter will come up on Thursday and stay over. Expounding on my experience in the air, here's how it went:
First flight took seven and a half hours from Singapore to Tokyo, then had a layover (can't remember how long), then flight to Newark Airport took fourteen hours. Since I left Singapore at 8 am and arrived in Newark at 4;20 pm on the same day, I find it impossible to figure out the time and hours, etc.--well, it was about a day's worth of travel.
P. and N. just called on the web cam (5:45 am), then I called Mike. V. and V. had just gotten out of the tub and I saw them briefly. I again thanked my sons for their hospitality--they're so good.
I'm going to attend rehearsal tonight, although my part isn't "on" until next Tuesday. Want to get back in the swing of things and also start the publicity stuff.