Lots

Lots going on. Went to T.O.P.S. and was annoyed with myself to find I've gained--but only two tenths of a pound, so I wasn't that annoyed. We had a fun meeting, too.
Didn't get home until after 10:00, so had a late breakfast. Betty, who's now home, called and I asked her about the book Suzanne Next Door had given me. She said she had asked her daughter-in-law to send it. Upshot was, Robyn, the DIL, called, and will send tomorrow.
I took clothes to the laundry place and barely got them washed, dried, folded, and put away before I had to get ready for The Townhouse. Stopped at the P.O. first to send Mike's new credit card to him.
I pulled in to The Townhouse, but there were no parking places left in the lot, so I parked on the street. It's quite a jaunt to the facility, which is set back, but it's good for me to walk. At the elevator, I met up with Margaret, who had been the nutritionist at SCAN and who was instrumental in bringing my acting class to Marsha M.'s attention (she's the director from Long Beach, who approved my proposal).
Doris, Sherry, and Jean were already there and had saved us seats. Dr. Wordling's topic this time was Alzheimer's; next month, he'll continue it. I found it mildly interesting, but not riveting, I guess because there's no cure. Also, I frankly have my doubts that 1. people can somehow prevent it by doing crossword puzzles or eating Tasmanian grapes, or something and 2. it can be slowed by certain medications. Seems to me a lot of that could be hearsay or pharm company misrepresentations. I was more interested in chatting with Margaret, who has been going back and forth to L.A. to care for her 92-year-old mother. She's exhausted and we talked as two people do who are both reasonably well educated and share a caregiver role--hers current, mine in the past.
After the lecture, we were "treated" to snacks of peaches in little plastic cups. Now, there are few things I like more than fresh Jersey peaches and few I like less than canned or plasticized peaches, but I accepted a cup and ate most--not sure why. I had told Carole I would take Jean home and I did; she lives not far from Ellen and it was no problem.
Jean is almost--not quite--old enough to be my mother. I think she's 94, but is just remarkably bright, alert, and easy to talk to. We had a good chat, I dropped her off, then drove back to The Townhouse for the wine and music afternoon.
It was a jazz group, all three members certainly over 60 and probably older, and they were really good. I greeted Doris and Sherry, who talked all through the program--so damned rude. I had a glass of Chardonnay and some cheese and crackers. After, I went across the room to greet my pal, Joe. His son, Donna's brother, was there from Boston, and it was nice meeting him.
Later in the evening, Robyn called again to say somebody had told her it was snowing in Ventura, and she wanted to check. I went out to the patio to look and no, thre was nary a flake, so somebody must have been pulling her leg.

Tires

It rained again! This time, though, I was ready for it. I was glad to see I had kept my boots and I wore them most of the day.
Went to the sheriff's office for my 11:00 appointment to get fingerprinted for my volunteer "job." Stopped at WinCo after for several items I had forgotten before, mostly non-food stuff.
Kept my 2:00 appointment at Pep Boys to get new tires. That took about two hours, so I just wandered here and there in the neighborhood; luckily, the rain had stopped. I went into a furniture store--I'm still looking for kitchen and coffee tables--and browsed at a used book shop, then went to Goodwill across the way. I bought a cute carrying bag with "Milano" and a kind of Art Deco (my new fave) woman on it. I think it'll be the right size to take to the casino next time we go. Went to Vons and got four containers of blueberries, which I like as a snack.
Back to Pep Boys, I sat in the waiting room for another 45 or so. That was okay, as I like just watching the passing parade. Got my little blue beauty back, all fixed up with new wheels and drove off. Stopped at Sofas, Etc., and looked again at the coffee table I like. Measured it and I think I might buy it; we'll see.
I took a dry run to Carole's house, as I promised to take her elderly (92) neighbor, Jean, home after Dr. Wordling's talk today.

Lunch with Linda

Another fairly enjoyable day. I went to Pep Boys intending to get new tires, but was told it would take about two and a half hours, so I made an appointment for 2:00 today, instead. I guess it will take that much time today, too, but I think I'll get on a bus or walk somewhere.
Washed my hair and changed, then went to Macaroni Grille. I got there about 20 minutes early for our 1:00 lunch date and wouldn't you know, Linda was about fifteen minutes late. She apologized, saying she had gotten a call she couldn't cut short. Well, okay, once in a while that happens.
We went in and when Linda heard I was going to order a beer, she giggled and said, "Oh, alcohol. Well, then I guess it's okay for me to have a glass of wine." I was puzzled at that remark, but she said some people might disapprove. Why she would care is beyond me, but oh, well.
We ordered, ate, and then sat there for, incredibly, more than two hours. Linda actually had two glasses of wine--the house wine, which I've had and recommended--while she talked and talked and talked and...
I can't figure out if I like her or not. I guess okay, but I was brought up short at her religiosity (Protestant), the fact that she was in the military, and most of all, her belief that CVS and Ventura Del Sol are both owned by "middle easterners," who are bent on changing "our American way of life." I'm just not sure what she bases this on, but I'm intrigued enough to research it.
Anyway, believe it or not, I was fairly--or maybe, faintly--interested in various things she talked about and the more she drank, the more she talked. She's been married four times (three divorces and a windowhood) and has a disabled 54-year-daughter (German measles when she was pregnant), as well as two other children and a granddaughter whom she raised; I'm not exactly sure why.
There was much, much more, but I finally mentioned an (invented) appointment and we left. I doubt very much if we'll see much of each other--she just isn't my type, but then my other friends here aren't exactly, either. Maybe there are no "my types"--dunno.
And yet...Doris called and we chatted about the casino trip and mutual friend, Sue. Maybe Doris isn't exactly "my type," either, but I like her a lot and the same goes for Carole and Nancy. I guess as long as you have some sense of commonality, friendship can thrive.

Casino!

This was a day that was a day! I got to the Burlington Company (only about two miles away) about 8:30 and Carole and Nancy came soon after. Bus got there promptly at 9:00 and we paid our $25 and boarded. We had a scare: Nancy was getting on in front of me when she slipped and fell backward. I was able to sort of hold her up from the back and the driver extended his hand, so she able to right herself, but it could have been bad. It took about two hours to get to the Chumash Casino, through Santa Barbara, Carpetaria, and Solvang, but it went quickly as we talked.
We were given (electronically) $30 when we got off the bus and when I checked to see how much I had left with that and from the trip in October, I was told I had $109. You can't cash this in, but have to use it to play the slots, but whatever you win from that, you keep. And boy, did I keep winning!
We met up at 12:30 for lunch, then separated again and played until 3:30. By the end of the day, I had won $174.36, all of it casino money--wowee! I had brought eighty of my own, but didn't use a penny of it. Carole, Nancy, and I met again at 3:30 at the bar, we each ordered a glass of Chardonnay, then chatted away until it was time to go back to the bus. As scheduled, that came at 5:00, we boarded, and drove back in rain. It was just about 7:00 when I walked in the door.
We all agreed this had been great fun and we want to do it again in a few months.
Found an e-mail from friend Pat R., to the effect that Little People, Big World was on tonight. I had forgotten, so was glad she told me; tuned in and enjoyed the only "reality" (none of them even approximate reality, kids) shows I ever watched. Thanks, Pat.

This and That

Chilly, drizzly, dark and dreary--geez, I could have stayed in Jersey for that kind of thing--however, I didn't let it keep me from my appointed rounds.
I had gotten a private message from Jeanne Dollard Painter, saying she thought I had probably heard about Teddy Mooney's death. I hadn't, so called her. Teddy died of cancer on Saturday, I'm sorry to say--another HSHS '54 grad gone. Pat R. e-mailed me about Teddy's death, also.
Jeanne herself broke her ankle in October--a bad one, as she had to have surgery and has two screws and a something else in there. She is recovering, though. I called Betty about Teddy, who said Muckie has told her. Betty was still in California, but was leaving today. I hope she goes to the doctor as soon as possible to get to the bottom of her gastrointestinal problems.
After my usual morning routine, I put broccoli florets in the slow cooker, along with some oil and seasonings, then took off for Sears Automotive. After a lot of back and forth, the upshot was I could get two tires made for my car for $300.01 or four tires that weren't, but are still okay for it, $475, because one is "free." Highway robbery, of course, and I wasn't about to shell out almost five hundred bucks. I only need two, anyway, as they'll rotate them, so why go that route?
I noticed a sign that said Sears would match any lower price from elsewhere, so I went to Pep Boys. I showed them what Sears had written out, and they gave me a price of $261 for the two--forty bucks cheaper. I may or may not visit another place or two, but think I'll just go to Pep Boys. Presumably, Sears would do it for the same price, but why should I patronize them after having to run all over town?
Stopped at the office and confessed to Jim I had appropriated a lime and he said I was welcome to take them. When people leave Ventura DelSol, he said, the gardeners remove what's in their patios and if it's any good, replant it on the ground. A good system, I say.
Jim goes to T.O.P.S. (but a different group than the one I'm in), and has lost 61 pounds; more significantly, he's kept it off for many years. He told me he's a night eater, too, and has shredded wheat with Silk almond milk. I immediately went to Smart ' n' Final and got those two things--will see if I can eat that instead of the more caloric stuff.
Called Linda T. (the one who lives in this complex) and we made a date for lunch on Wednesday. She suggested the Macaroni Grille, which is one of my favorites, so I was delighted to accept.
Went on-line to order new business cards for my acting course. I made slight modifications, including the name, now "Acting for Amateurs," and my current phone number.

A Really Awful Exhibit

It turned out to be a fairly interesting day. Ran the dishwasher and did other household chores (exciting stuff, yes?). Went on Craigslist, as I'm in the market for both a wooden kitchen table and a coffee table. I contacted somebody with the latter in which I might be interested (it's new, not used), but for various reasons, decided against it.
Went to Sofas, Etc. and saw one I might consider, as it's the right size and price is okay, but it has a glass top and I don't know if I like that--seems dangerous, maybe. Stopped at Target, but they had nothing I'd buy. I thought I might as well look as some of the pricier, gently used stores downtown and drove there. Looked in a lot of stores, but really didn't see anything that caught my eye.
I had parked at the museum lot and stumbled on its grand re-opening, so wandered in (they weren't charging yesterday). Lots of people there and I just looked at this and that, then went into an exhibit called--weirdly, I thought--"Really Awful People." It turned out to be models of, and short vignettes about, various historic figures, such as Herod, the Borgia family, Hitler--in other words, notorious murderers. I was stunned to see that the last figure--depicted bare to the waist and brandishing a sword over his head--was Vladimir Putin! The plaque with the figure is pure U.S. propaganda, presumably never questioned by the "artist" and those who approved this travesty. In the comment book and in a note at the desk, I expressed my strong disapproval--and disgust--at this demonizing of Russia in order to launch the World War III our psychotic "leaders" are determined to foster.
Drove off mulling this over and went to Smart 'n' Final for a few things. Ran into Gabrielle and we talked for twenty minutes or so; made a date for lunch on Saturday at the Hill Street Cafe.

Maddening Macy's

Macy's has to be the most annoying entity in the universe and it's no wonder they're having to close a lot of their stores. I'll probably never walk in there again, because--well, read on:
I had gotten a generous gift card for the place and went yesterday to look for a bed set (spread, skirt, shams, etc.). Found a nice one with bright flowers and took it to the register. It turned out the gift card was $20 short, but no prob, I thought I'd just put that on my Macy's charge. Salesclerk asked for I.D., as well, and I gave her my driver's license, the info on which she slo-o-wly punched in. However, it was then discovered the credit card was invalid because I hadn't used it in so long.
I don't know why I didn't just pay the extra in cash, but I let myself be persuaded to apply for a new card. I then had to show my I.D. and after that, to go on the screen to answer questions (S.S number? income? do you floss everyday? when did you first have sex?) and so on. I then had to actually talk on the phone to some disembodied voice in Upper Japip or somewhere, and answer incredibly intrusive questions. Such as? Such as which age category is Ellen Molloy in (16 to 20, 20 to 40, and so on)? It didn't occur to me until later that it's disgustingly creepy that this lousy corporation should know Ellen is my daughter. Anyway, after a lot more of this, I took my purchase and left. How did we get to a place where commercialism rules us this way?
Aside from all that, I went here and there for eye brow pencil, lemon pepper, and stuff, then to Arnold's for a frame for the rose Nancy painted me. They're having a "buy one, get one for a penny," but I only want one. I'll go back and ask if I can have one at half price, which is what the first promotion amounts to.
Went to Barnes & Noble and finally got the gift card thing straightened out. Called Sherry to tell her and she was very cavalier about the forty bucks on a card she thought was depleted. We talked a bit and as she invariably does, she displayed constant self-aggrandizement. The more I have contact with her, the more I think she's full of that stinky stuff.
I called the woman who was at T.O.P.S. and who lives in the complex here--Linda T.--and we had a nice chat. She comes across as very well-spoken and intelligent and I liked her right away. I'll said I'd call her on Monday and we'll make a date to get together.
Oiled and seasoned four chicken thighs, put them in the oven, and had one for dinner--other three went in the freezer.