The widder lunch was yesterday and Nancy had planned to go. Unfortunately, she e-mailed me to say there was rain and fog in Oakview, which she didn't want to drive in, and I don't blame her. I e-mailed her back and she then called to say she thought the weather had improved, so she had gotten dressed, but it was socked in again, so darn--she wasn't able to go.
I got there--to Marie Callendar's--at noon. Nine of us attended if you include the one who stays under the table (Titus, Chuck's dog). There was a new woman, who said she's been widowed only a month, and we all welcomed her. I was pleased to see my friend, Joyce, come in, too. She's preparing for her permanent move to Colorado in April and is, of course, caught up with getting rid of things.
Had the Santa Fe salad, which was okay, if not great, and my usual Blue Moon schooner. Chatted with Susan, who is going to Cuba on a "People to People" excursion in April. Boy, I'm green with envy--I'd go in a heartbeat if I could.
Went home after and changed, then drove into town and looked for some additional items for Mr. K. Didn't find anything, but was glad to walk a mile or two. When I got home, I called Nancy to tell her how it went and we confirmed our date for lunch and mimosas on Saturday. She suggested we see a movie after, and she'll look up the one about the female black scientist people keep telling me I'll like.
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
Monday, February 06, 2017
Toenails and Templeton Rye
El had e-mailed that she wanted to get a pedicure yesterday, so I called to make appointments for both of us at 3:00. Went to WinCo to pick up that missing cottage cheese and a few other things.
While I was having lunch, Jim D. called from Texas to tell me that his wife, Lu, had died: she had been diagnosed with cancer only three months ago. I met Lu only once, when she and Jim were visiting in Jersey just before I left for California. We met for breakfast in Galloway on their way back to Texas and I gave him the letters he had sent me sixty some years ago. I thought Lu was a sweet person--very quiet, unlike her husband.
Jim said he didn't have Betty's number, but when I asked if he wanted it, he said he'd rather I called her. I did and during our conversation she said Jim had told her he married Lu because he knew that she, Betty, wouldn't marry him (HUH?).
El and I had our pedicures and I enjoyed our short time together, as ever. She went home to straighten her hair (my daughters are weird--I'd kill for the hair they have, thanks to their father) and I went home to prepare for dinner at Suzanne's.
That turned out to be very enjoyable. She served potato soup (made to order at Von's, she said, and it was superb), and a kale and cranberry salad, with just some hard cheese and Italian bread in addition. It was not at all elaborate, but everything was just delicious and, happy day, she uncorked a nice Merlot with it. We had baked apples for dessert--a lovely meal.
We talked and talked. I heard all about her Templeton, Iowa childhood, including the fact that her grandfather had been a bootlegger during prohibition. He got three months in jail, but was friends with the sheriff and was let out for special occasions, such as picnics and holidays. He and his cronies distilled "Templeton rye" and there's a book called Gentlemen Bootleggers that tells the story. Suzanne also showed me a personal book her relative had compiled for her fiftieth anniversary in the Sisters of Mercey, showing some of her in her habit. However, she never wore the old-fashioned kind that I grew up with, but a shorter version with a more revealing (of her hair) veil.
Anyway, I greatly enjoyed getting to know her better and think we'll be good friends.
While I was having lunch, Jim D. called from Texas to tell me that his wife, Lu, had died: she had been diagnosed with cancer only three months ago. I met Lu only once, when she and Jim were visiting in Jersey just before I left for California. We met for breakfast in Galloway on their way back to Texas and I gave him the letters he had sent me sixty some years ago. I thought Lu was a sweet person--very quiet, unlike her husband.
Jim said he didn't have Betty's number, but when I asked if he wanted it, he said he'd rather I called her. I did and during our conversation she said Jim had told her he married Lu because he knew that she, Betty, wouldn't marry him (HUH?).
El and I had our pedicures and I enjoyed our short time together, as ever. She went home to straighten her hair (my daughters are weird--I'd kill for the hair they have, thanks to their father) and I went home to prepare for dinner at Suzanne's.
That turned out to be very enjoyable. She served potato soup (made to order at Von's, she said, and it was superb), and a kale and cranberry salad, with just some hard cheese and Italian bread in addition. It was not at all elaborate, but everything was just delicious and, happy day, she uncorked a nice Merlot with it. We had baked apples for dessert--a lovely meal.
We talked and talked. I heard all about her Templeton, Iowa childhood, including the fact that her grandfather had been a bootlegger during prohibition. He got three months in jail, but was friends with the sheriff and was let out for special occasions, such as picnics and holidays. He and his cronies distilled "Templeton rye" and there's a book called Gentlemen Bootleggers that tells the story. Suzanne also showed me a personal book her relative had compiled for her fiftieth anniversary in the Sisters of Mercey, showing some of her in her habit. However, she never wore the old-fashioned kind that I grew up with, but a shorter version with a more revealing (of her hair) veil.
Anyway, I greatly enjoyed getting to know her better and think we'll be good friends.
Sunday, February 05, 2017
Slow
'Twas a pretty slow day. I spent a lot of time on still more picture handling. I had bought a four opening frame, for which I searched out, trimmed, then mounted, pictures of my four children in caps and gowns when they graduated from college.
Pared and cored the Golden Delicious apples, added spices, and put them in the crock pot with the pork loin. Went out after lunch, meaning to stroll around town, but it was so jammed and there were no open parking places, so I drove away. Stopped at a store and got a teddy bear and little book for K.; I want to have some toys and things for him.
Stopped at Smart 'n' Final, meaning to get mostly cottage cheese and oranges. Bought several other things and forgot the cottage cheese--darn!
One of the good things about living alone is being able to eat dinner whenever you want. When I got home, the pork and apples smelled so good, I checked to see if they were cooked. They were, and at 3:00 o'clock, I ate--delish! Hey, you can eat at three a.m., if you want.
Went out after just for a drive and that was pretty much my day--the interesting parts, that is (HA!).
Pared and cored the Golden Delicious apples, added spices, and put them in the crock pot with the pork loin. Went out after lunch, meaning to stroll around town, but it was so jammed and there were no open parking places, so I drove away. Stopped at a store and got a teddy bear and little book for K.; I want to have some toys and things for him.
Stopped at Smart 'n' Final, meaning to get mostly cottage cheese and oranges. Bought several other things and forgot the cottage cheese--darn!
One of the good things about living alone is being able to eat dinner whenever you want. When I got home, the pork and apples smelled so good, I checked to see if they were cooked. They were, and at 3:00 o'clock, I ate--delish! Hey, you can eat at three a.m., if you want.
Went out after just for a drive and that was pretty much my day--the interesting parts, that is (HA!).
Saturday, February 04, 2017
Carpentaria
As I was leaving to meet Sue at SCAN, Suzanne next door came out and we chatted. We agreed we wanted to see more of each other--she works part-time and I'm out a lot--so we'll pursue that (and see later).
Met Sue and we put some of my possible consignment stuff in her red cruiser and sped off to Carpenteria. (It's only about fifteen miles away on the Pacific Coast Highway.) It was rainy and misty, which half-hid the hills and made them mysteriously interesting. Got to Peggy's Hidden Treasures in good time and Sue introduced me to the owners, Wendy, and her husband, whose name I don't remember.
What nice people they are and what a terrific shop it is. It's very tastefully laid out, with the goods--jewelry, antiques, and other collectibles--in showcases and white shelves. It's all of top quality and while Sue showed Wendy what she had brought, I browsed. I saw a necklace with purple stones that I would kill for--well, I would have to, to be able to afford the price tag.
After Sue's business was finished, I brought my stuff in, mostly pictures. I was surprised when Wendy gently turned down the needlepoint pictures, in oval frames, but she said people just don't want them up anymore. She did take a picture of hand-painted flowers, as well as a primitive cloth piece I bought years ago from a professor at Rider who knew poor women in Columbia who made them. I had also brought some coins and the husband examined them while we went to eat.
Sue asked for a recommendation for lunch and Wendy mentioned a place nearby. On the way home, Sue took me to see the "oil spill," which, it seems, leaks out of the ground, but where we drove in was restricted or something. We arrived back at SCAN about 2:30, and parted.
I went immediately to the Bonaventure and saw Mary and Sam, manager and sales manager. I made clear there was no animosity on my part, but that they should know their resident--or maybe several residents--resented outsiders' presence at events. I was honest about the fact that I would almost surely never move there. I suggested they may want to bring this up in residents' meetings. Anyway, I think they appreciated that I was up front about it.
Stopped at Smart 'n' Final on the way home to pick up apples and a pork loin. I have a recipe with them for the crock pot and may make it today.
I found a note from Suzanne on my door when I got home, inviting me to dinner on Sunday. I knocked on her door and accepted the invitation with thanks.
Met Sue and we put some of my possible consignment stuff in her red cruiser and sped off to Carpenteria. (It's only about fifteen miles away on the Pacific Coast Highway.) It was rainy and misty, which half-hid the hills and made them mysteriously interesting. Got to Peggy's Hidden Treasures in good time and Sue introduced me to the owners, Wendy, and her husband, whose name I don't remember.
What nice people they are and what a terrific shop it is. It's very tastefully laid out, with the goods--jewelry, antiques, and other collectibles--in showcases and white shelves. It's all of top quality and while Sue showed Wendy what she had brought, I browsed. I saw a necklace with purple stones that I would kill for--well, I would have to, to be able to afford the price tag.
After Sue's business was finished, I brought my stuff in, mostly pictures. I was surprised when Wendy gently turned down the needlepoint pictures, in oval frames, but she said people just don't want them up anymore. She did take a picture of hand-painted flowers, as well as a primitive cloth piece I bought years ago from a professor at Rider who knew poor women in Columbia who made them. I had also brought some coins and the husband examined them while we went to eat.
Sue asked for a recommendation for lunch and Wendy mentioned a place nearby. On the way home, Sue took me to see the "oil spill," which, it seems, leaks out of the ground, but where we drove in was restricted or something. We arrived back at SCAN about 2:30, and parted.
I went immediately to the Bonaventure and saw Mary and Sam, manager and sales manager. I made clear there was no animosity on my part, but that they should know their resident--or maybe several residents--resented outsiders' presence at events. I was honest about the fact that I would almost surely never move there. I suggested they may want to bring this up in residents' meetings. Anyway, I think they appreciated that I was up front about it.
Stopped at Smart 'n' Final on the way home to pick up apples and a pork loin. I have a recipe with them for the crock pot and may make it today.
I found a note from Suzanne on my door when I got home, inviting me to dinner on Sunday. I knocked on her door and accepted the invitation with thanks.
Friday, February 03, 2017
Pictures, But Not From An Institution*
Good grief, I spent virtually the entire day on a project! A few months ago, I had bought a large frame--five feet by three feet--with 21 openings for snapshots. I decided to reserve it for only my immediate family--children, grandchildren, great-grands, and their spouses.
Trying to find and sometimes copy the right number for each and the right size and the right orientation (horizontal or vertical) was an incredible chore. In the middle of the first part of my ordeal, I realized I didn't have photo paper. Went to Office Max to get some. I picked up the least expensive 8' x 10" for $9.99, which was also two for the price of one. Foolishly, I chose a packet of smaller ones, and saw after I opened them that 1.) I already have that size and 2.) I don't know how to have my printer use the smaller ones, anyway. I had torn the damn things open, so couldn't take them back, but went to Staples to get more larger ones. I told the guy there I didn't know how to feed in the smaller ones (although that was the size I wanted) and he said he'd show me how. "What kind of printer do you have," he asked. "Hewlett Packer," I said, and he showed me how to do it.
When I got home, I saw that my printer is a Canon and I still couldn't feed in the smaller size. Rushed out to Wal-Mart, got more, then spent another several more hours putting the damn thing together. I worked on it from 9:30 to almost 5:00!
But hey, it looks really nice.
Got an e-mail from Carole to the effect that she can't go to Carpentaria today, as one of her (two) dogs is very sick and she doesn't trust her husband to take proper care of its medications. Sherry also messaged (when did that get to be a verb?) me, asking about the Bonaventure misadventure (ha!), and I filled her in.
*Couldn't resist! Pictures From An Institution was a comedic novel published in 1954 on the machinations behind the scenes of faculty and others at a large U.S. university. Fiction, but it struck a bell at Rider--faculty are a breed apart, that's a cinch.
Trying to find and sometimes copy the right number for each and the right size and the right orientation (horizontal or vertical) was an incredible chore. In the middle of the first part of my ordeal, I realized I didn't have photo paper. Went to Office Max to get some. I picked up the least expensive 8' x 10" for $9.99, which was also two for the price of one. Foolishly, I chose a packet of smaller ones, and saw after I opened them that 1.) I already have that size and 2.) I don't know how to have my printer use the smaller ones, anyway. I had torn the damn things open, so couldn't take them back, but went to Staples to get more larger ones. I told the guy there I didn't know how to feed in the smaller ones (although that was the size I wanted) and he said he'd show me how. "What kind of printer do you have," he asked. "Hewlett Packer," I said, and he showed me how to do it.
When I got home, I saw that my printer is a Canon and I still couldn't feed in the smaller size. Rushed out to Wal-Mart, got more, then spent another several more hours putting the damn thing together. I worked on it from 9:30 to almost 5:00!
But hey, it looks really nice.
Got an e-mail from Carole to the effect that she can't go to Carpentaria today, as one of her (two) dogs is very sick and she doesn't trust her husband to take proper care of its medications. Sherry also messaged (when did that get to be a verb?) me, asking about the Bonaventure misadventure (ha!), and I filled her in.
*Couldn't resist! Pictures From An Institution was a comedic novel published in 1954 on the machinations behind the scenes of faculty and others at a large U.S. university. Fiction, but it struck a bell at Rider--faculty are a breed apart, that's a cinch.
Thursday, February 02, 2017
BCNN Meeting and Other Stuff
I got to the Knights of Columbus hall almost an hour early--wanted to be sure I could get a parking spot. Doris drove in just as I did, and we went in.
The hall isn't bad. It's not as new as the museum, I guess, but it seems somehow more intimate and--well, I don't know, I guess "homey" is the word. Anyway, I was told that, unlike at the museum, they set up the tables and even provided blue tablecloths.
Sue and Carole got there shortly after, as did Sherry and Sue's friend, Ida. The program was by the director of the Maritime Museum in Oxnard (I've been there) and was well done. We all agreed we'd like to go before too long. Carole will go with Sue and me to the consignment shop in Carpetaria tomorrow; I must look for things I want to consign. We also talked about another casino excursion, possibly next week.
It was only 11:00 when the meeting was over and we had had coffee and a light breakfast; in my case, just half a bagel with cream cheese and some fruit. I dislike sweet things early in the day and most of what is usually brought are muffins, and even cookies and brownies. Nevertheless, when Sue suggested lunch, I was in. I mentioned Stephen's, the Greek restaurant, and that's where we went, but just Sue, her friend, Ida, and me. Sue and I had sausage on gyros--I was surprised that she knew what some of the menu items listed in Greek were, until she said she had waitressed years ago in a Greek restaurant.
We parted at 12:30 and I went home to do the laundry thing. I had neglected it too long and had a large load, but got it done reasonably quickly. Betty called to tell me that Westminster was moving to the main campus in Lawrenceville--hmm, too bad.
Went to WinCo for this and that, then to the library to drop off a few things. I'm still listening to the scientist, Richard Dawkins, who's speaking on biological topics. I'm surprising myself that I enjoy it, although I don't understand some of the terms.
The hall isn't bad. It's not as new as the museum, I guess, but it seems somehow more intimate and--well, I don't know, I guess "homey" is the word. Anyway, I was told that, unlike at the museum, they set up the tables and even provided blue tablecloths.
Sue and Carole got there shortly after, as did Sherry and Sue's friend, Ida. The program was by the director of the Maritime Museum in Oxnard (I've been there) and was well done. We all agreed we'd like to go before too long. Carole will go with Sue and me to the consignment shop in Carpetaria tomorrow; I must look for things I want to consign. We also talked about another casino excursion, possibly next week.
It was only 11:00 when the meeting was over and we had had coffee and a light breakfast; in my case, just half a bagel with cream cheese and some fruit. I dislike sweet things early in the day and most of what is usually brought are muffins, and even cookies and brownies. Nevertheless, when Sue suggested lunch, I was in. I mentioned Stephen's, the Greek restaurant, and that's where we went, but just Sue, her friend, Ida, and me. Sue and I had sausage on gyros--I was surprised that she knew what some of the menu items listed in Greek were, until she said she had waitressed years ago in a Greek restaurant.
We parted at 12:30 and I went home to do the laundry thing. I had neglected it too long and had a large load, but got it done reasonably quickly. Betty called to tell me that Westminster was moving to the main campus in Lawrenceville--hmm, too bad.
Went to WinCo for this and that, then to the library to drop off a few things. I'm still listening to the scientist, Richard Dawkins, who's speaking on biological topics. I'm surprising myself that I enjoy it, although I don't understand some of the terms.
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Hair, Nails, and Happy News
I got to my noon hair appointment early, but no prob, as Amanda came in shortly thereafter.
I like the way Amanda colors and cuts; what's more, I like Amanda. We have a good time, talking easily together, and having a few laughs, too. I greatly dislike having my hair done--never did like it, as I get antsy just sitting there that long. It makes it bearable to have a compatible stylist doing the deed, which I have in Amanda and I appreciate it.
Went home for lunch, then to Jessica Nails for a manicure. All the employees there are Vietnamese. In fact, all the employees at the nail place I went to in Jersey are Vietnamese, too. Maybe all the hairdressers in the country--on the face of the earth, even--are Vietnamese. In any event, since I've been to Vietnam, I like talking to them. Yesterday, I had a lovely woman--fiftyish, I guess--named Diane. I'm going to ask for her when I make an appointment for a pedicure (another event I greatly dislike).
After, I went to The Avenue, which was having a big sale. Their clothes are very pricey, it seems to me, but when you're over a certain size, I think they're just tops. Anyway, I got a spiffy jacket (black with silver buttons and trim), a long shirt (sort of silky, with silver trim), and a red and black top. Altogether, they came to only forty-five bucks. Considering how good they look, that was a bargain.
When I got home, I checked my e-mail and was thrilled to see a message from the Tokyo Trio--they're coming to visit! Oh, happy day, they should be here for a week in March and I'll get to see the adorable three-year-old, plus my dear oldest his dear wife--yay!
I like the way Amanda colors and cuts; what's more, I like Amanda. We have a good time, talking easily together, and having a few laughs, too. I greatly dislike having my hair done--never did like it, as I get antsy just sitting there that long. It makes it bearable to have a compatible stylist doing the deed, which I have in Amanda and I appreciate it.
Went home for lunch, then to Jessica Nails for a manicure. All the employees there are Vietnamese. In fact, all the employees at the nail place I went to in Jersey are Vietnamese, too. Maybe all the hairdressers in the country--on the face of the earth, even--are Vietnamese. In any event, since I've been to Vietnam, I like talking to them. Yesterday, I had a lovely woman--fiftyish, I guess--named Diane. I'm going to ask for her when I make an appointment for a pedicure (another event I greatly dislike).
After, I went to The Avenue, which was having a big sale. Their clothes are very pricey, it seems to me, but when you're over a certain size, I think they're just tops. Anyway, I got a spiffy jacket (black with silver buttons and trim), a long shirt (sort of silky, with silver trim), and a red and black top. Altogether, they came to only forty-five bucks. Considering how good they look, that was a bargain.
When I got home, I checked my e-mail and was thrilled to see a message from the Tokyo Trio--they're coming to visit! Oh, happy day, they should be here for a week in March and I'll get to see the adorable three-year-old, plus my dear oldest his dear wife--yay!
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