Widder Group Lunch

Skipped the morning walk, had breakfast late, did the crossword, then moseyed around for a bit. Called the Access Van to pick me up this morning for my 7:15 doctor appointment. I was told they'll be here between 6:09 and 6:30. Okay, I'm reconciled to possibly having to wait around when I go somewhere. I'll take the bus home.
Showered and dressed for the widder lunch and set off at 11:00. Instead of taking the bus, I walked down Victoria to Telephone (1.5 miles), then caught a bus the scant mile to the B & N shopping center. I was so early I stopped into Sprouts to see if they had anything I wanted. They didn't.
Continued on to Stone File Grille and, although it was still a little before noon, Vera, Gayle, Greg, and Susan were already there. I ordered my usual roasted cauliflower and Chief Peak, and settled in with one of my tribes.*
Carolyn came soon after, but Nancy didn't; nor did Stella, whom I had invited over the weekend. A newcomer, Sydney, whose husband had died of cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism, joined us.  What a lovely person: young, pretty, very sweet; he died four years ago, when their children were 3 and 6--damn, that's unfortunate. Anyway, she said her therapist had recommended our group. She, Carolyn, Susan, Gayle, and I talked together openly and honestly. Carolyn's and Susan's husbands had both taken their own lives with guns, Gayle's and mine were ill for many years. Others lost their spouses or partners through accidents, but we all share a sorrow and it's good to be with them. The other Susan, the obnoxious one, came late and corralled me at the silverware station to rattle on about herself, her book, her blog, and other boring topics. Luckily, the seat next to me was taken, so she sat a distance away. A few of us lingered to talk (others had to get back to work), but we eventually said goodbye until we meet for dinner in two weeks.
I was going to go into town, but decided not. Amanda is coming at 5:30 today to clean up my laptop and I wanted to get the hard floors done. I doubt very much if she would notice or care, but they needed to be done, anyway. Did so, took all the area rugs to the wash place, and threw in my gardening gloves. I never put these things in the dryer, but spread them on the patio to dry; will put them back on the floors when I get home.
* We were talking about our "tribes" the other day at Happy Hour. Nancy said her tribe was the knitting club in which she so involved. I have the tribe I mentioned above and it occurred to me that I have another tribe: the bus riders. I know many can't afford a car, some have a disability, and there are other reasons, but there we are, united in some unknowable way, moving together inside a steel shell.
This is my fifth day without driving.

Cinco de Mayo

Another day that turned out to be busy and fun. Just took a short neighborhood walk at 7:00; on the way back, I went through Von's. There's a Starbucks in the store and I saw a small bin with a sign: "Free coffee for your garden." I had seen this before and thought I'd bring a container and ladle or something, but I looked in and saw a large, neatly wrapped bag; asked the server if I could have it, she said "sure," and off I went with about ten pounds of coffee grounds. On the bag, it said it's good for nitrate-loving plants, so I'll look and see which of mine will benefit.
Finally got a pile of papers filed and did a few other household chores. Had lunch a little early (12:30), put my three library books to return (I'm still sloggin through the Rock Hudson bio) in my nylon bag, and took off for town. Dropped off the books and walked to The Promenade.
Since it was a nice Sunday (mostly sunny and reasonably warm, although not warm enough for sun-loving me), there were lots of people happily walking by the ocean. There were even a few in the water--good grief, it must have been frigid--and of course, plenty of surfers.
As I walked up to the Crown Plaza, I heard and saw lots of people on their viranda--it was the Cinco de Mayo celebration! I had suggested to Diane we go, but she didn't pick up on it and I forgot about it, but here it was. However, I was by myself and didn't want to attend alone.
I thought of Stella and impulsively called her. Darned if she wasn't at the museum and said she'd walk right down. She did, we went in, and had a fine time. There was a roving mariachi playing and singing all kinds of Mexican songs; the accordian player and guitarist were identical twins! I think the other two may have been their father and grandfather.
Anyway, they came to our table and asked what we'd like to  hear. Stella responded, of course, as she's Latino and speaks Spanish and they played her song.
This made her cry because she and her Arthur used to like it (although Arthur wasn't Latino). She apologized, but I assured her she had no reason to--it's all right to cry because your husband died, and it's been less than a year for her.
I had not one, but two Margaritas--yum, they were good--and we had chips and salsa gratis. There was an all-you-could-eat taco bar for only twelve bucks, but we had each had lunch, so we skipped that. We finally left and walked up to the library together, then parted and Stella got her car, which was parked at the mission (she goes to mass there) while I caught the bus.
Instead of going straight home, I disembarked at the mall, went to Target to use the restroom and buy blueberries, then hopped a number 6 and rode down Victoria. Got off and went to the store for grapes and rice cakes, then bussed back. Called El, who has a bad cold and had called in sick for today--good. Got in just at 7:00--I love daylight saving time!--and settled down for the night.
This is my fourth full day not driving. 
(Good grief, I slept until 7:10 this morning! I may want to adjust my usual schedule.)

Stella And The Gardens

Didn't walk before breakfast, as I knew I'd be getting plenty in later. After, I did a load of wash with all that entails, then wrote out Mothers Day cards. As the wash dried (45 minutes), I had time to take the Singapore and Tokyo ones to the post office; that constituted my morning walk.
I called Stella, as she had said she'd like to see me on Saturday. She's pretty vague and I wasn't sure what she had in mind. When I called, she was on the train in L.A. and suggested I meet her at the train station when it arrived at 1:40. Fine by me and I took my usual bus, got off at the library, walked to The Promenade, then to the station.
We got in her car--actually, her late husband's small truck, as she didn't want to leave her car in the lot overnight and I don't blame her--and she asked if I'd like to go up to the newly opened botanic gardens. I would and we did.
The gardens had been completely burned in the fire last year and is just getting restored. It's high up over City Hall and is just beautiful. It costs $7 to get in, but Stella bought a $75 family pass, which got me in, too. All kinds of native plants, labeled drought resistant, are planted here, plus they sell the same kinds. Stella loved an unusual flowering succulent from Chile, but unfortunately, they didn't sell that one. I was wowed by a very high set of stairs, made of native rock, which you can climb to the top of the ridge. However, Stella didn't think her knees would take them, so we didn't go up. I definitely want to do that and will see if Ellen and Greg might want to go. Come to think of it, I'll ask Suzanne, too.
By the time we left, it was almost 3:00 and we were both hungry. so
 we went to the Blue Agave for lunch. I had an excellent "flautas" with a good Mexican lager, and we both enjoyed a guacamole appetizer. We stayed until 4:00, after which Stella invited me to her house in Ojai. That had been our original plan, but I just didn't feel like it, so declined with thanks. She asked if I could come over today, but I must get some paperwork, mostly filing, done and I wasn't really anxious to see her two days in a row. I did urge her to go to Soaring Spirits (widder group) for lunch tomorrow, and will go to her place another time.
I walked around town a bit, then caught a bus. Called Ellen to see if Greg was working and finally, yes, he was, so I stayed on and went to Oxnard. Stopped at Target for blueberries, then at Whole Foods and saw Greg--I'm always pleased that he's happy to see me and gives me a hug--and we chatted a bit. Said goodbye, caught the three buses back to Ventura and got in a little after 7:00.  It was a good, active day and I enjoyed it.
Yesterday was my third full day without driving.

T.O.P.S. And The Museum

Walked the neighborhood.  Dressed and caught the bus for Ashwood Avenue and T.O.P.S.  I was satisfied with 130.7, up a tenth of a pound (4 ounces?) from last week. Luisa had the program, for which she read an ever-so-familiar and deadly dull article on scams. Scams? But isn't this a weight loss group? Why yes, but we don't bother our heads with that, now do we?
After, I bussed home, not arriving and getting breakfast until almost 11:00. This could be a major problem if I relinquish my car, but I'll deal with it. After, I caught the number 6 bus to the 99-Cent Store (actually, most of the goods are multiples of 99 cents) and bought grapes. Stopped at Vons for rhomaine and oranges. By the time I got back, it was almost 3:00. Had lunch, showered, and dressed for the museum. I met Diane at 5:30 and we went into the reception.
What a spread! They had a great buffet of meatballs stroganoff, puff patties, all kinds of cheeses and crackers, rounds of cucumbers with tuna paste, berries, little wedges of melon, and lots of other tasties. Besides all this, there was wine, of which Diane and I availed ourselves, you can be sure. For members, it was free, incredibly enough, and I'm a member, so whee--!  
Diane's friend, Susan, also came, and we ate together, then toured the small exhibit of women's art (called something or other I don't' remember), which consisted of small boxes with various themes.  It was okay, but is it art? Dunno and nobody seems to have figured that out.
I stayed until 7:00, then left to get the bus, which didn't come for an annoyingly long time, so I didn't actually get in my door until after 8:00. One of the days, I'll have to check the schedule.

Traffic School And Oxnard

I didn't set the alarm and didn't get up until after 7, out of sorts and gloomy. However, I pulled myself pretty much out of it and walked the neighborhood after my coffee and Internet. After breakfast, I forced myself to sit down with the on-line traffic school. The damn thing is pretty extensive and written in a kind of teeny-bopper prose; it includes lots of exclamation points and a fair number of errors. However, although it was long, I got through it, then was confronted with the exam. Did I want to take it then or wait a while? I figured I'd take it--you get a chance to do it again if you don't pass, passing being 18 right out of 25.
I took it and passed with 24 correct. It was so laughably easy, I shouldn't have worried so much about it. (The one I got wrong was the size of the DUI fine, and I don't intend ever to find out what that is.)
After, I moved two plants from one side of the garden to the other. When I took my trash and paper to the recycling area, I noticed a jester sculpture someone has left there for anyone to take. I did and put it in back of little Al-El:

Had lunch, then set off for my daily sojourn, but this time, I took the bus to Oxnard. Again, Greg was off, but I walked around and stopped at Target for blueberries. Home at 5:00 and I called Ellen to tell her of my triumphant Traffic School success (ha!).
Got an e-mail from Diane, suggesting we go to an art show at the museum at 5:30 today--it includes a wine reception and, since I'm a member, is free for me.  Yes, undeedy, she didn't have to ask me twice.
Texted Amanda from Cricket and we made a date to have her come and clean up my laptop on Tuesday afternoon.   

Crown Plaza H.H.

Just to do a trial run of not driving, I decided to go a week without getting behind the wheel.  At 7:00, I walked about a mile in the neighborhood, which was fine.
Finally examined more closely the two documents re my traffic sin and saw I have to go to the clerk's office before 12:45 to be on the docket at 1:30. Will do, but I'm not sure when.
Had breakfast, then walked down Victoria to Telephone, which I know is a mile and a bit, then got the bus for the Winco center. Crossed from there and wento Bed, Bath & Beyond, looking for two things I had seen on line that they didn't have.
Stopped at Cricket to ask Amanda a few things about my phone. She corrected a lot and explained others. On impulse, I asked if she'd clean up this laptop for fifty bucks. She would, indeed, and she'll call me to make a date.  Home, had lunch, then left for the Crown Plaza and Happy Hour.
We had a good time, but I thought the service was abysmal and the buffalo cauliflower I had wasn't very good. Nancy brought one each of several socks she's knitted as part of her knitting club challenge--well, whatever turns you on. I suggested Lure next time, but Nancy asked if we could defer until the week after, as she may be too involved with knitting to attend. Carolyn suggested we look at places we hadn't been, and I volunteered to scout some out.
We stayed until 5:30, said goodbye. I headed toward the library and, on the way, stopped into four establishments to get happy hour menus (or to take a picture of some I couldn't take out). Stayed at the library for about an hour, then hopped a bus and got home at 7:00.
I didn't set the alarm last night, stayed up until almost 10, and just got up at 6:40. I'm not too perky this morning and know I'll feel better after I put the bloody traffic thing behind me.

Twin Tuesday

When I got up, my relief over the relatively (but only relatively) unhorrible Superior Count letter had dissipated and I was again down in the dumps. I decided I would try not driving for--say, a week, and see how that felt. Therefore, I walked around here in the morning, totalling a mile and a bit more.
Had breakfast and left for Santa Barbara at 9:00.
As always, via three buses, I got to Betty's door at 11:30. We sat down and chatted and I borrowed a sweater, as it was chilly. I asked if she was game to walk to the mall and go to Lure, one of my favorite restaurants. She was and we did.
It was jammed and very noisy, so we sat on the patio, which happily, is heated. Got my new fave, "hazy" beer, this one called "White Rascal" for some odd reason, and a yummy ahi sandwich. This is fresh tuna steak, seared on the outside and otherwise raw. A lot of people would think it was gross, but I love it, maybe because I had it first in Hawaii. Anyway, we talked and laughed, and it was like old times.
Almost. It's always almost.
Walked Betty back to her place. She was going to the little gathering they have at 2:00 o'clock, but I begged off. She walked me halfway to State Street, we hugged goodbye, and I got the bus for downtown. Had to wait a bit for the Coastal Express, which takes me back to Ventura, but that was okay. Got it and Ellen called while I was riding.
She had read my blog and knew about the ticket. I said it had probably crystallized my decision to give up my car, she encouraged me and we had a long talk. I felt a lot better about it after I spoke to her.
I had seen on my phone that Sprouts had blueberries for 98 cents a 6 ounce container, a great price, especially for expensive them. That made me decide not to disembark at the last stop, the government complex, where I got another to Sprout's. Caught a bus to Victoria. where I was going to get another,  but decided to walk and I did. I was pleased that I had gotten at least four miles in for the day, possibly more.
Didn't get home until almost 7:00 and immediately changed into my jammies and relaxed for the night.