A Painting And A Party

Pretty busy day. Suzanne and I left for the Reagan Library in Simi Valley exactly at 9:15 and arrived about an hour later. It was crowded, but not unbearably so and not nearly as crowded as when Ellen and I went for the Titanic exhibit.
Da Vinci was just an incredible genius in many spheres. I was somewhat surprised that what seemed to be emphasized was his wizardly in mechanical inventions, rather than his painting. He worked up plans for flying machines, bicycles, self-operating carts, and an incredible kind of organ music maker. All of these were crafted and displayed and at one point, the "organ" was played by a musician. He also invented a number of war implements, including "robot warriors."
As for the painting, a room was devoted to the Last Supper and Mona Lisa. Life-sized replicas were here, including a spectacular rendering of the Last Supper, which filled one whole wall. I found the explanations of how Da Vinci depicted the apostles fascinating, their body attitudes, facial expressions, and hand gestures all had meaning. Even the placement--those to the right of Christ and those to the left were purposely put there. Christ himself is, of course, in the middle and is backed by a blue sky and open space.

We had lunch on the veranda that overlooks the lovely Simi Valley, then drove home. On the way, Suzanne and I talked about the different lives that nuns live now, compared to when I was a girl--a remarkable change, it seems to me.
Home about 2:30 and I left for the bus to town shortly after. On the way, Stella texted me to see where I was. After back-and-forth texts, we decided to meet at the library, did so, then went to Aloha for her lunch and my Happy Hour veggie wraps and beer. We then walked The Promenade for a bit before Stella took me to Main to get the bus.
In between all this, there were lots and lots of "group texts" about the surprise party for Dean tonight. I did reserve the Access Van, but hope somebody will take me instead, as the party's is in Santa Paula. If not, I'd have to be picked up at 3:00, driven to the end of town, dropped off, then picked up by another van there. I'm mulling over whether to call somebody from the show to take me, instead.

Vanguard And The Hayseeds

I actually got a few more chores done yesterday. I dry-mopped the hard floors, went through and re-organized the medicine cabinet, and submitted Ellen's name (after asking her permission) to Vanguard to act as my "trusted contact." This doesn't mean she can get her greedy hands on my millions,* just that, if Vanguard thinks I've gone dotty, they can contact her.
Went to town after lunch and took the Stephen King book back--it was very short, unlike his usual enormous tomes and frankly, slight and trite. The only mildly interesting aspect was that one of the main characters was a lesbian, which I understand his daughter is. She's in a wheel chair here because she has some kind of autoimmune disorder.

I put the picture on here because I find it incredible that the family of somebody who may be among the 100 most famous people in the world, who is surely a millionaire many times over or even a billionaire, who, presumably, has access, and whose family has access, to the best decorators, clothes, jewels, body spas, makeup, and anything else to make them glamorous, is sitting in this, let's face it, kitchen of such mediocrity I wouldn't want it in my present circumstances, let alone if I had the wealth of the world in my pocket and who look, frankly, like the ordinary bumpkins you can see anywhere, the Hayseed family from Upper Japip, sloppily dressed and overweight and gathered around a truly second-rate, early American table that went out with the nineteen-sixties.
I find this SO utterly and completely charming--I love it!
Anyhoo, I saw two things in a store I thought I might buy--measured them and they'll fit where I want them, but do I really want them, let alone need them? I'll think about it. Shrimp and lots of fresh veggies for dinner, and they were yummy. Went out after dinner to get gas, mourning already for the day I won't have to do that.
Via text, I was invited to a surprise birthday party for Dean M., of Fractured Actors. I'd like to go, but just am not sure of how to get there. Also, if I took the Access Van, I'd have to call today. Well, I'll think about it.
Today: Suzanne and I are going to the Da Vinci exhibit at the Reagan Library (well, I guess Ronnie was good for something).
*If Ellen or any of my children need/want any or all of my money, they can have it just for the asking. But they never do.

Chores, Books, And Happy Hour

Called Diane early and we discussed Happy Hour. After breakfast, I started in on the rest of the put-off stuff  and, finally, happy day, I'm just about finished. Now I just (just!) have to file all the paper work and otherwise tidy up. Sent Tony C. a check for the work he did recently at my house in Jersey. He also texted me to the effect that it needs the bushes trimmed and a cleanup. I asked him to give me an estimate.
Made my roasted tomato, onion, garlic dish and a lot of it. When it's cooked and cooled, I keep it in a large glass jar in the fridge and just add it to my salad every day. Took a book back to the library, I'm still working on three, including a fiction: Stephen King's Exultation, a very short one for him, which is so-so. I'm halfway finished How We Die Now, by an Irish doctor, who brings up some interesting points about modern death, including the "celebration of life" thing. I find that thoroughly idiotic, especially if live birds, balloons, or bubbles are involved and so does he. I also have, but haven't started yet, The Road to Camelot/Inside JFK's Five Year Campaign. I like political inside stories and hope this isn't a whitewash.
My sliding glass door in the living room was stuck, so I called the office and was told Javier would come and fix it after lunch. I cleaned up a little, then walked to the Victorian Pub for happy hour. I was early, so I stopped into the nearby 99-Cent store and got Stevia. Met Diane in there and we strolled to the Pub together. Carolyn and Nancy came shortly after and we had a good time.
I insisted that we start taking turns deciding where we'd go--I'm tired of being the social director, so next time, it's Carolyn's choice and she picked Lemon y sal. Let's hope she remembers happy hour isn't until 5:00 there.
Walked home, so I got in about three miles, which I was glad to do. Home about 6:15 and I saw that my sliding door was fixed. Good.

Minutiae

Finally forced myself to get some practical things done (I'm the world's most notorious procrastinator): changed the sheets and did a load of whites with them; finally looked through the pile of paper on my desk and dealt with some financial stuff; straightened out some long-standing minor problems; sent a check to Tony C., my Jersey landscaper; and otherwise cleared up some things. Is there more? Oh, yes, there's always more, damn it.
Betty called and we had long talk. As ever, she seems eerily like her old self until she doesn't. Then she seems like a rather tiresome child. She's coming home from Chicago on Friday and I said I'd go up to Santa Barbara on Tuesday for lunch.
I subscribe to Reminisce magazine and have for years.  I'm not really interested in it, but I want to submit a piece I wrote on Aunt Maggie and haven't gotten around to it. I must do that soon. Anyway, it's very inexpensive--ten bucks a year and that includes a gift subscription to somebody else. I used to have it sent to Betty, but I know she doesn't read much anymore, so the last few years, I've sent it to Nancy. I called her to see if she really wanted it and she doesn't. She listens to books on tape almost exclusively, just as I read only books, as a rule. Think I'll see if Diane wants it.
Speaking of which, I emailed her and the other two to see if they 'd switch back to Wednesdays for Happy Hour, which both Nancy and I prefer. We'll see.
Went to Ralph's, Smart 'n' Final, and a few other places for salad dressing, blueberries, bag clips, bread, and stuff. then to the post office to send a card. By the time I got home, it was too late to take the bus to town, so I didn't get a walk in, but I will today.

Lunch And Leonardo

Since there's no bus or van service on Labor Day--the reason for which I can't fathom--I walked to the widder lunch. It's about two miles and it was pretty hot, but I had no problem and I was glad to do it. I arrived just at noon and the only one here was Susan (suicide eight years ago); Carolyn (suicide ten years ago) came soon after , but Nancy (a variety of ailments four years ago) was with family for the holiday. Interestingly, a new Nancy (colon cancer four years ago), a teacher in Oxnard, came.
Usually, we have at least eight or ten for lunch and quite a few more for dinner, but this time, there was just the four of us. Much as I like the bigger group, this was good, too--we were able to all talk together and we ranged over "what happened," "dating history after the death," and "children and their problems."
Susan took me home and I started looking for the pumpkin poem and sketches I did years ago, then revived for Toastmasters. I'm going to attend a Senior Readers Theatre thing next week and may join. They go to different elementary schools and read for the younger grades. If it's just reading without some acting, I won't do it, nor will I if there's a raft of self-absorbed old people, but I want to look into it. Damnit, though, I couldn't find pumpkin poem--can't imagine what I did with it. I actually took a nap after and slept for about two hours. Walked over to Von's for romaine; since I had had pesto pasta for lunch, I had my usual daily salad for dinner.
Suzanne stopped in after and we chatted about various, including our plans to go to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit at the Reagan Library on either Friday or Saturday. Either is okay for me.

Party

Slept until 7:30 and didn't have breakfast until 9:00. Did my Sunday stuff, then more or less lazed around until lunchtime. For a change, I didn't have a salad, but ate a Lean Cuisine pasta and meatballs frozen meal. Not sure how long it's been in the freezer. Hmm...maybe I brought it from Jersey four years ago.
After, I went to Winco to buy Corona Premium in the small bottles, so they'd fit in my smaller insulated bag. Sliced up a lime to put in the beer and added my cold glass, just in case they only have plastic. No need to bring food, as Jeff and Shannon had the party catered.
And what a party! The Access Van came early, as usual, so I got there at 5:30, a full half hour before I should have. Skulked around outside until Jeff pulled into the drive and I went in with him. Greeted Shannon, then went into the garden, opened one of my Coronas, and settled down to wait for the rest of the guests.
In the meantime, the two caterers, Quentin and Whatshisname, fired up the barbecue, set up their serving tables, and laid out their luscious spread of beef ribs, macaroni and cheese, shredded pork, and homemade Cole slaw. Guests were asked to bring their own drinks and Chuck F. brought two big coolers, full of craft beers, none of which I had ever tasted. He poured me samples now and again, which included chocolate-flavored ale, which I've had before and which is vile.
Great night. I met spouses and partners I hadn't before and found that many were either musicians or performers of some kind. I especially liked Bryan, who mentioned he went to pricey Ojai Valley School, where Vivian and Violet went to summer camp a few months ago.  Interestingly, his roommate was the son of the old-time T.V. star, Robert Culp ("I Spy").
I got to know better a lot of those I had performed with, and the people they brought.  Aside from Ben, who was off on a trip, I think almost the whole cast, plus lighting, sound, and band members, were there. I knew Ariana and her boyfriend were off on a trip to Santa Barbara, but they came in just as we were leaving. Shannon had suggested I cancel the van to go home, which I did, and Sean and Crystal took me home.
It was so good to reunite with my tribe.

Closing Night

Happily, I'm restored to my usual buoyancy and I credit my walking yesterday as the reason. Usually, I go to town after lunch, but this time (after a sojourn to Von's, which is on the next block), I took the bus to town, walked The Promenade, then the back-to-Main loop, then walked several blocks more before getting the bus back to the east end. I got off midway to the 99-cent store to pick up some colorless nail polish, which they didn't have. Instead of getting back on a bus home, I walked to the mall transit center, which is a good mile and a half, at least. Got the bus there and was home at 2:00. That's an hour past my usual lunchtime, but I was fine with that.
Stella called while I was eating my big salad, made marvelous with the tomatoes I had planted and nurtured lovingly--okay, I watered them, that was about it--and it was delicious.
Stella, not so much. She wanted to know if I could meet for coffee because she was in town. Since she seems to be adverse to ever making plans a day or so--or even an hour--ahead, I'm getting very tired of her. She also couldn't go to the play because she couldn't find anybody to go with last night. Of course, I had told her several times about the 5:00 shows the first two weeks, but somehow, that eluded her. Drove out for cottage cheese and a few other thing, getting home about 4:00 and prepared for the last show.
Beforehand, we had a group picture taken, with the full cast at the bar. And the close? It was great! The audience was one of the best ever and it was a packed house. Our part went well, aside from G.'s usual lackluster performance, and the finale was terrific. As we did each night, we all come out on stage to clap and sway as the bank accompanies Ashley and Chris singing "Walls."  This time, there were "cannons" that shot confetti We then mingle with the audience and everybody stays to hear more songs. It's so much fun and I'll miss it.
And I'll miss the camaraderie
 and the patience of Jeff and Shannon,
 and the red wine always available in the women's dressing room,*
 and the expertise of Jen and Alex, our stage managers,
 and Lil' Gloria,
 and Shelby's voice, Janelle's voice, Shannon's voice,
 and even the tedium of hours of waiting before going on,
 and so much more.
I've been surprised at how many audience members complimented me on my performance, as I cringed when I saw the video; I'm my own worse critic.  And last night, Shannon took me aside and said she and Jeff were thrilled with finding me and want me to be with them in the future. I had told them of my own plays and skits and they want to see them.
Today, we strike the set, then have the cast party at 6:00. I made arrangements to have the Access Van take me there and take me home, as I intend to indulge.
*Since I was driving, I had only sips each night, hours before I drove home, so I don't think I violated my promise to my children not to drink and drive.