My Day And Marmite

Before breakfast, I put in a load of wash and showered and washed my hair. After, I went over to Von's to stock up on more blueberries (I put some in the freezer) and for broccoli and tangerines. I made out the check for Tony C., the landscaper who had done a lot of foliage clean-up at my house. The charge was $399.48 (I have no idea why he didn't add the extra fifty-two cents) and I walked to the post office to mail it. That brings my total repairs and so on at my house in Little Egg in the last few weeks to a hefty $974.17, but hey, it's only money.
The big news is that the woman at the Housing Rights Commission finally called me back (I had left a message on June 26) and yes, it seems we actually have a case. She gave me the number for something called the D.A. Mediation Unit and recommended I call. I did and left a message.
Lunched, sticking to my half-hour later resolve, so by the time I finished, it was after two. I just fooled around a bit on the laptop, then did a few minor household chores. Ellen came at 4:00, bringing my brand-new shark. I gave her a check for the cost ($69) and we left it plugged in to charge while we adjourned to the umbrella table area near the pool. I always enjoy being with her so much and it was fun talking together.
El left about 5:45 and went home to drop some stuff off. I found at my door a box from Amazon Prime, opened it, and found this:

It was from my nephew and his wife, David and Polly, who had written on Facebook that I should look for something coming soon. I honestly thought they were sending me pot, as we had talked about it when they were here a few months ago. But this? Why is a mystery, which I hope will be solved on Facebook.

By then it was only 6:00 or so and I impulsively walked to the stop and hopped a bus to the mall. I just walked to Target, looked around, then came back.
Note to myself: On Sunday, I started my revised regimen. I pushed my meal times up a half-hour and resolved to avoid eating (aside from blueberries) during my 8 to 9 pm T.V. time. I'm not happy over the creeping up of the scale; last Friday, it was 132.5 and my comfort zone is between 125 and 130. Two and a half pounds over doesn't seem significant, but it is if I look at the lower end. In that case, it's seven and a half pounds, and I don't want to go there. We'll see how it is this Friday.

Sunday

I was pleased to have completed the whole Sunday crossword (geez, it doesn't take much to please me). Usually, I get most of it, but leave two or three blank. 

Walked to Wal-Mart after breakfast and got magic markers, the sleep aids I've been taking for fifteen years, and a pair of sneaks. We'll see if they're as good as my Easy Spirits--probably not, but I'll give them a try. Stopped at the Market and got a few things, including pomegranate vinegar--looks good. Bused home. 

Betty called and we chatted. She said our brother, Frank, called her and he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Yes, we've all known that for several years, along with what else we know, but I didn't, of course, say that to her.

After lunch, I put several books in my cart and walked to the park and the little library. I put in some (plus the idiotic DVD If A Stranger Calls) and borrowed a few. Combined with the books I already own, I now have enough to read for the next twenty years, I think.

Took a bus to the transit center, then another home. I had bought a big box of beautiful large mushrooms at Von's, which I halved, dressed with olive oil and garlic, and popped in the oven. Added to my turkey stir-fry dinner, they were yummy.

I'm still on the puzzle kick and did this clip art one yesterday:

Betty called again about 7:00, wanting to know if I was coming to see her today--sigh. It seems that every time I tell her I might be able to come on Thursday, she thinks I meant the next day. I think I'll call Carolyn to check and see if this Thursday or another day is okay.   

Nails D'Elegance And The Mafia

I did something wonderful yesterday...rather, it was done to me: a pedicure! I went over to the nail place near Von's at 10 and, after donning my mask, having my temperature taken, and filling out the rather long waiver, I was rewarded with:

TA-DAH!!!!!

Anyway, it felt good, as I hadn't visited Nails D'Elegance (a rather grandiose name for a fairly modest establishment) since March and my tootsies badly needed the attention. I didn't remember that they don't do credit cards, only cash or checks, so I had to go home (very nearby) and get my checkbook.  I almost never use cash and rarely checks, so I need to remember this.
Dropped the check off, then took my little cart to Von's and got a lot of stuff, including beer in cans (I don't like to bring bottles to the middle area) and a number of other items.
After lunch, I had every intention of walking to the park and leaving off some books I had gotten at the little library, along with some DVDs I disliked (why do I buy these things?). However--and incredibly--I turned on the T.V., for some reason and came upon Biography. on A&E. I used to love this on television (a lot of episodes are now on YouTube) and this was about the New York Mafia crime families, in which I have an interest. Feeling vaguely guilty, I sat down to watch. I hadn't realized it was a two-hour show, but I was absorbed and watched it all. It wasn't over until 5:30, at which point I started for the park. I changed my mind before I even got to the footpath, though, as it was dinner time and most likely deserted. Turned back and went home.
I called Ellen after dinner and we had a good talk. I'll see her tomorrow when she brings--I hope--my new Shark and stays to chat for a bit.

Here And There And Jim

Betty called early, but I was about to meet Cheryl out front for T.O.P.S., so had to cut it short. The meeting didn't last long (weight report below), so I was able to have breakfast by 9:15. After, I did my tomato/onion/garlic/seasonings thing, popped it in the oven and while it cooked, called Betty back. She called several more times yesterday, once to read me the notes her three granddaughters in Chicago sent her. They were very sweet.
I called Ellen and we had a good talk. I told her that the Shark she gave me (which I like a lot) no longer holds a charge, so I want to buy a new one. She said she'd go to Bed, Bath & Beyond or Walmart to buy one, then I can pay her for it. Good, I thought, especially since she said she could go Monday in the late afternoon, then we could sit on my patio and visit.
Later, I looked up Shark prices at B. B. & B. and they are, of course, astronomically expensive. They seem to feature the ones that also mop, which I don't want. I use the Bona system for the hard floors and it works fine. Anyway, Wal-Mart seems to have less expensive ones. I had planned to walk down there  today, anyway, as the buses don't run on the fourth of July, so I'll check them out.
After lunch, I bused to town and just walked a bit down blocked-off Main. Stopped and bought two beer mugs--I had only had a fancy high glass and I like holding the handle of a mug. Called Jim when I got home. Those of his summer classes designed for on-line participation are going well, the others, not so much.
I fear the actual existence of academicians whose discipline is philosophy are a dying breed. Considering the state religion is the worship of mammon--skip Jesus, he's old hat--the idea of studying philosophy to maybe to understand humanness better is laughable.
Anyway, the good news is, I invited Jim to bring his lunch here and "eat in the middle, as I did with Olivia" and he accepted. He teaches Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and El will be here on Monday, so will come on Friday. Hey, that's two lunch dates this week. I think I'll ask Suzanne if we could fill my dance card in for Wednesday.

Weight Report

I forgot about weighing myself unclothed, but with them, it was 131.4 at home, same as last week. At T.O.P.S., I weighed in at 132.5, a gain of .02 or 3.2 ounces from last week...AAGH! I'm recording ounces here, fer cryin' out loud--that's obsessive! Also, I have no idea why the two scales record different weights, this week being .09 and that's even more obsessive. Well, the hell with it for now.
.

Various And Violet

Maintenance guy Gabe came about 10 to fix my sliding screen door to the patio., which had been sticking. Shortly after, I took my trusty cart and walked to The Market. Got a birthday card for my younger granddaughter, Violet, plus lettuce, mushrooms, cabbage, and a few other things, then bused back.
Suzanne was going to the pool as I was going in. She got her hair cut and boy, it looks great. Of course, she has that beautiful thick, wavy hair; it would look great if King Kong on speed cut it with garden shears.
Put the my cabbage in the slow cooker and, not having any apples, added some grapes. I walked over to Hallmark next to Von's and got a little pin for Violet. She'll be twelve on the tenth. Considering how the mail's been, I thought she'd probably be married before it comes. Oh, no prob with that--I walked to the post office and found it would be about five times more for postage than it actually cost. Walked home and found another envelope, took the pin out (I'll send her something on Amazon Singapore) and re-sent just the card. I wrote on her card that she reminds me of myself at that age (about to be twelve). Not in looks--she's much prettier--but in her inner self.  I didn't write what I mean by that: She seems sullen, but needy. And fragile.
After lunch, I took off for town. Walked on the blocked off Main Street, pleased to see all the people at the restaurant tables and chairs on the street. By that time, it was after 4:00, so maybe they were enjoying happy hour (sigh...).
While I was waiting for the bus home, Ellen called. She had taken the kitties to the vet and was waiting outside (aides come out for the animals, then bring them back to the car) for them. She said they were very upset at being put in the carrying cases and going in the car.  El has been busy with more fence-painting; she did more sections of it and will tackle another shortly. We had such a nice chat; I always get a lift when she calls.
Home about 6:00 and I had a vegetarian dinner: cabbage and peas. Sounds gross, but it tasted good to me.
T.O.P.S. today.

Olivia And The Beach

A lazy morning. I didn't do much but a few minor chores and poke around on the Internet. For lunch, I spread two flatbreads (something like soft tacos, but elongated) with avocado, added sliced chicken and lettuce, and rolled them up. Packed them and a can of Modelo (Mexican beer) and met Olivia in the middle at 12:30.
Knowing she's very virus and germ phobic, I suggested we eat at one of the rectangular tables, which I think are about six feet, so we wouldn't be closer to each other. Fine with her, but before we sat down, she put on rubber gloves and pulled a container of Clorox wipes out of her bag. She proceeded to use several to rub down the entire table top. Twice. Since my stuff was wrapped in aluminum foil, it wasn't going to touch the table top, but I didn't mind her libations.
Olivia brought only two containers, one with tomato soup, the other with coffee. I think she was afraid to take off her mask--that is, masks, as she wears two--long enough to chew anything. She only sipped at them now and then, anyway. She doesn't take off her masks to talk, either; she slips the top one down, says something, then puts it up again.
I think I'm making her sound like a real nut, but actually, I enjoyed her company. We stayed talking for two hours. She's still mourning the loss of her mother, who lived with her for twenty years--and 
dealing with the end of her marriage. She told the old story: She thought he was happy, as she was, but he started an affair with his secretary and they had a child. The two are now married.
We also talked about religion. She was raised Catholic, but broke away when she was still young. I'm not sure if she was married in the church or not. She now  professes no religion at all. Incidentally, considering she has two daughters in their thirties, I think she's probably in her late fifties or early sixties. Both daughters and her ex are CPAs; no grandchildren at this point.
Anyway, it was enjoyable. We parted close to three o'clock and I took my things home and left immediately for the bus to town. Got off at Pierpoint Street and walked to the pier. I was pleased to see it's now open, so I walked down it. I was a gorgeous day, sunny and fine, although there was a cool breeze. It was so good to see people on the pier and the beach, the Promenade, and even a few in the ocean (brrr):

Walked down to the last bus stop, so I got in about four miles. Home about 5:30, after a good day.

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Note to myself: Finally, at long last, Office Max has refunded my $129.99! Also, I got my medications (Atorastatin and Ramipril) yesterday from CVS Caremark, which comes in the mail. The doctor's office assistant had said I had gotten it filled (a 90-day supply) in May, so it should have lasted until August, but that couldn't be. I finally figured out that I had ordered it in May and they shipped it, but it had never come. The mail has been terrible since the era of CO-VID. 

Holy Spirit

After breakfast, I got my Holy Spirit 1954 yearbook out. I looked at the posed pictures of ignorant youths (I was 'way out in front when it came to ignorance) and mused about them. What would a stranger say about these people? I wouldn't be surprised if, judging by the pictures, they'd think this or that one was popular, another academically superior, a star athlete, or whatever. They'd almost surely be wrong.
It was interesting to note how many romances continued on to marriage--quite a few, actually, but I guess that's not unusual. And so many deaths! Just the ones I know about total at least fifteen and it was a small class. The only fellow grads I'm still in touch with fairly regularly are Jeanne Dollard and Mary Martin (aside from Betty almost daily, of course). Others--Mary Tate, Dee Lang, and Maria Palmer--I'm Facebook friends with, but they rarely post anything. I used to correspond with Betty Mae McGlynn, too, but she died.
Okay, enough of the past; I'm here and I'm healthy and I intend to stay that way.
Walked down Victoria to Telephone and from there, caught the 11 bus to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Bought a new bathtub mat--that is, an in-the-tub one; it's pretty, with blue "rocks" and I had a 20 percent off coupon, too. Stopped in Target, but didn't see anything I wanted. Bused to the mall, then immediately got the 21 bus home.
Lunched, then took up the hall and bathroom rugs and stuck them in the washer. Took out the mat I have in front of the sink and cleaned it off. Vacuumed the living room and bedroom, then did the floor via the Bona routine, first with the duster Velcro strip, then with the cleaner one. Looks good.
Went over to Von's for lunchmeat chicken and a Modelo in a can for when Olivia and I meet for lunch today. After, I sat down at this laptop and, still musing over the long-ago, found something called "Old Friends," where you put in your high school and year and other grads add their info. I couldn't get the whole thing to come out, but here's how it looks:

TEACHING STAFF (all years)            

CLASS OF 1954

= Send message       = Post remembrance Click on a name to view bio
2 msgs  Lewis Bornmann				View Bio Options		Mary Martin				View bio Options
Rosemary Byrne				View Bio Options		3 msgs  Betty McGlynn				View bio Options
Elizabeth Callaghan				View Bio Options		2 msgs  John McHale				View bio Options
William Cappuccio				View Bio Options		Maria Palmer				View bio Options
1 msg  Barbara Cavalli  ( d. Sep 1, 2013 [unverified]) *				View Bio Options		Dolores Sapp				View bio Options
Eileen Curtin				View Bio Options		1 msg  Harry Singley				View bio Options
2 msgs  Donald Devine				View Bio Options		Mark Steelman				View bio Options
Elizabeth Downes				View Bio Options		2 msgs  Mary Tate				View bio Options

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As I'm sure Pat R. will notice, there are several errors, including her brother, John McHale, being listed as graduating in my class of '54. Also, I never heard of Lewis Bornmann, plus Harry Singley graduated with me from St. James in 1950, never went to Holy Spirit, and died young, years ago. As for Mark Steelman, he wasn't in the class, either.