At G. and G.'s

 While my host and hostess were out playing pickleball, I walked to the P.O. and Dollar General, totaling about two miles. I had intended to get a gift bag for the wine to take to Gloria's, but they didn't have any. I did get stamps to replace those I had used. 

After lunch, host opened his birthday presents, which included lava rocks for the firepit on the deck. There had been glass disks in it and I think the lava rocks are more in keeping.

Hostess then went on a three and a half mile walk. I declined, as that's a bit too much for me all at one time. In the meantime, I sat on the deck and read. We prepared for our excursion to G. and G.'s, good friends of my host and hostess, only a short ride away, leaving at 4:30.

I had met husband G. in Mesa, AZ, last year and, of course, have seen wife G. at pickleball games a number of times here, as well. I'm not particularly drawn to modern décor, but their very attractive home is so subtly well done, it's just lovely. We sat at the deck for appetizers, wine, and beer, and chatted for some time. I was charmed to hear that wife G. was born in Cornwall, in the U.K., because her mother was a "war bride" and her father an American G.I. 

At one point, my hostess and wife G. went in the kitchen to rehearse the funny song they plan to sing at the upcoming "Dinking Divas" Pickleball Party, and it was hysterical. We then sat down to a yummy chicken Lombardy and mashed potato dinner. We then had the birthday cake my hostess had brought and sang the song to my host. We didn't leave until after 8:00 after a so-enjoyable dinner party.

Even though it was later than usual for our daily fix of Better Call Saul, we watched two more episodes and I didn't get to bed until--gasp!--ten-thirty. Slept soundly, as I have been doing while I've been here, I'm glad to say.

Hiking The Beautiful Country

Plenty more good walking yesterday. We took my note to Fred to the P.O. (2 miles) in the morning, then after lunch, drove to Grindstone Lake, where there are some good trails. We went about three there, all around the shining lake, then went to Wingfield Park for a little jaunt of about a mile. 

My hostess went to play pickleball while I was on the phone with Blue Shield for about an hour. I hadn't brought enough of my medication--Ramipril and Atorvastatin--so had to jump through hoops to have a "vacation override" approved. I was told this was a "once in a lifetime" approval. Oh, good grief, this bureaucrat crap is odious.

That settled, I took off for the court at White Mountain and was able to watch my hostess and five others play. It was great fun and this is a great group. Didn't get home until after 6:00 and we then enjoyed the yummy vegetable chicken soup made  by my hostess.

I called Suzanne just to ask if there's anything new at So-Fi. There isn't, but we had a nice chat. Texted Tony, the landscaper, to remind him I haven't yet received a bill for the bush-trimming at the house in Sunrise Bay. He called and said he had almost forgotten about it (I responded, "damn, I shouldn't have reminded you") and asked for my address here. I'll send a check today. Betty called and we talked briefly; she was her usual fuzzy-minded self, so was a little hard to follow. 

I'm not sure when I'll be going back to Ventura, but I don't have the slightest concern about it. We go to Gloria's for dinner tonight and on Friday, have plans for Las Cruses. In the meantime, we'll surely continue our hikes in this gloriously beautiful country.

Sunday

Sunday was a good, active day. While my hosts went off to play pickleball, I walked to Dollar General to get a sympathy card for Fred. Now my mother had always told me it was tacky to send a card--a personal note was the proper way to express condolences.  I absolutely agree and invariably, over the years, sent notes exclusively. However, I couldn't find any note paper, so went through the cards, trying to choose the least shmaltzy one. I wrote a long note to Fred on that, which I'll mail today. Back and forth to the store totaled two miles.

Lunch, then my hostess and I went to Cedar Glen Park to walk the 1.3 fitness trail there. After that, we drove to Alto Lake, a lovely area indeed, and hiked the somewhat difficult (for me), but not impossible,  2.5 mile trail.  During the hike, she insisted I try the hiking pole she had brought. I had never used one before, but now I'm committed to it. The rocky trail, steep in some parts, was so much easier (and safer) to navigate than it had been before. In only a few stretches did I have to hold her arm in addition to the pole. Can't wait to get one of my own.

There were lots of people fishing and hiking at the lake. We met one young man carrying about six beautiful trout he had caught. I was told the lake, which is man-made (you see that all over in the west), is stocked with various kinds of fish. 

We stopped at the supermarket after and I replenished my beer supply. This time I chose Sierra Bianca pilsner, just on the basis of the name. Sierra Bianca ("White Mountain") is a majestic peak that soars over this picturesque little town.   

Home and we had a delicious, homemade quiche for dinner--oh, mama, so good. The "crust" was made of rice and the traditional filling of eggs, spinach, and cheese was just sublime. 

A Death And A Dinner

My phone rang at 8:00 am, just after breakfast. As soon as I saw who was calling--Fred Doerr--I knew. Yes, my dear friend, Marge, had died. She had been ailing, to use the old fashioned term, for a long time, with cancer and other problems. I had been in touch with her, but the last time was several months ago and she had clearly has suffered some cognizant loss, also. When I asked Fred where she would be buried, he said "in my living room." He meant she would be cremated--there will be no service or visitation--and he would keep her urn. "I'll talk to her every day," he added.

Marge was my neighbor in Sunrise Bay, Little Egg Harbor. She was almost exactly ten years older than I am; she would have been 93 in December. She was the founder of the Sunrise Bay Drama Club. Because of her, I had the nerve to not only to perform in a variety of roles for the Club, but to audition for other companies and, finally, to teach acting. She was a good friend and, although I haven't seen her since we were back in Jersey for Thanksgiving in 2018, I'll miss her terribly.

As for the day: We drove to a large national park in Altogora (?), about fifty miles away, and walked the trail, then along a road. We had packed our lunches, so ate under a nicely-designed picnic area, with shade. We got back about 3:30 and prepared for dinner at the country club.

This was so neat. A large, very substantial tent is over the patio and it overlooks the lake and the far mountains and woods--so beautiful. Also, there was a wedding being performed outdoors to one side, with reception after, and we enjoyed seeing the festivities. I had a delicious halibut and the others equally good red trout and steak. Home to our regular viewing of Better Call Saul. My hosts rarely watch television otherwise, nor do I, so it seems natural not to have that very prominent in our lives.  

Betty called and we talked for a bit. It's hard to follow her sometimes; her current annoyance is with one of her companions, but I had some difficulty figuring out which one. 

 

The Elk And Dr. S.

 I spent Friday morning with the elks! I was on the back deck when I saw two strolling and munching grass outside the fence. A few more showed up, then more, and by the time they all gathering, there were at least twenty of them. Boy, are they big. Here I am at the back gate, with just a few of them:

I took a lot of pictures myself, but still, I can't seem to transfer them from my camera. I'll keep trying.

After lunch, she played and I watched--pickleball, that is. After an hour or so at the courts, I walked the path to the P.O., across Mecham Street, then headed for Albertson's. However, I deviated as I was passing "Forest Lawn," the cemetery. I love to explore graveyards and this, though very new compared to many (I didn't see any death dates before the fifties), was interesting. Again, I took plenty of pics, but can't transfer; will keep trying. 

When she got back, we went out for a few items, then had dinner on the deck. Breakfast is inside, lunch and dinner out, which is a fine arrangement, I think.  In Jersey, you'd probably have to contend with flies and yellow jackets, but here, you see only the hummingbirds while you eat and they care only for the nectar in the feeders provided by my host.

Just after we ate, Dr. S., the oral surgeon, called, and my hostess and I cleared up a lot of questions and apprehensions about the procedure. I feel ever so much better after talking to him and after deciding to pick up the Blue Shield dental insurance. It won't cover all--far from it--but will at least make a dent in it.   

This evening, we're having dinner at the country club--yay!

Friday

About 8:00 am, we set off for the P.O., where I dropped off my mail; then at my companion's direction, we walked to the National Park forest and did the 1.3 mile fitness trail. It was so enjoyable to walk under the towering trees (mostly pine and cedar) and the dirt trail was fairly easy. We then walked a different route home. I think, all told, we went between four and five miles.

Had lunch, then took off for our beautification appointments: My hostess had a hair appointment and I got a manicure. After that, it was the supermarket, then home for dinner on the deck.

I was finally able to get some of my hostess's pictures transferred and here are some of our trip. The first two are, of course, of the G.C., the third, just read the sign, and the fourth is at the Petrified Forest. I have no idea way, but this is the only one of that group I can get to post here. Also, I still can't seem to transfer my own pictures from my phone to my pictures. 

Wednesday

I walked to the post office and got my mail to grand- and great-grandkids in Jersey and Asia stamped. I had forgotten to bring my address book to NM, but filled in the addresses later, getting them from my hostess. I took the walking path next to the golf course, which is nicely tree-shaded and pleasant. From there, I went via the street to Dollar General to pick up a few little things.

Lunch, then I spent the better part of an hour on the phone with Medicare and Blue Shield about enrolling in a Dental Plan. I went around and around about what's covered and what's not and I don't want to elaborate further on that.

Accompanied my host and hostess to a country club in the next town. They have property and will be playing pickleball there. When I got back, I resumed my calls to Blue Shield. We were also preparing for a call from the oral surgeon, but he didn't call. We'll just have to deal with that today.

Dinner again on the deck and later, we sat out there with the fire. If this isn't Paradise, it's a close second.

Note: I'm probably just going to write some sketchy entries most of the time. We're really busy, usually on the go, and I just don't have the time--and, I guess, the inclination--to write much. My photos are still refusing to be transferred, which is a disappointment, but I'll keep trying.