Friday

Weight? Not great. I went to 129 at home, for a gain of 1.2 and to 129.9 at T.O.P.S. for the same gain. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that I've eaten out the entire week and today will be no exception: I'm meeting Diane in back of the library. Of course, we'll bring our own, so I can curtail the calories (but the question is, will I?). 

After, I ran into Vickie on the way to my building and she invited me in for a bit. We chatted--mostly about her new mattress, which she had to return not once, but twice, for defects, although she paid fifteen hundred for it. At noon, Suzanne and I went off the Cafe Nouveau and where has that been all my life?

We sat outside, but not in just an ordinary patio. This was beautifully treed, so was nicely shaded on the hot, hot day and lattice work made tables and eating areas semi-private. The food? Superb. I had a turkey other things sandwich, but on a delicious semi-soft roll, plus an excellent IPA called Raging Bitch from the Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland. Oh, mama, so good. Of course, the cost was what one used to pay for dinner, but that's gotten to be a given--thirty bucks in my case.

Home after and I took a short nap, as I hadn't slept well. After that, I didn't do a lot else, aside was sweep the patio and clean up the kitchen a bit. In truth, I felt a little down most of the day; not sure why.

I got a text from Lisa, my fellow cast member in the last show. She asked if I'd like to go to Red (see info following). I had already intended  to and suggested we see if others in our play, After All This Time, might want to get up a group and go together.   

Fractured Actors is presenting the play, Red, in November, which features one of my favorites, Ben Wilson, the full-figure on the left. I've appeared on stage with him three times, first playing his grandmother-in-law in Welcome Home four years ago. Incidentally, the play has nothing to do with Communism, Russia, or anything else political, according to Wikipedia--title may be misleading. 

Actually, it seems to have to do with an artist who--I don't know, likes the color red or something. Can't wait to see it and be back with my tribe!

Thursday And It's A Long One

Jim called about 8:00 to ask if we'd see the The Townehouse apartment before or after lunch. I had no idea, but figured probably after. Why did he want to know? Because he was about to have breakfast and he wasn't sure how much to eat. Ok-k-a-ay... I asked if he had yet heard from the Agency on Aging to set up the assessment. No, he hadn't and I had called three weeks ago. That prompted me to call and give them the info all over again. I also got in touch with an outfit called "Helping Hands Senior Foundation," which I may or may not share with Jim. I called and was told it's a non-profit organization, but I have my doubts.

Was picked up by my escort (!) at 11:45 and off we went to The Townehouse. We were greeted by Harvey, the operations director (actually, he's probably the sales director) and he mentioned he had met me in June when Diane and I went to The Poseidon Adventure movie and buffet. Later, he also mentioned that his partner, Nancy, works there, too (I don't know in what capacity),  AND that she's Earnest Borgnine's daughter--wow! 

I was surprised when a woman came up and said she remembered me from my June visit. As soon as she said her name--Maxine--I remembered her. I liked her, we seemed compatible, and I may look her up one of these days. 

Others greeted us, too, including several at the main desk, the dining room manager, and the chef. We were seated in the dining room, given menus, and looked over the extensive choices. I decided on a macaroni, ham, and cheese casserole (which came with slices of fresh pineapple), seasoned (cooked) carrots, and something else I can't remember. Got a diet coke to go with it, as they don't serve wine or beer until after 4:00. (I wonder if that's standard in independent living places?) 

The dining room is very attractive: spacious, inclosed by glass panels that look out over a lovely wooded area, and with a patio (it was very warm, so we opted for inside) and probably the nicest I've seen. After, we were shown the studio apartment and the one-bedroom. They also have two bedrooms, large tower suites, and cottages behind on the extensive property where my friend, Joe Rocco, lived. (He died last year.)

Before we left, Jim wanted to look over the library, which we did. Got home about 2:00 and immediately did something radical: I went to the pool. Went in, then sat and read for a bit. Two guys came in, but they were the only other ones there:

I've always liked this view of the hills from the pool.

Home, I showered, dressed, put in a load of whites, then went next door to Suzanne's, as she had asked me to tell her Jim's reaction to The Townehouse. We talked and she asked if I wanted to go to lunch today to Cafe Nouveau. I accepted on the spot, as I had never been here and do I ever turn down an invitation? Since I'm meeting Diane for lunch in back of the library tomorrow, that means every day this week so far, I'll have gone out for lunch. Geez, guess I'd better fill in Sunday. 😂

As I was going back from getting the  mail, a young woman was getting out of her car with an adorable baby in her arms. We said hello and I admired the four-month-old. After introductions (she's Gabby, baby is Elias), she told me she had moved into the apartment next to me. How nice--I love the idea of a baby next door.

Okay, I've left until now commenting on the reason I was at The Townehouse in the first place: Jim.  I'm afraid he has deteriorated greatly in the last year or so. Reading the menu in the dining room, he was confused as to what--or how much--he could order. I told him he could have five entrees and fourteen appetizers if he wanted--it isn't a restaurant where you pay for everything, we were guests and there was no charge. He questioned practically everything on the menu--"Is that good?," "What's in that?," as if I knew. When Harvey showed us the apartments and amenities, Jim wrote down a lot, even things that made no sense to record, such as the laundry rooms. (They have three on the second, fourth, and sixth floors, with four large washers and dryers in each. There's no charge for residents. Of course, they can also pay extra to have their laundry done for them.)

I think The Townehouse is probably very much like other independent/assisted living facilities in the country; certainly is similar to the ones I've been in. I do think it would be ideal for Jim, but I'm almost sure he can't afford even the studio. Of course, I don't know what his yearly income is, but then, neither does he.     

Lots, lots more to say about the day, especially concerning Jim, but it's 8:00 on Thursday night and I'm tired. Later: Now it's 4:30 am on Friday and I don't want to elaborate further, except to say Jim definitely shouldn't be living alone. I'm going to continue following up on the Agency for Aging. 

Wednesday With A New Venue

Slept well again, but I spent an infuriating amount of time before breakfast trying to straighten out  BMO about the fifty dollars they owe me. Finally did, after placing two calls, one dropped, and being transferred four times. Now I need to call them on Friday, Oct 15, to say I want a check sent me for $50.00.

With Bridget, Julie picked me up, and off we went to the BCNN monthly meeting. Bridget is a non-stop talker and is also hard of hearing (although she wears a hearing aid), which was obvious when she responded to something I said with an entirely different subject. Rather than getting annoyed, I actually thought it was funny, I guess because I like her. Unfortunately, she also has serious eye problems. She said she had spent five thousand dollars on the specially-made glasses she wears. Bridget is eighty-something and I was amazed when she said she talks to her mother every day. At first, I thought she meant in some kind of other-worldly way, but no, her mother is 102.  

We met in a new place: the Pacific Yacht Club in Oxnard and it's very nice. However, the topic was  human trafficking and it struck me as a real snooze-fest. It's not that I think it isn't true, but there are so many world problems I deplore and which, to an extent, I'm knowledgeable about--militarism and propaganda the major ones--I just can't expend too much mind energy on others. I took pictures, as Diane had asked me if the venue was larger than the Ventura Yacht Club, where we met before. Not sure, but I do think there's more room between tables:

The lunch after was at Yolanda's, but Julie, Bridget, Regina, and I went to The Raven instead. I'd never been there before and liked it a lot. I enjoyed getting to know Regina better, too, especially learning that her mother had ice-skated with Sonja Henie! 

Got home about 3:00, and had a sudden yen for chicken liver (could I be pregnant?), so went over to Von's and got some. Also got strawberries. I then went to the office to unravel yet another rent/utilities snafu, which Valarie should be resolving soon.  The liver--of course, I fried some onions with it--was delish and, along with barley and squash, made a great dinner. 

I was so glad to be texted that my personalized gift arrived and the recipients said they loved it. Today: The Townehouse and lunch with Jim. I called him last night, just to remind and was pleased when he spontaneously said he's looking forward to it. 

Tuesday And Two Gals Confiding

Walked over the footbridge to Telephone Road and got the 11 bus to Petit Avenue. Stopped at Grocery Outlet to pick up a gift card for Diane, then proceeded to her place for her birthday at noon. She served a good chicken/rice/sauce dish, plus, of course, white wine: I provided the slice of lemon loaf from Starbucks. I only bought one for her, as I'm not tempted by sugar as I used to be.  

We talked and talked and talked over an enormous variety of topics, including our families (her two boys, plus grandchildren), childhoods (we're both old-time Catholic, she from Chicago), the Bill/Lily McBeth gender change (she wondered if he kept his genitalia), and high school friends who may or may not have continued to cling to religion, and a lot more.  Anyway, it was greatly enjoyable and I didn't leave until 4:00.

Got home and did my daily balance exercises and put in a color wash. Had a pick-up dinner of the last of the lentil stew, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms;  watched my hour of Suits; and was in bed by 9:30.  Julie will be picking me up in a few hours for the BCNN meeting and we'll go to lunch after that. Tomorrow, Jim and I lunch at The Townehouse and Friday, there's T.O.P.S. Strangely for me, I'm looking forward to a day when I have nothing to do! 

I don't know why that "draw a symbol here" doesn't come off!

Monday With Mucho Amigas

 After spending quite some time communicating with Amazon via "chat," then with the seller via phone, I finally got details about the personalized gift I ordered straightened out. Then I took off for lunch at the Stone Fire Grille with my pals from Soaring Spirits. Got there at noon and, incredibly, didn't leave until four o'clock. Reason was, Renee and I went into a deep conversation about politics and various other topics. Without recounting the hour-long conversation, I can just say we agreed on a lot of things, not others, but that was okay.

Then my old friend, Barbara and her friend, Sue, joined us and the four of us had a rousing session. I was delighted to learn I wasn't the only one who had been devoted to the coffin nails: Barb and Sue had also smoked for years. Sue still does, but only a few a day. I found her interesting: she came with Barb to the S.S. lunch because her husband of 54 years died six months ago. Barb retired at CEO of the Ventura County Fair and Sue owns and runs the "Swap Meet" there:

Sue is well known in the area for running estate sales, too. She told us about one she did in Beverly Hills, to which Margaret O'Brien came!  O'Brien,  who now lives in the San Fernando Valley, is exactly twenty-five days younger than I am. My sister, Betty, and I loved going to the Ventnor or Margate movie to see her in Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, and others; we considered her a kind of remote friend.  Anyway, we had a terrific time and, besides the ciggie thing, I found that Barb and Sue had also taken amphetamines, as I did as a young wife--AAGH! Barb invited me to go to a bus trip on November 30, run by the Parks & Recreation Commission. It goes to some kind of movie museum in L.A., so right down my alley. Sixty-five bucks includes lunch and yes, indeed, I'll go. 

Barb is very much into county government stuff and I asked about the City Council because I want to complain about people ignoring the "walk your bike" ordinance. I'll see if I can register my complain via Zoon. Incredibly, we stayed talking until 4:00 pm. 

Birthday lunch at Diane's today. 

Stella and Satisfying Sunday

The crossword was annoying obscure, but I got most done. Met Stella after twelve o'clock mass at the Mission (no, I didn't go--heaven forfend!). She suggested we go to Stout, a new restaurant where neither of us had been before. I was surprised, as it prominently features a remarkable array of beers, ales, and IPAs and she doesn't drink.  I had a hamburger and a good IPA, Stella some kind of ground meat and a salad. I finally received my twenty bucks for her play ticket and we had a reasonably good time. After, we stopped into The Coalition and I bought a little desk paper holder. We parted and I bused home.

But back to town: While I was waiting for Stella, I fell into conversation with one of the guys who--on bikes--act as kind of police helpers or something on the closed-to-cars section of Main Street. As I've mentioned here before, there's an infuriating tendency of large numbers to ignore the posted ordinance to walk their bikes and carry their skateboards; they act as if it doesn't apply to them. Here's the sign and an example of a kid not just ignoring it, but doing tricks: 

I've posted before pics of the multitude of bike riders who also ignore the ordinance. The young man, who introduced himself as Dante, discussed this with me and I was surprised that, although he's certainly no more than thirty, he came across as very conservative. He mentioned the effect of social media on those who think they're privileged, and so on.  Anyway, we introduced himself--his name is Dante--and when I said I'll attend a Ventura Council meeting to urge further measures, he mentioned  a council person named Liz Compos, who is disabled. I'll look her up. 

 I wasn't very hungry for dinner, so I seasoned and roasted the wonderful big mushrooms I bought at The Market the other day. Just had them and more of the spaghetti squash--very satisfying.

I didn't do much else before or after my excursion except play two computer games. With grapefruit, I'm also addicted to them: Block Champ and Scramble. Of course, they're in addition to Wordle, Connections, and Blossoms, which I do every morning. Being the compulsive type, I actually keep track in a little booklet of 1.) at what level I solve Wordle; 2.) whether I get Connections or not; and 3.) my score with Blossoms. For some reason, I find this very satisfying. 

Medical--or something--note: For roughly thirty years, I've taken an OTC sleep aid (various knockoffs of Sominex), every single night. The recommended amount was two caplets, which I took. Some time ago, the doc mentioned it could contribute to balance problems, so (reluctantly) more a year ago, I halved the dosage. About six months ago, I used a pill splitter to halve that, so I was taking only a quarter. Yesterday, when I set up my night-time medications, I didn't include the sleep aid. To my surprise and satisfaction, I slept until 5:00, perfect for me, so goodbye, sleep aid!    

Saturday

Suzanne came over about 10:00 to discuss her interaction with her friend, Joyce, who's in a board and care facility in Fillmore. Joyce has Alzheimer's, and becomes worried and upset often; she's especially bothered by her inability to remember words. Suzanne asked if I could tell her what ways I try to ease Betty's worries. However, at this point, Betty doesn't show any signs of stress or worry at all. Unlike her real self, she has become very passive. Aside from an often incomprehensible comment now and again, she remains essentially silent. I suggested to Suzanne that she bring some kind of picture book and "discuss" them with Joyce: "look at this, didn't you have a bedspread like that? Was it the same color?" and so on. Anyway, we had a good talk and both enjoyed it.

After that, I packed my lunch, took my cart, and bused to down.  Earlier, I had thought of calling Stella to see if she was free to meet, but decided to ask about today, Sunday, instead. I strolled around a bit and stopped in a few shops, but didn't buy anything. Bused back to the mall, went to Trader Joe's and got two nice grapefruit (very soon, I'll be turning yellow) and a gigantic spaghetti squash. 

I laboriously pierced the squash and roasted it in the oven. Good grief, it made enough to feed an army! Well, I'll eat it over a few days. Had some for dinner, along with the lentil stew I just made, and the cauliflower. 

Yoicks, the coming week is getting filled: called Stella and will, indeed, meet her for lunch today, Sunday, after twelve o'clock mass at the mission. Monday, I have the monthly Soaring Spirits lunch, Tuesday, I go to Diane's for her birthday, Wednesday? Julie called; finally back from Europe (she was gone six weeks), she'll pick me up for the BCNN meeting, then she, Bridget, and I will go to The Raven for lunch. Thursday, Jim and I have lunch at The Townehouse. Well, damn, guess I'll just be twiddling my thumbs on Friday.