Tuesday--Veggies and an EARTHQUAKE! *

Okay, things are looking up. In the morning, I changed washed the bedclothes, re-made the bed, vacuumed living and bedroom, and chopped the onions and peppers. I sautéed them and put the in the freezer; now they're prepared for the next time I make turkey stir-fry. 

Got a text from tenant Lori to say she had gone to the bank to see how to submit me the security deposit. She was told they didn't have a definitive answer and had to consult another department. If she doesn't hear back from them tomorrow, she'll reach out again. (I'm not sure what bank, but that makes me wonder why nobody there knew how to proceed.)

I decided to walk to Wal-Mart and eat at the little park-like area there, so packed a lunch, but this time eschewed the beer for diet Coke. Am I worried about the alcohol? Actually, no, it's the calories. I went up at T.O.P.S. and I want to nip that tendency in the bud. As I headed to the gate, I ran into Vickie. She was frazzled by her job--she works at home for the county--and we started chatting. She asked if I wanted a ride--why, sure, but when she found I had my lunch, suggested she make hers and we would eat at her place, which we did. She then offered to take me somewhere other than Wal-Mart, which I hate, but it just happens to be convenient. It's one and a quarter miles or a total there and back of two and a half, but I usually walk there and bus back. Anyway, we had lunch at her place, then drove to WinCo, which was great for me, Especially as it has gotten a lot hotter--it's up to 78 right now, although there's a light breeze. 

I now have an absolute bonanza of vegetables, to wit: fresh spinach, squash, Brussel sprouts, and carrots, plus several frozen veggies. Made use of the fresh ones by roasting the cauliflower and cooking the sprouts in the small Crockpost. 

Suzanne is back after her several week away and I stopped over to give her her mail and view her pictures. She gave me a pretty card of thanks and we had a nice talk. 

* About 8:00 pm, as I was standing by the kitchen table, my phone gave off an ear-splitting siren and I was advised to take shelter, as an earthquake was happening. Almost simultaneously, the room shook--AAGH! I was terrified, not sure if I should get under the table, stand in a doorway, or what. Called Ellen, who told me the epicenter was in Bakersfield, which is miles away. We talked, I calmed down, and it hasn't happened since, and I hope that was it.    

Monday With The S.S. Gang*

Up and at 'em after a reasonably okay sleep and I was at this machine when Lorraine called at 7:00. She wanted to discuss the promotion of former assistant manager Jasmine, who will be manager at another of SO-FI's apartment complexes. I never had a problem with Jasmine, but Lorraine, who has a lot of hang-ups, couldn't stand her. Anyway, we talked for a bit.

Walked and bused to meet up at noon with the Soaring Spirits gang at Stone Fire Grille. Only Gayle, Cathy, and Vera were there; Tom and a new person came later, so we were a small group of six. I had their South of the Border salad and it was very good; I accompanied it with a hazy IPA, of course. We talked and visited for an enjoyable two hours. After, I walked over to Barnes & Noble to inspect some of their new books. Followed that by walking another stretch to WinCo, where I got spinach, grapes, onions, peppers, and parm cheese. 

While I waited for the 11 bus, I got a text from my Kim, former R.E. agent about the security deposit. In May, when my tenants moved in, they submitted the rent, plus another half for the security deposit. According to Kim, she sent it to me, but I never got it. She had to nerve to text Lori, my tenant--and copied me--that "maybe Mrs. Molloy have lost it." That infuriated me. Anyway, you have to wait three months, which is now up, to have them void the first one; Lori will send another.  

Anyway, I was so involved in reading and responding to the texts that I missed Victoria Avenue, where I had intended to take the 6 or 21 partway home. No prob, though: I took another 11, got off at the Hill Street Library, went in to read a bit, then walked home over the footbridge.

Having bought a "personal" Crock Pot last week, when I got home, I put in some elbow macaroni, fresh spinach and seasonings just to test it; results will be posted here tomorrow! Incidentally, I already have and often use a large-capacity slow cooker  and a medium one, so I guess this completes my slow cooker wardrobe.

Ellen called and I'll mention our conversation in tomorrow's post.

* Not the Nazi Schutzstaffel!

Sunday With Stella

 Did the usual Sunday morning stuff--crossword was a bore--showered, washed my hair, then took off at 11:00 for town. I got to Immigrant Son early and was surprised to see it was jammed---there was even a line out front. I'm not sure why that was, as there are plenty of other restaurants to choose from. Anyway, I walked down to the mission, assuming Stella had gone to the twelve o'clock mass, but she texted me shortly after to say she was at Immigrant Son. It turned out she had gone to the nine instead.

Anyway, we met up and decided on Dargan's, which is just a few doors down. Sat outside--it was a perfect summer day, in the middle seventies, no humidity, and lots of people having a good time downtown--and the food, as ever, was good (as was the Chef Peak IPA, of course). 

After a leisurely meal and our usual talk, Stella asked if I wanted to go with her to Lowe's, as she was looking for "cactus fertilizer." for the succulents she had bought earlier. She asked if I wanted a slip of one, I did, and she gave it to me. We went to Lowe's, she got her stuff, then dropped me at the transit center and I took the 21 home. Stopped at CVS for iron (I don't know why I need it, as I eat spinach, but I do what doctor says). Shortly after I got in, I planted the slip and hope it will spread as ground cover.

Soaring Spirits lunch at Stone Fire Grille today. 

Saturday

In the morning, I did a white wash, then ran over to Von's for provisions. Did a few other chores of minor importance (as opposed to those of major importance, such as doing a white wash 😁), plus enjoyed puzzling out some of my latest addictions, cryptograms. 

As I was eating lunch, I was amazed to get a notice from Amazon that the scale* I had ordered on Friday was at my door! It was, incredibly, and I'm quite happy with it. Called Stella and we made a date for today: lunch at Immigrant Son after twelve o'clock mass at the mission.  

I decided to go to Target for my other addiction, the dietary one, grapefruit. Did so, and got three, plus some of my not-so-benign addiction, salty carbs in the form of crackers and cheddar popcorn.

I was surprised, since it was Saturday, to get a call from Orchid Insurance that they would be taking pictures of my house yesterday, presumably for the new policy (and price). I emailed Lori, my tenant, to let her know, but she doesn't have to do anything or be there.

Home at 4:00 and busied myself with whatever, so important I can't remember what. Meeting Stella for lunch today at 1:00.

* Here's something I can't wait to tell Diane: I do Wordle every day and guess what the word was yesterday? SCALE, which I got in three. Surely, that  can't be a coincidence and must have some profound psychic significance, right? 

Friday

 My scale has given up the ghost, so I couldn't weigh my self at home. At T.O.P.S., I was up 1.2 to 127.4. That was after two weeks and, as I'm still within my zone, I'm okay with it.  The meeting was yet another therapy session--sort of--but okay. Didn't get home until 10:00 and checked a few things (notably the insurance situation, which seems okay), so didn't eat until almost 11:00.

My dear younger great-grandson turned 17 yesterday, so I wrote up a card, added some cash, and set it off to Jersey. Can't wait to see him and the rest of them in September. 

Made and packed lunch and set off for town about 1:00. Ate across from the mission after stopping in a few shops. I found a small Crock Pot and bought it. I already have a large one and a medium one; this one is probably just big enough for one person and I thought I'd give it a try. Also bought some flannel pajama bottoms, as I want to have some overnight things at Ellen's. 

As I was leaving the mission area, I saw these darling girls all dressed up for something and I took their picture--how wonderful to be so young! 

Home at 4:00 and I watched some T.V. on serial killers. Took a nap of fifteen or so minutes, then this and that until dinner time. Shortly before, I was pleased to get a call from Julie, asking if she could pick me up for the BCNN meeting on Wednesday. She had been in Europe for the month of June, then was occupied with the illness of a friend. I'm more or less losing interest in BCNN, but I like Julie and a group of us usually go out to lunch after the meeting, so sure, I'll go. 

Ordered a new scale from Amazon.

Thursday

Because I'm a fan of useless information, I looked up the municipality of Califon, NJ, where my insurance agency for the house is located. It's in Hunterdon County, and yes, was named for California, and has a population of 1105 people. I was "there," sort of, a good part of the day, in contact with Maureen from Groendyke Insurance and I fervently hope this problem is solved.

 Aside from that, I packed lunch, took my book, and went out to the middle near the pool to eat it. I ran into Lorraine, so she accompanied me and we talked while I had lunch. Home, I just did this and that, including trimming the geraniums, then took a short nap.

Made turkey stir-fry, had a third for dinner and stowed the other two servings in the freezer for another day--okay, two other days. 

I got a very welcome Message from son, Mike, to tell me that he and Vivian will be coming for Thanksgiving; they'll stay at Ellen's and I'm so pleased. I assume Violet will stay with her mother in Singapore

For those of a medical persuasion, here's my nephew, Patrick, who was just here. In person, he's not nearly as serious, but he is a good-looking guy. Click on the red video watch under his picture:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/26747-patrick-byrne

And here's Jim, his brother, in a picture that must have been taken several years ago:

JAMES BYRNE, MD Dr. James Byrne is a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician awarded for innovations that improve maternal health.  He is Chair OB/Gyn Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and a clinical professor with Stanford University School of Medicine. Jim is a leading co-author for the March of Dimes Preterm Labor Assessment toolkit that is being implemented nationally to improve outcomes for premature births.  In 2011, he founded Lucina Health Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving maternal care delivery in the USA.

This is certainly from a few years ago, as it doesn't mention that Jim is medical director of three hospitals in California. Not sure if he still teaches at Stanford.

Wednesday

A special treat: I spent most of the day with Ellen. She got a blood test at 11:30, then picked me up and we went to the Stone Fire Grille for lunch. I had pizza, she pulled pork, but even more enjoyable was, of course, our good, long mother/daughter talks. 

We then went to FedEx to finally, at long last, scan my homeowner insurance documentation and send it. This situation has been terribly upsetting to me, and I don't want to go into all the ins and outs. I hope and trust it's been resolved and will find out when I get up tomorrow morning (I'm writing this at 5:30 on Wednesday). *

After, we went to Kohl's, where El returned a handbag and bought several tops. I tried on four bathing suits, but unfortunately, two were too small, one too big, and the other hideous, so I didn't buy any. I can probably wear my old one, anyway, if I ever want to go to the pool, which I haven't all year.

We went back to my place and chatted a bit until El left for her five o'clock mammogram appointment. 

* It's now 7:00 on Thursday and I just checked and saw no email from my account representative. I emailed her, asking if she received it and am awaiting a reply.