Hey, things are looking up. Was able, after all, to go to Leslie's for the luncheon (Leslie's little ladies' lunch) and greatly enjoyed it. Pat got up late, and I helped him shave and dress before breakfast, which meant we didn't eat until almost 11:00. However, that was okay because I didn't have to wait until after his nap to help him dress. Left his lunch, took the cell phone, and walked three houses down to Leslie's.
Leslie had Barb D. and Angela S. from here, plus two women from her church (I had met one before). The food was wonderful, especially a layered salad that made a gorgeous presentation in a trifle bowl, and was delicious. So were the eggplant parm, spinach cheese squares, tomatoes in oil and basil, carrots (she had a Halloween theme!), and dark breads, to name just a few. Dessert included an absolutely sublime angel-food cake with rum icing, fruit, and a delectable pumpkin pie.
We talked and talked, our conversation ranging from religion to shopping habits, to childhood environs (we didn't touch on politics, probably just as well). Leslie gave each of us a "favor"--a little book with inspirational essays in it. She wrote a note to me, very warm and touching. Again and again, I thank my lucky stars (where in the hell did that expression come from?) that we moved here five years ago.
Earlier, Betty had called. We chatted a bit, but I was busy and called her back when I got home about 4:00. Called Jack B., who had called Wednesday to see how the surgery had gone. P. called after dinner to ask the same.
All in all, I had a wonderful day, which did a lot to lift my spirits.
Now, some political stuff. A fierce debate is raging--as ever--among anti-war liberals about whether to vote for the lesser evil of the major candidates or for a candidate for peace who has virtually no chance. I'm going with the latter and here's part of the reason:
"Unconditional voting for the least worst of the two parties means that your vote has no political leverage whatsoever. It allows Obama to take it for granted, and not give the anti-war people anything because he knows he has the anti-war vote. Then they go to the right wing and slice off a few votes there by going more corporate and flip-flopping on offshore drilling. This is the same merry-go-round every four years. The liberal intelligentsia is doomed unless they solve this problem of unconditional voting for the least worst candidate." (From one of the blogs I read.)

Pat had his surgery yesterday, a long and involved process, but finally it's over. I was supposed to go to Leslie for a ladies' luncheon today, but it's at 1:00 and I'm not sure if I can go because Pat gets up about then and I have to help him dress.
Very down right now; don't feel like writing--maybe later.
But wanted to add, here's a clue why I'm voting for Nader (from Nick Nurse, emphasis added):
"Facing manpower demands on an overstretched military, the Pentagon is planning to ramp up the size of the armed forces by 92,000 over the next several years. That expansion comes with a sure-to-rise price tag of $108 billion. This step has the support of large majorities in Congress and both presidential candidates. John McCain has denounced the notion of "roll[ing] back our overseas commitments" and instead proposes "to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps." Barack Obama agrees, but has been more specific. He has long touted plans, echoing the Pentagon's desires, to "increase the size of the Army by 65,000 troops and the Marines by 27,000 troops."
And this, from the Brit Alexander Cockburn (quoted on the blog "The Chestnut Tree"):
"Obama invokes change. Yet never has the dead hand of the past had a "reform" candidate so firmly by the windpipe. Is it possible to confront America's problems without talking about the arms budget? The Pentagon is spending more than at any point since the end of the Second World War."

Today, Pat gets his surgery. We have to be there at noon, with the operation scheduled for 2:00. Hope all goes well.
Yesterday continued cold, rainy, and dreary. I changed our beds, did three washes, made apple crisp, and generally kept busy. Made meatballs, freezing some by themselves and some with sauce. A. called and wished us luck with the operation.
Why Nader? Because he's a pacifist, as far as I can see. Certainly, he's far, far more "pacific" than Obama and Biden, let alone the warmongers, McPalin. We get never erase the blood on our hands, but we can at least try not to encourage even more and more conquest.
This is for those who think war fuels the economy (from anti-war.com):
"Somewhere, George Orwell isn't smiling. He'd no doubt be appalled, and a little nonplused, by the accuracy of his speculations in Nineteen Eighty-Four. In the novel, you'll recall, the deliberate impoverishment of the ordinary "proles" and the Outer Party types was a matter of INGSOC policy, a theme underscored by the general shabbiness of Orwell's dystopia, what with the constant shortages and the way thing always seemed to be literally and physically falling apart. Particularly striking is the Orwellian presentiment that the world of the future is bound to be poorer and, simultaneously, engaged in constant warfare."
It's up to $3 trillion now, so besides the human costs...

Monday: Called the surgeon's office and was told we should get a call from the anesthesiologist today. A. came to give Pat a haircut. Patrick called in the evening and chatted with his Dad and me. He said they might be able to come to the states after the holidays--hope so. Ho, ho, thanks to the lousy exchange rate (for us), they probably can afford it. Old saying rings true: "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good."
For the first time in months, I decided to skip my morning walk today--not because walking companion Susan is away, but because it's frightfully cold, wet, and windy. Icy rain is coming down, the sky is dark, and I just don't want to leave my cosy home.
Have decided to vote for Nader.

Stayed in all day, except for my walk in the morning. Aside from wash and the usually home health aide chores, didn't do much.
Got a call from brother Larry (Florida) in the morning. Regretfully told him I had to turn down his invitation to Disney World before Christmas. I just can't make any commitments that far ahead.
Brother Frank (California) called later. He and Marybeth will be in Baltimore today and will come here to visit next Monday. Looking forward to that.
Read more of Berman's book, now explaining the 1971 end of the Bretton Woods financial agreement among nations, which has now given way to globalization. He contends that this led to a permanent hardening of the low-, middle-, and upper-classes--economically, that is--throughout the world. In other words, there remains a tiny, unimaginably wealthy group on the top and a large, grindingly poor mass on the bottom throughout the world.
I must read it and research it more, to understand it. In the meantime, here's something from the "Baghdad Burning" blog, from an Iraqi resident:
"I sometimes get emails asking me to propose solutions or make suggestions. Fine. Today's lesson: don't rape, don't torture, don't kill and get out while you can -- while it still looks like you have a choice... Chaos? Civil war? Bloodshed? We’ll take our chances -- just take your Puppets, your tanks, your smart weapons, your dumb politicians, your lies, your empty promises, your rapists, your sadistic torturers and go."
Amen.

Busied myself with this and that. In between domestic chores, continued Berman's book. He describes the present state of the country in the introduction--and boy, it's horrible and sad, partly because it rings so true. I was especially struck by his emphasis on the consumerism that is a great tide--no, more like a tsunami that sweeps away all thought, kindliness, and belief in inner riches.
He doesn't mention, but Leonard Pitts did in a column a few months ago, the present trend--I assume countrywide--of naming or renaming sports stadium for their commercial supporters. "Veterans Stadium" is now "Wachovia Center," for instance, so sportscasters (commercial whores themselves, of course) can't even refer to a venue without repeating the name.
Now, with television everywhere (doctor's offices, supermarkets, etc.), we can barely ever escape being targets of selling--and what's most horrifying, neither can our children. More about that in a later entry as I continue to read.
High point of the day was a web call from Singapore. Adorable little Violet was shown--she had nothing to say but "glug," although she's over four months old--and Vivian thanked me for her Halloween book. They're the hope for the future and I'm glad they live in another country.

Pleasant, low-key day. Went to Manahawkin in the morning and duplicated pictures for the Halloween book I'm making for little J. Also got some quiz books for friends who are leaving for Canada today.
When I got home, Pat said the pulmonologist office and called to ask him to come in by 3:00 to get a blood gas test. Took him after lunch and got it done without incident. Home by 4:00; Jack B. stopped in and we enjoyed chatting with him.
A. called on their way up to her cousin's to hike. I'll give her the book for J. on Monday so she can take it to him.
The jerk who owes me twenty finally called (after I called and left a message for the third time) and said he'd give it back "by 5:00 tomorrow." Let's hope he does or I'm going to start going to where his girlfriend works.
Just started reading Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire, by Morris Berman and boy, "depressing" doesn't even cover it. Will elaborate after I read more.
Later: Went to Weight Watchers and was surprised (and gratified) that I'm down 2.4 pounds. That puts me at 125.8 and 73.8 pounds off. Now I've decided I'll call a halt at 75 pounds. After that, I'll try not to lose anymore, and not gain either. This is trickier than it might seem; however, I believe I can do it.