Another horrendous dental session. I got a crown and something else, just not sure exactly what. This time, it took only an hour and a half--it just seemed longer. Next time, I get "fitted" for a partial, I think.
Talked to daughter Ellen. After the removal of two wisdom teeth, her lip is still partially numb. Said she called the office and receptionist told her she had had the same problem, which lasted for six years! I found this very alarming and was sure the dentist was negligent or something. However, this morning E. sent me an e-mail to the effect that she researched it and found this sometimes happens to people over 35. Said she thinks she may feel some tingling, which should indicate the numbness is wearing off, thank heavens.
Lunch with Sue from Holy Spirit today and auditions tonight.

Got a welcome call from P. and N. It was P.'s birthday and--hardly an original or profound thought, but it's unavoidable--how incredibly fast the time has gone since my firstborn came to the world. And what a rare and wonderful person he turned out to be.
Ran a number of errands, packed and sent Violet's birthday package, then went to the pool late in the day on a hot, hot, hot, and sultry day.
Dentist today, for a crown--or crowns--and something else. I cringe at the thought, but am getting closer to completion. That's something to hang onto, I guess.

Was a kind of interim day--a lull between active ones--the only one all week. Got a call from Florida brother Larry. He and Helen were on their way to Pennsy to see her sister and we made plans for them to come here for a few days, starting this Friday. Betty's kids will be in, so we'll have a kind of mini-reunion, too.
Other than that, just errands. Got some small gifts for Violet; must wrap and send today, as her second birthday is July 10th. It was incredibly hot and humid and I went to to pool late in the day. The water felt great, of course.
Dentist tomorrow--ugh!
WIDER:
Here's a fabulous fifties film from my pal, Jon V.:
http://www.archive.org/details/RedMenace
It's just unbelievable that people actually swallowed that crap, isn't it? I mean, the idea that our enemies hate us for our freedoms and are lurking around waiting to take over the country! Nobody would fall for that nowadays, would they?

Another very fine day, this time at the lake to celebrate J.'s birthday. Had to detour all the way to Manahawkin, as there was a road block. When I got to Route 72, I found it extended all the way to there. I think it was a forest fire.
The lake was great. J.'s gang was already there and I jumped right in. N.'s parents came shortly after, but they left before the rest got there. They consisted of J.'s dad, brother, sister, and their assorted families, so I guess there was about twenty in all. The hot dogs and hamburgers tasted great--food always does outdoors--and they brought lots of other sides, plus a huge bowl of blueberries from when they all went pickin' on Friday.
J. got lots of good stuff, including a microscope. Every time he opened a present, he'd exclaim over it, then race to the people who gave it and wrap a big hug around them. He's such an affectionate kid. His little brother, T., and I spent a lot of the day together and what a sweet baby he is.
It was almost dark when I left and full dark by the time I was halfway home. Route 539 was still blocked off, so I had to again detour all the way to Manahawkin. Didn't want to get on the Parkway, so took Route 9, but no problem.
Talked to daughter Ellen when I got back. She endured horrible ordeal at the dentist, who only succeeded in extracting two of four wisdom teeth she's supposed to have out. I'm glad she decided to go to a different one and to be put to sleep.
I've been having such a full, enjoyable summer. Have nothing scheduled for today or tomorrow, which is actually fine by me; I've neglected doing much around the house, and need to take care of that. However, if something fun should come up, you can be sure I'll let the domestic chores hang.

This is continuing to be one busy--in a good way--summer, full of activity and good times. Yesterday, I packed a lunch for the two of us and got down to sister Betty's about noon. We ate there (chicken salad sandwiches on pumpernickel, sliced apples and blueberries, sourdough pretzels, and pink lemonade), then went to the beach. Stayed at the Washington Avenue one for about a half hour, then walked down to Richards Ave. to sit with friend Mary H. and some of her family.
I get antsy with too much of inactivity and I don't like to sit on the sand, so walked back to get my beach chair. I also broke up the afternoon by taking a brisk walk to Ventnor pier and back. We left about 4:00 and when we got back to Betty's, found that the electricity on all three downbeach municipalities was off. This had been announced on the radio, Betty said--something to do with the lightning that had occurred on Thursday. I suggested we go off-shore for dinner and we did. Had broiled flounder at Shore Diner and greatly enjoyed it.
Back at Betty's, we sat on the porch and chatted for awhile, then I drove home. Got in a bit after eight after another fine summer day.
Today: the lake for Joelly's eighth birthday.
WIDER: The more things change department: Does the following seem familiar?
"People talk a little more of the war, but very little. As always hitherto, it is impossible to overhear any comments on it in the pubs, etc. Last night, E(ileen) and I went to the pub to hear the 9 o’c news. The barmaid was not going to have it on if we had not asked her, and to all appearances nobody listened."
And:
"Watching in public bars, I have noticed that working men only pay attention to the broadcasts when some bit of demotic speech creeps in. E(ileen), however claims, with some truth I think, that uneducated people are often moved by a speech in solemn language which they don’t actually understand but feel to be impressive. E.g. Mrs A. (cleaning woman) is impressed by Churchill’s speeches, though not understanding them word for word."
Those paragraphs were written by an Englishman in his journal (that's what blogs were called in past years, children) exactly seventy years ago in May and June, 1940. They concern, of course, the quickly approaching world war. He notes that there was little interest among the great lower class, but what there was appears as admiration for the lordly rulers. (Surely, because they use all the big words and are so--well, lordly--they must know better than lowly working stiffs like you and me.)
Yes, it was The Prophet Orwell.

It was a surprise day that turned out pretty good. Early on, I got an e-mail from Sue, with whom I was supposed to lunch, asking if we could postpone, as she had a medical emergency. I know she's had some serious stuff going on, so of course, understood; we set a new date for next Wednesday.
I had received a notice from the NJ Pinelands Preservation Commission about a presentation called "Flying With Emilio," to be held at its location in Pemberton. With the afternoon open, I decided to go to that, and did.
Emilio Carranza was a Mexican pilot, sometimes called "The Mexican Lindbergh," who was on a good will tour of the U.S. in July, 1928. On his way to New York, he was killed when his light plane went down in a thunderstorm in the dense woods near Tabernacle, NJ. He was only twenty-two. There's a small monument of sandstone in a clearing near where he crashed; it was sent from Mexico in the thirties. I've been there several times, and have been intrigued by the story since I learned of it.
Every year since the accident--this will be the eighty-second--Mount Holly American Legion Post 11 holds a memorial at the site. I hope to go this year.
The video was interesting and included relatives of Carranza's, many of whom live in Texas, as well as the old men of the post who also spoke at the presentation.
As ever, I was torn between my admiration for these kindly people who honor one of a neighboring country's heroes, and abhorrence at the unthinking nationalism so evident in their talk and demeanor. Well, that's a dilemma I'm not going to solve very soon.
Got home about 4:00 and was going to go to the pool, but a terrific thunderstorm blew up (surely similar to the one that blew Emilio down), so I didn't. Made plans with sister Betty to go to the beach today, but I'm not sure if the weather's going to allow it.
WIDER: Of course, the big news of the day is McChrystal and his staff and his dirty mouth and his firing and so on, ho-hum. Every time I saw a picture of him, something kept buzzing around in my mind, but wouldn't stay still long enough for me to examine it. Then I saw one of him--I think at the White House--with a little, lopsided smile on his face and I realized: He looks like one of those crazed serial killers who dismember their victims and stow them behind the wainscoting.
Well, if the shoe fits...

At my doctor appointment, I found I was supposed to be taking two tablets (5 mg.) of amlodipine (for BP) daily, but have been taking only one (2.5 mg.). Why? Because the instructions on the prescription say, "take one...," which I pointed out to the doctor. Somebody screwed up, we decided. My BP (130/80) isn't horrible, she said, but she'd still like it down lower. Will take the extra damn pill.
Got down to Betty's about 12:30, after stopping to get her a welcome back gift: a little clay turtle with a plant in it. Suzanne M., Helen C., and Betty were waiting on the porch and Mookie D. came soon after. We had tentatively planned to go to the Greenhouse in Margate and sit on the deck overlooking the ocean, but when we got there, it was so hot that plan was vetoed. I never like to sit inside there because it's very dark and so noisy you can't hear yourself talk, so we went to the Anchorage in Somers Point, I place I always liked.
I had a big, greasy, rare hamburger and a frosty cold beer--seems to me there just isn't any summer meal more delicious than that. Of course, we talked and talked and laughed a lot. Went back to Betty's after and spent another hour or two doing the same. I got home about 5:00 and immediately after, put on my bathing suit and went to the pool. There was nobody there and you're not supposed to swim alone, but I did anyway and it was heavenly. Stayed in about 45 minutes, then left for home.
Another great summer day. The only cloud over it was a message I got from my dear cousin, M., in Cincinnati, with ominous medical news. May she be all right--oh, please...
WIDER: After the millions of words spewed out hither and yon regarding the McC. affair, this from the blog "Who Is IOZ," says it all:
"...I am glad to live in a world where the ongoing slaughter of civilians is a resume-builder but badmouthing the boss is a firing offense."
Full stop. Period. The end.