Got a welcome Skype call from the Tokyo Twosome. Hot there and electricity is rationed.
Sister Betty called and invited me down to sit on her porch. Had no other plans, so accepted. Made a big salad and a chicken sandwich, put them and a few beers* in the cooler and zipped on down.
Well, no, hardly "zipped." Traffic on the Parkway just past Jimmie Leeds Road had slowed to a crawl, as the saying goes. Took me twenty minutes to go a mile, so got off at Absecon and made my way down via Route 9. That's what happens in the summer on the way to a resort. I realized later that the food and wine festival was going on that weekend, too.
Spent the afternoon chatting on Betty's porch. Mookie came over and last, so did Betty's obnoxious neighbor. Karen, who's about 40, is involved--or whatever it is--with Bob, who's at least in his late sixties--and is the type who never shuts up. I left soon after she came, but had a pleasant--if slow--afternoon.
Stopped at Shop-Rite, the cemetery, and Santori's on the way home. As soon as I got in, I jumped in the shower; it felt so good after sweltering on the porch. I'm not adverse to doing that once in a while, but being so idle every day--or even every week--would drive me batty.
* Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. (Benjamin Franklin)

Walked with Susan, but then forgot about exercise at the clubhouse. I had every intention of going, but just--forgot! Gosh, I must be losing it.
Galvanized myself to clean the far side of the kitchen. Took everything off the baker's rack in one corner and the triangular shelf-thing (that's what it's called, "the shelf thing") in the other, and washed or dusted the items. Re potted two of the plants I keep there. Put everything back and it looks good.
Just lazed around most of the rest of the day, until the high point: a Skype call from Mike and family in London. The big seven-year-old, who's more beautiful than ever, showed me her Rapunzel doll--long blonde hair that grows--and little sister her baby doll with pink dress. Said hello to Paula, then Mike showed me around the house with the web cam. Geez, it's big--seven bedrooms, seven baths, a three car garage, and all kinds of other amenities on several floors. Reminds me of my childhood home on Rosborough Avenue in Ventnor, but larger. It's right across the street from a park for which Prince Phillip is responsible, or is the patron, or something. Anyway, it was wonderful to see the ones in GB.
Incredibly hot and humid yesterday, but of course, the AC prevented me from even noticing until I actually went out. Did so about 4:00. Put some peat moss in a bucket and drove over to the cemetery. Was delighted to see the Mexican heather now looks perky. Watered thoroughly, then put the peat moss around. Looks good.
Home, I had a message from Frank, who's producer (read: does everything) for Moon Over Buffalo. Called him back and will meet with him tomorrow to go over publicity and so on.

 

Spent the morning in Manahawkin running errands and the afternoon at Pat L.'s interviewing her. We had an enjoyable visit. Pat is a retired R.N.--was in pediatrics at Robert Wood Johnson in East Brunswick for years. She now suffers from some kind of degenerative problem that affects her spine; uses a cane and it's often painful, but she doesn't complain. Got home after 3:00 and, as I usually do (and should always do), I wrote up some of the article while it was fresh in my mind.
Talked to sister Betty later. Other than that and household chores, not much going on.
Susan's back, so we'll walk today.
NOTE: Today is my darling grandaughter's seventh birthday. I'll call her on Skype later--hope the London location is set up. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIVIAN!

With Susan away, I went for my walk with the boys--Frank, Johnny, the Platters--on the IPod. Showered, then headed over to Buena to pick Regina up. We went to a nearby restaurant--she insisted on picking up the tab this time--then I went back to her place and we had dessert of half a peach with raspberry sauce.
Regina and I are poles apart politically, religiously, and, I guess, in other ways, but we like each other and enjoyed the day. I stayed until about 3:30, then called Betty to see if she could meet. There was no answer and I didn't get a message back, so I impulsively decided to drive down to Ventnor. I did and found Betty home; her cell isn't functioning properly. We sat on her porch and talked, and I left about 4:30.
Stopped at the cemetery after--it's not exactly on the way, but close--and watered the Mexican heather. Unfortunately, all three plants looks a bit wilted; hope that's just that they needed water.
Am interviewing Pat L. today.

Spent most of the day doing chores and running errands. Sliced up onions and sweet peppers, added garlic and oil, and cooked the concoction up in the small crock pot. Boy, is that good.
Called Marge, then stopped over for a chat. Brought her the slice of chocolate/orange/Kalila cake Susan had given me. She had baked it to take to her daughter's in Connecticut (will be gone until Friday). I appreciate her thoughtfulness, but dare not start on the sugar thing. Marge is very thin and can use the calories.
Went to Shop-Rite for blueberries and was incensed to see they wanted $3.99 a pint! Left them on the shelf and got them from B & B for $1.88.
Late in the day, drove over to Smithville and bought a rotisserie chicken. Had some for dinner and will eat off it (horrid expression) for a few more days.
Called sister Betty and we had a good talk. She's working today on Jimmie Leeds Road; I'd like to meet her there, but am taking sister-in-law Regina out for lunch, so will be in Buena. Will skip the three-mile exercise yet again--soon I'll be lolling around in my bathrobe all day...

Caught up with Susan for our regular walk--she thought I'd be home a day later--then went to exercise. After breakfast, I completed my favorite puzzle, the cryptogram in the AC Press, then did some proofing for The Breeze. My piece, "Pets Of The Past, Part II," the only one I contributed for August, looks okay. Started thinking about the Dionne Quintuplet article I'm planning, but decided I'll save it for the September issue, as I'm doing a profile on Pat L. for August.
Washed clothes, tidied up a bit, then drove over to Produce Junction to replenish my veggie supply. Got lettuce, mushrooms, butternut squash, and peppers. I noticed some attractive, rather large, and very inexpensive "Mexican Heather" (dunno why their country of origin would be mentioned) plants while I was there.
Drove to the cemetery, about six miles away, watered and pulled a few weeds, all the while thinking of the Mexican heather plants. Yes! I drove all the way back to Produce Junction, bought three, then went back to the cemetery. I had intended to simply place them in their pots, but--. Dug the holes, added water and Miracle-Gro (I keep gardening stuff in my trunk), and planted two at Pat's grave and one larger one at Jay's. By the time I was finished, I was dripping and muddy, but they look great.
Home about 2:00, I made a big salad and covered it with a damp paper towel to have for dinner, For late lunch, I had broccoli and butternut squash, and plenty of it. Jumped in the shower--did that feel good!--and dressed. By that time, it was about 4:30 and I drove to Manahawkin for feta cheese and a few other things. It was after 6:00 by the time I ate. Added the feta and two hard-boiled eggs to my big salad, and enjoyed every bite.
Got a very welcome phone call from Desi. No, I didn't get the part in Moon Over Buffalo, but neither did Ellen V. Desi explained that he had cast a newcomer, a young woman who's very much overweight (he emphasized that) because he has a certain concept of the nutty grandmother and she fit his idea. I understood that, and also understood that his call was an oblique apology after his annoying behavior at the audition. Okay, I'm over my anger (and, let it be said, hurt) at what I saw as his cavalier attitude. I agreed to continue as publicity chair and we had a cordial exchange.
All in all, a good, active, enjoyable day.