Naomi e-mailed me early, asking if we could have lunch at her house instead of out. I called her and she explained that she was on a vegan diet and wasn't sure she could order anything at Shore Diner. I said I'd be glad to share her food and went over.
She made soup--pea, but with cashews, mushrooms, and lots of other things not usually in pea soup. It was thick and very good. The salad was ordinary, but with a very tasty dressing that included chick peas and so on. A lot of the food has to be organic and there are some unusual dishes, but she and her husband like the regime.
I then took her to Produce Junction. I got peppers, butternut and spaghetti squash, arugula, tomatoes, gigantic mushrooms, and broccoli. Naomi bought a papaya and a mango and we both bought beautiful yellow mums.
Went to Fabulous Jewelery, but it was closed for Rosh Hoshanna. Just as well, as Naomi makes her own. Driving around, she told me something of her life, which has been difficult at times. I asked if she was okay with stopping at the cemetery on the way home and she was fine with that--said she goes with Wayne to his late wife's grave. Also stopped at the library, so I could show her N.'s creations, which she greatly admired.
Naomi herself has an artistic bent. She does graphic design and writes poetry. Also makes jewelery and lately, has been designing with flashing--yes, the shiny stuff used on house construction. She also has psychic powers and is very much into the mystic. Knowing I write, she asked me to critique some of her short verse--she calls them "postcards" and lent me a book of them.
Interesting day.

Went to Kohl's, but couldn't find the walking shoes (read "sneaks") I wanted. Tried to order on the phone, but the rep and I couldn't come to a conclusion about which pair I wanted.
Tackled the pull-out shelves in the kitchen and got lots of donations stuff there. Incredibly, I had four large plastic beverage containers--what? Not sure if I ever used them, as I prefer glass, so I designated three for the thrift store. Neatened up the basket and refrigerator containers and so on.
Galvanized, I turned my attention to my recipes. I get a lot from magazines and newspaper, and the Internet--one thing it's good for--and weeded them out. Assembled the ones I wanted. Went to the library and did a few other chores. I want to continue my efforts in the kitchen today.
Called a guy to come over for an estimate to re-grout the bathrooms. He did, and the cost would be $650--aagh! I could probably get him to $500, but even that is a lotta dough.
Marge called and we had a nice chat. She invited me over to pick up the cost for the ticket to the Surflight Theatre she and Fred are treating me to (I mean "to which she and Fred are treating me"--good grief, I'm compulsive!).
Desi called, asking if I have any clippings from past LETCO productions. I do and will call lhim when I dig them out.
Lunch and Atlantic County excursions with Naomi today.

Mary S. picked me up about 11:00 to take my picture in front of the library display window. It looks good and will appear in the November issue, along with a paragraph I'll write with her byline.
In going though magazines, I cam across a Vanity Fair with Lady Gaga on the cover. I knew Betty's grandson, Finn, was crazy about her, so I put it in a big envelope and sent it to him. Driving home, I had a "gulp" moment: There were some pretty provocative pictures Lady G. and was it appropriate for a ten-year-old? Called his mother, Carolyn, and described it in cause she wanted to intercept it and scan it first. She said she thought it was probably okay, but would consider it.
Still having a back seat full, I was happy to see the Tuckerton thrift store finally open. Dropped the stuff off there, then proceeded to Manahawkin and Shop-Rite.
Did wash, cleaned a bit and did other mundane chores most of the rest of the day.
Susan will be back late tomorrow.

Busy day. After my walk, exercise session, and breakfast, I waited for the men from Habitat, who came about 11:00 and took the chair. In the meantime, I called the guy from the solar panel outfit and left a message. I'm almost surely getting them; eight of my fourteen neighbors have already contracted for them and it looks like a no-brainer. Was told to call the electric company to get my "consumption record" (how many kilowatts I use) and I did. They'll send.
I had difficulty sending a message to LETCO members and Frank came over to help. He also brought me discs with pictures from rehearsals, participants in costume. I'll take that to the newspapers.
After lunch, I drove over to Hamilton to look at the bedside tables again. Still not sure if I'll get them. Got shades for the lamps in my bedroom. Stopped at the cemetery on the way back.
Betty called after dinner to tell me her comings and goings in California. She'll be back a week from today. I told her I had found an old Vanity Fair with Lady Gaga on the cover, an article and pics inside. Sent it to her grandson, Finn, but later thought I should have checked with his mother, Carolyn, first, as there are some pretty racy pictures. Plus, I didn't read the article. Will call this morning.
I had gotten an e-mail with a racist (and ridiculous) diatribe called "Open Letter From An American Airlines Pilot" and replied to refute it. Naomi had e-mailed me to say "Bravo." Also said she'd like to go to lunch and we will on Thursday.

I was able to move the small antique "lady desk" from the guest room to the hall, then to my room, maybe temporarily. I'll decide where it will go after my Christmas company leaves. Also moved the (small) green bookcase to the hall to clear the way for the men from Habitat to move out the recliner. Can't decide whether to give that up, too, or not. Changed my bed, did wash, and cooked butternut squash in the crock pot; had it for lunch and it was good.
Showered and dress for the "Dine Around" and went down the street to the R.'s. About thirty of us met at The Grapevine on Route 9. I've been there several times over the years and the experiences have been uneven. They catered our fiftieth anniversary party and did it beautifully, but I've had lunches and dinners that I weren't up to par.
Last night, though, the food was excellent. I had scallops, which I haven't for y ears, and they were very good. Along with the entrees they served, family style, not one but two bowls of pasta (with vodka sauce and a broccoli one with garlic), salad, and vegetables. The last were uninspired, being a "summer mix" or whatever they call it--I always think they throw in together all the left overs from the day before; in this case, more broccoli, string beans, carrots, and sweet peppers. I don't even like the combination. The dessert, cheesecake, was delicious and the coffee good. No fewer than four people had birthdays that month and Judy K., ever the party person, sent around birthday cards she individually designed and made, along with birthday tiaras for the women and a crown for the man. They were presented with cupcakes with candles and we all sang "Happy Birthday." There was a drawing for little gifts--I got a glittery hanging decoration--and each woman got a fresh long-stemmed red rose. These occasions aren't usually so elaborate, but certainly will be next month, as Judy and Roman have the October Dine Around.
Enjoyed my usual Skype call from Ellen and we had a good chat.

Almost out of veggies, I drove to Santori's early on. Stopped at the cemetery. Home,I cut up cabbage and added quartered oranges to the crock pot. I ate it later, but it wasn't one of my better efforts.
Spent almost all the rest of the daylight hours writing and editing a variety of material. Took everything out of the three large containers filled with Dionne Quintuplet items and consolidated them into two containers. The books--of which I have roughly thirty--I put on the bottom shelves of the bookcase I moved into the study closet. I'm not crazy about doing that, but maybe I'll move them later.
About noon, I was thrilled to get a Skype call from London. Talked at length to Mike and Paula and the precious little girls. Paula has started driving, although it's hard on the "wrong" side of the road. (If we weren't meant to drive on the right, why was it called that?)
Niece Joan W. called to tell me she and Jim had seen Limitless. She had other movies to recommend, including V For Vendetta, of which I think I've vaguely heard. It concerns a future Fascist government in the U.S.--hey, isn't that just a contemporary piece?
"Dine-Around" dinner tonight.

It rained and I walked my walk under an umbrella. Completed the one-act play I'll bring to the next Thespians meeting: "I Have Something To Tell You." It's a tragedy, not a comedy; guess I'll bring the funny "The Return Of Tootie," too. This is a funny one, the sequel to my first "Tootie" piece I did for the Sunrise Bay Players. Wish I could find the first one, but it's not on this computer.
Got a little more clearing out finished, plus other stuff too boring to mention. My visitor from up north came about 3:30 and we got the bookcase moved into the study closet and the table in the hall into my room. I want to rearrange other stuff, too.
Watched the rest of the video son P. sent from his an N.'s excursion to Fukushima. Beautiful area and interesting, but I wasn't crazy about the fact a typhoon was coming while they were there.
At loose ends late in the day, I took a drive here and there. I have to keep remembering it costs money to do that, but I need to get out of the house when--well, when I need to get out of the house.