Slow

Fairly slow day.  I walked at 7:00--I've been very lax lately--and felt good after.  E-mailed cast members about rehearsals at the library this Saturday and next.  Frank can't come either day, but that's okay, as it's partly to introduce Louise to the rest.
Bobbi C. called about my other current theatre project:  Directing and acting in The Ugly Duckling at Shalom House.  Geez, I haven't even thought about that one lately.
Went to Shop-Rite and, on impulse, bought chicken and sausage--on sale and I find it hard to resist.  It seems a piece of cake, as it's readers' theatre and we've already done it once.
Did some household chores and computer stuff and that was essentially it.

'Your Ghost Story'

Got word from Tara that she is unable to be in the cast of Hell On Wheels, after all.  Ouch!  With Julie's withdrawal, that left two open spots.  However, I called Kathy
D. and she'll take Julie's role.  That still left one open.  Talked to Frank-Next-Door, who plays the devil, and told him I'd call Lucille P.  Did so, but she has another commitment on Tuesdays, so regretfully declined.
Stumped on anyone else to approach around here (the person needs to be in her late thirties to upper fifties), I e-mailed Louise S., from Players & Playwrights.  After some back and forth, she agreed to accept the role.  Now to get the new cast together.
Went to "Your Ghost Story" with Aline at the library at 7:00.  It was done by a husband and wife team from Traveling Literary Theatre out of Jackson, NJ, and was very entertaining.  The two read--with plenty of acting out--four ghost/horror stories and were properly attired in Halloweenish wear.  She wore a black, silver-trimmed gown, he a black, old-fashioned frock coat suit.  Frank and Barbara were there, also, and we approached the team after to chat for a bit.  When I told them I had been in Arsenic playing Aunt Martha, the wife, Maggie, laughed and said she had played Aunt Martha when she was 25 and that's how she met husband, who was also in the show!

Veggie Prep

Quite remarkably, I actually did what I intended yesterday: veggie preparation.  Made a salad with the spring mix and tomatoes; boiled the curly kale in preparation for eventual stir-flying with finely-chopped onions and garlic, which I prepared and put in the refrig; washed, pared, and chopped the eggplant, which I put in the small slow cooker with fresh tomatoes and seasonings; ditto with the carrots and Daikon radishes in the large slow cooker; and trimmed, chopped, and microwaved the cauliflower with Mrs. Dash.  I still have the purple cabbage and mysterious greens.  Well, that's not the real name, but I don't know what they are.  E-mailed my friend and she thinks they're another type of kale, but they look more like a salad ingredient to me.  No matter, I'll stir-fry, eat, and hope for the best. 
All that took the entire morning.  After a lunch of salad, cauliflower, and newly-prepared veggies (what else?), I took a drive to Barnegat, first stopping in to say hello to Susan.
Hmm...now I'm getting worried about her again.  Susan was always a dynamo of activity, but now suddenly seems slow-moving and frail.  She probably has gained some weight, although still very thin, but still hasn't resumed our morning walk. She  said she and Walter walk later in the day, but only around the "block" (actually, our development is not laid out in "blocks," but they can be approximated).  She also said she "rests"--takes a nap, I guess--in the afternoon.  That in itself concerns me; I never knew her to nap before. 
Tomorrow will mark two weeks since I took her to the hospital.  She was in for ten days and had had bad stomach pain before that.  I guess, being healthy, it's hard for me to believe somebody should suffer that long.
Got a delightful call from Ellen and we had a good talk about some good news she confided.  Yes, yes, all is good, but I refuse to reveal any more than that. 
         

Crop Walk And Dine Around

Brr, I'm cold.  Felt chilly yesterday morning, went to turn the heat up, and discovered the furnace isn't working.  Must go down the street and ask Dennis to look at it; he's not only a neighbor and husband of my good friend, Leslie, but a contractor.*
Re Leslie: She and I participated in the Crop Walk organized by several area churches.  I was a bit concerned about being ready for Dine Around, as Jay and Marilyn were picking me up at 4:30, but I was in plenty of time.  We walked only about two miles, but each kicked in twenty bucks to "sponsor" each other.
Home about 3:30, I changed into my impromptu costume.  Judy had instructed all women to dress as witches--just how cliché-ridden can you get?--so, of course, I wouldn't dream of dressing as a witch.  I dressed all in black, wore a gorilla mask bought for a buck at a yard sale, and incredibly, won the "funniest costume" prize, a cute little wooden wall hanging I need like a hole in the head.
As usual, Judy and Roman went 'way over the top decorating the room.  It was festooned with orange and black streamers, light-up pumpkins, plastic spiders, black cats, small "hangings," such as "come in and have a bite," Halloween centerpieces, and all manner of other junk decorations that must have cost a fortune.  The fact that the place was prepared for roughly 35 people and only half that number showed up, points up the pathos of Judy's frantic need to be--well, what?  A leader?  Admired, respected, and emulated?  The most popular girl in the class?  I believe I'm one of the few people who know something of her sad background, and I find her both difficult to actually like and deeply pathetic.
The evening was okay, but a little boring.  I seem to already be moving my interest  from Jersey and casting a curious inner eye on New Mexico.  I did enjoy getting to know Harry and Pat V., who rode with us, and I like Marilyn and Jay P., who drove, but not intensely, only mildly.  (Aha! That looks as it refers to Jay's driving, whereas....)  
Got home to find an unwelcome message from Julie S. and called her back to discuss. She's a teacher and accepted a tutoring job for a handicapped girl, which has to be on Tuesday nights--damn!  I know the girls' situation is more important than any show and that Julie desperately needs the money, but it's a problem.  Now I have to not only definitely get somebody to take her role in Hell On Wheels, but almost surely, fill Tara M.'s role, too.  There is Lucille P., of course, but she doesn't get sitters for her six-year-old and I'm not agreeable to having the kid around at rehearsals, let alone the actual show.  It might work out, though; must think on it.
I plan to make this a veggie day and will prepare and cook the many harvested goodies I was given by my friend on Saturday.     
* I wonder if I wasn't born with an "overlook the obvious" gene.  The little screen on the thermostat read--I thought--"ba-lower case r--lo," just gibberish.  However, it finally dawned on me the lower case r is actually a small t and the message was "batteries low."  Got Dennis, he came down and replaced them in two seconds, and all is well.  Next time, I can probably even do it myself.
   

Neat Day

A day of varied and enjoyable events.  In the morning, as requested, I met my friend and her husband near the entrance to the Parkway.  We then drove in their SUV to a small-owner owned granite and tile store.  My buddies picked out new granite countertops and backsplash material for their kitchen, took me back to my car, and I followed to their home.  Had lunch--homemade turkey chili and it was delicious--then we all set to work digging out plants, transferring them elsewhere, and watering.
The previous sentence took me only a minute or less to type, but took several hours in real life.  In truth, I just helped "around the edges," so to speak; they did the heavy work (some of the plants were huge), and I handed them tools, carried some of the plants (mostly day lilies) to the new location, and dragged the hose around to water them.  The couple are having their front walk re-done and needed to provide several feet around the existing one.
My lady friend and I then went to a store in Hamilton for a few items.  That also sounds like a mere "stop and shop," but by the time we finished, twilight was setting in.  Back at her place, I was given a bonanza of arugula, kale, carrots, daikon radishes, eggplant, red cabbage, spring mix and tomatoes--they belong to a organic farm co-op--loaded up the car, and said goodbye. 
It was a fairly ordinary day, but much low-key fun for me; spending it with two of my favorite people always is.

Various

Yet more tiresome paperwork--this time it really was paper--and various household chores.  Took a break after lunch to drive down to Elaine's Candy in Manahawkin, where I picked up a box of chocolates for Susan.  Was going to buy a card until I remembered that I've had one for more than ten years: The front shows a woman sleeping 'way over on the edge of her bed because three or four cats are snoozing the rest of it.  It reads "Cats with rights" on the front and simply "Get well soon."  She loved it, and the candy, too.
Turnabout is fair play (another oldie and not even so goodie) and shortly after, Susan came over and presented me with a beautiful card and a metal container with paper white bulbs and instructions on how to grow.  This was her thanks for taking her to the hospital and so on and she also said she and Walter want to take me to dinner.  Nice.
Went to Acme and ran into Ron K., who's in LETCO and with whom I performed in Our Town.  We chatted for a few minutes--what a neat guy.
Meeting my friend and her husband this morning at the entrance to the Parkway, as they have to go to Galloway for something or other and invited me to go, too.

Busily Being Busy

After continuing my "paperwork," for a few hours, I called Jim at Unshredded Nostalgia and told him I'd accept his earlier offer for the rest of my postcards.  Drove to Barnegat and dumped--uh, dropped them off and collected the dough. 
Stopped over at Susan's, who's now home, but fearfully thin and weak.  I'm still puzzled as to whether the problem is actually her appendix.  If so, why wouldn't they remove it?  Just stayed for five minutes, as I didn't want to tire her.
Made an appointment with the new dentist in town after a conversation with the office person.  She assured me I'm covered for cleaning, x-rays, and so on, but since I don't have dental insurance, I don't see how.  Will have to research that.
I managed to get the porch furniture in the garage for the winter by myself, so that's done.  I want to take two tables to the thrift store, but don't think they'll fit in the car.  Will ask if someone will take them.
Called a few people to see who I could hitch a ride with for Dine Around on Sunday.  I don't want to go with Judy and Roman because they're leaving so early to decorate.  Haven't heard back from the D.'s and Marilyn P. called back to offer to take me, although they're taking the V.'s, too, and I'll be cramped in the back seat.  Leslie and I will go on the Crop Walk first.
Dave and Ellen came over at 7:00 and we went over the "Mr. and Mrs. Claus" skit.  It's cute and they'll do a good job, but the show is really too short, so we'll have to beef it up a bit.  Desi and the H.'s leave for Ireland today; I'll have to consult them when they get back.