It was a catching up day and not a bad one. After reconciling myself to going back to the routine, I actually enjoyed it in a minor way. Got on the computer, walked Kimball, did the crossword, plus a few chores. Drove to town and walked the usual. Stopped at Vons on the way home, so had a late lunch.
I called my new friend, Diane (the one who had the eight-bedroom house in San Francisco and lost all her money) and invited her for lunch today. She was pleased to accept and I'll pick her up and bring her here.
Got an e-mail from Nancy, asking if we could get together today, too. Called her and, since I'm busy today and she is on Tuesday or Wednesday, we decided to meet on Thursday at Ellen's, then go somewhere for lunch.
Went to WinCo for shrimp, wine, and a few fruits. I'll serve Diane a sturdy salad (not your wimpy lettuce and tomato, either), plus shrimp, then make a fruit salad for dessert.
Betty called and, of course, we both hope brother Frank will improve with time. He's out of intensive care, so that's good news. I absolutely refuse to be pessimistic about his condition. I firmly believe he'll slowly get better, physically and mentally, and until I know differently, I'm going to go with that.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Last Day This Time
Last day--this time--for some of my family to be together, but it was a good one. When I got home from walking Kimball, I was texted that going to the beach was the intention and we decided to meet at 1:30 at the marina. That gave me time to go to WinCo for fruit and do some other errands. Drove to town after lunch, stopping at the library, then to the marina. Good grief, it was impossible to find a parking place anywhere near--the area was just jammed. Text come in: Let's go to the harbor, instead. We did and the same situation prevailed. We should have realized that those places would be packed--after it, it's the same as on Absecon Island on a summer weekend.
Another text: Let's go to the pool at your place, and that's where we went.
I put on my suit, but the others just put their feet in the water. We had an enjoyable. low-key, time. Cousin Carolyn was contacted and invited to meet us at El's in Ojai. The girls went to buy food, I changed and brought my salad, and we all met at Ojai.
Had a pulled-together, but good dinner, then took a walk through the neighborhood. Said goodbye about 8:30. I'll be back on Tuesday, as I'm staying over for two nights while El and Greg are vacationing in San Luis Obispo.
Another text: Let's go to the pool at your place, and that's where we went.
I put on my suit, but the others just put their feet in the water. We had an enjoyable. low-key, time. Cousin Carolyn was contacted and invited to meet us at El's in Ojai. The girls went to buy food, I changed and brought my salad, and we all met at Ojai.
Had a pulled-together, but good dinner, then took a walk through the neighborhood. Said goodbye about 8:30. I'll be back on Tuesday, as I'm staying over for two nights while El and Greg are vacationing in San Luis Obispo.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Friday
(Darn, the Internet disconnect happened again today, Saturday! I got it running, but not until after I had walked Kimball and had breakfast. I tried something else, and hope it's the answer.)
Friday: Got home after 9:00 last night after a great day. I just don't have the time or inclination to write much, but I walked Kimball; went to T.O.PS. to find I lost another 1.4 pounds, for a total of 28 pounds and change off; breakfasted, showered, dressed, and took off for Ojai. The others came shortly and the five of us drove to the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
We had a fairly strenuous, but wonderfully invigorating hike up/down, way/way/up, down and sideways, including over a creek, the passage for which consisted entirely of rocks. With one companion on each side, I managed to get over it, but it was dicey.
We then stopped in the botanical library, a lovely place like a sanctuary. We were charmed to find that side-by-side, there were books on the flora in New Jersey and New Mexico; well, they were in alphabetical order, that's why. I checked my phone while we were there and found my brother, Jim, had left a message. Called him back and we had a nice talk. He wanted to know if I had any new news on Frank and I told him what Francine had said.
From there, we went to Greg's mother's place. Greg went to pick up his brother at the airport while we chatted with her. Greg and bro came in and we visited for a time. The five of us then said goodbye and went off to the Paradise Cafe for dinner; sat on the patio and had a lovely time.
By the time we got back to Ojai, it was close to 9:00, but I drove home anyway. Stayed up for a bit with cherries and blueberries, then went to bed and slept until after 7:00--shockingly late for me, but I didn't care.
Friday: Got home after 9:00 last night after a great day. I just don't have the time or inclination to write much, but I walked Kimball; went to T.O.PS. to find I lost another 1.4 pounds, for a total of 28 pounds and change off; breakfasted, showered, dressed, and took off for Ojai. The others came shortly and the five of us drove to the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
We had a fairly strenuous, but wonderfully invigorating hike up/down, way/way/up, down and sideways, including over a creek, the passage for which consisted entirely of rocks. With one companion on each side, I managed to get over it, but it was dicey.
We then stopped in the botanical library, a lovely place like a sanctuary. We were charmed to find that side-by-side, there were books on the flora in New Jersey and New Mexico; well, they were in alphabetical order, that's why. I checked my phone while we were there and found my brother, Jim, had left a message. Called him back and we had a nice talk. He wanted to know if I had any new news on Frank and I told him what Francine had said.
From there, we went to Greg's mother's place. Greg went to pick up his brother at the airport while we chatted with her. Greg and bro came in and we visited for a time. The five of us then said goodbye and went off to the Paradise Cafe for dinner; sat on the patio and had a lovely time.
By the time we got back to Ojai, it was close to 9:00, but I drove home anyway. Stayed up for a bit with cherries and blueberries, then went to bed and slept until after 7:00--shockingly late for me, but I didn't care.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Ventura and Unpleasant News
Walked Kimball and even got my town walk in before the kids (ha!) came after lunch. We enjoyed chatting and I showed them two pictures painted by my Uncle Frank, plus one that had hung in my childhood home. I was hoping they might want to have one or more of them, but they may have decided against, which is fine by me. I'd love a family member to have them but if my own children don't take them, I'll see if their cousins might. We made plans to go to Santa Barbara today, so we'll join up in Ojai in early afternoon.
We then all went to Wal-Mart for this, that, and the other. We parted about 4:30 and I was about to go off to WinCo for fresh fish, when my phone rang. It was Betty, telling me that our brother, Frank, is in the hospital in ICU. It may be that he took too much medication for blood pressure; his BP had dropped alarmingly. When I got home, I called his daughter, Francine, who said he also had became incoherent (he does have some memory loss), but now seems to be improving. He'll be in the hospital at least over the weekend, she said, and on Monday, they'll decide what to do next.
Boy, this is a blow, on all kind of levels. Not only was his wife, Marybeth, who's getting less and less coherent, admitted to Mercy Central two weeks or so ago, but now this. Darn, darn, darn.
We then all went to Wal-Mart for this, that, and the other. We parted about 4:30 and I was about to go off to WinCo for fresh fish, when my phone rang. It was Betty, telling me that our brother, Frank, is in the hospital in ICU. It may be that he took too much medication for blood pressure; his BP had dropped alarmingly. When I got home, I called his daughter, Francine, who said he also had became incoherent (he does have some memory loss), but now seems to be improving. He'll be in the hospital at least over the weekend, she said, and on Monday, they'll decide what to do next.
Boy, this is a blow, on all kind of levels. Not only was his wife, Marybeth, who's getting less and less coherent, admitted to Mercy Central two weeks or so ago, but now this. Darn, darn, darn.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Around Ojai and Meditation Mountain
This damn machine broke down again! I re-booted and so on, but no luck. Went out and walked Kimball and when I got back, I was able to get in, but ouch!
Anyway, we had a high time yesterday--figuratively and literally. First, I met Carole at 9:00 am at the mall. We both got these vouchers that the country promotes--meaning 24 bucks worth we can "spend" at the farmers market at the mall. This is NOT a low-income benefit, but simply for seniors--as a reward, I guess, for living so long.
Anyway, Carole and I loaded up with all kinds of produce (exactly what I eat most of). Some, I never even heard of: lemon cucumbers, for instance, and Japanese tomatoes. They were wonderful.
Just as we were leaving, El called and suggested I come over, which I did, directly from there. We gathered, then went to the Kristimundi Center, a spiritual retreat place up in the hills. We wandered the garden and talked for a long time with the overseer, Carol Wade, who tends to the plants. She's very knowledgeable about their medicinal uses. I've been there before and like the philosophy espoused.
From there, back to El's for a sketchy lunch, to which I contributed some of my veggies. From there, we went to Bart's Books, famous in this area, and stayed reading for a bit, plus buying a few books. We then drove to one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life, Meditation Mountain. The views here are just spectacular and we were there for about two hours. There's a meditation building, a small store, and areas where people can sit and just--well, meditate, I guess. We walked out to the "viewpoint" and I just gasped at the magnificent panorama. My companions sat, then lay down on the grass, while I sat on a bench nearby. I had picked up a lovely paper parasol, which are put there for people to use, then return, free of charge.
Anyway, it was wonderful. We left as the sun was setting and I decided not to join them for dinner this time--don't like to drive in the dark and I hadn't brought any overnight stuff. Went home, took a lovely shower, ate my lovely fruit, then had a lovely sleep.
Anyway, we had a high time yesterday--figuratively and literally. First, I met Carole at 9:00 am at the mall. We both got these vouchers that the country promotes--meaning 24 bucks worth we can "spend" at the farmers market at the mall. This is NOT a low-income benefit, but simply for seniors--as a reward, I guess, for living so long.
Anyway, Carole and I loaded up with all kinds of produce (exactly what I eat most of). Some, I never even heard of: lemon cucumbers, for instance, and Japanese tomatoes. They were wonderful.
Just as we were leaving, El called and suggested I come over, which I did, directly from there. We gathered, then went to the Kristimundi Center, a spiritual retreat place up in the hills. We wandered the garden and talked for a long time with the overseer, Carol Wade, who tends to the plants. She's very knowledgeable about their medicinal uses. I've been there before and like the philosophy espoused.
From there, back to El's for a sketchy lunch, to which I contributed some of my veggies. From there, we went to Bart's Books, famous in this area, and stayed reading for a bit, plus buying a few books. We then drove to one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life, Meditation Mountain. The views here are just spectacular and we were there for about two hours. There's a meditation building, a small store, and areas where people can sit and just--well, meditate, I guess. We walked out to the "viewpoint" and I just gasped at the magnificent panorama. My companions sat, then lay down on the grass, while I sat on a bench nearby. I had picked up a lovely paper parasol, which are put there for people to use, then return, free of charge.
Anyway, it was wonderful. We left as the sun was setting and I decided not to join them for dinner this time--don't like to drive in the dark and I hadn't brought any overnight stuff. Went home, took a lovely shower, ate my lovely fruit, then had a lovely sleep.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Taking The High Road
Early on, I got both Kimball and town walks in. Good thing, because after I got to Ellen's about 2:00, the four of us took off for Santa Barbara. However, it was the wrong road; it was unbelievably high and the scenery was magnificent. We got to an elevation of 5,000 feet and the panorama of huge mountain after mountain was magnificent. However, it wasn't the road to Santa Barbara. After we were told by another traveler it would take us to the Sequoias, we turned back, as we were getting low on gas. Actually, we laughed over it, speculating on being lost in the wilderness, and had a fun time. However, I wouldn't want to take that road again.
We sat for a bit in El's yard, drinking wine, then walked to an Italian restaurant and ate outside on the patio. I left about 7:00 after a delightful day. Stopped on the way home for blueberries, cherries, peaches, and grapes. More going on today; no time for more of this now.
We sat for a bit in El's yard, drinking wine, then walked to an Italian restaurant and ate outside on the patio. I left about 7:00 after a delightful day. Stopped on the way home for blueberries, cherries, peaches, and grapes. More going on today; no time for more of this now.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Back To Life
After coming back from the library, I tried this pesky machine and it worked. I wonder if I was just impatient and didn't give it time to re-up, or whatever. In any event, I'm back on line--happy day.
After using the computer at the library, I walked down to the Ventura Inn. This is the residence for lower income seniors and I was pleasantly surprised at how attractive the lobby is. Ran into my acquaintance, Marie M., in the lobby. She introduced me to the manager and I asked for an application for Diane.
Walked back to the library and read for a bit. For the first time in several weeks, I didn't complete my second walk, but drove home. There, lo and behold, my computer worked. It may have been I didn't wait long enough for it to reboot. Impatient Mimi!
I had boiled the eggs earlier and now mashed and added to yolks for the devil part, lined serving dishes with lettuce, and put them in the fridge. Did this and that around the apartment, then showered, washed my hair, changed, and took off for Ojai.
We had a fine time at dinner with some of my favorite people in the world, and ate, talked, and laughed with plenty of pleasure and plenty of wine. It was almost 8:00 before I left and getting dark, in which I don't like to drive, but I'll see them again today--yay!
After using the computer at the library, I walked down to the Ventura Inn. This is the residence for lower income seniors and I was pleasantly surprised at how attractive the lobby is. Ran into my acquaintance, Marie M., in the lobby. She introduced me to the manager and I asked for an application for Diane.
Walked back to the library and read for a bit. For the first time in several weeks, I didn't complete my second walk, but drove home. There, lo and behold, my computer worked. It may have been I didn't wait long enough for it to reboot. Impatient Mimi!
I had boiled the eggs earlier and now mashed and added to yolks for the devil part, lined serving dishes with lettuce, and put them in the fridge. Did this and that around the apartment, then showered, washed my hair, changed, and took off for Ojai.
We had a fine time at dinner with some of my favorite people in the world, and ate, talked, and laughed with plenty of pleasure and plenty of wine. It was almost 8:00 before I left and getting dark, in which I don't like to drive, but I'll see them again today--yay!
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THURSDAY
Lunched with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Mary in the decorated dining room. It was "Japan Day" and my Samuri warrior graced the fi...
