Tuesday

Did my Tuesday chores: Changed the bed and did a wash. I then decided to trek down Victoria Avenue to BOA to actually confront a human re the wire transfer stuff. Did so and talked to a young man to make an appointment and he gave me tomorrow at 9:30, to which I'll bring my laptop. However, he said he was also emailing me a video on how to accomplish that. 

Several hours later, the video had not arrived. I tried calling--no good. I went on the website--no way to convey much. Finally, I saw the "feedback" area and sent a furious note to "Holly McNellis," no doubt one of those pretend people, venting my spleen. 

Just for something to do, I took a shower and washed my hair. That reminds me of somebody I knew from Rider, Helen Hecken. She was the head of the American Language Institute there. We met because I was assistant director of Career Development. She mentioned that she showered before she went to bed and as soon she got up. She howled when I remarked she must have had some wild nightly activities...

Nancy, Carolyn, and I did the H.H. thing at 5:00. Neither have been out for a year and, seemingly, they're content with that. Nancy is engaged in a "sock challenge" in her knitting group, which includes people from all over the world. (If I ever make noises about wanting to knit, kill me quick.)

Called Jim and we talked for fifteen or so. He'll be over for lunch on Saturday. I'm almost at the end of Gangs of New York. The DVD will immediately go in the donation box, Leonardo or not.  

  

 

 

A Mission And A Movie

Mission accomplished! The Arc donations, that is. I was called at 9:03 to say the truck would be there within a half-hour. That was good because I had been afraid I'd have to stay in all day to await the call. Being a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist, however, I was sure either I couldn't get the stuff out front by myself, and/or they'd all be stolen before I got back with the next load, and/or there'd be some mix- up with the time, and/or--

But no: I had to load up the cart (which I had given to Suzanne and borrowed back) just twice and got the stuff out front with no prob. The truck came within the time frame, driver was very pleasant, I was given a blank receipt card for IRS purposes, and off went my stuff. When I got home, I took up the bathroom rugs and tub mat, put them in the washer, and while they were being done, dusted and mopped the hard floors. 

Hmm...I know why I was being so virtuous about cleaning: to avoid the moment I had to tackle the Blue Shield and BOA stuff.  Okay, I forced myself to get to that next. AAGH! I won't even go into it, but after it was over--I hope it's over--I filed a complaint. with Blue Shield, then tackled BOA. I gave up with that, though, and will go there today. 

After lunch, I walked to Smart 'n' Final for groceries, so I got three in. It was only 3:00 when I got home, so I played around on the laptop, 

Niece Carolyn called and I was delighted to hear that Betty is settling in well at Villa Rivera. The director let her move to her permanent room and out of quarantine a few days early. We talked for some time, then I called Betty. She still has plenty of (nebulous) complaints, but is mostly okay (if anything can be "okay" with this disease). I'll go see her after Easter. 

I finished watched The Departed, the totally absorbing 2006 Scorsese movie. Looked up what Ebert (how I miss him!) had to say about it--very astute, as ever--and here's the last paragraph of his review:

"I have often thought that many of Scorsese's critics and admirers do not realize how deeply the Catholic Church of pre-Vatican II could burrow into the subconscious, or in how many ways Scorsese is a Catholic director. This movie is like an examination of conscience, when you stay up all night trying to figure out a way to tell the priest: I know I done wrong, but, oh, Father, what else was I gonna do?"

Oh, yes; Ebert went to parochial school, too, and you never get over it, do you?

Sunday With Sneakers And Suzanne

After the Sunday thing, I tidied up a bit, then did some food prep involving cauliflower and onions. After lunch, I walked to Burlington to return those stupid sneakers I shouldn't have bought in the first place. By the time I had gone the three or so miles, it got wonderfully warm and pleasant. Bused back to Victoria Avenue and walked to Wal-Mart for facial scrub. Walked half the way home before a bus came, so I got my exercise in. 

I called niece Carolyn to see how things were going in that neck of the woods and got a text back with pictures of Betty's new room, now that she's out of quarantine. It's small, but she has her own bathroom and there's a nice view out the window. Carolyn will let me know when I can come to visit. 

I no sooner got home at about 4:00, when Suzanne called to asked if I wanted to Happy Hour outside with her.  Damn straight I did (I didn't say that to her) and I grabbed my beer and peanuts and joined her. She drank her O'Doul's, I my Corona, and we had a good talk. For once--wonders will never cease--she didn't wear a mask--yay!  

A Good Day

A busy and productive day, aside from some attention in the morning paid to the odious Blue Shield dental thing. I'll continue to address that tomorrow.

Took my trusty cart and set off down Victoria Avenue about 9:30. I had intended to get a bus to the WinCo Shopping Center, where Burlington is, and buy those little lidded casseroles, but none came, so I walked the three miles. Stopped first at Sprout's  in the Barnes & Noble Shopping Center and bought a pound of almonds. The cashier was Susan, whom I know from T.O.P.S., although she hasn't attended lately, and we chatted a bit.

I then went to B & N to see if they have Stephen King's newest, Later, and they do.  I debated whether to buy it or not, but hey, I'm on a Jonathan Kellerman kick; am almost at the end of Devil's Waltz and have four others which I intend to read in the order they were published, starting with Bones (1987). I also have the Jack London bio Jim gave me, which I'll get to eventually. Anyway, I didn't buy the King book; think I'll see if I can persuade the library to get it for me.

I then stopped at Famous Footwear, as I need new sneakers. That's what we used to called them and they were about $12.95. Now they're walking shoes or hiking shoes or whatever and you're looking at many multiples of $12,95. I actually don't mind spending a fair amount for them, but I'm hard to fit, since I have bunions. Tried on a few, but either they didn't feel good or I didn't like the way they look. And who did I run into there but Suzanne, on the same sneaker quest. She offered to drive me home, but I had other shopping to do, so declined. I don't know if she bought any, but will find out.

From there, I crossed over to the WinCo Shopping Center and bought the casseroles, plus cheapy sneakers (twenty bucks) which I may or may not keep. I'd thought I'd just have a cheap spare after I buy the better ones, but now I wonder if that even makes sense.  I then stopped at The Dollar Tree for pretzels and aluminum foil. Caught a bus to the transit center, then home.

By that time, it was 3:00, so lunch was late. After, I set off for town to get the book I had requested. It was such a gloriously sunny and warm day (upper seventies) that I wasn't about to stay in. Got to the library to find it closes at 3:00 on Saturdays. Oh, well, I sure have plenty of others to read. Stopped at The Coalition and bought a kind of photo box--thought I'd organize the six billion pics I have of my children's early days--and matching oil and vinegar carafes. Main Street and all the restaurants on it were just jammed with happy people of all ages and I loved being there. 

Didn't get home until after 6:00 and dinner until almost 7:00, but so what? It was a good day and what's even gooder is that I slept soundly through the night!

Stella And Other Stuff

 Oops, I accidentally put "Wednesday" on yesterday's post and, of course, it was Thursday. Corrected it.

I dressed in regular clothes, not my usual weigh-in ones, and went out to the middle of the complex for the T.O.P.S. gathering. Considering there were only three of us--Lolly, Lennie, and me--it could hardly be called a meeting, but we were there. After the other two weighed in and a little conversation, Lolly took me to Rolling Oaks Radiology for my mammogram. But--I got there more than an hour and a half early early. Okay, no prob, I'd just wait. However, I was called in early and had the procedure. Released, I walked to WinCo, where I was to meet Stella at noon and yoicks, it was only 10:45! I called Stella to see if she wanted to come early, but she was just getting up and having her coffee and had to shower...

So I spent a lot of time browsing in this store and that. Actually, that turned out to be a good thing, because I stopped in to Burlington (maybe it used to be Burlington Coat Factory--dunno) and found the one-serving little casseroles with lids I've been wanting and hadn't found elsewhere. I'll go back one of these days to get them.

Stella got there at 12:00 we got groceries in WinCo, then went to Target, then the discount Uggs store. By the time we finally made it to Aloha for lunch it was almost 2:00. I had a nice rare-juicy hamburger and an even nicer pale ale and enjoyed them. We then walked a good distance on The Promenade--I think about two miles out and two back, which I was glad to get in. Happily, Stella didn't link arms, as she has done in the past, and she picked up her pace a bit, while I slowed mine, so our walk went well. It was very windy, though, as it has been lately. 

Stella is one of those people who are positive that around every corner is a disease, accident, serial killer, rotted portion of seafood, or other catastrophe aimed at herself alone. I don't mean just COVID, with which many are preoccupied and that's understandable in this day and age. But she seems to have an inordinate number of fears from the killer bacteria lurking everywhere to the homeless, dedicated to her demise. It gets wearing, believe me, but I managed to steer her away from the terrors that be and into more agreeable topics, so we had a pretty enjoyable day. 

Picked up my mail when I got home and got a disconcerting letter from Blue Shield telling me that my dentist is no longer in the network. Called Ellen and we talked about it, also the fact that I'm going to switch my appointment to June and find another dentist. 

Thursday

Called Stella and we decided that, after my mammogram appointment at 10:45 today, we'd meet at WinCo at noon. She'll then drive us to The Promenade for a walk and Aloha for lunch. 

I straightened up a bit, preparing for Jim's arrival and met him out front at 1:00. It was very windy, so we were both glad to lunch inside. Had some good talk and some laughs. He had asked if I wanted to read a bio of Jack London, I said yes, and he brought it over. I had been at London's house in Glen Ellen, but years ago. 

Jim left at 4:30, then Ellen called. We had a good long talk, which included the possibility of me changing my dental appointment to June. She tried to get the second vaccine shot on Thursday next week, but slots were all filled for then and Friday, so she reserved Saturday, the day before Easter. If she has a strong reaction, that means I may not see her on Easter, but I'm reconciled. However, after we talked, I went over to Von's. Stopped at the pharmacy and asked what the chances were that El could get her shot there. Pharnacist said it was possible, as they were canceling some who live in Santa Barbara. I called El immediately to tell her. She checked on Venturarecovers.com, but was unable to get an appointment, she'l keep trying.  

Called T.O.P.S. leader, Lolly, to say I probably wouldn't be there today. I couldn't dress in my weigh-in clothes, attend, then go home, have breakfast, change, and take the bus to get to my mammogram appointment by 10:15. I was surprised when she suggested I come in regular clothes, skip the weigh-in, then she'd drive me to Rolling Oaks Radiology. I accepted with thanks, then was more surprised when she suggested we have lunch together before she moves to Banning. We decided on next Wednesday at Rice, a Thai restaurant in town. 

 

Wednesday

I forgot to mention that on Monday, I received the rent payment from my new tenants: Via check! Sent through the U.S. mail! AAGH! 

I fervently hope they don't keep up this bizarre behavior. I sent Susan, who seems to handle the finances (as I did throughout my marriage), an email suggesting they go electronic and, ideally, automatic. I know she's in her fifties and that she has an office job, so I'm mystified.  Of course, I should have known when she didn't ask for my account info. Anyway, I walked to the bank and consulted one of the officers about that and about Vanguard, with which I'm still dealing. If Susan continues to send checks, I'll put the app on my phone to deposit them that way, but it would be a drag.

I got home just in time to board the bus for town and meet Noreen at 1:00 at Finney's. What a delightful time we had! We sat outside to eat--weather was perfect--and talked and talked. She had both knees replaced--or whatever they do to knees--and that improved her life a lot (but losing her son last December didn't).  Interestingly, Noreen is planning a trip to a national park with her gentleman friend--in his RV. She's 85 and he's a year older.

I had delicious little bratwurst sandwiches--first time I've had red meat in several months, as I don't eat it as a rule--and a good hoppy beer.  So good to be out, especially there. We said goodbye about 3:00 and I walked Main to the bus stop. Browsed in some of the shops and bought a one-serving, oven-proof bowl with a lid. Home about 4:30 and I organized some tax deductible stuff.  

Stella texted me about a walk on The Promenade, then lunch at the Aloha tomorrow. Darn, I have a mammogram scheduled, but maybe I can meet her after or re-schedule. Hope so--I'm always reluctant to violate one of my cardinal rules: Never turn down an invitation.