Movin' On Monday

Mike and Violet were at my door at 8:00 just as I finished breakfast. From here, we went to Starbucks for Mike to get tea (he doesn't drink coffee or alcohol); to CVS where the Singaporeans got a load of stuff for Violet to take to camp; to Barnes & Noble, where Violet got a book and Mike got several; to Target in Oxnard, where Violet got still more camp supplies, as well as a bathing suit; and finally, to Olive Garden in Oxnard, where we had lunch. They dropped me off about 2:00, as they were planning to go horse-back riding. 

I spent some time practicing my lines, (all six of them) and worked up a few actions with the cane. Regarding that: I had texted director Karyn, saying I'd like to bring a cane to rehearsal, as I had worked up some related business for her approval. Took a short nap, then walked over to Von's. I didn't find what I wanted, though, and left without buying. Continued to run over my lines and practiced with the cane. I  

Ken picked me up early for rehearsal so only Christina, the stage manager, was there and we sat and chatted with her. Jeff came soon after, then other cast members filtered in. I remembered Lindsey, a newcomer to F.A. and got acquainted with Lisa, who has theatre arts degree and had taught acting in high school until she retired. (She plays a drunk in the show.) Director Karyn, with her usual expert guidance, called for Ken's and my scene first, although it ends the play. She loved my cane idea and I loved the fact that she had Ken take it from my hand--a good touch. We went through it several times with Karyn stopping us to slightly modify some actions, and generally guiding us to a better performance. (It's a joy to have such a skillful director.) After that, happy day, we were free to go, and we did. I wouldn't have had a problem with staying and seeing the whole play, but since rehearsal was slated to last until 9:30, it was better to go. 

Ellen called to tell me Mike will pick me up this morning to take me to her place and Greg will cook us lunch on the grille. Not sure what we'll do after, but possibly fireworks.     

Note: It seems that not only Jim, but Stella thinks I'm an electronic genius. While I was waiting for Violet to try on a bathing suit, I called Ojai Business where, at Stella's request, I had emailed the file of the family picture I enhanced for her. They got the email, but wanted to know what size enlargement she wanted, which of course, I didn't know, so called Stella and told her to contact them. I hope that's the end of my running interference for those who don't want to educate themselves. BUT--I'm a fine one to talk: Mike set up my WI-FI which, it seems, never extended to the living room or something and I'm simply unable to understand what it is, let alone set it up. Modern life--it's exhausting!                                           Just to brighten up the page a little, here's a colorful--but somewhat peculiar--picture. 

So Fun Sunday

Saturday was crappy, but Sunday was happy. Mike picked me up at 8:00 and off we went to Ojai. He, Ellen, Violet, and I went to the Ojai farmers' market where I got grapefruit, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and plums. Ran into Erica C., one of my favorite fellow members of Fractured Actors, and introduced her to Mike and Violet. We then stopped at several other places, including Bart's Books, of course.  Back at El's, we had lunch, then she stayed home for a well-deserved nap (she still has a bed cold), and Mike, Violet and I went into town for ice cream. We strolled around for a time in the 85 degree heat (but with little humidity, so it was bearable), dropping in to stores here and there. At an antique shop, I photographed that darling angel, Violet, with her heavenly twin:

We went back to pick up Ellen, then checked out Camp Besant at Happy Valley, where Violet will spent a month starting July 8. Boy, it's way high and I nearly had a conniption fit (as we used to say in 1902) as Mike drove up the narrow, winding, hundreds-of-feet-up road. We stopped at an overlook and laughed at this sign:

because we sure did!

I don't think you can get the full effect of the height, but there was a sheer drop-off behind them, with the Ojai Valley ("Ojai" means "Valley of the Moon" in Chumash) spread out below. The school grounds and dorms look great--it has a music emphasis--and the surrounding countryside is lovely.

Mike wanted to check out the Ojai fitness center (he has lost 25 pounds and works out regularly at home), so we went there. He got a one-week membership for a certain amount and added Ellen for an additional fee, as she wants to go in the pool while Mike's here. We then cruised around town for a bit. Back at El's, she, Mike, and I played a ferocious game of gin rummy while Greg continued his paperwork and Violet napped. Poor girl, she's still suffering from jet lag and we let her sleep for a time.

Mike left to go to the gym he had just joined--he rode Ellen's bike the several miles there--and the rest of us puttered around a bit, then went to Steven's Greek Restaurant in Ventura for dinner. I had something called a something, the others various somethings, and we had a good time. They dropped me off at home and I'll be seeing them tomorrow.

Note: Just as I was getting out of Mike's car in the morning, Jim called. He was very upset because, he said, Microsoft had emailed him to the effect that his account was about to be cancelled--or he owed them money or something. Mike and I both assured him it was a scheme and not to respond. However, he wasn't entirely convinced, so I suggested he call Microsoft and ask them. This led to more consternation because the only number he could find was for sales. I told him to ask somebody in sales to transfer him to security or fraud or whatever. Disturbingly, Jim seems to need considerably more help than he had before. I know I'm not equipped to give that, but I'm not going to abandon him. Once Mike and Violet leave, I'll try to pursue some avenues. 

Saturday

Nothing much of a day. I did a white wash, then some house (apartment) cleaning, went over to Von's for yogurt, bread, milk, and a big sweet potato. Didn't do much else and actually felt a little down all day.

Mike and Violet got into Ellen's about 4:00. Talked to El and I was going to go over, but decided not--I'll see them shortly today. I called and we video-messaged. Mike wants to go to the Ojai farmers' market and we decided I'd bus over, join them, then we'll take it from there.  

I hope my mood lifts and I'll work on that. 

Full Friday

T.O.P.S.: Incredibly, I was the biggest loser, so collected the big five-dollar (actually, four-dollar, because I contributed one myself) prize. How much did I lose? Something like a fourth of pound, but the others all gained. I conducted the meeting, if you can call it that and made short work of it. Weirdly, my home scale said I had gained an unbelievable 3.6 to 131.2, but at T., I was 129.8.  

Home by 9:30, had my breakfast, packed my lunch, and walked to Telephone to get the 11 bus to east Ventura. I dropped my donations off at Goodwill, then met Diane at the park and we had lunch.Of course, we sat and talked for several hours, breaking up about 3:00. Bused to the transit center and from there home, stopping at Von's for cherries and Blue Moon. 

I noticed that the patio needed some sweeping and trimming, so did that. Also changed the birdies' food and water, and generally straightened up out there. I'm concerned about my geranium, which seems to be sick or something. I took a picture and will see if I can find out on-line what the problem is and how to treat it.

                                              

Stella called with a cockamamie story about the picture I had modified for her. She had taken it to Ojai Business center to have it enlarged and printed and was told I'd have to send the file there. I wasn't too confident about whether I understood what was needed, but told Stella I'd see what I can do. As it turned out, it was fairly simple--hope I did it right. 

Mike sent via Messenger the following pictures of Violet and him at the airport, about to leave. Yes, they go first class. Don't know if I like the beard--he looks like an old guy! And I don't know how Violet finds her way around with the hair covering her eyes. But no matter--they'll be here TODAY! 

 

Thursday

Showered and washed my hair before Ellen came over about 1:00. She was picking up the linens and so on I'm contributing for Violet to take to camp, but also brought turkey sandwiches from Subway. We ate, then chatted for a bit, and she packed up her car and drove off.  

Via the U.S. postal service, I got a nice note from Rosa D., thanking me for the acting class. If all goes as planned, we meet shortly for a lunch and a movie in Oxnard. Will send her an email. Also got a reminder from the Dr. Sun that I should make an appointment for a dermatology checkup. I'm was glad to get it, as I think I have a need on both my nose and elsewhere. 

Julie picked me up at 4:30 for the BCNN dinner group. It was at The Cave, my old stompin' grounds with Nancy and Carolyn. I had a great time, at one point regaling the group with stories of the Dionne Quintuplets. I was urged to do a program on them, which I will one of these days, but not very soon. Interestingly, Claire, who sat next to me, is from Canada (but also lived in Jersey) and knew of Pierre Burton, who wrote The Dionne Years/A Thirties Melodrama, the first book I owned on the quints. Anyway, I had a good time with a glass of white and a glass of red wine to accompany my "eggplant tower," half of which I took home. In at 8:00 and I called El to tell her of another financial innovation of mine.

T.O.P.S. this morning, and I'll take my donations to GoodWill, then meet Diane for lunch across from her place.  

Yet another jigsaw from the colorization of Keith Williams, who specializes in photos from the eighteen- and early nineteen-centuries. He's a master, all right:

Financial Notes to Myself: 1.) I had an argument over the phone with BMO bank, whose credit card I just accepted. I'm going to pursue this, as I have an excellent credit rating and want to be sure it won't be affected. 

2.) I put money into a high(er)-yielding savings account at, of all places, SO-FI financial group, the ones who own the apartment building where I live. Will add to it.

3.) Will look into CD's, also, and will talk to Mike and Ellen about other financial plans. 

Wednesday

Slept poorly Tuesday to Wednesday, I'm afraid. I awoke at 2:30 and couldn't get back. Stayed in bed until 4:15, had breakfast at 7:00 and took a short nap after that. That revived me fairly well and I tidied up a bit, then packed lunch and left to meet Diane outside Urbane Cafe. As ever, we talked and talked for three hours. Here she is, the glamorous lady, having just had her hair done. I think this is the new style, as it's almost shaved on the sides:

                                           

We finally said goodbye and I went over to Kohl's to try on jeans. Damn, even some of the petites were long and I didn't find any with the short piece of elastic in the back. At least, I discovered--I think, not sure--I wear a size 12. That is, that will fit my waist, but often, the legs are then too big. I didn't buy any; think I'll go on-line and see if Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, which I used to like, has something to fit. 

Stopped in at Lassen's to see if Greg was working--he wasn't--then bused home; by the time I got in, it was after 5:00. Had a vegan dinner: butternut squash and I prepared my favorite cauliflower recipe.  

Got a text from Director Karyn with our call list (rehearsal schedule) for the next two weeks. Wow, I'm more and more impressed by her. Not only is she wonderfully knowledgeable and savvy, but she's also efficient and best of all, full of enthusiasm. She wants us off book by July 9, and I'm going to twit the rest of the cast with the fact that I'm already off book, so what's wrong with you, you pikers? (Of course, I have only five lines. 😁)

Ellen called after dinner. She'll be here today to pick up linens, Violet's packages, and so on, then we'll go to lunch at Hill Street Cafe. When I got up just now (5:30, so I slept well), I found that Mike has created a Message "group" called "Violet Camp" for him, Ellen, and me. He and Ellen have exchanged dialogue firming up plans for their visit, such as the supply chain (linens, etc.). Two more days!

Besides lunch, I'll be out for dinner today with the BCNN group. Julie will pick me up at 4:30 and we'll eat at The Cave. Happily, my cold is somewhat better. I'm no longer sneezing and my nose isn't running  as much. 

Tuesday

Not much going on, as I got up with a cold. It's been years since I've had one and it could be worse;  it's manifesting itself as only a runny nose and sneezing, no cough, headache or aches or pains. Took TheraFlu and wore a mask in the car when Suzanne and I went to WinCo at 9:00. I got a lot of fresh veggies and fruit, plus paper goods. 

My cousin, Sally, from San Diego called. We had a good talk, catching up on our kiddies, grand-kiddies, and great-grands, plus her cardiology stuff. Her grandson, Chandler, who used to be her granddaughter, and is a weatherologist in Oregon, was in for a visit. 

I was vacillating over whether to go to rehearsal on Saturday, when Mike and Violet arrive, but called Ellen to discuss and decided to skip it, and Sunday, too. I left a message for director Karyn to that effect and called Ken. He'll pick me up for rehearsal on Monday--6:30 out front. Karyn wrote back no prob, as we have plenty of time.

I spent a lot of the day on bookkeeping-y stuff, getting my ducks in a row, so to speak. Went out only to walk to CVS for a card and a little gift for Violet's birthday; she'll be 15 on July 10. Now that I'm thinking of it, though, I'm not so sure I should have gotten her what I did, a loose lounging dress. Geez, maybe it's old ladyish--I'll mull it over. 

Ellen called; she still has a bad cold, unlike mine so far. She's trying to clean the house a bit before Mike and Violet come--in three days!--but if necessary, they can stay in a hotel. 

Fun and games yesterday: 

1. Got it in two:

Wordle 738 2/6

2. My letter appeared in The Ventura County Star:

Grateful for bike ban on Main St.

Re: your June 23 story, “Ventura to ban bikes, other transport on Main Street”: Many thanks to the Ventura City Council for approving a ban on wheeled devices on some of downtown Main Street. As a lady of a certain age, I go there several days a week to stroll, browse in the shops, and enjoy the museum, library, and mission.

Also, my friends and I meet often for lunch at one of the great restaurants in the area. The only negative has been the bikes, skateboards, and other personal vehicles (especially electric ones) that pose such a hazard for walkers; I’ve had a few close calls myself. It will be a great relief for many and I’m grateful to the council.

Rosemary Molloy, Ventura

3. My latest jigsaw puzzle, two men and a dog: