Friday

T.O.P.S.: Home, maintained at 127.4; at the meeting, was 127.8 for a .07 loss. Home after 10:00. Other than that, I didn't go out until showtime.

After finishing the card for Karyn (see below), I chunked and chopped my tomatoes and onions, added garlic, oil, and seasonings, and popped it in the oven for stewed tomatoes. Had just a bowl of that for lunch, plus some of the zucchini slices I made the other day .

Brother Larry called from Florida. He told me he has just bought an electric car. He was on the beach with daughter, Elaine, with whom I spoke, too. They missed the hurricane, luckily--just had rain.

Lots of back and forth texts with play cast colleagues. As I write this, it's 2:30 pm on Friday; Ken will pick me up,  as ever, at 6:00 for our 6:30 call.  

                                                                💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

He did and it's now 7:00 am on Saturday. Last night was, as they've all been, just a terrific show and wonderfully receptive audience. There were, however, more "adjustments," i.e., stand-ins for those out and they were considerable. Nobody in our play was, but in Flop and Paper Cuts, Stuart,  Penelope, Edward, Christopher, and Jasmine were all out. Jeff had emailed us that three of the troupe (there are 29 players, plus five crew members) had COVID, so presumably, that's what had happened. Troupers that they are, Karyn, Jeff, Emma, Ben, and Erica filled in after only a day or a few hours of notice.

Now that we're facing the end of the run, the backstage camaraderie was great. I had long talks with Ben, Alphonse, and Erica, as well as others. Lisa and I went up to the kind of overhanging balcony during the actual show and saw some of action. Home before 11:00, but I didn't go to bed until almost midnight. Slept soundly, though. Today, we had the 2:00 and 8:00 performances, then go dark. Tomorrow, we strike the set, then enjoy the cast party. 

I had spent the morning completing the little name-verse card for director Karyn. Finally thought of how to decorate the envelope, also, and here are the results after I surreptitiously had the cast inscribe last night:

                                           

                                                         

My "art" work leaves a whole lot to be desired (Ellen's third-graders could probably do better), but I think Karyn will like it.

Thursday

Frustration in the morning! I ordered printer ink from Amazon, which was supposed to come today and didn't. In rapid succession, I got communications first saying it had been delivered, then saying it was about to be delivered, then a text to my phone from the driver asking how to "access the address!"  Yes, this is a gated community, but I see Amazon Prime trucks here constantly; certainly, the drivers have remotes to open the gates. If not, they should have the sense to go to the management office, which is easily seen at the end of the entrance drive. Anyway, I spent an unbelievable amount of time on the phone because there's one number to call for customer service and another for "logistics." The latter recording kept telling me to press a certain number and when I did, it just reverted back--AAGH! I won't go on with this, except to say I just got an email saying my ink would be delivered today. Let's hope...

I rid my mind of all that by busing to town. Since I've been involved in the play, I've rarely gotten there. I browsed it the shops and bought sunscreen and a few other things, then impulsively called Stella to ask if she wanted to meet for a late lunch. She was at her husband's grave, I think putting flowers on it, but accepted and suggested we eat at Immigrant Son. We've been there before and both like it, so that's where we went. It turned out to be very enjoyable; I had a big meatball sandwich (the "immigrant" owner is from Italy) and took half home. We sat and talked quite a long time and I didn't get home until 4:00.

Stella is technologically challenged, so asked if I'd get her a ticket for the matinee tomorrow. I did--she'll reimburse the twenty bucks--and printed it out; will leave with the ticket taker.  

T.O.P.S. today, then the show tonight. Tomorrow, we have two, at 2:00 and 8:00, so that will be a strenuous day.

Somebody emailed me the following. Looks interesting; maybe I'll see if somebody wants to go.

                                        

Wednesday

Good Neighbor Suzanne and I went to WinCo at 9:00 and boy, did I stock up. Walking to the car, we ran into our neighbor, Gordon. I hadn't seen him for a while and knew he had been waiting for a liver transplant. I was delighted to hear he had gotten it--in Arizona--and after a rocky few weeks, is doing well. Funny--Gordon said they left the idle one in, so now he has three kidneys! I wonder if any medical person reading this (hint, hint) might explain that. 

Got home, put the groceries away, then Suzanne took me to El Loco Pollo. Why? Because my co-actor, Ken, has dinner there every single day. So? So he has also picked me up and taken me home for every single rehearsal and show. As a thank-you, I got a gift card for him from the restaurant. 

I also worked out a card for our director, Karyn. Here's the little name rhyme (not sure why it photographed so dark; it's bright white in person):

I spent an inordinate amount of time making up the card, as I have no artistic talent at all. However, it looks okay and I'll take to the show over the weekend for the rest of the cast to sign. Coincidentally, Lisa, from the show, with whom I've gotten friendly, texted to ask me if I'd preview something she composed that she wants to sing at the cast party. It's a takeoff on "Home, Home On The Range," which Ken and Jeff sing in the show. 

Think I'll take a fruit salad to the cast party. It's vegan, as both Ben and Lindsay are and I like both of these young people (early twenties), I'm happy they don't treat me as if my age is the most important thing about me. I'm considering making something non-vegan, too.  

Lunched, then did some food prep, including chopping the three large onions I had bought at WinGo. Considered putting together my signature roasted tomatoes, but didn't feel like turning the oven on, as it's pretty hot out. Maybe I'll do it today.

Somebody posted this on Facebook ("Room in New York," 1932, by Edward Hopper, of course) and for some reason, I find it haunting. Two people in a hotel room, not engaged, not connected, not caring, lost in their own worlds. He, reading the newspaper--the want ads, maybe? Is he out of work and looking for a job?--she, fingering the piano, bored and lonely, wishing she had never come.

Note to myself: I had ordered printer ink from Amazon two days ago, got a message this morning that it had been delivered, but it isn't here. Hope they just sent the notice early--will check out front later.

Tuesday

Note: Internet was down when I got up at 5:00. Called Yandoo, but it was on my end. I turned things off and now it's up at 6:36 am--whew!

Another pretty busy one--but, of course, I like it that way. After breakfast, I finished the little thank-you for our director, Karyn, and will work on putting on a card. I emailed the other members of the cast to tell them and ask if they'd sign it on the sly, without Karyn noticing. 

Left at 10:00 with my load of towels, got to Goodwill via the 11 bus, dropped them off, looked around, but didn't need anything, so just stopped next door at Grocery Outlet for peaches and tomatoes. Met Diane at our usual park bence across from her place and we had two and a half hours of good talk. We said goodbye, but she's coming to the 2:00 show on Saturday, plus we'll see each other at the BCNN meeting the following Wednesday. Bused home, stopping first at CVS for the cream sherry I like at night. 

Got an email from Jeff re the show, then clean-up/cast party over the weekend. He wanted all to respond whether they'll be there and, as far as I can see, we all will. Me? With bells on.

Suzanne is back from her travels and texted to ask if I wanted to go to WinCo this morning. Sure do, as I need some bulky items, such as paper towels and tissues. 

Monday

A variable day, from abysmal to not bad. The former? Most of the morning, which I spent on the phone, trying to sort out several probs. I'm not going into it--it's too boring for words, but suffice it to say, it involved BMO Harris Bank, Citi, Experian, and AAdvantage. I protested Experian's report and talked to a total idiot; also sent an inquiry and they said they'd respond--a pox on all their houses.

Equalling that in annoyance was dealing with Primary Medical. Rolling Oaks Imaging. I had to make an appointment with Rolling Oaks Imaging for September to see Dr. Ficks, the osteoporosis one, in December, but Rolling Oaks said they had to call Primary Medical first and I'm willing to bet it's got to be October or later, and so what? Went on line to get an appointment at Quest for bloodwork and that's in several months, too. 

I was at least able to get some things done satisfactorily. Added thirty bucks to my credit with the Access Van, which I took to go to Dr. Sun's office in Oxnard. Paid several bills (electronically, of course), as I never carry a balance. I've decided to use my debit card instead of credit cards, at least for a while. I have several reasons for this, but the important one is regarding it as cash, which I want to do for a time.

The van picked me up at 12:40 for my 1:40 appointment with Dr. Sun, which means I was vary early, but that was okay. I had a full-body scan by the doc, a young woman with a single pigtail down her back, very personable and cheery. What's amazing is that she has a sense of humor; I like her. She found several pre-cancerous things on my nose, zapped them, and did the same on my shoulder. There was one questionable one on my back, which she says she wants to look at and if it doesn't go away after zapping, she'll want a biopsy. She took a picture of it with my camera, so I can check on it. 

I decided to cancel the van when I got out, as I would have had to wait for 45 minutes; instead, I walked the mile or so to the bus. On the way home, I stopped at Von's in order to feed my addiction--grapefruit (I just can't live without it in the morning!). I bought two, so I'll have enough for four days.

Once in, I did a fair amount of food prep, including the big cauliflower I bought the other day. Washed, trimmed, and boiled it for four minutes, slathered it with mayo/parm, and roasted it. I actually sat down and ate a large portion of it at about 4:30. Sectioned the grapefruit and pared and chopped the papaya I had and added some blueberries. Portioned out my cooked carrots and zucchini, so I could have them for dinner. 

I'll donate some towels to GoodWill today, then meet Diane at our usual lunch spot in the park across from her place.

Sunday

Changed the bed, did a white wash, then a color, filed, and otherwise kept myself busy. Ellen called and we chatted--she's planning to go to the matinee (2:00 pm) next Saturday. Showered, dressed, and was out front at 3:00. Call time was actually 4:00, but 3:30 for the singers and here they are:

L. to r.: Shannon, Jeff, Amy, Ken, and Kathy. This,of course, was pre-show; the singers are always honing their performances.  

Another full house last night and it seemed a particularly good audience. There were lots of laughs which, happily, you can hear backstage, as well as other wanted reactions. When Ken and I did our somewhat cliched, but sweet and touching scene which tops off our play, there wasn't a sound in the place. That was until we embrace at the end, when we heard several muted reactive "ah-h-hs." 

After, I had a glass of wine and was introduced me to two friends of fellow cast member, Lisa. Patty and Jill are both neighbors of hers, the former a widow whom Vera, leader of Soaring Spirits, invited to our group. She may come when we meet next Monday for lunch. I kept Ken waiting longer than usual, but he seemed to be okay with it.  

And who is this? They're a wealthy society couple, who visited backstage last night. He owns a fuel pump conglomerate and she's the patron of several charities, including "Physical Therapy for The Masses" and "Bringing Up Baby." (Ha! It's Karyn, a P.T. and Mama, and Anthony, who manages the aforementioned company.)

Now, a respite of four days until we sail into the final weekend.  

Saturday

I walked to The Market after breakfast for cauliflower (I'm an addict), tissues, and mascara. When I left, I thought I'd go back Peet's Coffee to see if Greg was there. He wasn't, but I continued on past Chipotle Restaurant and who was eating pizza on the patio, but Diane. I sat down with her and we visited for an  hour or so--we always have a lot to talk about. I also had a slice of  her pizza.

We said goodbye and I continued home to prepare one of the huge zucchinis Lisa had given me after the Friday show. Found a good recipe on-line for roasting it; did so and had half for additional lunch. Took an hour's nap after. Now I have to decide what to do with the other humongous zucchini. 

Picked up at 6:00--a half-hour earlier than even early, as the call was for singers and Ken is one. That was okay, as I enjoyed seeing and hearing them rehearse. Others came drifting in and we were looking at another show. It went well and the house was all but ten filled, that is, we can seat sixty and fifty showed up. 

Backstage, here are are stalwart leaders, Shannon and Jeff. Why is he holding a kid's pony stick? Because he and Ken sing Don't Fence Me In and gag it up a little. Shannon, with Amy and Kathy, sings Danke Schoen.                                                                             

Got up once for the usual, then slept until 6:30, but I'll surely take a nap today. Much as I love my show biz career, I'm looking forward to resuming my regular schedule tomorrow.