Wednesday With A New Venue

Slept well again, but I spent an infuriating amount of time before breakfast trying to straighten out  BMO about the fifty dollars they owe me. Finally did, after placing two calls, one dropped, and being transferred four times. Now I need to call them on Friday, Oct 15, to say I want a check sent me for $50.00.

With Bridget, Julie picked me up, and off we went to the BCNN monthly meeting. Bridget is a non-stop talker and is also hard of hearing (although she wears a hearing aid), which was obvious when she responded to something I said with an entirely different subject. Rather than getting annoyed, I actually thought it was funny, I guess because I like her. Unfortunately, she also has serious eye problems. She said she had spent five thousand dollars on the specially-made glasses she wears. Bridget is eighty-something and I was amazed when she said she talks to her mother every day. At first, I thought she meant in some kind of other-worldly way, but no, her mother is 102.  

We met in a new place: the Pacific Yacht Club in Oxnard and it's very nice. However, the topic was  human trafficking and it struck me as a real snooze-fest. It's not that I think it isn't true, but there are so many world problems I deplore and which, to an extent, I'm knowledgeable about--militarism and propaganda the major ones--I just can't expend too much mind energy on others. I took pictures, as Diane had asked me if the venue was larger than the Ventura Yacht Club, where we met before. Not sure, but I do think there's more room between tables:

The lunch after was at Yolanda's, but Julie, Bridget, Regina, and I went to The Raven instead. I'd never been there before and liked it a lot. I enjoyed getting to know Regina better, too, especially learning that her mother had ice-skated with Sonja Henie! 

Got home about 3:00, and had a sudden yen for chicken liver (could I be pregnant?), so went over to Von's and got some. Also got strawberries. I then went to the office to unravel yet another rent/utilities snafu, which Valarie should be resolving soon.  The liver--of course, I fried some onions with it--was delish and, along with barley and squash, made a great dinner. 

I was so glad to be texted that my personalized gift arrived and the recipients said they loved it. Today: The Townehouse and lunch with Jim. I called him last night, just to remind and was pleased when he spontaneously said he's looking forward to it. 

Tuesday And Two Gals Confiding

Walked over the footbridge to Telephone Road and got the 11 bus to Petit Avenue. Stopped at Grocery Outlet to pick up a gift card for Diane, then proceeded to her place for her birthday at noon. She served a good chicken/rice/sauce dish, plus, of course, white wine: I provided the slice of lemon loaf from Starbucks. I only bought one for her, as I'm not tempted by sugar as I used to be.  

We talked and talked and talked over an enormous variety of topics, including our families (her two boys, plus grandchildren), childhoods (we're both old-time Catholic, she from Chicago), the Bill/Lily McBeth gender change (she wondered if he kept his genitalia), and high school friends who may or may not have continued to cling to religion, and a lot more.  Anyway, it was greatly enjoyable and I didn't leave until 4:00.

Got home and did my daily balance exercises and put in a color wash. Had a pick-up dinner of the last of the lentil stew, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms;  watched my hour of Suits; and was in bed by 9:30.  Julie will be picking me up in a few hours for the BCNN meeting and we'll go to lunch after that. Tomorrow, Jim and I lunch at The Townehouse and Friday, there's T.O.P.S. Strangely for me, I'm looking forward to a day when I have nothing to do! 

I don't know why that "draw a symbol here" doesn't come off!

Monday With Mucho Amigas

 After spending quite some time communicating with Amazon via "chat," then with the seller via phone, I finally got details about the personalized gift I ordered straightened out. Then I took off for lunch at the Stone Fire Grille with my pals from Soaring Spirits. Got there at noon and, incredibly, didn't leave until four o'clock. Reason was, Renee and I went into a deep conversation about politics and various other topics. Without recounting the hour-long conversation, I can just say we agreed on a lot of things, not others, but that was okay.

Then my old friend, Barbara and her friend, Sue, joined us and the four of us had a rousing session. I was delighted to learn I wasn't the only one who had been devoted to the coffin nails: Barb and Sue had also smoked for years. Sue still does, but only a few a day. I found her interesting: she came with Barb to the S.S. lunch because her husband of 54 years died six months ago. Barb retired at CEO of the Ventura County Fair and Sue owns and runs the "Swap Meet" there:

Sue is well known in the area for running estate sales, too. She told us about one she did in Beverly Hills, to which Margaret O'Brien came!  O'Brien,  who now lives in the San Fernando Valley, is exactly twenty-five days younger than I am. My sister, Betty, and I loved going to the Ventnor or Margate movie to see her in Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, and others; we considered her a kind of remote friend.  Anyway, we had a terrific time and, besides the ciggie thing, I found that Barb and Sue had also taken amphetamines, as I did as a young wife--AAGH! Barb invited me to go to a bus trip on November 30, run by the Parks & Recreation Commission. It goes to some kind of movie museum in L.A., so right down my alley. Sixty-five bucks includes lunch and yes, indeed, I'll go. 

Barb is very much into county government stuff and I asked about the City Council because I want to complain about people ignoring the "walk your bike" ordinance. I'll see if I can register my complain via Zoon. Incredibly, we stayed talking until 4:00 pm. 

Birthday lunch at Diane's today. 

Stella and Satisfying Sunday

The crossword was annoying obscure, but I got most done. Met Stella after twelve o'clock mass at the Mission (no, I didn't go--heaven forfend!). She suggested we go to Stout, a new restaurant where neither of us had been before. I was surprised, as it prominently features a remarkable array of beers, ales, and IPAs and she doesn't drink.  I had a hamburger and a good IPA, Stella some kind of ground meat and a salad. I finally received my twenty bucks for her play ticket and we had a reasonably good time. After, we stopped into The Coalition and I bought a little desk paper holder. We parted and I bused home.

But back to town: While I was waiting for Stella, I fell into conversation with one of the guys who--on bikes--act as kind of police helpers or something on the closed-to-cars section of Main Street. As I've mentioned here before, there's an infuriating tendency of large numbers to ignore the posted ordinance to walk their bikes and carry their skateboards; they act as if it doesn't apply to them. Here's the sign and an example of a kid not just ignoring it, but doing tricks: 

I've posted before pics of the multitude of bike riders who also ignore the ordinance. The young man, who introduced himself as Dante, discussed this with me and I was surprised that, although he's certainly no more than thirty, he came across as very conservative. He mentioned the effect of social media on those who think they're privileged, and so on.  Anyway, we introduced himself--his name is Dante--and when I said I'll attend a Ventura Council meeting to urge further measures, he mentioned  a council person named Liz Compos, who is disabled. I'll look her up. 

 I wasn't very hungry for dinner, so I seasoned and roasted the wonderful big mushrooms I bought at The Market the other day. Just had them and more of the spaghetti squash--very satisfying.

I didn't do much else before or after my excursion except play two computer games. With grapefruit, I'm also addicted to them: Block Champ and Scramble. Of course, they're in addition to Wordle, Connections, and Blossoms, which I do every morning. Being the compulsive type, I actually keep track in a little booklet of 1.) at what level I solve Wordle; 2.) whether I get Connections or not; and 3.) my score with Blossoms. For some reason, I find this very satisfying. 

Medical--or something--note: For roughly thirty years, I've taken an OTC sleep aid (various knockoffs of Sominex), every single night. The recommended amount was two caplets, which I took. Some time ago, the doc mentioned it could contribute to balance problems, so (reluctantly) more a year ago, I halved the dosage. About six months ago, I used a pill splitter to halve that, so I was taking only a quarter. Yesterday, when I set up my night-time medications, I didn't include the sleep aid. To my surprise and satisfaction, I slept until 5:00, perfect for me, so goodbye, sleep aid!    

Saturday

Suzanne came over about 10:00 to discuss her interaction with her friend, Joyce, who's in a board and care facility in Fillmore. Joyce has Alzheimer's, and becomes worried and upset often; she's especially bothered by her inability to remember words. Suzanne asked if I could tell her what ways I try to ease Betty's worries. However, at this point, Betty doesn't show any signs of stress or worry at all. Unlike her real self, she has become very passive. Aside from an often incomprehensible comment now and again, she remains essentially silent. I suggested to Suzanne that she bring some kind of picture book and "discuss" them with Joyce: "look at this, didn't you have a bedspread like that? Was it the same color?" and so on. Anyway, we had a good talk and both enjoyed it.

After that, I packed my lunch, took my cart, and bused to down.  Earlier, I had thought of calling Stella to see if she was free to meet, but decided to ask about today, Sunday, instead. I strolled around a bit and stopped in a few shops, but didn't buy anything. Bused back to the mall, went to Trader Joe's and got two nice grapefruit (very soon, I'll be turning yellow) and a gigantic spaghetti squash. 

I laboriously pierced the squash and roasted it in the oven. Good grief, it made enough to feed an army! Well, I'll eat it over a few days. Had some for dinner, along with the lentil stew I just made, and the cauliflower. 

Yoicks, the coming week is getting filled: called Stella and will, indeed, meet her for lunch today, Sunday, after twelve o'clock mass at the mission. Monday, I have the monthly Soaring Spirits lunch, Tuesday, I go to Diane's for her birthday, Wednesday? Julie called; finally back from Europe (she was gone six weeks), she'll pick me up for the BCNN meeting, then she, Bridget, and I will go to The Raven for lunch. Thursday, Jim and I have lunch at The Townehouse. Well, damn, guess I'll just be twiddling my thumbs on Friday.  

Friday

Weight: I lost a tad in both venues: at home, I went to 127.8, for .06 down,  at T.O.P.S. to 128.7, for .07 down. Big whoops, as the kids used to say.  As for the meeting, Lennie was off to Idaho again and we contented ourselves with the bare minimum of the regular kind. After that, we had our usual therapy session, including how we coped with stress as young adults--pot, booze, or in my case, forcing all my fears and worries and crushing doubts and feelings of inadequacy into a metal box with a lock so strong, I'm still trying to pry it open and deal with them. Didn't get breakfast until 10:30. 

Heard from Diane and she wants me to go to her place to celebrate her birthday, which is on Tuesday. I had to change Jim's and my lunch at The Townehouse to Thursday, but that was okay. She said she has plenty of food and wine, so I guess that means she'll provide lunch. I must think of what to get her for her birthday. 

Breakfast late, as always on Fridays, then I did--well, something or other, but can't remember what. Had a light lunch, showered, dressed, and went out to wait for the Access Van. It got here and I got to Rolling Oaks Radiology for my 2:15 appointment. This was just a routine Dexa-Scan and I didn't even take off my clothes. Walked to the WinCo shopping center, but then it occurred to me I really don't need anything, but just bused home.

Ellen called on her way home from work and we had a good talk. She's preparing for her company from Austria after a very busy--read "hectic"--week at school. But after thirty plus years, it's the last time for some of this stuff, then she retires--YAY!  😄

In the freezer, I found cooked and seasoned barley I had made a month or so ago. I had some with veggies for dinner and it was so good. It occurred to me the birds might like it, too, so I put some out for them. Not sure if they found it yet.

Thursday

The Access Van took me to Miramar ophthalmologists for my  9:15 appointment. Dr. Trotter's staff did the check-in, drops, and eye chart things, then he came in, examined my peepers, and sees no need for concern at this time. Quite a relief.

 I had taken my cart and after the above, went over to The Market and picked up a big cauliflower and spectacularly big and beautiful mushrooms. Home, stowed the goods, then went over to Von's for yet more produce, ground turkey (I don't buy beef) and a few other items. 

Ran into Suzanne as we came up our shared front walk, she invited me in, and we brought each other up to date on our doings. 

Called Erik, the appliance guy about the dryer at my house. I was stunned to hear that having him simply look at it incurred a charge of eighty-four dollars. However, I told the person who answered (I think his wife, Michelle) to have him go ahead. Called The Townehouse to say Jim and I would, indeed, be there for lunch on Tuesday, then will view the accommodations. Conveyed this to Jim and also firmed up our attendance at the Dudley House covered dish on the eighteenth. 

I was surprised and pleased to have my niece, Jeanne, call me. She's one of my brother, Larry's, seven children, is married to Vic, who's a physician and has two sons. One, Mark, is also a doc and married to a doc,* plus she has Vic, who's the anchor for Jacksonville station News4 JAX TV.  Also has a daughter, who's a teacher. Anyway, she was driving up from Jacksonville to pick up Larry in Cooper City, and they're flying to Philly today for a wedding, then will drive down to Ventnor. We talked for one full hour and it was so good. We went over some family situations--good and not-so-good--but generally speaking, both marveled over our good future to be born into such a tribe. 

Went back to Von's for minced garlic, then did a fair amount of food prep, including chopping a pepper and three onions, adding them to lentils in the slow cooker, and roasting the cauliflower with my favorite mayo/parm topping. My weird dinner was almost half of the latter--unbalanced, but to me, yum--(probably not to anybody else in the universe).

* To add to the medical brigade, three of Larry's daughters and one of his sons, are R.N.s.