fossilfreak

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 547
166.1 miles

hot

 

354 recordings of 32 types, 72 old SVU. 21% clear (I cleaned out all the old movies, I'll get another chance and this was filling up too fast.)

 

This week was bookended with STUPID moves.

 

Sunday the 24th, I went to Church and learned about a couple of friends who are very ill.

 

Back at home, I was puttering around getting ready to go out in the afternoon when the phone rang. It was my sister-in-law and we had a nice chat. She lives in South Carolina but had missed the eclipse because she was touring in Poland at the time, guided by our niece, Dan's sister. I finally cut the call off (after about 30-40 minutes) so I could get down to the 24th street theater before the play started and give them a donation. I managed to find a parking place about a block away and was able to drop off the check.

 

From there I went down to the Crocker in order to get the Wee Hallowe'en tickets for Bernadette, Padreic, and me. (It turns out Joan will be in town then, but I hadn't known that when I bought the tickets.) I was a little unhappy to have to park in the city lot for $5/day instead of at a meter for only an hour and less money. So I decided to spend some time looking at the pictures and things. The temporary exhibit wasn't in yet, but there are lots of new pictures and things have been moved around. I was particularly struck by a picture of a Chinese restaurant which is very three-dimensional, acquired in 2015. I also admired a picture I saw with Joanna during a Wee Wednesday. The kids were expected to see lots of things, colors, a festival, but all they say was "there's a DOG in it!"

 

 

 

 

Then I had a good look at "Sunday Morning in the Mines". It was done by the same artist as the "Sabine Women" paintings. I had no idea. Apparently the Crocker family were good friends with Nahl. I had always thought the mural on J street was "Saturday Evening in the Mines" and the miners were escaping the picture... but actually they're coming back. This mural was painted in 1973 by Frank Carson.

 

 

I went back out to the parking lot, and there was my $5 parking pass and lo! someone at the pay station ready to buy one, so I cheated the city out of $5. The city immediately got its own back, because a few blocks away I tried to get through a stale yellow light but it turned red before I got all the way across the intersection, and had my picture taken (with the "UH-OH!" sound.) Oops. Now I'm all worried about my license, about the good driver discount... oh, grumble. That was the stupidity of Sunday.

 

Monday I called for the County inspection (and had it on Tuesday and on Friday I got a notice from the County saying "don't forget.") Why in heck do I have to pay $375 for permission to put windows on my house?

 

I also called the elder mentor program with Renaissance, because it sounds like fun as well as being worthwhile. They're full this semester but I am listed for spring.

 

I walked my package over to the UPS store. It's moved, so at first I thought I'd wasted the walk, but the new place is in the same strip mall as the old. Maybe 2 minutes to make the return. On the way back I got a new sunshade for the car, as the old one was falling to bits.

 

It was impossible to load stuff onto Flickr, so I tried changing back to Chrome, and huzzah, the background is white again, so I can actually use it. It works a lot better than Edge.

 

Tuesday was the inspection. I stayed home from the WPAC breakfast, so as to wait for the guy. I called in, as requested, and then had to call the inspector himself to find out when he'd come. I'd replaced all the batteries in all the smoke alarms (which I suppose is a good thing, but they weren't working when I tried it before, and in reality, as long as I have the smoke/CO detector in the hall, the others don't really matter. (And now I have a way to escape my room, which is great. The swamp cooler made that impossible.)) Anyway, I was ready when he drove up. He left his car running, walked around the outside of the house, signed the permit, and left, maybe all of 5 minutes. OK then.

 

Vince wanted to call early, at 6:15. Luckily, I read this at 6:14. I had a long list to babble at him.

 

Wednesday I went to Elk Grove. Bernadette took Padreic out on the bike to go to the library, so was hot and tired when she got home. I was eager for her to get home because I'd located, and bought, the 4th book of Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon series and I knew she'd love it. As she did, though at the time she seemed more into the Celtic catalog I brought. Today the kids seemed really interested in Pinocchio. (That poor little puppet can't catch a break.)

 

 

Thursday I went back down there so B. could continue turfing out the garage before Hurricane Grandma arrives. Today she took in recycling, and later some high chairs to Chicks in Crisis, which is for homeless pregnant teens. (She also gave them some cute Hallowe'en baby sleepers... she'd initially been saving them but suddenly realized "oh, why?") She also got to the clothing boxes so she could find Padreic's winter clothes. These are now under her bed instead of in the garage. There is hope.

 

Padreic spent most of his day watching Strawberry Shortcake and building with Duplo and with his colored blocks. (Lucky he got them from Aunt Cheryl, as the Tot Room has been completely revamped at the Crocker and those blocks have disappeared.)

 

I went and got the kids, then got money, groceries, gave the Sharing God's Bounty coffee to them and got gas. I was TIRED when I got home, though I didn't really do much.

 

Friday was Renaissance. The documentary was about Nina Simone, which was interesting (I'd never heard of her). But afterwards, again, we got the Social Justice talk and the received wisdom of the CNN Bible. For instance, for the second week in a row the moderator said, as a fact, that "Donald Trump is a white supremacist." I don't need this. It's just annoying to be living in California, sometimes. I'm through with the fora.

 

The movie, on the other hand, was great fun. Peggy Sue Got Married. Great music! I'd never seen it before and one of the discussions we had was is it really a time travel movie or a dream? I really am enjoying this class. Before class I asked the guy behind me what he was reading and got a disquisition about economics, the Koch brothers, the horrors of Reaganism, how Barack Obama (and "I *like* Barack Obama" (no, really, I never would have guessed) ) had disappointed him by colluding with one of the bad guys (my eyes were glazing over.)

 

Then I went to pick up Joanna. I love her but she drives me crazy. For instance, she decided she didn't like fried chicken (after I'd picked up some for her, but she scarfed down the mac and cheese and then wouldn't eat the chicken.) Turns out, according to her mother, she DOES like fried chicken. I did get her to watch "Beauty and the Beast" by starting it, not asking her, because if I'd asked her, she'd have said "no, I'll be SCAAAAARED." As it was, she sat with me, covered her eyes at the scary bits, and ended up liking it. I thought she would. I read Jules Feiffer's "I LOST MY BEAR" to her (Gareth's favorite for years) and "Bartholemew and the Oobleck." (That racist, Dr. Seuss.)

 

Saturday we worked on her Magic Schoolbus junior scientist kit about the human body. She made a ball and socket joint and a hinge joint and a lung model (this one, the balloons tore so I ended up using plastic bags, which actually worked) and her favorite, a stethoscope. After lunch ("do you like grilled cheese?" "Yes." so she ate about an 8th of a sandwich) we went over to the Powerhouse Museum which used to be the Discovery Museum. She was interested in seeing the planetarium show. She watched the kids doing the salmon run but didn't join in. She played doctor, and did magnificently on the balance thing, 30 seconds, while I once managed 1 second. She's got average flexibility while I'm above average. Then the diner, *yawn.* After 90 minutes I was ready to leave, but first we did the nature trail, so she got to run some more. (The ADHD does show, indeed.)

 

   

Then I pulled the second dumb thing of the week. There was a tilty board and for some reason I thought I could balance on it. But instead of balancing, or at least going off to the side, when I stepped on I fell backwards, flat on my back. I was a bit surprised I could actually get up. Stiff and sore, but when I went to the car, I couldn't sit down it hurt so bad. I thought I'd picked up a rock or something, but later I figured it was a bruise, a big one, instead of a goose egg an ostrich egg. (This morning I finally saw the bruise, very black and massive. Since then it's softened up somewhat and is heading to purple.) I finally got a way to sit and drive (fortunately, it's only one buttock, but I sure did a number on it.) I took Joanna home. I discussed what she should have done if I'd been knocked out. (HONESTLY, Jan, what WERE you thinking??) I suspect I would have been out of luck. "I'd call mommy." Well, actually, that's a good idea and she now knows the phone number, and called Bernadette in the morning. But my cell phone is off, so that probably wouldn't have worked. No, you go into the museum and tell them "my Nana needs help." This is how I know I'd be out of luck, I cannot imagine the shy one actually doing that. THEN you call mommy or let them do it by telling them your number. And if we weren't close to somewhere that could help (remind me never to take this kid into the woods) you call 911 and then call your mommy.

 

I limped into the house and debriefed Bernadette, who had lots of lovely veggies for me. Then I painfully drove home, stopping to get some Amarula (I deserve it) first. I decided not to go to church today and have been sitting uncomfortably all day except for going out to turn the water on and off and to take some chicken bones out to the car.

 

So September went out with a whimper (after the bang, I guess.)

 Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 547
154.7 miles
mild

372 recordings of 50 types, 71 old SVU. 17% clear.

Saturday the 9th was a busy busy day. After I did my morning watering I walked down to Leslie's house to help her set up her garage sale. I worked there until it was time for the sale, and got a decent wheeled ice chest and a great National Geographic atlas for my trouble.  (Well, I paid for them, but it was nice stuff. I needed a new ice chest... I had taken one from the neighbor's discards and they told me the handle was broken, but in actuality this lasted about 3 years before completely falling apart when we went to Micke Grove Park last April.)

I had planned to go to the WPAC second Saturday breakfast but decided there simply wasn't time. I headed back to the garage sale about 9:15 to chat and wait, and my friend Eileen came about 9:30 to take me and Alisa to Oroville for Jeo's memorial. I was wearing an orange Hawai'ian shirt that Rich bought about 10 years ago. (That was a great surprise. He always wore very conservative shirts, till we were in Hawai'i and he got a shirt for the luau (at my insistence.) This was on sale at the Lathrop gas station for $10 and he bought it.) It is far too big, and I couldn't wear my waist pouch on the outside and didn't want to wear it underneath since it made me look 10 months pregnant.  So I pocketed my camera and ID and money and keys, and made do without the kitchen sink I normally carry. (And I remembered when we picked up Alisa who is attached to her phone that I didn't take mine.)

It was a nice ride and I got some answers about why Jeo and his wife were no longer together. I thought she had washed her hands of him when he got sick, which I don't really approve of, but it was the other way around. Jeo told her to get out of his life (I have to believe it was the disease talking, as Jeo was usually a very sweet guy).  So at the memorial it was easy to hug her and tell her how sorry I was. At the memorial (which was at Jeo's sister's house) I learned some other friends are now divorced. Sigh.  There were about 35 geocachers there (all in Hawai'ian shirts, plus the family. The three children, and Cinde and her parents, Jeo's sisters and brother, and his mother. (Woe. Eileen says she's somewhat out of it, what a blessing.) Plenty of food  (although the cookies I brought were unpacked at the end.) I picked up a geocoin to remember him by. It's a California one, not recognized by Groundspeak, but that's OK.) I wrote a memory of Jeo in the book. (Rich and I had just started geocaching, and found a big travel bug hotel in Elk Grove, and we were engrossed in checking the contents when this voice boomed out "WHAT ARE YOU DOING??" and scared us to death.) Jeo's son spoke. It was nice to see so many old friends.

I got home about 5.

Eric Bolling's son died.  The hits just keep coming.

Sunday was also a busy day. At church, Gerrie returned my books and gave me some candy (how the heck am I supposed to get my A1C down this way?).  I hadn't planned to go back to the house before the late afternoon, but had to get the candy bar out of the car.  Thence down to help with Communion... there's s guy from church there recouperating from a fall, in his 90s and sharp as a tack, knew my name and Brenda's.  He has an easy name to remember, Charles Schulz!

Hence to Elk Grove. I thought I would drop in on the 9/11 event and see some of the people who weren't in Oroville the day before, but I couldn't find the group. Oh, well. I stopped at Jack-in-the-box for lunch, then got to Bernarob's house. When it was his truck left in the driveway, I thought maybe they'd changed their plans, but no, he was still taking the big kids to see their Mom in the play. My job was to babysit Padreic.

He was busy busy.  There was plenty for him to do in the living room, but at one point he climbed over the gate into Mommy and Daddy's room (forbidden, and I'd locked both kids' bedrooms.) I got him out and then told him to pick up the little bells he'd been carrying. "No." He said "No" a couple of times, and finally I gave him a pop on the backside. Then held him while he cried it out, and we started playing finger games.

Rob and the kids enjoyed the play. He said it was better than the other Gilbert&Sullivan's Bernadette has been in.

Monday the 11th of September I had the flags out all over the yard. It was the day for  the cleaners. They sat in the driveway in their car and had lunch, and here I was all ready to let them in and disappear into the bedroom. I could have finished my TV show!

While I was in the bedroom, I straightened up some more for the window people, and called my classmate Rich who was in town for the weekend. Too hot to leave the house again, though.

I had cloudy urine. But it's been coming and going, mostly clear, so I don't know what's going on.

My neighbor Carol brought over ice cream bars to keep in my freezer for the party the next day.

Tuesday I went to breakfast with the ladies. We only had 4 this time.

I found and rescued a tiny alligator lizard in the house. I thought at first maybe Pharoah had hurt it, but it moved from the zinnia bed where I put it, so it's probably OK. So beautiful!

Carol had a farewell party for Leslie. I will be sad to have her (and Zeus) go. We met the new homeowners, James and Yolanda. They're into wine and across the street Sloan and Christy (who were new to me) brew beer! Hey, I live on a party street! I also met Luann, and then chatted with the neighbors I know, as well.

I got home just before Vince's call. Eric will be going to the Bahamas next year. Gabe and A.J. are doing well in soccer.  And I forgot to tell him about Jeo's memorial and about the alligator lizard... so I started a list for the next time!

Wednesday I went down to Elk Grove as usual, and Bernadette wasn't there. I thought maybe she had decided to take Padreic in to the doctor, since he's been crying over a hurt leg since Monday. Sure enough, it's broken!  He had a splint on it and it will be cast on Friday. He was apparently really good with the doctor, and the X-rays.  It was a trampoline accident. I said, when Joan gave them that, it was dangerous for such small children. Monica argued that it was good exercise and I said it would lead to broken bones. She said "at least they won't be overweight."  So of course, when I posted about the broken leg, I said "told you so, Monica!"

The big kids were in trouble about this. They just stood on the trampoline watching while Padreic cried. No one went in to tell Mommy.  Also, while B. was trying to clean up, Gareth just went to his room and Joanna wouldn't go fetch something "there's a branch in the way."  She got popped on the bottom for her pains, too.  Daddy had a long lecture for them. 

I fetched them and we talked about the broken leg on the way home. Nobody knows what exactly happened. I read them more of Pinocchio. I decided I need to bring over a marionette so they really know what it is.

Thursday, I got my new windows!!!!!! I just love it! The annoying thing is I will have to make sure all the smoke alarms have batteries (I really only keep the hall one and my bedroom charged up, the others are old and beep even with new batteries, too much trouble) before I call the county inspector to come out. It took the guys 4 hours to get all the windows in, and I spied one defective screen so called about it at the end of the day.

I went to the WPAC Appleby's dinner. I ordered the chicken tacos which were filling enough, and to my surprise, between the half price Happy Hour and the 10% discount, I only owed a little over 4 dollars! 

Friday was Renaissance. The morning documentary was "And Still I Fly" about Maya Angelou. When it was dealing with her early life, there was a cameo with Hillary Clinton, who said it was like her mother's early life. All I could think about was "was that before or after she named you for Sir Edmund Hillary?" The bitter old woman (mighod, this book tour!) always has to make it all about herself! The documentary, however, was really good. There was this time she lectured Tupac Shakur about his language.  I'd read all the autobiographies and really enjoyed this documentary.

The time travel movie was Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I enjoyed it more this time than when I saw it first. Silly but fun. I was tempted to go to the forum but really wanted to come home.

Before I left I saw Leslie walking Zeus for the last time here, so dashed out for a hug from her and a total slobber from him.

The windows will go on November's bill! Hooray, it's nice to spread the misery out!

They warned me there might still be pieces of glass, but I forgot, and sure enough, barefoot in my bedroom. Ow.

Saturday I was pretty well crippled up with a terrible backache, but because I'd promised, I saw Bernadette's play, Patience. It's cute and funny. I'd never heard of it before though there's one song in it I've heard somewhere (an ad, maybe?)

Sunday I stayed in to heal up. My back still hurt but not as badly as it did the day before. I've been leaving the windows open night and day, except when the gardeners were here.   I trimmed the roses in the rose garden Rich made for me. Most of them are dead, thanks to the drought.

I made a salad of dragonfruit, pineapple, (I wanted pomegranates, but they aren't quite ready yet. There are so many I think I can have some despite the squirrels), romaine, one small bell pepper chopped up with a blueberry balsalmic vinaigrette. Yum.

I actually READ "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" for the first time. Disney did a great job following the descriptions! Irving's prose is great!