The town I am in today (Greenwich, NJ) is SO small that you can:
- drive really slowly and no one honks at you
- stand in the middle of the street having a conversation
- when you meet a few people you are bound to know some of them
- buy flowers from someone's garden
The downsides are:
- only one restaurant/store and it closes at 2 PM
- cell phone reception is very poor
The apple orchard (book), by Susan Wiggs. I probably put this on my list because it is about sisters? A young woman who discovers provenance of objects finds out that she has relatives she never was aware of. She leaves San Francisco to go to an apple orchard farm in Sonoma County where her grandfather has had an accident and may be dying in the hospital. She learns about family history and the delights of country living, which include a handsome neighbor who makes wine. She also gets to know the half sister she never knew.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The satisfaction of sorting STUFF
Buckled down this morning and went through a box of stuff my sisters gave me shortly after my father passed away. OK, he passed away in 2002. I knew there was some cash in there, but found $900, $200 more than I expected. Also some sweaters, shirts and many wet ones, kleenexes and travel and purse items. Oh, and OOODLES of socks, which I plan to wear. Never enough socks! Next, I will have to get the BOX out of the house, probably containing some things to give away.
Paris from $95 a day, by Haas Mroue. Borrowed through the Overdrive system at the library and read on my Nook. It doesn't matter that I am not planning to go to Paris. I did make a few notes but much will be outdated by the time I ever get back to Paris. It is a good idea to maintain a list of things to do, in any case.
Went to McDonald's today to organize my Monopoly pieces and enjoy at two-for-one Egg McMuffin. Guy at register somewhat baffled by my coupon. Perhaps I am the only one filling out the surveys online? I am gonna get SOMETHING out of this...either a job or a free something. A guy left his car running while he went in. I thought of confronting him about the damage to the environment but not sure how to do that nicely. I was dismayed to see a new sign: NO LOITERING PLEASE - TIME LIMIT - 30 MINUTES WHILE CONSUMING FOOD. Oh dear, there goes my two hour computer session! I was the only white person hanging around in there.
Paris from $95 a day, by Haas Mroue. Borrowed through the Overdrive system at the library and read on my Nook. It doesn't matter that I am not planning to go to Paris. I did make a few notes but much will be outdated by the time I ever get back to Paris. It is a good idea to maintain a list of things to do, in any case.
Went to McDonald's today to organize my Monopoly pieces and enjoy at two-for-one Egg McMuffin. Guy at register somewhat baffled by my coupon. Perhaps I am the only one filling out the surveys online? I am gonna get SOMETHING out of this...either a job or a free something. A guy left his car running while he went in. I thought of confronting him about the damage to the environment but not sure how to do that nicely. I was dismayed to see a new sign: NO LOITERING PLEASE - TIME LIMIT - 30 MINUTES WHILE CONSUMING FOOD. Oh dear, there goes my two hour computer session! I was the only white person hanging around in there.
Friday, October 24, 2014
My very long day
Yesterday started off predictably enough, as I went through the motions of Arthritis exercise, massage, library and other errands. A friend called and invited me to go up to New York to see a play. I begged off on this one day trip, as I felt I had been away from home too much lately, especially in the evenings. A short while later, someone ELSE called and invited me to go up to New York City to see an art exhibit that I wanted to see. It was the last day! So, I surmised, SOMEONE wants me to be in New York today.
I cancelled another appointment and called the second person and said I would go up with them to see the art exhibit. It is a three hour drive and we got a late start. Also, the church where the exhibit was being held was closing early, so time was getting away from us. We arrived at the church at 4:45 PM. The art was still up but not lit so we had to work to peer at the art all around the church which was in semi-darkness. We got into the elevator to go downstairs to the bathroom and almost got stuck in there. Saw a sign that bathrooms only open during church services. Then the door wouldn't open back up so we had to go to street level, exit and come back in through the church main entrance. At closing time I wandered up Broadway. The church was at 60th and Columbus and the play I was going to was at Broadway and 72nd St. Stopped into a loew's AMC movie theater and though about going to a movie. Several lines of people and escalators going us several floors. It was too much for me. I would rather go to our quiet little Regal in Vineland to see a crappy movie. Came upon an Apple store. This has been on my list of things to do so I went in. Tried to get on my email on one of the many different sizes of devices. Yahoo insisted on calling me with an access code. I decided I will never be able to figure out Apple devices so I asked a man working there to help me log off of my email. He reprimanded me for logging into my personal account on a public computer. Continued on my way and found the Triad theater, upstairs at 158 W. 70th St. Went into the Turkish restaurant below (Seven's Turkish grill). Just got settled with my water and candle and realized MY PHONE was missing. Had to hightail it 6 blocks back to the Apple store, where, miraculously, they had picked up my phone. WHEW! (My life was flashing before my eyes). Saw Ruthless : the musical, where Brittany Spears got her start as a young girl. Delightful theater, intimate and charming. OK, the seats were impossibly hard and we were forced to buy two bad, expensive drinks. But the room was full of young enthusiastic people so you felt like you were at a cool event.
Stage was very small but OK for 6 people, some of whom played more than one part. I loved the music, especially a song called I hate musicals. After the show, we wandered down the street, stopping into a cool, huge, cosmetics and Halloween costume store. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't buy anything. We thought about buying a blond wig and a button that said ART JUNKIE. Three of us ladies me our friend, the producer and he drove us home. Got dropped off at my house shortly after midnight. A pretty interesting day considering that I didn't know I was going to NYC until lunchtime!
I cancelled another appointment and called the second person and said I would go up with them to see the art exhibit. It is a three hour drive and we got a late start. Also, the church where the exhibit was being held was closing early, so time was getting away from us. We arrived at the church at 4:45 PM. The art was still up but not lit so we had to work to peer at the art all around the church which was in semi-darkness. We got into the elevator to go downstairs to the bathroom and almost got stuck in there. Saw a sign that bathrooms only open during church services. Then the door wouldn't open back up so we had to go to street level, exit and come back in through the church main entrance. At closing time I wandered up Broadway. The church was at 60th and Columbus and the play I was going to was at Broadway and 72nd St. Stopped into a loew's AMC movie theater and though about going to a movie. Several lines of people and escalators going us several floors. It was too much for me. I would rather go to our quiet little Regal in Vineland to see a crappy movie. Came upon an Apple store. This has been on my list of things to do so I went in. Tried to get on my email on one of the many different sizes of devices. Yahoo insisted on calling me with an access code. I decided I will never be able to figure out Apple devices so I asked a man working there to help me log off of my email. He reprimanded me for logging into my personal account on a public computer. Continued on my way and found the Triad theater, upstairs at 158 W. 70th St. Went into the Turkish restaurant below (Seven's Turkish grill). Just got settled with my water and candle and realized MY PHONE was missing. Had to hightail it 6 blocks back to the Apple store, where, miraculously, they had picked up my phone. WHEW! (My life was flashing before my eyes). Saw Ruthless : the musical, where Brittany Spears got her start as a young girl. Delightful theater, intimate and charming. OK, the seats were impossibly hard and we were forced to buy two bad, expensive drinks. But the room was full of young enthusiastic people so you felt like you were at a cool event.
Stage was very small but OK for 6 people, some of whom played more than one part. I loved the music, especially a song called I hate musicals. After the show, we wandered down the street, stopping into a cool, huge, cosmetics and Halloween costume store. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't buy anything. We thought about buying a blond wig and a button that said ART JUNKIE. Three of us ladies me our friend, the producer and he drove us home. Got dropped off at my house shortly after midnight. A pretty interesting day considering that I didn't know I was going to NYC until lunchtime!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
New drug names are laughable
Whenever I see a new drug advertized on TV, the names seem really outrageous and stupid. I don't know what it is for, but a new one is Latudo.
The lowland (audiobook), by Jhumpa Lahiri. Not wonderful, but I listened to the entire thing. Did it get better as it went along? Not sure. Two brothers, living in Calcutta, India. One goes to the states to study and live (Rhode Island) and the other one stays at home, gets married, is involved in revolutionary secretive activities and dies. The other brother marries his wife and takes care of his child, but everyone seems to be hidden and silent and unhappy. This problem continues into the next generation.
Good things about retirement:
- you don't have to set the alarm
- you can appreciate the fine days during the fine hours
- you don't have to rush out and get your car fixed in order to get to work
- you don't have to be rushing and speeding all the time
- I don't have a boss
The lowland (audiobook), by Jhumpa Lahiri. Not wonderful, but I listened to the entire thing. Did it get better as it went along? Not sure. Two brothers, living in Calcutta, India. One goes to the states to study and live (Rhode Island) and the other one stays at home, gets married, is involved in revolutionary secretive activities and dies. The other brother marries his wife and takes care of his child, but everyone seems to be hidden and silent and unhappy. This problem continues into the next generation.
Good things about retirement:
- you don't have to set the alarm
- you can appreciate the fine days during the fine hours
- you don't have to rush out and get your car fixed in order to get to work
- you don't have to be rushing and speeding all the time
- I don't have a boss
Monday, October 20, 2014
Monday update
Rose Gold (book) : an Easy Rawlins mystery, by Walter Mosley. Was glad when this book was over. He gets a bit carried away with all of the characters...so many to keep track of.
Enjoyed starting off the week with yoga at 10:30 AM. Gained a pound of two so I was feeling quite sluggish. Also no exercise over the weekend. I would like to count the dancing I did at a wedding Friday.
Did get a few things done staying home all afternoon and evening on Sunday. I needed to be home since I have something to do every night until Saturday. And I don't really LIKE to go out at night. But not reading anything really engrossing now and that is primarily what I do after dark. It is getting unpleasantly cold. But the winter nightgown and socks and the two blankets were a bit much. Woke up HOT in the middle of the night.
Enjoyed starting off the week with yoga at 10:30 AM. Gained a pound of two so I was feeling quite sluggish. Also no exercise over the weekend. I would like to count the dancing I did at a wedding Friday.
Did get a few things done staying home all afternoon and evening on Sunday. I needed to be home since I have something to do every night until Saturday. And I don't really LIKE to go out at night. But not reading anything really engrossing now and that is primarily what I do after dark. It is getting unpleasantly cold. But the winter nightgown and socks and the two blankets were a bit much. Woke up HOT in the middle of the night.
Monday, October 13, 2014
It's better if I stay home
Had to go pick someone up yesterday in an unusual place since she is living with her son. Started out following my MapQuest directions as I was trying to find a shorter way to get there than the one she suggested. First problem is I run into a TRAFFIC JAM on a highway where I usually just tool along at 65 miles per hour. They were repaving Route 55 and not only was it slow, they had CLOSED MY EXIT. So, I was really stewing and cursing and wishing for an anxiety pill and had to drive about 15 minutes to get extra far from my destination. Then I underwent a sudden panic attack and had to pay $2.99 for 24 hours of Sprint Navigator on my phone. I was suddenly very unsure about where I was and where I was going. So, it took me about an hour of driving to get to the first phase of my journey. Then another hour to get to Philly and was forced to drive fast due to fears of being late for the theater. Two setbacks in Philly....my street was closed and then more streets were blocked off due to the annual OUTFEST. The play was good (Rapture, blister and burn), the dinner was good and the drive home long and dark. More streets blocked off but I overcame it. Was in a bit of a snit about the whole thing. The entire expedition took me from 11:30 AM until 8:15 PM. At least I got home in time to watch the Eagles beat the Giants. I had to turn it off at half time cause I can't stand to watch the sacking and the grandstanding. Happy that the Eagles did well anyway.
Those darn squirrels! (book), by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Spoke to my condition as I have a squirrel living in my ceiling. A very cute children's book about a man trying to defeat the squirrels and then giving in and appreciating them.
Younger next year...for women (book), by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge. Got this book on interlibrary loan. So hard to follow their advice which is to exercise HARD 6 days a week and don't eat crap. Already, I feel my will to exercise today sinking. Their philosophy is that you are either growing or deteriorating and the only way to grow is to move. I agree but it is so hard.
Those darn squirrels! (book), by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Spoke to my condition as I have a squirrel living in my ceiling. A very cute children's book about a man trying to defeat the squirrels and then giving in and appreciating them.
Younger next year...for women (book), by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge. Got this book on interlibrary loan. So hard to follow their advice which is to exercise HARD 6 days a week and don't eat crap. Already, I feel my will to exercise today sinking. Their philosophy is that you are either growing or deteriorating and the only way to grow is to move. I agree but it is so hard.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Feeling invisible
Sometimes feeling invisible is bad and sometimes I WANT to be invisible. A woman of a certain age gets to feeling invisible. Flirting works better with infants than with men these days. Also feel like a follower not a leader, an attender not an organizer.
Things that make me feel old:
- the restaurant where my 60th birthday party was held has been torn down
- my mother and two friends that were present at that party are dead
- I still think tattoos are LOW CLASS
- I am still LEASING a telephone
- I have never spent money on a television
There is a lot of new music I want to hear/get - Stevie Nicks, Jackson Brown, Prince, Leonard Cohen. Right now am enjoying a new album on Hoopla
- 24 karat gold - songs from the vault (album) by Stevie Nicks. Especially loving the songs Twisted and Lady!
Things that make me feel old:
- the restaurant where my 60th birthday party was held has been torn down
- my mother and two friends that were present at that party are dead
- I still think tattoos are LOW CLASS
- I am still LEASING a telephone
- I have never spent money on a television
There is a lot of new music I want to hear/get - Stevie Nicks, Jackson Brown, Prince, Leonard Cohen. Right now am enjoying a new album on Hoopla
- 24 karat gold - songs from the vault (album) by Stevie Nicks. Especially loving the songs Twisted and Lady!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
A very self-indulgent day
Had a manicure AND a pedicure AND a chiropractic adjustment AND an hour massage all in one day. Plus, eating out all day, which is very self-indulgent and not so healthy.
Now I don't feel like going to the training I was going to go to tonight. But, I guess I should since it is only one hour. Training to work with the homeless this winter for the CODE BLUE program. Sheltering the homeless only when it is really cold or really wet. I SHOULD get involved, but do I really WANT to?
I work at a public library (book) : a collection of crazy stories - - from the stacks - - ., by Gina Sheridan. First, let me say that I should have written this book. It is filled with some of the outrageous, stupid, unbelievable, annoying, surprising things that can happen while working with the public. Nothing I really highlighted but some laugh out loud moments, for sure.
Feed (audiobook), by M. T. Anderson. Quite clever book for teenagers making me reevaluate my dislike of science fiction. Fast forward to the future, to the post-print society, when all information is beamed directly into your brain by "the feed", including peppy music and advertizements all geared to your interests. You can shop online, chat with your friends, watch TV, get high and so on. Titus meets a more serious girl on a trip to the moon (which is on the way to becoming the 51st state). Her old fashioned attitudes ruin his good time and make him think.
Now I don't feel like going to the training I was going to go to tonight. But, I guess I should since it is only one hour. Training to work with the homeless this winter for the CODE BLUE program. Sheltering the homeless only when it is really cold or really wet. I SHOULD get involved, but do I really WANT to?
I work at a public library (book) : a collection of crazy stories - - from the stacks - - ., by Gina Sheridan. First, let me say that I should have written this book. It is filled with some of the outrageous, stupid, unbelievable, annoying, surprising things that can happen while working with the public. Nothing I really highlighted but some laugh out loud moments, for sure.
Feed (audiobook), by M. T. Anderson. Quite clever book for teenagers making me reevaluate my dislike of science fiction. Fast forward to the future, to the post-print society, when all information is beamed directly into your brain by "the feed", including peppy music and advertizements all geared to your interests. You can shop online, chat with your friends, watch TV, get high and so on. Titus meets a more serious girl on a trip to the moon (which is on the way to becoming the 51st state). Her old fashioned attitudes ruin his good time and make him think.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Headphones on.....
Enjoying Youtube....Train and 50 ways to say goodbye. Using the computer at the Millville Public Library. I enjoy the quiet sounds of a library. Had to get out the headphones when I started fixating on woman sniffling, patron with that really annoying bird-like phone cheep, other ignorant, too loud patrons conversing.
Tuck everlasting (audio book), by Natalie Babbitt. Has been on my list a long time, not sure why. Charming tale of a young girl who meets a rather strange family. They tell a tale of living forever and try to convince her it is not a good idea. Who will learn and use the secret?
Yikes! I tried to get into the library before the school kids. Now they are driving me a bit crazy.
It has been four days since I got online. My pile of things to do is growing, as my piles are wont to do.
Tuck everlasting (audio book), by Natalie Babbitt. Has been on my list a long time, not sure why. Charming tale of a young girl who meets a rather strange family. They tell a tale of living forever and try to convince her it is not a good idea. Who will learn and use the secret?
Yikes! I tried to get into the library before the school kids. Now they are driving me a bit crazy.
It has been four days since I got online. My pile of things to do is growing, as my piles are wont to do.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
The never-ending two-for-one deal
So, I go to MacDonald's, buy something and fill out the survey form on the Internet. For doing this, I get two for the price of one. When I go to pick them up, I get ANOTHER receipt and fill out ANOTHER survey and get yet ANOTHER two for one deal. It may be that this campaign has an end...otherwise I am trapped in this endlessly repeating cycle! I spend a lot of time filling out surveys online and so far I have not won any free movies or any sweepstakes. The best thing I got was a free chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-a and I didn't even have to buy anything. It was a bit salty and came with only a pickle and some white bread but the price made it extra delicious even though it is not the most healthy choice and I shouldn't really be frequenting Chick-fil-A at all due to their anti-gay stance.
Aimless love (audio book), by Billy Collins. It was only one CD but I LOVE Billy Collins. He is just so accessible as a poet. My favorites are The trouble with poetry and The golden years.
Hanging out at my previous place of employment today. Trials and tribulations there. I call it "the law of untended consequences". They are getting a new roof, but a recent rainstorm FLOODED the place where the roof hadn't been very well finished. Upgraded the memory on the computers, but now they are printing an extra blank page at the end of everyone's documents for which they need to be reimbursed. The best laid plans.....
Aimless love (audio book), by Billy Collins. It was only one CD but I LOVE Billy Collins. He is just so accessible as a poet. My favorites are The trouble with poetry and The golden years.
Hanging out at my previous place of employment today. Trials and tribulations there. I call it "the law of untended consequences". They are getting a new roof, but a recent rainstorm FLOODED the place where the roof hadn't been very well finished. Upgraded the memory on the computers, but now they are printing an extra blank page at the end of everyone's documents for which they need to be reimbursed. The best laid plans.....
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Nausea?
Nausea can be a symptom of FEMALE heart attack or EBOLA. Luckily, I rarely experience this symptom.
All the light we cannot see (audio book), by Anthony Doerr. Cried near the end, not sure why. Very moving the way the author brings together the stories of the young German soldier and the blind girl from Paris and St. Malo. Quite long and involved, detailing the flight of a young girl with her father from Paris at the start of the war. Always surprising to learn the trail of events in various countries during the war. A mystery of a missing diamond and its three copies. Almost wanted it to be over before it was over, but after that was when I cried.
Went to Philadelphia yesterday. Lured by a lecture called "Paris awakens". Was dismayed when I realized that I have been a member of the Philadelphia Museum of art for 10 months without going once. Now I am in the mood. There is a lot to see...sculpture garden, trolleys to the Perelman Center and the Rodin museum and who knows where else. If I go once a week for the next two months, maybe I will get my money's worth? I liked the feeling of being a member. Spending money to save money on parking, food and gifts. My favorite discovery was Charles Demuth...gentle watercolors. Part of a show of Steiglitz and his associates. That section included works by Steiglitz, O'Keefe, Demuth and Dove.
All the light we cannot see (audio book), by Anthony Doerr. Cried near the end, not sure why. Very moving the way the author brings together the stories of the young German soldier and the blind girl from Paris and St. Malo. Quite long and involved, detailing the flight of a young girl with her father from Paris at the start of the war. Always surprising to learn the trail of events in various countries during the war. A mystery of a missing diamond and its three copies. Almost wanted it to be over before it was over, but after that was when I cried.
Went to Philadelphia yesterday. Lured by a lecture called "Paris awakens". Was dismayed when I realized that I have been a member of the Philadelphia Museum of art for 10 months without going once. Now I am in the mood. There is a lot to see...sculpture garden, trolleys to the Perelman Center and the Rodin museum and who knows where else. If I go once a week for the next two months, maybe I will get my money's worth? I liked the feeling of being a member. Spending money to save money on parking, food and gifts. My favorite discovery was Charles Demuth...gentle watercolors. Part of a show of Steiglitz and his associates. That section included works by Steiglitz, O'Keefe, Demuth and Dove.
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