Elisa and Valley took the bus this morning, so we didn't walk as far as usual. It was cold, but not raining while we stood there. Ray and I spent a little time on the Chicken Fence before he went to work. I did some school work and had leftover vichysoisse for lunch, with a sandwich. I went back outside and did some more stapling during the warmest sunniest part of the day, when it was about 60.

When Ray got home, I rushed around trying to get some early dinner together. I had thawed a couple drumsticks and stuck them in the oven with some seasoning, started some rice and cooked a bok choy from the garden. It was good, but, of course, I only ate a little of it because we had to get to class by 4:55, which we pretty much did. We were talking about death and dying, which is kind of an area of expertise for me. I had brought all my handouts, but didn't have a chance to say anything or share them. We also watched an interesting video called the Personals, a documentary of some older people doing theater in NYC.

Ray picked up Elisa and took her to Taco Stand. They lelft me the car and took a campus bus to the Performing Arts Center. We had tickets to Mixt, a young trio--violin, piano, clarinet. I was embarrassed to always be leaving class early, so they went without me. I drove over and sat in the lobby during the first half, doing some reading with faint music in the background. At intermission, we were going to switch, but they let Ray in--one of the ushers was a retired Geology professor. The place wasn't half full, so a victimless crime. The music was very good. I am not that great an audience for it--always thinking of other things I should be doing and wondering how much longer until we can leave.

To bed, and a good night's sleep.

We walked to Valley's house and back. We got ready to go and picked up Dan. I took the car from Ray's office and decided to visit Talmadge Terrace and talk to Ann. She is the one I have talked to there a couple of times about my parents moving there. She wasn't in yet and I waited a few minutes. When she got in, she was quite flustered and I suggested I could wait a few minutes more. I didn't do a very good job explaining what I wanted to talk about, but she said she couldn't really talk to me until after the Open House that they have every year the weekend after Thanksgiving. They are expecting 600 people! She said the Executive Director would be busy until after that event as well. I had wanted to ask some questions about the facility for a paper I need to write, and possibly bring up the idea of having an internship there. It doesn't seem like it will really work out from our conversation, but I have an appointment with her afater the Open House and the name and contact information for the social worker. I had wanted to come by in person because I thought she would recognize me and might not know me from the name, which she did.

My next errand was to stop at the bank, which was closed. Then I went to the library, which also turned out to be closed, at least until 1. I sat in the car; it was sunny and pleasant and I did some of my reading there. A little before noon, I headed to a restaurant to meet Becky. The Sultan is a Middle Eastern restaurant we used to go to, out near the mall, until it closed. Fortunately, it reopened on Baxter Street and we enjoyed our lunch there--hummus, gyros...

I got to the Institute early enough to do a little more reading before class. After class, I went by the hardware store and picked up a few nails, which was an entertaining experience in itself. The atmosphere and the characters that work there are very interesting to me. Then I picked up Ray and Dan and we went to Earth Fare for a little grocery shopping. After that, we headed to the high school and spent some time in the back row of the auditorium with our computers until Elisa was ready to go. It's always fun to watch the process of rehearsing scenes early on.

At home, we made hamburgers with peppers and onions and steamed broccoli. Elisa supplemented with yogurt and fruit. We watched TV and went to bed. This time, I slept until 5, a little better.

Yesterday was blueberry pancakes. Ray and I went for a walk. Elisa slept late. We went to UUFA, picking up Nancy M., who is recovering well from hip surgery. After the service, I had to introduce Dr. Glass to a group she was addressing about aging. I used the word elderly and she explained to everyone how we don't say that any more. I was embarrassed and irritated. Ray and I had to meet with the Coming of Age kids. We are both mentors. E. came with us, but did not really participate.

We were planning to go to the Greek Festival, but had to take Nancy home. On our way into KR, Skipper invited Elisa to spend some time with them. She said they would bring her home. So we didn't go. Ray watched football. When it was almost dark and she wasn't back yet, we went out and worked on the Chicken Fence some. We don't have any good nails, so it occasioned a lot of swearing.

She still wasn't home and it was full dark, so I called and they said they were on their way. When she arrived, she told me she already ate dinner. I was surprised that they would give her dinner without telling me. Ray and I had frozen fish (from years ago) and potatoes and broccoli. We mixed up some mayo and pickle relish for tartar sauce.

I fell asleep in front of the TV very early. Consequently, I woke up at 4. Must get back on a normal schedule.

Paintball

I was awake very early this morning, thinking about my life and ideas for the future. It is a little cool in the house, even though it was sunny yesterday. The hours of daylight are so few this time of year.

Elisa and Guillermo

Yesterday, there was a little frost. Ray and I took a walk. Elisa needed a permission slip printed, but we couldn't make either of our printers work. Mine would print out part of it, but not all. I think the file was too large for my old printer. We could not get her computer or mine to see the other printer.

Elisa gets her gun

I was anxious to get to pilates, but was nearly late. Ray and Elisa went to Clarke Central for set call. Elisa is in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Harriet, the drama teacher, was happy to see us again after the years our kids spent doing drama. Ray and I had a visit to the farmers' market and picked up some veggies: rutabaga, turnip, eggplant, green tomatoes. (I think they might still be in the car; our day was so busy I forgot to bring them in).

All suited up

Elisa was invited to two birthday parties. One involved playing paintball. This is what she needed her mother's permisison for. She had sent the form to her mother, who had printed it, signed it, scanned it and sent it back. However, I signed one at the place and they didn't ask any questions. I spent an hour there, watching them get face masks and guns and learn about safety and the rules. There were three girls in the group of fifteen. Elisa was excited (and had a great time). In Germany, you must be 18 to play paintball. She has a good bruise on her leg and some abrasion on one hand. I had very mixed feelings watching kids shoot at each other. It was a sunny day and it looked like a blast, in some ways. It also seemed awfully close to really shooting at people.

I went back to the school and picked Ray up. Harriet had bought him lunch (at Wendy's). Elisa and I had eaten chicken curry and rice from the farmers' market, which was awfully good.

calibrating the gun

I spent some time on the phone, trying to arrange for Elisa to attend the other party she was invited to. It was in Atlanta and she could have spent the night there. I wasn't willing to drive there and back twice (or even once, I guess). It didn't seem that important to me. We could have put her on the Megabus and someone would have met it. But then getting her back the next day appeared more challenging. The Mom where she was staying would have put her on the MARTA train and then she would have to get off and get on the right bus going the right direction, which she could probably do, but it just seemed a little nerve-wracking. We decided she would have another chance to spend time in Atlanta, maybe next month for the Christmas party.

Old Fashioned with Peaches!

Ray and I spent some time with Becky and Kent, because the paintball place is in Winterville. I picked up a few pecans. Ray watched some TV with Kent and recovered from his work on the set. We got Elisa about 5 and drove home. Before long, it was time to head out again. We had a lovely dinner at Porterhouse with my Dad--the four of us, plus Becky and Kent, who were celebrating their 33rd anniversary. We were also celebrating the results of the elections!

Tomato Soup

It was frosty again yesterday morning. Elisa was a little late getting going, but we ate scrmbled eggs, the last of the eggs laid by our hens. The three of us started for StipeMaases', but we didn't get halfway there, we were so late.

Ray headed out a little late, too. I worked on my big assignment for Monday's class, my life review. It is hard, not because I don't have anything to say, but because I need to whittle it down to what answers the questions. What are the recurring themes of my life? Environmentalism, political activism, caring for others.

My Dad arrived about 10. He wasn't feeling very good. I made him some tea and later heated up chicken broth and scrounged up some crackers for him. Sometimes he doesn't know if his digestive problems cause him to be depressed or his depression gives him indigestion. I made some Cowboy cookies while he told me news items from his computer. I had a sandwich for lunch and started working on my readings. He headed home. About 3, I spent some time outside. It was too nice not to. I stapled chicken wire to supports, working on the Amazing Chicken Fence. The chickens were out all day. Cameron kept running off and I tried to keep him close to home.

Ray and Elisa arrived home and I put the chickens up. We made some pork steak and vegetables. At about 7, we headed to UUFA for game night. Ray left us off and picked up my Dad, who seemed to be feeling better. Aleta showed up and the five of us played trivial pursuit, the boys against the girls. Aleta had brought Genus IV and some of the questions were really hard. We tended to avoid sports and leisure and try to land on science and nature, both teams. After about 2 1/2 hours, Ray and my Dad finally triumphed over the women. It was fun. I tried not to mind that no one else showed up, but the powers that be had not done much to publicize the event.

I was tired and slept well.

Frost again last night. I had almost everything covered. We'll see if it was enough.

Yesterday Ray and I volunteered for the big cancer study. This meant answering a long questionnaire on line ahead of time and going to the hospital for about half an hour, answering some of the same questions again, getting my waist measured and some blood drawn. Unfortunately, in my case, the phlebotomist tried my right arm first and didn't get any blood. I am not fond of having needles in my arm, so that was unnecessary unpleasantness. I believe there are 300,000 of us and they will continue to ask us questions every few years and see which ones of us get cancer. It was very had to answer some of the questions. Do you know at what age you reached your present height? How much you weighed at various ages? How many cups of fruit and vegetables you ate every day for the last month? Of course, for women, they asked a lot of questions about menstrual cycles and pregnancies, too. I encourage everyone to write down your medical history, maybe on line somewhere, so you can refer to it when they ask you questions.

Elisa, by Adah

He went in an at 7. When he got home, it was time to walk Elisa to catch her ride. Today Ray walked with us and we walked over a mile. It was cold but sunny. I got to wear my hat and gloves. Cameron came too. This is a good way to start the day. Elisa, like most of the other teenagers I have known, did not want a hat or gloves or scarf.

When I went for my appointment at 9:30, Ray was able to catch a bus to his office. I headed to the library afterward and finished the reading for my Monday class. Later in the day, I started Tuesday's. We came home and spent most of the afternoon on the couch on our computers (my iPad, actually). After a bit, though, I had to go outside. It was sunny and in the 60s. I stapled chicken wire on our Amazing Chicken Fence. Cameron had trouble sticking around.

Ray went to get Elisa while I got ready and headed over to the KR potluck dinner. I played some with Adah and talked some with other neighbors. Elisa and Ray arrived and joined us. Then I had to stay for a Kenney Ridge board meeting--not my favorite way to spend an evening. There should be only one more meeting this year. In theory, my time will be up then.

When I got home, I had to watch four shows before I could go to bed, and finish my book, which was a good one, by the way. It was after eleven when we went to sleep, but it was light when I woke up.

Yesterday morning, Elisa got up so late she had to take her breakfast with her to eat in the car on the way to school, and plan to buy lunch. I walked her all the way to StipeMaases'. It was raining and cold. Then I walked all the way back, jumped in the tub, and we rushed off. I didn't eat most of my breakfast, either.

I dropped Ray off and waited for Janna to be finished with her dentist appt. I spent a few minutes at her house, admiring the work they have been doing to renovate their basement. Then I had a doctor's appointment. My doctor does not cheer on my accomplishments as much as I would like. I have lost two pounds since the last time I was there, and my cholesterol has improved. Unfortunately, my sugar has not. She is still willing to let me keep trying to improve my diet and exercise. I am hereby giving up orange juice for one thing. I was somewhat pleased, though.

I met Becky and Le'Ann for lunch at DePalma's, an Italian restaurant with mainly pasta dishes on the menu. I ordered a grilled ribs appetizer and a side salad--meat and veggies, no carbs. It was good.

The plan was to pick Ray up and trade cars. I was supposed to go to class while he went home to make something for potluck. However, I was reading my email on my phone while I was waiting and another student sent out a question about working on our assisgnment since class was cancelled. Apparently, an email went out, but I was left off. Ray and I stopped by the Institute to confirm and then we went home. I have to say, having class cancelled made me unreasonably happy.

Ray immediately went to sleep, not surprisingly, since he had gotten less than five hours the night before. He did build a nice fire first, though, and I enjoyed sitting on the couch and reading stuff on my iPad. I didn't do much of anything constructive. The weather was cold and gray, but it was cozy in the house.

Elisa came home on the bus and helped me make a lentil salad, with peppers. Then we went outside and covered the tomatoes and most of the peppers. The basil and peanuts will have to take their chances. There was a frost advisory, but it may or may not happen. We also picked about a dozen peppers, two small potatoes, some radishes and some lettuce, just in case.

We went to the Fellowship and enjoyed our dinner, less than 10 of us for potluck. Then we had choir rehearsal. When we got home, I went right to bed. I woke up at 5, with the sleep mask on!