life in the old lane

Watching the home opener on the rabbit-eared tv. but from where I am sitting in the Old Bat Cave – I think I see rain rolling by. It was seriously stormy this morning. The boss brought me home. Completely unnecessary – but greatly appreciated. I didn’t even mind doing the treadmill to log some miles. It is raining at the ballpark now. Rain and wind. Not fun.

Note to Carlton: The sports update – you would still recognize all the leading tennis players. At least I remember the names from when you watched. And you would remember the golfers. Gray Player at 80+ made a hole-in-one during a practice round at at Augusta the other day. They just stopped play – score tied in the 2nd. The Nats are 2 and 0 this season. You were never a fan of basketball – but the NCAA championship game was great. (Not as great as 50 years ago, when my college won). And, on to our favorite sport – politics. You would recognize Hillary. But none of the other contenders. Actually you would recognize The Donald. But, you wouldn’t believe that he is making a “serious” run for the Republican nomination.

The other day, a lady got on the elevator with a HUGE load of luggage. I make some smartass comment along the lines of “Are you making a run for it”. Well, it seems that the lady was heading off for a month in Kenya. She will be speaking about Quakerism. I wondered aloud if there was much demand for that. Apparently 40% of the Quakers on the planet live in East Africa. Who knew? This isn’t my mother’s old folks home.

The much anticipated (???) annual asylum talent show is tonight. I wasn’t planning on attending but decided that I should. And, who knows. It might be better than I anticipate. We have our share of “famous” residents. But none that I know of are “famous” entertainers. And, the musical tastes of the inmates would have made my parents happy.

Perfect Kona. Got the ocean, the dogs, the keiki, the swimmers, the paddlers … And palm trees.

 

Several miscreants were arrested the other day for, among other things “possession of burglarious tools” Burglarious? really?

2006 Code of Virginia § 18.2-94 – Possession of burglarious tools, etc

18.2-94. Possession of burglarious tools, etc.

If any person have in his possession any tools, implements or outfit, with intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny, upon conviction thereof he shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony. The possession of such burglarious tools, implements or outfit by any person other than a licensed dealer, shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny.

(Code 1950, 18.1-87; 1960, c. 358; 1970, c. 587; 1975, cc. 14, 15.)

Yes, Virginia, you can not possess burglarious tools… at least if you intend to use them.

Today was “National Walking Day”. According to the Fitbit – I logged 6.4 miles going about my normal life. I did not feel compelled to go on the hospital organized noon time walkabout. I napped instead. Wonder when National Napping Day is? Oops, I missed it. National Napping Day was March 16.

Today is yoga class day. I didn’t get home until almost 3PM. And I found the remains of a flower show. A daffodil show to be exact. I wandered around, taking pictures with Shamu the Phone…All these wonderful arrangements were left for us old people. I picked out a great little arrangement.

Now, on to food. It was 3PM – too late for lunch. Too early for dinner. Off to the Bistro. This week’s Special Sandwich – I got it. Great, genius, marvelous sandwich. Bagel, a little cream cheese, a little avocado, a slice of tomato, some perfectly fried bacon, a pile of excellent lox (yes lox and bacon), and a lettuce leaf. I was going to eat 1/2 and save the rest for “later”. Well, “later” was about 5 minutes after I finished the first half.

Went off to the weekly “newcomers” meeting. Taking one yoga class a week was one of my New Year’s resolutions. Checked that one off. And, doing at least one activity at the asylum every week was another. Going to the “newcomers” meeting checks off the asylum activity.

And finally, more cold is on tap for tomorrow.

The Bad News: It is going to be in the low 30’s tomorrow when I go to the bus stop.

The Good News: Just got an email announcing the dinner special “Grilled Swordfish with blueberry salsa.” And if I wait too late for dinner and they run out – this week’s “special sandwich” is “Salmon BLT” which sounds yummy too.

Shot apple blossoms and a few bees this afternoon. The bee shot isn’t a keeper. But, it is the first one of the year.

According to my weather app there were 60 mph winds last night. It sure sounded like it here in the old bat cave. The bathroom and stove vents were howling. And the water in the john was rocking and rolling. And it was 42 degrees this morning.

A good day to stay indoors. Even in the apartment. I had breakfast downstairs and did my laundry. That was the extend of my wanderings. Sunday is a strange day at the asylum. Children come to visit the inmates. There are a variety of church services. And, one of the dining venues is closed at dinner. This just causes confusion. So, my Sunday plan is eat breakfast and do laundry. Skip the noon and evening meals. And if I really want to eat what they are serving – order up room service.

I am happier with my rearranged lamps. The only problem is I need a remote on/off switch for one of the lamps – it is on order from Amazon. I was going to manufacture one – but, I figured that at my age – it might be safer to order one vice make one out of spare electrical parts. But, since I had my “electrical stuff” box out – I decided to hook my external monitor/TV up to the inhouse “Senior TV” cable system. Trust me “free” Senior TV is worth what it costs. I get more channels with my rabbit ears. And, I get them in HD.

After rearranging the 4 lamps – 3 of the pictures needed shuffling. Guess this is all a part of “getting settled”.

You all know I want a robot cat. What is so hard about making a robot cat? Well, I have an addition technology wish. I want a great VR reading room/library. I want all my ebooks on shelves. I want to be able to wander around and pick them up and look at them like they were real books. And, I want my audio books and some eMagazines in there too. When it gets really good – I think I should be able to read  books with my VR setup. In a nice cozy chair by the fire or on the beach. But, I realize that will be harder. I could listen to my audiobooks. I know this wouldn’t be a fun as a total global warfare game for the developer. But, I would like it. So, get cracking and develop a VR system for granny!

Well, I have been at the asylum for 6 months now. Of course, I was in Hawai’i for 4 of them. So, I am not sure I deserve at “six month chip”. I sure don’t have six months of continuous asylum. I think that tomorrow, I’ll have 3 weeks of continuous asylum.

I continue to be unhappy with the lighting in the Old Bat Cave. So, today I repositioned all four lamps. The old apartment had window walls. And here I have 3 little windows. I’ll keep fiddling around until I am happy or too old to care. I have two really expensive LED bulbs. They promise to last 22 years. I plan on leaving them to someone in my will!

Living in the asylum is sort of like an “out of body” experience. I am here. Looking around. Doing things. But I am just watching. And the real me – is asking – WTF am I doing with all these old people. Then I look in a mirror and realize that I am where I belong. But, when did I get old? How did this happen? Where is Carlton? Why didn’t he get old?

Note to Carlton: I see people walking around holding hands – even here in the asylum. And, I think – we should have held hands more. But, neither of us liked walking and holding hands. I was half way down to breakfast this morning when I realized I didn’t have your ring on. I came back and got it. I don’t feel right without it. I noticed that most of the widows here don’t wear wedding rings.

 

Nice warm sunny day today. Took the macro lens out for a little stroll around the grounds of the asylum. Not many flowers. But, you don’t need too many.

I seem to be mending well from yesterday’s tooth extraction. The Asylum had a nice eggplant and garbanzo ragout on the dinner menu. It was easy to eat. Maybe, tomorrow  I can eat anything I want.

In addition to dinner – I went to Happy Hour.  This will be my 3rd week in a row to have drinks and then dinner with the same group of young old women. A 99 year old woman joined us for Happy Hour. She had a couple of martinis – straight up. Virginia, the 99 year old woman, lives on the “Nursing Home Floor” – but one of the young old woman sprung Virginia for the evening. Note to self: If you live long – be sure to have young old friends. They will spring you out of the nursing unit for happy hour martinis.

Went to get my teeth cleaned this afternoon. Lenor the hygienist says Number One doesn’t look very good. Does it hurt? she asks. Nope. Says I. (Nevermind that it hurt like hell the other night. What Lenor doesn’t know will not hurt me.)

Shortly, the Boy Dentist comes in and says Number One has got to go. Lenor and Boy Dentist confer. “Hey this is your lucky day, we can take that bad boy out this very afternoon.”

So, as soon as Lenor is finished torturing me – or cleaning my teeth as she calls it. I find myself waiting to get my tooth pulled. It didn’t take very long. And, thanks to large amounts of Novacaine – it didn’t hurt (yet).

But, if I had known it was going to happen – I would have had lunch and a triple shot of espresso before stepping foot in the dental office.

Now I am facing several hours of “keep biting on a wad of cotton” followed by “don’t really eat or drink anything until tomorrow” and then “be careful”.

Wonder what the jello du jour is? I have yogurt in the fridge. Maybe I can have some by 8 or 9 tonight. Or maybe I am on a zero calorie diet. Maybe I should stop whining. It is over. And I didn’t have to worry about it for long – 45 minutes max.

I am a wimp.

When I make pictures, I really want the horizon  level – unless it is a lens issue. And I want the right thing tack sharp in focus. I was checking the focus on these dogwoods –

and found a tiny insect. Passes my focus test!

My tooth is much better today – but – I am seeing the dentist tomorrow. Think I’ll continue to ignore the tooth unless the boy dentist or the hygienist or the xrays find something wrong. After all, I might get hit by a bus. No reason to rush into pulling teeth.

They had a lecture about memory loss this afternoon here at the asylum. I remembered the meeting and went down. The room was very crowded with people all ready to take notes. I left. Figured that if I remembered the memory loss meeting, its time and location – well, I didn’t need to go. At least not this year!

I walked home from work today. According to Google it is 3 miles. About 1/2 of it is nice. But the last half is just walking on the sidewalk on a busy uninteresting street. And, there is really only one route to take. But, I figured I would rather knock off my exercise walking home rather than bussing home and then spending an hour treadmilling. Keeping the old body functioning is a full time job. Or at least an all consuming hobby.

Tomorrow – after the dentist – it will be Uber Time.

 

I adore camellias. And all I had was Shamu the Phone. You shoot with what you have.

Guess what? Middle School hasn’t changed. I accidently got on a “school bus” this afternoon. Oh, it looked like the regular 75 bus. But then, it stopped at the middle school. It was immediately stuffed with kids. At least 4 times the bus driver refused to move the bus until the young miscreants stopped some behaviour or the other.

For years my various kid dentists have said “We need to watch that tooth.” Well, I think it is time to stop watching that old wisdom tooth and take it out. It is starting to hurt and seems a little wiggly. I just don’t like the idea of having a tooth pulled.

Well Carlton, if I hadn’t bought out the lease and moved out early – I would be leaving VA Square next month – or continuing to rent month to month. But, by the end of February – I was ahead since I am paying way less here at the asylum. I am still not real happy with the new location. But, I am really glad to have completed the downsizing and moving. And, I when I have my tooth taken out I have access to all the Jello, soup and ice cream I can eat. I can even get it delivered. “Hello, Room Service: Please send up a serving of the Jello du jour. And a side of bananas.”

Speaking of eating, I dined in tonight. And I enjoyed my own company very much.

After my much needed nap, I went out to finish off the FitBit miles and to take some spring flower pictures. Well, it was windy enough to blow my ears off – so – I came back inside and stomped around the halls for a bit. Where I discovered this Easter decoration.

Crazy person shooting inside the US Capitol just now. I fear that I have become completely jaded about killings and bombings. Which, I admit, is nothing to be proud of. But, these inhumane acts are so common – be it caused by terrorists, crazy people, or just plain old fashioned thugs – that they have become the “new normal”.

Easter was freaking scary. About 500 old people live here. Most of the old people have family who either spring the inmates or come and visit and eat with the inmates.

The Asylum makes a HUGE deal out of their “Easter Buffet Brunch” in the Jefferson Dining Room. All of the reservations were taken days ago. There are two sittings. “Appropriate Attire” is required. Of course, I don’t have a reservation. I planned on ignoring the whole thing.

I was doing my laundry this morning, when a man who has lived here many years told me the secret. He said to go down to the “Bistro” right at 1130 when they will start to serve a limited version of the buffet. Ask for a take out box. Fill it up and come back upstairs and enjoy a nice peaceful lunch whenever. And, be sure to get enough to have leftovers for dinner.

I was still going to ignore the whole thing. But, I went downstairs at 11:30 figuring it wouldn’t be busy. Well, I was wrong. The entire first floor was stuffed with people. All dressed up. Except for me. I am wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. People of all ages. Our population of 500 has expanded to include children, grandkids and great grandkids.

I notice that the Bistro has a modest buffet line setup. And, no customers. Everyone is in lines for the first sitting in THE FORMAL DINING ROOM, PROPER ATTIRE REQUIRED. So, as I was instructed, I get a box of food, from the Bistro.  And retreat to the tranquility of my apartment.

I go back downstairs at 2PM – and the lobby is still stuffed with people waiting to get at the buffet lines.

Thank you, man in the laundry room. This shall be my plan for each and every formal holiday meal at the asylum. Take Out. And, since Carlton and I never actually celebrated the traditional holidays… I don’t get all sentimental about them. I am perfectly happy to eat, drink and read. Alone.

Being happy in the asylum requires patience, flexibility, and being nice to everyone no matter what. But, if this was Easter, it is frightening to think of what Xmas must be like. Well, it will be a few years before I have to find out what Xmas @ Asylum is like. (Hopefully).