Unimaginable

The unimaginable has happened.

My baby girl, Twin 1/Beauty2theStreetz has left this mortal realm.

Having a hard time accepting this as reality, I will be turning off comments, disappearing from the blog world for I don’t know how long.

"Statement from Beauty 2 The Streetz …… It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that Beauty 2 The Streetz announces the passing of our beloved CEO and founder, Shirley Raines, affectionately known to so many as Ms. Shirley. Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations. This loss is devastating to the entire Beauty 2 The Streetz team, the communities we serve, and the countless individuals whose lives were forever changed by Ms. Shirley’s love, generosity, and selfless service. Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched. We humbly ask that you keep Ms. Shirley’s family, loved ones, and the Beauty 2 The Streetz family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time".

In the News TMZ

What the Fork?

I live alone. There’s nobody "visibly" residing in this unit other than myself.

I don’t entertain and seldom have visitors.

So, how is it, pieces of what started off as a 12-piece set of flatware have periodically gone missing, never to be found?

Where did they go?

Who is taking them?

Over the weekend, when I reached for two forks to handle the uncured bacon (because I don’t like touching meat with my hands), I could only find one fork.

Not only that but, taking inventory, I found plenty of knives but I’m down to only two teaspoon and two place/soup spoons.

Again I ask …… Where did all the flatware go?

Looks like I’ll be catching a sale, order only a set of four; but this time, I’m thinking of trying a set in black. Possibly, easier to keep an eye on, not so easy to go missing.

Heading out to pick up photos yesterday, detouring first towards the mailroom, I spied Ernie on the walkway.

Oh No!, Oh No!, Oh No!, I said to myself as I quick fast tried to get into the mail area unnoticed.

Having not succeeded, I got a "Hey beautiful" a hug and "If I was 30 years younger, I’d marry you."

Oh really.

I don’t know how old Ernie is, but he obviously doesn’t know I’m likely waaaay older than he.

By my calculations, if Ernie were 30 years younger, then I — at my current age, would be considered a Cougar. Practically robbing the cradle.

Telling Ernie that he had it backwards; that even at his current age, because I’m 82, he’s more likely to be too young for me (He isn’t. Looks to be a healthy 60 something).

He looked surprised but, other than that, no reaction.

After Ernie went his way down the walkway, I further detoured through the office towards the Community Room.

It being Craft Monday, I wanted to see what those in the room had to say about the $0.00 mistake and the office converting all rental payments to Rent Café, WIPS or Flex Pay.

There was a line of residents waiting to talk to either Manager or her Assistant. I’m assuming to discuss the rental payment changes, LOL.

Rent is due on the 1st, the meeting isn’t until the 3rd, so residents are in a quandry as to what to do to avoid late payment fees.

Or is that part of management’s plan to squeeze even more dollars out of residents? …… Management won’t accept cash, check, money orders on the 1st and residents don’t know what Rent Café, WIPS and Flex Pay are.

One resident in the Community Room looked both confused and upset. The office told her she could pay her rent by going to the corner 7-Eleven, where they could do something or other.

This would be the 7-Eleven where Manager herself got scammed out of her whole paycheck because there was a skimmer on the machine.

Another resident said Manager herself had walked her through the Rent Café sign up thingie, but it didn’t work. The Rent Café mechanism would not accept/connect to her banking institute.

Thus far, it’s all chaos, confusion, one big mess.

So, anyway, while I was getting the tea, Ernie showed up at the glass door on the patio side of the room, peeked in and, when he saw me, he pressed his face and hands to the glass, looking like a lost puppy waiting to be let in.

That door only opens from the inside.

As I was standing, facing that way, I saw him first, but made no move to let him in.

Someone else eventually noticed, got up, walked to the door, let him in.

Evidentally, disclosing my age didn’t seem to slow Ernie’s roll/deter him one bit, because what followed were three or four more hugs, before I headed out to run my errands.

As I headed for the door, Ernie jokingly warned I was not to talk to any other guys, said he’d put a tracker on my phone to keep an eye on me.

I know he’s joking, but interesting thing to say.

What’s Up With This?

On Friday, Management posted a document to my door indicating "Your Monthly Rent shall be increased an amount of $0.00".

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but what’s up with that?

Inasmuch as I saw the same document posted to Next Door Neighbor’s door, I’m assuming it’s across the board — everyone’s rent is raised $0.00, even those on the County.

Reading further down, I’m thinking someone in the office has made a monumental goof, because the entire document indicates $0.00, including parking and current rent with a total monthly due of $0.00.

So now I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop when management returns to the office tomorrow, realize that, according to this document, rent due on February 1 is $0.00.

To top it off, they’re once again pushing Rent Café, and this time they mean it.

"As of March 1 rent payments will no longer be accepted in person at this office. Tenants are required to authorize payment methods moving forward through either Rent Café, WIPS and Flex Pay."

I don’t know what WIPS and Flex Pay are, but I’m sure they’re methods of payment that are going to confuse the masses.

A meeting is scheduled for Kesha Tuesday, February 3 "to provide additional information or assistance with this change".

That’s one way for Kesha to get folks down on a Tuesday, LOL.

I myself will definitely go down for the potato chips and tea.

End of Cuffing Season

Life has been pretty sweet last few days — no Ernie, no Crafty Lady.

Cuffing Season generally ends between February and March, so not seeing either of the two around may indicate the season is winding down early.

In fact, I've had no irritants other than the Clown in the Oval Office, but I’m more and more convinced the end is near for him.

In fact, he may be gone already and what we're seeing is A.I.

Posts on facebook last night were all about the Danes wanting to buy California.

I myself am flattered that out of all the states to choose from, they chose us Californians.

No surprise, others expressed wanting in on the deal. Comments were along the lines of …………

"Can Oregon jump in on this? Maybe like a free gift with purchase?"

"Missouri is worth 7 cents ………… please buy us, it's a bargain and we'll be taking offers".

"*Raises hand in Austin, TX*".

"The pastries sealed the deal".

"Great Danes: Will you take Oklahoma?"

"Alabama will be cheaper. Where do I sign".

"Do the residents already living in California get Denmark citizenship? I will literally move to Cali immediately!"

On and on and on, with one commenter pointing out — "Craziest part is they technically can. Because California doesn’t technically belong to the US. It was an island that smashed into the U.S.A. and it just kinda became one of the states".

That being the case, give me the signal and I’ll start learning the language.

In other news, the Activity Calendar indicated "Winter Crafts" for yesterday’s Kesha Tuesday.

Busy doing nothing, I didn’t even bother to go downstairs to check. Instead, I called the Baker, asked if she was in the Community Room.

She was and evidently couldn’t talk freely, just kinda grunted yes that she was in the room, grunted no when I asked if there were crafts.

After moving away from where she was seated, so she could talk freely, she said Kesha had stayed long enough to give them bags of potato chips and then disappeared, that it was not worth my time to get dressed, come down.

I wonder if, when we become Danish territory, we can get a better Manager and Activity Director, to go along with "universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries".

Late Saturday night, I got a sweet message from ex-Trainer.

He went to the trouble of putting that compilation together.

I think he misses me.

He could talk to me on a level he couldn’t with any of his other clients, nor even a level his wife could understand.

I miss him too and, if he ever moved to a different location, where he once again had space dedicated to personal training, I’d go back because, though I have exercise equipment up the wazoo in my unit, what I don’t have is motivation to get off the couch and workout.

And The Winner Is …

You Read it Here First

Booting up the laptop this morning, I found the TikToker’s observation that white people have birds right up front and center, front page news feed.

The magazine Newsweek picked up the story, called it a "participatory trend", interviewed the TikToker who said "she noted the pattern seems more common among older people".

"The theory quickly turned into a participatory trend, as others walked through their homes examining, finding nothing, then noticing dozens of birds on wallpaper, figurines, classical ornaments, a table lamp shaped like a peacock, chicken figurines, a bird clock, and a "Black autistic person, whose special interest is birds" leveling the demographic playing field by admitting 500+ bird decorations".

When interviewed by Newsweek, the TikTok Creator indicated "the pattern appeared more common among older people".

What I really found interesting was mention that the decorating observation wasn’t the only bird theory out there, that earlier it was used as a test for relationship compatibility.

"The test involved telling a significant other you saw a bird that day, then watching how they respond. Partners who ask follow-up questions show interest in the relationship, while those who seem disinterested might indicate larger relationship issues".

Well, that sent me down the TikTok rabbit hole as both men and women tested the theory on partners. Some passed, some failed.

One guy dumped his girlfriend because, when he said he'd seen a bird, she completely ignored him, LOL.

I dunno, seems kind of sappy to me, but that may because I’m tainted in matters of relationships; too practical minded, too old, too tired, no time or patience for the care and feeding of another human's feelings.

If a guy were to tell me he saw a bird, I’d be more likely to dash cold water in his face by saying something like, "Was it a bird, a plane or superman".

Meanwhile, Newsweek went on to say "the decorating bird theory continues spreading as 2026's first major viral trend".

Just remember that I, little Miss Smarty Pants, was the one that initially put you readers onto the theory. You read it here first.

In other news, the Baker, a few days ago, asked that if she put together new bingo rules would I print the rules out for her.

Of course, I said sure.

The Baker later texted that the organizers decided not to issue new rules, but rather to "sit and talk to everybody about them".

Interest peaked, of course I had to inquire, and it seems bingo might be in trouble — people won’t shut up while the game is in play, contributions are down making money tight for prizes and snacks.

To help keep bingo going, the Baker’s two daughters have agreed to donate lunches on bingo day to "save us a little money and to remind people that we need some donations to put on our winners table".

All in all, seems there are a lot of takers, not many givers, too many Chatty Cathy’s and I think it just awful that, in order to keep bingo going, because they know their mother loves giving of her time and energy in organizing bingo for the seniors, that the Baker’s two daughters have to step up to save the activity.

Today is Bingo Friday. I’m tempted to participate for the tea.

We’ll see.