Too Peopley Outside

Deciding to walk the indoor mall today, rather than the campus, was both a good and bad idea.

Good, because there were interesting sights to see.

Bad, because the mall was too peopley.

It appears the sightseers that pre-pandemic populated the outlet mall — sightseers usually coming from out-of-town or out-of-the-country, are back.

So peopley that there were lines and limits as to how many people could get into the ever-popular Rainforest Cafe.

The alligator out front continues to fascinate.

There were long lines and limited entrance also to the Disney Store, the Torey Burch handbag outlet, et al.

Long lines at the Disney Store, I can understand — kids, toys, costumes.

Long lines at Torey Burch, I don’t get because, from what I see in the window, everything is old fashioned, ugly, and overpriced.

Oh well, to each his/her own.

Though I felt relatively safe, being as how I’m vaccinated and wearing a mask, I nevertheless tried my best to keep my distance and only managed a mile and a half of walking, because working my way around folks was slow going — not to mention I was distracted by things to see.

Like this cardboard guy, that if I had room I’d have surely taken him home.

I paused the walk to watch Barbie pop some wheelies.

Then there was a new take on the old Claw machine that drew a crowd of onlookers — you know, the old arcade claw machine that kids operate with a joy stick to capture one of the stuffed animals piled up inside the plexiglass.

The new take is that the plexiglass is dispensed with and the child becomes the claw.

If I were to describe today’s outing as too peopley and a circus, that would be true both figuratively and literally because, outside on the parking lot, was an actual circus — animal free.

Since I was in the area, with my recertification coming up, middle of the month, I jotted down the name of a few apartment buildings I passed, to research price and reviews on management, just in case this time comes up worst case scenario, in that I’m deemed over-income and will have 30 days thereafter to move.

I’d like to stay within driving distance of the Pain Cave, so I can continue working out.

To that end I’ve also been researching the five “luxury” nearby apartment buildings. All are in the price range of making me house poor, four of the five are an absolute NO, because of the reviews — not only terrible office staff, but terrible maintenance and safety issues, both property and person. The one remaining isn’t ideal, but a possibility.

I’d really hate to leave the area but, if push comes to shove, I’ll go where the tide takes me.

At any rate, though this place isn’t perfect — management sucks, but that seems to be the norm ... even in high priced luxury buildings. At least here, the rent is cheap. So, I’m hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Kale for Breakfast

Running across a recipe for a breakfast dish of kale, egg, bacon — when I wasn’t even searching for such, but thinking it a great idea, I gave it a try this morning.

A                                   B

Delicious, satisfying, but which photo do you think is the one from the recipe, which breakfast salad is the one I made? 

Two more days before I’m Back in the Pain Cave — today and tomorrow, and I’m making the most of these days.

First errand of the day was to the mall, where I returned a pair of leggings that were not what I’d expected them to be, lucked up on a pair that suited me better — even though the last thing I need to add to my wardrobe are more leggings.

At any rate, pulling up to curbside parking, I gathered my quarters for the meter, walked up to the meter, but couldn’t find the coin slot. Took me a second to realize coins are out, credit cards are in.

I’ve never seen such a thing before. Have you?

I wasn’t about to risk my credit card, so I did a U-turn and parked in the free lot, in front of the Halloween store.

Walking past the Halloween store, I caught movement out the corner of my eye, looked over and ....

Scared the bejesus out of me, but honestly … if I lived in a house, I’d put it on the porch as a surprise for trick-or-treaters. Maybe put the candy in a bucket in front of creepy guy, to see who's brave enough to go for it.

The next window was a desk with books. Curious to know what ghosts and goblins read, I was trying to read the book titles when GASP!

Do you see it? (You may have to click twice to get the two above videos to play)

Moving on to take care of what I’d come to do — return an item, the young woman at the desk opened the packet, informed me I was at the wrong store.

Of course, the correct store was in a different mall, so off I drive a few miles to the indoor mall — where I made the return, saw the leggings that suited me better, bought those then, inasmuch as I was indoors, where it was cool, decided to test out my walking legs.

Discovered my waking legs are in poor shape.

Having not trained in over a year has had an impact.

After about a mile and a half, my knees began to hurt and my legs felt wobbly, which tells me it was probably a good idea that, over the weekend, I came to the conclusion the hotel stay in Redondo Beach, in order to participate in a 5K, was not a good idea. I cancelled the hotel, ate the 5K registration fee and opted not to register for the virtual.

When the weather cools down, I may have to risk the crazies and get back to walking the neighborhood, and the University grounds, to get my walking legs back.

If all goes as planned, tomorrow’s errand is the Jeep’s annual service — the third annual service since purchasing in February of 2018, with only 12,000 miles to date — which breaks down to about 4,000 miles a year.

I need to get out more often, but don’t want to.

Also, over the weekend, I finally caught a glimpse of the new neighbor that moved across the quad into Sue’s old unit.

It’s been seventy-five days since she moved in, and though I never caught sight of her until Saturday, I figured we had something in common when I saw she’d decorated the ledge of her patio with two wooden Thai figurines similar to the two I inherited from the Pain Cave, when Trainer’s partner sold the business.

Similar to these two

It wasn’t a good idea to place those figurines on the ledge, because it was just a matter of time before the wind blew them off and away, not to mention we’re not allowed to place items on the ledge, but I figured she’d learn the hard way.

I didn’t get around to taking a photo of the figurines on the ledge, because I didn’t think it important at the time; but now, since the figurines disappeared shortly after management performed our annual inspection on Wednesday, I wish I had. The guys probably advised her against the placement.

At any rate, coming back from Sprouts on Saturday, I saw a resident I’d not seen before get out of a car with a little girl and a man. I assumed the man was the resident’s son, the child her granddaughter.

The woman gave me a shy waive, as though she knew me.

From her vantage view, she’s probably seen me coming/going while I’d not set sight on her.

I waived back and, when the trio began walking towards my walkway, I figured that was the illusive new neighbor.

By the time I’d grabbed my items from the car and headed up the walkway, the trio was up the stairs, going into Sue’s old unit.

Definitely the new neighbor.

Can’t wait to catch her outside, introduce myself, ask her about her figurines, show her a photo of mine.

So while the world is falling apart, chaos all around, with The End feeling Nearer every second, I’ve been fortunate to thus far be experiencing business as usual.

Springing Forward

It doesn’t seem logical that time springing forward one hour would throw me so off center but with that time change, along with all the chaos going on in the world running through my head, the day has been challenging. Starting with my not being able to fall asleep last night.

There I was ─ tossing, turning.

Sleep wouldn't come, so I turned on the lights and put in some reading time.

Unlike Bob Woodward’s book Fear, which was so boring that I’d get sleepy after a page or two, Cliff Sim’s book made not being sleepy worse because it’s so interesting, stimulating, a lot of laugh out loud funny.

It must have been around 1:00/2:00 that I put down the book, picked up the tape player and popped in a meditation tape.

That did the trick because next thing I knew, I was waking up ... but late, very late ─ 9:30 a.m.

Waking up so late didn’t give me the time to putter around that I usually need before I decide to start living. And, but for the fact I HAD to make a Sprout’s and Ralphs market run, because I was out of staples and also needed to pick up something for tomorrow’s Saint Patrick’s Day potluck, I’d have blown off the entire day.

Getting dressed turned into a circus because, after picking out a pair of warm socks, I lost one between the bedroom sock drawer and the couch.

After looking here, there, back/forth from one room to another, I gave up, sat down on the couch to collect my thoughts and ......

There the missing sock was, on my left foot.

I began to reconsider trusting myself outside, but carried on.

The wind was howling so, not wanting to drive 20 miles, I took a chance on that new Sprout’s ─ where the parking lot had been so crazy.

No problem today. There was not a line at that chicken place, no armed guards, and plenty of parking. However, I did see a sign on the door of Sprout’s that I’ve never seen in any market anywhere, any time.

I got in, out and on to my next stop without getting shot, but what the heck is that sign about?

Did someone actually come in and do their grocery shopping while carrying a gun?

At any rate, I hurriedly picked up what few items I couldn’t get at Sprouts, and something easy peasy for tomorrow’s potluck at the next stop.

It’s a good thing that Sweet Tooth had run its course, and I’m now not remotely tempted, because these on my counter overnight would have been dangerous.

At any rate, as I turned to push my purchases away, after going through the checkout line, the casher got my attention with “Ma’am, Ma’am”.

I turned, puzzled and asked, “Did I not give you enough (money)?”

“You didn’t give me any”, said she.

Still puzzled, trying to put it all together, I realized the cash was still in my hand.

“Oh”, said I. “That’s why I’m carrying this in my hand”.

I made it home without further incident, but I can’t wait for this day to end, and will probably stay home until my mind, body, spirit adjusts to this time change.

Next

It was a bit of a wild scene at the market yesterday, with a young boy and young girl RUNNING up and down looking for Harold the Elf.

I turned one corner only to hear two elderly ladies giggling and telling the guy stacking meat, “We’re determined to find the elf”.

I myself wasn’t much in the mood. Really tired, experiencing an energy drain, I was there for eggs, water, apples and, though I did look for the elf, I didn’t put a whole lot of effort into it.

At the check stand, the cashier asks, “Did you find everything you were looking for?”

“No. I didn’t find Harold”.

“He’s in a stocking at the Service Center”, she readily blurted out.

I couldn’t count it as a win, since Little Miss Loose Lips told where he was, but I did go back to take a photo.

The market has really stepped up its game.

It’s way too difficult to spot that little head peeking from the stocking.

But I guess that’s the point.

Before leaving the market, I glanced around for that little boy and girl to clue them in, but didn’t see them.

Maybe they’ll end up at the station with the loose lipped cashier.

On another topic, I’d posted a few days ago how everything is changing and posed the question What’s Next?

Next has happened.

Assistant Maintenance Guy resigned.

At Wednesday’s Holiday Potluck, I learned his last day had been Tuesday ─ the day before, when his wife and youngest daughter joined us in decorating cookies.

He lasted 11 months and has reportedly gone to a better paying job.

No wonder they (his wife and he) looked so happy.

He must have given ample notice, because his position is not on Corporate’s career site, and there’s a guy seemingly already in the position ─ walking around with Head Maintenance Guy, going in/out of units, working on stuff.

The replacement is nowhere near as attractive, nor does he appear as friendly, but oh well.

Assistant Community Manager is back from wherever she was.

Other than one resignation and one return, not much is expected to be happening around here in the near future, and I’m looking forward to that.

Already feeling not with it and exhausted at Tuesday’s Cookie Decorating event, only to turn around and attend Wednesday’s Holiday Party, it was a big fat “NO” when asked “Are you coming to Bingo tomorrow ... We’re having a party ... You should come ... We don’t see enough of you”.

Three parties, three days in a row! The seniors are on a roll.

It’s nice to be wanted, but I just need time away from everyone and everything for a bit, I need everything to stop while I recharge my batteries. Wait for the second wind to kick in, so to speak, get ready for whatever is next to come, which next I feel is something very bad as a result of what's occurring in Washington DC. I hope I'm wrong.

What’s Happening Now

Granddaughter has her car back, her belongings back, got the car insured, so there’s hope this millennial has learned there are consequences for not properly handling one's business.

If not, well then too bad so sad. She’s got a boyfriend, a mom and she’s got herself.

Grandma is out.

See you next Thanksgiving.

Maybe.

Meanwhile, out and about on the complex, I noticed management finally got around to removing the duct tape from the mailboxes and properly sealing with cement.

It took management four long months to repair damage done by the bad guys breaking in to gather and sell personal data.

August

October

December

I’m not holding my breath that the bad guys won’t return and tear it all down again.

Elsewhere on the complex, in addition to the new Community Manager having had enough and quitting after 81 days, the Assistant Manager has gone missing.

We don’t know if she’s sick again or went out of the country to get her husband’s visa in order so he can return, or if she’s fired or quit. 

Of the 12 senior communities owned and operated by Corporate, 12 have an opening for Community Manager (that includes this complex) and three are looking for Assistant Managers. This community isn’t listed for that position, so probably not quit or fired.

So happy am I now to be old, retired, not having to deal with an employer.

During the week, I found the market elf Harold again.

I didn’t even have to look very hard.

Thinking that if market staff located the elf low, some Grinch would steal him, I theorized it would always be somewhere high up.

Sure enough, there he was on a shelf in the produce department.

On tap for today is putting the finishing touches on the Thanksgiving scrapbook and making a decision as to what to bring to Wednesday’s Holiday Potluck. I’m wavering between ice cream and Starbucks in a Box (Traveler).

Probably ice cream, because 40 have signed up for the event and a Traveler only serves about 20. Inasmuch as the folks really love Starbucks, it might cause a scramble to get coffee before it’s gone and may even result in an old-people fight or two.

On the other hand, that might be interesting. So maybe the Traveler after all. LOL.

Early Bird Catches the Shadow

Experiencing a sudden burst of energy Saturday, I decided to brave the mall to put in some walking miles and pick up an in-store delivery I knew had to have arrived, even though I never received a pick-up notice.

Got it!

Wonder Woman leggings for next year’s 5K.

Items like this are rare and go quick so, even though I’m looking ahead an entire year ─ and who knows what can happen in a year, I couldn’t afford to let the opportunity to add to my costume go by.

Walking in the mall the day after the day after Thanksgiving wasn’t too bad. I did have to dodge dawdlers, and slowed down a couple times to take photos of interesting observations.

If we have an Ugly Sweater Contest, and IF I decide to participate (I’m fed up with winning due to lack of others participating), I might cop this idea and put garland and lights on my green top.

She really did shop ‘til she dropped.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree … not. More like dawdled around it.

Shirtless .... braless ... whatever happened to mannequin modesty?

I’ve never understood this thing of paying hundreds of dollars for, what looks to me like, an ugly purse.

But here they are, lined up and standing in line to get lined up at Tory Burch ─ formerly the location of Kate Spade’s ugly over-priced handbags, with security keeping a close check. But to each his/her own.

Up at the crack of dawn this morning, still feeling energetic, my goal was to get Christmas decorations out of storage, onto the patio and on front door.

But first ... laundry.

Actually, I started my day before the crack of dawn, because I heard the sound of roosters crowing off in the distance right after I started the wash cycle and was headed back to the unit at 5:44 sharp. I also spotted Shadow leaving The Seer’s unit.

I’m not one to gossip, I say tongue in cheek, but 5:44 is awful early in the morning for a gentleman caller. So, one can assume it’s a sleeping over situation. I’d heard  it was so on the grapevine, but this is the first I’d seen with my own eyes.

The Seer did brag, “He’s a real man”. So, if he’s regularly sleeping over, I guess she’d know. LOL.

As I headed up the stairs, I heard myself say to myself it’s not about love, it’s about codependency. But not in the normal sense of one depending on or enabling the other. This is more like co-codependency, both with a need to be fulfilled.

The Seer has clearly stated she’s not happy without a man in her life. Shadow, the strong silent type, doesn’t talk. So, I don’t know what his issue is, but it’s safe to say he too is lonely. So two lonely souls coming together out of a mutual need.

Oh well, whatever it takes to get through this life or as I said before, to each his/her own.

Laundry done, I set about pulling Christmas decorations from the back of the outdoor storage unit.

No easy task, as there’s too much stuff in storage, but I dove in.

Inasmuch as I had to pull containers out of the way to get to Christmas, I took it as an opportunity to declutter ─ go through the containers, get rid of things I’ve been holding onto but don’t need, won’t need.

Along about 10:00 I hit what runners call “The Wall”. I’ve never been a runner but I’m familiar with the experience of hitting the wall ─ beginning to feel fatigued and out of energy. I sat down for a bit, had a cup of coffee, an apple with peanut butter, got up, soldiered on, broke through the wall and, by 11:00, Christmas was out of storage.

Shortly after noon, Christmas was in place on the patio and front door.

Since I don’t entertain, I decided to forego the indoor decorations this year ─ that would be a whole nother day's work and totally unnecessary, so Christmas is done.

Tomorrow I’ll shampoo the carpets, head out to drop off donations to Salvation Army while the carpet dries, then it’s back to my normal routine ─ television, needlepoint, Pokémon Go.

I may stop to pick up a bottle of champagne on the way back, as I find I’m quite fond of the bubbly. However, wish they sold it in smaller servings.

It’s National Running Day!

A global event “that encourages everyone to get moving. It doesn’t matter how fast you run or how far you go—what’s important is that you take part, and how you do it is up to you. Run a lap around your block, take your dog for a long walk, or call your friends for a pick-up game in the park. The important thing is that you have fun being active—and you inspire others to join you.”

I did my part and finished the Virtual Copper Bones Goonies 5K.

3.16 Miles @ 1:18:11

And, in the process, earned another shiny medal.

Inasmuch as we’ve had extensive heat warnings every single day since last Friday, I got up early this morning, and headed for the nice cool indoor mall, arriving a little after 8 a.m.

Would you believe the outdoor weather was perfectly cool for walking?

Go figure.

It was so nice out that I did the first two miles around the outside perimeters of the mall, finishing the last mile or so inside, still ahead of stores and kiosks opening. As I was leaving, everything was just beginning to open, and the weather outside did warm up quite a bit, so it was a matter of perfect timing.

As I began that last mile inside, I’m guessing around 9:30, a guy introducing himself as Director of Security walked up and handed me a flyer indicating “As a reminder, there is no public access for mall walking allowed before 7:30 a.m. for your protection. If you are found walking prior to that, you will be asked to leave the mall”.

No problem here. It took great determination to get me up and out and at the mall as early as I was this morning. But, I wonder if this flyer is because something bad happened.

It’s a nice mall, in a nice area, but I guess creeps are always looking for an opportunity to catch us off guard where creeps are least expected – like the pervert that cornered me at the mail box day after Thanksgiving.

It’s a sad commentary on life that one has to constantly be ready for the unexpected.

At any rate, inasmuch as I was on that side of town and I’m still having a problem getting nice sweet apples at the market in my area, I next headed for the market in the new shopping center I mentioned a few posts back, with first a pit stop by the Senior Center in that area.

It must have been around 10:00 by then and that senior center was popping.

The computer room was full of people, the craft room was full, a tap dance class was in progress, the breakfast café was full, there was a counter selling jewelry and china knickknacks, and there were people all over the place.

Such an active area – that’s inside the senior center and runners, walkers, bike riders in the surrounding area.

You don’t see much of being active around here. All my neighbors want to do is eat. They won't attend an event unless food is involved, and when I go out walking the neighborhood, there’s this one guy I see running in one direction and a woman who runs in the other direction.

That’s it.

I’d love to live in the area of that senior center, soak up all that active energy, but I've checked and it’s waaaay too pricey for my budget.

Looks like the Center's entryway statue has been moved, because I had my photo taken with the old folks when I first visited the center back in 2006 and there was a wall in the backdrop. Now there’s a window.

One Down, One to Go

Headed out early yesterday morning to complete the first of the two Virtual 5Ks on my to-do list. The plan was to do the 3.12 miles around a local mall, well before it opened and the weekend crowds arrived.

I chose this particular mall because I’d been charged by one of the boutiques for an online item I’d not received. Upon disputing the charge, I learned the item was in the boutique, waiting for me to pick up and had been for weeks.

Nice, I never received notification the item had arrived.

At any rate, after suiting up, switching fanny packs, grabbing a water bottle, off I go. Passing a church I know to be a Poke Stop, I pulled over, spinned for Poké Balls, caught a new creature, then drove another mile up the road to the Military Museum next to the McDonald’s Museum, were I knew I could spin for more balls.

That was when I looked down and saw one of the flaps on the fanny pack was open – the flap that holds ID, credit cards, driver's license, proof of insurance.

I knew right away I'd missed a pocket when transferring from one fanny pack to another.

Recalculating .........…

Not willing to head to an area soon to become busy without ID, license and insurance info, I immediately turned around and reworked my plan for the day -- headed back to the complex, stopped by the market and, it getting too late to head back to the mall in time to beat the crowds, completed the 3.12 miles on the indoor bike.

Not as much time, energy or calories burned in peddling 3.12 miles, as in walking 3.12 miles but, in a virtual, biking counts; plus, I expended more energy than had I stayed on the couch

Later in the afternoon, I got to enjoy the film Black Panther in the peaceful quiet atmosphere of my unit.

A fun movie, I could watch it again.

Stan Lee made his usual cameo, Martin Freeman -- who plays Watson to that delicious Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Holmes, had a role as one of two token white people in the all-black film. And my girl Michonne had a prominent role as General of the King’s Army. 

Fun and entertaining as the movie was, it didn’t stop me from crying at the end -- over the fate of Killmonger no less.  He was a bad guy for real, but still I wimped out during that scene on the mountain.

Made me glad those two ladies had driven me to walk out on movie night. I don’t like others to see me cry, plus there were scenes that made me react out loud – laugh, yell, curse, which would have required considerable control to keep in had I been in a room full of others.

No feedback on how my walking out on movie night was perceived. I seriously doubt those two ignorant witches had a clue, or even cared if they did have a clue, that their chitchatting was disturbing to those of us trying to watch the film. I did hear, however, that shortly after I left, one of them left as well. Hopefully it WAS because I’d made a scene and the continuing to chitchat uncomfortable for her.

On tap for today is heading back to that mall, with a stop by those two PokeStops on the way. I can hear Dkzody now, saying I’m crazy to go to the mall on a busy day like this, but I want to pick up that package and I might get lucky that folks are still in church by the time I get to the mall and it won’t be so packed.

Happy National Coffee Day

Of course, I didn’t learn of this until late this afternoon, and I could have used a free pick-me-up after this morning’s mall walk, to qualify in the third of the hashtag Virtual 5K Series.

In fact, there was a Krispy Kreme just a few steps from where I’d parked on the lot. I’d actually even thought about walking over to pick up donuts for the folks which, had I done so, I’d surely would have seen a National Coffee Day sign.

The reason I didn’t walk over for donuts was not because I couldn’t eat a donut myself, but because I was feeling stiff, sore, bottoms of my feet were on fire, and I was moving a little like Frankenstein.

The shoes which formerly felt like walking on air, all of a sudden towards the end of the walk felt like walking on rocks. Not exactly sure why, but perhaps I was landing too hard, not to mention I walked longer than was required, logging in 4.0 miles instead of 3.12, and not on purpose.

During the walk, I paused the Runkeeper a time or two to take a photo of something in the mall that captured my fancy and, at one point, I forgot to un-pause the device as I continued on. Fortunately, I was also wearing a Fitbit. So, when I realized the Runkeeper was stuck at 1.89, when I knew I should have been well over that, I checked the Fitbit. It was clocking me over what was required at 3.40 and, by the time I made it back to the mall entry where I came in and got to the car, I’d logged in 4.0 miles and the choice was 1) Hobble over to Krispy Kreme or 2) Drive over to Target and pick up a Wonder Woman DVD.

Though I was still walking kinda loopy, I made it into Target, so next Friday’s movie night here at the complex will be Wonder Woman, and I’ll join the folks to watch, of course wearing my Wonder Woman leggings.

As for the photos that caused me to pause the Runkeeper, it was Halloween costumes that made wish my girls were little again and I could dress them up.

And mannequins that were a far cry from the boring poses I'm accustomed to seeing.

Saturday and Sunday plans are to do absolutely nothing but soak in Epsom salt, recuperate, and prepare for the coming week.

Kicking Asphalt

This morning’s 3.23-mile Ontario Mills Mall walk took care of the first in the hashtag series -- #Kicking Asphalt.

It also got me very close to leveling up from a 24 Pokémon Trainer to 25, as I banked needed extra points by capturing two new guys.

Because he evaded capture by swinging his body away from the balls, taunted me with pirouette turns I had to pause the fitbit to capture Sudowoodo; and, at one point, he actually caught the ball I threw. I was so surprised at this unexpected move that, for a second I froze -- thinking he might throw it back.

I should have screen captured the moment, because I didn’t think anyone would believe me, but was so intent on a capture -- before he decided to run away, that I failed to do so, but I did eventually capture.

Not under any pressure of time to finish, I took my time walking -- hit up PokéStops, played Pokémon, even stopped to take a photo of a weird outfit in the Ashley Fox window.

None of the stores were open and the Kiosks were tented up; so, for about an hour, the mall was just us walkers and guys lounging in seating areas, battling in the mall’s virtual Pokémon Gyms.

About the time stores began to open, shoppers began flooding in, I was about done and had slowed to gather Pokéballs in the area of Starbucks. A middle-aged gentleman passing by, with what looked to be his adult son, smiled and said, “Getting your morning exercise I see”.

“Yes, and playing Pokémon while I do so”.

His son began laughing at that, and the middle-aged man – who was quite handsome I might add, said “And may I say you’re looking good while doing it”.

In my head, I was flirty and said, “Oh yes, you certainly may say that”. But what came out of my mouth was, “Oh, thank you” as I quickly moved on.

Chicken?

Yes, you can say that, but I did appreciate the compliment.

Stopping at the market near the complex, getting out of the car, I heard sirens. Thinking it was fire and rescue heading for my building, I paused to see and, sure enough, I could see them turn into the driveway from where I was standing. Then came an ambulance.

Checking into the Community Room I learned one of our regulars had been seen acting strangely – walking around the complex aimlessly, and without her dog Jose, whom she is never without. Later, she was sitting in the Community Room, someone went over, put their arms around her, gave her a hug and, when the woman released her, she fell out of the chair, head hitting edge of table, and was out. Residents in the Community Room called 911.

I’m not necessarily a pet person, but my first concern was for her dog. I didn’t see Jose in the room, she’s never without him, so I asked, “Where’s her dog?”

No one knew and, since she was observed earlier without him, they asked for a welfare check to see if he’s in her unit, is okay and, if so, will be asking a neighbor to keep him until his mom’s status is known.