Damage Control

I usually awake around 7:00 but this morning inconveniently awoke shortly after 8:00, which had me rushing around to complete the morning ritual, get down to the community room by 10:00 to meet with Painted Rock Lady about the flyers she wants.

At 9:00, she called to say she couldn’t breathe.

That’s not unusual, as she’s in poor health, in/out of the hospital, walks around with a mobile breathing mechanism. All of which is another reason I wondered why she was getting herself involved in arranging Fun Games and teaching a class in CERT, which Mitchell commented stands for Community Emergency Response Team — like, due to her poor health, is she even capable of taking these projects on?

Ever since she’d requested the flyers, I’d been hoping she’d come to her senses, drop both ideas but nooooo. She’d been looking forward to our client meeting and, calling to say she can’t make it this morning, would be sitting on a nebulizer, asked that I rescheduled to Thursday, to which I agreed.

With this change in plans, I decided to be productive …… use the day for a run to the bank for spending cash and to Sprouts for supplies.

Today’s bank riddle: How does NASA organize a party?

Prior visit riddle that I'd not yet posted: Why could the bicycle not stand on its own?

As for damage control …… Yesterday afternoon, with nothing interesting on TV, I headed out for a stroll around the complex.

On the first loop around, nearing half a mile, totally unaware of my surroundings (not a good thing), lost in the music coming from the iPod, even though both ears were plugged with the listening device, I suddenly heard a sound that scared me to a standstill, hands immediately clutching at my heart.

Looking up, I see Ernie, whom I've not seen in months and months, appearing to be excited to see me — whooping, hollering, clapping his hands together.

He’d been sitting in the laundry room opposite side of the complex, had to have seen me when I made a hard right at a corner to loop around the grassy knoll in that area, and I assume it was the sound he’d made with clapping his hands together that had frightened me.

"You scared me", I said as he approached.

Seeing my hands still pressing at my heart, he said, "Well at least you now know you have a heart".

Hmmmmm????

Then not only did he wrap me in one of his bear hugs, he 2.0'd the hug with a kiss on my neck.

Hmmmmm????

I must have become desensitized to Ernie touching me, because I had no strong yes or no reaction to the kiss on the neck. It wasn't that I didn’t mind the hug or the kiss on the neck, more like I catalogued it happened and did not care.

So, anyway, I didn’t pause the walk to chat. After I said what I’d said, he said what he’d said, my heart rate returned to normal, so I moved to continue the walk; he then stepped back, moved to return to the laundry room.

I was sure Ernie was watching me through the laundry room window, as I left the area.

Second time around the complex, coming up on a little under a mile, same route (which is my usual), upon reaching that corner where I’d turned right to loop around the grassy knoll, pass by the laundry room where Ernie was, I instead looped left to bypass the area.

Ernie could still see me, but I wasn’t in hugging distance.

However, before I was out of Ernie’s line of sight, I heard someone calling my name.

It was Dream Lover.

I paused, he approached and I chatted with him just long enough to ask how he was doing, commenting that he looked like he was feeling better.

He said he was, made a joke about his situation, that I can’t recall except the word "drama" was used. Then I moved to continue heading to end the walk at my unit, he continued to wherever he was going.

It wasn’t but a few steps, when it hit me …… Drean Lover and I had been in full view of Ernie. He had to have seen me stop, Dream Lover trot on over, our brief exchange.

I empath, feel the emotions of others. So, knowing Ernie is crushing on me, knew he was probably overthinking what he'd seen, probably a little hurt, I felt bad and backtracked towards the laundry room.

Ernie hurried out to meet me before I arrived.

I quickly said, "Don’t be jealous".

Ernie did have a funny look on his face but said, "Don’t worry. I know you were just talking", hugged me again, 2.0'd my neck. After which I moved to finish the walk, he returned to the laundry room.

So, Dear Readers, that happened.

What do you make of my being concerned about Ernie’s feelings?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flattered at being crushed on at my age, but I don't think my actions were anything other than my not wanting to see his feelings hurt.

I long ago clocked Ernie as a sensitive soul — quick and easy to be hurt, so I was just being considerate, one human to another human.

How does NASA organize a party?

They plan it (planet).

Why could the bicycle not stand on its own?

Because it was too (two) tired.

Tomatoes, Kale, Eggs, Strawberries and a Proposal

The market …… not at the corner, but a branch of the same market located further down the road, in the heart of where the homeless congregate, surrounded by quite a lot of high iron fencing — like a prison, to control access, keep the unhoused out, is fast becoming my favorite.

Why?

Not just because, due to redlining, the produce is fresher/lasts longer, but because it’s where blog worthy things have happened to me — like that young man who stopped me to say, "My friend said you’re pretty" and where today I was referred to as "Chocolate ice cream" and received a proposal of marriage.

An old guy coming into the market, as I was exiting, looked at me and said "Chocolate ice cream …… I love chocolate ice cream …… marry me" and didn’t care who heard him say it.

I began laughing, which seemed to encourage him because he turned, took a few steps to follow behind me (don’t worry; I wasn’t going to let him follow me to the car), still talking, giving me his qualifications, starting with …… "I’m 62".

Appreciating his boldness in getting straight to the chase I said, "I’m older than you" which seemed to slow his roll.

He left it at "God is good", which I took to mean I was looking good for being older than his 62, then he walked back towards the market entrance, repeating "God is Good" twice more.

Other than that, nothing’s shaking …… especially here at the complex.

Before heading out to the market, I went to detour to the mail room and then to check on the folks in the Community Room on this Kesha Tuesday, but ran into the Baker who indicated everything was closed off due to start of the exterior upgrade of the complex …… painters working on the main building and the mail room.

Baker also tells me the rooms being roped off today doesn’t matter, because Kesha hasn’t been around on a Tuesday for quite some time.

Hmmmmm????

The current paint on the exterior looks fine to me, not in need of a paint upgrade, but what do I know other than Management seems to spend a boatload of money on the outside, penny pinches on upgrading or making repairs to the inside, and spend practically nothing on events.

Their priorities are F’d up.

But for the Baker hosting Easter Luncheon, there would have been nothing for the seniors, because Management did absolutely nothing for Easter. Not even the usual bag of potato chips.

So, anyway, in conversation with the Baker, I asked about Dream Lover and, sure enough, he and Lu are fighting again …… have broken up.

She said she can’t keep up with which one is mad at the other and for what reason as it happens so often, LOL, only that they are currently not a couple; but instead of chasing someone else’s tail this time around, Dream Lover got a job …… two actually.

He works at the hospital in Loma Linda, escorting people around and volunteers at one of the senior centers in Fontana.

She said she’s booked Dream Lover to man the grill at the Memorial Day BBQ by which time, if he hasn’t hooked up with someone else, he and Lu will probably be on again.

Management doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to prep the vacant unit across from me. I’ve not seen anyone come in to clean, paint, new carpet.

However, that tacky doormat is gone; but only because I couldn’t take it any longer, grabbed the red cover on my way to the trash bin last Friday, left the doormat that was beneath the red cover in place, tossed the cover in with the trash.

Mutual Admiration Society

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas up in here. The Santa Chairs, Boot Stocking, front door and patio decorations are all in place.

There’s a view from the bedroom window of a lighted patio, two other residents on the front side of my building have lights up.

Heading out this morning for the market, I could see one of the residents across the quad has a Santa on her patio and returning, having to drive through the opposite gate, because I’m not sure the gate on my side is fixed, I saw two other patios decked out for Christmas.

So, it’s at least looking good for a festive appearance around here.

While at the market, just as I was turning into the bulk water isle, a young man who looked around 18/19 walked over and said, "I want to say something", so I paused.

"You see that guy over there (pointing to a guy, also around 18/19, smiling our way from the Bakery Department), he’s my best friend in the world".

No idea where he was going with telling me that, so I said what I was thinking …… "He’s cute" (he was).

"He said you’re pretty".

WOW! Mutual admiration going on.

I should have said, "Thank you for telling me", but that was all there was to the encounter, as we went our different ways smiling, me saying to myself, "He's got good taste for a kid".

Cuffing Season

Yesterday’s Thanksgiving Event, hosted for us by us, was an almost standing room only success. Every seat in the Community Room was taken, and the organizers had to turn one of the food serving tables into seating space in order to accommodate all who attended.

In order to get a good spot for taking photos, and capture photos of the organizers at work, I arrived about 40 minutes before start time.

I’d asked the organizers to pose like the Rockette …… you know, the famous knee lift.

At our age, all younger than I, this is the best they could do, LOL.

It’s cute though.

Evidently, my arriving early wasn’t early enough as there were seniors already seated at a table, waiting for the main event.

When residents began arriving in force, MAGA would sit at the table where I'd settled.

We get along well enough, but I nevertheless moved because she can sometimes be aggravating and I didn’t want to take the risk of being annoyed.

Turned out the move was from the frying pan into the fire because, as the room began to fill, and there was then no place to move to, I found myself surrounded at the table by the deadly trio — Dream Lover, Upstairs Lady, Lu. But at least Upstairs Lady didn’t set me off again by telling me to move, like she had done previously, so the three could sit side by side.

I was surprised at seeing the trio sitting at a regular table, as there was a High Table (reserved seating). Their names were not on it.

Interesting …… did one or all three fall out with the organizers?

Probably just Upstairs Lady, but the other two would not have wanted to be seated without her, so where I was seated was where they landed.

Lord be praised, everyone was on their best behavior, I got through it.

Of course, Ernie made an appearance. He didn’t stay for the event, just happened to walk by, opened the door, actually gasped upon seeing me seated, made a beeline to grab a hug, kiss on the cheek, now referring to me as "My love".

That started a few days ago, when I was headed out to run errands, had just gotten to the bottom of the stairs, turned to head down the walkway, saw Ernie, chatting and walking his dog with Ruben (the little man whose wife, when she was alive, was assulted by Cat Lady, when Cat Lady went cra cra, walked into their unit, accused them of killing cats, hit the wife, which got her evicted) walking his dog.

Ernie halted his conversation, said, "Hold up. I have to go hug my love".

His what?, thought I.

I don’t even know why Ernie is living here amongst us seniors, as he’s physically fit, looks nowhere near 55 or over even though I know he is.

What I do know is that, this period between Thanksgiving and the New Year is Cuffing Season — a time when singles are moved subliminally to seek a seasonal partner.

Ernie is likely caught up in/being controlled by that atmosphere, without even realizing it's having an effect on him, and will calm down once the season passes.

So, anyway, there were games for us seniors to play while the organizers were preparing dinner, like the following 2-player game where newspapers were taped together, placed on the ground, the goal being who can, using their feet, drag all the paper under the chair first. (The video came out kinda dark so I, dressed all in black, am virtually unrecognizable, appearing as a black blob).

Talker said not only did one leg begin to cramp, causing her to lose, but both legs cramped. Not funny that she couldn't handle those simple movements sitting down, but I nevertheless cracked up.

I won a prize …… Fannie May Chocolates which, of course, I can’t eat, but will use in this year’s gingerbread build.

Once dinner was served, the first to be called to the counter was office staff.

I resented the hell out of that.

We got potato chips while they got turkey with all the trimmings and dessert.

Had I been in charge, I’d not have called them in to be given a plate. If anything, I’d have given them a little bag of potato chips.

The good news is, surprisingly, Kesha didn’t show up to take credit.

Christmas is only 33 days away. I’m not holding my breath expecting management, in return, to do anything for us seniors in return or just because the money is in the budget and it's the right thing to do.

Whata Week

Reader’s Digest version … I fell out of lust, met the new neighbor, got some of the Lab work the doctor wanted done.

Unabridged version … Returning from this morning's workout, I ran into, introduced myself, and welcomed the new neighbor to the quad.

Learned, she’s not exactly new, but has been living on the opposite side of the complex for a year.

Management asked her to move over here, because the unit she’d been living in was designated a handicap unit …… no one who isn’t disabled should have been living there.

I didn’t know we had special units built for handicapped individuals which, I understand have "wider doorways, low cabinets, accessible bathrooms" etc., but if no one who is not handicapped should have been living there, then why did management lease the unit to her in the first place?

She says management told her she had to move because the unit had been requested by someone who is disabled, but my spidey sense is telling me management got caught when we had that last inspection.

At any rate, new neighbor said she's happy to move, because she didn’t like the low cabinets and that some of the features, she's accustomed to, were missing in order to make the unit accessible for people with disabilities.

I haven’t run into Silver Fox since the day he talked me out of being physically attracted to him, opened my eyes to what would be the side effects of ingesting yummy looking eye candy, so my jets have cooled. As Bob, put it …… "Not as pretty when it speaks." LOL.

As I was walking to check out the board in the Community Room the other day, I did see him driving, like a bat out of hell, back into the complex.

He was really gunning it, going way beyond the 10 mph speed limit, as he burned into the driveway, flew through the open gate, swooped into his parking spot.

He even drives angry, thought I, and reflected on what would have happened had someone been walking across the parking lot, as I hurriedly disappeared before he exited the car and saw me.

Everything about Silver Fox reads as angry which, in a way, is rather exciting. Made me think about how fun he must have been when younger …… a real Bad Boy, rough but fun. I also reflected on what the grapevine was saying about him before I became aware of who he was. That "He's really handsome, but sooo mean".

I can definitely see it now and ain't nobody got time for a moody, angry, aging Bad Boy.

On Thursday, I got the bloodwork portion of what the doctor wanted done, but the Lab gave me homework the doctor wanted me to submit for testing, within 1 to 2 hours after performing the homework.

It’s an impossible task, so she’ll have to be satisfied with the bloodwork which, if I’m reading correctly, indicates my Cholesterol is off the charts and may be the source of the high BP and dizzy spells.

Oh well.

Monday being Memorial Day, a 3-day weekend would be in order were I in the working world. I’m retired, but the Pain Cave workouts are like having a job with an employer that doesn’t recognize holidays, allows no days off.

Trainer will be working on Monday, so it will be a regular Monday for me; except, the bingo regulars are having a BBQ in the patio area later that afternoon.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, I plan to check it out for a bit.

Talkative, Opinionated, Political, Intense, Angry

I admit that Silver Fox’s facade had me tempted, but seeing through, like I always do, it hasn’t taken me long to make my way through the pretty boy veneer, size him up.

Not only did I run into him last Thursday, our paths also crossed yesterday, when I was heading to the Pain Cave, and today, in the Mail Center.

Silver Fox is a talkative soul.

I picked that up about him last Thursday, but then thought about something I’ve shared before here on the blog …… that it’s frustrating to try to talk to anyone around here about anything other than what goes on in the complex, because people here are remarkably uninformed, gullible, naïve, clueless.

Water reaches its own level, so maybe Silver Fox — hungry for conversation was being drawn to me subliminally, as someone he sensed isn’t clueless.

So today, he shared his feelings about social media ….. that family lives nearby so, though he has a Facebook account, he doesn’t think much of FB as a tool to connect with others and feared that if he did use FB, he’d not be able to control his hatred of No. 45/47 — post things that would make him a target. Also, that he was a Project Manager in his previous career, and is so worried about the current regime “messing with people’s money” that though he doesn’t want to go back to work, he’s getting ahead of what he sees coming by interviewing today for a Project Manager position; and also, in preparation for what he sees coming, he went to Bass Pro this morning and bought a pew pew.

So talkative, opinionated, political, intense, angry, and soon to be packing.

I’m beginning to see why he and Shirley divorced.

When I could get a word in edgewise, I defended FB saying that, because I’m a quiet person, older than he, don’t socialize much, don't care for long phone conversations,  I use FB to connect with family, friends, former coworkers and if anyone wants to communicate with me, I prefer it be through FB, Instagram, Text Message.

He seemed surprised about my age, which I told him thinking he’d think twice about being interested in me, said "You don’t look like it" and of FB he said, "Well, I guess that’s okay".

As if I needed his approval.

Though I do enjoy the eye candy Silver Fox provides and would still stop and chat with him if and when our paths cross, because I find him interesting, it’s obvious to me that he’d get on my last nerve in no time at all.

It’s not that I’d be too quiet and chill for him, it’s that he’s too talkative and intense for me, I can see him being controlling, and not be able to accept my witchcraft books, voodoo dolls, chill and nonjudgmental attitude.

He's nice to look at, but I hope his ex-wife Shirley thinks twice about going down that road again.

Too Much Togetherness

Yesterday, when I reached the register at the market with the prison like setting ……… the market where I saw the dead body, the cashier asked how my day was going.

"Excellent, because I got eggs. They’re expensive, but I gotta do what I gotta do", said I.

An 18-count Eggland's Organics is up from $13.49 to $13.99.

I then said that I’d seen memes online where guys courting women are no longer bringing flowers, but instead bring eggs.

The woman who bags groceries at this market, said she’d seen memes where women, so desperate to meet the high price of eggs, have asked not to be judged as they take to pole dancing.

That made me laugh out loud, say "I’m going to look that up".

In other news, I've seen a shift in the day-to-day activities of Dream Lover and Lu. The two no longer seem to be carving a path in the walkway heading to each other’s unit.

In fact, the last time I saw Dream Lover heading that way, he did something I thought odd ……… He stopped, shoulders slumped, looked down, seemed deep in thought as though giving himself a mental pep talk to get through a task he really didn’t want to do then, after a second or two, gathered himself, stood erect and continued on.

Since then, I’ve seen Dream Lover standing in an area of the gate on his side of the complex, just watching the world drive by and, on Wednesday, I saw him walking back to the complex from I know not where.

He waved as I drove by. I waved back.

Inasmuch as Lu has been driving Dream Lover to wherever he wants to go, it’s unusual to see Dream Lover walking these days.

Yesterday, heading to the mail room and a stop by the office to get the code to the new gate, I walked past the Community Room, saw it was bingo day for the seniors.

A few of the seniors saw me entering the building, smiled, waived; I smiled back and, in doing so, spotted Lu at the table by Community Room entrance.

She was sitting with a group that did not include Dream Lover.

It’s entirely possible he had a doctor’s appointment or something to keep him from bingo. However, it just might be he's staying away due to there being trouble in paradise.

Is the honeymoon over or are they just taking a break?

This is very much looking like history repeating itself ……… the same scenario I saw play out with Shadow and the Seer, where too much togetherness became stifling for Shadow.

Needing time to breathe, I’d see Shadow hiding from the Seer in areas inside and outside the complex. I’d then see her searching, eventually locating, and he throwing up his hands in exasperation as she approached.

It was sad to see her seemingly so desperate, unable to detach, give him some space, some breathing room.

Shadow eventually broke it off altogether with the Seer, after which the Seer's health began to fail and she eventually died of what those of us in the know saw as a broken heart, just like Faith ……… a former love interest of Dream Lover, whose health failed and her dying of a broken heart after he tired of her, took up with someone else.

It remains to be seen if Lu and Dream Lover are just taking a break or the love affair has already run it’s course, but I’m thinking that with Lu cooking and driving him around, Dream Lover is not yet ready to give up what she provides.

Time apart will give him time to breathe, gather himself, fortify and ready him for the next round.

Up Close and Personal

Got a call from the Talker late Wednesday evening. "Did you move?" she asked.

"No, but I want to" said I.

Actually, I’m over that itch I had a few months ago to move.

After researching other living options, finding they were too expensive and many had the same management issues as here, some even worse, weren’t open space units like here but instead were built like little boxes stacked inside a big box, where I’d suffocate and be bored; and taking in consideration here is affordable, I have a great view from my patio and bedroom windows, how no one really bothers me, I let go of that itch.

I’m better off where I am.

So, anyway, I said to Talker "No, but I want to. Why do you ask?".

Turns out, rumor was I’d moved and, after being asked by several residents "Did Shirley move?", she decided to give me a call, find out for herself.

After confirming I’d not moved, Talker asked "Why would they think that?".

Nearest I can figure is, when the workers came to repair the patio that morning, they’d removed the patio furniture.

During the hours they worked on the patio, residents saw there was no furniture on my patio, observed two worker types going in/out of the unit for hours, put two and two together and came up with three ……… Shirley moved.

The Grapevine worked overtime that day, but with the patio furniture now back in place, that rumor has been put to bed.

Now that the concrete damage has been repaired, Adirondack chair back in place, it’s too bad I can’t enjoy the patio. Those dreaded lizards have taken a liking to the new concrete.

I can’t even leave the patio window open for air, as I fear the little bastids will squeeze through the screen, get inside.

There’s a baby lizard that keeps parking itself on the outside steps and, when I returned from a trip to Sprouts this morning, I saw two adults on the patio.

It’s a nice warm day and I really need the patio window open, so I went online to research "How to keep lizards away from the porch".

Google said, "If you have cayenne powder, hot peppers, or hot sauce, you have the key ingredients for a lizard deterrent. Fill a bowl or measuring cup with 2 cups of warm water. Stir the mixture well, then pour it into an empty spray bottle".

I have Chinese chili pepper powder in the cupboard — don’t know how hot it is because I was afraid to try it on my sensitive gut after going through the expense of special ordering it.

I’ve mixed the powder with water, sprayed the porch, so we’ll see how it goes with keeping the lizards away, so I can open the window.

Hubba Hubba Awooga Silver Fox resurfaced earlier.

If you will recall, he’s the resident that moved in August of 2024, that the women were all gaga about. The ladies described him as mixed with First Nation Indian Blood and some other blood type, wore a ponytail, which blood mixture and ponytail made him "too handsome for words".

He quickly was labeled "really mean/antisocial" because, as a result of thirsty women around here bothering him, he’d pronounced, "I’m sick and tired of women always chasing me".

I’ve seen him around a time or two or three and each time I sensed a devilish glint in his eye and a little flirting when he looked at me.

I've been careful to keep him at a distance by presenting myself as a polite, neighborly ice maiden.

Today was the first time he's caught me off guard. I didn't see him coming, reacted without thinking to chill, instead greeted him with a warm friendly "Hey" and a smile.

I was returning to the complex from Sprouts, getting out of the car, heard a voice, looked over. He was standing the usual polite distance away, on the walkway, but when I greeted him with a smile and a warm friendly tone in my voice, it was like a magnet drew him over to where I was standing at the car door.

When he got to where I was standing, I said something like, "How are things going for you?"

Don’t recall what he said, but he asked me how I felt about all this stuff going around about social security.

"It’s going to decimate this place", said I.

He said he was trying not to worry, and what followed was a pleasant and interesting conversation about what’s going on.

I gotta tell you. It was an oddity to find someone around here whose world extended outside these gates.

He was standing so up close and personal, as he talked, that I couldn’t help but check him out. Though I wouldn’t classify him as Hubba Hubba Awooga Silver Fox, I found him easy on the eyes — tall, good body, nice eyes, nice smile.

He reads as a "player", but players are not boring and, as I prefer being alone, I can't be played, wouldn't mind getting to know him.

As our conversation ended, he prepared to continue on to his car and I to my unit, he all of a sudden said, "Let me give you a hug".

The fact that I allowed his rather lengthy warm hug and told him, “You smell nice” (he did) speaks to my flirting back and signaling to him a willingness to have further talks; but he'll have to catch me when he can.

Patio window is now open to let fresh air in, and I’m not seeing any lizards, so I guess the pepper powder spray is working.

Sunday is National Chip and Dip Day

What?!, you didn’t know that, never heard of it.

Truth be told, I never heard of it either but, when I went down to the Community Room yesterday, to check out the seniors, I saw Activity Director had put out potato chips, salsa, guacamole, for an early celebration of Chip and Dip Day.

She didn’t have many takers, only Upstairs Lady — the resident who has problems with her legs, walks by propelling her body from side to side, and the new lovebirds — Dream Lover and Lu.

The love affair seems to be going strong, as I see the two carving a path on the walkway, going back/forth to each other’s unit, Lu looking adoringly at Dream Lover when I saw then in the Community Room, constantly touching his arm, shoulder, back.

A partner constantly touching me would drive me bonkers. I'd lose my shiz, grab and toss his hand away (I did do that once, when Michael, the drummer I dated back in the day, kept moving his fingers along my shoulder), but to each their own.

As long as Lu has her car to drive Dream Lover where he wants to go — he doesn’t drive, continues to supply him with homecooked meals — feed his stomach and ego with the adoring looks and touching, this one might take.

So, anyway, no intel of interest to be gleaned out of those three, I just said hi and goodbye.

I did find printouts of the monthly Activity Calendar, stacked up on a side table. So, I guess that’s the new method of getting the calendar to us …… check for printouts in the Community Room.

While in the room, I also noticed the Baker wasted my time, printer ink and 25 sheets of paper, when she had me revise this month’s Bingo flyer.

I’d already given her flyers to distribute and post. There was a date change, so she asked that I reprint.

No problem I.

She also asked me to add a blurb, saying it was because, "I've got to do something" about the noise ……… people talking, making it difficult for others to hear numbers being called, etc.

Again, no problem.

So, at the bottom of the flyer I added the words she'd given me, "Reminder: Please keep voices quiet when we are calling bingo, or if someone is calling bingo back to us."

I just knew some of the bingo players were going to be offended, weren’t going to like that blurb and, in the back of my mind, I kinda thought the Baker thought that if I thought she was doing something about the noise …… that gave me a headache last time I attended, I’d return to bingo.

I’m over bingo, won’t be returning under any circumstances.

At any rate, I saw the Baker had not posted the revised flyer with the blurb. Instead, she’d penciled in the date change onto the original flyer, posted that one.

I guess she too knew some of the players would be offended and, people pleaser that she is, chickened out.

She’s not like me. If I were going out of my way to arrange bingo, so the residents would have something to do …… using my time, my energy, my money to provide prizes, even baking cupcakes and providing other treats for break time, and you couldn’t respect or appreciate me enough to not steam roll all over me with your talking after I’ve constantly asked you not to …… the Baker even once had a rubber squawking chicken that she’d squeeze to quiet the room down, and last I saw brought a bell to ring to quiet the room down; if they nonetheless persisted, failed to comply with bingo etiquette, as they do, I’d pick up my bingo equipment and pull an Eric Cartman "Screw you guys, I'm going home".

I definitely will not go back to bingo.

I got a call from Manager yesterday, that guys were coming in to fix a problem with my patio this morning, would be arriving at 8:30 AM.

When Head Maintenance Guy did his pre-inspection before the Regulatory Agency was due to arrive for its random inspections, he spotted an area on the patio that appeared to be peeling.

He indicated, at that time, it wasn’t a big deal, that I was not likely to one day step out on the patio, find myself crashing down to the first floor.

When the Regulatory guy toured my unit, I saw the Inspector and Head Maintenance Guy looking at and having a conversation about the area.

I guess it was then decided it was a big deal after all, needed to be repaired.

This morning was a workout day, and with the guys set to arrive at 8:30, to patch up the hole, I was sure I’d be able to keep my 11 AM schedule.

Didn’t work out that way.

What I thought was a patch job, turned out to be a complete patio redo, estimated to take all morning.

I had to text Trainer that I was giving him the morning off.

BTW, last Wednesday marked my 6th year training at the Pain Cave. My first session was March 12, 2019.

I've told Trainer that he’s the longest lasting relationship I’ve ever had with a man.

Though Trainer still tries to "push me … build", unfortunately there’s a lot my 81-year-old body won’t now let me do. So "cross fit" has slowly morphed into "maintain fit".

The work on the patio began early — 8 AM. The guys completed and left at 12:30, with instructions for me to wait until tomorrow to put patio furniture back in place.

I originally had a wood floor patio but, when the current management group took the complex over in 2012, they replaced the patio floors with concrete, and did so without entering the unit …… they went up and down a ladder.

So, though I don't understand why the guys didn't use the same manner to do the work, so I didn't have to stay home, watching the process while working on that never ending needlepoint project was interesting.

The guys put down something that looked like chicken wire over the existing patio, poured concrete, sanded the concrete down, finished by painting the concrete.

Painting the concrete was new to me, it looked fine as it was, but whatever.

The guys were respectful, affable and managed to do all the work without getting a speck of mess anywhere inside.

It’s Raining Men

It rained all night long and, when I awoke this morning, it was still pouring down.

I came thisclose to call off getting out into it for this morning’s workout; but then remembered the market had been out of frozen salmon when I shopped the other day, and that if I wanted salmon for dinner, it was best to just go ahead, workout, market after.

Crossing the market parking lot after working out, headed inside, I heard a friendly sounding voice say, "Hey, lady".

I turned to see who was speaking and saw it was Meat Man, whom I’ve not seen in ages on the complex.

"Meat Man" being formerly Handsome Man on the blog, until he’d approached Homegirl (whom can be described as a healthy woman ……… all boobs, hips, butt), and in a sleezy tone said to her, "I like meat" — referring to all the meat on her bones.

Homegirl cursed him out for the disrespectful way he approached her, and I changed his blog name to Meat Man because, to me, he looked a lot less handsome after that faux pas.

So, anyway, as I needed to get out of the rain, head into the market, and Meat Man needed to get out of the rain and into his car to leave, in response to his "Hey, Lady", I said "Oh hey neighbor. You staying out of trouble?"

He said something in return which I couldn’t make out, and that was that.

By the time I exited the market, the rain had let up enough, to where I didn’t even have to use my umbrella, and the sun was actually trying to come out.

It’s like that around here ……… a rainstorm and then, seconds later, the rain stops, sun comes out. So, it wasn’t surprising to see residents hanging around outside the gate — smoking, chatting, when I arrived back.

One chatting, not smoking, was the famous Hubba Hubba Awooga Silver Fox, whom I also had not seen in ages.

Readers might remember him as the resident — moved in August of 2023, that the women were all gaga about.

Described to me as mixed with First Nation Indian Blood and some other blood type, wore a ponytail, which blood mixture and ponytail made him "too handsome for words" and said to be "antisocial, mean, doesn’t like people knocking on his door".

I don’t care for people knocking on my door either; so, I didn’t put much weight into someone being antisocial or mean because of wanting to be left alone; and I later learned those smears were being made because he’d pissed some of the female residents off.

How did he piss the female residents off you ask.

Well, the thirsty women around here were bothering him — vying for his attention, knocking on his door ……… showing up with cakes, cookies, meals, asking questions about where he was from, what he does, and he’d ruffled their feathers by telling them to buzz off, that "I’m sick and tired of women always chasing me".

I later saw the Silver Fox around once or twice, waved as I always do to residents, whether I know them or not.

I don’t recall his being friendly in return, but to be expected as his expectation was all us women wanted him.

He need not have worried. Seeing him up close and personal, I thought he was nice looking compared to what else we have around here, but not all Hubba Hubba Awooga and not my type.

It wasn’t until manager’s meeting in September of last year, when I was seated away from the cluster of residents — for viral safety reasons, at the back of the room, when Silver Fox walked in, sat right next to me.

He introduced himself, we chatted a bit and, when the meeting was over, he began walking, chatting with me as we headed for our units.

Conversation ended when I reached my walkway with him saying, "It was nice to meet you, Shirley. I hope to see you again" in a way where I knew he was opening a door.

I was polite, but not encouraging. I did not walk through the door.

I’ve seen him once since then. He was driving in, yelled "Hello!" as I was crossing the parking lot. I said hello in return, but kept walking, didn’t look back to encourage him.

For those who don’t know, when us ladies smile and look back, that’s a yes, a green light signaling a male to come with what he's got.

So, there he was today, outside the gate talking to Big Friendly Guy.

I parked, got out of the car, picked up my workout bag, groceries and, just that quick, he’d ended his conversation with Big Friendly guy and was on the walkway, behind where I was parked.

"Hello, Shirley" said he.

Oh ……… he’s calling me by my name, opening that door again, thought I.

I know his name but chose, once again, to not walk through the door. I replied, "Hey, neighbor".

"How are you doing?", asked he.

"I’m okay, how about yourself?"

A little too far away, I couldn’t make out what he was saying, didn’t want to prolong things, or have him walk closer, by saying I can’t hear you. So, I just listened, made out what sounded like "wha wha wha wha wha wha wha, but I’m okay with it". To which, I smiled, nodded as though I understood and that was that.

So, it really did rain men this morning ……… at least two came out of the woodwork.

From the looks outside now, you’d never know it rained all night and most of the morning, as the sun is shining and outside is drying up.

BTW: While at the market, I noticed the organic Eggland’s Best were all sold out.

I’m now kicking myself for only buying a dozen, I should have purchased two dozen because a recipe I’m trying this afternoon for Mini Monkey Bread is calling for six egg whites.

This recipe, which I'm revising to substitute rice flour for regular flour and a stevia blend for brown sugar, had just better work out ……… not waste my precious eggs.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Red Light never posted photos from her birthday party. However, that day last week when I went outside to chat with Talker, I learned Talker did go to the party, took Elvis (my buddy Apache’s remaining friend here on the complex) and one other resident with her.

It was just those three in attendance and the party was described as "okay", said in a way that translated to sad/meh.

Probably why Red Light posted nothing on Facebook.

Talker described Red Light’s new community as "boring" …… the complex itself, the way the buildings are arranged …… "boring".

Evidently, the grass is not greener on the other side.

Talker says Red Light’s unit is really spacious/luxurious inside (it should be at $2,300 a month, paid for by the County), but once you step out the door all you see are rows of one-story units across from each other with a walkway between, nothing else; which Talker compared to here, where there’s space to walk around, as "boring".

Doesn’t sound like the kind of community where Red Light can spread her activity director wings, take charge, get anything going, boss others around.

From the number of people she invited, who rsvp’d couldn't make it, I’m getting the distinct impression Red Light is already bored, missing the community she had here. I wonder if she might one-day return, as many have done in the past.

I’ve often had that thought — that should I be so fortunate as to one day be able to afford to live elsewhere, would I end up bored to tears confined in one of those wall enclosed box-like senior complexes built like hotels with long corridors, or a complex like the one described by Talker — confined in luxury, somewhat isolated, not knowing my neighbors.

Though some of the goings on right now are not ideal, I like my unit, I like my patio, I like the complex grounds, I like the options I have for contact with others, never feel lonely or bored.

Monday was cra cra. Started off with seeing Compton once again parked backwards in his parking spot, facing forward towards the walkway when I headed out for that morning’s workout.

From there, the day got weird when, returning prepared to take the long way around to my unit, I pivoted to my direct route when I saw Bicycle Boy (BB) coming through the gate this side of the complex.

BB lives way on the other side, so seeing him come through the gate on this side prompted me to take notice.

He’d been on this side shortly after Shadow passed, and a resident in Shadow’s quad said she watched as BB had angrily destroyed the shrine they’d left for Shadow — took the glass rosary candle, smashed it on the concrete, tossed the flowers.

My guess is Shadow’s not being the type to take crap had been the one person on the complex BB could not terrorize. Shadow had probably put the fear of God in BB so, now that word had gotten to him that Shadow was no longer alive, BB came all the way over here to make sure Shadow was gone, saw the shrine, took out the rage he felt toward Shadow that he didn’t dare express while Shadow was alive — a "Take That ……… I’ll Show You!" thing.

Not wanting to be targeted by BB herself, the resident who saw BB doing the destruction said nothing to him. Just hid away in her unit, watched and next day rebuilt the shrine.

I would have hidden and watched as well; but seeing BB on this side of the complex, I paused at the end of the walkway to see if he was headed in the direction of the rebuilt shrine.

He wasn’t.

Compton must have been sitting in his car watching me watch BB because, when I paused, Compton cranked the engine, started the car to make noise, draw my attention in his direction.

He did not start the car and drive away. He just turned on the engine, then turned it off when I failed to look over, did not react to the sound.

The day got weirder still when I later had to make a run to Walmart to get a memory card for the security camera I was installing in the widow. Compton, still sitting in the car, turned on the headlights when he saw me.

Upon my return, thinking Compton was probably still sitting in the car, I took the long way back to my unit.

Compton wasn’t in the car, he was inside his/his mom’s unit; but I didn’t know that until, halfway up the stairs, I heard him open the door.

I don’t think I made much noise as I started up the stairs to alert him of my presence, yet and still, I heard him open the door.

I didn’t pause to see if he came outside to say something to me; maybe ask why I'd not called/texted. I just kept on stepping. When I reached my door, I heard him close his.

Weird.

I’m not afraid of Compton. I don't read him as dangerous or threatening, more like annoying.

He’s just young and dumb, playing a silly game like the little boy in school who does things to get a particular girl to notice him, except we’re all grown now, one of us more grown and wiser than the other. Compton has no idea who he’s playing games with.

I’m trying to be nice, don’t want to stir things up with his mom or lodge a complaint with management. Besides, except for that note, Compton really hasn’t done anything that’s provable; has done nothing that can’t easily be explained away by him or denied.

So, I’m just going to hold my peace, wait for whatever phase he’s going through to pass, until I record him doing something provable, something that can’t be explained away.

If and when we get to that point, I'll have no choice but to go Anne Marie on his ass.