The Ladies

When I first moved in, Neighbor Karen* invited me to play cards with a group of women from her church who started meeting during the pandemic. If that sounds familiar, it is because that's how the Coronas were formed. I should also say, I'm not sure why Karen invited me. I can see from the make up of the group, Karen isn't the sort to willy-nilly invite random strangers on a regular basis. So, I am deeply grateful she thought of me. 

One invitation turned into two. Then three. Then last week nothing until Susie showed up on my doorstep Tuesday afternoon, informing me Karen was in the hospital** and she was there to chauffer me to cards. Susie knew I lived "across the street" from Karen, but wasn't sure which house, so she was relieved when she saw a Texas license plate. I expressed my surprise, explaining I had wondered about Karen (I had) and my appreciation for Susie's thoughtfulness in including me. "I wouldn't dare show up without you." Susie said.

And just like that, I'm one of them-adjacent. 

Now then, this is not a Corona group. First, The Ladies play cards for two hours. And two hours only. They play two games, one called, "Swish" (and I swear they made this game up). The other is called "Play Nine" and I suspect it was a game that belonged to someone's son forty years ago. Second--and I mean this with love and kindness--they aren't my peer group. These ladies are spry and fun. But I'm the youngest by 20+ years. Susie is 84. Her older sister is part of The Ladies. I am guessing Karen is over 80. 

Now then, I was one of the youngest in the Corona group too. And lest you think I'm being a snob, this isn't about age, its about world view and companionship. One of my dearest Arizona friends just turned 70. Corona Gail, Deb The Queen of Everything and Tessa are all over 70. But somehow The DeBary Ladies are just different. Maybe its because they don't laugh as much. Or something. Or maybe it is because I wouldn't randomly call any of them at the spur of the moment and ask if they wanted to go blueberry picking/run to Hobby Lobby/drive with me to Hope Arkansas like I would have with anyone in the Coronas. 

This entire experience is a sharp contrast to when I moved to Texarkana and was so lonely for the first year. I have such gratitude for The Ladies. They've taken me into their flock. They are cheerful, sweet and so kind. Cece reminds me of Bonus Mom in many ways. I swear Pauline thinks of me as her daughter. When I left yesterday, she said, "Come, give me a hug." And I didn't mind.  

Her Royal Majesty, Deb, ordered me to find a Corona group when I moved to Florida. This isn't a Corona Group. But it is a nice substitute. 

*That's her name, she's a delight with a name that carries an unfortunate connotation. 

**Karen is now out of the hospital, recovering from a massive infection. I talked to her Monday. She's weak but feeling much better.

The Humbled

Because the people at the zoo don't feel Marty, nor I, are fit to take admission or work in a gift shop, we are still looking for employment. Marty is having another interview today, which will bring his total to three in a week an a half. 

Additionally, Buck is also looking for work. He's looking for a job to get him by while he figures out the next steps in his life plan. Discussions have revolved around what this should look like for him, and I'm impressed at his careful consideration as he discerns his future. However, the idea that what he does in his 20s doesn't have to be what he does in his 40s hasn't completely landed for him, as Buck likes to commit for the long term. But it will. Eventually. 

As for me, I'm humbled and humiliated. It turns out being self-employed for 25 + years means I have no quantifiable skills. I've worked with people from all walks of life in many different seasons of their housing. I'd like to think I am moderately smart and I catch on quickly. I've found creative solutions for tenants who have broken this and thats, all while asking me me for counsel (albeit, the thought bubble above my head screamed, "Make better life choices!"). I've written contracts. Heck! I've taught contract law classes to unassuming and new real estate agents who needed to know. I've worked at a call center, answering phones for folks needing to move. I even taught others how to do that job for a season. In addition, I've managed my own offices. I can read people and I can read financial statements. I can handle reasonable technology--though I hate doing so. 

None of this--and I truly mean this--translates to working an entry level job as a hotel desk clerk or being a sales associate for Hobby Lobby. I've dumbed my resume down, hoping I didn't sound over-qualified. Nope, over-qualified isn't the issue. According to the hiring folks twenty years younger than me, I am simply not qualified at all. 

Then there is the issue of references. Hobby Lobby wanted references of people who have supervised me. I fudged and reached out to three folks who worked with me in various capacities (two had also independently been real estate clients).    

Marty and I are fine. Our bills are paid. Life is okay. However, Marty wants to exercise his mind. I need to get out of the house. Plus we'd like to reimburse our savings for our Florida move and the improvements we've made to our new home. And though we have health insurance, I think we could do better if we had money coming in. So, employment isn't dire.  

Imprisoned

Welp, it was to be expected. Our little jailbird didn't last four hours in his first cell. He was found, perched on the toilet, trying to jump to the sink. Given this was a day after his hip surgery, and he was hopped up on fabulous painkillers, Buck decided at the rate Roosevelt was going, he'd loose his other hip in two weeks.

So, despite Roosevelt's protests, he was transferred to cellblock Master Shower, where he's been holed up ever since. His alternative was the dog crate, so--though he doesn't appreciate this--he's winning.

The kettle bell is there because Roosevelt has figured out he can charge the door and open it.

Roosey's visiting hours are quite generous. Leon, Luna, and the Sunshines have all spent time hanging out with our infirmed kitty. For the first few days, Marty, Buck and I cuddled in the shower with him. This caused all sorts of problems for the older generation who prefer not sharing confined spaces with cat boxes (even ones which are cleaned out twice a day). 

Yes, that is a ridiculous orange (fruit) pattern on his new neck pillow.  

We thought our kitty was initially on a hunger strike, but it turns out the cone made it so he could not eat his kibble or drink his water. This caused Roosevelt to bang his tin cup on the shower walls, howling like a crazed asylum inmate during the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Buck sleeps on the other side of the house, so he did not hear the plaintive cries from Roosey. However, Marty and I were well aware of the cat's opinion of his cone. A decision was made and with the magic of Amazon, Roosevelt has a new neck pillow--which he hates. But at least he's more comfortable. 

Why take advantage of the exercise yard when there's a perfectly good lap?

The warden (Buck) gave the edict this past weekend that if Roosevelt wanted to start moving, he could do so in the exercise yard--the master bathroom. However, precautions were taken to ensure he wouldn't climb, jump or escape. Doors were closed--though Leon shows his regular solidarity by shoving his paw under the bathroom door when his brother is outside of his cell. To his credit, Roosevelt hobbles for a few moments and then perches himself on my lap and purrs, love bombing me and letting me know he'd appreciate my assistance in his planned escape. And just to drive this point home, when it is time to go back into his cell block, he is now strong enough to trip me as I'm trying to leave, so it is taking more than one Sunshine to lock him back in. 

One week to go.   

 

Church Shopping

I think we have kinda sorta settled on a church. We are attending All Souls Catholic Church in Sanford--about 4 miles from my home. For now. My daughter sings in the choir (and they are good!). I suspect Buck has his eye on a long haired beauty in the pews. Marty likes the priest. Mass is generally 60 minutes. 

The jury is out on the priest for me just yet, however, he's interesting enough in his message. And other than today, he isn't normally long winded. Also, I don't find the congregation to be friendly, but they aren't self-righteous, culty-church-lady-sanctimonious either. All that said, I'm just happy my family will go to church, so we are going there. 

However before a decision was made, Buck and I did check out the local Church of Christ (about 5 miles from my home, also in Sanford). I liked the vibe for my first visit. The people were friendly. No electric guitar. The pastor was interesting. Buck seemed to enjoy himself. However, the service went for 90 minutes and Marty isn't interested in coming with us. If All Souls doesn't work out, I'd give this place another shot. 

The Wandering Jew

While on my walk this morning, this followed me home. What was a girl to do? 

A teensy twig from a wandering Jew. Also known as the "purple heart plant."

It was growing off the sidewalk, albeit in someone's yard yards feet inches away. I ask you, should I have left it there for someone with little taste to trample all over it? Should I have left it to the homeowner who would have overlooked it because it was only a small sapling from the larger plant? And if it was already on the sidewalk obviously the homeowner wasn't paying attention to this plant anyway. Right?

Right????? 

By the time I had come inside from rooting this sprig in a pot, my family gathered around me to stage an intervention. They used words like, "crazy plant weirdo," and asked if I'd "lost my mind" and suggested that my "misdeeds" were not in keeping of the values they were raised in, nor was it probably legal to "steal"--they said STEAL!--this twig. Steal my foot! It was just there. On the sidewalk. Possibly attached to the parent plant in someone's yard. But I don't remember. All I know is I tied my shoes and then it was in my hand, begging for soil, water and fertilizer.     

In my own defense, I never trespassed in another yard--unlike the mass of trick or treaters who walked through mine last night. I took found this off the owner's property. And at this point, it looks a lot happier than when the poor sapling followed me home. 

Solitary Confinement

Roosevelt is home. And he is unhappy. If he could walk (softly) and carry a big stick, we'd all be in trouble. To express his sentiment at being let out of the dog cage and upgraded to the bathroom for the next two weeks, he's knocked his food and water bowls over. He's also barricading the door with his body. On the positive side, he isn't sleeping in his litter box right now. 

We'd all love to have Leon visit him, however, Roosey has two open wounds (the other from the IV drip) and Leon would take advantage. Plus, Roosevelt isn't in a mood for visitors at this very moment. 

This fool, laying on his stitched leg and pushing the door shut so nobody can enter. (Picture taken with me standing outside and reaching around door.)

Well, This Happened

 Victoria from book club called me. Me!? To be fair, I was on the phone with my world traveler friend in Arizona when she rang. But, curious and full of trepidation, I called Victoria back. 

It turns out Victoria just had a pacemaker put in and cannot drive. She remembered I liked cats and wanted to know if I knew of a mobile vet or groomer who might be able to come by and clip her kitty's nails. I suggested a scratching post. Turns out, Kitty doesn't do scratching posts. I also offered to drive Victoria to her vet of choice later in the week if she needed to get Kitty taken care of that quickly. 

Victoria obviously wasn't expecting that level of Southern hospitality. That smile I'd been waiting for from her came through over the phone. However, she declined the offer, figuring it was too much work for her and Kitty under the circumstances. Then, Victoria asked if my hand was healing (Hand and wrist yes. Finger, maddingly no.) and said a few other pleasant things about our book club.

We left the call with well-wishes and me offering to help with Kitty if the need arises. I wished her a Happy Halloween and sat down, utterly astonished, and wrote this blog.