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Saturday, November 26, 2022

In bed at 8:30,  up at 3:00, many pss, no coffee, soda, or wine since the trip to VA on Tuesday.  Woke thinking of an old friend I saw at Sendiks on Monday (?), thinking of all the friendships I have let expire, such regret, reminded of Vacillation and the metaphor of 'the Final Judgment' as a mirror in which we see ourselves clearly. 

Thanksgiving

In bad shape emotionally and iffy shape physically with PP and plumbing questionable, not 'fit company for man nor beast.'  Received an email greeting card from Sarah and Christian, wrote back begging off on an anticipated phone call, wanted to beg off of Andy's brunch but bit the bullet and went and, as usual, had a lovely time, even better than usual enjoying the company of each of the grandchildren and of Andy and Anh.  Lots of good conversations, lots of laughs, really lovely get-together and I'm so glad I didn't beg off.  One scary moment sent me to the bathroom, away from playing Drew's game of "Apples to Apples."  Skipped David's Thanksgiving feast in the afternoon, fearful of a large crowd from half a dozen different households, Sharon down with some infectious malady, my plumbing and my endurance.  Missed spending time with David and Sharon and Ellis and with Steve and Nikki.  Aware of the danger of social isolation and wallowing in 'the Slough of Despond',  guilty of being such a distant drip with Geri, but weighed down with 'the miseries.'   Fearful of the return of Hunner's ulcers, especially since I was almost crippled with pain at VA until I was able to empty my bladder, hard time walking to the examination room, talking with the resident and his supervisor, all signaling, to me at least, the return of the ulcers and chronic pain problem.  Since Tuesday, I've drunk nothing but water, 2 cups of licorice spice tea, one small snifter of cognac, and another of Benedictine, neither of which seem to trigger any pain.

New Oven

Geri bought one today at Best Buy, with delivery and installation on 12/7.  Heating temperatures on the current oven are erratic, maybe because of damage from the 'clean oven' high temps.

Memory Lane

Geri & I went to Whole Foods on the East side this afternoon.  Drove over on Locust Street through Riverwest, past my old chiropractor's offices.  Such an interesting neighborhood, working class, old frame single-family homes and duplexes, some apartment buildings, lots of young people, integrated,  Through my old Lake Park neighborhood, down Downer where we used to shop at the original Sendik's, watch movies at the Downer, browse in the book store, haircuts at Lnus Malarkey's, Coffee Trader before the era of Starbucks, Alterra, Collective.  Returned via North Ave, Oriental Theater, von Trier's tavern, Ma Fischer's, Brewer's Hill, St. Francis of Assisi parish, Black Holocaust Museum, Garfield Avenue School now apartments, Judge Reynolds' school busing order, the North Avenue Reservoir and the weeping mulberry, my enjoyable drawing lessons in the teacher's attic, memories everywhere I turn.  A long adult life lived in this city, so changed in the 63 years since I arrived, barely 18, starting a new life in the new city.  How much have I changed in that time?  how little?