Life has been unexciting. Sometimes, that is a good thing. All of the social activities mentioned before proceeded nicely. I had the opportunity to entertain a gentleman in my bedroom. Matthew's friend/Mother's roomer, Michael Maloney, was in town. We dined at the same restaurant that Patrick enjoyed the previous week and stopped for Baskin-Robbins for delicious jamoca almond fudge. We repaired to the bedroom to enjoy a really nice merlot and the ice cream...................and, the Olympics since the television is in my bedroom. It was a very pleasant evening that turned into a very late one by the time I returned from taking Michael back downtown to his hotel.
I could go on and on but I'm not going to do that and will revisit this journal when there is something more interesting to record.
Patrick visited me this past week for the first time ever - and probably for the last. Unfortunately, his visit ended prematurely when he suffered an allergic reaction to my kitties.....he didn't even get to share the Krispy Kreme donuts that were on hand especially for his visit. Patrick is my first guest to ever have such a reaction and I was very sorry about it. Staying in my apartment is akin to staying outdoors - windows are wide open. Still, this did not help Patrick even with the augment of medicine. And, the apartment was clean, clean, clean! Bryan was such a help in accomplishing this. For me, other than the joy of company, is the joy of a clean house when company is expected. I would like to schedule out-of-town visits on a seven to nine week interval. Is anyone interested in a Chicago visit in late September?
Until the negative reaction, we had a very nice visit. Patrick instructed me in the secrets of the Karl Shoebox and I am eager to try to nagivate its labyrinthian ways. The database is apparently the motherlode of the cd and if you know how to utilize it efficiently, defined items can be abstracted easily.
Patrick, Bryan and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Calypso cafe - a favorite Hyde Park haunt of Barack Obama. We did not see Barack that evening. But the food was as good as ever and the conversation was lively. At home, we enjoyed martinis and a smooth merlot although not simultaneously.
Bryan is no longer working in the food-service industry. He has found a new job at the Hyde Park Animal Hospital. He has such a loving way with animals and the work is both diverse and interesting. I think Bryan will excel - he certainly seems much happier and he continues to feel personal satisfaction from his Naval Reserve activities.
Ever since my retirement weekend, when my house was flower-filled, I have splurged on discounted bouquets whenever I come across a good deal. Jewel had roses on sale for $5.99 a dozen and various other bouquets at attractive prices. The floral displays in my house are rich with roses in shades of peach, red and antique lace. Accent flowers, bright yellow in the mum family and daisy-like blooms in the deepest, richest blue lend interest and are accompanied by delicate babies' breath. Somebody, however, has been denuding the babies' breath and now the floral presentations are characterized by naked little "sticks" radiating out like a crown of twigs. I think that Leo is the culprit.
Tonight, Theresa and Dorcas are taking me to dinner for a post-birthday celebration. The Senior Chief who was my MC at the retirement ceremony has invited me to dinner tomorrow night but that may be moved to Sunday. Then Mother told me last night that Dr. Malony, friend and at one time, roomer, is in Chicago this weekend and will be calling me to have dinner, too. No pun, it's either feast or famine.
Both the beginning and the ending of the Florida trip was kindly facilitated by complete strangers.
The much anticipated "Girl's Week at the Beach" is an event of the past. For this girl, it was more like a half-week at the beach. I started out with enthusiasm and confidence on Sunday, early Sunday, morning. You can imagine my chagrin when the posted list of non-revs at the Continental Airlines departure gate placed me as 26th of 26 hopeful flight passengers. I said to myself that those numbers were sure to change........and change they sure enough did. When next I looked, after being left behind several times, I was 32nd of 37 hopefuls. The one redeeming aspect of my misadventure on that Sunday of trying to fly to Pensacola via Houston, was the free pass to Continental's President's Club that had been tucked into my wallet several years in the past. Alas, the economy has negatively impacted that ammenity, but, GLORY BE!, the Bailey's was still flowing. I imbibbed all day........well, since at least noon, and by the time the last flight of the day left me behind too, I almost didn't care. After determining that Monday's numbers re non-revenue flight was equally as bleak as Sunday's had been, I requested to be relisted for a flight out on Tuesday.
First the bus, and then the commuter train sped me on my way back to O'Hare Airport on Tuesday. Again, I waited. Again, I imbibbed. Yep - I had another President's Club pass. I finally was boarded on the five o'clock flight to Houston that I knew would not arrive in time to make the connection for Pensacola. I figured, "It will be what it will be." After we had touched down and were taxiing to the terminal, I had no idea what to do next and envisioned curling up in a corner somewhere until I could catch a morning plane to Pensacola.
Imagine my delight and surprise when I immediately saw a nice-looking man holding up a box bottom upon which was written in block letters "LEAH KARL"! I made a beeline for him with the feeling that I would happily follow him anywhere. I felt rescued. Alisa's husband, Vaughn, had been enlisted to be my savior for the evening. We stopped for burgers, enjoyed an hour or so of conversation at his house and then settled in to watch The Amazing Race.
Vaughn kindly returned me to the airport the next morning, I flew to Pensacola and was kindly ...........so kindly picked up by Margaret. The time in Florida absolutely flew by accompanied by much laughter. Such fun we had!
My return back to Chicago was as interesting and as frustrating as my trip to Florida. Again, I was caught in the quagmire of myriad non-rev hopefuls. As a troop, everybody who didn't get boarded marched to the gate of the next departing flight. I wonder how many realize how huge IAH is and how far the distance between gates can be. We became friendly and chatted all day. I pretty much bonded with one lady in particular. To cut to the chase............the seven o'clock flight landed too late for me to comfortably take public transportation home. Pat, my new friend, invited me to her home in Northbrook to spend the night. I accepted and we stayed up until almost 0400 just talking. Pat served me a lovely breakfast of bacon and eggs, juice and coffee and then drove me to the train station. I didn't realize that the train conductor never asked for my fare until I was already on the bus and almost home. And so, I had a wonderful time in Florida with the wonderful family females and made two new friends in the process - can't beat that!
SpellCheck isn't working..........