A spur of the moment thing, and a surprising farewell to someone I didn't know

This morning I awoke with my face in it's usual distress from the LC inflammation.  I laid there in my bed for a good hour, watching youtube videos on my tablet before forcing myself to get up and use the bathroom and make a cup of coffee.  Some days I feel really defeated over these chronic pain symptoms, and this was one of those days.

I turned on the tv for a few minutes, then snapped it off and brushed my teeth and got dressed.  No shower, I didn't need one.  I put on my jacket and decided to take a walk, see where it took me.

I walked up the street in the direction of my favorite hangout, Kuhn's Market.  It's amazing to see the new supermarket pretty much complete.  They just need to stock it, and pave the new parking lot in front of the store.  They promise it will be open by Thanksgiving.

I was going to try and take a couple pics of how it looks inside, but they have all the windows covered.  All I know for sure is, it's HUGE.

Heading further up the street towards the senior center, this is the intersection where I got off my evening bus every night when I worked downtown.  That's my former apartment building below, where I lived for 23 years.  I really enjoyed my former life there. 

The entrance to the Senior Center.  Aren't these thrilling photos!

There wasn't that many people there.  Colleen, Helen, Cussin' Connie & my friend Mary.  I got to meet Carl & Kate, the new senior kitchen volunteers.  I was informed there was an extra lunch available if I wanted it, Orange Chicken with carrots.  Why not.

Walking home, I decided to stop at the store (the old Kuhn's) and get some eggs & Tylenol.  In front of the building was a white truck from Rietz Foods.  Something pinged in my head, like I should know that name--but nothing came to mind.

I came upstairs, did a google search on Rietz and got a location in Austria.  Did another search on Rietz actor, then actress, and yep--found it.  Karen Rietz, Robert Reed's daughter.  Born in October 1956, she had one acting job in 1970, playing Marcia Brady's classmate in the Slumber Party episode.

Karen & her dad, Robert Reed

However, I was dismayed to see she died last November at age 69.  No cause of death was given.

Her obituary read that she spent her life training horses, and loved her son William more than anything.  Her mother was listed as family, but no mention of her dad who died in 1992.  

I probably shouldn't be writing anything today, not in the greatest of spirits.  I'm so tired of battling these long covid symptoms daily, I worry they'll never go away.

I've also been concerned about an online friend who's going through a lot right now with her adult daughter, who's dealing with some urgent health matters.  I'm not a parent, but I'm reminded of something my mom said many years ago when I had a bad fall and broke my leg in 2002.  

Mom kept calling and asking how I was doing and did she need to "come up there"  (she lived pretty far south of Pittsburgh).  I told her I was 40 years old and could take care of myself, please stop worrying.  She said "Fat chance, you kids will be the death of me when you reach my age!  Well, if I'm still here I mean!"   

Mom, I'm your age now... wish you were here!