Loved Ones & Other Strangers (and shaven ones too, I suppose)

I felt pretty lucky yesterday.  Tuesday night I was talking to a friend on the phone and telling them I was supposed to go on a senior outing to Chili's on Wednesday, but didn't think I'd make it because of these LC flare-ups.

Me & my dear gal Evvie, outside our senior center on Wednesday

Wednesday morning I was awoken by a huge thunderstorm raging outside, and thought "Well, there's no way I'm walking a mile in all that!"  But an hour later both the rains and inflammation in my face subsided, so off I went.

I was so happy when I got to the center and saw Evvie, and she told me she was going to Chili's too.  This was the first lunch we'd be having together since December!

To be honest, the lunch wore me out.  There was too many of us to sit together at the large table, so Evvie & I sat at a smaller one.  5 minutes later, Barb Wire jumped up from the other one and joined us and said "I need real conversation!  Not all that jibber-jabber behind us!  Do you agree?  Well, do you?"  Barb is 87 years old and always on a tear, I fear she is in the early stages of dementia.  She then proceeded to rant how awful everything was, and told Evvie she had to beg me to have a drink with her at our last outing (untrue) and how we had to send Dennis home in a taxi because he bought so many bags of food (also untrue).  It just went on & on.  

But when our bills came, Barb asked if I'd look at hers.  I told her "They're charging you for the side of macaroni you sent back, and for two orders of potato soup, and you only had the one, and you got that in place of the fries your burger was supposed to come with which I asked the waiter if you could substitute soup for and he said yes."  She said "I'm so confused, what do I do?"  I said I'd take care of it.  She thanked me for looking out for her so that calmed her down some.

When I got home, I was so worn out I wanted to take a nap but found a strange note on my door--more on that in a moment, here's a few pics first.

My boy Dennis who said "DOUG I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU!  I'M ALL DAMP BECAUSE I CARRIED $500 WORTH OF HALF DOLLAR COINS TO THE BANK ON MY WAY HERE TO TRADE IN FOR SPENDING CASH!"

This is Claire, who attends all the lunch outings and is just about the sweetest person you could meet.  She was anxious to show me her Native American bag and laughed when I said I dug her papoose.  She's a dear.

Here was Evvie & my table at Chili's. A half hour after we arrived this place was packed. 

Evvie's meal--a half rack of baby back ribs, fries & street corn.  Evvie said those were some of the best fries she's ever had, and I very much agreed.

And here's my meal--Nashville Hot Chicken Crispers, Brisket Quesadillas, fries, white cheddar mac n' cheese.  I brought half of this home for dinner, and it was real tasty but needed something green.

I was shocked when I was eating, and someone came up and hugged me from behind--Candy Kim, who was there with her husband!  She used to attend these lunch outings regularly, along with my friend Mary.  She's about 7 feet tall and reminds me of Maude.

She whispered "I'm sorry I couldn't come with you guys, but my husband has health issues and I don't have the time for 5 hour lunches!"  God bless her, she's so funny.  I just love her.

And finally, when I got home I found this post-it taped to my doorknob.  "Would like you some company."  A male in his 60s, fun, clean.  Why is shaven underlined?  He's discreet and lives in the building.  Very convenient.   

        

I have a feeling I know who this is.  I was downstairs in the lobby this weekend, waiting for Amazon to arrive with a package.  This man walked into the lobby to get his mail, looked in his mid 60s, my height, a little rounder.  He smiled and nodded, got his mail, walked out.  A couple minutes later he came back and wanted to introduce himself, said his name was Bob.  I have a feeling this is him.  Oh well!

Reunions, new starts & hope springs eternal

Courtney & Pumpkin Boy at the Senior Center on Wednesday

This past Wednesday, the senior center had a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and I was determined to go.  Since my outing to Cracker Barrel on Sept 24, my long covid has been flaring up daily, making it difficult to go out much.  But something in me said to not miss this.

I was happily surprised when I walked in and saw Courtney, who once managed the center until moving on to run a senior living facility around 18 months ago.  The first time I visited the center in 2023 and met Courtney at their Open House, I thought "Why is someone so young working here?"  Five minutes later, she felt like my best friend.   

She's as dear as they come and I just learned Courtney and her husband are expecting their second child. 😊💖

This wasn't the only happy surprise--Evvie was there too, I haven't seen her since December.  She's had a rough year with health issues, different operations on her eyes for cataracts and glaucoma, and problems with walking because of her sciatica.  I really wanted to get a picture of us together, but the last thing she needed was me hounding her.  I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen her.

There were others there I haven't seen and missed very much too--Candy Kim, Cussin' Connie, Little Margie, my gal-pal Mary.  I was only able to stay an hour or so because of my LC, had to come home and spend the afternoon with a couple ice packs on the right side of my head and face, but I hope to see some of them again in mid-October.  

Darn it, I just realized--I was so busy catching up with those ladies, I didn't get any foodie pics of the breakfast!  The sausage patties were good but the pancakes were a bit on the wussie side for me.  I think I'll do a flapjack blog soon, I call mine "mancakes" for a reason. 😋

On Thursday, it became official--I'm now on Medicare.  I got 2 letters in the mail the same day, both from UPMC.  The first said "Your UPMC Health Plan Insurance termed September 30--We hope to see you again!"  The second letter said "Welcome to UPMC for Life, your Medicare Advantage Plan starts today!" 

The second letter included a Mastercard flex card, good for $350 towards dental, hearing or vision services every year.  Well, my hearing is pretty good but my eyeglasses are several years old... 

Finally, I thought I'd share this--look what just came in the mail. 

Yep, my mail-in ballot for the mid-terms.  I'm going to fill this out right now and get it in the mail tonight.  Being a Dumocrat (Trump's word, not mine) I'm sure you can guess who I'm voting for.

I am not expecting the "blue tsunami" these so-called experts are crowing about, we've seen too many good candidates wipeout in the end.  But a fairer balance of power would soothe a lot of nerves, mine included.  I'll stay hopeful till the end.  🙏

Reverend Doug and his blessed trip to Cracker Barrel

Yesterday (Wednesday) I was blessed with a reduction in long covid symptoms, so I figured it was safe to venture out and go on that senior lunch outing to Cracker Barrel, in Cranberry Township.  

It may not have been as picturesque as last weeks Narcisi Winery, the food wasn't as fancy, but it was still a joyous trip. The day was cool but sunny, the ride was shorter and more fun, my lunch pals Paul & Dennis were there and always make things more enjoyable.

Something strange happened on my way to the senior center and then again inside the place.  About halfway there, a woman passed me on the street and said "Good morning Reverend."

Wait, did she just call me Reverend?  She was gone before I could say good morning back or bless her, so I just kept going.  

When I got to the senior center, Paul was there, engaged in a conversation with a new member, a man I met a week ago.  Paul came up to me and said "I told Bob you're our new pastor."  I think my white collar was giving people the wrong idea or something?  Anyway, here's a few boring pics of the day.

After we arrived at Cracker Barrel in Cranberry Township; pardon my blurry finger

While the women piled into the gift shop,  Paul ordered some wine, Dennis a beer and I got this new Fall item, "Granny's Apple Tea".  Very appley, very sweet.  

Here's one of Pearl, back from the gift shop.  It's strange, we live in the same apartment building, on the same floor.  Yet this is only the second time I've seen her since last December.

Here's one of the wall above Paul's head, I was trying to get a closer look at those curious baskets.  EDIT: Snowshoes!  Duh!  Thank you Kimba & Bobi!

My meal--fried chicken tenders and a "loaded" baked potato.  I've had better loaded potatoes, but loved those green onions and gobbled it down.  Those chicken tenders were juicy and seasoned just right, the best chicken I've had in a long time.  They were also bigger than you think, after two of them I was stuffed!  

I got a box to take the rest of my chicken home, and as long as I was there I bought a $5.00 TakeHome dinner for tomorrow.  Actually, we all did--everyone got meatloaf except for me, only because I had meatloaf this past weekend.

When our server brought out mine, she included a bag of hot corn muffins and told me my apple tea was on the house.  When I asked why, she said "Just because" and smiled at me.  Honestly, I don't know why.

After everyone was finished, Paul told Dennis "We've got an hour before our shuttle returns, there's a cantina across the highway, you up for some margaritas?"  Dennis handed me his food bag and off they went.

(I had to text them when Access arrived 10 minutes early--"Get back here or we're leaving without you!"  I swear to God, Dennis was so tipsy he was blurry!)

I sat outside on one of Cracker Barrel's rocking chairs and chatted with Rose and Claire for a good hour, what kind, funny ladies.  My LC symptoms started up again around 8pm, I think there was too much activity earlier, oh well.  All I know is, for the day at least, I felt blessed.

On my way to the Senior Center & the old Sewickley Hotel

Here is yours truly, Wednesday morning at 9:30 am and on my way out the door.  I was catching a bus to the Senior Center (my first time there since last September) for an hour's visit and then to Sewickley, to have lunch with the old crew at an establishment known as The Hotel.

It was so awesome seeing Bridget (one of the ladies who works at the center) and "Pat in the Hat", an 86 year old regular slash volunteer who hugged me and couldn't have been nicer.  As glad as I was to be there however, I was surprised how quiet it was.  I only saw the handful of people that were going on the lunch outing.  

Unfortunately, the friends I am closest to--Melvin, Gerri, Deb, Mary & Evvie--were all no-shows, darn it.  

I was glad when "Paul the Playboy" walked in though, and soon after Dennis too, who couldn't have been funnier or nicer.

Anyway, there's not a lot to tell--we got to the bar/restaurant (more bar than restaurant) and sat at some pretty sticky tables for some burgers and overpriced pickled tacos.  I am not complaining though, I was glad to get out and be with friends again, for the first time in months.

The Sewickley Hotel is no hotel.  It's a lounge, a bar.  (But in a pretty hoity toity neighborhood.)

After they took our orders, Dennis high-tailed it out of there to check out the liquor store nearby.  He returned with a 1.75 liter bottle of Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey.  I guess some things never change!

Here was Pearl's order, a large Navajo frybread with shrimp toppings.  I wanted this too, but there were only a couple left and Pearl bought both (one to take home for her daughter who lives with her).

Here was my order, a trio of Barbacoa (shredded beef) soft-shell tacos with a lot of pickled cabbage.  I can't say I was in love with them, but they were very fresh, and different.  I was really hungry for something different.

When I was on my way to the men's room I came across this wall of Native American chiefs and headdresses.  I was really tempted to try one of those on!

Finally, on the way home, Dennis (who was pretty soused from his double Bloody Mary and Alabama Slammers) was incensed that the bar cut him off.  He slurred "I'm glad we went there Doug, but whoever heard of a bar turning down business from a paying customer?  We won't be coming back!"   Speak for yourself, Dennis!

Yes he drinks his share, but has a heart of gold and I enjoyed spending time with him.  The End!

The kindness of some people, the meekness of others & my own red kryptonite

 A few days ago I was surprised to get this in the mail.  A Get Well card from the folks at the Senior Center, who apparently found out about my recent stay at Mercy Hospital.  It was a really sweet gesture, as I haven't talked to anyone or been back to the center in several months (since my long covid relapse last September).  

It was so nice to see some of these names... they really are a wonderful group, both the seniors and the ladies who manage the center.  Monday I was walking home from Kuhn's, and a white SUV pulled up alongside me on the street, honking it's horn.  I looked thru the passenger window and almost didn't recognize my friend Mary.  She rolled down the window and yelled "Get your butt in this car--now!"  Too funny!  Love her.

(By the way, I've known Mary since April 2023 and she's always had red auburn hair.  After this past Christmas however, the last time I saw her, she decided to stop coloring her hair and is now fully gray.  And it looks really, really nice on her.)

After I got in, she caught me up on things at the center and with herself.  Our mutual friend Evvie, another one I miss very much, hasn't been to the center because of glaucoma and cataract issues.  I pray she gets that resolved soon.  And Mary has moved out of her old place into a condo just a couple blocks from me.  Wow.

A picture of Pat's 85th birthday from last summer, there's my friend Mary in the stripes and my old pal Dennis in the back

I told Mary that I contacted the center last week and asked to be put on the list for the restaurant outing for "Rosa's Cantina" on July 15.  It would be my first outing since last summer.  

I've been getting days here & there of lesser long covid symptoms, which gives me hope, unfortunately these weird relapses won't quit.  I'm in the middle of one right now.

Have you ever heard of red kryptonite?  We all know how green kryptonite can kill Superman.  There's also white kryptonite, blue kryptonite, jewel kryptonite, gold kryptonite.  But the red stuff will cause Supes to tingle all over--after that, anything goes.  It can turn him invisible, shrink him to the size of a housefly, turn him into a giant, a super-baby, you name it.  

That's what long covid does to me.  I never know when or how it will strike.  The night before last I was sitting here sipping a cup of coffee and eating a cookie, and suddenly began smelling long covid.  (Burnt hair, old flowers, mildew.)  A mild prickling sensation began in my face.  A sure sign something bad was coming.  

The next morning, the bottom right of my face was terribly swollen.  It looked like someone had given me a fat lip while I slept.  It will take 2-3 days to go back to normal.

This past weekend while people were celebrating the Fourth of July, I was coming close to getting kicked out of the Tiffany.  We lost our AC on July 3, and with Pittsburgh dealing with a week long heat wave of temps reaching 100F, by that night my apartment was 90F.

Steiner was slow to respond but it turns out only 2 people called and complained about the lack of AC; myself and a woman on the 6th floor.  I knocked on several of my neighbors doors and asked if they were suffering from the heat (oh yes) and did they call in and report the issue (oh no).

One neighbor said he didn't want to cause trouble as his lease was coming up.  Another said she was afraid of putting a target on her back.  Another said she knew someone would report it... eventually.  I told them "You have to speak up.  You don't have to be mean about it, but if only 1 or 2 tenants say anything, they won't treat it as an emergency."

Geez, I feel like I'm living with a flock of sheep here!

My sister Shawn was kind enough to offer to drive up Saturday morning and bring me back to her house for the weekend, and I was sorely tempted, but I felt I had to see this through.  I'd been pretty irate with Steiner over 2 days, telling them we needed a certified AC repairman, we had older people living here, I know it's a holiday but we need this resolved right now, etc.  

I just hope I didn't put any targets on my own back!  And hopefully I won't be seeing these numbers in my apartment again for a long time.

There is something to be said for old friends and real healing

My friend Kim H and myself, home from the doctor

The day after I posted my blog about spending a week in the hospital, an old friend (Kim H, who reads my blog) contacted me and said "What can I do to help? Pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy, go shopping for you, cook some meals you can warm up later, take you to your next appointment... let me know."

My gosh, she is one of a kind. 

Here's the story on Kim.  We became friends back in 1988 when we both worked downtown at the Allegheny County Dept of Aging.  She had just gotten married, I had just started working at the agency, but we were close in age and clicked right away.  I left Aging in 1998 for greener pastures, and we stayed in touch with Christmas & birthday cards and the occasional phone call or email.  But we haven't gotten together in many, many years.

Anyway, I thanked Kim for her generous offer but when you've lived alone as long as I have you want to take care of yourself.  Several days into things however, I realized I wasn't doing so well.  That's when I made my first home grocery order, and contacted Kim and asked if she would go to my doctors office with me for my 10 day post-surgery followup.  She said of course, and that's us there at the top, home from the doctor on Thursday.

The doctor's appointment went very well.  He removed the last of my bandages, listened to my lungs and heart, checked my oxygen level.  When I told him I didn't feel I was recuperating fast enough, he said "You've been home from the hospital 10 days.  I told you at checkout you'd need 6 weeks to make a full recovery.  Stop trying to be a Steeler."  A Steeler!  I said I was sorry and he said "Mr. Morris, many of my after-surgery patients arrive here in wheelchairs--you're doing great!"

He did make a couple revisions to my recovery plan though.  I have PT & RT (respiratory therapists) coming to my place again on Monday, darn it.  Enough!

I didn't bring up my long covid-nicotine patch idea, darn that too.  I'm going to hold off on that until I'm more my old self.

Afterwards, Kim took me grocery shopping at Kuhn's, then helped carry my stuff upstairs and stayed and chatted for an hour.  We talked about old friends, her grandkids, what our families have been up to.  I enjoyed her visit so much.  

When I was walking her to the elevator, I was thinking how much I'd missed Kim and wished we were closer like the old days.  As the doors opened and she stepped on, she said "I think we need to be better friends and be a bigger part of each others lives again."   She must've read my mind!

A wonderful ending to a great morning.  Kim, if you're reading this... thanks again. 

Are my blogging days over? I'm about to find out

This morning I got out of bed, shivered at the surprise cold in the air, came out to the living room and checked my phone--it was 31F outside.  Wow, it's almost May!  

Well, that's southwestern Pa for you.  The weather will trip you up everytime.

But it's also Monday, and my scheduled laundry day, so I knew I had to get my shower early and get my stuff down to the laundry room at 8am.  These past couple weeks, I didn't get down there until 9:30 am and both times got a knock on my door from Janice up the hall at 9:  "Hey Doug, are you done with your laundry time?"  

Janice--that room is mine from 8am to noon so back off!  Geez!

Anyway, I thought that before I got crackin' I'd send an email to my friend Pen (who lives near me), just to say good morning and how about this weather.  I open my email, put "Chilly Monday" in the subject line and that infernal Copilot pops up and says "Would you like us to compose a draft for you?"

That damn Copilot, I keep going into settings and deactivating it and it keeps returning.  Normally I say something like "Drop dead" or "Get lost" but I am in kind of a hurry, so I say "Sure."

It comes up with this:

It says "I hope your morning is off to a good start despite the chilly air!  There's certainly a crispness outside today that makes a warm cup of coffee or tea even more inviting.  Wishing you a cozy and productive start to your week--stay warm out there!   Best, Doug

Now I was all prepared to roll my eyes and snort when this popped up, but I've known Pen since grade school (we grew up on neighboring farms) and she's a sweet person but kind of a square too.  So I have a feeling she's really going to like this message.  I went ahead and hit 'Send'.

But here's the thing:  Pen may be a sweet square, but she's a smart cookie too.  She graduated our class at the top of our class.  She was elected Most Intelligent by her fellow students.  So she may see thru this cyber-fluff, write back and say "Don't send me an AI generated message again."

If she does, I'll consider my foray into AI assisted writing as a failure and resume my neurotic, half mental blogs.

If she falls for this AI message and responds with something pleasant like "Good morning Doug!  So nice to get a normal good morning from you"  then I'll begin using AI to compose my future blogs.

Stay tuned!  I'll post her reply if & when I get one. 😏

9:52 am - A response from Pen

I hope you have a great day as well. Yes, chilly today and perhaps a good day to make some chili. Ever hear of adding a bit of coffee to chili? I didn't until yesterday. It sounds strange, but I might try doing it if I decide to make some. Probably the last time I make any chili until fall/winter - just not my go to when we get warm weather. Take care.

Okay, it would appear that Pen did not see thru my AI ruse--she's not a suspicious person like myself and just assumes you're normal until told otherwise.  But I've decided that I can't hand over the blogging reins to that infernal AI, so it looks like you're stuck with me!   Have a great day everybody. 😉

Christmas Past: My friend Theresa & me, 1986

I know I just posted a new blog yesterday, but can I share this anyway?  Today an old friend (Theresa, pictured above) sent me this photo and wished me Merry Christmas, and it really took me by surprise.  I haven't seen this (or her) in many, many years.  And as close as we once were, we only talk now every couple years.

This is when we both worked for Ames, shortly after they bought out Murphy's Mart.  This was taken right after attending a Christmas party where I suspect we had a drink or two.  Um... I wouldn't mind a sip now!

I have to say, Theresa was a very good friend.  There was never any romantic interest, we were just good buddies.  I loved her parents Carl & Mary Lou.  They owned a video store (back before Blockbuster, when mom n' pop video stores were the norm) and we'd sit in the backroom of her parents business, eat microwave popcorn and watch the latest rentals.  When you earn $4.15 an hour, that's a fun night out!

It's hard to believe that the summer after this photo was taken, I got the opportunity to move to Pittsburgh and go back to school.  My first place in the city was a bit run down and Theresa's parents gave me a dozen or so movie posters to decorate the place.  

Theresa came up to visit me in the fall of '86, then we never saw each other in person again.

Anyway, I regret posting those last two selfies and would much rather see my old friend & younger self instead.   Thanks again for letting me share.

Merry Christmas, Everyone

Look who I'm hugging at the Sacred Heart Holiday Lunch

Thanks to our mutual friend Mary who took Evie & myself along, we were able to attend this year's Single Seniors Holiday Lunch at the Sacred Heart Church in nearby Emsworth on Tuesday.

I feel blessed, the post covid issues I've been dealing with were a little more manageable that morning and gave me the courage to go.  I really wanted to see Mary & Evie more than anything, I missed both very much.

The lunch was really nice, and I was so glad to see some other folks from the Senior Center (I haven't been there since September).  Towards the end of the lunch, when Mary was away from our table, I won the poinsettia centerpiece, which I gifted to Evie just as Mary returned.  Mary then offered to drop me off on the Boulevard so I could hitch a ride home.  She was kidding of course!  I sure do love these characters. 

Here's a few more pictures of our wonderful time there.

Cussin' Connie & Jenny, don't you love their smiles?  This is after I told Connie how great she looked, and she said "And you're full of sh-t!"  I sure have missed her :^)

Chicken quiche, croissant, raspberry walnut salad & apricot green beans.  They served this with plenty of their famous Christmas Tea Spice Punch, which was delicious.  No joke, I drank 4 big cups of that Heavenly Brew

Dessert came courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes, a specialty bake shop on the North Side.  These must've weighed over 1/2 a pound each!  They were topped with thick ropes of cream cheese frosting.

These young men provided the entertainment, and we later sang Christmas carols with the guitar player

Finally, they sent us all home with their famous boxes of assorted Christmas cookies.  I'm freezing most of these until we get closer to Christmas, but enjoyed the pumpkin spice cake for dessert that night--and breakfast the next morning.  😋

Lunch with Evie & friends and some (ugh) barbed wire

This past Wednesday, I went out to lunch with a few people from the Senior Center.  We went to Red Lobster on McKnight Road, and I wasn’t sure I was going to share it here as I blogged our trip there a year ago. 

But as long as we’re on the subject of seniors and the like…

Evie with a quiet smile, we were waiting to be seated

There is a woman at the center who feels the need to confront me every chance she gets.  I’ve been brushing her off, chalking up her meanness to her age or one too many bar fights, who knows.  But I do know she is asking for it. 

This all began several weeks ago, when we went to a restaurant she recommended, the Rockefeller Grille.  She sat at a table across from me, kept trying to get my attention.  Every time I looked her way, she’d say “Having fun yet?  Then why aren’t you smiling?  Smile!”  and prop up both corners of her mouth with her fingers.   

Who is this woman?  I knew she was older than me, and in much better shape.  She had a tough exterior, like those prison matrons you see in movies about women in jail.  We’ll call her Barb Wire.

At our next outing, I’m at the center chatting with Dennis while waiting for our Access shuttle.  Barb Wire comes over and says “Where did you grow up?  City or country?”  Dennis says city, I say country.  She looks at me and says “I think you’re lying.  You’re too soft to be from the country.” 

I shrug my shoulders and ask Dennis if he wants to wait outside with me.

A couple Fridays ago, I’m chatting with Melvin when she comes over to us.  She asks if either of us had ever seen a snake up close.  We both say yes.  She tells us how a snake got in her house once, and she held a broomstick next to it until it curled around it, then she took it outside.

She turns to me and says “I bet you would’ve run out of there screaming like a little girl.  Just admit it.”  

She’s so awful it’s almost laughable!  If I was a woman, I would’ve socked her one.  I tell Melvin I’m going to the mens room to wash up before lunch. 

Getting back to our lunch at Red Lobster this week… I sat in a booth with Evie, Dennis and Wild Irish Rose.

Dennis got the shrimp linquini, Rose got the steak & lobster.  (I got the crispy flounder, Evie got the Admiral’s Feast to have extra for her dinner.)

We’re having a good time, laughing & kidding each other.  Barb Wire gets up from her table in the back, comes over to ours and asks if we heard her fish story.  The time she went fishing at some lake near some prison.

She tells us after she cast her line, a man walked up and asked if he could leave his wallet and wristwatch with her while he took a swim.  She said yes, he jumped in and swam across the lake but didn’t come back.  She waited an hour or so, then approached one of the prison guards patrolling the area.  Yes he saw the man.  He told her the man was so tired after his swim, he walked home.

Um… where was this mystery man’s clothes, his shoes?  Did he walk home in his skivvies?  This story is pretty fishy.

She says there was no ID in the wallet, and it took her a week to track the man down and return his items.

If Barb Wire was nicer, she'd look very similar to this person cap included 

She then asks us what we would’ve done in her place.  No one said anything, so I said “Well, if there was no ID I would’ve checked the wallet for cash then tossed it in a corner mailbox.  And added the watch to my collection.”   Barb Wire glared down at me and said “THAT TELLS ME WHAT KIND OF PERSON YOU REALLY ARE!  I WILL NEVER TRUST YOU WITH ANYTHING OF MINE!  EVER!”

We sat there in silence.  Evie asks if I will let her out of the booth so she can go to the ladies room.  I ask Barb Wire to step back so I can slide out and let Evie out.  As Evie scoots across the bench, Wire says “DON’T JUST STAND THERE, HELP HER!  SHE’S YOUR FRIEND ISN”T SHE?”

I can’t take anymore of Barb Wire.  I did tell one of the women who work at the center about her a couple weeks ago, but was only told they’ve gotten complaints from others about her as well.

Now of course this can’t continue… I spent half my life being bullied by classmates, coworkers, family members.  I’m old now and not afraid to stand up to these types.  I do regret answering her lunatic question in the restaurant, and I’ll do my best to steer clear of this person going forward.  But if she comes at me again, I guarantee she’s going to hear it.

Thanks for listening and letting me get this off my chest.  Stay tuned! 

 

Another trip to the Narcisi Winery and surprise, surprise; oh I don’t like surprises, Gomer

On Wednesday July 23 (which was also my dad’s 88th birthday if he were still alive) our senior center took a trip 40 minutes north of the city to Gibsonia and the Narcisi Winery.

We were there once before in October 2023, which I wrote all about here.

Shortly after we arrived, I dug out my phone to start taking pitchers, and thought “you know, I’d just be repeating an older post” so I decided to put the phone away after taking this pic of their orchard.

I’m a little sorry I did that, my friend Mary dressed extra special for the day and wore a nice outfit that included a lovely peasant blouse.  Why didn’t I get a photo of that at least?

I wound up ordering the same thing I did the last time we were there; a petit filet mignon steak salad with jalapeno ranch dressing.

(But I did have a wine slushi this time ‘round, my first alcoholic drink in probably 10 years.  It was refreshingly buzzy.)

Their specialty is pasta dishes, which everyone else at my table got except for me. It’s just that they serve so much hot bread and dipping oil before your meal arrives, I loaded up on that again and was carb’d out.  

I was also smoked out—my pal Dennis sat on my right and during our meal, got up to go outside and have a cigarette thirteen times.  13 times!  I love the guy, but still…

Dennis on the right, puffing away; we could see him directly outside the window behind our table.  We had a lovely view of the winery’s grounds

All in all, it was a really hot day but still a nice time.  I felt a little guilty being there without my dear friend Evvie (who is still dealing with her sciatica, now our second outing without her) but my gosh, Mary is so dear & funny.  She’s so tall & slender though, I just wanted to shake her.  Just kidding, Mary!

Here’s the surprise though; after the Access shuttles returned and took us home (we were gone the whole day) I found a certain piece of mail taped to my front door.  It’s been 15 years since I last got one of these, I should’ve known one was coming.

I’m to report for jury duty on Thursday, August 28 (which also happens to be my sister Shawn’s birthday).  I almost dread having to take a bus to downtown Pittsburgh, it’s been so long since I was last in the city.  I worked down there for almost 30 years, y’know.

Here’s what I’m also nervous about—my long covid, which still isn’t under control.  Last week, I was in a good amount of pain Thursday, Friday, Saturday.  Burning in the face, tops of my hands, backs of my legs.  Sunday morning I woke up and it was completely gone.  Things were fine on Monday too, thank you Lord.

And then Tuesday (the day before our winery trip), I awoke with my face and eyes in so much pain I spent most of the day on my bed with the bedroom door shut and my eyes closed.  These relapses are pretty debilitating.  I felt positively blessed when I got up Wednesday morning and aside from some mild burning around my eyes, knew I could go on our trip to the winery.

I just wonder how things are going to be on August 28 when I’m expected to be at the Allegheny County Courthouse at 8:30 am.  All I can do is keep my fingers crossed and hope I don’t get a visit from Post Covid Pyle.

 

 

Gentlemen, your mission should you choose to accept it; proceed to Mission Barbecue

This past Wednesday, several of us from the Senior Center took one of our bi-monthly lunch outings to Mission BBQ, in Robinson Township.

Dennis & me, waiting for our ride to Mission BBQ

I was a little surprised to discover there’s a couple of them in the greater Pittsburgh area, and 150 franchises nationwide; I’d never even heard of them.

I’m so glad I stopped in Lincoln Barbershop on the way to the center to tell Rose (my barber) where I was going.  She warned me the food was salty, to taste before reaching for the salt & pepper.  Boy was she right!

To be honest, I almost didn’t go; my friends Mary & Debbie elected not to join us, and my girl Evvie is dealing with some health issues (her sciatica).  I haven’t seen her for a couple weeks now.

Evvie, if you’re reading this… I love and miss you, get better soon.

Well, I had Dennis to keep me entertained & hopefully vice-versa, so away we went.

Here’s the place from the outside.

Inside, the walls were covered in police, military & firefighting badges, gear, helmets, photos, etc.; from the ceiling hung LED tvs airing patriotic videos.  “GOD BLESS THE USA” country music played loudly and nonstop.  (The music was driving me a little bonkers.)

 

This was not a full service restaurant.  The minute you walk in the door, you’re part of a line headed towards a row of cash registers.  Just like an old school McDonalds.  You give them your order (good thing I studied the menu the night before) and then shuffle down the line and fill your own drink cup.

Before you even get to your table, your name is called to come back & pick up your food.  No plates, it’s all served on heavy brown paper on sheet metal trays.  I got the Big Brisket Sandwich, hand-cut fries & coleslaw. It was piping hot & perfectly delicious.

STILL… at 12 noon, the televisions suddenly displayed American flags, and everyone was asked to stop what they were doing, stand at attention and salute (or pledge allegiance to) their nearest flag while the national anthem played. 

I have nothing against showing respect for our men & women in uniform, but the “forced patriotism” in the middle of lunch felt a little disconcerting, to say the least. 

There was a couple hitches with this outing.  First, we arrived & finished so quickly, we were ready to go by 12 noon.  But Access (our shuttle ride) wasn’t returning to get us until 2pm!  I called & requested an early pickup, but they never showed.

So the group of us spent 2 hours outside the restaurant, watching people coming and going while chewing the fat.  I talked about my brisket sandwich so much, Dennis went back inside and ordered one to take home.  Later, he asked me if I’d seen the urinal in the men’s room and when I said no, suggested I check it out. 

(It was a big metal trough in the floor that made a drumming sound while you’re going.  Can you believe I’m sharing that?)  

The second hitch was the ride home.  I forgot to select ‘Drop off at home’ on the sign-up sheet, and Access does NOT bend the rules; so I had to ride that damn shuttle back and forth in front of my apartment building 3 times while the (new) driver dropped off other riders.  The other riders even said “Doug lives right here, just let him off!”   

Nope—I had to ride back to the center and walk the mile home.  Oh well, I suppose I needed the exercise anyway!