Happy Holidays 2025

It's been a busy month here with more Christmas cheer than I'm accustomed. The main building is decorated to the nines, and we've had lots of Christmas entertainment from children's school choruses, to harp music, the Carolinian Senior Jazz Band, and more. We had a Christmas Drop-In on December 4th, where each resident could invite two people for munchies, music, and good cheer. On the 11th, we hosted Santa's Supper, a formal dinner for residents. This included the best Santa I have ever seen! And at an old-folk's home! I'm sure his schedule is full for the remainder of the holiday. The artwork in the photos is by a resident, and I'm shown with 1) Jennifer, our sweet and talented Life Enrichment Director. 2) Jimmy, another resident, and one of Rosie's favorite people. 3) Our Lunch Bunch - Trudy, me, and Anna (Jan and Jim are not shown).

One of the highlights of the season was our trip to Presbyterian College for the Christmas program, "Light of the World." The music was outstanding, and it ended with a formally dressed bagpiper and a Celtic Blessing of Light, all of which brought chills!  I didn't take photos, but hopefully you can see a few here. I think if you click on a photo, it will open all of the photos.

One other event deserves mention, and that was a Christmas Market that was held here over a period of a day and a half. I didn't pay it much attention, and didn't actually check it out until about 2 hours before it was to close! That was a mistake! I was surprised at the variety and quality of available handcrafted items, and at that point, I'm sure other things were snapped up early that I didn't even get to see. Even that late, I found some little things for my lunch bunch and other people I'd like to remember. Next year, I'll know to attend early!!

One of the Christmas items I brought back from Bluffton was a set of Christmas plates that I've had for years.....and never taken out of the box. They were made in Germany, but I'm sure I bought them in the Middle East, either Saudi or Bahrain. Anyway, I donated them to the community so they can become part of the holiday decorations. They are displayed in the windows of the chapel. Each large window has a wreath in the middle, and on the ledge below, a plate is displayed. I'm glad they can use them, and I'll actually get to see them during the season. When I bring the remaining items back, I'll see if they can use any of them also.

Needless to say, my little cottage requires much less decorating than a 3-bedroom house. Everything was quick and easy, except decorating the metal Christmas tree. Last year was the first time I used it, and I couldn't remember how I strung the lights. I started and stopped over and over, taking a full week to get it done! I imagine that taking the lights down will be a nightmare that may take even longer! In any case, it's up, and I've done as much as I can tolerate, even though there are some things I didn't use. Maybe next Year!

Winter has definitely arrived in the Upstate! We have actually only had a few days as shown here, and we're handling the colder temperatures better than I expected. Rosie definitely prefers the cooler days to the hot days of summer. Since the two days of freezing temps, we've had a few days of rain, but most are sunny in the 50s and 60s, which I think will hold through Christmas (almost reaching 70!). That's not too bad at all!

A source of recent excitement has been our visiting pig! While he hasn't been lately, he was showing up about once a week, and everyone was reporting pig sightings. The first time he showed up, he came right into my front yard, and Rosie had a fit. She usually barks at cats, squirrels, etc., but this time she was on her hind legs, pounding her front paws on the storm door, with non-stop barking! When I checked it out, I saw why! The pig just wagged its tail and kept on munching and moving. Another morning, I opened the door to take Rosie for her morning walk, and he was right across the road. We think he belongs to someone nearby but has found an escape route.

As always, I have to share a little Rosie! I went to Petco in Simpsonville to pick up her food and found this pig. I loved it because rather than squeaking, it oinks! My only hesitation was its size, but that didn't stop me - or Rosie. All I had to do was put it on the floor and squeak it once, and Rosie was away! I think the size became a challenge to her, and she did eventually find a way to pick it up. I hope this short video includes the sound so you can hear her "fussing" at piggy.

The only downside of the month has been another episode with Rosie. Over the weekend, she had two nights of shivering, which left us both with about 4 hours of sleep each night. I got her to the Vet first thing Monday. She checked her out and didn't think she was in pain. The weather was stable, so no storms were approaching; so what was the source of the problem? The Vet suggested a calming treat that was successful with her older dog, as well as "pheromones" for dogs. In the meantime, she had a day and a half of diarrhea. So, I called the Vet again, and she gave me something for that. One was a tablet and the other a liquid in a syringe. I knew I couldn't give it to her by myself without wasting most of it, so I texted Tiffany and Penny, our cleaning ladies. They came right over, and Penny held Rosie while Tiffany gave her the medicine. What lifesavers! I managed to give her only 1/2 of a dose of the tablet medication before constipation set in! She had been eating very sporadically through all of this. So, I suspended the medication and hoped for the best. It has taken a while, but she's about 95% at this point. This is always emotionally draining for me and physically stressful for Rosie. As these things seem to be happening more often, I'm concerned for her, as it's almost impossible to medicate her. Either I have to improve at it, or we need to come up with an alternative treatment. In any case, she is much better, for which I'm very thankful. Update: As far as the calming treat goes, Rosie won't eat it! I even mixed it in with one of her favorite treats - she ate her treat and left the new one! That's what I'm dealing with! Now, I have a pheromone collar on order. Keep your fingers crossed that it works.

On that note, I'll wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year! Here's hoping 2026 is a little kinder to us than was 2025!  I'll leave you with The Celtic Blessing of Light from the Presbyterian College program. May it warm your heart and pave the way for the coming year. Much love to all.💖

One Down (Halloween), Two to Go (Thanksgiving & Christmas)!

 

We're in late November, and we've had such beautiful weather. Today, I took my walk after walking Rosie and having breakfast, and I didn't even need a light jacket! Even so, growing up in NC, I remember Thanksgiving as being the harbinger of winter! In keeping with that, we are expecting a temperature drop from 70°F today to 53°F on Thanksgiving. 

I've really loved seeing the leaves change color, fall, and tumble along the ground with a gust of wind. This tree is in my backyard, and you can see the progression over a period of a few days. The photos of our main building were taken during the "golden hour," when the sky and light were just awe-inspiring. And the grapevines, lush and full in the summer, have gone bare again. I'm glad there are enough evergreen trees to keep the landscape from looking too bare.

I'm pleased to say that Halloween is behind us. Being a former teacher, I've had enough of that holiday to last me for a lifetime!  Even so, it was fun here, and I showed you the decoration contest by the staff, which was very creative. 

One morning, we had first-graders from a local school pay us a visit. We were seated along the hallway, and as they passed by, we filled their trick-or-treat bags with candy. They were cute and very excited about it all. Then on Halloween evening, the staff brought their kids by, and we did the same. It was great to meet the families and see their kids.

The staff also had a costume contest, and no expense was spared! It, too, was lots of fun. 

The highlight of the month was my trip to Bluffton. The reason for going was to pick up my Christmas decorations that have been stored in Chris's garage. I spent so much time socializing that at some point, I texted Chris and asked her to not let me forget to take my Christmas items!! I actually touched base with 20 friends over 3 days. It was non-stop fun and food.

We arrived around noontime and were staying with Maria, Mark, Felix, and Henry. We had just enough time to unpack the car and have a light lunch before heading to see Lynn and Tom in their new digs. Both Chris and Tom have November birthdays, so I ordered a birthday cake as a surprise. We had so much to catch up on, and it was great to see that they are liking their new place and settling in nicely. The worst part is over!! We gabbed over wine and red velvet cake.....it was very nice, and I hope Chris and Tom had a good birthday.

Tuesday was jam-packed. We began with lunch at Olive and Fig, where we received a warm welcome from Tammy. Chris, Maria, Mark, and I were joined by Rhonda and Melodie (John couldn't make it). It was lighthearted, and the conversation flowed. I have missed my longtime, liberal friends who are well-informed and can pick up where we left off without missing a beat!! I'm finding my people here, but it isn't like the oldtimers! It was a fun lunch, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

From there, I went to visit Tippy, who has been dealing with health issues. Kieran was out of town, but she was being well cared for by Florida friends. We didn't have nearly enough time (and I forgot to take a photo, and Tippy always reminded me when I forgot!) to catch up as I would have liked, but it was good to see for myself that she is improving and is encouraged.

Chris, David, and I had coordinated plans so I could visit when Drinking Liberally was meeting! Needless to say, I touched base with a lot of friends here - David, Bob and Julie, Sally, Kathy, Rhonda and Chris joined us again, and others. It was a fun evening. Rhonda and I hung back for a second glass of wine after everyone had left, and, lo and behold, Carol W stopped by! She was leaving the next day for her new digs in Vermont. That was a nice surprise. I didn't have time to talk to Sally about her trip to Antarctica or any upcoming plans. Bob and Julie had JUST returned from a trip to Africa with OAT, and we didn't have nearly enough time to compare notes. I know they enjoyed it as much as we did, and I hope to hear more about it. Just not enough time! Thanks to Chris and David for making this a fun evening.

Wednesday was supposed to be a quiet day! I wanted to treat Maria and Mark to lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant as a "thank you" for putting us up and for putting up with us!! Persis was a long-standing favorite when we were neighbors, and we were not disappointed. It was like old times! 

I have to mention that on our morning walks with the doggies, Mark was very tolerant as I rang doorbells of former neighbors and had quick visits! That's something I would not ordinarily do, but a short visit is better than no visit at all. Even so, there were many former neighbors I didn't see at all.....just not enough time.

As soon as we got back from lunch in Savannah, I headed to Chris's to pick up my Christmas items. Somehow, I thought I could fit everything in my car, but not so! I looked through and brought back those things I thought I might use, and will go back for the rest another time. There is no way I can use all of it (or even most of it!), so I'll have to get rid of a lot. I'm hoping they can use some of it here in the community. 

That evening, Maria and Mark invited Becky and Jim over, as well as Becky's sister Kathy, who missed a fun evening (and we missed her)! You know you're with your people when the conversation flows from personal to politics to philosophy to whatever, with lots of laughs sprinkled in between! It was a lovely evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a perfect end to a delightful visit. I am just so fortunate and thankful to have such wonderful friends that I reconnected with and appreciated over these few days.💕 Thank you one and all for making my visit so special.

Rosie and I came back on Thursday, partially unpacked the car, and collapsed! We had to be rested for J Lynne's going-away party on Friday afternoon. She is one of Rosie's favorite people (and mine!). Rosie checks on her every morning. While J Lynne pets Rosie, she and I chat. This also happens again in the afternoon. J Lynne is at the front desk and has a welcoming smile for everyone. That is one thing I remember from my first visit here. She is also kind and helpful to everyone she meets, and makes everyone feel welcome. That is a gift that not everyone has, and it isn't the same without her! There are fewer people about, reading the paper or a book, chatting, etc. She was the one who made everyone feel comfortable, and she will be missed by many, especially Rosie and me. 

I also reconnected, via technology, with another friend, Cheryl, whom I haven't seen in a while. She had recently been to Newberry, SC, which is not too far from me, and posted some wonderful photos of the town. It's also where I went for the No Kings protest, though I didn't see the scenic part of town. This past Sunday, a lunchmate, Anna, and I took off to see it, and it really is a charming town! They've done so much to maintain the beautiful buildings, and the Opera House is noted for the entertainment, which hopefully brings people and revenue to the town. The weather was nice for our visit, and it was a very pleasant morning. I've decided that Sunday mornings may be a nice time to do more exploring. Cheryl and I didn't connect when I was in town, but I hope our paths will cross again soon.

I'm going to wind this up so I can send it before the day is out. My neighbor two doors down, Miss Erna the Cat Lady, just stopped by and invited me to join her for a Laurens County Chorale concert in about an hour. I'm going ot rebuild myself, and join her for the concert. I'll come home, reread this post, and send it out, with my best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving for those celebrating.

The Holiday Season is Upon Us!

 Fall has arrived in the Upstate! The mornings are cool and crisp, but by noon the sky is clear, the sun is shining, and we've warmed up. It really is a nice time of year! 

As you might guess from the photos, every day is a s#!tshow with our "government," or lack thereof! We are constantly bombarded with one act of desecration after another, leading to the destruction of systems that have held us together over the years, centuries. I can't help but feel that the destruction of the East Wing of the White House was a gut punch, with NO regard for history or tradition, and so clearly showing his/their total lack of regard for anything that can't be easily converted to money. It's the ultimate middle finger to the country, the people, the history, and all in which we once took pride. That will be his legacy!

As I look back over the last month, it's been quite busy. One of the nicest moments was a visit by former Crescent/Bluffton neighbors, Becky and Jim, along with Becky's sister Cathy. We had such a wonderful catch-up, and it was so good to see them. Our connection goes way back to when their granddaughters were much younger. When they visited Becky and Jim, they always wanted to play with Rosie. They would visit us, and we would stop in to say hello when we were on our walks. I can still see Rosie having zoomies of excitement when Becky opened the door and the girls were there!! They eventually got their own doggie, and I have to think Rosie had something to do with that! They were delightful, as are Becky and Jim. I was so fortunate to have such good neighbors, and even more so that they would stop in for a visit. 

I don't think I've mentioned that I joined the Trivia Club. It's a fun group of people, and we have a good rapport. Once or twice a year, teams from each community meet for a "Trivia Bowl." This was my first experience, and, unfortunately, we did poorly. We determined that the questions were computer-generated, while we've been practicing with Trivial Pursuit questions. When I got home, I started checking out randomly generated trivia questions and had about 15 pages of questions for our next meeting. That got a very positive response from the team, and now I'm in charge of creating the questions!!

The photo of the young lady in the red shirt is of Jennifer, our activity director. She is a delightful, caring young lady who goes above and beyond (she's also on Rosie's morning check-in list!). In the second group photo, the lady on the left (holding her hands together) is Trudy, our 94-year-old question reader/MC, and she does a great job. She's also part of my dining group. The event was held at Laural Crest in Columbia, and it was located right by the river. It really was a beautiful spot.

Presbyterian College is just s few miles down the road, and I recently attended my first event there, arranged through our community. It was a choral program, which included the full chorus, joined by a high school chorus for several songs, a select choir, and a final program by a local celeb, who sang a John Denver medley. The real pleasure of it was that it was organized through the community; we were driven there and back, with no fuss or worry! That makes everything a little more appealing when you don't have to sweat the details!

This month, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Clinton Presbyterian Community, and it was a huge occasion - lots of pretty decorations, an abundance of good food, two musical groups, Presbyterian community leadership, local dignitaries, as well as those who had a previous affiliation with the community. Lots of effort went into putting it together, and it was a nice evening. Many of the people in the photos are our daily staff, who put up with us day in and day out! They really are a lovely group of people, many of whom have worked here for 10,20,30. and even 40 years!! And they still manage to have a positive, helpful attitude! That's pretty amazing.

You might guess that I would participate in the No Kings protest! I was disappointed in myself for thinking I might not go, when a neighbor stopped me on my walk to say that she and her husband had just signed up for the one in Newberry. I went straight home and did the same! I knew I would be miserable at home, knowing I should be there! The organizer said about 100 people had signed up, but about 145 or so showed up. We had enough to fully cover four corners of a busy intersection. I think most passers-by didn't know what to think. My guess is it's the first time they've seen anything like it. A few others knew what to do - toot that horn, yell, thumbs up! Most of the responses were positive, with only a few jackasses.

Yes, Elvis was in the building! From time to time, Presbyterian College students visit. This time, they had a Halloween Game night, complete with cookies, candy, punch, etc. Many came in Halloween costumes, but needless to say, Elvis was a standout. He had "thank you very much" down pat and even sang a few songs. He definitely put everyone in a good mood. 

A different group of PC students will be coming over tomorrow night for Trivia night. They've done this once before since I've been here, and we have two mixed teams (half PC students and half CPC residents)....and Trudy is the MC! It's lots of fun.

Halloween is a big deal around here. The photos to the left are of a staff pumpkin decorating competition, and I was so impressed with the creativity and cleverness. We can only vote for one, and I don't know how I'm going to trim it down from my top three! We are also going to have two trick-or-treat visits. A pre-school class will be coming one day, and on another day, the children of staff will be visiting. I'm looking forward to that. 

Along with the Halloween theme, I participated in a pumpkin decorating event. You can see that I'm not nearly as talented as our staff! I also won the candy corn guessing game (guess the number of candy corns in a carafe). I'm really bad a guesstimating anything and was totally shocked to win. I won the candy corn, a soft little blanket (perfect for Rosie), and a Halloween glass with a top and straw. Needless to say, my Halloween is made!

Chef Mark has really taken my vegetarian request to heart! The food tastes better than the photos show. He's done a homemade black bean burger, a delicious panini, something like an arepas with black bean, sweet potato, and guac. In the Italian vein, he's done stuffed shells,

eggplant parm, and a tortellini dish. The one that totally floored me was the Vegetarian Quinoa Taco Salad. The minute I saw quinoa on the flyer, I thought it was doomed. He had planned for 24, and 22 were ordered! He's also done two dishes just for me. Tamieka, our Executive Director, said that several residents had commented positively about the dishes, so I'm very hopeful. Sometime this coming week, I've planned to meet again with the head dietitian and Chef Mark to see where we can go from here. Mark has been the real key to everything, and I've made an effort to see that he gets the recognition he deserves, along with a nice bottle of wine! Keep your fingers crossed that all continues to move forward.

My primary concern this week has been Rosie. On Monday, she was very lethargic and wouldn't eat anything. She wouldn't even take treats from her favorite people! She finally ate late in the day when I hand-fed her. On Tuesday, she was doing a lot of panting and coughing - not severe panting that comes with anxiety, but panting when there should not have been a need. She seemed better on Wednesday, but I had an appointment with the vet, and took her for my own peace of mind. Earlier, they said she had a heart murmur, which I wasn't aware of. They took X-rays and did blood work, which I haven't heard back from yet. The X-rays showed that her heart is slightly enlarged, and she appeared to have something happening in her throat. She was given two medications, which I am trying to get into her with only partial success! You see that little speck by the food bowl? That is 1/4 of a pill. The other blob is a pill that has been wrapped in cheese and mixed with her food! She is like a cat - if she smells it or it has a bitter taste, she will spit it out. If she becomes too suspicious, she will virtually stop eating, so I have to be careful how much I mess with her usual foods. I went to Petco today and bought several things that I hope will disguise the pills well enough to get close to the dosage she needs. She does seem to feel better and is her usual perky self. It's very hard to see her  not feeling well.

With all of that going on, I've managed to see my Nurse Practitioner again after having blood work and a mammogram. All is well. The clinic here provided flu shots. I also attended a farewell gathering for the minister at First Presbyterian Church, who is married to JLynne, one of our favorites here at CPC.  It was primarily for people of the church, but two of us from here were invited, and I felt honored and pleased to be included. She is one of Rosie's favorite people (and mine!), and we will surely miss her. 

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but I'll catch you up next time. In the meantime, I hope all is well with you, and please let me know what you've been up to.  Love and hugs 💖

The BER months!

 As a friend reminded me, we're now into the BER months - September, October, November, and December. The last few months of the year seem to go faster than all the others. It will also usher in a new "winter" season for Rosie and me! Rosie has definitely liked the cooler mornings we're getting, but I'm not sure how we're going to like a colder winter.

I had no sooner posted last time when I suddenly remembered everything I forgot to mention!! One of them was a ceremony held here called Quilts of Valor. The quilts are individually made and presented to veterans in appreciation of their service. The ceremony included about 6 or 7 residents here, and it was very touching. I had never heard of this organization, and I wish I could have provided this for my own father! The Clinton Chronicle did a much better job of the photos, so you can see them and read the story HERE. The quilts were beautiful, and the ceremony moving.

I also planned to tell you more about the activities in which I've finally had time to participate. For the last two Fridays, we've gone to Simpsonville to the movies - Hamilton, which I really loved, and Downton Abbey, which was also good.. There was a small group for Hamilton, so we took the car. The group for Downton Abbey was larger, so we took the bus. Being a new driver in the area, it was nice to be chauffeured so that I could look around a bit more.

There have been two craft projects. One was a floral arrangement with lights in the vase. It was cute, but I really have no place for it, so I gave it away. The other was a door hanging for the fall. This one I'll keep and use on my front door. It was a fun project and I enjoyed doing it.

I've also joined the Trivia group. All six communities in SC will be competing in the Trivia Bowl at Laural Crest on the 26th. That will be an all-day outing. Needless to say, I was concerned about leaving Rosie for so long until one of the cleaning ladies asked if I'd like them to stop in and check on her (when we were going out to the movies). I told them not today, but I'd very much appreciate it on the 26th! They are among Rosie's favorite people, and they seem to love her, so I'll feel much better about going.

Along that same line, last week, students from Presbyterian Pharmacy School came over and held a Trivia Night. Two teams were made up of students and us oldies, and it was lots of fun. They've done it in the past, and we're hoping they'll make it a regular thing.

Our most recent event was a concert by the Carolinians Senior Jazz Band. They're out of Greenville, and the band has about 22 members, which includes 2 singers. They have a full schedule of about 40 to 50 concerts a year, so they are dedicated to it. They were very good, and it was enjoyable. It was at 3 PM, and I just walked up to the main building for it, stopping by the ice cream machine (always available!) on my way home!

I've also finally gotten a doctor, rather a Nurse Practitioner, with Self Regional Hospital. She was recommended by several people, and I found her to be friendly, easy to chat with, professional, and knowledgeable. Of course, that sets up a whole slew of appointments - bloodwork, follow-up visit, mammogram, etc. Even so, I'm happy to have it done and to have found someone I think I'll like.

I really didn't think about many of my health needs being met here, but last week, the podiatrist was in, and I had my nails clipped. We're also scheduled for flu shots on the 25th! Some are thinking it will be flu and COVID shots, but the announcement didn't say that. When I saw the NP, I asked about a COVID shot, and she said they had just been told it would require a prescription. So, I asked for one and went straight to CVS and got it! I'll be eager to see if it is given here or if a prescription is required. I've done well to avoid COVID thus far, and I want to keep it that way....and I think I'm in the land of the great unvaccinated!!

I'll spare you my political thoughts because they are disappointing and sad. I'm disappointed in my countrymen that they are willing to tear the country apart, and all for people who would not give them the time of day. Sad! Very sad!

I'll leave you with this little Rosie story. Every morning during our walk, she makes her way through the front door of the building to visit JLynne at the front desk. When she isn't there on the weekends, Rosie runs around the desk, stops, looks, and then turns to me like, "Where is she? What's happening?" I told JLynne about it, but decided to prove it, so I took these photos!  The third one was taken on Monday morning, when JLynne was where she was supposed to be, and all was right with Rosie's world!

Sending love and good wishes!💖🐾

The Year Is Moving Along!

I'll start with my usual lament - where does the time go? It seems that I just turn around and another month has gone by! With the holidays, we all know how quickly the last few months of the year go. The year will be gone before we know it!!

The month began with a visit by Gov. Newsom, whom I'd met before in Bluffton. Needless to say, I was eager to see him again. There was a very good turnout for the event, including a couple from CPC, as well as a few people I'd met at the local Democratic Party meeting. With all of the negative, hateful stuff that's going on, it was nice to hear someone more positive and who speaks in complete sentences. He is also one of the few people who stand up to trump, so he has my support right off the bat! This is my kind of thing and I enjoyed it throughly. I have several other things lined up that I want to do ASAP - one is a ladies' group in Laurens that meets for coffee one Saturday a month. Another is the Spartanburg Drinking Liberally group, as well as the South Greenville Democrats. Slowly but surely, I'm finding my people!

I think I left off last time with my invitation to the Newcomers' Dinner, which was on July 17th. It really was a lovely affair, and the chef outdid himself. The room was beautifully decorated, and the tables looked lovely. Chef Mark made a Veggie Wellington for me, which was delicious! I was seated between the CEO of all six communities and our Executive Director. Jennifer, our Activity Director, gave a brief bio of each new resident, and it was interesting to learn about everyone's background. After that, we were entertained by a barbershop quartet. All in all, it was a lovely evening and I enjoyed it. The photo of Rosie is of her making me feel guilty as I was dressing for the dinner. I had an eye appointment earlier in the afternoon that lasted about 2 hours, much longer than I expected. Then, to come home and leave again was more than she could take! With a little coaxing and a few treats, Rosie forgave me the next day.

The weekend before (7/13-7/16), I had a visit from Melodee. She started with a visit to a friend in the Atlanta area and then came here. Since I have a one-bedroom place, she stayed in the guest quarters in the main building for two nights and then here for the final night - I got the dates wrong, so there was a mix-up. Monday was her birthday, so we ventured into Greenville to have lunch at Pomegranate on Main, which was very nice. Our plan was to browse around Main Street and the park area, which we did a bit; however, it was so hot that our browsing was cut short. It was my first attempt at driving in Greenville, and thanks to GPS, it was not as intimidating as I expected. I'm sure it has a lot to offer, and I hope to explore it more. As always, I enjoyed Melodee's visit, and it was great to catch up!

The next week, we had an open-air concert at Furman University. It was my first outing with a group, and it gave me an even greater respect for our Activity Director! We were driven up in our community bus, and due to the heat, we sat in the cool bus while they set up our chairs and took in all supplies. We then went to our seats and were served a box dinner. Even though it was hot, it was not as hot as it had been, and about 7:30, it seemed to cool even more. So, we got a break with that. It was a nice outing, and I enjoyed being able to look around more than I can when I'm driving. The music was nice, and there happened to be a national brass instrument meeting of some kind taking place at Furman that week, and we got a special performance by the professional brass instrument players from around the country, which included an Arab lady. I was impressed by that! It was a late evening for me, but I enjoyed it. 

On July 23rd, I was invited to join a luncheon for prospective tenants. There were about eight or so tables of six, with one resident at each table. The luncheon was nice (and Mark made a veggie entree for me), with the usual sales pitch. The guests seemed to like having a resident to ask questions. Unfortunately, it went longer than I expected, and I had to leave early. I apologized to all of the appropriate people, but Rosie had a vet appointment, and I had to go. It was the second time I'd been invited to share a meal with visiting guests, which I thought kind of odd since I'm new myself. 

I've finally been able to meet with the Food Committee in my campaign to get a vegetarian entree offered at lunchtime. Most people seem open to it, though I did hear on lady disparaging it. More recently, I asked the visiting person from corporate, who is on campus weekly, if I might have the address of the corporate dietitian, and what I wanted to propose. The dietitian is on maternity leave and will be back in September, at which time she will set up a meeting/call/etc. But even better, she said they were already thinking of running a pilot program to see how vegetarian dishes might go over! I was very pleased with that news. I'm going to get some ideas on paper so I'll have something to offer when we meet. Keep your fingers crossed.

More recently, we had a wonderful display of seashells. I really wasn't expecting much, but I was very impressed with the number and condition of the shells. There were 7 long tables of shells, all cleaned, nicely displayed, and labeled. The two ladies who put it together told us how it all came about, where they found certain shells, etc. It really was well done and made me wonder why I'd never attempted such a collection, living at the coast as long as I have! Oh, well! It was nice to enjoy theirs.

This past Thursday, we had a "Fine Dining" experience when Chef Mark showed his stuff.  The menu was Oysters Rockefeller, Caesar Salad in a Cheese Bowl, Filet Mignon, King Crab Legs, and Creme Brulee. Needless to say, that wasn't for me. My appetizer was a delicious tomato cheese pot pie, which was delicious. I could have made a meal off that! I normally don't eat much of the crust, but his was so tender and flaky, I ate it all! My main course was a pasta dish with veggies and a nice sauce, like alfredo, but not as heavy. Very tasty! We are so lucky to have Mark, and it's nice that he gets to show his real skills occasionally. He's also open to my vegetarian campaign, for which I'm very thankful.

Last, but certainly not least, Rosie had an episode with her back last weekend. I got her to the vet first thing Monday morning, and she was prescribed prednisone and a muscle relaxer. It takes a while to get the meds in her and for them to take effect, but she is now feeling much better. This just seems to happen periodically, and it breaks my heart to see her in pain. I wish there were some indication when it is going to happen so I could get ahead of it, but there isn't anything I've noticed thus far. I'm just thankful she's feeling better and can get back to her (unofficial) therapy dog duties!

I hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying the summer.

Home Sweet Home!

Today, our morning walk was lovely. It was clear and cool (at least not yet hot!), and we took a longer walk around the perimeter of the property. Rosie was hopping, skipping, and occasionally running is circles! She seemed to be enjoying it as much as I! Now the sun is out in full, so it will be warming up, and I'm so glad we got out when we did.

I'm happy to report that Rosie is adjusting well. She no longer stands at the door and cries when I walk up for lunch. She stays in her bed and gives me a warm welcome when I return. She continues to make friends, and has begun to occasionally howl when she sees one of her buds! This is something she only did at home when we had company, so she's branching out! 

I'm happy to finally be able to share photos of the house now that memories are on the wall and it feels more like home. All of that is due to the care and work for Maria and Mark, who along with Henry and Felix, came for a working visit. In that time, they hung everything! I couldn't believe it! I felt like a useless knob, but it was amazing to watch them work. I feel like I learned a lot, but I would never get the results they did. My "art" looks like a museum! While it's the same stuff I've had forever, it's combined differently and feels new! Keep in mind that Maria wrapped and packed for me everything that you see on the wall or on display in the wall unit. I don't know what I've done to deserve such wonderful friends as M & M, as well as those who helped me along the way and gave me a great sendoff. It's times like this, making a big move, taking a big step, that you truly appreciate your friends. You know who you are, and I thank you and love you.

You will notice that I need pinestraw in my front yard, but that is done periodically for the whole neighborhood, so I'm waiting. As I look at the slideshow, I notice everything that I left laying around....hoping you won't notice. As you look at the hallway, the first door on the left is the stacked washer/dryer. The folding doors are another closet, which I plan to put shelving in to make if more useful for my needs. The bathroom is smaller than I'm accustomed to, but I spend as little time as possible there. I also have the largest back porch of any patio homes on the circle. I haven't had time to give it much attention, but I look forward to sitting out there when the weather cools. Anyway, it's beginning to feel like home and it's as much as I need or want to deal with, so all is good!

This is what I see when I look out my front door. There are three long lines of muscadine grapevines, and they are loaded with grapes.  The house at the end of the line is mine. It makes me want to put my winemaking skills to work again, but I think that's a thing of the past.....and I'm not sure muscadine is the grape I would want to use. Anyway, the "vineyard" is very lush looking at the moment.

After Maria & Mark's visit, I worked on getting rid of the last few boxes so that I could invite the ladies at my lunch table over for a visit. Anna had lived in my place before it was renovated for 2-1/2 months while her house was being renovated, and she had not seen the finished product. Shown here is Jan and her daughter Margie. Margie is a very caring daughter to Jan and a liberal thinker who had attended the No Kings protest in Greenville. So, we had lots to talk about. Trudy could not attend because her sister and our other table member Betty had passed away and it was her funeral. Betty would have been 102 in December, and I'm honored to have known her for a short while. My fondest memory is when Trudy (94) asked Betty if she needed dressing on her salad, and Betty said, "No, I'll eat it naked!" I laughed out loud and told her to  be careful becuase that could be taken two ways! Once when her husband asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she is reported to have said, "A hysterectomy!" after having 6 childen in 10 years!! Again, that can be taken several ways. Anyway, it was a good gathering and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

It looks like July will be a busy month at Clinton Presbyterian Community, including this Newcomer's dinner to introduce the newbies. I've been told that it's a very nice four-course dinner with entertainment. Also this month will be several craft classes (not sure what the crafts are), several dining out opportunities, line dancing, as well as the usual clubs and ongoing activites. I have to confess that I would never consider line dancing, expecting there to be a lot of young people showing me up, but in this setting, I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know how it goes. There is also an outing to Furman University Music By the Lake, which I plan to attend, as well as a Mill Town Players outing, which I'll have to fine out more about. I'm sure there have been lots of things happening April - June, but this is the first month I've actually had time to consider them. It's nice to have some options wothout having to plan for myself.

Outside of the community, I've been looking for my people - I Googled and attended the Laurens County Democratic Club's monthly meeting at the Laurans library. It was a very welcoming group, and when I mentioned that I had recently moved to CPC, they immediately informed me of a couple who lives here who had been active in local democratic politics. Needless to say, I talked with them the next time I saw them. In the process of the meeting, someone mention that we (Dems) were outnumbered 7 to 1 in Laurens county. I knew it was more conservative here, but that paints a clearer picture! Gavin Newsome is to be in town this week, so I plan to see him again, as well as to get to know more of the local Dems. I did meet another lady who lives in Clinton proper and also attended the No Kings protest. She let me know of a monthly ladies gathering in Laurens, which I hope to tap into soon.

I also participated in the Greenwood No Kings protest. I wanted to attend to the one in Greenville, but it was earlier in the morning and further away. I was happy when the one in Greenwood popped up at the last minute. The organizers were pleased that over 250 showed up!  As always, it was a good group of people who know how to get along and have a good time. As luck would have it, the Juneteenth celebration was going on across the street, so we had good music the whole time. 

I'll close out with our July 4th bash. You can tell by the menu that it was a meat-lovers delight......not so much for vegetarians! There was actually a smoked pig - the whole carcass! The food here is good, but for a vegetarian, it's mostly plain vegetables, not dishes, casseroles, curries, etc. I've planned to attend the Food Committee, but it has been cancelled twice (Do they know what I'm planning?). I have noticed that this week they have black bean burgers and eggplant parmesan on the menu, for which I will thank the chef. Everyone at our table (and most that I know) loves the food and rave about Mark, the Chef. So, a little menu tweaking could go a long way. You may also notice the price. We are given an allotment per month for food in the dining room, and with prices like this, it goes a long way. Being vegetarian, I have to work at breaking five or six dollars, with desserts (which I don't need) being my most expensive item. We have to pay for anything over the allotted amount, but I can't imagine that happening.

With that, I'll wish you a Happy July with lots of sun and fun. Let me know how your summer is going.