Another Month Has Flown by in Record Speed!

Yes, if I don't start each post with that statement, I'm certainly thinking it! How does the time pass so quickly? I don't know if it's a byproduct of getting older or just a sign of the times, with things seeming to whirl out of control on so many levels! If you figure it out, please let me know!

While many activities are planned for residents here, my routine usually leaves Mondays and Tuesdays relatively free. I try to get exercise five days a week, alternating among the treadmill (2 days), the NuStep machine (2 days), and one day of Strength and Balance. I usually do that right after lunch before leaving the main building and having an opportunity to talk myself out of it! Thursdays, I participate in the Trivia Club, and on Fridays I play cornhole before happy hour. That doesn't sound like much, but there are always other things happening in between - concerts, monthly birthday celebrations, etc. It's certainly enough to keep me busy, and Rosie and I have to have our "at home" time!

One of the offerings this month was to City Scape Winery near Pelzer. You know I was there! It was pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but when we were there after lunch, they had a nice clientele. We tasted 8 wines and enjoyed the scenery. It was a very nice change of pace, and I think all attending enjoyed it. Pelzer also has the Mill Town Players and other things I've heard about, so it may be well worth another visit to check it out. 

One Saturday morning, I also joined the Laurens County Dem Women's Coffee & Chat. This is something I'd been meaning to do for months and finally got around to it. They had just changed meeting locations, and it was a small group, but (as Dems tend to be) it was a welcoming group. I had met or seen all of them either at the first Laurens County No Kings protest or at the monthly meeting. I like making connections outside of the Presbyterian community, and this is a good way to start.

It's difficult to believe it's time for school to start, but it is. Our Life Enrichment team put together a back-to-school event for children of our staff members. Everyone was eager to help. There was food and games in the parlor, then the kids picked up a lunch bag and filled it with goodies. I worked the table of goodies, and it was wonderful to see the kids with their parents and chat with them a bit. I hope the kids (and their parents) enjoyed it as much as we did. We have such a wonderful, caring staff, and it was great to be able to do something to show our appreciation.

I have to share these photos of Rosie! My friend David sent the regal one on a Sunday morning. I had only one cup of coffee at that time, and I emailed him back saying it was so cute and looked just like Rosie! Then, after walking Rosie and having a second cup of coffee, I looked at it again and said, "That IS Rosie!" So I emailed him back to confirm that it was her and marvel at how he had done it. All of her fans here have gotten a real charge out of it, and I've shared the second one (when she had a run-in with the law!) with a select group!  The kitty belongs to our local cat lady, who lives 2 doors down. Sally follows Erna like a doggie. One day Erna came over for a visit, and as we were chatting, I heard something at the door. It was Sally! She sat there patiently as we visited. Luckily, Rosie was on the sofa with Erna and didn't know of Sally's visit until Erna was ready to leave.

Once a month, we have the Chef's Table, usually mid-afternoon. It's kinda described as a cooking class, but Chef Mark usually just feeds us something decadent! This time it was truffles. I got a kick out of this story, and I hope you can read it. Anyway, he did chocolate, coconut, and pistachio truffles. They were delicious! I had one pistachio on the spot and brought a coconut and pistachio home for later!  He also does a Fine Dining night about once every month or so, which is as good as anything you would find in a nice restaurant.

I'm also happy to report that the dining room is now offering vegetarian options on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday consistently. It's taken a while, but it is moving forward, and I've been encouraged by the number of people who try various dishes. The interesting thing is that the vegetarian dishes look so much more appetizing that the meat and 2 veggies plates! The chef and dining room staff have been very supportive, sometimes even notifying that meat may be in something I don't expect. One of the servers and I have a running joke. On Sundays, lunch is a buffet. So, I have my meal, then I go back for meat for Rosie. He accuses me of being a fake vegetarian, using Rosie as an excuse!!

On that note, I'll close. As summer winds down, I hope everyone is in good health and spirits to enjoy it to the fullest. Love to all!💖