VINTAGE 1960!

The joy of enjoying a meal without a nose sniffing and a moaning, 'perlease', in 'dog' was all that I had imagined.  The puppies went home, and we brought home barbecue.  We sat and enjoyed it whilst watching the television.  It was as if the kids had left home and we were being irresponsible adults, slurping our drinks and eating on our laps!  It had only been a week!  

I wondered if I could get my housework finished in time to beat the pool man on Monday, but that was no to be.  He was there with the 'special' vacuum.  Despite me not being understood, those who surround me feel the need to explain what they are doing.  As I entered the area, he beckoned for me to come over.  "Look.  Can you see that?"  See it, I had wondered when he was going to do something about it!  The dark looking grime on the bottom of my oasis had been bothering me for a couple of weeks, and I had thought about mentioning it to someone, although which someone was the question.  "It's dirt", he said, proudly.  "Yes, I thought it might be", I responded, in my kindest, yet obvious (to some) sarcastic manner.  "This will clean it up", he said.  He then started to explain the intricacies of the special piece of equipment, which basically worked as a carpet cleaner, come hoover and sucked up the dirt, before filtering it out through a pump.  However, it is widely suggested that the women in the condo community have a 'person that does' a couple of times a week, and would not know where the socket was, let alone where to put the thingy on the end of the wire, on that thing that sits in the cupboard, that the 'person that does' uses a couple of times a week!  "We have someone in", is a very well known expression around these parts.  I don't, but of course, the pool man does not know that! I smiled, and nodded, and succeeded in making him feel that his job was important.  Of course, to me, his job is very important, far more important that the 'person that does', a couple of times a week.  He makes it possible for me to swim in a lovely clean pool, and for that I am grateful and think he should be paid 'top dollar'.  However, when he said that he had thought about 'jumping in' himself, I thought he was joking.  With the vacuum still in the pool, he walked up the steps and got into his truck.  I could not help but stare as he returned in a pair of striped Bermuda shorts and nothing else.  Of course it was more efficient to clean the pool from the within.  It was just not easy negotiating the hose for the vacuum, and a person whilst trying to swim laps.  

By the evening, the pool did not look much better than it had the day before.  We were promised some rain, but instead we got wind and more dust.  The cloud that had been heading out to sea, was still lingering slightly, being blown around by the breeze that was throwing leaves and other items of debris into my oasis.  The water was warm.  "Pizza?" asked Dana when I returned from my second swim of the day.  "In front of the tele, on our laps?" I responded.  Take out two nights in a row, and no plates!  We were living the American dream!  I remembered when I visited mum last summer, and how we had thought ourselves both naughty and chic, eating a kebab whilst watching a soap opera!  How funny that a meal eaten from cardboard boxes balanced on one's knees can seem like the height of luxury!  Yet it does!

Samantha's exercise routine has been curtailed slightly.  The rigourous effort, twice a day, had been reduced to once, as most of the hard work has been done, and the maintenance is less harsh.  Instead of lunging, squatting, wall sitting (I never knew that was a thing before) and push ups, she swam with me first thing.  I was feeling at a loss on Tuesday, as I had not prepared any dessert for my guests on Wednesday, but had been flitting from one cookery book to another deciding what to do 'for a change'.  Certainly, dinner in a cardboard box would not suffice, and eventually I came up with an idea that would require all preparations to be done on the day, rather than the day before.  

"My name's Tracie", I said to the beautiful, tall, young, beautiful, slim, young, tall girl next door.  Due to the length of her lower limbs, I had been referring to her as 'Legsy'.  As a woman, I notice these things with admiration.  (Some call it jealousy!)   Being vertically challenged, and feeling that my calves could put veal on the table for a small village, long, slim legs are an object of torment! I am not bitter!  However, I digress!  "Oh thank you!" she responded, and told me her name.  "I have been referring to you as the girl next door", I said.  "No you haven't", said Dana when I told him of my encounter.  "Oh yes I have.  When I told you I had been talking to 'Legsy', you said, "Who?" and I said "The girl next door", so yes, I have!"  I felt justified.  


With two chapters left in my book, I decided to take 'time out' when I got home.  However, the mosquitoes were not practicing 'social distancing', and one chapter was all I could read before feeling like I had been made into a human sieve!  I returned to my house, and after making a 'proper' dinner, sat down to eat it, but found myself totally exhausted and unable to partake.  Was it the shock of a plate?  Perhaps my 'sitting' position?  Whatever the cause, I was not hungry and just wanted to sleep.

I blamed it on the dogs.  Why wouldn't I blame it on the dogs?  I had no sleep for a week, and a couple of days to 'wind down'.  The dogs were totally responsible for my lack of energy.  It could not be the heat, the wind, the additional physical exertion, so it had to be the dogs!  I got down to the pool very early.  I should have left it a little while.  The pool man explained the purpose of the cleaning fluids this morning, and I behaved like the perfect student.  No, I did not riot, nor rebel! (Am I going to get into trouble for saying that?)  'Without prejudice', I did not riot, nor rebel!  He told me how he applies the quantities, referring to himself in the third person.  After the in depth study (no pun intended), I jumped in the 'deep end' (which I may have already done with my last comment) and swam my 22 minutes, before returning home.  Why 22?  It is what my timer is set to in the morning!  With my chicken marinating in the fridge, and my flan base cooked, I headed over the river to have fireworks painted on my fingers.  I was delighted with the result, as always, and drove back across town to sit in front of my desk.  

"Charlie was early this morning", I said, when I entered the office.  "Who's Charlie?" I retold the conversation, and was asked, "Is that his name?"  Although I have tried to refrain, sarcasm has made a comeback this week.  (Can you tell?)  "No.  His name is Bob.  He just always wanted to be called, 'Charlie'" said I.  

I left work early on Wednesday, and went for my swim.  The pool was busy, but people moved out of the way for me.  Very courteous!  A family that I see regularly were poolside, and their 'other' grandma was in attendance.  She introduced herself after I said I felt as if I had met all the family now, and I had another name to remember.  Three names in one week.  I am good with faces.  Names occasionally elude me.  I need a ''word association' for most.  I manage, as you can imagine!

My Chinese Chicken with rice, and special 'July Fourth' flan with a few pots of 'berry snow', were devoured.  We were talking about our schooldays, and how my 'options' for what subjects I wanted to take were dependent upon whether they clashed with the shorthand and typing options that were available.  I could not take a 'science', as it clashed with shorthand.  My parents considered it would be more viable for me to have a skill rather than a career.  It was a different generation.  "Did you not have 'cookery classes', asked one guest.  "Yes, but I did not take that as an option.  My teacher told my parents that a good cook I would never make".  Stuffed to the brim with my culinary offerings, they looked at each other in amazement. Yes, amazement.  That was very satisfying!  Teachers can be wrong, sometimes!  

I finished my book on Thursday evening.  I swam alone in the morning, although Samantha did join me poolside.  The temperatures soared with the promise of an extra hot weekend.  I received a package in the post, but was told that I had to wait until Saturday to open it.  I retrieved some envelopes, presumably birthday cards, form my 'mail box' and 'hid' them with those that had already been 'hidden' by me, and Samantha, who had retrieved one earlier in the week.  It's a thing!

Although we did not rise to the alarm on Friday, we were up early.  Dana went into work, but it was a 'day off in leiu' for me.  I was late, so was the pool man!  I returned home, and finished my housework.  At eleven, I ventured down again, with my new book.  A couple of neighbours were swimming.  "Shan't be long!" shouted my English neighbour as she saw me entering the area.  "Go ahead", I responded, "I have done my morning laps".  After she had finished, she came to chat to me.  We spoke about England and the 'war time spirit', that the Americans had not known during the seven year conflict that was WWII.  It was a different war for them.  Much as they lost many, the mainland was not hit.  Rationing was not prominent.  After all, the soldiers that were based in England used to give kids chocolate and gum.  "My nana gave me her sweet rations", she told me.  It was nice to hear the word, "Nana" and "sweets" used in English.  After a while I returned home.  I climbed the steps to my front door, walked in and just as I was about to close the door, saw something out of the corner of my eye.  Something red was on the porch.  I opened the door and saw it was a rose.  A rose in a vase with an array of beautiful flowers.  They were from my friend Lesley.  I read the card, and a tear came to my eye.  All those miles away, but never apart.  Some things can't be stopped!  I went upstairs and promptly fell asleep.  I had wound down so much!  I swam again before dinner.  The day had been most pleasant.  "Goodbye 59!" I said, as is our family tradition, as I closed my eyes on Friday night.

Waking a little after midnight did not seem fair, although my "Hello sixty!" was said promptly.  I could hear my dad's laughter at the thought that we were still doing this after all these years!  I swam early, and Richard called me.  He sang to me as I was sitting by the pool.  I returned home and Dana and I enjoyed a cup of coffee together before getting ready to go to 'brunch'.  We arrived at the restaurant and I could not see anyone in my 'party' despite seeing cars.  Then I looked to the right, and under a mass of balloons and behind vases of flowers, sat three people!  We entered the restaurant very conspicuously!  My daughter got out her phone and called Richard, Steph and the boys, and I was sung to again.  I received a certificate for a brunch, paid for by my kids, and a beautiful watch.  My package was from Lynda.  A '1960' vintage 'cooler' cup.  I felt very blessed.  Another life long friend, and another cherished friendship.  Long may they last!

After lunch, I was told I must choose a complimentary dessert.  I did, but with a 'to go' box.  The dessert arrived, and a candle was lit. "Sing.  Come on sing", I said to the party.  Grant started to sing.  "Louder!" I said to everyone.  Soon there was a crescendo!  Everyone looked over.  "Oh no.  I am so embarrassed", I feigned.  It was fun!  Grant asked me if I had seen Charlie on Friday, as I said I had swum later.  "Who?"  I asked.  "The pool man?" he said.  "Oh.  You mean Bob!"  I couldn't help myself.  We came home, played a few games of pool, spoke to Emma on video chat, and then everyone left.  Of course, I went for a swim.  "Happy Birthday" came calls from a variety of neighbours.  Of course they knew.  Everyone knows!  "Here is your chair", said one.  I was very honoured!  Being a senior I suppose there is some sort of priority!  I swam and it felt good.  Most of the neighbours left, and another couple came down.  "Do you have fourth of July in England", one asked.  "I think they have it everywhere", I quipped, with a smile.  Fortunately, they took it in good part.  However, I was quite amazed that Citizens actually ask that question.  It is tantamount to saying, "Do you celebrate that enormous defeat?"  To those that make fun of the defeat, I usually quip, "We left you to your own devices."  Yes, I have an answer for everything.  I am a senior now, so I can say what I want, and (perhaps) get away with it!  It worked for my grandmother! My nana!

Samantha sent me a video of some fireworks she had 'put on' for me, and I saw some from my bedroom window.  Two quite magnificent displays.  It finished the day off nicely.  Happy birthday to me!

Thirty five years ago today, my son was born.  As I have no doubt mentioned, he was not breathing when he came into the world, but after a few minutes of cardiac massage, and oxygen, he was alive.  He is now a father of two healthy young boys, and I am proud of him, and whom he has become.  

So, it finally happened.  I reached the 'big one', although of course, it feels no different to the day before, or the year before.  My sister sent me a card with a picture of us with our parents, at a 'function' where we were all dressed up.  I think I must have been about eight.  It was beautiful.  My dreams were yet to be fulfilled, and some probably not yet imagined.  Not once during my first forty years did I ever think I would become a senior on the 'other' side of the world.  It had never been an ambition, nor even a dream.  In fact, it was a definite 'No', when anyone would make a comment about what it would be like to live in another country.  Interestingly enough, the year I was born, my English neighbour was on a ship travelling to start her new life, over here!  I doubt it was in her dreams, or childhood ambitions.  However, here I am.   In this current topsy turvey world, who knows what will come next, but I know as long as I can, there will be .......... another story!