Rick assembled my tree late this afternoon. Now I need to fluff the branches and start decorating it. I will take several days. There’s no rush. I also need to get my holiday projection working on the front of the condo. I don’t feel very festive but little by little I’ll do it.

I wish I was planning a party or some form of entertaining to look forward to. Maybe I could invite some couples to come for a few glasses of wine and munchies. Maybe Jerry and Pat, Rachael and Harry, Gary and Darlene, Donna and Larry (neighbors), and singles Connie, Kay, Joe, new friend Harrison, and any others I can think of. I’ll think about it.

Frequently I’ve stubbed/broken a toe (or two). I did it again last night in my bedroom. I caught it on the leg of a chair and it really hurt! It throbbed for several hours but by morning it was just sore and I felt fortunate that it wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past. I’m a little gimpy but I’m pretty comfortable.

I have no where to go until Tuesday (to a singles dance) and Wednesday I’ll be at the Squad.

Tomorrow Rick, my handyguy will be coming to put up my Christmas tree. I have all my ornaments out but he’ll only put up the tree. I’ll decorate it.

I need to move my harp, palm plant (artificial) and put some small statues out on the patio. My small glass table will be relocated between my bar and the TV set. That will empty out the corner where the tree will go. I want it like it was last year.

My last night date was a very nice guy with a fantastic car, but I feel he’s not a good choice for me. He wanted to have a political discussion (anti Biden) which I could see wouldn’t fit my point of view so I insisted that the subject be changed. He came in for a short visit but left early. I wouldn’t mind being casual friends.

Since I consider myself a “non cook,” I was amazed that the Thanksgiving dinner I prepared turned out great!

I’m glad I did it. I proved to myself that I am capable of prepping a feast!! Everything was perfect. The turkey may have been overcooked but it was still moist. It just fell apart. All the side dishes were flawless. Only the dinner rolls were a disappointment. (Just not exceptional.) The sweet potato cassarole, scalloped corn, and cranberry sauce/salad were all great. The dressing was Stove Top and the mashed potatoes were Bob Evans prepared, so I can’t take credit for them, but the addition of gravy (although a little to salty) made them very acceptable!

My back was really in pain but I forged on and didn’t complain. I did take frequent breaks to let it rest. When they left, I was worn out. I did some work in the kitchen before bed, but left a big mess for today. I will finish up shortly.

I have signed up to attend a tree lighting at the park near the front gate this afternoon. I will then go on dinner DATE with a guy I met on one of the dating apps. His name is Harrison. I don’t think we’re really “match” but he seems like a nice guy. He just bought a place in Sun City Center.

He’s taking me to Fiore’s for fish. I suggested 6:00 pm but I’d forgotten the tree lighting so I need to call him and suggest closer to 6:15-6:30.

Ken’s been calling me regularly and we’ve had nice conversations. I do miss him. He’ll be back about a month from next week.

Thanksgiving has been kind of a non-holiday for me since John died. He always prepared a feast but I haven’t put forth any effort and last year’s carry-out from the South Club was awful!!

Anyway, I volunteered to fix dinner for two friends who had no where to go. I have most of the groceries purchased and a time-table ready to follow. I hope it turns out like John’s would have.

We’ll enjoy an eight-pound turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, cranberry sauce (with nuts, strawberries, and other good stuff), jellied cranberries, scalloped corn, rolls & butter, sweet potato casserole, and relishes. I left the preparation of the dessert to Connie but I will have a Dutch apple pie in the freezer if it’s needed.

But why did I volunteer? This is work!! I have detailed everything I have to do and it will be ready by 2pm Thursday. I don’t want it to look too difficult but I never claimed to be a good cook.

Betcha it’ll be better than last year’s disaster.

I’ve been really disappointed to find that my quiet/reading spot has been demolished to allow for the construction of an office building. The spot is the only tranquil wooded area in Sun City Center. I generally go there at least once a week for lunch (which I pick up at Mickey D’s.) I bring a book and just enjoy the tranquility.

But today I went back to the scene of the demo. I drove down the cart path and into an untouched area. I actually found that the back area is still quite nice. I should have taken a photo and I will next time. It is a lot like my previous spot. You can see a photo of the earlier area wooded quiet are which has been destroyed.

The new place has the same look and feel. Through the trees I could see and hear the highway (301) but the beauty makes up for the shortcomings.

I had my Covid-19 booster (Modera) on November 2nd. Tomorrow it’ll be two weeks. Since the shot, I haven’t really felt good. Not bad enough to really knock me out, but enough so I keep hoping that tomorrow I’ll be better. I’m queasy and uncomfortable. Especially at night my system seems to knot up and I’m very uncomfortable. (Gassy and painfully in my low belly.) I keep thinking in “one more day” I’ll be over it.

I’m sure it’s all linked to side effects from the booster. I’ve even wondered if maybe I have Covid. I kinda doubt it. I don’t believe I’ve been exposed and I’ve had my shots.

At this moment I feel fine, but last night at midnight I felt rotten. If I can get a good night’s sleep tonight, I hope to feel better.

Tomorrow there’s a senior dance at St. John the Devine. I’ve been trying to figure out what I’ll wear. I want to look super, but I’m just too chubby. I will try to manage a decent appearance. I am really trying to lose weight unsuccessfully. When I feel this rotten, I have a tendency to eat more. As soon as I feel better, I vow to strictly adhere to my new diet plan (a blend of Weight Watchers and Intermittent Fasting). I’m sure I will succeed.

When Ken visited we drank quite a bit of wine.

I’m realizing that frequently, if I have more than one glass of wine, later (especially after I go to bed) I won’t feel good. I do love a glass with dinner, but it’s not worth suffering stomach pains later.

I am stocked up on Cherrish (cherry juice) so that will become my beverage of choice. A couple of bottles will go with me to each BYOB dance. (I will need to plan ahead because Cherrish is really hard to open so I’ll need to take the equipment I bought to get the cap off or I can do it at home, then screw the top back on.)

We had a nice few days together. We went out to dinner a couple of times and enjoyed each other’s company but he’s back “on the road again.”

I accept the situation this time. He is worth this compromise. He will miss me and it’s not like he’s gone forever.

I’ve been doing GREAT with my financial advisor (Rick Tuberosa). I’ve gained 20% since the December 31, 2020. Ken lives on his income and he likes nice things. I can understand why his income is important to him. He has assured me that next year he’ll only be gone November to the beginning of January which is bad enough, but I admit I got used to being alone and kinda like the freedom of not having someone to answer to.

We had a few days together (starting last Tuesday). It was fun. This morning, we went together to get his RV which was being repaired. He drove my car there and I drove back alone while he drove his RV. I didn’t mind being behind the wheel of my car at all. I was very comfortable. I think I’ll drive more places.

I was back home by about 11:00. He came over about 2:30 and left about an hour later. He’s on the road now but he promised he’ll pull over and sleep when he gets tired. I do worry about him driving so far alone. He’ll be at Calaway Gardens.

There are a couple problems when he’s around. He is here nearly every evening and leaves at 10pm but that means I get less sleep. It’s harder to stay close to my lady friends.

But I will be ok and I admit that he is excellent company. I can’t deny I look forward to his return in January.

Ken’s back. We bumped into each other at Beef O’Brady’s yesterday and last night he was at the singles dance. I had missed him.

We’re planning to watch Jay and Molly’s Wednesday night concert together tonight. I need to get a bottle of wine for us to enjoy. I’m looking forward to conversation and getting reacquainted. It’s been almost FIVE MONTHS.

I really don’t want to get used to having him around like we were because he leaves again Sunday and will be gone until early January.

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As it turned out, I am not feeling well. The vaccination area on my arm is hot and swollen and I’m feeling beat. According to the CDC, those are side effects which are normal signs that your body is building protection.. I’m just not feeling up to par. When I told Ken that, the suggested waiting until tomorrow to come over. I’m relieved. I’m just feeling rotten!! I don’t need to entertain him tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be better.