From the internet
Friends who meet every once in a while (hopefully every other week) to catch up. We started at the Dripolator Coffee Place, but after about half an hour, 25 teen girls in shorts came in and lined up for their treats. (There are not 25 seats in the Drip!) We soon could not hear ourselves shout due to the "cafeteria roar" of the young women. We were sitting until that happened, at the level of seeing all their tan thin legs...and decided another place to sit would be our choice. Sorry, (not sorry) I didn't get a photo of them!
I had ordered a book at Sassafras Bookstore a couple of blocks away, so we all went in my car and sat in their comfy chairs to continue our conversation. We had to laugh at the thought of all those girls going into any one of the stores in Black Mountain. The proprietors would go crazy! Girls were probably from a camp...perhaps it hadn't started yet...or maybe a bus came from a high-school. Anyway, we drove in one car to new parking place and left the other two cars where they were. Parking late morning in Black Mountain can be a challenge!

A fun chandelier above our heads. A nice quiet store, but shoppers were lingering close by, so I wondered if they were more interested in our conversation than the books on the shelves. For that reason I didn't engage in political comments.
Wearing my new pendant, then I drove the other ladies back to their cars to do their own choices of errands.
My new book is quite interesting "Visual Thinking" by Temple Grandin. I think I'm a visual learner...now will find out if I'm a visual thinker too.
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Physical update (just skip because I'm mainly journaling how this old body is doing).
Feeling pretty good these days. Actually working pretty well. Some pain along right thigh and hip has gone away. I'm eating mostly better than I was a few months ago. Have found increased energy after taking my combination vitamin of Calcium/Zinc/Magnesium, and my vitamin-D-3...5000 IU. Apparently taking them at a separate time than my meds is a good thing for me. And since insurance isn't covering famotidine but will give me omeprazole I've been taking that just once a day rather than twice for F. I'm coughing evenings and at night again, but using the nebulizer regularly too.
Food is still prepared-things over half the time, and though I have no interest in sweets till late afternoon, then I really really want cookies or cake. Yesterday's grocery bill had more sweets on it than nutritious things. All in all, what I'm noticing is that I can walk around and stand upright more comfortably.
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That is a shame, the noise gets to me. Plus Joe cannot hear even with his hearing aids in such situations.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, Barb!
Just these little inconveniences! Hate to complain, but coping with all kinds of things seems to be the key to being an elder!
DeleteYou know how to live. I'm glad you are more comfortable. Thanks for bringing me along on your lady's day. It was very enjoyable and reminded me of a group of women I had coffee with when I was living in Marin for a few years a while back. I enjoyed seeing your picture too. You're braver than me. LOL. Aloha
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking me brave. When I see the postings on Facebook, and Bluesky, I'm aware of all those who are standing/sitting up for justice these days...while I can only post their photos on a blog or my Facebook page...sharing with maybe a hundred people. The conversations in person are a whole lot better than texting, or even phoning!
DeleteIt can be annoying when some groups insist on being loud. It was nice to read about your outing and that you have been feeling better, Barbara. I would be interested in your comments on the book purchase.
ReplyDeleteI should do book reviews AFTER reading them. I'm only still in first chapter...but it's lots of info on research which I like! Details comparing what scientists have found out. That's the kind of book I like. I've also got one on Climate Change going...but the book discussion is being postponed for lack of a facilitator. If I could count on my health... so not volunteering for things.
Delete...being an adult is highly over rated!
ReplyDeleteOh but remember how much we once wanted to be one? I at least was so pleased when allowed to wear makeup...probably at 14 or 15! Obviously the boys didn't...so I guess their prowess at sports, or drama (one of my boyfriends) or their choices to act all grownup!
DeleteTemple Grandin is an interesting writer. I remember when she was invited by Oliver sacks to discuss her thinking in pictures. And her intuitive connection with the cattle she works with was an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteThe movie about her is excellent. When I mentioned the book to my son, he said he'd met her. Now I need to follow up on that story!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI do not like noisy restaurants, definitely a less enjoyable meal.
I love the pretty iris and the beautiful moon photo.
Take care, enjoy your day!
The eating is faster (maybe their goal) and conversations shouted are not fun at all! Have a great Thursday!
DeleteSome places are just noisier than others. The one nearby restaurant has tried putting sound mufflers on their ceiling but it hasn't done anything to muffle the sounds. Sounds like you are regaining strength that you lost.
ReplyDeleteThat's true enough! But still overcoming some obstacles which I didn't know I had. See my notes tomorrow about the air conditioning/heating unit!
DeleteLike Jenn’s fella, I find hearing aids difficult in some venues. There is a restaurant in town that I won’t patronize for that reason, or partly for that reason. The other reason is that there are better choices.
ReplyDeleteI'm aware that at least 2 friends who are older than me wear hearing aids. But both of them choose to skip them often. I don't like my words not being heard. One admits she just smiles and nods if it seems she doesn't have to answer a question. I don't like that it puts the burden of shouting (at a low level, rather than squeaky voice) so they can hear me. I came with a squeaky voice. Others seem to naturally have low amplitudes (not volume, and I'm not sure what the term is!)
DeleteThree Friends As Trees is the absolute BEST!!
ReplyDeleteShifting location because of too loud humans is a thing i do frequently- americans are far too loud, always! It's savage and rude, and typically american.
I love your new pendant and your lovely face!
Oh thanks so much, about my sculptural friendly trees. I actually made another one...will have to see if it has been photographed. People in big cities seem to like noise. I prefer silence. Of course you pay for having tablecloths on the tables, with real silverware! So glad I eat at home most of the time!
DeleteVisual thinking is an interesting description...I recognise that.
ReplyDeleteLove the strong coffee.... adulting isn't ever easy!!
I missed the strawberry moon. I have a fairly tall hill South of me, which seemed to have obscured it. That is a nice image of it
Glad you are walking more comfortably! I had a functional doctor who told me to take famotidine instead of omeprazole. Omeprazole is a PPI and can have severe side effects if taken long-term. He said it was safe to take it two weeks at a time, but then switch over to famotidine.
ReplyDelete