I know one loses socks in the washing machine (or dryer?) but how does one lose a bra? It’s lost. Sometimes I’ll lose track of a shirt, putting it in with Ed’s things in his dresser, but a bra? How does one do that?

Also, yesterday I was looking for a wool sweater I hand-knitted some years ago (my only effort – it was a success and is beautiful – my friend, Inese, talked me through the augmenting and reducing – I’ve forgotten how to do all that now). I never found the sweater, but found dark olive wool, tailored pants, that I have only worn in New York. Well, it was cold (50 degrees), so I wore them to go out to dinner. Also, I had to find shoes, and chose brown low-cut leather boots, also worn only in New York.
While I was rooting around in the spare bedroom closet, I saw lots of stuff on an upper shelf, mostly Ed’s, and I am thinking it would be wise for me to identify it all and make a list of where stuff is, else he will keep buying things instead of wearing what he has and what he has is designer stuff and quite pricey, so why not wear these things? But this is a project and it would also be good if I did the same to the other closets. I may never get to it.

Ed is running out of steam (he’s on meds that make him sick) and tells me I am on my own today with my friends visiting from Brooklyn – Julie and Irwin. Julie is interested in archeology and would like to see the Calusa Indian mounds Ed talked about. These are located in Pineland near the Randall Research Center. In my humble opinion, they are just mounds and grassed over, so there is not much to see. There are plaques with Calusa history. Going there is like watching paint set but I enjoy their company, so I will bite the bullet.

Julie and Irwin love the little motel I recommended. It’s on the other bay, great view, pelicans and egrets diving or sauntering by. They are an unpretentious pair and think it is comfortable, with a stove and refrigerator, and a good bed. They love the area and the little art shops. My pal, Nadine, said one couple she sent there was offended because it was so “down home” instead of what they hoped for (Palm Beach chic). Hey, this is SW Florida. But not having them stay with us (he’s allergic and asthmatic around cats) means they can’t enjoy being with us in our fab house on the water and eating dinner here so we have been out every night. Last night we took them to Red’s, a seafood place. We hadn’t been there in a year or more. They have raised prices and are serving smaller portions. Also, my wine glass was filled an inch short of the top (that is SO tacky). The food is still good, but I am not inclined to go back very soon.

Julie is a great walker, so I walked down to their motel (35 minutes) and she and I walked back to my house, and later I walked down there again. I was happy to work off some of the food I’ve had in the last three days. I was telling her stories about the people who live here, and told her the owner of one gallery was very archly conservative and had her place plastered with McCain-Palin stickers during the election. “We won’t go there,” says Julie. The owner’s first name is Leoma and if were introduced to her and she said, “Hi, I’m Leoma,” I might very well answer, “Oh, I’m so sorry – when were you diagnosed?”

Julie and I worked together at Harper & Row in the 70s. We were both editorial assistants. She went on to become a public school teacher in inner city schools, an easy way to get burned out.

They leave tomorrow, Christmas Eve, and will miss the luminaria that will be placed around the island streets. They also arrived the night after the boat parade party.
Julie gave me a scarf that she loomed herself. It is really beautiful, gray and black, little medallion pattern, plus a black fringe. My friends are so very talented.

For Christmas I will cook lamb roast here for just Ed and me. He is happy with that.

xx, Teal