I couldn’t find one of my biking shoes the other day, and wore a nicer pair instead. Later when I went to unload the washing machine, there was the 2nd shoe, in with the sheets. I debated washing the other shoe as well, but decided it didn’t matter.

I washed the really soft down pillows too and it took more than a day for them to dry. Then I folded the bedding, having decided to give this set a rest. I will never solve folding a fitted sheet – I mean when I pay attention I can do it, then if enough time goes by, I forget how I did it.

I had a terrible night and a dicey morning and suddenly, in the afternoon, my back got better. I attribute this to a new massage technique I have happened on. I have a really huge binder I keep Xeroxed music in. Yes, I pay for the music, but in order to have it handy and transportable in whatever mix I want, I reduce it so the pages will fit on to an 8x10 sheet, and double-side Xerox it and put it in binders. The metal binder fittings are about 5 inches apart, just the width between my shoulder blades. They are huge loops. I lie with my back on them and they reach trigger points on both sides at once -- sheer Heaven.

I see my doctor next Tuesday. I have a list of things for him to answer and I also have a complaint about the assistant to his assistant, who treated me like a hypochondriac the last time I called. Her name is Lourdes, or, after I finish, Mud.

I am still not breathing right at night. I don’t think it’s sleep apnea. I think it’s deviated septum problems. One thing I know, I won’t wear a night time prosthetic. I’ll tear it off while I sleep. Why pay hundreds to prove I can’t wear one? And the sleep lab alone would cost $2,000. Medicare should thank me.

My friend, Leeanne, broke her foot and I drove her to the market a few days ago and we shopped for groceries and I drove her back, and had to back into her very narrow street. I was so proud of myself that I didn’t knock over any trash cans or sideswipe anything. The street is so narrow all mail boxes are grouped on the adjoining road. She’s driving again, using her left foot to maneuver gas and brake. She is insane. But we knew that.

She has a kitty someone dropped off. A little gray thing, no bigger than two minutes, a female, and Leeanne has named her Willow. I bought Willow some kitty food a week ago. Leeanne also has a pit bull named Mallory and Mallory and Willow sleep together. When Mallory licks her, one tongue swipe gets her whole body. I think that is sweeter than anything. Maybe I can get a photo.

My first cousin, Connie (Costandina), phoned from Illinois today. We spoke for an hour. We are closer in later life than we ever were years ago. She is 8 years younger than me and I remember when she was born. That’s weird. I am trying to get her and her husband to visit but she won’t fly. If her brother decides to drive down (I am not holding my breath) she will come. I am so sad that fear of flying is decimating my visitors. She isn’t the only one who won’t fly. At least she’s not allergic to cats, so if I ever get her down here, she and her husband will stay with us.

The lovely thing about Connie and her bro, Tom (Taso) is that they not only remember me when young, they remember my mom, Thea Christina, their mother’s sister. They have stories about her I never knew. That is priceless.
There was another brother, Jimmy (Dimitrios), who died of cancer a few years ago. Jimmy was the best. I didn’t get to know him as an adult because I was in New York, but I remember him as a terrific child.

Connie would like to talk with my sis, Tula, but doesn’t want to get Don on the phone. So I said, I would try to get Tu to my house, and we could phone her. Tu hasn’t been here in 3 years. I am guessing that besides her pain fatigue, she is also being loyal to Don, whom she knows is not welcome here. Maybe this will work because I know she would really love to talk with Connie.

Finally, I wrote MSNBC another letter telling them they kept getting things wrong anent the Peace Prize and the criteria for selection, and also all the time they have devoted to the Letterman flap. I said he is an entertainer and if it was consensual sex, there is no bloody story. Why can't they get that right? Jeri keeps talking about not crapping where you eat, but that is nonsense. The work place is the ideal place to meet partners. Assuming you are both single, and the balance of power is not being abused, there is no reason to avoid friends made at work. As for the problems that arise when/if you break up, they would arise anyway. I have seen more trouble at work from relationships having nothing to do with the work place than any made in the work place.

That’s all.

xx, Teal