OK, I know, it has been too long.  Sorry.  I leave tomorrow for the East Bay for two nights and have been preparing and worrying.  David has been attempting to be more independent as a way of making me feel better about the prospect of this job.  That is, of course, if it is offered to me.  I am hopeful, but not confident.  A good place to be, I think.  I perform better under a little pressure.  I have two days to woo them.  The first day is meeting with various staff members, Board Member and a representative from the city and the day ends with a reception.  Then, on the second morning, I have to make a presentation to members of the Board.  The one thing that I do find reassuring is that the questions that asked me to cover are almost all things that I talked about at my first interview.  I have been busy structuring the presentation, but I know that it will morph once I meet more of the folks there.

So, what else has been going on?  We lost two more softball games last Sunday, and yesterday, we didn’t have any games on account of the Greater Palms Springs Pride Parade.  David and I walked in the parade with the softball league, and you might have seen Donovan’s picture of us on Facebook and there are some more.  On last Monday and again today, we have been rehearsing with SongShine for the performance of Carousel in March.  SongShine is this program that works with folks who have Parkinson’s or stroke to help with speech through singing.  David enjoys it, but we sang June is Bustin’ Out All Over, and I have to say, that is one heck of a song!!  I am not sure if you have seen it, but on Youtube there is a video of Leslie Uggams singing if for some Independence Day concert, or something like that, and she just begins making up words.  Well, the words are so crazy, I have a newfound understanding of why she went up on the lyrics.

On Tuesday, we had Allen and Marc over for dinner.  Allen is in David’s speech and reading group at the stroke center, and Marc is his partner.  Both of them are very nice, and we had a lovely evening.  I think dinner was good, but I cooked, so of course I thought it was good. Then, on Thursday we went to see a performance in Palm Desert of Ballet Boyz, a dance troupe from London.  They were boyz, but there wasn’t really much ballet.  Mostly modern dance, which we like, but David was not impressed.  I thought they were fine, but also, wasn’t bowled over.  On Saturday, we went to see the Choreography Festival at the same theatre (The MacCallum) which was much better.  All the performances were pretty good. We only disagreed on one of them, and they were the winner of the competition.  I thought that they were try too hard to push the envelope.  There was an awkward pause before their performance, and one of the female dancers had what looked like black duct tape over her breasts instead of a costume.  I found it kind of distracting because I kept thinking, won’t it fall off when she starts to sweat?  I told David that I thought that she had forgotten her costume (all the other performers had shirts on) and they insisted she wear something, and only had black gaffers tape handy.  Thus the slight delay.  I am sure it was intentional.

Anyway, I leave tomorrow evening and come back to Palm Springs on Thursday evening.  Wish me luck.

We went to see Cheyenne Jackson tonight in Palm Desert.  A nice crowd, but I was sad to see that there were empty seats.  He is good, I thought, but not the best selection of songs.   The two things that bothered me, really, were the sound and the lights.  I think the sound operator had his hearing aids off, because it was so loud!  I hate over amplification, and it was way over the top.  Also, the light board operator seemed to be having too much fun.  During relatively quiet moments during songs, there were quick color changes and movements that distracted you from the performer.  It was just him and four musicians, so, some subtle light changes would have been perfect.

I got word today that I will be going back up for what I think will be the final interview for this job in the East Bay area.  As I said before, I have a very good feeling about this job, and feel like this might be the place for me to rejoin the workforce.  David has been getting a little worried about what will happen to him here in Palm Springs, but I keep telling him, we will make it all work.  I will start asking around at the stroke center and find out how folks find their full time caregivers.  He has also been trying to do more and more on his own – getting his own pills out, getting water, getting up on his own.

There are moments when I feel like I am deserting David, but then he reminds me that I need to do what is best for me, which, I think, in turn, is best for him.  And it isn’t like I will be on the other side of the world.  Just a little over an hour away by plane.  Plus an hour drive.  And then, there is the line at the TSA at the airport.  Still very excited and terrified.

Got back this evening from my visit to the San Francisco Bay area for the second interview for this job that I am up for.  It wasn’t until this morning that I turned on the news and found out that the SF Giants had won the World Series last night!  And there I was, just across the bay.  That might have been a good thing, being across the bay.  When I got home, Donovan had made a Bœuf Bourguignon for dinner that was delicious.  We had some Prosecco, toasted to my success and enjoyed a nice dinner.  I also recounted all the details of my trip and the interview.

I won’t write too much, because I am pretty beat.  It was a great visit.  I flew up yesterday and arrived at about 2pm.  I drove around town, got my hair cut and had a bite to eat.  Then checked into the hotel and headed back out to see the town close up.  I told David that it reminded me a little of River City from The Music Man.  It just seemed to have that vibe.  Of course, the difference is the restaurants wouldn’t be found in Iowa!  Two Afghan, two Thai, two Indian, Pizza, an Italian and barbecue, among many others.  Seems to be a pretty vibrant and interesting town.

In the evening, I met with the woman who was hired to conduct the search to chat.  Nice dinner at at Thai place near the hotel.  Not one of the two downtown.  She also gave me a big stack of stuff to look through and prepare for the interview in the morning.  I read, and prepared what I wanted to say and put together questions that I had about their center and the organization.  In the morning, I did a little exercise and then we were off to the Performing Arts Center.  First a tour, and it is a beautiful facility.  Very similar to the Lang Theatre at the Atlas, but about twice the size.  Great acoustics and the way the hall is set up, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.  It was a great tour with Denise from the board and Julio who is on the staff.  I then had 30 minutes to wander around town again, and I walked over to see the Arts Center, which is part of the operation.  It wasn’t open, but I was able to look in and see the studio spaces there.

Then back to the center for a sit down with folks from the Board, and the woman who is running the search.  I had a great time, and felt very engaged and, in a way, like I was home.  I got a great feeling for the place and think it could be a very good fit.  Needless to say, it is kind of like auditioning, and you often think you did really well and they liked you, but you really don’t know what the machinations going on behind the scenes are.  What are they really looking for?  Did I talk too much?  Too little?  Did I say something really stupid?  Was I too funny?  Too serious?  Too blond?  Not blond enough?  I can’t believe you have read this far.

Afterwards, I went to lunch with two board members, and it became clear to me that in many ways, they are the force behind the project.  Very passionate and dedicated, and their enthusiasm was infectious.  I drove out of town in a very positive mood and, dare I say, almost high.  Our terrific Real Estate agent in DC used to tell us when we were looking for a house, and making bids and losing them that when the right one comes along, it will all just fall into place.  I am telling myself this about this job process.  It all feels good, and if it is meant to be, it will just happen.  I think David will like the town too, which makes is all sweeter.

Did I say I was pretty beat earlier?  Good-night.

Yesterday morning, I was up early, and there was a lot of bird activity outside over the pool.  As you all may, or may not know, I have severe Ornithophobia, and I am glad to say that when I looked that up on Wikipedia, I share the same irrational fear of birds with Ingmar Bergman and Scarlett Johansson.  Also an Irish singer, who I don’t know, so won’t list here.  Anyway, back to the story.  I was sitting, minding my own business, when a bird flew into the window and was laying near the sliding door, just near one of the plants in the yard.  It looked like it was down for the count, and I thought I was going to have to put David to work, but thought I would wait.  They have in the past recovered, but this one hit pretty hard.  I went out for a run, and the whole way, I was just hoping that when I got home, the bird would have flown away.

I got home, and, alas, the bird was still there.  It seemed to be alive, which was reassuring and frightening all at the same time.  I mentioned to David that I thought that him might have to act as mortician to another dead bird, and he seemed resigned.  I then got up and walked to the door.  As I was about to slide it open, the bird hopped up, shook its head and took off.  It was a little shaky, but it made it up onto the roof, and hopefully finished recuperating there.  Resilience is a marvelous thing, no?

Last night we also went to what is becoming one of our favorite restaurants in the valley, Catalan.  Very nice space and the food is excellent.  We ordered a variety of small plates, and had a very nice time.  On the drive home the sliver of the moon was spectacular.  After eating so well, this morning I decided to start making curry pastes to keep me entertained and occupied.  I went out and got a mortar and pestle and the spices I need.  The kitchen, and well the whole house, smells lovely!

We had two games today.  We came very close to having to forfeit due to lack of players.  As I said, they have been dropping like flies, but Stu, our coach, pulled some players in from other teams.  It is one of the odd things about this league.  You can use players from other teams if you come up short.  One of our players in our first game, was on the team that we beat in the second game.  Yes, I did say beat.  I know, it is a short and harsh word, but we won!  We lost the first game, and I felt sorry for Vicky to be on two losing teams in one day, but she seemed pretty chipper at the end of the day.

Before going into too much detail on today’s events, let me fill in a few stories from the past couple of days.  We took a drive out to Whitewater, which is an area neat the foot of the mountains where Big Bear Lake is.  Very nice preserve, and we had a nice, but short visit.  We will plan more trips out to this area.  It is a lovely respite from the desert.  We went for Pho afterwards in town.

On Thursday, we went to see a movie – Pride – with Donovan.  It was about a group of Gay and Lesbian activists in London in the 80’s who wanted to support the striking coal miners in Wales.  It was a bit formulaic, but very enjoyable.  The movie was good, but buying tickets was a bit shocking and depressing for me.  When I went up the counter, I asked for two seniors and and adult.  Donovan pointed at the sign that said “Seniors 55+” and said, three seniors.  First, I have over three months before I reach that threshold and second, she didn’t even question it, and there we were, three seniors going to see the matinee in Palm Springs.  It all begins.

So, today, David wanted to come to the games.  I told him that since Donovan wasn’t coming, he would be stuck there for the duration, and he was game.  We drove over, and were at a different field than we have been before.  The place was packed with soccer games, birthday parties, bar-b-cues and various other activities, like softball.  The field was a hike from where the car was parked, and I had to push the wheelchair over some rough terrain, but we made it.  I settled David in just outside the dugout, and we started the game.

I was a little worried because Stu asked if I would play first base, and I thought, why not?  I think I will play first base all the time.  I didn’t have one “Charlie Brown moment”, and was actually pretty good.  There was a moment during the first game when a batter on the other team hit a foul ball that landed about 2 feet from David, and after that inning, I moved him into the dugout.  Much safer.  So, that first game, we lost pretty badly, sad to say, but the second game we won 11-8, and at one point the score was 8-2.  Things just gelled, and we were all playing pretty good.  I was getting folks out at first, left and right.  I give most of the credit to the folks who were throwing the ball to me really beautifully.  David said we won because the other team was just worse than we were, and he thinks we stink.

Softball. I don’t think I updated you all on here. We lost two games on Sunday and won one. Well, the other team forfeited, and we will take that. We only have two games this Sunday, which is a lot less daunting. We do keep on losing players though. Mostly through personal reasons – they don’t want to be on a losing team – but one with an injury. An injury he got while filling in on another team. That might be a clue that he was probably our best player. Ah, softball!

I mentioned last week that I had the phone interview for this job in the San Francisco Bay area, and next week I am flying up to meet with some folks and take a look around. David and I have been talking about it, and we both think that it would be a good step. Whatever hurdles that we find, we will be able to get over them, I think. The idea is that David would stay here in Palm Springs, and I would be traveling a lot between SFO and Palm Springs. I actually think it may be good for David to have to be more self reliant. We would make sure he had caregivers when I am not here, and we would make adjustments to living as needed.

We had Physical Therapy yesterday, and found out that it was our last visit covered by Medicare. The supplemental insurance doesn’t cover PT either. We do have a handful of Occupational Therapy visits that I am going to ask the Doctor to write an order for. That will take us through the end of this year, and we will have another round of PT and Speech starting January first. I do have to say it is strange that they lump PT and Speech in the same category. I could almost understand PT and OT, but Speech seems like it should be its own category.

On top of everything, our phone and internet went out they day before yesterday, so having to write this on the iPad. I know, I know, there are worse things that could happen. You just don’t realize how much you miss technology until it is gone. They are supposed to come and fix it tomorrow between 8am and 5pm. Gotta love Verizon! Well, actually, you don’t.

Tomorrow is the big game.  Well, three games.  We had practice on Friday night, and all I can say is – we will have fun!  And, after all, isn’t that what Derek Jeter said before each game?  “As long as we have fun, we have won!”  There are three games, and who knows, we may win one.

I had a phone interview on Thursday for a job, and got a call that I am a finalist.  Will not go into too much detail, but it is not in Palm Springs, but is in California.  I will fly up the week after next to tour the facility and meet the search committee.  It seems very similar to the Atlas in many ways.  A little larger, but they are a community based performing arts center, and I think I am a good fit.  David and I talked a bit more about it today, and we both think it is a good idea, and can deal with the logistics when we get to that bridge.

We had a terrific visit from Geralyn and Marty from DC.  We went to dinner with them to Citron at the Viceroy Hotel.  I liked the food, and the table near the pool was very nice.  The evening was beautiful too.  So nice now that the weather is moderating.  We met the for a typical Palm Springs breakfast at Manhattan in the Desert.  David and Marty opted for the lox and bagel, and Geralyn and I did omelets.

David is getting more strength in his right leg, and doing more exercise.  We have been seeing a different Physical Therapist, and he has different tricks up his sleeve.  I really do think that switching things up once in a while is very good.  We also had the speech group this week, and David read a bit better too.  He just needed a little prompt at the beginning of most of the words.  All in all, a good week!  Will let you know about the games tomorrow.

This morning we went to the reading group outing.  It is a once a month event with the Stroke Recovery Center, but we have never been able to make it because there was always something going on.  It was a nice group for breakfast at a local breakfast spot.  The food wasn’t great, but the company was nice.  I got to talk to Allen some more.  He is the guy who has speech therapy with Mary now.  Very nice guy. I do have to say I was surprised that he said his partner never goes with him to any stroke related stuff.

We had Physical Therapy in the afternoon, and David is doing really well.  He seems to be getting more strength in his leg.  Otherwise, it was a pretty lazy afternoon.  A nap, I took another walk and we watched some TV.  We also made some plans for a visit this week from Geralyn and Marty.  The guide mentioned a restaurant called Citron at the Viceroy Hotel that he said was his favorite in Palm Springs, so I made a reservation.  It will be fun to try a new place.

There was no softball game this weekend, just practice, and we need it.  We still need it.  I think I mentioned this before, but one of the great things about this league is that all the games are an hour long, so not too much strain.  Or so I thought.  I found out yesterday that next Sunday we have three games!  At 4, 5 and 7pm.  Yikes!!  Fortunately we have an hour between 6 and 7 for me to get a transfusion or some major medical attention!  When I told David, he seemed genuinely concerned.  Sadly, the earlier games are with newer teams, like ours and we lead up to our 7pm game with the League Champions from last year.  That should be fun.

I had my mini vacation over the weekend.  Checked into another local hotel.  Not quite as nice as the last place, but it was nice to lay by the pool and just relax.  Except for softball yesterday. Before I left on Saturday, David and I went on a bus tour that was part of the Fall Preview for Modernism Week here in Palm Springs.   It was fun to ride around on the upper deck of the bus and peek into everyones back yards!  Learned a lot about mid-century Palm Springs architecture.  Getting up to the upper deck was easier than coming down, but David handled it very well and the bus driver was very helpful.

When we got back from the tour, David and Donovan went to see Gone Girl, and I headed off.  They both really liked it a lot.  Now I have to find a time to see it for myself.  They went on Saturday afternoon, and got to the theatre a bit late, but thought they would have only missed a few minutes, but the ticket taker sent them to the wrong theatre, and they had missed almost half the movie.  They stayed for the next showing and caught the beginning and David said that knowing the ending gave the beginning a completely different spin, so they both thought that wasn’t so bad.  Afterwards, they went to the Greek place that we both like going to.

On Sunday, they took a drive to Temecula to do some wine tasting.  It is a nice drive over the mountains to Temecula, and it was a great day.  The temperatures are much more moderate now.  They had some wine and lunch at one of the wineries, and from the pictures, they had a great time.

I have written a bit about some of the folks at the Stroke Recovery Center, and Don is one of our favorites.  He doesn’t say much, but laughs a lot, and usually with perfect timing.  On Thursday, we were in the group that Cedric usually leads, but he is away for a couple weeks.  There was a new couple there, and the conversation was very good, and I think everyone was being helpful.  At a certain point, the wife mentioned that David had a really great smile and was very good-looking.  Just as he was about to say thank you, Don began laughing, and made a comment about wanting to be David’s agent for his modeling career.  David told him that he expected his first booking by the end of the month, and that he would only give Don 5%.  It’s nice that they are both embarking on new careers.

We played our first game.  We lost.  I am on the Rat Pack and we played The Green Team.  I think we at least won on originality in the name department.  I am not exactly sure what the score was, but it was something like 14 – 9.  I may be being overly generous to our team.  I am sure David will say so tomorrow when I read this to him.  I said to my fellow Rats that would should just be happy in the knowledge that we can only get better!  it was the first game, after all.

David came to the game, but skipped the opening ceremony, which was a wise move.  He would have hated the opening.  Endless speeches that nobody could hear because we were outside at a baseball field with a little speaker system.  The pot luck was an assortment of items that ranged from chips and pizza to tacos and salads.  It was nice to be able to chat with my team mates though.  Nothing else really happened for the opening, which was sad.  So many missed opportunities.  The least they could have done was have a Judy Garland impersonator sing the National Anthem!  It that was too hallowed, she could have sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.

Donovan brought David, and I think they both had a good time.  I won’t go into a play by play, just give you some highlights.  All about me, of course.  I was up to bat 4 times, and each time made it to first base.  I did have a Charlie Brown moment in the outfield.  The ball was hit, and came lofting in my direction.  I ran to catch it, and it landed right in my glove.  Then, as if with a mind of its own, it bounced out.   While this was bad, it was by far not the worst defensive play of the game.  There was one point when a batter had some trouble running, so our Captain, Stu, was looking for a pinch runner, and turned and said, “Where’s Scott, he runs really good”.  I was right there, and I became the designated pinch runner.  After making it to home, I immediately had to pick up a bat and hit.  And, of course, run.  Oh, did I mention it was hot!  I thought I would die.  But, I didn’t.

After the game, we all headed back to the house, and I fell into the pool along with David and Donovan.  What a delight that was!  Then to bed and we watched two episodes of Homeland followed by The Good Wife.  I forgot to mention yesterday we went to the Quilt Show at the Palm Springs Convention Center.  Quite a big show, and loads of nice quilts to see.  We also bought a kit to make another quilt for here in Palm Springs.  It has a Hawaiian theme, but the colors are nice and the palm trees work well.

Well, it has been too long, I know.  I can’t say I have been busy.  We haven’t been particularly busy, or any busier than we normally are.  I think that things have settled into a routine, and I have been getting tired earlier than usual and just heading to bed.  Then in the morning I think, “I didn’t write the blog last night!  I have to make sure I do it tonight.”  I then proceed to go to sleep the next night.  It seems sad in a way, but really, I think it is a good thing.  Being tired and falling asleep is a good thing.

On Tuesday we went to the Stroke Recovery Center for Let’s get Physical, and we arrived just on time, and the folks were throwing a ball around, and we proceeded to take our seats.  There was a particularly large group, and not all the usual suspects.  Just as we got settled, someone asked “Where is he.  He’s late.”  and Glorianne said, “He is on his way, and it is only a few minutes after.”  Almost as these words left her mouth, in walked a Rabbi, and David gave me a look of shock and disgust.  The shock was for the Rabbi but the disgust was mine exclusively.  The Rabbi was there to teach about Yom Kippur and David thought I had made some sort of terrible scheduling error. I was sure I had not, and even though I double checked the printed schedule but he still believes that it was my error.   I told him we should stay, and he practically hit me with his cane and began to get up from the chair.

We made our way, slowly, out of the room.  Past all the other clients who were all wondering where we were going and past the Rabbi asking why we were leaving.  I had no answer, and David wasn’t giving one.  Glorianne followed us out, and asked us to come to her office, and was apologizing if we were offended.  I explained that we weren’t offended, David just didn’t want to stay.  She explained that they normally don’t allow any programs that had any religious content, but the Rabbi has been coming for so long, and besides, he always brought food.  Now I understood why the turnout was so good for this session.  I explained that David wasn’t offended, he just didn’t want to hear the Rabbi explain Yom Kippur.

Yesterday, David began his personal training with Bill again.  He also exercised and we had a PT session and he was a bit exhausted by the end of the day.  I had my last softball practice last night before our first game on Sunday.  It will be at 3pm PST or 6PM EST, so if you get a chance, send good thoughts my way.  I may need them!  I hope to have some choice tidbits tomorrow, as there is also a grand opening ceremony at 1:30pm before the games start.  There is a pot luck as part of the opening, so I have been preparing a pasta salad to bring.  Only in a gay softball league are you batting, catching and cooking skills tested.

A relatively quiet Sunday.  We got up, I took a run, then coffee and breakfast,  some sun and the pool.  It was in the mid 90’s today, so, for the desert, quite cool, but very nice.  David and I took a walk after getting ready for the day.  We drove to the wash and walked on the path that I often run on.  It was very nice.  Once home, I had to decide if I should go to the gym or take a hike.  I decided to take advantage of the cooler weather, and hiked for about two hours the trail at the end of Mesquite Rd.  Very lovely views, and once again, I should have taken pictures, but I didn’t.

When I got home, David was a little miffed that I was gone so long.  I finally figured out that he thought that I shouldn’t go off for so long on a Sunday.  That should be our day together.  He expressed an interest to coming to the softball practice this evening, and I was a little worried that he would be bored, so texted Donovan to see if he could come and drive David home if he had had enough.  I hadn’t heard from him by the time we left, so we drove to the fields and I settled David in with one of the other partners.  Donovan left a message and was going to come by and meet David at the park.

It was such a lovely night, and David seemed to be having a good time.  They left a little early, and I was a bit concerned when I got home and the door was locked (I had given my keys to Donovan) and no sign of David or Donovan.  I texted to find out if they had gone out for a frozen yogurt or something.  They drove up almost at the same time I finished texting.  They stopped for gas and a taco.  Not at the same place, I hope.

Softball is going well, and very glad to be doing it.  Oddly, it makes me feel happy.  Speaking of happy, tonight our pal, Julie Halston opened on Broadway in You Can’t Take it with You and the reviews, which I finished skimming a few minutes ago, are magnificent.  One of them said that James Earl Jones and Kristine Nielsen seemed to be waltzing through the show with Pharrell William’s “Happy” playing in their heads.  Julie was in rehearsal when we saw her before we left the east coast in NY, and she said it was a small part, but as usual, has made quite an impact!  I only wish we were there to see it because it sounds marvelous!  I particularly love to see a show where the actors seem to be having such a good time!

You know how it is.  You are sitting, minding your own business, surfing the internet (they still say surfing the internet, don’t they?) and you stumble on an old friend who it appears is only steps away, visiting the town that you now call home.  Tonight, David and I went to Wang’s in the Desert for Happy Hour with Shawn Churchman and his partner Tom.  It was great to have an evening out, and even better to meet Tom and catch up with Shawn.  Shawn and I both work for NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players, and he also worked at Edwards & Edwards for a while.

For some unexpected reason, Shawn and I have loads of people in common.  We talked about John Kissack, Michael Baron, Mary Millben and of course all the NYGASP folks (or at least the important ones).  It was kind of comical when we talked about Vermont, and he said that he had worked at the Old Castle Theatre in Bennington, and he asked if we had seen My Fair Lady.  We did, and the music director was a former boyfriend, and we laughed at the fact that he stayed with my Dad’s lady friend Judy.  Dad, you should tell Judy!  Also, the Henry Higgins was a friend of his as well.  We didn’t get a chance to talk about Stephen Nachamie who we also have in common.  It was also great to hear about his latest project, a new musical he is writing.

Now mind you, I haven’t seen Shawn since the early/mid 90’s and he is now living in Oklahoma City.  It was a nice evening, and we split and went our different ways for dinner.  I always remember after the fact, but I should have taken a picture.  David and I ended up at the Greek place that I went to a few weeks ago.  The evening was so beautiful, and it was great to sit outside and eat in the courtyard.  Earlier in the day, I did my softball shopping and am now all set to begin this next adventure.

David laughed when I told him.  I almost laughed when I considered it.  Tonight I auditioned (I can’t bring myself to say I tried out) for a place on one of the Palm Springs Gay Softball teams.  Now, this may say more about my teammates (yes, my teammates), but I was one of the better players I think.  Not at all embarrassing.  I say I was auditioning, but really, I wanted to make sure that they weren’t too serious (or too good).  Also, to make sure that I wasn’t going to be, well, embarrassing.  The last time I played softball was sometime in the 90’s in White Plains.  I was younger then, and even then, not too embarrassing.  I think David actually came to one of our games.

When I got home, I recounted the events to David, and he laughed again when I told him now I have to go out and get all the gear.  He only looked at me askance when I said that I hit both times when I was at bat, and didn’t fumble a single ball.  Fumble, that’s the right term, right?  He  just rolled his eyes when I told him that I thought I was pretty good.  The coach looked at me pleadingly when I left and said, “you are coming back on Sunday, right?”

David is looking forward to sitting in the stands, eating a hot dog and thinking of me as his own personal Derek Jeter.  Only, I am still playing.  Or just starting to play.  Or just starting to play again.  I will post a copy of my baseball card when it is published.

Nothing much happened other than this today.  Exercise, Carla, I did some grocery shopping, went to the bank.  Typical Friday.

You know the saying trying my patience or testing my patience?  I think that was what David was doing to me today.  Not sure if he was really trying or testing on purpose, but it certainly felt like it.  I just typed out a little detailed tirade, but erased it, because, you don’t really need or want to hear about that.  Let’s just say that I don’t think that my temper is short, but it is being pushed to the limits.  For some reason, today, David didn’t seem to want to do anything for himself, so I found it interesting that when I read the blog tonight, he insisted that I tell the readers that while I made cereal and coffee for him yesterday (and today) that he often does that for himself.  He does try to help, but I think that is beginning to wear thin for him too and he wants to save his energy for better things.

We had Physical Therapy today, but not with Blade.  We did see Blade, and his therapist was good, I think.   All his upcoming appointments are split between two therapists other than Blade.  We get to see him while we are there, but he isn’t working with David.  It is not a bad idea, I think, to switch things up.  We also got news yesterday that Holly won’t be coming back to the Stroke Recovery Center, which is sad.  I certainly understand, because she has a lot on her plate and sometimes it is just time to retire.

We went to the movies to see My Old Lady.  About 3/4 of the way through it, David wanted to leave, but I insisted on staying through the end.  It seemed silly to throw away that much of an investment.  It wasn’t great.  It felt like a romantic comedy that took itself entirely too seriously.  None of the characters (dead or alive) seemed very likable or relatable.

Thanks for listening.

I got up this morning and took a nice run.  The evenings are getting cooler, and it is nice to get an early start before the sun gets too hot.  When I got home, made coffee and some cereal for me and David.  We are settling into a routine that I am liking.  I need to make sure that I get up early, because if I sleep in, I tend to be pretty miserable for the rest of the day.  We headed off to Speech with Mary, and when we got in the car the tire pressure light came on, and I was not pleased about having to stop and inflate the tires.  I became a bit concerned when the car was pulling to the right, so I knew it was more than just low tire pressure.

I dropped David off at the Stroke Center, and headed to the gas station to put some air in and check what was going wrong.  Also needed gas, so I thought that I would kill two birds with one stop.  Went into the station and needed another quarter for the air pump, but they didn’t have any change.  Can you imagine?  Anyway, went to the gym, because I wasn’t going to let a flat tire distract me from my plans.  Besides, the tire looked OK and when I had the tires replaced in the spring, I got the “run flat” tires, which meant that I could drive on them for up to 50 miles.  Got in a workout, which was good, but haven’t been to the gym at this time, and might avoid it in the future.  A little too social for my taste.

Had time to go home and get some quarters and stopped at another station on the way to pick David up.  Filled the tire and I could hear the hissing from the leak.  Upon closer inspection, I could see the screw that had screwed me.  Ran to pick up David, and was not looking forward to dealing with having the tire fixed.  When we got home, I called the place where we had bought the tires and he told me to come at 4pm and they would take care of it.  Took a short nap, and then off to Rancho Mirage and Ramona Tire.  Dropped off the car and he told me it would be about an hour and a half, and I headed across the highway to Koffi for a coffee.  I hadn’t been to this Koffi, but like the ones in Palm Springs.  As I approached, I thought that there would be nobody inside.  No cars parked out front and it was very hot, so I don’t think they got much foot traffic.  The place was packed.  Full of folks on their free WiFi and staying cool.  Had my coffee then decided to walk to the consignment store on the next block.  It was quite scary.  I was making up stories in my head about who the hell bought the crap that was in there.  I understood why they were trying to sell it, but the question was, why was it ordered in the first place!!???

Then back to the tire store.  The folks there were nice the first time and this time it was the same.  Very pleasant.  The guy at the desk said that they were working on my car, and just balancing the tires and it would be ready soon.  I read some magazines.  When it was my turn to check out, I pulled my wallet out, and the attendant asked me to sign one of those signature pads.  I kept waiting for him to ask for my credit card, but it didn’t happen.  He apologized for my having to wait, and said the car would be out in a minute.  It seems that since I bought the tires there, they fix them for free.  What a pleasant surprise.  When I got in the car, the driver who brought it out, also apologized for making me wait.  And I was on my way.

When I got home, David was worried that I was taking too long, and had tried to call me and I think he connected with my phone, but it was in my pocket.  Well, I was home now, so we hung up.  I told him that I didn’t feel like cooking and that we should go out, but he had to decide where we should go.  He first suggested Indian, but I wasn’t in the mood.  He settled on Thai, and we tried Thai Smile in Palm Springs.  Our first visit, and it was very nice.  David loved his Ginger Martini.  I had lettuce wraps and soup and David had drunken noodles.  Very nice.

We got home and after a little more relax, we watched the first episode of the season of Modern Family.  I still enjoy it, but I think they are starting to grasp for stories.  After that, we finished the Roosevelts.  Can I just say that I love Eleanor?  She really was the best of both Franklin and Teddy in many ways.  As some of you know, I come from a long line of Republicans, which I hate to admit, and just glad that, even if the line doesn’t stop with my generation, at least a branch of it has veered to the left. I find it amazing that sane people, who look back at history don’t see how very wrong leaning to the right is.   Well, enough of that, but can you imagine what this world would be like if there had not been a Teddy, FDR and Eleanor?  As scary as the news is, I shudder to think what it could be like.

We had to get up early this morning to go to Speech with Arlene.  Well, by early I mean, I had to get up at 7:30 to get a run in then we were out the door by 9, after showering, etc.  This was the first visit to Arlene since the summer, and she had to do an evaluation.  David did really well, but, as usual, he thought it was nothing and that he hadn’t improved.  I, as always, can’t remember the word that came out of his mouth, but both Arlene and I looked at each other in amazement.  When I said this to David, he looked at me like I was crazy.  Yes, it wan’t like he said Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (I actually checked the spelling on that) but it was a new and unusual word (whatever it was).  She also asked him to give her words that started with a specific letter, like “a vegetable that starts with a B”, and he was able to do it all but one time.  Well, I was impressed even if he wasn’t.

Afterwards we went for a coffee and then a little drive because the cleaners were at the house, and it is always better for them to have the house to themselves.  In the afternoon I ran some errands and had the car washed.  The inside windshield was getting hard to see through with the sun.  Made a simple dinner – pasta for David and broccoli for me.  Yes, a vegetable that starts with a B.  Last night I made what I thought was a very spectacular dinner.  Eggplant Parmesan Sliders.  I even made the tomato sauce from scratch.  I didn’t make the little buns that they went on.  Maybe next time!

On the job front, I now have two resumes out there in the Palm Springs area.  The one I sent out today would actually be pretty perfect because it would tie lots of the parts of my life together.  Almost as if I got a job at the Stroke Recovery Center, but not quite.  Better, I think.  Will keep you posted on all the progress if there is any.

Today was a beautiful day.  The temperature was about 99° and the sky was perfectly blue. David thought the pool was a bit cool at 85°, but I thought it was very nice.  We didn’t do much, but went into the pool, laid out in the sun, and it was a great Sunday.  We drove to La Quinta for sushi at Okura, which was really nice.  There used to be an Okura in Palm Springs, but it closed about two years ago.  There is another Japanese place in there now, but doesn’t look as appealing, and doesn’t offer a eat all you can menu.  I felt rather stuffed when we left.

We topped off the evening by following Franklin and Eleanor as they led up to the war, and again, Eleanor was a progressive after my heart.  Franklin was just a realist and consummate politician, I guess.  They we watched the season opener for The Good Wife.  Off to a good start.
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David and I talked a little bit at dinner about work and what that all would mean, and he agrees that I should pursue it.  As I have said, we will deal with the logistics when it happens.  I think it is mentally healthy for me to start thinking about this, as difficult as it is to wrap my brain around, sometimes.

I am sure I have used that one before.  Or maybe something similar.  Who knows, and it is too late to go back and look and make sure,  If it is a repeat, you will forgive me.  I hope.  This week has been eventful and uneventful all at the same time.  I was laid low in the early part of the week.  Streptococci.  I started having a sore throat, which is the usual course when my allergies start up.  Post nasal drip causes my throat to get sore and then infected, and on Tuesday, I thought I was going to die.  Fever, achy, you know, just miserable.  Even David felt sorry for me.  I am better now.

We have been enjoying The Roosevelts thoroughly.  Teddy was at once admirable and monstrous.  A little too much testosterone running through his veins, I think.  Franklin is amazing and Eleanor is spectacular, in my humble opinion.  She was so far ahead of her time, and I think there should be a movie made about her trip through New England with “Hick”.  It could be like a depression era Thelma and Louise.  Without the driving off the cliff at the end.  I hope I didn’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t see the movie.

I also had a conversation, not an interview, with the headhunter for one of the jobs that I submitted my resume for.  Sounds like it could be a good fit, but there are lots of logistics to think about.  David says I should go through the process and do what I think is best.  I would mean spending a lot of time apart, but, I need to begin putting a life together away from caregiving.  I will sit down and list the pros and cons and then do whatever I damn well please, right?  Fortunately, this one is on the west coast, so it is pretty doable.

We had speech group this week, which was fun, as usual.  David read much better than he has in the past, and the regulars all mentioned how they noticed an improvement.  The thanked them, but said that he didn’t believe them.  We also are continuing with SongShine and the director of that program called me on Sunday to make sure that David felt comfortable, which I thought was very nice.  I suggested that I sit in front of him, so he can follow my mouth for the words, which is what we are doing.

The furniture for outside by the pool arrived.  It was not fun to put together, and I kept saying to myself that the next time I order something like this, I should pay the extra $50 to have the white glove delivery where they put it together.  It did give me a certain “Teddy” feeling, and sense of accomplishment.  We had Donovan and Pam over to inaugurate the furniture.  Pam was on the cruise with us, and we have been looking for a time to get together.  We were supposed to go to a movie night on Tuesday that she invited us to, but, I was sick.

Well, my few days away started with a bang.  I went to CVS to pick up some wine, soda and junk food and was heading back to, the everything that you could possibly imagine, Doris Day suite, where I checked in earlier.  It really is everything that you could imagine – a portrait of Doris over the bed that looked like something that I did as a sophmore in High School.  The room is really just fine, and what I needed.  Steps from the pool and the hot tub.  I haven’t met any of my fellow guests, yet.

Back to the story.  There I was, driving back from CVS with my rations, and I took the turn onto Warm Sands Drive, and suddenly, my steering became decidedly less powered.  As I drifted across the road in front of oncoming traffic, I glided for about 50 yards, and noticed that the battery light was on, and decided to try to get out of the middle of the road.  I eased into a parking space around the corner from the hotel, and tried a few times to restart the car, to no avail.  Then I called AAA.  Maybe I should have called AA, but that’s another story.  Needless to say, I didn’t have my AAA card with me.  I had come across it in my wallet and said to myself “Self,  I should probably put this in the car so it is handy if there is a problem.”  I didn’t do that.  So, the lovely lady at AAA was trying to figure out which office I belonged to, and we tried Palm Springs (of course) then Washington, DC (our old address).  New York – no luck.  Vermont – nothing there.  Finally, after she said she would call me back and check a few places, and I had walked back to the in.  Had a soda and was on my way back to the house to get the damn card, she called and asked if we were ever living on Vermont Ave NW in DC.  Well, yes we were.  For about three weeks in what David refered to as Anne Frank’s summer cottage.

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David went to the movies with Donovan and is having dinner out with him now.  The went to see the latest Woody Allen movie.