Monday, March 26

Up at 6:30 on this gorgeous day, so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. It was cool enough this morning to wear my fleece outfit. The drive to the college was quite pleasant. A low-lying silvery mist blanketed emerald green fields. The sun still glared on the road leading to the college entrance, but it wasn't as glaring as when it was wet last week.

Traffic was stopped, though, as a tractor-trailer idled, while the driver got out and assessed the narrow right-hand turn he needed to navigate. The trailer was loaded with what looked like heat/air units bound for the new student union/cafeteria now under construction.

I was directly behind the rig, and two other vehicles were behind me. The rig driver directed traffic, in an attempt to get everyone out of the way before he made the turn. But the pickup driver behind me, was in too much of a hurry to wait, so he bolted past me and sped around the truck. Thankfully, he didn't hit the rig driver. The rest of us waited until the driver successfully navigated the turn.

Fifteen of us showed up for aerobics today. The water was lovely, and I enjoyed my time in it. Last week, I bought a pretty swim cap from one of the members, which allows me to get my head wet without damaging my color-treated hair. Several of us ordered the caps, which were ordered through one of those little novelty catalogs received in the mail. The cap is white with molded roses all over it. It works really well, and only cost $7.

Another member gave me three Sudoku puzzle books today. She orders value packs of the puzzles from the backs of books. She's an avid fan of Sudoku, but doesn't like some of the books that also feature puzzles other than Sudoku, like Cross Sums and Secret Squares. I don't know how to play some of them, either, but it'll be fun (and a good workout for my brain) figuring them out.

Back home, I hurried to get ready to go to the college down the road for the Red Hot Luncheon. Mother went with me. Hubbie took us down there, so he could assist in getting Mother out of the van and into her wheelchair.

The event started at 11 a.m. The hall that it was held in was so cold that I wondered if they'd had it cooled by the local ice plant. Upon arrival, we were escorted to our table by a "Heartthrob," a local businessman dressed in tuxedo with a red bow tie. There were several Heartthrobs, one of whom is my dentist.

The area was beautifully decorated...round tables with white tablecloths, and chairs fashioned with white or red pillow cases knotted in back or held by red ribbons. Before the event was over, I felt like ripping one of the pillow cases off and using it as a shawl!

Some tables held centerpieces of huge glass vases filled with red hots, or large vases filled with fresh lemons and strawberries, or towering crystal candle holders.

A giant red and sparkling Styrofoam high heel shoe was suspended from the ceiling. A cross of tables in the center of the room held silent auction items. I perused these, but the starting bids ($40 or $50) was a little rich for my blood, so I didn't bid on anything.

A jazz quintet, comprised of local talent, entertained on the stage. The young woman singer only hit sour notes a few times.

Each place at the tables included a red plastic tote containing gift items...a candle from our state's leading candle and potpourri maker, a sparkling, berry-flavored, lip gloss, discount coupons, a copy our local slick magazine, votive candles, breath mints, etc.

Lunch in this frigid venue was chicken salad, garden salad, and fresh fruit, with rolls, and a choice of ice water or iced tea. Dessert was a choice of either chocolate or strawberry cupcakes.

The program included a nurse, who spoke about lifestyle changes, and demonstrated by showing us how much sugar is in a Mountain Dew drink (a quarter cup), and how much sugar and fat is in a honey bun (I forget the totals, but it was shocking).

The second speaker gave what was at first a rambling talk, but ended by telling us of her personal medical experience that very nearly killed her, because she was not eligible for insurance, or Medicaid. She was saved by a free clinic, much like the one in our town, which currently works in the cramped space of one of the local churches. The proceeds of today's luncheon will go to help build an actual clinic.

Unfortunately, not as many attended as the sponsoring bank had hoped for, however. There were several unoccupied tables, and several tables with only a few seated at them...only Mother and I were at our table.

Hubbie returned to pick us up after the event. Before we came home, we stopped by the art mobile, on tour from the capital city. We couldn't believe that it was even colder in there than it had been at the luncheon. So we didn't dawdle, but we saw a couple of interesting exhibits.

Back home, I freshened up, and then went back to the college to meet with my ESL student. Today's lesson involved the present perfect tense with "already." "Is she going to sing the song?" "She has already sung the song."

Then the student learned the difference between "already," and "yet." "She has already sung the song." "She hasn't sung the song yet."

Then we moved to the use of "may" for permission. "May I have some cake?" "Yes, you may."

We also touched on reflexive pronouns as objects. "I look at myself in the mirror." "You look at yourself...He looks at himself...She looks at herself, etc."

We ended with the use of "still," and "any more." "They are still in church." "They aren't in church any more."

I felt really sorry for my student today. She is suffering horribly from pollen allergy. Today, she arrived in a lightweight rain coat, in an attempt to keep the pollen off her clothing. She laughed at herself about it.

I recommended that she eat locally produced honey as a preventative to pollen allergies. She'd heard of this remedy, since her husband and in-laws eat a little honey every day, and they are not bothered by allergies. I am not bothered, either, since I frequently eat local honey.

Back home, we had the Dragon Soup we made yesterday, with rolls I confiscated from our luncheon table. Mother had the foresight to bring along a tote with a couple of Ziplock bags in anticipation of bringing something home for Hubbie. But we made a haul today with a half a dozen rolls and a half a dozen cupcakes. Our waitress had suggested we take the food, and even offered to bring a box for it, but she forgot, so it was good we had the Ziplocks.

We also commandeered two extra goodie bags for Sis and Daughter.

After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother back to her house. I think she was especially tired tonight. She likes going on outings, but she easily tires from them.

Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV. Whew! It was a busy day!