Nobody is Promised Tomorrow. . .
As Carlton would have said: I am now well into my 82nd year. So, what’s next?
I made some purchases this year that made it brutally clear that I am old. I bought a shoehorn and one of those pill-sorter boxes. What’s next? Velcro shoes? Depends? The horror.
On a happy note. Birthday Party tonight. Friends. Cake. Ice Cream. Funny Cards. Booze.
So, now what? This old age shit is starting to cut. When I was in my 70s, I was just an “older” version of myself. In my 80s, I am just old. When I was in my 70s, I might ask myself, “Am I capable of getting to the Everest Base Camp that is ½ a world away?”. In my 80s, I ask myself, “Am I capable of getting to the grocery store this is ½ a block away?”.
Several years ago I started a check list for Getting Old. Every now and again I tweak it.
10. Accept and adapt.
So, here I am.
I did not get any photos on my trip that are worth keeping, which is a disappointment. My goal was one good image, but it didn’t happen.
There are worse things than rainy days. But I like sunny days better.
Got in a fast walk before the rain and a good Zoom yoga session. I am not a fan of exercise. But at my age, exercise isn’t an option. It is required.
I also got my tax stuff uploaded for the tax boy. He doesn’t accept paper, not even checks. I like this, but I could never recommend him to my friends.
I didn’t kill anyone today. Many should be eliminated.
Back at The Asylum. Not much seems to be happening. Folks still getting Norovirus. Folks still “transitioning”. (Which is to say – dying – or doing a Celestrial Change of Address).
But, spring sprang while I was gone. That was part of the plan.
So, after attacking my inbox and settling back into the Old Bat’s Cave, I did a little research: the trip was 6,842 miles. 6,510 were by train, and 332 were by bus.
Grateful that we still have Amtrak. And that I am still able to go anywhere Amtrak goes.
The Norovirus part wasn’t fun. The rest of the trip was. And, I over packed. I came home with one shirt, one pair of socks and 2 pair of underdrawers that I didn’t use. And, I am glad I didn’t take my computer. That’s the lesson for the next little trip: Don’t even think about taking the computer.
Tomorrow, taxes will be tackled. Maybe even finished up and shipped off to the tax guy. Or not. I already missed his April 15 filing date. So, an extension will be needed.
Train arrived 2 hours late. Made it home by 4PM. Unpacked. Much needed shower. Dinner with the family. Now, it’s 7PM and I am calling it a day.
I wonder how many miles? Maybe I will figure it out tomorrow.
Last night we got to Denver early so, I had an hour to wander around downtown. It was warm. I missed my train dinner, but my Sleeping Car Attendant brought me coffee, wine and cheesecake when we departed.
Arrived in Chicago at about 1:30, I headed out for a little explore. Mostly looking for lunch. My favorite Chicago diner is closed on Sunday. But I find an open Popeyes. Fried chicken sandwich it is then.
While enjoying my sandwich, a text arrived. My train will be 3 hours late. Briefly consider getting a flight. But, hey, I have a book to read. And no place I need to be. So, I will just go with whatever happens.
Train currently scheduled to depart at 9:10pm. We’ll see.
I was never a landscape photographer and today was all about landscape.
It’s been a fine day. Good scenery. Good food, good conversations, good weather. And the train is on time. In fact the train is early so we have an hour in Denver. Denver has a great station. I will be going for a little walk.
On to Chicago tomorrow.
Had a little excitement about 10 last night when it appeared that the nightbus was going to be 3 hours late. Which would have caused me to miss my train. People were told to go away and come back in two hours. I didn’t leave. Before I figured out what to do, the bus got sorted out. Other passengers arrived. Got on the bus. The driver let the passengers decide if we wanted to give up our 30 minute rest break. We decided to give up the break to make up lost time. I slept most of the night.
Made it to the correct train station with a couple of hours to spare.
Will be losing cell service soon. So, I will post this now.
This train is the green top line.
How to spend the last day?
There was lots to watch. People, birds, even seals. And I scored a fine bench.
Six hours until bus time. I haven’t packed. But I did charge my Bose headphones. And I washed my hair. That’s a start.
Santa Barbara doesn’t have a lot of wall art. At least not where I normally wander. Today, I felt well enough to cross the street and examine this specimen.
Who knew this existed. Sourdough toast. Whipped ricotta cheese. Blood orange slices. Honey. Toasted pistachios. To die for.
Out for a wander. Drop into the Apple Store for a new iPad. I use their excellent Wi-Fi to setup the new one. Trade in the old one. And I am off on my wander again.
I just love the town. I suspect it’s because I’ve only been here in the spring and during the week. I’m fairly certain that it is chockablock full on the weekends and maybe the weather isn’t so wonderful in the dead of summer.
This town has movie theaters. They are always showing interesting films. I guess I should not have been surprised since it is maybe 90 miles from Hollywood.
These 3 theaters are within ½ mile of each other.
I continued wandering around, enjoying a nice sunny day. Picked up a sandwich. Brought it back to the hotel. Enjoyed it on my gracious little patio. And then I decided to finish setting up my new iPad. Namely I wanted to set up my cell service. Because I’m a spoiled old woman and I like to have cell service on my iPad. My old iPad used a regular SIM card. The new iPad uses an eSIM card. Not problem I thought. There were directions how to do it. I followed the directions. The result was I deprovisioned my cell phone. And discovered much to my dismay that my beloved google fi service does not support data only eSIMS.
I fear that it is time for me to turn in my IT license. And if this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it’s been a fine day.
Tomorrow at 10 PM at that’s nighttime boys and girls. I’ll be on the bus to San Francisco. Won’t that be fun? I should get to San Francisco about 6 AM in the morning. Train leaves at about 8 o’clock.
Ok Elon what I did today
Is that good enough to keep my social security for another month?
Arrived on time. My hotel is just across the street from the station.and my room was ready.
I stashed my stuff and went for a walk, well, about one mile into my walk i was exhausted. Returned to the hotel. Had ½ of a roll with cheese and butter from a fine bakery that I know. Then I had a much needed shower. Wrapped myself in a fluffy white robe and hopped into that nice bed. And that’s about it.
Ginger ale was the highlight of yesterday.
I may be done for the day. But it’s only 3:45. You never know.