It is coming from me as I ate a piece of garlic toast with my dinner tonight at the Pasta Market . Fourteen ladies, our number doubling since this a.m., came together to eat and socialize, and yes, laugh. Judy J. picked me up so only one car had to be used, but this confused some people when they did not see my car parked there. I was lucky enough to have a driver, and I didn't even need a designated driver. If our group had not been there, this restaurant would not have had any customers. Mondays are often 'down nights' for restaurants so I would not be too alarmed. I had the Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli, half of which came home with me. One more box added to the collection. At lunch another box came home with me so I am fairly well set.
This afternoon after getting home from lunch, I did a little bit of work on the church newsletter before heading outside to the pool. It was too nice a day not to enjoy it, fairly smoke-free and plenty hot, just the way I like it. At first, it was only me and a man named John, a regular pool attendee but mostly unfriendly. He appeared to be dozing in the pool, along the side with his book propped up and held with a large clip so the page stays open. After a little while, two ladies who live in the villas directly across from the cabana came out and we had such fun talking. John left and I was not sad he was gone, because I often feel as though he is not happy when others are talking or laughing when he is dozing or trying to read. Sort of an odd duck but I am used to him. The other ladies were irritated by him, suggesting he put in a pool at his own house!
We were talking about going to Barnes and Noble on San Jose, one lady likes the World Market next door while the other lady shops for books. This opened the door for me to ask her preference regarding the electronic books vs. the books with paper pages. Julie is definitely a 'real book' person, having not tried a Nook or Kindle. She likes the idea of holding the book, turning the pages, using a book mark, and all that goes with reading.
Then, I asked the 'other' question----"do you read used books?" Immediately, both ladies answered, "NO!", because they are too dirty. Aha! No library books, used book stores, or yard sales for them either, and when they buy a magazine, or even just look at it, always choose from the back of the stack. I am so not alone with this....Neither lady will read a magazine in the doctor's office or other places with waiting areas, or if they do, wash hands with sanitizer before and after! They said they rarely travel because the thought of hotel rooms and how unsanitary they are just 'bugs' them. Julie said she cleans the room so thoroughly when she gets there, people wonder where her housekeeping cart is! This means I am not the only one who cleans the remote control, telephone, and light switches...Julie does too! We all agreed it was NOT a good idea to take a black light to the hotel....
At Patty's beauty shop, which she owns and where Julie works, they take the books purchased from B and N for 'sharing' purposes, which the regular clients enjoy since they know where the books came from and that they were gently read. Patty said she and Julie are like Howard Hughes, who was a germaphobe, which brought to mind potato chip bags. HH would never put his hand in a bag of chips, for fear his hands would touch the side. Patty said she dumps the chips onto her plate to eat them. Julie said that she will take scissors to trim the bag down, which is exactly what I do. I shared my secret with them, about opening the Cheetos from the bottom where the good stuff is, more cheese and flavor. We all agreed to never, ever eat Cheetos when reading a book though, with the caution being added to avoid getting the cheese on ones clothes. I never had a problem with that, but evidently, they did! Gotta love time at the pool!!! We somehow are able to enjoy the water that other people swim in-----ewwwww!!!!
