@slhoffman23 – “The Fine Art of Winging It” – Substack
_____________________
I have had a varied day today.
It started out with Ugly American not only being at the gym, but right beside me on the treadmill. He put his phone on the treadmill screen, then constantly messed with either the phone or the treadmill the entire time. It was more than distracting. I’m really trying not to get hostile and blow him out of the water, but it’s hard. Brian was referring to him as my ‘gym buddy’ on the way home, smiling.
______________________
Our visit with Harvey was really challenging today. He didn’t know who I was, but was bragging about sharing his bed with one of my long time friends from Arkansas. He thought Brian was his brother, Bill. Harvey made no sense whatsoever the whole time we there there today. He insisted we turn off the air conditioner, take all the pillows off the bed, and kept talking about going home – though one time that was Tulsa, where we haven’t lived for over 50 years, another time that was a lake in Georgia, another time that was AR, but clearly didn’t realize we no longer had the shop there. Brian brought him an orange drink, which he drank. He bought him two really expensive magazines, but Harvey just told us to store them so we would have them when we left. We told his nurse that she needed to watch for him trying to ‘flee,’ and explained why the pillows and covers were off the bed. It was a depressing visit. I’m not even sure he was glad to see us today.
_________________________
I wore my new tee to visit Harvey. I just love the design and workmanship on it.
I had a great time at the cafe today. When I got there this afternoon, there was a ‘reserved’ sign on my favorite spot, so I started toward the back. My favorite server stopped me, indicating he had put that there for ME!
Can you believe it? I felt so special! I had a good time sketching. I finished one and started a second.
Here is the one I finished –
This man with the cart stopped in front of a shop, went in, and came out with an armful of ‘stuff’ he added to the cart. From the look of things, I THINK he’s gathering recyclables. It was obvious that he walks miles down the street, gathering things, then takes his cart, and then comes back for more. Enterprising, hard-working man. I just hope he has a tarp to protect his ‘finds’ for when the rain starts to come down…”
________________________
I had another power blip overnight, so I was having to turn my air filters on again, reboot my computer, etc. first thing this morning. It’s been rainy here, but we haven’t had the awful flooding that Bangkok is experiencing.
_______________________
Purr.in.ink
It sure sounds like it started to be a rough day at the gym with the UA. Then, your sad visit with your Harvey. That has to be so hard for you some days worse than others, no doubt. I am sorry for what you have to go through.
However, the visit at the café with your reserved seat was great! It was so thoughtful of your server to make sure you were able to get “YOUR” seat! They must really like you there, as they can see what a good and kind person you are.
Your sketch was just amazing and beautiful! I can see how that would be relaxing to concentrate on something else that you really like to do. I hope the rest of your day went well. Take good care of yourself.(Donna)
Thank you for your caring note, Donna. I think the reserved sign was probably a one-time thing, but he watched as I took a picture of it and we smiled broadly at each other. He’s such a nice man. Yes, the artwork saves my sanity, I think. Being able to zero in on trying to do something challenging offsets any other concerns, at least for a while. I’m very lucky to have this outlet. I’m glad you liked the sketch. I appreciate you