Dressed for an outdoor walk.

Got my hat. Got my gloves. Gotta get a thermal undershirt. Probably a neck scarf too. It was 34 today, but felt colder than usual. I want to be prepared, so I have no excuse to bail on walking. I  find some knee wonkiness today. I suspect from the semi-joggish hobble jounce-along the other day. So tomorrow I’m gonna put on the elastic knee squeezers previously purchased and stored in the closet lo these many months ago.   

Vanity has fled. I have no problem with looking like a cloth covered fireplug walking. As long as I needn't wear a bulky coat.

The woman who gave me the hat is in rehab. She got weaker and weaker. Lou Anne said they had to move her in a wheelchair lately. 

The card playing girls and I have acknowledged several times that at this point in our lives our neighbors don't just move to another town and lose contact with us. 

Here, when a friend leaves, it is usually forever. I fear Nettie aka Peewee is on that road. Bummer, but a comfortingly acceptable fact of life here.

Joe, of earlier mention, tells me today that is girlfriend had to go to hospital last night.  She called and told him she was bleeding. He told her to go to the ER. She wisely took his advice/order (chuckle) and had "half a hysterectomy" last night. Later today, she will have a "whole hysterectomy."  
I did not ask questions.
He at last has some excitement in his life. And is obviously enjoying it. 

Saw Paul, the monologist, who was happy to tell me all about his layers scheme for walking in winter. I likewise ask no questions of Paul. 

Because I was earlier than usual, I saw several friends in the halls.  Chatted with all of them.

Caught up on the news. 

Neighbor Care has started doing background checks on rental applicants. They have moved out a bunch of people who had not been checked. Ex-cons. Druggies. Deadbeats. Smokers. I don't know what all. Maybe current cons, too.

A lady across the hall from me, the one who came here to have heart surgery at IU and couldn't fly home after her surgery, has died. The husband has gone back to Puerto Rico. No notice given, but no rent forthcoming for a while. They spoke no English. It must have been really hard.

I see a lot of vacant places as I walk around. We have nine empty apartments in our building. 

Anyone need a nice cheap place to live? Come on over. Less than a thousand, all utilities paid. 

The Latinas who clean were taking down all the Christmas decorations today. The place was covered with greenery and lights. Most I have ever seen anywhere. It felt good to approach the front door and see the lit trees etc. inside.

The annual rock is over the top and on the downhill slope now.

And, I have survived another holiday season. Life looks up now. The days are longer. Soon it will be summer.

I wonder where Chrome Boy is now. Gone, but not forgotten.