Sara in hospital and other things

Sara was in the hospital overnight for tests and they were worried although only two of them knew, Nora and Jolene, because Sara wanted it kept quiet, and they don’t blame her because in a place like this crepe would be hanging from her door in no time. It’s some kind of a stomach upset like a reflux problem. It was hoped Sara would come home soon.

Sara is home from the hospital and Nora and Jolene are rejoicing. She did not have any heart trouble as had been feared. It was her esophageal hernia acting up. Nora doesn’t know exactly what that is but supposes it is in the diaphragm and is affected by stomach acids and the like. Sara said the doctors told her to cut out caffeine and chocolate. Ouch and double ouch! The two things that sustain life as they know it.


Nora and Tillie went to the Store (thrift, that is) Tuesday, which is Senior day and everything is half price except pink and green tickets and Tillie bought curtains for her bedroom, pants, and a blouse, Nora, only a nice heavy baking pan that will be perfect for making two of her favorite desserts—pineapple upside down cake and tarte tatin.

She has to make a cake for the Big Birthday party Friday because she spoke when she should’ve just been listening at the resident forum. She raised her hand and asked Susan why don’t people volunteer to bring homemade cakes instead of having those yucky store-bought cakes that taste full of air and the icing like it’s mostly made of guar gum. She thought her idea would be seconded by others but it seems she is the only one wanting to cook. However, Frieda, a fairly new resident, said she’d bake a cake, too. And then Sara, in her usual way, pledged to make an angel food. So that should be enough, about forty servings because not all the people come out of their lairs. However, they might for the homemade goodies. Nora will probably make a chocolate sheet cake; Frieda, her applesauce cake. So it shall be seen: will the Zoners prefer homemade?


Nora is currently going through almost two years of slips from having used her check card and just throwing the receipts in a drawer. She’s doing this to make sure she entered them in her checkbook because she owes her bank a whopping $750 approx on her overdraft protection and wants to pay it off but feels the bank may have made a mistake. Her forget to enter her purchases? Not bloody likely!


This being Wednesday, Nora would be going to yoga but not any more because she’s stopped going. It was just kind of boring, all that meditation stuff. She gets more exercise and tranquility of spirit by frequent promenades through the Mart of the Wal and the Store.


She has been having some long thoughts about life and the hereafter which she knows awaits her and everyone in the Twilight Zone sooner rather than later. She doesn’t want to dwell on it excessively but it is fascinating to think about, really. To realize that people who have died can be very close to one in spirit on earth. Rather mind-blowing to think about; one can’t but briefly because it is too intense. But it doesn’t hurt to give it a quick glance now and then. And, of course, the entrée to this spirit world is prayer, heartfelt and simple. A few words or not even words sometimes but thoughts and not even thoughts sometimes but feelings and not even feelings sometimes as just awareness—keeping one’s eyes turned in the direction of the lovely face of God.