OUR NEW WHOLE FOODS MARKET

REALITY CHECK

Susan stayed with us for a month to get things organized. She was a godsend as everything was overwhelming at first adjusting to a new way to live. She cooked, cleaned and shopped. Our place has never been so clean. By the time she left, we felt comfortable with our new lifestyle. Zoe still has to do most of the things but I am gradually able to do more and more (as long as it is not above shoulder high). We are getting back into our regular routine. It was our building’s turn to have it fumigated for termites. So everything edible or touched our skin had to bagged and our plants removed to the side lawn. Fortunately Susan and Russell were here and did most of the work. The Village paid for us to stay at a local hotel for the two days that the fumigating went on. Then we had to figure out all of the paraphernalia required for me. So up we trekked the wheelchair, walker, commode and other items. This was a reality check for me. I had dreams of still being able to travel (with a little help from my friends). That was dashed by this circus. If I can get more independent, maybe. We did have some good news though. I have been approved for the Orange County ACCESS wheelchair van service. They will pick us up at our place (Z rides free as my assistant) and takes anywhere in Orange County for only $2.70 each way. I can also have one guest for the same price. If we need to go beyond Orange County, they connect me with the service there. This means that we can now go to restaurants and concerts at night as Zoe can’t drive at night. There is a bus that goes to concerts from the Village but it has two steps to get up and I can’t do that. We will have an opportunity to try out the service next week as a friend has invited us to the Pageant of the Masters and dinner. The Pageant has live people stand in simulations of famous paintings. The Pageant was another reality check to realize the limitations of our excursions. The Pageant was amazing as the famous paintings projected on the outdoor screen gradually emerged with real people in the parts. The professional orchestra, live narration, stunning sets and sophisticated lighting made it memorable if chilly in the night air. The wheelchair van picked us up right in front of our place as promised and we got to the Pageant in time to have dinner beforehand at the restaurant there. It turned out that the restaurant was up an incline. Zoe managed to get me up there but halfway through dinner, I had to go to the bathroom (of course). So down we went to the bathroom which was halfway down. Oops! No handicap toilet there. We had to go further down, almost to the entrance. Zoe was overwhelmed to think of pushing me up that incline again. We noticed a young man admiring the art show there and recruited him to push me up. After all, Zoe is 80 years old and does not have the strength and fortitude of her younger years. More good news is that we now have a Whole Foods store in our area. I’m in heaven. There is also a Total Wine store about to open. How much better can it get?

US BEING FUMIGATED