Mom and I create clay together - Death of a race car driver, John Andretti

At one point in my life, I made dozens and dozens of tiny clay sculptures. Right behind me is a Chinese many-shelved cabinet filled with tiny sculptures.

Too difficult to take photos of them.

Mom and I worked with polymer clay, which I now understand is toxic when baked in a toaster-oven.

So we'll air dry them next time, the way I did my tiny sculptures.



Mom loved reading the many projects you can make with the clay.

The two of us rolled tiny balls of clay and made beads in the toaster oven. Then we made a freestanding sculpture which is air drying right now.

She got confused and thought the black clay was licorice and not only tasted that but other colors as well. I said, Look! The orange looks like Lifebuoy soap or Dial soap.

How it stimulated our minds.

Watched the PBS Evening News Hour. So many stories to learn about including the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, including Norway, who once protected Jews from Hitler.

Last night I wrote a short story called TANGERINE DYING UNDER THE SUPERMOON. High marks from sister Lynn and Remington.

After I wrote that I had an idea for anudder short story. A once-famous movie star living in a trailer or a hotel room and absolutely no one knows who she is.


The late Nina Foch.

She may live in a trailer or a hotel room or suite. She may hug the bottle or she may be dignified. So many choices we have in life.

Will she be interviewed on TCM?

BTW just lost everything on here. One wrong touch and ker-splat!

Know what? Gonna ride my bike bc I ate half a bag of pretzel sticks.



Just read that John Andretti, famous race car driver, lost his battle with cancer at age 56.

Andretti was an active member of the community, being part of Race For Riley during the weeks of the Brickyard 400.

He disclosed in 2017 that he was battling stage four colon cancer, which was believed to be gone, but relapsed in 2018 and again in 2019 after another round of treatment.

His battle with cancer spared his awareness campaign, which started the hashtag #CheckItForAndretti.

"The thing that was great about John is he never forgot where he was from. He never forgot what his name allowed him to do, what his talent allowed him to do. And he used that platform to give back," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles.  "The Riley Children's Hospital here in Indianapolis benefited every year from what John gave back. Even in his battle here with cancer, John used that to say #CheckItForAndretti. Colonoscopies were important. In fact, I just had mine and did it because of John."

Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles released the following statement regarding Andretti's passing on behalf of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

John Andretti's skills behind the wheel of any kind of race car were admired by his millions of fans around the world, and he always returned that loyalty and kindness to become one of the most popular drivers of his generation. But John's true mission was helping others, whether through his countless hours of charity work, especially with Riley Children's Hospital here in Indianapolis, or by the colon screening campaign he started in April 2017 after he was diagnosed with cancer. John's positive attitude and selflessness throughout his brave fight inspired all of us and will be a legacy that will continue forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Nancy, their three children and the entire Andretti family.

I believe they carried his coffin one more time around the Indy race track.  

Scott and I visit the huge Willow Grove Y off Davisville Road

After Scott and I finished our delicious dinner of lentil pasta and marinara sauce



we left for the new Willow Grove YMCA.

Sewer pipes are being added, which is why Davisville Road is often closed.

The parking lot was very crowded.

We peeked into the swimming area before we entered.

Harry was our Tour Guide.

I mentioned my sister joined and has more energy than she ever had.

Here's their website.

The initial enrollment is very high but after that if you're over 65, you pay $12 per month and there's no contract.



I would love to start swimming laps again.

We toured the weight room, the basketball courts, the gymnastics room, which was a big winner at the former Abington Y.

I also remembered what Eric Mendel told us during the walk. He's from Buffalo NY and almost became a chef.

But a friend of a friend told him about TRACKING, which is what we did earlier today.

Every Friday he leaves home, which is right on the grounds of the Trust and see what tracks have been left. Since we've had so much rain, leaving muddy spots, he was able to preview them in advance.

At the Y, there's also a high intensity biking room. I took one look and thought, These bikes are so high off the ground, how would I get up there?



Here's my stationery bike I ride at home.

Pennypack Trust Winter Wildlife Walk

Souvenirs from the Winter Wildlife Walk.

Black walnut which falls from the tree. And a small yellow cherry blossom which sprouts on the ground. 

When we left my new friend George pointed to some barren trees still on the Trust and said they'll have beautiful blossoms in early spring, purple.

The walk was exhausting for me with my bad left leg.

Chris looked around and said we were all dressed properly and there is nuffin wrong with being out in the cold for two hours.

I dressed in layers and wore my new cute hat I bought at CVS.  

Director Chris Mendel often deferred to his buddy Kirk for identification of scat (poop) and deer prints. We learned which way they were headed by their hoof prints and also saw where they rubbed their antlers on trees when they were getting ready for battle.

Woke up at 8:30 am. The walk began at 9.

Ate vanilla yogurt with red delicious apples and a square of Hershey's Dark Chocolate.

Then I zoomed over.

While we were there we talked about the edibles walk with Dana Ward and eating mouth-puckering persimmons 

as well as the black walnut.

I am so exhausted now.

Will fall asleep watching a new Netflix entry called Locke and Key. 

It was awful, so I turned it off.

The best films for me are on YouTube.

Last night I watched an extraordinary film called JACQUELINE. 

Everything, I might say, is supernatural.   

The Great and Powerful Oz.

Woke up with a massive cramp in my right leg.

Walked around, drank water, and finished my Hershey Bar.

Quelle Downpour

Am at the Giant when this pounding arrives on the roof!

A huge downpour!

Luckily I'd closed my windows and locked the car doors.

Brian gave me an enormous carton for my food.

I told Delia, the checker, I was out of my favorite snacks, pretzels and peanuts.






When I went to return my Pumpkin Spice Tea by Harney and Sons at B & N, the woman said, bc it's open and you don't have a receipt, All we can give you is $2.

My head spun and I took it back home.



So, I'm gone from the house for an hour and when I come home an enormous branch - and I mean enormous - has fallen from the tree in my front yard. It's got this green lichen all over it. We have no idea what's going on in the upper reaches of our trees, or our bodies either.

This is what I told Neighbor Patrick, who was walking his dog Sydney.

Told him the story of Mike and Donna Kramer's dog, Buddy, who took my entire ear in her mouth.

Oh, she won't hurt you, said Donna. She's just a puppy.

Scott's friends.

Grocery items include baby spinach, two organic oranges, Boars' Head Cream Havarti and more.

Am sipping on the pumpkin spice. Look it's not terrible....

Happy Birthday SLD - The Bicycle Thief - Sardines for Breakfast

It's always important to know the date.

Today is a very special day, Feb 7, 2020.

Sarah's 46th birthday. Wrote her a poem.

Hold on. I think this calls for a cuppa coffee.

Garcon?

Actually, I'm drinking that flavorless Harney and Sons Pumpkin Spice. Hold on. Lemme take anudder sip to be sure.

I suppose I could return it at Barnes and Noble.

Let's play a quick game.

Barnes and Noble. Masters and Johnson. Robin Hood and Maid Marion. Abelard and Heloise, Tristan and Isolde.

YOU provide the next pairing.

Pear tarte and Chardonnay.

...

So I paid maybe $40 to enter Adelaide.com's annual contest of the best writing they could find. One short story of mine appeared - Uncle Judge.

I just read some of the other stories, good but not great.

The book we read at yesterday's book group was - in one word - confusing!

I said I would never read anudder book Karen Joy Fowler wrote.



I awoke with the usual feeling, Where are Mommy and Daddy? Then I realized this is February. Have I missed Sarah's birthday.

I wrote her a poem.

Last night I stayed at Scott's to watch a classic film I checked out of the library: The Bicycle Thief.

I was awaiting a miracle at the end so the hero would get back his stolen bike. He never did.



The film was made by Vittorio deSica.

  deSica

Did I tell you I'm listening to the audio book SPARTA in the kitchen. Why, you may ask, is my rubbing alcohol and a cloth out?

To fix the skipping. Remember dat!  And who are you anyway?

For breakfast I'm eating sardines in olive oil and some crackers.

For the first time I noticed that TRISCUITS are too salty.

Am sure they have lo-salt or no-salt.

WATCHING THE BICYCLE THIEF AT SCOTT'S

Such poverty! Soon, though, the situation will improve.
Yes, our man bought a bicycle.
Now he would get a job.
He leant his bike against the wall
as he smoothed on posters of upcoming
movies - one with the sexy Rita Hayworth -
who was coming to town.

His young son steadied the ladder
That son with his serious man-like face
who watched as the bike was stolen

Sorrow after sorrow followed
until the man and boy entered
a cafe. Pizza, we'll have, said
the man, and wine, and they
ate and drank, ate and drank,

before they continued with their
stinking life.

Visiting Eileen at Brookside in Roslyn PA - Memories of Liz Bowman, RIP and Sandy Bender archytect

I'd just gotten home from Barnes and Nobel with a box of Polymer Clay for Mom .

She needs something to make in order to feel productive.

Then Jill Alexander, the caregiver of Eileen next door, asked me if I wanted to visit Eileen in her new home Brookside in Roslyn PA.

Off we drove in her orange car which advertises the Philadelphia Flyers.

The place is huge!

Here's their website.




Eileen was sitting in a wheelchair in the hallway.

She looked wonderful. She and Jill picked up where they had left off with their verbal games. She speaks very well, loud and clear, but total nonsense.

Eileen wasn't eating properly which I thought was simply a transition from one home to another.

I was not impressed at all by the aides, but I think that might occur at all nursing homes. Do not think I am defending them, I am not!!!!

Did I tell you my 10 percent off card from B and N lasts through May?

I bought a smoky white latte plus Harney and Sons Fine Teas, Pumpkin Spice Tea with Caffeine.



I'm sitting there sipping the smoky white latte and thinking, Lemme go home, I have so much to do.

That's me, trying to relax.

As Jill and I drove home, we looked at all the rundown houses in the neighborhood.



A great architect could have a field day with these.

Is Sandy Bender still around?

Yes, he is.

Here he is on my blog.



Liz Bowman, author of The Compleat Gardener, in the Times Herald, of Norristown, passed away.

When that woman was alive, she had more life in her than ten women.

Miss you Liz!!!!

Munich - How's this for a coincidence?

Just got home from Giant, where I ate in the Starbucks cafe.

Had two greasy dumplings from Helen. She wouldn't sell me other dumplings since they weren't fresh.

Ate those plus fruit, marinated mushrooms, and infrequent radishes, casually chopped.

The checkout lines were terribly long.

A woman behind me, 83, had an accent.

"Are you from Germany?" I asked.

How did you know? she said. I thought I lost my accent.

We both have watched Rick Steves, who recently traveled to Munich.

Told her I write short stories and the next one is about traveling to Munich.

Such a beautiful city, she said, and then the checkout woman, Delia, chimed in.

Her father was born in Mannheim, I believe she said.

Before I left home, I jotted down on a purple pad Linda B had given me, A woman is a caretaker for her elderly mother and must get away.

To Munich!

ABOARD THE PLANE TO MUNICH

Still feeling unsettled, shocked and saddened,
it was only last week Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianni
met their deaths in the air.

I put these thoughts behind me
having flown to Alaska
in a tiny bumpy plane
to Paris and London
in a plane that could pass
for the Ritz Carlton with
tiny champagne glasses
to clink with an imaginary
companion, maybe Judy Diaz
raised from the dead.