Day 8 - California Reopening Plan - Phase 2

It’s my birthday today. I’m 50.

9:00-9:30: It’s as if the dog knew. She never barks so I go downstairs to check on her. I run into L. along the way, who is getting ready to head out, but won’t tell me where. The dog is still sleeping. I wake her up by petting her tummy and we go outside. Cheese.

10:00-11:30: I go straight for coffee and head to my office to start grading papers for my International Relations class. If left to my own devices, I would never drink water so I have to get it out of the way by forcing myself to drink a 16-oz Hydroflask in the morning. BUT, today is my birthday - I skip the water.

In full disclosure, I have been suffering from severe, ongoing, stomach pain for approximately 5 weeks, registering around a constant 6 on a pain scale of 1-10. This consistent pain may have contributed to my loss of appetite and resulting weight loss. I’m a firm believer that the majority of most ailments are dietary and I began systematically removing items from my food intake three weeks ago. I discovered the mystery perpetrator two days ago - it is the splash of organic lemon juice that I put in my Hydroflask, which I drink every morning and throughout the day, whenever possible. I really couldn’t believe it - I mean, a ‘splash’, in 16 ozs of water? - until after going without the lemon juice for one day and immediately feeling better. I then added it to a small piece of salmon for dinner, as an experiment, and was immediately sick again.

Today, I feel so. much. better. I grade two papers.

11:30-12:00: L. returns. She has an Edible Arrangement, to include white chocolate strawberries; 3 dozen roses; a $50 Starbucks card; and a really nice birthday card. Everything is so nice and I am really, really touched. She also bought me a Swiffer mop. We have some fruit and decide to watch Married at First Sight at 1:30 since we are both around for lunch - I need to grade a few more papers.

12:00-1:15 - I grade another paper and an Extra Credit assignment from one of my high school students.

1:15-2:45 - I try to make a salad, but the lettuce L. bought last week, expired on 5/9/20, which seems to be the exact date she purchased it, and is covered in mold. I heat up frozen green beans as a base instead of leafy greens, and add tomatoes, cut-up cheese squares, carrots, celery, EVOO, and sea salt. We watch Married at First Sight.

2:45-4:00 - Spa Day, early. Shower, dress, lotion, minimal make-up. I wear jeans and a crop-top, with a white belt and my new New Balance shoes. L. is also getting ready.

4:00-5:00- L. and I part ways. B. picks me up and takes me to his house. We sit on his patio and I have Prosecco-in-a Can for “cocktail hour.” He finally bought pillows for the wrought-iron chairs and I can finally endure sitting down - the scenery is nice as his backyard looks like a golf course.

5:00-6:30 - B. made dinner and I have salad, salmon, baked potatoes, and baked beans and eat outside, on the patio. The food is very good and I eat most everything. I have another Prosecco.

7:00-11:30 - we go inside and B. has purchased a cake that says, “Happy Birthday, _______”. He puts a few candles in the cake and lights them, then takes a picture, as he says it’s important to remember my 50th birthday. Everything is so nice and I can’t believe he went to this much trouble, especially in light of the fact that he is leaving on a road trip at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. The cake is chocolate on chocolate and tastes sublime. For my birthday gifts, B. puts $50 in a card and gives me a bottle of champagne. Since B. will be gone for a week, I get to take the leftovers home, which means I get the cake and what’s left of my dinner-the food will last several days. We watch the first two episodes of Bosch then call it. B. drives me home and I’m in bed by 11:30. A very nice birthday all the way around - really wonderful.

At the same time, L. was on her own date. She drove to our favorite Dim Sum restaurant in Pasadena to pick up food for her date with R. Then, she picked up R. and they drove to one of our 33 parks with a view, where they spread out a blanket and ate dinner. L brought chopsticks and pillows. Once finished, both watched two movies on her laptop, while still at the park [Gen Z’ers are creative during the Covid pandemic]: Walk the Line and Misery. She said R. liked Misery. He brought popcorn and lemonade to the “movies.” She said there were several people at the park.

12:45 - I wake up briefly when I hear the garage door - L. is finally home - then fall back asleep.