GROW UP

I enjoy going to coffee most mornings. I get some of my best material there. This morning was no exception.

It began simply. Two women were present and completely separated each in their own room. Maria was in the kitchen cleaning up after the management company had a staff meeting and once again did not leave any of their left overs for us. They used to do it all the time. They would leave pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, pastries and some coffee. Those days are gone. I don't know what they do with the leftovers. Take it to their office and eat cold pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc. I guess. I'm not bitter, but I think I'll write and tell them how much I like bacon and eggs, and we have the equipment to warm it up. Take the sweets. But please, leave the fruit. Do you know how expensive fruit is? They even emptied the coffee pot instead of leaving the rest for us. Separation of office and tenant I guess. Probably a legal thing. So Maria was getting coffee ready for us and cleaning up the mess they left.

Dixie was in the pool room. Not swimming. It's not that kind of pool. Billiards! The puzzle is on a table in that room. That puzzle is not really available to everyone. Three women keep guard over it and run others off. Went we find that out we invite them over to our puzzle room. Anyone is welcome.

So far, so good. I poured a cup of lukewarm coffee (did not notice it was not ready yet), drank it anyway and sat at the usual suspects table. Marie came in to join me. I told her about the bomb scare at the ferry yesterday. Naturally I made a big deal about it and you would think the whole west coast was in danger. Could be! Four TV stations covered it. She hadn't heard. (See previous blog). Two others drifted in and joined our table. Later a third came. There are now five and everything was going well. Dixie is still in the puzzle room. After another man joined our group and Dixie wandered over and stood at the table wanting to show some of us a list of all the senior activities in the area. Actually it was a ploy. See really only wanted to get my attention because Maria was sitting there. Her cover was that I could include some of these things in the May newsletter. Maria is convinced she does this to get her goat. I didn't even know she had a goat.

Then Dixie sat down. It was quiet for a moment before daggers were fired with eyes between the women. When they made contact Maria turns sideways and puts her right hand to her face so she cannot see Dixie. Much like the blinders on a horse. Two new people asked if she was OK, thinking something physically wrong had occurred. Indeed it had. Her junior high childish behavior kicked in at 100%. Apparently they had a blow out some years ago and Maria has never forgiven Dixie. It was before I came so I don't fully understand. Each has given me their side and they do not appear to be the same problem. Dixie is civil, but Maria is childish and absurd. Maria got up and left the table and the newcomers asked if she would be OK. Dixie says, she's fine, she just doesn't want to look at me. It would be hilarious if it were not so painful to watch and be around. They both have issues, and they both do things that hurt others or at a minimum - get their goat. But Dixie seems to have moved on from their conflict and would even participate in a conversation with Maria if Maria would become an adult. Do how to you get old women to make up, kiss, and get over it? I would be happy if they would act like mature adults. Maria is a good friend to me, so I am trying to figure out how to confront her. Fear not. I have done this before, and nothing has changed. I have even appealed to her religious believes as a Catholic and reminded her of the Lord's prayer. She believes God knows what she has had to put up with from this woman and will send her to hell and allow herself into his kingdom. She thinks nothing of "God will forgive you as you forgive those who trespass (offend, sin) against you." It would be easier to tear down a brick wall with my finger nails.