WHY?

I’m not without a small grasp of human nature. Understanding it doesn’t mean I like it. The kind of things I am about to share has been heard throughout my life, so I can’t blame it on old age or The Home. But I can scream WHY?

I go to bread wars on Wednesday morning. That means I go and compete with three other groups for free bread at Oroweat. Stupid things happen there most mornings, but I kind of like it anyway. My helpers meet me in our lobby at 8:30 for the trip. This morning Maria was not there. In my memory, this is the first time she has missed. I figured she was tired and could not get up or was not feeling well so I left without her. I used to do this job by myself. I picked up assistants when my back went out and they have stuck with me. Help means speed, so I appreciate their assistance but can do it alone.

On our return, Maria was waiting in the commons and went on the warpath for leaving without her. OK, slow down. We left 10 minutes later than normal. She was not where we are to meet. And I’m to blame for leaving her. Go figure. She gave me hell. Why didn’t I call her? Why didn’t I knock on her door? How could I leave without her? To my way of thinking (admittedly it is not how she was thinking) her questions were stupid in light of the meeting time being her responsibility. My reasonable (to me) response that I was concerned about her and did not want to disturb her. When I figured out being kind was not working I told her that I left because I didn’t like her and didn’t want to deal with her coming with me. That at least caused hesitation. I then took her to pick up her medication. We had a late breakfast together and came home. All was well, or so I thought. The plot thickens. Later in the day, I got an email from the office telling me I had left one of my helpers. WHAT? Why did that go to the office? It’s not like I left her in Canada and came home without her.

I wish this response were rare. However it seems to be the norm. At our Labor Day Potluck/BBQ Maria’s sister arrived half way through the meal and then joined us to eat. Why is she here? Who let her in? She doesn’t belong here? Just because she has a sister here is no reason for her to come. And this from two women who have never brought anything to and potluck, and never signed up for any event so they can keep their options open, and who have never lifted a finger to help with anything around here. Thanks for sharing. Maria at least spent a lot of time cooking.

Yesterday, I told you about Chas and his frustration about food being taken after the meal. What’s that about?

Jenny has some mental problems and tried to help on Monday. She grabbed an already dirty dishrag to wipe tables. Most people were still eating. No matter, she moved their plates and cups and was wiping away. Many yelled at her and only one kindly thanked her for what she was doing and suggested it might be better to wait until people were done eating. Really.

We have a gentleman who is not permitted to cook in his room because of fear he might leave his stove on. He might. After everyone had eaten he took a large bowl and filled it with food to take to his room. Why is he doing that? It’s not his food? Look how much he took! Frankly, I told him to help himself. He normally goes out Monday-Saturday to find all the free meals all over town. He knows where they are. He needs the help. We helped him.

A service dog barks and people are angry that a dog is in the dining room. A walker bumps a chair, and the person is told to watch where they are going. One person talks to loud and they are disgusting. Crumbs are dropped on the floor and they are pigs and another immediately gets a carpet sweeper to make a point of cleaning up. An item is set in a public area for display and another removes it because it is ugly. There are too many signs on a bulletin board so someone decides to throw half away. One has potted plants in the way to water another’s garden space, so they are moved to the shade. They are not moved back into the sun.

In any given day, it seems like there are a half dozen or more people upset and angry over some silly little thing. The children in the sand box are not playing nice.

I was doing laundry on Saturday. The dryer was in use, but I started my wash. The dryer’s time had ended. I had planned to take out the clothes and fold them, but they were still wet. It was over two hours before the person came pack the take care of their wet clothes. I guess I should have been angry.

But why? Why are so many upset over so little — and much of their anger has nothing to do with them? How does it hurt that someone’s sister ate with us? I don’t get it. All I can say is we’ve got trouble right here in river city.

It’s Wednesday and bingo starts up after now that the summer break (what summer?) is over. Many will be there to fight and argue and complain about the caller — too fast, too soft, to impatient, etc. He cheated! I love this day. I will draw, read a book, watch a movie or have a nap. I won’t hear any of it.

It late now, I napped. Loved it. No one complained in my dream. In fact no one did anything that I remember dreaming. Too bad! That was my chance to have fun.