My Grandmother's Journals: March, 1996

My grandmother and her daughter circa 1950.

In tiny notebooks, my grandmother wrote down each day what time she woke up, where she ate breakfast, what movie she went to see, what mail and phone calls she received, then what she read and watched on TV before bed.

In 1996, she was 80-years-old and living alone in a mobile home park in Santa Cruz, Calif. But I wouldn't describe her as lonely; she was an extremely independent and persnickety woman whom I never knew to live with another person or even a pet. (I wrote more about her life in an earlier post.)  

Close to her home was the famous surfing spot called Pleasure Point, and she loved walking to the ocean and watching the surfers. When she died, I took her ashes to those waves with a friend of hers and we each dropped some at the sand. A moment after I dropped mine, a surfer emerged from the water where I stood.

That was cool. 

 

In March of 1996, was still watching the A&E production of "Pride and Prejudice" starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth (that she recorded on VHS tapes two months earlier) every day, also reading the Jane Austen novel it was based on, and constantly on the lookout for the Dinty Moore frozen dinners she liked.

 

February entries.

 

Friday, March 1, 1996

Tired, up 8:30. Breakfast McDonald's. "Out of sausage."

To Albertsons, bank. Sent girls $56.10.

Ate, tired, rested.

Watched some Geraldo, read papers. 

Good sleep.

? Friend of Larry's pulled weeds at his place.

 

Saturday, March 2, 1996 

Up 8:30. Sunny, warm.

Talked to Pearl, Harry there also. Talked about Clara.

Vacuumed. Showered, washed hair.

To Wendy's. Got chicken sandwich, home w/salad.

To Kmart, got Clorox and cookies. No Dinty Moore.

Put Clorox on termites in shed.

Ran Arctic tape, but not all of it.

No rain.

Bed 9:30, read.

 

Sunday, March 3, 1996 

Up 9. Breakfast Scotts Valley Chubby's.

To Kmart, got "Desperately Seeking Susan," two Hitchcocks, Kit Kat bars, sunscreen, Tums and muffins.

Lunch here, wind and rain in GUSTS. 

Watched news, some Poirot, also "Dalva" with Farrah Fawcett. Good.

Read a bit. Slept good. 

 

Monday, March 4, 1996

Up 9ish. Ate Burger King.

To Drug Emporium, got T.V. Guide.

Library, returned Henry IV, Marcello Mastroianni.

Very windy, gusty, etc. (See Sunday.)

 

Tuesday, March 5, 1996

Awake 6, TV. Up 8:30, BK.

Kmart, got some Dinty Moore.

Lunch after news.

Washed some blouses, looked for polka dot nightgown that lost!

Mail, got book from Mina. Read for two hours.

Watched news, Law & Order, taped and watched 1/2 of Rio Bravo.

Wednesday, March 6, 1996

Awake 2, then 8. Up 9. Breakfast McDonald's.

To Beverly's Fabrics, got stencils for curtains, tulip and spring flowers.

Home, termites in shed again. Put Clorox on.

Watched some news, P&P most of time.

Bed late, sleep not good.

 

Thursday, March 7, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast at corner.

Cambodian there writing about life, let me read preface.

To bank, dentist for high place in tooth. Fixed.

To Clothes Closet, only took 3: black blouse, pink coat, shoes; refused: dresses, shirt, blouses (2).

Warm, read P&P. Behind with papers.

Watched some Geraldo, no Mystery. Bed early.

 

Friday, March 8, 1996

Warm today. Breakfast Denny's.

To East Cliff, library. To bank, post office.

Home, feeling the heat. Rested.

Carole called, to airport tomorrow.

Bed early. Taped X-Files.

Saturday, March 9, 1996

Up 4:15. Carole called at 4:30. Got her at 5. To airport 6:35 a.m.

To Half Moon Bay McDonald's.

Stopped at "Greyhound Rock." Threw ball for dogs. Man with beard wore dress.

Home 9:30, rested a bit. Ran tapes from last night.

Ate here, read. Fixed curtains in bathroom. Put design on with iron.

Mail, letter from Carla.

Put message on Justine's fone.

Bed early. Sleep difficult.

Sunday, March 10, 1996

Rain in night. Awake 2, then 6, then 9:30. Rainy. 

Nice of Carla to invite me.

Breakfast at donut. To bank, library. Carr, "Devil in Velvet."

To show, "French Twist." Many. Too many?

Home, read. Watched news, 60 Minutes, Cybill.

Bed, read.

 

Monday, March 11, 1996

Up 8:30. Breakfast BK. Walked to Drug Emporium.

Back to car, to Kinko's. Took pix for Mina.

Rain, stayed in. Finished book.

Some news, TV, read. Didn't feel too good!

Bed early, slept good. Needed it.

 

Tuesday, March 12, 1996

Awake 6:30 but up 9. Breakfast Carl's, walked in mall.

Video store had "Fabulous Baker Boys" under $10.

Wrote Mina, packaged books. To post office.

Ate here, read papers.

Showered, washed hair.

Watched Law & Order, Frasier (good.)

Taped "The Paranormal Borderline," host Jonathan Frakes; John Coltrane on Bravo.

Mail, Mastercard bill

Wednesday, March 13, 1996

Turned cold. Awake 6:44, out 9 a.m. Breakfast McDonald's.

To Louden's, blood pressure 142/84.

To Lucky, ate here.

Mail came 2:30. I'd sent duplicate copy instead of original, dumb! To Longs, got copy, re-mailed.

Home, read papers. 

S.T. Voyager, new Paranormal. 1992 Richard Crenna movie, "Trouble on Track 9."

Thursday, March 14, 1996

Up 9. Slept good. Ate 41st Donut.

Walked Capitola, home 11:30.

To show, "Up Close and Personal." Good.

Home, some yard work, headache after. Warm out.

Dinner at Live Oak, sat with Vivienne, English war bride from Nottingham.

News, bed. Slept good.

Listened to Ray Taliaferro. He not afraid of threats.

Friday, March 15, 1996

Awake 6, up 9. Breakfast Denny's. Walked along river, one mile. Cool.

Read a bit, to Trader's Joe's

Home 1 p.m. Mail, ads. 

Ate salad, washed two winter, long-sleeved tops.

Watched news, Piano Legends, good. Taped late show.

Bed, up in night. Ate half sandwich.

 

Saturday, March 16, 1996

Slept 2:30 to 9. Worked in yard. To corner.

Home, tennis. Graff finally won. Ties, good rallies.

Washed grey turtleneck. Ate salad.

To Drug Emporium, got antacid and cookies!

Walked East Cliff, half hour. One mile?

Surfed channels some. Bed early, read.

 

Sunday, March 17, 1996

Up 9. Chilly, ate here. 

Walked East Cliff. Drove route, half mile each way.

Some yard work, tennis. Read "Emma" all afternoon.

5 p.m., to McDonald's for cone.

To Wherehouse, got "Clueless." Mostly boring, some items pulled from "Emma."

Watched 60 Minutes, Muhammad Ali. 

Monday, March 18, 1996

Up 8:30. Breakfast Kmart, got Dinty Moore dinners, weed killer, gas for car.

Took back "Clueless." Longs, got Brewer's Yeast.

Home, mail. Wrote Carla, got fone bill.

Worked in yard, took allergy pill. Got boost?

Read, watched news, S.T.N.G.

Showered, washed hair. Power out 7 ish.

Tuesday, March 19, 1996

Couldn't sleep, up 1 a.m.

Drugged all day. Read, rested, napped.

Frasier a repeat. Ran "Desperately Seeking Susan," also part of P&P.

Bed 2 a.m. Slept OK.

 

Wednesday, March 20, 1996

Awake 8, up 9. Breakfast BK.

Laundromat, got nickels instead of quarters. Also found Phillipine coin in dryer.

Home, got plant from roof with ladder of Larry's.

To show, "Executive Decision." Very tense.

Home, dinner. Mina called.

Mail, Gottschalk's bill, letter from Mina.

TV, STNG, Data personalities!

Thursday, March 21, 1996

Awake 8, up 9. Breakfast at corner.

Called bank, paid Sears, also insurance for earthquake.

Checked videos for French, also got "Fabulous Baker Boys."

Wrote Mina.

Larry said he heard noise, thinks someone after the bicycle?

Taped Mystery, figure skating. Rudy third. Tense.

Got Benadryl for allergies.

 

Friday, March 22, 1996

Up 9. Breakfast Carl's Jr. Windy, foggy. Walked in mall.

To laundromat to wash comforter. Cost $3. Did not dry completely.

Home, read "Mansfield Park." Rested.

Read paper, some TV. X-Files rerun.

Cold enough for heater, but I'm waiting.

Bed 10:30. Fone call, no answer. Blew whistle.

 

Saturday, March 23, 1996

Still taking Benadryl. Breakfast McDonald's. 

Walked Capitola, finished "Mansfield "Park" while on bench. Mist cleared and view grand.

Home, showered. Justine called.

Skating championship, Michelle Kwan 1st.  Some P&P. 

Saw comet.

 

Sunday, March 24, 1996

Donut at corner.

To show, "Fargo." North Dakota.

To Wendy's in Scotts Valley. Checked Kmart, out of Dinty Moore dinners. 

Got cone at McDonald's. 

To Santa Cruz Kmart, got some dinners. No chicken!

Home 6 p.m., watched 60 Minutes, Cybill. Bed 8:30, tired.

Monday, March 25, 1996

Sunny, but windy. Ate at Lyon's.

Drug Emporium, got T.V. Guide and cookies.

Sears, got front-fasten bra.

Home, tired from heat. Read some, rested.

Vacuumed some of bedroom, dust on walls. Seems better for allergy.

Ran part of P&P. Oscars tonight, watched after Poirot.

Tuesday, March 26, 1996

Breakfast McDonald's. Voted.

Walked on East Cliff. Tired, home.

More vacuuming, did walls, closet, sides of bed. Worked a bit in yard.

Some P&P, bed 9:30. 

Up at midnight, ate half sandwich.

Wednesday, March 27, 1996

Breakfast at corner. Blood pressure at Louden's.

Looked for curtains at 5+10, none. To Kmart, no, or Sears, Mervyn's or Gottschalk's.

Looks like Prop 199 lost!

News, P&P. Started The Merry Widow. Too tired.

 

Thursday, March 28, 1996

Up 7:30. Ate here. Got paper.

To laundromat, washed blankets. Home, mended blankets.

Tennis 10 a.m., Graf over Davenport, 6/4, 6/4.

To McDonald's for chicken sandwich, then Wherehouse and Blockbuster.

Too late for show. Windy.

Home, news, P&P, Morse.

Friday, March 29, 1996

Up 7:30. Breakfast McDonald's. Crowded!! (Sausage biscuit up .05)

To Longs, got two tapes. To Trader Joe's, got groceries and vitamins.

Tennis, Agassi over Boetsch.

To Kmart in Scotts Valley to look for curtains. Panels $12??

Mina called, had bad day yesterday. Got locked out!

To show, "Diabolique."

Home, read. Some P&P, X-Files.

Saturday, March 30, 1996

Awake 5, up 8. Breakfast BK.

To Kmart, 1 panel. To Scotts Valley, 3 panels. (Had more, I did not look in the right place.)

Mail, letter from Mina. 

Watched another hour of P&P, worked in yard.

Ate here, finished liver.

Tennis, Graf over Rubin.

P&P, bed, read. Not good sleep, right side hurts.

Sunday, March 31, 1996

Up 8. To corner, coffee and donut. Pearl there!

Home, wrote checks for girls.

Indy 500 race suspended for rain. Tennis, Agassi over Ivanisevic by default. Sore neck!

Read P&P until 60 Minutes, watched "Field of Dreams."

Paid rent.

Bed, ache on right hip. Sinus a bit better.

Still can't find scissors!

 

April entries.

Frances at 102: Still crazy about Bo Duke and biscuits.

Frances loved John Schneider as Bo Duke.

I loved visiting Frances, who lived more than 100 years chasing fun and flavor, especially good-looking men and fresh biscuits.

The last time I saw her, the family was gathered for Mother’s Day. Before eating we all caught up on the latest gossip, the most exciting of which was that her eldest granddaughter had a new man.

Frances, then 102, waited while we learned how they met and where he worked. Finally, in her sweet Virginia drawl, she asked,

“But is he good-looking?”

That was cool.

Frances’ fondness for fun with good-looking men came early and never dimmed, despite her brothers trying to tame her in the years before she married.

 

“In her twenties, all she wanted to do was to go out drinking and dancing,” explains her second daughter. “But her brothers wouldn't let her, so she sneaked out of the house. She was quite the party animal, and (in journals she kept at the time), she endlessly complained about them running her life.”

 

Fifty years and four kids later, Frances turned to television for those good-looking men, developing a huge crush on John Schneider as Bo Duke from the show Dukes of Hazzard. And for her 100th birthday, one of her grandchildren gave her a large photo of a shirtless Schneider, posing during his Duke days.

Frances happily posed with the photo, her eyes flashing, then her thoughts turned to food.

“When are we eating?” she said, adding: “Will we have biscuits?”

 

My Grandmother's Journals: February, 1996

My grandmother pregnant with my mother.

In tiny notebooks, my grandmother wrote down each day what time she woke up, where she ate breakfast, what movie she went to see, what mail and phone calls she received, then what she read and watched on TV before bed.

In 1996, she was living alone in a mobile home park in Santa Cruz, Calif., but I wouldn't describe her as lonely; she was an extremely independent and persnickety woman whom I never knew to live with another person or even a pet. (I wrote more about her life in an earlier post.)  

Close to her home was the famous surfing spot called Pleasure Point, and she loved walking to the ocean and watching the surfers. When she died, I took her ashes to those waves with a friend of hers and we each dropped some at the sand. A moment after I dropped mine, a surfer emerged from the water where I stood.

That was cool.

In February of 1996, grandma was obsessed with the A&E production of "Pride and Prejudice" starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth that she recorded on VHS tapes when it first aired on American TV the previous month, and with finding the best option for replacing one of the seat belts in her Toyota Tercel. 

January entries.

Thursday, Feb. 1, 1996 

Up 8 a.m., breakfast McDonald's.
To Toyota, got seat belt.
To Longs, got tissue and cookies.
Back to Toyota, "safety issue," they "research." Why won't repair?
No, do not use roses now!
Got 4 books at Branciforte library.
New Morse on 9 p.m., part 1. 

 

Friday, Feb. 2, 1996

Up 8. Service rep at Toyota called. Said seat belt under warranty!! Would put in for free! I said I'd check options.

Ate McDonald's, cutting back.

Checked at Toyota repair on Front Street, no warranty on seat belts!

To show, "Mr. Holland's Opus."  

To library, got 2 tapes.

Some TV, X-Files. 

Read "K is for Killer," Sue Grafton, until 3:40 a.m.

Mail, last of 1099s, letter from Mina.

 

Saturday, Feb. 3, 1996

Up 8, called Toyota. Seat belts in '83 same as '84. 

Called Sy in Paris, wrote Justine. 

Ate hot cereal here, coffee and donut at corner. Need water!

Raining. To Longs, Albertsons.

Ate here, late. Some TV, taped Pride & Prejudice, part of "Singing in the Rain."

Bed, slept good.

Sunday, Feb. 4, 1996

Warm out, raining. Slept til 10.

To Carl's, too late for breakfast. Had muffin, read papers.

To town to see "Restoration." Line 1/2 block long. 

To library, then home. Christa S. will take rose bushes, took them over.

Ate here. Taped Macbeth, watched second part of Malcom X.

Some news, flooded streets.

 

Monday, Feb. 5, 1996

Up 9, to Thomas Auto, got blue seat belt. 

To breakfast, back and man installed.

To Toyota, returned black seat belt. 

Home, rested.

Ran Gauguin tape, watched news, Richard III, Law & Order, taped Gulliver's Travels.

Still questioning getting blue belt, called other places. 

O.J. called into CNN Morning Program.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1996

Sunny today. Awake 7, up 8. Breakfast Lyon's.

O.J. again called radio station, CNN again.

To Kmart, got some Dinty Moore and plants, put in ground.

Read papers, ran tape of Gulliver's Travels.

Watched "The Client," old "Cracker" on A&E, Frasier, John Larroquette.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1996 

Slept til 9 a.m. Breakfast McDonald's.

Got Lotto, walked. Then coffee and donut.

Home, showered, washed hair. Watched news.

To library, read.

To show, "Restoration." Disappointed in accents, English only. Hugh Grant.

Home, no mail.

Watched Law & Order, balanced bank account.

Little sleep, finished "Forfeit," Dick Francis book.

 

Thursday,  Feb. 8, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast Carl's Jr. 

To bank, mailed money to girls.

Trader Joe's, home. 

Rested, read papers and "Decider," another Dick Francis.

Watched news, etc. No TV two hours.

Mystery, John Thaw.

Cats in night.

Friday, Feb. 9, 1996

Up 9:30, coffee and donut at corner.

Haircut, walked Capitola.

Checked St. Vincent de Paul's, no brooms. Also for "Caravan."

Got gas at Arco. To Safeway, home.

Watched news, X-Files.

Read "Decider," finished at 2:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1996

Slept til 10. Breakfast coffee & donut.

To Penney's, walked to Drug Emporium, got L'Oreal gel for face.

To Longs for Lotto, library.

Home 2:30, ate. 

Hot today, slept 'til 5. Mail, Visa.

Taped third part of Pride & Pred. 

Watched Biography, Gene Kelly. Bit of news.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast Kmart. Sunny day!

Got Kleenex at Kmart.

Home, pulled weeds in carport area, then rested as it was hot out.

At night had to take a Sudafed. 

Wrote Prudy and Mina, took to post office.

Some cleaning of medicine.

Ran P&P again! Part of 60 Minutes, Cybill.

 

Monday, Feb. 12, 1996

Up 8, breakfast McDonald's. 

Checked for Mature Driver's course. Santa Cruz 4/27; Monterey Feb. 17.

Watched Poirot.

Larry cut grass, usual mess. Swept.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast BK. To Drug Emporium.

Home to more sweeping of grass cuttings. Larry still hasn't planted rose bush.

Re-did linen closet, gave some towels to C.P.

To show "Restoration" (again). Still can't understand, Downey mutters.

Ate here, watched Frost, Law & Order, Frasier, Larroquette, bit news.

Bed, read til 2 a.m. Ate toast.

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1996

Up 9, breakfast Carl's. To Louden for blood pressure, 136/78.

To Longs for Lotto.

Home, warm day. 

Looked over car insurance, called re Mature Driving. Profitable? Yes, paid $42, rec'd 156.41 rebate.

Showered, washed hair. Dinner at Live Oak. Talked to Iranian man.

Finished book 1 a.m.

 

Thursday, Feb. 15, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast McDonald's. To Trader Joe's.

Message from Nurse Sondra, Mary C. has own fone now.

Mail, checkbook.

Ran Pride & Prejudice, watched some Geraldo, had Kato re deposition.

Watched Mystery, taped STNG, Q, Robin Hood.

Friday, Feb. 16, 1996

Awake 8, up 9. Coffee & donut at corner.

Home, cleaned "medicine cabinet," threw away some.

To St. Vincent's, got 3 baskets, .50 each: one for misc., Scotch tape, typing things, two for cosmetics. 

Home, lunch. Mail, phone bill. (No charge for call to Sy.)

To show, "Persuasion" (again.) Heard a bit more.

Washed blue sweater, ironed before show.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 1996

To Monterey, Mature Drivers session.

Up 6:30, ate McDonald's. 

To Monterey, 41 miles, 3/4 hour. Course 9 to 3:30 p.m., lunch 1 hour.

Showers in a.m., clearing about 12 p.m.

Home 4:30 p.m., 81 miles total. 

Tired, no sleep. Up til 3 a.m., up 6 a.m.

Sunday, Feb. 18, 1996

Slept til 9, to Denny's for breakfast. Very crowded!

To West Cliff for walking, then to cinema: "Braveheart." 3 hours, 05 minutes, but full of fights. Digital? Violent. Mel Gibson a bit too old.

Home 3:30, ate here. Ran P & P.

Rain in night.

 

Monday, Feb. 19, 1996

Up 8, Rain slacked off, then 10:15 started again.

Breakfast McDonald's. Man outside, I bought sandwich for him.

Home, watched tape of "Heavy Weather." 

To Albertsons, got white vinegar and apples.

To Longs for Xerox, doesn't work. Too corroded?

Watched Poirot, then ran P&P again!

Bed 12:30, too tired to read.

Rain in night.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1996

Up 9, colder. To Kmart, breakfast, then got food. ($1.50)

To State Farm and gave certificate for Mature Drivers, reduced pay $48.83.

To mall, rainy.

Read "Witch of Low Tide." Lille stopped by to chat.

Watched more P&P. Hooked!

Watched Geraldo at 6, some document of Nicole's therapist.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast BK. 

To library, returned book, got "Looking for Bobby Fisher."

To Drug Emporium.

Watched some P&P, Geraldo 6 p.m., Law & Order.

Raining, hail! Cold in night.

 

Thursday, Feb. 22, 1996

Up 8:15, breakfast Marie Callender's. Not good, expensive.

Bank, post office, mailed Nordstrom, garbage bills.

Got gas. Home, sun out at times.

Lunch, finished P&P.

Watched Mystery, "Black Is, Black Ain't" till 11.

Bed, tired. Slept good.

Friday, Feb. 23, 1996

Awake 6, up 8:30. Donut at corner.

Library, some research on Choline, cities in England. Renewed book.

Home, foned broker. Not there.

To bank, Trader Joe's, then broker called, left message.

Mail, letter from Mina, Mimi.

Carole called, to dinner 6:45.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 1996

Up 7:15, breakfast McDonald's. 

To Albertson's, home.

Typed letter to Andra and Lutz with newspaper clipping of O.J.

To post office, mailed letter.

Typed tax returns, also notes from library on Choline, Chlamydia.

Tried to get Justine, no go. Finally got her at 9:15 p.m.

Watched P&P again, slept good.

 

Sunday, Feb. 25, 1996

Bed til 10 a.m. Muffin at corner.

Got typewriter ribbons at Sears.

To show, "City Hall." Thought good.

Rain after show, checked bookstore.

Home, watched Paris Skating International Championship at Bercy. Good.

Finished P&P. Bed 11.

 

Monday, Feb. 26, 1996

Up 8:45. Cold. Breakfast McDonald's.

To Laundromat. 

To Santa Cruz, got Marilyn Monroe envelopes.  $5.95, 6.44 with tax.

Home, sunny. 

Started at 2:15 with P&P. Geraldo at 6p.m., Poirot, then back to P&P until 11.

Slept not too good, rain woke me.

Cold, called Mina in a.m.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1996

Dinner with Carole, India Joe's.

Up 9, breakfast Lyon's. 

To library, to Kmart, got more Dinty Moore, candy.

To bank and ironed.

To India Joze. Not good, really. Got fettuccine, bad choice.  

Some P&P, Frasier, watched P&P until 11, but couldn't sleep.

Up at 2 a.m., ate soup and toast.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1996

Up 8:30, breakfast BK. 

To Louden for B.P. To library, got 3 books, 3 videos. 

Home 12, coffee, news. Ran P&P til 2:30. 

Called 1-800-423-1212 for P&P videos, $99+ shipping!

To post office.

Last run of P&P. Withdrawals!

Watched some news, Geraldo.

Tired last two nights, less sleep.

Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996

Up 8:45, breakfast Carl's. Walked a bit.

To Penney's, Gottschalk's.

Home, wrote Mina, Justine. Took til 2:30 p.m.

Not good weather, home remainder of day.

Read a bit, couldn't sleep til 2 a.m.

Poem: The dog is better than you

The dog is better for my heart 

because she doesn't take it across the street.

The dog is better for my eyes

because she suns behind fences

while you run in front of cars.

I prefer the dog now,

because she keeps my heart close by.

My Grandmother's Journals: January, 1996

The visa my grandmother got to live in France for a year.

Frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to post another year of my grandmother's journals. 

But then I had a really rough December at the end of a really rough year, and one particularly bad night, I sat down to read another month of her daily entries. And immediately I felt better.

 

That was cool. 

 

Something about following in her footsteps, living the details of her day, soothes me. The routine. The normalcy. The predictability. I need it right now. And maybe others do, too? 

So, here goes: 1996 in the life of my 80-year-old grandmother, who was still living alone in a mobile home park in Santa Cruz, Calif. In January of that year she was still recovering from our adventures in Europe, walking Paris during a transportation strike and driving the foggy English countryside.  She also found out she needed a crown and two fillings, and saw many movies: "Leaving Las Vegas," which she deemed sad, "Waiting to Exhale," which she deemed "stupid," and "12 Monkeys," which she found so confusing she saw it twice.

December, 1995 entries

 

Monday, Jan. 1, 1996

Awake 1 a.m., then 3:45 a.m. Worked on travel accounts, analyzed.

Breakfast BK at 7:20 a.m., McDonald's not open until 8 a.m.

Home, Rose Parade. To mall, Lilly there, failed driver's test.

Gottschalk's, got pants for Peter. Cost 45, 52 with tax. Black denims.

To show, "Sense and Sensibility," excellent.

News, CNN, read papers.

Tired at 8 p.m.

Tuesday Jan. 2, 1996

Breakfast McDonald's. Another beautiful day.

Wrote Sandra, wrapped pants for Peter. Mailed certified mail with bond.

Got TV Guide and candy.

Mary Clark came by with pot of African violets. 

To show, "Leaving Las Vegas." Nicholas Cage as alcoholic determined to die of drinking. Sad.

Home after Lucky, sirloin micro food, $1.29! Got four.

STNG, best one: Data's head in cave, two-part.

 

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1996 

Up 6:30, Breakfast McDonald's.

To Toyota, got oil change. Quick, washed car.

Home, wrote girls with accounting of money, wrote Andra & Lutz.

Lunch, finished letter to Sandra.

Library, got two books. Too tired to go to movie.

Home, McDonald's, got salad. 

Watched news, second part of ST best segment.

Bed 8, read a bit.

 

Thursday, Jan. 4, 1996

Up 6:30, tea, breakfast McDonald's.

Work in yard, pruned roses, some weeding.

Read "Five Pieces of Jade." 

Called dentist, offered tomorrow, no can't. Then said Monday, 12:30 p.m.

Debbie and I to show, "The City of Lost Children." French, very weird!

Friday, Jan. 5, 1996

Carole to SFO, she to Hawaii. Call her at 5 a.m., she said 5:30. 

She not there, went in, clock off 7 minutes.

Good ride, at SFO 7:20 after stop at usual place.

To Serramonte, ate at Denny's, slam, good.

Home 4:10, ate at Wendy's. TV, read papers, crashed.

Bed 7:30, read a bit.

Saturday, Jan. 6, 1996

Breakfast McDonald's, Albertsons groceries.

Home, two football games. Buffalo vs. Steelers, Green Bay vs 49ers, 27-17.

Tired, read book, ran Mozart tape.

Felt cold, used heating pad.

How many times I take Carole to airport?

 

Sunday, Jan. 7, 1996

Breakfast at donut, muffin and coffee.

Thought to have haircut, he not there. Home, watered houseplants.

Football: Cowboys vs. Eagles, 30-11. 

To "Toy Story." Good.

Chiefs vs. Colts, 10-7. Thought Chiefs would win, kicker missed three field goals!

Put "Jade" in library, checked bank balance.

Watched 60 Minutes, segment on Yo-Yo Ma.

Monday, Jan. 8, 1996

Up 7:30, ate Lyon's.

Walked Capitola, rested a bit.

To dentist, tooth broke. Need crown, $625, 10-percent, paid $140.50.

To mall, coffee, bought gloves, ear muffs on sale, then boots (not waterproof.)

Home, ate, to Drug Emporium, TV Guide and candy.

Called re: Jury, no for tomorrow, but call!

Bed, exhausted.

Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1996

Woke up, couldn't sleep. Up 8 a.m.

Breakfast Carl's Jr., walked mall, Lilly passed test at DMV.

Wore boots, warm!

Home, called Corky, she to art museum for talk on opera Wednesday.

To show, "Waiting to Exhale." Stupid, I thought.

Trader Joe's, home, paid IRS.

Watched news, Star Trek, Law & Order, Third Rock from the Sun.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1996

Call jury after 5:30.

Up 7:30, breakfast McDonald's. 

To library, returned books. To post office, Orchard Supply.

Home, ate here. Showered, washed hair.

Rested 4 -5, walked at beach. Home 5:30.

Mail from Mina, Justine.

To art museum 7-8 with Corky.

 

Thursday, Jan. 11, 1996

9:30 a.m. dentist, impression for crown.

Up 7:30, breakfast BK. To Drug Emporium, got cookies after dentist.

Coffee/donut at corner, some more pruning.

Longs, Xerox gone. Wrote Mina, to Kinkos to copy Stimson's letter.

To deli, got sandwich. To show, "12 Monkeys." Brad Pitt is paranoid, good acting.

To library, got La Boheme, M. Butterfly.

Home 5 p.m., tired! Soup. Bed early.

Friday, Jan. 12, 1996

Up 8, breakfast McDonald's. Sunny day.

To San Jose, sale at Nordstrom, Macy's.

Arco gas pump 15, ran over. $10.14, 9 gals. 10.14/1059=9.575 gals. 

Got navy jacket at Nordstrom. Ate hot dog. Home 1:30 p.m.

Wrote to Prudy, Sy. Took letters to post office.

Got candy! Taped Thelonious Monk.

Watched X-Files, news. Bed 10:30.

 

Saturday, Jan. 13, 1996

Slept well, up-to-date with letters. Must write Mina.

Up 7:30, breakfast McDonald's. Lovely day, walked Capitola.

(Freda came over, said Clara on floor?)

Played La Boheme, some TV.

Watched "All the Mornings of the World," French. Lovely color!

Sunday, Jan. 14, 1996

Up 7 a.m., to town. Breakfast Golden West.

Walked along the river, saw one Snowy Egret!

Home, two football games: Colts vs. Steelers, Green Bay vs. Cowboys.

Taped "Pride and Prejudice."

Monday, Jan. 15, 1996

Up 7:30, breakfast McDonald's. Walked Capitola.

Pruned two pots, to Scott's Valley Kmart.

To show, "Tom and Huck." Better than I thought.

Ate Wendy's, brought home salad.

Watched news, taped "Pride and Prejudice."

Storm in night, rain til mid-afternoon tomorrow.

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1996

Awake 6, electricity on. Up 8, electricity off.

To Kmart, storm. Home 10:10 after bank.

Changed clothes, to library, got some books.

Home, read a bit, slept 1.5 hours.

Tape Pride & P, watched Frasier, John Larroquette, NYPD.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1996

Awake 7, up 8. Breakfast McDonald's.

Walked Capitola, to Longs, Xerox.

Home, put (lawn) seed in spots. Checked General Feed, no steer manure. They use cottonseed meal, 30 cents a pound.

News, caught up on papers.

Clara's granddaughter here to clean out her place. Makes me want to downsize, also!

Bed 10:30. Dentist called.

 

Thursday, Jan. 18, 1996

Dentist 1 p.m.

Up 8, breakfast Carl's Jr. Walked in area.

Showered, washed hair. Dentist 2 hours, did cleaning! Next week for lower teeth.

Home, gums hurt. Some TV, Star Trek, Holmes.

Finished book.

Friday, Jan. 19, 1996

Breakfast Kmart. Home, wrote Mimi.

To show, "Sense and Sensibility."

Post office, mailed pictures to Justine. 

Home to find letter from Justine, no email luck. She taking International Communications.

Behind on papers, watched Star Trek, X-Files.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 1996

Up 8, wrote Peter, breakfast at corner.

To mall, post office, library, returned two books + records. Read Newsweek.

To Scotts Valley, Kmart. To show, "From Dusk til Dawn." Special effects!

To Wendy's, got chicken and salad.

Walked, low tide. 

Skating: Rudy Galindo won! Bobek out, bad ankle. Stubborn! Dick Button said she would get third!

Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996

Up 9 a.m., breakfast McDonald's.

Showers when starting to walk.

Home 11:30, read.

Siskel & Ebert 5 p.m.

Watched part of 60 Minutes, some of Golden Globes.

Bed late, read some.

Monday, Jan. 22, 1996

Good sleep. Up 8, breakfast BK.

Laundromat, washed 5 pair pants.

Tennis. To coffee shop, scone. Drug Emporium.

To show, "Dead Man Walking." Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon. Good.

Mail, letter from Mina, $103.88 from Colonial Penn.

TV, Poirot.

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1996

Cold, rain forecast for tomorrow.

Up 8:45 a.m. Breakfast McDonald's. To bank to deposit car insurance refund.

Home, ironed pants. 

Tennis: Chang vs. Enqvist (Swedish), easy win.

Tire easily, stayed in. Read, no walk!

Avoided State of the Union. Watched Frost, 3rd Rock, dumb.

Bed 10:30.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 1996

Dentist tomorrow, 1 p.m.

Up 8, breakfast at corner. Got Lotto, Albertsons.

Tennis, Becker won 6/4, 7/6 (11/9), 6/1.

Wrote Mina, Justine, finished ironing pants. To post office.

Larry has roof leaks. Sporadic showers.

Thursday, Jan. 25, 1996

Dentist 1 p.m.

Up 8:45, breakfast Carl's. Checked right front tire.

Home, tennis. Seles won.

Dentist, x-rays, cleaned lower teeth. Found two small cavities.

To Albertsons, got liver. Taped Mystery.

 

Friday, Jan. 26, 1996

Up 8, to Denny's for breakfast.

Library, looked for Steffi article. No go.

To show, "12 Monkeys," second time. Understood better, not completely.

Kmart Scotts Valley, got more chicken.

Home 2:30 p.m. Cold, read. 

Watched some of taped Sherlock, Seinfeld, skating competition. 

Taped X-Files.

Saturday, Jan. 27, 1996

Raining. Up 9, breakfast McDonald's.

Car not right, stalling. No tune-up since '93!

To Toyota, out to lunch?

Home, dug up two rose bushes. Larry took one. Asking Sister Grace if she wants?

 

Sunday, Jan. 28, 1996

No rain!

Breakfast donut shop. Rose bushes, dug up 3, two in bags, one to trash!

Worked til 1 p.m., read, watched one tape. 2 Hoop Dreams? 3 Mad About you.

Superbowl, Joe Montana flipped coin. Still not sure talking at halftime.

Watched Masterpiece Theatre.

Monday, Jan. 29, 1996

Up 9, slept good from working in yard, digging roses.

Breakfast McDonald's, then to laundromat. Busy, lot of people.

To Toyota, order seat belt. $107.17.

Ate here, read, rested. Sewed tape on purse.

Taped Poirot, Star Trek, Marple, Law & Order.

American Experience, Orson Wells, Hearst. Watched one hour, taped second hour.

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 1996

Rent tomorrow.

Up 8:30, breakfast BK.

Dentist 10:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., two fillings. 

Took BP, 165/75. Put record of BP in mailbox? Found. Not higher.

Ate chicken, watched Morse, Frasier.

Mail, bank, balanced OK. 

Some pain, rested a bit.

Rain started in night, heavy at times.

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1996

8 a.m. Toyota. 

Awake 6. Set alarm but did not turn button. Up 7, 7:30 to 41st donut shop.

To Toyota, read papers. 

To Kmart, lunch, got Sony tapes (2), candy, purse! Got Lotto.

Home, sun out. Warm. Showered, washed hair.

Watched first part Malcom X, taped Othello, watched Law & Order. 

Bed, read. Not good sleep.