I arrived at the Mission Viejo Elks Lodge and, as with all other Lodges, you must check in at the bar to get permission to park. I went into the bar and filled out more paperwork than usual. I called Penny to let her know I was in her area and she invited me over and gave me directions. I wrote down the directions, obviously in Chinese, because I got lost three times and made at least four phone calls telling Penny where I THOUGHT I was. By the time I arrived, about 30 to 45 minutes late, I was ready for a drink but decided that beer was the best choice because I had that return trip and who the hell knew where I was or where I was going.

Penny didn’t look anything like I had pictured her. I knew she had had something to do with insurance so assumed that she was a ‘girl’, working at a desk, taking messages, etc. (How sexist is THAT!). When we met I saw a tall, thin, classically elegant, stylish woman, much younger than I thought and much younger than I, with a wonderful smile and fondness behind her eyes. What a surprise, so I told her what I had expected and, fortunately, we had a good laugh. Beyond her good looks, she is very quick-witted and very funny.

The first evening’s dinner included two other diners and was wonderful with steaks cooked on the grill outdoors (beautiful Southern California weather). We talked about George and Gracie and both Charlies and inventing and about our adventures on EN. Charlie made himself at home and occupied George’s bed while George squeezed in with Gracie in her bed. Conversation was so very easy and natural and never coaxed as it can often be when meeting strangers. In fact, none of my visits with the other EN-ers was coaxed or not natural – maybe that is one of the things we have in common – an ability to communicate with each other – easily.

The Penster is the perfect hostess and she had many tidbits for us to eat – most of them would absorb alcohol – if eaten; however, we were talking so much that I couldn’t drink AND eat AND talk so I just drank. After one beer, and all that conversation, I made the decision to have one of those martinis which seemed to be the house specialty. Well, one led to two and two led to three and that led me to the sofa. You have seen the multiple photos of me in that sad state but you have to admit that in most of the photos, I look like I’m having fun. As much as I don’t like most of the photos, I am so happy to know that I can have fun – had forgotten that.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I awoke in the morning. I was offered supplies to freshen up but all I wanted was coffee. Maybe two cups. After that, I left, got lost three times, and arrived at the motor home and went to bed. After sleeping most of the day, I called Penny to tell her I wouldn’t be back for dinner (they had invited me the night before – actually before they saw how much alcohol I can consume). I not only was hung-over but I think all the traveling and all the visiting, with strange strangers (EN-ers), and the problems with losing the motor home’s roof A/C cover, and all that rain just left me drained. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it – I felt so bad that it certainly HAD to be more than just a hang-over.

However, the day after, I was feeling pretty good and called Penny again and got invited to both lunch and dinner: guess they had forgotten about my abuse of vodka. Only got lost about twice on the second trip and when I went home that night, got lost only once. If I had stayed a few more days, I might have been able to get there with one try. Believe me, it is very confusing because the streets change names and many are in loops so you can cross one name and then cross it again a few miles away – without turning around. Really.

On that third day, we just worked on our computers and talked and had lunch and laughed a bit. At that night’s dinner party, I stated, very firmly, that I was NOT drinking. But, after about an hour, I remembered that wonderful vodka with magnificent olives and I broke down and had ONE.

We promised each other that we would call Imajane; however, the day and evening passed and then it became too late. I left the Elks Lodge the next morning and went to North San Diego but returned to Penny’s house the following day just to make that call to Jane. Most times, when I say I am going to do something, I do it and that call was too important to ignore. Since neither Penny nor I knew how to ‘do’ a conference call on our cell phones, the return trip (only about 70 minutes one way) was worth it. Talking with Jane was like talking with someone we already knew and whom we had spoken with many times. Some how, some where, we will all get together.

Meeting Penny, and being able to spend so much time with her, was an Absolute pleasure (little vodka joke). Even when I wasn’t drinking, she was funny.