Usually I try to get my laundry at least started early in the morning. Many of the tenants here at Elder House have professional helpers who begin their work day at nine. The washing machines fill up quickly. This past Friday I made it to the laundry room later than I had planned and, yes, all the machines were taken.
No worries. I perched in my usual spot and opened my book. Some brilliant individual had propped open the laundry room door by wedging a yellow plastic dustpan underneath. A blast of air conditioned air swirled into the hall. Very welcome as the halls are not temperature controlled.
Not all were happy about this. "Why is that door open?" The lady in the splashy sundress asked me in a challenging tone. I told her I didn't know, didn't do it, but was glad for the breeze. She huffed off, "Some people are just selfish!" What?
Leroy (Don't Call Me Sir I Was An Enlisted Man) rolled past and made his usual crack about me guarding the place from all and sundry. I smiled and assured him I'd let him know if we were under attack. One of the Dianes had joined me for a bit of wash day conversation and Leroy loudly pointed out her "size thriteens" in the aisle. "Move those things outta the way or join me up in my room. You know what I mean? Join me?" Rude and tasteless. What?
By this time a washer had opened up and I hustled as best I could to start my load of clothes. How sad is it that my entire wardrobe, so to speak, fits in one machine? Back in the hall the Other Diane and Kathy had joined us and began a spirited discussion about Grandpa John. Apparently he has some bladder control issues that the Other Diane had discovered and she was describing an embarassing elevator incident. I didn't say a word and feigned interest in my book. (Always wanted to use "feigned" in a sentence.) What is up with these people?
My experiences here, as I've said have been overwhelmingly ones of consideration and kindness. Was this Friday morning behavior a new thing that I just hadn't seen or heard before? The days have been steadily getting hotter and maybe that makes old folks act crazy. A long holiday weekend is near and most of us will not have any fun plans. Does that induce bad behavior? I'm not sure. But I got my clean laundry out as soon as it was dry and hightailed it back to my airconditioned room. Frenzy is just not my style.
And didn't I say that Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise thing wouldn't last?
No worries. I perched in my usual spot and opened my book. Some brilliant individual had propped open the laundry room door by wedging a yellow plastic dustpan underneath. A blast of air conditioned air swirled into the hall. Very welcome as the halls are not temperature controlled.
Not all were happy about this. "Why is that door open?" The lady in the splashy sundress asked me in a challenging tone. I told her I didn't know, didn't do it, but was glad for the breeze. She huffed off, "Some people are just selfish!" What?
Leroy (Don't Call Me Sir I Was An Enlisted Man) rolled past and made his usual crack about me guarding the place from all and sundry. I smiled and assured him I'd let him know if we were under attack. One of the Dianes had joined me for a bit of wash day conversation and Leroy loudly pointed out her "size thriteens" in the aisle. "Move those things outta the way or join me up in my room. You know what I mean? Join me?" Rude and tasteless. What?
By this time a washer had opened up and I hustled as best I could to start my load of clothes. How sad is it that my entire wardrobe, so to speak, fits in one machine? Back in the hall the Other Diane and Kathy had joined us and began a spirited discussion about Grandpa John. Apparently he has some bladder control issues that the Other Diane had discovered and she was describing an embarassing elevator incident. I didn't say a word and feigned interest in my book. (Always wanted to use "feigned" in a sentence.) What is up with these people?
My experiences here, as I've said have been overwhelmingly ones of consideration and kindness. Was this Friday morning behavior a new thing that I just hadn't seen or heard before? The days have been steadily getting hotter and maybe that makes old folks act crazy. A long holiday weekend is near and most of us will not have any fun plans. Does that induce bad behavior? I'm not sure. But I got my clean laundry out as soon as it was dry and hightailed it back to my airconditioned room. Frenzy is just not my style.
And didn't I say that Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise thing wouldn't last?
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