My dearest Ally-san,’

Le sigh. I have made an error. Yikes. I spent way, way too much money at an estate sale last night. Way, way, way. Fortunately, I probably have a really good eye and may be able to repurpose or resell a lot of it if needs arise. Of course, I don’t want to sell any of it because I love it all and have a pretty good idea of where I want a lot of it to live. I did get into a bidding war over one or two items, but I also let a lot of things go (it was very painful to do so in certain cases). I was trying to write down all my items, but I couldn’t figure out how to see them all until far into it. The total at the top of the page was also misleading, as it was the total for the items shown on that page and not all the items I won or was winning. I thought my total was much lower for far too long. Live and learn. Laughing and loving are optional and should only be applied once step 1 is near completion.

I will inventory my new assets, as I like to think of them, to you, but I have not yet enquired after your precious self or Master Forrest’s demeanor. I hope both of you are feeling well and buxom on this fine Thursday. It is chilly here. Sweater weather. Definitely a time that reminds me of going to the mountains to see the leaves. They are glorious here when they get going. The change has begun, but only in isolated spots. How is it there? It is usually about 5 degrees F warmer in Raleigh and points east. You may not be getting the briskness quite as much. It was practically hot in Chocowinity. How are your family and your framily? Getting along okay, I hope. I imagine you are the glue…and also the rubber. Hehe.

Hang on. I need to take my meds. Merriam-Webster had to call my “go” medicine (Adderall) into Wal-Mart because ever-competent CVS didn’t have it in stock and wasn’t getting any for the foreseeable future. Have I mentioned lately my detestation for CVS? As a pharmacy, mostly. They are lovely drug stores, but lovely drug stores also existed prior to and in spite of CVS. And, so. Not that I have a penchant for Wal-Mart either. Nor Walgreen’s. All are mostly rubbish. Please give me a local or regional pharmacy any day of the week. My pharmacist and I should recognise each other at least. Egads.

October 10, 2024 7:04 PM (EDT)

Geez, Louise. I am finally sitting down. I apologise for the personal and technical turbulence in our appointment today. I know I was “on fire.” I am still smoldering, but very, very tired in body. I am going to watch some telly and play mindless puzzle games, but I will let you know if I “crash” in terms of buyer’s remorse. Mr. H is inquisitive, but also quite supportive. He called while I was out and about and was rather cheerful, to be refreshingly honest. He asked if I was in SC, and I said I was and told him whereabouts in terms of our Sunday drives with Ms. B when it is raining or we are tired. He knew right where I was when I said “where you take a right at the Walgreen’s.” Lol. <3 I told him I rented a van, and he said, “You rented a van?,” kind of tilting towards panic but not giving in. [I was proud of him, if I may be so bold.] So I told him about the papasan chair and the table and my concern that it would not all fit in my SUV in one trip. He said that that made sense. Wowza. Anywho, he also asked, “What’s in these boxes?” And “What’s that white thing?” I'm making him wait on the boxes, which he seems okay with, as we are both épuisé. I did tell him about the bread machine, and when I told him it was $5 and no one was bidding on it, he said, “Can’t argue with that.” I also told him what I said to you about the bread mix and how we both like to make bread, and he agreed. He even said, “You could probably make your own bread mix,” and you know what? I probably could. 😄

I am feeling amazingly competent. Not too competent. I don’t think Pinky & I will take over the world [anytime soon]. But competent enough to have a good eye for antiques and trusting my gut and my grandma’s wisdom…I am feeling happy about that. I did mention that my grandma, M.E., had an antique shop and auction house, didn’t I? Going to the auctions with her and my step-grandpa, P.E., was enormously fun. It was also educational. Carnival glass, Depression glass, “Made in Occupied Japan,” and on and on. My other grandma, M.R., also had a collection of glass and “knick-knacks,” as did my grandpa, her husband, P.B., just of more wood and wildlife. They did not buy junk. In fact, it was M.R. who told me time and again about “getting good value” for something. You don’t buy the cheapest or even the most expensive. You want something that will last for a good price, for example. Price per unit. That sort of thing. But also quality. You don’t want to hate your whole life while you use or wear whatever it is you are buying. Mama also said, for clothing, “You should feel comfortable in it. Don’t buy it if you don’t feel comfortable in it for any reason.” It could be that you just felt insecure or not authentic or it was just too puce. She was really good about feelings in that context, I will say. Mama is one of the best dressing room companions, most of the time. That’s not a common quality. I have recently started to see how I might wrap emotions up in shopping like some do with food. Shopping was love. Truly. And then it was not. It was something else. [I typo’d “else,” and autocorrect changed it to “Welsh,” which was adorable and hilarious.]

Anywho, I am going to close this arfing novella. I will holla [yo], if I crash and also to update you on more of my nonsense because you know you <3 it. I hope you are reading these to Master Forrest of an evening while he smokes his pipe. As Jeneane Garofalo said in The Truth about Cats & Dogs, “Dogs don’t like to be left alone. It’s not like when you leave he goes, ‘Great, time to finish writing my novel!’ No, when their humans leave, dogs get depressed, and they show it.” >.< So put on his favourite ascot and smoking jacket, and sit him down by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint #69 soon will be there. [Roflmao “Saint” #69.]

Love you. Mean it.—

Case Study #69