Of Restrooms & relationships

Since the first of September have spent most of my time in California. My mother is 88. The past couple of years have been hard on her physically and she is not as sharp as she once was. Still most people would like to be half as sharp as she is now. Until the middle of January by time was spent at home. Home being the old huge rambling, 5 bedroom, 3 bath family house we have had ince '62!

Had contacted an old friend who lives in Steinbeck country, and we made plans to meet while I was in California. I kept putting off the date, but we finally agreed on a day in January. We have know each other for almost 30 years. We have always had a very special and unique relationship. We like, respect and love each other. What works for us is to see each other no more often then one every year or two, but by 5 years, too much time has gone by! Our relationship has never been physical, but we do truly love each other.

So on a typical California sunny day Mia, the 18 moth old cocker spaniel, I hang out with, got in the car and headed down 101. Around Hollister, Mia was getting restless and needed a to take care of business stop and grab a bite to eat. We stopped at an In 'n Out. We walked around the parking lot and the Mia went back in the car, while I went inside and took care of my business. Couldn't believe how clean the restroom was! I told the counterperson how impressed I was, and asked to see the manager so I could tell them also. They should be complemented and know how much their efforts are appreciated. Don't understand the way some businesses have such dirty restrooms.

At the Safeway by my mother's house, customer service is an art. When you are shopping the employees ask if they can help and not in an intrusive way, but with just the right touch. It is a rare bastion of good customer service. But go into the restrooms it is a completely different story. They're dirty, and something is usually broken. Like there will be no sink, or the paper towel holder has been knocked off the wall. Not a pleasant experience, but better then cattle have it. This time they were particularly bad. I have told the manger in the past how impressed I am with their customer service. This time I went up to him and told him the restrooms as always were dirty and disgusting. He looks at me with such surprise, whips out his radio and puts out a call to have them cleaned. Then he thanks me for brining it to his attention. While I appreciated is prompt response, my reply was how can you be so surprised, they are always like that!

Whole foods is another place that could put more effort into there restrooms. Am not a big fan of WF to begin with. The employees have a snooty attitude that is way over the top. Their prices are high. And I doubt the sincerity of the place. They aren't on a mission of good nutrition, but to rake in as much dough as they can. They play boomer music, and are a rip-off of the '60 ideals. So why don't they clean the restrooms? They make enough money to have a stack of dollar bills to use for toilet paper!

In passing Trader Joe's is another that could use more effort in the restroom cleanliness department. Both Wfs & Tjs are upscale type of chains. How can they think that their clientele appreciate dirty rest rooms?

My friend lives in paradise. They are in a small pastoral town. They have a large lot, keep goats for milk, a garden for vegetables. The rows of corn have the added responsibility of teaching their two children responsibility. Our past two visits have been more affectionate then usual. So sent an email to her saying that sex was not something I wanted in our relationship, but it seemed to me that a little cuddling, hand holding, and a kiss or two on occasion would be welcomed by both of us. When she finally replied it was an emphatic no way. Was afraid our friend ship had been ruined. This visit had an apprehensive foreshadow to it. And she seemed a little reserved, nervous, holding back and keeping her distance. We took Mia for a walk along the beach. I tried to be careful that we didn't touch, but our hands seemed to seek out these little contacts. Each time sparks flew. We were both fortunate we weren't electrocuted! After the walk we returned to paradise. She asked me what I would like to do until dinner which was a couple of hours away. Take nap was my response. Put Mia in the car as she has her share of indoor accidents, and if tied up she would have barked and barked. Fell right into a very deep sleep. And when I was woken did not know where I was.

When we were saying good by I gave her SO a very big hug. We've not had much of a relationship and it surprised both of us. Think it was to let him know that yes I liked him to, and appreciated the time I spent with his life's partner. Looking forward to my next trip to paradise in a year or two!