TUESDAY

Needed to be at the Senior Centre for 8 o'clock to help Cecil and Louise set up for the bake sale, then went on to YMCA but instead of going in the pool I had a little go on a treadmill in the gym.  I was clinging for dear life to the bar, then looked round surreptitiously to see what other people were doing (like you do) and they weren't holding on, so I let go.  I was a bit wobbly at first but then felt my leg muscles stretching so realised that was the way to do it.  Young woman next to me was RUNNING on it, and it was going ever so fast.  I did advance the speed on mine but it still wasn't nearly as fast as anyone else.  They was a control that said 'incline'.  Thinks "blow that, never going to use that".  But will go back to it when I can't get a swim in early.  The staff there are lovely, I might ask them to show me exactly how to use it next time.

I remember once seeing a drawing of Oscar Wilde on a treadmill in Reading jail, but it wasn't for exercise purposes, or anything like they are now, and I'll always remember the wave of compassion I had for the persecution gay people have suffered.  It's not so bad now but they still have to keep under the radar down here in the Bible belt.


At noon I was at the Senior Centre for my shift on the front desk.  It was quiet. the phone wasn't busy and the only comings and goings were the folk to the country music and dancing.  I would have finished the little bag I was working on but forgot to take a large needle to sew in the ends of threads.  I'll take it next time I'm wearing a brown outfit.  I left a bit early to go to the banquet given for the volunteers involved in programmes for the seniors.


The biggest cultural shock coming here, and one I still can't get my head round, is how early people eat.  Go in the Golden Corral at 4.30 and the place is heaving with evening diners.  At 4.30 I'm having a little sandwich and piece of cake!   Anyway the banquet was very nice but it was from 5.30 until 7.30.  It was still daylight when I left! At 7.30 we would still be in our showers getting ready to go out wouldn't we.  The banquet was held at the Citizen Pottawatomie Heritage Centre, which is a very nice venue.  I saw Phyllis when I walked in and she jumped up to make room for me at her table.  There was another English person at the table too who used to work (paid work) at the Senior Centre, but sold up, went back to England and is now back here.