UPRIGHT!

       No, the vertigo is not gone, but it's better, and the queasiness hasn't been around for a few days. I waltzed in this morning without weaving more than a couple of beers worth. One of my favorite pre-release greeted me cheerfully from his smoking area.

       In the foyer I passed Gartantuan Granddad sitting on a short bench with a lot of papers around him. He did not smile. He tucked some papers under himself, as if to hide them from me. Cutie Gatekeeper let me in.

       In the kitchen I found Dean and Doug! What a treat! They've had an interesting week. For starters, Mr. Huggy had been around (full-time volunteer), and he was instructing Doug on food prep one day, "This is how it's done!" Doug is not interested in how Huggy says it's done, and just so you know, Huggy "thawed" some frozen chicken in hot water and cut it up on a surface that we never use for food prep. After he cooked it, he insisted that Doug try it. Doug took a bite, stealthily deposited it in a napkin, and said nothing. Huggy is also reported to be involved with a woman there. For the life of me, I can't remember that story, but the guys find it fascinating that Hugs can have women so easily.

       Leslie again worked on Saturday, and I still miss seeing her. She baked a fabulous pasta and cheese casserole for tonight's dinner, and I had a plate of it—to go with a bunch of other stuff I ate. Somebody is feeling better… And guess what? Leslie is going to apply to volunteer every week because she loves it there so much!

       I made 3 dozen sack lunches while my three No. 10 cans of black-eye peas simmered. For lunch we also served three No. 10 cans of fruit cocktail and 10 pounds of chicken salad. That fed 45 people, with three plates left over.

       The strange fellow with the tiny sunglasses and cane did not come for lunch, but I was ready for him—porkless, fake little twit. If you've seen the movie "Thumbelina," just think of Mr. Mole—that's the twit. They tell me he rides a bicycle! Generally, I think of myself as a more forgiving person, but after last week, I don't have much for the twit. They said that after he left the counter, refusing to speak to me, he went to Gatekeeper and told him that we would not fix him anything he could eat. Doug was ready to give the guy some tuna, but wasn't given an opportunity. Just wears you right on out, some days.

       My little girl was extra bouncy today. She loved the sparkly Beanie bear I gave her, and I heard her telling her granddad all about it, "This is a Christmas bear!" Her grandmother did not come to lunch. I heard Granddad telling Dean that he and his wife are divorcing. He plans to have custody of the child—with his 400 pounds and cane. As to Grandmother, she has taken up with "the guy in the wheelchair." Granddad is obviously very hurt.

       None of us in the kitchen has ever seen "the guy in the wheelchair," so he remains a mystery.

       My little boy got a Beanie stingray and some gum. He had the toy over his shoulder as he left the lunchroom.

       It was 12:30 before I thought to take off my apron! Everyone had eaten and left. Gatekeeper and I said good-bye as I passed into the foyer and out to the parking lot. My little boy was chewing a massive wad of gum and romping under a tree. I tossed him a tennis ball as I headed for the car. Except for Granddad, happy campers all.