Last Valentine

Author © Jay Kantor

Last Valentine - The Nurse -

NO New Memories – Some Special Ones

You can be a Homeowner dealing with faulty plumbing issues, escalating tax bills, or there's always something! So, what's better? You lease an apartment and once everything's signed you're at the mercy of the landlord; lucky to get simple maintenance. Or should we, now, buy a Condo-Townhouse-Loft or whatever they're referred to as these days. And, then try to deal with the HOA's everyday nonsense once the image of the 'Curb-Appeal' wears off? Nah, the days of owning a sovereign log-cabin are 'out the window' as the American Dream: Dad sold our house for not much profit; just felt he got his innings out of it. (Really!)

But, that said...!

The SOLUTION ~ Campo Road ~

Remembering: We were so fortunate to be able to buy a lovely Custom-Built Hillside Home/With View! Whew, love at 1st Site~Sight; such 'Curb-Appeal!' Also spent lots of $ for improvements; brick/tile, etc. You know, you're never done with a house! But, not to be corny, we were really into it and proud! It really WAS the American-Dream!

Just finishing up the 1st phase of redo's, and as we were walking out of the front doors one morning, all of a sudden Chickens-Roosters and Hens appeared (don't quite know the difference?) But, there they were in front of our faces, across the wire fence between our properties; smelling like a poultry farm. The neighbor decided to build a CHICKEN-Coop in his back yard that went way up the hillside and parallel to our front doors.

So, why would this be interesting? Well, within minutes the police arrived (neighbor squabbles bring them out fast) along with every neighbor within the police-wailing-sirens hearing range.

After all that: Rita Louise asked, "Why don't we invite them into the house and have them get a glimpse out of the front doors?" Sounds simple, but once they realized (it honestly didn't occur to them) what we were talking about, the very next day the Chicks Cackles Were Gone – Flew-the-Coop!

We had them in for Tea The Next Day – with a Bucket of KFC 🍗 – Good-For-U-Rita Louise !

Favorite Memory: The minute I'd walk into the door Rita would drop everything and run into my arms (always!) This was so-so special to me! Never to make this type of comparison to sound disrespectful, but not unlike walking into the door as the excited dog jumps all over you. Upon reflection my thoughts are not 'comparing' Rita Louise to a dog. But, her expression of unconditional love and joy to the way a dog responds was the most precious expression of love and I will forever cherish the memory.

Once I brought home a large silver-aluminum ladder that I got on sale at Home Depot. As I was pulling into the garage Rita came up to the driver side window and said, "What have you got sticking out there?" I told her that I needed the ladder to get up on the roof to do a few things. Well, the house was slanted high into a hillside off of the main road; even an experienced roofer might have had trouble balancing himself: And, of course, my Dad would NEVER let us climb on the roof so I really don't know what I was thinking. Simply Rita said, "although I'm a nurse, if you get up there and break your head-open when you fall off, I'm not going to be there for you – just call The-Guy!"

Well, I never even opened up that ladder. I left it in the corner of the garage and just glanced at it from time to time as I pulled in. When Rita was gone, I couldn't look at it anymore and gave it to a friend; let him break his head open! Nah!

Rita Louise was very subtle, usually a low key non alarmist. But she knew MY limitations and my, often-times, lack of judgment better than I knew myself as a well-known 'Klutz!'

~ Soul Mates ~

We all have favorite Valentine memories ~ What's yours?

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, Cal

'Senior' Vocal Author

'For The Kids Someday'