Food

It is a cliche but a retirement center resembles a kindergarten in some ways. Food is a surprizingly big deal. It isn't the food so much as the whole riggimole that goes with it.

First, there is the gathering for food and that has a choreography all its own. There are those, notably Dale, who rush to be at the front of the line. There is good natured kidding, greeting and acknowledgement. Clearly, some people are checking to see who 'has made it down'. Those not there ar noted and inquiries are made: "Are they getting their meals in the room; are they alright?"

It is not always that they physically can't make it down. Sometimes, they are depressed and don't want to come down. Some are just tired. A few don't want to see anyone and so it is easier to stay in their rooms. There is a lot of clucking that doesn't rise to the level of being able to be heard. "She gets this way. She'll snap out of it."

Food is judged on a scale of one to ten with only one and two, nine and ten used. There is no three to eight involved. Residents will confide to you that the food used to be much worse--or much better. "Tonight's apple pie was very good. If I was hungry, I would have had two pieces." And "Tonight's apple pie was very good. I am glad I wasn't very hungry."

Since food is such a big deal, I will be writting more on it later.