Off we go to Obici, the new Obici. Elegant, majestic and European. Columns decorate the outside for that European look and columns on the inside add to that look. A curving staircase makes you feel a bride should be coming down. Glad she wasn’t; I didn’t bring a bridal gift.

We went to the orthopedic section, and after submitting my x-ray and sheet of directions needed for my foot imagine my surprise to learn I was due on Thursday and today is Wednesday. Surprised? Not me. Things like that are a part of my life. So it wouldn’t be a total loss, we went to the cafeteria and had breakfast. Food was great and, surprise, it was inexpensive. Most enjoyable. We did some shopping and planned on returning the next day.

OK now, next day. Back to the elegant Obici. Not knowing what to expect medically for my poor foot I asked some questions. Got our papers and x-ray all approved, got a wheelchair and off to radiology.

Everything was in order according to the computer. How did we even exist without them? And I haven’t learned to use one. My excuse? I’m too old to start learning new stuff. But to be truthful, I don’t have the patience to start learning, and if I failed you couldn’t stand me. I take losing in any direction very badly. I can’t lose gracefully.

That said, let’s go to radiology. I think it was the only space at Obici not crowded with patients. There were two technicians and one patient. Got a form to be filled out, so Lynn read the questions. I gave the answers. My private secretary it seems (I’m so lucky!).

Got all the questions answered and at the end came the stopper: &uot;Give the date of your last period.&uot;

Why this made me explode, I’ll never know. But I declared loudly, &uot;I’m 86. Has everyone gone crazy?&uot; The two technicians nearly rolled on the floor laughing. It struck me funny and I joined in.

Got an injection and was told to go use up two hours for it to be effective and then pictures of my foot would follow. Off to another breakfast in the cafeteria. Same as yesterday. It was great – so was the cost.

Picked up Lynn’s daughter staying at a friend’s. Rain came pouring down. Used up two hours – picture taken of foot. Will get results in a week. No column to tell results. If you see me, ask. I’ll tell you.

Florence Arena is a resident of Hillcrest Retirement Center and a regular News-Herald columnist.