June 8, 2020 Edition: Sunnyside Arms Over Easy Blog
- The Sunnyside Arms Gazette
- Jun 8, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 11, 2020
The Sunnyside Arms Gazette's Over Easy column is taken over today by our memory-like-a-steel-trap, daughter loving, pond gator watching, former military sniper-toting, resident specialist of knowing all things happening in the shadows, the one and only Lance Corporal Dentley!
Oohrah!
Retired Lance Corporal Dentley of the United States Marine Corps reporting for blog duty.
I have to say, I’m feeling a bit like a boot all over again right now, since this blogging thing is new to me. But I do like the solitary nature of it. I am usually not one to socialize, after all. I don’t find it to be very fruitful. Never have. When I joined the Corps, I was 18 years-old. I was (and am still) what you might call a “lone wolf.” I like my alone time. I “suffered through the ranks'' long enough to become a Lance Corporal and position myself to attend Scout Sniper training at Quantico. Which I did. Lucky for me, I didn’t wash out. I was a natural shot and my lack of getting social with the guys too often was kindly overlooked. After all, they knew I had their backs when it counted, I just didn’t have a lot to say about it. Rah!
It was during my time at Quantico that I met my “brother of another mother” (and my spotter in Nam), Jeremy Plotz-McKenna, as well as the love of my life, Della Jane (Komisky) Dentley.
Jeremy had enough to say for the both of us and Della Jane, well, she was lovely as the day is long and we often didn’t need many words, if you know what I mean. Best time of my life those days were! Jeremy and Della Jane have passed on now, but hot dog, did they light up a room while they were here! Maybe I’ll share more about them one of these days. What I’ll share today is more about me. Buckle up, you Bettes!
What We're Hiding For
I have spent the majority of my three years here at Sunnyside Arms observing and learning about the residents and events from the shadows and blind spots on the property. Let's just say I know things. A lot of things. And I like that. It gives me leverage if I need it. But mostly, despite all that I know about the people and this place, I choose to keep to myself. I don't want any trouble. I don't want to make friends. It is a hell of a lot easier to fly solo. You understand me, right Private? Don’t get me wrong, I know that there are times when socializing can be strategic and even beneficial. At least that is what my daughter, Clara, likes to try to convince me of. More often than not, I find it best to keep to myself. It’s just safer. Especially at this point in my life. I mean, let’s face it, this is likely my last deployment. I don’t need a bunch of oldies but goodies expecting me to break everything down for them Barney-style every time I make a move. But Clara has other ideas for me. It was her idea to sign me up for this tour to begin with.
Sweet Clara Mine
Have I mentioned? Clara is the best kid anyone could ask for, we talk almost everyday, but I’m a stubborn old man and just don’t want to listen! Thank goodness she’s patient. She gets that from her mother, certainly NOT from me! According to my sweet Clara, it's time I left isolation and fell in line with the rest of the troops. For you Barney-style folks out there, that means she wants me to socialize, make friends, and take part in the activities and events offered here at Sunnyside Arms. To-date, I’ve kept a log of who’s who and what goes on around here; things to report back to Clara when she calls and asks. And she does call...and ask. Sometimes I feel like I am back in the service because of that. On the other hand, it is nice that my kid cares about me. So, I’m not really complaining. Just speaking my mind.
Lockdown You'd Better Take Care
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I put myself in total isolation, and I’ve been gladly social distancing for months now. It’s amazing! I haven’t left my room! I haven’t had to speak to any of the other residents here in ages. Well, unless you count the mandatory weekly resident Zoom meetings set up by Agnes, our de facto platoon leader. I get so sick of hearing the complaining about canceled hair appointments and lack of salt in the mashed potatoes. Sometimes it’s all I can do not to blurt out, “Do you have a straw, dude?” Not that they’d understand anyway. Civilians. Thank you Zoom for the mute button. That’s all I am going to say about that. Errr.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered To My Door
Now Agnes, she is a force to be reckoned with. Stern and mighty! Pre-pandemic lockdown, she put me in charge of fire watch around here for some of the on-site events (usually haphazardly planned in terms of security, by that Betsy Ross woman). I usually told Agnes where to position some of the more gossipy residents with decent eyesight and left them to police the event. I’d always station myself out back, eyes trained on the pond, just in case that pond gator out there decided to try anything. I keep telling Agnes to just let me at the gator with my rifle, Lola, and her gator troubles would go bye-bye-bye. She keeps telling me that is just not a viable option.
Something about the gator being only 3 feet long and illegal to shoot it without just cause. I’m OK with that. I don’t want any trouble. Besides, right now, I am pretty certain Agnes is the only person who remembers I live here (besides Clara)…and that’s only because she brings all my meals to my door.
You've Got (To Find) A Friend
Unfortunately (for me) this here pandemic era quarantine is wrapping up in the Sunshine State of Florida. Things are starting to open up and that includes things here at Sunnyside Arms. On our last call, Clara said that she’s looking forward to meeting all of my “friends” here at the home when she comes down for a visit. She lives in the Big Apple, which is moving slower than we are here, when it comes to re-opening. Hopefully, this will buy me some time to make some actual friends here. At least one. Otherwise, Clara is going to learn that all of my reports about who and what I said I was involved with here were a bit exaggerated. I can’t have that. Do you understand what terrible mission that means lies ahead of me, Private? Do you?! I have to socialize, learn names. It is not optimal. But I am a Marine, and as we say in the Corps, “improvise, adapt, and overcome.” So that’s what I am going to do.
We're Gonna Get Outta This Place
Sunnyside Arms has its first post-pandemic resident outing planned for two weeks out. If the decrypted report Agnes dropped by for me is correct, it looks like we’ll be taking a one-day trip to the Everglades. I’m pretty stoked. The Everglades provide optimal cover from not only mortal enemies like poisonous snakes and gators, but also annoying would-be friends and low flying birds. I’m looking forward to the chance to get back out in the field.
Agnes also made it clear in her report that this outing is contingent upon the Governor’s rules and other state mandatesindicating a level of safety that she is comfortable with. Afterall, most of her charges are 60+. She said if we arrived and there were too many civilians, we would NOT be getting off the bus. Additionally, it appears that once we arrive, that Betsy Ross lady and that Harold sniffer guy volunteered to administer Coronavirus tests to any wildlife we encounter. Doesn’t seem safe to me, but this isn’t my Corps. My favorite part of this whole thing: Should any of the “critters of the wild” test positive for Coronavirus, we’re to immediately get back on the bus. Semper Gumby. Should be an entertaining day, to say the least. Can’t wait to share that one with my Clara!
Semper Fi!
About our Guest Reporter: Lance Corporal Dentley has been a resident of the Sunnyside Arms retirement community for three years. Due to his loner habits, Agnes is the only person on-campus who knows he is there. Which is fine by him. He enjoys moving stealthily around the property, building perches and trenches “just in case,” keeping an eye on the pond gator, and watching everything he can on the History Channel. He loves the Corps, Parkerhouse ice cream, and his daughter, Clara, who is a well-respected NYC attorney.
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