Day 157

The dinner was better than I expected partly because the day was changed from Thursday to Wednesday and fewer people arrived. The best part for me was working with the others from my church. I did get a feeling of service and managed to enjoy being part of it. I did find a safe place to sit to eat. I will do it again. Gene, thank you for the push in this direction. Chris brought prayer flags from Tibet.

Day 156

Sore muscles this morning from the weed-fest. Ended up scooting along as the bending down no longer worked. More this morning and the end is still not in sight. Had a wonderful massage with Karen yesterday. We find interesting things to talk about as she makes my body feel better. There were many knots to untie. This evening I will serve at the church community dinner in honor of Gene who had compassion. I have avoided the homeless gathering.

Day 155

Those weeds are still growing but a bunch of changes happened in front of the new fence. I have wanted to enhance my yard but haven’t had the physical energy to accomplish much. Yesterday I was moved to plant azaleas and red bark ground cover. It’s the first step in adding order and color. I worked hard and it felt so good to have an idea and be able to follow through with it. More clearing will happen today.

Day 154

“Something else” turned out to be old movies. Watched Rebel Without A Cause for the first time. It reminded me of my high school days as it was my era and the whole scene was familiar. I’ve often thought that teen-agers belief that they are indestructible if Nature’s way of proving survival of the fittest. I was part of similar antics. Today the weeds get attention. I must clean the little yard before the new guest arrives.

Day 153

Hollie and I had a productive morning starting with the farmers’ market. It was social as usual. Hollie met an old friend and they had a long catch up conversation. I found collards and dino kale for iron and calcium meals. Then Hollie helped me invent a cover for the freezer unit in the little house. I heard about her trip to Idaho and the giggles with her friends. Today after church, a couple of walks and something else.

Day 152

Another beautiful dawn. Hollie is coming to walk to the farmers’ market with me. I want to hear all about the trip to Idaho and fun with her friends. Henry didn’t show yesterday or call. I want that project finished soon. I’m restless and wanting a new project. Maybe a creative urge direct me toward an engaging plan. I want to add color to the journal and enjoy putting it there without worrying about the way it might look.

Day 151

Two long walks yesterday, one solo, one with dogs in the wind. Lots of fun people in the day and that makes it a good one. I did write a letter to the editor and hope it gets in. The Triplicate is close to yellow journalism and I intend to add a voice for high road. Today Henry will finish the fence between my yards. I hope to get to the blueberry farm today. Chris is home from Tibet.

Day 150

Museum was fun yesterday. Plenty of visitors and good conversations. The misty rain felt refreshing and cleaned the air. Today is senior center time. Karen will come again to learn the welcoming job. She will do well. This morning the newspaper reported on Gitlin’s rant against Finigan and didn’t mention all the positive actions that were the major part of the meeting. I feel another letter to the editor coming on. Let’s accentuate the positive not the lunatic fringe.

Day 149

I did speak at the meeting. Not sure that anything will change but I spoke up. The meetings are so much more interesting than I expected and I will go again. Students from Castle Rock showed a project to keep kids from stealing alcohol from Safeway. The manager came to tell the changes and support the kids. Good work. Today after the museum duty, I have errands and will find a birthday card for Susanne. Hope to walk too.

Day 148

Feeling better. I guess slumps are part of the process but I do get discouraged when I’ve had a few good days and then nothing. I found Heather to do my floors. I can do the rest of my housework but the floors wear me out fast. Today I’ll get a walk, hopefully, more than around the block and then off to the board of supervisors meeting where I will report on the lack of progress on my request.

Day 147

      

Yesterday I had an energy disconnect. I’m feeling fine and then I’m not fine. Just that suddenly. These spells are getting farther apart. It’s disappointing to want to do things and have nothing to work with. The dogs get their baths this morning and then we will go to the blueberry farm and take on a couple boxes of freshness. I do need to scrape off the top layer of dust around here and look for a new housekeeper.

Day 146

The old fence between the yards is gone. Henry will start the new one. The farmers’ market was busy. I came home with beets, carrots, dino kale, and collards. I eat nutritious foods. The $16 dollar chicken was good. Today, no agenda other than church and a giants game. I’m restless. That’s how I know I’m getting healthier. When I’m not well I don’t want anything new to do. The walk is expanding to 10K early in the day.

Day 145

After the first foggy walk, I will walk to the farmers’ market. Rather have fog than wind. Facebook had photos of Hollie and friends in Idaho. Hope they continue to have a blast together. Girls need girlfriends. Rachael gave me her cell number. I’ll call her for her e-mail address and send photos of the guest house so she will know what she’s coming to. I’ll get the yard clean before she gets here. I offer a warm welcome.

Day 144

Karen liked the place, the people, and the duty. After a few Thursdays, she will fit right in. Today, after the long morning walk, I need groceries. I want to get the ingredients for the dino kale salad that Sarah told me about. Massaged kale salads burst with nutrition. Getting back to portion control is on the agenda. I eat well, just too much. I pulled weeds in the little yard yesterday and have a million left to do.

Day 143

Yesterday was busy at the museum. Lots of visitors including a tour bus full of Texans. They raved about our collection and spent lots of money on gift stuff. I walked over 17K steps. Today after the morning walk, I’ll get ready for the senior center duty. I’ve invited Karen Perton to come and see what the job is and maybe she will volunteer. She’s personable and gets along well with older people. The center can use new volunteers.

Day 142

Yesterday was telephone communications day. First, business with directv to keep my small bill with an inconclusive result, then express scripts to find out why my prescription is so expensive, no movement there, next, Rachel Raia called to rent the guest house for a year, followed by Susanne reporting in about how her new life is working, Henry Brown called to make a time to measure for a new fence. Finally Megan called for a conversation. Tired ears today.

Day 141

Day 141

I will walk this morning wearing hat, scarf, and gloves. The drippy fog is right down on the ground. Typical summer weather. I would not trade it for a hot day. Sarah does good work for me. She loosened my shoulders and they are down where they belong. Had a visit with Carol. Her trip to Seattle helped her with information about her health. Sometimes having a name for the symptoms helps. The rest of the day is open.

Day 140

How fast the days go by! I enjoyed church yesterday. Finally feel like I belong. I dreamed I said Happy Birthday to Kim. In the dream he was well and handsome. He was my hero with his acceptance of his disabilities. Today, after a walk, I look forward to a massage from Sarah. I need a quick trip to Wally’s. Much as I dislike shopping there, things I need are there when I don’t want to drive to Brookings. 

Day 139

Tidy house, good walk, social farmers’ market make for a good day. Karen came and gleaned the peas. I think I’ll pull down the vines as they are drying up at the root. I won’t plant any next year as I didn’t use them well. I do like having a few vegetables growing in the yard.  The chard and kale are doing OK. Both will last into the winter. Today, walk and church. Maybe find something new to do.

Day 138

Today I want to concentrate on being here at home. It’s not just the dust and dog hair wafting around, it’s the kitchen with crumbs and spills that are calling. After a walk, I may just start in one room and get my home looking clean and neat. It’s that or find a new cleaning person. My back is sore but not seized up so I can bend and stretch. Need to get busy. I actually enjoy my housework.

Day 137

The birthday party was great. The Boon Dock band played Happy Birthday and everyone joined in. Her family was there plus her minister and a couple friends. Things like this make the senior center a good thing. The new vet is OK. Not as personable or pet friendly as Tribble but no political signs and no half-hour trip to get there. There are always trade-offs. Today I go to the dentist and make appointments to crown the cracked tooth.

Day 136

After a foggy walk, I’ll get ready for senior center duty. Today there will be a party for Florence’s birthday. She is 93 and volunteers twice a week. I will finish the August column for Senior News. Just need to add a few words about attending public meetings as a brain stimulant. The museum was busy yesterday. I like to talk to visitors. They always have raves for our collections. The dogs go to the new vet this afternoon.

Day 135

The meeting was interesting and informative. I respect Martha who did her research and shared it eloquently. There were only a handful of people who spoke against the mining. Where were all the people who want a clean wild river? Today is busy again. I like getting things done. After museum time, I’ll take the car to Coast for service. It’s been a year! Don’t know how I let it go by. Usually I take it at six months.

Day 134

Getting things done feels good! I moved the dogs from Dr. Tribble to Four Paws. I had a problem with Tribble’s anti-Obama messages on a reader-board. I put up with it for Gene who had hope. I have to act on my beliefs and I cannot walk under that sign and feel that I am endorsing his politics. Today I’m going to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. The mining on the Smith River will be discussed. It can’t happen.

Day 133

The drippy fog is down to the ground. I will go out in it for a walk. I like the feel of the mist on my face. There are so many peas on the vines that they are hanging down. Need help picking and eating them besides the dogs. Interesting conversations yesterday with a biker who has spent the last 22 months riding around the U.S. He is headed for home in Montana. I have no desire to travel.

Day 132

I bought the last three home-made pies and took them to church for coffee hour today. The museum made over $1700 from the social. I like being part of it. I did rest most of yesterday. Felt good to do nothing except water orchids and do a quick sweep. I’m pondering the idea of redoing the bathroom. May walk down to Home Depot and scope out the choices. I’ve had it in mind for some time now. Or not.

Day 131

Tired morning. Poor Minnie shook and drooled in misery until after midnight when the noise finally stopped. I’m tired from standing in the cold doing coffee duty. I find the noise and crowds tiring too. It was fun with Hollie and I’ll do it again next year. Had a great slab of peach pie and savored every bite. Today I’ll walk to the farmers’ market for green stuff. May have the rest of the day for quiet and resting. 

Day 130

Hollie will be here at 8:30. We will walk to the museum and get busy preparing for the pie social. Hollie does money. I do coffee. In between us, others will cut and serve pie and get ice cream on top. Tables will be ready and we start serving at 9 while people congregate for the parade. The cannon will fire off noise and paper and the line begins to move down the street. It’s a grand event here.

Day 129

Madet 11 K+  steps yesterday. Will have a go at it again today. The senior center is having hamburgers and watermelon. Probably be a zoo. I will go with the flow and not get involved in the noise and crowd. I can insulate myself and not get my nerves sandpapered like Cinco de Mayo. It’s not my job police the place. The museum was quiet. It is a pleasant interesting duty. Everything is ready for the pie social tomorrow.

Day 128

Lots of phone conversations and meeting friends yesterday. I like a social day. The museum today and I like the duty there. I want to get 10K steps again. I know that the nutrition, supplements and walking are coming together to bring progress to my body’s restoration. I can tell that my physical energy is higher. Will be happy when I have deeper breathing too.  Hollie is back from their road trip. I’m glad she’s home from heat.

Day 127

Walked 10K+ steps yesterday distributing Senior news. It was hot. Over 80 here. The house is cool this morning. I’ll close it up and hope it’s cooler outside. Today I have errands and then Karen for massage. Good way to begin July. I am thinking about the times with Gene, patrolling in the police van was a private place for sharing. I admired how he overcame his early life and how it informed his generosity and compassion. Good man.

Senior News column

If you are looking for a place to visit this summer that supports a healthy lifestyle, look no further than Del Norte County. When I volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, I talked to tourists about their road trips and asked what they like to find in a new location. Our natural beauty tops the list, along with our clean air, clean water, and beaches that are free of crowds and litter. I call it postcardville as any direction a camera is pointed is beautiful.  In our small county, we have a wealth of resources for people who want to hike, camp, or simply hang out until a gorgeous sunset paints the ocean with Nature’s extraordinary palette.

Our Fourth of July celebration is worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting. The parade begins with the firing of the cannon on the lawn of the museum. A spray of paper accompanies the big bang and the participants move down the street to the appreciation of the crowds. The Jed Smith mountain men add the roar of their black powder muskets as they walk by in their authentic outfits. I will be serving coffee at the annual pie social. Homemade pie and ice cream will be served on the lawn of the museum. I see so many old friends and have quick catch up conversations. Later people will congregate at the beachfront for entertainment and food from a variety of vendors.

Another place to visit is the harbor. After the 2011 devastation from the Japanese catastrophe, the construction is over and the result is a state of the art tsunami proof harbor. Engineers come from all over to appreciate the innovations. The harbor is full of visiting yachts, working boats and the busy fishermen preparing for their trade. Harbor seals, sea lions and many birds are there too adding to the activity.  And beaches galore! Rocky beaches for tide pooling, sandy beaches for walking, and beaches along the rivers for picnics and swimming. We have everything for the visitor who loves the outdoors. The Redwood National Park office has maps of walking trails that show the difficulty of the trail so people can choose what is best for their time and ability. They also book the park camping spaces. Come visit our neighborhood. Touring doesn’t have to mean a long road trip. We have so much right here to offer.