Day 218

Today the senior news gets distributed around town. I enjoy the route. I took the senior center and CCIM papers yesterday. The dogs like riding around with me and barking. They are the car alarm. I will walk first and add lots of walking later. Megan’s one year anniversary as assistant manager at tin can mailman. She is in a good place emotionally too. I hope she hears from HSU soon and can begin to plan for her future.

day 217

     

Monday again. I enjoyed church yesterday. I am connected to the community and to all that means. Kelle sounds better after the week of her Grandmother’s funeral. She had a weekend away to begin her new life. Today I will begin the day with a walk, clean up for duty, and be ready to have a good day. I have ideas popping and recognize that I don’t want to initiate any new projects and I do want to participate.

Day 216

I have a nutritious bounty from the farmers’ market. Two great walks although I will admit to walking home from the market in granny gear. It’s OK. I was out and walking. Hope to repeat walks today after church. Just a few mundane items: water the orchids and give them a pep talk about growing stems of beauty, clean the hot tub filter, and pull a few weeds from the rose garden. It will be a another good day.

Day 215

So, yesterday was flat. It’s OK. About once a week I need a day off. A while back I had short days where my energy was gone before noon. A busy week that went into the evening is wonderful and I am grateful that my restoration is allowing me to interact more often and with enjoyment. Today I will walk, long and steady, do a few errands, and go to the farmers’ market too. My journal wants a doodle.

Day 214

It was a long and productive day. I was ready to sleep at 8:30 and promptly went off to dreamland. Until 2:30. No more sleeping. Today the senior news will arrive. I will not distribute them until next Tuesday, the 30^th. I’m hoping for a quiet day  and may need a nap. The reclaimed energy is wonderful. Full days with people and activity is the way I want to live my life. I know I am restoring my body.

Day 213

I did walk yesterday and came home dripping wet to the skin. Loved it. Smiled all day. Mara arrived and we prepared for tonight’s dinner at the church. She is great. I’m so happy that I asked her to stay here. Today, when I get home from the senior center duty, we will glean apples from the church tree and then visit the labyrinth next door. We had a long walk this morning and now I’m ready for anything.

Day 212

Gitlin’s plan flopped and we were happy that his toadies didn’t show. People are beginning to see who he is. The massage with Karen was wonderful. Today is the last day of museum duty. I will not go back in the spring. I’m through. The streets are shiny and the gutters are full. The air is fresh and warm. May not get a walk as much as I’d like to or I may bundle up and enjoy the storm.

Day 211

Board of Supervisors’ meeting this morning. We have a heads-up that Gitlin is going to stage another act. Want to be there along with Elizabeth and Karen. It is interesting to watch reactions and group dynamics. The senior center was noisy yesterday. People are getting used to no salad bar. The noise goes up around the time the salad would have been served. I said it was like feeding time at the zoo. I’ll get another good walk early.

Day 210

Half and half day. The Autumnal Equinox. Time to get out the candles, fill the oil lamps, and prepare to enter the dark time by a few minutes a day. I look forward to Kelle’s visit between Christmas and New Year’s as it distracts from the darkest time. I had two walks yesterday. One before church, one after with the dogs. Today is senior center duty. I wanted my two days back and now I have them. I’ll walk again.

Day 209

Wasn’t well yesterday and had a couple of bright spots in the gray day. Hollie brought me pears from the market and Megan called with her news. I am blessed. Today is better. I slept well and no headache or visual disturbances so maybe I can have another good day. After church I want to get out and walk, maybe with the dogs. Sitting a whole day makes me sore. Not a way I like to use my time.

Day 208

The fitbit is synced now thanks to Art who sat by me as I we reconnected the install. Still not sure how it will help my health goal but I’m working at it. The senior center was unhappy yesterday as Florence died and there were lots of tears. She was 94 and volunteered until last week. She had a good life. Today I’m walking to the farmers’ market to find pears again. Maybe squash. I’ll see what’s seasonable now.

Day 207

Can’t get the fitbit to sync. I may take it back. Spent frustrating time as I often do with new tech stuff. There is no 800 support and no glossary of terms so I don’t know what I need to do. Oh well, my step counter has served with no computer linkup. I did walk yesterday in the humid hot day. The expected rain didn’t happen. After the good day on Wednesday, yesterday was the opposite. Ups and downs.

Day 206

The rain dance finally paid off! Love the fresh smell and I know the plants are doing a happy dance down to their roots. Yesterday was great: new shoes, new shirt, new crossword books, dog bones, and fitbit. Everything that was on the list and Hollie’s company too. Today is an inside day except I may walk the new shoes to the post office for their maiden voyage. I need my feet to be comfortable. It’s a Pisces thing.

Day 205

Yesterday was another good one. Had energy all day long. Visited with Ky and Julia, had lunch with Chris, and took care of business. Today Hollie and I are going to Brookings. I have to find walking shoes that fit my feet and have room for the orthotics. We will dink around and find things we didn’t know we wanted until we saw them. Hoping for a new top or two. My clothes are boring. Needed showers are expected.

Day 204

Yesterday was a good day. I was busy, active, useful, enthusiastic, and feeling well! All in one day. I was called in for senior center duty and managed to get there on time, had the laundry done, floors mopped, dogs groomed, new crown in place, and rarin’ to go. So, this morning I’m a bit tired. It’s OK. Yesterday was who I want to be every day. I am progressing and I get greedy for more wellness. Good life.

Day 203

Half past September already. Cooler nights. Today while the dogs are being groomed, I get the crown for my tooth. It was loose yesterday. Good timing since it’s gone today. No agenda. Hope for another long walk with or without dogs or maybe two walks. Maybe Chris will want to go to Brookings today. I still need walking shoes and we want to investigate fit-bits. I know it’s time to get busy with PT exercises. I have the tools.

Day 202

Intentional walking yesterday netted 7171 steps. I don’t count house steps. It was a good day for walking, doing errands, and visiting. I did get bosc pears, green beans, green and yellow scallop squash. Jon brought a huge slice of many layered coconut cake. My neighbors share so much with me. They share their garden, labyrinth, their time and attention. I love them. Talked to other neighbor John about cleaning up the northside fence. I want a new one.

Day 201

Fog down to the ground, eerie light, cold. I will bundle up later to walk to the farmers’ market. Hope there are still pears from Kerbyville. Then what? Don’t want to sit all day. I could clean out the book shelves. Been waiting for a rainy day but since we don’t seem to have any in the near future, could have it for a fog day. Could peruse recipes and find something new to fix.  Could zentangle. And color.

Day 200

Yesterday was telephone day. Megan has credits for three AA degrees and applied to HSU. Took her 13 years. Took me 12 years to get my BA and Hollie, too, had gaps in her education before she walked. We take our time but we never doubt that we will complete our goal. Today Minnie gets a vet check on her dental work. She is doing very well. Oh yes, then I have to go to Sarah for a massage.

day 199

I have a sore arm from the flu shot. Protected for the winter. It’s 9/11 and all the memories are racing around the TV. It is good to remember that the world changed that day. Our naïve feeling that no harm could happen here was gone forever. Today is senior center duty. Since I only have two days a month at this time, it feels important to catch up on what’s been happening there. I want my days back.

Day 198

Lots of conversations and connections yesterday. I enjoyed it. The board meeting had a few slow spots but was worthwhile to attend. Today is museum duty. Based on my feelings, I will finish out the month but not return in the spring. Hollie is going to pick me up there and we will do errands and lunch while she waits for her appointment time. Maybe we will get our flu shots. It’s that time again. I get one annually. 

Day 197

It was a good group time. Lots of catching up plus the writing. They liked Kelle’s offering and also the walk through their homes. Both of my friends are artistic and a trained observer would enjoy knowing who they are. Today is board of supervisors meeting. So far the meetings have been interesting and informative. Maybe fireworks again from Gitlan. I’m ready to cancel my subscription to the triplicate. Too much ink for him and not for both sides.

Day 196

Another cold day. Heater is on. Della likes it. Today Carol and Chris will come for J street journals. I’m going to share Kelle’s three statements with tarot cards. The statements are: My head needs to know, My heart needs to embrace, My hands need to do. Then I’ll tell about the idea that came to me after the sheriff business. What would a stranger know about me by walking through my house? That could be an interesting writing.

Day 195

Peaches are out. Pears and apples are in. Found green beans, yellow squash, and dino kale. Good foods. Yesterday was peaceful. Minnie is getting well fast and I see her energy coming back. I’m thinking she was sick longer than I noticed. The problem is solved now and she can be her lively self. After church I want a long walk to notice the color changes. The area is browner than usual due to lack of rain. Still beautiful.

Day 194

We had a good time together. Cosco was a zoo but we found the items on our lists and got out fast. Gonsei is our lunch favorite. Hot sour soup and Chinese chicken salad for three. Today the house will get a lick and a promise. Farmers’ market will get a visit as I want green beans and peaches plus other greens. Then rest and relaxation for the day. A busy week is over and I need down time.

Day 193

Minnie had five extractions yesterday. She had abscessed teeth. She will feel better when she heals. The first thing she wanted when she came home was food. I mixed her kibble with broth. I’m glad it’s over. Today Hollie and I are going to Eureka. We will meet Megan at Hollie’s appointment and she and I will go do something together. When Hollie is through we will meet at Cosco, spend money, eat our usual lunch and come home.

Day 192

Made a side trip for Mexican food instead. Hungry after the long boring duty at the museum. No visitors. Poor Minnie. She’s going to the vet for dental work so no breakfast. She keeps telling me that I’m forgetting something. I know how important food is to her. I love long telephone conversations with my friends. Last night Eileen called and we caught up. It’s so easy to let too much time go by without check-ins. Love Megan’s calls.

Day 191

Made contacts and connections yesterday. I have a bunch of voter registration forms and will go places to find folks who aren’t registered. It’s a place to start. The county clerk gave me a booklet about the propositions. They are difficult to read through. I want to write my October column about voting and making sense of candidate statements and propositions. Good luck to me. Today is museum duty. May make a side trip to farmer’s market. Need greens.

Day 190

There is still a tiny place in my heart that misses the first day of school. The first look at the new crew and wondering about the year ahead. Today I will enjoy a  walk, and feeling grateful about how my life is unfolding. New ideas are cropping up about engaging in political action of some kind. I know I am a better supporter than leader. I don’t know enough yet to initiate and I know I’ll find guidance.

Day 189

     

Today is Minnie’s birthday. She is nine years old. She came here when she was three years old. She is a sweetheart and beautiful too. I’ll make it a new bone day in her honor. No agenda. I had three walks yesterday. The wind was warm and energizing. I may do dusting and sweeping. On the other hand, if the doors and windows are open all day, more dust will accumulate. So that would be a waste of energy.