Day 341

It was a good day! I’m happy to say that after so many low days. I did distribute the senior news, have a positive dental appointment, go to the police department and, with Holly Greene, found my old uniform. Then renewed my drivers’ license for another five years. Altogether a fine day. I went to bed at 7. That’s OK. Today I want a long walk, a few vegetables from Wild Rivers, and a day of healing and rest.

Day 340

Yesterday’s good energy lasted until noon. Long enough to get the errands done that have waited. Today will be busy. The dentist appointment is 10:15. No big drama this time as I recall the horrible day when Karen played chicken little from the hysterical society. I will take the license renewal test at 3:45. I’ve never been anxious about that before now. I just need to read carefully. Maybe senior news will arrive too and some will be distributed.

Day 339

The errands and shopping are still on the agenda. Never did get up to running speed. Those darn anti-biotics are taking their time to kick in probably because I had the infection for so long undiagnosed. I will get out for a walk at least but hope to get groceries and dog food. Della looks OK this morning. She took herself out of bed rather than wait for me to lift her down. I hope she moves freely today.

Day 338

We had a good day yesterday and both Della and I are a little slow this morning. I guess we cannot expect healing to be in a straight line. Tonda called yesterday to apologize for the poor treatment. She was away and thought she left me with care. We are OK now. I’m halfway through the medication and have to work on vitamin D and iron. Not quite up to normal numbers yet. Today I have errands and shopping.

Day 337

Both Della and I are much better this morning. She is walking slowly but not drooping in tiptoe mode. This morning I’m going to the sheriff station to get fingerprinted so I can volunteer at the police department again. Then off to the board of supervisors meeting. As soon as I am officially cleared, Tuesdays will be patrol days so the meetings will have to go on without me. I have learned a lot about how county government works.

Day 336

Another uncomfortable night. Today I can do the same routine as yesterday. I did remember that I had AZO and a couple of pills helped the gut ache. Della is very slow and droopy this morning. She didn’t want breakfast and that’s where her medication is hiding. I need to feel well. I’m sure now that this long period of not wellness results from having had this infection for a long time. I may need a new health partner.

Day 335

Lousy long night. I have pain in my gut and Della has pain in the back. I think the delay in getting medication for the UTI is making it more difficult to heal. Today I will do nothing except drink water and rest. No church, no walk. I have asked for a substitute for my senior center duty tomorrow and cancelled the trip to Klamath to celebrate Jackie’s birthday. I can catch up later. I need to curl up.

Day 334

Della is sad with pain. In spite of the anti-inflammatory med and pain med, she can barely walk. It’s hard to look at her and have nothing to offer to soothe her. I did get a walk yesterday but that was the only accomplishment and that felt good. This unseasonable weather is delightful. I sat outside with the dogs for few minutes and Della made a slow circuit of the yard. Her favorite place is under the lemon tree.

Day 333

Some enjoyment yesterday but mainly frustration. I know Mercury is retrograde but come on, does it have to mess up all communications. Took three trips, two faxes, four phone calls, and five hours to connect with my prescription for the UTI that was finally diagnosed after two weeks. Della is in pain and I did get more medicine from her vet. She is a miserable little girl. Today I set off the security alarm and have a headache. Egads.

Day 332

Della’s back pain is still bad. I’ve been giving her turmeric along with the anti meds from the vet. She shrieks when she moves too fast or jumps down. Yesterday she started to run and shrieked. I may call the vet for a more aggressive medication. I had two walks yesterday and felt quite well! Today is senior center duty and it’s another nice January day. I could pull weeds or not. May simply enjoy the respite from winter.

Day 331

Feel normal this morning. Della hurt her back yesterday and had a quick trip to the vet. He gave her anti-inflammatory meds. I added turmeric to her breakfast. Today the house needs attention. Lots of dust bunnies running around. And I feel a long walk coming. True North is meeting this evening and I have decided to pass. It does not call me sufficiently to join. Much as I admire what they do, I don’t feel it’s for me. 

Day 330

      

Sick yesterday with diverticulitis. Went to bed with chills and fever. I’m feeling better now but not over it. Megan called early. It’s her first day at University. She is nervous and excited. Good for her. It will be busy with work and school and she can do it. Yesterday I heard that my ferritin level is up to 72. That’s up from 7 in August 2013. I want to feel better. I don’t know the other results yet.

day 329

Yesterday was better. Maybe declaring my dissatisfaction helped my consciousness. I was restless and unfocused but definitely more present than I have been. A walk, church, watering the orchids, visiting with Julia, phone plans with Hollie, all good connections. Today I can do it again and maybe even use my time in a way that leaves me feeling self-respect. It’s a clear cold morning, perfect for getting busy. Errands and groceries will happen while the dogs are being bathed.

Day 328

      

I want more! Time is valuable and I let it dissipate like steam with nothing to show for it. No writing, no exercise, no quiet time. When I get to the Pearly Gates, will I tell St. Peter that I enjoyed a lot of TV. I just read a quote: Your life is well-spent if memories make you smile. I have a few smiling memories and a whole lot of gray flat lines. I can do better. Move now.

Day 327

Yesterday: headache 1, me 0. Wasted day of hot pack on the back of my neck and waiting for the misery to subside. Finally did late in the afternoon and I was all out of interest in doing anything. Today has been great. Lots of attention to my home and personal stuff. I do love fresh fuzzy sheets. I have good food to eat and a happy body to enjoy Saturday. No call from Tonda regarding blood test results.

Day 326

I’ll call Tonda today. I don’t want to wait until next week to know what the tests showed about my functions. I had a great walk yesterday. Knew that I could do the long block and do it well. Feels so good to get out and push myself. Senior center duty was busy and noisy. Coming home to quiet was a blessing. Today the agenda is walking and grocery shopping and that’s all. I want fresh vegs and fruits. 

Day 325

Did the chores and errands yesterday. Today I’m ready to get out with people. It’s easy to stay home alone and I could be a hermit very quickly. That’s the good thing about a sense of responsibility as it gets me moving. I want to walk early and push myself. I haven’t walked the long block for more than two weeks. Just haven’t felt like I could do it. Maybe Tonda will call today with the blood test results. 

Day 324

No agenda today. Probably take a walk. The house could use attention. The health department wouldn’t condemn it but I want it neater. I started on the Gratitude journal. I am grateful for my life and life style. Simple works well. I am constantly making less. Taking unused items away feels like a relief. One more thing that I don’t have to own. I could start sorting tax stuff. My habit is to have taxes done before my birthday.

Day 323

The blood draw was awful. First time in my long history and that includes 107 donated pints of blood, that I had pain, swelling, redness, and bruising from the test! Bad way to start the day. Made me feel light-headed for a while. This morning it is still red, sore, and lumpy. I’ll get a walk early and then the board of supervisors meeting. The newly elected officials will be introduced. I want to see Eric installed as sheriff.

Day 322

Up early and without coffee yet. Have to go to the doc’s office at 7 to have fasting blood testing. Then I can jet home for coffee. It’s the way I have started my day forever. If I wait too long, I get the headache from caffeine withdrawal. My day officially starts with the first cup and I tell myself that I get smarter with each sip. Later, a walk, senior center duty, and a busy Monday. Life’s good.

Day 321

Yesterday I did not speak out loud to another human. Dogs, yes. We have conversations all the time. I had a brief walk but the force was not with me and the rest of the day was quiet and restful. Today I must catch up on house stuff like watering the orchids and dusting the floors. I want a walk before church. The February column is writing itself in my mind: love and health equal dogs in my opinion. 

Day 320

Jackie wasn’t well so we missed her company. Chris, Carol, and I had a wonderful lunch and tour of the resort. We three exchanged news and caught up on the past weeks.. I used Jackie’s name and that opened doors. Today I have ordinary house tasks plus groceries. I wish I had something new and fun to do. I will walk the long block if possible. Even if I don’t want to walk, I feel better with the effort. 

Day 319

I’m picking up a bit. Feel like myself. The errands were all done by 10 AM yesterday! Today, an excursion. I’m taking Chris and Carol to Klamath to have lunch with Jackie at the Abalone Grill. Jackie’s birthday is later this month so I’ll start the celebration. I know her huge family and tribe will pay tribute to her 80 years. She has done a bundle of parenting, teaching, and service to her people. I’m looking forward to today.

Day 318

Yesterday was busy with errands and I enjoyed getting things done. In the afternoon I visited the police department, met the new chief and Holly, the volunteer who wants a partner for patrol. I said I would go with her one day a week for a few hours. I like the connection to the PD. I also like a busy schedule. I do better with outside commitments and tend to get things done here when I am going out.

Day 317

       

It was a low energy day. I did get a walk and visit with Eileen at her new jewelry shop. She displays her art and makes it a cozy colorful place. Night was broken by quick trips between bed and bathroom. Don’t know what I ate that insulted my innards, but whatever it was, it’s gone now. Today will be warm and calm and I want to get outside and enjoy it. A January warm spell is a gift.

Day 316

Another long sleep under the full moon. I want to feel better today. I have things to do that need energy to accomplish. First, a trip to the store for groceries. I didn’t get to it yesterday. I have a slow cooker full of beans, all the ingredients for hummus are on the counter, and I want a pile of greens to go with. Back to carrying my banner that says nutrition and exercise are the tools for wellness. 

Day 315

Still feeling undue fatigue. Long sleep again in the new fuzzy sheets with weird dreams. Must be the full moon influencing my mind. I was teaching! Egads. Today will begin with a long brisk walk followed by senior center duty followed by shopping for vegetables. Back in my good nutrition mode. Beans, greens, grains, and fruit. I admit that I am ready to be back in my routine. It must be a sign of aging. Time for rigorous self-care.

Day 314

Kelle’s plane was late, of course. She was offered a voucher if she would take a later flight from Arcata. I came home to deal with a heater problem in the guest house. I went to bed very early and slept long. I want to have energy today to walk, tidy the house, put the new flannel sheets on my bed, and eat well. No more indulging. The holidays and Kelle’s visit are over and reality time has come. 

Day 313

Kelle will fly away at 10 AM. It has been a good visit. I wish I had had more energy and felt better. Oh well, it is what it is. She did get a rest, sleep, read, catch up her e-mail, visit the redwoods, and paint the tank. We ate out every day. I only cooked one meal! Then I’m back in routine and that’s OK with me. We will begin the day with a walk and left-over pizza.

Day 312

We did get a long walk yesterday to Cazadore’s for dinner. Today is Kelle’s last full day and I’m hoping for something fun to do. Not feeling too peppy again. I started a new paper journal for 2015. Hoping to be more faithful to it than last year. I know the blog takes some of the reviewing away from writing with a pen. I could still write a commentary as I don’t often do that here. Both record history.

Day 311

New calendars in place. Minnie is calm after the gun shots and fire crackers in the night. Ready for whatever comes next. All the senior news are out with Kelle’s help and a couple of walks happened too. Today I want to poke and putter finding places to sort. Kelle has rust sandpapered and will spray the rustoleum on the kerosene tank. I didn’t get much weeding done. I’m ready to experience 2015 in the best way I can. 

January column

Ending one year and beginning a new one offers a chance to evaluate how life is going. Any parts that need adjusting such as habits, relationships, opportunities are open to quality checks. Gratitude is important to me. Keeping in mind how abundant my life is and knowing that it takes acknowledgement to keep it healthy. One big resolution that I make annually is Do It Now. Acting on impulses, little whispers, clues that are important to take care of immediately have filled my life with treasures. Here are two examples that have deep meaning for me:

At a meeting of the Volunteers in Police Service another member, Gene Lyssenko, stated the need for a new partner. He looked around the table and I knew he meant another man. Taking the risk, in a tiny voice, I said, “I’ll be your partner.” A long silence that felt like I hadn’t spoken at all was followed by, “We can try that.” Thus began a partnership that was full to the brim with his wisdom and generosity. Gene was my best friend and we shared freely and safely for years that were full of his gifts of fish, garden produce, but mainly companionship. It was Gene who told me that compassion for the homeless would be good for my soul. So often I have thanked myself for speaking up at just the right minute to make my life a lot better.

My longtime friend Wendell Peterson, who introduced me to St. Paul’s, gave up driving and would call when he wanted to go shopping for more items than he wanted to carry back to his apartment. One day I shopped too and had my grocery cart behind him. At the meat counter, he said, “Why don’t you buy that pork leg, roast potatoes, get applesauce, make a salad, and invite me to dinner.” On he went with his list in his hand and I did exactly what he suggested. I did not say, “I’ll get around to it.” I did it right then and there. When dinner was ready, I picked him up and we enjoyed our meal together. I fixed him a plate to take home and delivered him back to his place. Two days later, he was found dead in his chair with his newspaper on his lap. Again, I have thanked myself for grabbing the impulse and acting on it.

If you do one big thing in this new year, make it a point to listen to your own messages about actions that can make a difference for yourself and others. It could be a poke from Spirit giving guidance that result in good work.