Day 365

Last day of my 79^th year. I will not jot down statistics. Enough to say that it has not been a banner year for good health. It has been a good year for constant progress and work toward maximizing my whole self. It’s amazing how willing the body is to restore itself and get on with living. All the ups and downs are evidence of being in the community and taking my place in the world. It’s all good.

Next blog -  My 80 Words

Day 364

Today is senior center duty and the walking routine. I’m still restless and don’t have a focus for the loose energy. It’s certainly not housework. One new thing for my 80^th year will be finding a new housekeeper. I had good conversations yesterday with Karen Rath, Kelle, Julia, Hollie, and myself. I want to spread good cheer at the center today and get involved with the people. They are a bunch who like attention and need it. My job.

Early birthday gift

Colorful happy walking

prancing, dancing feet               

Day 363

Or maybe I’m just happy for no reason except I’m alive and grateful. It’s just that it’s unfamiliar after so long feeling unwell, grumpy, and restless. Today I will ask for my birthday blessing in church. I like that moment of acknowledgement. More walking maybe with dogs. Minnie still acts like she doesn’t feel well. She did get herself off the bed this morning without the elevator. The orchids will get their drinks of water and that’s all today.

Day 362

No agenda for today aside from the prescribed walking and nutritious food. I want to visit with someone interesting. I find conversations stimulating and helpful for finding words to interpret experiences. Right now I have a big happy bubble in my middle that I like a lot but don’t know what it’s about yet. Maybe it’s the sun making a bright day again. Maybe it’s simply anticipating my 80^th birthday and sending off the blog to make another book. 

Day 361

Minnie kept sitting down so the walk was short. She seems OK except for not wanting to jump up or down. May take her to the vet. Today I’ll get the taxes done. I always get them out of the way before my birthday. It’s a ritual that I like as unfinished business presses and there is no reason to wait. It’s simple enough. The government takes a big bite and I live on the rest. Long walk later.

Day 360

The tea with Carol and Chris was my idea of fun: close friends, hot tea, yummy muffins, poetry, and safe place for conversation. I enjoyed every minute, hug, and crumb. Then off to church for Ash Wednesday service and the reminder of our mortality. That was also close and personal with Father, Mara, and four of us. Today I’ll be out for senior center duty and hope for a walk with the dogs. They need a daily walk too.

day 359

We did compromise and it was smoother. I can adjust and so can Holly G. It takes time to find middle ground and it shouldn’t be hard when it’s a volunteer duty. Today I will sort the tax stuff for the appointment on Friday. Once I put all the papers out and start the list of expenses for the guest house, it’s a slam dunk. It’s getting started that has been difficult. Then it’s tea with Carol and Chris.

Day 358

Today is police volunteer duty. I’m hoping to find a way to compromise with my partner or I will have to do something else. Her insistence on detail is not working for me as I find it unnecessary and unwieldy. The writing, looking up and down, and paying attention make my head hurt. She needs a secretary, not a patrol partner. And yes, I admit that I miss Gene and his easygoing routine. Then harbor walking with dogs again. 

Day 357

Kelle and I were discussing “fun”. What do I do that I call fun? To me a fun day includes interesting people, interactive activity, laughing, probably food. I guess I need to ramp up having fun. Routine is satisfying but not necessarily fun. I don’t need exciting happenings but now and then spontaneous and unexpected moments would be fun. Today is dog wash, water orchids, walk, sweep floors. No fun there unless I find it among the dust kittens.

Yellow face looks up

Says Hello to the spring sun

Making my heart happy

Day 356

After church the dogs and I will walk together. I’m thinking about safe places to enjoy. The dogs need daily exercise especially Minnie who would prefer to act as a couch cushion. Later today I want to finally sit here and finish the column on Jed Smith. I’ve been putting it off and now is the time to get it done. I don’t like unfinished business of any kind. Takes my attention away from being in the present moment. 

Day 355

Valentine’s Day. I’m glad I sent out a few greetings to friends at a distance. Megan posted that loving and accepting oneself is necessary and not to wait to be loved and accepted by an outside person. Good for her. She is doing so well right now and keeps on moving toward her future. I’m pleased to be part of her progress. Today I want to be walking and maybe pulling a few weeds. I need exercise besides walking.

Day 354

Tonda called to say that there is still bacteria present and to pay attention to how I feel. I don’t want to slip into overall notwellness. I took the dogs for a walk around the park yesterday after duty. They came home tired and today we will go for a walk around the harbor. They need a daily walk as much as I do. Both of them have tight harnesses to show their weight gain. Not good for dachshunds.

Day 353

I did some of the above chores and left others for tomorrow. My energy slipped a little and I did get a nice long walk. Today I am ready for senior center duty and whatever else comes along that might be fun. I am missing exercise and may ask for a course of core conditioning at the physical therapy facility. It served me well in 2013 and I came home prancing. I did the home exercises for a while.

Day 352

Yesterday was the best day in months. I was up early, took care of household chores, walked before patrol duty, spoke about the minutiae, and reached a compromise, came home to make delicious chicken soup, smiled and was happy. Today I would like to do it again. I made one appointment yesterday and have a couple more to make and I will be current with business. I will write the column today and send it and sort for taxes.

Day 351

I look for markers that show progress in my health and well-being. Today I wrote the valentines that I bought last year and then stuck in a drawer. I don’t send Christmas greetings and do send Valentines instead. I may not send as many as I had planned but just the act of writing a few feels good. Today is police patrol duty. I need to speak about what I need in order to be comfortable: Less record keeping.

Day 350

Another noisy and restless night and I’m feeling it. Bring on the coffee. At least the power stayed on except for a couple of minor blips. Hollie was out for 30 hours Saturday and Sunday. Today I will have a test to be sure the infection is gone. I feel that it is OK now. And then senior center duty. I sure want a walk later. This wild storm is supposed to pass and calm will take its place.

Day 349

Good sleep and still feel weary today. I did get a brief walk yesterday and research at the museum. Had good conversations with the volunteers there. I will use an old history column for the senior news. I will go to church this morning. I missed two weeks and want to be there today. The house needs attention. I know I’m feeling better when I notice the dusty floors. Noticing and doing something about it are two different things.

day 348

Noisy night with a wake-up call at 3:30 with a power problem up the street that resulted in emergency vehicles. Then at dawn I saw my power line drooping dangerously close to the street and called 911. A fire truck came and stayed until the power company truck came and put it back up where it belongs. I’m tired. The Dalai Lama suggests beginning each day remembering that all of us want the same things: happiness, love, and connectedness.

Day 347

Wet and windy. And humid. Today I will write in my poor neglected journal. There are prompts from Angeles Arrien’s book on gratitude that are begging for a response. I am grateful. It’s warm and dry in my comfortable home along with good food and my two dogs. It’s abundance for sure. I was restless yesterday both here and at the senior center. Kept pacing around looking for something to do but unfocused. Today I intend to pay attention.

day 346

Big storm outside and I will brave it to go to the senior center for my duty. It’s Boon Dock Band day and they bring humor along with their music. I did do errands and walk yesterday. Hollie and I went to lunch at Wing Wah. That was a nice treat. The rest of the day was quiet. I am recovering and I know I’m not whole yet. Della is also improving. She isn’t so sad and slow moving.

day 345

The patrol was tiring. Holly likes details and I was recording. It’s not my favorite thing. I know I can’t compare the duty with Gene but I will say that he knew what was important to report. I’ll go again and hope she relaxes a bit. I do like the connection to the police department. I could recruit a new partner. Today I have to go to the store. I’ve been putting it off and the cupboard is bare. 

Day 344

The duty was OK and I was happy to come home yesterday. Today I will go to the police department and patrol with Holly Greene. I only have to ride in the car so that should work well. I can observe. I am sleeping better and not getting up as often so healing is progressing. I like my life and miss the people and activities when I have to stay home. Long talk with Megan. Enjoyable and feels close.

Day 343

Sunday was flat. I didn’t even step outside. Jon came over from next door to watch the super bowl game. Otherwise I would not have spoken out loud all day. It was pleasant to sit and watch the athletes at work. I want to go to the senior center today for my duty. I missed all last week. It’s possible because I know that if I need to do so, I can come home. I want to be well.

day 342

Yesterday I had a short walk and a long rest. Not as perky as I wanted to be. Today I’m feeling kind of dull and expect that I’ll rest again. I want to do my duty at the senior center tomorrow. I’m not sure that 20 doses of anti-biotics have taken care of the infection. There are still places that don’t feel well. I have first of the month things to do like back up the computer. Easy chores.