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.