Day 35

It was the only Saturday in March without any agenda and I enjoyed the quiet. Three short slow walks and lots of puttering. Today may start with an early walk in the overcast morning.  Mother Leslie will be serving communion and I will attend. Later, more quiet time. Seems necessary to have down time. The neighborhood changes require integration even though they don’t have any personal connection. I can get a new groomer and already have a new medical monitor. Look for something stimulating.

Day 34

We had lots of visitors! Travel is picking up already. I had time for conversations with Sarah and Shirley too. The best news is the poking up out of the container of zucchini seeds. My gardener heart is happy with the promise of digging in the dirt. Today is open and I want a long walk as rain is in the forecast for the whole week. Maybe a trip to the farm stand too. I enjoy fresh vegetables. Something will show up for fun.

Day 33

Change is difficult. Losing our dog groomer after 15 years hit hard. It started with Carol’s unexpected death and now her gathering over, house sold. The house across the street is for sale and the house next door has a resident after years empty. Accepting change isn’t as easy as it once was. Yesterday Karen helped me during my massage. Her singing bowls helped balance my energy. Today is CofC. It’s been a quiet duty and I prefer busy times with lots of people

Day 32

Wet morning. Maybe a walk if the clouds part long. Sent a photo from Cooper gulch to facebook to start an awareness project. It needs to be cleaned up. There is garbage plus lots of downed  trees. I’ll work on it for a few days. If there isn’t any support, I’ll quit. Yesterday I felt better than I have in weeks. I felt a spring in my walking that I have missed since the hamstring thing last November. I knew it would take time,

Day 31

The early walk was great followed by a short businesslike meeting. Later, another walk to Home depot to check on veg babies. Oh, my, the tomato starts are expensive. Later still, a visit with Ellen and Art that naturally turned to gardening. He is starting tomatoes from seed and promised to save a few for me. We picked lemons and talked about the trees. The siege of 30 degree nights has harmed them. I have already cut off burned branches. More pruning is needed.

Day 30

Back home from the errands just as Rosalie drove up. She also brought embroidery and watercolors. She also knits and spins. Her projects are motivating. I can do more than I do. We had a good conversation and that is appreciated. Then we drove to the beach and watched the storm. Best part of life is having excellent friends.  Today is BOS and I’m hoping for an interesting agenda. Maybe Anne and I will go to lunch afterwards. I’ll start out with a walk.

Day 29

Long list of errands to start the day. I will go to Wallly’s for a quick run for peanut butter and Peril. Sutter clinic to fill out new patient papers, and tractor store for dog food. Then I can get ready to go to lunch with Rosalie. She is bringing her colorful quilt cover that she made to chase away the winter blues to share and she wants to see my blog books. That’s a good way to start the last week in March.

Day 28

Three walks yesterday to take care of errands and food. Walked to the museum to meet Paul and the half hour of conversation was easy. Don’t know what he will do with it but I showed up and talked. That is what I said I would do. Today is Morning Prayer and I will go. Then more yard work and walking. The weather is so changeable that when possible, I will be outside. Hope to see Hollie and hear about her fun time away

Day 27

Had a boring draggy day at the CofC, came home cold and wet, curled up with two dogs and a blanket, and took a nap. Today will start with necessary errands, groceries, farm stand for vegs, and later, an appointment with Paul Critz to talk about volunteering. He wants a podcast about getting out and helping in our community. Hollie is back from her mini-vacation with Laurie. I’m glad she had a getaway from her routine. A change is as good as a rest.

Day 26

Friday again. Time really does strange things lately. I feel like I have to run to keep up even in a week with few appointments.  CofC duty today and I’m looking forward to going on this rainy day. Yesterday I engaged in the dreaded task of looking for a piece of writing that I wanted to expand. I don’t know why it wasn’t in word but I found it in a blog book. I want to write about airport experiences. Maybe a short story.

Day 25-

Minor improvement in the energy department. A clean house and two short walks. Best part of the day was conversations with Max, Cerise, Rosalie, and Susanne. I like contacts and plans with positive people. Today, no agenda again. I do better with an obligation so I will hold myself accountable for how I use my time. There are weeds in the greenhouse that will go to the green bin plus cleaning the north side fence of berry vines and weeds. First, the health routine.

Day 24

It was another slow day. I don’t know where my physical energy goes but when it does, I’m sunk as far as activity is concerned. Maybe today I will be back in my usual condition and can accomplish something besides wishing. I will get the green bin out with weeds and old plantings. Later, maybe house straightening or at least, dusting. I want to improve my stamina and get ready to garden. I can start with stretches and good meal plans. Maybe the mat.

Day 23

My mind was willing but my body didn’t want to be pushed! I was slow but steady and grateful for it. I guess two days of people and food caught up with me. I’ve noticed that noise wears me out and both gatherings were loud. Angela wanted to give me some of Carol’s photographs and I took one. They are at the last of the cleaning out process and then they leave.. Today is open. I will get out and do a few errands.

Day 22

At the museum gathering, I was surprised by being named Volunteer of the Year! I have been there for many years and wrote the history column for the Triplicate for a long time too. It is pleasant to have service recognized by the members. Today I will get out for another early walk. Feels good to start the day with stretching and out to push my speed and duration. I want stamina and wellness and I can do it. Carol’s family is leaving today.

When my teaching career ended prematurely due to an injury at work, I was lost. I felt isolated, rejected, certainly depressed by the pain and the loss of my role as a teacher. I moped around for a few months and then woke up one morning saying to myself that if I was going to wake up every morning I had to do a better job of it. That day I looked for help in our community and found RSVP. At that time it was for people over 60 and that excluded me. The first volunteering I found was tutoring adults at Sunset who wanted to learn written English. About that time, RSVP changed to 55 years old and I signed up for their program and I started my second career as a professional volunteer. Since then I have been a volunteer in police service, known as VIPS, served on a couple of boards, wrote a column for Times-standard 60+ column, wrote a monthly column and delivered senior news and wrote the history column for the Triplicate., was an assembly member for the California senior legislature, greeted visitors at the chamber of Commerce, handed out cookies at the blood bank, guided the visitors at the museum, enjoyed being in my daughters class and helping her. For a decade I registered diners at the senior center. With two others, we established Teen Court for the Juvenile Justice Commission. I tended two art galleries. And a couple of other part time opportunities. I attend Board of Supervisors meeting, and a member of the Democratic central committee. Participate in my church activities, and thoroughly appreciate my place in our community. I wholeheartedly recommend getting out and finding a place to add to our mutual lives.

Day 21

The family gathering was warm and chatty. Lots of hugs and laughing. Carol would have liked it. Had a catch up time with Linda and Kathy. I enjoyed visiting with Loren and cerise too. The house and car are sold and today they will finish cleaning out the house and go back home. Today Fr. Tom will be serving and I like his sermons on social justice. Later, the museum volunteer party. Megan is going. She helps at the Fourth of July pie social.

Day 20

Friday was good all day. Interesting visitors, brisk walking, and meaningful connections. Today I will get out early for another speedy walk and get ready for the “family” lunch with Carol’s relatives and other friends. Kathy and Linda are going to pick me up and I look forward to checking in with them too. We don’t know what to expect but I don’t think it will be a sad gathering. Certainly there are funny stories about Carol. I miss our walks and deep discussions

Day 19

Clean house and three walks yesterday. Today is dog wash to start and CofC duty. Heard that my FNP is leaving and I need to find another medical person. I like  Joan and don’t like starting over with all the paperwork history stuff. All I need is a monitor for bloodwork and routine check-ins. So far, my needs have been modest but I want my records with someone I trust. More walking today. I pushed yesterday to get my heart rate up to peak.

Day 18

Enjoyed our lunch at Seaquake: Thai salad and a glass of blonde ale. A couple of good conversations and walks and that was Wednesday. Today the mat is coming out of the spare room and I’m going to do my core exercises. I can tell that I need the work because my back hurts from yard clearing. The floors need work too. I need a day with domestic energy. Minnie is much better. She can go down the steps. Her voice is still different.

Day 17

The BOS was short and businesslike. There is always something new to learn about how our government works. I filled the green bin with dead plants and weeds. Finished pulling up the shrub in front. I walked to Home depot looking for replacement shrubs and didn’t find anything. I’ll leave it empty. Today Hollie is coming after her work at school and we will have her birthday lunch. She was 62 on Monday. Memories of her birth come up and are clear. All good.

Day 16

Yes, it was a good day to be outside and get things done. Raining again. There is so much information at the committee meetings that I have trouble getting to sleep afterwards. I’m glad to be there even if I don’t contribute much besides showing up. Today is Board of Supervisors meeting and I will keep time and report. Minnie is not good today. She is slow and droopy. She did eat breakfast. Hope she recovers her bouncy self. I miss her energy.

,

Day 15

Gayle came over after church and picked lemons. Later she brought me a pot of wonderful soup from a group study group that I didn’t want to attend. Today is Dem committee at 5 PM. Now that it’s light,, I can walk and come home with Jim and Diana. I will plant more seeds today. The plants are coming along in the greenhouse. I’m glad it stays warm enough even in this frosty time. Walking is on the agenda with the new red hoodie.

,

Day 14

The gathering was comfortable and warm. Lots of snacks and wine. They were complimentary about the class and how far the writing went in eight weeks. I don’t want to lead again. The farm had beautiful vegs and I brought home a bag full. Shared carrots with Megan and bok choy with Hollie. Minnie is in and out of wellness. She managed the steps and is enjoying food. She gets shaky and listless. Today is Morning Prayer and I will go to church.

,

Day 13

Minnie seems almost normal except her voice is different. It is hoarse and thinner than her usual loud and boisterous greeting. She went down the sunporch steps without falling but cannot jump up from the bed steps to the bed .Her appetite is good. Yesterday we had interesting visitors and lots of travel stories. I like that. Not fun when it’s boring. The farmstand is on the agenda and later, I will attend the vets writing group. I don’t want to be a regular

Day 12

Minnie is doing okay after another day in the hospital, slow and not able to go up or down the steps. She is responsive, eating, and going out in the yard. The vet will keep in contact with me while she is on medication. The massage was deep and I kept going into twilight sleep. Unusual for me as Karen and I talk about all sorts of things.  Today is CofC and I’m looking forward to going and hope to be busy there.

Day 11

Minnie had a neurological event, maybe a stroke. She spent the day at the vet. This morning she is nearly normal except she isn’t eating. We go back to the vet at 8:30 for a checkup and medication. Later, Karen for a much needed massage. My neck is hurting. It’s Tea and Stories day also and I have a feeling that we won’t meet because of busy people. I did get the car serviced and a brief walk in the rain. Life goes on.

Day 10

Minnie isn’t well. She woke me up about 3 AM crying and she couldn’t jump up on the bed. She is walking slow and stiffly. As soon as possible, I’ll call the vet. I did get the house cleaned and groceries brought yesterday and that was about the extent of my activity. The rain dampened my mood and I didn’t fight it. Today is Ash Wednesday and I will get my ashes at 5 PM. The other item on the agenda is car service.

Day 9

Shrub dispatched to the green bin. Greenhouse watered and admired. Love the tiny green plants that will become carrots, beets, and spinach. Had a five mile walk yesterday. First time since November 1 that I had that many miles! Felt good. Now it’s going to rain again so I’m grateful for the time outside. The new blog book arrived already and a full tank of fuel.  Productive day. Today is Shrove Tuesday and that means pancakes at church. But first, groceries and needed housework.

Day 8

Restless night. Lots of old images of locked doors and my curiosity about the contents. Reviewed the 6^th st. house when I was about 10 years old. I wonder what brings up these old memories. Yesterday I had two walks and had 10K steps for the first time in weeks. Felt good to prance along and enjoy the weather and my body. Today I will take out the shrub in front of the house. It doesn’t look healthy. I will get two new ones.

Day 7

The last day was full of words! The stories were deep and thought-provoking. Steph came to collect the paperwork and get evaluations from the participants followed by a beer at Port-O-Pints. I feel that I have added to my circle of friends. I will go to their writing group next Saturday but probably will not be a regular attender. Today is church Rev. Mary will conduct and I like her service. Later, World Day of Prayer at the Methodist church. Linda Lee is coming.

Day 6

Last day of the Vets writing class and I’m going to miss them. At the same time, I don’t want to do it again. This group has been so responsive and interesting that I feel that I did a good job and am through teaching. The CofC was quiet but a couple of people came in and we had travel conversations. It will pick up in an another month if the roadways don’t all fall apart. We are isolated when winter messes with us.

Day 5

Two walks yesterday. I have a lot of rebuilding to do after three and a half months of limited activity. November 11, hamstring strain that is still a bother, January 3 started the flu that is still dragging on, and the endless rain! My stamina is way down and the mat is calling but not answered. Went to Brookings yesterday to get the new glasses. They make a minor difference in far distance. No difference with close up. CofC today and glad for it.