Day 65

The serious weeding has resulted in sore knees. I feel loss from the aching. Never had a problem with getting down and up from the ground and I’m not content with feeling that it’s age-related. Maybe I’ll back off for a couple of days and see if my knees just want a break. The sun calls and I like to jump in and enjoy. No agenda today except walking and finding something new to do. Maybe make a new friend. Or find a project.

Day 64

Church was okay. Morning prayer is the same every time but the hymns were Easter themed so fun to sing. Another sunny morning. It makes such a positive difference to my attitude. Megan and I piled up a ton of weeds out of her yard and made a plan for a change. She knows a landscaper who might help with the rocks. My plan was to cover them with weeds and pile dirt on top! She says her friend will offer choices. It’s Monday.

Day 63

Busy yesterday and it worked well. The Dem meeting was full of information about the convention so I learned a lot about the inner workings of the state. The yard is much cleaner and the bin is tamped down to hold all the weeds from around the greenhouse. I found kale and chard at the Dutch gardener and they are installed both inside and outside. Felt good to dig in the dirt. Today is church and walking. Simple life full of sun and enjoyment.

Day 62

Yesterday was all good. Steph and I talked about doing another Vets writing group in July. I’m ready. Drive the car to the farm stand for their good stuff and then to Worms’ nursery to get inspired. I kind of lost interest in the garden and I want to get back to my farmers’ thinking and planning. Later a Dem meeting with the state person. Should be interesting. Hope for another 10K steps day too. I’ve been enjoying the sun and the brisk wind.

Day 61

Weed fest indeed! Filled the green bin in an hour with lots more to go. Felt good to get down to earth and separate the wanted from the unwanted plants. The baby tomato is installed in the greenhouse along with happy zucchinis and all the root vegs. Today is C0fC duty first, then take the dogs to the new groomer, and then I go to the chiropractor for a follow up adjustment. May pick up a Mexican dinner while I’m out. Life is good.

Day 60

Lots of good stuff yesterday. Busy at the visitors center, good walks, and best of all, lunch with Megan and girl talk. She is such a pleasure to know and love. Today is open. I hope the sun comes out because I promised a weed fest on the north side. I’m restless again that usually predicts something new coming. The need for mental stimulation is always present. Physically I may be slower but the mind is still active and on task. I am grateful.

day 59

I walked more than five miles yesterday by walking the long way to Safeway to buy flowers for Megan and later walking to the chiropractor. Felt good to step right out. The green bin is full with help from the neighbor. Today is CofC and it’s spring break so we could be busy. The new volunteer will be there and I enjoy helping her learn how to read the map upside down. Afterward I’ll be back in the yard supervising the weeds into order.

Day 58

Sunny start for the day. My energy is back and  my good eating is too. Vegetables and protein agree with my body. Today is Megan’s 36^th birthday. Where did our curly-haired little girl go? Now a woman working on her CPA and all business. It’s BOS day and the agenda looks long. Might connect with Hollie later for lunch if the meeting doesn’t drag on. Lots of yard work calls and today I can answer it. Sending a card to Marjorie for her 84^th.

Day 57

After the Easter service with its joyful hymns, I ate a cinnamon roll and all the rest of the day I felt weak and tired. Maybe it was just the long busy week but this is the second time I have felt bad after eating sugar. Next week I have a doc appointment and I need blood tests. Today I am okay but I want energy and enthusiasm. There are walks to take, plants to care for, and new uses of myself to find.

Day 56

The Easter Vigil was meaningful. The full church made singing meaningful too. Carrie came and that was special. She is mourning the loss of her previous church. Today Rev. Mary Piper will serve Easter service plus treats at coffee hour. The wind was strong yesterday. I only ventured out for quick trots around the block. I had to pick up my feet and the wind did the rest in one direction with head down and pushing in the other. Connected with Alice on Facebook.

Day 55

Drive the car day so I’ll go to the farm stand. It’s a nice drive for a good purpose. The CofC was busy yesterday with lots of foreign visitors. I like the travel stories. I will go to church at 7 PM for the Easter vigil with St. Timothy’s people. They have rented a bus so all their people can come. Fr. Bernie will officiate and there will be music and food too. I retired the flannel sheets and undershirts. Hope it’s not premature.

Day 54

The town hall was well attended with standing room in the back. It was positive and courteous. The homeless-haters had their town hall last week. I liked the way the staff kept water and cookies circulating to make everyone comfortable. The meeting was still going on when I left to get home before the sunset. Tea and stories group was as usual close and relaxing. Laurie wrote her prompt as a poem. All the stories were appealing. I enjoy every minute of our time.

Day 53

Restless night and tired morning. Coffee helps. Late dinner and stimulating people and my mind wouldn’t shut up and go to sleep. I’m glad I showed up and took my place in the group. Today I have weeds to pull and housework to take care of. Later, tea and stories plus the senator’s town hall on homelessness. I like my involvement in local issues. The lawn guys have been here and I smell the wet mown grass. The sun is burning off the fog.

Prompt: perfect day

A perfect day begins with natural awakening, stretching and doing my version of up dog and down dog while still yawning and getting my eyes to open. Dogs fed and coffee brewed, I sit with a weather report on TV while I plan my day. I know what ingredients I need to feel satisfied with how I spent the day. First a breakfast of protein and vegetables. Today will be turkey sausage, eggs, mushrooms, bean sprouts and spinach. A fast trip around the kitchen to chase crumbs and off to dress for a walk. The best walks turn into social exchanges. I enjoy volunteering and a perfect day includes a duty that I have chosen and want to show up for and be useful. Lunch with a friend who also likes meaningful conversation plus good food. Afternoon calls to the yard and  greenhouse. I like digging in the dirt and seeing the happy plants that provide nourishment. By late afternoon, I may see a giants game or a TV show that I have saved for down time. The dogs like this time for attention and affection. A light meal of yogurt, granola and fruit is enough for the day. Then the clean bedding, fresh night shirt, sighing that I had everything I need for a perfect day.

Day 52

Conversation and massage with Karen and I walked home sprightly. She finds all the needy places and fixes them. Today I’ll have an extra duty at the CofC to help train a new volunteer. The big item of helping visitors is reading the map upside down. I do it so well that I can’t read it right side up! Later, dinner with our state senator Mike McGuire at Seaquake. It’s a casual evening with the committee. I’m happy to be part of the group.

Day 51

Yesterday was wet but I did get a couple of brisk walks around the block. It’s good to get outside even briefly. The big event on my calendar is a massage with Karen today. She helps me with her alternative methods like Reiki and hot rocks. I called Tonya and invited her to Tea and stories. We need another writer as often one of us is unavailable. Three works okay but two is a visit, not a group. I have onion sets to plant.

Day 50

The Palm Sunday service and socializing was friendly and homey. It’s a family group. Out for a couple of short walks before and after the Giants game. Later Gayle brought leftover soup from the church dinner than I didn’t attend. She is a new friend that I am enjoying knowing. Last Sunday I said something about being defined by my age and how I didn’t understand why it is a thing. Gayle said it’s because I give people hope that aging isn’t so bad.

Day 49

Yesterday I had a social walk with lots of good conversation. Just what I wanted! Later we had family beer and pizza dinner. Fr. Eric will be here for Palm Sunday service. All of us take a part in the service by reading a part of the trial. I don’t go to the Holy week services. I don’t need to go through the suffering. I’ll get outside for walking and maybe weeding. Depends on whether I get a better offer for using my time.

Day 48

Saturday. Drive the car for its battery charging exercise followed by restocking of the larder. Wish I had something stimulating to look forward to doing.  I like to participate in group activities and there must be one I can join. I like carrying signs and being politically visible. I guess walking around and finding people to talk with will do for now. Never know who I might run into for a worthwhile conversation. Or I could reach out and connect with someone for fun.

Day 47

Yesterday I found a cupboard to sort and clean out plus moving the orchids for more light. I like to have some evidence of productive activity for the day. It’s hard for me to take time without some busyness. I guess the work ethic has not retired. Or I am justifying my life with work. I tell other people that it’s okay to take a day off from work but have a problem doing it. Today is CofC duty and visitors are coming already.

Day 46

The lavender looks better and the green bin was full. Hollie and I had Mexican lunch and good conversation. Art and Ellen came for a visit. Had two walks. All parts of a good day. Cloudy this morning and I’ll get out before the rain comes again. The break was so appreciated. Then what? Guess I could do house stuff. The floors always need help with all the muddy paws. Maybe plant spinach and beets in the greenhouse. I need a new volunteer placement

Day 45

Yesterday was great! Sun makes all the difference. No more house arrest. The meeting was short and the lunch was hot and fresh. Two walks and errands done. I worked at finding a way to get photos on this blog. Used to do it easily and then G-mail changed and I can’t figure out how to do it now. I’ll find help because I want photos. Today I will fill the green bin. The lavender needs pruning. It’s overgrown. Plenty of weeds to pull.

Day 44

I did fix the greenhouse door and was wet to the skin. Rubbed dry and felt good from the effort and the fix. Last night I decided not to take CBD oil to see if it really helps with the aches and pains that make it difficult to go to sleep. Yes, it does make a difference. After an hour of trying to get my body comfortable, I gave in and used the oil. Peaceful sleep ensued. Today is BOS and lunch with Anne.

Day 43

Wet. Windy gloom. House arrest. Another day glued to TV with frequent visits to the kitchen. Not healthy. I may go out anyway and get refreshed by the water and wind. I don’t mind getting wet when I can come home and change my clothes. Later, Dem committee. That’s all. I do have to figure out how to keep the greenhouse doors closed. Usually I fix things with bungy cords and duct tape. My Rube Goldberg fixes work. I could just wait for sunshine.

Day 42

The farm stand is always a treat! I like the young people and support our local production. Then I found the kind of potting soil I wanted for the greenhouse and planted the baby zucchinis. The salad greens are ready for picking and enjoying. I know I’m pushing the season but can’t help my green thumb is tingling. Church today and that’s all on the agenda. I look forward to being there and the socializing afterward. It’s another family of long lasting connection

Day 41

It was an exhilarating walk in a Del Norter rip snorter that had me walking sideways in the sideways rain. Felt very good. Later, after helping 20 visitors, I walked sedately home in sunshine. I like the travel stories and the interesting people. Hollie was worn out and went home to relax. No more week long sub duties. It is still windy but I may go to the farm stand and take on fresh produce.  Vegetables are the main part of my food plan.

Day 40

Tea and stories group was, as usual, wonderful. We are consistently open with our sharing and it is helpful for all of us. It was the high spot in the dreary gray wet week. Today I’ll jump in puddles on my way down to the CofC hoping to be busy with visitors. Later Hollie is coming for a visit to celebrate the end of a week of substituting. She had a struggle with the way things are done now. We are both teaching dinosaurs.

Day 39

Another rainy day. The house is clean and I may find some cubby to sort but I’d really like something else to do today. Where is my creative muse? I sit at the paper journal and write nothing. Is my life that boring? No Haiku for poetry month. No new stories. Egads. Is sitting, eating, and watching TV my only choice? Even walking was short and slow yesterday. Maybe I’ll step out early before the wind and get some relief from this unfocused restlessness.

Day 38

My only agenda for today is to binge watch five episodes of This Is Us. It’s wet out and I have no errands or shopping pending. I can sit and sit some more. Not my usual way of spending the day but it feels like a total day off. I may get out for a walk if the weather cooperates. I did fill the green bin yesterday with the burned branches from the lemon trees. I hope they recover. Some blossoms are showing up.

Day 37

Long restless night and coffee is working to remove the fuzz from my brain. I don’t remember what comes up at night that keeps me from the deep sleep that I want. Today is wet. I did get out between showers yesterday and plan to do that again. I don’t like to spend too much time in the house. I need another volunteer job to break of the week. My life works better when I’m busy. Wish I was motivated to write new stories.

Day 36

Mother Leslie has a Brit sense of humor and brings stories with her sermon. It was prodigal son and I relate to that parable. Best part was Suzy Dooley showing up. I have been a fan for many years. Her visit is for helping her adopted daughter into rehab for heroin addiction. She may be here for a few days and I’m hoping to see here again. She was an excellent teacher, principal who left education to work on a cattle ranch in Idaho