Day 188

Duty was busy with people and so it was fun. The visitors will slow down now that the season is over. Laurie is gone. It was a bonus to have her here and I’m grateful for the time with her. She did a total connecting job for Kyle and the services he needs to get sober. I’ll go to the fairgrounds at 9 and get ready for the Dems BBQ. My writers will come for lunch and then come here to tell their stories..

Day 187

Rosalie and I had a productive session and a delicious lunch too. We agreed on the content and the balance between conversation and writing. She will put it together and we will meet again next week to set it as we will present the proposal . Megan has popped out of her grief and is marching to a new drum. Working through it all has given her maturity and self-confidence. CofC duty day. As it is Friday before Labor Day, it will be busy.

Day 186

Lunch with us together was a bonus and delicious. Laurie is doing a complete job of connecting Kyle to resources. If he is ready for sobriety, all the doors are open. Today Rosalie is bringing lunch from Art’s BBQ and we will get serious about our conversation/writing proposal.  I’m planning to offer response writing, not teaching skills. Our sessions lend themselves to an opening write and follow ups as the lesson progresses. It’s a way of assessing the group understanding. We hope it works.

Day 185

Day 185

Pulled berry vines and stuffed the green bin plus a couple of walks before and after the BOS. The tiny house presentation was interesting and will take a long time to make it happen. Let’s hope people get behind the idea instead of complaining about the problem. Today is museum duty and I look forward to it. At 1 PM I will walk to seaquake and join Hollie, Laurie, and Megan for lunch. Only a couple more days with Laurie. She is family too.

Day 184

Yesterday I felt better than I have in weeks. It was a productive day: all floors, including three porches, clean, greenhouse taken care of, compost moved, weeds gone. Two long walks and five miles logged plus fun with Lala and Hollie at Port O Pints.  Lala is doing so well and is taking care of Kyle’s recovery. Today is BOS and the Dem committee will be there to support plans for a homeless peoples village. Something needs to be done before it gets worse.

Day 183

It was a satisfying Sunday starting with singing Morning has Broken in church. Two walks and the Giants won the bridge trophy. No agenda today, no obligations, no duties except what I want to do. I need days with just wandering around if that’s what sounds necessary. I will walk for yogurt and take a couple of bills to the post office and maybe drop by the museum to visit with the volunteers. Maybe have a cleanup in the greenhouse. Maybe sit and read.

Day 182

Half birthday and time for a course correction. The best of the first half were writing class, Tea and stories and volunteer duties. I like being out with people. Core exercises and use of time at home  need strengthening. The mat needs to be in sight and used daily. The TV needs to be less important as a distraction. I want to add reading, writing, enjoying daily house tidying  routine and keeping the yard neat. Walking  and nutrition are critical to my overall health.  

Day 181

Woke up feeling better. Good sleep makes all the difference in attitude and energy level. I enjoyed our time at Port O Pints but will confess that the noise makes me tired. I had a great Reuben that was two meals big. The CofC duty was also pleasant with interesting visitors. Today is busy again beginning with farmers’ market with Hollie and Lala. Later is class 7, editing and I will walk since Hollie has my car. It’s only a mile and a half.

Day 180

Yesterday was almost too much for me. I am still tired from all the activity. Each piece was great and I need a day off! Guess I will have to wait until Monday. Rosalie and I will meet again next week to write our proposal. We made progress on what we want to present.  Now we need a group. Tea and Stories group was engaging and fun. Today is a busy CofC followed by a birthday visit to Port O pints for Rosalie’s birthday.

Day 179

Busy day coming up. Start at the tractor store for dog food followed by groceries. Swift shining up of the house comes next. Rosalie and I are having a working lunch as we change our eldering program to include a writing component. We will get a proposal ready. Then Tea and Stories group with Michele included for the first time. Hollie and Lala will come by for quilts and the car. Lala is here to get Kyle into rehab. I like days with parts.

I was born in the middle of the Great Depression. That may be why my early memories seem gray and uncomfortable. When this prompt was offered, a bright spot showed up and it was my mothers’ rose colored satin dressing gown. She didn’t wear it often, maybe an occasional Sunday when she made coffee cake as a surprise. She looked beautiful and I wanted to touch the gown but wasn’t allowed to do so. It was a piece of clothing that she prized. I never knew the story of how she obtained it as I know nothing about her life. My young self said that one day I would wear the beautiful gown and I’d let people touch the soft glowing material. Maybe I’d get married in it. I would swish around feel the softness and look beautiful too. I don’t remember when she stopped wearing it but it was later when she started calling it “this old thing.” Much later, when I was helping her with yet another move, I spotted the gown in a discard pile. Oh give that away, she said but I didn’t. I sneaked it into my suitcase and brought it home with me. There I put it away and forgot about until now. And here it is. A 1930’s dressing gown

Day 178

Clean house and neat yard from yesterday’s activity balanced by naps and watching the science channel. Back to my routine with increased vigor. Today is museum duty and that is enjoyable and stress free. Then off to Karen for a massage and conversation.  I had good nutrition yesterday with plans to do the same again. I can only binge once in a great while without regret. My house and body both appreciate moderation and mindfulness. It’s good to take care of myself every day.

Day 177

It was a restful night and I’m ready for a productive day. Megan brought a Roku so now I have Netflix to watch. Housework and laundry today. I feel like cleaning after having a guest. The greenhouse and the north side need weeding plus errands and shopping too. Kelle’s visit has shown me how comfortable I am with my routine activities. Good to shake it up once in a while and try new ways while accommodating others. Back to eating well. No junk food.

Day 176

Kelle will fly out at 2PM and I will have my routine back. I know I’m getting old when I’m curmudgeonly about a house guest’s use of my space! Barbara Clark helped with the OLLI connection and I’m sure Rosalie will be stoked too. I want to get started on blending our conscious aging program with writing components. I want a long walk or maybe two today. Haven’t been moving enough with Kelle here. She doesn’t like to walk. I’m already reclaiming my lifestyle.

Day 175

The market was crowded and I found peaches, broccoli, onions, string beans and hugs from friends. Writing class was stimulating with the stories coming together. I didn’t have much to add to their progress except advice on full character profiles. Later, Kelle, Megan, Hollie and I had an orgy of appetizers at seaquake. Today I’ll go to church and then to the Chart room for fish and chips. Kelle leaves tomorrow and I will deal with the five pounds I’ve gained from eating out.

Day 174

The CofC was busy with pleasant people. I like it when they say I gave them just what they wanted to know. They smile and go on with their vacations. Visited with Robert at the dispensary and pick up CBD. I asked him to find out if CBD can lower blood pressure. I’d rather not take a prescription if the tincture works. Farmers’ market this morning with Kelle and Hollie. Looking for more peaches and plums. Then class #6 on elements of the story.

Day 173

I’m off the med for wo weeks and then try another kind. Now have nasal spray to clear the sinus drainage. Hope it works. Productive and pleasant lunch and beach trip with Rosalie. She is excited about OLLI and is already researching how it work. We are planning a proposal for a writing/conscious aging class. Our times together are stimulating and we are a dynamic team. Kelle enjoyed her visit with Sarah. Today is CofC and a trip to the dispensary for 1/1 oil.

Day 172

The hearing test resulted in having the wax out and I doubted the information. It was more sales pitch than anything and they wanted me to spend $10K that I don’t think I need. Yes, high pitched voices are harder to understand and I’m good at asking for a repeat. Kelle found a whole lot of clothes and we had Mexican food on the way home. This morning is my appointment with Dr. V. about the blood pressure medication. Hollie will go with me.

Day 171

Connected with Dr. V. and have an appointment on Thursday. Hollie wants to go with me. Kelle and I walked to Seaquake for lunch after the BOS. Big chef salad and a pint of blonde ale. Later I walked to Walgreens to get my eye drops and snagged my arm on a nail sticking out of a pole. While waiting in line I talked to a man who turned out to be one of Hollie’s second graders way back. It was a special conversation.

Day 170

Garden shed cleaned out and reorganization today after I attend the BOS. Good walking and interesting Dem committee meeting yesterday. We are eating junk plus one meal of vegs. Must get over the habit of junk with Kelle. I will regret too much off food plan time. The weather has been perfect for being outside. Trying to connect with doctor about the elevation in my blood pressure through the portal. I need a medical connection that is more available. I want to be well.

Day 169

Church was fine until they sang Amazing Grace and I teared up. My escape from the vehicle was definitely by Grace. I received prayers of gratitude and was grateful for them. Kelle was surprised by the new terminal. We talked and walked and ate at Wing Wah. Later had a beer and junk food. Today we will accomplish reorganizing the garden shed and assessing the fuel tank painting. It’s good to have her here. We have the week planned for together and apart activities.

Day 168

Church first. Gratitude prayers. Then off to the airport to pick up Kelle. I’m happy that she is coming and I have her room all fresh and clean. The writing class was engaging and deep again. I have enjoyed the two writing classes more than anything I can remember in years. I need to find a way to keep connected to writing with others besides Tea and Stories group. We will get out and walk. Kelle will need it after a day of travel.

Day 167

Friday I felt normal. No sudden startles, no flashes of blue, good walking. Into the history books go the near miss and gratitude for my survival instinct. Farmers’ Market this morning. Hollie is still away so I will go alone. I hear there are peaches and plums plus a load of vegs as Kelle arrives tomorrow and I want lots of choices. We usually eat out too. I expect to gain a couple of pounds while she is here. High point: my writing class.

Day 166

The stories were heartfelt and interesting. Delia shared family stories, Karen’s was  hopeful, and Laurie’s was spiritual. The women share deeply and the stories connect us. Today is CofC. I’m ready. It’s a busy place on Friday. Yesterday I was still a bit shocky and shaky. By sharing the experience on Facebook as a cautionary tale, I took off the top of the fear. Lots of support and affection from my friends will help me to get over it. Today I’ll walk with confidence.

Day 165

Restless night. Kind of flashbacks of the vehicle coming at me and a second of running. I walked twice yesterday and will admit feeling vulnerable and less confident. I’ll get over it. Walking is an important part of my routine. Today is Tea and stories group. I smarten up the house so it’s welcoming. The group is a significant part of my life. The writing is less so than the sharing and friendship. I like knowing that I invited them and keep us together.

HEADLINE NEWS; Kellene Sanders is coming for a visit. When her hostess, Sharon, first heard this news, she was less than excited than former years for many reasons. Kelle and Sharon first met in 2002 at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego where they were both patients. They started talking at a class and laughed and smiled at their reasons for being there. Kelle wanted to break her sugar addiction. Sharon wanted to feel well after a long recovery from spinal surgery. Later they both showed up at the meditation room at the same time. Both were carrying journals and lots of colored pens and crayons. During the three weeks they were there Kelle took Sharon over the wall and out to movies and picnics away from the institute. It made it feel like a vacation instead of a rehab.

Months later Kelle began calling Sharon on Sunday evenings usually when she was in her car. It became a routine even when Kelle was in Detroit or Memphis and Peru.  Sharon gave Kelle the confidence to know that anytime she could come to C,City, she would be welcome. Kelle has made at least a dozen visits to C. City.at first she drove from Long Beach during her Christmas break from work. Later she flew and twice she came with a friend on a road trip who left her here and came back for her.

This time when Kelle announced that she was coming, Sharon was not excited. She thought about Kelle saying how “low maintenance” she is followed by asking for the heat to be turned up, no pork please, organic coffee, etc. Not low at all.

Then, the change came in Sharon’s attitude as she realized it was not about Kelle’s visit,    It was about her routine and her curmudgeon reluctance to change. She likes going to bed when she’s tired, eating when and what she wants, getting up early, doing her duties in the community. Then the light dawned as she remembered the fun they have had and her recent loss of her father. Kelle needed to get away from the business of his death and the sorting process with her siblings and called the one person she sure would be there for her. . What’s a week of being present for a long time friend. It is not too much to ask and Sharon is now ready to gleefully accommodate and lovingly step out of her habits to give respite to her friend..

Day 164

Shared the near catastrophe on FaceBook with lots of support for my running ability. Today is museum duty. I look forward to being there. It is interesting and no stress. Filled the green bin with the dead rhody. Gophers got the roots. They are a plague. I will get a long walk and finish cleaning in Kelle’s room. I want to rewash the bedding. Megan is emerging from her grief. It’s not what was done in the past that counts, it’s what happens next.

Day 163

I gave Jim Hooper the Monday CofC duty with relief. I admit that I enjoy time at home and rest from obligations. I sorted and moved things around to make more empty spaces. Now I have four orchids and the shelves will find a new home in the garden shed. Today I will clean the spare room for Kelle’s visit. Yesterday was the closest I’ve come to being hit by an unaware driver. I ran faster than I thought I could and I’m alive.

Day 162

Sunday was not productive or active. Just don’t have anything to work with. Today I am tired from a restless night. I don’t know what’s going on with my usual good habits. It will be busy at the CofC and I will do my best. Megan is still mourning the loss of Katharine. I’m here if she needs a hand up. Hollie is leaving to meet Laurie.. I’m glad she is getting away with her BFF. Cool summer fog is down to the ground.

Day 161

Sunday and I will attend church.  I can pray for my country here and now and group prayer feels important. Yesterday I spent three hours with my writers at the museum and it was productive. Karen is an effective manager and gave help with the research. She found obscure references for both Amy, who wanted old recipes, and Michele, who wanted old medical information.  I want to get a long walk. I am slow but want to keep moving. I want my stamina back.

Day 160

Yesterday was full and productive. There were 100 visitors in my four hour shift. Even when I feel like I’m playing a tape recording, I enjoy sharing my place with them. Hollie and I walked to the fair and bought our anticipated food. Then we walked through the animals and watched sheep shown my kids. We walked through all the buildings and did not find the DNACA exhibit anywhere.  The Dem booth duty was mainly listening to people talk about the debates. Good day.

 french fries, beans, pulled pork and cole slaw. yummy

Day 159

CofC visitors duty followed by Dem booth duty at the county fair. Hollie and I will walk down early so we can see the animals and find our annual fair food. I enjoy the animals and like to see the 4H kids showing them. My writing student Amy has a poem in the DNACA exhibit and I want to see it. She has been a star writer. The weather is perfect for the fair and walking and I’m feeling well enough to appreciate it.

Day 158

Karen’s massage was wonderful and healing. I confessed to being fragile and vulnerable and needing alone time. She used hot rocks and singing bowls besides her hands. I asked and I received help. Today I will use my domestic energy to take off a layer of dust and that’s all. My hair will be tamed. It is wild and I want a simple cap style with a shag tail. Words are circling and I welcome them.  I want a good story for the group.