Day 225

Weary morning after a poor restless sleep. My tired mind just wouldn’t stop mulling over old stuff. It’s making for a slow start for Monday. I know that I need a trip to Wally’s and I will do that early. I was thinking of ways to get busier during the week so I don’t sink into the comfort zone. There must be a place that needs a volunteer that fits what I can do. I do better with time if I have a schedule.

Day 224

Morning Prayer and I will show up and sing. The last hymn we sing sticks in my head for a week! I may make another pot of luscious soup. Best way to get full of vegetables while smiling. I used Karen’s recipe and it was good. She said it would be. Three walks yesterday and my gait and pace were normal. There is yard work that needs doing before the rains start. The joy of home ownership. I’m Moving past whatever knocked me down.

Day 223

Yesterday was a good day and I enjoyed every minute of it. Normal and routine are  good words. I walked and worked and participated in my community. I admit that I do need a product at the end of the day. The work ethic is still in force. Today I want to go to the farmers’ market and buy red potatoes and green stuff for a big pot of soup. I may go look at the old cars. They bring back high school memories.

Day 222

CofC will be a hive today with Sea Cruise beginning. I like being there when lots of activity is going on. It’s exciting to be part of the community. I had a couple of good walks yesterday. I carried the cane but didn’t use it. I don’t feel tottery or needy for help with balance. Whatever caused my collapse is passing. I feel normal now. It’s scary to wonder if something long term is happening in my body. I’ll celebrate feeling well and happy.

Day 221

Tea and stories day! I enjoy the writers and their sharing. Peanut butter cookies for them. First a little house stuff. I dust and vacuum and that’s all. There is still yard work I want to get done and I did get the greenhouse cleaned yesterday with the removal of the raspberries. They are coming into the warm spot. Later, Karen will help my body with her massage techniques. I feel better after she works on me. I’m taking her a bag of apples.

In January, 1977, I took a leave of absence from my teaching career. I wanted to have a different life for a while. I rented my house to friends and had an apartment waiting in Rohnert Park. I was enrolled at Sonoma state. Kind of a busmans’ holiday. I took a bunch of interesting classes just for fun.

The first class was called People in Transition and was designed for older returning or first time students. It was led by two women from the testing center. They were interested in my reason for being there and asked if I would participate in a study. I said sure. I was here for experiences. I become friends with them and was invited into their women’s group. We did lots of things together that I would not have been able to do alone. Later they asked me to be in a documentary about older students at Sonoma state. This had nothing to do with the prompt.

 One was alternative health and I met a bunch of interesting people. The curriculum included kinesiology, nutrition, eastern medicine, all sorts of alternatives to our medical establishment. I found friends in the class and had lots of philosophical conversations that were thought provoking and led to new ideas. I was invited to Forestville for an afternoon  party and was pleased to be included with so many younger people. It was a beautiful place and the crowd was comfortable. Late in the afternoon I was offered a brownie and in my ignorance, I ate it. I found a nice friendly tree and sat down to enjoy its company. Hours went by. I heard the laughing and singing, the dancing and guitar music and I sat. My mind calculated that I had missed out on the fun and vowed never to do it again and I never did.

Day 220

Yesterday was more than great! Gave me hope that whatever caused my collapse and the other symptoms is over. I filled the green bin with the avocado branches. Sure is a stubborn growth! Today I will clean the greenhouse again. The raspberries keep intruding. I want to plant carrots. Later, farmer’s market for red potatoes and green beans. The floors need attention too, Sounds like another good domestic day. I will use my physical energy with glee. It’s like the feeling after an illness.

Day 219

Woke up rested and optimistic. Nice change from the last few weeks. October will be a month of healing. While the dogs are at the spa, I will buy groceries and do errands so that I have time to clean in Meg’s yard. I have made progress with the weeds and dirt. My grass seed project is slowly showing and I’m glad for it. Later I will see Tracy Cole. My posture needs fixing and I know that PT exercises are the only way.