Day 36

Half of yesterday was great. House work done, good walk. The other half, not so much. Another trip to Walgreen’s that resulted in more frustration. No prescription again. Today will be the third day and the fourth trip. I told the clerk that I have never had a satisfactory transaction there. March had progress after waiting and paying more than expected, Megan’s kitchen remodel is done and she loves it. The straw bales are in place and planting can happen soon.

Day 35

I had a very good day and I haven’t said that much lately. Had two visitors who were not having a good day: Ellen and Karen. Both are depressed by things they cannot change. All I could do was listen and hug them. Karen and I fed the bales. Today I will use my domestic energy to start with and then outside for walking, pulling weeds, and watering the bales. I’m keeping Megan’s dogs overnight as she is staying in Arcata.

Day 34

Finally I have answers about the frequent UTIs. As I suspected the anti-biotics caused the imbalance and the way back is slamming yogurt and probiotics. I can do that. Once I know how to take care of myself, I’m all in. The wind was awful yesterday and I did not get out for a walk. I’m going early, before it cranks up. Karen will be here this afternoon and we will talk bale gardens. I will get them fed and watered. 

My lap dogs.

Day 33

I did go to church and was happy that I made the effort. The kids are the draw. Today the moon is shining and it is cold. Senior Center duty comes first and then an appointment with the urologist for help with the UTI’s. Microsoft changed my computer program without my permission and now I have to learn Windows 10. I like to be asked before things happen. It feels intrusive. There is no privacy in the whole of our culture.

Day 32

On the fence about church. I’ll see how I’m doing later. Right now, I don’t feel well with cold symptoms. Yesterday was low energy and I miss activity. Megan and I took a walk and came home wet. Easter brings back memories of little ones and Easter baskets. I loved the egg coloring and hiding them in the yard. The prompt that Carol gave us that led to the description of getting Megan ready for church is one of my favorites.

At that age, Megan loved the Easter bonnet with red and yellow silk blossom, pink ribbons down the back, the white gloves, the cute purse with its crisp dollar bill for the collection plate, ruffled top socks: all matched from the top of the bonnet to the soles of the new black patent leather Mary Janes, everything was new and lacy, colorful for the feminine child to enjoy at church so that even the walk needed to sway a bit to hear the rustle of the taffeta slip under the daintily flowered dimity dress that also had a pink ribbon at the waist and tied in the back so she looked altogether like a spring garden that shone and showed herself to the welcoming eyes of people tired of winters gray and dark days on end and not endless at all because here was Spring and Easter that this beautiful child embodied as a treat to eye and heart forever etched in the memory of her doting grandmother who had provided the outfit that was worthy of a cover photo on a glossy magazine devoted to grandmothers with disposable income who hadn’t been able to provide that finery to the mother of the golden child due to economic stresses and priorities that didn’t include lacey unnecessary and impractical clothing that would most likely be worn once and then donated to a rummage sale where some fortunate little girl could look like a pampered princess without it costing the family a meal or not paying a bill for necessities like power and water which go along even when Easter and Spring would enjoy some foolish uses of money just for the fun of it and for the spirit to smile at the genuine pleasure shown by both generations who viewed the result of lavish tastes brought down to size 3.

Day 31

Yesterday began well and went downhill with cold symptoms that left me dozing in my chair instead of using my day actively. Today might be the same. I would rather get things done instead of blowing my sore  nose. The remodel in Megan’s kitchen is finished and she loves it. Mother Nature watered the bales so I don’t have to do that. Might go to the farm stand for fresh greens. I want to feel well tomorrow for the Easter Service .

Day 30

Today the gas guy will be here early and Megan can be finished with the remodel mess. Karen is coming and we will plan for the bales. I need to grocery shop and may get to church for Good Friday. I avoid Holy Week. I like the upside of my religion with the emphasis on renewal. I visited with Ivan, the police chief. He wants me back at the office and I am willing to find a partner for VIP’s duty. 

Day 29

Damp morning but high spirits. Ready for a busy day starting with early watering of the bales even though Mother Nature sprinkled them overnight. Patience is required as the process of preparing for planting must be observed. Today the menu is spaghetti and that’s a favorite. It will be noisy with the band playing too. I hope to hear from the gas company about the installation date for Megan’s stove. Karen’s massage did wonders for my sore back. PT exercises next.

Day 28

The changes are minor and I’m opting  not to get new glasses. It was a good day, one with parts: board of supervisors meeting, time with Hollie, including a late lunch at Chan’s, long walk, time with Megan. Good life. The moon is shining in the skylight, temperature 41, boding well for a sunny day. I’ll have a massage this afternoon with Karen and we will talk gardening. I’m ready to get started. Young plants are calling. Lettuce, spinach, kale, more! 

Day 27

Carol and I are writers. Ellen and Julia are socializers. We did write but mainly it was chatting and getting acquainted. Will try it again and hope to find others too. The heavy weather may lighten up and allow for preparing the bales. Karen is still ill and I need her guidance to get started. We have all the amendments. Just need a break in the rain, wind, hail, and lightning. Today I’ll get my eyes examined. I will need changes.

Day 26

I wrangled the bales by myself. Not a big deal. Hope they are in their final place because it rained hard all night and they will be heavier now. Wednesday I can begin to add the amendments and get the process started. Today is the first meeting of the new writers group. I hope they are a compatible bunch. Carol asked me to find people and I did. I have the first prompt ready: What person do you admire and why.

I admire Michelle Obama for the way she used her position to promote nutrition and exercise for children. Her predecessors have chosen new china patterns, painted room and redecorated public spaces in the White House but Michelle will leave a legacy that lasts forever. Michelle had a position Chicago as a hospital administrator, a job she did competently. She didn’t want her husband to run for the presidency but supported him through the tough campaigns.  I like that she has sheltered her children and brought her mother with the family so the girls have a stable life in spite of travel, meetings, and other events that take the parents away. The girls are included in some visits to foreign countries when it is appropriate. I read an article that said the programs to emphasis diet and exercise had substantially brought down the percentage of child hood obesity.

There is a program on the food network hosted by Robert called Restaurant impossible where he changes kitchens and management to improve the business. Michelle invited him to a child care center in the darkest and poorest part of DC. Two volunteers fixed meals in a home style kitchen and had to feed the children outside. Robert took down walls, built a big kitchen and dining room and invited her to lunch with the children. Wonderful, she said, but there’s more. She asked Robert to build a garden and he did with the help of gardeners. They showed the kids how to grow vegetables and tend the gardens.

So, for her attention to children, I admire Michelle Obama.

Day 25

First day of spring and the bales are in place. I had to get the cardboard myself as Phillip didn’t show up. I hollered at him for disrespecting me. I won’t hire him again. Karen is sick and can’t come yet. I hope by Wednesday, the day it won’t rain this week, she can come by. She may want to change the configuration of her bales. I have one more to place. May put it in the old spot for chard.

Day 24

Phillip leveled the ground between the pear trees. He will bring cardboard today and the bales will be delivered. There is a light rain that won’t bother the work. Megan’s kitchen is close to completion. Some plumbing on the sink and the gas for the range. It looks great. The counter top is just right too. We will all be glad when it is finished. I like progress when it’s all done. Not fond of the mess on the way by.

Here's the chard still thriving from last season.

Day 23

Progress in the little house. The old kitchen unit is out and new counter top is in.. The best news is the start of my straw bale garden! Phillip is bringing the first bales for the north side fence line. Then four for Karen where last seasons was, and two for Cheri in the little yard between the pear trees. I am excited about the gardens and sharing with my friends who don’t have a place to grow their own vegetables.

Lilacs!

Day 22

Very little progress even though I spent the day waiting for some. I did get a late walk. Megan is being patient about the mess in her house. She came home with a new computer. I want her to have what she needs for her education. Today is St. Patrick’s day and corned beef and cabbage are on the menu at the senior center. It will bring a big crowd and I’m ready for it. Most days I enjoy the duty.

Day 21

Another long afternoon walk with Megan. It’s a good thing. Today Megan and Hollie are going to Eureka and I opted out. I wanted to go just for the company but it’s in the best interests of the family if I stay home with the dogs. Ky is, hopefully, going to work in Megan’s kitchen and get that project moving after all the delays. I like completions more than the actual doing. All I want to do is write the check. 

Day 20

Megan and I walked to do errands: swimming pass for Hollie, museum for Rick’s address, Rumiano for curds, and Julia’s for dog bones. It was fun to have her company. Today I’m doing an extra senior center duty for Julia. I like Tuesdays as they are quieter and the menu is vegetarian. I’ll send a note to Rick telling him I will miss him and how much I enjoyed our conversations. The writing group is taking shape with five to start.

Della is nine years old today.

day 19

I enjoyed the museum volunteer lunch yesterday. Corned beef and cabbage well prepared and well served. It was a chatty bunch. Rick told me he is not coming back to volunteer. I will miss him. Our conversations were interesting and I prized every day that we shared the duty. Another change in a line of changes. Today the weather will clear and I’ll get a real walk after senior center duty. The deluge has dampened spirits for many days. Sun, yahoo.

Day 18

More weather disturbances plus human noises and lights.  Noise across the street while they moved a trailer into the yard, down the street police and people yelling at the drug house, awakened by red lights outside where fire engines, ambulances, police were all running around for unknown reasons. Finally got back to sleep and had wild dreams. I’m tired this morning and the time change doesn’t help. Today, blowing a gale, pouring, and thundering. First church, then the museum volunteer lunch.

Day 17

Wet, windy, noisy night. Thunder, lightning, whistling, moving everything around outside. All a set up for a day inside. I walked briefly yesterday. Not sure about an opening today. There are always pockets of need in my house. The floors could use attention and there are the closets again. I think I’m a neat person until I notice a pile where it doesn’t belongs. I may reread the other blog books. I like the way an entry brings back the experience.

Day 16

Talked with Scott and Ellen about a small writing get-together with Carol and Julia. It’s a start toward personal writing again. Besides this morning recap/planning writing, I’ve done none. I am happy that I’m not writing for senior news and it did get me going once a month. The repetitious themes became boring. I no longer searched for ways to make the same theme interesting and not a rewrite. I want to stimulate my writer part. I reread 77 words yesterday.

Day 15

I had to do my “subtle” wake-up routine for Megan this morning. If her lights aren’t on by 4:45, I turn on the outside light and rattle the garbage bins. She was having a dream about falling in love. If she had a job here, I would let natural consequences happen but I’m not going to let her hurry and then drive for an hour and a half. I had two brief walks yesterday. Both of them ended with getting wet.

Day 14

Fell asleep early after Sarah’s massaging. Yes, she found every sore spot and dug in. Today I will brave the wind and rain. Yesterday I came home after only a few blocks. With winter still bringing cold weather, I must get out. That’s what warm clothes are for. Later, hot sour soup with Julia. I’m looking forward to her company. I need to find a new interest. My mind needs stimulation. It’s too easy to stay home in the comfort zone.

Day 13

Noisy group at the senior center yesterday. Reminded me of second graders when the wind blows. Not much difference. I did get out for a walk and will again this morning. Board of Supervisors meeting this morning and a massage with Sarah at noon. She will dig in my sore spots. I’ve had responses to quitting the senior news from unexpected people. I guess they did read my column. With little feedback, I really didn’t know if anyone did. All done.

Day 12

I did get out briefly. Walked down to buy apple cider vinegar as suggested by Jeanine for both the UTI and acid reflux. I’ll try anything that might help my body do its job as well as possible. Today promises a dry afternoon and I will for sure be walking after senior center duty. With a wet week coming up, it’s essential to go out whenever possible. The pot of beans will last and I have added greens. Delicious and nutritious. 

Day 11

Megan drove us to the farm stand. She is doing well with the stick shift. I asked if she felt bi-lingual yet. No, she feels ESL. Only had the car for two weeks. Takes a while for proficiency. That car ride was the only time outside. The rain came up the street sideways and everything was in motion. Noisy night too. Today I will attend church and plan some activity besides watching TV. One day of sitting is more than enough.

Day 10

Yesterday morning was well used. The PM, not so much. I noticed the barometer dropped significantly. I thought that was a myth until I had aging bones and joints and now I’m a believer. Winter storm is beginning and will be here long enough to blow fiercely and drop five inches of rain. I have saved up favorite programs on the DVR in preparation plus a crock-pot full of beans. Might get an early walk and trip to the farm stand.

Day 9

New, new, where are you? My antennae are waving. Surely new will come close enough to be revealed. Carol suggested a new writing group. I’m willing to do that. Maybe a new volunteer position will show up. Maybe this new phase of my life will include groups or clubs. Might be time for an attitude make-over. I have reinvented myself many times. Let’s see, who can I be next? I’ll clean out the closet and get set for a new look.

Day 8

Day 8

I found a thank-you card amidst the bundles so Kathy and Elizabeth did acknowledge my contributions. All over and grateful for it. It’s wise to know when to quit. Once the fun is gone, why stay? Lots of walking yesterday and I enjoyed every step. It’s senior center day and the Boondock band will be there. The music is folk songs and I like to sing with them. I’d like more music to sing-along with here. Singing makes me feel good.

Day 7

Yesterday the rain came sooner than expected and I came home soaked to the skin. Then came warm sweats and a lap full of dogs to get warm again. Today the rain is supposed to wait until late afternoon so I can get out this morning and distribute the senior news for the last time. It feels good to say that. I’m through with writing and delivering after many years. I’m disappointed that there was no acknowledgement from Humboldt senior center.  

Day 6

I love morning. Waking up to the quiet street and waiting for the coffee while I stretch and enjoy a time with no interruptions. As simple as my life is, morning is the best time for gratitude. Today I’ll get out early for a walk as rain is expected. It’s windy and that can be exhilarating. Wind blows out the cobwebs. A couple of bills will be distributed along the way. It’s March 1 so it’s back-up day for the computer.

Last Senior News column

Way back when I was 58 years old, RSVP had just lowered its enrollment age to 55. The first request I read was for a distributor for Senior News in Crescent City. The next time I was in Eureka I visited the senior resource center and was directed to the basement. I wound through pool tables into the farthest back corner where a lighted doorway beckoned. There I found Barbara Clark, editor of Senior News. We chatted a bit and I asked about the distribution duty. She said I could make it up as I found welcoming places where seniors congregated. I told Barbara that I had written essays and articles for the 50+ column in the Times-standard and she asked if I wanted to write for Senior News. Thus began a productive and enjoyable relationship. We became personal friends too sharing art projects and our dream groups. I value her friendship.

I have written the 200 plus columns that have appeared in Senior News with a view to make the editors’ themes both entertaining and original. I did not want to tackle the theme in an obvious or redundant manner. Most of the time I have stayed in the word limit. Barbara did accommodate some of my ramblings. She gave my articles a couple of front pages and I admit I liked that. The distribution route took me to places were volunteers work and often led to catch-up conversations and hugs. I have enjoyed that part of the duty too.

Now I am 81 years old. It’s time to learn new tricks. I will probably write observations on life and aging that will appear from time to time in my blog. Volunteering has been my life work since retiring from 32 years of teaching. I am always on the lookout for stimulating people and new opportunities to serve my community. Lately I have become interested in the working of our local government and by attending meetings, I keep up on issues. Spending more time with fewer people and strengthening close ties is on the top my agenda. Family and friends have become increasingly important. I keep in touch with those who are far away through handwritten letters and telephone calls. Yes, I do text and e-mail but the personal listening and asking questions about how one’s life is working does not work well in short bursts. 400 Last Words.