Day 197

Sarah took care of the muscles knots and sore spots with her deep massage. Today I’m walking without pain. First exercises, then walk, then museum duty, then PT session, then a new experience. Karen has invited me to a sound healing. She has an anti-gravity chair and will tuck me in and play her singing bowls. I’m looking forward to it. The dog exams were good. Della needs dental work but aside from that, both dogs are doing well. Moving along.

Day 196

Woke up sore from the yard work. Had to walk off tight places. I had a dream that I was late for school and all the scurrying that surrounds that event. Haven’t had a dream about school for years. Don’t know what triggered anxiety. Yesterday I was invited to a BBQ and found that I was not prepared to be social. It was a group that I enjoy and like being invited and included even though I didn’t attend. New day.

Day 195

Church was comfortable. Not sure that’s the purpose. I do get a connection to spirit at communion. All in all, yesterday morning was very good and the rest of the day was flat. I did the exercises well and feel the effects. Today I’ll push myself as the yard needs tending. The kales and chards are huge and need to be shared. It’s Labor Day and a good day to be grateful for retirement. I have made a career from mine.

Day 194

Hoping for a better day. Long sleep and I’m feeling alert and ready for more. I want to do the physical therapy exercises. Yesterday my body said NO and this morning, I feel the need to stretch and move. So, water orchids, water the garden, walk, go to church. Haven’t been for a month and I need to define my relationship with church. If I’m in, then be in. If I’m out, then be out. This wavering is tiresome. Get moving.

POH

Way back in the 70’s I was into healthy eating. With the help of Adele Davis’ cookbook, Let’s Cook It Right, I started baking bread. Every Saturday morning I would bake two loaves that didn’t last long enough to cool. The same morning I would set a pan of beans or soup and my teen-aged kids would show up with friends just as the bread came out of the oven. It was a good time in our relationships. The pleasure of baking bread is not only in the appreciative eaters, but in the process. Watching the yeast begin the process and adding everything good for the body. The kneading, the watching the rising dough, the wonderful smells of the dough and especially the smell of the fresh bread. I branched out and made cinnamon rolls, bread sticks, pizza dough, sourdough bread and pancakes. It was therapy from the week at school and a bonding with the family.   

Day 193

Hollie and Megan and I will walk to the farmers’ market. It is the high point of the season. I enjoy every trip and especially when we go together. I want fruit again. My garden is supplying plenty of greens and I don’t need to buy any vegetables. With the long “cold” or whatever, the world feels smaller since I stay home more. I missed the senior center on Thursday and won’t have a duty until next Wednesday at the museum.

Day 192

I did exercise yesterday morning and then nothing the rest of the day. I had no energy and did not walk or do senior center duty. I did host our little group and that was the high point of the day. I don’t know why I’m so listless and need so much sleep. After 9 ½ hours last night, I should be dancing and singing. Not so much yet. Maybe the day will improve as I’m tired of whining. Let’s get going.

Day 191

I work hard at physical therapy. I sweat. I come home sore and smiling. Today I’ll begin with the exercises including the new one and that will get my system up and running. It’s writing group after senior center duty. I look forward to the gathering. It’s fun and growing closer. I have my two stories to share. Carol won’t be there as she is with Gene for tests and Karen is in Texas for the birth of her first grandchild.

Newsletter

One morning while waiting for the light to turn green, I noticed a homeless man waiting on the opposite corner. We met in the middle of the street and I smiled and said Good morning. He turned and began to walk with me. “Can you see me?” “Yes, I can see you.”” Can you hear me?” “Yes, I can hear you.” “You can see me and hear me.” “Yes, I can.”  I think I’m invisible.” “I guess everyone feels that way now and then”.” Do they pinch themselves?” “Maybe some do.”  “But you know I’m here.” “Yes. I know you are here.” He walked with me, rambling about a friend he hoped to see again and talked and talked. I turned toward him and said uh-hum often so he would know that I could see and hear him. “This is where I turn.” He smiled and said, “Now I don’t feel lonely.” He turned walked back the way he was going when we met in the street.

I carried that experience with me as I went through my day, smiling and acknowledging the people I met. I called the checker at the grocery store by name, smiled, and thanked her for her service. I was rewarded by her smile. I greeted everyone I had any interaction with that day by name when I could and thanked them or wished them a good day. I felt that it made my day better and brighter.  It has become a habit now.

The people who make commercials for television know that smiles sell. Behold, the sufferer with the furrowed brow suddenly breaks into a smile with the help of pharmaceutical products. I’ve noticed that their posture improves too. Do we need to pop a pill to feel like smiling? No. We just need to do it. There is evidence that smiles are contagious. One smile deserves another and that one goes out like dropping a pebble in a pond.

Back in 1900, French chemist Emile Coue told his patients to repeat: “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” And they did get better and better. Other doctors shook their heads in amazement. Later this was called the placebo effect as it used the subconscious mind to convince the person of their improvement. It’s a simple health plan, along with smiling and feeling grateful, saying a mantra that encourages progress toward health is as near and easy to do as the intention to be well.
Note founr on the golden Gate Bridge said, "If one person smiles at me, no one will read this."