Day 220

Yesterday was not as expected: car wouldn’t start so I didn’t get to the senior center, overboiled soup, warped my wooden cutting board, signed up for the wrong driving course, vacuum cleaner bag exploded and left a mess, etc. The bright spot was the story/writing group. I enjoy the women and their sharing. We laugh a lot and support the sadness and tears that happen with emotional stories. There is connection between our experiences more than our differences. Life is good.

Day 219

Yesterday was a good one. Lots of positive connections and conversations. Today I’ll get on the mat and go through the whole series of exercises including the new one, plank. I know it’s working to manage the discomfort from my arthritic joints. Later, a cool walk and I’ll remember a scarf around my neck. It’s senior center duty, and story group. It’s good to have a group come here regularly so I get the floors dusted! I enjoy my busy life.

Day 218

Last museum day until May. Much as I miss Rick, I have enjoyed Max as a partner. Later I have a physical therapy session and since it’s been a slow week, I will have to work harder than ever to show progress. I cleaned another part of the back yard and filled the green bin. That is motivation. I’m paying for the bin so I want to use it regularly. I’m taking the on-line AARP driving class too. Lots of errands.

Day 217

Foggy morning. I did get an early walk and hope to do that again. First the exercises must be done. I skipped them yesterday and I can tell. The exercises must be routine like brushing my teeth to have impact on pain management. Sitting at the board of supervisors meeting comes next and then an afternoon with no agenda. Yesterday I heard so many stories about depression, sadness, missed and lost stuff. I did get to give an ear and hugs.

Day 216

I live here because it doesn’t get too hot or too cold. We have a few of these hot days in the fall and I’m glad there are only a few. I did pull vines out of the lemon trees but I couldn’t stay outside. Today will be hot again and I have the house open now for the cool air. Then I will close it up to keep the cool inside. Hoping for an early walk and I’ll exercise later.

Day 215

I went to Karen’s singing bowls meditation last night. I don’t like to go out in the evening and I can’t say that I enjoyed it. Sitting is not my friend and it was a long sit. I came home and went to bed with an achy body. This morning I will finish the floors before I exercise and walk. It’s beautiful outside: warm, calm, and calling me. The garden needs water. The sprinkling did little to help the dry spell.

POH

I was four years old when I had a long sickness with chicken pox. My mom said I was sick for 12 weeks. I do remember sitting in the bathtub while she poured soda water over me to help with the itching. Someone brought me a teddy bear. It was huge, had a red bow, and I loved it. The same day that it was new, my brother pulled out one of his eyes and lost it. The bear was my companion through numerous moves from that house in Reno, to two other places in Reno, through three houses in Missoula, three houses in Salt Lake City, a hotel in San Francisco and three houses in Eureka. Lots of hugs and dragging him around left one leg worn and tattered. He slept on my bed until I was eleven when I sat him on top of my chest of drawers along with a music box and a horse figurine. One night I heard noises and in the morning I investigated where I thought the noise was coming from and I found that a nest of mice were living in my teddy bears leg. I freaked and yelled. My mom ran into my room expecting a catastrophe and found me crying at the desecration of my longtime companion. She disposed of the bear and the family of mice. I felt the loss when I looked at the chest and felt guilty that I hadn’t noticed the bear for a long time.

Day 214

Started the day with a text conversation with Jackie. Never thought I would be one of the people with the phone connected to my hand, but there I am. It’s a quick and easy way to keep in touch. Sometimes I text someone and ask how they are and we have a catch-up conversation. I like it. Today is the three generation walk to the farmers’ market. I like that too. Laundry, orchid care, sweeping, walking, exercises to come later on.