Day 65

And the Giants beat the Dodgers! Now Monday: early walk as the wind is forecast, senior center duty, shop for a few necessities including mouse bait as Sheila found signs of intrusion under the sink. My walk yesterday was social as usual: three conversations with total strangers. A homeless guy showed me his new boots and we talked about feet, a new manager at the seedy motel told me his plans for improving the place, and a woman called me her favorite walker.

Day 64

My kitchen can pass inspection including a fresh oven and refrigerator. Sheila does good work. Today I have no agenda and no motivation to create one. It’s wet out and I’m warm inside. I won’t go to church for Morning Prayer. I don’t need to shop. No letters to take to the post office. It’s an open moment. I have Hunger Games on the kindle. I have Mary Oliver for company. I have a lap full of Dachshunds. What more could I want?

Day 63

Wet Saturday morning and I’m ready for a day at home with Sheila cleaning the house! Once in a while I like to have her services and now is that time. Yesterday Rosalie and I talked for two and a half hours with subjects all over the place. She is co-authoring a book about aging with a hero theme. She will send me a couple of chapters for my response. Karen’s magic fingers gave me a walk home in a comfortable relaxed fog.

Day 62

First I’ll start out with a raid on the produce aisle, followed by a visit with my chiropractor for my achy neck. He does good work for me with my arthritic joints. Then lunch with Rosalie to renew our conscious aging program. We need to find a new place and new people. Later, I’ll see Karen for a much needed massage. Yesterday was full. Story group was its usual warm self with great stories about high school angst, dogs, and funny family memories.

Day 61

The Boondock band will play at the senior center today. I like their oldie folk tunes. Toe-tapping and sing-along time. Later, story group with a new member. Karen recruited her at church Sunday. I will share my people connections story. Later still, candidates forum. I support the incumbents.  Long day and my favorite kind: a day with a variety of people and activities, volunteering, social enjoyment, and political action. I asked Megan if I could borrow her Kindle to read the Hunger Games.

Day 60

It was a long meeting with a full chamber. Lots of clear messages to the supervisors and more interaction than I have ever witnessed.  Good side conversations and greetings too. That’s good news for the people. It takes showing up and listening to know what’s going on. I was tired and pleased when it was over. No politics today. The agenda is filling the green bin and cleaning the floors after watering the orchids and taking a long walk. Life is simple involvements.

Day 59

Yesterday I cut my walk short because it was too hot! Doesn’t happen here very often and it will again today. Today at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Rita Skeeter and her “army” will protest sanctuary status. Our pro-sanctuary people will be there too and hope to outnumber them. It’s a red county and they are organized. I’ll be there and do what I said I’d do: show up and listen. I’ll do whatever I can to help our undocumented residents. I’m active.

Day 58

Monday again! A warm day and I’m grateful for it. It will give me an early walk. Mother Leslie was at church yesterday followed by a meeting with the deacon postulant about her field work. She is a welcome addition to our tiny congregation. The containers are doing their job of keeping the cold north wind from burning the baby plants. After senior center duty, I will be weeding in Megan’s yard. All the rhododendrons are beginning to bloom.  I enjoy being outside.

Day 57

The hour of gathering signatures was fun. I heard stories from new residents about how they came to move to Crescent City. It’s interesting and most come for the outdoor experiences. We are over the top now and the initiative will be on the ballot. Had a couple of wonderful catch-up chats and hugs too. Ah, the benefits of volunteering! I like being politically involved. Today I’ll get an early walk before the cold north wind starts up. It takes the enjoyment away.

Day 56

The walk-out was a non-event here. The students were threatened with the punishment of Saturday school and the seniors didn’t want that on their records. A bunch of adults marched without them. It’s a red county. Today I’ll collect signatures on the harbor petitions. We need about 100 more and I want to help. I like participating in local issues. Megan is taking the day off so I’m babysitting the dogs. She deserves a break now that tax season is over. Life is good.

Day 55

I will walk with the high school students for their memorial to the Columbine shootings. We will go from the school football field down Washington Blvd. to the Wellness Center and down Northcrest. The Dem office will provide pizza, water, and voter registration forms. It will be fun. I wish there was some way to preserve young idealism for later life when cynicism may taint it’s enthsuiasm. The warmer weather has brought my baby plants peeking up over the edges of the containers.

Day 54

Once a year to celebrate our birthdays, we have family dinner at Wing-Wah . It was delicious as usual. Danny joined us so the rift with Megan must be over. I hope it works out for them. I moved the compost with lots of shovel work, bending and carrying followed by a long walk. Felt good to pack the goo around the pear trees. Today is senior center duty and it’s foster grandparent day. I like to greet them and chat about their lives.

Day 53

Back to Curry yesterday for a carotid ultrasound test followed by an appointment for a myocardial perfusion imaging on May 1^st.  I don’t like all this medical attention. But first I had two great walks and scored baby zucchinis for Hollie and me. It’s still in the 40s at night but the garden is growing. Today I will move the compost to the pear trees and find a social opportunity somewhere in my meanderings. Gardens and people are two of my favorite things.

 Hollie said I could put a stick in the ground and it would grow.

Day 52

Lots of chatter at the center yesterday. Harold gave me two gifts because I’m the only person who has been nice to him. All I did was remember his name and comment on his nice jacket. Little things can have meaning. I encouraged Tracy to talk about her mother’s terrible situation.  I am a connector, a sympathizer, an acknowledger, an appreciator, and a safe place for sharing confidences. Today I’ll go off for another social walk and opportunity for casual and meaningful connections.

One of my collective journey friends posted this prompt: Every day for 100 days write something you like about yourself.

Day one and possibly the only day!

I prize my ability and my willingness to connect with others on many levels from a smile and hi to a wave to a driver who stopped for me, to deep conversations at the vegetable counter. This morning on my walk I did all the above plus catching up with an old friend who recently retired. We talked about volunteering and I enjoyed reconnecting. I am willing to initiate contact, I freely give appreciation as to the man who let me in front of him as I only had two items, to anyone who seems to need a hello, you look nice. I'm a very social being and I'm glad to show it. I wasn’t always good at small talk. It used to make me feel socially awkward so I avoided the kinds of social gatherings that required it. When I volunteered at the blood bank my job to keep people there for 15 minutes, give them juice and cookies and keep an eye on them for any symptoms of problems. It was there that I learned that small talk can lead to meaningful conversation with complete strangers. I came to enjoy the use of small talk.

Day 51

At church yesterday I was recognized as the doyenne. It was Fr. David’s last service so it’s just homemade services plus an occasional visit from Mother Leslie. I don’t know how long I will support the church. The rest of the day was true R&R. I don’t know why I needed it but there it was and I enjoyed every quiet unmotivated minute. Today is senior center duty plus a quick walk afterwards. I have lots of new greens in my container garden.

Day 50

Wet again so I’m glad I filled the green bin yesterday with weeds from Megan’s yard. She is feeling lost from a break-up with Danny. He has complicated issues: family, PTSD, work stress etc. Too many to be present in a relationship. After the funeral I wrote a note in my papers saying No religious service for me. Have a party and left instructions about how to do that. Had a good walk with Hollie when she brought farm stand produce for me.

Day 49

Yesterday’s walk was social and I enjoyed it very much. Connected with Rosalie and she and David will come tomorrow to see what can be done for the rhododendron tree. It’s kind of sad looking. It is about 100 years old. Today is Margot’s funeral and I will attend. We go back a long way and I want to be with her family. Later I hope to get to the farm stand for baby bok choy among other wonderful produce. Life is good.

Day 48

The visit with the cardiologist was informative. Mostly good news plus another test or two to check on my 83 year old heart’s function. Hollie and I did a bit of shopping and came home. Story group was its usual warm and friendly self. I enjoy the women and the closeness that comes with trust. I enjoy how a story will generate sharing. Today is outside activity plus socializing. Maybe find a friend to share lunch or a walk in this mild day.

Day 47

Tidy house followed by two serious walks in the wind. I exerted enough to get 36 floors on the fitbit. Two tech glitches reminded me how tied I am to devices. The phone screen went black and I went to the store. The guy power rebooted. It was frozen. Now it’s back. Then the TV wouldn’t turn on. Then I remembered that once I fixed it by taking the batteries out of the remote, rubbing the ends, and putting them back. It worked.

Day 46

The Board of Supervisors meeting was full of drama and posturing as usual. The two obstructionists are at it again with stating that they will not comply with sanctuary status. In a county with undocumented farm workers, this stinks. Later Hollie and I had Mexican lunch and shopped together. The green bin had attention with weeds galore. More today before the rain comes back plus the house desperately needs me or a call for help. I’m being persistent about keeping house by myself.

Day 45

Yesterday was humid and warm. It was stuffy at the senior center but chatty as Monday’s tend to be. Later I turned in the second petition at the Dem meeting. I said I would fill two and I did. The reports from the Pirate Festival were great.  Today is Board of Supervisors meeting. Later I will meet Hollie. I need a shot of physical energy. I have tasks to complete. I know slow and steady is okay but I prefer brisk and playful.

Day 44

Calm sunny morning and I’m loving it already. Yesterday was quiet here. After church,  I planted marigolds in the containers to keep out the Lepidoptera as they like the kale family. Walked, of course, but did not visit the tall ships in the harbor. Had conversations with the family. Megan is home from her mini-vacation geared up for the tax accountant version of Hell Week.  I take care of that chore early. After senior center duty, more onions will go in the garden.

Day 43

Three short windy walks yesterday plus a brief dance with the dust mop. After church I may go to the harbor and see what’s happening. I support the effort but not as a volunteer this time. The plants are going crazy with the warm rain and I smile at them. The lilacs are blooming and my nose was smiling at the aroma. I had unusual dreams that were full of energy and plans. Now awake, I’m hoping for a new project or connection.

Day 42

The dermatologist sliced off a bit of my eyebrow and zapped a couple of barnacles from my collarbone. I’m amazed that I have had so few suspicious spots removed since I roasted myself in the sun when I was young. The Pirate Festival is going on in the windy and rainy harbor.  I did not volunteer to get petitions signed. It’s not in my best interest to sit out in this serious weather. Megan is in Gold Beach so I’m dog sitting.

Day 41

Windy and wet so after the dermatologist appointment and a quick trip to the grocery store, and a look at the garden, I’ll be in for the day. Lots to do as I promised a kitchen cupboard clean-out. Yesterday after senior center duty, I had tea with our deacon postulant and we told each other our histories with the Episcopal Church. It was interesting to compare our journeys. She is pleasant and I like being on the committee to monitor her field work.

Day 40

“How could you let her control your bank account?” “I asked her to be on the account. She’s my plan B in case I’m not available, she can pay my bills.”  It’s one of the fail-safes that come with realistic planning. Yesterday I spent an hour and a half on the phone fixing an internet problem. Made my head hurt but now everything is working. I am dependent on others for tech stuff.  Rain is coming so the senior center will be loud.

Day 39

Long restful sleep and now I’m raring to go.  Routine first because that sets up a good day. Walking, yard time, and errands. Maybe it will be a social walk or I’ll get a call or make a call to connect with a friendly person. I will check on Carol for sure. We waved at each other yesterday when I walked by her house. I’d like to see new colors as the spring flowers continue to display themselves. My yard shows my care.

Day 38

Fitbit gave me 29 floors for walking in the wind yesterday. Head down plowing along trying to keep my balance but I was out walking! It’s frosty and calm this morning and I’ll be out soon. Minnie woke me up early as though she remembered there was still chicken in the refrigerator. The dogs are so excited in the morning and full of pep. Today I’ll be back in the yard enjoying whatever needs to be done. My life is simple and rewarding.

Day 37

Easter Sunday was an warm event like a family gathering. Here’s Monday again. Routine morning with maybe a visit with Hollie after she has her fasting blood test. I promised her coffee if she stops by. Senior center duty followed by walking and errands. Grocery shopping is so easy with this food plan: sashay through the produce, take a gander at the meat counter and out the door. No trips through the aisles. I’m enjoying the creative aspects of protein and vegs meals.

Day 36

It must be a Christian cactus as it bloomed at Christmas and now Easter. My Episcopagan spirit loves Easter. Now that the Catholic pain and suffering are over, the flowers and empty cross are back on the altar. My yard is full of newness and color. I love the chores that go with gardening. Clearing weeds is as much fun as planting vegetables. After church I will do more enjoying outside in this mild day. As a family, we don’t do Easter dinner.