Day 157

Feeling sun starved and guilty about complaining with all the fires going on. It is dark and cold. Today I’m anticipating that the visitors’ center will be busy with people coming from the fire areas. My new shoes walked 7K steps yesterday and felt fine. I need to change them often. I wait until they are worn out and that’s not good for my wonderful feet. I want to keep walking, moving and active. It makes life worth getting up in the morning.

Day 156

The committee meeting was social and stimulating. Besides the delicious meal served in Linda’s delightful home, I enjoyed hearing how they plan sermons. The strategies differed and the list of resources they use was amazing. I have great respect for all three of them. We also talked a bit about the history of the congregation and our future plans. Today I will fill the green bin, water, and enjoy my garden. It’s overcast and damp and hopefully that will keep the smoke away.

Day 155

The walk through the market was unusually social. I helped out in the harbor booth and had lots of chats with old friends. I like that activity a lot. Today is church and later a trip to Brookings for Linda Lee’s progress report and dinner. She will come and get me as I don’t drive out of town. Pat and Mike are doing something and can’t take me but will bring me home. I like my participation in different parts of my community.

Day 154

Yesterday was busy and interesting at the visitors’ center. I like it when new questions come up and I have to stretch to find the answer. It is stimulating and satisfying to fill in the blanks for people. Not so satisfying is my attempt to order flea stuff on line. My coping mechanism is to call instead! Then a real person takes the order. Today we will wander around the farmers’ market and probably get green beans and more zucchini. Life is good.

Day 153

I dug up the Yukon potatoes with my hands. Felt good to pull them out and I already ate a couple of them. Then I added the compost bin to the soil and covered it to keep the dogs out. They love nasty smelling stuff to roll in. The compost will make a good bed for the next crop. Lots of walking and conversations. I like my social ambulations around the community. Today CofC and there will be visitors from the fire areas.

Day 152

Thursday is my day off now. After 12 years of  senior center duty, now I have a new weekly schedule to get used to. Hollie brought blueberries yesterday and I ate a goodly number already. They are so good that its’ hard to stop popping them into my mouth. Today I’ll drive the car for its exercise and wonder again why I still have it. It will rain again and maybe that’s why. My life is simple and satisfying. I made it myself.

Day 151

The BOS was short. Gitlin’s abuse of his office was brought up again. He just doesn’t get it. Good walks, errands, and socializing happened. My favorite kind of day. Museum duty plus I will go to the farmers’ market first and get pesto rolls for Max and me. He brings hard cooked eggs for me so I’ll share a treat for him. I hope it’s busy with visitors. The green bin is full of weeds and I’ll set it out as I leave.

Day 150

Today is the Board of Supervisors meeting and I intend to stay to the end. Seems like when I leave a bit early, I miss fireworks. My job is to report to the DNCDCC and they want the good stuff. Even though I was late getting some planting done, the garden is producing and I’m pleased. Picked a perfect zucchini for my dinner and this morning I’m making vegetable soup with string beans, beets and kale. The peas are blooming. Love my farming.

Day 149

There was a huge Volkswagen event in town and it brought back memories of the several VWs that I owned and loved starting with the 1955 Bug that carried my babies around. Then there was a bus, a camper, a square back and another bug that I called Trinket and was my favorite. Many miles of fun experiences with VWs. The committee with Linda was put off until next Sunday so I had time to pull weeds, water, and work in the garden.

Day 148

The singing bowls were sizzling and I felt tingles all over my body especially across my forehead. The room was full and the sounds are different with a crowd. I pulled up the basil from the greenhouse for Karen and its fragrance added to the feeling in the room. Today is fourth Sunday and after the church service the committee will meet with our deacon postulant Linda at her house in Brookings for lunch. She will report on her progress at the academy.

Day 147

Brown air again. Darn it all. Fires in the Medford/Ashland area drifting here. I could feel it yesterday while walking.  I hope they control it before we have to hole up. The visitors’ center was busy and interesting. I like it best when I have useful information and history to impart. Today is the farmers’ market. Hollie will come to town and we will go and stroll through the vendors and probably won’t buy a thing. I enjoy the activity and the socializing.

Day 146

I enjoy both the massage therapy and the story group. Both are on the gratitude list always. Both enrich my body and spirit. Today the dogs go to the spa and I’ll do the driving that I didn’t do yesterday. The car needs exercise too. Later, visitor’s center and I’m looking forward to be there. I enjoy the travel stories and like to be useful. Maybe I’ll have another experience of using my history of here or everywhere. I am full of trivia.

Day 145

My sort of day off as long as I drive the car and buy groceries. First I will do thinning in the greenhouse while it’s cool. I over seeded and there is a crowd of green stuff. I enjoy the baby beets and all the kales, Tomatoes are showing up too. The museum visitors yesterday liked the place. We hear how they are surprised by the collection. Later I’ll walk to Karen’s for a massage and then go to Carol’s for story time.

For Hollie’s birthday I signed her up for 23 and me for DNA testing. We had been talking about the Penobscott tribal element and wondered how much would show up. None did. What? We knew that Grandpa Rollins was half Penobscott and had seen photos of his full native mother. So, she did Ancestry for their data. No native anywhere. Well, we can only surmise that Grandpa was not my husband’s father. There is no one alive to check with but it’s the only possibility. The part that both tests agreed on was the percentage of Ashkenazi Jew. My grandfather was full orthodox German Jew from this ancient sect of Judaism. It dates back to the diaspora when ancient Israel was broken up and tribes dispersed all over Europe. I spent time researching our ancestors and found that they were isolated for centuries and have produced many well-known people such as Albert Einstein. They were also nearly wiped out by the holocaust when 6 million of the 8 million Jews who were murdered were Ashkenazim. I have always been curious about the Jewish influence that my parents hid from us. His mother was not Jewish so my father was not religiously connected as it is a matrilineal line. My father’s birth certificate said Maurice Simon. My mother, who was not Jewish, was named Ruth. My father said they would not go through life as Ruth and Maurice Simon for it was a Jewish label for sure. He changed his name to Bruce Simons and she called herself Betty. I never knew why my father was so desperate to not be considered Jewish. It is hidden like so many family secrets.

Day 144

Woke up happy. The visitors’ center was quiet. I had to oil my old cogs to help one family with how to use 101and bypass San Francisco. I remembered about going across to Williams. Brains need exercise too. Had an interesting conversation about licorice. Panda is the best. Came home and filled the green bin with weeds. The raspberry bushes are trying to get in the greenhouse so I had some digging to do. Today is museum time and it’s usually interesting too.

Day 143

Better energy and enjoyment of the day. While Carol was at her appointment, I visited with Kathy Hartley and Wilma Hulburt. Both old friends that I rarely see. Dealt with a plumbing problem in Meg’s house. Walked to the meeting and learned a lot as usual. It’s important to me to know the political issues. Today, visitors’ center, watering, and walking. Start with the daily routine that works for me. The food plan and exercises are keeping me mobile and energetic. Must do.

Day 142

Ready for a more active day after a couple of low energy spells. Carol has an appointment and I will drive her and wait. I might take a walk or shop while she is busy with her eye exam. Later, house and yard might get attention unless I get a better offer. Always willing to get off the routine for fun. Don’t know where that might come from but I’m willing to be surprised. Then the Dem meeting to hear from Jim Wood

Day 141

Quiet Saturday and maybe the same today. Once is a while it’s okay to have a day without a product. The work ethic can take a day off. Maybe church. Maybe yard cleaning. Maybe sit and nap in front of the TV. I did research on the Ashkenazim Jewish part of my DNA. It’s a ancient part of Judaism. Huge numbers lost in the concentration camps. Einstein was an Ashkenazi. I have an affinity for Jewish people and curiosity about my family history.

Day 140

A creepy guy at the visitors’ center required the police to get him out. I asked Sarah to ask him to leave and he came back. I was uncomfortable with the episode. She is having a panic button installed. The dental appointment was simple. Just a cleaning and I was out of there. Today is farmers’ market and that is family day. I enjoy times when we do things together. Water and weed, eat greens from the greenhouse, and walk. That’s the agenda.

Day 139

Yesterday began vigorously with driving the car, grocery shopping, blueberry farm for four flats for me, Hollie and Megan too. and then it was over. Slow tired afternoon. Besides a short walk and watering the garden, nothing. I messaged a birthday greeting to Randy. That’s all the contact I want. Today is foggy and cool due to the heatwave over the hill. The visitors’ center may be quiet today. I’m not a ball of fire and feel the sinus stuff is holding on.

Day 138

Megan and I cried about the state of our country and the continuing deterioration of morals and values. I told her about my sudden fear at the unite families stand that a deranged person might turn his vehicle into our crowd. How can this be happening? Who is going to bring sanity back? We brought up positives like the recalls against the would-be tyrants and the blueberries are ripe. I’m nearing the end of my life. It’s Megan’s future that is in jeopardy.

Day 137

It was a short meeting and then Hollie and I walked to Seaquake for a Thai salad and a glass of blonde ale. We had a good conversation and she seems okay after all the driving for Chuck’s medical stuff. She is glad for time alone as he is visiting his friends. Today is museum duty and it’s always fun. I like the people there and the visitors are interesting. I feel needy for a creative project. Maybe get the watercolors out again.

Day 136

I pushed myself yesterday with good results. Back on track for sure. More of the same today. BOS this morning. The agenda appears to be business as usual so it may be a short meeting and I’ve said that before and ended up with a four hour sit! The Dem meeting was full of information. I take in as much as I can so I can be a useful member of the committee. The green bin is full and the garden is watered

Day 135

No church. No picnic. Wasted the day feeling unwell. It’s in my sinuses in spite of the netti pot. Today I will push toward getting back on track. Self-care is the top item on my rule of life. I start straying and I’m not well. Today back to nutrition and exercise. That keeps me going and stimulates the immune system to keep me in the loop. I will attend the Dem meeting later today after a busy time in the yard and garden.

Day 134

Still not feeling all well and on the fence about Kevin’s picnic. I don’t feel that I have energy for socializing and politics. I will go to church and then decide if I want to attend. Yesterday was okay. Enjoyed Hollie and Megan as always. I picked up strawberries at the farmers’ market and ate greens out of the greenhouse. I watered and weeded a bit. Now the dogs are fed as are the orchids. I don’t like missing out on fun gatherings.

Day 133

The headache turned into a migraine. I haven’t had one for sixteen months and it was a doozy. I left the CofC at noon and was flat most of the afternoon. About 6 PM I went for a walk and felt okay. This morning I have a migraine hangover but ready for the day. Farmers’ market with Hollie and Megan plus garden and greenhouse. There are always chores in the yard. I may take lemons to the Chinese neighbor. He is interesting.

Day 132

Yesterday the phone froze and I did a lot of housework instead of sitting and staring at it. I do enjoy connecting with the phone. It was an easy fix: battery out, battery in. Story group was its usual close and personal time. Today is C0fC and I don’t feel tip-top. Woke up with a headache and cold symptoms. Coffee is helping. I’m hoping to get busy and do what I want to do. I am rarely unwell and don’t like missing out.

Day 131

It was cold and windy so lots of coffee requests early in the day. I came home before noon to get warm as I was not feeling well. Took a bucket of soup and a nap to regain my energy.Today is house attention, at least floors will get a broom, mop or vacuum. The tea and stories group will share and they are always inspiring and entertaining. Thursday is drive the car day. It will get a few miles to charge the battery.

Day 130

The CofC was busy with over 100 visitors by noon. After my shift I visited the art show and talked with Mike and Pat at their wood products booth and Sharon at her jewelry display. Then I got a hot dog and walked home in a head wind. I’m looking forward to the pie social plus walking with the Dems in the parade. The fun part is that older folks come there and I get a lot of catch up conversations and hugs.

Day 129

A delightful visit yesterday with Barbara Clark and her partner Linda .My friend of long duration always inspires me creatively. She gave me an idea for sharing zentagles on business card size paper and asked me to find a piece of writing that I liked and share it with story group. I’m going to follow through at Thursday’s group. I need meaningful conversations with trusted friends. Today the visitors’ center will be a hive of activity preparing for the Fourth of July festivities.

Day 128

There was less wind in Gasquet but it was 90 degrees and I don’t do well in heat.  Although the people were fun and the food was plentiful, the discomfort was bad. Many people left as soon as the congratulations were done. We coast dwellers just don’t tolerate heat. Today I’m hoping to spend time with Hollie and catch up on her time away with the surgery and all the other stuff. I miss her when time goes by without hugs. No agenda.

day 127

For the short notice, the rally was well-attended by people who want to make a statement of support for the dismembered families. The wind was a factor and I stayed for an hour before I had enough. Today, after church, I hope to see Hollie at least for a minute before I go to Gasquet for Katie’s wedding. The wind is blowing a gale and will be less inland. Everything is growing in my garden and I enjoy the activity and the produce.