Day 279

Computer is back in place with a clean bill of health. Learned a hard reboot on the fitbit, had the thermostat replaced, played with the phone, all is well. The CofC was quiet except for Christmas tree permits and a group photo that included all the board members and volunteers. . Now I’m snugging in for a wet cold afternoon with left over turkey soup and two dogs, and fuzzy blanket. I have a full life with positive connections that give me purpose.

Day 278

The tech will pick up the tower later and bring it back tomorrow. I have business for the new phone and that will require a trip to the cell store. Minor shopping and dusting for story group. I’m going to share an old story about the trip to the dentist that ended up with the sheriff reading my journal. I noticed that I still have a sore spot about that invasion of my privacy. Walking is achy slow and I do it anyway.

I had a 9:45 dental appointment on a Wednesday morning. I told the museum manager that I would be late for my 10 AM volunteer duty, and that I hoped to get there by 10:30. She forgot. There I was having a new crown fitted in perfectly oblivious that a storm of activity was going on. My phone rang three or four times but of course it went unanswered. Then I was finished and walked to the museum. I was met by Rick who said, Where have you been? At the dentist. We were so worried that something was wrong that Karen is out looking for you. A deputy sheriff came in and asked me my name. I told him. He said scanner land was looking for me. Karen called my daughter Hollie at nine minutes after 10 and upset her. When she arrived here, Jon and Chris were sitting on the couch as Karen had knocked on their door to ask for help. Then a deputy sheriff came in the house and looked all around the house and yard, including reading my journal that lay open on the kitchen table. Meanwhile Karen had driven up and down streets, stopped people, gone into stores asking if anyone had seen me. She made more stops than Paul Revere. Hollie knew that I kept a calendar and when she looked she saw the dental appointment listed and called the office. I had just left for the museum where I was accused of making Karen’s life miserable by scaring her. Wait a minute, I went to the dentist, that’s all I did. At home, Chris told me the deputy had even looked in the closets and she saw him reading my journal to see if I had left a suicide note. Karen told the story over and over with herself as the hero and me as the villain. The intrusion left a bruise on my sense of privacy and took away any kind of trust in Karen as a manager.  Finally I had enough of her story telling and let her know how it had affected my life. It took a while to get over it with her multitude of teary apologies and obsequious behavior toward me. I tried to see it from the point of view of the total stranger, the trained officer, and wondered what he knew about me from coming into my home. It was months before I opened my journal again and to this day I cannot leave it open on the kitchen table.

Day 277

Computer glitch for the second time: blank screen. Turned it off and on and it came up. I will find a tech today as I need my computer access to the world. It’s raining and I’m kind of glad that I have to stay in again. Darn leg is not helping with my comings and goings. It’s been almost three weeks and it’s still not well. I’m comfortable with the new phone. It’s connected to the fitbit and the few apps I use..

Day 276

I had five stops to fill my list and my leg worked well enough to do it! Plus nine conversations!!!! That makes it an exceptional day and the aching later was a small price to pay. Walking is my world connection and losing that ability is like being caged. I know I pushed it but today I’ll be quiet. I haven’t picked a subject for writing yet. I have loved and lost a lot and it will probably be a sad dog story.

Day 275

I came home from church, ate soup, curled up and dozed for two hours. Just not feeling well. This morning I’m much better except for the danged leg pain. Later, Della has a vet appointment at 9:15 and Minnie is going at 2:15. I can’t cope with both of them at the same time. It’s their annual exam and Della needs her prescription renewed. I have a bit of shopping and that’s it for agenda. Maybe write for Thursday’s Tea and Stories group.

Day 274

New phone but not without the usual learning curve tantrums. Thanks to my techspert Megan all the passwords are in place. I will get used to it quickly. The phone is like an appendage and I depend on it. My other appendage hurts. It’s been two weeks and the leg still doesn’t operate well. After a short walk I was flat and achy. Today after church with Fr. Tom, we will have a supervisory meeting with Linda Lee. I will rest after that.

Day 273

A full moon is peeking in the skylight. Thankfully the power came back in time for coffee! I did get out for a brief walk late yesterday afternoon . I feel caged by my hurt leg and the weather. It’s been two weeks since I injured it and another two weeks until it’s back to normal. Walking is important and I miss going out. All the left-overs have been distributed and now I get to make the turkey soup. It’s  my favorite part.

Day 272

In spite of the power outage, we had a fine dinner. We took the turkey to Megan’s gas stove plus her oven and all was well. It was chatty, fun, and felt close and warm between us. I’m blessed with Hollie and Megan. Today we will snack on turkey sandwiches and left-overs. More strong wind and rain today and I will stay inside and watch out the windows. Tomorrow Megan will go to the phone store and help me buy a new one.

Day 271

Short restless night and too early dog alarm. Don’t know what caused the barking and running around but night was over at 4 AM. This is a day when I want to feel energetic and I may have to fake it. Moon and wind with rain to come. At least we have and alternative oven in case of a power outage. I did shop phones and may have picked one. I want Megan to go with me as she always has good questions.

Day 270

We marched into Safeway and went quickly through our list and out in about fifteen minutes. Then we went to the cheese factory and filled the rest of the list. The CofC was quiet and our conversations are always interesting. Off to Karen for hot rocks and reiki treatment and I can walk a bit better. Today I will decide if I want to upgrade my cell phone. My modest use makes me wonder why I would take on the dreaded learning curve.

Day 269

A good sleep and I’m rarin” to go. Hollie will come and we will shop for our T-day dinner. Our menu is simplified and easy with the frills gone. I’m glad we do our uncomplicated holidays . I was quiet yesterday and had two short walks. The leg is not normal but improving. I’m going to Karen this afternoon and I know she will help the healing. I miss walking briskly. I appreciate how well I am and how connected to my life.

Day 268

Felt cold and unwell yesterday and did get out for a brief walk. Up many times in the night for quick trips to the bathroom. Finally turned on the heater. Might as well be as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. Now I’m feeling weary and unmotivated to do much more than snuggle under he blankets and watch reruns. I am usually so healthy that this feels like my body is rebelling about the sore leg. Darn. I want my vigorous self back.

Day 267

Yesterday was definitely R&R. Two very brief walks in the 48 degree day and I was back in my chair with dogs and blanket. I did fall into a bag of potato chips but first I made a delicious beef vegetable soup. Chips felt like part of the day off. My leg is somewhat better. It gets stiff later and the cold doesn’t help. I plan to go to church for Morning Prayer and hope to find something stimulating to occupy my mind.

Day 266

My head is cold. Lots of laughs about my hair at the CofC and it’s okay. I earned it. It was a quiet day with a few interesting visitors. My leg is still sore and it is better. Today I’ll give it the rest that I promised last Wednesday. I can use a puttering day as I noticed that my closet has items that are not used. Life is so informal that anything other than jeans and shirts is never off the hangers.

Day 265

The idea that popped into my head was not good. I walked into a salon and asked for a haircut and I am skinned! Fortunately my hair grows fast because I am cold with no insulation on my head. My DNA report came with no surprises: 27% Ashkenazi Jew, and the rest is Wales, England, and northern Europe. Lots of cousins and I don’t know what to do with that information. While the dogs are at the spa, I will refill the larder.

day 264

Brad said I have a hamstring strain and he bent and stretched my leg. Today I can walk with a minimum of discomfort.  Brad says I’m on my own with the option of visits as requested. Eileen was there and we had a good chat. I don’t see her often enough. Jesse says I have no spots of interest. Next derm appointment in one year. Today is open. No ideas have popped into my head but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

Day 263

The BOS was interesting as the cannabis ban was lifted and a new ordinance read. Then came the drama that included Gitlin walking out. Oh my, the unprofessional tantrums. My sore knee took the fun out of walking. Don’t know what I did to cause the problem. This morning I’m going to PT and maybe Brad can help me. Megan brought Hallelujah with 1500 voices and we enjoyed it together. She is getting her adulating life in order. I’m very proud of her.

Day 262

Board of Supervisors meeting and the cannabis ban will be lifted! I know our three reasonable people will go with it. The two haters, well, they can sit and hate. Yesterday I filled the green bin with those big leafed weeds and cleaned out the car and the inside of the windows.. Two activities that have been on my mind. I met Carol and walked to the post office with her. Not much exercise but the value of our friendship is worth it.

Day 261

Thirteen people in church and I led just fine. I’ve done it often over the years and I like the acknowledgement. Being dependable is my place in the congregation. I had a long walk to the bay and back through the park. It was well populated by others enjoying this mild weather. I actually had pink cheeks from the warm sun. Today is a holiday Monday and I have routine items on the agenda. Must get the stretches and exercises done well first.

Day 260

After the parade, I came home and rested. My left knee began to hurt. I wasn’t aware of twisting it but this morning it is better. I’ll start the morning with a quick trip to Safeway for bananas and then prepare for leading Morning Prayer. I had an anxiety dream about it. I found strange people selling stuff in the church and had to move them out. There will be a tiny congregation and they are friendly and forgiving if I mess up.

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Day 259

The veteran’s day parade today and I will walk with the Democrats. First I have to get a bag of candy. Instead of giving to the kids, I’ll give it to old people. That’s all I have planned and am open to spontaneous events. Maybe a social opportunity will arise. Maybe find someone to join in a walk.  I want to be outside as long as the weather is so mild. I know the greenhouse needs attention and I need to plant seeds.

Day 258

We had a fine day with finding everything I wanted: CBD oil, new wok, a mirror from Good Will, great lunch at Chan’s. I enjoyed Hollie’s company and her patience. She made that day for me as she had no list at all. Later, tea and stories was wonderful with our blurbs. There is always something new to learn about each other. Today is CofC. I expect it to be quiet and will be happy if we are busy.  Ready for Friday.

Day 257

I’m ready to spruce up the house for story group before Hollie and I go to Brookings for a dink and poke kind of shopping trip. We are planning lunch at Chan’s and Megan wants a take-out dinner for her Trivia night.  Yesterday I signed a contract for the writing group and feel confident that I can give the veterans a way to write their memoirs.  I worked hard at PT. It’s amazing how fast my body responds to the stretches and exercises.

The prompt: Your life story is a best seller. write a blurb for the back cover

Sharon named her life story “Unpacking” as a hint of what she was ready to reveal about her life. From the beginning, she chronicles the obstacles that she overcame to become who she is now. There were health crises, emotional storms, gains and losses like all human experience. After all the high roads, low roads, detours, and dead ends, she ended up exactly in the place where she belongs. Once she was criticized for being “too content with an ordinary life.” Reading these pages will prove that her life has been anything but ordinary. Sharon has cast a wide net and found deep and meaningful relationships. Her search for a connection to spirit was fulfilled.

Day 256

Slow but interesting duty at the CofC. One hour of phoning at the Dem office. The election is over and our people and propositions did okay. I enjoy being part of the action. No point is sitting and worrying when there is something to do. I keep an oar in the water. Steph Wenning asked me to lead a writing group for veterans in January through March. I felt my synapses snapping at the stimulating prospect. I have been wanting a new project.

Day 255

Election Day. Here’s a prayer that the expectation of a blue tsunami comes true. After my CofC duty, I will go to the office and make phone calls to people who haven’t voted yet. The group will meet later for pizza and TV watching the results. I may not stay for the whole party as I get tired before 10PM. Now I can move the political signs off my lawn. I’m feeling better and sleeping better too. Makes a difference to my activities.

Day 254

The great domestic energy surge lasted until after church when I had an equal and opposite reaction and was flat for two hours! Then I recovered and walked to the store with Carol. Today I will drive the car, shop for groceries, and work in the greenhouse. Since the house is spiffy I can use my energy outside. I’m staying away from news and Facebook. The divisions and hatred are horrifying and scare me. I do what I can here in my neighborhood.

Day 253

My first phone calls were awkward but I did communicate my message. Lots of old numbers and out of service ones. I talked to a couple of humans but mostly machines. Felt good and left feeling that I had added to our quest for voter turnout. Megan and I had a Cobb sandwiches at Good Harvest and then I kicked back and relaxed for the rest of the day. Woke up zippy and had a totally clean bedroom and floors before 6 AM.

Day 252

Slow at the CofC. Tourist season is over. I slept much better. May be the spray that Karen gave me for anxiety and pain. This morning I will go to Dem headquarters and make phone calls to people who haven’t sent in their ballots. Hollie is coming too. I am part of the process and it’s a duty that I can do well. First the stretches and mat exercises. It’s especially important when I’m going to be sitting for a couple of hours.

Day 251

Joan prescribed the medication that I wanted and two doses are on board. I enjoyed the hot rocks. They warm my bones.  Karen does such a caring and intuitive massage. Today is CofC and with the help of AZO I know I can do my duty. I cancelled working the phones with the Dems later. Tomorrow I will be there and participate in getting the voters out. My immune system is strong and infection will not last. I need my activities and people.

Day 250

Thanks to AZO I had a decent day complete with a couple of walks. Had a test at the hospital at 4 PM. Hope to get a report soon as today the symptoms are back. I have an appointment with Karen for a massage this afternoon and don’t want to miss it. My immune system must be weakened by the anxiety that has been a bother lately. The collective mind must be struggling to shower positivity too. I’ll do my best get well.