Day 331

Amazing how good the smallest meaningful activity feels after a month of slow and unwell days. I actually walked to the store and brought home four items that I needed. I’m on the way back to my usual healthy state. Today I want more and will remember that I had two relapses because of eagerness to be well. Rain is coming and I want to work outside today. Always lots to do in the yard, The joy of home ownership! Onward and upward.

Day 330

The doc says my vision is stable and the surgery isn’t necessary. I need new glasses. These are four years old so a change will help. I came home with a headache that didn’t go away. A nap didn’t give me back energy to fill the agenda. Hoping to get moving  and feel like doing all the errands and shopping I need. Had a good visit with Megan. I like her work stories and keeping up with her studies for the CPA exam.

Day 329

10K steps yesterday! First time in 2019. I’m slow but I kept going as I want my normal routine again. This morning I see Dr. E, and have my eyes dilated for the once a year thorough exam. He will recommend surgery and I will ask a ton of questions because I want to know how many trips to Ashland are involved. It’s not manageable now. Groceries next and then fill the green bin with weeds. Time to plant seeds in the greenhouse.

Day 328

Two walks yesterday and better than the day before. That’s all I’m asking is improvement. Today I will go to museum to firm up the visit by the writing group for research. I have asked them to have a county background in their stories.  Most of them have not been to the museum so we will start with a tour. I want to get out in the yard and take advantage of the dry spell to get weeds down and prune the trees.

Day 327

I didn’t get to the farm but did drive the car on the highway to warm it up. The class was remarkable. They just gobble up the new ideas and off they go. Next week we’ll work on character sketches and writing dialogue. I was tired and shaky afterward. I simply am not regrouping my energy and it bothers me to quit before I’m ready. Today after church, I am planning to walk and rest. I need my simple routine and more sunshine.

Day 326

My duty only lasted two hours and I had to come home. It was okay as there were few visitors. I had to sink into the comfort zone and rest yet again. Later I had a walk around the block. I want my energy back. I want to resume my activities. The lesson plan for the writing group is from prompts. I look forward to meeting with them. Maybe I’ll go to Ocean air farm stand this morning. I like their fresh produce,

Day 325

The stories were wonderful, enjoyable, stimulating  and what I love is the vast differences in how we answer the prompts. Yesterday I had a walk, met Linda Lee and had a great conversation about church and Mary Oliver. I loaned her a book of favorite poems. Cleaned out the greenhouse and planted lettuce seeds. It felt good in there with the sun on it. Maybe the seeds will have enough warmth to sprout. Long e-mail from Angela that I will answer this morning.

Day 324

Yesterday I did three weeks of housework, and pruned the Bird. This was followed by a three dog nap and a quiet day. Every day I feel a bit better and am looking for 100% again. Today I will finish writing the prompt and get the house ready for my writing friends. I look forward to our time together. The sharing is deep and meaningful. I may do a little grocery shopping. The dogs need a cauliflower. The days go by too fast.

The little things that make life worth living   

Waking up smiling with my version of up dog and down dog to wake up my body.

Waking up with Minnie nuzzling my hair and licking my face. I reach for her silky fur and feel her warmth.

The first cup of coffee. I set up the coffee maker before I go to bed and push the button before I feed the dogs. Then, ah, sit down and enjoy the heat, the aroma, and the first sip. I thank myself for it.

Smiles. Whether  giving or receiving, a smile can make me feel connected to the other person. It’s an exchange of energy.

Meaningful conversations. Whether it’s a brief catch-up and hug, spontaneous meeting or a sit down to find out how our lives are working out.

Soup. I love making soup and I love eating soup. My favorite is bean soup. The broth feels like it runs around in my body and makes me happy.

Service. Using my time and skills to help out in any form is worthwhile.

Weather. I love weather and following the science of forecasting.

Dog excitement The greeting from the dogs when I have been out of the house even for a few minutes.

Poetry although Mary Oliver is my favorite, I also like others like Wendell Berry

The warm spot in the bed after getting up at night.

Day 333

Yes indeed, yesterday was normal activity and I smiled and loved every minute. I have a home agenda for today: cutting the Bird of Paradise that is against the house,, planting carrot and beet seeds in the greenhouse, looking in the little yard but I’m not sure I want to tackle the weeds yet. Inside, dust and sweep. That should fill my desire for a healthy day. I am writing the meaningful  prompt for tomorrow’s Tea and Stories group. It’s a gratitude list.

Day 332

Karen used hot rocks and put her singing bowl on my back. I could feel the vibrations through my body. I slept well and today I’m rarin’ to go. It’s BOS and Sally says there will be a surprise. Don’t know what to expect but I’m guessing it has to do with Gitlin. The storm broke part of the greenhouse. Art will come to fix it and I can get busy with planting seeds. It’s time to think about digging in the dirt.

Day 331

Woke up ready for today. I was dull yesterday and had a problem paying attention to the church business but was revived by lunch. Hot food is the best way to beat the coldness that is part of this illness. Today I’m going for a massage with Karen and I’m looking forward to hot rocks! That part of her routine makes my body feel warm to the bone. The rain may be gone and I need to walk. It’s not a bad addiction.

Day 330

Poor sleep and feeling ill.. This is lasting too long and from reports I’m guessing I’m not alone. Lots of similar symptoms are going around and the time frame seems to be three weeks. The writing group was great! I enjoy the people and the work. They gobble up everything I offer and are ahead of what I had planned. That will keep me sharp to keep them interested. Fr. Tom will be at church and I will go plus the annual meeting.

Day 329

While the dogs were at the groomer, I realized how empty the house is when they are gone. Sometimes I wonder if I want the responsibility like a big vet bill or a mess, but the greeting when I come home is worth the trouble. Jake spins, Della wags her whole body, and Minnie vocalizes her delight that I’m back. Except for checking the mail box, I was inside all day again. Today is the writing group and I’m looking forward to it.

Day 328

I found mail at Carol’s and took it to the post office for forwarding. In my mind I asked Carol to look for Mary Oliver. They are both nature poets and Carol added photography to hers. I miss them both. My dogs go to the spa this morning and I will grab some groceries so I can stay inside again. I’m looking forward to a dry spell next week. I should be healthy by then and ready to have my simple life restored.

Day 327

Best sleep in two weeks! Only woke up coughing once. Maybe today I will have a bit of energy for a normal  routine. I called Sarah and told her that I put my dress back in the closet. There is no way I would be able to enjoy the festivities on Saturday night since I fold up at 7 PM and go to sleep. I found an easy to understand short story form. I’m going to write one as an example. Good progress.

Day 326

The weather will make it easier to stay in and rest. I did get two brief walks yesterday and enjoyed every step. In the night I thought of a lesson plan for the writing group that will help with the creative part. Now that they are all writing, I want fleshing out with adjectives and adverbs. I found a list of rules for writing quotations and will find short story form today. The group is stimulating and it’s good to snap the synapses.

Day 325

I did the errands, plus getting dog food at the tractor store and was out of energy by 10 AM. Sank into the chair again until time for the committee meeting. The group is interesting and full of information so I want to participate although I was yawning by 6:30. Sometimes all I do is listen and learn. Today I want an early walk before the weather settles in. Maybe I will get a few weeds in the green bin. I need activity.

Day 324

Two short walks yesterday! Felt good to be outside. Went to GO to get a cauliflower for the dogs. Better sleep and today I am ready to tackle the list of errands and shopping. If energy lasts I’ll get to pruning the rose bushes and the lilac bush, maybe the pear trees too. Don’t want to overdo and sink back into the chair. I have a bag of towels to take to the marine mammal center, plus paying a bill, and getting groceries.

Day 323

No walk yesterday. No energy and generally unwell. Darn it all, I have things I want to do. The writing group was inspiring and engaging. The writers were open and sharing with laughter and appropriate support. I look forward to going again. Today I’m inside for resting as I must get over this bump in the road. I may find sorting or straightening tasks anything to be quiet and busy. Might be a file in the drawer that could use a clean out.

Day 322

I’m still not well and tired of it all. I was mildly productive yesterday by pushing buttons on the dishwasher, washing machine, and the dryer. It’s a start toward regular daily life. Today I will meet with a new writing group. I don’t know them yet and wish I had my energy back. Maybe later I’ll get a walk around the block. I need to move. I’ll check in at the museum and see what’s going on there. I miss participating with volunteering.

Day 321

Another day at home. No volunteer duty with this cold. Yesterday I had company for a while and that was a pleasant break from sitting with dogs while coughing and sneezing. I leafed through the prompt book hat Carol’s daughter gave me for ideas for the tea and stories group. Hopefully we will all be back together in a couple of weeks. I miss my friends. The chicken soup will last another day. Maybe I’ll feel like getting more Ocean Air oranges tomorrow.

Day 320

Coffee is having a hard time getting through the cobwebs of a restless sleep. I hoped to start today in a normal way but I’ll have another quiet time with blanket and dogs. Maybe tidying up can happen and will be welcome. I don’t like seeing dust and not doing something about it. I haven’t written anything new and didn’t write the last prompt Carol gave us. Kind of a flat spot from seasonal depression, the leg strain, and now this persistent cold.

Day 319

Better night and a quiet day coming. Hope to break the cold so I can get back to normal. I will get the BOS notes sent early and that’s the only task at hand. I want to get out in the greenhouse as I have seeds for the winter planting. I’m late getting them in and hope the carrots and beets can get started. I weeded last week and pulled out the old tomato plants. I like being there with dirt and peace.

Day 318

Yesterday was okay. Took care of essentials. I did get out for a slow walk and enjoyed it. The night was restless and sick. I can’t go to the BOS with a cough. I’d get dirty looks from Chris. I can follow on the computer and do my duty. Wrote a lot in my journal about the recent losses. Story group wants to remember Carol with anecdotes. She added so much with her humor, her photographs, and prompts. Group won’t be the same.

Day 317

I did go to church and I’m hoping it wasn’t a selfish thing to do as I was sicker later in the day. Just can’t get warm and stay warm without piling on blankets and dogs. Today I must do the Walmart run-through as my list won’t wait for the cold to go. More messages from Randy. I wish I wasn’t uncomfortable with his attention but long history makes me wary. He wants to go to lunch and tell me about his angels.

Day 316

The barometer dropped as low as I’ve ever seen it and the wind blew shrieking, pounding, and breaking limbs. After a long sick day came a long sick night. I’m guessing today will be home and quiet as much as I would like to go to church for Epiphany.  I’ll decide later. Being so sick feels like a failure as I like to think my immune system is strong. I have a full agenda for tomorrow and I want to get things done.

Day 315

The CofC was quiet and mostly conversational. I enjoyed the time to visit. Later I walked to SeaQuake to have a lousy expensive lunch with Karen and Rosalie. At home the cold symptoms settled in. I have ducked it for a week or more and now I have to admit it. Stormy today and I will not get dressed. I have soup and other quick foods and will be prepared if the power goes out as it often does with a wind storm.

Day 314

Karen used her hot rocks to melt my cold body and I felt better when I came home. Ready for bed early and then restless poor sleep. I’m tired and I have a long day coming up. First the CofC and it will be busy due to the gov’t shutdown. At least, I can tell people about hiking now. Later, I’ll meet Karen and Rosalie at SeaQuake for a late lunch and conversation. Angela e-mailed her deep sadness. I sent her warm hugs.

Day 313

Dona died. Laurie said it was a beautiful experience. I cleaned out the greenhouses yesterday and found a bit of interest in winter planting. Bought carrot seeds to add to the beet seeds and spinach too. I will plant. Need something growing and thriving. Today I am feeling kind of woozy. Mild headache and lack of motivation. The mat is calling and I’m not answering. Later I will walk to Karen and hope her magic massage helps. I don’t like this limbo existence.

Day 312

I wrote a couple of pages in the journal. Felt like reconnecting with an old friend. I do release a lot of feelings onto paper that I don’t have an ear to tell. Laurie and Travis are sitting with Dona as she passes. Her last few months have been in fast decline. So goes another friend of long standing. It’s a reality at my age that I will lose peers. The highlight from yesterday was a beautiful calm warm walk to Battery Point.

Day 3111

I’m sore from the house cleaning and walking yesterday. It was the most work I have done in two months. Then I sat and watched a Street Outlaws marathon. Today I have the usual self-request to write in the paper journal. I start out well and then drop it again. Looking at old journals makes me wish for the same interest that I used to have. They are fun to read with poetry, pictures and drawings. I do keep the daily log routinely.