Day 103

Fun with Rosalie and Karen at Seaquake. We talked for two hours while having a meal and a pint of blonde ale. I enjoy them and our conversations go all over the place. Rosalie is co-authoring a book on aging using the hero’s journey as a theme. Lots of garden talk and plans. Today I’ll get errands done early as the tourists are already in town. Later my story people will come to share and respond. First the routine exercise and good nutrition.

My interest in elder circles started on July 4, 2016 at Hollie’s house when she had a barbecue party for Laurie, Rod, and Dona. They came from Idaho to complete a real estate deal for Dona’s house. Laurie and Hollie have been friends from the seventh grade and so I have known Dona that long. In 2010 Laurie asked Dona to come live with her and Rod and I helped her sort and delete her house full of stuff. The move was good. Rod was wonderful with her and built her a greenhouse, made a garden spot and folded her into their lives. It worked for a few years until Dona began to decline. By the time they come to Hollie’s party, they had a way of “parking” Dona in a chair and giving her glasses of wine. The next day Dona came to spend the afternoon with me as they did the legal work. She cried and told me how they took her along on their trips and “parked” her somewhere so she didn’t bother them.

Then I met Terra Bella from the Moon Tribe who said she was interested in elder circles and we talked about what that would look like. I made research trips to google and didn’t find a lot of help in how to get started until I found Noetic science institute that offered a course in Conscious Aging. Move ahead a couple of weeks to the day that Karen asked me to go to Klamath with her and Rosalie to stand with the Yurok tribe to support the Standing Rock tribe. On the way home I said who would be interested in elder circles and Rosalie said “Let’s do it.” I ordered the books from IONS and she did too. Together we put together our own version of the program as we didn’t like theirs. We started a group at the senior center that worked very well. Lots of time passed due to life and now we are prepared to begin another group with changes that we made from the previous experience. Rosalie has lots of facilitator experience and is the lead in our partnership. She is currently co-authoring a book on aging. Soon we hope to get another chance to share our program. 

Day 102

The election went to our candidates keeping sanity and reason on the Board of Supervisors. The dirty tricks didn’t fool the people. I enjoyed the visit to the Chamber of Commerce visitors’ center. It was as though I never left! Sarah has done a great job of  sweeping out old stuff and making it strictly local. I will volunteer there and fit in. Today is museum duty. Afterward I will go to the farmers’ market and maybe pick up lunch from a vendor.

Day 101

Changing the way I spend time takes a while. Although I didn’t miss going to the senior center, I was aware that it was Monday with a sense of playing hooky. After the routine, I am going to the Chamber of Commerce to meet with Sarah about volunteering there. I did that a long time ago and enjoyed the visitors. Yesterday I walked with Carol. She is doing well by herself. We chatted about life and time and the neighborhood. Everything is growing.

Day 100

Quick assessment of the year so far: passed lots of cardiac tests, good blood test numbers, gained a new greenhouse and filled it with green stuff, lots of walking, ended a twelve year volunteer duty at the senior center with relief, feel satisfied and comfortable about how my life is unfolding. Today is work day at church and I will join for a while after I take my ballot to the clerk, walk bills to the post office, and get a few groceries.

Day 99

Church with Mother Leslie followed by more watering, weeding and enjoying dirt. Yesterday I gave Megan my lovely collection of earrings that I no longer wear. I stopped changing earrings when I stopped using make-up and dressing up for whatever I was involved with. Now I’m in jeans and shirts. I don’t even own any dress up clothes as I gave away all the good pants, tops, and blazers. Simply clean, comfortable, casual wear. I am systematically cleaning out all excess stuff.

Day 98

First Saturday Farmer’s Market. Hollie is coming and maybe Megan too. I look forward to this time together and the busy atmosphere there. It’s often a social occasion too with lots of hugs and quick catch up conversations. As I worked in the yard yesterday, I thought about my long history at the senior center and I know how much I contributed there. I am leaving without regret. Sarah wants me to come to the Chamber of Commerce. I’ll visit there on Tuesday

Day 97

I quit altogether. Not for a month but permanently. Felt relief. It’s wise to know when to leave a situation before I blow up and tell how I really feel. There are a few people I will miss. Now I’ll use that time for my garden for now and maybe look for a place in the fall. I want to be busy in the dark months. Today is for errands and shopping. I need a garden hose that doesn’t spray from several holes.