Day 188

No story group so Carol and I took a walk instead. She likes to get her steps. Long Dem meeting. Candidates for school board were interviewed and there were issues with one of them. It will be interesting to see how that turns out. I learned a lot about the process. Today is visitors’ center. I’m expecting that it will be busy because of the holiday weekend.  Then the number will dwindle and the duty becomes less appealing. Life is full of  changes.

Day 187

Long restless night with dreams about disasters and a short one about mom wanting bourbon. I rarely dream about her and she was demanding attention. Today I will drive the car, buy groceries, host story group, and attend a Dem meeting. The yard also needs attention. I took out a kale plant as it was buggy. Must pick peas and beans again as they are doing well. It is time to replant beets in the greenhouse. I want beets and carrots all winter.

Day 186

Gray, damp. Looking forward to museum duty. I’m hoping for interesting visitors and lively conversations. I will send off BOS notes in a few minutes and ask members to list talking points from the recall the gas tax people. We need the tax. No drama at the meeting and I left early for my massage with Karen. I asked her to work on my head and it felt wonderful. Meg made a beautiful dinner from the garden. The short unproductive season is over.

Day 185

Yesterday started with vigor and cleaning occurred. The back porch is shiny as is the kitchen. Then the green bin was filled with weeds from Megan’s yard. Picked peas and beans too. Later, Ellen came and I listened for two hours about her problems with Art and the health care system. Driving is not comfortable for her and I am the same way. I would not like the drive to Medford either. Later still, Megan vented about her boss and doing his work.

Day 184

The conversation with Betsy was productive. It pinned down the values we have as a congregation. The bottom line: inclusive acceptance of newcomers, the community, and the whole county. There were examples of outreach and service. I waited for Ellen to visit. She is upset about Art’s heart surgery and is taking it personally. She didn’t show up or text so I don’t know what’s going on. It’s smoky again this morning. Cuts down on walking.  I don’t want my lungs to ache.

Day 183

The sun is up and it’s the right color. No fog or smoke. Priest Betsy from the Bishop’s office will be at church and we are expected to meet after the communion service to talk with her. I keep wondering how long they will let our little congregation survive. Ellen is home. She says Art is not responding well to the meds after his heart surgery. She acts angry but I’m guessing she is afraid of taking care of him, the yard, etc.

Day 182

The sun made a brief appearance yesterday and it was a welcome sight. It’s foggy again this morning. Later, Hollie and I will walk to the farmers’ market as is our summer ritual for vegs and fruit. The visitors’ center was interesting because the travelers had amusing stories. That’s the best part of the duty. It is slowing down and soon the number will decrease even more. Older people travel after Labor Day when the kids are back in school. So goes summer.

Mid –year inventory

Notes from the daily log and not in any particular order

Too many entries about low energy, blah attitude, feeling cold and slow. Need to work on remembering the days of powering through with vigor and enjoyment’ Lots of walking, sporadic PT exercising. Sometimes I put the mat down and then pick it back up. I know I need to do the exercises daily. Strong core is essential.

With Hollie’s help, I had a bunch of heart tests and aced them all. She took me to Brookings five times and sat though the procedures. Blood tests too. I’m grateful for her care.

My longtime friend Gene died in March. I made sure his sons arrived in time to help with the final days. Carol needs help now in ways that I can be there for her like walking with her and taking her to appointments in the car.

Political participation: I attend board of supervisors meeting and note the time on presentations and agenda items and send the info to the Dem committee for those members who watch the meetings on video. I filled two petitions with signatures for the save the harbor initiative. Worked in the Dem booth at the fair selling raffle tickets and handing out literature about candidates. Participated in the rally to unite families. It was there that I had the fear that a politically radicalized person could drive their truck into the crowd and was horrified that I had a frame of reference for such a thought.

Had a couple of social events with Rosalie and Karen. Need more social outside of volunteer duties. I don’t have a best friend and need one. I don’t have anyone that fits. Most people my age are boring or sick.

I cleared ground and Art put up a greenhouse for me. Shawn built a planting box. I overplanted and learned a lot about what I want to do next. The peas and beans took over the yard. They were the only successful plants in this cold and foggy season.

I like the museum duty a lot because of visitors and their stories and because Max is an interesting partner. He is a science guy and shares a lot of information.

Finally quit the senior center duty. It wasn’t fun for a long time but I didn’t want to stay home too much so I waited for another place to show up and then Sarah asked me to come to the visitors’ center and I’m happy to be there. I am a resource because I have lived here for a long time and I have written the history column for the local paper and know stories. I need structure in my week. It’s entirely too easy to stay home and that is not good for me. I sink into the comfort zone of TV and food.

Favorites: Time with Hollie and Megan. My family is the top of the priorities and anytime I can be with them is golden. Next on the top is the tea and stories group. I look forward to our gatherings and sharing our stories.

That’s about all I can say about six months of my 83^rd year.