Day 249

Yesterday stated with a car that wouldn’t start. Not the first time and I knew the battery was getting low and didn’t take care of it by driving more. Saved by Les Schwab. Today Yoga first and an extra senior center duty. I avoid Halloween. There are no children in the neighborhood and I don’t want to attract greedy monsters who come in cars to extort candy. Feeling the season changes and facing the dark with the intention of doing it well

Day 248

Monday. Orchids get water therapy and I get physical therapy stretching. My friend Ellen won’t go to fitness alone so I’m going to join her at 8 am for the circuit exercises followed by senior center duty. Later, hmm, what new and wonderful activity can I find or create? Walking for sure and maybe go in a different direction at least. More importantly, can I find a stimulating conversation or new place to visit. Haven’t toured the art galleries for a while.

Day 247

Rested yesterday and feel very well this morning. Guess a day off was required. I did look to the domestic chores and ignored them. Maybe today I’ll get interested in sweeping the floors. After church I may daub paint as I am enjoying the process of playing with lines and colors. Hollie and I will miss our Saturday walks and will see how going to the farm stand will work out. Is it the family feeling or the fresh vegetables that matter?

Day 246

Started yesterday with roller massage and Yoga. The rollers find every sore spot and the idea is to stay on the spot until it feels better. I will do it again. The Halloween party was crowded, noisy and fun. People were happy with my choices for costume prizes. I walked a lot in three separate walks. Need to get out and enjoy because it is getting darker every day. Last Farmers’ market today with Hollie. Meg went south to see the Sarahs.

Charly, our drag Queen, singing Patsy Cline.

Day 245

Busy yesterday and another one today. I asked for activity and there it is. First Yoga with roller massage, and then senior center for the Halloween party. I was asked to judge the costumes. I never participate in the social days at the center but I will do this for Tracy and Charlie. Besides, he bribed me with a cinnamon roll. Then the day is open. I’ll get out for a walk and the usual wander around the yard looking for weeds. 

Day 244

First a Yoga session, then senior center duty plus Tracy Cole is coming to talk to Medicare people for his study. I hope to find five or six interested folks to help him. Later I will get a walk and maybe find a place in the yard that needs attention. There is always something to do. I doodled with paint and paper and enjoy the process. The product isn’t the important part. It’s the playing that counts and tthe meditative attention is refreshing.

Day 243

Yoga showed me that as much as I already exercise I need more. I was stiff this morning when I rolled out of bed. I’ll get on the mat and stretch more. The BOS meeting was long and had two interesting presentations. As long as I learn something new about how our government works, I will attend and keep the time for the committee. Today the hydrangeas will go into the green bin.  The limelight turned pink and the blue one sags.

Day 242

Unusually warm day and I had three walks for almost seven miles! Woke up to a warm house and forecast of another beautiful day. I’ll go to Yoga for the 8 O’clock session, get home and dress for the BOS and possibly senior center duty too. There is Yoga each weekday morning and I’m ready to be there. The circuit training is also calling. My Silver Sneakers card makes it free. I’m restless for new connections and volunteer options. Must keep moving.

Day 241

Monday again. Weather change to warm and dry. Today I’ll walk to the chiropractor for another treatment. I still need to get my neck straightened out. It is so arthritic that it doesn’t hold the improvement as well as it once did. Yesterday was quiet. Megan and I shared a Chinese dinner and that was the high spot. I did daub on the painting. I like it. I will go to Express Fitness and sign up for Yoga. I need more activity.

Day 240

Yesterday morning’s good energy dwindled by afternoon and I fell into the comfort zone. I did make wonderful vegetable soup and add a few daubs of paint but I confess to TV under my blanket with two dogs. Today I’m ready to start over. That’s what morning is for, a new beginning with the intention of using it well. Church is on the agenda, plus more writing about the Sonoma state adventure that corresponded with age 42 and the half Uranus return.

Day 239

The dogs had a good report except they are both a bit overweight. Wet and windy Saturday morning and we will brave the weather to go to the market although we may drive. A day inside where a paint-box, a book, and a new recipe await attention. It’s time for crockpot and bone broth soups. Today I’ll buy squash for a vegetable soup and enjoy the wafting aroma. May borrow apples from the neighbor’s tree for a pot of sauce. All good.

Day 238

The rain refreshed the air and watered the blonde lawn. Today showers will let me get outside to walk. Early, the dogs go to the groomer followed by a vet visit for Della and Minnie. It’s the yearly check-up and I will hear about not brushing their teeth. It just doesn’t work. Even with help, the squirming and churning does not allow for the toothbrush to do much good. Later, I want to paint more doddles. Story group was warm and wonderful.

Day 237

Rain and wind today. It will help get the fires out that have been burning since July. I slept soundly after the massage and chiropractic visit and woke up feeling swaddled in the down comforter. Lovely to wake up feeling rested and ready for the day. Senior center duty after the routine house stuff, then later the story friends will come and spend an enjoyable time together. The weather change feels like an internal change too. Wonder what experience is coming next?

Day 236

I plan to walk a lot today as rain is coming. I’m enjoying the warm days and know they will end soon. It’s time for the cotton quilt to come off the bed and the down comforter to take its place. I am jumping out of bed and turning on the heater. Today I’ll have a massage with Karen and then a trip to the chiropractor for another tweak on my neck and lower back. Both of them help me keep moving

Day 235

Good walking and yard cleaning yesterday. Today I will do more of both activities. But first, routine: Stretches, exercise and tidying up the house before senior center duty. I did write a few lines about the history of the family in Sonoma County. It’s sad to see the results of the fires. Places that were dear to our visits are gone to ash. Also started a to write about break-ups and the aftereffects. Lots of memories are flying by in my mind.

Day 234

I have yard work today. I want to clean out the bales in Megan’s yard. It might rain later this week and I want the material piled up where I want it for the winter. Later, I will take Karen to her PT appointment again. She is doing very well and ready to get back to her busy life. I will find intervals to daub paint on paper. I’m enjoying the little mindful moments.  The end product is not the important part.

Day 233

Saturday was a good one. I enjoy our family walk-about. We laugh a lot. Megan will look for another job and maintain until she does. It’s difficult to stay in an uncomfortable situation. Today is church. I think Fr Tom is scheduled and then the day is open. I started a painting with the usual red line starting at the bottom of the page. It is something that pops up from my unconscious. I like walking by, stopping, adding lines and colors.

Day 232

Days begin with strong intentions that wear down during the day. How do I keep the energy going for the outcomes I want? The fresh day is full of encouragement and I feel strong. Today, just for today, I can fill myself with the activities and attitudes that I need. Jumping man is finished. I will crop the paper and that’s it. Today is the family trip to the farmers’ market. High spot in the week. Only three more for the season.

Day 231

What can I do today that will make me smile and have well-being? I don’t want another day of wandering around, picking things up and putting them back down, finding something to eat, and scrolling through TV looking for diversion. The restlessness is a sign that some part needs attention. I have paint on the table, took paper out of the closet, opened the Red Book for inspiration and nothing happened. I want to write memories of Sonoma county too. Such loss.

Day 230

Cold mornings and warm afternoons. Yesterday Karen did well at PT. She looks great and has exceeded expectations for healing. Today is senior center duty and that’s all the agenda. Hope to feel like yard work this afternoon. There is a lot of cleaning before the rains start. And it’s time to plan for the dark time. Rosalie and I talked about getting through without seasonal depression. We need to get together. I know that it’s activity and socializing that helps me.

Day 229

Yesterday was worthwhile. I like days with variety and first the BOS, then the center, and later, Tracy. In between I walked, visited, and enjoyed the fall day. Today I will take Karen to her physical therapy appointment and while she is there, I will go to the store for groceries. Megan’s house is without Joel finally. She learned a steep lesson. She jumped in too soon and is paying the price. We will have a sage smudging and thorough cleansing soon.

Day 228

Yesterday’s energy dwindled and I didn’t accomplish much. I skipped the Dem committee meeting. Just didn’t want to be there. Today is board of supervisors meeting and I will go. If it’s a short one, I may get to the senior center for lunch. Later I’ll see Tracy for another chiropractic manipulation. He helps me keep going. Megan didn’t feel positive about the interview and didn’t tell Jeff that she was looking for a different job. Her life is full of change.

Day 227

An open Monday awaits an agenda. Megan is having her interview with the county and then she has to talk to Jeff about leaving his office. I have no errands so I can make it up as I go along. I do want to paint the last part of the jumping man doodlefest. I’m thinking lightning flashes of different colors. Cleaning is always an option that I easily avoid. I might get in a cooking mood. Vegan recipes are currently appealing.

Day 226

Yesterday I walked to the photography show. It was very interesting as all the entries were local scenes. I like my painting! It’s about half done as there is lots of white paper. It’s relaxing to sit and doodle. Today I will lead morning prayer. It’s a matter of keeping everyone on the same page. Probably won’t be more than a handful present. The rest of the day is open so I can get outside for walking and putzing around the yard.

Day 225

Yesterday I took down the tall cypress tree. It was half-dead. Started painting my “doodlefest”. I walk by, grab a brush and add curlycues or zigzags. It’s pleasing and colorful. Yesterday Tracy helped my back and neck. Don’t know why I take so long to call the chiropractor. I’ll see him again on Tuesday to check the process. Sure did sleep soundly without the nagging aches. Saturday and that means family trip to the farmers’ market. It’s another of my favorite events. 

Day 224

Story group was remarkable. It’s amazing how much we learn about each other and it tightens an already secure and trusting bond. Megan is breaking up with Joel and I am delighted. He is so far from being a partner for her and, frankly, he is dumb. I’m helping by bailing out the amount of her student loan that he helped her pay. Today I’m going to play house. Not much to do after my ruthless  closetectomy except disperse the displaced items.

Day 223

Glorious weather and Hollie for company made yesterday perfect. We found what we were looking for and enjoyed our favorite lunch too. I have a plan for a painting. I have the paper right here on the table and when I walk by, I have ideas but no action yet. Today, after senior center duty, my story friends are coming to share. It is the highlight of the week. I will share an old essay about the 75^th reunion of my friends. 

Day 222

And then there were four: Pat died. First Joyce and the rest of us are doing well. Brings back memories of walking to Lincoln school for fifth grade and the bus trips so I could stay there for sixth. Then we met in the seventh grade and formed our group. I enjoyed the center yesterday and stayed to visit. Tuesday has a small lunch count and there is time for visiting. Today Hollie and I are going to Brookings for recreational shopping.

Day 221

Sarah really got me with her deep massage. She finds all my sore spots and digs in. Today is starting with bath time for orchids. I can concentrate on my tasks and leave the outside world outside. It’s too much to understand. The weather is autumn at its best, warm days and cool nights. I filled the green bin yesterday with weeds and old branches. Feels good.  Ky put the strip under the front door so now I can’t see daylight anymore. 

Day 220

Monday agenda: house and yard plus Sarah for massage. Nice weather, good walks, good life. There was no way to avoid the news this morning and the violence gave way to gratitude for the simple life I lead. One commentator said “This is the new norm.” and it’s horrifying to think that. I do know that I am more cautious than I once was. I don’t walk late in the day and I do have a security system plus three barking dogs.

Day 219

Found my pears plus peaches and prunes, carrots, string beans, and potatoes. Later Meg and I walked back to the market and bought lunch at Rebecca’s Pilipino stand. Rice noodles and barbecued chicken quarter. Later I succumbed to the comfort zone and watched a marathon. Today I’ll attend church. Fr. David might be there and I look forward to being there. I want to paint more. I’d like to do a big paper with lots of color and design. Not a representational picture