Day 279

My A1C is 5.8. 6 is the marker for diabetes. I already exercise, drink water and eat well: no sugar, white flour, alcohol, or junk food. I do eat fruit, rice or whole wheat pasta and chips. So, I have until Valentine’s Day to get the number down. I walked seven miles yesterday in three long walks and loved every step. I didn’t do floors or dust so that is how I will start the day. Senior duty and then story group

Day 278

High spot yesterday was four-star dinner at Hollie’s new trailer. It was a bit of a go for Megan to find the road backwards in the dark but she did it. The trailer is cozy and Hollie will make it into a home while the house is being rebuilt. Today is yard day for sure. The rain didn’t stop yesterday so the cleanup didn’t happen. All my steps were inside pacing and prancing on the rebounder. I’m ready for a productive day.

Day 277

I did get a walk yesterday and will repeat that wonderful addiction today. I must walk! The yard needs a walk-about. I did trim roses and the chard patch needs to have the dry leaves pulled into the green bin. I’ll finish the doodle and start another one. Maybe find another place to purge like under the kitchen sink. I want to use the day well. Maybe go visiting or write a letter. Noone knows how many days are left in life. 

Day 276

Fr. Tom’s sermon at church was a replay of Chocolat’s message about living with inclusion and kindness. I had asked myself why I was still waking up every morning and there it was – I have a place in my community where I give smiles, hugs, and general good will. After four days nearly alone I’m looking forward to getting the routine going again. The seniors will be chatty after the holiday. Maybe get outside this afternoon for a walk and yard pickup.

Day 275

Wet windy Sunday morning. Woke up grumpy with Minnie walking on me at 3 something. Tossed her on the floor and went back to sleep only it isn’t really sleep any longer. It was a oollage of old pictures that went by like a flip book. Now thankfully coffee has restarted the day and I’m doing laundry and planning. I want to daub paint and finish the painting about all the roads home. I will go to church and enjoy turkey soup.

Day 274

I had a productive yesterday. I love these spurts of energy spent on simplifying life. The old flour etc from the top shelf is gone as are half of the old CDs from many years ago. Most of the music has not been played in this century. Two big bags will go to Daily Bread’s thrift store in the hopes someone will enjoy the variety. This morning I will get the turkey soup going. It’s my favorite part of the whole event.

Day 273

Many greetings sent and received. I have quite a network of connections. Big life. Our dinner was delicious and we enjoyed a scrabble game before we ate. Most of the time we were a happy family. Chuck started a dog fight that ended the day. Meg’s fresh pumpkin pie was lip smacking good. We quickly reduced the food into containers and washed up the pots and pans. Today we can graze on leftovers. Now we ignore Christmas wait for the new year.

Day 272

Hollie and I were out early yesterday and had our shopping done before the grocery store filled up. Today we will put our simple dinner together and enjoy the day as a family that includes five dogs. I have a ton of gratitude for my life. No need to make a list as I say thank you all day long. I’m thinking about all the previous holiday meals and the parade of others, family and friends, who have shared it with us. 

Day 271

Hollie will come for a shower. Still no water in the trailer. Then we will shop for dinner tomorrow. We have slimmed down the menu and that makes it easier to prepare and to use afterward. I enjoyed walking in the wind yesterday and the deep  massage. I like Karen’s way of using other modalities like her singing bowls as part of the process. The Grandmothers’ have been talking to me at 3 AM. I wish I could remember what they say.

Day 270

I’m doing well with sleeping these long nights. Hibernation for sure. The dogs and I are ready for bed early. One month until the Solstice and then the light minutes start coming back. Today is warm and showery so I can get out and walk. Later I see Karen for massage. I want to make better use of today. A little sprucing up will start the day and the PT mat will call for attention. I don’t want to go to Yoga.

Day 269

After two days of rest, TV, and food, I’m ready for action. I did get a couple of brisk walks and filled the green bin so wasn’t entirely a slug. I didn’t paint, didn’t write, didn’t find a good conversation, didn’t go to church, or reach out for company. So, based on that report, I guess I wanted to enjoy solitude and rest. My best days are those with parts: solitude, activity, and people. I can find more of those good days.

Day 268

Thought about my choice not to volunteer at the police department and realized that I was assessing my limitations rather than my potential to be helpful. I may reconsider after the first of the year. I do like the connection there. Today Hollie will come for a shower. No water hookup yet in the trailer. She is resilient and knows how to get on with her life in spite of the circumstances. I just hope that Chuck gets her home back soon.

Day 267

Watching Sea Quake fill up with a crowd was interesting. It’s an older bunch  there. The Millennials go to Port O Pints. I recognized a lot of people. The food was delicious: big salad, clam chowder, one pint of beer, $20. Won’t go often but will go with my friends. Today, farm stand and go to Hiouchi and see the trailer that Chuck and Hollie now live in. She says it’s a playhouse with most of her things stored. Progress now please.

Day 266

Story group was perfect, as always. Started today with no internet. Issue resolved with a half hour with a Spectrum agent. The glitch came from a Microsoft update! Today is dog day at the spa with me doing the quick step through Walmart. I do not like to shop there but they have a couple of products I can’t get anywhere else. Later I’m going to Sea Quake with Karen and Rosalie for a pint and a bowl of soup. Feeling grateful.

Day 265

The doctor appointment turned into a conversation in the dark. Nothing happens without electricity. I’m sure I’ll hear the test results today. We did have a pleasant chat as I have little of medical interest to relate. Dinner was very late but roast chicken is hard to beat. Today Yoga, senior center duty, and my favorite story group. My life is productive and satisfying. I’m not feeling the restless need for newness. I’m thinking that was a result of the early darkness.

Day 264

Off to exercise in the wind at the fitness center to do the circuit with Ellen. Long night and I’m sleeping soundly in spite of stuff hitting the house. Later, domestic goddess time. The house needs dedogging as they bring in the outdoors and spread it around. I will see Joan this afternoon and find out what the blood test revealed about the A1C. I’m hoping that the numbers are the same and I don’t have to do anything except my usual.

Day 263

Tuesday has a full agenda; Walk to Walgreen’s for a refill, walk to the bank to transfer money, stop at the PD to say that I wasn’t going to commit to a regular duty, then the Board of Supervisors meeting that was rather dull but thankfully short. Then a long walk to pay the cell bill and a great visit with Eileen. I enjoy her news and activities. Later, Hollie reported that the trailer is in place on their property. Good news.

Day 262

Church was meaningful with a sermon on hypervigilance and mindfulness and asking for prayers for Fran, my CJ friend. My little congregation is another family too. Then Gerry’s 90^th birthday party across the street where I exhibited my usual social discomfort by eating everything I could find and then leaving. It was a crowded and noisy affair that could have been a Yurok tribal meeting. Spent the rest of the day quietly after a brisk walk in the wind. Onward and upward.

Day 261

Meg and I went from the farm-stand to the Chart Room and enjoyed sea lions and fish and chips. It was a beautiful windy day with kites on the beach and wind surfers in the harbor. The parade was worthwhile. We followed the high school band and marches made it easy to keep pace. I am glad to show my political participation. Lost a long-time friend from the online journal list. We had been together for nearly 25 years. It’s another family.

Day 260

I will walk with the Democrats in the Veterans’ Day parade. It’s an opportunity to show my political participation and hand out candy or blow bubbles. I like being active with the group. Later, the farm-stand. I need vegetables and want squash, cauliflower, potatoes, and cabbage. Sarah did her usual good work for me and recommended a massage roller for use here. It is a way to work on the sore spots by myself. I may check out the choices of rollers.

Day 259

No, nothing popped up with newness for my restless self. I did cut down more of the hydrangea bush. Thing grew so large that it has taken four bins full. I did grab up a few orange tomatoes from the volunteer plant, two zucchinis, handsful of chard and kale and put them in the left over spaghetti. Filling and nutritious dish. Today I will get a Sarah massage. She finds all the needy spots and leaves me better than she finds me.

Day 258

Yoga first. Senior center duty next. What can I do that is new and stimulating? I need new people who think and converse about big things. I spent time at the PD yesterday. It’s going to take a while to be confident. I’ll go tomorrow and see if I want to be there. Maybe writing and painting will fill the bill. Those activities are here and I know how to do them. The wet dark outside makes the comfort zone very inviting.

Day 257

I am spending a couple of hours at the PD this morning to get the feel of the duty. The records tech wants to be in the evidence locker and that is a long way from the office. I’ll check myself about whether it’s a fit or not. I don’t want to be more trouble than I’m worth. Must do groceries. Mother Hubbard’s cupboard must have looked like mine. Need vegetables. Early out before the rain starts. Life is full of choices.

Day 256

Two long walks yesterday and hope to do it again as rain is in the forecast. I’ll start with routine and Yoga and then the day is open and I can figure it out as I go along. Tomorrow, after circuit exercise, I’ll visit at the police department to see if I want to volunteer there. It’s a push-pull right now wondering if I want that much responsibility. I do like the connection. I do like being engaged during the dark time.

Day 255

Looking forward to a productive and satisfying week. I will start with my PT routine and maybe go to fitness for the circuit. Not sure yet if I want to or slick up the house. Then I will warm the car with a longer drive to the senior center. I want to be a responsible car owner or seriously consider whether I want the car. I do use it so little but sure do like stepping into it when I want it. 

Day 254

Poor sleep and early wakeup by four-legged alarm clocks. Don’t know why the uproar at 3 AM. I didn’t see or hear anything worth the din. Then I couldn’t go back to sleep so coffee and heater were next on the agenda. Today I will go to church in the rain. Fr. David should be here for communion service. That’s all. Maybe a nap this afternoon while I pretend to watch a marathon of reruns. I have my colored lights turned on.

Day 253

First Saturday to drive to the farm stand. Makes the battery happy and me happy too. Later a plumber will come and fix the shower in Megan’s house that has been dripping for a long time. She didn’t tell me and we had a talk about responsibility of tenants. I plan to cut the rest of the hydrangea and fill the green bin. It is droopy and ready to rest. Still lots of kale and chard in the garden. Cold full moon.

Day 252

Deep conversations yesterday with my group. It was a treasure after a broken day. Started with Yoga, a plus. Then dead battery, again. Long wait for help and a longer wait at the shop while tests were done. Finally,new battery at no charge. I missed my senior center duty entirely and was tired from the sitting and waiting. Today will be good with roller massage and Yoga. I want a quiet day at home with dogs and blankie. Rain and soup.

Day 251

House is shiny clean even under the bed! Rest of the day was quiet, walked, visited, watched TV. Today will start with Yoga, senior center duty, and then story group. I enjoy the women and their stories so much. Bringing together women who didn’t know each other and bonded so quickly over similarities in their histories was a surprise and a joy. I have a new friend at Yoga, and I want to know her better. We bonded over Mary Oliver poetry.

Day 250

November begins. I began the day full of pep and ready for a productive day. Housework! There comes a minute when the necessity outweighs the ability to ignore the need. But first exercise with Ellen on the circuit at the fitness center. I am already feeling the results of adding to the daily routine. The breathing focus at Yoga is helping the most as shortness of breath is a problem. It’s the one symptom of the iron depletion that didn’t improve much.