DCay 310

Church today. Fr. Tom, our social activist priest, will be there and I like his services. I will think about my relationship with church and how I connect or not. Later, a walk to the harbor with Karen or a hill walk with Hollie. Doubt I can do both. I could scribble a few pages in my paper journal about 2017 or let it go without parsing the daily struggles. I don’t make resolutions as every morning I set a personal intention.

Day 309

Restless again. I have an unresolved itch that I haven’t identified yet. Need a hard game of “What do I want?” I am satisfied with so much of my life and the way I live it that I don’t know what’s missing. I made a beautiful pot of vegetable soup with a whisper of chili flakes to wake up my taste buds. I’ll get out and walk even though it’s damp and cold again. Walking is a saving grace and exercise too.

Day 308

Shopping and errands today plus a tank of gasoline for my dear old car. I feel the need to stock the cupboards and the refrigerator. Had a minor migraine yesterday. Just enough to dampen my mood. It’s the first one since January. I was hoping they were gone forever. A long sleep and interesting dreams erased all traces of the discomfort. I put another piece of watercolor paper on the kitchen table. No plan for it yet. Waiting to see what develops. 

Day 307

Back to routine and it’s okay. A week away from the senior center is a good thing. I am looking for other places to volunteer. Sorry that food-bank didn’t work out as it is a worthy project but not for us. I need people and not paperwork to accommodate my interest and eyesight. Had two social walks yesterday. I love stopping to visit with people while I’m out strutting my stuff. I have a place in my community. I get hugs too.

Day 306

No agenda and none wanted. I’m enjoying days with no expectations. I’ll walk and notice my neighborhood. I have delicious soup from the ham bone, split peas, black lentils, and the leftover root vegetables. The broth is thick and yummy. I can feel it running around making me warm and happy. The doodle is back on the kitchen table. I can finish it today. Simple attention makes it a mindful meditation for my busy mind. I need another project with repeated patterns.

Day 305

Yesterday was walking and watching four good movies, eating leftovers, and relaxing. We weathered another holiday season. Hollie and I talked about the new year and what we hope for. She had a difficult year with the house fire. She is doing her best with the trailer and her walking. She is a survivor for sure. I’m hoping to get busy with the PT exercises again and maybe go back to Yoga. It doesn’t take long for old muscles to lose tone.

Day 304

We had a wonderful family day with scrabble and our simple delicious meal. We had lots of laughing while preparing our meal. I realize how fortunate I am to have Hollie and Megan right here. Chuck was pleasant too. I did go to church and I’m glad I made the effort. Sang the familiar carols and enjoyed the full church. So often it is close to empty. Fr. David led us well. Then warm and tucked in for a long winter’s night.

Day 303

Yesterday Hollie and I shopped. Were in and out of Safeway in record time. Christmas Eve and not a creature is stirring. We are having family dinner today. Ham and root vegetables plus fruit salad. It will be plentiful. Later I may go to 7 PM church for carol singing and service. Or not. Megan went to Eureka last night to sing carols for Fr. Doug who is not long for this world. It was a loving gesture from longtime church campers.

Day 302

I did daub on the doodle, walk warmly dressed, sit and watch TV while munching chips with refried beans, Rotel, and pepperjack cheese dip. No product whatsoever. Enjoyed every minute and spent the entire day without speaking. This morning Hollie and I will shop for family dinner. We decided on ham and will make up the rest of the menu as we go along. Soon the holidays will be over and routine will be welcome. I count the new minutes of daylight. 

Day 3

Day 301

No agenda today. I like a day off with no expectation of activity or product. Maybe I’ll daub on the doodle, walk with lots of warm clothes on, write something new, find an exciting project, or sit, watch TV and eat chips. The day is open and so am I. I am not called to purge or sort. That’s a relief for when I am called, I am ruthless. Guess I’m running out of places that need a good inventory. Simple life

Day 300

We walked to the cold hall at 8:30. The food-bank was not ready. Hollie jumped  in and helped distribute to the bags. I tried to work with the registrations and applications and didn’t do well. Poor lighting and poor eyesight made my help minimal. Hollie did the work and I talked to the waiting people. At 12 we walked for a bowl of hot-sour soup. Rest of the day was about getting warm again. It was not a good fit as volunteers.

Day 299

Karen’s massage was lifesaving. I felt warm and put back together plus she seems to have taken the memory of the violence away. I know she has her healing ways. Today is wet and cold and I’m sure Hollie and I will not walk to our new volunteer duty at the VFW hall. We need to learn our job quickly. Maybe we will go to lunch after. Tomorrow is the longest night and then, yahoo, the light comes back minutes a day.

Doodle, day 3

Day 298

My bruised nervous system has recovered with quiet time and extra sleep. Ready to go again and today will be fun with Rosalie and lunch at Good Harvest. Later, massage with Karen. I’ll be back in shape after a day with friends. I’ll start with mat exercises. My body knows that I have been lax with the PT routine. It helps a lot with mobility. I have been stretching and minor walking due to knee pain. The cold weather brings achy joints.

Doodle day 2

Day 297

The sermon was about loving everybody and I was irritated. I can’t love those bums while my friends are so sick. Then I went for a walk and witnessed out of control rage committed by automobiles. Scary and dangerous to be in the area. I went around a building and watched the driver handcuffed. Too much emotions to hold and I felt weary, old, and helpless. Then Megan came in to show her agates from Kellogg beach and she listened to me.

Doodle, day 1

Day 296

I’ll go to morning prayer and I will not go next week. A couple times a month is enough. Yesterday I started a big paper and put a dab of blue in the middle of a whole bunch of circles. I’m waiting to see what happens next. Seeing the wasted people walk by to the liquor store while my creative, productive, loving friends are both dying makes me have uncomfortable thoughts about the meaning of life. It isn’t enough to be good.

Day 295

Yesterday I walked but my left knee made it a shorter walk than intended. I never have knee problems so I hope it was a quick and over event. I did fill the green bin from Megan’s yard again. Today I will go to the farm stand and stock up as they will be closed for two weeks. I want squash as well as green stuff. There is that want for something else looming. What can I do to fill the restlessness?

Day 294

Story group was special as I asked everyone to be there and they came. Carol was here for a few minutes and gave copies of her book to each of us. She is looking frail and our time with her is precious. I enjoy our stories and sharing. Today the dogs go for hair and nails and I do the shoot through Walmart trip. Later I will get out for a walk. The beautiful weather is ending. It has been a gift.

Day 293

I enjoyed the flannel sheets last night. I felt better yesterday than I have for a month! Domestic energy was on high and my home benefited. There was dust and dog hair everywhere and nearly filled the vacuum bag. Plus lots of weeding in Megan’s yard and two long walks. Yahoo for feeling well. Today is senior center duty followed by story group. I haven’t written a new story and will tell about Sunday’s walk with Hollie and discovering the beautiful grove. 

Day 292

It was a stimulating day. I have a lot to learn about politics and I’m willing. The BOS had interesting items and the pizza with Jim was full of information. Plus, Alabama came through with a Dem, hoping it’s an omen for things to come. Today is all about walking and weeding. I want a day for housework and feeling good about my property. I’ll start with laundry and floors while it’s still dark and move outside to fill the green bin.

Day 291

I found the information about the woman whose name is on the grove that Hollie enjoys. A volunteer at the park office looked her up and found that Templeman was an artist and writer who worked for restoration of natural places. Hollie was pleased to know about her. Today I’ll walk a lot before the long sit at the BOS. Later I’ll get the green bin filled with weeds and later still, pizza with our assemblyman Jim Wood and the Dem.committee.

Day 290

I enjoyed every minute of our walk yesterday and I want to do it again. Hollie has discovered a hidden jewel of river and redwoods. Special time to share it with her. Most of this week is routine: senior center duty, BOS etc. I like a predictable future and spontaneous events too. Wonder what surprises may break up the week. I know I’ll be out walking and doing yard work in this weather. Waiting for the holidays to be done and over.

Day 289

Sunday and I’m not going to church. Morning prayer until Christmas Eve. Hollie wants me to walk with her in her favorite places and I’m looking forward to going. Aside from brewing up vegetable soup, that’s the agenda. Hollie is my star. She is resilient with all the losses and changes and makes the best of each and every one of them. She appreciates the good things in her life and doesn’t concentrate of the rest. We’ll have fun walking together today.
Grandmother Rrdwood

Fairy Pool

Day 288

Yesterday’s agenda came to naught. Began feeling unwell with aches and blahs. Spent the day quietly napping and missing out. I wanted to go to Port O’Pints with Karen and Rosalie instead of curling up under my blankie. Today may be better and I can get to the farm stand and catch up on groceries. I dislike missing a whole day of my life without energy and wellness. My favorite days are the ones with parts and I feel like enjoying everything

Day 287

Errands and shopping today beginning with a plumber for Megan’s shower, again. The last fix didn’t last. It will probably need a new shower. Later I want warm slippers from Big 5 and a look at massage rollers. The weather calls for more walking and weeding while it’s dry and the ground is loose. I wish I could write. The middle of the night brings stories and I don’t capture them. I would like to be adding history to this little writing.

Day 286

The day improved and my wild curls are gone so I don’t look like Orphan Annie.  I had warm walks and connected to help with food bank later this month. Hollie and I like to find an activity we can do together and this is registration of new and regular users. Today I want to be outside as soon as senior center duty is done. Every dry day needs to be enjoyed to the fullest. The dust bunnies can wait for attention. 

Day 285

Mercury is retrograde big time or the giant full mon is messing with me causing misses and frustration dreams. I have a nightmare hangover and coffee is trying to reboot my brain. I’m enjoying the weather and will get out and walk a lot again today. My hair is untidy. It’s growing like a weed and this afternoon I will get it cut down to one inch all over. Manageable and easy to get under my warm cap. Hoping for better connections.

Day 284

Sarah this morning for a deep massage. The Dem committee meeting was informative and stimulating. We need to power up for the election year coming up quickly. I like being part of the group and having manageable tasks like BOS and phone calling. Sunny walking weather for sure that requires hat, gloves, and scarf for the cold wind. Invigorating and brings pink cheeks with it. I’ll get more clearing in Megan’s yard. I realize how much yard I have when it’s weeding time.

Day 283

The full moon makes beautiful patterns on the icy skylights. Looking for a clear cold day and good walking time after senior center duty. It’s important to get out in the sun after the rainy days to fend off the seasonal depression. Later a Dem committee meeting. I have a full life with participation and solitude. I haven’t finished the doodle painting. I want to start another large paper that can sit on the kitchen table for visits as I walk by. 

Day 282

The best part of the holiday fair was appreciation of my connections that have come from volunteering. Hugs from former PD, chamber of commerce, school, and senior center people. I love the hugs and quick catch-up conversations. Makes me aware of how much of the community I have served. I was too wet, cold and hungry to go for vegetables. Have to wait until next Saturday. Church today,  First day of Advent. That’s enough Christmas.We don’t decorate or celebrate at home.

Day 281

I asked my Collective Journey friends for a prompt and an alfa-poem idea came: DARKNESS. Haven’t worked on it yet but will. Today is the community Christmas shopping day at the fairgrounds and I will volunteer in the museum’s display for three hours with Max. We sell a lot at these events. Books and sea themed ornaments, jewelry and lighthouse stuff. It’s fun and I always see a lot of people I know. Later I hope to get to the farm stand.

Day 280

I feel sad that I don’t have stories any longer. Maybe if I had a prompt to start the words coming out again. The themes for senior news used to give me a creative boost when I thought up new ways to write on an old theme. Today I have errands and shopping plus a EKG at the office. I expect a good report as my resting heart rate is low and I exercise daily. I haven’t had a test for years.