Day 65

Chris and I went to SeaWest for lunch yesterday to have orange chicken in honor of Kelle who asked for us to do it. We had a good visit. Karen came to check out the bale garden and said it’s doing fine. She gave me an idea for peas on both sides of the gate. Eileen called and asked me to meet her this morning to witness her new will. Today is senior center duty and that’s all outside stuff. 

Day 64

House and yard day. I enjoy my place. I enjoy housework. It’s a marker that I’m well enough to enjoy it. The bales need attention and I’m thinking of adding a zucchini that can grow down the side. There is pleasure in picking fresh lettuce leaves. Makes me feel self-sufficient. Had lunch with Gale Moore yesterday. She is an acquaintance from the center. I will start with the PT routine. I want it to become as necessary as tooth brushing.

Day 63

Yesterday’s sunny 70 is today’s foggy 50.  I’ll start with a walk and physical therapy at 9. I work hard there and am getting regular about doing the exercises here. I know that bodies require more maintenance with aging. That 80 mark means keeping what I have and paying attention so I don’t lose ground. It’s easy to slip into the comfort zone. The fitbit is motivating and I have walked 5 miles for each of the past 3 days. 

Day 62

Yesterday went as predicted except the Giants game was rained out in Denver. Today will be warm and I won’t have to bundle up for my early walk. It’s senior center duty. Monday’s are busy with the game players added to the regulars. There are places on the bales that are waiting for plants. Don’t know what I want to add. The leafy greens are thriving and I added pin wheels hoping to keep the birds and moths from landing.

I'm through with Haiku
Only words - not much meaning
Try again next April

Day 61

Woke up feeling rested and well. Great start for Sunday. The usual routine will happen: watering the orchids, PT exercises, walking followed by church, followed by a Giants game. Chicken pesto pasta later. All the ingredients for gratitude. My life is simple and satisfying. No need for fads or keeping up with anyone. I am as happy as I want to be and often laugh out loud just because. The garden is growing. First spears of spinach, peas reaching up. 

Sunday - Day of Rest
Then why have I worked so hard?
I find it restful.

Day 60

Yesterday was wonderful. Everything worked out perfectly from parking spots to finding exactly what we wanted. Megan’s class was cancelled so we had a brief visit with her. The ring is appraised, Costco was shopped, favorite lunch was eaten, baby kales were found, and the drive was safe and timely. Can’t get much better than that. And the replacement fitbit tracker is working so I can catch up with the family. Today I will plant the kales in the bales.

Morning of planting
Digging in the warm damp dirt
My father would smile

Day 59

Woke up at 4:30 feeling ill. Oh darn and it’s the day we are going to Eureka. I hope to do well in spite of it. First we are going to the jewelry store to have my rings appraised for my insurance policy. Then, Costco for a walk-about. I have a few things on my list and Hollie does too. We won’t see Megan. It’s one of her work/school/work/ school days and there won’t even be space for a hug.

A day with Hollie
Is full of laughing and fun
She is a blessing

Day 58

We should get double credit for walking in the wind! It’s enough to move bigger things than people. More today. I dreamed that I was moving into an apartment with my mother and it was decorated for Christmas. OK. Senior center duty and a Giants game are on the agenda. House had a good dusting yesterday so no more  today. The baby plants seem to be holding up and I will be happy when it gets above 40 at night.

Very old and strong
Tall and full from fifty years
eye stunning beauty

Day 57

After a couple of flat days, I am ready for an energetic one. Yesterday I told my PT aide that healing is not a straight line. Her reply: “Nothing is.” If the wind doesn’t blow a gale, I may get more yard work done. There are weeds that I want to remove. Or, there are dust bunnies to corral. And the closet needs organizing again. Lots to do if the Spirit moves me. Or I may have another quiet day.

Colorful beauty
My Bird of Paradise glows
complex and lovely

Day 56

Off to physical therapy this morning. I look forward to going. Must admit that I have not done well with the home exercise portion of the prescription. It’s cold and foggy again so warm wear for the walk. I piled up my collection of Mary Oliver’s works. I promised Megan that I would make a list. She saves them for me at her book store. Her customers have no chance if Megan sees them first! I do enjoy the poetry.

Mary simply says
the truth of natures beauty
Her words speak to me

day 55

Fr. David talked about addictions in his sermon. I discovered a big one this morning when my fitbit wouldn’t work. Oh wow. I am addicted to it big time. After a long time with live chat, I will be receiving a replacement for it. Meanwhile, my wrist will be bare! Today is foggy and I will water a little on the bales. They actually stay damp from within. It’s one of the advantages to this type of garden. Happy Monday

First a soothing soak

Then a hot sauna sweat time

My body likes them both

Day 54

The tub is full and hot. More weeds are dispatched. More seeds are planted. All day yesterday I dinked around humming and in motion. Didn’t speak out loud but enjoyed my home, yard, and dogs. Life is good. Today more of the same. After church, feeding the orchids, and walking, I’ll watch the Giants perhaps win another game. Wrote in my journal and wanted to add zentangles. I was inspired by Barbara’s Pinterest work. My mind rests doing repeated patterns.

Immersing slowly
Enjoying every hot wet inch
Till just my head shows

Day 53

Planted and weeded again. Even though I was not energetic, I couldn’t resist the call of the backyard. Today I may fill the hot tub. Yesterday I wished that I could soak after physical therapy. I do need to write in my dusty paper journal. I realize that I have not kept up since the incident with the sheriff reading my opened page. That’s silly of me, but it was an intrusion that still rankles. I need to move on. 

My journal, my friend
Years and years of shared history
I am here to write

Day 52

I had a brainstorm and moved an old lath gate from under the rhody tree and pushed it between the bales to make a place for peas to grow. The awkward and heavy gate was not easy to maneuver. This morning I’m a bit sore from the effort. I’ll work it out at PT this morning. Shopping and walking and that’s all for an agenda. I plan to work in the yard again. I have a respectable pile of rubbish. 

waiting for green peas
To climb their way to the top
I will munch them here

Day 51

Came out of Karen’s house like wet noodles. I needed her massage. She noticed that I have firmer muscles and have trimmed down. Her bales are producing and we talked about what other vegs I can start. She has beets and potatoes. I like carrots so now that I know roots will grow in the bales, I will plant some. Today is senior center duty and I’m looking forward to it. Lately I am looking forward to everything I do!

Winters' doldrums gone
Springs' energy bounces in
Enjoy the changes

Day 50

The exercises make the day better. I want that tattooed on my mind so when the sessions are over, I can do the routine right here at home. I walked six miles too. Today I will tinker and poke around the bales, plan for more, and weed the north side. I will take time out for a massage and a look at Karen’s bales to see what else I need to do. She has a lot going on with planting.

Morning walk with dogs
Beauty. I get to live here
I am full of thanks.

Day 49

I get to prance off to physical therapy early this morning. I am enjoying stretching my limits. I get short of breath and I’m sure than working up a sweat will help open my lungs. I know I’m getting them out of my abdomen. Then Dr. E. for a pressure check on my right eye. He’ll check out the new glasses. Maybe wander through Wally’s later. I don’t like that store, but they have things I can’t get anywhere else.

I love my coffee

Brain synapses snap in delight

Sleeps’ hold rolls away

Day 48

Monday again. Rain likely. I may go early for a walk before senior center duty. Aggie is coming to have lunch and a visit. She needs a new volunteer place where she is busy. The PD is too quiet for her. I will do the PT routine at least once today. I need to get muscle memory for each set of exercises. I want to keep it up after the sessions are over. It’s for my benefit to pay attention.

The sky is heavy
Will the sun break through today?
Morning mist is soft

Dy 47

Restless night. Coffee is doing its job now. I wish my dreams were staying long enough to remember as I feel that I was busy all night. I have a vague memory of large gestures and movements as if I were leading a group somewhere. Oh well. Today I will go to church after I feed the orchids and check on the bale garden. I will write the senior news column. Yesterday I did finish cleaning out the rose garden.

A big pile of weeds
Leaves the rose garden open
To show its beauty

Day 46

Yesterday was a good one. All day. First time I can say that for at least a month! I want more days with energy that lasts as long as the list of things I want to do. It’s damp this morning and I will finish clearing the rose garden. Jon fixed the water feature and it is burbling away now. The bales are half planted and I see that the plants are growing. I enjoy busily digging and pulling weeds. 

My health is my work
No one can do it but me
I can push myself.

Day 45

This morning I’ll go for PT. I work hard and enjoy the feeling of strengthening myself. It’s never too late to improve and my body is willing to do its best. John says it’s all about attitude. I remind myself that I’m there by choice because I want their service. Then I will walk and shop and other Friday habits. Maybe something new will float by my consciousness and I will grab it. I hope to have energy longer today.

Eeyore or Tigger

Better to bounce with life force

Than droop down with gloom.

Day 44

Yesterday improved after a slow start and I had a social walk with visits at the cheese factory, the bank, PT therapist Linda, and Eileen. She cleaned my rings and they look like new. Digging in the bales is harder than I thought it would be and only half of the babies are planted. Today I’ll finish these and plan for more. I may go to Ocean Air Farm to find more kinds of kale starts. Maybe more companion flowers.

Straw bale garden
An experimental work
Hope for happy plants

Day 43

It is cold again this morning and I still want to plant in the bales. I’ll wait until the sun is on them. That will be enough work for the day. Still not feeling 100% well. I am feeling stronger with the PT exercise. Just want to keep it up here at home. I could tell that my ab muscles are responding to the routine. I enjoyed the FB conversation with Jackie yesterday. Octogenarians arise! We are the only oldies.

I have a question
Where are the people my age?
Potential resource.

Day 42

Felt tired and restless yesterday after the senior center duty. The rain felt heavy and monotonous. Today I will walk anyway. It is cold and wet and I have rainwear. After PT I will come home and deal with dust and straw that the dogs drag in from the backyard. It’s still too cold to plant the babies and I may sprinkle wild flower seeds along the middles of the bales. My Father would be happy with my dirty fingernails.

New glasses show me

Clear signs. Make it safer now

On the road with you.

Day 41

Better this morning after a good sleep. I have been restless lately and wake up tired. Today is cold and promises more winter weather. There is no more normal. I’m glad I didn’t plant in the bales. The hail would have flattened them. After two days home alone, I’m hoping to enjoy people at the senior center. Later I can bundle up and take a walk if it’s not too windy. Monday looks inviting. I can use a good week.

PT exercise

Helpful dogs encourage me

My best cheerleaders

Day 40

Feeling poorly: headache, sore muscles, grumpy digestion, and no physical energy. The cold weather and heavy rain are not helping my bad mood. I dressed for church then changed back into house clothes, curled up and kept warm with dogs on my lap. I do remember the wonderful Easter services in the past with the children flowering the cross. Megan always had a new outfit and she was such a girly girl that it was fun to dress her up.

Wet Easter Sunday

No eager kids egg hunting

Only memories

Day 39

Yesterday the shopping trip was social! Kept running into people to hug and catch up with so it took a long time at the store. Later the walk was the same way. I saw so many friends to greet and chat. Today Karen is coming to check out the bales and see if they are ready for planting. I don’t know if they are since this is all new to me. I have baby plants that need to get growing.

Sunny Saturday

Sweet warm Della relaxing

I want to join her

Day 38

PT this morning after a short brisk walk. The ab exercises are the hardest and I need them the most. The upper body exes seem easier and I get sore from them too. Later I will find items to fill my empty refrigerator. Needy for fresh leafy vegetables. I want hearty soup ingredients too. Yesterday I connected with a jeweler in Eureka to appraise my rings for insurance purposes on April 24th. Hollie and I will probably visit Cosco too.

Five dollar Friday

Things I need and things I want

The joy of shopping

Day 37

Windy again. Yesterday it blew hard and made walking even more of an exercise. I had lunch with Julia and needed a brisk walk home. Today is senior center duty. It’s been a week since I went because of lunch with the chief on Monday. Aside from the usual PT exercises and watering the bales, nothing new is happening as far as I know. I will write a haiku every day to celebrate poetry month. It is an addictive exercise.

Fuzzy kittens grow

On branches of new green leaves

Spring willows delight.

Day 36

I like the distance view with the glasses. OK, I admit it. I wasn’t seeing clearly for a while. Yesterday I distributed all the papers by noon. Over 8K steps. It’s a social occasion with stops for conversation. Today I want another long walk and will meet Julia for lunch at Wing Wah. I’m hungry for hot and sour soup. The bales are growing grass but Karen says they aren’t ready for planting. I have plants waiting to start there.

Senior News

April is poetry month. It has been my habit to write a Haiku each day of the month focusing on nature, the weather, spring, or food. Haiku is an ancient Japanese poetry form that has been adopted by the west and uses 17 syllables: five, seven, five. Thinking in Haiku form can be addictive so I am warning you that if you begin to make up poems, they will appear in your mind while waiting at a red light, standing in line at the market, sitting in a meeting, anywhere, any time. My friends send messages in Haiku and we answer in Haiku, often changing a couple of words and making new meanings. Here are some examples from my friends and myself.

Daffodil                                                           Tulips

Yellow face looks up                                      Tulips bloom in snow

Says hello to the spring sun                            Orange heads like orbs of sun

Makes my heart happy.                                   Warming my soul

Ducks                                                                        My Friend’s Garden

Paired mallards swimming                             Bouquet of sunshine

In the creek fringed by                                    Bright gift from Mother Earth

Shrubs, singing robins.                                   Thanks for the beauty.

Morning                                                          Willow

Cool clear air, no wind                                   Bright green tongues of leaves

Robin’s call, arrow to heart                            Speaking from slender brown stalks

Gathering flowers.                                          Renew yourself, too.

There are poetry forms and poets that are well worth investigating during April or any other time. Mary Oliver is a favorite of mine. If you can borrow a copy, get one at the library, look on line for any of her numerous volumes, the experience with be exciting. She can say so much in a few words and her descriptions and observations are amazing. One of the most read among my wide collection is “Thirst” where Mary touches on spiritual matters such as grief as part of love, religion and faith, for the first time in her 40 years of writing. Before this she focused on the natural world.

Maya Angelou is another poet whose words can come right into the heart. She has left us 50 years of inspiring poetry collections as well as autobiographies, essays, stories of the struggles of African American women. She wrote plays and acted and danced.

Wendell Berry writes poetry expressing the need to live with the natural rhythms of life. He uses free verse to express traditional values as parenthood, fidelity, religion, and is a critic of today’s culture.

Remember

Waking up brain cells

Writing Haiku: exercise

To erase cobwebs.