Day 96

I found black zucchini plants to put in the bare spot. I planted them on the edge so they will grow down the bale like the tomato plants are doing. The bales are doing so well and the peas are climbing on both sides of the old gate. I’m already thinking about next year and more bales. The gardener instinct comes out strong without the need for digging, and kneeling. The orchids will get watered and then a long walk.

Day 95

Woke up with a headache. It’s the sixth migraine in May. That is a record number. I’m ready for June. It has to be better. Yesterday I had all the papers out by noon and that felt good. The afternoon was quiet and restful. Today I want to walk and shop for groceries. That’s it for an agenda. I might look for seeds. There is still a bare spot on the bales waiting for me to decide what goes there.

Day 94

Woke up feeling tired. A couple of vigorous days need to be followed by a restful day. I will walk a lot as I will distribute Senior News to the community and I like to do most of it on foot. The harbor was beautiful yesterday when the dogs and I walked it from one side to the other. They like to go up and down the ramps. Lots of kale is ready for a salad with lemon and garlic. 

Day 93

Yesterday was a whole good day! Hip hip hooray. Walked over 15 K, had a good duty at the museum, took Hollie to lunch and we had delicious vegeburgers at Good Harvest. Even did the PT exercises. Wow. I want more days like that. Today I’ll get blood testing at the office before I go to the senior center. I like Thursdays there. The Boon dock band plays their old folk songs. I’ll get out early and enjoy the morning.

Day 92

Yesterday morning was brim full of good energy. It didn’t last past noon and that’s OK. I can push it a bit farther today by exercising on the mat here, doing the upper body at PT and getting 6K steps before breakfast. It’s museum duty day and Rick will ask about the board of supervisor’s meeting. I will regale him with a recap of the events and the public outcry against the toxic air and water quality in Smith River.

Day 91

It was the first day in the merry month of May that I enjoyed. There are things I overlook when I don’t feel well that nag and I know when I’m getting better when I take care of them. Yesterday it was cleaning the refrigerator. Since it is nearly empty, it was easy to wash down the shelves and bins. Maybe today I’ll take care of restocking Mother Hubbard’s cupboards and refrigerator. I plan to walk and do PT exercises.

Day 90

Today has begun with a good attitude. Hope I can back it up with energy to move. I hear Tonda’s voice saying keep moving. Even a couple of flat days can make a drastic decline in the muscle tone that I worked so hard to have. The orchids are watered as is the bale garden. Everything looks good enough to eat. I’ll make a salad with four kinds of kale today and sprinkle it with lemon juice from my tree.

Day 89

Didn’t do anything yesterday. Another no-energy spell. Did watch the Giants game until I fell asleep and missed the ending. I want to go to church today. Haven’t been for three Sundays. I just wish my head didn’t ache. It’s hard to plan ahead when body parts aren’t cooperating. I do know that I want to walk at least around the block. I need to exercise and it doesn’t sound inviting at this time. Darn it all, give me wellness.

Day 88

I’m lined up for three tests: blood, boobs, and breath. I am essentially healthy with the need to keep up the nutrition and exercise. Nothing can be changed about my age. Need to factor that in when I make plans. I talked to John about clearing his side of the fence. It’s been a long time since I first asked. I need a new fence and can’t do that without cooperation. I want to do clearing in the little yard.

Day 87

         

Half of yesterday was fine. I don’t like settling for half of anything and I want full days of productive energy. Went to bed early and could have gone even earlier but wouldn’t give in. Stubborn? Me? No. I have an intention to optimize my life and I’m doing everything I know how to do. Today Tonda and I will have a discussion about what else can help me get to my goal. Days count and time is not renewable.

Day 86

Karen Rath did wonders with her spiritual/physical massage. I enjoy the modalities she adds like hot rocks and singing bowl vibrations. I slept well and woke up without a trace of headache. On the road again! Stopping at physical therapy and using their tubing takes about 25 minutes and adds a lot to my good feelings. I leave here so that I arrive there at 8 when they open. No one else was there so I felt free to exercise.

Day 85

The morning was as planned. The afternoon was flat. New day. The museum season begins today with a couple of hours with Rick. I will walk and PT exes early and off to duty. Later I will go to Karen’s for a massage and a tour of her bale garden. My energy is coming back. Last day on anti-biotics so my body can get back to normal. Then I will do what I know how to do to keep healthy.

Day 84

Yesterday was modestly productive. Not what I wanted but I did what I said I would do and that’s important to me. Onward and upward today with walking, and maybe get to PT to use the upper body equipment. I can do the mat exercises here. Health is the priority. I need to get well and figure out how to stay that way. Friday I will talk with Tonda about what else I can do for myself. Life is good.

Day 83

I spent Sunday sick until about 5 PM when wellness resumed. Today I hope to use my time and energy in a productive way. First, take off the down comforter and put on the cotton quilt. It’s warm enough at night to declare the season change. Next, a walk, hopefully the long block with the right to take a short cut if I run out of energy. The dogs go to the groomer followed by duty at the senior center. 

Day 82

The day of rest helped a little bit. Woke up with a headache and a strong desire to burrow under the covers and forget about it. All I want is to feel well, have the get-up-and-go that gets things done, and feel wholesomely tired at the end of the day. Art and Ellen brought me the replacement Charge fitbit and I’m grateful for them. I shared amendments for their straw-bale garden. Now I’m deciding how I’m going to spend Sunday.

Day 81

I want a day of doing absolutely nothing. I will sit and watch old movies and the dust and dog hair can wait. I’m deeply tired from doing the usual activities while feeling unwell. Today that ends and I will give in and rest. Yesterday I walked down to the pharmacy but the man I wanted to talk to about the poor service was not there. I am going to do it. I like good service. Still might change pharmacies.

Day 80

Time with Megan was fun. I asked about school, work, home, dog, everything but did not feel well enough to go on the beach walk. Did share family dinner. Today I am tired and will go to work at the senior center. I shared Kim’s death anniversary on FB and felt the support from all the friends. It was harder this year probably because I don’t feel well. I’ll get out for an early walk. It’s warm and foggy outside.

Day 79

Kim has been gone for three years. He has been in my thoughts so much. I know he found the peace that he wanted and the healing for his body and mind. Today I’ll walk early, maybe stop at PT and then wait for Hollie and Megan for a good visit. We may take the dogs to the beach and probably share a meal. Megan finished her last final yesterday and is already signed up for fall. They are blessings.

Day 78

Yesterday wasn’t better. I felt awful most of the day. Now I’m expecting a better day. Slept well, woke up without a headache, and I have an agenda for healthy living: walk, PT session, lots of kale and spinach, and house sweeping. All will make for a happy day. It’s a calm morning and I will be outside early to beat the wind and traffic. Megan is driving up after work today. I hope to spend time with her tomorrow.

Day 77

After a lot of trips and drama I finally connected with the prescription and now can start getting better. Tonda said that moving the account won’t help. I guess it’s the same all over. I also connected the fitbit Charge with Art’s help. I could start the PT maintenance program today but my head hurts. Darn it all, I live well, concentrate on health and well-being and have these glitches that keep me from enjoying it all. Today is better.

Day 76

Yesterday went from fragile to flat. The cold symptoms and the migraine were followed by an angry moment at the pharmacy after Tonda called and said get your medication and start it immediately. But the pharmacy claimed that had no prescription and no call. Last time this happened I said I would change providers and then I didn’t. This time I will follow through and move my account. So, it was a wasted day of feeling poorly and without energy.

Day 75

Mother’s Day and my family knows better than to go Hallmark on me. Every day is mother’s day. Hollie and Megan are presents any time and every time that we are together. Feeling a bit fragile this morning and beyond watering the orchids, I may not do another thing. Yesterday I tackled part of the little yard. It is a mess. I piled up a considerable amount of weed and tree material. The pear trees are beginning to leaf out.

Day 74

John did the PT evaluation yesterday and I showed significant improvement in strength and agility. I signed up for the maintenance program and will go at least twice a week. I feel comfortable there and know that I will do better with accountability. I picked and ate kale, spinach and green onions yesterday in my pesto pasta. I enjoy walking out and getting the freshest possible greens. Today I have no agenda except the routine walking and simply wandering around.

Day 73

Less wind predicted. I’m glad for that. No call from Tonda yet and I feel better anyway. Today is the last PT that Medicare will pay for and I will sign up for the maintenance program and keep the Tuesday and Friday date with the exercises. I walked 39 miles last week according to the fitbit report and I know I am getting stronger all over.  Yesterday I felt connected at the senior center. Made new friends. It’s all good.

Day 72

More wind. It is tiring to walk in it. I did get goal steps yesterday and it was a chore rather than a dancing prancing event. Today is senior center duty. I hope to have a call from Tonda regarding the results from the test. A couple of down days is enough. I want to feel well and have the Tigger bounce back. There are things to do, people to greet, errands to run and I can do it all. 

Day 71

Yesterday’s endeavors were short lived. Came home from PT feeling unwell. I’m thinking it’s another UTI. I called Tonda and hope that today I can have a test to find out. I do have a pile of clothing to take to the resale store. I did get my goal steps in yesterday in spite of unwellness and wind. The Giants won again. Maybe Hunter Pence will be back this week. He is a fountain of positive energy. Not a drain.

Day 70

I’ll start with a walk and a physical therapy session. I have an open day. May use it for my house like taking things out of the closet that I know I’ll never wear. I rewrote the essay on the spiritual value of closet cleaning and it inspired me to take another look. Karen says to recycle the clothes through the resale store instead of giving them to St. Vinnie’s. I don’t mind the idea of wearing previously owned clothing.

day 69

        

I’m ready for Monday and a traditional sweep and wash day. Sheila Perry said she was ready to do housework again and I declined for now. I’m enjoying my house and its needs. Maybe we can work together for a spring cleaning. The bales are doing well. Leaves of kale ready to eat, spinach, lettuce, and arugula too. The peas are peeking out and ready to climb on both sides of the old gate. And the Giants swept the Angels.

Day 68

Sunday again. That old saw about time flies is so true. I’ll get out and walk before church and have no agenda for the day. Maybe a Giants game. Maybe an old movie or two. Maybe a page of zentangle in the paper journal. I like taking a day off from routine. The dogs would like a walk around the harbor and it’s always pleasant there. No shopping, no errands, no have-to chores. I’ll have a real day of rest.

Day 67

The fitbit has taken over my girls! Our conversations are about how many stairs and steps. It’s good to get fit but let’s have a life while we are walking. Today I’m going to a tea with Julia. I will actually put on real clothes instead of the regular jeans and shirt. Chris mentioned that I don’t look like someone who would have an expensive ring. I like to be comfortable while walking, working in the yard, and doing floors.

Day 66

Busy day planned. First a long walk to physical therapy, followed by a lot of walks to distribute Senior News. Sometime I will walk to the store for a few groceries too. Walking has always been part of my life. The fitbit doesn’t make me walk, it simply records the routine steps. The part I am most interested in is the active minutes. I know that pushing the speed increases my endurance and it gives me a more active day. 

Senior News column

We love our cars. They are our freedom to go where we want to go. Mostly we enjoy our trips, find parking spots, take our friends with us, and get things done. There are times when our free moving is interrupted by a stop light. In an effort to make driving more enjoyable, even with red lights, I have started a list of ways to wait for the light to turn green.  Here are a few: think of a haiku about red lights, (remember five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables).  Pay attention to how your fingers are gripping the steering wheel and relax them.  Notice your forehead and relax those muscles. I pray for that the others waiting with me that we will all get where we need to be in a timely fashion and without stress. 

I fill most waiting moments with word games.  For a red light, that

can mean: Think of words for red--scarlet, carnelian, cherry. One could think of red things and take a minute to picture each one--a red corvette, a sunset over the mountain tops, a perfect apple.

A good brain exercise is to make words from the letters in "red light": delight, relight, lithe .I always keep a notepad on the console in case I come up with a really good word or idea for writing.

I make a list of the people I love and rejoice in our connections. I beam smiles at them. If I close my eyes to pray for them, I’m sure someone behind me will tell me when the light changes.

I sing to the red lights, making up silly songs that encourage the light to turn green. I sing loudly and with great drama.  It must be entertaining to the cars around me and possibly reduces their stress.  Maybe my antics prevent road rage in those who in a perpetual hurry. I have noticed that most white knuckle drivers arrive about the same time that I do.  One of my favorite time fillers is to recite the multiplication tables.  I like to see how far I can get before the light changes.  I learned the fifteens this way.  These are ways that I use to transform my impatience at having to wait in traffic into positive energy.  My granddaughter was fond of reciting this chant when we were waiting:

Abracadabra, Alacazeen,

Please Mrs. Red Light,

Won't you turn green?

It is hokey, but I look at the license plates around me and make words out of the letters. I usually can get up to 10 at a long light. Some are obvious and others are a challenge. Since red light waits are an expected part of getting around, I value planning to use the time well.