Day 156

I chose cleaning and did all the floors and furniture yesterday before I went for a walk. Felt good. I intend to clean everything I own including the bookshelves and the CDs. Dusty places that need to be sorted and claimed. Unused items will go. Today I will distribute Senior News. That, a walk, and a dog walk are on the agenda. I am grateful for my abilities, energy, and positive attitude. Onward to a foggy day in the community.

Day 155

Another warm day. Fog is coming tomorrow and it will be welcome. Have no agenda again. I like it and don’t like it at the same time. I’m more likely to indulge in food and TV without an obligation. I could learn to use my time alone in a productive way like cleaning or reading. There have been no creative projects for a very long time. Maybe I can add color to the journal as a way to begin again.

Day 154

Too hot for comfort yesterday and more today. I have the windows open for the cool morning air and then I’ll close it up. Had a long conversation with Megan after her day with Chuck and Hollie. She is so excited about her life with the new stimulating job, grant and scholarship money for her term, and celebrating moving the piano out. It was a symbol of a childhood aspiration. It had become a place to put the television set. 

Day 153

It will be a busy morning. Walk, PT clinic, board of supervisors meeting until 11:15, then a brisk walk down to get my hair cut. I don’t want to miss the meeting as it will feature getting rid of Gitlin who is a jerk. Yesterday the dogs and I had a walk and today I promise to take them again. I get restless in the afternoon. The active mornings are great and I need more. Still keeping my antennae moving.

day 152

Chuck took away the old fence yesterday. It’s Monday. A good start for the last week in July. The platitudes about time are too true. That’s why I regret lost days. I kept my word to the dogs and we had a walk at the park. I find excuses not to walk them: loose dogs, it’s hot or cold, I don’t want to drive, etc. I make sure I get my exercise and they need regular walks too. New day.

Day 151

What’s true for me is that when I have physical energy, I use it. No energy, no progress. I can’t make myself feel well. Today I’ll have another go at spending the time well. It will either work or it won’t. The orchids need water and I enjoy paying attention to them. All have new leaves or air roots but I’m not seeing any spikes yet. I will walk and if it’s just a stroll, oh well, no speed record.

day 150

After spending yesterday alone and without speaking out loud, I realize that I do need an agenda. It is easy to slip into the comfort zone until it becomes a rut. I will use my time and energy today with a goal in mind. There are items that need attention and activities that can make the day a good one. Seems to me that I have had this conversation with myself many times. I guess it’s time to get real.

Day 149

The slight headache lasted and I put up with it. My silly thinking that it would go away by itself. Clear head this morning and raring to get busy on the fine calm morning. No agenda except the routine and that’s fine too. I want to get outside and do something with the yard. It’s too dry to dig but I can plan. Maybe Chuck will come and get the old fence. Wish we could have a nice soaking rain.

Day 148

I found a facebook site called Looking to the Future about positive changes for the community. I’ll keep watching for an interesting project. Yesterday I went through the drawers in the guest room and sorted out things I can pass along. Today I’ll do the corner cupboards in the kitchen. I don’t want to go to the senior center. Also I cancelled the traveler who wants to stay in the guest house. Not comfortable with two people and a dog.

Day 147

I need something. Maybe what I want is right here at home with sorting and choosing. Every nook and cranny needs attention and I didn’t do spring cleaning. Maybe I’m up for summer deep attention to my space. Certainly the yard still needs planning and doing. As I strengthen my body, I want an equal amount of strength in my mental and emotional self. I wonder what I can learn that would be stimulating and fun at the same time.

Day 146

I didn’t miss the senior center yesterday and may not go on Thursday. A new place might appear if I’m paying attention. Still in negative sorting mode and sure of what I don’t want to do/be/have. Today is routine beginning with a walk and exercise at the PT clinic. I need the upper body work and noticed how strong I am yesterday with shovel and wheelbarrow activity. I like being fit and will do what’s necessary to stay that way.

Day 145

And declutter I did. Moved wheelbarrows full of weeds and trimmings and dumped them in the space by the new fence. It is five inches lower than the old yard so I can fill it in, cover with dirt, and create a new growing spot. When the bales decompose, I will move the remains there too. I spent the weekend alone except for church. I was not lonely and didn’t want others. It is too easy to be a hermit.

Day 144

Yesterday I marked a couple of needs from the summer list: cleaning the garden shed and the top of the sauna. Both are handy places to shove things I don’t want to deal with at the time. Also worked on the yard clearing and that felt good too. Today I will do the routine walking and exercise before church. It’s a beautiful morning and I want to get out and enjoy it. Life is simple when the clutter is gone.

Day 143

Hollie is in Bend with her friends having a wonderful time. I miss being in a group. Used to have womens’ group, writing groups, dream group, meditation group, committees, councils, and other groups. I have opted out but miss the contacts. Guess I could create a group but don’t have the center reason for one. What can I do to get stimulation for a group, a project or a cause? I’m restless for new people and activities that are meaningful. 

Day 142

Woke up feeling less than Tigger. I want my bounce back! The coffee helped and I’m ready to get busy. Yesterday I really didn’t want to be at the senior center and said so out loud. I’ll take time off before I blow it and burn my bridges. I do enjoy a few people. The big deal today is a trip to the blueberry farm. I need groceries and will go early after a walk and exercise at the clinic.

Day 141

It was family day. Hollie and Megan came to the museum and I bailed out with them for lunch. Megan visited friends before she went home. The fence is finished and now I can plan for that space. It looks very good and the old fence is piled for Chuck to take for parts. I like completed projects. Now I want to get the garage end painted and a new back door on the guest house. I’ll clean the garden shed.

Day 140

The fence posts are ready for the fence to go up. I’m excited to have it completed. Then the old fence will come down and I can see how the yard will look. Megan came up after putting her Jada to sleep. The cat had serious problems that could not be fixed. She was despondent and still managed to handle all the details. Today she will come to the museum and talk to Karen about the bookkeeping job.

Day 139

Rode with Carol for an hour to help her confidence. I will go with her to the DMV and wait while she has the driving test. Collected information for my column and will finish writing it today. Did my duty at the senior center in spite of the remains of the headache. Wasting a day on feeling low is depressing. The fence will get underway today. That is welcome. It’s about time as I have waited two years for cooperation.

Day 138

Woke up with a migraine again. I wish I knew what brought them on so I could prevent them. Imitrex saves the day and I would prefer not to have to rely on medication. There is a trigger and I want to identify it. Today is another beautiful one, clear and calm and already 61. After senior center duty I will take Carol on a trial drive pretending to be the DMV inspector. She is nervous about the test tomorrow.

Day 137

I found cookies, green beans, beets, and socializing at the farmers’ market yesterday. There is a beef roast in the crockpot. I will add freshly dug potatoes and the beans. Today I want to be outside again to walk and finish up the weeding. I want the fence line clear when Henry comes to take it down. Chuck wants the old boards for his chicken coop project. It needs to be strong to keep the critters out. Hollie likes chickens.

day 136

I did accomplish most of the list before a slight energy slump happened around noon. Oh well, I made the most of the hours and feel good about the way the day progressed. I will finish moving the compost bin that was near the fence. I want to use the compost around both lemon trees after the fence is built. I told Megan that I was going to celebrate the finished project by christening it with a bottle of champagne.

Day 135

Much to do today so I’d better get busy. Amazing how short the morning feels when I sleep until 6! Don’t know why my four legged alarm clocks are sleeping later. Today I will walk, go to PT for upper body work, do the mat exercises later, shop before Safeway gets crazy, and get back to the fence clearing. I want it done when Henry comes next week. Senior center was noisy yesterday. I feel tired when I get home.

Day 134

My morning intentions don’t always get realized and I will make them anyway. I didn’t do much yesterday afternoon except enjoy the sprinkling of rain. It was refreshing. Today I will walk but not go to the clinic for exercise. I love the feeling of taking care of myself knowing that I’m creating a better life. I did sink into the comfort zone for the Giants game and blueberry frozen yogurt. Had an excellent kale dish that I invented myself.

Day 134

Eighty words of gratitude would be appropriate this morning. Another day with progress to show for it. I like getting things done or planned with a date for completion. I will be jumping up and down to celebrate the new fence when Henry finishes. It has been a bone of contention with the neighbors. I did clear weeds and have more. It will be easier to keep that area clear when this fence is gone. Off for another good day.

Day 133

Chuck put the siding back on the little house and now I can call the painter. Henry Brown will make the new fence. The dogs and I had a long walk. They need more walking. Today I’ll take them again.  A few errands after a walk and stop at PT for the exercises there. I do the mat exes here. I’ve been using hand weights too wanting to keep muscle tone. A couple of poor energy weeks take a toll.

Day 132

Yesterday I did break away from the comfort zone in a couple of small ways. Felt good to consciously do so. I put music on and moved to it. Also sat on the porch and watched the neighborhood. Sounds simple enough. The pull to sit is stronger in the afternoon. Mornings are the best times for activity and planning. I know I want to clear the fence behind the lemon tree today when I come home from senior center duty.

day 131

Pie social duty done and successful. Hollie and I stayed until noon after the parade crowd was taken care of. I bought two pies to take to church this morning. The noise gets to me and makes me tired. It was pleasant to get home and sit in silence until night when the booms started. Minnie was better with help from a pill. Today I want to follow through with my Independence Day intention. I can find stimulation and activity.

Day 130

No activity yesterday except for changing channels on the TV. Giants lost another game and there was a Blue Bloods marathon. So I have a wider butt and no self-respect. Independence means not controlled by an outside force. My saboteur is an inside force and I can get out if its control. Once I quit smoking on the fourth and it worked. What I want to free myself from is the comfort zone and making it OK to do nothing.

Day 129

Yesterday was noisy. I came home to peace and quiet and took a nap. No call from Tonda so next week I’ll call her. Today I need to shop early. The stores will be busy with people getting ready for the fourth. No other agenda except the routine walking and maybe PT at the clinic. Haven’t been for over a week because I haven’t felt well. I want to take care of unfinished business today. I like to keep current.

Day 128

Love the cool foggy day. When it’s hot inland, I bless living here even more. Today I’ll get a good walk and then go to the senior center for duty. It will be busier than a usual Thursday because the menu is 4^th of July picnic fare. It’s OK once in a while but I don’t like the crowded days. Hoping Tonda calls with results from the pulmonary function test. I would like to know why I’m short of breath.

Day 127

The best intentions need something to make them happen. I had nothing to work with yesterday due to the headaches that wouldn’t depart. Finally, late in the day, I walked around the block because I just had to get outside. This morning I am much better. Not whole but better. I will get the exercises even if I do them in slow motion. I have an investment in my body and I don’t want to waste it. I’ll do it.

Senior News column

If Norman Rockwell came to Crescent City for the Fourth of July, his vision would be on the cover of Saturday Evening Post. I will be standing on the lawn of the historical society museum with my fingers in my ears as the canon is fired to start the parade. The boom is accompanied by a cloud of paper particles. Our parade is an old fashioned, patriotic, small town event with small children sitting on the curbs waving their American flags, old men with their hats over their hearts when the flags go by. There will be colorful floats, some with music and action, fire trucks, marching units, horse groups, and the Jed Smith mountain men in their authentic outfits and their black powder rifles. During the parade people will be coming to our museum grounds for yummy homemade pie topped with a generous scoop of ice cream and a cup of hot coffee.  The parade ends at Beachfront Park where vendors, music, games, and crowds of people will enjoy the day together.

At dark the fireworks will begin. It is a spectacular show that comes from the breakwater so people congregate at the park and along the beaches. There is a deck party on July third, at the Cultural Center, complete with musical entertainment, beverages, and food. Proceeds from the deck party with its raffles pay for the fireworks. Inside the building, the art show is full of visitors enjoying the local talent.

During the summer lots of events happen. Look for posters in store windows, notices in the newspaper, radio reports, conversations with friends and neighbors, to find fun locally and support the community. When travelling, look for county fairs, rodeos and horse races, art and craft shows, farmers’ markets, and participate in the activities. There may be a Relay for Life going on that could use another walker. Attend a service in places you visit. Our congregation enjoys showing our hospitality to travelers.

There is still a lot of the season left to get busy in the garden. Plant some flowers to brighten up the yard. Plant vegetables in containers, or start a straw bale garden. It’s perfect for older folks who don’t want to dig in the dirt or kneel down to pull weeds.

Vacation means many things: a break from work life, a break from the daily routine, a chance to walk around and see new things and explore side roads and tourist attractions. It’s the season to get out and enjoy summer.