Day 187

Monday again. Beautiful moon and stars to start the week. I’m getting used to the empty house next door. I hope the Parmentiers have an easy resettlement in Texas. Routine day coming up. At least that is what I’m expecting. There are days when I think I know what’s going on and that’s not it at all. I’m prepared for exercising, walking, senior center duty, and maybe, the senior news will arrive. If so, I plan to distribute them tomorrow.

Day 186

Light rain and it’s welcome. I’m going out to walk soon. I stocked up on fruit yesterday and then proceeded to munch on it all day. Maybe a need to clear the smoke out of my body. Also had a garlic binge. Hollie says it helps the immune system  too. Today the orchids get attention and the three new ones will get much needed food, bigger pots, and bark. I like my simple life style. Suits me to a T.

Day 185

Taking the brush was easy, cheap, and the dogs got cookies. What a deal! All errands and shopping done by 10 and then I rested. The day was hot, humid, smoky, and stagnant. Felt tired and sick. Went to bed. Had 10 hours of sleep and this morning is better. Blue sky and traces of rain. Hollie and I will walk to farmers’ market. I’m wanting fruit again. Love the peaches and pears. Parmentiers are leaving today. I’ll miss them.

Day 184

Picked up five bags of trash. Today I will simply walk to PT. No picking up as my back is sore.. Lots of errands and shopping today. I want to take the load of brush to the transfer station before the much anticipated rain later today. Don’t want it soggy and heavier to move. Yesterday was busy and I like days like that, days with parts. Even had a dog walk and bought a new orchid pot and bark mix.

Day 183

I like feeling content at the end of the day knowing that I have done my best for myself and the community. I picked up a bag of trash on my walk yesterday and will do it again today. We are all waiting for water to come out of the sky. Hopefully it will be more than a shower or two and aim at the fires. It’s sad to think of the trees burning. Animals are coming into populated areas.

Day 182

Good day coming up. The smoke yesterday was close and I was chided at PT for walking in it. Showers are expected by the weekend and will be welcome. Today I have an appointment at PT for adding mat exercises. First Linda will see how I’m doing and make any corrections I need. Yesterday she showed me a more effective way to do the resistance bands to get the most for my muscles. I’ll leave the museum five minutes early.

Day 181

It’s my half birthday. The first six months have been great. The two gifts I gave myself have improved my life: the smart phone and core conditioning at physical therapy. I’m still learning to use all parts of the phone and I am maintaining my strength with regular work-outs at PT. Yesterday I invited the police chief to lunch at the senior center. It was pizza day. He liked it. He and I talked about recruiting volunteers for the department.

day 180

I wrote GOOD for yesterday. Haven’t done that for a long time. I could breathe, walk at a good rate, had energy to take the dogs for a walk, and enjoyed the day. Now it’s Monday and I have a list: routine morning, make an appointment with Chief Minsal for planning, grocery shopping that I didn’t do, take care of the irritating person at the senior center, and watch the clearing process across the street. I am moving forward again.

Day 179

Saturday was slow again and I did walk and get fruit at the market. That was it for the day. Early to bed and a long sleep. Today I’ll get the orchids watered before I set out to walk, get the mat exercises done, and go to church. Later I’m off to Sarah for a deep massage. The days seem slow when I’m not energetic but the weeks simply disappear.  I have plans for adding projects to my activity routine.

Day 178

No energy yesterday. I did walk but a snail could have beat me. I did go to PT but couldn’t finish my routine. Oh well, I showed up and that counts. I could smell smoke when I picked up the paper. My humus was too wet, no eggs at the feed store, no used dog crates at the thrift stores, and the dogs walked at the harbor. It was a day for numbering all the good things in my life.

Day 177

I took the dogs for a walk in the afternoon when the wind cleared the air enough to go out. We went to Home Depot and they said sure walk around. There was another dog walker too. The senior center was busy and I like that. It’s the slow boring days that I get antsy for something new. Megan has plans for moving back in December. I want to get the little house painted, carpet cleaned, and the maintenance finished. 

day 176

Stepping out for the paper was awful. The smoke is right here. Maybe the wind will come up later and I can get out for a walk. Yesterday we had a very expensive vet visit and I guess it’s worth it to know that I’m doing a good job for my dogs. Megan is back to her work and is gearing up for school on Monday. The museum was busy and the people were interesting. Made the time fly by. 

Day 175

The wind changed to west yesterday afternoon so the dogs and I had a walk. It seems less smoky so far this morning. I would like a regular day: walk, PT exercises, museum duty, and a quiet afternoon. Megan wants the little house painted yellow inside to attract light. Soon the maintenance will be finished. Now I want the rocks in the little yard to disappear and grass to take their place. I’m tired of pulling weeds. I like progress.

Day 174

Couldn’t go out yesterday. Today is not good. I miss getting out and walking. It’s a big part of my life and I feel like a prisoner. Butters is here and will be until Thursday morning. Megan is making the most of their time together as she will be back to her school and work schedule soon. She is glowing. Must be the real thing. I can do indoor chores today as I promised to purge my closet. Must do.

Day 173

Butters spent the night again. Megan is in love with a guy who lives here. She works all day and drives up to spend time with him. Ain’t love grand! Today the dogs go to the groomer and I’ll walk and exercise while they are there. Then it’s senior center day and I will look for opportunities to be kind and to acknowledge kindness. I have smoke symptoms still and today the wind may clear out the worst of it.

Day 172

Yesterday improved as it went along. Hollie and I had a great time together and came home with the goodies. My head was fine but my phone was dead. I walked to USCellular and waited long enough to get many steps on the fitbit. Turns out I need to take the battery out once a week. I didn’t know that. It’s not an easy task. Anyway, I was surprised by how much I missed it. I’m tethered to my devices.

Day 171

It was a great energetic morning that lasted until noon. Eye exam was great. Dental exam was great. Headache that arrived, not great. This morning is having a slow start. Coffee is helping but I’m going to get Imitrex in a minute. Hollie is coming at 9. We are walking to the farmers’ market and check out the scene. I enjoy every minute that we spend together. Then she is going to the pool and I may go to bed.

Day 170

Yesterday was update day on my fitbit, AVG virus protection and Malware. It was also get a prescription at Walgreens day and that was 45 minutes of laughing at the inept and unprofessional way they run the pharmacy. Lucky for me there was a fellow waiter and we had fun. Today is also health update: Dr. E for an eye pressure check, and a trip to the dentist for regular checkup. I will go to PT for Swiss ball exercises.

Day 169

Did slow a bit and hope to get moving today. It is smoky and the air smells like the fire. It’s sad. I will walk unless the air feels unhealthy to breathe. I know Hollie has to keep her doors and windows closed. Senior Center duty and it will be crowded because the menu is pizza and ice cream! I’ll get the column written today and chase down photos of events at the center. September’s issue is aimed at centers.

Day 168

Yesterday was a good one. I like days with parts and that was how it was. Walk, board of supervisors meeting, PT with Linda to learn Swiss ball exercises, out to Karen’s for straw bale discussion and a heavenly massage. I laughed and enjoyed every minute. I woke up sick at 1 AM. I’m thinking it’s a UTI. I’ll go to the office early and get help. I don’t want to slow down for an illness. I’m on a roll.

Day 167

Yesterday was full of laughing. I loved every minute. Starting the day with exercise and walking seems to prime my pump and give me the energy that I want. Today, after I attend the board of supervisors meeting, I will go to the PT clinic and meet with Linda. She will go through my routine with me and suggest new exercises. I told her that I have invested in my health and want to keep getting interest on the investment.

Day 166

The crowd was dwindling at the fair so we spent most of the time talking to each other. It was interesting and I enjoyed the people. The smoke is making my eyes and nose run but I am going to walk anyway. My plan is to do PT exercises, come home and go to the senior center. I love waking up without a pain in my head. The baby dino kale is up and the Chinese greens are doing well.

Day 165

Yesterday was active and productive and I liked every minute of it. Today I’ll get a walk before church. It’s smoky and the Coon fire smoke is visible. Later I will walk to the fair and work in the Democrats booth. I did last year and enjoyed the conversations. I didn’t join in the meeting for “Looking to the future” at the park. Lurking until I’m sure it’s something I want to participate in. It looks like a positive intention.

Day 164

I did something fun! Walked to the fair, met Kathryn and we watched the 4-H kids show their sheep. We wandered through the pigs and enjoyed them. The flower show wasn’t as wow as usual. Not full of beautiful exhibits. I met a few other old people as it was our free day at the fair. Today back to basics: walk and fill up the empty refrigerator. Della is her bouncy self today so we will get out and walk.

Day 163

Megan called. Worried about leaving Butters at home instead of taking him to the store. The boss doesn’t want him there any longer. My Della is droopy. Looks a lot like Eeyore. Don’t know if it’s vet time or not. It’s smoky and humid again. All these wet spells remind me of hot flashes. Not a great memory. Today I’ll go to PT and walk, shop, and hang out in my home. Unless I get a better offer. Something fun.

Day 162

We had lots of visitors. An Australian  couple, Aborigines, were interested in the old logging practices and liked the display. All the others wanted to know about the tsunami history or the Brother Jonathon. They say our museum is extraordinary. Today I am determined to make the most of time and energy. It’s senior center duty and the boondock band will be playing. Tonda called to say the pulmonary function test showed improvement in my oxygen diffusion score. That’s all.

day 161

Had a peaceful day at home after the morning exercise routine and dog walk. I enjoy my home and yard. When Amy leaves next week I can finish the work in the little yard too. Must deal with the overgrown remains of the monocot that is taking over the pear tree. I can move the lath pieces to the fence and nail them up. They will add privacy to the south side. Museum today. Boring when there are no visitors.

Day 160

I’m ready for a good day. Restful sleep bodes well for energy and enthusiasm. After my usual walk and stop at physical therapy, the bale garden will get attention. Yesterday I removed most of the dino kale and today plants and seeds will go in. The Chinese greens are doing well and so is the spinach that is newly sown. Time is close for picking the zucchini and there is an abundance of tomatoes. I want a day right here.

Day 159

Yesterday was low energy. Managed to get five miles of walking and watching the Giant’s game. Church was good. We have added young couples and babies. Positive change for our old group. I’ll go to the senior center for duty. The two weeks away have been restful. I was burnt out from sameness. Today I promise to walk the dogs when I come home and replant the dino kale in the bale garden. It’s time to start a winter crop.

Day 158

I expect today to be routine: walk, water the orchids, church, Giants’ game. I have a hint that something else will happen. It’s just a feeling. The best part of yesterday was connecting with people at the farmers’ market. I want new friends and activities. Politics is drawing my attention. The interesting people right now are those who care deeply about what’s going on here. Maybe I can fit in and find my place and projects that I’ve been wanting.

Day 157

Walked nine miles yesterday by combining dog walks and senior news distribution. It was the most steps in a day. Today is foggy and smoky from the wildfires east and south of us. I will walk to the farmers’ market and that’s it for an agenda. I started my journal with a colorful A for August. Good start for enjoying it again. I did add an entry every day in July and am intending to do the same this month.