day 278

The Senior News will arrive this afternoon so after center duty, I’ll distribute them. It will be a wet week so I want to get as many as I can today when it is just showers. Month’s end and my paper journal has the confession that I have not kept all my commitments to myself. I can do much better. And I acknowledge the ones I have kept. I believe that intention is everything and then I go off course.

Day 277

Today is even colder and the sun has little heat now. It’s time to keep the doors closed much as I love to have the light come in. Today after church we will color. Alicia is bringing books and crayons. I have books, colored pencils, and pens. It will be interesting to see who stays to join in. I’m taking the cranberry bread that I bought at the Bar-O boys sale at the senior center. Followed by a brisk walk.

Day 276

Brisk Saturday morning. I’ve been walking later when the temperature gets to 50. At 10 I will be going to the farm stand as I need fresh produce. I’m planning to buy carrots, kale, cabbage, onions, and potatoes and whatever else catches my eye. No agenda and that means an open day. I don’t want to do housework so maybe I’ll think of something different and fun. I do need to pack up the dishes in Megan’s house for storage. 

day 275

Another cold clear morning. The moon is shining so brightly that I thought the porch light was on! Today there are errands and shopping. I stay out of stores from now until January except for groceries and must-haves. I can’t tolerate the hype. Our family has given up all connections to the holiday. I gave away my decorations several years ago. Today I’ll pack up the dishes from Megan’s house to store in case it becomes a guest house again.

Day 274

Yesterday was productive. All the books were distributed to the senior center and the Wellness Center. The old kitchen things were also given away and now there is an empty sunporch. There are a few things left in the car that will go to daily bread tomorrow. I had a turkey thigh and pie for breakfast. It is cold and I will bundle up for a walk. Dark at 5PM and the lights and candle help with the seasonal depression.

day 273

Four dogs is a lot of paws and barks. It worked just fine. Megan sorted the books and took two boxes with her, leaving two boxes for me to distribute. The dinner was a cooperative cooking event and was delicious. We had a close and fun day with lots of laughing and sharing. Today we will enjoy the fresh pumpkin pie and the left-overs. Best part of dinner is the sandwiches on rolls and later, the turkey soup. Happy Thanksgiving

Day 272

All the menu items are waiting for preparation. Hollie will come at 10. Megan and Sarah and two dogs will show up later. Lots of activity and noise will happen. Chuck will come to carve and serve the turkey. All’s well in the family. I’m grieving with Jackie for her son Troy. He died of a heart attack. It is a devastating loss for the family and the Yurok tribe. He was a leader and advocate for fisheries and rivers.

Day 271

After Monday senior center duty, Hollie and I will shop for our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. As a family we have never felt obligated to keep the date on the calendar as a have-to. We have celebrations when everyone gets together. So, this year T-day is Tuesday. We have scaled back on dinner and shopping is quick. Just the basics. I enjoy the preparing with Hollie and Megan. Then I get to make soup! My favorite part of the whole dinner. 

Day 270

Did most of the sorting and have a box of stuff that I will redistribute. May take it to the senior center recycled gift shop. Hollie helped with the job and then we had a great lunch together. I enjoy her help and her company. Making the space ready for Megan is a pleasure. The fresh look of the paint and the empty places are inviting. Two more projects: sod in front of the sunporch and a new back door.

Day 269

Saturday and I may go to the farm stand. I’m glad they continue to provide fresh produce through the winter. I miss the walks and talks at the farmers’ market. Today I will sort and inventory the little house. I want to go through every drawer and cupboard. When Megan is here on Tuesday, she can decide what she wants of her own and what I can leave for her use. She has furniture that she will want to use.

day 268

David showed at 3PM and cleared the area. Today I will call Mayle to get the sod project started. The whipped butter paint is perfect. The little house glows, even with low light. Today the painters will put everything back and I can begin sorting out what will stay and what will either be stored or donated. After a wet Thursday I can get out and walk. Later I will see Tracy for a check-up on my back stabilization progress.

Day 267

David didn’t show or call. I’m disappointed. Now that Megan has two dogs, it would be nice for them to have a plot of grass outside the door. Hollie helped clear for the painters and we carried out all the books and decorations. Then we took the dogs for a walk at the Harbor on a beautiful day. Karen came for the rest of her belongings that were inside and gave me the key. I enjoyed having her stay here.

Day 266

David promised to spend hours today. If he gets the area down to dirt I can call and get the sod project started. It may be done before Megan comes. Karen moved most of her belongings and will get the rest today. I will empty the bookcase and take down wall hangings. I like progress. Now all I need is a backdoor replacement  and I’ll be satisfied. Aside from the walk and exercise, that’s the way the day looks now.

Day 265

Made progress on unfinished business. Randy Johnson is coming to measure the little house for yellow paint. I want it done before Megan comes. I asked her to take the books to make room for her things. Randy will also make a date for painting the back wall. Found a guy who fixes scratched phones and will get to Harbor soon. David hasn’t shown up. Wish I could do it myself but shoveling is off the list at this time.

Icy morning

Day 264

I did get out. Back in the house just as the rain, hail, and wind ramped up. Quiet day with the dogs and TV. I watched all I could about the Paris attack. Then I played music and colored in my Entangled book. I use colored pencils and the repeated patterns are soothing. It’s like meditation. I read the Prayers for the People in church and enjoyed being part of the service. Lately I have had more and better energy.

Day 263

Wet, windy and dark. Regular Sunday. Orchids will get attention first, then church. Don’t know about walking yet. It will depend on how serious the weather gets. I do have clothing that will protect me. It’s getting the door open and that first step outside. The walking habit is strong and the restlessness that happens when I don’t go out is miserable. Better to go out and get battered than stay inside. If that’s my only problem, I doing well.

Day 262

Feral says he misses the ladder to the sleeping loft. It was a cat’s playground. Soon Megan and Butters will be next door. Hope to get the room painted before they come. I made plans with my yard worker to plant sod in the front of the sunporch. Now I need David to show up and clear it. I may have to get out there myself again and do it carefully. My chiropractor suggested that I do not move rocks! 

Prompt with CJ friends

It was a time when my long-time partner in the volunteer police patrol left because of health problems. She and I knew each other well. Our conversations in the patrol car were about daily stuff, comfortable as old friends can be. At the next meeting of our group, I looked around the table and realized that everyone was paired up. After the informational part of the meeting, Gene Lyssenko spoke up. His partner had moved and he was looking for a new partner. He wanted another male. I felt a nudge. My intuition is rarely satisfied with a nudge so then I felt a poke. Andd then a serious poke. In a tiny almost inaudible voice, I said, “I”ll be your partner.” Long silence. So long that I had time to sweat. Finally, he said, “We can try that.” We made a day and time. He liked the evening tour 4 PM until 8PM, where we shook business doors, drove behind stores, and patrolled downtown and the harbor.

The first couple of times conversation felt awkward. We talked about our history with the PD and our duty.  I caught on quickly that the harbor tour was his favorite and he began to tell stories about fishing. His trips on the ‘big pond” were epic adventures.  For years he would bring me cleaned and packaged ling cod, snapper, and the prized green ling, salmon, and even halibut. There was far more than I could use and he asked me to distribute the bounty.

Then there was his garden. Huge plantings of vegetables, green house full of tomatoes, about an acre of sunflowers too.  Again, I was the recipient of his generosity. He make blackberry cordial and was sure that I had plenty in case I needed a toddy for medicinal purposes.

In a short time, I could talk about anything. I trusted him as I had never trusted anyone with my hopes and fears. When I needed a male point of view about an incident, I trusted him to tell me the truth. As I learned Gene’s history, five-year-old with his mother and grandfather walking from Ukraine to Poland, years in a German work camp, finally coming to the US at age 13, I appreciated where his generosity came from. He was a small frail man whose bone problems came from lack of nourishment as a child. What I deeply loved about Gene was his wisdom and compassion. I was touched by his stories and his active giving. He had a warm spot for homeless families and would give them food and money.  He loved our country passionately. He was a dedicated Democrat and we had lively discussions. His side often peppered with salty words about Republicans.

Gene is gone. The last weeks of his life, he spoke only Russian. His last word, Babushka, reaching for his mother, he died. Now he is out on the big pond fishing and fishing. Knowing him was a treasure. And I would have missed it if I had not spoken up.

Day 261

David worked a couple of hours moving rocks. He made noticeable progress. May have sod in the front soon. I hope he turns out to be a reliable worker. I walked the dogs yesterday and then walked myself. Last year at this time I walked 6K for the first time. Now I regularly walk 10K. I like signposts that show my commitment to getting and staying well. Today is Friday the 13^th. No black cats around here since Karen moved.

Feral the Ferocious

day 260

It was a good day. I was happy to be the Democratic Party banner bearer. I’m always amazed at how many people I recognize when I’m out in public. Guess I am a fixture around here. I’m writing about Gene for the 400 word CJ challenge. That’s simply not enough words for what I want to impart about him and our friendship. I keep paring words. Maybe I’ll just break the rules and write as long as I want to.  

Day 259

The board meetings are interesting. I don’t understand why they are poorly attended. People need to be aware of the business of the county. Today I will walk with the Democrats in the Veterans’ Day parade. Probably carry a sign or hold up a banner. It might be wet so I’ll wear a blue rain jacket over a red shirt, and a white scarf. I want to get involved in our politics. It’s important to take a stand and act.

Day 258

Cold morning. I jumped out of my warm nest, ran to the heater, turned it on, and ran back to bed. Today I will attend the board of supervisors meeting, and have a massage with Karen. I will bundle up for a walk and enjoy the clean cold air. Yesterday Hollie put up colored lights around the alcove and it creates a lovely soft ambient glow designed to brighten the early dark hours. Both of us need light for well-being.

Day 257

Yesterday was for weather lovers. Rain, hail, sun, rainbows, thunder, lightning, wind. I still was able to go out for two walks! Today is mixed with chances for more. After senior center duty I will meet Hollie. I promised Megan that I would get museum research material for her project on the Gasquet Orleans road vs. the Yurok tribe. There is sacred ground that tribal members have preserved against road builders. I’m glad Meg is interested in local Native issues.

Day 256

Didn’t find anything interesting to do. Stayed in feeling unwell and very restless. Not a good combination. I paced 8K steps from the front door to the back porch door.  David worked an hour in the rock pile and did a lot already. The rain started and he left. I do see that the project can be done. Today the orchids will get their weekly attention and I will go to church. Hoping for energy and a walk between showers. 

Day 255

Help with the rocks in the little yard walked up and spoke to me while I was stuffing the hydrangeas in the van. He asked if I needed help with my yard and I showed him the little yard and what I wanted to change. He is starting this morning. Here’s hoping. Eventually there will be lawn instead of weeds and rock. Today is open. Of course I’ll walk toward my 10K steps goal and find something interesting to do. 

Day 254

I checked out volunteer sites with RSVP and there was no Aha! moment. Guess I’ll have to find one on my own. Instead of looking outside, I could spend some energy on my house and yard. The bales are still producing chard, peppers, and zucchini so I can’t take them all apart yet. The little yard needs a plan. The rock moving project slowed to a stop with the enormity of what I thought I could do. I need help. 

Day 253

Wrote my December column yesterday about holidays and food and sent it in. Had a lot of conversations and connections. It was a good day. Today will start out routine and hope for new people or ideas for expanding my activities. Tracy helped my sore back and walking is fun again. So maybe the dogs will get a walk after senior center duty. I am restless for an unnamed something. I can trust that I’ll find out what that is.

Day 252

I should have bruises from Sarah! She really dug into the knots in my back. Today I feel better because of it. Housework day. I may start out walking and picking up trash. It is cold and clear so a couple of layers and a hat will be the wardrobe. I shared the Dear Darlene letter on Collective Journey and it started a discussion about relationships. Maybe others will write and share too. We used to have good writing together.

Day 251

Nice new battery in the car. Made for a slow start yesterday but it ended well. Thanks to Les Schwab’s customer service, I was only an hour late to the senior center. Today the dogs will get a walk on the lawn at Walmart and then I will make a dash inside for a few things I can’t find anywhere else. Later I get a massage with Sarah who knows all the places that need her skill. Good day coming.

Day 250

All Saints Day at church. I talked about Wendell and his silliness while we were in the choir. They sang the saints song with his “killed by a fierce wild priest” line. It was fun. I hope he knew it was happening in his memory. I didn’t walk outside yesterday and missed it. Between the rain and an energy slump, I was grounded. Today will be better. It was a good soaking rain and this morning is cool and clear.

senior News column

One day when I went into the day-room at the Surf senior apartments two women were sitting together, talking, and coloring in their adult coloring books. Later my friend Susanne called to tell me about her new coloring book that featured zentagle type designs. By now I am intrigued by the idea of adult coloring books. I looked them up on my computer and found several sites and a lot of variety. I ordered a couple for myself: one called Entangled and one called Balance that was suggested by my friend Barbara. My kitchen table holds, crayons, pens, pencils, and a good light. Now all I needed was a friend to sit and color with me. That was easy to achieve and along with cups of tea, we found a relaxing experience. Maybe it brings back memories of childhood enjoyment, a rainy afternoon spent coloring companionably and quietly with a good friend.

Christian themed adult coloring books are many and varied from stained glass windows to psalms, to stories and expressions of joy. Coloring could easily move to creating one’s own drawing and coloring.

I already liked to zentangle and decided to draw my own coloring pages with pens and pencils. It seemed like the natural next step to coloring in a book. All it takes is paper and imagination to create interesting designs. Zentangle instruction is also available on line. Once the basics are learned, it’s open to original drawing. I enjoyed sharing the how-to part with my friends. It is easy to fill a page with the designs and then fill the spaces with color. 

From coloring books to creating coloring pages led to exploring drawing in other ways. I found drawing instruction on line. There are free classes offered and the materials are already around from the coloring fun. All it takes is paper and tools such as pencils and pens. Now I had the opportunity to make use of my creative ideas and explore right here at my kitchen table. There are drawing classes at the community college and that is another way to be inspired. Those classes would offer more choices of materials and methods of putting ideas on paper. Once I took  lessons with children at the art gallery. I was able to try out watercolor, acrylics, charcoal, pastels and the kids didn’t mind. It’s always time to get creative. All it takes is desire.

Day 249

Hello November. Into the tunnel of dark hours. Turned the clocks before I went to bed. The dark mornings don’t bother me. It’s the early dark that makes me want to go to bed. Two months and then the light minutes come back. Orchid care and church are my agenda. Depending on the weather, I hope to get out for a walk. The house needs attention and so does my restless spirit. Routine is comfortable but not satisfying or stimulating.