Day 364

Numbered incorrectly somewhere in the year. This is the last day of my 80^th year. Tonda called “throw out the Cipro.” It wasn’t helping. I’m resistant. So another one today and an appointment with a specialist. Must get well. That’s the top of the priority list for the new year. I did get two walks and visited with friends along the way. Many changes have occurred. Some small, some big, more decisions to come. I will live my best life.

Day 363

I want to say that I’m feeling well and can’t. I’m not well. I want to hear from Tonda today with a plan for improving my condition. Yesterday was busy and I managed two walks and duty at the senior center. Felt tired but happy to be out and doing something. I’m going to skip the board of supervisors meeting and get the tax papers finished for my appointment tomorrow. I watched a drug raid down the street yesterday afternoon.

Day 362

I watched Megan drive off. She made a smooth engagment of first gear. Hollie gave her stick shift lessons and all she needs now is practice. Today I’ll be at the bank when it opens to shift money to pay for the car. Back to the senior center. I missed last week when I didn’t feel well enough to be there. Hoping to make it today without any problems. This afternoon I must sort tax stuff. My appointment is Wednesday.

Day 361

Megan and I went to the farm stand. On the way home we stopped to look at cars. I bought one for her: a bright red Chevy Spark. It has a stick shift and she has to learn how to use it. Yesterday was learning curve and she needs practice. I had a long walk and felt better. Today Ky will come to measure Megan’s kitchen space for the remodel. It will make a big difference in the little house.

Day 360

Megan will need the car again next week. If the weather cooperates I can walk to most of my duties: senior center, taxes, board of supervisors meetings, groceries. I will miss my massage with Karen. She would come here with her portable table but she would not bring hot rocks and Della would whine the whole time. I’m not feeling whole yet. The Cipro has had time to make a difference. What’s going on in my body? I want help.

Day 359

Gale winds, thunder and lightning, pouring rain etc. I wish I could stay in bed with the dogs and ignore it. Well, no. They go to the dog wash and I will go to the chiropractor. Errands will get done that have waited all week. It wasn’t the best week for no car. I did get a couple of long walks to appointments and I know that most of the time I can adjust. I will be glad for wheels.

Day 358

Low day, more anti-biotics, news of a specialist over the hill. I must pursue information, find out what I can do, and move on. The wind is blowing a gale. Woke up to lightning and thunder and hoping for a brief clearing for a walk. No moving yesterday was not good. I need to move even if it means bundling up. I can take a couple of bills to the post office. Time to start the chicken soup. New day.

Day 357

Sick all over and more determined than ever to find out why this condition recurs. I will insist on more information and now! I did walk to the hospital for the urine test. Took only 30 minutes. Leaving a specimen, taking pills isn’t working. Been doing that for years with no cause investigated. I had plenty of time to get a chicken and potatoes in the oven to share dinner with Megan. She roasted Brussels’ sprouts to go with them.

day 356

I walked for an hour yesterday and was refreshed. I’ll get out early and do a couple of errands. I’ll make an appointment to see Tonda and ask for another UTI test. What is going on? I don’t want to think this is chronic and if I can find the cause, shazam, it will be gone. Megan is enjoying the van. I will do what I can to make her commuting comfortable. She is doing so well with her classes.

Day 355

Not jumping up and down with energy. I need medical help to get back to normal. The dreaded UTI threat is near again. I want to know why. I need more information about the systems and why they are so vulnerable. I do everything I know how to achieve and maintain health with good habits. Help! I don’t want to hear “age-related.” I need to get outside today. Been in the house for three days and that just won’t do.

Day 354

Slept well. Expecting to have a normal day except I will skip church just in case I’m uncomfortable. I want to shop early as I won’t have a car all week and I will need groceries. Later I may clean the car for Megan. It’s kind of cluttered and I want to find the insurance card and registration and put them in the glove box. I changed appointments for the dog wash and massage to next week. Change is good.

Day 353

Yesterday deteriorated rapidly into the discomfort of diverticulitis. I’m thinking it was caused by the anti-biotic that was harsh on my system. I spent the day and night feeling awful. Interesting that Megan had car trouble on her way home Thursday. I had just told Hollie that I’m thinking about giving up my car. Now Megan will use my car for a week and I can find out if I’m ready to go carless. I’ll  be well by Monday.

Day 352

New glass for the phone is $160.00. I may leave the tape on it. I have my tax appointment next week. I like getting things done. Today the house needs attention. The puppy from next door brings in all kinds of weeds, bark, stuff I don’t recognize, and distributes it all over. One sweeping and then another one. Walking will happen, of course, and I may take the shopping cart for a trip to the store. Off to enjoy today.

Day 351

I now own a shopping cart. The assembly project was okay except for the cotter pin. Don’t know if I installed it correctly. Don’t want it to collapse when I’m walking home. Today I will get out for an early walk. The back discomfort eases with walking and I want to feel well for the rest of the day. I need to make appointments today for taxes and cell glass fixing. I always get my taxes done before my birthday.

Day 350

Ash Wednesday. I will have ashes imposed at noon. Then begins the Lenten discipline. I will pray to Mary each day. I’m hoping for conversations with her. As woman to woman, mother to mother, we have common experiences. I will listen. This morning I will go to Tracy. My back hurts since I sat two hours at the meeting. Walking helped. Then I will go to Ace and look at the wheeled carts for bigger trips to the grocery store.

Day 349

Yesterday was unseasonably hot. 80 degrees is too hot. Today is cooler and I can get out for a walk. Yesterday was social. Long catch-up phone call with Barbara Clark reviewing the years with Senior News and our friendship. Katharine Murray visited. She is running for supervisor and seems a bit tepid about it. She will need vigor for the campaign. Today I will go to the supervisors meeting and later Julia is coming for a visit. Busy with people.

Day 348

Unseasonable warmth outside. Stars in the clear sky. Too much gloom and relentless rain and now this unusual warm spell. Sarah’s massage reduced me to a jellyfish. She found every sore spot on my entire body. This morning I feel better and my back is not an issue. Beside the senior center duty, no agenda except to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. Maybe this afternoon I can get started on clearing weeds. Don’t want to undo Tracy’s chiropractic help.

Day 347

Nothing new. I was feeling lonely and wished I had something to do and didn’t reach out except by text. If I want to be social, I have to go where there are people! Made a couple of walks to home depot for a new garage light. Took three men to sell me the wrong one and one woman to get it right. Megan wanted a social life and went to a party where she would be the new person.

Day 346

Blue goo cooled down the hot spot on my spine. It’s sore but stretching feels good and walking helps too. Today Megan and I will go to the farm stand. She enjoys it. I’m sure we will come back with another stem of Brussel’s sprouts. Meg liked taking them off the stem. They have oranges again too. Nothing else on the agenda except getting outside for walking and enjoying. I want to find something new and stimulating to get into.

day 345

I went to Martha’s meet and greet and it was fine. There was a good crowd. If I want to be social I have to go where people are. It was the usual Dem supporters and I chatted with several people. I will work for Martha and Katherine Murray. They are both being challenged by jerks. Today I will go to Tracy and get help with the pain in my back. I didn’t do anything to earn it this time.

Day 344

Did errands and shopping yesterday. Walked too. It was the best day in a month! Today is senior center duty and a walk later. Martha is having a kick-off reception for her campaign for supervisor. I will walk down for that. Also take a donation and an offer to help.  I found two blazers at the used clothes store. I feel like dressing up more than I have been. Maybe it’s time to act more ladylike. Mom would like that. 

Day 343

Wrote it and sent it. Felt good. One more issue to distribute and then it will be another historical activity. I did not go out yesterday so today I must shop. The larder is bare. First the orchids will get attention. One great strong spike is growing daily on the big plant. It’s the one with the angel in the flower. I enjoy taking care of them and I would like beautiful color please. I’ll look for some fun today.

Day 342

Yesterday I decided to quit writing and distributing Senior News. Felt relief. I will write the last column with a history of my service and then forget about it. I will get out early to shop and get the errands done. Then I can walk for fun. The sun may lure me into the yard for a weed fest. I am itching to get a straw bale garden started. I know it’s too early but the gardening gene is pulsing. 

Day 341

It does look like the church is gearing up for fewer visits from Fr. David. I will attend for Communion as that has meaning for me. I feel the years of tradition and it is comforting. Icy again outside. Megan had to clean her windows before she drove off. We had a good weekend. I’m enjoying getting to know this young woman who is different here from the quick visits when she lived in Eureka. I like the dogs too.