Day 249

I’m still looking for a good day. Yes, I did get a walk plus changed my car insurance and the headache lurked. Today will be noisy again at the senior center. I’m sure there will be costumes among the diners and more than the usual number. I am edgy and notice no tolerance for hollow instead of hallow when saying the name of the holiday. It’s another sign of mediocrity in our culture. Oh well, it’s over tomorrow.

Day 248

The day will bring a new activity. Hollie and I are going to Tai Chi class this afternoon. We like to have time together at least once a week. Now that the farm boxes are done, this might be a good thing for us. Today I will buy a nice little pork roast to put in my new iron pot. The chicken I roasted in the old iron pot was absolutely delicious. I’m so ready to feel well.

Day 247

Phil turned out to be flaky. Glad I found out before he moved into the guest house. Not feeling very well. Headaches and low physical energy. Even though going back to bed is inviting, what’s true is I will go out, walk, do errands, and shop. Yesterday the senior center folks were loud. My head was ringing when I arrived home. It was wonderful to sit in silence with two warm dogs on my lap. Another day begins.

Day 246

The migraine that ruined yesterday is threatening again. I did recover enough to meet Phil and show him the guest-house. He will come and live here as soon as he takes care of his property. I asked for a long term tenant and here he is. I missed church. I get a lot from the service as I follow the litany. I enjoy Fr. David’s humor and his asides to explain what he is doing at the altar.

Day 245

I decided I wanted to go to the Happiness workshop with Chris. I declined at first because it was scheduled for seven hours and I don’t do anything for that long. It was a good thing that I went because I processed my anger about the iron problem and resentments at both the blood bank and the doctors who didn’t diagnose my condition. By saying “Even though I lost years of energy, what’s true is I helped people.”

Day 244

In spite of the cold fog outside, I’m ready to bundle up and walk to the last market. It’s sure to be a social occasion and I’m in the mood for catching up with old friends. And I’m hoping for one last pesto roll and another bunch of dino kale. After the energy slump, the priority feels like move more and sit less. I need to remember that sitting is the new smoking. It can kill. I’ll move.

Day 243

Today is the last farm box from Ocean Air Farm. Twenty weeks of fresh produce ends for the season. Tomorrow is the last Farmers’ Market too. That officially makes the harvest over and the resting time begins. I think back to the excitement over the first box when the season opens and the progression of contents with the summer changes. It changes menus to soup instead of salad. The dark calls for spicy dishes to warm the insides.

Day 242

Another foggy cold day. And dark early too. Yes, the down comforter is back on the bed and the candles set out for sure. Back to fuzzy undershirts and going outside bundled up and gloved. Della has a sweater that Chris made for her. That and her harness on top will keep her warm. Chris also made apple crisp with ice cream and we shared by the fireplace yesterday. Warm treat and warm friendship. Good combination. I’m fortunate.

Day 241

Yesterday was busy and non-productive. I did find red curry paste and that’s all. The store was crowded with cartons and I couldn’t find anything to try. I spent over an hour on the phone attempting to change my prescription insurance. I need more information about a change that I want to make before I can get plugged in for next year. Crystal came to clean and to say that she is taking time away from her jobs.

Day 240

We played all the music we know on our recorders and it sounded good. Making  progress with the fingers finding their places quickly. The breathing is good for me. Today Susanne and I are going on a field trip to the Asian market to scope out new flavorings. I want to find rice wine vinegar and check out the curry pastes. Although I‘ve driven by the market countless times, this will be the first time to shop there.

Day 239

The cooking demo was fun. It was like going into a friend’s kitchen and watching a meal in progress. It was casual and people in the audience piped up with questions and additions to the recipes. I enjoyed Rick Finley and his low key humor as he talked about hummus and tabouli. The walk-around tasting part was  interesting and it was inspiring. I get in a rut with meals and need to investigate new flavors like red curry.

Day 238

After the morning house routine, and watering the orchids, I’ll go to church for my check in. Then something new this afternoon. I’m going to the Adventist church for a cooking demonstration called “Around the World” featuring international recipes. It will be vegetarian. Actually, it will be vegan as that is the teaching of their church. I’m going to meet friends from the senior center who are fun to be with. I hope it will inspire my cooking.

Day 237

I didn’t move yesterday. Today is already better and I know I can get busy with what I need to do. I ordered reacted iron capsules. Maybe this will not tear up my digestive system and I can move on to new interests. I’m tired of focusing on my health. I want social contacts and new volunteer places and people. I have lost all the time and opportunities that I’m willing to lose. Time to go forward again.

Day 236

Today I’m going to hunt for cast iron pots. I gave mine away when I purchased stainless steel cookware. I don’t want to start a new iron pot as it takes so long to season one. There are a couple of thrift stores and I’ll find a good one already to go. I will use it for soup, sauces, beans, and hope the trace amounts of iron that infuse the foods will help my cause. I’ll try everything.

Day 235

 Today is Senior Center duty after a week at home. Then the treat, a massage with Karen. I look forward to massages for the health benefit and to quiet the need to be touched. After talking with Tonda yesterday, I am stuck with the WHY about being ineligible for iron infusions even if I pay for them. I don’t know where to go to find out the answer. Meanwhile, I feel the need to warn other blood donors.

Day 234

I’m loving these warm fall days. After all the glitches yesterday morning, the day was a good one. Dragons can be slain when they show up one at a time. I just get rattled when there are too many of them. The security system problem was fixed by telephone. The telephone problem caused that glitch. The prescription delay was handled from the office. Barbara Clark helped me make sense of the disturbing dream. My awful bad mood lifted.

Day 233

Two new notes for the recorder. I had trouble keeping up during the lesson. I know I need a lot of practice to teach my fingers where to go. It’s a brain exercise. Staying home for these days had been a good thing. I feel better and am making an effort to include all the health routine that I know support healing. Walking and  PT exercising have already made a difference. I want to get my zing back.

Day 232

Column submitted, Muses have color. Walk, spa, eat well. A good Sunday and I can do it again. I did a few of the PT exercises and really felt how much my body needs the discipline of a regular routine. I benefit quickly from taking care of myself. I need to practice the recorder and find the F# in time to play the tune. The closet is crowded and needs attention and I’ll wait for a rainy day. 

Day 231

I did get the above produce and the pesto rolls too. It was a day for walking and visiting along the way. Then I have to admit that the day dwindled down to rest and relax. My journal is still waiting patiently for the pages to have color and words about the Muses. And the column is still in my mind and not on paper yet. Today I can catch up and move ahead. New day, new promise.

Day 230

Today I’m definitely walking to the farmers’ market. There are only two left in the season. It usually turns into a social event and I like that part too. Maybe Brandon will be there with his pesto rolls. Yum. String beans, tomatoes, red onions, dino kale, and red potatoes. I am ready to write the column on creative play. Once I get a theme in my head, it begins to form. I will try out all the ideas.

Day 229

I called the blood bank and said that my service was ended. With a diet full of beans, greens, and grains, I can restore the iron.  I have errands and will research my next senior news column. I’m thinking about creative play. I’ll stroll down the toys, crafts, and art sections of a couple stores and see if any ideas pop. I like the idea of suggesting coloring books and paint boxes. They are inexpensive ways of playing. 

Day 228

I know now why my energy tanks. It’s the result of blood donations even though I did not donate more often than the rules allow. Infusions are out of sight because the insurance won’t pay because I am not anemic and I have been a donor. I’ll find out how much infusions cost and balance that against waiting for up to two years for the iron storage to be back to normal with only food to replenish them.

Day 227

I was busy alright but not the way I wanted to be. Day started with water coming out of the washer. Tim, the fixer, found a hose that looked like it had been chewed by a r-a-t. Ick. It did afford me an opportunity to clean behind the appliances and there was lots of dust, webs, etc. to clean. Today Hollie and go to Eureka for my hematologist appointment, lunch, shopping, and seeing Megan at work.

Day 226

We learned a new note in recorder class, F sharp. That makes six notes! Now we can play more little ditties. I’m enjoying the class. Chris and I practiced together and that was fun too. I have to catch up today. With the “sinking spell” come piles of things that need more attention than I have energy to deal with them. I’m hoping for a better day and less sitting and wishing I was able to be busy. 

Day 225

Looking forward to a busy day. I seem to have recovered my physical energy and am ready to complete the unfinishedness of the past few days. I get to take my certificate from the driving course to the insurance agent to keep the discount. I need to buy forever stamps as I cling to mailing bills. I might want to learn how to pay on-line, maybe later. I guess I still don’t trust the safety of cyber space 

Day 224

Yesterday was an unused day. I sat without the oomph to get up and not enough wind to practice the recorder. Today is already better so the fallow day was useful. I have fresh vegetables to prepare and enjoy along with the rest of the massaged kale and avocado salad full of garlic and ground pepper. Even when I’m flat, I can still fix food. The best part was when the hot chocolate chip cookies from next-door arrived. 

Day 223

Sometimes wanting to do something is not enough. Yesterday I had an energy slump that I could not overcome with willpower so Minnie and Della missed out on being blessed. Oh well, I can bless them. Maybe today I can find my get-up-and-go. I would like to walk to the farmers’ market in case there are still a few Kerbyville peaches left. Fall is upon us and the produce is changing to potatoes and winter squashes.

Day 222

Della has signaled the presence of mice behind the washer-dryer. I put down sticky traps and sure enough, there were a couple of the field mouse types. I don’t feed the birds so there is no attractive seed and took everything out of the garden shed that might feed unwanted guests. The first rains and cold nights bring them. Today is the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis. But first, a massage with Sarah.

Day 221

Cool morning. Turned on the heater for a half-hour. It will be another great day for a long walk after senior center duty. Nothing new or exciting going on. I’ll settle for predictable and comfortable. I started “Creative is a Verb” and enjoyed Patti’s storytelling talent. Googled the Muses and wrote their names and their area of inspiration and have two pages in the journal to write haiku about each of them. I want them to visit me.

Day 220

It was a busy and very good day. Managed to socialize along the route with the papers. I had two walks and a spa too. I like days with parts, active, quiet, people, alone. I made an October page in my journal and wrote a Tarot reading that was positive about continuing to improve and heal. Today is full as I enjoy the first Wednesday with no volunteer duty anywhere. I’ll look for a new placement in January.

Day 219

New month, October. The Halloween frenzy has already begun. The original celebration is long forgotten. Now it’s about candy and costumes. It began as a remembrance day for departed souls. Today I am installing fire extinguishers in both houses. It’s a long planned agenda item. Then off to distribute Senior News. I’m disappointed that my photo wasn’t used along with my article. I thought it was a good one of Wulf House. I’ll finish the driving course too.

October article for Senior News

Although Crescent City lost historic homes in the 1964 tsunami, and some have gone in the name of progress, there are still many old and restored homes to see and enjoy. I live on J Street and there are more older homes than contemporary ones on this street. My house is over 70 years old as are the other Craftsman style homes up and down the street. Among them are five houses over 100 years old.  They are restored and well-maintained. These old houses are made entirely of Redwood except for fir flooring. Most are full of antique furnishings that fit the age of the house.

I picked Anna Wulf House to research. It was built in 1898. The original Hansen family lived in it briefly and sold it to family friend, Anna Wulf, who was Godmother to the four little girls. She lived in it until 1963 after years of giving piano lessons and providing lodging to young women. There is no notation about when indoor plumbing and electricity were added and we know that a well and water storage tank were on the property. With all the conveniences in place, it was a comfortable home. It then belonged to another family for the next 40 years. In 1998 the Gary’s put in a foundation and filled the house with period furnishings that remain there today. An outbuilding that was originally a carriage house is now an apartment. Wulf House became a Bed and Breakfast in 2007. Mitzi Stephens and her daughter, Paula, are the hostesses. The house has also been the site of fund raising events for local non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity. Keeping the paint fresh is a constant job. The south sides of our houses take the brunt of winter storms. The paint must withstand the constant attacks to protect the integrity of the siding. Original windows have been replaced with double panes to help with heating costs and to keep out the drafts so caulking is also a regular chore. Landscaping is another constant in keeping houses healthy. Wulf House has beautifully kept gardens that complement to overall grandeur of the property.

My old house needs all that care too, just in smaller amounts. The wiring and plumbing have been replaced, modern windows installed, foundation poured, bushes cut down, modern heating added and yet it has the old fashioned comfort of years of happy living.