Day 279

I’m in another sorting and deleting mood. I took care of the shelves by the kitchen table yesterday and like the new uncluttered look. I have pockets of unused items and enjoy the empty spaces when I move them on. I gave Megan the vita-mixer. It hasn’t been out of the cupboard in years and she will use it for years to come. I can change how I use the space where it was hiding. Simple is good.

Day 278

Hollie, Megan, three dogs, and I had a lovely close family day and were grateful for it. Butters was the center of attraction with my dogs intense about giving him a thorough inspection. They did get more relaxed as the day went on with Butters getting bolder with the aunties. Megan’s computer program is a work of art and I was pleased when she said I inspired  it when I gave her a expense sorting expense assignment years ago.

Day 277

Another clear day with an east wind. All the ingredients for dinner are right here waiting for the preparation to begin. Megan is coming with her puppy, Butters. I’m hoping for a warm family feeling to the day. Hollie and I will get the 13 pound turkey in the oven and then the rest waits until later. Megan makes the mashed potatoes, Hollie is bringing biscuits and squash. I have munchables like kale chips and pita with hummus.

Day 276

We will prepare for Thanksgiving today. I will clear off the kitchen table as it is a repository for papers, books, orchids, light box, various tasks to be done, and I like to see the surface now and then. Hollie and I will get a turkey and the few items we use now. Scaling back has been a good thing. We used to go big and made too much of everything. Now we simply fix a delicious dinner.

Day 275

Megan sent her history essay. She is an excellent writer and put it together in a cogent way. She is loving school. I know that I enjoyed school more when I was an older student too. There was an appreciation of learning that I didn’t have when I was younger. It seems that way for Megan too. And Hollie. We were all older students and we knew we would get our educations despite the obstacles. We are thrivers.

Day 274

The days go fast. Every day I mark off the past on the kitchen calendar. It’s a habit I’ve had since I was a child. It means I can begin again. Yesterday is the past and except for sipping cherry cordial with Chris and a long call with Kelle, it was not a day that I want to memorialize. I simply didn’t have anything to work with as far as physical energy is concerned. Today I’m doing better.

Day 273

The prescription wasn’t there so I’ll take care of it tomorrow. I enjoyed the warm day and the treat of going out without layers of clothes. Today the agenda is open. After church, it’s up to me how to use the day. I do have all the parts for the January column and can put it together. The research was personal stories from friends about how they celebrate holidays. I hope to inspire readers to write their stories.

Day 272

The east wind yesterday was a treat. Imagine going out without a coat in November. It was 70! The east wind is still with us this morning and I’m looking forward to walking with the dogs. Della won’t need her sweater. Hollie and I had a recreational shopping trip yesterday and Chinese lunch. I enjoy her company. We find lots to discuss and laugh about. Today I will get the prescription and see how the discount card works.

Day 271

Yesterday was a good day. Haven’t reported that for a while. I felt acknowledged and included and I need that occasionally. Sometimes I feel invisible and then I get a rush of responses that prove I am here and I count. Today I will play catch up again. After a few quiet days, the daily needs are still there waiting to be filled. Hoping to spend time with Hollie when she finishes her school duty. Maybe lunch too.

Day 270

I love my house. It’s a good thing to do my own housework. I get used to letting things slide when I know it’s time for Crystal to come and do it. I actually enjoyed using the vacuum cleaner yesterday. Had to look for the on-off switch. All the little rugs are clean, the corners are free of dog hair, swept the porches. There were cobwebs in the window corners. I will be glad when she comes back!

Day 269

I was not quite slothful yesterday. I did push buttons on the dishwasher, and the washer and dryer. Felt good to stay in my jammies all day. A day off now and then is a good thing as long as it doesn’t become the norm. Today I will move, do a bit of housework, shop for vegetables, take care of details that I noticed yesterday and did not act on them. The journal is calling for more color. 

Day 268

The Senior Center was a chatty place yesterday. Hollie dropped in unexpectedly and I enjoyed her a lot. Chris decided not to go to recorder lessons any longer. I’m enjoying the group and I feel that the practice is good for my breathing and for my brain. Learning a musical instrument is supposed to be one of the best ways to create new synapses. The other is learning a foreign language. I have no interest in doing that.

Day 267

Yesterday I went to a musical written by Ruth Rhodes, a CR English professor. It was called “This Is Crescent City” and it was thought provoking and to the point. In obviously untrained voices, the players told some of the darker stories in our history: the treatment of native people, the expulsion of the Chinese, the impact of Pelican Bay Prison, the relocation of the Hmong people after the CIA war, and the underemployment issues. It's well done.

Day 266

After hesitating about joining my recorder class for the talent show at the SDA church, I’m so glad that I went. The food was delicious vegan fare, the people were friendly and casual, and the piece we played went well. There was lots of laughing and good conversation. I’m so used to saying no to opportunities that I forget that I can do more than I think I can. And I know my health is improving every day.

Day 265

My intention dwindled. Began well then went downhill and right into the rut. What would I be doing/having if I crawled out of the rut, filled it in, planted flowers on top of it and walked away? That is the dilemma. I don’t know what I want or could do/be/have. As my health and energy improve, the restlessness grows and then I sit down and do nothing. I did add interest to my paper journal with a collage.

Day 264

Today is open to spontaneous events. I just feel that something new is about to happen and it will be fun. I am paying attention, ready to engage. Whatever comes along I will accept that there is a positive intent. First I have to show up and that might only be going to the store and I will be mindful of my surroundings and my curiosity. Or I might spend another day stuck in a rut. My choice.

Day 263

I enjoyed the moon and stars last night. The problem was that it was 6:30 PM! Days are shrinking rapidly. Never did feel well yesterday and had a bit of vertigo too. Better today and ready for senior center duty and a massage with Karen. I dislike wasting a day feeling unwell. Hard to enjoy the many blessings in my life. I generated an idea for the January column in senior news. My brain was alive and well.

Day 262

Started the day unwell with headache and upset digestive system. I didn’t earn it. I have things I want to do today and being sick isn’t one of them. An Imitrex injection is working on the headache. The sick gut will take care of itself. Later, Hollie is coming and we have planned a light lunch before walking to tai chi chih class. I played with color in the paper journal yesterday and want to do more today. 

Day 261

Rainy morning. Today the J Street Journals meet here. It is mainly a social tea with Chris and Carol. We catch up with each other and read a poem or writing of our own and one from someone else. Today I have a brief Mary Oliver poem. “Instructions for living a life: Pay Attention, Be Astonished, Tell About It.” It reminds me of Angeles Arien’s advice: “Show Up, Listen, Tell Your Truth, Don’t Be Attached To The Outcome.”

Alone on the beach

Gray with a lemony tinge,

Foam blowing across the sand,

I, vulnerable as a shell-cast crab

Scrabble into hiding

Waiting for the newness to harden

Over my expanded awareness.

Eager to keep eyes off my process,

Hands off my softness,

Scuttle toward the protection of Sea Treasures;

Old and transformed wood,

Logs changed by churning

Knots of growth and hearts

Strong against relentless scouring.

Treading carefully over cast-offs

Detritus of human existence,

Wind sweeping energy into my defenseless body

Causing hurry into the unknown.

Chords of power from the sky

Pushing only onward

Away from what was

Tears

From wind or wonder

Sadness

From want or hope

To find a Place

Where the new shell can grow

Spaces within

Knowing

The shell will fill and break again.

Day 260

Sunday opened with a spectacular cerise and lavender-gray sunrise that was followed by ground level cold fog. Della wore the sweater that Chris made for her as she is not a hairy dog like Minnie. The walk was brisk and the air was refreshing. I had a quiet day only broken by practicing the recorder for class this evening. Chris had Jon bring me a delicious serving of her chicken pot pie. I certainly chose my neighbors well.

Day 259

Joel Osteen preached about deleting people and places that are weights and drags. His airplane metaphor stressed being one who lifts and thrusts oneself and others. I think that I do that from my position at the senior center. It takes about three seconds to brighten eyes and make pink cheeks with words of greeting and acknowledgement. Meanwhile, I’m in a rut at this time and could use a lift-off myself. I need to feel creative choices again.

Day 258

Saturday errands today. I want to do another recreational shopping trip through Wild Rivers. I want to find a snack that will fit Carol’s strict dietary needs for the journal group. That’s the best place to find such an item. Yesterday I sorted the storage cupboard and deleted unused glassware to take to a thrift shop along with the bags I took out of the closet. I like keeping things simple and neat. There are other niches calling.

Day 257

Yesterday Larry asked me why I stay in C. City. He left for a warmer climate and outdoor activities. I said when I walk I get five or six buddy waves, I have my friends, family, groups, interests and I know how to live here. I wish there was more sun and warm days and have no real interest in moving. It’s daunting to think of leaving, finding a place to live and belong as I do here.

Day 256

The Tai Chi Chih class with Hollie was just what we wanted for an activity together. We are both interested in learning it and practicing between the group lessons. I need the balance and breathing components. For what looks like a gentle slow set of movements, I felt it everywhere. Today I want to spend time tidying up the kitchen. Since Crystal is on leave from her house cleaning job, I pay daily attention and keep things done.

Day 255

There was a noticeable shift yesterday that began with moving furniture. That’s a sure sign that change is happening. My office/orchidarium space is open and roomy with deleting one shelf unit and consolidating the plants. The unfinished loose threads from the last week were knitted together without anxiety. The phone calls were special treats. Karen, Megan, and Cillay filled me in on their lives. I’m grateful for connections with e-mail, and next to face-to-face I enjoy phone calls.

Day 254

I had a better day in spite of a holiday bazaar, sugar treats, and a lot of visitors. When I have energy, I can enjoy just about anything. There were a couple of missed connections and that’s OK too as Mercury is doing its dizzy dance. Today I will do research for my column on food. The approach is playing in the grocery store with a curious open mind to the infinite possibilities for new and exciting menus.

Day 253

What is it that follows a really good day? Oh, I remember; a not so good one. Church was my only activity for the whole day. This morning I was awake before 4 AM. The time change messes up the sleep schedule and the dog mealtimes too. Senior Center duty today. I’m hoping it’s quiet. No band, no crazy costumes, no bake sale to sugar up the folks. Then a long dog walk in the brisk autumn afternoon.

Day 252

Yesterday I learned again how liberated I feel when I have let go of no longer useful items. My bedroom is completely refreshed. I am working toward making good choices all the time and giving up instant gratification in view of the long term goal of improved health. An occasional spoonful of peanut butter will still fill the empty space but I’ll use a smaller spoon. I want to end the day with self-respect for choices I’ve made.

Day 251

Sarah gave me a massage that probably left bruises!  Off I went to distribute the Senior News and, as usual, it was a social occasion. I enjoy running into friends while I’m out doing my job. I ran into Gene and Marlene twice. That was a boon. I signed papers for them at the bank and we met buying pizza. It’s raining this morning and I will keep my promise to empty the closet, make choices, and delete.

Day 250

Day 250

It was a horror show. The old folks get just as hyper and loud when they have sugar as kids do. Add the late lunch and the band and my ears didn’t stop ringing for hours. I want a good day. Just let me do what I say I’ll do without giving up and sitting instead. New page on the calendar and in the paper journal. I’m ready to have a positive attitude and take care of myself.

November Senior News

Creating does not mean that a masterpiece must be painted, the next best seller must be written, the sculpture must resemble Michelangelo, or that a lot of materials are needed. Creating means getting in touch with the Spark that is always present and waiting for attention. Maybe the Spark has not been visible since Kindergarten when creating was natural. To get to that freedom again requires a few things and a playful attitude. It could be an opportunity to share with a friend.

Take a walk down the aisles dedicated to art supplies or craft materials and see what appeals to that inner creator. It might be a box of crayons and a coloring book, or a paint box with a pad of paper. Mixing paint in the little pans can make a beautiful rainbow. It does not require a block of marble, hammer and chisel to sculpt. Michelangelo took off the parts that were not David. Take a bar of Ivory soap and a potato peeler and take off the parts that are not a bear. The shavings can go in the washer later. Not a big investment and it is fun. Dinosaurs can come out of a lump of modeling clay with ease. Play dough feels good to handle and interesting thingamajigs can emerge with smiles. There are recipes for homemade play dough on the internet. It is another inexpensive creative play material. A roll of plain shelf paper can become a mural or for the bold creators, a place for finger painting with liquid starch and a dab of tempera paint. Imagine the fun of making gloves out of the wonderful texture and color of the finger paint. Paper beads can be made out of old wrapping paper, especially the foil kind. Just roll tiny triangles of paper around a toothpick that has been rubbed with waxed paper. A bead of white glue holds the paper in place. After the beads dry, pull them off the toothpicks. They can be strung together and attached to bookmarks or name tags, or made into bracelets.

Once I took art classes with 6 and 7 year old children. They didn’t mind that I was a bit older than they were. The instructor at the art gallery where the classes were held presented a different media and different techniques each time so we students were exposed to a variety of creative choices. Surprise yourself by going out and providing your Spark with ways to play creatively.