Day 365

Last day of my 78^th year. It has not been the best one with the health stuff and the horrible truth that I brought it on myself with the blood donations. Who knew? Some days 78 words were too many, some days, not enough to capture the way the day went by. I’m looking forward to putting the words into a book as I did last year. It’s a personal history that I can reread some future day.

PS

The next blog will be called 79 words every day

Day 364

Didn’t feel well yesterday and found AMC showing old Oscar contending movies. One was The Red Shoes. I saw it at the Stage Door Theater in San Francisco when I was about 12 years old and was enchanted. My mother and I would make quick trips for shopping and theater. I saw plays, and art movies like Tales of Hoffman. Every time I see The Red Shoes, I see more symbolism. The music and the dancing are beautiful. 

Day 363

Yesterday started with a surge of domestic energy that lasted long enough to have a shiny clean house. There is nothing like sunshine on wooden floors to show up every dust mote and dog hair. Then I opened the mail and found a bill from the IRS for $31,000. Egads. It was a rollover from one fund to another. I couldn’t contact my CPA, the old fund agent or the agent that added the funds. I need help.

Day 362

So, the tax folks feel OK about how much of my retirement funds they want to take. Hmm.. I must be wealthier than I think I am. I hear people talking about refunds so how come I’m writing checks? Today is open. Started with the bone pill that requires standing up for an hour. No big deal except that I have to wait half an hour before I can drink my coffee. Must have coffee. Must have coffee!

Day 361

Sarah gave me a great massage. She didn’t leave any part of me unattended. Back to the senior center duty after a week off. I pledge to be present for the people, a listener, and a support. Many of them are lonely and I get a lot of stories that they need to tell. Later Jeff will do my taxes and that will off the table, as is my habit, before my birthday. Maybe I can walk too. 

Day 360

I did all of the above. Had a good day that included a walk alone. Didn’t have the energy to take the dogs but walked and paid a couple of bills, went to the ATM and bought Justin’s peanut butter cups at Wild Rivers Market. Came home pink and feeling good. I wore my backpack with a five pound weight. So, I’m wearing 18 external pounds. The osteo will go fast and new strong bones will be back.

Day 359

Most of yesterday was devoted to doing my housefly imitation. I wandered around picking things up and putting them back down. Couldn’t focus. One good thing, I made an appointment to get my taxes done. It is my habit to get that out of the way before my birthday. I do well with deadlines. Today I will get the paper sorting finished and in order for Jeff. The orchids will get attention and I promise to sit less.

Day 358

The clouds of migraine dissipated in time to enjoy family dinner at Wing Wah. We had the family style combination of dishes and licked our platters clean. The aunties were a bit much for Butters at first but they ended up with wagging tails and running around the back yard. I treasure family days. Megan is such a lovely bright young woman. I enjoy her view of her life and her future plans. On to a new week.

Day 357

Great start. A catch-up e-mail from Barbara. As soon as I get a spark of energy, we are having a looong play date. Not feeling well and am not going to church. Maybe later Megan will come for her dad’s birthday. She wants Butters to play with his aunties. I hope the aunties will behave themselves. They get so excited that they scare him. The sun is out after the dark rainy days with more to come later.

Day 356

The housework is waiting. No house elves came in the night and took care of the dust bunnies. The highlight yesterday was lunch at SeaWest with Chris and Jon. The food was good and the company even better. There have been 5 or 6 inches of rain already and today the wind machine is cranking up too. Better get the vacuum cleaner going in case of electrical outage. Wouldn’t want to miss a chance to clean the floors.

Day 355

The Valentines I brought home two weeks ago are sitting on the table next to the address book. Just couldn’t get it done this year. I enjoy sending cards to people away especially since I don’t send Christmas cards. Last year I sent 16 Valentines. I’ll just forgive my lack of energy and tuck them away in hopes sending them next year. Today I want to catch up on housework and errands while dodging the warm steady rain.

Day 354

Two out of three ain’t bad. Didn’t make it Tai Chi after all. Hollie was substituting and going out in the rain lost its appeal. Today I’ll go to the senior center and then might do a few errands before coming home. I’d like to stay in for the weekend. Megan is coming on Sunday for a family birthday dinner for Chuck and me. Hollie’s birthday is two weeks after mine. It’s a treat to have Megan visit.

Day 353

It is pouring outside with a forecast of 7 to 11 inches of rain in the next few days. I hope it goes far enough inland to make a difference to headwaters and reservoirs. The computer, of course, acted perfectly while Jeremy had it. I have faith that it was just a fluke and I don’t have to worry about it. Today I will finish the March column, go to Tai chi with Hollie, and enjoy the rain.

Day 352

Day 352

No agenda except getting the computer to do as it’s instructed instead of racing to the turn off button. The orchids will get water. The floors will be swept. The dishes will get clean. Not exciting but necessary ways to use the day. Yesterday I felt uneasy and uncomfortable. Don’t know why. It felt like the feelings were not mine but in the atmosphere. Maybe it’s the solar event and the planet line up,  nothing I can fix.

No agenda except getting the computer to do as it’s instructed instead of racing to the turn off button. The orchids will get water. The floors will be swept. The dishes will get clean. Not exciting but necessary ways to use the day. Yesterday I felt uneasy and uncomfortable. Don’t know why. It felt like the feelings were not mine but in the atmosphere. Maybe it’s the solar event and the planet line up,  nothing I can fix.

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Day 351

 Jon had heart symptoms and we left the event. I drove the Prius home and Chris took Jon to the ER. Tests were OK and he needs follow up tests. Today I want to go to the museum after senior center duty to get material on the 1964 natural disasters for the March column. Then Jeremy is going to look at this computer to find out why it suddenly speeds up and makes chipmunk noises. I need it.

Day 350

I spent a couple of hours sorting the expenses for the guest house for income tax time. I sure hope I can find a steady person to come and live there. I don’t want itinerants any longer. I never know if they are aggravation or interesting. After church Chris and I are going to Harbor for the chocolate festival. Jon is playing his music and we are enjoying the event. I like a change of scenery, and chocolate.

Day 349

The rain is coming down and is welcome. I hope it’s making snow high up so we can have water next summer. It’s time to consider collecting water although it’s river water and if we don’t use it, it just goes into the ocean. Today I get to have a massage with Karen. She forgave me for messing up on Tuesday. My brain has come up with March’s column for senior news with the themes history and animals. 

Day 348

After reading the insert in the Actonel package, I wonder why I am putting this stuff in my body. All the warning take a long page and not one word about how it works. I did stand for an hour and added coffee at half hour.  Here’s hoping it’s an easy pill to swallow. Tonda confirmed that the osteo is also a result of the blood donating. I feel that I should be Paul Revere and shout warnings.

Day 347

I hope to keep the good energy flowing today. I had two walks yesterday, Tai Chi class, lots of errands done, and felt great. Tonda and I had a fun conversation. She is my cheerleader. I reminded her that I hired her to by my partner in the pursuit of health. She likes that. I guess a lot of her patients want to get fixed but not participate in the process. It’s up to me to follow through.

day 346

Yesterday was interesting. Lots of glitches and fun. Started with the ATM not spewing $20’s and inside I gave my cell number instead of my SSN. Twice I bought things that didn’t scan and caused a backup in the line followed by forgetting my massage appointment. In the middle of all that, Hollie and I went to Brookings for recreational shopping and lunch at Pancho’s. I had a short list of needs and brought home many extra items.

Day 345

Brisk morning and I want an active fun day. The dogs have not had a walk in at least a week after our regular walks in December and January. I need to push a bit and get busy with exercising again. I feel better when I push myself. The comfort zone is too easy and doesn’t bring comfort. The orchids need feeding and watering. Three of them are going in the compost today. They aren’t growing at all.

Day 344

Today after senior center duty, Carol and Chris are coming for J St. Journals. I don’t have anything planned and I asked if they could bring something to read. I’m hoping we can have tea and poetry and simply be together. They are both special women that I am blessed to have in my life. I wish I had written something new to share. Where have all the words gone? Has the muse gone south for the winter?

Day 343

Today I want to make positive choices that will add up to self-respect at bed time. I have had days that end with self-reproach and that doesn’t lead to a good night’s sleep. When I don’t feel well, I tend to stuff food and sitting, neither of which fix anything. A flat day often follows a good day full of interactions and productivity. As my energy increases, I know I can have fun without paying for it later.

Day 342

Day 342

I took over 6600 steps yesterday distributing the paper. It was a lovely day and I was greeted at all the stops. Also shopped to restock the empty refrigerator, and had a haircut. It was a good day. I want more good days with a stable mood and energy to fill my agenda. Finally have an end to the 1099 problem with a long call that brought us to a solution. I don’t want to do that again.

February Senior News column

We all know how to insure the health of our physical heart: no smoking, exercise, eat right, but how many of us take care of our emotional heart. What if no smoking means finding new ways to handle anger and frustration, exercise means changing the way we talk to ourselves, and eating right means finding nourishing people and activities.

We cannot always avoid conflicts and we can keep in mind that our words can prevent uncomfortable situations without resorting to angry outbursts. If the anger or an improper subject matter is coming toward us, we can visualize a protective bubble surrounding us with love while we try to understand what is really going on. We can find our voices and use our words. We can ask questions about what is happening. Often misunderstandings cause problems and can be fixed with calming words. Can’t find the keys? After looking everywhere and becoming frustrated, prevent it from happening again by keeping a second set of keys in a safe place.

The way we talk to ourselves can make us sad. Mistakes happen. By reminding ourselves to do better in the future, we can let go of the self-criticism. We can be our own cheer leaders and recognize all the good things we accomplish. Wisdom comes with experiences, good and bad.

We can find like-minded people in churches, clubs, classes, exercise groups, senior centers, all over the place. There is no need to stay in relationships that are toxic and undermine our self-confidence and peace of mind. Look around. Our people are there for the finding. One of the best ways to have a happy heart is to have a best friend. Nothing soothes like a close chat, a few laughs, warm hugs, or a shared meal with someone who understands our situations and lets us return the feelings of safety and comfort.

Our hearts are strong when we love and are loved in return. Gratitude makes our hearts smile as does compassion, and grace. Loving Nature in all her glory, acknowledging that we get to live here by the ocean, rivers, and our magnificent forests. Just getting out and walking in our neighborhoods can give us appreciation and satisfaction in our lives.

Let’s let February be Heart Healthy Month both physically and emotionally by following the guidelines for keeping the organ happy and by keeping our emotional heart smiling.