Day 164

Yesterday was smoother than I expected thanks to Chris. An overscheduled day evened out and was not only manageable but fun. J Street Writers are a high spot in the month as we share our personal stories and our writing. They are true friends and we support each other. Today is museum duty. I enjoy the visitors and their travel stories. I need to catch up on errands and rest. I’m feeling overly tired from too many plans.

Day 163

I looked at the mess on the fence line and wilted. It felt overwhelming. I found the phone number for Daily Bread Ministries and made an appointment for their yard crew to come on Thursday to do the work. I know when I have met my limitations. As soon as that is done, the measurement taken, the fence project can begin. I will have about three more feet of backyard and about the same on the side yard. 

Day 162

Yesterday was an August C. City scene: Chris and I sitting with her fresh peach ice cream in front of the fireplace, fog to the ground, 55 degrees outside. Lovely warm fire going, wonderful treat. Jon moved the woodpile, I picked up the smallest limbs. Today I will find help to clear the fence line and onward with the project. The yard will be ready for new plantings in time for the early rain. I love my neighbors.

Day 161

I raked up six black bags of leaves and debris. It hardly made a dent in the mess but I was through. How have I chosen to work alone for most of my life? It would be pleasant to have a partner to sweat with, take breaks with, discuss plans with and I was alone. It is a choice and mostly I’m content then I find myself speaking out loud and wishing there was another person to answer.

Day 160

Today it’s back to yard clearing. Once the leaves are gone, it will be easier to keep the yard neat. I’m bagging up the leaves to take to the transfer station to be mulched. The work showed in my muscles. It’s good to be tired from doing something positive. The yard is emerging from its blanket of dead leaves and weeds. I’m pleased that it is finally done after procrastinating for years. I just needed to do it.

Day 159

Mine, along with the taxes, maintenance, neighborhood issues, etc. There is no place that I would rather live so developing my plot is important. I feel that the changed yard is a blank canvas and how I paint it is up to my imagination, abilities, and interests. I do want trees but this time, useful ones. Busy day: tree removal, distribute the Senior News, trip to Blueberry Hill, get the farm box, and get started on yard cleaning.

Day 158

It’s dark in the morning already. Today the old fence in the little yard is coming down, then the trees will come down, and then new fences. I’m looking forward to landscaping instead of only a dog yard. I found the plot map and know the dimensions of my property, 120 feet long and 72 feet wide, plus a few inches. My little piece of the Earth. I’m excited about the potential use of it. Mine, all mine.

Senior News column

Most of us are no longer connected to the educational system however the opening of school in September brings changes to daily routines. Back to school means the days are shorter and nights are cooler, and there is a structure that we don’t have in the summer. August is our last chance to enjoy summer.

Remember last winter on a long wet dark cold day, an agenda formed for next summer. The list included both recreational goals and house and yard chores. It’s time to take a look at that list as summer is coming to an end. I have the best intentions when it comes to using my time and energy. I have walked most days, changed to vegan eating, pulled a ton of weeds, enjoyed visiting, written a few cards and notes. However my list has unfinished projects that I will take care of right now, or later. The garden shed needs to be emptied and reassembled. It is a handy place to stuff items while deciding about keeping them, reusing, or deleting them from the inventory. Garden shed means tools and products. It doesn’t mean old shelving, “good” boxes that might be useful some day or nearly empty paint cans that I know I won’t need. I still need to paint the trim around the new windows that were installed last winter. There are windows that need washing inside and out. Of course, those overgrown shrubs need the clippers to bring them down to size. Better get busy as time goes by way too fast.

I haven’t taken a long walk on the beach or in the redwoods. I haven’t walked 10,000 steps in one day. I haven’t made a picnic lunch to share with a friend. I haven’t made a recreational shopping trip. I haven’t tried new recipes with my fresh farm vegetables. I haven’t visited a museum in another town. When visitors come to our museum, I enjoy their stories about other places they have seen. I’m proud to say that our museum compares favorably. Those two junk drawers that were actually on my winter list of things to do are still waiting. I know I can get delete and relocate enough stuff to reduce my junk to one drawer.

I intend to use August days to check off the recreational items. If I get to the house and yard ones, good for me. If not, well, there’s always next summer.

Most of us are no longer connected to the educational system however the opening of school in September brings changes to daily routines. Back to school means the days are shorter and nights are cooler, and there is a structure that we don’t have in the summer. August is our last chance to enjoy summer.