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.