Wet morning. Another day in isolation. Oh well, it’s warm and
cozy and I have everything I need. Hollie went to Walmart before 7AM to get
turmeric. Can’t do without it for our arthritis issues. It’s the only anti-inflammatory
without side effects. No agenda except doing the best with what we have. I have
music, puzzles, journal and TV. House is neat and my steps will be on the
rebounder. I wish I had some marvelous insights into what I’ve learned , but I
don’t.
Last Sunday in November. I miss my church. I miss the people
and the liturgy. I miss singing. I made 5K steps again. Inside on the rebounder.
The dogs and I sat in the sun while they used their noses to explore. Chuck has
cleaned out the fence line behind the lemon trees and they had to find out what
was there. Megan’s pumpkin pie is supposed to actually arrive this morning
after three days of not showing up. They get busy with each other.
Clean laundry to start the day. Fresh bedding and towels. It’s
a productive start and I want it to continue. Megan and Ben are coming over
with the pumpkin pie. They were too busy yesterday to finish the project.
Hollie has the soup going. Not me this time. My gas range won’t simmer so I can’t
make soup. The gas company tech says lower flame is dangerous. I actually moved
enough yesterday to get 5K steps. Felt good. My back doesn’t hurt on the
rebounder.
Went to bed full to the brim with our family meal. It was warm and comfortable. I had a chance to talk to Ben while Megan and Hollie cooked. He is interesting and likeable. Today Megan will come with her fresh pumpkin pie as we never eat it on T-Day. If my hip allows, I will be active. I miss walking and moving around in the yard. Next week I’ll ask for help to find out why I’m having pain. Probably an X-ray will tell
Cold clear Thanksgiving morning with family fun on the horizon.
14 pound turkey along with dressing, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, and garlic
brussels will grace our table. Megan is bummed because her dogs can’t come over. JuJu is too aggressive
for now. We are hoping she settles in and may help her with CBD oil or Benadryl.
We still don’t know all her anxiety behaviors and other quirks but on the
whole, she is fitting in. Lots of laps for her to claim. Oh well.
It’s only 7:30 AM and we are back from shopping for T-day dinner.
There were a few other early birds and we could walk down the up aisles without
worry! It’s purple level now and all the restrictions are in force. Not going
to change us much as we are isolating all the time. I had better energy yesterday
and was grateful for it. Today is wet and cold and I hope to get around the
block. My hip pain is feeling less intrusive.
I had minimum success at staying active yesterday and it’s
still better than having to admit to naps and zoning out. More moving today, I
promise myself at least to walking around the block. Lots of dry stuff to
collect and add to the compost bin. Hollie and I may move books. We’ve talked
about it long enough. Time to put muscle instead of words. Nutrition is good
and house is acceptably neat. I wish I had an agenda besides staying awake and feeling
grateful
I will NOT spend another day comatose. Where are the boot straps that are supposedly
available for lifting up the soul and body? I must do more than sit and watch
TV. It’s mind muddling at best and only marks time. Why am I wishing away my life?
I know better. Hollie and I are going to GO at 8 for a few necessaries like yogurt, bananas and ginger
snaps. We know how to shop! It’s cold and sunny and I will work outside today.
Yummy meal. Nice to have a break in routine. I had the rest
of the fries for breakfast. We have only ordered out a few times in all these
months. Today is cold and gray and I’m not inclined to go out. I did walk
briefly but my hip hurt. It’s been a long time now plus four trips to the
chiropractor so maybe it’s time for an X-ray to see what’s going on. I’m
guessing my problem is arthritis helped along by the cold.
Another bright cold morning. Aside from walking around the yard
yesterday I didn’t leave home. That
makes the public health guys happy but added to the isolation. Hollie
and I sat on the porch and watched the traffic go by. People with places to go
and things to do. Our life is normal for the circumstances but it begins to
weigh heavily at times. Later we are going to order delicious hamburgers from
Seaquake. We aren’t going to eat in although that appeals to me.
The best thing about this week has been the return of some
of our favorite TV series. I realized that I count on getting into the plots and
characters for relief from the sameness. This is us, A million little things,
Grey’s anatomy are three that I like the most. I walked to the post office and will get out again when the temperature
reaches 50. My hip hurts in the cold.
Laundry is done and the floors need attention. Glad to have an agenda.
Little melt down yesterday that I finally overcame with jumping on the rebounder and shaking up the ennui. The endless procession of sameness is tiring. 40 degrees, clear out and I will bundle up and go walking later. I need a change of scenery as well as the fresh air. No journal writing, no reading, no puzzles. Time for discipline to mark progress. I am eating well and enjoying the dogs. Time to reach out again and keep contacts going. It’s exciting to stir up others
The highlight yesterday was happy hour with the family. Megan
came after work and we had conversation and planning for Thanksgiving. Ben will
be here for almost two weeks. Looking forward to a change in the almost identical
days that we have had for many weeks. I’m glad the news is talking about covid
fatigue as it is real and hard to overcome.
I haven’t been successful in socializing as the doctor prescribed. I dropped into sitting and staring at TV
again. Start again today.
Another indoor day with rain and wind. I walked to the post
office and the ATM yesterday and enjoyed every step. Hollie picked up the CD player
and it isn’t working. It will play one disc at a time. I’ll use it and decide
if I want to order another Bose. I like the compact player and the wonderful
tone but I don’t use it often. Hollie and I talked again about our mood swings
and the terrible pressure from outside our safe and warm cocoon.
At Safeway at 7 AM. I get shaky and don’t like it. I wanted beef
as I’m tired of chicken. Found three
pieces of tritip that will make three meals with the vegetables from yesterday.
It’s dry and warmer today and I will go out at least to the post office with my
expensive health insurance check. JuJu doesn’t like the crate but she is safe
and won’t be eating my house. Her separation anxiety is hard to deal with. She
will get used to us.
No, didn’t move again. Inside and flat energy but my mind was better. I wasn’t pacing and wishing for a different scenario. The closet had some sorting and planning and I walked the rrestless dogs around the yard a couple of times. The main rainy day activity is still TV. I didn’t even explore Netflix, just watched old crime shows. Today, for sure, we are going to the farm stand for our fresh goodies. Just getting out in the car might break this uncomfortable trance.
I wore out the covid fatigue yesterday Just surrendered and accepted, again. Today I
woke up with more energy and willingness to engage in household needs. I may
get out and walk later when it gets warmer. The dogs made good cuddle
companions. I appreciate their warm bodies along with the comfort of good
chicken soup. Later Hollie and I will go to the farm stand and take on produce.
Fresh food and fresh air are a good combination. I’ll get my positive attitude back.
Flat day on Thursday and again today. Rain and wind and my
cozy nest is the best place to be. I was deeply tired yesterday and I’m guessing
I just overdid the socializing. It is eight months today that isolation started.
The news is dire and I’m guessing we are in for a lot of in house time until
spring. I have a stock of canned soup and beans, rice and pasta and other easy
meals. Glad Hollie helped me put in some extra supplies.
Four days in a arrow! Yes, Julia picked me up to see her new
apartment and meet her visiting daughter. It was a long day and I am tired this
morning. It’s the first time I was in a store with other people. Other days we
get there at 7 AM when we are nearly alone so the crowd and moving was a shock.
How quickly we adapt to the isolation. The bone can was quick and easy. Curry
is an efficient and friendly place.
Three days in a row with face to face visitors! Michele came
over for a half hour chat and it was wonderful. We find such interesting things
to talk about besides the obvious news. Today we are going to Brookings for errands
and shopping before I go to Curry Medical for the bone scan. I know it will
show osteoporosis as it has been
creeping up for years. I had no luck with medicine earlier as it caused
projectile vomiting. I tried for five weeks.
I completed the cologuard test and it will go to UPS. Then
the tractor store to find a crate for JuJu so she doesn’t freak out when I leave
the house. She needs chew toys too so
she doesn’t chew the house. Yesterday my
social visit to Marj was interesting. She is repairing old quilts with tiny
pieces and tiny stitches. Lovely work. She has promised to come and visit me. Still
avoiding the political news but was elated at the science news about a vaccine.
Nothing happened as expected except Karen’s “victory” scone
with its nutritious goodness. The meeting between Butters and Coda with JuJu
ended badly with Butters aggression. Chuck stepped in and grabbed her but the damage
was done. . It’s freezing this morning and I am ready for a hot breakfast. Later,
I will walk to Marj’s house and visit
for a while. I will have scarf, hat, and gloves for the 10 block walk. I’m avoiding
the news. Don’t like the crybaby’s whipping up his fellow losers.
No progress yesterday. Felt tired and deeply sad. One brief walk as my back felt better. I’ve been stretching a lot and that helps. Church service is still outdoors at Gayle’s and it’s too cold and damp for me. Karen Quivey is coming for a visit after church. I’m looking forward to seeing her. She’s bringing me one of her famous scones. Karen says she hasn’t written a word since Tea and Stories stopped. I haven’t either. Hoping for movement today in house and yard.
It was sad to sit with Minnie as she left us. Hollie and I
both had hands and faces on her telling her how much she’d been loved. I talked
to her in the night kind of reviewing her 12 years with us. She was a sweet presence.
Today, no agenda although I feel the need to do some sorting in the house. The book
cases are still calling for attention. It’s been more than six months since the
move and I have decisions to make.
Another beautiful fall morning. Rain is forecast for
tomorrow. Today I want to pull weeds in the rose garden. I had a brief walk and
my back yelled again. Darn it all. It’s been long enough. I had long texting
conversations again l Don’t think I had four hours of socializing but felt
connected. JuJu now has a chip. She weighs eleven pounds. She needs a collar
since her foster mom hasn’t come with her things yet. Lindsay is having separation
anxiety. JuJu is integrated.
Yes, Jesse did find another patch to take off. The sun
worshipping from decades is showing up now. Yesterday was the best walking I’ve
had since my back hurt three weeks ago. I am finally getting back to normal.
Most of yesterday’s socializing was by text and messenger but it was plentiful.
Laundry is put away, vacuuming done, bed made, now for a big breakfast. Might
call Michele and make a date for tomorrow. The election news is discouraging
for positive change in my country,
Big event today is a derm appointment. I don’t think Jesse
will find any spots to slice off. Later,
Hollie and I will go to Wild Rivers market for sandwiches, zinc and nutritional
yeast that were prescribed my doc. Zinc
for immune strength and yeast for vitamin B12. It’s election day. I will avoid
news.. I want to find new ways to fill my social four hours. Maybe my sore hip with
allow for a good walk. I don’t like tottering like an old lady.
Juliet wants to sit on my lap but I can’t write that way. I
did well with my connections yesterday and am already off to aa busy start
today. It is easier than I thought it would be to reach out but what I am learning
is that everyone on my list is happy to get a shout out and the reward is news and
comfort. Even my minute long conversations while walking count as socializing.
I need housework and laundry. Daily routine stuff today.
