Saturday, July 25, 2026

     The first tall sunflower plant now has a bright flower leaning over the top of the six foot tall fence. My whole back yard is alive with flowers, gigantic plants, and ripening tomatoes, Italian squash, artichokes.  Soon we will have potatoes and onions.  After 54 years of neglect the yard is alive and beautiful, thanks to the work and vision of my roommate.

     I stay with reading JOHN OF JOHN and now love it.  The first third was difficult and then it all came together. While I am in my comfortable chair reading, my roommate is battling gophers, rabbits and maybe possums.

     In Friday’s New York Times, I read through the hundreds of world weather reports. Monterey is the second coldest place listed. Quito in Ecuador is one degree colder. Yep, I thought so. Most places are too hot for me.

     In the evening, we watch a episode of SUGAR, our favorite alien detective, and then episode three of the Burning Man documentary, THE MAN MUST BURN, a slick colorful promotional story. I never attended, so I am not sure how accurate it is.

 

Friday, July 24, 2026

     I am so engrossed with the novels I read, I forget to look around to find my own story.  In the front yard are two massive entwined trees, the pepper tree planted by the tall man decades ago, and the oak tree growing from an acorn I stuck in the dirt to see if it was still alive. The trees grew together and now are massive and inseparable.

     Reading Thursday’s New York Times this morning I feel intense sadness and fear for our world, and for my family and friends. Nothing but hate and tragedy page after page. Usually, I find some uplifting report but not today. Sigh.

     Last night I cooked dinner for my roommate and me. Hamburgers and corn on the cob. It has been a long time since I cooked for anyone. Another sign I am getting better.

     I have started reading the novel, JOHN OF JOHN by Douglas Stuart. Well written but another sad story. I am tempted to check out the last chapter for some satisfying resolution before I continue reading this story. I am watching FOR ALL MANKIND, a series on space exploration, an alternative history of space exploration. And of course, the daily news shows. No good news about our government here. Outside I hear the mourning doves calling out.  The sun is shining today.

 

Thursday, July 23, 2026

     My little rebellion started when I was a student at UC Berkeley in 1959. We were required to sign in on paper at different places. No one gave me a reasonable answer to why. I started trying out different names, my favorite was Richard Nixon, sometimes John Kennedy. Lately I have been signing in as Spider Woman. My car is covered with spider webs and the name fits. Earlier this week I signed in as Angry Spider Woman when I was silently upset.

     Warm fog this morning. The weather is such a mystery to me. Each day is different. I sit outside on the front porch in the late afternoon shade to have a long phone call with a friend,

     Every day I receive several messages from people wanting to give me money now, hundreds of thousands of dollars.  I do wonder why I am a target for such scams.  Maybe they think I am Richard Nixon. Maybe they think spider woman is a wealthy movie star.

     I spend most of the day reading Ann Patchett’s novel WHISTLER. Such a warm story of a modern family. Books can make me feel happy. In the evening, I start watching GRACE, a detective show, but soon it is too grim for me.  We settle in to watch the delightful TV series, TRYING. Life is good today inspite of the corruption of our demented president.