Thursday, July 30, 2026

     Wednesday night, Newshour reports on the high number of single women buying homes. Before 1974 women could not buy a home without a man’s cosigning the loan and the deed.  As a single woman I buy my house in 1971 with my parents’ signatures. And now today, women are free to be home owners. Within a couple of years, I remove their names, and eventually I paid off the house. Such hard times.

      These bubbles of memory pop up in my mind. I am unable to get a credit card in my name in 1968.  They want my ex husband to sign for the card. I was 28, single, with three children and a fulltime government job. Yes, I am fiercely fighting for women’s economic rights.

     The morning cold fog has settled into town. I am shopping for more warm flannel clothes. I suspect we will have a hot spell this summer but not yet. Usually, the house warms up in the afternoon when the fog beings to dissipate.

     I am engrossed with Lena Dunham’s memoir FAMESICK, the complicated story of being in her 20’s and successful and quite ill. She talks about writing, directing, and acting in her TV series GIRLS. We watch the first episode of Prime’s new series RIDE OR DIE. Bright, funny and deadly. We are committed to continue watching. I love Dr. Anthony Fauci and am moved by his calm demeanor when questioned in the congressional hearing.  No good deed goes unpunished. Another failure for the old president.

 

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

     The park has two kind of benches, comfortable and uncomfortable. In the morning, I find the most comfortable. We meet and talk. Two older social workers sharing observations and stories of our lives. Dozens of kids are screaming and running around the playground equipment. Summer camp programs.  Some sun and some fog. Life is definitely worth living even though I am old.

     In the afternoon I drive my roommate to her appointment and then two hours later I pick her up. The driving is easy but the front stairs to my house are a struggle. I have been watching exercise videos to improve my step climbing.  Unless I actually do the exercises, nothing changes.

     I lay on the couch for my usual nap but nothing happens.  Lots of thoughts and worries and ideas. I guess I don’t need more sleep. Still only two six foot sunflower plants blooming at the fence. Many more to come. On the kitchen counter, a bowl of backyard tomatoes waits to be eaten.

     I am excited to start reading Qiu Xiaolong latest book THE SECRET SHARERS, an Inspector Chen Mystery. I have read his thirteen previous detective novels based in China. I am uncomfortable saying I am a committed reader of his work. As a child I read all the Zane Gray books I could find in the library. I no longer can tell if this is a well written book.  I think I have incorporated Xiaolong’s Shanghai fiction world into my Monterey world. 

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

     I can only be bored and restless for awhile before something new comes.  From my second story deck I watch my 95 year old neighbor slowly pull his garbage bin up the hill to the road. He balances himself with his cane. I so much want to help but I too have difficulties with the garbage bins.

    I write out three checks for the bills.  I walk outside slowly with my cane to the mail box with the three sealed envelopes.  My roommate takes the bins to the curb. Still two sunflowers at the back yard fence.  More coming.

    My comcast system is failing and I need to call for help.  But I don’t like to negotiate on the phone. I forget key words in the heat of conversations.  At least once a week when I turn on the cable TV, the sound does not come on. I have to unplug the TV and reboot the system. The sound then returns.

     I start reading the latest Bruno, chief of police novel. A MURDER IN SPRINGTIME by Martin Walker. Now I am in the middle of two compelling books. While my roommate is on a zoom meeting I watch another murder episode of ELLIS. And when she is done we watch and laugh watching TRYING. Both good shows. Rachel Maddow reminds us that we will all survive this horrendous president.