I am totally caught by the TV series Nurse Jackie. Just watched the first season on Netflix and now I have to wait until season two is released.

Had lunch at Lou Lou's on the wharf sitting outside in the shade. I felt so special and grown up.

a humming bird became trapped in my living room. The front door was open. He thought if he kept smashing the window he would eventually get back outside. I closed the curtains and left the door open as I went to Physical therapy session. When I came back he was gone. I hope he got back outside.

I think the fog is returning tonight.

I was writing with some friends this morning at the Pacific Grove Natural History museum. they were talking so lovingly about their dogs. I held back until one woman said her mom got poison oak from dogs. I jumped in and said me too. I am afraid of poison oak and of dogs carrying poison oak on their fur.

As a child I was hospitalized with poison oak. I learned to be wary of dogs and cats. I never was able to develop a good pet relationship.

Sat on a bench by the ocean this afternoon. Huge waves were crashing along he rocks and beach. And it was cooler there then at my house. The ocean roared all day and the town weltered in the sun. Such strange weather.

Went to physical Therapy and am now learning some new exercises. This is a long process but my knees are definitely better.

Another hot day. Went to the movies for the first time in months. Saw Cairo. I did like it. A dreamy vague movie about a woman waiting for her husband to arrive.

We got there early and found really good seats. At the Osio many of the seats are terrible but this one was great.

I am going to resume going to the movies again.

the day heated up quickly this morning. Soon it was warmer outside then inside. As the day moved on I lay on the couch wondering where I should go to cool off. Finally took a nap. Now it dark and balmy outside. All the doors and windows are open trying to cool off the house.

I think my knees are a tiny bit better. I am afraid to say it because I might jinx it. Not perfect. Still can't walk far but mostly I am not in pain. I do my exercises regularly and go to to Physical therapy whether I feel like it or not.

I am reading Mary Catherine Bateson's new book COMPOSING A FURTHER LIFE, a look at how we create lives as we get older. I am very inspired by this.

cool sunny fall day. Am up at 5am to go to early morning zazen at the Cherry Center. It is so hard to get out of bed and then I am grateful.

Bought fresh raspberries yesterday to eat with my oatmeal.

So I learned today that I can only stand in a line for 7 minutes before I start experiencing intense pain. The DMV line was way too long ao I left early. How is one to acquire a handicap placard if you can't stand in line.

Went home and reread the application and saw I could mail it in and receive the placard in three weeks. I guess I will try the mail next, Three weeks is a long time when it is painful to walk.

Lots of fishing boats in the bay today. Definitely they are catching something out there. Warm calm day.

I now have the doctor's signature on the application for a temporary handicap plaque for my car. I just have ot go and stand in line to pick it up at DMV.

Life is going to get easier.

Drove to Salinas today to pick up a friend at the greyhound bus station. I haven't been to Salinas for several years and I was surprised at how dingy and run down the main street is. Peeling paint, dirt, nothing green. I guess Salinas is feeling the brunt of the failing country.

unexpected warm sunshine this afternoon and also crowds of tourists. Went to the Monterey wharf beach, found a parking place and carried my chair to the shade of a cypress tree. I settled into my place and began to enjoy the scene, boats, Kayaks, kids, dogs, birds, bicycles, people moving back and forth. 'What a glorious day.

I hobbled back to my car inspired to come back again.

the thick fog has turned the dust on my car nto rivulets of mud. Now I really have to get my car cleaned.

Today I took some old shirts that are stained and treated with an intensive cleaner hoping to remove the stains. If it doesn't work I guess I will have to throw out the shirts.

The house is quiet as I am working on a sewing project.

There is a store on Ocean Ave in Carmel that just stuns me. The window is filled with fluffy colorful stuff. I thought it was pastries or candies. But no it is hand made soap. made of various yummy tasting textures and colors. I was so disappointed.

I wonder who buy this. it must be very expensive. I was getting ready to welcome a new bakery into town.

As the days get shorter I am looking to see what is new on TV. What new series are going to be wonderful. I clipped a list from NYTs of new programs so I can keep track of what's coming up.

I can't ever remember being interested in a new season. Is TV getting better or am I getting worse. Just don't know.

Spent the morning at PG golf course grill writing. It is amazing how noisy golfers are when you are trying to write, joking with each other, using the compressed air to clean their shoes, the mowers on the course, airplanes, cars, shouting, laughter.

At some point I just wanted to shout and say be quiet. but of course it was their golf course and we were the interlopers.

I am taking care of my neighbors two cats this weekend. When they first asked last week I said No. I didn't want to be known as the old lady who takes care of cats.

But Later I relented and agreed. So I go across the street in the morning and let them out and then in the evening I let them back into the house. Not such a difficult job.

I am almost becoming fond ofthe cats.

Went to the sports center this morning. This time I sat in the long hall facing window to the outside. I struggled with the bike. I could not get it to go on the easy setting. I pushed all the buttons over and over again. I don't know how long I actually rode the bike because at some point I just got off. I wonder if the mechanism was broken or I was just incompetent.

then I went to a friend's house for some encouragement. She is two years past the point I am now and is healthy and active.

I will try again tomorrow.

I went to the sports center this afternoon to do my regular bicycling. I am now up to 17 minutes on the bike. The room is huge and noisy with dozens of machines. The mirrors on the wall give me a chance to look at the others. Most are spaced out with a cord going to their ears. A few are reading. No one seems to watch the TV screens.

I can't seem to do either. I am looking for other older people who are limping in and out of the room.

downtonw Alvarado Street was closed this morning. Old cars were being displayed. I had to park in the city garage and walk to Pinos to meet my friend.

Some of the so called old cars looked very familiar to me. I had driven them when I was a teenager.

Maybe we should have a display of shinny old people to go with the cars. I could do that if it didn't involve too much walking.

The writing circle at CSUMB has started up again. Same people with their wonderful writing. I am so encouraged by this class.

And I continue to be focused on doing the exercises for my knees.

Went to Physical Therapy this afternoon. Why am I not feeling better? Why does it take so long to heal? Came home took a nap and now I feel OK. One day at a time.

Tomorrow the writing circle at CSUMB starts and I have to have a piece to present. I am dissatisfied with all of my work today.

Maybe tomorrow it will all make sense.

I forgot to look at my calendar today. I forgot, I forgot and when I finally looked this afternoon I saw the name of a good friend. We were going to write today.

I have many reasons, visiting kids, physical therapy,fatique but I forgot.

I hope I can meet with her soon so we can continue to write together.

we had a four hour block party this afternoon. Got to meet the new neighbors and visit with the old neighbors. I only lasted two hours and then went home to elevate my knee.

Soon all the neighborhood kids were playing in the house. The sounds were comforting.

Lots of sun, n fog today.

The young boys worked on thier stream at the side of my house. This time they ended the ditch by the fruit trees so they could be watered.
They spent hours digging and playing with the water.

The adults hung around the living room reading the NYT and talking.

I've just finished reading a new to me Canadian Writer, Lisa Moore. The book I read is FEBRUARY. I enjoyed it a lot and now am searching for other books by her.

She describes women's lives so well that I can recognize myself in the book.

Even though I do not live in Canada.

Sometimes I am so tired I don't remember what I was going to say.

a marathon of Spongebob Square pants this week. The 6 year old and 7 year old boys are visiting from Brooklyn. No time to be worried about dirty dishes and toys. Sun is out, house is warm.

This morning I am going to Physical Therapy .