Monday, February 28, 2011

A friend asked me if I was still writing my blog every day I said yes but I am not sure why. I started as a way to be attentive to how my life was being lived during the day. This continues to be the same reason.

This morning after meditation at the Cherry Center I went to Red's and bought some donuts and then home to eat donuts, drink milk and read the Sunday New York Times. I am a day behind in my newspaper reading.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Went to see the Illusionist this afternoon with a friend. A beautiful film but I found the story not so interesting.

then I spent the evening watching the Oscars. Enough with movies for awhile.

Saturday, February 26, 2011


Saw a woman driving a car this afternoon wearing pink rollers in her hair. I thought these large plastic rollers had disappeared decades ago.


Spent two hours on the wharf, walking and sitting in my car. Watched thick clouds slowly move towards us across the bay. Stormy weather is coming. I love sitting on the wharf. Just learned that my handicap placard will be renewed for another 6 months, more sitting on the wharf for me.

Friday, February 25, 2011


Went into the kitchen early this morning to find the back door wide open and wind blowing through the house. I guess the storm blew open the door. Luckily no raccoons learned of the open door.

Scott and Eric have been working all week to repair the leak in the downstairs. They dug a trench and filled it with pebbles and sealed a crack in the cement floor where water had been coming up.

So now in this current storm we are waiting to see if the cure took.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

I went to the writer's circle at OLLI center at CSUMB and I didn't have anything to present. All my good intentions to have an essay done every week fell apart. I listened to the other presentations, all such good work. Next week I will be prepared, I hope.
Cold dark morning. Heater is blowing. Oatmeal is cooking. The house is quiet except for the heather and the ringing in my ears.

Busy day ahead.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My car window was iced this morning, unexpected cold weather. But the sun came out and warmed up the town. I have started reading a young adult book called THE WHITE MOUNTAINS by John Christopher. Usually I avoid reading YA books. Now I am enjoying them. Maybe they should be renamed to young old books.

Monday, February 21, 2011


Went to my weekly physical therapy today a little discouraged. I am not making as much progress as I want to make. The PT gave me lots of encouragement and new exercises so I guess I am back on track. I have to remember that this is a long, long process.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

We sat in a sunny corner of the front patio drinking tea and reading. Periodically one of us would say something and the books would be put down and we would talk. Soon we had the books up and read some more.

I love my front patio

Saturday, February 19, 2011

It was pouring rain all day. I did plan to go to the sports center to do my bike riding but it was too cold. I just couldn't do it. I lay on the couch wrapped in a blanket reading and napping.

tomorrow I will go to the sports center.

Friday, February 18, 2011

I listened to the beeping of the alarm and wondered why my housemate was not turning off his alarm clock. I got up and went to the hall and the sound became louder. Then I realized it was in the kitchen and the oatmeal I was cooking had been left on high heat and was burning. I was hearing the smoke alarm.

Quickly I opened the door, and turned on the fan and took off the pan. There wasn't a fire but the room was filled with smoke. UMMM, I guess I have to be more careful.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Huge claps of thunder shook the house and the hail poured down. I lay on the couch reading wrapped in a blanket. Winter has returned.

The yellow pollen creates lines and images on the driveway as the water is washing it all away.

Still, the crows stay around through the windy day and the blue herons cling to the high tree limbs. And I rest on the couch. this is an exercise free day.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Spent most of the day being cold and stiff and sore.

But I have started a new book. THE ROUTES OF MAN, Travels in the paved world by Ted Conover. I have read some of his other books and was glad to see that there was a new book out. It is great.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Couldn't tell if it was warm or cool today as the clouds blew across the town. I went to the sports center early. I have renewed my membership after having been faithful for the last 6 months. I bought the year membership but I wonder if I can keep up the pace I have set.

Met a friend at a coffee place and wrote for a couple of hours.

then shopping for a birthday gift for my daughter.

all in all a good day.

Monday, February 14, 2011

For the last several mornings I have seen Blue herons hanging out in the pine trees in the gully near my house. This is a nesting site and every year I watch to see if they will return. They have returned.

My apricot tree is blooming in the back yard.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The sports center was just about empty but really I wanted to go home and take a nap. I did my duty and came to ride the bike.

On the TV set was pictures of the at&t golf tournament a couple of miles away. It look so beautiful, the ocean, the greens, birds and people.

Why was I pushing those pedals in that loud dark place. when my time was up I was glad to leave.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I took a late afternoon walk on the wharf. a prescribed walk, part of my physical therapy. Walk 15 minutes every other day. No pain at all, it's a miracle. 7 months of physical therapy and hundreds of sessions on the recumbent bicycle.

It's not over but I am beginning to see that I can do it.

Friday, February 11, 2011

I have to give a talk tomorrow for our half day sitting. I have forgotten how to do this. Now what is it I am supposed to say. I suspect it will all come back to me in the morning. I want to talk about how distracted we all are but it is hard to focus.

Another warm February day today.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Sitting on my front patio I watched a blue jay jump form limb to limb on the tall pine tree across the street. With each movement a cloud of yellow pollen exploded into the air. No wonder we are all sneezing.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I have started to notice when the crows start flying out of the neighborhood. today it was at 4:55. A friend said they roost on Jack's peak all together. So I guess I will have to go up the peak to see if I can find their place. I don't think I will rest until I see for myself.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011


There are several flies that have taken up residence on my front windows. they walk around the glass and sometimes fly from one window to another.

I thought they wanted to get out so I opened the window but they did not leave.

I don't know what they eat.

Now that the cold weather is back they have not been seen so often.

Monday, February 7, 2011

This morning on my morning walk at the coast guard pier, I began to notice the fences that the Coast Guard has erected on the pier.

First, the ten feet high rusty iron pointed spears fence to keep out humans and then the three feet chain link fences on all the walkways near the bay to keep out the sea lions.

I wonder if they work. For decades we have been trying to control access for both human and for the sea lions. Usually the sea lions win. Maybe the humans are more controllable.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

So where do the crows go at night? I watch them at dusk head out southwest of my house. Where is their home in Monterey? I am not even sure who to ask or how to find out.

But the last couple of weeks while we have been having sunny warm weather I have been wondering where do they go for their nightly rest.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Went to see ANOTHER YEAR, a British movie about getting old. Of course the theater was filled with us old people. I was stunned by the sorrow of it. I do highly recommend it.

Friday, February 4, 2011

A friend's printer stopped working early this morning when he desperately needed something printed. He called and emailed me his documents. I was able to print them out and give them to him. I felt like such a hero.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

I was busy all day with early morning meditation group, discussion group, writing circle. lunch and then kids in the afternoon. Now it is quiet and I almost don't know what to do with it.

I am going to have a long conversation with a friend on the phone. I am looking forward to it.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

I just had to turn off the television. I have been caught up in watching live coverage of the fighting in Cairo. It is so compelling to watch these men stalk and fight with each other. The reporters are high up in a hotel room filming. It is just too violent and confusing and yet I kept watching.

My apricot tree has blossoms today. Spring is near.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I drove to Santa Cruz this morning. The wild mustard plants were everywhere filling the air with yellow blossoms. Just made me smile. Most of the fields are fallow but some are beginning to be planted. Slow season for the farmers and the farm workers.

Very little traffic. Saw two cars pulled over by police. I kept my eye on the speedometer. I do not want to get a ticket.