Thursday, March 31, 2011

Took a walk on the wharf this morning again. This is where I try out my walking pattern. Moving my legs and body smoothly, one step and then another. Lots of bird in the water. Kids and families playing in the surf. The day was heating up. This evening it is still 80 degrees in the house.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A friend and I met to write at Starbucks at Del Monte Center. It was too bright in the sun and too cool in the sahde. In the breese way the sounds of kis and tired moms was loud. We were like tow dogs circling the ground trying to find our writing home.

Monday, March 28, 2011


At our local print shop, Copy King, the two identical public copiers are name Raul and Ivan. I never use Raul because I slur my r's. So Ivan's my favorite. Actually my very favorite is to hand the papers to the wonderful staff and let them work with their machines. Sorry Ivan.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

I am reading a Jacqueline Winspear mystory story. The chief character is Maisie Dobbs and it is set in England in the 1930's. This is the second one in a series that I am reading. I blame it n my sister who sent me the first one a couple of weeks age. I guess I need a rest form the intensity of life at this time.

Saturday, March 26, 2011


The day didn't go as I planned. Watched people work in my wet basement. Went to the hospital to visit friend who broke her ankle. Tried to assist two grade school siblings who were fighting with each other. Now am tired and want to go to bed.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Everyday I check the numbers. how many fans on facebook for MBZC (280), how many people read my blog daily (10), How many people show up for meditation (18). Somehow I think these numbers will justify my life. I am looking for the bottom line that will tell me I did a good job. I wonder how I got so deluded.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A friend recommended NINE COACHES WAITING by Mary Stewart. I have started reading it and am liking it. I try to read friend's recommendations. Sometimes I am pleased and sometimes I am not. This time I am.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011


More basement flooding. Still can't figure out where it is all coming from. We have to abandon the downstairs bedroom. My roommate is moving into an upstairs room. I feel so frustrated trying to figure out what to do next. How is it the french drain failed after working for so many years.

Maybe a fter a night's sleep a plan will develop.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Went to Sweet Elana's to write this morning. Drank coffee and ate croissant. Eventually I got around to writing. I didn't bring in the newspaper, it would be too tempting to read rather then write.
Then to the sports center to push that bicycle. Home to nap and be lazy.

Monday, March 21, 2011


Sun and then rain all day. Still some water in the basement but we are hopeful. Miracles happen.

Saw a solitary surfer out in the huge waves off Pacific Grove. His car parked. I worry about safety but I sat in my car and watched. I also watched my own mind trying to protect others, forgetting that we are all basically alone. And it all is OK.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

It turns out that the flooding in the basement was not from the rain. We found a leaking water pipe near the wet basement So the pipe is fixed and now we are waiting to see what happens in the rain tonight.

Couldn't find anything interesting to watch on TV so I am spending the evening reading. I don't want to watch the war in Libya. I have watched too many wars.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The basement flooded after the rain. Ugh, I am trying to figure out what to do next. Scott clean up the water and I sat upstairs worrying. A plan will come forth. I'm waiting,

Friday, March 18, 2011

After lunch a huge rain storm started, heavy pounding of rain. My driveway became a lake. Now it is stopped. I went out with a hoe and cleared the drainage trench so the water could move down the street to the next neighborhood.

Water always wins and the best I can do is to keep it moving.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Went with a friend to watch family court at the courthouse. We got to sit in the jury box and watch the procession of cases pass through the system. We could only last for two hours, it was all so intense. Parents were in so much pain with each other. I remember my divorce and how hard it was.

Outside the sun was shinning. The nine year old and I counted at least twenty tiny apricots on the newly planted tree in the back yard. We are both now waiting for cherry season to start.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I went to the aquarium at lunch with friends to see the pink flamingos. They were embedded in an exhibit about global warming. I glanced at the messages but mainly I watched the birds standing behind their glass walls. I also watched the turtles and the penguins. I was looking for some message from these creatures, some reassurance that the world is OK. They could not give it to me, I have to find it on my own.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011


Did all my exercises today, every last one of them and then had to rest all afternoon to recover. I wonder if I am doing it wrong. I will have to talk to the physical therapist.

Met a friend at Pino's to write together. Mostly we talked Next time we will write together. Talking seems to have become more important lately.

Monday, March 14, 2011

I called in sick today but of course that did not happen since I am retired. runny nose, fatigue, maybe allergies, maybe cold, slepted most of the day. Now feel better. probably allergies.

Underlying worry about the Japanese nuclear reactors is present.

Sunday, March 13, 2011


After my plodding twenty minute walk on Wharf #2 I sat in my car and read the Sunday paper and watched what was happening on the beach. I heard the excited man point out the line of dolphins near the wharf.

About twenty of them checking out an anchored boat near the wharf. People stopped their movements to watch.

Fifteen minutes later the group left and the bay was calm again. I went back to my newspaper.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

It's over whelming to watch the disasters on TV. the same images of the tsunami waters rushing over the land, Actually the images are horrifying.

So I turned off the TV. it is peaceful and warm in Monterey today. Lots of visitors in town to check out the beaches.


They have already forgotten about yesterday tsunami.

Santa Cruz harbor was hit hard. Monterey had no damage. I wonder what will happen tomorrow.

Friday, March 11, 2011

I received a robo phone call early this morning warning me of a possible tsunami in Monterey in the next half hour. Stay away from beaches and stay out of the ocean. I had such an irresistible urge to run down to the wharf to watch it come in.

Instead I watched on TV the coverage of the local beaches. And there were the other people who hadn't resisted the urge, standing on the beaches, surfing, walking their dogs. Next time I will bite the bullet and go to the beech to see for myself.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I have two bowls on my desk overflowing with coins, pennies, nichols, dimes quarters. All from my pockets. Lately I have started to reverse the flow of these coins putting handfuls back into my pockets when I go out to use as tips.

Sometimes I think that tips have to be paper money but don't 4 quarters actually equal a dollar bill. I have to remind myself that it is alright to give coins for tips.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

So I have done it. I spent a lot of confusing time at DMV this morning. Even though I had an appointment, it was difficult to figure out which line I needed to be in. Finally, I got the right counter and obtained my permanent disability placard. I was fighting back tears. I don't want to be disabled. I am still getting better and continue at Physical Therapy and daily exercise. Life is easier with the blue placard. I don't quite know what to make of all of this.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

There are puddles still on my driveway.

I drove to Moss Landing for lunch. The fields were alive with sprinklers watering the new plants. Did they also receive rain last week? What do I know.

More Blue herons are settling into the nesting trees by my house. I see them flying around and perched on the limbs. It just makes me so happy.

Monday, March 7, 2011

I have two apricot trees in my yard a young one and an old one. this year the young one bloomed last month and now the old one is blooming. I thought they had to bloom at the same time in order to cross pollinate. I don't think I will bet any apricots now.

The plum tree is covered with blossoms and the apple tree is still dormant.

I haven't decided whether I will put in a veggie garden this year.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Drove to Carmel Valley twice this weekend. It's not so far but it is not on my usual path. First on Saturday to lead a class on plein air writing at the Carmel Valley Library.

Today to Nancy's house for our monthly book group dinner.

I forget how beautiful the mountains are this time of year.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Went to the 4pm movie CEDER RAPIDS at the Osio. As usual we got there early because the theater is so small and half the seats are too close to the screen. the early people were all talking away as if they all knew each other . None of this embarrassed silence as we waited for the previews to start up.

the movie itself was upbeat and funny and when it was over the conversations started right back up.

Friday, March 4, 2011

The tractor has rebuilt the six foot storm berm at the edge of the beach. Several little kids are climbing up on the sandy sides. When they get to the top they then slide back down. They can't help themselves and slowly the sides are collapsing back into the beach.

One boy's mother is dragging him away kicking and screaming. His wet clothes and body are caked with sand. He doesn not want to leave.

the tide is way out. A wide expanse of wet sand reflects back the images of the people and dogs walking near the water's edge.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Driving at dusk on highway 1 I turned off on Carpenter Street. A car going in the opposite direction was spewing out clouds of white smoke drowning the cars behind it. The driver didn't notice as he moved forward. I am not sure if the car was on fire or the engin was self destructing. As the traffic moved on I will never know what that was all about.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Took my twenty minute walk on the wharf this morning. Warm, gusty winds blowing across the water. Clouds in the distance. Not much activity just me trudging along doing my exercise. And yet it was beautiful.

Later I went to the Sports Center to do some more exercise on the bicycle. Here it was crowded and noisy.

I prefer the wharf's beauty.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Went to the Automobile Association to get my new temporary handicap placard. I was told that they do not help with handicap placards. So now I am in the morass of trying to make a DMV appointment.

Forgot to put out the garbage cans today for trash pick up. The week just went too fast.

Received a telephone call from my 6 year old grandson in New York. Later his mother said he was trying to learn how to do small talk. He was sent home again because he had head lice again.

And the day is not done yet.