Tuesday, December 31, 2013

I am now getting control of my new TV.  I have three remote control devices.  It takes concentration and quiet for me to find the program I want.  Almost like meditation.  I keep the TV on mute until I have found what I want.  I miss the old one.

Monday, December 30, 2013

I bought a new TV today and have been setting it up.  it takes me awhile to adjust to the new screen.  I wish it was all easier.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Had a we sat outside watching the deer.  The sun moved slowly and the heat left.  When it was cold enough we moved inside leisurely family lunch outside int he pine trees.  Some began watching the football game and I went home for a nap. 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

The house is now full of people and what, lots of talk, dishes, sibling disagreements even among the adults.  Went to Paris Bakery this morning to pick up treats for everyone.  Soon the kids will go off swimming and the adults will go out to lunch.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Another beautiful sunrise this morning, a hint of.   pink, light blue sky and birds chirping.  But no rain.  We are waiting for the rain.  At first we were patient but now we are desperate.  I have almost lost the ability to enjoy this beautiful weather.  Almost.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

We are getting ready for our drive to Big Sur for Christmas lunch.  What was once just a plan has now become a tradition.  Yea.  No one has to cook at home and we may actually see some whales.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Waiting not quite so patiently for my Daughter to arrive.  I'm leaving the front door unlocked and the light on so she and her partner can find the room downstairs that we have set up for them.  Just the beginning.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

What a lost day.  Kept watching episodes of the Killing and became obsessed with it.  Kept wanting more and then the day was gone.  And still more episodes to watch.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Went to the county dump today again and finally threw out the rusted microwave.  I do wonder where it will go and how all the parts will be reused.  Such a big industry recycling stuff.  Maybe I should just stop buying stuff.

Friday, December 20, 2013

I am home alone and it is dark.  Strange sounds outside.  Oh yes it is Friday night.  Maybe something is happening at the high School.  Maybe the zombies are really coming to get me.  And you.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

I got the clutter bug this morning and began throwing away stuff, clearing off my office tables, putting away folders, packing up shoes I don't wear. This lasted about 45 minutes and then was gone.  I hope it visits me tomorrow morning.  I am preparing for the family visits coming up.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Another day of fire and smoke but the news seems to be getting better.  The weather is changing, cold again and maybe some wind.  Went to my friend Dina's retirement party.  Changes.

Monday, December 16, 2013

All day I have been watching the news on Facebook about the fire in Big Sur.  15 houses have burnt down. We have not had enough rain yet this year.  Seems kind of late for fires but here they are.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Had a late breakfast at Cafe Trieste on Alvarado street.  Me and my Sunday times.  Place was almost full. didn't get my favorite table.  Had a great breakfast.  Didn't learn anything new in the newspaper.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Ok, Ok I know this is a silly dog picture.  It has been a silly day, perfect for a silly dog picture.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Still haven't bought the new car battery.  I am getting closer.  But I do have the new microwave. Now I have to take the old rusted microwave to recycle at the dump.  It is sitting in the back of my car waiting.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

While driving to the kids school late this afternoon on highway one I could see long lines of pelicans flying close to shore.  I had to force myself to focus on the road.  The pelicans were so compelling.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

I need to replace my car battery so I have been looking for a stronger battery and the place to have it installed.  It is more complicated then I thought.  Tomorrow I will go to Midas muffler to see if they do batteries.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Lying on the couch this afternoon I could see a flock of tiny birds in the pine tree across the street.  Constant movement.  And they they flew away and the tree was still again.

Monday, December 9, 2013

During this cold spell my house has definite cold rooms that I avoid.  I can't seem to get warm and the heater keeps blowing.  I am waiting for the weather to change so I can resume my life.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Sat at a long meeting this morning.  the words kept coming and I felt my agitation rise.  I couldn't pin point what was wrong.  Maybe I have lost the ability to listen to long words and voices.  Maybe it is time to retire from meetings.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Drove to Carmel Valley this afternoon to have tea with friends.  I was struck by the beauty of the yellowed trees growing by the river.  Everything was in sharp focus.  And my friends were wonderful.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Had to have Triple A jump start my car this evening.  I sat outside in my car while the kids went up to change their clothes for jujisu.  I forgot my head lights were on.  Then I had to drive around for 30 minutes in rush hour traffic to charge my battery.  Ugh, I am tired. 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Treme is back on HBO, music in New Orleans.  Watched the first episode of the 4th season tonight.  I love the music and the people.  It's like a family reunion.  Every week now for awhile.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Winter showed up today.  We went to Hopkins Marine Station to write outside.  It got colder and colder and we all migrated into a classroom.  Too cold to sit outside.  Now a wind is blowing and a freeze notice has been made.

Monday, December 2, 2013

I saw a whale this morning for the first time this season.  I was sitting in my car by Lovers point and as I looked up I saw the wisp of spray in the distance. The wisp kept coming up moving towards Hopkins Marine station. I felt the joy of the sighting all day.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Spent two hours at San Carlos Beach by the Coast guard pier.  Sitting in my portable chair.  Even though the sun was out, the ocean air was cold.  I bundled up in a warm sweater.  Several families with little children were playing by the water, moving in and out with the wavelets.  I left when I started worry too much about the kids safety.  The parents seemed fine with it all.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Met my friend at the Works to write but instead we started talking and talked for two hours.  Next time we meet we will write first and then talk.

Friday, November 29, 2013

I didn't go shopping today.  I didn't want to be part of the mass hysteria of shopping on black Friday.  I did finish the December calendar mailing for the Zen Center.  I listen to the music of Chico Hamilton on Pandora and worked away stamping. labeling and stuffing the envelops.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

After a family meal of turkey and lots of food my friend and I went to Asilomar Beach area and watched the sunset.  I want to say thousands of bird flew by but maybe that is just an exaggeration a bit.  There were long lines of pelicans and cormorants flying all in one direction, towards the setting sun.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I have started working on another quilt.  It will take me a year to finish or maybe two.  It is so satisfying to have this project to work on while I watch the grim news on TV.  I am beginning to be tired of the news.  Maybe my quilt will never be finished.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Went to Trader Joes for last minute shopping.  I expect I will not be able to get close to the place during the rest of the week as shoppers prepare for Thanksgiving.  The place was full but not impossible.  I am set for the next week.

Monday, November 25, 2013

I am practicing drawing a pelican.  It is harder then I thought.  I sat outside at Moss landing looking at Pelicans and tried to draw them .  now I am looking at pelicans on Google for advice on how to draw them.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

For a week now I have been thinking about COSCO hot dogs.  I wanted a hotdog.  So today I bought the hot dog and coke and sat at the picnic tables watching all the shoppers walk in front of me.  I am not a member so I wasn't tempted to fill a cart with more stuff.  i could just eat and watch.  Very satisfying.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

We pruned the papyrus plant today.  It was looking pretty sick so we cut out all the dead looking limbs and voila it looks great now.  The new little stems have room and light to grow.  Took all of ten minutes and many hours to think about it.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Yep, we did go and see Hunger Games, Catching fire.  Better then I expected.  Lots of people at the 4:30 show but not a full house.  As we left we notice a humongous line of people waiting to get in.  We lucked out.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The new hunger games movie is out tomorrow and the kids and I want to go as soon as possible.  I don't think I can take them out of school for this movie but maybe we can go in the late afternoon.  Now I have to get the parents approval.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Rain today and now the drops are falling through the cracked glass in the bathroom.  I had forgotten that there was a leak.  Not sure how to fix it, how to seal the cracked glass.  Something will come.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Spent several hours with a friend at Sweet Elena's in Sand City. Mostly talking but we had planned to write but talking took over draining us of the ability and desire to write.  next time we will write first and then talk.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Spent the afternoon at the Community Foundation listening to ideas to help homeless women.  Lots of good ideas, hopefully some of them will work.  We have 300 women sleeping outside on the Monterey Peninsula.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

So my new bedroom arrangement is complete.  Now when I turn on the light in my room I am startled.  It is so unfamiliar.  No more waking in the dark until I get used to it.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Finally I have the furniture in my room moved around so that my bed is not in the sun.  We moved an old desk that my father built 70 years ago.  This desk had not been moved of 40 years.  Got to see what 40 years of dust really looks like. Thick dust encrusted with stuff.

I am still shifting some of my things around looking for the right spot.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

I just finished reading W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton.  this is a long running series.  I have read every one in the series and this lastest one was really good.  Thank you Sue

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Another beautiful fall day.  Spent the morning with two different friends at two different coffee places in two different towns.  I am talked out but I did love being with each of them.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I have been trying to add more books to the list at the side of my blog but I can't make it happen. So I will list the current one here.

MAD RIVER by John Stanford, a regional mystery story series based in Minnesota.  Makes me want to visit Minnesota.

Monday, November 11, 2013

The albino deer was standing on the side of the road early this morning as I drove by.  He was born last year and continues to survive.  I see him about every 6 months.  He glows in the low light of dusk or dawn.  It is a wonder that he survives.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

OK, spent a quiet day today, still in my house sweats.  Packed up more books, worked on the essay I am working on, took a nap and have been reading a mystery story by John Sanford. Tonight I am going our for dinner. I will have to get dressed. Good day.  Foot is better.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

At the Monterey Beach today I watched clusters of pelicans appear in the distance as a smear of color and slow emerge to individual pelicans beating their wings.  They flew right at me and then turned away.  Winter birds are here.

Friday, November 8, 2013

The doctor said I had a stress fracture in my foot so I am now hobbling around in a funny shoe.  It sounds worse then it feels.  It was a sore foot and now it is something more serious.  To weeks I will be fine.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

I picked some mystery stories at the library.  Books that I know that I will like.  It is supposed to be rainy this weekend and I am going to huddle down and read.