Thursday, May 14, 2026

     Up and dressed early this morning. Today I get to be the helper rather then the helpee. I am driving two friends to their different medical appointments. I am so excited.

     I finish reading CLOWN TOWN by Mick Herron.  I found the book somewhat confusing, maybe it needs better editing. Or maybe my brain is just too tired to understand the complicated story.

     I start reading DR. BOT, How Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives, by Charlotte Blease.  Kind of makes me nervous questioning the effectiveness of doctors when I am in the middle of treatments. I need to like my doctors during this part of my life. And I do question and reject some medical decisions and recommendations while still trusting them.

     I watch the last two episodes of YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS in the evening. This show is smart and entertaining. And then my roommate and I watch the latest episode of MARGOT NEED MONEY, another good show. I spend the whole day inside the house. Today I will change that pattern.

 

 Wednesday, May 13, 2026

     I wake up at 9am this morning, really 10 hours of sleep. Of course, a few times up for bathroom visits. When my eyes finally open, I am rested and ready. My legs are stiff, my whole body is stiff. Brewing coffee, fixing my breakfast loosens up the old body and I am ready for the day. 

     An old talented friend comes by for an infrequent visit. She is still working and busy.  And we can’t stop talking, sharing our lives, our families, our medical experiences and our joys. I tell her the secrets of some over the counter medicines, and what I have learned about incontinent supplies. I am an expert.

     Outside the living room window, the old oak tree branches are swaying in the breezes. Old tired dark green leaves draped with long, stringy lichen.  Where are the new light green leaves. Yesterday I saw a squirrel hanging on a floppy bottle bush branch. This tree is bursting with red flowers, perfect for humming birds and small song birds. But squirrels, no.

     I am obsessed with the reviews of the SHEEP DETECTIVES. I know it is playing in theaters locally. Going to a movie theater is not possible for me so I just have to wait until June to see it on my TV. Sigh. And maybe the anticipation is actually more exciting than the actual movie.  Political news is terrible and yet I can’t quite put it all aside.

 

 Tuesday, May 12, 2026   

     It is a job that needs to be done.  Dragging the bins to the street Monday afternoon for Tuesday pickups. My roommate has taken on this job and I watch, feeling like I am not helping enough. This time I pull two of the bins to the street balancing my cane on the lids. It is a slow process but I can do it. The third yard waste bin is beyond my ability.

     The gophers may be winning the race to eat the new potatoes. My roommate farmer is fighting the good battle. Those pesky gophers, mostly hidden from sight never seem to give up. Our next potato patch will be protected.

     My mail in ballot is sitting by my recliner.  Almost time to vote. I am holding out for more information about the front runners. I am not sure what information will sway me this time. I am open to surprise.

     I watch several episodes of THE OTHER SISTER on apple+. I keep watching but I am not sure I like it. I eat half a box of candy that leaves me sugar stunned.  What am I thinking. The sweetness is so compelling and devastating to my body. Earlier I am reading the latest book in the slow horses series, CLOWN TOWN by Mick Herron. Hard to figure out the plot when my body is struggling with all that candy.