Wednesday, November 11, 2026

     Six years ago when I am 80 year old, I am diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and sent by ambulance to Stanford hospital ICU unit. The ER doctor says I am too sick for the local hospital and I could die. I am by myself in the ambulance with three ambulance guys. I am strapped on a gurney in the back with the nurse and an unreliable IV drip. Everyone wears masks (COVID time}. The trip is long and bumpy and loud. None of my family can come with me because of the epidemic.

     Tuesday afternoon we watch the crashing waves on the rocks. We drive around and talk and then stop for ice cream at the shack shop. Driving back to Monterey through Pacific Grove and over the hill I suddenly feel panicked. I am terrified We are going to have an accident and die. Too many cars are too close, we are driving too fast, everything is dangerous. I keep my eyes closed and try to be calm.

    I now realize this is a flashback to the long ambulance ride six years ago. Of course, I scare my roommate who is driving. I scare myself. I am so grateful for her kindness while driving me home safely.

     I continue to read A MAP OF FUTURE RUINS by Lauren Markham. Her family story of immigration and borders reminds me of my grandfather’s move from Italy to Arizona. In the evening we watch Monday night’s Jon Stewart on THE DAILY SHOW. He is so clever and funny. Of course Jon Stewart’s humor is a tonic for our political times.

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

     Warm sunny days and cold mornings.  My fingers are icy this morning. I broke a drinking glass in the kitchen sink yesterday. I thought I removed all the glass from the sink, and garbage disposal.  My roommate has a small cut on her hand this morning. More work to be done.

     The Highlands baker brings a fresh loaf of bread to us. And of course lots of good conversations. Good bread.

     My roommate sits outside in the dark holding the friendly black cat. I sit inside watching the evening news. All good news for awhile as the new legislators learn the ropes. No reported ICE events yesterday in our county.

     I am now reading A MAP OF FUTURE RUINS, on Borders and Belonging by Lauren Markham. A non fiction look at the stories we tell ourselves and believe about immigrants and settlers. Challenging to read and interesting. In the evening, I watch TV by myself while my roommate is on zoom meetings. Same old TV detective stories for me. The boring president is trying out unsuccessful ways to get our attention.

 

Monday, November 9, 2026

     I love/hate the Sunday New York Times paper. So much to read and look at, and too much to read and look at. I am tired of the articles, and I don’t want to miss anything. I want to buy more books, go to more movies, read long articles, see more art. I want to understand the current political issues and understand economics.  My arms get tired holding up the paper. And I love this full complicated Sunday paper. And before I am done with the Sunday paper, Monday’s paper arrives.

     We talk about taking a drive to check out the monster waves at the beach. In the end we stay home. I watch on facebook the huge waves breaking on the beach. I continue with my daily leg exercises.

     I am excited for the Senators and the Representatives to return to their work in Washington today. What are the Republicans going to do? The big question.

     I give up on reading WE SOLVE MURDERS, too boring. Now for the next book in the library stack. I could not resist ordering three more books from Amazon, books the library did not have. We watch the beginning of season 2 of BLACK DOVES, Lots of violence and angry women assassins.  I am not sure why I like it so much. And then an episode of GILDED AGE, more angry women wearing unwieldly costumes.