Wednesday, July 29, 2026

     The park has two kind of benches, comfortable and uncomfortable. In the morning, I find the most comfortable. We meet and talk. Two older social workers sharing observations and stories of our lives. Dozens of kids are screaming and running around the playground equipment. Summer camp programs.  Some sun and some fog. Life is definitely worth living even though I am old.

     In the afternoon I drive my roommate to her appointment and then two hours later I pick her up. The driving is easy but the front stairs to my house are a struggle. I have been watching exercise videos to improve my step climbing.  Unless I actually do the exercises, nothing changes.

     I lay on the couch for my usual nap but nothing happens.  Lots of thoughts and worries and ideas. I guess I don’t need more sleep. Still only two six foot sunflower plants blooming at the fence. Many more to come. On the kitchen counter, a bowl of backyard tomatoes waits to be eaten.

     I am excited to start reading Qiu Xiaolong latest book THE SECRET SHARERS, an Inspector Chen Mystery. I have read his thirteen previous detective novels based in China. I am uncomfortable saying I am a committed reader of his work. As a child I read all the Zane Gray books I could find in the library. I no longer can tell if this is a well written book.  I think I have incorporated Xiaolong’s Shanghai fiction world into my Monterey world. 

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

     I can only be bored and restless for awhile before something new comes.  From my second story deck I watch my 95 year old neighbor slowly pull his garbage bin up the hill to the road. He balances himself with his cane. I so much want to help but I too have difficulties with the garbage bins.

    I write out three checks for the bills.  I walk outside slowly with my cane to the mail box with the three sealed envelopes.  My roommate takes the bins to the curb. Still two sunflowers at the back yard fence.  More coming.

    My comcast system is failing and I need to call for help.  But I don’t like to negotiate on the phone. I forget key words in the heat of conversations.  At least once a week when I turn on the cable TV, the sound does not come on. I have to unplug the TV and reboot the system. The sound then returns.

     I start reading the latest Bruno, chief of police novel. A MURDER IN SPRINGTIME by Martin Walker. Now I am in the middle of two compelling books. While my roommate is on a zoom meeting I watch another murder episode of ELLIS. And when she is done we watch and laugh watching TRYING. Both good shows. Rachel Maddow reminds us that we will all survive this horrendous president.

 

Monday, July 27, 2026

     Another cool foggy morning.  I must have written this a hundred times this year. This tiny area of California Central Coast is holding out against the summer heat waves. I don’t want to complain because the weather is perfect.  But perfection is boring after awhile.

    I am slowly becoming agoraphobic.  I still walk on the deck and check out the progress of the sunflower plants.  Two sunflowers blossoms today. The rest of the day I am in the house, doing household chores, reading books, taking napes. I have two long conversations on the phone with friends.

   I talk to my roommate about buying a new better recliner for the living room.  Something even more comfortable than the one I have. She agrees to help and then, I realize that I don’t need one, I need to get outside of the house. She is so patient with me.

     I start to read Lena Dunham’s memoir FAMESICK. I don’t recognize the names of the many people she talks about. but the story of being a young confused adult is compelling. I want to watch GIRLS again. In the evening, I watch an episode of THE LAST SHIP and FOR ALL MANKIND. I almost like them.  My roommate is out to a fancy diner, so I can’t watch our favorite shows.