Wednesday, March 18, 2026

     Yep, we are having a heat wave. For us it means weather in the 80’s. Doors open in the early morning and then closed tight to keep in the coolish air.  Curtains drawn. Slow afternoons, fan turned on, time for naps and quiet reading.

     My friendly bread baker brings me a fresh loaf and good conversations. I am so lucky. My roommate continues to create a jungle of interesting strange plants in the yard and in her room.

     Our old family friend, Naomi Estolas, just published her book, I LAUGH AT MY MOM WHO HAS PARKINSON’S DISEASE. I just ordered it from Amazon.

     We watch the second episode of ROSTER and are beginning to like it.  And of course, another episode of the documentary LONG WAY AROUND, the goofy motorcycles guys on their trip.

 

Tuesday, March 17, 2026    

      I have lost my touch with medical waiting room conversations. I did sit and look at everyone.  Everyone but me are glued to cell phones. I bring my own urine sample to the clinic. I can’t do all the blood work because I hadn’t fasted.

     The good news is I get home safely, no trip to the hospital. I carry my hospital go bag in the car just in case. The test result come in and all looks good.

     The heat arrives as predicted. I close up the door and curtains mid-morning, to keep in the cool air. The fan is set up in the living room. Late afternoon the air begins to cool and the house is reopened.

     I watch several episodes of MY LIFE IS MURDER on Acorn TV.  A lightweight series with beautiful shots of New Zealand. Start reading. I am reading THE WILD TREES a nonfiction book by Richard Preston. Very interesting stories about the redwood trees in California.

 

Monday, March 16, 2026

     My roommate’s good friends from Pittsfield gave me their favorite book, WILD TREES by Richard Preston.  An unknown to me. I am excited to start reading it.

     While eating my lunch I watch the compelling Jon Batiste preform his music on PBS Austen City Lights. So, along with searching for hidden benches in town, I want to hear more music. I first heard Jon Batiste on the Colbert show. Now I am looking for more music on my TV. In the evening, we watch a bit of the OSCAR AWARDS CEREMONY.

     My house and yard is overflowing with plants, big, small, exotic, strange. My roommate is training to be a master gardener. My favorite is the potato patch in the back yard. Although she tells me the manes of plants, the names don’t stick in my old brain. I have to create memorable names myself.

     Today I go to the Hartnell clinic for blood and urine tests for the cancer surveillance plan. I pretend to myself that it is fine, no worries, but in fact the little engine of anxiety is starting up inside me again.