Saturday, May 16, 2026

     Wake up to sun light this morning. Breezy bright morning. Roommate leaves for her Saturday master gardening class. The house is quiet as I sit here with my computer wondering what to write about.

     An 81 year old friend comes by for a visit Friday morning. We both agree that turning 80 is the beginning of serious body problems.  But still, we talk and laugh, and get excited talking about Michael Pollan’s new book exploring consciousness. So many questions about the meaning of life and what life on earth is really about.

     We watch a couple of episodes of HACKS in the evening. Also, a tense episode of AFTER THE FLOOD.  And a bit of the news on PBS. Watching TV in the evening has become routine.

     I am just about finished with PAPER GIRL. The focus of the book is how the middle class was destroyed by NAFTA agreements, eliminating the middle class manufacturing jobs in the US. I am also reading BLINDSIDED, A Reluctant Memoir, by Richard M. Cohen. Actually, the books are the most interesting part of my life lately.  UMM, I wonder if that is healthy.

 

Friday, May 15, 2026

     A bit of fog and a bit of blue sky this morning.  And cold, 57 degrees in my bedroom. What is unique each morning even if it seems a bit repetitive. A young blue jay is messing around in the bottle bush tree outside my window. The heater is not on yet. Finished eating breakfast and reading the NYTimes, now I am wondering what will I write today.

     Thursday, I act as an Uber driver delivering two people to their medical appointments. My roommate and a good friend. I am startled by how beautiful the town has become, with flowers and trees blooming. We didn’t talk much.  I listen to the classical music station on fm 103.9. Not much traffic. Fewer cars on the road.

     In the late afternoon I sit in the shady front yard to do my daily chair yoga exercises. A slight breeze and warm sunshine. Moths and bees working the plants.

     I am engrossed with PAPER GIRL, a Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America, by Beth Macy. The author is in her early 60’s, my kids ages. Why am I so moved by this book? I identify with the community and with the mid twentieth century living. I though my painful and good experiences were unique. I am amazed at the economic and cultural changes occurring in the last 80 years.

 

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.