Wednesday, June 10, 2026

     I am a healthy older woman, I tell myself.  But looking at MY CHART indicates something different. A long list of medical words saying I am not so healthy. I sleep and eat well. I can walk and drive my car. I read books and watch TV.  I meet friends in the parks. These are my words describing my life, not medical words.

     But sometimes I forget and am discouraged by the medical words. Yes in the last 5 years, I have had 6 surgeries and many chemo and immunotherapy treatments but so what. I swallow four prescribed pills every morning, I avoid taking showers. I take naps. Who gets to decide how healthy I actually am.

     I did find a good book to start reading. NOTES ON A FOREIGN COUNTRY by the journalist Suzy Hansen. She writes about her long experiences in Turkey and what she learned about her home county, the United States. She has a friendly writing voice.

     I met with three friends for lunch. Three long time friends. Such a treat to talk and laugh with people I love. Old friends are not replaceable and yet making new friends can be ok. And yet old friends are the best. And in the evening we love the latest CLARKSON FARM TV series.

 

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

     An 80 year old friend brings her dirty laundry to my house. She is my young friend, 5 years younger them me. Her washing machine is broken and she is waiting for the repair expert. My machines are just fine, but of course, could break at any moment. Nothing is permanent. We help each other out.

     There are a lot of us old people in my neighborhood. We are mostly invisible as we move around town. For years I noticed the barely visible homeless women but now I am watching the old folks. Life continues to be interesting. Occasionally I am distracted with noisy crowds of teenagers as they leave the high school heading down town.

      I am back looking for compelling books to read.  I have started several of the library books only to not continue with them. I do expect to discover a good book today.

     I am almost finished watching the hundred episodes of THE CLOSER. This group of detectives and criminals have moved into my head and are like family to me. I am ready to find another TV family to visit.

 

Monday, June 8, 2026

     Did I mention PLAINSONG by Ken Haruf is quite good. The characters grew slowly in the story until I was fully captivated.

     The personal librarian visits with her little dog in the morning bringing cookies from Elroys. We sit on the deck in the shade talking and watching the dog find her way around the deck and yard.

     At lunchtime I watch two episodes of THE CLOSER. I feel like I broke some rule about TV watching in the day time.  It is ok to watch the news but not a TV drama. Luckily no one caught me breaking this rule. And where do these rules come from.  Who made them.  Why?

     In the evening, we watch more episodes of MURDER MINDFULLY and FOUR SEASONS.