Monday, March 23, 2026

     All the factors line up, warm day, good night’s sleep, eating with out difficulty.  Yep, perfect day to do my 2025 taxes. I picked up the forms at the library, set up at the dinning room table.  I read through the changes and began scribbling on the blank paper. Finally, I fill in the federal form, sign with my signature, and with an envelope and a stamp, ready to mail.

     Have the wrong state tax forms so back to the library this afternoon to pick them up. Two hours to complete the federal forms.  This is my annual test to see if I am still competent. It helps that my financial life is very simple. And I don’t really care if I make mistakes. The tax people will let me know.

     My roommate plants tomatoes in the back yard near the potato patch. She has a pile of seed packages, along with her computer and a stack of papers, on her side of the dining room table.  We share the table for our work projects. Between our projects is the pile of library books and unopened packages and mail. A full service dining room table.

     I am in the middle of reading ANTIDOTE.  I have never read a book quite like this and I have read thousands of books. We watch another episode of TEHRAN in the evening. Such a great show.

 

 Sunday, March 22, 2026  

     When my roommate texts me, asking what I want from the grocery store I say small oranges and cookies. Good cookies, my favorite cookies.  And then I text again, asparagus, cherries.  I keep my fingers crossed hoping she will succeed. She does, but not cherries, not the right season.

     Cold morning, fog, how many cold mornings before I start complaining and missing the warm days. Sat on the deck to do my chair exercises Saturday afternoon. Lots of seagull chatter in the distance, and airplanes, but no little birds. This morning the dogs are barking a lot.

      The giant rock rose plants are bursting with pink blossoms. 30 years ago, I took clippings of these bushes by the wharf and planted them.  They thrive here and are so beautiful in the spring.

     We watch two shows in the evening, another intense episode of TEHRAN and then a boring disappointing episode of THE RELUCTANT TRAVELER.  I spend hours of the afternoon and evening reading the novel THE ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell, an imaginative and somewhat confusing story of the 1930’s dust bowl times.

 

Saturday, March 21, 2026

     It pays to have a colorful current medical history.  A list of serious diagnoses in the last 5 years. So my report of difficulty with swallowing brings a quick response from my doctor. At the appointment I go over the swallowing issues. Not being able to swallow food for the previous 4 days is serious. The Nurse Practitioner makes an emergency referral to a gastroenterologist. Hopefully an appointment next week. Also, I accept going to emergency room if more difficulties arise.    

     But in the meantime, I had been told of another remedy.  Prilosec, even though my problem is not GERD, has helped one person with a lazy esophagus. I take one pill yesterday morning and I was able to eat my lunch and dinner.  I don’t know what this all means, but this is my experiences.

     Another scorching hot day. The fan in the living room is directed on me and keeps me OK. I read, watch news programs and finally take a nap.

     In the evening, we watch the first episode of season two of THE JURY, focusing on a company retreat. Not so interesting. We also watch the last episode of the LONG WAY AROUND. Such a great show. I finish reading SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer. A good book.