Friday, March 13, 2026

     I have been fusing over the new rules for handicap parking and finally write to the mayor about this problem. This is the email.

     I am an 85 year old woman who can still drive safely. I have a handicap placard. I love to go to San Carlos Beach. I used to walk around the grassy area of the park but now I am told that I have to pay to park in the handicap spot. Not only am I low income, the process of paying is difficult to understand and to use. Why did this change for handicapped people? Is there anything Monterey can do to make it easier for us seniors to go to San Carlos Beach Park and to other places in Monterey?

     I feel a little awkward about complaining. Now that I am getting stronger, I am more willing to express my concerns. I do wonder if anyone else has problems with the new handicap parking rules. I am not sure they are going to take me seriously. This is the first step in trying to stop the Iran war.

      Today I am taking back a pile of books to the library and picking up another bunch of books.  I love the library.

 

 Thursday, March 12, 2026  

     My car clock is showing the correct time now. I forgot how to change the clock twice a year.

     These medical words scare me the most, “THE ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.” Definitely a painful treatment is being proposed, and is most likely not effective. 

     The doctor reminds me to get the latest COVID vaccine.  I explain to him that I am afraid to go into the drug store. He stares at me, what? Yes, I am afraid of all stores. Even to me this excuse sounds pretty stupid. I haven’t been in stores for five years and I have lost my shopping skills.

     We watch another episode of THE CLOSER and then an episode of our favorite silly show, LONG WAY AROUND with the two goofy guys on a motorcycles trip around the world.

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

     I have shifted my social focus from medical waiting rooms to park benches.   Yesterday morning I met a friend at the park bench. We talked about our lives and watched adults play pickle ball and little kids play with their adults. The bench becomes too warm in the sun so we move over to a shady bench.  I am exhausted for the rest of the day. I am working on increasing my bench energy.

     I have my every three month 15 minute appointment with the primary care doctor this morning. I think he is just checking to see if I am still alive. I have a lot of minor concerns that he can’t fix, old age, itchy skin, tired bones, and fatigue. He encourages me to keep going in those 15 minutes.

     My roommate picks up 50 pounds of rabbit manure for the back yard expanded potato patch. I am worry about flies.  She says there will not be any. I am not so sure. Now here is someone who is very energetic.

     We watch the first episode of Steve Carroll’s new show ROOSTER on HBO. I liked it but my roommate not so much. We then watch an intense scary episode of TEHRAN. The music is the best part of this show. Then half an episode of THE LONG WAY AROUND, the two goofy guys on motorcycles in Kazakhstan.