Sunday, July 26, 2026

     It’s 9:30 in the evening.  I am sitting in my bedroom reading.  And the dogs are barking.  I am not sure which neighbor has these dogs. They bark frequently. Is there is a danger someplace or maybe a neighbor needs help. There is nothing I can do. An airplane slowly flies over the town. I turn back to my book to continue reading. And the barking stops. And then the barking starts up again.

     The sun and the fog are playing with each other this morning I am wearing my puffer jacket. I complain to my roommate that I am just not going outside enough. She offers to help me make the outside more comfortable.  I respond no, I need to make the inside less comfortable. It’s the stairs that are the obstacle. I can climb them but with some difficulty.

     Still only one sunflower near the fence. The others are still growing. I see clusters of flowers scattered through out the garden. The roommate spends hours each day watering and planting.

     We start watching a new thriller, THE CAPTIVE, recommended by my Santa Fe writing friend. And then we watch two episodes of the silly funny TRYING, an antidote to the thrillers and detective stories. Our community is slowly preparing for the ICE invasion into the California Central Coast. It is the courts slowing this demented president down some.  Maybe the dogs are warning me.

 

Saturday, July 25, 2026

     The first tall sunflower plant now has a bright flower leaning over the top of the six foot tall fence. My whole back yard is alive with flowers, gigantic plants, and ripening tomatoes, Italian squash, artichokes.  Soon we will have potatoes and onions.  After 54 years of neglect the yard is alive and beautiful, thanks to the work and vision of my roommate.

     I stay with reading JOHN OF JOHN and now love it.  The first third was difficult and then it all came together. While I am in my comfortable chair reading, my roommate is battling gophers, rabbits and maybe possums.

     In Friday’s New York Times, I read through the hundreds of world weather reports. Monterey is the second coldest place listed. Quito in Ecuador is one degree colder. Yep, I thought so. Most places are too hot for me.

     In the evening, we watch a episode of SUGAR, our favorite alien detective, and then episode three of the Burning Man documentary, THE MAN MUST BURN, a slick colorful promotional story. I never attended, so I am not sure how accurate it is.

 

Friday, July 24, 2026

     I am so engrossed with the novels I read, I forget to look around to find my own story.  In the front yard are two massive entwined trees, the pepper tree planted by the tall man decades ago, and the oak tree growing from an acorn I stuck in the dirt to see if it was still alive. The trees grew together and now are massive and inseparable.

     Reading Thursday’s New York Times this morning I feel intense sadness and fear for our world, and for my family and friends. Nothing but hate and tragedy page after page. Usually, I find some uplifting report but not today. Sigh.

     Last night I cooked dinner for my roommate and me. Hamburgers and corn on the cob. It has been a long time since I cooked for anyone. Another sign I am getting better.

     I have started reading the novel, JOHN OF JOHN by Douglas Stuart. Well written but another sad story. I am tempted to check out the last chapter for some satisfying resolution before I continue reading this story. I am watching FOR ALL MANKIND, a series on space exploration, an alternative history of space exploration. And of course, the daily news shows. No good news about our government here. Outside I hear the mourning doves calling out.  The sun is shining today.