Sunday, July 19, 2026

     I am envious of my roommate new mattress topper. She opens the extra large cardboard box and a fluffy bed topper spreads out on the living room floor. This morning, she walks by my room with a thumbs up. The topper is on her bed.  I plan to check it out today. Maybe take a nap on it.

     Actually, I am envious of people who are strong and healthy. When this green demon envy arises, I pay attention to my actual life, to not let the demon get out of control. I am alive and have a good life. I am actually satisfied with my life.

     Foggy Sunday morning. Quiet house. No dog barking this morning. A gray stillness in the air. I read a NYTimes review of Ross McElwee’s documentary films and remember his 1986 film SHERMAN’S MARCH was surprisingly great.  I’ve put it on my list of films to see again. And will check out his newer films.

     Last night we begin to watch the older series THE LAST SHIP, five seasons long. Interesting enough but not great. I also finish watching season one of I, JACK WRIGHT. a satisfying murder story. I start reading THE NEW YORK TRILOGY by Paul Auster. An intriguing book. Nothing new about our demented president. Same old lies and fears. War, corruption, murders in the streets. And our brave people are protesting and fighting back.

 

Saturday, July 18, 2026

     In the late afternoon on the deck, I am with my traveling friend and her puppy dog. The dog is up and down the stairs and trying to help my roommate with her gopher wars. We talk and laugh.  I forget that our sounds carry into the neighbor’s yard. Last week my neighbor had friends visiting on her patio and I could hear their conversations. It is startling to realize my neighbors can hear me.

     In the morning two friends from Oregon stop by for a visit. And later another friend brings a home baked bread. I love the visits.

     It is dark and cold this morning and the hidden neighborhood dog is barking. Small birds are in the bottle bush tree.  Mourning doves are cooing. I am back in my winter clothes. Today is a rest day from yesterday’s visits.

     In the evening, we watch another episode of SUGAR. When I am alone, I watch I, JACK WRIGHT, a British murder mystery. My roommate is tired of murder stories. For laughs we watch the latest episode of THE DAILY SHOW. I finished reading a short Stephen King novel ELEVATION. Yes, he does write short novels, along with his long long novels. Our criminal president hasn’t been impeached yet but impeachment is coming and is deserved.

 

Friday, July 17, 2026

     Thick cool fog this morning. Looks like it is here for the day. I put on warmer clothes and close windows. My hands are cold as I work on the computer. Dog barking most of the day and night. Humm I wonder if there is a problem someplace in our neighborhood.

     I decide to go to the library in the morning. One book is overdue and is on reserve for another reader. I pack up eight books to return and find a parking spot in the front near the entrance. Always a struggle to step up on the curb, such a small step and so difficult. I am grateful for the courtesy walker in the building. And I do it and return home with a new stack of books, and am exhausted for the  rest of the day.

     It is hard to tell who is winning the struggle between the gophers and the farmer. My roommate seems tired of the struggle and shows me the plants destroyed by the gophers, She attempts to save damaged plants who have been attacked and partially eaten by the gophers. Surprising to me, it seems to work.

     We watch the second episode of the burning man documentary, THE MAN WILL BURN. Four episodes all together, dropping one a week. I missed out on going to Burning Man. I went to Tassajara for a three month retreat. I was looking for wild silence rather than wild sounds. The president’s demented lying speech is not interesting and is soon turned off.