Thursday, August 27, 2026

     Yep, the sun shines and clouds of smoke drift in the sky from the Big Sur fires. Now there are two different fires. At least it is not 109 degrees temperature here like in Los Vegas. This morning it is 63 degrees in my bedroom and will rise into the 70s in the afternoon.  Reading the world temperatures in the NYTimes helps me appreciate what we have. No more complaints from me.

     I stay home all Wednesday, mostly reading the book about Stanford, HOW TO RULE THE WORLD. I am not sure why I am so caught up with it. This morning a friend is coming by to return books to the library and pick up new ones.

      After my nap I sit on the back deck eating watermelon. A solitary hummingbird is busy with the potted blue flowers. The Kitchen window sunflower is now brown and beaten down. I do wonder what is the next phase for this plant. And the plumes of smoke drift in the distance. I eat watermelon to hydrate my poor tired body. My doctors remind me I need to drink more water.

     In the evening the other tall man and I watch an episode of BLUE LIGHTS, a grim police story set in Belfast. And then a funny episode of GOOD MEDICINE. My roommate is out doing good work in the community.

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

     Bright sunny morning, Going to be a high of 71 today, high for Monterey. Los Vegas is going to be 110 degrees. The photographer is now in Los Vegas working outside on a film. I worry about her. Smoke here from Big sur fire. I worry about us.

     The other tall man in my life and I have a late breakfast at Dennys’ on Tuesday. People coming and going but not crowded.  Denny’s working class atmosphere encourages open friendly talk.  I love Denny’s.

     I point out the tall solitary old palm trees scattered around Monterey. Mostly they are invisible until I point them out. Been here for a hundred years. Monterey is pine tree territory not palm tree territory.

     My roommate cooks a pasta dinner for the three of us and the other tall man does the dishes.  Such a treat. I am now reading Theo Baker’s book, HOW TO RULE THE WORLD, an education in power at Stanford University. A compelling memoir. When I attended UC Berkeley in the early 1960’s. Stanford was our nemeses, our competition. Each year there was an exciting football game between Stanford and Berkeley. I can’t remember if we ever won.

 

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

     The other tall young man is staying on until Friday. His mother the photographer went to Los Vegas for her job. My TV now works in a new way and my car is being repaired and should be ready to return home late this afternoon. The roommate works in the garden. The kitchen window sunflower is fading away. And I am no longer crying. Life seems to be working again.

     We are in season three of TRYING, British show about a young couple adopting a child. A funny uplifting series.

     The dinning room table is slowly becoming a work table again for me and for my roommate. No diners being planned now.  Most of the summer visits are over. The garbage trucks move slowly and loudly down the street in the morning. No dogs barking yet today.

     I am back to reading THE MEDICAL ETHIC, a philosophical memoir by Russell Noblett, MD. A slow read with lots of ideas to ponder. Time to pick up more books at the library.