Monday, March 18, 2024

Daily Update, March 17, 2024

    On Sunday, I contacted Uber after breakfast, and they came and took me to church. they arrived a little after it should have begun, because the morning ran late. They got me there just as the opening was ending, and the readings began, so I got all the Bible readings, the sermon, and the full communion. I found Auntie Barbara and sat with her. {Smile}

   After church, we had lunch on the lanai as usual. I sat with Auntie Barbara, and she took me home afterwards. There, she came in to visit with Mom. Mom sang seven songs with Auntie Barbara and me, a good day for her. {Smile}

   A while later, two gals came and brought Mom home communion. The nurse and I also got some, since we were there, but it was for Mom. {Smile}

   A while after that, I tried to call my aunt Valerie. When A few tries didn't get an answer, I called her daughter, my cousin Kim. I was able to let Kim talk to Mom, though Mom did not speak to the phone. She just looked at it. which I told Kim. She works with older patients who need special care, so she understood, and was happy she'd gotten to talk to Mom. We talked some more, and then she said goodbye, telling me to wait a bit then call her mom after she'd had time to reunite Aunt Valerie with her phone. {Smile}

   After a wait, I phoned my Aunt Valerie. The phone refused to work when I tried to let Aunt Valerie talk to Mom, but at least it didn't hang up on us. Aunt Valerie and I had a lovely talk both before and after the try. It worked fine around the living room and that end of the hallway. {Smile}

   I even discussed my story and possible sequels with Auntie Barbara and Dark, so it was a productive day there, too. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed interested in the pictures, and even said she liked things when I asked as we went along. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I finished the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Next, I started _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Then I read "Dick Whittington and His Cat" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 17th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Odd Bird." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did one of my sitting arms exercises while Dark and I were winding down on City of heroes: Homecoming. Next, I did my two standing arm weight training exercises. The first waws mostly with too heavy a weight, but I did catch it and switch eventually. Next, I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. I was puffing enough afterwards that I think it was enough dancing and leg work for today. I finished with my other three sitting arm weight training exercises. {S mile}

   I did some Cross Stitch World while I was waiting for home communion to come. Then I finished writing Saturday's daily update between home communion and my phone call with Kim. I did some more Cross Stitch World before calling Aunt Valerie. Then I cleaned myself up after calling Aunt Valerie. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I said hi to Pierogies, and we chatted a bit. I teamed up with Dark, and we did a few missions until it was time to read to Mom. 

   I began writing this up between reading to Mom and dinner, mainly making notes. I continued making notes and writing this up after dinner. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, who was just leaving, but we did get to say goodnight. I also found Dark, and we chatted before teaming up. Next, we did a few missions, then paused for a long talk. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. They headed out early and didn't expect to be back later, so we didn't get to talk. Dark and I eventually did another mission, then talked some more. We eventually said goodnight. I did some paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming, then did my exercises and salsa dancing. I realized that in the future, especially when I'm trying to do more than one set of salsa dancing, doing the paperwork during a break in the exercising would be a more efficient use of my time then doing it before, since I do need to rest occasionally while exercising. I also wrote more of this and made more notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Daily Update, March 16, 2024

    On Saturday, I did a critique in the morning on Critique Circle. I had two credits left from doing previous critiques there, having long used up the few credits they give you for signing up. They charge three credits to submit a critique, and give out 0-2 credits per critique, based on the number of words in the critique. Mine was enough to earn one credit, as they say most are. Then over lunch, I submitted my own. I was lucky that their Children's queue wasn't full, so it will come up for review Monday at no extra charge. Fantasy was full enough, I'd either have had to wait a week, or pay extra. I'm not trying to write for children, but the main characters are children, and readers have said such stories are good children's stories. {Smile}

   I also got a text from our housekeeper apologizing for being away so long. She hasn't been well, but she's feeling better. She hopes to come clean our house again soon. I'm just glad she's feeling better again! {SMILE}

   I ate breakfast, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed interested in the pictures, especially the ones of the children with animals.  First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Then I finished "The Picture Book of Kids and Animals." After that, I read "The Frog Prince" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 16th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Counting Rhyme." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and 4 of my 12 arm-swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my head exercises while winding down after teaming for the evening. Next, I did the rest of my arm swinging exercises, followed by my standing arm weight training exercises. After that, I did my salsa dancing. After the first piece, I wasn't that tired, so I did a second piece for a full 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. Then I was puffing, but that's about twice as much salsa dancing as I did Tuesday and Friday night. I'm afraid I was a bit tired for my sitting arm weight training exercises, but I'm just happy to be able to do more salsa dancing! {BIG SMILE}

   I played Cross Stitch World in the morning when thinking about the critique, and again after lunch when thinking about posting my own story. Then I finished Friday's daily update after posting my story at Critique Circle. Next, I cleaned myself up. After that, I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming even later than the day before. I found Pierogies and Michiel quite quickly. We teamed up on high level characters, and did three individual missions together, nicely filling the time before I read to Mom. Then I parked my character in a farm with Pierogies while I read to Mom and ate dinner. I said hello/see you soon to Dark just before leaving. {Smile}

   After dinner, I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming to find Pierogies had left the farm. He was still doing some paperwork, but he soon finished and said goodnight. I did a little paperwork, then remembered that Dark should already be on. I checked, and both Dark and Michiel were on. I said hi to each, and Michiel particularly wanted to squeeze in a short mission while he had time. We teamed up on high level characters and Dark joined us. Then Michiel left. Dark switched to a higher-middle-level character, while I stayed on that high level character because she gets along with his character in role-playing. We ran a mission or two, and Michiel came back and joined us again. The three of us ran a few more missions. Nox said hi on the chat server, and we talked for a fair while before they left for bed. Then Michiel left for bed, and Dark and I did another mission or two before we switched to talking. We talked a fair while, and eventually we said goodnight and he left. Then I did my exercises and salsa dancing, writing about them in this. After that, I played some Cross Stitch World, did some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork, and made notes in this update to write from then next day. {Smile}

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Daily Update, March 15, 2024

    On Friday, the nursing company secretary visited for a short talk. They're still planning a longer talk when the owner can come too, but she wanted something in the meantime. It was good to talks and touch bases. {Smile}

   I also called my doctor and left a message when I got their answering machine. Further tries didn't get any response, so I'll try again Monday. {smile}

   I also called my dentist and left a message with them when an old message came up when I cleared an even older message from my voice mail. They called me back and offered an appointment next month for the follow up to the root canal. I made that appointment. I'm just sorry I didn't find that message sooner. {smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed interested in the pictures, especially the ones of the children with animals.  I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. After that, I continued "The Picture Book of Kids and Animals." Next, I read "The Ant and the Grasshopper" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 15th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Dressing Up." {Smile}

   My first exercise of the day was my head exercises while Dark and I were winding down after teaming for the evening. Then I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises after he left. Then after a short break, I did over three minutes of salsa dancing. I was breathing a little heavily afterwards, but not as bad as on Tuesday. Then I did my standing arm weight training exercises, and my sitting arm weight training exercises.  {Smile}

   I finished Thursday's daily update after breakfast. then I read comics and played Cross Stitch World until the visit with the secretary. After the visit, lunch, and phone calls, I read more comics and played more Cross Stitch World. Then I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Dr. Faustus, who barely answered, and to Dark, who started chatting. I was happy to see him on early for him, though it was late for me to get on. We teamed up on low-level characters and talked about writing until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Dark, we teamed on the same characters, and talked more about writing. I think we've discovered a shared passion. I missed talking with Nox again and had to make do with saying goodnight when I found they had done so and left for bed. Then Dr. Faustus said hi, apologizing for being busy earlier. Dark and I joined him, and the three of us teamed until Dr. Faustus left. After that, Dark and I talked a bit, then left, too. Next, I started my exercises, with breaks where I wrote this a little. After the exercises, I did a little Cross Stitch World and a little online shopping, as well as making notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Friday, March 15, 2024

Daily Update, March 14, 2024

    On Thursday, I had my video counselling appointment. I think we got something important discussed. {Smile}

   I thought a lot about writing and my future, too, while playing Cross Stitch World. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed to enjoy looking at the pictures, especially the ones of the babies, and the children with animals.  First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Then I finished "The Happy Book: Babies," and started "The Picture Book of Kids and Animals," which she even said she likes. After that, I read "Little Red Riding Hood" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 13th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Baby Donkey." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and arm swinging exercises after dinner. Then I did my standing arm weight training exercises and my walking exercises, adding yet another exercise to my walking exercises. Before I started physical therapy, I had five walking exercises. With the two I added last week and the one I added tonight, I have eight now. Then I took a short break, and continued by doing my head exercises, my leg exercises, and my sitting arm weight resistance exercises. So, no salsa dancing - it felt too ambitious for the day after physical therapy - but everything else, and even a new walking exercise. {Smile}

   I wrote a bit of Wednesday's daily update between breakfast and counselling. After the counselling, I played Cross Stitch World and thought about writing and my future. I also wrote more of my daily update before lunch. Then I finished my daily update after lunch. Next, I played some more Cross Stitch World and thought about writing. I also read some comics before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies. He was waiting for the later long, large-group event to start. He suggested I join it too, so I did, and we did the event together. Then we talked afterwards, and I joined him in a farm while I read to Mom, ate dinner, and settled in after dinner. {Smile}

   After supper I started exercising and began writing this up. I also read some more comics. I've found a new one about a boy and his cat... or a cat and his boy, depending on which you ask, I'm sure. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I fooled around in Pierogies' farm. I tried to find a friend to team up with, but the few who were on weren't answering, except for Mysty, who wasn't feeling well enough to get together. I considered joining a pick-up-group, which is a team of strangers, but decided to collect badges on my fifth best badge collector instead. Then Phonso came on and invited me to quick taskforce which I happily leapt to join. I do like to team with friends, even if they're making a pick-up-group. Phonso invites many friends, some of whom do join if they're free and have the time, so its friendlier than most pick-up-groups. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server, having missed them again. After the taskforce, I did a fair bit of more badge collecting on my fifth best badge collector. I also read a couple more comics, did most of my exercises, watched a video. Then I wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes to write from on Friday. {Smile}

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Daily Update, March 13, 2024

    On Wednesday, I had physical therapy. I contacted Uber, and they picked Alan, who was only a minute away. I don't remember the last time I had a driver that close. We had a wonderful ride over catching up with each other, since it had been a while since I'd seen him. {Smile}

   Physical therapy went well. We started with the machine upstairs that I started each session with last year. Then we went downstairs to use the harness in the channel to challenge my balance. {Smile}

   When we were done, I contacted Uber. to my surprise, they got Alan again. He was father away, but it wasn't a long wait. We actually waited longer by an elementary (primary) school we go right past good old E.B. DeSilva. Ever since the pandemic, they've let out around noon on Wednesdays, so I get caught in the afterschool traffic jam. That gave us longer to talk, which was good. {Smile} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed to enjoy looking at the pictures, especially the ones of the babies.  First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Next, I continued "The Happy Book: Babies."  Then, I read "Teh Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 13th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Off to the Moon." {Smile}

   I got plenty of exercise at physical therapy today. I was even tired afterwards. So, I don't think I'll even try to do more today, and I'll see how I feel tomorrow. {Smile}

   I finished Tuesday's daily update after breakfast, with just enough time to play a little Cross Stitch World before going down to therapy. After therapy, I read comics and played Cross Stitch World over lunch, and a bit afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes Homecoming a bit earlier than recently. I found Michiel, and we teamed up We did one mission of mine - the first in a story arc - before he had to leave for dinner. Then Pierogies came on. We talked for a bit, then he joined me, and we did the next two missions in that story arc before he left, too tired to continue. It was almost time to read to Mom anyway, and he let me park in a farm with him while I read, so arranging that took the rest of the time. {Smile}

   After dinner, I came back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, and Pierogies' farm. I found Dark and we started talking. We were getting ready to team up when Pierogies came back. Dark ended up joining us. Pierogies showed Dark a few types of farms while talking about farming, which Dark is not that familiar with. then Phonso came in and asked what we were doing. He didn't feel like taskforces today. He really wanted to join us. So, we four talked about farming as we farmed a bit. I also said goodnight to Nox after they'd left for bed, apologizing for not talking again. Then Pierogies left, being tired, and Phonso left, probably being hungry, since he usually around the time that he left. Dark and I talked about writing a fair bit when we were alone, before we said goodnight... more than once, because he was slower leaving than he meant to be. We both really love talking about writing and stories together. Then I played some Cross Stitch World and read some comics. I ended with making notes to write this from the next day. {Smile}

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Daily Update, March 12, 2024

    On Tuesday, I got a phone call from nursing company. It was nice hearing from them. It's reassuring to know they're looking out for us. {Smile}

   I texted with Auntie Barbara, too. I'd emailed her a copy of the story I'm working on, but she couldn't open it. So, I sent her another copy by Windows Messenger in a different format. I think she'd sent me a file in that format once, so I'm hoping she can open it. {Smile}

   I've been thinking a lot about my writing, too. Enough feels stuck, I need to find another approach to some of this, but that doesn't include the story I'm revising. The thing is, right now that's the only thing that feels ready to move. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. She seemed to enjoy looking at the pictures, especially the ones of the babies.  I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Then I continued "The Happy Book: Babies."  After that, I read "The Little Red Hen" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 12th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Fluff and Silky." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did my head exercises while waiting for Phonso's taskforce. After the task force, I did a little over 3 minutes of salsa dancing. I was panting afterwards, but I did it! {Grin} I followed that with my arm swinging exercises, and my sitting arm weight training exercises. If I'd worked more at it, I think I could have done my standing arm weight training exercises, too, but it got too late. I don't know about doing the leg exercises or walking exercises after that salsa dancing, though. My legs got more exercise from the dance anyway, I think. {SMILE}

   I played a lot of Cross Stitch World while thinking in the morning. Then I read comics over lunch. Next, I finished Monday's daily update. After that I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies and Kitten, and the three of us teamed up to get a badge with benefits that the characters we played didn't have. That involved a mission, then hunting outside of a mission while Kitten ran an errand, leaving their character quiet. Next, we did another mission, and a couple of simpler badges. We finished just about time to read to Mom. It feels good to know that our characters have a little more energy now. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up, and played a tiny bit of Cross Stitch World before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and TheCyberChill in a farm. Kitten tried to invite me, but it's a mission where all the work is after it's technically finished, when new folks can't enter. They took a long time to exit, but I did join them late. They eventually came out, and I think the three of us ran a mission. Then TheCyberChill left for bed. Kitten and I tried to run another mission. Phonso invited us to a taskforce in the middle of it. I tried to finish first, but Kitten went quiet before the end, and I couldn't complete it without them. I ended up quitting and joining Phonso for the taskforce. Then we said goodnight, and I did a little paperwork before working on my exercises. I also read comics, played some Cross Stitch World, wrote a little of this, and made notes to write the rest from the next day. I even got to bed somewhat earlier than usual. {Smile}

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Daily Update, March 11, 2024

    On Monday, I ordered prescriptions at breakfast time. I'd tried the night before, but the pharmacy was closed, and the automated system wasn't working. Yet the next morning, the automated system worked fine. {Smile}

   Then I revised the story I'm working on some more. I'm nervous about putting it up, but I also want it to be well polished when I do. I know a couple more polishing steps short of hiring an editor. Since the story will be a free sample of my work, I hope that's reasonable. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. She rested at times while I read but did look at the pictures.  First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Next, I finished _Cats on Quilts_. Then I fetched "The Happy Book: Babies," and told her I meant to give it to her on Valentine's Day, but I forgot. I showed her the front cover and read and showed her the first few pictures.  Next, I read "The Wild Swans" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 11th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Lily's Bell." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and 2 of my 7 leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my head exercises, my arm weight training exercises, my other five leg exercises, my arm swinging exercises, my walking exercises, and my standing arm weight training exercises after teaming for the evening. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World int he morning after the phone call, then switched to reading comics over lunch. then I finished Sunday's daily update and cleaned myself up before hoping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started talking to Dr. Faustus. He was visiting with a friend, and said he'd be free in a while. Then he suddenly invited me to join them, since the friend wanted to see the base of the group my villain joined. We did, and saw two more bases that Dr. Faustus has, then started to tour a public base but I had to leave partway through to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found Kitten and dark right away. We talked a little and teamed up. We did a couple of my missions. Then Phonso came on, said hi, and invited us to a taskforce. We joined and ran it. I also said goodnight to Nox twice because they got into reading a story and didn't leave the first time. After the taskforce, Phonso wanted to run a trial, so we did. Dark had been planning to leave before, but it was short enough, they stayed for it, then left soon after. I also had a nice talk with Phonso, mostly about a part of the game he knows a lot more about than I do. Yes, this game is quite complicated enough, there are still parts I barely know.  then I did my exercises, played Cross Stitch World, read some more comics, and wrote a little of this, though I mainly just made notes to write from the next day for most of it. {Smile}

Monday, March 11, 2024

Daily Update, March 10, 2024

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. a gal came, and we had a nice chat on the way down, with church and the story I'm working on as major topics. {Smile}

   I got to church during the announcements that precede the service proper. Then I had lunch with Auntie Barbara. She wanted to go to Island naturals on the way home. I got some pumpkin seeds, and she got a whole bunch off, because second Sunday is Customer Appreciation Day, when anything that's not already on sale is 15% off. {Smile}

   Then she took me home and came in to visit with Mom. As always, I joined them. We sang, but Mom was slower and more reluctant to join in than usual. I guess she was having a slow day. {Smile}

   I did revise my story a little before bedtime. Then I sent it to two friends who've offered to read the latest version. It's good to know I got something done with it. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there but did perk up when the nurse and I told her I was ready to read to her. She seemed to enjoy the pictures. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. After that, I continued _Cats on Quilts_. Next, I skipped over "the Steadfast Tin Soldier," and read "Cinderella" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. lastly, I read the 8th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "White Arrow and the Jaguar." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and a little bit of walking while waiting for Uber to take me to church. I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my sitting arm weight training exercises, my walking exercises, my leg exercises and my standing arm resistance exercises. That's all I'm supposed to do beyond the 20 minutes of salsa dance or 30 minutes of walking. I didn't get anywhere near that much walking in before church, but I'm still happy to have done this much. 

   After Auntie Barbara left, I played some Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote up Saturday's daily update before cleaning myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we talked while he finished up the later short, large-group event. Then we slipped in two individual missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming where I found Dark. We talked, and then Dr. Faustus invited me to a trial with the villain supergroup. He said my friend could come too, so Dark and I joined it. Dr. Faustus sat it out because someone had to, and he's done it plenty. Then Dark and I joined Dr. Faustus and Dr Faustus's and my mutual friend in a story arc. I also said goodnight to Nox, chatting a little in doing so. After the story arc, the group split up. Our mutual friend said goodnight and headed off to bed. Dr. Faustus said goodnight and found another group. Dark and I talked some more before they went to bed. Then I did my exercises, and some paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also did a little online shopping, played a little Cross Stitch World, revised my story as I mentioned earlier, and made notes to write this up from. {Smile}

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Daily Update, March 9, 2024

    On Saturday, I did a lot of thinking about my writing. Then I started revising the story again. It's good to get back to it. I 

   I also needed more electrolytes again in the afternoon, but this time I recognized and treated it before I had too much trouble. {Smile}

   I had a phone call in the evening with Auntie Barbara. We touched bases and planned to get together at church and lunch after church the next day. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there, but perked right up when the nurse and I told her I was ready to read to her. She looked at the pictures with a little prompting. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Then I continued _Cats on Quilts_. After that I read "Jack and the Beanstalk" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. Then I read the 8th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Playful Rhino." Mom said she didn't like it, and I didn't want to end on something she didn't like, so I read a random page from _Cats on Quilts_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my head exercises, my sitting arm weight training exercises, my leg exercises, and my walking exercises before I got too tired, and it got too late to continue. {Smile}

   I read a few articles and did a lot of Cross Stitch World in the morning and around lunch. I don't feel as bad about the Cross Stitch World, because I did it while I thought about my writing. That makes it more productive, and less of a plain old time-sink. After that, I wrote up my daily update. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There I found Dark. We chatted, and then we decided to team up. He was running a particular kind of character at a particular level. I happened to have one of that kind of character really close in level, so I got mine. We teamed up and did his missions until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started to write this up. Next, I did a little Cross Stitch World, then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark and Pierogies on. Pierogies was too tired to team, or even talk as much as we'd hoped. Dark was on a low-level character. I got an even lower-level character, and we teamed up, doing my missions. Near the end we switched to talking, mainly about characters and story ideas. I'm delighted to discover he writes, too, and enjoys brainstorming, as well. Eventually we said goodnight, and I did what exercises I could, plus a little City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork and writing notes to write this up from. {Smile}

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Daily Update, March 8 2024

    I slept on my back most of the night, trying to give my arms and shoulder some support. Today, they seem to be much better. I hope the support, plus a good dose of electrolytes yesterday did the trick. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was asleep when I got there, but woke up easily, and looked at the pictures with a little prompting. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued the long family Christmas letter from her niece from 2019. Next, I continued _Cats on Quilts_. Then I read "The Golden Goose" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 8th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Mrs. Ferret's Breakfast." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I tested my arm swinging and arm weight training exercises after dinner, to see which my arms were ready for. Next, I did my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Phonso's second taskforce. After the task force and the zombie apocalypse that followed, I did one of my sitting arm weight training exercises, then, after a break, tried the other three sitting arm weight training exercises and the two standing arm weight training exercises, but my arms and shoulder aren't ready for any of them yet. Then I did my walking exercises, all seven, including the new ones. Then after a break, I did my standing exercises. I didn't increase the repetitions notably, but I am up around where I usually was before the root canal. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World in the morning and wrote Thursday's daily update after lunch. Then I cleaned myself up, and still got into City of Heroes: Homecoming much earlier than Thursday. I saw Rivka on, and we teamed up. I introduced them to some individual high-level missions with two particularly good rewards a day. We ran two. Late in the second, Dr. Faustus invited me to a meeting of the urban fantasy villain group. I asked if Rivka could come too; he said yes. So, we joined the group after the second mission. They were almost ready to run a story arc, so we got right in on it. We got done just in time for me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started to write this up. Then I did a little Cross Stitch World before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Not many of the friends I team with often were on, and those that were on were already on full teams. So, I said hi to a friend I hadn't talked or teamed with in a while. We got together on low-level characters and did some of my missions; I had a bunch I'd begun to out-level that weren't quite too low to be rewarding. Phonso joined us near the end. We got all the old missions done and started newer ones. Then the friend I'd started with left, and I asked Phonso to do a taskforce. He is good at leading those, with all the practice he has. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. Then I asked Phonso for a second taskforce, and Pierogies came on just in time to join us. We ran that one, and Phonso and I said goodnight. Pierogies tried to, too, but he and I both ended up staying for the zombie apocalypse that followed our second taskforce, since for once it happened in the zone we were in. The zone is random, so it's usually some other zone. Then I did my exercises, some paperwork, a little Cross Stitch world, watched a video, and made notes to write this from. {Smile}