Daily Update, August 30, 2023

    Wednesday, I got a call from Alan. He asked when he should pick me up. We decided on 3:30 pm. Good thing he called. He was thinking 4:15, but that's when the actual appointment was. We needed him to pick us up earlier, so he'd have time to get down there. We chose that early to allow for school traffic. then he avoided most of the schools and all the bad ones at that time of day, so we got there early.

   While we were waiting, Val's blood sugar tested low. I alerted the desk, but it was still a wait to go in. then they started to treat him, and we couldn't get it to stay up. Yet he was acting... well, quite mad, which is normal enough these days at the veterinarian. Eventually they tested more directly, and it was almost 20 points higher than the monitor said. {small smile}

   In any case, I called Alan, and he took us home. {smile}

   I've kept testing it since, and either Val's blood sugar has improved dramatically, or that monitor is unreliable. I'm afraid I suspect the latter. In any case, I'm to skip the insulin tonight, and call in the morning. She was suggesting less again... but I think this needs to be done with a more reliable testing method. {small smile}

   He also has a twice daily antibiotic, and a once daily dewormer. {smile}

   I didn't read to Mom today. We got home around six - usually well into my reading time - so by the time I settled in, it was time to eat, never mind read. I'll just have to catch up tomorrow. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, arm resistance exercises, and arm swinging exercises between Phonso's trial and my salsa dancing. I did the warmup set with no real trouble, but I stumbled when I was just getting started, and had to grab furniture to steady myself, so I stopped. I'm taking a candy now for hypoglycemia, but I skipped my second set tonight. Though the candy worked well enough, I did my head exercises later. The head exercises shouldn't be done if my balance is too uncertain. I also did my arm exercises, both the standing exercises and two of the sitting exercises before it got too late.  {Smile}

   I tried to take things easy in the morning, reading articles and comics. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. By the time I checked the time, it was late for the early short, large-group event, so I went straight to the early long, large-group event. Perogies was in it too. We got together afterwards and ran a mission to test a character he'd worked on. Taht went pretty well. Then he decided - probably correctly - that it was a little late for another mission before Alan came, so we split up. I worked on paperwork and got ready. {Smile}

   I didn't get back into the game until after dinner. Then I found Ulty, and she invited me to join her and some friends for some missions with light roleplaying. We played a couple of missions before Ulty had to leave because she got tired. Somewhere early in it, Perogies came on and said hi, and I encouraged them to join. They're okay with light roleplaying, though they don't really do much of the deeper stuff. I thought they fit in fine, if quietly, and no one objected. They left after a while. Then Phonso came on and invited me and the group I was with to a trial. I checked with the group. None of them wanted to do a trial that late, but they gave me their blessings to go join it, so I did. I ran the trial, which was actually chattier than the roleplaying group. Go figure. Then I did some soloing around the salsa dancing and other exercises, and wrote most of this up, leaving only a few notes to finish the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 29, 2023

    I called the vet and left a message about Val being sick. I thought he'd had only one more incident. The vet called back not really aware Val was sick. She wanted me to double his insulin because his numbers have been so high so much. I promised to monitor Val's illness, well, I found more incidents, and he's had more since, too, so I called the vet's office. When they learned the diarrhea and vomiting was continuing, they suggested bringing him in late tomorrow afternoon. {small smile}

   I got a call from our former nurse just after that, and we had a nice chat. The chat was wide-ranging, but I did mention Val's appointment, and he said tomorrow he was busy. I already know Melanie is busy on Wednesdays, so I called Alan, the Lyft and Uber driver I have an arrangement with. He will be available at that time. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the net few pages of Memories Space Race, followed by the first few pages, which were about the early manned space programs of the USA and the USSR, including the USA's launch of the first chimp in space, the USSR's launches of the first man in space and the first woman in space, and the USA's launches of the first American in space, and the first American to orbit the earth. Next, I read a long poem and a story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the August 29th story, "Poor Mrs. Mouse," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Poor Mrs. Mouse had a lot of babies, and they'd all stayed out in the sun playing too long and gotten headaches. Now they were all in bed with headaches. Mrs. Mouse was out of food but couldn't go out shopping to get more when her babies were sick. A little bird heard her crying and flew off to tell her friends. Mrs. Bee brought her a honeycomb, Mrs. Butterfly brought her some butter, and Mrs. Dragonfly brought her bread and cakes. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, two of my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my head exercises before and after Phonso's task force. Then I did the salsa dancing, for the warmup set, then the less structured set, for a total of over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. I did my other two sitting arm weight training exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises - yes, for the first time since Val scratched me - and my arm swinging exercises, too. So, I did all my exercises for today for the first time since Val scratched me, too. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning around some of the phone calls and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. I saw Kitten on, but they barely responded, and seemed busy. So, I joined the short, large-group event, and then the long large-group event. During the latter, Kitten finally responded and joined us. At the end, Kitten finally got a target after the main event that she's been wanting but had never gotten. I did a little paperwork, then got back to Kitten. Perogies came in, and I told him about Kitten's accomplishment. He wanted to celebrate, but suddenly got tired, and had to bow out. Rather than try to celebrate without Perogies, Kitten and I did some missions for first one of my characters than another of my characters around more phone calls. The missions continued until a they went quiet about when I was ready for one more before reading to Mom. So, I did paperwork until it was time to read to Mom instead. {Smile}

   After supper, I got back late, and found Ulty had left, though we'd said hi earlier. I started on paperwork and said hi to Kitten on the chat server. After a while, Kitten said hi. We got together and ran a few missions for yet another of my characters. Then Phonso came on and invited us to a trial. We joined him, and we ran it with the group he recruited. I said goodnight to Nox, having missed our chance to talk again. I hoped to squeeze in one more mission after the trial, but kitten went quiet. They had had a long day. Around my salsa dancing sets I mostly caught up on reading comics. I soloed the mission I wanted to do with Kitten, and another mission, too, after my salsa dancing and other exercises. Then I did some paperwork and wrote some of this, making notes for the last couple of paragraphs to write from tomorrow because of time constraints. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 28, 2023

    It looks like Val is sick. Of course, this developed too late to call the vet about it before the next day. (So far I've left a message on their answering machine and failed to get a human to talk to.) {small smile}

   Before that, I was busy. During breakfast, I called the Fire Ant Guy, and apologized for not calling him before our tentative appointment and explained that the ants have come back. He said he planned to come into town Tuesday or Wednesday - he lives and is based in the Puna district, south of Hilo, the town where I live. He promised to call before coming over, but someone will be home, because the nurse never leaves the property while Mom is here, and she almost never leaves the house.  {Smile}

   Then I typed up the reading I got from Val's monitor over the weekend. I sent it to the email address I had for the vet's receptionist, then called. I actually got them, and they confirmed it had arrived, and said they'd send it to the vet immediately. I so hope they can adjust his insulin to bring his blood sugar down, since it was high all but one time, and often over 100 points high, at which point it says HI, rather than giving the numbers, so I can't guess how much over then. It would be nice to get it down where the vet would be happy with it, but it's not there yet. {resigned smile}

   Then i wrote up yesterday's daily update and shared it, which made it one of my busier mornings. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued by reading the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I showed her the covers and read the blurb of Memories Space Race, followed by the first few pages, which were about eh probes both the USA and the USSR sent into space int eh late 1950's and 1960, including the Soviet ones that carried dogs. Next, I read a few short poems, followed by story, then more short poems, all from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the August 28th story, "Dimple's Boast," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Dimple was a fine, strong young donkey, but a boastful one. When he boasted he was as strong as an elephant, his uncle said elephants carry people on their heads, and put a big basket of fruit on Dimple's head. Hi head soon dropped, and the fruit spilled. Dimple never boasted again. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises - all of them by accident, though I meant to give my hand another day off with the railing. It's the hand's first day without a bandage on the finger - and my arm resistance exercises before Phonso's first taskforce. I did my arm swinging exercises after Phonso's first taskforce. I did my head exercises during and after Phonso's second taskforce. I meant to get to the arm weight training and leg exercises, but it got too late. {smile}

   I read comics and articles after I was done with phoning, copying, and writing int he morning, and read them right through lunch. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I realized I'd missed both the early large-group events, both short and long. So, I began to set up a character to support related toons - in this case, two colleagues of hers. I have four toons who have been set up that way a long time, but not all my characters are in those families anymore. Time to expand the toons who can support others. I also looked over my list of friends, and spotted Perogies on. I said hi, and we chatted and teamed up. I realized he was on a character the perfect level to get a story arc one of mine had missed and could get the credit she needed from it tagging along with someone else. So, I switched to the character who needed it, and we did the first mission from that contact. While in it, Perogies noticed some pointers he could give to help me play my character better. so he gave the tips, and I practiced what he said. That took us close enough to time to read to Mom, we said goodbye, and I left to read. {Smile}

   After dinner, hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Ulty, and we had a short roleplaying session with the characters we particularly like together. That went until she got tired, and remembered she has an early morning the next day. We said goodbye, and I started to work on the toon I'm setting up to support her colleagues. Then Freaky said hi and invited me to a task force. I switched to the character who needed it, and Phonso recruited the rest of the team, and we ran the task force. I also chatted with Nox on the chat sever. After the first TF, Phonso recruited another TF, which I also ran with him. As I was getting ready to start my salsa dancing, ThornRune said hi. We started chatting, with breaks for my salsa dancing and other exercises. After the dancing, he showed me his character, and I showed him the character I was on, who is the one I'm setting up to support her colleagues. Then I showed him another toon, and we chatted with light RP until he left for the day, and I went to write some of this, and make notes for what I didn't finish. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 27, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so I called Uber, and a fellow came and took me to church. i got lucky; he was pretty close, and I go there shortly before the service started, even though I got started later than I'd like. Though that's mainly because I'm often less lucky about them being close. {Smile}

   I sat with Auntie Barbara, and we enjoyed morning prayer. That's a traditional service int he Episcopal church, which ours is, but these days we rarely use it unless we don't have a priest. Since ours is still on maternity leave, that happened. WE expect a supply priest again next week. {Smile}

   After the service, I sat with Auntie Barbara and some others for lunch. Then Auntie Barbara took me home, and came in to visit with Mom, and with me, too. {Smile}

   I did try to call Aunt Valerie three times after Auntie Barbara left, but she must have been busy. She was not answering her phone. I did leave a message the first time, and after the third call, I called our former nurse. We had a nice long chat, which was great. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021 after that. Next, I showed her the last few pages in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens vol. 1_, saying a bit about each kitty or group of kitties. Then I read a story, a few fairly short poems, and a longer poem from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the August 27th story, "Rudy is Lost," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Rudy, a very young Kangaroo got out of his mother's pouch for the very first time and went exploring. He found a koala bear who asked if his mother knew he was alone. Rudy lied, saying he did this often. Then a parrot warned about a sandstorm, but Rudy got lost in it... until his mother found him and put him back to bed in her pouch. {Smile}

   I did the three walking exercises that don't use the railing after the evening taskforce. I slipped my arm resistance exercises in between the two sets of salsa dancing. Yes, I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, starting with the warmup set, then doing the lass structured set later, as is my habit. I did my arm swinging exercises, head exercises, and two of the 6 arm weight training exercises, both sitting, before it got too late after the salsa dancing. {Smile}

   After the phone calls, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little bit of paperwork, then joined the early long, large-group event not long after it started on a character which I hope will become a ranked badge collector but isn't yet. I did the paperwork that produced, too, then joined Perogies. We chatted and ran some missions until they got tired and left. Then it was more paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I came back on after dinner to news that Ulty had another early night. I hopped into City of Heroes, and said hi to Mysty, but she was just leaving. So did some badge hunting on my third-best badge collector until I was truly tired of it. At that point, I noticed a task force advertising, so I joined it on the hopefully soon to be ranked badge collector. That went pretty well. I did some paperwork and exercise after that. Then Perogies came on and said hi. We started chatting and teamed up for a couple of missions. Then I did my salsa dancing and what other exercise I got done. After the salsa dancing, along with the other exercise, I did paperwork, joined a group that was taking down a giant monster, and wrote most of this up, leaving only a little for the next morning. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 26, 2023

    Today, I spent a quiet day at home. The most exciting thing that happened was talking to Perogies, my City of Heroes: Homecoming and video watching friend about reading a story I wrote to his grandkids. The kids like it, and he thought the sadness was just about right for sharing with them. They only read the first part today, but he left the story so they can finish it later. I am so excited because I really wrote this for different generations to share with each other. I'm finally reaching the audience I was aiming for. {SMILE}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read the next several pages in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens vol. 1_. After that, I read a story called "The Party Zoo," then a couple of repetitive poems, then a four-page version of "Puss in Boots," all from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Next, I finished with the August 26th story, "The Hunting Trip," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. An Indian boy set off in his canoe, hunting, promising his mother he'd bring stuff back. He found an otter who gave him a fish, and some beavers who he helped build their dam, who gave him berries, and a raccoon who gave him some eggs. When he gave them all to his mother, she praised him as a good hunter. {Smile}

   I did the three walking exercises that don't use the railing, the arm resistance exercises and the arm swinging exercises before my salsa dancing. Yes, I did my salsa dancing, over 20 minutes of it, including a warmup set and a less structured set. After my salsa dancing, I did my head exercises, then my weight training exercises first the two standing ones, then all four sitting ones. Yes, I'm finally comfortable doing my weight training exercises. My palm is healed enough, it's not disturbed by holding it, and it turns out I can hold it with my ring finger slightly away. Even better, it's neither far enough out nor the right finger for me to give anyone the finger that way. {Grin}

   I read comics and articles in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming before lunch to do some paperwork. I left for lunch with Mom, then hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. I tried to join a taskforce, but they'd started when I got there. However, I then realized I was there in time to join the early long, large-group event a bit late, but not badly so. So, I did that. Then I did a bit of solo badge hunting until Perogies popped in and said hi. We got together to run a mission for a badge we both needed, though we had to restart because it didn't quite work the first time. He first told me about the grandkids' reaction to the story, and his own feelings about it. I'm so excited because this is the audience that I didn't quite realize I was trying to reach. The same one Vi Thompson, my first out-of-family writing mentor, wrote for: grandparents and parents reading to their grandchildren and children. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I had a lovely chat with Ulty, but she was winding down from a roleplaying wedding she'd been to, and needed to go, so we couldn't get together for roleplaying, missions, or a combination. I did some paperwork and solo badge hunting until Perogies came in and said hi. We got together, and got a couple more badges we needed, as well as some along the way that were easy, or useful later. We also talked more about my story... that's when I found out more about how reading it to the grandkids went. I'm really excited about that. After the badges, I switched characters to one who had some missions I particularly wanted to do. We did a few until he was ready to leave. Then I worked on exercises and paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 25, 2023

    The bandages on my cat scratches on my right hand haven't been sticking too well, especially the one on my palm. Some waterproof bandages I put on before breakfast did better, but even then, the one I put on my palm came back off after dinner. Fortunately, it finally looks like I might not need a bandage on that one, at least outside of bed. The finger was deeper, though, so I'm not going to even try to take it off again just yet. {Smile}

   My computer is continuing to have connection problems that are fixed by turning it off and back on. I'm wondering if a new modem would fix it, simply because it's older than the computer, and router is newer yet. {small smile}

   I had a wonderfully long talk with our former nurse in the evening. It was great to get to talk with him again. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I read the last few pages of _1950s Memory Lane_, reading a section, then showing her the pictures and reading any captions, followed by the blurb on the back of that book. She responded to this book, where she hadn't much to anything earlier, so, emboldened, I showed her the first few pages in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens vol. 1_. After that, I read a long story popem and six short poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Next, I finished with the August 25th story, "Pumpkin Soup," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. A pumpkin was jostling around in the back of the farmer's cart. It thought if it jostled a bit more, it could escape, and go back to its comfy bed. It jostles its way out fo the cart, but rolled right down the hill past its bed, landing in a puddle. It frightened a donkey, who said the farmer's wife should make soup out of the pumpkin, and she did.  {Smile}

   I did the three walking exercises that don't need a railing, plus my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, and arm swinging exercises after the evening task force. Then I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, including both warmup and less structured dancing. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles and did some research in the morning. I also confirmed that the monitor works fine as long as it's facing pretty much out and not leaning into the floor. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and caught the early short, large-group event when it was less than halfway through. Then I went to the early long large-group event and found Perogies already there. We chatted and ran it with the group. Afterwards, we got together and ran a task force hoping it would give us the critters we wanted the most from it. I got Ulty to join us, too. We took a lot longer than I expected, and Perogies left after a while. Ulty and I finished just about when I like to break to read to Mom anyway. I didn't quite everything, but I got close. I got to chat with Ulty, too. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around but didn't spot anyone I like to hang out with. Ulty had said they'd probably leave before I got back, and no one else was on, so I looked around, and spotted a team that was doing something that would help the character I'd gotten so much done on earlier. It filled, but I got on a similar team, and she got all she needed in the second mission. Then I switched to a higher-level character, and played on the same team until it broke up. After that, I spotted a taskforce that my fourth best badge collector could use in pursuing a badge, so I joined it. I also chatted on and off with Nox on the chat server... with a long enough pause in the middle, neither of us were quite sure if we'd talked already when we started up again. We only knew for certain because Nox checked. After the task force, Perogies came back on. I joined him in a farm as we chatted about stuff, which was great. He left about the time I was ready to do my salsa dancing. Through the evening, I wrote this up. Around and after the salsa dancing, I worked on the paperwork, since there is more than usual at the beginning of this weekend. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 24, 2023

    Val's blood sugar numbers are high enough, I called the vet in concern, leaving a message when I got their answering machine. They eventually called me back and gave me an email address where I could send the list I have so far, so I did so. I hope they get back to me soon and start raising his insulin. I would like to get this under better control. {Smile}

   And the monitor seemed to have quit working as of 11 pm tonight. I've tried dozens of times, and each time, it says to try again later. I finally fed him anyway. It finally worked at 12:10 am, but just 20 minutes after eating, of course it was high. At least it hasn't died fully after all. {small smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. After yesterday, I was happy to start pretty much on time. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued by reading the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read the next few pages of _1950s Memory Lane_, reading a section, then showing her the pictures and reading any captions. After that, I read three short stories and four even shorter poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Next, I finished with the August 24th story, "Kind Ophelia," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Ophelia was a pretty girl who spent much time at the beach, collecting shells, paddling in shallow water and walking along the shore. She rescued small animals which other children caught by throwing them back into the sea. One day, she found a baby dolphin who'd been stranded on the beach at high tide, and managed to get it back into the sea, saving its life. The fairy of the sea was so grateful, she turned Ophelia into a mermaid for an hour as reward. {Smile}

   My hand officially doesn't like the railings I use with my walking exercises, so I still only did the three walking exercises that don't need it while waiting for Phonso's task force in the evening. I did my arm swinging exercises as Perogies and I were getting together a little later. Then I did my salsa dancing, both a warmup set and a less structured set for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. I did my head exercises later. I considered doing others, but it was getting late, and I didn't feel confident that I wouldn't damage the wounds further if I tried more, so I stopped there. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. There, I did some paperwork and solo badge hunting on my third-best badge collector until I spotted a taskforce which I'd recently learned a particular character needed. So, I joined it, and we ran it. I noticed the character wasn't prepared for a reward that I like them to be by her level, so I got her ready for it. Then I checked the others at her level, and discovered none of them were ready either, so I got them ready, one after another. Well, as ready as they can be right now. That took me up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I noticed someone on who I hadn't seen in over a year. We chatted, but they didn't seem interested in getting together. Then Phonso came on and invited me to a task force before I'd figured out how to ask directly about getting together. I did a little exercise and more visiting before the task force, then ran it with Phonso and the group he'd collected. I did a little more badge hunting on my third-best badge collector after Phonso left. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Then Perogies came on, and we started chatting. We ran a story arc together, then he left to return to bed, and I started my salsa dancing. I did a mix of writing this, a little research into publishing, and some solo play. I really should have let the solo play for the next day, and maybe the research, too, because they pushed the whole night too late, even though I left finishing this to the next day. {smile}

Daily Update, August 23, 2023

    Today, I got a call from Alan at 1:15 He was coming even earlier than 1:30 because he was concerned about Wednesday school traffic. I got Val into his container, and Alan took us down to the Vet. Val did object, but not continuously. He clearly didn't want to go to the vet. {small smile}

   I waited a fair while before I saw the vet. They got the replacement monitor well stuck to Val, after shaving the area. I'm afraid Val scratched me at one point. the vet's assistant was trying to pick him up to put him back in the carrier, and Val was having none of it. I tried to pet him to calm him, when he got a scratch on my hand, and a deeper scratch on the pad of my ring finger. They gave me a band aid for each. When I asked for a replacement for the finger because I was afraid it would get messy on the way home, they gave me a spare. {smile}

   The good news is that scanning the thing is pretty easy to do. I think I've gotten the hang of it already. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got started late because a mission ran long... even though I ended up leaving before it was quite done. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021 next. Then I read the next few pages of _1950s Memory Lane_, reading a section, then showing her the pictures, reading any captions. After that, I skipped _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_ because of the late start. Instead, I just finished with the August 23rd story, "The Space Fairy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. It told about the Space Fairy, who dances on a moonbeam strung between stars, distributes the colors of different seasons to Earth, and watches over the baby space fairy asleep in a crescent moon cradle. {Smile}

   Because of the scratches, I didn't try anything where I have either hold something in my hand or hold onto something with my hand. That meant I did the three walking exercises that don't use the railing before and after my salsa dancing. Yes, I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, including warmup and less structured dancing. I did my arm swinging and head exercises after the salsa dancing, too. The other waking exercises and all the leg exercises have me hold onto the railing, and the arm resistance and arm weight training have me holding things in my hands. So, I'll wait until my right hand is more recovered. {smile}

   I read comics and did paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming in the morning and over lunch, knowing I'd have the trip to the vet in the afternoon. After the vet, I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and perogies eager to chat, but not that interested in teaming. Then Ulty said hi and invited me to team with her and a friend. They did one mission at very high settings for only three. I didn't manage to finish; that's the one that made me late to reading to Mom. {smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and ended up soloing a bit. I chatted with Azurette and joined her in a tour of her base that she was giving a new acquaintance. Then Phonso invited me to a strike force. The others were more interested in continuing the base tour, but I did join Phonso. We ran the task force together once he got a full team. Then he wanted to do a task force. I was the only one to stay, but he got another team together... and Azurette joined us this time. It was neat teaming with both of them. It was also fun catting with Nox on the chat server. As the task force was finishing, Kitten came in, afraid they were too late to team with me before their weekend away, but I squeezed in one mission with the three of us before leaving. Kitten and I both enjoy playing together so much! {SMILE}

Daily Update, August 22, 2022

    Well, after lunch, I started phoning. I got Alan, the Uber and Lyft driver I consider a good friend and reminded him that Val has a vet's appointment. We arranged for him to come at 1:30 for a 2:15 appointment. I'll be early, but I won't be late. {Smile}

   Next, I got through to my financial advisor. We had a good talk. I clarified one thing and asked for help in the form of good search terms for finding ways to make money online. Ah... if anyone knows of any good search terms, I'd like to hear about them. we are not in a bad place financially, but like most, we could be better. {Smile}

   Then I contacted Uber, and they took me down to my health insurance agency, HMSA. There, a woman took me right into her office, found out which plan I'm on, and figured out that I qualify for their active and fit program with assorted gyms around town, including the YMCA. It would be cheaper through them. {Smile}

   Then I went next door to a vitamin shop and picked up some rather expensive E vitamins. Unfortunately, I remembered on the way home that I need D3, not E. {sigh} I can stretch them through Friday, and more are supposed to arrive Saturday. It will have to do... but I'm not sure what to do about the E vitamins. 

   I ate dinner with Mom, and I read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Next, I read the first few pages of _1950s Memory Lane_, REading a section, then showing her the pictures, reading any captions. After that, I read from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I read her a story, "How the Leopard Got Its Spots," about a sandy yellow leopard who got its spots sleeping in spotty shade in the forest after looking for the other animals, who'd gotten spots and stripes in a similar way. Next, a long oem from the same book, called "You're a big Sister," telling a girl what to expect from a new baby. Then I read a few short poems from the same book. Next, I finished with the August 22nd story, "A Trip to the Sea," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Nicola took her pet rabbit, Tim, to the sea for a special outing. She tried putting him in the water, but he much preferred digging in the sand dunes. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come and take me to HMSA. I did my walking exercises, leg exercises, and head exercises after teaming with Perogies int eh evening, and before sitting with Chili Bear and salsa dancing. Yes, I did salsa dancing, too, both warmup and a less structured set for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. I did my arm resistance exercises after salsa dancing, around chatting with Chili Bear while they farmed, and two friend and I were in there... not entirely sure if they were farming, or quiet like me. My character couldn't fight safely in there. I did one of my arm weight training exercises after Chili Bear stopped farming, before it got too late. So not quite all, but close... only the two standing and three of the sitting arm weight training exercises got missed today. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning when I wasn't busy with other stuff and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming right after lunch. I got together with Kitten and asked for their help with a set of badges for my second-best badge collector. They did get me one, but they were harder than I expected, and that was before two players started attacking us. It was a zone designated for that - most aren't. We ended up leaving because they were too much tougher than us for this to be fun for us. Then I switched characters. Perogies joined us as we were starting up, and the three of us did story arc missions until Perogies and Kitten both left about half an hour before I like to read to Mom. This gave me time to work on the paperwork that playing produced. {Smile}

   After supper, I found few folks around who I know, so I tried soloing for badges on my second-best badge collector. I got one badge. Then Perogies showed up, and I cheerfully teamed up with him. We ran a story arc of his, and part of another before he left to sleep again. Then I did some paperwork and started my exercises. I chatted with Nox a very little right before they went to bed. Then Chili Bear invited me to sit in on a farm he was hosting. it's a popular way to gain experience, and also goodies. I did join him and his other friends as I could around my exercises and chatted with the others in there between and afterwards. I also wrote part of this and made notes to finish this from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 21, 2023

    Today I called my financial adviser. They offered to have her call me back, but she hasn't yet, and I didn't get through when I tried later. I'll have to try again. {smile}

   I tried to research HMSA, to see if they cover the YMCA's exercises programs Either they don't, or I didn't find where they do for me, so I'm tempted to go down as ask at the office, most likely tomorrow. I have to pick up some D vitamin, too, and I think that can be the same stop, even. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom, and I read to her before that. She was more inclined to say she used to like things, but doesn't any more than she usually does... I guess we all have off days. I still started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the last few pages in _The Calming Cat Book_, describing the cat in each picture. That didn't take long, so I showed her the front and back covers of _1950s Memory Lane_, then read her the first couple of pages, with a section about Home in the 1950's, and showed her several pictures, reading the captions. Next, I read from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I read her a story, "The Butterfly Ballerina," about a girl who got a special part in her ballet school's number. Two poems followed, "Oranges and Lemons," and "Boys and Girls Come Out to Play." Then I finished with the August 21st story, "Cakes of Soap," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Rosie got to go to market with her granny in her granny's cart, and even got to bring her friend Kay along. Rosie and Kay enjoyed walking around the market, and even buying things with their pocket money. When they came back, they found cakes... that turned out to be soap when they bit into it. Granny got a laugh and offered them real cakes. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, arm swinging exercises, arm resistance exercises, and head exercises while waiting for Freaky's second taskforce to fill. However, when I tried to do my salsa dancing, I found myself stumbling around, not quite steady. That's no good, so I stopped, and tried to treat my blood sugar, which had seemed unsteady earlier. I think it's better, but I think it's a good night to not do the salsa dancing or the legs exercises, both of which challenge my balance. Some other night will be better. I did do all my arm weight training exercises later, both standing and sitting, when I would have been done with my salsa dancing if I'd done it. {Smile}

   I read articles when I wasn't calling or researching in the morning. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming around lunch time. I worked on paperwork, and soon contacted Perogies. We joined the early short, large-group event, then the early long, large-group event together. Then he left, and I looked around for something to do. I chatted with Ulty while I soloed some stuff on my second-best badge-collector, getting progress on a couple of badges, and actually getting a third badge before it was time to read to Mom.

   After dinner, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got two more badges on my second-best badge collector, and started talking with Azurette, who was telling me about changes she'd made to a base. Then Phonso invited me to a task force, adn I asked Azurette if she'd like to come to. She did, and we got the last two spots. We started taht task force pretty quickly, and ran it, with a pause at the beginning of the last mission. A fellow who'd already disconnected and come back once disconnected again. We waited, because we all know how frustrating it is to not be able to finish when you get this close, but he didn't come back, and we ended up finishing without him. I also said hi to Nox on the chat server, and we chatted a while. Then Phonso wanted to do a strike force after the taskforce. We got three others to join for a total of six, and decided to run it, because it was getting late, and six usually can do it. We did it without trouble, and with no disconnecting. Then Phonso left, as did the other three, and Azurette showed me her base and the changes. We also chatted more generally. We said goodnight after I discovered I couldn't do my salsa dancing tonight. Then I did some paperwork in City of Heroes, wrote this up, finished what exercises I was comfortable doing, and read some articles. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 20, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so I called Uber, and a nice, somewhat chatty driver came and took me to church. I've been getting up a little earlier again, and actually got there with time to settle in by Auntie Barbara and learn that the Sunday School had enough teachers, she didn't need to be in it. So, we sat together for the service. {Smile}

   Our priest was there, with her new baby and a friend. I stopped to chat - or listen to her chat with others - after the service. She said she'd actually come last week, too, but to the early service. This time, they were at the late service, which is the one I go to. I have enough trouble getting there by 10am. I'm not going to think about trying to get there at 8am instead. {Chuckles}

   Auntie Barbara and I sat together on the lanai for lunch afterwards. At first, we sat with some folks who had just returned from a few months in Minnesota with family. They leave in the spring, and I guess come back around now, for four months there, and eight months here. Then Auntie Barbara moved to sit by our priest so she could hold the baby, so i joined her there to finish lunch. Then Auntie Barbara took me home, and came in to visit with Mom, singing six songs with her before Mom stopped singing. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the beginning of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the next several pages in The Calming Cat Book, describing the cat in each picture. After that I read from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I read her a story in a poem "Troll, Two, Three, Four," and three more stories. The Little Red Hen was a little shorter, and "Counting Stars" and "Lion's First Day" were even shorter. I finished with the August 20th story, "The Shelter," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Jennie and her brother Ben went into the forest. There, they built a little shelter just big enough for the small woodland animals they considered friends. They watched the animals in the shelter as they ate the picnic they'd brought. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging and head exercises while I was waiting for Uber to come and take me to church. Those two have no special equipment, nor a special place to do them, so they work very well while I'm waiting. I did my walking exercises after the soloing I did right after Ulty left for the evening. I did my arm resistance exercises and leg exercises after a bit more solo badge hunting. Then I did my salsa dancing, first the warmup set, then the less structured set, for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing in all. I ended with my arm weight training exercises, both sitting and standing. {Smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. Then Kitten got my attention and invited me to join them and their friends in a base. It took a couple of tries to get the right base, but I did. Somehow Jag joined us, though I haven't seen him with this group before. We visited some, and played a competitive match, then visited some more. Then we took off to run a bunch of missions. They asked for someone with some electrical powers, which my third best badge collector has a few of, so I ran on her. WE got a badge I rarely get, and ran several missions, right up until it was time to read to Mom... well they continued, but I had to stop then. I chatted with Ulty a little on the chat server, too, where she mentioned she'd like to get together after my dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Ulty ready to get together. We ended up doing some roleplaying where we mainly talk. Then we segued into chatting as us instead of our characters. When she left, I did some solo play, then started on my exercises. I also read some comics, catching up where I could. One service I read most of my daily service didn't work yesterday or today. Today, i checked my other service, and caught up with several, though not all. I also did my exercises, then my salsa dancing, and more exercises, interspersed with reading articles and comics, and doing some online shopping as well. Oh, and writing this up was mixed in there, too. I tried to say hi to Nox but missed their reply until they left for bed. I need to work on that. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 19, 2023

    I have started having odd problems... last night I turned my computer off early because I misread the clock. When I turned my computer back on, Discord, my chat server, wouldn't load properly until I turned my computer off and back on. Then today, it was one of the comic hosting sites I read that wouldn't load until I turned my computer off and back on. Does anyone know what this might mean? I had some trouble with disconnecting from the internet before that; I have no idea if that's related. {small smile}

   I got some mail taken care of after breakfast. It was good to get it out of the way. {Smile}

   I also rescued a baby lizard after dinner, catching it in a container, and taking it outside, where hopefully it will find more to eat. It was awfully thin. {Smile}

   I got a phone call from our former nurse in the evening, too. It was great hearing from him and getting to chat a while. I thought I'd been having a good day, but that phone call really brightened it. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with a Christmas letter from niece, and a Valentine's Day card from me. Then I continued with the next several pages in The Calming Cat Book, describing each cat in the picture. Then I read from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I read her the first story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and a few short poems that followed it. I finished with the August 19th story, "Billy's Picture," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Billy came home from school with the assignment to draw a picture for a competition. His mother explained that a competition is where each person tries to do something better than the others, and that sometimes there's a prize. Billy then drew his picture, which the story describes in some detail. The next week, he came home with a set of paints, because he'd won first prize. {Smile}

  I did my arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, and walking exercises after dinner. I did my leg exercises and standing arm weight training exercises after the evening task force. I did my salsa dancing at its usual late time, after the day has cooled off so I'm less likely to overheat. I did a warmup set, then after a break, a less structured set. I'm still so relieved and happy that's all I need! I did one sitting arm weight training exercise before my salsa dancing, and the rest after the salsa dancing, followed by my head exercises. So, I did get everything done again.  {SMILE}

   I read comics and articles in the morning, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming around lunch time. I started with paperwork and got somewhat caught up there. Along the way, Perogies said hi, and we chatted while we both caught up on paperwork. then he wanted to do the early long, large-group event, so we both joined it. Partway through, Kitten came in, and joined it, too. We three got together afterwards and started a player-created story arc Perogies picked out. Ulty joined us for a couple of missions not long after we started, but she had to leave again. Perogies, Kitten, and I continued on until maybe half an hour before I usually read to Mom. Then Perogies left, excusing themselves because they were tired, but promising to save the arc to continue later. Kitten was tired and left, too, so I worked on the paperwork that arc had made, finishing it about when it was time to read to Mom, so that worked out pretty well. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Ulty on. We chatted a bit, but she was busy in a private roleplay with her new role-playing partner. So, I worked on my exercises, then paused to feed Val. When I came back, I found an invitation to a task force from an acquaintance. It was a little old, but they were still recruiting, so I joined. They started not long after, not quite full, but full enough we had no trouble. (Smaller teams occasionally have trouble with final bosses.) Ulty got out before we were done, and we chatted until she left for bed. The task force finished a while later, then I did some of the paperwork it made, and got back to my exercises, chatted with our nurse, and did my salsa dance. I wrote this up druning breaks, and afterwards, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 18, 2023

    Today was quiet, except for a couple of phone calls. The first was from our former nurse before lunch. He'd thought we might get together today, but he had to call off. We'll try again soon. Beyond that, we chatted a bit. {Smile}

   The second phone call was from Auntie Barbara, later than I expected from her, but plenty early enough for me. It was nice chatting with her. We'll be meeting at church on Sunday as usual. she is likely to be with the Sunday school during the service, but we can sit together at lunch. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner, only slightly late. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued with a Christmas letter from a friend, and a birthday card from her sister. Then I started The Calming Cat Book, showing her the cover, and the first few pages. She wasn't as interested in it, so I switched to the last few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_. Then I started reading 365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes. I tried the first story, but again she wasn't as interested in it, so I read a few short poems that followed. She liked them better. I finished with the August 18th story, "A Sunshine Song," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Sally loved to sing and learned all the nursery rhymes set to music by heart. Her mother suggested she make up new words to an old song, so she came up with a song about the sunny summer holidays set to Sing a Song of Sixpence. {Smile}

   Okay, I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, including both warmup and less structured dancing, but I got so dizzy during the less structured dancing, I'm taking a break from most of my other exercises. I did my arm resistance exercises and my sitting arm weight training exercises, but the walking exercises, the leg exercises, the arm swinging exercises, and head exercises are meant to challenge my balance, and even the standing arm weight training was not handing it well, so I stopped near the beginning. I don't think now is a good time for any of them. {rueful smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies and Ulty both left as I was settling in, so I started by teaming with Kitten. We finished the story arc where we each had a character who couldn't join other teams until they were done. When we were done, they said they were tired, and went quiet, eventually timing out. So, I some paperwork, much of it rather complicated and to be honest boring. I happily left it for some other time when Perogies came back on, and we teamed up for a few missions. Ulty came on just as I was leaving to read to Mom, but we did say hi. {Smile}

   I came back on after dinner and teamed up with Ulty for a couple of missions. Kitten joined us during the first one, and stayed to do a few more, with a pause because they fell asleep when I took too long choosing my next mission. I made sure to keep moving. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server, both of us having forgotten to start talking while we had time to chat. Kitten and I did chat a bit on the chat server. I also chatted a little with an acquaintance there. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 17, 2023

    Today started with a short phone call from our former nurse first thing int he morning, and another short phone call from him not long into breakfast. It was nice hearing from him again. {Smile}

   I had my online counseling appointment this morning. It went pretty well, I think. We covered a variety of subjects, including the most important ones, I think. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner, right on time again. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with a Christmas letter from a friend we met through her sister. Next, I read the rest of _1940's Memory Lane_, including the last few pages, both passages and picture captions, and then the blurb on the back of the book, and yes, I showed her the pictures, too. After that, I read a few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_. I finished with the August 17th story, "The Lonely Spring," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. A spring sprung at the base of a pink flowering bush. The spring kept the bush healthy, giving it enough water on the hottest day, but the spring was lonely for someone to talk to it. the bush could only drop petals in sadness at the spring's loneliness. Then a stork dropped the frog it was carrying right into the spring. The frog swam out, croaking happily, and the spring was happy too. The frog was talking to it. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, and leg exercises after Ulty left in the evening. Then I started writing this before doing my standing arm weight training exercises and wrote a bit more before doing my sitting arm weight training exercises. then I paused before doing my salsa dancing, first the warmup set, then the less structured set. After that, I cooled down with my head exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics after the counselling appointment until lunch time. I also did some research into dance in Hilo. After lunch, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Ulty was just leaving, and Perogies was busy in the early long, large-group event. I might have joined that, but a high-level trial caught my eye. Turned out my second-best badge collector could get a couple of badges from it, so she did. The leader followed it with another high-level trial. My second-best badge collector had all the badges from it, but my third best badge collector had never done it. So, she ran it and got all six badges from it her first time through it. Then I started collecting much simpler badges on the same character. She'd never gotten around to getting them before. After a while, Perogies said he was free, and asked me to join him in hunting some badges. I did so, and we did that until it was time for me to go read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I hopped back online, and started chatting with Ulty as I got back into Coty of Heroes: Homecoming. She was busy with a roleplay with the fellow we met yesterday. It seemed to be private. She spoke of getting together afterwards if she had the energy, so I continued to collect badges on my third best badge collector. However, when the time came, she just spoke of roleplays we might do in the future, and said goodnight, heading to bed. I continued collecting badges for a little while, then looked around for something to join, but not much was happening. I did try to join one thing, but the leader didn't get back to me. So, I did some of my exercises, and continued hunting badges. Then I started chatting with Nox on the chat server. We actually had time for a good chat before they left for bed. I continued a little with more badge hunting, and other exercises, then salsa, writing this up, and reading articles. Oh, and I also did more research into dance in Hilo. Somehow, I seem to have stayed on task enough, I'm actually getting done slightly earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 16, 2022

    I called Melanie after breakfast, and we had a nice chat. However, she is busy Wednesdays, and can't help me take Val to the vet next week Wednesday, So I called Alan the Uber and Lyft driver, and he plans to be working then. He said to call and remind him the day before, and I actually set a reminder in my phone for that. {Smile}

   I tried calling my church a few times, to ask if they could help me donate some cat food I have to the folks on Maui, and also ask about a Zumba class I saw something about, but once I go their answering machine, and two or three times I just got dead air... I think I need to tell them about the dead air. {small smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that, though later than I meant to, because I lost track of time while playing City of Heroes. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued with a birthday card from her sister, and a Christmas letter from her niece. After that, I read more from _1940's Memory Lane_. I read passages and picture captions and showed her the pictures. Then I read a few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_. I finished with the August 16th story, "Planting Roses," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Robbie Rabbit got soem roses from a neighbor and tried to plan them in his garden. but the birds warned him they'd just shrivel up and die in the sun, so he took them back inside, put them in a vase, and went to ask his neighbor how he grew such fine roses. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises, arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, leg exercises, and one sitting arm weight training exercise between the evening roleplaying session and the evening task force. I did my standing arm weight training exercises and the other three sitting arm weight training exercises between the evening task force and the salsa dancing. Yes, I did salsa dancing at the usual time, first a warmup set, then a less structured set. for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. After the salsa dancing, I did my head exercises, so I got everything done again today. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch, when I wasn't making phone calls. More comics, and fewer articles, I think which I am happy with. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after I cleaned myself up after lunch. I found Ulty, and joined her. We teamed up on Different characters than usual. Then Perogies joined us, and we teamed until a while before reading to Mom. Then I started working on a badge, and somehow, I didn't watch the time. Suddenly it was almost half an hour after I usually read to Mom, so I dashed off to do that. {Smile}

   After dinner, I came back, and found Ulty in a pickup roleplay with someone new. I joined them, and we toured the new fellow's base until Ulty had to leave, and the other guy did, too. Then I did some of my exercises. Then i took a break at the computer and noticed a taskforce I decided to join. I wanted my best badge collector to join, but ended up using my second-best badge collector, because the best badge collector is still doing something with Kitten's second character that I can't leave and go back to. Neither of them got what I was hoping for anyway, except one of the players helped me get it on my second-best badge collector later. Then I did some paperwork that got her one more badge and set my best badge collector to getting another while I worked on my exercises and salsa dancing. Then i wrote this up adn read articles and comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 15, 2023

    Today really started when the nurse came in while i was in the middle of breakfast and said that the van that was to take me to the not-a-picnic-this-month was here. I grabbed things as quickly as I could, and finished breakfast in the car. There was one other passenger, a very talkative woman I do like, who attends pretty regularly. The van took us to the resource center for disabled and elderly. Another in our group met us, maybe by accident, but happily led us to the conference room where we were meeting... with a stop at the ladies' room for all three of us first. {Smile}

   The meeting went well. They showed a video about how hard it can be on the family if someone is dying slowly, and their loved ones aren't clear about what the person wants. Then we were introduced to Advanced Health Care Directive form for the State of Hawai'i. Then we broke for a leisurely lunch with much conversation. After that, we went back. Most worked on filling out their forms, and got it witnessed by the volunteers who were running the workshop. When one found out I wasn't ready to fill mine out because I wanted to discuss things with loved ones first, she got a paper with this and their next two workshops. and invited me to come to one of the other workshops near the end to get mine witnessed, if it looks like I'd have to pay for a notary. {Smile}

   Then it was time to go. I started to go with the gal I came with, but when we found the van, another gal was there, too, and with the space they have for wheelchairs, it would be crowded with three passengers. The leader had said she'd take me home if there was a problem, so I went back and let her know there was a problem. We walked out to the car, and I waited, doing some of my exercises while I waited. When she was ready, I stopped, and she took me home. We had a nice talk on the way. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom, and I read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with a Christmas letter from a friend we met through Mom's sister. After that, I read more from _1940's Memory Lane_. Most double pages in that books have a passage about some part of the 1940's, as well as pictures with captions, and I read it all. Then I read a few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_. I finished with the August 15th story, "Toby's Concert," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Melanie was stuck in her room with a bad cold, with only her dolls and stuffed animals for company. She was feeling pretty sorry for herself when she heard her brother Toby's Voice coming through the window from the garden outside. He was singing all the funny songs he could think of and strumming on his guitar. He cheered Melanie up, so she was laughing and making her dolls dance to the music. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises and two of my head exercises when I was waiting for a ride home after the meeting today. I did the other three head exercises during an early lull at City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did three of my sitting arm weight training exercises and both of my standing arm weight training exercises during lulls in the game in the evening. then I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing including both warmup and less structured dancing. After a short break, I did the last of my sitting weight training exercises, my walking exercises, my arm resistant exercises, and my standing exercises after the second set of salsa dancing. {Smile}

   At home, I read some comics, then hopped into Coty of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten and Perogies. The three of us tried to team up, but Kitten went quiet, then disappeared. Perogies and I suspected they'd fallen asleep again. Their job keeps changing their hours. So Perogies and I ran some missions together. then they left to watch something with a family member. I started talking with Ulty, and we teamed up on the pair we most often role-play on, running a couple of my missions. Perogies came back and joined us, since they stopped watching TV because it would disturb someone else who was trying to sleep. The three of us played until it was time to read to Mom, and we said goodnight. {Smile}

   After supper, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. When I spotted no one who I particularly like to team with, so I just soloed getting some badges on assorted characters, going back and forth. I remembered last night, and the disappointment when Phonso came in when I was committed to a group he couldn't join. Sure enough, he turned up, and asked if I'd like to do a task force tonight. I jumped at the chance, joining him immediately. He recruited almost a full team, and we ran it. Most left, but Phonso switched to another character. I invited Kitten who joined us for another run of the same taskforce. This one filled completely, and we ran it. Kitten, one other and I stayed after the task force broke up and ran another. I wanted to squeeze in another, but Kitten left abruptly because another task force they wanted was starting. As we figured out that they weren't coming back, it got late enough, I really needed to start my salsa dancing. After the salsa, I did what other exercises I hadn't yet, and wrote this up, pausing to read comics and such, so I'll just have to share it tomorrow.  {Smile}

Daily Update, August 14, 2023

 Today, I looked at a notice I got just too late to deal with near the beginning of the weekend and got on the phone with an insurance company of Dad's. One long phone call later, I filled out a form, and discovered the mailman was in our driveway, so I rushed out to give him the envelope. I hope I didn't forget anything in filling out the form, but probably I didn't. {Smile} I was tired enough after that, I figured I'd done enough for one day. A similar project or two can wait. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I continued with two Christmas Cards from the nursing company, a birthday card from church, and a Mother's Day card from her sister next. Then, I showed Mom the covers and title pages of _1940's Memory Lane, reading her the blurb then I continued with the first few pages of that book, reading a passage and the captions of the pictures. After that, I read a few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_, starting with two long ones I knew the tunes to, so I sang, and then a couple shorter ones I didn't try to sing. I finished with the August 14th story, "The Bumble Bee," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Carolyn was out in the garden with her mother when she complained that she was hot. Her mother suggested she get a peach from the kitchen. She did and got scared by a bumble bee who popped out. Her mother assured her they don't sting, suggesting the bee might be hot, too. {Smile}

I did my walking exercises, arm swinging exercises, and leg exercises after the taskforce and paperwork that followed. Then I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing in two sets, one the warmup set, and the other a less structured set. Then I did my arm resistance exercises, head exercises, and standing arm weight training exercises, and two of my four sitting arm weight training. No, not quite all... but I actually might have done my head and/or arm resistance exercises twice, so that might compensate? {Smile}

I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming over lunch to do some paperwork. Kitten messaged me just as I was getting ready to leave to clean myself up. So, I cleaned myself up, then messaged Kitten, and hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies messaged me not long after I got in, and we teamed up. We were just getting going when Kitten came back in. The three of us worked things out so we could all team up and run a few missions together. Then Perogies left, and Ulty said hi. Kitten and I got together with Ulty. I changed to a low-level character around the level of hers. We teamed up for a couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom.

After dinner, I hoped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and didn't see anyone immediately to team with. Things looked quiet, too, so when someone advertised a low-level task force, I volunteered. Turned out Mollymauk, my friend who streams, was running it. It was a nice, chatty group, though I was disappointed when I had to turn down Phonso's invitation to do a task force. We were a few missions in, but the taskforce I was running is known to be long, so we had a few to go still. After the taskforce, I did some paperwork. I was just ready to start my exercises when Kitten came in and said hi. I apologetically said I had to exercise, so I couldn't team. Really wish I'd made the exercises wait. After salsa dancing, Kitten was busy with a team... I think with a taskforce Molly had just started. So, I did more exercises, and worked on writing this. Then I started to join Mollymauk, but pulled out to join Kitten for a couple of missions instead. Then I made notes to finish writing this the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 13, 2023

    Since it's Sunday, I contacted Uber after breakfast, and they took me to church. I started particularly late, so I was surprised that they got me there during the announcements, before even the first hymn. They were blessing a large bunch of donations on the steps in front of the altar that were collected for folks on Maui. I sat alone, since Auntie Barbara was busy with the Sunday school. She was excited to have four students today. {Smile}

   I sat with her during lunch, which worked out nicely. While getting ready to leave, I learned from another friend that we are losing our organist. Next Sunday is his last day with us. I mentioned it to auntie Barbara, and she said he and his family are moving to Washington, and he's got a job with an Episcopal church there. {Smile}

   After lunch, auntie Barbara stopped at Island naturals because it's customer appreciation day. I hoped to get some peanuts, but they were out of plain ones. There were salted ones, but I'm watching my salt intake, and they didn't even say *lightly* salted. I just went back to the car, and she took me home, and came inside to visit with Mom before leaving. We sang a few songs, which is always nice. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara suggested, as she usually does unless Mom is particularly tired, that I call Mom's sister, my Aunt Valerie so they can talk. I did call my aunt, and we had a nice talk, but just as I was about to suggest she talk to Mom, my aunt remembered a chore outside that she wanted to do before it got any darker than it was already. She said she would talk to Mom next time. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with a birthday card from church, a Christmas card from her cousin's granddaughter, and an Easter card from me. Next, I showed Mom the last several pages of pictures in _1940's Fashion in Pictures_, reading her each caption as I pointed out each picture, then finishing by reading the blurb on the back. She does seem to like mid-20th century fashion. Then, I read a few illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_, starting with a long one, then reading a few short ones until I reached another long one. that will be for another day. After that, I finished out with the August 13th story, "The Apricots," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mrs. Dingle was old, and lived alone, but her neighbor, Katy, a young girl, often helped her. One day, Katy brought a big basket of apricots to Mrs. Dingle from her family's yard. Mrs. Dingle said she'd like to borrow them until tomorrow. The next day, she gave Katy four big jars of apricot jam. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises waiting for a strike force in the early evening, and my walking exercises, leg exercises, arm resistance exercises, and one sitting arm weight training exercise while waiting for Phonso's task force late in the evening. After his task force, I did my salsa dance, first the warmup, then the less structured set, so yes, I did over 20 minutes, my new goal. I did my head exercises after the salsa, as a short break while writing this up. I didn't' get the standing or the other three sitting arm weight training exercises done, but that's all I missed today. {Smile}

   I read comics after Auntie Barbara left, then called my aunt, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I did some paperwork, worked on a badge for my second-best badge collector, and looked around. I started talking with Ulty, who was working on a badge for the character we play together on a lot. The character I use a bit low-level for that badge, so I got the badge for my second-best badge collector and found a higher-level character who'd begun work on Ulty's badge, but hadn't gotten very far, and I joined her. I ended up making a lot of progress on that badge. So did Ulty, I'm happy to say. Eventually Ulty decided she should leave, so we said goodbye. She hoped to be back later, but I never did spot her again. Anyway, I started working on another badge for my second-best badge collector until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I didn't find anyone I particularly like to hang out with. Well, the leader of the task force last night was on, and advertised for a different task force, but it filled before I'd finished typing a request to join. So, I continued working on the badge I'd started working on before dinner. I got bored, and noticed a strike force I could join on my highest villain. Then I discovered it helped towards a badge my fourth best badge-collector is working on and switched to them to actually run it. When I was done, I did a bit more paperwork, then continued working on the badge I'd worked on twice before today. It was late enough that I was surprised when Phonso asked if I'd like to run a task force. but with only 20 minutes of salsa dancing needed, I hoped I could squeeze it in. It made me just slightly late for starting salsa, but I got over 20 minutes done with time to spare, so that worked well. 

Daily Update, August 12, 2023

   I got a text from the housekeeper saying she was coming this morning. However, later I found one apologizing because she was helping a group that was working to send stuff to Maui, to help people affected by the wildfires around Lahaina. I offered her moral support. I'm sure she'll get back to us when she can. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I followed that with the last part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. After that, I showed Mom more pictures in _1940's Fashion in Pictures_, reading her each caption as I pointed out each picture. She does seem to like mid-20th century fashion. Next, I read several illustrated poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_. I finished with the August 12th story, "The Sand Castle," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Alison and Roger went to the beach, where they set out to build a fine sandcastle, decorated with shells. As they finished, their mother suggested getting ice creams. They found some friends to play with at the ice cream van. The tide had washed away the sandcastle when they finally returned, but Roger said they'd make another tomorrow. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, leg exercises, arm swinging exercises, walking exercises, standing arm weight training exercises, head exercises, and two of the four sitting arm weight training exercises after the trial in the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing, first warmup, then less structured dancing. I finished with the last two sitting arm exercises. {Smile}

   I finished sharing yesterday's daily update in the morning and read articles and such before lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork, then got together with Perogies. We joined a task force and ran it together. Then he was really in the mood to watch a show together. We watched a short film, tried a second that he didn't like, so we stopped partway through, and watched another instead. That took us up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I found a note from Ulty after dinner saying she was making an early night of it. So, I looked around... I didn't find a friend to team with, but I found a task force that looked promising, so I joined it. Then I did a bit of paperwork and tried to join a trial. The leader said they were full, but the leader of the task force I'd run asked if she'd gotten my spot and insisted on me taking her place. So, I did, and ran the trial, following it with the exercises. I talked a little with one friend just before the exercises, and a fair bit more with Perogies when he came on late in the exercises. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 11, 2023

    I called the veterinarian after breakfast, and actually got the office. I reminded them that our attempt to test his blood sugar failed, because it fell off. I also told them that symptoms of his diabetes had improved when we started him on insulin, but not as much as I could wish. They suggested bringing him in, and I agreed, expecting this. He's got an appointment for Wednesday after next. {Smile}

   I called my financial adviser... and called again just before closing when she hadn't called. She sent me what she has on the budget I asked for and will send it again when she's finished it. Even preliminary numbers are helpful at this point. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. Next, I showed Mom more pictures in _1940's Fashion in Pictures_, reading her each caption as I pointed out that picture. She seemed to like it, pictures and all. Then I read several poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_, and all of those are illustrated. I finished with the August 11th story, "Peter's Fish," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Peter was a little boy who made himself a fishing pole He used to fish in the pond in the garden. He actually caught a fish he hoped to give his mother, but the fish looked so sad, he took the pin out of its mouth, threw it back, and picked some flowers for his mother instead. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my walking exercises, my arm swinging exercises, my leg exercises, and both standing and sitting arm weight training exercises after playing in City of Heroes: Homecoming in the evening, with a couple of pauses because doing all the arm weight training in a row is tough. Maybe I should work on that, too. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning up after lunch. I looked around, and found no one, but I did find a Task force being advertised that contributed to a badge my fourth best badge collector is working on, so I ran it. I still didn't see anyone I like to talk to, but I realized it was almost time for the later long, large-group event, so I joined it on the same character. I enjoyed the event. I also got to talk with Perogies at the end, when they come in and said hi. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Ulty, and we were just starting to figure out what we wanted to do when Perogies came back in and said hi. The three of us teamed up for missions with light role-playing, which I think we all enjoy. We did the last mission of one of my contacts, and a couple of missions from another contact before Ulty said she had to go to bed. Perogies thought it was a good time to go to bed too. I did bit of paperwork that had developed from our playing. Then I broke to do my exercises, followed by my salsa dancing. I said goodnight to Nox, who I'd forgotten to talk to earlier, during my break in my salsa dancing. After salsa dancing, I meant to write this up sooner, but got distracted by shopping for some stuff, and videos that caught my eye on YouTube while dancing. I'll get this shared in the quick places, but the slow will wait until tomorrow. {smile}

Daily Update, August 10, 2023

    I found a note from my counselor about her bill and got that sorted out after breakfast. I'm embarrassed it slipped by me. {smile}

   I tried calling our former nurse around dinner time, but he was busy. He promised to call him back. I called back after dinner to let him know that I can't hear the house phone while I eat dinner, so my cell phone is better. He said he'll call tomorrow (Friday). {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. After that, I showed Mom the front and back covers of _1940's Fashion in Pictures_, reading her the blurb on the back. Then I read the first few pages of the book. She seemed to like it, pictures and all. Next, I read several poems from _Mother Goose Treasury_, and all of those are illustrated. I finished with the August 10th story, "The Old Days," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. It described harvesting corn by hand, with men, women, and children each doing their part in the harvest. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises and leg exercises right after dinner. I did my resistance exercises and my head exercises during lulls in City of Heroes. I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing, including both warmup and less structured dancing, after I finished playing City of Heroes, and I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm weight training exercises after the salsa dancing, I guess as a kind of cool down? Though not really, since they work the arms, which don't get much of a workout in the salsa dancing. I concentrate on the legs in the dancing. Yes, I really got them all done. Some were late, but after yesterday, getting all of them done feels good! {SMILE}

   I read articles and looked around online for dance in Hilo after getting the counselor's bill sorted, right until lunch, and I read comics after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten, and we teamed up. As we were getting going, Perogies joined us, too. I picked a task force I hoped would get a badge for my best badge collector. We made it to the end, but we couldn't do the last mission. It was made for a larger team. We broke team, and tried a story arc, with a friend of Kitten's joining us. I did get a badge, but not the badge I hoped for. We got the story arc almost done by the time I like to read to Mom. Kitten and Perogies sounded tired when I left. {Smile}

   I came back on City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner and looked around. I did some paperwork, and saw Mysty, so I tried to get together, but she wasn't feeling well, and left to rest. Next, I looked for a group to join, but little was happening. I tried to convince myself to start a group, but I really wasn't in the mood to lead a group of strangers. So, I ended up working on a couple of badges on my second-best badge collector. She actually did get two, but the second was one that came along with one of the ones I was working on. I made progress on the other, but I will have to finish getting it some other day. I did chat with Nox a bit on the chat server while working on the badges. Eventually, Kitten spoke up on the chat server, and I got them to come in. We finished the last mission in the story arc we'd worked on right before reading to Mom. Then they suggested starting another story arc with my best badge collector and a character they're still developing. This way, their favorite character is free. I have so many characters, having one stuck isn't much of a problem for me. Yes, we had to do this story arc through a system that doesn't let them do other stuff as well, nor can they add other characters along the way. Then we broke so I could do my dance. My other exercises followed, then writing this up with some research into dance classes in Hilo. I'm still hoping to find more. I'm sure I've seen and heard of more over the years and suspect I just haven't found some of it. {Smile}