Daily Update, March 30, 2024

    Happy Easter if you celebrate! Or happy beginning of the Merrie Monarch Weekend if you follow Hilo's hula festival! {Wink, SMILE}

   I called Uber after breakfast, and got a few exercises done while I waited for them. a gal came and too me to church, where the egg dying and egg stuffing in preparation for the egg hunt after the late service on Easter Sunday were beginning to wind down, but not done yet. I started with some egg stuffing, then did a little egg dying. When that was done, I went back to egg stuffing, which had a special project of taking the choking hazard treats out and putting regular candy in instead. {Smile}

   When it was over, Auntie Barbara took me home. There, she came in to visit with Mom. After an initial hesitation, Mom sang several songs with us. It was a nice visit. {Smile}

   Our housekeeper came after I got home, and Auntie Barbara had left. Our house is much better for her attentions. I finally remembered to talk to her about a few projects. One she did that day, one she'll do next time because I remembered too late for her to do it today, and one will be for after the supplies arrive. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. (I should have said yesterday that I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom, not just dinner.) Mom was just sitting when I got there. She looked at the pictures I showed her but didn't say much. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. After that, I read "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. Lastly, I finished with the 30th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Blue Feather." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and four of my arm-swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church in the morning. Then I did my other eight arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Misreading the clock, I did my first salsa dancing set during a break in teaming for the night. Then I did the second salsa dancing set after teaming for the evening. I still didn't get more done, though i meant to, and even got some of the weights out for my weight training exercises. Hopefully I'll get the hang of doing more soon. {Smile}

   After coming back from Easter preparations at church, I wound down with Cross Stitch World. Then I finished writing and shared Friday's daily update over lunch. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to check some paperwork while chatting with a friend on the chat server. I said hi to Kitten and Pierogies. then I left to clean myself up. After that, I shared a couple of things with the housekeeper, since cleaning myself up while she was here managed to remind me of stuff I usually forget. When that was done, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming to find Kitten gone, and pierogies in a farm. He invited me to a farm he was doing, where we chatted and fooled around until Homecoming went down for maintenance. They'd hoped to start sooner. Pierogies and I watched a couple of short parody videos until it was high time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I came back to learn that the server was back up after being down longer than they'd hoped. I started writing and making notes for this update, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten and Pierogies in a farm and we did that until I got bored and asked about doing something. They picked a badge we were all curious about, where you're supposed to run a taskforce or strike force (villainous taskforce) with all the same kind of character. I picked a particularly short and easy task force to get it with, and we went to the contact for it. Someone was there, and asked if we were going to run that taskforce. One of my friends must have explained which type of character we wanted, because they switched to the right type of character and joined us. I asked about recruiting a few more, and even started to invite Dr. Faustus. However, Pierogies wanted to start before he got too sleepy, so we didn't wait. Then Dr. Faustus replied, and I explained what we'd wanted, but that we'd started. He's interested in doing it some other time, which works for me. We finished with relatively little trouble, partly because I tried not to make it too challenging... and we got the badge. My friends suspect 4 is enough, from a number on the badge, and we had five, since Pierogies brought two. Then the player who'd joined us left, and after saying goodnight, so did Pierogies. I switched characters, and Kitten and I did a few missions. Then I misread the clock and, thinking it was an hour later, I stopped to do my salsa dancing warmup. During the warmup, I realized it was an hour earlier. I finished that set, then told Kitten, and they hopped back into the game. We did a few more missions, then said goodnight. I followed that with my second set of salsa dancing. Then I checked out a couple of videos. I also wrote a little more of this and made a lot of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 29, 2024

    On Friday, I stayed home and thought a lot about my story while playing Cross Stitch World in the morning. Then I worked a little on it after lunch, making some minor edits and preparing a file to get some more major edits. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting again when I got there. This time she woke up more, looking at the pictures as I went along, but not saying much. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Next, I Skipped "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," and read "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" instead in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I thought she'd like it better. Lastly, I ended with the 29th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Fancy Dress." {Smile}

I did my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises after we finished teaming for the evening. Then I did a full two sets of salsa dancing for almost 21 minutes of salsa dancing. I did my arm swinging exercises next. {Smile}

   I looked at web fiction and read a little before doing Cross Stitch World while thinking about writing. Then I read comics after the Cross Stitch World and thinking. Then I had lunch, followed by the writing, and after that, I cleaned myself up. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten, and we teamed up until dinner. First, we did three hunts, then switched to a mission when the last hunt bogged down. No, we didn't finish that hunt then. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Kitten again. We chatted. then teamed up. We ran mostly a new-for-that-character contact's missions in the evening. I also talked with Nox on the chat server. Eventually, Dr. Faustus said hi. I invited him to come, and he asked if two friends - a mutual one and a new one - could come too. I said sure. A team can hold 8, and even with all of us, it was only 5. We ran a few missions. The new fellow left first, asking to establish better communication; I did so happily. Then our mutual friend left. Finally, Dr. Faustus himself left. Kitten and I had time for one more mission, so we ran it. Pierogies came in at the end and said hi. We talked, with him joining the team after we were done with the mission. When I left to do my exercises, they teamed up without me to run missions together. After the salsa dancing, I did some paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also wrote a little of this, making notes to write from the next day. Oh, and I chatted with a friend on the chat server around dinner, and again late at night. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday, I had video counselling after breakfast. The session was very lively. We talked a fair bit, and I hope I'm making progress. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there. She would crack her eyes to look at the pictures when prompted, so i read to her anyway. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Then I read "The Cat that Walked by Himself" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 28th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Sand Roses." {Smile}

   I did just over 20 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing, but then I felt tired enough, I didn't try to do more. I hope it's okay to take that much of a holiday the day after physical therapy. I also hope I'll be able to do at least some as I get more exercises back on better days. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World before counselling, and more Cross Stitch World after counselling. Then I had lunch. I played even more Cross Stitch World after lunch. Then I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I cleaned myself up. When I got back to my computer, I began catching up with friends on Discord before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. No one I usually team with was there, so I started soloing on a low-level character. A new fellow I met a couple of days ago wanted to see my character, so I showed him briefly before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught up with friends on Discord. Then I started working on this update before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started out soloing, checking things on the low-level character I'd soloed on before dinner. Then I found Dark, and we started teaming. We did many of my missions. After a fair while, Phonso joined us. I chatted with Nox a little but got sidetracked tracked quickly. Eventually, Phonso left, and Dark and I chatted, saying a lengthy goodnight. Then I soloed a while, getting my character set up for their next playing session. After that I did my exercises. Then I checked City of Heroes: Homecoming a bit more and played a little more Cross Stitch World. I ended with writing a little more of this and making notes in it for the next day.

Daily Update, March 27, 2024

    On Wednesday I remembered to check, and there were no new voicemails saying that physical therapy had been cancelled or anything. So, I contacted Uber a while after breakfast. A pleasant if quiet man came and took me over to physical therapy. That went pretty well. I'm doing well with the exercises and everything, I think. They are having me do salsa dancing, but not as much as I do at home. When they were done, I contacted Uber again. Interestingly, the drivers had the same first name, though it wasn't the same driver. Then again, that name was John, so it wasn't that surprising. No other guy's name comes close in popularity, nor does any girl's name I can think of. {Smile}

   I also thought about my story. Dark asked about it today and reminded me about some of the progress with the critiques. I do need to revise it, working in more of the changes members of the critique group suggested. I expect it to be a fair bit of work, but it should be a more exciting story when I'm done. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was reasonably alert when I got there. She looked at the pictures, but only responded once or twice. She still seemed to enjoy most of the stories, except she did object partway through Thumbelina. I kept going because it gets better quickly. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. After that, I read "Thumbelina" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 27th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Swallow's Nest." {Smile}

   My exercise was my physical therapy Wednesday. I don't need more than that. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World before calling Uber. Then I played more Cross Stitch World when I got back, along with writing yesterday's daily update up, and reading comics, that took me right through lunch and into the afternoon. Next, I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies finishing the later short, large-group event, then joining the later long, large-group event. I also found Dark in a regular mission. I chatted with both and joined Dark. We did two or three missions. Then Pierogies joined us, and we did two more. At the end of the second, I was late to read to Mom again. I said goodnight to Dark and Pierogies before I left. Both of them expected to be gone by the time I came back. {Smile}

   After dinner, both were indeed gone. I began writing this update up. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I chatted with Nox and Mysty. Both were busy, so I considered joining a pick-up group, but I ended up soloing on lone or two of my lower-level characters instead. I did chat with Nox on the chat server after they'd left the game, too. Then Pierogies came in and invited me to join him in a farm. We chatted until he was sleepy, then said goodnight again. I also said goodnight to Nox. Then I played around in the farm by myself. When I got bored with that, I read some comics, wrote a little of this, and made a fair number of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 26, 2024

    I started writing critiques mid-morning and continued right through lunch, and a bit after lunch. I wrote two shorter ones, and two normal-length ones, trying and succeeding in returning the favor to everyone who'd responded who had a story of their own up. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there. She looked at the pictures, then closed her eyes to rest some more, then opened then again when I pointed out there was a new one, but she responded when I asked her questions, and seemed to enjoy it. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Next, I read "Snow-White and Rose-Red" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 26th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Petra's Friend." {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did 20 1/4 minutes of salsa dancing in two sets, both the warmup set and a less structured set. I followed that with my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises. That's a little more than yesterday, so I really do feel like I'm coming back from this. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World between breakfast and the critiques. Then I played a little more Cross Stitch World and read some comics after the critiques. After that, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I hoped, but earlier than the day before. I found Kitten complaining that Pierogies was busy with the later long, large-group event. Kitten and I teamed up and did a mission or two. Then Pierogies joined us, and we did another couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, began writing this up. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming just in time to say goodnight to Pierogies. Kitten was there, but disconnected because they were actually busy watching a video with Pierogies. Then they came back just after Pierogies left. We teamed up and did a few missions. As we left one, we ran into a giant monster team, and ran with the few others who stayed, getting several giant monsters. Eventually they broke up, and Kitten and I returned to running missions. We ran two more missions of our own, and Kitten got me to invite a friend of theirs to the last one. Then we talked a bit; I know their friend vaguely, but the friend told me a little about recent events. I said goodnight, and did my salsa dancing and other exercises, with video watching and a little Cross Stitch World in between. I ended by writing a little more of this and making a fair number of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 25, 2024

    Monday was productive, but tiring. After breakfast, I went to the Critique site, where I read a new critique, and responded to them all, most in some detail, since at least some invited more than just a thank you. {smile}

   Then I got a call about a bill, so I found several bills, three or four of which were old or otherwise confusing enough, I felt they needed phone calls to determine their current status. I got them all sorted, and most paid that needed it still getting them into the mailbox with the flag up. (A couple of the old ones had already been paid, I'm happy to say.) There's only one still waiting for attention. It was the place that had called to check on the bill in the first place. When I called back, they decided to send me a new statement. So, I'll pay that one when I get the new statement. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there a little late because I frankly lost track of time while doing the paperwork. Mom was awake when I got there and seemed to enjoy the pictures. She responded a little, but not as much as some days. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. After that, I read "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 25th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Kind Scarecrow." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did both sets of salsa dancing for almost 21 minutes, due to a different last piece. Since that piece can and will vary, I don't always do exactly the same amount when it's full. But this is even more exercise, t hanks to doing my head exercises, and a little more salsa dancing. Maybe. The longer piece might be slightly slower, but I hope it evens out. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World in the morning, when thinking about what I wanted to do on the critique site. I also read comics and had lunch. When I'd finished with the critique site, I finished Sunday's daily update. Then I started this daily update. Next, I cleaned myself up. It was pretty late when I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Kitten was there, but unresponsive. It was late to get into much anyway, so I did paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I began writing this up between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I made some notes in it after dinner, before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I said hi to Kitten, who was still quiet, and Dr. Faustus, who responded. We chatted for a while, learning we 'd both been particularly busy recently. Then we teamed up, and he led a mission or two. After that, Kitten joined us. It took a little finagling to invite them to our team. By then, Dr. Faustus and I had run into a fight in the game that we joined in on. (A few areas are war zones where enemies and non-player characters run by the game fight each other periodically, and you may join in if you wish.) Kitten joined us in fighting the enemies. So did a player we didn't know. They asked about joining us, and we ended up doing their missions, helping them to finish a story arc. I said goodnight to Nox too late to talk again. When we finished the story arc, Dr. Faustus left, and so did the fellow we'd helped with the story arc. Kitten stayed and helped me get a badge my best badge collector didn't have. She now has 1499 badges. One more, and she'll get a badge for getting 1500 badges. I think she could get over 1600 badges, at least in theory. After that, I left to do my salsa dancing. I also played Cross Stitch World, watched some more videos, or parts of them, and wrote more of this up, including making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 24, 2024

    After breakfast, Uber arrived too quickly for me to exercise, but that helped me get to the church during the announcements. I sat with Auntie Barbara and two kids who chose to sit with her. It was a nice service. It was Palm Sunday, which is always special, with a procession in that involves the congregation, and a partially dramatized Gospel reading. {Smile}

   After that, I enjoyed lunch with Auntie Barbara and others. Then Auntie Barbara took me home. We had a lovely talk on the way. We sang several songs with mom when we got home, since Auntie Barbara does like to do that when she visits with Mom. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I got there a little late because I did want to finish what I was doing with Pierogies. Mom was awake when I got there and seemed to enjoy the pictures. She did respond a couple of times later in the session. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. After that, I read "The Musicians of Bremen" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 24th of March's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Fair." {Smile}

   I don't quite believe what happened... not so soon. I ran late on City of Heroes: Homecoming, so started with my salsa dancing warmup. Then I took a break, during which I got my arm resistance exercises done after a short rest. Then I started a second set after another short rest. I did the piece I've done the last two nights and didn't feel tired. So, I did another piece... and made it all the way through. I was definitely puffing for a moment afterwards, and I'm tired enough, I don't think I'll even do my head exercises... but I did 20 1/4 minutes of salsa dancing tonight! I'm back up to the around 20 minutes I'm supposed to do. now I just need to repeat that and add in all the easier exercises that I can do, too. I really didn't expect to get that done today; I was hoping to work up to having the little exercise all added over the week, then add the rest of salsa dancing around Friday or Saturday... but now I can just work up to doing them too. {BIG SMILE, REALLY BIG GRIN}

I wrote Saturday's daily update after Auntie Barbara left. Then I played Cross Stitch World and read a couple of articles after Auntie Barbara left. Next, I read a few comics before I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I joined the later long, large-group event with Pierogies. After the event was over, I did a little badge collecting with Pierogies before leaving to read to Mom. 

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dark. We started talking, and slowly got around to teaming up and deciding what we wanted to do. We finished an arc a particular character of theirs needed. I said goodnight to Nox but missed talking with them again. Then Dark and I talked for a fair bit. I also gave him some things I'd collected while playing, too. After we said goodnight, I started some paperwork of my own. I was in a bar, in public, and someone started chatting with me. We chatted for a while, until I had to quit to salsa dance. We said goodbye, and I established a contact method so we might talk again. Then I did my exercises and watched some videos. I also wrote a little of this and made notes to finish writing the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 23, 2024

    On Saturday, I stayed home, and checked the critiques site after breakfast. I found three new critiques! I read them all -- some before lunch, some after lunch -- and made a few changes to my story... it's beginning to look like it needs a lot more change than I thought. {bite lips} I'm trying not to get discouraged about that. Thankfully, Dark reminded me of Dad's caution: don't write expecting to make money beyond a hobby that pays for itself, at best. {odd smile}

   I did a critique to thank the first critique writer for theirs and found two more of the 6 total have stories up. I'll have to critique theirs before it goes down... I guess late Tuesday. Next time, I should start returning critiques sooner. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. She looked at the pictures, but even more at me. She did respond a couple of times later in the session. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Then I read "Chicken Little" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 23rd of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Billy's Trick." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did 14 3/4ers minutes of salsa dancing in two sets after teaming for the evening. After a break, I did my head exercises, too, before it got too late. I was a bit tired, but that's one more exercise than I managed Friday. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World while thinking what to do with my writing, when I wasn't working more directly with the critique site or the story itself. I wrote Friday's daily update before lunch and checked out some new comics. Then I cleaned myself up after I read all the critiques. Only after that did I hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was late again, but in time for a little paperwork before I joined the later long, large-group event while they were still gathering. Pierogies was in it, too. So was the friend who build my computer for me several years ago. I chatted with both of them after the event. Pierogies mainly said goodnight before leaving for bed. My other friend stayed to tell me about the past couple of years. Then it was time to read to Mom.

   After dinner, I started writing this daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and found that Dark was on. We said hi and chatted, and I shared a few game-goodies I found on hand. Then we teamed up. We ran a story arc on the low-level characters we ran Thursday. I also talked with Nox on the chat server, and I talked with Dark a fair bit between missions. After our last mission, Dark and I did a bit of badge hunting together, and said goodnight, too. After they left, I did my exercises, watched a video, read a few comics, and wrote some of this, making notes to finish writing this the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update March 22, 2024

    On Friday I worked on my story... I have four critiques so far from the site. I responded to the first, read the last for the first time, and thought about them all. This story needs a lot more work than I realized.  A couple of folks have said there's too many characters for such a short story, but I'm having trouble cutting any of them. They also say the introduction is too long for such a short story, but both scenes are needed. If there's too many characters and too long an introduction, but I can't cut either, then... maybe expand the middle, so it's a longer story that fits them all? There's also a request to differentiate the characters, but that lengthens the introduction... yes, i think I need to find more to put in the middle. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was sleepy but not fully asleep when I got there. She seemed to wake up as she looked at the pictures. She even responded a couple of times later in the session. The last time, she said she liked what I'd read to her. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. After that, I read "The Peacock and the Crane" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with the 22nd of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Kind Miss Mouse." {Smile}

   After teaming for the evening and a break, I did my full salsa dancing warmup for 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. Then another break, and I did 6 1/4 more minutes of salsa dancing. After a longer break, I did my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises, but I was tired even while doing the arm resistance exercises in particular. So that's where I stopped, but that's the most salsa dancing I've done yet. When I can add one more piece to the second set, that will be around 20 minutes of salsa dancing. Then I can get the other exercises up to full. {Smile}

   I played Cross Stitch World while thinking about writing in the morning, around the work with the critiques. I did read one or more articles, too. Then I finished Thursday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I did more with the critiques. then I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Soothing Darkness, who I hadn't seen in a few months. I said hi, and joined the team they were on. They were doing a different kind of individual mission than my usual, though they switched to something in a story arc eventually. Pierogies came in and joined us around the time of my last mission before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Soothing Darkness on a team doing the individual missions again and joined them once more. Then Phonso came on and invited me to a few trials. I tried to ask the team. No one seemed interested. I finished the mission we were on and started to apologize for leaving to join Phonso. Soothing Darkness didn't want to abandon the team, but one other member was open to the trials, and no one objected. However, when we joined Phonso, two left because they were too low-level. We still ran the first trial with Phonso. The others all left after one, but I ran two more trials with Phonso. He recruited mostly new teams each time. I said goodnight to Nox; we missed talking again. Phonso himself left after the third trial. Then I read some comics, watched some videos, did my salsa dancing and other exercises, and did a little paperwork and solo play for a badge on my 5th best badge collector in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also wrote some of this and made notes to finish it from on Saturday. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 21, 2024

    Thursday, I mostly stayed home and took it easy... if thinking about my story and what to do with it counts as taking it easy. That is thinking about writing, though not actually writing. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there and seemed somewhat interested in the pictures again. I wasn't as late, though I wasn't early. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Next, I read "The Princess and the Pea" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I finished with the 21st of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Ladybird, Ladybird, Fly away Home." Yes, it was a story, not the poem that starts with that line. Everything in this book is short and unique, while the poem wouldn't be unique. {Smile}

   After teaming and a break, I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. I was surprised I could do that much salsa dancing the day after physical therapy, but it's a happy surprise. Then I did my head exercises. I thought about doing my arm weight training exercises too, but I was tired. This was a lot better than the day after physical therapy last week, even without the arm weight training exercises. {Smile}

   After breakfast I read a few articles and played Cross Stitch World while thinking about my story. This continued over lunch and into the afternoon, until I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten, Pierogies, Rivka and one or two others. Pierogies was busy with the later long, large-group event, and the zone was full, so I couldn't join them. Rivka was role playing with a new supergroup they'd found. The others didn't respond, except Kitten might have responded once. So, I did a bit of paperwork and started collecting badges on my fifth best badge collector. When Pierogies finished the later long, large-groups event, he got together with Kitten and invited me to join them. I suggested an individual mission type that tends to not be too long, and we ran one before saying goodnight in case we didn't see each other again. Then I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Dark and Kitten were on and said hi to each. They didn't respond quickly, so when I spotted that high-level trial that I'd run the other day, I joined it. Then they responded. I told them about the trial. Dark declined to join, just not being in the mood. they are more demanding of the player than the stuff he was doing. Kitten declined at first, but then joined with the friend they were teaming with when it was slow to fill. We ran the high-level trial, and Kitten invited me to join them. Dark also invited me to join them. I talked it over with Dark and picked a group of low-level characters. Dark found the ones who'd been teamed with her. We worked on finishing a story arc we'd been working on. I chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while, too. Kitten invited us again to join them shortly before their friend left. Then Kitten joined us when their friend left. They helped us almost finish the story arc - the last bit is solo, so we left it. Then Kitten seemed to fall asleep and disconnect while we were saying goodnight to Dark. I finished saying goodnight to Dark and collected a few more badges on my 5th best badge collector. I also read some comics and played some Cross Stitch World, as well as doing what exercises I did, and writing this up, with aa fair bit of notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 20, 2024

    After breakfast, I contacted Uber. A gal came and took me over to Life Care Center of Hilo. There, I learned that my physical therapy was supposed to be called off because they were so busy. The secretary had left a voice mail, but apparently my voicemail has stopped letting me know about new messages. I had to open it and hit refresh to find it. I'll have to remember to check it often. {sigh, resigned smile}

   However, my therapist said he didn't want to waste my ride since I had come, so he gave me a session after all. It was a good, challenging session that even ended with me showing him my salsa dancing moves. {Smile}

   Then I contacted Uber, and got Alan He came, and we had a lovely talk as he took me home.  We especially enjoyed going past the school with no line to get caught in. On Wednesdays, they've been letting out at noon. They started that in the early days of the pandemic and haven't changed. But this week is spring break, so no school and no line. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there and seemed somewhat interested in the pictures. I was late because when we were ready to wind down from teaming, Pierogies realized I had a timed mission. I hadn't noticed, and half the time had passed. We got it done in not much over half the time left, but that still made me start reading late. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read cards from two different cousins of hers, as well as a card from me. After that, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Then I read "How the Camel Got his Hump" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I finished with the 20th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Judith's Friends." {Smile}

   I figured they worked me quite hard enough at physical therapy that I didn't need more exercise today. I won't be surprised if I do my walk exercises and not my salsa dance the next day, as well. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics, did a little work on yesterday's daily update, and played Cross Stitch World before going down for physical therapy. I read more articles and played Cross Stitch World after therapy, before and over lunch. Then I finished Tuesday's daily update after lunch. Next, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies, and an inactive Kitten. Pierogies and I got together. I set up my character's contacts, and picked one where we did two missions. I was just ready to start a short hunt before reading to Mom when he noticed I had a timed mission going. The first hour of two had passed, but we tried it, rushing it as much as feasible, and actually got it done in half an hour. That made me late reading to Mom, but it could have been worse. {Smile}

   I began writing this up and making notes in it between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I continued writing it up and making notes after dinner. Only then did I jump into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten active and did a mission with them. Phonso came in and invited us to a trial during it. We finished the mission since we were near the end and joined him. We ran the trial, and two more trials with Phonso and the folks he recruited. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server during the first of the trials, because they were leaving early that night. After the trials, I helped kitten with a self-improvement badge until they seemed to fall asleep. Then I finished collecting a few badges for my character. Next, I collected four more for my fifth best badge collector. Following that, I read some comics, played some Cross Stitch World, and wrote a bit more of this, and finished making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 19, 2024

    On Tuesday, I had a Zoom meeting in place of the regular picnic. The place we were supposed to meet had a fire, and our leader had trouble finding a suitable replacement venue. A gal who had trouble attending in-person meetings suggested Zoom for this month, but future months should be back to in-person soon. Four including the leader attended, all women. We had quite a lively meeting that went on for two and a half hours. As our nurse noticed, one member, Shannon talks a lot. I was spending a lot of time listening and waiting for a chance to interject things... but after our nurse commented, I realized that Shannon is unusually good at responding to a raised hand. I did that once or twice, but I'll have to do it more often in future conversations with her. {Smile}

   Around the middle of the afternoon, I called Uber. A fellow came and took me down to Safeway to get a prescription and check on more. They had two waiting, both for me. They didn't have anything for Mom. I tried to pay for it with a check, writing it out, but Safeway couldn't accept it. They needed an I.D., and the only ones their computer system would accept were a driver's license and some particular kind of passport. I cannot drive safely because of my severe, permanent vertigo, and since I've never travelled outside the U.S.A., I don't have a passport. Fortunately, they accepted my debit card, but I'm asking myself what to do about this. I really don't like going to shop there when I'm down to one acceptable payment method precisely because situations will turn up where that one is messed up. {rueful smile}

   Anyway, I contacted Uber, and a new fellow came and took me home. At least Uber is working normally. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake when I got there. I was late because teaming with Pierogies went longer than I expected. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read a littler from a friend, and a card from her sister. Next, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. then I read "The Lion and the Mouse" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. That's the Aesop's fable, if you're wondering. Lastly, I ended with the 19th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Patch's Day Out." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to take me to Safeway to get my prescriptions. Then I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. After I finished teaming for the evening, I did 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. After a long break, and with a shorter one, I did my sitting arm weight training exercises and my standing arm weight training exercises. {Smile}

   I wrote Monday's daily update before the Zoom Meeting. Then I played Cross Stitch World over and after lunch, after the meeting. After that, I cleaned myself up before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I started with paperwork. I looked around and spotted Pierogies, but he was busy in the later long, large-group event. I wasn't in a mood to join it after it had started, so I continued with the paperwork until I noticed someone advertising a high-level trial. I joined that and ran it, getting three of the six badges you can get for it on that character's first run. By the end, Pierogies was free, so we teamed up and ran a mission together. The mission went later than I hoped, which was why I was late reading to Mom. {smile}

   I did some exercise and began writing and taking notes for this between reading to Mom and dinner. I did more writing and notes in this after dinner. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I said hi to Pierogies. We teamed up and started a mission. Then Phonso said hi and invited us to a trial before we finished the mission. We left the mission for later and joined Phonso. Pierogies switched to a different character and left after the first trial. I talked with Nox for a little while before they left for bed. I stayed with Phonso as he ran two more trials. Then Phonso left, and so did most of the others. Someone invited me to a speed taskforce while one person was still teamed up with me. I asked if they could come too, since they'd been a good teammate through all three trials. They said yes, and we joined. We ran it very quickly, with a less than full team. Most were acquaintances of mine. I said goodnight fairly quickly, so I could do my salsa dancing and exercises. I did a little paperwork and Cross Stitch World around the exercises and writing this up, including notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 18, 2024

    Monday, I stayed home. I did call my doctor, and on the third try, the nurse practitioner answered. I told her my eye was better but not well, and she said she'd prescribe another week of antibiotics. I'll have to pick it up tomorrow; I'll only miss one day that way. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was pretty much awake when I got there. She seemed interested in the pictures, and even said she liked things a couple of times, though not as often as yesterday. I think the visitors and the phone call did her good. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I four cards, from her nephew, her sister, church, and myself. After that, I continued _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_. Next, I skipped over "The Fir Tree" because I doubted that she'd like the ending and read "The Little Mermaid" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_ instead. I'd be concerned about the original version of "The Little Mermaid," but I know this book doctored the ending to make it more palatable. I ended with the 18th of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Caroline's Wish." {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my arm swinging exercises, and my head exercises after we were done teaming for the evening. Then, after a short rest, I did the full 8 1/2 minutes of my regular salsa dancing warmup set for the first time since I got the root canal officially finished. After a rest, I did my standing arm weight training exercises, and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises. After another rest, I did my other three sitting arm weight training exercises. I'm pretty happy with how this is coming along. {Smile}

   I finished Sunday's daily update after breakfast. Then I read some comics and played some Cross Stitch World around the phone calls and over lunch. I cleaned myself up a while after the phone calls were done. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dark and Kitten. I talked with both and teamed up with Dark. Kitten joined us after a while. Dark left because he was tired when I needed to leave to read to Mom anyway. Dark and I said goodnight. Kitten and I hoped to see each other again after dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started to write this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Phonso, who was busy in a trial, and Kitten, who was busy in a mission. Phonso offered to let me join the next trial, but I found the offer too late. So, Kitten and I teamed up to do a mission when they got done with theirs. It fortunately ended about the time that Phonso's second trial ended, so we swiftly joined his third trial not long before it started. Nox and I talked a little before they said goodnight. Phonso, Kitten, and I ran four trials back-to-back, with some other members staying the same, but not all. Then we said goodnight, and I did my exercises. I wrote this, played Cross Stitch World, and read comics in the breaks and when I was done. Writing this included making notes for the next day, especially after I was done with my exercises. {Smile}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

Daily Update, March 7, 2024

    Thursday morning, I was getting ready to find an electrician to fix the dining room light when I realized that I'd missed a crucial step: making sure it was the light, not the bulb. With the relief nurse's help, I determined that the light bulbs we tried the night before didn't work in a floor lamp that had a working bulb. I got a working bulb screwed into the main dining room light. I thought I had another working bulb, but three bulbs I tried in the lamp that had started with the working bulb didn't work. The working bulb was now in the most important light in the room, so I stopped there, and ordered more bulbs from Amazon. I also put the non-working bulbs in a bigger box that can hold them all, and labelled it, to prevent me thinking they work in the future. 

   I also developed a sore left upper arm and shoulder Wednesday night. I wasn't paying attention to it enough to put it in yesterday's daily update, but it made itself better known overnight. but i think it encouraged me to sit quietly and not use it, even thought that meant getting none of my other plans for the day beyond dealing with the light bulb done. Well, until the relief nurse came in at 2 to point out that I hadn't had lunch yet. 

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Mom was awake and looked at the pictures with a little prompting, but my shoulder gave me so much trouble trying to hold pictures over the bed rail, which was raised, that I got up in the middle and asked the relief nurse to lower it. She did but explained that Mom had been leaning to that side, which is why she'd put it up. That's fine, but while I was reading, I really needed it down with my bad shoulder. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I started the long family Christmas letter from her niece form 2019. Then I continued _Cats on Quilts_. After that, I read "Tom Thumb" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_. I ended with a story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, the 6th of March's story, "What am I?" {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, my leg exercises (with increasing repetitions still), and my walking exercises after I finished teaming for the evening. I even added two new walking exercises inspired by Wednesday's physical therapy. I didn't do any arm exercises because of my sore arms and shoulder plus the late time getting started. {smile}

   After breakfast and working out the light bulb situation, I sat down to play a little Cross Stitch World. Next thing I knew, the nurse came in and said it was 2 pm, and I hadn't had lunch. I had lunch, then wrote my daily update. Then I cleaned myself up and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten in a farm with a friend. I joined them, both chatting and playing. Then Pierogies joined us, waiting for us to come out of the mission, since it had technically ended before he joined, and they don't let people enter a mission after it's over. We slipped in a last-minute individual mission before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After diner, I began to write this up. Then I did a little more Cross Stitch World, but not too much, I hope. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and found Dr. Faustus. He was busy with paperwork while he waited for a friend to finish a late-night long, large group event. I need to look into if those are a regular thing now. They didn't used to be, but the server grew when it became fully legitimate, so maybe there are enough to do one now. Anyway, I teamed up with Dr. Faustus and a mutual friend. We did a story arc I was just the right level to do without using time travel, which doesn't allow adding players mid-story-arc. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat world. We missed a chance to talk again. Then Dr. Faustus, our mutual friend and I started a sequel story arc. Phonso came on and joined us. Then our mutual friend left. We finished the story arc and said goodnight. Then I did my exercises, checked out an article online and made notes to write this from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, March 6, 2024

    I started physical therapy again Wednesday morning. this started by contacting Ube. they were several minutes away, so I called the public library's central number, and tried to ask what "valid proof of current mailing address was, since it looked like I was supposed to go to the circulation desk with that among other things to renew my library card. Except the person I was talking to said if I just needed it renewed, not replaced, they could do that over the phone. Uber arrived int eh middle of doing so and started to take me over. It was a driver I know, so we had a nice talk once the phone call was over. 

   Then I had a very quick time signing stuff to get the paperwork for starting this sorted, and a pleasant rest before physical therapy. They had me go downstairs. We talked about my balance and such and they had me do some exercises to challenge it. Roughly half the time I was in a... contraption. It looked like and may even have been a parachute harness, but it was attached to a channel in the ceiling, so it would catch me if I overbalanced, which I did because were definitely pushing the envelope of my balance's ability to keep me upright. When they were done, I contacted Uber, and they took me back home. There was no phone call on this trip. {Smile}

   Then Wednesday evening, I noticed the dining room light was out. I called the relief nurse, who came a day early this week, and she tried replacing it, but it still didn't turn on. I figured I'd have to find a repairman int he morning. {smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. The relief nurse is here a day early this week. Mom was awake and looked at the pictures with a little prompting. She didn't say much, but she doesn't have to. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read and showed the pictures with card from her cousin's granddaughter, her niece, and a friend. After that, I continued _Cats on Quilts_. Next, I read "Alladdin" in _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_, skipping over "Peter and the Wolf" before it, and "the Flying Trunk after it, because I didn't think she'd like them as much with their less than happy endings. I finished with a story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, the 6th of March's story, "The Last Egg" {Smile}

   All my exercise was at physical therapy Wednesday, and not a one of my standard exercises was done in the normal way. {Smile}

   I played cross stitch world while waiting in the waiting room before physical therapy, and also after lunch. Then I checked out a library eBook I want to read and started reading it. Next, I finished Tuesday's daily update, then cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Pierogies. He was very much in the mood for the characters who have trouble teaming in many groups, and for a particular zone, so we got the characters and did those until he left. Then I did a little paperwork, said hi to Dr. Faustus, and left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up, then did more Cross Stitch World and read more of the library eBook. Only then did I hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Rivka, who left shortly, and Azurette, who answered, but was busy, also to Pierogies, who was slow to respond, and to Dr. Faustus, who was busy at first. So, I started soloing. then Pierogies said hi and tried to join me. The zone I was in was having maintenance that prevented him from joining me, which is new. I finished a quick hunt and joined him in an open zone. We were still getting going when Dr. Faustus said he was free and joined us. Pierogies was getting tired, but we three did a mission. Then Pierogies left for bed, and Dr. Faustus and I did several more missions over the evening. I also talked to Nox on the chat server. Dr. Faustus and I eventually said goodnight. After that, I did paperwork, played Cross Stitch World, read more of the library eBook, and made notes to write this up from. {Smile}