Daily Update, June 14, 2023

    Today was physical therapy, so i called Uber a while after breakfast. 

   Physical therapy went pretty well. I did the most on the machine I start on before tiring yet. Then I tried faster half-circle taps and double turns, after telling how I had a little more trouble with them in faster pieces. I actually did fairly okay until I tired. The faster piece I chose, while shorter than many I use, is almost twice as long as the piece I usually practice to at physical therapy, as well as a little faster. I didn't realize how much more vigorous the half circle taps and double turns are than most of my salsa moves. 

   After therapy, I called Uber to take me home. {Smile}

   A while after dinner, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. We had a nice talk, I thought. {Smile}

   Today, I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it then I continued with a card from her sister, then one from her niece, then one from me. Then I showed her the rest of the pictures in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens Vol. 1_. I described each cat in the pictures, color and pattern, sometimes eye color and what they're doing as well. Next, I showed her the covers of the next book I picked, _Memories 1940s_, describing the pictures and reading the blurb on the back cover. Then, I read "Betty White Turns 99, and Can Stay Up as Late as She Wants, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 14th story, "Hungry Hedgehog," about a hedgehog's encounter with a barking dog whose owner called it off because the hedgehog was eating garden pests, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   Today I had physical therapy, so no exercise beyond that. {Smile}

   I finished posting yesterday's daily update between breakfast and physical therapy. Then I read comics over lunch. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with some paperwork as I tried to talk to some friends. Azurette answered, and Kitten came in. Azurette was on a team with two spaces, so we joined them. They finished one mission just as I got in, then did one more mission before breaking up. Azurette left, too. Then Perogies came in at just that moment, and Kitten and I teamed up with them. We ran most of a story arc before it was time to read to Mom. Perogies insisted we shouldn't wait for him to finish it. {Smile}

   I hopped back on City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner. As I was getting started, Auntie Barbara called. it was nice to get it before we were busy. Afterwards, as per Perogies's instructions, we finished the story arc from before dinner. Then we each ran a short solo mission. Kitten got two badges at the end, and I got three badges. Kitten ran another short solo mission, and got two more badges, including the one I got that they hadn't after the first solo mission. Then I said hi to Soothing Darkness, who invited us to the taskforce she'd answered the recruitment call for. We ran the task force with less trouble than I honestly expected. After it, everyone except Soothing Darkness, Kitten and I left. Soothing Darkness invited us to run a particular story arc with her, so we did. That took us to where I had enough time to write up notes on my day before bed, then write my update from them. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 13, 2023

    Today I stayed home. I did do a bit more work on the story I'm revising. I did more than yesterday, but I hope to work up to more writing daily. {Smile}

   I had a very long talk with our main nurse, about what he feels I'll need as far as care in the future, especially after Mom dies. It's going to be a rough time. Planning won't make it easy, but it might keep from making things even worse. {odd smile}

   Today, I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with a card from a friend of one of her sisters. Then I showed her more pictures in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens Vol. 1_. I described each cat in the pictures, color and pattern, sometimes eye color and what they're doing as well. Then I read "Student Walks 20 Miles for His First Day of Work, So Boss Gives him His Car, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 13th story, "Floppit's Picnic," about a picnic a girl and her pet bunny had, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, arm resistance, and some of my arm weight training exercises right after dinner. I did the rest of the arm weight training and all the head exercises while waiting for something to get going in City of Heroes Homecoming after that. Then I did salsa dancing warmup. {Smile}

   I finished writing yesterday's daily update after breakfast and some reading. Then I read comics over lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming a while after lunch. I started with paperwork, meaning to team up with Perogies when I was done, but they left just as I was getting to that. So, I did more paperwork as I thought about what I wanted to do. I also chatted a bit with me role playing partner. Eventually I realized it was getting towards time for the early short, large group event, taking my third best badge collector, because much of the paperwork I'd done should have improved her, though I kind of think one number is slightly lower. Anyway, I took her to the short, large-group event early, then to the long, large-group event, and she seemed pretty good now. I did make a new connection with a regular at the event, which was pretty neat.  I noticed during the later long, large group event that Perogies had said hi before the event, while I was feeding Val, so I hadn't noticed at the time. However, he was busy with the event, and didn't respond until I tried again afterwards. We had a nice chat then, until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, the exercises I did after dinner, and a lot of talking with our main nurse, I hopped into City of Heroes unusually late for me. I ended up doing more paperwork as I looked for something to do. I tried to find someone to talk to. Owl girl did respond, and we did chat, but they were busy in a task force, which you can never join after it's started. Then Phonso came in and invited me to do a task force. I jumped at that. It went pretty nicely until the end; enough so, I started chatting with Nox in the brief lulls. Then we got to the big battle at the end, and that took well over half an hour. That is a very long battle. We had a terrible time with the main villain. He kept healing so fast it took us a very long time to defeat him. by the time it was over, it was not a good time to start something new, so I worked on the paperwork that task force produced around the salsa dancing and a couple more chats with our main nurse. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 12, 2023

    Today I stayed home. I did call my aunt in the middle of the afternoon, and we had a nice chat, catching up and stuff. I also called Auntie Barbara after dinner, and we had a nice chat, too. We also caught up on stuff. {Smile}

   I also worked a little on the story. I've decided I want to set it in Loihi. There's a seamount by that name - or was. It has been officially renamed recently. However, Loihi the seamount was named after a magical floating island that would appear out of the mists at sea, then float back into the mists at the end of the story. It was home to a variety of creatures too magical to live in Hawai'i fulltime. I think it would be a great setting for fantasy with a Hawaiian flair, whether traditional or modern. Why not have Japanese, Chinese, European, and Filipino magical people move in and settle as those types of humans have? {Smile}

   Today, I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it, and continued with a few cards, from Helping Hands (our nursing company), church, another from Helping hands, and one from her sister. Then I started showing her pictures in _A Picture Book of Cute Kittens Vol. 1_. There are no words, so i tried to describe each cat in the pictures. Then I read "Florida Beermaker Creates Six-Pack Holder to Feed Turtles Instead of Killing Them, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 12th story, "Bright Feather," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, arm weight training, arm resistance and head exercises. Yes, I've added two resistance exercises, I think they're called, where I pull on stretchy bands my therapist gave me. {Smile}

   I read comics in the morning tried a little writing of the story. I feel like I need to get to know some of the characters, after a change, but I found other changes I can make right now, which is encouraging, somehow. I read comics over lunch, too, and for a little while afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes and found Perogies. I wanted to test a character I'd improved a little, and he wanted to do the early long, large group event, so we did both. Then we did a mission that was more difficult than we wanted but tested my character more thoroughly. Then I mentioned wanting to make a phone call, and he told me to do it while he worked on getting a character high enough level to be more fun to play. So that's when I called Aunt Valerie. When I came back, we just missed getting in on the later short, large-group event, which meant we arrived at the later long, large-group event early. That event and a bit of talking and paperwork afterwards took me up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, exercise, and my phone call with Auntie Barbara, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was surprised at both how few friends were on, and how little seemed to be going on with Pick Up Teams and such. However, I spotted a group that had found a giant monster and joined them for the fight. Then much of the group broke up, but a team of folks from that went on to summon the most famous summonable giant monster in the game. Again, it broke up, but a few of us - somehow, I was leading at this point - went on to summon another giant monster and fight it. Then it broke up again. I first thought to pursue more giant monsters, but when it finished breaking up, I only had one person. I got one more by advertising, and we ran some normal missions. When that person left, I got one more by advertising - it was definitely a slow night; you can usually get at least two or three, if not a full team and more interest from a few calls. Then Soothing Darkness appeared and said hi - they weren't on earlier - and I invited her to join us. However, while she was getting the character she wanted to play, the others left, so I switched characters too, and we ran a few missions together. Then we chatted - mostly roleplaying in character - while I wrote up most of this before admitting it was too late and making notes about the rest of my night. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 11, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I called Uber, and they took me to church. I had a nice, fairly chatty driver who'd taken me somewhere pretty recently. {Smile}

   I arrived a little before the service and sat with Auntie Barbara. It was a nice service, and we chat together for lunch, which was large, varied, and tasty. {Smile}

   After lunch, auntie Barbara had shopping at Island Naturals. I got some pumpkin seeds to try, since I was there. Then she took me home, and visited with Mom for a bit, singing four songs with Mom, since we did get Mom to sing before Auntie Barbara went home due to groceries in the car. {Smile}

   Today, I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it first, aa few cards, from church, a cousin, her cousin's Granddaughter, and me. Then I finished showing her pictures in _The 'Flower Garden" Vintage Fine Art Picture Book_. Again, I described each picture a little, since there were no words to read.  Then I picked out A Picture Book of Cute Kittens Vol. 1. Then I read "Michael J. Fox Raises $1 Billion to Beat Parkinson's," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 11th story "Biff and Buff," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber before church. I really should do this more often. It was wonderful to know they were out of the way so soon. {Grin}

   I wrote yesterday's daily update after coming home from church. then I cleaned up and read a few comics before letting Kitten know I was ready to hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming. and doing so. There, I found Perogies, and Kitten came in fairly quickly. We talked and chatted a fair bit. I chatted a little with Soothing Darkness, too, but we didn't get together. Then Perogies, Kitten, and I teamed up and started a low-to-mid level story arc. The three of us did the first couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I read more comics, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming a bit later than I expected. I teamed up with Kitten, and we worked on that arc, since Perogies had insisted we continue without him. I also chatted briefly with Soothing Darkness again. Kitten and I We were maybe 1-2 missions from the end when Phonso invited us to do a strike force. We worked more diligently to finish, then joined him. We ran it twice, with Phonso switching characters, but neither I nor Kitten doing so. Afterwards, Kitten, another player, and I chatted a fair while. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 10, 2023

    My day started with physical therapy, so I called Uber. They found a driver, and then the driver changed, as it does infrequently. My second driver Alan. We were so happy to see each other; it had been weeks! We chatted the whole way over, catching up. {SMILE}

   I had physical therapy when the patient before me was through. It went pretty well. I got in a couple of passes with the salsa dancing and worked in the not-quite-hops. It's tricky, but I'm getting them into steps which move a little, not just the ones in place. i think I ought to be able to get them into tapping steps eventually, too, but I'm not ready for that yet. {Smile}

   I took Uber back home afterwards and got a normally chatty driver.

   Our housekeeper was busy at work when I got back. Our house is definitely cleaner for her attentions. {Smile}

   Today, I had breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I read scripture and thoughts about it first, and more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas after that. Then I showed her pictures in _The 'Flower Garden" Vintage Fine Art Picture Book_. She responded to it more again today, so I didn't try a second book. Again, I described each picture a little, since there were no words to read. Then I read "Small-Scale Tanzanian Miner Gets Rich Overnight, Then Builds School and Health Clinic," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 10th story "The Greedy Pair," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   No exercise beyond physical therapy today. {Smile}

   I read comics over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started on paperwork and looked around but didn't really see anyone to join. I was wondering about joining the later short, large-group event, when Perogies came on. We chatted a bit, and teamed up on the slightly higher littles until it was time to read to Mom instead of the large group events. 

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming particularly quickly. I was hoping that Kitten was ready, since they'd left a note during dinner. However, they weren't ready quite as quickly as I hoped, so I did some more paperwork, and maybe read a few more comics. Then Kitten did come in, and we teamed up, doing a lower-mid-level story arc. We were just finishing up when Phonso invited us to the strike force he started with earlier this week. When we joined, Owl Girl was on the team too. We ran it, and he offered to run it again. I missed talking to Nox, beyond saying goodnight. Owl Girl left for "owl business," but Kitten and I ran it again, Kitten on the same character, because they rarely play any other, and me on a different character, to get a particular reward that's only once every 18 hours per character. Then Phonso left to go eat, and the team broke up. Kitten and I meant to talk, but we've been mostly quiet. I have read more comics. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 9, 2023

    Well, I called the vet before breakfast, and they called back, but I managed to hang up getting my phone out of my pocket. Calling back just got the answering machine., at least until I thought of trying a different number than the medicine refill number in the phone tree. Appointments and billing got a real, live person I was able to talk to about the medicine. They wanted me to pick it up tomorrow, but I thought that would be difficult. i called back to say it would be very difficult indeed, with my Physical therapy in late morning tomorrow. They assured me that I could pick it up after one today. {Smile}

   After lunch and some personal care, I did call Uber, and a nice gal took me down. We chatted a bit, and I enjoyed the scenery when we ran out of things to say. At the vet's office, i picked up the medicine easily, promising to take it straight home, since they were concerned that it's supposed to be refrigerated. I did so, calling Uber and getting a little chattier guy this time, though we didn't chat the whole way. {Smile}

   Today, I had breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I first read scripture and thoughts about it and next read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas. Then I showed her pictures in _The 'Flower Garden" Vintage Fine Art Picture Book_. She didn't respond to it as much today, so I tried a few pictures from _The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue._ She responded more to that. Neither have words, s o I was describing the pictures, but the second one is more stylized, with less shading. the nurse pointed out she wasn't wearing her glasses today; maybe the simpler pictures were easier for h er to see without her glasses. Both don't have words, just pictures, so I tried to describe each picture a bit. Next, I read "Man Graduates from the Same University Where He Started as a Janitor," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 8th story - actually a poem called "The Dragonfly," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my head and arm swinging exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to the vet to pick up Val's medicine. it was nice getting them out of the way earlier, and they require neither extra equipment, like the other arm exercises, or a particular wall and railing like the walking exercises. I was able to do them out in the carport while watching for the Uber car. I did my walking and arm weight training pretty late int eh evening, but I got them done, too. {Smile}

   I wrote up yesterday's daily update between breakfast and lunch, and warned Kitten and Perogies I would be late before going to the vet. When I got home, I finally hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around, did some paperwork, and found Kitten just before I joined the later long, large-group event, having just missed the later short, large-group event. We teamed up to do another lower mid-level story arc, preparing us to get a badge each. (I thought it was two, but no, just one. {smile}) That took us up to time to read to Mom; in fact, we pushed it slightly to get it all done, but I was happy. {Smile}

   Between reading to Mom and dinner, I helped Kitten find a badge they'd earned without the usual notification about it. I had the same problem when I got the badge after coming back on after dinner. I did some paperwork and started chatting with Soothing Darkness. Then I suggested we team up, and she started running individual missions with a strong theme of doing good. Kitten joined us during the first mission, and after the second or third, we ran into Owl Girl and a couple of owl friends of hers. They joined us for a few missions, and I slipped in one arm weight training exercise, and chatted with Nox on the chat server. Then the three owls suddenly left. Soothing Darkness, Kitten, and I continued. Then we wound down, with Soothing Darkness telling her characters extensive backstory. Kitten listened until a friend needed them in a task force, which they left to join. I remembered my exercises and slipped in my walking and arm weight training, as well as writing this update. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 8, 2023

    After breakfast, I found note from my counselor saying she was having trouble starting the counselling on my insurance's website. She tried to have me start it, but I couldn't find my password, and her next appointment time conflicted with my physical therapy next Wednesday. I did have a lot I wanted to talk about, so I didn't really want to postpone it even further. So, we ended up using Zoom. My provider is free when they'll cover it, but they were quoting between 4 and 5 times the co-pay for a Zoom appointment, to hold it on their site without being able to confirm my plan's coverage. When we finally got it, we did have a nice session. We got much covered and had no trouble scheduling the next appointment. {Smile}

   I tried to call the vet when I discovered I was almost out of one of Val's medicines, but they were closed for lunch. I meant call again, but I forgot. I'll need to remember to call them tomorrow. {rueful smile}

   I got a call from our former nurse after dinner. We had a nice chat, catching each other up on what's been going on in our lives. {Smile}

   Today, I had lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas. Then I showed her pictures in _The 'Flower Garden" Vintage Fine Art Picture Book_. It arrived today; I ordered it after she responded so well to the pictures of the old vogue covers. I wanted to see if it was the art, or the lack of shading that she liked... she liked this too, responding to it more, so maybe it's the art. I can get more art books as occasions come up. Since it doesn't have words, just pictures, i do try to describe each picture a bit, and she does look at them. Next, I read "Jimmy Carter's Solar Panels Power Half His Hometown," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 8th story, "The Big Baby," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures, especially the pictures of flowers in gardens and flower stands in the art book. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises after dinner. I'd like to do them even earlier, but at least it wasn't later. {Smile}

   I wrote yesterday's daily update before and after lunch. When I was done, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Soothing Darkness on, but she was unresponsive. As I was starting on paperwork, I noticed a moderately large event starting. I checked and found that my third highest badge collector didn't have anything from it and ran it on her. I knew she'd get at least one badge, and she actually got all six badges the first time. After that, I did a little paperwork, and noticed my RP partner was in the zone where the long, large-group events happen. I checked the time, and since the later short, large-group event had started, I went to join him in waiting for later long, large-group event. I mainly wanted to say hi, and maybe chat. Not long after I got there, a friend I hadn't seen in months came in, and was greeted by a few, including by me. My RP partner greeted him particularly warmly, maybe in part because he was on a character who would, being close. I had the returnee down as last being spotted among my friends in January, but at some point, he'd been deleted from my friend's list, in spite of me not meaning to do so. I quickly added him and assured him it was an accident. He assured me it happens. We ran the raid, and I did some paperwork before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught up on comics, and got the phone call from our former nurse. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies was on. He was too tired to play, but wanted to tell me about his day, and that he was personally okay before going to bed. I really appreciated it, since it's rare not to see him all afternoon like I hadn't yesterday. Then I found the returnee doing some paperwork of his own, and we chatted about what's been keeping him busy. I also got some paperwork of my own done and was looking into soloing stuff when Phonso invited me to a couple of task forces, which I both ran and tried to help him find folks for, especially since it was a slow night. I barely talked to Nox before they went to bed, too. I talked a fair bit with Owl girl, who was running the task force we've been doing recently and didn't want to switch. Instead, I joined her for the next run after Phonso's second finished and stayed with the group for one more run. I added the leader to my easily contactable friends, so I can contact them to find out when they're doing it in the future, since he does it a lot. Then I ended the night with more paperwork and making notes to help me write this up the next morning. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 7, 2023

    Today - well, yesterday - was physical therapy, so after breakfast I summoned Uber, and a nice, chatty driver took me to Life Care Center. I really enjoyed the ride over today. {Smile}

   I had a good session. We are working on plans to add more steps to the salsa dancing. Some may not be traditional - the first we came up with is more like a schottische - but it works to the music and adds variety to the dancing. It has a "lift," which looks kind of like a hop, but doesn't leave the ground. {Smile}

   Afterwards, I summoned Uber and a pleasant if quieter driver took me home. That worked out nicely. {Smile}

   I called Auntie Barbara after dinner, and we had a nice chat. {Smile}

   Today, I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it first, and more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas next. Then I showed her more pictures in _Exploring Kittens_. I started to stop, planning to finish tomorrow, but then decided to show her the rest today, so we finished that book today. I think she really enjoys the pictures. Since it doesn't have words, just pictures, i do try to describe each picture a bit, and she does look at them. Next, I read "Doctor Runs 22 Miles with a Mask to Prove Oxygen's the Same," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 6th story, "The Grateful Elf," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures, especially the pictures of kitties being kitties. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise beyond physical therapy. That's enough for one day. {Grin}

   I wrote some of yesterday's daily update before physical therapy. Then I read comics over lunch, since it is hard to eat and write at the same time. After lunch, I wrote up the rest of yesterday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork and checked for friend. Soothing Darkness was on, but she looked to be busy with a full team, so I finished the paperwork and started playing by myself, hunting for badges for my fifth best badge-collector. For the top five characters, their ranking in this is clear; after five, it becomes much less clear.) Eventually, Perogies came in. We teamed up on the slightly older and higher new low-level characters, doing the story arc that followed the last two arcs we'd done on them. Then we decided what to do on them next, but didn't start because it was time to read to Mom. 

   After dinner and the phone call, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. No friends were on, but I saw a perennially popular task force being advertised openly, so I joined it. (This is how the pick-up-groups I mentioned form, and yes, it was one.) It was really slow for the first few missions, because the settings were so challenging. Thankfully, the leader lowered them a lot for the last two missions, since those are really tough. Afterwards, I researched some stuff on the general internet, then hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Owl Girl just getting ready to start the task force that Freaky gave up on because the pick-up-groups went less than well. However, Owl Girls was with a group that knows it, and they let me in. We ran it, and I got a pretty decent reward. We ran it again, and I learned that best reward is only once every 18 hours. Well, next time I know. After that, I worked on this update, writing some, and making notes for the rest. had to finish it the next day, and actually worked on it right after lunch. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 6, 2023

    Yesterday I stayed home, and mostly took things easy. This allowed me to do better on my exercises, as I'll explain more in the usual place. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and followed that with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas. After that, I showed her more pictures in _Exploring Kittens_. It's one of these books with no words, so I told her what I saw in each picture. She was definitely looking too but this made sure she had time to look while I talked. Next, I read "Ozone Hole Gets Smaller Since 1982, Scientists Claim," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 6th story, "The Two Friends," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures, especially the pictures of kitties being kitties. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, arm weight training, and head exercises after lunch this time. It was nice to know they were out of the way even in the afternoon. I should try exercising earlier more often. At the usual time, I started my salsa dancing, and got 25 minutes in, including both warmup and less structured dancing. I was a bit tired and winded after the second set, but I recovered enough in time to do a little over 5 minutes. By then it was late to continue, and I was winded again, so I stopped for the evening, but this is an improvement. {SMILE}

   I read comics over lunch and continued reading them for a little while afterwards. Then I noticed a message from Kitten on chat server that prompted me to hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork and checked around. I didn't find Kitten but saw that Perogies was busy in the early long, large-group event. So, I messaged Kitten on the chat server and did some more paperwork. Then Kitten came in. We teamed up and started the next arc int eh series we're working on for badges. After a couple of missions, Perogies came free, but we couldn't add anyone after it began. We hoped to finish and add him for the next, but the fourth mission got stuck. We left, and Kitten just disappeared. So Perogies and I decided to team up on new low-level characters. Kitten joined us after a while; they'd just disconnected. That's been happening more recently; I don't know why. After a few missions Perogies left. Then Kitten and I went back to the characters we'd been on and tried to rush through the arc to the new part. We actually finished the whole story arc a little late to read to Mom, which I still did.

   After dinner, I found Kitten in a full team. That team added me when they had a space and had told Kitten I wanted to join. We finished the story arc someone was doing. Kitten got a badge for the character I was on while I took a short break. When I came back, Phonso invited us to a task force. He was fed up with pick-up-groups of the strike force we'd done the last two nights and wanted something easier. The one he picked went without a hitch, and faily quickly, too. So he did another task force. I started chatting with Nox whiile waiting to start. I also started chatting with Paradox and Owl Girl on the chat server at the same time. They would have joined the second task force if I'd mentioned it before it was too full. That task force went well, too. I chatted with Kitten after the task force. We met up with a friend of theirs, and tried to team up with them, but it got too late.  Kitten and their friend eventually teamed up without me as I started my salsa dancing. Later, I took out the story I've been meaning to get back to writing, and accepted changes I'd made before. This is my way of preparing to track new changes as I work on it more. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 5, 2023

    Today, I called Uber, and went to my driver. i got a nice, chatty driver who remembered taking me to the same church his grandma used to go to. I think I remember his telling me that was his grandma's church. I didn't know her; she went to eh early service, which i never get to, and it might have been when Dad and I rarely made it on time to the late service. {Smile}

   I arrived early, and waited a while, but the appointment went well. Most of my numbers were good, or at least better. My nurse asked about some later, and I was able to hand him the whole printout he doctor gave me. I figured he knew what it meant better than I do. {Smile}

   The driver home was less chatty, but it was a nice ride, too. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it and followed that with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from last Christmas. After that, I started showing her pictures in _Exploring Kittens_. Its' one fo these books with no words, so I told her what I saw in each picture. She was definitely looking too but this made sure she had time to look while I talked. Next, I read "Missing Three-Year-Old found Safe Next to a Loyal Dog," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 5th story, "The Lost Ball," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. (These stories are very short, but each comes with a picture and a title... I might as well start mentioning the titles.) Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures, especially the kitties. {Smile}

   I did the walking, arm swinging, and two standing arm weight training exercises after dinner. Then I did the four sitting arm weight training and the head exercises, which are all sitting, during a lull in the game. {Smile}

   I read comics over lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. I let Kitten know onteh chat server that I was going in, and they followed me. We met up with each other and Perogies. I'd hoped to finish the arc Perogies and I had done most of, but Perogies had finished it alone in the meantime. I really need to remember it's just not special to most players. Instead, we teamed up with Perogies and I on our low-level characters, and Kitten on their recent character, who's already max normal level, but not equipped well yet. We ran two story arcs completely, running right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and the walking and standing arm exercises, I hopped into City of Heroes, Homecoming, again letting Kitten know on the chat server that I was going in. I found Azurette and Soothing Darkness. Azurette didn't respond, but Soothing Darkness did, and got me onto their team. As I was joining them, Kitten came in. They had to wait until the mission was done for another spot to open up, but one did, and they joined. We did a few missions together, ending with that complicated one. I was on a different character than previously with that one. Phonso came in while we were doing that complicated mission, and three of us joined him for the task force we did yesterday when it was done. it went much more smoothly this time; like I've learned to expect Taskforces to go under Phonso. After that it was late enough, we just chatted on and off... and Owl Girl chatted with us later, too. {Smile}