Daily Update, November 30, 2023

    Today was so rainy, I got a note from our deacon delaying her next visit until next week. We'll see what happens. {Smile}

   I also got text messages from Auntie Barbara. She's having "minor flooding." You know, the kind that's always more minor when it's not your own garage. {lop-sided smile}

   Our relief nurse didn't come in today. she lives to the south, which Auntie Barbara does, too. She probably had too much rain and flooding to deal with traffic too. {concerned look}

   I got a call from our former nurse after dinner. Yes, he's having trouble with the rain and flooding too. Hilo's prepared for some rain, but all you need is a bit more to start having trouble. {resigned look}

   I thought about web fiction sites some more and asked a few friends about their opinions. I also discussed it a bit with my counselor. I'm not sure if I'll figure out a way to make that work for me or not. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I got there, but she closed them for parts where it was mainly words. She opened them for pictures, and even spoke a few times. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I showed her the last several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She kept looking at the cute kittens as I described each picture a bit in lieu of words to read, so I ended up continuing until I finished the book. Next, I started reading My Little pony: 5 Minute Stories. I read the Introduction and the first story, "the Royal Wedding." I finished with the 30th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Happy Harriet." Harriet had a smile that seemed to be contagious. If she heard the milkman before she went to school, she'd run out with a basket to save him walking up the lane. He smiled when he saw her happy little face. If it was cold or rainy, she kept herself cheerful by skipping and humming a happy tune. She smiled at anyone who looked cold or miserable, and they smiled back, Even crying babies started gurgling if she stopped to play with them. She visited her grandmother every Saturday, and always took flowers from the garden. now there weren't any flowers, but she found some leaves and berries, and arranged them. Granny smiled and said they were lovely. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Azurette and Kitten to get together in City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner. I'd been slow, so when I was finally ready, they'd found things to keep busy with, and had to get done and come back. After we finished teaming for the evening, I did my walking exercises, then my leg exercises, followed by my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then, after another break, I did my arm resistance exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch, along with finishing yesterday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to catch the early short, large-group event on the character who levelled last night. This is the first time she's been high enough to join it. Until last night, she was too low level to enter the zone it's in. Pierogies was there, so we started talking. Then he asked me what I wanted to do. I chose the early long, large-group event next, since I know he loves it, and this character was better prepared for it than she ever has been before. After that, he wanted to Kitten joined us, and Pierogies wanted to do the high-level arc we were doing. So, we all got good characters for that. We had one mission left, but we each had to lead it, because that's how the game works. Then we continued with the next arc, doing the first two or three missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to do the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up. Then Kitten caught me while I was working on a personal chore. I finished, and we teamed up. Kitten had a particular project that we had to figure out how to start. The first couple of way we tried didn't work. As we were figuring out how to make it work, I spotted Azurette, and started chatting with her. I invited her, but failed to tell Kitten what I was doing, so they got bored, and started to get snacks just as Azurette and I were finally ready to start. However, we got back together, and ran the story arc Kitten needed to do to develop a new character they're making. I also started chatting with Nox on the chat server. I talked with Owl Girl, too. Kitten joined Owl Girl and me at times. Paradox joined the three of us at one point, too. Azurette, Kitten, and I finished the story arc in time for just a little chatting before I started my exercises. Meroa said hi just then, and asked what I was doing. I told them I was starting my exercises, but the others might still be playing. Haiden joined the discussion with Nox while I was exercising, which livened it up. I also wrote this, switching to making notes as it got late. Again, I had to finish writing the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 29, 2023

    Wednesday was a mostly quiet day. I did have a phone call with the secretary from our nursing company. It was nice to talk to her. {Smile}

   I did more research into web fiction sites, and realized different sites are likely to fit different stories better. Also, I don't know that I'm cut out to write the long stuff that seems so popular in web fiction, so the web may not be my best choice. I'll have to see. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were open when I got there, but she closed them for parts where it was mainly words, but still opened them for pictures. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then, I showed her the next few pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She looked at the cute kittens as I described each picture a bit in lieu of words to read. After that, I read a longer story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Well, by that' book's standards it was longer: 4 pages instead of 1 or 2. Last, I finished with the 29th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "James's Visitor." James had to stay in bed with a bad cold and an earache. He couldn't have visitors. His mother was worried because he didn't want to eat his food or take his medicine. Suddenly she remembered a music box she'd found weeks ago: a little painted wooden box shaped like a cottage with a key sticking out of it. She bought it to give to James on a special occasion and stashed it in a drawer.  {Smile}

   Teaming in the evening ran late because when I'd normally stop, I got the finale of the story arc I'd started earlier this evening. Finishing it was just too tempting, so I ran it ending at a good time to start my salsa dancing warmup.  After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then after another break I did my walking exercises. After yet another break, I did my arm resistance exercises, and my head exercises. I missed my leg exercises, but that's all I really missed, since I'm not ready to resume my arm swinging exercises or arm weight training exercises yet. {Smile}

   I read articles as well as did most of that research in the morning and over lunch. Then I remembered to write up yesterday's daily update after lunch. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late for the early short, large group event, and didn't see most of the regulars on. However, I did see a high-level trial being run for a particular badge. I checked, and it was the last badge my best badge collector needed for another badge. I joined it, and I got those two badges when we ran it. The leader then mentioned another high-level trial run for a particular badge. It turned out to be the last my best badge-collector needed for another, similar badge. So, I stayed on the same character, ran the next high-level trial, and got those badges, too. Still not seeing anyone around, I did the paperwork those trials had made. Then I joined a mid-level team on a mid-level character I felt like playing. I figured I'd get to lay twice as much as if I waited for the later short, large-group event. I stopped a bit before time to read to Mom and did some of the paperwork that character had accumulated because I wasn't sure I'd finish the next mission in time. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming for the late-night short, large-group event. Then I ducked out of the game long enough to start writing this up. Next, I hopped back in and started checking my characters. Kitten mewed at me, and we teamed up. I checked with Ulty, but she was busy.  Another friend didn't respond when I said hi, so Kitten and I started running the character I've been working to get through her missions at the level she's at and got her through the last contact who she could out-level before she levelled. The quiet friend finally responded, and joined us after the first mission, maybe partway through the second, I think. Then all three of us finished a story arc my character only had the finale left to do. It was more talking and less action than I expected, so we went right into the next story arc. I started talking with Nox on the chat server, too. My character levelled during that story arc, since I've finally been letting her gain experience again for last couple of day. That's the story arc that ran a little into my exercise time. I kept talking with Nox, and started talking with Kitten and Owl girl on the chat server after I finished teaming. I also checked my characters, and worked on writing this, switching to making notes as it got late. I had to convert the notes to proper writing and share it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 28, 2023

    Today was Tuesday. I got a message from my doctor when I first woke up. They answered my question pretty clearly. That was a huge relief. {SMILE}

   I started researching sites that host web novels. At first, I just tried listing pros and cons of each site, but before I finished the first, I started listing popular genres too. I thought web fiction looked promising... now I'm not so sure. But it's really too soon to say yes or no. So, I'll see how it goes. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were open when I got there. She barely spoke, but she looked at all the pictures. I Started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I showed her the next several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She looked at all the cute kittens intently enough I showed her more pages than I planned to, describing each picture a bit in lieu of words. Next, I read a poem, a short story and a slightly longer story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Next, I finished with the 28th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Cozy Nest." Pippa flew around, twittering plaintively. Nettie the Nightingale asked Pippa why she was still here when all the other swallows had left for Africa. Pippa fluffed herself up to keep out the chilling wind, and complained she didn't want to fly all that way. Weren't there some kind friends who'd help her? Nellie invited her to warm up in her nest while she thought where Pippa could spend the winter. She suggested Mr. Thomas's loft, since he always leaves the window cracked open. {Smile}

   After attending a vigil in City of Heroes: Homecoming for a while after teaming and paperwork wound down, I left my character up while I did my walking exercises, my leg exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and my head exercises. then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set, too. {Smile}

   This morning I read a lot of articles, as well as looking at sites that host web novels. I did those after lunch, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming early enough to join the early short, large group event. I found Pierogies there, as well. After that, Pierogies wanted to do the early long, large group event. Paradox came in and joined us, too. Then Pierogies wanted to continue the high-level story arc we'd started a few days ago. While I was looking for the right character, Paradox left again. Then Pierogies found his character, and we ran the next mission. He was tired enough to leave after that, so I did a bunch of paperwork on the character who'd just done both large group events and the mission. When I was done, I notice d I just had time to join the later short, large-group event, so I switched characters, ran it, and did paperwork that had piled up on that character until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back in time for the late night short, large-group event. it's a rare day when I catch all three short, large-group events, but I did Tuesday. Then I started writing this up. I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming when Paradox was interested in going back in while waiting for a friend in another game. We teamed up and did one mission. Then they went to join their friend. I said hi in the discussion with Nox, Radio and Haiden, but didn't get a response quickly. Such are chat-servers; sometimes folks are busy. I did what paperwork the character I'd just used had. Then I noticed a vigil was going on for a player who'd died quite recently and went to it. I don't know the player who died, but I know some of their friends. Nox said hi around the time I joined the vigil. We chatted off and on while I was at the vigil, and while I did my exercises and salsa dancing. Paradox came on and we started chatting in other conversations shortly before Nox left. I stayed at the vigil as much as my computer allowed me to, since it disconnected during the salsa dancing and was fussy about reconnecting after the salsa dancing. I ended up making notes towards the end and finishing writing this up and sharing it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 27, 2023

    I tried to call my primary care physician, but only got as far as his answering machine. I tried to call my gynecologist, too, but got the after-hours message when I was ready to leave a message, so I didn't even leave a message. I'll have to try both tomorrow. {small smile}

   I got a phone call from our former nurse. we had a nice chat but ran out of things to say in time for me to do my full salsa dancing after that, which worked out perfectly. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I got there. She didn't speak, but she looked a lot. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020 next. Then I continued with the next several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She was sure looking at the cute kittens. Since there are no words, I described each picture a bit. After that, I read a story and several poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_, I sang two poems I knew tunes to, and realized I didn't remember a third tune as well as I hoped. I finished with the 26th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Old Photographs." Anna and her younger sister, Karen, complained that it was raining. That ruined plans to take their dog, Beano, for a walk. Mummy pointed out that Beano didn't mind. He was sleeping in front of the fire. Mummy brought out a thick photo album. She said it was nearly 100 years old. There were pictures of ladies in long dresses and funny hats in a park the girls considered theirs. Mummy said it was the ladies' park then. One lady had a big lump at the back of her dress. It was their great-great-grandmother. She was wearing a bustle, which was elegant back then. Mummy said their clothes would look quaint in 100 years. Anna hadn't thought of that. {Smile}

   After teaming, I did my walking exercises. Doing them normally left my arm and shoulder feeling normal, so next I did my leg exercises, which I'd been avoiding because I brace myself with both arms. I detected no trouble there, either. Then I started my salsa dancing warmup to have it interrupted by our former nurse's phone call. After that, I did a full warmup set of salsa dancing. Then after a distinctly shorter break than usual, I did one song of the less structured set. I took a pretty short break before doing the second, so I got the normal amount of salsa dancing done, with just a smidgeon more from the false start due to the phone call. {Smile}

   I read comics, articles, and a little of one of the web novels in the morning and over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to join the early long, large-group event, which Pierogies had already joined, and was waiting to start up. After that, Pierogies and I teamed up, and started running missions. We ran quite a few together, working on clearing some of one character's missions which I do want to do before she starts the home stretch to the end game. Paradox joined us for the last couple before we broke so I could read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late-night short, large-group event. Then I began writing this up. I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming when a comment got Paradox interested in joining me there. We teamed up, and I said hi to Ulty and the friend I teamed with recently. Ulty was busy roleplaying with a friend, but the other friend joined us around the end of the first mission Paradox and I did. I also chatted with Haiden, Nox and Radio through much of the evening. We did several more missions together before Paradox left for the evening, and the other friend for what he thought would be a short break. I worked on paperwork while he was gone. However, when he came back, he realized he was needed elsewhere before we got going. After that, more paperwork before I started my exercises. I said goodnight to Haiden first, then Nox, and lastly Radio. I read articles, did some paperwork and badge hunting and wrote this up and posted it after Radio left. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 26, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me there. He said he'd mostly been picking people up from the airport today until I called. With it being the last day of Thanksgiving weekend, I bet a lot of folks are either going back to their home island, or coming back from where they went for the weekend. {Smile}

   I got there a little before the service, so I had time to settle in. The service honored. the Holy Sovereigns, as they were calling Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma. It was very well done. We had a man and a few women representing a Hawaiian order that dates back to the kingdom in the front row. {Smile}

   After the service, I checked with our priest about memorial poinsettias, as well as replacements plaques for two of my grandparents: Mom's mother, and Dad's father. All four grandparents had plaques on pews, but we only find two now. Our priest is still looking for them before ordering new ones, or even discussing how much I might donate for replacements. Yes, I've offered to donate for the replacements, though I follow that with my hopes that it won't be as expensive as the first donations, since we donated for the first plaques already. {Smile}

   I sat with Auntie Barbara for lunch. We had a nice talk, including with those we sat next to. since church has long tables that encourage visiting. Then she took me home, and visited with Mom, singing several songs with her again. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I started showing her pictures and stayed open after that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I started reading _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She was tired at first, but I think she got interested int eh cute kittens. Next, I read a few poems, singing one I knew a tune to, and then read a story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 26th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Make-Believe." The narrator says that after Mummy said goodnight, and before they fall asleep, they like to imagine being someone quite different. last night, they were Tarzan, with a pet lion they'd rescued from a trap as a cub. The lion let him ride him and protected him. He slept at his feet and roared loudly at everyone except Tarzan. Then he says goodnight to Mummy and decides to be an underwater explorer looking for treasure in a very old ship. Then it's morning; he's been dreaming. {Smile}

   I started to do an arm exercise, then remembered I'm giving my arms a rest. So, I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening, then my salsa dancing warmup set. After a longer break than I meant, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. For the second piece, I tried a new piece. It was good for about 3 minutes. Then it sped up, so I did one of my shorter pieces. I definitely got more salsa dancing than usual done. I'm kind of glad, because I'd been hoping to get my leg exercises, but it got late enough, I think I'd better start them tomorrow, if I have as little trouble with my shoulders as I did today. {Smile}

   I wrote up yesterday's daily update after I came home and read some Sunday comics. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies was in the early long, large-group event. I joined, but it was fairly close to done, so I didn't do it long. They had a small group that day. After that, we teamed up. We thought Kitten was asleep, but then Kitten came back into the game. So Kitten joined our team, and we all got our warshades. We did the rest of the warshade story arc just in time for me to read to Mom. Well, there's another arc in a few levels, and the last arc a few levels after that, but we've done what we can until I gain some more levels. {Smile}

   After dinner, I was just too late to join the late-night short, large-group event. So, I read some comics, then hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming when Kitten got my attention. However, they were quiet in the game, even though it wsn't that many minutes later. They must have fallen asleep in the small window between trying to get my attention and me responding. Instead, I teamed up with another friend who was doing some missions. When we finished his story arc, we debated who's to do next, and ended up keeping going with his. I also chatted with Hayden and Nox on the chat server. Eventually, the fellow quit for a while, and I did some paperwork until starting my exercises. I checked some paperwork in City of Heroes; Homecoming and started badge hunting. Gargle Ripper invited me to a farm, but it was one for folks who were actively participating only, and I had to finish my salsa dancing, so I bowed out. I finished writing this up, but later than I like. I need to work harder on getting done earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 25, 2023

    Auntie Barbara came over around noon. She visited with Mom, and we sang a bunch of songs - the nurse said eight of them. That's one of her best visits recently. {SMILE}

   Then we went out, and joined Michelle, who waited in the car as usual. We caught up on the way down to Wailoa Park, particularly learning about Michelle's Saturday job that she finished early enough to come to the picnic today. We found an empty small, one-table pavilion. I took salad and water, which were both good, since Auntie Barbara's only salad was sweet potato salad, and no one else brought drinks to share. Teh food was very good, and mostly traditional: turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce... Sweet potato salad was as close as we got to regular potatoes, I think. There was a coconut and sweet potato dish that was a traditional Pacific basin dish, but not particularly associated with Thanksgiving. It was very good, though. {Smile}

   After lunch we took a walk up with park until Auntie Barbara was ready to turn around. Then we went back to the car, and drove over to Liliu'okalani Gardens, and the "ice cream parlor" where Auntie Barbara and I got popsicles, and Michelle got ice cream. I almost got blueberry cream, but then I spotted liliko'i (passion fruit) cream and got that instead. They've added tables and chairs and moved the popsicle freezers into a room that had been storage only, and added a counter, a table, and stools. That is doing amazingly well for a business that was brand new in the pandemic. Mind you, it's still not fancy, but it's looking good. We ate int eh car, then they took me home. {Smile}

   After I got home, I got a surprise call from my cousin Nancy, who lives on Oahu. It's been too long since we've talked; we both agree. Maybe we'll get more going, at least for holidays or something. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open, but she was quiet again. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I moved on to more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I finished _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. After that, I read a slightly longer story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 25th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Cleo's Hat." Cleo was a timid young marmot. When gentlemen marmots spoke to her, she was too shy to answer, so they went away. Her friends said she'd never marry. There was going to be a ball, where ladies sometimes wore hats. Cleo said she didn't have a hat, so she couldn't go, but she really didn't want to. The morning of the ball, her friends brought her a beautifully decorated straw hat covered with flowers, leaves, and berries, which they'd made specially for her, so she had to go. On the way to the ball, the hat blew off her head and was spoiled. Cleo cried, because it had been a beautiful hat. A handsome marmot told her to dry her eyes, for she looked pretty without a hat. Then he offered his arm. She lost her hat, but she found a husband. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening finished. My arm felt enough better, I didn't\' avoid using the arm that has been giving me trouble to brace myself during the walking exercises, and I did fine. No trouble. If that continues, I'll try bracing myself while I do my leg exercises, too.  Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After a slightly shorter break, I did my head exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning, and a little after the picnic. Then Nancy's phone call came in. After the phone call, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I think I was too late for either early event, but Pierogies and Kitten were both on, so we teamed up, choosing warshades to work on next. We started the next warshade arc, doing the first few missions, with a pause to talk in there, too. We stopped when it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this. Next, I read a couple of short comics, and hopped over to the chat server, where Kitten and Paradox both said they'd join me in City of Heroes: Homecoming. So, I went in there, and noticed a low-level trial I knew a character needed. I almost got the wrong character, but checked, realized my mistake, and switched in time. After that, I teamed up with Kitten, Paradox, Ulty, and a fellow who hung around after the trial. We ran the rest of a story arc I had. I also chatted a bit with Radio's boyfriend, who's name is Hayden, and Nox on the chat server. Then the team broke up, with Ulty and the new fellow heading to bed, Paradox heading out to wind down for the evening, and even Kitten going offline for a fair while. It was late enough that I got a bunch of paperwork done instead of joining something new. Then Kitten came back in time for an individual mission or two and a hunt before I started my exercises. I chatted with them on the chat server for a while after that, until they left. Then I watched videos, read several more comics, and talked with Kitten a little more when they woke up and said hi.

Daily Update, November 24, 2023

   I got a nice long phone call from our former nurse in the evening. We had a good talk about both things we have done recently, and things we hope to do in the future. Thanksgiving definitely was part of that. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open the whole time again, and she was looking at things when I showed them to her, but she still barely spoke. I started by reading scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I continued _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. Next, I read some a story followed by some poems from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 24th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Roast Chestnuts." It was actually a poem about how roasting chestnuts is a fun activity for colder nights. Also, how roast chestnuts make a tasty treat. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening. I tried using the bad shoulder on one pass. It didn't hurt, so I finished that, but it tensed a little, so I went back to using only the other arm. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. I didn't remember to do my head exercises until a while after the phone call, but I did get that done too. {Smile}

   I read articles, comics and web novels in the morning. Somehow, lunch was later than usual, so I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming pretty soon after that. Kitten commented about how early I got in. Perogies and Kitten had joined the early long, large-group event, so I joined them. After that, we teamed up. I meant to do one mission, then start the next warshade special arc, but somehow the mission was actually 2 missions with talking in the middle. Also, the missions were long enough, they took me close enough to time to read to Mom, we just talked a bit after that. I guess we'll start the next warshade story arc next time we get together. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on quickly enough to catch the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up and read a comic. I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I did some paperwork, and chatted with Ulty. I also said hi in the conversation with Nox, Radio, and Radio's boyfriend on the chat server. She was busy, so I did some badge hunting on my own. Then I noticed a fellow hunting a giant monster, so I joined him. We got it all by ourselves. It sure took a while, and succeeding was a surprise for me. I wasn't on my best character for that, and I'm not the best at this anyway. I think it was about this time that Radio's boyfriend, then Radio and Nox, said hi on the chat server. The latter two stuck around to talk for a while. Back in the game, we went on to do some other giant monsters. He asked me to lead one he wasn't familiar with.  I recruited it and gave directions. We did get it. I suggested another giant monster, He found a different one first, though.  While we were getting ready, Kitten came in, and joined us just in time. We did two more after that. Then the fellow I'd joined went to bed, and Kitten went to eat, while I started my exercises. I talked and checked my character in between. After the phone call and my head exercises, I wrote a little of this, and made notes to write from tomorrow for the rest. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 23, 2023

    I called Aunt Valerie after lunch. She seemed happy to hear from me but asked to call back. She and Kim, her daughter and my cousin, were getting ready to leave a friend's house where they'd had Thanksgiving dinner. She wanted to call back when they'd reached Kim's home. I said sure. Actually, Kim called back a while later, and she, her mom, and I had a lovely long talk. I think Kim set her phone to speaker phone, because she and Aunt Valerie were both quite audible. I hoped to give them a chance to talk to Mom, too, but Mom was sleeping, and I didn't want to wake her. Still, Aunt Valerie, Kim, and I had a nice, long talk, which was wonderful. {SMILE}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open the whole time, and she was looking at things when I showed them to her, but she barely spoke. I began by wishing her happy Thanksgiving. Then I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I picked out cards from her sisters, reading a Valentine's card from one, a Christmas card from the other, and a Thanksgiving card from the first one. Next, I started _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. After that, I read some poems and a story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 23rd of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Cyclone's Tricks." Jeremy heard the circus music faintly as he left his house and headed towards the green, where the circus was setting up. He'd been in school when it arrived. He passed one of Farmer Brown's fields and saw a beautiful white horse standing on his hind legs, waving its forelegs in the air while it runed around. Telling him he was a clever horse called him over, and Jeremy gave him a lump of sugar. He ran off to the farm to tell farmer Brown. "Cyclone was a circus horse." Farmer brown explained he bought him when he was too old to perform. Jeremy wanted to give Cyclone an apple for being so clever. He ran off, hoping Cyclone would do more tricks. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises and head exercises after teaming and paperwork this evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then after a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. I was having more trouble with cramping in both shoulders today, but treating electrolyte imbalance seems to be helping a lot. Still, I resisted the temptation to add more exercises. If I'm going to give my shoulder and arm a rest, I'd better give them a rest. {Smile}

   I read articles, comics, and web novels, and searched Wattpad, a web novel host, for interesting stories, with less luck than I hoped. It's supposed to be the largest, but so far, I've found less promising stuff there than elsewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? After the phone call ended, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Pierogies was there, and encouraged me to join the early long, large group event, so I did. After the event was over, he wanted to watch a show. He mentioned a couple I was interested in, but really wanted to watch a new series. He seemed to love it, so we watched most of the pilot right up to time to read to Mom. It was good, but a bit tense for me. I hope we can get back to some of the other series again soon. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to catch the late night short, large-group event. Then I hopped back out to start writing this. I also started chatting with folks on the chat server, mainly Nox and Radio's boyfriend, but also a little with Paradox and Kitten. I also did some more searching for web novels on Wattpad. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork, but quickly started chatting with Ulty. We teamed up for about three missions. Then I did some paperwork and a little badge-reward hunting before my exercises and salsa dance. I did more badge-reward hunting and searching Wattpad for stories after the exercise and dancing. I ended up making notes here to finish writing up from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 22, 2023

    A friend suggested to me that I take a few days off of my arm exercises to give my arm and shoulder time to heal. Then, if it still isn't healing, see a doctor. That makes a whole lot of sense, so that's what I did. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were closed a lot, but she opened them a couple of times, and even answered me. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued with the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I skipped _1960's Memory Lane_. and went straight to _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_, which I read two stories from. I tried to keep it short, and not demand that she look at too many pictures, since she seemed particularly tired. I finished with the 22nd of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Burglary." Pipkin the Squirrel came home one evening to find his house had been burgled, and all his precious stores for the winter had been taken. He started to cry, asking what would become of himself, when it's frosty, and will be worse with snow. A kind owl came over, and pointed out a house where they put seeds, bread, and other tidbits out for the animals daily. When the little girl who lived there saw Pipkin, she put nuts on the windowsill for him, and they became good friends. {Smile}

   So, I was able to modify my walking exercises to only use the other arm, so I did them when I finished with the teaming and paperwork. Then I did two of my head exercises, which just loosen up the shoulder, and seems good for it. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set, followed by a break, followed by my less structured salsa dancing set. I did my other three head exercises later, two of them too late, really, but I felt I was doing little enough, I shouldn't skip. {Smile}

   I read articles and some comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning myself up. Pierogies was working on the early long, large-group event, I think, so we chatted while I badge-reward hunted for a while. Then we teamed up. We ran a story arc, with time out for him to solo the part that has to be done solo. Then we ran the first half of another story arc. That took us almost up to time to read to Mom, with just a bit of badge-reward hunting on my own first. {Smile}

   Right after dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and spotted the late-night short, large-group event, so I joined it. Then I read some comics I remembered. I also started chatting with Radio's boyfriend. Nox and Radio joined us after a while. Then I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started chatting with Ulty, and we teamed up, doing a couple of missions before she went to bed. I did some paperwork until I started my exercises. I also started talking with Paradox and Owl girl in our group chat. Then Owl Girl and switched to private for an animated discussion. Near the end of my break, I did some more paperwork, and Pierogies came in and wanted to team up. I did my second salsa dancing set, while he got a hunt my character needed out of the way. Then we started on a mission, but it ran longer than expected, and we quit before finishing. We'll have to start over some other day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 21, 2023

    I realized I had a doctor's appointment almost an hour after it was supposed to begin. I called, and thankfully they were able reschedule it for early next month. I realized after the call that it was my gynecologist, who doesn't remind patients ahead of time like most doctors around here do. I'll have to watch for things like this more carefully.

   At the same time, I realized it was the third Tuesday of the month, which normally means Aloha Independent Living sponsors a picnic or meeting for some of the disabled folk they serve. However, when I called the leader, I got her answering machine telling me she was off island, and wouldn't be back until next Monday, so at least I didn't miss that. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got a nice call from our former nurse. We chatted a bit, enjoying getting to hear from each other, like we usually do. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes closed after a bit, but opened again when there were pictures to look at. She seemed to like the pictures, though she only spoek a couple of times, and not about that. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with the beginning of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the last few pages and the back cover of _1960's Memory Lane_. After that, I read two storiesms from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Last, I finished with the 21st of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Twins." Tom and Tim were identical twins who looked so much like each other, even their parents had trouble telling them apart. They did all kinds of naughty tricks which each blamed the other for, too. One day, Tim found an enormous strawberry flan. He cut a slice and ate it, and another slice and ate that too, until he'd eaten half of it. Then Tom came to look for him and ate the other half. Their mother was very annoyed to find the flan gone. She asked Tim if he'd eaten the flan, but he said no, and had she asked Tom? So, she asked Tom, who said no, too. However, when they were called to lunch, neither could eat any, so she knew they had lied. She forbid them from playing together for the rest of the day. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break, I did my head exercises. I expected to do my leg exercises at the least, but my arm was complaining enough. I wasn't even sure about bracing myself on the railing for those. {rueful smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning a while after lunch. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming slightly too late to join the early short, large-group event. I started chatting with Pierogies and Kitten. Pierogies was in that event, and Kitten was with two other Pierogies characters in a farm. When the event was over, we teamed up, and worked on a story arc I'd started on my warshade character. We did that through the afternoon and finished it just in time to read to Mom, which was nice. Especially since the warshade is now ready to continue the warshade-only arcs with Kitten's and Pierogies' warshades when we're all free. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't spot Kitten as I hoped to, but I found Gargle Ripper. We chatted a little while I badge hunted on the gal... she passed the sixth best badge hunter, but she isn't that firmly ahead as I'd like yet. Then Gargle Ripper and I teamed up. I learned they prefer less talking, which I'll have to adjust to. I also chatted with Radio's boyfriend on the chat server, in our group conversation. After a while, Nox came in. Gargle Ripper and I finished one tough mission, and they left for bed. I badge hunted a little more. Then Kitten woke up and said hi, and we teamed up, doing a story arc one of my mid-level characters has. Pierogies joined us in the middle of the last mission. We finished that just before I started my exercises, and Pierogies started a farm where we and Kitten talked while getting goodies, with folks going quiet as they left their computers to do other stuff. Radio joined the group conversation, and Paragon, Kitten, Owl girl and I started talking in their group conversation. Pierogies started a second farm when he felt the first was mostly done. {Smile}