Daily Update, April 3, 2024

    On Wednesday, a while after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A fellow came and took me to Life Care Center, where I had physical therapy. They took me after a short wait, and physical therapy went well, with a decent time on the exercise machine to start, and a session with the harness following. For salsa dancing, I tried some fast double turns. The harness really helps me with those; I'm not steady then, but I'm already getting better, between the little practice I got, and some tips the therapist gave me. Afterwards, I contacted Uber, and a different fellow came and took me home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there. She roused when I said hello, and looked at the pictures I showed her while reading. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a card from the nursing card, one from church, and one from each of her sisters. Next, I finished _Memories 1970's_. I followed that with a few pages from _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_, picking up where I'd left off to read the book about the 1970's that I'd given her for Easter. Then I continued _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_ with "Ariel Makes Waves," which was about the princess in The Little Mermaid while she was still a mermaid. Lastly, I ended with the 3rd of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Hoppity's Friends." {Smile}

   Wednesday, my exercise was my physical therapy. They made sure I got a good workout, so I don't need another. {Smile}

   I read some articles over breakfast until it was time to go to physical therapy. Then I read more articles and played Cross Stitch World over lunch. Next, I finished writing Tuesday's daily update before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Kitten, who was unresponsive, and Pierogies, who chatted with me. Then Pierogies encouraged me to join the later long, large-group event, which was just beginning to recruit. We did and ran it when they'd recruited enough. After that, we chatted for a little until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started to write this up. Next, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Kitten. We teamed up, and they pointed out another good friend of theirs who recently befriended me. She was on a low-level character. We joined her, and I got a low-level character who had some overlap of missions with her. We ran some missions until she got tired and left for bed. Then she left, and Kitten and I ran several of my character's missions, since they're low enough, most were short. I said goodnight to Nox on the chat server; we again missed chatting earlier. Then Kitten got thoroughly distracted talking with a friend on another character. Kitten asked about working on a self-improvement badge, and I found a character who needed it. We ran that, then I led the first part of a similar badge before leaving to write this. After leaving, I played some Cross Stitch World and read a comic before settling into making notes to rite from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 2, 2024

I had all kinds of plans for working on my story and getting exercise done earlier. Instead, I spent most of the morning playing Cross Stitch World while thinking about that video I watched the previous night. There was a woman who posed as a man to learn about "life on the other side." When it came to dating, she expected to have a lot of fun, since she was attracted to women, and she expected more would be interested in her as a guy. But she met up with so much rejection from women she approached - and as a guy, she had to approach them; they wouldn't approach her. {pause} Its food for thought, which I have certainly been doing a lot of today. {smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was resting when I got there. She roused when I said hello, and looked at the pictures I showed her while reading. At the end, she said she'd liked what I read to her, with a little prompting from me. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read two cards, one from each of her sisters. Then I continued _Memories 1970's_. I thought I might go to the end, but it was longer than I thought. One more day, and back to the cat book. After that, I continued _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_ with "the Winter Journey," which was about Pocahontas. Lastly, I ended with the 2nd of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Good Old Ceasar." {Smile}

I did my arm swinging exercises and my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Then I did 3 of my sitting arm weight training exercises after I finished teaming for the evening. Next, I did my salsa dancing warmup. I did my head exercises next, during the break between the salsa dancing warmup and the less structured salsa dancing set. I got just over 19 3/4ers minutes of salsa dancing, but it was the extra fast piece. I bet I got as many steps in as some of the longer pieces, just in less time. It's fast enough, it left me slightly winded. {Smile}

I finished Monday's daily update over lunch and read a few comics. Then I cleaned myself and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I like, but earlier than sometimes. I found Pierogies already in the later long, large-group event. He urged me to grab one of the three spots left, so I did. We both ran it and talked a while after that until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I did a couple of exercises and started writing this up. I also checked out City of Heroes: Homecoming. Misty didn't respond when I said hi, but Michiel chatted a bit. We didn't team up because he was just finishing up and leaving. Then I looked around. The April Fools raids were still going on, so I joined one after another. I paused mainly when they did, fitting in a little paperwork. I also said goodnight to Nox when they announced they were heading to bed. Yes, we missed talking again. I stopped a little earlier to do my exercises and dancing, but somehow didn't fit in the few more exercises I hoped for. I also watched videos and read comics, as well as writing more of this, and taking notes to write from the next day, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 1, 2024

   Monday's April Fool's Day trick was pulled on me by my own memory. {rueful look}

   I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me down to Dr. Sugiyama, my dentist. The receptionist came out to tell me I didn't have an appointment that day; my next appointment is in a couple of weeks. I replied that they'd called to remind me on Friday, but she said no, they hadn't; they aren't even open on Friday. I checked the calendar on my phone, and it said Dr. Sugai, my podiatrist. this is the second time now that I've gotten two Japanese names with the same first three letters mixed up. {blush}

   So, I called Dr. Sugai's office, telling them what had happened, and assuring them I was nearby. (They are maybe a handful of blocks apart.) To my great relief, they said no problem, come right over. If this had happened the other way around, I'm pretty sure Doctor Sugiyama would have rescheduled rather than squeeze in a patient 15+ minutes late. So, I contacted Uber, and a gal came and took me to Dr. Sugai's. There, they sent me straight to a room, where the doctor soon came in. He said the big right toenail is healing nicely. It's notably damaged, with discoloration and even an odd bend in it. Then he trimmed all my nails, which had gotten long, and told me come back in a couple of months. I made the appointment with the receptionist. then I called Uber, and a fellow came and took me home.

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was sitting when I got there. She looked at the pictures I showed her while reading. At the end, she said she'd liked what I read to her, with a little prompting from me. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read a few cards: one from church, one from the nursing company, and one from her cousin's granddaughter.  After that, I continued _Memories 1970's. Then I continued _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_ with "Belle's Flights," which was about Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Lastly, I ended with the 1st of April's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "April Fool!" {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises while waiting for Uber. I realized I had enough time to do the arm resistance exercises before leaving the house, so I had the stretchy band it uses. Then I did 10 of my arm-swinging exercises while waiting for Uber after seeing Dr. Sugai. I did the last two arm swinging exercises not long after I got home. Then I did my two salsa dancing sets after teaming, for 20 3/4ths minutes of salsa dancing. After a break, I did three of my four sitting arm weight training exercises. {Smile}

   Monday morning, I did a little Cross Stitch World, then finished Sunday's daily update and cleaned myself up, skipping a couple of steps in cleaning myself up to make sure I got there on time. Good thing I did. I barely finished lunch in time. After I came home, I finished cleaning myself up, then Hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we teamed up and did a couple of missions. Then he noticed the later long, large-group event was recruiting, and we joined that and ran it. It did get me a kind of game cash the character had to earn and was getting frustratingly slowly without one. I bought what I wanted and have more to spare now. It ran right up to time to read to Mom, so pierogies and I said goodnight, and I left. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't find anyone I usually team with who'd respond. I did notice conversation saying the April Fool's raids are going away in a couple days. They do drop particularly nice amounts of experience and game money. So, I joined one, and then another, doing them for most of the evening, with paperwork when none was going on until I started salsa dancing. I watched part of a video between the sets that really got me thinking. That made me slow to bed again, which I did when I was done writing more of this and making notes to write from, too. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, March 31, 2024

    After breakfast, I contacted Uber, and they came and took me to church. The service started at 9 am because it was Easter. They'd had the early service at 6 am for a sunrise service, instead of the usual 8 am, so they didn't want to wait until 10 am for the late service. I arrived just in time to say the Lord's Prayer right before communion. So, I did get communion, though I missed much of the earlier service. It's a start. I'm just having to convince myself I really want to start the morning earlier. {Smile}

   After the service, we had the usual feed, which was more brunch than lunch, since the service ended so early. It was big with a variety of dishes. I contributed a jar of mixed nuts. I hope it will last a few more Sundays. Auntie Barbara took me home but didn't come inside. She'd visited with Mom just the day before, and she was tired. She'd been there before the late service to hide the eggs for the egg hunt the kids had after the service. {Smile}

   Home communion asked to come between noon and 12:30 pm. I think it was actually a little after 1 pm that they go there. We had a nice little service. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was sitting when I got there. I opened her presents first. I gave her _Memories 1970's_, _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_, _Five-Minute Fairy Tales_, and _Mary Engelbreit's 5-Minute Fairy Tales_. She looked at each present, and at the pictures I showed her while reading. She didn't say much, though. {Smile}

First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I set aside _Cats Galore: A Compendium of Cultured Cats_ for a few days, starting _Memories 1970's instead. Thought I kept saying 1960's while reading. This is the first time I've seen a dementia picture book past the 1960's, so I keep thinking it must be then, since it isn't earlier yet. Then I set aside _Five-Minute Stories: Over 50 Tales and Fables_ and started _Disney Princess 5-minute Princess Stories_ instead. I started with "A Path to the Sea," a story about Moana, the Hawaiian princess. Lastly, I ended with the 31st of March's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Lazy Long Ears." {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and my 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 both sets of salsa dancing for 20 1/4 minutes of salsa dancing in all. I also did both of my standing arm weight training exercises, so I did a little more today. {Smile}

   I wrote Saturday's daily update and played a little Cross Stitch World while waiting for home communion. After home communion, I cleaned myself up. The I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I spotted Dark, Kitten, and Pierogies. I said hi to each. Dark responded, so we chatted. Then I gave him some recipes he's been collecting for two of his characters that two of my characters had gotten while playing recently. One of them has all she needs, and the other needs more supplies to make them with. They're good for badges, and make useful things, as well. Then we teamed up on low-level bunny characters in honor of Easter and started to run a mission to catch me up with him. It was very hard for us on these characters. Then Kitten responded to my earlier hello and joined us. Just as things were getting easier, Pierogies responded to my earlier hello, and joined us, too. With all four of us, things went much easier. We finished that mission - the first long mission many characters can get, in good time for me to go read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I saw Pierogies, Kitten, and Dark again, so I said hi. This time Kitten responded. They were farming with a random person they were helping. They finished their mission, and we got together. The random person wanted to unlock content that required running one of a few story arcs, so we started one of the story arcs. I started talking with Dark when he responded. He decided he was too tired to join us, so he left for bed. Then the random person decided they needed to go to bed after a couple of missions and would just have to finish this story arc another day. I switched characters, and Kitten and I ran some of my missions, working on a story arc. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while. This time I watched the time carefully to make sure I didn't leave early like last night. I did my exercises, watched some of a video, and wrote a little of this, making a lot of notes to write from on Monday. {Smile}

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}