Daily Update, January 29, 2024

    Monday, after breakfast, I called my financial adviser. The answering machine still answered. I'll try again later. {resigned look}

   Then I called church and arranged for them to hold a copy of the scripture and thoughts about it I like to read to Mom. I also arranged to drop off payment to cover the replacement of my grandparents' plaques. All four grandparents had plaques on pews, but we can only find Mom's father and Dad's mother now. So, they'll order new plaques and put them on their spouses' pews. That was very specifically my grandmother's wish. It wasn't for my grandfather but at this point, every pew has at least one plaque on it. He simply has to share, so he might as well share his wife's {Smile}

   Late that morning, the power went out, and my internet went with it. I traced the power cord, and found it plugged into one of the surge-protection-only outlets on my battery backup. I managed to juggle cords, and get it plugged into a battery enabled plug. Those are now all full. I hope this both explains and fixed the occasional disconnecting that has been happening since they brought me a new modem. When the power came back on, the internet didn't reconnect until I turned the computer off and back on, just like all the disconnects. I now suspect those disconnects were little blips in the power supply, too brief to be detected otherwise. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake most of the time. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read Christmas cards from a friend and her sister. Then I continued _Memories 1960's_, showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. Next, I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Snow White." I finished off with the 28th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Peto the Polar Bear." Peto, a little polar bear cub, was playing with his penguin friends in their icy playground. He boasted that he could catch fish with his paw. They said they used their beaks. Peto announced he'd catch a big fish and ran off. His friends warned him not to go too far. He stopped by the edge of the icefloe, made a hole, and started fishing. He was so busy with that, he didn't hear the ice crack as it broke, and started floating away with him. But his friends, the penguins, heard, and scurried across the ice and in the water to rescue him. He greeted them by showing off his big fish. {Smile}

   I got my arm resistance exercises and my head exercises done between and after a couple of missions in the evening. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing. by then it was too late to do more, abut at least I got that much done. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch. Then I finished writing yesterday's daily update after lunch. Next, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Pierogies, but he apologized for not being in a mood to team up. I also chatted with Ulty, who was busy. I said hi to Kitten, but they apologized for having to leave for a while. So, I looked around and spotted a high-level trial that I joined on a character who was missing a couple of badges from it. We ran it and finished but didn't get the badges I wanted. Maybe some other time. Then Kitten said hi, and I got a high but not very high-level character who might be the next to reach the endgame. We ran a couple of missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming again. I said hi to Dr. Faustus, who was busy.  I also said hi to Dark and found out what they were working on. I got someone working on something they needed. and we started running missions together. Kitten said hi too, and they joined Dark and me. We ran through a story arc Dark and I had started and finished it. Then Dark left for bed, since it's a weeknight. Kitten said someone was on who we met recently. I said hi, established a lasting connection, and invited them to one mission - my last before salsa dancing. We ran it. Then I broke for salsa dancing. I watched videos and talked with Kitten between the sets. Afterwards, I talked with Kitten and wrote this up and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 28, 2024

   Sunday, I called Uber after breakfast, and they took me to church. I got there just as the offertory was finishing, which means I got all the eucharist, but nothing else. That's more than I expected, after arriving after they'd finished a couple of weeks ago. {Smile}

   After church was brunch and the annual meeting. It was a long but fruitful meeting, I think. We got stuff approved and people elected as needed, except for one vestry seat which will remain vacant as they continue to search for someone to fill it. They couldn't find anyone willing to fill it. If we don't find someone before the meeting ends, they can appoint someone until they can be confirmed at the meeting. Yes, the meeting didn't adjourn. They reached the financial part, which needs to be reviewed by the vestry. They aren't supposed to adjourn and have more than one annual meeting in a year, but they can declare it recessed, so they did. Next week the Vestry will meet. Then the week after, the annual meeting will reconvene, and we'll finish what needs to be done. {Smile}

   After the meeting, the Kubos offered to take me home if I didn't mind if we stopped for some shopping first. I didn't, so we did. They made sure I had a plate of noodles that became most of my dinner, because it was left, and wouldn't keep well.  {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake but resting and didn't talk much. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read Christmas cards from a friend, her niece, and her sister. After that, I continued _Memories 1960's,_ showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. Then I continued reading _Fairy Tales_ with "Little Red Riding Hood." I finished off with the 28th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Coincidence." Emily and Anne Expected their grandparents for team. Anne suggested making the chocolate buns Granny had taught them to make as a surprise. Emily agreed, so they made some, then picked some flowers, getting everything ready for tea. Then the doorbell rang. It was Granny and Grandad. Granny told them she'd made their favorite chocolate buns for a surprise. They girls burst out laughing at the coincidence. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber before church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises in the evening. I tried to do my salsa dancing after Dark left but got dizzy and had to stop a little after a minute. That's no good; I'd had hopes it would be at least as good as yesterday, but at least I tried. I'll have to try harder when morning and early afternoon aren't full of church and the annual meeting. {smile}

   When I got home from church, I wrote up yesterday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dark, Pierogies, and Dr. Faustus seeming to be online. I say 'seeming' because Pierogies didn't answer. I was talking with Dark when Dr. Faustus invited me to a high-level taskforce. I asked if I could bring a friend, and he said yes, so Dark and I joined. It ran so close to time to read to Mom, I just squeezed in a little paperwork after that. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found Dark again. We chatted and were starting to pick who to team up on when Dr. Faustus invited me to the same taskforce. Dark and I both joined, and it took most of the evening. After that, we talked as we wound down. I barely said goodnight to Nox, but I chatted with Kitten and Radio on the chat server. I also did some paperwork and a little online reading and video watching as I wrote this up, mostly making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 27, 2024

    Well, I fiddled with Ko-fi some more today. I realized because of some things Owl Girl said that I may not be happy sharing stories on the net, or not as happy as I thought. It can be a cheap way to share, and there are ways to still get compensated for my work, but you really need to publish at least once a week, and that severely limits how much revising I could do. {bite lips}

   I'm wondering how feasible writing is after all, but I'm trying not to change anything too quickly. {smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake but didn't talk much. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read a Christmas card from her niece, and a birthday card from me. Next, I started _Memories 1960's,_ showing the pictures and reading their brief captions. After that, I continued reading the book simply called _Fairy Tales_ that I gave her for her birthday, with Goldilocks and the Three Bears." I finished off with the 27th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Chip's Adventure." Chip's mother reminded the little sparrow to wear his hat and scarf as he was leaving his nest. He grumbled that he wasn't cold but flew back to put them on. He flew around, saying hello to his friends, then settled down to sleep on some dry leaves. He woke to find it had been snowing. He shook some snow off his head but couldn't move his wings. Luckily, his mother found him, cleared snow off his wings, and helped him home. When he asked how she found him, she said she saw his hat. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises during a lull in the game. Then I took a break to do my salsa dancing warmup. After a couple more missions, I did my less structured salsa dancing, for over 20 minutes of salsa dancing between them. So, I got all my salsa dancing done, though not much else. At least it's better than last night, and I can try to improve further. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles in the morning when I wasn't working on Ko-fi. I cleaned myself up after lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming. I found Darkthough1, and we teamed up on slightly lower ones than the day before. We ran several missions. Pierogies joined us partway through. We had enough trouble in one mission, Dark brought a tough, high-level character to help us, though the game tries to adjust them so game is still balanced. We continued to play after that. Pierogies left for bed a mission or so before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner I came back onto City of Heroes: Homecoming and teamed up with Darkthough1 on the characters we played the previous night. We ran several missions in three different story arcs, bouncing back and forth between them. I also chatted with Kitten privately on the chat server, as well as the two of us talking with Owl Girl in a group conversation on that chat server that we share with Paradox. I talked with Nox on the chat server, too. Radio - Nik - joined us, since we were in a group conversation the three of us share with Hayden, Nik's boyfriend. Radio and I continued to talk after Nox left for bed. Radio even got me into a larger group conversation about a project they're working on. Eventually I did a little exercise, then broke for salsa dancing twice. The first time, I rejoined Dark for two more missions. Then we said goodnight. Later, Pierogies came on and let me sit in a farm while I wrote parts of this and made notes. I also worked on Ko-fi a bit more. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 26, 2024

    Friday, I tried to contact my financial advisers but kept getting the answering machine. I suspect they aren't just on the other line, as the answering machine suggests, but out of the office, since I'm not even reaching the office staff. I'll have to keep trying after the weekend. {smile}

   I also started looking at Ko-fi, a website that helps creators connect with followers who may choose to support them. I'm slowly getting it worked up, but there's so much to decide and arrange for. {Smile}

   Friday evening, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. We both talked about what we've been doing recently. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was sleepy when I went in, and part of the time I was reading, but she seemed to wake up when the pictures were particularly interesting to her, especially the ones of her and her sisters. She answered a question or two, too. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a birthday card from her sister, and a Christmas card from a friend. After that, I finished "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," describing the pictures and reading the dates and titles. Then I started reading a book simply called _Fairy Tales_ that I gave her for her birthday. Except I started with the second story, "Cinderella," because it started with "The Gingerbread Man," and I wasn't sure she'd like him getting eaten by the fox at the end. I finished off with the 26th of January's story-poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Magic Hat." Two mice jumped into the conjurer's hat to get away from the cat. They thought they could hide there, but the conjurer came along and changed them into rabbits. They ran off to play in the meadow. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises right after dinner. Then I did my head exercises during lulls in the game. After finishing teaming in the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup before it got too late, all 8 1/2 minutes of it. I know I need to try harder to do more earlier, but at least I did some. {Smile}

   I read articles and played a phone game in the morning. After lunch I cleaned myself up before getting into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around for friends, but the ones I am close to were busy. I ended up doing a lot of paperwork that's been waiting for the weekend. Then I looked around. My friends were still busy, so I looked for a task force, and finally spotted one I wanted. I ran it on my 4th best badger, and finally got a badge I've been working towards for months. Then it was more paperwork and a bit of chatting on the chat server until I went to read to Mom later than I meant to. {Smile}

   After dinner, I squeezed in the one set of exercises I did and began writing up today's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Darkthough1 on, and we chatted, and teamed up. We ran a story arc some of our mid-level characters needed. We started with a mission to catch me up with them. We paused for the phone call from Auntie Barbara. Otherwise, we worked through it pretty steadily through the evening. I also talked with Nox on the chat server. We did paus for a talk which I needed with Darkthough1. He helped me work out something that was weighing on my mind. Then I forgot to turn in a mission, so we had to do it twice. Near the end of our second time through, Pierogies showed up. We had just one more mission, but he joined us for it. The three of us enjoyed talking afterwards. Then I did my salsa dancing, some paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also made notes to write the rest of this from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 25, 2024

   Thursday was my birthday. I decided to celebrate with a day off. All the catching up and trying to get stuff done and set up can just wait until another day. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I went in but got sleepy as we went on. She still answered a couple of questions. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I continued "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," describing the pictures and reading the dates and titles. Then I read the last story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Minnie's Vacation Home." I finished off with the 25th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Crash." Lucy and Arthur decided to take their toboggan to the top of the hill and ride down, since there was snow though it was thin and icy. Their father warned them that snow hid lots of rocks, and suggested waiting until the snow was deeper. They didn't want to wait, so they went up the hill, and Arthur pushed off with Lucy in front of him. They went faster and faster until a stone appeared right in their way. They tried to slow down by digging in their heels, but they crashed into it and went flying. They wished they had waited! {Smile}

   I'm afraid I went easy on the exercise, too. I did get my salsa dancing done, both warmup and two pieces of less structured dancing, but that's all I did. I will get back to more when it isn't my birthday. {Smile}

   I watched videos and read comics in the morning and after lunch. Then I finished yesterday's daily update and cleaned myself up. That done, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Pierogies and Kitten, but they didn't respond immediately. So, I started working on a character, making some changes which added up to a bit of complicated paperwork. I started testing the character by pitting her against some monsters that are easier with a group, but not impossible for a good character solo. One was not much of a problem solo for her. Two to three was quite a challenge, but doable with difficulty. Pierogies said hi not long after, and we chatted a while. Then he came to join me, and we got several of those monsters together. They are definitely easier with help. I think Kitten said hi next, and we teamed up. We all wanted to do some "stuff and things," meaning more than just fighting monsters with no story, so I looked at my missions. I realized one contact was in our zone, so I started her story arc. We did a couple of missions. Dr. Faustus joined us right near the end. he helped us finish up a mission that seemed to be mostly talk. I really wanted to do something more active for them, but it was too close to time to read to Mom, so we stopped there. I promised to be back after dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on, and said hi to Dr. Faustus, Pierogies, and Kitten. Only Dr. Faustus responded quickly. He was with a someone, so I joined them. We ran a few missions that the person he was with had. Then someone else he knew joined us. When the first person he was helping left, we started helping his other friend. I got my highest villain, because she seemed close to the right level, and fit with the group. We ran several story arcs with the friend leading. I talked with Nox and Owl Girl on the chat server, too. Kitten joined us, then then Dr. Faustus left. We did a few more missions, then we broke up. I did some paperwork, and Kitten joined my conversation with Owl Girl on the chat server, making it quite lively for a while. I did my salsa, talked a lot with kitten and Owl Girl, and wrote some this up, and ran too late getting the notes done to write the rest the next day. I really need to work on getting done earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 24, 2024

    Wednesday I went back to PayPal, and it looks like the problem is that it and my bank have protocols that don't work together. It looks like the easiest solution will be to get a different bank account. I called my financial adviser, and got their answering machine, so I left a message. I'll have to follow up on that soon. {smile}

   I got a pleasant surprise a little after midnight: a call from our former nurse. He wanted to be the first to wish me happy birthday, and he certainly was! {SMILE}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in, and looked at the pictures I showed her, and even answered a couple of questions. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read her more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I continued "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," I described each picture and read the date and title if I spotted them, for it's all Vogue cover pictures from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Then I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Bingo and Rolly's Birthday." I finished with the 24th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Happy Orphan." Peppi was a pheasant who the farmer's wife had found in the woods when he was a tiny chick. She looked around but couldn't find parents or siblings anywhere. Peppi was alone. So, she carried him home, made him a nest of rags near the over, and fed him. Soon, he followed her around like she was his mother. He perched on her shoulder and ate from her plate. She took him to the woods when he was fully grown and tossed him into the air. As he flew away, she told him to find a wife and bring the babies to visit, which he did. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and over 20 minutes of salsa dancing after I finished teaming on City of Heroes: Homecoming tonight. I do need to work on getting better, but for now, I'm reasonably happy with that. The salsa dancing by far the longest and most vigorous part of my exercise routine, and I got all of that done! {SMILE}

   I played a lot of the cross-stitch game after figuring out that PayPal doesn't work with my credit union. Then I finished writing up yesterday's daily update. After lunch, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies. We chatted a fair while, then teamed up. I had to pull the difficulty way down. They were mid-level characters, which isn't high enough to boost much. Kitten joined us for a couple of missions, but they were so tired, they couldn't keep going, and went to rest. Pierogies got tired and left, too. I just did paperwork until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on and started on paperwork. After a while, I spotted Dr. Faustus on, and we joined up. We tried to join some groups. The third worked out, and we ran a fairly high-level taskforce together. Then we split up, as Phonso came on, and invited me to a taskforce that Dr. Faustus didn't have time for. We ran that taskforce. I started chatting with Nox on the chat server, too. I also chatted with Owl Girl when they responded about a game that I'm curious about. Turns out they've played it for years. Back in City of Heroes: Homecoming, Phonso and I ran another, shorter taskforce. Then he left and got the former nurse's phone call. When that was done, I did my salsa dancing, then researched games a little, including watching parts of some videos. I've been longing for a game that's more fantasy-oriented, while still being free-to-play, or at least try out, and not demanding too fast a reaction time, since I am not quick. Does anyone know something they might recommend? Then I wrote part of this and made notes to finish up from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 23, 2024

    First, I'm sorry this escaped with just the next paragraph into email. I was tired from the bank wrangling that paragraph describes, and didn't realize this was a new, mostly not written letter until I'd hit send. {rueful smile}

   On Tuesday, I spent most of the morning trying to set up online banking at HFS Federal Credit Union, my main bank for my own account, and connecting it to my PayPal account. I was successful in setting things up so that I can log into HFS. However, when I give the same login information to PayPal. they can't complete the transaction. I called my bank about it, and they referred this problem to a different department. I thought I was done with banking for the day. {Smile}

   The bank did call me back after lunch but couldn't really help me before I tried it again. I had to hang up to do that, and I couldn't get back to my bank after that failed again. Then I tried to connect a specific account to PayPal, instead of my entire online account. They said they can't do it that way, either, without more help, and to contact them. Reading that made me feel tired just thinking about the next step, so I think I need to finish this another day when I am fresher. {resigned smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in, and looked at the pictures I showed her, but didn't say anything. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read her more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Next, I started "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," Describing each picture and reading what words stood out for me on each cover pictures, for it's all Vogue cover pictures from the late 1800's and early 1900's. After that, I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Training Daze." I finished with the 23rd of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Two Kittens." Kelly and Kitty were two brown-and-rust-colored kittens. One day, they went to the vegetable garden looking for adventure. They played together until it started to rain. Kelly suggested hiding under a big cabbage, since they'd get wet if they ran for cover. So, they did. But Kitty backed up in fright when something landed by her and waves it's head at her. "Run! It's a dragon!" she cried, and they ran back home, getting soaked through on the way. They told their mother who said it was caterpillar, not a dragon as she licked them dry. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while sitting in a farm with Pierogies, between videos we were watching as he wound down for the evening. After he left, I did my arm resistance exercises. then I did my salsa dancing warmup set, followed by a less structured set with two pieces, for almost 21 minutes of salsa dancing. No, I didn't get all my exercises done, but this is a lot, considering what I've been doing since the root canal. {Smile}

   I was mainly working with my credit union and PayPal in the morning, but I did play the cross-stitch game when I thought I was done. Then I read some comics and got the phone call that got me working on the credit union and PayPal again. When I really was done, I wrote the part about my morning and early afternoon while it was still fresh in my mind. Then I cleaned myself up and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming later in the afternoon. I found Pierogies, and we chatted about our day. Then we teamed up for a couple of missions. This took us to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I tried to join the late-night short, large-group event, but the zone was full. I looked around and tried saying hi to some friends. Pierogies responded, so we chatted a little. Then we teamed up on mid-level characters for a couple of missions. After that, we settled into a farm, switching to high level characters for better rewards. I think I slipped in writing more of this, too. We chatted a fair while before we started watching videos of a friend of his who'd been a standup comic. We chatted a bit more, then Pierogies went off to bed. I chatted with Nox on the chat server for a while.  I chatted with Phonso and Mo in City of heroes: Homecoming, too. When we were done, I wrote a little more of this, looked into some games I'm wondering about trying, read some comics, and made notes to write this from the next day.

Daily Update, January 22, 2024

    I started to take it easy on Monday, but that changed late in the morning, when I finally started to set up both PayPal and Ko-fi. PayPal, of course, facilitates financial transactions. Kofi connects creative type with their followers and enable the followers to make small donations and small payments to creatives as they choose. I'm starting with one-off donations and connecting my credit card to PayPal. There's more to do, but some other day. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in, and enjoyed looking at the pictures I showed her. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read her more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I accidentally restarted "Memories 1940s" It seemed awfully familiar partway through, but I wasn't sure what to do, so I just finished out the day. Then I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Home, Scream Home." Following that, I admitted my mistake with "Memories 1940s," put it away, and brought out the next book: "The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue," showing it to her, and explaining my mistake, and telling her I'd start it the next day. Last, I read the 22nd of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Oak Tree." Amanda asked her father if she could take her teddy bears to play under the oak tree at the bottom of the garden. It was her favorite place for teddy bear picnics in summer. Her father helped her dress up warmly, and she headed off. She was soon back, crying because the tree was dead. Her father explained it was just sleeping and would get new leaves in spring. She said she wished it was spring, but she was smiling again as she told her teddies they'd have tea inside today, instead. {Smile}

   It was very late after Phonso's taskforce, but I did my salsa dancing warmup when that finished breaking up, then my walking exercises immediately after that. Then after a short break, I walked around the house 7 times. I'm going to guess that's roughly equivalent to one salsa dancing piece. I'd like to walk more, but it's getting late - that's why I walked rather than tried more dancing after a little longer break. I need to get started earlier, or even do some much earlier in the day, like I tried for a while. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and played the cross-stitch game in the morning, until I got started setting up Ko-fi and PayPal. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I was soon talking with Nox (Yes, they're on Homecoming sometimes again), Dr. Faustus, and Pierogies. Pierogies and I teamed up, and joined Dr. Faustus, who was helping a new player with some mid-level story arcs. This took me up tot time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped on, and found Darkthough1 on. We chatted, and teamed up, working to finish one of my story-arcs which had a particularly long mission followed by a shorter one and some talking. When we were nearing the end of the last real mission, Phonso invited us to a taskforce. It was far too late for DarkThough1, who helped me finish the story arc, then said goodnight. When we'd parted, I joined Phonso. I said goodnight to Nox, but we really didn't get to chat then. Phonso, the rest of the folks he recruited, and I ran that taskforce. It ran later than I hoped, which is why I didn't squeeze in more exercise. {rueful smile} I read comics, briefly played the cross-stitch game again, checked paperwork, and wrote this up, mostly making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 21, 2024

    Happy birthday to Mom! we definitely celebrated it today. {SMILE}

   After breakfast, I contacted Uber. They took me to church. I got there slightly before the service. I was surprised; I expected it to be mostly if not entirely over because of starting at 9 because of the annual meeting, but that's next Sunday, not this Sunday. 

   I celebrated Mom's and my birthdays when we can share personal news both good and bad. I sat with a gal who was already in Grandfather's pew when I got there during the service. I also sat with her for lunch, and enjoyed chatting, but then she left. A guy who had his birthday Saturday sat down a little way away. I moved closer to him so we could chat. too. We talked a fair while. I actually had two kindly older men offer to take me home. They worked out between themselves who'd actually do it. 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in. I wished her a Happy Birthday, then went in to get her present, and couldn't find the main one. I found three books that did and got the bread the church brought by this afternoon for her, too. After the reading, I found a better book, and gave it to her too, but it still wasn't the one I really wanted to give her. Well, I can give it to her some other time if it turns up and order a new one if I can't find it long enough. {smile}

   Anyway, for her reading, I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read her three birthday cards: this year's from church, then an old one from each sister. Next, I finished "Memories 1940s." After that, I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Blooming Bows." Last, I ended with the 21st of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Forgetful Squirrel." Caspar the squirrel was puzzled. He'd spent a lot of time in autumn collecting and hiding seeds and nuts, but he couldn't remember where. He watched Woody Woodpecker tapping at a rotten tree trunk with his beak, and thought he'd hidden them too well; they'd never be found. He didn't know that Woody had already spotted several and gobbled them up greedily. Caspar searched again but didn't find them. He decided to go raid the bird table. He was lucky and found a large crust there. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while I was waiting for Uber to come take me to church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my walking exercises. I meant to do more, but I was too tired. Not that I'm completely upset about hat; I took a shower this afternoon. I'm usually too tired for that after church. So maybe that's what made me tired today. {Smile}

   I rested a bit then wrote up my daily update when I got home. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after the shower. There, I found Kitten busy with friends, but Pierogies was eager to team up. We ran a few low-level missions together along with some other friends. Then they left, and I joined Kitten and their friends for a mission or two before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got on, and Pierogies, Kitten, and Darkthough1 were on. I haven't seen Darkthough1 in several months! I got together with all three of them. Pierogies wanted to do a low-level trial badly enough, he recruited a team when non was forming. We ran it, and Azurette joined us. She informally took over the group, which is great. She is a competent leader, and a good follower, too. Under her guidance, we ran that trial two more times, with the group mostly breaking up and reforming after each run. Then Azurette and Pierogies left for bed, and all the strangers moved on. Kitten, Darkthough1, and I started running some low-level missions, starting with a big finale to one story arc. Then we did the entire next story arc in that set, and most of the story arc after that. I also chatted with Nox a bit on the chat server. Darkthough1, Kitten and I broke up after that so I could do some exercises. I did them and paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming. Then I made notes to write this from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 20, 2024

    I had an epiphany after dinner. I have found short stories for seniors, and picture books for seniors, but I haven't found any books with illustrated stories for seniors. I'm reading her children's books, mostly ones for younger readers at that, because she and I do like stories, and she really likes looking at pictures, and that's what's available that's a good length to read to her. Older children's pictures books run longer -- a few thousand words, as opposed to a several hundred words for younger children. {pause}

   I see a real need. I don't know how big the market is. I don't know how I'll get pictures for the stories yet, either... but I can write stories about the right length, and hopefully more adult, yet not sad. Mom and other dementia patients have trouble processing death and similarly sad things. {smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when I went in and interested in pictures today. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I continued "Memories 1940s." Next, I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_, "Father's Day Countdown." Last, I ended with the 20th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the New Baby-Sitter." Miss Owl lived in a beautiful treehouse in the forest. She lived alone and often felt lonely and sad. Mrs. Squirrel, her neighbor, invited her to tea one day, along with her other friends, Mrs. Rabbit and Mrs. Mouse. The baby rabbits and mice came along, and all the babies enjoyed playing hide and seek. the mothers chatted happily, swapping recipes and telling stories about their children. Miss Owl had no such stories and started looking sad. then Mrs. Squirrel said the three mothers needed to find food for their families, and asked miss Owl if she'd watch their children. Miss Owl said "of course," being happy to help, and came often after that to babysit. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for the trial Dr. Faustus ran for me to fill. but when I tried to do my salsa dancing, I had to quit not quite a minute in. I was just too dizzy to continue. I did do my arm resistance exercises after that; they don't require balance. I meant to do my other arm exercises, and maybe more, but it got too late before I could.

   I read comics and articles in the morning and over lunch. Then I checked some things in City of heroes? Homecoming. I talked briefly with Kitten, Pierogies, and Div. Then I cleaned myself up. Div was gone when I got back, but Pierogies was eager to team up. Kitten was torn, because they were already teaming with other friends. They ended up staying with them. Pierogies and I finished a story arc he was working on, which another friend joined us for at the end. Then the other left, but we started the next arc before Pierogies got tired and left. I joined Kitten, who was still with a couple of other friends, and we teamed for two or three missions before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got together with Kitten and one of the friends, who helped me get two battles I needed for one of those badges that improve the character. Then the friend left, and Kitten and I did a mission or two. Then Dr. Faustus came in, and I asked him to lead a trial my best badge collector needed for three badges. We ended up running it four items, with different people joining or leaving, and one staying but changing characters, because one badge was fussier than it sounds. It took us four tries before my character got it. Then Dr. Faustus left for work, and Kitten, I, and the fellow who'd stuck with us for all four runs ran a couple more missions or tried to. The last one ran too far into my salsa dancing time, so we ended up giving up on it until another day. I think I'll try it with lower settings next time. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server, and with Kitten on the chat server too. Paradox even chimed once in a conversation we share with Kitten, and owl Girl. Then I checked my character, chatted with Mysty, and wrote this up, making notes for the next day when it got late. {Smile}