Daily Update June 25. 2024

    On Tuesday, after breakfast, I called Alan. He came and got me and took me down to Safeway. On the way, he got a call asking him to help someone else. Still, he waited for me at Safeway while I picked up two medicines. He took me home again afterwards, before getting the folks who called. We had a great talk over and back when he wasn't on the phone. He pointed out one thing I never thought of: when you drive for a living, sightseeing where you do your own driving doesn't feel much like a vacation. {Chuckle}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake again when I went in. She was sitting up and looking around. She even responded a few times and looked at all the pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I started reading _Picture Book of Happy Babies_. She was looking at all the babies with interest. Next, I seven poems and three stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. The last story, "Billy Fox is Bored," was longer, but she was alert enough, I felt I could do one more. I finished with the 25th of June's story, "Sleepy Starlight," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, arm swinging exercises, and head exercises while wait for Alan to come get me. I finished just a little before he arrived, which worked out perfectly. Then I did my standing arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my sitting arm weight training exercises while I was winding down for the night. {Smile}

   Between breakfast and the trip to Safeway, I did play a little Cross Stitch World and read an article or two. I played more Cross Stitch World and read comics over lunch. Afterwards, I finished writing Monday's daily update. I played more Cross Stitch World and read some web fiction after lunch, too. One series I like will suddenly have part cease to be free soon. Unfortunately, it's the part that I'm not quite done reading. I'm not sure I can read up to the still-free part in time. We shall see. {rueful smile}

   Anyway, then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We did one mission and started another. then Mysty invited me to "role-play player-vs-player " with some mutual friends we've known for years. I continued with Pierogies until he decided he was too tired and left. Then I joined Mysty and friends. I enjoyed seeing everyone, but unfortunately, the scenario they were playing turned out to be disturbing, largely because it was a particular type of horror that gets to me pretty consistently. It didn't help that one player I didn't know was talking about being fine with his character being killed off permanently in this. I was relieved when it got so close to time to read to Mom, I could bow out for that. I don't miss that if I can avoid doing so anyway. {smile}

   After dinner, I saw most of the same friends on. I said hi to Mysty, who invited me to the team. I hoped they'd toned down the horror after my and some others' reactions to it, since I wasn't the only one to have their character react negatively to the initial report. They hadn't toned it down much. I still felt committed, so I stayed until they were winding down and planning another session. Then I let them know my discomfort, and some apologized. I was one of the earlier ones to leave. Afterwards, I started talking to Nox. I remembered they read horror, and hoped they had suggestions to put disturbing stuff behind them. However, they read horror because it doesn't upset them. Talking with them still helped. I also looked at my friends list in the game. The person I was most comfortable with who wasn't part of the group I'd just left was Azurette, so I joined her, and we ran some missions. I think I had trouble at first, but we talked, and I talked with Nox, and things got better over the evening, though I still didn't feel as happy as usual. Nox left, came back, then left the for evening. Azurette and I ran missions until she wanted to show me a base on a different part of Homecoming. We toured the base, and she told me stories of her life. Eventually, I said I had to leave, and she wanted one more story. Then I cleaned up and did my exercise. Next, I read comics and web fiction. Then I wrote a little of this and made notes to write from next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 24, 2024

    Monday was a morning of phone calls. First, I called my doctor to order new medicine. The yeast infection isn't quite gone, and the bacterial infection is mostly stalled. Neither involves refills because when they're done, they're done. {smile}

   Next, I call my dentist. I learned they'll be back Wednesday and left a message. After that, I called my podiatrist to learn that he'll be back Wednesday. too. So, I made notes on my calendar to call both my dentist and my podiatrist on Wednesday. {Smile}

   Then I got a call from the nursing company secretary confirming plans to go with me to surgical consultation the next day. Not long after, I got a call from the surgery center asking me to reschedule the consultation to next week Tuesday because the doctor will be in surgery when we're supposed to have our consultation. I hung up and checked calendar; since my phone will hang up if I try to leave during a call. The day was free, so I added that appointment. Next, I called the nursing company secretary to tell her about the schedule change including why it couldn't be the next day as originally planned. After that, I called the surgery center to confirm that I could make it next Tuesday, since I didn't know if I could until I checked my calendar. {Smile}

   One conversation wasn't a phone call, but a notably slow but long text-conversation with a friend on the chat server. That was very nice indeed. {SMILE}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake this time when I went in. Her eyes were already open and looking around. She was quiet but responded a few times.  I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I backed up to the pictures I showed her when she was sleepy and ended up reading the whole latter half of _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. Seh stayed with me right to the end. She does love baby pictures. I was right to save it for a day when she could enjoy it more. After that, I reread "That's Not My Brother!" from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. She seemed interested enough, i tried singing "This Old Man to her, too. She even joined in a couple of times, which really made my day. Part of me wanted to go on, but I don't want to tire her too much just because she's awake, so I ended with the 24th of June's story, "A Fairy Story," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did both my arm swinging exercises and my head exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my standing arm weight training exercises while winding down after City of Heroes: Homecoming. Slowly but surely, I'm getting my exercises back after the root canals got started. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read comics around the phone calls. then I wrote up Sunday's daily update over and after lunch. When it was done, I played Cross Stitch World and read comics and articles. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I checked some paperwork before I talked with Dennis, who told me Pierogies had just left for bed. We teamed up and ran a few missions on our low-level characters. Mine gained a mission I didn't expect, or want yet, but that's my fault for not turning off experience when I meant to. {smile}

   After dinner I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked, and still got missions from a contact I was afraid I'd out levelled. The Denis said hi, and we got together to team up on the same characters and start the contact I'd just discovered I hadn't out levelled. then we started the next contact with a hunt before he said goodnight. After he left, I checked other contacts... some might still work, and others pass me on to others. well, that's what the extra level did. Then I cleaned myself up. Afterwards, I came back to City of Heroes: Homecoming to play solo a bit, mainly on characters on another part of Homecoming than I normally play on. It's larger, so it might be better for socializing, especially later in the evening. Then I took a break to exercise, followed by writing more of this and making notes in it too. though I kept sneaking back to City of Heroes: Homecoming despite my best intentions to get done earlier. I did not manage to get done earlier. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, June 23, 2024

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. They assigned Alan to come get me, so we had a great time catching up on the way down to church. {Smile}

   The church service went well, as did the lunch afterwards. I did enjoy talking with people at lunch, too. {Smile}

   Afterwards, I went home with Auntie Barbara. She said folks had offered, but it had been weeks since she'd visited with Mom. I was very happy; riding with her is some of the best time to talk, between fewer interruptions, better focus on us, and more privacy. It took persistent trying on Auntie Barbara's part to get Mom to sing a couple of songs with us. Then Mom stopped before the rest of us were ready. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was sleeping when I went in. She was very reluctant about opening her eyes, and only really responded a couple of times.  Still, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read the next part of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I tried _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_, but she was reluctant enough about opening her eyes, I decided to save it for a day when she could enjoy it more. So next, I read a longish story, "That's Not My Brother!" from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 23rd of June's story, "A Fairy Story," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber. Then I'm not sure if I did my arm resistance exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, so I did them when I was done playing City of Heroes for the evening. After a short break, I did my arm swinging exercises, too. Then I was tired, and it was getting late, so I quit. {Smile}

   After church, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles, thinking home communion might come. When they didn't, I started writing Saturday's daily update up. then I read some comics. Next, I cleaned myself up. then I remembered to finish writing Saturday's daily update up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and we teamed up. We tried to get Kitten to join us, but they didn't respond. So, we ran a couple of missions. Then Kitten responded and joined us. We shared gifs and videos on the chat server while running a few more missions. This lasted until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis teaming with Kitten. Dennis was on a villain, so I got one too, and we ran several missions. Dr. Faustus joined us after most of those, and we ran a couple more. Then Dennis left for bed. Dr. Faustus, Kitten, and I ran a mission or two of mine before Dr. Faustus left to attend to work. Then I switched to the low-level character who'd gained two important levels last night. Kitten and I ran a story arc I wanted to get done before they gained another level. Pierogies joined us part way through the last mission. Then we ran a mission in a story arc I'd started a while back, and not finished. Pierogies disappeared after that mission. Kitten waited while I talked to several non-player characters to continue the story arc. I actually gained a level at the end of those talks, to my surprise. Then Kitten and I ran the last mission of that story arc. It was set higher than I meant, but Kitten is so tough, we managed with some difficulty. After that, I worked on the paperwork I'd just made, and checked on some Paperwork I'd done earlier. Then I exercised before I wrote a little of this and made a lot of notes to write from the next day, with hopefully short breaks for a little more paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 22, 2024

    On Saturday, I pretty much stayed home and took it easy. but one exciting thing happened: Pierogies said his son set up the chat server on his computer. We've started a conversation there, and another with him, Kitten, and me, and yet another with him, Dennis and me. We have used them already, enjoying sharing GIF-pictures and chatting. {SMILE}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting when I went in again. She was not quite as slow about opening her eyes, especially for the baby pictures, so she wasn't quite as tired as yesterday, but she was still tired. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I reread the part I read Friday of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I reread the part I'd read yesterday of _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_ and went just a little further this time. Then I read the two poems I read Friday from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_, skipped the next story, and sang "This Old Man" for her. I ended with the 22nd of June's story, "The Swallows," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. I wasn't as tired as yesterday, but I didn't feel like doing more just then. After playing on City of Heroes: Homecoming I did my arm resistance exercises, too. I was too tired for more, but that's better than yesterday. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I wrote up Friday's daily update before and during lunch. After lunch, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming specifically to check some paperwork. Then I cleaned myself up. next, I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, and chatted, learning that he'd joined the chat server, Discord, with his son's help. Then Dennis came on, and we teamed up with him to run missions. Kitten joined us a little later. I told Dennis and Kitten about Pierogies being on the chat server, because they're both active there. We played until I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis just breaking a team with Kitten because they'd apparently fallen asleep. We teamed up on a villain of his and a character of mine who was visiting the villains' area and ran a few missions. Then he left for bed, and I started chatting with Ulty. She was roleplaying with several friends. I joined them and we chatted both In Character and Out Of Character. The friends left as they got tired. I also said goodnight to Nox on the chat server. When Ulty and her last friend left, I got a low-level character and played stuff to get her a level. That was harder than I expected. Then I remembered she had easier stuff, and I got her another level with that. She's still low-level, but higher than she was, enough higher for some distinct advantages to kick in. After that, I exercised. Then I wrote a little of this and made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 21, 2024

    On Friday, late in the morning, I contacted Uber. A somewhat chatty fellow came and took me to Hilo Hearing Aid, also called Hearing Solutions Hawai'i. I arrived a little early, since I can't really plan to arrive on time with Uber; only early or late. I got my hearing aids checked out. He said the left one checked out fine, and suggested the chugging engine noise it made might have been due to moisture. He checked the right one, that's been taking longer to recharge, and it's fine, too. It's just set enough louder it's using more energy. We finished about the time I was supposed to start. I contacted Uber, and a less chatty driver took me home. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was resting when I went in. She was slow about opening her eyes, even for the baby pictures, so she must have been pretty tired. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I continued _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. reading a few pages. Mom was so sleepy, that she was slow even with these. I think I'll try them again when she's more awake. Then I read two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 21st of June's story, "Billy Know-All," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises after teaming and some soloing today. My body thought that was enough exercises the day after starting two root canals, because I was tired right after that. Still, it's a start. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles and comics before going to get my hearing aids checked. When I came back, I wrote up Thursday's daily update before lunch with Mom. After lunch, I ducked into City of Heroes: Homecoming specifically to work on some paperwork best done on Friday. I think I also played a little Cross Stitch World and read some comics before cleaning myself up. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I found Dennis. We chatted, then teamed up for some missions. A while after we started, Pierogies came in and started chatting. he joined us for some mission. The three of us teaming went up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this up, and jumped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Ulty, who was casually roleplaying with friends as a way to wind down after running missions and such earlier. Her friends gradually left as they got tired enough, and one came in after me. I also chatted with Nox on the chat world. Then Dennis came on to say hi and see if I wanted to play after watching a movie. I said goodbye to Ulty and her friends, and Dennis and I teamed up and did a couple of missions which were tougher for us than I'd expect, especially after I lowered the difficulty on the first one. It wasn't as much lower as I expected. then Dennis left, and I soloed on a very low-level character, in part because she needed to be played to preserve her name, since Homecoming has started reclaiming the names of very low-level characters who haven't been played for a month, but they do warn you before that will happen. Then I got a similarly low-level character out to save her name, too, but decided against playing exactly the same stuff twice in one night. Instead, I soloed a slightly higher character until they were ready to go up, and prepared them for their next missions, including hunts. Then I okayed some Cross Stitch World and did the little exercise I got done before I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 20, 2024

    On Thursday, right after breakfast, I had a video counselling session. We're doing more, between me being in a rough patch in life, and her going on a trip soon. We had a good session. We focused on my health difficulties, since some big things are coming up in that area, like my trip in the afternoon. {smile}

   I contacted Uber a while after lunch, and a fellow came and took me to my endodontist. He wondered if my back tooth is worth saving. He also wondered if it needs a root canal. Then he started work on both teeth. He worked to a point, then told me to call my dentist on Monday, when he's back in the office, to get him to "take the crowns off and see if either tooth can be saved." Something tells me they're worse than they first looked, especially the back one Anyway, I contacted Uber, and they took me back home. I notice I've been feeling better since I got this done. I don't know how much is just not have two entire root canals looming, and how much is getting some of that decay out of my mouth. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in. Mo had only one eye open at first; the second eye opened sometime during the baby pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I started the _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. I think I read the first half of it. She kept looking like she wanted to see more babies, so I kept going. Next, I read a story and two poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 20th of June's poem, "The Bee's Song," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I didn't even try to exercise the day I got two teeth worked on, one of them with a really big cavity in it. {smile}

   After counselling, I played Cross Stitch World and started writing up Wednesday's daily update. Then I took a break for lunch with Mom. Afterwards, I finished writing up that daily update. Then I read some comics and got ready to go out. After the endodontist, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis, who was playing with his friend. I said hi and joined them. After a while, Pierogies joined us, too. Then Dennis's friend left for bed. I squeezed in a high-level individual mission before leaving to read to Mom, myself. {Smile}

   After dinner, I read comics and began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Few I know were on, but I spotted a group running missions, and joined them. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. That group broke up after several missions. Then I did some paperwork, and watched some videos before I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 19, 2024

    After breakfast on Wednesday, the Fireant Guy came, and came to front Dorr. While I made out his check, and for a while afterwards, we talked about how we have sugar eating ants and termites, and he suggested how to treat each on my own, since he doesn't want to vouch for which exterminators will be honest. I understand his reluctance. {Smile}

   Later, I called doctor and got their answering machine. So, I called Safeway's pharmacy, and confirmed that the antibiotic is waiting for the nurse to pick it up while he's off work. That was reassuring. {Smile}

   I noticed a newsletter from church in my email. So, I texted my cousin Kim, who'd asked about getting her email back on the mailing list. I submitted both of our emails at the same time, twice. I asked if she'd gotten one too. She had. We were both happy. {Smile}

   In the evening, Auntie Barbara called. We had a nice chat. We arranged to at least talk again this week, since getting together may not happen. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was mostly awake and sitting up when I went in. Mom was good at looking at the pictures and paid particular attention to the baby pictures. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I read over half of the _Calm Babies Picture Book_ finishing it the day after I started it. She kept looking like she wanted to see more babies, so I kept going. I followed that with a book I plan to start tomorrow: _The 40 Cutest Babies in the World_. I told her all babies are cute, so I'm not sure about the 40 cutest, but we'll see lots of cute babies. After that, I read "Muddypaws!" a 4-page story from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 19th of June's story, "Lucky Smokey," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

I started to do my arm weight training exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, but only got four done. I kept procrastinating getting back to them after dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises a while after dinner. After playing City of Heroes for the evening, I tried salsa dancing, but was too dizzy. So, I finished my standing arm weight training exercises instead. Then, after a break, I did my arm swinging exercises. After another break, I did my head exercises. I remembered that tooth trouble has made my balance more variable when it's bad. I hope the upcoming root canals and other health improvements will help. 

   After breakfast, around the Fireant Guy and phone, I read articles and played Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote up Tuesday's daily update before lunch. After lunch, I read comics. Then I cleaned myself up. After that, i hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Dennis, who was surprised to see me so early. first, we talked. Then we teamed up and did a few missions. Pierogies said hi during one of the missions but didn't feel up to playing. Dennis and I played until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and started writing my daily update. Then came Auntie Barbara's phone call. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. No one I particularly like to team with was on, nor were many public events going. I wasn't feeling up to starting something myself, so I just soloed on a little character in a story arc with a lot of reading, until I reached a mission with more fighting and less reading. Then I tried to exercise with less success than usual. Still, I tried, with Cross Stitch World and writing and making notes in this during the breaks and afterwards. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 18, 2024

    Just after breakfast, my ride to the monthly meeting arrived, with another passenger who likes to talk already in the back seat. We had a nice talk on the way down. {Smile}

   It was a nice meeting. First, we talked in the meeting room. Then we adjourned to the lunchroom, where we talked less formally while we ate lunch. Then we played most of a game of Yahtzee before we finished. 

   On the ride back, the gal I'd ridden down with and a fellow were in the car too. The driver let the guy off first. then, with the other gal's okay, the driver stopped by Safeway so I could pick up a prescription and some probiotics. Then they took me home. {Smile}

   At home, I called my financial adviser, and left a message with someone on the staff. {Smile}

   I called my doctor, too, but had to leave a message on the answering machine. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I had to wait until the nurse cleaned Mom up before I went in. So, she was definitely awake and sitting up when I went in. Mom was okay at looking at the pictures, and paid attention to the baby pictures. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Next, I said i was giving her a new book for no particular occasion. She doesn't really understand holidays anymore. Then I gave her _Calm Babies Picture Book_ and started reading it. Sure enough, she likes these babies, too. Then I read seven short poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I stopped there because the next story was longer, and because her attention was beginning to wane with no babies to look at. I finished with the 18th of June's story, "The Starfish," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises before dinner, when the nurse said to wait a bit while he took care of Mom. Then I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. I did my salsa dancing warmup after playing City of heroes in the evening. Then I cleaned myself up When I tried more later, I stumbled barely over two minutes into the first piece. I stopped, and it was too late to start again later, so i only got a little over 10 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. {smile}

   After I got back from the meeting, I read comics and played Cross Stitch World. then I wrote up Monday's daily update before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I teamed up with Dennis and Kitten. We did two of Dennis's missions, and one of mine before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played CSW and started writing the day's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed with a friend who has many characters and chatted with her. I chatted with Ulty too, and said goodnight to the friend, and to Ulty, since they were both leaving at about the same time. I also chatted with Nox on the chat world as I started soloing hunts in City of Heroes. Then I got invited to a "speed trial," where they try to get through it quickly. The leader turned out to be a Mollymauk76, a streamer who shares the trials and taskforces he leads on Homecoming over X, which used to be Twitter. His next trial was full, and I really needed to exercise anyway, so I did a little paperwork, then started salsa dancing. Next, I cleaned me up. I tried salsa dancing again but stopped when I stumbled. Instead, I read an article or two before making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 17, 2024

    On Monday, I had a lot of phone calls. I called my church, and again asked them to add a cousin and me to their mailing list. Then I called my doctor and asked for more anti-yeast and antibiotic. Next, I called Hilo Hearing Aid, and told them about the knock that disappeared with a few hours off. They thought that didn't sound good at all and gave me an appointment for Friday to get it checked out. Then I called the leader of the monthly meeting, and confirmed where it was, and that it was the next day. Next, I called the driver and arranged for a ride down to the meeting.  

   Also, I had three long talks with the nurse about how things may go when Mom goes. It's a tough subject, but I'm grateful. It helps me prepare mentally, as the nursing home didn't help me prepare in Dad's last days. No that a visitor is their concern, no matter how often them come. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake and sitting up when I went in. Mom was good at looking at the pictures, especially the ones of kids with animals. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. After that, I read over half of _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_, finishing it, because she seemed that interested in the pictures. Next, I read two poems and a story, "The Lion and the Mouse," from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 17th of June's story, "the Stowaways," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and four of my arm-swinging exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. then I did the other eight arm swinging exercises after dinner. After playing City of Heroes for the evening, I did my salsa dancing warmup. Then I did my less structured salsa dancing set after cleaning myself up. I would have tried to do more, but it had gotten late for that. {rueful smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles and comics around then phone calls. then after lunch, I played Cross Stitch World, read web fiction, and wrote Sunday's daily update before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Dennis and Pierogies. Dennis was teaming with his friend, so I joined them, as did Pierogies. We four ran a mission. Then Dennis's friend left. Dennis, Pierogies and I ran two more missions, both Dennis's, before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and a few exercises, I began writing this up. then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. No one I particularly like to team with was there, nor was there much going on, so I did some paperwork. Then I started soloing hunts. Then Pierogies came in and joined me. He helped me finish a hunt I'd started, and then we did two regular missions of mine before he returned to bed. Next, I did more paperwork, and made some notes in this update. Next came salsa dancing, followed by cleaning myself up and more salsa dancing. Then I played a little Cross Stitch World and checked on the package. Amazon is offering a refund because it's been so long, they're afraid its lost. the post office thinks it's running right on time for surface mail to Hawai'i. the post office hopes it will arrive on Tuesday the 18th. It takes the barges a week or more to cross the ocean between California and Hawai'i, and it's already spent weeks in trucks. Anyway, I finished my day by finishing my notes in this update. {Smile}

Daily Update June 16, 2024

    On Sunday, after breakfast, I contacted Uber. A guy came and took me to church. The service was nice, though small. I think a lot of the people who came to the party on Saturday felt that coming back the next day for church was a bit much, including Auntie Barbara. That said, we ate very well, with all the leftovers from the party, and at least one new thing besides. Afterwards, I didn't find a ride to take me home, between folks not coming and folks staying for the vestry meeting. So, I contacted Uber, and a fellow took me home. This is only the second time since I stared going to church weekly after Dad died that I've had to take Uber home, which is pretty amazing, if you ask me. {Smile} 

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Mom was awake and sitting up when I went in. Mom was good at looking at the pictures with minimal prompting today. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2023. Then I started _The Picture Book of Kids and Animals_. Next, I read "The Velveteen Rabbit" from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. It was 4 four pages, which makes it long for that book, though much shorter than the original version. I finished with the 16th of June's story, "Ian Goes Fishing," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and four of my arm-swinging exercises waiting for Uber to come get me and take me to church. Then I did the other eight arm swinging exercises after I got home. Between reading to Mom and dinner, I did my arm resistance exercises and both of my arm weight training exercises, since the wait was unusually long because the nurse had to fix up Mom first. The arm weight training exercises are slow, so I usually can't fit that many in. After dinner, I did one of my sitting arm weight training exercises. After I was done playing, I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then, after cleaning myself up, I did my less structured set. This adds up to one more arm weight training exercise than I have done recently, but only one. {Smile}

   After church I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I wrote up yesterday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and did some paperwork. Then I found Pierogies. We chatted, then teamed up and ran several missions together. Then we chatted a little more before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and a little exercise, I read comics. then I started to write this up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to a friend I rarely talk with, but they were just leaving, so we mainly said goodnight. Then I said goodnight to Nox, having missed a chance to talk with them, too. I did a bit of paperwork, and a few hunts one of my characters picked up recently, including some she picked up as others got completed. Then came a little Cross Stitch World, followed by my salsa dancing warmup. After that I cleaned myself up and did my less structured salsa dancing set. Some more Cross Stitch World followed. I ended with writing a little of this and making notes to write from for the next day. {Smile}