Daily Update, June 17, 2023

 Yesterday I had a slow text conversation with the cousin who visited the day before. That was nice. {Smile}

It was also physical therapy, so I called Uber. I got a nice, chatty gal as driver on the way over. {Smile}

Physical therapy went mostly okay. I did a good bit on the machine and the other just-exercises, and the first piece of salsa dancing. However, as I was getting into the second piece, My foot slid out from under me, and down I went, right knee and hands first. The hands were bright pink until lunch, and the knee had a bright pick swollen spot, as well as a little skinned red spot. The swelling and pink were gone by after lunch. {Smile}

I took Uber back, and got a less chatty fellow for my driver, though I'm not sure that wasn't partly not thinking of as much to say with my knee definitely sore. {smile}

I had a nice phone call with Auntie Barbara after dinner. That was nice, though she wasn't too happy to hear about my fall. {Smile}

I had breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the start of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the last several pictures and read the rest of the captions in _Memories 1940s_. I made a point to read all the posters again. I think she likes that. After that, I read "SN.J. Teacher Leaves $1 Millon in an Will for Special-Ed Students, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I finished with the June 17th story, "The Stowaways," about a girl heading out to visit her grandfather, who's doll and teddy stow away in her suitcase when she tells them her mother said they couldn't come along, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

No exercise today beyond physical therapy. That was enough, fall and all. {Smile}

I wrote yesterday's update after lunch, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found noticed a trial being advertised, and found that my top two badge collectors had done it, but the third hadn't. The third ran it and got two badges. I checked, and both the better badge collectors already had both badges. While I was started, I started chatting with Perogies. We teamed up afterward, on mid-level characters, and teamed right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

After dinner, I read some comics, and hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork and had the phone call, and then I saw Jag was online, and we chatted a bit. Then I found them in the game, in a role-play that I couldn't figure out how to enter, since I wasn't sure my character knew either of theirs, though I know Jag well, and they were talking to Soothing Darkness and another player I also know somewhat. Chili Bear invited me to join him in a "farm" he was running (repetitive play for the experience, money, or similar rewards), but that's when I got drawn into the role playing, so I apologized to Chili Bear. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. The roleplaying and other chatting went on until Phonso invited me to a trial. I told the told the folks I was roleplaying with out-of-character. They were interested but one wasn't sure how to leave the role-play, especially as one other joined in. So, I had my character get a phone call, and invite them to the trial "in character." That worked. We ran the trial twice. Then most of the folks left. Soothing Darkness and I found a character offering a "signature story arc," which was pay-only when this game was supported by the company, but everything like that is open to everyone now. We figured out which signature story arc is first and found the very first signature story arc contact. Soothing Darkness invited Azurette, and strangers besides. We restarted twice when someone asked to join as we were starting. We ran that arc, and most players left, because it really was late. Soothing Darkness, one stranger, and I ran the second signature story arc in the first series. I established contact information with the stranger before we headed our separate ways. I started writing this update. Then I snuck back and met another character of Soothing Darkness's character, admiring the costumes before finishing this in notes to write up the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, August 16, 2023

    Our housekeeper came bright and early yesterday because she won't be available for a while and wanted to squeeze us in before she left. {Smile}

   I started to share yesterday's daily update on the chat server. My cousin and her husband came in the middle, so I dropped that. We visited in the living room, which the housekeeper had just finished cleaning. Then we went out to lunch at Kosmic Cones because it's on land our fathers lived on for a few years while growing up. My cousin and her husband really loved the food there. I did too, but after eating what I could of their typically huge helping, I insisted on sending my leftovers home with them. I figured I can get more so much more easily than they can, living in another state. 

   They brought me back home afterwards. There, I finished sharing yesterday's daily update on the chat server. (So that's why there was a large gap, to anyone who noticed.) {Smile}

   Today, I had breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with a Christmas card from her niece, and another from Auntie Barbara. Then I showed her more pictures and read the captions in _Memories 1940s_. I made a point to read all the posters again. I think she likes that. Then, I read "Stolen Charles Darwin Notebooks Returned 22 Years after Last Seen, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 16th story, "Ian Goes Fishing," about a boy and his cat who went fishing at the end of the garden, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, and the arm weight training and resistance exercises I do standing up. Then I did the three sitting arm weight training exercises during lulls. That means I didn't do one arm weight training exercise, and I also didn't do any of the head exercises. I need to work hard at this. {rueful look}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after finishing sharing yesterday's daily update. There, I teamed up with Perogies. I also started chatting with Soothing Darkness. I ended up inviting Soothing Darkness to join us. We three did several missions together. Then Perogies left. I switched characters, and soothing Darkness and I teamed up until it was time to read to Mom. I also read comics between reading to Mom and dinner. {Smile}

   I exercised and talked with the relief nurse after dinner. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I didn't find anyone to team with, so I tried soloing. I also tried chatting with Chili Bear. They got me to try a voice channel on the chat server where folks were talking there while playing on one of two teams in the game. It reminded me of the People Who Talk, who I used to play with until they kicked me out. They mixed voice and play in a similar fashion, and some even sounded similar. I'm afraid I froze. I tried to answer a question, got no response, and couldn't bring myself to talk until I tried to excuse myself. Then I got to answer the question for the gal who'd asked it but hadn't heard my answer. After that, I left. I teamed up with Owl Girl next, until they left. After that, we talked on the chat server about the freezing up thing. I was so much more comfortable teaming with them. It turns out they consider voice more problematical... and that might be because neither of us has good hearing. Yeah, with my serious hearing loss, voice without lips to read... works a lot better with subtitles, which the voice channel didn't have. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, June 15, 2023

    Last night, at bedtime, I found a text a cousin had sent in late afternoon saying she and her husband would be visiting Hilo, where I live, for a couple of days, and they hoped we might get together. I texted back assuring her that I'm free, and telling her I could go meet them, or they could come up, and gave her driving directions. {Smile}

   This morning, we arranged to meet tomorrow morning (Friday), when they would come up to the house. I'm looking forward to this, and even getting a bit excited. I haven't met her in person, though we've been Facebook friends for years. {Smile}

   Today, I had lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it and continued with a particularly detailed card from her sister's friend. Then I showed her the covers and read the first few pages of, _Memories 1940s_. I made a point to read all the posters, which sometimes i haven't done as thoroughly. Then, I read "955 Gold miners All Safe After a 30-Hour Ordeal, " from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Then I read the June 15th story, "Tit for Tat," about a boy who found a crab at the beach, which pinched him when he tried to put in his bucket to take home, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises after dinner. They're the only exercises my therapist wants me to do the day after physical therapy; we don't work my head, so it shouldn't be too tired unless my whole body is tried from physical therapy. {Smile}

   I read comics after lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after that. I found Perogies and Kitten ready to team up, and particularly ready to do the early long, large-group event, so we did that first. Then we picked a story arc my best badge-collector hadn't done and ran part of it. Perogies left when he was tired and reminded us to keep going; he wasn't worried about missing the end. So, Kitten and I did continue, right up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and my exercises, I hopped back into City of Heroes: homecoming. With a little work, I got Kitten's attention, and they came back to finish the story arc we'd worked on earlier. Then they left to help a friend, and I looked around. Seeing Soothing Darkness, I got her attention, and we chatted then teamed up. teamed up. Then Kitten came back, bringing a friend with them who found a giant monster group just before we started a mission. We fought the giant monster, then ran the mission, and a second mission. Phonso appeared and invited us to a task force while we were in the second mission. Kitten's friend dropped out partway through because it was a work night, and they didn't want to be too tired at work tomorrow. The three of us struggled particularly after that, so I invited Phonso. He came, and we finished with his help, then waited for Phonso to recruit the team. Owl Girl joined us at my invitation. Then somehow Soothing Darkness got bumped when they tried to switch to a character high enough for the task force. Owl Girl insisted on offering their spot, but Soothing Darkness responded slowly enough, we took off with Owl Girl instead. the task force went well, and broke up afterwards, so I invited Sotthing Darkness back. She offered to show us the storage in her new base. i was surprised how long we talked about that and looked at that. Then Soothing Darkness did two too-old missions to get them out of the way, and we finished on a mission of mine that was recent enough to be more rewarding. Then I finished writing this up before bed, though I won't have time to share it everywhere until tomorrow. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 14, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, June 13, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, June 12, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, June 11, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, June 10, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

   No exercise beyond physical therapy today. {Smile}

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

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

Daily Update, June 9, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update, June 8, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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