Daily Update, June 29, 2023

    Today, well, yesterday, Val had a vet appointment. I called my friend Melanie at 10:30am, since she'd asked for a reminder call, and she came and picked him up around 10:45am. They took him in and ran tests. His kidney disease is much better, but it looks like he has developed diabetes. We now await test results from the mainland U.S. in one to two weeks. If they confirm that he has diabetes - as the vet seems to expect - we'll discuss treatment options.

   I was pretty upset, but Perogies and Kitten, two online friends, insist not all cats mind shots. So, I guess I can even try those. If he doesn't seem to mind them, we can continue. If he starts to run and/or hide, then that's not the quality of life I want for the little fellow. The vet did talk about discussing treatment options, plural, when we get the test results. I can see what other options we might have, as well. Though she did say he'll die without shots, but he's an old cat. He won't live very long no matter what. {resigned almost-smile}

   I had a long phone call with our former nurse at lunch time, catching him up with Val, and me up with him.

   I texted him after dinner and had a shorter call with Melanie after dinner to catch them up with my online friends' saying cats don't always mind shots. I had a longer but not very long call with Auntie Barbara after dinner, to catch her up with everything about Val. {almost-smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I first read scripture and thoughts about it. I next read two Christmas cards from her niece and nephew. Next, I continued reading _Visions of Scotland_. I showed her each picture, reading each caption. She was quieter than yesterday but still looked at each picture. Then I read "Frugal Iowa Carpenter Helps 14 Kids Through College," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Confusingly, inside the article it says he helped 33 kids go to college over 14 years before all the money he'd saved had run out. I finished with the June 29th story, "What Are Honey Mice?" about a mouse, who told a bee she wanted to fly around and make honey just like the bee. The bee could grant one wish a day, and granted the wish that the mouse could make honey. however, it told her it couldn't also make her fly. The mouse was grateful. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. I think Mom enjoyed both pictures and readings. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises - the only exercises my physical therapist recommends for the day after physical therapy - right after getting back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, because it helped me wait for Kitten to respond. {Smile}

   I read both yesterday's and today's comics after a late lunch, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I was going to start on my paperwork, but ended up joining Perogies and Magma, and telling them about Val. They're the two who insisted not all cats object to shots... we shall see. I seem to remember Val had a mixed record at best. {odd look} Anyway, they urged me to pick something, and we started a story arc to get a badge for my character. We did two missions, and it seemed close enough to time to read to Mom, I didn't think I could continue. I should have checked with the nurse first, because when I was ready to read, she was just starting to feed Mom. Perogies was gone, and Kitten asleep when I got back, so I checked the comics. I read several issues of one I'm trying to catch up with before the nurse told me she was ready for me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and finally caught up with my paperwork. I checked with Kitten, but they were still unresponsive. I also did my head exercises, and chatted with Phonso until he was ready to start something. He decided to do a task force. He had me lead it. I did try to keep it going at a good pace, though he asked me why I'd picked a tough limit to meet if you read... but I don't read when folks are expecting me to keep up, not that I ever manage not to be one of the slowest in the group anyway. I'm always too busy trying to catch up to read... and I kind of complained about this at length, I'm afraid. I really need to apologize for that next time I see him. I... think I was in a bad mood because in spite of feeling more hope after talking with Kitten and Perogies, I'm still pretty upset about Val. I do love that cat, and don't want to lose him. I don't know how comfortable I am with being without a cat, too, but this is a hard house to add a pet to while Mom needs so much nursing... and we expenses are awfully high while Mom needs so much nursing, too. {bite lips} 

   Anyway, we tried to run the task force, but it was a lit more difficult than my settings could account for and ended up breaking up. that started before I could suggest something to try... then I left because I thought everyone quit when they were trying to follow my directions. then it really did break up. {bite lips} Phonso left, but Kitten had woken up, and was chatting during the latter parts of the task force. I joined them, and we finished the story arc we'd started before dinner... except we didn't. The arc is broken into two, and we finished missions 1-3. 4 and 5 are in a separate arc where we're getting it, though it's really all one arc and one story. I suspect the mission we really want is the one we'll start with next. We chatted, including with Perogies after that, when I meant to write this up, so I wrote it slightly later, but still finished. I'll have to post it tomorrow, though; it's that late. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 28, 2023

    I woke up to the realization that I didn't used to be totally dependent on Alan to take Val to the Vet. In fact, I used to always use friends. So, after breakfast, I called Melanie and Auntie Barbara. both were willing, but Auntie Barbara was busy enough, she was happy that Melanie could do it. So, Melanie and I made arrangements to get Val and me to the vet at the right time tomorrow. We'll even get to catch up while waiting. I really need to think of Alan as just one of the good choices I have for taking Val to the vet. {Smile}

   Today was also physical therapy, so after those phone calls, I called Uber, and a fairly quiet fellow took me to Life Care Center. There, the receptionist called me over to set up next month's appointments. My therapist is taking a week off later in the month, then back for a day and out for the last Saturday. So, I guess I'll get to do more salsa dancing then. I hope I get the hang of getting it in earlier. {Smile}

   The session went well. He gave me suggestions for stretching out my shoulder They do seem to help. Also, I winded myself twice with the salsa dancing. We were trying faster pieces, plus I was concentrating on my more vigorous moves. I'm happy to say that he okayed me doing the half-circle taps to a fast piece. {Smile}

   After physical therapy, I stopped by the business office to pay my bill for the month. Then I called Uber, and Cody took me home. He asked about Karen, and I said yes, I knew her. He knows her from when they were wo of the few drivers; there are a lot more drivers now. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with a Christmas from a friend of her sister's. Next, I started reading _Visions of Scotland_. I showed her each picture on the first few pages, reading each caption. She responded much better than yesterday, especially at first. Then she got tired, even dozy, as our main nurse pointed out to me. (I'd started late, between the game running late and Val refusing my first attempt at dinner. it did smell less right than this morning, so I tried a second, which he ate happily.) At our nurse's urging, I cut things short, stopping that book, and skipping _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_ entirely. I finished with the June 28th story, "Balouka's Trip," about a bear cub who rode a boat down the river and visited a town. Then he escaped when they tried to catch him, running all the way home. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_, where all stories and poems are short. I think Mom enjoyed things, especially before she got sleepy. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise beyond physical therapy. that was quite enough for one day. {Grin}

   I finished writing yesterday's daily update after getting home from physical therapy. It went right through lunch, and a bit afterwards. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and did some paperwork while I looked for a friend or more to get together with. Perogies found me, and as we were figuring out what to do, an acquaintance of mine invited me to a couple of task forces. I asked if my friend (meaning Perogies) could come too. They said okay, so we both joined. we ran it with a not quite full team, and it took longer than I think we expected. It just broke up after the first one, without doing the second. Perogies left for bed then, too. Then I got together with bowlofdro. We squeezed in one mission that ended abruptly when the mission failed. Neither of us expected that. {smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes. I was starting on paperwork when Soothing Darkness said hi, and we started to talk. Then Kitten joined us. Soothing Darkness spotted another run of the pair of task forces, and this time we ran both. Soothing Darkness ducked out partway through the second, but rejoined Kitten and me after that. We ran a few missions, then Soothing Darkness left again. I missed talking to Nox, but we hope to talk soon. Anyway, I spotted a giant monster hunting team, and Kitten and I joined it. Phonso and I started chatting, and he joined us when he couldn't find what he really wanted. He left, and a while later, the team broke up. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 27, 2023

    Well, I called Alan the Uber and Lyft driver who's taken Val to the vet, to reserve a ride for Thursday. Except he's going to be on O'ahu until late next week. So, I called the vet to talk about medicine... and yeah, they want to see him before they start his heart medication. I'm pretty sure he needs more. He started breathing heavily when they took him off it, and he's having more trouble getting around. I don't really want to wait until next week Friday - the next day both Alan and I should be free. I am nervous about taking him just by calling Uber; I don't think every driver is happy about having a pet in their car, though some have assured me they'd do it if he was in a carrier, which he will be. I'm not trying to carry him around without one outside - too easy for him to get away. So, the vet assured me that I won't get a cancellation charge if i do have reschedule at the last moment due to a lack of a ride. They also assured me I could bring him early or late that day, and they'd fit him in, just not during their lunch break. {bite lips} I went to bed thinking this is as good a safety net as I'm going to get for trying Uber with a pet. {bite lips} but the next day, i thought of asking friends for help. I'll explain more in the next update. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I continued with a Christmas Card from her niece, and a card from her cousin, and another Christmas card from her cousin's granddaughter. Next, started reading _Authentic Everyday Dress of the Renaissance_. I showed her the pictures, reading the short captions underneath them. She didn't respond as much as she often does, so I'm tempted to change to something else, but I'm not sure yet. Then, I read "Maine Dog Missing Five Days Found Alive in Snowbank," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. The dog was found five pounds lighter, but otherwise healthy in a place they'd searched earlier in the search for her. Then I finished with the June 27th story, or rather poem, "Three Pink Pigs," about three pink piglets who didn't take their sunhats with them to the beach like their mother told them and got very sunburned. They tried to cover their sunburns with flour. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed what I read to her, and also the pictures I showed her. {Smile}

   I did over 25 minutes of salsa dancing before lunch. Yes, that early I was winded after the second set, and a bit winded after the last piece, so I figured enough was a enough. Then I did my walking exercises and started my arm swinging exercises after dinner. However, my shoulder started twinging enough on the fourth exercise, I thought I'd better stop. I'll see what my therapist recommends and do that in the future when this happens again. I really should have done my head exercises, and a couple of arm exercises that use the shoulder minimally, but it's too late now. {rueful smile}

   I read comics over and after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming around the middle of the afternoon. I started with paperwork and talked to bowlofdro and Soothing Darkness. I learned they'd be doing a task force one of my characters needed. I waited for them to be ready on another character, working on a badge with her. i figured I could switch to the character I wanted when they were ready. Soothing Darkness invited the character I was on to the team, then handed it to bowlofdro. I switched, returning to find him giving my spot to someone else, though I was just gone the moment I had to be while switching characters. He didn't realize I'd left the team to switch. He tried to give me my space, but before I could even explain that ruined my chance to play with him, someone else must have left, because he invited me. We ran the TF, and my character got the rewards I wanted for her. Perogies came on partway through. When it was over, I joined him for a couple of hunts. They were all I had time for before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and the exercises, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and solo play. Mollymauk, the fellow who runs the strike force I often run late at night, invited me to a Roman task force with all one kind of character. I found one character of the type who was pretty maxed out and ran it with the team he got together. Then we repeated that task force with all of another kind of character I didn't have a maxed-out character of that type, but Molly said my highest was good enough. Then we switched to the usual late-night strike force and did two runs with mixed groups. I ran it both times, on character I often bring to it. Afterwards, I chatted with Owl Girl a little. She answered a question I had as best she could and directed me to a group of Mollymauk's that might know more. I checked with the group, did some paperwork, and started writing this, switching to making notes to write it up from the next day when I realized how late it had gotten. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 26, 2023

    I finished posting yesterday's daily update over breakfast. After reading comics, I started revising the story. Then I remembered the short story that's related that I worked on and opened it up. It had a lot of stuff from the critique site that I had tossed in and hadn't tried to put into my own voice or make it match my understanding of the events and characters, or anything. I started revising... and barely got the first scene done, and that took until a fair while after lunch. It was partly a lot of revisions, but also the spell check is malfunctioning, and part of the malfunction makes it hard to accept and reject changes like the editing tracker wants. Still, I'm making progress. I'm wondering if I want to do this with others... part of me wants to go back to my version before, but part of me thinks some of their suggestions aren't all bad. I'll see what I end up doing. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with the last from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I read a short Christmas card from her nephew. After that, I read from _Memories 1960's_, showing her the pictures, and reading the captions. I read all the pages left, but not in order, because it started with sports, and that's not the way to get her interested in what I'm showing her. Also, it didn't end with fashion, and that's one of her favorites. Then I picked out the next book, _Authentic Everyday Dress of the Renaissance_. I showed it to her, read the blurb on the back, and showed her the pictures on the front cover and the inside of the front cover. After that, I read "Africa Declared Free of Polio," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. The Africa Regional Certification Commision declared it when Nigeria became the last all Africa's countries to meet its standards to be declared free of polio.   Then I finished with the June 25th story, or rather poem, "Summer Heat," about taking things slow and easy when it's hot in summer. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both what I read to her, and the pictures I showed her. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, arm resistance, arm weight training, and head exercises right after lunch, before I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Yes, that early. I even did the arm swinging in the new pair of foot positions. I feel accomplished with my exercises today. {SMILE}

   I read comics in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch and revising the stories. I started with a minimum of paperwork, and looked around the only friends I saw online did not respond when I messaged them, so I looked around, and quickly noticed a fellow who wanted to tag along with a mid-level character. I had one who needed to work through some contacts, so I offered to get her. He took me up on it, despite other things going on. We finished out one contact, and discovered the other I really wanted to do claimed my new friend wasn't heroic enough. Yes, new friend; we even established the contact that makes staying in touch easier.  So, I ran some other stuff that he could do. bowlofdro said hi and wanted to join us after a raid. However, my new friend was ready for a break just before bowlofdro got back to me. I hoped he'd be happy to run heroic stuff, and he certainly was! So, we ran two or three missions before I left to read to Mom, and spoke of doing more later, maybe. {Smile}

I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than I expected. I found bowlofdro still on, and with Soothing Darkness. However, bowlofdro realized how late it was and hurried off to get some sleep before his job. Soothing Darkness and I teamed up, and she picked something we'd both been working on. However, the only person who was interested was running the pair of high-level Task Forces first. Meanwhile, I spotted my new friend from this afternoon asking about a badge I'd told him about that helps if the character tires easily. I asked, and soothing Darkness was happy to help, especially since she didn't have the badge either. I took them around to the stuff you just had to visit, then set up a single mission you run for it. we had to restart that after my new friend had to change their alignment for it. Then Soothing Darkness needed a break, but then we ran the mission and they got the badge it gave. Soothing Darkness got the big badge then, but my new friend hadn't even begun the next badges, so we got my new friend started on them. They left for bed just after the fellow interested in the thing Soothing Darkness had wanted to do came free, so we went to do that next. Perogies came on and said hi while Soothing Darkness was seeing if anyone else wanted to join. He did, as did two strangers. We ran that story arc, and it took me up until I thought I'd better write this already. I did, and did some paperwork too, though not the reading I often do. i still ran late, so I'll post this tomorrow. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 25, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I called Uber. The driver was moderately chatty, and actually got there a bit before they started, and nominally exactly on time. Yes, that adds up to them starting slightly late. {Smile}

   It was a nice service. It was morning prayer. I don't think we'll get communion every Sunday while our priest is on maternity leave. We did get to admire a couple of pictures of the baby. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara had a couple of kids for the Sunday School, so I sat alone for the service, and joined her at lunch afterwards. I really enjoyed talking with her, and the others at our table. Though I wonder if two of them missed the point of a story I told them. Oh well. {Smile}

   We went to Island Naturals, but their only dried cranberries were organic, and over twice as expensive as the regular ones were. I ended up ordering some online after I got home, as auntie Barbara suggested. She did take me home, but didn't come inside. She was tired, and she'd just seen Mom two days ago. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I read from _Memories 1960's_, showing her the pictures, and reading the captions. After that, I read "Dying patient Asks to See the Ocean one last time, so Ambulance makes a Detour," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. They were making her to Palliative Care at the hospital but took a detour to the nearby ocean when she asked to see it. I wasn't sure how well she'd process it - she gets troubled by thoughts o death - so I read "Arizona Man finds Mexican Girl's wish List on a Balloo, then Delivers Cross-Border Gifts," in hopes she'd handle it better. Then I finished with the June 24th story, "Sleepy Starlight," about a fairy who normally helps animals looking for food in the night. She accidentally turned three animals who woke her up chasing each other into toadstools by accident because she was still sleepy. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both what I read to her, and the pictures I showed her. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises, some during a lull in the game, and the rest after I stopped playing much. {Smile}

   I settled in at home, hopped on the computer, and promptly got drawn into looking at articles on the net and reading comics. So I got into City of Heroes: Homecoming distinctly later than I usually do. Really, later than I wanted to, too, since the article I spent the most time on never did deliver what drew me to it. There, I did some paperwork, and joined Perogies for some team-farming. That was fun. We were able to chat on the side. We meant to start reading a comic together, but the yardman knocked on the door, and we got to talking about stories after I paid for the month. by the time we were done talking, it was time to read to Mom. Well, some other day Perogies and I can read the comic together. {Smile}

   After supper, I read more comics and articles, but I'm realizing I'll probably be happier with fewer articles. Eventually I found a note from Kitten expressing surprise I wasn't in City of Heroes: Homecoming yet. that sent me scurrying in and trying to get his attention. I soon did, and we teamed up. I found a different story arc that I figured ought to get the badge I kept mission. We ran it together, and I finally got it. That was a relief. I was worried that something would prevent that character from ever getting it, but nope. She's got it now. {Smile} Then Kitten was acting very tired, but a short nap appeared to help them revive a bit. We found the streamer was running the strike force we both like and got ready to join him on the next run. We ran it together, then parted for the night, though we did talk a little more both in the game and on the chat server. I also chatted with Perogies on the chat server when they came in for a little early morning stuff, and also did paperwork and wrote this up. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 24, 2023

   It was physical therapy yesterday, so I called Uber, and got Karen, who is not a Karen by today's lingo, but a really sweet gal We talked the whole way over, catching up on what had happened the last few weeks, since after getting her a few times, I just stopped. Turned out she'd been busy for a while. {Smile}

   Physical therapy went well. I talked to my therapist about my arm swinging exercises, and how I was using some simple performing dance foot positions. I showed him others, and he said I was steady enough with a slightly more challenging position with the two exercises that are well centered. The other two deliberately pull me off balance, and I'm not ready to do those unsupervised yet. I only had time for the slowest salsa dancing, but that's okay. I'm sure I'll have time for the faster stuff again some other day. {Smile}

   I took Uber home, and I got Alan. It was great talking to him. He's wondering if a friend or relative of his knows my therapist. {Smile}

   I revised a few more scenes of the story I'm working on after lunch, and before going into the game. I'm reasonably happy with how it's coming along. {Smile}

   I had breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the front and back covers and read the blurb from _Memories 1960's_ I continued, reading and showing her the first few pages. After that, I read "Shoplifter Steals Clothes for Job Interview, but Canadian Constable Buys Outfit, and Man Gets Job," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. The young man's father had gotten sick, so he wanted to get a job to help his family. The Constable called in thought helping him would be better than arresting hm. The young man's father got a job, too, not long after. Then I read the June 24th story, "Laurence's Bell," about a lamb who loved showing off his new red bell until an owl shooed him home. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom enjoyed both what I read to her, and the pictures I showed her. {Smile}

   I didn't do any exercise beyond physical therapy today. My therapist says physical therapy is enough. {Smile}

   I read too much of an internet article over lunch. Then I read comics, finished writing up yesterday's daily update, and did the revision of my story. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I chatted with Perogies. Also, bowlofdro invited me to the later short, large-group event, but I apologetically declined, because Perogies and I were just getting ready to farm, which we did for a while. Next. Perogies and I did a long mission together that ran into the time I usually read to Mom, but I just di that when I was done and ready. {Smile|

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and again started with paperwork. I chatted with a stranger who was newly returned to the game. I gave him a few tips, one of which he wanted to explore, so he left to do so. Next, I spotted a pair of high-level task forces which I joined. Recruiting was slow - it was a slow night in general - so I got Laine, one of my new friends, to join. My friend Heat-Transfer joined on their own. The group finally ran the task forces, and I got a badge that got me two more badges because I had everything else I needed for them. I've been working on and off on that badge for a few months, so I'm pretty happy about it. I even told Nox and Kitten about getting the badge on the chat server. Nox chatted a little. Afterwards, most left, including Heat-Transfer. Laine stayed. I introduced him to one of two contacts who give high level single missions that give especially good rewards. We ran two of their missions, then joined a team that was doing a different line of single missions. I also started chatting with Nox somewhere in there. Eventually, Laine left, as did others, but others joined for a while. I admit I got distracted looking up stuff related to some stuff I'd been talking with Nox about, so when the team broke up again, even the leader left, citing lack of interest. I ended the night with Paperwork, and some writing of the update. Truthfully, more paperwork. I had to finish this update the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 23, 2023

    Auntie Barbara came over later than expected, because her appointment was after eleven rather than at 9. So, she came here before that. First, she came in, and went back to visit Mom. She met our relief nurse again. The relief nurse remembered meeting her before. We sang several songs with Mom, and Mom sang all the words of each one. This impressed auntie Barbara enough, she said she hoped Mom would get a phone call with her sister today. I said I'd see if Mom was still good later. {Smile}

   After visiting with Mom, we sat outside in the carport. Auntie Barbara told me about Michelle, who's gotten busy on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. That's why she's not coming to church, and why she didn't come today, either. We also talked about a variety of other things, including the letter I sent off yesterday. Then she left for her appointment. {Smile}

   I worked on my story after Auntie Barbara left, reading through the parts I'd already edited. I realized I'd not just worked in Hawai'i's May Day customs, but also mentioned a couple of times that the cousins are part Menehune. I haven't worked in that Menehune, being Hawaiian magical people, have brown skin, but one way or another, ill fit it in. If nothing else, I need a glossary for the loan words like Menehune; I can say it there if not elsewhere. {Smile}

   I did call Aunt Valerie after lunch, since Mom was more awake and alert than sometimes. Aunt Valerie was busy in a restaurant - a noisy one, it turned out - so she asked to call back when she was in better surroundings. She did call back, and we started with her talking to Mom. That went well, since Aunt Valerie knew this time not to expect detailed answers with new information in them. Mom doesn't do that much these days. Then Aunt Valerie and I talked a bit, especially about some of the new stuff I've been trying, like contacting the distant cousin. {Smile}

   I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. then, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the last several pictures in _The Calming Cat Book_. Again, I tried to describe each kitty: color, coat pattern, eye color, and maybe oat length. Next. I showed her the front and back covers and read the blurb from _Memories 1960's_. After that, I read "Nurse Learns Baby She Treated 28 Years Ago Is a New Colleague," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. She worked in a neonatal unit, and he was one of the preemies she'd cared for. Then I read the June 23rd story, "A Fairy Story," about a bluebird who only wanted to eat blue food, and a fairy who turned some mushrooms blue for him. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom seemed to enjoy both listening to me read and looking at the pictures I shared. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm resistance (both sitting and standing), arm swinging, and the standing arm weight training exercises right after dinner. I did my head exercises and the sitting weight training exercises while we were waiting to start one or another of Phonso's three trials. {Smile}

   I read comics around lunchtime. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. Then bowlofdro said hi, inviting me to join him and Soothing Darkness. We talked for a fair while, then eventually fit in a story arc for four characters, getting one stranger to join us for it, right before I read to Mom. I did get to say hi to Perogies just before leaving, but not much more. {Smile}

   After dinner and my exercises, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and again started with paperwork. Then I did some roleplaying and some missions with Soothing Darkness and the same friend she was with yesterday. I left one mission before the friend planned to leave because Phonso wanted to run a set of three trials again, I wanted to do them. Soothing Darkness and her friend again declined, but told me to go ahead, so I did. The trials were fun and let me play with both Phonso and Owl Girl. After they were done, I joined Soothing Darkness and Azurette for a low-level task force. We only found one stranger willing to join us, but for a half-strength task force, it went surprisingly well. After that, I worked on both paperwork and writing up the first part of this update, while making notes about the rest. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 22, 2023

    Today I stayed home and had my video counselling with my counselor. My insurance's system accepted us easily this week, I'm happy to say. If their system agrees to host us, they usually cover it completely, though you do have to watch; it has taken two tries to get that. The session went well. She helped me with a few things that I have been concerned with, especially a letter to a distant cousin who lives in town, trying to suggest we meet up because I'd like to stop being such a stranger. It's now in the mail. {Smile}

   I got a quick phone call from Auntie Barbara after dinner. We mainly arranged a quick visit tomorrow, though I did also tell her about finishing the letter, which she approved of when I brought it up before. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her several pictures in _The Calming Cat Book_. Again, I tried to describe each kitty: color, coat pattern, eye color, and maybe if it had long hair. After that, I read "100K Strong Korean Group Cheers for other Countries," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. The group was showing up at the Olympics, paying for their own tickets, and even cheering in the athletes they were assigned to support host country's language. Then I read the June 21st story, "The Swallows," a story about a girl who watched some swallows return to their old nest, fix it up, and used it to hold their eggs in. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom seemed to enjoy both listening to me read and looking at the pictures I shared. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises. It was near the end of playing for the night, but I did them before I concentrated on writing this update. {Smile}

   I read comics around lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after that. I looked around and started working on paperwork, especially reporting the problem with the badge I didn't get. Then I spotted bowlofdro, and asked him how he's been, since it's been a while. We chatted a bit, and then teamed up. We ran into a stranger who seemed to want to come along. Since I was running the team, I invited him. We did a mission together, maybe two. After a while, Soothing Darkness came on, and I pointed out that bowlofdro was here, and confirmed she was the one who'd asked about him recently. She joined us too. We did another mission or two, and Perogies came on. He and I chatted, and he joined us as well. The five of us teamed until the new guy suddenly left, as did Perogies at the same time. Soothing Darkness, bowlofdro, and I ran one more mission before I left to read to Mom. I wrote up yesterday's daily update between reading to Mom and dinner and started sharing with friends and family. {Smile}

   I finished sharing it after dinner and hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Soothing Darkness roleplaying with a friend and tried to join them. I tried joining them, but kept losing them, and had to call out to get back together rather often. We weren't far into the roleplay when Phonso invited me to another run of the three trials he ran last night. I passed the invite on to Soothing Darkness and her friend. they both declined but told me to go ahead. I'm afraid I did, glad to get away from constantly losing them. Phonso was having trouble recruiting. I tried to help. Almost all the solo friends were busy, though Chili Bear joined us for the first run. I was busy enough, I started late, but caught up before the end. All three trials went well. After that, the team broke up, and I worked on paperwork, especially clearing storage space the three trials had filled up. I also started talking with Nox on the chat server. Soothing Darkness started a conversation, too. Eventually Nox left to go to bed, and Perogies went back to bed. Soothing darkness suggested teaming up, and we did so for a few missions before we parted, her to go to bed, and me to write this up and sneak in a little more paperwork. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 21, 2023

    Yesterday was physical therapy. I contacted Uber a little later than usual because after sharing yesterday's daily update in the place I didn't have time for last night, I started reading articles. However, I still got there with a little time to spare. {Smile}

   Physical therapy went well. I took two pairs of dancing shoes, but both hurt my feet too soon after I started standing in them. The bedroom slippers didn't do that, though they're slightly loose, he liked them. They do turn on the floor but not as easily as socks. So that's what I used when we got to the salsa dancing. He confirmed that I'm good with the half circle taps and the double turns int eh same direction to the slowest piece. {Smile}

   I contacted Uber, and a nice, chatty gal took me home afterwards. {Smile}

   I had a nice phone call from our former nurse late in the afternoon. I enjoyed catching up with him, and catching him up with my life, too. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. Then I showed her the first several pictures in _The Calming Cat Book_. I tried to describe each kitty a little: color, coat pattern, eye color, and if it had long hair. After that, I read "Founded by Ukrainians, Grammarly Still Pays Staff Who Joined Ukraine's Army," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. The company even helped with relocation when their workers needed to move to safer locations, even out of the country entirely, because of the fighting with Russia. Then I read the June 21st story, "Billy Know-It-All," a story about a boy who was so certain he knew how to do everything, he hitched up a cart and tried to take it to market. He hit a stone, and spilled the vegetables the cart was loaded with. It was from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Mom seemed to enjoy both listening to me read and looking at the pictures I shared. {Smile}

   No exercise beyond physical therapy today. That was enough. {Smile}

   I read comics over lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after that. I said hi to Perogies, and we teamed up. Heat Transfer said hi and joined us. Perogies wanted to see if we could run a mission with him running three characters, like the fellow yesterday ran five in a farm at once. Perogies had been successful running three in a farm, but in a regular mission, it was too much. He cut back to one, and the three of us ran a few missions until it was getting late. They left when it was less than half an hour to time to read to Mom, so I did some paperwork until going to read to her. {Smile}

   I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner. Soothing Darkness said hi, and swiftly suggested a high-level task force. I joined, not having anything better. Phonso came on during the first mission, said hi, and spoke of delaying his plans to run some trials tonight. I kind of pushed and begged him to run them, promising to try to recruit the team I was on, when he said they were hard to recruit. Six from our team stayed with us for Phonso's trials, counting me, so with Phonso, we only needed one more. We almost didn't get them before we left, but we did, so we ran the first with a full team. One left for the next trial, but all the others ran the third, too. I talked with Nox on the chat server, too. After the third trial, all left except Soothing Darkness, one stranger, and myself. We ran some of my missions. Soothing Darkness left, and the other ran a couple more with me. We established long-term connections as we said goodnight. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 20, 2023

    Today was the monthly picnic. I finished sharing yesterday's update and read a few articles while I waited for the van. It eventually showed up and took me to the most common park we meet at. I had a nice talk with the gal who drives it on the way down, too. {Smile}

   The picnic went very well. We caught up with folks, including one fellow who'd returned after an absence. The food was good too, but I really enjoy the company. This group is so inclusive, you don't have to be out unless you want to be out. the van driver always sits a bit apart, but one guy comes with his nurse, and more than one brings family members, and they're as included as they want to be. {Smile}

   The leader too me home, along with one fellow we dropped off first. That let me move to the front seat, since he got that first. We had a lovely chat all the way home. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2021. After that, I showed her the rest of the pictures in _The Picture Book of Vintage Vogue_. I continued telling the month and year of each cover when I could. they don't all have a date on them, but most do. I also tried to describe each picture a little. After that, I read "Florida man Pays Past Utility Bills for 114 Families," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. He wanted to help more families through tough times in 2020. He was able to help so many because many of the unpaid bills were small - but still hard to pay. Then I read the June 20th story, "The Bee's Song," a poem about honeybees who just want to gather honey without being bothered, from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. Then I finished by showing her the front cover of the next picture book I plan to start tomorrow: The Calming Cat Book. Mom enjoyed both reading and pictures. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm swinging, and the standing arm resistance and arm weight training exercises after dinner. Then I did my head exercises, the sitting resistance exercises, and the sitting arm resistance exercise during lulls in City of Heroes later in the evening. I also did just about 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dance, but I was rather shaky... not exactly steady. So I decided to stop and talk to my therapist tomorrow before trying more. I think our head nurse was happy I stopped before I got hurt again when I told him my decision. I think I am, too. {Smile}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after some personal chores after getting home. There I found Perogies and Kitten on a full team. (No, you can't tell if it's the same team without asking, but I asked, and it was.) Only one of Perogies accounts was on it, since he now has two. On his not-teaming account, he told me Kitten was showing him a fellow who farms on five characters at once. About the time a slot opened on the team, Perogies offered to team with me, but I just had to see this fellow play five at once. So, I joined them, and we did a few missions together. The others all left at once, about half an hour before I normally read to Mom, so I took care of Val, and then worked on paperwork that had piled up in the farms. {Smile}

   After dinner and the walking and standing exercises, I hopped back on City of Heroes: homecoming. Kitten wasn't there, or the others I most commonly team up with, so I started on paperwork while I considered whether to look for a Pick-Up Group, or what. Kitten came on, and we got together. They urged me to work on a badge I found rather daunting, saying one step at a time, and they're right. However, Phonso came on, and we joined him in three task forces in a row. Then as he was leaving, Kitten suggested we join another task force that had two slots left and was leaving soon. We did, and it turned out to be run by one of my newer friends, a fellow who streams on Twitch under the name of Mollymauk76. He followed that with a high-level story arc. Next he wanted to do a run of his favorite strike force. I bowed out to salsa dance. When I couldn't safely, I went back but they were well into it. I waited, and joined the next run, though Kitten bowed out for it. Somebody else on the team wanted to do a quick task force next, but I bowed out to write this and do a bit of paperwork before bed. {Smile}