Daily Update, July 2, 2023

    Yesterday was Sunday, so I contacted Uber after breakfast. I actually hoped to get there on time, even when it said the driver was 12 minutes away, but that was before he made an emergency 7-Eleven stop. I got there during the announcements and sat with Auntie Barbara. She told me they were using the hymnal. later, she said it was to save paper. I hadn't grabbed the last bookmark, so I had to flip as I went along, which made it even trickier. Though Dad used to say that people are good page turners. {Smile}

   After the service, we sat together for lunch, which was small. I was surprised how little they had. The nuts I'd taken last time were actually popular. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara took me home. We were surprised to not find our carport empty. We went in and found the relief nurse back. Seems the main nurse wanted and earlier break this week, but he gets a long stint next, since she returns to regular days next week. Anyway, Auntie Barbara came in and visited with Mom. We sang several songs together. Auntie Barbara thought Mom was in good condition for a phone call with her sister. maybe so, but by the time I'd cleaned up and settled in after she left, I was not. I'll just have to call my aunt when both Mom and I are good. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Yes, only dinner, despite the relief nurse being here when I got back from church. I'd had lunch at church, after the service. With my reading, I started with scripture and thoughts about it, then continued by starting the 2020 long family Christmas letter from her niece. After that, I read a few pages from _Visions of Scotland_, sharing both pictures and captions. I cut that short because she was tired, trying to read the last story from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_, but I realized she was tired even for that. So, I finished with the July 2nd story, "The Lazy Weasels," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. That book's stories are all short, and numbered by day, so I hoped it wouldn't be too long for her. It was about a mother weasel who tried to make her lazy daughters hunt, but they just got Mrs. Hedgehog to feed them instead. Mom seemed particularly tired today, but she did say she liked everything. {Smile}

   I did my walking, arm resistance, arm swinging, and the standing arm weight training right after dinner. I did my head and sitting arm weight training exercises just a little after, while looking for something to do in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I also got almost 10 minutes of Salsa Dancing done. Yes, ten minutes. I did the 8-1/2-minute warm-up, fed Val, and tried to start the next set. I got a little over a minute done when I got dizzy. The instructions from a previous therapist were to stop, and my current therapist says get my balance back, but it didn't feel like the kind that comes back fast, so I just stopped. {rueful smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, did some personal chores. Then I read comics before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found and joined a high-level trial. I hoped for badges, but they didn't get any my character didn't already have. After that, I got together with Perogies. He wanted to watch I, Robot, a science fiction film. We got about 3/4ers of the way through before I wanted to break to read to Mom. {Smile}

   I hopped back into CoH:H after dinner and exercises. I did more exercises while I chatted with a few friends and acquaintances who were busy, hoping to find someone to join. I ended up soloing some stuff until I someone invited me to a popular task force. Phonso came on. I invited him to it. He was slow to join, but eventually did. That task force ran slower and later than I expected by a fair margin, but we did finish in time for me to get a little salsa dancing in. Not much salsa dancing, though. I need to work on this. {smile}

Daily Update, July 1, 2023

    Since physical therapy was cancelled, I had a quiet day. As usual, I didn't have anything else planned, and I didn't do anything notable, either. {Smile}

   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 long Christmas letter from her sister's friend. after that, I read a few pages from  _Visions of Scotland_, sharing both pictures and captions. Then I read "French Nun Who Survived Wars Beats Covid Before Turning 117," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. Record keepers call her the oldest living person in Europe, and the second oldest person in the world. I finished with the July 1st story, "The Page Boy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. He lived in a castle tower, and had things to study, though not formal school. He felt frustrated with his life until a bee pointed out how hard bees work. Then he felt a bit luckier. Mom seemed a little more engaged in pictures and readings today. {Smile}

   I hoped to do my salsa dancing around lunch, since I didn't have physical therapy then, but physical therapy is in an air-conditioned room, and salsa dancing at home is not. I think it was too hot, because I just couldn't get going. I did fine with my walking, arm resistance, arm swinging, and the two standing arm weight training exercises after dinner. I did most of the sitting arm weight training and all my head exercises as I was looking for something to do. I did the last of the arm weight training when there was a lull in the game. Later, after a strike force with Freaky and Mysty, a friend from the chat world, I did over 20 minutes of salsa dancing. I was hoping for at least 25, but the strike force ran late enough, it would have pushed the dancing and its music both closer to bedtime than I like, and later than I like to have when the nurse is sleeping. {Smile}

   I finished yesterday's update after breakfast, then tried to find the motivation to do my salsa dancing and failed. I think it was warmer than it's easy to get going that fast, in part. In the future, I'll try turning on fans. I'll also try doing them the other way around. I read comics and articles over lunch and afterwards, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork, then joined the early long, large-group event. Again, I got on my role-playing partner's team, and did a very light role-play of our characters greeting each other. Then we ran the event. Perogies was there, too, along with a few other friends, though it's too big and too busy to interact much. I did some paperwork afterwards. Perogies and I started chatting too. He told me how a less demanding video setting brightened his screen, which he was having trouble within certain missions. I tried it, and it was hard to tell the difference in the place I was, so we started a task force with a lot of the kind of place he had particular trouble with. bowlofdro said hi after we were far enough in, restarting wasn't appealing. Besides, he was working on his own stuff, though he and I still talked on and off. Perogies and I got almost halfway through before he asked how long it was, and admitted he didn't think he could finish. So, we quit, and worked on some badges. He said goodnight and left, and bowlofdro finally got free. We were able to squeeze in one mission together before it was time for me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercises, I hopped back into City of Heroes. I caught up on some paperwork, and search for something to get into. That wasn't easy; not much was going. I did talk to Mysty, and found out what team she was in, but when I learned, it was full. When i spotted a fellow advertising that, I volunteered, and sure enough, it was the one she was on. So I got to team with her, along with several strangers. We were starting the final mission when Phonso invited me to a strike force. I invited the team, but only Mysty stayed for it. We joined up with Phonso, and it got such a slow start, i got almost all the sitting exercises done while we were waiting for it. We ran it together, and I did enjoy playing with a group with two good friends in it. I started my salsa dancing soon after it let out, and still only had time for 20 minutes, but I'll work on fitting it in much earlier when I can. I visited with them, especially Mysty, around the dancing and feeding Val, then started writing this up, along with doing some paperwork that had developed with play. {Smile}

Daily Update, June 30, 2023

    I text-chatted with our former nurse a little. I also checked on our housekeeper by text. I learned to expect her back mid-to-late next week. {Smile}

   I got a call from Life Care Center. They had to cancel my physical therapy tomorrow. They expect to resume Wednesday. {Smile}

   I helped the relief nurse with minimal cleanup so the house will be in a little better condition when the housekeeper comes back. Not that it's in her job description, so I was surprised but grateful when she suggested it. Home nurses often do light housekeeping, but Mom's too tough a case to ask more than cooking, dishes, and some laundry. {smile}

   I tried to call the vet to let them know I'm open to at least trying shots, but I didn't get an answer. I didn't leave a message because I intended to call back but didn't remember to in time. {smile}

   I contacted The Fire Ant Guy. He'll come and start treating the house next Wednesday. He spoke of a maintenance schedule after the initial treatment. I would like that. {Smile}

   The secretary from Helping Hands Healthcare, our nursing company came by. I caught her up on what's happening, especially with Val and my physical therapy. {smile}

   After dinner, I got a short phone call from our former nurse. It was good to hear from him. {Smile}

   I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I read two Christmas cards from her cousin and sister. then, I continued reading _Visions of Scotland_. I showed her each picture, reading each caption. She wasn't quite as quiet, looking at each picture, and commenting on a couple. Then I read "Rwandan Drone Cuts Delivery Time for Life-Saving Meds," from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. In part because of fewer airspace regulations than more developed countries normally have, and in part because of a commitment to this project by the country, they're really cutting down the delivery time for blood for transfusions and other life-saving medications. I finished with the June 30th story, "Sophie's Dream," about a girl who dreamed of waking up and going to a party nearby, only to wake up and find it was a dream. 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 arm resistance, walking, arm swinging, and standing arm weight training exercises right after dinner. I did my head and sitting arm weight training after the task force with Phonso. I had no shoulder problems like I did earlier in the week. {Smile}

 I read a few comics after breakfast, and more after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and some soloing while I tried to find someone to play with. I realized from looking at my friends-list that bowlofdro was going to the later short, large-group event, and decided to go too. I enjoyed playing with him and other friends there, especially one from the chat server days who was leading. Then bowlofdro and I went to the later long, large group event. I found myself on my RP partner's team and said hi. I enjoyed running the event with friends, too. Then I did some paperwork and left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and the earlier exercises, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said goodnight to bowlofdro as he was going off for the evening. Then I did some paperwork and soloing, with a pause for the phone call with our former nurse. After the phone call, I started talking with Chili Bear. Then Phonso came on and invited me to a task force. I invited Chili Bear, since Phonso always tries for a full team, and Chili Bear joined. Then I started checking the rest of my friends list and found one other friend who joined. We ran the task force and finished nicely. Then I did some paperwork and looked around. There weren't many friends on, and they looked busy, so I got together with a fellow who was running a story arc. So did one other, and we did a mission and a hunt together. Then we did another mission, but it was glitched. We searched at great length for the last critter. The third person left, two others came in to help, one of them left, and I finally suggested we restart. I told him how to reset the mission, and he did so. The second Time Worked Fine. Then the group split up, and I did paperwork before making notes to finish the next day. {Smile}

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}