Daily Update, July 6, 2023

    I got a call from the vet's office, and finally got to tell them that I do want to try the shots after all. I guess they didn't get the message I left or lost it somehow if they did at first. Val needs to go back as we get the shots started. {Smile}

   I finished up sharing yesterday's daily update, then started my online counselling. Bad day to do that: she couldn't run overtime, so this made our session slightly short. That said, I think we covered everything I really needed to talk about. So it was still a good session. {Smile}

   I texted housekeeper when she didn't show up and found out she's coming tomorrow due to unforeseen difficulties. {smile}

   I called The Fire Ant Guy when he hadn't shown up past the time expected. He was just running late; we were his next stop. We came, and we had a nice talk around the time I paid him. He recommends regular treatments, and I'm all for them. At first they'll be every 6 weeks, while we're getting them under control. We'll be a little less often when we've reached the maintenance stage. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom. I read to her before that. I started late because of the game, but I got everything covered; just tried not to spend too much time with anything. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I covered the next few pages of _Memories 1950's_, sharing both pictures and captions. After that, I read "Snow White," from _Five-Minute Fairy Tales_, showing Mom the illustrations for that story. I finished with the July 6th story, "On the Beach," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. It was a young boy's first trip out of the mountains to the seashore, which he'd wanted to do for quite a while. Mom said she liked everything. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises late - as Owl Girl and I were typing up play, and I started working more diligently on this daily update, but I did do them. They're what my therapist wants me to do the day after therapy. {Smile}

 I read comics over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after contacting the housekeeper and The Fire Ant Guy. There, I noticed a high-level trial had one space left, and ran it on my fourth best badge collector, because the top three had the badges already. Now she does, too. After talking with The Fire Ant Guy, I teamed up with Perogies and bowlofdro. We ran a few missions. {Smile}

   Then I got invited to a strike force I normally like. Perogies left for bed, but bowlofdro and I joined it. It ran right through feeding Val, reading to Mom, and dinner, with me taking separate breaks for each, playing for a while in between. The strike force was still going after dinner, so I was able to do the last mission or two and get the full rewards... which were better than usual. That said, bowlofdro and I talked about it afterwards. We both felt it was harder than it was fun. I may try to avoid such hard versions in the future. {Smile}

   As I was beginning to wonder what to do next, Perogies came back, and asked if I had a particular type of character. I didn't, so he asked for a healer. He wanted to farm together for a while, so we did, chatting and playing until he went off to bed. Then I started talking to Owl Girl. However, I spotted a pair of high-level task forces. We agreed we'd get together after, so I joined them. Getting together got delayed when the same leader did them again; they counted towards a badge I wanted and got, starting the next badge in the series. Then I left to team with Owl Girl, despite them doing another pair. Owl girl and I chatted, role-played, and ran two missions before heading off to bed and to write this up, or at least making notes, since I didn't have time to write everything in full. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 5, 2023

    Today, I had physical therapy, so I contacted Uber. when the car got here, I had to double check, because there was a person in the bucket seat, next to the driver. Yes, this was the car, he was just helping a friend. No one was very chatty on the way over, so I just enjoyed the scenery. {Smile}

   Physical therapy went well. He introduced a foam pad to stand on for one set of exercises. that added instability which made the exercises more challenging. I introduced a few more exercises which he seemed to approve of, including one he took away the pad for. {Smile}

   I contacted Uber again for the ride home and got Cody. I was happy to see him, because I'd forgotten to tip him until the app wouldn't let me. Not that I tip him much, but even little bits help. {Smile}

   I called The Fire Ant Guy when he didn't show up. We arranged that he'd come tomorrow. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom. I read to her before that. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I moved on to more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I read the first few pages of _Memories 1950's_, sharing both pictures and captions about music stars and movies, including a couple of hits for each star, and the words on movie posters when that was shown. A few showed other pictures instead. After that, I read "Rumpelstiltskin," from _Five-Minute Fairy Tales_, showing Mom the illustrations for that story. I finished with the July 5th story, "My Fish," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. A little boy told about sea fish, lake and river fish, and aquarium fish. Mom said she liked everything. {Smile}

   No exercise beyond physical therapy today. That was quite enough exercise for one day. {Smile}

   I read comics over lunch, and after lunch for a while, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork, then tried talking to both Perogies and bowlofdro. Perogies answered first, and we began getting together. he'd just suggested watching a new movie, and I'd countered with suggesting we finish the first one. Then bowlofdro answered and wanted to get together with me to show me the character he's been working on. I suggested after finishing the movie with my other friend. Perogies and I got out of the game and got a video call going. We got the movie going and finished it. I'm pretty impressed. For a movie that was shoehorned into Issac Asimov's Robots world, I thought it fit well, and was quite good. When it was done, we went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. We teamed up, and I checked with bowlofdro. He was busy, and said go ahead, so Perogies and I started a mission. bowlofdro joined us before the end, and we ran another mission together before I went to read to Mom. 

   After dinner, I came back, and was surprised to see Perogies on all three of his accounts. (Yes, he has three now, and seems satisfied with this number.) He invited me to a farm where we were able to chat a lot while getting some rewards. We talked about the movie, both what it says about robots, and how the African Americans did not feel like token African Americans. Well, a little. I hadn't worked out why they didn't feel token... but when they interacted with each other, their voices and mannerisms changed, becoming more like the voices and mannerisms I see in shows with primarily African American casts, especially when the African American characters are interacting with each other. Eventually, Perogies left for bed. I looked around and noticed Owl Girl. I joined them for several missions, with more-or-less light role-playing while playing. Then we went to an in-game bar where a lot of role-playing happens, and talked about what we'd seen, and what it might mean. Mostly Owl Gril explained things to my character, since she has a particular spin on the context of the missions. It looks to be interesting. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 4, 2023

    Happy Independence Day to all who celebrate the Fourth of July that way. If you don't, I hope you had a nice day anyway. {Smile}

   There were around 4 very loud, very close firework spells. Val did not appreciate this at all. I had to feed him when came out from hiding. {smile}

   Our nurses switched off unusually early today. Our regular nurse came and sent the relief nurse off before I'd even had breakfast. {Smile}

   I texted a little with both Auntie Barbara and the secretary of the nursing company after dinner. Then I called our former nurse, and we had a nice chat. I do enjoy talking with him. {Smile}

   I had dinner with Mom. Yes, only dinner because of how early the nurses switched off.  I read to her before dinner. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I read the last few pages from _Visions of Scotland_, sharing both pictures and captions, followed by three postcards I'd gotten with the book, when a friend sent it to me. Next, I read "Puss in Boots," the first story in _Five-Minute Fairy Tales_, showing Mom the illustrations for that story. I finished with the July 4th story, "Kind Katy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. It was about a girl who rescued a beautiful rose from a caterpillar without hurting the caterpillar, because she was too kind to hurt either. Mom said she liked everything. {Smile}

   I did 25 minutes of salsa dancing before lunch today. I did my arm swinging, arm resistance, standing arm weight training, and walking exercises after dinner. I did my head exercises and sitting arm weight training during lulls in City of Heroes: Homecoming. Unfortunately, I was in the game too late to squeeze in another five minutes of salsa dancing after it had cooled off. I thought I was watching the time, but not well enough. {rueful Smile}

   I read comics over lunch and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after that. I started with a little paperwork. I found bowlofdro looking busy but managed to team up with Perogies and Kitten. I did chat with bowlofdro when he had a moment. Perogies, Kitten, and I ran content until Perogies then Kitten got tired. I finished with more paperwork before breaking to read to Mom and eat dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner and the after-dinner exercises, I hopped into City of Heroes, and caught up with paperwork while looking for friends. I chatted with bowlofdro - yes, he was still on - and joined Phonso in a team. When that broke up, I formed my own team, and finished a story arc one character had. That team broke up, with just one not leaving. Then he wanted to do some stuff, and I joined him. That was what went too late for me to do the last five minutes of salsa dancing. Perogies came on towards the end, and kitten... I chatted with both and joined Perogies in a farm you don't have to be constantly present in while I finished writing this up. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 3, 2023

  Today was pretty quiet. No notable phone calls, visitors, or trips out. What it was, was hot. Also, I still didn't get around to my writing somehow. {Smile}

   I had Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I read a few more pages from _Visions of Scotland_, sharing both pictures and captions. Next, I read "Reduced Shipping in Alaska Leads to Happier Whales," the last story from _100 Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors_. I finished with the July 3rd story, "Peace and Quiet," from _366 Stories for Bedtime: A Tale for Every Day of the Year_. It was about a and grandpa and grandma who had their grandsons and their parents over. When Grandpa went off to fish, the grandsons snuck after him, and found him napping. they left him to his rest. Mom seemed particularly tired today, but she did say she liked everything. {Smile}

   I did over twenty minutes of salsa dancing shortly after breakfast, first warm-up, then less structured dancing. I hoped to do more, but just could not get the third set going at that time. I blame the heat. I did my walking exercises after dinner, but then had to sit down in front of two fans, again because of the heat, I'm sure. I did my arm resistance head exercises, arm swinging and arm weight training much later, when it had cooled down some. I also did over 10 more minutes of salsa dancing after it had cooled down. That's the total of 30 I'm aiming for, but broken up, which I try to do it together. Still, I'm pretty happy to find I can do it. I'm still tempted to talk to my therapist about how to handle exercise in hot weather. I don't think I did badly, but I think I could do better. {Smile}

   I read articles around the salsa dancing in the morning, and I switched to comics a little after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork but found Perogies and Kitten pretty fast. We got together. We tried to wait for a high level, larger group event, but it was taking a long time to get together, so we ended up trying to do something on our own. I'm afraid I set the difficulty high for the first two missions, so we didn't finish. Instead, we quit when kitten said they were tired, and went unresponsive, and Perogies said they were tired, and went offline. It was close enough to time to read to Mom, I just did paperwork and said hi to bowlofdro. {Smile}

   After dinner and the exercise that I did then, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I looked for someone to team up with. i ended up seeing if bowlofdro wanted to chat before going to bed, and discovered he wanted to team. Well, it is the day before a holiday in the United States. I found a character who needed the badge we'd get from the arc he wanted to do, and we did it. He stayed way later than I expected to finish, but we did finish. We got the badge I was interested in, and the access to the powers that it gave, which he was even more interested in. Then I did some paperwork, joined a team to get a monster, and did more paperwork. I also chatted with Nox until they went to bed. I did so much paperwork because the main folks I saw to team with either didn't respond or told me earlier that they were doing really long stuff week. It was too late to get into stuff like that already. {Smile}

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}