Daily Update, December 4, 2023

    Monday, I started out with a couple of phone calls. I got my doctor's office, and they recommended some painkillers and keeping an eye on the shoulder for now. {Smile}

   I also called church, and ordered three memorial poinsettias, for Dad, his brother, and Mom's sister. {Smile}

   Then this afternoon, my ear started having trouble popping. Then my jaw developed a very tender spot on the right side, which felt like not-quite-pain radiating out to my teeth. After a fair bit of debate and an aborted call to my doctor's office that got the answering machine, I called my dentist when it settled into more by the teeth, less by the ear. I now have an appointment Wednesday at 10:50 am. I'm hoping they can fix it, but if they decide it's more ear, I can go to my doctor after that. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were closed when I got there, but she opened them briefly to say hi, and they stayed open when there was stuff to look at. She responded a few times, too. It was a reasonably good day. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read some cards: one from her cousin's granddaughter, a (different) cousin, her sister. Next, I showed her the first few pages of _1940s Fashion in Pictures_. After that, I read the next story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "Saving the Crystal Empire." I finished with the 4th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Roller Skates." Simon had saved up his pocket money and bought a pair of roller skates. Now his father thought he spent every moment of his free time outside, roller skating. Ho complained that the boy should read or play football, but Simon's mother thought it was just a phase. She thought he wanted to be the best skater at school. One day, Simon's father telephoned from the train station on his way to work. He'd left his wallet at home, and the train left in ten minutes. Simon took it on his roller skates and got there just in time. His father was very impressed, saying he should get a pair. Then they both laughed. {Smile}

   Teaming with Kitten ran right up to time to start my salsa dancing. So, I started my salsa dancing warmup, and grabbed for a chair to steady myself after the second piece. I also noticed my tooth getting less comfortable with the exercise. So I stopped that for the evening, and just took it easy. {small smile}

   I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming soon enough after lunch to join the early short, large group event. After that, I found Pierogies, and we joined the early long, large group event. Then we teamed up, and tried to team with Kitten, but Kitten had to leave for personal chores. So Pierogies and I teamed up on the low-level characters. I asked to run a story arc, and we did. Then we did one mission in the story arc we worked on earlier. After that, we tried to get into the later short, large group event next, but the zone was full. We saw Kitten, and tried to join them, but they turned out to be quiet. (Kitten later complained about falling asleep.) I had gotten a character who needed to work on something that folks often work on in the zone where Kitten was, so we did work on that, making significant progress on that until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I got together with Kitten. Except I took time out to start writing this before we really teamed up. They were working on the thing Pierogies and I were working on before, so I got the same character, and we both got what we needed. Next, they noticed fewer friends were around, so we watched a My Little Pony longer story that I'd asked about recently. I asked about a sequel I could see should follow that story, but I really wanted to run a particular story arc so I could follow what Pierogies is doing without having to stop for this story arc. We got it done just in time to do my salsa dancing, except that didn't go so well. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server, and I wrote a bit more of this after the salsa dancing. Then Paradox chatted with Kitten and I briefly in our joint conversation, but soon went quiet. Then Kitten and I watched My Little Pony story that that I'd asked about earlier. Yes, I'd seen a direct sequel to the first one that actually did happen too. After that, I wrote a little for Nox and Kitten about something I'm hoping they can help me sort out with my writing. I also made notes for the parts of this that I hadn't written earlier. I had to write it up the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 3, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so I called Uber after breakfast, and they came and took me down to church. I'd gotten to bed particularly early last night, so I got to church particularly early, too. It gave me more time to look around as well as talk with people, which was nice. {Smile}

   It was a nice service, our first service of Advent. Our priest pointed out that's only three weeks long this year. The fourth Sunday of Advent is Christmas Eve, so we go right into the Christmas season after that. {Smile}

   Lunch was almost all dessert because two folks tried to cook their stuff at the same time and blew a circuit. Auntie Barbara wanted to leave before it was ready. I didn't sit with her, but we talked as she took me home. She came inside, and visited with Mom, who sang several songs with us before Auntie Barbara left again. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. her eyes were open when I got there, though she closed them a few times, but opened them when there was something to look at. She responded several times, too. It was another good day. First, I read scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read some cards: one from her cousin, a friend, church, her nephew, and lastly me. Most were short today, except for mine; I'd written a bit of a note. After that, I showed her the last several pages of _Movie Stars: Memory Lane_. Then I read the next story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "Cutie Mark Magic." It was about the marks ont he flanks of most of the My Little Pony ponies. I finished with the 3rd of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Marbles." Fiona and Gordon felt it was a long time since they'd played marbles. They found five red, two yellow, and two green in the odds and ends box. They wanted five each of one color for a good game. They asked Mummy for money to buy more, but she made them look elsewhere first. Fiona found another yellow marble under her bed. Mummy said she could buy two more yellow ones, but they asked for money to buy three greens as well, so three people could play, and Mummy gave in. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and arm swinging exercises while I was waiting for Uber to pick me up. There were some twinges during the arm swinging, but I didn't think it was too bad until I had a bunch more twinges while using the mouse to play City of Heroes this evening. I still did my walking exercises - no problem there - followed by my warmup salsa dancing set, a break, and my less structured salsa dancing set. After another break I did my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises, and some of the arm resistance exercise I've been doing. I think I need to take another break from the arm resistance, arm eight training, and first three leg exercises, but the walking and other leg exercises seemed fine. I also think I need to contact my doctor about this, since it came back. {resigned look} 

   I hopped into City of Heroes homecoming after cleaning myself up in the early afternoon. I got there in time for the early short, large-group event, which I joined. Then I went to the early long, large-group event. After that, I did some paperwork and badge-collecting until Pierogies said hi. We teamed up on low level character and ran a mission. Then he wanted to join the later long, large group event, but that runs when I'm reading to Mom and eating dinner, but we just had time to join the later short, large-group event, so we did. The first run was fine, but the second run turned nasty. We were trying to push through, so we wouldn't have to fight as many enemies, but three bunches spawned, and started attacking us. We did manage to finish, but it was tough. It does feel good to succeed after that. {SMILE}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming and caught the late night short, large group event. Then I started writing this up and read some comics. After that, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, did some paperwork, and looked around. Michiel and Azurette were on, so I said hi. Azurette didn't respond, but Michiel did, and I joined him. I said hi to Nox, who was slow to respond, but we still got to chat. I also let Kitten, Paradox, and Owl Girl know I was playing. Paradox came in and joined us. Then Azurette said hi, explaining that she just finished a task force. She joined us too, and we did a mission or two then all three of them left, and I soloed until I started my exercises. I watched videos and did some online shopping between and after the salsa dancing, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 2, 2023

    I got some texts from the nursing company's secretary that did clear up some misunderstandings from yesterday. {Smile}

   I also talked with our main nurse. He wanted to tell me about his vision of care after Mom goes. It sounds like I might need to cover more nursing than I thought. This may take some planning. {bite lips}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She opened her eyes when I started, looked at the pictures, and even responded once or twice. It was another good day. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with some cards: one from her cousin, a Thanksgiving card from one of her sisters, and an Easter card from her other sister. After that, I showed her the next few pages of _Movie Stars: Memory Lane_. Then I read the next story in _My Little Pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "All About Alicorns." It was really about all the different kinds of ponies in My Little Pony, but it paid the most attention to the extra rare alicorns. I finished with the 2nd of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Journeys." Daddy decided to get the globe out and play the journey game. John loved that idea. Daddy said the first country was hot and dry, with desserts and buildings called pyramids. John called out Egypt, and they all found it on the globe. John went next, describing a country where people speak French, and eat snails. The capital city has a tower you can climb. Claire said the tower is in Paris, and the country is France. They'd gone there. {Smile}

   I thought I had left more time for exercise, but I suddenly realized I was late for salsa dancing, so I immediately did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a shorter break than usual, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Fairly soon after, I did my head exercises, arm resistance exercises, the one sitting arm weight training exercise that doesn't use my shoulders or upper arms much, and my walking exercises. I only had to skip my leg exercises because I needed a rest after the walking exercises and didn't really have the time. Considering the late start, this is good. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning myself up after lunch. There, I found it was too late for the early short, large-group event, but I found Pierogies waiting for the early long large group event, so I joined it, and we ran it. After that, we teamed up. First, he helped one of my villains get a badge that improves her character. Then, we switched, and joined a low-level trial. I think he wanted it to level his character; I used it to get a badge mission on one of my characters. Then, I switched to a low-level character, and we ran a story arc together. We finished in time for him to join the later long, large group event. It was too close to time to read to Mom for me to join, but I did manage to solo a low-level story arc he hadn't done. Barely managed to squeeze it in, but I did. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back too late for the late-night short, large-group event, so i did some paperwork and some badge hunting, then started to talk with Michiel, who I've actually been talking with and teaming with several times recently, but I didn't remember that's what I'd started calling him. I made a note in hopes I remember where to look it up in the future. We chatted, and teamed for much of the evening, with an individual mission, then finishing a story arc he had, then another individual mission. I also started chatting with Nox and Kitten separately on the chat server. Teaming with Michiel ended later than I realized, which is how my exercises started so late. I watched part of a video or two, and did alittle paperwork, but less than usual. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 1, 2023

    On Friday, the secretary from the nursing company came over before lunch. We talked, and she cut my hair, and we discussed how things are going. {smile}

   I got a call from our former nurse later that afternoon. He 

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open when I got there. they stayed open, too, and she responded sometimes. It was a good day. I opened with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read the last bit of her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Next, I showed her the first few pages of _Movie Stars: Memory Lane_. Then I read the next story in _My Little pony: 5 Minute Stories_. "Foalsitting 101." I finished with the 1st of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "the Legend of the Pine Tree." The fairy of the forest got annoyed with her subjects, the tress. They were quarreling about who had the best leaves. The chestnut said theirs were the biggest. The oak said theirs gave the best shade, the copper Beech said theirs were the best color, and so on. They laughed at the pine, and said it wasn't a real tree. It had needles, not leaves. The forest fairy turned herself into a squirrel, and asked each tree if she could build a nest in their top branches. All said no, except the pine. Seh climbed to the top, turned back into a fairy, and made all the other trees lose their leaves all winter in punishment. That's why Christmas trees are pines, and often have a fairy at the top. {Smile}

   After I got done with teaming, and was satisfied for now with the badge hunting, I did my walking exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and the one sitting arm weight training exercise that doesn't use the upper arm and shoulder much. Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. Then I took a break before doing my less structured salsa dancing set. Then I took another break before doing my leg exercises and head exercises. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles in the morning. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after cleaning up after lunch with Mom. It was too late for either early large-group event, really, and the only folks I often team with who were on weren't responding. So, I worked on paperwork, then did a little badge-collecting. I also admired the snow, pine trees, and Christmas decorations in one zone that had appeared since the day before. Then Pierogies said hi. He wanted to work on low-level villains, so I got my lowest, and we did a story arc my character had. We both gained a couple of levels. His were the right levels to make it easier to keep that character's name, since lower-level characters have shorter grace periods before their name can be reclaimed. We finished just in time for me to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late night short, large-group event, then looked around. Pierogies was on, so we chatted, but he wasn't ready to team. Then I started writing this up. I also started chatting with Haiden on the chat server. Nox joined us after a while. I somehow didn't feel like teaming with strangers, so I got badges on the character who's on her last run to the end game. Yesterday, I noticed she had almost as many badges as my 7th best badge collector. Now she is my 7th best badge collector, and the old 7th is 8th, but they aren't as far apart as I am comfortable with when ranking them. I finally joined a trial that folks wanted to run quickly on the same character. Then more badge collecting to firm up her position in 7th place. Once again, I had to finish writing this up the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 30, 2023

    Today was so rainy, I got a note from our deacon delaying her next visit until next week. We'll see what happens. {Smile}

   I also got text messages from Auntie Barbara. She's having "minor flooding." You know, the kind that's always more minor when it's not your own garage. {lop-sided smile}

   Our relief nurse didn't come in today. she lives to the south, which Auntie Barbara does, too. She probably had too much rain and flooding to deal with traffic too. {concerned look}

   I got a call from our former nurse after dinner. Yes, he's having trouble with the rain and flooding too. Hilo's prepared for some rain, but all you need is a bit more to start having trouble. {resigned look}

   I thought about web fiction sites some more and asked a few friends about their opinions. I also discussed it a bit with my counselor. I'm not sure if I'll figure out a way to make that work for me or not. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I got there, but she closed them for parts where it was mainly words. She opened them for pictures, and even spoke a few times. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I showed her the last several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She kept looking at the cute kittens as I described each picture a bit in lieu of words to read, so I ended up continuing until I finished the book. Next, I started reading My Little pony: 5 Minute Stories. I read the Introduction and the first story, "the Royal Wedding." I finished with the 30th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Happy Harriet." Harriet had a smile that seemed to be contagious. If she heard the milkman before she went to school, she'd run out with a basket to save him walking up the lane. He smiled when he saw her happy little face. If it was cold or rainy, she kept herself cheerful by skipping and humming a happy tune. She smiled at anyone who looked cold or miserable, and they smiled back, Even crying babies started gurgling if she stopped to play with them. She visited her grandmother every Saturday, and always took flowers from the garden. now there weren't any flowers, but she found some leaves and berries, and arranged them. Granny smiled and said they were lovely. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Azurette and Kitten to get together in City of Heroes: Homecoming after dinner. I'd been slow, so when I was finally ready, they'd found things to keep busy with, and had to get done and come back. After we finished teaming for the evening, I did my walking exercises, then my leg exercises, followed by my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then, after another break, I did my arm resistance exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning and over lunch, along with finishing yesterday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to catch the early short, large-group event on the character who levelled last night. This is the first time she's been high enough to join it. Until last night, she was too low level to enter the zone it's in. Pierogies was there, so we started talking. Then he asked me what I wanted to do. I chose the early long, large-group event next, since I know he loves it, and this character was better prepared for it than she ever has been before. After that, he wanted to Kitten joined us, and Pierogies wanted to do the high-level arc we were doing. So, we all got good characters for that. We had one mission left, but we each had to lead it, because that's how the game works. Then we continued with the next arc, doing the first two or three missions before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to do the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up. Then Kitten caught me while I was working on a personal chore. I finished, and we teamed up. Kitten had a particular project that we had to figure out how to start. The first couple of way we tried didn't work. As we were figuring out how to make it work, I spotted Azurette, and started chatting with her. I invited her, but failed to tell Kitten what I was doing, so they got bored, and started to get snacks just as Azurette and I were finally ready to start. However, we got back together, and ran the story arc Kitten needed to do to develop a new character they're making. I also started chatting with Nox on the chat server. I talked with Owl Girl, too. Kitten joined Owl Girl and me at times. Paradox joined the three of us at one point, too. Azurette, Kitten, and I finished the story arc in time for just a little chatting before I started my exercises. Meroa said hi just then, and asked what I was doing. I told them I was starting my exercises, but the others might still be playing. Haiden joined the discussion with Nox while I was exercising, which livened it up. I also wrote this, switching to making notes as it got late. Again, I had to finish writing the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 29, 2023

    Wednesday was a mostly quiet day. I did have a phone call with the secretary from our nursing company. It was nice to talk to her. {Smile}

   I did more research into web fiction sites, and realized different sites are likely to fit different stories better. Also, I don't know that I'm cut out to write the long stuff that seems so popular in web fiction, so the web may not be my best choice. I'll have to see. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were open when I got there, but she closed them for parts where it was mainly words, but still opened them for pictures. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then, I showed her the next few pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She looked at the cute kittens as I described each picture a bit in lieu of words to read. After that, I read a longer story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Well, by that' book's standards it was longer: 4 pages instead of 1 or 2. Last, I finished with the 29th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "James's Visitor." James had to stay in bed with a bad cold and an earache. He couldn't have visitors. His mother was worried because he didn't want to eat his food or take his medicine. Suddenly she remembered a music box she'd found weeks ago: a little painted wooden box shaped like a cottage with a key sticking out of it. She bought it to give to James on a special occasion and stashed it in a drawer.  {Smile}

   Teaming in the evening ran late because when I'd normally stop, I got the finale of the story arc I'd started earlier this evening. Finishing it was just too tempting, so I ran it ending at a good time to start my salsa dancing warmup.  After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. Then after another break I did my walking exercises. After yet another break, I did my arm resistance exercises, and my head exercises. I missed my leg exercises, but that's all I really missed, since I'm not ready to resume my arm swinging exercises or arm weight training exercises yet. {Smile}

   I read articles as well as did most of that research in the morning and over lunch. Then I remembered to write up yesterday's daily update after lunch. I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late for the early short, large group event, and didn't see most of the regulars on. However, I did see a high-level trial being run for a particular badge. I checked, and it was the last badge my best badge collector needed for another badge. I joined it, and I got those two badges when we ran it. The leader then mentioned another high-level trial run for a particular badge. It turned out to be the last my best badge-collector needed for another, similar badge. So, I stayed on the same character, ran the next high-level trial, and got those badges, too. Still not seeing anyone around, I did the paperwork those trials had made. Then I joined a mid-level team on a mid-level character I felt like playing. I figured I'd get to lay twice as much as if I waited for the later short, large-group event. I stopped a bit before time to read to Mom and did some of the paperwork that character had accumulated because I wasn't sure I'd finish the next mission in time. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming for the late-night short, large-group event. Then I ducked out of the game long enough to start writing this up. Next, I hopped back in and started checking my characters. Kitten mewed at me, and we teamed up. I checked with Ulty, but she was busy.  Another friend didn't respond when I said hi, so Kitten and I started running the character I've been working to get through her missions at the level she's at and got her through the last contact who she could out-level before she levelled. The quiet friend finally responded, and joined us after the first mission, maybe partway through the second, I think. Then all three of us finished a story arc my character only had the finale left to do. It was more talking and less action than I expected, so we went right into the next story arc. I started talking with Nox on the chat server, too. My character levelled during that story arc, since I've finally been letting her gain experience again for last couple of day. That's the story arc that ran a little into my exercise time. I kept talking with Nox, and started talking with Kitten and Owl girl on the chat server after I finished teaming. I also checked my characters, and worked on writing this, switching to making notes as it got late. I had to convert the notes to proper writing and share it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 28, 2023

    Today was Tuesday. I got a message from my doctor when I first woke up. They answered my question pretty clearly. That was a huge relief. {SMILE}

   I started researching sites that host web novels. At first, I just tried listing pros and cons of each site, but before I finished the first, I started listing popular genres too. I thought web fiction looked promising... now I'm not so sure. But it's really too soon to say yes or no. So, I'll see how it goes. {smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes were open when I got there. She barely spoke, but she looked at all the pictures. I Started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. After that, I showed her the next several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She looked at all the cute kittens intently enough I showed her more pages than I planned to, describing each picture a bit in lieu of words. Next, I read a poem, a short story and a slightly longer story from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. Next, I finished with the 28th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Cozy Nest." Pippa flew around, twittering plaintively. Nettie the Nightingale asked Pippa why she was still here when all the other swallows had left for Africa. Pippa fluffed herself up to keep out the chilling wind, and complained she didn't want to fly all that way. Weren't there some kind friends who'd help her? Nellie invited her to warm up in her nest while she thought where Pippa could spend the winter. She suggested Mr. Thomas's loft, since he always leaves the window cracked open. {Smile}

   After attending a vigil in City of Heroes: Homecoming for a while after teaming and paperwork wound down, I left my character up while I did my walking exercises, my leg exercises, my arm resistance exercises, and my head exercises. then I did my salsa dancing warmup. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set, too. {Smile}

   This morning I read a lot of articles, as well as looking at sites that host web novels. I did those after lunch, too. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming early enough to join the early short, large group event. I found Pierogies there, as well. After that, Pierogies wanted to do the early long, large group event. Paradox came in and joined us, too. Then Pierogies wanted to continue the high-level story arc we'd started a few days ago. While I was looking for the right character, Paradox left again. Then Pierogies found his character, and we ran the next mission. He was tired enough to leave after that, so I did a bunch of paperwork on the character who'd just done both large group events and the mission. When I was done, I notice d I just had time to join the later short, large-group event, so I switched characters, ran it, and did paperwork that had piled up on that character until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back in time for the late night short, large-group event. it's a rare day when I catch all three short, large-group events, but I did Tuesday. Then I started writing this up. I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming when Paradox was interested in going back in while waiting for a friend in another game. We teamed up and did one mission. Then they went to join their friend. I said hi in the discussion with Nox, Radio and Haiden, but didn't get a response quickly. Such are chat-servers; sometimes folks are busy. I did what paperwork the character I'd just used had. Then I noticed a vigil was going on for a player who'd died quite recently and went to it. I don't know the player who died, but I know some of their friends. Nox said hi around the time I joined the vigil. We chatted off and on while I was at the vigil, and while I did my exercises and salsa dancing. Paradox came on and we started chatting in other conversations shortly before Nox left. I stayed at the vigil as much as my computer allowed me to, since it disconnected during the salsa dancing and was fussy about reconnecting after the salsa dancing. I ended up making notes towards the end and finishing writing this up and sharing it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 27, 2023

    I tried to call my primary care physician, but only got as far as his answering machine. I tried to call my gynecologist, too, but got the after-hours message when I was ready to leave a message, so I didn't even leave a message. I'll have to try both tomorrow. {small smile}

   I got a phone call from our former nurse. we had a nice chat but ran out of things to say in time for me to do my full salsa dancing after that, which worked out perfectly. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I got there. She didn't speak, but she looked a lot. I read scripture and thoughts about it first. I read more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020 next. Then I continued with the next several pages of _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She was sure looking at the cute kittens. Since there are no words, I described each picture a bit. After that, I read a story and several poems from _365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_, I sang two poems I knew tunes to, and realized I didn't remember a third tune as well as I hoped. I finished with the 26th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Old Photographs." Anna and her younger sister, Karen, complained that it was raining. That ruined plans to take their dog, Beano, for a walk. Mummy pointed out that Beano didn't mind. He was sleeping in front of the fire. Mummy brought out a thick photo album. She said it was nearly 100 years old. There were pictures of ladies in long dresses and funny hats in a park the girls considered theirs. Mummy said it was the ladies' park then. One lady had a big lump at the back of her dress. It was their great-great-grandmother. She was wearing a bustle, which was elegant back then. Mummy said their clothes would look quaint in 100 years. Anna hadn't thought of that. {Smile}

   After teaming, I did my walking exercises. Doing them normally left my arm and shoulder feeling normal, so next I did my leg exercises, which I'd been avoiding because I brace myself with both arms. I detected no trouble there, either. Then I started my salsa dancing warmup to have it interrupted by our former nurse's phone call. After that, I did a full warmup set of salsa dancing. Then after a distinctly shorter break than usual, I did one song of the less structured set. I took a pretty short break before doing the second, so I got the normal amount of salsa dancing done, with just a smidgeon more from the false start due to the phone call. {Smile}

   I read comics, articles, and a little of one of the web novels in the morning and over lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming in time to join the early long, large-group event, which Pierogies had already joined, and was waiting to start up. After that, Pierogies and I teamed up, and started running missions. We ran quite a few together, working on clearing some of one character's missions which I do want to do before she starts the home stretch to the end game. Paradox joined us for the last couple before we broke so I could read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late-night short, large-group event. Then I began writing this up. I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming when a comment got Paradox interested in joining me there. We teamed up, and I said hi to Ulty and the friend I teamed with recently. Ulty was busy roleplaying with a friend, but the other friend joined us around the end of the first mission Paradox and I did. I also chatted with Haiden, Nox and Radio through much of the evening. We did several more missions together before Paradox left for the evening, and the other friend for what he thought would be a short break. I worked on paperwork while he was gone. However, when he came back, he realized he was needed elsewhere before we got going. After that, more paperwork before I started my exercises. I said goodnight to Haiden first, then Nox, and lastly Radio. I read articles, did some paperwork and badge hunting and wrote this up and posted it after Radio left. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 26, 2023

    Today was Sunday, so after breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a fellow came and took me there. He said he'd mostly been picking people up from the airport today until I called. With it being the last day of Thanksgiving weekend, I bet a lot of folks are either going back to their home island, or coming back from where they went for the weekend. {Smile}

   I got there a little before the service, so I had time to settle in. The service honored. the Holy Sovereigns, as they were calling Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma. It was very well done. We had a man and a few women representing a Hawaiian order that dates back to the kingdom in the front row. {Smile}

   After the service, I checked with our priest about memorial poinsettias, as well as replacements plaques for two of my grandparents: Mom's mother, and Dad's father. All four grandparents had plaques on pews, but we only find two now. Our priest is still looking for them before ordering new ones, or even discussing how much I might donate for replacements. Yes, I've offered to donate for the replacements, though I follow that with my hopes that it won't be as expensive as the first donations, since we donated for the first plaques already. {Smile}

   I sat with Auntie Barbara for lunch. We had a nice talk, including with those we sat next to. since church has long tables that encourage visiting. Then she took me home, and visited with Mom, singing several songs with her again. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. Her eyes opened when I started showing her pictures and stayed open after that. 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 started reading _Exploring Kittens_ by Nobuo Honda. She was tired at first, but I think she got interested int eh cute kittens. Next, I read a few poems, singing one I knew a tune to, and then read a story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 26th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Make-Believe." The narrator says that after Mummy said goodnight, and before they fall asleep, they like to imagine being someone quite different. last night, they were Tarzan, with a pet lion they'd rescued from a trap as a cub. The lion let him ride him and protected him. He slept at his feet and roared loudly at everyone except Tarzan. Then he says goodnight to Mummy and decides to be an underwater explorer looking for treasure in a very old ship. Then it's morning; he's been dreaming. {Smile}

   I started to do an arm exercise, then remembered I'm giving my arms a rest. So, I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening, then my salsa dancing warmup set. After a longer break than I meant, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. For the second piece, I tried a new piece. It was good for about 3 minutes. Then it sped up, so I did one of my shorter pieces. I definitely got more salsa dancing than usual done. I'm kind of glad, because I'd been hoping to get my leg exercises, but it got late enough, I think I'd better start them tomorrow, if I have as little trouble with my shoulders as I did today. {Smile}

   I wrote up yesterday's daily update after I came home and read some Sunday comics. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Perogies was in the early long, large-group event. I joined, but it was fairly close to done, so I didn't do it long. They had a small group that day. After that, we teamed up. We thought Kitten was asleep, but then Kitten came back into the game. So Kitten joined our team, and we all got our warshades. We did the rest of the warshade story arc just in time for me to read to Mom. Well, there's another arc in a few levels, and the last arc a few levels after that, but we've done what we can until I gain some more levels. {Smile}

   After dinner, I was just too late to join the late-night short, large-group event. So, I read some comics, then hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming when Kitten got my attention. However, they were quiet in the game, even though it wsn't that many minutes later. They must have fallen asleep in the small window between trying to get my attention and me responding. Instead, I teamed up with another friend who was doing some missions. When we finished his story arc, we debated who's to do next, and ended up keeping going with his. I also chatted with Hayden and Nox on the chat server. Eventually, the fellow quit for a while, and I did some paperwork until starting my exercises. I checked some paperwork in City of Heroes; Homecoming and started badge hunting. Gargle Ripper invited me to a farm, but it was one for folks who were actively participating only, and I had to finish my salsa dancing, so I bowed out. I finished writing this up, but later than I like. I need to work harder on getting done earlier. {Smile}

Daily Update, November 25, 2023

    Auntie Barbara came over around noon. She visited with Mom, and we sang a bunch of songs - the nurse said eight of them. That's one of her best visits recently. {SMILE}

   Then we went out, and joined Michelle, who waited in the car as usual. We caught up on the way down to Wailoa Park, particularly learning about Michelle's Saturday job that she finished early enough to come to the picnic today. We found an empty small, one-table pavilion. I took salad and water, which were both good, since Auntie Barbara's only salad was sweet potato salad, and no one else brought drinks to share. Teh food was very good, and mostly traditional: turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce... Sweet potato salad was as close as we got to regular potatoes, I think. There was a coconut and sweet potato dish that was a traditional Pacific basin dish, but not particularly associated with Thanksgiving. It was very good, though. {Smile}

   After lunch we took a walk up with park until Auntie Barbara was ready to turn around. Then we went back to the car, and drove over to Liliu'okalani Gardens, and the "ice cream parlor" where Auntie Barbara and I got popsicles, and Michelle got ice cream. I almost got blueberry cream, but then I spotted liliko'i (passion fruit) cream and got that instead. They've added tables and chairs and moved the popsicle freezers into a room that had been storage only, and added a counter, a table, and stools. That is doing amazingly well for a business that was brand new in the pandemic. Mind you, it's still not fancy, but it's looking good. We ate int eh car, then they took me home. {Smile}

   After I got home, I got a surprise call from my cousin Nancy, who lives on Oahu. It's been too long since we've talked; we both agree. Maybe we'll get more going, at least for holidays or something. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. Her eyes were open, but she was quiet again. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I moved on to more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2020. Then I finished _Classic Fashion: 40s 50s Memories_. After that, I read a slightly longer story from_365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 25th of November's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Cleo's Hat." Cleo was a timid young marmot. When gentlemen marmots spoke to her, she was too shy to answer, so they went away. Her friends said she'd never marry. There was going to be a ball, where ladies sometimes wore hats. Cleo said she didn't have a hat, so she couldn't go, but she really didn't want to. The morning of the ball, her friends brought her a beautifully decorated straw hat covered with flowers, leaves, and berries, which they'd made specially for her, so she had to go. On the way to the ball, the hat blew off her head and was spoiled. Cleo cried, because it had been a beautiful hat. A handsome marmot told her to dry her eyes, for she looked pretty without a hat. Then he offered his arm. She lost her hat, but she found a husband. {Smile}

   I did my walking exercises after teaming for the evening finished. My arm felt enough better, I didn't\' avoid using the arm that has been giving me trouble to brace myself during the walking exercises, and I did fine. No trouble. If that continues, I'll try bracing myself while I do my leg exercises, too.  Then I did my salsa dancing warmup set. After a break, I did my less structured salsa dancing set. After a slightly shorter break, I did my head exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles in the morning, and a little after the picnic. Then Nancy's phone call came in. After the phone call, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I think I was too late for either early event, but Pierogies and Kitten were both on, so we teamed up, choosing warshades to work on next. We started the next warshade arc, doing the first few missions, with a pause to talk in there, too. We stopped when it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this. Next, I read a couple of short comics, and hopped over to the chat server, where Kitten and Paradox both said they'd join me in City of Heroes: Homecoming. So, I went in there, and noticed a low-level trial I knew a character needed. I almost got the wrong character, but checked, realized my mistake, and switched in time. After that, I teamed up with Kitten, Paradox, Ulty, and a fellow who hung around after the trial. We ran the rest of a story arc I had. I also chatted a bit with Radio's boyfriend, who's name is Hayden, and Nox on the chat server. Then the team broke up, with Ulty and the new fellow heading to bed, Paradox heading out to wind down for the evening, and even Kitten going offline for a fair while. It was late enough that I got a bunch of paperwork done instead of joining something new. Then Kitten came back in time for an individual mission or two and a hunt before I started my exercises. I chatted with them on the chat server for a while after that, until they left. Then I watched videos, read several more comics, and talked with Kitten a little more when they woke up and said hi.