Spooky days are here again

My downstairs neighbor awhile ago

I am not sure when the person who lived right downstairs from us moved out, but he was there long enough for me to enjoy his seasonal decorations for a few years. I think he grew those pumpkins in his plot in the community garden some of us shared. I no longer plant anything in it, as I got very tired of all the slugs getting first dibs on the best vegetables. I tried to make them drink beer out of shallow containers, because I learned that they love beer and would drown themselves in it. But it still seemed like a lot of work and frustration, and finally after years of all kinds of tricks, I gave up. I have shared the beer trick with others, some of whom swear by it.

As I am aging, I notice that I am more choosy about how I spend my time, and have given up many activities that I once thought were simply part of me and wouldn't ever stop. Until I began to lose my eyesight, and as it has continued to slip away, I have found other things that give me pleasure. Fortunately, I can still write and read blogs, which will eventually leave me, so I am taking advantage every day that I can see well enough to create and post these missives. Even when I have little to write about. I can still read books on my Kindle, but it's a lot of work to get through a complete novel or memoir (my two favorites), so that also is curtailed. 

I am still able to volunteer in the lunch room at the Senior Center, so that has helped to keep me socially active. Some of my best friends these days work with me, and we share the lunch room duties. I can also take the bus to my yoga class across town, and I've grown familiar with the route and the drivers. I feel a part of my community in ways that I cherish every day.

John, me, Michelle and Gene

This morning's picture was taken at the coffee shop today, when my usual coffee shop partner John invited Michelle and Gene to join us. Gene is in mourning for his long-time girlfriend, Paula, who died this week in her late eighties. He cared for her daily during the last few months, and I had heard that she was dying. I just didn't know her well enough to visit, but it was wonderful to see Gene again and tell stories we remembered about Paula. Michelle flew into Bellingham from her home on the West Coast to support Gene.

The three of them decided to go to a local restaurant for breakfast, but I declined and took the bus home. I'm glad I did, because it began to rain and I wasn't dressed for it. I am once again feel with happiness because of all the wonderful people who surround me with love. Gratitude abounds.

:-)

Definitely well into fall

Favorite tree beginning to turn

I love this tree and take pictures of it all during its annual passage from tiny little maple leaves to the time when it sheds all its foliage. It's still got a ways to go before then, and yesterday when I walked by it, I expected the color would be farther along than this. But whatever, I am glad to have days when it's shining prettily and it's not raining on me as I walk home through Cornwall Park.

We had such a good time last Saturday here in Bellingham with the thousands of people who showed up for the No Kings rally. Then I enjoyed seeing the pictures taken from across the country; the organizers figured there were close to seven million of us. The atmosphere was festive and happy, even as the rain started and it began to drizzle. I saw plenty of inflatable costumes, which I figure will get another outing for Halloween, which is coming up quick.

Yesterday I walked the entire three miles of my usual walk, which is unfortunately getting more difficult to do more than a couple times a week. It's sad to recognize that I'm beginning to slow down and am losing the energetic pace that I once took for granted. But I still go out every day and get some steps, sometimes more than I probably should. 

I am so forunate to live here, and my routine might be a little different than it was a few years ago, but I will continue to make the effort for as long as I can. For one thing, my easy chair is much more comfy after being out and about. It feels like I deserve it!

:-)

Love the red colors

Taken a year ago

According to the information about the photo, this is what we saw exactly a year ago. I perused my old pictures for something that shows the color we get around here in the fall. Right now we are almost at the peak of color, but it does vary a bit from year to year. I do think we are not quite at the peak. It sure did get cold, though: it was in the low 30s (F) when I woke this morning. I dressed for the cold and walked to the bus and joined my friend John at the coffee shop.

Although I am no longer hiking with the Trailblazers, I still enjoy seeing where they go and how many show up, even in this cold. They went over the border today to a horse farm that I have visited a few times myself. I hung out with John and then decided to take a short walk home. I did cut it short, however, because I was a little bit worried about SG, who was still in bed when I left this morning. He was fine, however, so I am not going to tell him about my concerns. If he does read this, I will tell him I don't know what he's talking about (smile).

I did my laundry once I got home, which always makes me happy (once it's finished and folded, that is). We have full sun, clear and cold, but much warmer than this morning's freeze. It is almost balmy now, with the temperature up to 59 deg F. Tomorrow I have a pretty full day, going to the Senior Center North for yoga, then taking the bus home and heading off to the dentist. I never enjoy going, but I always enjoy having clean teeth. Hope they don't find anything wrong with my choppers.

I remember when I was a girl, hardly any old people kept their teeth. My grandma had dentures, and I guess everybody was expected to lose their teeth. What a different world today, eh? I don't think I know anybody who has dentures. Both of my parents died in their sixties, so they had their own teeth. Do you know any people these days who take their teeth out at night? Interesting how these things evolve over the years.

I think I'll take a short trip to the grocery store before calling it a day. It's still sunny and bright, making my spirits feel sunny, too. Have a great day!

:-)

Two favorite people

Steve and Lily at Adagio's

 I'm not sure at all what we were looking at in this picture, but it's one that I like of both of my friends, taken last Saturday at the coffee shop. Afterwards, I went for a really nice walk with Steve, although I realize that I am not as strong as I think I am; partway through my hip began to ache. It wasn't enough to stop us, but Steve began to look for shortcuts back to our cars. We went more than five miles, and I was able to continue on, even though I forgot to bring some Advil, just in case. It now resides in my new pack, and I'll take it some next time I feel the hip complaining.

This coming Saturday, we will be experiencing much less comfortable weather, with the high only reaching into the fifties (Fahrenheit), with rain. It was much warmer and sunny last week when I took this picture. It is beginning to cool down during the day, and the much shorter days are continuing to bring sunrise and sunset ever closer to the winter solstice in late December. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying whatever sunny conditions we have. There was a time when I wouldn't let a little thing like some rain keep me from exercise. But things have changed, especially during the last year for me. It mostly started with that fall on the ice last February, when I went airborne and came down on my already injured right hip. Through the months, I've gotten much better but have never regained what I had before the fall.

Today is sunny, even if it's not exactly warm. I went to the hearing aid place to have another hearing test to see if I have lost any more hearing in the past year or so, and I was pleased to find that not much has changed. The audiologist gave my hearing aids a good cleaning and adjusted them, and sent me on my way. I found that the extended warranty expires at the end of March, and although I can still continue to use them, if anything breaks, I will have to pay up to $300 for the fix. And my usual copay from here on out will be $20 more, but it is all doable. Of course, everything everywhere is going up, isn't it?

Tomorrow is my monthly Facetime call with my sister Norma Jean. I hope she's doing well. It is also my time for the weekly yoga class I enjoy so much. And I always feel much better and grounded afterwards. I'm very grateful for that class. 

:-)