Another sweltering day!

After a couple of fairly decent days (under 100 degrees), the temps are going back up.  I might have a heart attack when I see my utility bill this month!  I would like to just use a fan to move the air in the room that I'm using, but it's probably better to just turn on the a/c.  I don't want Rocky to suffer either.  He doesn't even want to go outdoors during the day once it gets really hot.

Jeannie sent me a photo she took of the building status.  I think I recently published a photo of the foundation, and now it looks like walls are up for the first level.  There is still a long way to go just to finish the build, and then the interior has to be finished.  I really wish it would be ready to move in before the promised date of Dec. 21, but they've only begun and a lot more work will have to go into such a large house.

I'm glad to see the air looks a bit more clear today.  I went outside yesterday and couldn't believe how thick the smoke was, or whatever was in the air that looked smoky.  I didn't smell smoke, but many older folks lose their sense of smell, and mine is just about gone!  Today doesn't look too bad, but it's still early afternoon.

 

An Outing for me!

Two days ago I went to Costco with Jeannie & Donald and it was so good to be out among people, even though everyone takes care to stay socially distanced and masked.  While I was one of the first eligible groups to be vaccinated, I still wear a mask around others.  I was vaccinated in Jan/Feb, so I'm anticipating notice that I can get a booster shot.  Thankfully, Jeannie, Donald, and their two girls also got their first vaccination, and it will be a relief when they are fully protected as well.  I was concerned about Jeannie and the vaccine because of all her autoimmune issues, but she had no problems with the first shot.  I hope her second dose goes as well as mine did.

With Autumn and Arianna here, my coffee table is stacked with their books.  They   remind me of myself when I was their age, and even as an adult when I could see well enough to enjoy reading.  That is one thing I truly miss about getting old and with waning eyesight.  I have been advised by many folks to try audio books, but I tried those once and my mind wanders because they are so tedious.  I've always been a fast reader, and the reader of an audio books speaks much more slowly and with great expression.  I just read fast with no expression (internally) that I can tell.  I listened to a part of an audio book and could have fallen asleep, it was so tedious and boring.  I then actually read the book which I found to be very interesting.

Steve, Meg, and their 2 kids are going to be gone next week, and asked Jeannie to stay at their house and take care of their two dogs.  It will be very quiet around here while they are away, especially for Rocky.  I may try to walk him a bit in the evenings.  So far I haven't walked any further than the mailbox!  I will have to constantly look where I place my feet, and try to avoid/be careful of cracks in the pavement, uneven pavement, etc.  We are in for another hot week of temps in the triple digits, so the walk will have to be done either very early in the morning or early evening.  I will be so glad when fall weather arrives.  Summer has never been my favorite season - I always loved spring, which we didn't get much of this year.  As my kids were fond of saying when they were younger, "You take what you get, and you don't pitch a fit!"  Speaking of walking, I walked a half mile on my treadmill last night.  I have doing way too much sitting with no exercise, so my legs hurt enough that I stopped at the half-mile mark.  I'll try to increase that today and then walk every single day (with a day off during the week for good behavior).

Washington, DC

My oldest grandson, Joshua, who is Mike's oldest son, is finishing up a week in Washington, DC  where he has been attending the National Youth Leadership Forum.   Mike is a graduate of George Washington University in DC, so  he knows the city well.  The family will meet up with Josh after his completion of the forum and they will visit some of the many monuments and memorials.  (Actually there is only one monument, I believe, and that is the Washington Monument; the rest are all memorials.)   

When I lived in Falls Church, VA, across the Potomac from DC, I loved getting up early on a Saturday and driving into the city.  I had my choice of parking spaces along Constitution Ave., which were free on weekends. and I loved spending the day there exploring the sites and especially going through the Smithsonian buildings.   I always visited the Vietnam Memorial and have always been touched by its power, for all its simplicity.  The design is brilliant and the experience is so moving,  for all the crap the designer of the memorial had to endure.  I think the designer was a woman of Vietnamese descent, which could explain some of the original animosity towards her, but you can't get away without shedding a tear.

The weather is hot again today, and I will be so happy when the temperatures drop a bit - down to 90 would be fine with me.  In the 80's would be better!   I finally gave in and turned on the A/C and closed the windows.  It's a shame because it's breezy outside, but breezy hot air isn't very pleasant!  It's a shame that so many areas of the world are flooding, while we are dry as a bone and extremely susceptible to fires.

 National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): National Security - Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense

Pros and Cons

There are always pros and cons to every situation, decision, etc.  The pros and cons pertaining to my upcoming move go through my head constantly, but the cons always jump out at me!

I won't be able to walk to anything.  To get to a store, vet, etc., in my present location is about a mile & a quarter, a 25 or30 minute walk (and the same when I walk back home).  That doesn't seem like much, but in my present condition and state of health it is a lot, although it would probably be the best thing I could do for my health!  Walking for my health (and of course, Rocky's health) will be the only kind of walking I will be doing in the new location.

I love the idea of living with/close to my daughter, but perhaps I'd be better off in a community of seniors where I'd have company of people who I might be more compatible with.

I was born in November of 1940, and those of you within 5 or 10 years either way of my age, will understand that we are entirely different from those who came along after us.  A 50 or 60 year old probably has no clue - and I'm not being judgmental - a person 40 years old or younger wouldn't have a clue about the 50-60 year-olds!  We all have lived through different times, different governments and world situations, different economic times as well as different economic levels in society.  My being born in 1940 has shaped and defined who I am, and there is no getting around it - I'm different than most generations alive today.   There are also differences in liberal/conservative thinking, and you can probably guess where I fall in this category, if you have read most of my posts over the years.  I'm wildly liberal, but can get along with wildly conservative folks who are open minded and agree to disagree.  I confuse a lot of people, including my children and younger siblings, because I'm socially ultra liberal but personally ultra conservative.  I hate to waste anything, although I don't feel like I was deprived as a child - and all my friends were mostly in the same boat.  My mother-in-law was fond of saying that we are "going to hell in a hand-basket"!  And we probably are.

I'm sure some of you will find that you and I are very similar in our backgrounds and our thinking, and some of you have had entirely different experiences in your lives.  In the blogger world, however, we can find common ground or we probably wouldn't be reading each others' blogs!

Enough philosophizing!   Our life spans get shorter each day, and we cannot do a thing about it except to make the best of and enjoy every minute of every day.  I hope I've mostly done that, and I can honestly say I've had an extraordinarily wonderful life and family.  I'm also grateful for the few, close friends I've had over the years.  Also for the many wonderful acquaintances who go in and out of our lives.

I find that as I get older I become more appreciative of life, friends, acquaintances, and opportunities.  I'd love to hear how you feel about this.

Happy Birthday, Donald!

Anyone who is familiar with my posts knows that Donald is my wonderful son-in-law, and today is his birthday.  He is good to all he meets, and I don't think I've ever heard a cross word from him.  He treats everyone as he wants to be treated.  I wish him happiness today and every day!

On another note, Arianna has brought in a large tub with 7 or 8 potted plants she is growing.  I think I have found a gardening partner!  We will have to cultivate a small plot and go over garden catalogues to plan next year's crop at our new place.  We both grow a lot of house plants, but I'm hoping we can also get into the fruit and vegetable category.  There is a certain joy in going through gardening catalogues, and having someone to share the joy is going to be a special treat for me.  I'm pleased to find things to be happy about in regard to the move.  Moving isn't a pleasant experience for me, but I think this one will be good and I hold out lots of hope!

Moving is a pain!

Jeannie & Donald sold their house a while back, and as I mentioned, Jeannie lives with me and Donald is staying at his Mom's house.  The girls go back and forth.  Jeannie had to move a lot of stuff from their house and garage because they sold their house so quickly, so my carport and house are full to the brim.  Little by little she is selling and giving away items they don't want to keep, but there is still a lot in my carport and living room.  Luckily I don't mind living in chaos for a while.  I can dispose of my extra items a bit later since we won't be moving into the new place until just before Christmas.

And I will have a garage, which I am happily planning to use for things other than a car.  My treadmill will go there as well as a few other things Jeannie won't want in the house.  I will have a very small space for myself, which will suit me fine, if I can use my garage space to my advantage.  My art table will also go into the garage - all the younger children love that desk/table, and I'm sure it will get a lot of use for years to come.

I know there are going to be lots of things I won't be able to move, but will face getting my possessions pared down during the next few months.   Right now Jeannie is placing ads for items she no longer wants, so I will wait until a bit later to try to dispose of my unnecessary things.  And I really don't like getting rid of things I've used and enjoyed.

I've been here for about two years now, and it has suited me very well.  I won't miss it when I'm gone, though.  The only place I've ever lived that I wouldn't mind going back to is my mobile home.  It suited Rocky and me perfectly, and the mobile home park was ideal for dog walking and friend-making.  But you can't go back, and I'm ready to go forward, probably for the last time.  It will no doubt take some adjusting on my part, but I am very positive about the move.

One thing I won't have and will miss is my fireplace.  I think there is a fire pit in the back yard area - don't know how it works or what it burns (wood, or ?), but it will be nice in the cool evenings.  So far we have only been able to view last year's model home, and I think this year's is pretty much the same except for being a bit larger.  I'm anxious to go back and see it again, and maybe take measurements.  And I will try to keep my mouth shut and not complain about anything!

 

Doggie Manicure

I am taking Rocky to get his nails clipped this afternoon.  He absolutely hates anyone touching his paws, so he has to be sedated in order to get the trim.  I feel so sorry for him as he looks drugged up and doesn't know what's going on.  His nails are totally black so the "blood line" isn't visible, which means they won't cut very much off.  I'll have to take him back in 3 or 4 weeks for another trim, which by then, won't show much of a difference.  Not driving makes it so difficult to go anywhere or do anything!  Cherish your eyesight while you have it!

I still haven't turned my a/c on but it won't be much longer until I need to.  The greatest thing about Sacramento summers is that it gets very cool overnight and the cool lasts until at least mid-day.  Usually.  The grass looks like yellow-brown straw, unless you water it daily.  I have concerns about water in what is predicted to be a drought year, so I don't water anything except my house plants and my tomato plants.  Most of the tomato plants are a bit "iffy", but I'll probably get a few to pick.  

Speaking of the a/c, it came on at 1:30pm.  And that's all for my exciting life today!