Day 324 – Evolution

Today was my last free Sunday before my next solo performance class starts up again next week. What was I to do with all this extra free time?

I cleaned. I know. So boring, but hey, when will I get a chance to do that again? Then I realized that I hadn’t visited a hiking trail in awhile due to the shorter winter days, all the rain storms, and well, I just haven’t been motivated. So today I high tailed it back up to there yonder mountains. And by “mountains”, I mean, “Mountain Boulevard”, and then make a left on Joaquin Miller Road, then make another left into the Joaquin Miller Park parking lot.

I followed Sunset Trail to Sinawik Trail to Lookout Point. A fairly easy hike. I always try to time it with the sunset, but I arrived a little early tonight and had to wait. And boy was it worth it.

The subtle evolution of a beautiful sunset:

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I just never know when the sky is going to show off. I have had way more nights where nothing happens, so this was a treat. If I had a better camera I would have taken even more pictures as the sunset was fading, but it was too dark for my little Samsung Galaxy S10+ (in case anyone was wondering about my phone).

Then I walked back to my car thankful for this evening’s sunset- knowing tomorrow night, it’s supposed to rain.

Sunday, January 31, 2021:

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Day 323 – January 2021

I can’t believe we are almost finished with the first month of 2021. January was a lot to process. I kept waiting for some crazy Q-anon people to mess with the Inauguration after the riots at the capitol. But now it’s over-what a crazy transition of power.

I am looking forward to February – my solo performance class starts up again and I have really missed it. I love the writing process, but I really need the feedback from others or I just sort of stall out. I don’t know how others can write or create alone. I am definitely not an island.

Today was chill – I went on a walk, did some laundry, did some writing, went on another walk, zoomed with some friends and now I am watching Saturday Night Live. They’re finally back after a long hiatus.

I had a dream last night that I got the Covid vaccine and the shot didn’t hurt at all. I didn’t feel the needle or anything. That’s the second pandemic dream I have had since last March. I am kind of amazed I haven’t had more Covid dreams. I wonder what it all means- if anything.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

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Day 322- Balance

I slept heavy last night. Around 3am I heard the last of the rain storm pound against my window and then this morning……poof. It was gone.

Today was a crisp dry California winter day, as God intended, and balance was restored. During my morning walk I realized that I could never move to the Pacific Northwest -too rainy. And I could never move down to Southern California – too hot. But the Bay Area…….just right. I guess I am stuck here forever.

I worked from home today and got some things done that I had been putting off. It was a pretty chill day. I am grateful for the post election normalcy. Like I said before – balance has been restored.

Friday, January 29, 2021:

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Day 321- Parting Clouds

Halfway through my morning walk, the rain started coming down. Whenever this happens, the squirrels and the birds go run and hide and then I’m sad. But this morning, no amount of rain could have stopped this little guy. It was a challenge- balancing my umbrella, iced coffee and camera, but I did it. I got the shot.

This afternoon I went into the office for a few hours as the rain kept pouring down. Then around 2:30pm, I looked out my window and the clouds begin to part…

I worked as efficiently as I could so I could get home before sunset and go for another walk before it started raining again. I think the heater was on in the office, which is not good for my hot flushes, so I had to keep my fan on to keep me from feeling nauseous and claustrophobic. I got home and sprinted towards the lake and breathed in the cool crisp air. While others were wearing heavy coats and hats, I was quite comfortable. Perimenopause sucks, but hey, at least it keeps my PG&E bill low.

Thursday, January 28, 2021:

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Day 320 – Better Days

Well I survived the rainstorm last night. This morning I was able to sneak in a walk before the dark clouds came back a second time.

After the Rain

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As much as I don’t like how the rain gets in my way, I know we need it. I know it makes everything pretty and I know it’s a teacher in gratitude. After it rains, sunny days seem sunnier, our hills are greener, and my perspective is sharper. And it’s supposed to rain all week.

I don’t know if it’s because California’s “Shelter in Place” mandate was lifted, but today there were no long lines outside the stores. It was like pre-pandemic times as I was able to run in and out of Trader Joe’s quickly and the shelves were fully stocked at Walgreen’s. Better days are ahead.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

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Day 319- RAIN STORM!

As I type this, the rainy wind is coming down hard and all I can think is…. “if the power goes out, my phone battery will die“. Am I prepared for the power to go out? Do I have a plan? DO I??

I have one one flashlight with batteries. I have one scented candle. I have a gas stove and heater. WAIT, if the power goes out, does that mean my internet goes out as well? PANIC. True confessions: I didn’t get WiFi until 2020 because of the pandemic and being forced to work from home, so I don’t know how this works! Before 2020, I would just watch free television with bunny ears and use unlimited data on my phone. I didn’t have a Roku until 2020. And now, if there is a power outage- I must go back in time and rely on my pre-pandemic survival instincts.

I feel like the power used to go out a lot more when I was a young girl in the 70s. It all seemed so exciting back then. How did we pass the time? Can someone remind me? Did we play cards? Did we listen to a battery operated transistor radio? HOW DID WE SURVIVE??

Don’t mind me. I’m just panicking as I charge my cell phone and laptop. I should probably end this blog right now and conserve energy. I’ve already said too much…..

Tuesday, January 26, 2021:

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Day 318 – Bring It On

So the “Stay at Home” mandate for the State of California has been lifted, meaning– it’s up to each individual county to decide how much to open up. My county is in the “purple tier”, so now we can have outdoor dining and hair cuts again. Yipee. Baby Steps.

Today it was FREEZING, and by that, I mean it was in the 40s when I began my morning walk. The only reason why I survive these walks is because I have a permanent heater in the midriff of my body called perimenopause. Oh, and also, at least once an hour, I have a hot flush. Not a hot flash where you sweat, instead I just get really really warm all of a sudden. It is the weirdest feeling in the world to have your feet be ice cold one minute and then five seconds later, they are warm and you didn’t do anything but let the heat flush over your body. So yeah, walking in 48 degree weather? Bring it on. No hat, no mittens– just menopause.

Then I went into the office for a few hours and knocked out some paperwork while wearing a short sleeve shirt with the fan on. But I only turn the fan on once every 45 minutes. And then five minutes later, I turn it off. Good times.

And then at night, when I am tucked in my bed, I want ice cream all of a sudden. But then it passes and I want soup. And then ice cream again. And then soup. Being a woman is fun.

Because I was in the office today I missed my evening walk and sunset pictures. All I could do was snap a quick shot from my apartment balcony amongst all the other buildings and telephone wires. Normally I would say “better luck tomorrow“, except it’s supposed to rain. No me gusta.

Alright, I gotta go finish binge watching “The Americans” again.

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Day 317 -Coffee at Night

It rained today and I didn’t think I was gonna get anything done because rain makes me want to eat soup and binge watch television, but I did it. I actually got some work done. I did some cleaning, I did some writing, and I may have had to drink coffee at night in order to get it all done, but I did it. Now I understand why there are coffee shops on every corner in the Pacific Northwest.

Starbucks Cafe Mocha- it’s not just for breakfast.

It didn’t rain during my morning walk, but I was rained out of a sunset tonight, so no pretty pictures. It’s back to the squirrels.

Sunday, January 24, 2021:

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Day 316 – One Day at a Time

I soaked up the sunshine today because a storm is supposedly coming next week and I’m scared. Hold me. Too much rain makes me cranky. On the bright side, in pandemic news, supposedly in the Bay Area, ICU availability jumped to 23% today, so that’s good. They say if we stay like this for a month, businesses can slowly reopen again.

Today was pretty chill. After my morning walk, I did laundry and continued to de-clutter my life. I am embracing my inner “Marie Kondo”, one corner of my apartment at a time. I am all about windowless storage. I don’t want to see any of my stuff out. Today, I purged my bathroom cabinet and travel bag that has been sitting on my closet floor forever. Tomorrow I must look under my bed and address that nightmare. One day at a time.

Then I went on a late afternoon stroll for some sunset pics, followed by an evening Zoom chat with some friends.

And now I am digging through Amazon Prime for some old 80’s movies. Last night I watched “Hiding Out” with Jon Cryer. Anyone remember that movie about a stockbroker who is on the run so he shaves his beard, changes his clothes, and enrolls at a high school? The same year this movie came out (1987) we also had a guy hide out at our school. He said he was a Sophmore, but he was HUGE and we thought it was suspicious. And then one day after pretending to be a high schooler for a few weeks, maybe months, he got arrested during Spanish class. Good times. Oh the 80’s.

Saturday, January 23, 2021:

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Day 315 -Then the Sun Came Out

I had my second monthly furlough day today, so after going on my morning walk (that turned into a sprint because it started to rain), I did some early spring cleaning and purging. It was rather therapeutic on this rainy day. Then the sun finally came out around 3pm and I went to visit an old friend.

Pearl the Kitty!

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Her mom had texted me yesterday looking for a last minute cat nanny and “was I available” and of course I was! I can’t say no to that face. After visiting Pearl, I drove down the street for another visit.

My Mom’s/Grandma’s Old House– Before and After

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That’s right. Pearl the kitty lives down the street from my mom’s old neighborhood. I remember going to this house when I was little. I remember in my grandmother’s old bedroom she had all these different wigs on her dresser. I also remember her alarm clock. When it changed the time, it did it very slowly. The numbers would gradually change. I used to stare at her clock and wait for it to change at the end of the hour. It was like her alarm clock worked in slow motion.

The house also had a Jack and Jill bathroom that connected the two bedrooms. I thought it was neat that a bathroom had two doors. I also remember thinking the street she lived on was hilly, but in reality, as an adult, there is only a slight elevation. When you’re a kid everything seems so big.

After that, I went to the lake for my sunset pictures. I got some good ones tonight.

Friday, January 22, 2021:

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