Captain's Log - April 2021
creative ideas • worries • insights • reflections • thoughts• pep talks • things I’m excited about
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6137
Thursday, April 1, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6136
Friday, April 2, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6135
Saturday, April 3, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6134
Sunday, April 4, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6133
Monday, April 5, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6132
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6131
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6130
Thursday, April 8, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6129
Friday, April 9, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6128
Saturday, April 10, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6127
Sunday, April 11, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6126
Monday, April 12, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6125
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6124
Wednesday, April 14, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6123
Thursday, April 15, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6122
Friday, April 16, 2020
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6121
Saturday, April 17, 2020
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6120
Sunday, April 18, 2020
Yesterday was a very blue day. I have blah for awhile and just trying to persevere through what I assume is some variety of covid-depression, but this is enough. I wrote a MuMu (Mugwump Musing) for the older grandkids about self-care during dark days defining a prescription of actions to take to get yourself recentered in your joy, love, and peace. I really wrote it for myself. I am delighted with this MuMu device. It really serves to clarify my thinking on certain topics. I don’t know what the kids think about them, or will think in the future. But for my benefit alone, it is a worthy undertaking in itself.
We had our first post-vaccination visit with my sister Carey and her husband Lee. They came from Oshkosh to drop off a gift of appreciation for Dan K. and his wonderful lawyering on Carey’s behalf. When they’d concluded their visit, they stopped here for a beautiful visit in the sun on the patio with plates of Devonshire (the Everick’s Bakery favorite of Grandma Shirley). We had such a nice visit - but the best part was the tearful, heartfelt hugs. I love her so much. And I know how much she loves me. It filled my heart and broke my heart at the same time.
I tried jumpstarting my metabolism and elevating my mood with a large Diet Coke from McDonalds. This is the fourth day in a row I have succumbed to caffeine for uplifting. I exercise each morning, but it isn’t doing the trick. Oh, so sad! I am otherwise caffeine-free. Where is this going, I wonder. That does it! I am requesting a thyroid check and adding more cardio to my day.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6119
Monday, April 19, 2020
I made it a wonderful day and seem to be pulling out of this mope. A big dive into Spring Cleaning helped immensely. It started with a trip to Target looking for dinner trays and an easel to replace the missing one for Keith’s watercolor that sits on the kitchen counter. I got two drawers ship-shape, super-cleaned the stove and bought new drip pans for the burners, and got about 80% of the pantry beautified. I also spent some time outside cleaning all of winter’s debris out of the vineyard flower beds, furniture, and stone floor. I swept a lot! I also did a little weeding along the way. It looks to very lovely. I realize I consistently underestimate the effects of order and cleanliness on my well-being. I feel so much happier. I also got over 10,000 steps in.
I made us a great little Italian dinner, lasagna, garlic bread, green beans, and cherry pie ala mode for dessert. It was a candlelight affair in the dining room with a bit of dancing afterward to the beautiful Italian cafe playlist on Apple Music. Ah. Romance!
I wrote little love notes to each of the older grandchildren. Nothing much, but enough to let them know they are in my heart. I also worked on more granny goodness with some calendar planning for future fun.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6117
Wednesday, April 20, 2020
What a special day we had yesterday. Kallie and her boyfriend Gio came over for a fancy brunch in the dining room with the full la-dee-dah. Food was delicious and visiting was just lovely. I am still glowing. After our food, I introduced them to our new Cartoon Card game. We had to draw ourselves riding an insect, and ourselves with an alien. It is such a great game. Once people get over some tension about their drawing ability, we all relax and have a great time. Time like this with grandchildren at that age is rare and precious. We were honored. (Kallie also gave Gio the grand tour of Keith’s artwork.
I finalized my plans for Flower Day with Presley and Lilly and did some shopping for flower seeds, stickers, flowery tableware, paintable plant pots, and some flowering plants. This is gonna be a fun one!
There was more love late in the day when Keith and I had a Matching Jammie Night and a Love Summit. I love these. They are so romantic and heartwarming. We wore the black and yellow Chevy jammie pants with the black Chevy tees. Keith was delighted. Me too. I’m not sure why this delights me so much, but it does. There’s no place on earth I’d rather be than in Keith’s arms.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6117
Wednesday, April 21, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6116
Thursday, April 22, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6115
Friday, April 23, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6114
Saturday, April 24, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6113
Sunday, April 25, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6112
Monday, April 26, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6111
Tuesday, April 27, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6110
Wednesday, April 28, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6109
Thursday, April 29, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6108
Friday, April 30, 2007
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6076
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Yesterday was magnificent. For the first time in over a year, I got to see John, Jen, Jim, & Sandy - and assorted relatives and friends. To see them, hug them, and whisper love to each other. Yes, there were tears - most notably stoic Jim when he hugged me. What wonderful people. Conspicuously absent were Carey and Lee who said they had other plans, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there is still political grudges and hurt at play. Regardless, this milestone was sweet indeed. We got to know CJ a little better and what a delightful man. This was also a celebration of Jen’s mother and her 87th birthday. She is so healthy and spry. Sadly, I wrote “Nicole” on her card absentmindedly. I know her name is Noel - but I was rushing out the door and flubbed. She was so gracious anyway and told me how she does that all the time. It reminded me about Ghandi, the finger bowl, and the queen. Classy lady.
Kallie is on the home stretch for the semester. I was able to give her a little help with her American Government presentation on tackling a community problem. She has a ton of work to do in this class. I am worried whether she can pass.
Keith took me for a joy ride to the lake/marsh. This is almost a daily occurrence since Spring so we can see the birds and water and sky. Keith took me out for brunch also. A lovely morning!
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6075
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
What a sweet lunch we had. No wonder! We were with two of the very sweetest people ever, Tom Guilefoile and Mary Strauss. We treated as thanks to Tom for returning the painting he bought so many years ago from Keith. It is called “Grandpa’s Whistle.” When you sell art, you never expect it back, so this was a special delight for Keith (and me too). We heard more stories about Tom and Mary’s adventurous life and the hardships in their families, both involving losing a spouse and having a profoundly disabled grandchild. I am not matchmaking, but I am friend making. I think they need each other. They must think so too because they made plans to meet again so Tom can suss out the valuable cards for Mary from her late husband’s baseball card collection. I followed up with a nice photo of the four of us to commemorate the occasion. Make a note: Backyard Grill is too noisy for old people with hearing problems. I had to ask for us to be moved so Tom could hear, feigning I couldn’t. A kind deception, I hope.
It was also a big day for Kallie’s semester. I challenged the claim that Kallie had until 6/3 to submit her assignments. It was about my 6th or 7th challenge and this time I demanded that Kallie show me documentation, but she couldn’t find the email her mom referenced. I got Maggie involved again and my worst fears were concerned by the email she found. Everything was due yesterday. If Kallie had not been warned, she would have failed her class. As it was, she had 19 assignments to speed through. Five tests are still being graded so we have no idea how she did in the class but she is at a B+ without the test grades. (gulp)
We had a little soccer mess and I ended up feeding the kids and taking Lilly to soccer and Presley home. I realize I am not as flexible as I could be about my time. I am annoyed when it is usurped by someone’s bad planning. I don’t like being annoyed so try to use it as practice in letting things go. I am getting better. I think at my age, you need to just enjoy the ride and not get hung up on the detours.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6074
Thursday, June 3, 2021
I love a day filled with manual labor and tidying up the environment we call home. Each Spring we are buried under an avalanche of maple trees’ propellers, weeds and crabgrass, and little tiny plants that must be plucked with arthritic fingers from the cracks of a thousand stones carefully laid to make an outdoor floor. Each Spring, Keith and I give ourselves to the clean-up of our little plot of the planet, giving it our best. And we hang plants and decorate with flowers, plaques, and colorful cushions. We make a cozy retreat for each other, and for the enjoyment of passers-by. It is time spent tending this wonderful little spot for which we’ve pledged to care. I love it and hope I can keep up with it until my last day. I am on the porch now. The breeze is lifting the hair around my face and a sparrow is tweeting a love song. Children are squealing and laughing from behind the school. a dog barks. Whatever is this force that holds my molecules in place and makes this thing called me? That force weakens in this sanctuary and I feel myself mixing with the molecules of the sky, the flowers, the chair, and the sun. I love tending. It feels like god’s work.
Our monthly TV Nite yesterday featured a documentary called “Fandango by the Wall” about a 300 year old folk music style from Veracruz. Of course, we had bean burritos and a mexi-dip with taco chips. The style is called Son Jarocho. It was produced by Quincy Jones and Carlos Santana. A familiar song in this style is “La Bamba.” Indiginous Mexican artists gathered at the border wall and played their music. Very moving. Often it takes more creativity to come up with a matching meal but this was easy for a change. I love TV Night.
I am trying to resurrect my journal project again. I think I need this to savor and reflect upon my life. It makes time go so much slower. Sometimes, it feels like time is standing still. Hello, journal. I missed you.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6073
Friday, June 4, 2021
The big news today is Kallie’s completion of her semester’s homework. It appears she will pass all her classes and even land some solid A’s and B’s. I took her chicken and wild rice soup and a cookie from Panera to give her some energy without upsetting her stomach. I am so proud that she got this done and excited to see what grade she lands in this last class - likely a B but maybe A or C. I feel like she deserves a celebration. Maybe I’ll buy her a Time Management class. Ha Ha.
A big day at the May’s! We made a trip to Menards bright and early to fetch gallons of asphalt dressing. Out driveway is freshly topped and as I type, Keith and I are sitting on the porch watching a thunderstorm roll in. A thunderstorm the weather app added a couple hours ago after we finished. We’re hoping it blows over, or if it rains, doesn’t damage the hard work Keith put in to make it so perfectly black. Fingers crossed. Prayers said. Incense lit.
I made a lovely supper for Keith - BBQ chicken breasts, jojo potatoes, and cole slaw. We are having banana cream tarts for dessert in a few minutes. I just love making these little darlings. Instant sugar-free pudding is my absolute favorite dessert!