8 AM: Finally got up for the day. (Actually, the dog made sure to awaken me @ 5:30 AM, but retirement is WONDERFUL, so I went back to sleep.) Morning prayers, followed by cleaning up and getting dressed…again, thanks to retirement, am free to wear jeans and a sweatshirt…hooray for comfort.
9 AM: Take dog to the levee between Central H.J. and Minnetrista Center. It’s a beautiful day (sunny and temps climbing into the 40’s) and the dog loves running by the river. Then, it’s off to the store. Since the local super markets all closed this past summer, shopping for food requires more time and planning as well as driving farther. Gas is now @ $2.79/gal. which means we “seniors” need to keep in mind how much it will cost to travel for groceries, too.
10:30 AM: Back home (which means the dog “has to” have a raw hide treat). Start a load of laundry. I am so grateful for the washer and dryer @ home—it sure beats schlepping loads to the laundromat! Plus, it frees me up to do other things, e.g. dishes, sweep the floor, talk with an old friend. Heated up a frozen meal (cheese and asparagus ravioli with carrots and red peppers) in the microwave oven. It was pretty yummy and there was no mess to clean up. I swear, I am getting lazier by the day! Watch the noon news on TV…more of the same: politics, murder, fires, etc. Text from sister in TN recommending checking out an internet link for a petition to impeach the President. Will need to go to the library to access a computer (we don’t have wireless @ house due to the cost).
Afternoon: Sort out bedroom closet and set aside items (clothes, household items, books, etc.) to take to the Mission. Finish laundry and put away. Dust living room furniture. The dog is letting it be known that she is more than ready to go to the park for her afternoon walk, so load her into the car (she does love to ride)! First, we wind our way around the numerous detours (for roadwork, bridge replacements, etc.) to arrive at the Muncie Mission. One of the residents helps to unload the donations and we are off again. Once we get to the levee behind the high school, the dog is eager to get out and run up and down the levee and into the wooded area near the river. Once back home, there is time to read awhile (And ‘I’ Perish…about U.S. military nurses in WWII) before “papa” (to the dog and cats) gets home from work.
Evening: Meeting a friend for dinner @ a local restaurant. Wow—the parking lot is packed, but finally found a space out back. Staff reports a “5-15” minute wait for seating (which turns out to be over ½ hour). As the restaurant has two floors, but no elevator, we need to sit on the 1st floor due to my ambulation limitations. There’s a reason the place is crowded and noisy—the food is consistently good! Our friend updates us on her work at the local hospital ER (doing psych consults) and her project to provide groups/communities with training to aid in conflict resolution. Also updated one another re: family members, including oohing and ahhing over pictures on the telephone of most recent addition to the family. Back home, tend to dog and cats (e.g. water, medication for one of the cats, take dog out, etc.) and get ready for bed (10 PM).
