Category Archives: One Word

Intentions for 2020 – Review for November

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

NOTE: We opened up a little and now we’re closed down again with the rising COVID-19 rates. The Wellness Center is open, but you have to sign up for a time to use the equipment – only one person at a time and only 30 min. three times a week. No fitness classes and no personal training. Still no dining rooms open, no Happy Hour because it’s too cold to sit outside. Still no gatherings, including Senior University, Gazebo Group, although we meet by Zoom. Still no visiting in any of the other buildings. Masks at all times outside the house. Shopping is still of the on-line variety. I go to Trader Joe’s about once a month, and to the commissary about once every six weeks – otherwise, I order from Safeway and they bring it out and put it in my trunk – no contact, or from Amazon – again no contact.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4.4 pounds since 12/31/19. The weight loss in the last month is directly attributable to worry about Big Al.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – I’m trying to limit my consumption to no more than 3 or 4 a week, but Starbucks keeps luring me with specials and “free” stars.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day.
    • My cholesterol was a little high when I had my blood tests for my annual physical. I cut down on the number of eggs I eat weekly – no more than 4 per week, and I’m keeping the cholesterol under 350 gms on the days I eat eggs, and under 150 gms on the other days.
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Still no personal training but my trainer worked up a routine for strength and balance that I can do by myself – I managed to do that routine for about a week before they shut us down again, and cut access to the Wellness Center to three times a week. Hopefully, I’ll get a new routine this month.
    • I’m walking outdoors when the weather is decent, although now that it’s turned colder, I have a hard time encouraging myself to go outside. Because of the new schedule I can’t walk the indoor track at the Wellness Center.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – my dermatologist diagnosed rosacea and prescribed a cream. She also froze several places of precancerous actinic keratosis.
  • My mammogram was completely clear. The bone scan showed that I have a little bit of osteoporosis in my left fibula – 1.7% chance of a broken hip in the next 10 years.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. We carry Lysol wipes in the car for complete sanitation for our hands.
  • A third case of the virus was reported by a staff member at Franke Tobey Jones, one in July, one in September, and one in October. We’ve had a total of 11 cases here, all limited to either staff or residents in the Skilled Nursing facility. They have a quarantine wing there, and everyone who was infected is now moved out.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile.
    • Al knows what he should do (he has exercises to do between PT visits) but he is unmotivated to do them. I’m having a hard time NOT nagging him.
  • I’m becoming more resigned to this enforced confinement. The promise of vaccines is wonderful, but I’m trying not to pin my hopes on that with case counts and deaths rising.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”). I don’t think I’m going to make it.
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – finished
    • Educated – by Tara Westover – finished
    • Shameless – by Nadia Bolz-Weber – finished
    • All American Boys – by Jason Reynolds – finished
    • When We Believed in Mermaids – by Barbara O’Neal – finished
    • How the South Won the Civil War – by Heather Cox Richardson – finished
    • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson – finished
    • The Lakehouse by Joe Clifford – finished
    • The Sentinel by Lee Child – finished
    • The Wonderboy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
    • I’ve also recently subscribed to WTF Just Happened Today? A daily newsletter that arrives at 3:00 pm.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – Creative Writing is on hiatus until sometime in the new year.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – The new season will start in January or February.
  • I’m listening to Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’m excited to learn what she will talk about now that the election seems to done and dusted.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live.
  • Our interim pastor’s last Sunday was yesterday. We’ll be fine through Christmas with our parish associates. Our new transitional pastor will start with the new year.
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – No meetings because of COVID-19
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – Nothing happening for a while

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation.
  • Keep up with family.
    • My sisters and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
    • My sisters and I continue to do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn.
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality
  • We vote by mail, exclusively, in Washington State.

Intentions for 2020 – Review for October

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

NOTE: We are gradually opening up, a little. The Wellness Center is open, but you have to sign up for a time to use the equipment – only two people at a time. The staff has a couple of classes a week – but no personal training. Still no dining rooms open, still Happy Hour in our driveway even though it’s getting too cold to comfortably sit outside. Still no gatherings, including Senior University, Gazebo Group, although we meet by Zoom. Still no visiting in any of the other buildings. Masks at all times outside the house. Shopping is still of the on-line variety. I go to Trader Joe’s about once a month, and to the commissary about once every six weeks – otherwise, I order from Safeway and they bring it out and put it in my trunk – no contact, or from Amazon – again no contact.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 1.4 pounds since 12/31/19. The weight I lost at the beginning of the pandemic has almost all returned.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – The mochas keep calling me, and, unfortunately, I have very little willpower over them. I TRY to keep the numbers down, but I find I sleep better when I have a mocha in the middle of the afternoon. It keeps me from going to bed hungry, I guess.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day.
    • My cholesterol was a little high when I had my blood tests for my annual physical. I cut down on the number of eggs I eat weekly – no more than 4 per week, and I’m keeping the cholesterol under 350 gms on the days I eat eggs, and under 150 gms on the other days.
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Still no personal training but my trainer worked up a routine for strength and balance that I can do by myself – and I try to do it three times a week. It’s a new month and she is going to give me a new routine – Hooray! I was getting bored with the last one.
    • I’m walking outdoors when the weather is decent, although now that it’s turned colder, I have a hard time encouraging myself to go outside. I have a long walk scheduled on my calendar to remind me and I try to walk the indoor track at the Wellness Center if the weather is bad.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – my dermatologist diagnosed rosacea and prescribed a cream. She also froze several places of precancerous actinic keratosis.
  • My mammogram was completely clear. The bone scan showed that I have a little bit of osteoporosis in my left fibula – 1.7% chance of a broken hip in the next 10 years.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. We carry Lysol wipes in the car for complete sanitation for our hands.
  • A third case of the virus was reported by a staff member at Franke Tobey Jones, one in July, one in September, and one in October. That staff member was in Skilled Nursing, and apparently infected five residents. One is in the hospital, and four are in the isolation unit here. They are still doing weekly follow-up testing of all the staff and residents in Skilled Nursing.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
  • I’m becoming more resigned to this enforce confinement. Still thinking of it as liminal space with no sign of ending. God puts us in liminal space because we need to learn something, and we can’t get out until we learn it. I just wish I knew what it was that we need to learn, so I could get busy on my homework.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me with my frustration.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – finished
    • Educated – by Tara Westover – finished
    • Shameless – by Nadia Bolz-Weber – finished
    • All American Boys – by Jason Reynolds – finished
    • When We Believed in Mermaids – by Barbara O’Neal – finished
    • How the South Won the Civil War – by Heather Cox Richardson – finished
    • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson – finished
    • The Lakehouse by Joe Clifford – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
    • I’ve also recently subscribed to WTF Just Happened Today? A daily newsletter that arrives at 3:00 pm.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – Creative Writing resumed in September on Zoom. I’m working on refining my essay about Little River Country Club.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – We read and talked Artificial Intelligence on Zoom. Not much that I didn’t know already, but then I have two sons who are big into that kind of thing.
  • I’m listening to Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has spent most of this month trying to bring an historical perspective to the current election cycle and to encourage us not to give up if the election doesn’t go as we wish.
  • Senior University here at FTJ hosted a couple of Improv Classes on Zoom that I attended.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live.
  • We have an interim pastor through the end of the year or until the Session hires an official transitional pastor who will help us call someone permanent.
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – No meetings because of COVID-19
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – Nothing happening for a while

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation.
  • Keep up with family.
    • My sisters and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
    • My sisters and I continue to do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn.
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality
  • We vote by mail, exclusively, in Washington State – there have never been any large examples of fraud with our voting.
  • Al and I voted as soon as our ballots arrived, and we carried them to the drop box here.

Intentions for 2020 – Review for September

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

NOTE: We are gradually opening up, a little. The Wellness Center is open, but you have to sign up for a time to use the equipment – only two people at a time. The staff has a couple of classes a week – but no personal training. Still no dining rooms open, still Happy Hour in our driveway. Still no gatherings, including Senior University, Gazebo Group, although we meet by Zoom. Still no visiting in any of the other buildings. Masks at all times outside the house. This month I had a dermatology appointment and my mammogram and bone scan – in person. I finally got my second haircut since March. Shopping is still of the on-line variety. I go to Trader Joe’s about once a month, and to the commissary about once every six weeks – otherwise, I order from Safeway and they bring it out and put it in my trunk – no contact, or from Amazon – again no contact.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4.4 pounds since 12/31/19. I’ve re-lost the weight I put on at the beginning of the pandemic, but I haven’t lost anything more this month.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – No more than 3 mochas a week, although Starbucks tries its best to lure me into having at least one a day.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day.
    • My cholesterol was a little high when I had my blood tests for my annual physical. I cut down on the number of eggs I eat weekly – no more than 4 per week, and I’m keeping the cholesterol under 350 gms on the days I eat eggs, and under 150 gms on the other days.
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Still no personal training but my trainer worked up a routine for strength and balance that I can do by myself – and I try to do it three times a week.
    • I’m walking outdoors when the weather is decent and when there’s no smoke in the air.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – my dermatologist diagnosed rosacea and prescribed a cream. She also froze several places of precancerous actinic keratosis.
  • My mammogram was completely clear. The bone scan showed that I have a little bit of osteoporosis in my left fibula – 1.7% chance of a broken hip in the next 10 years.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. We carry Lysol wipes in the car for complete sanitation for our hands.
  • A second case of the virus was reported by a staff member at Franke Tobey Jones, one in July and one in September. No additional cases reported at all, although everyone in Health Care and Assisted Living will be tested every week for the next two weeks..

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
  • Every now and then I get a little down because I can’t see an end to this enforced confinement. I’m trying to stay grounded in this “between time”. The beginning is over, and I can’t see the end yet. Liminal space.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me with my frustration.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – finished
    • Educated – by Tara Westover – finished
    • Shameless – by Nadia Bolz-Weber – finished
    • All American Boys – by Jason Reynolds – finished
    • When We Believed in Mermaids – by Barbara O’Neal – finished
    • How the South Won the Civil War – by Heather Cox Richardson – finished
    • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – Creative Writing resumed in September on Zoom. I’m working on an essay about potato farming in Central Washington.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – We read and talked about the Philippines in September on Zoom. Not very interesting.
  • I’m listening to Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays she answers our questions, Thursdays she finished the history of the Republican Party. We’ll find out tomorrow what she’s going to talk about now on Thursdays
  • I’ve signed up with Senior University here at FTJ to do a couple of Improv Classes, and there are other lectures that I attend.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live.
  • We have an interim pastor for the next several weeks until the Session hires an official transitional pastor who will help us call someone permanent.
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – No meetings because of COVID-19
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – Nothing happening for a while

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. We have been having outdoor, socially distanced Prayer meetings in the garden.
  • Keep up with family.
    • My sisters and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
    • My sisters and I continue to do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.
    • I had some computer problems, so my long-suffering #2 son drove over here from Central Washington twice to sort them out. Once he brought his wife and once he brought his daughter – so it was nice to see them even though we couldn’t go out to eat, or have then spend the night with us. I DID pay for his hotel.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn.
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality
  • We vote by mail, exclusively, in Washington State – there have never been any large examples of fraud with our voting.
  • I’m largely focused on the election right now. The first debate was a train wreck.

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for August

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

NOTE: We are gradually opening up, a little. The Wellness Center is open, but you have to sign up for a time to use the equipment – only two people at a time. The staff has a couple of classes a week – but no personal training. Still no dining rooms open, still Happy Hour in our driveway. Still no gatherings, including Senior University, Gazebo Group, etc. Still no visiting in any of the other buildings. Masks at all times outside the house. In July I went to the dentist for my cleaning that had been put off since March and I finally got my hair cut. In August, I had my Medicare Annual Physical in person in a mask. Shopping is mostly of the on-line variety. I go to Trader Joe’s about once a month, and to the commissary about once every six weeks – otherwise, I order from Safeway and they bring it out and put it in my trunk – no contact, or from Amazon – again no contact.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4.4 pounds since 12/31/19. I’ve re-lost the weight I put on at the beginning of the pandemic.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – No more than 3 mochas a week, although Starbucks tries its best to lure me into having at least one a day.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day.
    • My cholesterol was a little high when I had my blood tests for my annual physical. I cut down on the number of eggs I eat weekly – no more than 4 per week, and I’m keeping the cholesterol under 350 gms on the days I eat eggs, and under 150 gms on the other days.
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Personal training has been cancelled, but she sees me when I use the equipment and always has encouraging words to say.
    • My Achilles tendon seems to have recovered so I’m walking more every day – at least one long walk daily. I have bought a new pair of walking shoes that I hope will keep it fine.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – I have scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist to check on the rash/red spots on my face.
  • I’ve scheduled a bone density test (ordered by the endocrinologist) and my mammogram for September.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. We carry Lysol wipes in the car for complete sanitation for our hands.
  • One case of the virus reported by a staff member at Franke Tobey Jones in July. No additional cases reported at all.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
    • I’ve also realized that Big Al and I don’t function with the same motivations. If I have something that needs to be done, I do it right away. He prefers “Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.” He and I are both mellowing out a little.
    • I hope I’m being more empathetic when he rebels against my “schedule”. And he doesn’t rebel quite as forcefully.
  • Every now and then I get a little down because I can’t see an end to this enforced confinement. I’m trying to stay grounded in this “between time”. The beginning is over, and I can’t see the end yet. Liminal space.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me with my frustration.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – finished
    • Educated – by Tara Westover – finished
    • Shameless – by Nadia Bolz-Weber – finished
    • All American Boys – by Jason Reynolds – finished
    • When We Believed in Mermaids – by Barbara O’Neal – finished
    • How the South Won the Civil War – by Heather Cox Richardson – reading
  • Since the weather has gotten warmer, I often spend a couple of hours in the rocking chair on the back porch reading.
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – Creative Writing will resume in September on Zoom.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – We read and talked about China and Latin America on Zoom. Very interesting and lots of things I didn’t know about.
  • I’m listening to Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays she answers our questions, Thursdays she is just finishing the history of the Republican Party. Very informative.
  • I’ve signed up with Senior University here at FTJ to do a couple of Improv Classes.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live.
  • Our pastor has accepted a call to a church in Virginia and we’re still processing the grief of losing her – although we understand – that’s the way of Presbyterian Churches.
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – No meetings because of COVID-19
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – Nothing happening for a while

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. We have been having outdoor, socially distanced Prayer meetings in the garden.
    • Keep up with family.
      • My sisters and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
      • I send an IM to my children every morning asking for a “Wellness Check.” Sometimes I even get additional information about their families without asking.
      • My sisters and I continue to do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn.
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality
  • We vote by mail, exclusively, in Washington State – there have never been any large examples of fraud with our voting.

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for July

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

NOTE: We are gradually opening up, a little. The Wellness Center is open, but you have to sign up for a time to use the equipment – only two people at a time. The staff has a couple of classes a week – but no personal training. Still no dining rooms open, still Happy Hour in our driveway. Still no gatherings, including Senior University, Gazebo Group, etc. Still no visiting in any of the other buildings. Masks at all times outside the house. Last month I went to the dentist for my cleaning that had been put off since March and I finally got my hair cut this week. Shopping is mostly of the on-line variety. I go to Trader Joe’s about once a month, and to the commissary about once every six weeks – otherwise, I order from Safeway and they bring it out and put it in my trunk – no contact, or from Amazon – again no contact.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 3.8 pounds since 12/31/19. I’ve re-lost the weight I put on at the beginning of the pandemic.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – No more than 3 mochas a week.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day.
    • My cholesterol was a little high when I had my blood tests for my annual physical. I’m cutting down on the number of eggs I eat weekly (I was eating between 9 and 12 every week – easy protein).
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Personal training has been cancelled, but she sees me when I use the equipment and always has encouraging words to say.
    • My Achilles tendon seems to have recovered so I’m walking more every day – at least one long walk daily.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – I’ve noticed some rough patches of skin on my face and a few red spots that I will review with the doctor at the time of my annual checkup in August. Wearing a mask all the time is certainly not helping my complexion. I had one brush with basal-cell carcinoma 15 years ago so I want to be extra careful.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. I also carry hand sanitizer in the car, and use it religiously as soon as I get back in the car when I go on the rare shopping expedition. We also carry Lysol wipes in the car for complete sanitation for our hands.
  • I’ve scheduled a bone density test (ordered by the endocrinologist) and my mammogram for September.
  • There was one staff member who tested positive for COVID-19, but extensive contact tracing shows there was no spread.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
    • I’ve also realized that Big Al and I don’t function with the same motivations. If I have something that needs to be done, I do it right away. He prefers “Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.” He and I are both mellowing out a little.
    • I hope I’m being more empathetic when he rebels against my “schedule”. And he doesn’t rebel quite as forcefully.
  • Every now and then I get a little down because I can’t see an end to this enforced confinement. I’m trying to stay grounded in this “between time”. The beginning is over, and I can’t see the end yet. Liminal space.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me with my frustration.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – finished
    • Educated – by Tara Westover – finished
    • Shameless – by Nadia Bolz-Weber – finished
    • All American Boys – by Jason Reynolds – reading
  • Since the weather has gotten warmer, I often spend a couple of hours in the rocking chair on the back porch reading.
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – All in-person courses cancelled by COVID-19.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Cancelled by COVID-19 – and none scheduled for August.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – This month we had a scheduled hiatus. We will resume in August.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – There is a scheduled Interfaith Conversation on Race and Faith on Zoom sponsored by the Islamic Center of Tacoma with a panel of representatives from the Islamic Center, Temple Beth El, Trinity Church, and the local Buddhist Organization.
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – We had a good-bye party virtually on Zoom saying farewell to those folks who were rolling off of the committee after at least 6 years.

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. The bees have hatched in the garden, and people are enjoying their summer veggies.
    • Keep up with family.
      • My sisters and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
      • I send an IM to my children every morning asking for a “Wellness Check.” Sometimes I even get additional information about their families without asking.
      • My sisters and I continue to do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – all cancelled by COVID-19. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice – I’m heartsick about the Federal troops who are occupying American cities. I’m encouraged by the actions of the ACLU to push back. They are winning most of the times they get to court.
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality
  • There’s a primary election next Tuesday. We vote by mail, exclusively, in Washington State. I voted a week ago. Easy decisions. I largely voted for incumbents.

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for June

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

I wrote this at the end of March. “Needless to say, everything went out the window early in the month. I managed to get my hair cut on the 5th, and went to church on the 8th, but then the bottom fell out. Gazebo Group was cancelled along with all classes, and other group activities on the 9th, including Senior University. Bible Study was cancelled on the 10th. On the 16th all Wellness classes and personal training was cancelled, and residents who eat in any of the dining rooms had to either pick up their meals and go back to their rooms, or have their meals delivered. The Wellness Center remains open, but all of the employees who work there are gone on unemployment.”

The closures have remained for all of April, May, and June. Wellness staff is still holding “hallway exercises” for 3 or 4 people at a time in the buildings, accompanying individuals on walks around campus, etc. You have to sign up for 1/2 hour slots to use the equipment in the Wellness Center – no more than two people at a time in the area. We have to wear masks inside buildings, and are encouraged to wear them walking around campus. They are exploring having one or two in-person classes in the Wellness Center for those of us in the Duplexes. Senior University is providing Zoom classes on various subjects, and is also pointing us to YouTube videos, etc.

The staff is bringing “Happy Hour” around to us every week. We take our folding chairs out and sit in our driveway, and they drive around with wine, sodas, and snacks. We visit with our next door neighbors and anyone else who wanders by in masks.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 2 pounds since 12/31/19. I had lost 4 pounds by the beginning of March and I’ve only gained 2 pounds since then, so I guess that’s a plus.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – I’m not having as many mochas in a week as I was last month, but I get my fingers in the trail mix with M&Ms too often.
    • My endocrinologist wants me to get more calcium (preferably from food or drink) and she told me it’s okay to count the mochas towards my calcium intake.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day. – I’ve gotten some crackers that taste like sawdust but that have 4 gms of fiber in each one with only 20 calories, so I eat them with cheese (adding calcium).
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Personal training has been cancelled, but she sees me when I use the equipment and always has encouraging words to say.
    • My Achilles tendon is still iffy, so I’m relying on the NuStep in the Wellness Center for my step count. I’ve been averaging 10,000 steps a day.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – I’ve noticed some rough patches of skin on my face that I will review with the doctor at the time of my annual checkup in July. Wearing a mask all the time is certainly not helping my complexion.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. I also carry hand sanitizer in the car, and use it religiously as soon as I get back in the car when I go on the rare shopping expedition.
  • I’ve scheduled a bone density test (ordered by the endocrinologist) and my mammogram for September.
  • I got my teeth cleaned this month after putting it off from it’s regularly scheduled time in March (when all dental offices were closed except for emergencies).
  • All the staff and the residents in Health Care and Assisted Living have been tested for the virus, and well as 75% (or more) of the Independent residents. There were ZERO positive tests. We sometimes thought the strict measures put in place by the administration were excessive, but they seem to have done the trick.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
    • I’ve also realized that Big Al and I don’t function with the same motivations. If I have something that needs to be done, I do it right away. He prefers “Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.” He and I are both mellowing out a little.
    • I hope I’m being more empathetic when he rebels against my “schedule”. And he doesn’t rebel quite as forcefully.
  • Every now and then I get a little down because I can’t see an end to this enforced confinement.
  • Continuing to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog helps me with my frustration.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – finished
    • Clair de Lune – by Jetta Carleton – finished
    • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michelle Richardson – reading
  • I’m still having trouble settling down with a book, but I try to read for half an hour or so before I go to sleep, at least.
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR. I’m a member of my local Seattle station, and have started taking advantage of special on-line interviews they offer to members.
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and CNN’s 5 Things You Need to Know, and I try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – All in-person courses cancelled by COVID-19.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Cancelled by COVID-19 – and none scheduled for July.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – This month we had a discussion on Zoom of U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle (aka Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador). Not really a part of the world I care much about. It was depressing to learn how we in the United States have messed in their lives and governments and then abandoned them.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – The Community Seder and the Community Iftar were cancelled by COVID-19. Nothing yet scheduled for the fall.
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – We finalized the slate for General Assembly during a 4-hour Zoom call in mid-May. Our slate was accepted with no additional nominees at General Assembly last week (held virtually)

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. The bees have hatched in the garden, and people are enjoying their summer veggies.
    • Keep up with family.
      • My sisters and brother and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
      • I send an IM to my children every morning asking for a “Wellness Check.” Sometimes I even get additional information about their families without asking.
      • My sisters and I (and sometimes a niece and a cousin and her daughters) do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more since the COVID than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – all cancelled by COVID-19. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice – I’m hopeful that the killing of George Floyd will be the turning point. I fully support the call to defund the police, particularly since they don’t seem to be able to control the “bad apples” that give them all a bad name. Camden, NJ, seems to have had the right idea in firing everybody and starting over.
    • Health Care Availability – I’m hopeful the Supreme Court will be sensible and not pay attention to the President’s suit to do away with the Affordable Care Act. I can’t think of a worse time to do that than right now in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.
    • Wealth Inequality

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for May

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

I wrote this at the end of March. “Needless to say, everything went out the window early in the month. I managed to get my hair cut on the 5th, and went to church on the 8th, but then the bottom fell out. Gazebo Group was cancelled along with all classes, and other group activities on the 9th, including Senior University. Bible Study was cancelled on the 10th. On the 16th all Wellness classes and personal training was cancelled, and residents who eat in any of the dining rooms had to either pick up their meals and go back to their rooms, or have their meals delivered. The Wellness Center remains open, but all of the employees who work there are gone on unemployment.”

The closures have remained for all of April and May, and we’ve been told that Senior University, Wellness Classes, etc., will not be held in June, although accommodations are being added gradually. Wellness staff is now holding “hallway exercises” for 3 or 4 people at a time in the buildings, accompanying individuals on walks around campus, etc. You have to sign up for 1/2 hour slots to use the equipment in the Wellness Center – no more than two people at a time in the area. We have to wear masks inside buildings, and are encouraged to wear them walking around campus. Senior University is providing Zoom classes on various subjects, and is also pointing us to YouTube videos, etc.

The staff is bringing “Happy Hour” around to us every week. We take our folding chairs out and sit in our driveway, and they drive around with wine, sodas, and snacks. We visit with our next door neighbors in their driveway.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4 pounds since 12/31/19. No change since the end of March, but, on the plus side, I haven’t gained anything either.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – Unfortunately my mocha consumption has gone back up as the shelter-in-place continues.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day. – Check!
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • My trainer has given me a program to work on by myself to get back to where I was when they pulled the plug on everything at the beginning of March. .
    • I try to do it 3 days a week.
    • The last couple of weeks I’ve been recovering from a pulled Achilles tendon, so I’m relying on the NuStep in the Wellness Center for my step count. I’ve been averaging 10,000 steps a day.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – I’ve noticed some rough patches of skin on my face that I will review with the doctor at the time of my annual checkup in July.
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face. I also carry hand sanitizer in the car, and use it religiously as soon as I get back in the car when I go on the rare shopping expedition.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I think I’m doing better at this now. Generally, I’m less on edge or easily irritated.
    • I’ve also realized that Big Al and I don’t function with the same motivations. If I have something that needs to be done, I do it right away. He prefers “Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.” He and I are both mellowing out a little.
    • I hope I’m being more empathetic when he rebels against my “schedule”. And he doesn’t rebel quite as forcefully.
  • I’m a little more accepting of the loss of things I had been looking forward to. The hard part now is not knowing when, if ever, this will all end. It’s looking pretty endless now, but I know, this too shall pass.
  • Continue to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam – reading
  • You would think with the “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order I would have more time to read, but, alas, it seems like I’ve lost a lot of the will to sit and look at a book. That, and I have a bad habit of falling into a rabbit hole on the internet and frittering away several hours doing nothing. I try not to beat myself up over it. I understand that mentally I need to just do some mindless things sometimes.
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • I subscribe to The Washington Post, and The Seattle Times, and try to read most of the important news once a day.
    • I’ve subscribed to Heather Cox Richardson’s daily letter. It’s helping keep me sane.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones. – All in-person courses cancelled by COVID-19.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Cancelled by COVID-19 – and none scheduled for June.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – This month we had a discussion of Slavery and Human Trafficking on Zoom. One of the best chapters so far this year. We’ve been given access to the videos that go with each chapter.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – The Community Seder and the Community Iftar were cancelled by COVID-19. Nothing yet scheduled for the fall.
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – We finalized the slate for General Assembly during a 4-hour Zoom call a couple of weeks ago.

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it when weather keeps me from walking. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. The bees have hatched in the garden, and people are planting their summer veggies.
    • I’m attending a Zoom Earth Ministry meeting this afternoon.
  • Keep up with family.
    • My sisters and brother and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
    • I send an IM to my children every morning asking for a “Wellness Check.” Sometimes I even get additional information about their families without asking.
    • My sisters and I (and sometimes a niece and a cousin and her daughters) do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more this month than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – all cancelled by COVID-19. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice – I’m devastated over the murder this week of an unarmed black man by a police officer while three other officers looked on in Minneapolis. Looking for ways to support my friends who are people of color.
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for April

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

I wrote this at the end of March. “Needless to say, everything went out the window early in the month. I managed to get my hair cut on the 5th, and went to church on the 8th, but then the bottom fell out. Gazebo Group was cancelled along with all classes, and other group activities on the 9th, including Senior University. Bible Study was cancelled on the 10th. On the 16th all Wellness classes and personal training was cancelled, and residents who eat in any of the dining rooms had to either pick up their meals and go back to their rooms, or have their meals delivered. The Wellness Center remains open, but all of the employees who work there are gone on unemployment.” The closures have remained for all of April, and we’ve been told that Senior University, Wellness Classes, etc., will not be held in May.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4 pounds since 12/31/19. No change since the end of March, but, on the plus side, I haven’t gained anything either.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – Since the end of Lent I HAVE indulged in the occasional mocha, but not like I was scarfing down at the beginning of the year.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day. – Check!
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • All personal training cancelled by COVID-19.
    • Work on core strength and balance by myself between times. – I’ve ignored the strength and balance exercises I was assigned for during the lock-down, except the (very) occasional sit-to-stands and seated planks.
    • I’m walking much more, and not relying on the NuStep in the Wellness Center for my step count. I’ve been averaging 10,000 steps a day.
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – no new rashes, bumps, or aches!
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house. – Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – I try to remember, but as we’re shut in together, I’m finding it really easy to get testy over NOT MUCH.
    • I’ve also realized that Big Al and I don’t function with the same motivations. If I have something that needs to be done, I do it right away. He prefers “Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.” It makes for some “interesting” family dynamics.
    • Now that I’ve realized that, I hope I’m being more empathetic (empathy was my Star Word last year) when he rebels against my “schedule”.
  • My biggest emotional need right now is to internalize how not being able to look forward to all kinds of things is eating at me. An empty calendar really gets to me. Realistically, I know I may not see family again for two or more years (at least until there is a verified vaccine). And at age 75 (almost 76), even discounting things like automobile accidents, or catching the virus, my horizon of possibility is shrinking. I think I’m probably at the “depression” level of grief right now, and I understand there’s nothing I can do but endure. There are trips that won’t be taken, restaurants that won’t be eaten at, sporting events that will never happen, hotels that won’t be visited, etc.
  • Continue to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog.
    • Some days, this is the only thing that helps me get on with living my life (no, I’m not suicidal, just down.)
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs, and helps with my mood.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – finished
    • The Victory Garden – by Rhys Bowen – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • All in-person courses cancelled by COVID-19.
    • We were able to complete the Flash Fiction course via Zoom this month.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Cancelled by COVID-19 – and none scheduled for May.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – This month we participated in two chapter discussions on Zoom. Not many people there, but a manageable group. We’ve been given access to the videos that go with each chapter.

Spiritual Health

  • Participate in virtual weekly Bible study on Zoom.
  • Participate in virtual weekly Worship on Facebook Live
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – The Community Seder and the Community Iftar were cancelled by COVID-19. I really miss the contact with my Muslim and Jewish friends.
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – The General Assembly will be rescheduled and held remotely with only the essential business being conducted. Our part is essential, so we’re waiting to hear about a Zoom meeting sometime in May.

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – The center remains open, and I use it when weather keeps me from walking. No other people there, usually.
    • Gazebo Group – We continue to meet weekly on ZOOM, and new people are joining us almost every week.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Fewer people attend via Zoom than attended in person. I’ve been remiss in not reaching out to those I’ve missed seeing.
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. The bees have hatched in the garden, and people are planting their summer veggies.
  • Keep up with family.
    • My sisters and brother and I have an Instant Messenger group set up and we check in on each other every morning, and through the day.
    • I send an IM to my children every morning asking for a “Wellness Check.” Sometimes I even get additional information about their families without asking.
    • My sisters and I (and sometimes a niece and a cousin and her daughters) do a Zoom call every Sunday afternoon. I’ve seen and talked to them more this month than in years. I hope we continue that even after all this is over.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – all cancelled by COVID-19. I try to participate when there are virtual meetings.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • I have regular donations going to my US Representative, and to the Democratic National Committee.
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice – I sign and send petitions, particularly when requested by the Presbyterian Office of Social Responsibility
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for March

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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

Needless to say, everything went out the window early in the month. I managed to get my hair cut on the 5th, and went to church on the 8th, but then the bottom fell out. Gazebo Group was cancelled along with all classes, and other group activities on the 9th, including Senior University. Bible Study was cancelled on the 10th. On the 16th all Wellness classes and personal training was cancelled, and residents who eat in any of the dining rooms had to either pick up their meals and go back to their rooms, or have their meals delivered. The Wellness Center remains open, but all of the employees who work there are gone on unemployment.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – I’ve lost 4 pounds since 12/31/19.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – I haven’t had a mocha this month. I hope I’ve broken the habit (although, like a recovering alcoholic, the thought is never far from my mind.) I need to send the money saved  to One Great Hour of Sharing.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day. – Check!
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • All personal training cancelled by COVID-19.
    • Work on core strength and balance by myself between times. – Check!
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – no new rashes, bumps, or aches!
  • In the light of COVID-19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly – ALWAYS after I’ve been out of the house.

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – Check
    • Don’t belabor the point. – Check
  • Continue to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog.
    • Notice encouragement from other people. – several other people have started posting their own #5Things.
    • Notice encouragement from the Universe. – I’m noticing what’s right in my life now, although it’s harder now.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily. I’m using the Oak app. It fits my needs.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – finished
    • 142 Ostriches – by April Davila – finished
    • Pretty Girls – by Karen Slaughter – I gave myself permission to quit after 25% of it
    • The Tuscan Child – by Rhys Bowen – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Work on my on-going story about my childhood – still waiting for inspiration.
    • Keep writing Midrash poetry when the opportunity presents itself – no new poems
    • All courses cancelled by COVID-19.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Cancelled by COVID-19
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – Cancelled by COVID-19

Spiritual Health

  • Continue to participate in weekly Bible study..- Cancelled by COVID-19
  • Continue to participate in weekly Worship – no in-person worship. Attending virtually on Facebook Live
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – I talked about Lenten practices at the Christian Lenten Soup Supper on March 3rd. The Community Seder and the Community Iftar were cancelled by COVID-19
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – scheduled meeting cancelled by COVID-19. Perhaps we will have a ZOOM meeting later, if General Assembly is going to be held, which is looking more and more doubtful.

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – No community members are allowed. I see 1-2 people there when I exercise.
    • Gazebo Group – In person meetings cancelled by COVID-19. We have begun weekly ZOOM meetings.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Cancelled by COVID-19
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation. No activities because of COVID-19.
    • I attended an Olympia Presbytery ZOOM meeting as a guest.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – all cancelled by COVID-19
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action
    • Racial justice – I sign and send petitions, particularly when requested by the Presbyterian Office of Social Responsibility
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality

 

Intentions for 2020 – Review for February

Posted on by
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My Star Word for this year is “Encourage”. The internet says “encourage” means to give support, confidence or hope to someone.

Here are my intentions for 2020.

Physical Health

  • Continue to eat real food, and, hopefully, lose about 15 more pounds this year. – Not much change in my weight, but I am holding steady.
    • Minimize chocolate, including mochas. – I’ve done pretty well with minimizing chocolate, but the mochas keep calling me. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, I’ve given up mochas for Lent. The money saved will be donated to One Great Hour of Sharing.
    • Be sure to get 25 grams of fiber every day. – Check!
  • Continue to work with my personal trainer for strength, balance, and endurance.
    • Schedule three sessions a week. – Went to all of them.
    • Work on core strength and balance by myself between times. – Check!
  • Notice and report any unexpected physical changes (rashes, bumps, etc.) to my doctor. – no new rashes, bumps, or aches!

Emotional Health

  • Remember that excessive encouragement can be nagging. – I’m trying to remember.
    • Say it with a smile. – Check
    • Don’t belabor the point. – Check
  • Continue to post “Five Things that Made Me Happy Today” every day on my blog.
    • Notice encouragement from other people. – several other people have started posting their own #5Things.
    • Notice encouragement from the Universe. – I’m noticing what’s right in my life now, and I’m much calmer and (I think) nicer to be around.
  • I’ve returned to my Meditation practice, daily.
  • In the light of COVID19, I’m trying to be much more intentional about washing my hands regularly.

Intellectual Health

  • Expand my leisure reading. Read 50 books this year (not just “fluff”).
    • The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – finished
    • Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo – finished
    • Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy – finished
    • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – finished
    • On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle – reading
  • Keep up with the national news daily without obsessing over it.
    • Listen to NPR
    • Watch Rachel Maddow
    • The news about the administration’s bungling over COVID19 is front of my worries.
  • Participate in Creative Writing classes here at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Work on my on-going story about my childhood – still waiting for inspiration.
    • Keep writing Midrash poetry when the opportunity presents itself – no new poems
    • Taking a “Flash Fiction” course every other week now. It’s fun to “just write” for 30 minutes without worrying about spelling, or grammar.
  • Attend Brain Training when it is offered by Senior University. – Attended the session the first week of the month. Good brain practice.
  • Participate in Great Decisions here at Franke Tobey Jones. – I led the discussion on Climate Change. It went well, except there was one member who refused to believe it was caused by CO2 emissions, and instead insisted the ocean was the culprit. It was a difficult discussion, but other people told me I handled it well.

Spiritual Health

  • Continue to participate in weekly Bible study, and weekly Worship.- Check
  • Participate in Interfaith Dialogue – I will talk about Lenten practices at the Christian Lenten Soup Supper, to be held next week.
  • Continue with General Assembly Nominating Committee – I’m reviewing applications now, in anticipation of meeting the middle of March.

Social Health

  • Tend the relationships I have at Franke Tobey Jones.
    • Wellness Center – Check
    • Gazebo Group – We have expanded to include several people who live in Lillian Pratt, and Bristol View. We regularly have 20+ every week, now.
  • Tend the relationships I have at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
    • Bible Study – Check
    • Earth Care Congregation – we have been certified as an Earth Care Congregation.

Social Justice

  • Participate in Town Halls and face-to-face meetings with elected officials. – Attended a Town Hall with my three members of state government.
  • Support the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and MoveOn. – Check
  • Support the election of officials who are champions for Social Justice issues.
    • Climate action – My US Representative has sponsored two bills to protect wild areas from logging.
    • Racial justice – I sign and send petitions, particularly when requested by the Presbyterian Office of Social Responsibility
    • Health Care Availability
    • Wealth Inequality