An extra day at the pool

Sunday

We got up around 7:30. I got dressed. I watered plants and took down some gopher mounds. Then I read e-mail for a bit and Chris gave me a massage. He took a shower first and then I took mine.

I parsed supplements for a week, then made breakfast. After eating, I got dressed for church. I took cheese squares and my trombone to the chapel. I talked to the chaplain and Rick and Keli. I was worried about Karen, but then she and her husband came to church.

Keli did the opening songs because Chaplain was feeling a little under the weather. Then he gave the sermon and we ladies played two hymns afterwards. We all chatted. John said he thought the pool was open.

So I went home and changed into my bathing suit. I went to water Jenni's plants, saying 'hi' to her husband. From there, I went to the pool and it was indeed open one more day. I swam laps for an hour. Then I went home and put on dry clothes. Chris had cooked mushrooms and warmed up sweet potato and beef. He cooked it with an apple whiskey and it was too strong. But I ate about half, then we started the game.

In the game, we were facing battle immediately. We fought for almost 4 hours, finally beating off the enemy. Some got away, but most were killed. I ate the other half and the mushrooms were still strongly alcoholic.

Then I worked on my blog. We dressed the bed, then watched one episode of Walker Texas Ranger. Chris went to bed. I stayed up to read about health foods.

Global War on Terrorism

Saturday

Chris woke me up at 7. I did not feel like getting up. But I got dressed and filled two water bottles with salt water. By 7:30 we were headed to the War on Terrorism Ruck and Run. It was just our annual run at Five-Mile. It was chilly but my jacket was enough even though I had shorts on.

We signed in and they gave us runner's numbers to wear. There was a tracker on each one. At 8 there was a welcome ceremony with speech by the colonel. Everyone stood around talking. Then at 8:30 the half-marathoners lined up and headed out to run. At 9 the 10K group assembled and headed out. I got tired of standing around and sat on a bench to stretch. But soon we 5K people were lining up.

The starting shot was at 9:30 and we headed out, most of us walking. Chris ended up ahead of me and I was behind with Karen. We chatted through the first mile. I stopped at the water station for water (as Chris had my water in his backpack). Then she paired up with her husband and Chris came back to shepherd me through Rattlesnake Gulch and other terrain features. I was fine on my own, but he was subtly keeping track of the guy behind us who didn't look so good.

However, as we neared the end, we saw Karen go down. Her husband helped her up, but she went down a few steps later. Someone called the golf cart who came to pick her up. Later I heard she got a ride in the ambulance. No sirens or anything.

As Chris and I got within 20 yards of the finish line, we sprinted the rest of the way. Chris with his longer legs could have come in ahead, but he must have held back so we could finish together. The finish line people rang cow bells and handed out medals. I called them participation prizes but Chris said they were more like mementos.

I checked out the breakfast burritos and Stirling nudged me toward the protein bars. He said he bought them just for me. I read the ingredients, then ate one. I also had a quarter of an orange from the bowl of orange quarters. Then I sat and talked to John for a long time. He has declared war on gophers too.

Finally I convinced Chris to take me home. He needed to be there when the last people came in, so he dropped me off at the post office and went back. I got the mail and walked home. I was astounded to see it was 12:30. I took off my shoes, then made and ate breakfast. I read e-mail and messages. Chris came home, then took a nap. I worked on my blog.

I got ready to go cleaning and Chris woke up from his nap. I told him I was going to the garden. And so I did. I turned the water back on to Kenzie's garden. I watered it. Mine did not need picking. Then I went to 75B and cleaned the bedrooms for 2 hours: windows, walls and closets, but not the floors.

When I got home, I had a bite to eat. Chris was taking a shower. I read e-mail and messages for awhile. I started looking at URU walkthrough videos. Michelle texted me, asking if I wanted to come over for a game night. So I put my tea in a bottle and took some evening supplements. I put some cheese squares in a baggie for her. Then I went over.

Casey was putting the game up. I talked to Isadora. Michelle showed me the new containers that everything in her cupboard now resided in. Rows of identical containers with handwritten labels. So neat and tidy.

When the game was up, I played what I could remember, then looked to my phone for the pic of notes. I played them too. Then I was on my own, trying different combinations.

When Michelle and Casey indicated they were tired, I turned off the game and thanked them. Casey carried empty dishes from Thursday out to my car. Then I went home. Chris was already in bed. I jotted notes for my blog, watched more URU videos and went to bed.

Oktoberfest

Friday

We got up before 7:30. By 8 I was dressed and had bottle of tea. We filled the car with gas, then drove to Tooele. We shopped at Luckey's, Melanie's, and Maceys, then headed back to base. We put the food away. I played through the Oktoberfest music, then listened to episodes from the Pain Relief Summit.

At noon, I made cheese squares and then breakfast. I ate while listening. Chris came back early from his 4 hour meeting. So we went to the commissary for a few last things. We put that food away too. I cut the crusts off of the cheese squares and ate them. Then I put them away in two containers, one of which will go to church on Sunday.

I read messages for awhile, then went out to level two gopher mounds and water the plants. I unlocked the chapel for Keli, then cleaned at 75B for 1:20. I went home to change into something blue for Oktoberfest. Chris and I took my trombone and its stand to the Community Club. He left it by the electric piano and I went to find Keli.

I talked to people here and there, then we set up. We tuned and played a scale. When Emily gave us the nod, we played our program – all 9 pieces. The outdoor band who was on a break, asked for an encore so we played Beauty and the Beast. They came by to say nice things before going out to play again. They were very good.

After packing up, I talked to Anka, then someone came in looking for people to sign up for bean bag toss. So I went and signed up, but watched barrel-throwing, not realizing corn hole was later. I talked to people, including Jamie. Finally we played cornhole and the other team won. It got dark, but people were still talking. There was a stein-holding context. Then the band was wrapping up and claimed they were going to play the only John Denver polka. So I waited to hear it and it was Country Roads in ¾.

Then I talked to Gary about Winterfest. Chris helped me carry my stuff to the car. We went home. I jotted notes for my blog and ate a grapefruit. I talked to Michelle about having another game night but they were all so tired.

I posted to my blog and made tea. We watched one episode of WTR. Then Chris went to bed. It took me a little longer to get ready, but I went to bed also, around 10. But I laid awake for what seemed like a long time and kept waking up.

Beef tongue and Knife Night

Thursday

I woke up early. Chris came in to wake me before he left, but I was already awake. I got up and got ready for the day. I walked outside to look for gopher mounds and saw one.

I read e-mail, then went to 75b to clean for 4 hours. I never saw Jamie. I came home for lunch and had to park away and walk home to avoid the paving trucks. Chris was already home, and taking beef tongue out of the oven. He cut it up in chunks. I watched The Highwire as I ate. Chris went to the library to read to the kids.

I finished watching. Then I practiced singing There's a Tavern in the Town with Youtube. Over and over. Afterward, I read articles and messages, then took down the gopher mound.

I went over to Jenni's place to water her plants, indoors and out. I couldn't resist using a broom. Then I went to 75b to try some alcohol on a pink stain on the floor. It didn't work. But Jamie was there and we chatted. Then I went to the garden to water and pick.

I came home to practice the Oktoberfest music. Chris came home from work and changed his clothes. He took the beef tongue out of the oven. I drove us to Michelle's house. She had prepared brussel sprouts and potatoes. We all sat down to dinner.

After dinner, the men went to Knife Night in Casey's car. We women talked for a bit, then I started the game. I didn't get very far, but I kept trying. Michelle went for a run, and Casey came back after dropping Chris off at home. When I got home around 10, he was getting ready for bed. We talked briefly, then I sat at my laptop to work on my blog. But first I had to check messages on Telegram and Facebook. I also watched some videos on URU to see what I missed.

Green tumbleweeds have stickers too

Wednesday

I got up soon after 7. I started coffee morning. I walked out to look for gopher mounds and didn't find any. I watered the plants inside and out. I did my exercises and read for half an hour, finishing one book and starting another.

After coffee morning, I started cleaning in the kitchen because Phantom of the Opera was playing on the CD player. Then I cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed the house. I emptied the vacuum cups, showered, and dressed. I checked e-mail and messages.

I went to the signing at 1 for #75. It went well. Jamie showed up after the others had left. I talked with her for almost an hour, then went to house #2 to check the irrigation system to the pear tree and apple tree. I turned a knob that I should have left alone, then I had to walk back and forth trying to get the right amount of water to come out at the apple tree and the pear tree.

I went home and listened to some tapping episodes from the Pain Relief World Summit. Then I went out to rake a tumbleweedy area that I normally ignore. It was full of gopher mounds. I watched men unroll some kind of tar paper on the street. I packed my car with cleaning supplies, thinking to take them over tonight, but the tar paper looked to be sticky so I didn't want to drive on it.

I read for a while, then went outside again to mow. I still had to rake some more. When I went inside, I discovered Chris was home from Mass. I coated my fingertips in glue and let it dry so I could pull out all the stickers. Jenni called and we talked about me watering her plants while she is gone.

I worked on my blog when the glue was dry. Then I made tea. We watched two episodes of WTR. Chris went to bed, but I stayed up.

A very long town hall

Tuesday

I got up after 7. I opened the bathroom window for fresh air while I brushed my teeth. I listened to the first episode of the Pain Relief World Summit while cleaning up in the kitchen and boiled some tiny potatoes from my garden. I cleaned up my blog notes from yesterday. I listened to part of the second episode of the Pain Relief World Summit. I practiced all the Oktoberfest music. I taped together those songs that have two pages.

I went outside to take down two gopher mounds. Instead of resetting the traps (they both had traps) I washed the dirt plus some eggshells and rotten grapefruit rind down the tunnels.

I listened to more of the episode. I paused it to take apart a waistband in a discarded pair of pants to see how the clip was attached. I came back to listen some more. I made a new batch of breakfast mix, then made and ate breakfast. I walked down to the swap shop for an LED light strip I had seen.

At 2 I went to Saronna's house to play. We practiced using her new amp. Afterward, I went to the garden to pick tomatoes and water Kenzie's garden. Then I went home and finished listening to the episode.

Chris came home for a quick supper. Then we went to Headquarters for the Community Townhall. It lasted over two hours. My phone rang just as the former Housing manager was going up to give his talk. I shut my phone off and when I looked later, it was probably a spam number. Mostly they talked about what they have accomplished and what they are planning to do.

We got home after 8:30. Chris had to play his game for a bit so I played my trombone. Then we watched one episode of Walker Texas Ranger. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to read.

Swap Shop Policy

Monday

I got up around 7. I brushed my teeth and cleaned up in the kitchen. I cleaned the dehydrator too, then decided against dehydrating the egg shells. I put them outside.

I checked e-mail. I donated to the chapel through the online portal. I prepared two hymns and put them on my thumb drive. I watered the vegetable plants with diluted whey. I took down some gopher mounds and reset the traps. I cut up two bunches of radishes and threw them in with the pickled eggs.

I read e-mail, then went to the library to print out music. While there, I talked to Emily whom Chris has tasked with writing swap shop policy. I agreed to send her information. When I got home, I searched my photos for one of the notebook that volunteers write in. I used the info to write her a list.

I cut and taped music pages together, thinking I had done a great job. I sent Chris an email about the parking lot. I made and ate breakfast while reading more e-mail. I walked down to unlock swap shop by request, took pics there, and walked home. I listened to a podcast and ate some of the beef, then went out to mow. I posted to my blog and Chris came home.

I went to the chapel for band, stopping to lock the swap shop. I brought a light for Keli. She found a place to plug it in. We played through the two hymns (finding out the the bass notes were cut off when I pasted the pages together) and through the Oktoberfest music. Afterward my lip was shot. We talked about setting up on Friday at the Community Club for Oktoberfest. Then we all went home.

I jotted notes for my blog about today. I read articles for awhile, then I made a carrot and radish greens salad. I made tea and we watched two episodes of WTR. Afterward I looked up some of the actors. He went to bed and later, so did I. The radish greens did not bother me like the raw cabbage did.

The family game

Sunday

I got up late. I read e-mail till it warmed up outside. Then I went out to water. I took down 5 gopher mounds and reset the traps.

I posted to my blog for Friday, which I thought I had done last night. I worked on Saturday's post, then read messages. I went to the garden to check on the irrigation system. I saw a snake and decided to take a different path. I fertilized both gardens. I dropped off a sheet of cleaning standards for Audra, then went home.

I practiced the hymns, then made and ate breakfast. I took my trombone and jicama to the chapel. Once there, I checked the bucket trap and threw out the mouse inside. I took my seat for the service. After the service, our group played two hymns.

Putting away my trombone, I started talking to John and it went on for over an hour. My foot hurt from my shoe and the blister. Finally I got home around 3:30. I went home and changed my clothes. My friends were too busy for swimming, so I mowed the shady side yard. Then Chris called me in for the game.

I logged into Discord. Everyone was there and we talked for an hour before diving in to the storyline. As always, we were attacked and we fought them off. I talked to Chris afterward, then posted to my blog. I heated tea, and we watched one episode of WTR. He went to bed and I went soon after.

Sewing class

Saturday

I got up before 8. I looked at the URU videos to see what I had missed. I took notes for next time. I practiced our Oktoberfest songs on my trombone. The slide was making a scratchy sound. I may have to have this slide serviced as well.

I jotted notes for my blog. I made up a week's worth of supplements. I asked Chris for a massage and he agreed. Afterward, he took his shower and I took mine. I made and ate breakfast. He hardboiled 18 eggs for me. I grabbed a few things for sewing class and headed to the chapel, stopping along the way to unlock the swap shop for Alan.

I unlocked the chapel doors and checked the restrooms and bucket trap. I set up two machines. I started trimming quilt blocks from decades ago. Then Karen came with Saronna's girls. I got them started on the marble maze project. Sophia sewed almost the whole way around her maze before discovering that it was making large loops underneath. It was a ton of thread and I hated to waste it, so I picked at it with a pin and eventually came away with 8 long threads that I could save for later. I discovered that the bobbin case wasn't set in correctly, so I got her another machine. Moira finished hers and went out to play. John came over with the boys. Wilhelm didn't start right away. But then he sewed around his mat, then drew his own idea of a maze on a piece of paper. But it was bigger than the project and he sewed off the mat. He handed to me and told me to fix it, and he went off to play with his brother. I ripped all the internal stitches out so the paper came off. Then he decided to sew freehand.

But at 4 he hadn't finished and I had to go. Audra wanted me to examine the house she cleaned and Alan wanted a quote. We packed up and I texted him. She responded first so I took a stepstool and went to her house to check everything I could think of. It took longer than I expected. I found lots of little things.

At 5 I went to Second Street to make a quote. Jamie and I had cleaned the house last year. It seemed to be similarly dirty so I quoted him the same price. I called Jamie to get her ok, then struck the deal. We are meeting on Wednesday for the sign-over.

When I got home, Chris had pulled beef out of the oven. I had beef and rice for supper. I also made a carrot salad. I read some e-mail, then I started peeling the 18 eggs. It was slow and hard. Lots of egg flesh came off with the shell. I had only finished three when it was time to leave.

I headed to the chapel. I meant to stop and lock up the swap shop, but the sprinklers were on and I didn't want to get wet. I unlocked the chapel. I checked the trap again, but it was empty. Stirling and MeryAnn came, each with a project. Then Saronna came with Wilhelm and Sophia. Sophia completed her project quickly and walked home. Wilhelm however, needed a lot of help and never did get his marble inside. Then they had to go home. Jenni came too. She finished her yoga mat strap and then worked on her casserole carrier.

During the evening, we spied mice running in and out of the room. Stirling put honey on the trap to make it more appealing. It was after 9 when we packed up and headed out. I locked the swap shop on the way home, getting in around 9:30. Chris was already in bed asleep. I checked e-mail, then put on a podcast to listen to while I peeled the rest of the eggs. I put them in the pickling juice and went to bed.

Making cheese

Friday

I got up around 7:30. It was cold outside. I got dressed and read e-mail and checked messages. I fixed a bottle of water, then went to the chapel for Math Morning. Saronna came with her kids. I texted Casey and then he came over. I worked mostly with Wilhelm. His mother had him do a row of problems, then run around the outside of the church, then do the next row. She had read that boys need to be run to exhaustion every day so they are better able to behave. It seemed to work.

At 10 they packed up to go. I texted Marcus that I was on my way to the swap shop. He met me there and I let him in. He picked up a bunch more stuff. He needed a dog bed so I called Jamie and she said she had several he could choose from. He also needed a hose, so I suggested he follow me home, which he did. I had to go way out of my way to get there because of the large paving trucks blocking all the streets. We arrived at my house and I pulled a hose from the shed. I asked if he could find his way back and he said yes, then he left.

I watered all my plants with diluted citrus peel water. I took out some gopher mounds. Then I started tea and heated half a gallon of goat milk on the stove. When it reached 100, I moved it to the dehydrator and put probiotics in. I put the other half gallon in the pot. I made and ate breakfast. I finished making the vinegar cheese for Michelle. I make a grocery list. We went to the Commissary for what groceries we could get there. We put that food away. I put rennet in the milk in the dehydrator. Then we went to Tooele and shopped in the usual three places.

When we got back, I took the cheese out of the dehydrator and drained the whey. Then I put on my bathing suit. I went to garden to water and fertilize and then to the pool to meet Jenni. We swam and talked for an hour. Then a lady told us the sauna was still hot, so we went and sat in there and talked.

I went home for supper. Chris' game got canceled. I ate and worked on my blog. I reviewed the URU videos to catch up on where I was in the game. I forgot the tea, but took the cheese I made for Michelle and went to her house. Casey brought the game up and I played as we talked. There were a few inappropriate jokes. He played a clip of South Park that was pretty funny.

I kept playing the game and it kept freezing. I don't know why because it worked fine last week. However, he put a cable on a sensor of some kind and then it was mostly fine. I worked on all the fronts I had taken notes on, except one. All too soon it was 11pm and I shut down the game, thanked them, and went home. Chris was still up, so we went to bed at roughly the same time. It took me longer because I had to treat a blister on my little toe.

Helping the new guy

Thursday

I got up after 8.  I walked out on the back porch, but it was cold.  I heard milling the trucks working on the road behind our house.  I read e-mail for awhile.

I went out to water plants and dig up gopher mounds.  I washed the dirt back down the holes, all the while watching the milling trucks go up and down my street.  I went in to eat watermelon and read some more.  Then I put on The Highwire and made breakfast. I ate it while watching. Del interviewed Sheryl Attkinson.  I laid out in the sun for a while. 

 A man called wanting to get into the swap shop. I wasn't sure I could drive out because of the big trucks, so I walked down there. He was waiting for me. I unlocked the doors and he went in and looked. He found a blow-up mattress and some silverware. He wanted a microwave but all we had was a toaster oven. So I told him to go to the Loan Closet. He didn't know where ACS was so I got in his car and instructed him on how to get there. I took him to Emily's office and told her what he needed. He asked about a washer and dryer too, so I told him I might know of a set. 

 I went to the library and gave them a large nine-patch block to put on their wall. They showed me the sewing machines they had set out in case someone might want to use one. Then we talked for awhile.

Finally I walked home with my post office packages. I finished watching The Highwire.  I called Housing to see if the washer and dryer from that house were available, then I texted him.

Then Michelle wanted to go walking. So I walked to the parking lot in back of the park to meet her. We walked quite a ways from there. We met the new head of Housing who was out walking too. Then we walked back to her car. The trucks had parked for the day. She took me to her house to pick up goat milk. But we sat and talked for some time. Then she took me home.

I heated up the last of the ribs and some rice for supper. I worked on my blog and read messages. There was no time for mowing. Chris came home from Tooele and had stopped at the Community Club for his weekly pizza. I read more messages.

I made tea and practiced Oktoberfest music until Chris was ready. Then we watched two episodes of WTR. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to read.

Cleaning advice

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I looked out to see the Gopherhawk was sprung. But it was too cold to go out and check it. I also saw a ferret staring at me from a gopher hole. I got ready for Coffee Morning. I did oil-pulling, and lymph-moving exercises. I took supplements and read for half an hour. I meditated and tapped. Then I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen.

Chris came home for lunch. He cooked ramen. I cleaned around him. I swept and mopped the floor. I finished vacuuming, then emptied the vacuum cups and washed the filters. I laid in the sun till it went over the roof. I pulled out the GopherHawk and found a live gopher caught by its paw. Sadly I had to kill it because I could not let it go on digging holes in my yard.

I took a shower and got dressed. I read for awhile, then headed out. I unlocked the swap shop for Steve, then went to a house being cleaned to give her advice and to answer questions.  I found I wasn't as copacetic as I thought.  Then I went to the garden with a tomato cage to support a plant that has outgrown its own cage.

When I got back, I watched tapping video from the challenge that Brad Yates is doing this week. I realized I was upset by someone else getting the cleaning job that would have come to me. Chris came home from work, then went to Mass. I read e-mail and messages. I took down some gopher mounds in the shady side of the yard. I could only find one tunnel, but I set two traps in it. I also got my feet wet trying to flood it.

I listened to a podcast while Chris was at Mass. He came home and we had a discussion. I walked to the swap shop to lock it up. On the way back, I saw capsule-shaped tanks being installed. Back at home, I worked on my blog, then made tea and watched TV. Afterward, he went to bed. I stayed up to read a book by a red bulb. Then I went to bed, too.

Epic fail

Tuesday

I got up earlier than usual. I got dressed and walked outside. The temp was in the 60's but the wind blowing felt cold. I read through e-mail until the sun was stronger. Then I went out to water plants and wash gopher mounds back into the tunnels they came from. I chased it with rotting citrus peels.

I ate more watermelon from the fridge. It was still partially frozen. It digests well as long as I don't eat anything else at the same time. I put on a podcast to listen to while I marked and cut slits around the neckline of an old, over-sized t-shirt. Using a crochet hook, I 'braided' the slits together. That made the neckline so tight I couldn't get it over my head. So I cut slits around the waistline and did the same thing. But it did not make the waist any smaller.  I tugged it over my head and took a pic.  Not worthy of being our next project.

I made and ate breakfast while listening to a podcast. I sat out in the sun for a little bit, but it kept going behind clouds. At 2, I went to Saronna's house. We played through the music for Oktoberfest. Then I stopped by the garden on the way back. I tried to water Kenzie's beans and peas, but no water came out of the hose. I figured out that someone had turned the faucet off. So I checked other gardens and their faucets were turned off too. I turned on the ones I was responsible for and texted Casey. He wanted his turned back on, too. Later I texted Veronica to check her garden.

When I got home, I looked for a sewing project, then decided on the marble maze. I had to search for the directions, then when I found them, the guild meeting started. Chris came home from work and was soon talking to Michele again. I am guessing it was related to the job she was offered. She hung up just after the guild meeting ended.

I went out to mow, having to wear a jacket. Then I brought the battery in to recharge. I leveled another gopher mound which was built at the same place as this morning. I picked some spinach for a salad and crushed some garlic. Then Chris and I took the 5 gallon jugs to the shoppette to fill them with the special filtered water. Chris carried them in the house for me. I finished making my salad and ate it while listening to a tapping video.

Then I worked on my blog and made tea. We had a long discussion, then watched one episode of Walker Texas Ranger. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to read a book via a red light. Finally I went to bed.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso

Michele got the job!

Monday

I got up soon after 7, when the daylight was still weak. I read some e-mail, then read about the principles of food combining. As always, it seemed complicated. I went out to water plants and level gopher mounds. Later I did more reading. I ate frozen watermelon as I listened to a podcast. I posted to Facebook for band practice.

Around noon, I made and ate breakfast. Chris came home for lunch and said Michele got offered a job at the clinic. While I was happy she was going to move here, it also meant that someday I would have to leave her again.

I read e-mail. Then I worked on choosing hymns for Sunday. I wrestled with the old desktop to be able to scan. Finally I got them on the thumb drive. I went to the library to print them out. I talked to the ladies there: they are going to put up a sewing machine in their craft room for the public. So I volunteered to bring in something sewn to hang on the wall as inspiration and advertisement.

I came home with the music. I read more messages. I looked in my sewing closet for a thing for the library and found a set of fall blocks from two decades ago. Chris came home and was soon was talking to Michele. She wanted help filling out some form.

At 6 I went to the chapel for band. We worked on two hymns and a line up of music for Oktoberfest. It wore my lip out. Then they all left and I stayed behind to turn out the lights and check the restrooms and look in the bucket trap. There was one dead mouse.

I went home. Chris heated up a short rib for me. He also cooked mushrooms and rice. I cleared out some videos from e-mail as I ate. I picked some cabbage leaves and made a small salad. I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched two episodes of WTR. Then he went to bed. I got ready for bed, but stayed up to listen to a podcast. Something didn't digest well and I blame the cabbage.

Bag of money

Sunday

I got up around 8. I checked messages, then got dressed and went out to level gopher mounds. None of the traps caught anything. I also watered the plants. I came in to meet with John but he wasn't online. I edited a set of pictures on the old computer because the new version of MS Paint was completely confusing. I posted the pic to Facebook. Chris helped me uplevel my character.

I went to the garden to water hers and check mine. I picked a tomato. I emptied two mice from the bucket between the sheds. I went home. I took some stuff out of the back of my car and put it in the garage. Then I went in to make breakfast.

After breakfast, I took a shower and got dressed for church. I put cheese squares in a container. I put the smaller trombone back in its case. I took both and headed to the chapel. Then I saw John walking to church and remembered the bag of money I found in his friend's apartment. I went home and put it in my purse. Then I continued on to the chapel.

After leaving the cheese squares on the back table, I took the trombone up front and assembled it. I put music on the stands, forgetting that one of them has a second page. I sat down and talked to Keli until the service started. Then we sang several praise songs. The chaplain gave his last sermon on Christ as Deity. Keli and I and Jenni went up to play the hymns. I stumbled on the second one because I didn't have the second page ready to go. But we finished well. Then the chaplain closed the service.

There was chatting up front and in the back. People helped themselves to snack. I gave John the money to give back to his friend. Then we all went home.

I changed clothes and went to the swap shop to return the suits that Chris didn't want. Michelle and her mother dropped by. Michelle had clothes to donate. I also tucked the patio chairs and water jug away for a lady who wanted to pick them up later.

Afterwards, I went home to change into my bathing suit. I grabbed a towel and met Michelle at the pool. We swam and talked for an hour. Then Jenni arrived, so we talked a little longer. Then I went home for the game.

I changed into dry clothes. Chris was heating ribs in the toaster oven for me. Everyone signed into Discord and we started the family DnD game. We had an encounter with an aurochs, and later with a Kobold which we tried to enlist. He was unwilling so we questioned him and let him go.

After the game, I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched two episodes of WTR. Later Chris went to bed. I got ready for bed, but then stayed up to read a few last messages.

The Air Force Ball

Saturday

I got up after 8, having slept pretty well. I tried on the dress for tonight and saw that it fit. I tried on the necklace I bought last year, but it was too showy for the dress. I got ready for the day. It was pretty cool out, so I got on my laptop for a while. Then I went out to water the plants and flush gopher mounds. I found a gopher in one of the traps. I reset the trap in a different hole.

When I came in, I asked Chris for a massage. I read e-mail until he was ready. Then he gave me the massage. Afterward he took his shower, and I went to the kitchen to get breakfast started. I ate as I read messages. Then I took my shower and dressed for the party. I saw I needed a half slip so I searched one out and ironed it. I looked to see what other long dresses I had and found Chris' tux shirt and accessories. The shirt needed ironing. Sigh.   So I ironed. He got dressed and I re-dressed. I pulled out some black earrings and put on panty hose. That is a tricky subject for my back and sadly, I had to try on three pairs till I found one in good enough condition. Then I had to do makeup. I was not happy with it.

I pulled out a small black purse and Chris drove us to the Clegg's house. Michelle said I looked fine. So we got in their car and Casey drove us to the Airforce Museum where the Air Force Birthday ball was taking place. We chatted all the way.

When we got there, we parked close to the building. We found our way inside and used the restrooms. We were right on time at 5 signing in. There were planes everywhere. Chris and I found our assigned table, 15. The Cleggs had to sit at an unassigned table. Hardly anyone was there and the servers were still setting up. So Michelle and I wandered around. We found a photo set and used their props to pose. Then more walking around as the place filled up. I found Chris and suggested we should introduce ourselves to people and strike up conversations. We met half a dozen professors that way.

At 6 everyone was invited to find their seats. The program began: opening remarks, prayer, etc. Then the tables were told which buffet line to get in. There were 4. Ours was #2, along with a lot of other people. But we didn't know where it was. Till we found it, there was a very long line. We talked to an older gentleman as we waited and slowly moved up. My shoes were killing my feet. When we got to the front, we had small potatoes, baked veggies, chicken patties and fish. I thought there was more so I just took a little of each, skipping the chicken because it was white meat and there was only one left.

Just after we sat down to eat, the MC's heralded the cake cutting ceremony. I finished the salad that had been delivered while we were up. Then I ate my small meal. Then Chris gave me his fish because he didn't like it. I also ate the roll and part of the cheesecake. Chris finished my cheesecake and ate his own. Then the ceremony continued as the guest speaker gave his talk. That turned out to be the gentleman we were talking to in line. It was a very good speech.

Afterward, people started leaving. We stood and watched. I was hoping to see a particular lady wearing a blue dress. But I didn't. I saw the band members leave and I gave a thumbs' up to the trombone player. A DJ started playing awful music with a beat. Michelle recognized it as UJAM type stuff. So she and I went over there to dance. I didn't like it, but thought the song would change. But if it did, it didn't change much. I gave up after while and we went back to our husbands. They were talking to another couple. So we conversed with them for a bit, then we all headed out to the parking lot, walking around the old planes.

Finally, we were in the car and heading back to Dugway. It took almost 2 hours. My feet hurt so much that I took my shoes off. Casey took us to their house, and we picked up Chris' car. Casey followed us back to our house. I found a wrist brace and gave it to Casey for Isadora. Then he left. Chris and I changed clothes and dressed the bed in clean sheets. He went to bed, but I stayed up to work on my blog.

The sugar glider

Friday

When I got up at 7:30, it was cold outside. So I read e-mail for awhile. Then I went to the chapel to host Math Morning. Saronna brought her kids and I helped two of them. I mentioned the furniture at the house on first street and she said she would like the chest of drawers. Then we cleaned up after the kids. She went home and I went to the swap shop.

Summer had it open. Her last day, she said. I worked with her, sorting clothes and hanging. I found some more suits for Chris. I took pics and sent them, but his phone would not accept them. So at noon when we packed up to leave, I put them in my car to bring home.

I went home for breakfast. Chris' car was gone. I made and ate breakfast. I checked messages and responded to them. Chris came back from the office. I made a grocery list. We went to the commissary, then put those groceries away. Then we drove into Tooele. I fell asleep listening to the book on CD.

When we arrived, I called Customer Service for Great Clips and they got me on the list of the local salon. While Chris shopped at Luckeys, I shopped at Melanie's. Then we went to Macey's. After that, I went to Great Clips and waited until my name was called. The guy took me back to a chair. We discussed options, then he trimmed it all up. We talked about Dugway needing people to cut hair and he and the next stylist offered to come. After I paid and walked to the car, I told Chris about it and he asked if I had gotten any names. I offered to go back in, but he wanted to go home.

When we got back, I texted Jamie and read messages. A lady asked me to set aside some stuff she saw in the pictures I posted of the swap shop. Then Jamie called to say she would be home soon. So I drove over there and parked. She was pulling yard and garden stuff from her garage for me to go through. A couple walked up and wanted to chat. After I picked what I wanted, then he picked some things. She helped me carry stuff to my car. We hugged and I went home.

Chris had pulled ribs from the oven. They were awesome! He was already gone to his game. I read articles as I ate. I looked up hints for my game. I put some yogurt in a jar for Michelle. I posted to my blog and made tea. I picked some greens and put them in a bag.

I went to Michelle's house. Her parents were visiting so I spoke to them. Then Michelle told me all about her day subbing in special ed. Somehow the conversation turned to flying squirrels. Michelle literally called her dad's phone and had him come out of the bedroom with a pouch around his neck. There was the cutest little squirrel in it. I held out my hand and it crawled on. It jumped to Michelle and back to him. Active little critter. And at one point it jumped/flew onto my face! Michelle caught it on video and sent it to me. 

 Then I played the game, getting frustrated because it was not following the course that the hints said it would. I changed to a different world. At first it worked, but things went wrong. At 11 I shut down the game and went home. Chris was still up so I told him about the flying squirrel.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso

Furniture for the furniture room

Thursday

I got up at 8. It was cool outside. I took supplements, then checked e-mail. I finished a video from yesterday interviewing people in Springfield Ohio. All the residents said Haitians were eating cats and all the Haitians said they were not. There were scenes and reports of Haitians in car accidents. But when the reporter went to the DMV to find out if Haitians had to take a driving test, the clerks claimed they were not allowed to answer such questions. Residents reported housing prices going up. Some were evicted from their homes because landlords could get more rent from the Haitians who were given 'magic money cards' by our government.

I walked around the yard and only found one gopher mound. I went to the apartment to clean the oven. But first I scrubbed the oven racks and burner bowls. When I took the metal scrubbie to the floor of the oven, it made more black spots. I wiped them with a cloth and determined that the scrubbie was taking off the paint. Sigh. I completed the hour by cleaning the stove knobs and grease spots on the walls.

After that, I went to the swap shop to clean. I vacuumed up white dust from ceiling tiles that were replaced. I also scrubbed the furniture and swept the floor. I arranged the items to cover up bad spots on the walls and floors.  I took pics to post online.

At noon I went home to make breakfast and watched The HighWire. Del interviewed Bret Weinstein who talked about how the company that provides mice for medical experiments breeds them in a way that produces as many healthy mice as possible. Inadvertently, those mice have longer telemeres than regular mice and are more prone to cancer. This skews the results of the testing.

The interview went really long. I had to pause it when the head of Housing called and wanted to see the ceiling tile dust. So I met him and Connie at the swap shop. There wasn't much to see since I had cleaned up.

Then we went to a house that has been unoccupied for a few years. Mouse dirt was everywhere. He was asking if I wanted any of the furniture for the swap shop. Two complete bedroom sets (minus the mattresses), washer and dryer, and dining room set. I said yes, but it won't all fit right now. They said they would call when they had a plan.

I went home and finished The Highwire interview. I listened to other interviews and read articles. I mended something from the swap shop and added a shower curtain to the pile to go. I posted for Math Morning. Summer messaged me that she was going to stop volunteering for the swap shop.

Chris came home with a pizza. It was after 7 when I went out to mow. I quit when it became too dark to see where I had been. I texted out a bunch of messages. I worked on my blog and downloaded pics from my phone.  I made tea and we watched two episodes of WTR.  Then he went to bed. I got ready for bed and hit the hay too.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso

Unexpected small cleaning job

Wednesday

I got up around 7:30. I got dressed and went out to water the plants. I took out two gopher mounds and reset the traps. I came in to start Coffee Morning: coffee, exercises, drybrushing, oil pulling, meditation, etc. Afterward, I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I washed dishes and mopped the floor.

I started vacuuming and Chris came home. I helped him look for his tux shirt, cumberbund and bow tie. We did not find it. He ate some leftovers and went back to work. I finished vacuuming. I washed my footies.

My phone rang. Collie was asking what I would charge to clean the bottom of an oven. Estimating an hour of work, I said $25. He relayed that to the occupant as $30 and promised to call back. So in 5 minutes he did. He gave me the address of the apartment. I threw together some cleaning supplies and went over. He showed me the oven which was much better than I expected. He gave me the $40 that the occupant gave him. I promised him an hour of work, even if I had to find other things to do. He left. I filled a small bucket with hot water and threw in some ammonia. I put it in the oven along with some burner bowls and the hood filters to soak.

I went by the swap shop to see if there were any tux shirts there. I didn't find any. Just then I realized I had forgotten the Don't Block the Door signs. Sigh. I went home. I checked messages and didn't have any. I read e-mail and jotted notes for my blog.

I put on a podcast so I could listen while I used a hole-punch on all the hymns that have been scanned and printed so far. I read the directions that came with my slide. I e-mailed the company, then swabbed the slide and oiled it. I played a little before putting it up.

I read messages. Chris came home for a short while, then went to the chapel for mass. When he came home, I was still reading messages. I went out to mow here and there where the grass was the longest. It got dark so I came in, and drank lots of water. I listened to a health podcast. I worked on my blog.

I made tea, and we had a long discussion. Then we watched the last but extra long episode of Walker Texas Ranger. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to finish posting to my blog.

Who let the pants out?

Tuesday

I got up at 7:30 but laid down again for a bit. Then I got ready for the day. I read some e-mail. I went out to water. There wasn't much to do for gophers. I read more e-mail and articles. I went to the garden to water Kenzie's plants. I got one pea pod. I noted green tomatoes in my garden. I plucked some green potatoes to bring home and plant.

I went to the post office to get the mail and drop off some swap shop items that Michelle gave me. I ran into the safety guy. He pointed out some things that needed addressing, like 6 cans of lighter fluid. We talked for some time, and then he got called away. I got a box from my car and put the cans of lighter fluid in it. I locked the rooms and went home.

I took a pic of the lighter fluid and another box I had from the last colonel who left flammable liquids. I posted them to the Facebook pages in case anyone was interested before I threw them out.

I made and ate breakfast. Jamie asked me to come over so I did. We talked for some time. She gave me two 3-ring binders. I went to Saronna's house and we played through the music for Oktoberfest.

I went home and wrote up a sign to tell people not to block the door. I loaded it to my thumb drive then went to the library to print out copies of it. We got into another long conversation. She cut the copies apart and pasted them to colored backgrounds for me.

I took them home and trimmed the backgrounds to ¾ inch. I sat down to listen and ripped open a pair of Chris' pants. I pinned and re-sewed the back seam. Then Chris came home. He tried them on and said they fit. Then, as I was pinning the band back in place, he brought out his tux pants and said they were too tight. Sigh. I ripped out that back seam, pinned it and sewed it with a narrow seam allowance. By then, he was talking to Michele. I had him try on the pants and they were still tight.

I tuned in to the presidential debate. I planned to pause it around 7:30 to go mow, but it was getting dark already. So I kept listening. I worked on my blog. Around 8:30, I made tea. Then we watched two episodes of WTR. My stomach began to feel bloated. As we watched TV, it got steadily worse. But no nausea. I kept rubbing it in circles.

Finally, after we were done, I took some activated charcoal and waited. Nope. I did some squats and leg raises. Nope. Chris helped me find the heating pad and I put that on my stomach as I finished watching the debate. Nope. I chewed on a piece of ginger. Nope. Crunches, Nope. I tried laying in the recliner with sleep music on. Finally I gave up and finished the two pairs of pants, sewing waistbands and belt loops back in place. It was after midnight when I went to bed.

My slide has come home!

Monday

I got up around 8 and got ready for the day. I watered a few plants and places where radish seeds were sewn. There were no gopher mounds. I dug up a handful of tiny potatoes.

I read e-mail and articles. I chose some hymns, scanned them, and cleaned up the copies. I made and ate breakfast then laid in the sun. I put the hymns on a thumb drive. I unlocked the swap shop, then went to the library to print hymns. We talked too long. Gary came in and asked if we would play for Winterfest. Yes!

I went home. I listened while I cut up a watermelon. I froze 2 gal bags of the fruit. Chris came home, and brought in the slide box. He opened the cardboard part. I unscrewed the box. But I didn't have time to read the instructions. As I headed out with my back-up trombone, Chris brought me a pair of pants that needed to be let out. I told him to leave them in my sewing room.

I went to the chapel for band. We played through two hymns for Sunday and then some music we thought might be good for Oktoberfest. Keli paid me for cleaning I did several weeks go and went home. I walked out following Saronna.

When I got home, Michelle came over. I followed her to the car wash. We washed my car inside and out. On the way home, I noticed flashes of light to the right of my visual field. I had Chris check my eyes and see if I looked symmetrical. Everything seemed to be ok.

I read e-mail for a bit, then made tea and watched WTR. Afterward, Chris went to bed and I stayed up till after 11.

Vacation ends

Sunday

I slept much better. Chris got up to turn down the AC. We got up around 8. I went to the washroom to clean up and brush my teeth. I talked to Casey who was frying bacon and the left over potatoes. Chris and Michelle came out to join the conversation. I went to get dressed and post to my blog. Chris came and said I should get some eggs before they are gone. He gave me his plate and fork. I got some eggs and fried potatoes. They were good, cooked in bacon grease.

Then I filled the large pot with hot water from the bathroom. Casey had soap so I washed dishes and utensils. I scrubbed the cast iron grills too, but after they were dry, I could see they weren't quite clean. Then Chris helped me fold up the tables.

We got everything packed between our two vehicles. Michelle had gotten the beef tongue from their freezer and put it in her cooler. Then we got in our cars and headed to the cool springs. Chris parked a bit away while Casey dropped off his wife and kids at the spring and came back for us. There was a spot of soft dirt that Chris was not willing to drive through.

When we got there, Michelle was standing in the pool with her phone in two ziplock bags. She said some guys were in the small cave already and she was waiting for them to come out. I went walking along a path to see where the water was flowing from. Actually I never got to the mouth, but additional water was flowing in from multiple places along the mountain. Lots of poison ivy was growing there so I wasn't too inquisitive. When I got back, Chris and the dog were gone. So I went looking and found them. When we got back to the pool, Michelle had her video. Casey drove us back to our car and then picked them up.

We all headed back to Dugway, stopping in Delta for gas and restrooms. Chris had me call his father so we could wish him a happy 85^th birthday. He sounded good. It was after 3 when we got back to the base. It was a little sad that our adventure was over. We went to the Clegg's house and waited for them. (I didn't see their text that they had to make another pit stop.) Then we gave them their stuff that was in our car and we got our stuff from the cooler. And we went home.

We unpacked our car. Chris took a shower and I cleaned the dust off of my shoes. I read some e-mail while having a drink. Then I unpacked my suitcase and he started laundry. I was so tired that I laid down, but sleep wouldn't come. So I got up and went out to water the plants. They looked thirsty. I also destroyed gopher mounds. The GopherHawk had a gopher in it. I emptied it and reset it.

Chris put up his car windows so it wouldn't rain. I went to water the garden so it would rain. I picked corn, beans, peas, and a hot pepper. It didn't rain so I guess rolling up windows is the stronger magic. I offered the beans to Chris but he wasn't in the mood.

I checked e-mail and messages. One of the ladies who signed up to be a house cleaner texted me with some questions. I gave her answers and advice. I picked some greens from the tower garden and made a salad with leftovers in the fridge. Michelle sent me more pics from the camp and cool springs. She said she would come over later to deliver the seed crackers.

I made tea and we watched two episodes of WTR. Michelle dropped by with containers and seed crackers. We finished watching. Chris went to bed. I got ready for bed and jotted notes for my blog. I watched several URU videos to catch up to my current progress on three fronts. Then I shut down the computer and went to bed.

Camping and caving

Saturday

I got up early and went to the restroom, then filled up my water bottle. I drank a lot, then got dressed. By then a few others had gotten up. Casey started boiling water on his little stove to make oatmeal. Chris got up. Soon we had oatmeal and strawberries. I also had one of the oatmeal bars that Michelle made. They were very good.

The lady from the campground came at 8. We got ready and piled into Michelle's SUV. We followed the lady to Crystal Ball Cave. We would have never found it otherwise. We had to hike up the mountain to find the door. I had to stop several times.

She brought a strong light. The Clegg's had lights, too. The lady unlocked a small door. Then we climbed inside. She told us that her family had found it over 100 years ago, but there was no sign that people had been there previously, although animal bones had been found.

She gave us a tour of the cave and seemed very knowledgeble. The cave seemed to have its share of different features and structures. Some looked like popcorn or bacon, or marshmallows or cauliflower. There were high chimneys and low crevasses to climb through. Some team was supposed to come this weekend and do a 3D scan of it all, but had to cancel at the last minute. In the last cavern you could jump on the floor and tell that it was hollow underneath. But there are no known passages to get there.

When we exited through the back door, she said we could pick up crystals found outside and take them home. She even helped us find crystals. But they needed a lot of cleaning to be shiny. Then we followed her down the mountain. I kept seeing outcrops that I wanted to explore, but I knew Chris would not approve.

We got back to our cars and drove back to camp. It was only 10, but Michelle put out sandwiches and muffins and such. I went in my cabin to get some prunes, dates and nuts. Chris got on his laptop, so I got out mine. The Cleggs had shade on their porch so I went over there to work on my blog.

I got my headphones and started listening to a talk and some videos. When I looked up, there were deer in the yard, casually eating fallen apples. I finished the talk on Kobekli Tepe. It was quiet since every one seemed to be napping except me.

When Michelle got up, we tracked down the lady who gave the cave tour and asked to buy some beef for supper. She took us into the storage area where big freezers were full of meat. After some discussion, I bought 4 steaks and a pound of ground beef. Casey put them out to thaw.

Finally Michelle said it was overcast and now was a good time to go to the warm springs. So we put on our suits and drove down some dirt roads. We found it full of people, especially considering how small it was. But then half of them disappeared. Michelle and I got in and declared that it was not a warm pool, but a cool pool.

Near one end, small ferns were hanging over a small grotto. That was where the people went. There was a small passage, mostly underwater that led back to a slightly larger cave. Michelle went in and came back out, saying it was too scary. Then Casey went in. I tried, but it was so close it felt like one could easily be trapped. Also, all the rocks on the ceiling and floor were sharp. But everyone who came out said it was worth it. So I tried again, following Casey. Just when I had to turn back, he pulled me through and there was the cave that everyone raved about.

It wasn't nearly as big as I expected. But with the flashlights, it was a sight to see! However, I got a sense of how scary it might be if the batteries died. Yikes! Other people might be coming in, so I left. There was no place to pass oncoming people in the inner passage. Michelle got coaxed in and she loved it so much that she wants to go back tomorrow with her camera in a baggie to take pics!

We played in the pool and I went back in the cave several times. I tapped when inside and it got easier to do. Then, I got out and dried off. I noticed a path leading away from the far side and thought it might show the source of the running water. So I got back in and Chris handed me my shoes. I walked to the other side and climbed out and put on the shoes. I followed the path, but it became marshy and the shoes got wet. Underbrush kept me from finding the source. Isadora came looking for me and we explored a little bit before going back and crossing the pool. Then we all dried off and walked back to the SUV and went back to camp.

Some of us sat by the firepit. Chris got a teepee fire going. Casey put the meat in warm water to hasten the thawing. When it was thawed and the fire burned down, Chris added logs and put the grate on. Casey cooked the steaks on his little stove. He cooked packets of vegetables on the fire. I put some apples on the grate to bake. Them apples were pretty good! I had a hard time deciding which tree had the best ones. Ceddrick had fun poking the fire. When the steaks were done, he made patties and cooked them the same way. The steaks were really good! Better than the ones we have at home. The hamburgers were awesome too. If we didn't already have a freezer full of beef, I would have bought a bunch of meat to take home.

As the daylight waned, we got sticks and roasted marshmallows. We saw people from the springs come and put up a tent and build their own fire. Casey washed up from supper, then set up the raspberry pie. I went to the pavilion and got a regular folding chair. Casey had the game up. I went to jot a few notes for my blog and say goodnight to Chris. I also looked up a hint for the game. I went back and sat down to play. It was dark and the lantern didn't work so I couldn't see the keyboard. But I only needed the space bar and that was for jumping. The big hurdle was getting back to the train so I could use the hint. I played around in other worlds before I found the one with the train. I was able to use the hint to proceed, but eventually ran into other problems. Again, I explored other worlds. Then we shut down the system and put it inside the cabin. I went back to my cabin to put on my nightgown and climb into bed. I made sure my phone was in airplane mode and I was hydrated. I slept much better.

Marshmallows over a fire

Friday

I got up before 7:30. I got dressed and went out to water the plants well since they won't be watered again until Sunday. I ignored the one gopher mound in the back yard. I picked out a box to be the food box and put breakfast stuff in it and seed crackers and dates, etc.

I put some blank paper on a clipboard and took a book to the chapel at 9. I unlocked it for Math Morning. I checked the bathrooms. I found two mice in the bucket trap. I pitched the water and mice outside in a gopher hole, then refilled it from the sink. The plumbing needs work.

I sat and tried to read. It was hard because for some reason my glasses were not in my purse. Then Casey and Cedric arrived. We talked until 10, then I packed up and locked the doors and we went home.

I made and ate breakfast. I finished packing my suitcase and food box. Michelle asked for the cheese squares to load in her cooler so I delivered them and came home. I moved the hand pump from the full 5 gallon jug to the empty one. I got folding chairs from the garage. I selected a jacket and scarf. Michelle texted asking if we had room for the food. Seems we did. Chris came back from the office and packed the car. The trunk was mostly empty.

We drove to Michelle's house. They had two big coolers of food which fit in our trunk. We all went to the commissary for ice and firewood. Then we met at the gas station to fill up. And finally we were on the road.

At first they followed us, then later we followed them. We made a pit stop, then got back on the road and soon turned onto a very dusty dirt road. It slowed us down. We didn't have a good address to follow to the Bates Family Ranch. So we went this way and that. Chris stopped and walked back to their car. There was a lot of comparing of phones, and then we were back on our way, covered in dust.

We finally arrived. It all seemed smaller than in the pictures. A cluster of cabins around a bath house. Only two toilets! RV sites were around the periphery. Anyway, we unpacked. Michelle and Casey set up folding tables. Chris helped start a fire in the fire pit. Casey had a coal stove that looked like a big black lunch box. They wrapped potatoes in foil and placed them over the fire. Casey cooked sausages on his little stove. Michelle set out bags of cut up veggies. They were intended for people to wrap in foil with oil and roast over the fire. But I ate them raw.

Later we found sticks and roasted marshmallows. Actually, I roasted mine, but the kids burnt theirs. Still, we all had a good time. The adults sat around talking. Then Chris retired to our cabin to get on his laptop. The rest of us kind of packed up.

Casey set up his raspberry pie on the small table and hung a sheet on his porch. He hooked up a projector and got the game, Myst Uru going. I was amazed how well the picture came out on the sheet. As I played the game, I came upon journals. I opened them and was able to read every word! The part that could use improvement was the chair and the mouse pad. The camping chair was too low, so I stood half the time. The mousepad moved around on the table to I had to hold it with my left hand.

It was almost 11 when I quit. He and I packed it up and moved all the components into their cabin. Then I went to my cabin where Chris was asleep. I felt around the food box for my pillminder. I took it outside to identify the bedtime supplements. After taking them, I went inside and felt around for my suitcase and put it on the bed. I knew where my nightgown was so I pulled that out and put the suitcase back.

Then I crawled into bed thinking I might fall asleep pretty quickly. But no. I didn't realize that Chris had put my purse and phone on the night table. I completely forgot to shut it off. Also I was worried that we needed to be up, dressed, and fed and ready to go by 8. There might be a run on the bathroom. So I tossed and turned all night, never getting comfortable and often finding lack of blood flow to one appendage or another.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso