I've been awake since before 5, but didn't let myself get up until 5:30. This is supposed to keep me from eventually falling asleep at 4 in the afternoon and waking up at midnight. It has been awhile since I woke up so early. I could be excited about being a Writer. Or I could be worried about this d**n bike ride.

My poem on Anger was published as a Letter to the Editor yesterday. I was nervous about doing it because of the negative responses I might get. I am carefully not reading the online comments. So far, the only comments I have gotten in person have been positive.

I was at the Land Trust a little after 10 yesterday morning. I did some work relating to the bike ride. At 12:30, I went and had lunch with Janna. It was a pleasant cool and sunny day, just about 70 degrees, and we ate outside. It was lovely, except for our conversation, which was in part about our parents, especially her Mom, who apparently doesn't realize she has had a life-threatening stroke and then almost died of pneumonia. She seems to be quite sharp in other ways and making progress in caring for herself. Janna (and her sister) is thinking about getting rid of some of her things (cooking and clothing items particularly) and moving her to a smaller apartment within Talmadge Terrace, so that she could afford around-the-clock care, if and when she is through with rehab. When she discussed it with her Mom, she said she didn't think that was necessary yet. Big question: at what point do your parents' wishes no longer govern your decisions about their lives? Janna has power of attorney, and therefore a legal right (and obligation?) to make decisions for her Mom. If she follows her mother's desires (and does nothing), and her mother is discharged from the rehab center, where will she go? Who will care for her? Who will pay for it? Fortunately, not my problem at this point. Although we may help with some of the packing and moving. I wish my back were stronger.

At 2, I went to a training on Volunteer Management for a couple hours. It was mildly useful, in particular, the handbooks used by other organizations that we had as samples. I had to go back to the Land Trust at 4 to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Todd, who are the ones who came up with the idea of a bike ride and are doing a lot of the work. However, as Heather pointed out, the bulk of it ends up falling on the staff, so they can't do their "real" jobs. They have not followed through on some of the things I mentioned to them. But I think we will be okay, except for the fact that the ride is two and a half weeks away, and we have three riders registered. We have no volunteers signed up; we have only a few sponsors. Nancy says if we have 50 riders, she'll be happy. I am really supposed to be working on volunteers (for yard work), but the ride is mostly what I am doing.

Ray went home, made macaroni and cheese, and came back to get me and  take me to potluck and choir. Singing was fun. We left early, because we will miss one Sunday, so don't need to learn that music. Watched a little TV and went to bed about 10.