Ray is headed to the coast with students. Unfortunately, it is supposed to be rainy and cool. He is a little stressed, gathering the ingredients for pancakes and other breakfast items and packing them in the cooler. He needs things for the lesson as well: a folding shovel, flags, a compass...things he has had and can't find. Maybe they are at his office, he can't locate them in the garage. Of course, he needs personal things too: a towel, insect repellent. Finally he tears off in the truck, hopefully with everything he needs. Because there is a home football game tomorrow, he can't park the truck at his office over the weekend. I would happily drive him in, but he will probably get back very late Sunday (11 pm?) and doesn't want me to have to come get him then. He will leave the truck at my Dad's and either take a bus or have someone drop him off there and then drive home.

I take my walk with the dogs. I walk a mile every morning. It is not very hard, especially as the weather is cooling down. I often don't feel like doing it, mostly because I am thinking of other things I need or want to do. But then I think of my Mom, who did this same walk many days, even though it was much harder for her. She thought is was very important for her health. I do it in her memory and so that I may be even healthier at 83 than she was.

Some mornings I do some gardening after the walk, but today is pretty hot and I have somewhere to go, so I don't stay outside. I feed the dogs their breakfast and go in. I have laundry to hang out, that I washed yesterday. Ray usually does it, but it can't wait until Monday! There is a big spider on the clothesline. I keep moving the line and she keeps scurrying out, trying to keep from being crushed by the pulley. I don't want to crush her either, but I don't want her to fall on me or jump in my direction! She's really big! A big insect flies past me. It is a praying mantis and it lands on the side of the house, lime green. They are good, in that they eat lots of insects. This one is injured; I think it is missing a front leg. I'm pretty sure it's the same one I accidentally caught in a window when I was closing it. I heard a crunch and opened it again and it fell to the ground. I'm glad (she?) is still alive and hopefully eating bugs, and maybe laying eggs. It takes a little longer than usual to hang out the clothes, since I am trying not to crush the spider, but I get them all out. It is a warm and sunny day, so they will dry easily.

Then I go upstairs to bathe. Yes, I really take a bath almost every morning. It is an extravagance and I feel a little guilty about using so much water. It is my meditation or therapy...and the water is heated by the sun, so at least I'm not using electricity for that. I don't usually stay in very long, but it is relaxing even for a few minutes, and I think it is good for me.

I dress carefully, choosing khaki pants and and orange shirt--something for Fall. I grab a brown jacket to look professional, but not too formal. I close up the windows and curtains before I leave the house, keeping the cool air in and the sun out. I grab an apple, not really enough for lunch, but better than nothing. I don't have anything to make a sandwich with and don't think I'll have a good way to heat up leftovers for lunch. Besides, I may be able to meet Becky or someone else for lunch.

I close the dogs in and get in the car with my briefcase/pocketbook....

Finally, better weather...sunny and dry, but much cooler. I went to find the comforter early this morning to cover my chilly feet. Good gardening weather...the beans and squash are flowering. It is a race, will they produce before the days are too short and too cool? No flowers on the cucumbers yet, but they are starting to need a support to climb on. I water every other day, and we may have rain this weekend!

Moon cake for Chinese holiday

As far as jobs, if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. I read that the Cooperative Extension was going to be responsible for the Health Insurance Navigators, people to explain the new health insurance system to consumers starting October 1. I thought that sounded like a good job for me--one I am qualified for and would enjoy doing. I looked at the listings at the university and applied for lots of jobs, but that one never showed up. I have 10 applications in, through UGA's online system...and no responses to any of them. About 2 weeks ago, I looked online again...and it seemed like the Health Navigator was listed! I was excited and applied right away...but I hear that they hired someone...I didn't see it the first day it was posted and they were apparently in a big hurry and interviewed and hired before I ever applied. I even knew several people who were willing to put in a good word for me, but I missed the window. Dag-nab it! I get my hopes up and then I get shot down again.

I've gotten pretty good at cooking, being home so much. Today I made lasagne...including tomato sauce...there was a time when I thought that was hard.

Late summer

These days are very hot--we have hit 90 many times--and the garden needs watering every other day. There is no rain in the forecast. But, it is cooler at night and has been less humid than sometimes, so it is almost pleasant morning and evening. When I go out in the morning with the dogs, I have to wave sticks ahead of me to knock down the spiderwebs.

Ray says, "There seem to be more spiders than usual, I wonder what that means." I say, "There are more bugs, because it was so wet earlier in the year. This is the time of year for spiders."

Ray brought a spider in with him last night, after putting the chickens away. When he came in, he was wiping the webs away, and then he came across a good-sized spider. He put her out the front door. When I opened the door this morning, she had built a web right about face level. I called for help and crouched into a ball. He came running and knocked the web down (after he checked me) and tried to chase her away, to do her good work somewhere else.

It is one of the signs that fall is coming. The webs are worst in late summer (or best, because they do eat those bugs).

He got up early this morning, about 5, I think. I woke, but managed to sleep, or at least doze, for another hour or so. This is a skill I am cultivating. About 6:30 seems a very reasonable time to get up.

I spent about an hour on the computer before it was light enough to make breakfast. We made it together, although we don't eat exactly the same thing. I have toast with peanut butter, he has banana with peanut butter. I have vanilla yogurt, he has plain. I have tried putting a little honey and vanilla in the plain, but it isn't as good. We cut up fruit to put in our yogurt. Today it was pear and nectarine and he cut up both and split them between the two bowls. Half a cup of yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Healthy and delicious. The bread is homemade and is usually quite awesome.

Last Sunday, which has recently been bread-making day, I had this cold and didn't feel good. I made the bread, put it in the loaf pans, and fell asleep before baking it. Boy, was I mad the next morning, when I remembered I had no bread for breakfast, and wasted effort and ingredients. I baked it anyway, and I have 3 loaves that are about 1" high. They still taste good and have, I assume, the same amount of nutrients (and calories) as a full-sized slice of bread.

***

My Dad arrived in the red car about an hour ago. He has a bad cold, which he doesn't realize he probably got from me, since he didn't notice or remember that I had it, too. He didn't have the energy to get here early, while it was cool enough to work in the garden. We chatted a bit, I gave him some eggs and some lettuce and a cucumber (from the produce bin that arrived while he was here), and cold medicine and kleenex. He admired the squash and beans that seem to be doing well and went home to lie down.

The produce box today had: 2 big heads of lettuce, 2 giant bunches of chard, kiwis, nectarines, Granny Smith apples, 2 packages baby Bella mushrooms, lemons and limes, scallions, and 2 acorn squash, but not much of what you would call vegetables--no green beans or squash or broccoli...I'm very proud, though, that I have used up most of the older things, and have room for these in my fridge.

Tonight's potluck dish uses potatoes, spinach, and mushrooms (from earlier). I have sliced the onions and mushrooms and will finish up right before. I like to do a little cooking right after breakfast. Ray is usually still around and I have my best energy. After he leaves, I spend most of the day on the computer. I don't feel so alone and there is nothing to distract me. Sometimes I listen to music--right now it's Pandora.

Not my favorite day

So far...although some things about it are good. My cold is better...still some occasional coughing, but it is always good to be sick, because it is so wonderful to be well and we don't usually appreciate it. Note to self: must start gratitude journal...

Tuesday is the day Ray has to be in early. He often goes early other days for meetings or preparation, but on Tuesday he has a 9:30 seminar. He's a little more distracted and stressed on those days...and leaves early. I go with him some days when I have things to do "in town." Today, though, I am home...and happy to be here. Time to think about what I'm making for dinner. I have made good progress in "getting rid of" my veggies that were piling up. Plan for tonight: chicken and chorizo...potatoes...green beans...a menu that would particularly appeal to my Mexican son-in-law, I'm guessing. Too bad I can't invite them over for dinner.

After Ray left, I thought my Dad would be arriving before long. On days that he has no appointments, he has been trying to come here early, while it is cool, to work in the garden. I planned to work outside, too, while it was cool. I did some computer work before he came, to take advantage of the quiet. Very boring stuff, clearing up old papers, entering recipes...I have been using Spark People to keep track of my recipes for several years, but their popup ads have become very annoying, particularly when I am using my iPad. I am trying a new program, Big Oven, and we'll see how it is. Entering is easy, but will it be easy to access my recipes when I want them?

About 10, I called my Dad and he called me back a minute or so later. He is often perplexed as to how he missed my call... He is meeting with a friend this morning, David, to talk about bridge. I am glad he is busy. He was apologetic and I felt bad, making assumptions about his life...Yesterday he had mentoring and tomorrow he is participating in a study about music at UGA...so I thought he would be here today.

So I went out before it got much hotter. Sunny, but only in the 70s so far. I let the chickens out to forage and wandered around in the garden, watering some lettuce seed that has not come up, maybe because it has been dry the last few weeks. I picked a couple jalapenos and 3 beans, left from the last batch. I felt something on my foot, an ant biting me, and I looked down to find them swarming all over my shoe! I screamed, a really good one, and kicked off my shoe and ran. So much for gardening today! I am lucky, I think I only have the one bite. I'm not sure about my shoe, though. Perhaps it is now part of their nest...I am happy to relinquish it. The ant poison will go out later today, when I have recovered and it is cool again this evening. Time to close the windows and the shades and retreat into the house. Maybe I will not mind too much when I leave the country life. We are thinking when Ray retires, we will sell the house and move somewhere that doesn't require owning a car.

Reading a lot of books makes the time go by. I still have plenty of time to cook and eat, and even walk a mile every day. Really hot during the day, but cooling off some at night.

Went right to sleep early last night, before 9:30, but woke up before 4. Need to get Molli's boxes packed and mailed. They are moving in to their apartment on Sunday. Her first day of classes was yesterday and it was stressful. I checked flights all during choir. I want to fly up this weekend and help them, but I would have to have a lot more money to do that.

Not sleeping is bad

Three of the four past nights, I have had trouble falling asleep. Change of the seasons? Not enough on my mind? Who knows...but today I nearly fell asleep in Tax Prep class. Of course, now that I am home and could sleep, not feeling it quite the same. Too bad there wasn't a bed for me to fall into at H&R Block.

This morning, I went to Sandy Creek Nature Center for training as a trail guide volunteer. Ellen W. was there, working, and I remembered how I applied for that job and never heard a word...I am sure I will enjoy taking the kids on nature walks. I felt surprisingly knowledgeable about trees and plants. The other attendees were much younger, one still in college. It is one thing about getting older; I do more than I did, when I can remember it.

I have 8 applications in at UGA, but am not holding my breath. Over the years, I have applied to many positions there. Only one got me an interview, and I realized later they had someone for the job, but had to consider a certain number (3?). I never was a serious candidate. But...it could happen. I would be an outstanding employee...just ask Larry Pomeroy, my boss 25 years ago at UGA's Institute of Ecology.

Is the internet killing creativity?

I can't count the number of times I have had ideas of things I want to write. When I sit down at the computer, though, the e-mails and Facebook and other interesting distractions keep me from it. By the time I am "ready" (if ever), my thoughts have flown.

Quick personal summary, in case you were wondering:

I took classes last year to get a Certificate of Gerontology, and, hopefully, be more employable. Three classes in the fall, two in the spring plus an internship at the Council on Aging. I really enjoyed it all, in spite of having to read and write a bunch. I was astonished to find the subject matter interesting. There was a lot that I didn't know about aging and I found some of it inspiring and hopeful. Not all of it, though.

You should know, if you don't, that there is a huge change coming to our society. There will be a greater and greater percentage of people over 60, compared to fewer and fewer younger people. This means we should be planning now for what that means. Where will we all live? What will we do with the second half (or third third) of our lives? Who will take care of us when we can't take care of ourselves? How can we make it easier for us to take care of ourselves and each other (since there won't be enough young people to do it)? What about people without kids or other younger relatives? What about people in poverty? OMG, we are so much trouble it is hard to imagine how this will be OK.

I want to help, but I'm not sure where to begin. And, of course, how to get paid for it. After a few hopeful leads, I ended up not having any job prospects at the end of it all. I really thought it would be helpful, but I am now even deeper in debt than I was. There seem to be more jobs out there than a year ago; I think the economy is actually improving. That is the one thing keeping me from deep depression at this point.

To my great joy, Molli moved back to the United States at Christmas time. This is a huge deal and was accomplished without too much trauma. She brought her dog through customs...and her husband in May. The plan was for her (and him) to work and save money before going to law school this fall. Well, it happened sort of like she planned...except the amount of money saved was much less than expected...and the amount of money spent much more.

She scored essays for the university (as Polly and I have done, along with many others), and did well at it. It's not the worst temporary job you can find. It's indoors, sitting down, and uses your brain. She also became a substitute teacher, a very educational experience. Like many things in life, it taught her as much about herself as about teaching. It pays very poorly, but has the advantage that you can work or not work any day you want or need.

The best job she had is one we shared, an unusual situation in this day and age, but one that worked really well for us--except for the making a lot of money part... This is how it happened. Last summer, I volunteered with the Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program. It uses volunteers to provide lunches for children in low-income neighborhoods while school is out during the summer. This year, they asked if I would be willing to coordinate the program in Athens--a paid position starting in mid-March. I was very happy to be asked, but I couldn't legitimately start a full-time job until May, since I had classes and an internship. I also hoped at that point that I would be offered a job at the place I had my internship--which I was, at about that time, although the offer was later withdrawn (Is that even legal?!). When I suggested that Molli and I share the job, however, Action Ministries was more than willing. Looking back, I think they may have known they would actually get two workers for the price of one, but it was a really good plan in a lot of ways.

Molli did most of the work last spring, going to the training in Atlanta and meeting with potential volunteers when I couldn't. I had a lot of experience in working with groups in Athens, though, so I was a good source of advice for her. Once we started delivering lunches (June 3), we both worked 6-8 hours every day--sometimes more than others--but of course we only got paid for 40 hours a week, together. We arranged for 6 delivery points, registered children, recruited volunteers and donors...At the end of the day, we provided 12,000 lunches to about 1000 children over 10 weeks, working with hundreds of volunteers. It was a great experience in so many ways. We met many wonderful people and became close to some of them. When we were in trouble, someone would come through for us. It was awesome! We made a difference in people's lives. And we enjoyed working together, almost always. Sometimes Adrian or Ray would help us, our friend Janna, our exchange student from Germany, Elisa, and her friend from France, Luana...it was a real family affair and that was fun.

Well, that was a few weeks ago. Molli and Adrian moved to Boston Saturday and are starting their new life there. I'm excited for them--and jealous, and I miss them a lot!

So, here I am, another short-term, low-paid job behind me, another year of schooling, and unlimited opportunity. What will I do next? Who knows? Stay tuned.