2024 Life Logs, Day 200: Couldn’t Do It
Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Weather: Sunny Early, Then Partly Cloudy; High Temp 83, Low 65 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

I have been watching the Republican National Convention all week. I watched the full acceptance speech of the Trump’s choice for Vice-President. But tonight, I tried to watch Trump’s acceptance speech, but I just couldn’t do it. I recorded it, so maybe I’ll watch a little bit each day until I get through it. He is all show and no substance, and it breaks my heart to watch so many people cheering him on having bought into the whole show. Enough said. Goodnight my fellow Americans!

2024 Life Logs, Day 199: Car Repairs Done
Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Weather: Sunny with Cloudy Periods; High Temp 83, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA\

My hero of the day is Jim Curtis at Curtis Automotive. He worked to find used parts that I could afford and did the repairs in record time and under budget. Admittedly, getting the repairs done today made the day a bit crazy for me, but it all worked out. Peter Baranowski met me at Curtis Automotive this morning at 8 am with his van that he was loaning me for the day. I talked with Jim Curtis and explained that I had a 4-6 pm commitment and would check with him at 3:30 to see how things were going. He said he thought the car would be ready by 5 pm, so I thought I might have to pick it up tomorrow.

Meanwhile, after leaving the car to be repaired this morning, I took Peter home, went to two different stores to buy the shrimp and crushed ice I needed for my afternoon gathering, rushed home to walk with Shadow and then went to the beach to meet up with Ollie and his friend Seton. Seton’s dad delivered them from soccer camp to the beach for swim lessons, but he then left them in my care as Seton was going to spend the night with Ollie. The boys had their lesson and then played in the water for a while before we headed home for lunch. I had told Jed that I had to leave by 3:15 to get to an Encore-Newcomers get together, but I was “on duty” with the boys until then. Then at 2 pm, I got the call that the car was ready. That jolted me into reality. There was no way I was going to leave the Goldstones at 3:15, go home to change clothes and put my shrimp cocktail appetizer together for the gathering, drive to Curtis Automotive and pay for the repairs on my car, go pick up Karen, and then get to the gathering in Waquoit by 4 pm. So, I made a decision that I would leave the boys at home alone at 3 pm. If it had just been Ollie and Jonah that would not have been an issue, but I hated leaving them with a friend with no adult. But I did, and somehow, I got everything done, paid for the car so I could pick it up after hours, and got to the gathering at 3:55—with 5 minutes to spare! I got a text from Jed saying he was at home and all was well, I could then relax and enjoy the gathering. Since I had picked up Karen to take her to the event, she said she would drive me to Curtis Automotive so I could pick up my car. Fantastic. Thanks to the Baranowski’s for loaning me their van. I am so happy to have my car with a window that can once again be opened and closed and a new (actually, used) steering column with an ignition that works. All of this made for a busy day, but a really productive one.

2024 Life Logs, Day 198: Ollie’s Swim Lesson at Surf Drive Beach
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Hot; High Temp 81, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA\

Eleven years ago in July, Mark and I took Sam to his first swim lesson at Stoney Beach in Woods Hole. That was in July of 2013. The for the next six years, Mark and I, and then just I, took some combination of the Goldpebbles to swim lessons every summer. Some years it was at Menauhant Beach, other years at Falmouth Heights Beach. But during the summer of 2020, there were no swim lessons due to Covid and somehow, we never returned. It was so delightful today to sit on the Surf Drive Beach and watch Ollie and his friend Seton having their Jr Life Saving swim lesson. I have really missed those mornings on the beach with the boys. Of course, we have continued to go to the beach, but it is usually later in the afternoon. Ollie goes to Scout Camp at the end of next week, and then the whole family goes on their annual Maine vacation, so he has only this week and next. But I will enjoy each and every morning until then.

The rest of the day was just making sure all three boys eat lunch and then hanging out with Ollie. Sam had an appointment with Cape Cod Orthopedics in Hyannis this morning and he now has a wonderful removable cast on his hand that he can go in the water with and take off for showers. The original cast was falling apart after one week and was really uncomfortable. The new solution is so much better. So much for Falmouth Orthopedics.

I made reservations tonight to go visit my sister for a few days beginning next Friday. My friend Lynne is coming from Michigan on Wednesday to visit and then dog sit for me while I visit my sister. Because of her schedule, I will only have two days before my trip and two days after to spend with her. It is not as much time as I would like, but we will just make the best of it. But I am so grateful that she will be here with Shadow while I am gone.

Tomorrow I have to get an early start because my car goes in for repairs at 8 am. So it is time to end this day and get ready for the next.

2024 Life Logs, Day 197: Back to Normal
Date: Monday, July 15, 2024
Weather: Mostly Sunny; High Temp 80, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

Whatever has been causing my lack of energy issue seems to be resolving itself. Today life was back to normal. I picked Jonah up after the soccer camp where he has been helping out and took him home. Ollie attended that camp today as a participant, but he went to the beach with his friend Seton afterwards. When he got home, he announced that he decided to sign up for Jr Lives Saving swim lessons along with Seton. He is also going to attend the soccer camp on M-W-F this week and next. Sam was home from work today as Heather had to take him to the pediatrician this morning to check out the pain he is having in his hip. The diagnosis is a soft tissue injury, and the treatment is Advil, rest, and icing. So, he did not go to work today. I made sure the three boys got lunch and then I left to go to the grocery story to get some things I needed to fix dinner. I also went home to play outside with Shadow for a bit. The rest of the day was spent filling in for Heather and Jed as they both had meetings beginning at 5:30 for Jed and 6:00 for Heather. After dinner, Jonah, Ollie, and I made a trip to Smitty’s to buy ice cream to have the brownies we made. Not an exciting day, just a good day in the life.

2024 Life Logs, Day 196: A Do-Little Triathlon
Date: Sunday, July 14, 2024
Weather: Mostly Sunny, Hot, Little Wind; High Temp 81, Low 70 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

This is day three of what I am calling my do-little triathlon—a little gardening, a little housecleaning, and a little Encore work. Stop. Rest. Start over again. But today there was almost no resting because I am feeling a bit more energized. The air conditioning seems to be the key. I just have one small window air-conditioner for the whole house, but it keeps it cool enough to be comfortable. Maybe the heat had really gotten to me. Whatever, things are better.

Heather and Jed invited me over for dinner. They had two different kinds of grilled chicken with rice, grilled zucchini and radicchio, and a cherry tomato salad. Delicious. I had hoped to stay to watch the first half of the Copa America final soccer game between Colombia and Argentina, but it was delayed by an hour and a quarter due to fans rushing the gate. Once they got things under control, the game started at 9:15. I was home by that time and am watching a little soccer while writing this log and answering a few emails. The game is 0-0 76 minutes in and Messi is out due to an injury. Not sure I’ll stay up for the whole game.

It is another busy week for the Goldstones, so this evening we went over the calendar and made tentative plans. This seems to be the summer of one thing depending on another. Decisions have to be made at the last minute, so I am just on stand-by to do what I can, when I can.

2024 Life Logs, Day 195: Really a Do-Nothing Saturday
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2024
Weather: Rainy Day; High Temp 80, Low 74 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

Yesterday was a do-little Friday, but today was truly a do-nothing Saturday. I went to bed early last night, slept in this morning, and by 11:30 I was exhausted from doing nothing. I had zero energy and decided to test for Covid as I couldn’t figure out what else could be wrong. I tested negative, took a three-hour nap, ate lunch in the middle of the afternoon, and started feeling a tad better. I had enough energy to do some house cleaning and I feel fine tonight. But we’ll see how tomorrow goes.

Jed came over this afternoon to help me with a couple of small tasks and I had him install the window air conditioner. I have felt better ever since, so maybe my problem was exhaustion caused by the heat and humidity. I just hope I feel as good in the morning as I do right now.

2024 Life Logs, Day 194: Free and Easy Friday
Date: Friday, July 12, 2024
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Windy, Misty Rain AM; High Temp 80, Low 74 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

Other than fighting local traffic to pick Jonah up after a morning soccer clinic at the high school, I had the day off Cape Oma. I used the extra time to get a little gardening done, and after picking Jonah up, Heather, Jed, and I met with a local builder to get an estimate on our latest idea for turning their master bedroom into a grandma apartment. Our idea of adding a small bedroom on to the front of the house and turning the current bedroom into a living room was a no go. The price tag is just too high. So, we brainstormed with the builder and came up with an alternate plan. He will send someone to measure and do some drawings so that he can give us an estimate on just adding a few feet to the front of the house. While we were working with the builder, I got a call from Curtis Automotive. The parts are in to repair my car and that will happen next Wednesday. So, progress on the car, a little set back in our thinking about the apartment. But we are moving forward.

I am still puzzled by the lack of energy I seem to have after the knee surgery. I am certain the fact that I am still bothered at night by my knee when I turn is keeping me from sleeping soundly. Every time I turn, it wakes me up and sometimes it takes a bit to get back to sleep. Maybe I’m not getting enough sleep. And I am certain I am not getting enough protein. I have stopped eating dairy again which means no cottage cheese and yogurt. Today by the time I got up, did my exercises, took Shadow for his morning half mile walk, and fixed my smoothie, I was ready for a rest. But I soldiered on and by the time I got home from Heather and Jed’s around 2:30, I was wiped out. I had not eaten lunch, so again, maybe that was the problem. Plus, it is hot and humid and I have put off installing the window air conditioner. So, maybe the heat if getting to me. Or maybe I am just getting old or something is really wrong and I am just making excuses. But, whatever, I did take a short nap after I ate a late lunch before going back outside to weed and water and do a little more planting.

On this Friday night, Heather and Jed are spending the night on the boat. Ollie is at Seton’s for an overnight, and Sam and Jonah are home alone. Hopefully that goes well and the lines banging in the mast don’t keep Heather and Jed up all night. Justin and Jo are at another music festival this weekend where everyone camps out. Jo wrote and said it was expected to rain all weekend. Hopefully that doesn’t make for a muddy mess. And I am home alone enjoying a quiet evening with my Shadow. Life is good.

2024 Life Logs, Day 193: Cloudy, Rainy, Do-Little Day
Date: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Weather: Cloudy, Periods of Rain; High Temp 78, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

In naming this log, I used the term “do-little” to describe the activity level today. That could be taken as a negative comment. But it is summer, the time for a few “do-little” days. But as I wrote the log, I realized we did a lot. It was just the mundane tasks of life that don’t sound very exciting. I had PT this morning and it was the most physically challenging session I have had. I could do everything, but I was a little shaky afterwards. But I came home, put my feet up for 15 minutes, and then headed over to check on the boys. Sam and Jonah were still in their rooms. Ollie had been to the dentist to get a filling and he was not particularly happy about that. Heather was on a Zoom meeting, so I told Ollie to tell everyone I would return at 1 pm. By that time, everyone was stirring. They fixed lunch for themselves, sorted the clean laundry and took their clothes to their rooms, and then it was on to afternoon activities. Jonah just wanted to stay at home as he was evidently in charge of cleaning the upstairs bathroom and while he was at it, he cleaned his room. Sam wanted to go downtown to get his hair cut, so I dropped him off, and then took Ollie to my house for some Lego time. The afternoon went on this way. Jed got home from work just in time for Sam to take the car to an appointment. Heather was still at work with the car, so Jed had no transportation and needed to go to the grocery store. Sam dropped Jed at the store and a little later, Ollie and I picked him up. Jonah needed transportation to and from the gym. And on and on. We were just doing the mundane things in life that need to be done. And during all of this, we had periodic downpours that lasted about two minutes and then stopped for a bit before returning. It was just the right weather for a “do-little” day.

2024 Life Logs, Day 192: Encore Board Meeting, Street Fair Stroll with Ollie
Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Weather: Partly Sunny: High Temp 78, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

My day started by taking my car to Curtis Automotive to get their opinion on how much life is still in my little Fit. When I went to pick it up this afternoon, I was told that it is good for at least another 2 years, so I am going to get the ignition and window repaired and keep driving it. I will continue to look for a good deal on another car, but this relieves me of having to do it in the middle of summer when things are so busy.

The car had to be in by 8 am, so Heather met me there and dropped me off at the Baranowski’s where I hung out until Karen took me to our 10 am Encore board meeting. After the meeting, Karen took me back to Curtis Automotive and I continued on with my day. I went straight to Heather and Jed’s to check in with Ollie and Jonah. Jonah helped out with a little kid soccer camp this morning and decided to stay home and watch a soccer game this afternoon. Ollie and I took off for Main Street, where we checked out all of the Street Fair booths. Then we came home to play with Shadow before I took him home.

I talked to my sister this afternoon whose 91st birthday was today. Happy birthday, Patsy!

2024 Life Logs, Day 191: Lazy Day
Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Weather: Mostly Cloudy: High Temp 80, Low 72 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA

After an exhilarating day yesterday aboard Ardenna using her as a launching pad for jumping into Great Harbor, today the clouds took over and Ollie and Jonah wanted to do absolutely nothing. They did have the energy to watch the 3 pm soccer match between Spain and France. While they watched, I folded some laundry. I spent my morning hours getting ready for tomorrow’s Encore board meeting and I finished that job tonight.

Heather and Jed have had to spend time dealing with Sam’s broken finger. Jed took him to the orthopedic surgeon at 4 pm yesterday, but the results were not what Sam was hoping for. He has a clean break in the neck of the 5th metacarpal bone (pinky finger) of this right hand. Prior to going to the orthopedic doctor yesterday, Heather, Jed, and Sam had Googled the best treatment for this, and they were fairly confident that the doctor would go with a Velcro splint, not a cumbersome cast. But the doctor did put on a cumbersome cast that is miserable and doesn’t seem to be doing the one thing needed which is keeping that finger from moving. Heather spent a lot of time on the phone today and will take him back in to see the doctor in the morning. In the meantime, Sam continues to go to work. He had just gotten promoted from rentals to repairing the bikes. But I think he is on the cash register now because it is difficult for him to do much else. Hopefully a second visit to the doctor in the morning will result in a different decision.