Norcal Gma 2

Summer was surprised when I started packing an adventure backpack. The fog was so thick you couldn't see much of anything. Exercise is the point so away we went. We couldn't see the ocean while we were standing on the beach. Stick throwing and retrieving happened anyway. Fun was had. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

So my daughter has dahlia growing skills. She was picking flowers in her garden today. #BloomScrolling #Dahlias

Four years ago my daughter was fighting cancer. Chemo wasn't going well and she spent weeks in the hospital. During Covid family visitation was limited to one person a day. The nurses at the hospital filled in for us when we weren't allowed to stay. My daughter is still thanking one particular nurse who was there for her many times over. Today they spent the afternoon together in my daughter's dahlia garden. She got to take home a colorful bouquet. Kind people outnumber unkind people. It's true. Sometimes it's a challenge to remember the good humans when their actions might be overshadowed by the actions of their opposites. Good for my daughter for not forgetting those acts of kindness.

The last of our beach adventure photos. This was way more fun than staying home and doing housework. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Flowers don't notice when the going gets rough. They keep blooming. I am so thankful for our small garden. A refuge in a refuge. I love my home. It is a place I am happy to wake up to. #BloomScrolling #Dahlias

I continue to be amazed that this community exists unspoiled by whatever spoiled all other social media platforms. Everytime I have need to know something someone here takes the time to nudge me in the right direction. No matter the topic or the ask. Mastodonians are generous, kind, loving and down right smart. I know a lot about somethings and nearly nothing about other things but because we have friends here the answers to those other things are just a toot away. Summer and I watched the sky get beautiful for just a minute so we could have something to give back to our friends who give us so much.

I spent some time lodging complaints about the lab that gave us bogus water test results. In the process I found out that they have had their certification suspended multiple times. I talked to the head of our county environmental protection department, my State Assembly person, my county supervisor and the CA State Water Board. I also lodged a claim for a refund of the test kits through our credit card. After that it was time for some fun on this beautiful day. A quick vote on where to go and we were off. The three of us took the truck to the beach. Nothing in the whole world makes Summer happier than the whole family on an adventure together. It was a lovely distraction. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer wanted a laugh. We all cuddled up together on the sofa to watch the Jimmy Kimmel monologues from last week. She loves a good Natalie Harp joke. We are on a mission to have fun. Summer is egging us on. She says go for it. This week will be the eat our favorite foods, go to the beach whenever we want and binge television that tickles our funny bone. Not to say that we won't take care of business but only if it doesn't interfere with the festivities. Hope your party is as fun as ours. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Our sunset finale. So worth sitting and watching for an hour. We sooo need to absorb every bit of this magnificent sky show and good feels. Happy to share it with you too. Thank you for being our Mastodon friends.

Summer brings her pal his slippers. Nothing makes her happier than being helpful. After she brings the slippers she slides right in to supervise the putting them on part. #Summer

Spending some of the afternoon sitting with Summer and her pal. A good time to finish up this towel. I will have to check my list for the next friend up.

The media reminds us daily that the bad guys are running amok. Destroying everything in their path as they increase their access to power and wealth with no consideration for anyone outside of their class. It is a sad state of affairs. Yet those of us who live in the real world class have to figure out how to make the best of what they leave for us. We are not alone in this mess. I met some new people on the phone and in person today who seemed like they understand that we are all trying to get by and that helping each other is the only way forward. I ran into a person at the free food pantry who was also leaving food. He said that he is heartened by the neverending food donations. The lawn mower repair guy put on a mask because I was masked. He was kind. My plumber refused to charge me for all of the time he put into helping me troubleshoot our water issues. And there is this extraordinary Mastodon community who represent the very best class of humans on the planet. Feeling the love.

Summer is feeling pampered. Her groomer stopped by to give her the works. Her nails are filed and she smells like a critter that's not a dog who frolicked on the beach today. Not too mention she is super soft. Busy day for both of us on only four hours of sleep. Now we wait for the contractor to come measure the windows he will be replacing. We might need a nap after that. Summer couldn't wait she is already napping. I might need a late cup of coffee. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Even though it was cold with a heavy drizzle Summer and I skipped our way to the beach early, early this morning. Fun was had. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Lovely crescent moon twilight two days in a row. Even though our water issues are still unresolved we've settled into a new routine that is working. Summer and I still find time to watch the sky transition from day to evening together on our new much safer perch. I've been worried about my family's continued access to health insurance as everyone is self employed. The new rules related to Medicaid funding would be difficult to satisfy. That is the purpose after all. To make following the rules so onerous that you give up. Today our family members received letters stating that we are exempt from the new rules, because we are Wailaki, a Federally recognized and California native tribe. I wish I could thank my mother because she did the work to get me on the tribal roles. I in turn did the same for my children and grandchildren. I told Summer that my mother's determination gave us this reason to celebrate. It's true.

Summer understands why we couldn't run down the hill for an adventure this morning. I promised to meet my daughter to shop at Costco. Sunrise is so late we don't have enough time to get everything done before I have to leave for town and still get an early walk. I know my daughter is feeling the same anxiety that I feel around the price of food. I think for a minute that I don't have answers but realize that I do. We carry on. Been here before. I will spend the time to cook and bake things we can share. Helping our neighbors will be a challenge we tackle together too. We made a list of items to buy today to stock up a local program called The Raven Project. This place is a safe destination for LBGTQ youth. They host music and art activities as well as a queer coffee shop. Buying lots of protein bars and personal care items. Coffee too. Summer approves of this message. Good morning, Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

More Summer adventure. We walked miles and miles. Good for both of us. She says this is her kind of place. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The last of my beach adventure photos for today. Summer brings joy to us every single day. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The moon barely seen through the clouds.

Summer had so much fun on the beach. She tried to convince me that she was running too fast for the dirt and sand to stick to her. Alas. I wasn't buying it. Cleaning and grooming was happening. She got into the groove and we made quick work of the spa treatment. Her pal is really enjoying the brushing part of the process. He got to get her all beautiful while I got breakfast started. We had to hurry along so we can get him to town for his Covid vaccine appointment. We know how to have fun. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer is such a helper. When nobody has time to take her for a walk she says no matter I'll do it myself. Away with the formalities and right to the exercise part. There's nothing Summer won't do to lighten the load on everyone else. I asked how her walk went. She said perfect. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I finished the embroidery on another towel. I probably have dessert on my mind. Tomorrow will be what I thought was my sixty seventh birthday until I was gently reminded that I will be sixty eight. Family is coming together for a meal followed by my favorite lemon blueberry scones. I will wake up early tomorrow to bake them fresh. I can't believe I have been a year off all year. Oh well. It's just a number.

When I first signed up for Mastodon it was scary. Posting our life's happenings meant giving up any pretence of maintaining any level of privacy. I can remember at the beginning of social media, before Facebook, interactions seemed low risk and high reward. Now it's opposite. It didn't take long. Overcoming the fear of bad things to truly connect with this community has restored some of my faith in fellow humans. On Mastodon I've participated in a live stream, mailed embroidered towels, thereby giving up my address, and even connected with some locals in real life. Because of my husband's health issues we were isolated even before Covid. Being in close proximity to real people can't be a thing for us. This community is literally the next best thing. Maybe better because our circle is vast here compared to what our small rural community would offer. For all your kindness we appreciate each and every one of you.

Summer was antsy. She didn't get an epic walk this morning. Is one of the sweetest dogs in the universe but definitely has a need for speed. Running and running makes her happy. I told my husband that I was going to change into beach going clothes and take her down the hill. By the time I got outside he had changed too. He said Summer told him that we could get him to the beach and back. She had said no problem. I can't be the reason Summer let him down but this meant we had to take the fourwheel drive vehicle to get closer to the ocean. Thrilled to get the opportunity to adventure together we set off to make it work. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

So far I have encouraged most of my family to get up to date on their vaccinations. Only two close relatives need to make appointments. Today Summer's pal got his shot. Summer gets caught up on her shots in October. While I was talking to my daughter about this important topic she asked if I encouraged my Mastodon friends to stay vaccinated like I do the people around me in real life. I told her that I just tell people what we do not what they should do. She sees interactions on social media as influencing and Summer photos as content. I said no way. Influencers are expecting a return on engagement and Summer is so much more to me than content. She gave a look like I might be a deluded old person. Maybe I don't understand how things really work but I know that I don't expect anything back from my friends here except hoping that we bring a smile now and then. The newest towel is finished. Peace friends.

The last Humboldt Botanical Gardens photos from my walk today. #BloomScrolling

A couple of no Summer photos from our morning adventure.

Finally together again. If anyone can talk her into eating the prescription food it will be her best friend. Now we can all relax. Summer even wagged her tail. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I feel better about our water situation. The plumber was here early. We will be testing several different faucets to try and pinpoint the contamination source. Our entire plumbing system will be inspected and the five feet of galvanized pipe will be replaced. He suspects either or both of two garden hoses or the washer or maybe even all three. Five valves to prevent backflow will be installed. Getting water tested is a bugger. We will be using the same company I used for the first two tests even though they are expensive the turnaround is a week shorter. Work will commence on Tuesday. We decided to keep our dishwashing to a minimum and settled on take out for my birthday lunch. We haven't exchanged gifts for holidays or birthdays for years but the kids all got together to make me a dangly thing for my purse. I love it.

More beach adventure photos from Summer's trip to the beach with her pal today. I am so happy that we are in a place, in this moment, when this kind of adventure is possible. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

When the going gets rough I embroider something. Anything will do. The repetitive stitching is therapeutic for me. After my son passed away I sewed and sewed. I ended up with stacks of towels. I gave them all away. Now I find that the sewing brings renewed purpose. These simple towels have become an opportunity. A small kindness to pass onto someone who might benefit from such a gesture. Hopefully they bring a smile to the recipients. That's all I want. Mastodon has opened that avenue for me to channel my hobby into something slightly more. Selling them would spoil the fun somehow. I truly enjoy posting a small package to a faraway place that houses a stranger who isn't really that. A tangible way to say thank you for being a friend.

Holy moly! This time of year I usually buy new premium flannel sheets. Of all of the price increases I've seen since our current government came into power this one takes the cake. The price for the same sheets I always buy has quadrupled. I decided to buy half as many sheets this year. Good time to go through our linen closet to bundle up any extra sheet sets to donate to the cancer society thrift store.

Summer is in the best mood this morning. It's contagious. Usually these two are cuddling on the sofa while I cook but not today. All I could hear was a ball and two wild and wonderful friends bouncing off the walls. A good night's sleep does a dog and her pal lot of good. I finally had to join in. Can't be missing out on the fun. Hoping all our Mastodon friends are having a good morning. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The wind stopped. . Summer and I took advantage of the lovely evening and the fact that it is cooler outside than in the house. These skies remind me of the Halloween skies of my childhood. Some things feel the same but we know that much is different. The weather is changing yet this morning smelled just like the back to school days of my youth. It's almost like when you squint things can look the way you want them to. I appreciate these moments of normalcy and calm. Even though I know normal or calm doesn't quite apply to these times.

Party crashers. Everybody and their cousins are showing up around here today. They must have heard that we are celebrating. The more the merrier. #BackyardBirds

Every Sunday my daughter and I shop together. Our families buy Costco quantities. We split the purchase three ways so we both get what we need and a third goes to the food pantry. Today my daughter is out of town for her dahlia business. Our oldest grandson stood in. We talked. Young people are the best. He feels that the world he grew up in has been spoiled by greed. All kinds of greed. The lust for power, for money and for control. I don't disagree. He also said that he thinks we need a new generation of leaders. He did say that I am the one boomer he would like to see in office. He is too nice to me. He feels like my generation has not taken responsibility for the mess we made. I assured him that lots will change in the next two years and that he shouldn't give up on humanity yet. I baked him a pie after I got home. I wish that I had all the answers.

Summer wishes she lived in Canada. I told her that we can only wish because we are too old to immigrate anywhere. We are fortunate to be in a blue state at least. I am embarrassed and horrified at the stupidity of the orange demagogue ruining our country and renaming stuff. The rest of our beach time we skipped around in the sand thanking our lucky stars for the gift of being together on this wild and beautiful shore even for an hour. Love you all #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I was thrilled to see that the doors are back on the free food pantry. I was waiting for the rain to pass before I restocked the shelves. I am so happy to be able to leave food without worrying about the weather. There is a shop across the street that sells local frozen beef. l was able to use a gift certificate given to me for my birthday to buy eight one pound packages of ground beef. I sat at the picnic table and along came a family with five kids. They were excited to see food on the shelves but even more excited to take home the ground beef. The kids were most in awe that there was spicy ramen. Our little town is a good place to be.

We decided to sit in the fresh air together and watch the roses bloom. There are only two chairs out right now and three of us so somebody was going to have to share. Summer offered me the edge of her chair but it came with benefits. Beautiful day here on our northern California hillside. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Last photos of Summer's early morning beach adventure. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer blooper this morning. She was so excited about her message she couldn't stay still. We love our Canadian neighbors and are very sorry that the US sucks right now. We had a great time on the beach. I tried and tried but there was no wearing Summer out. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

More Summer early morning foggy, drizzly beach adventure. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Our sunny blue skies full of majestic clouds teased a fabulous sunset. I was skeptical. Fog has spoiled most of our sunsets the last several months. Waiting for that perfect photo usually means no photo so Summer and I sneak out to the deck early. Not a sunset exactly but beautiful enough for us. We aren't too demanding when it comes to these things. Thankful to be together to appreciate the moment. The together part is the most important. I treasure all of these opportunities to be totally focused on something randomly, joyfully perfect.

Summer, Tennessee and I all got an afternoon nap today. It must have been because of all that getting up early we did this morning. She is so, so sweet. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Laundry is the never ending chore around these parts. I wash and dry and wash and dry some more. If I have the time I dry laundry outside in the fresh air but not lately. Summer cuddles up to me while I fold and organize the baskets to go upstairs. Tonight she thinks she fooled me. I know that Tennessee didn't climb up into my clothes baskets without a little help from a friend. Grandma wasn't born yesterday.

Summer is a hard working dog. She says she's ready to work to help support her dog treat habit. I don't have the heart to tell her that those jobs are few and far between. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

@argv_minus_one@mastodon.sdf.org @LRRRonEarth@beige.party Mastodon is my only social media experiment. I only share as much as I want to but realize that photos are very revealing. I'm not complaining.

@stevewfolds@mastodon.world I ended up buying the Portuguese flannel set from Costco this time.