This is my quietist Sunday at the Califonia Welcome Center. By 1:00 PM I’d had one visitor. And that was someone seeking lost and found (a friend’s keys) after yesterday evening’s quiceanara. I have brought my weekly planner up to date through the end of the year. Something has been accomplished.

Tomorrow, Monday, will be a lost day, since I have a blood draw at the Santa Rosa Infusion Center. I have to arrive by 11:15 AM. So, we’ll leave home about 10:15 AM. I expect the blood draw will be done by noon, and then we’ll seek lunch, I expect. I’ll have had only a cup of coffee with milk prior to the blood draw. I think it’s best to do a fasting test. If we do pause for lunch, I would expect to be home sometime between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, depending upon any other stops we may make. And that’s pretty much the day, lost. Then later in the week we begin Keytruda infusions again (on Thursday). Another lost day. I hope this time around to avoid the colitis immune response. Maybe taking Immodium from the beginning. The continuing low dose of Prednisone may help, too. And by Friday I’m back at work, with Christine heading to Auburn for Maria’s baby shower.

We’ve missed some days together. Our holiday in Ashland put a stop to daily writing and posting. Now I need to get back into the groove. Ashland was fun. Our gang ranged in number from a low of six to a high of twelve. Everyone claimed to have had a wonderful time. And our 2024 plans are in process. Hotel room(s) reserved, ticketing plan emailed to the gang. November 8-9 I’ll organize and place our ticket order for 2024.

Things are pretty emotional on the home-front. Still dealing with DAH-cancer, or course. Infusions (immunotherapy) begin again on November 2. Hopefully we can steer clear of colitis this round and keep up treatments. I expect some diet changes are going to be made. A colitis diet book is on its way. Poor Tinkerbell has a large mass on her shoulder. The veterinarian doesn’t have any ideas what to do. Which isn’t reassuring. We can at least keep her happy as long as possible. She’s not currently in any obvious distress. But with the George changes so fresh, poor Christine is close to tears much of the time. So, I’m avoiding emotional subjects as much as I can. Stoic-DAH is the order of the day.

Wednesday is driving day. We’re off to Ashland, Oregon. Judy will pick us up at 9:30 AM. CHance suggested that Illyana is stopping by before then. 8:30 for her would make sense if she’s dropping Stephanie off at school.

I’m finishing up packing. I may have to take an extra bag. But I’ll try to avoid that. Traveling light is a high value for me. I’m feeling low after my Dr. Kanaan video appointment yesterday. He’s a nice man, but he doesn’t fill me with hope. That’s not his job, I know. I have to do that for myself. So, I’m back to “Radical Remission,” optimistic this book will get me on a healing track. I’d like a few more years.

I always thought, “For sure, I’ll live as long as my unhealthy father.” He made it to 77. It doesn’t look like I’ll get that old. But I’ll give it a go. Enjoying every day should be a priority, since they are all a gift. Dr. Kanaan said that without treatment I’d already be dead. See? Not exactly optimistic, but a reminder to celebrate the time I have.

Which means, of course, that I’d better make this Ashland holiday a good time for me and my friends. Ten of us, my goodness.

Tomorrow we head to Ashland, Oregon. Wednesday through Sunday relaxing and seeing plays. Then home again on Monday. Judy is driving, so I’ll sit in the back seat snoozing and reading. That’ll be a nice way into the holiday.

I thought today I should get the third Visit California Publicity tip done. But it’s not to be, unless Shannon Riley sends me something late this afternoon. If that happens, I’ll do my best to get something to Visit California. This would have been about the purple pipe and water recycling project. And birdwatching opportunities associated with that. If I wrote something now, I’d be making things up. I have no actual information except for the previous sentence’s content.

I went out this morning to get six screw-top bottles of wine. I thought they would be easier on the trip. Also, a few kitbag sundries (that might actually fit in my kitbag, which I overloaded last time I used it).

I’ve chatted with Kelly today. Listened in on Christine’s call with Betty Lacy (about brother George). Dr. Kanaan is a 2:00 PM video call.

Thereafter I’m on to packing and relaxing. I’m excited to visit Bloomsbury Books after years away.

This morning Christine and I drove to Husch Vineyards. It’s a few miles beyond Philo on Highway 128. We picked up our wine club shipment. That shipment included limited release wines at reasonable prices. I’m going to like this club.

Then home for some lunch. Left-over burrito from yesterday’s supper. The rice had me choking for at least an hour. Things still go down my windpipe with ease. Rice and other loose grains are the worst. I must avoid them. We enjoyed watching some Rick Steves’ travel shows about Egypt. Christine said something I agree with: “These are very interesting but I have no desire to go there.”

Bill-paying was next. That’s always depressing. Never enough money. It’s especially daunting when we are about to leave on a brief holiday. A holiday that will set us back a few thousand dollars for lodging and meals. We leave Wednesday, with Judy driving. I’m sure we’ll have a good time. But I am anxious about money. Social Security is clawing back money already paid because of IRA withdrawals. More fun with funds for the Hances.

I’m waiting to see if I hear anything from Shannon Riley at the City of Ukiah. I emailed her about bird-watching related to the purple pipe (wastewater recycling) project. I doubt she’ll get back to me. I can likely make something up for Visit California.

I met Lauren Sinnott this morning. She’s the artist who created the enormous historical mural on Church Street. It’s on the side of the Ukiah Conference Center. That’s where the California Welcome Center is. Lauren could be a great resource for the self-guided public art walking tour I want to develop.

I also had a brief visit with Tom, who stopped by after the Farmers Market. I can count on seeing him on Saturday mornings. Me, sitting in my booth downtown. Tom walking in to say “hi.”

It sounds like things went smoothly at yesterday evening’s MendoTrails Gala. Mike (the Conference Center manager-person) said they did well with cleaning up. A story on them would be good for Visit California PR, too.

And lunch with Bernadette is on for Patrona on Tuesday. Just before we both leave on vacations. Time to share the idea about the Carignane and Chenin Blanc tasting. And Donkey Rescue and Cowboy Poetry as part of the event. Working with Tom and Rusty and me. Focusing on us having fun.

Supper with JP this evening. I don’t expect that we’ll be late getting home. Tomorrow (Sunday) I’ll work for a few hours. Then Christine and I attend the first Ukiah Community Concert of this season.

Our preparation for Ashland has begun. I’ve sent a recap email to all our crew explaining what we’re seeing, when and where. Few (or no) full group dinners this year, because there are so many of us. Christine would like to do a dinner at Cucina Biazzi. That might be a good arrival day activity, since there is no show. We can invite people to join our reservation soon. I’ll confirm with Christine this evening and see about setting that up.

I expect Judy will want to drive, which is fine with me. There’ll be a lunch stop, most likely in Red Bluff, at our “regular” place. From the Hearth Restaurant and Pie Shop is that place, the one with the very high curbs. Should be easier for DAH this year. I’m somewhat healthier. Our Ashland Springs room looks nice indeed. We can do a lot of in-room picnicking. We have enough room in the room to invite others to join us. The room description says we’ll have a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, sofa and armchair. I’m planning on some gentle walking and lots of reading between shows and meals. Popcorn maker? Bagged popcorn would be easier, though. Again, a chat with Christine today or tomorrow as I work on my packing list.

Welcome to bloody Thursday. Christine’s having a blood draw in Healdsburg this morning, then we’re on to my own blood draw in Santa Rosa at 12:30. Whisk back to Ukiah for my meet-up with Tom and Rusty at 4:30.

I’d like to have time for a quick bookstore stop (unlikely) or an Oliver’s stop (more likely). We’ll see how timing goes.

Last night’s sleep surprised me. I like that I lasted longer in bed, with fewer awake times. I don’t know why, or how to replicate that. It was sure nice. It would have been even nicer had I been able to enjoy some breakfast. But I want a “fasting” blood to see how glucose is doing. I had milk in my coffee, but no Ovaltine. That should have kept the sugar down.

I’ve offered to work until 1:30 this Sunday, then I can go to the Ukiah Community Concert. Christine could drop me at work and pick me up. Then we head to the college for the afternoon. Not a bad plan.

Next week: Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival! What fun. I will email all today or tomorrow to confirm our rendezvousing. We may want to be on our own for opening supper, to ease arrivals and check-in.

Beets beat blood. That’s my belief today. No blood in the stool yesterday. But beets for dinner. What an idiot I am. Christine pointed that out to me. Otherwise, it might never have occurred to me that what I ate caused the red. Well, that’s one less thing to be anxious about. I’ll focus on feeling good and getting better.

Today we have Judy’s party at 1:00 PM. She asked that we not bring anything, so we won’t. Before then, I’ll work on my packing list for Ashland and reading my new slim volume. I need the slim volume read for TheThereThere. Fiction this time. And now lovely Beth has sent us a conversation in poetry. A new slim volume! I can use that in a coming week.

Now that I’m out of the house, in the back-garden shed-office, my fingers are icing up once more. I wish I could keep them in my pockets and keyboard at the same time. A physical impossibility, I’m afraid. So, I’ll head back inside soon and get warm again.

It’s supposed to get hot again today. 96F, according to Christine. Outside at Judy’s will be toasty. She’ll like that. Christine won’t. I look forward to seeing Jude, though.

Care conference by telephone for George today. It sounds like if they complete the MoCA test, and he scores too low, that a doctor can more or less conserve him. Christine would be his responsible party for decision making. None of this sounds good, although it’s not unexpected. The money thing is of concern. All we can do is count on Medical Managed Care (Anthem Blue Cross) to take care of him in some acceptable facility. Which he won’t like. But might as well be hopeful.

I had blood in my stool this morning, which is worrisome. For now, I’ll watch and hope it clears up. I do not know what might have caused this. I don’t need any fresh problems. Yesterday, I mentioned to Christine that dealing with cancer and its treatment side-effects is no longer amusing. I’d best dive back into my “hobbies.” And those are writing and art and theater.

The claw-back of money by Social Security is bad news. It will happen again with 2023 taxes, since I had to pull money out of retirement savings to pay taxes. And that will count as income.

I could use some good or happy news. Where will that come from?

I’m feeling low and out-of-sorts today. I don’t know why. It’s only noon on an open Monday. With me adrift on a sea of apathy. Not unhappy. But not happy, either. Writing these words may shake me out of the revery. Fingers crossed for that. Still icy fingers this day. Another thing I can’t explain. I’ve plenty to do. And little I want to do. So, let’s get these 200 words done, then inbox zero, then some reading. Oh, and a little TheThereThere for this week would be wise. To get ahead of the deadline by a few days.

It’s a pretty day. Plus, there was the serendipitous pleasure of finding a new short book: “Rain.” This slim volume thing has me hooked, at least for a while. At this moment I’ve got too much. Too many things. Too much of interest. And little demand for me to deal with anything. Let’s make a deal: No more anything for a while. Other than anythings that I’ve already got committed to. There is the matter of feeling that I’m not working on the cancer. But I’m not clear what, if anything, I could or should do there. Keep paying attention, I guess.

This Sunday turns out to be a cancel day. Judy is too tired for the Willits Arts Party. I took the day off work to go north to Willits. Oh, well. I don’t mind an extra day at home. I already have Monday and Tuesday calendared as days of “No No No.” There was the notion of listening to NFL football on the radio. But after finding the radio and batteries, I discovered that baseball was my only option. Streaming services caught my attention. But I’m already spending too much money that we don’t have.

So, it’s a stay at home Sunday. I’ll figure out some lunch and watch a movie and do some reading and napping. Supper can be cheesy pasta with beef. With luck, there’ll be a vegetable available. We must have salad makings. Or something. If we’re not going out, let’s not go out.

It occurs to me I should schedule a few work hours for the Heritage Homes Walking Tour. Three or four hours over the course of Monday and Tuesday would catch me up for weekly work hours. Judy’s much-deferred party is Wednesday, October 4. I don’t know what time. I’ll see about scheduling my talk with Kelly before we head to Judy’s.

Car Show Saturday. An overcast morning. We had some showers overnight. I expect things are already busy on School Street. I don’t expect to have time for anything much today at the California Welcome Center. Too much Car Show action expected. I may have to track down an extra chair. And I must prepare to pitch in with whatever needs doing, which is OK.

This evening we’re planning on Willits with Judy. Asian food supper followed by the Female Odd Couple at Willits Community Theatre. I hope both are pleasant and swift. Tomorrow’s Willits Arts Party should be easy. A couple of hours taking in the scene. Then home to relax with Christine and the pups.

My “No No No” Monday and Tuesday are both still unblemished on my calendar. Reading and writing and catching up. Maybe a nap or two. Planning Ashland packing. Beginning Ashland packing and organizing. Getting a couple of TheThereThere letters ready to go. And remembering to take the Surface GO with me to Oregon so I can send the weekly missive.

Granola bars for sustenance this day. I can’t imagine taking a break to dine while I’m in the Conference Center booth. I can’t get used to eating when I’m fielding visitor questions.

Settling in for another Friday at the California Welcome Center. Saturday should be crazy. Car Show set up begins at 6:00 AM. No parking anywhere near the Conference Center. I hope Christine comes home today, Friday, so she can give me a lift to work tomorrow. She’s in Auburn and Sacramento for George rent and cat stuff. And with Alex (for which I am so grateful). I told her she could stay another night if she wants. If she does, I may have to walk!

It’s interesting that I feel more normal today. Still numbness and tingling from neuropathy. And the icy fingers thing is still with me. But wouldn’t it be nice if I felt a sort of good for a while? I’ll keep fingers and toes crossed for that outcome.

Beef will cook when I get home this afternoon. The Asian Chopped Salad could be good with cold beef. Christine will like that, or enchiladas. She can choose. I enjoy having things ready for her return home, so it feels good for her to be there. The bed’s made, the dishes are done. Dogs are in good shape. I’ll get them fed and comfy before their Mom gets there to give rubs.

Getting ready to be on my own for an evening or two. Christine is getting her hair done this morning, then driving to Auburn to stay with Alex. On Friday she will get George’s rent paid. Then Alex will help her get George’s cat. The cat is getting fostered by Patty (unlikely) or turned in to Maria’s Auburn animal shelter. This is all emotionally taxing for poor Christine. And here I am wondering how close to the end I am. We need to ask Dr. Kanaan better questions about the future. Do I have a few weeks? A few months? A few years? No way of knowing? It’s challenging to think about the future when there’s certainty that it won’t be forever. Of course, it’s never forever. But there’s be more optimism if we had some sense that it wasn’t soon.

I guess I can watch football this evening. Thursday night on Prime is the only broadcast I can get. So, I shouldn’t skip the opportunity, since I actually enjoy the sport. I’ve sent my projected October conflicts to Katrina. We’ll see if and how she responds. Then I’ll get that schedule dialed in.

Today I’ll get to inbox zero and submit my time sheet. That’s my next project. Then some reading and lunch.

Here’s the idea. Take instant square photos and use them as key ingredients in collaging a book. Altering and old atlas or dictionary or a similar volume. I think I’d better check out used book shops. The books I see on-line need more physical inspection by me. And I’m pretty sure I can get a better price at a garage sale or library sale or used bookstore. Santa Rosa used book stores to research.

Today I scanned documents for George’s application for MediCal. That application will come from the social services person in the business office of Auburn Oaks. If we’ve got them all the paperwork they need, I hope that can be completed this month.

Christine is planning a trip to Sacramento on Friday, so it won’t be with me. I’ll be at work on Friday. Checking my calendar, I must protect October 2 and 3 as open days for DAH. As for the rest of this day, I think reading, napping, and TV sound about right. It’s beginning to warm up weatherwise here, so I may even take off my anorak and get cooler when I go back inside the house.

I’m excited about the “slim volumes” I can use in TheThereThere for the next few weeks.

Another day that I wanted open-calendared but is booked for the afternoon. Darn it. I want some wide-open flexible days on the calendar. If I can control Christine seeing the “available” time. Writing time is going to become a premium as autumn progresses. If I’m going to script a Truman Capote reading for December 10, I need to get to work. I wondered why Lucy didn’t follow me up to the back-garden office. Now I realize that she’s on a short walk with Christine and Illyana, so she isn’t free to join me.

I need to squeeze in a couple of hours of Visit Ukiah and California Welcome Center work this week. Tomorrow, Wednesday, is my best shot. I have some Thursday time, but I want to be sure and have writing time for TheThereThere and Capote.

I’m thinking about old atlases, dictionaries, textbooks, or encyclopedias for altered book art. If I play with collage with an actual book or two in mind, I’ll feel better.

In the meantime, we have a Santa Rosa blood draw trip today. And George’s care conference by telephone. We hope that will give some clarity to the next steps for him. It would be so nice for him to go home for as long as he can.

It’s a little annoying to set days when I want nothing scheduled, then to have things scheduled on those very days. The first days I marked on the calendar as “No No No.” Christine is well-meaning. But she must not understand my desire for a couple of fully open calendar days (since I don’t have them on weekends, as others do). This overcast Monday morning I’ve added some more little shelves to the back-garden office. I’m going to see about starting one of the larger shelf units. I’ll get this space shipshape shortly!

Beef tri-tip is cooked, cooled and cut. A good start on supper, which will be an easy preparation now. I’ve had too much to eat this morning, so just bone broth for lunch. It’s a satisfying sip, so I won’t be hard-done-by. If I can finish reading The Woman in the Library today, I can be ready with TheThereThere for this weekend. And make a start on the next installment. I enjoy getting ahead. There’s a sense of security knowing I’m not facing a desperate deadline. But what book for this next week? I’m thinking about Rooted, since I’ve already started it and it’s at hand inside.

Sunday, and it’s overcast in Ukiah. Rain later? Christine and Illyana are in the Sacramento area taking care of brother George matters. The George situation is sad and discouraging. We hope for improvement, but that seems unlikely and impermanent. He misses his beloved Shirley, the cat. And I’m concerned that he’ll never see her again. Meanwhile, I’m staffing the front desk at the California Welcome Center. It’s a peaceful day, as expected. Heidi has had a little business in the Mendocino Bounty shop. I’m only open until 2:00 PM, so it’s a peaceful day for DAH. Although I’m very sleepy. Waking every 30 minutes during the night will do that.

After work today I’ll go to Safeway. Not my favorite place to shop, but nearby. And it ought to have what I’m looking for: Ingredients for a supper grunt meal. It will be delicious, of course, and ready whenever Christine is home and ready for it. She and Illyana ought to be back in Ukiah by mid to late afternoon, since they have only a few stops today. I doubt that I’ll do any office work at home today. Too tired. I will try to get a few things done for GUBTA and Visit Ukiah, today and this week.

It’s another chilly morning at The Brownhouse. And a late day for work at the California Welcome Center. Electricians are working at the downtown Conference Center today. They’re supposed to finish by noon, so that’s when we’ll open. But I’ll do my required computer work from home. I have doubts about the noon electrical goal downtown. There’s no need to count on that working. Seldom does all go according to plan.

The heater in my office is still plugged in, so I turned it on. It isn’t needed for long, but it’s needed now. Chilly fingers again.

This evening we’re heading to Willits with Jude. Supper out with Michael, we hope. I don’t know where or when. I’ll leave that for Christine and Jude to organize. Then “The Female Odd Couple” at Willits Community Theatre. My work shift ends at 3:00, after a quick few hours at the CA Welcome Center desk. I can pretty much do the three hours standing on my head. Except that I can’t stand on my head. It does make Sunday shifts easy. A Saturday three-hour shift is a treat. Then I can put up my little shelves and get another bit done in my home office.

A morning that began with fog is turning sunny, but not hot. The next week could bring our first real rain of the season. How exciting. Hoping for no roof leaks at The Brownhouse. But dampening to get rid of the poor air quality (smoke from the north) sounds good. At the CA Welcome Center and Conference Center today. Very quiet, although there are many people here. They’re all in the conference. State of the Redwood Coast Region: Our Elemental Economy. Not a conference I need to attend. Also not interesting. I’ve a distracted mind this week. Looking forward to getting done with work and getting home. Dogs, Christine, dinner, and TV are about what I can manage. I’ve proposed a wine tasting jaunt to Christine and Judy for October 9. That would be fun. Husch for wine club pickup, Pennyroyal for a cheese-and-wine flight. Could be too much right before our Ashland trip, but we’ll see what the ladies say. I’ve deployed a nice little retro clock here in my Welcome Center space. First hours of operation, but I’m delighted so far. Now, if I can keep my memory on track, I can follow up with the Tin Pan Alley crew about the next steps, too.

It’s a chilly morning. The day will warm up, but only into the low 80s. CHance is walking with Illyana. I’m in the back garden-office-hut with Lucy. Icy fingers on the keyboard. Not much to write. This space is becoming more interesting, with the little shelves installed. There’s easily room for another six of these little platforms. And the two larger shelf units will be for more storage and even books. With the closing of consignment at All Things Right & Relevant in Davis, we’ll have to find new selling outlets. I’ll try Powell’s in Portland. A big “maybe“ but it’s something.

Organizing the library spaces will become a priority. A good project for cooler weather since I can remain working in the spaces (office-hut, garage) for longer each day. There’s a strong impulse in me to get ahead of the curve on the books. I also want to get into a better rhythm at work. The idea of making an additional $1,000 a month is attractive, so I don’t want to give up. But I don’t have a weekend any longer. Weekends were apparently more useful than I thought, even in semi-retirement. We organize so much around the Monday through Friday busy-ness.

Christine is off to the Sacramento area today with Illyana. Here’s hoping things will go as well as possible with George. And his cat. If scheduling allows, they’ll see Alex and Maria. Pick up our beer. Wish Andrew bon voyage as he heads north to Seattle tomorrow. We hope that works out this time. He needs a win. I’ve got some writing to do this morning. Finishing TheThereThere would be good. If I hear from the County Museum about their Indigenous Peoples Day plan, I’ll finish the Visit CA PR tips. I’ve got to wait for their email. I don’t expect to hear from the Anderson Valley Museum. They deserved a shot, though. Even if they are tiny and under-staffed.

I talk to Kelly at 2:00 today, unless her carpet cleaners are very late. Then I want a day of rest and reading. Tomorrow I taper down to 60mg of Prednisone. By 40mg per day, I should begin to feel better. Still wearing these new ankle-high compression socks. They might be helping. I’ve already been out to Raley’s. I’ve salted some discounted flat iron steak that I can cook for dinner-snacks and more. There’s a couple of nights of dinner covered.

Lots of bits of writing today. TheThereThere letter is partially completed, and I think I can finish it up today or tomorrow. It gets emailed Friday. I want it ready to go on Friday morning, so all I need do is push the button. I’ve got a couple of media-suggestions for the Visit California people I need to write up and send. A maximum of 150 words each plus high-resolution images. And there’s this, my daily 200 words (for now). There’s so much I want to author and create. My work and discomfort from my most recent course of steroids (Prednisone) get in the way. The steroids, at the higher doses (each dose level lasts one week) spark my neuropathy. That’s uncomfortable. I get grumpy by late in the day. And I sleep poorly. Resting with my feet up helps. It helps with the neuropathy in my feet. But my numb fingers, and the resting, don’t lend themselves to accomplishment. Going back to Julia Cameron and structuring my artistic work is necessary. Somehow, I’m going to merge my writing with my artsy impulses to make a coherent practice. Also, there could be a benefit in really rolling with artsimbibe.com. And monetizing something. I could monetize some modest PR and some arts-authorial thingummy yet to reveal itself.

Today I will complete the draft Visit Ukiah newsletter for review. I’ll also do some space making and tidying. And some rest. And make dinner (leaving the Brussels Sprouts to CHance). My vision for arts and authoring is coming together. I will wait for the author brand planning workbook I’ve ordered to detail that. Might as well use a structured process. It’s exciting that we’re finally getting the new car (CRV Hybrid) its first service. And I’m thinking of Burger King as a lunch treat today! Woo hoo! Today’s also the day I have to stop ordering so much stuff on Amazon. I get over-excited about subjects and feel the need to delve in via books. The result is that I have lots of books to organize. And I need to make time to get them so organized. There are some empty shelves in the office I should be using. A good beginning space. I should also somehow move the rolling desk back up to the DAH-hut-office. Cooler weather … only mid-80s F today … makes the unconditioned space tolerable for longer. For my writing practice, I will go back at 100-word blocks to create my “book.” So much to consider. My goodness. The Hemingway app found no corrections to recommend in his post.