Thursday

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"The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible." - Vladimir Nabokov
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1. Portland, Maine
2. Lewiston, Maine
3. Auburn, Maine
4. The state capitol of Maine
5. Norway Lake, Maine
6. Pleasant Pond, Maine
7. Upton, Maine
8. Augusta, Maine
9. Different forts along the Maine coast
10. Mt. Desert Island, Maine
11. Bar Harbor, Maine
12. Oxford, Maine
13. Otisfield, Maine
14. Spurrs Corner, Maine
15. Casco, Maine
16. Bell Hill, Maine
17. Up country at the trail heads of the Appalachian Mountains, Maine
18. Bridgeton, Maine
19. Bolsters Mills, Maine
20. New York City, New York
21. Mid Town Manhattan, New York
22. Tonganoxie, Kansas
23. Lawrence, Kansas
24. Other towns in Kansas which I do not remember their names
25. Kansas City, Missouri
26. Overland Park, Kansas
27. Kansas City, Kansas
28. Olathe, Kansas
29. Tucson, Arizona
30. Nogales, Mexico
31. Tijuana, Mexico
32. The Grand Canyon
33. Other places in Arizona that I longer remember
34. Long Beach, California
35. Los Angeles, California
36. San Luis Obispo, California
37. Atascadero, California
38. Morro Bay, California
39. Baywood Park, California
40. Paso Robles, California
41. Arroyo Grande, California
42. Shell Beach, California
43. Pismo Beach, California
44. Grover City, California
45. Oceano, California
46. Solvang, California
47. Buellton, California
48. Los Alamos, California
49. Sturgis, South Dakota
50. Custer, South Dakota
51. Deadwood, South Dakota
52. All points between California and South Dakota which I do not remember
53. San Diego, California
54. Santa Barbara, California
55. Templeton, California
56. Monterey, California
57. Moss Landing, California
58. Carmel, California
59. Custer State Park, South Dakota
60. Montana de Oro State Park, California
61. Farmington, Maine
62. Boston, Massachusetts
63, Malden, Massachusetts
64. The Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri
65. Ventura, California
66. Santa Barbara, California
67. San Miguel, California
68. Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
69. Big Island of Hawaii
70. Maui, Hawaii
71. Kauai, Hawaii
72. Santa Maria, California
73. Guadalupe, California
74. Harmony, California
75. Cayucos, California
76. Cambria, California
77. San Simeon, California
78. Avila Beach, California
79. Denver, Colorado
80. Estes Park, Colorado

Okay, I cannot think of any more at the present moment. This means I have at least 21 more places to go before I finish with this life. But I bet I can come up with more than 21 places before then.

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This morning I have chosen not to let our guest change my routine for the day. I did sleep until 11 a.m. I got up and got dressed. I grabbed my hat, keys, and walking stick and out the door I went. Earlier in the morning would have been better because of the heat but I shall over come.

At first I thought I would take a short walk but once I got going I took a walk about and went down through the sand spit. Walking in soft sand sure works the muscles. I also heard where the homeless camp is. It is in a grove of Elfin trees. I could hear the men's voices. I kept quiet and kept walking. I do not know that they would have bothered me but I was not taking any chances.

My short walk turned into an hour walk and up and down hills. It did me some good and helped release the anger and resentment that had been accumulating, which does no one any good and especially me.

I arrived home just in time to watch my favorite cooking show, Simply Ming. His "heroes" today were saki and black pepper. One item that caught my eye was black pepper vanilla ice cream. Now, I have never had that before.

Once the show was over, instead of writing, I decided to go get the laundry done, three huge loads. I am feeling good about this because I am at the last stretch of clothing that did not get washed while we were homeless. I now have some sheets and blankets that need to be washed and then I will be all caught up. Yea!!!!!

I do not particularly like using the laundry mat because of the people who use the facilities prior to me. I have to say my prayers that the washers and dryers I use are clean. I was pleasantly surprised because the two large washers were available and can handle my loads. And, I had just enough money for the wash and the drying.

As much as I would rather be doing wash at home, I do like coming to the laundry mat because it is uninterrupted reading time and I got through quite a few pages of my book. If I keep at it, I can finish the book this weekend.

I had a load and a half of clothes folded by the time Michael came to pick me up. I finished up the rest at home. It is so good to have clean clothes again. Clean sheets tonight!

With the walking today and taking my medication, I am feeling so much better and I am not quick to anger. Although I see things where someone has not cared about our things, this I do not get about people. Oh well, I ask myself, "how important is it." Our guest will be going home soon and then none of it will matter and we will have our home back to ourselves. Oh I can hardly wait.

I folded the rest of the clothes and put them away.

I was able to speak to The Amazing Mz. M to talk to her about this week's art project. I did not understand what the directions were asking me to do. I read them to her and she understood and was able to tell me what to do. However, she said the instructions were not well written and especially for someone new to art. Once again her sage instructions were, "just have fun with it and don't worry about the outcome."

This is another instance of where I have to tie the critic and perfectionist in their respective chairs and gag them. Put the ear phones in and have them listen to music.

Tomorrow, that will be my one "must do" project. The rest of the day will be whatever hits my fancy.

With all that I did today, I love it when I am too tired to care much about anything. It sure saves my serenity. In one of my Al-Anon inspirational books, it talks about this and that the person in the story was too tired to be "minding other people's business." This is what is working for me.

mz. em

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Currently reading:
-- "Charade" - Sandra Brown
-- "The Daily Book of Art/356 readings that teach, inspire & entertain" - day 24
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