Category: The DayBook

For many years, the Asylum had a well-cared-for Butterfly Garden. The Garden was on leased land, and the owner objected to residents working in it. The land was supposed to be used for a parking lot.

Last summer, the Butterfly Garden was relocated. Oddly enough, the original, now-untended site looks better than it ever did.

There must be a lesson in that. I’m just not sure what it is.

Today’s project was figuring out how to get to Seattle to get to Nome. I got that sorted today. Reservations made.

However, I am now “stuck” in Vancouver.

Last time I ended up in Vancouver, Sept 2023, I spent one fine day running all over the place and then took a bus to Seattle the next morning. Got on a train and came home. I might do that again. Or take a train across Canada and fly or bus home from Toronto.

That said, here’s the current status of Amtrak:
It doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
If I do get a ticket to ride, it will have to be for the adventure, not to get somewhere anytime soon.

Practicing for Alaska. Went out in the Asylum wilderness and read a book.

Finally, I rescued a fledgling pigeon that had gotten stuck on a friend’s balcony. I made pigeon noises at it. Walked over. Picked it up. It was undamaged. Just young and stupid. I held it over the edge of the balcony. It stuck its wings out. I let go. And off it went. A happy ending. 

Taking the “geographic cure” for grumpiness.

Heading to Alaska, July 7–24, with some travel days on either side.

I knew there was a reason to keep my good Patagonia rain pants. I almost gave them away.

I made the decision last night after dinner. Hurtigruten was having a sweet sale—zero single supplement—to fill up a small ship sailing from Nome to Vancouver. Most of the activities will be well beyond my capabilities, but that won’t stop me from enjoying myself.

The cabin isn’t in my ideal location, especially considering the very real possibility of rough seas. In Dramamine we trust.

Seriously—how many more summers do I have? Nobody is promised tomorrow.

In one of my grumpy moods today. Carlton would say, “Make a Gratitude List,” and my response would be, “I’m not in AA. I don’t have to be grateful”.

OK Carlton. I’ll try.
Gratitude: Air Conditioning. Indoor plumbing. Trader Joe’s Spicy Pecans. My Kindle.

So, do I feel better now? No. However, I believe I’ll have a few more TJ Pecans. 

Not much happening in the Old Bat’s Cave. Some accounting. Went for groceries. Went to yoga. Practiced gratitude. Grateful that I have money that can be accounted for. Grateful that we still have food to purchase with that money. And grateful that I can still make it through yoga class. Our yoga class is becoming increasingly “elder-friendly.”

And it was Democratic Primary Day in Virginia. Nothing in the least interesting on the ballot. But, I am voting whilst I can. I am sure the current regime would like to negate the 19th Amendment.

Strange weather here on the East Coast. It’s the middle of June, and today’s high is 65°. Not complaining. I know that Momma Nature will bring the heat soon enough.

Cleaning up the photos from the trip and the protest today. And getting back into the routine of The Asylum.

Cleaned out the NoKings Protest photos. And started on the cruise photos. No “GreatShots” from either.

Actually, at the MayDay Protest, I was called out for having a Prada bag. I suppose I should cover the logo with duct tape when I’m protesting.

I got over 300 views on the NoKings video. I will not become an influencer at this rate. But I am pleased. And some of my older protest videos are picking up some hits, too.

 

About my audio selection. It is amateur audio and I scraped it off a Facebook video, but, it’s Joan Baez singing a new protest song at a rally last month. I don’t think anyone will sue me for copyright violation. I am usually very careful about that, but this song spoke to my heart. One old woman to another. 

A resident of The Asylum organized a 50501 protest. It was a block away from The Asylum, on the sidewalks around the strip mall. Not a gracious or impressive location. There was a fantastic turnout from the greater community. Many elders, of course. But, younger folk too.

Made it back home from Baltimore in record time early this morning. Thanks to lighter traffic. Thanks to 47 and his parade.

Came home. Unpacked. Attended the “Rollator Protest”. Came home and crashed. 7,000+ steps running up and down both sides of the street. I am too old for this shit. But. If you aren’t resisting…

Breakfast call at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Then back to The Asylum.

 

But I do miss getting my coffee without getting dressed first.

FYI-It’s a masked booby

The young people are off and running to the waterpark and the old people are having a nice peaceful breakfast, with avocado toast of course.

And a couple from last night.

Another very lazy day. We arrived in Nassau around noon. The young people head off on an adventure. The old people rested, showered while the boat was securely tied to the dock. We had cocktails. Dinner and people watched. The young people returned to the ship and we are heading to a water park tomorrow.