Well that was a Tuesday...into Wednesday :/

Coffee was my big concern when I woke up this a.m.  No power to the apt when I woke up...so where to get my morning coffee was a BIG thought.  :)  Then what if no internet for EOLD or Lansing?  Yikes.  But all on and rolling as I write.  Phew!

But this was all a carry over from yesterday.  Our state had lots of weather related damage the last few days and I got caught up in it yesterday.  But I will start from the top.  Ran dishwasher. Soaked to my underwear walk even with my umbrella.  Pit stop at OSJL to go the bathroom was almost a "situation" because of my early start on my walk.  But only had to wait a minute until they opened the doors.  Then got home and made a fruit salad to take for my lunch at one of the swimming ladies. Pool closed for the day so no post lunch swim. THEN got home to no power.  Not coffee on my mind at that stage of my day, but hot shower...BUT back on at 4 p.m. ish and I jumped in the shower.  Watched the news.  Read.  Bed.  Woke up this morning - no power.  Less than an hour and back on.  That brings the story current.

I do think about not having a smart phone when these things happen.  Flip phone gets the notices from power company without power or wifi...but any real research or outreach...stymied without power or internet.  First world problem for sure, but still makes me pause.

Heard from son.  He let me know he was off to NC then GA with a high school buddy.  Fly to NC, drive to GA.  Said he would give me a call on his return.  No info on car - issue or nonissue.  As I shared with the swimming ladies at lunch - his take life as it comes and keep moving forward mode is a point of envy - and appreciation - for his mother.  :)  Certainly did not get that from his mother.  

Today - if all stays powered up - walk with family friend, clean apt, EOLD, swim, Lansing.  NC friends making their big move today!!!  So exciting and positive in my mind.  Hope they are "feeling it" - if not today, soon.  Next move was a big topic of conversation with the swimming ladies at lunch.  All in 80's except me so big house and "what's next" to stay safe and sound mentally and physically...and financially.  NC friends are such good - and inspiring - planners and thinkers.  

You like a challenge and that’s just as well because the next few days will bring news that is not only exciting but which encourages you to up your game and reach new heights of achievement. As a Cardinal sign you were born to succeed.

Love shouldn't get in the way of friendship or vice versa, darling Libra. Tend to platonic and romantic relationships while the Aries Moon aspects Mercury RX and Venus. If your sweetie and comrades can't play nice, you may feel pressured to take a side. Choose to invest in partnerships that inspire you to be better once Luna enters Taurus to aspect Chiron and the nodes of fate. Those who are unwilling to grow alongside you will most likely hold you back. Competitive power struggles will seem particularly exhausting when Jupiter and Pluto intensify rifts this evening. Remember that you don't have to participate in toxic dynamics if you don't want to.

The doldrums are over and its time to pick up the pace, Libra. Come out of your home in full regalia today and be proud of what you have to offer to the world. Be courageous in your dealings with others and take the time to express yourself fully in a creative manner. The bigger the smile you wear, the further you'll go in just about every situation you encounter.

Feeling very fortunate as to how the last two days have gone.  Saw a former co worker as I wrapped up my walk yesterday who had been out of power for 3 days and had lots of "clean up on aisle 6" with trees and debris on her property.  Another reason I appreciate my location.  So onward to a continued positive outcome day.  Eat, clean, walk, zoom, swim, zoom.  Rinse and repeat kind of day works for me.  :)  Have a good Wednesday.  

 

Mondays do feel better with my change of "schedule"

Feel that I run on a "higher frequency" on Mondays now that they are shopping and wash clothes days.  :)  Always makes me smile when I see/feel change with just the smallest recalibration of activity.  Of course yesterday was helped by being 72 versus 102 from last week.  But there were some other "lifts" too.

Picture of a place I pass everyday on my walks.  My town at the riverbend.  :)  Had already "seasoned" the water last Thursday for washing clothes - that is "a thing" when using those Tide pods to make sure they dissolve and not stick to clothes - when I sprayed cherry juice on my white shirt so I was ready to go there.  Headed out for walk early - 8 a.m.  55/45% without/with umbrella on the walk.  Not as bad as I had anticipated with all the weathermen talk.  Then to FIC "office hours" with new Executive Directors.  Heard about a new IC - https://www.olamina.homes - near Winston-Salem.  Timing is an issue.  IF the concept was going to work for me, I would like to be a renter in a community's ADU to help someone younger pay off their investment...the Chip Conley/Golden Girls approach but less "aging with privilege" feel.  As I shared yesterday - I am looking for a place to live and die supported by like minded people.  But at the same time helping younger people meet their long term goals. A term I saw - "regenerative adult living".  Regenerative adult living moves beyond traditional "retirement" by focusing on restoring the mind, body, and the environment. Instead of just maintaining health, these communities use practices like organic farming and daily wellness routines to help adults stay active, connected, and continuously grow.  I saw stats like - "Boomers represent 42% of all homebuyers and over half of sellers."  "Boomers own nearly twice their share of American homes with 3 or more bedrooms."  Seems to be lots of opps for helping the next generation make their lifestyle move that is appropriate and meeting the needs of so many soloagers.  Just my thought.

So walk, FIC, wash clothes, FEN Chosen Death Forum with a very good conversation.  Took care of balance of 2026 RMD conveyances in my intergenerational transfer way.  :)

As to Shoprite/ALDI.  My ALDI purchases all worked at lower prices - peaches, red grapes, white bread.  5 items, $14.67.  Shoprite:  Spent $13.79/Saved $8.95.  Krusteaz pancake box mix - $2.24, CON coffee - 26 ounces for $9.99, bananas.  3 items, $13.79.  If I could find a cheaper sub for grapes...I will be on the look out.  :)

Did make note of my car mileage yesterday.  184,672.  7/3/2025 - 183,103. 7/27/2024 - 181,415.  Plan to get my annual oil change later this month.  Going to go to a new place that the swimming ladies use now that there is no one I know at the place I have been going to.  Will see if they have any bandaids for the rattle and roll.  

Today it is still raining. Pool was closed yesterday so no swimming.  Plan is run dishwasher, walk, porch lunch with swimming ladies, swim. I will drive the 86 yr old to the lunch...good news is her hearing is bad so maybe she won't hear the rattle and roll.  Will see if pool opens.  No announcement yet...4:12 a.m.

Something you thought was bad will suddenly look good, and something you thought was good will start to look less enticing. With Neptune turning retrograde, your best course of action by far is to stick with the status quo . . . for now.

You'll need a reliable and responsible partner to feel secure in matters of the heart, dearest Libra. As the Aries quarter Moon and Saturn unite, you may grow impatient with carefree attitudes you once found attractive. Try not to view these shifts as selling out, and embrace how your tastes have changed. Desiring a competent companion is a sign of maturity, even if it feels superficial at first. Professional aspirations also weigh heavily on your mind. If you've been stuck in a rut, it might be time to leave your comfort zone and push for better opportunities.

People may be a bit critical of you today, Libra, and you would do well to hear what they have to say. Be receptive of feedback from others so that you may establish a healthy ego. It's important to keep your sense of humility in check. You might find that you're feeling rather critical as you see people moving like sloths compared to your lightning quick mind. Be patient with others.

Feeling a bit of push and pull with cosmic guidance today...status quo, leave comfort zone, humility...wish me luck.  Have a good Tuesday.  

Moved calmly through the day

Walked to Unionville and back.  Walked to pool and back.  Good conversation with the swimming ladies.  Porch lunch tomorrow with them at one of their houses...no porch or lunch at my apt.  :)  No news from son.  Will leave it there.

Today - 11 a.m. FIC, 3 p.m. FEN, wash clothes.  Will see if walking, swimming are in the mix with weather.  Will swing by Shoprite/ALDI at some point.  Will walk even if rain keeps up.  Swimming will be the wild card.  Working my way through "This Land Is Your Land" book.  

The fact that a work colleague is behaving in such an obnoxious fashion should be all the reason you need to put some distance between you. It must be obvious by now that they are beyond persuasion, so cut them out of your life for a while.

This is an important day for you to make valuable connections with others, Libra. You'll find yourself engaged in fast-paced, witty conversations and debates from which you can learn a great deal. You're good at seeing both sides of an issue, but the problem is that this can lead to indecisiveness and an inability to commit to anything. Choose a path today and stick to it.

Your day brings a balanced mix of creative inspiration and practical responsibility. While you might feel motivated by promising personal news or a creative spark early on, everyday errands and work commitments will naturally claim your focus later in the day. Stay consistent, as disciplined effort will yield rewarding results.

This week is light on activities outside of my "chores".  Will keep an eye on what fills in the blanks. Have a good Monday.  

Took a bit of a roller coaster ride...

I was calm during the day...except a couple of interludes with sister #1 and 6 re a picture my son posted on instagram of a tree falling on a car and that car perhaps being his?  The only info I got from son during day was "Happy 4th!" and that he was making sister #6's onion/cheese dip.  And some pics from a place I had never seen before that looked like a version of Wickham Park.  Hmmm...nothing about losing a car to limb-age.  Will see if anything surfaces today.  

Balance of yesterday - weather broke to a degree so did full walk to Shoppes. Chatted with the Clemson grad tri-athlete who lives in town. He knew Wickham Park from his son's HS cross country meet days. Caught in a couple of rain events but not an issue.  Watched some of Paraguay-France game.  Sad about ending.  

Today - walk to Unionville, pool, ALDI and Shoprite/ALDI?  Tomorrow is looking a bit tight in the a.m. - walk, 11 a.m. FIC "office hours" online, 3 p.m. FEN, pool in between or rain.  Will see what feels right post swim today.  Only things on my list are CON coffee at Shoprite, Peaches, Bananas, bread at ALDI.  Tuesday lunch bunch with swimming ladies, Wed EOLD, Lansing, Friday Mettle.  

You will be incredibly ambitious over the next few days but you need to be sensible about the goals you decide to set for yourself. Even a Libra has limits and if you aim too high you may never even get your feet off the ground.

Listen closely to the wind, for the answers are blowing around right in front of you today, Libra. Contact people you haven't heard from in a while. You'll find that you can be quite productive where you least expect it. Ironically, the less you plan, the more you'll get done. Be spontaneous in your actions. Revelations will come to you like lightning.

This week asks you to be open to new possibilities that could elevate your life, wellbeing, and happiness.  Mars in Gemini trines Pluto retrograde, opening multiple pathways aligned with your passion. Have fun exploring to see what fits. 

Ambitious looks different to me these days than in the past.  Open.  Spontaneous. :) ...High goals for sure for me. Keep a good thought.  :)  Have a good Sunday.  

Fan on, Pajamas to bathing suit...that says it for the day yesterday

Put the table top fan on yesterday a.m. at 7:30 a.m. to noon in my office.  Turned it on this a.m. at 4:30 a.m.  Yesterday morning started uncomfortably.  Today was...why not?  :)  Sleep was sound last night.  Today all should break.  It has been an interesting few days AND I said to myself many times - SO glad son was visiting last week and not this past week!!!  Guided again.  :)

So yesterday put the fan on.  Decided not to walk.  All the swimming ladies back at the pool.  Pool closed today - part of budget cuts. So today - Lansing DC and then I will walk to the Shoppes.  Plenty of places to pop into if it gets to hot.  Spoke to son yesterday.  He was making a mussel dish for a BBQ party at a friend's house today.  Spoke to sister #6 after her 5 hour should have been 3 hour drive home in 100+ degree heat on Thursday.  No summer job work for her until tomorrow so she is taking some down time.  Woke up to a text from one of my former school #1 bosses.  Good to hear from him.  Happy 4th and come and visit message.  He is in AZ so during a New England heat wave is not the best time to try to entice me to more 100+ weather.  But I will keep it in mind for when it might be inviting.  :)

Change is good for you. Change is what you need. If you keep repeating those phrases to yourself the changes that occur this weekend, and they could be major, will work in your favor. Positive thinking isn’t a meaningless phrase, it’s a very real thing.

Get your priorities straight while the Pisces Moon squares Mars and Uranus, darling Libra. Some dreams will need to take a back seat as the universe throws more intriguing options your way. If you're in a position to hire help, now is a good time to do so. Though it may seem costly to onboard a new employee at first, you'll have plenty of chances to make up the difference with less on your plate. Success grows quickly when you are free to focus on the bigger picture. Set strategies that reflect your goals for the next six to twelve months. 

Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Libra, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring more magic into your life. You'll discover that the more you accept your bizarre feelings and ideas, the more things will fall into place. Don't think that everything in life has to be completely rational.

Love that last guidance...interested to see where the day leads with all this talk of change, strategies and bizarre feelings and ideas.  The stars are singing my tune.  :)  Have a good 4th of July Saturday.  

Wowser...6:54 a.m. already

End of Day poem from niece. At the end of the day - a mirror of questions.  Good reminders of questions to ask myself at the day wraps up. As to yesterday...hot it was.  A bit of tossing and turning but then - out.  Hence the "late" start.  Also forgot to include peeps arrival from cousin on Wednesday.  Thought I would need some "salve" from all the family news and son's return home.  :)  She is a good person.  And I put her and - as I shared with another cousin re his inclusion in my "36".   https://agingalmanac.substack.com/archive  I was taken by the author's last two posts.  

So peeps, swimming and walking.  Getting me through the heat wave week.  No AC or fans yet so all is well.  I am glad I was not sister #6 yesterday.  She left her house at 3:30 a.m. to get to her daughter and then left her daughter and SIL at 1:30 p.m. and did not get home until 6:30 p.m. for a usual 3 hour drive.  Holiday and heat...everyone was going in her direction to get to the water.  

So for me - shorter than normal walk.  Picked up book at cooling station/library - Judy Blume a life.  Did not want to run out of reading material over holiday/library closed starting today weekend.  Pool.  Today...pool.  Will see what fills in the balance of the day.  Lansing tomorrow a.m.

Took a look at Shoprite coupons for the week ahead.  Save $7.30 on Chock full o'Nuts Ground Coffee When you Buy ONE (1) 23 to 26-oz. can,, Any Variety *Redeem up to 4 times in a single order.  That might get me in the Shoprite buying mood.  But balance of needs can be ALDI on Monday.  Don't need much more than grapes and banana replenishment after last week's shopping.  

What occurs today may not turn your world upside down but it will set the scene for what’s coming over the weekend. As one of the zodiac’s cardinal signs you know that opportunities tend to come in batches, and the first batch is on its way.

You won't gel with judgmental peers while the Aquarius Moon and Venus face off, dearest Libra. Weak egos are revealed by those who waste time putting others down. Be an advocate for kindness to discourage unkind gossip. If your pleas land on deaf ears, it might be best to look for new friends. Luckily, the universe will anticipate your needs and send kindred spirits your way once Mars and Uranus unite. Allow connections to evolve quickly when they hit at a soul level. Get a full night of rest to shed work week related stress after Luna enters Pisces tonight. 

You may say one thing one minute and the opposite the next, Libra. Usually you can jump from one issue to another with no problem, but today people are likely going to call you on it. Think about what you really mean before you say it. Don't do all your thinking aloud where other people can hear. Your continuous thought process might be mistaken for a final analysis. Confusion could ensue.

I used the word "muddled" this a.m.  Good word for me on this week of lots of input.  Will try to keep mind clear and body cool and look forward to the break in the weather this weekend.  I know my muddle is nothing compared to what others carry so I will be grateful for that reality.  Have a good Friday.  

PS:  fan on at 7:25 a.m.  

So far, so cool

At swimming pool on Tuesday watching family friend's grandkids at swimming lessons and I got called in to hold the youngest of 3 in the swimming lessons family.  Grandfather was very excited to get this pic.  As I told him...not a look of a person comfortable with the concept of nurturing.  :)  Surprise, surprise.  

Yesterday - 8:30 a.m. start for walk with family friend, returned Dear Abigail to library on way to pool, pool at 1:30 p.m.  Dipped into my worry spot about some money stuff yesterday but confirmed all was OK.  Sent a birthday email to niece #4.  Her D&C is today.  Sent her these words this a.m.: "I am reading a good book - This Land is Your Land.  And it had a quote from my always enjoyed Teddy Roosevelt - "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are"  Feels calming and removes the frenzy in my mind.  And 4 words that felt to me to be a good way to attack quandaries:  PAUSE: Take a moment to breathe. REFLECT: Think and research before you act.  QUESTION: Look for red flags. CONFIRM: Verify the details. Reach out to those you already trust."

Today - short walk.  Need to swing by library for more books. Library closed Fri, Sat, Sun this weekend.  Pool.  Not much else.  Need to check on what paid for my car tax last year.  Car is only valued at $1,450...but tax went up - $47.07 - from last year from my memory bank.  Need to see what I paid last year.  :)  

Sad report that one of swimming ladies got a diagnosis of macular degeneration.  Shots everyday will keep it at bay?  Yikes.  Will see if we talk more about that or let it sit.  

If you are in any way dissatisfied with your lot, then what is taking place in and around the career area of your chart will offer a remedy. You will, though, have to accept that your best future lies a long way from here.

Keep projects and goals under wraps until you've had a chance to perfect your vision, dearest Libra. Sharing ideas prematurely leaves you susceptible to outside opinions that might throw you for a loop and diminish confidence. Be selective when asking for early feedback while the Cancer Sun and Aquarius Moon form an unbalanced aspect. Enjoy some light-hearted fun to maintain a positive outlook as the day continues to unfold. Bond over hobbies or interests you can pursue with your sweetheart or bestie once Luna aspects Saturn later this afternoon. Now is also a good time to consider if artistic outlets have earning potential. 

Get up and get going today, Libra. You have no time to lose. Your quick mind will be busy working on many tasks, but this suits you just fine. You're well equipped to deal with the many frantic situations that are apt to crop up. There is a great deal of strength to your emotions that you can use to connect with others and communicate your thoughts in a healthy manner.

Remarkably comfortable sleeping night last night.  No AC, no fan.  I am a lucky gal.  Window ballet is working.  I will go with that thought for today and tomorrow.  :)  Have a good Thursday.