2742-2741

Missed posting yesterday--did so 4 days in a row. We had the brunch for MD (her 98th Bday) yesterday morning. I then went to dance class, came home, and went to the grandkid's dance class. I was tottering after that, but did a bit more time with the kid before she went in for her bath and book. Grandma was here and did the bath and book--and early morning (today) activities.

I felt fried today! Woke up early to grandkid and grandma activities--that segued into me spending several hours (and some last night as well) trying to set up the tablet that MD got as a present. It's taken me several hours (yesterday and today) just getting the device to start up and present the same thing when it starts. There are gremlin advertising elements that tend to disrupt a normal start up! What a pain! And, all I've done so far is get the browser active--there are other functions that would be nice to have (Skype, Netflix, email, and others). But each app requires that MD master a new interface once the high-level icon is touched.

I'll try and get MD up and using the browser (Google) and its search feature--and see where we go from there.

Dancing went well on Thursday (beginner class and improver class), and yesterday's class with a substitute instructor. I did well with everything but sort of crashed this afternoon.

I had 2/3 of a pizza for lunch and have just finished the final 1/3 for dinner. It's cooler but quieter here tonight. It's not quite 7pm but I'm feeling sleepy--I did take a small nap somewhere in the afternoon.

I'm trying to recall last night's dreaming--but the scenes are elusive and cloudy. I guess yesterday was filled with too much reality--rainbows, dancing, feasting, raining, and a lot of trips to the toilet. I was on a pee spree--or so it seemed!

Tomorrow, I need to start a cleanup of my room--the handyman is going to install new windows in my room and MD's office. I've been here now just over a year--and the place could use some cleaning and purging! Let it be so!

2744-2743

I ended up not making a post yesterday--for a number of reasons. I had a hygiene session yesterday morning that was encouraging in some ways. I went in thinking that the tartar buildup was worse than I've ever had. Turns out the tartar is built up but is not as deeply seated as it was when the scaling took place 3 months ago. The hygienist said that in 25 years of her seeing outcomes that I had a major improvement in gum pockets over what she normally sees. I had several 3+ pocket improvements--versus what would usually be 1+ type results. Good news--but no snooze! Have to keep at it!

Turns out that the periodontal rinse that I'm using tends to produce some extra staining and dark tartar buildup--but it's not a big deal as long as I'm making progress on the pocket issues.

After dealing with the hygiene issues, I got a circuit session in at the fitness center, ate something, and napped for a while. I also started obsessing a bit around the beginner's class that I had agreed to attend today. It turned out that I did okay as a spotter in the class--and was able to stay on for the afternoon class. I did not fade out like I thought I would while doing 3.5 hours of dancing. I came away from that afternoon of dance feeling solid.

Tomorrow is going to be a full day as well--MD's Bday brunch in the morning and dance class in the afternoon. Will just keep on chugging and see where it takes me.

2745

Had an active dream last night. I was in an old house with my wife, kids, and a bunch of people that we knew. There was one woman there that my wife did not like--and the woman kept coming up with reasons to be near me. At one point, I excused myself and went to the toilet. While I was taking a pee, a tall, skinny kid came into the bathroom and stood behind me. I was trying to finish up and make room for him when I realized that he was urinating on me. I whirled around and grabbed him by the collar, and shoved him back into a corner.

About this time, I realized I had thrown myself out of bed and was shoving a chair into the wall. I had done so quite forcibly--with enough pressure that I had jammed my hand into the arm of the chair. I was also, in the dream, yelling at the kid. I don't know if I was actually yelling as well--I do know that I had pushed the chair into the wall. There were several things around my bed and on the chair that had been moved as I awoke from the dream.

It was chilly last night and I kept the heater going even though it was noisy. The temperature hovered around the freeze point during the night.

I'm about to start making my way to dance class. I napped for a short spell after grabbing some brunch--but I'll stop by SB's for a latte on the way to class.

While I napped, I did some lucid dreaming about my upcoming neurologist's appointment. For some reason, in the musing state, I started imagining that the session would be tomorrow. I realized as I awoke that tomorrow is a hygiene session--the neuro-meeting is early next month. Strange dreaming!

2746

Went to PD support group this morning. There were several new people couples there. The operative word is "couples." I was struck by the fact that most of the people in the room with PD have caregivers beside them. Only the group facilitator and I do not have spouses. The facilitator was a caregiver until last month when her husband passed away. It's a worrisome thing for me to address--what exactly am I going to do once the PD comes home to rest? Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow--creeps on and keeps coming closer! I look for places of respite and havens of comfort--but  I don't see them on the horizon.

I dreamed last night that I was in a car with HSP (a person I know in the Bay Area). It was foggy and raining like crazy. H is an older man (in his 90s for sure) and was having trouble seeing through the downpour. We kept coming close to running off the side of the road into the ditches that were filled with water. We made it, finally, to a parking area, and started walking toward the set of buildings that were there. As we walked past one place where the water stretched like a lake into the distance, I saw a large animal standing on the water's edge. It was a big lynx or mountain lion. It was watching us as we passed near it--especially some of the smaller children who were walking with our group. For a moment, we walked past a wall that blocked the view out into the water. I pulled us to a stop and we stood against the wall. I thought that if we did not reappear that the creature might ignore us and move on--which is what happened. When I peeked around the wall, I saw the creature walking slowly away from us out into the field of water that had accumulated.

The dream was quite real. It took me a few minutes to retrieve the content, but once I got a few scenes, the rest of the dream flooded back. The puma or mountain lion (it was not a lynx now that I've had a chance to look at images of the two felines) was exceptionally real--if I could have touched it, I know I would have felt its fur.

Grabbed a pizza at O'Connor's on the way home from the PD session, napped for a bit, and went to the fitness center for a round on the circuit machines. Also went by the bank and deposited my IRS refund check--yeah! Tomorrow is dance class time--looking forward to some movement! It was a long weekend without any dancing.

2748-2747

Yesterday was the grandkid's Bday event. There were about 30 people in attendance--most from my daughter's fiancé's family. Everyone came bearing gifts--and there were plenty of them that were borne.

My daughter planned the whole thing, including the food, and it will be a memorable event.

I was too blitzed to post anything yesterday--and I'm still chugging along today as well. I haven't made it to the fitness center this weekend--hope to make a trip there tomorrow. Have a PD support group meeting in the morning--can make it to the fitness center in the afternoon.

There's still one more Bday to go--MD's 98th on 2/27/15! It won't be as elaborate as the grandkid's--more of close (local) family thing.

This month has seemed to go by very s-l-o-w-l-y! But, it's coming to an end and March will soon march onstage. Another astrological opposition period come and gone!

Treated myself to a tasty breakfast fete from Panera's along with a warming latte. Then, dropped by Raley's and picked up a decadent pastry--which I ate for lunch. About nap time now! Will sleep until I beep!

This day slides to a sleepy ending--the place is silent with the many snoozers snoozing! I will become one of them--ta ta!

2749

Dance class went well today--a rollover from yesterday. My feet and legs were more mobile and felt solid and steady. We went through about a dozen dances and spent a half hour on the newest one. It's a bit tricky but I'll be able to nail it, I'm sure.

Tomorrow is the grandkid's family birthday celebration. Her mom has organized a trek to a local party park. There will be about 30 people in all. The mom has spent most of the day fixing the food items that will be served.

I'm probably going to sign out kind of early tonight--although I don't expect that going to bed earlier than usual will make a difference to my sleep pattern. I'll need to arise a bit earlier than usual anyway to shower and shave, and slip out for my latte and a bite to eat.

The past two days of dancing have felt really fine--I feel like it is something working to moderate the symptoms. A busy couple of weeks coming up--with dance, doctors, support groups, and more.

Keep on dancing--keep on moving!

2750

Dance class went well today--one of the best days that I've had since I started going to classes here. I knew most of the dances, danced them smoothly, and didn't come away feeling whipped. In a couple of the dances, I felt like I was in the flow--not just doing the steps. Music and movement and me became one.

I slept okay last night, but still was up and down a few times. I slept in after waking around 7am and went out for a late breakfast of a bagel and latte. I napped for a while and went back out for lunch.

I was nearly the first person to arrive at the class. I kept the dance socks on my shoes even though today's class has the slickest floor. For some reason, my footing felt more solid today even with the socks. I could glide more and make smooth moves between steps. Perhaps, the circuit exercises that I've been doing are also helping stabilize my movements and steps--affecting my leg muscles. For whatever reasons, today was a banner day in terms of my dancing.

I dreamed last night that I was visiting a couple and their kids who had bought a house that I once owned. The place was kind of ramshackle when I owned it--and the couple had not done much in terms of making it better. They were just living in the place, enjoying the openness it provided, and having fun. I was with my spouse and family so our visit doubled the number of people in the place. We had turned up on their doorstep unannounced, but they were happy to see us and extended their hospitality. The kids, theirs and ours, were happy to have someone to interact with who were around their age. It was a pleasant dream--filled with warmth and brightness.

Dance class again tomorrow--with the better instructor. Looking forward to continuing the flow that I felt today.

2751

Ash Wednesday! Slept poorly last night--slept some early in the morning. Then grabbed some lunch, rested for a while, went to fitness center for a tour of the circuit machines, stopped for a Frap, and ended up watching TV episodes until it was dinner time.

Tomorrow is dance class time--in the improver-level group.

I had a lot of thoughts today about what the future can look like for me. I'm on the road to nowhere--on the trail of the disappearing options. I wander, I spin, but I'm getting nowhere fast.

MD got a stack of junk mail--over 20 pieces. The organizations are selling and reselling her demographic data to more and more non-profits--they all smell the fresh scent of money.  At 20 pieces/day, she could potentially build up to nearly 500 pieces/month--an obscene number of requests for donations and such. The solicitors use an array of guilt-based tactics to pull the recipient into giving money--including putting money in the request, using a check that is included as a form of matching fund, attaching coins and stamps, proffering various gifts and products, including images and photographs that engender shock or empathy, and so on.

Ashes to ashes--dust to dust! Eat the bread, not just the crust! Eat it all, until you bust!

2752

Fat Tuesday! Ash Wednesday coming up! Then the Lenten season--dark shrouds and heavy purple cloaks!

Made it to dance class today--but not sure why I'm there. The instructor is in babble mode and we hardly did any dancing in the 1.5 hours I was there. At the end, there was only three of us in the class--and she was still in babble mode. Not very exciting, challenging, or pleasant!

I dreamed last night about being chased or pursued by people. I was in an apartment that has been the scene in previous dreams. There were people converging on the apartment and I was trying to get everyone to start evacuating--and identify a route out of the place that would avoid the intruders. I think the dream became so active that I awoke--but I may have dreamed that as well.

I was a bit stiff and creaky today--from yesterday's workout on the circuit machines. I need to get a massage of two each month to help keep things loose. Tomorrow is another circuit day--keep on moving!

I read about two interesting technology items today--Apple Automobiles and 3-D printed prosthetics! Amazing world--now and soon to be.

Daze of sun and glory! Listen to the story! It's really not that gory! Nothing more (or is it mory)?

2753

Day of slowness--time of drowsy! I slept poorly last night and slept in this morning as some compensation. Had a late, light breakfast and an early lunch--bowl of Asian udon noodles with chicken! Very good!

Went to fitness gym and did a circuit before heading back home and falling asleep for a while.

Daze are becoming blurz--nights are becoming dreamless spans. I think I dreamed last night--something about renovating an apartment, I believe.

I signed out last night with the healing chant--ran it several times before shutting things down. The activity/ritual seems to clear me before going to sleep--but I'm still awakening several times between midnight and early morning. Then, I doze on and off until around 10am--which feels like the most restful sleep I get.

I stop and think about doing this dance of daze for another 10 years--and I can't imagine doing that. I've just spent 10 years muddling through the nudgings of this illness--I find it difficult to imagine doing the same for the next 10.

Tomorrow is a dance day! I look forward to these interludes even though it pushes me to some ill-defined limit. I go on, I go on, until the breaking of the dawn--Until I spawn a yawn! Begone udon!

2754

Sunny Sunday! It's as if winter is over and done--spring is on its way! I was up and down last night and slept in some this morning. After lunch, I came back and napped for several hours. I caught up on the TV shows that I usually watch. As MD fixed her dinner, she had difficulty with the can opener. It's brand new, but seems to cause her problems.

After dinner, I did some research and discovered that the opener we have is probably the best on the market. It has many positive reviews and little mention of problems with spills like MD is experiencing. I think her issues fall into the category of "operator error."

I looked at the unit and will try and open some cans to see if there is something that can be done to minimize problems. One thing I discovered is that the electric cord was shortened so that the device was being operated at the rear of the shelf it sits on. I lengthened the cord so that the unit can be pulled forward, to the front of the shelf, which will give the operator more stability and control. Also, the unit has three basic positions--unlocked, locked, and opening. It must be unlocked when mounting a can or the unit is unstable. The unit must be locked when the can is mounted and before starting the opening operation. The unit must be unlocked when the can is being unmounted from the unit. I will see how these states all work together to open cans successfully.

Oh, what wacky webs we weave when we first practice opening peas!

Today was a restful day and I feel better now that I've slept some, ate some things, and stayed quiet for a while. Tomorrow is a fitness club circuit day and perhaps some can opener tutorial sessions. Also, some dance reviews--have to review in order to keep the neurons dancing along with the muscles. Tomorrow is a nominal holiday, but there probably won't be all that many who will be honoring the Prez. Just the sales counters!

It's early so I'll watch an episode of The Fall that I've been screening through its second season. Not quite as engaging as Nikita, but it's keeping my attention. I've also been doing round or two of Just Words nearly every day/evening. I do that fairly regularly but I just haven't been noting that in these posts. Neuronal noodling! What a life!

2755

Happy Valentine's Day! I did a circuit today at the fitness center--after eating a hearty lunch and napping for a while. I had a tri-tip sandwich at O'Connor's with a side of sweet potato fries. I did the circuit and grabbed a Frappuccino--weather was warmer today and a cool Frap was a perfect treat.

I caught up on some of the TV shows that I follow.

The grandkid is working her way through a maze of birthday celebrations--school, kid's club, gymnastic class, family events and so on. It's turning into birth month instead of day. She's getting tons of gifts--and helping consume pounds of sugar.

I fell asleep fairly early last night--but awoke several times throughout the early morning time. Fortunately, I can sleep in the mornings and nap as needed in the afternoons.

I'm chagrined by the state of my teeth--the tartar buildup is the worst ever despite the hygiene procedures and assiduous daily routines. I'm sure what has happened will shock the hygienist when I see her in a few days. I know it shocked me to discover how much accumulation has happened--like I say--despite my efforts.

2756

Didn't sleep as soundly last night as the night before. Went to dance class today and did all-right--kept up with most of the dances except for the final new one. It was just the number of steps involved--64! It was the last few minutes of the 1.5 hours and I was getting blurry.

Dreamed last night that I was with a group of men and we were going to board a ferry that would take us for a scenic tour of the bay. There were a lot of people queuing up to take the ride. The crew was linking up more units so they could accommodate the number of people waiting to take the trip. We had a young boy with us--the trip supposedly being made for his benefit. The truth was we all wanted to take the ride. There was some confusion as we boarded our section about where we were to sit. Eventually, everything was worked out and everyone was boarded and seated. We managed to get seated so that we were all together.

It was Friday the 13th today--nothing of note occurred. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! It will be a spa day for me--will do a circuit at the fitness center since Saturday is not one of my dance days. The balance between the dance days and the circuit days seems to be working out--as longs I remember to take my medication at midday.

I'm getting drowsy even though it's still fairly early in the evening. I slept for several hours when I returned from dance class. But that nap doesn't seem to reduce my need for more rest. I can sleep in on the morrow--no hurry to be anyplace at anytime. Ta, ta!

2757

Had a good sleep last night. Discovered today that I had not taken my midday medications yesterday. I went to the fitness club, did the circuit, but spaced out after that--and forgot to take afternoon medications. Don't know how I did that but I did.

Last night's good sleep I credit to the 12 minute healing chant I listened to twice. Will repeat the process again tonight and see what happens.

Dance class went well today--in terms of my doing okay with the dances. The instructors spend a lot of time talking about stuff--some of which is about the dances and a lot that is not. I had a big lunch (Annie's Thursday Special--meat loaf) and did a 30 minute nap before heading to class. Grabbed a latte on the way.

I downed half of a Jamba Juice (PB Chocolate Love) after class and had the rest for dinner (with an apple). I'm feeling clear and quiet right now. Looking forward to tomorrow's dance class.

I seem to remember dreaming last night but I don't recall the details. I read a freaky SF story before listening to the healing chant and falling asleep. The story was about a community that maintained a fetish that dealt with snakes, in particular rattle snakes. Every family was obliged, by law, to maintain a genetically altered rattler as a "guard snake." The story gets weirder from there.

Tomorrow is Friday 13th! Good fortune day! (Although yesterday was a good luck day for the winners of the PowerBall lottery.) And then, it's Valentine's Day and so on!

2758

Quiet, slow day! I feel tired and can't seem to recover my energy. I did a circuit at the gym but that didn't bump me up--I just keep feeling tired. I was up and down mostly last night.

I watched a collection of videos for the dances that will be used on Friday. I had a hearty breakfast around 11am so I didn't eat much for lunch or dinner--just snacks.

Now, it's 8pm and I'm drooping badly. I did my laundry and set out the trash bins, but I'm like treading water. There are several TV episodes queued up but I don't feel like watching them--especially when I'm drowsing off as I watch.

I dreamed last night something about getting the facts straight regarding some activity I had dreamed about in another, previous dream. There was someone there, like a dream auditor, who was asking me and two women about the facts of what we had done in the previous dream. We had, in fact, done nothing strange--we had just met for dinner. One of the women was my wife (in the first dream) and the other was the wife of the auditor. It seemed as if he were trying to determine if his wife had done anything illicit when we three had met for dinner. We had not--and that soon became clear despite his probing to uncover some flaw in what we were saying. It was a strange dream--part deja vu and part now.

Tomorrow there is a dance class. Right now I would punt on making that class, but I don't have to make that decision until tomorrow comes. I'll try and sleep myself back together tonight and tomorrow morning. Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care--perhaps!

I sleep! I dream! I fall into the stream! I become machine! Bent and tortured gene! Leaking of the spleen! Let's not get obscene! It's just a silly dream!

2759

Had a late lunch, a short nap, and went to dance class. Picked up my prescriptions, which I requested late last night (around 10pm or so) and which were ready when I awoke. The pharmacist I use is really on top of everything. I went by Walmart's and picked up two sets (three each) of handkerchiefs. I figured I'd grab some while they were there--given that it looks like they are becoming limited items that stores will stock. This trend is especially true for men's handkerchiefs in colors or patterns. Only white ones are being sold, and even those are only being offered in limited fashion.

I read tonight that the nicotine lozenge, Nicorette, is in short supply--with no promises that the maker is going to try and increase production. What will people, who depend on the substance, do? How is it that mass market items such as men's handkerchiefs and nicotine medication not be available? Sounds strange to me!

Dance class went okay today. I was a little slow and stiff from yesterday's circuit exercises. But, I was also slow in picking up the movements for some of both the new and older dances. I need to work on that!

SD has gone home--daughter and fiancé are off scouting potential wedding sites. Just MD and me and one doggie makes three! It's quiet. Tomorrow is an exercise day with some screening of dance videos of upcoming dances.

I had a "clearing" dream last night. I was in a vehicle that was traveling down a road that cut through a valley. In the distance, I could see to the horizon. Everything was bright and clear--the sun was shining and the colors were vivid and scintillating. There was an initial part of the dream that also involved thing that were being defined and made clear as well.

Time to fade! Sleepy-time blues! What's the news? Time to snooze! Don't blow a fuse!

2760

Monday--an exercise day!. Had a hearty breakfast at Panera's--they didn't run out of oatmeal today! I also had a hefty dinner--KFC with all the trimmings in honor of SD's birthday, which is tomorrow. His visit this time prompted three nights of dinners.

I picked up some socks and some handkerchiefs as a present for SD. I encountered an odd thing while shopping--shops are not carrying handkerchiefs. It took me several stores to find any on the shelves. I guess they can be found online--but as one clerk told me "they only stock them on a seasonal basis." I suppose Kleenex is pleased!

I made it to the fitness center and did the circuit. I did a bit more than my trial run on Saturday--and I think I'm feeling the results. But, it felt good to go and to move the muscles and pump the system a bit. Will see how all this meshes with the dance classes--tomorrow is a dance day.

SD heads back home tomorrow. He actually ended up staying three nights--despite MD's preference that he not be here that long. She spearheaded the effort that ensured we had three full dinners--something that usually isn't done when SD makes a casual visit. I guess she wanted something more demonstrative for his birthday visit.

I've been using a 12 minute audio track of healing sounds that LL mentioned in a recent email. The track is very relaxing--it involves someone chanting tones and sounds against a background of water sounds and a bell. It seems to clear out the energies from the day and helps quiet down any tensions that are still being felt from the day's activities. I'm making it part of my daily regime--along with the dancing, exercising, and food.

I think I've been dreaming but I'm also waking up a lot--usually for trips to the toilet. I'm sure the dreams will come to consciousness when they are needed.

2761

Deluge Day! While I was sitting, waiting for my lunch to arrive, a massive storm front moved  through and dumped what seemed like a foot of water. The low spots in the local roads suddenly were filled with water. When I started to go back home, I had to use my windshield wipers at full speed just to be able to see some of the road.

I got home to find the patio flooded and the water threatening to come through the back doors. Fortunately, about then, the storm eased and the patio started a slow drain--one that is still in process. If the storm had persisted, we could have had water in the house. But it didn't and all is well, assuming there is no more rain coming. (A quick check of the weather reports seems to indicate on and off rainfall, but nothing like what happened over an hour ago.)

I feel a little creaky today--partly because of the moisture and coolness, and partly from yesterday's circuit training session. All of these elements contribute to today's creaky index.

It's quiet here today despite the presence of MD's son. He's been eating (as predicted) the remainder of last night's Chinese food festival. I had a pulled pork sandwich at the renovated O'Conners BBQ. They really did a job on their revamp, but the downside is that the place was packed. To be determined if the crowds continue throughout the weekday periods. They made the place seem a bit smaller and less open, but it was a well planned changeover.

I napped for a while after returning from lunch. I awoke feeling shaky and took my medication. I'm starting to quiet down now but I'm still feeling a little shaky. Will hit the circuit exercise again tomorrow and launch off into the week's dancing activities. One dance will be: Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

2762

I've been mulling over my dancing scene. Over the past half year, I've attended about 75 classes (25 weeks with 3 classes/week). Each class goes for about 1.5 hours, which totals about 5 hours/week. That amount of time translates into 125 hours over the half year period. Each week, I learn about 5 new dances--which means I learn 125 new dances in the period (25 times 5). Each class reviews and dances (minimally) about 5 dances/week for a total of 375 dances each half year (15 dances/week times 25 weeks). If I attend all 6 of the monthly dances, that translates into an additional 15 hours of dancing (6 dances events at 2.5 hours/dance event) and adds a total of 150 dances (25 dances/dance event by 6 events). Attending occasional workshops only adds to these figures.

Whew! So, I started doing some circuit training at the fitness center today. It felt good to move some of muscles and I felt great after doing the circuit. The circuit can be done in about 30 minutes and the machines get to all the various muscle groups. On most machines, I didn't use a lot of weight. I'm taking it easy to start. But, I think it's going to be a good balance with the dancing.

SD arrived today for his birthday break. His birthday is next week. The grandkid is celebrating her birthday nearly all month. MD 's will be held next week--a week from tomorrow. Tonight, we had a Chinese dinner feast in honor of SD's birthing day. Great food from a local take out place. SD ate his requisite three platefuls of food. He'll finish off what's left for tomorrow's breakfast.

We got quite a bit of rain last night and today. I slept poorly last night--or rather I stayed up really late. Doing what? I'm not sure--I played several rounds of Just Words.

Nothing specific planned for the morrow. MD asked me to take her shopping--she only did about half of her shopping yesterday before she had to call it quits.

2763

Long and rainy day! I'm feeling punch-drunk after today's activities. Began by going to Panera's for a bowl of oatmeal--and when I ordered I was told that they were out of oatmeal. Out of oatmeal? How can that happen? Guess they only prepare a certain amount of servings during the prescribed breakfast period. I had a bagel and a lemonade--and then picked up a latte and a morning bun.

I came back home and distracted my self with the book of puzzles/illusions that I got for the grandkid's birthday gift. I got wrapped up in looking through the book and almost didn't get to the dance class on time. I broke a speed record and made it there in 15 minutes.

Class went well--although I had some difficulties with some of the precise foot/leg moments. I managed to stumble through most of the dances despite my clumsy movements.

The instructor got us through quite a few dances--even though we had to spend a fair amount of time of making our movements and staying with the dance patterns. We also had to integrate foot and leg movements follow the needed patterns.

At the end of the session, I felt good with what I had covered and what I needed to do to make it back to my regular dances.

I gave the grandkid the book of puzzles and illusions. She really got into it despite the fact that she was not feeling well. We went through a number of puzzle/illusion hidden pages. She was able to identify particular hidden objects and see certain patterns in the art objects. We have only spent a short time with the book--we have many more pages to explore. As I surmised when I saw the book--it's a perfect book (set of challenges) for her to explore. They are highly visual and quite challenging!

Tomorrow, I will begin my gym exercise regime. Looking forward to exercising as a complement to dancing.

2764

Went to the PD support group meeting this morning. We watched the entire Capturing Grace video about the PD dance group in NY. The video is moving--especially for those of us who are experiencing the illness.  But, it made me want to get up and dance--to get up and move.

I had a big lunch at Annie's (meatloaf and all) and went to dance class. I kept bouncing back and forth between the dances we were doing and the video--I kept flashing back to the periods of grace in the video and what my feet were doing. I could get instances of the flow--the feeling of floating and gliding. I must do more!

It's supposed to rain some tonight--we can use it! The wet weather brings warmer temperatures--it's warmer at night than it has been.

Dance class tomorrow and then off to the new gym on Saturday. Pump some to get the whole system flowing--help tone and stretch, unkink and flex. That's my intention!

Getting a bit sleepy now--it's still kind of early. Dream time! No slime! A warmer clime! Breakfast divine! No need to whine! Or make a rhyme! Sublime!

2765

Slept poorly last night--was up and down several times to make a toilet run. Got a few things done today--joined the health club that is paid for by my insurance, got a haircut, no real naps, ate a large deli sandwich at the place near the FO dance class, and so on.

I picked up a set of dental tools--the tartar build-up on my teeth is surprisingly great. It is much more than I've ever had between hygiene visits--and my last visits were the intensive scaling and planing operations. I don't get it! Why do I have such build-up--and so much of it?

The grandkid's birthday is tomorrow--she'll be six by the clock!

Last night, in a dream, I experienced a moment of freezing--of locking up so that I couldn't move. It felt very real, but it was only in the dream. In the dream, I was handing a bowl of food to someone and my arms, fingers, and upper torso locked up. I asked for someone in the dream to take the bowl from me. Someone finally did that and I sat down and used my breathing practice to unloosen the tension. I remember going slightly lucid in the dream state and wondering if the dream was forecasting some future reality.

I got a notification from my phone that I had used about half of my monthly storage resource. That's the first time I've triggered the notification--I think it was a function of the many YouTube videos that I watched while reviewing line dances. I suppose they eat up a lot of resources when the videos are playing. Not an issue--just a surprise!

The fitness place is nearby and totally usable, especially since it costs me nothing. I'm going to try and go at least three times each week--Mon, Wed, and Sat. I think I only need to do a circuit of about 30-40 minutes each time.

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Dance class went well--even though I was a little draggy when I went there. I had a hearty breakfast a few hours before class. I took a dose of medication when I left to drive over to the class--I also had a latte about 1/2 hour before taking the medication. My feet got a bit slow as the class proceeded--about an hour into the 1.5 hour session.

The instructor announced that she planned to go to more dance festivals. In doing so, she needs people to step in for her and lead the group on an occasional basis. Several people pointed to me but I indicated that it was not something I wanted to do. I need to look at that issue though--It might be good for me to do something like that. And, there is the PD dance class issue as well. Some things to ponder!

I seemed to get clearer while driving home. I stopped and picked up a sandwich from Panera's on the way home. It was almost dinner time when I got back home. I invited MD to take half of the sandwich (which was still warm) for her dinner. She did so and liked the sandwich very much. It was a Frontega's Panini made with fresh roasted chicken--yum!

My system went through a sort of purge today. I think is was the result of the Indian meal I had yesterday. It was a rich meal and very bulky--without going into details I'll just note that I now feel like I've been cleaned out.

I dreamed last night--about being in a house with a bunch of children. I believe that I was one of group of caregivers who worked with the kids. The kids were abandoned or were without parents.

I watched the final episode of Nikita last night. The final resolution is a highly improbable set of events, but it did bring everything to a conclusion--although having three sets of protagonists ride off into their various sunsets and relationships pushes believability boundaries.

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Happy Groundhog's Day! And Happy Post Super Bowl Day! I spent most of the day recovering (I think) from yesterday's dance event. I slept in this morning, went out for lunch, and came back and slept some more. I stayed up late last night and did my laundry--didn't get to sleep until after midnight. I had a huge Indian buffet lunch today that tasted great--but I plopped down afterward and slept.

Got a card from my health plan than lets me join a local health club for free! I may try and add some circuit work to my schedule on the days I'm not dancing. Will check it out!

I realized that MD gets junk mail by the pound. She gets at least 5 pieces every day--that's 30 per week or over 100 per month! All asking her for contributions! She doesn't send all of them money (that wouldn't be possible), but she does send some amount regularly each week to some of them. No one knows how she sets her criteria for doing that--I think it's about $80 to $100 per month. Not all that much in the scope of things--but it's not clear that her money is going to good causes.

I spent a little time looking at some of the solicitor's ratings--some that she gets requests from are not all that efficient in how they use their contributions. Oh, well! If she's happy doing what she does, the costs are not all that high!

Dance class tomorrow--and the dancing is easy! Toes are pumping and the jumping is high! Let it be, let it be!

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I slept a lot yesterday. Sleeping helped rebalance everything and be ready for today's dance. I danced nearly the entire 2.5 hours--I think that I knew more dances than I didn't know. The number of people were down from normal--blame it on the Super Bowl. There were about 20 people who showed up for the dancing.

I spent a fair amount of time over the past three days going over some of the dances. I keep reviewing the dances on YouTube and that helps store the patterns away.

I was up and down a lot last night. I went to bed earlier than usual (as I did on Friday night) but I had to make several bladder calls in the middle of the night.

Tomorrow is Groundhog's day--I think that shadows will be seen. Today was unusually warm. I had a cool JJ drink after today's class--PB Chocolate Love. It tasted so good!

I feel good even though I just did over 2 hours of heavy moving. My movements in class were better than normal--perhaps I had the right balance of sleep, food, medication, and movement. I wanna have more of this state of being.

Welcome to February! Let the good rhymes roll!