I think everyone is trying to be more normal with  following our new government guidelines. I put my mask on every time I leave the apartment even to get the mail. You never know when you will meet another older neighbor out for a walk or getting their mail.

In fact, I was without heat for several months and a lovely neighbor lent me her radiator heater. I returned it to her today and asked her what kind of cake I could make to thank her. She said none. She was glad to lend it to me, since she did not need or use it. We visited with masks for a while and I came home to Riley.

I have lived here over 5 1/2 years and I have so many nice neighbors, as evidenced with all my falls and the lack of heat. I always try to hello them and they help me also. 

My friends and neighbors are mostly younger than I am, but there is a delightful black lady who is in her mid 80's who has been my friend since I moved here. I also had a friend who moved in with her daughter who was 90. 

Since I never had a close relationship with my mother, these ladies, in addition to some, others in my past, have stepped up and cared for me and given me motherly advice. It often seems odd that I am accepting help instead of giving it.

Now that we are basically locked in (only doctor and grocery/pharmacy visits), we are becoming closer and helping each other out. We talk in the halls with our masks on or on the phone. We are coping pretty well.

We have no Covid shots offered yet, but maybe it will be soon.

The last time I posted I was not feeling too hot. A friend reminded me the other day that I have fallen and hit my head 7 times in the last year. It is a wonder I still have a brain after all the concussions I must have had. And they do no heal like those young footballs players - it takes time with an old person.

But I am coming back and my memory is not totally destroyed. I give credit to my ancestors for giving such a hard head and all my dancing lessons when young that taught me how to fall. This new year I plan on staying on my feet.

The trick for me is not hurrying and avoiding throw rugs. I always rush to do what I need to do or want to do.   I forget that that this body is 74 years old and has been affected with conditions for almost 25 years. I have to learn to slow down.

I must enter old age gracefully, not like the bull in a china closet that I have been. I really have nothing to do immediately that really needs immediate attention. but old habits are hard to break (tired old saying that is still true).

From falls, I have damaged my shoulder even more to the point that is just hurts all the time. I asked my doctor for a referral to a orthopedic doctor so I can find out about what to do with it. I am afraid it is surgery, and a friend has warned me that her shoulder took a long time to heal. And that you cannot use that arm.

Well, I cannot use this arm much now. It is killing me right now when I type this post. The shoulder is causing all the muscles in my right arm to hurt when I push them to type or anything else my right arm does .And that is a lot since I am right handed.

But other than that pain, I am doing fine. I am still walking with cane, no walker yet, and with the pandemic I am staying inside quite a bit. I do not need another disease or handicap to deal with.

Riley, my Yorkie, and I hang out at home with each other. I walk him a couple of times per day and that gets me out. Neighbors come by and we visit in the hall, 6 feet apart, or they come to my patio and we visit outside.

Since I am home so much, I have decided to decorate a little more. I have rearranged my furniture in the living room and I have plans to add another bookcase or shelf unit in my bedroom for all of my books. Since I have been incapacitated, my friends here pick up books at used books stores and discount stores. I have one 4 shelf bookcase filled and I have started on another. There is so much time to read now and when I tire of TV, I read.

I hope all of you and your families who follow me are safe and well. And to those of you who have commented, thank you. It is nice to see, even if critical. I know I have followers, because this website counts you, but to have personal comment is nice.

Stay well all of you, please. And thanks for reading this.

My 2021 started out on New Year's Day, rather quiet with my traditional meal with black-eyed peas for luck and greens for cash. It went on pretty well until January 6th, when a neighbor (and Riley's former owner) stole Riley. I was arguing with her and demanding him back when our manager came by and took us to the office.

I saw a friend as I went to the office and asked her to go get Brenda, my neighbor who knew Riley's story. The former owner was freaking out in the office screaming and cursing, so the office called the police. I was in shock and could not talk. The stupid officer, I am sorry, he was, said since she was holding the dog, it was hers. SHE STOLE IT - OF COURSE SHE WAS HOLDING IT!

Long story short, the next day, I asked a neighbor to drive me to my vet's to get records for that last two years. Why? I do not know, but I felt that it was important, if I went to the police about it. Providence stepped in when I was coming down the elevator to my floor after visiting with another neighbor; the doors opened and there was the thief with Riley. Even with my damaged right shoulder I was able to grab him back. I immediately went the a friend's on the 4th floor, leaving my door open and my keys on the counter.

A little later my friend's husband went down to get my keys and my friend Brenda and when they came back, he told me that the police were at my door. Brenda went with me back to the first floor and she had my papers for safekeeping since I was not thinking right.

One of the sheriffs walked up to me and said he was disgusted to be called out another day about this "dog." I was afraid to say anything but when I tried he told me to shut up. He berated me for a while and then said - "you can talk now." (I wonder if he talks to his mother that way- I am 74) I told Brenda to give him the papers from the vet. He looked at them and I could see he was shocked. He then asked the woman if she had anything showing ownership from the last two years. She shook her head. HE THEN SAID TAKE YOUR DOG, TO ME.

Riley is back and we both are recuperating. He is not his usual self, but I am not either. It will take a while for us to get over it. We are both old. But we will and I can tell you with truth, I have gotten so many kisses  since he came back. I know he is happier. And of course I am.