Nourish/Challenge: Week 27.

Last week, Grandmom, Josh's wonderful and sassy grandmother, died rather suddenly of cancer. She had decided against treatment, which I think most everyone understood. My mom came to our house to take care of Oliver during the memorial service. Even now, I can't believe Grandmom has left. She always made me feel that I was doing my best. At Zach and Cherylanne's wedding reception, Grandmom took my hand, and I just held on. She seemed to know that the socializing was hard for me even though I was happy to be there. She was a blessing.

Bruce and I finished The Shape of Water, our 24th book. We liked it, and we got a lot more out of the characters than would fit in the film. We're starting another book soon.

Bruce has been at the beach, so I've been checking in on his cats. I like hanging out with kitlets. One cat could take or leave me; the other adores me but won't let anyone else know.

I'm still having trouble reading and writing. It's a sickness. How can I cure it before it gets worse?

Mom challenged me to exercise for 20 minutes on most days. And I've been doing it though not quite as often as I should. I text her nightly about my exercise. Maybe I'll eventually see some results. Going back to bits of ballet and Irish step dancing bring up memories--the ballet class during my last semester of undergrad and my Irish step dancing at ages 12-15.

I got to meet Bruce's mama, sister, aunt, and cousin! I'm so glad. Check that off my wish list.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 20.

I've kept a regular journal (with some gaps--unhealthy times) for almost 20 years. It is a safe place, a nourishing place. Even my racing thoughts slow down for my pen (at least a little). But I had a hard time with my journal during the week before last. I missed days and made tiny entries (better than nothing). I hadn't missed a day in a long time. I hope to get back on track. 10 pages per week is my goal.

Bruce and I have been watching The Act, a true-crime anthology series. The acting impresses me. We also watched Almost Friends--Freddie Highmore! I'll probably watch just about anything he's done.

I've watched some more Alter short horror films. I've been most impressed with "Latched." I also watched a couple of short sci-fi films that DUST presented. I love the bite-sized morsels of film. They keep me thinking.

And Bruce and I have been pushing through The Shape of Water...happily!

I'm three books behind on my annual reading goal. I will catch up.