“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Ten (FINAL)
As some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday on June 13, so this is my tenth (FINAL) Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous posts for details on each week’s activities.
I hope you’re considering doing something similar or supporting what I do by leaving comments, encouragement, applause…. If you want to send money, use PayPal and I’ll donate it. The button is on my cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com
May all beings benefit.
August 16
Found out I am moving into the apartment I most wanted on September 4! Started the moving change-of-address process by registering to vote for the USA national election and state/local elections here in Washington at my new address (already voted in the primary August 6 by mail for local elections)! VOTE BLUE!
August 17
Yesterday (Saturday) I did some grocery shopping for the household so that my housemate didn’t have to do it (she doesn’t like doing it). I made sure to get things each of her daughters and she would like.
August 18
Today, the older daughter returned after being with her dad for a week. The younger one is at overnight camp until Wednesday afternoon, so the older one and I got to spend the evening together today while her mom was at a social gathering/concert with some friends. I made her food she liked and we had some interesting conversations on topics she was glad to talk about; we had fun.
August 19
Short women get wet blouses/shirts in public bathrooms (and private ones, too) when we wash our hands or use the sinks because the previous users of the counters and sink do not wipe them down/dry them off. I did the wipe downs in three bathrooms today.
Today, at a doctor’s office, a young Resident (student doctor) was part of my intake. He wanted me to call him by his first name. I refused, explaining my reasons: A) he had earned that title; B) some people would feel uncomfortable calling him by anything else; C) he needed to own what he was to “grow into it”; and, D) it was his duty to be fulfilling that role to help people trust him.
I insisted he call me “Doctor Ember” to demonstrate. I called him “Doctor” from then on.
I know I did him a huge favor, even if he doesn’t know it, yet.
August 20
Two more days until I turn 70. I am leading one of our Buddhist group’s Saturday sangha Zoom sessions with this topic (doing good deeds before one’s birthday), so today I compiled all these posts into one document to prepare for that leading (for August 31, since I have another appointment on August 24).
I hope learning about this project inspires others to do the same.
August 21
Today and last night I managed to put my housemate’s children’s clothes from camp and the week into and through the laundry late last night and early today so she could go to the doctor and rest. She has had a respiratory virus (not COVID or RSV) and a nasty cough from it that won’t quit.
August 22 — MY 70th BIRTHDAY!
May all beings who need comfort, shelter, love, safety, food, friendship and employment find and have what they need and maintain it as long as they need it.
Sally Ember, Ed.D. 