“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.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Nine

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 ninth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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 9
Went to babysit my granddaughter today and agreed to come back tomorrow so my DIL can get more personal time, since I have the use of my housemate’s car, which cuts the travel time by 1/3.

August 10
Today I avoided at least 3 car accidents. You’re welcome, strangers.
In a driver’s ed/”Defensive Driving” class I had to take for a job many decades ago, this mandate stuck in my mind and has become a guiding edict/metaphor for many of my life’s choices:
“The person who has the last clear chance to avoid an accident is OBLIGATED to do so.”
Words to live by.

August 11
Doing extra cleaning up in preparation for my housemate’s return from her family trip/vacation later today.
Shopped for produce today at the local small produce market to help them stay in business.

August 12
Made some extra seafood salad yesterday and left some for my housemate, then brought a container to my acupuncturist, because he’s great.
And, even though I wanted privacy, at the gentle (NO PRESSURE, really) request of my acupuncturist, I agreed to let a recent graduate of acupuncture college observe the intake/check-in part of my session today. As a trade, my doctor then did not let him return for the rest of the session, and I got to have the private parts (the actual two-part treatment) with just the two of us. Perfect.

August 13
Took the local county public transportation survey online to help them assess their services AND enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card! There was no place to put comments, so I also signed up to be contacted if they want more info from me.

August 14
Attended a volunteer orientation last night on Zoom for the local Vietnamese community Today, I filled out their forms to become one of their ESL/EFL or other instructors, help with grant writing or other nonprofit admin (all of which I have extensive experience in), or other things I could do, for after I move in to my new place in September.

August 15
I explained the “one bus away” metro bus system texting and app for finding out exactly where the awaited bus is at any given moment, and the next several as well, to people at my bus stop today. They were happy to find out about both.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Eight

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 eighth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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 2
Shared the playlist I made on Spotify for grieving the loss of my mom with my youngest sister (the only one I am currently speaking to among the 3 of them). She was grateful.

August 3
Cleaned the shared bathroom, stovetop/range, sinks, microwave, refrigerator door/handle. Emptied toaster crumb tray. Took trash, compost and recycling to bins. Filled, ran, and emptied dishwasher. Made shopping list. All is prepared for their return tomorrow.

August 4
Heading down to see my son, DIL and granddaughter because one of my nephews is visiting from LA. Before going, since my housemate let me use her car while she was gone, I did almost all the grocery shopping for them (and me) since I know she doesn’t like to do it and I do like to do it.
While at one of the stores, I helped someone pick out a better bargain for toasted sesame oil at the Asian Market.

August 5
The girls I live with and their mom were all jet-lagged/exhausted and on different schedules than usual this morning. I get up early, anyway, so I made the girls’ breakfast and spent time with them to let their mom sleep in a bit (the girls came in from Europe Saturday and aren’t on Pacific time, yet).

August 6
The dental clinic student who is seeing me this week texted that she has to change our appointment due to her mis-handling her schedule. She knows that this has happened to me with this clinic’s other students several times in the last few weeks and apologized, but she didn’t have a choice, she said. I was not happy, but I agreed to change my appointment (even though I asked her to change someone else’s instead). It’s HUGELY inconvenient for me and I don’t know when we can reschedule, I told her, but it didn’t matter. Bummer.
I didn’t tell her how mad I was. That was my good deed.

August 7
Helped my housemate and her two daughters get ready for and off to their next airplane trip/vacation to a family reunion in California. Cleaned the kitchen last night and this morning, helped the girls choose travel clothes and did their laundry to help them pack yesterday, and today and yesterday, made one of them breakfast.

August 8
Listening to podcasts on Spotify (free account) related to healing from/surviving trauma, getting trauma out of one’s body, using one’s abilities and gifts to help heal oneself and others. Great Episodes. Left some appreciative comments, which I know podcasters treasure.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Seven

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 seventh Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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.

July 26
Babysat for my granddaughter again today (LOVING THIS) so my DIL could attend her online work meeting.

July 27
When I did my laundry this morning, I also did the “house” laundry, since my housemate is not here much these weeks due to work and personal travel commitments. Also, hard-boiled some eggs for her to take “on the go,” as she loves to do.

July 28
Made a lot of marinated veggie salad for me and my housemate (she really likes this) for the week (cukes, tomatoes, red onions, homemade dressing). I may bring some on Monday to my medical appointment to share with the office people, since she is going to be out of town again Thursday – Saturday.

July 29
Had a housing application paperwork meeting with an assistant housing manager of a large, all-ages, low-income apartment complex in a terrible location that has openings for vacant studios that are a lot larger than the one I might get in Pike Place.
However, I probably won’t live there, mostly because it’s unwalkable (very steep hills all around it), too close to the freeway (polluted, noisy), and has many very unstable people living there.
Also, I am required to accept the first place I am offered (low-income, subsidized housing rules), and, luckily, the one I most want was also the first one offered. Crossing fingers it comes through.
She was quite helpful and very nice.
Brought her some dark chocolate with nuts because “doing paperwork should be sweet.” She was very pleased.

July 30
First full appointment (cleaning, x-rays, exam) at dental clinic (couldn’t find a dentist who took my insurance). Students do almost everything and it all takes longer, but very inexpensive and not far away. Lucky they exist here, or I’d have no dental care at all.
Complimented and thanked each student, giving them positive and constructive feedback as much as I could along the way. They seemed pleased.

July 31
Went to babysit my granddaughter today since I can’t come Friday due to doctor’s appointment and DIL invited me to come today.

August 1
I meditated most of the day, to benefit all beings.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Six

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 sixth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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.

July 19
Babysat granddaughter again this morning so her mom could get some things done in her office. Very delightful.
Before I got to my son and DIL’s house, I went swimming at the local pool, again. While there, I got the lifeguard to do two things for others: put the stairs in (instead of the installed ladders, they’re easier ways for exiting and entering the pool for many of us; they’re are portable and not always “in”), and turn the music down (it was horribly and unnecessarily loud) so people talking to her or each other could actually hear one another.
Soon after the stairs were put in, two women came who definitely needed them but didn’t speak much English. I was glad I had asked for the stairs before they got there. Several others thanked me for getting the music turned down.
If so many wanted it that way, why am I the only one who asked for lower volume?

July 20
My housemate comes home today to pick up her car, then drives to her ex’s to take their kids and him to the airport. I parked right in front of the house, left the door unlocked and the inner door open, because she’s always running late and in a hurry.
I also made some seafood salad that she can gobble down before she leaves because she needs food with protein and doesn’t usually have anything planned or prepared, nor does her BF usually feed her very well (although breakfast is usually his strong suit, so we’ll see).

July 21
The buses weren’t stopping at several of the regular stops today due to Sunday’s road construction, and the only signs about it at the usual stops were posted in English only. Some non-English speakers at the stop I usually use weren’t understanding the situation.
I don’t know what language they were speaking (sounded African or Middle Eastern to my untrained ears), but with gestures, facial expressions and body language, I managed to convey the detour information to them. They followed me to the substitute bus stop successfully.

July 22
Today I made and purchased some food that I knew my housemate would like because she’s in-and-out for just one day and then travels again tomorrow. I am also helping her set up her schedule for when she returns and her kids return from their vacation. I may drive her to the airport tomorrow as well.

July 23
Gave my housemate a ride to the airport and postponed my swimming time to do that. That lets me keep her car, which she often lets me use, for which I am very grateful.
I will stock up on food while she’s gone, getting ready for her return and for her daughters to come back in another week as well.

July 24
Read up on the candidates for the Washington State primary elections and marked up the information booklet so my housemate (whose politics are in alignment with mine) can review it quickly and vote (we vote by absentee ballot) when she returns. No presidential candidates on this ballot; only state and local positions.
Ballots are due August 5.

July 25
I had the first massage in several months today at a local place I had never been to before. The massage was great, not too expensive, and at a nice atmosphere. I tipped 20%. I also left a positive review on Google and Yelp.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Five

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 fifth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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.

July 12
Today I babysat my 15-month-old granddaughter so her mom could attend a professional meeting online, as I have been doing every Friday since late June, and I am so delighted to be doing this. She is a treasure.
I also made some food to bring Monday: more meals for my wonderful healthcare provider, a gifted acupuncturist who has proven repeatedly that I am extremely fortunate to have found him and be working with him to heal old, physically stored traumas, and be currently healthier, both.

July 13
Talked with a long-time friend on the phone today about my mom’s passing, her mom’s failing health, her great adult children and their upcoming plans, and lots of other things. Great to catch up. Sent her some book and other recommendations afterwards.

July 14
Spent a lot of time on the phone last night and in a video call today discussing next steps and offering my experiences/advice for a friend’s friend’s career/job/possible live-in positions, and then got on to some very interesting topics and intersecting life experiences. May have made a new friend!

July 15
Brought the food I made (as part of my mourning period and good deeds) to my medical provider today, which should be enough for at least 2 and maybe 3 meals. Tuesday is the “long” day in which I fed him last week and he was very grateful. I hope he likes this week’s offerings.
I won’t be seeing him for two weeks, next, and probably won’t bring food unless he requests it.

July 16
I have been spending a lot of time alone these last two weeks, with my housemate and her kids out of town. Doing my meditations, swimming, cooking, resting, and, mostly, grieving.
Today, at the pool, someone was seemingly having a hard time, sitting on the stairs and looking very flushed. I asked her if she was all right, and she said she was, but then she wanted to talk. I listened. Turned out, she had recently suffered a loss. Her story brought me to tears and let hers flow. I explained my recent loss, and we bonded for a few minutes, two strangers, in grief and connection as humans. Sweet.

July 17
My son and his wife invited me to spend the day with them so I wouldn’t be alone all week, grieving, and I very much appreciated that. So, I went to their place after swimming in their local pool (one I used to swim in often when I visited them from Missouri).
My granddaughter is now 15.5 months old, and has suddenly (really, suddenly) gone from being a baby to being a toddler. She looks and acts so differently from just a few days ago. My DIL said this happened “over the weekend”! I was there last Friday, so from then to today is only 5 days! Amazing.
We had a great time together, just the two of us and with her parents, reading books, singing, dancing, playing with her toys, eating, walking around her house and on the beach at the park nearby, with lots of laughing, which is healing in itself.

When I was getting ready to leave, I told her “I love you,” and she said it back and gave me a hug! Sweetest, ever!

July 18

My housemate is coming back late tonight, and called me a few days ago to ask me to put her hiking boots outside for her BF to pick up on Friday. Somehow, I knew he would come sooner, so I put them out before I left yesterday. Sure enough, she called after I was already with my family to ask if I could put them out since he would be dropping by to get them Wednesday. “I already put them out,” I told her, “since i’m not there today.” She was relieved.
Today, I am cleaning up the house (already cleaned the bathroom), giving the refrigerator and kitchen and the living room (when they left, it was somewhat chaotic) a bit more attention, for her return.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Four

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 fourth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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.

July 5
Went to my son and DIL’s home to babysit my granddaughter again today. So happy to be doing that! For this week’s session, my son had called Wednesday to ask if I could stay longer so they could get some renovation work started in their home. I gladly agreed and was there most of the day today.

July 6
My housemate and her children are going on a vacation/family reunion trip Monday. While she went to exercise, I helped them both pack and do their household chores. Left her a list of what she needs to do to finish their packing. She was extremely relieved and grateful.

July 7
Our mom took a bad fall, broke her leg, and is in the hospital in Los Angeles since Friday night. She is now quickly deteriorating and may not survive (she’s over 92). Early Sunday, I asked the floor nurse to get someone to hold the phone up to her working ear and talked to her. She couldn’t talk since she had an oxygen mask on, but they said she gave me a thumbs up twice. I’m so sad. She went into a coma and palliative care by mid-morning. By early evening, they were reducing her oxygen and increasing her morphine so that she could die without stress. It’s what she had said she wanted. She died at 10:15 PM today: three 7’s. She got her lucky numbers on purpose.

July 8
Dealing with my mom’s passing yesterday and my housemate’s and her children’s leaving this morning on their 2-week vacation. Letting friends and family know about Mom. Helping get the family here off to the airport.
Crying intermittently, but generally all right.
I swam today for the first time in 10 days since I had a small biopsy (NEGATIVE) done and couldn’t immerse for that period of time. Felt so great to be back in the pool, especially today (VERY HOT for Seattle; 90 F–ish peaks for a few days, now).
Spent a lot of time on the phone with some grieving people.

July 9
I spent a lot of time preparing, then delivering some great chicken salad to a medical provider I saw today because I’m very grateful to him. He said he had a very full day on Tuesdays and hardly any time to eat and was very pleased I had brought him some food.

July 10
My youngest sister created a playlist for our mother’s funeral service today with some songs I suggested and Mom had loved. I thanked her and told her it was perfect.
I called some people Mom had been friends to tell them about her passing and her funeral, in case they hadn’t heard, but they all had. Today, I posted the funeral info and a photo of the two of us on Facebook and that informed more people, so I think “everyone” knows who needs to know, by now.
Funeral is today at 2:30 PM CDT at the graveside only. I’m attending via Zoom.

July 11
Since I was the only immediate family member to attend via Zoom, I “hosted” and coordinated the arrivals and introductions yesterday. I also sent a list of who attended to my youngest sibling for the records.
Today I cried a lot and also talked with her.
At the pool, I allowed someone to go ahead of me and get a lane. Usually wouldn’t do that, but my mom would have….

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Three

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 third Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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 the cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

June 28
I babysat for my granddaughter yesterday for the first “official” time, so that her mom could attend an online meeting in the home and her dad could work at home as well. We did great together! I am so happy to be included in her/their lives this way; it’s the main reason I moved to this area. Full heart. I am doing this every week, most weeks, for the summer and perhaps beyond.

June 29
I did some chores that weren’t “mine” yesterday and today to help out my housemate. She has been so generous to me, I want to be helpful wherever I can.

June 30
There are many ways that I have had an unusual life, and most people know nothing about me, especially where I’m now living. Deciding what to tell, whom to tell, when to tell: are these “good deeds,” or what are these decisions? I have been putting myself into a tizzy trying to figure all this out, but I am trying not to overwhelm people or tell them anything they might be uncomfortable knowing. Maybe trying to be super-considerate is a “good deed”?

July 1
While my housemate was away yesterday and today, I did some “house” laundry, which I did not have to do. Washed, dried, folded, and put away (when I could do that alone; some items are stored too high for me to reach).

July 2
On the bus today, two tourists were sitting in front of me turning an actual paper map as well as their phone’s GPS every which way and looking confused. I leaned forward and asked if they’d like some help. They readily agreed, and I was able to point them to the bus stop and location they needed.
I got to see them get off and walk to their location (right next to the bus stop) before I got off.

July 3
Did housemate’s children’s and house laundry along with my own while they’re away. Clean sheets: so great!

July 4
I didn’t set off any fireworks.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Two

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 second Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming 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 the cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

June 20
Happy Solstice (summer or winter, depending on where you are)! Today I helped my housemate get her children’s lunches ready for school, spent time with them at breakfast, and kept them on track to leave on time while she was getting ready to go herself. The older one gets promoted from elementary school to middle school today and I guess that is now a big deal. The younger one (finishing 3rd grade) seems a bit envious of all the attention her older sister is getting, so the rest of us are giving her some extra squeezes these days.
RANT: Unlike when I was young, or even when my son was in school prior to the millennium, there are now elaborate “promotion” ceremonies, “graduations,” and other celebrations for almost every school transition these days. Sheesh. That’s just too many times to be “honored,” IMO, merely for getting older and going to school as planned. I think it loses all meaning when pre-schoolers and everyone else have a “graduation” or some similar ceremony almost every year.
Rant over.

June 21
I spent a wonderful morning with my amazing granddaughter in order for my DIL to begin to trust me with her, and for my granddaughter to get familiar enough with me to happily let me stay with her while her mom and dad (my DIL and my son) are both working in the house. We had a BLAST!
The plan is for me to come almost every week and spend about 100 minutes alone with her. I am so happy to be doing this; it’s the main reason I moved to Seattle!
I have to travel about 90 minutes each way and take two buses to get there and get home.
Totally worthwhile.

June 22
Plans with my housemate’s daughters changed due to one of them getting sick, so we (her grandmother and I) agreed to have the well one here for longer and overnight instead of just for the original few hours during dinner.
I made popcorn for the three of us, we had fun talking and telling/hearing stories, I made dinner for her and her grandmother, and we told more stories and had fun before bedtime.

June 23
Usually, I get to use my housemate’s car about once a week to do major grocery shopping. However, due to her daughter’s illness and changes in plans, that can’t happen until much later today. Meanwhile, we’re mostly out of fresh produce.
So, today, after swimming, I went to the locally owned produce market right across the street from the pool and picked up two bags of produce for our house to bring home on the buses (two; about 20 minutes’ riding).
Cherries were the biggest hit. We’ll see later how the rest is received (probably very well) by both girls, their mom and their grandmother.

June 24
My housemate and one of her daughters have been having some kind of respiratory virus/cold (not COVID or RSV, thankfully), so I got to use her car. I took her older daughter to her play date, did all the grocery shopping for the week. After putting all the groceries away and getting one of her daughters to “help,” I made dinner plus food for the next several days for the adults (her, her mom, me) while also making the separate and different dinners for each of her daughters (don’t ask). They were all very pleased and kept thanking me. Nice.

June 25
The older girl I live with turns 11 in 11 days. After hearing about my “70 for 70” project, she decided to do “11 for 11,” which starts today. She already has four ideas for her 11 days.
I told her if she did all 11 and kept track of the deeds, I would invite her to be a Guest Blogger on my site and share her 11 good deed days with my readers. She is a very gifted writer and excited to be “published” for the first time online. I would be lucky to have her post, I told her.

June 26
At the pool today, the rope closest to where I wanted to swim was being repaired by the Spanish-speaking maintenance man I’d seen there often. I greeted him in Spanish and asked if he needed help. We continued to speak in Spanish. He said he would need help, in a few minutes.
So, I swam my first lap and then asked again. He said he was ready for me to take the rope and swim it to the other side. First, he asked me to attach it to the wall we were both near, but it didn’t work. Turns out it was the wrong end, which he figured out and fixed. Then I swam it down and it fit fine.
I told him all was “Bueno,” and he gave me a thumbs up and left.
Gracias to Señor Sellars, Señorita Queensen (and then Señora Kirchhoeffer, after her marriage in my junior year), and Señora Weiss for my four years of high school Spanish, which have stood me in good stead all these 50+ years later!

June 27
It has been important during these “70 for 70” days not to stress about what to do but to let it unfold naturally, and today was a great day for good deeds unfurling as I moved through the day.
The younger child who lives here (aged 9) was feeling a bit “at sea” with the second day of summer vacation, and her older sister was independently occupied quite happily. I decided to spend some of my free time playing/teaching her card games, which she really liked. She especially liked the one-on-one time and attention from me, and it was very fun for us both.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report One

On June 13, as some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday, so this is my first Weekly Report on those 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.

June 13
My housemate is a single mom with two daughters, 9 and almost 11. They know about my project and wanted to get involved, so when I picked up the girls from school today, we agreed to go to the local supermarket parking lot and help put away stray shopping carts, then I would buy them each a small treat for their after-school snacks. We found three shopping carts and put them away. We also found one locked (immobilized so no one can take it off the premises) and reported it to the security guard, who told us “Thank You” as we were leaving and reported that the shopping cart had been unlocked and put back in the carrel. SUCCESS!
I also drove their visiting grandmother (about 8 years older than I am) to the dentist and picked her up after a 3.5-hour procedure. She was very grateful.

June 14
The older daughter of the woman I live with (Mom is away at a wedding this weekend) inadvertently left her homework packet at school and was upset that she couldn’t finish it and turn it in (school ends next week, so this was the last day of acceptance of homework). Her grandmother suggested that I (as an EdD) write her a “doctor’s note,” explaining this student’s unusual circumstances and asking for extra time and/or support for her forgetfulness so she could finish the work without penalty. I was happy to do that. Daughter approved the letter and was delighted; brought the note to school. When we picked her up, she reported that her teacher had been absent that day. We all laughed.

June 15
Planned and led my Buddhist sangha’s weekly Zoom meeting. Very enjoyable, too.

June 16
Doing research for my trauma work with my wonderful new acupuncturist and plan to share it with him this coming week. I know he’ll appreciate it. Also sent an email to another acupuncturist who blogged about already being experienced in doing trauma work via acupuncture to see if she has any tips, advice, suggestions.
Took my housemate’s mother to the local high school pool this morning to go lap swimming with me and lent her a $1 and quarter for her $4.50 fee and the locker (had to have exact change). She really enjoyed the swim and I was glad she could come.

June 17
Gave up my seat on the bus to a woman with many more packages than I had (the bus was filled), since all I had was a backpack and one more stop to go. Is that a good deed, or merely good manners?

June 18
Encouraged each of my ride share drivers today in their pursuit of their meditation and spiritual/personal growth, tailored to what they told me and what they asked about. Very fun conversations, both, and they both thanked me a lot.

June 19
On this beautiful Seattle day in June, I was able to go swimming at the gym I belong to for free (with my health insurance plan) and ride the bus both ways easily. On the bus going to the gym, a wheelchair-bound rider was about to get on, but the seats he needed to be raised to make space for this chair weren’t raised. I raised them. Then, we talked about the (currently) great weather, the recent improvements in access on public transportation, and how we both liked Seattle.

On to Week 2 of “70 for 70” tomorrow.

If you do any “good deeds” or want to suggest any for me, please comment on this post.