Here we are in the middle of fall. It doesn’t feel that way in Phoenix as it was over 100 today. I am lethargic and tired. I feel lackluster and unable to make myself do anything, so I am writing. I have plenty I could do but lack the motivation to do so. I have tried on several occasions today to make myself do something. I made my bed, I attended a Zoom accountability meeting, I did two loads of laundry and even managed to cook for myself, that is all. I did not get dressed but stayed in my pajamas all day.

My to-do list is quite long, as most of ours are. Going to the gym was on there, but it didn’t happen. A nap was not, but it did. Oil change, library, and other things are lower priority but there. Instead, I laid on the couch, listened to a recording on healthy eating, and tried to knit. I think I am a little depressed. Maybe my medications are not working so well, or maybe it is my blood pressure, which is still higher than it should be, but coming down.

I hate taking prescription pills. I have tried so hard to avoid them, but my weight is not going down, nor is my daily sugar and carbohydrate intake, so it makes sense that some things are not working out. One problem leads to another, and my lack of motivation to change isn’t helping.

I did go away for the weekend to a small town called Pinetop. I met a woman there from a dating discussion group who said, “Come on over,” so I did. We had not had much interaction, just my desire to see the fall colors. She booked a room for me at a local hotel where her friend is a manager and took me out in her jeep. We had a great time chatting, and later, we went out to meet some friends, including the hotel manager, and had a ball.

I enjoyed my king-size suite, where I went to bed early because I was meeting the ladies again at 7:30 am. for breakfast. It was a 3 1/2 hour drive each way for me. I did it for the love of fall. I wanted to see the leaves change, and I was disappointed only in that everything was mostly yellow but still beautiful. I was very grateful for the warm welcome, and breakfast was amazing. I look forward to doing it again, but it was a lot of driving.

Pinetop is located northeast of Phoenix, but when I started, I was heading straight north to Flagstagg until a friend pointed out my error. Thank goodness for that. It was a pretty drive with cactus turning to shrubs and then pinetrees. Pinetop has the 4 seasons, and snow will be coming soon, despite being so close. It was very pretty. I feel lucky to have made 4 new friends I want to see again, and I got to experience fall. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and about 72 degrees. It was cooler than the 98, when I got back. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler.

I did start to print out my book for editing and created a survey for the gratitude journal project. Nala has been glad I am home again because she didn’t get all her treats as she usually does. She may have missed my company as well, although that is harder to tell.