Got a nice letter from my dad yesterday. He thanked me for my letters, saying it was good to hear from me. He mentioned the weather there and going to their store on weekends, which is good therapy for them. Their health is the same, and their poodle, who just had his 6th birthday party, loves to tear into his presents and attack the box. He said he’s sorry I can’t be in a better environment and hopes that Tom gets a job soon and that my dream can be answered soon.

I reminded him in the letter I’m sending out today that the environment is okay, it’s just that the trailer is so old, small and dumpy in some ways. I told him I was sorry if I gave the impression we were worse off than we are unless what he really means by a better environment is not having to live with so many bigots. But as I told him, as long as no one messes with me personally or with my husband, we’ll be ok.

I walked for 35 minutes this morning and it was just beautiful. These woods, the various hills, the breathtaking view of the valley below that pokes through the trees every so often, it’s all just so gorgeous. I wish it could be like this every day and that I could keep a schedule! I walked the entire length of the drive just to see what it’d be like. Most of it is easy except for the steepest part down by the main road. But that part is covered in pavement to keep the rain from washing it out, so it’s not too bad. A little tricky going down, but easy enough coming up.

What I don’t get is why my hips hurt. It’s the same hip pain I’d get when walking long-distance in Oregon. Shouldn’t I be in better shape by now? And why don’t they hurt when I run? That’s more rigorous than walking. I hope the pain stops soon, but due to the weather and my schedule rotating, I won’t be able to do this every day anyway. I went out right before 6am when I saw that it was already close to 70º. I could tell that it’s going to be a scorcher today in the 90s. I love it hot and dry like that! It’s just that if I were getting up more toward the afternoon, I’d have to wait till the sun was almost set before I could walk.