The Hale Family Weekly Update (06/14/26)

This has been a fine week for the Hale family—no major disasters, just a few mechanical mischiefs and plenty of good company.

I’ve been starting my mornings with coffee in one hand and a book in the other. Lately, I’m enjoying books by my friends Joy and Stephanie; reading the words of people you know feels like getting a little more of them each day. I also started “Shapely Fiction,” a gift from Dean, which is teaching me how to write fiction with more shape and less wandering. Before that, I was a kid in the woods without a compass. As long as I have a book beside me, I’m never lonely.

Now, on to this week’s adventures.

Monday
Our home A/C decided to go on strike. Taylor from Buildings & Grounds came by, disappeared to the shop to perform whatever mysterious rituals A/C people perform, and returned to report that a bad capacitor had been replaced. Cool air resumed. Hip, hip, hooray.

DOW (Days on Wegovy): 117.

I finally solved the case of the Quiet iPad. A recent beta update had lowered the volume for my guitar practice tracks. My larger iPad, which skipped the beta adventure, plays just fine. I have a Bose Sound Touch 10 on the way, so soon I’ll graduate from “tiny Bluetooth squeak” to real sound.

We walked the Matteson Trail in the afternoon, then headed to Costco to pick up my Wegovy for the next 30 days. I have nine pills left. This stuff works.

Dinner with our friend Betty, followed by Bible Study Group, wrapped up the day.

Tuesday
Jerilyn had a noon pedicure, which always improves the general mood of the household. Nicole from GoDaddy called at 8:30 a.m., but my phone was still on silent from Bible Study, so I missed her. We rescheduled for next Tuesday; I’m hoping my phone cooperates this time.

We drove to Ken Matthews so Jerilyn could shop for flowers. I went to Ace Hardware in search of a pinch clamp for our expandable hose. She found flowers. I found out Ace doesn’t have my clamp.

Later, we took Rachel to Norfolk Airport for her flight to California, where she’ll be house sitting while her sister and Robby enjoy Italy. We got home around 3 p.m.

Dinner with Kathy and Brandon (our daughter-in-law and grandson) at 5 p.m. was full of fun conversation, followed by a peaceful visit to the reflection pond. They left around 7:30 p.m., and we were left with full hearts.

Meanwhile, poor Sally (the Tesla) has been getting an unwanted 5 a.m. sprinkler bath loaded with iron, which leaves spots all over her. After a trip to AutoBell, I started parking her in front of the late Joe Buckman’s cottage, safely out of range, until the sprinkler situation is fixed.

Wednesday
I had an appointment with Dr. Huddleston for my carotid artery check at 9:30 a.m. Two hours and fifteen minutes later, I received excellent news: right side clear, left side mild, and I’ve been promoted from annual to every-two-year checkups. I was advised to watch for stroke symptoms at my age, and I assured her I would.

After lunch, we walked the Matteson Trail again. Back home, I stopped by Betty’s and repaired her back-patio hose so she can water without a struggle.

We cleaned up for our 5 p.m. dinner, with Stephanie joining us. She’s always a delightful dinner companion.

Thursday
I called our good friend Elaine at Sentara Hospital. She sounded good and expected to come home that afternoon but later called back to say it would be the next day.

Yoga with Rose at 1:30 p.m. was a solid workout—she’s an excellent instructor, even if my muscles occasionally disagree.

At dinner, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary, I dressed up as Captain America: American flag cape, patriotic sunglasses, red-white-and-blue socks, and a bold hat. It drew plenty of comments and smiles, which was exactly the point. Jerilyn joined in the spirit with flag earrings, a necklace, and a red-and-white blouse. Dinner was a lot of fun.

Friday
We walked the KCT (Kiln Creek Trail), then drove to Kroger. Jerilyn headed inside for groceries while I stayed in the car and Marco’d “The Girls.” By the time we got home around 1 p.m., the temperature had climbed to 103 degrees.

DOW: 121. Weight: 203.

I finished designing and printing a 100th birthday card (and envelope) for our friend Vilet. Reaching 100 is no small feat; Jerilyn and I are hoping we can join that club someday — fifteen years for me 😊.

We had dinner with Mary Stuart and enjoyed our usual good conversation. I always enjoy seeing her waiting for us in the dining room. She’s a kind and generous soul.

Saturday
We headed to Donk’s show Saturday night, leaving after dinner at 6:20 p.m. and sliding into our seats at 7:25 p.m.—just in time and comfortably settled before the music began. We sat in front of my old shipyard coworker, Skip Mingee, his wife Charlotte, and their granddaughter, which made the evening feel a bit like a reunion. The show featured 90s country music and wrapped up late enough that we didn’t get home until 11:30 p.m. The only disappointment was the crowd; the auditorium was less than half full. Sally, however, handled the trip up and back without a hiccup.

It was also National Jane’s Day, so we celebrated our neighbor Jane, as well as my first cousin Jane, who was included in the festivities from afar.

This date carries deeper meaning for me because it would have been my son Rusty’s 66th birthday. He passed away in 2018. I wrote an email about my feelings for that precious boy and sent it to family members, trying to put into words what we were all feeling. Writing it down helped me understand my own heart a little better. Our friend Elaine T also celebrated her birthday today, spending it with family.

Dean came over and moved things into the attic for us, then kindly took our recycling home since campus no longer offers that service. Debby visited for a while, which is always a treat. We had planned to work on her Medicare signup, but she left her phone at home, so that project will wait for another day. The evening ended with dinner shared with Mary S, Billy, and Jerry B—a fine way to close out a full day.

Sunday
I was up at 8:00 a.m., with the first order of business being this family newsletter. Later, we went to brunch in the campus dining room at 11:30 a.m. and enjoyed a good meal and conversation with our friend Nancy.

After brunch, I stopped by our friend Betty’s place to help her sort out an issue with her Comcast email. About 30 minutes of detective work did the trick, and we had it working again. It always makes me feel good when I can lend a hand to a friend. To top off the day, Mary S gave us a very pretty pink bunny lamp, which now sits proudly in our bedroom, adding a cheerful glow to close out the week.

I would like to end by bringing a smile to your face:

1. Sarcasm — it’s how I hug :😊
2. Beware of the dog! …The cat is kinda shady also.
3. I’m ready for some blessings that aren’t in disguise.
4. I don’t know the key to success…but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
5. Do not grow up….it’s a trap!
6. I just hate it when I’m singing a song and the artist gets the words wrong.

Thank you for taking this little weekly journey with us. Each day seems to bring its own mix of repairs, checkups, walks, music, and laughter, and writing it down helps me remember just how much good is tucked into ordinary moments.

I’m grateful for the friends and family who fill our days—whether we’re sharing a meal, a phone call, a country music show, or just a quick visit at the door. As long as we have people to love, trails to walk, books to read, and a guitar to practice, life stays interesting.

Until next time, may your A/C stay cool, your car stay dry, and your week be filled with small victories and good company….Tommy