So It's Hot

What better meal to enjoy than beef stew. Lee loves it and I do too. Two pounds of stew beef. It comes in one pound packs so I use that. Five cups of vegetables and on McCormick envelope of stew mix flavoring.

It will be done at 12:30. 

We went to the podiatrist yesterday for Lee. Tomorrow it's another doctor for me. As one of my favorite doctors used to say, "After fifty, it's patch, patch, patch." So far we've retired three in our sixty two and a half years here in Hutch. And they were all our favorites when they were our family doctor!

Now at the hospital, you see a hospitalist whom you have never met before. Times do change.

Sleep

Yesterday was not a nap day. It was a go to bed early day and sleep late this morning day. And it's a miracle - I am not as tired today. I actually finished some things that needed to be done. Laundry and ordering groceries.

Maybe I should try an earlier bedtime more often. The only hitch is, after about 3 1/2 hours I am wide awake for about two hours; then back to sleep for another four. Strange sleeping patterns for these later years!

The Dumb Thing

Yesterday was the day of the "lulu."  I was in the shower and I  heard Lee calling me. He said the water was running in the kitchen sink. I said, "Turn it off."  His answer, "I did."

So when I got out and was dressed, I was ready to go mop up the mess. This was when I found out that even though the sink we had installed in 2008 after we moved in had no overflow drain, it was constructed with a lip around the edge. The divider between the two sinks, was lower and the water had gone over that barrier like a dam and drained out the other side. Luckily, I hadn't blocked up that side with the drain stopper. Nothing was on the floor. I just wasted a whole lot of water. 

This is the first time I had done this since we were in an apartment in Dodge City, KS, in 1955. I would bet that land lady never forgot the idiot girl who did it then. My record has been clean on this error for sixty-five years. I am determined to pay attention what I am doing from now on.

What could have distracted me? 

Easy Open

Over a year ago I was given Ensure while I had a short stay at the hospital. It is supposed to be full of vitamins and good stuff. So we have been buying it and drinking it. It couldn't hurt. Right?

Well, Lee picked up some that is High Protein and Easy Open.

I was having trouble opening my first container. After struggling and trying to pull up the plastic from the point of the lowest arrow, it dawned on me that the arrows were pointing DOWN !

How dense can you get? I hated to do it but I mentioned it to Lee. He said he had the same reaction - he had tried to pull the tab up. Maybe for us dummies they should replace the words Easy Open with Pull Down.

Tuesday

We did get one and 35 hundredths inches of rain.  And we are a little behind for the year.

I got a call from the east and my Skype buddy fell this morning while carrying laundry upstairs. Thank goodness nothing was broken, no concussion and her phone landed close by. She was able to call her daughter. She has had enough trouble for half a dozen people.  She is ok and her pre-planned surgery is still on for tomorrow. She's a strong woman.

I am still trying to figure out how to set up speed dial on a flip phone. After a couple of hours, I gave up. Then Lee told me he knew how to get to my cell number with only two steps. Wish I'd know that earlier!

A Nice Rain

We were spared the strong winds last night. I looked at the weather statistics in the newspaper but they went to press too early to report last night's rain total.

Since there have no injuries or other unhappy events, we consider it a good day!

Storm Time Is Here

Local stations are reporting dangerous straight line winds are on the way. Eighty miles per sounds bad. Radar is a wonderful addition for forecasters.

Let's hope the winds stay straight!

Nice Rain

We had a nice rain overnight and a lot of thunder. This morning a trip to the co-op for more peanuts. The squirrels lead a life of leisure around here.

I was ready to make a meat loaf. Amazingly, I had no McCormick mix for an easy way to make it.

So the old method kicked in. Ground up bread crumbs, two eggs, steak rub, liquid smoke, garlic powder, a dash of beef broth, chopped onion and red pepper. 

I asked Lee how the meat loaf was. "Good." I explained. He said he would never have known it wasn't made with the mix.

I can cook!

Dog Trouble and More

There was a problem with the dog. We needed to see the vet. So we drove there and waited in the parking lot for them to open at 7:30 a.m. The dog involved is Jill, the rambunctious one. She was so excited while Jack sat quietly waiting calmly. After explaining the problem to the two girls, we signed a form and attempted to transfer dog to girl. The toe nails were trimmed a few weeks ago but they caught Lee's arm and slashed a gash and a large round opening the size of a silver dollar with a flap.

I asked him if he wanted to to same day care or the ER. No. We got home, bleeding all the way. He decided maybe we'd better go. Mask on, he entered the clinic. ("At the hospital, I'd be there all day.")

I stayed in the car. Luckily a strong breeze rocked the van so I wasn't heated - maybe a little motion sickness.

After fifty minutes he came out. They glued both places and waited fifteen minutes for it to dry. He can remove the bandage tomorrow.

Later I poured water over the blood in the garage. Luckily, we had two hand wipes in the car which Mike had sent us and they helped on the ride home. A towel wrapped it on the way to the clinic.

Not a restful start for a Thursday. In fact, pretty stressful. The girl at the small animal hospital called our house phone while we were at the clinic. So back to the car to pick up the dog. I totally forgot to give her the cell number. I came home and napped.

Hoping for a calmer tomorrow.

A Trip to the Doctor

Lee had a follow up. I waited in the car. The wind was out of the south at a good clip so I was cool. My phone said it would start blowing at 11:00. At 10:15 it was a nice breeze. Then it stopped. It started to get hot in the sun. No shade in the parking lot. Forty-five minute later it was HOT. I forgot to take any water.

Next time I will remember!

Oh. And everything is fine with Lee. . . well, as fine as anyone can be at  89 1/2.

Light Bulbs

We moved into this house twelve and a half years ago. I can't remember how many light bulbs we have replaced in the ceiling fans, the hall and the closets. They burn out (quit working) after an amazingly short amount of time.

Except for the one on the back screened in porch. It is the large Sylvania bulb on the left.

So a trip to the hardware store resulted in two bulbs like the 60 W one on the right.  The old one states 14 W and the same 120 volts. I wonder why the big difference in the wattage? We'll see how long the new one lasts. Who knows how long it had been in place before we arrived.

Oh yes. They were already making them in the same place thirteen years ago - China. 

Sizzling Saturday

So what else is new except we are still having the high 90's. 

The other "new" is getting used to being on O 2 twenty-four seven. The approximately 15 feet of green tubing is lots of fun to drag around, avoiding furniture, dogs and closed doors. At least it's not heavy like the "portable" one. I am thankful to have access to it and I do think I have a bit more energy with the extra air! Never smoked or vaped. In fact, I never heard of vaping until the last couple of years. So I can't blame the existing condition on those two things. Allergies, bronchitis and COPD seem to have been on a diagnosis sheet. . . lucky to still be here!

Dull Friday

Nothing much happened today. It was really hot again. Official temperature is unknown but our thermometer on the porch said 101. Way too hot to be out with no A/C in the van!

From Shaggy to Short

Before:

And after:

I'd forgotten how big my ears are. I used my courage and mask and went to the hair cut place. They were observing mask, social spacing, disinfecting and had me wash my hands before I sat in the newly wiped down chair.

I may not look better, but I sure feel better.

Do your ears and nose continue to grow into old age? I heard that once. Egad!

Best Socks

According to Lee, these are the best socks in the world. We bought one package yesterday and had to go back this morning for two more packs. That's nine pairs. He is so thrilled with how they feel, he insisted I wear a pair over night to see how cozy and soft they are.

This reminds me of a joke in Spanish. A man who spoke only Spanish went into a shop where they knew only English. He was looking for a particular item but didn't know how to say it so the clerk would understand. She finally guided him around the store until they came to the counter where the men's stockings were.  The man exclaimed, "Eso si que es!"  The clerk said, "Why didn't you spell it in the first place?"

That has stayed with me since high school.

Other memories are long gone. . .

P.S. To help you get it, that Spanish phrase is pronounced as if you are spelling S O C K S.

Busy Morning

I did more today than I usually do in a week. One large task a day is about all I can manage. Before lunch the kitchen floor was mopped, someone's hair was cut and the beef stew was on the stove. I wonder if I can find chopped cabbage - not slaw. That is the hardest part for me. The chefs on tv make it look so easy. Chopping and slicing and fileting. I think they secretly have sharper knives. Or it could be that I don't have the muscle it takes.

Needless to say there was a nap later. 

Oh and I forgot. There was an early morning trip to the store that's open all hours for new socks. Found the perfect ones for Lee! No crowds at the early hour and only one cashier. If I wanted to scan purchases, I'd get a job doing so. Some modern things are not my favorites. For those who love them, good for you!

People! What Are You Thinking?

A trip to the clinic for a follow up appointment. First let me say I woke up for the first time in more months than I can count with no pain. Not even my thumb hurt.

And now on to the important stuff. In the clinic I saw person after person with no mask. True, there were some of all ages wearing them but so many middle aged and elderly were not. I asked the APRN what was the deal? She said they were optional. The last time I was at the hospital, the sign said you must wear one.

Not at the clinic.

I told her they must not believe the news, their government, figures from over the world or the president. I saved the card, "Slow the Spread" from March 16th; President Trump's Coronavirus Guidelines For America.

OOPS. I just reread it. Not one word about wearing a mask. It does refer one to the site coronavirus.gov. 

I'll check that out - I know I heard it somewhere.

Later:  I found this quote on the .gov site:

Wearing cloth face coverings is a public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning, and other everyday preventive actions. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important if someone is infected but does not have symptoms. Medical face masks and N95 respirators are still reserved for healthcare personnel and other first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Old Candy

When I was a little kid, there was an old man who lived in the next block. He always had Horehound drops that he gave to all the little ones in the neighborhood. I think he enjoyed seeing all the little kids and we rode our trikes and scooters on the sidewalks around the blocks.

I saw some Horehound drops at a farm store this morning. I was on an errand to buy two lids for Country Tuff buckets. These are containers to store bird seed and squirrel food for our wild life friends.

So I bought the sack for $1.99. After lunch I tried one. No flavor. Maybe it's my taste buds. I was talking to New Jersey about five minutes later and I choked up, had trouble breathing and had to drink a lot of water to recover.

No more Horehound for me!

Saturday and a New Blog Style

Why am  I so resistant to change? I am so used to doing things in the same old way that I don't want to learn something new.

But here we are I kept poking around till I found the option to write a new blog. Too bad I have so little to say.

Yesterday was not a good day. Exhaustion is the word that comes to mind. Today seemed pretty much the same. I finally hooked up the O2 and feel better. 

Old age ain't for sissies.

Confusion

Today I received a notice about changes to Blogger. I really wish I understood what the heck they are talking about. I guess if this blog disappears, it will be no great loss. I have had fun doing to and sharing what boring things we do and the odd things that happen once in a while.

So if at the end of June, there is no more rambling, it was fun while it lasted.

It is 98 again here today.

A Lovely Morning -

Followed by ninety-six degrees this afternoon. We ran an errand early (squirrel food.)

Even though Lee's sister can't have visitors in the hospital in New Jersey, she has her iPad and we talk several times a day. She may get "out" tomorrow. I hope so. Thank goodness for technology so we can see each other and talk even when the No Visitor sign is out!

A Late Post for Monday

A day filled with unwelcome news. My Skype buddy is in the hospital in N J with pancreatitus. That must be spelled wrong. Too lazy to look it up. So we didn't communicate except by phone. I think she'll be getting her iPad soon but I was so worn out after a doctor's appointment, I slept from noon till 11:00 p.m. (Not good.)

Missed fixing Lee anything to eat. Luckily he is a good person in the kitchen. When I worked (outside the home) he would cook meals for us! I know he didn't go hungry. And he even asked me, when I finally woke up, if he could fix something for me!  What a guy!

By the way, the doctor told me to keep doing what I'm doing. That's encouraging!