Holy shitski . . . and . . . merdeski too . . .

A few years ago - not today's Hawk

 After spending a short time this past Friday at a Walk-In Clinic to find out that I have indigestion which is really hurtful and allergies that are driving me mad and not getting too much relief after the visit I went to my primary care doctor yesterday about 35 miles from home and along with Friday's medicines I was given four more medicines. After reading all of the dire consequences if these new prescriptions don't agree with me or the regular prescriptions I take daily I decided to only use prednisone - one at 8pm last night and  one at 8am this morning. Well . . . that certainly did the trick . . . I am wired. Dante's Pop, I'll change his name as I see fit depending on which grand animal suits my fancy at the time I'm writing, offered me breakfast this morning at James' in town but I asked to go to the Bird Man in St. Francisville. It is a very cloudy, overcast, dark, Connecticut, November yucky day here in Louisiana but the people, food and spirits at the Bird Man were a balm to my crazy spirit and body.  After breakfast we checked out my Mississippi, still way below normal; the cruise ships must dock across the river and the people are bused in from the west bank to St. Francisville on the east bank. Dante's Pop suggested I leave my camera home because he knows me so well that even though the dark day would make picture taking more than difficult he knew I would have to walk the river bank and try to take photos anyway! So without my camera we still prowled My Favorite River and saw a marvelously huge hawk in an extremely tall tree right along the bank as we watched three barges working their way carefully along the muddy waters of the channel. I also prevailed on Daytona's Pop to cross My Audubon Bridge to see if the Pelicans (the birds not the so-called Basketball Team) were still hanging around Pointe Coupee Parish. Not a single bird of any sort was seen but the ride over My Bridge was heavenly as usual. I think I have to find a way to get the authorities to close My Bridge to cars so that I can walk across my domain from East to West and then back again from West to East. I might need a day or two because I no longer walk with any speed whatsoever! That is one of the trials you face as you are almost ready to be 79 years old and start your 80th year on God's Planet.

When we got home I decided to take my walk in the neighborhood while Charlie's Pop was at South Park flying his models. I saw a neighbor who had back surgery about two years ago and whose husband died while she was hospitalized bending over the drainage ditch in her yard using two rakes to pull leaves out of the culvert so water could flow more easily. She then bent over from the waist and with wet gloves was putting the leaves in a plastic bag and bringing the bag to her garage. Honest to goodness! What else can you do but offer to help! So there we were two gray-haired geniuses raking wet leaves from the ditch. I managed to get more leaves up to her and as she almost fell over I insisted she stand up straight and I managed to get a pile of wet leaves on more even ground and borrowed her wet gloves to put the pile into her plastic bag. Phew! Then we walked to her garage, she carrying the bag of leaves and I with the two rakes. We did it and were proud of our work! I said good day to our neighbor and continued my walk. Of course the walk led me to the other end of the hood and a large, beautiful hawk was perched on the cross piece of a jeep in another neighbor's yard. I rushed home for my camera but when I returned it was gone. I knew that that would be the case but I had to try even though the chances were slim that I would ever get off a shot. Oh well, que sera sera. 

I shall leave this gobbledygook here because I must go make some sort of chicken salad for sandwiches later today.

PS I also had a bout with Anthem. A hospital in Zachary has been trying to collect $467 from me for something that took place in February 2019. We do not owe them but they have been threatening to send the bill to a collection agency and I have been trying to get Anthem to straighten out this mess for the last few months. So I was at it again today and today's Anthem lady said she would take care of it. I asked what I should do if I get the bill again in January 2022 since my insurance will change January 1, 2022. She told me to hang on to my Anthem card and call them if it keeps happening!!! Oy vey! 

Quote: You  cram these words into mine ears against the stomach of my sense. _______Shakespeare

Phone call made me laugh . . .

 I rarely answer the phone as P&D's Pop is in charge of the phone but he is off on errands this morning and I had to answer the house phone. It was for P&D's Pop but since he wasn't here the man asked me a few questions. He was from the Advocate and wanted to know if my husband would have written a letter to the editor. He had our email address and phone number on the letter that had been submitted on line and he was making certain it was really P&D's Pop's letter. I told Mr. S that I was not privy to what my husband does at all times but if he would read the letter to me I would probably be able to tell if he had written it. So he gave me the gist of the letter which was based on an article in yesterday's paper about making an official graveyard for all governors on the grounds of the state capitol. Well as soon as he mentioned that and the prison at Angola in the same sentence I told him I was quite certain that was definitely my husband's letter. We both cracked up. I imagine it will get published soon. He left me with his name and number in case I was mistaken but we both knew there was no mistake in figuring out who had written the letter. It's so much fun once in a while to find someone with a sense of humor. Of course it would be even better if our knuckle-headed politicians didn't take themselves so seriously and really believe that they should set aside a place of honor in a graveyard at the State Capitol for bloviating, self-serving, criminals at taxpayers' expense. Any righteous former Louisiana governor would be appalled at being offered burial with the the crooks of former times or the crooks in the making! I mean we're talking about governors who have spent time in jail for goodness' sake. Office holders in Louisiana seem to consider it a badge of honor to have at least spent some time in prison. When you follow their antics in the press you realize that what they say and do really does qualify them for space in jail!

Anyhoo - it was fun speaking to someone who seemed to appreciate P&D's Pop's letter. 

I guess it's time to finally get back to doing some baking and normal activities now that my right hand, arm, elbow and shoulder are starting to come into compliance with normalcy. I have cut PT back to twice a week although I still work out on my own four days a week. Onward I shall go until I come as close to normal as possible. What the heck - normal is a state of mind so I've just got to set my mind to what I will accept as right for myself!
 

Quote:  Indifference never wrote great works, nor thought out striking inventions, nor reared the solemn architecture that awes the soul, nor breathed sublime music, nor painted glorious pictures, nor undertook heroic philanthropies. All these grandeurs are born of enthusiasm, and are done heartily.____Anon  

Amazing day . . . amazing grace . . .

 I did it. I went to the Early Learning Center and helped out for about two hours with eight four year olds. Oh my gosh! I was in heaven. I didn't do much but it was enough to make me feel happy, bright, smiling and appreciative of the people who allow me to enter their classrooms. I enjoy watching the children with their teacher and I am so happy when I can do any little thing to help make the class run smoothly. The teachers don't need me but it gives me pleasure to just be a part of the lives of these wonderful little people even in a minor way. I felt somewhat tired as I hadn't been to help out in 18 months. Yes, eighteen darned months mainly because of the scourge attacking our families, friends and towns. When I was finally ready to go back I fell and messed up my right shoulder and today I finally made the move. I don't regret it at all; wish I had acted sooner but I'm pretty sure I wasn't ready any sooner than now. I'm still going to PT and working out six days a week at home besides but my right hand, elbow and shoulder are very far from managing mundane tasks well. I will persist until Patrick, my physical therapist, the doctor and I feel that I've gotten the absolute most from the therapy. In any case I now have a smiley place. Everyone should have a place where they can be a part of children in action. It never ceases to be amazing, instructive, heart-breaking, exciting and super.

Was called to supper so I'll be off to eat.

Quote:  The cynic is one who never sees a good quality in a man, and never fails to see a bad one. -He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness and blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never seeing noble game.   ____H. W. Beecher

What the heck . . . I may be back by default . . . Facebook won't open up for either Puppies & Brit Cat's Pop or me . . .

This beautiful evening has presented itself. Excellent! (en francais, bien sur!)

Only cropped - after my early morning walk. Handsome Dad

Practicing for All Hallows' Eve

Very pretty Eastern Blue Bird on the wires this morning enjoying the sunrise.

 

 So . . . here is a little paragraph or so that I wrote sometime before noon today and tried to put it on my iPhone but it wouldn't download to Facebook. Tough titties!

It doesn't get much better than this. Puppies & Brit Cat's Pop had some business to attend to for our Biggest Big Kiddo and I was on my own. I rarely use CVS coupons but I had $25 off of a $99 spree. I love pretty greeting cards so I bought ten lovelies, still for an unreasonable amount, but I was happy. Then, since I was footloose, I decided I had to say hello at the Early Learning Center. It's been over a year since I last helped out so I was hoping it was okay to stop in. I didn't stay long but it felt so good to be back visiting with all and sundry. When I left I felt determined to follow through on volunteering again hopefully on a Thursday or Friday. Feeling absolutely rambunctious I sped off for Clegg's to buy some beautifully colored mums, a warty, ugly pumpkin (only big enough for me to carry when I have to consider that aggravating right shoulder) and a cute white/yellowish one. I was ecstatic and so damned proud of my myself. I got home super excited. As I was slipping out of the truck, I slip out because my left leg likes to thwart me when I get down from the driver's side, it dawned on me that I didn't have my key to the house. Yup! I haven't needed a key since June 12, 2021 in Dallas, Texas when I fell and ruined that right arm and shoulder. Puppies & Brit Cat's Pop was always home for me so I never even considered that I no longer carried my purse full of junk which included my house key! At least I had my phone and I called him to see if I should drive the 35miles to get the key but I lucked out as he was just finishing up the work he had set out to complete. Yay for me! 

The Big Kiddos' Dad got home at noon and I was able to go in the house to eat a quick bite and shower before going to my thrice weekly two hour PT session. I was really lucky! Anyhoo . . . that's it. I have no idea where this Facebook stuff will end. But that's okay. It can be annoying except that I like to post my birds, flowers and bugs on the special FB sites. I may have to stick to this poor excuse for a blog.

Quote:  Doing nothing with a deal of skill. ______Cowper

Quote:  Heaven, the treasury of everlasting joy. ____Shakespeare

Not sure if I'm back . . .

 I've not posted since I fell at a Control Line Flying Contest in Dallas where I ruined my right arm and shoulder on June 12. So I've been pretty miserable since then. I was operated on in Baton Rouge but only on June 22 since there was not an operating room anywhere to fix my misadventure until that day. I will not describe all that happened; suffice it to say it has been Hell. But I have a reverse total shoulder replacement.

"In a reverse total shoulder replacement, a surgeon removes the rounded head of the upper arm bone. Using screws and special tools, he or she attaches a plastic socket to the remaining bone. The surgeon also removes part of the socket of the shoulder blade. This is then replaced with a metal ball." Found this on line. It was no fun.

But today I felt like putting up a couple of photos. It is really difficult therapy for me to hold the camera but it has been good for my brain and my aching body.

Let's see if I can find a quote: The most painful part of our bodily pain is that which is bodiless or immaterial,  namely our impatience, and the delusion that it will last forever. __________Richter

(I hope it is a delusion.)

Not a superior day for sure . . .

My special UK Marble

 Not in the  mood for the camera and photos but I love my beautiful Marble photo. It is always on the center island in the kitchen so I can smile all day long when I walk by and see it. I need calm at this moment!

I drove to Zachary for a follow up appointment at 1:30 with the orthopedic doctor and he wasn't there. The poor lady tried to explain that the office had tried to call me and cancel the appointment. She said they tried to call yesterday. Well that is impossible because there are no calls listed on the phone from BROC yesterday or this morning. Somehow there was a mistake made and no one will accept the responsibility. I was bummed. I asked if another doctor at the Orthopedic Clinic could see me as it was just a follow up and she said that was impossible. I'm Dr. W's patient and he is the only one I can go to. She asked if I was having any problems. I said no and what was I supposed to do now? I suggested she ask Dr. W if it was necessary for me to see him or could I just call if I had any more problems. She said that was a good idea and would call me today or tomorrow to let me know what he said. I really liked him but the office visit we were supposedly following up on was also a mess. I was told to be there at 1:30 and then they called and told me to only come for 3:30, which I did, and he saw me at 5pm. I left his office after 5:30 and didn't get home until almost 7pm. I was pretty disgusted with the waiting but the shot he gave me has worked very well as has the physical therapy. I'm through with the PT but make sure do to my daily exercises and walk for at least 45 minutes at least 5 days a week. So I guess I won't worry about seeing him again unless the crazy hip acts up.

To reward myself (I really wanted a Black Russian to go) I stopped at Marble Slab and ordered a Hot Fudge Sundae with coffee ice cream and walnuts. Their ice cream display case was broken so they had to go into the deep freeze in the back of the store to scoop the ice cream. My sundae came back with green ice cream. I didn't even bat an eyelash - I paid for it and ate it all. The truth is I have no idea what kind of ice cream I ate - it may have been pistachio or mint - I couldn't tell and I know that my taste buds are pretty good even though I'm getting to be an oldster.

 After I got home the men came to fix our problem with the air conditioning at a cost of $1077 with our discount. It is worth having One Hour on call for our air conditioning and heating. We have never had a problem with the people who come to our home. They are efficient, nice, good people. They always explain the problems we have and how they are going to fix them and the cost up front. They will also let you know if there is problem that they can't fix and what must be done to get it taken care of. It is a blessing to have a company we can count on. Our home is about 25 years old so some things will always need fixing!

Enough complaining for today.

Quote:  Little, vicious minds abound with anger and revenge, and are incapable of feeling the pleasure of forgiving their enemy.   ____Chesterfield

Quote:  To see what is right and not do it, is want of courage.   ____Confucius

Couldn't help myself . . . the clouds were beautiful . . .

 Amazing cloud formations after supper this evening. I couldn't get them to look like the real thing but these aren't too bad.

 It was a run around kind of day. Had my yearly Wellness Visit with my primary care doctor in Zachary today and she was ecstatic. It seems my blood tests showed up as that of a 40 year old woman. Cool beansies! Now if the rest of me would regress to 40 years old it would be perfect! 

Having some issues with the air conditioning condensation drain upstairs in the attic. It'll be an expensive fix; the men  will be back tomorrow. PD&C's Pop had to siphon the drip pan today. That was interesting. He is an amazing man. He never ceases to impress me with his know how. 

Quote:  The joys of meeting pay the pangs of absence; else who could bear it?  ___Rowe

Quote:  Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power.  ___Wessenburg