Taylorsville Harman's

 

The days are seemingly pristine at least right now. Beautiful sunrises with clear skies and moderate temperatures. The sun definitely warms ambient temperatures to livable levels. I'm currently in Christmas card mode and so I want to get as many cards out this week as possible alas, I have no holiday stamps. I have my usual silence fiction type stamps but I think of just as soon keep within the spirit of the holiday season. So, luckily my home health person, Tyler the RN at watching my burns right now is back from vacation. He may be first on his list saws free to travel around 10:00 AM which was just perfect. The prior week was a little frustrating because I could never really tell when the RN was going to show up even when I called. They were good cover additional question about their ability to do their tasks just when you have to rely on public transit you want to be the one in charge. Well with Tyler as optimum omnibus by 11:30 AM. I suppose I could of gone to the post office on second South downtown Salt Lake or the one even down on Redwood Road but I'm a little nervous to travel with my power chair right now so Iwussed out and decided to go just up to 5400 S. and Harmon's market. They have a post office outlet as able to pick up two packets of pretty nice Christmas stamps that I'll feel comfortable in applying to my Christmas mail.

I love Harmon's at such a nice clean pretentious store. Sometimes I just like to watch the rich people mill around looking at the food and other options. I also like to roll up and down the aisles looking at the prices especially the meat department. Their products are beautiful I would almost be intimidated to put their protein to the heat of an electric stove. I do miss my gas range. They also have a great bakery and so far as I can tell the only place you can buy donuts individually without having to buy a dozen donuts at a time at an ungodly price. The price of a dollar 25 a donut though ungodly seems much more doable. I probably would pay that much for Maple bar – – a good Maple bar. However I must admit that I'm not as impressed with their deli as I am with my little fresh market across the street. Most constant price also to see that Harman's grapes whereas competitive as Fresh Market and I think easier to inspect as far as crisp ness. I really don't do much destination shopping but I might consider Harman's for a while and see how I enjoy got experience. I often go the same distance to shop across the street at Walmart and I really don't have a big political/social economic gripe with Walmart as many people do but I can see their point maybe it's just better to do Harman's spend a little more spend a little more but leave with a lighter conscience…

Almost December

 

Its uncanny to me how easily a day can get away from me. When I got up this morning I was going to put a dent in my Christmas cards. Always good to drive the cards off the shelf high right keep them all through the year and at least get three or four addressed and ready for tomorrow's mail. That's of course did not happen. I really had no difficulties getting up are getting dressed of the went quite smoothly. I elected not to make a huge breakfast the cooked breakfast except for what I might heat up microwavable. In fact I had a number of partials I wanted to take care of my partial I mean half of a bologna sandwich I've made yesterday are they before, last couple bites of the hamburger I got from Arctic circle yesterday and maybe a fourth old bowl of garb rock which I had fixed for myself Thursday or Friday or Saturday or somewhere in that batch of days I lose track. So there was no time really lost their. I did a couple of crypta-quote S. In the bag of items Dianne sent over yesterday with my older brother she included a number of comic pages from the old newspapers we used to get at the house. I was partial to the crypta quotes as well as the word jumble. Dianne just saved numerous comic sections of the paper were those puzzles are published. I cut them down to just there individual cells to put aside for when I may not have access to one of my book of quotes. It's nice to have backups. I made my coffee and took my medications. And then watched at least one hour of Fringe. Somewhere along the longline Dianne and I visited through video chat for 45 minutes or an hour. Somewhere along the way darkness crept in the afternoon, much earlier than before and it was eventide. I forced myself to heat up the spoonful of green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy which heated up very nicely I quite enjoyed the bowl. It seems so much later that is just because the darkness of the day these days as we encroach on equinox. We still have a good 22 are some days but the darkness of the year is certainly upon us.

I did write my daughter her December letter and tomorrow I'll finish the other two girls. And tomorrow intend to focus on getting output Christmas cards I intend to send this year. There are a couple of new individuals I'll be sending cards to life imagine. However, pretty much the old crew I did find my most recent card list and printed out a copy. Oh, I almost forgot I spent about an hour visiting with my newfound brother from Colorado. We are now having coffee and some Sunday mornings using the chat mechanism of the computer actually quite nice interesting to hear about him of his life and how it; response to mine. I don't know what I'm going to gift this year. I can't do the McDonald's cards as I have news past who knows the grandkids really likes those are not. My granddaughter Denver I think would use such a thing as she becomes more and more analyst. The other granddaughter goes with the flow. My kids I may be able to get away with just Internet coupons when they called like and it gift cards to Amazon or whatever. I should've visited with my neighbor across the way today but she wasn't ready when I was midmorning and I've been close I busy ever since. Now I just need to post and see if I can crank out wanted to cards before bedtime. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get back to the world and have a better posting…

Christmas Card Time

 

My niece and her husband get the award this year for first Christmas card received. Today,when I opened my mailbox I can't say that surprised to have received a Christmas card. The card may have even if come yesterday since I'm no longer checking my mail every day seems useless. So now, I checked the mail when I feel motivated to go all the way up to the front of the building. And now that we have active Covid cases that just assume self quarantine is much as possible even if I don't have to.

It's that time of the season. I've got a grab one of my sticks the hook and pulled on my red bag of Christmas cards. I've had the same three or four boxes of cards for at least 20 years and I'm sure my family is doing somewhat tired if not vexed that receiving one of the three cards I keep sending out. I'm amazed at how many cards as in each box. I suppose most people throw the boxed cards somewhere in a closet or drawer or covered when done with the yearly cards. They don't use those again until the next year and quite frankly a bit most folks never use the same cards opting to buy a fresh box after the first the year when they are dirt cheap. Unless you're my sister, Linda, who actually makes the most brilliant cards. She sent me one for Thanksgiving is just amazing and I'm looking forward to what the Christmas card will be. That's true she actually makes these cards and to be honest it really does make a difference. But me, Mr. cheapo, I just need to get the cards out. I'm not sure for me to go to send cards to everybody that I used to little know if it makes that much difference. After this last election somewhat alienated (I feel from certain members of the family). I'm not sure what to write to folks that support somebody with ideals/principles? They are not similar to mine. And I know their family I just don't I just don't know if I want to send them a card this year. The jury's definitely out

I have a file on my computer system that I have my families addresses on that I usually pull out once a year when I write my cards. The cards are basic little more than the date in the sign name “Mark”. No family picture, no images of grandkids and rarely do I really put in much of the inscription anymore. I doubt the cards would be read anyway. Had this been a normal year when my power chair much more dependable I probably would've gone out and scored Christmas stamps at the post office. I would've gone all the way down to the post office downtown by my old office. I just afraid I would not have the battery power to go there and back again. Who knows maybe Monday I'll be back in the spirit and take the risk.

I don't know how I got them but a couple weeks ago I ran across three coupons for an Arctic circle lunch. One burger, one french fry and one milkshake coupons had to be used by November 30 or the last day of the month. I figured that who knows what the rest of the month will bring the I don't act on my motivation right now today I might kiss this free lunch to buy. The lunch still cost me 250 because I didn't want their french fries I opted for tater tots which I guess were not covered by the free coupon french fries. That was my big event for the weekend already am feeling festive…

The Proclamation

 

This note appeared today on the bulletin board on the manager's office. I'd wandered up towards the front of the building to drop off my updated emergency phone number document. You know that document that management has if you die or whatever they can get a hold of your support person most likely someone in your family. On a side note this is the first time I've ever seen the documents specifically state that not only does it specify who to contact in case of emergency it also indicates these individuals would sort of be on the line for any unpaid bills through the apartment complex. This is kind of weird kind of makes me a little concerned about throwing our brother and from the bus in case I get run over by the bus. But like I said, that's a blog for another day.

This document indicates there are people in our building that had been diagnosed Covid 19 positive. I'm not sure what that exactly means but I'm continuing to digest the information. This afternoon around lunchtime I was watching another episode of Fringe (I'm currently semi-binging the five seasons) when there's a knock on my door and it's my neighbor from across the hall Billie and Billie immediately asks if I'd seen the notification. Now realize that Billie is a 80-year-old, very nice lady, who never really wants to make waves as it's not polite but I could see that she was visibly shaken. She was definitely checking to see my reaction to my feelings about the document. In truth I have not given much thought to the document but the back my mind I was wondering who among the residents at the apartment complex was diagnosed if for any other reason than to stay away from them. Then consider wondered should management be doing more. I then dismissed the whole thing until Billie showed up. She definitely wants to know who has it. She was a bit of a fracas yesterday at the disbursement of the Salvation Army Thanksgiving launches. A lot of residents were in line to pick up the meal and of course the resident charge who is the least qualified person to do such a thing had gotten everybody exasperated and though no punches were thrown and everyone was wearing a mask still you never know who could be thrown out spit and virus.

As the dedicated, long-term reader knows I'm on the Board of Directors of the outfits who runs this project. More than once I've been contacted by folks live here about problems they see happening. I have little if no power to speak of – – which is just as well – – but I'm in agreement with Billie and soon some of the others I understand you want to know who is testing positive and who is quarantined for obvious reasons. I of course try to get a hold of management but of course everyone's gone for the long Thanksgiving holiday. I don't see anybody anyway except for Billie pretty much and that's good for me however I don't know about anybody else and I don't know how well an effective these masks work. Our favorite nurse ratchet person has already increased her efforts of sanitizing all the doorknobs and handrails in the facility. Reminds me of a scene from Wall-E, or the little scrubbers work all over the floor of the space station it's a lot like that. I'll just try to keep a low profile until Monday and hopefully administration will be back in their offices trying to figure out how to do the Yuletide party remotely/virtually…

Zip Tie!

 

It was the little things that makes all the difference in a person's life. I'm sure I've written about this somewhere in the past but it's foremost in my mind again because of my activities this Thanksgiving day. I would up really early today probably 5:30 AM so I first looked at the clock and I was awake before that. I think I was excited about the prospect of making my Thanksgiving meal. I had everything I needed. I had everything thawed out and I even had two main dishes completely put together and in the refrigerator. I don't know when I've ever been this organized for a meal. Even with this much work being done I would still have a lot to do our excuse the pun a lot on my plate before dinner.

I actually took a moment and cleaned out a lot of the refrigerator so I'd have places to put the dinner after I was finished. I can't believe us that proactive at that early hour. I didn't even really start cooking until light 1130 or 12 o'clock think about be eating around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Make sure that I had saucepans that were clean not even opened up the Campbell A can of Turkey gravy and dumped it in a microwavable cup and set that aside. I took the turkey drumstick I purchased frozen the other day and had to figure out if it was fully cooked and safety eat or do I just need to cook along with the breast. I ended up going over to my neighbors to ask her she assured me that smoked turkey leg was in the cooked. What I said I goofed around the apartment all morning washing dishes sweeping floor and just trying to keep ahead of the chaos seems to be enveloping my life from time to time. But it was finally time to do the bird or their parts. I wrestled the breast out of the refrigerator and figured out how to get it out its net covering which is always tricky. I found my scissors and finally got the plastic covered breast free of the net covering and then I had to do the same thing with the plastic wrapped breast. It was a struggle certainly but I finally got the whole meat free of its plastic wrappings and managed not to get any the blood and guts on me. Then the real trip started, I washed down the breast really good and then wrestled the protein into the plastic bag. That's correct I cooked the whole thing in a bag. I was surprised that I even remember that I had cooking bags more than I t. I got the bag opened it up put in the tablespoon of flour and shook it all around. It was still a challenge to get the slippery breast into the back but I finally did it with a minimum amount of mess and stress. That's when the big challenge came. This neat little plastic zipper contraption comes with the bags that you're supposed to wrap around the bags and cinch tight. This is easier said than done with someone whose hands are compromised with paralysis. I've done it before but it takes more patients and focus then I was able to give it today then I remembered what I've done in the past. In the past I had used a zip tie. But still a bit of a challenge with the zip tie but you have a lot more product to work with. I figure both are made of plastic temperature in the oven get that hot and it's worked in the past. I got everything, finally, put together through the bird in and set the oven for the 325° which stated on the package and set the timer for two hours. Now talking to people they felt that the time should have been more like 45 minutes to an hour at 400° but I stuck with the directions on the wrapper.

I must confess I wasn't too pleased with the way that the rest came out it seemed like it wasn't crispy are the skin on the breast wasn't browned as much as I would like to of been. Pretty much tasted down I couldn't tell if it was just moist or raw. I wasn't all that pleased with the turkey leg. I think I will The lead for now but I don't know how much I like the smoke flavor. Overall, I enjoyed cooking a meal and I'll look forward to having leftovers. I'm a little shy of the meat think outdated over the time but I do enjoy the beings in the dressing. I wasn't thrilled with the pie but I did enjoy the whipped cream in a can and even now I'm looking forward to doing may be a prime rib roast for Christmas… Happy Thanksgiving

Dremel Fool

 

There were a few flakes of snow falling as I exited the door of the apartment complex to make the run for the bus yesterday about 7 AM. The time was early, probably earlier than I needed to be out but I didn't want to jeopardize missing my every nine week appointment to have my toenails clipped. I've fallen into this cycle, which I think is a good cycle, that truly amazes me about having someone, not your wife or spouse or significant other prod and dig and clip and file your toenails. I'd like to call a racket – – and the kind it is – – but it's a needed racket not only for me who has fairly limited hand function but for many other seniors who have known in your life take care of their toes.

Dianne used to do this and I was such a boob because I was always freaked out when she would grab her tools and grabbed my feet. I thought sure she was going to kill me (of course not literally but hurt my toes). Now I wish she was still around to do this task. I hope that doesn't sound callous I'm just talking about how much I appreciated now the work she did then if that makes any sense. Dianne was doing me a great service and I did not appreciate her efforts. Now I have a guy he's a good guy Richard. It says is a real foot surgeon which I things pretty cool. He's part of a practice with his brother and a few others that have clinics up and down Wasatch front. I've gone to Dr. Richard now about three years and is another one of those professionals in my life I would not mind knowing better. We've known each other well enough now to ask follow-up questions to statements made in earlier appointments. Trips that were planned, vacations taken children being married another major life events and now the Covid world. You don't think of your foot Dr. be in a personal science but Richard definitely is. I thought it had great thoughts regarding what is going on and how it's affected his family and his professional life in providing services to people in person no tele-Medicare you got a hold somebody's foot you got to do it in person. Dr. Richard seemed pretty calm about the whole phenomenon. Is definitely serious but he also is definitely aware that sooner now than later the vaccine is going to come around and this pandemic well slowly become a thing of the past and become a definite marker of this century like the Great Depression, JFK assassination and the moonwalk was last centuries footnotes.

I noticed for the first time the Dremel tool hanging off the wall It look like a snake poised to strike. I mentioned this to the good doctor, about how freaked out I used to be when Dianne my toes and how freaked out I was when I went to podiatrist and they went for my toes with their Dremel tools. I was surprised how academic and professional Dr. Richard jumped in proclaiming how careful one has to be with the Dremel tool because the speed with which the Dremel spins heats up the toenail incredibly fast because the toenail is so fragile unlike metal and wood that most people use the Dremel for. Dr. Richard has a soft touch with or without his Dremel…

Cooking

 

I'm doing it! I just put in the green bean casserole for Thanksgiving dinner, my Thanksgiving dinner! This is the new plan remember rather than try do everything on Thanksgiving day, for my Thanksgiving dinner, I'm going to make it in increments one step at a time. I mean after all if I try to do it on Thanksgiving day I end up having nothing but a cold meal anyway so everything is already made, days before hand, all I have to do is dish up the dinner the microwave and voilà Thanksgiving dinner hot insane and not exhausted from running hither and thither to and fro in the kitchen I go all day. Tomorrow I'm going to put together the dressing and maybe cook the breast and possibly the leg too but but I'm thinking the lake that I got is already cooked.

This morning is all hyper ready to head out and spend my $25 Smith's gift card. I made sure my chair was double charged as much as it ever gets charged anymore. The last thing I wanted to do was run out of battery somewhere out on the the system. Actually now I remember I got up extra early because I had a podiatry appointment to get my toes done down on Redwood Road. The big Smith's that I want to go to is just a block away from my Podiatrist so I figured great! I would just swing over to the Smiths and do my shopping. I was deathly afraid that I'll run out of power just the same but at 8:30 AM I was at I was at my podiatrist action was finished my appointment was at 8:30 AM but he took me at 8 AM I first showed up and then I was on my way. I got the store manager to get me a box to use for my basket. I figure they had a bunch the back the turkeys came in and I was right. I really want to make sure I got some dark meat and I was even considering having the butcher cut the turkey and half. I figured what the hell that makes sense. Well I went back to the meat section found the butcher or that meat section manager and said would you are could Cut a turkey and half? Of course he said sure and I was ready to go to town and then it dawned on me. He would cut the turkey and half but I'll still can I buy the whole turkey that was my whole point I don't need a whole turkey! I asked if I could get away of mine have to turkey we looked at me like I had three heads and I figured that was it so I declined the Solomon cut. He said they didn't have any thing that I needed like that. I still a little discouraged but not too bad so I started looking for other options that happen to zip past the frozen section and there was a whole big hind quarter of a turkey. Granted it was frozen but that's okay I halfway expected that and then it was a smoked leg. I guess that's okay and actually I think I'm not sure but I think the whole thing is already cooked. Since this meals just for me I wouldn't mind a little smoked turkey. So I'll cook the breast along with the leg and I'll be set. I got a few other things at the market it didn't take long to spend the $25. Celery, green onion, three bottles of orange juice, when Jimmy Dean sausage roll in order to other things. Actually, I tried to sneak into cans of corn beef but that put the price over $25 I gave up the corned beef.

I'm on my way, I started the dinner. Now I just got a figure no one make a pie or do I want to just go out and buy a pumpkin pie? A pie is a pie so maybe I'll just buy one. Kind of get excited for Thanksgiving…

My Thanks -giving Gift

 

Remember the image from the other day when I was talking about my home health person who also acts as the arranger of my food storage program? She really is a whiz an organization So much so that I'm going to crazy. I never did find the corned beef. I know I had at least two cans. Upon clean and arranging of canned goods they've ever surfaced and I really thought they would. Something I thought was kind of cute. And the food boxes many the people in this apartment complex receive the third week of the month are all kinds of cans of fruit. A lot of the residence here at the complex don't eat these cans of fruit because in the infinite wisdom of those who can items for people who are low income, seniors etc. get canned products with less sugar than the normal population. The same is true for sodium but that's another blog. Anyway, Dianne enjoys the fruit and so I parse out the cans when I get in the food bank or this show up on “the sharing shelf”. I had quite a bag of these out of set of side but they disappeared about home health person straighten the pantry out. I soon realized she had recycled the cans back up to the pantry.

Thanksgiving now was in three days. And as to my commitment I'm going to start putting together my meal starting tomorrow. I wanted to begin with green beans and mushrooms. You know a can of sliced green beans a can of mushroom soup and then French onions are scattered over the top. I know I have at least two cans of French onions but I can't find them. I'm hoping there somewhere in the pantry but for the life of me I cannot put my hands on them just yet. I have time, luckily, tomorrow I have a podiatry appointment at 8:30 AM and my podiatrist is down south on Redwood Road about 30 blocks. There is a giant Smith store not far from the bus stop. Oh, I did not tell you I got a $25 gift certificate today from Utah nonprofit housing Corporation. I'm not sure why but I think it has something to do with my Board of Directors involvement. The manager of the apartments pulled me aside this morning and handed me the envelope. A $25 card first Smith's! I could get a whole turkey with this but that's not the point I don't want to cook a whole turkey I just want some dark meat to go with my breast. I'm excited because I'm going get other things to that I would not have if I had spent my own money like holiday potato chips. Canada dry ginger ale (maybe) and maybe a couple of legs turkey legs or maybe a hind section Dianne seems to think they have such things and I've learned to depend on what Dianne thinks. She knows. Now I'm in a bit of a dilemma however. My home health person is cooking a turkey and does not like the legs are the dark meat and she said that she did bring me over at least one leg. I think I will buy some legs for backup in case she doesn't come through I've learned my lesson with home health folks.

So, somehow I've got a get this bag of canned fruit to Dianne and spend my card at Smith's. I think the card spending is easy transportation of can goods a bit more challenging but can be done. Now I've just got to get my hands on my French onions or the rate of purchase another vanished item from the pantry the mystery continues…

With Apologies To Mary Poppins

 

It's official, Sunday night and it's the beginning of Thanksgiving week. I guess really still big deal but I want to be. I live in this fantasy or illusion that every holidays special day and I like to drive it out as much as I can so it's Thanksgiving week. I'm kind of getting in the mood. I've got turkey protein, it's not complete bird but the bird I have will do or the part, Like I wrote yesterday I still may get some pieces of Brown meat awaiting or a thigh or leg maybe two legs that would be a trip. I will have time this week to do that maybe pick up a bag of chips or two.

Well for the state of Utah and the USA is going to be a Covid Thanksgiving which ranges can be pretty weird. Supposedly people will be celebrating with just the immediate family, supposedly. I'll be interested see how many people figure it doesn't mean them and go ahead and celebrate with bunches of people, without masks and without socially distancing and then being totally surprised and overwhelming medical support systems just as we head into the Christmas holidays big-time. I'll be okay of course. If I were to receive any visitors a be Mark Anthony possibly Kristi as well as Jasmine that would be nice but like I said this is the time to be nice. Show your love for somebody and just don't go, don't visit, use the technology we have an video visit for those tech families zoom visit for the holiday. If you really have to feel together, zoom during dinner so everybody can see each other eating.

I've got some old celery in the fridge but I might toss it. In honor of the holiday run next door and pick up some fresh celery and maybe pie dough and put together a pumpkin pie sometime between tomorrow and Thanksgiving. I checked this morning the turkey breast is still quite frozen but I think it's coming along and I think by Tuesday will be cook-able (remember my plan? This Thanksgiving I'm going to cook a little bit each day and not try to throw the whole thing together on Thanksgiving day). I'll have the whole meal made by Thanksgiving morning and granted all have to microwave some of the product a heated up to give the illusion of just being but it'll work for me. I doubt if I'll go as far as making whipped cream for the pie but maybe I'll purchase a can of whipped cream under pressure. That would really work just as well.

I've noticed Facebook has been being really sentimental lately started this weird vibe of tricking everybody into telling the world how what they're thankful for. And of course the sheep of the human race are getting into it. There I go getting cynical but Sometimes you need a bit of cynicism to help the holiday go down in a most delightful way…

Pre-Thanksgiving Rush

 

It has started. I wasn't really to do this but the day was so bright and sunny I had no choice. Is that a poor excuse or what? But, I felt driven to go out and do some holiday Thanksgiving shopping. I was really going to try to find a turkey that I felt comfortable with cooking. It have to be a small bird but something that would make me feel Thanksgiving like. I really was only going to go across the street (I did) but the only turkeys they had were already thawed out. They were bigger than what I had wanted and probably more expensive – – that really wasn't an issue after all it's Thanksgiving. They did have some frozen pieces of dark meat wings and legs in such but for some reason I did want to pay the kind of money they're asking for parts – – now that still might change as we get closer to the holiday.

Anyway as I was leaving my apartment I ran into my neighbor Billie, across the hall, who informed me that they're giving out turkeys at the food bank across the driveway for my apartment. It's actually now that I think about it I was coming back from the market when I ran into Billie. In that moment I weakened and quickly downloaded the materials from my market trip and dashed across the parking lot and got in line. I wish I had taken my camera there are about four other individuals in line ahead of me and the door to the food bank is on the north side of the building and quite frankly the day was cold. Luckily I had a long sleeve shirt, almost sweatshirt but is wearing shorts and I was okay. The person in front of me was also wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt and looked dismal I even thought he was shaking all over almost convulsing but he seemed to be in control. He was sitting on the pavement which must've been really cold. The person in front of him, and this is the one I really want to take an image of, was totally decked out in motorcycle garb from the helmet to his booted feet was in black Harley Davidson leathers. In part in the parking area was what looked like a sleek brand-new Harley Davidson softail. The bike was beautiful not a scratch on it looking like you just been driven off this show floor. The owner, perceived Owner, just stood there story waiting for his turn. I would love to know his story and why he was Standing in line at the Taylorsville food bank is cold Saturday morning.

Finally the doorbell sounded and the open the door and I rolled in. It's a been a number weeks since I've been there – – when trying to wean myself off of the food bank. However, free turkey is free turkey. I was only interested in the “holiday dinner” which is a shopping bag full of everything one would need for a holiday dinner from pumpkin To potatoes all in cans or bags. In a fit of pathos I took a few the offerings the food bank people offered me which I knew I didn't want or need (I took them and put them on the sharing shelf) but I got my hand stamp and the special ticket for the side door were handed out the turkeys. Of course I didn't get a turkey. I guess this is okay I've got a frozen breast thawing in the refrigerator right now which I think will be just right for cooking on Tuesday or Wednesday. Of got everything I need one breast, dressing, dehydrated potatoes and real potatoes, pumpkin, pineapple bits and other various cans of fruit. Just the whole of everything. I'm sure I will make another trip to the market Tuesday or Wednesday. I realized that I don't have any fresh celery which I would need for the jazzed up box of dressing, stovetop, I was provided. I mean after all and cooking for one. I thought about building a pie or to but I don't know. Might be just easier to purchase one from the market. I have to admit however I am getting excited looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner even if it's just by myself hope you're feeling the energy boost of the season…

Two For The Price Of One

 

I'm pleased. It's rare that I do something on my own initiative that turns out even close to being what I envisioned of what I wanted but this time might be one. My prints came today. My very first art purchase two prints of works by Marc Chagall: the Angels and the Circus Girl. Angels is not the right name of the title too lazy to go look it up right now but it's an image of Angels. Yes that's right I got to if remember from my post from a couple weeks ago but I got a deal saving almost $20 on the purchase. Sadly (not to sadly) the images are relatively small not like 36 x 24” Chagall poster I purchased a month or two ago. But these will do once I find suitable frames and get some assistance in placing the images in the frames I think I'll be pleased. Ever noticed with the proper framing as well as the border around the images in the frame even a small image can look large and enjoyable. I'm halfway there. I might go over to Michael's in the next couple days and see what they would charge to frame these items. I'm sure it'll be expensive and may have to do one one quarter and another the next. The cost was not too bad had I not got the price break each image will cost around 99 bucks which is not a lot I understand but still for me it's a lot for a piece of paper with an image on it. I just have to rethink my value system. I struggle so much with my blue-collar upbringing. Don't get me wrong I'm thankful for the circumstances and my rearing. It's just I spent the latter part of my life catching up with the lifestyle I wish I been born into. I know I'm shallow…

My dear aunt's funeral was today. Even if the Covid 19 was not raging I don't know if I would've gone down to Santa Quinn for the graveside service. Will actually, I'm sure they will have a actual funeral in the building cardboard house had there not been Covid. As it were there is a brief graveside ceremony complete with a vocal rendering. A beautiful day for a service outside. It was chilly but the sun shone and at 2 o'clock it was relatively warm. What was fascinating to me was that they broadcast the funeral over A Zoom connection. The ceremony came across pretty well actually. I'm thankful and I appreciate the Zoom concept especially being use for a funeral. There is pretty good video and audio a few breakups here and there considering the infancy of the technology became off pretty decent. Like I said a bit primitive but definitely loads a promise. The whole broadcast last about 30 minutes which included Prayers, alive sketch and open mic or people could respond with feelings of their own for the deceased. The mics were even opened up to the people in the Zoom audience where they could give their own testimony of the person who passed. Much safer and comfortable for those of us at home. I chose not to say anything letting the bloods and others celebrate my aunt's life. Think I was shy. It's a great way to do a funeral no question about that except for no visiting with cousins directly, or seconds of funeral potatoes another post funeral delicacies…

Maintaining

 

I love Tuesdays and Thursdays primarily because those are the days that I don't have to deal with my home health professional not that I have a problem with my attendance it's just significant reminder that I am a very dependent person in many ways more that I feel comfortable with. On Monday Wednesdays and Fridays I cannot do anything until really I'm finished with my home health program. I'm okay with this and have accepted this is the way it's going to be less something magical happens. Once again, I totally appreciate the fact that as self-pay I can pay for this service and still have aspects of funding to give me the feeling that I'm in control of my life. Clearly, I like everyone else out there, is twisting on the thread buffeted by the winds of chance and whatever's going on in this world right now. I think very deep down in my brain of brains is the thought that the realization that the life I'm living right now is precarious as a fiddler on the roof (do You like the way I work that in?). Anyway, Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays and Sundays are a joy. I maintaining the house pretty well, with the help of Melanie's assistance on my program days. I'm sure I could do better and I think this I get the option of another housekeeper I will take her/him but until then we go to try to maintain this place by myself and whatever help I get from my home health attendants. I can keep the area that I work at the kitchen fairly clean. I can wash my dishes and hang them up after their washed and dried. I can keep the top of the stove cleaned off and I can keep some order to the corner for the coffee maker lives. I can even keep the floors mopped – – though I have not done that yet I can do that to the point where the floors acceptable. And really, the floor has only need to satisfy. This morning, I spent a good portion of the morning scouring and washing out the poop bucket. This is the bucket that I place underneath me while I shower and hopes to catch any last poops that didn't make it into the toilet. To be frank more fish sneak out than I would like but I'm working on that. I don't want to blame Melanie is I don't even think Annette kept the poop bucket as clean as I think it should be. It took a lot of work on my part to bring it up to some form of acceptability. I soaked and scrubbed you some cleanser and the scrub brush and then a number squirts from the Clorox red bottle and I think I did okay. Next, I attacked the toilet. And I have to say Annette did keep the toilet spotless when she was here giving extra attention to the commode and making sure any splashdown's or explosive outbursts were cleaned up inside the toilet bowl and on the Outside. For one reason or another this is something that Melanie is not comfortable with. I'm okay – – I can do this. The same holds true for the floor inside the there's a couple of “sugar daddy” pellets on the floor. Annette took extra strides to dissolve these little bitty turds and flushing them down the drain. Then the net would do her “skating” routine where she would throw this towel she kept in the shower on the floor and then drag your feet all around the shower as well as the floor the bathroom essentially mopping up any problems. Melanie does not do this and I maintain that I'm going to do a Mark version of the skating routine.

This is not meant to be a manifesto of what I'm going to be doing now system thoughts on how I'm going to cope with maintaining the unit.

Order

 

With nowhere to go and really nothing to do these days of Covid 19 isolation begin to wear on a boys there's nerves. I have not heard this phrase yet and I doubt I'm smart enough to coin a phrase that I would call it isolation fatigue. Today the temperatures was in the upper 60s! It's a record according to our weatherman at 5 PM. I didn't get out in the weather at all there was no reason to. I have to admit however I'm not feeling bad per se though I do feel a little guilty at times thinking I should be doing more. I even think of so my friends I see on their Facebook out doing stuff having fun and enjoying their lives to the max. We've always been risktakers, that's probably how they got their disability but still the other younger than me by a few years there up there in years in their prime targets. Anyway not a big deal. It's just a funny feeling sometimes.

I know I've talked a lot about the differences between one healthcare giver and the next. I'm getting to that point where I can say I've had a bunch and I think I can discern some which are better than others, at least for me. I don't necessarily try to get these individuals to speak ill of their other workers but it seems to come out anyway. My current worker, Melanie, is older and looks like she's been through a number of significant challenges in her life. It's she impresses me and I enjoy her care. She has spoken disparagingly about to my previous caregiver's both of whom I really like but Melanie's fairly correct in her observations. I don't necessarily confront her nor do I stick up for the previous caregivers I mean after all I still feel that kind of abandoned me. But they did good work especially the last who, I thought, do a lot of above and beyond type work while I was on the toilet. She also worked as my weekend housekeeper. She did a lot of work that my Melanie does not believe she was capable of. And Annette did things like washing the floors and making the beds, putting lotion on my legs and dressing me which are things Melanie has done only when pressed and you can tell she is the things she needs to do. And always, that's cool, I appreciate what Melanie does do like sweeping the floors and putting order to my pantry.

This morning as I sat on the throne heard all banners of promotion coming out of the kitchen area of the apartment. Melanie was hard at work arranging the pantry into various sections. I may have written about this before and if so forgive me but I'm so impressed with the structure and clarity she brought to the chaos of my pantry. Now, I know where things go and now that I have a plan to follow I can make sure I put the cans where they belong where I can use them when I need them and I can see what I've got at a glance. I'm kind of excited. I just received my case is spam and I have a case of the of the sausage coming soon. I imagine they'll go into the meat section. Now, I just have to develop a plan to start using all these canned goods. I have to admit this is not where I wanted this posting to go. I kind of thought is going to talk about food storage and Melanie's efforts but I think it's okay the way this…

Double Chagall

 

I did it I use my can of corn beef before to disappear and whatever triangle the others of disappeared into. I made the garb rock I've been threatening for the past couple weeks and it was everything that I wanted and more. I'm sure I've used this method in the past but I can't remember but this time I used only the first or second number on the dial on the stove for the heat which is very very low but functional enough to produce a great breakfast. I used the great cast-iron pan that Dianne sent over which worked great. I really do enjoy cooking with cast-iron for a host of reasons. By cooking a low temperature the tater tots thawed out quite nicely melding with the garlic and onion setting the mixture up quite nicely for the rest of the ingredients, cottage cheese, sour cream and of course the broccoli. Now I just have to be careful to eat small portions until I finish the dish. Quite surprised how physically taxing cooking this morning was. I was so tired that I skipped the eggs that I like to fry either alongside of the garb rock are on top. I just threw the scoop on the plate and drenched it in ketchup and enjoyed my breakfast late as it was. I think I'll make a garb rock nest with a bigger two in the middle and microwave the whole thing when I have for breakfast next.

Even though the days are nice I'm sticking close to home. There's no where for me to go really and if I did go anywhere like too market, thrift store or dollar store and not only exposing myself to possible virus but also expended money that I don't need to be spending. I purchased two Chagall's earlier this week or late last week. I can't believe that I didn't. They are smaller than the Chagall poster that I recently purchased but significantly more in price actually. I made the decision to purchase when the collective price of the two a dropped $20. I don't think I'm having buyers remorse… Yet but I'm wondering if I did a responsible purchase. These are numbered signed pieces of art which I understand is relatively impressive/important. It has something to do with their authenticity. I'm just interested in how they look. They will come all rolled up in about cardboard container, dropped off outside my door by UPS guy or somebody similar. I will have to find a couple of frames and try to figure out how to make matting for the images. I have a favorite of the two titled “Circus Girl” this is the one I wanted for sure the others just sort of icing on the cake. But something about Angels not that interested but will be nice to have as I build my pauper's collection. I wish I had a hallway like I had at the house where I'd have a gallery. The best of go to be able to do now is to place the images I purchase in the generalized area I guess. We'll have to see other way it should be fun if not a responsible. I should have the images in a few more days I hope I will not be disappointed in the small size of the prints but I'll be happy with what I get and perhaps that's the lesson

Whistling

 

I'm almost getting creeped out. Not yet but kind getting close. Of course is pathetic that my life , right now, is revolving around mysterious disappearance of multiple cans of corn beef. And the mysterious light. It's Monday morning which means toilet shower whenever my home health person gets here she's usually within 20 minutes of the window and again I have no problem with that, it not like I'm going anywhere. My person Melanie has been working on my pantry the past couple of days. I think the general chaos of the cans has been freaking her out so, she is taken on herself to organize, and I'm impressed. Melanie is doing a great job. Soups of one level, fruits on another level, vegetables and so on. The the cans of meat are are in a totally different area, a cupboard by the range. This is where I thought the corned beef was and I thoroughly searched it as best I could this weekend. But anyway Melanie is doing a great job.

I was hoping that when I asked her about the missing two cans of corn beef she would do something like, “oh yeah, there over here” but that was not to be. When I first brought up the idea of corned beef she made a face the same face I would've made had someone asked me if I would like to have a helping of liver and onions (one of my least favorite meals on earth). And once she had be settled on the toilet she went into the kitchen swept the floor and began searching for the corned beef. When it was time for my shower Melanie reported she did not find anything. I just felt like scratching my head and wondering where those cans could be because I know evening for these two cans of corned beef came up missing there were two other cans which I thought I had put it in the pantry late last summer and were not ready are available when I went to make my favorite dish. As I indicated earlier my pantry is a bit chaotic and I was thinking that the cans had just fallen somewhere within the floor area for good quantity of other cans mingle. I'm still kind of hoping there down there and we will dig them out sometime next week or the end of this week. It's kind become a priority but having said that I went to the market this afternoon anyway in my sole purpose was to pick up one count corned beef which I did. I of course got $28 other stuff as well. And everything was okay I didn't think about anything really until around 5 o'clock or 530 when it was time to begin my news sequence. At five I watchthe local news and then at 5:30 PM I watch the national news and make dinner usually. Were getting into the dark time now so it gets dark pretty quick around 5 PM. All of a sudden I realized it was pretty light still and I thought maybe I turned the gooseneck lamp I keep next to me on my computer table but it was off and then I realize the overhead light, the living room light was on! I rarely if ever turn this light on myself. I can do it but it's not easy and most often not I have to use a stick or something to flip the switch. I'd like to say it's a design flaw in the apartment but most people I think it works just fine but for me in a wheelchair it's difficult I have a pretty significant shelf in front. So when I turn the lamp on I know the lamp is on or the light. Bottom line, I did not turn the light on. Now there's maybe a possibility that Melanie turned it on this morning when she when she swept the floors and maybe she turned the light on then if she did I did not notice. And as I write this, I'm feeling more and more comfortable with the idea that yes that's what she did she flipped on the light district the floors and because of the sunshine outside today I just never noticed until darkness at 5 PM. Yes, that's it somehow I think I'm whistling in the dark…

You! Wearing That Mask…

 

Yesterday I wrote at some length about producing my breakfast dish called garb rock which is pronounced gar and Brock short for garlic broccoli. This is the dish I make with a canned corned beef the kind they get from Chile or South America. I suppose canned corned beef is produced here in the the StatesBut every can I open of corned beef says “product of South America”. In the past four months I know I've purchased at least four cans of this product in the past month and for one reason or another I cannot put my hands on any of the cans of corned beef. I purchased two cans of corned beef last week along with the broccoli of need for this dish. I had to get the corned beef because the to cancel I know that I purchased in August or September were somewhere in the pantry but all of my searching could not locate them. They have to be in their there still a couple boxes I can't access and I think they should be in one of those areas so it was just quicker and less stress to purchase another couple of cans.

I cannot believe the rising price that this product has elevated itself to in the past year or so. I used to be able to purchase them for a a dollar $.75. The new product went to two dollars and can then to $2.50 a can now however the price is around $4.50 a can and I've seen it up around six dollars sometimes! This is so strange because I thought this product was considered junk meat. That's why corned beef was used in products in the old days like corned beef and cabbage. It was the cheap cut of meat are processed meat one would use if you could not afford anything else. Now it's almost a luxury item. Having written this makes me think that this product has inherent value. I don't know how many people are aware that corned beef is expensive but I have not heard there being a black market for these cans of protein.

I believe I commented on my home health person attempted to put some form of order to my pantry. She is actually organizing the cans into their own particular group i.e. fruit in one section that's the roles of another section, dry legumes in another section and on and on. I also had the idea to place the canned meat product on a shelf above my coffee . I really like this idea especially observing neat rows cans of Spam, chicken, beef and various other forms of canned protein. I felt for sure the corned beef was up there I just couldn't see it. I'm one of those rare unfortunate nights my son granddaughter visited while they were here I had Mark Anthony checkup there for the cans he could not find any.

So there was no garb rock today and I was somewhat excited because I knew Mark Anthony would find the corned beef and I would just use tomorrow for garb rock. But that was not to be. So now, I have four cans of corned beef I cannot find. I actually have a brisket in the freezer, a corned beef brisket, a fugitive from this St. Patrick's Day. Was the overpriced pieces of meat that did not get sold. I love real corned beef brisket and I can use it in garb rock but it's just not the same product at its completion. I really misuse canned corned beef. Tomorrow I will ask Melanie just where she put that product and hopefully she'll be able just walk up and find it. If not, to more cans, have gone missing. And this time I will go to the market and make my product all of the same day. And I will wonder if there are those sneaking in stealing my cans of corned beef for the black market…

So Long Dear Auntie

 

I'm on the left of course with my mother and aunt Elaine is on the right with my cousin TracyAdd caption

You know you always think ready for a senior passing especially when they're in the 90s but then the event happens you're still taken a bit aback. This afternoon I got word that my aunt Elaine passed away this afternoon. They (Rhonda the daughter who I understand has been taking care of her mother the past couple of weeks) was a shout out over the Internet as soon as the grand dame of this world. Amazing. Quite frankly I'm astonished and dealing last as long as she did, I understand she did to or was. It's a shame we did become a bit estranged past couple of years. I'm not sure why or how this happened. I think I got a little frustrated that she did not want me to visit with the frequency that I had committed to. Perhaps it was best, who knows maybe if I was a blood? But I sure liked spending time with her. If I had a favorite older relative to what about uncle Jess and aunt Elaine. To me the most impressive thing about aunt Elaine was her garnering her high school and later college diplomas. I'm not sure about the college but I am sure about the high school that was a big deal. I hope she's doing okay wherever she is. Hope she's with uncle Jess and the rest of her family especially grandmother and grandfather Harker and all the rest

Yesterday when I went shopping I went out of my way to make sure I had fresh broccoli. I've had a hankering for a big batch of gar-broc. I thought about picking up a couple of cans of corn beef but I know I've got a couple of cans already in the pantry. I replaced them couple weeks ago. I was going to make the gar-broc so I would have some for tomorrow's breakfast. I made sure I had the ingredients at least visually an onion, garlic paste, and broccoli of course, sour cream and cottage cheese, eggs everything I need for a tasty breakfast especially the corned beef. I've toyed with the idea of using roast beef but I don't have any roast beef or maybe if I chopped up spam that might be doable but really it's all not quite the same. Something about the salty flavor of the corned beef that makes the difference in gar broc. My home health person is very good at occupy her time while I'm on the toilet. She's made a goal of trying to put order to my pantry and that's trying to put like product together fruit in one section, vegetables in another and had fish and other. Having said that of course I could not find either of my two cans of corned beef. They just disappeared. Now Melanie did stick a lot of the meet together in the shelf above the coffee maker which would be just fine if she put the corned beef there. I kind of asked her about that Friday when she was here. I'm sure she said it was up there I wish I checked. I went through and checked as much as I could but I could not find any of the corned beef. The cold front came through during the night most snow thing goodness in fact the day looked beautiful lots of sunshine but there is a very cold breeze blowing. I thought about saddling up and headed across the street to the market for another counter corned beef but then I do feel a little peaked. I don't want to be hypersensitive to anything but I certainly have enough ingredients for anything else that would be tasty maybe not with broccoli right now but with eggs for sure and Vienna sausages are spam + even have frozen package of roast beef in the freezer if I can find it. Patience the broccoli can wait and so can I…

New Chair Beginnings… Hopefully

 

It's kind of interesting though a strange how this next phase in American or maybe world medical delivery is coming about. I have now had to tele-visits with my primary care doctor's office and they're gone extremely well. There's always a little bit of fumbling usually on my part because they call you on the phone or text you to let you know the event is about to take place. They provide you with a link to whatever program are piece of technology is operating the visit and once you give your personal densification and permissions and click on to the link you're taken to either a receptionist type person or the medical person who will be providing the tele-visit. In today's case it was Dr. Nathan Allred my internist. Like I said it's always a bit disconcerting because rather than have you week on the phone Medical service offers the option of waiting until they contact you i.e. your phone rings to let you know it's about time to begin. Of course if I were a bright person I would have my cell phone right by me but it seems like I never think that far ahead and of course today at 1:30 PM when the calls poster come through (I of course had kind of forgotten about the whole thing) but with the first ring I remembered madly – into the bedroom and my power chair never quick enough to punch the correct keys to start the phone conversation so I have to call back. As was the case today.

Happily after Doc Allred and I had maintained contact with quite a nice little conversation. I given the information that he needed to write the orders that will go to the durable medical provider IHC wheelchair shop. I had to advise him as to why I needed a new chair, the conversations I've had with the medical wheelchair provider and what they felt they needed. I let them know what I thought I needed which was the biggest Motors I could get my hands on, the best wheelchair cushion available giving my buttocks as much protection as possible and an elevator function on the chair itself which would raise me up anywhere from 6 to 8 inches I believe – – more if I can get away with it – – again The avid reader knows that in the past I have passed up elevator seat option thinking it solid but in actual fact now I realized I was selling and having this feature this ability to elevate myself 8 to 10 inches would do wonders from my kitchen to the market and getting things that are now out of my reach. I don't know if these desires will be doable by any means but what the heck I'm going to give it a shot this chair may be the last chair that I get in this life and I think it's time I got some whistles and bells that might make my life a bit easier in the next five years, if I'm fortunate enough to live that long, and that this silly virus subsides with the advent of mask wearing, social distancing and above all else the vaccine. Something the back of my mind suggests that this vaccine would be just the beginning of numerous viruses and challenges to come. I'm just hoping to meet these challenges with a kick ass chair…

Finally… Possible that movement on New Chair

 

I'm not necessarily exasperated. It's much too early in the process to be experiencing that kind of frustration as far as having to deal with my wheelchair shop. Going back a couple of months maybe even a year because it was last time I was able to actually access my wheelchair shop so I had to be before the Covid moved in and I remember the days be informed. Trying to be proactive in trying to get my power wheelchair next power wheelchair ordered as quickly as possible to least amount of problems. I was however shut down pretty quickly by my durable medical provider indicated that I still had to wait a while longer. I got every impression that they would contact me when it was time but then the Covid happened and everything seems to changed or at least everybody who was need to be responsible is a great excuse to hide behind as far as providing services in a timely manner. My being passive aggressive? Anyway, my regular chair my power chair now begin little funny. I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with the equipment per se and I'm hoping it's just a battery thing but now I can barely go 3 miles on a full charge. I really never thought I'd got good mileage before maybe maxing out at 8 miles on a charge which is a bad. I do a lot of damage and 8 miles and feel comfortable about getting back home. Now however if I charge my chair and get a good full charge and not go anywhere at all to speak of a may only put on 9/10 of a mile the whole day just hang around my apartment. I would think I would be safe not charging my chair that night but the next day, if I do not charge my chair overnight, after going just less than a mile a battery indicator six to halfway in just a few more tenths of miles gets into the yellow caution light and soon to the red warning zone. Like I said I hope it's a battery thing.

So now in frustration I contact IHC wheelchair shop (I know the drill now there's no way in the to be able speak to a technician so I have to go through Cameron the front desk guy which a don't have a lot of faith in but Cameron Is the nice enough). In the middle of the call explaining to Cameron He suddenly asked me why I'm not a have not started the process of getting the new chair. Rather than try to fight with him about how he was going to contact me when it was time I just said well what do I have to do?. So now I have to have another physicians appointment and it sounds like Medicare will allow me to do a Tele-visit. They have to do this I just can't contact my physician and then he or she write me a prescription. I wish I'd known this active got it done earlier in the week when I saw my DOC for the burns. So now I have an appointment set up for tomorrow Friday the 13^th (I'm just trying not to be superstitious) and I feel that the interview will be just fine. What you said I'm going to be all hope and positive with this experience and hope that I can get a new chair which will be more powerful, have better functions. Still I'm sure if everything goes right it'll be weighing the next spring before I sitting on brand-new chair. Hopefully by the will have come up with the vaccine that's functional, safe and dependable. Anyway doesn't really matter? Right now I have nowhere to go on doing everything tele-/Internet and I seem to be doing fine. Having to charge my chair anytime I'm not using it. Cameron tried to convince me that that was normal. I mean there's all kinds of Internet/YouTube presentations of people going 10 and 20 miles on charge in their chairs it never works for me that way why me?…

Services and more Services

 

I cannot believe that I was halfway through this morning before I realized it was Veterans Day. I never forget Veterans Day of course prided myself on that going around shaking hands of different veterans in such well specially my next-door neighbor, when he was alive, then my brother and my other brother. My oldest brother who is a veteran past earlier this month. I guess I have a number of veterans on my newfound family I visited with only one, fast Eddie. In fact I carried on a quite a conversation with him this morning.

The skies were overcast and cold this morning even with flurries of snow some of them even sticking to the trees in the grass. Still thank goodness the ground is still too warm for snow to make a showing and sticking around. Thank goodness, that's okay by me. Once again the whole morning was taken up with would maintenance. Melanie and I were both pleased that were put on earlier in the week were still there and cause no problems showering. I was worried about that but Melanie assured me that it would not hurt it would probably help in the healing process. Following the shower she applied a new dressing which stuck around until Brenda my home health person showed up around 11:30 AM.

Brenda is the nurse manager over my case. She's the mother Nurse over four five other nurses it seems I will have a nurse who will change my dressings every couple of days until the wound is resolved. What a great service! This visit was an initial visit where she took him a lot of information about me, my disability and how I seem to be doing in my life. Interestingly this is a service offered through IHC medical which my insurance is and which I did most of my services so everything is all together all my doctor visits and everything else is all in the same file. She was able to explain to me a number of services I did not really know about though I should have known about for a number of reasons. I think Dianne is taught me or tried to teach me about some of the services over the last couple years as well asBeing a information specialist 211 operator I should have had this information down as well, embarrassed. But I did my burns taking care of as well should I need to have my butt looked at for the decubitus I decubitus I am wound management they can do that to. I can also use the senior transit system which is a door-to-door service for healthcare offerings like Dianne is using amazing!? Should we using this all along still however I like to and will continue to use public transit I believe in public transit it was my wife and is my life to some degree even now. However, for long trips finally to will default to have the vehicle take me from here to the IHC or wherever. What a slick service. I will also be able to get all the bandages and the dressings and even medications through the service amazing. They also have a service that will come and pick me up off the floor shall I fall. Don't know how I'm you access that that should happen but still know that it's there and I can figure out a way to access would be just great but I still like to see the fire trucks come. She left me with my own little packet of information to go over study and encouragement to use the system which is out there.So, my luck continues to hold or I continue to be blessed or both I hope is not a sucker punch coming I'm really looking forward to 2021…

Burn Resolution

 

I actually slept through the night getting almost 8 hours of sleep which is very uncommon. I hardly ever get that much sleep and this was on top of the wound that was actually sleeping on because of the way that I do sleep. I was excited though not only from the amount of sleep but the fact that I was going to have the tele-visit from IHC physician. I was a bit skeptical but I was going through with the process. I visited with my neighbor Billie last night and she was willing to come over and help with the tele-visit and dressing the wound afterwards. This is a new step in our relationship but something she felt pretty secure with and I had no problem with her seeing me nake – – you all know me. However when it came time for the actual visit I couldn't rouse her she was asleep she had a bit of a difficult might.

At 8:45 AM I get the call my doctor's office. Of course for that point time I'd forgotten all about the upcoming tele-visit or at least not realizing it was the 8:45 AM already. So then I began a mad scramble. The of course sent on the phone a medical student to gather the information not trying to put together a visual package that nothing really seem to work. As really hoping that Billie would be around to actually not only take off the old dressing but to actually do some of the photography work of holding the camera. So, she got the information, the medical student, she wanted and I sent over a couple of the images I've taken earlier. She told me that she was going to have the.call me in a few minutes which ends up being about 45 and of course when the call came I was not able to get to the phone and time and I missed the call which threw me back in the queue. In the Meantime Billie had come over and were working on how we were going to do the project. Long story short we finally got the call around 1145! And it was pretty straightforward. The doc seen the images and had indicated That she did not think the wound was as bad as at first perceived. The interesting part in the good part was that she indicated that she would prescribe home health nurse Would come around three days a week change the wound dressing make sure everything was come along fine. A pretty sure I'm going to be able to heal pretty fast and with the help of the home health nurse do even better.

Following the tele-visit Billie and I agree our way to put together addressing as per instructions from the physician. That was cool and Billie did a great job of applying the dressing. Now I just have to figure out a way to keep it from getting wet in tomorrow shower I may just have to do like spit shower I don't know will have to see…. Billie and I spent a lot of time together today on this project and I sure appreciated. I'm going to have to figure figure out something to do for her that's for sure.

Not long after Billie left Dianne called and we spent an hour or so discussing the situation in art and everything else. Truly great to have communication going again hopefully will good long while we seem to work pretty well together. I wish we hadn't broken up. They were good together. I hope she gets the job she really needs the money she says I should try to will have to see if she gets a job and how easy it was just what a social tracker does. Until then I plan to enjoy my bandaged status and the home health nurse if and when she comes. I did call IHC wheelchair shop tonight spoke with Cameron about how quickly my battery seem to be depleting. He says I need to start working on putting together a request for a new wheelchair. That means a call to my doc for another tele-visit

Burn Maybe Burn

 

Unbelievable! I cannot believe it. I'm so stupid! Yesterday all I was draining my bladder is not paying attention the top of the catheter. I drained into this bag which works quite effectively if one pays attention. I don't know if it was for the lack of sleep or spasticity are both not certain but for a few seconds I did not pay attention and the catheter came out of the receptacle and drain all over my shorts and onto the floor in the bathroom. I mean, I even heard the water hitting the floor and didn't focus. Because I was already dressed in a didn't want to have to go through the hassle of getting undressed and have the dress again I thought I would fire up my trustee hair dryer and dry the shorts as I wore them. I've done this 1000 times it seems like they've never had an issue. But maybe the thousand and one time is the bad luck number of was for me. At the same time, at exactly the same time after I'd dump the urine into the toilet and I was washing the bag out I usually just rinse with water but since I had a little bit of Clorox in a spray bottle that wouldn't work but thought I'd use the rest of the Clorox sanitize my urine bag. Again I don't know if I was not paying attention or what but the bottle sloshed over the side of the bag and all over me. Either one of these instances could very well of cost of burn on the side of my way. I didn't really notice this too much as I went to bed last night excited to get to bed before 11 P.m. There was this morning when I woke that felt uncomfortable. As I got out of bed I had some discomfort on my side object thought was the result of line on some bunched up sheet that I have in the bed. As I got up however straight myself in the chair to touch the side away discomfort unfounded a bit painful and moist. I just thought I'd been sweating when I finally looked at it I was shocked astounded to see that there was a huge wound on the side of my leg or hip. The only thing I can perceive is that I did this while trying to dry my shorts yesterday.

I don't think anything freaks me out more than wounds, flesh wounds. I tried not to panic. After all just to burn we can fix that we can work with that. I wish Annette was still here is my home health person she would know what to do she's great but she's gone. I try to take images of the wound but they don't come out well of all the following only shows up. I shower and convince Melanie to put up dressing on my wound. Thanks to Dianne I have a time of wound supplies. We found some Vasolex. There was a large full to not sure what it does but we found to pads a small pad that Melanie but the dressing room of Vasolex on the larger pad on top of it and fixed it to the side of my leg hopefully that will help. After I got finished dressing and feeling sorry for myself I got in gear and called my physician and got answering machine. I left a message they got back with me in the docs go to call me tomorrow for a tele-visit. Hopefully, he will see what great care of taking care of myself and leave me to it. This of course means that I will have to remove my dressing in order to show the Doc when he calls. I have my neighbor next-door Billie assist me with whatever might need to be done.

I really am trying not to be discouraged, this is just a bump in the road. These could be so much worse and they have been for my buddies out there. This is a burn not a pressure sore but I sure as hell don't want to turn to a pressure sore. It's only Monday and snows called for two more days the of week maybe three I can do this…

The Dilemma Of Being Social

 

Another Sunday night, gosh how quickly Sunday night comes around. It's not a bad thing the not really it just seems the frequency is increasing and I suppose it's because I'm an old guy. Every day of getting closer that magic number 70 which will be my age the next birthday is coming Groundhog Day. Of course, there is that piece of mythology I'm kind of hanging onto that somewhere along the line my birthday got mixed up and confused with other folks at around the birthing of adoption of myself in fact I'm one year younger than I believe that I might be but even then that would just be living year 69 over again. I can't believe I'm saying this, but crazy as it sounds I am kind of looking forward to this next year and next decade. I still have to admit it's a little spooky. The big news out of the day besides the election results was that Alex Trebek of some television show I believe Jeopardy past this last week. He was 80 years old with stage IV cancer of some sort. He thought the stuff for two years and I surmise that he's a rich guy was able to pull him a great deal of resources that folks like me are not privy to. But that's okay, I've just about convinced myself about had a good run. Sadly, or gratefully, I don't feel that age – – I know I've said this or written this number of times but it's true – – I go to bed every night say my prayer that rise up next morning really most the time excited for whatever the days going to bring I guess, you don't get luckier than that. My wants and desires are minimal enough that I feel okay with word that. Even with the social isolation of the Covid pandemic I'm feeling okay to the point of concern about myself accepting this station in my life. I mean after all I could get really used it not going out of my apartment of all if I had to. I wonder if this is what convicts finally succumb to a life sentences, or long sentences. It's just easier to live the life that you have been to try to expand to a life that you do not have and all the energy, resources one would have to expend to get to that next level of life expansion.

I must warn you my mind is in a weird state right now. I just finished a documentary on Netflix called The Social Dilemma I was visiting with my friend David last evening and he indicated I should see the documentary in fact he suggested last week I should see it. Now I have. It's okay it's kind of spooky one of those documentaries about the problems of social media cell phones, Internet, Facebook, and all the other social platforms and how they are designed by AI and the destruction of the destructive nature of the devices to ourselves. Not new information and stuff I didn't know source interested to see it slick presented. If I had not indicated the David I would watch it I doubt it would help my attention all the way through but I stuck it out to its glossy ending . I'll report back duty done. I don't know how it will change by viewing behavior on the Internet. I'll probably slack my time on the Internet but I know I will go back. Even this morning I was thinking if I didn't live in a smoke-free apartment complex I might be back to smoking. I'm glad I live here. Even at 69 I don't need to be smoking a least in that direction…