Witnessing The Lilacs

I've talked about the fact that my dentist practices right across the street from my apartment complex. Since I did not choose my apartment complex as much as, perhaps the complex chose me, let's just say I was lucky to find a dentist so close. A few weeks ago after my dental appointment where I had a little dental work done this set me home with a bottle of Peridex mouthwash, a prescription concoction used to help with oral irritations like inflamed gums which I think I had around one of our couple of my teeth. Anyway, I was given a small bottle and in fact used it which quite surprises me to be honest with you. I believe the mixture has done good things for my mouth. I did have a little bit of oral bleeding which now seems to have ceased I'm a believer. I'm still somewhat cautious about extended my roamings due to an Intermittent chair shutdown. So in an effort to test the limits of my power chair had decided to roam over to the dental office and see if I needed to continue my regimen of this mouthwash. Actually is one to drop in on my friends and see how they were doing and visit with these professionals.

The day is beautiful, by the time I finish my work out and meager lunch it is well into the afternoon. I'm a little cautious at the crossing light over Redwood Road. I just don't want my chair to shut down in the middle of the intersection and lucky for me to chair did great I got across the intersection of the street and and being very full stealth entered the office to the secret side door ramp. Everyone was in the back of the office and did not see my entrance. When they did it was like a familial homecoming. I business everybody and even met the dentists son was just starting dental school this month. I got my mouthwash and it's okay to use it for another bottle. But I think that's all I'm going to need for the time being.

What I wanted to show was as I crossed the street, on my journey to the dentist's office, I pass another dental office which seems on the verge of closure. I see the guys truck parked there off and on and every once in a while see a few dental patients but overall I don't see much activity that's a nice office building wise. Behind the office today I noticed to lilac bushes or trees are however there described. One lilac frock in white blossoms in the other in traditional purple. I thought they were beautiful. I love lilacs I always have. I believe I have a posting regarding the lilacs I grew up with in the cutting of a lilacs switch. I implore you to search for that blog posting. Anyway, the air was heavy with their fragrance not so much the white blossoms but one could get carried away on the fragrance of the traditional plant. I don't know what the protocol is for stealing someone else's lilacs. I don't even know if the dentist is aware that his bushes are in bloom or if he even cares. I deeply wanted to run home and get my heavy-duty scissors come back And harvest a few sprigs of blossoms. I looked around the apartment for a vase, and I know I had one, but could not find such a thing. With that, not having a place to put cuttings aside from a glass jar or something I decided to let go of the idea and just enjoy the images taken with my little cell phone. I did have a vase at one time which I think of that Billie use I suppose I could fetch it but I think she needs it more than I and maybe it would be a good exercise to jump the bus and head to DI are some other thrift shop and pick up a couple vases. Either way one of my best experiences of any spring is witnessing the lilacs…

Death Duty

Another death! Seriously not making this up and I'm not looking for sympathy but truly another person very close to me and my family has passed away yesterday! What is this death season I seem to be in the middle of? People who know me are dropping like flies all around me. Therefore I must warn all of you people who know me you better stand back – – don't come to close. Not like I'm being cursed I just think I'm in the middle of a probability dust storm or PDS.

My sister-in-law, Jean a very fine woman that I've known for at least 50 years almost 60 passed away yesterday. Her passing was not a surprise in fact I'd kind of thoughts she would've gone a lot earlier but she's hung on maybe she was waiting just for Covid lighten up and the nice days of spring. One thing I found out recently is that funerals are happening again not just the zoom funeral but live funerals where there's actually a service, a viewing and that kind of thing. The only mandate I saw in the obituary for my friend who passed last week was that individuals are required to wear masks during the service at the mortuary. I doubt they would be enforced at the graveside service. I don't know about the get together after the event where they serve the funeral potatoes. I don't know if that's going to happen. I have not yet heard any of the events that are to take place regarding my sisters funeral. I anticipate will be some kind of a gathering of family members who can make it to support my brother through this event. That means there's going to be dinners I don't know where like at his house or at one of the restaurants we tend to go to during family reunions – – sad as this is it is still a bit of a family reunion. Or if things go as usual funerals go there will be a family gathering one way or the other. I don't know how I will be able to take part in any of these events since I no longer have a vehicle. Nobody else's vehicle to transport of wheelchair such as mine. Hopefully, if there is a restaurant involved it will be close to a bus line. If they have the funeral service at her ward house I should be able to get their by bus without much effort. I don't think I'll be able to make any of the home visits decisions if there's any family functions at the house.

Of interest , Politically our family is quite diverse I found out for the last couple elections. There's a strong conservative political element which to me is kind of spooky, I'm not sure how conversations might go. Already, I've been contacted by one family member as to what Utah's position was on the wearing of masks in public i.e. at the funeral. I relayed the information I had learned from my friends obituary and my brother just sort of indicated that he didn't understand why we had to wear a mask after being inoculated twice with the vaccine. This was an oral question it was a statement as to the control of government over individuals. I saw the essay possible red flag of things to come. I am sort of sensing I may not have a lot of contact with the family ever been the funeral itself. The after events may be a nonissue as far as accessibility goes. We'll see. I'm still stressing if I am going to wear long pants or shorts to the service if there is a service. I will probably cave and put on a pair of long pants – – the first time in years – – but my sister-in-law's worth it. If I wear a pair of my long pants, the pants well cover up my shoes and I should be okay with just a shoe polish but it would be a good excuse to invest in another pair shoes. Such decisions…

Magnetic Magic

 

Magnets fascinate me, we always have. When my first exposures to magnets being used for practical purpose, at least for me a practical purpose was one Christmas probably around 1958 or 1959 and did my Christmas stocking was one of those faces enclosed in plastic and at the bottom is a bunch of metal filings and then on the side of the image is a magnet. And you can use the magnet to drag the metal filings around the bald image giving that image “hair”. A very basic toy but intrigued me as to the power of the magnet. Then of course my brother showed me the whole thing about how magnets repel each other more fascination. I often saw ads for magnets in the back of science magazines or catalogs I used to get and wondered what it would be like to have that many magnets.. About a year ago I actually did a search for magnets on the Internet – – I must been board or something – – found a number of interesting options and sent for magnetic hooks small hooks with magnetic base that he twisted the hook into. I don't know I think it cost me may be $15 for about 40 pieces. I of course lost them immediately after putting five or six or 10 together which I still have anchored on different pieces of metal around the apartment. I really like them the really fun. I ordered another 40 a couple weeks ago and have been messing around with them ever since.

The image above is the image of a beat up dream catcher that I've had for a number of years. I feel compelled to underline the fact that I don't believe a dream catchers… Or do I? At least, a couple years ago when I got this dream catcher I did not believe but just for the fun of it and to please the person who gave me the item, in case they ever wanted to see if I still had the peace, I had Dianne hang the dream catcher over my bed – – just as a lark. And I don't know if it is just placebo or maybe a little magic but I seem to be sleeping a lot better as well as dreaming more than I did. Like I said there could be all placebo wanting to believe so much so that I am fact started dreaming or at least remembering dreams I've had. Couple months ago I don't know how but the dream catcher fell from its perch, where a hung from by trapeze bar. Believe it or not I began having issues with dreams and not really sleeping through the night I know that's strange but it's true. Sadly, I just didn't have what it took to tie the dream catcher by myself on the trapeze bar. Then I got the bag. It took me a number of days to remember to put a magnet close enough on my nightstand so that I would be reminded to install the magnet on the top bar and then hangs the dream catcher from the hook. I'm totally amazed at how well the hook has worked. The dream catcher had fallen under the bed and had stayed there for some time before I fished it out with one of my hooks but was somewhat dismayed to see the condition of the relic. I wanted to believe so I took what was left of the dream catcher. The webbing seem to be in place what seemed to have the most trauma was the feathers and there were a significant amount so I figured what the hell let's give it a shot and I reached up and hung the dream catcher from the hook and is working ever since. It seems my dreams are richer and I'm remembering them much better. I don't know if it's really happening but I want to believe sometimes that is enough…

Waiting, waiting, waiting

I'm waiting. Patiently, I am waiting for the carafe to arrive so that I might, once again, brew my own coffee. Remember yesterday I figured out by using the top/lid to the spent carafe I got actually brew a couple of cups of coffee at a time. That worked yesterday specifically since I did not want to go out in the rain, across the street to the hidden peaks coffee shop. There was also the problem that three times a week when my staff comes to shower and toilet I really don't get going until 9 o'clock or so if I'm lucky. It's usually a little bit later. So today being Tuesday I was up early, the day was overcast but there was no rain falling only the threat. I figure what the heck go for it.

I was out the door by 7 AM, across the street purchasing my coffee. I was like going to the coffee shop especially when the owner is there, on weekdays. Likes me for whatever reason – – I've got gumption. I take a small cardboard box I picked up on one of my trips to the market. If I have my small backpack in the box I can wedge the coffee cup and have the cup be secured till I get home. Of course, I got a have a stopper in the top of the cup lid so the sloshing doesn't get too out of hand. They have really hot coffee. That's what I did today. I even bought a maple bar had been cut the maple bar in half so I could foist half of it on my neighbor. This makes me look like a good guy but in fact I'm just cutting my calories and half – – the ugly side of altruism. I got home took the coffee out of a cardboard box and placed it on the table. I have a twinge of doom for just a second then shrugged off the twinge and got on with making my humble little breakfast. Sure enough I was backing away from the fridge I bumped into the table hard enough that out of the corner of my eye could see the tall cup of coffee fall to the side. I was told impressed when I noticed that the lead with the stopper only led a small drizzle of coffee out onto the table. Wow, I thought to myself this must be my lucky day. I hurriedly turned the table and reached for the cup as soon as I put some pressure on the couple lifted upright the top popped off my splendid cup of coffee guest from the top of the table down to the floor. Somehow I knew this was going to happen and I was not surprised, not even miffed just figured it was par for the course. If this had been the only challenge of the morning I would've felt blessed. However, and you knew this was coming I had further challenges awaiting me.

You know how when you have something we take for granted and thence taken away you miss it, terribly. By the time I rescued the following cup of coffee which is just the cup there's a couple gulps left in the bottom and they tasted so good. I hurriedly mopped up the coffee on the floor using towels from the bathroom – – that's okay laundry day is tomorrow. I grabbed my bag and headed back across the street like always going at full bore. The proprietors glad to see me again, I got my coffee and and headed for the street to get to the apartments but all the sudden my chair shut down. Everything stopped. When I tried to turn the chair on nothing happened but after a few minutes the chair logo the came up as always. Eventually, the proper screen came up and is able to continue my journey only a few feet before the process repeated itself. Frustrating as this was it soon became terrifying as I waited again for the proper screen to come up on my chair so I can drive across the street in the chair once again stopped right in the middle of the street. Luckily this is a fairly isolated street and due to the time of the day no traffic that I have to deal with. I waited a minute or two and this time rather than consume away when the chair became functional I drove slowly. I don't know if by driving slow it was safer but I was able to get home and the chair is not been a problem since. However the damage is done. I don't have faith of my chair at the present time. If this had been the day like a normal Tuesday where I have to go downtown for my meeting I would not go for fear of being stranded. I'm even a little reluctant to try to cross the street to go to the market. I called my wheelchair shop and gave them my problems may have not yet gotten back to me. Worst-case be forced to use my backup chair for a day or two. There are other issues the phone call revealed that I won't go into here. I just think going to have to be a homebody once again until I can regain some faith in my fallen chair…

A No other One Bites The Dust

I was contacted by my old boss today via the Internet. She wanted to advise me of the passing of yet another friend that I've gotten to know from my work with people with disabilities in the state of Utah. Granted, this individual, Marilyn, made out of bed as close as the previous two individuals I've mentioned but we were relatively close. Close enough that when I was going through some issues with the state of Utah as it would go to Marilyn and at least visit with her and got some great insights on dealing with state bureaucracies from the inside out.

I first got to know Marilyn Bown when I worked with the independent living Center here in Salt Lake. At that time Marilyn I believe work for Division SERVICES For People with Disabilities or DSPD. Seem like Marilyn did everything at DSPD at one time or another at least at the consumer level. She was of course involved at management level stuff but she shined most bright supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Since the independent living Center is a cross disability organization we of course represented DD folks as well. So I was often involved with their programs and support their initiatives especially during legislative season up at the Capitol building during session. I learned a lot from this person. After leaving work with independent living and going to work with the state my work and advocacy went way down. I was an information specialist, I worked the phones there's only so much I could do on the front line anymore. I guess I lost contact with Marilyn except for periodic events that I would still attend. Luckily, my boss Claire was a close friend so Marilyn often stop by the office was able to keep in touch that way. She's a good person she's really going to be missed. I miss her already just like the other folks.

I really promise this blog's not going to be an obituary column. I'm surprised how much death I have had to deal with Lately and I'm not bitching Ormoaning – – at least I don't think. I'm just saying I'm either in a hell of a probability storm or I'm old and people are ready to die all around me and I guess if I don't watch out I'm going to be one of them. And realistically speaking I am going to be one of them and probably sooner than later but that is just so hard to wrap my mind around at this point in time.

Not to change the subject too radically. Remember, I destroyed the carafe to my coffee maker this weekend making Saturday morning coffee? I think I even discussed the idea of running over to the coffee shop early and getting coffee to hold the over till the carafe comes hopefully on Wednesday. Well this morning it was raining enough I decided to figure out another option. I got to thinking coffee maker just worked fine on you to do was find another receptacle that looked around but I have not found the coffee Ceramic tall. I rummage through the garbage and found the discarded lid to the shattered carafe and messed around a little bit I slid the coffee cup and Black & Decker coffee maker put the lid on top and sure enough it fit just right. I can only make about 4 cups of coffee at a time but that's enough. It worked! I'm still excited about Wednesday's delivery this'll take care of my addiction until then…

Glass In My Coffee– – Class In My Coffee…

It's not good sign for your day when one of the first things you do was destroy your way of enjoying the legal stimulant called coffee that's exactly what I did today. But a week agoI began making coffee again I actually taken the carafe out of the coffee maker and filling it with water then pouring water into the coffee maker which I'm sure 99% of the people on the planet, who make coffee at home does. I learned a couple of years ago I could actually pull the coffee maker over to the sink open the top and take the spigot from the sink and put it in the coffee maker and fill the water up by turning the On the top. I really kind of like this it seems a lot less messy all things being equal. But for some reason I started filling the carafe with water from the tap and then pouring the craft into the coffee maker. Today I was making the coffee and I had 10 cups of water in the craft and I don't know what happened but when I was lifting the carafe up to pour into the coffee maker the whole kit and little slipped out of my hands crashing on the floor into a tidal wave filled with the thousand shards of glass at least.

This would not of been such a big deal had I not lived right across the street from the coffee shop that's closed on Sundays that this since it's a paradox. However, I figured since I was going to breakfast with Mark Anthony that I'd be able to get my caffeine fix than not thinking of what I would do for the rest of the day. Well now's the rest of the day and I'm trying to figure out who want to go over to the “superquick” that's what I call the convenience store/gas station next to my building. I've never gotten coffee there but my home health person, Melanie goes over every morning and grabs her coffee there even though I have perfectly good brew here. So, if I go over I can get a large cup bring it back and simple for the rest of the night. Just so that you know, I did crank into Amazon immediately in order to new carafe. I got hoodwinked thinking that it would be same day delivery kind of inferred that but after I made by order I realized I had to order more than a certain amount of money in order for the 24 hour delivery to kick in. So, I will not have a new coffee pot until the 28^th which I guess is Wednesday probably in the afternoon sometime. Oh well, this will be a good enough reason to – over to the coffee shop early each morning to grab a cup of Joe and maybe even shoot the breeze with the owner. He actually gave me a free pound of coffee the other day. So I know he likes me.

Coffee was okay at Dee's restaurant this morning. I do like that place they bring the coffee around and give me fill ups like they should. Four weeks for Sunday morning breakfast with my son Mark Anthony we've never done this before. It's important I think for both of us particularly for me in light of the passing of my friend Kenneth earlier this week. It's too easy to miss out on life were just sitting there not doing everything he could how sad is that?

Bird Woman of Of the Trax

 

I really hadn't planned on heading out in going anywhere on the bus today. A low-pressure systems in the area meaning there's clouds and abundance. Looking very stormy so I still wonder why I chose to head out I think if there is need of explanation that might be out of frustration. I don't know if I remember saying anything yesterday about the fact that my home health person didn't show up. I was contacted by the agency they wanted to have somebody come around 2:30 PM but you know by then the days half if not all over. I pretty much decided I would just wait until this morning. Well, this morning my home health person showed up way early (that's okay had rather her always be early and late) catch me off guard four is even a able to shave, take medications and most importantly make my bed. Obviously, Melanie was still operating under the effects of yesterdays migraine. She informed me that she would rather not be here but felt I needed taking care of and seems like she's the only one. I felt a little stressed and a little worried. I eventually performed did I believe a partial E vac which is left me a little bit concerned all day. I think I'll be okay I just have to make it through the Monday now.

So that was my rationale rather than staying home in the apartment or around the apartments felt the need for a minor adventure is nothing more than a quick trip down to 21^st South Central City Station on Trax. Queasy as my stomach felt just getting to the train was an adventure. I really just did some push to go. And let going to Staples and picking up some mechanical pens cheap and some more rubber bands – – you can never have enough rubber bands. I wandered through Best Buy which is attached to Staples once again coveting the big flat screens, checking out their DVDs space and all other forms of entertainment. I got a lot of sleep last night more than usual almost 7 hours that hardly ever happens. But I felt sleepy as I got to the platform for my trip home. I guess the red line wasn't running today technical problems so I had to take the blue line train which is okay just not as convenient and one has to rely on the driver to let me in and then you have to tell the driver just where you want off. I don't know if it's me or their clientele on Trax is getting more and more bizarre. Perhaps it was because it was a Saturday and early spring and that all crazies were out, kind of like morals of the full moon.But when I got on the train my eyes are directly fastened on this lady sitting on the top of the bench like an eagle perched on a tree limb watching for prey. She was an old woman by any means though mature she did strike me as crazy. She was quite lucid, which may complete sentences and she was obviously bright. I suppose just like the perch on the back of a bench while riding the train. I must admit however on the next stop a whole crew of challenged folks and in the bus a number of wheelchairs being pushed by the owners. I have no room to talk but these guys look like hobos. Each carried a form of the cardboard sign often seen at street corners are the end of ramps to freeways looking for handouts. Obviously this was the morning and afternoon shift getting off work heading back to wherever the roost was. And the lady perched on the seat was getting off as they boarded saying over to her self (my God who are these people… My God who are these people). On the trip home I decided to stop off the market and get dinner chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and gravy next in for a treat I bought the corned beef shards you know those pieces that nobody wants because of the crusty and pieces I love those but found out this batch was way salty I will pay that price tonight. If nothing else my trip was a success because I got to see the bird woman perched on the seat in the coach of my tracks car going home…

Time To Bowl

 

I wasn't going to do this I really do this just because everybody else does it for me. Like I ever stalk about national and world events. These events rarely affect me on a personal level and in many cases these events are so salacious that everybody else will write about them like I said, so I don't have to. However, I guess this is different at least it seems to me different. I was first notified yesterday with an email from the coordinator of one of the state committee/advisory boards I sit on and have for decades. It started out “I have sad news…”. I figured it was another one of our group hitting retirement age and resigning from the advisory board. Then I saw the name of one of the advisory board members and then saw he was in the hospital in very serious condition in fact unresponsive. The Email was actually a forward from This individual's wife asking for everyone's thoughts and prayers for her husband, our advisory board member, who is in critical care. She briefly shared something about a blood clot in the lungs but that was about it and said she would follow up with any further information. This morning there was another email sadly notifying the world that our buddy Ken has passed on.

As you my faithful readers know, my buddy Dennis passed on in March. This is getting serious and a little frightening. I'm truly sad at losing Ken as well as Dennis but even more Concerned about losing me! Beware for whom the bells toll…. I wasn't very surprised Ken didn't make it. I was surprised that a blood clot took him out. I don't know if Ken had some other issues going but the last year or so I thought he looked a little ragged. Actually, now they think about it, I've only seen Ken on Zoom since all of our meetings have been virtual. I did happen a drop-down to the Utah Center for assistive technology program when I was looking at getting batteries for my chair and some other work done and I think I saw Ken then as well.

I'm not really sure when I first came across Ken Reed. He was on staff at UCAT as their assistive technology specialist. Ken worked with other state agencies and state employees providing answers and suggestions to how these employees could service there consumers with disabilities better. He also worked with the independent living centers in the area and served on many boards just as I do. Two programs or boards UCAT and A T counsel Was what I really got to know Ken better. I was intrigued about Ken's other life as a bowling professional. In fact he was writing a book he wrote a book. I have a copy I just have to dig it out now and I would've used an image of that book for this post but I can get my hands on it right now. Ken, was nearly finished with a second book. The guy totally impressed me he actually has done the things I wanted to do. The first book chronicles his life pre-and post disability with a lot of interesting input from his professional bowling career. Who knew? Life is so funny or sad as things go. Suppose, rehab or Department of employment will pull up some other ringer from the rehab bullpen but I just don't think we're going to be able to fill Ken's wheels Anytime soon. As I tag up on base, one never knows who's next up the bat and who's going to get thrown out sliding into home. Selfishly, I just hope it's not me…

Coffee To Go

I guess we're safe now. Everybody in the coffee group is got the second shot and we would the mandatory two weeks so it's coffee as usual on Thursday mornings for the coffee group. Actually, it started again last week but for one reason or another I got my wires crossed and didn't make it. Today I almost missed when I got into a conversation with Dianne over a friend of ours in critical condition up in Davis County. This we still have the coffee group spread over three different tables I guess we still are doing social distancing to some degree, makes a hard on the seniors who have serious hearing issues.

Seriously whatever, I was unable to get out of the coffee group this week primarily because I started my wash early in the laundromat is fairly close to the common room where the coffee groups held. There are a couple new people at the coffee group today. Mostly disabled players except for there is the absence of a couple of regulars who, for medical reasons or whatever were no-shows. No major discussions at today's gathering I guess we are all getting back into the coffee routine. With new people beings working to establish enough trust to bring up delicate issues. Marjorie had once again built cinnamon rolls – – don't get me wrong these are great little rounds of dough covered with icing cinnamon a few walnuts chopped. It's not the big nice pull parts cinnamon rolls I remember from junior high cafeteria but hey any port in a storm right? Everything's better with coffee to wash it down even war. A couple nights ago I started watching Private Ryan . I've seen this movie wants to forgot how brutal the film starts with soldiers literally getting chopped up as they tried to leave those long boats on Omaha Beach. Unbelievable. The first 20 minutes of that movie is almost unwatchable. What got me on this segue was was a couple scenes where the Allied commanders are washing down the scenes of D-Day with large mugs of coffee. I guess trying to make my point that everything's better with coffee.We spent the day, really, getting reacquainted which is strange since most of us have been here over to her three years at the apartment complex and this is the only time we ever come close to getting together. It was nice though to see some of these folks find out what they've been up to over the last year. No great revelations. People are getting by those who have cancer still look pretty good except down a little bit weight wise I guess that's not so bad. I just don't know how to really launch into that question of “so how's it going”. Maybe next week of the week after as we all get back into our coffee cahoots. The weather is turning really good and I suspect will lose some of the coffee drinkers who actually go on stroll around the park and the good weather. Part of their health regime.

At about 10 o'clock people started wandering away from Thursday morning coffee having their fill of caffeine and other old geezers like themselves. I'd nearly forgotten I had close of the wash but I was not able to check on them immediately sense Irene who sort of handles the coffee group refreshments. A couple of folks have their own coffee cups such as I. I always bring my coffee cup however empty it might be/full and handed to Irene who then pours whatever copies left into it to go cup and usually whatever coffee is left over goes into a second to go cup and given to me. I also have first dibs of whatever refreshments might be left but refreshments this week for Slim Pickens at best. If there are maple bars photograph some but hockey puck cinnamon rolls and dusty crackers. I just had coffee to take back to the unit and that selfsame old question in the back of my mind “do I really need to be here Thursday mornings?”

I guess we're safe now. Everybody in the coffee group is got the second shot and we would the mandatory two weeks so it's coffee as usual on Thursday mornings for the coffee group. Actually, it started again last week but for one reason or another I got my wires crossed and didn't make it. Today I almost missed when I got into a conversation with Dianne over a friend of ours in critical condition up in Davis County. This we still have the coffee group spread over three different tables I guess we still are doing social distancing to some degree, makes a hard on the seniors who have serious hearing issues.

Seriously whatever, I was unable to get out of the coffee group this week primarily because I started my wash early in the laundromat is fairly close to the common room where the coffee groups held. There are a couple new people at the coffee group today. Mostly disabled players except for there is the absence of a couple of regulars who, for medical reasons or whatever were no-shows. No major discussions at today's gathering I guess we are all getting back into the coffee routine. With new people beings working to establish enough trust to bring up delicate issues. Marjorie had once again built cinnamon rolls – – don't get me wrong these are great little rounds of dough covered with icing cinnamon a few walnuts chopped. It's not the big nice pull parts cinnamon rolls I remember from junior high cafeteria but hey any port in a storm right? Everything's better with coffee to wash it down even war. A couple nights ago I started watching Private Ryan . I've seen this movie wants to forgot how brutal the film starts with soldiers literally getting chopped up as they tried to leave those long boats on Omaha Beach. Unbelievable. The first 20 minutes of that movie is almost unwatchable. What got me on this segue was was a couple scenes where the Allied commanders are washing down the scenes of D-Day with large mugs of coffee. I guess trying to make my point that everything's better with coffee. We spent the day, really, getting reacquainted which is strange since most of us have been here over to her three years at the apartment complex and this is the only time we ever come close to getting together. It was nice though to see some of these folks find out what they've been up to over the last year. No great revelations. People are getting by those who have cancer still look pretty good except down a little bit weight wise I guess that's not so bad. I just don't know how to really launch into that question of “so how's it going”. Maybe next week of the week after as we all get back into our coffee cahoots. The weather is turning really good and I suspect will lose some of the coffee drinkers who actually go on stroll around the park and the good weather. Part of their health regime.

At about 10 o'clock people started wandering away from Thursday morning coffee having their fill of caffeine and other old geezers like themselves. I'd nearly forgotten I had close of the wash but I was not able to check on them immediately sense Irene who sort of handles the coffee group refreshments. A couple of folks have their own coffee cups such as I. I always bring my coffee cup however empty it might be/full and handed to Irene who then pours whatever copies left into it to go cup and usually whatever coffee is left over goes into a second to go cup and given to me. I also have first dibs of whatever refreshments might be left but refreshments this week for Slim Pickens at best. If there are maple bars photograph some but hockey puck cinnamon rolls and dusty crackers. I just had coffee to take back to the unit and that selfsame old question in the back of my mind “do I really need to be here Thursday mornings?”

What Me Worry?

 

I don't know if it's like this everywhere but it sure is like this here at the apartments. After going about your day in your apartment maybe folding clothes, washing dishes are writing at the computer and also to hear knock on the door. And I always knee-jerk reaction scream “come in”! I figure the person knows me enough not to my door the welcome to come in. Of course that does not necessarily mean anything at a senior living facility. I'm amazed constantly how many hearing age or lost during today's time. Fortunately most of the hearing aid show up one way or the other sooner or later but since I don't want to leave a neighbor standing out by my door I end up wandering over to the door opened up to find not a person at all the boxes from either Amazon, or some other freight company. Yesterday there were two items one was a large box that I knew held 180 catheters (it's my monthly quota). I'm in no hurry to drag the box in but there's also a smaller package that looks like a book which really perplexed me because I currently have all the books that I've ordered the last couple weeks. But, since I'm in the middle of either letters are a blog update I figure they can stay out by the door. Of course the drivers long gone – – he liked the pizza delivery guy – – loves to knock and run before you have a chance to interact. I'm sure some variant of saving me from Covid so I guess I appreciate the interruption of my day. Still it would be nice – – and sometimes they do it – – notify me via Facebook or Insta gram that they will soon be outside my door which would still be the same result of me leaving the Packages there Until I'm good and ready to retrieve them. I just get back to writing and here knock knock knock and what to give valuable come in and there's no answer and then I hear “Mr.” “Mr.” “Mr.” it's Juanita one of the non-English-speaking seniors who live here. She's worried that something will happen to my boxes and wants them in right away. I open the door and that's exactly who it is and that's exactly what she wants and so I sigh and say “In, in” and make sweeping gestures with my arm toward the inside of the apartment and she complies happily. She's done a good deed for the day I can't take that away from her.

Since I've been disturbed already I decided I'll check out the Amazon package – – the catheters can wait I still have a box of the last shipment – – I'm surprised to see the live one of my best friends Dennis – – the one still alive – – he has sent me a package. Now, this is something different and new to my day. I pull out my trusty long handled dust pan scoop up the package put it on the table and grabbed the shares and clipped the top open into my basement it's a giant copy of Mad Magazine actually the compilation of 40 or 50 years of Madcap magazines Boiled down to a 200 page slick magazine format full of everything Mad! I love mad. I think I was first exposed to Mad Magazine in 1958. I think I was exploring my brothers trailer outside our house and found a copy of Mad Magazine behind his bed. From then on I was totally involved in the magazine. There is so much art and parody (of course I did not know what what parody/sarcasm meant them I was about seven or eight) but I recognize something intriguingly different. Like how they would take a movie and change it all around to where it was still the movie but now it was funny. In this volume therefore five movies to enjoy. There's art great artists at least I think so doing caricatures to go along with the sarcasm. There's the mad fold in which I think is a great idea. A great parody of the Playboy foldout. I love this magazine. There's enough material in this magazine specially in the corners and up and down the edges of the magazine that you don't see it first but look at later on new notice this are you notice that it's not just a day of reading it's a week, month maybe a year if you do it right. I needed this today. Remembered by one of my oldest friends with a real gift about usingThanks brother Dennis… “What, me worry”

It's Just Different

 

I'm so frustrated right this minute because I downloaded a number of images that I took today on my trip out to my Assist, Inc. meeting in Salt Lake. I thought sure I uploaded space images to one of my folders on the Internet. At one time I had it set up, and I don't know how I did this or the system to I don't know, but I would take an image and the image automatically upload to some folder I had in my Google account or my Chrome account. When I want to use an image taken a photo of I could just downloaded from my Photos folder or forever it was stored and then something happened I'm not sure if I changed one of the settings for the settings changed by themselves (which seems to happen from time to time I don't understand) and suddenly I no longer was automatically uploading images. Now, I had this arduous task of having to upload the images I want my process of either sending them to a fake account on my email and then going back to my email and going to the “sent” file and then uploading the image which is attached to my email that I never sent. I'm sure there's other ways to do this I've just settled on this because I can control it – – to some extent. Today, I took images and only some seem to be on my camera. So I'm not sure what you'll get.

Having said that the post today is about the office that I go to a couple times a month now for my Assist, Inc. meetings. Bare in mind I've been going to meeting for more than 30 years roughly. The meeting always been in this building. The director of this organization retired about four years ago maybe five, it seems a lot less than that, the new director Jason has slowly put his imprint on the organization. I don't remember this really happening too much until a couple months ago when David, my friend but leader of the citizen volunteer group that signs the grants the various homes needing repairs. Maybe this is the reason I didn't notice the change because it really wasn't a physical change in the building interior until David left. I'm only now, realizing this is I write this out. I don't know if this was out of respect for the previous administration are for David who is also old enough to retire and did basically making a new start with David gone. It's okay. As long as the meeting gets done I don't really care what the interior of the building looks like. But today I did notice how the employees and their workstations are kind of the same but different – – if that makes any sense. There's now a like waiting area in the front of the building in fact I'd never realized the whole office is just one large room, almost a Hall. All the little workers or hunched over tables that line the walls much like I envisioned Scrooges office. The large table we used to meet around has been moved to one area of the room and one person has that as his desk. That table the only active desire writing area but the place where food was set up like at Christmas open House and other festive occasions. It's weird. In fact, I had to lean my chair back todayand above me was a lamp hanging down which they tell me has been there for four years and this is the first time I ever noticed the lamp too strange . The entire staff has radically changed. There is still one architect at the helm, and there is a office manager – – a female, a disabled student/work-study employee, the couple other architectural students doing internships. I would say the staff is 90% Mormon – – which is not that big a deal it's just different than it was – – and the interior seems to reflect that. Work is still getting done, as always, the battles of the same increase the funding for folks who need home repair emergencies done. It's just different…

Dandelion Dreams

 

The sun rose on a brisk cloudless morning. It was not too cold the least that's what my home health person said, Melanie, when she asked me if I was going out today. She does it really need to know just one of those things I guess home health people ask their clients I guess a form of concern. I told her I wasn't sure wended my mind I had made it clear to me that I was going out I was going to jump the bus Ride across town Murray to check on Dianne but also to drop off a couple of charging plugs to help with her technology to keep her cell phone charged. Dianne gave me her last charging plug when she gave me the new charging device with the magnetic tip which allows charging your cell phone without having to slide a piece in and out effectively wearing out the plug-in but eventually your ability of charger cell phone. I wasn't sure at first but not quite love the magnetic the tip just clings right onto the cell phone conveniently charging the phone without wearing out the jack port.One of the best things about this little charger is that it clings onto the cell phone and charges the cell phone actually glows blue, it's a little blue light, the light is quite nice to look at the dark as the cell phone charges. Dianne in turn the number of items, food items which she can no longer eat due to her medical condition. I'm more than willing to take those goods of her hands I feel guilty because it's really good food. More than anything else heading over to the house was a good reason to leave my apartment this morning for whatever adventure the day might bring..

I was overwhelmed as I headed out following my Monday morning constitutional. I was have to wait a few minutes/hour following my bowel movement just to make sure everything is taken care of. Sometimes I really feel at risk following such a day but today I was okay. Checking the weather forecast was for mild temperatures but clouds coming in by noon is another cold front charges into the Taylorsville area. Anyway, I was overwhelmed when I went through the gate onto the sidewalk on River Road to find out that over the evening dandelions had sprouted everywhere! I mean I would've noticed these yesterday when I went to breakfast with Mark Anthony the dandelions were not out but today there are everywhere. I had presence of mind to take a couple images with my cell phone. The only thing which would have made this morning's journey better If Joni Mitchell's “Chelsea morning” was playing in the background everywhere I went.

By afternoon, after Dianne I had visited, and after I wandered over to Burlington Coat Factory and the Goodwill store searching for a stool or venture something to put outside my door for pizzas delivered from dominoes in the quick stop at McDonald's for a cheeseburger I could sense the clouds coming in. Cool North when picked up and at times became quite strong. Somewhere along the line I lost my favorite vest. Not a big loss. It was beginning to wear out are more honestly I was beginning to tear it up. I just hope I can find another vest I liked as good as this one anyway. It was a Chelsea morning with dandelions everywhere not bad for Monday…

Illegal Aliens On The Roof!

 

You're not going to believe this and I didn't think to take any images so it's just my word against reality hopefully that's enough. I'm good do this entry like they do on movies and TV these days like this was a video I would have that phrase show up saying “29 minutes earlier you” I was sitting with my son Mark Anthony at Dee's restaurant in Taylorsville Utah having a great breakfast. We been doing this for the past three weeks every Sunday at 8 AM. Sometimes Jasmine, one of my granddaughters, joins us but not today. It was just us guys. It was a great breakfast people were out, more than usual as folks get to feeling their shots will protect them and begin to integrate back into the system. People still wearing her masks as they come into the restaurant and leave but there's a lot more communication seems like going on in the restaurant is people eat with their masks off and talk to each other. In the course of the discussion Mark informed me that he had his scooter in the backseat of his vehicle and if I didn't mind we could take off and just “zoom around” for a while which we did. Great fun.

I wasn't sure how this is going to work and I was quite glad that I had charged my chair the night before. But Mark opened up his scooter very nice device from Segway which is pretty powerful goes a lot faster than my chair. My chair tops out at 6.4 mph and I think his scooter would do around 18 mph leaving me in the dust that still okay because usually I have to really slow down when walking with him so now I had to catch up it seemed. Roamed around the parking lot of the restaurant the rollover to the market parking lot at Macy's. We wandered up and down the abandon pieces of real estate that have fallen because of Amazon/Internet as well as the Covid. It's doubtful these pieces of real estate will ever be used again but one never knows. Maybe in the abandon drugstore which is to be right aid they could put a skating rink is certainly big enough. There was a dance studio in one of these properties but it's abandon now to but maybe I'll come back as society comes back from the Covid if it does. I assume there will always be a need for little ballerinas, dancers of all kinds and who knows what else one can put in this open area. I like to see a movie house go in there but I doubt that'll ever happen the can barely keep the big one open when they do have open viewing again. Regal theaters are supposed to open in May we will see. We wandered back across the street And zoomed around the park I showed Mark the small ditch/canal that wanders through the backend of my little park coming to rest on the patio of the senior center that's been closed for more than a year thanks to Covid.As I was wandering around the parkGetting to the senior centerWe went throughA small group of trees And I was shocked when all the sudden a mallard dropped out of the tree! Seriously, this mallard was sitting on a branch and he just flew away. That wasn't weird enough is Mark and I were talking I was gazing out over this pasture and off in the distance was a metal shed a very large metal shed which had to be at least 20 feet tall it seems like. Then I noticed something moving on the top there were two Canadian geese, Canadian honkers. They were the only things up there moving around. Again! I've never seen Canadian geese on top of a building. I didn't know they could land on a building like that. We talked for some time after I pointed out these weird happenings. Mark was intrigued but not as fascinating as I was. Suddenly in the distance I saw these two giant geese lift off and probably wander off to find some flying V to be part of To get back to Canada since they realize they were undocumented aliens here we know how that works. What a strange but delightful morning, a Sunday morning to be had in Taylorsville Utah, this Middle Spring…

No Contact Pizza Delivery

 

Another confession. Until today I have never ordered a pizza either by phone or by computer. However, today I did for no particular reason except that when I tried to make fried potatoes and onions this morning none of the onions I had in the house, and I had a bag of onions, were said to be used. I've heard of one bad apple spoiling the lot but never for one bad onion but that's what it looked like when I went to find an onion to dice. I thought sure of the bag of six or seven onions I would find one that would be usable. I truly should look to for our begin the project because when I needed the onion I had already started fried potatoes, green pepper and Vienna sausages. I thought I'd just put problem onion slice slice dice dice throw them in… Not to be however. My Saturday morning breakfast did not have onions. That seems, I know, a long shot from no onions at breakfast to a full pizza, first-time order for dinner.

I don't know if I'm typical but eyesores since that I kind it am a lot of males out there who have never done this basic thing because there is always somebody else to do it whether it is a wife person, a teenage daughter or a kid who knows what he's doing. For some reason these guys have that skill and I've never picked up. But today I wanted to do something with onions and for some reason ordering a pizza seem like a good trade-off as bizarre as that is. I like Domino pizza I wish it was closer so I could easily roll over and fetch it bring it back to the apartments but it's a bit of a jaunt. So about 5 o'clock this afternoon I went to the latest pizza commercial it by mailbox and started building a pizza. I've never done this either and it was more than a little intimidating. Everything is saved my bacon was that I'm still operating under the illusion that since I recently got the Stimulus money I can afford just about anything in the pizza arena. So I figured painful as it might be a Really make a mistake. I can write it off as the learning curve. I tried not to freak out when the total at completion was $23 and some change. This is for a 14 inch pizza with a number of add-ons like meat and you know black olives, mushrooms, green peppers etc. etc. Obviously, you pay for all those extras. Perhaps I would've Pussied out had I been speaking to a real-life person and heard myself say $23.25! Plus the delivery charge three dollars and some change and then the tax it was almost 30 bucks! And I did add a tip, 10%! However, with me in the cell phone that was it. I could even use PayPal this is all way too easy. I got a thin crust which is much more thin for the anticipated. I thought the pizza was pretty good I don't think it was $30 good. After I had ordered I found a 10% off coupon. There's probably other discounts I confused as well I am going to learn how to use them all. The pizza though kind of round was not cut like regular pizza it was cut a little squares which I thought was pretty strange. But I've got something now to put into the fridge or probably just leave out on the stove to “cure” over the next couple of days. I'm going to write this off as an expensive learning experience. It could've been a lot worse a could've tried to order the two pizza deal – – – so much to learn. And I didn't even talk about the whole leaving the pizza outside the door when the delivery comes. Luckily I had an old sawhorse workbench kicking around the apartment seemed to work just fine…

Neighbors

 

It's a cold and blustery night along the Wasatch front this April evening. The weather is been unsettled all week long it's nice to have a Friday night to sit at my computer with my heater raging on full blast making me feel comfortable this funny spring evening. It actually tried the snow a little bit this morning but that's okay it's the change.

It's not that I'm a nice guy, though I've been accused by professionals of being so (I know of at least one posting to this blog or talk about the department chair of the psych department I took my degree and indicating such). But I like to help for I can especially if it's something that might make a difference. When the few times I went outside today I think just a test the atmosphere because for a while it looked pretty nice outside while I was doing my hand bike. While I was out I noticed my upstairs neighbor Stephen (again on individual that I've posted a couple times about who is in the apartment directly above mine in ancient surgical nurse from Washington state area). Working at getting his manual wheelchair into his vehicle. Stephen is a tall drink of water and I worry about him ambulating. I know that he drives, Stephen has an older vehicle, like many of the folks here, they their vehicles are their last vestige of independence. Today Stephen was going to the market. I stopped to see if you need any help load in his chair into the car. As I watch Stephen struggle with his wheelchair I couldn't help but be reminded of so many times when I used a manual wheelchair and drove my two door vehicles how tired I would be by the end of the day. I remember how much I appreciated when somebody would stop as I was struggling to get the chair in the backseat and kindly just lifted in easy as pie. I don't know what I can do or if I could do anything to assist Stephen in putting his chair in the backseat or for that matter helping him carry his purchased items from his vehicle to his apartment . Before the driveway I let them know that he should stop by my door when he gets home and I would help carry the materials up to his unit. I then completely forgot about the whole situation until a few minutes ago when I was visiting with Dianne on the Internet and I see Steve past my window and the little black car..

I don't know how much I am threatening Stephen when I try to assist. I know it's important to show that you are independent and that you don't need help but sometimes we do need help. Steve and I worry that he might topple at any moment I really do. He seems frail but driven and I understand that. I hope I don't frustrate him I'm sure he thinks I'm like Louis Tully played by Rick Moranisfrom Ghostbusters. I just want to know that there's some help to get your stuff in to the apartments on a cold and blustery spring Friday night…

Last Gimp Sitting

I had this title on my blog ideas page for sometime . I have never really thought about fleshing it out but for some reason, this morning, I'm getting some motivation to work on the peace. Last night just before falling off to sleep I had some pain in my left kidney area sharp jabbing not lot just a little pain which, in all honesty spooked me. The pain or thought of pain actually kept me up a good part of it night. I finally turned on the light and rummaged around in this box I keep next to my bed and found two Tylenol tablets, which I took with the half a bottle of water and promptly fell back asleep.

This incident got me thinking, as I age, how much longer could I do this kind of stuff so living on my own. Because sooner or later later I am going to start Falling apart, it's only natural If I Stay alive and continue the aging process I'm just going to get weaker and become more at risk of falling, breaking something or even worse the big “S” stroke or the heart attack. It's only natural.

I have to admit the concept still terrifies me any one of the aforementioned tragedies which must be played out at some point in the endgame. However, the tragedy does not terrify me as it once did even a short year ago. I can't say that I can blame that on the Covid but I'm sure you had something to do with my acceptance of the end. In actuality I'm doing really well for a quadriplegic more than 50 years post and being 70 years old. In fact I'm the only quad left of the classic quadriplegics I went to rehabilitation with in 1966. You could say on the last quad sitting but more to the point in the Salt Lake area there were a number of spinal cord injured survivors were getting by one day at a time. I'm surprised more have not succumbed. If I count my friend Sheelan, there's three quads I have known locally who have passed on. Actually there's probably more of those three I can identify if needs be. If you add in paraplegics and head injuries, there's still a bunch of gimps out there running around Salt Lake City's and I guess everywhere else. This is good, living is not a competition. Isn't it? I quite frankly do not have the energy to compete with somebody else just to stay alive. I have my hands full just give you my own self alive without having to look over my shoulder to see who still rolling after me. It's simpler this way I only have to worry about myself. There's a group of us especially those of us who work together at the Independent living Center back in the 80s 90s and oughts. Julie and Deborah are still alive and kicking (excuse the pun). My buddy Alan, and the whole para posse that plays basketball and basically chums around. They're all still alive looking forward to the next sport season they want to enjoy whether it's tennis, basketball or snow skiing. I guess there's been some waterskiing of late as well. Sometimes I think those guys will last forever from Tony baloney to Almost Al . They might be slowing down but not by much I'm always amazed.

I'm not in a competition, that goes without saying, but I don't want to die first either. True those other notables have passed on and that's all right but there's a group is now that seem to be hanging on and I have this mental image of poker players holding their cards close to their chest making sidelong glances those players on each side looking to see which lay down their big bet first and see who wins. Of course nobody wins except to be the last gimp standing…

Never Smart Enough

 

The mortal man does not stand a chance against cyber marketing least that's what I think I least I don't stand a chance. I'd like to think I'm somewhat literate in the area of computers and software and systems protection protocols etc. I mean I know I am not just fooling myself because I been hanging around computers first sort of the last 40 some years it seems like. I've gone through the whole process from messing around the big mainframe computers in college when I dabbled around the old computer languages with compilers and punchcards. One of our good friends a real live first 10 computer geek in the mid-70s fell in love the first Apple computer home systems. I was interested in the whole concept but didn't really know how to go about getting more involved. I was really too poor to do anything about computers anyway. Newly married trying to finish college and living on SSI and University grants. Later on in Blackfoot my immediate boss, supervisor was into the first mini type computers little handheld guys which ran on MS-DOS platforms. Oddly, I actually invested in a TR 30 or whatever the system was called I had edited by apartment and I couldn't figure it out. I didn't know basic language operating system. I kept trying however.

Luckily I survived the computer industry until I was able to finally get a MS-DOS-based system. So, I picked up a little smarts along the way. Even if it will just buy all small doses of hanging around people who really did know what they're talking about and who I called every time I got myself into predicament that needed more intel then I had. I guess perhaps, is the fact that I was just born too soon to really keep up with what was going on. Now, I'm a full-blown computer system that I had built for me from a good little computer shop here along the Wasatch front. They're very supportive and I have their software protection programs on my equipment. I try to make things as easy as possible especially things like renewal of things that are important. Last couple weeks have gotten notifications that my computer protection software was up for yearly renewal. You know when you get the little pop-up in the corner of your screen indicating that your software is about ready to expire and you need to really know what or that you have it set up to be renewed and will be renewed on a certain date. In the flash of Pro action I'd try to beat the computer to the punch and activate the new software immediately. Did that twice and guess what I bought two programs. I think the competing programs but certainly just be double the protection – – that's the only good way I can look at this whole calamity. Luckily the programs are only $49.99 and luckily I'm under the glow of the government money which just came down the stimulus program. I know I'm irresponsible it's almost like I threw two $50 bills into the wind but hell the least of got two kinds of coverage and in keeping the bad guys away. I'll just not renew the secondary coverage when it becomes due In 10 or 11 months. I hate those corner pop-ups that give the impression that your computer system is doomed unless you act immediately I'm trying to be proactive but I have to admit it's wearing me down…

Get A Grip

 

The day started off with great beauty, clear skies and brisk cooler temperatures as the cold front wanders into the area. The morning was not so cold as to see one's breath but certainly cold enough to give one consideration as to whether a hood, jacket or just a good hat would be enough to where to cross the street to do a bit of shopping for bananas and whatever. I thought I had a difficult night sleeping but I did manage to drag myself out of bed around 7 AM are may be a bit earlier. But, I felt a bit of excitement primarily due to the fact that there would be no trip in the Salt Lake today the meeting was canceled last week. I feel like a kid let out of school. First on my agenda was to wash my clothes. I'm on this new agenda of washing my clothes twice a week. I notice the last couple of months I begin to dally a great deal making my dressing procedures fairly lengthy. However today, even before I shaved, I got on my shorts and a shirt wrapped the wash and ran down started the wash and doing the morning hygiene acts later. I toyed with the idea of building a big breakfast but I decided why not just go with a big old banana, a handful of raw mixed nuts and cold coffee as well is my vegetable drink.

I finished dressing once I got back from starting the wash that's with shoes side wedge and Leg binder. I thought about brewing another pot of coffee but decided I would wait and see what the day brought. I had quite a bit of cold coffee from yesterday. I was feeling productive however and decided to do a Repair on one of my sticks that I have lost the sticky tip a day or two ago. I was fortunate enough to retrieve the small piece of covering and all it would matter would be to vice up the stick and allow me to rubber band the red plastic back into position. This particular stick has become quite popular with me just because I use it to pull down the legs of my shorts once I get them on making my self more presentable. I pulled a couple new rubber bands out of my bag and drug the “work-mate” that I use the apartment. I'm considering getting a new piece of equipment but still this little Amazon purchase has really been useful. It's small and lightweight enough to be easily used in my woodworking projects in the apartment. The workbench is just a little too lightweight for my needs. Like something a little bit heavier. But anyway today I pulled the workbench around and went to widen the top to slide the stick into and I noticed that somebody had stolen/removed my handles – – turn handles. I could not believe my eyes. I didn't notice them both got first I thought perhaps the handle got loose and just fallen off when I bumped into the workbench the night before and had not noticed. I looked around the floor could not find anything and all the time my mind was working on who could've taken it are who would've taken it? I thought about my home health person she might take it as a joke then I noticed both cranks were gone. Somebody had to come in my apartment and taken them off but who would do such a weird thing. I was really begin to get spooked when all of a sudden I noticed I had the workbench turned around. It was backwards to me. I quickly flipped the bench around and there were the handles, big as Dallas. Is this a senior moment? Am I totally getting feeble? Ours is just par for my course not to talk about it too much only unless it happens again. I quickly put my stick in the vise tighten it up secured the material on my stick and just buy shorts and went out to meet my day…

Nothing Doing

I'm such a wuss that the little chilly outside and so I've elected to stay inside all day long, in my little apartment not really doing a whole lot of anything except working out, washes dishes but that's about it. In true confession I did watch one movie off of prime Amazon and that's pretty much been my day-to-day. Oh, I did run up talked with Jennifer the building manager about issues of my apartment that need to be rectified that hardly counts as doing anything. I did make my bed does that count? I guess if this lifestyle didn't bother me I would bring it up but obviously I'm feeling guilty about not doing enough during my day and blaming it on paltry excuses like the weather.

So hopefully tomorrow will be a new day with opportunity to get out and do some stuff. The days not going to be much warmer than today may even be worse from the standpoint of possible clouds rolling in with associated weather i.e. rain and wind. I won't even be leaving the apartment to go to my assistant, Inc. meeting since we were told last week there not be a Meeting this week. What I am planning to do with my morning tomorrow is to wash clothes. I'm doing this new washing clothes twice a week paradigm to make sure I always have clean shorts to wear that I want to wear but more importantly that I'm not washing huge loads. I been trying is the past couple weeks really is kind of nice not having to deal the huge pile Clothes to fold once once I'm done with the washing and drying process. I wish I had more to write about but when you don't get out and do stuff you have nothing to write nothing experiential nothing to cause the thought process to be productive. So I will not waste your time any further today, close early and enjoy my evening

Sunday Slices

 

Once again yesterday afternoon or evening Mark Anthony called indicating he was up for breakfast this morning if I was and of course I was. What's even better is that by his own volition we are meeting at 8 AM for breakfast which for me is a civilized time. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for he as well as Jasmine my teenage granddaughter to drag themselves up on a Sunday morning and travel in the Taylorsville for breakfast with me! However, I certainly appreciate their efforts and desires. This is like the third time this month or maybe the second but it's been three times the last three weeks and that's never happened before. This is new behavior. I'm not sure how much I want to make this a weekly event. It's not the cost well maybe if you count the cost of calories. We did the VI today and even though I don't seem to encourage involvement the Village Inn everybody seems to everyone else seems to love the place much more than Dee's which I enjoy. However the VI has a pretty great senior menu and their 222 menu is great as well as caloric it's one of the best choices, for breakfast, the restaurant offers just about 700 cal for two Bacons, two pancakes and two eggs.

One of the things I most inspired impressed with this new behavior is how punctual Mark Anthony has become. He was there at exactly 8 AM this morning in the past it's always been a struggle to meet up at the agreed-upon times but now is hitting the target if not a bull's-eye, every shot. I'm impressed. I kind of feel bad for Jasmine Because she looks pretty sleepy. This morning she didn't even eat she just sat there but she did engage in conversation and is very civilized both of which impressed me and delighted me. I enjoy engaging her with conversations about her life particularly her job which seems to be very important to her life right now. My biggest fear is that she will feel she doesn't need to graduate from high school. Since high schools the only thing that offers anything like Cheer and other close order drill type activities I imagine she'll strive to stay within the high school environment. So we talked and visited Mark and I drank coffee and talked about our weeks had a pretty good time. I let it slip that I can't believe how chaotic my partner had gotten so Mark and Jasmine came over to the apartment after breakfast and cleaned up a little bit especially the table is much as possible. I enjoyed that enough files able to cook this afternoon I used by new slicer and it worked pretty good with the London broil. Using the slicer was a little messy but overall kind of fun for the first time use on something like the London broil which is more of a roast than a steak. I made a nice little baggie of sliced London broil. I'm not sure what I'm going to use this for perhaps just snacking and high-protein breakfast lunch or dinner. Couple strips of this roast might be good with eggs in the morning and pumpernickel toast hard to say. Another cold fronts moved in kind of chilly this morning on my right over to the VI and it's supposed to stay cool and rain later on this week. I'll be okay I don't have anything planned for this week and luckily Assist, Inc. volunteer meeting won't be held this week so I should be fine stay home all week long…

I Like Pie

I couldda shoulda done more with my beautiful Saturday but I just couldn't seem to get going. I actually cooked a relatively decent breakfast with a can of Vienna sausages “chicken” thanks to Dianne who sent me over a bunch yesterday to fried eggs sunny side up with a couple pieces of] pumpernickel rye for toast. The only item I did not have which I could've enjoyed was some form of starch:

hashbrowns preferably but I was on top of the ball that much. I did have my morning cocktail of tomato juice and vinegar with mother. So I drew that more dishes made a mess of my prep area but had a good time – – is now at Saturday mornings are for?

A more long sleeves even though I knew the temperature would be getting up toward 70° I just don't believe the weather people anymore. It's not like I was going on a long outing just across the street, at least to grab some bananas. By the time I finally got out of the apartment it was after 1 o'clock more like 2 PM in what was meant as a fast – tune into a bit more. I did get my bananas but I also grapes green this time, it buttercups for movie viewing later on perhaps and the best treat ever a frozen apple pie. Florida have a gripe today this would be that gripe. I spent almost 8 dollars for this pie it's a Marie Calendars lattice apple pie which I didn't know was the actual name of a kind of five. I guess what I was looking for, and my market did not have, with just a cheap two dollar or three dollar frozen pie in a aluminum disposable pie pan and that would be just fine I didn't need no Cadillac pie. Their other pies that were even more money name brands that I don't remember right now but there were huge in comparison and I could have purchased one but why? I just wanted a cheap little pie. I guess I could have purchased one of those Cutie pies, you know those pastries that has a high dipped in sugar glaze of some sort in a paper wrapper. The used to cost like $.15 which was a pretty good deal but now it's like a bucket half or more unless you get them on sale. These are okay and pinch but it's hard to call a real pie. I shouldn't of done it but I did I got the Callender pie! I brought the whole pile home little box I took with me for the express purpose of not buying too much. I got all the box but had to rely on one my favorite checkout people to negotiate all the materials in the box fit and proper. I threw the pie in the oven immediately inside my copper box cooked it for an hour and of now let it cool down. It's pitiful when your blog entry has to be about your day in the market.

So if I'm fortunate all have pie this evening for my treat of the week and maybe a new Amazon prime or Netflix…