Some Thing's Missing

 

After being thwarted for approximately 5 days my technician guy, Allen finally was able to get by today to look at my chair. Actually, I'm doing pretty good in the back of chair surprisingly so. It seems like there is something wrong with this chair when I use it the last couple of times and the only thing I can think of, or that I see is the seatbelt. I only have one side of the restraint. Somehow I lost the bolt on the other side but I still have the restraint part I just need to find a working bolt. Aside from that however the chair seems to working just fine. I'm a little concerned about the pressure is put it on my buttocks but with Melissa's, my home healthcare person, application of the “second skin” I seem to be riding just fine, In fact so find that I decided to finally taken the movies. I missed a couple that I really want to see that finally be was able to see the Ghostbusters sequel if that's what this is the sequel or a hold other concept. The movie was actually better than I anticipated and I was able to use my new system at the movies. So far sooner gotten screwed over. Is that $18 a month program that allows you to see all the movies you want free of charge and as many times as you want. I have not been getting out or there have not been the movies I want to see until lately. Today was the first time I actually used it and it worked really great certainly gives you the illusion that you're seeing these movies free. Now I just got to make the time. Because it is now 8:00 PM which is really late for writing my blog. I just finished my arm bike workout from seven till eight so you can tell I'm squishing all these things together and having to do this because I chose to go to the movies and the movie started Seating At 1:30 PM and I didn't get home till about 4:30 PM. And I use my time in the morning to wash clothes, pay rent and silly things like that. I try to squeeze in the daily regulars like working out in my writing earlier in the day and not so chaotic and haphazard try to get things done before my witching hour of 10 PM.

But back to my chair. As you can see from the days image there is a gaping hole, next to my arm bike, to where my backup chair used to sit and where I put the broken chair to await Allen's decision. As I figured he would be, Allen was amazed at the condition of my chair. It really did appear as if the seat portion of the chair was hanging on by just sheer luck. The bolt was still in place think goodness had I lost that I feel I would've tumbled out onto my head. I also pointed out other aspects of the chair which did not seem to be functioning as well. There was nothing he could do as far as an on-site repair so I finally caved in after about 20 or 30 minutes and just took the whole chair away with him back to the shop so they could at least “tighten” the key in important bolts and nuts or whatever. I hope this meant that the chair would be coming back to me relatively soon. As much as I badmouth the chair I have to admit I've gotten used to some of the key features primarily the elevator function and how I live my life. It really has become key to extending my level of independence by using my upper cupboards as well as putting quarters in the washing machines and being able to reach things at the supermarket. I am a consumer I must admit.

I'm just pleased as punch that this backup chair is everything that I wanted to be as far as I have to survive in a chair let it be the chair that I used for the last five years before I got the new one…

Redundancy, I know, but my chair is always on my mind

 

I really hate to bore you dear reader but a blog is a blog and these are the essentials of my life. Today, I waited all day for my technician to come to fix my chair or two at least assess it to find out if and how we can go about fixing the chair – – the power chair remember yesterday's photo? I really thought he would make strong efforts to work me into his day sense he knew I needed services before Thanksgiving and I was hoping to get some on Friday but he was off on Friday so for sure I thought today Allen would make time. Obviously he was up to his neck in alligators and I figured since the day was done and I was okay and I was surviving in my backup chair takes the stress off the lad and tell them to take the night off its try again tomorrow. I don't know if he appreciated the effort but I think he was ready to go home. Now I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm almost positive that nothing he can do except say “wow, that shares broken”. I'm sure then he'll say there's nothing he can do except tell the office of the officers set up a time when will come and take the chair and hopefully go through a process of identifying exactly what the chair needs and then return the chair until such time as those parts come in then take the chair again for the repair. I'm open this'll be relatively quick because as much as I love my backup chair it's an old chair and it's as crotchety and cranky as I am.

Now having dissed my backup power chair I have to say the chairs really done remarkably well this day. I even took across the street and did some quick shopping. I'm really hoping now that I'll be able to dress myself all right tomorrow, Tuesday, when all have no health support. I'm sure I can do it can't be any more difficult than trying to dress myself in the chair Sunday morning. At least I'm not a slide out I don't think – – that's another issue there is no safety restraint i.e. belt. I'm hoping I have parts of one that can be used to manufacture a safety restraint. Maybe, perhaps in the afternoon I might head down to UCAT and see if I get used Belt/restraint. I don't know if I dare because my butt seems to be getting a little tender. In fact I was totally impressed with Melissa/healthcare personnel who was able to slap some second skin right onto my butt where was getting tender. I'm totally impressed with this little kid probably too much so. Melissa is a lot of fun however and she certainly knows how to apply a second skin. Interestingly she knew how to do this because of her experience with tattooing. I guess tattoo artist use my second skin. Amazing.

I wrote letters today to three getting close to getting done so I'm going to have to take off to the bank soon again maybe tomorrow just because I need to get cash for my Christmas letters. It is not even December yet and I feel good that the letters are nearly finished. Perhaps, the letters will get me in the spirit a little more. That's okay, the weather is warm and dry perfect for traveling. But it's Christmas time we need the atmosphere to comply with the need.

Old Chair Beware

 

Actually, I did not sleep poorly last night as I thought that I would. I was kind of worried about if I was going to be able to get up and get dressed in time for breakfast over Dee's restaurant, our standard go to for Sunday breakfast. Mark Anthony had texted me early in the evening (that I did not see till 11 o'clock or so p.m.) if I was up for breakfast and of course I was provided I could be addressed or whatever. I figure the worst-case scenario would be out how to have Mark Anthony dress me if I just cannot get dressed in the chair that seem to be failing me.

The chair continue to fall apart on me throughout the weekend. Now the right side would not stay fixed in its position. I think I found the finished breaking the plastic housing that was supposed to lock the arm in place. Now not only was the seat rocking back and forth the arm would not stay fixed in place as I tilted back to adjust my weight and dress and things of that nature. I was freaked out at 11 PM last night when getting ready for bed the right side arm fell off again like it did couple days ago in the morning and I had to go find someone to slide it back in place. I didn't know what I was going to do. I was naked sitting next to my bed which was about ready to tumble into bed , the right arm , The controller arm, Held in place only by the power cord! It was a challenge trying to drive my chair from a dis-articulated arm. Controller arm itself is very heavy and I'll surprised I was able lift up in my lap enough to actually drive the chair around. I thought I'd give it a shot and to my surprise I was able to slide the controller back into the arm of the chair. I was totally blown away. I tumbled in the bed and slept fairly well until morning which totally surprised me.

I woke up around 5 AM and just sort of laid there till 6 AM which I figured us enough time to get me dressed and ready for breakfast at 8 AM at the restaurant. I was frightened that the arm of the chair would come undone again was very cautious on my transfer but I made it even with the weird arm. I limped into the kitchen and warmed up some coffee then back to the bathroom to shave them totally focus on getting ready. I won't sugarcoat the experience it was difficult getting my leg crossed over the other leg put on my shorts and my shoe that I did it first the right leg bend the left and then finally leaning back in the chair and able to script the shorts over my hips. The process took 45 minutes roughly but I got the job done. I was ready by the time I need to get over to breakfast.

My granddaughter and her boyfriend joined us for breakfast the took off after we were done and Mark came over to the apartment to help out what needed to be done. The most important part was transferring me from my chair over to my backup chair. I'm a little worried because The backup chair has issues of its own in the cushion does not seem to give me the protection to my butt but I need. But I'll go through the process tomorrow oh: in trying to get the repair guy over to fix my chair my new chair until we can figure out what are going to do with it. At least, this is what my vision is I don't know what his is and I don't know what the company says really frustrated. So this is a picture of the new fast becoming old chair you can see where I've totally destroyed the poor thing. I don't plan on going anywhere the next couple of days which is okay. I might be okay until spring when those. I just need a chair in the cushion that will allow me to live and do the things I need to do to get by with my life…

Running Low On Filters

 

It was a beautiful day today. I'm not sure what the temperature got to but the sun was out I noticed all day long and tonight as I watched the weather (I had the volume turned down since I was on a phone call) that looked like we were still under a major High system which is parked over the state so I figure the day was beautiful. I'm not really doing much with my life right now. My favorite excuse is my chair and its poor condition. But truth be told if I wanted to do something I'll be out doing at just choosing to stay in and hang out at the apartment all day. For example today's excuse aside from the chair was that last night when I plugged in my chair to be charged – – which I do every night usually – – I did not notice the charger itself was unplugged. I should've realized when I couldn't see the charging light on but that's another story the charger was turned around and I wasn't going to wrestle around at 12 o'clock last night when I plugged in. So when I woke up this morning my chair.charged at all during the night even though the controller indicated it was charging. I've come to realize that if anything metals plugged into the controller it acts as if it's being charged but it wasn't. So even though my readout read I was at 91% charge I didn't feel comfortable going anywhere significant. I really don't need anything from the market right now since I went yesterday and I could've gone back and forth on the 91% charge and I should've gone across the street for a haircut that could of done that on the 91% charge but I use the excuse of the battery didn't charge to watch Marvel movies all morning while my chair was plugged in to the charger in my front room area and I knew it was charging. By late this afternoon I realized I was in the to do anything productive outside the apartment just spent a little time cleaning up things I've dropped on the floor in the kitchen today. I should be more concerned about this lack of involvement with the world right now like I said the teaser to blame the chair if not the cold weather if and when it gets here.

I made coffee this morning. I think I'm a coffee once or twice a week and drink on that coffee throughout the week. This morning when I got the coffee down I was somewhat shocked when I realized I was down to my last two coffee filters! I wasn't too worried because in the back of my mind I believe there's half a bag of coffee filters left but I'm not sure where the coffee filters are at. I figured I have enough coffee to get through Monday and Monday morning I can brew up another full pot of coffee which you give me through at least until Wednesday and somewhere in that stretch of time I can do a thorough search for coffee filters that fit my current machine (I did find almost a whole pack of those like diamond shaped filters or triangular filters– – Ones that will not fit the round coffee container in my machine now). I want take the slow as I don't want to be stuck with another full package of filters I may or may not use. I have a history of knee-jerk purchase only to find out I already have the item I just purchased and I rarely take things back. Had I been real conscientious I would have ordered my filters through Amazon. It's okay, worst-case scenario I could use the Google paper towel trick or even figure out a way to use the other the other filters. I'm sure I can make it work somehow that's just how I am I'm kind of a hack…

Bounties On My Door!

 

It started sometime this summer. I can't rightly remember exactly what day. I like to read in the afternoon sun and heat often in the shade of an overhang by the back door of my apartment complex. From this vantage point I can read, watch the traffic on River Road, listen to the kids of the skateboard park next door and watch the Jets come in and leave the local airport especially in late afternoon and early evening. I didn't know who she was. She would stop on the way to her car or when she was out walking her small dog and we would visit briefly. She's a tall and ghostly lady course much older than I am part seems to be. I'm sure she was quite attractive in her day – – and she still lives in her way. Long silver hair, tight facial skin that's all you can see she's quite clothed otherwise. Anyway, she thinks I'm bright, smart that shows what she knows. She seems to go quite often to Costco. On one such trip she asked if I needed anything but I told her she saw any good-looking grapes I would be interested. Later that afternoon I opened the door to find a bag hanging from the doorknob a box/carton of red grapes. I was a little taken back I want to split grapes with her and pay her for half the cost. At that time, I did not even know her name let alone, her apartment number. I didn't eat any of the grapes for a day I have not wanting to mess up “haves”. When I finally did find her she indicated they are all for me which I gladly took.

Now, there's been a couple of incidents when I opened the door and there's all kinds of treasures/treats. The little waxing closed baubles of cheese for instance with crackers. Also there's been cartons of tomatoes small cherry tomato type tomatoes but very good and very fresh along with small cucumbers the size of your large finger and on the day after Thanksgiving, this morning when my home health person left the apartment there is yet another large white garbage bag tied in the not resting by the door. On inspection there was half of a Costco pie which are just huge, a turkey dinner (frozen or was at one point in morning) and a can of whipped cream! I think I need to put a stop to this. We didn't feel creepy. Of course confided in my neighbor across the hall Billie. Of course the first thing she said is that I'm being courted! I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm not interested in pets are any long-term relationships at this point in my life because nothing is long-term. Even if I were interested in this person who is much older than I and I'm 70. It would be much too painful and the best circumstances she's a short-term and I just don't want to have to deal with anymore death that I'm going to have to deal with as it is. I'm sure if I confronted this person she would say she just being nice. But still feels kind of spooky not sure what I'm supposed to do aside from the bounties from the door

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

It's a monumental task feeding thousands of people in one day. I don't envy the Salvation Army for the work they do but they sure do a good job in trying to do it. As I alluded to in earlier posts that this season of Thanksgiving rather than slave over producing a turkey dinner even just the basic bird and mashed potatoes and luck gravy forget all the other trimmings I elected to go with the Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner giveaway which besides serving meals to the low income, homeless they also serve meals to seniors who sign up to receive such meals. I did that this year.

Today was one of those Thanksgiving days but I fondly remember: lots sunshine, and warm temperatures The kind of day it's perfect to be outside in the afternoon before or after the Thanksgiving meal served plain football on the front yard or just hanging around with cousins and friends. I was sort of caught waiting Not only for the Thanksgiving dinner from the soldiers of the Salvation Army but also my son Mark Anthony called and wanted to come to visit with my granddaughter Jasmine. I wasn't sure if you wanted to go out to Thanksgiving dinner somewhere or purchase the Thanksgiving dinner from any one of the restaurants in the community and bring them in. That wasn't a bad idea actually but utterly made plans of my neighbor Billie to have Salvation Army feast with her. The documents which was circulated announcing the feast indicated they would be delivered between 11 and 1 PM.

With nothing else to do on such a glorious day I went down to the front of the building around 10 o'clock in hopes that perhaps they would deliver the meals early closer hopes in vain but still it was nice to visit with a lot of other folks at the building here who had the same idea. We waited and waited 11 o'clock came and went than 12 o'clock and still no sign of Thanksgiving meals. I expected some kind of a big square pizza type truck or two that would come with piping hot dishes or trays of turkey dinners. By 12:30 PM the natives are getting restless and quite a crowd had gathered at the front of the building. And then miraculously at 12:45 PM small sized square back truck pulls up actually two of them into volunteers from Salvation Army get out and start unloading Styrofoam boxes of Thanksgiving day dinners. By this time Mark Anthony had shown up and he was without any dinner to speak of just yet. But we gathered our dinners and came back to Billie's apartment where we agreed to have dinner together. I'm not trying to be tacky but I'm thankful for the dinner no question about it but what we received was cold and not very appetizing. Billie and I knew our dinners and I split some of mine with my son Mark Anthony which I think worked out well. There's also pumpkin pie with what pastors with cream at one time lathered on top. Like I said totally thankful for the dinner and the Salvation Army folks who threw together and I think All things being equal that next year, provided I live that long, I'm going to cook my own dinner once again let somebody else benefit from the good works of the soldiers of the Salvation Army…

Holiday Ready

 

 It's Thanksgiving Eve. I don't know when people start referring to either Thanksgiving but now all they do. I heard it this evening on the local news it's a thing. I guess I'm all set for the day. I don't have any big plans per se. I think I've already talked about surrendering myself to the Salvation Army and whatever they plan to do for people such as I and many of the other residents here at the complex. Should be interesting. Over the last couple years when I've done my own Thanksgiving meal I have become exhausted just trying to prepare. First time I tried to do it all Thanksgiving morning this was a joke. Last year I started a couple days before hand and made different parts of the meal but still the bottom line was when I was done it was all me with a lot of leftovers and cleanup. This year decided to take the easy way out and I'm letting Salvation Army take the lead. I'm a little frustrated because I was still going to go across the street and hit the market before the holiday just so I would have treats in hand like I need them but still I think as part of my enjoyment of the holiday. Maybe some barbecue chips, donut I don't know just a fun things to eat. I did make it however because I was kind of stuck at home all day waiting for my wheelchair mechanic, Allen to show up. He could've made it yesterday morning but I had to be downtown at my Assist, Inc. meeting . So that was a no go but he said he could do it today and I believed him. Allen is pretty conscientious And he usually comes through. I don't know what happened I'm just sure he was overworked. I really don't plan on Anything tomorrow speak of So barring falling out of a my chair I should be okay And hopefully I'll see him on Friday morning art some point in time. But seriously, I don't need anything from the market for Thanksgiving. I have treats here at the house I really really want them. I have ice cream sandwiches and will cups of ice cream if I want to have a treat with an icing filled cookie sandwich cookie. I have putting in all kinds of cans of fruit Along with cottage cheese And I could also have great toast to go with my fruit and cottage cheese. Hopefully tomorrow I will score some pumpkin pie.. I could, if I really really wanted to, I could make a pie of got flour shortening table space cans of pumpkin and sugar.. I washed dishes this morning and the apartment is still pretty clean. Not that anyone's coming over but if they were I'm set.. I have the heat turned up at the blinds drawn I have operating link to my Internet as well as to my Netflix. Who could want anything more…?

Waif On The Train

 

I could've had my power chair looked at today. I made contact with my technician who's been sick the last couple of days but now sounds like he's bounced back. I'm a little worried that I'm contacting him too much about this chair but seriously the chair is really just falling apart. I have not had the chair that long – – the dedicated reader knows this – – and I'm actually worried that the chair might fall apart with me in it somewhere I will not be able to get assistance if I need to. So, I did put call In the Allen today and he got back to me immediately because I thought a good sign. Sadly however, he could've met with me had I not chosen, instead, to sign off on work projects for Assist, Inc. which I do usually on Tuesday mornings. So hopefully tomorrow, the day before Thanksgiving, we can meet and maybe if nothing else can just eyeball the problems are currently having with the chair and hopefully make some adjustments that will get me through until we can figure out what we can do in the long run for this piece of junk.

It was a nice day to travel, much like yesterday, the sun was out and the temperature felt a lot warmer than it was Allowing me to be out on the track system riding the train. I guess I could've put this in the preceding paragraph since the problem is dealing with my weird chair. I'm having more and more difficulty doing the things I do every day and one of them is dressing myself which I do four days a week when I don't have attendant care. As I've indicated, the chair is now wobbly which, frightens me because for me to dress myself I have to constantly adjust the leaning factor space of my chair. That is I motive the chair back to an almost flat position and at times with the foot section a little elevated so I can bridge high enough in the chair lift my butt so I can pull my shorts up. Because the right side of my chair seems to be most affected gravity pulls my whole body to the right which also causes my right leg to spasm forward. Sometimes I feel I'm actually going to spasm myself right off the chair. So, what does this have to do with The train ride? Well, I have to get to the train of certain time and if it takes so long for me to dress because of the chair be in so weird I'm in constant stress of worrying that I'm going to lose or miss my ride. Today, I had no problems and I feel blessed. Hopefully tomorrow, Allen will be able to tighten things up and make me feel a little safer until we can do a major overhaul of this hunk of junk.

What I thought was interesting today was as I rode the tracks into my meeting there was this little waif of a person she was sitting on a lunch pail or something which I thought was interesting but she was all curled up almost in the fetal position and stayed in that position all the way to her stop. She just looked pitiful I I hoped her day got better…

JFK Day – – Goodbye Mr. Bond

 

This is kind of weird, I think, that there's never really been a formal JFK day formatted or formulated or brought forth. JFK, an American president, gunned down and nothing truly are been done about the whole thing except spin off of a bunch of science fiction type programs/movies about the whole event. I guess nothing America likes better than the great mystery and are conspiracy. You know it's kind of strange as well that with the gunning down JFK that was sort of America's entry into the whole gun ownership thing as well as the end of American civility. Of course, that the politeness of America didn't die overnight became a little by little. I definitely think it started the day “the music died”. I'm not going to go on and on about this whole impolite American thing but it is sort of interesting think about sometimes.

Dianne and I had a date today what fun! I think I was so excited I didn't get much sleep. Now that neither of us drive were having to rely wholly off public transit which means a lot of personal planning which is cool or both adults we could do this. Today we met up at Murray central station and took the train down to 33^rd in South state to the century 16 movie theaters. Kind of is the easiest theaters for both of us to get to. Of course I would've just assumed on to my theater just down the street but that's little more difficult for Dianne. As it is just a little bit of walking for her shingle write down State Street to train to the movies of back. We went pretty early in the day catching the 12:20 PM showing of No Time To Die The current James Bond offering. I guess I'm not surprised and a little distressed that Daniel Craig the current Bond , actually dies! I think I even knew this is a spread in the news are the entertainment news off and on. Not only does Bond die but is 007 is transferred to a new agent. A black female which I find very interesting as well as there's a a black Money Penny. They of course are both English which is kind of a hoot. I don't know what the Broccoli name is trying to come up with. What I thought was really interesting was that the franchise indicates, at the end of the movie credits, “bond will be back” now that I'm thinking about it I'm not sure if the credit said Bond or 007. Interesting. There's no way that the current James Bond is survived the missile attack at the end of the movie but I guess we'll just have to stay tuned to see happens.

The movie was okay, marginal, perhaps the best part of the outing was going to the Amber Restaurant which is like this little out-of-the-way no-name restaurant that's always been there it seems. I remember going to this place years ago and I don't remember who with. The could have been up by second wife Denny but I doubt it but there is somebody I went with maybe a group of people I'm not sure but. It's certainly a blue-collar/working-class/senior type restaurant. The servers you like your they don't and if they do the kind of adoption immediately calling you “honey” making sure you get exactly what you want. Prices, high for what they offered but I think that's just restaurant/food in the current decade of this century. Perhaps the best part was killing time with Dianne in the name of a lunch waiting for the movies to start. We had thought about doing two movies today but were both glad that we did not one Bond film is enough vicarious action for one day for folks like us…

Sunday Surprise

 

It has not been a half bad Sunday. Any time I can spend with kids especially a granddaughter and going up breakfast is a great day. Remember, last week we didn't go out because Mark Anthony was in

Salem DJing daughter's wedding. But today it was back to breakfast is normal at Dee's family restaurant. Today was the three of us Jasmine, Mark Anthony and me all sitting around the table, drinking coffee and acting fairly normal as these things go. It's always great to catch up with Jasmine. There's just something invigorating about being close to adolescent and their lifestyle. Just seems to be go go go reaching for adulthood. Sometimes I wish I could slow it down but know that's impossible. But we caught up. Mark Anthony is busy as ever in Jasmine with school as well as her job at the restaurant – – the upscale restaurant out in Harriman. And I of course, had to bring them up on my week or whatever. My visits to the emergency room and to the doctors offices and finally getting on top of the illness I seem to have at least one infection. All caught up life goes on.

I was kind surprised because we didn't do the Russian broadcast this morning. Mark was just too busy trying to catch up with everything he missed as a result of his sister's wedding. He did however come back the apartment with me and did some cleaning which I deeply appreciated. I have still not located a permanent cleaning person but with marks labor and hopefully his friends all have a livable environment which I will feel good about.

In my new fervor of trying to keep things cleaned out. I was going through my freezer the other day when I was putting away some Marie Calendarss pot pies, And came across a fourth of a bag of chicken meatballs which I acquired one day a few months ago from the food bank across the street. I don't mean to be complaining, and I'm not just the fact, a lot of the food bank food tastes a little funny for one reason or another. I was kind of excited about these chicken meatballs in fact I made spaghetti sauce with them but the just tasted a little off taste necessarily bad they just had, funny aftertaste. I actually ate most of those meatballs the sauce and spaghetti and I guess you could almost characterize it as choking them down but I ate them. Now, the same second meatballs of been residing in the freezer for at least six months if not a year. The meatballs were not necessarily freezer burned but there is certainly a lot of frost on the balls and I really wanted to throw them away… And I almost did. However, I nuked one of them and tasted them and they weren't necessarily bad and they weren't necessarily good but they were palatable enough to choke down which meant I could not throw them away. I emptied the whole rest of the bag onto a paper plate through them into the Nuker When radiated the little suckers for five minutes. In a cause I flash of brilliance I figured why not bathroom and one of the new frying pans opened up a can of mushroom soup as will assist small can of mushrooms and put them to simmer in hopes the flavor would dissipate as the meatballs flawed and hopefully took on the flavor of the mushroom soup, canned mushrooms and yes I also threw in a couple tablespoons of sour cream. It seemed right. I simmered them for about a half-hour and tried them. The people texture is weird their spongy almost rubbery but they are edible and the canned mushroom soup and a couple tablespoons of sour cream can hide a lot of sins. I took a few output amendable unethical sprinkle Chinese noodles on top and try to make a meal out of it. Then up with the rest of the plastic container and throw it in the refrigerator in hopes that I might ingest more chicken meatballs this Thanksgiving week. Sadly, I think the meatballs will experience a slow death and in two weeks I'll throw the whole kit In caboodle into the dumpster behind the house…

Morning Mush

 

It's official, I'm all grown up, possibly worse I'm old. I'm still suffering from the visit to my internist this last week. I'm still trying to eat healthy as he suggested. So to that regard and trying to stay away from prepared breakfast foods like Cheerios are frosted flakes. Instead, this morning I elected to actually make oatmeal! You know mush, hot cereal. Mush or hot cereal was a staple growing up at my home. I don't know of anybody else had to suffer through hot mush before they went off the class in the morning but I did. Oatmeal, Cracked wheat even whole wheat. We even had cornmeal mush which is really weird. I think my mom had this philosophy that anything cooked from grains covered with enough brown sugar or honey was viable as a breakfast material so hot cereal along with two pieces of toast was my breakfast meal along with a glass of milk. I rarely put the milk on the cereal as my parents did I figured it just made more unpalatable foodstuff to have to consume.

Interestingly as I've gotten older especially now at 70 years old I am beginning to examine my food materials much closer. Even though I still enjoy a great steak, roast beef even vegetables raw I find myself kind of shying away from them just because these food products are getting difficult for me to eat from a dental standpoint. Thankfully, I still have enough of my original teeth to just about masticate anything I can get my mouth around our stuff into my mouth but it takes longer and I have to spend more time, usually before bed, digging out the debris between my teeth because if I don't, aside from possible tooth decay, I teeth will actually hurt because of the pressure between the teeth caused by the food materials lodged in their. I now understand Dickens reference in “Christmas Carol” where Scroog finds a bowl of porridge i.e. oatmeal to eat before he goes to bed probably because it's the easiest thing for him to eat on all levels. I think I mentioned this last time I had a tooth removed (a couple weeks ago) that I actually became anxious because the tooth which was pulled was one of the back molars the day uses a grinder and I realized the really is purpose to conserving your teeth! Just as an update that area has healed and I'm getting along just fine without an implant or any other prosthetic device thank gosh. I still might get a bridge at some point in time right now I'm doing great as I am.

It's sadly, a couple years ago, I was motivated to make some oatmeal cookies I got a large container of rolled oats. I made the cookies but the oats of stayed there ever since in fact a couple weeks ago I knocked the top off of the carton of oats and I'm sure those weird pantry flies colonized the pile. Luckily, the couple weeks ago a smashed up yet sealed container of oats, albeit much smaller, showed up at the sharing shelf which I promptly grabbed. So, I through the old oats away (which is part of my new philosophy which is to eat as new as possible) and opened up the small container of rolled oats and made mush! What a cup of oats into boiling water, salt of the preferred, and then cook for a minute or two there you go. Two pieces of toast nicely buttered and coffee made a great breakfast and guess what I had enough left over that if I wanted to I could even have mush before I went to bed just like Ebenezer…

A Little Bit Of Lists And A Little Bit Of That

 

There is just enough clouds and the temperature just low enough to make me want to stay in just piddle around the apartment all day. Cranked up my heater by my computer and have been just working around the apartment that is after I worked out course and listen to Marketplace. No place to go nothing to do, really. I suppose I could work on the Great American novel that I can even get past the short story on stilettos with just a might go back to later on in the evening seems like the right time. But to justify my lounging around I've been working on rig drilling and turning hooks into sticks. Invariably, I end up running over my hooks. At one point or another I run over the metal hook In the end of the snap the whole thing off. I never throw stick away so when I get a couple ready to go sit at my sawhorse begot my drill and a quarter inch spat and drill away finally twisting the hook in the end that I have a new but shorter than I had before. I have made a note that one of these first days need to go on another trip down to Home Depot are some other big box do-it-yourself store by a couple more inch one-inch dowels to make more sticks with. I really wish I could figure out some way to make a small business out of this but I think I'm even one appreciates the ability to lengthen your reach as well as be able to pick things up without breaking the device.

I'm also doing some pickup work around the apartment. I still haven't found a cleaning person Yet at least one who will show up and Mark Anthony and keep in the place pretty shipshape for the Russian broadcast on Sunday mornings that we've been doing. However, last week he was gone To Oregon for the wedding so no broadcast, no Mark Anthony no cleaning… Entropy never sleeps. The kitchen is still the worst spot in the apartment that's why do most of my workforce either in the sink on the stove or on the table. The kitchens always a catastrophe especially the floor. A plan to sleep again this evening and maybe just maybe wash the floor with the swifter. That's always kind of fun They all have the kitchen ready for any dancing I want to do on Saturday night. I still have to sweep the floor bedroom. One of the things I ended up doing almost as badly as breaking the hooks off my sticks is running over sticks I have covered with the sticky stuff/material that rubber band on the end of sticks. I usually use 3 to 4 rubber bands tightly wrapped Which would greatly that is until I leave the item on the floor and run over with my big chair which literally shreds the rubber bands off the end of the stick. The plastic wrap is still good and I will just with more rubber bands and there is another stick it is no for reaching, bed making and picking things up off the floor until I shredded again. So I did something It's not like I watch movies all day. I was productive in my own way and sometimes it's as good as it hits…

Reddit, Unfulfilled Coffee, No Mush Today

 

I'm so frustrated sometimes at my inability to really understand technological stuff. Case in point I been trying to figure out how to post images to a Reddit account. I mean, come on, teenagers are doing it right and left. And other folks also seem to have very little problem at all getting themselves up on the Reddit account. It looked straightforward enough when I started not even got registered all that kind of stuff but when it went the actually posting it won't let me. I seem to be doing something wrong. I struggled with a day or so now I'm asked to trying talk to the moderators to see if they can talk me through the process. I just can't believe I am this dense.I'm almost afraid however that whatever moderator I get is going to be a snarky little Techie that hasn't the time understanding help senior get on the account.

And it's not like I'm spending my whole day on this project – – but I could – – I just spent about an hour and a half. The only other fulfilling task I've done today has been shoring up the coffee klatch. That was some fulfilling. I keep showing up at these things think I'm going to come away with some sort of fortified feeling of acceptance and socialization but it never happens just get a feeling of lackluster at best and at worst an emptiness of “what am I doing here?”. I like the idea so much that I look forward to the meeting every Thursday morning and sit in the same spot visiting the same people. I know I should change my point of view but I don't think I want a point of view for many the other folks at the coffee group. Could be the holiday season as well. We are now a week away from Thanksgiving in law these old folks are talking about will be spending the holiday. I'm not going anywhere, I never do I don't have a way to even if I was invited out. My neighbor across the hall to talk about getting our little Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner trays and coming together and having our own little Thanksgiving at her apartment. It's not be kind of Traditionally she's gone to her granddaughters– – But the granddaughters recently married which is caused a social quake all up and down her traditional line. She's on her own for Thanksgiving dinner since the newlyweds are going to the grandparents on “his” side of the family. If my neighbors lucky and lives long enough maybe next year will be her turn for the family feast.

Speaking of feast, remember I got paperwork about the Mediterranean diet from my visit with the internist yesterday? One of the big deals on this diet is oatmeal mush for breakfast which is okay. I like oatmeal mush I can say that now is an adult. So last night as I was wandering around stopped in at the sharing shelf and there was a whole pile of oatmeal cups, you know just add hot water there you go. This morning I decided to try it out. I even made toast go with the mush. I put new water in the teapot brought it to a boil added it to the dry oatmeal and then waited for the mandatory to three minutes obit longer since I had to finish the toast out of the toaster oven and apply butter. I cannot tell you how dismayed I was at the first couple of bites of this mush it was the worst stuff I'd ever tasted. It kind of tasted like oatmeal, like old stale oatmeal. Don't know how long these cups of Of languished in somebody's closet until they find decide to clean things out – – or worst maybe one of the residents died in somebody else cleaned out the closet – – either way these things should have been thrown away probably, literally, years ago which I'm about ready to head out to do now. This is my new policy through everything out without doubt when you don't know how long it's been around…

Luncheon! First World Complaints

 

I have to admit I'm mildly impressed. Yesterday I had my meeting with the folks over at IHC with my internist and his resident and now I have two appointments from the referrals from my meeting. Not even sure what one of them is about which is kind of freaky. But as near as I can tell one is for the physiatrist. My only surmise that because the phone call I got this afternoon was for the colorectal clinic which is obviously for my hemorrhoids. Though I think I will follow up on the one appointment just to be sure. I certainly have the time since when appointment is in February and the colorectal is a March! It's a good thing I'm not bleeding out. Since bleeding out is something I'm really A sort of worried about– the scheduler reassured me I would be all right. I just have to keep telling myself that this is good, this is a good thing. At least I'm making contact with all the medical folks the who could have a major impact on my life. Frightening as all this is to me I do have a strange feeling of comfort them doing the right thing. I just hope I don't find any catastrophic results.

Oddly now that I've gone through all this effort to at least begin coping with my colorectal issues i.e. major blood flows. This morning there was no blood at all toilet. What might body knows it's being taken to the professionals so the body to the fix itself. Well good luck, I would do it anyway. So, I was strapped to my arm bike working on my second hundred minutes for the week was a knock on my door is my neighbor across the hall , Billie who was informing me that lunch is being provided today by the apartment management folks I think as a tribute to Thanksgiving. It was not a full blown out Thanksgiving turkey Festival but it was shredded turkey on white roles with the accoutrements and pies following the meal. Cold cuts but not bad I have to admit. Sadly, I would've missed the whole thing probably. It's not like it wasn't in the calendar that's passed around every month. One lands on the door. It's kind of a poor excuse for a newsletter – – which I indicated I would assist in producing if they wanted to – – but they didn't so we get a slick glossy document whose only real value is the calendar which is fairly generic except when they do have something like “Luncheon”.

There's no where I feel comfortable in the common room. All the tables are so low I cannot get under any of them with my power chair. So anytime there is a meal I have to either that a distance, which I can do no problem it's just awkward. Today I sat with a number of the ladies love gotten to know here at the apartment complex. Probably wouldn't have been my first choice was forgot annexed into the group. Those little surprised because I seem to be a little dull today. I wish I could've been a bit more chipper and after but I think I was kind of depressed that it was just cold cuts and not a full-blown turkey dinner – – is this a great example of first world problems are what? I really empathetic. Truth is the meal was great (could've been greater) and I wish that had some kind of flavored drink and possibly even coffee to go with the pies…

Long Day Medically Speaking

 

Yesterday would've been ideal. Weather was perfect for busing and getting around for a person in a power chair, but we sort win over that yesterday. So of course today the morning was cold, cloudy with light rain actually just virga just a few drops managed to hit the ground and very few actually hit me. Still it was uncomfortable. Add to that just a real challenge getting dressed this morning. I don't know what it is and of course I'm arguably my power chair make it difficult for me to dress. Luckily I did get up early enough that I was able to get my clothes on and make it to the bus on time to get over to the IHC Medical Center.

I was, probably myself because I was there a whole hour before I need to be. The only problem was I woke up with the feeling that I was in the middle of another bladder infection. I was having a whole issue of urge to urinate but not being able to. Then I remembered I had a whole bottle of Cipro that my new urologist scripted for me to be taken if I were to get another infection. I really did not give the situation much thought and started the new prescription. So, back at the doctor's office about 15 minutes before I was to have my appointment I went into the bathroom to see if I could squeeze out any urine before my appointment. Weird as it is I was able to manage the whole process but door was so heavy in the bathroom I could not open it. This is the first time I've had this problem with the door I could not open at the hospital. I've run into heavy doors before but not like this one and again I can blame it on my chair because I'm sitting so weirded the chair these days that any stress that I have like opening the door cause my whole body to spasm to the point where I start losing my shoes, wallet falls out I do start losing everything. I finally had to scream “help” when is able to open the door enough. Finally one of the front staff rescued me and got me into my exam room.

I knew I was going to have a resident at this appointment and this is good these kids have to train somewhere and I'm glad I can be part of their training process. However, they do get a bit tiresome. We went to the whole process however and in the and the attending (which totally surprised because it was Nathan Allred who is my regular internist did the evaluation). It was still kind of weird and kind of intimidating. After all the whole process was to get me referred over to a gastroenterologist or whatever profession it is that does the hemorrhoid repairs. The process is quite intimidating to me especially when they use the word surgery. But I guess the most productive idea that came out of the whole interview was that I would be referred over to whoever or whatever specially and will set up an appointment to fix these things. Also, it looks like going to be referred to physiatry as well. This individual supposedly will be able to help me with aspects of my chair which is not soon be working very well as well as my spasticity. We'll have to see. Before I left they provided me with “Mediterranean diet” options. They indicated that this should be the best thing for me diet was. I don't know why but this really rubbed me the wrong way.

Sadly, I did not feel very reinforced or positive living the appointment. I sort of got in trouble for starting the new regimen of Cipro because it clouds the actual problem I may have been having with my bladder infection – – if that's what it is. They would've rather die come in without any medication for the urges. They say when this happens again the call them immediately but last time I did I got an appointment two months out and this just won't do. I'm kind of looking forward to the appointment and hopefully getting the hemorrhoids fixed other than that however, I plan to live my life as I have been trying to enjoy each day as it comes…

A Chair Without An Arm

This is an image of my dissertation will he did arm for my power chair lying on my bed

Today would be a perfect day for traveling and it was. Fairly clear skies temperatures near 70° really, traveling weather doesn't get much better than the weather was to be. I was feeling pretty excited because I did a very good bowel program this morning and things were looking up. All I had to do was get to the busstop catch the 47 eastbound straight to the IHC are selective call it the DeathStar. I was trying not to think about what happened last night when the whole right side of my chair, more specifically the right arm of my chair fell off. I just cannot explain how disheartening this is. This is even more so when it's in the evening on a weekend. Fortunate for me it wasn't even 7 PM yet which I did feel too bad to call my brother, Carl never ceases to amaze me how constant he is with his support of me over the years particularly since we lived in the same city for maybe 30 years or so. You may go to guy and is never failed me which brings me to another blog posting I'm going to have to produce relatively soon just because for the first time I'm beginning to understand how unfair it has been with me to rely so heavily on my brother. But, as I said that's a posting for sometime down the line.

Luckily for me it wasn't easy fix. The control side of my arm slides into a receiver on the back part of my chair and it had slid out completely – – this is the first time that this is happened was, freaks me out. I'm totally surprised there is not some sort of a set screw or something to keep this from happening. Now, I just have to beware that that is possible and not to slide my arm too far forward. Just one of the many defects I see in this chair design. So anyway with all of these traumas in mind I'm taking off early afternoon to get to my 1 o'clock appointment over at the DEATH STAR. Thankfully, my wheelchair stays together and I'm able to make my appointment or so I thought. The physician I was going to see is in the same building as my internist who could not see me because of obligations of an “administrator” said with rolled eyes. When I got to this reception desk and he finally got around to noticing me and when he finally got around to finding my appointment they informed me that my appointments for tomorrow! I could not believe this. I remember making sure that today was the day of the appointment because I have to deal with so much just to get over here. I can't leave things to chance when you write in public transit you got a be sure… And I was sure. Anyway they were very sorry of course more eye rolling, the best is able to get this appointment tomorrow for 10:15 AM and of course the storms from the rolling tomorrow morning around 6 AM with rain on the valley floor and wind. It's okay I can do this. I just know my chair We will figure it out one where the other, my chair and I, were kind of a dual, where he goes I go and when he goes I go and so on and so forth…

Altered Carbon Dad – – A C D

 

This afternoon (Utah time) my daughter Shelley was married to James and quite a interesting wedding. When I say interesting I mean these two really went out of their way to include me in the ceremony. There was some chat about me actually attending the Hoo rah in Salem Oregon but the bottom line is I just cannot travel anymore we started not think so. To be honest I did not explore the option to much which maybe I should have. It looks like they certainly had a good time. How do I know this because I actually gave my daughter away to James and marriage. I did the whole dad thing which I've never done before the least in the marriage ceremony department. As always beginning to say we explored options about me being there but from travel, to lodging to toilet in showering I just don't know how we can hold off even with Mark helping. We don't have a wheelchair van, even flying would have to get around there once I got Salem. I don't know options as far as accessible transit goes if there is any at all. Anyway, I was more than a bit interested in Mark Anthony and Shelley came up with the idea that I could be there virtually which of course is always an option. I mean I could certainly watch the thing from a distance but Shelley had be participating up front and personal. I was actually going to walk my daughter down the aisle.

It took a little bit of thinking but not very much. With the help of my tablet and somebody's iPad/tablet in Salem we figured we would use the baby of the family, Charlie, who would act as my golem and hold the iPad in Salem which would be broadcasting an image of me herein Taylorsville. Charles would walk down the aisle holding me holding Michelle's arm and I'd vicariously be the dad traditionally given away the daughter and by golly it worked. I have to admit it felt a little weird.I felt like a scene from Altered Carbon A television series about cyberpunk about individuals who at the end of their life load themselves into a carbon-based something and are able to continue living. If there was a real-life concept of altered Carbon I think this is somehow it would feel like having somebody else walk you around observing everything.

I really thought I would be off the hook after the walk and my daughter up the aisle was finished and the ideas are said but leave it to Mark Anthony to include me in the reception as well as Dianne was falling along on her Zoom invitation. So, I was expected to mix and mingle with all the other folks at the function. So not only did we visit with each other, Dianne and myself, which was fun, but we visited with the bride and the groom, granddaughters who had a functional part of the wedding ceremony of course in one or two of the other guests. I felt a little bad because I did not give any wedding speeches as I guess giving away parents do. I hope Shelley can forgive me. I was just not ready. Now, after the fact I'm thinking up all kinds of things I could've said but there are many other testimonies given as to Shelley's pristine personality, divine character and outgoing love of a person. I was proud. That made for a long afternoon though. Mark Anthony was beside himself acting as the master of ceremonies playing music and encouraging people to dance as well as give testimony to the bride and the groom. Mark Anthony really did make it a good Job for the event. I can't imagine what it would have been like had I been there…

Bus Bridge Chaos

 

My view sitting in the middle of the bus bridge chaos. Look on the little girl's face says it all

Last night, the weatherman said today was going to be a beautiful day and I could just tell when I looked out the window this morning he was correct. I didn't have really anything planned for the day. I figured I should stay home and clean up the apartment as best I could. The apartment didn't look too bad except for the table where I had kind of In a weak moment gave up on the table. I grabbed a bunch of baked goods from the giveaway tables but showed up on Thursday night. I grabbed a chocolate cake, four roles, a box of four giant icing covered cinnamon rolls and some chocolate chip cookies. I don't know what I was thinking like I said I got caught in a weak moment. Now I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of all these calories. I confess I've eaten one cinnamon roll broken apart a couple others believing that if I break up the cinnamon rolls into pieces it's not as bad. The only thing that reinforces me is that I don't eat as much of the cinnamon rolls. The same is true with the cake I cut the cake into slices now I will let them dry and then eat them little bit by little bit over an extended period of time… I hope. I guess the point I'm making I was overwhelmed by my table I had to get out, I had to get free. I saw myself cruising around downtown and the old neighborhood on the east side. So off I went

I've been meaning to do this for some time, get downtown to my old house that I rented just off 600 East. and third South. The day was near perfect for cruising in power chair. While the sunshine no wind and fairly warm. As I boarded the train to head downtown I was confronted with announcements overhead indicating that major work was being done on the light rail and all the trains would stop at Ball Park station and bus bridge the points north past the construction zone. In my case downtown Salt Lake Gallivan Plaza. A fine place for jumping off. As soon as I heard they were doing a bus bridge, I should just shut everything down on either gone home or gone the other way. I forgot how dramatic interruption of services can be for transit riders. As we got to the ballpark station and the bus bridge you could just feel the tension in the air people were milling about the buses. The buses had names on them “Green” “Red” “Blue” to continue on with the train service you are on that before the bus bridge. People were all bunched up together looking like a scene from “Schindler's List”. There was a general anger and confusion however there is one man extremely angry and extremely verbal swearing his brains out. He was an hourly worker and blamed the the bus bridge for losing work time. He was seething, stomping he look like an individual who if had access to firearm of any kind would've started shooting bus drivers and probably bus people. The driver finally threatened to have the angry man removed from the bus which helped a little but in general everything was tense.

Had a good day downtown. My old apartment house the whole corner of the block which are referred to as Foster-Ville had been sold a number of years before. And the owner and someone else was standing in the driveway when I rolled up and introduced myself. We had a brief discussion of the night left my home trips. I was tired now and just wanted to be home. I felt that I had done something not necessarily important but different. It was just chaos at the bus bridges going home. The chaos lingered on to the buses then the train. I was glad to be done with my downtown day but not sorry that I went…

Sleepy Friday

I'm sleepy, I have been sleepy all day. I didn't sleep well last night, again. My neighbor Billie, I think takes great delight informing me how tired I look. I used to fight it and she would say that but now I just agree in smile and hope for a better night.I'm going through a phase right now or I wake up every morning about 3:15 AM. I usually take a couple sips of water and then turn over and try to get back to sleep… Which I usually do. I didn't sleep another three hours it seems like usually waking sometime around 6 AM which is the time that I normally like to get up. This morning I did 3:15 AM arousal but this morning I drained my bladder – – which there wasn't a whole lot in their but enough to register. Then I try to get back to sleep but because it was my B and b-day, I was overly concerned about rectal bleeding which may experience of getting back to sleep a bit more difficult. I finally gave up around 5:30 AM are 5:45 AM and decide to start the day. Transferring from bed to the chair was a bit of a challenge but I made the transfer safely is not just barely.

I bled less thissession that I have all week which I think is somewhat reductive still however I need to take action and get an appointment for my doctor to begin the process of referring me out to a proctologist or whoever can do whatever procedure needs to be done in hopes of stanching the flow of blood. In fact, this morning I'm not sure if it was a panic attack or a incidence of low blood pressure. I wondered if I've lost so much blood that I can't raise a decent enough blood pressure to stave off dizziness and or panic. I can't believe I'm becoming a bit hypochondriacal as well all our issues though which need to be addressed. So my my goals of the day was to contact my Doc start the process. Because of my sleepiness I did not get a lot done this morning or afternoon except go to market. But finally after doing my exercise/and bike I called Edwards clinic – – for my position hangs out at of course he wasn't there it was he was but he wasn't taking any calls.. It took quite a while to get through the phone system but eventually I got a hold of his nurse who worked out a deal to be seen by another physician as early as Monday and then will figure out where to go from there. I'm not anticipating much trauma. Dianne's convinced me over the years that it's a pretty simple procedure utilizing rubber bands to tie off blood vessels and that is that. In the back of my mind however I would not be surprised if they called for a colonoscopy since it's been a while. I'm not sure I'm going to do's such a thing being single and not being able to throw myself around like I used to do on the toilet. I of course and hope and praying that I don't have anything rectally wrong aside from just some errant blood vessels. That would be something I couldn't sit for…

Veterans Day 2021

 

My favorite neighbor and veteran Albert

It's Veterans Day, a national holiday but pretty much just a regular day for a lot of folks here along the Wasatch front. Of course management of the property here were off for Veterans Day and the mail will not deliver of course but in general the stores are open to everything else seems to be operating as usual. I'm not a veteran but I have brothers who are or were and I appreciate their service as I used to make a point to roll next door to my neighbors house, when I lived in Murray Utah, to shake his hand and thank him for his service in World War II. He was Navy and served in the Pacific not necessarily in any combat actions but was assigned to a amphibious airplane that a lot of flying around the South Pacific. He always felt guilty because he didn't fight directly. He would never stand when folks would ask veterans to stand in the public meeting situation because he didn't feel he served enough. I was encouraged him but he was very specific about what he did and what he felt that the dead was not enough for him to be recognized. His name was Albert, and I liked him a lot is probably the best next-door neighbor I ever had ever will have.

My brother Ross was a Marine served during the Vietnam conflict on a number of tours. He made it out alive and basically okay. I use my brother a lot as far as relating to the experience of other people during the Vietnam conflict. My brother Carl was also an Army veteran dream the middle 50s actually during the the airlift and the Cuban missile crisis. He was never sure what was going to happen in those tumultuous times of the mid-50s of America. My oldest brother, Floyd, now deceased was also military with the Air Force. He was a career military individual serving from the late 40s through the 50s I imagine – – I think I'm wrong in those times move everything up a decade 50s through the 60s there you go.

I would like to think I would've served one way or the other had I had the opportunity. I was infatuated that the time of my accident with being airborne specifically Army airborne with a leading toward special forces. I know talks cheap particular for more I'm sitting but I was certainly focused on that area of military service at the point in time. I'm one of the few people who even knew what special forces was even before “Green Beret” became part of the American lexicon. I knew about airborne forces just because I had hoped to become a smoke jumper at one time which led me down the road to Army airborne since so many smoke jumpers were at one time trained army paratroopers. I can see myself going down that line very easily. Had I, I'm sure I would've ended up in a wheelchair if not worse. So basically I'm okay with the fact that I'm not a veteran but I would've been… I think.

Thanks to all I suppose. So many did not want to be at the time that they were and Would've gladly gotten out of the service if it had a chance. I only know one individual who actually went to Canada to avoid military service and I think a great deal of that guy. His sacrifice he never has been able to return to the USA making a life in Canada. Canada got the better deal…

Zoom Zoom To Clinic

 

I'm always amazed when I find a system that really seems to work. I've become so cynical of governmental support programs for people who are disabled or low income or both. Finally, the day of my urology appointment has arrived. Remember, this appointment was set up about three weeks ago when I started having major problems with my ability to urinate in my whole life seem to be turned upside down? This was the urologist who was assigned to me on my first trip to the ER for the symptoms I was having. I had to having to appointments one to this guy way out and Sandy and then another appointment at the IHC facility that I can easily reach by catching a bus. Only problem was the IHC apartment was December 15 and the Sandy appointment was for today and I caved into the day-to-day appointment. The only reason I took the Sandy appointment was because it was a month ahead of the other and oddly enough I'm symptom-free of the problems I was having when the appointments are first set up.

I was encouraged to keep the appointment out of all to view urology clinic primarily to get myself established with the urologist who can begin to follow me when I need to have issues resolved in my urinary system. I was also encouraged to keep the appointment way down south and to utilize the Salt Lake County Senior transit system. I was a bit skeptical about the Salt Lake County offering but figured what the heck give it a try and I started the whole process of becoming part of that program. It's a bit lengthy but not as problematic as anticipated and they Are really great people to work with. The only drawback there is one that have to make your appointment at least a week ahead of schedule appointment with exact times and addresses – – which only makes sense – – essentially I have to be responsible. I did all this in today was my first ride.

My appointment was pretty late in the day not by design. So I just pretty much messed around the apartment after my morning B and B programs. I bled a lot which means I probably need to start making plans for another medical trip. My appointment was for 3 o'clock which means that I had to be ready for pickup anytime from 130 to 2 PM. I wish that remembered the make of the vehicle it was a small minivan but very nice and safe the driver was nice and we zipped right over to the clinic. The urology clinic was really busy I was surprised. I only had given myself and our for the ride home was scheduled and it took them almost 40 minutes to get to me. Luckily, I was no longer symptomatic I was feeling pretty good vitals were perfect and I had a short visit with the nurse practitioner named Brandy who I think is really good. She wrote me a script for more Cipro so on have backup prescription so that next time I start being symptomatic I can start the process hopefully be it down before but that's out-of-control like this last time. It was right at four clock when they finally turn me loose which was my pickup time and I just was afraid I was going to lose my ride but I ran into the driver just as I was leaving the office and take the elevator down the street level. He had a much larger vehicle in the first vehicle I came in. We had a great discussion and cruised home during rush-hour traffic but all it was a good day and a good ride I look for to use the guys again. I love it when something happens the way it's supposed to and everyone turns out happy…

A Little Rain And A Little Pain

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I dictate these blog entries every day. Today's a bit of a challenge since my mouth is still somewhat numbed up from a trip to the dentist this afternoon. Was quite a busy Tuesday in fact I had forgotten that my dentist appointment was today. For some reason I was thinking it was tomorrow. But then I remembered I scheduled for 2 o'clock in the afternoon because I knew I would be at my meeting in downtown Salt Lake this morning at 11 AM till 12 noon which I was sure would give me enough time to get back home and it was. The data is not necessarily cold but it was cool and uncomfortable if you had to be out in the elements. Often on a rain fell but it was more sprinkles than real rain. But I was glad to do my duty to get out and sign my name for a number of projects that the office was involved in. I wish I could say something remarkable happened on my trip but it was a calm trip except for a walk-through of transit cops heading to the back cars where they said something was going on. I didn't hear anything back and that was fine by me. Actually have a couple hours before my 2 o'clock appointment in the dental chair with the just sort of rested, brush my teeth and made sure I was ready for however long it would take for two cavities it'd seem like Dr.Anderson scheduled one-hour but he's a busy guy and sometimes the hour stretches on as he's working on numerous patients. Today Dr. Anderson seemed very busy rushing here rushing there. I got settled into the nitrous oxide and was happy enough. There is a nurse there, a friend of the dentists who was trying to learn how to do, I guess, shots in the mouth. So the good Dr. had the nurse stand close by as he for the first time explained his technique of finding the nerves that needed to be deadened for the procedure. Dr. Anderson has done this work so long that he doesn't even think about the process he just performs it but to hear him explain it was really quite enlightening. Once again I took a lot of novocaine or whatever is used these days to make sure my mouth was securely asleep. The only discomfort I experienced was when he would break through the dead zone into new nerve areas. The procedure is fairly light just some surface decay which had to be patched so there is a minimal amount of drilling no smoke. The needle and the damage done, sounds like a song, but soon I was done the nitrous oxide was replaced with Oxygen. I was glad to get this portion of the day over with especially the handing over of my credit card. 300 and some odd bucks. I'm so glad that I've been able to keep my card paid down. I'm sure it's because I've been so cautious with all the stimulus money I received. Certain is made life a bit less traumatic. Not too exciting of a day but a good day just the same…