Nuts to Nuts

 

If my home health worker, Melissa, had not shown up this morning and the tutu I would not have even realize today is Halloween. Even the staff here at the complex didn't dress up. Which is okay with me I wish that the whole dressing up thing was overrated even as a kid. I think I've written before about going up to the rich part of town, on the 2^nd bench of Boise, where they gave out full candy bars, big ones. I remember only one time making the trek up there I think I was dressed in some kind of rabbit suit or something. All I remember that it was cold and we walked and walked and walked all over the bench. The cloth mask over my head was drenched with ice from condensation from my breathing and then freezing. I was so glad to be over Halloween that evening. I guess the candy was good from that standpoint at least one pillowcase but I still thought it was a high price.

Visiting with my home health worker this morning she indicated that should be taken her kids to a least 3 trunk or treat events. I guess communities dump all the candy and trunks of cars and park in one place and then allow the kids to go from one vehicle to the next and effort control the possibilities of errant behavior from grown-ups. Still all kinds of warnings about having the parents check the candy haul before letting the little kids tear into that much sugar who knows what else.

I actually purchased a new phone this morning! For one reason or another the control buttons on my cell phone screen of becoming less and less active. For example in my emails I haven't able to erase any for the last couple of days. I can identify those emails I want to get rid of but the button to push the finish the project just doesn't work. Luckily I found a way to get around that by going to my Gmail account in my tablet and deleting the unwanted emails or spam. This is also the case when trying to post images from my cell phone camera to different places where I can then use them to upload to different platforms like this blog when I use a image for an illustration. For the 1^st time I didn't get the bare-bones offer I actually went up 1 to the next phone available through consumer cellular. When it was all done the cost is almost $300 which I pretty much bit the bullet and put on my card. I just didn't want to have to deal with 10 or $12 a month for what seems like forever. I have more than enough in savings to cover this if I need to. I spent a little time today also working on trying to figure out what I'm going to do with this box of filberts in the Shell. Of course, We Got Nuts , won't visit anybody over the phone lines to communicate with email which makes the whole thing seem frustratingly impossible. I sent an email and have yet not heard anything in return. I like the outfit that done pretty well so far and I may have screwed up and ordered the filberts in shell but I definitely remember trying to make them take extra precautions that I did not do that. We'll just have to see what happens. The cost of the item was just $23 doesn't seem like a lot but my going to a 3 pounds of hazelnuts in the Shell …

Oh Nuts!

 

It seems to me that my life is just one challenge after another. And I sort gotten used to that and I guess I should be thankful that my challenges are small challenges compared to what could be huge challenges. However the small challenges are also irksome say the least. About a year ago when on this big nut thing when I took a chance and started ordering bulk nuts. Cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans, even filberts a.k.a. hazelnuts. I call these the exotic nuts no walnuts or peanuts here though I should entertain those as well I suppose nuts are nuts. My rationale is that nuts are a health food particularly in the area of dietary bowel management. Too graphic? It's only true legumes certainly grease the skids. So if that in mind I did some research found some fairly economical nut houses. It's not a real problem but I have to manage large sacks/plastic bags of these nuts. What I've chosen to do is make my own creation of mixed nuts. The nuts I purchased carbon qualities of 2 and 3 pound bags which are really quite a bit when you consider mixing them together in a bowl and then just even a couple every morning as part of your breakfast regimen. Anyway, a week or so ago I noticed that I used the last of my filberts, my cashews were already gone and the only nuts I really had left were Brazil nuts and I came across some weird articles about how Brazil nuts are a dangerous to eat. I don't know how much I believe that but it certainly made sense in the bizarre sort away so I've cut back on the Brazil nuts. On my research I found that they are recommended just one Brazil not a day. I tend to fudge on that but it kind of scares me. Anyway, I finally got around to ordering new batches of nuts. I think I did it wrong and ordered them from the wrong houses but that's a story for another posting.

I did this the middle of the week and was totally impressed by Friday when I started receiving text messages indicating that my orders had been filled in for being shipped. I got the cashews the next day and then.txt that my pecans and my filberts would be here today. And sure enough, one of my neighbors pounded on my door indicating I had 2 packages sitting in front of my door and brought the packages in put them on the table. What was weird was that one of the packages was a box kind a heavy. Open the lighter package 1^st and it was the pecans which was cool then I found the razor blade and opened up the box. When I looked in the box also little confused look like it was full of whoppers you know those round chocolate candies? Then, it dawned on me, someone made a mistake and chances are it was me but I thought I'd took extra careful time to make sure that this mistake didn't happen. The filberts came in the Shell, that's why the package was so heavy like 5 pounds of in the Shell filberts. I didn't even take the package of the box. I just got to figure out a way to send it back not sure how this works so tomorrow that will be one of my tasks. Fortunately, there is a return station for Amazon in the little shopping center across the street from where I live. I just hope this doesn't turn into a nightmare project.

Slack Day Saturday

 

I really should've been more productive today, but it's Saturday and that sort of a day of rest for me I guess. Once again there is no reason to go anywhere. Actually, there was a shooter guy got my shot/vaccination today but that pretty much slip my mind. You know what? I did go out earlier in the day. Went to coffee with Billie is a couple of other residents here the complex. I think we had a pretty good discussion and felt rather comfortable with the crew there at the coffee shop. We are becoming regulars not sure what that really means except for the now is on site and often the drinks we tend to prefer and they are always just kind at least to me. Something really interesting occurred today at the coffee shop. Little guy came around selling tamales. I've been looking for tamales for a long time. They had a pretty good little deal going 3 tamales for 5 bucks which I guess is not too bad. The made fresh all kinds of different tamales. I chose chicken and green think these are peppers. I had when I got home which I felt pretty good then this evening I hadtaquitos and tamales or one ta…male with peppers. Not a bad Saturday night dinner

I pretty much spent the rest of the day in my apartment. I watched some Marvel as always and on the productive side I actually got the letters printed and the envelopes! Now I just have to sign the letters, stuff the envelopes with the letters and then put the cash available of going to the kids. I paid for my coffee with the $20 bill I been carrying around as mad money and made sure I had a couple $5 bills in return. So I know how enough money to get the kids $5 bills for the letters. I hope they appreciate the money especially since the update significantly. Still in inflation is really taking care of any increase I may have produced but I think they can still buy at least one cheap hamburger McDonald's I don't know about fries and a drink but the burger for sure. I guess having a large part of the project on the lobby to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening watching television and that's about it. I was going to fix some steaks, I actually got frozen meat out of the freezer. I was going to try to fix it this afternoon so I have something for tomorrow but it just didn't happen.” Hoping Gloria would bring by some more chili. She kind of indicated she would yesterday that would've been perfect for tonight. Maybe, I can open up some chili to put in refrigerator for tomorrow so I don't have to do a lot of work tomorrow.

I'm sleepy tonight. I woke again at 3 AM but did be able to get back to sleep for a little while. I do not think I was drugged out as I was yesterday. Looks like this can be just market me again tomorrow morning for breakfast. I got a text from Jasmine seemed gained indicating she and Jackson were headed for the dunes. So, this is mostly proud of the night but I'm a knock off, hopes I got my 500 words at least maybe gets to bed early

There And Back Again

 

I was actually quite proud of myself. After doing my Friday morning business and preparing breakfast in getting dressed and do some of the basic things out of the way by checking mail in such I settled down to work on my monthly project of letters to the kids. I had worked a little bit over the weekend and had a few items to change but I started the printing process. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye as the pages were being showdown the printer into the receiving tray there is no words on the paper just white. I could not believe it, I was out of ink! Now mind you, I neglected to say this earlier are right this earlier. But I got little sleep during the night for one reason or another had been up since about 3 AM. I was groggy and I felt that way totally defeated with the printer being out of ink. I thought about the default printer that I have gone to in the past in the computer lab on the 2^nd floor but that printer does not accept envelopes like mine does. I don't even want to think about handwriting out the addresses on the envelopes. There might be a way to use that printer for that purpose but I've never figured out. I can't see where to feed the blank envelopes into the printer anyway. Add to the fact that it really was a cold morning and I felt cold and it looked cold outside. I really didn't want to have to leave the apartment. Find something I can wear for heat and then go to some store large enough to have a good electronics department that would have printer ink.

I downed a little bit more copying got kind of a jolt and decided that I would go ahead and check out Walmart just up the street. A quick bus trip there and back again chop chop and back to printed. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon by the time I found a hood and crawled into it then headed for the bus stop. I was astounded at how beautiful the day was. The sun was brilliantly shining in a totally clear sky and window was at a minimum. I was becoming invigorated wow I really need to get out and do something in this nice fall brisk weather. The ride to the Walmart was uneventful across the street and made it to the store and pretty decent time actually. I of course had to wander all through the store looking at everything wondering what would be like to have some of the gadgets and stuff that permeate the place. I tried to find the ink on my own. I didn't put a whole lot of effort into the project but I couldn't find the ink and it was because the cartridge number they have listed on the computer is not necessarily the cartridge at the market. What I've forgotten, because I buy ink cartridges so infrequently, is there' are numbers on the box , in very small print, one of which is the number of my printer 6544! I found me was able to find the right cartridge with the help of Dominic the floor technician we spent a lot of time working with me finding the cartridge as well as trying to help me with problems of having on my cell phone.

So I'm back home. I guess I could've been totally independent and plowed into my printer and try to install the cartridge. However, I defaulted to my son and sent a text to see if he was in the area are going to be after work could you drop by and pop that in and sure enough he did himself to go. We used one letter is the test letter to see if the ink started printing properly it did. I'm tired now however the early morning and the bus adventure to and from Walmart is taking its toll I think I'll watch an episode or 2 of She Hulk Atty.@Law and then try to get an early night in…

Thursday Morning Blues

 

I have a love-hate relationship with the Thursday morning coffee group. I look forward to the group every Thursday morning. I'm always amazed at how this is the only time I see some of the people that I live with during the week. I'm convinced there are people in this building that I have not seen the entire time that I've lived here. But anyway, I digress, first off they never have donuts! Well every once in a while they have donuts. One of the folks in the group who I think surreal controller does the smarter thing of making sweet rolls every single Thursday. I thought they were okay the first couple weeks but then they sorted got old. Then I suspect that the dollar that I contribute every Thursday, mind you I'm one of the few people that do contribute every Thursday, it suggested that everyone contributes a dollar to offset costs. What costs? Coffee I think the organization are the company it runs this joint could do that. I suspect that the sweet roll manufacturer is being reimbursed out of those funds. I know this sounds petty and I guess I am just irritates me.

I don't know if I've indicated this before but I'm about the only Male that regularly attends this function. There's another guy shows up periodically but for the most part it's me. I smile a lot I see myself as Jack Nicholson and I try to make Jack Nicholson comments which a few of the attendees twitter at. We always suit the same place at the table so I've got a few folks around me who act as a posse and we are allowed sometimes with other members of the group nothing significant just there in their discussions and we are in ours. As I've indicated usually there's nothing more than that sweet rolls but sometimes as cookies and someone brought hot banana bread this morning which is totally enjoyable. I nibble at the calories simple my coffee make snarky remarks and try to look interested in all the other people sharing images of their grandchildren or videos of the same. I have developed a survival technique which allows me to come and go to the coffee group freely. I start my wash before the coffee group starts maybe a half hour. Of course then I have to go back and forth to check the wash on the throat in the dryer. This allows me to be a good group member yet the same time conscientious to my wash making sure that no one's going to have to wait for the front end loader – – washing machine or dryer's. Seriously, and probably only person washes clothes on Thursday which is good for me. After a half hour to 45 minutes the group breaks up almost like it was on script. There won't has some place to go for something to do in the more honest ones actually confessed to going back to bed for a short nap before lunch. Luckily, I usually have my wash into the 2^nd dryer mode which is just about done now and I can take the clothes back to the apartment to folder hangup . I feel accomplished suffer through another coffee group but got my watch done and didn't lose a whole morning in the interim…

Cornbread and chili Yum!

 

My problem okay one of my problems, is that I tend to hold onto things too long way past the expiration dates. I have this bizarre belief that if I keep things sealed covered the stuff will be good forever. But once again I found my reasoning flawed to the point of exasperation. I've been wanting to make cornbread for a couple weeks now particularly since the weather is beginning to change nothing says cold-weather better than hot cornbread. Remember last week I think I wrote about the fact that I threw away a couple pounds of flour that I've had on my shelf for about a year. The flour was sealed in the wrapper, I thought I was safe but when I opened up the package there was little weevil guys all around wiggling making fun of me. I thought about using the flour anyway I've thought about sifting the flour to get rid of the weevils but in the end I ended up tossing the whole package in the dumpster. Over the weekend I got a fresh package of flour. Today, my home health worker brought a container of homemade chili and what better reason to make cornbread and homemade chili?

I had to search a while to find my can of corn meal by finally found it. I thought it was sealed tight but once again when I opened the lid there was a little guy right on top waving to me. This was the final straw there is like 3 force of a container of cornmeal and near as I could tell very few weevils are husks of weevils past. I sifted through the cornmeal pulling out a few others decided what the hell I'm the only ones can eat this anyway so I decide to use the cornmeal. I've made decision I think of benefit at all of my cooking stuff ingredients. The baking powder was like 5 years past is due date but I've been using baking powder whenever I cook. I'm going to get a hold new container of baking powder maybe the baking soda and a new container of cornmeal. I think my vanilla is okay after all it's like boozegood forever that's what I believe. Just to be full disclosure I did find my canister of flour that has a super tight lid on it that I had hidden in the corner and thought I was okay with it but it was full of generations. I dumped it and watched it and will put the new flour and it, twist it tight and keep an eye on it. I want to make cookies soon, better check my oatmeal before I get my hopes up. Got the raisins and I got the walnuts selected make through oatmeal cookies soon that's if the flour is not infested and I just don't know anybody about my protein farm .

There's something about homemade chili that can't be duplicated by anything from the can. Gloria, my home health person, used onions and tomatoes and great hunks of ground beef in 3 different kinds of beans! The cornbread was not near as good as the chili but together they made a wonderful dinner. I haven't made chili for some time but maybe I'm about do. My poor kitchen takes a beating…

Once Again, Typical

 

You all know how much I hate change and how grumpy it makes me.

Today is Tuesday and of course like many Tuesdays throughout the year I have the opportunity the privilege to serve on volunteer board for a local private nonprofit. This allows me to “saddle up” and had in to the city via bus as well as train. More than just a change of pace and a chance to visit friends at the private nonprofit that gives me the added benefit of thinking I have value to the community. Illusionary as that might be I hold tightly to the illusion. Once again “Change” has challenged me and I'm having to accept something different in my life. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but there are maybe for wheelchair stations on each tracks coach. There may be more but that's what sticks in my mind right now. These are just inside the door that has the ramp that lets people at wheeled devices on the vehicle. The space large enough for person in a power chair or any kind of a wheelchair to face forward on the train. The only contenders for the spot where folks on bikes as well as folks standing often stand about spot. Over the years they've been trained fairly well to give up that spot for folks in wheelchairs when they're on board. Today I noticed, for the 1^st time since I last traveled on tracks that that spot is been kind of replaced by seats that the able-bodied folks can sit. I suppose it be great for seniors too. And of course there's the ever present sign that says please give up seat for people in wheelchairs and seniors they make it sound like it's voluntary but obviously it is so their all kind of folks sitting in this area today. I found a place I could sort of sit out of the way but it wasn't my regular spot but I've gotten accustomed to. This is just so like the authority to pull something like this .

As I wrote on the train into the city I noticed a handle underneath the bench and wondered if it was a release that would fold the seats up. Fortunately before I had to get off at the library the individuals sitting in the seats got up and left. I rolled over and pulled the handle and sure enough the seats looked up. There was space for I could set similar to were I used to be. It is not near as much room as these folding seats take up some space. Now it's just a matter of me having enough assertive behavior assert my right to sit in that zone. Or will I just accept the situation in sit where I can for my trip? Yes I know I probably need a good course in assertiveness training. It's just so frustrating thinking that you've integrated into the system only to find out that integration is okay as long as it's impacting able-bodied's conveniences. Like I said more of the same some things never change I'm such a fool…PS 60 days till Christmas…!

Moisture Monday… Kinda

 

Did I tell you that I stopped at that kind of bizarre clothing shop not far from the Sizzler steakhouse that I went to on Saturday? I like to go in this place look around and build up the courage to purchase something there. I jokingly call the place the hip-hop Emporium because I know it's where the local gangsters go to buy their wardrobes. The place is not necessarily a specialty shop they just offer oversized close at affordable price for all populations and when I say “all populations” I'm totally including low income minority factions. I mean this is a place where I can get 5XL size clothes, he'll probably larger that's when I stopped looking on the rack. 10 bucks for a long sleeve black shirt or other colors. I refrain from purchasing the 5 XL just because that would mean what if there were too large on me? I actually have a couple 5 XL's don't remember when I purchased them but they are pretty comfortable all things considered. I sent away for them somewhere. Today, I had Melissa Pull a Long sleeve off of my and I had her check the size which was a 3 XL and I chose that for my shirt of the day. Sadly, that size is way too short for me and my big belly and I spent the whole day pulling my shirt down over my obesity. I should have taken it off right then this morning run the shirt cropped up but I decided I would wear it all day. I am going to cut it up however either this evening or tomorrow sometime just so that I don't wear it again. The search pretty old anyway lots of holes in the fabric like bleach mistakes and such. The shirt would be pretty comfortable habit but larger.

It's pretty entertaining every time I've been in this gangster clothing emporium I've seen very few gangsters just there mothers and most likely significant others looking through the different clothing options reflecting the organizations insignias or trademarks. I think it's kind of a hoot. But purchasing clothes here is better than getting skinned alive over at the “big and tall” shops were the same shirt that I can purchase for $10 would cost me 40 or $50! I don't think I'll be purchasing the clothing anytime soon since I have a number of decent shirts already. I may pop down there may be after payday picked up 3 or 4 shirts just so that I will have something new to where the case I need something to wear under a jacket.

The precipitation was minimal this weekend just enough to keep me in. I was surprised this evening when I took last week's garbage to the dumpster how nice it was once I got outside. I thought it looked a lot colder. Need to run to the market and purchase 5 pounds of flour. I had a 5 pound sack of flour stuck in my pantry never opened when I did this weekend, to make cornbread, I found it was well infested with slugs and and husks of slugs past. I probably could assisted the debris out of the flour and used the flour to make cornbread but is just too disgusted with myself I knew that I had to use the frozen baking soda biscuits in the freezer before they to got too far out of date. I had forgotten that I actually have a canister of flour (actually I didn't have much in the canister when I found it) but forgotten all about it until I start looking this afternoon and found it way behind a bunch of brooms and mops and by utility closet/pantry. The flour in the canisters at least 2 years old and not very much so I figure I can dump it and get a new bag of flour that I can keep in the canister bug free… Hopefully. I didn't make it to the market today maybe tomorrow if the weather is not too bad when I get back from my Assist, Inc. duty. I have to go past the market and I could swing in pickup the flour. Need to pick up a few other things to. Of course, since I'm going out tomorrow, another cold front coming in and should be precipitating just as I head out for my meeting that's okay I could dress accordingly and I will enjoy autumn day hopefully receiving life-saving moisture this region needs…

Nonchalant Sunday

Of course we didn't get near the amount of snow which is been forecast which is probably good I should not complain since I had to be out in the weather this morning to get up to D's restaurant for our Sunday breakfast. I wasn't sure if we were going to have one today partially because of the weather and partially because Mark Anthony had a gig late last night that I knew would be tired but we were able to pull it off. Jasmine is in California this week with her family doing Disneyland. So is just Mark and I but we enjoyed our company. I was kind of surprised at how many people missed this last week when we went to Betos. It was nice to be messed. Aside from that however, I really haven't done much at all today except just how you out watching way too much television but it was fun to do with the cloud covered day with hints of winter laced in. I really wanted to write the day off is a snow day it was not a snow day a bit of a rain day but nothing that I want to be out in that was for sure. I did enjoy train up my heater and laying back and watching and streaming some fun shows.

I'm not looking at a much more aggressive week in the next 7 days almost a copy of the preceding. There will be cooler much cooler weather and a chance for more precipitation. Tuesday looks rather good for traveling and it sounds like we will have another Assist meeting. This is good I don't mind is not really cold enough to really to curtail my travels. Of course I'm wearing shorts is always. I'm surprised at how many people at this facility don't realize is where shorts all year round. There always commenting on how cold and good and get because I'm in shorts silly people. But, aside from the one meeting don't have much on deck which I guess is a good thing. I was pretty excited because I was able to text with Dianne last night which I've not been for some time. She seems to be holding up well under the Parkinson's disease process. I'm still quite worried about her as far as her long-term housing goes. Hopefully she can remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. I just want her to be in the safest and secure us to situation for herself and her disease process. It is really rough be in this old really is.

I really don't have a whole lot more to add for today's blog except that I'm somewhat excited about heating up the stew for tonight's dinner and biscuit. I found a plastic container store the rest of the biscuits in which I think will keep the biscuits somewhat fresh and have them available for biscuits and gravy. I think I'm going to offer biscuits and gravy to my home health person, tomorrow. I think she enjoys great biscuits and gravy. Beside from that I'm doing okay. I was totally impressed when I turn over looked at the clock when I 1^st woke this morning and saw that it was 15 minutes after 5 AM which was the longest I've slept for a long time. It is felt great. I got the bed back together again and now my little concerned about tonight since I had so much sleep and I have not done anything really to tire myself out physically. Maybe I'll just enjoy the warm bed all night long. Supposed to be just above freezing tonight so I should be just fine…

First Snow

 

Unlike most storms which wander into the territory vicious with great wind and vicious rain turning to snow quickly overtaking the last of the good weather this storm is a slow mover gently wandering into the Wasatch front. The temperature was actually in the 60s this morning as I rolled across the street to the coffee shop to hang out with Janet and Billie. Saturday morning coffees becoming tradition. This morning we were kind of shocked (Billie and I went over together) as the parking lot was full and inside the coffee shop seemed to have wall-to-wall people. We had wandered into a “meet the candidate forum” for one of the individuals running for office in Salt Lake County. I was a bit scared that we may not have a place to set , since the table one we usually where are usually sit had been taken over by the campaigners. Luckily Janet had come earlier and stick to table out for us so we were set to go.

My neighbor Billie impresses me so much. She is very old-school misses dressing up and having formal occasions where people are nice to each other. She especially likes getting totally involved with meet the candidate forums. She says she doesn't like Fox news but it's always on my visit her at her apartment. Her apartment is spotless as is her attire. I'm totally are raised that she spends time with me. However I am her neighbor across the hall at the end of the hallway and we see ourselves as our own support system if and when we need them. We text a lot these days even though we live just across the hall from each other. I sense that Billie is going to bed earlier and earlier each day. She is totally worn out and must retreat to her bed which is good. I am in and out most days a least during the summer and autumn. Now the weather is getting more and more inclement I don't know. I think we wear each other out when we're too much in each other's business. Perhaps that's natural.

I have not heard from Mark Anthony yet. I know he has a DJ job tonight I don't know how long or how late he will be. At this point I assume will be doing breakfast in the morning. I'm not sure if snow will fall during the evening. Rain for sure is coming down right now not a lot but enough and if the temperature should drop significantly we will have some snow not much – – after all it is the 1^st snow of the season. I even got donuts the other day at the market. The cake donuts and is not like cake donuts but now I've certainly grown fond of them particularly with my morning coffee. I am anticipating on returning to D's restaurant tomorrow even though the kids have an issue with the place. For me it's simple and close by even foul weather I can get easily to the restaurant and the keeper coffee cup always fall and that's enough to bring me back

Sizzling Sizzler

 

Supposedly there is a storm coming in. The temperature today rose to the mid-70s but I chose to take a jacket with me just in case I needed one. The wind was blowing sure sign of an oncoming storm. Friday morning of course is one of the days of a home health people are here. Gloria did a great job as always goes up and ready for the world by quarter after 9:00 AM. Normally this not a big deal but today I was scheduled to meet with my other home health person Melissa for lunch at Sizzler steakhouse. I'm not sure how this event even came about except for I know one time before we had said a time to go out and have dinner or lunch or something which never came to fruition. So they we rescheduled that meal for 11 AM. Like I said I wasn't really sure why we're having a meal except we both felt that was something somewhat adult to do. I really needed the reason to go out and Melissa needed a reason to go out who in adult adult type of function. Her life is provide home health services and being overworked mom. I enjoy this person's company a great deal. I wasn't sure how we would react socially, in public but certainly worth a shot.

I'm well aware that Sizzler steakhouse Has morphed from a cut rate stake in poor him to a rather entry-level high-end meet market. Perhaps the best feature is the never ending salad bar and if I were smart that's what I would stick with because the stake that I got… Or just occurred to me that I ordered off the senior menu! Perhaps that's the reason that the stake was so small. Seriously it was just a little bit larger than my thumb. I wish I had taken an image of the portion size. Again, I did order off the senior menu so it should the shocked me. There is the steak and one little plop of mashed potatoes and gravy. I did expand my order to include the never ending salad bar which really is a beautiful affair and I quite full relatively quick I think to the dismay of my date. I was dumbfounded at how much my friend was able to eat and that the speech is able to consume the food on her plates. She truly enjoyed herself I enjoyed watching her eat. I was kind of shocked that my adjudication scale seems to have become a little rusty over the years. I forced myself to make conversation. Sort of like a married couple who'd been together so long they had nothing left to say to each other. In the end we are both adults but one was the caregiver and one was the patient. That's okay, the staff thought we were darling.

I was also quite amazed at the number of blue-collar working folk and seniors who were in attendance. Cleaned up versions of folks who probably usually go out to D's restaurant just on the streets of this Sizzler restaurant. Wives who of twisted the arms of husbands or significant others take them out someplace special and this was it Sizzler's. Sure for the price we could've gotten perhaps more food that these restaurant but not the goldplated elegance of the Sizzler's trademark and renowned staff…

Phony Baloney

 

I have a Samsung phone cell phone that is more specifically it's a galaxy S 10+. I'm sure that mean something folks who really understand this stuff but not to me. I feel so stupid when anything goes wrong got a find somebody young enough to understand the whole cell phone situation. Cell phone I currently have I have had for number of years down. Usually by this point in time in my poor cell phones life is pretty well destroyed the device 1 were the other usually inadvertently running over the machine and crushing screen in other parts of the device. Even if I haven't ran over the cell phone I've dropped a number of times and usually have major cracks in the screen but not this time. I actually think I had this phone call Dianne and I were still together and she got me this like rubber membrane that I stuck the phone into which actually I believe has prevented the typical destruction of the cell. Be that as it may machine is begin to act funny now and I'm beginning to look for another cell phone or to see if there's other plans that would give me a cell phone if were to switchover. This should be really challenging for me since I'm a very loyal customer.

One of the weird things my phone is doing now is that the keys seem to refuse to work you know the button to push to change things on the screen. This solution just fine for a little bit than all the sudden it's as if the screen freezes up or part of the screen which makes the the stupid thing useless. Many times I'm finding that if I push the button on the side of the cell phone which makes the screen go black then when I switch it back on by pressing the button again I can access the cell phone and finish what I was trying to do but this is truly annoying. I have thought of going down to Best Buy where I think I got the phone at amassing some of their folks what the problem is. I'm also considering contacting Consumer Cellular and see if they have any deals for acquiring new phones is a perk to loyal customers. I would be surprised if there is any any program or incentive things out there but for the shot. And of course I'm always trying to figure out how to access my messages on the cell phone. The last number I had that would let me into the recorded messages I've forgotten the password for. And there doesn't seem to be any kind of a system set up to make a new password. Seriously, I sound so whiny I should be smarter than this particularly working on cell phones but I'm not. Mark Anthony's not close by are just too impatient to wait I want to be able to figure this out myself.

It was coffee social today. Getting kind of tired of going to the coffee social and having to just deal with cinnamon rolls as opposed to real donuts which is what I would love. I know this sounds really immature but, getting tired of tame my $1 a week just to get homemade cinnamon rolls every week. I sort of categorized the feeling that I have which is a don't feel very uplifted by the coffee social is over. If you watch this for the next couple weeks which may lead to me stopping my attendance altogether but then again talks cheap…

I have a Samsung phone cell phone that is more specifically it's a galaxy S 10+. I'm sure that mean something folks who really understand this stuff but not to me. I feel so stupid when anything goes wrong got a find somebody young enough to understand the whole cell phone situation. Cell phone I currently have I have had for number of years down. Usually by this point in time in my poor cell phones life is pretty well destroyed the device 1 were the other usually inadvertently running over the machine and crushing screen in other parts of the device. Even if I haven't ran over the cell phone I've dropped a number of times and usually have major cracks in the screen but not this time. I actually think I had this phone call Dianne and I were still together and she got me this like rubber membrane that I stuck the phone into which actually I believe has prevented the typical destruction of the cell. Be that as it may machine is begin to act funny now and I'm beginning to look for another cell phone or to see if there's other plans that would give me a cell phone if were to switchover. This should be really challenging for me since I'm a very loyal customer.

One of the weird things my phone is doing now is that the keys seem to refuse to work you know the button to push to change things on the screen. This solution just fine for a little bit than all the sudden it's as if the screen freezes up or part of the screen which makes the the stupid thing useless. Many times I'm finding that if I push the button on the side of the cell phone which makes the screen go black then when I switch it back on by pressing the button again I can access the cell phone and finish what I was trying to do but this is truly annoying. I have thought of going down to Best Buy where I think I got the phone at amassing some of their folks what the problem is. I'm also considering contacting Consumer Cellular and see if they have any deals for acquiring new phones is a perk to loyal customers. I would be surprised if there is any any program or incentive things out there but for the shot. And of course I'm always trying to figure out how to access my messages on the cell phone. The last number I had that would let me into the recorded messages I've forgotten the password for. And there doesn't seem to be any kind of a system set up to make a new password. Seriously, I sound so whiny I should be smarter than this particularly working on cell phones but I'm not. Mark Anthony's not close by are just too impatient to wait I want to be able to figure this out myself.

It was coffee social today. Getting kind of tired of going to the coffee social and having to just deal with cinnamon rolls as opposed to real donuts which is what I would love. I know this sounds really immature but, getting tired of tame my $1 a week just to get homemade cinnamon rolls every week. I sort of categorized the feeling that I have which is a don't feel very uplifted by the coffee social is over. If you watch this for the next couple weeks which may lead to me stopping my attendance altogether but then again talks cheap…

Vote Season Starts Now

 

I guess the best part about retirement, once one gets over the preceding guilt of not doing anything, is just that you don't have to do anything if you don't want to. I make this statement at the beginning of this blog presents another day when I really haven't done a whole hell of a lot except just poop in shower and hang around the apartment complex. Actually I did take off this afternoon and did some quick shopping at the market just down the street. Of course I did my 60 minutes on the arm by this afternoon while listening to NPR but that's about it. I could say I use this day as an adjustment day to get used to my just returned chair from the shop. It is been a bit of an adjustment I wish my backup chair ran as good as this chair does probably just stay in the backup chair however I do love the elevator function of the seat. I use it all the time, the elevator function. So tonight my butt hurts a little bit I don't know which that's the chair are my shorts bunched up underneath my buttocks and where that cloth is bunched up start pressure pain. It's getting late all not be up a whole lot longer. Hopefully tomorrow my cushion will be more supportive.

My election packet came in the mail today. The local news threatened that it would ensure enough when I open my box there it sat. I'm not opened the document yet. Maybe tomorrow maybe something to do over the weekend. I'm not too happy about this election midterm wise. I'm going to vote for somebody that I don't necessarily have a lot of faith in so I'm basically voting to 1 vote and to to try to block the incumbent which I think is a real bizarre little guy. I've never liked the guy and I don't trust him besides he tries to sell himself off as a personal friend of the last president of this country. He also uses major characters from the book of Mormon to justify his support for the Republican crook. I mean that's enough right there or it should be to cancel anybody's vote for the little twerp. Sadly however, I don't think the guy voted for has a chance in hell/Zion to pull off a win. The whole election process this year is like a chapter out of bizarro land. Down is up, left is right and just means no and vice versa. I wish I could be more active in politics but I've just never been able to stomach the whole process. I should talk with my old friend DD lives in California. This is a man of great wisdom surviving in the bizarre political land. If he can survive is surely can hear in Zion. So next day or so I was sit down with the hot cup of coffee that was also afraid of alcohol admit myself a drink and go through the election document or the ballot. I just want to block the vote for Mike Lee and hope for the best on all the rest.

Public Service

 

As you know I have a standing Tuesday morning meeting almost every week. With the private nonprofit that I've written about extensively Assist, Inc. we don't have the meetings every single week but usually at least twice a month when we have funding. Right now I really like these meetings not because not because of their entertainment value as much as they give me credibility to myself as having value. Anyway, today's the day, Endres and even called me last night our yesterday afternoon to let me know for sure we were meeting. I was a little worried about being able to make the transfer to the chair this morning since I'm using my backup chair but everything went well even dressing seemed easier with the backup chair. I did my usual caught the bus and got to be office about a half an hour before the meeting was scheduled to start and stop the little le Parisian space pastry and coffee shop next door. actually, before I went to the coffee shop I went through the library since it was on my way. The red line train drops me off in front of the library. I was minding my own business checking out the closed shops and reading the announcements on the Billboard when suddenly one of the library renter cops asked me if I had little drop some of my belongings. I couldn't imagine what he was talking about turned around and look for a pointed and there was a blanket and some other kind of bedding. Obviously the officer thought I was some homeless guy and had left so my belongings at the library. The library is a major go to place for homeless folks. I have to admit I was a little shocked. I thought I looked pretty good I was even color matched worried my Borah green. My shoes hadn't even slipped off my feet yet though I have to admit my poor palsied legs still look pretty intimidating. Be sure the officer that was not my stuff then rolled onto the coffee shop. I'm trying to let this stuff go. I'm sure the guard meant no harm but still is my presentation that bad? I may have to rethink my year-round wearing of shorts.

My meeting of the Assist volunteer board was fairly productive. I signed my share of documents that assured low-income individuals would get emergency home repairs. I even made nice with the other the other volunteer who is a good person but quietly drives me insane. We reviewed and signed the requests for service then did the obligatory chitchat and then I said my goodbyes. I had pretty much done as much goodwill is as able for the day it was then the coordinator of our program remembered and ran to his desk and came back with an envelope with my name on it. It was a stipend, a check! I had not planned on this I never do and I'm always surprised when we are rewarded for just doing good amazing…

Just Another Monday…

 

The beautiful days are now deceiving. There been no clouds to speak of but there's just been a very slight breeze enough to really compromise sitting out in the sun to read or just enjoy the direct sunlight. I did that however for a few minutes today. It's tolerable, sitting out in the sun right now, but not totally enjoyable. Today also was the 1^st time people started stopping and actually wanting to visit. I don't think I was snarky but I was beginning to become a bit impatient. I think with each day as the planet loses its direct contact to the sun that even though the days are bright and sunny the warmth just doesn't seem to reach the same efficiency as before. I have to acknowledge fall is definitely here.

Today, Melissa was my home caregiver, I had a load me into the “backup” chair because I made arrangements to have the main power chair picked up by IHC wheelchair shop for some general maintenance bolt tightening things like that as well as the replacement of the front end foot box and I think one of the posts on an arm to the chair. As a couple other items on the chair that needs to be worked on but doesn't necessarily have to happen today/tomorrow and hopefully my chair will be back tomorrow evening. Once again I'm totally thankful to have a decent backup chair but but there is something definitely wrong with this vehicle. I think the left motor is pretty well gone. I may have to focus on a stick of another motor on the chair. Of course I would go through my folks at ucat 1^st to see what they could do. I am still a believer that you have so much equipment and much of that equipment are items like motors that are still quite good and would work well on the back of chair since I rarely use it more than just once or twice a year when the manger is not available. I'm not sure what the cost would be on such endeavor but I know it would be cheaper than going to someplace like IHC or some other wheelchair shop. I'm way past the warranty/support for the backup chair.

I think more to prove to myself that I was okay and not totally hibernating/hiding in the apartment I used one of our coupons for the Arctic Circle across the street for corndog. Inflation is hitting everything forever the corn dogs were a dollar 50. They're now a dollar 50 still if you have one of the coupons that come out with their little flyer the 1^st of each month. If not it's about $2.25. I know it's not a lot but it's just the principle and it gets me out of the house. Of course they don't have their lobby open so I have to go through the drive-through which is kind of scary but today was kind of slow. When I asked for mustard to go with my corndog stipulating I would like to have the mustard in a cup when they the serving person wanted to hand me a handful of mustard packages. I hate those small mustard packages. Even if I can tear the top off to access the mustard I still have to push the mustard out and apply it to the hot dog/corndog in my other hand. Just easier to have a large cup of busters. When I said this the guy at the window said okay hold on and I think he went back and cut the tops off all those packages and squeezed them out into one dipping cup. I mean I think they had gallon jars full of mustard back there with pumps I hope you did that. The sun was warm and very little Windows I ate my corndog in the parking lot of the Arctic Circle knowing that these days also be a thing of the past…

Sunday Breakfast Burrito

 

Thank goodness for rituals I finally left the confines of the apartment complex today due primarily to the ritual of having Sunday morning breakfast with my son and sometimes granddaughter. Today was extra special because we are trying a new place for breakfast. Not that we've grown board are tired of D's restaurant we are just interested in doing something different and seeing how much if any thing we liked. There is a Betos Mexican restaurant about a half a block further down than the restaurant we usually go to. Of course, whenever we pick something we've got to find something for someplace that is in fairly easy rolling distance for me. This means accessible by bus line. But of course the problems run into on Sunday mornings is that the current transit authority runs slower and fewer lines on Sundays. So it would be easiest for me to stick somewhere on Redwood Road. Today was Betos.

I actually like this place, Betos. They are one of the few places that remained open during the pandemic couple years ago. Betos still has a problem with opening up there inside dining. As a consumer you have to about pound on the door to get the attention of whoever's working the let you in. What you said during the shutdown actually rolled through the joined couple times I mean the drive-through and I enjoyed what I got the rice and beans particularly sometimes that being the only order. I was the 1^st person to get to the restaurant this morning's like I said it was locked up tight but they said they were open.. Jasmine showed up finally been Mark Anthony and if I got the attention of the 2 workers inside who opened up the doors for us and a couple of the patrons at had shown up. The Betos experience was bit different than the D's restaurant. For one there's no coffee! Scott surprised when asked if they wanted to go somewhere else both kids so they want to stay here so we did. We drank water is our beverage and ordered the breakfast burrito – – which is the only breakfast type of food product that they have. It's whatever you want bacon and eggs, sausage and eggs, treats over legs etc. etc. all wrapped up in a giant tortilla good 8 inches long and about 3 inches thick not thicker. I cannot believe people eat that much food in one setting. It's quite a bit different when maybe the same amount of food is spread out over your plate that haven't all rolled up into a compact burrito/tortilla is somewhat mind blowing. The breeder was great however. I'd forgotten that I'd had them in the past and I think you're just ideal for on the go dining which I believe a lot of their clientele is during the workweek. Stop at Betos grab breakfast and lunch at the same time. Everybody love their Fritos everybody only ate half electing to take the rest with us to dine someplace else at some further time in the afternoon or evening. We had somewhat compact conversation which is good. Fast food fast conversation I guess it all works out. You have an extended version when you do this at a restaurant with the seating ritual, menu reading and then selection them bring in the food. It's a different kind conversation versus the intimate direct conversation of having a Sunday morning breakfast in the seating area of a fast food joint. I don't know if we will do this again sometime soon. We are thinking of checking out a few other restaurants relatively close on Redwood Road. I think we may end up coming back to the D's restaurant just because a familiarity and convenience to me the old guy. And besides is not necessarily where and what you eat for your Sunday morning breakfast it's the company that you keep…

Celebrating Saturday… Leisurely

 

As much as I tried today I couldn't get myself to leave the property. It is but a beautiful Saturday, autumn at its finest (we could use moisture any moisture but short of that) with brisk morning temperatures fade into pleasant mid 70° perfect 1^st sitting outside the apartment and just reading. I kept looking at the back gate thinking all I had to do was grab my “Go” bag and go anywhere UTA takes me downtown to Siegfried's deli, or south the DI, Smith's grocery store with lots of specials or even just up to the movies a half a block from here. And the point is, I just could not get enough gumption to do anything. There is the case I guess, I could make, of having coffee with my neighbor at the coffee shop across the street. So maybe that was my escape from the apartment complex. I'd made sure that I had been all my shopping the things I might need yesterday the weeks laundry is done and the the floors are swept into my bed is made. I wish it looked as nice as the image I have at the top of this blog entry. Melissa, my Monday person, changes the sheets every 2 weeks and puts together this fine looking bed. I just love sheets as well as the comforter after the bid is made, the 1^st night. I always sleep better the 1^st night after the beds made. Really does make me feel like I'm cradled all night. But my bet is made, and this morning I made it, not as pretty but it still functional and welcomes me at the end of the day.

So I spent a good part of the morning after coffee and after the day warmed significantly out in the back of the apartment complex basting in the sun, intermittently laying back in my chair watching clouds and jets make contrails are reading my current paperback and trying to be cordial when people pass me going to the dumpsters or to their vehicles. The truth is I feel guilty enjoying my days like this. I feel I should be doing something else. You should be doing something productive I'm sure it's that Puritan/Mormon training. It's a sin to relax. I thought about making something. I want to make a party/robust stew but it's just too warm still. I was going to try to make the stew out of materials I have in my pantry and then make cornbread to go with like a bunch of all next week – – that didn't get done. So now, whenever I eat tomorrow will be either already made something in my refrigerator or one of the items frozen in my freezer. I might even try soup. I've been doing a lot of soup lately since I have so much of it. I was searching all afternoon for some cans of vegetable soup I know I have at least one can of vegetable soup I want to use as a stew extender. I have a bag of stew I got from one of the food drops which landed on the “sharing shelf”. I figure I can empty the contents of the bag of soup into a pot at a can of this condensed vegetable soup then add some of the steak that I got the other day cut into small bits and then boil the whole thing or similar until the meat gets tender adding perhaps fresh potatoes and carrots and onions. Basically, making a whole new stew. Now I intend to do this project next Monday. Now quick confession spent the afternoon binging the last part of the 1^st season of the “The Defenders” a Marvel offering. I was surprised at how taken in I was with this group of superheroes in New York. I was, shocked at the demise of daredevil however no don't know if delivered be a new season to resurrect him because I can't believe they would kill off a main character like that. If you have time or that your board check out Disney's/Marvel/The Defenders.

I'm going to breakfast tomorrow, as usual, with Mark Anthony and whoever else joins him. Were going to try something new and not go to our regular restaurant. Someplace new in this case Mexican should be really interesting maybe I'll give you a report…

Weekend Treats

 

The days are just beautiful incredibly perfect for just sitting out and reading after the morning warm-up. It's brisk in the mornings not really freezing cold or can certainly tell the cold is coming whether or not we get moisture with the cold is a whole another issue. My goal is to enjoy each moment of the sunshine that I can even if it makes you look like a lazy bum to all my neighbors here at the apartment complex. I mean once again what is the use of going out if you don't have anything to do once you're out?

There was no reason to go to the market for shopping except, I guess, to pick up some fresh bananas. I was down to my last reasonable banana but I took the black basket with me just the same as one never knew. And sure enough I went on the mini shopping spree. If I had to justify my actions I would say this is my form of recreation purchasing “fun” food for the weekend. Chances are all is at the market again tomorrow for something I feel that I may have missed today. But I kind of doubt it. I feel the market has everything I need for the social experience. Getting ready to go out in public, visiting the store personnel once I get there and socially interacting with other shoppers. For example there's always something way up high that I can't reach sometimes even with the help of my eye level chair. I have to grab somebody as they walked past and asked if they would consider hand-me-down whatever it is I'm interested in. In all my time I think I've only been shut down twice the people who either did not have time or just bigger pricks than I am. I get a lot of frozen stuff, items I can just pop in the microwave and a few seconds have something to munch on or eat or in some cases put together for real-life meal. This week I got more taquitos. I found that my Monday home health person loves taquitos and it certainly doesn't hurt me to share them with her. She often has to leave home without breakfast and spammers for the time she gets her. I got a couple more frozen pies, meat pies one of my favorites. Whenever I'm bummed out are confused about what to have for dinner I can always turn to one of my beef meat pies these pies are just a perfect size. I even got scoopers Fritos corn chips, party size, as well as being dip! And then I stop to the dollar store on the way home and got sandwich cookies and fiddle faddle, special treats for any movies about be watching tonight Saturday and Sunday if they should last a long period.

I really should be stronger and fight my impulse to fill my life with treats. There really is a false form of security for me and delight. The kind of pat myself on the back for not stopping at the fast food joint/Arctic circle on the way home and buying even further treats or even dinner like a hamburger, shrimp dinner are there great fish dinners. I even bypassed the Chinese food place. It only put my pouch with the credit card away and it was quite buried under a lot of groceries which is just as well because I have great food at home just waiting for me to chow down. My apartment is pretty clean thanks to Gloria who came back from her grandmother duty up in Idaho. I washed the dishes up and the floors are relatively clean until I start cooking again but I'm okay for now and for the weekend. I hope you guys have a great weekend enjoy

Cool Is The Rule

 

I usually don't blog about people when is their birthday just seems so cliché and not that I'm a great writer because I'm not I just would like to avoid the predictable if at all possible. However, I'm writing today about my oldest living brother (that I associate with . In my recently surfaced blood relative family I think it may have a brother who might even be older but like I said I don't associate with those folks very much).

This is a picture my brother Carl when I think he was about 16 or 17. The image is taken on our farm in around 1957 maybe as early as 56. I thought my brother was the coolest guy in existence not only do you have a great motorcycle but he also tried to live by himself in this trailer that sat beside our house on the farm. Everything about my brother was exotic . In the early days even for this image is taken my brother and I and the rest of the family lived in the city of Boise. As the story goes in the late 40s my dad purchased a home that needed much repair and did the work to make this house live-ably cool. When my father and my mother married to each had families of their own, so counting me there were 6 of us living at home from time to time in this house that my dad refurbished need to have numerous bedrooms which went into the basement. Before then however my brother lived in a utility room in the hallway of that house. All of his stuff was visible. Carl lived on the top bunk of a set of bunk beds and there was a gas mask and a painted coconut the fearsome face in his area both of which I thought were the coolest things on earth. Sadly, for me, Carl my older sisters had a mother who lived in another state and the often travel back and forth. I didn't see much of my older brothers are older family for that much and it was always a treat when I got to visit with them. Carl also little different in that he and his wife Jean actually volunteered to let me live with them for a year or so following my accident I think more than anything else to give my parents a respite. I didn't really understand this at the time I thought I was just lucky to go with my brother and sister-in-law to live with them in another state. My brother Tommy a bunch of stuff not directly but indirectly. If anyone tell me to shave it was him, I sort came of age while living with him in North Carolina, I did not realize it at the time but he listened the public radio. Only later did I realize the same kind of programming I listen to now was basically the same kind of programs he listened then. He was a literal artist and I found out later quite a poet. A spiritual giant, a great father and a great husband as well as stepson who literally took care of his stepmother in her later years. Gosh, this almost reads like an obituary I hope not. It's want to write about them whatever reason the post is image on my blog. I believe I have been most impressed with my brother as a grandfather. I'm totally impressed with the support is given my niece, his daughter and more specifically his grandchildren from spiritual blessings, guidance and how little life which is honest and true as well as gifts of financial significance as well as vehicles and how to care for them. He seems to have a perfect life that makes sense because after all he is a perfect brother

Summers Remorse

 

Wednesday I would really like to got more sleep than I did but I did okay all things considered. It was a Melissa day or should I say a home healthcare day or shower day so I just messed around the apartment until my worker got here when we did the deed. The weather is monotonous right now that's not meant as a criticism arose beautiful perfect for sitting outside in the sun once that sun comes up. Also if I had your travels to be a great time to be on the road riding buses of the train or whatever. However, I'm free right now that's a great gift.

The image of chosen today is one I took yesterday afternoon as the Legion of groundskeepers were clean up all the debris and mess they had created all day after our after noisy our of focused work. Either on their little lawnmowers that they can stand on carts and all around if you can't see the lawn more it appears they are just floating, to the industrial blowers and weed Wacker's that these guys used to go after all of the greenery at this place. I have to I am impressed with these guys they the many rock and gravel beds around the apartment complex were also targeted by the blowers. The 1^st couple of seasons that this company worked on the apartments I grew quite frustrated because it was the summer, the windows were open I was trying to work out on my arm bike, in my bedroom, and listen to my radio but when these realms folk come by your window or even close to your window the noise decibels rise significantly to the point that if you're trying to follow a story from the radio you might as well forget it for have or how long Juan are one of his buddies are going to make it possible to do anything significant auditorily speaking.

Noisy as they are these guys and gals – – it's hard to tell since they all wear totally heavy clothing along with gloves and masks and hats. They look like professional burglars or bank robbers – – are incredible I cannot believe how hard they work in the noonday sun. Nothing seems to stop them. I don't know how many altogether there were but they must've stayed here for the whole day a good 8 hours or maybe 6 hours but I would be interested to know what their hourly rate is and how much this fall cleanup cost Utah nonprofit. I would say it would have to be thousands of not more dollars but maybe that's the cost of doing business on the higher end. Mind you Plymouth view is just one of many apartment complexes owned by this organization so these folks, I'm sure are somewhere else today, doing the job, cutting and blowing then cleaning up leaving the entire pile of flowers and plants which beautified the project all summer long to patiently wait for the cleanup crew with their loader to shovel this mound of summers beauty and the trucks carted off forever…

Curmudgeon… May be

 

Insurance broker clean up after presentation trolling for clients.

Isn't it weird how we age how would become the very things that we swore we never would? I think that's what's happening to me. I'm becoming a curmudgeon I don't know if you can say old curmudgeon because doesn't the word itself identify the individual as old and difficult? This really crossed my mind today as I was heading out of the building. I wanted to get to the market and do some shopping before my afternoon ritual began which is working out for an hour on my arm bike while listing to my favorite radio show on NPR Market Place. I had gone up front to check the mail which had not been delivered yesterday because of the holiday. Of course I ran right into the lunch which is being provided by one of the insurance brokers which tends to hover around the building trying to score new clients. I have to admit I was relatively impressed because at least this vendor actually had place settings at the various tables in the common room and it look like a fairly nice offering for lunch. I couldn't tell what it was like was a hot or just cold cuts with bread and whatever. And the ubiquitous small container of bottled water. I may state had they had real beverages like the old days. There probably is a health kind of thing circle like wrapping up the candies you are trying to give away. Immediately, I was being coaxed to attend the presentation by different residents , my apartment neighbors. I wasn't adamant but I certainly was not supportive of the whole event calling that “trolling” for consumers. It really does irritate me and we/the management of this facility and all the other facilities tend to support these brokers. I suppose it looks good like them trying to offer the senior as many options as possible. We've had a bunch of them this week because it's national enrollment week – – I think that's what it's called. I actually almost got in an argument with one of my neighbors (who by the way was not going to the presentation either but she had a doctors appointment) quirky tales getting upset because I Demeaning the whole project it indicating that it was not a free lunch when you had to listen to somebody drawn on by how great they were compared everybody else and really it's all the same. I'm sure there might be a difference here or there but by and large is the same buffet.

It was then I realized I tend to do this a lot especially when it's obvious they don't really care for the populations much of the care for getting them to take the benefit their selling. Today's look like a sitdown lunch relatively formal but this week is been also long sandwiches cut it builds short pieces offered to individuals with bottled water are the favorite godfathers pizza offered to be individuals with the bottled water. I'm wondering if these people are beginning to think I have a chip on my shoulder and you know what maybe I do have a chip on my shoulder. I was thought I was pretty balanced and okay but I've noted my cynicism's gotten worse over the years specially ended up living here, by myself relatively independently. I can see how folks could label me as such and you know what? That's fine with me. After I came home from the market I will pass the conclusion of the presentation. Everybody had left and the little presenter/insurance agent was cleaning up after the presentation assisted by the client support person here at the facility who I know pretty much set this up. I really like this person and I hate to think that she thinks of me as a chip on my shoulder are the curmudgeon on the 1^st floor…

Candy Patrol

 

I think one of the saddest things about the human condition, more specifically the species itself this need to control somebody anybody that you deem is less than yourself. Just totally ridiculous if he asked me. I guess in the personal need to distinguish oneself from the herd many the folks here at the apartment complex tend to decorate their front doors or front door area. This is somewhat seasonal, which only makes sense I guess, and of course there's great delight during the holiday season of Halloween. It astounds me how many people and how much effort they invest in decorating little areas outside the entrance to their apartments. I've thought about it in the operative verb is “thought”, but I kind of really need as much room as I can get open up my door sometimes if there is just a blockage on the other side of the door (where you would put a stand of some sort). It would be more trouble than it's worth.

My neighbor across the hall Billie, I'm sure I've written about her before, is your quintessential social person. She loves people and she loves to make people happy. Excitedly, she change the settings of the small table beside her door 1 October putting out a dish with traditional Halloween candies especially candy corn and other such treats. I mean seriously even in the best situations I don't believe many people are going to stop and pick off pieces of candy for the plate. I do, but you know that that's me. I often stop by her door on the way out of the building sometimes and grab a handful of candy put into my backpack for my trips during the day to have something sweet to chew on and to keep my blood sugars intact. I really don't know that much about blood sugars but made sense from people I have known with sugar issues and hypoglycemic challenges. So, there is a cute little saucer of candy sitting on the outside of her door that all the sudden one day she gets a knock on her door. It's one of the other apartment renters. Who started to inform Billie how unsanitary having open candy outside your door could be. I mean open candy candy that is not individually wrapped are wrapped to protect from rogue fingers and tongues defiling the little sugar treats. Of course, Billie was totally sucker punched, and total social shock took over her poor body. This is a person who strives daily to please everybody in her universe. It's important to her and to have people criticize her for unsanitary treats is almost beyond her ability to comprehend but of course she agrees with the neighbor or whoever and soon I notice the same dish on the little table but all the little pieces of candy corn have been put in the small plastic baggies and placed back on the dish. Then this morning I noticed she had added professionally wrapped candies like butterscotch lozenges, candies and red wrappers and so forth. I guess you want to make a statement that you could choose live on the wild side of the open candies in plastic bags or be safe with industrial/professionally wrapped candies probably from the market across the street were only you have to worry about sucking candy lozenges in your windpipe and meeting a sweet end. It's a shame though to get to be 80 years old and worry about the “candy police”…

Both Sides Now

 

Images taken with my celll phone camera with me
laying back in my chair this afternoon

I'm trying, heroically, to stay calm and not freak out. For once I saved my butt by not having my credit card and debit card in my wallet/pouch or whatever at the same time. Yes you guessed it once again I've lost my complete identification bundle. I had it yesterday because I had coffee with my neighbor across the hall at the little coffee shop across the street. And of course, they're not open on Sundays – – which is a whole other posting – – after which I came home visit with some of my neighbors for a while out out in the sun then pretty much just hung out at the apartment for the rest of the day. I know I didn't go anywhere else. Forward then to this morning when I'm getting ready to head out for breakfast with my son Mark Anthony and of course I couldn't put my hands on the bundle. I thought shirt somewhere in the apartment. But I scoured the bathroom scoured the bedroom and then my writing area in the kitchen not be able to find the pouch anywhere. Right now I'm putting all my hope in that I dropped by wallet at the coffee shop and hopefully somebody turned the wall of them and it sitting there waiting for me. However, I have a knot in the stomach indicating that is not case and that I'm going to finally have to make the decision to cancel the credit card and try to figure out a way to replace my Social Security card – – which of course it was in the wallet. I don't know where else it can be like I said thank goodness I wasn't all over everywhere yesterday pretty much just here in the coffee shop the bumble has to be somewhere in between. This is a bundle that Dianne got me in the hopes that I would wear it around my neck every time I went out to prevent exactly this scenario but of course I got lazy and just wrap the string around it stuffed in the front pocket of my little carrier and it's gone.

The lesson, if there is one, though I think I'm beginning to learn is to not sweat the big deal I've learned the hard way everything is replaceable even if I have to cancel the card I can do that and then trace all the accounts that I have tied that card to replace with the new card. I assume the same would be true basically for my Social Security card if I deem to go that route. But in the back of my mind is always hope that some good souls will turn the whole thing in. Fortunately, as I alluded to earlier I had the debit card set out on my secretary in my bedroom with my cashbox. And since we arenow well into the month all of the payments that come out of my credit card have been made so are okay till 1 November. I still feel totally stupid for this to happen. I didn't know what else to do after I got home and gone through the apartment but to go out in the sunshine until my chair back and looked clouds and I think of Joni Mitchell and Both Sides Now. I even took a few images… Enjoy…