Covid

 

It's one of those things you think you're ready for, you should know how you're going to react, but when the event actually happens your totally taken off guard. That was what happened to me yesterday when finally my cell phone rang was a notification from my IMC (Intermountain medical Center) health account, my online account which encapsulate everything I've done with the medical center. It's amazing piece of technology. Actually, it's taken me quite a while to get friendly enough to go to it on almost a daily basis – – which I've been doing for the last week ever since I took the Covid test.

I was actually feeling pretty positive until a couple days ago when I woke up early in the morning with scarring sore throat. I didn't think much about it but something the back my mind kept niggling that me about one of the indicators of Covid. As I suffered those next couple of days I kept trying to convince myself I was working through a bad cold nothing more. Still I kept checking into the website where you can check on your status and suddenly there was. I gingerly opened the file knowing there is no reason why being extra careful with make a difference it was what it was and it was Covid! And in that second everything changed even though I knew I probably did have Covid at that point see of it written out as such and then it seemed like an hour later I got a notification from the state of Utah indicating that been notified from IHC MC that I need to get a hold of my physician who could counsel are more on the next upside need to take regarding my Covid diagnosis.

Way last week when I first started in the tingling in my throat I started wearing my mask again when is outside of the apartment. It seemed like the right thing to do nevertheless partially kidding myself that I was acting melodramatic. Now, even though it did not really make a difference, I'm glad I went that route. Now, I was contacting everybody from Billie across the hall to Jennifer the apartment manager at the front desk to let them know I had the Covid. Because fries they haven't sent out a T-shirt with a big “C” on the front! I guess, I am now officially quarantined and already I'm trying to figure out ways around the sentence. Not that I want to expose anybody but what am I going to do about pooping three days a week and the shower goes with it? Washing clothes and possibly shopping. Shopping really is a no-brainer this might be the one thing positive out of the whole thing forcing me to use home delivery or Insta cart if I can ever figure it out. I have more than enough food at home actually in hell I can always order pizza I never have to have a reason to order pizza this certainly gives me a great justification. As far as I understand I'm quarantined for at least five days – possibly 10 I'll figure that out I'm sure soon enough. I certainly have the time…okay

Really Sick

 

Seriously, I really thought I would be showing signs of improvement by now. The last time I checked I still have not gotten results of my Covid test. I'm trying not to get to judgmental or whatever as I know everybody short-staffed I mean I listen to NPR as well as local news reports nice poses is what it means waiting to get your notification that your either pariah Armature okay within normal limits like to have just a bad cold? Don't get me wrong I don't want Covid or Omericon I just want to know what I've got and if and when I will start feeling better. Right now when I'm not coughing (I just took some medication) I'm trying to swallow. Every time I try to swallow the left side of my throat is racked with pain. Not trying to be melodramatic – – well maybe a little – – but I can't swallow really specially for something like tomato juice, orange juice or anything else that somewhat acidic which I believe is helpful. I feel sleepy but I don't know if that's waking up multiple times during the night are is the drugs that I'm taking. But mainly the sore throat. I will takes more ibuprofen with few limits and see if that will get me through the late afternoon or early evening . I may even just go to bed early and hope for the best.

It's Thursday which means traditionally I attend the Coffee Group. I've almost decided to stop attending just because there's really nothing there for me. I suppose I can spend my time and better ways. Interesting to note Anne, the social worker type, has just been diagnosed with Covid! I don't think she spread anything just interested. Anyway, the group is at 9:30 AM. Today I was still in bed at that time and my neighbor across the hall, Billie was concerned came knocking on my door. She was more than concerned. Now all morning I been thinking of getting up and making some chicken soup., I totally believe in the enduring myth of chicken soup. Yesterday afternoon, I think – – time is lost all relevance, I got ingredients for fast chicken soup: one deep-fried chicken breast from the deli, one onion (yellow). I had everything else that I needed at home. When I told Billie what I had planned she said that she would do it so I told her for the chicken was heard the door closing she was gone for my homemadechicken soup.. A few minutes later I heard a door open with sound like my neighbors and then I happened to notice the red car pass window. She came back 30 minutes later with a bucket of mashed potatoes and gravy and a bottle of orange juice. Potatoes and gravy were still hot from the deli I did appreciate that an agent teaspoonfuls drank half of the bottles of juice. Decided I would still work with the idea of making chicken soup but not today. And that's the days gotten on I'm gotten worse. I should just go back to bed but that's too frightening for me because that means I would have to get up again and I can only do that once a day. That could be stinking thinking but I blame it on the virus.

I have a carton of orange juice, the last half potatoes and gravy which I plan to use tonight. I may even devour the chicken breast and then use just chicken from the cans I have stored up. Go to get better I know that now just had convinced myself…

Hello PC My Old Friend (P C = Power Chair)…

I wish I could tell you I felt better, that I was on the mend, that a good to be okay but I can't truthfully make those statements because I don't feel that way right now. In fact until I get confirmation from my medical provider I don't know what to think I don't want to be irrational but what if I've got Covid 19 or the Omircon variant, I almost said the deadly omicron virus, but that would be a little redundant and not all humorous. I just don't know what I'll do if I find out that I've tested positive. Hopefully do some kind of a game plan for those who do and hopefully the three vaccinations I've taken so far will have some effect at diminishing the total impact of a virus infection., I woke up at 3 AM with that this is sore throat and never really got back to sleep. Can barely swallow even though. My home health person indicated that was one of the signs of the Covid so I don't know. Have not yet got results from the Covid test I took yesterday we should amend posted by now progressive yet nothing nine called the doctor's office the of course just directed me to the online presence of “my health” file.

What should a been a bright moment in my day really is just another step to what could be possible depression. I ignored by technicians phone calls yesterday after coming home from my physicians appointment just because I was cold, tired and a little pissed. I didn't want to be interrupted by having to set up appointment to accept my wayward chair. When I finally got around to listening to the messageAllen, my wheelchair cooadinator guy, and for laid the chair was ready. I don't know who I'd decide me greatly because, I really don't want to take ownership of this piece of junk mission say that very loud because the chairs back incidents will place by my arm by the chair will hear me. I guess I don't care I just see more pain and depression. In fact, I really did this, this morning after I'd gotten up in my home but first had left by took a few minutes and talk to my power chair would know that I really appreciated all had done for me that I knew it was old and needed the rest but I still was going to send it into the remake shop and have them fix it up so I could continue to use it as my backup chair because I knew the new chair would be wasted soon. I'll just at the case we should need to have a backup chair but truth is truth have learned a lot in my short life.

The driver delivered the chair about half an hour rule. At least the chair looks like it's but back together correctly. Going to miss features from my old chair that I really use which is the bars on the seat that I can loop my monkey paw into drug myself over. As part of the problem on by the chair fell apart the first place was it has no handholds and my constant grabbing on to whatever I can get a hold of them pulling myself over is what for this little chair apart. I wish that was not the case but I'm afraid of this is going to be the case. I don't plan to get back in the chair until Friday morning after my home health person is finished with me and that will make the chair trade. I hope I'll be feeling better by then and enjoy using chair over the weekend…

Icecap Flow Go Go

 

I just lost and 800 word post to my blog. I don't know what happened when I went to save the document it all just vanished. I did of course the few tricks I know that might find the lost words but as of yet they're not there and what I found is is just easier to start all over again. Try not to worry about what you lost enjoy the fact that you can do it again. Actually, it's sort of a good deal because blog that I lost I got carried away talking about my trip to the doctor's office. And not what I really want to write about which is ice

Remember yesterday's post? When I called see about a doc the got me in the very next day, today, I was totally surprised and that's with my primary doctor Nathan Allred M.D. Really is a good guy. So, I was quite exhausted yesterday from coughing and everything else going on this disease process I seem to be into. I got my time for the appointment at 10 AM and is pretty sure I could make it. It's Tuesday, usually my assist day but I was too sick to go to the meeting and I felt it was most important to get whatever is going on with me sound out and cured if it's possible. Also in the back of my mind lurks the ugly head of Covid particularly since I'm somewhat systematic for the disease process. But the problem was a set I was too ill yesterday to do oh are con to see how accessible would be to get to the bus stop. Well this morning I took off and was pleased to be able to get to the bus stop but didn't realize there is no way for the bus to get close enough to the bus shelter to deploy the left and bring me aboard. I wasn't sure if I had time so I turned around and went all the way back to the light by Arctic circle across the street in general all the way up to Salt Lake committee college where there is a convergent point of a number of bus routes and is able to pick the 47 up there which took her straight into the hospital which I was able to get to IHC at 9:45 AM for my appointment which is at 10 AM. I had made it!

I was coughing but not too bad, I actually felt fairly decent and wasn't even sure if I had a bladder infection after all. I felt 100 times better from the good nights rest. Anyway we had a long meeting first with the resident then later with the residenCommunity Salt Lake committee college SSL see, I was frozen.t and Nathan and we decided that I needed have some kind cough suppressant which he ruled out forming an hour to pick up later at the market. I think I'm on the other side of what was going on with me I hope so anyway yesterday I hydrated and I even drained twice during the evening and early morning 800 mL each that's unbelievable. I don't know if I'm up for that tonight but I am up for the little pills kind of interesting but I made a home. I was so exhausted I have ordered a pretty nice hamburger at the student union at the Salt Lake community college. But I was frozen even with my great whitecoat so I just turned on my Disney plus and the heater and zoned out the afternoon warming up and enjoy my apartment.

this

Day Three

 

I really thought I was getting better this morning when I got up. I slept poorly through the night coughing and feeling like I had a sore throat or whatever. If I got up little after 6 AM and got ready for my health person. I did okay on the toilet and shower and getting dressed as feeling somewhat better this morning carried on and I worked on printing the letters, the kid letters. I really started to M

decompensate. Astride the force myself liquids but it doesn't seem to be doing the job.the only time I was able to sleep was after draining than a good drink of water. I was hoping with more liquid during the morning I would feel better all day but that has not been the case.

Finally this afternoon I realized that I was getting worse for the first time wondered if that wasn't a cold that I was suffering with as much as it might be a bladder infection. I just had one a few months ago. I don't know if you remember but the doctor gave me a double prescription one to use but I felt the symptoms coming on again. When my regular doctor. This he was quite beside himself indicating that if I become dependent on these killer drugs the only thing I really be doing is breeding a much stronger pathogen. Though I didn't get really yelled at I felt that it was kind of being disciplined. So, today I decide to call my primary and asked their input. Of course the not do anything until they see me so I was really getting ready to to wait a while when they asked me what time I could be at the clinic to see my Doc. I really don't feel like getting out and traveling in the cold cold weather. Perhaps, if I get up quickly dress and get out the door just maybe I can seen by the Doc and get back before before and snow starts.'s so, I'm going to have to P in the bottle go to cultures and then we'll have to see what we go from there can be time-consuming and frustrating them sure. I called Assist, Inc. when I got home to let Andrea's know that I would not be coming in for the meeting which really makes you feel bad. They really my presence to sign some documents. Hopefully the other volunteer will be there and they can get that covered. If not I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going on a big assumption that what I've got is some for a bladder infection. What if just for if it's the variant?. What if I test positive? Well, I just hope the shots I've taken in the boosters will be enough for what I need to get through the next couple of days.

I apologize for not having images for the first three days this year in fact it was brought to my attention that I hadn't posted the first two days which is totally bizarre because I know that I did. I think perhaps I'm doing something weird which am trying to put all my posts in my document files in one month for that month rather than just piling them all in one giant open file. And maybe that's where the file went when I thought that I posted it to the Internet. Will have to see what happens tonight…okay

January 02

 

It was truly great to see the buses running again today, granted it was the Sunday schedule, but they are out there on the routes to compete love who could get to the routes. Mark contacted me last night later in the evening to see if we're going to breakfast this morning and I indicated I was up for the experience and they were as well. I've had a tickle in my chest/throat for the last couple days. It's weird now anything respiratory, even if it's just a little, spooks me. Is it the virus? Is it a minor version of the virus is is good take me out in my contagious? Times five or whatever. Mark didn't seem to be too worried but then again he's had Covid actually and he has the boosters and everything so he's okay same way with Jasmine. I probably should've gone out even though I wrapped myself up in a red leg/lap blanket as well as my great whitecoat. I think I be given to spiral however. We had a great breakfast with great conversation but now that I'm at home for five or six hours I can feel myself spiraling down into some sort of illness. I don't think I have a temperature of my cough seems to be getting worse. Space I got home and dictated another letter actually two. I basically have my letters written for the month. As a couple I might include. I still have Anakah. Plus I want to write a thank you note to Kristy for the Christmas gift, the woodcut. I've grown quite fond of it in this short period of time.

I wish I knew how sick I was going to be. I don't think that's the virus knock on wood. I think I've just caught something. Hot soup – – chicken soup will be in order and crackers and anything else that I think will stem the tide of this cough and sniffle I seem to have. I kind of like to have more sprites/7 up but I do have lots of great juice and unsweetened apple/cranberry juice. So I have something tolerable to the five must push fluids to get on top of this. The only thing I worry about is missing another assist Inc. meeting on Tuesday and of course the: snow for Tuesday. I don't need pneumonia. So aside from my assist meeting all I really have to do this week of any importance is to drop off my rent check. And if I'm real focused I might be able to do that tonight even though I don't like to do that on Sunday would just say the the cows in the mire or whatever that saying is which means that some things just have to be done regardless of the day or the time.

Hopefully all feel better tomorrow after my shower and dressed. While I'm fresh perhaps I can start printing the letters in the envelopes. I'm a little worried about ink in my printer but I should be okay I hope. If not the letters of lot eventually sometimes assaulted hope for. I wish I had an image for tonight's post I just don't know don't want to make anything up particularly so deal with it…

First Day

 

Today was a beautiful day for the first day of the year along the Wasatch front. Bright sunshine bouncing off the snow which came the last couple of days. The air was crisp and cold and since there is no reason to be out and about I wasn't. I spent most of the day writing my kid letters. I got a lot of them finished and should be able to give a mailed out by Monday when the world will crank back into normality. The holidays done and the new year started and the beat goes on.

I wish I did better on images. I don't really try I just try to snap something the moment that I see something which interests me especially if it's something that I might be able to use them on my writings especially my blog. I haven't really talked a lot about this a while over last week, Christmas week, I posted my 4000 blog. I don't know why but that really impresses me. Of course I done more than 4000 4000 just a number that I posted. Anyway, the image am using today is one I took last week when I ran over to the dollar store to pick up a couple things I thought I'd needed before the great storms hit. This image is of a woman kneeling in the aisle in front of the spice racks. I'm just amazed at the price of the spices at the dollar store yes I know they are a dollar like the name of the store states. And these are regular spices in many cases the same brands in the store next door for three or four times the same cost. I was on my way over to look for some spices when this lady came up and squatted down front of the racks. I figured to myself no problem no big deal I'm sure she'll be quick. I took off look at other things and items that I might be interested . I was gone about three minutes four minutes I figured enough time for her to either find what she's looking for or get bored and move on but I was wrong. Anything she seemed more focused so I sighed to myself and went and look for further items. 15 minutes later I returned after wandering up and down the candy section and cookie section. And I came back once again and now she was sitting down slowly picking out one bottle of spice after another and then writing something down in a notebook of some sort. Seriously, it had been a half an hour. I wasn't necessarily angry just dismayed because I knew that there is probably no way they had the spices I was interested in but I still wanted to see. Eventually, I came around again and she was gone and I checked on my spices then so was I but some things just make you wonder. Life is short and I hate to waste it with you for the spice…

Happy New Year!!

 

It's New Year's Eve, early evening not even 7 PM yet but I want to get this last entry into the blog and off my mind so I can enjoy whatever I end up doing this New Year's which isn't going to be much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining actually up kind looking forward to the evening with access to the Internet, Amazon prime/Netflix and whatever and just enough booze to get me into trouble. I gave away my vodka the day to my home health person, Gloria. She's such a interesting little soul and got a support her ago lover and her little bitty life that somehow she continually survives one day to the next. She gotten screwed over again by her neighbors are whatever you had just 20 bucks to last her for the month. I know she'll pull whatever out of the fire and survive one moment or another. What really broke my heart was the low lives, who are her neighbors, swiped her cigarettes and that's down and dirty. I still had the $10 bill I had gathered from her last week which I had traded her wash quarters for the $10. in a moment of magnanimity I gave her the $10 until she only use it for cigarettes! I also gave her my bottle of Absolut vodka which I've had for at least four years. It's unopened and ready to be loved. I just hope Gloria doesn't love it too much. The girl has to make some decisions however, she's absolutely right this job just does not cut it up for her. I don't know what she's going to do but should figure out something.

I was shocked today when I did my wash and rolled past the mailroom that people are picking up the mail. I could not believe that the mail was delivered today, New Year's being celebrated as the holiday before the regular holiday – – I don't know if that makes sense or not but you know what I mean – – and sure enough when I checked there is new mail in one of the pieces was my alumni magazine. That very expensive glossy fundraising device which they would deny that that's what it was for but we know. I'm sure that some business major worked out the cost ratio of the slick glossy pictures and print highlighting the big donors since the last issue. I usually just checked the magazine after glancing through it but today, maybe I was a bit melancholy due the end of the year whatever I decided out drag it back to the apartment and look through it closer. I'm always intrigued at the professionals they highlight every issue. I've even known a couple of them which kind of shocks me. I guess it sort of makes sense just because my graduating class this past retirement age now and those who made it big are now out and about spending all their acquired wealth (of course B S U certainly wants to get their share). A kind of like the stories of the physicians, CEOs, engineers and of course educators since Boise State is a big education school. I rarely pay attention to the sports portion – – which is a big part of the rag special from the fundraising point of view – – and probably most interested to me is the obituaries just seen who is still around and who is not. I have to admit I am really glad to graduated from this institution as sappy as that sounds but it's true. Whether I deserved it or not I'm glad I got my degree and that I'm an alum for however pitiful that might be…

Low Mileage

 

I was kind of hoping to turn to 4460 miles today. I only need to go 4/10 of a mile to achieve this accomplishment but I did make it instead I chose to stay in the apartment where it's warm and hang out all day. Needless to say not much got accomplished. I didn't even have to cook anything because of got so much food prepared already. I made sloppy Joe's last night just because I've had a pound of hamburger in the refrigerator for at least a week. Luckily it's vacuum sealed so it wasn't going to go bad – – at least I didn't think so. I didn't have a green pepper which is kind of sad but I did have an onion would just chop to prepare just right and a can of Mannwich . I did not necessarily like the flavor of sloppy Joe sauce out of a can but is certainly simpler than food processing when you just want to make a fast meal. I found sloppy Joe mixes in the can dreadfully sweet and dreadfully lacking flavors of key vegetables primarily green peppers but I was able to prepare five burgers one might put in plastic wrap and the other I put in the plastic container which is now in the fridge waiting for those moments when the need to be a meal what there is neither time nor will bring about such an event.

It's Thursday night, but not before New Year's eve, it's pretty quiet and I was suddenly struck with the thought that it's almost 8:00 PM I wonder if Jim, the guy who lives here but works at the food bank, route over anything for the sharing shelf. He tends to do that on Thursday evenings. It's not official opening Jim just cleans out what's left around on the tables at the food bank that needs to go. I've written about this before this causes quite a frenzy with other folks here at the apartment complex. Of course don't need any of the food we are always fascinating to see what he brings what they have available. Of almost totally weaned myself off food bank food. After all I can purchase anything that I really want to eat I dislike the surprise of food bank Thursday and occasional treats that come along with. Stuff I would never purchase a special things like cookies and cakes especially chocolate cakes. But there was nothing there tonight. I think Jim is still a little miffed about residence took way more than they needed last week.

I noticed my pathetic little Christmas ornament still hanging from my door. The miniature Christmas stocking full of green and yellow candy canes (truly the wrong color for Christmas canes). I reminded myself that I need to take him down and put them somewhere that all remember were there at next Christmas – – provided I make it that long. Then I noticed I was one of the last people in the hall still have anything remotely Christmas up well that's with the exception of Carol next door who still has all of her Christmas decorations on her door. Everybody else is got everything taken down in the hall looks once more dreary. The Christmas tree still stands in the foyer that probably won't come down till the second or third day of January and perhaps that's as it should be. As you can tell, obviously I didn't do much today and that's okay they will soon be a brand-new day and very soon a brand-new year after all tomorrow is New Year's Eve.…okay

Me and My Buddy David Rogers

 

Isn't it weird when you think you know something and then your religion not really sure that you know anything at all? Today was another cold and overcast day threatening snow, a good day to stay in the joy the heat and the convenience of streaming technology. However all that changed in the instant when I was contacted by my good buddy David Rogers who is a major blast from my past. My buddy David has kids living in North Salt Lake so he has a reason to visit periodically. Historically, he has never really dropped in to see me on one of his kid visits that's okay. Why don't know doesn't hurt me but he made contact with me earlier this Christmas season and we visited on the phone for about an hour. It was a great visit we rehashed a lot of stuff. But today he called and said that he wanted to take me to lunch. I of course immediately agreed offer any of the village in are my favorite D's restaurant on the corner both of which I could get to within minutes.

We connected by phone midmorning it was about 15 minutes after 10 AM. And when David said you want to do lunch I figured traditional 12 noon lunch but if you want to come down now this is okay will do it. I gave in the directions to the restaurant but he wanted to come to my apartment and then walk with me to the restaurant which was really unnecessary I could not figure out why this was so important to him. I fought it for a few minutes and then finally accepted the software is going to be. About 45 minutes later David did show up and we talked quite a while in the apartment before we settled up at walked over to the D's restaurant. David was quite worried about me stress the fact that is wearing shorts and we're going out of the cold weather. So I'll let them wrap my legs up one of my pieces of fabric that I keep around for just that reason and I wore my great White coat and off we went. We had a great lunch talking and the staff were great to us to making sure my coffee cup that was continually top off and that David was taking care of too. We had a great time. But one of the most interesting parts of the whole event was trying to figure out how and when we how and when we met.

I really five new how we knew each other. We went to the same high school Borah senior high. I thought we met during seminary (you remember that quasi-religious class that Mormon youth attended while going to senior high school) but David said he didn't go to seminary. But I knew we sat at the “seminary table” where we all sat after seminary in the morning before classes started at the high school. But we both agreed that we went to the Mormon Saturday night dances together. David would pick me up in his vehicle and drive me. But were still fuzzy on how and when we met I can't remember. But we're pretty close so close in fact we were roommates at one time in my little house in Nampa Idaho in the first apartment I had on my own. I can't remember how we connected first. We had a couple shared friends but nothing really jumps out about will be first met each other I guess it's not really important now is just an artifact but one I'd like to know just the same. It sort like choosing where we were going to have brunch will be realized it didn't matter where we went the food and style of dining was not important what was important was that we had a place we could comfortably discuss our shared history and plan our shared future however that may look like…

Parts

 

It is freezing cold outside and that is why I was somewhat relieved this morning when Andreas indicated there would be no meeting which means there would not be a reason for me to go downtown. I would've done it in my great white coat but still would've been monstrously uncomfortable as well as injurious possibly to my power chair – – the only power chair I have access to currently. Fortunately, there was not enough snow that blew in yesterday during the snow squall to keep me trapped in the apartment complex but I must admit the cold is enough.

Even with the gift of a few hours without not going to the meeting renders I really haven't done much with my day. I should be equipped. But on the positive side I did renew a prescription, rivaled the cage of my one wheelchair tech who is supposedly working on my power chair that's in the shop. I also tried to get a hold of the guys down at the other wheelchair shop to drive to get parts for this chair I'm sitting in right now. This is the chair with the broken side or the lover which anchors the side. I have an image of this at the top of this post. You can see where the side of the lever, where pins into the side of the chair,, has disintegrated. I will spare you by angst regarding the industry's use of plastic in these key components. It seems to me that metal would be a much better choice. In my mind plastic is always doomed to failure at one point or another. Lucky for me however the one agency idea with those have access to a lot of spare parts and it sounds like they found the parts that I need the only issue is the key people are on Christmas break and probably won't be back to their offices till after the new year. This is another reason why I'm not really pushing myself to be outside and doing things which might be fun and interesting. I'm using this excuse of treating my chair as lightly as possible in order to assure that I have something until my new main chair is returned.

Actually, this last week of 2021 are don't have anywhere to go. I suppose I could go over to the market to pick up a few things but I'm fairly well-stocked. I would really like some of those French fried onions to make a green bean casserole. But I could do that with Chinese noodles I suppose. Not as scrumptious as the French fried onions but it would be good for the roast I have left which I need to eat shortly. As far cycles I have a pound of hamburger which I also need to fry up and mix with a can of man which or whatever's for sloppy Joe's. I ordered 2 pounds of filberts for my not collection and so I can't say I've been somewhat productive and a little bit busy. I probably need to wash a couple of dishes and begin the swab out the refrigerator that might be a task for next year I really don't want to rush things…

Writers Guild… Again?

 

We had brunch today that bizarre meal that's evolved between breakfast and lunch. Makes me feel like a hobbit with their many meal diet. And in truth I don't have three meals breakfast, lunch, and brunch I basically don't eat breakfast and we always basically talk to lunch so I guess it all works out. Of course, this was the writers Guild, a group of three that's been held together by common interests basically writing. I have written somewhat extensively regarding this group in the past but the group is big enough function of my life I feel the need to always write about our meetings.

We supposed to met last week or the week before and the day of the great storm that dumped significant amounts of snow on the Wasatch front and even the Valley for to the point that the guild elected to stay home and stay warm on the inside. Since I live right down the street I got to the restaurant at the appointed time and then waited for a half an hour for the other two to show up. Jerry, the retired writer, usually picks up Lori and we both drive them to the restaurant. It was good to see all as Jerry pounded on the window as they walked past where I was sitting. I know I'm getting older in fact I don't give away old which means the people I associate with our as well but always blows me away to see just how old the others are looking. Again, not that I'm not I just don't see it as much. We're truly a group to ourselves and enjoyed that feeling of camaraderie we have earned just by hanging out together for so long. In truth I'm kind of surprised that I made it to the lunch today. I thought sure there is going to be a bunch of snow as well as the fact that this power chair I'm in is acting very very strange of late I don't like to take it out very far at all. (Actually Mark Anthony did some work on the bearings yesterday that's been freezing up and it's writing like a new chair today). We ordered coffee and we talked about what we were doing. It always amazes me about Lori is up to. The years have been hard on Lori and she is having difficulty more and more digging around for the first time talked about getting a power chair. I think this would be a good thing but still will be awkward. But we talked as we talked we pontificated and really enjoyed each other's company. The meals came we devoured and talk some more. I had to spend New York or San Francisco I'm sure we would've had mixed drinks, wine or something to finish off the meal but as it was we just talks more. Interestingly, two people sitting in different booths somewhat adjoined hours or they could overhear what we were discussing actually stopped and came over and shared with us how interesting they thought our discussion was. We were, at first, taken aback but at the same time welcomed their interest. This is never really happened before kind of made us feel special if not cool. They even said they would like to join us at our next luncheon but of course that's not going to happen or not to let them know there's no way we didn't trade phone numbers just names and first names at that. We feed off each other to the point that we started discussing the idea of raising some money to put on another play or pay a director to direct another one of our plays. This all sounds very exciting but in realistic terms I don't know what we would do if we did get such funding sort of like the dog catching the car's been chasing all its life…

Day After

 

For the second week in a row we have not done are Sunday breakfast. Mark Anthony seems to come down with a cold work off of some sort from his trip to Southern California. I think Mark is working too hard and needs more rest plus the weather people were talking possible storms this morning and quite frankly I didn't know if my power chair was up to the trip up to the corner restaurant in snow and rain if that is what happens. Essentially, I scrubbed the breakfast this morning let him get back to sleep and I made garbrock one of my favorite Sunday breakfasts. I've gone over the recipe in blogs past those interested can just do a search but should kick out if not let me know and I'll certainly postpone for you or just email it to you should you desire.

The day certainly look like a stormy day to begin, dark clouds menacing wins at actually watched both guardians of the galaxy movies which I found delightful even though I don't even know how many times I've seen them the part of the Disney package and I just love the movies for some reason. I messed around clean up the mess I made at breakfast and Mark Anthony called later on in the late morning or early afternoon indicating you still want to come over and giving my Christmas presents. I sensed he really needed to do so also why not I wasn't doing anything else today.

I just finished volume 2 of the movies and Mark knocked on my door and brought in a number of packages! How exciting? We didn't directly get into the open in the packages first choosing to help me clean up the apartment a little bit and he was actually hungry so I was able to feed him a bunch of snacks I've had laying around from various gifting neighbors in such. He went around the collected all the garbage bin various containers around the apartment packed them out to the dumpster swept up a little bit very nice. Then we opened up my gifts my daughter-in-law (they are still legally married) got me a great woodcut picture – – very nice. Then I got to open up the heavy long package. It was a new workbench! I'm so excited and I'm beside myself but for little workbench that I purchased when I moved into this apartment was very inexpensive and very lightly built and was coming apart. I'm pleased that Mark even noticed but now I've got a great Black & Decker workbench which will really assist in my maintenance of my wood sticks – – is that redundant – –? The only problem was the bench was in this narrow long box the whole thing was totally disassembled and we spent the afternoon putting together my bench. Mark of course is the one who did the work I'm glad he did I was gone insane trying to figure out how to put all these parts together and of course the major hand function would be required. No problem, a dad has to know when to keep his mouth shut and let the sun takes a road and direct the path. He did a great job. Between this bench and to cards for Amazon I made out like a bandit this Christmas. The kind of feel bad that I didn't any gifting maybe next year five live long enough.

It's the day after Christmas gifts of unopened boxes of candy partially eaten in my human body is in dire need of real food not candy, empty carbohydrates. I did make the broccoli breakfast perhaps this is good as it gets today. I was good try to warm up the roast with mashed potatoes and gravy but that didn't happen maybe tomorrow I hope your day after Christmas was as nice….

Christmas 2021

 

As you all probably picked up I'm somewhat infatuated with the unexplainable, mystical, magical. I want to believe there is an explanation for everything, something cold hard in real but sometimes there just is not. I don't know what guides are causes the unexplainable perhaps it is the finger of a higher being or whatever body part brings about such wonder to humans such as us when the unexplainable happens maybe just dumb luck that somehow I cannot accept that explanation.

Mark Anthony was sick today from his travels I think I'm Southern California then returning to the cold weather and whatever infirmity he had kicked in. So we were not able to have our Christmas morning breakfast which I was kind of looking forward to. I wasn't sure how serious he was but he seemed pretty disheartened when I started getting the texts that is not to make it as early as usual and then not at all after I gave a great excuse not to try to get out. He seemed insistent however to make sure I had a gift to open today so he sent Jasmine or Jasmine sent herself at least herself and Jaxon . I cut it didn't believe jazzmen come all the way into the city just to see me so I was a little surprised at around 2 o'clock when I got a text from Jasmine saying their inbound. I'd start a load of wash – – yes my Christmas wash – – so I was hanging around the front of the building to keep an eye on the parking lot to see if Jasmine got there okay. I was running back and forth from the apartment to the front of the building. As I was waiting there I noticed one of the other residents coming up the walk with her little dog and she was all worried and told me about this person out in the parking lot stuck in the snow. I glanced over her shoulder and he could see a young man trying to put what look like cardboard sheets underneath the wheels of his truck that seem to be stuck in the snow. Marta, the resident that was talking to me was telling me that the person trying to dig out the truck needed a real shovel. There is a plastic snow removal shovel sitting in the front of the door of our building. Marta wants to know if he could use the shovel. I told her I suppose that I didn't care. As I watch the little guy looked very familiar to me but I couldn't quite place him. It was about that time I was startled when Jasmine/my granddaughter, came down the hall and said “hi”. I was more than little surprised then I realized the young man desperately trying to dig his truck out of the snow was Jaxon. My possible grandson law had somehow try to blast through a snow pile and got his truck high centered on that snow pile and could not getting traction. Unbelievable. Like a good parent type I wandered out to see what I could do anything which of course I couldn't except for offer the plastic cheap plastic shovel.

Jasmine and Jaxon had brought me a plate of food, you know the kind that comes all wrapped in tin foil. Real food from a real Christmas dinner funeral potatoes, two slabs of ham real ham not pressed, and some kind of mystery bread treat kind of tasted like bread pudding but different. Chopped strawberries and syrup that just now I realized was supposed to be poured over the bread product. Jaxon kind of want to be left alone and work on the truck so Jasmine retired to the apartment to put the plate away. I was just about to go and find a couple of the other guys at the complex we decide to go out and see if the board made any progress when we got there were blown away to see of another truck next to his getting ready to pull the truck out . He pulled and the truck came right off is no perch. It was the uncle of the driver, jaxe's uncle. It was one of those weird events that Jaxon happened to look up and see his uncle passed by in his truck and immediately Jackson called his uncle who came back and save the day. There is no reason the uncle should but in that neighborhood but had taken a shortcut and put them in the right place at the right time just as jaxen looked up. It took me just a second to realize this was the Christmas miracle I've been waiting for all season long. A bona fide event that defied explanation that ended up doing good. I was humbled to be part of the witness for this event and truly made my day Christmas!

A Marvelous Christmas Eve

 

It's Christmas Eve, granted still quite early it's not even 5 PM but like yesterday it is already becoming dark and feeling very night like. Once again I don't plan to spend a very different Christmas Eve then I have in years past specially since the divorce. By myself with electronics and cell phone and this year with a box of Christmas candy as well as a few shots of eggnog left but a logo that later.

It's not like I'm tying up loose ends, however I felt like I needed to make a run to the Glasshouse this afternoon to pick up a bottle of Bailey's but then I figured you know I can get by until Monday or Tuesday of next week before the first of the year. I have a bottle of something to mix with coffee are vodka and milk to make a black Russian White Russian or whatever it is that's a lot of work and since I don't particularly like to drink alone I doubt that it's going to happen. But this morning I was pleasantly surprised to have a drink with my home health provider Gloria. I have a bottle in my refrigerator left over from last year when my dentist gave me a bottle of hard-core eggnog for Christmas. I think I've had two drinks out of it the whole year. This morning however I mentioned this and Gloria was game and I was game we both had a shot or two of eggnog. It certainly wasn't enough to make a difference but it really was nice to have a drink with a friend. I have not done this and probably decades. She mentioned she likes Bailey's I would like some Bailey's so hopefully will have a drink on New Year's Eve the same way. Needless to say the overcast skies and the promise of rain turning to snow kept me in the house except for a short bit when I zipped across the street looking for a few more Christmas items. I took out the roast beef this morning, one that I froze last week after eating half in saving the roast beef Christmas. I've also thought about sending out for a supreme pizza but I don't know if I dare I have so much other stuff I really need to eat before sending out for something more prepared.

I went to the dollar store. It's always kind of fun at the dollar store were for five or $10 you get to feel like a rich person. There are very practical things there for the person to buy like chip dip mix seasonings just all kinds of things you don't know that you need until you go there. I got out of there with less than four dollars spent but got to wish many people Merry Christmas and they responded like they really meant it sort of like folks at the liquor store. I got back the apartment I was watching a Christmas movie Die Hard one of my favorite Christmas films and I hear muffled knock on the door. It was one of my neighbors here at the apartment complex delivery night a wrapped box were to be left at the front of the building. I pretty much knew what was I've been forewarned by the executive director of one of the boards that I sit on that we would be getting a box of candy's in the mail which would normally have gotten in different times in our Christmas meeting or December meeting. Over the years they've done some really nice gifts. This year a box of chocolates from Logan Utah – – that's this place were the small college/university that hosts this board of folks that I sit on. I should've waited till tomorrow but since is probably going to be the only wrapped gift I get but I give only tore into the wrapping open the box and found my favorite piece a nut crusted piece of toffee it was delicious I don't even care about the other pieces.

I'm kind of excited. I know we won't get much but the weather person is calling for rain turned to snow overnight so just possibly we might have a white Christmas and that would be marvelous…

Christmas Ready!

 

Sometimes the matter how great the hat you have there's not a rabbit in the bottom to pull out. A stud is going to get lucky today get my power chair down to the building and how the latch put back into the side of the receiver for my arm and I would be okay for the rest of the holiday. That wasn't going to happen it seems, luckily I was still at the apartment when I got the phone call from my technician told me that he was being called out of the county on emergency deployment of technology. Of course all estate has Friday as well as Saturday off for the holiday and like I've said so many times I cannot begrudge them I too was once a state employee. So the best looks like and to be able to do now is muddle through the next four or five days with this gimp arm and hopefully on Monday the snow will be off the roads and sidewalks enough that I'll be able to get down to the Buffmire building and get this problem taken care of. I'm okay with just awkward and it's really a minor issue on this chair that I'm trying to keep functional until my other chair gets back from the wheelchair shop which sounds like it could be sometime next week alas, I'm not holding my breath.

Snows forecast to begin sometime tomorrow morning. I doubt before going to get much but still I'm not sure as far as second-guessing the weatherman. So, even with my chair in the state that it's in my but feeling a little tender I made the run over to the market. There's a warm before the storm with the wind blowing temperatures well above freezing so the snow was melting thank goodness but not enough. While rolling to the market I tried to go through a pile of snow that I was kind of forced to ensure enough got the wheels stuck in the snow. It doesn't help that my wheels are totally bald so there's no traction there at all. I tried rocking my chair back and forth, I knew it wasn't good to be able to get free, it was kind like waving a flag so somebody with see my plight and realized that I needed desperate help. Sure enough a couple of vehicle stopping people jumped out and pushed me back onto the street. I assume with the oncoming snow it's just going to make travel that much more difficult. I got an extra bag of chips to hold me over.

It's not a five p.m. Yet and it's merely dark outside. I know are just a few days passed solstice but I want to see the longer days already in so far that still getting dark way early but right now patients is the name of the game and I just want to get through the holidays. I've got way too much food as usual of got a frozen roast, a newly opened package of hotdogs with bonds, Trinkle chips plus barbecue and corn chips – – Fritos of course and I purchased paper bowls for chili. I have Chef Boyardee, Nalley tamales and refried beans a couple of frozen tamales (with new tamales coming supposedly for my barber). I evenpurchased a bag of broccoli florettes washed and prepped and you know how much corn beef I have. I'm set. I also have a bunch of booze in my cabinet are probably won't touch but just in case. We get some kind of set Internet and Disney plus it's going to be a Merry Christmas indeed…

Surviving The Holidays

 

There is a little device on the back of my chair at the latch which allows my side arm to rise and lower. I'm able to lift the arm completely up which allows me to roll into my bed at night. Anyway the latch which secures that arm to the chair kind of disintegrated on me this morning which put me in a quandary of having to get it somehow functional before bedtime tonight.

Of course, trying to find anybody as a business are state facility at this point in time of the holiday is practically impossible. Remember yesterday I talked about my friend at the place for they have all the used equipment was leaving right after he came over and worked on another part of this chair was leaving for his 10 day vacation after he met with me. So I know there is nobody at that number. This place is great because it's got all kinds of older chairs and many of the older chairs have exactly the parts that I need to fit this chair I'm in now. However, the silver lining to this dark cloud is that UCAT and more specifically Create is located in the same building as our number of other rehabilitation facilities. One of them is managed by a good friend of mine who worked with over the years very closely. In fact he was on my Board of Directors for a number of years. Anyway, Kent was actually in his office and working. I sent him a image or two of my problem which are the images I used for this posting. It was like the day before I could get him the images so he was not able to go to the back and see if there is any parts available. Luckily tomorrow, another individual of working very closely aligned with that program will be in the office and hopefully he might be able to find the part that I need. This gives me great hope. And the best part of this problem as long as I can get the arm disengaged from the chair I'm okay. I can limp around without the arm fixed to the chair and get by very nicely. It would be nice to have the arm secured but I can get by. I was able to get Ted, the maintenance manager here at the apartment complex, to pull the pin on the securing device and free of that arm so I'm okay for tonight. There was also good news from my discussion with Alan who's got my other chair in this post be working on it that all the parts are in and maybe sometime next week, after the holiday, but before New Year's they can get my chair working again. This seems almost too good to be true but we'll see what happens.

So the plan is now that as soon as I can get in the other chair, the new chair, I'm going to have the boys, pick up this power chime in now the backup chair and have them bring it into the shop with are going to go over it and replace all the parts that seem to be wearing out. Part of it's my fault because I pop the the casters and then water gets in to these ball bearings and begin to rust and then that's when the whole part becomes useless when those bearings begin the season up and I'm not able to turn the wheels like the need to be. It really is a double edge sword and kind of drives me crazy. Well, I'm one who totally believes in Christmas miracles, I've had enough in my life to know that the phenomenon of Christmas miracles is real and possibly and I've just sat through is this year's Christmas miracle it's not up there with an angel getting its wings but as long as I have ample transportation and independence at the miracle to me…and you too will and is part of job will on his and job is to

Snow Gone

 

I feel kind of bad because I was not able to make my usual Tuesday morning Assist, Inc. meeting in downtown Salt Lake. I called the agency will that usually repairs my chair when I can't get my written wheelchair shop to do it. I was going to drop in their after my meeting but talking to the manager indicated that he was only in the office today and then he was going to be on vacation for the next two weeks! He also said he'd be able to come out to my apartment, rather than me going into the office, which was what sealed the deal for me. He would be by a 12 PM and would that work for me? I told him it would be perfect even though I knew I would be at my meeting so I canceled my meeting which was not a big deal… I'm not that important.

Another grand day of hanging around the apartment kind of trapped in my apartment through a chair that's a little questionable and snow piled high on my passive access. I continue to my regular routine however and working out on my arm bike for an hour. I noticed as I worked out on my bike that there was a lot of activity out of the sidewalk going to the gate. And sure enough the guys were chipping away at the ice flow the snow had turned into. I was going to have access to the bus stop kind of. It took them a good two or three hours delivery that sidewalk and what they were gone, later on the afternoon after my radio show on out to the sidewalk and took images mostly for my own benefit but also the show management their people had, gotten the job done. I noticed however now there is a nice flow from the property line of my apartment complex to the bus stop which is literally 10 feet away from the gate. There is no way a bus could even get close enough to deploy its left GR RRR. Then to make matters worse I was going to go outside the gate and take images of the ice flow to send to the transit authority whose job was to maintain these bus stops. When I hit the button to open electric gate I was met with a shrill piercing shriek, much like the sound of the monolith in 2001 when the astronauts touch the monolith on the moon and the big monolith disappeared to one of the moons outside of Jupiter. The gate is nonfunctional. Now first thing tomorrow morning I'm back at the manager's office complaining about the gate is not fair that I have to be such a pain in the ass everybody I know. Hopefully Ted, the chief of maintenance here, can go out magically fix the problem. It's not like I'm going anywhere anytime soon it's just knowing that I could go out and catch a bus inbound if I needed to, and I don't but in case I did… Just saying

No Go Snow!

 

I do not want the casual reader to think I'm fixated on snow but right now snow is one of the major obstacles in my life aside from a power chair that's in the shop that doesn't seem to be getting repaired and the fact that my backup chair is quickly losing its ability to be called a backup chair. But the point is we had a major snowstorm dumped lots of snow then the apartment management has contracted with an idiot who lets his people plow the back parking lot and throw all the snow onto the sidewalk and not clean that piece of the sidewalk to the bus stop and of course that's my vital line to the outside. So as long as the snow stays I'm sure that's going to be my focus until I couldn't start integrating again with the great outside.

I know last week a day after the snow fell I spoke with our apartment manager that we really needed to make sure the contractor of snow removal for the apartment complex be sensitive to the needs of people and shares who must use sidewalks for transportation. She said she would contact him tell them but as of Friday nothing's been down in this morning I went out and checked and basically any snow removal had been done by the sun. Granted there was a halfhearted attempt to look like one snow shovel full down the center of the sidewalk to a degree until it ran into the major plow dump. That's where it stopped and what little bit of sunshine we've had has melted very little. I wish I could work myself up into righteous anger I just can't. I think it's been a major problem in all of my life rabbit associated with somebody who cares about me and feels that I don't really stand up for myself. It's not that I haven't had adequate trainers. My mom was great things were going the way that she thought they should be going she let everybody know as did my first wife and really Dianne does a great job as well. I just can't get focused anger wise at the people who need it. I first and foremost will agree with all of these folks I'm not much in the Department of sticking up for my of course I'm talking about raising a stink so bad that the technicians at the wheelchair shop move heaven and earth to get me off their case as soon as possible. I wish I could do that but I just don't. The closest I've done on the snow issue is to wander into the office early afternoon and try to be assertive (which I actually sort of was) and management to have someone come out and dig through the snow pile by 5 o'clock so I'd pick sure I have a way in tomorrow to my Tuesday morning meeting. That did not happen but Jennifer did move a lot found the phone numbers as I was leaving she was making calls.

Doesn't really matter because I'm not going into to my Assist meeting in the morning because this chair I am in desperately needs to be desperately needs attention. I was able to call and agency that I've worked with over the years and the guy is going to come out tomorrow to at least change my front tires which a been a major problem. You can't work with the back wheel mechanism which is quite threatening but I think at least with the front casters changed I can survive until I can put enough pressure on the wheelchair shop to get my chair back to me. Then I will try to get this backup chair into another wheelchair shop so that wheelchair shop can do some rehabilitation on this backup chair. I didn't mean for it to be a very busy day by the kind of was and hopefully I will have enough of my needs met that I can at least get around in my local environment until a better chair becomes available as well as the snow fall before the next one…

Sunday Night Blather

 

It was kind of fun building my own breakfast this morning. I haven't really done that since Mark Anthony and I have been doing our Sunday morning breakfast at the restaurant. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy our time at the restaurant but I also really enjoy throwing together a breakfast on Sunday morning. This morning I did bacon and eggs and a toasted English muffin sort of like the McDonald's Egg McMuffin but probably would not nearly as good or as fast. But I truly love the process. Starting the coffee maker pulling the eggs of the refrigerator's As Well as opening up the package of bacon I purchased a couple weeks ago. Perhaps the reason I was so excited about cooking breakfast or was easy to get into the project was because Gloria, my home health person, did such a good job cleaning the stove and making sure I have what I needed to do any cooking should I want to do any. I stayed with the basic breakfast bacon and eggs essentially and they bread product. They certainly had the ingredients to do a major production but I wanted to. I just want to enjoy some classical music and puttering around the kitchen.

There was talk on Saturday when we are at the restaurant for breakfast about having her make it our own Christmas breakfast, I assume it this apartment, that would really be fun and of course Christmas falls on Saturday which means that we'll probably be back in the restaurant on the day after Christmas Sunday the 26^th. Which is okay by me after all it's Christmastime. A few hours ago I checked with Google/chrome just to be sure what they winter actually begins that is 21 December roughly at 8 AM. I thought about that primarily because by 5 PM this evening it was almost totally dark outside we are truly in the dark days of the year. That however is about to change in roughly 2 days will be at the far end of the orbit when they reach the solstice of winter. We will however there however short then begin the arduous task of heading back the summer solstice by hundred 87 days away. Won't seem so bad though because will be heading towards the light and the warmth of the new year. I'll turn 71 and February which just told it blows my mind. But I've resolved to open up and enjoy each minute that I have to live the days of my life. The closer I get to where it is I'm going the easier it seems like it's going to be. I don't know if that makes any sense at all but it's what I'm thinking. Morbidity statistics for my birth group are beginning to rage now even without the epidemics that seem to be flourishing again. Just through normal lifespans all the people that were born on the year or in the year that I was are really begin the flame out according to statistics. It's only normal and perhaps that's the beauty of the whole thing nobody gets to live forever… Well almost nobody…

Meat For Christmas: A Dickens Christmas

 

We had breakfast today at the restaurant as opposed to tomorrow because Mark Anthony has to fly out of town for work. It's funny how the difference of just 24 hours can change the whole complexion of something. Even though it was the same restaurant in the same staff in the same time the clientele was different and oddly less customers that I would've expected for a Saturday morning at the very beginning of Christmas week. If not in Christmas week and solstice week two of my favorite dates of the year. We enjoyed breakfast but Mark Anthony was on a tight schedule and Jasmine had things to do so I have it heading back to the apartment. Luckily the trip over was only slightly dangerous. And luckily the times early enough that there was not a lot of traffic to worry whether a couple times fun I felt at risk with oncoming traffic having to roll on the side of the pavement since all the snow would been piled up on the sidewalks and the curb cuts but I made it won't have to try again until the 27^th when I have a lunch date down at the VI. Hopefully – – even though more snow is forecast – – it will be easier to travel I'm just crossed my fingers.

On Thursday night or Thursday afternoon there was a Amazon package left at my door. I did not pay much attention to the boxlike package in fact a list outside the door all night long. The next morning I did eventually dragged walks into the apartment and I was perplexed that what might be in it. The package was quite heavy. I had been ordering a number of things recently from Amazon but nothing I can remember which had the mass of this particular object. But I've been out and about the package rested inside the apartment until this morning when I had a few minutes before I had to leave for the restaurant. I used one of my more sturdy hooks actually hook the box and pulled up to my lap and I was amazed at how heavy the package was. I finally got the box on the table and found my razor knife and slice the top of the box open and there were eight cans of corn beef! I was a little surprised at the number eight think that I may be ordered three cans of corn beef. I was looking at such an order a couple weeks ago but I didn't remember making the order. Then I finished the cans out of the box and on the bottom of the box was the Amazon packing slip inside was the individual who would ordered : Dennis –, my friend from the old days. The skies great can't believe he sent me one of the few things I never thought I would get for a holiday gift and I must confess I doubt that I'll get much better gift this Christmas season or all looks Christmas seasons to come. Actually feels like I've increased my wealth. To me these cans of corn beef are like gold bars and now I have them hidden away in my upper shelf or there will be as soon as I get my power chair back with the elevator function. I know it's a crazy gift but Dennis thank you just the same and I can't imagine how you know how much I enjoyed this meat delicacy at least for me. Now of course I feel bad because I have nothing for him except thanks and hopefully that's enough…use Mark Anthony has to fly out of town for work. It's funny how the difference of just 24 hours can change the whole complexion of something. Even though it was the same restaurant in the same staff in the same time the clientele was different and oddly less customers that I would've expected for a Saturday morning at the very beginning of Christmas week. If not in Christmas week and solstice week two of my favorite dates of the year. We enjoyed breakfast but Mark Anthony was on a tight schedule and Jasmine had things to do so I have it heading back to the apartment. Luckily the trip over was only slightly dangerous. And luckily the times early enough that there was not a lot of traffic to worry whether a couple times fun I felt at risk with oncoming traffic having to roll on the side of the pavement since all the snow would been piled up on the sidewalks and the curb cuts but I made it won't have to try again until the 27^th when I have a lunch date down at the VI. Hopefully – – even though more snow is forecast – – it will be easier to travel I'm just crossed my fingers.

On Thursday night or Thursday afternoon there was a Amazon package left at my door. I did not pay much attention to the boxlike package in fact a list outside the door all night long. The next morning I did eventually dragged walks into the apartment and I was perplexed that what might be in it. The package was quite heavy. I had been ordering a number of things recently from Amazon but nothing I can remember which had the mass of this particular object. But I've been out and about the package rested inside the apartment until this morning when I had a few minutes before I had to leave for the restaurant. I used one of my more sturdy hooks actually hook the box and pulled up to my lap and I was amazed at how heavy the package was. I finally got the box on the table and found my razor knife and slice the top of the box open and there were eight cans of corn beef! I was a little surprised at the number eight think that I may be ordered three cans of corn beef. I was looking at such an order a couple weeks ago but I didn't remember making the order. Then I finished the cans out of the box and on the bottom of the box was the Amazon packing slip inside was the individual who would ordered : Dennis –, my friend from the old days. The skies great can't believe he sent me one of the few things I never thought I would get for a holiday gift and I must confess I doubt that I'll get much better gift this Christmas season or all looks Christmas seasons to come. Actually feels like I've increased my wealth. To me these cans of corn beef are like gold bars and now I have them hidden away in my upper shelf or there will be as soon as I get my power chair back with the elevator function. I know it's a crazy gift but Dennis thank you just the same and I can't imagine how you know how much I enjoyed this meat delicacy at least for me. Now of course I feel bad because I have nothing for him except thanks and hopefully that's enough…

The Quiet Before Christmas

 

It's it really is easy to get lulled into the feeling that the world outside is just too big for you to handle at certain times. I'd like to think that was happening to me today after the big snowstorm this week. You recall that I've been out a couple times on that senior transit system for medical appointments which is allowed me the eyeball what is being done are not being done around the community as far as snow removal on sidewalks and curbs cuts. It's appalling to see not so much how much snow had fallen but how much snow had been plowethed into these public access points. Sidewalks are useless, even if they are shoveled, if you can cross the street. It's kind heist to be able to get to points on your block for instance the local Speedway which is adjacent to our property here house cleaned their sidewalks very well and we've done sort of okay at the apartment complex. If I was marooned on this block I could still get to some basic services are items that need this far is food things go by going to the Speedway. Not much choice but survivability for sure. However trying to go anywhere on Utah transit Authority, unless somehow I was able to get the bus driver's attention and have him stop somewhere close to somewhere I could get out to the street the load from the street. Right now that's just not really happening.

We are now about three or four days away from the storm that dumped this snow. The snow that has been dozed up curb cuts and bus stops is now crusted into ice is going to be a while before anything happens there. But like I said the streets of all been graded and cleaned as well as the sun's been out even melting what's left. So even though I cannot access a street crossing from the curb if I keep my eyes on the traffic lights and launch across the street when the traffic light turns for the regular traffic I can get out about at least crossing the street where my barber is. I had the time and the desire so I decide to test out what I could do and made across the street got my hair cut and came back with little trauma. I did a fast survey just looking up the street to the market that I use Macy's as well as the restaurant that I usually go to Deese and I think I'll be able to get to those places if I need to. The first test going to be tomorrow morning. I got a message from Mark Anthony a few minutes ago indicating he was planning a trip to California I'm not sure why whether for work or the holiday. And he wanted know if you could change our usual Sunday morning breakfast at the restaurant on the corner to tomorrow morning instead of Sunday. No problem and will be a great way to find out if I can make the trip over should be no problem.

So it was nice to get out not be a total hermit inside my apartment those becoming easier and easier to consider such an existence. For now these are quieting down and I have Netflix, Disney and Amazon to keep me company over this joyous season…

More Christmas Cheer

 

I used to be the resident Santa when I worked at the Independent living Center. Resident Santa means I'm at the facility not necessarily residing but working called up and sent the duty calls after leaving independent living going to look for the state I was called back to be the Santa every year it seemed unless I was in the hospital/rehab are the pandemic shut everything down including the Santa visit. However this year in an effort to go back to the “before times” I was asked again to betray the great rotund Christmas elf. As I mentioned in yesterday's post normal times I would just access the local transit network to reach the center but with the advent of the snow dump a couple days ago and the fact that nobody clean sidewalks or curb cuts or even bus stops it would've been impossible for me to get into the Center by public transit. Luckily, the independent living Center has many wheelchair accessible vehicle and today, even though they were super busy with the event, they've dispatched Janice longtime employee out to my apartment together me in and drive me into the event making a 20 minute trip what used to be at least an hour and 45 minutes and just as long returning.

I didn't know if I'll be able to pull this off next year (the Van pickup) and if I make it to next year but that sure would be nice to have another trip in. It's funny how things change. As I understand the staff at the independent living Center which generally some lies a pretty decent holiday meal at this event that Covid restrictions prevented the meal. Instead small holiday packages/sacks of a hodgepodge of candies, mini pretzels, and snack mix as well as one Apple and as one small tangelo actually not a bad deal. Inside the bulging paper sack was a smaller sack full of candy goodies which I put into my snack reservoir for watching movies.

It's kind of funny about the most activity I do in this volunteer position is my shouting of “Merry Christmas” a number of times as I enter the room following their last Christmas Carol. I'm quickly escorted over to the “Santa area” placed in position and basically sit there as consumers come by and get their images taken with me. Over the years I've actually passed out small gifts and are treats like candy canes are small snack packages. This year I had nothing to pass out just my goodwill. I often wish that individual merit Christmas and happy new year and sometimes I asked them what they like for Christmas and many times they tell me what they want for Christmas. I always dodged the question somehow and things I guess work out because I'm invited for the next year. Maybe it's one of those things where those in control/power just know I will show up regardless of the job that I do they will have somebody to fill that slot for the consumers to enjoy and perhaps that's the best gift I can render during this madcap holiday season…