2021 Diary: I Had the Gall

5/8/2021-5/10/2021: The Gallbladder Days. Was feeling bad Saturday and Susan suggested it might be my appendix. Andy took me to the Emergency Room at 3 PM, and then it was just a nightmare of waiting. Eventually I was put in a room about 9 PM. There were tests and scans and ultrasounds and long dozy uncomfortable stretches of waiting. On Sunday I was put under, and my gallbladder removed. Long periods of urination and dry mouth and ketoacidosis (looks like I’ll be needing insulin). About 6:30 PM Andy came to pick me up and took me to HEB Pharmacy where they didn’t have everything I needed right away. Came back to guest house and called John and Kenny and started to get things straightened up after a good doze. Ordered healthier food from HEB.

 

5/11/2021: Still no bowel movement as of 9:30 AM. Took garbage out. Groceries arrived at 8:15 AM, and I had a long nightmarish trial getting them in, what with the uneven ground at the side of the house where they are installing a new septic tank. Must rest my incisions now.

“Still alive, but little thanks to my pharmacy, which took until late afternoon to fill my prescription for a glucometer and insulin after five or six phone calls to and from my doctors and nurses. Then we had to go back again in the worst of the storm to get needles for the insulin pens, which I guess they thought I didn't need. Then back a third time to get the right sticks for the glucometer. Now I'm medicined up and the blood sugar is headed the right way. The operation seems to have sent my diabetes out of whack. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes, and especially for John and Susan for looking after me!” – from e-mail to John.

Up about 12 AM and felt awake so did the first cleaning and organization for a while. Now (hopefully) I won’t lay there with thoughts of cleaning run through my head.

 

5/12/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Septic tank finally installed by 2:30 PM, but landscape still a mess. Besides struggling through the day, I made Malt-o-Meal for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and then chicken and broccoli for supper. Managed (with Kam’s help) to make supper of sausages and cabbage fry. Poor Andy had to clean it up. Kenny called this evening and talked a half hour. I injected my own insulin, and it went easily.

 

5/13/2021: It is a great irony that while something is now actually happening in my life, I feel no urge to record it. I live in a sort of weird ocean of time that passes very slowly, except for spikes that rise when I do things. This morning got an order from HEB and worked to reorganize my fridge. My first blood sugar reading in the morning was 200 before breakfast. Breakfast: Malt-o-Meal, lunch: tuna with crackers, supper: chicken with broccoli and carrots. Ryan came and got Jade [their Doberman]. The house and the yard are starting to look quite different. Kam a great help again. Second blood sugar 367. Cooked supper for Shanafelts; chicken with broccoli, rice, and mushrooms. Insulin at 8 PM. Washed dishes. Is a BM finally near?

 

5/14/2021: And so the world goes on and on. Blood sugar still high; about 260 at each reading. Made an omelet (4 eggs and cauliflower and broccoli) for breakfast. About 2 PM I tried shaving head and beard and dropped the shaver with my head half-way done. Called John and he was just on his way into town to get Joey a haircut. He came by to finish the job (and gave me a new razor) and Kam and Joey got to visit. Made supper (fish, taco noodles, squash); had fish and noodles myself. Insulin at 8 PM. Now 11:30 PM.

 

Notes

Now I am no longer on insulin injections. My glucose has been running about 130, thought it’s higher lately. Looking back, I’m not sure all my dietary choices were that great. I’m getting to the point where I feel I need to buzz my head again; maybe tomorrow. I was little surprised to learn that the gallbladder actually is greenish. 

2021 Diary: May the Fourth Be With You

5/1/2021: May the First. Woke up at 7:30 AM and finally able to poop. Have determined to take everything in moderation today. Didn’t eat anything (despite them bringing me breakfast tacos) until almost 11 PM. Threw up and felt a little better about 12:15 PM. Drank mostly water. Slept most of the day which means I’m awake late at night. Very rainy much of the day, and cool enough not to have the AC on. Played some DQ8 up until Ascantha.

 

5/2/2021: Did not go to church; spent most of the day just sleeping and listening to music and having dreams, recuperating.

Susan brought me some Sprite and bananas about noon. I was feeling not sick, but not fully well either.  Come evening I began to do stuff, like make a huge order from HEB, watch animations, eat bananas and Ritz crackers with cheese, and play DQ8. About 10:30 PM I cleaned the house, then prayed, and read 2 chapters of Mark, then the missalette for the day. It’s now 11:14 PM, so I guess I’ll play a little more DQ8 until bed.

 

5/3/2021: Up at 5 AM. Prayers and Bible. Cartoons on METV with an emphasis on Bugs this week. Started my wash at 7:30 AM. Kam and bus at 8 AM. Switched my wash at 9 AM, then got my grocery delivery. The nice woman took it around to the guest house for me; I tipped her $20 for the extra effort. It was a big order. Rosary on and off.

GGACP, then finished the wash about 10 AM. Got Kam a little after 1 PM, and I noticed I hadn’t made boiled eggs! Made cucumber salad. At 4 PM made supper (fish cakes, couscous). Heard that S&A friend [Lance?] is coming tomorrow to cut down a tree in the back yard that was falling. Washed up at 8 PM. DQ8 For many hours.

 

5/4/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Cartoons. The day progressed as usual, but with even more DQ8. Tree coming down surprisingly fast. Kam at 1 PM. At 2:30 PM started sausage, potatoes carrots and cabbage. Kam hung out with me and helped me. Finished at 4:30 PM. Washed up at 8 PM. Played DQ8 until 11 PM.  

 

5/4-6/2021: Things trotted along as usual, except I was distracted by the work being done. On the 5^th the truck backed up to the gate crushed a hole into the unsuspected septic system under my bathroom window. Now that must be repaired too. Luckily I can still use my terlet. During these days played much DQ8. On the 6^th Susan announced that they were hauling away the old recliner in my house at last, and I took it upon myself to wrangle it out into the yard. Man, I should have let them do it like they said they would; I was devastated afterwards! Anyway, it is gone. Felt a recurrence of upset stomach afterward. They didn’t eat until 9 PM, and then poor Andy was called away for a job, after he and Susan had spent all evening hauling. Didn’t eat my own supper, as I knew my stomach couldn’t face chili. Lay in queasy disease until about 1 AM.

 

5/7/2021: Woke up a little before 7 AM, so missed cartoons. Caught up diary.

 

Notes

The problem was, although I didn’t know it at the time, was my gall bladder. We shall soon see how that played out. I would like to get a new recliner, or at least a good used one, to replace that old one; good to have my legs propped up. Hard to see where I’d put it these days. Maybe move out the old couch? It’s greasy and sprung, and the pull-out bed doesn’t work. But it is good to stretch out on with a ‘wall’ to lean against, as it were.

I kind of miss playing DQ8, but not as much as I did. It was always good to fill in the odd hour, roaming the open countryside and amassing phantom wealth, gaining experience points, improving skills, and exploring every nook and cranny of that imaginary world.

 

Diary 2021: The End of April

2021 Diary

4/28/2021: Up at 4 AM. Prayers and Bible. Took a shower that led to me cleaning the shower and around the toilet. Man, those Clorox wipes really do the trick! Had 4 eggrolls for breakfast, washed dishes. Meanwhile had METV shows on (Dragnet, My Three Sons, then cartoons); with the cartoons on I was relaxed enough to take a little nap. At 7:30 AM I took out the bathroom trash and the recycling. An overcast morning again.

Started rosary while waiting for bus with Kam. Andy left a little late today. Finished rosary by 8:30 AM.

 

4/29/2021: What a damp day! Up, prayers and Bible, and out with Kam at 8 AM, where, thank goodness, it wasn’t rainy, though rain was predicted on and off all day. At 9 AM went out and waited for my HEB order (it was all soda and a pain to lug in).

Played a bit of DQ8. At 1 PM waited for Kam to get back. E-mailed John, and he’d been having diarrhea and sore joints as well. At 2 PM or so Andy called and said not to cook supper, they had BBQ plates. And so it was at 6:15 PM. Puttered and tooted around all evening and then Rosary at 9 PM. Think I’ll play more DQ8 till sleepy.

 

4/30/2021: The last day of April, and a rain-filled soaker, especially when I had to go out. Ate too much today, which led to nausea when I tried to go to sleep at night. But I go too fast.

Prayers and Bible. Waited with Kam for bus. Had spaghetti and meat balls for breakfast. Fried Taters and fish for supper. Had a few sodas and played DQ8. Real soaking rain all night, and my knees were killing me, with pain zinging through my left foot. Ate a plate of meatballs with ranch dressing, even though I was already feeling queasy, then spent a few hours with a cook-pot next to me in case I barfed. Rosary. Spent much of the night twixt 2 and 5 AM playing DQ8 to distract me.

 

2021 Diary: Whanne That April

2021 Diary

4/21/2021: Up at 7 AM. Went to bus stop at 8 AM. Very cold. New bus, new driver. Went to Walmart and got a money order for $994. Bought some frozen eggrolls and the Hey Arnold Movie DVD. Made it home by 11 AM.

Eggrolls for lunch. Took a nap and spent the rest of the day doing little chores. Feeling very wore out and my balance not good. Washed my clothes. Switched dogs out at 5 PM.

 

4/22/2021: Well, prayers and Bible, and juggled out the dogs. The day trudged along. Delivery from HEB at 11 AM. Had shrimp with sweet and sour sauce. And so on and on and feeling nearly nerveless and nigh unto the end. Talked to Yen a bit over Facebook Messenger. To bed at 10 PM.

 

4/23/2021: Up at 4 AM and found I was awake. “Pygmalion” then “Quo Vadis” on. Fried some bacon. Made sandwiches. Watched TV until 6 AM when the cartoons came on then promptly fell asleep. Woke up and took some recyclables a little after 8 AM and saw they were home [from vacation], the lights turned off and the big dogs inside. Also that the door on the vehicle open on what must have been Kam’s seat. Closed it.

About 10:30 AM went out to check the front porch and brought Susan’s packages round to the side. She was up and took the stuff and we talked a bit. I suppose it was lucky I did because the rain started a little after that.

I was just getting ready to watch “Rashamon” and eat some scrambled eggs at 11:15 AM when bang crash the top shelf of the bookshelf next to the AC comes tumbling down, spilling my Cabell hardbacks and smashing a little dragon/gargoyle. The damp, I guess. Spent time picking up books then relieving the books on the next shelf down. Now I must find out how to do new arrangements. Really coming down rain now at about 12:30 PM. I guess it will be a while before they come collect Ginger and her things.

And so it was, almost at 5 PM. I went in, and they had brought me a shirt, a cap, 2 Bigfoot magnets, and an alien bobble-head.

 

4/25/2021: Did not go to church today. At 11 AM John came and picked me up. I took a bag of clothes that S&A were sending to Morgandy. Went to Chicken Express and got a 30 piece family meal. Went off to Babeloth. Ate at 12, then watched “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” (a rather mixed experience – perhaps will improve with more viewings) then “Tolkien” (which seemed to me to have improved on this viewing). Through both movies we made the occasional Babellian comment. Left, stopped by DG to get some soda, the home at 5 PM.

The evening went along pretty smoothly (even painwise) and I went to bed about 10 PM.

 

4/26/2021: After a night of getting up about every hour I arose at 6 AM. Started to watch cartoons, then turned them off. Prayers, two chapters of Mark, then read the missalette for yesterday. Fried chopped bacon and eggs for breakfast. Started wash at 7:30 AM. Gathered trash and recyclables. Took Kam out to bus at 8 AM. Everything back on schedule, I guess. Might even get the controller from Walmart today.

And so I did, at about 11 AM. So tickled was I with having that and the little speakers John had given me for my computer (which allow me to hear my music even when the fan or the AC is on) that I began a project I would have believed impossible just a couple of days ago. That was worming the old recliner out of the corner and moving some bins into its place. Lots of dust and bugs, but I did it, with Kam assisting me (not lifting, but watching to make sure I didn’t get hurt and fetching the broom and scoop. The recliner is now in front of the Tolkien Shrine, but a step closer to out the door.

Made cucumber salad early before Kam came home. At 4 PM made supper and fed pets. More bits of straightening and arranging all evening. Made an HEB order for tomorrow. Kam came in and hung around a bit while S&A at a conservative meeting; he went in a little after 7 PM. Went in at 8 PM and washed up. About 9 PM took a shower, and then prayed the rosary. Bed, with sore legs but a feeling of accomplishment.

4/27/2021: Spent much of the day recuperating from yesterday. Up at 7 AM, prayers and Bible. Things muddled along as usual. Sort of humid all day. For supper picked 2 BBQ half-chickens and mixed them in with rice, mushrooms and broccoli. In the evening played quite a bit of DQ8 (until about 11 PM) then rosary and bed.

 

2021 Diary: What's the Deal with April?

4/14/2021-4/15/2021: Much time confounded in the days leading up to the Shanafelt/Babel trip to Colorado. On the 14^th got a load of stuff from HEB. In the evening Amy suddenly reveals to me that I need to let her know if I got a stimulus check before she could finish my taxes.

On the 15^th I scurry around trying to find my Direct Express balance, then finally realize stuff is sent by my phone, and find my stimulus was sent on the 7^th. Send Amy the data. The day was cooler and near the evening a little drizzly. Went over stuff with Susan in the evening, about the pool, the dogs, and her E-bay account. By the evening 10 PM or so all was settled.

 

4/16/2021: Up about 5 AM and went in to bid everyone bon voyage. Left about 5:10 AM, and I went back out and lay down again. Saw a few cartoons and drifted off. Up about 7:45 AM, checked the pool, had donuts fer breakfast, turned off the safety lights. Pretty damp weather, but not exactly raining. Will check mail at 9 AM.

Mail not there at 9 AM; checked at 10:30 AM, and mail and packages on the porch. Various little chores like washing dishes, taking recyclables out. About 11:30 AM laid down for a nap. Awoke as by instinct at 1:12 PM. Started a load of wash, brought Ginger in. Almost immediately she peed on the rug, but so what? Finding the empty World Book shelf a good room divider.

Susan called at 5 PM to say they had landed in Roswell and to keep an eye out for a package coming this evening. Brought Ginger’s bowls in. Made some Knorr noodles with tuna. Spent most of the evening between 6 and 8 waiting for the package. Saw a big old raccoon walking across the driveway. I gave up at 8 PM, came in and finished eating supper. Suddenly about 8:25 PM the dogs started barking, so I went in, saw the box had finally come, set up the lights and closed the house. Came in to find that Ginger had pooped at last. Now almost 9 PM. Prayed, Bible.

 

4/17/2021: Up by 6 AM to watch cartoons, the house open and fan going, and pretty cold! Tried to keep Ginger warm though. Went in about 8 AM to cut off lights. Fed pets.

Rest of the day ate too much, but not heavy things. Cereal, grapes, olive loaf sandwiches, a banana, popcorn. Got packages off porch and then mail about 10:30 AM. About 11:30 AM contacted Kelsey on FB about maybe a visit, but at last, no.

Lost the first auction on Ebay, then won the next. About 8 PM turned on the lights and locked up the house. Ginger pooped at last. Now 8:42 PM.

 

4/18/2021: Stayed home rather than going to church. Prayers, missalette. Pool pump went off. Called Andy, put hose in hot tub. Day draggled along. Got Susan’s E-bay in the evening. Still eating too much; spaghetti in the evening. Nice and cool all day.

 

4/19/2021: Up at 5 AM. Shower. Cartoons. About 10:30 AM the pool guy gets here. Let the Rotts out afterward. Washing clothes. Now 2 PM. Ordered PS2 paddle, Hobbit Trilogy, and The Man who Killed Don Quixote from Walmart.

 

4/20/2021: Got HEB order.

Notes

Well this April seems to be following the same pattern, except no-one is on vacation and I have no elderly and incontinent Chihuahua to care fore. But the weather is that same iffy, neither/nor damp grayness. Everything seems both contingent and uncertain, and at the same time unchanging. 

2021 Diary: Past Amusements

4/7/2021 Evening to 4/9/2021: Things went along as usual, except in a haze of leg pain and warm weather.

 

4/10/2021: Up about 5 AM. At 6 AM cartoons started. Laid around hazily then started getting ready about 8:30 AM. Left at 9 AM for FD; got soda, chips, etc. When I got home at 9:40 AM Andy had a couple of tacos and a soda ready for me. I ate, then spent time cleaning up house. I think the walking (with properly bound knee) actually helped. A bit cooler outside. Prayers, Bible, and rosary. About 11:30 went out, swept the porch, and got a jug of water. Now almost 1 PM.

Broke my can opener trying to open a can of peaches. Watched a couple of hours of DQ8. About 5 PM started making cheeseburger macaroni and ate it about 6:30 PM. About 7:30 PM as I was closing up, I noticed that pane of glass in the bathroom window was hanging open again, so I tried to patch it up with tape and cardboard before it got dark. That made me a little panicky. Finished 2^nd rosary, so I’m caught up at last. Now 8:15 PM.

 

4/11/2021: April a third over already. Up at 5:50 AM. Showered, dressed, prayers and Bible. Out the door at 6:55 AM. A nice cool morning. Divine Mercy Sunday, so prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet rather than the rosary. Many people there, with the pews opened up to regular seating but with social space along the rows. Got home, and Andy brought me the weekly stuff that’s about to expire. Made macaroni with little tomatoes and Italian salad dressing for breakfast/lunch. Settled down for a nap about 11 AM.

During the afternoon I watched some DQ8, cleaned up some, and looked at dwarf action figures. It’s now 3:30 PM. The evening passed as usual with animated shows, then bed.

4/12/2021: Prayers and Bible at 5:30 AM, then cartoons at 6 AM. Started wash at 7:35 AM, then switched it at 9 AM. Got my groceries about 9:10 AM. Didn’t listen to GGACP today; looked dull. Wash in at 10 AM.

Took a nap and woke up at 1:20 PM, confused. I had not turned up my telephone after church! Kam had called me 3 times, then afraid had stayed on the bus. They dropped him off at 2 PM, though, after a trip out to Hickory Forest. Meanwhile I made cucumber salad. At 4 PM I came in and made the fish cakes and couscous. About 6 PM I took a soak in the pool till about 7 PM. Rosary. At 8 PM I went in and cleaned up. They gave me a huge bag of honey-lemon cough drops they got for free. Now nearly 10 PM and ready to hit the hay.

 

4/13/2021: Woke up a little after 4 AM and found myself awake. Prayers and Bible. Some Dragnet and My 3 Sons, then cartoons. Started one paragraph of the next chapter of Goldfire. Took cans out to the recycling bin, then peeled boiled eggs for the dogs. Waiting to wait with Kam for the bus at 8 PM. I’ve already drank too much diet soda.  

Read a lot of Samuel Johnson’s “Life of Milton” today. Lot of good stuff there. All the usual Tuesday stuff for supper. About 7:30 PM washed up. Cleaned up the guest house, putting all the cans of soda in the fridge. Dogs barking and S&A off doing something still at 9 PM. Rosary.

Notes

Wow, now I miss even the dullest new episode of GGACP. At the time I was trying to write new material on Goldfire, the first in over 40 years. I was also missing DQ8 so much I was even watching videos of other people playing it.

Diary 2021

4/1/2021: April Fool’s Day. Up before 6 AM for prayers and Bible; then cleaned house with half an eye on cartoons. Shower. Made spaghetti. Waited with Kam at 8 AM. Spent most of the day waiting for John to respond to the end of the chapter and eating too much. At 1 PM waited for Kam. At 4 PM made supper and prayed rosary. Went in at 8 PM to clean up. Weather cool all day. Kind of wondering if this would be the day that I die, as I am wont to do now and then.

 

4/2/2021: Good Friday. Up a little after 6 AM. Prayers, Bible [reading the Crucifixion accounts in the Gospels]. Went out at 8 AM, but Susan called out to tell me Kameron was off today. Ate far too much today. Still no word from John. Kam came out a little after 12 and stayed until about 2 PM, when I started frying potatoes. Made fish and squash and done a little after 5 PM. Went in to wash up about 7:30 PM. About 20 minutes after 8 PM I ran across “The Passion of the Christ” and settled down to watch it for the first time. Washed dishes during the commercials, then watched the first 20 minutes when they encored it at 10 PM. Then prayed the rosary, with a little extra fervor. Caught up the diary.

 

4/3/2021: Typical Saturday (except it rained a little), and in the afternoon I made deviled eggs and an Easter cake.

 

4/4/2021: Easter Sunday. Up about 4:40 AM, shower, prayers, rosary, then out the door at 5:45 AM and Andy drove me to church. Since I was a little late (comparatively speaking) I sat in the very back instead of my usual seat. Home about 7:20 AM. Rested a while, then about 8 AM went in and made pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs.

Kenny called me today to wish me Happy Easter and we talked a bit, especially about Isabel and her writing. Afterwards I sent him the file of “Harvest Festival”.

Had sausages in tortillas and watched a lot of Simpsons and Family Guy reruns and caught some Wizard of Oz.

S,A,&K went to a Shanafelt Easter get-together about 3:30 PM (I had been invited but decided to stay home). Susan popped over about 5 PM to check her E-bay, then they came home about 7 PM, bringing me a plate (ham, etc.) and some deserts (cranberry divinity pudding, an Easter cookie) and we had cake. Much of the evening reading various “Tales of the Morgs”.

 

4/5/2021: Up way early (4:15 AM or so). Prayed, Bible. Caught up diary. Started wash at 7:30 AM, then waited with Kam for bus at 8 AM. Put wash in dryer at 9 AM. Boiled eggs and made egg salad. Ben Mankiewicz on GGACP. Spent some time reading the Morg short stories. During lunch hour S&A helped pool guy set up pool cleaner. Kam home at 1 PM and I made broccoli salad (what a chore!). At 4 PM made fish and couscous. Called John about 5 PM: they are in Oklahoma City visiting Morgandy’s computer friend and her family (John says the father is a Catholic and likes Tolkien so we’d probably get along). Went in at 7 PM and cleaned up and made Kam’s corndogs. He came in about 8 PM and hung around while S&A had their walk. Oh, my! It’s pretty hot (in the 80’s). Rosary. Ate too many sausages in tortillas all day. Still reading (almost through) “Vikram and the Vampire”.

 

4/6/2021: Up at 6:15 AM. Prayers, Bible. Cartoons, then switched over and “Forbidden Planet” was on TCM, which Kam and I were just discussing last night.

At 1 PM Kam brought home two boxes of “food”.

For supper, sausages and potatoes and cabbage. Washed dishes. Rosary. Ordered from HEB.

 

4/7/2021: Oh Lord. Summer is upon us with all its humidity. It was freezing snow just a few weeks ago, and now this. Prayers, Bible. Kam at 8 AM. Groceries arrived about 9:20 AM, on the front porch, not the carport as I had asked, so it was a farther hump and up and down stairs and no Diet Pepsi Cherry, either. Haroo.

Dogs barking at someone trundling along on the other side of the creek. Kam home at 1 PM. Oh, my painful right knee.

 

2021 Diary: March to the End of the Month

3/19/2021: I began the day with prayer and the Bible, then cartoons. About a little before 8 AM I started on my way into town, and Andy gave me a ride over to the Wells Fargo ATM. Saw I had about $530+ and withdrew $400; this does not seem enough for a stimulus check. Walked home. The day went on with LOTROTP. About 2 PM started the potatoes, yadda yadda yadda. Andy was very late getting home; I did the dishes at 9 PM and he wasn’t even back. Now a little after 10 PM, and time for rosary.

 

3/20/21: Up a little before 6 AM. A cold morning. Prayers and Bible. I mean to visit the library bookstore at 10 AM, and I asked Kam last night if he wanted to come. We’ll see. Grapes for breakfast.

So he didn’t want to go. I went and got Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues and for Kam I got “Mythical Monsters”. The rest of the day was pretty ordinary.

3/21/2021: Up at 6 AM. Prayers, showered, dressed and out the door a little before 7 AM. Pretty dark. Rosary and Mass. On the walk home I found a little cross, and lost my “Rice Bowl” probably when Andy picked me up next to St. Andrew’s. Rest of the day kind of meh, except I bought us Chicken Express for supper.

 

3/22/2021: Up about 6 AM. Prayers, Bible. Cartoons. Out with my little stool at 8 AM to wait with Kam; worked out well. At 9 AM started my wash, boiled eggs, baked cake, made egg salad. At a little after 10 AM switched load to dryer and laid down. After 1 PM got Kam in, and at 3:30 PM chopped up stuff for tacos, fried meat, then retired to guest house to fry taco shells. Done about 5:30 PM, then made tea. When Andy came home, we all ate together, sang Happy Birthday, then cleaned up. When I was running my trash out Vader snuck in and got stuck in my bathroom! It’s now a little after 9 PM and I mean to finish my rosary.

 

3/23/2021: Up about 6:42 AM. A cool morning after a bit of rain last night. Prayers and Bible. Went out at 8 AM to wait with Kam. Had peaches and ravioli for breakfast.

At 1 PM waited for Kameron, then started making broccoli salad. After that I started reflexively making the Tuesday potatoes and cabbage instead of fish cakes and carried through with sausages before I realized the schedule upset. It kept me busy until 5 PM almost.

Afterwards Kam came in and we tried to sync his new device (no luck) then watched “O Brother Where Art Thou?” up until the part right after they sing into the can. Washed up, then watched Green Acres. Rosary, cleaned house, then bed.

 

3/24/2021: Up a bit before 6 AM. Prayers, Bible. Cartoons. Chicken soup for breakfast. Went out with Kam at 8 AM. A misty, chill morning. Afterwards went in and got some leftover Chicken Express. At 9:15 AM my HEB order came in and I lugged it in. Watched some PH&F then took a nap. Up about 11:20 AM when S&A came home. Researched about making a confession, as today is scheduled (with 5 priests) at 6 PM a large pre-Easter confessional. It’s now 11:55 AM.

Met Kameron at 1:15 PM. Ate leftover taco fixings sandwiches for lunch and fed the dogs the shells and later the cabbage fry-up. At 4 PM I made fish-cakes and couscous. A little after 5 PM I took a shower and got dressed. Went in and told Susan I was headed for church later, and she told me John was no longer working at his job. Dang. She came home after taking Kam to their church and gave me a ride to St. James. I got in just at the end of the mass, then underwent the penitential rite, then had a leg-shaking wait for confession (it was my first). It was Fr. Greg, and a very pleasant experience; we talked a bit. Walked home and made it about 7:45 PM. Washed dishes. After about 9 PM, I started making spaghetti (with the rest of the leftover hamburger meat, and it was done at 10 PM. Watched the end of “The Verdict” and found out I had missed “The Mask of Demetrios” earlier again. Probably should pray the rosary then hit the hay. It’s now 10:38 PM.

 

3/25/2021: Ring Day and the Annunciation. The day went as usual, except I was wondering about John and whether he would call me and talk about things. He never did.

 

3/26/2021: Up before 6 AM, prayers and Bible – or did I read the Bible today? Waited for Kam for the bus, then later collected him a little after 1 PM. In between, Star vs. the Forces of Evil and a visit to FD for mouthwash, a potholder, Italian dressing, parmesan, and cereal. On TCM it was like National Gorilla Suit Day. Discovered a discussion on “Out of the Silent Planet” on Signum University and watched it most of the evening. S&A went to eat out today, so didn’t have to make supper. Rosary at 10:30 PM. Cleaned up house. Now a little after 11 PM.

 

3/27/2021: Woke up at 6 AM but kind of drifted through the cartoons until 9 AM. Then prayers and Bible. Invited John & Co. on a trip to New Braunfels, and kind of waited through the day. Got an answer about 5 PM. Meanwile listened to LOTROTP and am almost caught up. Kam came in at 6 PM and we finished OBWAT. Had ice cream. Late (about 9 PM after watching “A Man for All Seasons” made spaghetti. Rosary and bed about 11 PM.

 

3/28/2021: Up before 6 AM and prayers. Showered, dressed, got ready. Caught up diary. Ready to leave at 7 AM.

Oh, my. It was kind of rainy and I almost didn’t go, then determined I would. Went with one cane and an umbrella; arrived fairly dry. Palm Sunday; I don’t think Fr. Stan likes the present administration very much. When I left it was very cloudy and VERY windy, but I made it home alright at nearly 10 AM. Andy mowed the dog pen before it really started to rain. Ready to leave with J&A at 11 AM.

So they arrived and off we went. As we were trying to figure out where to eat, Amy seemed a little diffident, but I went into a little George Costanza rant about how upset I was that my generous offer was not being acknowledged and dropping the idea of a fast-food place we went to a real restaurant, Frieheit’s. At first, I ordered us fried mushrooms and onion rings then John ordered a chicken fried steak, Amy got a fancy burger, and I got a mushroom burger. It was delicious, especially the fried mushrooms. We talked and reminisced about things. In the car John had explained about the incident at Continental that led to his leaving. After we ate, we went to The Book Haus, which turned out to be a desperate little hole-in-the-wall store, not without some good things, but terribly cramped. After that we went to Five Below and browsed around. I got some good candy, odd-flavored Combos, and a computer port expander.

We came back to Seguin, and then J&A had a good couple of hours visit with S&A. It was quite like old times for a while. Kameron and I hovered around the corners of conversation, then I dragged John over to my house. We discussed various things and he looked at my Monster of Frankenstein book.

Before they left, I loaned John the Ackroyd/Chaplin book and the Conan movies. I gave Amy my tax forms and she took a picture of my TX ID. As they drove off, I noticed that the day was now quite blue and clear, but still now cool and comfortable. All in all, it was a day to mark with a white stone. I felt happy that my machinations had also led to a good visit between the Babels and the Shanafelts. It was now about 5 PM.

The evening spent with ramen and Sunday animations. Then laid down on the couch and with the fan in the window and the computer music library on infinite replay, I drifted off to sleep.

 

3/29/2021: After a night of better sleep than I’ve had for a while, I got up at 4:30 AM, feeling bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Caught up diary. Prayed.

A pretty typical Monday, with wash, cooking, and so on.

 

3/30/2021: More typicality, with a bit of anxiety of about working on AF, as I want to finish it before the end of the month. Went to FD in the morning and then in the evening ordered stuff from HEB.

 

3/31/2021: Up a little before 6 AM, prayers, Bible. Cartoons. Set myself seriously to write and dragged myself forward all day. Kam at 8 AM, grocery delivery at 9 AM, while I was boiling more eggs and making egg salad. Kam at 1 PM. Made Knorr chicken noodles for lunch. Writing writing writing. At 3 PM started chicken, rice, and broccoli. Finished at 4:40 PM. Finished the chapter and sent it to John. Early in the day it was cloudy and very windy; not it is calm and fairly clear. Last day of March. 

2021 Diary: Spring Fever

3/10/2021: Up before 6 AM; prayers and Bible. Cartoons (which I didn’t pay much attention to) with straightening while I listened. Shower. Took Kameron to bus, then about 9 AM ordered stuff from HEB, after checking my balance. About noon checked with Susan about supper. A little after 1 PM, while waiting for Kam, my order came, then while I was putting it away Kam did come. Found I had egg rolls in the freezer I had forgotten! A bit later he was picked up for his dentist appointment, and by 3 PM he was home when I began starting supper (chicken, broccoli, and rice). Finished cooking at 4:45 PM. Watched South Park Vaccination Special. Went in at 8 PM and washed up. Rosary, then caught up diary. Sent John this e-mail today:

 It's always seemed to me that March has been a kind of weary month, not quite winter but not quite spring, with its wind blowing our emotional weather every which way. After a particularly hard winter, complicated with Covid, it seems even more filled with longing for sunlight and the spring.  Of course, the clover seems especially green against the withered gold of the falling oak leaves, and that is refreshing, but something of a mixed message. Still, encouraging.

Perhaps that's part of the reason I'm finding it hard to proceed with GF, because it takes place in fall, and that's not the prevailing mood surrounding me. My body is feeling that ol' "spring fever", more of it feverish than springy, I must say. How much of it is reaction to my vaccine, I cannot say. If I do manage to finish this chapter, I'm taking the rest of the month off from writing, I think.

I don't know if you've heard, but Kelsey and Ryan are planning to move back to Seguin in June, first with some friends of theirs, then hopefully into their own home. Kelsey has her eyes on a job, so that will give them more resources. And Ryan is planning on getting a trucker certificate and becoming a trucker! Ah, the strange parallels that play themselves out!

 

3/11/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Watched cartoons and began writing. Chicken noodle soup for breakfast. Sent John a few pages a little after 7:40 AM. He wrote me at 8:40 AM:

Ah, the bittersweet moment before the plunge! Your food writing passed the test- made me hungry for all of it, even the apple!

On the strength of that compliment I wrote another page and sent it at 11:20 AM.

Through the day listened to more LOTRO TP, and finally reached the end of Book One (the first half of FotR). At 1 AM let Kam in, had sausage for lunch, then took a nap. At 4 PM started supper (chili, rotini, corn) and finished at 4:30 PM. Watched some programs with Simon Callow on YT (one about Orson Welles with emphasis on his theater career, the other a charity performance with Stephen Fry). Ready to go in at 8 PM to wash up, but first I think I’ll pray the rosary.

Did so, then foodled around until 11 PM when I laid down.

 

3/12/2021: Up about 5:30 AM; prayers and Bible. Cartoons. Went in at 9 AM and started bacon and eggs for Kameron; finished a little after 10 AM. Started frying taters about 2:30 PM; done at 4:40 PM. Rosary. Made extra fish. Washed up at 7:20 PM. Watched “The Maltese Falcon”. It’s now 9:15 PM and “Casablanca” is on, but I don’t think I’ll stay up much longer.

 

3/13/2021: Up about 6 AM. Prayers and Bible. Showered, dressed, cartoon shows. At 11 AM I went out and waited for John; he pulled up and we were on our way. We drove to Half Price in San Marcos, having a good conversation about things, especially about how good it was to get out. Impressed by how much things had changed since I was last there. Half Price was strangely bare; no more chairs to sit on and fewer shelves.

I got the John Adams miniseries, “O Brother Where Art Thou?”, the Flannery O’Connor short stories, “The Ickabog” by J. K. Rowling, and “Charlie Chaplin” by Peter Ackroyd. I offered to buy John’s books and he only chose one. We tried to go to Long John Silvers, but it was closed so we got chili dogs, and they were awesome. We came back to the Seguin Walmart, and I bought some stuff including cane-tips and a new cane.

Came back home and I had to run in to the bathroom, but John bought my stuff around. Started reading Chaplin right away, then conked out. Between us, we arranged for a camp stool delivered over Amazon, supposed to be here by Tuesday.  Up in the evening and reading and so on until bed, ready for the time change tomorrow.

 

3/14/2021: Got up at 6 AM and was starting to get ready to go to church when I heard the rain beginning. So instead, I prayed and read the missalette and fasted until noon. The rain made everything very cool.

At noon I started to make spaghetti, and Andy brought me leftovers from the house, so I was able to add mushrooms. Finished reading CC, then later in the evening began watching John Adams. The day went on with the usual time change displacement, ending in a dramatic evening sky of orange and blue. Andy brought me over some leftover pizza for supper.

Watched more John Adams, ending with him in Paris, then began watching “Family Guy”. Now it’s suddenly 9:34 PM (which means my body thinks it’s 10:34 PM). Should pray Rosary now.

 

3/15/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. March about halfway over already! Cartoons. A cool morning (45 degrees). A routine day spent mostly watching “John Adams”.

 

3/16/2021: Routine day, except Kam still on spring break. Got the stool about 11 AM. Legs really hurting.

 

3/17/2021: Up a little after 5 AM. St. Patrick’s Day. A routine day.

 

3/18/2021: Up at 6 AM, watched cartoons. Prayers, Bible, and rosary. At 10 AM Kameron and I went to the “Funky Monkey” and looked around. He got a couple of Star Wars things, and I got an old Avon Charlie Brown shampoo bottle. Then we ducked into FD, and I bought him some soda and a Word Search book. Then home. Day with a cool wind, but sunny and clear.

Spent the afternoon listening to more LOTRO TP. Then made supper of chili, corn, and rotini. Susan smuggled me in the cake to make for Andy’s birthday Monday. Went in at 9 PM and washed up. The rest of the evening for pootling around, I guess.

  

Notes

By a strange coincidence, we just started watching John Adams for Movie Night. I had no idea. Funky Monkey is a vintage second-hand store not too far away.

 

2021 Diary: It's Been a While

3/3/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers. Bible. Catch up Diary. Mean to shower then watch cartoons. Here we go.

Day spent with usual activities, except I didn’t pray the rosary because I felt too sleepy and distracted. Kaitlyn and Ryan drop by to visit Susan.

 

3/4/2021: Read day as usual, except distracted by my vaccine appointment. Did rosary in the morning, and then in the evening to catch up. Prayers, Bible. Didn’t feel like it at 9 AM, but went to FD at 10 PM, and on my way home Kaitlyn called. She was at the house to give her German Shepherd her medicine and like that. Got home and we visited a bit. Had bologna sandwiches and honey and butter sandwiches.

At 3:30 PM I made supper (chili and rotini and corncobs). At 5 PM Andy came to take me to the Coliseum for my shot and by 5:30 PM we were home. So no trouble at all.

A little after 7 PM Andy come over asking about the ground turkey (the chili tastes a little strange) and sure enough when I checked the package it was about 5 days off. But the meat had looked and smelled good and I think it was okay, if not best fresh. Bed about 10 PM, feeling okay.

 

3/5/2021: Up a little before 6 AM from dreams. In one I was looking for a short story for Kam to read, and it turned into a whole episode. It was a gothic tale written in the 1800’s about a family being attacked by a monster, especially targeting their 10-year-old son. Finally the uncle tracks it to its lair and kills it, but it disappears, leaving only a pile of mangled corpses, including a fresh one. The uncle returns and reports and spends the night, but next morning his bloody bed is empty. The father sends the son to England to school.

          However, it soon appears the son is haunted by the beast, as a series of mysterious scares and even a murder or two appear among his acquaintances. Finally, the father comes over for his graduation and to take him home and hears about the beast. He determines to destroy the thing that is shadowing his son. After a trap the monster is killed, and is revealed to be the uncle, who had killed the original beast but in werewolf fashion had received the curse. While not evil, he was able to become a protector of his nephew from those who wished him ill. He has been freed from the curse, and father and son return home.

So, prayers. Then cartoons. Then Bible at 7 AM, I guess. Arm a little sore.

Whoo! The day was like dragging through a dreary dream. I ordered 10 jugs of HCF water, but they switched it on me to Nestle bottled water (the same price but only about half the water – but needs must). Was able to get Kam off and meet him again, dump leftovers from the fridge, and fry potatoes over about 5 hours. Then when I was finally done and had the opportunity to sleep, I couldn’t. Rosary. Didn’t watch shows or YT most of the day. Evening hot.

 

3/6/2021: Woke up about 6:30 AM. Watched Popeye show. Prayers. Bible. Took a shower. Feeling better today. Made some ramen and was about to eat it when Andy brought me a couple of tacos. I mentioned if in the next day or two we could get my medicine. I start watching “The Kennel Murder Case”. Andy comes out and tells me he and Kam are going for their haircuts and do I want to come along, wait in the truck, and then get medicine at HEB just over the way? I agree and we dash on over. When we get there, they have to wait, and I spend about half an hour reading ghost stories on my Kindle, then decide to hop over to HEB and go to the restroom and get my medicine just as they are allowed in. I do my business, then get back just before they come out. Couldn’t have been timed better. We come home.

After a bit I think, “Maybe ‘The Kennel Murders’ is on YouTube?’ and sure enough it is, so I finish it up, though I was sort of out of the moment. Looked for ‘The Mask of Dimitrios’ which I had also missed, but no free version. I knock about a bit, then decide at 2 PM to go to FD and at least get bread. I rig the big cane with the tip from another and walk over. Bread, bologna, wieners, can peaches, 2-liter Diet coke. Come home with my right arm a little strained, but glad to get it done. Reading Benson’s Supernatural Stories (The Monkey Paw guy) on and off all day. A little after 4 PM I take some garbage and recycling out, and Susan reminds me of the salad, boiled eggs and half a grapefruit in the fridge, which I take back. Man, it was a sweet grapefruit, and good! No sugar required. Watched the beginning of “Man of the People”. Ate salad and made deviled eggs for supper. Listened to Corey Olsen on the section about Wizards in Unfinished Tales. Had a PBJ and then Honey and Butter sandwich.

About 8 PM I felt ready to call it a day. Prayed my rosary then settled down. Slept and woke and dreamed, and now it’s almost 1 AM and I feel awake, so caught up diary.

 

3/7/2021: Up at 6 AM and left for church at 7 AM. Had the Father Stan substitute. 108 participants today, so the number is up. Home. Had Knorr chicken noodles, peaches for breakfast. In the afternoon Kelsey and Ryan came by, but other than that nothing much but napping, LOTROTP, and The Ball and the Cross. Supper was spaghetti and watched some Fox Sunday animation. Bed, with my right leg hurting.

 

3/8/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Got dressed, then cartoons. About 7:30 AM went out and started my wash; noticed Susan’s car wasn’t here. At 8 Am waited with Kameron, then went in at 8:15 AM went in to boil eggs. Susan came home, and by the time she left at 9 AM the egg salad was made. Put the wash in the dryer. At 10 AM got the clothes out. Kam home at 1 PM; made broccoli salad; no cheese, so at 2 PM went to FD and got some. Done with stuff at 3 PM, so resting till 4 PM and finishing cooking supper.

Well, at 3:30 PM a strange dog turned up that looked like Goose then ran off. I called Kelsey to make sure it wasn’t him and we talked for about a half an hour. Went in and made fish cakes and couscous. Listening more to Corey Olsen. About 7 PM went in and washed up. After 9 PM watched two new Duck Tales. Rosary. Now 10:45 PM and back to finish an episode of Olsen, then bed, I guess. 

 

3/9/2021: Up at 6 AM, cartoons, the prayers and Bible. Boiled hot dogs for breakfast.

The day went on as per usual. It was a very windy, warm, and cloudy day. John sent me this e-mail, probably because he hadn’t heard from me for days:

Hey, hope all is well! Sorry our shopping day hasn't happened yet, things are still a little bumpy around the old Babel homestead, I'm afraid.  [ ...] We spent most of the day redecorating and resetting Morgandy's room yesterday.  I guess she inherited the old Babel need for doing such things when under stress. I checked in with Hexcel- things are picking up again somewhat and there is a chance of being called back perhaps in the not too distant future- nothing solid yet, but a decent chance, so I am hopeful and praying fervently for that to occur soon. Things are kinda bleak in this old heart of mine- though I am grateful that the fundamentals are still okay, and we have it far better than some. It's been tough, I can't deny, this job, though I am grateful to have it, as it is providing us with the means to get by, is somewhat body and soul crushing.  I feel like I have aged ten years in the last six months.  Remember us in your prayers, dear boy! But spring is in the air, there is life, there is hope, and God is very good. So. I still hope to see you soon, maybe Saturday or Sunday, if possible. I love you!

To which I replied in my inadequate way:

Yes, all is going alright. I am sorry to hear about the continued bumpiness. Morgandy is just at that age when the world comes crushing in on us -- do you remember the nights we would spend with me telling you the story of LOTR to help you get to sleep? The rearranging does help, doesn't it? Many the times I've rattled through the hoard to remind me of positive things and to clean up and get a new perspective on things. I know what you mean about the bleakness. Sometimes sieges are more debilitating than battles. It would indeed be fine if Hexcel was happening. In the meantime, courage, my brother! I love you too. May it be we have some good cheer this weekend!

LOTRO TP, rosary, then bed.

2021 Diary: Business as Usual

2/23/2021: Up at 6 AM, after many dreams. Prayers and Bible.  Cartoons and caught up diary. Now take medicine. Took with a moon pie.

A little before 8 AM went out to wait. Started to bring the recycle bin in, but just at that moment the trashmen drove up and Andy came down the driveway. He waited and took the trash bins up, then Kam came out. Waited with Kam for bus, then finally took the recycle bin in.

At 9 AM I went to FD and got a few things like paper towels, chicken soup, peach slices, and Vitamin C gummies. Cleaned up, swept, opened the house, then started listening to Corey Olsen on YT from the beginning of his analysis of LOTR. Made an order for HEB and Thursday.

At 1 PM I went out and collected Kam and had a turkey and cheese sandwich. About 3 PM I started on the cabbage fry. Finished at 4:30 PM. Kam helped me and talked much about his philological studies; the boy does have a flair for comparing words and figuring out their relationships. If only we could turn that into some career!

At 7 PM I went in to clean up and made Kam liverwurst and cream cheese sandwiches for his supper. S&A came home, and Susan cautioned me about the sparsity of bread we had. I should have bought a loaf at FD! Rosary at 8 PM.

Spent the evening writing a post for NOT and then a few pages for Autumn Festival, which I then sent to John. It’s now almost 10 PM and reading (Russian fairy tales) and bedtime approach.

 

2/24/2021: Where is the year going? Almost a sixth gone already. Up at 5 AM and knew I wasn’t sleeping anymore, so watched Dragnet, and wouldn’t you know it, it was one of the few I’d actually seen. “My Three Sons” on now, which I can only tolerate. Put on my shoes and began prayers, then Bible.

Cartoons, Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup with Ritz Crackers, medicine, then wrote a short bridge between Yad and the Harvest Feast section. It’s now 7:26 AM.

Writing and researching on McQueeney School, then posting. It’s now 9:05 AM. Posted it, then laid down for a while. Up about 11:45 AM, started listening to Corey Olsen Ep. 5 a little after 12.

Kam came home a little after 1 PM as usual. I was getting ready to make stuffed peppers when Andy called me and said they wanted lasagna and bread sticks tonight. Put those in the oven about 3 PM and they were ready at 4:50 PM. The plumber came over later and worked on the washer and the sink. I finally went in at about 8:30 PM (after he was finally done) and got my share of lasagna and washed up. I listened to more Olsen, then stopped at 9:30 PM or so. Time for rosary, then bed. Legs still giving me the pip, the right leg now more so.

 

2/25/2021: Up at 6:10 AM or so; that seems to be my default time for now. Prayers and Bible. Shower and cartoons. Went out with Kam at 8 AM, to a light misty precipitation. After Susan left, I headed out to FD; got masking tape, a belt of many holes, a 2-liter Diet Coke, some Spam, hot dog buns, some chips and dip, and a Tijuana Mama hot sausage. Got home, started listening to Corey Olsen, the “Tolkien Professor”, and ate Spam dogs and chips and dip while drinking soda. Energized, I began working on the window, taping it up, throwing away the shredded curtain, sweeping up a couple of cupfuls of caterpillars, and moving the medieval flag to cover the window.  It gives the house a new feel, airier, especially around the kitchen.

At 1 PM went out and let Kam in and started preparing the stuffed bell peppers. Went in about 2 PM, then went out at 3 PM to pop everything into the oven. The groceries arrived about 3:15 PM. Took them to my house, then waited until 4:15 PM, when I sauced the peppers and fed the pets. At 4:45 PM finished cooking and took my meal out. Gave S&A some Vitamin C gummies. 5:04 PM and time to eat.

Went in at 5:30 PM and told Susan about the groceries Kam had brought home. She said Andy would be a little late. More listening to TP (Tolkien Professor – Corey Olsen LOTRO) and dipping into METV until 8:20 PM when I went in to wash up. Bed about 9:30 PM.

 

2/26/2021: Woke up about 3 AM and knew I was awake. Prayers and Bible.  Caught up diary. Set alarm clock. Mean to do a few chores like straighten the kitchen drawer and maybe I’ll get sleepy again. With all the preliminaries done perhaps I’ll be able to dedicate myself to finishing AF today. Wrote and posted on NOT about my first day of school. Now 4:30 AM and ready to try to sleep.

Up at 6 AM and watched cartoons. At 7 AM I made ramen (with onions and bell pepper from yesterday), wrote notes for the end of AF, took medicine.

Went out a little before 8 AM and talked to Andy briefly about getting the stuff for a cake for Susan’s birthday (March 2). Waited with Kam for bus, then went in. Ordered cake making stuff, egg rolls, and Big Red from HEB. Listened to TP and ate deviled ham with ritz crackers. It’s now 9:40 AM and I think I may lay down a while. Still can’t get over how different the house looks with just a few changes of window arrangements. I’ve radically moved the furniture several times without this effect.

My HEB order arrived about 10 minutes before Kam was home at 1:15 PM. Started frying taters at 2 PM and was only finished about 7 PM. Andy called about 3 PM to make squash. Went in about 4 PM to start the fish and squash. Fish done by 4:45 PM. Took S&A’s taters in at 5:45 PM. Checked my Covid-19 card and seen my second shot is on March 5. Washed up a little after 7:20 PM. Rosary at 8 PM. Now 9 PM and I feel ready to hit the hay. I’ve put off writing (real writing) on AF.

 

2/27/2021: Woke up a little after 7 AM, in time to miss the Popeye cartoons and I didn’t care to watch MGM cartoons. Prayers and Bible. Ate peaches, then chicken noodle soup with Ritz crackers. Spent much time with the “First Grade Reading List” and was surprised to find I could find pictures of most of them, and especially delighted to find the one with “The Straw Ox”. Made some spring rolls. More listening to LOTRO, then Andy brought me a couple of tacos. Laid down for a nap about 11 AM.

Up sometime in the midafternoon, continued TP LOTRO. Able to write 3 paragraphs of AF. More spring rolls. Took some trash out. The day is overcast but warm, and rather windy. It’s now 4 PM.

It’s now 11:30 PM. I’ve been watching a show given by the Signum University on FB for children, about “The Hobbit”. It covers two chapters per hour. I’ve had no supper per se but I’ve been sipping Big Red Zero and eating prunes. Although the day has been warm, I have felt shivery, so at sunset I closed the windows and put the heater on, although it will be about 60 degrees all night. The internet connection just went off, so I am starting my rosary. My legs are hurting, and I am just out of my metformin, so I am pondering if I will go to church tomorrow or not. I’ve set my clock for 6 AM anyway, so we’ll see how I feel in the morning.

Well. It’s 2 AM now and I’ve finished the series. I don’t really feel sleepy and my right leg hurts like the billy-o.

 

2/28/2021: Awake again about 6:30 AM. Leg a little better, but not much. Prayers and read the readings for the day out of the missalette. For breakfast had liverwurst and cream cheese on Ritz crackers. Watched some Phineas and Ferb and Duck Tales. Listened to more LOTR TP. At 1 PM Andy brought out some leftovers. Made some spaghetti using chopped spinach and mushrooms. Wrote a few paragraphs on AF and then reread PWOGR [The Peculiar Wooing of General Roth], which I was more impressed with than I remembered. Laid down for a nap then up again about 4 PM. Took out some recycling. Day warm but looks like rain clouds gathering.

I settled down, put on my sweater because I was shivering and plugged in the heater. I started my rosary, then Andy brought me the ends of some burritos. Ate, finished rosary, then looked at some Sunday animations. Meh. Can I sleep?

 

3/1/2021: After a night of pain and intermittent sleep, I was up about 5:45 AM. Prayers, getting dressed, cartoons. At 7:30 AM took my wash out and started it, then at 8 AM stood with Kam waiting for the bus. The weather is windy and cold and overcast, but no rain as such. Listening to more of LOTRO TP and briefly slept. At 9:20 AM went in and boiled eggs and changed wash. Made a liverwurst and cream cheese sandwich and got a jug of water. Now almost 10:30 AM. Got clothes in and listened to GGACP.

Went in about 12:30 PM and made cucumber salad, then Kam came home. More LOTRO TP. Went in at 4 PM and made couscous and fish. More LOTRO. In about 7:45 PM and washed up and made Kam’s supper. Raccoon on porch. Now 8:25 PM. Rosary. Bed about 10 PM.

 

3/2/2012: Susan’s Birthday. Awake at 6 AM. Prayers. Cartoons. Ordered medicine from HEB. Had soup with leftover couscous. Over at 8 AM to wait with Kameron for the bus. Weather clear and sunny, but a bit windy/cool. Went at 9 AM to buy butter and a birthday card from FD and ended up also getting Easter candy. Home and baked the pineapple upside-down cake for Susan’s birthday and made out the card. Back in and listening to LOTRO TP and had 2 cans of ravioli. Ready at 1 PM to let Kam in.

Went in about 3 PM to peel carrots and potatoes and cut onions and lettuce (no mushrooms this week). Put sausages in the oven. About 4 PM the exterminator turns up, then Andy, and they do that, penning the dogs up. I go in about 4:30 PM, eating my supper. A little before 7 PM Andy comes in to get me, and I go in and we sing Happy Birthday and we have cake. A pleasant little interlude altogether. S tells me KT&R are coming tomorrow. I clean up early, then spend much of the evening with LOTRO TP (we have finally got to Bree) and waiting for Kam to call for his supper, which he never does. Rosary, then fall asleep.

Notes

Susan's birthday, coming as it does at the beginning of the month, always kind of surprises me. And February, short as it is, seems to make for short entries.