2021 Diary: The Last Few Days of July

7/29/2021: Up about 5 AM, prayers and Bible. Fell asleep during cartoons. A little after 9 AM went to FD, got (besides some food) a new belt and the Kung Fu Panda trilogy. Watched “Heartbreak House” until about noon. Went in at 3:30 PM to cook supper (chili). Kept expecting Kam to come home, but Susan took him to the shop. Burst of wind and rain about 5 PM. When I went in to wash dishes at 8 PM, I could hardly get anything out of Kam about the TV interview, just that he thought it went well. Worked up the final integration of the Birthday Books into the shelves and read about half of “Padre Porko”. Would that July would end.

 

7/30/2021: Up at 5 AM.  Prayers, Bible. Cartoons. Checked my RBFCU account, saw it had the next deposits, so ordered from HEB. Started frying taters about 1 PM, or at least gathering the stuff and prepping. At 2 PM went out and waited and the delivery came, this time by a nice lady aided by her son. I always wonder if people are judging me by Susan’s house, not realizing that I am personally poorer than they are (probably) (though rich in family love). Humped everything in in FIVE loads, though it was helped by carrying the sodas and teas in a Walmart cloth bag. Called John and we had a long yak. Done frying by 3:30 PM. Went in and as I cooked the fish Kameron and I waited for and watched his appearance on KENS news. It was a very creditable performance. They had him wear a hat to be more interesting. Went in and washed at 7:30 PM, then made myself a big burger. Bed about 9:30 PM.

 

7/31/2021: Up about 5 AM again. Prayers and caught up diary. Bible. Cartoons at 6 AM, and I slept in and out through them until 8 AM. Had eggs and cheese at breakfast. At 11 AM took trash out and talked with Susan; she was going through the storehouse to find a mama-san cushion for Kam. Reading “A Celtic Temperament” on and off all day. Played DQ8 a while. For lunch/dinner (about 3:30 PM) had hamburger, onion, cauliflower, and cheese mix. It’s now 7 PM and I’m about halfway through ACT. Saturdays are so dreadfully lonely. I seldom see anyone as they are all busy and I have no cooking to do.

Notes

'Oh my God, I was so happy then!' 'Happy? You were miserable! You told me so yourself!' 'I was happy, I just didn't know it.' I needn't have fretted so. All Julys end ... inevitably.

 

2021 Diary: Lots o' Bookses!

2021 Diary

 

7/16/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Prayers. Shower. Cartoons (which I think have gone into reruns). Scrambled eggs for breakfast. Medicine. At 9:30 AM went out and checked the mailbox and found “Duck and His Friends” had arrived 5 days early, but “More Fool Me” hadn’t come yet as more or less scheduled. A long boring day. Why must I always call everybody, but no-one ever calls me? Started frying taters at 2 PM. Listened to Verlyn Flieger lectures on YT. Went in to clean up at 9:40 PM. No new plug [adapter for the AC] yet, so another hot night.

 

7/17/2021: Up at 6 AM. Prayers and then Bible, moving kind of slow. Shower. Then cartoons. Had Earl Campbell sausages for breakfast. Dressed and at 9 AM headed for FD, only to run into S&A heading home just in front of the voting building. They stopped and offered me a ride, and after A dropped S off, he came back and took me. Got diet Dr. Pepper Cherry (2 jugs), 3 bags pork skins and 3 packs diet vanilla wafer cookies. About 11:05 AM Kelsey called me and asked if I wanted a breakfast taco as she and Ryan had a spare. I said yes but I couldn’t eat the tortilla, just the contents. They were already here so I went out and we talked a bit. Susan came out (they had just returned home again - from the shop?) and told me she had just put a couple of books in my house. She also warned me (‘twas superfluous) that I couldn’t have tortillas. I went in and ate my tortilla innards then opened my books: Bone Adventures (came early, cover slightly damaged) and Stephen Fry’s More Fool Me (one day late, ex-library book). The Bone book was very simple (simpler than I thought); then I started the Fry. Been reading it all day with only the occasional break and now (as of 10:45 PM) am almost done and shall not try to sleep until finished. It seems strangely familiar (even discounting the retelling he does of the back story already told in his other 2 autobiographies) and I wonder did I read it as a library book and then forget it? As Fry says, perhaps that is the charm of a poor memory: every time you read an old book it seems new again. In the evening (about 8 PM) I took a break to wash dishes, make bed, etc. Pains in the legs all day. Making room on shelves an interesting task so the new books will be near their companions and writing them up on NOT. Finished Fry about 11:20 PM, so took almost 12 hours (with breaks) to read.

 

7/18/2021: Kenny’s Birthday. Awake at 4 PM after a hard time sleeping (too warm and right leg hurting); leaning toward not going to church, but who knows as the hour approaches?  Searched my Diaries and found out I DID listen to “More Fool Me” on YT about 2 years ago. Did not go to church, but prayed and read missalette. Day was basically nothing but eating, drinking, and slouching in the heat. Kelsey and Ryan visited, and I saw Kelsey for a bit. Andy brought me a batch of leftovers (including Panda Express) some of which I could eat. Watched the premier of “Monk” on MeTV. Waiting for 10 PM and the new Rick & Morty. (Saw it. Rating: Meh.)

 

7/19/2021: Prayers. Bible. Shower. Cartoons. The first half of the day was rather busy, with wash started at 7:30 AM. Went out at 9 AM and Susan was still here because Ryan T was dropping off Jade (hooray). Clothes in dryer, then checked the porch for mail. Stuff for Susan and some stuff for me: That Reminds Me, Feast of Stephen, Tomcat Murr, Classic Cartoon Christmas Too, and Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell [DVD]. Groceries delivered while S still here. Ryan helped bring in. Nap over noon; at 1 PM went in and checked: no cucumber salad this week. Read much of Randall’s “That Reminds Me”. About 2 PM Kelsey came over, and along with Kameron we watched Ponyo, a bit of Princess Bride, and then Kam played an exhibition game of Sly Cooper 1. Quite the feel of old times. Dug out and showed Kam the old “Monster’s Manual”. At 4 went in to make supper. A&S home by a little after 5 PM. Kelsey went home at 7 PM, just as we had a bit of rain. Went in to wash about 7:45 PM. They’re still prepping for the trip to the beach house tomorrow. I’m to have Ginger again (yay). More reading, then laid down about 9 PM.

 

7/20/21: Awake at 12 and felt I couldn’t sleep. Drafted a review of “More Fool Me” trying to pin down my feelings about Fry. He is like a frustrating friend who likes many of the things you do but for all the wrong reasons. Then I washed dishes. Then straightened house. Then watched a bit of JS&MR. Then took a shower and caught up diary. It’s 3:45 AM now, and I think I might just go ahead and say my daily prayers and do my Bible readings. Maybe by then I can relax until 6 AM.

          Did so and did not in fact wake up until 6:30 AM, having forgotten to set alarm. Andy brought Ginger over about 7:30 AM, and by 8 AM they were gone. Went down to take some recyclables to the bin and was just in time to catch the ordinary garbagemen emptying the other bin, so took it back. Made big patty (with 3 eggs) for breakfast. At 9 AM I went into the house and was just in time to see the mailman delivering another batch of books, this time “The Lore of Love” (which puts me one volume away from finally completing my ‘Enchanted World’ series), Padre Porko (an ex-library book of indescribable juvenile charm), Dear Me by Ustinov, a new Robertson Davies as Diarist, and “America at Last” being the diary of T. H. White’s visit to America the year before he died. A garner of riches, much of it unfamiliar work to solace my solitary sojourn. Finished viewing the first episode of JS&MN, read a bit in White, then took a nap. Ginger quite content in a patch of sunlight by the door. Awake again and went out to get the recycle bin at 11:30 AM.

          Find to my interest that both the White and Davies book cover an overlapping period: Davies ’59 – ’63 and White mostly ’63. Coincidentally, my birth year. White would soon be dead, and Davies continue until 1995. Looking into Padre Porko, I find that there is a bit of stunning parallelism: the fantastic Padre has an escaped bear with a collar scar raid his beehives at his hidden home! Shades of Elf and Bear, although the bear here is a ruffian. Now I am sure I’ve never even heard of this book until a year or two ago, and yet there are similarities enough to give me a decidedly strange feeling. It’s an odd thing to once again, as it were, have laser-guided books and not just whatever random approximations I can pick up here and there. I intend to get at least a couple of books a month now, depending on cost and availability. Took the Rotts in about 3 PM and will let them out at 8:30 PM or so.

 

          Read up to about half of White’s book. I can see why it’s not spoken of much; it has some very odd ‘race theories’ about the USA (c.1963). At 4 PM fed the pets. At 5:30 PM I buzzed my beard. That’s a little cooler. Let the Rotts out and a bit later turned the lights on. Finished reading White about 10 PM and then bed.

 

7/21/2021: Up about 5:30 AM; prayers and Bible. Cartoons. Turned off house lights, fed pets, checked pool. About 8:30 AM went out and picked up paper and a few bits of trash on the lawn. Waited on the porch and mail came a little after 9 AM. It included one book, The Elizabethans by A. N. Wilson. Watched Episode 2 of JS&MN. Ginger finally made her lemonade: an enormous pool in the bathroom. No poo as yet. Watched some Corey Olsen Signum University on the book JS&MN. Called Kelsey at 11:30 AM, no answer. Might just walk over to FD at 1 PM.

          John came over about 1 PM. He brought me a new phone, and he set it up. We had a good visit and talk, and I showed off my new books.  It rained briefly about 2 PM. He left about 3:30 PM or so. Kelsey hadn’t answered because she was mowing for Fred; she is mowing tomorrow as well but intends to come over and take me to town when done. Spent the evening watching JS&MN; it is so good! Better than when I saw it on YT. Magic with heart, and not a bad adaptation. Not in bed until after midnight.

 

7/22/2021: Up at 6 AM after a night interrupted with pain. Prayers and Bible. Cartoons. Checked porch for mail at 8:30 AM and it already came: for me , “Incidents in the Life of My Uncle Arly” and TLB “Gods and Goddesses”, which completes my Enchanted World series. Spent a lot of time writing a review of “America At Last”. Kelsey finished her mowing and came over at 2 PM and we went to Walmart. Just as we were checking out an enormous summer storm (totally unanticipated by me) broke out, with the worst lightning I’ve seen for years. Huge downpour. We made it back home and maneuvered her car into the carport and moved the stuff into the big house first. I bought her some soda, a DVD, deodorant, and now I fed her a couple of sandwiches as she hadn’t had lunch. She left to get Ryan about 5:20 PM; by then the rain had gone enough to move my stuff (which included new shorts) into the guest house. Slumped down in a haze of snacks and TV. 

Notes

What can I say. It was my birthday month, and I had a lot of 'wish list' to catch up on.

July 2021 Diary

Looks kind of like my Uncle Bazzell

2021 Diary

 

7/8/2021: Spent most of the day laid back and doing usual things, so take it as read. Made chili for supper.

 

7/9/2021: Up at 6 AM. Prayed. Watched cartoons and got ready. At 7:40 AM went out and Andy took me to the FamMedCenter. Signed in and waited then went in for my appointment at 9 AM. Dan told me to up my insulin by 5 units. Got a pneumonia shot. Walked over to HEB and caught the bus, and Mr. Wade brought me right home again [rather than the usual stop at City Park]. Just as I walked in Kelsey called and she came over to visit. It only really started raining when we went to Chicken Express. We ate and talked and watched Spongebob then Shrek 2 and then Kam came home. I fried taters then made fish. Susan came home and I went in again. Talked to John and he told me Amy might be having gallbladder trouble herself; they’re going to run some tests. Went in at 8 PM and washed up. Plugged the AC in and turned it on (it had been cool enough with the rain to have the windows open). Now it’s just a slide to bedtime.

 

7/10/2021: I thought that John and I had been planning to go to Half-Price and perhaps a Chinese buffet [my mistake], but the day dragged on and on and no word. Called him about 3 PM and he was taking Morgandy to a session. We talked about half an hour, with me encouraging him to write again. Afterwards I was inspired to finally work on “Aftermath” once more [a story about Korm’s passing], finished it, and sent it to him and Kenny.

 

7/11/2021: Up before 6 AM, prayed, dressed, and left for church slightly before 7 AM. Afterwards I walked to FD and got pigskins, diet sugar wafers, a facemask, and hot dogs and lunch meat. Listened to Peter Ustinov’s “Dear Me” on YT and wondered if John would call today or send a message about the story. But here it is past 9 PM and not a sausage. Speaking of which, ordered from HEB. As a side note, I love correcting people on FB about misattributing Tolkien quotes and facts where the movies diverge from the books. Rick and Morty at 10 PM.

 

7/12/2021: So, up at 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible, starting the Gospel of John. Cartoons. Went to start the wash and the washer was engaged but Andy came at 8:15 AM and told me it was free. Did 2 loads today. Got groceries about 9:15 AM; the delivery man dropped the eggs and had to get a replacement. Finished the wash about 12:30 PM. GGACP with Gabe Kaplan. Ordered books from Amazon. Went in to make cucumber salad about 2 PM, then supper at 4 PM. John sent me an approval of “Aftermath”. Went in at 8 PM and washed up. Listened to Dan Harmon interviews and played DQ8. The AC’s adapter seems to be melting again, so I’m not plugging it in. Not too hot … so far.

 

7/13/2021: Take the day as read, except I got up about 1 AM and reviewed “Bob’s Book 2” to myself until about 2:30 AM. I think I might flesh out Chapter 2 from script format to complete writing as my next project. Called Parker’s about my shoes and they said they were a little behind.

 

7/14/2021: Kelsey’s 26^th birthday. Up at 5:30 AM, prayers and read Bible. Cartoons. Went in at 9 AM and made cake. While it was baking, I went out to the front porch to await mailman. He arrived just before it was time to go in and take the cake out, about 9:40 AM. I let it cool, and meanwhile went in with my first book, “The Hobbit Sketchbook”. Wrote a quick review on NOT, then went in and iced the cake. Decided to give Kelsey my paperback copy of AGODP for her birthday. A thunderstorm during the afternoon with quite a bit of rain. Went in at 4 PM; did not have to cook but fed pets. Not sure when Kelsey got here but they called me in about 7 PM and we had burgers from Burger King, sang, then had cake. Afterwards Kelsey, Kameron, and I came out and watched “The Circus of Dr. Lao” and then some Groovie Goolies; very nostalgic. She left a little after midnight and now I’m catching up the diary.

 

7/15/2021: Woke up at 6 AM. Prayers. Cartoons. At 9:30 AM went out to check deliveries on front porch and found to my surprise that “The Wizard of Oz” with illustrations by Maraja had arrived early. Wrote up on it in NOT. The day went on as usual. Called John at 4 PM (while making supper – chili as usual) and we plan to visit tomorrow. At 8 PM washed up and finally told S&A that I need a new adaptor. Played DQ8. Bible, then bed around midnight.

 

2021 Diary: The Last of June

6/22/2021: Up at 5:30 AM, prayers and Bible, then cartoons. Today is Kameron’s birthday and he begins going to a job. Gets off at 6 PM, I think. I’m to bake a cake and make Frito pie, neither of which I can [should] eat. Called Parker’s Pharmacy again and made an appointment for Thursday 9:30 AM. Contacted John and he readily agreed to take me. As it turned out, Kam got off at 3 PM and stayed at the auto shop, coming home with Susan. He did well at work (a food bank) and came home happy. As it turned out I decided to eat with them, but moderately. We had a good little celebration. Then Andy attached the new router. After a bit I figured out how to connect, and on we go.

 

6/23/2021: Up at 6 AM. Wash dishes, cook breakfast, cartoons. Think I must defrost the mini-fridge today. And so I did, after I made one of my “big hamburger patties”, with hot sauce, woost, onions, and black pepper. Didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Prayers and Bible at 9:30 AM. The day toddled along, with me checking out a noise for Kameron about 1 PM, starting supper at 3:30 PM, then in the evening helped Kam look up the battery and charger for his computer, as he needs new ones. Made it to 100100 tokens in DQ8.

 

6/24/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Cartoons. Got ready and went out to wait for John a little after 9 AM. He got there about 9:25 AM and we went to Parker’s. It didn’t take long to get my feet measured, and then John took me to Walmart. Besides groceries I got the complete “Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends” and a King Kong action figure for John’s early birthday present. I also gave John $20 for the lottery as both Morgandy and I had dreamed about him winning the same in the past week. Home about 10:30 AM. About 4 PM went in and fed pets, cooked supper, and Kam and I watched Phineas & Ferb. Went in and washed up at 8 PM.

 

6/25/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Started Rocky &Bullwinkle [which turned out to be frustrating, as the episodes were scrambled out of order and mixed higgledy-piggeldy with Dudley Do-Right and Fractured Fairy Tales], then cartoons. The day went on as usual, with fried potatoes and fish for supper. Kam had gone to work again today and was acting a little subdued.

 

6/26/2021: Day overshadowed by the passing of Alfred, Donna Loth’s father. It had been expected for a while but was still a bit of a stunner, as death always is. Kenny called me in the evening. Still watching “The Barchester Chronicles” (1982), with Donald Pleasance, Nigel Hawthorne, Clive Swift, and Alan Rickman, and I passed it along to him.

 

6/27/2021: I had been dithering yesterday evening about whether I would skip church today, but in the end, reflex carried my onward. I took my insulin and other medicine before I left. Afterwards the deacon’s wife gave me a ride home, so that really helped, bless her. I spent the day finishing up Barchester, called John to see how things were holding up, and so on. S&A cleared off the last bit of brush from the side of the driveway. We kept expecting rain, but none here so far. Kaitlyn and Ryan appear to have dropped in for music in the park. I have discovered a new diet alternative: pork rinds!

 

6/28/2021: A typical Monday, with clothes washing, egg boiling, and cucumber salad making. They say rain is imminent, but none yet. At 10:30 PM made an HEB order.

 

6/29/2021: At about 9:40 AM the delivery came. Struggled it all in. Got Big Red Zero and pork rinds, among other things. I had also ordered Diet Sprite, but no go. It finally rained over the afternoon, but mostly cleared up by 3:30 PM, when I went in to cook. Some DQ8 after supper. When I went in to wash up, Susan got on my case because since the new router was put in, her name has been turning up on MY E-bay page on my computer (though I never tried to sign in) and then what I look up is put in HER queue. So, I put it back in my name. Now if it turns up like that on HER computer it will serve her right. I didn’t DO anything … although sometimes that the worst thing you can do. Because of the rain I let my AC rest from about 1 – 9 PM. June almost over, and then everything – birthdays, doctor appointments, expected horrible heat – begins again. On the plus side, Kelsey should be moving back closer. I wonder if the move is making Susan anxious.

 

6/30/2021: Last day of June. Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Cartoons (on a musical theme). Very sore and moving slow. Thinking about going to the library bookstore, but heat? Soreness? Left anyway at 9:45 AM and back at 11:10 AM with 6 books. Read “Dogbert’s Top Secret Management Handbook” throughout the day. Also got “C. S. Lewis on Scripture”, his “Space Trilogy”, Thomas a Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ”, “The Thurber Carnival”, and a copy of The Wee Free Men: The Beginning, being the first two Tiffany Aching books combined (which I intend to give to Morgandy).  About 3:30 PM Susan brought Kam home from work while I was making supper. He seems to be doing well at work. When I went out to wash up, I found Kelsey’s dogs here, so the move is a go! They were staying here the night, but I missed them as they went out to Dairy Queen. Bed about 11 PM.

Notes

Must get to the library bookstore again soon as it’s been a while. Kelsey and Ryan had been living over by the seashore for a while; getting them closer meant we got to see them more often. My old AC was running on its last legs and had to be coddled along. I wonder if Morgandy ever read the Terry Pratchett.

Diary 2021: A Day Early For Once

6/15/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers, Bible. Cartoons on MeTV. Ate sausage and eggs for breakfast. Went out and waited from 8 - 9 AM for delivery. Finally came AFTER 9 AM. I was going to complain but felt that that it wouldn’t help the delivery lady or me. Lugged the groceries inside. Took my insulin about 9:20 AM. Ate seafood salad and then cottage cheese. Read PR and napped until 3:10 PM.  The day went along as usual with sausages and cabbage fry.

 

6/16/2021: Oh my gosh the day was so long and BORING. The hours dragged along. After prayers and Bible and cartoons (I hate to couple these activities so closely, but the cartoons come on at 6 AM) I washed dishes. Guys came and bulldozed the snow-killed jasmine bushes this morning; it doesn’t look half as bad as I feared and gives room for them to grow back [they never did]. Made Kam bacon and eggs. Time dragged on until supper, when I made the chicken and broccoli rice with my instant rice, which was a lot quicker (I have to use that rice up; can’t have it for my diet). Planning an early strike to Walmart tomorrow. I need the exercise as well as new clothes.

 

6/17/2021: After vacillating a bit, I found myself almost mechanically getting dressed, walking to the park, and boarding the bus a little before 7 AM. Rode to Walmart, where I bought 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants, and 2 shirts, which, when I got them home, by what seemed almost a miracle, actually fit me. Having returned a bit after 9 AM, I took my medicine then laid down. At 1 PM I washed my new clothes. At 3:30 PM I made supper (chili, etc.). Washed up at 8 PM. Ordered some stuff from HEB (rotisserie chickens and diet soda) for tomorrow at 1 PM. Haven’t seen S&A for almost 2 days. Looks like the slab is finished.

 

6/18/2021: The usual Friday, except that at 1 PM I went out to wait for my HEB order. The driver was an elderly man whom I had to direct to the carport (he had headed to the front porch at first; what do we write those delivery notes for if they don’t pay attention to them?) Anyway, I got 2 rotisserie chickens and 2 12-packs of diet cherry 7-Up (it was supposed to be 3). Anyway, did not have to cook supper as Kaitlyn came by for an early Father’s Day visit. After 6 PM Andy took me to HEB Pharmacy to get my insulin. About 8 PM I went in to visit when they got back from eating out and we had a nice visit; I went in at 10 PM. My BS level was in the 180’s, so going down!

 

6/19/2021: Up at 6 AM. Cartoons. Prayers and Bible. Ye gads, another horrifyingly dull Saturday, spent (as of 3:30 PM) reading Phineas Redux and playing a bit of DQ8. If only the bus ran! I would descend on HEB and scour the aisles for acceptable num-nums. Or if even the library bookstore was open. But even such ‘delights’ are only makeshift measures. The one good thing is that a little after 7 PM Susan brought me some walnut shrimp and told me she found out that Parker City Pharmacy makes diabetic shoes. Onward! Counted my cash and found I had $6025.

 

6/20/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Remember dream about fighting Nazgul – and winning. Getting ready to go to church. Left at 7 AM. Church. Walked home via FD and bought some hot dogs, spam, ham lunch meat, sliced turkey, and 2 Tijuana mamas. Home a little before 10 AM. Insulin. Ate all that during the day. Finished reading “Phineas Redux”. Watched “Saints vs. Scoundrels” at 4:30 PM. Waiting for the season premiere of Rick and Morty. And, oh, yeah, it’s Father’s Day.

 

6/21/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Sort clothes. BS:174. Cartoons. Noticed Friz Freleng made the same basic cartoon three times, with Daffy, Yosemite Sam, and Ratfink: the character marries for money, she henpecks him, and he is bedeviled by his stepson. So, did my wash, got my groceries, boiled eggs, and made egg salad, called Parker City Pharmacy and got some info. At 1 PM I made cucumber salad and Kameron sent me some D&D files. For supper I made fish cakes and couscous, and for myself hamburger patties and salad. 

Notes

What can I say? It seems like a different world, which, when you think about it, it had to have been, though only five years away. I had more energy and mobility. Today is Father's Day again, and I'd just like to salute Pop again; I've come to understand that he was "doing the best he could, under very trying circumstances, with no good precedence to guide his actions."  I remember him putting me on his shoulders so I could touch the ceiling; if that's not a good metaphor for being a father, I don't know what is.

2021 Diary: Mind Like a Summer Sieve

6/8/2021: Prayers. Nothing very different all day. Continue to read “Phineas Finn”. Bed about 9:30 PM.

 

6/9/2021: Woke up about 4 AM: worried about whether or not I did the Dr. Melendez follow-up.

 

6/10/2021: Andy ran me over to the Family Medical Center at 8 AM. I saw that their covid precautions were still in place, so I went and sat at the outdoor tables at Subway till about 8:30 AM. Then I called in, and they asked me in to get my Medicare and Medicaid numbers in, and then I waited inside. Though my appointment was for 9:30 I was called in to a room earlier. I read a bit of PF, and then Dan came in. He put me on a strict diet for a month to get my blood sugar down. Ran a prescription he gave me over to HEB and caught the bus home. Wade was driving, and he brought me right to 513 without even my asking.  In the evening I made an order to HEB reflecting my new diet. Today was Kameron’s last day at school.

 

6/11/2021: Awaiting a delivery at 9 AM. Got it. Made Kam bacon and eggs. Had a good talk with Susan while finishing making supper. Finished reading PF late in the evening.

 

6/12/2021: A pretty dull day. Started reading “Phineas Redux”. Kenny called about 8 PM and we had a good talk while he drove home from work. Continue with the “keto” diet.

 

6/13/2021: Up at 6 AM, prayers, shower, and dress. Catch up diary. Ready to leave at 6:50 AM.

Got to church.  Fr. Stan elsewhere. Went to Family Dollar on the way home. Very tiring, but I was out of diet soda. Got home, took medicine and insulin. Ate Earl Campbell’s sausages and watched Young Frankenstein. The day continued. Found out that tomorrow they will start constructing a slab for the roll-back at the end of the driveway; I’ll probably have to delay getting any deliveries for a couple of days.

 

6/14/2021: Up at 5:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Washed dishes, swept house, made bed. Watched cartoons. At 9 AM I started wash, boiled eggs, made egg salad, made cucumber salad. Changed wash at 10 AM. Made Kam bacon and eggs. Changed wash again. Was done with wash about 11:15 AM, by which time S&A came home. Laid down for a bit at noon, listened to Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast.

Read PR, played DQ8. At 4 PM went in and fed pets, made supper. No couscous for me. Done by 5 PM. Between 7 and 8 there was a brief but intense rain with some thunder. Went in at 8 PM and washed up.  Afterwards checked BS (196 - under 200 at last!) then took insulin. Finally pooped [first time after the gall bladder operation]. Debated whether to order HEB or not what with the slab construction. Woke up at 12 midnight and finally decided to give it a go. Caught up diary.

Notes

Quite a number of anniversaries. Gall bladder surgery recovery. Kameron's last day of school. The slab being poured. I would totally have no idea of my surgeon's name without the Diary, and I'd forgotten how long it took after surgery for me to go to the bathroom again. Althogh I remember enjoying the Phineas books (by Anthony Trollope), I have only the vaguest notions of what happened in them. But then I am undergoing the Summer Memory Seive, wherein memories take a backseat to simply living. Which explains why this post has been delayed a few days.

2021 Diary: Bloaters? Angus?

6/1/2021: Started wash at 7:30 AM. At 8 AM called HEB pharmacy to refill my insulin. Went in at 9 AM, put clothes in dryer, boiled eggs and made egg salad, then made cucumber salad. Got HEB delivery at 9 AM also and struggled it into the guest house. Got wash in and folded it. Took a nap. Kam called at 1 PM and I was up. At 2 PM started getting ready for appointment with Dr. Sangha. A little after 3 PM Amy picked me up and we went to Sangha’s offices. A good check-up and he increased my metformin. Afterwards Amy took me to pick up insulin and I was home at 4:10 PM. Made fish and couscous and fed pets. Andy was there with the exterminator (who broke one of Susan’s pots). Had to wait until almost 9:30 PM for Andy to get home before I could wash up. Tried to listen to Cory Olsen but he was even more protracted than usual and fell asleep.

 

6/2/2021: Up a little after 7 AM and took a poop. Hooray! Also took a bigger one later. BS [blood sugar] 204, then made oatmeal and took medicine. Found out I missed follow-up with Dr. Melendez, my surgeon for the gallbladder removal. Have to see about that. It never ends!

 

6/3/2021: What a day. Things just went along well and ordinary and my BS was about 170, so headed in the right direction.

 

6/4/2021: Went out and got my HEB order. I had been hoping to get some BBQ, but somewhere along the way, no. Fried taters for supper and baked fish, couldn’t bear the thought of eating either.

 

6/5/2021: The weekend, so can’t worry about any business for a couple of days. Slept most of the morning. Kind of worried about a patch of skin on the right side of my belly; don’t know if the discoloration is new or I just didn’t notice it under the fold. A reaction to insulin? Won’t inject there for a while. In the evening cleaned up, washed dishes, swept, and remade bed. Thinking about going back to church tomorrow. Bad health is so boring.

 

6/6/2021: Awake about 4 AM, so gathered my clothes and other accoutrements, showered, arranged books, then laid down. Up again at 5:55 AM, got dressed. Now 6:25 AM and I’m all set to go at 7 AM.

So walked to church, where it was the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Made it home and only a little tired. Andy brought me a salad and some bananas at 9:30 AM. Spent the rest of the day as usual, doing some clean up (like starting to organize mail and sorting bags) and napping and watching TV. Trying to plan Monday so I can get the most done without tiring myself out too much. Orders for HEB. Bed about 10 PM.

 

6/7/2021: Up about 5:30 AM. Bible and prayers. Cartoons at 6 AM. Chicken noodle soup and a banana for breakfast. Started wash at 9 AM. Made appointment at Family Medical Center for Thursday 9:30 AM. Made boiled eggs and egg salad. Lugged groceries in. Finished wash about 11 AM. At 1 PM made cucumber salad. After calling around to John and Andy decided to ride the bus to get my Metformin and a new batch of glucometer test strips. Left house about 2:25 PM and home about 5:10 PM, just as Susan was driving up. Made fish and couscous then came in, then folded laundry and cleaned house. Rested and watched TV. Now at 8 PM will go in and clean up supper dishes.

Notes

The title recalls the author who found a copy of his first book, a signed edition in which he wrote: "To Angus: Will you ever forget about the bloaters?"  And he wonders "Angus? Bloaters?" Without these diary entries I would never remember Dr. Sangha even existed. And now after five years Corey Olsen (discussing LOTR in detail) is still not even through The Fellowship of the Ring. I suddenly don't feel too bad about the slowness of my own efforts in that direction.

2021 Diary: Dis May

5/22/2021: Up about 4:30 AM. Prayers and Bible. Dozed through part of the morning, then up again. Blood sugar at 7:30 AM, insulin at 8 AM. A spattering of rain outside that complicates my plan to catch up wash while the Shanafelts go to SA for the toy show and to visit Kaitlyn and Ryan.

As it turned out the toy show was scanty on the things we want, and they brought back nothing for me but the $100 I sent. Reports on the Tovars house are glowing. Did my wash in three big loads. Rainy all day.

 

5/23/2021: Read the Pentecost services for yesterday and today. Popcorn caught fire in the microwave. No harm done except a mess. About noon Andy took me to Chicken Express. Constant rain. Spent the rest of the day on DQ8 and trying to sleep, and some cleaning. Make order for HEB.

 

5/24/2021: Up at 4:45 AM. Prayers and Bible. Catch up diary. Shower. Going to make efforts to regularize my meal and medicine schedule today.

Went in at 9 AM, boiled eggs and made egg salad. Kept waiting for HEB order, then on a hunch checked the front porch, and there it was, in direct defiance of my request. Couldn’t bring the water in (too heavy) but Andy brought it to me at lunch. I almost wept in frustration. Also, at lunch they told me the sink was busted, and I’m sure Susan blames me, though I did nothing out of the usual operation and it looked fine when I was done.

Made cucumber salad and Kam came home. At 4 PM went in and fixed fish and couscous. Andy home a little late and at 8:30 PM I washed up. During the evening I watched most of “Chaplin” on TCM.

 

5/25-26/2021: Went through the days trying to keep on schedule. Had to admit that, as far as reading goes, my vision is far too blurry now. The kitchen sink in the big house is leaking, which complicates cooking.

 

5/27/2021: Up at six. BS, then breakfast, then shower. Cartoons. At 8 AM prayers and insulin. The struggle continues.

 

5/28/2021: Went back and collected all the images I had been letting go by and posted them. John called about 1 PM and firmed up our plans for lab (9 AM Monday) and doctor’s appointment (3:30 PM Tuesday). Lots of rain and thunder from 9 PM well into the morning hours (4 AM).

 

5/29/2021: Spent the morning point-farming and then beating Rhapthorne. On to the Dragon Dimension. Wrote some on AM (“Aftermath”).

 

5/30/2021: Woke up at 6 AM and knew I wasn’t going to make it to church. Read the Missalette for the day and prayed. Andy mowed today and it rained in the afternoon. Feeling woebegone and tense and lonely. Ate too much, of course. This month should have been called Dismay instead of May.

 

5/31/2021: Memorial Day and the last day of May. John picked me up at 9 AM, we went to the hospital, but I’d forgotten my form, so we came back, I got it, and had my blood drawn. We went by Whataburger and got three double meat double cheese burgers, then to Walmart. I bought some 3x cheater glasses, some size 14 slippers, and a new Gandalf articulated action figure. The rest of the day was kind of quiet and dull, with DQ8 and Gravity Falls. Didn’t have to do any cooking. Ordered groceries from HEB in the evening.

Notes

I don't think I've unboxed that figure yet.

 

2021 Diary: Recovery

2021 Diary

 

5/15/2021: A quiet day. Exactly 3 things happened all day: I finally made a bowel movement [none since the operation] at 3 PM; It rained for about 2 hours afterward; and Kameron called me at about 9 PM to say good night and see how I was. “Touch of Evil” on TCM. Keeping BS down under 400. Meals: malt-o-meal, chicken with broccoli, grapes.

 

5/16/2021: Read the service for today and prayed the prayer of those who cannot take communion. The rest of the day spent drifting and trying to keep things together. Bored and a little anxious. In the evening I took my last metformin. When I did take my insulin needle out it was bent and dripping; probably hit the muscle and not the fattest part of my stomach. After dozing all day it’s past 1 AM and I’m wide awake.

 

5/17/2021: Went in too early for my appointment with my surgeon but got the paperwork to fill out. John came back later, and we went again. Things look good.

 

5/18/2021: So went to my appointment with Dr Sangha (about my diabetes) about 12:30 and filled out almost exactly the same forms. Then had to wait as he was called away to a procedure. When he came back, the result was to double my insulin and a check-up in 2 weeks. Also refilled my medicine. Came home and it was rainy much of the afternoon. Made sausage and cabbage fry. Tis now almost 1 AM and I think it’s settled down.

 

5/19/2021: The unusual coldness in the weather continued, but by the afternoon the sun finally came out. New schedule: blood sugar check at 6, then insulin at 8 (morning and evenings). Results were in the lower 200’s. No appointments but waiting on the pharmacy. Dozed, minor cleaning, prayers. Some DQ8 in the evening; simple enough to engage the mind w/o requiring concentration. The worst thing about hospital and recuperation is BOREDOM.

 

5/20/2021: Up at 5 AM. Took a shower, dressed. BS at 6 AM was 202. Cartoons. Prayers and Bible. Insulin at 8 AM. Made a small load of shirts and shorts. Called Dr. Sangha’s office and got them moving on prescriptions. At 6 PM, BS was 262. Andy came out about 6:45 PM and took me to the pharmacy; only some of my medicine ready. Home and washed dishes at 7:30 PM.

 

5/21/2021: What a long and uncomfortable day! Delivery from HEB. Frying potatoes was a painful process, but after Susan came home things seem to have finally settled down. I was finally able to sleep after I had washed up. It was divine, and I thank God. 

 

Notes

I was going through a great deal of intestinal distress after my gall bladder operation; I have edited most of it out. My blood sugar has been running a little high again, 160 -170; to remember that it was over 400 once upon a time is strangely encouraging. Still trying to wrangle it lower.

 

 

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.