Travels with Fred

6 November 2024

What an exciting night! I went to bed at 9 pm, slept until a quarter to 1, checked the election results and fell back asleep. It’s not that I’m apolitical, I’m not. I’m what is called a yellow dog democrat (Google it). I used to be an avid follower of politics but as I’ve gotten older, I keep up with it less and less. It’ll be an interesting four years.

I managed my morning walk along Riverland Road for 1.4 miles. I made it better than I thought I would. As I turned the corner to head onto Riverland, I got a whiff of an amazing aroma. It turned out to be the Ackee tree (Blighia sapida) named after Captain Bligh of the mutiny on the Bounty.

For such small flowers, they really perfume the air. As I was walking back home after finishing my walk, I could smell them on the air currents half a block away. I’ve shown you the fruit of this plant before.

The fruit is edible but it must be harvested at the right time, otherwise it is poisonous.

I was mistaken, the Silk Floss tree from a previous post had not reached its full bloom potential. Today, it had.

My energy level was good today. I cleaned house to some degree, resting between each stage. I got the floors vacuumed, the bathroom cleaned and I cleaned the counters in the kitchen and the kitchen table. Believe me when I say I took several breaks.

We’ve had a few sprinkles today but the wind continues to blow. I thought Chicago was the Windy City.

Tonight is movie night with Chris and Tucker.

Stay tuned!

5 November 2024

Election Day! It’ll be over soon – within a month or two. How times have changed when I would go down to the basement at the Bank of Morton and watch my grandmother count ballots with the poll workers. They did the tally method of four lines with a diagonal to make five. They called the names on the ballot and she would make the tick marks. People respectfully waited outside the bank to hear the totals as they came in. It was all very civilized. Of course, back then, Mississippi voted almost completely Democratic Party line.

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this Allamanda. It was so fresh looking after a morning shower. You find this all over southern Florida. The genus is native to the Americas and it belongs in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). The stems produce a white latex and this particular one is vine-like.

As far as the walk goes, it was 1.4 miles and I was pretty tired after that effort. I feel like I have a very long way to go before I’m anywhere close to being back where I was physically. As they say – one step at a time.

The more I look at what needs to be done in the yard, the pool, housecleaning, etc. the more I’m looking at independent/assisted living. Add to that home insurance. By this time last year, Citizens had already quoted me a price for insurance and I paid it a few days later. I’m beginning to wonder if they are going to renew the policy. Of course, they could simply be swamped with the claims from two hurricanes in the panhandle.

I put in an order for groceries for Whole Foods which included Kefir. It’s a fermented drink which includes live bacterial cultures and yeast. Dr. Fingado (the hand man) recommended it to replace the “good” bacteria in my stomach. In essence, the bacteria in Kefir feed the good bacteria in your intestines. I’ve never tried it but thought I’d give it a shot. I like Fingado. He’s undergone chemo so he knows what I’m dealing with the diarrhea.

It’s very windy today and the pool has all sorts of leaf litter in it. I’ll wait until this evening and try to clean it if the winds die down. Even if you have a pool person who cleans your pool, you are going to be faced with you doing some work on it anyway.

I’m on record pace to feel well. I haven’t had this many days in a row that I feel better than just OK. However, it’s a little like being bipolar (which I am) – you know after the highs come the lows. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I foresee another afternoon of reading and a nap since it’s a windy, rainy day. Good thing I’m retired.

Stay tuned!

04 November 2024

I almost forgot today’s post. Apparently there was a lot on my mind. I had the iron infusion at two today. Kenyda was my nurse and the whole process took only 30 minutes. She had a little trouble finding the vein and had to stick me twice.

Sadly, in my rush to get out of the house for the infusion appointment I forgot my lunch and Tootsie Roll minis that I hand out to the front desk and nurses. Everyone forgave me.

When I got home, the postman had delivered the mail and my property tax was waiting for me. It was.$2276 this year. That’s a little higher than last year, but I budgeted for that.

Earlier in the day, I had to change an appointment for an iron infusion. Sometimes it’s hard to get in touch with someone, but after a couple of tries, I managed to get the appointment changed. That frees me up for my trip to Helen, Georgia starting the 15th.

Tomorrow is another day off. I’ve become an expert at goofing off. You might even say I’ve taken it to a high art form.

Stay turned!

3 November 2024

Welcome to standard time and an extra hour of sleep. I made the most of it and didn’t get out of bed until 8 am. It’s nice that most clocks automatically reset for either standard or saving times but there’s always a few clocks in the house that have to be manually reset. In my case, a clock in the kitchen and the clocks on the microwave and stove. I had to look at the one in the kitchen to make sure the clocks had changed last night. The reason for the doubt is that you are usually bombarded by media to change clocks and either I don’t watch the correct media or they didn’t go overboard this year.

It’s been a busy day. After getting my two breakfasts out of the way, I managed to clean a little in the house. I used a dust mop to clean the floors and a regular mop to clean the bathroom floor. That little bit seemed to exhaust me.

I drove to Barbara’s at noon and we set out to pick up Joel and Keith for a lunch at The Grill at the Grove at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. We decided to simply enter the park and pay the $6 entrance fee. The three treated me to lunch. It was a beautiful setting. I had the blackened grouper tacos and a root beer. I haven’t had a root beer in years.

You used to be able to take a tunnel under A1A to get to the beach but it’s just as easy now with a crosswalk just east of the cafe.

The food was quite good. They have an extensive menu. It’s one of the nicest places to eat and think you are in the Fort Lauderdale of the past. You can walk in from A1A into the park and they ask you to donate $2 for walk-ins and bikes. I prefer to pay the $6 so I can park the car in their lots. It’s a very busy park and very popular.

I had no more gotten home when John called. His car had died at Fresh Market. After much confusion as to which Fresh Market, I was able to jump start his car. I’ve since found out he made it home OK.

By the time I got back to the house a second time, I was running out of steam. Of course, it feels later and I’ll be messed up time wise for a few weeks until I settle into standard time.

I finished watching the PBS documentary on Lyndon Johnson. I remember that period well. I was watching the television the night he made his speech announcing he would not run for re-election. I definitely remember the Viet Nam war and disagreeing with him on it. I felt he would read the New York Times in the morning and that would be his Viet Nam policy that afternoon.

Johnson, of course, is known for being the most prolific of President’s in his first 100 days. No one did more for civil rights in this country. We wouldn’t have Medicare with Johnson. As more and more time passes, I think his standing has risen among the Presidents because of the good he did as opposed to his Viet Nam policy.

Tomorrow is an iron infusion at 2 pm. Stay tuned!

2 October 2024

The morning started out with showers and I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed around 6:30. I would have preferred to stay in bed but I figured the showers would be over quickly and I could get a walk in. I did (1.2 miles).

While on the walk I ran into Gigi and Ivan and we had a brisk political discussion. Gigi, as we were parting, pointed out she voted to cancel out my vote and we laughed. It’s like Mom and Dad. Mom would vote Democratic and Dad would vote Republican (because of Eisenhower). At least all the campaigning will be over in a few days.

Last night John, Joel, Keith and I headed to J Marks where I introduced them to Bam Bam Shrimp. We did it as an appetizer and I thought for a while there they would want to order that a couple of more times and just make a meal of that. It is seriously that good.

We caught up with each others’ lives and I can truly say these are my besties. Like I’ve said before, I have great friends. It took a while after I moved to Florida but I’ve got a cadre of great caring people in my life.

After my walk, second breakfast, and ablutions, I started to clean the pool filter. About halfway, the bottom fell out and I was drenched before I could move under the awning. Like always, if you don’t like the weather, just wait. I emptied the dishwasher and sectioned a grapefruit and by then it had quit and I finished the task.

I then moved on to clean the bottom of the pool of debris too large to be picked up by the pool cleaner. Then it was time to hose down the pool deck to get rid of iguana poop. By that time, I realized I probably overdid it.

I had a quick lunch and stripped the bed, started the wash and remade the bed. By then I realized I had overdone it. After lunch, I took a nap while the clothes did their thing.

After the nap and while folding clothes, I watched the second half of the Ole Miss/Arkansas game. It was a record setting game for Ole Miss. I’m sure the win is due to me wearing my Ole Miss tee. Not that I’m stuporstitious.

While working on the pool filter, that was just a tinge of that feeling of fall in the air. Spring is probably my favorite season but fall is a close second – at least when I was in Mississippi. It’s funny how many of your childhood memories come back to you at this advanced age of 76. Nostalgia is a very strong aspect in my life. I try to keep the remembrances to the good things and not dwell too much on the bad.

Tomorrow is lunch with Barbara, Joel and Keith at the cafe at Birch State Park.

Stay tuned!

Hotty Toddy!

1 November 2024

Happy All Saints Day! Also, Happy 76th Birthday to me! How did I get this old?

I had so much going on yesterday, I forgot to include some stuff in yesterday’s blog. I managed a 1.8 mile walk along Riverland Road. That’s the first time I’ve been able to walk that area in a while and it was fun to see what changes had occurred along the walk. I noticed someone had painted a very large masonry fence, for example.

Also along the walk, I came face to face with a silk floss tree in bloom. It was a little past its prime but still very pretty. I always enjoy seeing this tree this time of year with its very large blossoms.

The flowers drop off the tree pretty much entire and form a pink carpet on the lawn.

One of the changes on the walk was a yard that had a chain link fence obscured by one of our tropical shrubs – I can’t remember what was growing there – that had been cleared away and you could see into the yard for the first time since I’ve lived here (30 years). What was hidden behind the shrubbery was a Tab tree (Tabebuia) with a very unusual growth form. You have to look between the chain links to see what I mean.

Today I managed 1.4 miles and happily met Chris and Tucker on the morning walk. It was like old times walking together. I got happy birthday wishes and a hug from Chris and pretty much diffidence from Tucker.

I also forgot to mention Wednesday was movie night with Chris and Tucker. Chris selected In & Out with Kevin Line, Tom Selleck, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, and Bob Newhart. Talk about an Allstar cast!

It’s a rom com where a high school English teacher (Kevin Kline) is about to get married to Joan Cusack (another English teacher) after a 3 year unconsummated relationship. Just before the wedding, Matt Dillon plays a former student who receives an Oscar for a role and in his thanks, says his high school English teacher is gay.

Wilford Brimley and Debbie Reynolds plays Kline’s parents and go through the usual confusion even when Kevin adamantly denies he’s gay. Tom Selleck plays a sleazy newsman who ends up kissing Kline to spectacular effect. Kline comes out as gay at the altar. There are numerous hilarious scenes throughout.

Kline’s fired for being gay and Matt Damon comes to the rescue and gives his Oscar to Kline at the graduation ceremony. It ends up the entire community supports the rehiring of Kline. If you haven’t watched this, it’s a laugh a minute.

It’s getting time to head to my “hand” doctor and get some injections.

Stay tuned!

31 October 2024

Happy Halloween!

I managed to not cancel on friends for a dinner! Originally, Jim, Holley and I were scheduled to go to Olive and Sea for happy hour until I noticed the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show was this week and anything east of highway 1 would have been a traffic nightmare. The Hilton, where Olive and Sea is located is one of the five or six locations of the boat show.

We quickly changed plans and headed to Ethos in Wilton Manors and totally ignored the fact that it was Halloween in the gayest neighborhood of the state. They had most of Wilton Drive blocked off for the gayborhood stroll. We did managed to find a parking spot and walked the rest of the way to Ethos.

We sat outside and got a curbside view of people getting ready to stroll Wilton Drive. We were a little early for the main event but we still got to see a few costumes.

There’s a new law in Florida that requires you to ask permission to photograph anyone. He generously posed for us.

Ethos was running a prix fixe special menu for $24 which included a salad, an entrée and a dessert. I chose watermelon salad with chicken thighs and chocolate cake. We all agreed it was delicious.

I had intended to treat Holley and Jim tonight and we had dueling credit cards waved in front of the waiter. He normally said he always accepted the first handed to him (me) but since it was my birthday tomorrow, he took Holley’s.

We had a great time and I made it back in time for any trick or treaters. However, what I did was put out a bunch a candy by my pumpkins and said help yourself but think of those behind you. Hopefully, that will cut down on the number of doorbell rings I get.

Tomorrow, I get to go get my fingers injected with steroids. Later, Joel, Keith, John and I will have dinner at J. Marks (if I don’t have to cancel).

Stay tuned!

30 October 2024

I think I have a new speed record for the Federal government. I sent off my passport application on 19 October and received it on 29 October. So much for the 4-6 weeks suggested for processing. It looks the same as the old passport but has a chip in it for scanning. All I need now is some country to try it out on.

I took the day off today and idly went through my routine knowing there was no hurry. I probably read a few more online articles than I normally wouldd and killed some time with today’s crossword. Lunch was a banana.

Earlier, I used Instacart to order groceries from Publix and they delivered them around 12:47 – yes, they are that exact. Tonight I plan to try the Panera Bread Company’s microwavable Mac and cheese. It looks good but I’ve never had it at Panera and there’s no telling what their commercial version will be like.

We’re having windy weather this week and people are getting nervous about a low in the Caribbean which might turn into two storms. It’s already been suggested hurricane season might extend into December. What a holly, jolly Christmas that would be.

Tonight is movie night and it’s Chris’ turn to select the movie. I always love Wednesday’s when we both are up to viewing a movie, giving Tucker treats when he plants those soulful eyes on you, and our equally long catchups after the movies. Of course, the wine doesn’t hurt either.

Tomorrow, Holley and Jim and I will try to get into happy hour at Olive and Sea – one of our favorite happy hour spots that overlooks the intracoastal. It’s fun to pretend to be rich and look down on the mega-yachts below us. Sometimes they have parties on the decks as we sip cocktails and have appetizers.

Friday, John, Keith and Joel and I will try to have dinner at J. Marks. I am partial to their bang bang shrimp appetizer. I could dine on that alone.

Sunday will see Joel, Keith, Barbara and I will have lunch and the newly redone restaurant at Birch State Park. You sit under the tree size sea grapes and can hear the ocean roar if it’s still windy. It’s a really cool, laid back place to have a meal.

From all the activity above, you probably can guess it’s getting close to my birthday, All Saints Day. Yes, you’ve often thought it but I will now confirm I am a saint. Of course, you might think badly of me and associate me with Dia de Los Meurtos day. Then there’s Hockey Mask Day and National Vinegar Day. For a complete listing of November 1 holidays, click here and pick your favorite to celebrate along with me for my birthday. I guess you could say I celebrated National Zero Tasking Day today.

Stay tuned!

29 October 2024

It’s been a blah morning. I’m still recovering from the bout of diarrhea and just before I was heading out to Tom and Kurt’s, I heard the gurgling sound on my guts. I put on my big boy Depends and decided to chance it.

I met Tom and Kurt at their apartment and we headed to drop off their ballots at a polling place near city hall in Wilton Manors. Next we headed to Walgreens where Kurt needed to make a few purchases. From there, we headed to happy hour (3 pm!) at Phat Boys. We ordered some happy hour appetizers and we all had a cucumber martini. We ordered Tokyo French fries, cauliflower, and torpedo shrimp. The best dish was the Tokyo French fries which had a spicy sauce on them.

As I drove them back to their place, we stopped and got their mail and mailed some letters. Tom is doing better but is still concerned about his walking and his double vision. Hopefully both will be better as time passes. He did well today on a walker.

Tomorrow, I have the day off! I think I’ll sleep late, goof off, maybe try to get the sliding glass closet mirrors off the track. I think I finally figured out why I’m having the trouble. When they replaced the bamboo floor in the house, they replaced it under the track. When I originally did the flooring, I didn’t remove the track and put flooring under it. Therefore, the bottom track is a few millimeters higher than it was. The crew who worked on the house must have really manhandled the doors to get them in place.

The weather the last few days has really been nice. The humidity is low and we are only reaching the low 80’s during the day. Of course, it’ll be nicer once the temperature drops. The only question is will it rain on Halloween. It’s about a 50/50 chance based on prior Halloweens.

Stay tuned!

28 October 2024

The gurgling gut continued all last night. I had a normal-ish bowel movement after coffee and cereal but after the second coffee and grapefruit, the dam broke. I’m back on Pedialyte. I canceled the infusion today (didn’t want to make a mess of their new chairs) and also canceled with Nancy and Michel. We were scheduled to go to dinner tonight.

The three of us have birthdays close together and we try to celebrate all three of us. It’s led to some fun times. One year we went to Key West for our birthdays.

The above was at a fancy hotel and bar (which we didn’t stay) and we couldn’t resist the chair. Key West has great memories for me and that’s where I saw Nancy for the first time outside of her professional role as a McGraw-Hill representative. We’ve been friends since. I think that was either 1985 or 1986.

A frond from the Royal palm fell yesterday and I spent a little time cutting it up for the yard waste bin. Those things are certainly large. Not only do you have to watch out for falling coconuts and iguanas, but you need to look out for falling Royal palm fronds.

I also cleaned out the pool basket. Those two acts sapped my energy (or the diarrhea did) and I had to sit down for a while after the exertion.

I got up this morning with the intention of doing my morning walk along Riverland Road but after thinking about it, I didn’t want to mess my pants on the walk and have to walk back to the house in shame. It’s a good thing I have plenty of Depends. What’s the old saying? You start out in diapers and end up in diapers.

I spent a little time this morning rescheduling appointments. I had two blood draws scheduled and, of course, confused them and called the wrong physician. After figuring that out, I made the correct call to reschedule. It seems I spend a lot of time either scheduling or rescheduling.

I was notified my passport application was approved and it had been printed and sent in the mail to me. The time line they quoted was 6-8 weeks. It looks like I made the rapid response team. Good for another 10 years!

Life and diarrhea go on. Stay tuned!