Category: Everything Fred

5 April 2025

I was awake at 5 am hacking up a lung for some reason. Then I started itching and the lotion I use, Sarna, did nothing for it so I took an Allegra. When I crawled out of bed at 8 this morning, my nose started imitating a water faucet.

I was supposed to go to a birthday lunch at Ethos this noon but I called and let them know I was headed back to bed. I did a Covid test just to be extra cautious and it came back negative.

I managed to put on a wash and changed linen on the bed but I can tell I’m off with my balance more than usual. I suspect it likely the past two weeks caught up with me. At least I wore a mask while on the planes. Sometimes I forget that I’m 76 years old and need to slow down and not do so much.

__________________

Yesterday, while bringing in the garbage and yard waste bin, I noticed my wild coffee is blooming.

I love how glossy green the leaves are. You can see why it is called nervosa with the prominent leaf venation. The tiny white flowers will eventually produce red “coffee”berries. They don’t contain caffeine but you can dry them and roast them for a drink. Both the coffee you know and this one belong to the family Rubiaceae (coffee family).

____________________

My nephew Billy just texted and said Tanis was in a stasis-like condition at the moment. They have been able to ask yes or no questions and she responds. They’ll probably take her off the ventilator next week.

Stay tuned!

4 April 2025

I forgot to blog about movie night! We saw In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne as interpreted by Walt Disney. I first saw this movie when I was 14 and fell in love with it. I had not read this particular novel by Verne but I had read most of his other novels by that time.

It had a stellar cast with Maurice Chevalier, Haley Mills, George Sanders and Wilfrid Hyde-White. As with any Verne novel, the protagonists are constantly in danger and surviving at the last minute. The movie was released in 1962 and it still holds up to this day.

Tucker and I were roughhousing between bathroom breaks and I managed to knock over Chris’ wine glass. Fortunately, it broke on a rug I put down for Tucker and it was an easy clean up and Tucker didn’t cut his toes.

Today started with a sweep (not rake) of the west side walk for the baby mangoes released by the tree and the small branches to which they were attached. I’m always sad to see the baby mangoes fall but the tree has to shed many in order to produce enough mature fruit which will then fall into my stomach.

I next cleaned the pump filter and the pool filter, watered the plants, hosed off the pool deck and put chemicals in the pool after skimming the leaves from the gumbo limbo tree which is shedding. That’s the third day in a row I’ve had to remove leaves from the pool and the fourth time in three days since one day I had to do it twice. Leaves are going to be the death of me.

I’m texting my nephews and niece quite frequently to keep up with what is going on in Brandon with my brother and in Jackson with Tanis. Tanis’ stroke has shaken my brother to his core which I understand. Billy and David broke it to him yesterday that she will probably never recover the left side of her body, will be in a wheel chair, and will probably never come home to Brandon again. That last part really hurt him. They are joined at the hip.

The niece and nephews are doing their absolute best to help. All have promised to take care of Archie even though Tanis will be in rehab or a nursing home the rest of her life.

It’s taking a personal toll on me, being 1000 miles away. I think that is what was bothering me yesterday. It’s both physical and mental with me and I am sure it is with them. At least I had enough energy today to do what I did. This is going to be a long haul.

Stay tuned!

3 March 2025

I had a breakfast invitation today from Barb but I had to turn her down. I used the excuse of a CT scan but the reality is I just didn’t feel up to it. I started the morning walk but turned around halfway and managed the amazing mileage of 0.3 miles. My legs felt weak and I didn’t feel well.

Either the CT scan or the echocardiogram (or both) says not to have any caffeine 5 hours before the test. Since I can’t remember, there’ll be two days without my morning coffee. Grumpy just got grumpier.

The other big excitement this morning was balancing my checking account. I was off by $0.11. Instead of hunting for the error, I just did a reconciliation.

My neighbor is mowing my yard this morning. I really appreciate him doing this. I gave up that activity several years ago and don’t miss it one whit.

Next week is busy with a visit with my endocrinologist, my echocardiogram and a follow us with my cancer surgeon. Might as well get it all done in one week, huh?

No word on Tanis today. I did talk to Archie last night. He seems to be holding up OK but is terribly worried about Tanis. He told me he visited her yesterday (maybe he did) and she didn’t look well. I told him Billy said she had her eyes open and was responding to stimuli on the right side. He was relieved. Apparently, he visited early and she started to open her eyes after he left.

My thoughts are still with Chris and Judith. Their son had a devastating skiing accident in Utah. He’s currently in Atlanta where they have an excellent neurology department.

Life just keeps happening – for the better and for the worse.

Stay tuned!

2 April 2025

I think I should start a list of pros and cons for moving to an independent living facility. First on the pro list is I wouldn’t have to worry about a plumber. I’d just call maintenance.

Surprisingly, Kyle plumbing had an availability for me from 11 am – 1 pm yesterday. I grabbed it. Ralston showed up just a little after 12:15 and immediately quoted me a price of $309 to replace the float. I assume that included labor. After payment, he soon got started and then called out to me.

Apparently the shut off valve was frozen and needed replacement. I would have been suspicious of that but I had tried months ago and couldn’t budge it so I knew it was legit. Once more into the breech with my credit card and $208 later, he worked on the shut off valve. Pressure from the water heater prevented him from soldering the connection so he had to turn off the water heater and release the pressure.

He did a good job. The toilet works now. $517 poorer, I can flush the toilet without having to lift the lid to jiggle the float. If anything else goes wrong with the toilet, I may put an outhouse in the back yard with corn cobs for toilet paper. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that and it’s not bad. Those fuzzy cobs are better than the best toilet paper.

Today, I attempt to clean the house a little. It’s movie night and it’s Chris’ turn to select the movie. Tucker doesn’t care as long as the treats keep coming.

Tanis has her eyes open, her color is back and she’s more responsive than yesterday. Still no word on the CT scan nor the MRI. For the severity of the stroke, she seems to be doing well.

I admit to despairing a little this week with my brother’s dementia, my niece and nephews having to take off work last week to help out, Tanis’ stroke, the stress on my brother, niece and nephews. However, all have stepped up with this latest crisis, even my brother’s ex. All have jobs they’ve either put on hold or work around the hours of their employment. I’m not sure where all this will result in and it’s the unknown that bothers me the most.

For family members that are disparate, they certainly have come together as one to cope with the circumstances.

Stay tuned!

1 April 2025

Her son Billy spent the night with Tanis and reports they took the crash cart away during the night. She can open her eyes a bit and responds to stimuli on the right side but not the left. Her son David will relieve Billy later today. My brother has a home health care aid in today for 4 hours and his ex, Carolyn, so that helps. I’m sure the next few days will determine a lot.

I managed to get some sleep last night but it was an uneasy sleep. I got up a 7 and had coffee and cereal and then did my morning walk (1.0) miles. I am still too out of shape.

Just as I set out on my walk, I ran into a beautiful branch of frangipani (Plumeria).

The branches are succulent like Aloe vera and they produce a poisonous latex.

Toward the end of the finger canal street, I saw Denyse pull out to go to work. She sometimes cleans my pool when I’m away on long trips. I really like her. She never hesitates to stop and talk with me and catch up. I really do have good neighbors!

With everything happening to Tanis and Archie, it’s been hard to get back into a routine. I certainly have some anxiety for them, Ashley, Billy and David. I do have a clear schedule today and tomorrow and Thursday I go in for a CT scan to determine my cardiac calcium score. The new cardiologist wants to compare the new score to the old score to see how much more calcification has occurred.

Oh! I have to call the plumber. My toilet will flush but will not refill. In old toilets, there was a copper float you could work with but with the newer toilets, you have to replace the apparatus. I’m too old and stupid to do that any more so I’ll call a professional to do it. Unfortunately, they always have to order the part.

Stay tuned!

31 March 2025

What started as a routine day: blood draw, pick up a friend at an auto repair shop, have breakfast with the friend, grocery shop, turned into a crisis when I found out from my nephew David my sister-in-law, Tanis, had a stroke and a diabetic crisis.

I had just been to Mississippi and returned on Saturday to help my niece and nephew clean up around the house since my brother and Tanis were not physically able to do so. A lot of progress was made and I left feeling like something had been accomplished but there was much more to do.

Tanis is in good hands at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. They are going to try to remove the blood clot and deal with her diabetic issues. Once the surgery for the clot is completed, she’ll be sent to ICU where her sons can visit her. All have rallied around her.

I’m not sure if I need to go back to Mississippi but I’m sure David and Ashley will let me know and keep me updated. Regardless, it’ll be a long recovery for Tanis and both she and Archie will have to rely more on Ashley, Billy and David.

Sorry for the short post.

Stay tuned!

30 March 2025

I was asleep by 10:30 pm and stayed in bed until 10 am. I must have been a little worn down by the travel. Luckily, I remembered most of my morning routine, at least somewhat. I got confused in making the coffee but finally got it going.

I put a wash on. Usually, when I unpack the suitcase, which I did last night, I then wash clothes. I just wasn’t up for it so I put it off until this morning. There’s one load of underwear, socks, shirts and another load of bluejeans.

The pool has a few (hundred) leaves I need to remove before I turn the pump back on. I’ll probably do it either late today or tomorrow.

I got news today that I have been negative six times in a row for cancer with the Signatera test. Let’s hope I keep it that way. That’s 18 months cancer free.

Most of the day will be spent washing, drying, folding, and ironing clothes. We are predicted 70% rain so maybe it will occur and I won’t clean the pool today. It’s another reason I’m interested in independent living.

I spent some time trying to turn my printer on so I could print the Signatera report but it wouldn’t oblige. After doing a Google search telling me to check the plug, I finally realized I was pushing the wrong button. Such is my life.

Stay tuned!

22 March 2025

I spent the morning packing my suitcase for the trip tomorrow. I got worried about the weight but it was around 40 lbs if my scales are accurate. Packing for a week takes a lot of thought, particularly when you are in spring weather and it’s cold at night and warm during the day. In a worse case scenario, I could purchase what I need in Jackson.

Of course, the Jackson newspaper reported that Sunday there would be 60-70 mph winds and storms. Fortunately, they arrive in the afternoon and I arrive in the morning. There’s a stop in Atlanta and then to Jackson.

Yesterday evening, Jim, Holley and I caught up over dinner at Kaluz in Plantation. This was a new experience for me and the yellowtail snapper I had was outstanding. I forget how good that fish tastes and I don’t order it enough.

Today, I’m washing clothes, finishing packing my shoulder bag full of charge cords, and closing up the house for the week.

My flight leaves at 6:30 am and my Uber arrives at 4:30 am. That means I’ll get up about 3:30 am. No sleep for me tonight. I’ll lie awake and overthink things.

Today, John and I are treating Joel to a birthday lunch at Season’s 52. It’s not quite as good food as the first time I ate there back in the 80’s but it’ll do.

On the trip, I’ll be staying with my cousin Jean and her husband Roger and visiting my niece, nephews, brother and sister-in-law. On the 27th, I’ll visit with my other side of the family cousins in Frogtown. Yes, that’s a name and no, it’s not incorporated. Let’s just say it’s a subdivision of Pulaski, MS.

Stay tuned!

20 March 2025

Note: for a perspective on John Knox Village, scroll down after this blog entry.

Movie night was great. As I was waiting for Chris and Tucker, Katy was in the yard with the twins. We got to talking and the twins began jumping from the porch to the ground (about 6 inches) and had a ball. We were joined by Nicole and it was a regular neighborhood get together. I caught up with both of them and they caught up with me.

The movie was My Cousin Vinny. We had both seen it but we agreed it was long ago. Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei are excellent in the movie and I loved Fred Gwynne in the roll of judge. You still can’t help but think of Gwynne and his role in the Adam’s Family. Ralph Maccio played the aggrieved party.

Tucker was great last night. I work with him about the commands “Stay”, “Sit” and “Come.” Chris wants him to be exposed to me with him and the commands.

Chris, rightly so, took me to task for not walking. I promised I would do it this morning and I managed 1.4 miles. After all the walking at John Knox Village, I felt in good shape for this morning’s walk.

The walk took me by my favorite yard for flowers and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s always something new.

This is a member of the Brassicaceae family (think mustard greens). Like so many plants, it’s not native but is now used for horticultural purposes in the U.S.

There are four petals and six stamens, usually with 2 short and 4 long. The flower petals are said to be cruciform (like a cross). Most native Brassicaceae in the U.S. are spring flowers.

Remember, scroll down to see my trip to John Knox Village.

Stay tuned!

18 March 2025

I didn’t post yesterday. Things got too busy. More on that later.

Chicago will have to give up its title for Windy City. I think Fort Lauderdale can take that crown these days. We’ve had about two weeks of constant windy weather. There’s almost always a dead palm frond to pick up from around the pool.

The palms around the pool are Cabada palms and they shed their fronds unlike some palm trees that keep them on until they rot away. I like the self-shedding types since I don’t have to pay anyone to saw them off.

I’m beginning to get organized for my trip to Mississippi. I hate packing and tend to put it off until the last minute and thus overpack. The biggest pain is getting the medications ready for a week away from home. Regardless, this will be my first trip in quite a while.

I waited to post yesterday until I completed my cardiology appointment with a new cardiologist. My other one retired. Can’t say I blame him. The new one is Ethan Siev at Hollywood Memorial. It’s a very busy office with numerous physicians in that one office on the 6th floor but I was taken back early and Nurse Nancy took my information.

I’ve learned to print out all of that stuff even though it’s online. They ask you anyway. I think I like the new guy and will continue with him. I have two doctors associated with Hollywood Memorial, the cardiologist and the endocrinologist. Everyone else is Holy Cross.

Dr. Siev wants me to have another echocardiogram (it’s time) and gave me the option of doing it with Holy Cross where the others were done or have it done in office with him. I’ve opted to go with him. He can read Holy Cross reports but cannot see the images.

He also scheduled my next appointment 6 months from now and also scheduled me for a CT scan to determine my coronary calcium score. The only time it’s been done was in 2016 and it was high. He wants to see how much it has increased.

It was around 4:30 when I got back home and I started a home made beef stew (cooler weather on the way here). I got a phone call from Judith that Chris was in the emergency room at Hollywood Memorial and needed his phone charger. That makes two times I was there yesterday.

The entrance to the valet at the emergency room is misleading and, of course, I entered the wrong way. The valets were not in a hurry so it took time to give him the key fob and get the ticket. Then, the check-in for visitors took a lot of time. Finally, I got sent back to see Chris – and he wasn’t there.

Christina, his nurse, came in and told me that had trouble getting a vein for an IV and she was headed there to do it. She told me he would be back after a CAT scan – within 10 minutes. I hooked up his phone to the charger. True to her word, Chris came back in shortly. I visited a while and then headed back home – after another long wait with the valet.

I was wiped out so I ate some warm beef stew and went to bed. I dropped off to sleep immediately.

I’ll check on Judith and Chris later today but I also have another doctor’s appointment with the oncologist at 1:15 this afternoon. I slept late this morning and may even nap before the appointment.

Stay tuned!