Month: November 2024

30 November 2024

Today’s the end of hurricane season, and a busy one it was.

It’s 64°F and breezy in Fort Lauderdale this morning and I was having coffee on the patio when the neighbor’s dog started barking. I didn’t want it to wake Wade so I came back inside. They leave the poor thing out for long periods of time and it barks at any and everything. Some people should not own pets.

After lunch at The Original House of Pancakes (Wade had pumpkin and I had strawberry) we headed back home and since we were in a food coma, we both took naps. I got hungry around 5 and ate leftovers and Wade got up and ate around 7, also leftovers.

We watched a movie Wade brought with him (Free Fall) and he’s seen it many times and I remembered seeing it either on Netflix or Amazon Prime. It’s an engaging movie in German with subtitles. I did recognize the German word for s..t. I first heard that word from Doctor I.C. Kitchens at Ole Miss. He was my biology professor my freshman year. He was a brilliant lecturer and illustrator and spoke fluent German.

One year, Kitchens had a heart attack and while he was recuperating, the department changed his embryology class from graduate level to undergraduate. It was flooded with students wanting it on their resumé for medical school.

The first day of class, he called the graduate students aside and told them to play along with him. He then conducted the first class in German. The undergrads dropped immediately. After they dropped out, he taught the class in English for the grad students.

Today is wash day. I had an extra large load today because I washed after my trip to Helen and that added a few days clothes to this week’s wash. Additionally, Wade will have some things for me to wash after he wakes.

We’re headed to a barbecue near the Point of the Americas in Fort Lauderdale. Two people Wade made the acquaintance at Rosie’s last year own three homes near there. It should be fun. Just what I need – more food.

Stay tuned!

29 November 2024

Only one more day of hurricane season. Let’s hope NOAA doesn’t decide to extend it.

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. The turkey came out perfectly, the dressing was really good to the point everyone wanted to take some home, the cranberry sauce a hit, the sweet potato casserole disappeared and more than a little wine was consumed. There was a bundt cake, apple pie and pecan pie for dessert.

Everyone pitched in on the clean up and thank goodness for dishwashers. Everyone left around 8:30 and Wade and I finished the rest of the cleaning. I was pretty tired by the time everything was done and I apologized to Wade but went to bed. Sad to say, Wade hasn’t slept well the last two nights. Me, I was out like a baby.

I think we’re gonna kick back and relax today. We’re headed to the Original House of Pancakes for brunch and then I feel a nap coming on. Wade does too.

Stay tuned!

28 November 2024

As some of you have reminded me, I didn’t post a blog yesterday. It was due to two things: I was very busy and I forgot.

I got up early and drove to my endocrinologist’s office to have a blood draw and came back to pick up Wade to head to Sawgrass Mills. We timed it right. The massive crowds hadn’t arrived and we easily found a parking space.

Wade made it to the Ralph Lauren store, chose a pair of cotton pajamas and an appropriate top to go with them and we were out of there within an hour. From there, we headed to Walgreens so he could pick up a few items and then we picked up Joel and headed to Rosie’s.

We timed that perfectly also. It really filled up as we started eating. Wade, of course, got his BLT with avocado. I chose a ham sandwich and Joel got a turkey sandwich. We all three had “to go” boxes and I ate my leftover this morning for lunch.

From Rosies, we dropped Joel of and Wade and I headed to Whole Foods to pick up a 10 fresh, organic turkey. Wade always puts his order in from San Francisco and pays for it then. I picked up a few items I needed for the dressing: fresh sage and fresh thyme.

Once back home, we settled in to get ready for today. I made the dressing ahead of time and all I need to do today is cook it. Wade made the cranberry sauce (I think it’s his best effort yet) and sometime in the early morning, he pulled the turkey out to let it come to room temp.

I had an energy burst and hosed down the patio and bar, cleaned the cushions on the patio furniture, cleaned the table, dusted my blinds in the bedroom, swept the kitchen floor, dusted my book case, sideboard, and coffee table and decluttered the coffee table in the living room and the kitchen. I then put on a load of towels I use on the outside.

My problem is I sit down and either see something that needs to be done or think of something that needs to be done. For example, at my front door, on the outside, are three shelves. They come in handy when UPS or FedEx delivers something because they are out of sight. However, little lizards like the place and I have to clean off lizard poop every so often. I’ll do that after I post today’s blog.

Everyone will come over around 5 or 5:30 and we’ll probably eat by 6. It should be perfect weather to gather around the patio.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It’s always best when you have friends and family together.

Stay tuned!

26 November 2024

I must be getting a reputation in the neighborhood. On my 1.5 mile walk this morning, a neighbor who I always speak to when I see him said hi back and called me by my name. I know where he lives but don’t know him at all other than wave to him or say good morning.

I had a couple of conversations with other neighbors along the way. This is, and has been, a really nice neighborhood. I suspect it has something to do with treating people the way you wish to be treated.

One of the neighbors was on his way to work in his truck and stopped to talk to me. He didn’t know it but I took a photo of a plant in his yard. I suspect he works at a plant nursery since he has a wide variety of unusual plants. Here’s the photo.

Of all the Acacia species, this is the most widely distributed in the world.

I got my lab results back yesterday from the blood draw. They are really quick. There’s not much to report except my red blood cells seem to be a little wider than normal and that may be due to iron deficiency. Yah think? My protein serum albumen test (PSA) for my prostate was high at 3.13. Normally, mine is down around 1.3. I’m sure my GP will raise the issue with me.

The iron infusion went quickly yesterday. I was taken back just a little after 1:30 and was out of there by 2:15. I quickly headed over to Judith’s to pick her up for a visit with Chris in Hollywood Memorial.

Chris is still pretty weak but he seems much like his old self. He was asleep when we first got there but Judith roused him and we stayed around 2 hours and had great conversations. Hopefully he’ll be home in a week or two.

Next up is taking Tom to a dentist appointment and then picking Wade up from Fort Lauderdale International Airport sometime around 4:30. I think I have his room ready and we are ready to go for Thanksgiving.

Stay tuned!

25 November 2024

It’s been a disruptive morning. I needed to have blood drawn fasting. No coffee, no breakfast, discombobulated. For some reason I was nauseous this morning. I don’t normally do that. You know how you know it’s coming on? My mouth started watering and I was seconds from visiting the thunder god but I sat quietly and it eventually went away.

I left for the blood draw at 8:15 am. The appointment was 9:30 and I needed to be there at 9:15. The problem is what lays between me and the lab. There’s the light over I-95, the drawbridge, and then three more lights before I get within shouting distance of the lab. If traffic is heavy and the bridge is up, it can take forever. That doesn’t even take into consideration that the snowbirds are coming down early. They usually wait until Thanksgiving is over. I got to the clinic about 8:30. Duh! Fortunately, they took me early.

It’s getting harder and harder for phelbotomists to find a place to stick the needle. I used to have great veins but now you can hardly see them. She ended up sticking my right hand. Actually, she was quite good. Sometimes the hand is painful but she went right in and I didn’t feel much of anything.

After I got back home, I put the coffee on and had my two breakfasts. The second was out on the patio with the newly oiled table and chairs. We’re finally getting weather that allows you to sit outside comfortably.

I got excited about a New York Times recipe for a coconut curry chickpeas with pumpkin and lime. It’s really easy if you do the prep first. I had all the ingredients except the jalapeno peppers and I didn’t think that would matter that much so I put in red pepper flakes instead. It tases pretty good. I’m letting the flavors meld right now and will have it for dinner over rice.

Just 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric turned the curry this color!

Around 12:45 pm I’ll head to the cancer center for another iron infusion. I have one more after this one. Not that I don’t like the cancer center but other than checkups, I hope I don’t have to visit them again for infusions.

My energy level is good but my stamina is still not back to my precancerous level. I assume that will take a while longer. So far, I have little to complain about.

Later today, I’ll pick up Judith and go to Hollywood Memorial on Johnson Street to see how Chris is.

Tomorrow I take Tom to the dentist and then pick up Wade at the airport.

Stay tuned!

Oh, by the way. Happy 50th Anniversary to my cousin Jimmie and Stephen! Here’s to another 50 years!

24 November 2024

I’m getting better about getting into my routine again. I didn’t try to put sugar in the French Press today. Instead, I correctly put it in my cup. There were a few snags but overall, I’m getting there.

I managed 1.2 miles today on my walk. It was clear and cool and a pleasure. I guess I crave exercise of some kind. That’s ironic since as a kid I avoided all kinds of exercise.

The weather has been dry. I had to add a lot of water to the pool so I expect a higher than normal water bill.

The dry weather has made the bougainvillea really bloom.

The drier the better for this plant. There’s one that grows in Key West among some shops and it’s gotta be 50 or 60 years old – a tree really. It doesn’t get much water and so the blooms cascade all over the shops and provide shade.

After the walk, I got busy getting Wade’s room ready for him. Unfortunately the guest bed often becomes a catch-all and I had to put away a ton of stuff. I then headed outside to add some teak oil to two chairs.

When I came back in, I finished cleaning the house. Next I headed to Advanced Auto parts to pick up some DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) that’s required for my Jeep. I also picked up some diesel clean that’s a fuel additive. Next it was to Publix for milk for hot chocolate and some fresh cranberries so Wade can make cranberry sauce (the best!) for Thanksgiving.

My last stop was to fill up with diesel at the local Mobil station. Price was $3.49.9. While in north Georgia, I was paying $3.19.9. On the trip, I got 30 miles per gallon. Jimmie told me today that they got 60 mpg with their hybrid.

I fixed some mixed fruit for lunch and then read a little. Then it was back to the chairs and I oiled two more. I finally got all the chairs and the table done. It needs to be done more than I do it but it is quite the chore. Everything looks good for Thanksgiving.

I have no idea how many people are coming. It could be as few as 5 or as many as 11. All are welcome.

Tomorrow I have a 9:15 blood draw and then a 1:15 iron infusion. After the infusion, I’m picking up Judith and I’ll get to see Chris, the first time since his surgery.

Stay tuned!

23 November 2024

I must be more tired than I realized. I just got up from a 2 1/2 hour nap!

It was a crisp 51°F this morning. By the time I started my walk, it had warmed up considerably. I managed 0.9 miles on my short routine. Speaking of routine, I’m still getting back into mine.

First, I reached into the dishwasher for the coffee pot and realized it was sitting on the counter. I then couldn’t find my insulin pen. I hunted everywhere and after letting my mind work a little while, I found it in my large shoulder bag. What’s strange is I keep it in my small shoulder bag when on trips. How it ended up in the larger one, I have no idea. All through the day I noticed small events out of sequence or missed. It’ll take me a few days to get my routine back.

John had texted yesterday about lunch. Since I washed, dried and folded clothes already, I didn’t have that as a Saturday chore so we ended up going to L’il Reds, a barbecue place that has been there since I’ve been in South Florida. The waitress was very terse and informed John he could not order lunch until 12 noon. I was gonna order breakfast anyway so I was safe from her glare.

When it turned noon, she came back and asked John nicely if he wanted to order lunch (after his breakfast). When it came time to pay, she brought one of those devices to the table to scan credit cards. I asked her when L’il Reds started accepting credit cards and she said they always did. I laughed and told her no, that wasn’t the case. She said she had only been working there 6 years (and I go back 40). For some reason, most of the barbecue places around don’t accept credit cards. I guess they don’t want to pay the fees.

After lunch, I got busy with the house. I tried bleaching the mold and mildew along the caulking around the tub, to some degree of success. I washed the shower curtain, the mat, and then cleaned the tub, the basin and the toilet.

I also cleaned the pool, added water to the pool, and then started the pool pump to clean what few leaves I hadn’t gotten off the bottom. Of course, when I left for the trip, I turned the pool pump off and then the pool heater. Now the heater will not come back on.

It doesn’t sound like I really did much but it must have tired me out. I crawled into bed around 1:30 and waked around 5. I still have a few things to do to get the house ready for Wade but have until Tuesday to get it done.

Stay tuned!