to test, or not to test

 I don't think I have Covid

    I do believe it is a cold.  I cough, and I am tired.  Two days ago I felt great and did a small thing outside, and yesterday I was not feeling well, again.

    Today I felt good, went shopping, and tonight I am very tired.

    So, I took a Covid test.

    I have a tendency to not read things correctly, so I got Jackie to read the directions while I did the test.

    This can be a challenge.  When making a recipe, she will do that and at some point toward the end will start reading from the beginning, causing me to note we have already done that part.  After several instances, we finally get to the last step or two.

    So it was with some trepidation I handed her the directions.  I did give her the English version.

    She read them slowly and carefully, and I repeated what she said while doing it.  Lay the card flat.  Handle by the edges.  Drop 6 drops into top circle. Fold over test and seal.  Don't touch the wrong end of the swab.  Do each nostril 15 seconds, swirling continuously.  Place the swab in the holder so the tip reaches the top circle.  Let sit 15 minutes.

    It all went well......I only had one line, which means no Covid.  

    Now I can relax.

    We also had blood tests today.  The person who drew my blood at the local hospital was gently and reassuring.  It was a good draw.

    In the past I have gotten dizzy and even fainted, although I have gotten better with age.

    The car seat is working out nicely.  My back does not hurt after taking Jackie some place, and that is good. And I have not dropped her, which is an even bigger plus.

    I did feel a little sad today.  One friend returned from Italy, another returned from Vermont, and I went shopping.  

    I wonder which of us had more fun?

Peace and Love

dream homes

 I admit, I was impressed

    One of the Chicago TV stations had a story of a penthouse for sale on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

    It has 8,000 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, and a to die for outdoor green space of 5,000 square feet.

    It had been listed for sale at $17 million but was reduced to $12 million.

    I looked at pictures and could see myself sitting out on the lawn, 24 stories above street level,  watching the lake and the city from up high.  I could almost taste the hot chocolate on a late winter night as a fire burned in one of the several fireplaces.  Maybe I would have a fire outside, in a firepit, as I watched the lake ice over.

    Or in the summere watching the fireworks at Navy Pier, a few close friends over to use the 6 bathrooms or to join me on the green space playing croquet.  

    Now, all I need is for 12 friends to join me in my venture.  If 12 of you each pitch in a million, we could buy this and use it for a vacation home.  Of course, my investment is in time and effort, not actual money.  Plus someone would have to clean the bathrooms, so that would also be part of my contribution.

    I don't think I am a Communist, but when I see people with mult-million dollar homes, and yachts worth more than the value of some countries, I think we are a little messed up.  There has to be a better way than having a few amass so much while so many struggle to get through life.

    My brother and sister in law in Florida came through Ian ok.  They lost power unmtil today, and as of this afternoon did not have water, but relatively slight damage in their area near Fort Myers.  I don't know if my brother heard anything about his place, but I will call tomorrow for an update.

    And Florida friend Elle, I hear you are safe.  How is your house?  Can you get to it?

    After listening to Bob and Anita talk about the storm, I realized I would go crazy if I was in their situation.  I panic at tornado watches and severe thunder storms.  But hours with pounding rain, hellacious wind and no electricity would put me over the edge.

I'll never leave Illinois.

Peace and Love

slowly, very slowly

I actually got a project done today 

    I finished my downspout extensions project.

    Feeling much better, I opted to work in the sun for a while. 

    Here was my plan:  I had four downspouts that needed new extensions.  One was simply put a gutter piece on but the others were more complicated.  I wanted them so they could be flipped  up when I was mowing.  I figure I spend about 10 minutes every time I mow taking downspouts off and putting them on again.

    I decided to hinge three of them.  That involved cutting away part of the top of he extension, screwing it to the elbow, and screwing it back onto the downspout.

    I am proud to say after 23 hours of effort, I have finished.  Figuring it saves me 10 minutes a mowing, and I mow 20 times a year, I will save 200 minutes a year.  So in 7 years, I should be ahead of the time saving game!

    What a waste.

    I also took out some yard things that I don't need anymore.  I took pictues of a fertilizer spreader, lawn roller, and my core aerator.  I figure to post the pictures on Facebook and sell them.

    But the aerator had a flat tire that would not air up.  Plus it looks a little rusty.  And it has been repaired.

    So....I made a sign that said "Free" and rolled it to the end of the driveway.  It was gone in 15 minutes!

    And you know, I don't feel bad about it.  I feel good!  I got rid of something that I no longer needed.....and that is damn rare for me.

    Maybe it is because I felt good today, or maybe I am just figuring out it is time to seriously get rid of unwanted items, but I am glad I did it.

    In any case, it is a big step for me.

    Now, maybe I will throw away that nut I bought.

    Bob and Anita are without power, last we heard.  Hunkered down in their house near Fort Myers and playing cards by flashlight.  Keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers as this storm makes its way across Florida.

Peace and Love

eh????

 Sometimes aging is just the pits

    Actual conversation tonight:

    Mwa mwa ma waa ah

    I can't hear you dear.  I am busy with the dishes.

I finish what I am doing, go out and say, what was it you wanted?

    She said, Huh?

    You said something to me and I don't know what you said.

    I don't remember.

    Really!  

    That is what aging does to you!  I can't hear and she can't remember.  I did not have my hearing aids in because I didn't feel like it.  I don't know why she can't remember though.  It must not have been important.

    I decided to use my at home Covid tests to be sure I have nothing more than a cold.

    I have 6 tests.....all 6 expired in May!  What the hell!!  I did not know they had expiration dates.  Emily said not to trust them as the results may be inaccurate.

    Talked to my brother and sister in law in Florida.  They are in the Fort Myers area and are hunkered down.  Tonight they have a tornado warning.  The spent the last couple of days storing anything loose, putting up hurricane shutters, stocking up on water and making sure the generator worked.  

    They have  a house, so it should withstand Ian.  My brother Carl has a mobile home down there and he is hoping it is still there in a few days.  Luckily he and his wife are still in Rockford.

    My cold is better.  I am still tired.  Still have a cough, but not like Monday.  I am sipping on a hot toddy and suddenly feel very warm!  I make it with water, a healthy dose of whiskey, and honey.  It soothes my throat and makes me tired.

    Hopefully this all make sense because it makes me a little goofy too.

    And Julia asked me this morning "At what point do you turn on the heat?  It is 64 downstairs."

    I told her we usually don't turn it on until October....but I did because I don't want to see her freezing while she works.

Peace and Love 

I say Eh, again

 Wow, I think I have become a dwarf

    Not Sneezy or Doc, but Dopey and Whiney.  I am not sure Whiney is on of Snow White's pals, but I am that today.  And Dopey.  Always.

    I have a cold.  The only thing worse than a man having a cold is the end of the world.

    I spent the day in my recliner, sleeping or reading.  Normally that is ok for a 74 year old retiree, but I have things to do and places to go.

    I have been sleeping well.  But, and there is always a big butt, I have slept the first couple of hours in the den with the window's open.  I may have gotten a chill from that practice.

    No fever, slight cough, headachy, tired and sore.  Like I said, Whiney.

My taste buds are fully functioning, as is my nose.  

    We are keeping an eye on huricane Ian because Jackie's brother and sister-in-law are in the Fort Myers area.  We talked to them today and they were taking in anything that could blow and putting up the hurricane shutters.  I asked about fleeing, but he said the roads were pretty packed and there may be nowhere to go.

    So..Anita and Bob, Elle, Jack, and any one else who may read this, be safe.  Keep calm.  Keep us posted.  My brother Carl ususally goes down in late October or early November and hopefully he has a place to go to.

    If my spelling is a little weird, I am having a rather strong hot toddy.......just hope I stay awake until bedtime.

Peace and Love

Eh...

 That describes today

    Went to a fund raiser, called a woman by her sister's name, went shopping for a nut, watched the Bears eke out a victory.

    The fundraiser was a huge event.  Lots of people,with music, raffles, food.... all for a local girl who has spinal bifida and wanted to raise money to help find a cure, or preventative, for this crippling disease.  Since it was also her birthday, it was a kind of fund raising birthday party.  It was a nice event.

    Saw lots of people I have not seen in a while, which is always good.  

    My big buy of the day was a nut.

    While Emily was gone this weekend, I thought it would be nice for dad to replace the broken wheel on her hose cart with the new wheel she ordered.  Except, the bad wheel was off and I could not find the nut.

    So I took the remaining nut on the left side and went to buy a nut yesterday.  But the one I bought yesterday was too small.  It was 3/8.  Emily mentioned it may have been a metric measurement, since it was improted.  So today I went and bought a 12 mm bolt, which is about 1/2 inch.  

    I got back to her house and.....Voila!!  She found the missing bolt and put the wheel on herself.

    If anyone needs a 12 mm bolt that costs 79 cents, let me know and I will give it to you.

    Also looked at the haul Julia bought a the Warren's Cranfest event.  Lots of neat yard type ornaments.  They did see a  metal bison, but the $1,100 price tag seemed a bit much for something to stick out in t he yard. They had a fun time.

 The six jobs I had to do this weekend did not get done.  I need to scale back on my expectations.  So the six jobs will get done this week.  And probably several more will be added.

    I am incredibly tired for not doing anything.  I don't have a fever, but feel warm.  About 4 times an hour I cough.  It's almost like I a getting a cold.

    Might be hot toddy time.

Peace and Love

WTH

 Today just flew past

    I was up fairly early.  Well, 9 a.m. anyway.  I went to let out the dogs at Emily's at 10:30, went back at 2:30 and again at 5:30.

    I did not need to go at 5:30 since she got home while I was there.

    I also went to the market at Cypress House.  

    We have been out of the highly addictive white chocolate pretzels for a couple of weeks, and they just got a shipment yesterday.

    Owner Krista saw me and told me there were in, so I got 3 bags.  

    I don't know why I love these so much.  I can't eat just one, or two.  Jackie likes them also, but she only eats two at a time.

    I also took more items to the Pickin Station.  I can't seem to find what I want to take there, however.  I need to do a thorough search of boxes in the basement this week.

    Jackie asked me to make cookies, and I did that.  She read the directions and checked to be sure they looked ok.  They taste fine.

    I also did 3 loads of laundry.  

    So I was surprised when I looked a the clock and saw it was almost 8.  It seems like the day just flew by, which I think happens when you get busy.

    I already have several small chores on my to do list for tomorrow, but the Bears are on and I may watch a little of that.

    At least I slept will last night.  I never heard the cuckoo at midnight, and did not get up from my den chair until 1:30, but I went right back to sleep in bed after that.  I hope I have the same luck tonight.

Peace and Love