Yes, I went to see Bear the Big Black Dog and he came home with me on a trial basis. He is a sweet, sweet thing and is fitting in beautifully here at 58OHR so I think he's found a permanent home. He seems to love it here (why wouldn't he? He hopped on the bed the first night and slept all night there). I was cabling him outside but today he got to go out unchaperoned and he didn't wander or leave the yard. No, I'm sure that will come later. I haven't walked him around the neighborhood yet, or taken him to the water. As far as he knows our world consists of the house, the yard and the car. He's excellent in the car but insists on sitting in the front seat (that's where Tess always sat). Treasure does not approve of him much but she's a good girl and hasn't objected too strenuously. She did growl (quietly) at him twice and pretend-snapped at him once (a snap in slow motion) but mostly she just ignores him and when he gets on the couch she mostly gets down with a heavy sigh. It will work out. He is not a brown girl but he is a very nice dog.
This weather is so very tiresome! It's raining again. We had a nice day yesterday, sunny and comfortable. I didn't really take advantage of that. I did get to the gym with Annie yesterday, then went to visit with the neighbors then went to Plattsburgh to get a collar and ID tag for Bear, then picked up Marylou at the Pbg airport and took her home to Wilmington. That was all fine. Bear was an excellent passenger.
Today I went to Fred's for coffee, then Bill, Linda, Fred and I went out for breakfast and had a really nice time. I love going out for breakfast. Don't bother ordering the pancakes at the former Pancake Haven in Wilmington, but the eggs are consistently good and L. reports that the sausage gravy is tasty.
I did what I rarely do this afternoon: I napped. A long, deep sleep. Wow that was something, but what else could I do on a rainy day like this? Tomorrow I absolutely have to clean my house, and hopefully will do some planting in the morning. I have to drag the mower out of the shed and at least start to think about mowing the lawn. It's not very long yet, fortunately.
Tonight is dinner with Annie, her brother and his wife. That will be nice. I think tomorrow I'll hit the gym with Annie in the morning, then I will be productive oh yes I will.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Nattering at night
I'm up at 11:00, went to sleep earlier but woke and now am perky and full of (not-quite) energy. OK, not perky, either, but wide awake.
The black flies are bad this year, even this early. I remember years ago when they were so thick you really couldn't be outside, even to walk to your car, and they're not that bad yet but man are they thick and hungry. I did some outside planting today and had to take breaks to come in for relief. We had some very hot days last week (wow, was that just last week? seems long ago) and that really revved them up. It's cool in the morning and they're not too bad (maybe).
I have a busy morning, meeting Carol to walk at 6:30, phone call to my mother after that, then coffee with Linda and Fred, then my friend the potter is coming to pick up a couple of bicycles so she can use the gears for an art project in Plattsburgh. I have 3 bicycles in my shed--1 was my sister's when she lived in Colorado in the 70's, 2 are more than 25 years old and were hardly ever used. Boy wouldn't it be nice to get rid of them, or at least one of them! We'll see.
I called my dog breeder today, which took courage. I wanted to know if she has any dogs to place and yes, indeed she does. She has a 3-year-old black male she needs to find a home for, plus she has a litter of pups born today. I don't really want a male and I don't really want a puppy so I'm wondering. I'm going to meet the male on Saturday afternoon. I won't know if I want this dog until I get to know him so I need to RELAX about the whole thing. As soon as I hung up the phone I started to cry--no, I don't want a different dog, male or female, I want my brown dog back. Too bad for me. That does NOT mean it's too soon to get another dog, it just means I miss Tess. Treasure and I are doing well but we tend to cling to each other.
I was thinking of sleeping in the boat house tonight but it's chilly so I stayed home. I think I'll sleep there tomorrow night, that would be nice. The woods are intensely green, a very bright green, one of my favorite things. The far shore practically glows.
Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow, have errands to run and may meet Julie in the afternoon. or not meet her, she doesn't know what she's doing. I'm going to town anyway, have to pick up meds and get DEET, lots and lots of DEET. Plus more geraniums. I've been plant shopping 3 times so far and have all I need for my deck but I still need a few more geraniums for the cemetery. 3 for my father, 3 for my brother, 2 for my grandparents and 2 for my favorite cousin. I hogged some of the ones I already bought for my deck planters.
Life is good. I'm slowly adjusting to summer pace with summer friends. Better speed up the process--all hell breaks loose this weekend.
The black flies are bad this year, even this early. I remember years ago when they were so thick you really couldn't be outside, even to walk to your car, and they're not that bad yet but man are they thick and hungry. I did some outside planting today and had to take breaks to come in for relief. We had some very hot days last week (wow, was that just last week? seems long ago) and that really revved them up. It's cool in the morning and they're not too bad (maybe).
I have a busy morning, meeting Carol to walk at 6:30, phone call to my mother after that, then coffee with Linda and Fred, then my friend the potter is coming to pick up a couple of bicycles so she can use the gears for an art project in Plattsburgh. I have 3 bicycles in my shed--1 was my sister's when she lived in Colorado in the 70's, 2 are more than 25 years old and were hardly ever used. Boy wouldn't it be nice to get rid of them, or at least one of them! We'll see.
I called my dog breeder today, which took courage. I wanted to know if she has any dogs to place and yes, indeed she does. She has a 3-year-old black male she needs to find a home for, plus she has a litter of pups born today. I don't really want a male and I don't really want a puppy so I'm wondering. I'm going to meet the male on Saturday afternoon. I won't know if I want this dog until I get to know him so I need to RELAX about the whole thing. As soon as I hung up the phone I started to cry--no, I don't want a different dog, male or female, I want my brown dog back. Too bad for me. That does NOT mean it's too soon to get another dog, it just means I miss Tess. Treasure and I are doing well but we tend to cling to each other.
I was thinking of sleeping in the boat house tonight but it's chilly so I stayed home. I think I'll sleep there tomorrow night, that would be nice. The woods are intensely green, a very bright green, one of my favorite things. The far shore practically glows.
Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow, have errands to run and may meet Julie in the afternoon. or not meet her, she doesn't know what she's doing. I'm going to town anyway, have to pick up meds and get DEET, lots and lots of DEET. Plus more geraniums. I've been plant shopping 3 times so far and have all I need for my deck but I still need a few more geraniums for the cemetery. 3 for my father, 3 for my brother, 2 for my grandparents and 2 for my favorite cousin. I hogged some of the ones I already bought for my deck planters.
Life is good. I'm slowly adjusting to summer pace with summer friends. Better speed up the process--all hell breaks loose this weekend.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Springing fast
Wow what a difference 2 days make. I spent yesterday in the 1000 Islands region with Julie. It was gorgeous there, the hotel was right on the St. Lawrence and we had a lovely little balcony overlooking the river. I had my morning coffee on the balcony yesterday, then went to the fitness center and did 20 minutes on the treadmill. I would have done more (wuddashuddacuda) but I couldn't get the TV on the treadmill to work right so I got bored.
I went to the meeting and 2 presentations but did I really care? Is it possible to remove yourself completely from a profession you were proudly a member of for almost 40 years? Apparently. Or else maybe I'm just so self-centered that I'm not interested in anything that doesn't relate to or have to do with me. At any rate it was an OK day and I saw some good people, it was nice to see them. We had and OK drive there and back but it's 3 1/2 hours no matter which way you go.
Treasure boarded well and was happy to see me. I wondered if she expected to find Tess at the kennel but who knows what dogs think and she was fine. I asked Deb (kennel owner and dog breeder) if Treasure was, perhaps a little fat: YES she said without hesitation. I realize I've been over-feeding her especially with doggie junk food because I was trying to get Tess to eat and you can't feed one dog without feeding the other, right? Anyway now poor Treasure has to deal with dietary restrictions. This will not be easy.
Today I met Carol in AuSable at 6:45 and we had a really nice walk around town. It's warm (too warm, at 81) so we walked outside. Tomorrow we'll go back to the treadmills if it's as cool as predicted. I took some things to Linda's this morning. She arrives this afternoon. YIKES. This afternoon I think I'll go to the boat house, put the furniture on the porch then sit there in the cool breeze off the lake and maybe read a while. or nap. I was up at 4 this morning, felt troubled and couldn't sleep.
Busy time here, this weekend. There will be much greeting and happy times. To celebrate we have leaves on trees.
I went to the meeting and 2 presentations but did I really care? Is it possible to remove yourself completely from a profession you were proudly a member of for almost 40 years? Apparently. Or else maybe I'm just so self-centered that I'm not interested in anything that doesn't relate to or have to do with me. At any rate it was an OK day and I saw some good people, it was nice to see them. We had and OK drive there and back but it's 3 1/2 hours no matter which way you go.
Treasure boarded well and was happy to see me. I wondered if she expected to find Tess at the kennel but who knows what dogs think and she was fine. I asked Deb (kennel owner and dog breeder) if Treasure was, perhaps a little fat: YES she said without hesitation. I realize I've been over-feeding her especially with doggie junk food because I was trying to get Tess to eat and you can't feed one dog without feeding the other, right? Anyway now poor Treasure has to deal with dietary restrictions. This will not be easy.
Today I met Carol in AuSable at 6:45 and we had a really nice walk around town. It's warm (too warm, at 81) so we walked outside. Tomorrow we'll go back to the treadmills if it's as cool as predicted. I took some things to Linda's this morning. She arrives this afternoon. YIKES. This afternoon I think I'll go to the boat house, put the furniture on the porch then sit there in the cool breeze off the lake and maybe read a while. or nap. I was up at 4 this morning, felt troubled and couldn't sleep.
Busy time here, this weekend. There will be much greeting and happy times. To celebrate we have leaves on trees.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Long week
It's been a hard week. Tess' cough was terrible and getting worse so I took her to the vet on Weds. He xrayed her lungs and found a large mass so I had her put to sleep. It wasn't hard decision, she clearly was suffering. It was a hard thing to do but it's such a peaceful procedure and the vet is a compassionate and gentle man so it was I suppose as easy as it could be. Anyway it's over. I'm cried out (well, almost) and moving on. What does Treasure think? who knows what dogs think but she stays pretty close to me and stares at me ALL the time. I've been giving her lots of affection and attention. We're a good team I think and I do know that all will be fine. I don't know when or if I'll get another dog. I may contact my breeder to see if she has any adult dogs she's looking to place--that's how I got Treasure, and Chances Are. I've had 4 of her dogs, all sweet.
So that was last week. The weekend was all right. I went to the gym twice--Carol was out of town so I went by myself but there were people there I knew so time didn't drag (too much). I had lunch with Barb on Friday, she's a great comfort to me so that was good. Saturday I had coffee and a long visit with Julie. Tomorrow Julie and I are going to the 1000 Islands for an overnight. We'll have a good time together and doubtless it will be an adventure of sorts. It's a library thing. I don't belong at library things any more.
Today I went to the dump and had to tell Bob the Dump Man that I only need one biscuit for my dog, not two any more. He was sweet, gave Treasure an extra one and told me how sorry he was for my loss. People are good.
The weather has been rotten but right now it's 59 and the sun is out. We've had cold and rain for a long time but it's due to warm up this week. This is a big week in Hawkeye, summer people start arriving on Thursday. Soon enough it will be Memorial Day weekend an then all hell will break loose.
I have a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks at my feeder, a trio actually, 2 males and a female. That's pretty cool.
So that was last week. The weekend was all right. I went to the gym twice--Carol was out of town so I went by myself but there were people there I knew so time didn't drag (too much). I had lunch with Barb on Friday, she's a great comfort to me so that was good. Saturday I had coffee and a long visit with Julie. Tomorrow Julie and I are going to the 1000 Islands for an overnight. We'll have a good time together and doubtless it will be an adventure of sorts. It's a library thing. I don't belong at library things any more.
Today I went to the dump and had to tell Bob the Dump Man that I only need one biscuit for my dog, not two any more. He was sweet, gave Treasure an extra one and told me how sorry he was for my loss. People are good.
The weather has been rotten but right now it's 59 and the sun is out. We've had cold and rain for a long time but it's due to warm up this week. This is a big week in Hawkeye, summer people start arriving on Thursday. Soon enough it will be Memorial Day weekend an then all hell will break loose.
I have a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks at my feeder, a trio actually, 2 males and a female. That's pretty cool.
Sunday, May 07, 2017
BIG feet, REALLY BIG feet
Treasure remains unimpressed, however. She chases the bun-buns but never even gets close. Turns out those huge feet make for massive speed.
Saturday, May 06, 2017
Midnight musings
Haven't done this in a long time, but I'm up (I'M UP!!) and wide awake and it's not quite midnight. Tess has been coughing and hacking ceaselessly so it's hard to get back to sleep. I'm wondering if this behavior has become as much a habit as a symptom, but that's probably not right and a mean thought.
I've been reading The stranger in the forest, about a man who lived hidden in the Maine woods for 27 years with no human contact. It's supposed to be a true story but man is it suspiciously like a made-up story. It's interesting but worth a whole book? I'm not sure. Anyway the author posits that some people have a predisposition to living a solitary lifestyle. It makes me wonder about myself--although sometimes I feel I'm swimming in social contacts, I spend a lot of time by myself with just 2 dogs to keep me company. And they are great company, but they are not human. I don't mind being alone, fer shure, mostly when I spend a day without human contact it makes me feel as if there's almost something wrong with me. Not so much that something's missing from my life, but more that there must be something missing from ME. I don't think I've ever spent more than 2 days without seeing anyone, and I almost always talk to someone on the phone. I certainly email my friends and sister every day at least once so I guess in modern days I'm never without human contact of some sort. Does email count? I think it does.
Anyway I have my daily fix of human contact at the gym most mornings now. That can do it for the day. Carol and I talk for the half hour we're treadmilling, rarely do we run out of conversation (though that does happen sometimes).
It was Derby Day and my horse didn't win, or even come close to winning. I wonder if the winner (whose name escapes me) will end up being a Superhorse this year. Seems doubtful. I didn't really enjoy watching the race, I'm always nervous that something bad will happen, especially in mud. How can they not slip and slide in that stuff?
Sunday looks quiet. Gym time is 8:00, then I'll come home, read the paper and watch Sunday morning television (thank you, Jane Pauley), visit with the neighbors around 11 or so, be home by 1:30 or 2 and most likely call that a full day. What I hope I'll do is take my winter clothes, now nicely packed in bins upstairs and out of sight, which means I'll need to do some work in the master bedroom to make room for the bins. As my grandmother used to say "Horrors!"
I've been reading The stranger in the forest, about a man who lived hidden in the Maine woods for 27 years with no human contact. It's supposed to be a true story but man is it suspiciously like a made-up story. It's interesting but worth a whole book? I'm not sure. Anyway the author posits that some people have a predisposition to living a solitary lifestyle. It makes me wonder about myself--although sometimes I feel I'm swimming in social contacts, I spend a lot of time by myself with just 2 dogs to keep me company. And they are great company, but they are not human. I don't mind being alone, fer shure, mostly when I spend a day without human contact it makes me feel as if there's almost something wrong with me. Not so much that something's missing from my life, but more that there must be something missing from ME. I don't think I've ever spent more than 2 days without seeing anyone, and I almost always talk to someone on the phone. I certainly email my friends and sister every day at least once so I guess in modern days I'm never without human contact of some sort. Does email count? I think it does.
Anyway I have my daily fix of human contact at the gym most mornings now. That can do it for the day. Carol and I talk for the half hour we're treadmilling, rarely do we run out of conversation (though that does happen sometimes).
It was Derby Day and my horse didn't win, or even come close to winning. I wonder if the winner (whose name escapes me) will end up being a Superhorse this year. Seems doubtful. I didn't really enjoy watching the race, I'm always nervous that something bad will happen, especially in mud. How can they not slip and slide in that stuff?
Sunday looks quiet. Gym time is 8:00, then I'll come home, read the paper and watch Sunday morning television (thank you, Jane Pauley), visit with the neighbors around 11 or so, be home by 1:30 or 2 and most likely call that a full day. What I hope I'll do is take my winter clothes, now nicely packed in bins upstairs and out of sight, which means I'll need to do some work in the master bedroom to make room for the bins. As my grandmother used to say "Horrors!"
Wednesday, May 03, 2017
It always snows in May
So it was no real surprise that we had snow this morning. Nothing really worth reporting, just splashes of white on windows. What we mostly have now is mud, even though I'd call "official" mud season over. It's just rained and rained, and with the exception of tomorrow is supposed to rain more. There are signs of spring for sure and the poplars continue to green up the hills. This afternoon I watched an ermine (weasel) climb trees and run along the edge of the woods on my lawn. It was still almost totally white except for the black tip of its tail. Where was my camera? In the car of course, so I retrieved it and later took this shot of a varying/snowshoe hare. Very different from the ermine, the hares have almost turned into their summer fur of brown. They have white footies and underbellies but are hard to see against the dead leaves on the lawn. Hard for me, maybe, but Treasure and Tess have no problems spotting them. Treasure is convinced that someday, just maybe someday she'll catch one but she never returns with rabbit's feet in her mouth. When I was growing up we had a female dachshund that was the greatest huntress. Once we found her with several baby bunny feet sticking out of her mouth ("They're MINE, I found them, I get to keep them."). She was a sweet dog but incorrigible about running off.
Anyway here's the hare of the day:
Anyway here's the hare of the day:
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Green! I see green!
You could almost watch the poplar leaves pop out today. After some very nice, very warm weather spring has busted out all over. I drove to Keene today and there were teeny tiny but green leaves and some shad was in bloom. Very exciting! I heard a loon the other day. Very exciting! My daffodils are blooming like crazy. Very exciting! Goldfinches are bright yellow and at my feeder. Very exciting!
Oh I'm so easily entertained. But really this spring stuff is very exciting to me. I realize that it's almost May (very exciting) but still it just feels as if it's been a long, long time coming.
I had a good week but spent a fortune on my car. Spent much of Friday at the car place having my winter tires switched out, oil changed and brakes fixed. What a relief that was, the brakes were making an incredible and embarrassing noise.
Today I went to neighborhood yard sale in Upper Jay and found a grand wicker rocking chair for the boat house porch for $25. Very pleased with myself, I motored on to Keene to have coffee and a nice visit with Julie. Home after that, then to the boat house to drop off the chair--there I realized that I left the cushion to the chair on the ground in Upper Jay. duh. Oh was I pissed at myself. Back to UJ I drove and the nice woman had put my cushion aside so it was still there. On the way home from that trip I stopped at another sale and bought a perfectly respectable $10 dresser (50% off), which is now in my living room waiting to be filled with...oh whatever things I need places to hide. It wasn't easy getting it into the house but I'm proud to have managed that. Next I need to empty the dresser upstairs and bring it to my bedroom to replace the bookcase I store my clothes in. Not attractive, a bookcase full of clothes. I have 4 dressers upstairs and another in my bedroom already. Does this mean I collect dressers?
I went to the gym most days this week, but didn't go yesterday or today. Carol is out of town and apparently I'm incapable of going by myself. My goal=going there tomorrow morning. Since I have no other plans (aside from the Brousseau visit at noon) for the day I think I can manage it.
Oh I'm so easily entertained. But really this spring stuff is very exciting to me. I realize that it's almost May (very exciting) but still it just feels as if it's been a long, long time coming.
I had a good week but spent a fortune on my car. Spent much of Friday at the car place having my winter tires switched out, oil changed and brakes fixed. What a relief that was, the brakes were making an incredible and embarrassing noise.
Today I went to neighborhood yard sale in Upper Jay and found a grand wicker rocking chair for the boat house porch for $25. Very pleased with myself, I motored on to Keene to have coffee and a nice visit with Julie. Home after that, then to the boat house to drop off the chair--there I realized that I left the cushion to the chair on the ground in Upper Jay. duh. Oh was I pissed at myself. Back to UJ I drove and the nice woman had put my cushion aside so it was still there. On the way home from that trip I stopped at another sale and bought a perfectly respectable $10 dresser (50% off), which is now in my living room waiting to be filled with...oh whatever things I need places to hide. It wasn't easy getting it into the house but I'm proud to have managed that. Next I need to empty the dresser upstairs and bring it to my bedroom to replace the bookcase I store my clothes in. Not attractive, a bookcase full of clothes. I have 4 dressers upstairs and another in my bedroom already. Does this mean I collect dressers?
I went to the gym most days this week, but didn't go yesterday or today. Carol is out of town and apparently I'm incapable of going by myself. My goal=going there tomorrow morning. Since I have no other plans (aside from the Brousseau visit at noon) for the day I think I can manage it.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Cleaning day
It's been raining for 3 days but now it's clearing a bit and warmer (64) so I have the front door wide open and ahhhhhh spring air! I have on patch of daffodils blooming with a lot, no, really a LOT more to come.
I had a good weekend, spent nice time with Julie on Saturday, then had a busy Sunday. Went to the gym, went to P&J's, then had a very nice visit with Fred at his camp. Boy it was good to be there with him. Book group was that night, I made delicious scalloped potatoes but am a fool and filled the casserole too full so now I have cream and potato juice all over the bottom of the oven. What a doofus I am. Anyway book group was nice but Marylou gave us too much chocolate and I ate like a pig. I froze some of the chocolate, hoping what? that I'd forget about it and never eat it? No, that won't happen.
Monday was Windshield Day and Mr. Fix-it came in the afternoon. For some reason I got hysterical while waiting for him (he was 2 hours late but what difference does that make?). I do not, do NOT like having people come work on my house. Anyway he was fine and I now have the cleanest best windshield in Hawkeye. Bad brakes on the damn car, but a clear windshield. I went to Plattsburgh yesterday, ran errands, got groceries (at Hannaford, Joe), and had lunch with Julie. The brakes are grinding like crazy so I went to the car place but they couldn't fix them yesterday--I have an appointment with them Friday to switch my tires anyway, so I'm grounding the car until then. It freaks me out to drive it like this so I skipped the gym this morning. Tomorrow Carol will come here and we'll either walk around Hawkeye or she'll drive us to the gym.
So what did I do this morning? I got up at 5:30, waited until 7:15 to call my mother, had a nice long talk with her, then slept for nearly 2 hours. I do enjoy a good nap. Anyway, I'm slowly cleaning the living room, bathroom and kitchen now, have dusted and relieved the floor of its dog hair burden. Still have to vacuum the rug. Oh how I hate to vacuum.
I got some of Tess' pills yesterday but of course they didn't have the full number I need for a week so I'll have to go back for more. How is she? I think she's marginally better but that could just be wishful thinking and fantasy on my part. She's old and both she and I are tired of her hacking. But she's a sweet thing.
Sunday I tried to watch the horrible and stupid TV movie about the prison breakout of 2015--it was mostly about the woman who helped the inmates escape and boy oh boy was it a bad show. I didn't watch the whole show.
Linda called last night and we talked and talked. It's hard to believe that in 3 weeks the neighborhood will be buzzing. MAY is coming! Amazing.
Yesterday was my brother's birthday. How old would he be? Does it matter? He died and we all miss him terribly.
OK, back to work. My latest music crush is Elvis Costello so I'll crank him up and finish the downstairs. Except for the bedroom, that's just too big a project to start.
I had a good weekend, spent nice time with Julie on Saturday, then had a busy Sunday. Went to the gym, went to P&J's, then had a very nice visit with Fred at his camp. Boy it was good to be there with him. Book group was that night, I made delicious scalloped potatoes but am a fool and filled the casserole too full so now I have cream and potato juice all over the bottom of the oven. What a doofus I am. Anyway book group was nice but Marylou gave us too much chocolate and I ate like a pig. I froze some of the chocolate, hoping what? that I'd forget about it and never eat it? No, that won't happen.
Monday was Windshield Day and Mr. Fix-it came in the afternoon. For some reason I got hysterical while waiting for him (he was 2 hours late but what difference does that make?). I do not, do NOT like having people come work on my house. Anyway he was fine and I now have the cleanest best windshield in Hawkeye. Bad brakes on the damn car, but a clear windshield. I went to Plattsburgh yesterday, ran errands, got groceries (at Hannaford, Joe), and had lunch with Julie. The brakes are grinding like crazy so I went to the car place but they couldn't fix them yesterday--I have an appointment with them Friday to switch my tires anyway, so I'm grounding the car until then. It freaks me out to drive it like this so I skipped the gym this morning. Tomorrow Carol will come here and we'll either walk around Hawkeye or she'll drive us to the gym.
So what did I do this morning? I got up at 5:30, waited until 7:15 to call my mother, had a nice long talk with her, then slept for nearly 2 hours. I do enjoy a good nap. Anyway, I'm slowly cleaning the living room, bathroom and kitchen now, have dusted and relieved the floor of its dog hair burden. Still have to vacuum the rug. Oh how I hate to vacuum.
I got some of Tess' pills yesterday but of course they didn't have the full number I need for a week so I'll have to go back for more. How is she? I think she's marginally better but that could just be wishful thinking and fantasy on my part. She's old and both she and I are tired of her hacking. But she's a sweet thing.
Sunday I tried to watch the horrible and stupid TV movie about the prison breakout of 2015--it was mostly about the woman who helped the inmates escape and boy oh boy was it a bad show. I didn't watch the whole show.
Linda called last night and we talked and talked. It's hard to believe that in 3 weeks the neighborhood will be buzzing. MAY is coming! Amazing.
Yesterday was my brother's birthday. How old would he be? Does it matter? He died and we all miss him terribly.
OK, back to work. My latest music crush is Elvis Costello so I'll crank him up and finish the downstairs. Except for the bedroom, that's just too big a project to start.
Friday, April 21, 2017
What happened to spring?
OK, so it's not snowing, and it's above freezing but really, what's up with this weather? It's rainy and in the 40's every day, which isn't really miserable but it's pretty close. I long to see sunshine! Tomorrow is predicted to be almost better than today, Sunday for sure is supposed to be warmer and maybe even sunny.
Tomorrow morning I'll meet Carol at the gym at 8:15, meet Julie for coffee at 9:30 in Keene, then at some point take my garbage to the dump. Oh, first I'll call my mother in the early morning. OMG that's 4 things in one day. We'll see if I can really pull it off.
Monday I'm supposed to get my new windshield. A passing truck sent a rock/stone flying into my windshield on my way to RI and now the crack has spread two-thirds of the way across the windshield. I have visions of the window breaking in half, flying into the car and decapitating me as I drive merrily along listening to Elvis Costello. No, I've been assured this will not happen, they don't call it safety glass because it's dangerous. Oh I just don't know.
Tess is not doing well and will soon start her anti-fungal med. once again. I talked to the vet this afternoon and he's phoning in a prescription which I'll drive to Plattsburgh to pick up. But probably not until Tuesday. Oh the poor dog is coughing sooooo much. Then she looks at me. We don't know what they're saying, our animals, but is she pissed off because I haven't solved her problem yet? or is she sorry to be making such horrible sounds? or is there something going on that I can't even imagine-- I don't know what to think. I'm really tired of listening to her all day and all night but I feel so bad for her, so very very bad for her. This is a dangerous fungal infection, blastomycosis, and the treatment is expensive and also dangerous. Liver failure. Loss of appetite. Inability to eat. Blood tests. It just goes on and on.
My daffodils are up but they're stalled at about 4" high. Who can blame them?
Tomorrow morning I'll meet Carol at the gym at 8:15, meet Julie for coffee at 9:30 in Keene, then at some point take my garbage to the dump. Oh, first I'll call my mother in the early morning. OMG that's 4 things in one day. We'll see if I can really pull it off.
Monday I'm supposed to get my new windshield. A passing truck sent a rock/stone flying into my windshield on my way to RI and now the crack has spread two-thirds of the way across the windshield. I have visions of the window breaking in half, flying into the car and decapitating me as I drive merrily along listening to Elvis Costello. No, I've been assured this will not happen, they don't call it safety glass because it's dangerous. Oh I just don't know.
Tess is not doing well and will soon start her anti-fungal med. once again. I talked to the vet this afternoon and he's phoning in a prescription which I'll drive to Plattsburgh to pick up. But probably not until Tuesday. Oh the poor dog is coughing sooooo much. Then she looks at me. We don't know what they're saying, our animals, but is she pissed off because I haven't solved her problem yet? or is she sorry to be making such horrible sounds? or is there something going on that I can't even imagine-- I don't know what to think. I'm really tired of listening to her all day and all night but I feel so bad for her, so very very bad for her. This is a dangerous fungal infection, blastomycosis, and the treatment is expensive and also dangerous. Liver failure. Loss of appetite. Inability to eat. Blood tests. It just goes on and on.
My daffodils are up but they're stalled at about 4" high. Who can blame them?
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Easter came, Easter went
Just home from Little Rhody, went there on Thursday and drove home this morning. Had an easy trip home, trip driving there wasn't so sweet--my windshield was hit with a rock and how has a big crack in it. When I checked my banking from RI I found that someone had charged a bunch of stuff from online dating sites to my account. Fortunately my bank KNOWS I have no need of such help so denied the charges. Unfortunately they also canceled my debit card and are sending me a new one with a different number. I'll have to update online accounts as I think of them. Oh well whatever happens happens. The irony of someone cheating on a Christian online dating site is not lost on me.
We had a happy time visiting, Mark, Liza and I. Easter was a good day, we had our ceremonial lox and bagels breakfast (huge) then Mark & I went to the beach with Treasure for a nice long walk in the fog. We had a lamb dinner at the end of a nice day. We dyed eggs on Saturday--
(there are only 11 because one was too cracked to dye)
It was a pretty quiet visit, a couple of trips to town, mostly a lot of reading and visiting and resting.
Tess is not great, she's still coughing. I thought she was better but maybe the trip home was hard on her because she's been coughing a lot since we got home. I talked to the vet--Tess has lost her appetite, which is upsetting. The vet recommended we stop her med., which is fine with me because it's getting harder to get her to eat the pills. Oh dear. I'm not feeling optimistic about this.
Treasure is exhausted and passed out cold on the living room floor.
The ice is out of Silver Lake. I don't know when that happened but it happened while I was away.
The fog was thick at the beach in RI.
The dogs exhausted themselves playing with the Easter toys.
We had a happy time visiting, Mark, Liza and I. Easter was a good day, we had our ceremonial lox and bagels breakfast (huge) then Mark & I went to the beach with Treasure for a nice long walk in the fog. We had a lamb dinner at the end of a nice day. We dyed eggs on Saturday--
It was a pretty quiet visit, a couple of trips to town, mostly a lot of reading and visiting and resting.
Tess is not great, she's still coughing. I thought she was better but maybe the trip home was hard on her because she's been coughing a lot since we got home. I talked to the vet--Tess has lost her appetite, which is upsetting. The vet recommended we stop her med., which is fine with me because it's getting harder to get her to eat the pills. Oh dear. I'm not feeling optimistic about this.
Treasure is exhausted and passed out cold on the living room floor.
The ice is out of Silver Lake. I don't know when that happened but it happened while I was away.
The fog was thick at the beach in RI.
The dogs exhausted themselves playing with the Easter toys.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Spring has arrived
It was 70 yesterday, 67 right now and some of my daffodils are up (though only a few inches). I even have a few crocuses showing (but no blooms yet). There's still snow but there is also bare ground in spots and the driveway is muddy but not sloppy. I drive to the house once in a while and am very proud of the lack of ruts this year. I'm not usually so careful.
Tess has been maybe a little better but she's still hacking away. This is the 4th day of her meds and I had a conversation with the vet last night--he said it could take a week before a dramatic change would be seen. Oh boy I hope he's right. Today Tess seems to be hacking a little less but she's still sounding too human in her coughing. She's hard to have in the bedroom at night, I wake up several times to her noises and she seems to be worse in the night. She's a trooper, though, and is very perky and active. We walked to the mailbox the other day, which is nearly a mile and she went along but oh my goodness is she ever slow.
I went to the gym Sat., Sunday and yesterday but we skipped today. Tomorrow we meet at 6:15. We agreed that soon we have to pick up the pace, increase speed and/or incline. I'm winded at my present pace but still able to talk fairly easily. I've lost 14 pounds, coming along, coming along.
I had a fairly uneventful weekend, saw the neighbors on Sunday. Had to go to Plattsburgh too many times last week. Went yesterday to have lunch with Barb and deliver her Easter basket. I made 2 baskets handily and was pleased to find that I enjoyed the weaving and that the baskets turned out well. I'd make more but what for? I may weave a few to have on hand, I don't know.
Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow to pick up more meds for Tess and have lunch with Julie. She's returning from DC today so we can compare notes on our travels.
Thursday I drive to RI for my Easter visit. I'm looking forward to being there. We'll do our usual visiting and maybe hit the beach. It's pansy time in southern New England so I'm hoping we get to buy some. It feels early for pansies here but I think we're past the worst of hard frosts so they should be all right on my deck. Color! Flowers! I didn't plant any seeds this year, deciding to wait until the ground thaws and direct sow the seeds.
Treasure is just fine. I try to give her lots of attention and affection to make up for the extra time spent with Tess and worrying about Tess. Dogs don't measure how much time you spend with the others, I know that.
Tess has been maybe a little better but she's still hacking away. This is the 4th day of her meds and I had a conversation with the vet last night--he said it could take a week before a dramatic change would be seen. Oh boy I hope he's right. Today Tess seems to be hacking a little less but she's still sounding too human in her coughing. She's hard to have in the bedroom at night, I wake up several times to her noises and she seems to be worse in the night. She's a trooper, though, and is very perky and active. We walked to the mailbox the other day, which is nearly a mile and she went along but oh my goodness is she ever slow.
I went to the gym Sat., Sunday and yesterday but we skipped today. Tomorrow we meet at 6:15. We agreed that soon we have to pick up the pace, increase speed and/or incline. I'm winded at my present pace but still able to talk fairly easily. I've lost 14 pounds, coming along, coming along.
I had a fairly uneventful weekend, saw the neighbors on Sunday. Had to go to Plattsburgh too many times last week. Went yesterday to have lunch with Barb and deliver her Easter basket. I made 2 baskets handily and was pleased to find that I enjoyed the weaving and that the baskets turned out well. I'd make more but what for? I may weave a few to have on hand, I don't know.
Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow to pick up more meds for Tess and have lunch with Julie. She's returning from DC today so we can compare notes on our travels.
Thursday I drive to RI for my Easter visit. I'm looking forward to being there. We'll do our usual visiting and maybe hit the beach. It's pansy time in southern New England so I'm hoping we get to buy some. It feels early for pansies here but I think we're past the worst of hard frosts so they should be all right on my deck. Color! Flowers! I didn't plant any seeds this year, deciding to wait until the ground thaws and direct sow the seeds.
Treasure is just fine. I try to give her lots of attention and affection to make up for the extra time spent with Tess and worrying about Tess. Dogs don't measure how much time you spend with the others, I know that.
Friday, April 07, 2017
Fungus dog
Tess' test came back positive, a little ambiguous but positive so she's taking an anti-fungal med. as of today. The vet, who is wonderful called last night with the results of the urinalysis and then called in the prescription to the drug store I use in Plattsburgh. This morning I went to the pharmacy and got the 10 pills, a 5-day supply for $150. Honestly, America is a wonderful place but there are things about it that are just unacceptable. The vet called me this afternoon and told me how to order the same drug from a Canadian firm for 1/7th the price. Now we'll see how she responds to this med. I sure hope it works, I feel so sorry for the poor girl. She hacks and coughs and sputters so much, then looks at me with such a sorry look in her eyes. I have faith in this vet so I have hope that Tess will be OK. If left untreated blastomycosis can be fatal. Does this treatment make sense for a 14-year-old dog? Well now that I know how to get the drug at a lower price, yes I think it does.
Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh, too just to get a few things. I made a couple of baskets this week (!) and needed some supplies to finish them. Both baskets turned out well but they are simple designs. I don't seem to be able to do anything fancy and I don't seem to remember how to shape baskets except in squares and rectangles. At any rate I really did enjoy making these baskets and it was nice to be good at it.
Skipped the gym this morning but will meet Carol there tomorrow morning. Let's get back to the routine! We skipped Monday this week, too. I do know that I can go there alone, duh, but we have a good time there together.
It's snowing right now. Been spitting all day and my house is so no-warm. I can't seem to get my fires hot lately and boy is that frustrating. We may get a few inches of snow overnight tonight, then Sunday is supposed to maybe, just maybe be sunny and 50. Right now it's 37 and gray. Been gray all week.
Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh, too just to get a few things. I made a couple of baskets this week (!) and needed some supplies to finish them. Both baskets turned out well but they are simple designs. I don't seem to be able to do anything fancy and I don't seem to remember how to shape baskets except in squares and rectangles. At any rate I really did enjoy making these baskets and it was nice to be good at it.
Skipped the gym this morning but will meet Carol there tomorrow morning. Let's get back to the routine! We skipped Monday this week, too. I do know that I can go there alone, duh, but we have a good time there together.
It's snowing right now. Been spitting all day and my house is so no-warm. I can't seem to get my fires hot lately and boy is that frustrating. We may get a few inches of snow overnight tonight, then Sunday is supposed to maybe, just maybe be sunny and 50. Right now it's 37 and gray. Been gray all week.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
D.C. travelogue
"when doing the dishes is the highlight of your day you have to laugh"
So says my friend Carol. That's because doing the dishes in hot water WAS the highlight of my day. Because the water came out of my own faucet. yes, it's true, I have indoor plumbing again. I turned on the pump tonight and it came up to pressure just the way it was supposed to. Boy was I relieved, I was worried that the frozen line (if that's what it was) had burst somewhere between the house and the well. I like to think I'm an optimist but sometimes I just feel the worst will happen. Anyway it's all good. I just took a shower in my very own shower, first time in more than 3 weeks. So now I'm back to what passes for normal at 58OHR.
I'm still going to the gym in the morning, this week we meet at 6 a.m. because of my friend's work schedule. That means I'm up at 5 and out of the house by 5:30. This morning that meant walking down the driveway. in the mud. in the rain. in the dark. Oh I was thrilled. But I did it--we agree that our dedication to treadmills is mostly due to our allegiance to each other and our promises of showing up. Whatever works, and this works very well.
I made a basket this week, not something I do often any more. It's an Easter basket for my friend's grandchild and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. It only took 2 hours to make, the large baskets tend to take less time because there's less weaving involved if you use big weavers. I never used to time myself making baskets but I was curious yesterday so kept track. Will I make more baskets? I was tempted to make another one yesterday but decided not to.
Tess is still hacking and a mess. She's good during the day but nights are worse. It's hard to get a good night's sleep with her coughing and hacking so much. I shouldn't complain, I feel really sorry for the poor dear. I did finally collect enough urine for a sample, which I delivered to the vet on Saturday. They had to mail it out (postage included in the $180 charge) so I won't hear the results until the end of the week apparently. I just feel bad for Tess, she's tired of this. (so am I, but then I'm not the one with the problem)
Next week I head to RI for an Easter visit. I'll get pansies, that will be nice.
I'm still going to the gym in the morning, this week we meet at 6 a.m. because of my friend's work schedule. That means I'm up at 5 and out of the house by 5:30. This morning that meant walking down the driveway. in the mud. in the rain. in the dark. Oh I was thrilled. But I did it--we agree that our dedication to treadmills is mostly due to our allegiance to each other and our promises of showing up. Whatever works, and this works very well.
I made a basket this week, not something I do often any more. It's an Easter basket for my friend's grandchild and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. It only took 2 hours to make, the large baskets tend to take less time because there's less weaving involved if you use big weavers. I never used to time myself making baskets but I was curious yesterday so kept track. Will I make more baskets? I was tempted to make another one yesterday but decided not to.
Tess is still hacking and a mess. She's good during the day but nights are worse. It's hard to get a good night's sleep with her coughing and hacking so much. I shouldn't complain, I feel really sorry for the poor dear. I did finally collect enough urine for a sample, which I delivered to the vet on Saturday. They had to mail it out (postage included in the $180 charge) so I won't hear the results until the end of the week apparently. I just feel bad for Tess, she's tired of this. (so am I, but then I'm not the one with the problem)
Next week I head to RI for an Easter visit. I'll get pansies, that will be nice.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Tess update
Tess, Treasure and I drove to Westport yesterday to see our favorite vet. I was hysterical, the dogs thought it was a nice day for a drive. Tess was sedated and David looked at her larynx (no sign of paralysis or any growths) and x-rayed her lungs (which were "hard" but just old dog lungs). He says she doesn't have what we thought she did, instead he's guessing she might have a fungal infection called blastomycosis. Oh swell. Could my dog have a simple limp? Oh no, we have to go for an infection that costs $200 worth of urinalysis to diagnose. I was terribly relieved and cried a lot. Today I'm trying to collect $200 worth of urine from a most uncooperative dog. I collected 1/2 a teaspoon this morning, called Westport to see if it was enough and they said no, they need about 2 tablespoons. Yikes, see you next week, folks. I'll keep trying but man is Tess not helpful. I had hoped to get the sample to them today to hasten diagnosis. oh well.
Meanwhile I went to the gym every morning with Carol--we had a lot of catching up to do. Walking on a treadmill is different from walking on the streets of Washington. No sore knees, no shin splints. I have lost a total of 14 pounds but seem to be stuck. Gee, I wonder if the raspberry jam from Marylou has anything to do with that? Man oh man is that stuff delicious!
Tomorrow I'm due t meet Julie in Keene for coffee. If we believe the weather predictors we won't be able to drive there but I'm optimistic. Apparently we're getting maybe 3 inches of snow or maybe 10 inches of snow. or maybe rain. but no, snow. It's snowing right now but it's not the big flakes I expected. Temp is 35 so that doesn't make sense.
I still don't have water in my house. No news on that front, nor do I expect any change in that for a few weeks probably. We still have about a foot of snow on the ground. OK, so maybe it won't be a few weeks, but a couple at least. I'm going to RI for Easter--should I just go there now, where water comes out of the faucets? No, I like being at home.
Meanwhile I went to the gym every morning with Carol--we had a lot of catching up to do. Walking on a treadmill is different from walking on the streets of Washington. No sore knees, no shin splints. I have lost a total of 14 pounds but seem to be stuck. Gee, I wonder if the raspberry jam from Marylou has anything to do with that? Man oh man is that stuff delicious!
Tomorrow I'm due t meet Julie in Keene for coffee. If we believe the weather predictors we won't be able to drive there but I'm optimistic. Apparently we're getting maybe 3 inches of snow or maybe 10 inches of snow. or maybe rain. but no, snow. It's snowing right now but it's not the big flakes I expected. Temp is 35 so that doesn't make sense.
I still don't have water in my house. No news on that front, nor do I expect any change in that for a few weeks probably. We still have about a foot of snow on the ground. OK, so maybe it won't be a few weeks, but a couple at least. I'm going to RI for Easter--should I just go there now, where water comes out of the faucets? No, I like being at home.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Long time gone
Things are back to (more or less) normal for me now. I just got home from Washington (DC) where I spent 5 days with the Holts. We had a grand time but man oh man did we walk a lot. I thought I'd be in better shape but I blame my sore knees and feet on the shoes I took. I thought they'd be good walking shoes but I think I was wrong. Anyway we walked. and walked. and walked. They live in the Watergate, which isn't far from Georgetown and the Metro stop and Whole Foods, but you do have to walk to all of those places.
We went to museums. My favorite? By far the Newseum. They have great exhibits and films, and just my luck are featuring a big exhibit on rock and politics. Oh so many fantastic things to see and watch! Springsteen's draft card. Film on concerts. Clapton's guitar. Ahhh, I basked in it. We went to the Botanical Garden, an art gallery, Georgetown for dinner, the Kennedy Center for a concert, the Museum of Natural History to the butterfly room, Rush's very impressive office at AAAS, Whole Foods a couple of times, the FDR and MLK memorials, the cherry blossoms, and more. It was good with lots of visiting. And some resting.
I almost missed my flight coming home this morning, as only I would do. I was waiting at the wrong gate until I heard my name on the intercom telling me to go to the right gate. Ahhhh, to be me. The flight was fine, as was the flight going down. I got home this afternoon, retrieved the retrievers and am settled in now. Tess is all right but the kennel owner reports that she was coughing up small amounts of blood so I called the vet and will take her in on Thursday. He said they will probably knock her out, maybe there's a mass by her larynx. So the surgery I was not planning on may happen anyway. Oh what the hell, it's only money.
Going to the gym with Carol in the morning. That will be nice. Life goes on.
We went to museums. My favorite? By far the Newseum. They have great exhibits and films, and just my luck are featuring a big exhibit on rock and politics. Oh so many fantastic things to see and watch! Springsteen's draft card. Film on concerts. Clapton's guitar. Ahhh, I basked in it. We went to the Botanical Garden, an art gallery, Georgetown for dinner, the Kennedy Center for a concert, the Museum of Natural History to the butterfly room, Rush's very impressive office at AAAS, Whole Foods a couple of times, the FDR and MLK memorials, the cherry blossoms, and more. It was good with lots of visiting. And some resting.
I almost missed my flight coming home this morning, as only I would do. I was waiting at the wrong gate until I heard my name on the intercom telling me to go to the right gate. Ahhhh, to be me. The flight was fine, as was the flight going down. I got home this afternoon, retrieved the retrievers and am settled in now. Tess is all right but the kennel owner reports that she was coughing up small amounts of blood so I called the vet and will take her in on Thursday. He said they will probably knock her out, maybe there's a mass by her larynx. So the surgery I was not planning on may happen anyway. Oh what the hell, it's only money.
Going to the gym with Carol in the morning. That will be nice. Life goes on.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Can it be? Oh yes, it's on its way
So much like early (very early) spring today! It was -8 in the morning but up to 38 in the incredibly bright and warm sunshine this afternoon. I love this weather.
The plumber returned, replaced the pressure tank but oh no! the pump still won't come up to pressure. I diagnosed the problem, at least I think I did: the line between the house and the well is frozen (and frozen GOOD). The pump won't pull water from the well but the line going to the well has water in it so the well is probably not dry. What difference does it make, really? I don't have water and won't for a long, long time. I think it was a perfect storm while I was in RI--bare ground, subzero temps, no water moving through the lines. I just hope the line hasn't burst, that's all I need. Anyway I have generous and wonderful friends and have easy access to water.
Went to the gym yesterday and today with Carol, that was nice. Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh for lunch with Barb and taking care of a few errands. Today I took a shower at Carol's then visited for a bit over coffee, very nice. They have one of the best views in the Adks for sure--panorama of the Silver Lake Mtn. bluffs. Really spectacular. After that I went to the dump, then stopped for a short visit at P&J's, then came home and was industrious. I swept and started tidying up the living room (hosting book group tomorrow), did 2 loads of laundry at the Holts (got to use my freshly re-wired dryer for the first time in a long, long time), visited with a friend who was here to check on his camp, finished the book group book, which I really enjoyed (The Flood Girls). Now I'm in for the night and can only eat lean protein and fruit for the rest of the night because a friend brought me delicious cookies and I ate 2 of them. I gained a couple of pounds this week. I think I got too cocky, deciding I didn't need to count or measure, I "just know" how many points foods are. NOT. So now it's back to recording everything I eat, which is just fine and works.
Tomorrow I'll finish the laundry and cook a corned beef dinner in the crock pot for book group. yum.
It was a stellar day. A banner day. A wonderful day. But I still have to vacuum and dust.
Tess is not better but not worse so I guess she'll survive kenneling. I just worry about how difficult it might be for the kennelers to deal with her. Early morning seems to be her worst time, maybe they won't have to deal with her then.
The plumber returned, replaced the pressure tank but oh no! the pump still won't come up to pressure. I diagnosed the problem, at least I think I did: the line between the house and the well is frozen (and frozen GOOD). The pump won't pull water from the well but the line going to the well has water in it so the well is probably not dry. What difference does it make, really? I don't have water and won't for a long, long time. I think it was a perfect storm while I was in RI--bare ground, subzero temps, no water moving through the lines. I just hope the line hasn't burst, that's all I need. Anyway I have generous and wonderful friends and have easy access to water.
Went to the gym yesterday and today with Carol, that was nice. Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh for lunch with Barb and taking care of a few errands. Today I took a shower at Carol's then visited for a bit over coffee, very nice. They have one of the best views in the Adks for sure--panorama of the Silver Lake Mtn. bluffs. Really spectacular. After that I went to the dump, then stopped for a short visit at P&J's, then came home and was industrious. I swept and started tidying up the living room (hosting book group tomorrow), did 2 loads of laundry at the Holts (got to use my freshly re-wired dryer for the first time in a long, long time), visited with a friend who was here to check on his camp, finished the book group book, which I really enjoyed (The Flood Girls). Now I'm in for the night and can only eat lean protein and fruit for the rest of the night because a friend brought me delicious cookies and I ate 2 of them. I gained a couple of pounds this week. I think I got too cocky, deciding I didn't need to count or measure, I "just know" how many points foods are. NOT. So now it's back to recording everything I eat, which is just fine and works.
Tomorrow I'll finish the laundry and cook a corned beef dinner in the crock pot for book group. yum.
It was a stellar day. A banner day. A wonderful day. But I still have to vacuum and dust.
Tess is not better but not worse so I guess she'll survive kenneling. I just worry about how difficult it might be for the kennelers to deal with her. Early morning seems to be her worst time, maybe they won't have to deal with her then.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Lucky girl, very lucky girl
All hell has broken loose here in the North Country, but I'm just fine. We had a huge and extended storm yesterday and last night and ended up with at least 33 inches of snow. I still have electricity and phone (let's not forget television) but no running water. A girl can't have everything, after all. My plow man came and shoveled around my car so I now have mobility and the ability to get water from the neighbors. I've talked to my mother twice, my friends about 4 times and have been emailing everyone I can think of. It's wonderful, truly wonderful to realize how many people are interested in my welfare. I feel lucky.
I went to RI last week, arrived there Thursday afternoon to spend time with Liza and Mark and to celebrate Liza's birthday. We missed the birthday by a day--I came home on Monday, her birthday to avoid traveling in the storm. That was a wise, wise move on my part and I am relieved. We celebrated her birthday Sunday and she was fine with that.
While I was there it was cold and snowy. They got about 6", which is their equivalent of our 33" I think. Mark and I didn't get to the beach because it was too cold and windy for me. Mostly we just spent time in the living room visiting. That's what I went there to do, happy coincidence. My mother is fine, just fine. She's very healthy and is in good mental shape as well. She's old, and she feels old and she minds feeling old.
It was cold at home while I was away, below zero so the outlet pipe for my sump pump and gray water froze. This led to much flooding when the sump pump emptied the water in the cellar on to the floor of the laundry room, into the back of the house, blah blah blah. Nice to see water flow uphill, right? Meanwhile the pump runs just fine but won't come up to pressure. I had a plumber come yesterday (poor man, bad roads, very bad roads). He fixed the sump pump problem and diagnosed my water as an old broken pressure tank. Hopefully that will be replaced tomorrow (not today, roads are closed). Once again I am relying on the water of neighbors.
I feel happy and fortunate this afternoon (quite different from my moods of the morning) and know that all will work out.
Meanwhile my old dog Tess is not doing well. I took her to the vet, she's been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, which for now is merely an inconvenience causing her to cough and gag a lot. Eventually her larynx will close unless she has surgery, which will not happen. The surgery is expensive and complicated and I don't see the point of putting a 14-year-old dog through that. She and I have had an excellent life together. It will be sad, very sad when the end comes but when we get dogs we know this will come. Oh yes, easy to say. Harder to face.
The other dog, Miss Treasure is just fine but boy oh boy did she have a problem finding a place to potty this morning before I shoveled. She said yes, she could pee in deep snow but it would be impossible to poop in that. Oh the poor dear was so fussed! Finally the plow man came and made a huge, huge poop path for her, what a relief. She and Tess went for a long walk. I finished shoveling out the car and moved it. I was afraid I'd have to go to Plattsburgh today to do some banking but for some reason my Social Sec. money came early this month (how did they know?) so I can be homebound. Except I'll go to P&J's for water this afternoon. I've checked in with them and they're fine but had no television so were frustrated by that.
I went to the gym with Carol yesterday, that was a treat. Skipped today but we're planning on being there tomorrow. I was supposed to have lunch with Julie today but since neither of us could get to Plattsburgh that didn't happen. Tomorrow I hope to spend the day watching the plumber install a new pressure tank. HOPE to. Friday I'm having lunch with Barb and will do grocery shopping in Plattsburgh. Book group is Sunday at my house and I think I'll cook corned beef and cabbage, an easy dinner. We're reading The Flood Girls, which Marylou said was depressing but Lin and I are enjoying it's dark humor. Yes it's a sad story but it's nicely told.
Life is exciting in it's own small way. I'm home, I'm happy and all is well.
I went to RI last week, arrived there Thursday afternoon to spend time with Liza and Mark and to celebrate Liza's birthday. We missed the birthday by a day--I came home on Monday, her birthday to avoid traveling in the storm. That was a wise, wise move on my part and I am relieved. We celebrated her birthday Sunday and she was fine with that.
While I was there it was cold and snowy. They got about 6", which is their equivalent of our 33" I think. Mark and I didn't get to the beach because it was too cold and windy for me. Mostly we just spent time in the living room visiting. That's what I went there to do, happy coincidence. My mother is fine, just fine. She's very healthy and is in good mental shape as well. She's old, and she feels old and she minds feeling old.
It was cold at home while I was away, below zero so the outlet pipe for my sump pump and gray water froze. This led to much flooding when the sump pump emptied the water in the cellar on to the floor of the laundry room, into the back of the house, blah blah blah. Nice to see water flow uphill, right? Meanwhile the pump runs just fine but won't come up to pressure. I had a plumber come yesterday (poor man, bad roads, very bad roads). He fixed the sump pump problem and diagnosed my water as an old broken pressure tank. Hopefully that will be replaced tomorrow (not today, roads are closed). Once again I am relying on the water of neighbors.
I feel happy and fortunate this afternoon (quite different from my moods of the morning) and know that all will work out.
Meanwhile my old dog Tess is not doing well. I took her to the vet, she's been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, which for now is merely an inconvenience causing her to cough and gag a lot. Eventually her larynx will close unless she has surgery, which will not happen. The surgery is expensive and complicated and I don't see the point of putting a 14-year-old dog through that. She and I have had an excellent life together. It will be sad, very sad when the end comes but when we get dogs we know this will come. Oh yes, easy to say. Harder to face.
The other dog, Miss Treasure is just fine but boy oh boy did she have a problem finding a place to potty this morning before I shoveled. She said yes, she could pee in deep snow but it would be impossible to poop in that. Oh the poor dear was so fussed! Finally the plow man came and made a huge, huge poop path for her, what a relief. She and Tess went for a long walk. I finished shoveling out the car and moved it. I was afraid I'd have to go to Plattsburgh today to do some banking but for some reason my Social Sec. money came early this month (how did they know?) so I can be homebound. Except I'll go to P&J's for water this afternoon. I've checked in with them and they're fine but had no television so were frustrated by that.
I went to the gym with Carol yesterday, that was a treat. Skipped today but we're planning on being there tomorrow. I was supposed to have lunch with Julie today but since neither of us could get to Plattsburgh that didn't happen. Tomorrow I hope to spend the day watching the plumber install a new pressure tank. HOPE to. Friday I'm having lunch with Barb and will do grocery shopping in Plattsburgh. Book group is Sunday at my house and I think I'll cook corned beef and cabbage, an easy dinner. We're reading The Flood Girls, which Marylou said was depressing but Lin and I are enjoying it's dark humor. Yes it's a sad story but it's nicely told.
Life is exciting in it's own small way. I'm home, I'm happy and all is well.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
Snow on ice
Temp this morning=0 High for the day=12 Predicted wind chills= -25
I have no idea what the actual wind chill was at any point today but I have a hard time believing it was -25. Yes, it was windy and cold this morning and my bare hands hurt hurt hurt when I picked up the paper on my way to the gym at 7:45. Anyway now it's 3 degrees and the sun has moved over so my living room is cooling down quickly. At least I have a good fire going and lots of firewood to feed to it.
I went to Burlington on Thursday to have my car worked on (diagnosis: DIRT packed into the wheels, causing extreme vibration). It took a long time because I had a part replaced while they were cleaning out the dirt but I rewarded myself with a trip to Barnes & Noble, where I was extremely good and only bought 4 used books plus notecards for my mother for a total of $25. Oh what I could have spent...
Yesterday I had lunch with my dear friend Fred. We had an excellent conversation and covered lots of things, most of which were relevant to our present lives. Wills, inheritance, health, weather, getting old. OK, that doesn't sound very cheery or pleasant but it was nice and helpful to me. Not the part about the weather, that wasn't helpful--there was an icy wind whipping along yesterday. It died down a bit in the afternoon but came up again overnight. Now there's a stiff icy wind but it's not blowing -25 worth.
I went to the gym 6 days this week, good for me! Going again tomorrow morning, then will try to get there every day until Thursday, when I drive to Rhode Island to celebrate my mother's 91st birthday. One thing Fred and I agreed heartily on was that, when you have a 91-year-old loved one every day is a gift. Oh I never thought I would sound so corny but I do feel that way. Any time now is good and special. OK, maybe not so special, but a treat. My mother is exceptionally well with no major health problems but she had an "incident" recently that was sobering and scary for me. She's just fine but we do need to do something to make it easier for her to take a shower or bath. And what will I do if I'm living here when I am old(er) and less mobile? Well now there's something I can worry about. Anticipatory anxiety. oh let's not do that.
I have no idea what the actual wind chill was at any point today but I have a hard time believing it was -25. Yes, it was windy and cold this morning and my bare hands hurt hurt hurt when I picked up the paper on my way to the gym at 7:45. Anyway now it's 3 degrees and the sun has moved over so my living room is cooling down quickly. At least I have a good fire going and lots of firewood to feed to it.
I went to Burlington on Thursday to have my car worked on (diagnosis: DIRT packed into the wheels, causing extreme vibration). It took a long time because I had a part replaced while they were cleaning out the dirt but I rewarded myself with a trip to Barnes & Noble, where I was extremely good and only bought 4 used books plus notecards for my mother for a total of $25. Oh what I could have spent...
Yesterday I had lunch with my dear friend Fred. We had an excellent conversation and covered lots of things, most of which were relevant to our present lives. Wills, inheritance, health, weather, getting old. OK, that doesn't sound very cheery or pleasant but it was nice and helpful to me. Not the part about the weather, that wasn't helpful--there was an icy wind whipping along yesterday. It died down a bit in the afternoon but came up again overnight. Now there's a stiff icy wind but it's not blowing -25 worth.
I went to the gym 6 days this week, good for me! Going again tomorrow morning, then will try to get there every day until Thursday, when I drive to Rhode Island to celebrate my mother's 91st birthday. One thing Fred and I agreed heartily on was that, when you have a 91-year-old loved one every day is a gift. Oh I never thought I would sound so corny but I do feel that way. Any time now is good and special. OK, maybe not so special, but a treat. My mother is exceptionally well with no major health problems but she had an "incident" recently that was sobering and scary for me. She's just fine but we do need to do something to make it easier for her to take a shower or bath. And what will I do if I'm living here when I am old(er) and less mobile? Well now there's something I can worry about. Anticipatory anxiety. oh let's not do that.
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