Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
Time to catch up on events good and bad.
Here's the worst: Carol's 21-year-old great-granddaughter had COVID and is blind in one eye with diminished sight in the other. Eye problems often come with the virulent virus. I hope it's reversible.
This is better: During my occasional trips to grocery stores or the pharmacy, I see more people wearing masks. Do they now respect the severity of COVID? Have they become more respectful since Joe Biden was inaugurated? Whatever the reason, I'm glad of it. Even one person without a mask is too many. Do you see more folks wearing masks?
We finally have a break from the rain. The waters of Lake Junebug have receded in favor of a muck of mud. Miss Penelope Muddy Paws made a mess of my bed. I washed my sheets and quilt. While they were off the bed, she muddied the mattress pad, so it ended up in the washer, too.
I delight in sunshine, low humidity, and temps in the 70s. I'm trying to clean up the load of leaves in my front yard and have made a little progress. I gave my car a bit of a wash today and added power steering fluid. The car moans and cries and is difficult to turn. If the fluid doesn't do the trick, then something is seriously wrong with the power steering *sigh*
I've been cleaning and decluttering a lot inside the house, too. Many of my clothes are much too large, so I try two or three things on each day. If they don't fit, they go in the Goodwill pile. I'm also rearranging some furniture. An old chest of drawers went to the curb today. If someone doesn't take it, then it's for the garbage men. It's falling apart and too crappy to donate.
The great weather brings growth and blossoms––and allergies. An OTC antihistamine keeps sinus headaches at bay, but sometimes I sneeze so many times and so loudly that it startles Franklin and Penelope.
Franklin and I take advantage of the good weather with long walks, and Wednesday night he accompanied me to Lowe's, where dogs are welcome. He is a polite shopper.
The man who attacked me is still locked up and has not yet been arraigned. It gets pushed from one week to the next. I'm confident he'll plead guilty and be sentenced to prison. This time of waiting will most likely be considered part of his time served.
I was finally able to get an appointment with a maxillofacial surgeon but decided to cancel because the staff member with whom I spoke was rude rude rude. Furthermore, the surgeon is associated with a hospital I don't like. I called an advocate with my insurance company who found other surgeons for me. I called one. Although I have to wait a little longer, this surgeon is associated with my preferred hospital and the person I talked to was polite and friendly.
I've renewed my love of baking––something I enjoyed when my children were young. I started with the banana bread when I forgot the chocolate chips, then made cinnamon bread, and last night I moved on to peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips. More bananas are softening for the next batch of bread, and I swear this time I'll remember the chocolate chips. I give away some of what I bake because it's too much for me to eat. The young man next door doesn't seem to mind when I knock on his door and hand him baked goods.
My birthday was Tuesday. I'm old enough to know better but not old enough to get the vaccine. My network of doctors/hospitals sent me an email that says they'll contact me when it's my turn. I'm confident they will follow through. While I wait, I'll get my second shingles vaccination. I had a lot of side effects from the first shot.
I still have lots to do in and around the house. It's time to make my taxes a priority. I've never waited until April 14 to do them, but I do procrastinate because it gives me a headache even when I get a refund.
I'll try to finish Vivie's story soon. I'm not sure how much more I should write about the nursing home, though. I have some happy stories, but more sad ones. I also don't like it that I'm coming off as a saint. I worked very hard when I was there, but I cut corners at times when I was overwhelmed or didn't have the strength to do something.
Okay! I think that's it. I wish you sunshine, warmth, homemade bread and cookies and cakes, and everything else that's good.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I hope your attacker does serve jail time. And lots of it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the surgeon and the vaccine.
And a very happy belated birthday - with health and happiness for the year to come.
And, which I should have said earlier, my heart goes out to Carol's granddaugher. I hope she makes a full recovery.
DeleteThank you, EC. I'm very concerned about the young lady. Only 21 and might be blind for the rest of her life. Unless some strange technicality prevents the attacker from being sentenced, he faces a prison sentence of one to five years. I take no pleasure in it and don't want revenge, but I want to be safe. He must deal with the consequences of his actions.
DeleteHoping Carol's great-grand recovers fully. What a hellish experience. Always thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mitchell. I think of you often, even when I'm not blogging.
DeleteI am so sorry for Carol's daughter. his virus is such a bitch and is constantly changing how is affects different individuals. I hope it is temporary.
ReplyDeleteContinue to take care of yourself and dang I wish I were around to sample some of your baked goodies!
I suspect your cooking and baking is better than mine. Your meal plans make me hungry.
DeleteIt is a great activity to increase your love of baking bread.
ReplyDeleteWho knows, one day you can open a cake shop.
Have a nice day.
If I were to open a shop, I would focus on cookies and dog biscuits. But it won't happen. Bakeries require long hours and very hard work.
DeleteWhat an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteHow horrible for that poor 21-year-old. I hope her eyes do right themselves.
I have had jab no 1 but will probably have to wait a while for no 2, and I'm too young here to have my shingles vaccination even though I did have a bout of shingles a few years ago.
Your clothes are too big for you? Mine are getting too small. I blame the washing machine ...
My washing machine enlarges clothes and yours shrinks them. Simple logic. I'm afraid of shingles. So often when older people get them (I'm older but not yet old, I don't think), they never go away.
DeleteHi Janie - so sorry to read about your friend's daughter ... must be so difficult for them. I hope the new surgeon will be helpful - and glad they're linked to your preferred hospital. Yuu're dealing with so much at the moment ... take care and all the very best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hilary. In spite of all that's happened, I'm well. I hope I don't need surgery.
DeleteI'm fond of walnuts in my banana bread. Enjoy baking!
ReplyDeleteI'm nuts, but I rarely eat nuts. I'm not allergic to them, but I have a sensitivity. They give me a horribly upset stomach.
DeleteI loved this newsy post! It’s a real relief to have someone setting a good example in charge now! Sending you encouraging wishes as you navigate the surgical treatment and grow old enough to be on the vaccine list. Waiting isn’t easy!
ReplyDeleteWhen Joe Biden was inaugurated, adults took over again. We didn't see grownups in the previous administration.
DeleteI hadn't heard about covid effecting people's eyesight! Good Lord! What next?! I hope it is a temporary thing and not permanent!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're getting a better doctor at a nicer place. That makes all the difference.
I'm glad you are having fun baking. Your neighbor probaby appreciates it, too--LOL! I always liked baking more than cooking. Have fun! :)
I didn't know about the problem with sight. When Carol told me, I Googled it and found that it happens. Breaks my heart. I knock on the young man's door. He opens it. I hold out something wrapped in foil and announce what it is. He thanks me. I depart. Simple.
DeleteHappy Belated Birthday, Janie! I wish you the best of luck with everything, including the vaccine. Masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces, here. Non-compliance isn't an issue, thank goodness. Baking must be good therapy, but sadly, a skill I never mastered. Enjoy! That is so sad, about the young person with vision issues. I do hope it's temporary.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. I love Canadians. I know Canada isn't perfect, but it's so nice that people wear their masks. Our county has a mandate; signs are on the doors of businesses stating you must wear a mask. But many people are still under the spell of trump so they have the attitude "you can't make me do anything I don't want."
DeleteHope all goes well with Carol's daughter. Very scary.
ReplyDeleteWe've been purchasing top soil and putting it down where water is pooling around the house.
Belated Happy BDay. Sorry I missed your special day. Belated wishes on the blog.
Thanks, Sandra. You didn't miss my birthday because I didn't announce it till it was over. I wish the addition of top soil could eradicate Lake Junebug.
DeleteHappy birthday! I wouldn't have my shot if not for the tips from younger people who are internet savvy. But soon the supply will outstrip the demand.
ReplyDeleteCarol and I had a tough time making arrangements for her first shot. My healthcare network will let me know when it's my turn.
DeleteI made cookies today because Hubs was downstairs when I got home. When he was done down there, I cleaned out... and I mean CLEANED out and reorganized my side of the basement. It's not perfect, but it's much better.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your attacker is still serving time, regardless of how long it takes. Time will make it less stressful when he inevitable gets out, and hopefully he will have some remorse for what he did. I'm glad you're finally getting to a surgeon you trust.
No one can figure out what Phase Postal workers are in in our state so we'll likely get bumped to phase 3 with everyone else. So, July. But at the rate it's going, so will my parents who are eligible now. Too much demand, not an effective system. Which is really surprising since our state is usually pretty good at rolling things out. We are around a 2% positivity rate though so that's good.
Assuming he pleads guilty, he'll have to be sentenced to at least one year in prison, but I'm pretty sure the jail time will be used to reduce the prison time. Because of COVID, justice moves even more slowly than usual. The Biden administration has ordered such a large supply of vaccine that we should have plenty before long. Then it's a matter of getting it into people's arms.
DeleteBirthday wishes
ReplyDeleteI will get my vaccine when I am able to do so
Didn't know that Covid could give you eye problems
Thanks, Jo-Anne. I was shocked when I found out about the eye problems.
DeleteI had not realized that you had been assaulted. It must have happened before I discovered your blog. I hope that lasting emotional trauma has not been a result of it, although it's hard to imagine that it wouldn't be. A lot to deal with!
ReplyDeleteThe attack occurred in early January, so we had not yet found each other. Thanks to my instincts and the help of a friend who's a psychologist, I'm doing well emotionally. Physically, the only problem left is my broken jaw.
DeleteYou are smart going to the hospital you trust for surgery.
ReplyDeleteI hope the man who attacked you is not released for a long time.
The minimum sentence is one year in prison. After the experience I had at a different hospital the night of the attack, I want to stick with the hospital in my network.
Delete