Stormy

Stormy.

The Directv receiver went out completely this time. Cause unknown, but it had been giving problems for over a year.

When the storm passed, we took advantage of the lull to head to Walmart. I sat with a coffee in Subway while Mary got a cut in Smart Style. Oldies played softly on the sound system. I listened to Billy Joel singing Piano Man (1973) and felt happier than I had any right to.


Mary joined me, wearing her hair short, the way she likes it. We changed our routine. She wanted a tuna fish sandwich. I wanted the veggie. We ordered separate 6 inchers.

I treated Mary to a shopping spree in the kitchen and bathroom sections. Guilt? I was such a penny pincher on the small things, then throw away hundreds through carelessness, like yesterday. She bought two sizes of ceramic frying pans, then a whole set of matching bathroom articles from shower curtain to soap dispenser. Didn't hurt at all.

Back home, I called sister Deborah. She came over and tried out the Satellite connections Mary and I couldn't quite get to. All checked out. Deborah and I talked till supper time. Quality time.

Supper was scrambled ham and egg sandwiches, using the new smaller ceramic saucepan.

Like I said, happier than I had any right to.

normalcy

We had a 12:30 am with Dr. Tidmore in Winchester. Lunched at Hardee's. Kid's Meal for me. A Little Thickburger for Mary. She took my drink and fries. We arrived in plenty of time at the Doc's. Quite a wait though to see her. Mary and I went into drowse mode. Christi took our blood preasures, etc. Gave me my monthly testosterone injection. Both Mary and I got the shingles vaccine from Doc's private stash . $185 a pop, cash money, off the books. Better work. Doc treated my left arm. Inflamed ligaments. Been paining me for over a month. She gave me an injection that made my arm feel goofy for a while. Hot in the car. Felt strange driving at first. The arm. By the time we had gassed up, normalcy, more or less. Blue lights I was speeding up to head onto the freeway, when I heard a siren. Blue light behind me. I was going 63 MPH in a 40 MPH zone the officcer said. He may have been right. The young fellow seemed quite pleased that he could wear a spiffy uniform and ride a motorcycle that had flashing lights. No amount of cajolery would turn this fellow's head. In fact, there was little else to do but just smile and take my medicine with all the dignity and taciturnity that could be mustered. Mary took it fairly well. But, there was little talk the rest of our return trip. Poor Mary, discovering, suddenly, she was sitting next to some sort of criminal. Had she left any sharp knives lying around the house? The part that rubs most, is the thought of my car insurance premium jumping up for who knows how long. The copy of the citation is hardly legible. Best I can read, the citation is not correctly filled out. Maybe the judge would take that into consideration. Court date is July 10. Plenty of time to stew over it. OCD goes into action. Should I change my name and fly to Congo? No extradition treaty with the U.S. Nix on that. Too many mosquitos. Russia? Love Leningrad. No. Gets awfully cold there. Serbia would be a little warmer. Could make quick runs into nearby extradicting countries. That's the ticket! Hope there's a good internet connection in Belgrade. Deptford Pinks. (Dianthus armeria) A little time for popsicles and browsing when we returned home. The pinks I found next to the old barn yesterday, I was able to identify as Deptford Pinks. (Dianthus armeria) Actually managed a decent closeup of two little guys, using the Sony. Not as good as the one on Wikipedia. But hey, I've only got point-and-shoot cameras. What do you expect?

Adrift

Partied with Hayden Rorke and Tommy Rettig last night. Episode “I Know It’s Murder”. Rorke is familiar from the I Dream of Jeannie series. Rettig was Lassie’s owner.

Mary was a little late going to mass today. Brought back Arby’s chicken tenders and curly fries for lunch.

Looked into Blogger yesterday. I like about everything but its lack of backup capability. Deal killer for me. A big reason I’ve been with Xanga for twelve years, is that I could have a permanent copy of my journal for future reference, using the Archive feature. As we’ve seen, there’s no telling when a blogger will have to jump ship.

Been trying out WordPress today. Looks good. And, my blog can be exported, so I have a backup copy. But, not as photo friendly as Xanga, or even Blogger. And, there is a storage limit in the free version that may cramp my style.

Lunch

Poached egg with green beans, fried green tomato and sweet potato. Minestrone soup and papaya on the side.

Lunch

Chicken breast with butternut squash, green beans and plantain. Pear and apple wedges on the side.

Just finished John Hankshaw's Letters Written from Colombia during a Journey from Caracas to Bogotá and Thence to Santa Marta in 1823. (1824) Well-written account of the author's seven-month trip from Caracas to Bogota, then down the Magdalena River. Especially interesting in that the revolution was still going on.

Antonio and Mary brought home baked salmon from Fusion Cuisine for lunch. Not bad.

Mary and I then had coffee and played Chinese Checkers. My trembling hands barely let me move the marbles. Seems even concentrating on a game can make me nervous. Caffeine may have added to it.

I escaped outside, taking a chance on my bronchitis. Came back in when a cool breeze came up and my folks began blowing leaves all over.