February almost gone! 02-26-25

Rhaphiolepis (Indian Hawthorn)

 I have essentially lost 22 days of this month!   The RSV has stolen it, leaving me with just a few days to try to catch up.  I need to have some lab tests, an X-ray, and a haircut!  Usually do that early in the month, I am feeling pretty shaggy.  

Thanks to Dottie, I have Amazoned two possible solutions to my cane problem.   One is a sort of large tie-tie that twists around the cane and forms a hook. The other is the "glue" Sugru that can be shaped and glues to many different kinds of surfaces.  Interestingly the name comes from the Irish for "play".   I'm sure this is the product I  remember reading about several years ago, but I didn't think to look for a glue.  I was thinking and searching for plastic clay.   I never know how to word a search.

Today was 81F here and tomorrow 86F is predicted.  I said awhile back that it looked as if we would not have a winter this year, seems like I guess correctly.  We have had some cold temps, but never down even to 40F at night. Sure hope some rain falls soon.  

Lots of illness going around all over the country.  Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds.  Be safe. Stay well. 

#   #   #

Miscellaneous 07-08023

I finally went to the doctor on Thursday and she prescribed a Z-Pack and a chest X-ray.  Also gave me an inhaler unlike any I have used before.  It isn't a rescue inhaler, but one that you suck up once a day.  Something is working because I don't have the coughing spasms  and just a normal sort of cough.  I don't have much energy, which could be my age, lack of activity, or a result of whatever I have  - "The coughing sickness".  It may be bronchitis, but it is not like the bronchitis  I have   pretty regularly  every January!   Anyway, I AM better.

Caiden across the street had a birthday this past week and he always wants a  water slide to celebrate.  In this picture he is on his way up the stairs on  the right and his friend is in the pool at the center left.  They have SUCH a good time and there are always lots of girls and boys later in the day.  I think Caiden is now 10. 

The newest gardener came last week and cleared all the weeds from front and back yards.  We had agreed on once a week on Friday, but he didn't show up.  Not much growing in either yard.  There are several Feverfew plants in bloom, I guess he recognized they are not weeds, and the day lily given two years ago by friend  Verna when she thinned her flower beds has three blossom stalks with buds.  I don't know what color it is.  I do love the pure yellow ones. 

Meanwhile, KoKo and I go for our walk twice a day.  A few times we have only gone up to the corner and back around the two cul de sacs, when I am struggling to make it out the door.  But we both need the walks and the full loop is a bit less than a mile.  There are three low walls along the way that I can sit on for a few minutes if I need to.  Our goal is to walk the distance without sitting. 

#   #   # .  

It was the usual 4th of July 07-05-23

Every year for the last decade our neighborhood has held a "parade" on the 4th.  And each year there are more children, more participants.  KoKo and I sit on a folding chair in the driveway and hoot and holler as the parade goes by.  Well, KoKo doesn't hoot or holler, he usually goes to sleep in my lap - not into parades. 

Usually the leader is Mr. Rohr in his little Jeep, fessooned with balloons and streamers.  But this year he and wife are on vacation so the fire truck moved up to first place.  I don't know how we rate a fire truck AND a Placentia PD car, don't know of any neighbors who are either firemen or policemen.  (Or women!)

 

There seemed to be fewer decorations on the bikes, scooters, skate boards this year.  Economics or perhaps just laziness!  I know that I will be picking up debris for several days.

The adult who usually shows up in a weird costume was not walking this year.  Maybe he is also on vacation.  There were plenty of kids and quite a few parents walking, waving, and yelling Happy 4th of July.  Didn't notice any MAGA hats this year, even though this is a heavily Conservative area.

At the very end were this couple with their poodle mix dog.  He always gives us a tentative bark when we walk by his house, but he has learned my voice so i tell him what a good dog he is and he stops barking.  LOTS of dogs and children in our neighborhood.   These pictures show what i see out my front windows.  I do hate those motor homes reflecting the hot sun back to me.  The law says we cannot park them where they are seen from the street, but these have been parked in the driveways for decades.  It is just a small irritation, not worth losing good neighbors  over something so small.   But it still bugs me!!

I am still coughing until sometimes I think I will choke!  Still doing the "croup tent" which helps for a short time and I'm trying to not talk because that will set me off.  I have an appointment with my new primary in the morning, maybe she has an answer.  To me it is odd that it is so hard to be sick now.  All the years I had bronchitis every winter I knew what to do, but wearing a mask seems to have protected me from sickness these past three years and i have forgotten how to be sick! 

#   #   #

Yard Cleanup 07-01-23

Today I had some luck with my yard cleanup.  I had a guy come to give me an estimate a couple weeks ago and yesterday he showed up to get started.  Today he and two younger guys came to do the work.  It only took them about two and a half hours and I think they removed every weed in front and back yards.  Unfortunately they also severely pruned that big pink rosebush in the back.  Not a flower or a leaf left!  Hope it will revive.  I will have to get out to prune my favorite "Brandy" rose in the front before he comes back next Friday.  It looks really sad, but may respond to a light pruning, some fertilizer, and some mulch to keep the roots cool.

Pink Rose in backyard. Before pruning!

Brandy in the front yard. 

Cold somewhat better, but still dripping, coughing, sneezing!

#   #   #

Somewhat improving! 06-30-23

This evening we took our walk and did the complete loop (a little less than a mile) for the first time since Sunday.  I just haven't had the strength and it is hard to have leash, cane, and hold a tissue to my nose!  I did use a  "croup tent" twice today because I was so drippy and sneezed in  multiples.  It does help, but I should have started sooner.  Talked at a distance with  several  neighbors and discovered that what I have is something that is "going around".  I suppose I should have seen the doctor, but I do dislike taking antibiotics  if  I can possible avoid them.   I will just keep doing my old-time treatment and see if I can be well by next Wednesday. 

I did manage to take KoKo to the groomer yesterday -  isn't he handsome? For this picture I lifted him up on a neighbor's wall right in front  of the volunteer cherry tomato plant.  The neighbor  has been caring for the plant, but went off for a ten day vacation, so every other day I took a bottle of outside water and gave it a drink.  I intend to enjoy a some cherry tomatoes in a few weeks!  The tomato plants volunteer from the mulch a lot of people use.  It contains sewage sludge (treated, of course), but the cherry tomato seeds seem to come through unscathed and usually  give  a great crop of sweet,  tiny tomatoes.  I had them in the 60s in Huntington Beach and in this backyard when I took care of it.  

#   #   #

Too sick 06-29-23

My cough is much less, but my head is stobbed ub and my nose is constantly running.  I'm dong OTC drugs, hydrating, resting, not talking.  I did manage to get KoKo to the groomer, he was so shaggy and now he looks ten years younger. As you see, he is taking care of me.  I really cannot do much  - you know how this kind of thing wipes you out.  Anyway, I hope to be well at least by Monday.  Good Night!!

#   #   #

Got a cough! 06-27-23

 

Had to have a picture and this is one of my favorites from Facebook.  I think I will have a mat like this on the INSIDE of my door.   I'll add "Check that the outside doors are locked."

My news is that I have a terrible cough.  This is the first illness I have  had since the lockdown and mask wearing when  Covid struck in 2020.  Really amazing since I usually have bronchitis every winter.  I went out to dinner with neighbors on Friday evening and one of the guys had a cough.  If I had know of that before I got in his car I would have stayed home.  But at the restaurant he kept coughing and I was stuck.  He claims that he just has allergies, but I recognize a bad cough that is not an allergy to anything.  Anyway, I treated myself when I got home, but by Sunday night I had a scratchy throat and knew I had contracted his cough infection.  By Monday night I was whooping it up pretty bad.  Fortunately I have a supply of Fisherman's Friend cough lozenges, so I can  control it somewhat.  I wore a mask when I took the boys to school and hope they do not catch anything.  A friend suggested a Covid test and I have at least a dozen test kits, so I did the test (such tiny printing!} and it was negative  I really don't have any symptoms other than the cough. 

I am just resting and drinking fluids and sucking on Fisherman's Friend.  Hope it goes away quickly.  Fortunately I don't have anything on my calendar this week except taking KoKo for grooming on Thursday.  He is pretty shaggy.  Maybe I can do some sewing, doesn't take a lot of energy!  Or, as always, read. 

#   #   #

Quilt in progress 12-11-21

I am still TRYING to create something, but it goes sooo slowly.  Lack of concentration, ennui, needing a nap almost every day.  I don't know what is the cause - pandemic syndrome?  old age?  need more vitamins?   Whatever.  I know it would help if I did exercises every single day and maybe even twice a day!  But I don't seem to be able to force myself to do that.  Self control is not one of my strong points!  However, I have been working on several projects, switching off when I can't continue on one.  This is a small (18"W X 40"L) wall quilt composed of 1-1/2" squares that I have cut over the last 40 years or so.  I have a box of light and a box of dark that I paw through when needed.  I posted about this piece on 11-16-21 when I was still selecting squares.  Now I am machine quilting it and wish I had been more precise about lining up the little squares.  Oh, well - it isn't going to be a masterpiece!  

I have quilted vertically about 1/8th inch from the edges of the squares and will also do the horizontal.   I couldn't find a thread I thought would look good with all the different fabrics, so I am using mono-filament as the top thread and a lime green cotton on the back.  So far it is looking okay. 

I belong to Canyon Quilters in San Diego, but find it hard to do the two hour drive home after the meetings end around 9pm.  ZOOM has been a big help and I do attend most meetings that way.  They also have a "Sit and Sew" twice a month and I have enjoyed that.  There are usually fewer than 20 members attending, and once there were only four of us!  But it is a chance to become acquainted with some of the members.  There is not a lot of visiting going on, most are intent on their own work, but someone will bring uo a subject and we can all chime in or just listen.  I enjoy it and today finished up the vertical quilting lines on this little quilt. 

#   #   #

Limping and Sewing 08-28-21

That darned sciatica is back again.  I'll call Monday to see about having another spinal injection.  And, of course, I am still doing PTherapy.   KoKo and I walked yesterday and today, but only about half the distance we usually do.  Walking is painful, but not horrific, however standing for more than a minute or so is excruciating!  I'm doing extra exercises periodically during the day and they do seem to help.  

I have signed on for a SAQA 100 day "challenge" which requires at least 15 minutes of creating every day.  So far I have used my precut scraps (1", 1 1/2", and a few 2") to make blocks that are not fused nor pieced, but just stitched to a 5" white background. No measuring, just eyeball the divisions and line up, so they are a little wonky at times. There are 17 so far, but I will move on to something else for a week or so.  

#   #   #

Friday Food - a few days late 02-28-21

Eating out!  What a thrill it was.  On Friday I drove down to Oceanside to pick up my "Palms" quilt at OMA and meet friends for lunch.  We went to Rosewood Kitchen located on Mission St just past Ditmar St.   We have eaten there previously and the food is always excellent.  They have a covered patio on the sidewalk, so there is traffic noise, but the food is worth it!  

One of us ordered the white pizza which she has eaten here before and it was, as usual, excellent. 

Another of us ordered the tuna cake, like a crab cake made with tuna instead.  She said it was also excellent.  Nice presentation. 

She also ordered the Brussels Sprouts. "Sauteed with Smoked Bacon, Balsamic Reduction, Pistachio Nuts".  And she let me take home her leftovers.  M-M-M-M, good. 

I had the salmon.  My usual choice when I eat out, but I had not had it here on past visits.  It was one of the specials so I can't quote from the menu, but it came on a bed of rice and black beans with veggies and a lovely silky sauce.  I did bring half of it home to eat (with the Brussels Sprouts) for dinner tonight.  It held up well.  I added half an avocado which was ready.  

I know that many of you long to go out to eat, so if you are in Oceanside I recommend Rosewood Kitchen. 

 

KoKo seems to be doing okay.  He has not thrown up again, but he has only eaten Tbls of the special canned food from the vet.  Only half of the can has been eaten.  I know he must be hungry as he goes to his placemat every time I walk into the kitchen, but the vet said not to give him anything else.  He is not drinking water regularly as he usually does.  I have given him the medications as the vet directed and I think they make him a little lethargic.  We have spent most of today in my chair, he sleeps and I have read a whole book.  The Goddess knows I have a million other things I should do, but KoKo deserves every minute I can give him and right now that means rest. I did do my one hour of daily sewing and my PTherapy exercises and we went for a walk this evening.  It has been terribly windy almost all day so we skipped the morning walk.  

#   #   #

KoKo is sick! 02-27-21

Yesterday morning KoKo didn't want his breakfast!  It has happened a couple times in the past, but eventually he would go back to his bowl, eating every bit of kibble.  He wasn't very perky on our morning walk, but seemed happy to ride in the car to stay with Nancy and Bud for a few hours while I went on to Oceanside to pick up my "Palms" quilt and have lunch with two friends.  He didn't finish his breakfast at Nancy's.   Back at home he threw up what little he had eaten.  As the evening went on he grew lethargic and around midnight he was shaking all over.  I was afraid he was having a seizure and looked up an emergency vet.  It is way on the west side of Fullerton and we arrived about 12 50am.  It looks like a well kept place and the young woman who took KoKo inside (Covid rules: nobody can go inside with their animals) was pleasant and gentle with him.  After about 40 minutes she came back out and told me the vet thought he had Gastroenteritis, but more tests were needed and I would have to leave him overnight at least.  Somehow my inner monitor told me "No".  I signed the papers that I was refusing further treatment (what?  all they did was take his temperature and examine him).  We drove home on the deserted streets, he threw up some more, but finally settled down and slept on my lap all night.  I drove us to our usual  vet, "Circle of Friends" in Yorba LInda, hoping they might be able to see him right away when they opened.  No luck.  But there was an appointment at 11:30am, so we drove back then.  The vet did some blood tests, X-ray, gave him some hydration, medication, and a thorough exam.  She came out to tell me that his problem is  Pancreatitis. Not unusual in dogs and treatable.  Just like people it is caused by a fatty diet and lack of exercise, neither of which apply to KoKo. He eats the kibble recommended by the vet and does not eat people food.   Why he has this condition is unknown, but once he has it he is more likely to have it again in the future.   He has antibiotics, pain pills, and a liquid to reduce vomiting.  He can only have a canned dog food for "delicate stomachs" and I am to give him just a few Tablespoons at a time today and tomorrow.  He gobbles it down!  So far he has not been drinking water, which is a worry as he has always been a big "drinker".  He has been sleeping a lot, but we did go for about a half a walk tonight without any poopy.  But there isn't much in there to come out since he threw up so much last evening and night.  I am still very concerned and hope I am doing everything right.  I have a new understanding of parents who have very sick children in the middle of the night or on weekends.  Guess I will try to identify an emergency vet that I will feel more comfortable with, in case my "child" gets sick when our regular vet is closed.  Of course they are closed on Sunday, so I am on my own until Monday morning when I am to report his condition and get further instructions..  Meanwhile, I am feeling a bit better, but sooo tired and my injection site is still swollen and itchy.   All I can think of is "We will get through all this.!"

#   #   # 

Covid vaccine #2 02-24-21

 

After having the #2 vaccine on Monday at 3pm, I felt okay.  Then at 6:30pm on Tuesday the reactions hit.   Chills, fever, aching joints, headache, sore/itchy arm - the works.  We went to bed early after Tylenol and Benadryl and slept most of the night.  Today I feel much better.  Still have the terribly painful, itchy arm and slight headache, but able to go for our walks morning and evening.  They say that this "affliction" shows that the vaccine is working.  I'm not going to complain about the discomfort because it is much easier to endure than having Covid.   We took it easy today and will do so tomorrow.  I have been sewing half square triangles - no brain needed!   I am committed to sewing for an hour every day.  Maybe longer, but at least an hour.  Might accomplish something. 

#   #   #

Warm feet 02-15-21

 

I have always had warm feet and used to stick them out from under the covers while I slept.  But lately my feet are always so cold and in all seasons I wear open Birks in the house.  I finally broke down and order slippers!  I haven't owned slippers for decades.  These are from LLBean and are very warm and cozy.  I was attracted to the pair with a dandelion on one foot and a seed puff on the other, but they were sold out.  So, I have robins which are very nice. 

It might be just thinking of the horrible weather in Texas and Portland and other places that don't usually have such heavy snow and low temps.  Every time I read someone's post on Facebok I shiver.  I remember "silver thaws" from my childhood in Oregon.  Every twig, blade of grass, tree limb and trunk, bush, and leaf is coated with ice.  Branches fall, roofs slouch, it is impossible to walk without "crampons" (or whatever those spiky feet appliances are called).If you have never seen such a thing check out the old movie "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" which was partially filmed during one of these climate phenomena.  Beautiful, but deadly.  And here I am in my warm, robin bedecked slippers.  M-mmmmm.

The visit with my primary doctor was good.  She took blood and we will talk about results in a couple weeks.  Meanwhile I am still struggling to use the BP monitor correctly so I get a reading on the first "pump".  Sometimes it takes three tries to get it to complete the measurement.  I'll get used to it soon, I hope. 

#   #   #

A medical event 02-12-21

On Sunday morning (02-07-21) when I got up I couldn't see out of the left side of my left eye!  And I was a little disoriented.  I've read enough about strokes to know that I must call 911.  The paramedics came and hauled me to St. Joseph's in Orange where I spent the day in the ER and the doctor convinced me I should spend the night in the hospital and not be home alone.  So, I agreed and spent a miserable night.  I haven't been admitted to a hospital in probably 40 years and I did find all the new technologies and practices very interesting.  There were both female and male nurses, all about 14 years old!   And they were in and out of my room contantly.  I felt very "observed".  The doctor's decided I had experienced a TIA, gave me prescriptions for Plavix, Lipator, and Amlodipine, and let me come home on Monday afternoon.  I am very tired, which may be from the meds, and a bit wobbly, but am otherwise feeling okay.  I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday.  And a fat file of things to read about exercise, diet, medications, etc.  I'll just keep on keeping on!

KoKo went to stay with Cherie and JIm, who are fond of him and such good caretakers, but he came home on Tuesday afternoon.  We have walked every day, twice a day, but not always all the way around the loop.   I go slowly and use my cane.  KoKo is very patient and avoids tripping me up.  On Sunday friend Dick took care of KoKo and delivered him to Cherie, along with Froggy, bed, and food.  Dick is a treasure!.  

One very nice thing that came out of this...   Before they closed the ambulance doors I looked out and could see 7 or 8 neighbors out there.  They were concerned and wanted to help.  I don't know many of their names, but see them when we are walking.  I always make a point of saying hello or waving, even if they don't acknowledge me.  And I keep doing it regardless.  Since Sunday I have met many of those I hadn't actually met before; they came to our door or stopped us to speak when we are walking.  I have some new phone numbers on my cell and know that I can call on them if I need help for anything.  I am surprised and gratified by all this neighborliness.  It is great.  

I may not blog much.  I will rest and not over do anything, so I won't have much to share. 

Be safe.  Keep well.  Love, Del and KoKo

Time off 12-14-20

I didn't mean to take a week off and I am sorry I caused some of you to worry, but  I have been struggling with keeping on my feet and trying to get back to "normal".   Couldn't do PTherapy because I was running a temp.  Seems to have been the UTI that has been haunting me off and on for the last few months.  Just generally feeling rotten on top of my sciatica problems.  I did see the orthopedist again last Friday and he thinks I should have another epidural.  I doubt that will happen until after the first of the new year.  I am waiting for a call back from the injection doc.  If I continue to feel better each day I will probably pass on that.    KoKo and I continue to walk twice a day and sometimes, like today, we do the loop both times.  I do think it makes an improvement in my aches and pains, but sometimes I don't have the energy.  I continue to do the exercises at home.  

I have been driving locally, to the market, the drugstore, takeout food, Starbuck's, but last Thursday I drove to Oceanside to have lunch with my friend Beth.  Oceanside is about halfway between us, an hour from San Diego and an hour from Placentia.  We each take our own lunch, park next to each other in the OMA lot,  roll down our windows and have a lovely visit while we eat.  Not the same as sitting in a restaurant and hugging on arrival/departure, but better than not seeing each other at all.  The traffic was mostly light, but I was whipped when I got home.  KoKo had stayed with Cherie and Jim overnight and I picked him up on the way home.  Needless to say I needed a nap and he joined me, as usual.  

Two special cards in the mail today.  I have always been fascinated by the 3-D folding cards and this is a very nice Snowman.  Also a quilled bluebird (of happiness) which was accompanied by a nice long letter HANDWRITTEN!  Haven't had one of those in years.  I will respond, but it will have to be typed as I can not even read my own cursive anymore.  

#   #   #

Special Dinner Treat 12-05-20

 

I don't remember when I last had an In-N-Out burger.  Months, for sure.  But tonight was the night for a "double-double", fries, and a chocolate shake.  It was delicious.  I love the fries because I don't usually eat them anywhere else since I know that they peel and cut the potatoes on site, so there are no sulfites added.   I didn't think about it being Saturday night, so the line of cars was out to the street.  But I had KoKo to keep me company and the wait was worth it.  It is my favorite burger of all time!

I continue to gain strength every day and we have done the one mile loop every morning.  Ptherapy helps, but I must do the exercises at home to keep building up the muscles.  Still have pain in my left leg, especially the knee.  Guess it is a little bit at a time when one gets old and I sure feel old these days.  Tomorrow, I keep telling myself, I will feel better.  Will tomorrow every come!!! 

#   #   #

Still healing, walking 11-23-20

KoKo needs his walks every day and it helps me get stronger, so we haven't missed a walk since he came home last Tuesday.  I need to use either the cane or the walker because I am pretty wobbly on my feet and sometimes need to sit down when there is not a low wall handy.  We haven't gone all the way around the loop, which would be a mile, bit I suppose we walk something like 2/3rd of a mile.  The weather has been on the cool side - sixties and low seventies with night time into the mid forties.  So, we do see some autumn color, but the temp hasn't gotten down far enough to have the cold snap that causes riotous leaves.  This is the liquidamber/sweet gum in my neighbor's yard.  The previous owners trimmed it just before they moved and for some unimaginable reason cut the top of it off.  It should have a pear shape - narrower at the top.  Sad.  Anyway, I love the star shaped leaves.  They don't hold a candle to those where some of you live, but we take what we can get!!

The moon is visible at the top of the picture.  

#   #   #

Reading 11-19-20

Reading has been a huge part of my life for at least 77 Years, but somehow this illness interrupted that. I have had a hard time concentrating on anything, much less following a story in a book. I suppose sever pain can do that.  Finally I tried re-reading the Anne Perry books about Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. Success!  Maybe because the characters are familiar to me and I didn't have to concentrate on keeping them separate.  I read through #6 in the series.  Then I tried " Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantell, the first of a trilogy about Thomas Cromwell.  That proved to be too heavy.  So, I pulled out "Euphoria" by Lilly King.  It is fiction based on the early explorations of anthropologist Margaret Mead and her fellow workers Reo Fortune and Gregory Bateson, In real life she was marred to each of them.  The book was a best seller in 2015 and won a number of prestigious awards.  I am enjoying it.  I also started reading Mary Trump's "Too Much and Never Enough" about her uncle Donald Trump and her disfunctional family that created him.  I had to remove the cover since I can't bear to look at his picture. I think I will need to take it in small sections. I'm sure it will raise my blood pressure, but I am curious what made such a vile creature and how he gets away with his tricks.

I am feeling better, but am very weak from spending so much time off my feet for the last month and a half.  KoKo and I are walking twice a day as we did in the past.  Not as far and I use a walker because my legs sort of give out on me periodically and I have to sit down for a few minutes.  But we both need the exercise, so we try to add a few "house lengths" each time.  Tonight it was down six house, cross the street, bac toward home and around the cul de sac, cross the street and home.  For a little rest before dinner time.  So far, so good.  

#   #   #

More KoKO 11-18=20

I do apologize, but there isn't really anything in my life right now except KoKo!  He is being so loving and wants to sit on or near me all the time.   We did our morning and evening walks with the walker and went a little further each time.  Of course, I had to sit down a couple times tonight, my legs are just weak from non-use.  Tomorrow we will use the walker again, but maybe on Friday I can manage just with the cane.  

Couldn't decide which picture is the cutest!

#   #   #

KoKo is home! 11-17-20

 I know I will never be able to adequately thank Cherie and Jim Erickson for taking in this sweet little guy for 48 days.  They enjoyed his company and I knew that he was safe and cared for.  It made a big difference while I was out-of-it with pain.  

On my lap most of the evening.  But we did go for a walk using the walker and that worked well.  Hope we can skip the walker soon. 

Here he is in the fluffy bed that Cherie bought for him.  I wonder where he will sleep tonight.  His choice. 

#   #   #