Thursday, October 6, 2016

A Meandering Sort of Week

This week has been a little of this and a little of that.  Oldest Son came over for supper this evening.  His friend is out of town visiting her Dad and Son had to work so he didn't go with her.  I had a big butternut squash from the Farmer's Market to bake and I had some chicken to go with it and Son said he would be happy to share.  It was nice to cook for more than just me.

Youngest Son took me to a medical appointment this morning.  It was with the "wound care" guy who had taken care of me nearly two years ago when I was in the hospital with that bad outbreak of cellulitis.  Apparently I have been doing everything right this time for my legs are both nearly healed.  The best part was when he told me to lose those awful compression socks.  I hated them because I couldn't get them on by myself.  And the tops wouldn't stay in place, but would roll down a bit and would cut into my legs just below my knees and that was painful.  He said they were acting like a tourniquet and that is not a good thing.  I still have to wear some elasticized coverings, but they are soft and comfortable.  I can live with that.

Oldest Son and his friend are making frequent trips to our local Sam's Club.  Each time I give them a short list, throw some cash at them and they bring home what I need.  I am slowly but surely filling in the gaps in my food storage with the items I can't make myself - flour, sugar, baking powder, cases of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup, etc.  Trouble is, I had no room to store it all.  So Son got me another shelving unit.  The two I have are both full of home canned food.  The new one is the same size as the others - 72 inches high and 48 inches wide.  He is coming over tomorrow to help me set it up.  Which is a good thing because the stuff from the last Sam's haul is still on my kitchen table for want of a place to store it!

It rained here most of the night last night but today was sunny and pleasantly warm.  The fall leaves are turning colors faster now, especially the maples that are now nearly all a brilliant orange.  We haven't had a frost as yet, but I'm sure that's not too far off.  I opened windows in my apartment today to let in some of that beautifully clean fall air.  This is the kind of day that will be remembered in February when the ground is covered with a white blanket and the wind is howling down the street and around the corner.

My days are not very exciting.  There is no drama.  There is no stress.  They just move along peacefully.  I am aware of the fact that the world is in a turmoil and we as Americans are in trouble.  I check the alternate news sources and see how much mud the presidential candidates have thrown at one another each day or how many ginned up protest marches have taken place.  I read about the latest politically correct fad to hit the college campuses and about the spreading disrespect for our flag and anthem among some of the athletes, both in the professional ranks as well as in some schools.  And I know there is precious little I can do about any of it, aside from an occasional rant.

Even with all the garbage going on, there are still good people around us.  I read their blogs.  I watch their videos.  I converse with them through the comments here or by email.  And I talk to them on the rare occasion I am out and about.  I have family who fall into that category of good people, and for that I am truly thankful.  It is those good people who give me a glimmer of hope for our future.  I just can't give up.  I am old enough to remember what life used to be like and I need to hope that by some miracle it will be that way again.

10 comments:

  1. Here's a thought for you. If the grid goes down, how will apartment-dwellers get rid of garbage and sewage?

    That said, I enjoy your posts, so please keep them coming. You help the rest of us maintain OUR sanity, too!

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  2. Gorges...The river is one block away. River water can be used to flush, at least for a while. After that a 5 gallon bucket lined with a heavy duty trash bag and with a tight fitting lid. When the garbage men quit emptying the dumpsters, there are woods close by - probably bury it all.

    And thanks, Gorges. I don't plan to close up shop here any time soon. Even though my sanity is doubtful on occasion. :)

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  3. So happy to hear you got rid of those awful hose and you can wear something more comfortable! Remember stocking elastics??? Ha! You could rolls nylons up and down depending what you wore. And nylons purchased in boxes lined with tissue paper. Damn, I'm old!
    Glad you have good family close by. It makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it? We are very lucky, Vicki, really we are.

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  4. Chickenmom...I remember those. I even remember garter belts and nylons that had a seam up the back. Old as dirt, we are! :)

    I thank my lucky stars and God every single day for my family. Without them my life would be difficult at best. They make it possible for me to live independently, even with the limitations that age has brought. I am a very lucky woman, indeed.

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  5. One day at a time, I guess. Sometimes I feel like I live on an island, with the waves lapping higher and higher up the beach each day.

    Like you, I just try to not get anxious, and not get worked up. Sometimes I am successful, and sometimes I am not.

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  6. Harry...I know that island feeling. It is akin to waiting for the other shoe to drop. About the time I think that politicians can't possibly find anything else to do that is completely stupid, they prove me wrong. I'm not even sure that my vote matters any more. Seems to me the whole system is already rigged.

    I can't always keep from getting angry and worked up, but I try hard not to. Guess that is one reason I concentrate on preparing. It keeps me busy, it keeps my mind from dwelling on the awful things going on around us and when that other shoe drops or when those waves are lapping around our ankles, I want to be as ready as I possibly can be for me and my family.

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  7. My stress level is still high, but I'm not depressed yet. Talked with oldest son, he has a good attitude, considering he has no car, lost his job cause he wouldn't work today, with the storm approaching, and will be homeless this weekend.

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  8. Sorry to hear of your son's troubles, Rob. I've always believed that God never shuts a door but what he opens a window somewhere else. I'll be praying for his safety and that things will work out for him.

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  9. Vicki - I share your lifestyle for sure. With my health issues, a busy day for me is a 15 minute trip to the grocery store. Some days I am a little busier. Wednesday I had a doctor's appointment and that wiped me out for yesterday. I'm feeling better today but have to wait for the apartment maintenance guys. Love the fact that I only have to open the door for them but don't like being 'told' by the manager when they're showing up. Well, that's my rant for the day - first world problems for sure.
    My dog is doing well and back to his wacky self. He's currently sleeping and snoring as I type.
    As for preps - I, too, struggle with finding homes for all of my shopping. About the time I've squirreled everything away, I've gone shopping again. And, really, that's not a bad place to be.
    Glad your legs are better and you're free from those compression socks. I, too, fear losing my independence. But that day isn't here for today at least. Cheers, SJ in Vancouver BC

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  10. SJ...I've been thinking about you - wondering how you were getting along and about the health of your dog. Glad to hear both are OK. I get the part about small tasks being a busy day. Some days are better than others, but all are at a much slower pace. I am with you on being "told" as opposed to being asked. The best way to get my dander up is to tell me I "have" to do something. :)

    Those doctor appointments wear me down, too. Had one Wednesday, another tomorrow for a test and the third with the "wound care" guy next Thursday. Hope that will be the end of it for a while. I'm pretty much useless the day after an appointment.

    You are right. I would much rather be fiddling around trying to find a home for the preps than to be one of those madly dashing about before a storm, trying to buy milk and bread. Son assembled my new shelf and I think it will work just fine. I am going to have him get one more for me. I need a place to store fabric, quilting projects and scrapbooking supplies. And that would give me another couple of shelves for preps. With Son and his friend going to Sam's Club now, I can buy in case lots and in bulk. Some may think it is silly to stock so much for just one person, but in reality I am thinking about the three of us living in the same building plus those in my family who see no need to prepare. Should push come to shove, all of them will need to eat. And if nothing happens, I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from.

    It has been purely heavenly to be rid of those awful socks. I hope it stays that way. Our independence is such an important thing. I think I would soon go mad if I had to live where someone was telling me when to eat, when to bathe, when to get up in the morning and when to go to bed at night. But like you said, that day isn't here yet. I plan to keep it that way as long as possible!!

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