A Very Productive Day and a Surprise Family Reunion

The first point is a long overdue post. On January 28th my husband needed a computer part replaced. Knowing this installation might take a few hours we wanted some diversion. I found the perfect place, Jungle Jim’s international market. He appreciated my idea; the man adores different foods.

Not only did driving surface roads prove easy but I discovered a branch of our new Internet service provider therein. My guy’s honorary military discharge grants some small discounts. This latest requiring in-person verification, we expected another road trip until that day.

We also replenished favorite foods. The shrimp chips were too pricey, as were many items. Various dried noodles are a different story. Despite the recommended shelf life, most types don’t spoil for a long while.

We also stocked up on pickled herring. It’s in the German section.

On that note, my brother and I planned a meeting with our spouses at a German style sausage house in Columbus, Ohio last Sunday. The distance is almost perfectly halfway between our residences.

What stores do you frequent? Does your grocer offer international products?

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Resilience in the Face of Misfortune

Our friend Phoenix has once again landed in hospital. Another surgery meant to repair circulation in his right leg failed. Alas, doctors saw no option other than amputation.

On our way to visit him yesterday my husband and I followed a young man and little boy through the corridors for a bit. We joked about being lost. When we two finally found the correct room tucked in a corner, the others were already inside. They happen to be our friend’s nephew and great nephew. It was a joy meeting them.

Even better, the entire family seems to share our rather dark sense of humor. After a discussion over his health insurance and prosthetic limb options, it was decided that he would end up with a peg leg. So, his nephew stopped at a Halloween shop and bought pirate costume accessories.

His nephew is supporting Polly parrot...

The unfortunate man is suffering phantom limb syndrome. Whenever walking, he feels the old pain in his right foot. The worst is when he wants to cross his legs, he said. But his main complaint was that the missing knee had been replaced. A nurse is actually lobbying for the metal joint returned to him but I can’t imagine that one can be used on his left leg. My Internet search didn’t turn up any answers.

Have you heard of mirror therapy for his syndrome? Can you think of a reason other than money that this non-invasive, drug-free treatment is a last resort?

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Plans: A Creature Feature – & – Crap

My mild frustration with the YMCA led me to discovering an interesting event at our Caesar Creek nature center. I planned on attending two Sunday afternoon seminars on local critters. And I forgot. The place is a half hour away and the event started fifteen minutes ago. I could attend the second but am just not feeling it.

The other day I even typed up the following to share here (and obviously didn’t):
Fingers crossed, there won’t be a ton of kids there and I can see some captive (rehabilitating?) specimens followed by a natural pond exploration. Both hour long events are free. I don’t even need to register.

And I concluded with:

What odds do you think I have of a peaceful visit sans rambunctious children? Have you ever walked out on an event, paid or free, due to annoying crowds?

Isn’t that a shame? Can you believe I not only let a spat with my husband wreck my day but allowed my upset to spill over to our innocent kitties?

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A Friend's Day Out

I befriended a fellow writer at a gathering several years ago. We immediately bonded before the others even arrived, almost like long lost siblings. I consider him the little brother I never had. He goes by the name Scars, which I’ve encouraged, because his lifelong battle with arthritis has ravaged his body.

This disabled gentleman tends his ailing uncle while his widower father travels, which happens a great deal, and visits his lovely lady in Texas when able. Since he had free time both Wednesday (when I was busy) and Thursday, I reached out.

My husband didn’t feel ready for a lengthy outing. But bless him, he wanted me to get out and have fun. So Scars and I met at one of my favorite restaurants where he insisted on buying my lunch. The place has delicious South American cuisine and a stellar enclosed patio.

We sat beneath that yellow window.

Afterward he further exhibited his gallant nature. After I freshened up and emerged from El Meson he sat in his car having a quick smoke. I walked over and resumed talking before realizing he had a podcast playing.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “you’re listening to something.”

“I’m listing to you,” he replied without pause.

How sweet is that? And speaking of sweet, have you ever eaten Columbian arepas de choclo, or any South American cuisine?

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Unseasonal Repair & Assorted News

My computer glasses broke a while back and, with everything going on, I decided on a temporary repair. Oh, my eyeglass repair guy retired, too. He worked wonders on my vintage frames. At least these could probably be fixed at any optical shop. Anyway, here is my whimsical solution.

As for news, my husband is doing quite a bit better. He had me worried about visiting the cardiologist after hearing that his heart function was less than optimal. Thank heaven, the doctor acted unconcerned, expects improvement with time, and will see him in six months.

Fortunately, a dear lady I’ve called ‘Mom’ since childhood, the mother of my oldest friend, is also doing better after low potassium and high blood pressure landed her in the hospital. She survived cancer of the jaw decades ago. Doctors didn’t expect her to live and decades later complications arose. But she and ‘Dad’ were still travelling and enjoying life years later; I hope that resumes.

Dandelion is getting along great with our other kitties. She strode upstairs Sunday morning and I’ve witnessed Terra’s occasional hiss – no big deal. Dani gets her dental work done on Wednesday. That might improve cat politics even more.

As I type I’m sitting outside enjoying my garden. A pair of neighbor ladies stopped by. They like my new water feature. It’s a work in progress.

I feel so blessed.

Do you enjoy water features? Should I extend my pond and add fish?

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Eye Twitches and Dandelions

Caring for my husband is not difficult when compared to what many folks face; I’ve nonetheless developed a tic under my left eye. Gardening and/or just sitting outside (such as I am now) help my sanity.

However, I have a new concern. The kitty who’s been visiting my garden is now ours. She belonged to the young couple across the street. But when I spoke to the husband while she sat beside me, I learned he hadn’t seen her in five days (!) and was happy to relinquish her. His wife called her Mama or Blurry Face (?) and let her roam day and night. As is obvious, she birthed a litter and I am told she is about seven years old.

Concerned about our coyote population, I brought her inside one evening and had treated her for fleas a while back. So my husband and I already discussed adoption.

Her fur is dirty, stinky, matted, and she has terrible breath, but good food should help with the latter and disposable bathing cloths from my husband’s hospital stay have helped until I can get her to our usual pet groomer. She resides in our closed basement for now. I’ll call when they open at 9am tomorrow. They’re closed Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, so wish me luck.

A vet appointment is scheduled for Wednesday morning since I must drive him to see his primary care physician tomorrow. This new responsibility feels a bit much, but maybe the distraction will be good. Whether you, dear reader, believe or not, I like to think that God has plans.

Meanwhile, the neighbor’s next door have a severe dandelion problem. Oh, well. That inspired my naming our new kitty. I’m calling her Dandelion, or Dani for short. She kept popping up in my garden, after all.

What do you think of the name? Did you know that white cats with blue eyes are often deaf, and the pale fur can lead to sunburn?

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Appreciation Day

I cannot express enough how much comments on my last blog post meant. Thanks to everyone for the kind words, support, and suggestions. My hope is to get back to visiting my blogging family and sharing silly things here. By the way, I’m enjoying a gorgeous day outside (with cell phone in case my husband needs me) surrounded by beauty as I type.

He is doing much better even though recovering has been harder. He developed a urinary tract infection a month after surgery and spent almost a week in hospital. By the way, they kept him one night (or two?) after last month’s surgery and the same with triple bypass open heart surgery in 2011 (!), which still amazes me.

Did you know that dehydration is a major factor in developing a UTI? And such an infection can affect (especially older folks’) cognitive ability?

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Missing

I’ve missed blog posting and reading others’ these past several weeks. Life took an unexpected and unwelcome turn. Following his successful surgery, my husband turned into a lump on the couch. A friend gave me a pep talk inspiring me to get him walking. That lasted three days with him shuffling to the edge of our narrow property and just a few succeeding feet further. Day four, Sunday May seventh, he complained of excruciating pain.

While I shopped for something, anything, he might find palatable, he at last slept in the bed for the first time since his prostatectomy. We thought that might help. Alas, he requested an ambulance late Sunday night. A panicked Polly tried to bolt as paramedics wheeled out his gurney. Gathering her up, thereby getting a favorite shirt plus myself ripped open a bit by one of her many extra claws, I failed to hear where my husband wanted to be transported.

By four o’clock in the morning I’d ascertained his location and drove over to visit. At any rate, he’s home resting after the better part of a week. God forgive me, I wish they had not released him today, hoping his helplessness would remain someone else’s problem for a while longer. ~hangs head~ Bless those who take care of invalids full time.

My mother proved a trial before her passing but at least I had an excuse to leave town and return home. This is home. ~sigh~ Getting him in the car, driving to pick up medications, abandoning that to receive delivered medical equipment, being trained on it, settling him on the aforementioned couch, returning to the pharmacy, and picking up fast food, I found still more needs to fulfill. Thank heaven for kitty antics making me laugh.

His brothers are coming to visit this weekend from various hours away. My tearful conversations prompted the fraternal visit, making me feel thankful and guilty at the same time. His care seemed beyond my ability. But we seem to be doing better than I expected. Forgive me also, dear reader, for my whining.

How sweet is it that my husband’s siblings want to check our wellbeing? What might you crave after a week of hospital food?

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Eerie & Amusing

This morning I began catching up on blogs, having somehow fallen behind yet again. When I viewed Pam’s latest post here I chuckled and remarked with a simple ‘lol’. But the second image didn’t all fit on my computer screen at once. Scrolling down gave a fleeting glimpse of that bottom frame where something odd stood out. I went back to take a second look.

What first impressed me as a man peeking up from below turned out to be her socked foot (!) that then registered right away. Very cute socks, by the way. ~grin~ Anyhow, the soldier I ‘saw’ wearing a garrison cap was cartoonish, at best, and likely not evident to every viewer. Yet something still niggled at me. I got up to check a wartime portrait hanging nearby.

It is sad that this handsome, serene
visage hides WWII trauma
he never discussed.

I never had the pleasure of meeting my husband’s father. He passed away in 1981, I’m sorry to say, a full eight years before I met his son.

Can you see his wife’s high school photo reflected over his left shoulder? Isn’t it wonderful that we have these vintage portraits?

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Near Miss & Navigational Miscommunication

On the way to our Jungle Jim’s International grocery store this morning I took a different route. The decided detour seemed easy enough; head westward until I reached Ohio State Route 4 southbound. I enjoyed the change of scenery and things went fine until my dear husband felt the need to pull up the navigation via his ‘smart’ phone.

As I reached the expected Rt. 4 bypass the voice told me to head north. That made no sense. But I followed this direction at his encouragement and the system promptly told me to head south. ~sigh~ With no room to take the turn I chose what seemed a safer route. Wrong.

We encountered a traffic light with left turn arrows for two lanes. Since there was no sign proclaiming a U-turn illegal my husband again urged this maneuver. To our dismay, traffic flowing eastward from our left also received the go ahead. I didn’t understand the danger until realizing this crazy intersection directed them not to a simple right hand turn but directly into our path in some weird high speed sort of roundabout. I stayed dedicated to my U-turn, didn’t slow down, and thus calmly avoided collision.

Don’t you wish for vehicular communication besides the horn, such as an apology signal? Is it wrong I (sort of) wanted to strangle my husband?

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An Eerie Revelation

Sorting through a box of things my father sent, I discovered a photo of my beloved maternal grandparents. A close inspection shocked me. Purchased off eBay probably fifteen years ago, my vintage eyeglass frames could have been the very ones Grandma wore during my childhood.

A Lovely Lady

I just wanted something different and thought this design looked interesting.

These came with trifocals.

She must have felt the same. I cannot tell if she wore bifocal lenses or trifocals.

Though you may not see it in her portrait,
the contrasting finishes look identical. 

Isn’t that wild? Has this sort of thing happened to you?

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More Party Pics

I did not take as many pictures as planned. Most of these are off of Facebook thanks to other attendees.

Looks like a cyclist is on this spider's
dinner menu... Yum!

My lovely niece.

The day before...

This guy greeted me along with his friend
perched on the opposite porch rail.

Spider Man Unmasked...

More decor along the detached garage...

Last but far from least, here is sweet Tux.
His frame felt frail but he doesn't act it.



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November Already?

I sure lost track of time this October. It’s taken me hours to catch up on just a few favorite blogs this morning (!) and I haven’t posted since October 12th. Wow. Just wow.

To kick things off again, here are tidbits from this past Saturday night. My one (middle) brother and sister-in-law hosted their awesome annual Halloween party. So I rousted myself out of our cozy home, leaving my husband to take care of kitties, and drove from Southwest to Northeast Ohio. I’m glad I made the effort to visit family and some friends.

Near 2am I photographed my silly brother
 & his lovely wife about to call it a night...

The couple did an awesome job transforming their backyard. Portable outdoor heaters warmed covered areas near the house, spooky décor surrounding that whole space. Both electric lighting and torches welcomed partygoers toward the wooded property line. There, seats surrounded their huge fire pit while another pop up shelter stood a safe bit away for those not willing to brave occasional drizzling rainfall. I’ll share more later, after a lunch out for food I’ve been craving. ~grin~ I wanted to go yesterday but the place was packed.

Do you have that one family member who hosts amazing shindigs? Do you want to see a gruesome (but tasty) Halloween treat (see below...)?

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Definitely not gory internal organs,
just ill-formed cinnamon rolls...
Heh...

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Are You Still Here?

The lovely Strayer amused me by pronouncing that her more feral charges prefer she leave the house daily. That reminded me of my last office job. Most truck drivers and many coworkers wanted to stop and chat, perhaps not understanding my need to concentrate. Many workdays left me mentally exhausted. I’d return home craving solo exercise time and fiction writing.

Meanwhile my husband worked from home. Upon my return he’d talk nonstop wanting to share this or that. It got to the point I sometimes stayed late writing on a company computer, personal documents then saved via thumb drive. Third shift employees found me amusing. So did my understanding husband once I confessed. Heh…

Not us, thank heaven...

Do you have similar stories or childhood recollections of this domestic conundrum?

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Another Reply on the Kitten Front, & Foremost, Updates on Our Human Family

I received a welcome call the other evening. And, because he knows I'm not fond of telephone conversations, my husband would be shocked by that description. ~grin~ But talking to my big brother qualified. He sounded great! My science geek spouse wished I'd asked technical science questions but it seemed fair to let Brian steer our conversation. I'm sure his health is a tiresome topic. We talked cars (a family-wide interest) and his effort to rescue orphaned kittens (!) found on his property. I so love that man. Mom and Dad B continue doing well, too, my friend reported.

Sweet Pam (Click her name to see her blog; I don't know what happened to highlighting) asked how I came up with our kittens' monikers. I can relate to struggling as it took us weeks to christen Jezebel. Luna had big yellow eyes like the moon and I heard that name mentioned on "The Martha Stewart Show" all those years ago (1999!). Tilly came with hers from the Humane Society. I like the works of actresses Jennifer and Meg Tilly, and calling out to our Silly Tilly Willy worked. She was a goofy girl ~grin~ But I digress.

I'm afraid to straighten this lamp shade.
Someone might attack it for attention.
Terra... Ahem... She's a pistol.

Upon learning these girls sported extra toes, the puns began flying. Sorry, Liz, we are bad that way. (Again, click her name to see her blog; I don't know what happened to highlighting) Thus, we soon decided on Terra Dactyl and Polly Dactyl. And Terra sure zooms around like those flying dinosaurs. My husband picked the spelling, by the way. I suppose Ptera would have been a bit much for the vets. Sometimes I add Cotta or Firma as a middle name. ~shakes head~ And Polly Esther, well, you get it... Esther was also a favorite aunt, sister to my mother-in-law, I'm happy to say. We call our cheerful girl Polly Anna on occasion, too.

Do you think cats recognize their names? Or, as I believe, do they respond more to vocal tone?

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Egads

I don't like to post entries more than once per day but my niece forwarded news that her dad is back in hospital due to a fluid filled lung. Her text indicated her understandable frustration and anger. In Ashley's opinion, he was released too soon without a proper exit examination.

On the bright side, my husband learned that such lengthy anesthesia as Brian underwent can result in this condition. So it's likely neither a bacterial nor viral infection. :) And he is feeling better being back on oxygen.

Also, my friend's in-laws are doing well. Mom B had a procedure for erratic heartbeat that went well and Dad is getting a heart catheterization today. With luck, a pacemaker will put his health to rights.

Last but not least, the Dactyl sisters had their final booster shot against feline respiratory infections. Terra Cotta went from 4.2 pounds to 5.5 and little Polly Esther gained just under a pound, putting her at 4.1 now.


Did you know there is a condition called feline radial hypoplasia? Can you believe some morons considered breeding these so-called "squittens"?

Sweet Kanga Roo has grown into a
happy, active adult. Click on her
name to read and see more.

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Happy News

My best friend from childhood informed me that her father-in-law is having a pacemaker installed which should solve his heart issues. I'm so glad. He feels anxious about the procedure but is eating and communicative.

And my brother Brian is out of hospital. He has moved into the family home with his ex-wife for a few weeks' follow-up care. She's a skilled registered nurse. So that's a comfort.

I won't tell them my husband and I hope against hope that they reconcile. And my fingers are crossed that things don't turn ugly.

Actress Kathy Bates is amazing in any role. I cannot list the many films her skill has embellished.

Would you want an ex-partner taking care of you post surgery? Have you read the book or seen the movie "Misery" by Stephen King?

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A Quick Update and Another Request

While he is still in hospital, my big brother Brian continues doing well. The plan is to send him home once he is weaned off of oxygen. I think it's getting close.

Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers. Sad to say, another pair could use some.

My childhood friend informed me that her in-laws are not well. Mom needs a procedure for an irregular heartbeat. Worse, however, is her husband's situation. He is at an excellent heart clinic but his condition, especially at his advanced age, are worrisome.

In advance, thanks for any and all well wishes for Mr. and Mrs. B from Northeast Ohio. They are very sweet folks.

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Weird, Wild, & Wonderful

Today two shiny shed kitten claws appeared on a windowside kitty 'condo'. Wait... Shiny? ~shakes head~ Upon further investigation I realized Terra and/or Polly lost some baby teeth. I couldn't resist cleaning them in hydrogen peroxide for keeping.

Our little girls are growing up...

Even better than this cute discovery is the fact my niece filmed her father from his hospital bed. Brian looked and sounded great, better than I expected. His humor is intact and Sarah could be heard giggling throughout filming.

Do you think freezing a kitty teething toy will sooth them through this transition? Should I leave something nice under their bedding as the Tooth Fairy?

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More Good News on the Family Front

Our geriatric cat Jezebel has not warmed up to the Dactyl sisters, Terra Cotta and Polly Esther. But she is resuming some normal behavior, such as not wanting to stay still for photos.

Sun Bathing Interrupted...
(Sorry, Jezebel)

No blood has spilled, though, and not a lot of loose fur flung about. So that's a blessing.

Rest and Play... Rest and Play...
Mix the Two & Repeat

As for my convalescing brother Brian, his eldest daughter visited and shared a gratefully optimistic report. She met the surgeon, who was amazed at his quick recuperation despite residual pain and possible upcoming setbacks. It's not unexpected due to the long and complicated procedure. Her younger sister plans to visit tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the well wishes. It's a much needed joy to share caring connections. And by the way, my back pain from handling Terra's antics is mild. I'm sure it wouldn't even register on the scale many folks suffer. Bless you all and your fortitude.

Change of subject: do you believe in the sad theory that civilization is nine meals from collapse? Have you seen any documentaries on modern society failing without proper infrastructural maintenance?

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