A Reality Recheck

While I’ve been meaning to blog more, both reading and writing, I’ve been hiding in escapism. Since time is much better spent wishing all living creatures the best and focusing on a positive mindset, here is some great personal news…

On Friday my husband received a call from his dialysis team. His kidney function has improved enough that he might be able to end this (quite literally) draining procedure, have the itchy temporary port removed, and once more take full showers.

And I am proud to announce that my courageous, chivalrous friend has been seeing a grief therapist after his dear lady’s passing. In decades past Scars might have let guilt, anger, or sheer bereavement overtake him.

Our dear friend Phoenix is also doing well. His employer grants every consideration regarding his leg amputation. I’m thankful he is valued and gets satisfaction from his work.

What’s your favorite way of avoiding reality? Or do you prefer charging headlong to forge a brighter future?

Apologies for My Absence – & – Better Days Awaite

I am sorry to have missed so many posts from all you lovely folks who read my silly blog. As always, I thank you for so many kind comments. My attention has been focused on a tragic misfortune.

The friend I’ve mentioned several times, Scars, finally convinced his lovely lady (S) to move up from her tiny Texas town. She adored taking care of him and his ailing father. Unfortunately, less than a year later S succumbed to her long suffered epilepsy, and stayed in a coma for over a week. Even after being removed from life support her body continued fighting.

Now she is at rest, though, about an hour after Scars held the phone so S could hear the voice of one final person. His lady had taken care of an ailing matron back home and we believe this gave the ultimate closure necessary.

On the bright side, S’s ordeal healed several estranged relationships. It’s too bad her siblings and adult children didn’t show S adequate respect or affection during her lifetime.

This is the first time carrots worked for us
& we look forward to eating cabbage...

 

Corn designed for container growing...
~fingers crossed~

Pointy leaves give away the cucumber...

Can you believe I managed to confuse my pepper breeds before transplanting? Do you know that young cucumber and pumpkin plants look almost identical? ~rolls eyes~ Four cucumber plants will keep us very busy pickling this summer.-

My First Harvest of the Growing Season

Okay, I suppose a single item doesn’t really constitute a harvest. But this little sugar snap pea tasted delicious. Fingers crossed, I’ll be gathering many more in future.

I find these little blooms pretty but the
intricate transformation engulfing
the one below astonished me.

Can you believe I split that tiny nibble with my husband? Do you enjoy eating any pea variety?

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The Good, the Not Too Bad, and the Chilly

This morning I mowed the lawn while wearing an old winter coat (!) because it’s that cold, and the dampness doesn’t help. I’m crossing my fingers that all my vegetable plants survive.

Tomato and pepper plants hate cold;
some crops do well, at least,
such as carrots, lettuces,
cabbage, & broccoli...

I made sure to have plenty of sugar water out for our ruby throated hummingbirds. Perhaps they are in torpor due to the cold but it’s available either way.

Since they are so territorial I decided to purchase more feeders from Amazon; they’re just plastic yet very affordable. One broke several years ago after decades of service.

Unfortunately, two out of four arrived broken. Amazon customer service gave me a refund without even requesting the photo I took. A similar situation happened when I received a hand held extension cord caddy. The all important hand grip was missing. I accepted another refund and plan to shop locally.

It’s no big deal. Oh, and I solved a different niggling little nuisance regarding hummingbird feeders. It’s easy to lose track of when they were refilled, resulting in mildew. Ugh… This spring it occurred to me that filling each with a small amount forces me to change out the solution virtually every day.

Not only is cleaning less a chore, it also reduces wasted sugar. I call that a win/win. Now I only hope consistent high winds relent and temperatures rise a bit.

Are you experiencing unseasonable weather? If so, what type?

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Crazy “Deals” (?)

I stumbled upon a so-called bargain website months ago and have no recollection how. Considering my husband’s (greatly improving!) health and mobility issues, it’s no wonder I lost track. I did, however, keep an image for the purpose of blogging. Not only did the price make me cringe, as did the use of snake skin, but so did the structure.

I must admit to wearing a similar boot
but mine were of fabric and
had a straight heel...
Yikes!

Beginning in the mid 1980’s and only ending about a decade or so ago I often donned quite high heels, sometimes with very sharp toe points. Running through school halls, dancing well past midnight in steel toed stilettos, and then stubbornly refusing help carrying heavy items at work took their toll. As shared in 2023, I am very fortunate as simple footwear changes have relieved all pain and only my right foot developed a bunionette. Otherwise known as a tailor’s bunion, it’s named after the the tradesmens’ cross-legged posture causing the issue.

Isn’t it fascinating how medical conditions are named? Do you have issues with foot pain?

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My Little Helper

Starting seeds in our basement has been both relaxing and successful. We already had a warming mat to help them propagate as well as other equipment to aid seedlings. The one thing I do not have is a proper potting bench, and my video proves the point.

Do you think I should offer some of my extra little vegetable plants to friends and neighbors? Would you accept such an offer?

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Good Fortune

Months ago, following a delicious meal of Chinese style orange chicken, my fortune cookie slip was forgotten in my pocket and rediscovered after it went through the washer and dryer. By that time I’d been well on the way to vegetable garden preparation and rereading it made me grin. Lunch at a hibachi/sushi place provided a perfect follow-on. While I don’t really believe in fortune telling it is fun to have received this boost.

Have you heard the history of fortune cookies deriving from Japan? Are you a fan of any Asian cuisine? -

Busywork

My husband has been driving himself to medical appointments (!) while I work around the house. Outdoors, I’ve exhausted myself in the pleasurable endeavor of vegetable garden preparation. Recently I knocked down two annoyances.

The easy one was getting our portable electric car charger mounted on the garage wall; that’s bothered me for years. Replacing a toilet seat proved more taxing but I’m happy it’s done.

The seat should remain tightly in place,
and I like the chromed hinges...

 

 
How are you doing these days? Do you have any fun seasonal plans? -

Why I Have Been Absent from Blogging

On Saturday, April 12th my husband asked me to call for an ambulance. He felt weak, dizzy, and overall just terrible. Almost a week and a half later he’s doing much better. In fact, he should be home now. Yesterday I spent the entire day with him hoping to bring him back.

This morning he told me not to make the hour long round trip unless he gets cleared. So far, we’re still on hold. I’ll explain why later.

Like last year, a prescription medication caused an acute kidney injury. This time an extreme potassium buildup caused even more damage. He spent two days in intensive care. That was scary, especially due to his negative mindset.

Thank heaven, improved organ function has cleared his mind. He no longer talks like he’s about to die. ~shudder~ Meanwhile, until his kidneys fully heal he needs thrice weekly dialysis and can not take his oral diabetic medicine.

Thus I’ve been shown how to administer insulin using an injector pen, as well as install/replace the subcutaneous blood sugar monitor. Neither procedure is overcomplicated and we are grateful for these scientific advances. But please wish me luck.

The reason he’s still stuck in hospital is because there is a scheduling issue with our local DaVita Comprehensive Kidney Care center. My guy’s medical team won’t let him out in case the next round of dialysis due tomorrow must be done on an inpatient basis again.

Update! The typical Monday, Wednesday, Friday outpatient schedule can be altered to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Maybe some locations aren’t open on weekends. ~shrugs~ He’s staying overnight but I will bring him home in the morning. ~fingers crossed~ His spirits are high and he’s in good hands; I couldn’t ask for more.

Are you or a loved one prescribed numerous pharmaceutical drugs? Do you question some as necessary, perhaps even detrimental?

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Anticipation

Our nearby aquarium is a place I’ve wanted to revisit for many, many years. A trip was my birthday wish and I was willing to wait for a new exhibit. It’s scheduled to open later this next month.

I forgot my chosen date falls in late April. ~sigh~ However, I had picked the least busy weekday and earliest time slot to avoid both crowds while also saving some money. Loads of children are painfully noisy and also heat up the space unbearably.

My dear husband not only came through with this gift, earning my silly happy dance that morning, he also recalled the proper date. Fingers crossed, traffic through Cincinnati won’t be terrible that day.

This is a cool place...

Do you enjoy watching aquatic life? Have you ever walked through such a tunnel?

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Looking at the Bright Side

Stepping outside Friday morning I witnessed a neighbor fall after politely shooing a dog next door. He almost landed on his face. I jogged over but, seeing blood gush from his right calf, I panicked and asked if his wife, a surgical nurse, was home. She had gone out.

Knowing he was on blood thinners, I dashed into their home searching fruitlessly for something to staunch the flow and ran back out asking what I should do. Less stunned now, he calmly told me where to find medical supplies before suggesting I just bring out a roll of paper towels. I returned with both but stood shaking and useless, offering little more than a hug.

Just days prior a doctor removed fourteen staples after a freak accident (he’d been walking around the foot of his bed!), gouged open that exact area. I’m ashamed to have done nothing much but stand there yesterday, eyes averted from the wound, when I should have called his wife. I didn’t know she would soon return.

Lucky for us both she did and charged over shouting, “What are you doing? What are you doing?” I can only imagine how angry the whole situation and especially that careless neighbor’s junk pile made her.

What stands out to me is how calm he stayed, complaining about ruining a good pair of jeans and kindly telling me to stop shaking. He even apologized to the scrap collector for bleeding on her driveway. This morning he sent a text message thanking me for my caring concern and love.

I need to share this with the neighbors, a lucky photo taken earlier this week...

 

Can you believe what appeared to be a catastrophic wound required just six stitches? And isn’t it funny this very same neighbor, in a dream last night, said his wife would provide me first aid training? -

Memories

Sharing on his blog about how different cultures dry their clean clothes, Andrew reminded me of helping my beloved maternal Grandma at the clothesline. It’s neat that Andrew and I shared similar childhood chores despite living on different continents.

Now I can almost envision Grandma’s old fashioned washer. It had a ringer, two rollers squeezing water from garments one at a time versus our modern spin cycle. I don’t recall if this was all electric or hand cranked.

An Older Model, for Sure;
Thanks go to the stock photographer

Strayer’s comment reminded me of Grandpa’s opinion of cut flowers. While I don’t begrudge folks who regularly enjoy flower bouquets, seeing blooms thrive on their living stems is my personal preference. Obviously, I make exceptions. ~sheepish grin~ This brings a very specific story to mind.

One summer, a neighbor girl insisted on harvesting some of Grandpa’s flowers. Her boorish nature weakened my timid protests. My grandfather emerged from the house spouting righteous indignation.

I burst into tears. What’s her name ran home.

After her shamed retreat my Grandpa expressed sorrow. He never blamed me but knew favoring his granddaughter could, as we would term it today, exacerbate a toxic relationship. My love for him grew even stronger that distant day.

How do you launder your clothes? Can you imagine trekking to a river with a washboard and clothes basket like so many hardworking souls (past and present) around the world?

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Every Rose Has its Thorn

I went to the grocery store the other day to snag some relatively inexpensive half gallons of milk. The limit of five has restocked my freezer. That and some fresh produce were my main goals but I couldn’t resist the plethora of flower bouquets marked down following St. Valentine’s Day.

My husband approved my purchase since my birthday was a few days earlier and I asked for nothing special...

They aren’t as fragrant as those I recall from the 1980’s. In addition, a lot of petals landed on the floor while the thorny, dry woody stems made trimming them a chore. While roses are much cheaper now, I’d be angry if my full price bouquet rotted in under a week.

Do you purchase cut flowers? If so, did you know that a slanted knife cut allows the stems better water absorption than a scissor's pinch?
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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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It’s Another Day in Paradise

This title is an homage to my friend Scars. His lifelong crippling pain left him with acerbic humor. I like to think his commentary doubles as a positive affirmation; his spirit is inspirational, for sure.

Meanwhile, our cellar flooded yet again, the most recent of countless events. This time we’re going to remove the oft saturated carpet bits. We should have done it decades ago. The multiple times it’s been pulled up and replaced upon getting professionally dried have left ragged edges.

Our first occurrence happened in spring of 1995 (!) when I didn’t disconnect the garden hose before the previous winter’s freezing temperatures. Turning on the faucet poured water onto the downstairs carpet until I discovered the source of the sound. My father should have taught me this, but alas, no…

This week’s leak came from our furnace humidifier. It started small and my husband changed the filter, which should have ended it but instead made things worse. The serviceman who came out determined that the new filter wasn’t properly seated, disabling proper flow through the pipe system. The money spent wasn’t a total waste; this guy said the water flow was too high and turned it down. My restating this fact finally comforted my husband.

Fortunately, a fan running on high seems to be drying the carpet. Perhaps next month we’ll hire the junk removal service we engaged last year. Those folks will take away all the half empty paint cans, etc., as well as sections of carpet. Everything is reportedly recycled in an appropriate manner or receives proper disposal. I’ve been bagging up obsolete electronics and whatnot.

Can you believe three water heaters failed over the decades, each dumping their entire contents? Isn’t it a silly but fun theory that our home hosts a mischievous water sprite?
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Lucky Us

The other day my husband and I foolishly didn’t assess the snow piled at the end of our driveway. I got stuck and we spent perhaps twenty minutes digging/rocking the car out, even adding some fresh cat litter for tire traction. It’s a good thing we left early for his dental appointment.

A neighbor helped me shovel upon our return home. He’s perhaps thirty years old and said he took a pain pill for his back, planning to clear our entire driveway. We convinced otherwise. Our cars can power through several inches, after all.

Interestingly, the young gentleman offhandedly reminded me that the paved portion between sidewalk and street is called an apron in US lingo. I suppose it’s due to tapered ends resembling an apron’s skirt.

Meanwhile more snow fell, as did darkness, and while shoveling gets harder as the years pass, I grew determined to retain passage. Discovering a light powder had fallen I grabbed my shop broom.

Dragging and even pushing light loads proved easier than expected. I proceeded to do the same for several neighbors. One fellow came and helped, shoveling more of my driveway after seeing me. He felt guilt despite the times he’s done the same winters past.

Our area seldom sees more than a few inches of the white stuff or we’d consider purchasing a snow blower. Perhaps we’ll hire a service in future years. I wish our drifts could be air dropped over fires around the world. ~sigh~ At least we’re getting plenty of ground water here.

My mother gifted me this
waterproof fedora
decades ago...
Cool, no?

Do you enjoy seasonal changes? Do you have a favorite? -

Another Loss

I’m always saddened when folks lose loved ones. Not too long ago I discovered a fascinating couple through the wife’s blog. Now both are gone. On the bright side, they lived long and fruitful lives.

Don’t misunderstand me; I believe every honorable human uplifts the species. But this couple’s contribution amazes me. For those who never knew their story, here is her obituary. I am sorry that my links will not work tonight and you must copy and paste if interested. Blessings to you all.

https://www.stanleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mariette-Van-Den-Munckhof-Vedder?obId=34153025

Yum

I regret being absent of late and hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. My brain seems not to have caught up with how much my husband’s health and mobility have improved. Some days I have trouble getting out of bed when my heart and mind should be rejoicing. Please do not feel bad for me, though, as I will get there.

That said, he keeps me entertained with Youtube videos, including one by a darling food blogger named Emmy. I don’t use social media beyond blogging and thus am grateful she covered a recipe for tuna salad shared by actor Mathew McConaughey. As my title proclaims, it’s fantastic (!) to someone who’s not even a huge fan of canned tuna.

The balance of heat, mild sweetness, and crunch proved astounding. I generally dislike raw onion yet didn’t omit it. And, wow, the small amount didn’t upset my stomach one bit. Also, I didn’t try any until it sat overnight; that might have helped mellow the small bits of onion.

In case you’re unaware as I was, the recipe is below. Please let me know if you try it and your resulting opinion.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise, plus more as desire

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons wasabi paste

2 teaspoons Italian dressing

3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

3 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles

1/3 cup crispy jalapeño chips (my guy found these on Amazon)

1/4 cup chopped apple

1/2 cup fresh corn kernels (I cooked them along with the peas for two minutes in the microwave and let them cool)

1/2 cup frozen peas

10 ounces quality tuna packed in olive oil, drained (my Albacore tuna came packed in water so I added a drizzle of olive oil)

Directions:

Stir mayonnaise together with vinegar, lemon juice, wasabi, and Italian dressing in a medium bowl until combined.

Add in onion, pickles, jalapeño chips, apple, corn, and peas, and stir.

Fold in the tuna until well combined. Add more mayonnaise if desired.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Do you enjoy any canned fish? And isn’t amazing how some foods, like many soups and stews, improve with a day or two refrigerated?

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Progress – & – Projects

All the kind words left on my almost abandoned blog are much appreciated. My annoying upper respiratory infection is fading every day to the point my husband and I went grocery shopping together. I consider this not only progress in my health but also attitude.

The fact our lives turned around so fast has left my emotional responses behind. We all know many caregivers never see conditions improve and I have unending respect for their forbearance. Thus I also feel shame over some lingering depression.

But his regained interest in food, and thus my cooking and baking adventures, has provided a huge boost. Roasting my homegrown pumpkins, their seeds, and trying my hand at smoking meats and baking various breads, pies, making apple butter, and even turning apple scraps into apple cider vinegar are rewarding busywork. We are even considering a little distillery kit to make my vinegar less watery.

Did you know there is such a thing as Mother of vinegar, and that it’s a symbiotic relationship between beneficial yeast and bacteria? Are you a fan of vinegar in general or specifically?

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Turning a Virtual Corner – & – Virtually Coughing Up a Lung

I’ve learned over the years that even with the best health care available we must advocate for ourselves. Sometimes, though, we need the help of a bright physician who’s on his game. This has been one such occasion.

When the awesome Dr. T advised my husband to stop taking a multi-purpose medication his kidneys not only improved but his appetite returned and dizziness went away. He has also been taken off all blood pressure medication that was described decades ago. I thought once you got on meds for high blood pressure you never stopped.

As I type my husband is seeing the kidney doctor again. We agree the specialist will be happy with ongoing improvements. I’ve been driving my husband everywhere for months and his regained confidence behind the wheel is a blessing in more ways than one because I developed a nasty upper respiratory infection, no doubt due to stress.

I cannot recall the last time I fell ill, having learned a long time ago that I must wash my hands after traveling even a short distance and to never touch my face while out and about. It probably looks odd if other drivers notice me scratching the side of my nose through clothing. I don’t care.

Pasts illnesses have been much more painful; my throat isn’t aching and my headache mild. Last night, though, I couldn’t stop coughing up phlegm between around 2am and sunrise. It finally eased up and my man bought me some cough syrup. For a while there I feared coughing so hard that I ended up with a detached retina.

Can you believe my husband thought he was dying just a week ago? And how fortunate are we to have such a great medical team?

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