Monday, June 29, 2020
Basement Finale
Who knows the value of anything? I think we need a different power
cord arrangement.
Day to Remember
While not the worst day of my life, or even a close second, today is one of the most uncomfortable days ever. Besides my personal procedure, the loud concrete drilling has been non-stop since before 11 this morning. I don't think
it is ever going to stop. Several hours ago, when they brought the buckets of stone around back, I had hope, but now I've given up on that hope. (It reminds me of all the times I waited to pick my kids up from one activity or another. I'd wait, watch all other kids getting picked up,and I just knew mine were never going to appear. They were always late and always last. In my mind's eye.
M. was here when they arrived at 10:45. She left to "move her car" out of their way, and she never reappeared. That would be my wish too.
**Drilling stopped about 3:15. Then the stones shoveled , and now at 4:10 they're mixing the cement. I don't know about the sump, the pump, and the outside drain.
M. was here when they arrived at 10:45. She left to "move her car" out of their way, and she never reappeared. That would be my wish too.
**Drilling stopped about 3:15. Then the stones shoveled , and now at 4:10 they're mixing the cement. I don't know about the sump, the pump, and the outside drain.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
The Last Great Debate
When there is not much worth quibbling about, there is always a bone of contention. Dave and I both fed the cat, he more than I because he could not abide the thought of hunger. And the cat took advantage. knowing she could lure him into opening a fresh can of catfood just by looking at him. In the interest of keeping the food fresh, we would dole out half a can at a time.
You might think, that being agreed on, there would be no further disagreement, but you would be wrong. We were in consensus about the half a can approach and even to store the opened can in a plastic container to be put in the refrigerator. But the difference in how to do that became an issue:
I would open the can, discard the lid, insert the opened can into the plastic container , and refrigerate it. See Exhibit #1
Dave would do the same, except for one difference. He ALWAYS would leave the opened lid attached. See Exhibit #2
I should clarify by saying the disagreement was one-sided. I was constantly telling him to detach the lid and throw it in the garbage before storing the partial contents. He, on the other hand, offered no argument supporting his position. He just always did it the same way.
Just as all else in life, nobody won, nobody lost, and in the long run it made no difference at all.
You might think, that being agreed on, there would be no further disagreement, but you would be wrong. We were in consensus about the half a can approach and even to store the opened can in a plastic container to be put in the refrigerator. But the difference in how to do that became an issue:
I would open the can, discard the lid, insert the opened can into the plastic container , and refrigerate it. See Exhibit #1
Dave would do the same, except for one difference. He ALWAYS would leave the opened lid attached. See Exhibit #2
I should clarify by saying the disagreement was one-sided. I was constantly telling him to detach the lid and throw it in the garbage before storing the partial contents. He, on the other hand, offered no argument supporting his position. He just always did it the same way.
Just as all else in life, nobody won, nobody lost, and in the long run it made no difference at all.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Basement Before the Basement Waterproofers YUCK
Friday, June 26, 2020
Shifting Parameters
But who's counting. Covid is more serious depending on the age of the affected persons. The most vulnerable population are those over 50; no, over age 60, wait, it's people in their 70's. But today, Vice President Pence declared the most vulnerable are those in their 80's.
Who is listening, Mike?
Who is listening, Mike?
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Don't take the high road..
If by chance you're coming to visit, make sure you use the driveway proper. Otherwise your car may bottom out on the new, smooth elevated highway.
Pshaw, Elective Surgery...
So to the approval and relief of area hospitals, the ban on elective surgery has now been lifted, and the surgeons and other employees are now able to feed their families again.
You can have your elective surgery. What a boon! It's not as if you've won a lottery. Elective surgery can be for diagnostic reasons, for cancer treatment, for previously scheduled orthopedic surgeries: in other words, for necessary treatments that have been postponed due to the Covid virus.
The hospital community is grateful. Thank you for your business, they might say. But one of the conditions before being admitted to any surgical procedure is the necessity to have a Covid test. That's a good thing. Especially for surgical patients who are most likely not 100% healthy anyway, thus the need for surgery.
However, the St. Peter's Health Care System, which encompasses St. Peter's Hospital, Albany Memorial Hospital, and Samaritan Hospital, all surgical centers, has designated only a single area for the pre-surgery Covid testing, which must be done 3 days prior to the scheduled procedure. That site is the parking lot of Albany Memorial Hospital. The time window I was given was from 8-9:30 a.m. Testing site is closed by noon.
Presumably most of the prospective patients, especially those scheduled for procedures at the Troy location, are uneasy about their procedure, as well as the swabbing itself, are somewhat health-impaired, and may not feel like hopping on I-90 and driving an additional 50 mile or so round trip for a tryst in the parking lot. They may have to arrange for transportation.
There have been Covid testing sites set up in may places, on every street corner in some cities. I understand why, in the interest of testing accuracy, St. Peter's would specify testing only at its approved locations. But why not have a site located at least in the city where the patient is to undergo surgery? I was told the site closes at noon, so it would seem possible to set up another location.
If St. Peter's is so grateful for the return of "elective surgery" patients, why can't they try to make the process as less stressful as possible. It doesn't seem the added expense would be prohibitive. And maybe fewer patients would further postpone their procedures.
You can have your elective surgery. What a boon! It's not as if you've won a lottery. Elective surgery can be for diagnostic reasons, for cancer treatment, for previously scheduled orthopedic surgeries: in other words, for necessary treatments that have been postponed due to the Covid virus.
The hospital community is grateful. Thank you for your business, they might say. But one of the conditions before being admitted to any surgical procedure is the necessity to have a Covid test. That's a good thing. Especially for surgical patients who are most likely not 100% healthy anyway, thus the need for surgery.
However, the St. Peter's Health Care System, which encompasses St. Peter's Hospital, Albany Memorial Hospital, and Samaritan Hospital, all surgical centers, has designated only a single area for the pre-surgery Covid testing, which must be done 3 days prior to the scheduled procedure. That site is the parking lot of Albany Memorial Hospital. The time window I was given was from 8-9:30 a.m. Testing site is closed by noon.
Presumably most of the prospective patients, especially those scheduled for procedures at the Troy location, are uneasy about their procedure, as well as the swabbing itself, are somewhat health-impaired, and may not feel like hopping on I-90 and driving an additional 50 mile or so round trip for a tryst in the parking lot. They may have to arrange for transportation.
There have been Covid testing sites set up in may places, on every street corner in some cities. I understand why, in the interest of testing accuracy, St. Peter's would specify testing only at its approved locations. But why not have a site located at least in the city where the patient is to undergo surgery? I was told the site closes at noon, so it would seem possible to set up another location.
If St. Peter's is so grateful for the return of "elective surgery" patients, why can't they try to make the process as less stressful as possible. It doesn't seem the added expense would be prohibitive. And maybe fewer patients would further postpone their procedures.
Spectrum
Despite 2 separate calls and the best efforts of Mau and Mindy respectively, my cable reception is "far from ideal." Sporadic then persistent Error Messages, inability to control volume or to change channels---who needs TV anyway?
Jeopardy is done for the season, or maybe forever. There has been ultra-poor audio on Channel 6 for out-of-studio shows, the home-based nighttime talk shows are soooo boring with spouse and child chat and interviews of has-been performers. The news is deadly and depressing. The ennui of such as in "Rebel Without A Cause" has been replaced with rebels whose cause is because.
Jeopardy is done for the season, or maybe forever. There has been ultra-poor audio on Channel 6 for out-of-studio shows, the home-based nighttime talk shows are soooo boring with spouse and child chat and interviews of has-been performers. The news is deadly and depressing. The ennui of such as in "Rebel Without A Cause" has been replaced with rebels whose cause is because.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
And Just Like That-------June 17, 2015
Life changed forever.
That day was a Wednesday and Dave as usual had gone to Schaghticoke and seen the kids off to school, Andrew anyway who was 7 years old and in the elementary building. The others may have finished their exams and may or may not have taken the bus that day.
He came home, went to the post office and the market, and I think may have had coffee at Stewart's with Don and /or the Stewart's boys. He'd seen to the pool and decided to go to Wiley's to get some chlorine. He entered the outside shed (which has since been redone.) He lifted the bag and stepped back with it, and his foot caught on the ridge along the floor. He fell.
Andy Wiley called me and said they had called the rescue squad, said he was awake and talking. Rosemary went with me to drive his car home. The rescue squad was there preparing to take him to the hospital. I think I said St. Mary's. Dave seemed himself, but said, and afterwards said repeatedly, that he had felt a great shock.
The usual tests were done at the hospital showing nothing seriously wrong, actually reporting him to be in good health. They sent him home.
That was the last day that Dave drove his car or walked unassisted.
That day was a Wednesday and Dave as usual had gone to Schaghticoke and seen the kids off to school, Andrew anyway who was 7 years old and in the elementary building. The others may have finished their exams and may or may not have taken the bus that day.
He came home, went to the post office and the market, and I think may have had coffee at Stewart's with Don and /or the Stewart's boys. He'd seen to the pool and decided to go to Wiley's to get some chlorine. He entered the outside shed (which has since been redone.) He lifted the bag and stepped back with it, and his foot caught on the ridge along the floor. He fell.
Andy Wiley called me and said they had called the rescue squad, said he was awake and talking. Rosemary went with me to drive his car home. The rescue squad was there preparing to take him to the hospital. I think I said St. Mary's. Dave seemed himself, but said, and afterwards said repeatedly, that he had felt a great shock.
The usual tests were done at the hospital showing nothing seriously wrong, actually reporting him to be in good health. They sent him home.
That was the last day that Dave drove his car or walked unassisted.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
One-room Schoolhouse circa 1916
"Mary, I dropped my pencil." Wordless look of "and?" Miss Ogre, "It's right there, on the floor by your desk." Wordless response. "Mary, pick up my pencil." No words, but intent was "I don't think so."*
Mary was attending the one room country school, after leaving Troy on the death of her brother, Timmy. Their mother was unable to bear living in the city that had claimed the life of her eldest son, so she spent the $200 death benefit to get out of the city and moved with her remaining children far into the country, away from it all. After she had been widowed for the second time, Timmy had been the support of the family, still a teenager on his death. He had fallen from a suspended construction platform while working on a River Street factory building. The other workers had managed to grab onto the ropes, leaving none for poor Timmy, who plunged to his death.
Mary was about 11 years when they moved, and had reached her adult height of about 5 feet 9 inches, unheard of for women's heights back then. So she felt awkward and out of place in a new school. One of her first rebellions occurred during recess when the teacher had all the students march around until she clapped her hands, the signal to find a dancing partner. The one left without a partner had to dance with the broom. Mary didn't know any of the others, so she was the one left to dance with the broom. I DON'T THINK SO.
So Mary hated school and couldn't believe it when one of her children chose to become a teacher.
* Mary told me that she believed the teacher deliberately dropped her pencil by her feet so she could order her to pick it up. There was no way in hell that Mary picked up that pencil.
Mary was attending the one room country school, after leaving Troy on the death of her brother, Timmy. Their mother was unable to bear living in the city that had claimed the life of her eldest son, so she spent the $200 death benefit to get out of the city and moved with her remaining children far into the country, away from it all. After she had been widowed for the second time, Timmy had been the support of the family, still a teenager on his death. He had fallen from a suspended construction platform while working on a River Street factory building. The other workers had managed to grab onto the ropes, leaving none for poor Timmy, who plunged to his death.
Mary was about 11 years when they moved, and had reached her adult height of about 5 feet 9 inches, unheard of for women's heights back then. So she felt awkward and out of place in a new school. One of her first rebellions occurred during recess when the teacher had all the students march around until she clapped her hands, the signal to find a dancing partner. The one left without a partner had to dance with the broom. Mary didn't know any of the others, so she was the one left to dance with the broom. I DON'T THINK SO.
So Mary hated school and couldn't believe it when one of her children chose to become a teacher.
* Mary told me that she believed the teacher deliberately dropped her pencil by her feet so she could order her to pick it up. There was no way in hell that Mary picked up that pencil.
Monday, June 22, 2020
DOT Update
6:48 The roller passed by my house, headed toward Johnsonville. One lane only. Proceed at our own risk---or not.
But a much smaller yellow roller this week, as opposed to last week's gigantic white monster:
But a much smaller yellow roller this week, as opposed to last week's gigantic white monster:
Noises Off
After pretty much a sleepless night, I woke up to "Clunk, clunk, clunk" at 6:10 this morning. As usual, I checked my driveway, no one there. Then I saw the orange cones in the driveway, no other signs of roadwork as yet. But I am forewarned. Mike advised that roadwork was to continue June 22-26, with some roadside work after that which would not involve long-distance flagging. That's good to know.
I have an appointment this morning at 9. So (1) I'll watch to see if traffic appears to be as usual. (2) If only one lane is being used for both directions of cars, I'll wait to see which direction the pilot car is leading.(3) I'll put my stuff in the car, lock the front door, back my car so I'm angled out the driveway facing south. (4) Sit in the car with the engine running and wait until I see the pilot car leading traffic south in the direction i want to go. (5) Hop on the queue before it moves too far down the road. I do NOT want to meet oncoming traffic. (6) Caveat: Get ready to leave 10 minutes earlier: sometimes the queue can be of 20+ vehicles.
Last week, being out of sight of any flaggers or construction vehicles, there was no way to know when work had begun. Only when I started to leave my driveway, and NOTICED cars approaching in MY lane.
At least this time, thanks to being proactive, I know what to expect. Sort of.
I have an appointment this morning at 9. So (1) I'll watch to see if traffic appears to be as usual. (2) If only one lane is being used for both directions of cars, I'll wait to see which direction the pilot car is leading.(3) I'll put my stuff in the car, lock the front door, back my car so I'm angled out the driveway facing south. (4) Sit in the car with the engine running and wait until I see the pilot car leading traffic south in the direction i want to go. (5) Hop on the queue before it moves too far down the road. I do NOT want to meet oncoming traffic. (6) Caveat: Get ready to leave 10 minutes earlier: sometimes the queue can be of 20+ vehicles.
Last week, being out of sight of any flaggers or construction vehicles, there was no way to know when work had begun. Only when I started to leave my driveway, and NOTICED cars approaching in MY lane.
At least this time, thanks to being proactive, I know what to expect. Sort of.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Years---the Short and Long of It
We met in the fall of 1966. By 1970, we had married, had 2 kids, bought a house, changed jobs, traveled--all in 3 and a half years. In that same amount of recent time, everything has ground to a halt.
Monday, June 15, 2020
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Neurological Symptoms
Dr. Remington Nevin, in his medical expertise, warns of the negative effects of the quinine drugs.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Scammers everywhere---Suspicious Mind
The recorded call from Amazon Card Services sounded official. a suspicious charge on my account. Then recorded changed to live, a male with a heavy accent who told me my account had been billed $749 for an I-phone: Did I authorize it? I asked him where it was to be shipped. He said Dayton, Ohio. I said I'd wait until I received the bill. He said my account had already been charged. I refused his kind offer of help and said good-bye.(I feel so white-privileged to be suspicious of accents.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
No Mask, No Entry
I had a medical appointment today, one that had been pushed back (as they now say) from several months ago. I'd had to deal with a separate issue, so I was half an hour early for my appointment. The sign on the door said everyone had to wear a mask; this sign emphasized that all masks should be in place BEFORE going inside. The receptionist had just opened the window, and there was no one else in the waiting room. But after she took my information, she directed me to wait in an examining room, for safety she said. She didn't specify whose.
After a wait, which turned out to be not very long, there was a knock on the door. A voice outside the closed door asked if I had a mask on. When I said yes, the door opened and in came the doctor. He stayed on his side of the room and I on mine. The sole contact was words only.
Last week, at another pushed back medical visit, I filled out a questionnaire and had my temperature taken at a visit. That waiting room, like all others now, was bereft of books, magazines, handouts, newspapers, and even the TV was turned off, ostensibly to assure the best of social distancing. And everybody was required to wear masks. At that visit, there was some contact with a nurse, but when the doctor entered for his brief visit, he stayed on his side of the room in front of his computer, across the room from where I was sitting. Again there was absolutely no physical contact.
In-office visits are very close to virtual visits, which are probably destined to be the new face of medicine anyway. What self-respecting medical professional would choose to deal with the great unwashed anyway, if there is a viable alternative.
After a wait, which turned out to be not very long, there was a knock on the door. A voice outside the closed door asked if I had a mask on. When I said yes, the door opened and in came the doctor. He stayed on his side of the room and I on mine. The sole contact was words only.
Last week, at another pushed back medical visit, I filled out a questionnaire and had my temperature taken at a visit. That waiting room, like all others now, was bereft of books, magazines, handouts, newspapers, and even the TV was turned off, ostensibly to assure the best of social distancing. And everybody was required to wear masks. At that visit, there was some contact with a nurse, but when the doctor entered for his brief visit, he stayed on his side of the room in front of his computer, across the room from where I was sitting. Again there was absolutely no physical contact.
In-office visits are very close to virtual visits, which are probably destined to be the new face of medicine anyway. What self-respecting medical professional would choose to deal with the great unwashed anyway, if there is a viable alternative.
Appeal of the Luddites
The media is turning me off. So I am doing the same for it. The outrage of the black community juxtaposed with the members of the white community who are positioning themselves as championing the cause of the dissatisfied blacks has gotten overwhelming. Efforts to assuage the inflammation have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Who wants to think that a civil war was an acceptable term. Drop that word, and don't say civil service either.That reminds us of the oxymoronic and racist civil as in war.
I've kept the tv on in the empty house; it seemed a comfort to hear voices, but now I'd rather not listen to it, prefer the silence.
Aside from the opinion and pandering, I just viewed a commercial, a public service announcement of a man sitting with his family, and suddenly exhibiting the symptoms of stroke. His face is contorted, his speech garbled, his hand flopping uselessly and family members horrified. The message is to call for emergency services. I suppose the man is an actor, which makes it even worse.It is horrifying.
The internet seemed safer for a while until a graphic video of a cat vomiting up a hairball or some undigested matter. I don't care how effective the remedy they're selling, it is a sickening sight.
I still read the newspapers, and while what is reported may be just as revolting, at least only one of the senses is affected.
I've kept the tv on in the empty house; it seemed a comfort to hear voices, but now I'd rather not listen to it, prefer the silence.
Aside from the opinion and pandering, I just viewed a commercial, a public service announcement of a man sitting with his family, and suddenly exhibiting the symptoms of stroke. His face is contorted, his speech garbled, his hand flopping uselessly and family members horrified. The message is to call for emergency services. I suppose the man is an actor, which makes it even worse.It is horrifying.
The internet seemed safer for a while until a graphic video of a cat vomiting up a hairball or some undigested matter. I don't care how effective the remedy they're selling, it is a sickening sight.
I still read the newspapers, and while what is reported may be just as revolting, at least only one of the senses is affected.
Pharmacy: It's not me; it's them.
When I was paying for my prescription, the pharmacy worker at the counter, with my prescription in hand, said to enter the last 4 of my telephone number. I did, as I have many times before. He asked me to please try again, which I did. He, looking at the prescription he was holding, said to enter my telephone numbers one more time, which I did. Then he asked my address, which I told him.
At which, he said sorry, and ducked back to the rack and pulled out another prescription. He had pulled out the wrong prescription. He apologized, and I said that was the value of verifying before handing over the medicine. I added that I was pleased to know that I still remembered my telephone number.
In way of explanation, he said that when he stood up quickly to reach down for the prescription, his arm kind of didn't go where he intended it to go.
No problem, I told him. I didn't tell him about the condition called "alien limb."
At which, he said sorry, and ducked back to the rack and pulled out another prescription. He had pulled out the wrong prescription. He apologized, and I said that was the value of verifying before handing over the medicine. I added that I was pleased to know that I still remembered my telephone number.
In way of explanation, he said that when he stood up quickly to reach down for the prescription, his arm kind of didn't go where he intended it to go.
No problem, I told him. I didn't tell him about the condition called "alien limb."
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
No mail today
Not that I'm waiting, but saw the mail vehicle zip by these 2 houses at 6:30 p.m., going about 50 mph. Maybe tomorrow I'll get double mail delivery.
Flower Faults
Tall and beautiful irises fall down and can't get up. Nobody pushed them as far as I know. It looks like some animal lies in the purple wort at night, or maybe they just fall down too. The honeysuckle Dorothy gave me years ago smells really sweet, but is now overgrown with blackberry bushes. The grapevine was given new life after vigorous pruning. Young grapes looked promising, but now exposed, birds are dining on them.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Should've Known:
Even when something is probably true does not mean that it is the smartest thing to say so. Haven't we all followed that advice all our lives.
Hello from "Granddaughter"
It's not even 9 a.m. and a hello call from my granddaughter this time. "Hello, Grandma, Do you know who this is?" I said, no one in this country is called grandma, and she should get a better job. She says, "Sorry, I get paid a lot."
Monday, June 8, 2020
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Just Another of Life's Disappointments:
My expectation was for generous streaks of black raspberry running through a creamy ice cream base, as did the Raspberry Royal flavor of yore. In reality, this looks and tastes like purple mud. Alas!
And the Fauna...
The mower was housed elsewhere over the winter, so I had taken the opportunity to make the shed as clean and clear as possible. I'd sprayed, put down mothballs, different soaps, fabric softener sheets, rodent-deterrent packs, mousetraps and yes, poison, even though its use is to be restricted a distance from the house.
The mower is now back, in use and in the shed, so the area is not as open to viewing what may lie inside. I saw a clump of hay in the corner near the door and scraped it outside with a shovel. About half a dozen baby mice, probably about a week and a half old, scrambled out from their disturbed nest.I stood there, shovel in hand, and realized I could dispatch several of them, but I didn't do so. I noticed shreds of the mouse poison/deterrent packages were interwoven in their nesting material. Oh, ticks, fleas, plague.
The mower is now back, in use and in the shed, so the area is not as open to viewing what may lie inside. I saw a clump of hay in the corner near the door and scraped it outside with a shovel. About half a dozen baby mice, probably about a week and a half old, scrambled out from their disturbed nest.I stood there, shovel in hand, and realized I could dispatch several of them, but I didn't do so. I noticed shreds of the mouse poison/deterrent packages were interwoven in their nesting material. Oh, ticks, fleas, plague.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Absent Words:
:: To those who live alone;
Good Morning
Good Night
"Let's...
" Should we...
" Do you want to...
"Maybe we should...
"Did you hear that.. or "read that...
" Could you please...
"Have you seen...
"What do you think of...
"Are you feeling.,..
"Hey, what about we...
Good Morning
Good Night
"Let's...
" Should we...
" Do you want to...
"Maybe we should...
"Did you hear that.. or "read that...
" Could you please...
"Have you seen...
"What do you think of...
"Are you feeling.,..
"Hey, what about we...
So, Blog, let me tell you about today...
I was in Walgreen's for a few things, and approached a register, keeping my COVID distance, where a woman was checking out. I don't know how long she'd been there, but she turned and apologized for holding me up. No problem for me, I told her. Besides the stuff she had on the counter, there were 3 cases of 24-pack water on the floor by her feet. When she concluded the sale at the register, she placed the bag with her purchases on top of the stack of the 3 cases of water, bent over, lifted them from the floor and carried them out the door.
Well, I'm using a cart for my few purchases I told the cashier. She said, "And we're supposed to be taking care of our bodies. Just think what she's doing to her back."
BTW Walgreen's sale price for 24-count Poland Spring is 3 cases for $10.
Well, I'm using a cart for my few purchases I told the cashier. She said, "And we're supposed to be taking care of our bodies. Just think what she's doing to her back."
BTW Walgreen's sale price for 24-count Poland Spring is 3 cases for $10.
Editing Nightmare
It's bad enough that "proper grammar" now endorses the use of a plural antecedent to a singular noun, as in "The person fell and hit their head." OK, I get it. And I know sometimes that the deceased sometimes pre-write their own obituaries.(Of course they'd be pre-written, wouldn't they?) I have not, but I know some who have done so. I don't know who wrote the obit in today's paper, but I hope they don't say in mine: "She was superseded by her parents."
Supersede---predecease----who cares?
Supersede---predecease----who cares?
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