Author: Peg

The forsythia may not mind the cold – but I do. 

Not much going in. Trying to finish up all the medical appointments that I scheduled for myself. One appointment sometimes leads to another. But, years ago Carlton and I had an elderly neighbor – and she said that she packed as many medical appointments as possible into March – because it was such a hateful month. In recent years, I have adopted that plan.

Also trying to resettle into going to the office. Remember, my plan was to retire in August of 2017 or was it 2018? For years they needed me. But, now it is me who needs them. I think that only an old person would understand that.

Last summer I rescued this rock from the trash. I believe it had belonged to a Wiccan. Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

 

Took the scenic way home from work today. Spring was everywhere. 

I even found a pair of mallards. Hope they have a nice family of ducklings. And that the family survives our foxes and raccoons. 

Two months from tomorrow I will be leaving on my ‘Round The World Before Dementia adventure. If I don’t get on the stick and reserve some rooms, it might be more of an adventure than I bargained for.  

By way of trip planning, I took my PenF camera with my new unloved lens with me to the hospital today.  These two images – plus the one up top (if you are looking at the blog on Monday) were taken with that gear. I am serious about keeping my stuff minimal on this trip. Thinking of doing a Jack Reacher. Just dispose of dirty and buy new clothes as required.  But, Jack never seemed to need “technology stuff”. Maybe I don’t either. Yeah, right.

 

Everyone was outside today. The sidewalk cafes were bustling.  The dogs were getting extra long walks. The bike trails were overcrowded. 

I wandered around outside for about 4 hours.  Now my cranky old legs are tired. but it was all good. 

Found myself grumbling at breakfast this morning. The waffle iron was broken. So, I couldn’t have a waffle.  Get a grip woman.  It is just a waffle. 

I wonder if I will run out of “Application Memory”? I guess that it will be called dementia. 

The sun was out today. But I was in. Working on this graphics project for the Asylum residents group. A couple of years ago it was “The Last Great Photo Shoot”. This may well become “The Last Mediocre Graphic Design Project”. Mediocre is as good as my graphic design skills get. 

It doesn’t look bad in this photo, but it was very impressive in real life.  It happened at just about the time I was doing my two hefty block walk from the bus stop yesterday. Very glad to have just watch it.

I got the OBC all spiffed up today for the “open house”. Lots of old people trooped through to look at it. But most of them couldn’t imagine living in JUST ONE ROOM. Well, I don’t know about you, but I can only use one room at a time. So, these people will continue on the waiting list. Waiting for their ideal apartment – which may not become available in their lifetime. None of us are on “the 30-year plan” anymore.

I did discover that as apartments are renovated now, the popcorn ceilings are replaced. I wish my popcorn ceiling had been replaced. But, seriously, this is a first world problem.

Anyhow, I played the “gracious” host to people all day. And fiddled around with the little project I am working on. And, now, I am tired. Being gracious just sucks the life force right out of me.

And, this afternoon when I was coming home from the dentist in a rainstorm, I discovered why it is called the Worm Moon. Our sidewalk was covered with little earthworms. It was slick with worms. It was also cold and wet. Not spring. 

Hey, way back in 2009, I was culling and cataloging photos. (culling and cataloging will follow me to the grave.) I was processing 2006 – and found this little collection – still intact and viewable. 

Best of 2006 

A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD

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Dropped $600 at the dentist today. Add that to the Shingles shot bill from Tuesday, I have spent almost $800 trying to keep the old body going for a little longer. Best be careful not to step off the curb in front of a bus!

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Had wonderful grilled sea bass for dinner this evening. And I got a take-out order of “donut bread pudding”. Will divide that up for several little treats.

And, tomorrow the Old Bat Cave is on the Asylum’s annual Spring Apartment Tour for folks on the waiting list. Some people have been on the waiting list for years. This is to encourage them to “love” what is or might be available rather than wait for the “perfect” apartment which might not ever show up. So, I had best get cracking and spiff up the OBC.

Going back to this little cottage at the end of my around the world tour. This cat was a very diligent mouser. I should be grateful for that. 

I have been thinking about cats today. A couple of summers ago, I did “The Last Great Photo Shoot” where I endeavored to do an environmental photograph of each employee. This year I am thinking more along the line of 30-second commercials or movie trailers to try to remind our residents how many wonderful things our staff does for us all year long – so they should write a generous check to our employee gift fund. There is a rigid no tipping policy here. But, we residents try to reward the staff with a length of service based Xmas Bonus. 

Which brings up cats. I only know one person who flat out hates cats. I know 5 or 6 people in the building who have cats. The dementia unit has a couple of robot cats. Most people like cats. So, cats might be the “theme” that ties this campaign together. 

Who knew I could start a career in advertising when I am somewhere between 75 and death?

My shingles shot hasn’t come up with any side effects, yet. But, I took things very easy today. Did lots of napping. And reading. 

Time to start rounding up some lodgings for my RTW trip. Blast off is about 9 weeks away.

Also, I must pack very very light. I am too old to schlep much stuff. I had too much stuff on my return from Kona this time. Mostly I had more electronics and camera stuff than I could comfortably tote. 

 

Just plain tired this evening. I can hear my bed calling already. But, I did get shingles vaccine #1 of 2 this morning. Tomorrow, I intend to work this vaccine for all it is worth. Plan on enjoying poor health tomorrow!

Oh, and it cost me $171. Note to taxpayers: I am trying to save you money by not getting shingles and not racking up Medicare charges. (And, I really don’t want to get shingles.)

I looked back five years on the blog. On this very day, I was trying to get a very sick Carlton back to Virginia from Hawai’i and I seem to have done the blog post from the Portland Airport.  Things were really grim for me during that period. They were not so hot for Mr. C either.  

So, I looked back another five years to 2009. According to the blog, we had just returned from Hawai’i and my much hated HP laptop had melted. But, life was good. Carlton and I were young and healthy and I had just gotten Medicare, so for the first time in 25 years – I had health insurance.

A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD

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Damn, I am old. Who knew that I’d make it this far?

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Gee, I wonder, does the blog go back to March 19, 2004? Yes, it does. The post has some missing images.. But, the bulk is OK. I am annoyed at my “long distance carrier, ATT”. That was when long distance was still a big deal.

Keep a journal. Or a blog. It helps keep things in perspective. It is never too late to start.

When I headed out to the hospital this morning snow/rain was predicted. It didn’t happen, but it wasn’t a nice day to hang outdoors either.  

Didn’t score any signs of spring today – but – I think I got a shingles vaccine lined up for me tomorrow. This is really pretty silly – young parents are refusing to get their kids vaccinated against nasty childhood diseases. But, the grandparents of those kids are calling all over the place trying to get a shingles vaccine. And, you get shingles only if you had chickenpox as a kid. It has been reported that this shingles vaccine may cause a really sore arm. But, shingles is worse than a sore arm. 

And such is the exciting life of this Old Bat. 

 

Another sunny and chilly spring day. No complaints. Nothing much going on. A little breakfast, do some origami, brunch with friends, a little walk, take a few pictures with the new lens, and here it is time to eat again. Soup or salad I am guessing.  Then I’ll read a while and the day will come to a gentle close. 

 

It was much cooler than yesterday – but still pretty fine. I got my taxes off to “the tax guy”. Went for a walk looking for spring. Worked on some little projects. And found a skirt at the thrift shop that well covers my knees and has some pockets. Now, I am feeling dressed OK for Dubai. 

Well, the second cup of coffee is done and it is approaching 9:30. Time for the Old Bat to hit the bunk. 

It was warm today and I was out and about – so – it was a good day to seek out SPRING.  The first thing I found was left over Xmas decorations.

Don’t know why this tree is out so early. But, thank you cherry tree. 

And this field of crocus – right behind our local residential hospice operation. I hope that they took any of the patients that were in any shape to go out out to see the little park this afternoon. 

I went off to the hospital today. Mainly to see Carlton’s dermatologist. I needed to come in for a “birthday suit” inspection – in honor of my birthday. My epidermis was declared as barnacle encrusted as an old tug boat – but fine. Which works for me. 

It was a lovely warm day and I just wandered around enjoying SPRING.