Category: The DayBook

Pretend. Pretend that you are not sick. That works until the next coughing fit.

Billy, who has also been sick was well enough to go for a walk and breakfast. He decided that I needed to go to the doctor to be sure that what I think is cold/sinus/laryngitis isn’t really cold/bronchitis/pneumonia. I don’t want to go, because, I don’t think I have anything that can be fixed. But, if someone cares enough to take me to the urgent care, the least I can do is go. Billy also pointed out that I am old and stuff like this can be serious for old people. 

But enough of this already. How about those Saffron Finches? Taken with Shamu II. And, I got a bird in flight. Not a great BIF. But, from a phone. Not too shabby. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

My friend Carol left late last night and is now safely back in the friendly confines of our Asylum. 

And I am home alone. With my cold, sinusitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia whatever. There is definitely a cold, sinus, laryngitis component. I spent the day enjoying poor health. After my morning walk – to Walmart for additional OTC drugs – I read, napped, drank gallons of tea, that sort of a thing. 

Yesterday, I got a mail packet from home – I didn’t even open it up. Any and all problems can be dealt with when I get better.

Carol and I watch the Women’s March yesterday from the lanai.

There were lots of kids. And almost as many men as women. And everything as low key – with a little dose of snark.

And the yacht left this morning. Guess they could only stand but so much excitement.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

And what does John Wayne have to do with Aunty Carol? Nothing. Actually.

But, it is fun to remember when the Duke decided to get married NOW, Right this instant. He was in Kona. His divorce became final, the Duke asked Pilar Palette to marry him and the deed was done. In one very busy day. Nov 1, 1954.

Our local paper, West  Hawaii Today, discussed the life of a well known florist here in Kona, Scott Seymore. 

One memorable event was John Wayne’s wedding to Pilar Palette in 1954. At 12 years old, young Scott was assigned to create a wedding arrangement on short notice. Wayne had proposed marriage and scheduled his wedding to Pilar on the same day.

Things got weird when their reservation at the Kona Inn penthouse was usurped by John’s recent co-star in “The Sea Chase,” Lana Turner, who wanted to keep the suite for herself and her lovers. Scott’s flower arrangement was much appreciated though it had to be moved several times in order for Wayne and his new wife to actually enjoy it for their reception. West Hawaii Today Dec 24, 2017.

The Triton doesn’t appear to have a gray bottom in the morning light. It was at anchor all day and attracted a goodly share of attention. Last report I can find had it sold at auction for $11 million in 2013.

As for me. Still coughing. I am tired of this shit.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Mostly, we lounged on the lanai. Carol read. I coughed. 

Such a wimp I am. We were doing a small post breakfast walkabout and found a woman bagging up her arm in plastic (the arm was in a cast) so she could go snorkeling. I would have a coughing fit and end up drowned. And, that might not be so bad. 

But, on a happier note:

What should arrive but a sweet little yacht.  According to my Marine Traffic App – she is The Triton. Apparently, she has been repainted and her helicopter is MIA. Residents of The Asylum please note: “Not to mention the yacht is fully wheelchair accessible…”

Always enjoy looking at the toys of the insanely wealthy. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Breakfast: French toast with mac nuts, coconut, whipped cream, strawberries. And, if you wanted it, butter and two kinds of syrup.  Carol, who loves coconut cake, announced that it was like having coconut cake for breakfast.

Think I am getting better.  But, I still have laryngitis. 

OK, Nancy Pelosi, age 78, disinvited Agent Orange from the House of Representatives where he would give the State of the Union Address. Agent Orange, age 72, took Nancy’s plane privileges away by way of retaliation.

Is it any fucking wonder that the much-maligned Millenials are a little disinterested in and contemptuous of our political “system”.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

I still can’t talk to my company. 

I am feeling better.

There still isn’t anything to report.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

 

 I can not even talk to my company. 

There really isn’t anything else to report.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

 

Still have my cold – but that isn’t stopping fun in the sun. 

Today the wild and crazy old women went for a bus ride and a little dip in the ocean. After all of that excitement – it was nap time.

. . . 

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen,  Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.

From Carlton, I learned to always pick up pennies. What, you are so rich that you can not bend over and pick up a penny? So, I pick up pennies. And, nickels, dimes, whatever. Here in Kona, it is not uncommon to pick up foreign coins. I always figure that the Goddess is giving me travel nudges and trip suggestions.  

So, when I saw a big aluminum looking disc on the sidewalk, I pick it up and bring it home. Upon inspection, it is a medallion from a Starwars film. Revenge of the Sith to be exact.  

Wondering what is the Goddess trying to tell me this time? 

. . . 

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen,  Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.

Friend Carol made the long trek from the Asylum to Kona. 29° and snowing at The Asylum. 71° and partly cloudy in Kona. No wonder she is smiling after 14 hours in transit.

. . . 

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen,  Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.

 

I was out for my early morning walkabout and the paddlers were already back from their dawn patrol. 

I got totally bored enjoying poor health – so I declared myself good to go. Went out for a small swim with just googles and wetsuit. No mask, fins etc. I managed to inhale enough ocean water to power wash my sinuses. Guess that was part of my treatment. 

Got an invitation to a wedding from one of Carlton’s old friends. June 1 in Honolulu. Another excuse to travel! 

Computer: What is the temperature in Fairbanks? Right now in Fairbanks, Alaska it is MINUS 35 degrees. Tonight expect a low of MINUS 39 degrees. 

OK. How many times do I have to do that to validate my Arctic Adventure bail? 

A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD

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I have been taking 1,800 mg of ibuprofen for the last 3 days for my cold symptoms. And, my legs are better than they have been in a year. A year ago, a friend ended up in the ICU with a major GI bleed from taking too many ibuprofens. I got scared and stopped using NSAIDs. Which made my primary care doctor very happy since I never do what she tells me to do to ensure a long life. 

Well, I am going to rethink this decision. I am risking GI bleeding, renal failure and cardiac arrest. The operative word being  RISK. My REWARD is legs that work. Pretty sure about the risk/reward ratio here. Nobody gets out alive.

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. . . 

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen,  Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.

 

From the looks of the hotel lobby, a whole bunch of Japanese kids are going to arrive. 

I am enjoying poor health again today. I am not feeling worse – so can feeling better be far behind?

This was my exercise today. Well, and 15 minutes of yoga. According to Shamu the Phone I walked 2.79 miles today. But, I didn’t go swim. I didn’t want to get chilly.

So, I played with  a new origami model. 

The country remains under the evil thrall of the Orange Lord. 

. . . 

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen,  Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.