life in the old lane

OK. 20 days from now, I will be on my way. I should be over the Pacific Ocean. So, it is high time that I get serious about this trip. I should be making packings lists and 2do lists. Heck, the lists should already be made. I should be ticking things off the lists.  Tomorrow is soon enough to start.

Passport, credit card, cell phone and charger and a universal plug adapter. What else do I really need? Well, at my advanced age – better add my meds to the must-have list. 

I guess that I officially started getting ready today – I detoured to The Container Store to check and see if they had any new travel gizmos that I didn’t know about. Of course, they had gizmos. But most fall into the “packing cube” category. As in, what’s with these “packing cube” things. What is wrong with ziplock bags? I need at least two ziplock bags. One for disgusting dirty clothes that absolutely must be washed. A second one for things that didn’t quite make it to dry before it is time to decamp. If I am feeling particularly expansive another ziplock bag for undies that are absolutely clean. That’s about it. 

This is my original box, AKA WildChild. Filled with miscellaneous perennial plants and herbs. Mostly to attract bees and butterflies. Plus goldfinch in late summer.

This is Black Snake Box. I did not see any evidence of a snake, black or otherwise.

And this is Box 34 because it has #34 tag on it. I think it will get more sun than Black Snake Box. 

And I am doing these last two boxes because The Asylum is my home and I view this as a “home improvement project”. I remember years ago at my Mom’s “home” – one of the old women had paid to have the sofas and chairs in the public area reupholstered. I asked why and the answer was:  “This is my home and it needed doing.” I didn’t understand that at the time. But, I do now. The Asylum is my home. 

There were about 90 rain-free minutes around noon today and that give me just enough time for planting. And, I was able to skip the watering-in step. 

The gardening project accounts for about 2 hours. Haven’t a clue where the rest of the day went. 

 

I am now the proud owner of 3 garden boxes. The one that I have had for 3 years in the official “geriatric garden box” area. That is “wild child” and it has all manner of perennials to attract bees and butterflies. 

The two new ones were are in a public area – on a little patio where my friends and I frequently eat dinner. Last year these boxes were scruffy at best. Figuring that they above bunny level, I offered to adopt them. Last year one was home to a nice fat black snake. I think that a nice black snake would be fun. (Maybe not)

Since these are “public” boxes, I figure that they need to be the “grownup” boxes. With nice well mannered carefully curated plants. I will plant them tomorrow – nevermind that there is a 90% chance of rain. Guess I could strap my headlamp on and go out and work on them in the dark. But, there is that black snake. Wouldn’t want to disturb him/her. 

Somehow, I will survive a week without opera.

This week’s breakfast special at The Asylum is Eggs Benedict. I only went to breakfast on Thursday and Friday – but on both days the Eggs Benedict was bereft the bacon/ham part. I sent an email to Chef congratulating her on her new creation: Kosher Eggs Benedict. I believe hollandaise is or can be Kosher. 

Went to Costco with a friend – she spied the Tilapia Loins. Didn’t realize that fish had loins. You can learn something every day.

 

Totally unexciting day today. And, at my advanced age, there is no problem with totally unexciting. 

Most exciting thing today was those clouds. I was sort of puttering around, taking a little walk. Then I happed to look north and spied the big black clouds. Time to scamper back to the safety of the Old Bat Cave. I made it with 5 minutes to spare. And clocked some good cardio time in the process.

I post way too many pictures of nice sunrises and sunsets. Well, this was today’s sunrise. Nope, I could not see it. Yep, I believe it did rise even if I didn’t see it.

And, I am now leaving this month on my circular trip. I met a lady this evening who will be doing the circle by boat next January. I like the idea. But being on a boat for 6 months – not so sure. It is surprising how many people I know who are doing that. 

And, I talked to another person about doing the circuit via a tour on a chartered plane.  That takes about 4-6 weeks and cost about the same as a boat version.

My way is cheapest by far. But, it isn’t the same as far as bragging rights go. I just bought a bunch of plane tickets. Reserved some hotels and am hoping everything works out. 

Had a group living meltdown this evening – rather than muddle through the crowd and confusion of our dining venue, I retreated to the Old Bat Cave where a cold one and my uneaten turkey sandwich from lunch awaited me.

I use public transportation because I choose to. Most people use it because they have to.

Here we have an apparently homeless man. Who had been a patient at some hospital, most likely my hospital.  He was on the bus back to the hospital. With all of his posessions in two hospital bags. Dressed in hospital disposable pants, wearing hospital sox and wrapped in a dirty hospital blanket. He is most likely a “frequent flyer” in our Emergency Department. 

There has to be a better way. There just has to be.  

And, this is one of the reasons that I ride the bus. I don’t want to forget that I am one of the very privileged. Oh, I may have “earned” that privilege – but there was a hell of a lot of just plain luck along the way.  Totally unearned, undeserved good luck. 

 

Scotland or Ireland? Most votes are for Ireland. Ireland has Guinness. But, Scotland has kilts. 

One month from now, I will be on my RTWB4EXIT adventure. Oh, yes, and I have to decide about that flight with a long layover in  Sri Lanka. No one is promised tomorrow. This is what State Department says: Travel Advisory: Sri Lanka – Level 3 – Reconsider Travel

At least they are not suggesting that I leave a DNA sample behind.

This one is from 4 years ago. When I lived in the old apartment. The Old Bat Cave wasn’t on my radar yet, but I was scheduled to get a tiny studio. And, my plan was to use it as a storage locker.

I went through more than a few variations of the storage unit concept.

Fortunately, by July 2015 the Old Bat Cave came available. By the end of September I had moved in. And this is pretty much today’s layout.  See no reason to change anything 

Not feeling 100% today.  Nothing serious.  An unhappy tummy. So, I am giving it something to be unhappy about-it isn’t getting much to eat. Also, major hay fever. My Asylum Sisters are being very solicitous.   

Spent the day resting. Spent so much time resting that I used up 60% of my iPad battery.   

The phone is still making a powerful case for being the only camera on my round the world trip.

Speaking of which – I still have this 10 days that I had planned to spend in the UK or Ireland. But, in Marie Kondo speak – the UK isn’t sparking joy. I can always hop a train to Paris or Geneve or Luxemburg or any other place that does “spark joy”.  

Hotels are really expensive. It wouldn’t matter if I really wanted to go there – but if I am just “killing time”? I know that I will enjoy wherever I end up –  be it UK or France or Switzerland or somewhere else.  Everywhere is interesting when you are easily amused. 

A rather laidback day. Mostly, I worked on some “advertising” for The Asylum’s annual fundraising.  And while I was at my desk, I enjoyed watching the clouds. And listening to the tornado warnings on my phone. Strangely, Alexa doesn’t warn me, unless I ask “What’s the weather”. However, my Google Phone, announces dire weather warnings with gusto. I wonder what the google version of alexa does?

Just realized that I could pack more – if I had a bigger sofa!

For real trips (not my annual migration to Kona), I am a believer in the 54321 school of packing. So far I have:

5 odds and ends, Swimsuit, scarf, lightweight base layer, rash guard, wool socks.
4 tops, which are 1 long sleeve shirt, and 3 tee shirts
3 bottoms, a dress, a skirt, a pair of long pants
2 ???? (spare shoes and a handbag)
1 ???? (maybe a light jacket or sweater)

Add  4 sets of undies and I should be good to go. BTW – except for the spare shoes – this includes what I will be wearing. 

It’s not like I am going anywhere that doesn’t have shopping. If I am cold in Scotland or wherever I end up –  it will be a good excuse to buy a nice cozy sweater.

But then, the electronics. To camera or not to camera? For sure I will take Shamu the Phone  and the Kindle. The Power Bank, the plug adapters have to go too. The camera and the iPad are questionable.

Always love watching the bus people. And sometimes listening to them as well. But, they usually aren’t speaking English. One day a man was on the bus with his 2 little girls and the girls were complaining that “this was the long bus”. Dad said that he was sorry, but they should just be happy to have some extra “downtime” on the bus. And with that,  the girls got books out and started reading.

That is the way it is with the bus – you just turn your entire life over to the Bus Gods and trust that you will get somewhere near your destination. 

So, what is interesting in the Old Bat’s life. PT. That is what is interesting. Two years ago, I was supposed to go to PT, but didn’t. This spring another doctor told me to go to PT. This time I went. Today was the first session. Right here in The Asylum. Couldn’t be easier. Except that everyone laughed at me. What was I doing in PT? I could more planks than the therapist. And I could bend over farther. SO, why was I there?

• • • • I have been complaining about leg issues for over 2 years. 
      • My balance sucks.
      • And, I have to use a hand or a knee to get up off the floor. 

Bottom line, after the therapist and I did planks and floor touches. I spent 30 minutes standing first on one leg and then the other. With my eyes open and with eyes closed. And then I did it all over again whilst standing on a bouncy half-ball. I wouldn’t call it a workout. But, my legs noticed that something happened. 

More PT next week. Stay tuned.