The end of Winter?

 

Today, according to my favorite weather person, is the last day of meteorological winter, which means tomorrow, March 1, is the first day of meteorological spring.  Hooray!!  I guess I'm happy with this information because it seems that spring comes earlier.  When I was very young and in school, I don't remember any mention of meteorological spring or any other season.  I also don't remember any variation on when the seasons started.  Spring, for example, always started on the 21st of March, winter on the 21st of December and so forth.  But honestly, I don't care if spring actually comes on the 20th or 21st or even 22nd of March.  I am rejoicing in the fact that February is behind us.  March on!!!!

PS. February 28 is National Public Sleeping Day.  The only public sleeping I ever do is on long overnight flights and I started wearing masks on those flights long before it was a health requirement.  I discovered that if I have a mask on no one can tell if my mouth is open and it muffles my snores.  Can you tell I'm longing to travel?

It's amazing.

 When I was a young child the telephone that hung on our kitchen wall could do two things - make and receive calls. And that was very nice. When I was a working Realtor I had a car phone, big and boxy but still able to make and receive calls.  Eventually I graduated to a flip phone which allowed me to send texts if I was patient enough to tap each key multiple times to spell out words.  Then I got a semi-smart phone and could send texts more easily.  Finally, a few years ago I got my Moto7, probably old technology now but still a tool that continues to amaze me.  From emails to texts to Facebook to YouTube to ordering groceries to even making phone calls it does it all.  And today I discovered a new (to me) app that makes it even more marvelous.  I have long been a fan of books on CD that I could listen to while I was busy with other things like driving, but now I don't need a CD player or a trip to the library.  I can use "Libby."  I clicked on it by accident but discovered that, with it, I can check out recorded books from the library and listen to them on my phone.  Isn't that amazing?  Who ever thought that our phones could do so much?  I think Libby is destined to become my new BTF (best technology friend).

high definition

 Another side effect of my recent cataract surgery is that I now understand what high definition television means.  Suddenly news announcers and weather persons whom I've watched for years look their age.  Whole bunches of fine lines and wrinkles now show on their faces.  Now I knew, when I bought my TV a few years ago, that it was a high def TV.  What I didn't know, and it's not nearly so amusing, is that I also now own a high definition mirror.  

a new model

 After sharing my dead battery tale of woe with my brother he informed me that Fiat is coming out with a new total electric version of the Fiat 500, which is the model I drive.  I really like the idea of an electric car but it would require a place to plug it in.  Before I downsized that would not have been a problem.  My garage had several outlets that would have worked well.  Here it would not be so easy.  There is electricity for the overhead lights in our cave-like under ground garage.  Unfortunately, since this building was built in 1965, no thought was given to being able to plug in a car.  Someone would probably notice if I took out a lightbulb and screwed in an outlet (can you even do that?).  I could run a heavy duty extension cord from my apartment.  I pay my own electric bill so this wouldn't be cheating.  I figure 500 feet should do it.  I could either drop the cord from my balcony (I do have a heavy duty outdoor outlet there) or I could run it along the hall and down the stairwell.  If I dropped it from the balcony I would need to park outside but it could serve double duty as a fire escape.  I could zip down that cord, hop in my car and drive off.  Really, it's probably easier if I just keep my little gas guzzler but I do have to fill it up at least every six weeks.  

not exactly intentional

Today is Inconvenience Yourself Day, and while I didn't do it intentionally, I did manage to inconvenience myself.  This afternoon I had planned to go grocery shopping.  A few weeks ago I bragged to a friend about how reliable my little blue Fiat is.  I should have known better.  Truly, it had been very reliable.  Never a problem starting it, even if I hadn't driven it in two or three weeks, which happened a lot this past year.  However today was the end of that enviable record.  I loaded my cart and my bags in the car, and some books to return to the library, and confidently slid in behind the wheel.  I put the key in the ignition (no, I don't have a fancy keyless system) and turned it.  All the usual lights on the dashboard came on including a new one that seemed to be trying to tell me something about my battery. I really didn't need a little flashing symbol.  The fact that it was DEAD was very obvious.  Not even a groan or a whimper, just silence, lots of silence.  I've lived here for 5 years and have wondered occasionally how someone from AAA would get to my car in the underground parking garage if I ever needed help.  Well now I know.  The nice man from AAA hopped out of his big tow truck, which would never make it through the garage entrance, toting his handy dandy battery pack (about the size of a brief case, but blue and with wires).  We walked down into the garage, he jump started my car, after cleverly figuring out how to pop the hood, and hurried off to rescue the next person on his list.  I did not risk turning the car off but instead drove directly to my dealership where they checked everything out and cheerfully sold me a new battery.  Since the car is six years old that didn't really surprise me.  They also checked my tire pressure and gave me a 'free' car wash so, all in all, not a bad afternoon.  I'll try for the grocery store tomorrow which happens to be National Clam Chowder Day.  I will add that to my shopping list.

another great day

 Today is National Dog Biscuit Day.  It's also National Banana Bread Day, but (wait for it) even better than that, today is also National Rationalization Day.  I'm really not interested in dog biscuits and I baked gingerbread today because I didn't have any bananas.  Also I like gingerbread better than banana bread. I can however rationalize with the best of them.  Why today alone I rationalized that I could put off dusting because I could think of at least four or five more interesting things to do, like baking gingerbread.  I rationalized not watching an educational show on PBS because I really needed to find out what happens next on "This is Us." I rationalized that it was ok to have gingerbread for lunch, supper and bedtime snack because it's always better on the first day.  And I even rationalized that it was ok to write about rationalization today because I just couldn't think of anything else.

a Monday confession

 OK, I admit it.  Tonight I'm watching The Bachelor.  This is the first season I've watched this silly show.  It's so unbelievable and yet strangely addictive.  I do have my favorite candidate for the bachelor's future bride but I had to question my preference this evening.  I liked Rachel from the beginning because she seemed more "real" than most of the others.  Tonight, though, I have begun to question her common sense (if not her sanity).  It was her chance to organize their date and her choice was to go sky diving!  If you read this blog regularly you know that sky diving is right on the top of my list of things I would never ever do.  But they both survived so the show will go on.  

a Sunday confession

 They say that confession is good for the soul so here goes.  After months of live streamed Sunday services which I affectionately refer to as 'couch church' our church was open for live services this morning.  Of course everyone was required to wear a mask, or two, and to follow social distancing guidelines, which is not hard in our big sanctuary.  Our church was designed following some ideas from old New England Presbyterian churches.  One of the design features is doors on the pews.  In olden days these little half doors helped people keep the heat in their pews.  This was before the time of central heating, when people brought their own heated bricks or some other heat source for their pews.  These days, according to a younger friend of mine, they help keep the children from wandering away.  But I digress.  To ensure proper seating the doors on every other pew were open indicating where people could sit.  It looked like everyone was well spaced out from what I could see from my seat, which was right here on my couch.  So there you have it, my true confession.  I have gotten way too comfortable with couch church.

not very snuggly

 Today is World Pangolin Day.  I know you are as excited as I am.  My son has been a fan of pangolins since before I even knew they existed.  Pangolins, sometimes called scaly anteaters, are the only mammals completely covered in scales.  There are eight species and they range in size from about 15 inches long and 8 pounds to giant pangolins weighing up to 73 pounds.  Their tongues are longer than their bodies.  Nature has played a dirty trick on pangolins.  Because they are covered in scales they have evolved the protective strategy of curling into a tight ball to save themselves.  While that's a good strategy if you're trying to keep a larger animal from eating you, it makes it way too easy for poachers to pick you up and haul you away.  Some Asian countries value pangolin scales for their supposed medicinal properties, and consequently they are the most illegally trafficked animal in the world. So now you know everything I know about these scaly creatures. Poor little pangolins. 

Cow-a-bunga

 Yesterday celebrated the first cow to be milked while flying in an airplane.  When my west coast brother shared this information with me I was immediately filled with questions.  What kind of airplane? Where were they going? How did they get her through security?  Was she a "support animal?"  Did she have a passport?  Turns out the cow's name was Nellie Jay Sky Queen and she was flown in a Ford Tri-motor in 1930 to an aviation exhibition in St. Louis.  The cow was milked along the way, then the milk was put in carboard cartons and parachuted to people down below.  Nellie Jay gave 24 quarts of milk during the 72 mile flight.  I don't have any information on how well the milk cartons survived the drop but it reminded of an episode of the old sit-com "WKRP in Cincinnati" when they decided to drop live turkeys from a weather helicopter, not realizing that domestic turkeys can't fly. At least they didn't drop Nellie Jay out of the plane.

Deep in the heart of Texas

 I had an interesting conversation this evening with a friend who lives in  Pearland, Texas (near Houston).  I texted her after watching the national news and hearing horror stories about the situation in parts of Texas.  She called me back, saying she just couldn't put it all in a text.  A half hour later I could certainly understand that.   Her power was out for three days but is back on now.  Fortunately she lives near her daughter who insisted that she come and stay with them.  They have a gas stove and a grill so at least they could provide her with warm food.  She said they are still having rolling blackouts but things are getting back to normal a little.  She also said they have been laughing about the boil water advisory for two reasons, limited  power and really low water pressure.  One really good thing though.  She has not had any water damage or frozen pipes in her house.  I had wondered about this.  They were showing pictures on the news of water crashing through ceilings.  Turns out, as I learned from my friend, the typical construction in her area puts all of the pipes and the furnace and AC in the attic.  Lucky for my friend, years ago when they first moved to Texas, her husband, now deceased, insisted on having their attic coated with foam insulation.  He was thinking of protection from the heat but insulation works both way.  She's feeling very lucky as she watches debris being hauled out of neighboring homes.  

Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras everyone.  I have never been in New Orleans for Mardi Gras but my husband and I once met a woman who had spent her life sewing the amazing, dazzling costumes that women wear on the floats.  We were visiting a museum in Mobile which featured many of these fabulous gowns.  There weren't many people around and we had a lovely conversation with this fascinating seamstress.  I was intrigued by the process, the endless hours spent hand stitching sequins and beads and the exuberant results.  All for a few hours on a float.  Looking back on it, I'm not so sure that my husband was as entranced as I was with all this talk about sewing but he was a patient person.  

Snow daze

You may have noticed that it's snowing outside, quite a lot actually.  Because of that, there has been a steady stream of announcements across the bottom of my TV screen.  Schools, businesses, churches, trash collections, everything is closing.  One closing in particular caught my eye.  Ahead of the Curb Driving Academy (I do like that name) is closed tomorrow.  Now I wonder about this.  It seems to me they are missing a great teaching opportunity here.  When else will their students be able to practice driving behind snow plows and through deep snow, ice and slush?  Not to mention correcting after a skid and maybe even caroming off a police car?  I mean, talk about real life driving experiences.  I do admit that the instructors might be a little reluctant to meet this challenge.  Years ago a friend of mine, a high school teacher, spent his summer months teaching drivers' education.  As I said, he was young, but his hair seemed to gray rapidly during those few years. He finally quit after he developed ulcers.  

so much stuff

 This morning it was my turn to lead our adult Zoom Sunday school class.  We all take turns so I only need to lead the class twice a year.  These classes (a program called Wired Word) deal with contemporary issues and are a conversation rather than a lecture format. Today's discussion dealt with accumulated stuff and how we deal with it, and was supposed to lead into a look at global excess and possible solutions.  We didn't quite get that far.  Everyone had a story to tell about their down-sizing or cleaning out their parent's homes after deaths, and so on.  Everybody had a story but what was interesting was that along with sharing the horrors of what they had to deal with (the hoarder next door neighbor was the worst) they shared their solutions, and they were all different.  And something good actually came out of it.  It was decided that our church's "green team" should create a list of all the solutions people mentioned, to be shared with the congregation.  I think it's a great idea, and I'm really glad I'm not on that committee.

Day two....

 Well. I'm a little disappointed.  This is the day after my first Covid shot and still no negative side effects, which is really good, but I was expecting to be lazy and doze all day because friends told me that I would feel very weary the second day.  But I actually felt pretty energetic all day.  I got some necessary planning and paperwork done in time for a deadline and generally had a productive day.  When I told my west coast brother that I wasn't having any side effects he suggested that maybe I got the placebo. The thought had crossed my mind.  Would they do that to us?  Save the good stuff for the younger set?  Do I sense a conspiracy here? 

The deed is done

 Well, now I've done it.  I hopped in my car this morning (still thrilled with my clear vision) and drove to the Mirro center where I received my first anti-Covid vaccination.  Everything I had heard from friends about the process was absolutely true.  Start to finish I was there for 25 minutes and that included the required post-shot 15 minutes of observation to make sure I wasn't going to go into anaphylactic shock or do anything else dramatic and exciting.  I loved the huge digital clock projected on a screen at the front of the "recovery room."  I could count down the seconds until my 15 minutes were up.  I asked the nice nurse who gave me my shot how many she gave in a typical day.  She said she worked a four hour shift and average 50 to 60 shots in that time.  That seemed like a pretty good pace to  me but realistic.  I was only in that chair about two minutes.  Signs and people made sure I knew where I was going every step of the way and I felt that there was no time wasted.  All in all it was actually a fun experience, except for that one little jab in the arm.  Kudos to the people who organized this system in Fort Wayne.  Even my 15 minute wait time wasn't wasted. A nice man with a rolling cart came along and scheduled my second shot, and also while I was waiting, I received a text telling me that I had just received my shot. I do still have pretty good short term memory but maybe some people need that reminder five minutes after the shot.  Right now I'm waiting for those dreaded side effects.  So far nothing.  Stay tuned.

Dining out

 Today some friends and I ate supper together at a casual restaurant here in Fort Wayne.  My meal, a mushroom swiss bacon burger and pecan cream pie, was delicious.  No big deal you may think, but actually it is a big deal.  Once we all took off our masks it almost felt "normal."  There was a time, a little over a year ago, when eating in restaurants was a commonplace event for me.  I like to eat out; fancy restaurants, casual cafes, super casual hot dog places, I love them all, especially when I can share the experience with friends.  Then the pandemic hit and suddenly no one was eating out at all, anywhere.  It was over six months before I risked eating in a restaurant.  I have some friends who still won't eat at a restaurant unless they can eat outside, and this is definitely not the season for that.  However, I have eaten out a few times in the last several months and I haven't really felt threatened.  The restaurants I've been in seem to be taking all the mandated precautions seriously.  Wait staff wear masks and everything is cleaned frequently and tables are well spaced.  I do have a fear though.  Once we reach herd immunity, and people start feeling safe, I think the restaurants will be overwhelmed with people who have waited a long time to eat out.  Then I'll probably need to wait another six months before I can get into a restaurant.  Won't that be a nice problem to have?

an old new idea

 Earlier this week I was watching one of my new favorite shows "Finding Your Roots" on PBS.  I enjoy this show for the interesting ancestry of the people who are featured, but also for the fun little tidbits that I've never heard of before.  In the last episode the actor Christopher Meloni was one of the guests and it was disclosed to him that his great, great, great grandfather was abandoned as a newborn at a hospital somewhere in Italy and that his last name 'Meloni' means melon and was probably given to the baby because of his melon shaped head.  He eventually made his way to America when he was kicked out of the orphanage at the age of 12.  But that's not what I found most interesting.  In the written records of this child it said that he was a newborn "wrapped in rags and left on the wheel."  Picture a large 'Lazy Susan.' It turns out that these large horizontal wheels were a feature built into the walls of churches or hospitals. A person could lay the child on the wheel, turn it, and the baby would end up inside the building while the parent remained anonymously on the outside.  Now these days, when we're so much more advanced, what do we use?  Baby boxes at fire stations.  Evidently a new take on a very old idea.

Yesterday

 You may have noticed that I missed blogging yesterday.  No excuse except I kept falling asleep during The Bachelor (such "drama" is exhausting) so I just gave up and went to bed.  Yesterday was exciting though because in the morning, between snow showers, I drove myself to the bank, post office and grocery store.  No big deal you say?  You're right, I've been driving for years.  But the difference was I did all that driving without glasses!  And I saw more clearly than I have in years.  It's amazing how bright the traffic lights are and how far away I can see them.  That's a really good thing I think.  I am finding it strange to live without glasses (except for close work of course).  In the morning when I wake up I automatically reach for my glasses, which are the magnifying type and realize that I can see much better without them.  I also find myself pushing on the bridge of my nose, thinking I need to push my glasses up but woops, no glasses.  I haven't poked myself in the eye yet.  The only real problem is that without glasses all of the bags and wrinkles around my eyes show up much too clearly.  I may have to always wear sunglasses when I go out, which will look a little weird at night. Vanity, vanity. 

Happy Birthday!

 Today would have been my husband's 86th birthday.  He died 15 years ago and while I still quietly morn his loss, on his birthday I prefer to remember the happy, funny times.  I was first attracted to him because he made me laugh and through the years we had many laughable moments.  Some weren't as funny in the moment as they were in later memories like the fight over bath towels on our honeymoon and the fact that we always took one wrong turn on any of our driving trips.  The most memorable of those was a time when we got on the wrong road in Quebec and ended up in a little town that looked like it was right out of the wild west, wooden sidewalks and all.  There were three old men sitting on the front porch of a general store (I kid you not) and I tried in my high school French to get directions to the campground we had been looking for.  The only answer I got, finally in English, was "It's not around here."  We eventually made it back to the interstate.  Another memorable camping trip was one we took with another couple.  The other wife and I watched with a mixture of concern and amusement as the two husbands worked on pitching a big old boy scout style tent.  I believe my girlfriend got most of the action on film but I don't know if that epic still exists.  We also shopped for red thread in Hingham on that trip.  I could go on and on.  I have 37 years of memories for which I am very thankful.

Surprise, surprise...

A friend called me this morning to ask me if I had received the flowers he had sent.  I was surprised by the question because I had not seen any flowers, nor was I expecting any.  He told me he had checked with the florist and been assured that they had been delivered yesterday.  It was news to me.  I tried to call the office to see if any flowers had been delivered for me and got their answering machine, so I headed down to the office to check.  I was happily surprised to discover, as I waited for the elevator, that our newest new elevator is up and running.  It's very exciting to have two smoothly functioning reliable elevators.  But, back to the flowers.  I got to the office and was pleased to discover it was open.  When I walked in and asked the sweet young thing at the desk if any flowers had been delivered for me she assured me that they had been delivered yesterday and that they were very pretty.  She pointed to them sitting, wrapped in their green tissue paper, in a corner on a shelf.  She then explained that she meant to call me yesterday but forgot.  I remained calm, didn't say anything scathing, just grabbed my flowers and left. I rode the newest new elevator back up to my apartment, unwrapped the flowers (they really are beautiful) and called my friend to assure him they had arrived and thank him. I still wasn't quite sure what the occasion was until I read the card "Now that you can see, you will enjoy these!" Yet another bonus to cataract surgery.

a red letter day

 Actually it's Wear Red Day, and I did.  I happened to be wearing an old red fuzzy very warm sweater before I knew what day it was. So happy coincidence but a good one because it's the day to be aware of heart and blood pressure problems in women.  This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart, pun intended.  Several months ago, on an ordinary (or what passes for ordinary these pandemic days) day, I was driving home after a stop at the drug store when my heart started beating so hard and fast that I really thought I was going to pass out.  So I drove myself to the nearest emergency room.  My brother, who had a long history of heart problems, always told me that if you wanted to get someone's attention in an emergency room tell them you're having a heart problem.  I didn't take it as far as he did.  He actually passed out on an emergency room floor on one memorable visit.  But it seems he was right.  I walked right up to the desk and told the nurse that my heart was beating really fast and they had me on a bed in a little room almost before I knew what was happening.  It turns out my heart really was beating rapidly, 140 beats a minute, and my blood pressure was 180 over something.  They got everything under control and these days I take a little blue pill every day to control my heart beat and blood pressure.  Happily it seems to be working.  So hear I am glad to be healthy and able to wear red.

never in this lifetime

 I had my follow up appointment with my eye surgeon this morning.  Everything looks good.  I probably will want to get glasses eventually to help with close work and reading.  However I was told that my distance vision is good enough now to pass the vision test for an Indiana driver's license, without glasses!!  That will be a first.  When I was 16 my father took me to the DMV in New Haven to get my beginner's permit.  I passed my written exam, no problem.  Then came the vision test.  I stood where the lady told me, took off my glasses when she said to, and pressed my eyes to the eyepieces of the testing device.  She said "Read the letters."  I waited a minute and she said "Read all the letters you can see."  After another pause I said "Turn it on."  because all I was seeing was a bright light.  Then she told me to put on my glasses. Surprise, there were letters there and, with my glasses, I could see them.  The only bigger surprise was the look on my father's face.  He told me later that he had no idea my eyes were that bad. I did get my permit and for ever after my licenses have been marked glasses required.  It's exciting to think about but my current license is good for another three years and I'm in no hurry to find out if I can pass that particular test.  The doctor has given me a card that says I've had cataract surgery.  I shall keep it with my license just in case.

who turned on the light?

 Today I had my second cataract surgery and it's amazing how much lighter and brighter everything looks. Of course the sunshine today may have had something to do with that.  I must say though, my TV  picture has never looked better.  It is a little weird though to put on glasses to read fine print and take off the glasses to watch TV.  The most fun though was being awake during the surgery.  They had told me that I would be awake during the left eye surgery three weeks ago but I really don't remember anything about it.  Today was different. Of course the eye was numb so I didn't feel anything but I do remember seeing the doctor's fingers up close to my eye.  I also heard and followed directions like look right, look left, look down and best of all look at the light.  I know the lights were all bright white because I saw them when I was wheeled into the room but during the surgery they were very colorful.  Red, green and yellow squares danced in front of my eyes.  It was positively psychedelic; the most fun surgery I've ever had.  As I may have mentioned before, I'm easily entertained.

What is spunky?

 Since it's Spunky Old Broads month I feel that I should be doing something spunky.  By definition spunky can mean courageous, determined, plucky and spirited.  Not necessarily all at the same time.  So how did I do today?  Well, doing two loads of laundry probably doesn't count at all.  I did venture out to go to the library.  Driving up the ramp from our underground garage took some determination since the ramp still had a glaze of ice and snow on it, but my little blue car and I made it.  Crossing Lafayette Street to get downtown definitely takes some courage.  Being in the library was a joy of course, but I didn't skip spiritedly through the stacks, so no spunk there.  I guess, on the spunky scale today was about a sp........... .

my month

 I know that February is Black History Month and that is very important, but it's also, are you ready for this, Spunky Old Broads Month.  Who knew there was a month for me and all my girlfriends?  That's it.  There's really nothing more to say.  Now I need to get busy doing spunky things.  I'll let you know how that goes.