maison rustique

I forgot to say that today's fear is that my little sister who has had heart issues for years, is having an ablation this morning. I hope it helps. She has not been feeling well at all. She's my rock. I can't lose her.

Update on the husband...the doctor saw him first thing yesterday morning. She has added lorazepam to be administered early afternoon to help with his sundowning. When I got there, he had all his stuff packed up and ready to go home. After lunch, they took everyone out to the patio because the weather was beautiful. I went in to go get one of his hats for him. (Both are MIA--sigh.) The Dir. of Nursing grabbed me and told me not to go back out--he said to just leave and let him forget about me taking him home. So, I did. We have a small severe hail storm this morning, but if it clears up, I'll probably go over a little later and hope he is doing better.

I spent the bulk of my life not really being afraid of much. Well, spiders, but who isn't. I have a whole new set of fears now. I have become very fearful of the severe storms we've had passing through the mid-west on a regular basis now. I gather things and head to the basement, which I never used to do. Maybe it has to do with the heavy burdens I carry constantly. There is something new to worry about every day. I got a call from the assisted living nurse last night (just as the tornado warning were being issued) to say that my husband was in a rage, walking around everywhere, banging on doors with his cane and yelling. Has has been upset for the last week because he wants to come home. She put him on the phone and I couldn't calm him down. I told the nurse to take him back to his room and try to get him engaged in watching some TV. When we talked again after, I suggested they check him for UTI and get the doctor involved to see if his meds need to be adjusted. I know they will not keep him there if he continues to exhibit violent behavior. WTF am I supposed to do if they throw him out? Merely rhetorical. I know no one can really answer that. Don't get old.

I did not take photo, but this is what I had last night, only instead of English muffin, it was on whole grain bread. I can't recall the last time I had a tuna melt and I really liked it with the horseradish. It was very satisfying. Horseradish-Cheddar Tuna Melt

I've always had minor back pain--since I was a kid. But now that I'm old, every joint in my body is arthritic. Good days, bad days. I took way too much ibuprofen for it back when it first started, so now have pretty serious gastritis and can't take anything other than acetaminophen or prescription pain meds, which I will avoid like the plague for as long as I can. If they'd even give them to me. The older you get, the more they think the least little thing will make you a fall risk, including pain meds. I use the OTC Voltaren (topical gel) on my hips and knees. That's actually a big no-no. Knees are fine, but they say don't use on hips. I asked my doctor and he said do it anyway. So, I do. It helps a little. I do stretches and core-strengthening exercises every morning unless I am on my deathbed. It helps more than anything else.

I've got the starter (from a friend who gifted me about 3 years ago. Sadly, she has since left this world so my starter is all the more precious to me). But I need the bumper sticker!

I want one!

A friend shared some wild onions he foraged. I roasted them with grape tomatoes. Added some spinach and bacon to top a baked potato. More fast food as I learn to cook healthy food for one. I have enough left for another meal.

There were a couple of newcomers in my morning greeters today: According to Merlin Bird ID, Red-eyed Vireos and Nashville Warblers joined in with regulars Brown-headed Cowbirds, White-throated Sparrows, Northern Cardinals and House Sparrows.

I hate getting new PCs. Well, I love having a new one, I just hate having to set it all up and transfer everything. There are at least 3 laptops in my husband's office that I need to try to go through and get all the photos and files from them before I wipe them and ditch them. I dread it.

We have woods behind our house and I feed the birds and wildlife. I love the serenades I get first thing in the morning when I put out food and fresh water. This morning's chorus included White-throated sparrows, brown-headed cowbirds, black-capped chickadees, mourning dove, American goldfinch, yellow-rumped warblers and northern cardinals. It truly makes my day when I get to experience nature like this. I will miss it when I move.

I did not see a topic for this, but if one exists and I missed, feel free to move this. Just wanted to share that I made this Dirty Martini Dip to take to a party today. It is crazy good. And easy. I picked up bagel chips and almond flour crackers to take with, but I tasted some with potato chips and I could sit and eat it that way all day.

I am so sad that I'll miss the Celtics' first play-off game today. I RSVPd to go to a surprise birthday party at the same time. My first social outing in a couple of years, so I really need to go or my sister will come drag me out.

At the memory care where my husband is, they leave the mayo on the tables in the dining room all the time. I was horrified at first, but they have regular inspections, so am sure it is acceptable or it wouldn't be happening.

Have you ever gotten sick from eating bad seafood? If so, you know that you don't want to risk it.

Well, darn. When we were selling the house in Laguna Hills, the first time I needed to leave so they could show it, I started driving around. I wound up at 99 Cents Only. My very first visit to a dollar store!! I filled up the cart with junk I didn't need and dragged it all home. I was hooked. I have fond memories of browsing around there and Smart & Final to kill time during those showings.

I am currently reading East of Troost which is largely about segregation in Kansas City, Missouri, fictionalized but quite the way I recall it back in the 50s-70s when I was growing up here. I find it interesting that much of that segregation still exists all these decades later. The more things change, the more things stay the same. Not everything is up to date in Kansas City. That said, living around 30 years in Orange County, CA, if I saw a black person in the area, it was startling. It was changing by the time we moved and I don't get back there much now, so am not sure whether or not the Orange curtain is still closed.

I used to be glued to timers, but now I use Echo devices for timing everything. Alexa micromanages my life. 😁

Grilled brie, apple and bacon sandwich in the making.

My dear old friend Toni Zeto wrote and performed this with her band Second Language. Sky Will Open

When I saw the name, I couldn't place it, but remembered immediately when you mentioned the ads. We have our own Larry H. Parker here in Kansas City. Mike DiPasquale RIP Larry H. Parker. Keep on fighting!!

A friend now regularly gifts food to me. He brought me some red pepper soup he made. I garnished with micro arugula and crumbled bacon. Had it with Wheat Thins and pinot grigio. A warm scone (from a local Irish place) with TJ's cultured butter from Brittany and whipped cream (no clotted cream, so I did my best) was dessert.

I hate how I look in nearly every photo that has been taken of me in my 71 years. I cringe when someone holds up their phone or takes out a camera. If I thought I looked in person like I look in photos, I'd never leave the house. I am just not photogenic.

Hope you feel better soon!

Moving the husband into a memory care facility this morning.