It’s another Caturday here in the brave new world, and it’s time to check in and see how everyone is doing, which is exactly what today’s visitor, courtesy of Susan H., is here to do:
Here’s Lahara, checking in to see how everyone’s holding up. She’s making sure I get plenty of exercise by following her around the yard and woods (she’s not allowed out by herself now that she’s 15 years old and mostly deaf). She also makes sure I get enough rest by yelling her head off until I sit in the recliner so she can sleep in my lap.
I’m sorry for the delay in posting this week’s open thread. I had scheduled it for 8 as usual, but the cyber-gnomes slept in this morning.
Anyway, I’m at the local farmers market, where I picked up lettuce for Ani and me. What’s everyone up to today?
Ughh, stupid tablet! Had a great post and when switching between tabs, totally erased it. So let me see if I can remember what I typed.
Beautiful mini panther. Glad she’s keeping you occupied. I’m like Mike and heading out to the farm to pick up my fruit and veggie box for this week. Got a nice selection this week including kale, lettuce, Japanese cucumbers and avocados. Last box was a little too heavy on greens which proved difficult to eat quickly plus I’ve discovered I’m not a fan of Swiss chard.
Rest of the day will be more errands and since it’s been nice, I’ve been outside a lot. My citrus trees are full of ripe oranges and lemons so time to pick and put out for the neighborhood.
Stay healthy and safe everyone. Hopefully we’ll be through this soon and it looks like some states are starting to reopen slowly.
P.S. Almost forgot, a couple neighbors have been putting on bagpipe concerts twice a week on different streets. So nice to see the neighbors (keeping the appropriate physical distance of course). It was kind of funny as we had some road crew workers leaving around the same time and as they drove by you could see their confusion, what the heck is this. You can see a video of yesterday’s concert here (fingers crossed 🤞 link works)
https://www.facebook.com/#
Lahara is a beautiful girl. I’m glad she keeps you on your toes, Susan!
I’m trying to regain perspective today. Yesterday was a grumpy day, then I had a really bad dream in the night, and I’m still growly and headachey this morning, even after sleeping later than usual. My weekend does include plenty of knitting, but it’s all for work and I want to make stuff for myself (pouty face).
The company will reopen on May 4 but can have no more than 50% of its personnel onsite. So I’ll be working from home for probably another month. I’m very grateful that I’ve remained employed, though it’s lonely working from my basement. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year plays out.
Hugs to you all! Stay safe at the farmer’s markets!
Lahara is beautiful. Good to know she’s keeping you up to the mark, Susan H!
If I can get my mask on comfortably enough, I may take Bibi for a longish walk in Central Park. Meanwhile (third time trying!), here’s a look at a local community garden—all pix taken this month.
https://youtu.be/cqKj5rqykRc
Hey everyone! I know its been a long time since I posted anything. If I recall, last you knew, my husband had fallen down stairs, and was permanently disabled.
Well, no sooner did his crappy year end, mine began. I got sick around halloween, diagnosed with bronchitis. Still sick 2 wks later, diagnosed with pneumonia. Felt better, but on Dec 3rd I got shingles. Once those cleared up, couldn’t breathe, went to ER, the doctor didn’t even come in the room, stood in the doorway and said it wasn’t pneumonia, it was a mass, and I needed to find a primary care physician so I could get a ct scan. I have no insurance, and my husband is on disability, so money for a pcp is not there.
The next week, it was so bad I couldn’t go upstairs without stopping to rest. Went back to ER (Christmas day, in the evening). This doctor, after being told what the previous one had told me, sent me for a ct scan right away. My calcium level as life threatening high, so I was admitted. When I got to my room, the nurse there asked if they had given me a diagnosis in the ER. I told her no, but that I wasn’t dumb, and figured I had lung cancer.
I was correct, there was a mass in my left lung, that had trapped fluid, so I also had pneumonia. I had mets to my spine, so it was stage 4. After one round of chemo, I already could breathe better. Here I am, done with 4 rounds of chemo, my left lung is clear (the oncologist was amazed with the difference in the first scan and the second one, so was i). I won’t be cured, but I should get a few more years. Doc doesn’t think I will have to be on oxygen for much longer.
Patty, I’ve been wondering about you! So very sorry for all your health woes. I’m glad you’re getting the care you need and feeling better.
Holy moly, that’s more than anyone should have to deal with! Glad the chemo put it into remission and you’re breathing better now, though.
My goodness! You’ve been through so much. I hope you will have many good days now and able to enjoy visiting Cutetropolis!
My gracious, Patty! You and your husband have had quite enough crappiness for any 10 people (at the very least). I am very glad you are still with us and now breathing better. I would have something to say about that first ER doctor, but I will be charitable and withhold it, since all medical personnel are so much more than ordinary stress these days. I’m glad you got a got a better doctor the second time, and that your oncologist has been able to help you.
We missed you, Patty!
Iam glad you are doing better. I wish you lots of strength to deal with all this.
I’m so sorry for all these health issues you and hubby have gone thru. Glad you’re feeling better now. Sending hugs.
I’m glad you came back to let us know what’s been going on. I’ve thought of you. I’m so sorry for your health, well, problems doesn’t seem like a strong enough word. It is very fortunate that you responded so well to treatment. You and your husband have had much more than your share of bad luck. I hope you’ll feel up to commenting again and keeping us posted on how you’re doing.
I”m sorry that you and hubby have had such a hard year.
I”m thinking good thoughts for you both.
Patty! Just…whoa!
Be careful with yourself. You are loved here.
Quiet, wet weekend. Some stores in mall offering part time hours for opening next month. Hubby had to help deal with clogged drains and backed up toilets at work. Duckie came out of her cage on my finger, and flew straight back in. Younger sister getting her voice back after seven week bout of bronchitis. I have several sewing projects coming to mind.
Feeling a bit more optimistic today. Mentally passing it on to everyone.
Oh Patty! So glad you are breathing better! Good luck with future treatments and the same for hubby. That was a very unfortunate series of events. I hope one day there will be a better form of Medicare available.
And Lahara you are gorgeous! Love the sunshine on your fur. I can just hear you screaming your head off to get a lap to sit on!!
Lahara is a very good kitty, taking care of you like that.
I’m in a bad mood. Got up to the sound of my neighbor’s car stereo…but I looked out and couldn’t see anyone out there so I have no idea which car it was, but it went on for several minutes. I’m so sick of the inconsiderate jerks around here. Some days I think they’re lucky I don’t have a baseball bat or I’d turn the damn things off permanently.
But then I was in the living room and heard sirens getting closer and closer and then realized they were in my community. Looked out and saw a couple fire department vehicles, then three fire trucks, then two or three ambulances and some other official vehicles all turning down the street that runs past mine (and a few that looked like regular cars so I don’t know if they were part of emergency services or just people who ended up behind them). Didn’t see any smoke or anything above the buildings, so no idea what’s happening. (It’s quiet now.)
So I guess it could be worse.
R&B’s Mom – at least the flowers are still blooming!
Patty, that sounds so scary! I’m so glad you’re doing better. We’ve missed you!
Yes, the flowers are blooming, and I have much to be thankful for. Still, going outside (and for that matter, sometimes also staying in) is stressful, making everything feel melancholy at best.
Even just going to get the mail when there’s no one else around makes me nervous. I know realistically my odds of catching something from touching the mail (or the mailbox) and just breathing air outside is minuscule but… And I’m not even in a city.
Lahara is beautiful! Glad she’s keeping an eye on everything!
Patty, that sounds frightening! Glad you’re better though and I hope everyone around you is taking careful virus protections.
Here’s something that I found on my afternoon walk the other day. Someone’s kids were obviously having fun! I knew that you guys would appreciate it:
Some good news to report: Scorpius (in hiding since yesterday) has been located! There were workmen in the basement yesterday, and afterwards I couldn’t find him. Checked all his usual hiding spots–no baleful green eyes. Couldn’t tell if his food dish had been touched. Started to get really nervous when the situation continued this morning.
Then I pulled out a deep drawer in the basement kitchen, where his extra water dish lives. There he was! (though of course now he’s vanished again)
I think our relationship is slowly changing, with me working in the basement. He comes over for treats every afternoon, which he’s done for a while but now it’s consistent. When he’s lying on a certain shelf in the laundry room, he’ll let me pet him and even leans into the chin scritchies. This is really new! Before, he was determined to resist such seduction.
Slow but steady with this cat. Poor little guy will be traumatized on Tuesday, when the workers come back to remove an old heater. It’s tough to be a kitty.
It is tough to be a scaredy cat. You wish you could explain things to them!
I am reminded of a story of my friend’s two cats…one a scaredy cat and the other an opportunist! 😁 A plumber was firmly wedged under the kitchen sink on his back. One cat no where to be seen. The other intently watching the goings on and finally ended up on the poor fellow’s tummy as content as could be. 🤣
The mental picture is delightful. Thank goodness the plumber wasn’t displaying his derriere.
Ha! No he’s one of the modern day plumbers! A young fellow whose pants were indeed falling off as is/was the style but the large colorful boxers covered that trade trademark butt crack nicely. 😁
Yay, I have been waiting for Scorpius to learn he is one of the luckiest kitties of the world. I am happy for both of you, Debg.
Thanks for posting my little girlie’s photo, Mike! The princess is currently sleeping soundly after having performed her services as my 6:00 alarm (unfortunately she doesn’t recognize that it’s Saturday and I could have slept in).
We’ve had a fairly craptastic week, but at least there are some positives. Our tankless water heater is on the fritz, so we have to keep going out and resetting the thermostat to get hot water (it’s located on an outside wall, so that’s fun at 6 a.m. in the rain). The estimate the plumber gave us for a new one was crazy high, so I found the water heater online for a lot less and will just have the plumber install it, which will save us over $1000. But, on the advice of the online company, I ordered one that’s too big, so I had to cancel that order (which fortunately hadn’t shipped) and place a new one for the correct heater. So everything is delayed even more, and we won’t have it until probably Thursday or Friday. I guess the good news in this it’s not completely out so we don’t have to go live in a hotel or something, and we actually have the money to replace it so it’s not going to put us into debt.
Have a good week, all! Will be interesting to see how the re-opening of the farmer’s markets goes; the ones around here don’t start until June.
Lahara is a beautiful princess.
And on a completely unrelated note, the aquarium in Vancouver BC has some live cams, including two for their adorable otters. I may just watch that all day since it’s raining here. 😛
https://www.vanaqua.org/live-cams
When you’re an otter it doesn’t matter if it’s raining!
Good morning all! Lahara is so pretty. I want my next critter to be a black one. To be named Fingolfin if a boy, and Varda if a girl.
Here in Montana we’re starting a phased re-opening of things starting next week! Retail businesses and professional services can open on Monday. Restaurants, bars, breweries, etc. can open on a limited capacity basis on May 4. I’m so excited! Social distancing still applies, of course, and I’ll still be wearing my festive wolf and eagle face mask when out in public. Working remotely is highly encouraged for the time being so I expect to be working from home for the next couple weeks at least. I’m really looking forward to Phase 2, when tattoo shops can start opening under certain restrictions. I’ve been wanting a tattoo for ages; I know exactly what I want, where I want it, and why; I have a specific artist in mind and can’t wait to talk to her about it. One lesson I’ve learned from this quarantine experience is life’s too short to keep putting off doing the things I’ve always wanted to do – I’ve just got to jump and do ’em!
In the meantime I’ve had my morning coffee and Cricket is snoring on my lap. I’m working my way through “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman and am somewhat enjoying it. The mother of the main character just called her from prison specifically to tell her she’s a disgusting waste of human tissue. I about choked on my coffee – who says that sort of thing??!! Anyway. Back to my reading. Happy weekend everyone.
P.S. didn’t mean this comment to be so long. I’ve noticed I’ve gotten much chattier online and in various social media groups I’m part of, over the last few weeks. Hmmm.
Willie Nelson’s sons sound just like him…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbfqguSD3o4
Thanks for the kind words. With my chemo, I’ve been isolated longer than the virus has been a thing.
I haven’t been anywhere other than the cancer center, so my exposure has been minimal. My kids text, video call, and come visit. The one daughter who visits wears a mask and stays her distance. The daughter with 4 kids does video calls with them. I miss my grandkids. The 3rd daughter is in Kansas city, ks, staying at home like we are supposed to.
Dad Jokes!Genuine not funny Dad Jokes!
https://www.sadanduseless.com/dad-jokes/
How about “quarantine joke” store signs?
How about church signs?
https://www.boredpanda.com/church-signs-coronavirus-quarantine
This one’s my favorite. (You know I’m a sucker for a good pun.)
More signs…
https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-quarantine-signs/
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! 😀 😀 😀
https://www.sadanduseless.com/funniest-signs/#more-88284
It didnt post first time?Maybe need new mouse,the clicker is going.
Sorry,where are my manners?
Thanks for the wonderful “sign” posts!Really!
First the good news: my local park has reopened! I had a stroll round yesterday afternoon and there were about fifteen people there, all being mindful of social distancing. No sunbathing, no ball games. I was the only mask-wearer present. More good news: the fish and chip shop has also reopened! Patrons have to wait outside to be served, which is probably an improvement on the old system as the place is tiny.
Now the bad news: the battery in my only watch died last night, so in addition to not knowing the date I don’t know the time either…
Lahara is a lovely lady!
Hi all. I’m in the UK, we’ve been on pretty full on lockdown since 23 March, so since then I’ve only been out for groceries or for a walk. I live alone so lots of peace and quiet. Since the lockdown I’ve been working from home remotely and it is insanely busy, I worked 12 – 14 hour days last week. The weekend has involved lots of lying around watching non brain challenging TV and reading really lightweight fiction.
Sadly, IT at work got the video conferencing system working, now my boss wants to have all calls on video. I am having to actually brush my hair and dress properly! Also seeing and hearing lots of colleague’s children and pets and varied home decor. There’s a guy I work with that I’ve never really warmed to, but now I see him on calls with his dog perched on his knee my opinion of him is improving.
Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful week.
What a difference a dog makes…
LOL Allein!
Lol Allein… good one! 🤣
Hey Mike, there’s something a little weird going on with the site where I can sometimes edit and delete posts that aren’t mine to begin with. It’s pretty rare and I can’t see any rhyme or reason to which ones I can and can’t edit.
Link to screenshot:https://imgur.com/a/Cj2cZur
Thanks, I’ll check this out.
Don’t be silly.
Family Puts Up ‘Jurisdiction Of The Ministry Of Silly Walks’ Sign In Front Of Their House, Films 30 Silly Walks By Passersby
“You have now entered the jurisdiction of silly walks. Commence silly walking immediately.” Finer print reads: “Follow @Yorkshire_Silly_Walks for highlights. Your walk may be posted! We’re all in this together so let’s have some fun while we can! (Don’t know how to silly walk? Google Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks for inspiration.)”