My turn to prop up the economy!

 Guess it's my turn.  I have noticed others who had storm damage, had a car totaled in an accident (rear-ender), or are struggling to sell their business or a house, etc. are propping up the economy. My turn today.  

My water pressure has been flagging, the past few days.  The last time it did this, SparkPeople was still active.  I went on a week-long Summer Camp that year, living without water, filling buckets to flush, etc.  My water softener had "exploded", spewing little resin beads throughout the plumbing in the house.  Some of you may remember that series of blogs!

In any case, I decided I'd best be on top of it this time, and at least get on their schedule.  I didn't expect to get someone in before the holiday, but I called my old faithful firm that does all my HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work this morning before I went off to work out with the trainer.  I was shocked to discover that they had a free slot this afternoon!

So... I came home, sponged off, and waited for the guy to show up.  Sure enough, it's the water softener again!  This time I don't need to replace the whole unit.  

Jad (that's his name, and he swears it is not short for anything) measured the water pressure coming to the house.  It was high (100) and could be contributing to the short life span on that water softener.  Apparently, those floods we had a few years back resulted in the city adding more chlorine in to the city water supply, too.  This can cause the resin to break down faster.

We addressed both issues.  He put the water on by-pass, and installed both a regulator and a holding tank that will limit the water pressure to 60 pounds or less.  And they took my machine away to replace the resin with beads that have a higher resistance to chlorine.  I'll be living with hard water until they bring it back next week.

The cost?  Yikes!  So... yeah... working on boot strapping the local economy.

Life is good.  Spark on!

People I know are dropping like flies!

Last Thursday I missed a memorial service for a former co-worker.  Over the weekend, I learned that another former co-worker has passed on.  This morning, it was someone I met in a weight management (local) group.  I mean, I know we all have to go sometime, but it seems as though the losses come in waves, and I'm in the middle of one at the moment.  

These are not super close folks, mind you... we're all retired.  Two of the three, it was cancer, so in some ways you are grateful for a ceasing of suffering.  Cancer sucks!  BUT!

In any case, another of my former co-workers is seeking homes for two cats that belonged to one of the departed.  I took on Cyndi via the same former co-worker, years ago, and she lived a few months at my house, surviving a careful separation from Diamond, the GSP (also long gone by now).  In a fit of compulsive compassion, I started asking her questions about the two kitties:  how old, male/female, indoor/outdoor, how old, etc.  I'm pondering over whether Prisoner and Rubia would tolerate the introduction of newcomers.  And at the same time, a part of my brain is screaming "NO!  Lacey is horribly allergic to cats!"

I'm hoping, therefore, that someone else beats me to the punch.  This is Nicky, one of the kitties in need of a new human.  

And this one is Max, the other of the bonded pair.  

There was a trio of us at the old workplace, including the recently deceased human of these cats and the gal who is trying to find them a new home, and myself, who all had shirts that looked very much alike.  

We used to get the giggles if two or all three of us wore that shirt on the same day.

Me in my version of that shirt, Halloween 2012.  The baby?  My great-niece Ivy, who now lives in Philadelphia.

Life goes on, and is still good.  I'll let you know what happens with the kitties, and hopefully it will be that they have a fine new home soon.

numerology

 

Another gift from the 10 day "things that bring me joy" exercise over on Facebook.  Today I decided to highlight my gratitude for doing some things while I still could.  In the process, I posted the quad photo of my first triathlon, back in 2012.

Eleven years ago, I noticed, I was wearing bib number 405.  And it hit me this morning when I did that Kevin's bib in his final race, the one he finished in heaven, was 404.  Yep, it's those numbers again!

Life is good.  Spark on!

Things that make one smile

 I got challenged by a cousin in Montana to post ten photos and challenge ten other people... you know the kind.  This time it was to be photos of things that bring me joy.  It's supposed to be a "no comments, just the photo".  Today (Sunday) was my 8th day, and I had a burst of whimsey. I posted a photo that would require explanation as to why it brings me joy!

It's of my little car Dexter's odometer, taken Friday morning, when I turned the key to begin my trip to take care of my sister's kitties.

My little car, all on his own, makes me smile.  He is a Honda Fit, bought new, a 2012 model.  I bought him as a reward for completing my second half marathon, in 2012.  So he's 11 years old.  That odometer reading declares him to belong to a little old lady who has lived through 3 years of reduced movement, due to the pandemic.  Average it out.  That's only 4,364 miles a year.

Who drives that little?  Seriously!  This amuses me, and makes me smile.

Having reliable transport makes me smile.  Still being able to drive, and be independent, makes me smile.   

I self-edit my trips to allow for some decreasing abilities.  In two weeks I will be having the eyes looked at by someone who can help evaluate them for possible cataract surgery.  I've been waiting for the doctors to declare the cataracts ripe for six or seven years now.  I have stopped doing races at least in part due to the vision issues.   

But just looking at that lovely round number, sitting in the garage, at start of my day... brings to mind another source of joy:  math!  I've always loved numbers, counting, patterns, and puzzles.  

So in short, the photo itself, as a source of joy is a puzzle.  Which also makes me smile.  What makes you smile?

Life is good!  Spark on!

Tuna juice worked

 I swear my sister's cat manipulated me into bringing the tuna juice.  Crushing her pills in tuna juice worked this morning.  So, success, on day 3 of cat-tending!

As a treat for myself, I went kayaking this morning.  Ahhhh!  Once again peaceful waters.

I went around to the backwaters by the golf course, and while there encountered a woman who knew where the eagles' nest was, so she led a couple of us back to where we could see it.  It's a bit of a distance from the water, mind you, but she'd actually seen the eagles land there, and the babies flap their wings... but not today.  However, I now know where the nest is, and sometime when I have a lot of leisure time, I can return and spend some watchful time back there.

The guide kayaker.

And the entryway to the backwaters... golfers in the distance.

Selfie on the water

From the shore, doesn't that lake look peaceful?

One more paddle, in the books.  One peaceful mind, headed home.

Life is good.  Spark on!

Look away, look away...

Guider and Foster

look away... from the news.  Sigh.

The submersible... edge of our seats as hope fades.  And on Thursday, they found debris at depth, and have determined that these people have died on their adventure.  Or exploration.  Or experiment.  

While I offer condolences to those left behind, I sort of understand the risk-taking.  After all, I engaged in a couple of dangerous activities (on a much lesser level) myself.  I participated in road races, and in triathlons.  As a spectator, I was present when one young man lost his life doing so.  I have kept track of news clips about those who died while training:  on the bicycle, hit by traffic, in the water, and more personally, my brother passed in the wake of a half marathon almost four years ago now.  It still aches, for those of us left behind, but... we understand the desire to test themselves.  

If one looks back in history, one can find those who took ship to migrate to new shores, or to open trade routes, or just to see what was there.  Crossing an ocean?  Think about those South Pacific Islanders who paddled to new islands!  People in dangerous jobs or trying to better themselves have died in the process.  So, no, I'm not going to say "don't do it".  If we never did anything outside of ourselves, we would not be human.

On the more mundane front:  I'm once again on kitty watch / medication duty for my sister, who is off visiting her more distant daughter, the one who is raising the orphan mallards in Utah.  This morning (Thursday), the kitty that requires medicating turned her nose up at her medication and treat, so I fed her sister Ginger, but not Spice.  I left a note for Jerry, the gent who does the evening shift.  Tomorrow I shall take tuna juice with me!

This is them on an earlier visit this year, when they both were happily consuming their breakfast.

Wednesday it was my every five months dental cleaning.  This one with the periodontist... the hygienist I had on Wednesday has a very gentle touch.  All is well.  On to the next adventure.

I came home after my Thursday workout with the trainer where I found out one of my fellow clients of his got rear-ended yesterday!  Yikes!  She's of my generation and says she's fine, but she was missing today's workout because of having to deal with insurance folks related to her car being totaled.

So yes, life is busy, and it is good.  Life is not without risks, but it is good.  Spark on!

Take me out to the ball game...

Last Saturday night, at the ballpark.  My daughter in law did the honors behind the camera to catch mom and son smiling, early on.

We had great seats, right behind home plate, and a great view of the vaunted football stadium across the way.  Waited until the field lights came up to take this one.

Speaking of my daughter in law, here she is, with her mum and dad.  It was her dad's Father's Day observance.

After the game, we walked out into the sunset, which put on a show of its own.

The game itself was a good one, with a couple of hotly contested plays and it went ten innings.  To make it satisfying, the home team won, in the bottom of the tenth!

Lots of old memories were stirred up.  Baseball is a great family outing.

Life keeps on being good.  Spark on!

 

Happy Father's Day

Too much in the news is about men behaving badly.  Father's Day is to focus on men doing good.  

My dad and mom married young by today's standards.  He was 21, she was 19.  They became parents about a year and a half later, and remained married until they passed on.  In between, they produced and nurtured five children.  

When this photo was taken, Dad would have been about 32 years old.  He already had three children, and in fact, the photo was taken by my older sister.  

I remember Dad having a dry sense of humor, an intellectual side, and playing with language a lot.  He was proud as punch of all his children, and took up going to concerts or diving meets, or whatever his kids were into.  In short he was a dad.  

He was not one of the modern day change the diapers, drop the kids off as school kind of dad... he was a "take the kids on adventures to give their mom a break" kind of dad.  He would take us camping.  He would share what he knew of history.  He took special joy in the local history of our state.

My son's dad, on the other hand, was a hands-on from birth kind of dad.  He chose my son's clothing, saw that he got fed, and cared for him while I was off at the office working.  Never mind that when I had a split shift and came home for a few hours, I would be handed the baby who needed changing and asked what was for the next meal.  In a way, we reversed roles during my son's youngest years.

My dad's been gone for nearly 24 years now, and I can still hear many of his thoughts rattling around in my head.  

May today be a good one for Dads of all stripes.  And may their children be blessed in recognizing the value of each of them, in their own unique way.

Happy Father's Day!  Keep Sparking!

A week's worth of updates

 A week ago, a quick shower did not last long, and the humid heat remained after it moved on.

We are still in extreme drought conditions, and now our town has asked us to voluntarily restrict outdoor water use.  I'm allowed to water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sundays.  My sister has a different street number (odd versus even) so her schedule is Tuesday Thursday and Saturday.

Stolen from a FB friend.  As good an excuse as any, don't you think?

It might be counter-productive to stir up the dust, too, during a drought.

Yay!  We got rain Saturday evening, too.  Prisoner came in drenched!

Sunday was a quiet day, only the cheeky backyard squirrel dared to interrupt it.

Monday morning I walked around the "big block" to mail my estimated tax payment.  The months fly by, with the big bills showing up hopefully only about once a month... you know the ones, the annuals, the six months, etc., that you plan for and remember to pay.  Thank goodness, in retirement, for computerized reminders, and the backup of paper calendars.

It was another "confuse what day of the week it is" week.  My trainer had a conflict so he could not keep a Tuesday schedule, and he is off to a cross-country camp the rest of the week.  So my only workout with him was on Monday morning.  

I did something political on Tuesday.  I drove across town to sign a petition to put something on the ballot to call for the repeal of a bill the legislature passed this session.  Everybody's entitled to express their opinions in this way.  If you feel strongly about an issue and aren't one to "take to the streets" in protest, signing a petition is something you can do.

I had a blood draw on Wednesday.  The doctor's office called me on Thursday to say thyroid is behaving, and I'm back on the same dosage I have essentially been on for 20 years.

I reserved a kayak for Friday morning. The lake was smooth as glass, and I had a peaceful paddle!  

Saturday evening will be a minor league baseball game with the small family group (son, Dil, and her parents and I).

I signed up for the Cornhusker State Games 6 mile walk, which comes in late July.  I'll have to check with my friend Gerri, as I see she's signed up, too.

Next week I'll be doing cat watch for my other sister again.

As you see, life is going on in these parts.  

Life is Good.  Spark on!

What a difference it is getting a jab these days.

Three years ago, when the Covid-19 vaccines were new, there were big clinics, held in public venues.  Nurses and PAs volunteered to give the jabs to protect as many as possible as quickly as possible.  Since then, we've been through the mutations and strains, the anti-vaxxers and the vax-mandators and the maskers and anti-maskers, the fear and the bravado.  Without much fanfare now, they decide to allow folks to get a second bi-valent booster and I got my email from the health department.  I expect that come the autumn, we'll potentially see a combined Covid-19 and flu vaccine as this phase passes.

Wednesday, nobody else was wearing a mask, even though the e-mail told me to, so I was wearing mine.  I felt like a fish out of water.  The nice public health nurse who gave me my jab asked if I was masking because of the email and I confirmed.  "Do you still have it on your phone?  I want to show it to our IT people, we've been having trouble figuring out why some people get it on their email and some don't."  Sure... so a tech issue clue for them, not just an arm to jab.  She assured me, masking is no longer required to get the shot.

One thing getting my shots through public health channels did for me was to show me who all is relying on them for services.  I've always had job related insurance (until I retired) so coming to public clinics has not been my normal experience.  It was awesome... families... who come in as an entire family:  mom and three kids.  Mom, grandma and grandpa, and four or five kids.  Mom, dad and two kids.  Public health employees explaining things to the clients in various languages, or explaining to the English speaker in the group that they were looking for an interpreter for the patient's language.  Everybody kind, everybody patiently waiting their turn.  One question about immigrants:  what is there to be afraid of?

I suppose one might fear being overwhelmed by numbers, and that's a possibility.  But it all seemed very harmonious when I was there.

Everything was hunky-dory following the shot, and I had a pretty normal day.  Had my Wednesday walk with my sis.  The side effects that I have come to recognize showed up about 12 hours post-shot.  Fever.  Highest I measured was 102℉, around midnight.  Took Tylenol clone, several times, appropriate hours apart.  Did NOT sleep well.  Waved off the trainer appointment Thursday morning, when I took the final Tylenol and put myself back to bed.

Gradually, over time, I got up, napped, got up, went to pick up a prescription when I was feeling particularly OK.  Then another nap.  It's now almost 36 hours since the shot and I'm pretty much getting over the side effects.

Anyway, as of Friday morning... back to regular life.  Onward.

Life is good.  Spark on.

Outta gas by Sunday

Old photo from 2021, Carl flopped down after a walk outside in the heat.  But it captures how I'm feeling on Sunday:  out of gas, tapped out, exhausted!

Saturday about suppertime I had received the text from my older sister that she made it home, so I was done with my cat-medication duties.  Whew!  

The kids and my co-inlaws had scheduled a Sunday morning kayak outing on a lake on the other side of town, but I was just so bleary on rising (after sleeping in 'til nearly 7) that I bowed out of the adventure.

I delayed deciding until the last possible minute, as Carl was going to be there, and he's a huge draw.  As soon as I messaged them my regrets, I knew I did the right thing.

I haf household chores that I could/should take care of but I didn't even have the oomph for them.  Even after "sleeping in", I took a nap.  

I woke up around 3 p.m. and finally felt a more human level of energy, so tackled grocery shopping.  I found the videos of Carl at the lake, which made me laugh.  He did not capsize any boats today, but he did get muddy water into his mama's kayak.  He acted as a tugboat on a leash in the shallows before successfully getting up onto his daddy's boat.

According to his people, this was Carl's longest successful ride in / on a kayak yet.  They will turn him into a boat-dog eventually!

I'm thinking it was probably a better learning experience for my favorite pup without an extra person to distract him from his purpose.  

The video of him swamping Lacey's boat was pretty funny... it did not sink.  Carl was in the water, towing his Dad's kayak and tried to climb up onto the back of his Mama's.  Shriek and giggles ensued.

Carl got hammock time with his dad after all the water sports were over.  

Here's hoping for a restorative week ahead.  I have two trainer sessions (Tuesday and Thursday) and my second bi-valent Covid-19 booster (Wednesday) scheduled.  That's also part of laying low today, saving up health and energy for anticipated side effects.

Remember to take care of yourselves, and listen to your own needs, not just what you've been invited to do.