Monday, March 11, 2019

3-11-2019 Monday--7:30am

Good (but painful) morning.
I thought my back was gradually improving but then I woke up early this morning with it just as bad as a week ago.  Slept wrong somehow?  Didn't do anything I can think of to set it off.  Been being careful and doing gentle stretching.  Oh well.  Such is life.  
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Anyways, we had snow early in the week.  The grouse were determined that if they dug down they could find some of that buried seed...which they did.  :)  
 Do you see that head peeking out in the middle of the picture?  That is how deep we are talking that the girls were digging holes--ROFL!
You can see how deep the snow drifts had become on my patio.  The walls of snow banks across the way have really changed the wind game out there.  
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While one covey was on the patio another was waiting over under the pine tree. 
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Meanwhile, I know I mentioned in a couple of letters to people how my one eye had been watering so much but I can't remember if I said anything about it on the blog.  Well, turns out I think I also have a mild case of pinkeye.  Since I knew that McFamily had it I had been being very careful to use a clean cloth or tissue to wipe the tears from that eye and tried not to rub my eye.  But if I gave in and rubbed because it itched it was soon puffy and blood shot and pink.  I have had a little crusting in the corner of my eye--but I never sleep very long at one time so it was minor.  
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Dagan was coming over with seed from Fleet Farm on Friday so they sent me over the leftover eye drops they had...in case it was bacterial instead of viral.  So I have been doing the eye drops since Friday.  Still watering, but not as much and not as itchy or crusty.
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They're all sick again at McFamily's--or still.  Leah and Liam have strep throat and are on antibiotics.  I didn't know they sell test kits for strep throat.  Leah was getting a kit for Dagan and Ian when she picked up the meds for her and Liam.  Dagan was still coughing a lot when he was here and blowing his nose.  I haven't even heard if they tested positive for strep or not.
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Myself--pinkeye, back pain, and still stuffed up and blowing my nose.  But I have had strep years ago and it don't have any of those symptoms.  Nose doesn't hurt as much now with the new humidifiers, either, so that's something.  Very tired from lack of sleep and having to try to sleep in my chair some days.  Watching a lot of good shows.  Rented season eight of Vera (love how she calls people "pet" or "love") and Bohemian Rhapsody (which  has made me want to rent Live Aid and Woodstock).  On Netflix streaming I watched Russian Doll and Luther.  On Amazon Prime I'm still watching the British detective series from the 90s called Wycliffe.  Oh, and on Netflix streaming I am still watching Heartland little by little, too. 
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On Friday night through Saturday we had another winter storm.  The drifts on my patio gained another foot or so.  As you can see in the early morning light, I can still get the patio door open several inches to toss out seed... 
...into the valley between the 3 foot drift by the door and the next 4 foot drift.  I'm guessing...could be higher than that.  You can tell how windy it was because the empty bird feeder is now filled with snow--LOL!
The electricity was also off from about 4-9am Saturday morning.  So I switched over the clocks early since I had to reset them anyways. 
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Annie has been in a lovey mood.  I think she knows I don't feel well because our normal routine has been kind of out the window this past week.
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Yesterday digging critters and 20 degree weather started packing down the snow a bit next to the patio door. 
So odd to see a rabbit be able to stand up and check out the bird feeder.  No, I didn't catch a photo of that.  Only one rabbit checked it out--no food so no interest.  Good.  I don't want them gnawing on the wood. 
Annie can no longer see CatTV unless she jumps up to sit on the little tan recliner or on my chair with me.  This definitely frustrates Annie.  She goes up to the patio door and stares into a wall of snow...she can hear them but can't see them...suddenly she'll race around the apartment and beat up her toys with great ferocity.  Out of desperation, she's taken to jumping up on the curio cabinet in my bedroom to peek out the bedroom window.  But she can only see a small tree with maybe a few sparrows or juncos if she's lucky.  And not close up like she's gotten used to--LOL!  Annie is more than ready for some melting weather.  
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Me--I'm more than ready to be feeling better.  Snow doesn't bother the housebound much--LOL!  I have grown used to the endless lower back pain but this mid-back stuff is worse.  Sharper.  More debilitating when it is in a testy mood.  
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So, that's it from here.  No work on the book this week.  No calligraphy.  Only able to write letters...or type...here in my chair...when I am able.  So, I didn't even respond to comments last week.  :(  I read every one of them and appreciate them so much.  I still plan to at least go through and answer any questions.  Not sure if I will get around to much online this week, either.  Here I thought this week would be better...well, maybe it will be.  Things can shift around with this touchy back stuff.  I hope I am in much better shape next week when we chat.  
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In the meantime, so many good shows to watch and I look forward to reading every single comment.  Annie is happy to spend more chair snuggling time.  Have fallen in love with my heating pad.  The sun is shining.  We have critters to watch from a new angle--LOL!  Caroline comes to clean tomorrow, so she can bring my trash out for me--and Dagan brought out what I had waiting most of the week when he was here on Friday (so grateful).  So, see you next week!  :) :)
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"I felt in need of a great pilgrimage
so I sat still for three days."
Kabir

16 comments:

Rita said...

Comment to get those wonderful comments. ;)

Divers and Sundry said...

Vera is one of our favorites! So much snow, and it sounds like your cat is quite frustrated. We'll all be glad when warmer weather comes.

I'm sorry you are not feeling well, and I hope you and your family are all completely recovered soon. The heating pad sounds like an excellent idea.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Always Rita you make the best out of your days. Annie is such a sweet pet friend. Hope the family all get better soon too and that you feel better each day. A heating pad is indeed a friend when you have pain. Amazing amount of snow - and getting the door open enough to put out the seeds - whew - those birds and rabbits depend on your help.
Hugs.
Joy

Jon said...

Rita - I just wrote a long comment on your blog. I was trying to post it and suddenly EVERYTHING vanished on my computer screen! I don't know what the heck I did wrong.

So, here I go again.
I'm really sorry to hear about your back trouble - and I can definitely relate to it (I feel your pain!). Rest and take care.

For your eye you could try an over-the-counter eye wash (which contains boric acid). There are also other medications for pink eye, which I usually buy at Walmart.

I love the photos of the grouse and Annie (she's so sweet).

Bonnie said...

The way those snow drifts keep building up pretty soon you won't be able to see out! Annie is such a sweet girl and I think cats do sense when we are not feeling well and they make very good nurses giving lots of love and purrs. You know they have done studies and found the frequency of cat's purrs actually is healing! I'm so sorry your back is still hurting and I hope it gets better soon.

Take care Rita and love Annie for me!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Leo wanted to know what the birds were and thought the name Grouse was weird but the birds were cute.

There was a time when I didn't know what pinkeye was but now I do we just call it conjunctivitis.

Annie looks relaxed laying there but it would be frustrating not being able to see her CatTv

Janie Junebug said...

I can't imagine shoveling that snow. I had no idea that you can get a kit to test for strep. I wish those had been around when my daughter was in elementary school. She used to get strep regularly, while I haven't had it in my entire life.

Love,
Janie

DJan said...

That final quote sure made me smile. It's true that sometimes we can go farthest when we go inside. It sure doesn't look much like spring in your part of the world, Rita, but that will change. It has to, sooner or later. Right? Looks like it will be later. :-)

TammyVitale said...

Adore these pictures of your outdoor critters - can't say I'd like to live with that much snow!

If you're looking for a long running series that is mostly really good (nothing is perfect), try Silent Witness, Amazon Prime. 23 seasons to go through before you run out. :)

Douglas Davis said...

Hi Rita-- I have enjoyed your blog so much. It is nice to see Ian, your cat, and all the critters outside your windows. I hope you feel better soon! It looks like you may have more snow than we have here in the north woods of NY...or it might be about the same. Look for a letter soon.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hope you feel better soon, it has been a rough winter for you. Yes that storm was something else, hope you are bracing for the next one, it is raining here now.

Carol said...

I can so relate to your back pain :( I've even been going to physical therapy for mine..and the hip pain from my fall. Hip is getting better and maybe the back pain too. I do get an injection on Friday so hopefully that will make the world better here.
We are finally having Spring like weather this week but the winds have kicked in big time. I do love the warmer air out there though!!!
Take care of yourself!
Carol

Lady Fi said...

Love your snow pictures! And Annie! Hope your back feels better soon.

Jenny Woolf said...

Hello, Rita! Like Jon I am sure I commented on this post, and I don't know where it went.... strange. That photo of Annie is so cute. I used to have 2 black cats and one of them used to hold his paw up like that, it meant he wanted to play. I can't believe that weather, and the drifts. It looks horrible, but as you say it probably doesnt signify much. You must be glad you have the ground floor now - so much more to see. Those creatures are giving you some entertainment in exchange for the food, pity that Annie doesn't get her TV though! LOL. You havent posted in a few days now so I hope that doesn't mean you're feeling too rough. Appreciate that you take the trouble to post, so get better soon.

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

Sorry to hear that you are still not feeling well. It's so frustrating to be in pain. That's good that the heating pad feels good and provides some relief. I have one too for my back and neck; and have been using it more since being rear-ended by a driver who wasn't paying attention back in November.

You've had quite the snow and blowing there. What huge drifts! Hope the snow has gone down gradually and Annie can watch her wildlife again.

AliceKay said...

I hope you're feeling better by now. Looks like you have a lot of snow out your way. Spring in here. Hope the snow melts so the birds and rabbits can enjoy your treats easier and Annie can get back her Cat TV.