6-29-2020 Monday-2:15pm

Good afternoon!

I hadn't seen the mourning doves much this summer, but they are here once in a while.  Sometimes you can just hear them.  Lovely sound.

I forgot to say that my mom went back to her apartment the Friday before.  Or "back to prison" as she lamented to me on the phone.  She really hates being isolated, as we all know.  They may allow so visits through glass in July?  We'll hear more about it when my brother and SIL pass through Fargo this coming Friday.  They're dropping off my folks' old golf clubs for Dagan (family golf history, Dagabn said) on their way to a 90th birthday party for Kathy's uncle.  We will (yes, I am hoping to make it over) be outside and social distancing--in the backyard or the garage depending on the weather.  :)
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 I had my video call with Leah on Tuesday night and a birthday video call with McFamily for Ian's actual birthday on Wednesday...complete with singing and blowing out candles.
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I decided to get out ink and dip pens to write a letter...just for a change. 

Ended up mostly using my old favorite feather pen. 

Filled my tiny vials in the wooden holder (bought so long ago I don't remember what it was called) with shimmer inks (that tend to clog up my fountain pens). 

I love this brass holder on the feather.  I use a brause 05 calligraphy nib with a reservoir on the top of it so that I can write for quite a while before I need to re-dip. 

I scribbled the names of the inks on a post-it note so I'd remember which inks were which. 

I also worked on Ian's book.  You may remember me filling the handmade paper cover with new paper...

...well, I wrote in the story: Magic Wings and Super Powers. 

I had taken notes from the dream Ian told me about in great detail when we were on a video call a while back. 

I am not good at drawing people, earthquakes, etc...so I made up for it with using metallic markers here and there...mostly in his current favorite color--gold!  I told him it was an imagination book without pictures.  I think he liked it.
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I remembered to take pictures of the patio this weekend.

The baby marigolds in the round pots are starting to take off finally.  I lost a few of them, but there are plenty that survived. 

All the plants seem to be doing well. 

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The big excitement for my week was yesterday!!  On Sunday I got to become a member of a bubble or covid pod with McFamily.  Never know for how long--so I was there for like 10 hours!  :)
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I had sent Ian's presents in the mail to their house so Leah had wrapped them for me.

Liam was watching the proceedings. 

Leah took pictures and a video. 

So you can see he got an "I Love You, Grandma" book (we read later) and some grownup art supplies. 

And afterwards he painted in his new watercolor journal art book.

Was an absolutely wonderful day!!  At Leah's suggestion, I even brought with some ingredients and Leah made me some foods to take home, too!  Dagan, Leah, and I sat around and discussed the state of the country into the night.  I think I got home about 11:30pm?  Anyways, I am really sore and exhausted today--but feeling thoroughly contented.
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Dagan had to go into the clinic today for his blood thinner testing AND they called him in to work to fix something--during the day--that needed fixing now.  So, exposure.  Have to see about deciding whether to go over this week or not.  The clinics are really picky here and careful, but not sure how the few people who are at the office are, you know?  He'll let me know later tonight how much he felt exposed.  He'll get his clothes washed and take a shower as soon as he gets home.  Yup--we are still that cautious.
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Regardless--it was fantastic yesterday.  Was a fabulous day.  It will take me a couple days to recover, I think--LOL!  But one happy lady here in Fargo.  Till next time...too shot to look up a quote...bye bye for now.  :)

6-22-2020 Monday- 1:30pm

Good afternoon!

Feeling better than last week.  Just dealing with the residual lack of spoons I have after being sick, but I have things to do this week so no more procrastinating--LOL!

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Tuesday I had my video call with Leah.  (We are switching to Tuesday nights now instead of Thursdays.)  There's an exciting new plan afoot!  If everyone stays well...I should be making my first trip over to McFamily's this coming Sunday!  Whoohoo!

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You know Leah had a double bubble or covid pod with her sister's family...well, their oldest, Julian, is going to be going to a summer school program for the month of July.  Therefore they won't be getting together.  So.....I have put Caroline's cleaning on hold for now...will have been quarantined for over two weeks since Caroline's visit...Michal's family is still in isolation and are coming over on Saturday for Ian's birthday party (6 years old!)...and I plan to go over on Sunday for his birthday.  Michal didn't want me to be part of their pod even if I wasn't actually there when they were there.  (I wanted to go over on his actual birthday this Wednesday on the 24th--but then they wouldn't have come over on Saturday.)  

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I know--confusing.  But I will take the chance and go over the day after her sister's family is there as they are all still home and being careful.  And this means that I will then be in a double bubble with McFamily for a while!  At least until mid July when Dagan's work wants him to be back all day on the 15th for reopening.  He can work from home after that and still come in after hours for computer repairs like he has been, but they want him there that day to make sure all is well for reopening the business location.  So, I'm not sure if I will want to go over after he has been more exposed or not?  Maybe wait a week instead of two?

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The thing is--there's also another issue coming up.  Fall will be coming and decisions will be made about school for the boys.  Once they go back to school--well, Ian--then the exposure will go way up.  If they even reopen.  Could be they will continue online classes.  With Ian, he's only starting kindergarten this fall so it's not even grade school yet.  Decisions.  Decisions.

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So, I realize that July might be my only chance to be able to see the grandsons...and Dagan and Leah...until who knows when.  Possibly even only half of July...and if we all stay well.  LOL!  So, fingers crossed!

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Oh--and Caroline was thrilled for me and totally understood.  Said to get ahold of her whenever I want her back.  :)

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Well, I went to water the flowers this week and discovered they had removed the handle from the outside faucet!

 So--can't use my hose and had to haul out water in buckets.  Makes having planters a much bigger project for the first time.  Leah says I should call the office and ask them to put it back on.  Working up to it.

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Meanwhile--on Friday afternoon I got my little chest freezer delivered to my garage!  

Since we only shop every 2-3 months this will make life so much easier!  Really nice local company--Karl's.  They unboxed it for me and put it where Leah had cleared a spot.  Even took the tape and some cardboard out of the inside and hauled all the trash away with him.  Such a nice man.  No mask, though.  But we were far apart, I had mine on, we were outside and it was windy.

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Had a video Gramma Day on Saturday.  Chatted over lunch with the boys and then later we synched up to watch Stinky and Dirty Show for a while and then watched the short little movie Burn-E.  We were going to watch Wall-E afterwards (Liam's favorite movie) but Liam fell asleep on the couch so Ian and I picked Frozen because Gramma had never seen it before (not a favorite of Ian's really).  Liam woke up to NOT Wall-E and was very upset.  He finally went upstairs to watch Wall-E with Daddy while Ian and I finished the second half of Frozen.  Was a nice laid back Gramma Day, regardless.  Can hardly wait to, hopefully, see them all in person! 

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Meanwhile back at the ranch...

Every day it's not raining I see these two smokers who are from my building... 

...out by the nearby apartment garages. 

Even if it is sprinkling I usually see at least these two. 

They sent around notices a few weeks ago about smokers needing to be 20 feet from the building and that they they aren't allowed to smoke on their balconies or patios.  So now the smoking buddies gather back here in the grass or they walk back and forth on the sidewalk.  There's another lady who joins them in the grass sometimes and another one in a wheelchair.  I know I have seen a couple more at the front door before but they haven't shown up back here with this group.  Maybe have their own smoking buddy group.

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I never used to see them except when I went to get the mail or bring my trash out because they hung out in the front of the building.  Now they are out back.  Depending on which way the wind is blowing I sometimes smell the smoke--especially if they are pacing the sidewalk.  I used to smoke (until 1989) so I can't imagine where they will go when the weather turns in the fall.  I wouldn't want to be standing outside when it's 20 below!  I'd park my car by the front door to sit in or go out to my garage.  They mostly stood right outside the front door in the cold.  Brrr!  The entryway often smelled like smoke.  Bothered Leah's asthma.  (So does the heavy perfumes some of the ladies wear.)  I was a smoker so it doesn't bother me much.  But, as a former smoker, I would never want to rent in a no smoking building.  Maybe all apartment buildings are non-smoking now, though?  Not sure.  I know I'd be sneaking cigarettes on my patio or inside my apartment--especially in the wintertime!  How could you not?!  You're addicted.  And we have blizzards, wind advisories, thunderstorms, hail, etc.  I'm glad I don't smoke anymore.  Smokers have been demonized.  Plus--the expense--OMG!

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Rambling.

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Anyways, was a very quiet recovery week.  I haven't worked on letters for two weeks, but hopefully will get back on track now this week...in many areas--LOL!  I rented the first two seasons of Yellowstone with Kevin Costner and saw It's a Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood with Tom Hanks last night (Netflix DVDs), am revisiting Monk on Prime, enjoying the cozy mystery series Father Brown (season 7) on BritBox, consumed mini-series Deadwater Fell & Alibi on Acorn, and my daily smattering of YouTube videos are always there, of course.  Been very pleasant recovery down time.  

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For half the week I was entertained by a teenage grackle who refused to leave Mama alone.  Everywhere she went the baby flew after her squawking to be fed!  Was so funny.  She was trying to ditch this fully capable "child" who would not leave home.  She'd speed away to this spot and that one--and her "baby" would adeptly speed after her no matter how far she went or how fast.  She was refusing to feed it anymore, but it trailed her wherever she went begging and pestering her.  Even though when she ignored the full-grown youngster it would eventually give up and start gathering its own food right next to her.  Reminded me of Mama cats I've seen giving a clawed whack upside the head to their way too old kittens who were trying to nurse.  Time to leave the nest, as they say--ROFL!

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Anyways, need to push myself this week and get some things done.  Been gorgeous cooler weather.  Rain off and on.  Till next week--take care!  :) :)

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"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."

Arthur Ashe

6-15-2020 Monday-12:45pm

Good afternoon.

Well, to be honest, it's merely a passable afternoon.  Been kind of rough lately.  This is going to be a long post, but the majority of it is going to be pictures and some really short videos...just so you know.  Grab a cuppa and let's chat about the week that was.  :)

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Two Thursdays ago I had blood in my urine.  Never have had that before!  What a scary sight!  Disappeared completely right after it happened, but I spent time researching information online from Mayo Clinic, etc.  Most common cause is a UTI--but could be kidney stones (no sharp pain), kidney infection, bladder infection, benign tumors, cysts, too much vigorous exercise (definitely not my problem), or sometimes they can't figure out why and it disappears never to be seen again.  I had no symptoms of any kind (or nothing I could determine as standing out from my usual chronic pain--lol!) so I was hoping for the latter--LOL!  It is more rare for it to be something like bladder cancer or anything life threatening.  There were even websites that said not to panic--so I didn't.  But I gave Leah a heads up in case it returned and I needed a ride to the clinic.  Didn't mention it last week because I was hoping for the best and didn't know if it was anything or not...or what it was if it was anything.  One of those "time will tell" events, you know?  And time told.  ;)

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Meanwhile--Caroline came to clean on Tuesday!  We both had masks on and stayed in separate rooms--chattering away and catching up on the past three months.  Later I did laundry and put the marigold pots out on the patio.  Some of the marigolds are still alive--shock!  We've had wind advisories for a couple of days so the tough ones that can endure the blasting Fargo winds will likely survive--LOL!  Was so good to see Caroline and to have my place cleaned up!  We're planning on her coming every other week again.  

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Was really dry for a while--see the brown grass out there?  But it's still a nice view for when you feel cruddy.  ;)

Using  mostly my Target gift card from my brother and SIL from Christmas that I forgot I still had...ordered a fancy turntable for the kitchen table.  Love it, too!  Turntables everywhere!  

That came while Caroline was here.  She even helped me get it out of the packaging and brought the box out to the dumpster for me on her way out.
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Okay--on Wednesday night I had some blood again.  Not nearly as dramatic and more pink than red.  It disappeared right away again, but...that meant that I contacted the clinic to see if I could do a phone call visit--no.  So, Leah dropped me off at the clinic on Thursday.
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They had a guy sitting at a little table right as you entered who took your temperature and asked you the have-you-had-this-or-that questions.  If you didn't already have a mask on (I did) he made the person put one on immediately, I saw.  Anyways, he gave me a post-it note with my temperature on it to put on my chest and I went to stand on black plastic footprints in line for reception.
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  The receptionist took the info from behind a plastic shield and sent me to sit in the waiting room where I had to pick a chair without a distancing sign on the back.  I noticed that my post-it note had fall on the floor over by the receptionist--LOL!  When the nurse came to get me she placed a sign on the chair I sat on and told me that was so they could disinfect the chair before the next person used it.  No one ever looked for or asked about my missing temperature post-it note.
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They did weight and BP (mine was up--probably because I could barely breathe in the better mask that Leah brought with for me to wear vs my disposable one--LOL!)  Usual chat with the nurse but through masks.  Marched me down to the pee-in-a-cup part of the lab and I did my thing.  By the time I got back to just sit and wait for the doctor--well, I decided to switch back to my disposable mask.  Leakier, I suppose...but I could breathe better.  I don't know how the doctors and nurses can function in those heavy duty ones!  Leah has a few of them because she got them years ago for when she did woodworking.
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Anyways, the doctor said I had a bladder infection for sure but no blood in the urine at the moment.  Called in a prescription for some heavy-duty, 5-day antibiotic for urine infections.  We went to the drive-up window at the pharmacy.  Leah stopped at a drive-through bank to buy a roll of golden dollar coins to eventually help out the Tooth Fairy.  ;)
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Then we went to my place and Leah and I (keeping our distance and masks on) went out to my garage.  Leah cleaned, reorganized, and made a spot for my chest freezer that is supposed to be delivered on Friday.  She even put the hooks up in the rafters to hang my bike, pumped up the tires, and got the bike up off the floor!  I just kept her company off in the corner.  Was just so nice to spend actual time together--even from a distance.  :)
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That night we had a video call on some other link Leah had me open...and Dagan popped up, too!  He didn't stay a long time but now I know a little of what these video conferences are like.
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Then on Friday we found out my mom had gone by ambulance to the hospital--ankles/legs swelling.  Pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  She was there for a couple of days--but then couldn't come back in the building right away.  (They are still being vigilant there and have had no new cases--hurray!)  So--Mom is staying at Blaine and Kathy's for now till at least Friday, I guess.  I am sure that she is very happy to be there where she has some company and can go outside in the yard to sit.  She's weaker than she was when they saw her last, of course, from not getting out and spending her days in her chair.  I will have to call her when I am feeling better myself.  :)
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Congestive Heart Failure...that's what my dad had been starting to deal with before the car accident...that is what my BFF from high school is dying from right now.  Just been a rough couple of weeks.
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I cancelled Gramma Day on Saturday...and again on Sunday.  All the symptoms I didn't have when I went in to the clinic came down upon me after I got home.  Well, I did have a low temp that morning, but after Leah left and I was back home I had all the stuff they had asked me about that I hadn't had--LOL!  The burning...frequency and urgency...had small bits of blood twice on Friday night and once on Saturday night...and just plain generally feeling miserable.  I guess we caught it right before it decided to get down to business.
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Had some gorgeous days to feel cruddy from my chair. 

Been having pajama days until this morning.  No energy to write letters or make comments on most of the blogs I read--sorry.  Just exhausted from not sleeping well for almost a week.  You know how that goes.
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Anyways, I had to finally throw on some clothes this morning so I could get out and soak my poor patio plants...and get my mail. 

Speaking of soaking...Annie has been soaking up the sunny mornings.  She never minds me spending more time in my chair.  Yup--chronically ill owner is her cup of tea--LOL!  ;)

Caroline dug out a mound of cat toys, BTW, from under the furniture--LOL!
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Since I don't want to leave on such a serious note...I have some really fun news with pics and very short videos from McFamily.  You can scroll down if you want to skip the stuff grandmas love--LOL!  
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On Monday Leah's family, her sister's family, and their brother started a triple bubble or a covid pod.  They are all home all the time (Chuck and Michal are both teachers) and wear masks when they leave home and take similar precautions.  You may recall Leah's brother, Aaron, moved out, is not working, and has been living alone in an apartment in downtown Fargo. 
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Anyways, it was a wonderful (but hot) day for the little cousins to play together!!  They went to her sister's house.  What a great backyard to play in!  A play house, sandbox...

...and swing set. 

A good place for curious boys...

...to locate interesting things... 

...like caterpillars.

Ian seems to share that love of living things.

They have this flat round swing... 

...that fascinated Ian and Liam. 

Especially if you get pushed right into leaves--LOL! 

Ian and Liam fit into the swing together. 

Looks like a small trampoline to me--LOL! 

Here's a few seconds of swinging.
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The sandbox was a big hit!

 BTW--they all have sensitive to sunburn skin so you'll see they all wear sunhats...

...well, most of the time--LOL! 

They had some relaxing inside time, too, when it got too hot outside.  Aaron is sitting behind Liam and Michal is curled up on the couch to the right. 

Also had some music time!
At the piano... 

...and even the violin.  
(Michal teaches music.) 

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Oh, and Ian let Mama trim the back of his hair, BTW.  :)

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And then there's big Liam news!  He now has Ian's balance bike! 

His introduction! 

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They do get in a lot of outdoor time at home in their backyard, too--as evidenced before cleanup time.

The raised garden boxes are planted and coming along.

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Oh!  Oh!  Remember when I said I saw a killdeer walking down the sidewalk here? 

Well, Leah got pictures of one visiting over there!  Maybe it's the same one?!

She'd never seen one before and asked me if I knew what kind of bird it was.  Yes, Ma'am!!  :)
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And lastly--I got such a kick out of this little clip because I know how much
Daddy loves golf.  Here's Liam getting his introduction.
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Well, on all those happy notes...am thoroughly exhausted now after working on this for about 6 hours.  I know--I know--am very, very slow.  Do both snail mail and snail blogging--LOL!  This blog is mostly pictures and videos, for goodness sake!  Okay--heading to my chair to rest and recover.  I finish my pills tomorrow morning.  I called the clinic again today because I have been feeling generally half-miserable...so was wondered about a refill on the antibiotics.  But they said that these pills are very strong and will still keep working for a couple of days after I quit them, apparently.  If I am not feeling better by Thursday they want me to come in for another urine analysis.  So, time will tell...again.
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That's it for this week.  I am actually shocked I managed to get all this done today.  Time for dinner and a chair-potato night.  ;)  Hopefully better news next week on the more negative fronts.  :) :)
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Honestly--too tired to find a quote today--sorry.  How about just--this too shall pass?  LOL!  ;)