Today's News

 And maybe some of yesterday's. Last night we had to come home early from our weekly games gathering because Butch had a bad bellyache. On January 2nd we went to the nearest stand-alone ER for the same reason. Gallbladder. They took an ultrasound at that time and we could see the little round marbles trying to get out of his gallbladder. They loaded him up with meds and sent us home telling him to make an appointment with his usual doctor. It was the weekend you know. Isn't it always??? 

So here we are again. Severe tummy pain. He didn't take all the meds last time so we started those, skipped the little ER place and plan to make a doctor appointment for next week. It is another weekend, you see. 

I looked up what can cause a gallbladder attack and I knew what they told me 50 years ago when I had the same thing but I wanted to know if anything had changed in half a century. Essentially it hasn't. Sugar and Fats are the culprits. If you know Butch even a little bit, you know he has an extreme sugar addiction. Well, the jig is up as they say. I think he is sure that if he gets it fixed he can resume his usual way of eating. I haven't had a gallbladder for 50 years but if I eat too much sugar I might not be in pain, but I definitely will feel like crap. So he will have new lessons to learn.

Life is one long learning experience!

Next month at this time we will be getting antsy to get back to our tiny house and BIG pool room. I will most likely start making plans in that direction very soon. Last year we had planned to stop at Bill and Jo's in Arkansas but Butch's broken leg on March 7th and Covid-19 on March 8th soon took that out of the plan. We will see if it can work this year. 

More later...

An ordinary day

 Butch and Dave went to Rene's in Mission Tx to pick up the repaired starter for the generator. The repair cost $79 compared to $277 for new. You all know that makes Butch a happy man. They are off playing pool right now but knowing those two it will not be long before they will tackle getting the starter back on the generator. They both assure me it is going to be a booger getting it done too.

I am doing laundry and the last load is in the dryer. Supper is in the crockpot and all is right with my world.

The frozen buds have fallen off the trees and new ones have come forth, ready to unfold before long. 

ALL of the birds are singing and if one is tuned into it, it is quite noisy. Spring has sprung in South Texas after a full week of a hard winter. It is currently 73 degrees. Feels like more to me so it must be humid. We have had the windows open for the past two nights. Love having the windows open.

Till next time...

Generator Update

 We didn't have a functioning generator throughout the time we were without electricity and it really would have been much better if we had! Take away the generator and we are losing one of the main benefits of having a motorhome when the power is out. So after Butch and Dave removed the generator starter and determined that was where the problem was we took it to Rene's, 401 W. Tom Landry St. in Mission TX where they specialize in this kind of repair. They also manufacture new ones if necessary, We are waiting on a phone call from Rene. Butch was impressed with the place and the manner in which Rene conducted his business and this place was highly recommended as well. 

Introspection

 The other day when I was at the pool hall, one of the women said they would be so glad to have all of the events taking place next year. Just between you and me and the gate post, I think it has been about right this year. As I get older I enjoy the slower pace and I don't like giving it up. Our living quarters are cleaner, the laundry doesn't get behind, meals are healthy, prepared by me and on time. I enjoy the pool hall, going on walks, playing games with friends but I do not want to do all of it every day. When my calendar is empty it is cause for celebration. I know I am an introvert and I am okay with it.

Next Tuesday we get our second vaccine injection. We do plan to widen our social activities a bit. We will still wear masks and keep a distance but down here, where masks and distancing are closely monitored, we might feel comfortable eating out now and then. Might be a different story in Iowa where they have thrown caution to the wind.

OMG

 Really? This is REE-DICK-U-LUS! Iowa has "gerrymandered" the numbers on several occasions to make the numbers LOOK better. And this is one more example but do you think it will be safe by April? What would possibly make you think so? Do you really like being number one in the nation on this? Kim says the "people will do the right thing"! I am thinking this is proof of how well that is working.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/22/969494791/a-loss-to-the-whole-society-u-s-covid-19-death-toll-reaches-500-000?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20210222&utm_term=5195831&utm_campaign=breaking-news&utm_id=10921441&orgid=194

Another Day of Sunshine

 When we awoke this morning to sunshine it was a welcome sight despite the fact it was a crisp 33 degrees. It warmed quickly with our friendly sun helping out and I currently have the door open enjoying 68 degrees.

The vegetation is sad and I will try to get some photos. Having been through this before in south Texas I can say with certainty the plants will recover and by up north standards, it will happen rather quickly. By the beginning of next season, you will see no sign of the current distress. I took a closer look at my Christmas Cactus and I can indeed see life in a few places. Now I will have to keep the rabbits away to preserve the life that is left. I cut off the parts that were obviously frozen. 

We haven't been to the grocery store yet but what we hear is that many of the shelves are bare and not necessarily from hoarding. After all, the grocery stores too were without electricity for an extended period of time. Things were either thawing out or freezing and different products having different needs create a much bigger problem. By law, they cannot sell things that require freezing if they have thawed or been without refrigeration for too long. And then produce would freeze when it shouldn't and nobody wants to buy limp veggies. So the stores have really been in a no-win situation.  Contrary to some opinions this situation should not be blamed on locals "stocking up".

More Pics later