Tag: health stuff

Tuesday afternoon

Um. Tuesday. Sunny and chilly.

This morning, I worked on what I’m calling “Call to Judgment,” the outtake/side-story that was excised from Kin Right.

I’m home from my last session of PT. I’m pronounced stable, skilled in recovery, and strong. I am to continue my homework, which I have So. Much. PT homework that it qualifies as a part-time job.

This evening is needlework, and tomorrow morning I have a haircut/trim/shaping/whatever, and then I expect to get back with Jethri.

What’s occupying your time today?

Visual evidence of dandelion fluff hair with supporting coon cats:

Dandelion fluff:

Firefly:

Rook:

Back to work

Business first: BIG SALE! The audiobook edition of Ribbon Dance, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard, is on sale for $7.80! Yes! That’s 70% off!

Share the word! Share the link!

#
So, yesterday was a total wash, though I must say that the pillow-and-blanket fort on the couch is inspired, especially since a kind friend made sure I have heated fleece throws. Basically, I snugged in, feeling like I’d been run over by a train, while Firefly tucked against me, and Rookie stretched out on my hip, and we “listened” to Mouse and Dragon all day. I did rouse myself to order in from the local deli — butternut squash and apple soup is good! Who knew? — and I may order in again today, for no reason other than sheer self-indulgence.

Once again and truly — many many thanks to the folks who have kindly sent DoorDash cards.

This morning, the train has left the station, and really the only thing that hurts is my arm, which I can totally live with.

I wrote 1,090ish new words this morning, bringing the WIP to 65,935ish, and it’s starting to convincingly be A Book.

For some reason, I have a full inbox, which I’ll have to deal with after lunch. Which, yes, I will order in for I Am Weak and Hate to Cook.

How’s life going for you today?

Calling in sick

Tuesday. Dark and cold. The trash and the recycling can stay in the garage until next week.

Woke up at 2 am with a blinding headache, shivering so hard I could barely walk (not an exaggeration), all my joints aching, and also the arm into which the happy COVID vaccine was injected. May have been in an Altered State, but fell into one of those not-asleep, not-awake states that’s so unpleasant, and apparently fell back to sleep, because I just woke up.

I do have a small fever, but the headache is less ouchy, and I’m brewing a cup of tea before I find a breakfast bar or something like, so I can take Motrin/Tylenol and either go back to bed, or make a pillow fort on the couch.

And that was, for the record, Mister Pfizer’s little effort.

So! Calling in sick today.

Everybody stay safe.

Chocolate truffle tea and the most interesting cat in the world

Learning how to fall takes an unexpected amount of courage, if you happen to be a person who has a lifelong commitment to not falling.

In the normal way of things, if I feel myself start to fall, I will twist, and grab at anything to stay upright, which usually, yes, Just Makes It Worse.

Steve — who wrestled in high school — would say, “Just fall,” like that was something any sane person would do. The ground, my child, is hard. I know this because I’ve fallen on the ground and I never, ever want to do that again.

Which, honestly? Is probably not a goal that’s within my grasp, if I’m going to persist in this Getting Old(er) thing.

So, today at PT? I Just Fell. Onto a (slightly) padded platform, into walls, and doors, into my therapist. Someone else who was taking PT at a station near us said that I reminded him of when he had taken parachute training — “If you roll after you hit, you’ll be OK.”

Eeek.

Also?

Ouch.

Lunch is heating up, and I do believe I’ll be having aspirin with that.
#
First taste test. Chocolate Truffle Tea, which smells terrific.
. . .
So, the chocolate truffle tea is … interesting. The taste is dark, or maybe I mean heavy, and a little bitter, like baking chocolate. Not quite what I’m looking for in a “chocolate tea.” It’s drinkable, but I won’t be ordering a full tin.

In other news, I’ve spent the last hour pinned under a coon cat, who was doing her damnedest to put me to sleep, and, yes, she succeeded.
#
Things I have forgotten to mention today Part One:

For those still interested in yesterday’s discussion regarding characters and lit’rachur, and all like that, you will at this link, directly under my post, find the Cereal Theory of Writing from our very own djonn. It’s worth reading and a worthy Working Theory
#
Things I forgot to mention today, Part Two:

If you’re not following David Mattingly’s diary of his career you really ought to do so. As you know, David did many, if not all, of the covers of the novels we did for Baen. I think that’s 25 covers. David is not painting anymore, and has turned to writing as an outlet for creation.

You can read past entries and/or subscribe here
#
And, finishing up!

A photo of Rookie doing his impression of The Most Interesting Cat in the World:

Between the Tree and PT

Wednesday. Grey, breezy, and chilly.

So! I wrote a fun 1500 words on the outtake novella. Always nice to go for a walk in a garden with Val Con and Miri and talk with a Tree.

FedEx managed to deliver my tea to the correct address, and now I am wealthy in Russian Caravan, four sample tins of chocolate teas (I know, I know, but I live in hope of finding a chocolate tea that actually tastes good, and — samplers!). I also bought a six-pack of tea pearls, because tea pearls are cool and not because I can afford to make them a daily thing.

The USPS swears my Penzey’s order is out for delivery, though the whereabouts of tshirt remain a mystery. Is it in California? Is it in Connecticut? Has it vanished down the guts of a mail sorting machine in Malaysia? Is it occupying some temporal space beyond the ken of mere mortals?

Well. These matters are for later.

For now? Physical Therapy calls.

What mysteries are visited upon your day?

Boldness is all

Thursday. Dim, damp, and cool.

I am returned from mammogram and breakfast. Planning on making cinnamon bread later in the day, but first, I at least ought to go back to Steve’s office and see what’s going on with Jethri.

Many thanks to those who offered the information that their PCPs have told them that they won’t need mammograms after 75. As a breast cancer so-far survivor, I’m thinking mammograms are going to remain a part of my life, no matter the birthday.

I watched all 10 episodes of Murderbot Season One yesterday afternoon, so obviously I found them worth viewing. I think the books are funnier, and I can see how the — adapters? Is that what we call people who make books into shows? — the adapters felt like they needed to bludgeon viewers over the head with the secondary Trust Crisis, and twist tails with the Narrow Escape of the POV(tm), but those decisions didn’t work that well for me. Though it did give Gurathin room to grow into his next level (which he also does in the books, but it’s a more subtle process).

I did like the glimpses into Actual Episodes of “Sanctuary Moon,” and the decision to capitalize on the lessons Murderbot took from the show. I did, perhaps unworthily, think that the adapters ought to have put their entire attention on producing “Sanctuary Moon” — which I would totally watch — because they were clearly having way too much fun with it.

And now? Back to the office to see if I’m working today.

Who else is planning on baking today?

Proceeding in a Tuesdayish Direction

Tuesday. Trash and recycling set out and collected. The recycling bin is back in the garage. Breakfast was leftover leftover soup. Lunch will be … something.

Eleven hundred new words today, bringing the WIP to something approaching 53,490 words.

I was craven yesterday and did not attempt the Anthropic mess, so I have something to look forward to.

Tonight is needlework, and I’ll have to stop at the grocery on my way home — or perhaps I’ll do that tomorrow, since I have to be out early to a doctor’s appointment, anyway.

It occurs to me that it might be beneficial to find if there’s a sauna someplace near at hand. It might help with the ongoing aches and pains. I should also try to locate a reputable massage therapist. This is not a new thought, but every time I have it, I get overwhelmed by the “reputable” part. Well.

Oh. And I really do need to get a flu shot.

The cats are giving me a little more freedom today, so I’m guessing whatever it was that concerned them yesterday has passed off, so that’s good.

How’s everybody doing today?

Cats inna meeting:

 

Wednesday doin’s

Wednesday. Hot and sunny.

Much has happened already.

The lawn guy was here at the crack o’breakfast. Rookie the Cookie has been to see his vet for his annual exam, and a three-year rabies shot. I have, with only a moderate expenditure of swear words, managed to install the two “safety hook and eyes” I purchased yesterday at the hardware store. Nails…

Nails are unexpectedly difficult. I shall need to take advice.

After Installation, I had a cup of tea and a cookie and just now as I was cleaning up the tea station, I dropped and broke the tiny ceramic saucer that acted as a used tea bag holder, because of course I did. Argh.

I still need to make some tuna salad, so it can be part of the luncheon salad, and I need to tidy up a bit, because the home health nurse is arriving “this afternoon” to make sure that I still know how to draw a clock face.

Rookie is pronounced by his vet to be perfectly gorgeous and in good health. He has apparently decided to hold at 13.2 pounds for the moment, though we all agree that his paws — Labrador paws, says the vet — might still predict a growth spurt. He is only two years old, and Maine coons aren’t officially Grown Up until they’re five.

I went to PT yesterday about my balance. Not that I’m falling, but I’m catching myself catching myself, if that makes any kind of sense. The evaluation was … fascinating. Indeed, I do have an imbalance. When I close my eyes with my feet together and try to Just. Stand. There? I sway to the right. Also, my hips and ankles could stand to be stronger. I have exercises, of course, and a promise that I will be taught to fall. This will be a great boon, because, historically, my reactions have been too fast (which was also proven yesterday), and my objective is always to not fall. Which usually results in more damage than if I had just let gravity have its way with me.

I am, so I’m told, in really good shape for an Old. My walk is brisk and firm, my overall balance, as long as I don’t have to close my eyes, is really good, and, absent the need for work in hips and ankles, reasonably strong. I’m not sure what to make of all this excitement about my general “good” shape. Steve and I used to walk for hours, miles and miles; and I walked All Over Baltimore City. I’m nowhere near in that state of lean meanness. OTOH, I suppose one must account 26 against 73.

I’m expecting I won’t be doing much, if any writing today, what with the uncertainty regarding the arrival of the nurse.

So! I’d better be about making some tuna salad.

What’s for lunch at your place?
#
And! The visiting nurse arrived while I was just finishing the tuna, so that’s done, and now I can move on to lunch and maybe getting with planning my course.

Catching up Sunday

Sunday.

So I figured I was hale enough to do the shopping, which I was. I bought two different kinds of protein shake (so I can perform a taste-test), along with other needed supplies, along with Sanpelligrino Lime, and so-called ginger ale. Didn’t ginger ale used to Actually Have ginger in it, rather than “ginger flavoring”?

Though I was fit enough to get the shopping done, I am now, I suppose predictably, exhausted. Had some pudding after I got everything put away, and listened to a couple chapters of Salvage Right, which — writing a character with PTSD isn’t easy, but I think we did a credible job. Also? I do so love Seignur Veeoni.

In a couple, I’ll start the oven to heat lunch, and then I think I’ll concentrate on bookkeeping and mundane desk work, and correspondence.

The cats think I should take a nap, and they may be right, but, if that’s found to be the case, it will be after lunch, not instead of lunch.

How’s everybody doing?

# # # #

I see I forgot to update yesterday.  Herewith, the cold news from Saturday:

A break for PT homework and to throw a load of towels into the washer.

This morning, I have been in the comfy chair in my office, Sitting With The Big Ideas. I have Notes. I have an inclination toward More Notes, so I’ll head back to the comfy chair after I finish this note and collect a cookie as my reward for doing my homework.

I’m working with notes that go back to 2022, at least, trying to identify recurring themes. I wish to honor Steve’s vision for what were his character and story, far more than it was mine. Which isn’t as easy as it sounds.

I had early cat assistance, but just before I broke for homework, Tali and Rook decided that I was well in hand, and took themselves off to Steve’s office to recharge. I know they’re recharging because they’re curled up in the plentiful sunspots.

On the health front, I have this morning decided not to take naproxen, which is really not something you want to be taking all the time, even given anti-nausea meds. So far, I’m maintaining at a whisker over ignorable levels, so that’s Good. Naproxen does have a long half-life, so I’m guessing any increased discomfort will start showing up this evening.

Interestingly, for values thereof, while I can concentrate on the WIP, and am doing good, sharp work there, for anything else, it’s an extremely fuzzy day in the neighborhood. I hate feeling stupid, OTOH, pay copy is being written and/or plotted, so — onward.

Looking at next week — The 1:45 showing of Hadestown on Monday, needlework, and on Friday, which would have been Steve’s 76th birthday, a morning nature cruise on the Messalonskee, if it doesn’t rain. Maybe, if I can keep to current levels, I’ll actually be able to get my hair cut by a professional some day next week, and before I take a pair of kitchen shears to it.

How’s Saturday treating you?

Saturday’s editor:

Prince Siegfried and the Black Swan

Friday.

Watched the 2010 Swan Lake last night (aka “the Swan Lake for our times”), after I decided that the production I was offered–The Velveteen Rabbit– was taking too much of my limited store of patience. My state of mind might have come over to Swan Lake, which was … not riveting, but certainly watchable, and I did watch it. I did not at all like the man who danced Prince Siegfried, and found the Black Swan much more compelling than the milquetoast–ahem–White Swan. Still, it took my mind off my problems for a while, so that was a thing.

Had a bad night, despite the best effort of cats, and only this morning realized that I have an answer to the problem of wanting to put heat on my back during the night. I have two heated throws, one of which now joins the bed furnishings.

Got grumpy on an email list, did PT homework, ate breakfast.

Wrote +/-660 new words, bringing the WIP entire to 30,145ish words. I’m still subscribing to the Write What You Know then fill in the scenes that are left mode of writing, and this morning I did leave a space for a chapter that has to be there, but the guys in the cellar haven’t gotten me the deets yet, and went on to write a scene I didn’t know I needed, until I looked at what my fingers were typing.

The cats were Very Pleased that I decided to join them at work, and they are still in Steve’s office, taking in the air from the sliders. I’m increasingly glad that I had the French windows replaced with the Andersen sliders. Yes, they were heart-stoppingly expensive, but the entire household is made glad by their presence.

I need to do my duty to the cats, then find something to eat. After, I intend to find someplace comfortable to sit-or-lie-down and try to work out some of the WIP’s future bits. I’m really enjoying the daily writing momentum. I’d like to preserve it, if I can, and give the whole Descent into the Slough of Despond a miss this time.

It’s a good plan.

How’s your Friday shaping up?