Old Age Day by Day July 31, 2013

I feel a bit better this morning.  I probably owe it to Whole Foods.  I went there yesterday and bought many bad things, like pinapplemint juice and cayennemintagave juice, plus a huge zuchini muffin.  I did, however, restrain myself from the bakery and the bite sized devil brownies and macaroons.  But then I hit the middle part of the store.  Even worse for the purse than the middle of Costco.  I found an infinity scarf I "needed" then looked at the huge shelf of cold remedies.  I'd never heard of any of them, but finally settled on drops that promised so much, like breathing through my nose, sleeping at night without coughing and other fairy tales.  I'd never heard of any of the ingredients, so that seemed like a good sign.  I can't take antihistamines because of my irregular heartbeat, but desperation does strange things.  Nothing on the box SAID antihistamines, and each word had at least 27 letters, which looked professional to me.  So I bought the toxic substance, and took that and my last two tylenol at bedtime.  I'd had a fever of 101 all day, so I was somewhat delirious, and a cough was starting up that was hurting pretty bad.  And I had a good sleep until three in the morning, when the dogs again decided the creature from the black lagoon was in our back yard.  But they quieted after a barking attack at their hallucinations, and I went back to sleep and slept until 7:30.  It was a MIRACLE!

So I took my drops this morning, and felt better on the dog walk.  My husband is coming home today so he can deal with the dogs tonight, and I can whine and complain first hand.  The last few days have been tough, because I could only complain on the phone, due to being in self imposed quarantine.  My poor husband, he should probably stay in hiding at the cabin.

Old Age Day by Day July 30, 2013

Oh, my god, I'm really sick with this cold.  I slept better the first part of last night, but then the dogs went crazy and kept barking on and off for two hours, and I got up three times to let them out, and chilled myself, and feel exhausted and sicker again now.  I've just returned from walking them, and I intend to rest the remainder of the day.  I'm achy and my nose is running like a faucet and I still need Tylenol to survive.  My daughter reminded me that maybe I got something at the baseball game on Saturday, as I came down Sunday morning with this thing, whatever it is.  I suppose my sacrifice for the game is nothing in comparison.  They won, and have been winning ever since. It's a pleasure to read the sports page every morning.  My brain is so groggy I keep skipping between reading three books, all of which are mysteries so not too taxing on the old intellect.  My big treat to myself today is to go get Indian takeout if I'm able at noon.  Let the spices burn through this virus.

Old Age Day by Day July 29, 2013

I had a nice day yesterday with my friend, discussing Buddhism and books we've read.  But by the end of a delicious lunch she had prepared for me, I realized I was sick.  My sore throat from the morning had not dissipated, and a runny nose and achyness had developed.  I had a miserable night, and and in full fledged cold mode, with a slight fever.  My husband went up to the cabin, so I had to walk the dogs today, and I got an ache in my right shoulder.  I'm a mess.

If I feel like it, I'm going to get a bunch of magazines and soup and baby myself.  I'm taking airbourne and drinking liquids, though I'm in the phase where I don't really want to eat or drink anything.  The weather is miserable, so that helps with the staying in.

Oh, well, this too shall pass.

Old Age Day by Day July 27, 2013

We're going to a baseball game today.  I'm looking forward to it.  They won last night and are doing great.  Baseball is summer to me.  Our younger daughter came up with the idea.  She's excellent at organizing us.  And she has recently been raising money for the animal shelter where she volunteers, so I'm proud of her.  Right now the weather is a bit dreary, but I'm sure the sun will shine soon. 

My friend's surgery got canceled, as she has to do more biopsies.  I feel so bad for her, and I know she's scared.  At least before the surgery would have been scheduled and done with by Monday.  Now there is uncertainty and the pain of the biopsies.  I feel helpless.  All I can do is listen.  On top of that a friend of theirs died last week and a cousin was diagnosed with leukemia.  She's going through a difficult time. 

My husband said this morning he was feeling sad as well.  He got a haircut yesterday so I teased him he was missing his hair.  My instant urge is to fix other people's feelings, hopeless task that it is.  My empathy is perhaps too strong for my own good.  But I will pray for those around me and send good thoughts their way.

Old Age Day by Day July 26, 2013

We got a lot of leaves cleaned up yesterday, but not all.  What a mess having all these trees is!  We have nothing but pine needles at the cabin, mountains of them to rake up, and here it's a wider variety of leaves, but still the same work.  It's an enviable problem, because trees are so beautiful and important to our environment, but gee!  Afterward, we had a nice lunch out and then I took my friend to see "The Heat" the female buddy cop movie with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  They are very funny and raunchy, and my friend laughed a lot.  The movie reminds me of the Lethal Weapon movies with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.  This is not great art, but entertaining, and my friend is having surgery Monday, so she wants to see something light. 

Today I'm going to the post office, then having lunch with the same friend.  I'm grateful she lets me do something for her.  I want to help, but there really is not much I can do. 

Old Age Day by Day July 25, 2013

I saw two lovely small art shows yesterday.  One was new works of Hung Liu, mostly video, and they were interesting.  The second was a surprise:  Annie Leibowitz photos that were meditations on famous Americans from the point of view of their places or items they had owned.  The photos were gorgeous, and powerful.  I usually don't like her much because she is a celebrity photographer, but this show is terrific.  She had items or rooms from people like Eleanor Roosevelt, Emily Dickenson, Louisa May Alcott, Abraham Lincoln, and others.  There was a view of a farm with washing on the line and an orange tree at the site of of the Civil War Gettysburg battle that was haunting.  I wanted to buy a book of the show, but there was none.  So my friend and I had a fun day, eating outside for lunch and just walking around.  It was good to take a baby trip.

Today my husband and I are testing out our new rakes, so hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go.

Old Age Day by Day July 24, 2013

I had a busy day yesterday, and things got accomplished.  It's most gratifying to have new glass on two of the rod iron shelves on the patio.  The plant stands must be 40 or 50 years old, and I love that my parents had them before me, and someone before them.  They still look great and work well, and repurposing is so much more satisfying that buying something new.  We did get new rakes, and are planning to garden tomorrow.  I saw my old gardener next door yesterday, and we said hello.  I'll never know why he was so flaky, it's a mystery, but I can't go backwards and trust him again. 

Today a friend and I are heading to a museum about an hour away, and I'm looking forward to the trip and the show.  But mostly, the time to talk at length with my friend of 25 years.  We especially love to talk books.  She loved "Swerve" as much as I did.  Later this afternoon I may go to a movie with another friend who is facing surgery next Monday.  She wants to see something silly and fun.  I want to be with her and support her.

The weather is glorious, and my spirits are high.