Saturday, December 30, 2023

that's it - over and out - goodbye

 Yes sir, that's it !  I'm through.  Finished.  Whomp. Omega, No More, Blah .... &*^$@$^**^$&   ... where the sun don't shine.  Bugs in the flour.   Cheeeeee

One more day and U B Gone 2023.  Nobody wants you to hang around; Nobody!

Fine  -  D.S. al Coda - ZZZZZZZZZZ --  All Done.  Had It!!  Move over and give somebody else a chance.  Brown shoes in a row of tuxedos.  Check your zipper.

Zip = Nada = Finis  = Bottom of the Barrel = The End!!  Snore = Had it =  Yuk = kaput

What else can I say?  Lights off.  Nothing to see here.   Move over shorty.  Over and Out.  Up chuck.  You chuck.  Chuck Chucks.  Just window dressing.  

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Can 2024 be any better?

I heard that it doesn't speak well to "drop the ball" starting a new year.

Sure we all have issues with what happens under our watch. All of us.  There will be mistakes in 2420.

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While you are here.

Happy Birthday to my oldest child.  She's not to happy to have the actual year number broadcast to the World.  What World?  As if My writing reached thousand, even hundreds.  I respect her wishes.

Had a new experience today.  In my 83 years, I have never made a cupcake.  Today, I did.  Red Velvet cupcakes right out of a Duncan Hines box.  Icing comes next.  Another new experience.  Yes, I have led a sheltered life.  Birthday Cake is red velvet with white icing.  Y'all come.  (really, that wasn't an invite for people to show up on my doorstep.  Go make your own cupcakes.)(with white icing).

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Love this.  That may sound cruel.  Did you know the gentleman who invented the Wind Chill Factor for the weather bureau has died?  Yes.  He has died.  He was remarkably 83 years old as I am.                      but, it felt like 72.   Whoosh!!!!!!!!  

m

Saturday, December 23, 2023

sniff - wheeze - snort - garafetch - honk!!!

 Ending my 2nd day of blowing my snorting nose.  I can be sitting quietly when there is a bit of tickle in side of he nostril; then, if I'm not fast enough with the Kleenex, a clear liquid will flow out and drip on whatever is below.  Splash!  Neat little circle of clear liquid - none of yellowie goopy stuff that seems to follow an infection.

Now, sure, this is not earth shattering.  People get colds all the time.  I don't.  No temperature.  No sore throat.  Just - wait for it - wait for it - tickle tickle - FLOOD!

Before I continue, please note that I realize a tissue is a tissue  and Kleenex is a copyrighted trade name.  In my world, they are one and the same ==> like all soft drinks are Cokes, all refrigerators are Frigidaires.  Generic words.  Why is my computer telling me that this program's program is having trouble updating what I am typing.  It is suppose to be automatic.  Does this mean that my wi-fi is not working?  nope, not it.  Just checked my phone and it says we are connected.

So that is it.  Christmas Eve Eve and I am 2 days into being a dripping monster.  Hasbro may want to make an action figure based on this.  I remember when a certain doll came with diapers.  You put a bottle of water in the mouth, it flowed out the other end.  I suppose little girls and weirdos liked that idea. What's wrong with an action figure with a dripping nose?  

So that's it.  Waiting for a couple of days now for the actual Christmas Day.  The daughter has made some delicious klubosniks and blue berry muffins.  Add in a ham and sweet potatoes.  It all adds up to being a nice couple of days if I can just get by the tissue issue.  I like that.  tissue issue.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year.

mtz

Sunday, December 17, 2023

I am Naked

Different happenings affect different peoples in different ways.  

Now, that was a jewel of a sentence.  I read in this morning paper that some teachers (they cited a couple of female HS teachers in the St. Louis area) - some teachers were joining pornographic websites and posting pictures and videos.  They make money doing it.  Really?  Yes, really.

One young lady said she saw no problem since she never showed her face.  Really?  Yes, really.  That is why people go to porn websites, I am sure.  "Oh, man, did you see that video?  My English teacher didn't even show her face!" The lady said she had paid off her student loans with the proceeds.  Of course, that is worthless since she may never teach again, and she'll have to go back to school to get a new major - one with less standards. 

That/This is NOT why I am naked.

Sidebar:  would people actually pay money to see an over-weight, 83 year old balding man - don't forget my prominent age spots????  Age spots are so attractive.

Moving on.

Two weeks ago, on a Tuesday, I had my left cataract lens removed and replaced with a brand new lens - acrylic product.  Then, last Tuesday, I returned to have the right eye operated on.  Now, I have two new lenses in my eyes, no cataracts.  The doctor says my eyes are now 20/20.  I don't doubt it.  I see things far away without my old glasses.  Doctor suggests that I will need READERS for up close work.  Follow me here.

In the 6th grade, my parents took me to an optometrist in Lubbock - nice gent.  He determined that I must wear glasses.  How old was I in the 6th grade?  I'm guess 11 since I started a year early in school.  Do the math:  I am 83 now.  I have worn glasses since I was 11.  =  equals  =  I have had glasses on my face for 72 years.   72 years!!  That's a long time.  Plastic frames - metal frames - plastic lenses - glass lenses - single lens - bi focal lenses - graduated lenses - and, let us not forget:  Broken plastic lenses held together with black plastic tape.  You name it; I've had em all.

I remember once, in Ardmore, one of my top high school clarinet players - boy  - Joel Johnson, Jr. = came to class with new wire framed glasses somewhat similar to what Benjamin Franklin might have worn.  This was in the 70s.  He swore it was the next big thing.  Not for me, I muttered.  I was wearing great big ole black plastic glasses that hugged my head on the sides.  BUT, Times Do Change.  My last pairs were metal.  I was swearing that I'd never get them thar plastic frames again like those we see on TV.

My Readers are plastic, of course.

So, you see, I have worn glasses for 72 years.  I'd take them off to read up close.  That was easier than holding my head up and looking down through the progressive lens bottom in order to read.  I could read fine.  But, when I stood, I grabbed my wire-frames and dressed myself properly.

I utterly feel naked without my glasses attached to the front of my face.  Conspicuous, too.  I just know that every stranger I meet at Walmart is staring at me wondering where my glasses have gone.   In truth, they stare for other reasons.  I am not easy to look at in my old age.  I fit naturally into the Halloween crowd.  And, then, of course, there is that finger sticking out of my nose.

I wonder if I can get some some wire frames with clear lenses?  If not for me, for the policeman who pulls me over and says, "Your driver's license says you are suppose to wear glasses.  Step out of the car, sir."  Growing old is not easy, so they say.

As we left the doctor's office after our last post-op visit, the doc said something about the good of cataract surgery.  Cataracts never return.  I tried to get him to understand:  it took me 83 years to get Cataracts, can he promise when I am 166 years old, that I will not have a return of the dreaded cataracts?  I think not.

I leave with this thought.  They should not be named cataracts.  Based on the costs, Cadillac is more fitting.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year to y'all !!!

mtz

Monday, December 11, 2023

The next Monday night

 As I sit here watching a Rockford re-run - - - 

I go back in tomorrow morning to get my right eye fixed - cataracts.  I assume that I need to get this done.  That is one of the things about this particular thing.   You don't really know how bad your situation really is.  Could I exist the way I am for another 5 - 10 years?  Or, do I need this done pretty much now so I won't crash my car?

I have faith.  This doctor is straight forward, I believe.  so, tomorrow morning:  slice slice sew sew heal heal.   I do love those eye drops.  

Once again family has come together to get me through this.  The joys of the medical way.

m

Friday, December 8, 2023

Dec. 8th - today

 Short and to the point.

Nothing exciting happened today.  Nothing.  It was peaceful.  I find it so nice to have a regular quiet day.  If you have gone through turmoil, today would be one of your favorites.

m

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Dec. 7th - more

 Pearl Harbor day.  I was only 2 years old when that happened.  I don't remember it.  I wonder if the Japanese people are getting tired of hearing about it?  

Little bit about my cataract surgery for those who have had the experience - - In my case, I arrived at 9:30.  Bells on.  They had me use dial anti-bacterial soap before I came.  I don't know why.  My instructions said to not shave the area.  So, I left my eyebrows and eye lashes alone.  But, I did shave my teeth and tongue.

I had to remove my top - shirt - and get all metal out of my pockets.  A gown was put on over my jeans.  They put blue things over my shoes which remained on.  Interesting.  One doc said I would not be completely out - just  really happy.  I suppose I was.  Rolled in & done in a few short minutes.  I was awake by the time I returned to the room directly from the operating room.  Who'd a thought?

I was out of there before 11:45.  My eye doctor left me with the following sentence, " Enjoy your lunch."  And, I did.

They put a plastic thing over the eye secure with tape.  It came off when I got home.  I sleep with the plastic guard for a week to keep my from rubbing the eye while sleeping.

On the next day, I was back at the hospital.  More drops in my eye - read an eye chart - he says the eye is testing as 20/20.  That's the best I can remember since the 6th grade.  The right eye goes under on Tuesday.  More eye drops, more happy sleep juice, and a new plastic eye patch.   My brother-in-law suggested I get a black patch so I could be more like a pirate.  Maybe next time.

Today is trash day.  I'm washing clothes.  In my 61 years of marriage I never washed clothes or rarely made the bed.  Conditions do change.  Now, I do both.  I guess it is some type of punishment for a few of my sins.

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We tried a new (to us) Mexican restaurant last night.  I think it is part of chain that is in Jerrell and Temple on loop 363.  We will not be going back.  The food is fine.  The hot sauce is really nice.  But, the music is so loud.  We were unable to have a conversation.  I turned down my hearing aids.  The wife was in a "state" - we ate and left before she could have a meltdown.  Where did we go?  We went to sonic and got her a Vanilla trick or treat Blast...her 2nd one ever.  It was wonderful and seem to make the world all better.  I can't remember the name of the restaurant - across the street south from Belton Walmart and a bit to the west -- green lights on it.  

see ya soon

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Dec. 6th - I hope things settle down a bit - SOON

 As always, I start my blog thingy with an apology for coming here infrequently.  

THIS was the week (end) that was.  Some TIMES are better than others.  I'll start with the good thing:

Sharisa, one of my favorite all-time students when I taught at Manor, French horn player, graduated pretty much when I graduated (retired from teaching).  Days and years have passed.  I saw where Sharisa will be 40 years old on Saturday.  40 years old.  I suppose she was 18 when she graduated - when to college - came back, married Chris (former trombone player), & taught school - and became an elementary Principal.  Can you believe it?  I have problems with the age thing.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Sharisa even though she'll never read this.

My own oldest turns 59 this year.  I can't stand it.   My wife & I did hit the 83 mark this year...not that I'm counting.

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I'll make this next item short.  Saturday morning,  I woke up about 8 a.m.  Normally, I snort and roll over, hoping for 9 o'clock.  I heard this really loud noise to my right.  I though one of the dogs was into something.  I rolled in that direction.  It was my wife.  Her breathing was labored and loud.  Jumping out of bed I ran around to her side of the bed and tried to wake her.  It was no use.  I could see she was having some type of episode.

As best I could, I rolled her over on her side and tried to see if the breathing was anything I could help.  No.   She was in trouble.  I thought seizure and worse.  With her on her side.  I grabbed the phone and called 911.  The guy was very nice and helped me with what I was trying to do.  When he & I figured out that his job was through, I quickly put on a pair of pants - pajamas are not for visitors.  I found the 3 dogs and got them into the back yard - locked out.

The front door was opened and unlocked.  I called my oldest.  She had gone into work early that day as a sub helping the company out - got off about 7 a.m.  She was on her way.

Paramedics arrived through the front door.  2 of them.  Older guy and a younger gal.  They settled right in  on the problem - oxygen etc.  3 other guys showed up and joined into the process.  I stood back and tried to breathe.  Eventually, one of the guys came to me and said something like,  "I want to be honest with you, she is very serious.  I believe she has had a stroke."  We discussed the Directives and whether I'd agree to a breathing tube.

After what seemed like an eternity, they rolled out the front door and to the ambulance.  The tube was inserted there= I believe.   Doesn't matter.  They were gone on the way to Baylor Scott & White in Temple.  In time Christine arrived  - dogs were freed - and we were off to the hospital emergency room.  All of this took about 45 to 40 minutes total.  felt like hours.

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Arriving at the hospital, we were ushered into a room.  By this time she had come out of the trance and was talking and questioning.  Making it brief, we met 475 doctors, staff, and nurses.  I paid them $75.  She was moved up to the 6th floor.  Christine spent the night with her.  Family was called and arrived.

Now was it Saturday when this started or was it Friday.  I just couldn't tell you.  It could have been 4 or 7 days.  that's a blur.  

Doctors decided it was a seizure only.  Her first & my first. One night in the hospital  - all children arrived via car and plane.  Home on Sunday for rest and one new drug.  As of now, all seems fine.  Hope and Pray for no more seizures.  They are terrible.

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Moving on.  Tuesday morning I had cataract surgery on my left eye.  Wed., the doctor said the new lens showed 20/20 vision.  Right eye will be next Tuesday.  That was an experience for sure.  If you want a running dialog on CADILLAC surgery $$$, let me know.  My eye still has pain at times.  I have removed the left lens from my glasses.  I can pretty much see in sync that way.  Novel experience.

Dr. Morgan at BSW.  I can recommend his work (if you ask).

Let's stop now.  I'll to babble more in the future.  Y'all take care.

m