My Friend from the Wizard of Oz.

 My Friend from the Wizard of Oz.

 

Talked to Michelle Malay this afternoon. She said she felt like a combination of the tin man and the scarecrow—needed WD-40 for her joints and was pretty foggy in the head and needed that brain. It made me laugh, but actually have a pretty good idea of how she felt. Yesterday was a “sore as a risen” day for me. Just five minutes of that stupid stress test and everything felt as if it had been put through a ringer! Oh well. Then today Dr. Kern’s nurse called and said they needed to change the date for my surgery. Will be glad to get it done and begin the recovery process. Not expecting this to be any fun, but at least maybe the weather will be more like spring and not so dadgummed cold. Tonight, it is supposed to be 13 degrees. When the young man at Sutherland’s this morning told me that we were at 6 degrees wind chill factor, it certainly did not come as a surprise!

 

Have not allowed the hens out today because everything is frozen outside. They don’t need to be in this mess. They have feed and fresh water—well, it was fresh this afternoon. They still managed to lay a few eggs, but none of them acted too happy. Gave them some hen treats and ordered some more treats on Chewy this afternoon when ordering toys with treats for these two dogs. Jennifer said that they have to have TWO treat balls to keep it from getting mean around here. Apparently, her dogs have a preference for one particular kind of treat ball. So, with three big dogs, she has to have one for each dog! But she also guaranteed the balls would keep them busy and entertained. Right now, both of mine are looking out the front window to see if that black cat might need to be barked at again.

 

Made vegetable soup today with some hamburger to go in it. Forgot to order onions last time, so the onions had to come out of one of those little bottles that says onion flakes. It’s ok like that. At least onion has not permeated the entire house. But then, had some ribs to cook in the oven at the same time. The soup won’t last long since it was not a huge pan.

 

This morning started off with a bit of frustration and stupidity. The stupid back (kitchen) door would not shut correctly because the little tongue thing was hanging out and would not go back in when the handle was turned. Lance told me to get my hammer out and hit it. That worked. So, the door was then propped closed with a chair while yours truly drove quickly to Sutherlands and got a new door knob assembly. It was one of those “smart key” things that included both the dead bolt and the other part. Now the key works on all the doors in the house—well, except for the bathroom door, and the screen door back there stays locked. Attempting to find someone to put the new door knob on led to the discovery that my good friend Roger had to be flown to Dallas for open heart surgery last month. And today he about konked out during PT and had to go to the hospital here and have some fluid removed. Please pray for Roger and Susan. They are a very special couple. Roger is the brother-in-law to Carol Thonton who also reads this blog.

 

As it turned out, Stephen came and installed the door knobs for me. His son, Tim, came and we talked about what he has to do for the next tests he has to take so he can attend classes at VRJC. Not sure the place is called that now. It could be just Vernon College. The testing costs are almost as much as my first semester tuition for college back in 19>>. Not going to fill in those arrows. It was a L O N G time ago! And prices for everything have gone through the roof.

 

Speaking of prices: Sutherland’s has this thing for “friends of the family” that allows so much back on your purchases. Today, the door knob assemblies came to $48.99. Because my account had accumulated reward points, the entire assembly cost $17.58. That made me happy! Of course, probably spent twice as much as was saved at Sutherlands when buying things for the dogs and hens! Such is life.

 

On FB we have a nice group called Wichita Whispers that was begun by Debbie Dobbins. She is the sister of Don Dobbins who was the director of ACC for about ten years. Anyway, the question posed on that site was about who to call if one is a widow and happen to need a tire changed or a battery changed out. Got three or four good suggestions including calling my insurance agent. Will talk to him tomorrow if memory helps me along with that little job. Someone also suggested her husband if a person lived near Henrietta (twenty miles or so from Wichita Falls). That would be of help to my friend Michelle Malay since she is in pretty much the same boat and the old woman who lives on Dickerson Hill.

 

Two big heavy-duty trucks pulled up across the street today. Wondered if the guy who bought Jerry’s place was going to start work on it in this weather. Would hate to be out in this mess. The wind will cut right on through clothing and all! Anyway, they did not stay and went on their merry way. Not much telling when they will start doing some real work over there.

 

Found and lost a bunch of pictures on my phone. They were the ones that Jennifer sent to me on her trip to Maine and then along the East Coast. Eventually, maybe they will show up again. They were some really sharp shots of the ocean, lighthouses, old church ruins, landscapes, and assorted funny things the girls did together. That was one heck of a trip! Would not want to fly the coast that quickly, but know she must have enjoyed it.

 

Another trip to the heart place tomorrow for an echocardiogram is on the schedule. Such fun. NOT! But at least it should be a whiz to get accomplished. No stress and just a little goopy with the crud they use as if on a pregnant belly—with a slight upper change of location. Whatever. Then only one more appointment this month to see Dr. Kern and get the lowdown on all the procedures or whatever. Stephen told me to stay in the hospital as long as necessary and not try to act as if the world depended on me. As long as Jennifer can handle things from here, we should be ok. Lance may get “volunteered” to come on the weekends until the old woman can get around ok. Between the two kids, things should be just fine.

 

Well, the soup is reheated and ready to be consumed. Will ask you all to take care of yourselves in this weather and stay the heck away from anyone unless it is really necessary. Carla said she had no idea how she got this version of the omni-crud and wasn’t sure if she had exposed anyone, so let it be said that even three times vaccinated might not work [and one time with covid already] if it is meant to come bite you in the backside! Pray for everyone who is fighting this mess. And pray for those whose families have been hurt with losses.

 

Rest well and find joy in life and living. You are loved.