March 8, 2026, Spring Forward

 Spring Forward

It is that time of year here in the States for Daylight Savings Time.  Move your clock forward 1 hour.  That gives daytime working folks more daylight after work.  Not sure how this helps nor hinders the 16% of workers of non day time jobs.  Another hoped for result is less energy usage.  I know as a retired person it makes for a few days of adjustments.  Same for school age humans.  Oh, yes, and trying to remember how to change the time on the approximately 10 clocks I have.  The last may be the biggest challenge for me.  

According to and AI summary:

 "Approximately 70 countries—roughly 40% of the world's nations—currently use Daylight Saving Time (DST). It is primarily observed in Europe, North America, and parts of South America and Oceania. Major regions that do not observe DST include most of Asia, Africa, and countries near the equator.

Key Facts About DST Usage:

• Declining Usage: In recent years, several countries, including Russia, Turkey, Iran, and most of Mexico, have abolished the practice.
• Regional Variation: Some nations, such as Australia and the United States, use DST in some regions but not others.
• Purpose: DST is used to extend evening daylight hours, with the goal of reducing energy consumption, although its effectiveness is debated. "

Bureau of Transportation Statics

Anyhoo folks will look a bit drearier at work, in meetings, and generally every where locally for a few days.  Kids will come to school in the dark.  And our furry family members will be confused.  All in the name of more light for 84% of working folks.  At this point in my life I don't think I care.

Now get those eyes open!

Janice

March 5, 2026 Floaties

 Floaties

No, these I will write about this evening are not for fun in the water.  Like these on my youngest grandsons.

The Dad is middle age, the babes are grown

No, this is about that aggravating junk that can impair your vision.  That debris that floats in and out of our vision.  My left eye had a black one that would float in on my peripheral vision from the outer corner of my eye.  That might not be a problem for most folks.  For me as a driver of a hybrid auto it was a big deal.  People and animals do not hear my car moving all the time.  Hubby and I know to be on special alert for this situation.  The floater would move into my vision causing me to slam on my brakes.  Slamming on brakes in the traffic of Austin Texas is asking for a rear-end accident.

Read more about floaters here.

During the prep work for last year's cataract surgeries I asked about a procedure for floatie removal.  A friend in Missouri told me he was having procedure soon.  I did not know something existed.  Doctor gave me a quick explanation and noted an on-staff doctor was available.   I decided right there that the floaters were on target to be eliminated.  Jump forward to the required time past cataract surgery and and appointment is scheduled at the end of December.  Surgery on the black floater was January 8.  Once the recovery period was over, my vision was the best ever.  That combined with the cataract surgery for sure.  I use readers rather than have paid $$$$ for the cataract lens to be for multivision.  

This morning at 4:00 AM we rose sort of tumumbled, gradually raised our heads then our bodies off the bed and prepped for the surgery.  I can stay up all night better than I can get up early.  But I did it and we were the first at the surgery center, 5:35 AM.   Surgery took place at 7:00 promptly.   We were home before 9:00 AM.  Yes, my eye area is sore.  Here is a video showing the procedure.  It is not for the faint of heart.  I go in the morning to have the bandage removed.  It will take about 10 days to be mostly back to normal.

Normal for me will be when my eyes track together.  There were pain numbing injections into the eye muscles.  Those are sore like anywhere you get a shot.  Those muscles do not want to react thereby one eye moves faster than the other.  Double vision is the result.   The last eye took about 10 days.  Until they work together the way I want, no driving.  Of course there are lifting and bending restrictions for a period of time.  The vision improvement is well worth the short inconvenience.

Thanks for stopping by for a look!

Janice

March 3, 2026 Lucy

 Lucy

She's back!  Lucy, also known is Leaping Lucy, is staying with us for a few days.  She is here while her hooman attends a conference in Austin.  Lucy still leaps.  At 11 going on 12 years upon this earth the leaps are a bit fewer.  Very many leaps require additional rest time.  Sounds like Hubby and I.  We never leap, BTW.

There has been so many changes in the last couple of years.  Youngest Sister and her husband have finished a lake house.  The 2024 and 2025Thanksgivings have been spent with them there.  The place was just wonderful that first Thanksgiving day.  Our son, DILove, and 4 of the 5 grandkids were there.  Even DIL's father and girlfriend were in from Costa Rica for the holidays.  Y-Sis's children and grandchildren were there.  

Y-Sis with Nephew #5, Nephew #6 (Leaping Lucy's hooman), BIL, Niece #3,
and Lionel the Rescue.
Y-Sis grandkids came late that night.

Back row:  Bonus Grandson (GS#2), GS#1, GS#4, Son. 
Front row: DILove, Bonus Granddaughter, Grappa (DIL's Dad), and Girlfriend.
GS#3 had to work at a resort that day >: (

That us with the bunch.  Hubby on the right, me on the left.  Smiles and having fun!

On the day following Thanksgiving the weather was warm enough plans were being made to go on the pontoon for a ride.  Around noon a call came to Y-Sis that BIL's youngest sister was having some health issues.  She was in transport to the hospital by ambulance.  Preparations continued for all the fun activities that were planned for the day.  Some of us were sitting by the gas outdoor firepit.  A phone rang.  BIL began going toward the house.  As he walked into the living area, he suddenly collapsed to his knees in sobbing anguish.  His youngest sister had not survived a massive heart attack.  She had literally dropped dead in her home and revival attempts were unsuccessful.  

What a turn of events.  Of course my family held Y-Sis's family in our arms.  We did our best to then give their family alone time to figure out what to do next.  Looking back it is a bit of a blur when Y-Sis and BIL left to be with his siblings in Houston.  Lots of calls were made.  Sitting next to Y-Sis as she told one SIL that Carol had passed.  That SIL was in route to the hospital.  She was driving and I could hear the anguish from her.  

--------------------

2025 Thanksgiving

BIL #2 and Sis#2 next to him and every one else.

Back Row:  Nephew #6, Niece #2, Niece#2's #1Son, BIL3, Nephew #5.
Niece#2's #2Son, Niece#2's Daughter, Y-Sis
Lionel the Rescue and Leaping Lucy were already in bed for the night!

Back row:  Hubby and Son
Front row:  Me, Granddaughter, and DILove and Law!

Thanksgiving 2025 found our two families together.  Our Sis#2 and her husband joined Y-Sis and my families.  By that time Sis#2's husband is at year two surviving an incurable Leukemia.  There is still the tender memory of the 2024 Thanksgiving.  That will last forever we are sure.  Shared trauma is not something one buries.  At one point together Y-Sis gave a toast to our departed sisters.  BIL's sister that passed 2024 Thanksgiving and our Sis#1 who did not live to see the completion of the lake house.  

2025 did see some fishing, 

Some Lounging, actually lots of lounging.  And eating is a must to clear out the leftovers!

Leaping Lucy in Hubby's lap, BIL#2, Sis#2, BIL#3, Son, Y-Sis, Nephew #5.

All that brings us to 2:30 AM, March 4, 2026.  Lucy is curled up next to me on our favorite recliner.  I have a business meeting in 6 1/2 hours.  Dental appointment at 2.  Pickup scripts.  And no eating after 5:30 PM because on Thursday at 5:45 AM my floaties will be removed from my right eye.  Another busy week for certain!

Y'all have a good rest of the week!  I plan on getting past this week and look forward to Memorial weekend at the Lakehouse with the Rogers' crazy extended family!

PS:  2025 found GS's #1,3,and 4 with their Mom's family.  GS#2 was living in Australia!  Missed them.

March 1, 2026 Swimming

 Swimming

Not really, though is was warm enough today, Sunday, March 1, to have done so.  Yes, upper 80s F already in March.  It will most likely be another scorcher this summer. I dread even the thought of it being so hot we stay in the apartment constantly.  This apartment complex does not have a swimming pool for cooling off in the hot months.  

It seems so frivolous to even think of swimming.  The Golden Corncob has started another war.  He seems bent on destroying as much as possible so his real estate development business can have lots of work when he leaves office.  Well, that is if he ever will without an insurrection.  He tried it once even though Fox News et al said it was just a peaceful protest.  I can hardly believe so many folks go along with the out right lies.  And now the man that condemned previous presidents for wars; the Corncob that would end Russia's war on Ukraine; that ran as the peace president has started yet another war.  

Could all the problems in the US be why I awoke hardly able to stand?  As I rose from the bed I almost fell into the window.  I fell back on the mattress and waited till I felt more stable.  Stable is a far reach from where my body was.  Plus, both hips and my lower back were screaming in pain.  Most of my day was spent on muscle relaxers and ice packs.  Walking is almost back to normal.  But the pain in the lower back is still very much there.  Pain medicine and off to bed for me.

But still, nothing in comparison to the nations being bombed out of existance.

God forgive us sinners,

Janice

February 27, 2026, Toast

 Toast

Today is a very special day.  It is my #5 Nephew's birthday.  He is my youngest sister's oldest son.  He was the first of my nephews and nieces when I was actually old enough to be an aunt.  I was 9 when #1 Nephew was born.  My youngest sister was only 18 months old at the time.  You could say my sisters and I were 'spread out' in ages.  That we were.

It has been fun to be an aunt.  Letting the 2 older nieces spend time at my home.  They played in my makeup and nail polish all one day.  We let them keep it all on as we took them to a small cafe for dinner that night.  Those two women still remember those special days.

The four older nephews never spent time like that with us cause there were cool uncles for them to visit.  Then came #5 Nephew.  By that birth, we had moved to Missouri.  Time to just visit over night with just one of the kids was not possible.  Between visits to our home and their home Sister's children grew to know is very well.

#5 N was possibly 1 to 2 when we travelled to Texas for maybe Easter.  Just talking and having an opinion about his wants.  We were staying at my sister's new home.  She was serving breakfast.   #5 was at the table in his high chair.  He was getting cereal.  We just wanted toast.  He asked his mom for toast like us.  "No, you are getting cereal."  With that she left the room to get dressed for the day.

Hubby and I looked at each other.  We took the cereal and gave #5 our  toast.  He immediately had the most quizzical look on his face.  Then a smile and a glint came into his eyes.  And ever since, he knew who he could trust for bits of fun.

Happy Birthday #5 Nephew!  We'll always share the toast.

Thanks for dropping by,

Janice

February 25, 2026 Too Hot!

 Too Hot

Living in what is considered a semi-arid region of Texas, winter weather is usually pretty mild.  There will be maybe two or three 'blue northers', cold fronts, come through bring chilly weather.  The temperatures typically stay above freezing.  The 13 winters since we have moved from southwest Missouri to Central Texas have been unusual.  Snow and/or ice have occurred at least 4 or 5 of the years.  Just three weeks ago there was a cover of sleet and snow mixture that stayed on the ground for 3 days.  In shady areas the cover lasted another day or two.

In January 2021 a week long frigid front came through into Texas.  It even reached the The Valley, Lower Rio Grande, and froze the vegetable crops.  The strain on the power grid actually took the system down in several areas.  Our apartment unit was without power for a week.  We had only electric heat therefore our temperature in the apartment was 40 degrees F.  Our son and grandson insisted we come to their home where they had power.  We agreed on the 3rd day.  They would not let us drive because they considered us too old to be out in the weather.  lol.

Son's home backed up to a retention pond.  It was cold enough that the pond froze deep enough to be walked on.  One family even brought out their hockey equipment.  The dad was schooling his children on the fine art of hockey.  Not at all a typical scene in Central Texas.

The pond without humans risking their lives.

As mentioned earlier in the post, it was quite cold, like in the low teens, just a few weeks back.  Sunday night was in the low 30s.  Today the temperature was in the mid 80's and will approach 90 tomorrow.  It is giving our thermostat settings a real workout.  

Here are charts for the last two months:

As you can see we are having wide swings. But the grid has not had a major failure so far.  However our breaker just tripped for our living room.  No idea why as we have only a couple of laptops, a lamp, google home, and a ceiling fan.  And of course our two electric recliners.  Wanna come help me up so I can reset the breaker?  

Life is fun some days!

Janice

 

February 20, 2026 It Has Been Seven Days

It Has Been Seven Days 

This is beginning to irritate me.  How can I forget to write my blog at least every other day?  Distractions, that is how.  Just today I had an agenda in my mind for the day.  Part of the agenda involved activities both inside and away from our apartment.  

Sort clothing and begin washer was first on the agenda.  Next was steam mop the hard surface floors.  Our little Robbie 2 had done most of the vacuuming at 7 this morning.  He does not get into the corners as good as I want, so I follow up with a broom and dustpan.  The plan was to follow with a quick shower, dress, and head out for about three errands.  Oh, before anything do about half of the PT exercises for the replaced hip.

Grocery pickup was scheduled for between 11:30 and noon.  The first load of clothing was in the washer.  Corners were cleaned and I was just starting the steam mop.  I managed the main bath and moved to the living area.  Hubby told me he had himself in a mess.  He could not get into his ham radio computer.  His password was not working.  Let me finish the mopping and I'll see what I can do was the gist of my response.

Within a minute he was asking again for my help.  I turned the steamer off, and grumpily said, "Fine your project not mine."  I know, that is not the compassionate way to answer.  We exchanged words that 85 and 79 years old senior citizens married for almost 59 years would say.  His words were nicer than mine.  After about 30 minutes, I told him I could not fix it and needed to finish the mopping.

Mopping finished.  Clothes put in dryer and second load in the washer.  No shower, just a quick PTA cleansing and jumped in clothing.  (Folks in this area would not appreciate a nude grandma running around.)  I was out the door with recycling and trolly to carry in the groceries in tow.  Miraculously, I arrived at the grocery store at 12:15.  

The remaining 2 stops were accomplished without any further issues.  Well, except I did fail to get some of that $2.39 a gallon gasoline that was not on the agenda.  The two tubs of groceries loaded on the trolly and the walk back to the elevator to our 4th floor apartment.  Once in the apartment, I was immediately put on a video call with Hubby's brother.  

Once the conversation about the doggie paw washer we had sent Bro ended, I returned to previously mentioned agenda.  Hubby put the groceries away while I dealt with laundry.  Thank goodness for that wrinkle prevent cycle!  It was then time to once again deal with the wrong password issue.

"Hubby, are you ready to work on retrieving your account?  I thin........"  He broke in and said, "Never mind, I have it fixed."  Good for him figuring it out for himself.  Maybe I need to just ignore him and let him figure stuff out for himself.  After all, I have a lamp that has always leaned a bit to one side.  It needs a spot of solder to hold a part of it in place.  I asked him to fix it about 53 years ago, it is still leaning.  I'll take a note from his playbook.  That means I'll figure out a way to fix it myself.

Have a great weekend.

Janice