Rainy Days and Stormy Nights

Over the last week or so we have been experiencing waves of rain storms.  The first of the storms left cities flooded all across the state and US.  The major storm has passed now we are just having small, widespread showers.  Yesterday's total was only about 1/4 inch.  Temperatures have moderated, also.  Of course, lower temperatures mean less loss of moisture.  Very much needed change as our lakes are low.  The two main reservoir lakes are at 51% full.

A boat ramp with no water in sight.

As I was just checking the current conditions, I noted the Austin area had been placed on a flash flood watch for this afternoon.  The weather is certainly showing the effects of climate change.  Since I am not a scientist, I shall remain neutral.  I was just looking at several studies from Texas A&M.  I do not wish to attempt to decipher the information at this time.  If you wish to peruse the data, here is the link.

Here is another interesting article about findings south of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.  Seems there are all sorts of things are being found with the widespread drought conditions.  Lake Mead is one of the reservoirs that has been receding for the last 22 years.  Lake Mead was created when Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River.  This year alone, five bodies have been found as the waters recede.  This link speaks to the bodies that have come to light.  Some are boating accidents, others appear to be mob hits.  The lake is near Las Vegas.   A second link shows a ghost town that is now visible.

Not much going on today at the Adcock household.  Just confused about the days Gpa is to pick up Grandson #4 from school.  When there are divorced parents involved, life can be a moving target.  Especially when one of the parents is a person that wants to be in control of everything.  So long as we all go along with her way.  Divorcing never ends the difficulty of two people, it just washes over to anyone nearby.  It is sad when one who was originally so dear to us feels manipulation is a good way to relate.

Well, there are two things I cannot change, the weather and an ex-DIL.

Y'all stay safe out there!

Janice

PS:  replacement squeakers due to arrive Saturday.

Oh, My Hair!

Monday was a well-organized morning.  The first order of business would be the permanent crown installation at 8:30 AM.  10:00 AM was scheduled for a long-awaited haircut.  The last organized item was a grocery pickup between 11:30 to noon.  That order of the morning would put me home in time to watch Mr. Dillon on Gunsmoke.  With all these places being no further than a mile and a half from home, the plan was very manageable.

Manageable if everything went on schedule.  I arrived at 8:30 but was not called back until 9.  I knew it would be best to let the hairdresser know I could run a bit close.  A quick text to let Misti know was the fastest approach.  Within minutes Misti was calling me.  She was in Houston on a family emergency.  She did not know how many days it might take before she could schedule a haircut.  I asked if she was okay and she began crying.  I told her to take care and let her go.  I still do not know what the issue is but I do know that her beloved grandmother is near 90.  The grandmother has been having health issues.  My haircut was the least of my concerns now.

It was a bit after 9 when I was called back for the procedure to begin.  The assistant reached into my mouth to remove the temporary crown.  It would not come out.  Repeated attempts by both the assistant and eventually the dentist proved unsuccessful.  Out came the drills and grinding instruments.  Even one of his tiny saws had to be used to remove the not temporary cap.  I joked that I came to the Castle, the name of the dentist's office, to get a crown and become queen.  The dentist laughed and told his new assistant, "This lady always makes up happy and makes me laugh when she comes in!"  There are worse reputations one could have. 

Instead of following the now-defunct plan, I drove back home.  I ate a bit of breakfast and settled in to take a look at emails, Facebook, etc.  I found a puzzle in need of assembling and promptly fell asleep.  I was startled awake at about 11:35.  Time for the grocery pick-up run.  And off I went.  Since the market is only 1.8 miles away, I arrived within the time frame.  As I was returning home a vehicle was blocking one lane.  Obviously, stalled.  I drove past the car along with the rest of the line of cars.  My conscience knawed at me so I turned around and returned to help.  Either someone else had helped or the car started as it was no longer near the intersection.

Back home Hubby was waiting by our assigned parking place with our cart.  The tubs full of groceries were placed on the cart and Hubby wheeled them in.  Once unloaded and put away it was time for Gunsmoke.  Another puzzle and no more naps.  I did not do much for the remainder of the day.  Not long after Gunsmoke was over my call rang.  It was the facility where last week's mammogram was done.  Seems there is something on the left image that needs to be rechecked.  That was not on the program.  I wonder if the "thing" was my squeaker.  Next Tuesday afternoon we will know more.  Till then I'll just keep on putting my puzzles together and try to not go crazy with my hair being too long.

Y'all take care.  I need to get myself busy figuring out something for Hubby's upcoming birthday.

Janice

Squeaker II

Thursday afternoon was scheduled for my yearly hearing aid checkup.  My regular audiologist had a family emergency arise earlier in the week.  A call gave me the opportunity to schedule a week later or use a different professional on Thursday morning.  I chose the Thursday morning appointment because my left aid had not always charged properly.  In addition, the left aid did not always connect to my TV.  The hearing aids had a TV hearing transmitter included at the time of purchase.  This allows me to listen to TV programs without blasting out Hubby's ears.  But I digress.

Thursday morning was the time for the appointment.  I was quickly greeted by Rebecca, the alternate audiologist.  We chatted as she sat about cleaning and updating the software for my hearing aids.  While the update was being done electronically I had my raw hearing tested.

If you have never had the procedure of a hearing test this is a brief description of the process.  You enter a soundproof area about the size of a shower stall.  There are windows to avoid the feeling of claustrophobia.  Earphones are placed on your head.  Now, these are serious headphones, not your K Mart blue light specials.  You are handed a buzzer button much like you see used on Wheel of Fortune.  Only this buzzer does not give you the chance to win anything.  One just presses the button when sounds are heard.

At first, the sounds are a series of short beeps at different frequencies and tones.  Some are high pitched while others are more toward the bass side of sounds.  The ringing in my ears made distinguishing the tones a bit more difficult.  The sounds are played in one ear at a time for a precise evaluation.  The next step is repeating words said by the audiologist.  Most are simple words such as dog, search, hair, etc.  I did not see my particular score after completing the test.  Rebecca did say there was just a slight deterioration of my hearing.  A slight deterioration is good since my Mom said she could hardly hear herself think toward the last few years of her life.  This is an inherited trait for Candler descendants.

Once the test was completed we returned to the consulting desk in the same area.  I had been wearing my cross-body purse the entire time.  Since I had just been having a listening test, I ask Rebecca if she could identify a noise.  I pressed the squeaker.  It was in the outer pocket of my purse.  She began looking around and I squeaked the thing a couple more times.  I finally raised my purse for her to see and pressed again.  She said that was hysterical!  After a conversation about how I came into the possession of the squeaker, I gave it to her.  She planned to harass her 13-year-old son with it that very evening.  Paying forward is not always about food, it needs to be about fun, too.

Now I'll just need to get DJ to destroy another toy!  Or I can buy a supply of squeakers from Amazon.  I think I have found my new life calling.

Take care,

Janice

Squeaker

While Son and DIL took G#2 to college as noted previously I spent several days house, dog, cat, and turtle tending.  Each of the things had its days of being like a squeaky wheel needing special attention.  Yes, even turtles need attention.  Her light has to be turned on and off each day.  The feeding of 8 morsels of feed broken into small bites is an every other day routine.  Cannot have a fat turtle, I guess.  This time turtle care was a bit of a challenge.  

The biggest concern for Norma the turtle was she would not eat for the first 2 or 3 days. I would break up the pellets.  Drop one at a time in the tank and point to it.  Norma would take it in her mouth and then immediately spit it out.  That action had never happened before during the many times I had fed her.  I wondered if she sensed that Grandson #2 was gone. 

In addition to her not eating, the water in her tank was low and the pump was making strange sounds.  From past experience with fish tanks, I knew not to put straight tap water in the tank.  Sent a text to DIL and Son.  They said there was distilled water in a closet, please add some.  I did.  Not only did the pump begin sounding normal, but Norma also began eating.

There was the house and plants to care for, also.  On Saturday the house cleaner was to arrive early.  I knew it would be easier to just remove DJ from the house.  I brought her to our apartment knowing full well it was against the rules.  Mid-afternoon DJ and I returned to a spotless home.  I went to check on Norma and could not believe the condition of the 'kids' bedrooms'.  In every room the entire floor was visible.  No clothing, no wires, no video game controllers.  The place was showing signs of being an empty nest type of home.  Grandsons #s 3 & 4 will continue to spend the first and third weekends there.  Still not the same as full-time residents.

Lyla the resident kitty is a beggar.  Her meows announce her need for food.  The meows began this time at about 4:30 AM and again around 4:30 PM.  The AM meows were announced to my face as I slept.  I would not immediately respond which led to the usual kneading of my head, shoulders, sometimes my face, and basically all of me.  Some mornings she would give up for a bit and I would fall back to sleep.  Honestly, most mornings I just gave up and fed her about 5:30 - 6.  That is terribly early for me!  Lyla's meows were her squeaky wheels in the afternoons, too.  Feeding was the best solution to stop the squeaking.

Then there is DJ.  She is like an entire freight train of squeaky wheels.  Not only does she find mischief outdoors, but she also has a basket of toys inside.  She digs through the basket until she finds the exact one she wants for her play.  Note that the play is almost never a solo activity.  Grandpa or I were chosen to either play tug of war or toss the toy with her.  When a toy has one of those squeakers hidden inside, she will intermittently chew until the squeaker is removed.  Of course, she did that successfully this past week.  I quickly had her spit out the squeaker lest she choked on it.

The doctor had requested the yearly mammogram and bone density tests.  Today was the day.  I thought yesterday was the day and showed up.  Oops.  I returned today with a little mischief in mind. I arrived and was shortly called for my tests.  Once I had donned the proper attire it was time for the mammogram.

The technician took me to the room that contained the smash my boob device.  The right breast was placed exactly where needed for the best image.  The tech then pushed the button to lower the plastic boob smasher.  As the smashing began, I squeezed the squeaker toy retrieved from DJ the previous day.  The tech threw her head back with a huge smile on her face.  "This is the first time I have ever had that joke pulled on me.  I was having a horrible day and you just made it better!"

There are times a squeaker is the best thing that can happen.

Take care,

Janice

   

Cat in the Hat or What!!!

Since Thursday last, I have been camping at Son's home watching TV.  Maybe a bit more than that as the animals need to be fed.  Plants need to be watered.  Except for one day when it poured rain.  That is about the first measurable rain in 50 + days.  Combine the lack of rain with the 68 days of 100+ ℉,  38+ ℃, temperatures, and everything is brown.  Lawns crunch like stepping on cellophane.  There has been a bit of greening in a few areas since the rains but not much.  The forecast gives a break in the heat with temps reaching only the low to mid-nineties this week.  We are not alone in the world with these temps but we do have air conditioning which helps us old folks.

Last evening around 10 PM I could not find DJ.  She was nowhere in the house nor in the yard.  Well, it was dark so hard to see where DJ might be hiding.  I kept calling and whistling.  I returned to the house to see if I could find a flashlight.  Within a minute or so DJ came through the doggie door.  The only description I could use to describe her was sheepish.  She walked in front of the fireplace and opened her mouth.  Out dropped what I thought was a mouse on the floor.  Yikes!  A closer inspection made me think newborn kitten.

Fortunately, it was hardly moving so I ran to get something to carry the critter outside.  A few paper towels should work.  By the time I returned, less than a minute, DJ had the critter back in her mouth.  Really?  She dropped the critter on command.  I grabbed the whatever, carried it outside, and tossed it over the fence.  I felt cruel but knew that if it was a kitten, I would never find the mom in the dark.  Back inside I closed the back door to avoid further encounters with unwanted visitors.  At least it was not another skunk encounter like in March of 2021.

This morning I was still curious about the critter from last night's adventure.  I knew I had let DJ out one more time last night as she was whining at the door.  One more potty time.  I did not let her go alone.  When I called her she came from the direction of the trampoline.  That was the only clue I had about where to look this morning.  However, first I checked for the critter in the area where I had tossed it over the fence.  Nothing in sight.  Okay.  Did a varmint eat the helpless creature?  I am so very sorry.

Continuing the search, I moved over by the trampoline to see if there were more small kittens.  Nothing.  Then I noticed DJ sniffing in a certain area.  The area was dug up and what appeared to be a small tunnel.  Could the critter have been a mole?  That made much more sense.  Now to google for photos of moles.  Absolutely no mole photo nor newborn kitten looked like what I picked up and tossed out of DJ's reach.  Finally, a photo with comparisons of moles, gophers, and voles gave me the answer.

The small creature did not have the vicious claws of the mole nor the pocket gopher.  It was a vole.  Yes, that is what DJ had detected, dug up, and brought into the house.  Life is always interesting when I care for Son's and DIL's animals and plants.  

Last time I overwatered the hydrangeas and killed one.  I did buy a replacement that looks fine.  A second one is still not looking too good after swimming in the water before I realized what was happening.  If my track record of skunk sprays, overwatering, and vole adventures continue, I will probably get fired.  At least my price is right, snacks and maybe a meal out.

At least DJ is a good dog, just a bit adventurous.  Oh, before I forget, The turtle named Norman.  Seems research by G #2 found it to be female, not male.  So Norman is now Norma.  Like I said, always an interesting adventure.

Peach and love!

Janice

New Chapters

Yesterday was the first day of school for the local school districts.  Grandson #3 began his senior year (grade 12) in high school.  Grandson #4 began his sophomore year (grade 10) at the same school.  Granddaughter #1 earlier in the month began her final year at university in Arkansas.  Grandson #2 spent his day packing to leave for his first day at university in Boseman, Montana.

With Boseman being 1730 miles (2784 km) there will be limited visits with Grandson #2 over the next years.  His mom is going to miss this sweet guy.  He has been making a point of spending time with her over the last several months.  Unlike most guys ready to 'take flight', he has not been rebelling, arguing, or just being difficult.  That always makes the departure a bit easier.  DIL had mentioned she was really dreading his leaving.

L to R, Grandson #3, Grandson #2, and Grandson #4

Grandson #2 (aka Bonus Grandson) requested one last family dinner before his departure.  I had made a special pillow for Granddughter when she left for college.  It had a picture of DJ curled up asleep on her pillow.  Pillows are not the cool thing for guys.  I mean, don't even think about that, Grandma.  What little thing can we give a guy?  Since DIL had asked me to pick up a couple of things at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, I did a quick browse.  And there was the answer, an extension cord with USB ports.  The smile on his face was confirmation that we had nailed it!  Whether needed or not, one can never have too many extension cords in a dorm.

The dinner together was so pleasant.  Unlike when the guys were younger, there was no fighting or goofing around.  The three grandsons just visited and talked about all the things guys discuss.  G#2 is a car guy so he talked cars.  G# 3&4 are both sports guys.  They each shared stories about stuff going on.  Of course, there was lots of talk about the university G#2 would be attending. 

Yesterday was, also, the anniversary of another beginning.  Son and DIL recognize it as their anniversary.  The day they committed to each other as a family.  The day we gained a granddaughter and another grandson.  The beginning of the FAB family.  The FAB acronym is the last name of DIL, Son, and DIL's children.  The FAB family is the blessing of our life.  The joy of our souls.  Even as they become scattered from Montana, Colorado where G #1 lives, Arkansas, and central Texas the FAB family is still the core of our life.

So raise a toast to new beginnings for all of us.  Cheers.

Hubby at the farewell dinner

Stay safe and love!

Janice

Just A Quick Note

Up earlier than usual as today is Stretch Lab.  The last few minutes of the 1950s TV show, Leave It To Beaver, were playing on Me TV.  Recently Tony Dow who played the older brother of The Beaver passed away.  Sort of weirdly, Tony's wife sent out a report of his death about 24 hours before he actually passed.  I can understand that mistake.  Those last hours are an anxious time.  There are periods of time when the patient appears to not be breathing.  That's enough about Mr. Dow's death.

During my tween years, I faithfully watched The Beaver in order to see Tony Dow.  I was crushing on him in each episode.  I managed to nab a photo of My Guy Tony from some magazine.  I pinned this photo to the wallpaper in my bedroom.  Oh, the better to dream of us dancing together.  Maybe even walking on that street in front of the big house.  Of course, he would be carrying my school books.

In the last few minutes of today's episode, Walley and The Beav were in their bedroom.  Walley was being the wise older brother as usual.  Nice big room with twin beds and an attached bathroom.  

Now the Cleaver house was not a small house when viewed from the street.  If you compare it to today's typical homes, it would be really small.  But this morning I began to have a new thought.  (That may happen when I get up too early.)  Why did the boys have to share a room in such a large home?  Why am I even thinking about this as it was never a real home?  Think how much $$ was saved by having just one room.  Also, most people in the 1950s had children doubling up in a single room.  Guess having the boys in one room would make it seem more relatable.

But I still wonder if the writers really thought two boys could live happily in the same room for so many years.  Of course, having an on-suite bathroom was pretty awesome.  Still, just wondering.

Y'all stay safe.

Janice

 

Today, and Then Some

8 AM is not a great time of day to see me as I am usually in my pjs watching Perry Mason reruns.  Not today.  8 AM I was reclining in a dental chair.  Just a cleaning.  But no time for the extra treatments as I had a PEO meeting at 9:30 AM.  I would take the P.E.O. books with me to the dentist.  That would give me plenty of time to make both appointments.  Well, of course, the PEO yearbook was hiding from me.  I gave up and headed to the dentist.  While my mouth was filled with the dental tech's fingers and equipment I recalled placing the PEO stuff in a different place than usual.  By the final wash-out of the polishing compound, my mind remembered placing the PEO items near my sewing machine.

Upon returning to the apartment for my yearbook, there was just enough time to check my emails.   If all went according to plans, there would be sufficient time after PEO to ride with Hubby to his 1 PM Cpap check in nearby Georgetown. That town is one of the areas we are considering for a new apartment location.  An email was sent on Tuesday requesting to tour of the 62 + apartment community.  The request was for 3 PM.   No email answer.  Fine.  We will just stop by after the appointment, anyway.  Old people can get away with so much.

Why did Hubby need to check his Cpap equipment?  Seems Medicare does not want to pay for a machine if it is not being used.  What?  He sleeps with it every night and takes with on trips!  Turns out the doctor had the data from the machine on file.  Came in from the machine via the internet.  Why Medicare does not have it is an issue to be resolved another time it appeared.

Once Hubby had completed his appointment, the address for the apartments was put into Waze.  We were only 2 miles away from the place.   The manager found my email request and apologized for the inconvenience.  No problem.  I had come prepared with documents for the qualification of our finances.  We passed muster.  A great-looking place with all the conveniences one could ask for in an apartment home.  Unfortunately, the wait lists are closed as the wait time is 2 years.  Yes, two years.  

I told her I had heard about the wait lists. We were searching months ahead of our need.  As for the waitlist, she said they purge it as places become available.  Often folks no longer wish to reside there.  The net result is a shortened wait.  Good thing we are looking at other locations.  Now to get our name on hopefully a few more waitlists.  That is where the 'and then some' comes into play. 

Oh, I'll be lying in the dental chair tomorrow at 8 AM again.  Have to get a crown replaced.  Ugh.  So that is a strike out on the apartment and a foul tooth at the dentist.  At least the PEO meeting was pleasant.  Seeing new friends, a productive business meeting, and we made greeting cards as the program!  At least the day was not a total strike-out.

Y'all stay safe out there.

Janice

YouTube

This morning I went into the YouTube rabbit hole.  It was started by going to a music clip one of my nephews-in-law posted on Facebook.  Mack is a musician by hobby and now by trade.  At 62 he retired from an 8-5 job and is now working with the high school band program.  Mack is in love with this new job.  Being both a composer and performer, Mack is enjoying helping young people explore their talents.

Once I finished watching/listening to a few music videos, I was drawn to a tribute to Mohammad Ali.  The person giving the tribute was Billy Crystal.  Click on Billy's name to see the entire tribute.  There was a point in the tribute where Crystal recounts Ali giving him a hug.  Then Ali whispered into Crystal's ear, "You're my Little Brother."  That recounted gesture sent me into tears.  

Immediately I recalled my last goodbye to Sis #1.  It had been less than a month since Sis #1 had held my hand tightly.  She called me her little sister.  Then she said, "you'll never know how much I love you."  Finally, the tears flowed.  Tears of grief, sorrow, but mostly love!  Love for my Big Sissy.

That's all I have to say now.

Janice

Sis #1 holding me.  Sis #2 to the right of Sis #1  Cousin to the left.

Sis 2, Sis 3, me, our angel Sis1