Revolted

So revolted by all the political ads with 7 of them for each commercial break.  They repeat the same ones over and over again.  Had a great hour last night with Andrew watching a documentary on Quentin Tarantino making me want to view his films all over again.  There were no candidate promotions shown.  This was a pleasant break from the usual. 

Different subject, watching the reels that come up on my Facebook feed,  I am amazed by this rugby player Ilona Maher who is currently on Dancing with the stars.  She has style and elegance and really outshines her professional partner. Don't watch the show any more but these snippets are quite entertaining.

Having two friends from Oxford Towers come over this afternoon for a visit.  Looking forward to seeing them

Finishing up breakfast and getting ready to exercise.

Thats if for today

stay safe

all for now

 

 

 

Repairs and regained mobility

Going to have coffee with old friend Tom Cameron this morning, driving myself to get there.  It's getting easier, am more confident.  This is the culmination of a long journey toward recovery.  It started in March with major heart repair and subsequent strokes.  I had numerous therapies over the course of the next four months.  To be truthful, I never thought I would regain my driving privileges.  The confidence in my abilities was waining.  Judy started me out slowly with her in tandem in the beginning.  Not ever being a person with great directional ability, even what I had was off.  That too is rebuilding.

Like many, I am worried about the outcome of the upcoming election.  Harris/Walz seems to still have some momentum, but there are underlying factors that cannot be ignored.  Are we ready for a woman president?  I know I am.  I was ready for Hilary and she won the popular vote by 2.8 million votes only to be defeated by the electoral college system that is in place.  The opponent is a convicted felon.  It seems to me that should rule out his candidacy.  It does not.  I worry about the older citizens that honorably work on the election process tabulating the votes.  These folks could be subject to violence and threats of violence.  This used to be a cake job for a senior to earn a couple of bucks, no more. I think my mom was an election worker at some point.

Our southern border is a mess.  Still, migrants from oppressive countries are ready to risk their lives and lives o their families to come here regardless of the hardships they may face.  That fact is not leaving us.  The United States is still seen as a haven for safety that is lacking in their home countries.  There is not a single sentence solution to this problem if morality prevails.  

Gonna climb down off my soapbox

all for now

stay safe

Vote!!  

The Gridiron

Went to my first HS football game in many years last night.  It was the Royal Oak Ravens vs. Clawson Trojans at home.  Grandson Eli plays in the marching band and we had front row seats for the game. I don't exactly know how but he plays the electric bass standing with the marimbas and the xylophones.  And he played cymbals for part of the performance.  Royal Oak prevailed over their opponents 21-7.  All I can say is that they all looked like babies to me age wise, and could be my grandchildren.  It was the last game of the season and Senior night with parents proudly standing with their soon graduates on the field durning half time.  The playing surface is now artificial turf with bright markings, a far cry from the muddy terrain of my days.  

I am bundled up in a down jacket and hat.  My blood moves much slower than it used to.  Little girls were parading by in tee shirts and jeans; boys were in shorts and sneakers.  Both were immune to the falling temperatures with both genders wanting to be noticed.

Andrew drove with Stephanie by his side.  Judy and I were in the back seat.  It was dark and chilly.  It brought back a memory for me of my childhood.  My parents Dorothy and Ed made many visits to his brother Bill and wife Bonnie when Joan and I were kids.  They always played card, (a fifties pastime), we played with our cousins, staying out of the way.  There were snacks and drinks for all.  When the evening was over at about 11,  we were loaded up in the station wagon to head home from Dearborn.  Falling asleep from the rocking of the car and the sound of the engine was one of my happiest memories.  There was usually something to cover up with and I felt safe and secure and tranquil as I nodded off to sleep.  Riding in the back seat tonight, I had the same feelings.

My driving adventures are growing. With the newly installed backup camera functioning perfectly, I took my maiden voyage solo to Trader Joes for a shopping trip and was quite successful.  Things are becoming more normal.

Time to make some eggs for breakfast.  I guess there is no point in worrying about this election.  My vote has been cast.  We will have to endure another 10 days of political ads.  It is quite tiresome.

thats it

all for now

stay safe

 

Driving?

So I have completed my AARP Senior Driving course as of yesterday.  It was well taught and I learned a few new bits of info about driving.  If you are like me, a senior, you might profit from this course.  It is a good refresher and introduction to the changes in roads and laws since I learned to drive in 1966. The collection of participants was a wide range of individuals from the reasonably mobile and alert to some that could not remember what was said from minute to minute.  It was taught at the Southfield Parks and Recreation center, a massive place with many features.  This town has a city center that is like a city unto itself.  Gonna start driving today.  The first trip will be to the grocery store.  

Saw my dear friend Irene on Sunday for a visit enjoying the pleasant day on our less than perfect patio.  As always, we ruminated about politics and the upcoming election.  We both have about the same views.  

Tomorrow, the car is getting repaired.  A while ago, the screen that provides needed information  and the backup camera failed and needed to be replaced. While the vehicle is still operational, all the needed features from this screen have been absent.  I need all the tools I can get.  You become accustomed to these wrenches and screwdrivers of driving and it's difficult to retreat to your old ways of operating.

Our wonderful pal Angelo the plumber repaired the faucet on our shower at no cost yesterday.  It should work fine for the near future.  Replacement ultimately will be costly.  

Judy is getting up for her kid  transport and I have to think of something for breakfast.  It is late start Wednesday for the kids so they got to sleep in for another hour.

Thats it for today

stay safe

all for now

 

New Neighbor

 While in Berkley, I got some shots of the Halloween decorations around the neighborhood.  I found this guy lurking in my new surroundings in the next cul-de-sac. He's abut the largest blowup creature I've seen. 

Visited my neurologist yesterday and had a good talk with her.  She actually listened and gave me some sound advice.  Further, I have been finally cleared to drive.  Taking an AARP driving course next week as a refresher and will start with short hops to the store.

Gonna see her for a followup next April and my goal will be no falls to report. 

Spoke to my Uncle Len yesterday.  He is my last remaining relative of that generation being my mother Dorothy's youngest brother.  He too has suffered a stroke this year and is making progress in his recovery.  It was good to talk to him and find him hail and hearty for being 93. It is good to stay connected to your history.  

Supposed to be cool an sunny today.  Will get out and walk today.  

Well, thats it

all for now 

stay safe 

Back to Neuro

 

Back in March, I had some small strokes during my heart procedure.  For a short period, my right arm was not working well.  These symptoms resolved themselves internally and I was in pretty good working order.  However, there was a stroke and all the mandated protocols have been followed.  Included in this were suspension of my driving privileges, not thru the state, only medically.  This has been a real frustration for me.  I don't relish being driven around by my wife and others.  She in fact is sick of all the wheel work.  I cannot blame her.

(a tasty beer I discovered at Trader Joes)

Today, I go back to that doc for another evaluation.  I am weary of all the evaluations and appraisals of my well being and performance.  I feel like an old car you have to get ready for a trip.  Is the oil right?  Are all the headlamps working.  Is the air pressure correct and do the wiper work?

Had occasion to breakfast with my old cronies from Oxford Tower yesterday.  All are doing pretty well aside from friend Bill losing his sister.  Steps are bit halting and stories are again being repeated.  They seem to be satisfied in the day to day sameness of their lives.  Met a guy on my walk yesterday named Reggie.  I interrupted him while he was washing his car on the cool sunny day.  A long time GM guy that has been in the neighborhood for over 30 years and happy to be there.

Not much else going on at this point.

Thats it

all for now

stay safe

old friend

Scrolling thru my photos, I came across this one of my old pal Apollo.  While Katey was at work prior to the Homeland Security job, I took care of him every afternoon scarfing up Green Lantern Pizza on the way.  I know in my heart that he loved me from the beginning and was absolutely thrilled to see me every day.  He would plop himself on my lap while I slept thru a show on the TV.  He was a reluctant eater always looking back at me for approval as he chewed and had to find the perfect spot to do his business outside.  I miss him everyday.

Our Detroit Lions have the second best record in the NFL with only Minnesota having better at 5-0. They annihilated Dallas yesterday at their home field.  Very proud  of these guys and their coach.  After decades of suffering, the fans are getting their due.  Sadly, one of their key players suffered a broken tibia and will be sidelined for a while.

Making an Italian dinner for some friends later today.  It will be my maiden voyage for this new kitchen.  I have only cooked for Judy and I and for the kids thus far. 

Judy planted all the gifted plants from my sister and the timing was perfect with rain all day yesterday to soak the roots into their new home.  Things should be beautiful for spring next year.

Making suitable recovery from my recent injury.  The goal has to be balance and no falls for the foreseeable future.

Thats it for today

all for now

stay safe 

 

Politics Today

 

We viewed Steven with his guest Kamala Harris recently.  The interview went well and the jokes were pointed and appropriate.  They drank a beer together.  But, to be honest, I wanted to be as inspired as I wast by Barak Obama or Cory Booker, but I wasn't.  There is a visceral feeling you get.  I can be happy for a woman president for sure.  She is quite competent with firm vision to go eyeball to eyeball with Putin, Xi and the crazy guy from North Korea. In fact, men have been making a mess of things with a few exceptions.  This is a good idea for our time.  The alternative is completely catastrophic.  It will take some time to learn about her personality and how she really sees the world.  Harris has miles of empathy with her opponent having none.  In a clip, she picked up a toddler that wanted to meet her and gave her a squeeze.  Never saw Trump even look at a child let alone pick them up. She will need some foreign policy tutoring as any new president would.  Unlike the other guy, she will accept the training.  

I cannot express in the strongest terms how happy and relieved I was when she stepped in when Joe left the race. I was given the gift of newfound hope for our country.  And I still feel that way.

My sister Joan and her husband brought over a bunch of perennials for the garden yesterday afternoon.  Harry loved John sitting with him for the entire visit.  Its been months since we have seen them an they both look well. They are moving to a smaller home in the same town but it is a long term process, kind of in the middle at this point.  

The constant political ads are exhausting to continue to watch. It is my hope that the Democratic candidates prevail, especially Slotkin.

Well, I am completing my oatmeal and by coffee.  Eating is quite cumbersome with so many missing teeth

All for now

stay safe

Mouth Repair

As much as I regret, need to write about my. latest travail.  As a result of my recent fall, two front teeth were damaged beyond repair and had to be removed with a plan for the future to replace them.  Went yesterday to the oral surgeon to get the job done.  After a really sore day yesterday, this morning emerged not feeling too bad.  I have always been a vain person conscious of my appearance.  As of this morning, all I need is an eye patch and a parrot on my shoulder to look like a crusty pirate.  Now resigned to soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt and pudding, I will get through the next 5-6 weeks of recovery to move to the next phase. 

My surgeon, a Dr. Singer and his team did a great job on the extraction. His suturing was quite effective and the result was a sealed up job.  I was most pleased about that.  The assistants were chatty and worked on a leaving my nervousness.  Nitrous gas was suggested.  They put this thing on my nose turned it on and my fears were washed away.  I need to get a tank of this stuff installed in the apartment.  Any anxiety, with a hit of this stuff,  the world is a beautiful place. It's much better than cannabis,  with no sore throat.  

Judy is off taking the juniors to school and I have completed my breakfast.  Get yourself some "Everything but the Bagel" seasoning.  It enhances damn near everything you put it in.

No photo of me, look too hideous.  Going to visit my primary doc this morning to show her my banged up body.

All for now

Stay safe

(some flowers from the neighborhood)

yet another fall

On  October 1st I went out for a walk with Harry and upon my return heading toward the receptacle, I fell on my face yet again on some concrete pavers near the can.  This happened as the recycling collection was taking place and these kind guys came to my aid and got Judy.  Made another trip to the hospital; this time thru the aid of the Southfield FD and spent a few hours there while they checked me out.  Ruled just banged up, returned home. I have learned from this experience in one facet.  On September 30th got the latest covid and flu shots.  I usually get a little wonky from the flu shot on the following day and really should not have taken that walk.  Felt myself leaning forward in my stride.  Probably should have stopped.  

Temporarily, I am using the stair lift we installed for Shannon to travel from our apartment.  it's good we have it.  All in all, I am a mess but improving every day.  Fell mainly on my right shoulder so today was the first day I could lift my arm up to table height to type.  Frankly I am sick of writing about myself and my tales of travail.  

Cannot say enough about the kindness of the Southfield folks that helped me out nor the contractors picking up the recyclables.  They really helped me through a vulnerable moment.

Judy is off to take the kids to school and a visit with her good friend Jayne.  Elijah turned 15 and Paxton turned 8 on October 1st and 2nd.  Had nice conversations with both of them on their big days. Eli is taller than me by a. mile and Paxton is articulate way beyond his years. He is doing a podcast on some aspect of history.  

But enough complaints

all for now 

stay safe