Blog

(Continuing from last week)

I still drive – but, not at night or during cloudy days. I would never be safe driving at night and, on cloudy days, again, no contrast. I limit my driving to days with sun. That means, no doctor appointments in my area before 9 am, now that it is Autumn with Winter on its way. For example, tomorrows sunrise is 6:29 am, drivable light for me will occur about 8:45 am – with sunset being 4:56 pm; of course, before that, dusk makes it impossible for me to drive. So, I need to schedule any appointments, doctor, social, meals away from home, between about 9 am and 3 pm. I always need to figure out how long I will be at the appointments location and how long it will take me to get there and return to my home, avoiding the times of impossible driving. If I’m privileged to have a meal with a friend, the friend drives – thus, making the time concern unnecessary.

Even though I do drive in the city, it is only on streets, never high-speed highways. It does take a bit longer, but I get to see parts of the city that I would not see on the highway. I must be extremely cautious when driving. Turning on to a street from another street or changing lanes takes special care, requiring looking all ways, several times. to be sure there is no on-coming traffic. AMD has the tendency to hide things from view, so a second and third look is needed. In addition, pedestrians in dark clothing sauntering across a street or texting while walking are also a challenge.

I’m sure that I do a lot of driving “with the traffic” and wonder how many non-AMD folks drive that way. If the cars in front of may are moving, I figure the light is green – but, I always check the light to verify its greeness. The same is even more true for the traffic that is stopped. It is not my desire to rearend an auto stopped for a traffic light.

Most street signs are impossible for me to read. I find that I drive places where I know the streets and the path to the place. When I need to go to an unfamiliar place, my phone’s GPS usually gets me there. However, the other day, when driving to a restaurant location for lunch with my laughing partner, GPS took me way south of where I needed to go. Using my own judgement, I turned around and asked “her” again to take me to the specified place. This time, she did – and I had a great lunch at First Watch – a favorite restaurant of ours. Warning: GPS is not always right; As I said, I must be a very diligent and observant driver – of course, I think that is the way we should all be driving!

I have another situation that, along with the AMD, makes life somewhat difficult. If I drop something on the floor, and that something rolls under the bed or the night stand, I cannot see it. I cannot get down to get it out, even if I could see where it rolled. There was a time when I would ask young Kyle who lived in my neighborhood to come and find the thing under wherever it was. However, they recently moved, so now the dropped item has to stay where it fell until Rita comes to fish it out.

In the mornings, I sit on the side of my bed to put in hearing aides. Believe me, I’m really careful and never hope to drop one of them – I cannot get along very well without them, until the next time Rita comes! In other parts of my house, though, I can retrieve the dropped item, as long as I can see it against the floor it falls on. The flashlight that I carry makes that easier.

Remember that I said Ruth always wore a baseball cap. I didn’t realize why, at the time. However, having AMD has made me realize that one of my vision’s enemies is glare. Particularly, glare from overhead lights, indoors and outdoors. Clearly, she wore the baseball cap to help eliminate that glare and be able to see. I don’t like the idea of wearing baseball caps, so I wear “duckbill” visors, instead – all of the time, day and night – as long as I am in a place with overhead lights. I have a wardrobe of them. Black, white, red, pink, khaki – and some of them have logos like Dinosaur Ridge, Denver Gem and Mineral Guild, Bode’s General Store (in Abiquiu, NM), and Deitrich’s Chocolates. Many of them have buttons. My favorite is a quote adapted from abstract artist Helen Frankenthaler. “The First Rule Is No Rules.” She actually said, , “The only rule is that there are no rules. Anything is possible. It’s all about risks — deliberate risks.” That is my rule about the watercolor painting that I do – no rules – just paint.

For this next paragraph, you may choose not to read it. It is about my dog run and dog – well, you know. They do have to go out to do their “business.” I am privileged to care for Kate and Paisley when their parents go places. And, Larry built a dog run for our miniature schnauzers because it was not is his nature to clean up after them in the large grassy area that is separated by a chain link fence from the dog run. Several years ago, HM Keith put in grey gravel so that I would not have to be concerned with taking care of plants in that area. Since that time, I have not been able to see the dogs “presents” anywhere on the grey gravel. Greta (Kyle’s sister) would come over to do the job of identifying where everything was that I needed to clean up. She called it, “Poop Patrol,” a perfect name for the job. But, she no longer lives close by, so neighbor Rita took care of it this past week.

If some things that seem simply unclean bother you, I’d really like for you to forgive some of the “messiness” of the house of a person with AMD. This is the reason. I’ve told you that there are things that I simply cannot see. Stuff that gets on the floor or on the kitchen cabinets, in the microwave, on top of a stove, in the oven, or in the bathroom. It may be there because the owner – the person with AMD – may not even see that the stuff is there. That is a difficulty that I have. When, suddenly, I can see it, never knowing that it was there before, I can fix it. Again, AMD is like that.

You may become weary of the number of times that I’ve told you that without my great family, my great neighbors, and my great docs, I would be able to, at my age, to live in my house. because MAC has made this living a bit more difficult. They are such a blessing to me, and I am thankful for them!

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are very welcome!

This is a LONG article, but needs to be all inclusive. I could really go on and on, but will report as much as I can with what I need to say. So, I’ve decided to make two parts to it.

As I was working at my computer, this morning, doing some way-past-due computing, I realized that my macular degeneration was playing tricks on me and my work. Letters kept moving around, making me think that I’d misspelled a word, using an entirely different word than I had intended, taking a letter from a word that I knew I had keyed into the sentence and putting it into the line above, making me think that I had not used a plural because the “s” wasn’t there, although it really was. That’s MAC for you. Always doing everything it can to make life more difficult.

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I really like fortune cookies. When any friend and I eat at a restaurant that brings fortune cookies to the table after our meal, we read them. Sometimes, I get the one that my lunch partner should have and my lunch partner gets the one that I should have. So, of course, we trade.

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I always make an effort to tell my readers when an article is going to be “A Rant.” Well, this is one, based on an excursion to my preferred grocery store, this past week. So, reading caution is advised!

I often enjoy touring the aisles of my favorite grocery store, just to see what is there that wasn’t there the last time I took time to GO to a store and not just attempt to order on-ine. To me, it is pleasurable just to see the store shelves lined with items that I may – or may not – want or need. I often think what it must be like to live in a country where plenty is only a word in the dictionary. Can we imagine needing to take home milk for the kids only to find that the store doesn’t have any? Here, I have even seen unhappy people in my store because they could not find shoe polish to match their shoes. Amazing, when I think of those other folks. And, I wonder, do people even polish their shoes, any more? But, that is another discussion.

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You’ve all seen this BLOG writer talk about sayings – old saying, new sayings, never-before-thought-of sayings. Here’s another BLOG with some of my newly discovered words of wisdom. Some will come from writings of peoples long gone. Others will be more current. Some will even come from the thoughts of a writer of movie scripts or a playwright. It does not always take an Einstein to say something worth paying attention to or repeating.

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Once upon a time, there was a man named Chester Adelbert Bundy (CAB for short). He was an old man who lived until he was about seventy-six years old. In his lifetime, he worked building sawmills and such. The “and such” came later in life after, as a man of about forty, he married Hazel Tatman. No middle name; just Hazel because she was a twin and her mother probably thought she was having one child that she would name Hazel Amy or Amy Hazel. When she ended up with twins, she did not conjure any new middle names for the babies and named one Amy and the other Hazel. CAB and Hazel lived together for some time and had five daughters.

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Sitting in the dentist’s chair waiting for work that will give me a new filling, I was thinking. I know – a dangerous sport for me. I had complained to Michael that I was not able to get my teeth clean, even though I was using an electric toothbrush (for longer than the two-minute period it gives before shutting off), using a water pik, using dental floss on a “stick” to be sure to get between all teeth, and, even, using GUMM brushes. You know, those little brushes that come in two sizes – small and curved.

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Possibilities. What are they – really? I’ve been thinking about possibilities. You already know that Larry used to ask me if I was always thinking. Well, yes. aren’t we always thinking? Even when we appear to not be thinking – I submit, we are thinking.

Several questions have been running through my mind. Are certain things possible? So many events have happened that humans always considered impossible. Man has walked on the moon. Man has just launched the Roman Telescope to look for exoplanets and dark matter in areas of the universe we could never see before. We have already discovered so many more planets, exoplanets, galaxies. Diseases have been prevented and cured. What are the possibilities? And, so – my question – is it possible …?

Is it possible that we live as only one universe among many? Is there another universe that exists parallel to ours? I think I’ve talked about this before. At night, when my house is quieting down, I can sometimes hear conversations coming through the “gap” and, no, I can’t understand the words. but, I strongly feel that there are conversations going on – just over there. In the next room. Down the hall. Outside of my window. And, by the way – I AM NOT CRAZY. I hear these things. Is it possible that this cosmos is just another representation of ourselves?

Many earthlings believe we are the only sentient beings in our universe. It appears to me that thinking that is a bit smug. With all of the galaxies, planets, moons, and those objects that the Nancy Grace Roman telescope will find, surely there are places that are occupied by other forms of sentient beings. Is it possible that we will develop propulsion systems that will get us there to meet them? Such as real “Warp Drive.” And, while we’re at it, is it possible that we can only conceive of life that we have on this blue marble floating in space?

Is it possible that a self-driving car is in my future? I know we already have these vehicles on our streets – automobiles and trucks. I have not seen one. If I do, I might possibly be so shocked that I will drive my car off of the road. But, I know they exist. So, when the elderly are not able to drive any longer and let their licenses expire, will they keep a self-driving car in the garage to make mobility possible? Many elderly talk about losing their freedom to go places when they need to and not always rely on friends or relatives. Is it possible that this “magic” car will give them back their freedom?

Once, ever so many years ago, I read a science fiction book of short stories, all connected to the idea that dogs could talk. Is it possible that dogs will learn to speak English? As you know, I have the privilege of having Kate, a border collie, stay with me, occasionally. And, you know by previous BLOGs that she is the smartest dog I have ever met. Really – she has an incredible vocabulary of English words that she understands. I almost never talk to her in one-word commands. I use sentences. “It’s time for bed.” She goes into the room with her crate. “Ready for your treat? Let’s go to the office.” She goes to the office and does not stay in the kitchen where she often gets “atta-girl” treats. Yes, the smartest dog I’ve ever met – and, I have  had a few.

Kate often vocalizes something to me. More than once. And, when she speaks and repeats the sounds, they are the same. So, is it possible that dogs will eventually be able to speak English? Or, any other language of their home country?

I talked with a friend about my need to change my physical therapy providers. I now work with PTs in a different office. The friend said that he had a similar (although, not as dramatic) situation with that same office. He said that he felt that they were pushing him out of their practice. Perhaps, they knew that they could not be of service to him, any longer, and wanted him gone. Whatever it was, he did decide to seek medical care elsewhere. Is it possible that, knowing their work with patients is done, they figure out some way to “encourage” them to leave and find another practice? If that is true, where is the part of communication in which the PT office tells the patient that the services offered there are no longer beneficial to the patient. And, that finding a new service is advised? Is it possible that they were never taught how to communicate that information?

I have a plains cottonwood tree that is living very well in my back yard. She is at least 115 years old; my arborist tells me that she is in better shape than so many that he sees. I have a concern. I do want her to stay living in this spot that she has occupied for so many years. Is it possible that the people who eventually purchase my property (that time will come, I know) will allow her to live?

Our neighborhood is one in which neighbors help neighbors. It is a truly great place to live. As it happens, two of our houses will now be having new owners. We know that one of the houses has been purchased by a family of three – Mom, Dad, and babe. We are waiting for the second house to gain a new owner. Is it possible that those new neighbors will become an integral part of our community? We are all hoping for the best and will strive to let them know they have come into this terrific community and to make them welcome,

I think I am relatively capable when using my computer and my cell phone. There are times, however, when I want to throw them out of the window. Sometimes, I call my computer man Roger, and the first thing he says is, “Don’t throw the computer out the window!” It is possible that I will ever become good enough with both of these machines that I will be able to handle the problems myself?

Working with both my physical therapists and my chiropractor with the approval of my PCP, we are striving to avoid that back surgery that was ordered for last July. I am completing exercises; I have a list that I finish each day. Then, I sometimes have new ones added. I was walking quite bent over at the direction of one of my docs. Now, I walk straight. I still have a difficult time remembering to stand tall when I walk; breaking the habit of intentionally walking bent over is hard to do. Is it possible that these changes and treatments will keep me away from that surgery in the future? Is it possible that I will regain my strength, my stamina?

Is it possible that future generations will be able to live on our Earth? Will our leaders and citizens work diligently to keep her habitable? Reading recently about El Nino and its potential effect on the world, it is a bit frightening to think that much of the developing problem is due to global warming. Is it possible that we will get our act together to prevent further destruction of our planet?

And, then, there is my house. I am currently in the process of moving my entire office from one room to another. A big job to be sure. My “keeper” Rita is helping with so much. She does the basic lifting and toting, along with deciding what goes where. There are certain things that I can do when she is not here. I strive to work on those. The computer must be moved. The little desk that I now use must be eliminated. The stand-alone floor AC unit has to be moved. Computer man Roger and HM Keith will be involved in that part of the project. We need to make room for paper and files and anything else that I use on a regular basis. My goal is to be finished by the end of October. Is it possible that we will get this accomplished by Halloween?

Our city council has determined that because of the drought, we will have watering schedules based on our addresses my days are Tuesdays and Fridays. I wonder what the people do who only have Saturdays and Sundays to be at home. Since the day those water restrictions went into place, we have had substantial rain. I have not turned on my outside water during this time. Is it possible that the monsoons will continue to provide the rain; thus, the relief we have from watering?

Right now, I’m going to stop thinking about possibilities and try to decide what my next meal will be. Is it possible that it will be a cold sandwich and some hot soup?

Probably!

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always welcome.

Daughter #1 has been traveling for some time. She thoughtfully brought a gift home for me. The tiny gift is a rock from the Mississippi River. You know that I always ask people to “bring me a rock,” because I so rarely travel these days, and it’s fun to get rocks from all over the world. Croatia. Australia. India. Germany. To name a few out-of-country places.

She also brought a bright pink tee shirt from one of our favorite book stores in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Book Store (clever – right) sells used books, as well as new. The front of the shirt has the stores name, but the back is clever. It says, “Shop local – Read used books – Save the earth.” Pink is my favorite color, and “save the earth” is a great thought! I think I will be wearing this shirt a lot!

Standing in front of me in the checkout line at the grocers was a quite large man in a tee shirt. The front of his shirt said, “you are enough.” The back of the shirt, and this was what caught my eye first, was “Dear person behind me, the world is better with you in it; the world needs you.” My hope is that anyone standing behind him at any time will read that, and it will make his or her day.

I have lots of tee shirst from so many different places – inside of and outside of the United States. I have a wardrobe of tee shirts from a wonderful coffee and food location in Nebraska. My tee shirt wardrobe from Lasso Espresso in Gothenburg, Nebraska,  includes pink, green, black, blue, white, grey, red, and purple. I love wearing those tee shirts. Passersby will often point at the shirt and, then, point to themselves. Kindred spirits. The tee shirts say, “Instant Human, Just Add Coffee.”

Neighbors Keith and Rita were in Croatia some time ago. My tee shirt from there has a heart design as the pillow-lace (or bobbin lace) that is done so beautifully there. They were also kind enough to bring a shirt from Canyon de Chelley; with, of course, an image of a part of the canyon.

Years ago, Larry and I frequented a chocolate shop, owned by a transplanted German. He came to the U.S. and landed in Wisconsin, a sports-related reason. However, that wasn’t to be, and he arrived in the Denver area. In Germany, he had apprenticed to a chocolatier; he made chocolates for more than fifty years in his two shops – the first on East Colfax and the second on East Evans Avenues. His chocolate shop that we frequented was Deitrich’s Chocolates located close to our house.

At the time we visited there most, I was retired and caring for a young boy Sam. We would take him with us to Deitrich’s for breakfast. Sam knew exactly where his food would come from to arrive at the table. If the food that came from the kitchen did not come to his table, he was not happy! Cheerios helped to keep that in check, however. When his food arrived, he ate it with gusto!

The tee shirt from Deitrich’s has a huge chunk of chocolate on the front and says “Give me all of you chocolate and nobody gets hurt!” I only have one of those tee shirts left after all of these years.

When I couldn’t find a tee shirt with an expression that I liked, I made my own. “Life hurts; chocolate helps.” is one of them. The design includes all things chocolate – candy, cupcakes, cake, etc. I learned to use fabric paints to get them finished. I should state here that I believe chocolate is the eighth food group!

Tee shirts are a summer clothing option for me. Winters here are usually too cool for me to go without long sweater sleeves. So, my enjoyment of tee shirts is confined to times when the weather allows me to wear them. Every color of the rainbow hangs in my closet and sets the stage for that spring-to-fall wearing. I really enjoy wearing them. Now, if I could only find one with a Martian in a helmet saying, “Take me to your chocolate leader!”

I wonder what my next favorite tee shirt will be, and what it will say to others as they walk by.

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always welcome.

I love books. The moment you step into my home you will know that positively – definitely – I love books. Books are everywhere in my house. On tables. In boxes waiting to be put into my computer catalog listing. Waiting to be shelved.  Waiting on the top step to be carried down to shelving in the basement.

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