Friday, May 13, 2022

 Friday, May 13, 2022

 

 I woke up early, agitated again. I was someone who anticipated the worst and prepared for it, but I was usually calm about it. Not now. I didn't know what weighed on me the most: Mike's death and my widowhood, the scheduled hip surgery, or the state of the world. Of course, the state of the world is impacting everything. We are in so much trouble. The world went bad right after Mike's internment. Around the time of Mike's death, I heard about many others who passed. I thought Mike'd been taken in the rapture, and I'd been left behind. Now, I am not someone who believes in the rapture. Given what has happened since his passing, I may change my mind.

     I complained of back pain this morning. Katie, my PT, had to rotate one of my vertebrae.   She said there was more motion in my hip joint because I developed more muscle tone in my glutes. She reminded me to strengthen my inner thigh muscle by pressing a pillow between my legs. I had been avoiding that exercise. I resolved to make it a priority.

    I asked Katie if she knew anything about my problem when I swam. My legs floated up. I couldn't right myself on my own. Katie had seen this problem a lot. I forgot to ask her if it was only in older people or did this also happen to others. She recommended I buy ankle weights and a swimming noodle. I bought divers hip weights. They haven't done much. I thought weights on my ankles would be too much. She said two-pound weights would do it. If I wanted to do a crawl, I could put the noodle lengthwise along my body.

    I was tired when I left the session, looking forward to going home and napping. I stopped at Farm and Garden to drop off an empty honey jar and ask for advice. Several times, I sprayed my crepe myrtle with horticultural oil and still couldn't get rid of the powdery mold. It still was on the bottom of the leaf. The employee said, "Spray the oil on the bottom of the leaf." Duh! I had been using a regular spray bottle. I need to use a pump spray bottle with a nozzle. I have one. I was concerned about the oil gumming up the nozzle. He said, clean it out with water. Okay.  

    The rest of the day was nothing. I worked on the updates. That always takes more time than I expect. I ironed the bottom sheet from Cylin and Damon's bed. I spread the sheet out on my bed and ironed it there. What a hack! It was so much easier doing it that way than using the ironing board.

    I stopped off at Paulette's to pick up more water. She wore a mask, more of a chin decoration; it didn't cover her nose. I had my mask on. She announced she had the cold Judy had the other day. I took one step into her house and backed off. I handed her the bottles to be filled and stood outside. I gave her six of the everything bagels from Zabar's. I have eighteen in my freezer, minus the one I gave to Isaac. I may give her more. I suspect eighteen bagels will last me forever.

    When I got home, I sprayed everything Paulette touched with alcohol, except Elsa, before bringing it into the house. If I get that cold, I will have to cancel my surgery. That would screw me up. I can reschedule Julie to drive me to the airport and Lutz to pick me up, but I can't reschedule Shivani to come and take care of me.

    I spoke to Jean, my hanai sister. I told her all about Damon's visit. He is our beloved son; she is his mother, and I am his step.  

    Dinner was leftovers and will be for another day or so. I started watching the TV series Lincoln Lawyer. It's a lark, just what I need.