poetnw's Journal

Love the stories

Jul 04 2009 08:39

A man who can't stand a good sized princess!! For sure, get rid of him. The store that carries shoes that will fit my foot is in a town that is an hour and a half from my house. So, yes, I am interested in your suggestions, Bubbles. Thanks. I'll check on the computer though buying shoes on-line can be a way to start a huge mess. And yes, its almost machete time. My last hope did not fix it. Hubby says he just figured a new thing on the whacker so I guess I will head out and try the Stupid again before night fall.

I bet our temps will hit 96 today. Got in some watering and took the hoe to a messy area up front- sprinklers don't discriminate; dandelion areas get water just like sunflower beds. Hoeing up dandelion greens brought me back to the Poisonwood Bible- those unwanted greens have tons of calcium and minerals in them. I liked the start of that book more than the last. The last had a fair amount of preachifying in it. I've lived in some raunchy places and nothing like those poor African folks. Some of my daughter's childhood has been scarred by poverty and folks not accepting us cause sometimes we just were not able to get ourselves or our clothes pristene. And talk about the weedeater!! Our old clunker cars sure ran us around the block- carbs and crappy trannys and getting stuck on the side of the road. Sometimes the emotions ran high and our daughter sat in the back seat while the adults had tantrums. The old guy that looked at the weed eater talked about the Great Depression like we would not know what he was talking about. We do have a feel for it. Took hubby more years than I care to count to find a decent paying job. We lived in the underbelly of Seattle for way too long. We're tougher for it, I guess.

So Happy Birthday, America. I celebrated by taking out the fan and washing it by the chocolate mint- gave the mint a drink that way. The pupster is not too delighted by the fan noise but oh well. Feels good to have air moving. On with the day! On with more folk music on the radio.

Love/hate this computer

Jul 03 2009 11:38

Please don't let there be another virus lurking-gads this thing is slower than ever. And yup, July equals heat. Also equals morning raspberries for breakfast. This year I am wearing shorts more- at least at home. Can't wear tennies cause of wide feet so really don't have any footwear that will go with shorts in public. NOT wearing clunky oxfords and shorts in public. Ego says Hell no!! Guess I could get over my being mad that my cheap flip flops lasted a week before they broke.

Hubby made some stupendous honey rootbeer. Naughty guy. And he worked quite hard at revamping the weed eater. The re-vamp flew right off so tonight we're going out to supper with a friend and afterwards, heading to her step-Dads- maybe he can fix it?? I found a wire head for the thing but that looks like it is loose. I would totally give up on the weed whacker but I need something- any ideas on how to tame a gnarley Way Back without a whacker would be most appreciated. I don't think a regulation lawn mower is up for the job and I am not up for spending over a hundred.

I made a pretty good score at the Goodwill yesterday: another gnome!! This guy lies on his side, hand to head. Red cap. Green pants. White beard. I also got busy and repainted the red caps on two little gnomes that my Mom gave me years ago. I also found a small rectangular metal yellow planter box and a sleeveless shirt and shorts. The large shirt fit. Shorts did not. The shirt was striped and I decided it was high time I started wearing a bit more than just solid colors. Pudge and all.

I have been looking at what vegetables I will eat and what is typical for me. Every so often I think it is good to make a list of what is ingested. We're slogging along in The Poisonwood Bible- I think the first part is better than the last. The descriptions of the hardship of Africa. Wow. The Dad should have been given a mouthpiece. Not saying that I'd want to live with him. He just needed his say. There is some longwinded philosophy. Interesting, for the most part. I am a spoiled townie now- I remember fleeing our Idaho cabin cause of the mosquitoes and flies. We drove 40 miles to town and got fly paper and at first the buzzing was terrible when we got back but being able to sleep was grand.

ninja Siamese!

Jul 02 2009 05:02

Crazy cats. Samyot just tried to scalp Godiva- he is generally the one who is picked on so he's giving it back, perhaps?! Reminds me of the Elizabeth R movie that we're in the middle of. Who is beheading whom? Its going to be hot today so maybe the local cat society will all go high under a cool bed. I've started sprinklers going a bit earlier cause plants are thirsty and won't appreciate the liquid when its Fry Time.

Got through another Physical Therapy session. Was timed. Doc says 30 minutes so that is what the PT folk want. I did the exercises in about 25 minutes. Next time more will be added. Oh yay! on that. I can raise the leg much higher. Thinking strongly on not doing the surgery. At least not this year. PT guy said that he was supposed to get knee surgery but didn't have the time. So many workers working when they are the walking wounded. Hubby has told more than one prospective Welfare Money seeker that many folks work in the office there and they are not feeling that marvelous but work none the less. I am such a fat cat cause I am not out there in the ranks sweating it out. I admire you all plus you work on your health also. Amazing. Way to go!!

Cross your fingers and your eye balls and whatever else- we may- just may- have a way to get this stinkin' weed whacker to work. Oh please. Hubby may have found a way to retrofit a blade attachment on the blankety machine. We're going to Home Depot tonight and he is going to find the proper length bolt and oh yes!!! the blade attachment instead of wire crapola may stay on and do its work. This blade attachment really is supposed to go on a gas weeder. Hubby thinks he can make it work. Sure would be a blessing and a nine day wonder. I got my act together this morning and got out to the raspberry patch and brought in some fruit for breakfast. That means I actually got dressed and shoes on pretty early. A great start for the day. My reward was to find that V is planning on heading my way on Monday. Oh joy. Oh silly shivers- my house is me. Disorganized and yes! Weeds and vegetation where ever you look. I look forward to hugs and silliness. Thank you for thinking of me. And do take care on all those roads.

connections

Jul 01 2009 04:37

I totally agree that muscles and bones are connected. As the years zoom by, I also finally see patterns in me. The basic me. Anyway, my left side has both a major knee issue and a hip issue- my regular doc named it as bursitis though I wonder about sciatica. My right side has sciatica for sure and the pelvic joint itself is inflamed and arthritis lurks in the lower spine. I give the physical therapist folks a workout, taking care of this mixed bag. Never mind the Fibro- guess I have that, too- maybe that entity is why I have tender boobs and tender breast bone. I followed my brother onto ice when I was a kid and broke my collar bone. A bull named Shorty wrestled with me when I was a teen. I lost. When a chubby middleager, I wrestled with a horse and yes I still know her name, I lost. Just stuff that means I have lived. About 10 years ago I still had my lovely periods- the plague of my life, actually- at that time I lived for a year in one part of Washington and hubby in another while he got out financial lives in gear- and yup, here comes my period and exhaustion. We had a bed up on a pretty high platform then. Coming off that platform, I fell, spun around and whacked my shoulder and arm against a hard dresser. That silly little moment put a deep contusion on that arm and made it so that I could not move that arm away from my body for days. Takes just a second and Hell erupts.

So yeah, my body has been possessed more than once. I am grateful for this nest that I am in now. I worry sometimes that I am not stimulated enough. Without stimulation, I guess is what I mean to say, there will be no creativity. No life. No sparks. A noticeable trend: escape. I escape when I don't get that stimulation. When we lived in a ratty trailer in Seattle, I found green spaces and most Sundays found me there, walking with my dog. Here I drive and drive and get to where my heart races. We also have created an island in the middle of the desert- desert meaning multi-layered gravel pit. I can be a pain in the rump to live with. Moody me. I want to make a bon fire out of the weed eater but I must somehow struggle on with its existence even though it looks like it could be broken. Still need to somehow tame the Way Back a bit.

Enough rambling. I did some knee exercises yesterday. I think I was lifting the leg higher as I walked. My true reward will be to walk Blanchard mountain next year. That was my joy this year. I won't be able to huff and puff up that now. Next year. My sister will be there when I call. I am grateful I have two sisters who know the deep inner joy of firs and winding trails.

I won't go there, promise!

Jun 30 2009 11:22

Thanks again, Megan. I easily slump wihen it comes to this physical stuff. Got to stretch my back more- keep getting nasty muscle spasms that hit me like someone had shoved me. A couple of times I've had to catch myself cause the spasms come as a shock wave. I found a Strong Knees DVD at the library today. I plan to kick off my shoes and socks and at least try some of what is on film. Plus what the PT have drawn up for me. A PT person made the DVD. The more exercises the merrier!

Blah vegies at supper. Hubby liked it. When growing lettuce gets too hot, its taste turns quite bitter. My tendency was to compost the row. Hubby said he'd love it cooked. So I wilted it and put a bit of blue cheese dressing on it. Pretty good. Today I pulled the rest of the row and watered the area and planted beets there- for the greens, not the roots. It must be 120 in that greenhouse cause outside temps are headed more toward 90 than 80. Got to tie up tomatoes in there. At least one is stomping on a pepper plant.

The crickets that my daughter gave my hubby seem to be ok so far. Daughter said to feed them chunks of potatoes or apples. Insects that bite! I typically have neither item around and I had some home cherries so in they went. Yup. Bitten cherries. Guess they don't need water. The fruit is fleshy so that probably provides moisture. Hope they like extreme heat. The crickets are still in their little box under hunks of old egg cartons.

So another day. Another food battle: protein balanced with fat balanced with vitamins and minerals and got to get in that water. Balanced with cravings. I made a pudding yesterday for an afternoon snack: ripe banana, ricotta and almond meal. Sweet nourishment.

Nothing's free

Jun 29 2009 08:45

Back to physical therapy. Paid for the first go round today: 273.00. Ouch. That will take care of the 200.00 deductible. Second go round to pay for then this latest start up. The physical part, of course, is not fun. Supposed to get easier. Totally against my sensibilities, hearing and feeling 'stuff' grating and still working it. Like moving a broken leg. Does not make sense. Got to do it. Going to get easier?? I woke this morning to what felt like the start of a charley horse in the back of my thigh- I'd lifted that legs several times while sitting in my chair yesterday. The therapists added a bunch more exercises to the sheet that I was doing. So I for sure am exercising these days. My stinky back and sciatica are adding their two cents, too. I hate back muscle spasms.

Enough griping. Lazy day for me yesterday. Felt good to waltz around in shorts and sleeveless top and bare feet. Hard to get out in the rough gardens when barefoot. Did finally get some watering done in evening. Walked a little on the lake path after we got some recycling in. Dusted under furniture.

I talked patient hubby into having supper on the patio. Shady there with a breeze. Silly me. I brought out a low cherry wood table and our kitchen chairs. Felt very summery eating outside. Down in the garden, we would have had glaring sun so nix that. We had chicken breast, rice with wild rice mix, home zucchini and mushrooms. Peppermint ice cream. Living like fat cats for sure. That table is awfully low but so peaceful.

Right now committing my heart to this new exercise program has been a battle. I worried it like a bone all weekend. Am glad the first PT is over with. The first stitches have been stitched. I must continue though my heart still resists the reality of surgery and the after days of that. I easily slide into feeling like a plump cripple and a reject- was good to hear the lady therapist say "But she really improved!" Just not enough. The male therapist murmured that the doc would have to do a lot of work and that is what is up with all this Before crud.

I am grateful for whatever strength I can claim. I am grateful my jeans are still baggy. I think I am going to be expending more energy from here on out! Pain must use up calories!!

sunflower right outside my window

Jun 28 2009 07:35

The sunflower has a promise of a bloom. The pansies in the same pot right below it are quite unhappy and poor cousins cause they don't like the hot sunshine like the sunflower does. Different likes for different folks.

Sheesh we were productive urban farmers yesterday. Per usual, I am craving a nap and listening for the second time to Prairie Home Companion. Hubby is waiting for the ghastly but funny Mom Sketch. How does that woman wail so realistically?? Steve Martin plays the banjo well. I'm sure I'll do something botanical today. I'm not well if I don't sniff the dirt or find out all over again how spiny a zucchini plant is. Funny about sniffing the dirt: I can't smell but I get in there anyway. The lavender is blooming and huge. Spreading. Got to love it.

I've eaten a Hutterite poppy seed roll as part of my breakfast:summer is here for sure. I think its cream cheese in the middle of that roll. Ethnic with a capital E. Bing cherries go well with the roll. Finished the soy milk. Wish that milk weren't quite so sluggy and chalky tasting. Did make a fantastic smoothie when I put home cherry juice in with it.

Its been a week since I left Oly. I miss that green area and I miss my daughter. We get one or two visits per year. I am grateful for all our ways to communicate now. I am grateful we are able to pay the phone bill. I am grateful I no longer have the cash restraints that we often had in earlier years. Many folks in this community have little money from now until the first. I am grateful for a cupboard and freezer that will give me my basic needs. I try to live without taking for granted what seems like the basics now and what used to be planned for in a tight fisted manner.

I remain rich

Jun 27 2009 12:13

Couldn't think of a title. Here I am. Fat cat, feet up in my little cloth covered recliner, listening to The Lives 'of the Cowboys on NPR. Red wine pounded out on the butt of a revolver. Got to chop the ice out of the freezer from the funeral home. Got to love those crazy lines. I'll move over when I'm ready to move over!

We've walked to the bakery and had lunch- quiche, greens, dried cranberry, feta, cranberry dressing, half a wow! fudgie brownie. Warm but do able temps. We've had a productive morning of NOT getting the weed eater to work and pulling weeds never the less and watering. Hubby shredding and putting the shreddings under the potatoes. (Did that insulter guy really say: "you old fruit fart??!") My guts hurts from laughing. The insults are really slinging.

I hope my friend is alright. I'm over here being a fat cat and she is dealing again with kidney dialysis problems. She so dreaded today. Hope it all went super boring.

So its the end of June and we're existing on our little self-made inland island. I am grateful our shrubs and vines have gone crazy and given us so much green shade. " We have to take fat people on trail rides and listen to their poetry, too!" I am grateful for that line. Made my day. I am grateful I have a lively partner to share this day with.

Temporary neighbors

Jun 26 2009 04:43

One of those days- sewer guys out working in the street. Can't use water today so there are pans and jugs of water in the kitchen. Guess I can flush the toilet if for sure needed?! What a world. Suddenly its duh! you need water to reconstitute dry milk.

I found another yum! last night. Home cherry juice and soy milk together- makes a superb smoothie. I made home pesto sauce for wheaty noodles for supper last night. A bit much on the garlic. Had chopped home spinach to go along with low cal mozzerela sausage. My spelling ability is pretty low this morning. I wonder if I spell worse when I haven't slept well?

I knew it. Still, I write how it comes to me. Yes, V, I knew you would demand a sequel to the sequel. Mulling it over. So far the Writing Shrink has not smacked me aside the head yet. I can give you directions to my house- you are welcome to my little pocket of cacophony- not sure what you know about Moses. I don't have a cell phone so life will be more complicated. I sure picked up the fur from under the couch and dresser and you bet there will be more. Part of my craziness and who I live with.

Lovely walk to Starbucks for a treat last night- about a mile and a quarter or more each way. Gads that left side is unhappy. The wind was up and it was a bit chilly- quite perfect for a longish walk. So if you can find Wal-Mart in this town, know that you are within a mile and a half from me. Big mile and a half but there. I also must have used up some calories cursing the Weed Whacker. An expert worked on this stinky gizmo and no, it is not useable. Hubby took the guts to work to see if a co-worker would know what was the problem. If I have to, yanking weeds is valid exercise. So is hoeing and shoveling. The Way Back is an entity to itself.

I am grateful I can start over and over. I can love me and show it by not giving up.

Web site

Jun 25 2009 03:26

Here you go on how to find both short stories plus my hubbies good writing etc.: http://creativefancy.webs.com

I hope you are able to get into this web site, V. Thanks for asking.

I agree about the need for the cortisone shot. I wish my gullet could handle getting the shot. Some things go way too deep and maybe hypnosis would help?! In the spirit of fairness and honesty I will admit that I have never had great teeth and this partly has been my fault. Anyway, when I was a kid, the dentists were not the greatest at administering deadening agents. The dentist tried to deaden inflamed gums, injecting novacaine into those inflamed gums five times. My Dad, waiting in the outer room, hearing me scream, said he would never have brought me there if he had known the hell I went through. I should have been totally out. This time has not left my inner guts and when it comes to needles, grabs me all over again. I have used numbing agents and it kind of helps- perhaps I can blame my Fibro on the fact that I feel the needle when it is in my vein. I hurt a lot even when having my blood pressure taken. I am just sensitive. I am not an ideal passive patient. You want to know my underwear size now??!! And you are hurting worse, V. I feel for you and am sorry. Its back to PT for me on Monday.

Its hubby's pay day so I get the excitement of paying a couple of bills plus plan to go to the discount store for groceries. I have limited our eating hamburger cause I am confused about the fat content of it plus the cost is almost the same as shrimp. That Oly potato sausage was heavenly per usual. I must get back to having beans featured in 3 suppers per week. I made a beef stew last night- 3 chunks of beef with unpeeled spuds, carrot, home zucchini, a couple of leaves of chocolate mint, home broccoli. Hubby got kind of stinky as he ate: 'should leave the mint for tea cause its too precious to put in the general mix.' I was curious to see what it be would be like in stew.

If you come through Moses on July 6, I hope to hear from you, V. Even to hug you as you fly through, maybe on a water break?

I am grateful for the hope that I feel when I see one blessed eggplant bloom. Maybe I'll harvest something from that plant?