A Load Off

Whelp, it's going to be the Eagles and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl this year.  For what it's worth, I didn't watch the 4th quarter of the Bengals/Chiefs game.  I lay in bed with my eyes closed and listened to it.  I sat up just long enough to see the Chiefs kick the game winning field goal, then turned the TV off and went to sleep.  For a moment, at least.  

The cat was having one of her bad nights and yowled all night long.  It was cold and rainy, so I didn't even try to let her out, because I knew she wouldn't go.  That meant I had to listen to her.  Yowling.  All night long. 

It made for a long day at work.

After which, I came home and canceled my colonoscopy, which took a huge load off of my mind. I messaged Cody and let him know, and asked him if he could get his PTO canceled.  He said he'd probably keep the day anyway.  He and Brennan need to do a cake tasting, so he's thinking they could try to schedule that for that day.  I think I might keep my day off as well, and maybe go dress shopping.  

In knitting news, while I was watching all that football yesterday, I re-cast on the hat with the correct number of stitches this time.  

And I'm still loving the way it's knitting up.  I'm definitely going to be making more out of this yarn.  

In work news, they've installed these sanitizer dispensers in the stalls in the bathroom. 

The rumor is, they're going to stop putting the tissue seat covers in the bathrooms, 

and we'll have to sanitize the toilet seats with whatever they put into that dispenser.  I don't know if that's true or not, but if so, I don't really blame them.  People waste those seat covers like they're a dime a dozen.  They'll get an inch thick stack of covers, then use one.  They'll hang the rest over the stall partition, where they stay until they fall onto the floor and get thrown away.  

The only question is, if they do that -- get rid of the seat covers -- how will we dry our hands when they don't fill up the paper towel dispensers?  I guess we'll use our shirt tails. 

And finally, if they want us to toss our old work gloves, they need to stop being so stingy with the new one. 

I guess that's about it for today.   I'm tired, and I still need to practice my piano.  

Goodbye for now. 

Dang It! Again...

 There I was, just happily knitting away at my Seaman's watchcap, watching movies and enjoying my day off.

I got this far, 

and started the crown decreases, which just weren't working out.  That's when I realized, I'd only cast on 64 stitches instead of 84. 

Well, dang it!  No wonder it was knitting up so fast. 

Off to the frog pond it went.  Yes, I do realize I could have finished it anyway and made a child's hat out of it, but that's not who I'm knitting for.  I do like the way the yarn was knitting up, though.  It's going to make some nice hats, and I may do some scarves and cowls out of it, too. 

Not much else to talk about today, because I didn't really do much.  No, I did not go out and work on my trail through the woods again.  I did finally put on my new shoes and walk up and down the road a bit.  Not too much, because I need to get them broken in first.  So, unless you want to hear about laundry and washing dishes, that's all I have.

Laters.

Blazing Trails

 I've always enjoyed taking long walks in the woods, so this evening, I had the brilliant idea that I would cut some walking trails in the woods behind my house.  

Whee doggies, blazing trails is hard work!  Mad props to our pioneer ancestors, who were definitely built of tougher stuff than I am. 

I didn't get very far at all, so I didn't get my steps for the day in, but I definitely got exercise.  I don't remember the last time I worked that hard.  Maybe I'll just drive to the lake after all...

Except that I won't.   That would require leaving the house.  Say, I've got an idea!  I'll knit instead!

And that's what I did.  I came in and cast on a hat in my new yarn

and drank some hot chocolate.  And watched a documentary on Jane Austen.

Don't envy me my exciting life. 

Meanwhile, I'm still making progress on the first hat I'd cast on.  

I mean, the first of this pattern, not the first hat ever. 

In other news, I'm thinking about signing up for another one of those Yes.Fit virtual races that I used to do.  Maybe that will motivate me to keep up with my walking.  

Wish me luck.  

And with that, I'm out of here.  I've got hats to knit.  

Laters. 

Dang It!

Dang it!  I knew there was something I was forgetting to discuss with the doctor yesterday!  And I remembered what it was in the middle of the night, when I was in the throes of it...insomnia. 

Sigh, maybe I'll remember next time. 

The thing about it is, it's not so much that I can't sleep.  It's that my work schedule demands that I sleep during hours other than the ones my body wants to.  My body doesn't want to sleep from 6:30 to 2:30.  It wants to sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.  When I'm off for a few days, say over Christmas break, I sleep just fine.  Mostly.  I mean I do have the occasional sleepless night, but I'm pretty sure every body does.  But I sleep much better because I'm able to sleep when my body wants to.  

Speaking of the doctor, they got back with me about my lab results shortly after I posted yesterday, and yes, my cholesterol is very high.  He prescribed Crestor, and we'll re-check in three months. 

They also said my A1C was like 5.1, but I wonder if that's because it's just after Christmas.  When you eat pretty much nothing but sugar for a month, yes, your levels are going to be higher.  

One of my liver enzymes was a bit on the high side as well, but apparently not high enough for him to be overly concerned with it.  I don't know why it would be high, but it's something we can keep an eye on.  

Since I had to run in after work and pick up my prescription, I went ahead and did my weekly shopping. I really didn't need much this week, so I splurged on some frozen fruit to make smoothies with.  I'd made a smoothie with my salad greens and carrots yesterday, but it wasn't very smooth.  Clearly, I need to practice more.  Still, it tasted good, and was healthy.  

Plus, I hit three miles on my pedometer today, so yay for me!

Finally, here's a photo of my with some of my crazy coworkers. 

The guy taking the pictures took about six, but didn't manage to get a single one where everyone was a) still, b) smiling, and c) looking at the camera.  Alas, I couldn't both take the photo and be in it, so it is what it is.

And that's all that it is. 

All Is Well

Today was the day. 

I'd taken off to go to my doctor's appointment, which wasn't until 9:45, so the first thing I did was to lay in bed until nearly 6:00.  Let me tell you, it felt wonderful.  If only I could have turned off the alarm cat...

After a leisurely morning, I got dressed and went down to the doctor, and we discussed a few things.  My blood pressure is lower than it was last week, but it's still a bit high.  I told him about my little episode last week, about how paranoid I'd gotten about having a heart attack, and he wants to keep an eye on my BP to see if it comes down a bit more before diagnosing me with hypertension.  He told me to keep monitoring it at home, as well. 

I mentioned that it had been high last week, and said I thought it was because I had the flu, but when I described my symptoms, the doc said he though I'd had COVID.  I replied, "Huh, I never would have guessed that, because I didn't run fever, or lose my sense of taste and smell."  But he said, yeah, it sounded like COVID to him, even the diarrhea.  Which I am so glad is over....

Anyway, I brought up the spells of lightheadedness I've been having and asked if they could be related to elevated blood pressure, but he said it wasn't likely.  He said they're more likely because I'm getting older.  He said that some people develop an arthritis like thing on the bones in the inner ear which could cause dizzy spells, or it could be allergy related, or even something caused by wearing ear plugs every day for 28 years.  I said, "That's why I'm here, to find out if something is wrong, or if I'm just getting old."   I told him I used to come all the time, but for some reason, I just stopped.  He said, "Well, you're here now, and we'll get you back on track."  

We also discussed my cholesterol levels, and he said that given my family history, we'll probably need to take a more aggressive approach.  He ordered blood work, and pending lab results will probably put me on cholesterol lowering medication.  Last thing before I left was to set me up to start getting my mammograms again, and oh, yay, my first colonoscopy.  I'll have to have a driver for that one, since they put you to sleep. 

Really, I need to find some local friends so I don't have to keep asking Cody to take off work and drive me to these things. 

Last but not least, I mentioned that I wanted to start walking again, and the Doctor said that'd be great.  So as soon as I left I ran by Walmart and bought me some walking shoes.  

The minute I got home, I went for a walk up and down the road...in my work boots.  I can't help it.  They're so comfortable.  I'm going to try to start walking some of the trails down by the lake, too.  There are so many nice places around her to walk.  I just can't seem to pry my butt out of the chair and get going.  Maybe if I go straight from work, I'll do better. 

I finally got a photo of the house up the road that burned down a while back. 

I don't know what happened, or even when it burned, really.  I just looked down there one afternoon after work, and it was gone. 

And I broke down and bought a magic bullet blender, and a package of mixed greens.  

I have some carrots and apple juice already, and so I'm just going to experiment and see what I come up with. 

The last thing I bought was some bright colored yarn to make my charity hats. 

I spent the rest of the day watching TV and knitting, but look!  Look what came in the mail!

Sigh...my little baby really is all grown up now...

The Last Christmas Gift

I knew right away what kind of day it was going to be when I was driving into work, going down Riverdale road for all you local folks, when I almost hit three deer standing on the side of the road. I swerved quickly to miss them, and kept on driving.  About half a mile down the road, I almost hit two more as they dashed across the road in front of me.  That certainly got the old heart racing.  

As if I weren't already paranoid enough about having a heart attack!  

In better news, I finally spent my Christmas money--you know, that my older brother and sister in law sent me.  It took a long time to decide what to get, because what I wanted I didn't need, and what I need, I didn't want to spend gift money on.  That reminds me...

Back in the day, my Aunt Martha would give me money for my birthday with the admonition, "Now, don't you pay bills with that.  You get something for yourself!"

A few weeks later, she'd call me up and ask what I'd spent my birthday money on, and I'd have to somewhat sheepishly admit I'd paid the water bill with it, or bought groceries.  She'd say,  "Well, if that's what you needed to do..."  

Nowadays, I can spend it all on me!  Yes, I know that sounds selfish, but hey, it's OK to do something for yourself once in a while. So, what did I get that I totally didn't need?  More wax stamps!

Like I didn't have enough already, but hey, I didn't have these. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  The set only came with one handle, but that's OK.  I have plenty of handles.  It also came with three packs of wax beads and a gold and a silver marker,  but I didn't put those into the photo. 

The second thing I bought is this little ...um, they call it a furnace, but that's pushing it a bit.  It's really  just a stand for the melting spoon. 

You set it over your tealight, and you don't have to sit there and hold the spoon while the beads melt.   

And the final thing I bought is...a new book for my collection!

There is one more in the series I want, then my collection of versions will be complete.  I mean, they have lots of versions, but only one that I want. 

And finally, my hometown got hit by a tornado just a few moments ago.  It touched down very close to my cousins' houses, but they are all OK.  They have some structural damage and no electricity, but they're fine.  The same system dropped a tornado in Houston, too.  Still waiting to hear from friends there. 

Oh, and one more thing, I am finally starting to feel better from this flu, or whatever it was I had.  Thanks to everyone for the prayers and good wishes. 

Same Song, 28th Verse

 I knew I'd pay for it today, and I am, but I stayed up late and watched that ball game.  Then when it was over, I stayed up even later griping of social media about that ball game, because, yes, the Cowboys lost.

I'm getting mighty tired of saying, "Maybe next year."  

Oh, there's plenty of blame to go around, but let me play devil's advocate for a moment.  I don't think Kellen Moore should bear the brunt of it.  Yeah, it's funny how last week he was a play-calling genius and now he's an unimaginative idiot.  

But really, how imaginative can you be when you know you can't trust your quarterback and your place kicker has the yips?  So, you build your entire game plan around Tony Pollard....aaaaand he goes down in the first half with a broken leg.  There isn't that much left to the imagination after that.

And while it's true Micah Parsons is a beast, 

he can't carry the team all by himself.  They have got to find some consistency on offense, or next year will be the same old same old.  

I guess I'll root for Joe Burrow to win it all this year.  He is who we'd hoped Dak would be. 

In other news, I need a nap.  

In other other news, I finally found out what Cody and Brennan's colors are going to be -- sage green, yellow, and charcoal.  The bridesmaid's dresses will be green, so I asked Brennan if she'd be OK with me wearing a yellow or charcoal dress, and she said yes.  And she said any style that I'm comfortable with is fine with her.  So, I guess I need to go dress shopping.  Maybe if we have this Saturday off, I'll go up to Tanger Outlets in Hernando and see what I can find.  

I also mentioned that I needed to make a hotel reservation, and Cody said Brennan's mom was talking about reserving a block of rooms at the same hotel.  I told him to let me know as soon as possible, but he is a man after all.  He'll probably tell me five minutes before I leave the house. 

And finally, guess what I finally got around to doing?  Yep, I took a walk down my road after work. I have no idea how far I went because, like a dummy, I left my phone at home on the table.  It wasn't but a couple hundred yards.  I don't want to overdo before I get my heart checked out. 

When I was 20, I would have just gone for it.  Now that I'm 58...yeah. I've also got to figure out how to get more vegetables into my diet.  It's not that I dislike them, it's just that when I get home from a 10 hour shift, it's so much easier to toss some frozen chicken nuggets into the air fryer.  I'm thinking about investing in something like a Magic Bullet and making my own smoothies. I have a regular blender but it leaves too many chunks for a proper smoothie.  

I'm open to suggestions, if you have any.  I mean for smoothie makers, that is.  

The Flu

I think I might have the flu.  

I mean, it all fits.  I'm not running fever, but I do feel feverish, and have chills and body aches.  Coughing, tight chest, dizzy spells, weak and shaky feeling, diarrhea.  Even the elevated blood pressure and heart rate is consistent with symptoms of flu. Add to that the fact that it's still hanging around after so long.  I usually get over the punies in just a day or two, but this is day 4 of this yuck. 

I'm definitely going to bring it up when I go to the doctor Wednesday, but if it is the flu, there's not much to do but wait it out.  I think it'd be too late at this point to even start Tamiflu, and I probably wouldn't get it anyway.  Last time I took it, I felt better...like...one day sooner, and to me, it just wasn't worth the cost.    

I'm just hoping I feel well enough to go to work tomorrow.  Eh, I'd probably push through anyway.  One of my friends suggested I might have had a panic attack, but I don't know if it was or not, since I've never had a panic attack before.  I'll bring that up too, just to make sure.  Still...that this has been hanging on so long lends me to believe that's not it.   

OK, moving right along, I didn't do much of anything this weekend but watch TV.  I'm kind of bummed that I got the PBS Passport, because I binged the entire third season of All Creatures Great And Small, and now I don't have any more episodes to watch.  I'd already finished Miss Scarlet And The Duke, so now what?  Hmmm.

All Creatures always finishes the season with a Christmas episode and once I got done with that, I was wishing it was still Christmas, so naturally I went to Prime and watched a cheesy Christmas movie.  It wasn't Hallmark or Great American Family, though.  At least I don't think it was, because it didn't have the Hallmark or Great American Family logo on the screen.  By the time that was over, it was almost time for the pre-game show, so I just went over to Hulu and watched that. 

Then I watched the football games -- except for the 4th quarter of the Eagles Vs. Giants game, because I fell asleep.  The cat was restless last night, maybe because it was raining.  Needless to say, I didn't sleep all that well.  So, here we are today, sick and sleepy....

While I was doing all that TV watching, I was also knitting.  I finished my first beanie for the Seaman's Church Ministry.  And here it is.

The pattern is from their site, and the yarn is Red Heart, but I don't remember the name of the colorway.  I've long since tossed the ball band.  It's basically the same as the beanies I've been knitting all this time, except for the longer 2" brim, instead of my standard 1 1/2" brim.   It also has this kind of crown decrease, which I've used before, but isn't my standard one. 

They said we could use other types of crown decreases, but I chose this one for this pattern just for variety.  I may use it more, because it looks pretty cool.  Very neat and tidy. 

Once I'd finished that hat, I dug out some more yarn and cast on another one, this time a watch cap.  The main difference with this one is that it's got a 4" brim, so it can be folded up for extra warmth.  

The website says we can use any color, but looking through my stash, it seems all I have are shades of blue, plus a few purples and grays.  I might just have to pick up a skein or two of neon colors next time I go into town.  

And finally, a little grosseness I discovered yesterday.  If you have weak stomach, this is your only grossness/TMI warning.

So, you know I've been having these bathroom issues these last 4-ish or so days.  Yesterday, I was in the hall bathroom tending to my business, and I noticed it smelled really bad -- as in it smelled as if I were pooping out something dead.  This was a real cause for concern for me.  Even after I finished my business, I kept smelling this...really gross smell.  I thought maybe I had a tumor or something.

A few moments later, I went into my craft/snake/computer room to get something out of my printer.  As soon as I opened the door, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Seems that Slider the Ball Python had upchucked his rat, which had been laying in the bottom of his tank decaying ever since.  

Ick.

Grabbing my snake feeding tongs and a couple of Walmart sacks, I grabbed the disgusting thing and carried it out into the woods.  I still need to thoroughly clean his tank, but it's time for that anyway.  I'll have to pick up some more aspen shavings -- maybe Wednesday when I get out of the doctor's office I can do that. 

At least the house doesn't stink so badly any more. 

Speaking of, don't let this little stinker fool you. She only looks sweet and innocent.

The Rest Of The Post

I've got a little good news, and a little less good news for you today. 

The good news is, I'm feeling much better after my bout with whatever it was I was up against Wednesday.  My blood pressure was down this morning (though I haven't taken it since I got home this afternoon), and even better, my heart rate is once again below 100.  That's a relief.  The pulse of 118 is what was really freaking me out about this whole thing.  In fact, I wrote the following after I posted yesterday's blog. 

Yeah, this is the rest of the stuff I wanted to talk about yesterday, but it just didn't seem appropriate on Miss Mary's tribute, so you get it today. 

I'm struggling here.  This whole week has been difficult and I'm not handling it well. 

Here's the thing.  After procrastinating for a decade, I finally get my doctor appointment made, and since then I've developed an unhealthy level of paranoia that I will have a heart attack and die before then.  After all these years, all the stuff I blew off...every little heart burny burp, every ache in my left shoulder, the sore chest muscles from both my job and my coughing fits, the least little twinge in my chest...suddenly I'm paranoid that they're all heart attacks.  

I can't relax enough to go to sleep, because what if I have a heart attack in the middle of the night and am not awake to call 911?  

The weirdest thing...I'm even afraid to eat.  Seriously.  I don't even know why, but I'm afraid to eat.  I've gotten the idea that somehow it'll trigger a ...you guessed it, a heart attack.  

I don't know where all this is coming from, because the nurse said that even though my heart rate and blood pressure are elevated, they're not in the rush to the emergency room range.  She said I'd be OK until next week.  Why can't I seem to accept that?  

Y'all, those who pray, please pray that my mind will be eased -- at least enough for me to sleep.  Thank you.  I don't ask much for myself, but I really need this. 

I also think that part of the reason I was flipping out so much is because I'd never really flipped out like this before.  It was kind of...well, freaking me out that I was freaking out so much.  I was thisclose to calling one of those online counselor things, but after typing it out like that, I felt much better -- both mentally and physically, and I was able to get a good night's sleep last night.  

The less good news is, I'm still not completely 100%.  I started the day feeling OK, but gradually got weaker, and shakier, and dizzier until I almost threw in the towel and came home.  I stuck it out, and perked up quite a bit after lunch. I'm pretty sure that that was the biggest part of why I still felt so off.  I hadn't really eaten much since Tuesday, and what I did eat went straight through me.  Eating a bit of lunch gave me enough energy to make it through the day and even go to the store afterwards.  

I didn't stay long -- at the store, I mean -- and didn't buy much, but I did pick up two quarts of the store brand version of Pedialyte -- which has helped even more -- aaaaand -- 

a bag of marbles to use as counterweights in my trebuchet.  Yay!  No more loose change!  I might even get it down and shoot it some this weekend, since we have the weekend off.  Nah, really, I plan on taking it easy and really getting over whatever I had.  

But I might be able to squeeze a trebuchet shot or two in somewhere...

In other, brighter, news, I ripped my hurricane hat back to the ribbing and am going to make the beanie pattern for the Seaman's Church Institute.  It wasn't that much, as I was only a couple of rounds in.  I had to add about 1/2 " to the ribbing, then it's just a regular beanie like the ones I've been knitting for ages.  

I think the next one I knit will be the watch cap pattern.  The biggest difference in that one is that it's an 84 stitch cast on and a 4" brim.  

And finally, I finished the second book I was reading. 

It was good, but not so good I'm going to rush to Amazon and buy the second one straight away.  But I would like to read it eventually.  

The next one I've started on is an old classic. 

I know I read it as a kid, but for the life of me, I can't remember anything about it, so it'll almost be like reading it again for the first time.

That being said, I'm off to bed...

Hah!  I made a rhyme!

Hardly A Dry Eye

This morning, we in the tubing department paid tribute to our lost teammate.  It all started with a spray.

Then we added to it, flowers, candles (not real fire), little remembrances of Miss Mary and what she meant to us. 

And photos of her and her ADP family.

Until we filled her work station, 

And those who worked with her stood behind her one last time. 

Goodbye Miss Mary.  We will miss you. 

Another Whelming Flood Day

 Whew, what a day!  

It all started yesterday, really.  Shortly after I posted, I realized I just felt awful.  I thought it was due to lack of sleep, so I went on to bed around 6:30.  Turns out, that wasn't it.   It would seem I've picked up some sort of stomach bug.

I don't really feel bad, per se, other than just a bit weak and shaky.  I just can't seem to stay out of the bathroom.  Even so, I got up at my usual 2:45 and went on to work.  I made it through the day, but I had to run to the bathroom every 30 minutes or so.  Sometime after lunch, ummm...TMI warning, things started to ...um....solidify just a bit.  I mean, I'd still consider it diarrhea, but more of the soft serve variety than the brown water variety. 

As if that weren't enough, I'd noticed over the last week or so I was having little dizzy spells, along with slight headaches across my temples and forehead.  Knowing hypertension runs in my family, I dug out my trusty blood pressure monitor and took said blood pressure.  Yep, it was a bit high -- 145/90.  I also noticed my heart rate was a bit elevated as well. And I know my cholesterol is high.  I've been trying to get that down naturally for a while now, but after my last screening in September, I decided it just wasn't working.  I'd need to go to the doctor. 

This afternoon, when I got home, I took my BP once again, and it was still reading in the 145/90 range, so I picked up the phone and called my doctor, the same one I've used for nearly 29 years, to make the appointment. 

Now, let me step outside my story for a minute to tell you I'm an introvert, and as such, hate making phone calls.  Last night, as I lay in bed having my nightly conversation with Jesus, I said, "Lord, I need you to keep poking me until I call the doctor and make this appointment."  Sigh, aren't I pathetic?  Needing divine intervention just to make a phone call. 

OK, back to my story.  I picked up the phone and called my doctor, only it's been so long since I've been, they'd deleted my medical records.   The receptionist told me they couldn't take me on as a patient without having my medical records sent over.  "But they were all there,"  I replied.  I explained to her that Dr. Armstrong has been my doctor ever since I moved to Grenada in 1994.  After a few rounds, she spoke to another doctor in the office, Dr. Reid, whom I've also seen as a patient, and he gave the OK for me to come in and see him.  We set up my appointment for next Wednesday morning.  

While I had her on the phone, I asked about my blood pressure, and if it was high enough I need to go to urgent care or something.  She asked a nurse, and the nurse said it would be OK until next week.  So, finally, after putting this off for far too long, I'm getting my old ticker checked out.  Really, I'd meant to go in after my brother had his heart attack in 2018, but kept putting it off.  I need to get it done, though, as I feel like I'm already on borrowed time.  I'm 58 years old, and my mother had already had 2 or 3 heart attacks by the time she was my age, my brother was 55 when he had his, and my grandmother had had a major stroke when she was 53 or 54.  I don't know why I thought I was going to escape all this.  I guess I hoped I'd be the lucky one, but it appears I was not. 

Well, the deed is done and the appointment made.  That's a load off my mind. 

But wait, there's more. 

There I was at work, along about 4:30 AM, when one of my coworkers came running over to the department in a panic, looking like she was about to cry.  

"Miss Mary done passed away!" she yelled to all of us. 

"Miss Mary?" we asked a bit befuddled.  

"Miss Mary who works right there!" my coworker said, point to the TXV table where Miss Mary had worked.  "I've got [her sister who also works at the plant, just in a different department] on the phone right now."  

We don't really know what happened.  She'd gone home early one day last week, so weak she needed her sister to take her home, but said she'd felt better and was going to come back to work today.  Her husband went to make her some breakfast, and when he went back to the bedroom to get her, she was gone. 

Nobody could believe it.  She was a bit on the odd side, but she was always nice to me.  

And just to add insult to injury, we've got severe weather expected tonight, including the possibilities of a tornado.  I'm feeling like I can't catch a break here...

What with all that has happened, this was what I call a Whelming Flood Day*, so I think I'm just going to go to bed early tonight.  

*The Solid Rock, third verse

Monday's Ugly Sister

The joke going around is that Tuesday is just Monday's ugly sister, and boy did it feel that way today. Having to get up at 2:45 again after sleeping until nearly 4:30 for three days....

I'll tell you one thing, though, I did not watch the ball game last night, for one very practical reason --  being, it was a night game, and when one gets up ridiculously early one must also go to bed ridiculously early.  I set my DVR to record it, fully expecting the Cowboys to lose and I wouldn't even watch it.   

One and done seems to be their modus operandi here lately.  

Along about 11:00 PM, I woke up to answer Nature's call.  "That ball game ought to be over by now.  Let me just check the score really quickly."   I grabbed my phone and opened my trusty ESPN app and much to my surprise, not only did Dallas win, they absolutely thrashed the Bucs.  That was a pleasant surprise.

Now everyone is saying we owe Dak Prescott an apology after the way he played last night, but they're wrong.  Dak's biggest problem has always been his inconsistency, and until he proves that he can be consistent, I don't owe him anything. 

Look at it this way, every time Peyton Manning stepped onto the field, we knew we were getting Peyton Manning.  Every time Tom Brady steps onto the field, we know we're getting Tom Brady.  Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow...We always knew what we were getting. 

When Dak Prescott steps onto the field, we don't know if we're getting Super Bowl Contender Dak or Train Wreck Dak.  He might play lights out one week, then the next, he'll play like he's never seen a football before in his life.  

Until he gets that straightened out, I'm not apologizing for anything. 

Oh, and it looks like Maybe Maher is back, too...

Heh, maybe they should make him kick extra points from 60 yards out. 

In knitting news, one of my readers clued me in to a ministry that makes up Christmas ditty bags for sailors on civilian vessels.  Since they're non-combat, I can use any fiber I want.  They do ask that we use their patterns, because they're specifically designed for the sailors' safety, but I've looked at them, and they are very similar to the beanies I already have knit up.  The only difference is the length of the brim.  I might just send them along, with a note that says any hats not suitable can be donated to a local homeless shelter.  

They they also have slipper and cowl patterns, and even a pattern to sew up the ditty bags they put the gifts into!  That's cool!  It looks like I'll have plenty to keep me busy for a while and use up some of my stash as well. 

And finally, word is we have six confirmed cases of COVID out at the plant, including one from the tubing department who has it for the second time.    I hope they don't make us start wearing masks again, but if they do, Beardy McBeardface is ready and waiting!

Nothing

That's what I did today.  Nothing. 

Absolutely nothing. 

Seriously, I did so much nothing, I don't even know what I did.  

I watched some TV, and knit, and that's all I have to talk about today.   Oh, wait, I remember what I did.  I'd saved a bunch of documentaries in my YouTube watch later list, so I watched most of those.  Then I re-watched episode 6 of The Chosen, and a few episodes of All Creatures Great And Small on the PBS app. 

While I was watching all that, I got a good bit done on my sock. 

But then I started watching a show on the PBS app that my friend Belinda recommended called Seaside Hotel. I've only watched the first episode so far, but it's in Danish, with English subtitles.  I needed to work on something with a little bit larger yarn that I didn't have to concentrate so hard on so I could read the subtitles. 

Naturally, I cast on another hat. 

The yarn is some Red Heart, but I've long since tossed the ball band, so I don't know what colorway it is.  The pattern is Hurricane Hat, which I don't think I've ever knit in a variegated yarn.  It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.  I really need to find a charity or something to donate all these hats to.  They're starting to fill up my gift drawer.    As far as I know, we don't have a homeless shelter here, so that's not an option.  

If I lived in town, I'd put up a hat tree in my front yard so people could take one, but where I live, that wouldn't go over too well.  I mean, other than people who live on this road, it doesn't get a lot of traffic.  If I were the kind of person who actually talked to people, I'd ask the Square Market Cafe on the square if I could put it up in front of their business, but alas, I'm not the kind of person who talks to people. 

Seriously, I used to send all my hats to a group called Hats For Sailors that sent hand knit or crochet hats to sailors serving in the U.S. Navy, but they wanted me to write an individual note to go with each hat, so I stopped.  I might look them up again and see if they've gotten over that.  Of course, I couldn't send any of the hats I have on hand, because they're all acrylic or acrylic blend, and that could be dangerous if there's a fire or something.  

Maybe I'll call around to some of the local churches and see if they would want them.  But then, I'd have to talk to people, so we're right back to square one.

But I digress...

As I was watching that show in Danish with subtitles, I said to myself, "Self, if you're going to watch a show in another language, it ought to be French, since that's the one you're trying to learn."   So, I got onto the Angel Studios app and went all the way back to season one, episode one of The Chosen, and switched it to French. 

Let me tell you, it's just as good in French as it is in English.  

Full disclosure, I didn't really understand all that much of the French, but I did catch some words here and there.  I'd say I caught about 10% of what they were saying, mostly because I've seen it so much I already knew what they were saying.  

I reckon that's about it for today.  I still haven't figured out what I want to buy with my Christmas money, but I'm sure something will come up sooner or later.  By the way, I've got some deep and insightful posts I'm working on, but they're not ready yet.  As soon as they are, I'll post them. 

Almost Messed Up

I almost messed up this morning, when I woke up.  

And how did I almost mess up, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.

I almost turned the alarm back on.  Yes, I almost turned the alarm back on, as I do first thing every Sunday when I wake up.  Then I remembered, I have the day off tomorrow to honor the life of that great Republican Martin Luther King, Jr.  Fortunately, I caught myself just in time, and the alarm stayed off. 

I think I did mess up yesterday when I splurged and built a little fire in my wood box.  It was such a nice frosty morning, and that little fire felt so good.  However, it's even colder this morning, but alas, I'm out of firewood. Because I burned it all yesterday. 

Full disclosure, I'm not completely out of wood.  I have a small stash I'm keeping back just in case the electricity goes out for some reason.  At least I'll be able to keep the house warm that way.  Until I find some more wood I can actually afford.  The people around here are just a bit too proud of their wood.  I saw one guy advertising a face cord for $350, plus a $50 delivery fee!  

My only other options seem to be to buy from the guy who keeps wanting to cut a hole in my fence, or the people who after I asked them five times if they'd accept payment through Paypal, showed up and suddenly decided they wanted cash only -- which would have been fine if they'd said so up front.  As it was, I didn't have any cash.  I finally convinced them to take a check, but they weren't happy about that.  I wasn't either, and never bought from them again. 

In knitting news, I finally pulled this sock back out, and am going to try to get it finished this week.  

I'm past the gusset decreases -- which are my least favorite part -- so it should be home free from here on out.  

The only other thing I've got going on is some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket.  I want to buy some more sealing wax, despite already having enough to last several years, and stationery despite already having enough to last...well, you get it. I don't know what I'm going to do with it.  But when I do figure it out, I'll be sure to blog about it. 

First One

 Well, it took me long enough, but I finally finished my first book of 2023.  I have good intentions, so here's what my intentions are.  I'm going to do a book review of every book I finish this year.  I know I've said that before, but this time, I really mean it.  

I do.  So here goes with the first one. 

Sold On A Monday, by Kristina McMorris

This story was inspired by an actual photo of four children being advertised for sale during the Great Depression.  It wasn't based on this actual photo, but this is what gave the author the idea to write this book. 

A reporter named Ellis Reed is out driving one day and sees a sign offering two children for sale.  On an impulse, he stops and takes a photo.  He never intended for it to become public but it does, and sets in motion a chain of events he never intended, but feels he must make right.  

It's more of a historical fiction/mystery book than I usually read, but I enjoyed it overall.  The first half of the book was pretty slow, but keep plugging away, because it gets a lot better towards the end.  Be forewarned, though, if you're reading on Kindle, there is an excerpt from the author's next book after this one, so you may think you are only 80% finished, but you're not.  The end caught me by surprise because of this. 

The next book I'm going to read is 

Mayflower:  A Story Of Courage, Community, and War, by Nathaniel Philbrick.  So far, I've only read the preface, so I don't know if it's going to be any good or not.  I hope it's not just a bunch of revisionist wokeness.  We shall see.  

In other less exciting news, this is the door to my utility room.  

True to the former occupants of this house, they'd taken the door off and disposed of it.  I don't know what those people had against doors, but they're all gone.  I mean, the bedrooms and bathrooms still have doors, but none of the closets do.  Nor does this door to the utility room.  I've been wanting to replace it for a while now, but alas, my washing machine is too big.  If I put a regular door here, I wouldn't be able to even shut it, because of said washing machine.   The only option I can see here is to put in a pocket door. 

We had a pocket door between the kitchen and dining room in the house I grew up in, and really, I didn't think anything of it.  It wasn't until I started watching Good Bones and seeing Karen get so excited over seeing pocket doors that I began to think there was something special about them.  

If I ever save up enough to get my kitchen remodeled, that is the plan -- to put in a pocket door.  Unless whoever does the remodel can come up with a better plan, I mean.  For now, I've hung that blanket up there, and it really does help keep the heat in the kitchen.  I'm hoping it helps keep the cool in during the summer as well.  In the kitchen, that is.

I've discovered that I don't really have an aptitude for expressing what I'm thinking, not even in writing.  It seems perfectly clear to me, but people don't seem to be able to grasp the concept I'm expressing.  Take, for example, one September a few years back, a winter storm came down from the northwest on the same day a tropical storm made landfall on the Gulf Coast.   I took screen shots of the radar/satellites of those events and posted something along the lines of, "Only in American can you have a blizzard and a tropical storm hit on the same day."

Almost as soon as I hit post, I was rather huffily informed by someone -- a couple of someones, actually --out West that yes, they do have blizzards this early in the year.  It's not at all unheard of for a winter storm to come through in September.  It doesn't happen every year, but "we've had blizzards in September before."  

Sigh....that wasn't the point.  But that's apparently what everyone saw. 

Here recently, I've been posting what are obviously meant to be jokes, but apparently, I'm the only one who sees the humor there.  I know, because people are putting the crying emoji on them.  And I'm like, "wuuuut?"  Don't you get that it's meant to be mocking?  Or just plain funny?  Come on, it's a joke!  

With that in mind, I need to start looking for some online classes on how to communicate better, because obviously, I'm not doing it right.  And you don't have to cry over that. 

Apropos of nothing, Walmart is now packaging their rotisserie chickens in resealable plastic bags.  I wasn't too sure at first, but I kind of like them because they keep the chicken from drying out as fast. 

Also apropos of nothing, if you save your old mayonnaise jars, they are the perfect size to freeze two to three servings of soup.  I know this because I have about four gallons of various soups in my freezer in mayonnaise jars.  The larger peanut butter jars work, too. 

Also also apropos of nothing, we have Door Dash here.  I didn't know that until someone posted it on FB a few days ago.   We don't have Uber Eats or Grub Hub, because I checked those already, but I had no idea we had Door Dash.  Yesterday, I asked my friend at work, "Did you know we have Door Dash here?"  She said, "Yeah, I've been using it for years!" I just don't eat out much, so it's not likely I would have known anyway.  In fact, I still haven't used it.  But maybe one of these days, I'll get the hankering for a cheeseburger and voila' Door Dash to the rescue!  

And finally, look what I get to learn to play on the piano next!

I love this song.  So much, I just might record it for you.  After I've learned it, that is.  

P.S.  Every time I see this smear on the wall at Walmart, I think it's a sticker someone put there of his favorite video game character.  It does kind of look like a ghost wearing a helmet and brandishing sword.  You see it took don't you? 

I really hope they don't clean it off. 

OK, that's all for now.  Kthanksbai

Random Thoughts Of A Thursday Evening

1.  If I ever get to the point where I’m able to retire. I’m going to spend the entire first month sleeping. Just sleeping…

What you’ve just read is the first thought that went through my head when that alarm went off at 2:45 this morning.  Then I got to work and told my coworker, and she said when her alarm went off, she said, "Nope.  Can't do it" and came in at 6:00.

2.  We've had some weather today, but the severe stuff passed to the South and East of where I am.  Still, the wind was kicking out there.  My other coworker told me she'd gone out to sit in her car over lunch break, and she thought someone was trying to prank her by pushing on her car, but it was just the wind. 

3.  That same wind knocked down a pretty good sized branch.  I mean, it was already out of the tree, but up on top of my shed.  This wind blew it to where I could grab hold of it with my dirt rake and yank it on down.  I got my mini chain saw out and made a pretty good little pile of firewood out of it. 

4.  Speaking of firewood, I need to get some more, as I'm almost out.  I don't want to deal with the guy I bought from last year, for multiple reasons, the main one being I don't want to have to stand there arguing with him about cutting a hole in my fence every time he brings me a delivery of wood. 

5.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got my electric bill this month.  I was almost afraid to open it, but girded my loins and did anyway.  Yes, it was high, because of running my heater, but not quite as high as I expected.  So, that's a good thing.

6.  I think I need to take some communication classes. Or maybe I should point out when I'm ridiculing a coworker, since apparently my mocking is a bit too subtle.

7.  Back before Christmas, I noticed this new sign on the floor at work. 

My first thought was, "Wow!  That's some bright paint!  It almost looks like a light."  I passed my hand over it to see if said hand cast a shadow, but it didn't. I even looked up to the ceiling to see if there was a light, but I didn't see one.  Impressed, I went on about my business wondering where in the world they found paint so bright and shiny it looks like a light.  

Then today, I found it.  Do you see it?  Up there over the door?  Yep, it's the light...

I can't even blame sleep deprivation for that one. 

8.  My second trip through that weight loss program starts Feb 6.  

9.  We have a three day weekend this weekend.  I hope to get some knitting done, but I need to pull out a different project.  I'm getting a bit bored with the scarf and need a bit of variety.  I've got some socks around here I need to work on.  

Or maybe I'll knit another hat.  Or two.  

Whatever.  I'll let you know. 

Dear Coworker

 You saw me walking through the department handing our calendars to everyone.

Everyone.

There was really no need for you to charge across the plant and snatch one out of my hand while screaming “Give me that!” into my face.

I wasn’t just going to give a calendar to everyone else while walking past you like you weren’t even there. I was going to give you one.  Honest and for true.

Seriously, if you’re that convinced the whole world is out to get you, you need professional help.

Seriously.

Thank you.

That is all.

Spindletop

All this week, I've been telling myself that when I get home, I'm going to go for a walk.  Not far, just up and down the road.  And all this week, I haven't.  

Gone for a walk, that is.  

I get home and decide I'm just too tired, and I'll do it tomorrow.  Then tomorrow comes and I don't.  Go for a walk, I mean.  And I know you must be tired of reading my complaining about how tired I am.   All I have to say to that is, "Man, I need a nap." 

In other news, they've decided we need to wear steel toed boots to work now.  I'm not sure when it's supposed to start, but they announced it in a safety brief last fall.  What we were told is that it has always been Lennox policy (they're our parent company), and this is just to bring us in line with that.  We've really been supposed to be wearing them, but they just haven't enforced it.  Now they're going to. 

That's the official line.  What I think -- completely off the record, of course -- is that they're tired of seeing people wearing house shoes to work.  Seriously.  People are seriously wearing house shoes to the plant.  I saw someone last week walking down the aisle and out the door at the end of the shift, and she had moccasin style HOUSE SHOES on.  

They looked just like these:

A bit of good news before I go -- a new season of Kid's Baking Championship has started, and new seasons of All Creatures Great And Small and Miss Scarlet And The Duke are showing on PBS, so now I have some good shows to watch.  Yippee!  

And finally, I couldn't leave you without acknowledging this important day in Texas history, the discovery of oil at Spindletop.  

It was January 10, 1901....

The Lucas Gusher blew the cap off of oil production in Texas, and revolutionized the oil industry.

Prior to that, oil had been primarily used for lighting and lubrication, but the discovery of such a massive deposit made using it for fuel feasible for the first time.  The rest, as they say, is history. 

It also led to today's earworm, which I will now pass on to you.



You're welcome.

For more information, The Texas State Historical Association has a pretty good article:  Spindletop.

And also, Wikipedia.

Playing Piano

No post tonight. I’m just popping in to let you know I’m still here. Just getting used to these 10 hour shifts once again.  Blogging will probably be sparse for a few weeks, but I'll try to keep up. I have stuff to say. I’m just too tired to say it.

However, I am going to tell you what I did yesterday. Now that Christmas is over, and I’m not stressing myself trying to learn Christmas songs, I got my two sacred songs books and my two praise songs books out, 

and just played. 

No stress. No pressure. Just music.  

Oh, it wasn't perfect, but it was fun.  I enjoyed it so much, I suddenly remembered why I wanted to learn to play in the first place.  One of these days, I might just live stream it, so you can join in the fun.  

I'm sure there'll be mistakes and goof-ups, and you'll have to listen to my rattely keys but hey, that's just part of it. 

By the way, I looked up the nearest licensed Yamaha repairman, and wouldn't you know it, he's in Memphis.  With these hours, I have no idea when I'd be able to make it up there.  I guess I'll have to put up with rattling keys a little bit longer.  

Well, I'm too tired to remember what else I was going to talk about tonight, so I'll leave you to it.  

Later, peeps. 

Still Knitting

Yes, I am still knitting.  

I'd kind of slacked of there for a bit, because I'd gotten so caught up with the games on my Kindle.  I'm hoping to spend more time with my crafty things since I deleted so many games -- and won't just take up that slack by scrolling Facebook more. 

I need me a new TV series to binge, since I'm all caught up on my Chicago shows, and let me tell you, this one episode per week is for the birds!  I mean, how did we do this back in the day?  I guess we did it because we had no choice.  And if you missed an episode, you'd better hope you caught it during summer re-runs.  

But I digress...

Back to what I was saying, I need a new show to binge, so I put out a call on FB for suggestions.  I had a couple of friends make some, but most of the shows they mentioned, I either already watch, tried to watch and couldn't get into them, or they're hosted on a service I don't have.  Of course, they were pretty limited in what they were able to suggest because I asked for something not loaded down with obscenities and wokeness.  That pretty much eliminates ...well, just about everything they put out these days. 

I decided to go back and finish watching North Woods Law.  I used to watch it all the time, but stopped because I didn't want to ...um...catch up and have to wait for one episode per week.  So, I watched a few episodes of that, then I tried to watch that new show --I think it's on CBS -- called Fire Country.  It's about prisoners in California who go out to fight the wildfires, but so far, I'm not too impressed.  It' just lacks something.  I'm not sure what, but Chicago Fire has it.  So did Emergency, back in the 70s.  I've only watched two episodes, so I'm going to give it a few more before I write it off.   

The last thing I watched before switching to football was the first three episodes of Andor.  It looks like it's going to be pretty good.  Oh, but just in case you're wondering, don't even bother with the series Willow.  I'd been so looking forward to it, because I'd loved the movie -- that came out before Disney went so woke.  Anyway, the series is awful.  I couldn't even finish the first episode.  

Naturally, while I was doing all that TV watching, I got a bit of knitting done.  I've joined the final ball of yarn to this scarf, and it should be completed soon. 

I'm really liking how this is knitting up, and this yarn is so soft!  It's Knit Picks Brava, just in case you're wondering.  In fact, I like it so much, I might just keep it for myself.  

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go knit some more while watching this ball game. 

Laters...