lazy summer days... ha!

Yep! 

June has come in like a lion... not a slow moving lazy cat.  This week has been crazy busy... at least for me who likes to take things slow. I had to go to get my B-12 injection on Monday, 2 groceries on Tuesday, 2 Malls on Wednesday, a haircut and a long overdue visit to a friend on Thursday, and a watercolor class at the Senior Center on Friday.... and since school is out, youngest granddaughter was with us for most of this (actually love having her with us).

The watercolor class wasn't really a 'class' as I thought it might be. It was just a relaxing way to spend an hour... painting and talking. I had hoped I might learn something, but no instruction was given. It was fine, but I won't do another. 

I will show you what my granddaughter has been doing. She has been making 'cat masks'. Here is a pic of us wearing her cat masks and some of the others she made recently. I think they are adorable... and well made.

Update on the little kitten that hangs around. He/she sleeps almost every night on the back porch... either on the cat tree or one of the chairs. We have been talking to him/her a lot to get use to our voices and although he/she still runs, not running as far these days. 

And my cousin in New Orleans who lost her 16 year old cat a few months ago, just adopted a 12 year old rescue named Teddy. Just picked him up yesterday. Here is a pic:

I hope it works out for her. She lives alone and really misses Kuchi, her lost kitty. I think Teddy has a handsome intelligent face and at 12 could use a comfortable home and a kind lady to spend his days with.

That probably covers my week. I did get the ionizer in the mail yesterday and plugged it in our bedroom. Will see if it makes any difference (supposed to purify the air and remove dust mites, etc.)

We're getting together with old friends tomorrow evening for dinner and coffee, so I'd better start straightening up around here  - since I did absolutely no house cleaning last week.

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

Pics of orchids in the mall:

June 1, 2025 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 

It's June 1st already!  Rabbit Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Sleep clinic experience... and a quick question

 I really should have taken a pic of myself once all wired up at the sleep clinic (it really is a sight!) They put wires everywhere... on your face, beside your eyes, on your cheeks, all over your head, under your jaw... even a weird thing inside your nose (kind of like those oxygen nose things - but no oxygen). They also have wires and bands on your chest, abdomen, and legs....and you're supposed to sleep with all that!

I'm not complaining, the place was nice, the people/technicians were nice... but really, there should be a better way to monitor sleep problems because this way really doesn't induce normal sleep. But... I guess it must work as they continue to do it. 

Anyway, I got there about 8:30 pm, wired up about 9, read until about 10:30 or 11 and did fall asleep until 3 am. Then I was awake, and don't think I slept again until the tech came by at 5am to remove the wires.

She was nice though... and young. Asked her how she liked what she did. I imagine it was 'interesting' work. She said that it wasn't her first choice. I asked what was, and she said, "working in the ER... and that this was a good job, juat a bit boring... watching people sleep".  I guess I can understand that... only for me research is much more interesting than the fast pace of an ER would be.

So, that was the sleep clinic adventure. Actually I'd done it before - a few years ago. The doctors suspect that I have a form of sleep apnea, and I agree... but last time they didn't diagnose it. Nothing has changed in the procedure... now it's just a matter of if anything has changed with me (besides being older and my smart phone telling me I have mild to moderate hypopnea  - shallow restricted breathing - every night).

It will take a few days to get the report. If it is a form of sleep apnea, then I think I have to go in for a conference. If not, the report goes to my doctor, and I go back in to see him for possibly more tests (yahoo!). So, we'll see... 

Not much else going on. But I did order an ionizer recently. I already forgot the name of it (think it was IonPure). Anyway, I thought since I cough, sneeze, and blow my nose so much in the house that perhaps I have some allergy to something in the air? Anyway, I saw this advertised and ordered - just one to try. They plug into the wall... and are supposed to eliminate airborne particles like dust mites, pet dander, and toxins from the air? 

My question:  Anyone out there use something like this? 

Ok, well that's all my news for this week. I will leave you with another favorite meme:

Hugs (virtually), 

Rian

(One of the little kittens has been coming by him/herself to eat and sleep on the cat tree every day. I so wish he/she would let us get near... has semi-long grey hair that could use a good brushing.)

Beautiful bell peppers, summer plans, and plants...

 

I had to show you these beautiful bell peppers. Bell peppers must be doing really well this year as they are all over the place... and just gorgeous! We bought these to roast with our brisket tonight, but they were so large we ended up using half of each and saving the other half to stuff later. We had brisket, roasted peppers, fresh asparagus, and mashed potatoes. All really good!

This week I've been working on de-cluttering. I went through 2 boxes of old photos, ancestry stuff, and some things saved without (any remembered) rhyme or reason.  I have to admit it's hard for me to throw out things... but I'm working on it. 

I'm almost finished my 2nd round of antibiotics. Hopefully I won't have to do anymore. But still waiting on results from Pulmonologist's test... and have to go to a sleep clinic soon to be tested for sleep apnea (again). But we did go to the Senior Center on Friday so we did get some walking in.

Last day of school is at the end of this week. We will probably have our granddaughter spending part of the summer with us. So I'm making plans for our days together. She is 12 and we need to find things to do that don't involve her cell phone 24/7. But luckily she loves to walk... and we both enjoy hunting for bugs, frogs (she now has 2: Suki and Rospos), etc. Also thinking we may explore cooking and art a bit more ... 

And possibly re-establish books into her agenda also - something she used to love before the infamous cell phone took over. Lately reading has occupied most of my time over art... not sure why... but sometimes that's just how it goes.

 And of course my plants are slowly taking over my front room (just bought another grow light!). 

this area has 2 windows so they do pretty good

These last 2 pics show the 2 grow lights we have on these... as not sure if the one window is enough light. Time will tell.

And just a pic or two to celebrate my dad's birthday, May 25th. 

He was born in London, England in 1907 and died in New Orleans when he was 75. He was the general manager of a stone company that built churches and other buildings around New Orleans and the surrounding boyous. Some of my childhood memories are driving around with him visiting the various churches to check on the stone. Still miss him...

Going to close this now before this gets too long. Just wanted to say that the feral cats and kittens are doing fine. Kittens coming up to the back porch on their own now. More box turtles coming up too. And yesterday I had to chase a coyote out when I saw him through my kitchen window while cooking. Our fence is 6 foot and since it's been fixed, don't know how he gets in... unless he jumps it? Crows still coming in front... and still fussing if DH is late putting the peanuts out.

Take care and enjoy the long weekend!

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

a few Sunday thoughts...

love this pic... exactly how I want my front porch to look

I've been wanting to add on to the small front porch we have for years. The thought of being able to sit out there in the morning or  evening  with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by is No. 1 on my non-existent bucket list. 

The porch is already covered, so all we need to do is extend the floor (cement or wood), add a fan and some hanging plants... and of course figure out how to landscape the area right in front (which is now covered in Nandina and holly bushes).

Just thinking about that this morning as I watch the crows and squirrels eat the peanuts we throw out for them each morning.

Oh, and we had the first box turtle eating with the kittens on the back porch this morning. The kittens were fascinated with him and followed him around for a while.

Next are 2  pics of a beautiful pink orchid and a Lego dinosaur that we came across while walking in the mall. 

They had about 2 dozen of these set in rows (all colors)... but I took a picture only of the pink one. So pretty!

I thought this Lego dinosaur was really pretty neat. Cost was $250.00 (but not that neat!).

Haven't felt too good this week, and on antibiotics again... waiting to hear from my PCP on some test... and from the Pulmonary doctor for the results of another test. And was supposed to go to a sleep clinic and be tested (again) for Sleep Apnea this past Wednesday, but had to reschedule that since I didn't feel well. Feel OK today, so hope the results come in this week with some answers.

And lastly:

Sky-diving and fly-fishing are things I've always wanted to try, but just never gotten the opportunity (certainly never wanted to be a ballerina as that pic shows... not the dancing type). But now I wonder if the time has passed for these things... 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(P.S: Thanks for reading. I appreciate you letting me share my thoughts with you.)

Mother's Day 2025... at the end of the day

This is what we usually eat on Mother's Day or on our Anniversaries, etc. at a favorite Italian restaurant. But this Mother's Day was a bit different. I will confess that I thought of going out to a restaurant near us for brunch, but didn't really think about it seriously until Friday - and when I tried to make a reservation, they were booked solid. 

But this was okay as I don't mind a quiet celebration at home - and this way I don't have to get dressed up or put make-up on. I have to admit that I'm not fond of make-up. It does make one look better, covers wrinkles and brown spots, etc. - but I just feel 'more like myself' without it.

Anyway, I decided to make home-made French Toast (mama called it Lost Bread) for us this morning (using sourdough bread so I could eat it too).  It was delicious! Should have taken a pic, but I forgot.

And decided on Whataburgers for supper tonight!  They are not gluten free, and I eat only a very small part of DH's.  I'm not a big burger fan... but I do like these! 

forgot to take pic - again! but found this online

And now I will show you what I did get for Mother's Day... new plants for my front windows! They're both Bromeliads and were on sale half price at the grocery for Mother's Day:

Star bromeliad

Flaming sword bromeliad

Now my front windows look like this... and I love it:

front right window

front left window

And so, Mother's Day 2025 has come and gone. It's 10 PM. Kids called, texted, or visited. Went for a lovely walk with granddaughter and DIL down to the stables. Temp today was 75 and quite pleasant. However, I heard it may get to triple digits by the middle of this week (yuck!). 

Also watched the kittens play in the backyard, had a visiting possum come by this evening, and DH saw a baby squirrel eating from the cat food dish this week. We have many squirrels, one big fat obese one... but don't see many young ones on their own.

And these Mother's Days never pass without thoughts of our own mothers (no longer with us)... and doubt if there are any that don't think of them and whisper a quiet "Happy Mother's Day, Mom" in their hearts...

Happy Mother's Day All!

Hugs (virtual), 

Rian

Update on Pulmonologist appointment... and a few ramblings

Thinking that I should post about my first Pulmonologist visit. DH and I went this morning. I liked him. He is older than I expected, but definitely younger than me. Seemed very thorough... went through and showed me CD pics of my lungs on his computer. Asked me questions. Showed me how the 'nodules' in my lungs have changed... sometimes larger, sometimes smaller over the years. That in itself seems to be the indication that it isn't cancer (hurray!).

But they could be due to a lung infection, inflammation, or even aspiration, etc. He is running some tests. I have coughed for over 20 years and was told it was probably a radiation cough (meaning the radiation I was given for my BC likely causes some irritation or scarring in my lungs). I've never been too worried about it... just accepted it as another 'inconvenience'. But lately it has gotten a bit worse as I can't talk too long (especially on the phone) without having a coughing fit. I use Luden's cough drops by the bags. They work.

So that's where we are. Said the tests may take some time. Some bacterial cultures are very slow growing. And he's also having me take a home sleep apnea test. I took one at a facility years ago, and was told that I was fine. But I still get episodes (not every night, but often enough) and my smart watch tells me almost every night that I have mild to moderate hypopnea. So, we'll see.

Now back to my currently piddling/trivial ramblings...

Feral kittens playing on back porch and in high grass. Silly squirrel trying his best to get the seeds out of the bagged finch feeder. Crows cawing for their peanuts! And now we have ducks walking across our front lawn!  That's our life and we do enjoy it. 

(Do remember to click on arrow, then small square at bottom to enlarge, then esc to get back to blog.)

We did walk at the Senior Center on Monday. Walked and stopped in the cafeteria for coffee. It has been a while since we were there. I need to either volunteer to work in the cafeteria or the plant area and/or take a watercolor doodling class offered this summer. My problem is that since the pandemic and being home so much, I'm afraid I've become a bit commitment-phobic.

Also a funny thing happened last week (twice actually). DH and I were walking out of Central Market when this woman said something to me. I didn't catch it (didn't have my ears in), so I said, "Pardon?" She then said, "Cute Couple.... are you newlyweds?" DH and I laughed and he said, "57 years". She said, "How wonderful". Well, 'that was odd', we both said when we got into the car.

Then the very next day we were checking out at Walmart's (where they check your cart and receipt) and since we use 2 baskets, I always go first and hand them the receipt and say, "we're together" as we go out. This time the checker said, "Really... how long?" And again DH said, "57 years". Then she said, "Don't see that much anymore". Again when we got into the car we looked at each other and I said, "...must be notice old folks week?"

That's about it. Will close with some memes or sayings that I like. If I've posted them before, forgive me... 

this actually works...

very true!

and...

always works for me!

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian