Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! March 1, 2025

 

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!



It's March 1, 2025!  The year is flying by... 

I want so much for this to be a good year. But it's certainly not looking like that's going to happen.

Told DH yesterday that it was miraculous that so many actually survived the Pandemic, but may be lost in the next 4 years. 

Who would have thought that the U.S. citizens would ever let this happen? After the civil war, how can anything be allowed to divide us again? After Hitler... why haven't we learned anything? Are we as humans fated to destroy ourselves?

Everything our country was built upon... life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is being taken away. The constitution states "We the People"... not one man. The words on the Statue of Liberty:

 "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." 

Do they mean nothing anymore? 

How can this be happening? 

I don't understand.

Sorry this isn't an uplifting post. It's all just so sad and unbelievable. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Another cold morning...

 

It's 11 F here this morning (Thurs). Hopefully this is the coldest it's going to get. Supposed to warm up by this weekend... sure hope so. We have the heat lamps on outside for the ferals, lots of food, water, and blankets on the porch. We also have a heated tent-like winter cat hut that our daughter sent us a while back that is plugged in and handy if needed.

Actually it isn't bad this afternoon. Temps up to 28 and sunny. We went out to the grocery after lunch and it really wasn't too bad. (BTW, Dug I looked for those Utz chips, but couldn't find them... did however, find and bought the VO5 shampoo.) Does anyone remember Halo shampoo? That's the one my mom bought when we were growing up and I remember that smell well.

Friday... here. Still cold. 

We did go out to dinner with a dear friend and her hubby for her 79th birthday this week. She and I went to grammar school, high school, and college together, and were in each other's weddings. Lost track for a few years when DH and I moved to Florida, then Texas. Then serendipitously (is that a word?) they moved to Texas too. Now we're back - and it's as if we never parted. 

The other friend I mentioned in my last post (whose birthday is coming up soon too) will be 80 next month. She was one of my room-mates in college. It's kind of a funny story as both of us were assigned rooms with people that (how do you say this nicely?) were not compatible? Nice girls, but very different ideas about fun and life. 

So we decided to switch room-mates. It worked out very well and she and I have stayed friends over the years. She lives in New Orleans, so we don't see each other very often, but we text almost daily. She lost her husband a few years ago to Alzheimer's and was herself caught up in Katrina as well as another hurricane that took the roof off of the condo she lived in. So she's had to move several times on her own. But she's a strong person and seems to handle it all well.

That's about all I have to share this week. I'm still on antibiotics, but am feeling a lot better. Next Cat scan is in March... 

Question:  This is just an 'out there' question that I've often wondered about. Nothing terribly important. But if any of you have tile showers, do you wipe them down after every shower so that mildew doesn't collect in the grout? I've always done this and wondered if others did. Of course if you don't have a tile shower (which probably dates my house), this wouldn't apply to you.

Now - just a general mention concerning all the 'stuff' going on in the world today. I saw this meme... and had to share:

But I'm pleased to learn that there are some things we can do to show how opposed we are to what's going on. It's frustrating to feel helpless... 

Thanks for reading!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

a few things on my mind & Happy Valentine's!

Those of you that read my posts know that I've been going through some 'issues'... that have kept me busy with medical tests as well as spending a lot of time in bed (due to 'other' issues). With the weather cold, wet, and dreary here (26 F this morning, supposedly 13 on Wednesday), I find myself either in bed sleeping or on the sofa by the fireplace reading. I missed getting my haircut for 2 months and basically have let the house go. But DH has been taking good care of me... even fixing supper when needed (and has even taken over feeding the crows out front - and yes! we have been able to entice them to our front yard. In fact, they call for us if we're not out there to leave their peanuts... and come down almost immediately when we do.)

Anyway, as those of you know that have had these periods of inactivity, you tend to 'think a lot about a lot of things' (things that need doing as well as just things in general). Well, there are 2 good friends birthdays coming up and I've been racking my brain as to what to send. I tend to try to send things I know I would like to have or things I do have that I use a lot and really love (and then co-ordinate it with that specific person). I do this because they have done this for me and whenever I use their gifts cooking or otherwise, I think of them... and that's a comfort.

So far I've gotten 2 birthday fun care packages started - both totally different due to very different personalities. One has art as well as kitchen gadgets and goodies, the other has mostly kitchen gadgets and gluten-free goodies. Both have chocolate!

Another neglect: We haven't been to the Senior Center in months. Need to get back there. 

And talking about things that really work for me (and I mentioned this on Kay's Musings Blog)... if you wear glasses (I do) and wear a mask when out and about, it's a nuisance when your glasses fog up. So, not that long ago, I saw a box of Zeiss AntiFog Wipes at Walmart. Thought: wonder if those really work? And bought them. Well, they clean my glasses better than anything I've ever had as well as keep them from fogging up. So, if you have this problem, try them!

Another thought... and this one's funny (kind of). Last time I was at the Oncologist, they gave me a list of questions to answer. Starting with 'Are you in pain?', etc. Also 'are you anxious about anything?' Then went off to list things like, 'money, family, job, etc.'  Since I wasn't, I didn't check anything. Then at the bottom it asked, 'Other?' I wrote: "State of the world?" DH said, 'Are you really writing that? I said, "why not? It's true."

...good advice from Snoopy!

And lastly...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

the week in review...

It's only Thursday and I'm starting my 'several days post' today. Making Chicken Tetrazzini and a green salad tonight along with some dark chocolate peanut butter brownies. Some weeks just need a 'pick me up' to help them along. 

DH and I met with my Oncologist Tuesday. He explained what he thought we should do and why. Basically he thinks it may be best to hold off on the biopsy for a few months and 'wait and watch' with another cat scan in April (to determine any changes). This decision is partially because the pet scan doesn't identify the nodules specifically as cancer... could be scarring or inflammation in the lung from previous radiation. And he mentioned the fact that his needle tech (is there a name for the tech that does the actual biopsy?) who is apparently very good at what he does, says the location of the nodule makes the needle biopsy difficult (blood vessels could be nicked, etc.). So, we are OK with waiting. I know an immediate biopsy would answer the question, but risky as it may be to wait, at my age I don't want to 'poke the bear'... 

Now for lighter news. We spent part of last week at Grandparents' Day at youngest granddaughter's school. That's always a hoot! They start out with Mass and breakfast and then everyone goes to the classrooms and play games, etc.  We don't do the Mass and breakfast, but get there in time for the classroom games with granddaughter. The big gatherings for breakfast with all the grandparents together  (the whole school) during flu season is not our idea of a smart idea.  But the classrooms only have about 15 students, and you sit at a table with your grandchild... so that is more acceptable (and we wear our masks). This time we did a science scavenger hunt in one classroom and a "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" game in another. It was fun. After, we signed her out to spend the day with us.

We also had brunch out with some dear friends last week at a local restaurant called "Brunch Time". They recently moved to a Senior Living Community and are still getting used to this new arrangement. Apparently all is going well. They say the food is great (and since we ate dinner there with them a few weeks back, we can agree. I had filet mignon and it was delicious!). They play bridge... and I think they said that they also joined a choir. I'm really glad its working out for them. Personally, I like my house and neighborhood... and I'm not sure the Senior Community thing would work for us. We're not really 'joiners'... and the activities that interest us (like sketching, painting, writing, reading, feeding ferals, ship building, etc.) are more solidary endeavors.  But who knows... things change.

OK, now it's Friday... and I'm still posting. Finished reading "A Gentleman in Moscow" (Supposed to be streaming also on Paramount +... but haven't seen it yet.)

and

 my stack of books in front room

I've already finished these... (need more books!)

And I'm going to share my plants with you, the large one is a Fiddle Fig and it's growing like a weed. And the smaller ones are under our new grow light and are doing well. My Thanksgiving cactus finally decided to bloom!

Now it's Saturday and I don't have any more to add. Well, how about a few pics of around our house? I always like to see pics of my fellow bloggers surroundings... 

this used to be dining room... now, 'anything' room

front room - just started putting a little Easter out

OK... you should be ready to move on...  Wishing you a wonderful weekend. It's actually 74 F and sunny here today!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! Feb. 1, 2025

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 

Feb. 1, 2025... already! The year is starting it's fly by.

Nothing much to say today, but I came across this old Coke ad this morning and thought how much we all needed this:

Coke commercial 1971

Hugs (virtual), 

Rian

Snow in New Orleans... unbelievable! (and an update)

The Cathedral in Jackson Square

 

Jackson Square with Snow!

This probably won't mean much to many of you... but for someone being born and raised in New Orleans, this is unheard of. Yes, we got a little snow once maybe in my lifetime there... but never like this! Supposedly they had 10-12 inches!  Hurricanes yes! Snow no!

Anyway, I loved these pics. Got many more from family and friends there, but liked these best, so thought I'd share.

Now for my 'update'. First of all, I will say that it isn't easy to share personal info - perhaps it's the English in me. But even though I wouldn't put any of this on Facebook (and may be deleting that social media soon- but hesitant as although I don't post on it much, I get pictures of family and friends that I wouldn't otherwise see), I do feel Ok posting on my blog - that I think only a small hand-full of people read.

Anyway, I did see and talk with my Oncologist this week. It's not the same one I had for my BC (he retired years ago). But I did like this man. He was quiet, laid back, and we 'talked' for a bit. I brought with me a list of questions. He answered them all well, and asked me a million questions too. He has my old records, and the report from the pet scan. From what he knew at the time, since I've never smoked and don't drink, he didn't 'think' it would be lung cancer... possibly my BC metastasized to the lung, but no way to really know without a 'biopsy'. 

I explained my thoughts... 'why at almost 80, do anything? Why poke the bear and wake up something that's probably been there for years?' He understood, but asked me "if it did turn out to be cancer (and it might not be... could be inflammation or scarring), how would I feel about knowing it was there and not doing anything? Told him I guess I won't know until I'm at that point.

So... after talking a bit and talking to DH, he said that he would like to look at the CD of the pet scan himself (he only had the report from the radiologist), and go over my past records,  and we will talk again in 2 weeks. This sounded fine with me.

Then... the very next day he calls me himself and says that he got hold of the CD and thinks that it may be fine to just wait and watch for a while... if this was OK with me. It is! So, we will meet again in 2 weeks and talk to set up a schedule. I will have another list of questions ready - of course (Beware the woman with a list!).

Update done! Probably TMI... but it is what it is. I don't mind sharing this with my 'family of bloggers' as I've learned that sometimes you'all have info that could be pertinent to the situation... and that's a good thing (and could add to my questions).

So, I guess this is it for today. I'm writing this on Friday, but won't post it until Saturday in case I come up with more to talk about.

Hm-mm, I did want to post this. As most of you know, I don't watch the news anymore... but do hear about what's going on from DH, kids, Facebook, and internet (and I do know that some don't agree with this backing off). But I handle things this way because it helps keep me sane and my bp and anxiety down for now. I'm not sticking my head in the sand. Anyway, I came across this and thought it kind of says how I feel, so thought I'd post it.

Have a wonderful safe warm weekend!  And thanks so much for reading...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

All's well that ends well... so far anyway

I don't have a lot to post here... been 'out of sorts' lately with health issues that required meds. First meds didn't work, and Wednesday doctor called in new meds. So far they seem to be working as I'm out of bed and feeling almost normal again. 

The 3 doctor appointments I had last week (Oncologist, Dentist, and Eye Dr) had to be cancelled and need to be rescheduled. Hopefully  I will get those done before the end of January.

But I wanted to say that I ended up last Sunday at an Urgent Care run by Texas Health - which I've used once before when I came down with Covid last July (on the weekend - like this time - when no doctor offices are open). I have to say that I have nothing but praises for these people. They are kind, and caring, professional, and efficient (very little to no waiting). The place itself is modern, well-staffed, and especially clean - and they're open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week.

So, needless to say, Christmas has still not been taken down. It was scheduled for this week... but hey... (DH did take down the tree). He and my grandson took good care of me as they did the cooking and cleaning all week. I truly wonder what people who live alone do when they're sick... guess they manage somehow, but it must really be difficult.

Anyway... since I spent a lot of time in bed... I found some cute things on Facebook and Amazon that I will post here. I was looking for a gift for a good friend who's birthday is coming up. I found this on Amazon... it's something I have and use a lot, so I thought she might like it.

They are easy to use and make your fried eggs perfectly round... which is great for BELT sandwiches (Bacon, Egg, Lettuce, Tomato).

and... 

and...

Anyway, I kind of liked these 3, but will keep looking.

Then I did see these 2 things that aren't something I need, but thought they would be extremely useful for those who no longer have an ironing board, but may need to do a 'touch up' on occasion.

ironing pad for your washer 

and this...

This would be great for those who actually walk to their grocery to shop... or maybe it would be good just getting your groceries from the car to the house.

and this may be my new front door mat (old one is getting a big scraggly)

and last but not least (if you're still with me ) 2 memes I liked: 

and... 

Have a good weekend! And thanks for staying this far (didn't plan to post this much).

Hugs (virtual),

Rian