Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sunday, July 26, 2009
It is a beautiful warm and sunny morning, with clear calm skies. Knowing that I can’t have anything solid after breakfast, I thought about having a huge brunch, but my stomach is still acting up and I can only conclude that one of my new medications is causing it. I read the possible side affects and none of them match what I am feeling, so after my endoscopy and colonoscopy, I will be starting with a “clean” system, so maybe I can figure out what is going on.
I spent some of the morning writing, while doing a load of wash, and more research on FEMA’s roll in our government. It becomes really complicated, as more and more responsibilities, or authority, is given to it through Presidential Executive Orders. All of them seem to protect us, upon first glance, and of course individually they are. The majority of the Executive Orders (EO) were signed during the cold war, when a nuclear attack was looming over our heads, so it made sense to give an agency power to continue running the country in absence of a normal government.
Now, with today’s world situations and the rapid demise of America as a republic governed by our constitution, FEMA has, with the authorization of the President, or his successor, the power to take over every aspect of our lives. It may be just the conspiracy nuts that are bring all of this up, but when you find out all of the facts, I can see why they might be concerned. If I finish my research and the paper on FEMA, I will attach it for you to review.
Well, noon came before I felt like eating, so I haven’t had anything to eat since last nights dinner. I can have clear fluids, and even broth and Jell-O, except red Jell-O, but for some reason, I didn’t think about it when I was in town, so don’t have anything but the liquids, so I have been drinking a lot of apple juice. It is odd that I have been known to go for more than 20 hours with eating anything, but because I CAN’T have it, I want it even more. Noon marked the time to swallow three laxatives and wait. Next, I get to mix and drink a half-gallon of Nu-Lytely, which sounds like some sports drink, but I’m betting it’s not.
And oh yeah, I get to drink it before going to bed! Anyone see a problem with that? But wait, that’s not the best part. I have to drink the other half-gallon 5 hours before my appointment, which means at 6:45 tomorrow morning! Anyone that knows me knows I don’t do mornings, so this is a huge one for me.
I have to be at Cowboy Harry’s at 10 O’clock for the ride to town, and Zack isn’t going to like it, but he has to stay home with Zoey for a change. I should be home by 2 or 3 O’clock at the latest, and I know he’ll be fine, but he is seldom more than a few yards from me at any given time since he was five weeks old.
Why are there so many food commercials on television today? I get to fast-forward through them, but then the program I am watching shows them . . . doing what you ask . . . cooking food. Food is all around me and I can’t have any.
By 3 PM the sky looked like my lower body was feeling, and then it too let loose with lightning all around me and the thunder shaking the entire cabin, sending Zack and Zoey into hiding. It hailed so much in a short time that it was shooting off the roof horizontally. I filmed 5 minutes of it and then the batteries started to fade. I’ll attach the video to the update and hope it is worth viewing.
I showered and played with Zack, as the storm had passed, and then fed him. It is now 6 PM and he and Zoey are taking their after dinner naps while I finish this and think about dinner. Oh wait, I can’t have any! I’ll send the updates and watch my television programs before drinking the poison and going to bed.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Saturday, July 25, 2009
It is clear and the wind is calm this morning, with the sun shining brightly and no sign of the predicted thunderstorm. Most of the storms come in the late afternoon, so I will have to wait and see if I am surprised by one.
I have been busy making up a new card to carry that updates all of my current medications. I can never remember, little lone pronounce, most of the medication I take, even though it is far less than some of my age. Every time I visit a doctor, dentist, chiropractor or other health giver, I am asked to repeat all the medications I am on, including over the counter (OTC) drugs and supplements. Carrying a card in my wallet that lists all of them is a time saver, not to mention saving a brain cell or two.
After finishing my card, I opened the laptop and delved into my emails (25), I became wrapped up in watching some videos and researching some additional information about the supposed FEMA concentration camps for American citizens. I found some interesting information, which I will pass on as a Word attachment for those interested in educating themselves.
Revisiting the forecast of a thunderstorm, NWS was correct in their prediction. By 4 PM, it was too dark to read without having a light turned on, and by 4:40, the sky opened up and it began to water the forest. This was a noisier thunderstorm than yesterday afternoons, sending Zack upstairs to my bed of safety and Zoey coming in from outside. Yesterday’s storm only brought .04 inches of rain, and I’d be willing to bet that it was doubled in the first 2 minutes of today’s storm. The wind rushed in like a dam had burst, causing the tarps over my stored wood to pop and snap with the sound of gunfire. Thunder rolled in without any pause, but I didn’t see many flashes of the lightning. Rip Van Winkle was having a rousing game of ninepins, to say the least.
I spent the remainder of the day researching and writing until past 7 PM. I played and fed Zack, showered, finished a load of wash and then had dinner. I felt that I should have my “last supper” as enjoyable as possibly, so I fixed steak, shrimp, and a green salad, washing it down with a very good red wine. Unfortunately, I am still suffering from a mild upset stomach and couldn’t even finish the last few bites, as I was afraid I’d have it all reappear. What a waste of a really good meal.
I watched a couple of prerecorded television programs, one being a new Discovery Channel program called The Colony (Tuesday nights). It is a social experiment of what it might be like if a small group of strangers had to come together and survive in a post-apocalyptic world. It is more realistic than one might think, and shows what must be done to accomplish survival. These shows usually repeat and are often shown back-to-back, so watch for it and see what you might be up against in the event something like this happened.
It got cold enough that I had to start a fire to be comfortable, and Zack thought it was such a good idea; he laid directly in front of it and fell asleep. I finally went to bed at midnight, knowing that tomorrow, I had to start the prep for my colonoscopy on Monday.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009
It is cool and breezy this morning, with a few puffy clouds floating high and moving southeast. It hailed and then rained briefly last night, but only enough to wet things down and didn’t even record on my rain gauge. My weather station says I received .4 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.
My stomach is still feeling a bit queasy and just as I was getting ready for bed last night, I got the dry heaves, so I am not sure what is going on. The only thing that has changed in the past week is that I have had more fresh fruit than usual, and I ran out of my allergy medication as of yesterday. I also haven’t taken any Prilosec for my acid reflux since yesterday, as it hasn’t seemed to help. I guess if I had to make an assumption, I would say the missing Prilosec could be the cause, but really don’t know. I am out of the medication, so I will try a Pepcid AC and see if it gives me any relief.
I have my stress echocardiography test this afternoon, and am not looking forward to it if my stomach is still unsettled. I don’t think I’ll do as well as in the past, as I just don’t have the stamina and strength to do any physical activity for more than a few minutes. We shall see.
I tried to have my usual morning routine, but find that my stomach isn’t going to let me. I have been drinking a lot of water this morning and hope it will flush out my system, but it is now noon and hasn’t seemed to help. Because I will be going to town for my 3 O’clock appointment, I am not going to even try to work outside today. I will have something to eat and then head into town, stopping at the dump to empty the stuff in the truck, and then pick up my mail and make it to my appointment. I will attempt to finish this tonight, but won’t promise as the test usually leaves me with little strength or ambition to do anything.
Well, I survived the day, and feel stronger for it. We headed to Marysville and stopped at Mary and Guy’s to drop off my extra melons and some magazines. I was still feeling queasy, but knew I had to go through with the stress test, so headed into town. I stopped at the transfer station and dumped all of the refuse in the back of the truck, and then picked up my mail. I drove to Safeway and picked up my now approved reflux medicine, which is just the heavier dose of Prilosec, and I hope it will help my air swallowing and burping.
While in Safeway, a huge and loud thunderstorm passed over and flooded the streets, sending a shock wave of the thunder through everything. I drove through a foot or more of water that the drains couldn’t deal with, and reached my cardiologist office in time for my appointment. After the usual signing of consent and agreeing to pay documents, I was weighed and my blood pressure taken. I updated my medication list and then was taken into the dungeon to have my chest shaved, snaps glued to my skin and leads attached for the test. Baselines were taken, including sonic photos of my heart as it beat.
Richard, the cardiologist, enters and looks at all the data and then has me step onto the treadmill to run like a bear is chasing me, until I reach my target heart rate. We exchange jokes and comments; with me telling him I crammed for the test but it doesn’t seemed to have helped. I run for nine minutes, which is a minute less than the past two tests, but I having reached my target heart rate, so Richard stops the test and has me move to the table to lay down and have additional pictures taken, showing the condition of my heart.
I am pronounced “healthy as a horse,” but I probably shouldn’t try to pull a wagon, and the test is over. He pronounces me good until the next test and sent on my way.
Zack and I headed straight home and arrived at about 6 PM. We played until he stopped and then I fixed dinner for Zoey, and then Zack, waiting until Zack recovered and then let him eat. As I did, a thunderstorm past through and peals of thunder rolled through, causing Zack to run upstairs and take refuse on my bed. It rained, hailed, and blew through my area with much fanfare, dropping more moisture to my drying landscape.
It is now 7:30, and the storm is passing, allowing me time to take a shower and think about my dinner. I shall enjoy both and then relax until my bedtime.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The sky has a few high clouds and the air is still, making the humidity felt. NWS is saying there is a 20% chance of a thundershower tonight, increasing to 30% for the next couple of days. By afternoon, it became overcast but even with the clouds blocking out the sun, it is 86 degrees and without my usual breeze, I had to turn on the box fan to help cool off.
I woke up this morning with a queasy stomach and it has persisted all day, so I didn’t go out to work, but just stayed inside doing computer work. I promised to print out my research on tankless water heaters for Bonnie, who works in the Safeway Pharmacy. I also looked up and printed my research on my road and the fact that I do not need a permit to simply maintain the existing road, just in case someone questions me.
I have played with Zack a few times, and went over to photograph the cattle guard so I could send it with yesterday’s update. Other than that, I haven’t done much and it is now 4:30. I have an appointment at my cardiologist for my stress test tomorrow, so thought I should study for it today, hence all the rest and relaxation.
I will finish my computer work and printing, play with Zack, feed him and Zoey, shower, and then relax in front of the television until bedtime.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It feels cooler this morning, but then I left one of the sliding doors open all night to help the upstairs cool down, so I could sleep better. NWS is predicting weather in the high 70 to low 80s, so I expect it to stay warm today.
After my coffee and computer time, I put on the work clothes, played with Zack and then went out to finish the road work so I can install the cattle guard.
I wanted to work the road to make digging the trench for the guard a bit easier, but also because I had two humps in that area that allowed water to collect between them during runoff and after rainstorms. It took three bottles of Gator Aide and two of water, plus three energy bars to finish it. I parked the dozer and walked back to the cabin to load the guard and tools necessary to install it.
It took me until 7:30 to dig the trench, place the pieces and attach all of them. As I was digging, Zack let out with several loud barks, but didn’t move from standing by the dozer. When I finally looked up, I heard something shoot by me in the creek bed, and caught a glimpse of a furry black butt headed up the other side before I could even think about grabbing my gun. Zack had warned me and then scared off the black bear that has been in the area. I gave him several rewarding words, but he stayed next to the dozer at the end of the road. It is good to see that the bear was more afraid of Zack, than interested it doing either of us harm. Because he has been in the area, I now carry and keep a gun near by, hopefully more to scare it away than harm it.
It may not be the prettiest cattle guard, but after I install some fencing to keep them from getting around it, I think it will work just fine. Zack wouldn’t even try to get across it, so it should stop the cows. I loaded up the tools and drug myself into the truck for the short ride home. After parking in the garage, I made it back to the cabin and washed my face and arms. Boy, that felt really good.
I managed to feed Zack; Zoey had food left from this morning, so I didn’t give her any more, and then drank another Gator Aide while cooling down. A nice cool shower and then a drink before making dinner, took me to 10 O’clock. I watched a prerecorded television show and then went to bed.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
It is clear, sunny, and warm with a light breeze. The perfect weather for working outside. I cut up the melons and mixed in the grapes that I purchased at Costco yesterday. I don't get enough fresh fruit in my diet, other than an orange every morning, so froze some of it for future use. Boy, it was about the sweetest, best tasting melons I can remember having.
Just as I was about to finish my morning routine, a Raven started carrying on like I haven't heard before. When I looked out to investigate, I just caught a glimpse of the Raven chasing a Bald Eagle into the trees. The eagle was at least four times larger than the Raven, and the Raven was alone, so it caught me off guard. I grabbed my camera in hopes that I could get a photo if they left the trees, but the batteries on the camera started to go, so I could only film for a short while before giving up. I kept watching, but evidently the eagle left the other side of the ridge as I never saw it emerge and the Raven quieted down after about 20 minutes of screaming. I have attached the video, but it is just the sound of the Raven. You may need to turn up your volume to hear it well.
After my usual morning routine, I put on my work clothes and after playing with Zack, sprayed the noxious weeds that I either missed before, or were newly emerging. I have noticed that the Canadian Thistle is down to about 1/10 of what it was last year, so I feel that I am making headway. There are only about four along the road by the creek, where last year it was a thick blanket of them.
I unloaded the 2 x 4s from the truck and then used the dozer to rework the road going through the front of my property. Evidently, there was a snowdrift at the corner and one or more trucks tried to drive around it, becoming stuck in the grassy area at the far corner. It took much longer than I expected but I finally got it all smoothed out and back to the way it had been. When I finished that part, I used the box blade to drag the rest of the road down to the creek crossing, as it too had several bad ruts that needed smoothing out.
By the time I finished and put the dozer in the garage, it was 6 PM, so I played with Zack and fed him and Zoey before stripping off my boots and dusty clothes, and then sat down with a drink to cool off before taking my shower. This weather has been great for the land, but it has also been great for insect reproduction. I have never had so many flies, flying bugs, beetles, and mosquitoes since living here. There are so many that they don’t seek you out, you just pass through them. My Deep Woods Off does a good job, but the damn things have to buzz your face or land on you before they decide they don’t like what you are wearing. The bright yellow paint job on the dozer probably doesn’t help a lot either.
Even though I usually wait until I stop sweating before I shower, the Off had dripped into my eyes, so I had to shower before I could even take a sip of my newly made drink. It felt so good to get the dust and bug spray off, that I really enjoyed my drink and some relax time before having dinner and watching television.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009
This morning is clear and warm, with a nice breeze to keep things from feeling too hot. I have a doctor appointment in town this morning, so had to set my alarm and get up at 8 AM. No time for my usual morning routine, so I took my coffee with me.
We took the truck as I want to get rid of the old batteries and some trash. I went straight to my appointment, which was for a colonoscopy preparation at 10 AM. The appointment was made by my doctor for me and while I knew it was at St. Peter’s Hospital, I wasn’t sure where. St. Peter’s, my least favorite hospital, has expanded and built three new wings, being unchallenged by any other medical facilities, and now sprawls over three acres. I went to the main entrance and inquired at the desk as to where my appointment might be. After several staff and volunteer members tried to locate the number(s) for the correct department, getting phone recordings stating that the numbers were no longer in service, they finally concluded that I should go to the East Wing entrance and inquire at that desk.
It is now 10 minutes after 10 O’clock and I still haven’t been told where I need to go. The desk person at the East Wing told me to go to the second floor, suite 200, and see if my appointment was at that office. I did and it was, so they gave me papers to fill out, telling me that they had called and left a message on Friday, directing me to suite 200. I once again explained that I don’t get phone service until I arrive in town and won’t retrieve messages while I am driving. This seemed to irritate the clerk and she just ignored me.
Soon, another person called me in and did the usual weight, height, temperature and blood pressure (mine was normal for a change), and then finished filling out the form for me while she ask me questions. I was then asked to watch a DVD video explaining the procedure and she left. The video started and then proceeded to explain all about an endoscopy, which is an upper GI, not an colonoscopy, being a lower GI. Because of my acid reflux and involuntary air swallowing, I watched the procedure in anticipation of having that done at the same time.
When yet another woman came in, I explained that my doctor wanted me to have both, but the clerk had obviously screwed up and didn’t check to see if the correct DVD was in the player. This woman called and added the endoscope to my colonoscopy so I will indeed have both procedures done at the same time. She explained the necessary prep and time periods to take the medicines, telling me that I had to have someone drive me home. I told her it wasn’t possible and she said that I would have to cancel the appointment as it was hospital policy. They won’t start the procedure until they can physically see a driver available to drive me home.
I explained my circumstances and she suggested a taxi, yeah, like that would happen. I told her I would try to find someone or cancel the appointment later. They administer a twilight drug so although you are not necessarily asleep, you don’t give a crap (no pun intended) about what is going on, and feel no pain. I’ll let you know how that goes later. I have had both a spinal block and the twilight drug when they did my 6-hour heel reconstruction, so I know what it should be like.
Zack was in the shade, so the 80 degrees didn’t both him, but he was panting, but had water if it was due to thirst.
We drove to Northern Electric as I needed a longer battery cable made up for my new battery configuration. While there, I asked about the old batteries and he told me that no one paid for the scrap value as the price was way down for lead. I decided to give them to him rather than take them back to the Interstate Battery shop, where I originally purchased them. After unloading them, I drove to Costco and bought some of the groceries that I needed, but not all as I just don’t have the storage space for the larger quantities they sell.
I took time to have a bit of lunch while there, and then drove to Home Depot for some additional treated 2 x 4s and other items. Once that was loaded, I went to Safeway for the remainder of the groceries and to get the prescription for my prep. I filled up the truck and two gas cans, and then headed to the transfer station to dump the trash. When I checked my time, I realized that it was 4:40 PM and had just enough time to make it before they close at 5 PM. I pulled in and the truck in front of me was trying to turn around to leave when I noticed the cable across the drive at the check station. The sign next to it said they close at 4:45, checking my phone for the time, it was 4:47. I had just missed it and now had to haul my trash all of the way home again.
We stopped at Mary and Guy’s to meet all of their family and visit for a while. Both of their sons and their families, as well as their daughter, Jill, and her family were there. I had met Jill, Carl, Alex, Marek, and Scott before, but not their newest addition, a daughter, Katy. I introduced myself to the others as Mary was on the phone and Guy was laying down.
Guy is in the middle of being treated for gall stones and will be getting an operation this week, after they installed stents and tried to remove them a week ago. For whatever reasons, they can’t deal with them normally and will have to cut them out. Guy said although he wasn’t in pain now, he would be glad to have it over with.
I said my goodbyes, and drove over to Cowboy Harry’s to ask if he could take me to the hospital on Monday for my procedure. Mary and Guy have to take one of their sons and his wife to the airport in Billings to fly home on Monday, so they couldn’t give me a ride. Harry said he would be glad to do it, so we made a plan to met at his house at 10 O’clock on Monday.
We drove home and I unloaded all of the groceries and other items before playing with Zack and then feeding him and Zoey. It was already after 7 PM and I sat down with a drink to relax before my shower and fixing my own dinner.
One more play period with Zack and then I showered and ate dinner, relaxing in front of the television before bedtime.