WE went to Woolrich yesterday and I bought a new navy blue blazer. Yes, I did. My old one is too big to be comfortable, and who wants to spend 3 days at a convention being uncomfortable. Blazer is really nice, a real light weight worsted wool. It has a great hand. When I was in the Army back in the day I had a khaki tropical worsted uniform, which was optional to wear. It too was really comfortable in the heat. Wonder what I did with that? Maybe B ended up with it.
Our Amish neighbors, the Marks, are building a new barn. They start work at about 7, when I'm thinking about getting up. Boy, those people work! For those who may not be familiar with the Amish, a family is refered to by the first name of the father. The family across the road is Mark Stolsfus et al, refered to as the Marks, which differentiates them from the Johns, Marks brother's family, who live down the road.
Thinking about margaritas- the store bought mix calls for using 3 parts mix to 1 part tequila, which is 25% tequila. The common recipe I found is 3:2:1 where the 3 is tequila. That's 50% tequila, plus the alcohol in the Cointreau, which will make it a sipping drink rather than a drinking drink. We actually use 4 parts mix to one tequila, which is 20% tequila, and is a nice refreshing drinkable drink. Hmm. Going to be interesting.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Margarita
Inspired my M, the younger daughter, I've decided to try to make margaritas from scratch, as opposed to from a mix. M is going to do it too. I only drink one at a time (all right, one of those was a double) so it should be the best I can make, right? A brief internet search found several recipes. The consensus is tequila, lime juice and Cointreau in the ratio of 3:2:1., although one has it as 3:1:2. They do agree that Cointreau is needed, not triple sec. Further research indicates that Cointreau is a bitter orange liqueur; triple sec is too, but seems to be a generic version. Hmmm. Sounds like lots of experiments. Whatever shall I do with all the samples? Oh well, maybe something will occur. Rumor has it that the denizens of the Near Northern Front in New Hampshire have developed the perfect recipe. Perhaps they could share it, which might eliminate re-doing some of the experiments.
All quiet on the Southern Front. That's funny; one doesn't usually think of Pennsylvania as being the south, but everyone else is further north. I don't count La-La land, which is the West, even though it's further south than Pennsylvania.
Watching the second half of the US/NZ women's soccer game. US is up 4-nil in the 89th minute.
I just documented my GORP recipe if anyone would like a copy. I'm eating GORP as an all morning nibble to get more calories. Pretty good with Boost.
US women's soccer team just won the match and the group. Dunno exactly what that means, but appears to be good!
All quiet on the Southern Front. That's funny; one doesn't usually think of Pennsylvania as being the south, but everyone else is further north. I don't count La-La land, which is the West, even though it's further south than Pennsylvania.
Watching the second half of the US/NZ women's soccer game. US is up 4-nil in the 89th minute.
I just documented my GORP recipe if anyone would like a copy. I'm eating GORP as an all morning nibble to get more calories. Pretty good with Boost.
US women's soccer team just won the match and the group. Dunno exactly what that means, but appears to be good!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Chaucer
Chaucer was right! This morning at the crack of dawn, which comes just after O-dark-30, the neighbor's rooster crowed, nice and clear and loud. Just like Chaucer described it. Not that I ever doubted Chaucer- he was a pretty acute observer of the human condition. Odd that he never mentioned the Plague, though.
I watched the last of the USA-Norway women's soccer game this morning. USA lost. Too bad. I didn't get to see the whole game, so can't say if it was a good game or not.
In case anyone is interested in the other 800 lb gorilla in the room, which nobody ever mentions, see
http://www.chemotherapy.com/treating_with_chemo/remission/goal.jsp#
I remain in good condition- still some gastric distress if I eat ice cream, for example, which might be the lactose intolerance. Whatever- I'm noticeably better than when I was in the same position on the last chemo cycle. Not to get any hopes up, but I feel better! Back before the chemo, I was noticeably worse over time- I would feel worse. We'll see what the medical people have to say after the CT scan next week.
For the record, I did have more margarita last evening. In fact, you could call it a double. Love that lime!
Now the Olympics has hockey- which they are taking pains to tell us is the real name of the game played on grass with a ball and sticks. The game played on ice is called ice hockey, I guess. The ball sounds hard, maybe wood. They say it's been played for 2000 years and is the oldest stick-and-ball game. I guess that would make it the ancestor of all those games- soccer, handball, and the like. They play with little short sticks.
I watched the last of the USA-Norway women's soccer game this morning. USA lost. Too bad. I didn't get to see the whole game, so can't say if it was a good game or not.
In case anyone is interested in the other 800 lb gorilla in the room, which nobody ever mentions, see
http://www.chemotherapy.com/treating_with_chemo/remission/goal.jsp#
I remain in good condition- still some gastric distress if I eat ice cream, for example, which might be the lactose intolerance. Whatever- I'm noticeably better than when I was in the same position on the last chemo cycle. Not to get any hopes up, but I feel better! Back before the chemo, I was noticeably worse over time- I would feel worse. We'll see what the medical people have to say after the CT scan next week.
For the record, I did have more margarita last evening. In fact, you could call it a double. Love that lime!
Now the Olympics has hockey- which they are taking pains to tell us is the real name of the game played on grass with a ball and sticks. The game played on ice is called ice hockey, I guess. The ball sounds hard, maybe wood. They say it's been played for 2000 years and is the oldest stick-and-ball game. I guess that would make it the ancestor of all those games- soccer, handball, and the like. They play with little short sticks.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
quiet
Olympics are awesome in HD! Presently it's USA-Netherlands in men's soccer, or football if you prefer. I don't find soccer very interesting to watch, generally. I missed the USA women's sabre team sweep yesterday- I was asleep. Fencing is not very good to watch either; much more fun to do. When I was fencing, I used to try to describe to people moves I'd made- "parry fourth, double disengage, thrust, lunge" and non-fencing people just go "huh?". It happens so fast it's hard to see. That little move I described above is faster to do than to type. I suspect soccer is kinda the same thing. If I was soccer person I'd probably appreciate it more. And I never played it much, as opposed to baseball which my friends and I played all the time.
Anyway, I remain fine. We had margaritas again last evening, so that's two for two. I do appreciate daughter M helping out from the Western Front. I hope the denizens of the Northern Front are doing their part. Come to think of it, haven't heard from the Northern Front for a while. Yeah, I know, all is quiet on the Northern Front.
I got my toilet fixed- new flapper valve did the job. I tried to get the shower control handle apart, but couldn't. So I put it back together again, and must have tightened things up since it seems fixed too. I count that as two for two! Now it's really quiet at night- no drip in the shower, no water running in the middle of the night for no good reason.
USA just scored their second goal- it really was a picture book goal where even I could see what they did. Maybe I should watch some more.
Just checked email and there is a note from S the DIL with new pictures of the grandbaby, so I guess all is well (albeit quiet) on the Northern Front.
Anyway, I remain fine. We had margaritas again last evening, so that's two for two. I do appreciate daughter M helping out from the Western Front. I hope the denizens of the Northern Front are doing their part. Come to think of it, haven't heard from the Northern Front for a while. Yeah, I know, all is quiet on the Northern Front.
I got my toilet fixed- new flapper valve did the job. I tried to get the shower control handle apart, but couldn't. So I put it back together again, and must have tightened things up since it seems fixed too. I count that as two for two! Now it's really quiet at night- no drip in the shower, no water running in the middle of the night for no good reason.
USA just scored their second goal- it really was a picture book goal where even I could see what they did. Maybe I should watch some more.
Just checked email and there is a note from S the DIL with new pictures of the grandbaby, so I guess all is well (albeit quiet) on the Northern Front.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Margarita!
So, eldest daughter E and her big black dog (also E, btw) came for the weekend. Last evening, for before dinner drinks, we had margaritas. Wow! I immediately felt about a 1000% better- active, hungry, awake. We had tomato and feta, then grilled chicken, potato salad, and a jello thingy, all with red wine, and I ate some of everything and wanted more. I can't remember when I felt like eating that much. And no discomfort after, either. This morning, more of the same. I actually made my own breakfast and fed my faithful dog, also for the first time in a long time. Now if I could put some weight back on, I'd be happy. I understand there is some on the Western Front I could have, if I could get it. I'm sitting here snacking on GORP and Boost for mid-morning snack.
I don't know what's going on here, but I like it! I seriously think the margarita was coincidence, but I'm willing to have one every day to test the theory. It's the least I can do for science. And let's not forget the "other" 800 lb gorilla in the room, which we won't talk about.
We watched the Olympic opening stuff. Did y'all notice there was a pipe and drum band playing for lots of the parade of nations? Yes, a bagpipe band, playing traditional Scottish pipe marching music. I recognized "Cock O' the North" for one, and several other tunes that sounded familiar but I couldn't put a name to. What's with that, anyway? Pipes and drums at the Olympics in Peking?
Now that I'm feeling so good, I need to go out to Lowe's and get some parts to stop a little leak in our bathroom toilet and a slight drip in our shower. Then, of course, actually fix said appliances.
I don't know what's going on here, but I like it! I seriously think the margarita was coincidence, but I'm willing to have one every day to test the theory. It's the least I can do for science. And let's not forget the "other" 800 lb gorilla in the room, which we won't talk about.
We watched the Olympic opening stuff. Did y'all notice there was a pipe and drum band playing for lots of the parade of nations? Yes, a bagpipe band, playing traditional Scottish pipe marching music. I recognized "Cock O' the North" for one, and several other tunes that sounded familiar but I couldn't put a name to. What's with that, anyway? Pipes and drums at the Olympics in Peking?
Now that I'm feeling so good, I need to go out to Lowe's and get some parts to stop a little leak in our bathroom toilet and a slight drip in our shower. Then, of course, actually fix said appliances.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Bureaucracy
I fought my way through the GMC bureaucracy yesterday to straighten out the appointment issues. It only took about 10 minutes to get to K, Dr W's nurse, who was properly apologetic and nicely straightened out things. The whole thing happened because the scheduler didn't call me when the appointment was made, and then K didn't get back to me when I emailed about the problem. Dr W is on rounds the week of the 21st, whatever that is, so the scheduler made the appointment for the 14th. K set it up so that I have to go in for an 8AM appointment on the 21st, before Dr W goes to rounds, which is a minor pain. So the schedule is fine.
My CT scan is scheduled for next Friday, the 15th, at 2. That will give the radiologists and Dr W almost a week until my appointment on the 21st.
I woke up cold this morning. Actually, I didn't wake up enough. I was cold but not awake enough to do anything about it. All I needed to do was to reach up and turn on the electric mattress pad and all would have been well. But no, I just laid there half asleep and miserable. Dumb. I'm never too warm any more; prior to the encounter with the 800 lb gorilla I was always warm. I feel like I missed summer this year- there was never a time when I was too warm, except for getting into a car which has been sitting in the sun. I go around in sweats all the time, with brief periods in shorts and T shirt when I'm actually out in the sun. Being in ac is really bad; I have to take a jacket or sweatshirt to stay indoors.
I think my keyboard is going. I seem to be missing letters a lot, a lot more than I used to. The spell checker catches the missing letters, mostly. Fortunately, keyboards are cheap.
My CT scan is scheduled for next Friday, the 15th, at 2. That will give the radiologists and Dr W almost a week until my appointment on the 21st.
I woke up cold this morning. Actually, I didn't wake up enough. I was cold but not awake enough to do anything about it. All I needed to do was to reach up and turn on the electric mattress pad and all would have been well. But no, I just laid there half asleep and miserable. Dumb. I'm never too warm any more; prior to the encounter with the 800 lb gorilla I was always warm. I feel like I missed summer this year- there was never a time when I was too warm, except for getting into a car which has been sitting in the sun. I go around in sweats all the time, with brief periods in shorts and T shirt when I'm actually out in the sun. Being in ac is really bad; I have to take a jacket or sweatshirt to stay indoors.
I think my keyboard is going. I seem to be missing letters a lot, a lot more than I used to. The spell checker catches the missing letters, mostly. Fortunately, keyboards are cheap.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
good
Looks like a good day, finally. No discomfort, no gastric distress today. Not yet, anyway! Kinda showery out right now.
Had a funny dream last night. I was on a large boat thing with various family members, all of whom were sleeping. The dog jumped into the water in the middle of the night, and I had to get him back on. I thought to myself, with all the dogs this family has, there must be a way to get them into the boat. So I looked on the side, and sure enough, there was this long ramp sort of thing which went down into the water. The top end was at a gate in the railing, so one could walk out onto the ramp and down into the water. The lower end went down under the water so the dog could walk out at his leisure. I was really impressed that my brain was able to design a ramp to get the dog out of the water whilst and at the same time managing a rather complex dream. Well done, brain! I don't have brain cancer, after all. Oh, in the dream I jumped into the water, which was maybe 6 feet below the deck of the boat, and swam around with the dog for a while, then we both walked up the ramp into the boat. Funny though- dog was not a specific dog- not Rollo or Echo, just a large friendly black dog. I guess the brain was too busy with the ramp to generate a specific dog.
I'm stalling calling Geisinger. Don't like unpleasant tasks. Well, who does?
Preparing for the trip to Philly, I'm trying to find something which will not go bad and act as milk in tea. I've become quite fond of milk in my tea. Today I tried dry milk, which is not bad. It's not half and half, but it is portable and won't spoil. I really don't care for the taste of the non-dairy powder creamers, plus I know where a lot of it comes from. The New Tower at Lonza in Williamsport, a place I'm sure lives in the memories of my offspring. If anyone has any suggestions, please pass them along, either as a comment or email. TIA!
Had a funny dream last night. I was on a large boat thing with various family members, all of whom were sleeping. The dog jumped into the water in the middle of the night, and I had to get him back on. I thought to myself, with all the dogs this family has, there must be a way to get them into the boat. So I looked on the side, and sure enough, there was this long ramp sort of thing which went down into the water. The top end was at a gate in the railing, so one could walk out onto the ramp and down into the water. The lower end went down under the water so the dog could walk out at his leisure. I was really impressed that my brain was able to design a ramp to get the dog out of the water whilst and at the same time managing a rather complex dream. Well done, brain! I don't have brain cancer, after all. Oh, in the dream I jumped into the water, which was maybe 6 feet below the deck of the boat, and swam around with the dog for a while, then we both walked up the ramp into the boat. Funny though- dog was not a specific dog- not Rollo or Echo, just a large friendly black dog. I guess the brain was too busy with the ramp to generate a specific dog.
I'm stalling calling Geisinger. Don't like unpleasant tasks. Well, who does?
Preparing for the trip to Philly, I'm trying to find something which will not go bad and act as milk in tea. I've become quite fond of milk in my tea. Today I tried dry milk, which is not bad. It's not half and half, but it is portable and won't spoil. I really don't care for the taste of the non-dairy powder creamers, plus I know where a lot of it comes from. The New Tower at Lonza in Williamsport, a place I'm sure lives in the memories of my offspring. If anyone has any suggestions, please pass them along, either as a comment or email. TIA!
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