Dietary Changes

The cardiologist recommended that I try kale chips.  My response was that they are nasty and I would not consider it.  Well, I did buy a package of kale chips, and maybe it was because I was pre-programmed to think so, but they were  nasty.

Also at the suggestion of my cardiologist, I purchased some whole wheat pasta.  The first couple of times I tried it, it was also nasty.  Sorry, it just did not taste right. But I had the rest of the package, and I could throw it out or figure out how to eat it. So I did.  I figured out if I boiled the hell out of the pasta, it was palatable. Not more palatable, but palatable. 

Who is Pestering Whom?

Usually, I see Taki picking on Haiku, and sometimes, I scold her for it, but not always, because I do not know what kitty taunts may have preceded or followed such behavior.  Today was an example.  Haiku wanted to be in bed about mid-morning, but Taki was on her pillow shelf.  I climbed into bed with Haiku, and pulled up the covers.  Taki slapped at us, and I did scold her, but that did not deter her, and she drove Haiku away.

Mid-afternoon, or so, Haiku wanted me to join her on the bed again.  The pillow shelf was empty and Taki was propped on the body pillow in the middle of the bed. Did Haiku get on the pillow shelf at the head of the bed?  Noooo.  She plopped down against my pillows, with her butt and tail posed to overlap Taki.  I talked to Haiku about the fact she was asking for whatever retaliation Taki wanted to enact, but she did not move until I got up and started taking pictures. 

Haiku Wants a Companion

Earlier today, Haiku joined me in the computer room, sitting on the chair next to me. Later today, she and I were sitting companionably on the sofa, while I was reading.  She just wanted a companion.  Tonight, she keeps asking me to go to bed with her.  And, most recently, she just asked me to join her on the sofa.  I am watching a TV show that ends in about 30 minutes, and my plan is to move to the sofa and read for a while, before I go to bed. Hopefully, that will work for Haiku.

Disappointment and Good News

This was a sports day. Texas Tech played West Virginia in Lubbock.  Tech lost.  West Virginia started too strong, Tech tried to come back but fell short.

I thought I was going to get to watch the Red Sox and Yankees MLB on TV tonight, but the game was played this afternoon, and was aired on Fox Sports.  There was another game aired regionally so it was not available to me. It was played during the time the Tech football game aired.  I got onto MLB and followed the game on Gameday at MLB. The Yankees won! That was good, but it would have been good if the Red Sox won, too.  

So, it was not the worst of sports days!

Lie with me, Lie with me

I have been off work the last 3 days, and Haiku has repeatedly asked me to lie with her on the pillow shelf on the bed.  I have, a few times, but these requests usually come when I am engaged in doing something else, including cooking.  She will sit with me if I am on the sofa, but she no longer likes to sit with me in the computer room.  I don't get that.

Last night, a cold front blew through, and the house was cooler than it had been, but even if I had turned the heat on, it was not cold enough for the heater to start.  Haiku wanted me to go to bed, and it was late.  I was tired, but my mind was racing, and I did not think I could sleep.  But I did add an afghan to the bed covers, in case it got even colder, and crawled in bed, pulling up the covers.  Haiku moved from her pillow shelf to under the covers next to me. She seemed very content at first. Then she became restless, and finally she left. I am not sure she returned to the bed all night.

Several times today, she has asked me to lie with her.  Sometimes, I did.  Sometimes, I did not.  I am not sure what this is about, but she seems to want me to lie in bed with her as much as I can.

She will be disappointed when I go back to work tomorrow.

Sports Day Today

It was a beautiful fall day.  My plan was to watch some sports and do some errands.  I watched the Yankees vs. Orioles  MLB .  The Yankees lost.  I was able to run my errands, do some yard work, and even eat dinner al fresco and sit in the back yard, reading and enjoying the fresh air for a while.  Then, the Red Sox vs. Indians game came on.  My plan was to watch that game, and then flip over to the Patriots vs. Lions game NFL.  Well, the Red Sox game went into extra innings, and sometime in the 10th or 11th inning, it was announced the Patriots lost to the Lions 26 to 10.  Oh my gosh, imagine my surprise.  And to add insult to injury, the Indians won in extra innings!  Not a good sports day today.  

Baseball Polygamy

My niece posted a piece on Facebook about baseball polygamy.  This was my response:

I thought baseball polygamy was a natural way of life. If you like baseball, why would you just like one team, when it takes 30 to make the major leagues, and then there are the minor leagues, college ball, little league, and what have you. Go Baseball! 

Sunday is Linen Laundry Day

Sunday is the day I usually wash the bed linens and towels. Today, I planned to do that, but Taki spent most of the day on the bed, and when I approached, she seemed concerned, as if she felt she had done something wrong.  So, I decided to give her until 7 PM before I disturbed her.  

She did get off the bed once to eat, in the afternoon, but I missed my chance.  

Haiku spent much of the day in the closet, but came out several times to eat.  I know she wants to eat, because when I get up from where I am (sitting, usually) she heads for the kitchen.  Well, tonight about 9:15, she came looking for me, and when I followed her, she went to the bedroom and got on the bed and cried.  She was ready for the bed to be made.  

This is her thing.  She gets nervous if it gets late and the bed is not made.  Last Sunday, as I was making the bed, she burrowed under the covers for a while. (The way I have the covers spread over the pillows, the covers are not tight and there is a "cave" under the covers she can lie in.)  Tonight, she was lying on the bed as I spread the covers.  She did not stay under very long, and went back to the closet  I don't understand this, but it is her habit.

I should add that after a while, Haiku climbed on the fully made bed and settled down, quite content. 

Riches in the Mail

The other day, I received two gifts in the mail.  A first class postage stamp from an organization that wanted me to send them a donation, and a dollar, from an organization that wanted me to complete a survey.

I did not send the donation: this organization advertises services that are free for our troops, and do not require me to donate so they will receive them. I did complete the survey.  I have been contacted before by the survey corporation, but they have been asking me to join focus groups on line, and I have no interest in that.  But a paper survey, I can do.  It took me about 20 minutes to do the survey, so a dollar was not much compensation, but I would have done the survey for free.

Arch Supports

Many years ago, I was diagnosed as having arthritis in my feet, and the podiatrist recommended arch supports.  Over the counter arch supports, which amazingly relieved the pain in the insole of my feet.  I used arch supports for years.  Until I started buying Skechers with memory foam.  The particular style of Skechers I like are leather tops, no laces, and offer a large amount of support.  The last time I purchased shoes, I could not find this style of shoe so I purchased some attractive Skechers, one pair with a blue denim style material on the top of the shoe, and the other with mesh.

Well, slowly but surely, I have started having more and more problems with my feet, wearing these new shoes.  I still have several old pairs of Skechers with the leather tops that provide lots of support, some with arch supports, and some with memory foam.  I have started wearing those again, and have had a great deal of relief in my feet.  So, I bought arch supports for the other Skechers, but the tops still do not provide enough support.  I think I need to buy some new Skechers.

The Early Perry Mason Episodes

I remember the later Perry Mason TV Series in which Mr. Mason was accused of engaging in legal trickery and sleight of hand, when sometimes, there did not seem to be much more than some dramatic court activities.

Now having the opportunity to watch the early Perry Mason shows, I understand the history a little better.  Some of the early shows have Mason really engaging in duplicity to try to help his client.  Some of his clients have the potential to be the villain. He and Paul Drake have a social relationship, and go boating, and fishing.  Early on, Mason and Della Street have a more physical and almost intimate relationship: she takes care of him at his apartment when he has a cold; she openly flirts with him; she kisses his cheek; and in general seems to emotionally advance herself to him.  Also, in these early shows, Mason flirts with clients and other women in the show, in a way that does not occur later on, when his behavior is much more "professional."   Paul Drake is still sometimes a rake in the later shows, but Mason and Ms. Street have cleaned up their act to be more professional. 

While I cannot recount the details, the early Perry Mason shows feature a lot of actors who later become well known as TV or movie stars.  It is fun to identify these people in the shows, who receive credit but not "star billing."  There was also a series of shows in which Mason was "away" or "in the hospital" and established stars guested as attorneys helping clients with Mr. Drake and Ms. Street supporting them.  

I do not recall the revived show with a different cast, but I did follow the latter revival of the show with Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, and Barbara Hale as Della Street.  Read the Wikipedia article regarding casting, including Paul Drake Jr., and a later investigator

Perry Mason comes on about 1030 PM and although I should be in bed, watching the show helps me to wind down.  Sometimes, as is true tonight, I have not wound down enough.  So, I stay up too late. But I am glad for the opportunity to watch and learn about the evolution o of this TV show. . 

Restless Kitty

Haiku has been very restless tonight.  She has been crying and restless all night.  She has attacked my back and my leg to get my attention, which is unusual for her. She acts as if she is hungry, but does not eat, or only nibbles.  She wants me to lie in bed with her, as she lies on her pillow shelf on the bed. But it is way too early to go to bed.  I lie down for a few minutes, then get back up. She has acted like she wants to get into the linen closet, but does not jump in.  I did put her in, and that seemed to satisfy her for a little.

I don't know what to do. I can't console her.  I worry about her when I can't console her.

Spelling Serendipity

While playing Words with Friends, sometimes I have a "spelling serendipity."  I start spelling one word, and another word of much greater value appears out of no where.  I like that when that happens, and have to say that it is not my brilliance or superior skill in spelling. It just sort of "shows up."

Yard Service

For as long as I owned my house, up until I had back surgery, I did my own lawn care. Even when doing it was obviously causing me additional back problems.  After the surgery, I realized I could not do my own lawn for that summer, and engaged a lawn care service: Lee Lawncare. The first couple of  years I used them, they were really great, but then I started having some problems, but the owner and I worked them out.  

I think I could go back to doing some of my own yard care;  I know I can do weed pulling, especially if I sit on the step stool I purchased specifically for that purpose.  I may be able to push a lawn mower, but I have a gas lawn mower, and am not sure about pulling the starter cord.  I have tried some minor weed eating, and holding the weedeater for even 10 minutes debilitates my back and takes me several days to recover.  I can do some trimming of the ivy in the front of the house, but cutting the euonymus shrubs in the back of the house causes more stretching and reaching than I can do comfortably. I can do other cutting and trimming in spurts, but have two problems afterwards:  the soreness of muscles that I am not used to using anymore (which I can deal with) and the lower back pain that concerns me that I have done more than I should have.  If I have plenty of time to recover, I am willing to risk it, but having to get up and go to work the next day is dicey, to say the least. 

So, for now, I am still using a lawn service.  Once I retire, and have days to recover, I may change my mind, get a different lawn mower, and do more of my own yard work.  That is actually appealing to me.

But, today, I was expecting my yard service to show up.  The good thing about Lee Landscape is they understand that I do not need them every week. When I was going through problems with them, I contact several other yard services, and most expected to do a weekly service.  When it is not raining or the weather otherwise does not cooperate, I do not need yard service.  I used to water my grass. Now, I just water my trees.

Well, my neighbor asked me if my yard service was coming today, and I told her I thought they were, but with everyone's yards being overgrown, they may have been delayed. She said she needed someone, so I gave her the name.  

Later, my yard service messaged me that due to the heavy growth in yards, they were delayed, they will show up tomorrow. This is not unusual, and I understand.  I told the yard service about my neighbor, and learned she had contacted them, and they would be doing her yard tomorrow, as well as the yard across the street!  Yeah!  I hope my neighbors will be  happy with the yard service. 

What is Wrong with CBS?

I watched the National Football League game between the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots yesterday.  The Patriots won.  The game was aired on CBS, and after that game was ended, they switched to the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns.  The game was tied close to the end of regulation time, and went into overtime.  I kept the TV on CBS, thinking they would show the overtime play.  But no, CBS went to their post game show, with talking heads and uninteresting patter.

What is wrong with CBS?  They could have had a barnburner of a TV show, but they blew it.  
And, for that matter, what is wrong with the NFL?  Their crazy overtime rules make no sense, are not competitive, and really do not resolve ties, but are more aligned to ensure the games end in ties.  Who wants a tie in professional sports?  Have we become that neutralized that we cannot expect sporting events to be decided in overtime?

I have not yet been a Nike customer.  I am a 65 year old Anglo woman who likes football, civil rights, and comfortable shoes, among other things.  I am so pleased to learn the Nike has included  Colin Kaepernick in their latest ad campaign.  I believe in the US Constitution, however imperfect a document it is.  I believe in the Bill of Rights, with the First Amendment in place where it should be:  First, protecting freedom of speech.  I believe that Colin Kaepernick was well within his right to freedom of speech in calling attention to racism, social injustice and police brutality to people of color. His kneeling during the "Star Spangled Banner"  was a respectful act of protest, and whether you are for or against his actions, he propelled this nation to a much needed dialogue about how we treat people in this country who are different from "the white privileged."  I applaud Mr. Kaepernick for his courage, and now I applaud Nike for their courage, and their awareness that Freedom of Speech, is still alive and well in the United States.

Haiku Was Distraught Tonight, and Would Not Eat

Even though she was obviously hungry. Haiku would not eat tonight.  I tried dried food with treats, catnap, moist liver, tuna.  Finally I tried Special Kitty dried food, which his what I had used for the cats, years ago.  She finally ate.  I am so distressed when Haiku is distressed, wants to eat, but I cannot find anything that she wants to eat. 

I hope she is satisfied, finally.

American Heroes Laid to Rest

This past week, America celebrated and honored the death of two American heroes who could not be more disparate, yet, more alike:  Aretha Franklin and Senator John McCain.   Aretha Franklin was a soul singer who grew up in modest circumstances with personal and family difficulties, but used her music to make political and personal statements about this country. She was a well honored and recognized talent in the field of music. Senator McCain grew up in a family of Navy tradition, and went on to serve in the Navy during the Viet Nam War. He was a prisoner of war, and returned home to serve his country as a Representative in the US Congress, then as a Senator. He ran for President, and lost.  I will not further recap the lives of these two people.  There are others with more knowledge of their lives, and more talent who can tell you their stories. But they were American Heroes of the Nth degree, their service and love of country binding them together.

But, think about it, with such divergent backgrounds, how are these two people American heroes?  They both spoke the truths about the United States, and their bodies of work were representative about the country as they knew it.  And, I would guess, that the United States, as each one knew it, was in many ways dissimilar. So, again, I ask you, why are these two people American Heroes, and what is about this country that allows us to honor such disparate people as American Heroes?

I think it is because the life work of each of these persons embodies the idea and ideal that America is Great.   I think it goes back to the origins of this country.  It is not that America is Great. I am not sure that America was ever great.  It is that the idea and the ideal of America is Great. The Constitution of the United States enumerates who are free people, and who are counted as 3/5th persons, which sets up that we interpret that certain individuals, such as Negro slaves, are less than whole people in this country.  So we are burdened with an origin of this country that is not great. 

We have a history of struggling with this premise, as in the War Between the North and the South, during Reconstruction, during both World War I and World War II, the suffragette movement, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movement and even today, that America is Great.  But is America Great?

I would propose to you that America is Great when we have a great leader, who embodies the moral, ethical, and leadership values that we want to represent our country. When the idea and ideals of American are embodied in our government.   So George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and John Kennedy might rank highly Ranking US Presidents.   Richard Nixon, Warren Harding, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, not so much.  I will not comment on Donald Trump, because of my personal prejudice, but also my awareness that sometimes, with history, evaluations change.  Please note, that I do state that the personal lives of each President, who might be considered great, may or may not have been great. But his leadership qualities made him great. 

But how does divisiveness, duplicity, disparagement, denigration, dismantlement of past policies, and disgraceful personal deportment embody greatness?  If you or I were in school, a "D" would be a failing grade. 

I want America to be Great.  Again?  I don't know, was it ever great?  We have had periods in history when American performed at a great level. Such as during World War II with The Greatest Generation?  But was America great then?  No, discrimination was rampant.

So what do we do to make America Great?  I do not think this rests with any one person or any one policy.  I think it requires each and every one of us to step up to behave in a moral and ethical manner.  In a manner that says "America is Great" not dependent upon politics, or policy,  but that is dependent upon morals, ethics, the rule of law, and humanity. Not dependent upon our leader, who says America can be great because of its business practises, but dependent upon ourselves, who say America can be great because of our moral, ethical and leadership qualities.

Early Evening Rain, Late Evening Thunder

Last night, we had an early evening rain.  It was almost more of a mist or drizzle than a rain, but it persisted.  Later, in the evening, there was lightning and thunder to be heard.  Today, it was obvious that the drizzle or mist really turned into a good amount of rain, which we needed seriously. 

Facebook, Words with Friends and Social Media in General

I have a Facebook account, but have moved away from browsing Facebook, more and more.  For a while, I would look at a few entries before I moved on to Words with Friends.  Now, I just go directly to Words with Friends, and bypass Facebook. So, if someone posts something on Facebook that I am supposed to know about, don't be surprised if I don't know it.

If you want me to know, send me a message, send me an email, text or leave a voice message.

Overcast

The day started bright and sunny, but the weather forecasters were predicting increased cloud cover with possible scattered rain. About mid-afternoon, the clouds started rolling in from the north and west.  But even before that, it was possible to see the cloud banks to the north and west.  As I sat facing north in my house, I could see the cloud banks moving in, and the sky to the south and east blue, with fluffy cumulus clouds spotting the sky.

By six or six fifteen, the cloud banks had moved in.  It made the house dark, dark enough to need the lights inside, even though we are a couple of hours from sunset. The wind has picked up.  

The problem is, there is no guarantee of rain just because it is overcast.  Maybe it will rain, after all.  

Salty Snacks

In an effort to eat more healthy, which I am not succeeding at very well, I have been trying to refrain from purchasing certain snacks, especially salty snacks.  I like an occasional sweet, but I can make a meal of salty snacks.  

Well, yesterday, I went shopping for groceries, and lo and behold, although they were not on my list, I purchased two kinds of salty snacks: pretzels, and roasted salted Inca nuts.  

Well, mid-morning today, I started feeling heady and nauseous.  Normally, I would pull out a few saltine crackers, or maybe fix some chicken noodle soup and eat that with saltines.  Not today.  I had pretzels and corn nuts which I have grazed on, off and on until mid afternoon, when I started feeling less symptomatic. 

Hmm, I wonder if my body knew something I did not know yesterday!   

Smart Phone

I did not think I needed a smartphone.  What did I know?  Look at me today:  I am working on the computer, and watching the Tigers vs. Yankee (Major League Baseball) game on my smartphone.  The game was supposed to be on TV, but Fox Sports has a full line up of college sports, which has faced a rain delay.  So in an effort to get complete coverage of their college games, most specifically University of Texas Longhorns vs. University of Maryland Terrapins on TV, the baseball game is being aired on the Fox Sports app.  So, I have my smartphone propped up in my book holder, and I can monitor the possible TV coverage, work on the computer, and watch the game!

Yeah smartphone!