thursday
Another sunny day in paradise. I was up at 5:00 and I tidied up the house and then, full of trepidation, I did some tech work on my computer. Dealing with technology causes me to stress out because I have no confidence and I fear the worst.
I recently upgraded my operating system to Tahoe 26.4.1, and since then I have been getting messages on my desktop from Apple telling me that my “Intel-based” apps would not work with the next Apple operating system update and that I should update them with an “Apple silicone” version of the software.
I used AI to learn how to remove the existing apps that I have and how to find and upload new versions. I appear to have been successful because when I open the apps of concern now, I no longer get the message to update my app. Phew!
I puttered around a cool house in the morning; I’m conserving firewood. And then I had a spa, even putting my arms and their bandages into the warm water. What joy I had getting into the warm, clear water while outside it is brisk (7°) and silent except for the odd rooster calling and sporadic birdsong.
And once the self-indulgent part of my day was done, Her Highness and I went for our morning walk while the laundry went through its cycle. I can’t water the gardens when the washer is on, so we walked, and when we got home, I went out to water the plants that I didn’t water on Wednesday. After, of course, checking the water level of the cistern.
I loved that I waited until the sun was high in the sky to walk. Feeling the sun on my skin and even through my clothes was divine. And the fragrance of the forest was sweet smelling with a hint of cinnamon. Oh, it smelt good. It is such a great, great way to stat the active part of my day.
And I even enjoyed watering the plants, both yesterday morning and on Wednesday. It has me checking in on every plant and finding things to do. I wanted to be able to stay in bed on Friday if I felt poorly because of the shot, knowing that my plants are not thirsty.
Soon, it was lunchtime, and then I read until the arrival of the dreaded hour to go to the clinic for my shingles shot. Sigh. I feared how sick I would be on Friday.
The evening was, as always, the same routine that is always a pleasure.
friday
Thursday night was rough. I was hot and kept waking up through the night, and when the whimpering and meowing called me to action at 5:00, I got up, fed everyone, let Sheba out to do her morning rituals, then, as soon as she came back into the house, I went back to bed and slept.
At 9:00. I pulled myself up and into clothes and took Her Highness for a short walk in the 707. I was death walking because I wanted to be in bed. I felt dreadful and hoped I would not see anyone. I didn’t, and soon I was back in bed.
They know when it is time to eat, so they were all in the bedroom wanting lunch at 11:30. I got up, fed them and went back to bed. I slept soundly until 15:00, when I had to take Shebie for her afternoon walk. Again, it was short, but not nearly so horrid as my morning walk, so I resolved to move to the chaise when we got home, and not to return to my bed.
I just lay there, eyes closed. I had no energy for reading or watching TV, so I just lay on the chaise with my eyes closed, sill and calm and content until it was time to feed the pets their dinner. I had no appetite, but I did manage to eat some toast and later, an apple.
I eventually turned on the TV and I watched a movie that I had long wanted to see called Cactus Pears. It is the first mainstream Indian movie to deal with gay men, and I loved it. It was so gentle and moving; I was amazed by the film and the way it revealed the culture and rituals that are so much a part of Indian life, the rituals and believes that make a man not marrying so hard for a family to endure. And then I went to bed and slept soundly through the night.
It’s lovely and warm outside this morning. Sheba and I will enjoy a long walk together this morning, and I will putter at yard work through the day. I’m taking it easy today, but I feel fully functional.
I’m so, so glad that getting my shingles vaccine is over. My next big event is on Wednesday when I got to Nanaimo Hospital for lung testing and then I’ll do some shopping while I’m on the big island, and then I meet Kris, Steve and Nancy for dinner at Mahle House. I’m very excited about dinner.
A year ago, when I had my lungs tested, they were functioning at 20%. That’s how I earned my right to Tezspire. It’s an expensive drug that the insurers don’t want to cover except for provably urgent cases. On Wednesday, Dr. Dorscheid is expecting me to discover that my lungs are working at 100%, and if I do prove to have maximum capacity, I’ll be taken off my two inhalers. I take 11 medications every day; to lose two of them is thrilling.
Today is going to be a good day. I’m looking forward to our walks because at this time of year, the temperatures are ideal. It was 13° at 5:00 this morning and the afternoon temperature is predicted to be 25°.
Woo hoo, 25°! I’ll be watering today.
