December 2020
Covid Is Out Of Control
We Only Have Two More Months of Trump
This Is My Month To Recuperate From My Cancer Surgery
PA/DE
TU- December 1
I slept all day. I took two sleep aids and maybe one would have been enough because I had trouble waking up. I dozed off and on all day. Oh well.
W- December 2
I hate my phone. It is becoming increasingly dysfunctional. I hate it and I hate the phone manufactures who are doing everything they can to make phones obsolete every two years so that I have to consume and consume and consume. There is an unknown file in my RAM space that is eating 18G of my 30G space. Now, I can't use any of my applications.
I went to Pica's for a prime rib dinner with Debbie. OMG, I love prime rib. And my slice was so damn big that I had to take half home with me to eat tomorrow. Life is Good.
TH- December 3
I hate my phone. Today, I can only make calls and send text messages. I am so damn frustrated.
I started the day with a phone call with Laydon. She is one happy person who sees joy in everything she does.
I had a long phone call with Joann. She is exhausted by life, COVID, her mother's death, her cousin's death, her health, her kids and everything else that is being thrown at her. Tentatively, we are going to get together next week. We may go in to the city to see Teresa and the girls.
I has a phone call with Kathy. I asked her to help me generate a list of questions to ask my oncologist about my pending radiation treatment. By the time we finished, we had a lot.
I spent three fucking hours at the Sprint store and I left with a new Mini Apple 12. It only cost a fucking $750. And then I had to buy a $40 glass shield and a $20 case. I hate them.
Tweet: Just when I think he can't stoop amy lower, the idiot proves me wrong again. Today, the Trump Campaign announced they’ve surpassed $200,000,000 in donations. Trump will keep $150,000,000 and the RNC gets $50 million. He is fleecing money from his cult base.
F- December 4- PA
Today was a day of relief. I went to the oncologist and she informed me that I only need three treatments of radiation and it will all be done in one week. OMG, that is so manageable. I could be finished all of my treatment by mid-January. How luck am I!!! I feel joyful. I am grateful and relieved to have this treatment option.
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It places radioactive sources inside the patient to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This allows your doctor to use a higher total dose of radiation to treat a smaller area in less time.
After my appointment, I went to Leslie Grims' house to watch the Queen's Gambit. I usually don't like to watch TV series but I did get sucked in to this one. We watched two of the shows and I am going back on Monday to watch the last 5 of the 7 shows.
SA- December 5- PA
It's 46 years ago today that Jack died. He had cancer, just like me. But unlike me, he really, really suffered. I am not suffering. I loved my grandfather. I was so lucky to have him in my life.
It's a rainy, rainy day and I am so glad that it isn't any colder or we would be having lots of snow instead.
Patricia wants me to get a second opinion on my pathology report. I, on the other hand, just want to plow ahead the current plan and get over this situation. I want to be completely cancer-free ASAP.
Trump is pressuring the GA governor to overturn the election results. He is now 0-40 in his frivolous lawsuits. One of his star witnesses has turned out to be an actor. The situation is desperate, comical and dangerous.
I had dinner with Jaye and Dom and then we watched the movie Bombshell about the fall of Roger Ales on Fox News. I've seen this movie before but I just love the story of the fall of Bill Riley and Fox news.
Dom told me that he has been so worried about me. I think he felt a little more assured that things are going to be OK for me now that he has seen how I am doing.
Tweet: You are the biggest loser. You lost the election. You lost all of your silly law suits. You are losing followers on Twitter. Our allies are no longer interested in you. Republicans are abandoning you. #TrumpIsALoser. #TrumpIsALaughingStock #TrumpTheFool
SU- December 6- PA
I called Laydon and asked her about her girlfriend. They broke up and she is handling the break up fairly well. She realized that this relationship was bad for her. And she knows she will move on to someone else. My heart went out to her.
I had MSK zoom call with my students in Bangladesh. As is always the case when we speak to each other, a few people wanted to start adding new projects to the list of projects we haven't completed yet. This drives me crazy.
I had dinner with Sharon in Philadelphia. We were trying to find a place where we could met half way and eat outside. The truth is, outside eating is finished for the season. So I drove to Sharon's house and the parking gods were with me because I found something right in front of her house which is nothing short of a miracle.
Tweet: Just when I think the idiot can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong YET AGAIN! That POS called a governor and asked him to overturn the results of a free and fair election so he could maintain power. He's brazenly attempting a coup. #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace #SaveDemocracy
M- December 7- PA
I went back to Leslie's house to continue to watch The Queen's Gambit. We watched three shows so now we only have two more to watch. I will go back on Wednesday to finish up this task. And this is why I don't like to get caught up in a series. It's too much commitment.
I got home just in time to attend a Great Dames event. I got Tiasha to speak about project in Bangladesh. People were so excited to hear what she had to say that 15 of them chimed up and offered to send $100 each. Now we are going to have $1300 for our project. Now we have too much money.
Someone sent me an ugly Christmas sweater. I am just going to throw it out.
Tweet: Just when I think he/his administration can't go any lower, they prove me wrong again.They passed when Pfizer first offered to sell the US large quantities of its vaccine. Now Pfizer may not be able to provide more vaccines until June because of its commitments to other countries.
TU- December 8- PA
It's been 40 years since John Lennon was murdered. I was in the Brick House Bar in State College with Deb Green when the announcement came over the TV. We were shocked. We left the bar in silence, in the snow and the moment was dreadful.
Sharon called me several times because she wants to get the money to my project ASAP. If everyone pays up, it will be $1300 and we could really do a lot with that money.
I wanted to go to Bombay Hook today to see the snow geese but I got up too late and spent too much time on the phone with Sharon so it was 2:30 PM bu they time I got started. So I decided to to the Middle Creek Reservoir in Berks County. It's only an hour drive there and sometimes snow geese are there. So off I went and I got to the trail old to discover that it is closed for the winter. Damn, damn, damn, damn damn. I will have to come back in March.
A woman, in England, received the first vaccine in the world. In my mind, with no facts, I project that I will get the vaccine in the spring. I can wait that long. The healthcare workers and first responders go first. Then the old people in nursing homes are getting it. And then the prisoners and then I come next; an old fart with a compromised system. Oh lucky me to have cancer. That pushed me to the front of the old fart line.
Steve text me to tell me that Phyliss has COVID. She has been sick since Saturday which is the same day she wanted me to come to her apartment to watch the PSU game. I declined because their apartment is small and no air filters through there and they hang out with lots of other people in their homes. Steve tested negative but they are quarantining together in their apartment so it shouldn't be long before he is also infected. I am hoping it is a mind case for her.
I finally got to see the movie, The Immortal Heneritta Lacks. I read the book about 10 years ago and enjoyed it. I've tried to see the movie several times and it was never available. But tonight i got to see it and I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the book even though they approached the story very differently.
Trump got another blow today. The Supreme Court refused to hear his bogus complaint about the election. It is rumored now that he plans to go to Florida for Christmas and never return and that would be fine with me. That would probably be fine with most of America. I wonder if the WH is going to be fumigated once he lives since the virus is live and well and infecting everyone there.
W- December 9- PA
I called Ladon today and she was still on a high about her program from the weekend. She claims 130 million have viewed her video on simulated menstraul cramps.
It snow this afternoon. It wasn't a lot of snow but it was enough to let me know that it is now winter and there is no turning back. We have to just blow through these next few months of cold and snow.
I went to Leslie's house yet again today, the third time in less than a week. We finished watching The Queen's Gambit and now we are talking about watching another series. TV is really time consuming.
I got a text from Debbie. Gina now has COVID. Steve doesn't have it but he wife does and he is in quarantine with her. But he was caught using the copier in the business center. Now, all of the amenities are going to be shut down tomorrow so the building can get a deep cleaning. This COVID situation is becoming scarier by the day. We are worse than we were back in March. We have almost 300,000 deaths in our country. We have almost 15 million cases, nationally. It's become political. The Biden Administration announced that it is going to disinfect the WH after Trump leaves because the virus has just run through that place. We are in for a long winter.
All of our amenities sites in the apartment building are closed tomorrow for a deep cleaning now that we are infected. Apparently, Steve was walking around in the business center, trying to make copies of something. And someone complained that he should be in quarantine. Now, every open place in the building is going to be scrubbed down and disinfected.
TH- December 10- PA/DE
It was a beautiful, sunny day so I decided to take advantage of the weather and I headed to Bombay Hook to see 100,000 snow geese. Hundreds of people have been posting photos of these birds on Facebook so I thought I would drive there and see them for myself. I got there mid-afternoon and there wasn't a goose to be found. Where the hell did they go today? I drove around the area because i know they, sometimes, spend the afternoon at a nearby farm. But I didn't stumble in to them. I was so damn disappointed.
I did stumble in to Earl Blue Brewery which was just up the road. I've been here before and liked the place. Of course, only a few people were there because of COVID. I had a quick flight and left.
Debbie texted me to complain that Steve wanted to go to the store this afternoon to buy milk. He just doesn't seem to understand what it means to quarantine. He now thinks he, too, may have COVID.
The governor shut down restaurants and bars and hair salons and school athletics for the next three weeks. What a tough decision that has to be.
On the presidential bullshit train: the TX Attorney General, who is alleged to have committed crimes and may need a pardon, is suing the states that voted for Biden on grounds of fraudulent practices. If he were the only idiot in the suit, it would be laughable. But 4 other state AGs have joined him. The Republican Party is becoming bat shit crazy. I wish I could speak to me dad, a life-long republican and get his take on all of this craziness.
F- December 11- PA
I ran errands today. The weather was nice and it was a good day to go and get things I needed. I went food shopping and now I have too much food in my refrigerator. Having too much food always makes me nervous. I hate to waste food so now I will be overeating over the next few days to eat up before I have to throw out.
I spent too much of the evening watching a TV series on unsolved cold cases. I wonder why these show hold so much fascination for me.
Tweet: Just when I think he can not stoop any lower, he proves me wrong. Trump refused to come out of his bedroom to attend his WH Christmas Party after he learned of his SCOTUS defeat. He is such a crybaby. But I guess if I knew I was heading to jail, I'd be crying in my room as well.
SA- December 12- PA
I got flowers from Fonda Akin's sorority friends.A few years back, I made donations to their scholarship fund. I think I may have been the only person on the planet to make these donations. So I guess I am going to have to make a donation to her organization soon.
SU- December 13- PA
Ladon was too tired to speak with me today. I got up to call her and had a message that she had gone to bed early. So now I have to get up early again tomorrow to call her.
The highlight of the day was a trip to Wegman's. This is the third grocery visit I've had in a week. There are my only outings these days. And now I have way too much food.
Tweet: Just when I think that he can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong yet again. After months of calling Covid a hoax, holding super-spreader rallies, refusing to wear masks, and receiving the best medical care when they were sick, the WH staff will be the first to be vaccinated.
M- December 14- PA
I watched the movie, Queen of Hearts: Audrey Flack. She is an artist, around my mother's age. She is a feminist and a photo artist. I had never heard of her but she had an interesting story to tell. She has an austic daughter, who lives at the Melmark Institute, which is where Heather worked a few years back. I wonder if Heather know this artist.
TU - December 15
I just had to get out of the building today. I was so desperate that I went to Carlino's to order Christmas deserts. But I couldn't order what I wanted so I am going to have to risk it and come back on the 22 and buy what is available at that time. I was going to wait until the 23rd but the clerk told me that he expects a line out the door that day.
Then I went off to Walmart and wandered around there for the better part of an hour. I bought cleaning supplies that will probably sit in the bag for weeks before I use them. I hate to clean. And I am so damn lazy.
W- December 16
I had my usual phone call with Laydon today and we ran out of things to say to each other. I wonder if we still need to call each other twice a week.
It's snowing and snowing and snowing. We have a snow emergency from now until Friday morning.
I spent some time in the lounge with Deb and Jeff. I haven't seen them for about tow weeks. In the middle fo our conversation, Steve wandered over. He looked awful. He claims he is all better but Phyliss is still sick with COVID. We were angry with him fro being so careless. He has no idea how contagious he is.
I watched the movie Assassins about the killing of the North Korean half- brother. What a despicable person and what an awful plot.
Around 11PM, I texted Jane Momer and she texted back and I texted her and she texted back. So finally, I just called her and we talked for another hour.
Tweet: We have #PresidentElectBiden and #PresidentRejectTrump.
TH- December 17
It's sunny, the air is crisp and it is cold, cold, cold. It stopped snowing in the middle of the night and the view from my courtyard is nothing but pure white snow. But I know that the minute I leave my apartment, I will see nothing but piles of dirty snow, removed from the streets and sidewalks. I will only see the burden of this storm.
I had a virtual call today to get a covid test and I couldn't get through so I guess I will not be getting a covid test any time soon.
Trump is telling his aides that he is not leaving the WH in January. I was hoping that he would go to FL for Christmas and never return. But that doesn't look like that will happen. That guy is batshit crazy.
I had my first mammogram in 8 years. My report indicated that I have dense breasts and that a mammogram may never pick up a cancerous cell because of the breast destiny.
F- December 18
Damn, it's cold today. I went to Ikea and finished my Christmas shopping, sort of. I can never figure out how many gifts I have to buy for this damn, materialistic holiday. It's too stressful and that is why I like to go away for this day. It takes all the pressure off me when I am not in the same continent on this holiday that I don't even celebrate.
I am still attempting to find an oncologist who can give me a second opinion about my cancer prognosis. I really like the doctor I have but I want to hear another doctor tell me that my treatment approach is perfect.
I finally watched the movie Fargo. So many people have told me how damn funny it is. But it was violent and just not my taste in movies. It was OK and I like Fran McDonald so I wasn't too sorry that I watched it.
Tweet: Just when I think that he can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong yet again. Trump DELIBERATELY pushed for herd immunity and urged letting young people catch it and spread it around. This is deliberate mass infection which led to the death of 303,000+ Americans. FUCK HIM!!!!
SA- December 19- PA
It was another lazy day for me. But it is really hard to distinguish a lazy day from a productive day any more. Because it was cold and gray outside, I just didn't want to get out of bed. And for the first time in 3 1/2 years, my apartment is actually cold and I could probably benefit from turning on the heat. But I can't bring myself to do that as I love to tell people that I never turn my heat on in my apartment. Turning it on today would have been a lost for my cheap pride.
I chatted on the phone with Sharon for about 1 1/2 hours today. And she told me the same stories she told me just a few days ago. Then she commented about a mutual friend who is getting old and repetitive. I didn't have the heart to tell her that we are as well.
I watched a movie from Romania, Collitiv, about a fire in a bar that kills many people and injured many more people. And many form this second group also died because of filth and bacteria in the local hospitals. And this negligence was a product of government graft. It was interesting, very sad and hard to watch, but interesting.
Penn State won another football game today. So I think we are at a 4-5 record for the year. This is miserable for us. I haven't watched a game all season because it just hasn't been interesting.
Today, Trump had a meeting with his very small circle of confidantes and he floated the idea of imposing martial law and redoing the election. He has gone bat shit mad.
Tweet: Just when I think that he can't go any lower, that he has reached the bottom, he proves me wrong yet again. He says if McConnell doesn't change electors by throwing it into the House of Representatives, he'll destroy the REPUBLICAN party. #TrumpIsACriminal .
USA Covid cases (as of today): 18,077,768 infected with 323, 401deaths. WOW!!!
SU- December 20- PA
I spoke with Laydon today. She is getting ready for her final exams. And then she is off for almost 2 months and her family is planning a big trip to the south of China. It sounds as if she may be gone for several weeks. I just cant get over how quickly China is developing a middle class. My students from 2012 barely had any expendable cash. And they never had family trips.
It was supposed to snow today but it didn't. And I am really glad because of the snow from Wednesday's storm is now solid ice. And it is so fucking cold. And I am miserable. I get cracky and lazy in the cold weather. And I have to do something about my complete lack of activity and disengagement from everyone and everything. I have to move on with my life. COVID and cancer are isolating me too much. I have to jump back in to the world as I know it.
Sharon sent me a list of the top movies of 2020. Many of the films are on Amazon so I watched The Vast of the Night and I do not understand why this film made it to the list. I had started watching it last week and shut it off after 10 minutes because it was too boring. But I forced my way through the beginning again, hoping to would pick up. But it didn't and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Tweet: Just when I think that he can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong yet again. Trump is floating Flynn's idea to impose martial law & appoint batshit crazy conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell, to use the military to re-do our election & to seize voting machines. #TrumpTreason
M- December 21- PA
I am a lazy ass slug. I have got to turn it around. I just sit all damn day. I need to get moving. And I am trying to understand why I am so lazy now. In the spring, when we first went in to lockdown, the weather was getting nicer, warmer, sunnier. So it was easy to take a road trip somewhere, anywhere, to the beach, to an arboretum, a small town. But now, I am too damn cold to go anywhere. And it gets dark so damn early. And I get cranky in the cold. And I just don't feel like going out. My big trip today was to the Dollar Store to pick up draino for my pipes. I have to turn this around.
The Christmas Star was viewable for the first time in 800 years and, of course, it was so cloudy here that nothing was visible. So this was a missed opportunity as I know I will not be around the next time it comes around again, in 800 years.
I watched The Sound of Metal. It is on the list of best movies to watch this year and now that I am 0-2 of movies on this list, that I like, I can only conclude that the list of options was just too short because of COVID. I spent the rest of the night watching homicide shows. I have to get a life.
TU- December 22- PA
I got a message on FB that a friend noticed that I haven't been on FB for awhile. She told me that she missed my posts. That really surprised me. So I sent her a private note and told her about my cancer.
OK, I was much more active today. I went to Carlino's and got dessert for Christmas Day and I am defiantly off of my sugar ban. OMG, I can hardly wait to show everyone what I got: a pecan pie, a small cheese cake, a ricotta cheese cake, a tarimusi cake, and a fudge brownie. I ant wait.
After that, I went to Kennett Square and found a place to buy mushrooms. I'm giving Tricia and Bill a mushroom themed christmas gift. I hope they like mushrooms.
On my way home, the sun was peaking out, through the clouds, and the light in the late afternoon was glorious. So I took a few photos and threw them on on Facebook. And I'm getting lots of responses.
I attempted to find the Christmas Star but it was still too cloudy. Maybe tomorrow will be the day.
In my effort to watch the best movies of the year, I am watching City Hall which follows the professional life of the mayor of Boston. The movie is over 4 1/2 hours. So I will try to watch at least 2 hours. So far, maybe I won't even make it that long. (Update, I lasted 42 minutes)
Trump has pardoned 20 of his crook friends today. We have a month left and I expect he is only going to become completely bonkers. He just turned on Pence and claims that Pence has not been loyal enough.
W- December 23- PA
I spoke with Laydon and she thinks she saw the Christmas Star in China and now I am jealous of her. Tonight is the last night I might be able to see it and it is raining so I guess this is yet another lost opportunity for me.
I finally, finally, finally, got an appointment to see another oncologist to review my cancer slides. This doctor sounds great. And it will be a load off my mind to have someone confirm my path to recovery.
I broke in to the Christmas cookies that I plan to bring to christmas dinner. I hate me.
I watched a documentary about the 4 black, college students who sat at the food counter at the Woolworths in Greensboro, SC in 1960. What seems like no issue now was a courageous act back then. It changed the country. I don't have that much courage.
Tweet: Just when I think he can't go any lower, he proves me wrong yet again. Today he pardoned murderers, felons, cheats and perjurers. He has no regard for justice. I wonder if he is getting any $$$ for these pardons? #TrumpIsACriminal #TrumpChaos
TH- December 24- PA
I got a package today. It is the 2nd copy of a book a friend sent me. She thought I would like the book because we listened to the podcast together. So she sent it as a get well gift. Apparently, the first one got lost so she ordered it again. So I thought I was getting two copies. But she texted me and asked if she could stop by and pick up the second copy so she could send it back. However, I just given one of the copies to my consigere so now, I am going to end up with neither copies.
I ate more of those damn cookies and now I have a sugar headache. I hate me. I finally had enough sense to throw the remaining cookie out before I hate the whole damn pound.
I watched the movie Oh Brother, Where Are Thou and loved it. I didn't watch it when it was in the movie theaters years ago. I loved the music and I thought the characters were entertaining.
Betsy Paugh was on facebook so I chatted with her for awhile. She is one of the few Stroudsburg connections I have and we really aren't that connected anymore. That whole period of my life has faded away.
COVID cases as of today- 18.7M; deaths- 329K
F- December 25- PA
It's Christmas and it didn't snow as predicted a few days ago. I had an early dinner with the
Anderkos in Berwyn. And we were given only a two hour visit time as Tricia thinks we
get sloppy with our mask mandate after two hours. So we all made a concerted effort to
behave.
SA- December 26- PA
I slept most of the day. I had two nights recently where it seems as if I didn't sleep at all so I was tired.
SU- December 27- PA
I couldn't get through to Laydon today because of internet problems so I will have to try again
tomorrow.
We had a family zoom call. About 25 of us stepped in and out of the call. Quentin was
with his girlfriend and they were hiking.
Twitter: Just when I think that he can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong yet again. His administration is using its final days to execute the most federal prisoners since WW II and he is proud of this horrific record. #TrumpIsACompleteFailure
M- December 28
Shopping for coffee, my new obsession
I watched the movie, Come Away, which told the story of Peter Pan and Alice (Alice in
Wonderland) as siblings and how the two stories emerged. I liked it. It was an
interesting concept.
T- December 29
Kevin turns 40 today. I remember that day like it was just yesterday.I have been an
aunt for 40 years now. And now he is a father.
Today would have been my parents' 69th wedding anniversary.
I had a long phone call with Alanna. She wanted to catch up with me.
W- December 30- PA
Tweet: Just when I think that he can't stoop any lower, he proves me wrong again. In a recently released propaganda video, Trump embedded a photo of a medal to falsely imply he received the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed he was a president of peace. Thursday- December 31- PA
It's the last day of 2020, a year that will be remembered for the rest of my life.
The best thing about covid tonight: no New Year's Eve parties. We all got to stay home without shame or obligation.
In the evening, Tricia had us on zoom to play scattergories.
I spent the rest of the evening compiling my "best of" list for the year: movies, books, plays, podcasts, songs.
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