June 2021

 June 2021

COVID Is Just About Done Here

And Not A Moment Too Soon

PA/NH/ME/DE

1- TU- PA

I called Sharon in the AM.  She starts chemotherapy tomorrow and she was through the roof with her stress.  It was hard to talk with her.

I went out and bought more new plants.  I am ridiculous.  I did buy a big sunflower and I am looking forward to it growing and taking over my balcony.

Getting to my 5000 steps was so easy today.

Tweet: How do you define treason? In light of the fact that Flynn is still free, I’m having trouble understanding the meaning of treason.

2- W- PA

Sharon started chemotherapy. I checked in with her mid-afternoon and she seemed to be handling the challenge,

There was an Uptown Meeting for all of the volunteers.  The theatre is going to open soon and I can't wait to get back to volunteering there.

I got my 5000+  steps in today.

3- TH- PA

I promised Sharon that I would not contact her for a few days so she could rest.  So I texted Heather who told me that all was well.  Not nauseous but very tired.  I'll take that.

We had a lounge  party tonight.  Steve and I sent notices to people and asked them to join us for drinks in the lounge.  About 30 people showed up.  Some of them I knew but mostly there were new people.  We are finally and slowly getting back to normal.

I got 5,000+ steps in today.  YEA!!

4- F- PA/DE

Today, I had a Genetic Counseling session.  This woman is going to check me out.  I have to get all fo the results of my siblings' BRAC testing.  I have to get the results of the colonoscopy report from 7 years ago. She is going to do a quick blood test and then a full panel test and than a DNA/RNA test.

I went to a wonderful garden center in Hochassin and I am happy to report that I didn't buy any new flowers

On the way home, I stopped at the Braecjoch Brewery (1) in Kennett Square.  I've been here before but it was nice to stop in today for a quick flight.

I had dinner with Sue and Kevin.  As we were trying to watch the local fireworks display, Harry, the dog, ate a whole plate of chocolate brownies.  In light of the fact that this consumption can cause immediate death, we all jumped right to panic mood.  First, under doctor's orders, we forced salt down his throat, hoping he would throw up.  After three attempts,  that didn't happen so the doctor told us to up the effort.  We poured peroxide down his throat.  This poor dog was so upset and frightened that he clenched his teeth so hard that it took two of us to get this down his throat.  But we did it and he threw up and survived.

I got my 5,000+ steps.

5- SA- PA/DE

The pool was packed and filled with joyful sounds. People were just so damn happy to be there today.  It seems as if we have lots of kids in the building at the moment and consequently, it seems as if they dominated the pool.

Sam called me today.  She had been on my mind to call her and the last two nights I have had dreams about her so I knew I had to connect.  And then she called. I spoke with her for over an hour.

Later in the evening, I dinner with Jaye.  We went to Harry's as I had a gift certificate for $50.  I had the prime rib and I loved every bit of my dinner.  I was so damn happy.

Afterwards, I showed Jaye a bag I had in my car.  It was filled with grilling tools and it was my intention to pawn these things off on everyone I visited this summer.  Much to my surprise, Jaye took every damn thing in the bag and she also took my white, slip-on sneakers that I tried to push on Tricia a few weeks ago.  I was really surprised to see wha a pushover she was.

Trump went to some sort of event today and gave yet another incoherent rant about the election.  He is claiming he will be back in the WH by August. His delusions don't worry me as much as the fact that too many people still believe him.

I walked my 5000 steps today.

6- SU- PA

OMG, it is fucking hot today. It got up to 97.  My apartment was like an oven.

I spoke with Sharon for almost 2 hours on the phone. She is tired and not up for company but I think she is feeling trapped.  She needs to eat a high protein diet.  So, after we hung up, I went shopping for protein food.  And I found a shitload of things to eat.  I went to an outdoor store and found all sorts of dehydrated foods that are high in protein.  I found tuna, and salmon and trout and sardines.  There are a variety of nuts that have tons of protein so I got a variety of them.  I got a ton of stuff and I think I went a little overboard.

I got my 5000 steps i today.

7- M- PA

I losing my fucking eye glasses.  I always tuck them under my pillow right as I decide to go to sleep.  They are always within a hands reach of me in the morning.  And this morning, they were not on my bed.  I tried looking at 7:30 and then again at 10:00 and again at 1:00PM and still, I didn't find them.  FUCK.  Fortunately, I have a second pair so I am going to look again tomorrow.  I am just so damn aggravated.

I went to the movies.  I went to see one of my favorite movie themes and villains: Cruella Devil.  I loved it even though this is a movie for kids (I guess). The topic seemed too adult for me.

I got my 5000 steps in today.

8- TU- PA

There was lots of rain and thunder today and it didn't come a moment too soon to end this terrible heat wave.

I had lunch with Sharon and Glenn.  I thought she looks pretty darn good considering that she just went through chemo.  She says she's lost 15 pounds already but I don't see it.

On my way home I stopped in to the Separatists Brewery (2) in South Philly.  It was a nice places but the beers were mediocre.  I don't feel a need to go back there.

Tweet: If legislators don't show up to vote, they should be fined. Avoiding a vote is cowardly and negligence of duty. #HoldLegislatorsAccountable

I got my 5000+ steps today.

9- W- PA

Today is the 11th anniversary of my retirement. I can't believe I have retired this long and I cant believe how I have lost all ambition to work again.

I started listening to a podcast about Mother Theresa.  It is not a positive review of her work and her leadership.  It almost feels like blasphemy to listen to these stories of women who chose to join her order of nuns and then were psychologically damaged by the demands of the organization.  It's little frightening that some groups are so extreme.

I booked a hotel room for my road trip to NH for Monday.  It has been too much effort to make this commitment.  I think that is the result of sitting home for most of the year.  I have lost my spontaneity. 

OMG, it is stinking hot right now so I am sitting in the Root Down Brewery (3), having a beer and letting the overactive air conditioning blow arctic air right down my torso and it feels wonderful.  Fuck, it is hot today. I'm going to see a movie about the last few surviving Nazis, The Last Affirmation.  They are being asked to reflex on their behaviors during WWII.  This should be very interesting as I am also watching a Netflix series on a US citizen who was sent back to Israel to stand trial for being a horrific Nazi who exterminated thousands of lives in Poland.

I got my 5000+ steps in today but it was an effort.

10-TH- PA

I had yet another reoccurring dream that I was called back to work but this time, I was called back to work at the middle school instead of the high school. The dream always involves confusion and a discussion about my compensation and how this will effect my pension.

I tried looking for my glasses again today.  I moved furniture and everything and still couldn't find them.  I asked Lauren if she can come over soo and help me move the bed's box board.  I just cant figure out where those fucking glasses are.

Eleven years ago today, I had my breast reduction surgery and it was the best decision that I ever made.

11- F- PA

I found my fucking eye glasses. They had slid under a magazine on the bottom shelf, in the back.  I cant figure out how the hell they traveled all that distance with one, small drop from my bed.

My half umbrella showed up today.  This should be exactly what I need to keep that intense sun off m balcony in the mid afternoon.

I watched a movie on Netflix, White Tiger. It was shot in India so of course I loved it and I loved the topic of the vulgarity of social class.

I completed 6100+ steps!!!!  I need to step up my commitment to this goal.

12- SA- PA

I reviewed the results of my blood work.  It's not looking good for me;  I have high glucose, low protein, low vitamin d and it looks as if I am slipping in to diabetes and will have to give up drinking beer.

I am really worried about my health. The results of my blood work came back and the results were dreadful.

Tricia texted me and asked if I would join her at outdoor movie tonight.  She didn't know the name of the movie but that didn't matter to either of us.  We were just so glad to be at an event.

Deb Green somehow found Barb McAleer, an old PSU friend, on social media and now wants tp go find her and I have no interest. We haven't seen her for 40 years.

I completed 5000+ steps.

13- SU- PA

Today was Michelle Fuller's funeral. She is the sixth of my 50 high school classmates to die.  Six of us went to pay our respects and Vanessa, another classmate, officiated the service.

Afterwards we went to the Ironhill Brewery- Ardmore. (4)  I ordered a delicious hazy beer and mentioned to everyone just how great it was.  Everyone took a slip.  So much for spreading germs and covid.

I got my 5000+ steps in today.

14- M- PA/NJ/NY/CT/MA/NH

In the morning, I had to get some bloodwork done to start genetic counseling.  I like this doctor.  She seems so committed to discovering my cancer story.

Afterwards, I took off on a long drive to NH for Road Trip #2121-6.  I am heading to NH to meet my beer goal of a brewery in every state.  I am also going to drive to ME and take in a brewery.  And with that, I will be finished with all of the eastern states.  Now I will have to return to the Mid-West.

I did some research on Sharon's cancer and I am worried.  This cancer is a killer.  I think Sharon is going to be just like my mother.  I think she is going to be in a constant battle against this cancer.

I didn't come anywhere close to my goal of 5000+ steps today but I was just too damn tired. I went to bed earlier than usual.

15- TU- NH/ME

The first stop of the day was at Definitive Brewery (5) (ME) and I did not like the place at all.  The beers were mediocre and the place was a little lifeless. But going here did fill my goal of a brewery in every state.

Later in the afternoon, I went to Smuttynose Brewery (6)(NH) .and really enjoyed it.  I've bought this beer before.  They make a pumpkin beer that I really like.  Today, I had a flight of IPAs.  I am not sure I could distinguish one from the other.  But I enjoyed them all.

I found myself in a conversation across our tables with a man and woman from Philadelphia.  The man mostly talked and we exchanged stories about cops stopping us for various minor traffic violations. He is an African American man and he told me that a police office once insisted that he be addressed as "Sir". The man told this police officer, "I will not call you sir.  I have hairs on my balls that are older than you."  double rainbow 

I had a great Lebanese dinner in some crazy sandwich shop.  The cook offered to make me a sandwich or something Lebanese so I let her surprise me with a meal and it was delicious.

I walked 5000+ steps today.

16- W- NH/MA/CT/NY/NJ/PA

Of course, I woke up to the first sunny day since Sunday.  And, of course, the beach was filling up as I was leaving.  I had thought about sitting on the beach until 3 and then leaving but I didn't.  I left around noon and stopped several places along the way in pursuit of an umbrella stand.

It was a long, hard drive home.  But I made it without any issues which was a relief because I saw lots of fender benders.

I met my goal of 5,000+ steps.

17 TH- PA

I spent some of the afternoon, trying to figure out the new configuration of my two balcony umbrellas.  They are both too big to be up together and therefore, not able to afford me all of the coverage I need to sit out there in the middle of the afternoon.

Sharon held a Great Dames event about confidence and body image.  I am not sure I liked the conversation but maybe it's because I don't like to talk about my body.

I made my 5,000+ steps.

18-F- PA

I had my follow-up appointment with the rhuemotologist. I got my first shot for my osteoporosis treatment.  I am also going to get knee injections in the near future. And it sounds as if I am going to go to the doctor's offices more frequently.

Clay is the fastest boy in the state of Virginia.  He won two state championships today.  And I missed it.

For Lauren's 28th birthday and to celebrate her new job, we hit the town for the evening. We went to Tecca,  Stove and Tap, Wrong Crowd Brewery (7) and Sedona Tavern.  I have to say, we were pretty good in that we didn't overeat or over drink.  But I was full because I made it a point to drink a pint of water at three of the places.  So I thought I was going to explode.

I walked 7300+ steps with easy.  I really have to get out and walk around town more often.

Tweet: During the primaries, Biden was my last choice. I just didn’t want another old, white man as my president. But today, OMG, I am so relieved that he is the president. #PresidentBiden

19-SA-PA

I just couldn't wake up today.  I would wake up and set the alarm for 15 minutes and fall back in to a deep sleep and dream.  Finally, I got up and got dressed and went downstairs to get my mail.  I ran in to Debbie, Pete and Diane and made them watch my video of Clay's great race.  And then I came upstairs and slipped back in to bed until 8:30.  I had to force myself to get up because I was worried about my hydration.

In spite of my lethargy, I made my walking goal of 5,000+ steps.

20- SU- PA

It's Father's Day and Kevin's first time to celebrate. That must have been exciting for him.

Sharon wasn't well enough to start her family vacation.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for her.

I ushered at the Uptown Theatre.  It was nice to be back in this environment.

I watched a movie , Sir, No Sir, about the US soldiers' defiance during the Viet Nam war. During the course fo the war, there were 500,000 deserters.  I didn't know that. The soldiers refused to continue to kill women and children.  The refusal had grown so great that the generals had to change course and move from a grounds operation to a flying operation where thousands and thousand of bombs were dropped randomly on remote villages.

I spoke with Laydon.  We had some confusion about our time today so I woke her up.  And as usual, she was so damn grateful to chat with me.

Trump's message to the world. "Happy Father's Day to all, including the Radical Left, RINOs, and other Losers of the world. Hopefully, eventually, everyone will come together!"  He is such a deplorable idiot.

21- M- PA

It was hot, sticky and unpleasant.  I ran off to Produce Junction and bought a ton of green vegetables and, of course, a few plants. 

When I got back to my apartment, everyone was outside. The fire alarm went off and we waited in the heat.  It was a false alarm.  But I did get to meet two new people and I shook their hands which is something I haven't done in 15 months.

Jon Spalding's son was amongst the crowd.  He has been here for a few days, trying to empty out his apartment.  Ben commented that John had so much stuff.  Yet, I saw Jon as a guy of few things.

Sue and I finally got to see the movie,  In The Heights.  I loved it.  There was singing and dancing and great dialogue and lovable characters.  My Favorite line: "This place looks like a fucking Gilligan's Ghetto Island."

I got another $200 check from my cancer insurance policy.  I wonder if this is a reimbursement for the monthly fees from the date of the diagnosis of my cancer.

I got in my 6100+ steps.

22- TU- PA

I woke up from a nightmare this morning.  I was taking my friends from Bangladesh to a liquor store to buy a variety of beers.  They were going to break from their Muslim faith and drink beer with me.  I had described all of the varieties we could try and they were excited to participate.  But when we got to the beer store, they only had light beer and I was so damn frustrated.  I think I had this dream because I drank a non-alcoholic beer right before I went to bed. Trying to give up beer is causing nightmares.

It rained all day. So I just hung in the lounge all afternoon and worked on my laptop.

I am trying to get my brewery list up to date.  I have a list that indicated I've been to 213 breweries.  I added another 30 to my list and then I merged my list and ended up with 209.  Something is wrong.  I can't believe I cant even keep a simple brewery list.

Pam, my cousin, contacted me today to let me know that my uncle's Alzheimers has now taken most of his memory. I asked if he recognized her and she told me, "Yes but it's hazy.  He is having lots of visual hallucinations (dead bodies on the ground, people coming at him with a knives) so we've had to put him on an antipsychotic so he's not agitated or aggressive toward his caregivers.  Tragic and reaffirming of my final exit plan."

I purchased another brand of a non-alcoholic beer and it was dreadful.  Actually, I think this company has its audacity to ever suggest that this product resembles a beer. I want my money back.

I got my 5000+ steps in today.

23- W- PA

I had a great day.  I got up at 10 AM to call and confirm my appointment to get work done on my car.  And I am glad that I called because I didn't have an appointment. I have to take my car in on Friday.  So I just rolled back to bed and listened to music.

There was a lot of talk in the news today of this new Delta COVID variant.  It is supposed to be worse than the original virus. In India, it is wiping out whole families. And there was talk of the people in their 20s who refuse to get the vaccine.  And then I  went in to a WAWA store today and all of the clerks are wearing masks.  I asked when they no longer had to wear them and the young woman told me that she can stop when she is vaccinated. But she isn't getting vaccinated.

I got myself up and on the road to Chruchville Nature Center in Warminster.  It's a sweet, little place and has several trails but they are not clearly marked so I was becoming concerned about getting lost.  All of the sudden, a younger woman approached me and suggested that I turn around as the path ahead was muddy and buggy.  We walked back and started talking.  She mentioned something about hummingbirds reminding her of her grandfather.  I mentioned my story of hummingbirds and 9/11.  She teared up a little and told me that we were met to talk today because she was worried about tomorrow.  She goes to the doctor to see if she has cancer. I told her about my cancer and that solidified her thoughts of divine intervention.

On the way home, I stopped at the Crooked Eye Brewery (8) and had two delicious pale ales and IPAs.  I liked this place and it was crowded for a Wednesday afternoon.  The place filled up quickly.

I walked 8500+ steps today and it was rather effortless. If I have a place to go, I will walk but I really have to get my sorry ass out and about every day.

24- TH- PA

It's a gorgeous day and I am hanging inside.  I had a few stupid tasks to do so I decided to stay put and get things done.

I had my weekly meeting to discuss the new portal system for Great Dames and I found myself out of focus. Consequently, I asked a few stupid questions today.

I followed up in trying to compete the simple task of printing my damn car insurance card so that I can get my car inspected tomorrow.  That proved to be a challenge for so many annoying technology problems.

Jon Spalding's family stopped in for the last time and got the last of his things out of his apartment.  They took his car away yesterday.  Adriana, the concierge, took his big ass TV.  So now, Jon is completely erased from Chestnut Square.. 

It is Resident Appreciation Day here at Chestnut Square so I stopped in the lounge and had a huge, chocolatey, delicious cupcake and now I am disappointed in myself.

In the evening, we had a party in the courtyard.  There were lots of new people.  As a matter of fact, they outnumbered the old people.  I stayed for about an hour and then left because I had to meet up with Tricia.  We went to an outdoor concert which was really enjoyable.  The weather was perfect.  It wasn't too crowded and the band was great.  It is so nice to slip back in to a normal world.

I walked my 5,000+ steps.

25- F- PA

Today was a wasted day. I had a noon appointment to get my car inspected so I dropped it off and spent the rest of the afternoon, waiting to get the phone call that they found something wrong with my car.  But they didn't call and at 5:00PM, I called them and the car was ready.  So  I walked down there and picked it up but by the time I got home, I was too lethargic to do anything meaningful for the day.

I did discover that I have burned out yet another charger for my old laptop.  This is the 3rd dead charger and my laptop is 7 years old and on the edge of failing me for life.  So I don't feel like buying a 4th charger.  But I went to log on my new laptop that I hate and I don't remember the fucking password. So, unless I can remember it, I am going to have to drive to the Apple Store and confess my incompetence.

I walked my 5,000+ steps.

26- SA- PA

Birds are hanging around my balcony and they are a nuisance. As I was sitting on my balcony, I felt bombarded by their presence.  I think they are building nests on the balconies above me and below me. So I went out in the courtyard to observe them and that was when they decided to go in to hiding.  So I can neither confirm or deny that they are moving in.

Tweet: I think MTG has a crush on AOC. One of our US representatives is constantly mentioning another to the point that I think she has a crush on the other woman.

I walked my 5,000+ steps.

27- SU- PA

I just couldn't sleep last night so I took a sleep aid at 6 AM and that was a mistake.  I set the alarm for noon but I was so groggy that I was concerned about driving my car.

We finally got to have our PSU reunion party.  Deb Green cancelled it two weeks ago because of weather so we met today.  The party was outside and it was so fucking hot that I wished I had brought a fan with me.

I walked my 5000+ steps.

28- M- PA

I woke up to a phone call from my genetic counselor.  I do not have the BRAC 2 gene mutation.  However, we are going to do more testing to see if we can see if there are any hidden variants in my genetic.

I walked my 5000+ steps today.

29- TU- PA

We had another high school reunion party at Leslie's house.  Twelve fo us showed up and we were all so glad to see each other after 1 1/2 years of COVID.  Leslie's home is gorgeous and was a great place to just sit and relax.  In light of Michele's death last month, Leslie was determined that we meet at her house rather than at a restaurant and that proved to be a great choice.  I left my house at 4 and I didn't get home until midnight.

I got to Leslie's house before the others and I took about 60 photos of her gorgeous garden.  OMG, some of her flowers were just beautiful.

I opened the evening with a focused moment for everyone to look at my video of Clay winning his state race.  I think I made them look at the video at least three times.  Marianna jumped in and asked us all to brag about something going on in our lives.  It was fun to see what was on people's minds.  There was a vulnerability and an intimacy in what we shared with each other.

I didn't get my 5000 steps in today because I was out with friends longer than I had expected.

Tweet: Someone needs to go to rehab. #TrumpCrimeFamily: DJTjr is releasing videos on Youtube and it is obvious that he is high on cocaine.

30- W- PA

I'm frustrated today. It is so fucking hot that I am not even going outside on my balcony.  I think it may have reached 100 by mid-afternoon.  It was fucking hot. So I decided to use this day to get caught up on my paperwork.  I needed to fill in a questionnaire for my upcoming colonoscopy.  Once finished, I went to the business center to print it and tow people were hogging the computers.  I finally had to ask them to share and that was an ask that was too much for one woman.  We have 300 people in the building and only two computers and these people were working in front of the computers and not even using them.  They pissed me off.  So this annoyance and the fucking heat have made me grouchy.

Someone in Chile hacked in to my Netflix account and now my account setting is in Spanish.  If I find that guy, I am going to beat the shit out of him.

Bill Crosby was released from prison today due to a procedural mistake in his trial.  So he served over 2 years for sexual assault and he walked free.  Sometimes there is no justice.

There are rumors that the Trump Organization is going to be indicted any day now.  If that happens today, my mood may pick itself up and dance in the streets.

Tweet: Now that Bill Cosby has been released from jail, I wonder if his vision will return and he can walk on his own again.