November 2021
The Virus is Still Alive and Well
But We Just Don't Care Anymore
PA, DE
1- M- PA/DE
This afternoon, I had a breast biopsy and that is a humiliating procedure. I had to lay face down on an examination table and insert my left breast in a hole in the middle of the table. A doctor and his assistant then crouched under the table and proceeded to shoot me up with a numbing concoction and then stuck a huge needle in me and extracted cells from my breast. And the whole time, they talked to me as if we were just sitting around in the living room and having a normal conversation.
I drove to Delaware and had dinner with Jaye and Andrea.
The gnats in my apartment are driving me crazy. Today I ordered some glue paper that is supposed to trap them. I am desperate as my home, organic mixture doesn't seem to be enough to take care of the problem.
2- TU- PA
It's Election Day and I am not as prepared as I should be to vote for candidates. There were several judges on the ballet and I dont pay enough attention to what impact they can have on our lives.
Its All Soul's Day so I posted my list of all of my students who have died. This posting has now become something that the students anticipate. I had trouble finding my list so I was late to post it. By noon, one of my former teachers contacted me to gently remind me that I hadn't posted my list yet. And as usual, I received updated notices all day long about students who have died throughout the year.
In the evening, I had dinner at Sharon's house. Glenn made these delicious large raviolis what were filled with a spinach cheese paste and an egg yolk. And it was delicious. He is such a good, fastidious cook.
3- W- PA
I drove up Willow Creek Brewery (1) in West Reading, PA. They had a wonderful pumpkin coffee stout that was delicious so I bought a pint to go and I don't want to drink it because I think I should save it for a special occasion since it is so damn good.
I chatted with Annum. She is enrolled in her remote classes at Wilmington University and is doing well. But she wants to move her date of when she can come here to study to be sooner than later. She feels left out of the experience.
4-Th- PA/DE
Something is wrong with me. I am so damn lazy and so unambitious. I just couldn't decide what to do. So I decided to waste my time and go to a sports store to see if there is any more shit I wanted to buy. I left with a safety whistle, two flashlights, a multi-tool and yet another portable drip coffee device. I have too much shit. I just don't need any of these things and now I have too many gadgets to carry every day.
I tried to find Twin Lakes Brewery and when I finally found it, I discovered that it didn't make it through the pandemic. And that is just too, too bad as this was a very nice brewery.
My breast biopsy report came back. I have an Atypical ductal hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ, involving a radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion. Translated, it means I do not have cancer today but these cells will probably turn in to cancer some time in the near future.
5- F- PA
My breast oncologist called me this morning, She is going to preform a left needle guided lumpectomy with localization in the operating room on November 19. Can't wait. I do have to report to the surgery center for this procedure. I have to get a covid test, and EKG and have to have a surgery meeting with someone soon. This situation is getting tiring.
PA surpasses 72% of adults vaccinated against COVID-19. That's great progress but I still cant believe anyone is objecting to the vaccine. We have a lot of selfish people in this country.
6- SA- PA
It was Peter's 1st birthday party today even though his birthday isn't until later in the week. OMG, this kid is so adorable. And now Elliot looks just so damn big to me. Heather hosted all of us and she went out of her way to make every moment of the party to be wonderful.
7- SU- PA/DE
I went to Home Depot in search of a bug spray to take care of my fucking gnat problem. I just can't seem to get rid of them. They hang around my sinks and I make an effort to kill them. Then I don't see them for a day and then they return. I found yet another spray but I hate spraying all these chemicals in my apartment.
KT called me to tell me that after 43 years, she and Mike are divorcing. They have been at each other's throats for the last 20 years or more but I thought they would just stay together. Apparently, Mike has fallen in love with his Zumba instructor and he wants to be released from the marriage in hopes that this woman may be interested in him as well.
8- M- PA
I went to Costco today and spent way too much money on things I don't really need. Now I have too much food and that always makes me panic because my freezer is full and bursting at the seams.
I had to call the ER at the New Mexico hospital. I have to get a copy of my EKG report from last month. I have too, too many doctors and health care people in my life at the moment.
Tweet: #IStandWithBigBird
9- TU- PA/DE
It was 70F today so I headed to Dewey Beach for a quick get away. I booked a room at the Atlantic View Hotel and I should have spent $15 for an ocean view. I have a balcony but it overlooks the parking lot.
Mid-Afternoon, I went to the Thompson Island brewery (2)- I had an IPA that had pineapple, melon, lime and coconut hops. And it was delicious. I also had another IPA, a pumpkin ale and a milk stout. I liked these beers but I didn't necessarily like the vibe of the brewery.
In the evening I went to the Dewey Beach Brewery (3). I've been here before and had a great sour beer that tasted more like a cocktail drink. This time, I had a pineapple, coconut sour beer and I couldn't believe how delicious this beer was. I was going to buy a 4 pack to go but didn't. I am making an effort to reduce my drinking in my home and if I bought this pack, I would just sit on my balcony and drink away.
Tweet: What are the republicans voting FOR? What do they want to pass?
10- W- DE/PA
It was another gorgeous gorgeous day. I had to turn the air conditioning on in my car. The sun was just glistening and the air was warm and windy and it was a perfect day. I roamed around the area and took photos. I checked out a place to possibly go camping in the spring and i loved every minute of it.
Of course, I found a new brewery, Big Oyster Brewery, (4) in Lewes, DE. Just like the Dewey Brewery, they had a small assortment of sour beers that are juiced up to taste like a kombucha. My beer was delicious.
In the evening, I booked five flights to UT for January, 2022. I am going with Brian and his family. They don't travel much and I think they are relieved that I am making all of the arrangements. I am looking forward to this trip. We will fly in to Las Vegas, rent a car and drive to Zion National Park. We will find an AirBnB nearby and take day trips from there and then return home, late Friday night.
Twitter: When did the memo go out that 17 year olds were within their rights to be vigilantes and hold protesters accountable to their deadly, misguided standards. He murdered those protesters. #rittenhouseisguilty
11- TH-PA
I am still getting requests to add names to my All Souls list. For the last five years, I have posted this list and people have begun to look for it. And every year, I am stunned at the response.
For the last month or so, I have been looking at a pair of Keen walking shoes. I do not need these shoes but I have convinced myself that I need a sturdier pair of shoes for my upcoming hikes through Utah. The idea is a joke because I am not going to do a lot of strenuous hikes because I am too old, lazy, out fo shape and disinterested. But after several weeks of debating whether I should ordered this shoes, I did and now I have to get rid of a pair of shoes in my bedroom.
Tweet: If he goes free, this will be the beginning of the civil war that the right desperately wants to start. #RittenhouseIsGuiltyAF #DomesticTerrorist
12- F- PA
I had my pre-surgery call from the hospital staff. This process has become so routine that I answered the phone and identified myself by my name and birthdate (which is standard protocol question). I am not going to find out my arrival time until next Thursday which is going to it burdensome to line up a ride to and from the hospital.
I ushered at Uptown Theatre. There was a series of movie shorts. Some of them I've seen before but most of them were new. I liked them all. I love to go to the movies.
13- SA- PA
I had lunch with the N&N2G crowd. June, Georgia, and Jules joined me at the Llanerach diner. Their parents were away for the weekend. Joann was watching them but she needed a break so I stopped over and picked them up and we just walked over to the diner.
In the evening, I ushered at the Uptown Theatre again. A local band was playing and most of the audience was comprised of family members who showered them with adoration. The rest of us thought they were boring as hell and couldn't wait until they got off stage.
14- SU- PA
Today was yet another lazy ass day. I am caught up on another damn podcast and I continue to fall asleep during critical moments so I have had no other choice but to go back and listen again and again and again.
I am looking at trips to Hawaii in January. The flight is so reasonable but it is going to cost me $1400 to rent a car for a week. Ouch!
Twitter: Look how far we are straying away from the constitution. Is there no place for me in this country? I don’t follow the bible. #FreedomFromReligion
15- M- PA
I have to go to Paoli Hospital for my pre-surgery testing. I have to have blood work and a Covid test.
Afterwards I went in search of my prior colonoscopy results from ten years ago. I don't remeber the doctor's name but I knew where his practice was. So I went there and hunt them down.
16- TU- PA
Covid has had another surge in my county. This is tiring.
I slept until noon today. Usually, I wake up every day at 7 AM or 9 AM at the latest. And I have to get up because I have to go to the bathroom. But today, I woke up after lots of dreams and look at the clock and it was noon.
We had our annual Friendsgiving dinner there at Chestnut Square. A lot of people showed up and the food was good. I met some new people. And I continue to be surprised at how many strangers are in the building.
17- W-PA
Today was a perfect day to see a matinee movie so I went to watch Belfast. Judi Dench, one of my favorites, played a younger woman. She is 80 but she played someone who was probably 65. The movie highlighted the conflict between the Irish and the Protestants in Belfast in the 1970's. Now I want to go to Belfast.
I have been on a shoe lace hunt. I got these expensive new hiking shoes and I don't like the laces. So, now I have to find replacement and that is a harder task than I had imagines.
18- TH- PA
My surgery is schedule for tomorrow. I go in at 7 which means I don't have to worry about fasting and being hungry. I am anxious to get this procedure completed as these cells have a high risk of becoming cancerous in the near future.
There have been 766,000 covid deaths to date in the USA. Some days, there are so few deaths and then we just seem to spike again. I don't think this virus is ever going away.
19- F- PA
Today, I am having breast surgery. I arrived at 7AM and left at 1230PM. I felt pretty good, all things considering. I wasn't in much pain but I didn't have much energy. I survived the anesthesia but I could have used a good nap. Instead I went to lunch with Sharon and Glenn at Sierra Taproom in WC and had a beer. And then I came home and slept off the anthesia.
20- SA- PA
Deb and Lisa met me for beers at Wrong Crowd Brewery (5) and Artillery Brewery (6). They came to my neighborhood because they thought I was too fragile, because of my procedure yesterday, to travel too far for a beer. Little did they know that I feel great.
My foot is killing me. I can't believe how much pain I am in. I have plantar facitisit. But I did walk my 5000+ steps today. I have to get back in to that routine.
21- SU- PA
There was an apartment football watch party this afternoon. But it was poorly attended. We are nowhere near what we used to be with our community involvement pre-covid. I wonder how long it is going to take to get this camaraderie back.
I didn't have much energy today because my foot hurt so damn much. I have had plantar faciisitis for the last six months and some days are better than others but today was the worse and it was a huge, painful effort to move around much today.
22- M- PA
I finally got to see the damage done from my lumpectomy. It looks as if I lost 1/3 of my breast. The entire bottom was lobed off. I hadn't anticipated this much damage. And even though it was medically necessary, I feel like damaged goods today.
Twitter: Has anyone kept a count of how many books have been written about trump’s dreadful time in the WH? The volume of these books speaks volumes.
23- TU- PA
Cindy and the Kelly boys met me in Straussburg, PA and we took motor scooter rides around Lancaster County foe three hours. It was fucking windy and freezing. This ride would be perfect in the fall as the trees are turning colors. But today was a struggle. I had every inch of me wrapped up in multiple layers, except my eyebrows and they felt like they were going to fall off because they were so cold.
We got together so we could continue to plan our trip to Utah. We will have one night in Vegas and much to my surprise, the boys are really looking forward to that moment.
24- W- PA
I had dinner with Debbie and her family at the Square Bar. I just do not like that bar. But it was nice to get together with Debbie and her boys. And Jeff sat by himself at the bar. So dinner was pleasant.
My Osterize blender of 40 years died today. I have been having trouble with it for the last two weeks but I have been ignoring the signs. How could this blender ever fail me. My mother gave it to me as a Christmas gift in 1982. I am going to write to the company and see if I can get it fixed.
Tweet: Happy Thanksgiving to #AhmaudArbery ‘s grieving family. May they find some peace with this moment of justice.
25- TH- PA- Thanksgiving
I had dinner with the Anderos @ 2PM. Sharon had asked if I wanted to come down later in the early evening but I couldn't muster up the energy. After an early dinner, I just went home and watched a movie.
Lauren gave me her magic bullet blender and I am so damn happy. She never uses it and needs the space. So I told her I would take it if I could come over right after dinner and pick it up. I thin she was surprised with my eagerness. But I have fresh vegetables and fruits I have to blend.
26- F- PA
It was cold and wintery today. And I didn't feel like going out because it is Black Friday and every place would be mobbed with shoppers. I did finally venture out to Kohl's because I had to return something to Amazon. And Kohl's is a drop off point. Usually, this store is empty but the check out line looped around the store. I hate this next month of the Christmas season. It is so stressful and ugly.
I quit Netflix and then joined Hulu. I am spending too much time watching movies from my cell phone.
A new Covid strand has surfaced from Africa. Germany surpassed the 100,000 death toll today. Travel bans are being reinstated. We have too many people who are working against our world battle against this virus.
27- SA- PA
Today is Kathy Flatley's daughter's wedding at the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. The bridal party had a welcome party last night at a whiskey distillery. I passed on that event. There was a block of rooms at a hotel what used to be the Four Season Hotel. I stayed there and then caught the Philly trolley to the wedding site. The food was excellent. There was a 10 piece band and they were outstanding and it was great to hear live music again. And it was great fun to meet the next generations of Flatleys. There is such a distinct look in that family that I could identify some of them the minute they walked in the room.
28- SU- PA
The day's activities started with another wedding party but this one was at Victory Brewery (7). Mostly, I sat with RJ (Kathy's son) and we talked beer. I love to talk to beer people about beer.
RJ told me that his friend just paid $25,000 to get a tattoo sleeve. The guy had three 8-hour sessions and then two weeks later had another three 8-hour sessions to complete the sleeve. What a fucking waste of money.
When I got home, I took the surgi-strips off my incision and was surprised to see how cut up I was. I thought all of the cancer cells were extracted by a needle but I see that the doctor cut a strip of skin to perform the procedure.
29- M- PA/DE
I had my one year check up for my uterine cancer diagnosis and all is good.
Jaye and I went to see the movie, King Richard, the story about the Williams' father who wrote a 38 page plan on how to make his daughters GOATS in tennis. When he was pushing his plan, someone said to him that his plans sounds like he is trying to raise two Mozarts in his family and that is exactly what he did. I cant decide it I respect this guy or think he is nothing but a kook.
Afterwards, we went back to Jaye's house to figure out how to set up my new Stride exercise program. I wonder how much I will use this new, expensive gadget.
30- TU- PA
Yesterday my intention was to get up by 10 AM and drive up to Elk county in search of elk. It would be a four hour drive and that would give me enough time to get up there, spot some deer and, if i wanted to, come home all in the same day.
BUT, I didn't take off until one so I changed my plans and decided to break the trip in to two days and go to State College tonight. I haven't been there for over two years and I really wanted to see how this small town survived the pandemic.
After I found a hotel, I went to VooDoo Brewery (8). I've been to this brewery in Lancaster and liked the beers. They don't serve flights so I had to settle on just ordering two 6 ounce pours. I ordered a pumpkin ale which was at 11.3% alcohol and a Russian Imperial Storut at a 12% alcohol content. OMG, these beers were great. They were probably the two best beers I have ever had. I was stunned at how damn good they were. I would have loved to had had more than these two beers but I had a slight buzz and I needed to get out of there.
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