Learning and understanding

It was hot, muggy, sunny and a little difficult to breathe easily today.  Beautiful sunshine, perfect for being on the water somewhere, but it’s definitely not all that comfortable if you’re just outdoors.  The fans are going full blast, just because it’s so still.  Storms are forecast for the weekend, so that will help cool things off a bit.  As for his tiny bossiness, he’s been nibbling at my leg to demand space on my lap or else stretched out in some bizarre positions on my lap to get his tummy rubbed and take a bit of a nap.  Silly puppy!  He was overexcited for some reason, and barked at everything.  Don mentioned that he’s been having nightmares lately, of the vague sort, which are interfering with his sleep.  There will be sports tonight, so that should keep him occupied and probably help him sleep better 😝  I went to sleep quite early last night; I was feeling so drained!  Then I kept waking up every couple of hours for no reaso...

🎶 It’s very very cold, I’m very very chilly… I know it will be warm someday but I can’t wait till then because I’ll be old.  It’s terribly cold! 🎶  I tend to revert to Sesame Street songs on days like this, when I recall one that speaks to my feelings.  We’ve been about -16C today, with winds making it feel much colder, and it’s dropping below -20 overnight.  It feels like I’m encased in a block of ice, and my many layers aren’t doing much to help.  Jerry spent the night with me last night for the first time in over a week.  He made himself comfortable in the crook of my knees and seemed to sleep very well.  It seems like he missed me when he was sleeping on the sofa, and he was just being cuddle some.  So he’ll get let in again tonight; he’ll be banished if (a) he decides to use me as a trampoline in the middle of the night and (b) for a few nights after chemo as I’m potentially toxic to him.  Don’s doing well, he’s planning a few errands ...

The news describes it as “the calm before the storm” — we’re expecting a massive snowstorm overnight into tomorrow, as there are several widespread storms and winter events across the country today, with temperatures hitting -50C before  the windchill — with the wind, it’s closer to -60C.  It’s been hazy, cold and windy today, and everyone seems a little edgy about the potential bad weather over the weekend.  Jerry doesn’t seem concerned and is currently stealing blankets from Don on the sofa and dozing with his toy in his mouth.  He spent as much time as he could climbing on my lap, trying to mooch my meals and chewing his toy (also on my lap) and barking at the wind and people walking in the hallway.  Don was feeling a little better today, and was up doing stuff mostly hidden on his computer, which usually presages the arrival of packages from Amazon!  He was watching some recorded sports for a bit, then I watched some PVR’d shows of a couple of old myste...

We were fortunate today.  Heading into the hospital, it was overcast but dry; and we were going against traffic, so it didn’t take long to get there.  It was colder than yesterday, with a sneaky wind that just crept into any crevice… this is where I learnt the weak spots in my coat!  When we left the hospital, snow had started and it got progressively heavier on the way home.  There’s a storm forecast on the weekend, so I’m happier that I have no appointments for a few days!  Jerry is sulking because he’s not allowed on me, nor to lick me for a few days — I’m toxic for a few days after chemo, and I don’t want to risk making him ill.  He spent the morning on my lap, but since I got picked up he’s not allowed.  He’s now on Don, grumbling about discrimination against puppies.  Don is curled up, cuddling Jerry like a teddy, and we’re watching TV.  He was up watching CNN and the run up to the US elections late last night, so he was tired this morn...

Another mostly grey day, although it was somewhat milder than the last few days.  These days with temperatures in the mid-teens will get fewer and fewer over the next few weeks, and I’m trying hard to not dwell on that or the longer nights, shorter days, and grey skies that are so typical of November.  I’ll work on that, or else I know that I’ll fall into depression and it will be hard to shake that off.  Jerry has just dropped himself on my feet after he’s tried and failed to plant himself on my lap and block my view of the TV, my book, and everything else!  He would leave me, go jump on Don, block his view of the TV, settle in for a minute then return to my lap.  Persistent, he is!  Happy that Don is feeling better today — he proudly announced that he made coffee today for the first time in 3 weeks, as he wasn’t feeling up to drinking any before.  Bear in mind that he normally drinks a few cups a day, so that’s a big deal.  I’d noticed that he d...

It’s been a bit overcast today, although it was somewhat milder than a couple of days ago.  It’s late evening, though, so time for blankets and warm throws.  I’m waiting for the next half-hour to pass so I can eat after taking my meds and I’m looking forward to a hot cup of something to take the chill off the air.  Jerry is by my feet, guarding me closely, as I had taken a nap this afternoon, shutting him out of the bedroom.  As soon as I opened the door, I heard the click of his claws on the floor and was jumped on by an excited little puppy.  Don seems to be feeling a bit more like himself, and is up and around a little more, which makes me very happy.  I don’t like it when he’s sick; I’d rather put up with sports than with him being sick, honestly! So on Thursday I got my flu shot, and was swaggering that I had no reaction.  That lasted until I woke up yesterday and was so completely drained that I could do nothing.  I didn’t feel like eating, ...

It was definitely cool today; I think it managed to inch its way up to 12C today, accompanied by grey skies and drizzly fall rain!  Could have been worse; this is from a couple of weeks ago, when it was cool but sunny; I needed a boost.  Jerry has turned my lap into his personal dog bed, pulled Don’s blanket off so he can make a nest on the ground (right NEXT to his own blanket!) and generally let me know who’s in charge!  Don spent a lot of the day dozing, although he ate quite well.  He also spent the day watching assorted sports, one after the other!  At this point, I don’t think he knows what’s on or not, but I’m not yet going to try changing the channel… the reaction might be bigger than I’d like! My tummy was in better shape today than yesterday, although I had a horrible moment where I had to excuse myself from a meal and race to the bathroom while I negotiated to keep the food down.  I felt weak and shaky from the exertion, but otherwise ok… and I s...

Another lovely September morning.  Started off chilly enough that your breath condensed in front of your face and warmed up nicely.  I was looking off my balcony, and I can see that some of the trees are beginning to turn, although a lot aren’t.  I think I’ve got about a week to enjoy the colours before they begin to drop and the trees look bare and sad.  Last year this time I was heading to my sister for a long break with the small people, and I had all of October watching the Niagara Escarpment go from flaming colours to dingy grey by the time I got back home.  Jerry has not been leaving me alone at all today.  He spends a good chunk of the night on me, leaps into my lap as soon as I get up, and dozes off for most of the afternoon.  It gets uncomfortable for me to read or crochet, and if I’m engrossed in a TV show, he sits up to block my view… I don’t get it.  Don has been sleeping a lot today as he had a poor night last night, but he’s now watc...