Learning and understanding

It rained a lot today; and the temperature has dropped to seasonal, which, after the last few days, feels distinctly chilly!  I broke out my blanket/throw and have been wrapped in it with a small black dog curled up on my lap.  He’s now annoyed as I’ve thrown him off and he’s of the view that he’s the most important being in his world, and he should be allowed to do whatever he wants when he’s ready, never mind my intentions.  It’s hard to read/type/write when he’s on my lap as he forces the iPad to be too close to my eyes, hence the regular evictions!  Don’s a little better again today, and had a very healthy portion of food and desserts for his supper.  He’s got one of the everlasting sports game things on TV now, but I’m wondering if I can take advantage of his bio break to change the channel to something that is more interesting to me… although I’ve learned that he’s good at revenge, which may include turning up the volume when I’m trying to sleep or somethi...

It’s been warm, rainy and muggy today; the rain was spritzing off and on throughout the day although it’s now sunny.  Jerry is in his usual spot, and is stretching with an eye to jumping on my lap as soon as he can get a chance.  He was dancing all over my support worker today, and invaded my shower whenever he could!  He scooted at the first hint of water on his fur, though, and sat outside the door!  Don’s pain continues to reduce slowly, although it persists, and he walks more steadily when he uses the walker.  I’m really hopeful that he’ll feel much better soon (and perhaps see a doctor?  Although that last one seems unrealistic at the very least.) I slept a little better last night, even though I still woke up a few times and had some difficulty falling back asleep.  I didn’t need a nap this afternoon (although I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if I’d tried!) and I’m actually quite hungry tonight.  I’m debating whether to order something or ...

It’s been another hot day today, and the heat (and the dog) affected my sleep last night; we’ve had the fans on all day just to keep the temperature manageable.  I found it challenging to breathe this morning due to the humidity, but it’s improved during the day after my afternoon nap.  Jerry is very clingy today, and I just pushed him off my lap for the 20th time today; every time I was on the phone, either texting or talking, he would start scratching me or jump on me and try to push the phone away or sit on my lap and block my view of the TV; just generally wanting all of my attention.  Don says that he’s feeling a little better, and is in less pain, but still has difficulty moving easily.  His appetite is fairly decent, and he’s not watching sports since his team was eliminated last night.  He’s got other teams in different sports which he’ll watch all week… I’ll be deep in my books instead. As mentioned, my sleep wasn’t great last night, in part because it ...

It’s hot, muggy and very difficult to breathe today.  I’m seriously gasping for air… right now it’s 34C with very little breeze.  It’s a bit of a challenge today, but I’ll be fine.  Jerry is being a bit hyperactive, in part because I locked him out of the bedroom while I took a Zoom meeting, and partly because he’s looking forward to his walk later.  He’s now staring at the door waiting for my support worker to come back from starting laundry.  Don is much perkier today than he has been, thankfully, and is moving more freely, but is relying on a walker to get around.  That’s an improvement, so he doesn’t risk falling or staggering.  He’s not paying attention to me at the moment, because sports and “must win game” and something, something, playoff something… See how fascinated I am by his interests?  Aren’t I good?  😁 So last night when I was going to bed, my phone fell and I didn’t see where it went.  I got up to look, concluded that it...

I apologize for skipping yesterday; I was so tired that I fell asleep on myself and couldn’t focus enough to eat, let alone type!  I had an early appointment with my nurse, and whenever I have an early session, I have difficulty sleeping as I dream that I’ve slept through my alarm, so I wake up very early, don’t rest, and, well… you know the rest!  Jerry got a long walk yesterday as my angel of a support worker came early to take him for a run.  He came back completely parched, then moved onto my lap where he spent the better part of today again.  Don was not feeling at all well yesterday, and was up in the night being sick.  He’s a little better today, and was actually very hungry, which is an improvement over the last few days.  He’s again glued to sports, so I’m hopeful that things will continue to improve! My nurse commented that my blood pressure readings are almost identical one week to the next, varying by maybe 1 - 2 points.  We’ve started doin...

Good morning October!  It was overcast and somewhat muggy today, although no rain and it wasn’t too hot.  It was one of those days where I wanted to do more than my energy could stand, but it’s all good.  Jerry has been in an odd mood; whenever the phone rang, he’d start barking persistently, run to the door and bark more.  He seemed to think that someone was coming up.  He’s on my feet now, huffing because I’m typing.  Don fell during the night last night.  He said that he woke up around 2, went to make some toast, and fell, knocking over a potted plant.  He’s ok, thankfully, but I never heard anything although he said that it made a lot of noise.  I’m somewhat freaked out, as you can guess, but he’s not in more pain and says that he can move everything so nothing’s broken… Evidently I had a good night’s sleep!  I only knew what happened when I came out this morning and saw the plant upside down on the floor… I was able to clean it up a...

Can you imagine, it’s already the end of September?  Somehow 9 months of this year have slipped past!  Tempus fugit, really!  It’s warmer today than it was during the week, and the forecast calls for temperatures in the mid- to upper-20s this week coming.  October with almost 30C temps?  Unbelievable.  It’s difficult to imagine that this will last much longer, and I am not ready at all for winter… the older I get, the less I enjoy winter, so yes, I’m clearly in the wrong part of the world for this.  Jerry seems to have decided that games will now happen before he gets up, and that will involve turning in circles, running up and down the bed, scrabbling under the bed and then jumping up for cuddles before he’ll agree to me getting up!  Don is still not in good shape, and complains about pain and soreness.  He’s also engrossed with his sports, and has been watching various games since about 1pm today. You’ll be excited to hear that I cooked som...

It was another day that started off cool and warmed up by the late afternoon.  It was also overcast for most of the morning, and looked like it was thinking of raining, but instead it cleared up to a sunny afternoon and evening.  I wore a shawl to go out, which (as it turned out, I didn’t really need, but I wasn’t sure how chilly it would be!)  Jerry was rooted to me all day.  After a night on my tummy he then relocates to my lap and refuses to move.  He got tossed off because I wanted to read, and he insisted on wanting to play… he also decided to play in the morning, and danced all over the bed when it was time to get up.  When he did get off the bed, he ran under it — I just saw his little legs scrabbling under — and refused to come when called.  I climbed back into bed, and then he jumped up on me… spoiled dog.  Don continues to not feel great, although he’s in less pain than he was but still has difficulty walking and moving around.  The...

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...

We’re in the middle, according to the weather reporter, of some of the best weather of the year.  We’ve got highs of almost 20C, overnight lows around 9C (excellent for sleeping) lots of sunshine during the day and cool, gentle breezes.  The leaves are beginning to blaze red, gold, and orange but there are still quite a few that are still green.  It’ll get prettier over the next couple of weeks, then the rains will come, and then… ugh.  Jerry is annoyed with me, as I’ve thrown him off my lap again so I could eat my dinner and then I could type a little.  He’s huffing by my feet and trying to jump up on me every few seconds.  Don is tucked under a blanket on the sofa, he’s feeling a bit better, but is still in some pain.  He’s walking a little more steadily than he was a couple of days ago, but he’s still not himself, except when it comes to his sports on TV — he’s glued avidly to the games, and now hockey is back in rotation.  For a winter game, i...

It was a beautiful day today, and in the sun it was comfortable until the breeze blew… in the shade it was distinctly chilly, so I’m very glad I had my (Belgian) shawl.  Jerry was extremely annoyed that I was out without him, and barked when I was getting dressed, when I was leaving, and when I returned he sniffed at me disapprovingly then jumped on my lap and refused to get off for well over an hour!  He’s gone to cuddle Don for a moment, so I’m typing frantically!  Don is still feeling miserable, although he’s a little better today again.  He somehow manages to wake up to watch sports (and records them on the PVR to delete them the next day)  I’m sneaking in my cozy mysteries between games. I’m enjoying being able to get decent sleep at night, I hope that this stays for a while!  I am always tempted in the morning to stay in bed longer, but I’m really working on maintaining a sleep schedule.  My appetite is fairly decent, although my sister-friend wi...

It’s getting cooler, and while it’s nice for sleeping I’m less than thrilled about needing sweaters and blankets all day because it’s saddening to admit that it’s going to be cold and snowing soon.  If we do manage a white Christmas, that would be lovely, and even better if it melts on January 2!  I’m not a snow bunny.  Jerry spent a large part of the day on my lap and almost fell off when I fell asleep myself.  He’s curled up on Don at the moment.  Don was slightly better this morning, but continues to be in pain.  I would like to do something to help him improve, but I’m out of ideas. My nurse was here today and my blood pressure registered quite low.  That’s unusual — well, my pressure is normally not high, but today was well below that level.   We took it 4 times, concluded that the machine was wonky, tried mine and while it was still low, it was higher than hers.  Today turned into a rest day as a result.  I cooked some spaghetti to...

Come come away, hail to the day, this is our land’s great morning; birds in the trees waft in the breeze, songs of our nation’s dawning.  🎶  Happy 47th Republic Day to Trinidad & Tobago.  I remember learning this ( Our Nation’s Dawning) , and God Bless Our Nation for the first one way back in primary school.  Any other Trinis remember these?  I’ve been playing them this afternoon and getting all patriotic and nostalgic at the same time.  Memories can be lovely.  Jerry is in a ball on Don’s feet, sulking because I’m typing and he can’t get back on my lap (he’s been here all afternoon).  Don is still not feeling well and now produces sound effects of groans when he walks.  I’d really like it if he could recover, it’s been almost 3 weeks now that he’s been out of sorts for different reasons! I’m waiting impatiently for my support worker to come so I can head out to the barbecue to which I was invited.  I’m already over 2 hours late, an...

I got at least 8 messages this morning to remind me that we’re now in autumn — apparently as of 2:49AM — and everyone seems to be hurrying to find and wear all their orange, pumpkin-themed clothing and drench themselves in pumpkin spice drinks.  (Not a fan.)  I did get a recipe from my long-ago and still deeply missed cooking classes of a pumpkin spice chocolate lava cake, which was not bad but definitely not amazing to me.  It was another nice day, and apparently it will be for a few more days before rain puts in an appearance.  The leaves are beginning to turn, and will be even prettier in about a week, but I can wait.  Jerry wants to play, and I feel horribly guilty that I can’t take him on long walks to play in the leaves.  He keeps me company when I do anything, and I wish that I could do more activity with him.  Don continues to be not well, although he seems to have somewhat less pain.  I hope that’s real, and not just me being hopeful, bec...

Summer is hanging on by a nail… it’s another mild, comfortable and mostly sunny day with a light breeze.  Just lovely.  I’m feeling a little guilty that I’m beginning to suffer cabin fever, and I want to go out and do some stuff that does not involve hospitals, doctors or necessary errands.  It would be fun to do something unscheduled, don’t you agree?  I’d love that, even for a short while; I’ll have to spend a day in bed after, but it’s all good.  I’m always being told “don’t overdo it,” but why shouldn’t I sometimes?  At the moment, there is a small dog who is toy hunting and trying to find space on my lap along with the iPad, he’s very good at telepathy and making me (almost) feel guilty for not giving in to the melting brown eyes that he turns on me.  We’ve agreed that he’s not to be believed, especially when he complains about being neglected and unloved.  Don’s slightly better today, but still mostly under the weather.  I hope he begin...

Summer is coming to an end, but it’s going out so prettily!  It was another fairly mild day today, although it started off being chilly enough to see your breath, but it warmed up during the day.  It’s getting towards sunset — the days are shortening noticeably! — and it’s getting cooler now, so I had to grab my wrap.  Jerry is trying to mooch some of Don’s dinner now… he’s standing right against his leg, looking mournfully as Don takes each bite.  I’m trying not to laugh, because he’s ignoring me, and if he pays attention to me, I’ll lose my iPad and my typing time.  Don’s still not feeling good, and stubbornly refuses to seek medical attention.  When I say to his son, “Tell your Dad he needs to go to the doctor,” Junior just says, “He’s your problem now… good luck with getting him to a doctor!”  This is not new behaviour for him, because he really doesn’t like doctors, although he’ll ensure that I get to every one of my appointments.  I hope tha...

Two lovely, sunny, late summer days with very cool overnight temperatures.  The days were gorgeous, although the sun wasn’t especially warm.  Fall is just a few days away officially, but we’re promised more sunny days until the weekend, when we’re starting autumn.  I always have a preference for summer, particularly late summer, with all the fresh produce!  Jerry is right now glaring as the cleaner is working on the floors… he doesn’t like the vacuum and would be chasing it and barking, except that he has his training collar on, and it buzzes when he does things he’s not supposed to do.  He just needs to see it, not even wear it, to respond.  Don is still not doing well, and is in quite a bit of pain so that sitting, standing and walking are all difficult for him to manage.  His appetite is very good, so that’s not a concern at least!  But he was improving yesterday, then today it took a small step back.  It’s frustrating, as you can imagine,...

Lovely September day again, cool (20C) and sunny this morning, with rain threatening this evening — apparently we’re likely to have thunderstorms overnight.  It seems unlikely, but then… the temperature has dropped significantly since I was out for lunch today and I’m contemplating a blanket to wrap myself in now as it’s getting cool.  Jerry is sulking because I left him today, plus I had my nurse this morning and he wasn’t allowed to help her with monitoring me.  He whined so much that the nurse asked if he was in pain; I said no, he’s just attention seeking.  She was hesitant to play with him, but wasn’t worried.  Don was in the living room holding him, because he’s still in some pain and was having difficulty walking today.  I really hope that things improve soon; I don’t like seeing him in this much pain.  His appetite is still good, and he’s (as usual) finding every sports thing he can on TV, while I’m amusing myself with other things.  Durin...

As much as it was a lovely day today, I was catching up on my sleep… it’s still fairly warm, and it’s sunny, which is nice.  I had a few moments on the balcony this morning, but then returned indoors.  Jerry has been my constant companion all day, so much so that he lay beside me hugging me until I said it was time to get up, and then he spent every possible moment either on my feet or on my lap.  I’ve returned to my regular routine of being a dog bed and cushion!  He’s temporarily lost his chew toy, so instead he’s chewing on his blanket, keeping an eye on me to see if I’m noticing what he’s doing.  I only tell him to drop it if it looks like he’s about to bite a hole in it.  Don is still not feeling good, although he’s in a little less pain (judging from the moans when he moves) than yesterday.  As it’s Sunday, once I finished watching the Mass the TV has been showing a cycle of sports.  I look up, it’s baseball; blink, and there’s a an NFL team...