Oatmeal? Or cornmeal?

 We're all set for tomorrow, but I can't be there before the procedure which is at 7 am.  She will be there at 5 but I don't want Mark driving himself on unfamilar road, still not feeling well.  Chris works midnight shift and can't get off any earlier than one hour, he'll come along and Mark won't drive home alone.  We'll pick him up at 6:15 and since I'm the only one permitted inside, I will go to the waiting room and wait for word about how it went and when she will be back in a room and hopefully discharged. They would like to stay until she is safe and it's over, but finding a place for breakfast in Pittsburgh is not for old farts. The cafeteria is in the front of the building according to their site, but they aren't allowed to enter. Chris will need to sleep so my brother with accompany Mark back to the hospital to take me home whenever the time is right.  

I got my linen today, Oatmeal. This is the photo all sites are using.

But it's cornmeal, with a little green and a little rose.  Beautiful if you like golden linen, not for me though.  I dare not attempt to change it, but may exchange it for something more like ....  oatmeal.

It is beautiful, one quarter yard in 36, one in 40.  We'll see.  I have been craving cornmeal mush with spaghetti sauce and Italian blend cheese.  Could be a sign to keep it, but I can't picture any of my projects on it.

I sure hope I have good news to report tomorrow.

I saw that Becky's husband is dealing with a difficult infection and surgery, also in need of prayers.

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Get there early!

 Husband went a half hour before they opened and after the five before him, got his test.  Still has a fever but coming down with the antibiotics.  We never thought this was the virus but it had to be ruled out, we'll know in two days. My scan showed no change, no way to biopsy opacities, have another scan later.  

The point I was trying to make about how we are dealing with virus, is this. Too many vaccinated people aren't getting tested when they have mild symptoms.  They don't think it is covid because they are protected, but if over 25% in hospitals are vaxed, how many others have covid but not requiring treatment?  Quite a few friends had a co-worker positive requiring all to be tested.  To their surprise, a third of the vaxed were positive but not ill, not wearing masks or keeping distance assuming they are safe.  They are, but not to others.   I was hugged by a nurse here, a doctor in cleveland, and CT technologist yesterday.  They are vaxed.  Have they tested before being so lax in contact with patients?  I am careful, sanitizing, masking.  If a cancer, autoimmune disease, or medication to control a disease, shuts down your immune system a vaccine to trigger it can do great damage, or nothing at all.  Either way, ineffective. I don't want to get into any political garbage, I am just saying that testing is not only scarce, but not encouraged, and could be more effective in controlling spread than a vaccination card.  If the number of vaxed is considered too low, just think of how low they would be if it was Trump mandating that needle.  And that's the end of any such comments.  

Except that I am so tired of Balance of Nature ads.  I have to tell you why I am skeptical of anything claimed.  I worked with a retired military guy that had jobs in advertising in NYC.  This is how it goes ....

8 out of 10 dentists recommend *** toothpaste.  

A true statement, but he said they had 50 dentists polled, 42 chose another product, 8 chose their client's.  So limit the survey to ten.  They report the result they want.  So although true, not accurate.

Please cross fingers and put palms together for carole's procedure tomorrow.

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What the hell

 Mark's fever was quite high and is now 102, blood cultures, possible sepsis, lyme, covid.  Here's what really frosts my wide ass.  Well... in addition to said ass being so wide.  Months ago, we could get a test at almost any pharmacy or hospital, just about any corner.  Now we have two.  One takes insurance, another is a real problem.  We went THREE times after the lab work and may not even get tested tomorrow.  You pull up to urgent care, call a phone number and tell them your car color, and it only takes a few minutes if that.  The number has a recording that they are too busy and try another day.  The parking lot was filled, kids running around, people sitting in hot cars, and I am furious.  Don't preach your bullshit when you took away all those tests.  Don't criticize people like myself and neighbor that got an autoimmune from a vaccine, or friends that have cancer and no immune system, and others like us that are advised by more than one doctor that it may destroy your body.  NOT because of the vaccine (which I would get in a minute if I could) but because of our immune system's reaction.  And why are we not told about the drugs and treatments that can prevent hospitalization or severe illness?  What are they?  Where are they?  Not here.  I would have to drive a few hours to get any of them and I want to know why tests and especially treatments that save lives and limit damage are not available everywhere?  Since at least 25% of hospitalized are vaxed, and so many of our friends fully vaxed have carried and spread it with mild symptoms, wouldn't treatments be as important if not more so?  If you can still get a less severe case and unknowingly spread it after two shots, testing and early treatment would be a better option and create your own antibodies.  I don't get it.  I'm sorry to rant but dammit, we need to take her to Pittsburgh and need tested.  I do not believe that's why he is ill, but if he is not better or can transmit I need to hire someone to drive me back and forth.  Maybe I'm ticked because I'm exhausted.  No.  Wait a minute.  I ticked because this situation is focused on one aspect and not taking in all the options for us.  

And then there's that wide ass.

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Landscaping

 The ground is prepared and ready for me to plant the trees.  Counted several tmes, still needed to frog but no where the amount of the first page.

Mark is seeing the doctor this afternoon even though feeling better this morning.  Strange.  Sopping wet sweats, calm, then teeth chattering.  No cough, sniffles, sore throat.  As always to the dismay of doctors, I search online and the only thing I found with those symptoms is Lyme.  I don't feel great and would like answers from the doc if this is a virus traveling here because we have to be well Thursday.  She goes by transport, we drive ourselves, but even if it's just a doc consult she has to have me there.

My much loved cousin who spent fall seasons at Carole's house passed away last night.  She was right side paralyzed after a major stroke following surgery, and we haven't seen her since she has been in a wheelchair.  She had a procedure for occulsion in her leg but her sister said it was more complicated than that as to cause of death.  Since this is the procedure Thursday, Carole is quite upset.  I need to get the lung CT over tomorrow with good results.  I'm starting to feel like a wet rag (mom's favorite description) but I will go because I need to cross this off the stress list.

I got an email about a linen order being shipped that I forgot about.  I am forgetting WAY too much.  But can still remember friends' phone numbers from 55 years ago.  My dad was a whizz at math as if his brain was a calculator.  I didn't know that he created drawings and portraits until mom passed and I saw inside her personal drawers.  He was fantastic.  But he worked a midnight shift and then drove delivery truck right from there until 2 pm to keep us off "relief".  No time to pursue art.

I took the recommendation to use honey for my burning tongue and recently drizzled it on avocado and tomato salad with Ariston balsamic.  It's the only vinegar I can use and a small amount is plenty.  We have a gourmet shop local that refills the bottles.  I love the honey on it and also drizzled on roasted tomatoes.

Well, I need to go take an Ativan to slow the PVC palps that are pounding my chest and get ready to go.  Hope your day is free of stress and sadness.  Almost impossible at my age.

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Now I'm done

 Hi folks.  Mark is sick and in bed, I doubt he will be much better tomorrow.  I've been watching the anniversary specials, staying home, so ordered what we need for pickup and Chris will get it for me.  I will never get used to no saliva and eye drops every 15 minutes, but not being able to drive because of that, is maddening.  I'm assuming he will be well enough to drive for her intervention in Pittsburgh Thursday.  I have my lung CT Tuesday followed by an office visit for results, I can have someone take me.

The Ale I love more than the other piece is brighter, lighter.  I swore I would not mess with dyes and dips again, but I did.  Last time!  I always test a corner and this time the entire edge was needed.   The diluted dye is actually a greenish brown but any dampness to the linen lightened it to a warmer hue, a water drop lightened to yellow. This did not happen on the three other PTP linens, so I am lucky that I proceeded with caution on this one and realized the test spots were actually removing color, not adding.  Very light touch with only a damp sponge, better than before, done.  Close call.

Before

After

I impressed the facility's finance department and ambulance company with this announcement - she was approved for Medicaid!  They said it would not happen for at least another month and didn't believe me until they checked the account number I submitted.  She also found out that they won't be making her leave her room and go into the rehab section after surgery, she can stay where she is.  Two things bothering her were settled favorably.

The landscaper stopped in earlier and checked the area again, I told him I can't think straight or make decisions right now so just fix the yard and remove these concrete pieces and mud.  Talked for quite a while and he gave me another price that we can live with and he will come this week.  He doesn't live far from me and their house is unbelievable.  Enormous, acreage, steep copper roof, outbuildings for guests, stunning.  Very nice, professional, friendly, honest, excellent work by his employees that he inspects daily.

I hope your Sunday is enjoyable.  I plan to browse for charts, no more linen.  And pull a 32 count for testing Sulky and floche.  Thanks for suggesting, I do have several colors somewhere.

Stay safe.

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Summer ends big

How's everyone?  We are having a few warmer days with a glimpse of the sun.  Except for sliding all over the unexplained slick flooring, needing a few Dramamine, and gaining a few pounds, all is well. I've even been able to get anti inflammation drops into Nit's eye without shedding blood.  Completely clouded, the vet said the drops would rid that, and it's working.  Amazing.

To better understand my issue with linen colors, you have to realize I am color phobic.  I see casts and undertones that drive me nuts.  Except for the Eureka, I like all the colors and will find a project.  But I won't be able to get another piece of 40 to match all designs I plan to do in a series.  That's a lesson learned.  Now that I know color within counts is not consistent, I should order a larger piece from the start.  If I don't like it, sell it, dip it, burn it, back it, but don't use it as a sample and expect more to be the same.  I really really like the Ale and saw a few otherlinens on floss tube that may be to my liking. 

I haven't picked up Rachel for a number of reasons, and hope to this evening.

Saltbox Stitcher mentioned and showed Au ver a Soie single strand covering a 32 count dark linen very nicely.  Is this true?  Can I use that thread (or another) singly on 32 count that offers full coverage?  I don't care for silk, it always snagged on my rough hands.  And I'm cheap.  But if I can use my 32 counts with one strand I will loosen my already sagging purse strings.  I need to learn the silk thread basics, separating, needle size, cut length, and would love to see this with several types/brands on a floss tube channel.

No Death by Chocolate zucchini bread this year, decided on just the lemon until I found this banana recipe.  Very good.  But I used almost 1 tsp of cinnamon, not the 1.5.  I was a little heavy on the bananas and also shredded zucchini (I use the fine shred on my mandoline) and I needed another 15 minutes of baking time.  The top browned quickly and the last half hour required loose foil cover.

Banana Zucchini Bread

Lots of calls to make regarding Carole's follow ups and appointments, so I best get busy.  Have a great day.

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