random thoughts – Day 2,207 (Thursday) – game day

It was cold, cloudy, and raw with sporadic showers and even snow flurries. This made it the perfect day for a one-hour webinar on estate planning I had signed up for a week ago. It certainly didn’t feel like I was missing out on any nice weather activities while at the desk. The webinar featured three talking heads from a bank wealth management group.

Scrawling notes.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best presentation I’ve ever witnessed, but to its credit it also wasn't the worst. There was a decent amount of helpful information and not a single slide featuring a graphic or bullet list. Just three heads against a corporate logo Zoom background, talking in rotation in a manner that suggested they either forgot to practice their sections or it was their first time presenting. Then there was me, cramping my hand scribbling notes like there would be an exam because I don't retain info just hearing it while sitting passively. If this was an actual exam situation, there would be a follow up with much color coded highlighting, so at least I’m spared that. 

Presentations I’ve seen on all manner of topics had a slides displaying key points and which was shared after the event and greatly minimized the need for note taking. And to think I declined a lunch invitation from Mom and Sis because I was registered for the webinar and encouraged them to go off to lunch without me. I could have been in a restaurant instead of scrawling notes. 

Playing Yahtzee.

After they returned from lunch, Sis called to tell me they were about to play Yahtzee next door at Mom's and I was out the door and walking across the damp lawn to join. 

We played three games of Yahtzee with Mom’s vintage Yahtzee cup and dice. The dice led each of us to a win and Mom and I each had a game with two Yahtzees. I made a dumb mistake that led to a really crappy score in my worst game. Before we knew it, a couple hours had passed on a cold, damp day. It was perfect.

random thoughts – Day 2,206 (Wednesday) – market treasures

A couple weeks ago, friends and I went to a belly dance show and I got to try Turkish Delight. Ever since, I have been collecting Turkish Delight items in my A-Z shopping cart, and particularly the flavor my friend said she liked.

Online searches for local sellers of Turkish Delight weren’t super fruitful, but I stuck gold recently with another search term. “Mediterranean market near me” produced a list of locations which were mostly in Worcester and what I expected. But in the list was a new surprise entrant with Yaya Mediterranean Halal Market in Fitchburg. Through their Facebook page, I sent a message and received a response that they had what I was looking for.

I hit the road for a quick drive with a box of rose flavor Turkish Delight envisioned at the end of the journey. The front of the building is an unassuming brown brick wall of boredom but a sign on the side of the building at the parking area confirmed it was the correct place. Across the threshold was not only Turkish Delight, but a world of delights.

Treasures from Yaya's.

The bright and tidy shop had shelves loaded with colorful packaging and hundreds of products. There were grains and lentils, sweets, tea, coffee, canned goods, fresh pita bread, snacks, frozen foods, coffee sets, cookware and a very nice shopkeeper. She offered me coffee and poured it into a beautiful small cup. It was dark, rich, and delicious and I ended up buying a bag.

In addition to the target item of a gift box of rose flavor Turkish Delight, I got a second box of rose flavor and a box of pistachio flavor, toasted chickpea snacks, cans of hummus and baba ghanoush, two bags of the largest pita breads I’ve ever seen, and Turkish coffee. I can’t wait to go back. The next visit, I will be armed with a shopping list.

Once home, I opened the can of baba ghanoush, cut up a giant pita, and halved some grape tomatoes for lunch. Eating the lunchtime snack gave me a chance to wonder what I would do with enough giant pita bread for an army. Recipes for pita chips were reviewed. 

Freshly baked pita chips.

After checking a couple sources for time and oven temperature guidance, olive oil, garlic salt, sea salt, were lined up on the counter. Pita bread was halved and sliced and brushed with oil and several cooking sheets of it were baked. 

The pita was very thin and it turned out five minutes was too long, but four minutes was better, but chips cooked at both times came out delicious. There is still a lot of pita left for additional chip making sessions. The next time I’ll use a lower oven temperature and experiment with some more seasonings.

random thoughts – Day 2,205 (Tuesday) – energy and successes

I woke up tired this morning because I stayed up until 3 am reading a book. I think it was the reintroduction to coffee after three days without, plus the excessive display of gluttony eating an entire 16 piece cinnamon bread bites order from Domino's. Yes, I did it to myself and I deserved what I got.

Painting hung.

Once I was out of bed, all was okay. I drank coffee (but less of it than yesterday) and things got done. The walls are beginning to talk (or it was the sleep deprivation) and today a painting done by my friend Terri was hung. The painting used to sit atop a bookcase in the Lowell house but now it needed hanging. 

The task required using the drill and the tiniest, cutest little drill bit in the entire kit to attach two eye hooks so I could add hanging wire, and that part was fun. I was tempted to look for other things to be drilled. 

Other walls were scrutinized and some art pieces auditioned, but there was only the one success for the day. Knick knacks and dust collectors were evaluated and rearranged. A candle was moved here, a plant to over there, a planter that may never see plants in it over there.

A contractor arrived to measure the house for a new roof, skylights, and siding. Luckily, it was after one of several rain sessions that filled the morning. It was oddly warm and humid as we walked around the house and talked about the project. Material samples and an estimate will be received later in the week.

Avocado bagel.

A trip was made to the Post Office during another one of the in-between rain windows. Two grocery stores were passed on both legs of the journey, but they are the pricier chains and I resisted the urge to visit either one. The avocado bought last week was perfectly ripe and was transformed into a topping for a perfectly toasted bagel. These felt like successes in budgeting, willpower, and timing.

Instructions for the pattern layout, fabric cutting, and sewing of the 25-yard skirt were reviewed (again). Preparation and production will begin soon. Later, two new-ish dances were reviewed in dance group in preparation for the show in June. The drive to and from dance involved some long stretches with horror movie quality fog that was a combination of impressive and terrifying. 

So much variety in one day.  Maybe it’s because I’m feeling physically better, or because it’s feeling like spring and that helps me feel mentally better, or some combination of factors, but the energy shift is most welcome.

random thoughts – Day 2,204 (Monday) – energy replenished

The day began with me waking up feeling rested and remarkably well. The energy level was dramatically better than the four days of being flat-out sick, and also so much better than usual that I wondered if it was possible that I was low-grade unwell for the past bunch of months. And that was before a shower and coffee. 

Crocuses at Mom's.

After coffee, which I hadn't had any of since Thursday and didn't taste as good as I expected it to, the litter box was cleaned and detailed like it was being listed for sale. The glass stovetop which always gets wiped but never quite looks totally clean met the magic eraser and got a more serious cleaning. Laundry was done. Bills were reviewed and set up for online payments. 

When I went outside to haul the trash and recycle bins up the driveway, I spotted Mom and StepDad trying to haul the base of a new recliner into the house and popped over to lend a hand. Once in the house, I helped with the final assembly. I hope today’s level of vitality continues and isn’t just some cruel prank of modern medicine or my declining mental faculties.

While next door, I spotted crocuses in Mom’s front flowerbed and feeling a bit of spring floral envy, I walked the perimeter of my own house and yard to see if I had any such spring flowers (I don’t – need to get some!). I walked into the woods behind the house to fetch an abandoned flowerpot that has been there since before I moved in and put it in the shed. I scanned all the broken trees, abandoned cut limbs, and years of fallen leaves and wondered how difficult and time consuming it would be to tidy things up back there without benefit of curbside yard waste pickup like I had in Lowell.

Cinnamon bread bites.
Okay, but not great.

There was a slight energy dip at supper time, so I killed the idea of planning supper and ordered pizza from Domino’s. I got frivolous and also ordered the cinnamon bread bites. Domino’s isn’t my favorite pizza purveyor so I’m not even sure why I chose them to provide the evening's sustenance. I might have been suddenly too lazy to think of another place.

The pizza was comfortably predictable. The cinnamon bites were okay, but not great, but I still ate the entire order which gave me a stomach ache that was immediately followed by pangs of regret. Live and learn (except I probably won’t learn).

random thoughts – Day 2,203 (Sunday) – revived

After 3.5 thoroughly miserable days of a sore throat and swollen glands plus extra loud and pitchy tinnitus, today, halfway through the afternoon and 24 hours into the recently started penicillin regimen, there was a miraculous return to life. Evidence of renewed life included the following: I could stand for several minutes (in a row!) without feeling lightheaded and sprinting to lie down; I could swallow without misery; and there was energy for conducting basic vital human functions like showering and preparing food.

Food that isn't soup!

The food thing was huge. There were plenty of ingredients on hand but nothing to eat. Days passed with zero energy to assemble the plentiful pantry ingredients into edible dishes or even to plan and place an order for delivery. 

Today’s physical revival led to the assembly and baking of a casserole made of turkey from the freezer with chopped fresh broccoli and onion, vegetable soup broth, cheese, gnocchi, and cornbread stuffing. This was real cooking that required boiling water, stirring, chopping, layering, the delicate spooning of small amounts of broth and gnocchi until it seemed just right, and sprinkling seasonings. It was delicious. Or maybe I was just starved for something that wasn't soup. I like soup, but moreso when it's an option and not because it's the least painful food available.

The throat glands are still enlarged and tender to the touch, and it still hurts a little to talk, but overall, things feel much better. I’d rather type than speak most times, and having more food options is wonderful.

random thoughts – Day 2,202 (Saturday) – diagnosis and disappointment

On Thursday, I hoped my throat would be better on Friday. It was not. On Friday, I hoped my throat would be better when I woke up on Saturday. It was not. The throat was still swollen. The throat glands were even more swollen and hurt.

Beautifully not crowded.

Mom drove me to the urgent care I didn’t know was located barely two miles away from home. The place was not crowded and things moved efficiently. Insurance info was provided. Paperwork was completed. After a few minutes, my name was called and I was taken to an exam room. There were the usual blood pressure and temperature readings and a bonus throat rapid swab that triggered the gag reflex with an assistant. Yee-haw.

In a few more minutes, another medical professional appeared and informed me that it was definitely strep. I think the last time I had strep was half a century ago when I was in high school. Seriously, who gets strep throat at my age? And how? Anyway, the penicillin regimen of three times a day for ten days has begun and will be my friend.

The sacrifices are mounting. The first two days of feeling poorly meant I never left the house and included missing the Friday opening of Cherry Hill Ice Cream, and ice cream is usually the only opening day I’m interested in. The two days of invalid life were not enough to ward off the damage. Day three of unwellness meant I missed two dance workshops in Arlington I was signed up for. I already excused myself from dance group on Sunday morning because it seemed wiser than waiting until morning and spinning the wheel of fate to see how I felt.

Fun time culture swap room.

The throat glands feel even larger this evening than they did this morning. Ramen as the primary food source is losing its thrill. A can of cream of mushroom soup, bought on a whim last week for a recipe became supper. It wasn’t as good as I remember from my high school and college years when it was my go-to food. And strep throat is turning out to be worse than I remember.

random thoughts – Day 2,201 (Friday) – still swollen

The sore throat of Thursday was not “just a memory” on Friday as I had hoped.  It was worse. The throat was still red. Still swollen. And I was as weak as a wet dishrag. 

Multiple times during the day there was dizziness and lightheadedness when I stood up. Once, I had to race from the bathroom to the bed to lay down before I passed out and hit the floor. Another time, while boiling water for ramen, there was a race from the kitchen to the couch for the same reason.

The sleeping nearly all day on the couch part was pretty nice. At 4:00 I woke up and sat up for a while and it seemed better. I really wanted some ice cream, but the closest thing in the house was a Luigi’s lemon Italian ice.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be better. Fingers are still crossed.