Rainy Days and Tuesdays

An agreeable day: Good early walk, a session with the trainer at LA Fitness.  My trainer-a 50 something guy, was ticked off. A former client- skinny young actress, was visiting with him. Another trainer-a horn-dog, also no spring chicken poached her. Drama in the gym!  I really am doing better with my balance. Since the dogs were already ditched at home, I motored down to Pompano to go to Dollar Tree (I love that store!) and Lowe's. Picked up an Arby's for the doggies and  a mango and tomatoes for me at Publix. Mangoes are new to me and I really like the taste. The logistics of eating one are messy. They are in season now. Supposed to be good for you. BLT's for dinner. I am waltzing through a book a day.  A mystery yesterday, Garrison Keillor's Liberty today. He has a humorous style but as he has aged, there is a sharpness to his humor. I'm glad I read it. Good book for  a "later in life" reader and a cautionary tale for the young.  It is the old, old theme: Live an Appollonian life or a Dionysian life?    I think the ancient Greeks probably had it about right: Live an Appollonian life most of the time but during the Dionysian festivals let it all hang out-no questiions asked. Kind of like Mardi Gras.

Life is Hard

Jacqui had a birthday party. David invited me as the sole representative of our family left in the state. It was on a dark and stormy night-last Friday but we were so glad for the moisture I think it pepped folks up because it was a great party. My gym workouts had some benefits-I was able to dance quite a bit which brought out a lot of cameras-nobody had seen anything quite like it before. Click on the picture below for the album.

06242011 FL Jacqui BD

In spite of the weather, the doggies are getting their walks. It is cooler so we can go when the rain lets up. My "personal trainer:" 30 minutes twice a week, is helping me considerably-mostly with my balance which has been poor for quite awhile. In the process, I get a good workout, then do my cardio.

I have been working on the garage and the RV: cleaning, pitching stuff, and organizing. Of necessity it goes in spurts because it has been hotter than a $2.00 pistol on a Saturday night down here. Every day is a two shirt day. When one shirt gets sweat soaked. you have to dry off and change to a dry one because coming from the heat to the air conditioning makes the old nipples hurt and the torso shiver. Several things that I thought were ripped off have surfaced. Some cameras and both satellite radios. Radio is more company to me than the television though I do enjoy watching on the large TV. The radio is more compatible with my reading and I have been doing quite a lot of that.

Shopping off my beaten path of practicality is kind of a chore in suburbia (or is it urbia). I wanted to get something nice for Jacqui so I went to Boca Town Center mall. I was able to skip my cardio that day just finding a damn restroom. I wasn't sauntering. There are some fabulous shops there-nothing I need, but Teavana had a nice tea assortment and pot for a gift. Jacqui has already made the transition from coffee so it wasn't a preachy gift. I went to the Yankee Candle Store too but they seemed pretty proud of their merchandise. Found the same brand at Target where I was also able to find cards.

Father's Day 2011

Lori and Jason sent a picture for my house. It is perfect-really "me." I love it. I sent Audrey pictures of her visit. I had been toying with making some sort of booklet but on one of my many visits to the Walgreen's site, netted me a deal on prints- essentially 10 cents apiece. You send them over the Internet to Walgreen's and call for them in an hour or two. They were beautiful prints. I am going to use this service. Probably a lot. I can send them in and have them printed anywhere there is a Walgreen's. This time I mailed them. Matt called this afternoon about 4:00 my time-he was just getting up. He had an all-nighter at work. Audrey was going to come over for a Father's Day visit with him.

I went to the Deerfield Beach a couple of days ago and it was deserted so I thought to try it again and get some more pictures. Father's Day it was teeming-no place to park. I went to the Whale's Rib and had a lunch of Ipswich clams. Excellent. Then it rained a little and I tried it again and found a spot. I wandered and took pictures These places overlook the beach and ocean.

Friday I tried to do too much-went to the doctor and had "an hour with Greg." We adjusted some meds and talked TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes). He is very nice and ever so thorough. Then since I was in the neighborhood, I made a Wal-Mart run. Publix is so high on so many things but is only 3 blocks away. Wal-Mart is a whole lot cheaper but 7 miles in traffic. So I made the trip count. Thus I missed the cleaning ladies. They are going to come again Monday.

I tried to be a good daddy today and took the doggies for extra long walks, fed them chicken tenders, and picked weed seeds off them.

Jason and Lori just called. They hosted Lori's 30th class reunion at their house-small class. A good time was had by all.

Life's a Beach

Lori gave me a gift. She forgot to give Trish the shoes she picked from Lori's closet-for the Alaska Cruise. She also gave me the thank-you gift certificates from Uncle Julio's they gave her after the party. So I put them together and invited Trish out for dinner and a shoe delivery. She is great company so it turned out fine

Deerfield Beach is not crowded at all in the summer time. The snowbirds and touristas are mostly elsewhere. An evening jaunt to the beach for picture taking. Leaving the dogs, a milestone.

Went for my June bloodtests-I am now on a monthly schedule with Dr. Cohn and quarterly with Dr. Rosenbaum. Oops, need to go t the gym-see ya later.

Walking in the Rain

The rainy season is having a hard time arriving here. It has been hot and dry. The yard man added some spacers to the sprinkler control because my lawn was drying up. The cycles will last 36 minutes rather than 24.  After three days of predictions we got a little rain here this afternoon. Buddy didn't know what to make of it-he was out in the back yard barking at the rain. After it let up I put on my hat and we walked-not very wet, kind of refreshing. Buddy kept taking shelter under Honey's tail. He makes me laugh.

I made pea soup Monday-tasty and fiber filled. Wednesday I was contemplating calling the ambulance--I was in enormous pain but finally got some action with Aloe Vera juice and warm water.  I skipped my appointment with my trainer because I was hurting so bad. I suspect my drug cocktail has changed things but as one who is conscientious about picking up after my dogs, we all seemed to have consumed cement. The dogs got cooked ham hocks but no pea soup.   Who  knows? I have invested in Activia and  Phillips Milk of Magnesia.

I dreaded going to the gym today-I had skipped since Wednesday and thought I would be starting over. The one-mile plus dog walks must be doing some good because I had no problem completing my workout-it fact it seemed easier than usual. I really don't mind the exercise but it is pretty boring-several people read or listen to their iPods. The gym has TV's  but no sound. I'm glad I broke the ice and returned to my routine fresh.  It is important to keep up.

My cousin Rose died this week-she was 84 and a sweet woman. She had buried her husband within the last two weeks. Both were in care and both became septic. I am a little curious about the coincidence.

I went to a store called Tuesday Morning to shop for plant stands-I have all these plants from the kids. I found what I wanted at great prices. They are really cool stores. They had a four foot tall St. Francis statue that I inquired about- It was $129. but it had a chip in it-not very visible. The manager offered it to me for 50% off. I thought about it and declined it when I checked out. The manager said "What do I have to do to send St.Francis out the door with you?"  Since I feel kind of shabby about haggling over St. Francis, I will just say we reached an accommodation. He has always been a favorite Saint. He goes well with my little Buddha fountain.

There and Here

Janet sent me some pix from this year's branding-they are excellent and sure gave me a twinge of homesickness. She said it was 92 degrees there yesterday which is a disaster waiting to happen. Snow pack is like 300 percent of normal and if it all comes down at once-watch out! Here in Florida, the rainy season/hurricane season has failed to materialize. We need some wet!



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Janet and her mount



My van was a non-starter yesterday. It clicked just fine. After I charged the battery it clicked even better. I called AAA Automotive this morning. They recommended "It's About You" towing. So I called him. He was very competent-pushed the darn van with his body to line up for loading. The van took a ride (not very far). $50 cash. I called AAA and told them I would like the van checked out and the oil changed as well as fixing what ailed it. They called back around noon and said it needed a new battery-$155.00. I told them I had never paid that for a battery before but reluctantly agreed to it. I called around 3:00 and they said it was ready to go. I hoofed it down there. The total bill was $155! New battery, dignostics, oil change. I was happy to pay. I'll go back.

I didn't make it to the gym today. I awoke late and was having coffee and checking email. I felt a tap, tap, tap on my shoulder. Mr Bud,-Bud was standing on my recliner telling me it was time to go. So we went. Then I read a book- a Dick Francis mystery. Walked down to get my Van, took the doggies on a good walk tonight so I got my exercise.

The Buddies

Buddy and Honey snuggle on the cool tile floor after a 7:30 a.m. walk to the accompaniment of St. Ambrose's bells calling the faithful to Saturday Confession. Coolish morning and each day brings some change in foliage or color. I like the jaunts and the dogs are insistent. Last evening I saw a young man picking something-off a big bush. It was some sort of Brazilian fruit- yellow, waxy looking like a green pepper. He gave me some to try. Sweet and interesting but not a new favorite. Nor are pigeon peas. I like to hit the local Food Bazaar which offers more ethnic choices than I have ever seen before. This is the one where the poor folk shop-a butcher, fish monger, South American fare. I have not tried the fish heads nor the chicken feet but there is a lot I am willing to try. Pigeon Peas are good but not very tender.

I am still repotting, nursing, trimming and finding places for Lori's plants. My little patio is coming together nicely. Greenery is nice to have and seems to do well for me.

Jason's car detailer is stopping by to check on me. Bankey is retired military and very sociable. He gave me a card: Star Detaling (sic). I am also the drop man for tenant Keith's rent. Both are representatives of "darker Deerfield," and I love it. Keith may be from Coconut Creek. The exotic attracts me like a moth to flame.

Buddy Enjoys a Book

Buddy decided he, like his dad, enjoys a good mystery now and then. Unfortunately the one he chose was being read by dad and was just getting to the solution. Many little pieces-Buddy's first real bawling out. He has been contrite which consists of being on my lap a lot.

Said Dad ended up with a personal trainer.  A man came by while I was doing cardio on Tuesday and asked how I was doing. I told him I didn't know how some of the weight machines worked-they were very different from the ones at Boca Hospital. After a quick fitness appraisal I was being signed up for a trainer. $25 a session-one session a week-about what  I was paying at Boca Regional for workout privileges. We are concentrating on handweights which I have been doing and balance exercises which I really need.

There's an app for that!  I downloaded a free app for my iPod which is is a pedometer. I use it on the dog walks. Our shortest circuit is slightly less than 1/2 mile. So there is at least a mile walk every day in addition to my gym stuff.

The Kingsolver book got finished on the Kindle. She informs as well as entertains but, true to life, she doesn't conclusively end her books. Partly set in Mexico she incorporated a lot of Mexican and American history.  Did you know that Major Pershing (later the famed general) led an attack on a peaceful encampment of WWI veterans who had gathered in Washington to try to collect a one-time $500.00 pension that had been given by Congress but as it was the depression, they reneged?  The protesters were run down by horses, cut with sabers and gassed. Their tent city was burned. 

There is a void with the kids in Texas  We still play "Word" and it keeps us in touch, but I have been puttering and nesting to fill the time.  Tuesday is "bulk trash day" It is even better than the Indian dump on the rez.  Taking my dog walks gives me the opportunity to examine castoffs rather closely. Just beat the garbage man a few days ago-wicker lawn chair. Stained it and it is presentable. I just finished re-working a lamp. The Haitians beat me to some couch pillows. Gotta strike while the iron is hot!