I can vouch for this one, because I’m so good at it, and it’s helped me. Many people don’t find it all that important, but my ability to go to sleep wherever I am, if necessary, has saved me from a lot of grogginess. If I need sleep, I sleep, just like the dogs do.
Not me, I’m ever vigilant, waiting to see if Lee is gonna do something (untrue; he’s vigilantly watching for Lee’s lap to appear, so he can nap)
Since my recent mental challenges, I’ve been really sleepy. I figure my body’s telling me something, so I let myself sleep if I don’t have anything scheduled. If it’s during work, I just work later and it all works out. (I have used the word “work” too many times, perhaps.) I’m hoping sleepiness is not a symptom of anything more than stress.
Too much fight or flight going on in my brain, like this guy.
I can fall asleep sitting in a chair, riding in the car (not driving), on a plane, in bed, or anywhere my head can rest. I can nap at any time, too, occasionally before noon if bored or sick. I think it’s a good thing, because when I wake up I’m refreshed and alert. For me, anyway.
Fresh as a white dog chasing butterflies? He’s fascinated by them.
There’s not much else to report from the ranch, which is good. All surviving animals are happy (turkeys seem thrilled to be alone and in charge), and the horses are happy to have some grass and lots of new hay.
Mabel is so shiny.
The plants that made it through summer are still pretty. I hope we can over-winter a few. At least it is finally a little cooler here!
That’s a pretty plant, even its rebellious offshoot.
Wait! One piece of good news from today is that I finally got my crown installed and I don’t have to see the dentist again for that issue. Ha. I still have to go back for a cleaning next week. Argh. That was scheduled long before this crown/bridge debacle. Another three hours of driving for a one-hour appointment. Why do I live so far from civilization?
What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?
There’s no doubt that I’ve said this many times before, but the guiding belief that has stuck with me since I first heard it is the Golden Rule, which is found in so many spiritual traditions.
Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Sure, someone could argue against this, but I’m sticking with it. It’s served me well through many adventures.
Ah, Queen butterflies. The blue mist flowers also serve well.
Things were pretty good today, and work went fine.
Even with doggie help, it was fine.
I did notice that my toes were still a bit sore from all that hill climbing last week. I took off the nail polish from when I was in Florida and discovered why. I probably should have brought my hiking boots to New Mexico, even though space was limited in the car.
That’s bruising, in addition to other stuff.
Hiker’s toe, it’s called. It’s caused by repeatedly banging your toes into your shoes going downhill. All that ugliness will grow out. And I’m going to treat for fungus, too. But yuck, this is what I get for painting my toenails—I didn’t catch it soon enough.
I knew you were wondering about the other foot. Cutting the nail too short did not fix the problem.
As Kathleen was telling me today, things could be worse. So I’ll treat those feet and remember to bring my good boots next time I go hill walking. At least I CAN climb hills!
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Today my friend Martha, with whom I will be traveling soon, told our lunch group that she’s a planner. She has a long list of activities to do on the trip.
I thought to myself, that’s not me. I’m more of a “spontainer” when traveling. That’s Lee’s and my term for just picking a point and going. We often embark on trips with no concrete plans of our route or what we will do when we arrive. Thus, I’m having a hard time picking the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done.
I’ll admit this. My current mental state is making it hard to dredge up memories—I have become comfortably numb, like in the old song. It will get better; I’m fairly sure I’m not suffering from cognitive decline more than the average person my age. I’m just having a surge in anxiety, which I’m working to understand (both intellectually and psychically).
Good thing I have these guys to soothe my symptoms.
Back to being spontaneous (which I know is not right for every occasion and which often benefits from a bit of planning to succeed). It occurs to me that I am not spontaneous about big things, just day-to-day choices with few consequences. That fits with my self image of not being a big risk taker. I’m now laughing at myself. The cautious spontainer, that’s me, always trying to be everything at once (I’m an extroverted introvert, too).
Me in black and white, mentally fuzzy.
So, I didn’t get a good answer to the prompt, but I figured out something about myself. I’m definitely comfortable with having conflicting traits. I’m hoping this helps with flexibility and the cognitive dissonance required to feel comfortable at times like these. Maybe it will help me get over this mental struggle.
I forgot to wish you kind readers a happy equinox or Mabon yesterday. It’s still very hot here. To welcome the season I’m wearing a shirt that says, “My favorite season is the fall…of fascism.”
PS: maybe my most spontaneous act was walking into a salon and declaring I wanted to bleach my hair white and cut it very short. That wasn’t the plan that morning!
I managed to get some sleep last night (sooo quiet in my little hotel room). I woke a little early, and since I didn’t want to drink coffee before a dental procedure, I spent some quality time in the hotel parking lot, which abuts an established neighborhood in Cedar Park, Texas. When I first moved to Texas, the property was a beautiful pecan orchard (now called Pecan Park). Some trees remain.
They did save some trees in the parking lot.
I had a great time listening to and viewing birds. I saw some interesting ones, including a pair of Yellow Warblers and a Redstart. The area along US 183 where the hotel is gets many fascinating migrating birds, not necessarily the same ones we see (but it’s the same flyway).
This crow puffed out with every loud caw.
Most of the plants I saw were non-natives, including some unpopular invasives. I did enjoy some pretty hackberry berries and cheerful drought-resistant plants.
Well, even though I dawdled talking to a lady walking her dog about the coyote population of this area (high), I had to go to the dentist to get fitted for my crown. This involved yet more drilling and poking around, so Dr. Pham put in lots and lots of anesthetic stuff. I did my best to breathe and get through it, but as soon as he was done, I felt shaky. Then, wham, my back started spasming again! Dang! It wasn’t as bad as last time, but still pretty awful.
I got through the drilling and getting an impression made. But the impression was bad, so they had to do it again. I lost my ability to joke around with Patty the technician. I was out of patience, sort of like I was on that rain delay on the plane recently. I was out of spoons, as they say. Then it took forever to fit the temporary crown. Bite down, tap tap, bite down, tap tap.
Afterward. Looks like I had a stroke. .
Geez. I was a crumpled mess, but I made it home, and when I talked to my friends online, I felt better after their organ recital (nearly everyone was suffering from something). And after my friend Barbara mentioned that her minister mentioned Supergirl in a sermon and agreed with me that the older ones looked better, I was able to smile. Thank goodness for friends!
Later between work meetings, I looked up what it means if you get back spasms after dental anesthesia. Here’s what it said.
In sum: it’s epinephrine and/or an adrenaline spike
Hooray, I’m not that weird, even if it’s never happened in over 20 years at my dental practice. It does make sense. The spasms didn’t start until that horrible tooth pulling episode. So, what to do? I can ask for the epinephrine to be removed. That makes the shots last less time. No thanks. Or I could take a muscle relaxer or tranquilizer. I’ll try that next time I need the needle. Lucky for me, my next two appointments are the fitting of the crown and a routine cleaning. If that man thinks I’ll get another crown anytime soon he’s deluded.
The heat got to me all day, but I got the chores done. I hugged Apache a lot. It’s his best talent, tolerating hugs.
He appreciated his dinner.
My family pampered me this evening. I really appreciate the Japanese noodle dinner from Lee and the cupcakes Kathleen brought back from her time in Temple. I wish spiders would leave her alone!
Good night from this flatulent fellow. We found out he’s two years old, by the way.
Just not quite myself, so I’m pretty boring. Highlights? It rained .03” yesterday. I have spent most of my time the past few days working (not today), doing necessities like feeding animals, listening to birds (migrating sandpipers are here), and reading.
The fish say hi.
Other than that, I’m coloring. Keeps anxiety attacks at bay.
Lee scanned these for me. They look better in person, because some of the colors have metallic sheens in a second color.
If your pet could talk, what would be the first thing it says?
Feed me. Now I need a nap.
SleepyAsleepWaiting to eat
I’m worried about various illnesses. Dogs have bad allergies (Penney got steroids). Black widows are on the prowl again. My mental health is slipping—I can’t make myself do things i know I need to do. I just want to read.
I itch.
I guess I couldn’t do much outside anyway, since they fertilized the field across the road and it smells like a very ripe diaper. I still have humor.
I rewarded myself for all that closet cleaning I’ve been doing by saying yes to an invitation to meet our friends Mike and Martha at the bakery in town. Lee even agreed to come along, though he was displeased that screeching children were hurting his ears. Nonetheless we all had nice conversations.
The bakery is so cute and GOOD. Visit Shirley Mae’s Bakery if you’re ever in Cameron, Texas.
Since I am the lesser hermit, I enjoyed talking to Martha, my friend Mary who was there with her family, and my son and his partner, who also came in. Then I had to have a good chat with the bakery owner’s dad and their nice employee, who collects Native American jewelry and is a Master Gardener, so she knows some of my friends.
We both love wildflowers!
This, dear readers, is why small-town living can be pleasant. I enjoy it much more now that I’m not paranoid about gossip and mean-spirited people. I’m glad I’m better at not caring about people who aren’t nice.
After all that socialization I was fine with watching some TV (finished Hawk and got through much of Ride or Die today) in the quiet house.
Of course, I spent two more hours putting clothing into boxes and moving things around. I almost finished sorting everything hanging up, and I disposed of two garbage bags of plastic hangers from my old house.
This was a mess. It’s my work outfits, dresses, and what passes for dress-up attire. Master Naturalist, football, and sleeveless items on top, sweatshirts below )more to hang). At right are vests and jackets.
I still have a big pile of stuff to hang, now that there’s room for it, and plenty of hangers! That shows you how big the purge was. Tomorrow the hanging stuff will be hung, and if I have time, shoes will be culled* and arranged.
The horror! Goal is to have the surface of this island visible tomorrow.
My teeth still hurt but it’s better every day. I think the dry socket is healing. I think I’ll join my sleeping beauties and indulge in my favorite activity, sleep.
Carlton and Benito are doing much better these days. B is healing.
(*Sue, that’s the word my typo was trying to be yesterday)
Hello everyone, especially those I did not see in my brief visit to Cedar Park yesterday and this morning. I’m relieved to report that the outcome of my dental adventure this morning was good. I feel very much better.
And the crowd goes wild! Hurrah! photo from Pexels
When I dragged myself in to the dentist office, they knew what was up immediately. I should have probably gone in last Friday. I had dry socket, which more often happens in wisdom tooth extractions, but occurs in 1-2% of all extractions. The blood clot that usually forms at the bottom of the site gets dislodged and that exposed raw nerves and bone. Yeah, that could explain some extreme pain.
So they put a lot of anise-smelling stuff in there and packed it back in. I’m pretty sure I caused the issue by trying to swish water around to keep the site clean. That didn’t help at all, and instead made it worse. Live and learn.
Rules after extractions are to not smoke, not use a straw, and not swish water around. Well. I didn’t smoke.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to the root canal part of the appointment, because I uncharacteristically tensed up when the dentist was putting the anesthetic in. It hit a nerve or something and really hurt. When he finished, I started shaking, turned pale, and began to have some impressive back spasms, over and over. Yow, that hurt. And it scared us all (me, the dentist, and the technician). It finally passed and I was okay for the procedure. Root canal is a piece of cake compared to a messy extraction.
During all the drilling and poking, I imagined I was back in South Carolina, looking forward woodpeckers.
Everyone was so kind to me, and we had good conversations when I settled down. Lots about dogs. And the receptionist was really impressed by my temperature blankets (it came up because I said I was excited it hit 100° yesterday so I could use hot pink yarn.
After Lee got me home (so nice not to have to drive), I fell asleep for a long time. I was so tired from hurting. Tonight I have just a little pain, but I’m optimistic it will be better tomorrow.
I look forward to two months of no dentist! Nice guy, but this week was hard.
Lee is a good guy under his grumpy facade. When he realized I was going to drive in early tomorrow morning for a root canal on my still-painful teeth, he volunteered to drive me to Cedar Park this evening and get a hotel room near my dentist so I can sleep a bit more, and I’ll have him to drive me home. I feel so pampered
Oh look, it’s 183 and 620. That intersection was a four-way stop in the 1990s.
And then he offered to take me out to eat something both good and soft. Conveniently, one of my favorite quiet sushi/Chinese restaurants is within walking distance of the hotel. We could walk there, even in 103° heat and not suffer!
View looking toward where friends live.
When I come to the old Lakeline Mall area, in the vortex where Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock meet, I am surprised at what nostalgia pops up. I am in a place I spent my child-rearing years, near many dear friends and places I once lived. I look out the window and know Catherine and Carolyn/Lyndy are not too far. Sniff. But I’m in no shape to visit!
The extent of the nostalgia I feel is limited to people, former homes, the interesting geological aspects of the limestone karst, and nice places to eat. I miss those. I don’t miss traffic and having so many people around. There are always trade offs!
My chirashi sushi dinner pampered me well, and a glass of plum wine drowns out the throbbing. I did make it through the day without painkillers, so maybe I won’t bruise up awfully tomorrow.
Blurry sunset over a movie theater.
I’ve never looked less forward to a dental appointment. Just gotta go inward and get through it. I’ll never make fun of people who get wound up before dental work again.
If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?
I’ll tell you what trend I’d like to eliminate: charismatic psychopaths taking over the leadership of powerful countries and embarking on unstoppable campaigns to satisfy their need for praise and power.
Can we make this trend go away? Not without a destructive struggle, I fear.
Blurry butterfly, Gulf Fritillary
Okay, people who came here to read the prompt response can stop reading. I’ll go on to ranch news. First, the dogs are making progress. And, hey, I discovered in the archives that we got Penney seven years ago this week, and she was my most recent acquisition. So we aren’t grabbing dogs Willy-nilly. (Kathleen rescued Goldie.)
The Snooze Brothers
Benito has started to both play with and assert himself with Harvey. I just hope they establish their boundaries quickly. It’s hard to keep B calm for his heart worm treatment when everyone wants to play and play. But they do sleep a lot.
Harvey is playing!They have much funThey hear Penney comingI’m trying to be calm!The girl sleeps solo (as does Alfred)
We have noticed much less mounting and marking from Benito, which is really good. I’m not fond of that stuff.
As for the rest of us, we are muddling along, with no one feeling all that great. My jaw swelling has gone down, but I still hurt. I’ll let the dentist know, and I’m taking the antibiotics on schedule.
Sharing some white-mouthed day flowers, which got sprayed today. They were pretty, but it was time to trim some overgrowth.
Big thing for me: I am finally going through all my clothing from work and ranch and will be making some lucky thrift store shopper very happy. I got two boxes full of clothes today. More to come! This is one of my “issues,” having too many clothes. Comes from not having many growing up. But I go overboard. Sigh. I guess I could have worse issues (and probably do).
