Friday 13th March 2020

Italiano: Venerdì 13 Marzo 2020

00:25hrs: I stirred into semi-consciousness, fully expecting to stroke Lady and Cyril, who should have been on my lap and bulbous-belly, purring! I soon realised I must have been dreaming of them, and the disappointment in their not being there was demoralising. I really did want to once again to be nose-butted awake by Cyril, as Lady would lick my face… don’t laugh! After the nocturnal memory-replay of the night, I did miss them so again. At least I have the memories of them.

Especially Cyril, when I used to get home from working nights, and it was dark. I’d be pushing the motorbike down the alley to the garage at the back of the house, and suddenly a fat ball of dark fur would jump up at me from the darkness, nearly knocking me over sometimes, cling to my chest and I could hear his purring, even through my helmet! He’s worked out the procedure, and always stood nearby while I got the shed door open, and the bike secured inside, I’d put the padlock on and turn around, and he’d be sat at the back door, awaiting me to open it and get his breakfast served up! Hahaha! It’s so fresh in my memory-box, even after so many years. We would soon be joined by Lady, for her share of the food. She was not really my cat but lived next door. She could get through via the loft and back at will! They would both soon be laying on the easy-chair together, cuddling, washing each other, and kipping. This reminiscing actually helped cheer me up somewhat.

I disentangled my body-mass from the £300, second-hand, scarily-beige-coloured, c1968, non-working, damaged by xyrophobia-suffering Brother-in-Law Pete when he was robbing the flat, rickety recliner. Got the stick and made my way to the GPEWWB (Grey-Plastic-Emergency-Wee-Wee-Bucket). 

Serious   As I waited for the flow to start, I began getting sharp pains in the chest. Left side above the nipple. This did not feel anything like Anne Gyna or Duodenal Donald. Obviously, my concern was it might be the mechanical ticker giving problems. These sharp, dull, lingering pains continued up until I wrote this item, anyway (04:55hrs). A few Dizzy Dennis’s came on and off as well. My balance was affected even when I was sat down at the computer? Saccades Sandra and Back-Pain Brenda joined in as the day went on. If things don’t steady down, I’ll call the Doctor to get an appointment ASAP. I’m feeling some pressure but not exactly pain all the time, in between the stabbing sessions, too.

Unsure what to do about this. But, I shall, if fit enough, go out later to try and get some toilet rolls. And see how it goes.

I got the medications taken, made a brew of Thompson’s tea, and got on with the updating and posting off of yesterday’s ‘lost’ post. I was not up to redoing all that I’d lost into the ether yesterday. So I did a poem about the day.

Then on Pinterest, TFZer Facebooking and WordPress Reader section. The pains, chest and back are no worse but no better either. Why I didn’t just say ‘the same’, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just a sesquipedalian? Haha!

I went to make another mug of tea, Glengettie Gold, this time. I am lucky to have found the three bestest brews in the land. Glengettie, Glengettie Gold and Thompson’s Punjana!

It was still raining a bit outside, and I took a picture, I can use this one later as a ‘Thoughts’ background.

By thunder, the flaming ‘Hum’ is so loud again. Grumph!

As I was turning off the computer, the pains in the chest seemed to ease off a bit. I thought I’d better get the ablutions done. By the time I’d got everything ready and taken into the wet room, the damned chest and back pains had returned. Groggleplops!

I hope I’ll be up to doing a bit of wayfaring later, I need the exercise. Off to get the ablutions sorted out – back to the more usual session this time, gone was the last two days ‘Betterer-than-usual’ performances! Countless dropsies, including; Toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, carbolic soap (4), razors (5), shaving foam, cloth, shower gel, PPs, socks and towel (2)! Two cuts shaving. Hit my head on the rail bending down to pick up the gel! Dizzy Dennis attack in the shower! To round it all off, when I was leaving, I hit my elbow on the door frame! However, the Sock-Glide battle was injury-free. Long socks on as well!

Things did not go well immediately after the ablutions either when I did the handwashing! There were one or two places in the kitchen that didn’t get wet when I spilt the bowl of water when emptying it.  Grumpworthiness!

There was a spot of, get ready for this… Good luck, though! I hadn’t, as I usually would have, got dressed yet, only the PP’s and socks were on! So, the soapy (Woolite and disinfectant) water that went all over me was relatively easy to clean up! As for changing the slightly wet socks again, I left them damp, I wasn’t about to test my luck again on the Sock-Glide. ( I might be denser nowadays, but not that much!) Also and besides that, the colour of the t-shirt came out lovely and revitalised. Oh, yes!

When the stuff was all done, wrung and hung on hangers to dry, I got my togs on, and made up some black bags to go to the waste chute. I wish I’d taken the camera with me to show you the lift lobby. Plasterboard well, it looked like it, residue and dust all over the place. Naturally, it could not be helped, all the pipework that needs covering, etc., must a right-frustrating job for the workers! Far less drilling today, much more banging, so it sounds like they are making progress with the situation, bless ’em.

As I was getting the hat and coat on, it dawned on me, the chest pains were easing! Yeeha! My OCD launched into practice, and I faffled about for ages, sometime rechecking the same place again and again! I can confirm what psychologist Kat McGowan said: Checking and rechecking fogs the memory, making it harder to recall specifics and leaving your mind in doubt. The habit of repeated checking becomes a dangerous and undermining habit. For older people consuming hours every day, driven by intense fears of unlikely scenarios. Just thought I’d mention it, like.

Shopping list, and trolley, I got down to the lift lobby. Went along the newly painted and highly decorative area (Chuckle), and through the link walkway to the Winwood Court, and the Sturmscharfhreress ILC’s Holding-cell Office. Dropped off some stuff, and into the Winwood Court common area.

Where a sign was up, informing folks that the Cafe will be closed for a couple of weeks, due to the Coronavirus, after taking advice from the Nottingham City Homes.

I poddled on through to Winchester Cort’s lobby. No one in there waiting for the bus at all! Perhaps this virus has affected some of our tenants? I can’t blame them. I went outside, and a few residents were at the bus stop, and suddenly many others joined us. I had a walk around and took some pictures:

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On the bus, but got off two stops later, with a Winwood Court lady. I didn’t get much of a walk, in though. Crossed the road and up Mansfield Street to Elmswood Gardens, and right to the Sherwood Health Centre.

I was embarrassed to have to explain to the receptionist again that I had forgotten to phone for an appointment. Two weeks after the last visit. The look I got was enough, it said clandestinely mind you; “Tsk! Him again!” Hehehe! She phoned the Podiatry Office, and got me another appointment, for 08:30hrs, on Thursday 19th March, bless her cotton socks. I was so appreciative, I gave her Jenny’s nibbles in thanks! Not to fret, I have another pack left for Jenny).

Out and onto Mansfield Road. I walked down on my way to the Wilko store, checking my shopping list – Aha! Yes, I remembered to take it with me by Jiminy!  A slight feeling of satisfaction was enjoyed!

I did notice that the shop on Hall Street corner, which was initially a fantastic deli shop, but he retired, and it stood closed for years. Then opened, much to the satisfaction of some of our Winwood Heights tenants (Guffaw), as a cheap-booze and fags outlet. But he only lasted a few months then he went bust. Poor devil! Now its a beauty parlour. But no customers in it. Tsk! I waffled on a bit there again, sorry.

I got in the Wilko store and searched for some small funnels, to use with the olive oil bottles, but they had none! Nor did they have any toilet rolls or Liquid soap powder. Oh, dearie me!

I paid and came out with, a Trigger Sprayer bottle £1 It’s useless I found out later, Humph! Oh, and some tissues.

Some razors that I believed at the time of purchase to be on offer, as the price ticket said, £1 a pack. So I got two of them. I discovered later, they were £3!

Oh, I did feel a fool! I left the shop and got a sense of. What’s the word? Er… people wandering around aimlessly, sort of beyond caring, had-enough, no faith or hope? Perhaps this Coronavirus (COVID-19) is getting to them? Not that there were many folks out and about for a Friday.

I went to the Co-op to get some toilet rolls there. But No! I did get the sweet potato fries that were on my list, though. They only had McCain’s on sale. They were £2.59 a pack, I thought at first, they can keep them, but saw the ticket on the shelf, Two packets for £4, so I got two. Some mushrooms as well.

I meandered up the hill to the bus stop. I took a photograph down facing the shopping area, you can see how depressing it is. So many people self-isolating, perhaps?

At the bus shelter, I had a natter with the lady who I helped off of the bus. I’ve not seen her before. I enjoyed the chinwag, she is quick-witted too! The bus arrived, and a few minutes later, we were back at the complex. The lady held the door open for me, and I had a job keeping up with her, Dizzy Dennis was on another visit. Grangle-Grumps!

I thought she might be residing in Woodthorpe Court. But she got in the lift at the Winwood Extra Care Court. I said my farewells to her and plodded on.

At the end of the link-passage to Woodthorpe Court, I took a picture through glass of the window, of the Al Fresco benches put there. The rain began to drizzle lightly.

Apart from a little Dizzy Dennis and Gastroesophageal Roger Reflux kicking off, I was not doing too bad now. Worryingly, an insouciant-outlook was coming over me? Most atypical for me! On the odd occasions that I have felt this way, it has always been followed by an Accifauxpas,
Whoopsiedangleplops or an accident. I’m cheering myself up here! Hahaha!

I unloaded the few bits I’d bought. This was when I realised the razors prices. And also, they had three blades, which I don’t usually get on with, and end up[ cutting myself. But hey, I can cut myself with any razor nowadays.

I got the vegetables cooking on the stove. Mushrooms, peas, onions, carrots, parsnips and the last bit of leek.

Then took some photos from the unwanted and unliked kitchen window, and then I ventured out onto the balcony, managed to open the lethal metal spring clipped end pane, and took several shots up and down. It cost me a split nail and bruised finger, but still. Here they are:

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I started to update this post, and remembered that I had missed some black bags earlier, and thinking I’d take them and do some photos of the lift lobby, I got as far as the door, and some mail had been delivered. The rotten bank! Telling me to speak to a TSB PArtner? (Clerk?) And, when I opened this account, the ytold me it was 3%. Then went down to 1.5%. Now it’s gone further down, to 1.05%! But only if I see a TSB Partner? And they let me know when I have just got back from being within yards of their premises! Spitworthy-Splurging-Sparrowhawks!

I got the bags taken to the chute. Here are the pictures I took of the lift foyer:

Pressing with the updating again, and the mobile text message sounded. It was from the Sherwood Medical Centre where I’d been to sort out my Fauxpas with Podiatry. Do you read it the same as I do? It does say: …. unwell, please do attend your Podiatry appointment? Whether this is right or should have been ‘do not attend’, will have to be sorted out, Tsk!

My feint moments of insouciant-outlooking died!

Time get the meal sorted out. The veg mix was decent enough, the best-boiled parsnips for a while. The McCain’s sweet potato fires just passable, the seaweed crispies fine, as were the tomatoes, and the smoked German ham delicious. The apple had gone soft inside. The lemon mousse, naughty-but-nice. 6.2/10.

Got the pots washed. Moved the handwashing, took the medications and flumped down in the c1968 recliner.

TV watched, well, it was on, but relaxing was not easy. Thought-Storms pummeled about in the head. It was a little like I was outside my body at times, nitpicking, complaining, pedantic ponderings, hypercritical musings, and self-recriminations abounded.

Then the borborygmus and churning from the innards began.

Ensuring that sleep deprivation would be suffered.

But, hey-ho: Am I bovvered? Hahaha!