Ode

Inchcock: Friday 23rd September 2022

/ Inchie / 12 Comments

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03:25hrs: I so reluctantly stirred. I battled the willpower telling me to get up and get the ablutions sorted out. But I still rose delicately onto my feet and hobbled into the kitchenette and got the kettle on.
I recalled taking a decent photo yesterday of the morning view – whether or not I did is in question. Anyway, crossing my fingers that the Lumix will still be working, I selected an option for the SCN choices for a nighttime starry scene. Unbeknownst to me, it then told me to wait for 30 seconds after taking the photo and not to move the camera. Haha! Me, hold anything still for 30 seconds with Peripheral Neuropathy? Not a cat in hell’s chance! But I did my best and had hopes of it coming out alright. As you can see above, it didn’t! So I shot the next effort in Auto-setting.
Not so bad, but should have been better. a smidge disappointing.

I got the teeth, shaving and showering done. All went well, with no problems.
The body temperature was high again, a new highest ever, I think. 36.2°f. Mmm?
SYS at 144, DIA 71 and Pulse at 85 bpm. It looked like this was going to be another low; I put the figures into the NHS assessment site.
In the res, I didn’t expect that. I thought it was a certainty to go in the High-Normal Amber zone.

But, No! It was in Hypertension – 1. But only just, so it’s still better than recently. So, things, apart from the temperature, were looking good for once. In fact, looking at the graph, an improvement.
I got the waste bags made up.
Then sorted the waste out of the three-wheeled-walker trolley. On the computer, and found I’d received a comment on a blog. Replied to it, stopped computering, and got some suitable clothing on ready for the trip to Bulwell.
  ♫ Oh, Susana rang forth from the door chime, and in walked Carer Jodie ♫. She looked at the Blood Pressure Health Check chart. And gave me another Temperature check, which was higher than the earlier one, at 36.70°f! So, she gave me a Covid Test. Nope, I’m Covid-free. A little concerned about these high temperatures of the last couple of days? Particularly with it being low every time for the last two years and four months! Gave Jodie some

I thought I’d check everything to take again… not that I’m over-forgetful, a ditherer, waverer, vacillator, or dimwit. I was so pleased; over-the-moon with the Lumix working. Now I can take snaps of the riverside, the birds, the Market Place today. I was almost getting gregarious. I took a photo from the window, but nothing showed on the screen. My heart sank, so tried again, several times to take pictures, each one to no avail!
The day just went down to level three in the pissed-off stakes! I put the camera b battery on charge and had to leave it at home. Time to rush out for the Link minibus. Not in a good mood now!

The driver was looking rather annoyed as I stumbled out from the foyer on the ground floor. But he did not moan at me; bless him. We were pulling up at the Riverside Complex car park; it seemed to me in no time. Of course, I spent the journey nattering, and he couldn’t hear a word I was saying. A shame that!

Of how I wished that I had the camera with me. As I walked into Bulwell, the birds around the river Leen bank were bounteous and beautiful. I’d have loved to have taken some photos.
Over the next hour and a half, I visited three stores, and I got a carrier bag of this and that from each one. B&M, Heron, and Iceland.
Spent a bit!

Had I got the camera, I could have photographed the shop that I worked in back in 1962, a travel agent now.
The butcher’s van with tons of meat on show. Most likely horses, judging by the cheap prices he was asking. Hehehe!
The river Leen, not so many people around, and the fancy ducks and birds had abandoned the place to the many pigeons. Which is to who I fed the seeds.
A fist fight near the no longer open toilets on the other side of the road between two blokes, the shorter man had a good upper-cut. It was broken up before any police arrived… mind you, that’s not surprising in Nottingham. Three women sorted them out, and the bloke wandered off and into the pub together, laughing it looked like?

On my hobble to the Centre to catch the bus, there were an awful lot of escooters flying about and some damned dangerous disability scooter riders!

The good news? Was that was as good as gold to me. And  I did a fair bit of hobbling around with three heavy food-filled bags hanging on the trolley, too.
At the centre, I sat down near the end door to and from the car park… When I say sat down, I mean clumped down! I really didn’t see how low they were, and I think , burst a few papules… well, I know he did. Tsk!

The minibus came dead on time; it was Beryl who lifted me last Friday. Bless her. Likes a natter, my sort of gal. I don’t know her real name. Enjoyed the lift home. Bade farewell and off inside the foyer of the flats. Where neighbour Josie launched into Sherlock Holmesian mode. Where have you been? Did you meet anyone? You’ve bought more food? Do you need it? Hold on, I’ll come up with you… Did you get yourself some bananas?

I was slightly dazed when I got into the flat. Hahaha!
A drop of rain fell, but it only lasted for a few seconds.
I got the things put away and ended up with a mightily cramped-up load of fridge contents.
I think you must have noticed that the Lumix was working again? !
Definitely, I won’t need any substituted and short-dated food delivery for a few days or longer! I will have to ask Carer Richard to check the dates on the stuff in the fridge on Monday. Since I can no longer read many of the smaller-printed dates on such a lot of the things in there.

I’ll be spoilt for choice for a few days now.
I did manage to get some of the drinks from B&M.
I got a few non-alcoholic drinks of different types for the Carers and Nurses. A can of Mango Juice, one of Grape Juice. A couple of bottles of Coke signature drinks, which are Smoke flavoured? Cans of Rhubarb & Gin with Ginger Ale and a Passion Fruit Martini!

① Then things got back to normal. Huh! The Link Service called me to tell me that they are picking me up tomorrow, at 07:55hrs. To go to the doctor. Needless to say, I’d forgotten all about this. I’m not sure if it is the Memory Test, Severe Frailty Check or the Flu Jab?
② I thanked her kindly and checked the date on the calendar. Hmm! I’ve also got the Chiropodist at 11:15hrs. Oh, dear…
③ Then WordPress played up. And half of the screen was taken up with telling me the LinkedIn link needed updating. But it wouldn’t let me!
④  Kicked off with his noises again Concentration was hard enough without that uncommunicative, unamicable, unneighbourly, superior-natured, snotty, gits banging about!
⑤  Then I realised I did not have enough cash to pay for the bus in the morning!
⑥ Huh! I only dropped the spring water bottle, and it landed right on big toe!
⑦ Suddenly I realised it was a Saturday tomorrow. (I can be sharp sometimes) The problem is, most Saturdays… well, all of them, Carers come much later in the day. So I’ve now got to talk t.o whichever Carer comes tonight (Not always an easy task). And explaining that I needed them earlier tomorrow.
Life is not easy when one gets older and is on their own! Problems that cannot be solved. I bet you they let me down in the morning, and I have to go to the doctor without taking my medications? That is, if I can solve the shortage of money to pay for the minibus with – if I can’t, the whole day is going to be a further problem-bringing nightmare!
I’ve gone from almost contented to depression in ten minutes!

Blimey! The Carer is due anytime now.
Just started to eat the meal, and ♫ Oh Susana ♫ rang out. had arrived, and I had to explain the cock-up with the doctor’s appointment timing. He rang into his Meridian Care HQ and told them. The man said: “You are getting an outside Carer tomorrow, so they should be early. It would have been better to have informed us earlier…” If he thought about who he was dealing with for a moment, someone with Vascular Dementia who has had all the appointments changed on him by the surgery twice, he may have found it unnecessary for sarcasm.

I ate the three-quarters of the now cold meal left, washed the pots and took these evening shots from the kitchenette window 

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I used two different modes to see which was best. Naturally, I forgot to write them down so I’m none the wiser
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Inchcock Today: Wednesday 21st September 2022

/ Inchie / 6 Comments

WEDNESDAY’s POLITICAL CARTOON

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03:40hrs: Another shooting awake, the arms jounced, and slowly the brain woke up as well. The only thing it was interested in was my hastening to the Porcelain Throne. So, I did!
No injuries or Accifauxpas en route; I got settled in the regulation position, and the evacuation began. I should think it was 80% putrid air and 20% of watery kaki-coloured liquid, with a few bloblets of the expected stuff mixed in.
Not too messy it didn’t spurt out. No bleeding.
Again, I thought, well, I’m in here now; I’ll get the ablutions tended to. most another bit of the left back double molar again… I don’t know how it hasn’t all gone by now; the number of times I lose a chunk of it?
I took extra care with the shaving this time. A couple of tin nicks, no bother.
Ah, there were some difficulties here. The Germoloiding of Harrolds Haemorrhoids went perfectly smoothly, with minimum pain of any sort. Then, the Phorpain gelling was more or less in the same style. Then, for some reason, the applicationing of the
Daktacort can only be described as horrendously painful. I stopped as soon as I felt that much pain in such a delicate area. And went to fetch the magnifying glass to see if I could find a use-by date in the tube or box. Nope, couldn’t see one anyway. I went to the medical drawer in the kitchenette and ferreted about for another tube. None left! I must ask Richard or Deana to order some for me.
A smothering of Germolene in place was tried. Totally-ineffective. I dare not use what bit of Daktacort that was left in the tube, so threw it away.
Then, the Danger of the Day, so far, had to be faced. 

Of course, I wasn’t worried at all; a heroic man with so many ailments is not going to let a plastic-coated finger-crunching, blood-letting thing like metal Sock Glide intimidate me. Well, more than suspected!
I got through it and got the socks on. A plaster on the trapped bleeding finger was all I needed this time. Freshened up my wobbly short-overweight body with antiperspirant spray and aftershave. Got dressed and tackled the next job, the .
Back down again! SYS 137. DIA 72, Pulse 78 bpm, and body temperature a good return at 34.3°f.
Back in the High-Norm amber area. I suppose a being shown is okay?
The second lowest rating I’ve ever recorded! Now I shall be looking to get in the green soon… Hehehe!

Was banging about above early again, around 06:00hrs. He must be making things for Christmas pressies early, mayhaps? Come think of it, I reckon he was noisy late at night and early mornings this time last year? I may be wrong, of course. ♫ It’s not unusual for Inchcock to be wrong… ♫

I got the computer on, and many comments on my blogs were received. It was from Bill, so I answered him. Off to make a mug of Thompson’s Punjana, and I took this morning shot of the view from the kitchen window. Not exactly awe-inspiring, is it?

I went back to the computer and checked the Emails.

Morrison and J Sainsbury’s had set a list of their substitutions and not available goods in today’s orders to be delivered.
Not good, is it? Still, I can give away the Tikka substitute; Deana might like them. The tomatoes should be okay. It’s funny how they always send dearer than the original substitutions.
JS had done even worse than Morrisons; that takes some doing. Same thing, dearer substitutes.
But they failed to tell me that the cheaper chilli cans I’d ordered were going to be substituted with a lot dearer ones! Humph! Anyway, I started to get things stored away. The Imperfect Tasty Strawberries were one for Deana and one for Francis, who I hope she’s back from the hospital by now and feeling better. I’ll ask Deana later.
Ah, my treats to myself here! Vegetarian shepherd’s pie, roast potatoes, veggie pasta, and sliced potatoes (well, it cuts back on chopped fingers!). Seasoned fresh cut chips as well… Oh, and a new one to me, Silky Butternut Squash Risotto; no idea what it will taste like, but without trying it, I’ll never know. Did you see that? Words of Wisdom… from me! Hehehe! Beefburgers and pot noodles for Carer Richard. Some individually portioned sticky rice pots and substituted No Chicken Tikka Masala with rice. I tried the one I ordered cause I knew I was okay with sweet & sour sauce. But I’ve tried Tikka before and did not like it. Are J Sainsbury staff told to select lousy substitutions on purpose? Is not sweet & Sour Chinese? And Tikka Indian?

At least they didn’t send me a pot of brown shoe polish this time. I’m not joking; I ordered potato cakes once and got a shoe polish pad!
Still, the owner has just lost a family member, the Queen. So, say no more. At least Morrison’s managed to deliver my favourite ready meal of all time. Roast Vegetable Risotto. It’s cracking tasty! I always put just a drop of BBQ sauce with it. And the packet of mushroom risotto I had yesterday, I think it was, was grand.
This is a loaf got the Wardens, cause it keeps fresher longer… someone told me.
I got some brown cobs for me from Lord Sainsbury: J Sainsbury plc is the parent company of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, the third largest chain of supermarkets in the UK, with a 16.4% share of the market. As of 2021, the largest overall shareholder is the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar Royal Family Investment Authority, which holds 14.99% of the company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The chain’s annual report shows that chief executive Simon Roberts picked up £2.8 million in bonuses for the year to March 5, on top of his £878,000 a year salary and other benefits. His mammoth pay deal includes a £1.7 million annual bonus and £1.1 million in long-term incentive scheme shares. Shame no one there knows the difference between a Chinese meal and an Indian one. Just thought I’d mention it! Not that I have anything against the Indians, they have my greatest respect and admiration. It’s just that their food does not sit well with me. Where was I?

Oh, yes… These were some of the giveaway items. I bought a few trays of fluffy rice. I just thought Deana might like one to try. Hope she likes Tikka.
She did call later after I’d got everything put away… Ah, something else I forgot to mention… A pack of six 1 litre Spring Water was delivered today; luckily, it was the first thing I moved into the kitchen from the blocked by food doorway. I felt the leaking water running down my leg onto the carpet; I then dropped the bottles when I got into the kitchen. What a mess I got into, and cleaning it up was no fun!
I lost the plot there… Sorry.
I put the flowers on the trolley, ready for when Deana or Julie, or both, came to see me about the lift for Friday.
Richard told me Deana would be calling today to see me. Which she did.

She told me she’s arranged for the lift on Friday to be for 10:00hrs So, hopefully, I can get to the B&M store to get some of the canned drinks that the Carers took to. I got some last week… no, a fortnight ago. But they all went first, but  I just cannot remember what they were called. When I see the cans, I’ll know, He says… Hehehe!
Onto the computer to make a start on this blog at long last.

♫ Oh, Susana… ♫ Hello, who’s that? It was Esther, after her six-week break visiting her family in South Africa for two weeks, that turned out to for four more. Can’t blame her! She’s calling tomorrow to do the laundry. She asked for a pen so she could write a note to another customer and post it through his door – I made sure I got the pen back this time! Hehe! 

I believe the sudden fatigue is coming back again now. 14:00hrs?
I’ll get a vegetable risotto in the microwave and add one bay-sized fluffy rice after three minutes, so they are ready at the same time. A drop of BBQ sauce will be added after cooking. This week I shall try harder to avoid any burnt fingers or dropped items when struggling to get the lid off of the trays.
The foods were both nearly ready. I made up a pot of Idaho instant mash with bubble & squeak, adding some extra-strong grated cheese and a quirt of my made-up to the bottle of liquid salt & distilled vinegar to the pot. Added a mini-pot of lemon mousse to the tray and got into the recliner to feast!


I had a cough and thought I saw some specs of blood in the tissue, well, the paper towel I used.
The meal was cooling as I checked the nose and mouth. Nowt to fret over, but puzzlingly all the ulcers in the gums seem to have erupted at the same time. I didn’t realise I’d got so many pustules in the gums. As for why this happened, I remain, as ever nowadays, confused.
Finally, I began the feast, ’cause that’s what it was, and even though I’ll let it cool more than I meant to, it was delicious! A Taste-Rating of 9.3/10!

I put the tray on the Carers desk next to the £300, second-hand, c1968, charity shop-bought, eyesorely-horrendously grungy coloured, Harold Haemorrhoid-testing, easily-falloutable from, unfit-for-use, not working, recliner. And drifted of with a satisfied stomach into a wonderful – but short-lived, dream-filled sleep.
♫ Oh, Susana… ♫ chimed out and brought me rudely to a state of semi-wakefulness. Blow it; I can’t remember her name now. Humph! She apologised for being late and mentioned how rushed she was. She soon got the medications sorted; and, with what seemed a reluctance, ask if there was anything else. There was, but she seemed so pressed I didn’t mention anything. A nice gal, I told her to pick a treat on her way out.
I think I was about to nod off again when I remembered I’d not locked the door. So, I locked it…


Turning back from locking the door, I thought I’d have a look through the spy hole – which proved near fatal. Hehe! I twisted my back as I turned again, setting off poor and, at almost the same time, stubbed my toe on the three-wheel walker guide wheel… but I’d not finished yet. Oh, no!
Cursing my bad luck under my breath, and went into the wet room for a wee-wee and apply some Phorpain gel to Shirley. And walked into the doorframe, hit the shoulder, stopped, and automatically pee’d in my PPs, and I felt like crying. But I resisted it, after all being the heroic, stoic, brave, strong young man that I am…
At least Bladder-Belinda’s sudden leak came when I was in the wet room.
I evacuated the remaining few drops of urine from Bladder-Belinda. Stripped off and had a good clean-up. Germoloided Harold’s Haemorrhoids,
And got the crap, not very effective  MedPhorpainPhorpain gel, rubbed into my back as best that I could get at. Surprisingly, the toe stinging started to ease off?
Got some fresh PPs on, the Depend brand that had coped admirably well with Bladder-Belinda’s earlier escaping mini-torrent. was left until last. Because the shoulder charge on the wet room doorframe had set her off shuddering away, but now she had calmed down.
It took me so long to sort things out that by the time I was leaving the wet room, the and , were of little bother now.
Of course, now I had to rely on to get me through the doorway without any . Easy-peasy! I think that when I go going into the room and the light blaring at my eyes is why there are more walk-intos than when leaving the wet room?

A momentary Sherlock Holmesian conclusion there?Haha!

I got settled into the c1968 recliner seat…
Tired out, with Thought STorms to compete,
My mood was just a tad downbeat,
Thought of the Risotto… that was a treat!
Cramps now, in the fingers, legs and feet!
I must be getting closer to the scrapheap,
Losing my battle for peace and sleep…
My life seems full of things grossièreté!
Don’t know when, but I got nodded off alreet…
Dreamt I was on holiday; it looked like Crete?
2:55hrs, I sprang wide awake. Did I oversleep?
Asleep only five minutes, I could weep!

MORNING ALL!

Inchcock: Monday 19th September 2022

/ Inchie / 2 Comments

POLITICAL CARTOON
♥ A THANK YOU TO THE NHS STAFF ♥
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GC sleepAInchcock woke up this morning at 04:25hrs. No change to usual, he wanted, well needed, a weewee! And as usual, by the time he’d struggled with his balance exercises, he also needed to utilise the Porcelain Throne. He seemed all calm compared to how he was during last night’s series of Accifauxpas. He made his way, on his painful right knee, to the wet room, still half asleep. He woke up a little more as he entered through the door:  Inchie walked into the door frame that had protesting violently, ensuring he was soon wide awake. He swore a little, gritted his teeth, and nearly spat in disgust at himself and Cataract Katie. Oh, that was in second-person style?

At least the evacuation was a lot easier and mushier, which I expected after taking the Galpharm by mistake for Co-Codamol last night. No bleeding or mess needed to be cleaned up. It took me a while to stop the shaving cuts from bleeding.
And I decided to get the ablutions done while I was in the wet room. Did you see that? I made a decision!
Then got some Phorpain rubbed into , and of course , no painkillers, cause with the problems these last few days, I’ve taken a few extras, and that is not good.
After all, me being a famously handsome, sought after by women, brave, heroic sort of super-stud and intellectual, it would look bad if I couldn’t take a bit of pain.

I came out of the wet room without any further injuries and made a mug of Thompson’s Signature Blend tea.
The sky’s colouration was so different this morning. Yesterday’s deep blues had been replaced with an odd mix of browns and blacks. Still beautiful all the same. Ah, Mother Nature! Now, take note if you please; It was approx’ 06:00hrs when I used the camera to take this delightful morning view.

I did the sphygmomanometerisationing and luckily: very luckily, wrote down the figures to go on the excel record.
And got the computer on to update and copy the graph, as shown here. Then put the figures onto the NHS DVT blood pressure assessment page on the web.

I was back up to the Hypertension 3 again! I did note that it was last Monday, the last time it was so high. I’m not sure if that means anything connected to my dislike of Sundays?
I then realised I had forgotten to take a photo of the monitor and body temperature thermometer. Which, in turn, got me thinking, where is the camera anyway? Ah… in the kitchen, of course, that’s where I took the photo of the morning’s view… obvious, innit? But, No!
I poddled into the kitchenette to get it. After about 15 minutes of failed searching, I was baffled, to say the least.
Dementia Doreen filtered the thought into my brain: “Did you drop the camera when closing the window?
Oh dearie me, surely not? This was enough to reinstate my Sherlockian investigations. But, still no success.
So, the Hallway next. Nope! The junk room. Nope! The airing cupboard? Nope! Well, the dang thing must be somewhere! Hopefully, not 12 storeys down smashed on the pavement!
Back into the computer room, another time-costing ferret around. But nope. if it was there, I could not find it.
So, as of 17:00hrs, as is now, when I finally got around to doing this blog – the Lumix camera’s location remains a mystery. Hence my often used phrase: Such are the mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the ghosts, wraiths, spectres, cacodemons, apparitions, and other grotesqueries that haunt the hallways and lobbies, searching for Inchcock; to curse with bad luck, create ambiguities, abstrucities, perplexities, misfortunes and botherations, to scare. worry, scare and confuse me!.
So, no photographs taken… apart from the morning skies one.

I was not feeling too good now and could have done without Herberts banging away. Still, it didn’t last for so long this time.

I got a call on the mobile and was impressed by the clarity of the new ring tone I’d chosen… But, could I find the mobile? Nope! Now my sanity was being questioned – worryingly by me!
Sherlockian Mode adopted again, and I searched for the mobile; it had to be in this room, or I’d never have heard it. That helped, not having to search the whole flat again.
Finding, after a lengthy hunt around, that it was in the coat hanging on the back of the chair I was sitting in at the computer created a smidgeon of ‘Feeling-Stupid’ in me. It was from Jenny, so I rang her back.
She asked if I would like some tomatoes, I thanked her, and she said she’d bring them up later and drop them at the door after ringing the bell. ♥

I’ve come across a single word on one line in the scribble memory pad; it say’s ‘Paper’? I wish I knew what it meant. Tsk!

Jane and Pete posing for me – 2018

Sister Jane called on the landline to see if I was watching the Queen’s funeral. I ended up feeling so guilty when I said no. Two sentences from her stern voice, and I put the TV on to ease my guilt! Hehehe! We had a nice chinwag for a while, but she got a call from hubby Pete, and she rang off.
Being as I’ve not taken any photos for hours and hours, mainly because I can’t without a camera – here is a photo I took earlier of Jane & Pete’s visit, behind the flats. August 2018, I believe.

At long last, I got the Sunday blog updated and as I was saving it ready to do a final grammar check. I got the shakes from i.e., , which are far more damaging than Shaking Shaun, cause they last so much longer each time, particularly when on the computer, as was the case here.
The hand shot the mousse all over the screen. I had no idea what buttons I’d hit, but the whole blog disappeared. No longer in Post listings! I don’t know how I managed to avoid bursting into tears; it was a close thing, though. After trying various things and confirming it was not in the unpublished or published lists, my heart sank. All those lost hours, gone like a puff of smoke! I was out of ideas; surely, if I’d deleted it, WordPress would have asked me for confirmation? I turned off the computer, no longer interested; I was in despair, grief and misery.

Walked into the doorframe, cuts shaving, the camera lost, and now, the blog lost.
As I felt myself sinking into a Dracula Depression, from somewhere deep within, I thought – hang-on mush, did you catch the delete button? So, without much hope, I got the computer back on and checked – There it was in the deleted file! I do believe I gave out a Whoop! Cause started his banging away, he must have heard me?

Thinking what a genius I am, I published the blog hastily and copied the web address to send by email to my multitude of followers, oh, yes, both of them! But: The address came up with ‘3-trashed’ in the title?
I remembered to restore the deleted post, but am not sure if it got through? No likes of messages have come through on it? Depression falls again!

The Evening Carer is due anytime now; I’ll get something to eat then.
Jodie rang and entered. The first thing she said was, “Oh, you’re topless!” I covered my man breasts with my hands, laughed and said, “Oh, sorry!” I put a jacket on straight away. Jodie did the medications, and we had a minute or two of nattering and laughing. I gave her Shepherd’s Pie meal that I forgot to give to Josie, and she seemed pleased with that. She took the waste bag with her on the way out. I locked the door, and I went into the wet room for a quick wash and do the .
: I found the Lumix Camera!!! It was in with the PPs in the bag… How and why I should put it there in the first place; will have to remain a secret with Dementia Doreen forever!

Boy, I was tickled-pink at finding it! Following making a meal, which I rated for Taste-Rating at 6/10. Mushrooms with a drop of liquid smoke and vinegar added while cooking (not bad!), veggie sausages (tasty!), sliced tomatoes (tangy), and some of the terribly tasteless McCain crinkle-cut microwave chips. (I’ll use up what I have left but not get these again). A pot of Del Monte mandarins in orange jelly, it was so bitter, irony-flavoured, my first and last time I try these as well.

.Washed the pots, and for the rest of the night, I kept nipping out to the kitchen to take shots of the sun setting, and I was relatively pleased with some of the shots.

My body and mind told me to get to sleep, and Sweet Morpheus refused the request! But this time, it didn’t matter so much; Being overjoyed but felt stupid for losing it and over the moon at finding the Lumix. I couldn’t stop myself from repeatedly getting up and taking the changing photos of the evening view from the kitchenette window.
Rather, unfortunately, I’d gone into a smug mode over finding the Lumix and taking a few decent shots with it. After taking the last picture, I got a , against the cabinet door corner as I moved away from the window.
Naturally, I just light-heartedly laughed it off… No, no swearing, cursing, spitting, moaning, self-disgust, or growling under my breath.

I spent far too long fling the flat checks tonight. Many things had to be checked several times to convince myself that they were done right; Both sink taps were well checked, numerically. And the oven not being left on checks were done twice. Tsk!

But, Sweet Morpheus denied my dropping off to sleep. Then the Thought Storms arrived, and they were so bad this time. But, a sort of salvation saved me from the anguish, worries and fears: Colin cramps attacked, and this took away my concerns over the Thought Storms – and replaced them with agony! Both hands, left-hand fingers, and the left leg took the brunt of his onslaught. It’s still sore now, nine hours later. The right knee feels a bit delicate too. Haha!

Huh! Who needs sleep?

Tuesday 13th September 2022: Inchcock Today

/ Inchie / 6 Comments

POLITICAL CARTOON
WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
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The normal nodding off and waking up in a semi-panic, what felt like every few minutes, went on for hours. Eventually, I woke up in a rather desperate and sudden need of a wee-wee!
I fumbled about to get to the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket) in time... Embarrassment and self-hatred all at the same time… I failed to make it! The main reason was the discomfiting . Which came on before I’d got the PPs down… so that was a good thing. Even better was the way with which the Comfort pants contained the leaking liquid. Had I got the PP’s down before it came, I would have been in an even bigger mess! I clasped the lower regions and somehow got to the wet room with the wooden walking stick, and I used the WC. Despite the bladder letting me down again, I found some appreciation in how the PPs coped with it. I was pleased that I changed to these Depend pants now, more than ever. While cleaning things after taking the tinkle and refreshing my body, the need for the Porcelain Throne arrived. As I sat, alternating between trying to do the crossword puzzle and counting the cracks on the ceiling, as I awaited the cement inside to move, I realised how late it was! 06:45hrs!
Bit of panic then. I’d got s Sainsbury order coming this morning, twixt 06:00 > 10:00hrs, so I may miss it if I’m stuck sat on the Throne when it comes!
I foolishly, mayhaps, tried to force things along with all my might. Once it did start to move, it was swiftly over but so painful. And poor old Harold’s Haemorrhoids were bleeding badly, externally and internally. However, now having some Germoloid to hand, I could clean things up again and ease the stinging. Which I hastily did.
I tried the water taps again on the sink to see if the promised repair would provide me with hot water. Nope, just the tepidness once again.

By the time I’d sorted, washed and got dressed, leaving the door open in case the intercom rang, Richard, came in. He was in a rush again, but that did not stop the lad when he heard my tale of the hot water from calling the maintenance to get someone out yet again to look at it. Bless him.
Just before he left, the intercom rang, and I asked him if he wanted to wait to get the treats that were on the order. No, he had to go, up to the neck in it. Fair enough. Tanked him as the delivery was arriving.
I got the goods checked and returned some podded peas that had a sell by today tag on them. The brown sourdough loaf looked tasty – not to make sure there are no sliced fingers. Hehe!

The flowers for the wardens were what I’d call rustic yellow and red. Got some strawberries for them and chocolates, only need to add some cans of plonk. I rang Deana, but no answer; it might be a little early yet? Burgers for Richard.

Which I did.
Glad they had the Germoloids in stock. They didn’t have any of the Parmentier potatoes, Huh! I got stuff stored away, and I intended to get the Health Checks sorted out. Tried calling Deana again to tell her the nibbles had arrived, no reply.
Made my first brew of the day, a mug of Thompson’s Punjana. I forgot about doing the blood pressure and called Warden Julie, and I told her of the goodies ready to collect. Then, I got on the computer to update and post the Monday blog. The tea had gone cold. So I went to the kitchen to make another mashing.
In came Julie, quickly followed by Deana. I missed out on a natter cause they were talking between themselves, and I could not hear what about. Spit! I think I told them about the hot water.

Was busy making something mechanical, noisily.

It seems the hot water problem the Nottingham City Homes Maintenance could not solve has been passed on to a company called T&S.
Not that this chap could solve it for sure.
When I asked him what the problem was, he was honest enough to tell me he had no idea. all the tests he carried out showed it should be working properly. The only thing he’d changed was the thermostat, and he turned it up a smidgeon.
Well, three hours later, the water was indeed hotter. Nothing like as hot as it used to be, though, but I should be able to have a shave and shower in the morning.

What happened to the day? Nowt was done much, evening carer due shortly. Meal To get done. I’m going to make a chilli stew for myself. And will do my best not to cut any parts of my anatomy, slicing the sourdough bread to dip into the food. Hehe! I’ll it the meal prepared then… Oh, I’ve not done the Blood Pressure yet. I imagine it will be the opposite of yesterday’s panicking high? It does that a lot, up and downing.

Ah, much betterer indeed.
In fact, overall, one of the best for ages, methinks? ‘
I bet when I do the BP Graph site, it will be down low in the amber zone.

There, what did I tell yer? Two extremes in two days.
Ah, well, food preparation time for me.
I can’t help but think I’ve missed or forgotten something? Mmm!


ANOTHER INCHCOCK GASTRONOMIC DISASTER! What was I thinking about? How can even I; make so many cock-ups making just one meal?
Easily seems to be the answer! The good bit first, I didn’t cut any fingers slicing the sourdough bread… fair enough, I did drop the loaf, and did Back-Pain-Brenda no good at all, bending down to clear up the crumbs; then knocked the knife off of the counter. But it missed me. just blunted the tip of the knife.
It took me that long to clear up the crumbs; I lost more time trying to straighten the tip of the knife than I had to reheat the stew in the microwave.

The first spoonful indicated one of the reasons for the almost uneatable flavour I’d conjured up. (I looked in the waste bin later and realised this was true). I’d added a can of baked beans to the chilli stew, but think I put curry-flavoured beans in the pot, not plain ones!
I ate some of it, all the sourdough brown bread that was nice. I was soon back in the kitchen, putting the ¾s of the meal I’d not eaten into food bags to go to the chute in the black bags.
Where more causes of the calamity were discovered. The pot of BBQ seasoning I added was actually basil: the pot was still out on the top. Alongside it should have been a bottle of BBQ sauce from which I added a sludge or two to the meal… no, but there was a bottle of balsamic vinegar?
I shudder to give the taste rating any score at all it would have had to be a minus score. However, the sourdough bread was delightfully tasty. 1.2/10.

I washed the pots in the nearly hot water from the tap, and I got a packet of seaweed crisps to nibble and settled into the £300, second-hand, c1968, charity shop-bought, eyesorely-horrendously grungy beige coloured, Harold Haemorrhoid-testing, easily-falloutable from, unfit-for-use, not working, recliner, and went into a gloriously dream-filled sleep.

Jodie came in, not ringing the doorbell again. She hovered over my prostrate but crumpled adipocerous bellied body, giving out a loud but cheerful “How are you, okay?” I’m not sure if I answered or not! The visit was a blur, really.

I had planned to get up later and make a start on updating this blog… I meant later in the night. But I drifted off again, and I got another five hours of sleep in!
Waking at 03:35hrs, in need of a wee-wee.

Inchcock Today: Monday 12th September 2022

/ Inchie / 8 Comments

Inchcock Blames the new medications for this Ode.
They are called Talimogene Laherparepvec.
He hopes he will never have to ask for any.
How are you supposed to Pronounce it? Hehehe!
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Having to boil kettles and saucepans cause the hot water is not hot. And the shakes and dizzies have been rampant! So no Diary as such, just bits I can recollect, and from a few scribbled unreadable notes. Sorry! Owing to many cock-ups and the camera not working for some unknown reason.

06:30hrs: I woke; it’d been another night of waking ups again. And I rose, dragging the superfluously elephantine-bellied body up on the poor feet, and caught my balance. And went to check if the hot water was hot yet. It wasn’t!

I mused over whether or not to have a shave in the lukewarm water… the usual decision-making routine. Humming and hawing, dilly-dallying and generally fence-sitting, procrastination took over. After last night’s mega-shaving nicks, I was dubious… but I went ahead again and had a stand-up wash & shave. Amazing how one can cut oneself so easily! Of course, during the shaving session, I had a and , which ensured that the blood flowed. The cold hop water did nothing to stop it from flowing. So I had an expensive Brute splashing session that did the trick, temporarily.

Off to the kitchen, intending to make a brew of Thompson’s Punjana tea.
I got sidetracked by the moon that was still trying to get through.
Took the wide shot and then tried to get a decent zoomed-in picture. So, you can see, I didn’t exactly do a good job of it. Humph! No sooner had I zoomed in; guess who paid me another visit?

I got the waste bags made up, only two this morning for Richard; if he comes, it should be. I got his treats, and thank-you bag made up, all bar the fresh stuff in the fridge.

Next, I got the done. Another giant leap for mankind! Hehehe! Terrible results! SYS shot up to 173, DIA a massive 146, and even the Pulse was an astronomical 98!!!

Not good, is it? Can’t wait until tomorrow to see if it’s back down again. I mentioned these fluctuating results to the Doctor last week – I didn’t even get an answer, scoff or tut from her? Yet Sunday’s figures were marvellous?

I got on the computer and got myself in a double mess at the same time, more or less. First, the photo reader was toying with me, but I kept all calm and went through the usual routine to try and get it working again. I’m so proud of myself; for making and keeping a list of what I tried last time, and I kept it handy in the left-hand drawer!
As I was working my way through the actions to try… I realised that I must have scratched at the chin, and the blood was flowing again. Nothing like badly, just little streaks, but it took me ages and about ten sheets of kitchen towel and £3 worth of Brut to get it to stop! I know this is impossible, but I thought I heard  laughing; hehe!

The morning Carer arrived, it was No-Yawning-Richard. He looked a lot better in himself today. I think it’s because it is his first day back after his break in shifts.
He noticed the bloody tissues in the waste bucket. I informed the lad of the hot water being off for three days. Richard got onto the phone and reported Nottingham City Homes Maintenance of the problem without messing about. Told me they would be coming sometime today. Bless him. None of the other carers does that for me. So glad I gave him an extra big bag of nibbles and drinks now! He looked at the blood pressure,
He didn’t do a wristlet alarm battery check, but last week if I recall, he did it on a Wednesday. He’ll not forget to.
He’s a good lad, and seeing him more like himself was a pleasure.

After I’d bade Richard farewell and all the best, I returned to the computer.
But not for long. Carol rang; she wanted to do the laundry. Lovely! The poor gal has been covering for Esther. Who decided to stay two more weeks on her holiday in South Africa, leaving poor Carol in a quandary. He thought she was away for three weeks, and she made plans of her own. Now she is struggling to get the washing done for everyone. Bless her. 

Then, a memory blank fell over me. No more notes on the memory pad. I had to check on WordPress to see if I’d finished and sent off the Sunday post. Luckily I had!
I think I lost about four or five hours. Not sure if any plumber had called?

Sort of came back to mock-life, and I was working on words for the Ode. So I carried on.
I went to make a brew and found a cold pored mug of tea next to the kettle. I wonder when I made that? No milk it, stone cold! Also, a packet of BBQ rice was on the counter, and the oven was on… nothing in it!
I got on and started this blog so late it was well into the afternoon; in fact, it was almost evening! Kicked off, and I’m nearly out of Peptac now. Not that it is any good, just better than nothing.

Jodie arrived. Again she came in without pressing the chime and came right up behind me as I was concentrating on the computer. She’ll give me a heart attack one day! I asked if Jodie could press the button before coming in (again). But all it got was a smile! Hehe! Still, She’s not a bad gal. I remembered the chocolate mints I’d been meaning to give her since last Friday. Got the medications given to me, and she was soon off.

Aha, the intercom lit up. Twas, the plumber from Nottingham City Homes Maintenance. He looked around and told me the additional switch in the airing cupboard had been turned off. Probably the Friday plumber who solved the leaking tap turned it off for some reason? Cause I’ve had no hot water since Saturday? He assured me that it would start getting hot after ten PM. GrrreatI Gave him a choice of thank you treats, and off he went! 

I carried on with the blogging. At about half-passed ten, I checked the hot water situation. Still cold. I must be patient. I got the roast veg risotto in the oven and will add the microwave BBQ-flavoured rice later. Then when both are ready, put them in a dish and add some vegan BBQ sauce.
After eating it, I’ll test the hot water again. Please be working!

Got the nosh sorted out.
As planned, the BBQ-flavoured Ben’s rice and roast vegetable risotto. Some mini-tomatoes.
A diddly pot of lemon mousse for afters.
This was the meal of the year up to now! Fantastic flavour! Taste: 9.3/10!

Went to check on the hot water. It was still only lukewarm! .
How disappointing! I think I may have sworn a little under my breath in frustration. 

Inchcock Today: Sunday 11th September 2022

/ Inchie / 2 Comments

SUNDAY’S POLITICAL CARTOON
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07:10hrs: Yet another night of jumping awake and waiting to nod off again. So much so that on waking up proper, around 05:00hrs, I drifted off unintentionally until 07:10hrs. Sweet Morpheus was not kind to me last night at all.
I feared that the Carer might have called earlier, but he/she could not get in. Especially if it was an annoying one who refused to press the doorbell. I always hear that, and it never fails to wake me up if asleep, and it had not done that. I caught my balance and hobbled to unlock the front door. But it was not locked! So was pretty sure that they would have walked in anyway.
Being up late, I started to prep Josies veg for her chilli-con-carne meal. Got them on the boil and added them to the saucepan.
Got the sorted out. A nice looking set of returns this time. SIA dropped to 138. DIA down to 61, Pulse up but not a lot, to 78.
Put the figures into the CP analyser and got this returned. Great, I’m back just in the amber! In the High-Normal Zone.

My noisy Neighbour above, Herbert, sounded off, with a different style of sound today. A chug-chugging for a few minutes, then a loud thud. Then silence… Dang sang dang, Dang! Oh, I do hope he’s not hurt himself; you know, dropped a steam engine on his foot and is laying there in absolute agony as the hot steam burns its way through his clothing and into his lower regions. I considered going up to ask if he was alright, just for a laugh.

Off to make my first brew of Glengettie Welsh tea. And I thought (I do that occasionally), Blimey, it’s dark out there!

I temporarily lifted the glasses from my nose to reveal the right view, although blurred from the window – it was foggy, to say the least. The first photo was taken straight ahead.
The second one of straight down n from the window of the Chestnut Drive car park. A good job I was using the grab strap on my wrist. Cause I dropped the Lumix, but it didn’t get away from me; the strap held it.
Then went out on the balcony and took this picture. Not that there is much to see other than fog. Hehe!

I went through to the kitchen and checked on Josie’s food progress. Looking good and tasting good too! I reckon the basil helped today.
Just hope Josie likes it.

I went on the blogging duties then and got involved with the Ode Words list again. An hour or two was lost there. Tsk! I  reluctantly had to force myself to stop.

Got the meal delivered to Josie. Who did not mention Betty Bunter today? But did ask me for the umpteenth time if I drink the gin etc. I said no. She added: Whyever do you buy it then? I did mention this time; For the pleasure of sharing and caring, Josie. I got a furrowed brow and an odd sort of ‘He’s nuts!’ look. Hehe!

Then I set about cleaning up the kitchen… and the hot water tap was running cold! So, no shaving for me today… unless it comes back on. Then the fear that I may have left the tap running in the wet room came over me…
The old ticker was beating as I hurried into the wet room – but all was okay in there! Phew!
Back to cleaning the kitchen, which was a bit risky, Accifauxpas-wise. Boiling kettles and saucepans of water so I could clean up was done carefully. and slowly to avoid any spillages.  

I’d filled another waste bag already, so took it to the chute room.
I used a photo from the last time I did this. (Cause I didn’t take the camera with me) It’s getting a regular habit. Dropped the posh-looking collapsible stick, bent down to retrieve it, and hit my head in the cast-iron chute lid. I merely laughed off the pained head, right knee and my feeling a pratt. And skipped back to the flat yodelling.

I got the Porcelain Throne activities done and checked the knee and head the ankle was suddenly stinging. Rubbed some Phorpain gel in the knee, and spot of Germolene on the back of the head, and some Arnica cream on the ankle. I think I got these the wrong way around? The ankles and feet looked pretty good.

Time to get my own nosh now.
Apart from undercooking the veggie burger, overcooking the chips (fries), and the Heinz bean-filled potato croquettes, well; I broke another tooth eating a chip. The undercooked burger gave me the wind and runs. As for the bean-filled potato croquettes, Never again! I still have four of them left in the freezer, so if anyone fancies them and has a liking for eating cardboard, please come and help yourself. But, be warned, a taste rating of 1⅛/10 was given. Mostly mayhap to my lack of culinary skills, though? Guilty!

Went to get the pots washed, but the hot water was barely warm again. Hell of a dangerous job having to heat water in the kettle and saucepan to use. And how do I go on in trying to shave? I’d assumed the water would get heated again by now, but no! I didn’t shave yesterday, so must do it tonight somehow.

Cassie woke me up. I was deep in sleep and dreaming. Of a cyber-friend, Billum. He was at a laptop using a slide rule and kept cutting his finger? Cassie got the medications done and was keen to get away, not that she rushed anything, oh no. She asked if anything else was needed as she approached the inner door. There wasn’t. and I offered her a choice of drinks and nibbles. She only took a Tango drink… I think. Took the waste gag out with her, bless her cotton socks.

I decided to get a stand-up wash and shave and just make the best of shaving carefully. I should not have risked it, really. The water was barely warm still, and each time I refilled the sink, it seemed to be getting colder. When the water was really hot, as it has been for months now, if, or rather when I cut myself shaving, the hot water kept the bleeding down to a minimum. But not today, oh no! I stopped shaving, deciding that the hot water must surely be hot by the morning, and I have the shave then.

I settled to watch a programme on remembering the Twin Towers. But drifted off at the first set of commercials.

Friday 9th September 2022

/ Inchie / Leave a comment

FRIDAY’s POLITICAL CARTOON

Thus, the desperation grows…
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Up at 03:00hrs:
Wee-wee, then WP Comments on the computer.
Trotsky Terence was losing his domination this morning. Constipation Konrad taking over. (They tend to do this regularly) The torpedo exited mega slowly, after several minutes of trying to force things along, and so painfully, too! Only a smidgeon of bleeding, though.
I got myself involved in updating the word list on XL. Hadn’t got the time, but that didn’t bother Doreen, letting me wander off the plot.

Carer Jodie arrived, see that I remembered her name!   ‘Okay, I had to ask her twice!’ Tsk! Soon got the medications sorted out. We managed a little nattering session, which suited me down to the ground. Jodie took note of the tap problem, it was leaking, and I begged her to let Deana know. Said she would, and then she departed, and I remembered to ask her to take the waste bag. Honestly! She returned later with the new month’s Medications parcel. Bless her!

I took this photo through the balcony window – using the Lumix setting for the ‘photo-through-glass’ option. Not bad, eh?

Got back and did actually start the blogging. Then Deana appeared with the emergency plumber to mend the leaking tap! ♥ Great! I tried to explain about getting no help with dementia, but Deana was busy and had to get back down at the office. I’ll try to catch her later on when I get back from Riverside.

I’ve had nine calls from an Asian-sounding person now. Six yesterday and Three this morning! Can’t hear a word they are saying. 4 -today now!

Then, got entangled in the word listing again – CLOT!
Got a final wash and readied to go down for the lift. Prepared the trolley and got the paperwork in the basket for the trip. I still don’t know if this is the right date or not? Still, all being well, I’ll find out soon.

Down to the foyer and waited on the arrival of the minibus. Plenty of rubbish around the end of the flats; this area is below the window photo. Plastic hypodermics? That’s what they looked like. A pair of heavy-duty socks. Nub-ends, what appeared to be spilt milk, and a mystery lump of clogged hair, that looked like a fur ball.

The van arrived ten minutes later.

The driver got me into a seat and the three-wheeler Walker in as well. I paid the fare… and then realised I had not got my hearing aids in. That did not go down well with the driver at all! The driver said, ‘Oh, you’ll manage!” [Sounding like I can’t muck about waiting for you!]). But, just in case the meeting was on, I had to fetch the hearing aids. I hastened with all alacrity back up to the flat; as I was getting the hearing aids, the phone rang yet again. I was going to leave it in case it was another of the mystery Asian-sounding person calling. But it stopped ringing anyway. What with door-to-door salesmen going around the flats, making one nervous to open the door, Con-artist phoning and my fear of answering the phone, druggies gear outside the front door… Ah, well…

The reluctant driver strapped me in again. And off to Bulwell, we travelled. Dropping me of in the car park at the Riverside complex, I thanked him, and he reminded me not to pay again. To tell the driver who picks me up that it has been paid for both ways.
Into the centre and to the receptionist in the library part. I asked if the P-Diabetes course was on today. She said to go down a corridor, she pointed to it, and the medical receptionist is in there. So, I limped down the corridor and into the reception room there. Asked the same question of the lone soul lady in there, and this caused a bit of a Sherlock Holmesian activity to be needed. Who is running the course? ‘Nathanial’ – What is the name of the course? ‘Erm…’. At no time did I think of doing the logical thing and getting out the folder to check for the name of the course! Which room were you in? ‘I don’t know; it’s been a different room each time?’ Eventually, after consulting some paperwork, the lady asked me; Did you say, Nathanial? ‘Yes’- Well, it’s not him!
Well, we that got sorted. Hehe! I decided I’d have time to get to Bulwell Market and get some window shopping in.

I meandered out of the hall, and I took a left turn. As soon as I got to the dead end of that corridor, with the fire alarm door, quick as a flash, I realised something had gone wrong! I had to leg it all the way back to the main receptionist…
And then turned left to leave by the door I entered… Huh! I should have carried on to the other end of the building and used that exit, which comes out a lot closer to Bulwell, but no, not me and Never the correct or logical options for us! This meant that it took me three times as long to get to Market Place, and I had to try and hurry things.

I went into the B&M Store purely to look for bargains in their food department. I got some bargain-priced cans of plonk for the carers; I must try again to get some more later if they’ve not gone up. Some cobs and a can of chilli-con-carne. Went into the Market stalls, not that there were many there, and got a bag of bird seed. I was thinking of going into Iceland to see if that branch has any of the NoBull burgers… But checked the time, and I had to hasten back to the Riverside for the lift back!

I threw half of the birdseed hastily as I passed the Leen river bank and almost went head-over-tit as I tripped on the broken tarmac on the pavement (again!). Got to the car park just in time, and the bus pulled in within a minute of my getting there. Phew!

A different driver who took a longer route back, not that it mattered it was all paid for. He offered to come up to the flat with me. I told him thanks, I’ll be okay. Gave him a choice of drinks in thanks from the trolley. Got into the foyer and round to the lift.

I went to have a look at the noticeboard. Which was a waste of time without the magnifying glass, of course.
Up in the lift, and finally home to the flat – with its leaking taps, con-men-calling, scammers phoning and a tenant in the grips of Dementia Doreen, Anne Gyna, and other unwanted ailments.
Got the purchases away. I made a brew, and started to update this blog. After an hour or two, I realised I’d not done the so, I did them.

Well, I think this looks better than yesterday’s results on the Chinese-made sphygmomanometerisationing figures. I’ll pop them into the Blood Pressure analysing site.


Just look at the graph!
The next stage up is dead. Hahaha!


Ah, I see now; I sometimes get there in the end, like, you know. Not always…
The SYS is at 141, a little high, perhaps. But the killjoy (Shouldn’t use that phrase here, should I?) It’s that blooming DIA again that’s shot up that caused this disaster of a result! The body temperature was fine, at 34.4°f. I think The Pulse was okay at 80bpm! Did I drop a Malapropism in this sentence?

Hello, the sky just quickly darkened. Owt to do with the BP reading, do yer think? A hidden message from the grim-reaper, mayhap? Har-har! Why am I laughing?

Better get something to eat the veggie burgers on wholemeal cobs, and some tomatoes sound appealing. It was not bad, either. Yet again, and I’m getting wee’d-off with myself for doing this… I took a photo of the meal, and didn’t realise I’d left the SD caned in the computer reader! Schpugglebogs! Gramshackle-Globberisations! Unglefrogwogglings! and Grrr! Although it looked decent enough, I’d well undercooked the imitation lamb steaks, forgot to put the tomatoes on the plate, and my putting a drop of BBQ sauce on it; turned out to be a dirty great dollop of it! Taste Rating: 3.5/10.

After doing the washing up, O took these two photos from the kitchenette window. I was absolutely overjoyed with them. For they gave me a few minutes of pleasant pareidoliaing.
Even (or maybe because of) the cataract I spotted in the top shot, two eyes and a nose, and a ghost.

In the second one, I found a mouse. But this one is pure beauty to me, Mother Nature with the sun and clouds combining to make a Picasso of their own.

Sweet Morpheus denied me any sleep at first. Then the Thought Storms kicked off, although not all bad ones. Usually, these storms have guilt, self-disgust, shame, frustration, fears etc. in them. But tonight, there were a lot of questions arising, ideas to be mused over.
How I know this, I don’t know. Cause in the morning, the facts contained n the Thought Storms had all been etherised!

Thursday 8th September 2022

/ Inchie / 14 Comments

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NO CHANCE OF GETTING A DIARY DONE TODAY
Obviously, the Doctors farce yesterday, the tumble on Mansfield Road, and getting Wednesday’s blog done, took me far too long, well into the morning. Today so many phone calls coming in, I thought for a minute I was getting popular… only joking! Then an Amazon delivery, and an Iceland delivery, knocked most of the things out of the fridge door when I got the shakes when supposedly filling it. That cost me another hour cleaning things up.

More phone calls from someone, a different voice each time, all with an Asian accent, but I just could not understand what they were saying. The first one I said, it’s no good I can’t understand you, sorry, and rang off. The Second one, who was a woman, got almost nasty when I said I could not understand what she was saying, and she rang off. I told each one that I was hard of hearing. Just had yet another call…  the same result, I rang off when he got shouting at me, which of course, made it worse for me to hear. Then another call. I almost didn’t pick up the phone. It was the lady from Community Transport, she will be calling in the morning to take me to Bulwell. Well, I thought it was for next week!

Afraid I’m totally lost now.
So I’ll put the Cartoon and ode on, and a few photos I’ve taken. But I need to get things sorted for the morning, and I’m getting myself all agitated again. The ablutions must be done tonight, ready for the early start tomorrow… gonna look a right twit if it isn’t the right day for the diabetes class? It’s gone 15:00hrs, so it will be a long job getting things as far as I can to post it off in the morning. I’ll have to rush things.

One visit to the Doctor, now I have two more appointments, hope I’ve got them right at least. Did Carer Richard tell Deana about the second change of dates for the Bulwell run? Have I got them tight on the calendar… All this, and a Doctor who isn’t interested in helping, giving advice at all. Then the fall. Sorry about this blog, but I can’t seem e getting caught up with all the problems amassing that need sorting, and no help now; Richard is off until Monday, Can’t get hold of either warden. That’s not their fault by the way. The door knocker who tried to sell me things may be back again, and I just feel confused. Sorry again.

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POLITICAL CARTOON OF THE DAY

Oh, Lucky me!

Iceland Delivery.

Balcony from inside
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Lousy night, constantly waking up, a mixed bag of dreams and nightmares.
CorelDraw problems. No hot water yer cause I left the hot tap on yet again! Carer Richard was in a rush again, so natterings were missed again! The poor lad was yawning away again.

Did some comments on WordPress. Then the above Iceland order came in.

Window cleaner Joe arrived, I did keep bothering him with my natterings.
Back on the Wednesday blog and got it finished. Gone midday already. No further Asian calls. I wonder if it was something important. If the Doctor ignores my plea for help with coping with Doreen’s Dementia, well, it’s getting worse. I am totally fuddle-brained over the Bulwell bookings
The two other appointments they made have both been changed since Deana spotted they had made one at eleven o’clock… at night!
It’s late now; I’ll get the ablutions done. Watch it… I bet I get a when I’m in the shower… if I ever in it. I’ll use new razors for shaving today. Made a start on this blog first. Tsk! The Carer will be here soon, must rush… TTFN.

Carer arrived, Sam, I think.
I was asleep in the recliner and half awake.

Thank heavens that I fell back to sleep. I was at least temporarily free of worry, self-hatred, fear and frustrations.

TTFN

Wednesday 7th September 2022: Diary

/ Inchie / 2 Comments

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WEDNESDAY’s ODE
I apologise for the crap above – I ran out of CBD, you see!
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Very late this morning, I stirred into life, around 0715hrs. Tsk!

The tumble-caused marks and bruise in the right knee, I expected to start stinging as soon as I moved – but no! Hardly any stiffness, and the pain when I did move, was pleasantly greatly reduced. I expected it would be far worse, but I’m not complaining.
As I was catching my balance as I raised up my magnificent, muscular 5′ 3″ body onto my feet; a tiny emission from the rear end all but had me gasping for breath! I thought it advisable to make my way to the , with some haste. Well, it appears that Trotsky Terence is reclaiming the top spot in the evacuation-stakes daily battle with Constipation Conrad this morning. Splurt-splash and all over with!
Bending to clean up the well-sprayed porcelain bowl, I hit the right knee against the bowl… but hardly any pain, and that evaporated within minutes. Are things going well today? Worrying, innit? So unnatural!

Had a wash, no shave yet, cause I wanted to be ready for when Carer Richard arrived. He didn’t have time for a proper chinwag Monday or Tuesday. I was looking forward to a mutual moaning, groaning, verbal-repartee, and laughing session with the lad.
By the time I’d made up the waste bags, ♫ Oh Susana ♫ had chimed out, and in came Richard. He greeted me in the kitchen, but my EQ told me I would not get a blathering session. As he started to yawn as he spoke, I knew my chances of a good confabulation were nil! Hehehe! That’s three days without a good Richard gossip… Humph! Still, can’t blame the lad; he might be disappointed too. Anyway, I tried not to show my disappointment to Richard and genuinely wished him a better day’s kip for today. He gave me one last yawn, after telling me to take care as he left, with the waste bags in his hand for the rubbish chute. Bless him!

Morrison’s email regarding today’s order: CRAP!

I popped into the balcony to have a look around outside, and I managed a rarity – a moving vehicle using the wide bit as a turnaround point.
Red van-man, in his usual position on the no-parking chevrons. I wonder if he’s a bully or a wealthy tenant… maybe related to one of the Nottingham City Homes bosses? Could be all three?

I got the Boot’s branded Sphygmomanometer, manufactured by ZDEAC (Zhongshan Daguan Electrical Appliance Company Ltd) in Guangdong, China, and the were done. SYS 157, DIA 75, Pulse 76 and the body temperature was 33.4°f.
Oh! The returns from the NHS Diagnosis site showed that I was still in the Red Zone much a lot higher than yesterday.
I’d have thought yesterday’s sudden raise would be due to the tumble I took, yet today. Feeling a lot better, and it increases? There’s no telling, is there?

I started to get yesterday’s blog finished off but got carried away by adding things I forgot to put on. A slow job again, bearing in mind all the mistakes I was making in typing. I wonder how long it will be before the cataract is done?

The intercom went, and I heard it! ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ burst forth as the Morrison delivery man arrived. I remembered to tell him before he started unloading the baskets, as I was directed to in Morrison’s Email! The chap seemed unphased about it! What the hell am I ordering stuff from them for?

I thanked the man and got the much-reduced food into the kitchen. No message from crap-overpriced Morrisons to tell me they are going to reduce the order cost yet, and it is now gone 20:00hrs? Are they going to rob me? I wouldn’t be surprised. SWINE! Realised that I had not sent back the overpriced unwanted food bags – I am a clot! Morrison was charging more than Amazon were for the Germoloids? Gits!
They must hate their customers? And their pistachio nuts were as dry as wood! The cheddars biscuits deserve to be called Cheddars-crumbs! The cans of mandarins in water were both dented. I hope they have not put arsenic or bleach in the vegetable risotto!
The fridge was full again, but not as full as it would have been; were Morrison’s skilful enough not to run out of stock of many things.
I’ll just check the emails to see if any notification about the returned items has been sent… back in a bit. Nope, no email from Morrison’s.

I got another call on the intercom. I think that van is an Amazon one, but no one was in view. The man who delivered to me left nearly an hour ago? Of course, it might not be an Amazon vehicle at all.
I’m waffling again, sorry.

I spent a good many hours (five more at least) getting the Tuesday blog finished: I just kept adding to it? Is this being caused by Doreen’s Dementia? I genuinely found it impossible to stop writing.
I was aware that time was running out. I was worried about getting no sleep again… Yet I still pressed on. The only thing that stopped me was self-hatred at my stupid actions… really sad innit!

I eventually got the Tuesday blog sent off well into the afternoon and started doing the template for this one…

Warden Julie appeared in the room, another shock for the ticker. He asked if anyone had been knocking on my door. I’ve heard no one, I replied. But as she was hastily going out again, she said something as she hastened down the hallway, but I could make it out.

Ten minutes later, there was a knocking on the door. A tall, well-built young man, holding out a wrinkled ID of some sort. Told me he wanted to earn an honest living, he was just out of prison, and would I buy something from his bag? Really pressing for me to view them and purchase something. He was most annoyed when I said no.
Then I realised this might be why Julie had come to see me earlier. I tried ringing her and Warden Deana to inform them he was still about, but no answer. So I left it alone but kept the door locked after that.

Carol called to say is it alright if she does the laundry on Sunday, cause I can see you have plenty of clothes. (Unaware, I’m sure, that I can no longer fit into ¾ of them – Hehehe! No problem, I said. It’s with Esther staying on her holiday in South Africa for another two weeks, and Carol obviously did not know and had made other plans, bless her. Not her fault at all. I asked her if she saw a Warden tell them he was still on site. I assume it was this con man they were looking for?
I was entertained on and off by Herbert in the flat above, with a good mixture of mechanical concerts. The tap tapping was superb; he threw in a few metal-sounding thuds.

The intercom went, and I heard it again! I looked through the spy-hole and saw an Amazon man who’d been last week and opened the door. Cautious that it might be the con man again, I waited unto the door chime rendered the ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ tune.
It was the Depend Protection Pants. These may look rough compared to the others, but they are practical and reassuring.

I opened the carton and put the pants bags in the spare junk room.

Then, I put the last of all the rest of them, with a bag, open of the Depend ones, into the wet room.
I can rest easy now. Should I be caught out, heavens forbid, but it can and does happen. The front wee-wee spurts or the , or the most noticeable, when Inchies . The Tena and Morrison ones have let me down in the past.
The ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ tune burst forth again. It was Josie, bless her heart, she’d bought me some bananas for making her Sunday meals. ♥

I got back to blogging for several more hours… Until I was just too tired to do any more for now. And I’ve still not had a meal yet!
I took this photograph of the moody evening view from the kitchenette window while cooking the Oh, so late meal.
The meal: A veggie cottage pie, red and yellow mini-tomatoes halved, and the last of the just out-of-date raw garden peas.  Weak and unwilling.
Backed up with a bag of Seaweed Crisps. Seaweed coated with tapioca with tried these; I think Sister Jane would like these. I’ll put some with her wine to take to her. Or to be collected. Whichever. Melted in the mouth, expensive, but jolly tasty flavour!
I woke up and took the dish, cutlery, and empty pot on the food tray to be washed… ! I’d left the tap I (faucet) running again! , ! No hot water now until the early morning, so no shaving either. Too risky to use hot water from the kettle to shave with. I remember leaving the taps on in January and using the kettle for shaving water… Still, the scalding scars have gone now.

I Lumixed a couple of shots of the rather magnificent view. Came out alright, and both were single efforts.

Evenin’ All! Well, it’s tomorrow morning now!

Monday 5th September 2022

/ Inchie / 25 Comments

MORNING CARTOON

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INCHIES DAIRY, IMITATION ODE, & CARTOON

06:30: Up later than planned, hoping the J Sainsbury order, which was due twixt 06:00 > 20:00hrs, had not been, and I’d not heard them. I meandered wobbly into the kitchenette and took these photos of the view.
I took the one on the right through the bottom window. It had been raining but was just stopping now.
The houses looked reasonably wet, I could not see the roadways clearly enough. So I used the camera to zoom in to have a look at Cavendish Road, or Close, or Street, or whatever. Hehe!
I was not exactly soaking wet, more severely damp.
I stripped off to get the ablutions tended to, and the left wrist looked terribly swollen and blotchy. No idea why; it itched but did not hurt at all. I got in the bathroom and realised that I had only got two pairs of my smaller American-made Nappies… I mean Protection Pants, left! I had the best of them all, the Tena, but they are not suitable for going out in, they are so bulky, they show through the trousers, but ace at coping with any leakages! So, I ordered some of the American Depend ones from Amazon. Sod the cost, I got a multipack to last me for a month at least. Likely even longer cause, as I say, the Depend ones are not used other than when someone is visiting, or I go to the hospital or as it happens tomorrow to the Doctors. Not a lot of people can say that! Hehehe! Got the ablutions sorted out.

J Sainbury sent me an email about the order due today.
As you can see, they continue to be short of various foods, like bread, nuts, and veggie products.
They also sent a tray of ‘Fresh’ Parmentier potatoes that showed on the pack it arrived today as the last use-by date!
What’s the Sainsbury slogan? Sainsbury’s, making life taste better!
Yes…
I’m sure!

Arrived while I was bending down to pick up some bits I’d dropped, putting them in the wast bag. He fetched the picker-upper, handed it to me, and told me off for not using it. Hehe!
Pillock! I lost it again and thought for some reason that I was going to the Doctor’s today, not tomorrow. And although Richard wanted to get away, I asked him if he could go through the things I need to remember to tell the doctor about. Obligingly he did. But rushed off afterwards – Whoosh! He still took the bags to the chute for me. Bless him. Moments afterwards, I realised my cock-up; I did feel like a right proper fool!

♫ Oh, Susan chimed out ♫ It was my precious Nurse Hristina, come to take the Warfarin INR test blood. She is an Angel. I managed to have a natter with her this time. So, that made up for Richard having to shoot off early. A sweetheart, remind me of HRH. ♥ Of course, she fancies me so much!

As Hristina went, the Sainsbury man arrived. This chap usually does not squash the soft stuff at the bottom of the boxes… but not today. I cheered up a smidgeon when I got the boxes into the kitchen, and I spotted something in the left carton… Germoloid Cream!
What a sight, I could feel pain from easing just looking at it. Har-Har!
Not cheap, as the Protection Pants I’ve ordered, but both are sort of vital to me.
I placed it in the usual place in the wet room, safely in view, where I knew I can find it when needed… which was now! But the food needed storing away first. You can just see the crushed cakes, almost out-of-date Parmentier potatoes? Along with orange desserts, disinfectant, orange cordial, cheesy Idaho potatoes and Richards beef slices, I always get him a pack or two each week. He’s a good lad.
Here are the baked bean pasties, freshly podded garden peas I bet the bank manager can’t afford these, well, I can’t, but they are delicious) Yellow and red tomatoes, ordered before Jenny gave me some, strawberries for Warden and Table-Top Dancer, Deana if I ever get to see her again, and sliced potatoes.
The fridge has never been fuller, and I think I’ve got another order coming later in the week, I think… maybe. Perhaps?

A bit of bad luck here; hard to believe, I know! I was taking the waste bags and boxes back to the front door and had a spot bother with a , only of a few seconds, but enough to have me over this time. The bags and boxes I was carrying prevented me from using the walls as support. Shook me for a minute or two. But all okay when I got back up, apart from a leg on the airer that I fell on, Gorilla tape to the rescue. A minuscule scratch and an even smaller bruise on the right knee. All goodski!

♫ Oh, Susana ♫ chimed up again. It was the Amazon long Diabetic socks arriving, with the Organic Hemp Capsules, Hemp and Lemon Balm. A bigger bag this time, not in a tub, but three times as many

They seem bigger to me as well. And, they work out cheaper. Plus, of course, they will last longer. On a rare winner here, I think! But I’m not going into a
Well, knowing my luck, Hehehe!

I gave the socks a good check-over. I have to admit they seem strong enough and long enough to me. All ready for the winter months!

I very belatedly got the Sunday blog finished and sent off. Busy day up to now; I don’t think I’ve ever been so late in posting one off to WordPress. Obviously, this means another stay-up-late job to get this one started. Just when I needed to get the sleep in to be prepared for the Doctor’s tut-tutting and ignoring me in the morning’s appointment.

I’ve not done the darned yet! I’d better get them sorted, then.
Just look at the results! They tell me to take these Blood Pressure readings in the morning, but taking them tonight – and I got the best ever results!
I AM IN THE GREEN!!!

♫ Happiness, Happiness… ♫
Great, a definite upgrade to a Class One – Grade A, Super Class One upgrade! There’s a chance I may regret saying that!

♫ Oh, Susana ♫ burst forth from the door chime. Jodie called. Nice to see her again; we had a little chinwag and laugh after she’d tended to my needs. (Ahem!) A special thank you treat & choice of cold drink.

Then, I went to put the kettle on. A habit of mine; the same as finding the mug of tea I made hours ago on the counter and stone cold! Getting late now. This photo of the dying sun was taken. I got this decentish shot on the first try. It had to happen sometime! Hehe!

At last, I got around to doing some work on this blog. I was doing well… until the two little fingers started dancing about of their own accord! I nearly dropped the camera taking this photograph of little monkeys!
It was impossible to type safely while they were wallowing all over the place, so I gave up until they stopped dancing.

Then, ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ burst forth yet again! A little late for a caller? I opened the door, and there was Jenny’s hubby Frank. A nicer bloke does not exist! He was returning the tablets that I gave to Jenny yesterday. Just one used. A note with them from Jenny: Said they did not agree with her at all. Poor gal was sick and unsteady, then fell asleep for four hours.
I wanted to call her on the landline but thought better of it in case it disturbed her. Poor Jenny. So I sent an email of condolences at her predicament. Not that would help her. Typing that was fun.

Off to put the oven on, ready for the now past-the-sell-by-date Parmentier potatoes that J Sainsbury delivered yesterday. (It is Friday morning now!) Not that the folks around here would know, lights still showing in all the houses. Have I lost it again, timewise? I took another photo of the multitude of household lights. The flippy photo disappeared from the SD card again! So much for bragging about the last photo I took. Humph! Big-Gob strikes again.

I’ll put the photo of the meal on tomorrow. He’s say’s full of confidence!

Hope I don’t get up late, must get things done for the Doctors visit. So the blog may be even later… Fed-up!

Cheers, all!