ODE TO THE THOUGHT-STORMS Inspired while Inchy was waiting for the action to start at his mornings’ Porcelain Throne visitation. It took a while!
The Thought-Storms on the Throne are getting nastier! No respite, the evacuation stopped halfway, I got edgier… The questions came at me; it couldn’t be crappier… It’ll be a while before the pain stops, and I feel any happier!
Any logic in the Thoughts couldn’t have been scantier… From the fear of loneliness, Putin, and questioning Santa! Should I have a mug of tea or a can of Fanta? The Thoughts mingled became silly and schleppier…
Hopes, then worries, self-pity, to pathetic fear! Strangely, after so many years, I fancied a beer! The brain was making me feel dizzy, oddly queer… The nose began to run, and it got even leakier!
My confidence in coping died, I became even qualmier… The Thought-Storm was driving me balmier… I noticed that my stomach looked lardier… And Little Inchies fungal lesion got itchier?
The Thought-Storms had me by the jugular… I tried to fool them and acted jauntier… Talking to myself, battling the brain, I couldn’t move because of the evacuation pain! The whole situation became worse again… When Neuropathic Pete got me shaking, jitterier!
I knew that later on, things would calm down, likelier… Suddenly the room felt cold, much parkier… I even began to shake and shiver? Gawd, things were getting nigglier! I felt I was going even loonier!
The evacuation flowed again, which made me panickier, Should I give a push, or leave it, which would be riskier? Then the Thought Storms got even bolshier… And the room felt like a fridge; it got so much chillier? Was I still in the recliner dreaming? Or going crazier?
Then for once, I got luckier… I stood up, feeling pluckier… The evacuation ended alright, As I pushed with all my might, It had been a struggle and fight, I’d won, no bleeding, I felt leerier…
For the Thought Storms stopped then… As stubbed my toe on the tungsten… I don’t usually appreciate the pain often… But the Thought-Storms stopping was a gem!
Part of the Inchies True Make Them Laugh In Ode Series
For joy or success, I can only pray… After the daymare, called Wednesday, It all went ape-shit after midday, Full of decay, disarray, and dismay, But it is, after all, now a Thursday… I expect sorrow or deprecation, alackaday!
But, I must not look at it this way… These feelings of depression, I must allay! Ignore my Thought Storms who bring banality… But failure, for me, is an inevitability… An ageing body that can’t cope with a Segway, Dementia Doreen, who stealing my logicality… Cruelly toying with my already befuddled memory…
Kathleen Cataracts, Deaf Donald, annoy me, As does Arthur Itis and Cartilage Cathy… Then there’s the danger of Peripheral Neuropathy! Which is worse? Thought-Storms that gives no leeway… Always brain-rattling, confusing me… it never goes away…
Or my physical ailments, though not so bad today… Some pains so bad, they can leave me delusory… I even limp and fall over, somnambulistically! The falls were possibly caused clinicopathologically… No idea what that means; I dropped it in casually!
Well, that’s got the bad stuff out of the way… It could be a better day? Conceptualistically, Then again, it could go badly, confrontationally? I hope conversationally, or even convivially! Depressive, error-ridden, painful, or distastefully, If so, the day will go conventionally!
What a wet, embarrassing start to the day! I would guesstimate that from waking and getting to the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket), it would have been about a minute or so, although it felt like half an hour. And still, I didn’t make it in time! Shame, despondency, self-loathing, and the ignominy of it at my age… Weeing one’s Protection Pants! Still, they did the job, but unfortunately, I have little feeling when passing water nowadays and pulled Little Inchie out before he’d run his course… So, the second job of the day was cleaning up and sanitising, then a change of pantaloons, washing myself thoroughly, and getting the socks, jammie-bottoms and jumper in the bowl soaking in Dettol. Well, that wasn’t planned!
I tried to upload the photos, but the computer wasn’t having it. So, there may not be any of today’s pictures on here at all! I can clip stuff from the web, copy & paste them into CorelDraw and get some things on that way. Use old photos… but not import any at all! Gragnangles!
Now I should have been in a Dracula Depression over this, but I had no idea why; maybe the embarrassing event when wee-weeing had overridden… What am I talking about?
I got the blood pressure and the temperature taken. I didn’t bother taking any pictures. I felt it would be a waste of time. The SYS 158, DIA 69 and temperature 34.8°c, seemed okay.
The annoyance of not being able to use the photos I’d taken started to irk me badly now! I pressed on finishing yesterday’s blog and got it posted off. Then went on the WordPress Reader and Comments.
I took a photo of the end car park and a couple of the Ocado delivery, don’t know if I’ll be able to get them on later.
The Ocado delivery arrived, the driver put the bags through the door into the hall for me; thank you! As I was taking the bags through to the kitchen, ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ announced the arrival of Carer Richard. ho checked the use-by dates on the delivery and what I had left in the fridge; a few items had to be dished! Good of him, cause with Cataract Kathleen, Glaucoma Glenda and Sandra Saccades, there is no way I could read the dates on some of the packets! Thanks, Richard, me old flower!
There were some things that I could not recall ordering and certainly didn’t want or need in the Ocado order. Either substituted or ordered in error by me – which is more likely. So it was like a shopping trip for Richard; I kept asking him he fancied this and that, Hehe! Got medications sorted out, and we had a chinwag and laugh for a couple of minutes. Then he had to go; he was beginning to look wearier as time went by, which is not surprising as he’d just finished his night shift. He took the waste bag with him to the chute for me, Jolly decent chap!
An hour or so on the blogging, it was slow going again, but that will be the norm from now on, methinks. Then… off to the wet room… to make us of the Porcelain Throne; another bad one.
I took a Dioctyl (Poo-softener) capsule again. Getting things moving took a while and a lot of painful effort. I’ve not had to apply so much pressure for such a long time in years. All the way through as well! Still, to my surprise, there were only specs of blood. And the innards soon settled down again.
Hehe! I’d been that long on the Throne; my tea had gone cold. Made another and started this blog going.
Ah, I suddenly realised that there had been no noise coming from Herbert this morning? I hope he’s not well and had an accident.
I checked on the Amazon Deliveries, one today, one tomorrow. Shame they were not both on the same day. Hello, that’s the third change of ETA! Not that it matters, really. It’s just the thought of it coming late in the night and my having to stay awake to receive it that bothers me. Also, will the delivery person leave it in the reception foyer or bring it up to the flat? Mmm? Or… is it a ploy to have them both delivered on Saturday? Which would suit me; it’s just not knowing.
Ah, Herbert is back at doing what he does best (apart from sneering at and ignoring me when he sees me, Haha), Clunking, tap-tapping. But it didn’t last for long. Hehehe! He’s losing his annoyance Defcon 2 label here.
I tried to get the photos onto the computer again. Much to my amazement, the reader let me load some, not all of them, but still. Here’s last night’s super-supper. Which went down superbly, even if it was eaten after midnight! I burnt the potato waffles to perfection for my tastes. The beef, potatoes, cheese, and bean pasties were a delight and tasted. The mini tomatoes, red, yellow and green, were smashing! Which leaves only the mushrooms… Oh, dear, not good, I ate only one of them! Someone mystery person, whoever it was, told me to try wine vinegar with this fungi, so I did! Sickly sweet they tasted. Which kept the Flavour Score down to 8/10.
The end of Citrus Walk photo was… no, no, Chestnut Way, showing Red Van man parked back in his favourite position, on the yellow no-parking chevrons on the roadway. Not that it would bother him, I’m sure. Potentially blocking any Fire Engines from turning to get to the flats. Whoever he is.
A photograph of the Ocado carrier bags that were delivered this morning.
Hello, he’s off again! Bang, tap scrape, thud! Another short-burst. Thanks, Herbert!
The fridge was looking under-filled compared to usual after a delivery? Mind you, a fair bit of stuff was found out of date by Carer Richard this morning, and I gave him five items that had been sent, mysteriously… Well, I can’t recall ordering them. Tsk! Bonkersness comes in many forms… usually prompted by Vascular Dementia, Doreen, nowadays.
Ah, well, time to get the shaving, medicating and showering done. I thought I’d check on the Amazon tracker first…
Well, the Amazon delivery is just 6 stops away if the tracker is right! He’s got a lot of side streets to get his way through, so I’ll delay the ablutionalisationing until he’s been. Hello, Five stops away now. Exciting this is, innit? Well, not really, so fair enough!) I’m easy to entertain, ain’t I? Hehehe!
It’s still coming, but further away now? It’s all new to me this tracking lark.
Har-har! 2 Stops away now! I’m enjoying this; keep going to the tracker page and taking a shot of the map. As I say, I’m easily pleased.
I’m the next stop now…
Technology has always fascinated me… it’s a shame I was never clever enough to understand it, really.
Gorrit! A bit of an anti-climax! Hahaha!
I made a vegetarian feast tonight. A Bean & cheese flaky pastry pastie. fresh garden peas, honeyed parsnips, ready-prepared M&S Parmentier Potatoes – Diced British potatoes coated in shallot and garlic butter and sprinkled with thyme. (Boy, they were good!), with yellow, black & red tomatoes. Followed by a lemon mousse and a lime & lemon dessert. Taste rating: 9.2/10! It was worth the time to prepare and cook and the effort and time to clean up the mess I made afterwards. It cost a fortune as well! Lovely! I slowly digested every morsel, like a gastronomer.
Put teethings away after washing up, and got down in the rickety recliner, and off into the wonderful land of nod!
♫ Oh, Susana ♫ played from the door chime, and in walked Carer Elena. She soon sorted the medications out for me. I was having difficulty in hearing what she was saying with the ear wax blocking my hearing and the mask she was wearing. So despite her many patients, accommodating, asked-for saying it again… I had to guess what the Angel said, half of the time. But she left happily enough, taking the waste bag with her to the chute for me. 💙
I had a wash (I do that sometimes, you know), and got the bamboo socks on, and I got down in the recliner again.
Put the TV on… and fell into a wonderful four-hour visit with Sweet Morpheus… then woke up with the bigger jump! I had no idea why… But I thought I’ll have to get up to have a look around to make sure all is well in the Inchcock flatlet… But no! I involuntarily nodded off again instead.
I woke very late, Carer due, logicality was absent,
Slowly the brain cleared of the confusion and addlement,
I worked out I’d slept for six hours, to my astonishment,
I seemed to have a decent, calm, unruffled temperament,
Yet despite the wonderfully sleeping so well, erubescent,
I felt so tired, weary, it made me think belligerent…
First decent sleep for ages, I should have been verklempt?
The Thought Storms started, they were soon unblent…
As off to the Porcelain Throne, I hurriedly went!
MONDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2022
I stirred, without any jumping awake, around 0640hrs, had the Carer been on time, they’d have found snoring away. Hahaha!
I worked out that I’d been in the arms of Sweet Morpheus for about six hours! Fought off the Thought-Storms, with the aid of needing to use the Porcelain Throne.
I rose up onto my aching for some reason feet and found that Cartilage Cathy had departed from the right knee – which of course should have given me some glee, but, you see… Arthur Itis had returned with a vengeance in both knees! So, hobbling about is going to be a smidge painful today. Methinks.
I wobbled my way to the wet room, sat, and waited… waited some more. Got the crossword book out. Then, still awaiting the commencement of any evacuation movement, I counted the veins on my right thigh. Back to the crossword puzzle, solved about three or four more clues, actually. Not the time for any Smug-Moding. Still not a sign of any rear-end activity!
I knew this was going to hurt, but I had to apply maximum pushing level from within to move the product, which at first came out a smidge, then froze again. I kept giving it some effort, painfully, but it was still a while before things restarted? I began to fear what this was doing to Haemorrhoid Harold. How much blood is already beneath me in the porcelain? The last bit took the monumental endeavour, and I kid you not, had tears forming.
As I stood gingerly up and turned to investigate the contents of the WC… No blood whatsoever! The concrete-like turds had somehow all sank? Only the pain remained. But it was subsiding all the time. It eased more rapidly after I’d cleaned things up and applied the precious Germoloids ointment to the rear end. For some reason, I felt I could so easily get back in the recliner and back to sleep. And wanted to! Then I liberally applied the Phorpain Gel to both Arthur Itis’s knees and gave it a good rubbing in! Put a dab of Germolene on the arm where I walked into the doorframe yesterday. I didn’t mean to! Hehe! It’s surprising how a nothing bruise like that can hurt? Not that I’m complaining, after the Porcelain Session agony. Even I’ve got to laugh!
Got the computer on, and ♫ Of Susana ♫ rang out. It was the Carer Richard arriving. A good lad, who’s been down a little lately, but I can report that he was his old self again this morning! I don’t mind him coming later cause if I am the last call, we usually have a natter after the medications and Alarm wristlet battery checks. I took an anti-Constipation-Konrad capsule and a Docusate sachet drink. I don’t fancy going through that again on the next visit to the Porcelain Throne! There must be people out there that when they need a crap, just go and do it! Painlessly! I have things swapping twixt the extremes every day or so. Constipation Konrad and Trotsky Terence are on a daily challenge to control the bowels! Passing things pain-free would be great for me… but I’m not jealous! Hehehe!
I pressed on with yesterday’s blog and got it posted off.
With getting up so late, the day has vanished before my eyes… it’s flashing by, and such a lot to do yet…
The shower, shaving and Teggie-cleaning, apart from hitting my head on the power-box once again, went very well.
Getting dressed went okay, but the medicationalisationing had its moments of farce. I ended up with
I checked on the end car park… No, the photograph has not been doctored! It really is the red van’s man’s car, parked between the lines, and in the car park, as opposed to his usual blocking the entry/exit on the chevron lines. I wanted to congratulate him, but of course, being whoever he is, he’s parked in the Contractors Only Parking Space. Hahaha! But at least he’s found his way into the car park and not blocking things, so. Well done, mush!
Hello, the intercom is flashing? It was the Wilko delivery. ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ was chiming out from the doorbell when the driveress arrived. A helpful gal, who took the boxes into the kitchen and checked the number of items, blessed her cotton socks. I am a little concerned about the size of the box containing the Air-Cooker. I thought I’d ordered the smallest one? I’m going to struggle to get that on the minimal space available in the kitchenette? Oh, dearie me! It may have to be given away or sold to someone with more room? Still, Carer Richard is calling another da this week, and he has one. In fact, he encouraged me to get one. So, I’ll ask him to open the box to set it up when he calls, or if he hasn’t the time, I’ll ask him to put it in the other room for me, it’s blinking heavy, so it must be a big one… Tsk! I must get something right one day!
I went on Facebooking next to catch up again. Then WP reading. Then comments.
Carer Irana… Iyrana, Irayna… can’t remember her name now… Tsk! I’ll ask the morning Carer. Pretty young thing. We chatted throughout, had a laugh and shared quips. Gave her the blog name. Nice gal, soon had me sorted with the medications. In the A.M., Richard found the new sweet Carer gals name was Isra!
Sorted a meal out. (The photos on the SD would not load again) Baked potatoes, sausages and BBQ sauce. Taste: 7.2/10.
Watched some TV and found myself nodding off, so I gave up and got my head down, about midnight.
Ode to an Odd Day…
At times it went rather abysmally… With the rare usual periods, delusionally, Moments of it going fantastically… Mostly though, sort of confusionally! More than usual, of the farcically!
The Porcelain Throne session, agonistically! The brain mainly operated dysfunctionally, But deliveries, Carers were a joy, actually… The ablutions were unconditional agony, Constipation Konrad in control, evilly!
Peripheral Pete was acting erratically, Shakings, shuddering, running free! The Thought-Storm attacks, aberrantly, All of these, scary or ambiguously… Oh, I did sleep well nocturnally!
Carers Richard & Isra were friendly and chatty, I love a chinwag, someone to talk with me… Others too natter, Julia, Elena and Charley, I’ll press on now, somewhat melancholically… I’ve had days that went more maniacally, It was also a bad day, neurophysiologically!
It’s Tuesday now…
It’s Tuesday now, March… and I feel garrulous!
My judging the proximity of stuff circumforaneous,
Everything around me seems dimorphous…
Knowing which is which can be vexatious,
Now I’ve gone and got tinnitus!
Today, when good luck and success ran away, Making me want to cry, die, and even pray! It’s this horrendously-heinous Wednesday! Very little humour, fun or flimflammery!
Problems of intense magnitude and stupidity… Errors, Whoopsiedangleplops, and I got all forgettery… Accifauxpas, mind-blanks, bonkerness and pettifoggery, So much so my mind requires mental surgery!
I ended up nervous yet showing frustrated badassery! The brain crumbled, the body tumbled… Nothing this day was of the slightest bit ordinary, Then the innards painfully rumbled… My last bit of willpower crumbled!
Self-hatred, for myself, and a vile loathing… So many failures, one in my underclothing! But that, I’m too ashamed to be describing, It had some occasions that were nice, touching… But they were scarce, and so many were scathing!
Computers I should know would mock and beat me… I thought I’d get the problem sorted, very foolishly! I’d never have mended it if I tried until next January… As I should have known, I just made things worse, I sobbed, got depressed, and voiced many a curse…
I thought at one time, I was growing insanity… Why am plagued by this unknown, unlucky entity? It started at birth… and has grown nasty, by plenty! In my previous life, was I a murderer, a scoundrel? Maybe…
When I’m burnt to ashes by the Brothers Baguley… I want my mourners to know, there’s no need for sorrow, At the moment, I’d be content, no, glad to go… Life’s always been a battle against the flow… I may miss cheesy potatoes, and bread, buttered sourdough, Carers like Julia and Jilly both leave me with an afterglow. ♥
Not enough to make me stay here, though! Life to me has been like at the Alamo… Surrounded, outnumbered and nowhere to go, Failings, errors, fretting, my life’s been so! I’d hoped things would improve, but no, oh, no!
Reincarnation? That would be hard to swallow, I might return as a soaring eagle or a brave buffalo? Or most likely a stickleback, mousse or minnow! See, that’s depression; I’m feeling so low…
And what’s to come later… death, maybe, yes or no, I’ll continue as a failed saddo and fatso… I’ll snuff-it, not bothered how maybe tomorrow? I’ll die never having had a cup of cappuccino! It’s been forty-odd years since I’ve been on a beano! My friends and family will gather to say cheerio… But there’s only three of them, so I don’t know…
They’ll search for my money, and they’ll be very thorough, Cupboards, drawers, clothes and behind the big photo… I don’t blame ’em; that’s how it will go… I can’t take it with me… I don’t mean to crow…
That’s summat else, why did I live life in a constant imbroglio? Calling things electrical, mechanical, complicated, a gizmo? Cause the Vascular Dementia Doreen said so? I had problems; I became an alcoholic, not wino… Which at the time for me, was no problemo!
I danced like a three-legged drunken rhino… The gal who said that was named Clio, Ailments, being shot, being made redundant did follow… Didn’t matter too much; life was already shallow… But I’ve always been that way, uneducated and callow…
With quips and replies, I’ve been sharp, never slow, I once nearly bought a second-hand Volvo… What that’s got to go with this Ode, I don’t know? I’m trying to live an inoffensive life, but whereunto? I’ve lost the plot now. Shall I make a cuppa? Righteo!
It took me that long to formulate this Ode, so many errors, mistakes, and Mind-Blanks! The time is running out for me to get the Diary bit done. So, it will be in condensed form, sorry!
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WEDNESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2022
A great sleep once I managed to get off. Which was at about 02:00hrs. But, I was well pleased with only jump-waking up three times. On the third, it was already 06:10hrs! So, over four hours, not bad, that. I think the Hemp seems to be working.
As I fought my way out of the £300, second-hand bought, c1968, nauseously beige-coloured, not-working, rusty, rickety, difficile, crumb-covered tatty recliner, two things dawned on me. This morning is the Ocado food delivery twixt 6-7:00hrs, and Cartilage Cathy was still as bad as yesterday. So, I took a Codeine and checked that I had not missed any calls on the intercom – I feared I would not have heard it if he had come early while I was sleeping. No missed calls on the list, so that cheered me a little.
I got the medical checks sorted straight away. The body temperature was still too low. But what should I do? It might be the machine? They tell me to ring 999 if it is below 45°c? But it’s not far off this time.
There was no hassle about the Blood Pressure, though, all looking pretty good, with SIA 152. DIA 74. and Pulse at 80. This seemed fair to me. Glad the BP machine was working after my dropping it yesterday.
Into the kitchenette to put the kettle on, and I trod on something small and challenging – I guessed right, it was an escaped garden pea gone rock hard. Hehe! Made me jump a bit! I also found a tablet?
The intercom rang at 06:30hrs, and the Ocado driver brought the bags up to the flat. Nice chap.
Got the bags into the kitchen; there seemed a lot of them today?
Sorted out what’s what and where they are to go. The frozen Heinz Beanz Burgers went in the freezer, along with the battered cod bites and fishcakes with mushy peas in them. Natoora black tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, steak pie into the fridge, with some difficulty… Cartilage Cathy was in a right rotten mood with me when I bent to get the bottom tray filled. Cor, blimey, was she! But the bending to pick up the peas and pill might have contributed to Cartilage Cathy’s annoyance. Hehe!
Then I moved on to the third or fourth bag. The black box held 12 mini-pots of M&S fruit and jelly. Which I read when ordering to be strawberry flavoured. They had actual fruit in the jelly, but one of them was the forbidden for me pineapples. On a closer look, they also had seeds in them, which will most likely cause me a toothache. They’ll have to go! I know how to live! I made a bottle of spring water up with some of the lemon and lime cordial for later.
I got some fresh garden peas and lemon and lime yoghourts too. Two favourites there!
Just after getting them stored away and returning to the computer, Everything went wrong computer-wise. The icons had shrunk, the screen had gone darker, and Norton came up[ with things that needed attention. Crapwranglers! It was all too much for me, and I ended up changing things, uncertain if I was doing right or wrong. After changing things, it was far worse. I could have cried!
I stopped making changes too late and could not work out how to correct things. I went for a break and made a brew of Glengettie, taking this photograph of the morning view, in which I caught some crows on their way to a tree-top murder in the park. Then around 08:15hrs, the landline rang out. It was the gorgeous Nurse Hristina to tell me she was coming in the morning to do a Warfarin blood test, and I’ll be back on the Enoxaparin injections.
Then it rang again, it was Nicola from Meridian, Carer Richard who was sue to do me and stay with a poorly patient. They have arranged for Carer Julie to come and do me, she’ll be here as soon as possible. Bless her! Thanked her for letting me know.
Doing the updating of the blog for yesterday and got deeper into a mess of confusion with the computer for an hour or so, and the ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ tune rang out.
Julie got the medications sorted; she had been called in to cover. She was as sweet as ever and helped me with the computer. ♥
After Carer Julie had left, Norton flashed up again. I’d no idea what was what. Humph! Now I cannot access my dropbox or save anything to it!!! The pointer keeps changing size? Oh dearie me! I may have changed something when I had a Norton defrag? I just can’t remember what I changed…
I carried on with this blog. The top Ode taking me yonks to get done. I gave Cartilage Cathy another good rubbing with the Phorpain again. This is the second day of Cathy’s hassle. Never had two days’ worth before.
I stopped computing on the blog to take a look at the food situation and catch up on what, if anything else, is due. I think I’ve ordered a Sainsbury’s order for next Sunday, but Dementia Doreen is determined; I’ll not remember. I’ll check the calendar first. I must get the ablutions done soon.
Yes, JS on Sunday. I’ll do an Iceland one for midweek. All done!
Now back on with this blog.
17:15hrs Ode
The day stopped, as frustration grew, abysmally, But memories remained of this morning’s jollity. Although it was just for microscopical scintillae… I felt my depression wanting to go away… But would it? Well, maybe one day it may…
Yet I no longer felt the self-hatred, not acidulously, The evening Carer should soon be coming to see me… Will they be contented, happy? Or rather grumpy? Or a chinwagger? Who entertains me wryly? I hope no one considers a natter avoidably!
Hopefully, one that looks after me, assiduously, Who doesn’t mind a laugh and is not over assertively… Carers who really care, I greet applaudingly… And consider them to be admiringly adorably, Like Jillie and Julie, compassionate, addictively!
I’ve got the oven on to heat up, to do the chips later, fresh garden peas and a pastie methinks tonight. But I must try not to make too much this time. Ah, it’s 18:00 now; the approx. ETA is twixt 18:00>19:00hrs for the evening carers.
I made a brew and took some photographs of the evening sun setting. Computed a little, took the mug to be washed, and took three more pictures. The ones on the left earlier ones, the right the later ones, but only by about 15 minutes. Mother Nature – absolutely Bootiful!
1848hrs: Carer Kiya came into the room. Having failed again to use the door chime… three times now. I had to ask her again, explaining that I could have been using the grey bucket… It made little difference. But she’s a confident little thing and witty with it. She let us chat for a couple of minutes, chose her nibbles and drink, took the waste bags with her without me asking, of off she went, happily.
I managed to encourage the picture ap to recognise the photo of the end car park at last. I took it this morning around 08:00hrs or thereabouts. Only just got it on the computer. I’m having all sorts of problems with it now – a case of last legs, methinks? (Me too, Haha!)
No red van, man. Well, he might be in court; you never know. Har-har! Plenty of vehicles compared to normal in there this morning.
Got the chips in the oven, then changed my mind and pulled them straight out again. (I know, I know!) I realised just how late it was now, and I still had to finish this blog. Otherwise, they’d have been cooked to a frazzled by the time I got the blog completed, posted, the Facebooking catch-up done, and photo albums updated. Then I’ve the WordPress Reader reading and commentating to do. The read and answer to the blog comments… Good heavens, I’d better get on with it!…
03:20hrs: Up for a wee, knocked over my cold cup of tea, said summat like, “Well blow me”, and got the computer on. Concentrated on getting yesterday’s blog finished off.
Which, amazingly, without any interruptions, apart from needing a few leaks, I’d got done by 05:00hrs. And decided to get the ablutions sorted out before any Carer came calling.
05;10hrs: A bit of clunking from the flat above. I made my way to get the clothes and off into the wet room.
Off, full of vim, and whistling, to do the ablutioning, A mock-contentment was absolutely blossoming! Shaving with only the one little cutting… Fair enough, Cartilage Kathy was twinging… Botherless dressing and nappy changing… I felt as if I was only fortysomething! Doing fine no Whoopsies or dingdonging, Nowt that was alarming or discouraging, Did all, mostly painless medicationalisationing!
Freshened up, for the after-shave I was foraging… The sink suddenly made a lot of guggling? I checked to make sure I’d not left the sink plug in, Smug-Mode Adopted, no head or shoulder-banging, There really was no depression or self-admonishing, As the after-shave, on my face, I was sploshing… Peripheral Neuropathy Pete started prancing… The right leg Schuhplattler flailing dancing… I ended up with a thud, bottom on the hard floor,
My reaction was whimperingly poor, The ankle, knee and bum were sore! Getting back up took time, for sure, Phorpained the knee and bum some more… It might ease the pain, but it’s not a cure… I can imagine myself limping forever!
I limped with two sticks (Literally) back to the kitchen, kettle on, went for a wee-wee, washed the dandies, took a Codeine, made a brew of Thompsons Punjana. Had yet another wee-wee and got back on the computer.
Spent hours and hours on creating the Snippets blog.
I went out to take a photo of the end car park. But got distracted… I do that a lot, you know. Bits of whatever it was were falling on my head. They were coming from the crumbling ceiling inside the balcony! A bit worrying that was! Cracking plaster and paint, and holes appearing above the sliding doorway! I must inform ILC (Independent Living Coordinator), Oberstgrüppenfuhreress, Warden and Primo Ballerina, Warden Deana. See if she can have a decker and what she thinks about it.
It’s a little reminiscent of living in the old house in Carrington. Although that was built in 1909, these flats were modernised in 2019. They both had about the same amount of cracks in the roof. Hahaha!
Many hours were spent on blogging. It’s not easy at all since the eyes started going, and it doesn’t help with Peripheral Neuropathy, Pete and Shuddering-Shoulder-Shirley giving me daily problems. Humph!
The wee-weeing frequency had died down. I got the potatoes in the slow-cooker and tended to the medical checks belatedly.
Blood Pressure was down nicely, but:
I was wrapping the tubing around the casing to replace the sphygmomanometer, and Peripheral Neuropathy Pete gave me a little jerking session. The BP machine ended up hitting the radiator and under the desk on the floor. I got the precious picker-upperer and retrieved it. I was going to try it then, but the need for another wee-wee arrived, and thanks to Vascular Dementia Doreen, I forgot all about it. Now I hope it still works on the following readings.
A more significant concern then – the body temperature was showing as 33.7°c! Well below the minimum of 35. I tried the ear thermometer, which showed up as ‘Low’. Is it me doing it wrong, machine kaputt? I just don’t know!
Finally, I completed the ‘Local Snippets’ blog and got it sent off. Facebooked, WP comments and on the WordPress Reader.
Cleaner Esther did it again… she came in without ringing the chime, and naturally, I did not hear her until she started giving some stick for being overweight. She asked if I had any laundry, boy did I! Then he moaned about me using Meridian, who, after the last disgusting state of my returned washing, crammed into the bag, creased… I would like to stop paying for and using. It shows great disrespect, I think.
Off Esther went to the laundry room, talking all the time as she walked away from me. I’ve not the foggiest idea what she was saying.
Pressed on with the template for this blog in the morning for about an hour. Then I got the meal prepping done.
Esther returned, forever talking and telling me off. She’s such a character; bless her. You’ve got like her, despite her aggressiveness. I found I was using the wrong hoover. I was too fat and should wear the shirts that “You have spilt bleach on!” “Wear them at night only!” So, I did last night. Hehehe! There were many other rollicking, but thank heavens she spat them out while in the other room, and I couldn’t hear what she was saying.
Then, the Carer did the same as Esther and came in without alerting me with the door-chime. I was in the kitchen at the sink straining the garden peas; I think it was Carer Charlie or Kiya. But that’s only a guess. Dementia Doreen, again! She got the medicines sorted in no time.
Not one of my better efforts, for more than one reason. Here they are: I made far too much
① I made far too much. ② The J Sainsbury short-dated garden peas tasted puckingly bad, and most were left untouched. ③ The potatoes were tasteless! ④ The bacon was soggy and too fat! However, the sausages, tomatoes, Sourdough bread, banana (Oh, I remember now, Esther also told me that bananas are too fattening for me to eat – well, she cares… Haha!), and mandarins in orange juice were all good! Overall, my Taste Rating was 5/10. Humph!
The precious, kind Carer Julie called. We had a natter after sorting the prescriptions out. What an Angel ♥. She said hello to Billum and HRH, hoping the tiny leaflets were liked. Who I hope reads this. ♥
As I was sulking and taking the things into the kitchen to be washed, the sunset was beautiful!
I put the tray down and got the camera.
The top shot I took from the door as I reentered the kitchenette.
I opened the window to take this one on the left for the next two. Slightly zoomed in.
So peaceful and serene. I had to force myself to come away… although I did have some encouragement by needing yet another wee-wee. And I’d not been drinking much tea! Bootiful!
I got down in the £300, second-hand bought, c1968, nauseously beige-coloured, not-working, rusty, rickety, difficile, crumb-covered tatty recliner. And pencilled this little ditty on the notepad pages.
Mother Nature’s Sunset
Looking at these sunsets, was it in a dream?
Beauty, peace, nature so pristine!
Sweeter than just a sunbeam…
Even with eyesight, not overly keen…
I wished the view was on a touchscreen…
You’ll never see such warmth on a screen,
Views magnificent, nothing in between…
Mother Nature doeth capture my esteem,
That’s why butter is better than margarine!
We’ll Start with some BBC Midland News shots that I took with the Canon Camera while fighting off sleep watching the TV
You’ll notice my cock-up here, I suppose? Well, I nodded off for a few seconds and it moved onto National news… Tsk!
This is worrying news. Although I’m no Royalist, the Queen has gone through so much lately. Hope she’s going on alright.
And why have they printed Sherwood in a different font and colour, I ask? Are we the highest area of Nottinghamshire for Covid infections? I’ll do some investigationing here… Back soon…
Oh, it seems we are the second-worst, in Nottinghamshire, and Nottingham the worst in the country.
According to another page on the same magazine, Nottingham is 32.5% down vs last week? Mind you, I keep hearing that someone here at the flats has gone down with it. Mmm?
You’ll be pleased to know, that my record at getting close to a win on the find the three houses competition, is still safe. Humph!
Ah, Nottingham will get it now, if this forecast is right, we’re smack in the middle of the blue!.
Aha, a bit of news about what Nottingham is good at – Crime!
.
My fears for the youth of today,
Even those studying, academically,
Those on drugs, acting absurdly,
Using weapons, even hairspray…
With no care for others, empathy…
Back in the day, I could have been me!
But we can’t deny, there’s a moral decay…
Too many are acting aggressively,
Me, me, me… greed and banality…
But even I should be examined really…
Psychologically and clinicopathologically!
.
I stay worried for the next generation, criminologically, I don’t want to talk of them disdainfully… But when they act so disgracefully, antagonistically… Do you ever see a teenager nowadays, looking bashfully? Mostly they act leery and bombastically…
It the few who have manners and good nature, Prepared to work in manufacturing or agriculture… To earn a living, to give others pain a suture! Not expect things for free, think crime, no bother! They deserve a much better future… I pray they can become caring, and uncouther… Avoid the urge to shoplift, become a druggie and loafer! Have a kid, and make him her into a goffer!
.
The lock-Down, get the blame for many a thing,
Lawyers mitigate this, over knifings and shop-lifting,
Arson, stealing, mugging, fighting, and brawling…
GBH, supplying of drugs, even dangerous driving…
It’s likely that some solicitor blames it for farting!
.
It’s had its fair share of crime, had this tram stop, In the 1890s it was the original tram stop… I remember when it was a Trolleybus stop, Then back to an omnibus stop… Now its become a criminal-loving tram stop
At this bus stop, I fell off a trolleybus, did a belly flop… The reason as I recall was beer… more than a drop, In those days I was an addict, a drunken sop! So it didn’t hurt, got up feeling right tip-top… And bought some Guinness from a nearby shop!
Years later at this bus stop, I wasn’t feeling well, I’d got the flu, Getting on the bus, missed the platform, what a hullabaloo! Conductors in those days, in fact, he was my nephew… A big cheery lad, he laughed so much did Stew… He said; If I want a laugh, I can rely on you!
.
When did cowardly replace guts in folks?
Fights used to be one on one twixt blokes?
Fists alone, and a handshake after…
Begrudgingly, but forgot about later,
No guns, knives or roving gangs were seen…
Being a coward, on fighting, I’m not so keen…
Any action, you’ll see me fleeing!.
.
A warning of a third storm coming today, Franklin!
But is this warning, just bumfuzzling?
Some are saying it came from Beijing,
But that’s just silly gossiping,
Many places had it a lot worse, with flooding,
So that’s enough of my caterwauling!!
Did you see that? I even got the year wrong! Dementia Doreen at work?
I woke up this morning (Sunday) not feeling giddy… Because I’d had a better sleep? Definitely! I’d woke up over the night, just six times, you see, Many of my ailments were not bothering me! Hard to believe it’s my unlucky Sunday!
But, things felt wrong, different, most notably… The dreaded Hum, so much louder than ever, unfamiliar… My nerve-ends continued with their uncontrollability, But with other pains not here, that’s almost a triviality, Although the eyes were terrible, cataractically!
If I get a Carer call, with they show uncongeniality? I shall try today to be calm and avoid perversity… Contain my nit-picking, self-loathing, and animosity… I’m too nervous about claiming I can have unflappability, Dementia Doreen gives the brain ungovernability, She changes my mood so quickly… The audacity!
Saturday
Saturday was a daymare! The eyes delayed all I tried to do. Not that I tried to do much, other than blogging, for over eleven hours in total. I was up from 02:40hrs in the morning until 21:00hrs at night! Computerisationing the majority of the time. Cataracts Kathleen, Peripheral Neuropathy Pete, occasionally bothered further by Shuddering-Shoulder-Shirley and Dizzy Dennis.
I created a Local News Snippets blog (now finally finished off and posted this morning, Sunday). You would not believe the mistakes, errors and messes I got myself into! Nothing else much was done at all. I did find some photographs on the SD card that prompted memories of Saturday if I can recall. Here they are with notes I’m part guessing at about them. Not many. And they may be our order chronologically, on Saturdays, sorry.
These sunset shots were, I believe, from Friday night. The first two in sequence, I have caught some Crows that had just broken up from a murder in the treetops to the right of the picture.
They were fully grown adults, judging by their sizes of them. In the second picture, I caught two of them. They were flying away from the flats at the time. I remember being surprised that I could recognise them.
The following two nights, the sunsets were hardly noticeable. But these ones, I thought, were so beautiful, even with muted colours (Is that the right word? I mean, not as vivid as it is sometimes).
I took just the higher part of the sky in the last photo, and I zoomed in an iota. The seemingly pink cloud amidst the blue-grey ones was so pretty to me. Mother Nature at her finest! ♥
I first utilised the A&D Medical Supplies, made in China Blood Pressure Monitor. Cor Blimey! Yet another near-perfect result. I believe I assumed a Smug-Mode!
The rest of the day was a bit of horror. Really frustrating and depressing for this non-compos-mentis, mentally & physically deranged, ailing old Inchcock. I fear the time is rapidly approaching when I’ll no longer be capable of blogging. Although Vascular Dementia Doreen sees to be affecting me more nowadays. If cataracts, glaucoma and saccades are ever repaired, that could be a life-saver…
Many hours later, I got the nosh prepared. Which also seemed to take an inordinately long time to do. I think it was through my depression and frustration, but I couldn’t eat much of the meal, despite it being tasty enough. A decent 7.5/10 for flavour content.
Washed the pots, had a wash and put the TV on to watch my favourite ‘Heartbeat’ two back-to-back episodes. Naturally, I fell asleep at the first set of advertisements that came on. Humph!
The ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ tune of the door chime rang out and woke me up. Carer Valerie arrived.
It was only about ten minutes into the second episode of ‘Heartbeat’, so I thought I’d watch that one. I was wrong! Nodded-off again. Woke to want a wee-wee, and ‘Hetty Wainthrop’ was starting on the box – Oh, good! I thought, had my painful slow trickling wee-wee, washed my hands and settled to watch Hetty… Zzz!
Amazingly, I slept through for about four hours, lovely! Then the waking up with a jolt started again! Can’t win them all!
SUNDAY
With six sudden awakenings since around midnight, on this seventh one, I stayed up. I had to get up for Porcelain Throne duties anyway. Off to the wet room…
Rushing to get to the Throne, I misjudged the gap again. I walloped my right shoulder against the doorframe. There were some bits of bleeding from Harold’s Haemorrhoids. Nothing too serious, though.
Expecting a messy evacuation again, I had a go at the crossword after getting seated. But didn’t have time to do many clues. The evacuation was a slow job, that needed a fair bit of pushing input from me. Not awfully painful, just uncomfortable. This I put down to Harold’s Haemorrhoids. This is a strange day!
It seemed I’d got out of the right side of the bed this morning? Despite the painful Whoopsiedangleplops and Accifauxpas, I was singing away to myself as I washed and oiled the earholes? In fact, I was rather upbeat in my thoughts, too! Well, well! This is a strange day!
Josie last week
Cleaned up and got changed into the day clothes. I remembered that I’d not put the laundry away from yesterday yet. So, I did.
I went to sort the prepping for Josies’ Sunday lunch. All foods to hand, and I got the chilli with some extra beans in the pan. Added the mushrooms, crispy bacon pieces, chestnuts, and diced in some tomatoes. Mild chill and BBQ seasoning, a splash of anchovies sauce, and tomatoes puree. All ready to tackle later on for the gal.
The Chinese (Hong Kong) made by Shenzhen Relee Electronic & Technology Co. Ltd™, contactless thermometer, had a better reading than yesterday too! A good bit higher.
The ♫ Oh, Susana ♫ tune burst forth, I thought at first, with no one coming in, it was the Iceland Delivery, and someone had let him in, but no! It was the new Carer, Kiya. She has a bouncy, outgoing nature; it seems like she’s done the job before to me. Quick-witted, sharp, communicative, and very pretty! Kiya got the job done, we had a laugh or two, she’s sleeping very well at the moment, she said. Treated her to the nibble-treats, and off she went with a cheery farewell. I didn’t realise until later that she had not taken the three bags of waste with her. Humph!
The intercom flashed and rang… and I heard in the other room. This is a strange day!
The deliver chappie arrived at the door; he looked a smidge down in the mouth.
So after he’s put the bags into the hallway for me, I treated him to a can of his choice (Cider), thanked him, and got them into the kitchenette for sorting out.
There were two substitutes and four missing items. At least the substitutes sent were alright for me for once. The big bag of potatoes looked fresh, I thought…
I utilised the picker-upperer. And this one is one of the better, stronger ones. But it only just managed to lift the weight of the extremely heavy cheese-topped cobs! As I knocked the cheesy cobs off the trolley, they made a thudding sound as they hit the floor! Blimey, they were weighty!
Got the fresh strawberries delivered as well. One each for Josie, Flora and Richard. Not sure if the ladies name is Flora, it might be Flo Francis? Anyway, she lives in flat 8. I’ll take it down for her later on. (What the heck is her name?)
The Walls microwave sausages are for me; I’ve three packets in x6. Four sausages and baked beans flavoured with chilli, BBQ and Worcester sauce is the plan for tonight. Of course, then there is the challenge of breaking the cheesy rolls to dunk in the juice. I could well injure myself judging by how hard they are. Thanks, Iceland! I might use the drill on them?
Took a break and replied to emails and comments. Lovely one from HRH Lisa and comments from Billum.
Then I got Josie’s meal ready. I gave her some extras for Easter. A little egg, a chocolate bar, and her favourite can of plonk. I also handed over half of my strawberries in a separate bag.
Then I took the waste bags out to the chute room. And, I’d like to add (Smug Mode Assumed!); totally without any Accifauxpas or Whoopsiedangleplops! No trapped fingers, no walking into anything, no visits from either Dizzy Dennis or Shaking Shaun!
I’ve just come to the following line in the blog reminder pad. I’m curious to know what the heck this is on the left here; it is supposed to indicate for me to remember? Looks like 3 40ging? It’s beyond me! Mind you, I’m not surprised. I can’t even see what I’m writing, let alone read or see the subtitles on the TV.
Then I found this picture I’d missed from the SD card. It is sad, innit?
Vascular Dementia Doreen is active again, I see! I think I took this one earlier today when I got out of the wet room. On the other hand, it could be from yesterday… any day, any month…
Spent more hours doing the blog, then took the strawberries down to… ah, I think her name might be Doris? Anyway, she seemed to like them, bless her.
My next plan… get the bangers and beans done for my nosh. I found out what I thought I’d bought, Cheese topped rolls, turned out to be Tiger rolls. That’s why they were so heavy. Humph!
The beans and sausages were a bit of a disappointment, I fear. The baked beans tasted so different to what I anticipated? The little pots I made pots of mandarins in orange juice and some black grapes for dessert were excellent! Overall, a Taste Rating of 6.5/10.
Did the washing up and sat to watch an old film on the goggle-box. Fell asleep at the first commercial break. Woken well over an hour later, by the new Carer gal, Kiya looming over me asking if it’s alright if she puts the light on. Hehehe! She’d not pressed the door chime. I wish she would have, I mean… I could have been in physical rapture with a young lady on the carpet… Well, okay, not that then! Hahaha!
Kiya was in a good mood tonight. We had a little natter and laughed after doing the medications given. She stayed close by while I took them to check that none had come out through a big gap that used to be filled by teeth.
Off she trotted with a treat in thanks, and I had a wee-wee, washed, got into the night attire and back to the second-hand, £300, c1968, overwhelmingly-sickeningly beige coloured, tatty, uncomfortable, wobbly-recliner.
I spotted a blue tablet on the floor. Only Warfarin tablets are blue. So, it seems I had dropped or regurgitated a tablet after all? That was with two of us watching? Bit of a mystery here?
After several years of collecting scientifically challenging reference books, Professor Billum and his partner HRH Lisa, who are now stuck indoors due to the snow, are tackling the job of reducing the number of books in his basement library. He hopes to make room to expand his laboratory and thus, make more room for his medical experiments. Inchcock (rear) said; the task is phenomenal.
I fang you! A decent kip for once; I reckon I only jumped awake about six times overnight. Not good, of course, but better than the preceding three evenings efforts.
By the time I’d clambered tottering dangerously out of the £300, second-hand, c1968, cringingly-beige-coloured, not-working, haemorrhoid-testing, rickety recliner and caught my balance, I realised how evil the eyes were this morning. So, first job the drops, let them settle, then put some of the sprays on them. After this, they were no worse, and maybe I imagined it but seemed a little better than when I woke.
The ablutionalisationing was tackled first, even before thinking of making a brew of Glengettie tea (Worrying that?). It might be the fact that each time I woke up during the night, spongy emissions of wind were evacuating out of the rear end, and Reflux Valve Roger was sticking a bit, then bursting forth, painfully for a minute or two? But, I felt a little stinky, I thought – mayhaps the rear end emissions were going on while I was asleep?
I got inside the wet room, and the mind meandered off on its own. I got the shower going! Boing! I totally forgot what the time was, and after getting the teeth done and shaving with only two tiny minor nicks, thus assuming a Smug-Mode… I still didn’t recognise what I’d done at that time, and I merrily whistled (Which is getting harder each time I lose another tooth) and sang gayly to myself as I started doing the medicationalisationings.
Which soon put an end to the Smug-Moding, whistling and singing! As usual, I got the potentially most painful job of cleaning and creaming Little Inchies fungal lesion out of the way first. Agony! There are no pain or problems with the Saccades eye drops, Harold’s Haemorrhoids cleaning and creaming, ears oiling, or Arthur Itis Phorpain gelling.
As I was about to increase my level of smugness, it dawned on what time it was… and I’d just used the noisy shower – Guilt overerflowethed!
A Carer arrived, name? Erm… Gorrit, Cassie! She was to take the laundry for me on Fridays, starting today. I had got the bag and capsules softener all ready for her. She did the medicationings, and I treated her to some nibbles and a drink, and off she went.
Onto the computer to finalise yesterdays blog and post it. A message came in on the mobile, it was from Iceland Foods… Ah, I hear you now asking – Why did the pillock have another order from Iceland? The silly old goat had one yesterday?
Ahem! Well, that would be due to my Wednesday and Thursday’s Whoopsiedangleplopping. I made some cheesy potatoes for Richard and got his visiting day wrong. So, I gave them to Valerie, who came. Then Thursday, when Richard was calling, I made another dollop of cheesy potatoes for Richard again – then, I had no potatoes left. Hahaha! So I made a minimum order for today to get some more spuds for myself to have. That’s about right, I think.
The rain started to fall, but not too heavily. Then began to get a little threateningly darker out there.
I took this picture from inside the balcony, too wet to open a window.
Shortly, the Intercom rangeth. The Iceland delivery had arrived. I pressed him in, and I hoped it would not be the same driver as yesterday, or he might think me a bit of an idiot having a dirty-great big order, then another on the following day. He’d be right if he did, by the way!
He carried the bag of spuds separately, only two carrier bags, and he took them into the kitchen for me. Haha! I wish the bloke yesterday had taken the eight bags into the kitchenette for me.
I thanked him and let him choose which can of plonk he fancied, and off he trotted with a cheery farewell.
I’m glad I remembered to get the drain-unblocker. Not a lot to sort out this time. I got some cheapo Beef Jerky to go with the freebies to make the minimum order. Oh, and some Cadbury mini rolls.
Sister Jane rang, or did I ring her? One or the other. Dementia Doreen again. Total blank on what we spoke of… indeed am I thinking of yesterday? Sad, innit?
I then rang Obergruppenfürheress, Warden and Ballet Dancer, Deana. Not seen her for a while. The gal was at home. She’d tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and had been isolating. She hopes to be back on Monday. I said I was ringing to let you know you hadn’t collected your treat bag this week – now I knew why! Said they would keep until Monday. Haha! Nobody tells us owt, do they?
And an hour or so later, the door chime rang out its’ ♫Oh, Susana♫ chime, and in walked Carer Valerie. She had collected my washing for me, and she’d brought it up to me. Bless her cotton socks! She said she’s made sure they were dry enough for me.
So, I got off of the blogging and sorted out the clothes. By gum, that bag holds a lot of stuff. Hehe!
I got in a pickle, found the coat hangers, put some on the door, and spent a good while faffing about. Then realised I was not doing this in a planned, smooth way… Hahaha!
I meant to put all the rousers together on a rack and jumpers shirts on the other.
Which seemed like a logical thing to do.
However, Dementia Doreen had other ideas for me. I ended up with a mixture of trews and jammies on one rack and trews, jumpers and shirts on the other. Ah, well, at least I got them hung so the creases can fall out a bit.
The toploftical, unforthcoming, ascetic, eremitic, aloof, sniffy attituded Herbert had been giving me some tapping on and off for an hour or so. Now, he’s just gone into Turbo-Tapping and Banging mode! What a Git! Mind you, let’s not forget my Whoopsiedangleplop with using the shower early in the day? The difference, I think, is snot-bag superior Herbert enjoys doing it on purpose?
I made a rare mug of Thompsons Punjana tea. As the rain stopped and the sun fought its way through to shine on Inchcock Towers… well, Woodthorpe Court then. Hehehe! I grabbed the Canon camera and took this photograph of the view.
Then the hungers-pangs began, and my desire for some more cheesy baked potatoes overcame me. I got up some steam (I was starting to feel a bit weary) and started to prepare the third on the trot (4th Counting Carers Richards and Valerie’s) Cheesy Baked Potatoes meal!
Cheesy Potato Nosh – Flavour Rating 9.3/10!
Note: Only the four half spuds? No, not self-control; I made eight and kept three to cool and have later on (Cunning?). I would have had four, but I dropped one when putting it from oven to pot – it splattered onto the floor and a slipper, which both needed attention, cleaning sorting out. I may have muttered something along the lines of “Oh, bother?” Then, I feasted on the meal, put the tray on the Ottoman, passed wind and belched… and Flake-Out-Time!
Herbert started clanking and clunking away again, and I woke to his mechanical overture. Hehe! Pig!
Luckily it didn’t last too long this time. And I drifted off again. To be woken by the tune of “♫ Oh, Susana… ♫ chiming out. The evening Carer had arrived. She was in a rush, so no chinwagging was permitted on this occasion. Off she trotted, bless her.
I spotted the meal things on the Ottoman, and I took them to be washed and put away. Noticing the lack of wonderful sun-setting after three days of gorgeous one, I stood and had a perusing of the evening sky. I realised that even with the absence of the usually vivid colours for the last few days anyway, there was still a beauty to be beheld.
Getting daft or soft on my old age, or not?
I went onto the computer to work on the blog and visited Facebook, the TFZ and Winwood Heights sites.
Went on CorelDrawing; Herbert was doing the odd banging about, so it was not until gone midnight before I got my head down; off I went and slept a bit better, only about five shooting awakes.
ODE OF THE DAY
Wants (Peace) & Not Wants (Herbert)
Cataract operation, before it’s too late – appealing! A friend with time for long chinwagging, Someone who doesn’t hate or finds me appalling… But I don’t blame them, and that’s a bit galling! One tablet to stop my shaking and trembling… The ability to once more try cartwheeling? The willpower for me to stop earwigging, A better than Warfarin pill, stop the haemorrhaging, But most of all, I’d want, after some deep thinking… The end of people, domineering, And those who go around sneering, Those who cannot care have empathy are non-obliging… The know-alls who go around rubbishing… Rushing, superior in outlook, verbally scathing…
Compassionless animals, one lives above me, Above my little independent living flat, you see… I nicknamed him Herbert, and he’s not trouble-free… He makes noise at all hours, sometimes the whole day, He’ll start again today, I guarantee… He acts superior, and nonchalantly, But, the things he’s roisterously making go to charity… The housing officer says no cause to moan, apparently, So I won’t, or might lose the flat, alackaday! So untouchable Herbert will carry on noisily… He’ll keep waking me at night, arbitrarily, I must resist responding early morningly… What can be done redeemingly? Two wrongs don’t make a right, seemingly…
KEEP SAFE IN THE SNOW
Keep safe all of you, affected by the snowstorms please,
If you can, avoid driving and soirees,
Polish your ottomans and tallboys?
And for even more joys…
Try canned beans and saveloys?
Sew the missing button on your corduroys?
Have warming wine delivered by Pomeroys?
Play great music, possibly by the Beachboys?
But don’t contact the killjoys!
I decided to get some Cheesy Potatoes done for Carer Richard when he comes tonight.
I soon turned into an uglier imitation but albeit me a smaller one, a younger one, less fodder-wise, shorter, and an older one, of Gordon Ramsay. Hehe!
I even donned my Toque. I thought it would be an unexpected treat for Richard, and all my remaining concentration went into getting it prepared properly. I intended to make it the best I could, and luckily Peripheral Neuropathy Pete was helping by not playing up too much. This is good! I thought, so I pressed on conscientiously and even felt a bit proud of my efforts. Smug-Mode-Assumed. I got the last potatoes in the oven, and they were done in no time. I got them out on the chopping board added all the seasonings you can see in the photo above. Then bashed the living daylight out of potato flesh and mature, strong cheddar, adding Squid sauce (liquid salt), BBQ seasoning, spirit vinegar, Worcester sauce and a dirty great-chunk of butter! It took ages to get it all to mix together, I don’t know how long it took me, but I was all weary-armed by the time I got the shells back in the oven to brown off. Haha!
I was feeling even smugger when they came out almost perfect! Well, as I would have liked them too. I was planning on four for Richard, two for me… I ate mine straight away!
The door chime played its Oh, Susanna tune, and I anticipated Richard coming down the hallway, but whoever was buzzing did not come in. I realised why when I got to the door – “I’d left it locked form when I took my shower!” What a plonk!
Opened the door to see Carer Valerie. I’d made yet another cock-up! I thought Richard said he was coming tonight, but Valerie told Richard is coming in the morning. So, I gave Valerie the cheesy potatoes. I packed them in foil and put them in a bag for her, and she seemed to like the look of them, which made me content cause Valerie is a good gal to me. Wished her farewell, and she took the waste bags to the chute with her, for me.
Before I turned off the computer, I had a look at my Google Calendar for the next few days. And son realised I had not put some things down… although I really was confident that I had done? So, I added them!
Checked on my plates and legs; they were a lot better looking than yesterday. As I was just about to start getting smug again…
I felt the wet warm sensation of gushing blood within the protection pants. I hastened to the wet room to find, with maximum embarrassment, it was not blood but urine! The recent bouts of smugness were abandoned and replaced with a dollop of shame and ignominy! Depression threatening!
I started on the Health Checking in a slightly lower state of joy and contentment. The body temperature seemed fair enough. Got everything cleaned and medicated and changed into the night attire.
The sphygmomanometerisationing showed the Blood Pressure was up a smidge, at Sys 148, Dia okay at 68, and the temperature read 86. Nowt much to worry about; I’ve had a lot higher at times.
I was well tired when I got changed and medicated. The eye drops ought really to be called nose or mouth drops, in my case… Humph! Despite Shaking Shaun kicking off, I must have been tired, for I was off to sleep in a flash.
I was soon woken up by Herbert bashing about. At this time of night, it might not be late for some, but it is me, 22:00hrs gone! The ungregarious, unamiable, unloquacious, haughty, pompous, git! Still, he soon stopped. This may have had something to do with hitting the roof with my walking stick…
Which serves me right, cause I stubbed my toe getting back in the £300, second-hand, c1968, cringingly-beige-coloured, not-working, rickety, incommodious, grotty recliner. Tsk!
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Thursday 3rd February 2022
I woke up (I do that sometimes you know), and a renewed inspiration took place. I intend to get the cheesy potatoes ready for when Richard calls; he will not be done out of his treat. I laid there and pondered on the logistics of my desire with the cheesy spud making:
I only have a few small potatoes left to use
This will mean I cannot refill the skins for him…
I’ll heat the potatoes, then give them a good mix and bash with the cheese (plenty in the fridge) and seasonings.
Put them in an oven dish.
Timing will be critical, though. Richards ETA, 06:30 to 07:30hrs… Mmm!…
Fingers crossed, I’ll make a start then…
The pots were put in the oven cooking, and I did some blogging. Then got the tubers out and sliced them. I’d got the cheese in the basin all ready with the seasonings already in it. I then took the flesh out to mix in the bowl…
Got the cheesy spuds in the tray and back into the oven. They were soon all looking good and browned off pretty well.
I removed the tray, burning my fingertips as I did so. Then tidied up the appearance, and I wrapped it all in tin foil and awaited Richards arrival.4
I dropped the small husks back in the oven and nibbled them a few minutes later. Nice! I’m afraid I’ve got the taste back for cheesy potatoes. I ordered Iceland to get their baking potatoes and some wine for someone or other. Not saying in case they read this. As I was starting the order, today’s Iceland order arrived.
I’d forgotten I’d already ordered some wine, which was delivered today with the other stuff. I can tell you now, it was for Sister Jane and hubby Pete. I’ll ring them later to say to them they can collect them.
I’m not so sure about the Iceland new Fruit & Salad desserts. In fact, I don’t recall ordering them? But, there you go.
Minutes later, Richard arrived. The lad seemed a little tensed up for some reason to me. He didn’t seem exactly jumping with joy at the meal I’d made for him. But kind enough to take it anyway. Methinks Richard is having some bother of some sort. I hope whatever it is turns out right for him. I hobbled him to the door and wished him well as he departed, taking the waste bags with him. Bless him!
Back to the blogging. Got a call from Sister Jane and told her about the wine awaiting her pleasure. Then the Haematology Nurse, Hristina, arrived. She was in a rush again but chatted while she took the blood. Gave her an Easter egg, but I had to almost force her to take it. Hahaha!
Sudden Dizzy Dennis visit, joined shortly with shaking Shaun. Not too good this.
Mind-Wanderings and pointless Mental Memorabilia
A gal once asked me, I think her name was Gloria? Have you ever experienced utter euphoria? We then got grips and a bit overfamiliar… She asked again; I said no, and we ate a veggie burger.
Christine later said, she thought me peculiar, So I didn’t see her again and chased after Julia… I liked her, although she was older and ganglier, But she didn’t take to me, she was always wiser…
Then a gal who was brawnier, my beloved Grizelda! Encounters of passion, she wore no brassier… Her body was all firm and desirably muscular, While it lasted, I did find utter euphoria… She was visiting the UK, from Mülheim an der Ruhr, Grizelda went home, leaving me feeling sadder!
Then came Fern, for me, she was classier… Sex-mad, but grumpy, niggly and crotcherier… And it has to be said, she was much clumsier, She’d greet me with not a smile, but leer… Proving her to a smidge superior… With pleasurable connections, she couldn’t be freer!
I’m writing this rubbish cause I’m having a Thought Storm, My wording and writings, not precisely in the artform, What can you expect from someone so lowborn? Musical, me? I did try to learn the fluegelhorn… Also the piano, private lessons from a Capricorn… One lesson and he said ‘You shouldn’t bother’: with scorn!
My bank balance is getting nearer to being overdrawn…
So, I’ll not be going holidaying to climb the Matterhorn,
Or my dream, of going on a boat around Cornwalls Zawn, Hello, I just had an attack from Shaking Shaun,
Better stop now, clear up my on the floor sandwich of brawn!
Sherwood’s Sunset, daunting, yet so picturesque,
Almost like it was designed by an artist…
With the aid of an abstractionist?
Believe me, viewing it, I heard a clarinettist…
Playing Stranger on the Shore, perfectionist!
The scenes almost spoke to me,
My worries were replaced, temporarily,
I began to think, rather melancholily…
When I snuff it, I’ll miss these sunsets, sadly!
For all my worries and ailments, I feel lucky…
Though I may be writing circumlocutorily…
In bad odeing too, but that comes naturally,
It brings on a desire to be conciliatory!
And admiration seems so obligatory!.
At this moment of photographing…
I don’t want to visit Beijing,
Go skiing or backpacking…
Have sex, or go mountain scaling,
I made a spot of decision-making…
Enjoy nature; I find it so enthralling!.
Hello, the cold rains started drizzling,
The winds are getting up, more nature enabling?
This means other worries are expelling…
The thought of getting back to normality is dismaying!
Back to the day to day stuff means disentangling,
Pleasures of Mother nature at work, disengaging…
Making a brew, having a wee-wee – blood-curdling!
I think it’s time I went for some counselling?
