World of mine Wednesday’s Ws

I thank everyone who left comments yesterday. Whenever we encounter someone in sorrow we all want to do or say something/anything to assuage their pain. In the end it doesn’t matter the words; what matters is you are there. Spo

What’s top of my mind: life without the dog. For sixteen years Harper was an integral part of my life; Now I come home to an absence. We enter into a new chapter of not having a dog upon which to focus our energies. What will this be like? Now we don’t have to coordinate or curtail activities to assure one of us is at home as much as possible. I hope we can travel now. I will propose that Someone come to Michigan with me in December; he hasn’t had a proper holiday in so long I don’t remember when last he had one. Not that seeing my family is a ‘holiday’ but it would be nice to get him out of work and town.

Where I’ve been: a 5K walk. Last Sunday I did the course folks from work. I walked with The Boss Lady and her friend. It was the most enjoyable walk I’ve had in ages. Earlier this year when I trained for the 10K, I walked alone. It is more fun to walk with others. If I could I would have a daily walk with Someone or somebody than alone.

Where I’m going: Nowhere. There are no plans between now and the end of the month. I doubt we will do a Thanksgiving dinner, what with Someone working that day and we are both not feeling festive to make a big dinner for two people neither. Like many Thanksgivings, I will be home alone with a pot of tea and a good book.

What I’m watching: The post. I dawned on me the other day I’ve ordered things and they haven’t arrived yet. This may be impatience on my part. Independence merchants are in charge and they seem to be taking their time putting things in the post. One gets spoiled by Mr. Bezos and his minions delivering things in less than two days. Patience grasshopper.

What I’m reading: More Terry Pratchett. After slogging through ‘War and Peace’ I want something fun, easy, and causes laughter – like my men. I found a collection of short stories of his from his youth. Sir Pratchett is probably spinning in his grave at the notion his early works are being published. Like most writers (I include myself) we are not too found of our early works. Oh the pain.

What I’m listening to: Niece inspired tunes. Patience above! Warrior Queen and Princess Goddess are sending me links to ‘cool music’, most of which I don’t understand. Both seem keen on a group of young ladies who are demon slayers, which they do to rousing tunes mostly in E-flat. I am told they/this group is just as popular with youth as Ms. Swift. Who knew?

Does anyone know what I am talking about? Please explain.

What I’m eating: Cans of soup. I have fallen in love with Campbells Chunky soup. I have one at work on Mondays for lunch. True, they are hight sodium, enough to choke a horse,* but they save me the time and effort to go out at noon and forage for food. It is enough for lunch.

Who needs a good slap: Medicare. Thems who have Medicare were recently told ‘no more Telehealth appointments: and they are understandably up in arms. What’s more frustrating is what is allowed/not allowed keeps changing. The Overlords recently sent a complex algorithm how to determine if a patient with Medicare can do Telehealth or must come in. Since the place has a protocol all patients must have an in-office appointment once a year, and The State of Arizona says if they are prescribed controlled substance Rx, they are obliged to come in once a year. So what the hell, tell everyone to get in here. Several have taken the stance they don’t have to/you can’t make me. This week The Boss Lady sent an email with clarity only to send the next day an announcement the return-to-work Congress (or something like them) extended again the “OK to do telehealth’ waiver.**. So it is OK again to do Telehealth – for now.

On my 1-5 scale, I give Medicare 3 slaps.

Who gets a fist-bump: The staff at Vedmed. The ER where we took Harper couldn’t have been better. They must see dying dogs all the time but they weren’t jaded or ho-hum but treated us with compassion. The nurse on charge was quite supportive and the techs and clerks respectful. The room where she was put down was set up for all sorts of exit plans. Indeed the room itself had an exit to the outside if you didn’t want to go back into the lobby/waiting area blubbering and wailing. Well done! If we are to get a new dog we are taking it to Vedmed.

What I’m planning: major tidy up. There is a lot to do now that Harper is gone. We have to do something about the carpets. I vote for hiring a professional team to come and do what they can while Someone is for getting new carpet, at least in the bedroom. It’s a reasonable solution but I daresay this will be another ‘someday’ project like the wretched paint job that still isn’t done after all these years. The floors need a good wash and we can get back into the dining room and living area, which has been off ropes for ages. There’s work to be done.

What’s making me smile: I am Lockmaster. The conference room at the office in MESA got itself locked the other day. Nobody knows who did this or what happened. More important is how to unlock it. No one had a key. Management was called who politely told us it isn’t their responsibility. Calls to the Overlords got the OK to try to pick the lock or break it if necessary. The Tube of Yous (for once) let us down on ‘how to pick locks” videos. This was all explained to me when I came out of my office to investigate the loud banging away down the hall. I said let my try my keys; no harm trying anyway. I joked perhaps I am The Wart pulling Excalibur out of the stone. Lo! To our surprise, the first key I tried worked and the door was quietly unlocked. I got applause, a Brownie point, and I next week I am being crowned King of England.

*I do not know how much salt would choke a horse. That’s what the Muses (or someone like them) told me to write.

**Many folks don’t know the notion was doing on-line doctor appointments was never made officially OK during the pandemic. Rather they waived the rule. After COVID times stopped and people wanted online appointments to continue, rather than make it officially kosher, they kept voting to continue the waiver. During this recent shut down there was no Congress to approve another waiver so there went the OK to do online appointments for Medicare. Or that is my understanding. If anyone knows better, please tell me. And no, I don’t know of anyone actually making it the law either.