“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”― Albert Einstein
Good morning Drivelers,
It does not usually register in my consciousness when people perform rudimentary transactions as expected. However, it does register, big time, with me when someone goes beyond the norm without the expectation of a payback. This week I had the opportunity to experience a couple examples of this. Out of the blue I received a call from Charles, not his real name. It would seem he was in a parking lot of a cheese store somewhere in Wisconsin. He asked if I was interested in a five pound chunk of cheddar cheese. I said “How much?”. “Just a minute!” Charles can be heard stomping on gravel, door opening and in a shivering voice he says, “$28.00 for 2 year old, $32.00- for 5 year old and oh yeah, $30 for 4 year old”. Not really knowing about the age of cheeses plus thinking fresh would be better I was concerned about this age thing. At the same time I didn't want to appear like a rube, I opted for the middle choice – 4 year old. Charles fronted the money for me which was really nice. Having him and his lovely spouse think of us was extremely kind for which we are grateful.
I have been wanting to retrieve a copy of my parents' marriage certificate for some time. Thursday I decided to email the county seat where they were married to find out how I would go about this. I was expecting some bureaucratic response that I would have to do this and that and so forth. Surprisingly, on Friday I received an email from the assistant county recorder stating he had found the license and was sending it to me. There would be a $2.00 charge which can be placed in the envelope he included in the mailing. WOW!! When have you seen that type of service from anyone in the last decade?
My editor-in-chief and Content Supervisor (my current wife) has left me once again. She is on her annual church school retreat at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She left on Sunday and will return on Friday. I have sooo many things planned, several which are on my bucket list. By the way, the party started Sunday evening and will continue until Friday morning. This is strictly “BYOB” (Bring Your Own Booze; Bring Your Own Body, Bring Your Own Blankets, Bring Your Own Bestie and etc.). You get the idea. We will close down after the Thursday night hoedown. I figure I will need Friday to clean and deodorize. Be advised there is limited parking for RV's. Tents and sleeping bags are allowed in the back yard. I can't guarantee that all of the dog droppings have been cleaned so watch where you lay your head.
I have created another list to go along with my “bucket” list. The bucket list as we are all aware is a list of things you wish to accomplish, places to visit, things to get and so forth. My new list is called the “Garby” List. This list contains all of those things I want, places I want to go, achievements I want to accomplish and so forth that I have NO REALISTIC HOPE OF EVER RECEIVING before I die.
On the opposite side of great interpersonal experiences, my blood test a week ago yesterday at the VA Hospital in Iowa City was a classic. This test was in support of a consultation and a waste of time. I am getting a CT Scan and Ultra Sound out of it. Now we all know it is a crap shoot with these phlebotomists. A good one can take a blood sample(s) and you will never see where it was done. It will be painless too. On the other end of the scale are those rubes just in from castrating hogs on the farm to work a shift. These are the ones who press around the inside of your elbow seemingly looking for a vein. “Ah, there it is”, they declare. They bathe your arm in alcohol, grab their tools and with a couple more presses just to be sure.... then WHAM! They jab you with the needle seemingly with reckless abandon. You will feel intense pain. It eases a bit and you think “okay he's got it”. But no, he wiggles the needle while it is inserted to find the vein, more pain, another jab, more pain and if you are lucky, he strikes a vein. I had the rube. OMG, the absolute worst ever. When he was done (yes, I waited til he was done) I commented how big the bruise will be with his effort. His comment, “Oh, it won't be too bad”. I explained to him that I had him one other time and half of my arm turned black and blue. His response - silence. Not a sorry, oops, or crap from him. I was and still am tempted to complain to a higher life form but with my luck I will need another blood test. It is a week and a day later and the bruise is still 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Daughter Debby, the younger elder, continues her journey with her tumor. It is approaching 3 weeks. The stitches have been removed successfully. Her energy level ebbs and flows however. There are good days and not so good ones. Vision remains about the same. The biggest positive is her Barney and Max have gone home. Both the dogs and Debby were extremely happy with the return. One of those steps toward normalcy but more importantly is the love and support they share. The pugs understand Moms not feeling well and tend to care for her. It is pretty cool. Next, if we can only get her released from this no driving deal. Hopefully, that will come next week. It really works on ones psyche when you are alone and stranded in your home 24/7. No matter that everyone helps and takes you wherever, it is not the same when you are used to taking care of yourself.
I see my space beginning to dwindle so a wrap up is in order to get to my absentee editor-in-chief. Til I see you next week I would like to relate an incident that was a first for me. At 68 ½ years of age I have seen, experienced, and thought about a lot of things. I can honestly say I never, yes NEVER would have thought I would fall out of bed. I did one night last week. Imagine my confusion waking up prone on the floor wedged between the bed and a bookcase. Dust bunnies falling out of the air and settling on me. A pain in my back that struck the edge of the bookcase and 2 sets of eyes peering down at me from the bed. Yes, the two pugs, feet hanging over the edge, their chins resting on their feet were laying there seemingly laughing their heads off. Imagine how embarrassed I felt as I realized what had happened. My consternation that it had occurred followed by a quick search of the room to insure the current wife had not witnessed this event. The next morning, I crossed it off my “garby” list. Until we meet again....
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service. – TA!
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