Appreciating the little things...

It's been 3 weeks tomorrow since I tested Positive for Covid. I made it through the pandemic, but apparently fell victim to this new mutant. My symptoms were sore throat, coughing, nose/chest burn, fuzzy headed, and extreme fatigue.  On the 4th day my smell and taste went away...

By the 5th day, all 3 of us (DH, myself, and Grandson) were Positive. The guys mended quickly. But I still get a bit fuzzy headed on occasion and sometimes a little dizzy (but possibly that's age-related and not Covid?). 

However... finally  today I think my smell/taste is coming back!! I'm told that I don't eat a lot normally,  but now when you can't smell or taste your food...  I mean, what's the point?

I started reading on how to train/encourage your smell/taste to return and I'm not sure if doing that helped, or possibly it might have returned on it's own anyway? But a few days ago, I started making myself smell strong smells like peanut butter, lemon, coffee grinds, and lavender essential oils several times during the day. DH even bought me some Altoids - curiously strong peppermints yesterday.

Anyhow, I was thrilled this morning when I went to eat some nuts (roasted pecans, cashews, and walnut mix) and I could TASTE them! Not strongly, but enough to recognize what they were. It's a little thing... but makes me so-oo happy! 

These little things that we take for granted mean so much when we lose them. I'm going to try to appreciate the 'little things' more each day. 

Now a quick note regarding Biden's pulling out and Kamala's standing in. I don't know is any of you read the letter Obama wrote on Facebook regarding this, but it's a beautiful letter and tribute to Joe Biden. I don't usually comment on Facebook about politics, but I did 'share' this on Facebook. 

Anyway, all I want to say regarding this is that I'm sad that he had to do this, but think it was probably the right thing to do. And I don't know if Kamala can win this, but I'd sure love it if she did. 

Now... please have a lovely Sunday. I'll leave you with these 2 things:

and...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

a simple Sunday post... on Monday

Looking up a recipe for cheese enchiladas. Going to do this instead of my usual sour cream chicken enchiladas this week. And plan to have BELT's (bacon, egg, lettuce, & tomato sandwiches on toasted sour dough bread) tonight for supper. Must be feeling better since I really haven't wanted to cook much this past week.

a BELT...
(but without the avocado - which is good too)

Also started cleaning out drawers... my summer de-clutter project that never took place. Well, I cleaned out my desk drawer this morning. So much 'junk'... but also lots of little things I'm not sure what to do with.  Well, at least it's a smaller horde to keep. 

My daughter suggested she come up one weekend and help me clean out the computer room (which used to be her bedroom). I should probably take her up on it. She's good about throwing things out... I'm not. 

I have a good friend in New Orleans that lost her husband a few years ago and basically has little to no family left. We text a lot. She also lost her condo in a hurricane a few years ago... and has had to find a new place to live. She was telling me all the things that need fixing or replacing in her new place. I told her that there's always going to be something... it's the same here, but at least I still have DH to share the load. It's always a matter of priorities... some things get fixed or replaced, some have to wait. But these things are not life or death... just temporary inconveniences. 

I sometimes struggle with finding something to accomplish on a day to day basis. DH and I will walk the mall or walk at the Senior Center maybe twice a week, but other than that, don't do much socializing. We do have family over and occasionally eat out with friends, but seems like we should be doing more. Problem is, I'm not sure we have the energy to do more. Just doing these things as well as keeping the house and grounds in order (we still do all this on our own... haven't taken to getting help yet).

I do now have 4 inside plants that I'm taking care of... my original button fern, my Thanksgiving cactus, a Fiddle Leaf fig, and a Mandrake (from Harry Potter! - actually it 'looks' like a Mandrake but is a Ginseng Bonsai). My Hatch Pepper plant got too big to keep inside. He now resides on the front porch with the Night Blooming cereus.

Mandrake from Harry Potter

my Mandrake

Anyway, that's it for what's going on around here.  I'm reading 3 books, working on the next chapters of my own book, and just trying to keep up with it all... although there really isn't that much to keep up with.

We have more company coming in a few weeks, so life will get busy again soon enough. We just need to stay well... BTW, we're all back to feeling OK (from our Covid issues)... still a bit of coughing hanging in there and my taste hasn't returned yet, but otherwise, OK.

Will close with this:

fresh peach custard pie

fresh peach torte

Both of these were made with fresh peaches bought at Hamm'sPeach Orchard. 

This post is a little 'all over the place'... but that's about how things are at the moment. Thanks for reading and do try to enjoy what's left of the summer. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

What's next?...

I know I shouldn't be posting again so soon, but life is getting a bit scary... and writing down my thoughts seem to help me put things in some sort of order. 

Our house-hold is trying to cope through this new mutation of the Covid virus. It take everything I have to just do everyday stuff and help DH and Grandson to get through also.

So, when oldest son sends me a text yesterday saying, "Are you watching the news?" I have to tell him. "I don't watch the news these days. Why?"  And then he says, "Someone took a shot at Trump!" My only reply was "OMG!!" And my first thought was... this can only make things WORSE... it will increase the HATE. Why wouldn't anyone see that?? 

With all the political tension, I'm not surprised it hasn't happened sooner... for either candidate. But this is America, we shouldn't have people that live here think this is a viable answer. It only incites more violence. Why don't people see this??

Or perhaps the people inciting these troubles are working for exactly that?  I'm not a person who believes in conspiracy theories. But I'm beginning to have a gut feeling that something 'internal' is going on... trying to bring America to its knees. 

And what can be done? I have no idea. Get both parties to forego the 'issues' and work towards democratic unity? How does that happen? 

I'm at a loss. But certainly better minds than I from both parties could come up with something that unifies and not divides us further.

OK, I had to get that out. Hope I didn't sound too stupid or naive... but those are the things running through my covid mind right now.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Crazy Birthday gift : Covid!

Well, I really had a nice 79th Birthday Weekend. The kids came over and  I made Chicken Tetrazinni  and salad Friday evening  and we had individual little bundt cakes (several flavors) for dessert with ice-cream and coffee later. Saturday we visited Hamm's Peach Orchard for home-made peach ice-cream and took home fresh peaches... and a bag of local whole pecans (best ever!) as well as their delicious peach-pulled pork sandwiches. 

The kids took us out for dinner at my favorite restaurant Saturday night and all left by Sunday morning.

Monday morning I awoke with an extremely sore throat... something I never have. Since my cousin and her grandson were flying in on Tuesday for a 4 day visit, DH gave me a covid test... which was positive?? Not trusting that test, I went to the doctor's and had them take a test... STILL POSITIVE! 

Sent a text immediately to my cousin in N.O. to let her know so she could cancel her trip. But her response was "No, we'd still like to come... if it's OK with you"... (she had had to cancel earlier in November and didn't want to cancel again). Her grandson is 12 and was looking forward to his first flight experience. Of course it was OK with me. I wanted to see her (it's been several years and although we text, it's not the same as sitting down and talking. We grew up together and since my siblings have both passed, she is the closest thing to a sister that I have.)

Anyway, they came, and although I wasn't up to doing a lot, we did get to talk and do a few things. I Lysol sprayed and wiped things down and wore a mask, but still had to excuse myself and retreat to my room when the fatigue hit hard. But DH filled in cooking and talking with her and my granddaughter came to play games with her grandson... (even though they were both a bit shy about that).

Having Hot Chocolate at Eataly's 

They left yesterday evening. I can only pray that they don't get sick.

But this Covid virus is a 'mean' one. The coughing is relentless. Your nose, throat and chest burn... and the headache runs from the back of your head down your spine (although I have spinal arthritis - so possibly this isn't part of Covid - but even my eyeballs ache??)

Yesterday was Day 4 and my taste went. That is so strange. I can tell something is sweet... but can't make out a flavor. They did give me Paxlovid, but not taking it. I have too many problems with medications for me to chance it. Have it under control with Tylenol, saline nasal spray, cough drops, and gargling (have never run a fever).

Grandson who lives with us is now testing positive. Hope and pray that DH stays negative.

Today is Day 6. Somewhat better... cough still active, headache and sore throat gone. Woke up drenched in sweat, but feel a bit better. 

Not exactly a fun post, but just thought I'd update my few bloggers who might want to know.

So please take care. Obviously this virus is still hanging around. Can't believe I avoided it for 4 years and got it now. And although it may not be as dangerous as it once was, you do not want this!

Thanks for reading. Hope my next post will be more uplifting! 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Saturday 10 am update:  DH just tested COVID POSITIVE...

July 1, 2024 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

It's July already!! Can you believe?

Hugs (virtual),

Rian