Black Cloud

Three years ago, I wrote about a black cloud. I felt that not only was it hovering over me, but it was also stalking me. It was a dark time. Nine days later, we put Spike to sleep. Unfortunately, I feel that black cloud is hovering again.

Here's a list of what I'm dealing with: my mother's broken hip and subsequent care, power of attorney for my mother, my car or lack thereof (I sold it and cancelled registration--now I need a replacement) aftermath of Lola being lost for an hour at Taylor Farm--she's grounded--tethered--for life.

What else? Well, I've certainly let the condo go: papers and books piled everywhere and dust. I've got both a major and a minor work project. The information I need to complete the small project isn't available yet. I can't even get control over one little thing.

As I sit here writing, I'm thinking about all the things I should be doing instead. I was up early to take Jeff to the railroad station. Then Lola and I spent an hour at Taylor Farm. She didn't seem to mind being on the leash. There were some good scents apparently. I wasn't as happy since I was a mosquito buffet.

Now I've got to get some work done.

The Majestic Lola

Here's my girl at Taylor Farm, overlooking our picnic table setting for DPF.

Another Saturday Night...

doing the laundry. Two weeks in a row. Is this what my life has become?

Two-and-a-half weeks since my last post. A tough two-and-a-half weeks for me.

My car died. OK, that's not technically true. A malfunction light came on. I drove the car like that for a week. Then I found out it was a sensor light that I couldn't ignore. Eventually, the car would just die and I could be stranded somewhere. It would cost me $550 to fix. I just couldn't justify putting more money into the car. What would/could happen next? I ended up selling the car for $200. For the first time in at least 21 years, I am carless.

There was a lot of scrambling. Since Jeff works in NYC, I drove him to and from the railroad station and used his car. We test drove a car that we plan to purchase, but will borrow for a few weeks until Jeff's project ends on August 3rd.

This week brought new troubles. My mother fell on Sunday night, was sent to the hospital but released after a few hours. I spent Monday afternoon with her, then returned the next day to take her to the doctor's and the accountant's to finally get her taxes done.

Tuesday evening I got a call that she had fallen again. This time, she broke her hip. I've been spending much time this week at Norwalk Hospital. My mother was discharged yesterday to the health center at Meadow Ridge.

Saturday night ended up being the best time to do laundry. At least one thing is done.

I wonder what can happen next?.

A Quiet Independence Day

That's what I wanted for this holiday. I got what I wanted, but not the way I wanted it.

I've halfway through an ACT class--we meet Monday through Friday mornings. It's been more administrative work than I expected. The course lasts three weeks, with today as a holiday break. I'll probably just get used to the schedule by the time it ends. At least that happened last year.

Tuesday afternoon I got back from class, unpacked a box from homechef.com (our first order), had lunch, and then worked on an ACT test. I had misplaced my test, so decided that I should retake it. We were in the midst of a heat wave; working on the test would be a cool and productive way to spend my afternoon.

Unfortunately, Jeff had emergency dentist visits--first to his regular dentist, then a specialist. He'll need a root canal. I left home around 3:50, got caught in traffic and a downpour when I went to pick him up. Then I had to get his prescription, Tylenol and Advil. About four hours later, I got back home.

Luckily Jeff hasn't been in pain. Still we decided to keep things low-key.

Here's a picture from Independence Day 2016.

Incommunicato 2

What kind of idiot would make a sequel? Once again I didn't plan to take a hiatus.(At least I would have alerted my two readers.) If I post now, I can keep the time-off to 2.5 weeks. During the hiatus, I started two posts--not sure what happened. I guess I got distracted or fell asleep.

This won't be a long post--I don't want to catch up 2.5 weeks all at once. I'll drop in things as I write about them. Full disclosure: I don't have many interesting things to drop in,