Ian Abel

Moaning...POETS... Yesterday, started better than it ended! Having received the second "booster" Wednesday afternoon, nothing noticeable yesterday until about noon. Then, most every joint started aching, and had a headache and felt very tired. Managed to struggle to the rental property to review the projects needing attention with the handyman. Returned, and dropped on the bed ready for a nap! Most of the afternoon and evening a write-off, unfortunate, since we (the Mrs still went) to a "Last recital" by her great-niece and the orchestra she's in at high school. She had a solo, all was, as expected, very good. Sorry to have missed that ☹️ Today much better, actually feel completely normal (QUIET there in the peanut gallery!!), and this evening we'll be entertaining our travelling companions - drinks and diinner 👍 Tomorrow - not much planned other than a neighborhood happy hour - we'll see how THAT goes as it's only supposed to manage 10 at best for the HIGH with an overnight low of 4! Could be a chilly evening. No other plans - sure a to-do item or two will pop up! Whitney just arrived, Jemma off for a three day trip. Today 8 first thing, overcast with 60% chance of rain today. 18 the forecast high. Enjoy the weekend.

How about $27 for a beer at La Guardia airport! 🤯 La Guardia $27 craft beer Fortunately, the powers that be have decided that was TOO MUCH, NO SH!!T SHERLOCK!

BIN day. All that sorted last evening and they've been round and we're "empty" again 😀 Another non-eventful day yesterday, with the exception that the Mrs and I got our second boosters. Been holding off while the Mrs knee-surgery was accomplished. Today will be similarly quiet. I do have to meet our handyman/contractor over at the rental house to review some items that need doing, nothing much else. 10 and overcast at BIN time, expecting to reach 23 later with a chance of some rain. Onward.

Stealing these things due to their "worth" has now become almost top of the list in crimes here. With a battery powered saw they can be removed in minutes, and folks are losing them even in daylight hours in store/church parking lots! ☹️ So much so that in many places scrupulous scrap dealers won't touch them and you can also be fined/charged if you have one without some form of "proof of ownership", however THAT is managed. Morning. Yesterday another very quiet day all round, therefore nothing to report. Today shaping up to be the same <yawn> Slightly nicer weather today, 12 first thing and sunny, expected to reach 23 for the high, but also a small chance of some rain later. Tally ho...

Chewsday... late reporting in from the weekend even! Busy weekend, many, MANY to-do items covered much of both days, including some to-dos at the rental property. Saturday a MOST enjoyable afternoon/evening with Jemma and Brendan and his parents. Got on swimmingly, great people and we all seemed to have a good time. Sunday, taken up with a lot of to-do items <sigh> <yawn> Evening got a glimpse of the lunar eclipse, best I could do below, camera battery not charged so only phone available for pictures. Yesterday, planned day with Jemma and the Mrs opening the cabin (our work items). Mainly cleaning and putting the pump in, getting the water going. AS ALWAYS it seems, a water issue. Pipe joint failure - fairly common given the place goes through a harsh unheated winter, then is expected to perform without fail! Issues ALWAYS compounded by the fact the nearest hardware/big box supply store is a 30 minute drive each way. All necessary parts obtained, pipe repaired, new shower head installed, cleaning accomplished and we were finally out of there - very weary - at 6PM, ouch! Jemma learning plumbing so she can take over these feats. Today, quiet day working, that's about it. Weekend weather was almost perfect so enjoyable to be outside. Today, 8 first thing and partly cloudy, 80% chance of rain later with a high of 21 expected. Carry on.

Indeed, and I think that's where we now have very VERY approximate information. I don't know anyone that "reports" results of their tests unless required by their employer. Example - three people I know, all testing positive and two of the three with quite severe symptoms even though fully vaccinated/boosted. 1) Member of choir, quite bad bout, though his wife was fine. No-one "particular" to report it to as he's retired. 2) Neighbor, moderate symptoms, isolating from wife and kids, they've not got it, again no-one "particular" to report to, working from home anyway so job won't likely reprot on any statistics that are accumulated. 3) Daughter, light symptoms, but HAS to report to Delta per scheduling and time required away from work after an isolating period. So, really only one out of three cases probably collated anywhere.

POETS - we're doing that... Yesterday, little special accomplished, it got hot, hotter...and hotter! The mercury managed to reach 92F/33C 🤯 Frontal movement with dramatic changes in air temperatures resulted in a second night of tornadoes and severe weather, fortunately for us (but not others) it remained rather north of us this time. Today, Mrs has "hair appointment", whatever that means, best left to the imagination! Later, not much planned, quiet evening. Tomorrow, Jemmas' birthday. We're heading to their place for drinks/dinner. Brendans' parents are in town and we get to meet them for the first time. By all accounts we're expected to get on very well so should be a nice evening even if the "kids" will probably be bored with our boomer talk! Weekend also will see me having to do some "items" over at the rental property, another thing that breaks up what could otherwise be a weekend of muddling!!! 17 and sunny first thing, high of 25 expected. Weekend calls for lows around 10-12 and highs 22-24 with little chance of precipitation. Enjoy the start of your weekends.

BIN day... glad I didn't put the BINs out late afternoon like some folks do. We had a 70+mph winds and thunderstorm system pass through the area with tornado sirens going off around 8PM and there were BINs everywhere when we got back from our evening out!!! Yesterday uneventful save the above weather - the Mrs book club event went extremely well and everyone loved the author presence. He's a very interesting and entertaining character. We DID shelter in place at the end of the event due to the weather situation. Took about 30+ minutes for the storm system to blow through. Some places had flash flooding and reports are there were 2+ inches of rain in many places around the area. Today - destined to be quiet <phew> though a SMALL chance of further storm activity late in the day. 15 first thing and overcast, high of THIRTY TWO expected, blimey, and we were freezing our arses off three weeks ago! 🤯 Onward.

@BR60103 congratulations to you and the Mrs. We're on our "40th" this July. @Nick Gwelcome to what has already been described several times as the "mad house". It's not ME though, just all the rest of them 🤣🤣! Ahh, HUMP day. Yesterday nothing to report, just a quiet day. Today will be somewhat similar until the evening, when one of the Mrs book clubs meets and has a guest author in attendance. Local guy, Melvin Carter Jr., whose son is mayor of St. Paul. He's an interesting story to tell all in his autobiography Diesel Heart . Heard him before and his quite the character as well as being very involved with racial equality issues. We've met him a couple of times before and he never fails to amuse and also provide thought provoking discussion. 15 first thing, cloudy stormy, high of 29 expected. Tally ho.

Chewsday... Yesterday, lemme see; Mrs ever forward has now driven herself and run errands/shopped first time solo since the surgery. All went as expected, though she did say she was more tired than expected following the foray. Long Island client called with some major issue regarding reports - a March and April report showed the "same numbers... what happened!?!?!?!? HELP". A swift review and a few questions later it was revealed they'd not run the posting programs REQUIRED, so a ton of ledger entries hadn't been actually been processed <sigh> I managed to hit 100 "workouts" on the bike/iFit program, which nets me a free tee- <woo hoo> 😀 Pity I didn't ALSO make 600 miles, falling 7 tenths short turdycurses 😛 The evening saw the Mrs off to her book club and my mate over for wine and cheese and to solve the current dilemmas First thing 13 and partly sunny, supposed to clear later with a high of 24 and no rain. Onward...

Monday, another case of... was that the weekend!!! Friday, hmm, ah yes more excellence on the MRS vs. PT front. They continue to be impressed with her progress, she's doing stairs now, handy as our basement "family room" is where my preferred TV (65") viewing takes place 🙂 Saturday - DELIGHTFUL WEATHER, WHAT, IN MINNESOTA!!!! Out in shorts and a tee shirt for the first time this year. After a 7 mile ride (indoors on spin bike) I spent all day putting together the patio furniture that's been waiting patiently in boxes in the shed since last October, et viola; The red chairs are original stuff we had, and the cushions on the new stuff are still covered in plastic because, wait for it, BLQQDY RAIN forecast within the hour! Cover dutifully applied after this picture was taken, and we weren't wrong, rain on and off late afternoon/evening and into much of Sunday - bah ☹️ Sunday sung at two services for our Earth Day/Mothers Day celebration, followed by brunch at Trevor and Meagans. Jemma made a brilliant eggs benedict - hollandaise sauce par excellence, should be, taught by and recipe courtesy her dad 😀. Jemma, Brendan and Meagans' mum all in attendance, a nice afternoon. For a point of reference, identifying the locale climate differences we all experience, this morning we were greeted with THE FIRST DAFFODILS OF SPRING (for here)!!! Happy Spring, in spite of most of the rest of you thinking that was weeks ago, finally here. Oh yes, and it is supposed to reach 31 here of Thursday, suddenly flaming JUNE!!! Good grief 🤯 Today, started out 13 and rain/drizzle, much rain/storms predicted for the day and a high of 27. Carry on.

POETS - probably 🙂 Yesterday, taxi Mrs to post-op checkup. According to those "that know" she's apparently a super-star! Many of the folks attending their two week post-op are still using a walker (zimmer frame) or hobbling around with a cane at least, they said. Not the Mrs, she's abandoned both as she feels completely stable and even walking the neighborhood now. ALL deemed OK and lots of praise to her for her determination with both the pre and post-op exercises. Altogether some great news, she's allowed to drive now and also "do" the stairs down to the family room. Me - choir rehearsal for our last performances this season, on Sunday. As noted, Earth Day service, moved to this Sunday accommodate musicians and childrens' choir that will join us for an opening number. THoughts now go to the choir "PARTY!!" that we usually have following the end of the season <burp> <hic> Today - even though she's "cleared to drive", I'll be taxi service to take Mrs to PT early afternoon. Weekend weather is supposed to be very good, so excellent chance we'll get the patio furniture out/assembled and have Mothers Day outside. Jemma is supposed to be doing the brunch here - yaya... Other than the Mothers Day brunch and Sunday singing nothing definite planned - but I've yet to see the to-do list 🤯 Was a lovely sunny 6 first thing with 21 the forecast high today AND tomorrow with no precip in the offing. Sunday MAY be wet though, 90% chance of some rain 😒 Enjoy the start of the weekend.

BINS away... busy here as they* all seem to have decided to come at the same time this week. * A reminder that here in our locale BIN handling is a private venture, with everyone free to choose their favourite BIN handler. Means at least 5 (right now) separate BIN companies servicing here, with the associated Thursday convoy of trucks! Oddly, the RECYCLING is contracted by the city, so it's just ONE truck handling that every other week. Quiet again yesterday, Mrs went for a short walk around the neighborhood, pleased that she was able to do it very comfortably. Today, taxi service again, Mrs has her post-op meeting with the surgeon/practice folks rather than just PT. Choir rehearsal later, we sing this Sunday at Earth Day services (Earth Day celebration had to be MOVED due to conflicts with musicians etc. - don't ask me, I just sing!) Weather still spring-like, 6 at BIN time, overcast but supposed to clear later, high of 17 forecast. May be shirt-sleeves only outside - woo hoo!!! Onward...

HUMP day - downhill from here Yesterday, successful taxi service for the Mrs to PT. She continues to surpass expectation, which pleases her, especially since she's not overdoing it. PT staff still place her two+ weeks ahead of where would be expected. The predicted muscle aching is the only thing bothering her - except for ME of course with mumbles about model railways 😀 Evenings spent icing and exercising, and watching baseball which she loves. Especially good at present as the local team are doing really well, a pleasure to watch. Today, work, little else, though I'm sure I'll be off to the shops for comestibles again. Managed a FREE car wash. Local garage we use (with car wash), was quiet, I went in to buy a card - cheaper with multiple washes - guy that works reception busy on phone with someone, so hands me a code and says "no problem, see you later" waving me off as I presented my credit card - woo hoo! Weather is headed for a fast reset into SPRING/SUMMER, I'm looking at FINALLY getting the patio furniture, that we ordered last autumn and has sat in the shed in 4 boxes since late October, assembled and maybe even SITTING OUTSIDE in pleasant weather... +2 first thing and SUNNY (reason for the car wash), high of 17 expected and next 6 days highs all in the 17-24 range with limited precip until Sunday. Tally ho.

Ahem --->>> Shark fishing | Looe Fishing Trips maybe NOT the Great White or other extreme varieties but it is available/possible, as are sandy beaches. 😀

Happy birthday @45156 🎂 Chewsday. Deafeningly quiet yesterday on all fronts. I was still tired/recovering from whatever did my weekend in, Mrs still gaining ground but additional leg muscle pains (as predicted/expected) making her "testy" 😕 Today I'll be the taxi service again taking her to her PT midday. Other than that, nothing to report. 5 partly cloudy and indifferent first thing, high of 12 forecast.

Morning... Summary; Friday - sung at funeral for husband of choir member, very moving nice gift for her. Mrs off to PT second time, going "very well" well ahead of expectations, she's pleased. Saturday - Jemma tested positive for the bug, feeling like crap, me simultaneously sore throat, headache tightness in chest, negative test, oh well. Laid low all day Sunday - improving "some" another negative test. We decided we had to miss the concert we were due to go to Sunday evening 😒, Mrs doing well, both of us having a very slow day. Another weekend with little to show for it <sigh> except watching some baseball and other crap in between reading the newspaper and crossword puzzles. Today, feeling a lot better, so working. Will still be taking it slowly "just in case". Weather here, plenty of rain over the weekend, today 3 and overcast first thing, 10 the forecast high. Pah... onward.

BIN day. Wow! Already!! Sorted the BINs last night before I went to see my friends' concert. Great to see him again, and hopefully, given the two singers are planning on recording some more new stuff, he's saying he'll return here more often. Pity the Mrs missed it, but it was recorded A/V so should be available for "everyone". Today, more tending the Mrs, Jemma coming over to get Whitney later, and I'll be off to choir rehearsal this evening. About it, short-line just rolled by, only 11 cars today. On spray painting interiors: Another MAJOR factor is that simple taping, such as when you brush/roller paint, IS NOT ENOUGH. You literally have to seal every possible escape route for the spray otherwise you'll find the dreaded overspray finding its way to almost every corner of the house. NOT from personal experience but witnessed that result elsewhere 🤯 Weather continues to be pathetic, 2 first thing, 10 the high, overcast and 50% chance or pluie <pah> Onward.

HUMP day... yay! Yesterday another day mostly working and catering to the Mrs, she's doing really well, but does need help with many things. Several friends were over yesterday dropping of comestibles, we've enough food to feed a small army it seems 😀 Biggest task for me is to keep her on target with medications (mostly to alleviate pain) and the icing machine that needs to be on for 30 minutes every 1-2 hours. She's wandering around quite well now but still has to be admonished for forgetting her cane 🤣 she's not appreciative of the jokes I make about that 😛 Today, same again, except this evening I'm off to hear a friend of ours sing/play at a small venue. Not seen him in ages as he lives on the east coast now, and we'd planned to go together but the Mrs doesn't quite feel ready to sit for a couple of hours in "chairs-unknown", so I'll be on me tod. Weather again NOT SPRING, -1 first thing but at least sunny. 9 the forecast high. Onward...

Chewsday... reporting in. Yesterday took the Mrs to her first PT, post surgery. The physical therapist noted she's doing extremely well (side observation - how is it that ALL the staff appear to be about 16 years old everywhere I go now!!) and the only comment was that she should refrain from doing "too much immediately". Might as well talk to the brick wall - although she DID seem to take that under advisement. So we're all happy at the progress. The Mrs sometimes even forgets she should be using her cane walking around the house - admonished, but certainly a good sign since she doesn't fall over sideways <smile>. Asparagus is a regular on our menu, either steamed (gently, not the '50s UK method of turning any veg to mush!) or seared in an olive oil/butter mix with a sprinkling of bouquet garni. Here's a laugh - while writing this I just got a new-to-me call/scam/idiot on the phone. Opening statement - "Hi, I'm from the Department of VISA and Mastercard...". (THE WHAT?!?!?!?) Apparently there's a new program to allow me to eliminate ALL my credit card debt at no cost to me! She became defensive when I asked who the "department" reported to. Chalk up another stupid scam. Whilst I know they must get some bites, how stupid do you have to be... I fear the average IQ of the population is dropping rapidly. -2 and overcast first thing, 7 the expected high. The climate change/global warming deniers are loving it <groan> Carry on.

Morning <phew>... Very busy weekend attending the patient-in-residence AKA the Mrs. Overall things going extremely well, with one setback Friday night. Mrs was prescribed Oxycodone for pain, suggested to start for overnight Friday. Dutifully started and taken at the intervals from late evening Friday into overnight. Unfortunately, result was by Saturday morning she'd not slept well at all, suffering nausea, headache and dizziness. Quick check in with the Dr. and the pain control was changed. Sadly, most of Saturday spent with the aforementioned issues, and she mostly tried to rest/sleep. Sunday a different story, feeling much better, able to get around very well and eat some light fare. Definitely an improvement over Saturday. By mid-afternoon was moving around as if nothing had been "done" and much perkier. Several friends stopped over with comestibles and a quick "hello". Much cheerier Mrs by the evening, and the pain has going down significantly anyway so all for the better. Today - she has her first PT, so I'm the taxi service, and is already up and active, walking occasionally (approved, so don't panic) without the zimmer-frame <smile> Weather here still "stupid", had a sunny Saturday with a high of 20 (YIKES!!), Sunday was miserable, rain high winds and a high of 7. Today ZERO first thing, overcast, windy and a high of maybe 3 - we've essentially been told Spring is cancelled, and maybe Summer will appear EVENTUALLY!!!! Tally ho.

Afternoon all... Yesterday, surgery for the Mrs went really smoothly. Dr and all staff in recovery said she was doing great. Transported to the "care unit" the particular surgery uses and WOW is it impressive. The rooms are HUGE, staff are not "understaffed", or run off their feet. Mrs glad she chose this option. Recovery went well, and she was walking with a zimmer-frame several times before I left for the night. Today, off early to see her thru physio, and then hear the discharge directions and bring her home. Everyone amazed at how well she's doing - she's a persistent lady, and had done (maybe OVERDONE) all the pre-op exercises. She was veritably trotting around the suites physio area with the nurses/physio in tow <smile> Transport home and into the house no problem at all. She's now reclining on the couch with the icing machine on her knee. Various icings and exercises including walking around the house the order of the day. She's not happy when me (as her "coach") laughs when she uses the zimmer, but it's REQUIRED for the first 5 days. Weekend is all about me watching/coaching/errand-running for the Mrs. Several friends and family will be stopping over with food - seems like we'll have enough for a large party at this rate!! So that's MY weekend accounted for, I may get so time to do some flight simming, but no trains as I'd be out-of-earshot... 5 and rain first thing, rain off and on expected all day with a high of 14. High of 23 expected tomorrow, BUT, 87% chance of thunderstorms - PAH Hope your weekend start well.

BIN day and also knee replacement day! BINs done Up around 6am to prep for getting Mrs to surgery at 7:30. All kinds of prep there, and I was allowed to stay until they wheeled her off to the OR. Expecting the first call around 30 minutes from now when op is done, then second call after another 2.5 hours when she's in the "second stage" of recovery and I can return. Then we're off to the care/recovery suite where she stays overnight. That's all I've got for the day! Weather a treat for today, started out at +2 driving to the surgery, bright sun and a high of 12 expected. Later...

THAT has to be one of the most stupid proposals I've seen in a while....

HUMP day, not for me, I'm taking the next two days off for the Mrs surgery, so it's sort of POETT I guess!! Yesterday, busy with work, then additional prepping for the Mrs upcoming event, even MORE paperwork to get arranged, signed, copied. It all came during the day, not like we'd procrastinated or anything. At this rate I'm sure we'll be still filling in sh!t as she's wheeled in for surgery <gasp>!!! Car "info": The Ford Fusion Hybrid has LOTS of jolly information to impart, running MPG/EV rates and plenty of little graphics showing your rates of acceleration, braking and cruising economy. It's one thing I actually LIKE, sort of a game to see if you can keep everything in the most efficient ranges <smile> There's even an "app" (of COURSE THERE IS!!) that captures all your trips and gives you an analysis of the driving during the trip. Car/Clutch replacement: Been there done that. Easiest - surprisingly the '64 Corvette (and many others owned by a group of friends). Jack it up on stands - drop gearbox/clutch housing from underneath and bingo! Intermediate - late 60s MGB, bit of a faff but generally similar to above. HARDEST - E-type mid-60s. FIRST, remove the front hood assemble - this requires the assistance of several strong folks, it's a of a heavy piece of metal! SECOND - Front suspension needs to be partially sorted as two large lower bolts need to come out and be replaced with pins. THIRD - remove EVERYTHING and ANYTHING attached to the entire engine/gearbox assembly. FORTH - support entire assembly with engine crane, disconnect drive shaft and remove gear shift. FIFTH - EASE entire unit forward whilst tilting upwards at about 30 degrees and remove from car. SIXTH - remove housing and sort out clutch <RIGHT> The above is all a simplified version of the million pages in the official workshop manual - all was accomplished in the driveway of my girlfriends parents on Long Island!! Plenty of help from willing brothers, father and a few neighbors, ALL amused and astounded at the complexity of "changing a clutch". Today, final pre-op preparations, all kinds of "cleanliness" requirements noted. They provided some special soap the Mrs has to use showering tonight, ALL bed linens and pajamas to be used overnight must be clean/fresh washed, tomorrow repeat of the shower with special soap, chuck her in clean loose fitting clothes then in the car and zip her off to the surgery!!! +4 (PLUS for a change!) first thing, overcast, showers off and on all day, high of 9 expected. Carry on...