Back Among the Living

Today is the tenth anniversary of my Mother's death. I didn't realize this until I hung up the phone on my younger brother who was screaming at me "You're a fucking Democrat!"  

How did this happen? I called my brother to inquire about our other brother who is gravely ill. While I was on the phone with him I asked if his granddaughter had another child. I am updating my will and I wanted to included all my nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  He told me that she got divorced from her husband and is now sporting a nose ring and dating a black guy.  However he didn't call her new date "a black guy."  Yes, my brother is a racist and a Trumper. And he has a temper.  A scary temper. He said she was just like her mother who had an affair with a black guy which resulted in the divorce.  I saw where this conversation was going so I said "I don't want to talk about this."  We've had some awful rows in the past because of our differing political views and I just didn't want to talk about it.  

Next thing I know he's saying "You know George Floyd killed himself."  I told him "No, I saw the video and a cop killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and forty-two seconds." Then he said "You didn't see the video of what happened before."  Oh, here we go, the old cop excuse "You didn't see what happened before." Yes, my brother is totally in the Fox News Bubble.  

I told him "I saw a cop kill George Floyd by kneeling on his neck until he died" and I don't want to talk about this anymore. That's when he screamed at me 'YOU'RE A FUCKING DEMOCRAT!"  Yes folks, that is my brother. For years I had to put up with his usual greeting to me when Clinton president "Clinton the Rapist."  I usually ignored him but sometimes I just had enough and came back at him. We have had some scary rows. One of the reasons I was glad I moved from our home in Pennsylvania was because of his hateful attitude.  He's actually scary as are most Trump supporters.

This incident comes on the heels of me just recovering from my first ever case of hives.  Yes, I had painful and ugly hives on the back of my hands and lower arms and upper chest. I thought I had an attack of psoriasis.  Last week I saw my dermatologist.  She gave me a steroid prescription to alleviate the itchiness. 

What brought my hives on?  Bill has been slipping more lately. My goal now is to make Bill's life as comfortable as possible even as he becomes more confused. More than once he's trying to put on his outside shoes on while he still has on his inside moccasins on.  A couple of weeks ago he came into my bedroom because he couldn't figure out how to turn off the microwave. Why is he coming into my bedroom at 12:30 AM?  Yes, I go to bed late.  Bill gets up then to have his breakfast.  Yes, he gets up in the middle of the night to microwave a bowl of oatmeal.  This night he couldn't figure out how to turn off the microwave.  I came out and turned off the VENT fan, which is what he was hitting and hit the OFF button.  Then he said "You can go home Bob."  I said "I'm not Bob."  He said it again.  I went back to bed. The next morning he asked "Why was Bob (our neighbor) in your bedroom last night?"  I said "What?You thought I was Bob?"  I told him Bob wasn't in my bedroom, that was me.  He couldn't believe me.  He said "I was wondering why Bob was in your bed reading a book."  This is my life now folks.

I'm not complaining, just stating the challenges facing me now. I'm very concerned about the Criminal in the White House and his Congressional Republican enablers (remember their names).  I'm not so concerned about the Trump Cult, they're lost. They will never change no matter how many times Trump brags about grabbing a woman's pussy, calling our fallen soldiers "losers and suckers", and the greatest monumental catastrophic failure of leadership in our country ever, the almost two hundred thousands deaths of the COVID virus. Now the Trump Team and his Roy Cohn Attorney General William Barr and his criminal Post Master General Louis DeJoy are trying to cheat to win the election. 

The video above of Bill walking through our backyard a few days ago is what I try to take in these days to balance all this anxiety that is in the world.  I often tell myself things could be a lot worse, I could have a beautiful home that is burned to the ground in the California wildfires. I could have COVID and be on a ventilator, fighting for my life. I could have a fatal illness like my other brother and only months to live.  Putting things in perspective, I actually have it pretty good.

A ray of sunshine came into my life last week. One of Bill's nieces found me (called my work number) and was inquiring about Bill.  Bill hasn't had contact with his family for fifty-six years ever since his sister said "We know all about you" at their mother's funeral in 1963.  What she was referring to was that Bill's mother discovered Bill was gay shortly before her death from a brain aneurism. That was when Bill cut ties with his family, which is what I am doing now.  I am cutting ties with my Trump cult brother. This is an action long overdue.  I'm tired of tiptoeing around him fearing of setting him off like I did today just because I'm not a Trump cultist like he is. Sad but a necessary step to take if I am to keep myself calm at this time of my life.  

My hives has mostly gone. I don't want them back nor anything worse. This country has to get through the election and we all know this is going to get worse before our lives get better.  

Some people go to therapy, others do what I do. Try to find a path which helps me maintain my calm while dealing with every day challenges. My backyard (which I love) and caring for Bill does that.  Also blogging, which is the best therapy for me.

Peace and calm folks. 

The above photo is of Bill with his niece and a neighbor boy - taken in 1963 in Toccoa Georgia

Reflections

 

Hello folks. Yes, I'm still here. 

Bill and I are still managing, although I have to devote more time to care for Bill.

I'm still working two days a week at the hotel. Occupancy at the hotel is actually almost back to normal before the pandemic.

This week I was scheduled to visit Pat in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  That trip I had to cancel because the border between the U.S. and Canada is closed.  More airline credits.

Right now I'm following the political scene. I'm very concerned that somehow the Criminal in the White House and his traitorous enablers will cheat to "win" the election. The situation at the Post Office makes me sick to my stomach.

These days I'm not going to be blogging as much.  I'm just not in the mood for blogging but I don't want to give up my blog. 

I'll be back.  As long as I'm alive, I'll be back on this page. 

Stay safe!

Joe Biden Great Choice

 Yesterday former Joe Biden chose a woman of color to be his vice presidential running mate, senator Kamala Harris of California.

I spotted Senator Harris as a future political force when she was the attorney general of California. I knew we would be seeing a lot of her on the national stage.

Of course I was disappointed when her presidential run didn't catch on but I didn't count her out.  I was worried that Biden would not pick a woman of color as his running mate, listening to the likes an old white dinosaur like former senator Chis Dodd, who was on Biden's vice presidential vetting committee.  Dodd said Kamala was "too ambitious."  Excuse me?  "Too ambitious?"  Since when is being "too ambitious" a negative? Perhaps to an old dinosaur like former Senator Chris Dodd, with all that white hair.  Thank God Biden didn't listen to that horrible advice.

The picture above is of me and Delaware's lone representative in Congress, Lisa Blunt Rochester.  Last year Representative Rochester attended a function at the hotel where I work part-time in Lewes, Delaware.  She graciously accepted my request to have a photo taken with her.  I haven't met Senator Harris in person yet but I hope to in the future.  Joe Biden has a home nearby the hotel and hopefully Senator Harris will stay at our hotel sometime during the next three months of the presidential campaign.  When she does you can be sure I'll ask to have a selfie taken with her!

In the meantime, I'm sleeping a lot better at night knowing that the reign of incompetence, corruption and malfeasance of the thug Trump administration is about to come to an end. 

Have a great day everyone!

Hurricane Isaias Damage

Hurricane Isaias roared through here a couple of days ago and left some damage behind here at the Tipton-Kelly Bed and Breakfast Oasis.  My favorite trellis which supported a magnificent display of pink clematis earlier this summer is gone, broken in half by the fierce wind gusts of Hurricane Isaias. By the way, what's with that name "Isaias?" "Irving" wasn't available? What's next, "Hurricane Mohammed"? Just saying.



That trellis was metal, that the Isaias snapped off like a toothpick. I'll another.



We do get the fierce winds down here in southern coastal Delaware. My poor river birch trees that shade my bedroom suffered more major broken branches.



Had some damage to our home, a small piece of facie roof trim was torn loose by an Isaias gust.



On cement bird bath was overturned and a heavy clay pot planter containing hen and chickens plants was picked up and tossed down the outside cellar steps.



Ah, sometimes I daydream about living in Palm Springs, California where the threat of hurricanes and tornados is non existent. Of course the temperatures can reach 116 on an "average" summer day.  Hey, it's been pretty hot around here for the past month with the heat index (which humidity) often topping over one hundred degrees.



I am thankful though because the damage around here could have been a lot worse, a LOT.  Minimal damage here.  Tomorrow one of my handyman neighbors is coming by to fix the roof trim.



Life goes on.



Have a great day!

Bill Has a Fudgsicle On a Hot July Day 2020

Still here folks, surviving the pandemic.

Bill and I are mostly staying inside these days, not only because of the virus but because of the oppressive heat and humidity. I still manage to take Bill out for his daily ride, this morning a ride to Milton for a Post Office drop off of my Netflix DVD's and a stop at Food Lion for some milk and frozen chicken.

I don't do as much cooking as I used to in the past. For one thing my appetite has decreased significantly not only because of my advanced age but because I'm just not that hungry during hot weather like we've been experiencing basically all summer. I'm losing weight too, which I've been trying to do for about a year now. When my weight creeps up past 170 lbs., I'm just not comfortable. Any weight gain I have settles around my waist. Good for floating in a pool but not so much for wearing fitted shirts.

My work at the hotel has settled down to two nights  a week, which is what I prefer. My co-worker who was constantly asking me to work for her on weekends and during the day is gone. She left several months ago to be a restaurant manager and now that restaurant is out of business.  My other co-worker who was always asking me to work for her, she abused those favors and I told her not to contact me any more. I don't mind filling in occasionally for my co-workers but I couldn't go two weeks without one of her "emergencies."  

Surprisingly enough the hotel is doing pretty brisk business even in this pandemic. People just want to get out even if they are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. I feel for them.  My last shift was a little rough though, we had a "Karen" to deal with. Every now and then a "Karen" comes along to test my hospitality skills. I passed.....this time. Came close though.

I've taken to posting to my Facebook page my political posts against our criminal president, thus ruffling the feathers of some of my hopeless, Kool-Aid drinking, cult following relatives. They're lost, I don't even respond to them. Not in a million years could I convince them of their error in supporting the greatest threat to this country and world that Donald Trump and his enablers have proven themselves to be.  I can't wait until November when the Grifter in Chief is soundly defeated. And oh by the way, if Trump thinks he's going to delay the results of his defeat by challenging the election, someone should inform him that if the election is still undecided by January 20th, 20201, the Speaker of the House takes over as president.  Yes Virginia, that is NANCY PELOSI.  That fact should causes the Trump heads to explode.

I'm still thinking about letting my blog drift away but just when I am about to do it, I come back like I am today. Maybe I'll just post less often or more likely, as I feel like a post. Writing is my therapy but I have to be careful what I post of my blog for privacy issues and upsetting the wrong people, which I've done plenty of times in the past. I have no desire to do that at this time of my life. However, I don't mind upsetting the Trumpers.  In fact, I love it!

Have a great week everyone and continue to stay safe!

Sunday Update July 2020

Still here folks.  Working two days at week at the hotel, mask on. 

Taking care of Bill who has now been categorized as 100% non-service connected disability by the VA.  

Plowing through the constant ninety degree humidity laden days here in southern Delaware. 

I count my blessing these days.  Even though I have challenges, mine pale in comparison to some of my closets friends and relatives. Both of my younger brothers are undergoing cancer treatments.  My longtime friend Larry is in a rehab center now. He had a stroke and will be in his rehab facility at least another six week until he can manage to walk. He was diagnosed with ALS four years ago.  I've watched his slow decline over the past four years. We're the same age, meeting in third grade (1950) when he outed me to our teacher on a book report I did that was actually from a Scrooge McDuck comic book.  At recess he thought I was going to beat him up and was surprised when I approached him and said "You have comic books?  Would you like to trade?"  

My routine these days is keeping me and Bill safe from catching the coronavirus.  I try to make Bill's life as comfortable as possible now that he has lost his sight.  He can see colors and light but can't make out detail.  He so enjoys the daily ride I take him on (almost) every day.

First thing after I get up and wash is I take a walk through our developing to get the blood flowing through my veins and maintain my weight. I've lost seven pounds during this routine that I began a couple of month ago.  I'm down to 165 lbs., five pounds short of my goal of 160, my fighting weight.

After breakfast I go into my office and check my online Scrabble games, a source of comfort for me. I play eight games with Pat and several others with strangers from the Internet who have challenged me. 

If the weather isn't too oppressive in the morning I do yard work.  I also now mow the grass, a job Bill had for the last thirteen years since we moved to Delaware.

Usually I take Bill for his daily ride in the morning before lunch. Yesterday we went to BJ's, in Millsboro.  Bill used to go with me in the stores but because he has trouble walking, he just sits in the car now.  He does enjoy people watching while he is waiting for me to return from shopping.

I have fallen behind on my e-mails.  I don't even try to keep up with my e-mails now, which is 90% ads or more.

Around noon is lunch then I take a long afternoon nap, usually two hours or more. Yes, I sleep that long. 

Late afternoon I do more yard work if the temperature has dropped. 

Seven o'clock or so is when I have dinner. Bill goes to bed around eight o'clock. 

After Bill goes to bed I'm back on my computer. I usually call my Canadian Travel Buddy Good Friend Pat at his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at this time for an update on his day.  We no longer get-together quarterly like we used to before the Great Pandemic. Already we missed our trip to Palm Springs, Philadelphia and I will miss my trip to visit Pat in Hamilton at the end of August. We're still scheduled to get-together for my birthday in November in Philadelphia. However, that is still up in the air because the Canadian border is closed both ways. 

So there you go folks, my update. 

I'm still here. I may not post as often but I'm still here, thankful.

Have a great day everyone!

Life In The Time Of The Great Pandemic

We're still here folks, surviving in this once in a lifetime pandemic. Unbelievable isn't it? 

I'm still working twice a week at the hotel, the 3 PM to 11 PM shift.  Surprisingly occupancy is fairly full, people just want to get out even if it means wearing a mask. I wear my mask most of my shift but when no one is around I pull it down on my chin. I find it hard to breath with a mask. One thing, I no longer wear my full partial teeth when I go to work. No one can see those expensive teeth anyway so why wear them?

Something else I've noticed at work, people can't see my smile.  I didn't realize how much I communicated with my smile until it was covered up with my sea horse patterned mask. And of course I can't see the facial expressions of the guest I interact with behind my protective plexiglass partition. 

I still don't know of anyone personally who has contacted the Coronavirus.  I often think "Do I have it?"  The reason I think this is that most days I am very fatigued.  Of course a lot of that fatigue has to do with the heat and humidity of the middle of the summer days her in southern coastal Delaware. I suffer in this head and humidity folks. I just can't take it.  Most of my days, I spend inside here at Casa Tipton-Kelly and my computer.  I like to cook and do housework but I can't do too much because after an hour my back (left side) starts aching. Sitting in my chair here at my computer I have that back support which eases my back pain. 

My usual day consists of taking Bill for his daily ride. This morning we got gas, big whoop! Then I update my online Scrabble games. I used to check my e-mails but I am so far behind I've given up.  E-mail has effectively been ruined by all the spam.  I just can't keep up with it.  I have about 2,600 unread e-mails, which I am ashamed to admit. 

While at my computer I have the TV on as background to keep up to date on the latest news.  I only listen to MSNBC and CNN.  

Lunch is always special.  I love hummus and chips along with soup.  I also make Bill his lunch. Then it's nap time for me. These days my naps last anywhere from two to three hours. I think I'm turning into my Mother during her later years. She slept a lot, especially during the day.  Of course I go to bed late at night, usually about 12:30 AM to 1 PM.  I almost always bet up at ten minutes to seven in the morning. 

During the day, depending on the weather, I'll work outside in our backyard.  I love puttering around in our little almost one acre backyard nature habitat. I cannot imagine living any other place. 

My good friend Larry, who has ALS is now in a rehab facility.  I talk to him everyday during my morning walk.  I have to tell you folks, if I had to spend my remaining days in a rehab facility, I'm out of here.  Ain't going to happen. Larry is taking it well though. I admire him for his attitude. I'm not sure if I would have that same attitude if I were in his situation. 

I miss my quarterly trips with Pat. We've missed two trips already and I won't be able to visit him in Canada next month. The border between Canada and USA is closed. I have quite a credit built up with American Airlines which they tell me is good until 2020.  We'll see how that goes. I hope the border is open by this November when we're scheduled to get together in Philadelphia with our friend Don McK. Last night we had our weekly three way talk on FaceTime which is pictured at the heading of this blog. I hope this pandemic has slowed down by then but I have to tell you folks, I'm pessimistic. I do so want to celebrate the removal of the Criminal in the White House and all his enablers and we can end this nightmare called the Trump Presidency. 

Have a great day everyone and stay safe!