If it’s broke…don’t fix it!

I woke up this morning with some kind of stomach/intestinal bug. (Seriously?) Fortunately, I was working from home because I spent more time in the bathroom than out of it. I’m supposed to go into the office tomorrow but, if this doesn’t miraculously disappear overnight, there’s no way I’m leaving the house tomorrow!!!!

Additionally, we had some service folk visit today to repair our Central Air Unit which stopped working a week ago. (Good thing it coincided with the start of lower temps!) After a couple hours of dismantling, tinkering, and assessing, they determined there were a lot of things that need to be repaired and replaced, and the final cost of the repairs would be somewhere between 50-70% of a new unit. The unit is 12 years old, and we were told it would have a life span of 10-15 years, so I guess this didn’t break down prematurely.

It seems impractical to waste all that money just to repair a unit that’s on its last leg, so we are opting to replace it rather than repair it.

This is going to be a huge financial burden for us, as we’re still paying off thousands of dollars for Harvey’s vet bills from earlier in the year, and the cost of the French drain installation from a month ago + hydro seeding of our front lawn that was torn up during the installation. We will have to sit down this weekend and figure out how to finance this new, unexpected expense. With my retirement looming just 9 months away, the last thing we needed was this additional expense.

*Sigh.*

This day is not going to be remembered as one of the better ones of the year.

Monday Mealtime

I needed an easy meal for dinner tonight, as it was my first day back to work after a week off and I knew I‘d be exhausted. And nothing says quick, easy, and delicious like Impossible Taco Pie. (Recipe below.)

First, the prep:

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Preheat the oven, slice the tomatoes, dice the onions and cook with the ground beef. While the beef and onions are cooking, whisk together milk, eggs, and Bisquick (I use Gluten Free Bisquick, of course.)

Once the beef and onions are cooked, mix in a packet of dry taco seasoning, then spoon into a coated casserole dish (we use Pam spray) then pour the Bisquick over the beef and onion mixture.

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Bake for 25 minutes, then remove, layer with tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese, and place back in the oven for 10 minutes.

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I like to serve this on a bed of shredded lettuce, so I prep the serving bowls:

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After 10 minutes, the cheese is melted, and dinner is ready to be served.

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I like to serve mine with taco sauce. Other options: guacamole and sour cream, and/or serve with tortilla chips.

Delicious!

Impossible Taco Pie

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • taco seasoning mix
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup Bisquick
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. 

Grease casserole dish (9×9”)

Cook and stir ground beef and onion in skillet until beef is brown; drain. 

Stir in seasoning mix, dry. 

Spread in casserole dish.

Whisk together milk, eggs and Bisquick until smooth. 

Pour into dish over beef and onions.

Bake 25 minutes. 

Remove from oven and top with tomatoes and cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes. 

For Quinton

This morning, the BFJ and his husband had to say good-bye to their beloved pet and my fur-nephew, Quinton.

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Poor Quinton (aka “Little Pumpkin” to the BFJ, “Little Muppet” to me, and “Q” or “Q-Ball” to everyone) was born with a host of physical and health issues from the start. But he grew up to be a unique and special kind of dog, with eyes that could melt the coldest of hearts and a gentle playful nature that never failed to entertain us and make us smile. Even his loud vocal alarms informing everyone he needed to answer natures call were annoyingly adorable. And if you mattered enough for him to make the effort to get up and hobble or hop across the floor to see you, you knew you were very lucky and loved, indeed.

While Q had limited mobility most of his life, it never seemed to bother him, and he probably just assumed dogs naturally are carried around everywhere by their people (or pushed around in a tram, on occasion.) Plus, he loved being held/carried by his Dads. Their love for him was evident in every action they took to give him the best life he could ever have hoped for. These guys treated Q like royalty, getting him the best medical care, nursing him through ailments and surgeries, schlepping him back and forth to Vet appointments, bringing him on Vacation when they could, and making sure he got the best care from his Kennel family when they couldn’t. He was adored at puppy daycare by all the staff, who were always eager to see him arrive and sad to see him go. He could not have been a luckier dog.

Although he was clearly and definitively their dog, we all watched him grow and we spent so much time with him, he felt like a “family dog” and I loved him, too. Almost always, the first thing I would do upon arriving in CT, was to get down on the floor next to my Little Muppet, give him pets and kisses, and tell him how much I missed him.

I ache for the BFJ, his hubby, and their loss, knowing the pain all too well and that there is nothing I can say or do to ease it. I am so very sad I did not get a chance to say goodbye to that furry little Q-Ball, and we will all be so acutely aware of his absence.

Despite my lack of belief in any kind of afterlife, I can’t help hoping Quinton has met up with all of our beloved fur kids who passed before – Kyla, Jesse, Clyde, and Rita Mae – and he is finally able to run free, healthy and bounding through grassy hills and flowered meadows, alongside his canine cousins – frolicking together and sharing stories of their time with all of us, catching the others up on what they’ve missed. At least, that’s how I choose to think of him…of all of them.

Goodbye sweet little furry, beautiful Muppet. Thank you for coming into our lives and for all the joy you brought all of us, especially your loving Dads.

Rest in peace, Q.

What’sup-tember

It seems, after a long 3 weeks, that I have finally (and fully) recovered from the “whatever the hell that was” illness. The last week or so I was primarily dealing with fatigue, but that has ended. While I’m not up running marathons, I have been able to complete several small household task and chores without collapsing, so I’m declaring myself fit as a fiddle… with a few broken strings, warped wood, and some dings and scratches…but a fiddle none the less.

When I left work Friday, I began the start of my first full week’s vacation of the year. It has been heaven, turning off the daily alarms, spending time on favorite hobbies and activities without feeling rushed to squeeze a bunch of stuff into 2 days, and enjoying a Sunday evening without the Monday dreads. The weather has been absolutely beautiful, so we’ve finally gotten to enjoy some time outside on the porch and patio. I’ve mostly been clearing up clutter that gathered in spots until I had the energy to put it away and reading comics…still my go to relaxing activity.

The best part of the weekend, so far, was getting to meet our friends’ new puppy, Banjo. Such an adorable puppy and so sweet. We could not stop fawning over him while we were visiting:

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While I was laid up for the past couple of weeks, I decided to try disposing of some furniture and sell a few surplus collectibles.

With Jeffrey’s help, I got pictures and measurements for a couple of lounge chairs, some hassocks, a coffee table, and a rug. I posted to all the usual places first for really low prices – $5.00 a piece, $20.00 for all – but only because people don’t seem to trust “free furniture.” After a week, I re-posted all items for free. Someone came and got the rug, but for the rest of it, still no takers. I have started calling around to donation centers but, so far, no luck. I’d really like to get this stuff out of the house. I considered having a Labor Day yard sale, but Jeffrey wasn’t into it and I wasn’t sure I was ready to handle it alone. Oh well.

I was able to sell a couple items on eBay…not for as much as I’d hoped, but it was just clutter in my basement, so I told myself anything is better than nothing. I never collected things with the intent on selling them for profit but, every now and then, I’d purchase a bundle of items when I was only interested in one or two items from the bundle, so I have built a small surplus of “extras” I’m itching to get rid of.

With the start of September, things will be a lot more exciting around here. We have so many plans and excursions planned through December, that I imagine the next few months are going to fly by (Actually, the whole years has flown by, so far.) Jeffery and I are enjoying a 4 day weekend, then the BFJ and I are heading back to Vermont Wednesday to Sunday to stay at the gay owned clothing optional B&B we stayed at recently, to relax au natural in the great outdoors on their beautiful property. Once I return to work on Monday, I will have 250 days until retirement!

The next big event will be Jeffrey’s 58th birthday, mid-September, which we will celebrate with a long weekend in Ptown. Then I have to decorate for Halloween. After that, its decorating for Xmas (November 1st), a couple Thanksgiving events, a couple excursions, some holiday events, and Xmas and New Years, then BAM! It will be 2026!

I’m tired just thinking about it 🙂

P.S. Harvey is still adorable and doing great!

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Uggh!

This was supposed to be an exciting month with lots to share. Instead, it’s been a crappy eventless month.

Last Wednesday, I started feeling crappy. Enough so that I called into work because I just wasn’t up for the hour drive there, eight hours in the office, and hour drive home. By Wednesday night, things had gotten worse  and by Thursday morning, I was in the throes of what felt like a very severe flu. Headache, Fever, Chills, Coughing, Sweats, Nausea, loss of appetite, and complete lack of energy. For the next 4 days, I did nothing but shiver, sweat, cough, sleep and drink as much water and Gatorade as my stomach would allow. There were a few attempts at ingesting a spoonful of food, here and there, that could be considered….eventful….if not successful.

Saturday was my Mother’s big 80th birthday bash, and my entire family flew or drove into town for it. Of course, I missed it, since I still couldn’t get out of bed, let alone function in the real world.

By this past Monday, I had “improved” just barely enough to shower, dress and ride in the car while Jeffrey drove me to an urgent care office. (I could not have driven myself.)

Covid and both Types of Flu tests came back negative. The congenial yet barely legible Doctor did a quick physical, checked my vitals (all were good, but BP was a bit low) mumbled something at my chart (which I think I was supposed to hear,) then diagnosed me with “Acute Bacterial Bronchitis” for which he prescribed 2 antibiotics and sent me on my way.

By yesterday morning, the chills, fever, and sweats had stopped, but I still felt like death warmed over.

I was able to eat my first legitimate meal last night (a very small, microwavable, grilled chicken and green beans dinner) and, this morning, I had my 1st cup of coffee and a week and a yogurt.

Through all of this, I have managed to continue to work (to a limited degree), but only because my boss was gracious enough to allow me to work from home this entire week.

Unfortunately, although I’m levels better than I was, I’m still no where near well enough to leave the house (again), let alone travel, so we had to (begrudgingly) cancel our plans to meet up with the BFJ in Provincetown this weekend to see Tig Notaro.

Two big bummers in 8 days. Sigh.

As always, Jeffrey has been an exemplary caretaker, getting me everything and anything I need, ensuring I was as comfortable as possible at all times. (To be fair, he’s had a LOT of practice!) And, of course, Harvey has been my non-stop bedside companion and protector through it all.

This thing came out of nowhere and hit hard. I can’t remember the last time I was this sick for a non-Crohn’s related reason.

Needless to say, I look forward to a full recovery and being back to my old, fairly energetic, relatively healthy, much happier self ASAP.

Battery Operated

The reason why I was touching up my Alan Scott Green Lantern battery was because I added three new batteries to my lantern collection this month and the final two just arrived today. Now all I need is the lavender battery and the black battery and I’ll have a complete set.

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I dusted each of them off and placed fresh batteries in all of them, and now a simple touch of the magnetic rings has them all glowing like the real thing.

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To own even one of these was a dream come true. To now own eight batteries total (including the Alan Scott battery I’m touching up and another, darker green battery from a different company) is beyond my wildest dreams.

Not too bright!

This was the very first replica Green Lantern power battery I ever got. It came with a matching power ring and ring stand.

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It’s based on the power battery of the very first, original Green Lantern, Alan Scott.

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He was created by Martin Nodell and  Bill Finger, first appearing in the comic book All-American Comics  #16, published on July 10, 1940.

The Lantern was a surprise Christmas gift from Jeffrey many many moons ago, and it floored me. I was emotional for days.

This battery has been from home to home over the last few decades and has always been displayed proudly and lovingly. It is my “one item I would save in a fire.”

Over the years, the paint chipped, a piece broke off (which I glued back on), and the light stopped working…but I never stopped cherishing it.

It has since been joined by a brand new shiny red lantern, a bright yellow lantern, and most recently, a gorgeous white lantern.

For reasons that will be revealed later, I decided my little lantern needed a face lift.

I brought it upstairs, cleaned it carefully with Q-Tips, then mixed up some paint to try to match the color, and painted over all the white chips and spots. Up close, you can see where I painted spots, but from a few feet back, it looks almost brand new.

After It dried, I was looking it over, when I noticed the battery compartment for the first time, believe it or not. Yup, I just always assumed the light and battery were completely internal and, once they died, there was no way to fix it. So I just accepted it was broken forever.

So, I put fresh batteries in and…..

…nothing.

I was about to take the batteries out when I noticed 3 little screws in the base. I grabbed my itty bitty Phillip’s screwdriver and slowly took the screws out. Then I carefully pulled the base out, and suddenly I was holding a little lamp with a lightbulb in my hand. I reached up to unscrew the lightbulb but, when so touched it, it flickered on. So I screwed the bulb back in and – BAM! – the Lantern started glowing again!

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I can’t believe, all these years, all I had to do was tighten the bulb. Ya gotta laugh!

Anyhoo, it’s looking better than ever, glowing bright, and it’s been placed back downstairs in its place of honor, with the other batteries.

And, if you think I put the ring on and touched it to the lantern while the light was on, reciting the original oath…(see the panel on the right, above)…

…you’d be right as rain!

See y’all around the 2814!

Sometimes….

… when you decide to have a nightcap at the end of the night, and you go through the effort of making it and sitting down to enjoy an episode of a favorite TV show while sipping it, and because you’re clumsy or absent minded, you knock the cocktail over and break one of your favorite cocktail glasses, and then break down over it, maybe it’s not about the cocktail glass or the cocktail.