FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Aug 22 - 06:29 PM

Beaver:

Achieved my goal of more butter dish lids and bottoms and a number of other items to utilize 20kg of clay- one NEW bag! Threw in am and trimmed in late aft. Now I am about ready for bed! Hungry but not feeling like cooking or a salad... Would love to pick up a meal but don't even feel like driving 5 minutes to pick up! Grilled cheese sandwich may suffice - or cheese and chicken grilled sandwich, chick already cooked! With some salsa. Then collapse with a book and a feeling of accomplishment.

Since that ankle broke, 5 years ago, I have been VERY careful about where and how I step. Railings are important. Every step with mindfulness. I detest being incapacitated!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Aug 22 - 11:33 AM

I hope you got to instruct your mower guy on where to take out the grass and leave the flowers! My lawn is mostly straw right now, except weedy grass in the garden. I'll use the string trimmer on it one of these days.

This weekend I read of a friend's (former coworker) injury - returning home from the dentist, a bit light-headed, missed the step and fell backwards smack onto her head on the concrete. Turns out her electrolytes and such were all out of whack; she had to lie on the hot concrete until the ambulance arrived. A head injury like that all by itself can be fatal. If you ever look at the coroner's reports in your area, you'll see any number reported as "a short fall." I'm hoping they pay as much attention to her head as her blood work. I lost a great aunt that way, and with all of my homeowner projects around here, it's something I keep in mind.

The weather forecast for the next 10 days is unwavering; all days are 100 or higher. Very low chance of precipitation in view either. All of August and even the first half of September could stay this hot. [sigh]

Time to get some things ready to put in the mail. Some in anticipation of listing on eBay, other things to mail as soon as the package is complete.

Starting up alternate-day fasting again today, keeping in mind protein for the still-healing knee. My diet during the six weeks recovery period was varied and ended up with sugar in it. That is the hardest thing to get off of - sugary cereal, in this case (granola) - one I thought wasn't going to be as sweet and tasted wonderful (of course it did - it was full of honey) - boosted the sugar cravings. I paced myself (a serving was 1/2 cup) but now it's gone and now I'll get the sweet from fruit.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Jul 22 - 08:20 PM

Beaver:

Long time recovering from trip to Toronto. Now gearing down for going back to Quebec on Tuesday - 3 pm teeth cleaning appointment an hour along the way, maybe a visit before that, and starting with the library to print out ballot for primary as I finally tried and realized I do not have cord needed for computer/printer connection.

Steve still has not cut the very tall grass; if he does not show up tomorrow I will have to cancel as I want to be there when he is doing it to give direction; do not want flowering "weeds" cut; the bees need them.

Car is half loaded - except food stuffs. May make some small pots tomorrow in the cool of the morning. And another stab at butter dish lids - still trying to get ones to fit the bottoms. And some more bottoms in an effort to fit the tops!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jul 22 - 11:01 AM

My neighbor across the street called yesterday to check in - how am I doing, but also how she's doing. She sounded stronger than the last call after a recent hospital trip. I wish she could eat more, I used to take food over to her, but she's careful due to surgery for diverticulitis. Surgery should have fixed it, but still she's very careful. I note this because it isn't just making friends, we need to remember how to keep them.

This morning my legs are achy, telling me I didn't do my exercises yesterday. I took a shower on the patio yesterday, the tap water is very warm now, but I think a soak in a hot tub will be a good start to the day. Must pamper myself along with doing the PT exercises.

I haven't talked to a Canadian cousin for a while but we were both on Instagram messages this weekend comparing notes on knee surgery (she is just 2 weeks out, after flying to Colorado to get the surgery instead of waiting years, an unfortunate characteristic of the Canadian health care system) and I realized there is an Instagram camera and phone icon now, so we turned it into a call. We moved our phones around to compare scars and such and then I turned the phone down to show that Cookie was hanging out with me on the bedroom carpet. "Oh, I know Cookie!" she said - as an Instagram follower she's caught a lot of Cookie's antics. She has a beagle but it has never occurred to her to post the dog on her account—I'm sure a beagle would love to be a minor internet celebrity. :)

I picked up the 100' hose and now I'll take the 50' hose off of the hose reel and see if the reel itself needs work before adding the whole length to it. I think there's a leak that I hope will be fixed with a washer. Otherwise, it might be time for a new reel or a stand that it can be coiled up and hung on.

Yesterday's carrot salad was just what I needed for a cool dinner. Alongside a little piece of chicken the rest of the meal was salad and fruit.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Jul 22 - 07:07 PM

The author Donuel name-checks is Marisa G. Franco.
The story was recently re-broadcast on NPR;
it came originally from WBUR's Here and Now.

Making Friends As An Adult

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Jul 22 - 06:27 PM

I just heard a lonliness researcher Marissa something author of Platonic on npr today.
The imagined rejection from lonliness can compromise the immune system which ties in with Pandemic behavior. The feeling of being isolated from the herd makes for a more stressed vigilance. She seemed quite credible to me.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jul 22 - 02:57 PM

Today's forecast high is again around 102^o but it's overcast, making it somewhat easier to go outside. I have shopping to do nearby to get myself a long spare hose. The other hoses are in use right now and would need disassembly in an emergency. Well, there's a 50' hose in the front that is for dragging around, but the back yard needs another 100' to add to the 50' one already there to reach the back of the pie-shaped lot.

Out of the blue this afternoon I decided to make a batch of carrot salad—the family recipe is peeled ground carrots, enough mayonnaise to hold it together, and raisins. I had just enough raisins for this batch. They were a bit dry but will moisten in the salad this afternoon. I think I'm visiting this childhood recipe because I crave a variety of cool foods now.

Supposedly a 15% chance of rain today but I think that will work out to none. I'm not going to consider the odds in my favor (that's also why I didn't go buy a MegaMillions lotto ticket yesterday).

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 10:49 PM

Charmion, good deed accomplished by helping your friend. Does she have someone to help her around the house for a while? There is a fair amount of recovery one has to go through, as I recall from my mother's surgery.

I also take glasses frames over to an optometrist business I don't use any more but where one of the guys delivers them to the Lion's Club. I've finally weeded out most of them.

Dorothy, you've been busy! I'm glad the floor has been looked at and will be reconstructed. You were lucky it wasn't discovered under more drastic circumstances!

Don, I hope you're feeling better after your fall. Your jewelry work sounds interesting; I Googled Coober Pedy - I knew opals often came from Australia but didn't know any specifics. Astonishing that some of them live underground - something that would be sensible here if it keeps getting hotter. :-/

We almost got rain here this evening; I could smell it in the air, but nothing materialized. I hope anyone who got it went out to dance in it. Until that point it was too hot to spend long hanging laundry today so I put most of the clothes on hangers and hung those on the clothesline (I should put a short line for this kind of thing up under the patio cover). That left just a couple of sheets and a towel and not much else. Dried very quickly in 100^o weather. Up till now I wasn't comfortable hobbling around out there with the knee, but it is getting better every day.

Next week gets a lot easier (fewer appointments) and I'll decide about when to start the new heat pump installation. I wanted to be clear of some of these medical appointments before I started a new project.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 12:32 PM

Wednesday was spent in the company of a fellow chorister who had a malignant breast tumour removed at the Stratford General Hospital. She's 80 years old with heart problems and lots of arthritis, but the hospitals are such risky territory these days that the surgeon decided she would be better off as a day patient -- as long as she had someone to ferry her to and from the hospital and stay with her overnight in case Something Went Wrong. That someone was me.

Nothing went wrong, thank God. Mary Lou's house is so cluttered I would have had a hell of a time doing anything effective if I had had to. My need for neatness seems less obsessive-compulsive this morning than it usually does.

Much of what remained of Edmund's accumulated office supplies has gone to his university-bound great-niece, Faith, leaving my six-foot folding table almost clear. (I can't believe he had four paper punches: two three-holers, a two-holer and a one-holer.) Faith was also glad to accept a briefcase, reducing the household strategic reserve to five. Alas, she did not want a stapler, so I still have three.

The next class of items to be rehomed is old spectacles, of which I have about a dozen pairs. In these parts, the Lions Club collects used specs for a charity that takes them to places where opticians prefer not to go. I should be able to unload all the excess by Sunday, keeping only my back-up bifocals and one pair of non-scrip Ray-Ban shades.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 11:54 AM

I made 6 necklases (mens, ladies and child size) of crushed black opal in glass heart shaped bottles and a large Coober Peddy vintage cabochon necklace of intense color. Also finished details on the 5 lbs opal seascape. I found that sealing the black opal in clear detergent allows the vivid fire to move in a slower motion. I do the work standing up and it quiets the mind like cartooning.

The good news about the pandemic is were down to only 400 deaths per day over here. Yaay! I have no fears of the monkey pox epidemic. Whatever Hirshall Walker has, I hope it doesn't spread. He said people are worried about gas and high groceries. Why are groceries getting high anyway and what are they taking?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Jul 22 - 10:38 AM

Beaver:

Had a marvellous deluge today! and it is still coming down in bits. The biggest netted at least an inch!! And it was just warm enough for me to get a shower on the back deck! Feels so good!! (Shower in house does not function.) Now have a mini sound and light show; I love it.

We have been taking probiotics for years. Currently, and for a long time: Progressive 60 Billion of a wide range. Expensive, yes. They now say it no longer needs refrigeration - but it is a habit; even R can find it!

Got two amazing "heads" of leaf lettuce at the Farm market on Sat. I shall have to eat lots of salad to use it all while still good! Put each in a bowl of distilled water, in frig, to keep it as fresh as possible!

Pottery is all fired, less the few pieces that did not fit. Time to start throwing again - new batch. BJ may come tomorrow to fix kiln room floor; I am hopeful, like to have it completed.

Need to make trip to Toronto to deliver pottery to my friend and pick up clay and other needful things. 3 hours each way - Bleech! Can have lunch with friend and return! Then rest for a couple days!

The "grass" situation reminds me of working with a PDD 4 year old years ago. Asking him ordinary questions..."What colour is grass? "Yellow!" Yep! It sure was. PDD my foot! I got his mom to send him to regular kindergarten - that had a dynamite teacher. She phoned me when he was in grade 3 to let me know how well he was doing!

Oops, guess I forgot to send this! Have been to Toronto, picked up clay, delivered well received pots to friend and had a great visit with another friend on the way back - sitting on her back deck in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lovely woods and many birds at the feeders and a wee chippy on the deck. A nice break before 2.5 hours more on country roads watching for deer! I have rested for two days and almost normal today! BJ ripped out floor of kiln room yesterday - ROTTEN! He will get to replacing in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I will soon be heading back to QC; no need for kiln until I get busy and make a whole bunch more pots. May start today...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 11:41 PM

Physical therapy is finished and I have a set of exercises to do at home and at the gym when I get over there to continue my progress. For someone who is just six weeks out from knee replacement they are saying that I'm doing very well and they are sure that once the swelling is down on one area in particular it will be easier to loosen the scar tissue so the knee is more flexible. I'm so far ahead of my cohorts that sometimes they kind of pause and just say "you're doing great, the exercise and work before surgery really paid off."

This afternoon I set up a kiddie pool in the front yard with stones and bricks in it and set up some broken bricks to keep a floating solar-powered fountain thing in the center of the pool. It came with several types of spray spigots, and I may put one of the others on it to get more drama from the spray. Using it in bird baths didn't work because it sprayed water out and soon they were empty. That shouldn't happen with the pool. This is in addition to the saucers and bird baths out there already. The stuff in the water works for birds to land on for getting drinks. The side of the pool is curved and too slick.

After participating in the tips to the UK from Texas thread I was reminded by Leeneia of something I'd planned to do for some time - replace the pillows on the bed. Every so often I've put them in the wash, but I think it's now time to replace. Costco had a package for a reasonable price so while I was in looking for mangoes and nectarines I also got bed pillows. Reading too closely about dust mites and eyelash mites and all of the microscopic stuff that lives on us can really creep you out. Fresh pillows help.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 10:46 AM

It's hard to know which was hurt worse sometimes, your butt or your feelings for having taken a fall in public, eh?

Last session of PT today - Dr says the leg is good to go and just continuing exercising and time will take care of the last few problems (not stretching out completely flat, and not bending at an angle quite as acute as the other knee yet). And that pesky swelling will eventually go down.

As the 10-day forecast advances into August territory there is no relief from the heat in sight; every day is predicted to be over 100^o. I would happily forego some meteorological heat record if it would just drop down into the "average" 90s for this time of year.

A note from this week's Goodwill finds - I also picked up a nice clean little HomeMedic sound machine (normally they cost about $20 on Amazon) for $3 for a friend who expressed an interest in one. It has a feature I've been thinking of adding to mine - a wad of duct tape over the LED light that is a bright green in the dark bedroom when the device is turned on. I usually just prop my phone over the top (because the timer - 15, 30, and 60 minutes) also has a light. But that tape is a better low-tech answer.

We have reached a stage in this drought locally when fires are started from things like wonky lawn mowers and whole neighborhoods are torched before the fire is put out. In the Dallas area 20 homes burned, 9 of them completely destroyed that way. Closer to here a little area was burned, 3 or 4 homes, because a window unit air conditioner caught fire and spread. Vigilance is they key to surviving the rest of this summer. I need to put the dogs' leashes out next to their food trunk and be ready to load food and dogs and a few things of mine if need be.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 08:27 AM

Fortunately we have mornings in the seventies. I am evolved for Nordic climes and wilt a bit in afternoon heat. Yesterday I fell on some government steps and hit my hip so I may have a hitch in my step for a couple weeks. I missed that last step 'by that much'. A mailman got out of his truck to ask if I was OK in a way as to not poke fun at my tuck and roll concrete uni pedal fall.
I will 'get smart' and rely on yin instead of yang for a while. Translated that means while forcing as much walking as possible, I'll limit it to nuanced low stress activity. At least that's what my body is telling me "you're ok stupid" on this worst day after assessment.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jul 22 - 10:39 AM

PT yesterday was milder, mostly taking measurements before I see the doctor later this week. And some tips on returning to the gym, what exercises performed in different ways will help the knee specifically.

On my way home I stopped at Goodwill (a small store, good for my amount of walking) and found an older and much sturdier-based version of the Oster blender I have. My current one is making odd noises and is a really cheap plastic (also purchased at a Goodwill a number of years ago after my previous old Oster finally kicked the bucket). This newer one will go into service and I can set aside the last base and one of the jars and probably donate those back to Goodwill. If I stick with the same brand the glass and plastic container tops are interchangeable.

The heat misery continues. The 10-day forecast has a high every day in the 101-104^o range. We're in an Exceptional Drought range and there is an Extreme Fire risk. I have my hoses in position front and back if I have to put out a burning fence or yard, or even spray up on the roof to deal with embers. The volunteer fire department was training here last week and there is a hydrant in my yard so that's also a good omen.

I bought barbecue (meat) yesterday on my way home and my ex came over for dinner. There's enough brisket left over for a couple of sandwiches and a plate of sausage and beans. With this heat it is a personal goal to keep eating chilly or simply microwaved foods. No real cooking for now.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 01:24 PM

Good to know, and it rings a bell. I may have known and lost that piece of information decades ago.

Color me disappointed with Kohl's; I selected a pair of pants supposedly IN their store and ordered, then when I looked at the reply email - delivery to store between July 28 and August 3? Not gonna work for today's outing. I called and they weren't helpful, even when I pointed out that my selection was from their store's stock. I was trying to save myself having to trek around and try on stuff. Now I'll go revisit my closet and see if there is anything helpful but overlooked in there. I could probably sew something faster than that delivery.

And also, I give up on oranges for the rest of the year. The few I bought yesterday are also awful and also not navel oranges. They looked like it from the outside, but that's a clever trick, having the dimple but no wad of small sections. And full of seeds. It's almost apple season, and a good thing, too!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 01:14 PM

The dog days are the 40 days between July 3 and August 11. They begin when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises with the sun. The ancients believed that Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, combined with the sun to produce the greatest heat of the summer. Nothing to do with hounds lying about, tongues lolling out, panting in the heat, though they may well coincidentally be doing that during the dog days...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 12:06 PM

Rain yesterday in Stratford, and blissfully cool today with a forecast high of 20C. The hydrangeas look perky for the first time in days, and the grass is not quite as crunchy as it was on Friday.

I’m expecting visitors today — eldest SIL and her grand-daughter — so I vacuumed the parlour rug yesterday and cleaned all three bathrooms. I feel positively virtuous now.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jul 22 - 11:00 AM

I'm still struggling to find pants that don't irritate the scar on my left knee. The curbside pickup of Bermuda shorts three weeks ago helped for dressing for PT, but to wear to the museum I want something long enough to cover the knee but that is so loose to not rub and irritate. This time I've searched Kohl's online offerings and found one I think will work for now. (Before you ask - skirts and dresses aren't part of my wardrobe.)

Life after COVID offers such perks as curbside pickup at just about any store you can think of. Actually, the only place that still doesn't do it at the brick and mortar location is the post office. US post offices aren't like the Canadian ones scattered around the landscape in different businesses (as it appeared to be last time I was in one, which was a very long time ago). They're a standard-issue government building with a service desk and a lobby with lots and lots of post office boxes. Having someone retrieve the contents of the box (once it is considered "delivered") is a head scratcher. I wait and go in after hours so the building is empty and I still wear a mask while inside.

We're in the Sargasso Sea of becalmed hot weather; every day this week is forecast to be in the 102-104 range; our "cooler" Friday has been pushed back to Saturday, a trend that isn't reassuring. The "dog days" of August loom; I always associate that term with the last hottest month of summer, but a friend has argued that dog days have been here for all of July. I don't know; I am assuming August will find its own unique way of making us particularly miserable. Like adding humidity back into the formula, as the ragweed bursts into bloom and hits our poor sinuses with its obnoxious pollen.

Pardon my raving.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 10:38 PM

I exercised today as I walked very intentionally upright and placing each foot properly heel-first to remind myself that's how I'm supposed to walk, not forget and shuffle around. That's part of the reason for hip pain. I think I already feel a bit better.

Shopping this evening in the BIG store (where I did some of this walking) to get fresh fruit. The last bag of oranges from Costco was just dreadful and I couldn't pretend any more that one of them was eventually going to be sweet or that every other one wasn't just a dry pulpy thing. Three for the compost. I checked the box in the store this evening - these say "Spanish" so who knows where in Europe they came from? But those South African ones - bleh - picked way too green and don't manage to ripen. For an additional treat I picked up pears and mangoes and white peaches. I know - oranges have a season and here it is in the winter. I'm just trying to motivate myself to keep eating an orange a day as part of my healthy daily diet.

Tomorrow I have museum stuff, and it's a good thing they have folding seats to carry around with you for tours. I'll need it. Maybe I'll put on regular tie-up shoes, my most comfortable pair would be a help. Why is it that museums seem to have the hardest floors around?

I did some sewing this afternoon, a nice start back to working on some of the projects that await.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 03:23 PM

I have to be careful putting out trash because dogs, coyotes, raccoons and even foxes will sometimes attack if it is just in a bag at the curb. I either put the bag in the large Rubbermaid can (I don't bother with a lid) or put the bag on the curb the morning of pickup. But when it's hot they start really early so I miss them if I try that move.

I've realized that while I did a lot of good exercise before the surgery, I've been almost sedentary after it and I can feel it now in my hips. The physical therapist confirmed that last week. I've started up my Hinge Health program to get more healthy movement and I think I'll visit my gym and walk on the treadmill. I could do the recumbent bicycle again, but simply walking is what I need. It has been so hot since before this started that I'm not tempted to walk around outside, so the gym it must be. The scar is slowly receding, but not as fast as I'd like. Not as fast as last time, I think.

The Puma slip-on shoes I picked up for mowing are now put to use for PT - my other shoes were a kind of ballet slipper with a flat sole and I slip around in them. I've had to dust off the grass and such to make the Pumas look respectable (they are still quite new, but I did mow a couple of times before the yard became the Sahara-in-Texas).

Yesterday I started loading the dishwasher then realized I'd added a fair number of things to some already clean stuff; I ended up washing all of it again. Lazy me. Must pay better attention. Around the house I've been sweeping and vacuuming; the hair coming off of the Lab is intense; the blue heeler stops to scratch and flings off gobs of black hair. You'd think they'd have finished shedding by now. I brush both and it seems to loosen up what is left. So much for my housekeeping skills.

I need to get back to sewing.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 03:03 PM

Sorry keb I didn't mean for that to sound so sharp.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 08:42 AM

opps I forgot the
E pluribus Unum proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7-HNi2ne44

Keb its mentally healthy to feel a victory even about being right about something that was wrong. Ego? Perhaps. Feel free to demand removal of the post if your sensibility to 'decluttering purism' is offended.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 08:18 AM

decluttering a lecture? Enjoy the chocolate, before it melts in this heat . . .

we got the household garbage thoroughly cluttered up last night
when a bear overturned the garbage can in the dark
and strewed the contents all around the parking spaces and lawn.
Then the crows arrived to strew it around even further.
It's a sorry sight in bright sunshine this morning.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jul 22 - 07:53 AM

I will celebrate with chocolate a fundamental victory of being right
For reasons quite different from mine I have been right about there being no such thing as inflation in the cosmological explanation of the big bang. Also there is no current multiverse inobservation of our flat smooth universe. I am very pleased to have been essentially correct all along. It is a lonely celebration since no one either listened or understood what I have been on about regarding inflation theory being bogus.

Inflation theory is ONLY a bandaid, a patch to try to explain the big bang (which DID NOT HAPPEN). Inflation has now been shown to be a fraud by many different explanations in math and by the greatest Nobel Prize winners like Penrose and others.

So Hooray. Its nice to be right about something so fundamental.

What is more likely in reality? It is a gentle bounce universe after a period of slow CONTRACTION into our now reexpanding phase of the universe.

I offer as proof this lecture which can be understood by anyone despite the math barriers. why there is no big bang and how observations prove it.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 22 - 10:18 PM

I decided to upgrade the power strip/surge protector that my TV and audio equipment are all plugged into, but one look back there and it was a sudden dust storm. I used one of those microfiber dusters (lots of strands) and took it out several times to shake in the yard, then went bigger and brought in the vacuum cleaner and a brush attachment. My sinuses are now aching because I didn't wear a mask when I disturbed all of that dust. While I was at it I put a few DVDs away and a handful of CDs (yes, I still use that kind of media.) Maybe stuff in the cloud doesn't collect dust, but some of these titles are kind of obscure and I haven't seen them on streaming services. Anyway, tomorrow I'll wiggle around the cabinet enough to plug in the new strip then plug in the devices. This also has five ports for charging devices (for 4 USB regular types cables and one type-C cable.)

I landed on this device by using the "Fakespot Fake Amazon Reviews and eBay Sellers" browser extension on Chrome. I found a brand I wasn't familiar with that had a good rating and reviews according to the app, so I'm trying it out. I usually get various named types and I'd have been okay, but this was an exercise in getting past the fake reviews and opening up the possibility of using vendors that don't usually drift to the top.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 22 - 11:54 AM

My daily routine includes vitamins the doctors request (B12, D3) and the gastroenterologist suggests daily fiber. I also have simple probiotic. And fruit and vegetables during the day. That mix is ample for normal circumstances, but is put to the test with narcotic painkillers and various other things that all seem to have side effects. Their effect should be dissipating.

The hall bathroom tub is partially filled now because with this heat comes broken water mains; the streets are hot and somehow the pipes shift and break. I have one full kettle, bottles of water, etc. and will fill another kettle next time I pass through the kitchen. It just makes sense to be ready this time of year.

The ex came over and we commiserated on the lack of activities with the heat - after retirement he is sorting and shredding papers but also wants to retrieve things in the uncooled or heated garage, and it's an oven right now. So no work in the garage, slowing the plans for work in the house.

We made it into The Guardian today with the heat and growing populations.

I have an unused pump in the garage, meant for pulling water from the creek at the back of the yard. Perhaps I should take it out of the box and run a hose into the pond back there; trouble is, it's an urban creek and has street runoff that isn't healthy so it can't go on the garden. Maybe parts of the yard around the house to keep the foundation from crumbling. There was a needed pressure gauge (in a cardboard blister pack) to attach to the pump that Cookie chewed up that I have to replace before I could use it. Gotta love that dog and her targeted destruction (particularly odious when she was a puppy).

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 20 Jul 22 - 11:08 AM

Stilly, do you take probiotic capsules? Recurring bouts of diverticulitis made me occasionally miserable for years, but all that ended when I started using them on the advice of the gut doctor who did my last colonoscopy. The best ones require refrigeration and, alas, cost a bomb. I read the labels obsessively to find the kind with the most organisms in the widest range of species.

As for the opiate-induced stasis, I can heartily recommend a potion of polyethylene glycol 3350 made by Bayer and sold in Ontario under the trade name RestoraLAX. "No taste, no grit" it says on the label, truthfully, and it does its job without drama.

My car shed its front licence plate the other day, possibly as a result of an interrupted attempt to steal it (the plate). I bought new plate-holders at Canadian Tire and confidently set out to switch them, only to discover that a "universal" plate-holder will not fit on the front bumper of a 2021 VW Golf GTI. Heigh-ho, that'll be another half-day trip to the dealer in Kitchener ... next week. Until then, the front plate sits on the dashboard and I hope not to attract any more official attention than necessary.

On the housekeeping front, I took part in Stratford's semi-annual Household Hazardous Waste Day (dead batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, elderly paint and Edmund's 30-year accumulation of partly-used tins of shoe polish), and swept the garage floor clean of winter grit and dead leaves. Then I washed the car. That's quite enough virtue to be going on with for now.

It's still steamy in Stratford, but we had a bit of rain yesterday and may get more today -- the sky is overcast and a slight, suggestive wind is blowing through the trees.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 22 - 10:07 PM

Dorothy, thanks for the reminder! I have some whole grain crackers with flax seed and that is a great one for the gut. (Straight flax can overwhelm). Those crackers scooping up my homemade hummus would be a wonderful evening snack. (And congratulations on the weight loss!)

It's Tuesday evening, regular training night, so the volunteer fire department is outside in the street using the hydrant at the corner between my yard and next door to practice filling the various vehicles with tanks. They're training for off-road driving (to deal with grass fires) and the difficulty of driving with the weight of 500 gallons or more of water. They use this hydrant because we have the highest water pressure in town here at the bottom of the hill, and it speeds up filling the trucks. I loaded a dishpan with all of the cold cans of sparkling water from the fridge and walked out and handed them out and talked with folks for a few minutes. I fought fires years ago (in the 1970s) and one of the things that was always great was if someone came along where we were working and handed out cold drinks. I can finally return the favor. At 9pm it's still 98^o.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Jul 22 - 09:22 PM

Beaver:

Too hot for me but still managed to load the kiln, placed close to the door of the room where the floor is stable. Awkward but... Managed to open the box and change fuses. Looked the the extension cord as I got it out of the way - a large cut in it clearly caused the problem; how it got there may remain a mystery. Bisque firing completed. Will try for a glaze firing early tomorrow.

Went to visit a couple local gardens with horticulture group. Each unique and wonderful in totally dif ways. I have restricted my flower use here, focusing on food. "Astri's garden, with mock orange and some daffies and columbine is confined to a five foot D. wooden octagon that Dan built.

Strawberries look much happier after the rain; before the rain I put a bunch of chicken manure on it to start building up for next year.   

I have lost 5 pounds and kept it off for a month! The ground flaxseed suggested by the dietician has improved my gut but still a ways to go. I seem to be eating less and more carefully, ending most days with popcorn; starting with berry laden buckwheat pancakes, with almond flour and flaxseed, eggs or porridge with same additives, dried cranberries and a whole (cut up) apple. Mid day varies with veggies/black beans/chick peas, some chicken. Less coughing = less unsweetened choc. And I have gained a bit more mobility.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 22 - 08:06 PM

I'm off of the last of the medications for 30 days after the surgery, but the gut is at a standstill. Drinking lots of water and taking softeners helps, but it's time for drastic action - ice cream. I find that a big bowl has the capacity to shove everything along (good thing I don't have to go anywhere tonight or tomorrow is all I'll say about that, and probably TMI).

PT today stepped up to the massage stage after the exercises. Prodding, digging, pinching, and even old-fashioned "cupping" with a flexible acrylic cup that slides over the oiled surface of the knee and pulls the skin up and helps separate it from scar tissue. There are some painful moments in this, but she ends with a soothing menthol lotion and I stopped to pick some up on my way home.

Later in the week it's supposed to be about 10 degrees cooler. I've stayed in except to go out to water plants and pots and this evening after dark I'll drain the larger pool and stock tank in the back yard and refill them. And shower on my patio. I should keep a couple of kettles filled with water; when it gets this hot pipes sometimes break under ground and we go without until the street repair is finished. Maybe fill the tub in the hall bathroom to use for bathing and flushing, just in case. Or I suppose I could go soak in the kiddie pool in the back yard after dark. :)

The sewing studio has a good air flow from the AC and I'll be doing some sewing in there tomorrow. It is getting easier to sit still for a while to work on things like the computer or the sewing machine.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Jul 22 - 10:07 AM

My face is back to what passes for normal, Stilly. The big, bad antibiotic did its job.

It’s hot and sticky in Stratford. We had a nice rainstorm on Sunday night and Environment Canada promised more through the week, but the sky is clear and stubbornly blue today. Out on the land, I see fields of brown, stunted corn. Not good.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jul 22 - 09:58 AM

I'd like to get photos of wildlife in the bird baths and plant saucers I've put out with water, but it would mean baking my brains outside to do it. I need to change the water this morning in various pools and troughs to prevent mosquitoes, so I'll go out soon before it's 90^o. It was down to 82 last night, but it gets hot again pretty quickly.

I waited a full 24 hours after the last Celebrex before taking any of the Rx Motrin, but last night is the first night in over a month I didn't need to ice my knee to get to sleep.

Has your cellulitis completely cleared up, Charmion?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Jul 22 - 08:36 PM

Beaver:

Today it RAINED! At least an inch. Before it started, I re-weeded the strawberry beds and, in between deluges, The blueberry bed. Larry visited yesterday and talked about feeding the beds, and found them very dry! No way I can do a gray water system (R could but no time)so I will use a basin in the sink and carry water out to the beds. I did not realize the soil was so dry. And, of course, the weeds were taking up some of the available water.

Still no repair of floor in kiln room and it is feeling essential as I would like to get back to visit with R. The pots are dry; time to get firing. Tried plan B (with extension cord R made) and may have blown a fuse and cannot get the box open. Will try again tomorrow. Looking for a solution!

Couple hot days ahead. Will open house in a bit to cool night air; get it as cool as possible then close it up in the morning before it starts to warm. Realize that I can do that - leave the doors open - out here on this dead end road with no traffic. Just hook the screen doors. No worries! Wish I could in QC.

Our very healthy resident wood chuck was just outside nibbling away. Got up on raised bed with no problem, not to nibble but to get a better view of who was watching him(?)!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jul 22 - 11:32 AM

I reclaimed the corner of my kitchen peninsula when I packed up the two folders of paperwork from the surgery and have them ready to file in the office. The last of the required medications is finished, now my main focus is two-fold: work on the PT for the knee and get the gut back to normal operations. Too many of those medications bound up the insides and using other medications (Magnesium stuff like Milk of Magnesia) have their own problems when they "fix" the situation. Continuing a healthy diet and getting lots of liquid is the main remedy.

It's a quiet and hot July here as I continue to recuperate. There isn't lawn to be mowed because it is toast, except where I water and mow for the dogs. I sat down and wrote up some of my tips for dealing with the heat and will start a thread - it seems there will be others who want to contribute or learn or ask questions. The whole world is ablaze right now as our nations continue to subsidize fossil fuels.

I learned yesterday that my public library is retiring one of the two audiobook apps they use; I thought about immediately putting the new one into use, but I'm halfway through a book and it won't know where I stopped when I renew that title. So I'll phase in the new app (use it after this book). The old app goes until the new year. #FirstWorldProblems

Last night I spent an hour or more chatting with a woman in Maine who was trying to reach a local acquaintance of mine who is in the middle of some kind of psychological manic phase of untreated mental illness. It's there for the world to see on Facebook, but I recognized the voice of a professional, who wrote "XXXXX, all of this is very big. I hope you will call a friend. You sound like you are dealing with a lot, and must be tired and scared." She wasn't challenging the delusion, she was sliding in along underneath it, hoping to get our friend to reach out. I contacted her via Messenger and it turns out she's a PhD candidate in psychology. In Maine. I took time to call a local MSW friend and asked about agencies here that weren't the police as far as a welfare check, services, etc. and got a good answer that I conveyed back to the friend in Maine. She has been contacting other friends and some family and I hope they can all help our friend get some help. I will call those services if it will help, but it's a matter of who can convince the service agencies of her need - her old friend who knew her 20 years ago, or me as the person who had lunch with her four years ago when we shared office space. It takes a village.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 07:09 PM

Beaver:

Pottery outside under roof, drying. Rain predicted almost daily but not enough to help much. Larry stopped by today and suggested, firmly, using the rain barrel to water the veggies. Even the rhubarb, not in raised bed, needs help. I thought we had gotten lots, but not enough... I did remember to ask for his help to get the umbrella clothes line out of the way so I could access the extension cord designed for the kiln. I will bisque fire it under the roof of the walkway. If that works OK and there is still a need, I will do glaze firing there... until the floor is replaced!


Beating the heat by staying indoors reading. Not so hot here as some places, only up to 30C today.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 11:33 AM

Small strokes are sometimes nothing and sometimes something, as I've seen in family members. Good he can come home this evening.

Today is the last day of various pills enumerated on my après-surgery instructions. I'm so tired of keeping the checklist to be sure things were taken on time. Everything will be put away or tossed and the bread pan that corralled the bottles will be washed and put away. The only remnant of the surgery experience will be the ice packs and the case they fit in that still get used around bedtime.

Other than filling bird baths and watering plants I'm staying inside, so there will be more eBay listings today. We're under an Excessive Heat Warning:

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
9 PM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 105
and 110 degrees and heat index values up to 112 degrees.

That damned warning is going to be issued every day this week. Tomorrow and Tuesday are predicted up to 109^o.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 10:52 AM

And I've just had a call from the hospital. Nothing has shown on scans. They think it may have been mini stroke events that apparently don't always show up but he has been given the all clear to come home and he should be back this evening.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 10:18 AM

Thanks charmion. I think a factor this time was that the carers were around and I was in my room when the leg problem and loss of use of arm showed up but it’s also true that I can find dad difficult to try to assess.

It would probably be a lot easier with a normally able person. In my own experience, dad can stand up (with aids) first time, need a few attempts or even need a break before trying again. His handling is never the best and he uses a bib for meals but I’d have to decide that several bits from his plate plus a yoghurt pot all going on the floor is well beyond the “normal”. Working out whether someone who sometimes can get confused under stress/anxiety and tiredness makes it hard to decide out whether a bout of confusion is something to worry about, etc,

I suppose the carers do have the advantage of only seeing him at certain times of day and for specific tasks. Plus, of course they will have had (or should have had) training and experience I don’ have.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 08:51 AM

Middle-class life is a hole into which we shovel money, Stilly. We could give up car travel, functional knees, television, air-conditioning and smartphones, but we’d gain nothing but misery and isolation to no good purpose.

Fingers crossed for your Dad, Jon. It’s great you have the carers who can assess what’s going on with him and recognize a potentially dangerous change; you’re so close that I’m sure it’s hard for you to see that.

Speaking of big spending, the first installment of my great-niece’s university tuition will be due soon. Gotta contact my broker!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 05:32 AM

Thanks Steve.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 05:24 AM

All the best, Jon.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jul 22 - 05:21 AM

Dad was taken to hospital last evening. I didn’t know but apparently the morning carer was a touch concerned about a weaker than usual (although dad can be a bit variable anyway) right leg. He was fine the times I saw him during the day which included taking him to the toilet after lunch but he dropped a few things at tea time and when the bed time carers came (quite early yesterday), his right arm stopped working for a while. We called an ambulance and a series of mini strokes is suspected.

The hospital kept him in overnight and we are waiting for the results of tests they are doing on him.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jul 22 - 10:01 PM

I made a quick trip to Walmart (I rarely shop there, but they have everything) to pick up a wading pool for the dogs. The old lab might get in, it's low enough he can manage. I also picked up more COVID tests and will send the paperwork to my insurance company for reimbursement. The new COVID variant is really spreading here and is getting too close to family for comfort.

I'm filling the bird baths and basins on the ground every day and seeing lots of signs of critters visiting them. I also handed a bottle of water to the mail carrier as he came by very late today. Good thing the bottles are inexpensive at Costco, I can keep the delivery people who come to my house hydrated without breaking the bank. There is no end in sight and next week is supposed to be several degrees hotter.

When I buy a phone I always put a protective case on it and buy the strong glass protective sheet that covers the face of it. They always come in twos or three and I never use the rest, but today I decided to clean up the phone because that glass cover has slowly gotten dust pushed in under the corners so put on a fresh one. It's all spiffy and looks as good as new now. Heck, for my "no spend" month I'm hemorrhaging cash so I might as well find as many things I can do at no expense as possible. (We seem to take turns at this; Charmion has had a few months that seemed to keep on attacking the pocketbook; the summer seems to be my turn.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jul 22 - 10:40 AM

Two years ago when the first knee surgery happened I tried "stepping down" from oxy to tramadol, and found that the tramadol was difficult to just stop, I felt it in an uncomfortable way. The pharmacy had changed their phone system and I couldn't get through so I finally got a ride over there to stand in line to ask the pharmacist if I could safely cut the tablets to taper off of them. Thankfully, he said yes. This time I skipped the "stepping down" part and just worked my way off of the oxy. The best tool to have in a house where you're taking multiple complex medications is a pill-splitter. That's what I'm doing with the flexeril these days, 1/2 a pill a day and then every 36 hours, till I'm off of them and hopefully no more leg cramps. I was off of the oxy last weekend and as Steve says, they weren't helping the knee pain anyway. The knee now hurts mostly because of positional issues - trying to get comfortable and how it rests on a pillow. And trying to not get another case of bursitis in the hip.

Last night I decided I wanted to cook a real meal so I made an eggplant and pork dish (with onions and tomatoes, served over fried or mashed potatoes). It came out great. I ate a little and the rest is in the fridge and my ex will be over for lunch or dinner today. I gave everyone in the family a copy of the cookbook it comes from (I've discussed it here before - Tess Mallos' The Complete Middle East Cookbook). So when I was telling him about this dish (I thought he'd eaten it here before?) I told him what page and he looked it up while we were talking. Most of the family has the hummus recipe memorized, and there are others that everyone enjoys. Which reminds me, I wonder if I sent this to my sister? She might have our mother's copy. The funny thing about this book is that new editions are paperback and are about $60, but you can find good hardback editions for under $10. I always have a couple extra copies of this book in the kitchen and on impulse have given them to friends and neighbors (and coworkers before I retired. We often times had international students working in our department and talking about food was one of those conversations that really brought people together. This book was handy at those times. I gave my office copy to a coworker when I retired.)

Today I took a good look at the house and it's like the inside of a goat's stomach. A month of recuperating and not having people in (at which time I tend to pick up) has left stuff sitting everywhere. I have an audiobook I want to finish by tomorrow so I'll put the headphones on and just quietly work my way through the house as I listen to the murder mystery in Three Pines.

I dread seeing my electric bill this month. It's going to be a whopper. This week hovered around 102^o, next week it's up around 106^o. Over the course of the last month I lost another 4 pounds without even intending to; it's the heat that makes the prospect of eating very unappealing. Yesterday's cooking was simply because I had thawed a pork tenderloin and didn't want to waste it. I've gone through a lot of fruit this summer.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Jul 22 - 05:17 AM

It's hot and humid today and the heatwave that threatens us hasn't even started yet. I have to get into my greenhouse to control my rampant tomatoes and the attendant weeds and I think I'll need a cold shower after that. Then I really must start picking the broad beans before they go "black in th' eye." The horseflies are having their best summer ever so it'll be out with the DEET spray (and the sun lotion on my balding pate).

I won't go over my opioid tale of woe again, but suffice to say the way they made me dependent (and shattered my confidence in just getting around) made for the worst few weeks of my life. They didn't even work after the first week or ten days.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 16 Jul 22 - 03:21 AM

I think opioids are more likely to give you constipation that not. I had over a year of that while on morphine (I've taken it in the liquid oramorph and 12hr release zomorph capsule forms). More recently, mum tried some opioid weekly release patches for pain relief. Her GP prescribed Cosmocol(macrogol) at the same time. Mum needed it.

Addiction seems to be another problem with this group of drugs. I may have been lucky on that. I was able to get myself off the remaing zomorph without withdrawal problems.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Jul 22 - 09:54 PM

Beaver:

I have had great success with magnesium for cramping; I keep a bottle of "Calm" on the bedside table with a spoon in it (powder); if I get a cramp in the night, I take a swig of water(also next to the bed) and throw a half spoonful of powder in after it, more water, swish it around and the cramp ceasing in less than a minute. If it were a frequent problem, I would try to remember it before going to bed!

Charmion: sure you have been on 7 and passed the route to Madoc. If you happen by at lunchtime, Tues- Sat, they have interesting sandwiches and salads, good soups, lovely scones and other interesting goods at the Goldmine - about 3 minutes from the intersection, on the main st, across from a nice used book store. It is a treat,

Hot weather is not a treat! I have been fortunate here this few weeks. I carefully close drapes on the sunny sides and open them as the sun moves around the house. Then open the doors if as it cools in the evening - which it still does! I see a hot spell coming in a few days and shall have to plan. Love SRS' outdoor shower! I will think on that. No outdoor hose connection... I have two rain barrels collecting from eavestroughs - we have rain!!! The one on the south side of house is warmish. It is convenient for washing residual clay off hands before a final wash in the house. Keeping the clay out of the septic is important.

I, too, rather miss the Great North West!

This morning I got a sneaky urge to clean out the K cabinet that contains all those plastic containers and bottles and baking pans. Three healthy mice jumped ship in the process! I even got down on my knees to wash the cabinet floor, observing carefully that I would be able to climb back up off the floor. I did not actually throw much out but it is organized and there is room left over! Space for the buckets of flour, popcorn and beans!

I have lots of pottery ready to fire but the floor is not repaired yet. There is no room for more! I will see BJ at Market tomorrow. Steve has still not cut the back yard... I have lovely wildflowers in the small section I asked him not to cut - daisies, red clover, something blue, brown eyed Susan and a lot of buckwheat in bloom.

The sorrel is happy with its grooming; I throw some in each cooked meal; today I put a bunch in the freezer on a tray; I will bag it and do another batch tomorrow. The resident woodchuck can sometimes be observed grazing, moving about and picking each tidbit like a fussy eater! Not in the raised beds!

I harvested 3 small strawberries - total! Tasty but... Planning to feed them well in the near future so they can do better next year!

R actually went for groceries last night at the time of least customers and just called, full of what he is cooking! He is feeling better and sounds better but still has a faint line of the test so staying away from people. Tomatoes in the garden are producing slowly so he has had some. AND was excited to tell me the tiny pear tree we have been nurturing for two years, and planted in front garden in May, has a new leaf! It has lost all of its leaves and we feared lack of water.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 22 - 07:00 PM

There are home remedies that people talk about for restless leg problems, and for cramps I've heard about people taking a teaspoonful of vinegar or keeping a mustard packet by the bed and taking some of that.

The combination of muscle and bone pain after the surgery is what the Flexeril is prescribed for. I don't know if it would work for occasional leg cramps (if once they start they continue all night, maybe?)

The problem of taking several medications, even staggering them through the day, is that if they all have a particular side effect it can make life uncomfortable. The narcotic painkiller and the muscle relaxant all can cause constipation, so keeping everything moving is a challenge. I'm almost at the end of those prescribed for the month after the surgery and will be so glad to be through with these.

We had a brief respite yesterday afternoon with a cooldown after rain, but it's back to baking us today. I leave a cooler on my porch with ice and a couple of bottles of water in it, and notice that the postal carrier grabbed both of them today. I'm keeping the bird baths filled and a few of the terracotta saucers that go under pots (normally) on the ground with water for toads, lizards, and birds.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Jul 22 - 09:11 PM

Are there drugs for leg cramps? The trouble for me is that the cramps are pretty unpredictable. I'm as likely to get them in winter as in summer, and I can go for weeks without trouble.