Wednesday, April 26, 2023

I Obviously Need An Editor


There's a picture of old Jacko Boy that I took the other day while he was napping on my our bed with his nose up by the window. On a pillow, of course. He has been such a huge comfort to me throughout this whole painful experience I've gone through. Somehow having him snuggled up to me at night is exactly what I need and if I wake up and have a hard time getting back to sleep because of worry, he lets me pet him which soothes me and we both drift off again. It's funny how Maurice has become Mr. Moon's baby. She insists on sitting either on his lap or beside him in his chair, happy to stay there as long as he'll let her. And although she does indeed still sometimes draw blood, he loves her and she knows it. 

So. Still no more pain episodes. 
Unbelievable. 
I will not tempt fate by saying any more about that.

Today I decided that I should and I could do my shopping. Of course Mr. Moon would do it for me but the grocery store is as foreign to him as an auto parts store is to me. It does little good to have "buttermilk" on the list because of course there are at least three different types to choose from and which one should he get? If I write "corn meal" on the list, I know what I want but he doesn't and corn meal comes in self-rising, yellow, white, fine, regular, and there is also cornmeal mix. It just seems like a lot to ask. So much easier and less stressful to do it myself. 

Before I started my shopping though, I met Jessie for lunch. What a treat! We decided to meet at a Cuban place and the food was delicious and we talked, and talked, and talked. Here's a picture she sent her daddy and me this morning.


I texted back, "WHERE did that child come from? One day he's the Prom King and the next day he's James Dean." 
So of course we talked about the children and we talked about her family's summer plans and we talked about her birthday which is on Monday and we talked about the podcasts we listen to and we talked about our server who was so beautiful with the tiniest waist and the nicest curves who said, "I am sorry for my bad English," and we assured her that her English was great. And it was. She was an excellent server too. Jessie finally had to go pick up her boy and I went on to Publix where I got to see LILY! That was wonderful too. We talked for a little while and I hugged her and hugged her. I feel like I've lost the threads of my children's and grandchildren's lives in the last few weeks and it's rather heartbreaking and I hate it. But it is what it is. 
And oh- listen to this- when Lily told her kids why I wasn't showing up for Easter a few weeks ago, Owen said, "I bet she has a kidney stone because she eats so many greens."
Now where did that boy learn about kidney stones? Do we have a diagnostician in the family? 

So I did my Publix shopping and after I hugged Lily one more time, I went to Costco and got what I needed there. Costco is so bizarre in some ways. I remembered I needed Ritz Crackers and had not gotten them at Publix and of course Costco has Ritz Crackers which are a staple of the American diet, and of course, the box of them is huge and yet, it costs far less than what the same amount of the luscious, buttery crackers would cost at a grocery store but when you get them home that familiar red box takes up half a shelf in the pantry and you think, "What did I buy that many Ritz crackers?" and you have no idea but you did and you may not need to buy Ritz crackers again until next year. Which is a good thing, I guess.
I saw the beautiful Brenda and when she asked if everything had been going okay of course I had to say NO and tell her all about my kidney stone and the guy she had been talking to when I walked up had his own kidney stone horror stories and we discussed various sizes of stones and the amount of pain the fuckers cause and what works best when you get to the ER for pain. Turns out his body creates kidney stones like McDonald's creates hamburgers- one after the other. I listened in fascinated horror. How does he deal with it? 
Like everyone else, I guess. You just have to. 
Anyway, Brenda and I hugged too so that was a lot of good hugging for a day and by that time I was so tired. It takes far more energy to go to town and shop than it does to work in the garden. For me, at least. 

But I'm home now, and it's raining a nice gentle patter and it smells wonderful outside, of confederate jasmine and magnolias and good wet dirt and could there be anything more Southern than that? Everything is put away and I have even made up the mixture for crab cakes which we will eat tonight. I have picked lettuces and two nice, fat scallions and I will sleep well tonight, I hope.

Oh! I just finished reading this book last night.


I am not at all sure that it would be a book to suit everyone's taste but I could only put it down at night when my eyes just would not focus anymore. I won't even try to describe the plot or characters. There's a LOT going on here from the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia to the drug cartels in Mexico, with a goodly helping of Lucha Libre mixed in. 
And I thought the writing was beautiful. Let's just say that it's not a book I will soon forget. Although having said that, I probably will because I forget everything these days. 

Update on the folding table:


I am getting quite excited. And I've just now recalled the "laundry room" that I had when I lived in the little trailer out in the woods of Lloyd where May was born which was a sort of, uh, covered platform that our very-used washing machine sat on. 
And you know what? That was fine. I was damn happy to have that and my nice clothesline although occasionally my dang bulldogs would pull all the clothes off the line and chew them up. I still mourn for a beautiful corduroy shirt that I lost that way. I'd gotten it in Denver and my room mate and I used to call it the "security shirt" because no matter what, it made us feel beautiful when we wore it. 

Boy. I sure can ramble. 
I'll stop now.

Love...Ms. Moon




36 comments:

  1. James Dean lives! What a character that boy is. And so good to hear about another youknowwhat -free day. Maybe the crisis has passed. So to speak.

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  2. You called that table the folding table and I thought, but wait, it doesn't look like it folds. I only just realized you meant, a table to fold clothes on. Sharp as a tack, aren't I?

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    1. Easily misunderstood. You are not the first.

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  3. hugs from family and friends are SO healing, especially when you've not had that lately. Good for you (and them). Know what you mean about shopping is easier when YOU do it.....my hubby (we alternate weeks for shopping) told me I have to be more *specific* with my lists...and sometimes it's just too hard to do that....but we are both working on it! like *roma* tomatoes instead of just tomatoes....etc. You know it. Bless Jack for loving you and not drawing blood. Hope you can enjoy a Martini tonite and SO glad no more grit.......lets hope that long and painful chapter is over!
    Hugs
    Susan M

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    1. I am wondering what Mr. Moon would do if I asked him to buy canned tomatoes. Not only are there at least seven or so brands, but there are of course stewed, diced, fire-roasted, diced with onions and garlic, diced with onions, garlic, and chilis...
      He would go insane!

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  4. What a nice night in Lloyd. We have freeze warnings, and it's cold enough to draw the curtains and shut out the lovely sunlight. I'm happy your gritty episode is ending, but not so happy as you. I'm sure.

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    1. Freeze warning? Oh Lord. Well, I guess that's not completely abnormal for you.
      Yes. This has been a gritty, shitty situation for sure.

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  5. I am glad you are finally finally on the mend.

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  6. That is a fine folding table. What are you going to store on the shelf underneath? When i was first married i had a wringer washer with two galvanized tubs that i had to bale by hand. But it was in my basement and i was happy i didn't have to go anywhere.

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    1. Oh, I'll probably keep things underneath there like the bottles of liquid detergent and bleach that I buy on sale. Things like that. We shall see!
      I hear you about being grateful you didn't have to go anywhere to wash your clothes even if it was a mighty task to get them done.

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  7. I am glad Pixie said what I was thinking!
    I don't think it's the shopping that is exhausting - it's all the wonderful huggy emotions.
    Ramble away - it shows you are well and truly on the mend.

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    1. Could be, Ms. Merlot. I know that the emotions played at least some part in it.

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  8. Owen! That boy sure is something! What characters all your grandchildren are. :)

    So happy to hear that today was another pain-free day for you.

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    1. Nope- that's Levon but hell, I forget their names sometimes and I'm their grandma. And yes, all of them are pretty funny guys. And girl.

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  9. Jessie's boys are handsome enough- they could go into the biz, no problem. Glad to know that those damned sharp stones have left, gone forever we do hope!

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  10. Have you read '"God's of Howl Mountain" by Taylor Brown? You might enjoy it. The narrator on the Audible version is fantastic.

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    1. I have not but I have just looked it up and I do think I'd like it. Thanks!

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  11. (whispering) My heart is happy to hear you are feeling better. May you continue on this path. And thank you to darling Jack for providing comfort to you in this hard time.
    That table is a thing of beauty! I'm one of those weirdos that enjoys washing dishes in a sink full of hot, soapy water and find folding clothes to be a relaxing and meditative chore. For me it would be an honor and pleasure to stand at that table and fold laundry. Great job Mr Moon!
    Love, Angie D

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    1. Thank you, thank you, Angie, for your sweet words.
      I am very much looking forward to folding clothes on that table. Isn't it pretty? I think Mr. Moon is very proud of it.

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  12. I'm so glad you had another good day, but what about that Owen huh!!!!! I would have NO idea what causes kidney stones so way to go Owen!

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    1. Right? Could they have learned that in health class? I need to ask him.

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  13. I love your ramblings and I love that laundry table which is shaping up so nicely. I'm feeling very sorry for that man who continually has kidney stones.

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  14. Hi Mary

    I’m “sticking my neck out” but feel you just might benefit from watching this video I’m linking - https://youtu.be/FPBAkf_GVbg

    Desirée (South Africa)

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    1. Oh dear. Well, not according to this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8161846/

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  15. Also, if you want to learn about oxalates, Google Sally Norton or search for her on YouTube.

    Desirée 💕

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  16. You’re probably ready to block me - but I’m sharing this last link and hope you’ll glean some gems of the non kidney stone variety 😊https://youtu.be/gx375QamTLE

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    1. I have to say that clicking on a video with cartoon poop in it before breakfast did not exactly thrill me. And that particular problem is not one I have.

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  17. Greens cause kidney stones? Is that true? I know they have calcium in them so I can believe it, but it's disappointing because I love greens. (I assume the good in them outweighs the bad overall, but probably not at the moment a person is in the ER with acute pain.)

    I love the photo of Jack. It's great that you both have your own "security cats." As for the dogs and the clothesline, we endured that same problem when I was a kid, though I don't remember them actually destroying anything. If they tore a hole in something we probably wore it anyway!

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    1. It depends on what type of stone your body makes. There are different types. I don't know what type I had.
      Yes, Glen and I do both have our own cats which is sort of funny.
      I imagine that many a laundry-hanger has been upset by finding their laundry on the ground. I think the bulldogs played tug of war with my shirt.

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  18. August has that curl of an "Elvis" lip! Isn't he a cutie!
    Well, I hope you figure out how to prevent kidney stones so you never have to go through that again!
    I like when you ramble as it makes me feel like we are all just having a good visit together!

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    1. That's Levon, the Prom King. Haha!
      I sure hope I never have to go through that again too but knowing i do have another stone up there does not make that sound too reasonable.

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  19. So glad you are feeling better and getting out and about where friends and family can love on you with healing hugs. Love that sneery teen smile on Levon's face and the spikey bit in the middle of his hairdo makes me smile. More hugs to you! May the healing continue and that other stone dissolve on its own. Fingers crossed. xx0x0 N2

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.