Three Wise Men, Two Bottled Teas & An Apache in a Teepee

Can I share something that borders on mental?   The weekend after Thanksgiving 2023, my sister Shawn was giving me a ride back to Pittsburgh.  I'd been a guest at her home over the holiday.  Before exiting Waynesburg, she said "Do you want to stop at Giant Eagle and get some of your Lipton tea?"

At the time, I was hooked on Lipton's Peach Tea.  But because it's such a sweet drink, I limited myself to only drinking it over the weekends.  So I said yes, thanks.  We ran in and I picked up a six-pack of the drink.

I put it in my fridge, and during the month of December 2023 enjoyed 4 of the 6 bottles.

Then right before Christmas I developed covid, which by January 2024 became long covid.  I was so frightened, flustered, angry, worried, you name it--I made a weird promise to myself.  I wouldn't enjoy the remainder of that Lipton Peach Tea until I made a full recovery.   And there it still sits on the center shelf, behind the milk and V8 juice, those 2 bottles of Lipton Peach Tea.

It seems like every blogger I know likes to include the current weather in their posts.  As I write this late Sunday night, I awoke this morning to 4 inches of snow outside and temps in the single digits.  I wish I knew how to make this more interesting, but snow is snow.  I hope it comes back in time for Christmas.

On Friday I had a Tele-conference (on my laptop) with Dr. Yeeuogi, a UPMC neurologist who I haven't seen or spoken to since February.  He and his two white-coated colleagues wanted to review my recent CT scans with me and see how I was doing.  I told them I was able to attend a holiday luncheon earlier in the week, but it's been pretty much inflammation, burning & soreness from the neck up daily.

Dr. Yee said he understood I was making a full recovery over the summer.  I said yes I believed so, was still dealing with chronic fatigue but the inflammation had mostly abated.  But a 3 hour dental visit "reawakened" the long covid on Sept 12.  Dr. Yee said "We've seen studies where half or more post-covid patients suffer a complete relapse, weeks or even months after recovery."

He said "Given your medical history of TMJ-TMD do you think the dental visit caused that instead?"  I said I did at first, but then the familiar covid headaches began in my temples and eyes, followed by lots of stinging in the face, and the weird smell of diesel, baked beans & burnt hair throughout the day.  (That’s one of the more common symptoms, a strong combination of unique phantom smells.)

I said I also went on Reddit and looked for "post covid relapses following dental work" and there were dozens of stories from people who suffered the same thing.  Dr. Yee said "Really!"  

He asked if I wanted to try going back on Nortriptyline or Gabapentin, two antidepressants that can sometimes help people with nerve pain.  I said no thanks, I know both can take weeks to do anything and come with awful side effects (gabapentin zombies your brain and wrecks your sex drive, not that I need mine but it's nice to have around) and neither worked for me before anyway.

He went on to tell me some things I didn't really want to hear (people are living with this longer than previously thought, there are still no definitive answers, etc.) and I thanked him for checking up on me.  I wished him and his two colleagues Happy Holidays, then went and laid down.

The "Best if Used By' date on those bottles of tea is 01-09-2024.   We'll see.

PS. I wanted to thank my friends and visitors for hanging in there with me.  I know this has consumed my writing the last 2 years, but I am not good at hiding discomfort or pain.  Really, thank you.   I came so close this summer to making a full recovery, I'm sure I will again.

PPS. I was just closing this up to go to bed, and saw the awful news about Rob Reiner and his wife.  God rest their souls.

Look who I'm hugging at the Sacred Heart Holiday Lunch

Thanks to our mutual friend Mary who took Evie & myself along, we were able to attend this year's Single Seniors Holiday Lunch at the Sacred Heart Church in nearby Emsworth on Tuesday.

I feel blessed, the post covid issues I've been dealing with were a little more manageable that morning and gave me the courage to go.  I really wanted to see Mary & Evie more than anything, I missed both very much.

The lunch was really nice, and I was so glad to see some other folks from the Senior Center (I haven't been there since September).  Towards the end of the lunch, when Mary was away from our table, I won the poinsettia centerpiece, which I gifted to Evie just as Mary returned.  Mary then offered to drop me off on the Boulevard so I could hitch a ride home.  She was kidding of course!  I sure do love these characters. 

Here's a few more pictures of our wonderful time there.

Cussin' Connie & Jenny, don't you love their smiles?  This is after I told Connie how great she looked, and she said "And you're full of sh-t!"  I sure have missed her :^)

Chicken quiche, croissant, raspberry walnut salad & apricot green beans.  They served this with plenty of their famous Christmas Tea Spice Punch, which was delicious.  No joke, I drank 4 big cups of that Heavenly Brew

Dessert came courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes, a specialty bake shop on the North Side.  These must've weighed over 1/2 a pound each!  They were topped with thick ropes of cream cheese frosting.

These young men provided the entertainment, and we later sang Christmas carols with the guitar player

Finally, they sent us all home with their famous boxes of assorted Christmas cookies.  I'm freezing most of these until we get closer to Christmas, but enjoyed the pumpkin spice cake for dessert that night--and breakfast the next morning.  😋

I would love to know how others handle this

Half of the time I start a new blog post, I wonder "Do people think I'm self centered, always on here talking about myself?"  I've often guilted myself from posting something new.  And then other times I think, "Wait, isn't that what personal blogs are for?"   I'm not forcing anyone to read my ramblings; it'd be a lot different if I wrote up a new post and put it in an email to one person instead.  

To be honest, I don't think my "real life" friends or family even read my blog.  They know about it, but I never hear a word from them.

I suppose I'm feeling the need for this sharing of sorts, as late last night I did something I'm not too fond of doing, reading my own posts from the last 12 months.  (My gosh, I talk a lot.)  But I wanted to know about the various recoveries and setbacks I had in 2025 with this long covid condition.  I have to admit, I'm glad I shared on here as much as I did.  When you finally believe you've made a full recovery in the cranial region (like I was sure I did, this past August) you almost forget about all the hiccups and bumps in the year-plus road along the way.

Since September 12 I've been dealing with the biggest setback since the start of this whole thing, and I worry it's making me more mental than I already am.  A fellow "long hauler" (that's what people with chronic post covid symptoms call themselves) said it forces you into isolation for months, and this is very true.  I've only spoken to two people on the phone in 3 months (my friends Mary & Diana) and the only people I've seen are the workers at Kuhn's Supermarket for the 10-15 minutes I'm in there once a week.  I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have this blog to reach out to others.

I got up this morning, walked around with a sore face and aching eyes for 15 minutes until the pressure started building in my upper face and forehead, then decided I'd better hop in the shower.  I took off my t-shirt and underwear, my socks and slippers then changed my mind and put my socks and slippers back on.  I then proceeded to walk around in here naked until 10:00am until I realized it was Wash Day (I get Monday mornings in the laundry room all to myself).

I finally decided to wash my face, but not take a shower.  It's 17 degrees outside, and my furnace has been running nonstop.  The backs of my legs are scratchy with dry skin.  

For the record, this is NOT the blog I was going to post this morning.  I wrote up a thrilling one yesterday about an IKEA chair and an impromptu pulled chicken sandwich.  Maybe I'll still post it, I don't know.  I'd better go put on something and take my laundry down.   

I'm still very much hoping I can meet up with my friends Mary & Evie tomorrow for that annual Christmas luncheon, but there will be 80 people there and just talking to more than one person can become painful and overwhelming.

Have a good day everyone, thanks for listening.

Five random videos I enjoy watching over and over

Why does YouTube always recommend videos to me I've already seen?  Because I've got a habit of rewatching stuff over & over?  I only do that with certain videos, like the five below.

I can tell you how many times I've watched these, and I haven't gotten tired of them yet.  Do you have videos on YT you've enjoyed again & again?

Not to worry, all of these are short--maybe not as short as Nancy Sinatra's miniskirt in the third one, but they're short enough!

1.  Steve Lawrence & Edyie Gorme, The Ed Sullivan Show - September 17, 1967

When I was growing up in the 1960s-70s, I thought Steve Lawrence & Edyie Gorme were the hammiest pair on television.  But I began "rediscovering" Eydie's career on YouTube several years ago and fell in love with her earlier stuff.  Anyway, this is the couple at their finest. 

Number of times seen:  16

2.  Joan McCracken in the opening number of 1947's "Good News"

Love the movie, love June Allyson--but whenever Joan McCracken (below) appeared on camera, she stole the show.  Sadly, Joan died at the tender age of 43 (from a heart attack) on November 1, 1961.  One day after I was born.

Number of times seen:  19

3.  Nancy Sinatra, Goldie Hawn & Ruth Buzzi - Laugh-In Salutes the End of the Sixties

Here's what I love in no particular order:  1969, Laugh-In, Nancy Sinatra, Goldie Hawn, Ruth Buzzi's surprisingly sexy legs.

Number of times seen:  17  

4.  The Kitten Lady meets Chickpea

I have a big confession--I love cat & kitten videos, and I've been following this young tattooed woman aka "The Kitten Lady" for at least 5 years now.  She's nationally known and hugely respected, and takes in broken or orphaned kittens.  (She's also rescued puppies and the occasional goat.)

In this video (which I've watched time & again for 5 years) she rescues Chickpea, a kitten that proves even too cute for her.  I'm happy to report Chickpea lived happily ever after.

Number of times seen:  Unknown, probably around 15

5.  The DeLorean Time Machine in Back to the Future

Loved the movie, loved that pimped out ride.  And that's all this is, the car hitting 88 mph.  One awesome minute of it.

Number of times seen:  21

If there's someone up there listening... how about another 3 day pass?

Last week (Tuesday, Nov 18 to be specific) I awoke feeling well.  I was surprised when I climbed out of bed, looked into the bathroom mirror and my eyes didn't have those post-covid black sockets under them.  

I kept my fingers crossed, I was scheduled to get CT scans later that day and it would make things so much better if I could ride the two buses to UPMC without being in too much discomfort.

I continued feeling good that day, even when my neurologist showed me two 'clouds' still in the frontal lobe region from my long covid.

Who cares about clouds, maybe this relapse on September 12 was finally settling down for good.

The next day the good times continued.  I called my barber and asked if she had any openings, it had been several weeks since my last haircut.  She did, and I got a great cut.  The third day, I was still doing great.  I knew I had to take advantage of this, so I showered and dressed first thing, and went downtown to renew my expired driver's license.  This had been weeks overdue.

I awoke Friday morning with some mild burning in my temples, and a very sore neck.  Maybe I slept on it funny and it will fade...  but as the day wore on, the pressure in my head increased, as did the pain in the lower right jawline and mouth.  That damn long covid was fighting it's way back.

By Friday night, the last 3 days seemed like a dream.  At least I made good use of them.

This isn't the first time I got one of those passes.  When all of this began in January 2024 (I am coming up on my 2 year anniversary with this) I was housebound and miserable for 4 months.  Then in May 2024 I got a 3-4 day reprieve, and was able to visit the senior center a couple times and attend a lunch with friends at Red Lobster.  I was happy as a clam, pun intended.

It didn't last, the summer of 2024 was the worst.  I didn't leave my place again for 3 months.  But I got another "weekly pass" in the Fall, and then again in early December.  I was able to attend the Holiday luncheon for Senior Singles at the church next door.   

I got a couple more "3 day passes" in February and April, and by May 2025 things had improved enough that I was venturing out again.  I was still fighting extreme fatigue, go out for 2-3 hours, come home and sleep for 3-4, but the head and facial pain was 90% gone.  Aside from getting plantar fasciitis in August, I really believed the "covid head" stuff was nearly gone for good.

Then of course, on September 12 everything came back.  I haven't been to the senior center since.  

Anyway, it would've been nice to get a 3 day pass this week so I could spend Thanksgiving with loved ones, but I didn't luck out.  I'm hoping I get a pass next week so I can attend this years Senior Singles Holiday Lunch with my gals Mary and Evie.  I really miss them.

Finally, here's one thing with a happy ending:  a few days ago, I was making a cup of coffee and it tasted like burnt plastic.  I tried another k-cup, same result.  I ran a cup of white vinegar thru my Keurig and activated the deep cleanse.  No change.

My K-Supreme was a month or so past its warranty, so I'd have to purchase another one.  This was my third K-Supreme in 5 years!  

But feeling face-sore and cranky, I called Customer Service anyway.  I got a very polite Indian woman named Sky.  I told her what happened, she said "Okay sir, here is what we're going to do.  First I want you to try a different brand k-cup..."   I told her no, I did that already.  She said "Perfect.  Okay, now we're going to operate your machine in clean mode.  Do you have any white vinegar?"

I said "Sky, I did all that this morning.  I'm not wasting anymore time or k-cups on this faulty machine.  And I know it's a month past the warranty, so I'm not expecting you to replace it.  I just wanted someone to know how disappointed I am.  I've been a loyal customer of Keurig for years, but this is ridiculous."

Sky said she was very sorry for the inconvenience, I said thanks for listening.  Fifteen minutes later, she called back and asked for the serial number on my Keurig.  After giving it to her, Sky said they were sending me a new machine, no charge.  I was very surprised, thanked her and asked if I needed to send the bad one back.  She said no, just discard it.

It arrived a couple days ago and boy, my coffee tastes great again.  I hope this one can stick around for awhile.

Older men who live alone and don't exactly cook want Thanksgiving dinner too

Before...

Ready to eat; I was almost surprised how tasty everything was

This turned out better than expected, I really enjoyed that turkey & stuffing.  I was going to watch tv while eating, but there were big swirls of snow flurries outside my dining room window, so I enjoyed that instead.

Later on with my dessert (I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie)  I did enjoy an awesome movie--the 1993 tv movie A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion on DVD.   Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.  

What's better than a great foreign film? When it's free to watch too

Back in 1999 when I was working at BNY Mellon, I was browsing the "World Wide Web" one day (during my lunch hour, of course) and came across a website that said "Why go to the video store to rent movies when you can do it from home?"  and boasted they had over 500 movies on DVD.  It was Netflix of course, and the idea of a movie arriving in a postage paid envelope (to watch and ship back) sounded pretty clever to me.

When I showed it to my coworker Mike, he said "Sounds like a gimmick, just go to Blockbuster!"  But I was intrigued as I looked at their catalog and saw many were foreign films--most of which I'd never heard of, let alone seen for rent anywhere.   

So I signed up, and the very first dvd I got in the mail was Run Lola Run, a 1998 German thriller that blew my socks off.  It was brilliant, never saw anything like it before.

Eventually I began renting Hollywood movies in the mail too as Netflix grew, but I always looked for foreign (subtitled) releases first. 

Anyway, the other night I was on Tubi (a free streaming service) and was surprised to see several foreign films I once enjoyed greatly and gave my highest "A" grades to.  I thought I'd share a few of my reviews here.  

These are all available to watch for free on Tubi.

The Cakemaker (2018)  Thomas, a baker in Berlin is in love with Oren, a businessman from Jerusalem who visits once a month.  But when Oren goes missing, Thomas will travel there—and learn Oren died in a car crash, leaving behind a wife & son.  Not revealing who he is, Thomas will ask Oren’s wife for a job in her kosher cafe—why?  A wary family will soon warm to him in this gentle wonder of how we love & grieve. (German-Hebrew-English)  My grade: A Plus

Becoming Astrid (2018)  Red haired and feisty, she grew up in the 1900s on a farm in the Swedish countryside.  Her writings will land her a job with the local paper at the age of 16, but life will soon take a dramatic turn.  A single mom now, she’ll spin tales to her little boy, and someday to all children when she creates Pippi Longstocking.  It’s a brief glimpse at Astrid Lindgren’s life, but beautifully told.  It just couldn’t be more special. (Swedish) My grade: A Plus

The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012)  Dieder is a kind hearted Belgian who loves American Bluegrass music.  Elise is the woman he falls for, devout in her Christianity as he is in atheiesm.  And now as their 6 year old daughter Maybelle lies dying of cancer in a hospital, their beliefs (or lack of) are scrutinized by the other, leaving us trembling in their wake.  Extraordinary. (Belgian)  My grade: A Plus

I’m Your Man (2021) Desperate for funds, Alma agrees to allow Tom, a male robot to live with her for his final testing.  His sole purpose is to provide love and happiness.  Barely containing her revulsion, she’ll spurn his efforts, leaving him confused about his life's purpose.  Will Alma come around?  Will Tom?  I am misty-eyed, what a smart, dear & thought-provoking story.  Perfect casting makes this a winner.  (German)  My grade: A

The Nun (2013) In 1760 France, Suzanne is forced to enter a convent when her mother reveals she was the product of an illicit affair. Suzanne yearns to be a free woman, but loves her Mother Superior; until she dies and Suzanne learns the religious life forced on her is the least of her problems.  Exquisite to watch, she wears her sorrow well, like a young Ingrid Bergman. (French) My grade: A

The Silence (2010)   A 13 year old girl is missing, and her bike is found in the same spot in the countryside where a young girl disappeared 23 years before. Why? The answers are there in this masterfully told story that almost thrums like a high tension wire.  Still, this is a story of awful crime, and anguish.  Steel yourself. (German) My grade: A

A Royal Affair (2012)  In 1766, Princess Caroline of Britain is betrothed to the young, insane King of Denmark; despondent, she bonds with the King's personal physician (Mads Mikkelsen) and adopts his ideas for reform and change. Is Denmark ready for such revolutionary ideas? Yes and no, in this tragic yet royal retelling of it's darkest days. Hope springs eternal. (Danish) My grade: A

Teddy Bear (2012)  Dennis is a bodybuilder--and a gentle giant, with a heart as big as his biceps. But he's a painfully shy man, and lorded over by his mother. So when his uncle tells him of the lovely women in Thailand, Dennis decides he'll go and find one for his own. With a hint of exotic flavor, this was touching and kind and what else is love about anyway? (Danish) My grade: A

I almost forgot to mention--Run Lola Run can be seen for free on the Roku Channel.  You won't be sorry. 😊

Three bus trips in three days--I just want to make a couple observations

I've been a busy guy this week--not only have I left my place every day this week, I left it three times in a row to take 3 bus trips in a row.  

Here's my first observation--the bus sign across the street from my apartment building.  I MISS THE OLD BUS SIGN WITH BUS NUMBERS ON IT.  God forbid you don't have a smartphone to scan this sign to see what buses stop here!   Are we just assuming everyone owns a smartphone now?   I feel like I'm being dragged against my will into the future.

Second observation--I caught this bus (and a transfer downtown) to UPMC Presby in Oakland to meet with my neurologist and get 2 new CT scans done of my head.  The bad news is, I'm still dealing with cranial inflammation from post-covid.  The good news is, compared to my last scans, the affected areas have reduced by 70%.   

Here's what I really wanted to share--I had a headache the whole time I was there because my brain kept trying to decide if my nurse was a male or female.  He/she was white with shoulder length hair, a sort of masculine face but with makeup, a sort of masculine body but with a bosom.  

When I asked nurse their name, they said "Thomya".  I said "Oh okay.. Tonya."  Nurse said "No, not Tonya.  Thomya."  I said "Tommy."   Nurse said "No.  T-H-O-M-Y-A."   I said "I'm so sorry, is that a male or female name?"  Thomya said "Hehe!  Neither, I hope!  I was born with male parts but I don't identify as male."  I said "Oh okay, sorry about that Miss Thomya."  Thomya said "Hehe!  I'm not a miss!"

THEN WHAT ARE YOU.   Jiminy Cricket!

The next day (yesterday) I took the bus downtown To PennDOT to renew my driver's license.  Actually, I renewed it online 3 months ago, but they didn't send me my new license in the mail.  I got a camera card that required me to go downtown to their office.  When I called and asked why they sent a camera card instead of a new license, I was told "If your last photo-ID was considered unsatisfactory, we require you to come in and have a new photo taken."   Darn it.

So after getting up early, going downtown and waiting a half hour for my turn, was called up to one of the windows.  The woman asked me several questions in a very tired voice, then told me to stare at the blue dot while she took my photo.  When I saw it and frowned, she asked me if I wanted another photo.  I said yes.  When I saw it and frowned again, she said "Do you just want to use the photo from your last license?"

I THOUGHT IT WAS CONSIDERED "UNSATISFACTORY"!  I said no, as long as I was required to make the trip downtown I want a new picture!  

And finally, earlier today I took the bus up the street to Lincoln Barbershop for a long overdue haircut.  The shop is only 1/2 mile from my apartment, but I'm still dealing with plantar fasciitis and it's too long a walk for me.  I knew with two barbers there'd be at least 3 people beside myself, so I took a handful of Mike's 5th Avenue candy bars with me.

I said "Remember the old days when new dads would hand out cigars in the waiting room after their kid was born?  Well. my social security starts in 2 months so I thought I'd hand these out instead."

They were all very thankful and I got a great haircut I'm very happy with--The End!

I need a haircut--I sure wish I could go to Henderson's Barbershop again

Me, 8th grade

I'm a couple weeks behind schedule with my monthly haircut and starting to get pretty shaggy on top.  I go to Lincoln Barbershop up the street from me, where I've been a regular for 25 years or so.  It costs $20.00 for a cut, and I give Rose (the only person I trust with my scalp) a $5.00 tip.  

But growing up, I went to Ralph Henderson's Barbershop in my hometown of Waynesburg Pa.  He was 2 doors up from McCracken's Pharmacy, and for years my dad would drop me off with $2.00.  The haircut was $1.50, with a 50 cent tip.  Always on a Saturday morning, you'd open that door, walk in and be greeted with the smell of Bay Rum aftershave, the faint tinny sound of an AM news station from Ralph's radio, and the disapproving stares of 3-4 boys ahead of you.  

They'd give you the once-over before returning to their comic books, and you'd go over to the rack and hope to find Batman or Fantastic Four, anything besides Little Lulu.  I never wasted my allowance on Archie comics, but got my fill of them (and Lulu, Casper the Friendly Ghost & Richie Rich) at the barbershop.

Ralph Henderson was Norman Rockwell's idea of a barber.  He had salt & pepper hair and silver glasses, and wore a white barbers tunic.  He would ask you about your folks and how short did you want to go, but didn't do much talking after that.  If you happened to be there at noon, he would say "Half hour lunch break fellas" and sit at the small wooden desk behind his barbers chair with his bag lunch and quietly read his newspaper.

On the upper right, up the street from McCracken's Pharmacy--that was Ralph's Barbershop

In the top drawer of his desk was a stack of Playboy magazines.  Sometimes, not often, a man would come in for a haircut and head straight back to Ralph's desk until it was his turn.  We knew there was girlie magazines back there, but never tried to sneak a peek.

When it was your turn, Ralph would come around the chest-high partition that separated the front of his shop from his barber chair, and ask who's next.  There was never an argument on who's turn it was, we all knew.  One time a tall, skinny young man came into the shop, he didn't look familiar.  When Ralph called for the next one to come back, the young man stood up and headed back.  We all sat there wide-eyed, in shock.  It's not his turn!  It's Chuck's turn, then George!  Then mine!

Ralph said "Go back and wait your turn."  The young man said we told him he could go ahead of us.  Ralph said "Leave my shop and don't come back for two weeks."  We loved it!

I remember one time walking in, and a kid I knew from Scouts named Doug Tenney was there with a little girl.  I asked who she was and Doug said she was his little sister, he had to watch her while their mom was at the doctor's office, she had a weird thing on her foot.  Another kid asked "Does your mom know any sailors?  I bet she has scurvy" and we laughed so hard!  When it was Doug's turn, he stood up and his sister followed him back.  Ralph said "No girls are allowed past the partition, you fellas keep her busy out there.  

We sat with her and read a Casper comic to her in goofy voices.  It's funny, the stuff you don't forget.

Born in 1923, Ralph Henderson retired in the 1980s and died in 2001.  It's sad to see that Google image of his long closed shop, I'll always remember the front window having Henderson's Barber Shop painted in big blue cursive.  I remember the week before my senior year of high school, sitting down in his barber chair and telling him to go ahead and cut it short around the ears.  (I'd kept my hair long and over my ears since 9th grade.)  He was delighted and told me I was growing up.   Miss you, Ralph.

One minute you're 40, the next you're applying for Social Security

The other morning when my brother Steve texted to let me know my nephew (his son Stevie) was getting married, and I asked how old is Stevie now and Steve said he turned 40 in September... weren't we all 40 just a few years ago?

Thinking back to 2001 when I turned 40, I headed into my kitchen and looked through the junk drawer and there it was--the pin I bought for the lapel of my coat, after the events of 9-11-01.  I remember that day like it was only a couple years ago, I'm sure many of you can say the same.  I was sent home early from work that day, as downtown Pittsburgh was ordered evacuated.  I got a ride with my ex's mother (who saw me standing at my bus stop and honked at me to get in, then yelled all the way home about our military, President Bush and trash tv).  

I spent that entire day glued to my tv, watching the same events play out over & over.  I can even remember what I had for dinner, leftover spareribs from Sunday.  A day or two later I was headed to work and saw these flag pins at a newsstand I passed on my way to the office, and bought one for my jacket.  

I don't know why I'm sharing all of this, I just can't believe how quickly the years have passed since I was 40.  I want to tell my nephew "you're going to be 64 before you know it".

Speaking of 64, last Saturday (November 1, the day after my 64th birthday) I was sitting here watching an awful documentary about Bigfoot, and thought "Well it's as good a time as any to apply for Social Security" so I went online to my SSA account.

On my recent statement it said "At age 64 years your monthly payment is estimated to be $1913.00."  Sounded good to me, so I began the application.  There were a LOT of questions, but nothing too difficult or complicated.

After I gulped and hit submit, I received an auto-generated email that said I should be hearing back from them after 30 days.  It added my reviewer would reach out by telephone or mail with additional questions, and they often do this on weekends or after business hours.  

Curious, I jumped on earlyretirement.org and a social security reddit board, and was dismayed at what I was finding.  A lot of people complaining their applications were on hold for months (for faulty or mismatched information) or outright denied.  

One man neglected to report his first marriage as a teen, people failed to report children they hadn't seen since childbirth, some people attempted to file too early or mistakenly filed for disability, etc.

A retired social security administrator said it took on average 90 days to review an application, not 30.  And this was before the recent government shutdown, so I figured I had a wait.

So imagine my surprise when I got an email from the SSA a week later.  Nothing written, just this image at the right, saying my attention was needed.

Assuming they were requesting additional documents (like my drivers license or birth certificate) I went to the SSA site, signed in and saw "Your application is approved."  And below that:

This only took a week, I guess you can't believe everything you read.  As I requested my payments begin in January, they start one month after your request date.

The amount will drop some when I turn 65 and Medicare kicks in, but that's not for 10-11 months.

I still can't believe this is really happening.  I know I earned it but still... I'm waiting for a follow-up that says they grossly overestimated my monthly amount, or I've been declared an anti-Trumpist and being deported instead.  We'll see!

Things of a Personal, Sweet & Family Nature

In a few days it will be two months since my infamous 3 hour dental appointment that reawakened the long covid in my head & face.  It brought new meaning to the date September 11 for me.

I'm sorry for going on about it for the umpteenth time, I know what a tired subject it is.  But I went over 3 months this summer with little symptoms before that much needed dental appointment.  This has been an ongoing thing for close to 2 years now.  

I just want it to lessen up to the point of being manageable again--where I can go back outside and spend time with friends & family again.

 Alright, enough.  I've got better things to share.

This morning my brother Steve texted me and told me my oldest nephew (his son Stevie) is getting married to his long-time girlfriend Jacie.  I haven't seen Stevie since a family dinner we had a couple years ago, but I've always felt a closeness to him.  He's a big bear, but a gentle one too and has never hesitated giving me a hug when we meet.  What really surprised me though is his age, he turned 40 in September.  Unreal. 

Anyway, aren't these terrific photos?  Someone in the restaurant overheard Steve proposing and took these pictures.  I sure am happy for these two!

And Steve & Ann (my brother and his wife of 75 years--well, it seems that long) congratulations to you too, I love you guys.  Yes Ann, you too! 😉  

Finally,  I wanted to share this "little surprise" I got in the mail yesterday--a belated birthday present, a big box of candy from my sister Shawn.  When I texted Shawn to thank her, she said "Doug I swear I had every intention of doing this before your friend Mike sent you that box of 5th Avenue candy bars and beat me to the punch!  That's the one candy bar I was looking for before I changed my mind and sent this to you!"

I told Shawn thank you and of course I believed her, and no one can have too much candy.  But I have a feeling my weekly weight chart is going to be headed in the opposite direction this month.

Swamp in a pot? Well, there's a first time for everything

The other day I was in the store reaching for a can of breadcrumbs, and a woman (black if you want to get specific, she had the tallest hair I'd ever seen) was standing directly behind me, talking on her phone.  She said "They got your sausage on sale, I'll make swamp potatoes."

After she walked away, I turned around and saw the sausage she was talking about--Eckrich Smoked Cheddar.  Can't say I ever bought this, and I had NO idea what 'swamp potatoes' were.  But it was only $2.99, so I tossed a pack into my cart.  When I got home, I looked up swamp potatoes and saw a hundred versions of this recipe that included extras like oil, butter, salt, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, chopped onions, onion soup mix.  

But they all boiled down to the same few ingredients in a crockpot:  green beans, onion, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked sausage.  I had the veggies, garlic powder & Cajun seasoning in my cupboard, and a mini-crockpot.  So why not give it a go.

I dumped the chopped onion in first, followed by one can of green beans (and didn't drain them--I figured that would be my water/broth).  Added 3 pats of butter.  Chopped 10 little yellow potatoes in half, tossed them in, sprinkled garlic powder over them and a couple shakes of that Old Bay.

Finally, I sliced ONE of those sausage links in 1/2" inch slices, put them on top.  Wonder how it will all turn out?

Well, it seems I did everything right.  I didn't add extra liquid (aside from the green beans) and it didn't need any, the pot made plenty.  No oil or soup mix either, just a few pats of butter and I went very easy on the spices.  A little of that Old Bay goes a long way.   

I let it cook on low for 2 hours, then high for 90 minutes.  I put a dollop of sour cream with some smoked paprika on the side, and it was absolutely delicious.  I can't wait to make this again.

Thinking out loud, sharing a few words and an apology if needed

This was taken in my little kitchen on Monday November 3, at 2:31 pm.  You can't tell by looking, but the one side of my face is swollen & hurts (the side closer to my words).  My chin & left eye sting, with some aching in my jaw.

It's not horrible, but is still uncomfortable enough to keep me from wanting to go out and do normal things.  I'm convinced it's going to fade eventually, just don't know when.

As I've shared before, this all returned in mid-September (after a 3 hour trip to the dentist) and it's not as bad as it was the first couple weeks, at least.

Anyway, one of the reasons for this post is because I know I've been blogging more than usual, and if I'm making you tired of me, I'm sorry.  It's just that this blog is pretty much my contact with the outside world until I can make a complete recovery and get back out there again.

I also didn't know how much easier it was to create new posts until my older laptop died (along with my 20 year old editor) and I had to start using Blogger's nifty online version.  It's so much simpler, I just wish I had more things to write about now!

I took down a recent post I wrote late Saturday night (I was watching a dreadful documentary about Bigfoot while working on my application for Social Security).  It was pretty boring stuff, but really opened my eyes what a lengthy process this can be.  It could take months to get that first check.

Speak of the Devil (heh) I just got this email from them.

I never thought I'd see the day I'd be applying for social security.  I can still remember getting my very first paycheck in August 1977, I was a dishwasher at the Olde Southern Pancake House.  I made $2.10 an hour and worked my butt off.  To this day the thought of boysenberry syrup still gags me.

Okay that's all I have for now--thanks as always for listening, I should be back tomorrow or the day after with a tasty food post.  :^)  

Where's my lifetime supply of candy bars? Right here!

I don't know what to say.  I was sitting here watching tv, my downstairs buzzer sounded.  "Delivery from FedEx."   What the--I didn't order anything..

I run downstairs, and this package was waiting for me in the lobby--a case of 5th Avenue candy bars!  And no return address!  This sure was sweet, whoever did this!  I'm in shock, there's over 2 pounds of candy bars here--for someone like me, this really IS a lifetime of candy bars!

Whoever did this awesome & generous thing--really, thank you.  Could you come forward?  What a thoughtful present!

UPDATE:  This gift was courtesy of Mike, a very nice guy who reads my blog.  Thanks Mike, you made this birthday a special one.

Where's my lifetime supply of candy bars?

October 31, 1971 - My 10th birthday

Seeing as how it's Halloween (and my birthday) I wanted to share this goofy memory.  In the fall of 1971, there was a story on the news about a man who won free hamburgers for life from his local Burger Chef.  I can't remember if he won a contest or was being rewarded for some good deed, but I can still see that skinny man and his wavy hair.  He promised he'd be back tomorrow, and the day after that.

I don't think his free burgers lasted a lifetime though.  Burger Chef went out of business 10 years later, in 1981.

Anyway, I remember it so well because my birthday was coming up and Mom asked me if there was anything special I wanted for my 10th year.  Feeling inspired, I said a lifetime supply of 5th Avenue candy bars would be pretty sweet. 

(At the time, 5th Avenue was my favorite candy bar.  It's been so long since I've had one though, some kind of peanut butter shellac dipped in chocolate, I think I'd break my teeth if I bit into one today.)

The day of my birthday, I was unwrapping my presents and Dad said they were saving my special one for last.  Special one?  I'd just gotten an artist's easel, personalized duffel bag and art supplies, a pretty nice haul.

Dad handed me a small gift and when I unwrapped it, there was a 5th Avenue candy bar inside.

I said "Am I really getting a lifetime supply of these??"  Dad said "Yep!  One every year for the rest of your life!"

Hey--I just realized, someone owes me.... 54 Fifth Avenue candy bars.

Happy Halloween, Everyone

As my 64th birthday nears... My Autumn Sonata

Liv Ullman, Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata, 1979

Yesterday when I got out of bed and checked the weather--temps in the 40s, blustery winds, gray skies--I decided I'd spend some time reading, have an early lunch of tomato soup and a roast turkey sandwich, then find something quiet to watch.  I came across this Swedish movie from 1979 on HBO Max, just what I was looking for.  Autumn Sonata, starring Ingrid Bergman & Liv Ullman.

I won't give too much of the story away.  Ingrid Bergman is an international concert pianist who comes to stay with her daughter and son-in-law for a few days, and in the process we learn how estranged these two really are.  That first night, Ingrid's daughter (Liv Ullman) glows to her husband how different her mother seems now, and she just knows her mom is happy to be with family again. 

Meanwhile, Ingrid is upstairs in bed, admiring the 5 million francs in her bankbook and anxious to get out of there and fly to Paris.  She's a tough bird who doesn't like being around needy people, including her daughter.  

There's almost an irony here.  In real life, Ms. Bergman had just turned 64 and discovered a lump under her breast during filming.  It would turn out to be an aggressive lymphoma, and she would have to cancel her plans for another movie.  This would be her final film.  In a year she'd be crippled from the cancer and die just two years later.  You never know when it's your time.

I apologize for the bleakness here, but as I sat here and read about Ingrid's life ending at 64, I can't help but hope mine picks back up again.  I'll be turning 64 this Friday.  I really thought the long covid was mostly under control, was able to go on a few outings this summer.  But since my setback in mid-September, even a trip to the grocery store is overwhelming.  My friend Diana says "you beat it before, you will again" and I believe that.  I just wish I knew when.  

After my birthday I'll be applying for Social Security.  I worked many years for it (most of us do) but it still amazes me I'm eligible and technically have been for two years.  This time next year, I'll be signing up for Medicare.  I can't believe my parents never made it that far.  

I know I share too much personal info here, but once I get started... in the summer of 2001, a few months after Dad died, and 3-4 months before I turned 40, I was spending the weekend with my mom.  We got to talking about finances, and she asked me if I had a lot of money saved.  I said "What do you define as a lot?"  She said a half-million dollars.  I laughed and said "Mom, how much do you think I earn?!"  

I told her I had $2,500 in my checking account, $45,000 in my retirement account and $155,000 in an online savings account.  I had to explain what an online bank was and how it was FDIC insured just like her local bank, but paid much higher interest.  She still thought it sounded risky, but asked if I had plans for my savings.  I said yes, when the time was right I'd buy a house.

I didn't buy any houses.  Mom passed in 2004, and in 2009 when we were dealing with "The Great Recession", interest rates dropped and my savings account went from earning $400 a month interest to almost nothing.  I decided to move my nest egg into the stock market where it grew better than expected.  It allowed me to retire in my mid-50s.

But as someone who grew up relatively poor, and spent most of his twenties in a succession of minimum wage jobs and often on the verge of homelessness, I never lost that frugal mindset.  In fact, it's taken me all these years to finally stop worrying about going over my monthly budget.  I no longer have a monthly budget.  (I'll never spend a penny on iphones, bottled water, Taylor Swift or gambling though.)

Right now, my goals are to recover from this awful setback, see my friends at the senior center again, visit my sister and brother-in-law in Greene County and maybe my second cousin's hamburger stand (if it's still standing that is).  I want to spend some time with my friend Diana in West Virginia and tour the "Hare Krishna Palace of Gold" in Moundsville and the haunted prison in Morgantown.   Almost heaven, West Virginia.  I do love that state.   

For now, all I can do is bide my time and hope for better days.  It's so frustrating when you have the time, you've got the resources, but your head's a witches cauldron, a scary kettle of things.  Well, it's almost Halloween you know.  

I guess that wraps up my Autumn Sonata...my hands tapping on laptop keys vs. piano keys.  Thanks very much for reading.  A lot of you out there have been such good friends on here, and I can't tell you how much it's meant to me.  Thanks again.

Who is this man and why did I listen to him talk for an hour yesterday

I have a little bit of a confession to make.  A couple years ago I began following a couple channels on YouTube of child actors from the 1970s, people in their sixties now who were my age then (and I suppose still my age today).

One is Judy Norton, who played oldest daughter Mary Ellen Walton on The Waltons, that aired Thursday nights on CBS in the 1970s.

I just love her--she does a LOT of reminiscing about her years on the show, and of the 6-7 times I've written her, I've gotten great responses every time. 

Another channel I came across recently was a podcast hosted by a couple different guys, Ike Eisenmann (pictured above) and Moosie Drier.   Ike did lots of guest spots on 70s television, and costarred with Kim Richards in the Disney flicks Escape to Witch Mountain and Return to Witch Mountain.  Moosie played John Denver's son in the 1977 movie Oh God and Howard Borden's son on The Bob Newhart Show.

I know, I know--we're not exactly talking big or famous actors here.  But they're both in their early sixties now (like me) and I just feel a connection to them.  I enjoy hearing them reminisce, and they help me remember those years with great fondness.

Anyway, the reason I'm even sharing all of this is because during a recent podcast, Ike was admitting to feeling envy today at other child actor's resumes back then, and Moosie said "But they've never had a documentary made about them."   Ike admitted it was very flattering.  

I looked it up, watched it last night and enjoyed it very, very much.  Filmmaker Dion Labriola, 60 years old, knew very early on what he wanted to do in life.  Draw monsters and make films about them.  And then one day in a teen idol magazine belonging to his sister, he saw an interview with Ike Eisenmann who said he enjoyed drawing things like spaceships and monsters, and hoped to do it professionally someday.

(For the record, as my family and friends well know, I also did lots of drawings of spaceships and monsters back then.  So I really related to this pair.)

Dion became obsessed with Ike and began writing him VERY detailed fan letters of how they should meet, become friends, collaborate on projects, become rich & successful.  Sadly, Ike never saw any of these letters until many years later, when both were middle aged.

It's still a great story though, and a wonderful documentary.  And you can watch it for free on the PBS app.  The End!

It may not be a protest, but I'll do what I can

It's been a rainy, windy day here in Pittsburgh--a high of around 49 degrees at noon.  Since the return of my long covid symptoms in mid-Sept (where things like sunlight & heat cause my cranial inflammation to flare for hours) I figured it would be good 'walking weather' to the market for some groceries.

Got some eggs, raspberry jam, Thomas English muffins, string beans, sausage... lots of good stuff.

When I got home I was glad to see my Arizona Highways 2026 calendar had arrived, along with my mail in ballot and a postcard from some woman named Nancy who lives in Florida, imploring me to vote in November in favor of keeping the 3 Pennsylvania Supreme Court judges up for retention.  "Doug, they're all Democrats!"

Yes Nancy I know, and of course I'll be voting to keep them on the bench for another 10 years.  If they go, we'll be left with 4 judges--two Dem, two Republicans.  And if we get a Republican majority, we'll lose things like abortion rights and mail-in voting, which we need more than ever right now.  Those damn Republicans, I wish I could wring their necks, chop 'em all up in little pieces.   

Whoa, where'd that come from?  I'm just in a cranky mindset from this chronic inflammation--besides, most Republicans seem to look past all the crap King Trump spews daily.   I try my best to as well.

Anyway, just wanted to put something new out here.  I need to get my ballot in the mail, pronto.