Sunday, October 5, 2025

Good things are coming, I just gotta get thru one more thing...

Last weekend when I was in the hospital for a blocked bile duct, they gave me a pair of those hospital socks with the nubs on the bottoms (to walk on slick hospital room floors with) and I said "Would you mind if I wore these double-thick tube socks I brought with me?  I have plantar fasciitis and those nubs are too painful on my feet."   They said oh sure, sorry to hear that.

Later that night around 1am when they came in to check my heartrate and temp, the nurse saw my swollen face and said "Douglas, wake up--I alerted the doctor you have a high temperature and one side of your face is swollen, were you stung earlier?  Do you have a food allergy?"  I said no, I've been dealing with a long covid relapse since mid-August and this happens every night.  She later returned with a naproxen to reduce the inflammation and I said "Can I just have some regular aspirin?  Naproxen interferes with the Amlodipine I take at night for my high blood pressure."  Cathy (the nurse) said "You're not doing too well, are you?  Hang in there!"  

Since coming home, I've been dealing with a sore stomach and then a couple nights ago, some pretty severe bloating.  Very painful on the right side (hence the hot water bottle is always with me) plus I am out of breath--constantly.  It's really pushing on my lungs.  

I am still feeling fortunate though--I was supposed to visit my friend Carl at the hardware store on Saturday to get help in retrieving data from my recently croaked laptop, but he called Friday morning and asked if I could come in a day sooner as Mitchell was there, and this was REALLY his thing.  I said of course, and Mitchell was a great guy--I brought along a couple flash drives and we were able to get the rest of my files off my old Toshiba.   

On my way home, I stopped at my barbershop and gave my barber Roe (who is also suffering with plantar fasciitis) a foot roller like the one pictured above.  I then stopped in my dentists office and canceled my next appointment on Oct 13, got back home just in time for my stomach to begin its crazy bloating thing.  I laid in bed Friday night, unable to turn on either side it hurt so bad.  God, what did I ever do to you?

It was no better on Saturday, in fact the pain was worse; at least it kept me from stuffing myself (which I am prone to do every weekend), all I wound up having was a bowl of hot & sour soup and some applesauce.  I had this bloating several years ago (also after a gallstone mishap) and it lasted 3-4 weeks before it fully went away.  

I haven't been to the senior center since mid-August, they've probably forgotten all about me (and I wouldn't blame 'em, I'd forget myself too).  I'm just amazed at this series of unfortunate events.  At the same time, I am liking my new computer and my feet are finally showing some real healing--still too painful to walk about barefoot, but I can stand in the shower longer and they're not in great pain in the mornings.

I've also been doing good at sticking to my healthier eating (you'll see in my next post) and the orofacial pain (from that horrific dental visit 4 weeks ago) is finally dying down too.  Now I just have to get this awful bloating to settle down and pray nothing else goes wrong--for a couple of weeks at least!

One more thing, I know my posts have been a real drag lately, and I'm always surprised when kind folk and online friends show up to offer their friendship & support.  Thank you, and I'm going to try harder to talk about things beside my health in the future.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Crikey, when it rains it pours

This has been a real week.  Spent the weekend in the hospital (and to be honest, still dealing with some belly issues).  Then I came home to no internet and a defective router, which Xfinity did come to my place and got me set up with a new gizmo which works wonderfully.

And then Wednesday morning I get up, make a cup of coffee, get situated on my couch to work on my upcoming blog about fighting fat... and my beloved laptop died.  

My new Asus Vivobook on the top, my 2011 Toshiba below; they have the same size 15.6" screen

It had nothing to do with the new gateway just installed in my home.  The Toshiba has been on it's last legs for a few years now, held together with packing tape, twine and even half-erasers under 3-4 keys that were stuck.  It took forever to start up, and even longer to shut down at night--but I loved it like an old friend.  

I bought the Asus over a year ago, back in Jan 2024, one week before I got covid that became long covid.  It's been hidden away in my bedroom dresser ever since.  Until today, that is.

I feel like I've been uprooted from 2011 and tossed into 2025.  Did you know The Good Wife is no longer on tv?  President Obama is no longer in office and we're under siege by a Fascist party and megalomaniac tyrant?  You don't own Microsoft Office anymore, you SUBSCRIBE to it?  Enough!

This new laptop is lighter on the lap--it weighs 13 ounces.  Not even one pound.  My Toshiba weighs 10 pounds, 5 oz--that thing was a tank.  Anyway,  I can't figure out where anything is on here.  It keeps telling me to stop trying to store files on it, move them to Microsoft's One Drive.  

The mousepad doesn't even have buttons!  

What bothers me most of all, the first thing I did was download "Open Live Writer.  OLW is an editor I've been using for 20 years to write and publish my blogs.  But when I tried to install it, I got a stern warning APP DENIED ACCESS from Google (because it uses your Google credentials to create an offline version of your blog).   

I went looking for answers.  I discovered this has been happening since 2020 for every blogger who uses OLW and gets a new computer.   So after 20 years of blogging, this is my first time writing a post using Blogger's online editor.   It's going to take some time getting used to.  

Well, on Saturday I am meeting with Carl from the hardware store, we're going to use his work station and an ethernet cable to hopefully get access to my Toshiba's hard drive long enough to retrieve my photos folder, financial documents and a couple blog drafts I was working on.  Wish me luck and if you see anything weird going on with my blog--that's just me trying to get a new handle on things here.  Thanks for listening.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Don’t fix it if it’s not broken—I hope I’m finally learning my lesson

Can I share a couple quick gripes and then bow out quietly again?   I’ve had a rocky couple of days, and just wanted to vent.  First of all, what you see here is my old Xfinity router and my new X1 Gateway.  I’ve had my old Xfnity router for 7 years and it’s never given me a lick of trouble.

(Well, a few years ago I thought it was dying when my internet stopped working—I jumped thru enough hoops to warrant an actual technician here, who determined my router was fine, someone had disconnected my broadband connector in the basement.)

Anyway—for the last 5-6 months, I’ve been getting texts from Xfinity.  “We noticed you’re still using an old router!  We will be happy to replace that with a Gateway, at no extra charge!  Type 1 for YES, or 2 for NO”   I always hit 2—I was fine with my old one, why fix it if it’s not broken?

But the texts continued, so finally last week I caved and hit yes.  And two days later, this newer gizmo showed up at my mailbox, with instructions on downloading the X1 app and setting it up myself. 

Suffice it to say, I followed the instructions very carefully and everytime I ran a test on the app, got back “It’s not working.  Let’s troubleshoot!”   I troubleshooted until 1:30am Saturday night.  I finally said to hell with it, hooked my old one back up… nope!  That one was now officially a brick! 

The next morning, I got another text from Xfinity.  “There seems to be a problem with your internet.  Would you like a technician to visit you?  Our nearest opening is Sept 30 at noon-2pm.”  I said yes.  It asked me if I was sure.   I SAID YES THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!

I later figured out (on my own) how to ‘de-register’ and  re-register my old one, and got back my internet high-speed connection again.  And when that Xfinity tech arrives, I’ll be very curious to see if he gets the new one working—but I am REALLY attached to that old one and plan to let him know.  I should’ve trusted my gut to begin with.

It just reminds me of this continued inflammation in my head & face, the return of long covid symptoms after that 3 hour dental appointment.  I wasn’t experiencing any pain or discomfort with my teeth, all I wanted was a good teeth cleaning!  That dentist insisted I had 5-6 developing cavities!  I was 80-90% past the long covid inflammation, until he got in there and started drilling away.  This is Day 21 of it returning.  Again, why fix it if it wasnt broken… I just want to scream.

Finally… yesterday (Sunday) afternoon I was sitting here preparing to eat my dinner, some stewed tomatoes and a Havarti omelet, when my heart began racing.  I said “Oh well” and dug in.  A few minutes later, my heart began pounding and I broke out in a very hot sweat—I raced to the bathroom and threw up what I’d eaten.  Was I having a heart attack?

I called 911, told them what was happening and asked if I should wait & see if things subside.  They said absolutely not, they were sending someone right away.  I raced in my bedroom to change my pants and grab my wallet, by then the pain was spreading out across my torso and I was finding it more & more difficult to breathe.

Two EMT medics arrived within 10 minutes; I was laying on my living room floor but had my front door standing open so they could see me quick enough.  Long story short, I was taken to Mercy Hospital, had an x-ray, CT scan and abdominal ultrasound and they determined I had a large gallstone trapped in my bile duct.

If you’ve ever had kidney stones or gallstones, you know they can leave you gasping.  One feels like a knife in your back, the other like a knife in the stomach.  Here’s the difference though, kidney stones (once passed) leave you achy and sore in your back & sides for a couple days.  Gallstones?  The pain is like an on & off switch.  Once its passed, you’re fine.

I finally passed it a couple hours later.  Mercy was going to send me home, but after learning I lived alone and had no family nearby, kept me overnight for observation.  They even arranged a cab home for me early Monday morning.  Before I left the hospital, the AP asked me if I’d given any thought to gallbladder surgery (considering my prior history) and I did say it’s crossed my mind, what did he think. 

He said my attacks have been infrequent (my last one was a year ago) and as the gb looks healthy and hasn’t given me any real problems yet, why fix it if it isn’t broken.  Yes this time I’m going with that.

Thanks for reading, talk to everyone again soon.

UPDATE:  It took him 1 hour and 39 minutes, but Josh from Xfinity got my new gateway up and running.  The black one is no more, and Josh informed me it was on it’s last legs.  Life goes on...

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but this (sorry to say) isn’t dead yet

I’m not the one who posted this question, but it showed me right away I wasn’t alone

The night before last, I was sitting here watching a movie, holding a couple ice packs on my face and trying not to think about this godawful long covid inflammation that returned on Sept 10—the day after my 2 1/2 hour dental appointment—when it hit me: was I the only one who experienced this? 

I checked out my former Reddit hangout (Covid Long-Haulers) and did a search for relapses following dental work, and omigod—dozens & dozens of people suffering big relapses after (extended) visits to the dentist.  One medical professional theorized it had something to do with a still overactive vagus (cranial) nerve, and high speed drilling and injections into the oral region while in long-term covid was a recipe for disaster. 

I only wish I’d seen this before sitting in that dental chair for 3 hours.

I also wish I had an idea how long this is going to last.  I was living with mild relapses pretty much daily, but they usually only lasted 30 minutes or so, 1-2 times a day.  My last “big” relapse was in July, and lasted 4 days.  This one (the most severe in over a year) has been ongoing for 2 weeks straight.

I’m sorry for sharing all of this again, I just wrote about it 2 posts ago.  I’m just worn out and infuriated.  I tried going outside yesterday for some sun & fresh air and it just made things worse.  All I can do right now is keep reminding myself I got past this before.

I am seeing a little improvement with my feet at least, I’m able to walk on hard surfaces (like my dining room & kitchen floors) without shoes, as long as I’m wearing double-thick Gold Toe socks. 

I don’t believe it has much to do with that shockwave therapy though.  My third shockwave treatment is later today.  During my second treatment last Wednesday, I asked the doctor if he treated many others with this foot disorder, he said yes, many.  I said “Are they all fixable?”  He said “I’m not going to lie to you, half of them have been coming here weekly for years.” 

WHAT!  I decided I had to be more pro-active about this.

I began watching so-called “plantar” specialists on youtube, and several days ago came across one doctor who said “If you’re experiencing burning sensations in your calves after a long walk, or the middle of the night while in bed, you need to start calf exercises right away.  If you ignore your symptoms, they could develop into Achilles tendonitis, or worse yet, plantar fasciitis.” 

Yep, that’s exactly what happened to me.  I’ve been doing foot & calf-stretching exercises 3-4 times daily for 6 days now. 

Anyway, that’s all I have right now.  I may not be posting again too soon, I need to get past these issues a little more or get in a better state of mind at least.  Yesterday a dear friend told me her sister was awaiting an organ transplant and it didn’t lessen my own discomforts any, but did help me see my own situation in a better perspective.  Thank you as always for being here, take care, talk to everyone soon.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Giving things a go with Bachelor Apron I mean Blue Apron

The other day I was on my tablet, reading an article from Bon Appetit about the “new” Blue Apron.  If you’ll recall, Blue Apron was the one that started the whole meals-in-a-box thing.  Anyway, Blue Apron was reinventing themselves.

Single serving meals, no more weekly subscription required, a once-monthly shipping charge.  Most of these outfits charge $15-20 a box to ship.  Blue Apron will now charge a flat $9.99 a month, regardless of how many boxes you have delivered.

I’ve been wanting to try one of these services for awhile, where the meals are mostly prepared.  I’m sorry but I just don’t have it in me to learn how to cook more than hamburgers or chicken, but I still need healthier options in my diet and more variety.  So it was either this or start flirting with 70 year old Dee next door.  Now that woman can cook!

When I visited the website, I saw they still had their traditional dinner kits, new “Bake in a Pan for Two” meals, and lower calorie single-serve “Dishes”.  I signed up for a one month trial that included free shipping and 30% off my first couple orders.

I got this box with 5 single serve meals and a pizza kit.   With the promotional discount, this wound up costing me $36.00.  

  • Four-Cheese Enchiladas
  • Creamy Red Pepper Fettuccine & Uncured Bacon
  • Cavatappi Beef Bolognese
  • Southwestern-Style Turkey
  • Chipotle Cheddar Pork Sausage & Potatoes
  • Truffle Honey White Pizza Kit

The pizza kit smelled delicious, I could really smell those loose ingredients.  The other meals were airtight, under 600 calories.  Not a lot, but I’m trying to cut back anyway.  You have 5 days to eat them or freeze ‘em.

You can either microwave or bake in the oven; I baked the red pepper fettucini with asparagus & uncured bacon first

I do plan on ordering one or more of the “Pan Meals for 2” next time.  They claim to serve 2-3, have more traditional components, and those pan meals (baked in an oven) should be enough for a couple dinners.

Here’s my first Blue Apron “Dish”, which I served with a small salad & garlic bread.  I think I baked it a few minutes longer than necessary, but I’m not taking any shortcuts via the microwave.  It was very tasty (and very spicy) and did fill me up.

 

Here’s the second “Dish” I had, the Southwestern Turkey.  It contains turkey, brown rice, guajillo chili pepper sauce, corn, peppers & onions, black beans, monterey jack cheese, jalapenos.  I added a dollop of sour cream, which pretty much made it perfect. 

It may not look pretty, but this was also filling and I was surprised how delicious it was.  (Very, very hot—but delicious!)

Finally, here’s the Truffle Honey Pizza—strangely, it cost the same as one of the single-serving Dishes, but was more than enough for two people.  It did take a lot of prep, but was worth it.  The crust was puffy and soft, the cheeses and toppings were aromatic and fresh, and that black truffle zest gave it a real gourmet taste.

If I order from Blue Apron again, you can be sure I’ll include another pizza kit.

I don’t think I can bring myself to pay $10.00 per single-serve meal after my 30% discount runs out though.  Are these single-serve meals worth $5-6.00?  Absolutely.  $10.00?  Nope.

Maybe this will be a “once a month assortment box thing”, but I’m not doing more than that.  Oh fudge, I better learn how to cook!

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

I think I know what’s going on… gosh darn it

Since last Wednesday I’ve been experiencing a full-on relapse of my long-covid inflammation.  Crackling in my head, face & neck.  Burning in the mouth and cheekbones.  Pressure & inflammation in my left eyeball, left temple, side of skull.

It starts out sore when I awaken, slowly rises during the morning, and by 1-2pm I’m laying on my bed with the lights off & door closed.  By 4pm it’s pretty intense.  It dies down by 6-7pm and settles into my neck, which I try to manage with a couple of pain patches until bedtime.

It’s been months since I’ve experienced such severe symptoms, and this started the day after my recent dental appointment last Tuesday.  I went in for a marathon session of 5 fillings and front tooth restore, a 3 hour appointment.  I should’ve spoken up and said I was just getting over 20 months of cranial inflammation, can we spread the fillings out, but I didn’t.  The next morning I could barely move my mouth, it was so stiffened & sore.

Was it all the drilling and propping my mouth open for 3 hours, or the 4 injections in my gums?  I kept flinching and he said “Let’s switch from novocaine to articaine, it’s a lot more potent.”

2 weeks earlier, I sat in that same dental chair and the same dentist picked & scraped at my teeth & gumline for 90 minutes, a “rigorous dentist cleaning”.  Yet I was completely fine afterwards. 

I can’t help but feel that this 3 hour dental thing re-ignited the long covid inflammation somehow.  I didn’t know that was even possible.  And yet here it is.  I was still dealing with mini-relapses daily, but they were mild and only lasted for 30 minutes.  I honestly thought I had this 90% nipped in the bud.  Hopefully this awful flare-up will fade soon.  It’s become painful to talk or chew.

Meanwhile, it’s been 4 weeks since I developed plantar fasciitis on the other end and I continue to hobble like a very old man.  My doctor explained how months of inactivity will cause you to lose strength & flexibility in your plantar fascia, hence my feet & legs giving out on me. 

Fair enough, I am starting those shockwave therapy sessions this week and doing daily stretching exercises to get my old self back.  As soon as my face recovers, I’m pain-free and more mobile, I’d love to travel south and visit family.  It’s been almost 2 years since all of this started and I last saw them.

I am getting a little improvement in my feet at night.  I sure wish I’d waited on all that dental work though.  Way too much, too soon.  (I still need those 2 molar implants!)

Here’s my usual disclaimer:  I’m not looking for sympathy, pity, nothing.  It just helps me feel less alone when I share.  I plan to keep posting on here like nothing is wrong. 

But when I’m my old self again, I’ll share it with you guys first!  Anyway, I promise my next blog is going to be more upbeat—with lots of food.

Thanks as always for listening. 

Saturday, September 13, 2025

The time I met Polly Holliday (“Flo”) and her costars—but it’s not who you think

A couple days ago I heard on the news that Polly Holliday (who played Flo on the CBS show “Alice” in the 1970s-80s) died.  I was surprised to learn she never married or had any children, and was born July 2, 1937. 

She was exactly 3 weeks older than my dad—but with him being gone over 25 years now, she had a long life at least.

I was also surprised to see all the other roles she played in movies and on tv, I had no idea.  I only knew her as that waitress with the catch phrase “Kiss my grits!”

That’s not entirely true though; I saw her in a live performance once, and got to meet her after the show.

In January 1990, I was dating a girl named Rossi I met at the Shaler Highlands Apts (the first place I lived after moving to Pittsburgh).  We were the same age, and both worked downtown.  I was a computer programmer for Omega Systems, she worked in Public Relations at Heinz Foods.  

She worked for her mom, who was a big executive at Heinz.  The first time I met her mother, she asked me what I did for a living and when I told her, she said “How long do you intend to do that?”  When I told her I’d only been at it a few months, she said “Try to be a little more ambitious for Rossi’s sake.”

So one night we’re invited to Rossi’s parents for dinner, and her mother says she has a late Christmas present for us:  two tickets to the premiere of ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ at the Benedum Center downtown.  It stars Kathleen Turner as Maggie, Charles Durning as Big Daddy, Polly Holliday as Big Mama, Daniel Hugh Kelly as Brick.

(Kelly played the race car driver on the 80’s show “Hardcastle & McCormick” co-starring Brian Keith.)

Her mother tells us we MUST dress up and asks me if I own a navy or charcoal gray suit.  Yes, I have both.  She asked me if I had a nice tie and I said I had several—but she still had a tie delivered to my office a couple days later, with a $65.00 price tag on it.

The night of the show, a car was sent to pick us up at our apartment complex.  Rossi was gorgeous in a glittering red dress and I couldn’t believe my good fortune—but I felt out of place when we arrived, as most of the crowd in front of the theater was dressed pretty casual, and people kept looking at us and mouthing stuff like “Whoa”.

When the doors finally opened and we began filing in, I handed our tickets to the usher and he said “Sir, when the show is over please remain in your seats.  Either myself or another usher will escort you to our rooftop.”   Rooftop?

Polly Holliday as Big Mama, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Kathleen Turner & Charles Durning take their bows

It was a wonderful show, and when the lights went up and people began filing out, we remained seated.  We looked around the theater and noticed 5-6 other couples also in their seats, also dressed to the nines but appeared to be considerably older. 

We were taken behind stage (wow!) and up stairs covered in red velvet to the roof.  They had lights strung up, candles everywhere, and 2 tables in white linen with champagne, fruit, canapes, a chef standing behind a roast duck & roast beef.  It was very elegant.

I remember asking Rossi if she was used to this sort of thing, she said no, never.  We then heard a smattering of applause, and Charles Durning emerged, wearing baggy overalls with nothing on underneath, swigging from a bottle of whiskey.  He nodded at the group of us and said “Let’s get this shitshow over with” and walked over to the tables of food.  He didn’t talk to anyone the rest of the evening.

Daniel Hugh Kelly appeared next, in a red satin robe, with a towel wrapped around his neck.  He kept fluffing his hair back, and walked over and stood beside Durning.  I told Rossi “They don’t want to be here” and she said “But I do!” 

Then we heard louder applause and Polly Holliday emerged.  She had her hair piled high on her head with various rods in it at different angles, and wore a Japanese kimono with an obi pillow on it’s back.  She looked so tall!  She walked over to each couple and did a graceful bow, and when she got to Rossi & myself she said “What do you think?” and the three of us laughed and I’m not even sure why.  She was so kind, and so down-to-Earth, and told us she was going thru a Japanese phase and everyone should try it at least once in their lives.  She had the biggest smile I ever saw.

I very much wanted to tell her how much I loved her character Flo on “Alice”, but this whole affair felt so surreal & elegant, I was afraid to say anything that would reveal what a hick I really was. 

I have to admit though, the highlight of the evening was Kathleen Turner.  She was the last one to appear and was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in a silver dress with long diamond earrings.  She looked 100% like a Hollywood star.  She smiled and nodded politely to the other audience members there, walked STRAIGHT OVER to Rossi and myself and asked what we thought of the show.  We told her she nailed Maggie, we just loved it.  She told us this was their very first performance, they were going on to Boston & Philadelphia next, then to New York.

Rossi said “I loved you in ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’, Miss Turner.  I hope that’s alright!”  Kathleen laughed and said thank you.  I was dying to tell her I’d seen all her pictures, I loved Prizzi’s Honor, Jewel of the Nile and Body Heat, but to be honest I was just… starstruck.  She looked at me and said “What is your industry?”  I said “Er… computers, Ms. Turner.”  Kathleen said “Of course.  How old are you?”  I told her we were both 28.  She said “I’m very impressed.”   Why?

All I kept thinking was that just 3 years earlier I was living in my friend’s attic back home, almost penniless—and in that 3 years time managed to go back to school, move to the city, land a good job and wind up on the roof of the Benedum with a bunch of hoity-toity rich people and Hollywood celebrities.  How?!

I did later learn the supper was sponsored by the theater, for locals who donated $25,000 or more to Children’s Hospital.  Rossi & I had gone in place of her parents, who were meant to be there on behalf of Heinz Foods who had made the donation.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share this story since I started this blog 20 years ago, but never had a good reason.  Now I do.  Rest in peace, Polly Holliday. I’m very glad I got to meet you and your terrific smile.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

One shock after another: it’ll do a body good (hopefully)

The last couple days have been busy ones, health-wise; I just hope I’m going in the right direction, because right now I’m a bundle of nerves.  Unfamiliar ones.

Yesterday afternoon, I returned to my new dentist for 6 ‘deep fillings’ and a lower front tooth restore.  I was expecting a laid back session, as I was there 2 weeks ago and he gave me one of the best & relaxing teeth cleanings I ever had.  This session was a lot more intense though.  He had my lower mouth propped open for 2 1/2 hours and I think he gave me one too many shots of novacaine (because of all my flinching).  I awoke this morning with a VERY achy face and weird ‘stiffness’ around my mouth & chin.  Not a great feeling.  It died down this afternoon but returned after dinner.

(My bill was also $1,086.00—that’s what happens when you have no dental insurance!)  Anyway, I’m just hoping the soreness in my face ends in the next day or two.

Today was my appointment with the plantar specialist, Dr. Bill.  He did a thorough examination of my calves, ankles and feet.  I explained to him my sedentary routine for 16 months from long covid, then “getting back out there” with 2 mile walks to the senior center and back, 2-3 days a week.  Then a month ago I began experiencing burning sensations in my calves, then a week or so later, my feet.

He did tapping, twisting & pressure point tests, and diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis.   He told me he could work manually on my feet and calves alone, which my insurance would cover (minus a $32.00 copay), or I could also receive shockwave therapy.  He said he’s treated many people with plantar, and the shockwave patients usually recover in half the time his manual-only patients do.  I believed him, I’ve been reading up on this shock therapy a lot these last couple weeks. 

Unfortunately, my insurance does NOT cover the shock therapy and he told me it would be an additional $100 for a 30 minute session, or I could pay ahead and get 5 weekly sessions for the price of 3.  So that’s what I went with, not including the session I got today (which didn’t cost me extra besides my copay).

He had me lie on my back, while he rubbed ‘conductor goop’ on my right foot first, then my left.  It was cool & soothing.  Then he begain running that machine—“tik tik tik tik”.  I told him I didn’t feel anything.  He told me that the healthy parts of feet wouldn’t, there would only be pain in areas with damaged fascia or scar tissue.  Sure enough. I soon began having some very painful reactions.  He kept track of my responses, and came up with a pretty good map of where things are not good, numbered 1-8 for pain.

Dr. Bill thinks I’ll be in better shape in 5 weeks time, but told me no more ice; cool or lukewarm foot baths only.  He also told me no NSAIDs for 48 hours following a session, Tylenol only.  My next one is next Wednesday. 

I’m sorry for all this health stuff, I promise my next blog is going to be a better one—it’ll be all about food.

Saturday, September 6, 2025

House Calls (on a Saturday afternoon, no less)

This past Friday (September 5) with the help of my dear friend Mary, I visited my new doctor in nearby West View so he could look at my plantar fasciitis and also have bloodwork done.  Mary, THANK YOU.

(I regret to say the foot problems have gotten worse since a week ago, and it’s just too painful to walk even with shoes.  I am seeing a so-called plantar specialist this Wednesday at Bellevue Chiropractic.)

Anyway, Dr.Mike told me he once had this same condition (from being an overzealous marathon runner) and wound up tearing the fascia in both feet.  It took him two months to make a 90% recovery.  He said “There’s an old saying, ‘work thru the pain’.  That is wrong.  Do NOT work thru the pain.”  Got it, doc.

Afterward, they took me into another room to do the bloodwork—I asked the nurse her name, she said “Karen but don’t worry I’m not one of THOSE Karens.”  What a shame that someone named Karen almost has to defend themselves now!

After they finished, they told me they’d have the results in a couple days and someone from the office would schedule another visit or talk to me on the phone.

So earlier today (Saturday) I’m sitting here on my sofa, the phone rings.  I don’t recognize the number, but pick it up anyway.  I hear “Hello Doug?  It’s Doctor Mike.” He explained he was reviewing my bloodwork and didn’t want to wait until Monday to call me.

Uh-oh!!  A woman at the senior center once told me her doctor called her once after-hours—to inform her she had diabetes.  My heart began racing and I said okay, I was ready.

He said “I’m comparing your numbers to 2 previous blood works, one 3 years ago, one 5 years ago.  Your good cholesterol numbers remain stable, your bad cholesterol has decreased.  We see no excess uric acid, nothing indicating possible prostate cancer, your glucose and A1C numbers are in safe ranges so you aren’t a candidate for diabetes.”  

I said wow that’s awesome and he said the numbers were much better than 5 years ago.  He also said “Your liver enzymes were 78 in 2020, making you a candidate for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  Your enzymes now is 13, I would’ve been happy with 25.  How did you do that?”   I told him I gave up candy, cake, soda pop, nightly pie and weekend ice cream for the most part.  He said “I think that worked out in your favor.”

So, he wants me to come back in 2 months.  I’m still 30 pounds overweight, still have high blood pressure, still dealing with daily long covid relapses in the side of my skull and now this infernal plantar fasciitis in both feet.  But somehow, my insides are doing better than ever!

I know this was a boring read, sorry about that.  I just had to share the good news with somebody.

Friday, September 5, 2025

Picture of the Day: Loving those drugs from the Sixties

The other day I was coming down Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue and was surprised to see this storefront sign, hidden since the 1960s.  Construction crews were tearing down the front of Rite-Aid Pharmacy, which declared bankruptcy and shut their doors in my neighborhood in December 2023. 

(For the record, I sort of blame them for my long covid; I stopped there to pick up my blood pressure meds after Thanksgiving in Nov 2023.  They asked me to come back on Monday.  When I said “Will you guys still be around?” they assured me they would. 

When I returned, they were closed and had sent my prescription to Giant Eagle.  My friend Susie gave me a ride to Giant Eagle; she had covid but didn’t know it, voila.)

Anyway, Rite-Aid had been my drugstore for 30 years.  But when I moved to Bellevue in 1993, it was Eckerd Drugs, which were bought by Rite-Aid in 1996.

But before it was Eckerd Drugs… it was THRIFT DRUGS.  A Pittsburgh company, they opened in 1935.  And that’s what this was until 1968 when it was bought by JCPenney, who sold it to Eckerd.

Anyway, the construction crew had halted their work on the storefront (which is being converted into office space) but no one seemed to know why.  I thought I’d get a couple pics before they tore it down further. 

I don’t know why I find this so curious, I can’t help but wonder—how long has it been since anyone last saw this vintage sign?  A lady on the street said “I haven’t shopped at Thrift since I don’t know when!  But it wasn’t Thrift Drugs, it was Thrift Drug!” 

My dear woman, that sign is evidence to the contrary.  Anyway, I’d love to go back in time and take a gander at the items for sale inside.  Remember Breck Shampoo?  Prell in a tube?  Dippity-Do?  Hi-Karate Men’s Aftershave?  I wonder if it had a soda fountain?

Well, the good news is my bus drove past a couple days ago and they still haven’t torn it down.  It sure would be fun to see Thrift Drugs make a comeback!

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Let the healing begin (well, let some healing begin at least)

Today has been a good day—well, a better day than the last few ones.  Walking VERY carefully, I was able to make it to the bus stop to catch a ride to the Lutheran Senior Center for lunch.  But when I arrived, I discovered I’d forgotten to sign up. 

(You need to sign up at least 2 business days in advance, I could’ve sworn I did last week.)

However, my timing was perfect—Evie had just arrived, discovered she too had forgotten to sign up so off we went to KFC for some much needed fried chicken.  We brought our food back to the center, and afterward she gave me a ride to Kuhn’s Market for some much needed groceries.  

Evie if you’re reading this.. thank you again.  I love you dearly.

When I got home, some welcome relief was in the mail.  The gout (or even fungal infection) I thought I had a couple weeks ago… it’s neither.  My PCP say it’s most likely plantar fasciitis, and based on the symptoms (burning calves & soles, painful to walk in your bare feet) he recommended a couple items which I just got in the mail today, pictured above. 

A pair of nubby foot rollers and some very excellent plantar cream.  It’s hot, but soothing stuff.

This whole ordeal has been too strange, I just wish I had a timeline of when this will end.  A lot of folks at the center (Evie included) have had this, and say that one day you wake up and it’s just gone.  I certainly hope so, my PCP said it could take a few months. 

It’s in both feet, but definitely more in the right one.  And on that note… here’s my 9 1/2 double-wide right foot.  Thanks for reading.

Thursday, August 28, 2025

A sleepy Doug & The not-so-curious case of the Compulsive Master..nater

Good morning!  This was me Thursday morning, August 28 at 7am; I was just getting ready to run out that door to catch the bus downtown for my jury duty.

When my alarm clock went off at 6:15, I literally jumped up in shock. I set it “just in case”, never expecting it would rouse me from a deep slumber.

(But I was up for over an hour in the middle of the night with aching legs, so I was excused.)

I was worried about my recent leg & feet issues, but at the same time I was excited to be catching the 7:05 19L again.  That was my bus to work for many, many years.  It’s been years since I last rode it.

I was dismayed when we got downtown though; everyone was getting off at Liberty Avenue.  I asked the bus driver if she was still going to Mellon One (right across from the Allegheny courthouse) and she said “Sir, this bus hasn’t done that route in years.  Where have you been?”  

Anyway, there’s not a lot to tell.  There were 63 prospective jurors, we were there for the case of Nate F, a fortysomething man with one of the best comb-overs I’d ever seen.  Apparently Nate had a habit of public lewdness which included acts of masturbation.

Oh Nate, you look like a nice man in your nice suit and everything.  Why?

They selected 25 prospective jurors for his trial, and I was picked as No.11.  We were told we’d be questioned by both attorneys.  When it was my turn, they asked me if I’d ever been a juror before.  I said yes.  They asked if I remembered when.  I said yes, March 2010.

They asked me if I remembered the particulars of that case.  I said “Yes, I remember the judge, the state’s attorney, the defendant, the defendant’s lawyer, what the judge told the defendant when he admonished him after the not guilty verdict.”

The defense attorney said “I’m loving this—how?”  I said “Er… I have an online blog.  I wrote a blog about the experience after the trial.”   They seemed to get a big kick out of that.  They asked me if I had a problem with society’s view on public lewdness (no) and would I object to being shown recorded video evidence of these acts.  

Oh I don’t have a problem with that at all!  Let’s see what you got. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t chosen.  Halfway thru questioning the jurors, they took a break for lunch.  There was only 4 or 5 of us that brought our lunch, I wish I’d taken a photo of mine. 

(A roast turkey and smoked guoda sandwich with red onions, and a Tupperware container of steamed broccoli & baby carrots—you would’ve been proud.)

An older woman (Carol) asked if she could join me as she’d brought hers too, and while we ate one of the women who coordinate everything told us “Letting you know, you weren’t chosen and will be going back into the jury pool after lunch.  The attorneys liked both of you, but worried your medical issues could be a distraction.”

We still had to stay until 4:30 (in case another case rolled in).  I was glad for the experience, it got me out of the house for the whole day.  But I was never so glad to be back home again.

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Hot legs, and not the good kind… any medical advice?

This is going to be a weird blog.  For the last 10 days or so, I’ve been dealing with foot pain.  The pain isn’t as bad as it was a week ago, but I think it’s because I’ve stopped walking so much.  

But my toes on both feet and my soles always seem to be very hot.

And now, the last three nights, I’ve awoken around 5:30am with burning legs from the knees down.  It usually takes them a couple hours to die down.  My friend Evie at the senior center says it’s neuropathy, welcome to old age.

I was just wondering if I have athlete’s foot and not be aware of it?  I bought anti-fungal cream 3 days ago and been using it twice daily—but now with the burning legs, I don’t know. 

Here’s some unflattering photos of my feet (and legs) taken last night around 10:30pm.

FYI, the last photo is my compression socks.  I had pretty swollen ankles earlier this week, and have been wearing compression socks for 5-6 hours every day. 

Do these feet look fungal to you?  I’m open to suggestions, thanks everyone.

 
 

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Amazing but true: A look at my expenses 4 years ago and today

A few years back, a friend told me my ‘numbers blogs’ were boring.  She was right, but I couldn’t help it; I love numbers. 

I found this table of my monthly expenses from a blog I’d written in July 2021 and thought I’d update it to show my monthly expenses now and what a difference 4 years can make. 

I was more than surprised, I was amazed. 

MONTHLY EXPENSE JUL 2021 AUG 2025
RENT 790.00 880.00
XFINITY TV/PHONE/INTERNET 234.00 80.00
HEALTH INSURANCE 145.00 55.00
GROCERIES 240.00 320.00
UTILITIES - ELECTRIC 45.00 55.00
KEURIG COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION 40.00 45.00
BARBERSHOP 20.00 25.00
RENTERS INSURANCE 10.00 10.00
DENTAL INSURANCE 15.00 0
AMBULANCE INSURANCE 8.00 8.00
PRESCRIPTIONS 15.00 0
STREAMING SERVICES 20.00 35.00
CELLPHONE (T-MOBILE, MINT) 65.00 20.00
DINING OUT 50.00 75.00
STORE SHOPPING 150.00 200.00
ONLINE SHOPPING 225.00 250.00
LUNCHES AT SENIOR CENTER 0 25.00

 

JULY 2021 MONTHLY TOTAL:  $2082.00

AUG 2025  MONTHLY TOTAL:  $2082.00

They came out to the same monthly total!  That was the last thing I expected.  I should add that while my monthly totals look low, I wind up spending 4-5K more in the year.

High priced items like a new phone or tablet, donations to my favorite charities over the holidays, medical & dental bills.  But still, the “minimum spending” list above… strange how the total dollar amount remained the same. 

But like I said, there’s always other expenses.  I’m meeting with an oral surgeon today at 1:30 to discuss a bone graft and implant bridge that will run $7500.00 or more. 

And a year from now, my monthly health insurance is going to QUADRUPLE when I’m kicked off Pennie (the ACA Health Exchange in Pennsylvania) and forced go on Medicare.

It sucks getting old but it beats the alternative!

 

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Lunch with Evie & friends and some (ugh) barbed wire

This past Wednesday, I went out to lunch with a few people from the Senior Center.  We went to Red Lobster on McKnight Road, and I wasn’t sure I was going to share it here as I blogged our trip there a year ago. 

But as long as we’re on the subject of seniors and the like…

Evie with a quiet smile, we were waiting to be seated

There is a woman at the center who feels the need to confront me every chance she gets.  I’ve been brushing her off, chalking up her meanness to her age or one too many bar fights, who knows.  But I do know she is asking for it. 

This all began several weeks ago, when we went to a restaurant she recommended, the Rockefeller Grille.  She sat at a table across from me, kept trying to get my attention.  Every time I looked her way, she’d say “Having fun yet?  Then why aren’t you smiling?  Smile!”  and prop up both corners of her mouth with her fingers.   

Who is this woman?  I knew she was older than me, and in much better shape.  She had a tough exterior, like those prison matrons you see in movies about women in jail.  We’ll call her Barb Wire.

At our next outing, I’m at the center chatting with Dennis while waiting for our Access shuttle.  Barb Wire comes over and says “Where did you grow up?  City or country?”  Dennis says city, I say country.  She looks at me and says “I think you’re lying.  You’re too soft to be from the country.” 

I shrug my shoulders and ask Dennis if he wants to wait outside with me.

A couple Fridays ago, I’m chatting with Melvin when she comes over to us.  She asks if either of us had ever seen a snake up close.  We both say yes.  She tells us how a snake got in her house once, and she held a broomstick next to it until it curled around it, then she took it outside.

She turns to me and says “I bet you would’ve run out of there screaming like a little girl.  Just admit it.”  

She’s so awful it’s almost laughable!  If I was a woman, I would’ve socked her one.  I tell Melvin I’m going to the mens room to wash up before lunch. 

Getting back to our lunch at Red Lobster this week… I sat in a booth with Evie, Dennis and Wild Irish Rose.

Dennis got the shrimp linquini, Rose got the steak & lobster.  (I got the crispy flounder, Evie got the Admiral’s Feast to have extra for her dinner.)

We’re having a good time, laughing & kidding each other.  Barb Wire gets up from her table in the back, comes over to ours and asks if we heard her fish story.  The time she went fishing at some lake near some prison.

She tells us after she cast her line, a man walked up and asked if he could leave his wallet and wristwatch with her while he took a swim.  She said yes, he jumped in and swam across the lake but didn’t come back.  She waited an hour or so, then approached one of the prison guards patrolling the area.  Yes he saw the man.  He told her the man was so tired after his swim, he walked home.

Um… where was this mystery man’s clothes, his shoes?  Did he walk home in his skivvies?  This story is pretty fishy.

She says there was no ID in the wallet, and it took her a week to track the man down and return his items.

If Barb Wire was nicer, she'd look very similar to this person cap included 

She then asks us what we would’ve done in her place.  No one said anything, so I said “Well, if there was no ID I would’ve checked the wallet for cash then tossed it in a corner mailbox.  And added the watch to my collection.”   Barb Wire glared down at me and said “THAT TELLS ME WHAT KIND OF PERSON YOU REALLY ARE!  I WILL NEVER TRUST YOU WITH ANYTHING OF MINE!  EVER!”

We sat there in silence.  Evie asks if I will let her out of the booth so she can go to the ladies room.  I ask Barb Wire to step back so I can slide out and let Evie out.  As Evie scoots across the bench, Wire says “DON’T JUST STAND THERE, HELP HER!  SHE’S YOUR FRIEND ISN”T SHE?”

I can’t take anymore of Barb Wire.  I did tell one of the women who work at the center about her a couple weeks ago, but was only told they’ve gotten complaints from others about her as well.

Now of course this can’t continue… I spent half my life being bullied by classmates, coworkers, family members.  I’m old now and not afraid to stand up to these types.  I do regret answering her lunatic question in the restaurant, and I’ll do my best to steer clear of this person going forward.  But if she comes at me again, I guarantee she’s going to hear it.

Thanks for listening and letting me get this off my chest.  Stay tuned! 

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

So… if you could do it all over again, would you do it all over again?

Here is yours truly from earlier this summer, and younger me from the summer of 1980, a couple months shy of my 19th birthday.  Doug from 1980 appears to be looking at my big belly and saying “That’s going to be me in 45 years?  No way!”  

Yes way, 1980 Doug!  You’re going to be okay until your forties, then look out.  And you can forget about all that hair on top too!

Seeing these photos together reminds me of a great novel I read way back in 1988. The book bears the distinction of being the first hardcover I bought after finishing school and landing my first IT position in Pittsburgh.  I could only afford paperbacks before.

I wanted to build a library which I did wind up doing over the next 30 years, only to donate most of my collection to the local library after I retired and downsized.

Anyway, that first novel I bought was ‘Replay’ by Ken Grimwood.  I won’t tell you the whole story, but it begins with a middle aged man named Jeff Winston—balding, obese, wheezes from years of smoking.  In fact, he’s attempting to catch his breath while taking a shower, while his wife (whom he refers to as “The Shrew”) is outside the bathroom yelling at him, when he suffers a heart attack.

There’s darkness, and when he opens his eyes he’s in bed—in a room he hasn’t seen in decades, his childhood bedroom.  He gets out of bed, amazed how slender he is and filled with vitality, is he dreaming?  Is this Heaven?  This can’t be happening. 

Jeff makes his way downstairs, is shocked to see his dad alive & well after all these years, watching tv.  He picks up the newspaper and looks at the date; it’s the year 1963. And somehow, he’s 18 again.

I don’t want to give away the rest of the story, but after Jeff bets his savings on a couple of big league games (he knew the outcomes) and wins a fortune, he goes to the beach to reflect on his future.  Will the next 25 years be the same as before? 

An attractive young woman approaches, and he realizes it’s his future wife.  In fact, they began dating after meeting on this beach and she asked him for a light for her cigarette.  But this time when she comes up and asks for one, he says “sorry” and high-tails it back to his car! 

Things are going to turn out a lot differently this time ‘round.

Anyway, if you had the chance to do it all over again—wake up in the past and be 18 again—would you?  With all the knowlege you have now?  I’m not sure I’d want to live all those years again, but for a long time I used to play a little scenario in my head; if I could send a letter back thru time to my younger self, would I do it?  What would I write to him?  Could I convince my younger self it really came from the future?

I was a big believer then in ESP, astral projection, UFOs, the whole kit n’ kaboodle.  A letter from my future self, sure why not! 

Well, that will never happen of course.  But speaking of books, there’s a shop on the corner of Lincoln & Balph in my neighborhood that used to sell antiques, and just reopened as a vintage bookstore.  It looks wonderful inside, and the first bookstore I’ve seen around here in years.

Y’know, I’ve always wanted a personal library…

 

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Happy Birthday Mom, Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Dad & Mom were married on this date, August 7, 1958.  It was also my mom’s 18th birthday, and 2 weeks after Dad’s 21st birthday.

Even though Mom was legally an adult, her mother refused to give her blessing until Mom signed a note promising she’d wait a decent amount of time (I think a year) before having her first child. 

Grandma B didn’t want anyone wrongly thinking these two got married young because they HAD to. 

By the age of 30, Mom had 5 kids (with a sixth one coming 5 years later).  I’ve written about them here so much before, anything I say now would just be repeating myself. 

But I’ve never shared these two photos; the top one is pretty faded and the bottom one (Mom’s 30th birthday)…. I look like a damn maniac.  Sorry everyone. 

Happy Birthday Mom, I love & miss you

 

Saturday, August 2, 2025

The single man’s guide to homemade potato salad (there’s a quicker, easier way)

In the summertime, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a hamburger or all beef frank with a side of potato salad for my dinner.  So does everyone else, because half the time when I go to the deli and ask for potato salad, they’re sold out.

I get equally bugged when they DO have it—either some of the potatoes are undercooked, or “there’s no onions in this batch, sorry”.  And I’m being charged a small fortune for one scoop of the stuff.

If I look up recipes online, I see “Fill a 10 quart pot with water, peel and chop 3-4 pounds of russet potatoes…”   NO!  I’m just one person!

Here’s mine.  Recently I saw a hillbilly woman on Youtube talking about using canned potatoes in place of regular potatoes for her recipes (just rinse ‘em real good first) so that’s what I did here. 

Doug’s Easy-Peasy Potato Salad

  • 1 15 oz can diced potatoes  (The no brand label only cost 79 cents!)
  • 2 hard boiled eggs, one chopped, one sliced
  • 1/4 cup diced onions, 1/4 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup Hellmann’s or Duke’s Mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

1.  Drain, rinse canned potatoes under WARM water well, add to large bowl.  (If you buy them diced like I did, there’s no chopping!)

2.  Add in one chopped hard-boiled egg, diced celery & onion.

3.  In a separate bowl, blend together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt & pepper.  Spoon over your vegs and gently mix together to avoid mashing up the potatoes. 

4. Top with sliced hard-boiled egg, cover & chill for an hour. 

(UPDATE: This tasted surprisingly better after chilling several more hours.)

You may need to shake a little salt on ‘em before eating, I didn’t want to risk oversalting as it only makes 1 lb. of salad, enough for 2-3 servings. 

You could also add some fresh chives or crumbled bacon, I may do that next time; I was just making these the way my mom or grandma did years ago—minus the skinning, chopping & boiling potatoes, of course.