A spur of the moment thing, and a surprising farewell to someone I didn't know

This morning I awoke with my face in it's usual distress from the LC inflammation.  I laid there in my bed for a good hour, watching youtube videos on my tablet before forcing myself to get up and use the bathroom and make a cup of coffee.  Some days I feel really defeated over these chronic pain symptoms, and this was one of those days.

I turned on the tv for a few minutes, then snapped it off and brushed my teeth and got dressed.  No shower, I didn't need one.  I put on my jacket and decided to take a walk, see where it took me.

I walked up the street in the direction of my favorite hangout, Kuhn's Market.  It's amazing to see the new supermarket pretty much complete.  They just need to stock it, and pave the new parking lot in front of the store.  They promise it will be open by Thanksgiving.

I was going to try and take a couple pics of how it looks inside, but they have all the windows covered.  All I know for sure is, it's HUGE.

Heading further up the street towards the senior center, this is the intersection where I got off my evening bus every night when I worked downtown.  That's my former apartment building below, where I lived for 23 years.  I really enjoyed my former life there. 

The entrance to the Senior Center.  Aren't these thrilling photos!

There wasn't that many people there.  Colleen, Helen, Cussin' Connie & my friend Mary.  I got to meet Carl & Kate, the new senior kitchen volunteers.  I was informed there was an extra lunch available if I wanted it, Orange Chicken with carrots.  Why not.

Walking home, I decided to stop at the store (the old Kuhn's) and get some eggs & Tylenol.  In front of the building was a white truck from Rietz Foods.  Something pinged in my head, like I should know that name--but nothing came to mind.

I came upstairs, did a google search on Rietz and got a location in Austria.  Did another search on Rietz actor, then actress, and yep--found it.  Karen Rietz, Robert Reed's daughter.  Born in October 1956, she had one acting job in 1970, playing Marcia Brady's classmate in the Slumber Party episode.

Karen & her dad, Robert Reed

However, I was dismayed to see she died last November at age 69.  No cause of death was given.

Her obituary read that she spent her life training horses, and loved her son William more than anything.  Her mother was listed as family, but no mention of her dad who died in 1992.  

I probably shouldn't be writing anything today, not in the greatest of spirits.  I'm so tired of battling these long covid symptoms daily, I worry they'll never go away.

I've also been concerned about an online friend who's going through a lot right now with her adult daughter, who's dealing with some urgent health matters.  I'm not a parent, but I'm reminded of something my mom said many years ago when I had a bad fall and broke my leg in 2002.  

Mom kept calling and asking how I was doing and did she need to "come up there"  (she lived pretty far south of Pittsburgh).  I told her I was 40 years old and could take care of myself, please stop worrying.  She said "Fat chance, you kids will be the death of me when you reach my age!  Well, if I'm still here I mean!"   

Mom, I'm your age now... wish you were here!

It's coming, it's coming.... it's coming (I hope)

Sunday night while brushing my teeth before bed, I began smelling that all too familiar aroma of diesel fuel and a perfumey decay; the "long covid smell".  I knew that meant it was coming, but prayed the bad stuff would come and go by morning.  

It didn't, I woke up with a swollen right eye, aching cheekbones and burning mouth.  I deal with varying amounts of inflammation and soreness pretty much daily, but this was officially a 'flare-up' day.  Nothing you can do but swallow aspirin, hold an ice bag to your face, suck on lemon drops and ride it out.

But I was happily surprised when I went downstairs to get my mail and saw this early birthday card from my dear friends Robin & Chuck in Canada.  I loved it, and I'm afraid to look at the postage it cost for sending it here!  

But I sure am glad they did.  Trump may have his deranged bickerings with Canada, but the rest of us are quite fond of our northern friends & neighbors.  Thank you, Chuck & Robin.

Me turning 65 years old... it's coming.  It beats the alternative, but if I could pick a younger age, I would.  It's sweet when older friends and even some neighbors will say "Oh you're a baby" but c'mon, 65 is up there.  Just ask my gray head and enlarged prostate and Medicare card.  They gave me a 10% Senior Citizens Discount on my Chili's receipt last week without me even asking.

Speaking of Trump and his criminal organization (Putin, the Republican House & Senate, Newsmax, Don Junior's Russian wedding backers, his MAGA crowd who just love the show, etc.) I am not sitting here rubbing my hands in antipation of that blue wave that CNN and MSNOW say is coming.  It would certainly be great, but this country is full of voters who would rather go hungry and without gasoline or proper medical care to ensure we don't get someone in government that isn't Trumpy.  Crazy, but true.

I love Texas, some of my favorite bloggers and people are from there--but I don't see it turning blue anytime soon, do you?

And speaking of politics, I just started reading this biography of Robert F. Kennedy written by Chris Matthews.  A dozen pages in and you can already see the love and admiration Chris had for RFK and laments he never got to be the leader of our country he should've been.  

Heartache... it's coming, because he's right. I can still remember in June '68 when the news interrupted whatever we were watching with his death.  My mom cried while Dad held her, I'd never seen her cry before.  

And now, everytime I see his crazy-ass son on the news or online, I wonder what his dad would've thought.  How'd we go from Bobby to that walking measle.  😕

I shouldn't be writing while in such a cranky mood.  I got a bill today from my "pre-Medicare" health insurance for $1547.00, for 'Anesthesiology Services' rendered June 9.

It says I paid $144.20 to it, but now owe $1547 more.  It's clearly in error, my cost was the $144 I paid 5 months ago.  I called Member Services, who said "Yes your share is $144.20."  I said "Then why am I getting this bill demanding more?"  My insurer said "Do you want to talk to the hospital's billing dept?"  I said "That's YOUR job."  He said "Oh--well, they closed at 5pm anyway."

UPMC...I'm coming for you later today. 😠

Finally, because I'm a boring foodie, I wanted to show you these 3 pieces of chicken I got from Kuhn's on Sunday.  The last time I bought fried chicken up there, 3 chicken filets for $7.60, I lamented their cost.  A few people told me that wasn't a bad price, I insisted it was.

These two big fried chicken thighs and a chicken leg, $2.38 total.  Now that's a fair price!

UPDATE:  After arguing with a Pakistani woman who insisted I pay the new $1547 hospital bill, I called the surgeon's office who said they'd take a look at it.  

Twenty minutes later my insurer called and curtly said my billed amount was adjusted to $71.00.  What a racket!

Loved Ones & Other Strangers (and shaven ones too, I suppose)

I felt pretty lucky yesterday.  Tuesday night I was talking to a friend on the phone and telling them I was supposed to go on a senior outing to Chili's on Wednesday, but didn't think I'd make it because of these LC flare-ups.

Me & my dear gal Evvie, outside our senior center on Wednesday

Wednesday morning I was awoken by a huge thunderstorm raging outside, and thought "Well, there's no way I'm walking a mile in all that!"  But an hour later both the rains and inflammation in my face subsided, so off I went.

I was so happy when I got to the center and saw Evvie, and she told me she was going to Chili's too.  This was the first lunch we'd be having together since December!

To be honest, the lunch wore me out.  There was too many of us to sit together at the large table, so Evvie & I sat at a smaller one.  5 minutes later, Barb Wire jumped up from the other one and joined us and said "I need real conversation!  Not all that jibber-jabber behind us!  Do you agree?  Well, do you?"  Barb is 87 years old and always on a tear, I fear she is in the early stages of dementia.  She then proceeded to rant how awful everything was, and told Evvie she had to beg me to have a drink with her at our last outing (untrue) and how we had to send Dennis home in a taxi because he bought so many bags of food (also untrue).  It just went on & on.  

But when our bills came, Barb asked if I'd look at hers.  I told her "They're charging you for the side of macaroni you sent back, and for two orders of potato soup, and you only had the one, and you got that in place of the fries your burger was supposed to come with which I asked the waiter if you could substitute soup for and he said yes."  She said "I'm so confused, what do I do?"  I said I'd take care of it.  She thanked me for looking out for her so that calmed her down some.

When I got home, I was so worn out I wanted to take a nap but found a strange note on my door--more on that in a moment, here's a few pics first.

My boy Dennis who said "DOUG I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU!  I'M ALL DAMP BECAUSE I CARRIED $500 WORTH OF HALF DOLLAR COINS TO THE BANK ON MY WAY HERE TO TRADE IN FOR SPENDING CASH!"

This is Claire, who attends all the lunch outings and is just about the sweetest person you could meet.  She was anxious to show me her Native American bag and laughed when I said I dug her papoose.  She's a dear.

Here was Evvie & my table at Chili's. A half hour after we arrived this place was packed. 

Evvie's meal--a half rack of baby back ribs, fries & street corn.  Evvie said those were some of the best fries she's ever had, and I very much agreed.

And here's my meal--Nashville Hot Chicken Crispers, Brisket Quesadillas, fries, white cheddar mac n' cheese.  I brought half of this home for dinner, and it was real tasty but needed something green.

I was shocked when I was eating, and someone came up and hugged me from behind--Candy Kim, who was there with her husband!  She used to attend these lunch outings regularly, along with my friend Mary.  She's about 7 feet tall and reminds me of Maude.

She whispered "I'm sorry I couldn't come with you guys, but my husband has health issues and I don't have the time for 5 hour lunches!"  God bless her, she's so funny.  I just love her.

And finally, when I got home I found this post-it taped to my doorknob.  "Would like you some company."  A male in his 60s, fun, clean.  Why is shaven underlined?  He's discreet and lives in the building.  Very convenient.   

        

I have a feeling I know who this is.  I was downstairs in the lobby this weekend, waiting for Amazon to arrive with a package.  This man walked into the lobby to get his mail, looked in his mid 60s, my height, a little rounder.  He smiled and nodded, got his mail, walked out.  A couple minutes later he came back and wanted to introduce himself, said his name was Bob.  I have a feeling this is him.  Oh well!

Chicken with the Dunnes, pancakes too and hoping I count

A couple days ago I walked up to Kuhn's Market, went to the deli to buy some sliced turkey for sandwiches and watched them set out a big silver pan of something sizzling. I asked "What's that" and was told they were fried chicken fillets.  They smelled delicious, so I said I'd take 3.

When I saw the price on the bag, I almost handed them back--$7.60??   The man behind the counter saw my expression and said "They're 100% seasoned breasts, if you don't like them bring 'em back."  

That was the first time someone in the supermarket offered me a guarantee, so I thanked him and brought them home.

They were bigger than I thought, I had half of one for dinner that night on a soft roll with mayonnaise and pickle slices, it was delicious.  I do my share of cooking, but shy away from frying chicken in my little cubbyhole of a kitchen.

Here's what I had the next night for dinner, and the night after that. 

Chicken fillet with roasted little potatoes & green peppers, and a good honey mustard sauce I made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and honey

The next night, I assembled this "fried chicken salad" Pittsburgh style (french fries on top).  It was pretty tasty, but I had trouble eating it because of an LC flare-up. 

As long as I'm at it, here's some pancakes I made for breakfast this morning.  They're not exactly perfect, but they're big and crispy on the edges and perfectly delicious.

Hmm... these photos looked a lot better when I was starving and getting ready to eat!

Do you remember Griffin Dunne?  He's the son of famed crime writer Dominick Dunne, and co-starred with David Naughton in 1981's An American Werewolf in London.  I haven't seen that horror flick in decades, but it had a huge impact on my 19 year old self with its gallows humor and cutting edge special effects.

He is also known for his younger sister Dominique Dunne, who played the older daughter in the first Poltergeist film, the one who screamed "What's happening!!!"   She was strangled on the front lawn of her apartment building by her deranged ex-boyfriend on October 30, 1982.  She was only 22.

Anyway, the reason I mention him is because of a memoir he wrote about his family, "The Friday Afternoon Club".  Something compelled me to buy it (which I'm surprised I did as I swore off celebrity bios a few years ago).

In fact, I totally forgot I owned this until I was reviewing last year's Visa purchases.  The book was still sitting in my bedroom closet, in it's cardboard box with some moth traps I bought from Amazon.

I've been spending the last week or so reading it, and do you ever come across something so good that you force yourself to ration it, to make it last?  I've been doing just that with this book, that's how great it is.  Exceptionally well written and a fascinating read of a somewhat famous family rocked by dysfunction, fame and tragedy.

Born in 1955, Griffin sort of "coasted" into the entertainment industry, mostly because of where he grew up.  His best friend was Carrie Fisher, and they lived together in the 1970s while both got small acting jobs here & there.

He says in 1977 when Carrie landed the part of Princess Leia in Star Wars, she would call him or her mother Debbie Reynolds nightly and joke about the corny film and it's dumb title, and prayed no one ever saw it.  Debbie would remind her that good or bad, it still came with a weekly paycheck.  Six months later the movie premiered and changed Carrie's life forever.  

I'm in the final third of the book now, about his sister Dominique.  Her murderer only got a 6 1/2 year sentence, and then only served 2 1/2 years before being released.  He even went back to work as a sous chef at the same LA restaurant he worked at before--until the Dunnes set up camp there and handed fliers out to patrons detailing who would be preparing their food.  The killer (John Sweeney) changed his name and moved to another state.

Speaking of cries for justice, look what I got the day before yesterday.  After seeing those recent "Trump promos" funded by the US government I pray more than anything my vote counts for something.  

Dear DOUGLAS EDWIN MORRIS,

ALLEGHENY County received your ballot and securely stored it for processing on election day. Ballots cannot be opened before election day.

To find information on your ballot, and to check to make sure it was counted after election day, you can click here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/BallotTracking.aspx.

The older I get, the scarier these get

NOTE:  I was going to post this 2 weeks ago, but was embarrassed and changed my mind.  A couple days ago, my friend Margaret of Stargazer shared a scam text she'd gotten and couldn't tell if it was real.  So I thought I'd share mine too.

This past Friday I got on my laptop to check my email and saw the message above.

Most of these go directly to my junk folder and I never see them, but this one made it to my inbox so I took notice.

Someone from Alexandria VA signed into my MSN account using my sign-in and password?  Waitaminute... wasn't there someone from Alexandria VA on my blog's visitor map a couple hours earlier?  Could the two be connected?  I felt a rush of panic. 

I almost clicked on the blue "Review recent activity" button in the email when I remembered an email I got from Netflix a year or so before, asking me to update my credit card info.  It was phony but I fell for it, as my Visa had recently expired.  They couldn't have known, but their timing was impeccable.  I even clicked on the embedded button in their message to update my info. 

Chase Bank contacted me an hour later and said suspicious activity had been detected on my Visa.  Someone in Kansas City, MO was attempting to buy $550.00 worth of gift cards with it.  I'm glad Chase knew it wasn't me.  They canceled my card and issued me a new one.

Getting back to now, I looked a little closer at the sender above.  "New Sign detected" instead of New Sign-In detected.  And "If this wasn't you, malicious user might have access to your account."   A malicious user, you scammers! "A" malicious user!  

Wait, it’s from Microssoft?  Microsoft has only one s!  Sloppy work, scammers!

Still, I'd come awful close to clicking on their blue button.  After that phony Netflix mail last year, I should've sent this to my junk folder without giving it a second thought.  I admit it, I'm not as quick now.

Just a reminder not to click on any embedded buttons in emails.  Some companies like Lands End, Etsy & even Netflix still use them and I admit I've clicked on a couple without thinking--new rule, never again.

Reunions, new starts & hope springs eternal

Courtney & Pumpkin Boy at the Senior Center on Wednesday

This past Wednesday, the senior center had a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and I was determined to go.  Since my outing to Cracker Barrel on Sept 24, my long covid has been flaring up daily, making it difficult to go out much.  But something in me said to not miss this.

I was happily surprised when I walked in and saw Courtney, who once managed the center until moving on to run a senior living facility around 18 months ago.  The first time I visited the center in 2023 and met Courtney at their Open House, I thought "Why is someone so young working here?"  Five minutes later, she felt like my best friend.   

She's as dear as they come and I just learned Courtney and her husband are expecting their second child. 😊💖

This wasn't the only happy surprise--Evvie was there too, I haven't seen her since December.  She's had a rough year with health issues, different operations on her eyes for cataracts and glaucoma, and problems with walking because of her sciatica.  I really wanted to get a picture of us together, but the last thing she needed was me hounding her.  I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen her.

There were others there I haven't seen and missed very much too--Candy Kim, Cussin' Connie, Little Margie, my gal-pal Mary.  I was only able to stay an hour or so because of my LC, had to come home and spend the afternoon with a couple ice packs on the right side of my head and face, but I hope to see some of them again in mid-October.  

Darn it, I just realized--I was so busy catching up with those ladies, I didn't get any foodie pics of the breakfast!  The sausage patties were good but the pancakes were a bit on the wussie side for me.  I think I'll do a flapjack blog soon, I call mine "mancakes" for a reason. 😋

On Thursday, it became official--I'm now on Medicare.  I got 2 letters in the mail the same day, both from UPMC.  The first said "Your UPMC Health Plan Insurance termed September 30--We hope to see you again!"  The second letter said "Welcome to UPMC for Life, your Medicare Advantage Plan starts today!" 

The second letter included a Mastercard flex card, good for $350 towards dental, hearing or vision services every year.  Well, my hearing is pretty good but my eyeglasses are several years old... 

Finally, I thought I'd share this--look what just came in the mail. 

Yep, my mail-in ballot for the mid-terms.  I'm going to fill this out right now and get it in the mail tonight.  Being a Dumocrat (Trump's word, not mine) I'm sure you can guess who I'm voting for.

I am not expecting the "blue tsunami" these so-called experts are crowing about, we've seen too many good candidates wipeout in the end.  But a fairer balance of power would soothe a lot of nerves, mine included.  I'll stay hopeful till the end.  🙏