Microblogging, Teepee Style: Microbugs and a couple other random things, just because

First of all, I want to apologize for removing my earlier post today.  I came across an old photo of myself and my cousins from the 1970s, shared it with a little backstory, and a couple hours later took it back down.  Just been doing a little too much reminiscing lately.  On that note, here's a few items that aren't exactly blog-worthy in themselves, but all together...

1. This serves me right for buying bananas

I'm wondering if anyone can offer some advice...the other day when I was in the store, the produce man was setting out bananas. 🍌  How come I haven't bought any bananas in awhile?  I love some sliced banana on my morning cereal!  So I got some.  

I remembered why I stopped buying them, when the fruit flies started hopping around my apartment--and into my coffee.  I asked AI what the deal was, it said they come in teeny eggs on your yellow fruit, so wash those nanners right away when you get home.  I did, but was too late.  And now I'm getting assaulted by one whenever I enter my kitchen.

I set out a bowl with warm water, apple cider vinegar & a couple drops of dishwashing liquid this morning (on my stove underneath the light).  It caught 10 of those things, but I don't know where they are coming from.  The kitchen drain?  I'm going to start pouring pots of boiling water down it I guess!

2.  I wish I was this crafty...

My friend Kimberly recently told me she'd signed up for a glass mosaic class, and was creating something on her own for her home.  I asked her to please send me a photo when she was done.  

She sent me this.  I was amazed and told her it looked like something you'd find in a pricey catalog.  Isn't this an awesome piece of artwork?  I'd pay good money for it too. 

3.  This Medicare book came with ham & beans... I think

When I was downstairs getting my mail the other day, one of the other residents was getting hers.  I don't know her name, she's a tall black woman who looks around 60, from the 6th floor.  (She is really tall--I'm 5'7", she's over 6 feet.)  She saw this Medicare book in my hand and asked "You on Medicare?"  I said very soon, in October I turn 65.  She nodded and didn't say anything.  

We walked back to the elevator and she said "You're no spring chicken, but you don't look 65."  I said thanks, I think.  She said "Do you like ham and beans?"  I said er... yes.  She said "That's what I'm making for dinner."  I said it sounded good.  She said "Well, I'm not asking you twice."  Did I miss something?  I said if that was an invite I had other plans, thanks anyway.  Was that an invite?

4.  And finally... someone is paying attention to my butt

A couple weeks ago when my LC symptoms lessened and I was able to join the others at the senior center for a lunch outing, I stopped in the barbershop along the way to say hi to my friend and hair cutter Roe.

I shoved my phone into my back pocket, and we chatted for 10 minutes or so before Roe said "Hey your phone is lit up."  I pulled it out and my most frequent contacts were on the screen.  How did that happen?  I shut it off and went on my way.

I got to the center, we go to lunch, and Paul the Playboy (one of the other seniors) asked if I owned a "vSee Box".  I said I'd never heard of them.  He explained it's a tv box that allows you to stream local channels, cable channels and even paid streaming services on your tv for free, with no cable or subscriptions required.  They cost around $300 and he'd be happy to set me up with one.

(It sounded pretty shady to me.  I'm sure the FCC will be shutting that down.)

When I got home, I heard from my friend Diana who said she got a call from me earlier when I was at the barbershop--my phone "butt dialed" her and she heard us chatting.  (It won't be happening again, I finally activated the security app on my phone so it won't turn on without a pin.)

Later that night, I got back on my phone to watch a couple of YouTube videos before going to sleep and what pops up on my Recommended to watch list?  4-5 videos for vSee boxes!  Coincidence?  Maybe, but I doubt it.

Goodbye Pennie, Hello Neighbor & Lesson Learned

Can I get something off my chest?  When I applied for Medicare Advantage a couple weeks ago, I was told when the card arrives to call Pennie (Pa Health Insurance Marketplace) and disenroll from my current Insurance plan, but ensure it lasts until Sept 30.  Medicare doesn't begin until October 1.

I got my updated Advantage card yesterday, so I called Pennie.  I spent the next 11 minutes identifying myself by answering 'Yes', 'No' or punching various numbers on my phone.  It was trying my patience, but I get it--they REALLY want to ensure someone isn't posing as me.  I finally get a computer voice saying "The next agent will respond to your call.  There is a current wait time of 7 minutes."

Cue the godawful wait music.  TWENTY TWO MINUTES LATER, Abu from 'The Simpsons' says (in the heaviest Hindi accent possible) "Hlu entarrour fooro dodos if yor su-chill shoity."  

I said "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?  I can't understand you."  He repeated it.  I repeat myself.  I get the same nonsensical response.  I said "This isn't working, can I speak to someone else?"  I hear more gobbledygook.  I said "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude but I CANNOT UNDERSTAND YOU."   He begins speaking in tongues again.  I sadly hang up.

I realize we all need to eat, we all need to live, most of us need to work.  But for a customer service line for Pennsylvanians who pretty much speak English only, why must they outsource it to people with the heaviest accents this side of Bangladesh?  I worked with several people from India in my career, have had several doctors too.  They all had accents, but spoke well and were easy to talk to.   

I called Pennie back a couple hours later, went thru the same 10 minutes of AI prompts, was told there was a 1 hour wait time, would I like to be called back, I said yes.  AI said "Great, you will be called back within one hour."   No one called back.  I eventually figured out what to do on the Pennie website.  SO GLAD I AM DONE WITH PENNIE.

A couple mornings ago, I was sitting here watching tv when I began hearing chainsaws outside.  I looked out my living room window and saw one of those white trucks with a giant arm on the back, stretched up to the sky.  Someone was cutting the top branches off the tree across the street.

I've lived in my apartment 8 1/2 years and have never seen the second house across the street from me.  It had giant hedges that separated the houses, and a tremendous tree in front that hid the house and went way above the rooftop.

It took 9 hours to chop everything down.  (They returned the next day and got rid of that remaining trunk and pile of wood.)  

I realize this isn't a good picture, it's reflecting my vertical blind.  I should've taken one of the sidewalk below while it was going on.  It was lined with people in my neighborhood, all holding their phones out, taking pictures.

Last night when I was taking my trash downstairs, I ran into the transgender person who lives in the first floor apartment across from that house.  He was standing outside smoking and asked me if I noticed the trees were gone.  Er... yes.  

He wasn't happy.  He pointed behind us and said "That's my window.  I hope they enjoy the view."  😐

Finally, I recently saw a story where a man was found dead, face down on his kitchen floor.  When they rolled him over, they discovered a kitchen knife and a box of (thawed) frozen hamburger patties.  

Apparently he'd been trying to pry one free, only to force his knife too hard and pushed the blade into his chest.  I'm sorry, I know this was a grisly thing to share but it was a real wake up call.  I'm a big fan of these frozen hamburgers, and often do the same thing.  I've learned my lesson.

Microblogging, Teepee style: The Good, the Sad and the Ugly

It's been awhile since I did a "Micro-blog" (written on a variety of subjects under one title) but I've got several things on my mind.  So if you'll indulge me...

1. Missing any teeth?  I am, 3 molars in my lower left quadrant.  And Japan may save the day.

Back in September (when I assumed I was recovered from long covid and underwent a lengthy dental procedure which somehow triggered a relapse)  I was all set to begin preparations for an "implant bridge" for 3 missing molars.

I may not have to go that route.  Japan is completing testing of a drug that will REGROW TEETH IN PEOPLE WITH MISSING TEETH.

Apparently people are born not with 2 sets of teeth, but 3.  A protein in our system called USAG-1 prevents the third set from coming in.  Japan has created an intravenous drug called TRG-035 that inhibits the protein and causes missing teeth to grow in, with no adverse affects.  

This has been tested successfully on mice, ferrets and 30 people with missing teeth aged to 64.  The ADA said it should be on the market in 3 years and will have a profound effect on dentures and dental implants.  Let's hope so.

2. Do you have any strange habits you can't really explain?  Here's one of mine

Every morning when I make my bed, I rub a lemon fresh Clorox bleach wipe over my fitted sheet.  I put on the top sheet, and do the same thing again.

Why am I doing this?  I wear an extra large t-shirt to bed (and nothing else).  I change my sheets every dozen days or so.  But there's something about getting into bed every night with that faint smell of disinfecting lemon that really turns me on.  Am I a weirdo?

3.  Remember Susan Richardson from 'Eight is Enough'?  You should see her now

This show ran on ABC from 1977-1981.  Susan Richardson played Susan, the "jock" of the family.  Born on March 11, 1952 she turned 74 a few days ago.  This was her then, and how she looks now.

You should play this 20 second video of her.  She hasn't had an easy life,  I'm just shocked and saddened how poorly she's aged.  It seems like every day I'm reminded I'm getting old myself.  

And finally, speaking of aging... last week one of the people who read my blog (Carole) sent me a link to a long-covid drug study being done in Massachusetts.  Thank you Carole.

I contacted them, and was told the study was closed to new enrollees but even if it wasn't, I was over the 50 years age limit.  They expressed their regrets but asked if I'd still answer some questions and I said yes.

They said people in the study had been dealing with this for 2 years or longer.  I said mine began in January 2024, about two weeks after recovering from covid.  I said it was 16 months of hell, and then in the spring of 2025 I began having "well days" every 2-3 days.  I told her I belonged to a senior club at the time, and used those 'well days' to visit the center and go on a couple restaurant outings.  Finally, near the end of July 2025 it was mostly gone for good.

(It returned Sept 12, 2025 after that disastrous dental procedure and yadda yadda, you know the rest.)  It's pretty much been bad ever since, with no "well days" like l experienced a year ago.  In fact, every blog-post I've written this year I've been tempted to say I'm taking a break.

The woman I was talking to (Stacey) asked if I was maintaining a healthy mindset, I said yes and no.  I said I was dealing with depression and guilt, she said that was not uncommon.  I said I had three friends I talk to on the phone--Mary from the Senior Center, Diana & Pen who I went to high school with a hundred years ago.  I added that I write a blog and follow others blogs, which helps me feel less alone.  

Stacey asked me to contact her again when I feel I'm making a recovery, I said I'd do that.  That's it.  Thanks for letting me share, everybody.

I can't believe it... 7 recent things I can't believe

1.  I can't believe they released a new Star Trek series on Paramount Plus that I can't bring myself to watch.  I've been a devoted Star Trek fan over 50 years, gobbled up everything with the Trek logo (including some real stinkers in the mix).  But this is beyond saving.  I barely made it thru the first two episodes, it's so bad.  I hope that Paramount puts it out of it's misery, it makes JJ Abrams version of Trek (which was crap) look almost genius in comparison.

2.  I can't believe Melania Trump produced a movie about.. herself?  (I've since learned this thing is a big flop.  Now THAT I can believe.)

3. I can't believe I haven't been in a movie theater since 2013.  I love movies, from the late 1960s thru the 1990s I probably went to the theater once a week.  But I learned a dozen years ago I don't need a big screen--movies at home on my own tv are the best.  (I tend to hit that pause button a lot.)

4.  Speaking of TVs, I can't believe I bought a new one a few months back and it only cost me $233.00, taxes & delivery included.  I also can't believe it's considered small and has a 45" screen.  In 1978 I was working at The Pancake House and saving my money to buy a 13" color tv for $299.00.

But at $2.25 an hour, I ultimately decided it was too expen$ive for my wallet and bought a 13" b&w television instead.

5.  I can't believe it took me 25 minutes to walk to Kuhn's Market yesterday (normally a 10 minute walk).  But since that monster snowfall last weekend, temps have remained in the subzero and single digits and the city discovered 37 of their 80 snow trucks weren't operational.  So my little borough has remained buried in the snow.

I also can't believe UPMC Health Plan just donated $10 million to the city to buy new snow trucks.  It's very generous, but they're notorious for underpaying their employees--which is why UPMC workers are always striking and on the news. 

6.  I can't believe my 69 year old neighbor Dee knocked on my door earlier today and asked if I'd send a text to her pharmacy confirming her prescription number & address.  When I asked if her phone was broken, she said "No I got it right here honey.  But I never done a text before.  You probably think I'm a dinosaur, don't you?"  No Dee, I don't.  I'm fairly new to texting myself, around 2 years now.  But I hardly use it, I'm not a fan.

7.  I can't believe Catherine O' Hara is gone.  So sharp, so wicked funny.  She was only 71 years old.  I'm still adjusting to Olivia Newton John's demise, and she's been gone since 2022.  She was only 73.

Rest in peace, Catherine.  Gosh I loved you so much.

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!

 

 

This thing we call life, and the cards we’re dealt—including the silly ones

Top:  Birthday cards from my second floor neighbor Sally, my sister Courtney & Robert, friends Danielle & Josh.  Bottom row:  My online friend Bobi (who included a retro cow magnet for my fridge), my friend & former classmate Diana, friends Chuck & Robin, my sister Shawn

I was talking to my Canadian friend Robin the other morning (who sent me that cool ‘black cats & bats’ Halloween card in the bottom row for my birthday a week ago), and was telling her I have a real problem throwing away cards.

She said she held onto cards for sentimental reasons and I said I did the same, like ones from my mom (who passed 19 years ago) as she always wrote such nice messages inside.  But even the ones I don’t keep, it pains me to toss them anytime soon.

There’s not many here, and of the few I got, half were a surprise; but I genuinely like the people who sent them and I feel fortunate to know them.  I’m fortunate, period.  I’ve got my health for the most part, my own place in a part of the world that isn’t torn apart by war, enough money in the bank to pay my bills and live comfortably.

Y’know, I feel silly for posting much of the things I do on my blog.  I worry about guns and climate change and Israel and Ukraine and the future of our country’s democracy like everyone else.  (At least I hope everyone else worries about these things.)  I just don’t feel the need to write about those things right now.  Maybe in the future, I don’t know.

For now I just want to thank the people who sent those cards above (and the cow magnet below) and the smart, funny readers who visit my blog.  That’s all!

 

Microblogging, Teepee Style: Five little things from this past weekend

Isn’t this a great idea?  Instead of sitting here twiddling my thumbs, trying to come up with a topic blog-worthy to write about, I can just mash some odds n’ ends together from recent people, places & things swirling around in my brain or on the news.

And just like that, I’ve got a new blog available, suitable for reading, framing, or lining the cat litter box.

So, away we go…

1. This past weekend… Lisa Murkowski (the GOP senator from Alaska and one of the few GOP senators with half a brain) thanked Joe Biden for shooting down a mysterious, cylindrical object hovering over Alaska.

For some reason, the spaceship from the movie ET. the Extra-Terrestrial came to mind.  I sure hope this gun-happy country (more like gun happy planet) didn’t shoot down E.T.! 

2. This past weekend… I did my taxes early to take advantage of a 30% discount promotion I got in the mail from Turbo-Tax (that expires Monday, February 13).

                          

After doing said taxes, which took 2 hours and 44 minutes because their online software required me to re-type my banking information and the 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B & 1099-R forms already downloaded by them, the 30% discount promotional code I received in the mail was rejected as invalid. 

The code was:  LYAYPYCVBEC5G8.  I entered it 6 times before calling the help number, only to be put on hold for 35 minutes.  I finally gave up and pressed the ‘Continue’ button, I couldn’t throw away nearly 3 hours of work!  I hate you, Turbotax.  I HATE YOU SO BAD.

3. This past weekend… Nicholas Colasanto, who played Coach on Cheers, died on this date, February 12, 1985.  He was 61 years old.

                                  

I mean no disrespect, but he was only 61 years old?  I thought Coach was a lot older.  I’m 61 years old.  Do I look like an old man?  I’m not an old man!

4. This past weekend… I watched the movie Tar starring Cate Blanchett, a drama about the Berlin Philharmonic’s first female maestro and came upon a startling realization.

     
Many actors have looks, many have talent.  (I dislike Tom Cruise, but I won’t deny the man has talent.)  Cate Blanchett has more; looks and talent and genius.  My God, this woman IS a maestro!  I didn’t look away the duration of the film.

5. This past weekend… I watched this too.  I don’t know what it was, but this young man has talent up the proverbial ying-yang.

Apparently Zhou Shen has become a big deal in China, and deservedly so. But he’s a 30 year old man!  How in the world—I’m reminded of that quaint custom the Catholic Church had 200 years ago, when they castrated boys before puberty to keep them sopranos for life. 

Well, you never know what China is going to come up with next… 

Questions, questions: I don’t get it—I can’t explain it

We all have questions, don’t we.  And while some of us study quantum theories, and ponder the very existence of time and space, others (that would be me) tend to dwell on more mundane matters.  Here’s a few recent things that have been bouncing around in my noggin lately.

1. “It’s an old tv show, why couldn’t I just let it go?”

A couple weeks ago I was watching CBS Mornings, and they were discussing the one year anniversary of Betty White’s passing (who died December 31, 2021).  Gayle King mentioned that her death was especially hard on fans of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as Betty was the last surviving cast member.

The others nodded their heads in agreement—after all, everyone knows that Oprah Winfrey is Gayle’s best friend, and Oprah is Mary’s biggest fan.  But all I could think was “Wrong, Gayle—wrong.”   I consider myself one of MTM’s No.1 fans too, but who am I?  Best to let it go.

But for some reason, I couldn’t—and finally looked up the show’s contact email, and sent them this collage:

John Amos (who played Gordy the Weather Man), Lisa Gerritsen (Phyllis’ daughter Bess) & Joyce Bulifant (Murray Slaughter’s wife Marie) were all recurring characters, and are alive & well.  And I let them know.

I received a response the same day, around 3 hours later:  “Thank you Douglas, we’ll pass this along.”   To whom?  I’m sure I’m not the only crackpot fan who wrote and let them know, but at least I got it off my chest.

2. “Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the grayest of them all?”

At the barbershop, my hair looks mostly white.  At the drugstore, my hair looks grandma white.  Outside, my hair looks snow white.

But in my bathroom—it looks more dark than white!  Are my eyes deceiving me?  How do I make it look this dark all the time?  Also, I wish I knew how to get rid of those brown circles under my eyes… I’m a lousy sleeper.

3. Why can’t I find the time (or desire) to read a good book or three?

This is the God’s honest truth: for as long as I can remember, I’ve read 3 books a month, easy.  (When I was in high school, I read so much I even won an award from our town’s library—I’m going to show you in an upcoming blog!) 

But since retiring, it’s been a real effort.  Why is that?  Here’s 3 books I’ve gotten in the last year.  My three favorite subjects—Mars, Stephen King & Robert Kennedy.  Yet I’ve barely gotten the first couple chapters read in Chris Matthew’s book, and have yet to crack open the first two.

4. And finally, why can’t I toss out this letter from the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

How did these people find me?  The last thing I want is a Bible study in my home (or one anywhere, for that matter).  But I can’t help but wonder, when is the last time I’ve received a handwritten letter from a girl?   The notebook paper, the faint smell of ballpoint ink… boy does this take me back.

There’s just something warm & fuzzy about getting a real letter, even if it is from someone that wants to turn you into a Jehovah’s drone who doesn’t believe in celebrating birthdays or holidays. 

Thank you Lisa, wherever you are. 

Wait, was that all it took? When it pays to speak up, 3 times over

We’re all familiar with the proverb about bad luck coming in threes, but good things do likewise, right?  Here are 3 recent good things, 3 days in a row.

1. They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  If you recall my numbers blog on Jan 13, I wrote that my landlord had done their customary yearly rent increase.

But instead of a $20 rent increase this year, it was $30.

I don’t know why I did this (I suppose I’m always looking for a way to save a buck), but the day I received my lease, I sent Steiner Realty this email below:

Steiner, I received my new lease and will be returning it (signed) this week.  I wasn’t happy about the $30 increase, but I know it’s fair. 

I would like to say though, that since moving here April 2017, my rent has increased $110.00.  The increases have been reasonable, I’m aware of the rate hikes for water, gas & trash pickup that are included in our rent.

At the same time, I’m retired on a fixed income.  I was wondering if next year we could begin alternating the rent increases?  Allow me to sign a 2 year lease instead of 1?   

This place is more than just an apartment—it’s my home.  I want to keep it that way.  Thanks for your attention, you guys are good people.  

Steiner texted me and said “Douglas we appreciated your letter and agree to your terms, starting now if you’d like.  We’re sending a new lease.”

That’s it at the top, a two year lease keeping my rent the same until Apr 2025. 

2.  I feel the need…. for speed!    

For the last year or so, I’ve been noticing a decline in my broadband internet.  Xfinity, what the heck am I paying you $75.00 a month for?

Still, it wasn’t a terrible inconvenience.  I just ran into problems if I had multiple devices connected to the internet at the same time, so if I was streaming something on tv I’d pause it if I wanted to get on my tablet or laptop. 

But this past Saturday I noticed things had gone too far downhill.  The movie I was streaming kept freezing, and getting on the internet was a no-go. 

I was fed up and contacted Xfinity Customer Support. 

They asked if I checked my connections were secure, I wearily said “Of course they are, and please don’t ask me to restart my router and other devices, I’ve done all that a couple times over.” 

They said they’d attempt a “remote restart”, but came back and said the connection was too weak, they’d have to send a service technician.  Was Tuesday morning okay?  Yes, dammit!  I mean, yes please!  Finally!

I went to dust off the router (it sits on the floor beside my bedroom dresser) and tugged the coaxial cable to ensure it was connected.  It was, but I noticed the tiniest jiggle as it has a push-in connector, not a screw-in. 

I had a spare cable with a screw-in connector, would that make a difference?  I swapped out the cable and my broadband sprang to life. 

My download speed shot up from 3.79mps to 85.90?!  My internet is blazing fast now, and I can stream HBO Max while on my phone, laptop and tablet all at the same time--crazy!  Tighten your broadband connector—you just might be surprised. 

My bad, Xfinity.

3.  And finally… “please sir, may I have some more?”     

For a couple years now, I’ve been going to the market after Meet The Press on Sunday for my Sunday Dinner.  I buy potatoes, a couple veggies and usually a slice of ham or couple pieces of fried chicken from Kuhn’s Hot Deli.

When I went there this past Sunday, I noticed they raised the prices of the fried chicken thighs from $1.25 each to $1.50.

I asked the deli worker (Charlene, who’s in charge) for 2 thighs and she put two into a clear bag.

I said “Hmph, they may cost 20% more, but they sure aren’t 20% bigger.”   I figured she’d just smirk and tell me to have a nice day, but she took her tongs and placed a third smaller thigh in the bag.  I said “Hey I only wanted 2.”

Charlene said “And that’s all you’re paying for.  Have a good one.”

Charlene, will you marry me?

 

A head filled with numbers, what’s not to love

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a numbers blog (where I write about numbers).  In the past when I wrote one, my friend Danielle would always email me one word:  “Boring!” 

But I couldn’t help it, I like numbers and how they rattle around in my brain.  So at the risk of boring your socks off, I just need to get these recent digits out of my head if that’s okay.

1.  My monthly healthcare premium dropped in price in 2023, from $185.65 a month to $151.77.  That’s a savings of $34.00, woo-hoo!

2.  What’s that old saying, ‘The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away’?  I just got my lease from Steiner Realty yesterday and my rent is increasing $30 this April, from $810.00 to $840.   

Oh well, I can’t really complain… they included a letter explaining precisely why it’s increasing, and unlike my last apartment in the city, my heat/AC and water/sewage is included in my rent here.  

3.  On January 5, the day of my colonoscopy, my blood pressure was taken twice (before and after the procedure).  127 over 73 before, 123 over 70 after. 

4.  Two of my favorite people on this planet turned 60 on January 10, my mailman Jim C and my long-time friend Kimberly H.  Another favorite, my sister Shawn will turn 60 later this year. 

(This is a photo of Shawn from Christmas, we’re less than 2 years apart in age so why isn’t she aging like I am?)

                         

5.  As of January 12, 2023 my retirement portfolio is down $122,677 from this date in 2022.  Ouch!  But that loss is in my stocks value, I still have the same number of shares.

It will most likely rebound.  In a couple years, I hope.

6.  On a happier note, my Federal Reserve Money Market account (where I keep 3 years of living expenses) only earned 43.00 a month in 2022, but is now earning $221.00 per month.  And that is real cash.

7.  Speaking of cash, in 290 days I will be eligible to collect social security.  I don’t plan on signing up just yet (hoping to hold out a couple more years) but just the fact I can… it’s difficult to fathom.  If anything says you’re getting old, this sure does.

8.  And finally, speaking of days—in 75 days Pittsburgh will be saying goodbye to plastic bags for good.  I use Kuhn’s supermarket bags for my small kitchen & bathroom wastecans.  I’ve been hoarding them for years, and know precisely how many I have without having to count them.

Each Kuhn’s bag holds 30 scrunched up bags.  I’ve got 33 ‘bags of 30’ stuffed into a large leaf trashbag in my apartment’s storage locker. Since I change my kitchen trash 5 days a week and my bathroom trash once a week, each saved bag lasts a month.  I’ll have enough to last me 3 years. 

When Opal asked me around Christmas if I’d heard about the upcoming bag-ban, I said yes and I’ve been hoarding them in anticipation of it.  She laughed and said “I bet I’ve got 100 under my sink, you’re talking to a REAL hoarder here!”

Opal… you have no idea. 

 

With the tumble of Twitter, it’s time for some microblogging: Teepee style

It occurred to me a couple days ago this was my 16th anniversary of blogging on ApacheDug’s Teepee. 

(My official start date was November 12, 2006.)

I remember when I set up my page, posted my first blog and told a couple people.  I got some mixed reactions, one person suggested I set up a Myspace page instead.

Remember Myspace?  It pretty much fell to the wayside when Facebook came along in 2009.

And now it looks like Twitter’s time is almost up, given Elon Musk’s crazy shenanigans after spending $44 billion for it.  (Do you know you could make 44,000 people millionaires with that much loot?)

Anyway, I never followed anyone on Twitter, let alone tweeted; I blog, there’s a big difference.  But I thought I might give this microblogging thing a try, see if I like it.  So as Jackie Gleason would say, “Awayyy we go”!

1.  Why was I reminded of this character the night Trump announced he was running for President in 2024?

   

Because these goons share a hangup about Christmas?  Because they’re full of hot air and would burn everything given the chance?  Because they’re both clenching tiny fists of tiny fingers and are more cartoon then men?  Yes, yes & yes. 

The difference is, the Heat Miser is funny.  The other one should be in federal prison.

2.  Happiness is…

    

Remember those ‘Happiness is’ quotes in the 1970s? Happiness is a warm puppy.  Happiness is a big hug from Grandma.  Here’s my idea of happiness—a hot cup of coffee and a new Star Trek magazine delivered to my mailbox early Saturday morning!

3.  I’m in love with an older woman—I just didn’t know how old.

I confess, I watch the first 30 minutes of The View Monday-Friday at 11:00am before heading downstairs to the exercise room.  I watch it for one reason, Joy Behar.  Not only could I listen to her talk about Republicans all day, I think she’s feisty & cute.

The other day I googled her birthdate to see how old she is.  She’s 80 years old.  SHE’S 80 YEARS OLD.

4.  The price of Hulu on my tv has gone from 99 cents a month to $15.00—and I couldn’t be happier.

    

Last Thanksgiving I got a 99 cent deal for Hulu that lasted one year, but it came with ads—lots of them.  My year is up, so I signed up for the commercial free Hulu ($14.99) and couldn’t be happier.

 

UPDATE:  If you can live with ads, Hulu is running another deal this Friday—$1.99 a month for an entire year!

5. Now that I have one, I don’t know how I lived without one.

After using a paring knife the last 50 years, I bought a couple vegetable peelers recently from Amazon.  HOW DID I GO THIS LONG WITHOUT ONE?  I SKINNED THIS CUCUMBER IN 30 SECONDS! 

6. I finally met Chantilly, the young black woman who moved into the apartment down the hall from me.  She is funny, sweet & absolutely gorgeous.

    

So it just me, or is there something a bit awkward about a white man in his 60s being so enchanted with a black woman in her 20s?

7.  A hot meatloaf on a cold Sunday afternoon.  Does it get any better?

    

No, but a cold meatloaf sandwich on a Monday comes close!  FYI, I love this two-pan gadget that drains & traps the grease.  I hereby appoint myself the Meatloaf King.

8.  A woman who lives on the first floor put this Christmas tree in her window the day after Halloween, and my neighbor Opal had a fit.

   

Last nght, our neighbor Sarah pointed out Thanksgiving was in 2 days and asked Opal when she was taking down her Halloween stuff.  Opal’s expression—priceless.