Mt_Rider

for all of you who are sick. Does not sound fun! I DID get a lovely horse ride today. When I woke, I used 2 canes to walk. Flexeril did help my sleep but oye, the leg muscles just quivering!!! I have well developed leg muscles from activities all my life. Then - they just up and quit on me! Hmph!! It gets better as I sit....walk a bit....sit...etc. I could walk from car to mounting ramp at the ranch. Lovely day with sunshine....but dressed for the cold while we're in the wooded areas. I had layers and I was comfortable. Then we went to eat at a place we'd been to 1K times...but during C, the family sold and this is now new management. Kept most of it the same but this is BBQ. HUGE portions! I was so tired, I barely ate. I ate more sometime after we got home. For the quantity of 2 big meals, price is okay. Couldn't believe the size of DH's 'chicken-fried steak'. Walking much more smoothly now. MtRider

Praying for you all that are sick. So far, DH and I are fine. Not that we mix with many people. I had a busy day yesterday but still managed to drive old truck into the village to fill with gas. I rarely do that so I keep forgetting how to use the charge card. Lady patiently helped me. Drove back...changing from 4-wheel to 2-wheel and back again for our driveway. Old vehicle and you have to get out and manually lock the wheel hubs. Took care of the ducks/goose before I drove up to the house. Poor dog did not get a road walk but she has a sizable fenced yard. Had a lot of spasms....they've been increasing...last nite while sleeping -OW! Wake up to get off of one fiery hip and switch to the other side. Stretching it out helps relieve the spasms. I have been able to get back to sleep after easing the pain. Not sure how many times I switch sides. This morning I could barely walk- even with the quad cane. Eventually I could move around and I began taking loads of laundry down stairs to garage/basement. Pushing clothes thru washer and dryer....hauling clothes up to put away or hang in bathroom to dry. Thigh muscles quivering with fatigue or malfunction or whatever. Then in a while, I'd go down the stairs to laundry again. We somehow got way behind and had 3 big loads and a blanket DH did yesterday. I began last nite with a load in washer. Whew! I got the last load upstairs / put away by the time DH got back from his work. Sunny day tho and up from nearly 0* to 45* in the sun. I did take time out to talk to a friend on the phone. We had leftovers tonite to use them up so that was easy. I called mom early - 7pm her time. ........ Then she called me at 9 or 10 her time.....forgetting that we'd already talked until I reminded her that she (the phone) rode in my pocket while I carried the laundry basket down/up the stairs. Then she remembered. She says it's loud noise when I stick the phone in my pocket. She was able to tell me what they had to eat today.....don't know if it was accurate but.... Tonite ...very soon...I'm going to bed. I've already taken Flexeril - anti muscle spasm pill. Tomorrow afternoon....temperature 40* hopefully and sunny.....I get to RIDE! The wrangler is just going to take me out cuz they know I NEED the ride. Hopefully I can get 2 rides in quickly. Last ride I had was in VA.....more than 4 wks ago. Doesn't seem that long but this happens in the winter: off season. You all be careful with being sick and all! Treat yourselves as you would treat your loved ones!!!! MtRider

The alarm went off at 7 something cuz S - snowplow guy was coming at 9:30am to plow our driveway. It's been a slick mess and a guy delivering stuff slid to the down hill side (safer) and nearly got stuck. I went down (yesterday) and coached him to go backwards down - you'll never crest this hill from where you're at. {ask me how I know!!} He did get down safely. My (formerly my dad's) '85 Ford truck has been sitting idle for months. I meant to run it before I left for VA but didn't get around to it. DH said he'd try...and didn't. While gone, they got a foot+ of snow and when S plowed, the truck was in the way. So it wasn't a good plowing job. Recently we've gotten bits and pieces of snow and then 5" all at once. So...Old Red had to get shoveled out...cleaned off enough to get inside. Didn't start so we're opening hood; standing on a 3-step ladder....take the lid off the air filter to spray ether into the carburetor. But couldn't find the ether...wasn't in the cab and Could Not Get Into the back under the topper. The latch would not move...iced. But I tried the key again and it started!! It was definitely God cuz it never starts like that --- and it was COLD & MISERABLE at that hour! I was having trouble sucking in all that cold air. I did have to get out and turn the mechanisms on the front wheel hubs...to put it in 4 wheel drive....as I started to slide where the other guy did yesterday. That's where everyone slides. By then I thot I was having an immediate case of bronchitis. Could barely breathe. Slowly...it got better. Drove down and shoved Old Red out of S's way and rode up with DH who had taken care of the birds and dog who'd had her run-and-fun and got into the car too. When S came, I went out to pay him and advise of the problem areas. Then I moved our car down to the road. I was still wearing all my outdoor gear and the car heater felt good while I waited on the road. After he left, I dumped pellet stove ash (we save in a metal bucket) in strips on the upper part of the driveway so that the sun will focus on melting that. If it gets down to brown dirt, the melting will spread. And.....thank You, God...the sun has come out! I also had a shot at a horse ride today but they are going tomorrow and I can't. Need ride! I could barely climb the stairs after taking the car out of the way. Digging out Old Red really took everything I had. I even took a nap. Left Old Red down in barnyard to melt off more snow...or I have to get a ladder and shove it off. Yet another use of solar power! Not much lovin' such an exciting life at this age. MtRider earlier tho!

If you're still on the topic of taking a huge number of pills initially and then gradually wind down....that's what I was talking about. Can't tell if you're kidding....you know the term 'sucker punch' is hitting some guy before the fight begins, right? {or is that a regional phrase}. Which would be cheating but in the case of the war on germs/illness....go ahead and hit 'em hard. Knock them out of your body. MtRider

Just saw this.....I play it every day on Epoc page. MtRider gotta keep the brain working!

Heading for bed. Snowplow guy coming in morning. My old truck hasn't been started for ...months! It may need some spray in the carburetor before it will start. Old Ford Trucks.....they need to be "warmed up" even in August! Sheesh. AND poor thing is covered with snow. I wasn't here for the first big snow and now we've had more! I'm not even tall enough to scrape off the topper. Note to self: grab ladder before attempting this. We have to move both vehicles out of the way so plow guy can do a good job up here. While I was gone....he left all sorts of piles in wrong places. Too risky to walk on the driveway with packed snow like that. But it's hard for him to see the terrain covered with a foot+ of snow. He's familiar with our driveway for the past years. [he saved DH's life cuz he told us about getting the cure for the C...when it turned bad quickly] So with coaching (begging.. lol) I hope he can get an angle to scrape better this time. WINTER IN THE ROCKIES AND I might have a ride tomorrow...horse ride. It's been a month without and the tremor in my leg muscles is getting worse. I am still walking dog each evening b/4 dusk. Y'all take good care! MtRider

I think the docs might be wanting to hit the 'whatever' HARD .......a medicinal "sucker punch"?? MtRider ....just a theory, mind you. Look up on WebMD???

Yeah, what Mother said! MtRider or was it something gone 'off' in the food?

Nice to hear stories of gooood Christmas times this year......with the exception of the little one being sick. We've had a quiet day with simple ham, potatoes, etc. And DH's sweet tater pie. Tonite we'll be below zero again, probably but in the sunny part of today, it was 40*. Snow everywhere so yeah....Christmas. Didn't get a single call today. Mom still can't work the cell to call or answer. Hope they can get her landline in sooooon. I miss calling to discuss our days. Esp with her way out East now. I'm LATE again in getting to bed. Should I just give up and live the night life? Hmph! I suppose I could remember to use the Blue Blocker glasses... But that won't help if I can't actually get INTO the bed! {hopeless} MtRider

We are ADAPTABLE people and adaption starts in the mind/emotions. When I think of Christmas imperatives I had so long ago. Must have a lighted tree. Must have this and that and uphold the family traditions. Making cookies to pass around to friends. Homemade this or that. It's not Christmas without ........ Well, that was a very long time ago. There is no tree in this tiny house. Well, the house is made of logs so some years I draped the colored lights over the log ends of the loft. 2 yrs ago we still had mom here and she and I got their tree up and decorated and lights around the porch railing. Nothing at my house but I did always have a tree at there. It was the last time tho.... And this year I did get to decorate with here at mom's new Assisted Living apartment.....which I enjoyed. But our holidays have been pared down quite a bit since we have no family left here in CO anymore. In the high country, people who get older disappear - go off to live near to their younger generations. Many have to get out of the high altitude. So we've lost LOTS of friends that way too. So today DH and I baked/heated a small ham, scalloped cheesy potatoes from a box (not bad), store-made coleslaw (tasty), Red Lobster biscuit mix biscuits (good) and of course DH's homemade sweet potato pie. We didn't exchange gifts much with other family. DH sends food gift baskets to Maui and D.C. He and I know what we've gotten recently and that's enough. Nothing wrapped. It's simple but cozy. It's Christmas.... even without the Must Haves or Dearly Wanna Haves. We've grown older and wiser (?) to be content with what's possible and reasonable. But I'm still chuckling at my former adamant self.... Ah...for the ENERGY to carry out all that!!!! Full moon tonite? .....ACK! I went outside to check and .....it's ZERO DEGREES out there with a enough breeze to make it nasty! And cloudy....no view of moon, full or otherwise. MtRider ....Merry Christmas and it's aftermath to all....

LOL Midnight. I looked them up and am still trying to figure out how the rubber band thing works. Amazing what folks come up with. MtRider ....pretty!

Well, that's pretty clear ...except about taking the 6 tablets all in one handful or spread out. It appears to say just chug them down in the morning. Do your's taste AWFULLY BITTER? I always try to land them in the center of the tongue..towards the back where taste buds are scarce. Blech!!! Sure hope this does your ear some good. Will it kick of up another UTI? MtRider

My version has the days and times printed on the packet.....but it's a 6 day regime. First day is 6 pills BUT....spread out from b/4 breakfast .....to bedtime. The next day is 5......spread out. 4..... .etc til the last day I take one pill. A 2 wk 'script ......????? Did no one at the pharmacy print instructions? Sheeesh, we get a big wad of papers with every 'script. Really OVER explains things even if you've had the 'script for years. The pharmacist should have explained on a new 'script. MtRider

We had a quiet day. Our snow was predicted and it came down very politely at a Christmasy pace. Kinda floating down. Got a few more inches tho. Supposed to move on ...east, I guess. Tomorrow will be sunny but not very warm. We've no where to go and nuthin' to do when we get there. I've gotten some pics and updates on Mom. Bro took her to the cathedral for their service. I know she loved it. Last time this set of organ pipes will be played in a very long time. They're due for refurbishing and that takes a while for specialists. Amazing how many parts make up the huge organs! We're snug and warm with pellet stove going. DH's sweet potatoe pie is smelling almost done. Tomorrow we'll have ham and things. Sounds like Christmas festivities are in motion for a lot of you already. MtRider .... for good times and safety for all of us as we remember Who was born (approximately) in this season.

***----***----***---- Merry Christmas ----***----***----*** ....stay safe and warm ....enjoy family and friends. MtRider ....and come back here with funny stories instead of dire ones {looking at the Indy/Ohio star }

Whew! I've overspent my time on MrsS again.....trying to catch up on what I missed while I was in Virginia. It's like reading a novel with all of us as characters - having interesting lives. The definition of "interesting" being very broad. Most of us want a bit less 'interesting'. Nearly 1am. I've had a normal day. I did begin to purge one of our two tiny closets today. One kitchen garbage sack for trash and one for Thrift Store donation. Wow...I hadn't even seen some of these things for years. The shelf is too high to reach easily. So a lot of it can go... Then a friend called and we hadn't talked except email since before I left so.....the purge was put on hold. I did walk a full mile tonite with the dog. With heavy boots and clothes cuz it was cold. So it was a good day. DH agreed to work extra hours in January....until I reminded him that my neuro test was Jan 2. Then we had to find the 2024 big wall calendar which we'd bought 2 months ago. Where did I put it? But I found it and it will go up in a few days. We both rely on that so this doesn't happen. He'll call his work and withdraw from that day. We have nothing really prepared for Christmas this year. Our area might get some .....or a lot...of snow over this weekend. We do have a ham and fixings so it's just us keeping it simple. Years ago, I'd be frantic if I didn't have a Christmas tree and ....and.....and.... Now, it's disappointing to have relatives so far away. But I've already enjoyed putting up decorations at Mom's new place...and the Christmas party there too. So I keep thinking that Christmas is past already. Oh well, we'll be home to take calls from Maui and Virginia. MtRider ......

I forgot the link, right? Some days I'm just not on the same wave length as my brain.... https://restofworld.org/2023/how-people-laugh-online/ MtRider ....not anything earth-shattering but I found it amusing

Yes, I'm fascinated with languages and I've started my Hawaiian studies on Duolingo again. Primarily to keep my brain cells working but ...I LIKE language in general. This is a quick review of how to say LOL and other abreviations of laughing on the computer. Some will make you ...well, !! MtRider

I know the feeling. When I was at Mom's house in CO...while trying to get things sorted and packed, etc, I was up and down all those stairs and it was summer. I had bedroom in basement and had to retreat there before I overheated! We're nearly at zero* and will undoubtedly mean subzero tonite. I'm not ready for this! ..... I say that every year but so far, survived. Pretty tree! I love Christmas trees! Wow, Little Sister - raised beds will be wonderful next season. And we all know why gardens are so important. MtRider

Yeah.....our big champane bucket of FREEZING is probably going to be heading East..... Keep an eye out. MtRider ...just a footnote for picking the last of your gardens, etc.

What am I doing today? Freeeeezing! Didn't start the pellet stove cuz warm sunshine was coming in the window. Sunshine lied. When I got dressed to go down for evening feeding, I put on ski overpants and scarf-hat and 2nd stocking hat,wool knee high sox, boots, etc. - I didn't know it would be THAT COLD! Thermometer lied. Said 30*. Nuh uh! Good thing I usually overdress for cold in the fall while my body's adjusting. Dog and I walked down the driveway that was, once again, full of snow. Not much but... I had to transfer duck water (not yet frozen except the top) from outside bucket to inside pan. Put down their food pan outside and give a hefty portion tonite. Then dropped more straw for insulation. Lucky they have 'downy blankets' naturally. In that amount of time, my fingers in my second best gloves were FREEZING! FEELS like subzero down here at the road/barnyard. Even that much change in elevation means in the evening, the colder air falls down into the valley area. Great in hot summer! Now..not so much! Still had to give dog a walk....a short walk. Literally, I had to keep stopping to shift my fingers into the palm of the gloves to keep them from frostbite. They were hurting. When I walk the dog, the hand near 'our side' ditch has the retractable leash and the ski pole/walking stick in the other. On the way back, it switches cuz we only walk on our side of the road. (cuz the other side has blind corners that are a lot less safe for the zooming pickup trucks.) I had to stop several times to blow on my fingers. My double head covering of an open face ski mask with a (toboggan) stocking hat was not overkill. The down vest might have been...cuz I had to vent a bit. Ya don't want to overheat/sweat and try to stay warm. Since DH is at work, we had to walk the last 10th of mile UP the steep driveway. I got dog to run around several times to keep her warm in the short/flat coat of fur she has. Not hard to do that! I was slow going up the driveway. Trying to start/warm up my old pickup just isn't worth the time. Old Fords do not like cold weather and are fussy starting in summer! Can't go start it...go back in warm house til it warms up. No....gotta sit on the cold seat freezing with my foot "just so" on the accelerator. Bad as saddling a mule! Hmph! Thermometer said 20* by the time we climbed the "mountain". By that time I was sweating inside my coat and stuff but fingers freezing. Got us up the stairs and inside. Lukewarm shower got body temp back to normal. I think I did dishes or something for my cold hands. Definitely time to switch to the #1 leather insulated gloves. ..... checked our weather: estimated my area Felt Like Minus 1* Sure did! We're at 10* now. MtRider

Yeah....the long distance thing when you can't verify to encourage or ...let it go. When I worked in a state hospital (residential) for mentally ill, our unit director once said: If you don't know what to say....grunt warmly. My mom's been having some good days...... that they continue! Praying for everyone to have a good Thanksgiving with no mishaps or missteps.... {looking at you, Jeepers} MtRider

Happy Day of THANKFULNESS! I'm thankful to still have Mom and all the rest of the family...those in my generation (Bro and DH...and a few cousins) Those in the next generation (DD1&2, DSIL, Niece) and the next generation (GS1&2). We've never been a prolific family and we're stretched from the East coast to Hawai'i. Soooo far apart that only modern technology can keep us updated with each other. But we can still have a lot of laughs And ...we don't have an icon for telephones, do we? But I used that to connect with Maui and Mom today. Email for Bro. Email recently for cousins. Had a good Thanksgiving potluck on Sunday with church family. DH and I had "Marie's" frozen turkey dinner today....with the addition of green bean/fried onion/stuff. Um, the green bean stuff was good....... Dog did Marie's "dishes". But I've learned that all my MUST HAVE items for traditional holidays....really don't matter so much anymore. DH and I are warm and fed. Well mostly warm...since we set the furnace back in the evening and it's probably in the 20's outside by now. The cold does seep into this leaky old cabin so going to bed soon would be advisable. But we can afford this with DH working only 2 days per week. His back appreciates that. We're no where near going hungry.... ...definitely. We have warm clothes and one of those special Colorado mountain views right out the windows of this rustic cabin in the woods. Even a pond.....cuz I'm one that realllly enjoys a water feature. (our water fowl like it too ...but they're upset cuz it's frozen now) I'd REALLY like a wee bit larger house for storage.....mouse and rat free, if I was putting in requests. But....then I'd have further to walk on days that are not going so well. Just kidding....with more room I could whizz around in my chair! Honestly, we're content with what we have in this time of our lives. We're not in debt. We won't starve - save something catastrophic destroying our 'stuff' or requiring a hasty exit from our neighborhood. We're instantly connected to long-term friends/family short of something destroying the technology. We've got fewer nearby friends cuz they keep moving away! Or passing on to heaven. We've got health issues but nothing deadly or too expensive. Other than missing our Hawai'i and Virginia family......we got nuthin' to complain about ......and SO much to be thankful for!!!! MtRider .....although I'm praying for a mild winter with not much deep snow cuz we're gettin' too old for that!

Fell backwards ...Sunday, I think. Was walking Energetic Dog on the road as is our usual evening routine. She stuck her snoot into the end of a culvert under the road. I was afraid she'd get bit by something so I was tugging hard. "COME!!" She 63# of muscle and exuberance and she usually comes with a light tug. But she was INTERESTED in the hollow pipe and ....whatever. Then suddenly she turned ..."ok, coming!" ...and ran toward me...leash went slack.... YEEEEESH, this dog! Yep, I went flying backwards and landed on my backside on the gravel/dirt of the road. Frozen Road. I did do a bit of a roll automatically so the impact wasn't quite a THUD!!! I could tell from the dirt all over pants and coat. But it's still a good thing I have in-house chiro. But I'm still feeling it. There was NO peeking into culverts on tonite's SHORT walk. Yesterday's snow is melting already. I scuff my boots all the way down the driveway....so the brown dirt/gravel shows thru the snow. The sun takes care of melting much better that way. We'd just lost all the snow from the last one...except for the ice at the top where everyone turns around and packs the snow down. I saw a big patch of black in the center of that.... .....Is our car leaking oil that bad? No. DH said he put down some ashes from our pellet stove to get that part to melt....and have the grit. Whew! We do that every year but it didn't look like that cuz it had glazed a bit. MtRider ....y'all stay safe and have a Great Day of Thankfulness and Food and Family