Monday February 27th 2023

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2023

Good morning!

Joe, working on yourself does have some uncomfortable growth periods to get through. Glad you're getting help.

J22, I live in a very progressive area and there is a lot of inclusion here and being LGBTQ isn't a big deal. Pride flags are everywhere. I wasn't saying it was a matter of exclusion or acceptance, but more a matter of me being more comfortable being myself around my own tribe in social groups. I think this is a matter of my age being that in the Deep South in 1977 when I came out it was a different story and I had to seek out a tribe that I could be myself with that I couldn't be on the outside and that stuck. Now I can be myself anywhere and pretty much no one is bothered. But I also think that millennial and Gen Z gays also seek out social groups with other gay people and go to gay bars and organizations.

I found out my ex of ten years (the one I left because of his drinking) died in 2020 at the age of 61. I last spoke with him in February of that year. I hope he was sober and didn't die alone. I don't know and don't know who to ask as he had no siblings, parents and his one cousin had died and we traveled different social circles.

I have may physical here in a few. Should be easy as I have no complaints other than insomnia and anxiety but that's nothing new and I don't want any new treatments.

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2023

I hear you, Joe. Growth/change is uncomfortable. Maybe you can concentrate or a small number of behaviors to begin with?

Tweety, I can imagine (sort of) what it was like to come out in 1977. I was in college in the early 80s and there was an active GAA (Gay Activists's Alliance?) on campus and no shortage of opinions in this state. I remember a report of an event on campus where a guy punched another guy, saying "I'm a Christian and I hate gays". Even then, when I had a lot to learn and confront in my own worldview, I cringed to hear someone profess to be a Christian while saying they hated an entire group of people. I also remember my boyfriend at the time looking through my high school yearbook and seeing a page for the GAA (Girls' Athletic Association) and doing a double-take. He was quite sure a small-town high school in Oklahoma in 1980 wouldn't have a club for gay kids. (Too bad they didn't).

Hubs got the generator set up last night in case we had power outages. The lights flickered a few times but otherwise we were fine. I have seen video of damage to SE Norman, very close to where we lived from 2013-2016. Fortunately, the reports from local hospitals include a small number of non-critical injuries and no deaths.

Hubs joked that he had everything ready to hook up the important things like the internet and the televisions to the generator. Oh, and the refrigerator maybe. Anyway, I'm glad he went to the effort. And glad we didn't need to use it.

I'm really disappointed in the book I chose for the book club this month. It isn't bad, but it is bland and shallow, in my opinion. One of the characters is a big Jack London fan and gives the main character a copy of The Call of the Wild. I decided to read it. I actually thought I *had* read it but I hadn't. I'm about 1/3 through it and can't say I'm *enjoying* reading about the death and violence among the dogs. But at least the writing is good.

No Stars In My Eyes · Feb 27, 2023

Howdy, hello, and hiya!

You know what, Joe? I don't even have a "social circle", except you guys here on AN. I am not much of a group person (although I am a 'funny bunch', all on my own.) I keep thinking I can go to the Senior Center to see what activities they might have. Twice I have been stopped by the re-spreading Covid virus. Maybe the third time will be the charm? Ya never know with me. I do have acquaintances, like I see the same cashiers at the places I shop, but that really isn't the same thing at all. If we didn't have Nannie to tend to, it would be a lot easier to go out and about. (duh.) Hubby needs a buddy; all his men friends from Asheville have died.

Welp, I took hubby to his doctor's appt. He was so morose you'd have thought he was going to have some kind of internal surgical procedure without any anesthesia! He just didn't want to go! The doc said he was pleased at how hubby has cut down on his vodka intake, so he wants hubby to try the Ativan again, (Three 1 mg tabs q 8 hrs.for three days) When we left the doc's office, hubby asked if I wanted to "go straight home and check on momma." I said no. I didn't want HIM to go to the pharmacy and then get a wild hair about going to the liquor store on his way back. ("Lead us not into temptation.")

As soon as I came out of the pharmacy, I handed him the first three Ativan tablets. When we got home, he went up to his room and is curled up on his bed, under the covers. Looks to be one miserable guy. But he has a follow-up on Wednesday afternoon, so he can be miserable for the few days between now and then. I mean, really, *I* have been miserable for a LOT longer than him, with regards to his drinking. So, y'know, "sauce for the goose/sauce for the gander". I feel a little sorry for him, but not enough to say, well, OK, be a drunk and die a tough death, and make me a widow. // We'll see what we see, if and when we see it. (shrug).

It is 65 degrees and overcast again. I think we are going to get rain this afternoon or evening, and then it dries up and warms up for a few days, then right back into the cooler temps and more rain. But, oh well, so what, who cares? Nannie cares, but who knows why, as she never goes out! The first things she said to me today were "Is it raining?" and then, "It sure is bright out there!" Fascinating, isn't she?!

It is only 2:30 PM. I still have stuff to do, but once again I do not seem to be doing any of it! Give me a week alone, by myself, and I could get a LOT done. But as things are now, anything I start will inevitably be interrupted.

The wind has picked up. Hubby has come down to the den and his recliner; he may be about to join the Siesta Club with Nannie. But meanwhile he just looks miserable.

I was thinking about putting out some more Nuts and Fruit birdseed, but it is looking like the rain is about to start, AND that big rough-looking tomcat just meandered across our back deck and came down the stairs where the bird's food is. (Lead HIM not into temptation!)

Wut r we gonna have fer suppah? Dunno. Don't much care. Wish I didn't have to pick something or someplace. Oh well, life goes on.....

nursej22, MSN, RN · Feb 27, 2023

Hullo. It's snowing again, but it's not cold enough to stick. I got out for a run this morning, that felt really good. I started out with a mask, until I got my pulse up, and had 2 pairs of gloves on for the first 15 minutes. Add my wool socks, insulated running pants and jacket and I'm snug as a bug in a rug. I called the cardiology office this morning to see why 2 office visits, 10 days after the other had a difference in cost of $150.00. The nice woman I spoke too was puzzled too, so she is going to send it on to the coders. And sis texted me, she is trying to schedule 2 heart tests and a Dr. visit all the same day. She was told she would be called when this was done, but after waiting a month I urged her to call. So now, someone is working on it. dh just got his clothes on at 1:30 pm and we are going to run some errands. That, am I feeling cooped up and need to blow this popcicle stand.

Ope, I guess he's ready to go, later, gators.

No Stars In My Eyes · Feb 27, 2023

Hubby is supposed to have an ultrasound on his left arm; doc wants to rule-out a blood-clot, as the Lasix is only working just a tiny bit on the swelling. Hubby says it's working 'a LOT of bit" on his bladder. He's already asking when he can take the next Ativan.

Remember I told you about the 17 vultures? Well, about a mile and a half from our house, a doe got hit by a car and died in the grass off the side of the road. There those vultures were, arrayed around the deer like it was a buffet table. And yes, it was all 17 of them, 'cause I DID count'em!!

nursej22, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2023

I hope Mr. Star's doesn't have a blood clot. Putting him on anti-coagulants with all his falls could lead to a real mess.