Fix It

I hate it when things aren't working right.  And I am not a fan of trying to fix things.  Nor am I very good at it; especially appliances, gadgets, or technical stuff.  I would prefer to spend my energy and time doing projects, being creative, or finding a solution to a 'problem,' rather than to be repairing, fixing, or mending something that broke.

The frustration with repair jobs, is that it seems things should not break down, but I know that stuff doesn't last forever.  When something breaks, the impulse is to 'trash it' and get a replacement.  But economically, financially, and environmentally, this is not a good practice. 



This (article) 'Why the Planet Needs You to Repair Your Broken Stuff' by Sarah Lazarovic, hits the nail on the head so to speak.  So grab your tools, or in many cases, your twist ties, duct tape, super glue and baling twine... and try to fix it.
  

The other thing I have issues with is computer and phone up-dates.  If what I have is working for me, I don't want to change it.  I'm good with it... 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Lastly, a lot of times we try to 'fix' people (or ourselves).  You can't fix others.  They have to decide to 'fix' themselves.  You can support them as they try to end an addiction, break a bad habit, or start a new good habit.  And remember, not all human imperfections signal a broken human.  Many are perfectly imperfect.  They don't need fixing.  So don't try to live up to someone else's standards, or try to make them live up to yours.

Saturday 1/7 - A couple of days ago I decided not to donate blood because I was feeling a little rundown.  It’s a good thing, because by this morning it was obvious I had a head cold.  So the blood bank probably wouldn't have kept my blood.  I got up feeling more congested (sinus) than I had the day before.  I actually kind of got worse as the morning progressed.  I did take another Covid test, but it was negative, like the one the day before.  

I decided to scrap a gym workout and my ride with Jean, and just stay home and rest.  At noon I climbed back into bed with my book and a couple of cats.  After some reading I took a nap.
 
Meanwhile, out at the ranch, Joe was being Mr. Fit It.  The pump handle had gotten pushed up some, most likely by a horse, causing the water tank to overflow during the night.  So this was a smart, easy fix, to put a pin in to hold the handle down.


Joe also moved the 100 gal water tank from the front pasture to the back pasture so when we put our three horses out there with Cowboy, they will have plenty of water.

Jean helped Joe with emptying and then re-filling the large water tank.  The new 50 gal tank for transporting water, had presented a big challenge a few days earlier, and after it had slid out the back end a few times, Joe had rigged tie-downs to hold it in the gator.  So today the job went quicker and was easier.

When it comes to fixing things, Joe is a get it done kind of guy.  I love that he usually gets right on a fix it job.  However, he often doesn't research the repair needed, or rushes through it, and, well, his fix it jobs are less than perfect.  But they are done.  Another problem (disadvantage to this) is that sometimes he breaks other things in the process, like in this case, the tail gate of the gator and the nozzle on the tank. 

Next, Joe drug the front pasture to spread all the manure piles out that have been accumulating.


I took a long hot shower after my nap, which helped with congestion and sore muscles.  Other than that, I did nothing to fix anything the rest of the day.

Joe and I watched the last four episodes of season three of Dead To Me, so now we will need to find another show for our winter evenings' entertainment.
 

Sunday 1/8 - I didn't go to church (again) because I was still fighting an annoying head cold and trying NOT to give it to anyone, especially Joe who was slated for hip surgery early Monday morning.

I wrote my thank you notes, did two loads of laundry, hauled more Christmas stuff up to the balcony, but I wasn’t ready to start packing it up.  It was just too big of a task to deal with while I was feeling crappy.

Patty picked me up and we went to the ranch.  She cared for Wanda while I mucked sheds and paddock.  We fed the horses and were soon back home. 

Monday 1/9 - Today was the big 'fix it' day, for Joe's hip (a replacement).  We left home at 5:20am to get to the surgery center in Knoxville by 7:30 (with the time change).  Joe was slated for surgery around 9am, but it wasn't until 11:15 that they finally took him.  Meanwhile, I sat, and sat, and waited.  During the wait I got this bag of medications (antibiotic, pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, & stomach protection). In addition, Joe was to take a daily aspirin for anti-clot.  WOW!  Medications sure are used a lot as a quick fix but we all know, they are not a good long term solution.

At one point, I checked with the receptionist because I hadn't heard anything and it was 90 minutes past time for the expected call that Joe was going into surgery.  I had an appointment to get my car fixed and needed to decide if I was going to be able to take it in.  Well, they were just getting ready to take Joe back to surgery and would call me when he actually went.  It was obvious I wasn't going to make it to the car appointment, so I called and cancelled that.  Car to be fixed later. 




I was giving and getting up-dates from family via Facebook Messenger.  Jean sent this to show our horses in the boarders paddock while Yvonne rode in the back pasture.  They were sure wanting back out on the grass.  Silly horses.

I finally got a text message from the nurse at 11:15, saying she had sent a voice mail (which I didn't get until arriving home at 3pm central time).  Joe was going into surgery.  My cell phone has needed 'fixing' too, but a new phone is my only choice to resolve the issues.  I have an I-5, which has long ago stopped supporting up-dates.  Stupid technical, material, consumer industry. 



About 12:30 I got a call from the doctor, saying Joe was out of surgery and did well.  He said it would be awhile before I could see him and to go to lunch.  I had been snacking all morning, so I went for a 20 minute walk.

I was back in the recovery room with Joe by 1:30.  He was doing great, and released at 2:40 and we were soon to hit the road.  My car started up on the second try, and with the time change, we were home at 2:50. 

I got Joe out of the car, up the steps into the house, and into his recliner with no problems.  It was when I started up his ice water circulating machine that I encountered difficulties.  The power light would not go on! 

I tried EVERYTHING imaginable to solve the problem... but it was a no go.  I couldn't fix it!  So I called Patty, who was right down the street finishing up her weekly Mahjong game at the neighbors.  She was quick to arrive, with advice from a few Mahjong players who'd had joint replacements and ice machine experience.  Trying everything I had tried, we still could not get it working. 




Patty called Karen, who has a machine, and we ended up borrowing it.  In this photo, Patty is reading operating instructions for Karen's ice water circulator.  I called the company of our broken machine, and a new one was going to be shipped.

I got Joe his coffee and bagel, the breakfast he had to skip.  I had a late lunch/early dinner, did all my daily household chores, now also including all the dog walks.  I was nearly finished with the book I had been reading, getting through many chapters at the surgery center, and hoped to finish it, so went to bed at 7:30.  But I was exhausted.  How can sitting around all day make a person so tired?  And actually, my cold was really getting me down. 

Tuesday 1/10 - Here is a photo of the surgeon's handy work, over 12" long.  Joe has internal stitches and then glue holding the skin together, with tape over that.  It looks very good, no oozing and not even any bruising.  (Hope this wasn't too gross to post) Joe had no objection.  I took the photo so he could better see what it looked like. 

Joe woke me, getting into bed (not an easy task for him) at 9:30 the night before.  He had ice packs for hip and a pillow between his legs to get positioned.  And of course he had troubles getting comfortable.  Then I had a coughing fit, so got up to take NyQuil, which I had thought I could finally do without.

It was not a great slumber for either of us and I was feeling worse, with my cold moving from my head to my lungs.  Another Covid test was negative, so at least I didn't have that to worry about.  But I started in on DayQuil, as I have been doing the past three days. 










Rose was lurking out front, and going door to door, waiting for me to come out to feed her, which I did, along with the birds and deer.  She has me trained.

Luckily it could be a day of rest, although I ran to the store for food and ice and dropped some letters at the post office while I was out.  I drove the SUV so at least I didn't have to deal with my car not wanting to start.

Joe took a morning walk to the church and back and doubled the distance on his afternoon walk.  The walker does not want to 'go' on our tar & gravel street.  The church lot is much smoother and easier to roll it on, as is our driveway. 

I read, rested, and even napped a little on the couch in the cat room / sun room / office, with Stevie on my lap and Monita on my feet. 






Seen in this last photo, Maggie was on the floor beside us.  I finished the first Amish Christmas mystery Cathy had gifted me and started the second one.   





I also did some blogging while at my computer, but could not focus with my headache bugging me.

I cooked a pork roast (etc.) for dinner and then Joe and I started Season 3 of Tom Clancy's 'Jack Ryan,' only watching the first episode.  I was early to bed and took a NyQuil to try to fix (temporarily) what ailed me.  
 

Wednesday 1/11 - I woke finally feeling like I could see improvement with my cold.  No DayQuil was taken and the fits of coughing were decreasing.  I still struggled with a headache off and on and times of ears ringing and dizziness.

I spent two hours at the ranch wrangling horses and holding them for the farrier.  Patty had come out to help.  Yvonne arrived to ride so we held off on putting our horses on the back pasture.  She would do it once finished riding Maslo.

I was chilled by the time I got home, fixed a bowl of soup to warm up; followed by blanket, cats and book (again) on the couch.  This eventually led to a nap, which fixes lots of things. 

Joe was moving more (except for his bowels) and took three walks outside during the day.  He also napped a few times.  I still didn't have the energy to work on Christmas clean-up.  The balcony remained a mess, but now the cats were bringing various things (parts of decorations) down to play with them.  I was feeling fat and grumpy, so took Maggie on a three mile walk on part of Druid, which has been closed this month. 

After leftovers for dinner, we watched this fun Netflix movie, Knives Out.  I was struggling to stay awake during the commercials, which we can't fast forward, but was captivated by the mystery so hung in there until the end.   

Thursday 1/12 - Joe had a rough night, so of course, I did too.  The good news, is his digestive system is no longer 'backed up.'  However, now it is 'running' a little too much.  I told him to stop taking stool softeners.

The morning soon turned dark and gloomy and we got a fair amount of rain.  It was a good excuse to stay in, in my PJ's. 




The replacement ice water circulator had arrived late the day before, so I only unpacked the power cord, and got the 'broken' one from the surgery center working.  That was an easy fix.  I boxed up the bad cord with the new unit, including a note explaining that just the cord had been switched. 




My cold was improving, but I was still trying to completely shake it.  As I have been feeling better, I do more.  But when I do any activity, I then feel exhausted and sometimes I get a little light headed or dizzy.  I also tend to get overheated.  Mostly my cough is gone, except for occasional coughing fits brought on by post nasal drip.  I spent two hours back in bed reading and napping, with three of the four cats.

Another fix it job I did after my nap, was Joe's walker.  He has worn some of the plastic off the ends of the legs and the metal has scratched the wood floor in the kitchen.  I watched a short video, used Maggie's tennis balls, and got it done quick and easy. 

Then I headed out on a long walk because there was a break in the rain for part of the afternoon.  Maggie remained a little concerned during our walk, having been traumatized earlier by lots of thunder.
 

When Maggie and I arrived back home, Joe was nowhere to be found.  And then Maggie spotted him coming down the street. 






Notice, he is carrying his walker.  That's not how it is supposed to work.  LOL

I was tired after the walk, so sat on the couch and was immediately trapped by Styx on my chest and Monita on my lap.  Styx rarely snuggles, so I just rested here, looking out the window, until she was ready to get up and move on. 





It wasn't long and the sky got very dark and the wind picked up.  The trees overhead were really swaying.  Soon, the skies opened up in another nasty thunderstorm.  I was worried about Jean because it was right at feeding time.  She sent this (video) to report that all was well. 

Jean sent this photo - the calm after the storm, as she was headed back up to the ranch house from the barn. 

I worked up in the balcony with Christmas clean up, but have a long way to go.  Then Joe and I got in another short walk.

The night's entertainment was episode 2 of Season 3 of Jack Ryan. 

Friday 1/13 - There were enough snow flurries to scare me off from driving to Cookeville for my morning car appointment.  The fix it job would have to wait until next week.  Besides, I still was not feeling up to exerting much effort. 

A group of deer showed up and soon some more joined them, resulting in ten total.  I was not able to get them all in one photograph, but took this (video) which shows all of them. 


This photo, from the video, does show all ten deer.  There are seven of them in that one group near the pond.

I did finally get dressed and headed out to run errands on my way to the ranch.  I sent the faulty cord with the water circulating machine via Fed Ex.  I picked up some groceries and returned Karen's water circulating machine. 

Once to the ranch, I got busy mucking the sheds that were fairly dirty, evidence that the horses spent quite a bit of time there during the night's cold rains.  There was a light blowing snow as I worked, and it chilled me.  After I got the horses fed, I warmed up and visited with Jean for a short time before heading home. 

More snow fell as Joe and I watched another episode of Jack Ryan. 

One At A Time

Scrambling to get my blog from last week finished and posted, and wanting to spend as much time as possible with Britney before she left, and having many things on my mind and my 'to do' list; I told myself - just take one thing, one blog post, one day - at a time. 

All the time and effort to complete last week's blog post makes me all the more committed to making these shorter. 

Sunday 1/1/2023 - I did not have any resolutions or deep thoughts for the coming year.  I was mostly aching at the thought of Britney leaving and not seeing her again until next December. 

A resolution to shorten all my blog posts from now on seemed too big a commitment, and I think that I should just try each day, each week, to keep it to a minimum.  Yet, here I go rambling on and on as usual. 

If I were to make a resolution, and achieve it, I would be happy with this one.  →

In my blog posts, I do like to reflect on my feelings and thoughts; recount time spent with loved ones so I can recall and relive it later; keep track of my exercise and horse time; comment about my projects, challenges and successes; and include fun tidbits about my cats, dog, and horses.

Britney and I did finish the fun (Selfie) jigsaw puzzle.  The little hamster (middle, top) is my favorite. 

Joe took Britney to the ranch at 10:30 and he went on to a poker tournament.  The peace and quiet was depressing rather than tranquil and relaxing.





It's a Corndog - Britney's photo, Courtney's joke. 








Jean took Britney and Brianna to Nashville at noon and they reported enjoying Courtney's two cats and two foster kittens. 







Dan, Vale, and Ava arrived at Courtney's a little later so Britney could see her niece one more time before leaving. 



Jean headed to the airport to drop Brianna off, and already she was dealing with a flight delay.

Ava did NOT like Courtney's Bob Ross doll.  She kept throwing it on the floor.  I have to admit, it is kind of creepy.

In addition to working on laundry (3 loads) and taking down most of the outside Christmas decorations, I went to the ranch to muck and feed.  It was a challenge getting the chickens in the coop before dark (30 minutes early) but I did it. 

I went to bed early, feeling tired and a bit sad and depressed.  This too shall pass. 
 

Monday 1/2 - The void, empty house, and no more guests, was still very much hanging in the air.  Cathy gave me a 'What we can lean from horses' daily calendar and today's thought was good advice. 

I really wanted to get last week's blog finished and posted, and the Christmas mess put away (decorations after Christmas just seem to add to house cutter).  It had also been 19 days since a weight workout and I knew going to the gym would lift my spirits and was much needed. 


However, I decided with rain very likely Tuesday and Wednesday, and because Jean had the day off, I would go ride with her.  Once again, Amiga was a dirty mess (on both sides, back, and belly). 








Two selfie attempts by Jean and I. 

And then a few photos of Jean on Robbie at Lake Kirkstone. 

 

Robbie sure is a good lookin' horse.

We ended up riding a little over five miles in a little under two hours.
 

Zorro had been fairly content hanging out with Cowboy, but was happy to have his two mare friends (well at least his sister) back when we returned.

I helped Jean with cleaning and filling water tanks before heading home. 





One sad thing about the day, was that Jean and I did see this dead coyote right at the edge of Marmaduke where it is a road for hiking (very few vehicles).  We had no idea what killed it or why it lay dead at this spot.

I went to bed to read while scanning texts about Britney's flight delays.  She had been dropped off at the airport by Courtney with the hopes her flight would be a go.  This was not a good way to start her first leg of her three flight journey home.

Tuesday 1/3 - I was wide awake at 12:30am, having gone to sleep just after 7:30, so got up and spent most of the next 15 hours at my computer.  Britney's first flight had been cancelled due to bad weather at the Orlando airport, so she was booked on another flight to DC at 7 this morning.  Sweet Courtney had picked Britney back up and taken her back to her condo. (Flying should be left to the birds). 

I did finally, after many hours of effort, get last week's blog finished and posted by 8am.

It's always fun to watch these silly pets.
 

I did lay down and try to take a nap a couple of times, but without luck.  Finally I drug myself up and out of the house to run a few errands and get some exercise.  I thought I was really going to struggle at the gym, but with the time off, I guess my muscles were well rested and ready to work.  I especially enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces and chatting with them about their holidays, some cancelled and others with travel hassles. 
We were under a tornado watch till 5pm, but thankfully only experienced a torrential downpour and heavy winds while I was at the gym.

Britney's hair is now mailed and on it's way to 'Wigs For Kids' in Ohio.  And her flights to DC, Miami, and then Costa Rica all went well. 

I tried a third time for a nap when I got home at 2:30, but still no luck.  I cooked (for another hour) the leftover bean soup, and this time it was much better, with the beans soft finally. 

Wednesday 1/4 - A big thunderstorm woke me at 1:50.  I thought there had been an explosion at first.  It was intense but short lived and I fell back to sleep.

I got out of bed at 4am, experiencing several sore muscles from yesterday's workout. 

While taking down the Christmas tree, I noticed Rose watching me.  It was a melancholy time removing all the ornaments (so many homemade by our kids, Mom, myself, and other family and friends).

Below photo - I have made the balcony the 'staging area' for Christmas clutter, decoration put-away.  This way I don't have to look at it down in the main living/dining/kitchen space. 

The four pounds that I gained the past three weeks (not muscle weight I would like to put on) was motivation enough to go to the gym and do an hour on the elliptical.  Then I did a good stretch for all my sore muscles.

While out feeding the birds, playing with Rose, and checking the rain gauge (2¼ in.), I noticed damage to several of my plants.  This Japanese holly had dropped lots of leaves, leaving many bare stems.  They just couldn't handle the flash freeze on 12/22.  I hope all my plants recover.   

Thursday 1/5 - I had been working on an e-mail to Michelle about needing to return Robbie, and finalized it way before sun up.  With a heavy heart I sent it.  Since Jean is moving west this spring, Robbie is no longer going to get the attention and training Jean has been giving her.  As much as Jean loves and adores this horse, Robbie is not going to work out for me because she is not a horse I can throw anybody on to join me for a ride.  She is more suited for an intermediate rider.  Her food aggression and anxious disposition are challenging to work with, and she picks on Amiga quite often.  So I had made the decision to not keep Robbie.


I finished this advent jigsaw puzzle for Courtney, splitting it into 24 sections and then removing 2 pieces from each section that she will be instructed to put in on the 25th (Christmas day next year) to complete the puzzle.  It was a struggle getting all the pieces from each section into the little zip lock bags, especially with Monita wanting to 'help.'

After a good 90 minute workout, I rushed home.  I was running late and frustrated because my car did not want to start again, and then I hit a closed road (Lake View by Druid) and had to go all the way back around to get home.

A quick lunch and change of clothes and then I hurried off to the ranch.  Soon Jean and I were tacked up and out on a ride.  It was in the mid 50's, but cold because of the strong wind.  We rode almost 3 miles in a little over an hour, including going back to the barn to switch out saddles, as Jean was trying out a different one.

I did more communicating in the evening, (via texts, e-mails and phone calls) in regards to Robbie.  Michelle did not currently have room for her, so we decided to re-home her from our ranch, which would be better for her anyways, not to move her twice. 

Friday 1/6 - I and then Joe could not get my car started this morning.  He went to change with the plan to go to the ranch together, and while standing in the garage waiting, I heard my car engine make noises (it does this when re-charging the battery).  So I got in and tried again to start it.  Wah lah, it started right up.  So I was only slightly late getting to the ranch to meet Susan and Bonnie to show them how to work the new gates to the back pasture.

Joe came out a little later and we worked at adding dirt to the low spot at our new gate opening.  It is a huge puddle here after a rain. 




While working, Amiga and then Cowboy came to get a drink from this tub.  Joe and I had filled it full a few days earlier, using the new 50 gallon water tank on the back of the gator.  I was glad to see that the horses were drinking from it. 

I mucked our paddock area and was ready to head home about noon.  Jean was walking Parm out in the yard and I went to touch base with her before leaving.  We had noticed that the flash freeze looks to have killed these two Carolina Sapphire Cypress.  Rats!





I had gotten chilled while out at the ranch so had ham and bean soup to warm up.  I felt like I was getting a head cold, so took a Covid test (which was negative) and then did the nasal rinse thing.







Next I laid on the living room floor in the sun to read.  The dog and some cats were quick to join me.  The first photo, a selfie, is strange because my hand and phone shadowed my eyes, which is really all you can see of me because of the bright exposure.  And this second photo, you can see the shadow of my head, hand and phone.  Neither photo is good, but I found them both interesting. 





Mama Styx enjoying the sun on the floor with me.  Reading and the warm sun made me sleepy, so I closed my eyes to rest.  I didn't fall asleep, but it really felt like I had napped. 





I still needed to go feed and had planned to have our weekly libations and chat with Jean, so got back out to the ranch a little after 4pm. 

After chatting with Polly for a few minutes down at the barn, I took these three photos of the moon rising as I walked up the drive, back to the ranch house. 





Jean and I discussed a number of things, including the re-homing of Robbie.  I know it will be hard for Jean to see her Robbie go, but she really wants to find her a good forever home.  I still feel bad that Robbie just wasn't going to work out for  me. 




I love this resolution I saw at the end of Rachel Alana Falconer's new year's prose ~ "This fine new year... May we all be rich! Yes, utterly and completely rich. Wildly and unapologetically. Rich in love. Life. Connection with one another and all that really matters. Filled to the brim and bubbling over; more again and spilling over that. Full of laughter, acceptance, joy, and less of worry. Less of sorrow ~ Rich in renewed experience, of a whole new year!"