Dared to ride

Once again, I slept poorly until 5 AM and then solidly until 10 AM.  I just don't get it.  It seems so odd! 

I last completed laundry almost two weeks ago, and it could no longer be delayed. As I started the five loads of laundry, I ran my mother's budget numbers and updated her finances. Afterward, lawn work and watering were required since the yard had been scorched. Due to the unique shape of the yard, about half has to be hand-watered, and it takes an hour.

Once that was completed, I decided to bake some pretzel buns and bites.  Since I retired, I have improved my pretzel baking, but I have only started baking something from scratch.  This batch turned out better than expected! I may be getting the recipe down.

I did get out for an outdoor bicycle ride.  I have not ridden outside since Shelley broke her ankle.  I was concerned she might need help, and if I had a flat or a breakdown, she could not come to get me.  The walk was refreshing, yet my heart rate was high for the exertion level.  I did not have heavy breathing, yet the average heart rate was 121 BPM.  Based on my Sleep Number bed, my resting heart rate is 55 BPM and an HRV of 153.  

 

My ride data from Strava 

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Mother and Fundraiser

I slept until 10:30 AM, but it wasn't until about 4:00 AM that I had a restful sleep.  Caring for Shelley and my mother reminds me of an overworked full-time employee in a depressing job.  Some key indicators are little exercise, lack of sleep, decreased diet quality, feeling less social, and being easily agitated.  So when I say "depressing," I don't mean soda pressing like the image.  

After breakfast, I visited my mother and completed some chores.  It is so sad to visit.  It is to the point now that I ask what she did yesterday, and she says, "Nothing, just sat here and watched TV."  Yet my sister took her shopping for groceries on Saturday, and my brother was with her yesterday.  I asked her about her last grocery trip, and she said a few weeks.  I asked about the new loaf of bread on the counter (we purchased it three days earlier), and she said it was ancient.  

I came home to prepare for a fundraising gala that Shelley was required to attend.   She is the organization's treasurer and is deeply passionate about the mission.  It was a typical fundraising gala night until the end, when a member got up to encourage donations.  She was over the top, feeling guilty for being there and not donating to the cause.  This prompted Shelley to donate an additional $500, and some friends did the same.  The MC pointed out each at the table that she knew donated and said, "The rest of you, please help this organization."  Unfortunately, a lovely evening was ruined and turned into a carnival. 

For being a short day in hours and a few activities, I was ready to call it a night.  

Carry on my friends, carry on.

Voles?

Last night, despite sleeping with the window open, even at temperatures below 60 degrees, I woke up soaked with sweat.  I needed that to shake off the ill feeling I had been experiencing.  I typically sweat more when I am sick.  I was up at 7:15 AM to help Shelley.  It was laundry day, and she needed washed sheets and other items.  So once that was started, I made breakfast and did three hours of yard work before resting and watching football.  

We have a neighbor who neglects their lawn, and we are constantly battling all kinds of invasive plants and critters.  The voles are coming from their yard with a vengeance.  Shelley will not let me poison any critter, including mice (though she will trap and kill them), so I need to explore other options.  

I tried MoleMax, and it had a minimal impact.  I also purchased solar vibrating spikes.  The vibration spikes helped a few years ago, but the old ones quit working.  I installed new spikes today and will wait to gauge the results.  If there are successful options anyone would share, please do!

I went for a 4.7-mile bike ride at 17:39, with an average heart rate of 134.  I pushed the pace as I knew it would be a short ride.  I hesitate to leave if it is for a short time, as Shelley may need assistance.  She can't get me if I have an issue, and I must walk. 

My left foot remains very painful, and my right leg feels fatigued, even though I am not working out.  Is compensating for the foot working out the quad causing the pain?  I will use the leg massager tonight and continue to adjust as needed.  As previously stated, I think the foot issue is tendonitis.

Carry on my friends, carry on.

Alzheimers Walk

With the significant letdown by the Nebraska Cornhusker Football team last night and my concern for Shelley, I had a three-hour sleepless night.  We also needed to be up early for the Alzheimer's Walk.  Since Shelley was a team captain, we needed to be there by 8:30 AM for the 10:00 AM walk.  However, I was only going so I could push Shelley in the wheelchair!

We arrived at 8:30 AM, and it was raining.  It was easy for Shelley, riding in a wheelchair, to have an umbrella, but pushing the chair, I was SOAKED!  After 15 minutes in the rain, we could find cover until the rain stopped at 10:00 AM.  That was nice; we could walk without increasing the dampness that remained.

They had me take the picture, so it was a break from pushing!

Therefore, I did get the 2-mile walk in this morning, and my right foot was well aware, giving me screaming pain!!!  I am sure it is tendonitis, and I will continue to nurse it.  I want to avoid going in as I am concerned it might impact my planned trip since retiring.  I can have it looked at when I return if it still hurts.

It was early afternoon before we were close to home.  We went to the farmers' market to grab a few items for dinner.  Once home, we spent the rest of the day watching football and resting.  

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Another Busy Day

I was up a few times throughout the night checking on Shelley.  I did feel better today, so I did sneak in a 12-mile bike ride.  Sure feels good to get out there.  Since Shelley could not care for the landscaping, I spent three hours watering, pulling weeds, and harvesting the garden.  It needs to be done every 3-4 days.  She enjoys it, so we have large flower beds and a sizable vegetable garden area.  It is a pain if you do not want it, like me!

Last month, I had my Bionx D500 wheel rebuilt.  When I got it back, the torque sensor was not working.  Since the bike has 15,000 miles, it may be at the end of its life.  My thoughts kept going to the shop for several weeks; perhaps the sensor was installed incorrectly. Even though the company dissolved in 2019, I found a forum that suggested the bike shop may have erred.  So today, I spent a few hours trying to fix the sensor, and I was successful!!!   This is my favorite bike, and I was thrilled. However, I couldn't ride it because Shelley needed me to be available, and if I had trouble, she couldn't rescue me.

As it was my birthday yesterday, only Shelley's daughter and two past work friends, Topher and Shelley, remembered.  Today, my son called at 6:00 PM to wish me a happy birthday.  I did an abysmal job raising him to remember to celebrate events and dates in his life.  There is nothing I can do about that now.

We watched the Nebraska vs. Illinois football game, and it was a heartbreaker for Cornhusker fans (AKA Shelley).  I got 6 hours of sleep last night, which was needed!  Shelley can regain some independence in one week, and I can return to being retired!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

62...

Well, I made it.  Today was my 62nd birthday.  I tell people I celebrate for only 60 seconds (1 minute), then it is on to 63.  Surprisingly, many people did not get the play on words.  I am officially qualified for senior discounts in many places.  The one I look most forward to is the lifetime National Parks Pass.  It is typically $80 for the annual pass, but once I reach 62, the $80 is a lifetime pass. 

I woke up with pain in my right foot, which has remained an issue for the past week.  I am unsure what the cause is, but I have narrowed it down to tendonitis as it comes and goes.  Then again, it almost feels like the Jones Fracture I had about 20 years ago, but the pain comes and goes.  It did start after a hard elliptical workout in new shoes.  

Shelley wanted to take me to lunch, but my stomach could not cooperate.  Later in the day, I was informed my mother had crapped herself badly and had feces on the floor, in her bed, and the bathroom was a mess.  In case you were not aware, we moved my mother to an elderly facility last month, as after my dad passed 18 months ago, she was unable to stay on the farm like she desired.  She needs some level of care!  

Therefore, most of the afternoon was spent cleaning up the MESS!  After getting Mom settled, I felt better and decided my birthday dinner would be Prime Rib from the Mason Jar, a local restaurant.  I have always seen the advertisements for the Thursday special (the only night they have Prime Rib) and wanted to try it.  It was below average.  It was very tough, and some chewing gum would have been easier to eat.  You will never know if it is good unless you try it.  This is my first disappointment with the Mason Jar.  There are so many exceptional dishes to enjoy.

I am exhausted after helping my mother settle and caring for Shelley full-time!  Sleep is not great either, as Shelley may need me in the middle of the night.  There is no choice but to hang in there!

Carry on, my friends, carry on.

Life continues

Retirement has been great, except when I am at home for extended periods.  It is easy to see work that doesn't need to be done, but I do it anyway, knowing it will eventually need to be done.  So, I do these tasks at my own pace, but traveling and wandering are much more enjoyable.

My next trip was planned for a few weeks, heading toward Colorado/Wyoming/Montana for 10 days.  I was most excited about attending the 59th Annual Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park on September 27.  Well, my early fall plans have now changed.  Shelley fractured her ankle and will require surgery with plates/screws.  So, my first fall trip is canceled.   Oh well, my mate's health is more important! 

I did see something yesterday that really made me laugh.  A guy parked his hybrid car, got out, and walked into the store.  I was waiting for Shelley, who had an appointment.  Then I heard the car engine start, likely because the AC was on.  I went to see if there was a dog, but nothing was in sight.  When the man came out of the store, he asked what I was doing.  I informed him I heard the engine start, and he said, "Damb-it."  He explained that he drives a Tesla, and the hybrid was a loaner.  Since the Tesla key is his phone, he is accustomed to parking the Tesla and leaving, and it automatically is off and locks.  So he parked, left the keys in the car, and left it running out of habit!  Glad it was not stolen!

As I try to limit my political opinions on social media, when I saw the image below, I had to share it, as it expressed my thoughts very well!  In addition, Margaret and Helen have a post that, to me, is spot on.  Unfortunately, I dislike them all for the third consecutive presidential election.  Just vote for whom I dislike less.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

September already!

It is hard to believe that September is already here!  This past week, I've attended many amateur baseball games.  They've all been very competitive and fun.  Tomorrow is the final classy championship game.  It should be rather exciting!

Since I began enjoying Minnesota amateur baseball about a decade ago, this is the first year it may result in my favorite two teams winning state championships.  Today, the Miesville Mudhens won the Class B championship over Air Freight Unlimited 8-1.  Tomorrow, the Jordan Brewers play the Waconia Lakers in the Class C championship at the Mini Met, Jordan, Minnesota.

As stated, I can't believe it's September already!  It is only about seven weeks before I leave on my big trip in mid-October.  I am taking the trip alone because Shelley has yet to retire.  I aim to start at the southwest point of the Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway and slowly work my way northeast over the 400 miles to the endpoint.  I am trying to plan it when the fall colors are optimal.  I have a lot of deviations in potential times to ensure I get some beautiful photos. 

I wanted to start September with a good, solid workout, but instead, repairing concrete, painting, and moving two lawns left me with charley horses in my hands and fatigue throughout my body.  In addition, Shelley became severely ill, slipped, and fell, and needed significant attention.  Given the holiday weekend, she will go in on Tuesday to verify she has no broken bones or torn tendons.  If I were to guess, it is a severe high ankle sprain.  She can move it, and there is no discoloration.

My mother is also getting more dependent and appears unhappy.  I feel bad that her life was tough, and she looks well over her age of 81.  She was at Pizza Ranch with my brother below.  The image tells more than I can describe,

Until next time, Carry on, my friends, carry on!