A decent day, so far.

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To the appointment I went. Traffic is murder. Just about as soon as the ignorant college punks get off the road, other unfamiliar drivers arrive. Tourists! From 20 to 90, driving mostly like they are in the upper range. Oh, fine, your old and you drive like Mario, only politely. Sure. Anyway. I make it there alive and without pulling someone over, finding a 2x4, and doing what in all of man's history is a natural thing. And we wonder why we have a "population problem". *sigh* Fine, fine, someone is grumpy. As one of my dumb mom's used to say... or all of them?

After the appointment I did not know exactly what to do. A sandwich at the shop I went to a few days ago. Turkey and swiss this time. I like the beef better, but want to check their other fare. Still, not bad, not bad at all. A run to both Wal-Marts and finally to Lowe's. At Wal-Mart, I did buy a contained kitty litter deal with a floor filter and pan, two collars to get her used to a collar before I try to put on the flea collar (which I will do occasionally if not perpetually), and a kitty litter mat to keep her litter where it needs to be. I ended up going to Lowe's, though, because neither Wal-Mart had plant cages. Lowe's did have them.

I did find my shoes, for Church. That will lend to them being polished. Soon, I am sure. I did not find a furniture store I thought would sell parts for the bed frame, though I did not stop in to check. Chain stores, and sidestreet mall stores, which is all I saw, usually do not offer parts or pieces and often cannot order. Or, at least, from my experience. I was not sure what else to do, and it was getting hot. I had, as usual, been trying to call my friend several times after leaving my appointment. Finally, tired and hot, as it was nearing 5:00 or so, I decided to get gas (my usual spot is near his house), then drove over to see if he was there yet. No answer at his door, so I headed out but decided to drive by the city bus depot and see if he was walking back, as a last shot. He was.

So, with all my business done, I asked if he wanted to go to Smokin' Blues. Yep. He had a half rack of ribs (more like a boatload, probably 3 meals for him). I ordered, making sure they were in strips not chopped, a plate of brisket. That will end up being two meals for me. Very good. I do like their sauces. They have three kinds, all with their own use. I probably prefer the hot Texas style, though any could and have come into play depending on mood. But tonight I used no sauce. A couple of beers apiece, a little flirting with the fine filly who served us, and on the way we went. He went home, then so did I.

I would like to work on the sprinkler system tonight, and see if I can get that going. If the cat or fowl or other livestock can wake me early enough, I would water early morning, before 7:00 anyway. Then water again at noon and then in the evening. In truth, watering twice a day is the most likely scenario. Tomatoes, and really all of those types of plants, need a lot of water to grow and produce. With all of the tomatoes flowering and the one bell pepper plant peppering, the cages and watering will go a long way toward seeing life settle in.

Ah, by the way, today was test day at the doctor's office. My right hand grip is sitting at 152 psi, up 8 psi from last time. I had more, but that is enough. The left hand is a gimp 102 or 104, typical male strength. But I could not even use that hand last time, so it's okay. I am hoping the gyro will get that repaired in a few weeks, a month at the outset. But more, my blood pressure was down. I believe it was 156/98. My doc was happy, and asked what I had been doing. I told him I was staying away from other docs. Ha! A cat, a life and home I am working for, goals, and successes, along with normal complications, headaches, work, need, want, plus a change in diet, actually. Still, I am a bit surprised. I thought it would be down, I can sort of tell by the lowered volume of the ringing in my ears, but not that far down. That is almost as good as I do on meds when they work, with Ritalin, and about as good as it got (135/86 being my best, but not good enough for the docs). As for the hand... I want to break 180 psi. And you know what? I think I will... if his machine goes that far.

Well, on to the unfinished dishes (I thought that out well, ran out of time and had to go). Then to figure out the watering system. I will only be going into town twice a week from now on, as I am doing much better, concerning my back and neck. So I had best get my lists and shit straight. Though that does leave another day I could go in earlier and be done earlier (or not), just for shopping and business.

It is all coming together. A bit at a time, a project at a time, and yet... I am stuck on some things. Short term food storage, yeah, I can do that. Long term food storage? Buckets to buy, deciding whether #10 cans or 5 gallon buckets, both and if so in what percentages, then obtaining this and that. Yeah, I have sticky projects. Lots of them. Those too, in time, will receive the jam hammer. Yes they will. Damn it though, why not all of it now! Ugh-a-chugga

Hey, later. Do not say I did not warn you... Wait, one more thing. When I discussed the reaction of the roomful of young women the other day, I may not have been clear. My predator claws and fangs did not come out, nor did I sprout InternetAl or DoesSheLoveMeDoesItMatterClinton horns during the encounter. It was more like seeing an empty box, opening it to check, and finding a bunch of KITTENS! (assuming you are a cat lover) Warm, fuzzy, happy feelings. If I did note beauty, as is it's due. I did note some friskiness too, and I enjoyed that they were at least as surprised and... pleased... by the surprise(?) as I was. I am wondering if my size has something to do with it? Anyway, just so you know.

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming.