Just up.

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Not sure when I went to bed.  Perhaps nearing 07:00.  I tried to stay awake long enough to send a text, without disturbing a particular someone's sleep.  I do my best.  With my front door locked, milk would be difficult to deliver that way.  But the other door was left for use.

I woke at about 17:30, but have been crawling out into the world, at no great speed.  The outside is 70, or so the thermometer reads.  I opened things up.  Definitely warmer in here.  I received a call, it went to messaging.  My mother... suggesting I could call about this time.  My phone is updating, so, after.  Oh, and I checked on the keys.  They are being duped.  So, all good.

I did go to check on chores.  Kay and Penguin Girl have the troupe in the feed bowl, so I decided to let them stay and eat to their hearts content before going out.  Otherwise they would have run away.  They just won't trust me, and... fine.  I'll do chores in a bit.  Will need more food, anyway.  Those chicks are tiny, but around 20 of them can gobble a lot of feed.  All good, I'll... get it back.  :)  Yum!

I am almost sort of on the edge of almost beginning back to doing something?  Maybe.  If I can get days and nights wrapped back around, and if it would stay cool, I would try to get back to work.  Raking, digging, housekeeping as possible, things to do, things to do indeed.  If it goes back to hot, it will get dry again, and the evap cooler could help then.  Maybe.  Then again, that may still not allow work.  If I can't cool, a lot, I can't work in the heat.  And down to even 70 isn't probably cool enough.

Ah... I called my mom.  She is in the nursing home.  She wants to go home.  I  think she will eventually be able to do so.  I was quite worried after our last conversation, which she doesn't remember.  I doubted she would.  I was, more or less, speaking with her subconscious mind.  Today, while sounding tired, she was coherent and aware.  Meds, she suggested.  This I knew.

I got started on the ducks, chores.  Went to grab rabbit pellet feed.  By the time I got back, the ducklings were back in the feed.  So... I'll give them more time.  All good.  A quarter to half hour isn't a real problem, as to delay.  And I want them to eat.  They become such rollypollys though!  Ha!

Well... on to sorting the world.  Good day.

A few things.

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Oh, and a blunder.  Just to make sure life is still life?  Yep.

I intended to go in, to do a task, check my account, and get a bite.  All good so far.  As I was getting ready to go, I see someone is out, who well might undo some of my work.  Fogging, tonight?  A quick check.  Didn't do it her usual night, so doing it tonight.  Oh well.  I'll do it tomorrow.  I hope.

Still, I wanted to get out.  And had a few things to do.  Account looks okay, a bite was ordered.  Everything in it was wrong.  I bit each, then... rejected.  Frustrated.  Didn't want them to do right, just wanted my money back.  Got it.  Checked a few other places.  Everything was closed.  I guess I didn't need more than a few bites.  Even if they left a bad taste.  Meh.

On back to home.  I went to unlock my front door, but... Gah!  I had handed my key for the locks to be copied.  I didn't have them.  As well, I had locked the house down pretty well.  There... are other ways in.  I don't like using them.  Luckily, they were available tonight.  Not always, but tonight.  So, I'm in.  But with my front door locked.  I may have a spare somewhere, but if I had found it, I wouldn't be having someone copy it.  Right.  I may look, just a bit.  But I don't think so.

Oh, and I remembered to get utilities paid!  There should be enough to catch up... probably... easily I think, plus extra.  Then payments for the next six months?  Or so.  Monthly, so hopefully they don't lose track.  I wasn't sure how much the bill is a month, so I put in extra even on the monthly payments, I hope.  Still...  And, I was parked when I realized it hadn't been delivered.  So I did got back out.  Didn't want to, didn't feel like it, did it.  A huge weight off my mind.

After just a bit, I'll get out and check the ducks and rabbits.  I put there food up, at night.  I don't think the skunk can get to it.  I'll know before long, as the top(s) will be off.  When I tend the ducks at night, I will only open the food if they come out for it.  If they stay in their hutch, I assume it's because something is around.

Yeah, well, live and learn.  If I didn't have something to contend with, from time to time, I'd not have anything of a life.  Good evening, night really.

Up, chores done, and?

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Warm, inside and out, but not hot.  About 80, everywhere, as I woke.  Humidity is 52%, but I am almost getting used to that.  It was 73 upstairs, with 40% humidity, when I woke a bit before 18:00.  Regular ac's do take out some moisture, but not as much as I had thought they would.

A little nightmare, before I woke.  When I was a kid, if cold, I'd weasel into a shirt, a robe, or whatever else, at night.  Not always with good plans.  Half buttoned or tied, I'd get in.  But, sometimes I'd get stuck.  Thankfully my legs would still work.  And, even if panicking, I could go get help, usually mom because my brothers might well just pick on my and sisters just laugh.  Being the baby had it's moments, that wasn't one of them.  *stuck!*  Such a short dream, but one of the worst nightmares.  The other thing I hated as a kid, was waking paralysis.  

I went through that probably weekly, even twice weekly sometimes.  Couldn't move, fully awake.  I learned, after a great many of the horror moments, to attempt to relax.  Now, that wouldn't help, but it would remove the horror, mostly.  Which would allow me, then, to begin concentrating on doing things.  First thing was to open the eyes... send willed signals.  As well, to concentrate on moving a finger, or a toe.  Having a plan, and trying something, was far better than lying there in sheer horror.  I have had it a few times as an adult, but now know how to get out of it, and not to panic.  

It only happens when it is very hot, after I have hyper extended my energy resources, and pushed just about every boundary I have... usually beyond what might possibly kill me, if I were more normal.  That dream was as close as I have had, though, probably, in a decade.  Now that I know it's a bad heart, diabetes, and other actual physical ailments, I don't shove as hard.  Usually, and definitely not as harshly when I do.

Ducks are doing well.  The first set of three, out of the original nine, I think have their adult feathers.  No longer looking like aborted pillows.  The next set of three, which came from a set of three (to my first knowledge), look like they are in the last stages of the aborted pillow phase.  The rest, 18~24 I'll say, plus Crow's single, are still in the cute, fluffy, chick stage.  Little yellow, black, or yellow and black fluffballs, which bring my darker mind to think of... teeing off.  :p  Vader's practice golf balls.  Anywhile.

All are looking good.  But they sure eat.  I have figure out how to get the chicks in the food bowls younger.  And, yes, it makes a difference.  I think having the two moms for that many chicks is working out best.  I feared I might have to end one of them, but they sorted it out without killing chicks.  Penguin Girl would have been the one I put down, she isn't a great mother.  While Kay is exceptional.  She was the first momma.  She lost most of her first set, but learned.  If she/they, have lost a chick, it's just one so far.  I honestly expected to have four or five gone by now.

The rabbits are doing well.  Enjoying the cooler weather, for certain.  Food and water, cover from rain in case that happens, not much more I can do for them.  It'll be around August 26th when I start looking for her to remove fur, to begin padding out her den, for kits.  This time I will be ready.

On to... something.  I did get meds set up.  Food and insulin, which I fell off again.  It's just heat stress.  I have limits.  And, with the humidity coming in, not sure the swamp cooler will work all that well.  The trick might be to use the swamp cooler during the day, and an ac at night to dry the place back out... or when humidity is higher.  Bleh.  Later.

A bit more, as I stall for a later sleep time.

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Cloudy out there.  A potential storm brewing.  Staying cool, but that could change in a snap.  I don't think it has rained, just threatening.  Humidity, in the house, is up to 53%.  Bleh.

I did get some medicine arranged, and can start.  I need to call about more medicine soon, however.  And I have to stay on medicine, then begin taking my blood pressure, so I can tell if the new medicine is enough.  It's been difficult to stay on medicine lately.  The heat, this, and that, just have been throwing me.  I'll do my best, starting today.

I wanted to study.  But I can't.  Too tired.  Instead, I have been drifting through the internet, wherever looks interesting, checking vids and my usual haunts... which are really drying up.  It looks like blogger is slowly dying.  I have lost the ability to use labels, or pull blogs off my lists, and who knows what else.  It's slowly dying.  Eventually I won't be able to post, at this rate.  Expected it years ago, though, to be honest.  Bit by bit, the site is dying.  As am I.

I'd best take some water up.  Take my medicine.  I'll take night meds, as taking the water pills before bedtime is never a good thing.  I've stayed up as late as I can, dare.  Good morning, day, and night.

A bit.

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Just... not moving fast.  I did get the boxes broken down, the evap cooler out and set up though not filled yet.  I am checking the fan.  It seems to work.  Casters on, and the device for connecting a hose, for auto fill.  I'll be checking water-tightness outside later today.  As well, I can let it run for an hour, just pointing in, just... to see.

I was surprised I was able to get through the boxes so quickly.  I saved a few, smaller stouter ones, for collecting this's and that's soon.  More boxes in the basement, and elsewhere, but... slowly but surely getting really ahead on those.  I would like, eventually, to really push through in this room.  If that evap cooler works, even cooling it to the mid 70's though better the low 70's, I might be able to do this room.

Winters get too cool, summers too warm, spring and fall are so inconsistent that keeping up just with the weather changes is too much.  Too old, weak, and ill, to push just push through.  Still, if the temperature is just right, I can do more, better, quicker.  Mid 70s is pushing is, but between, say, 50 and 70, I do well.  If... everything else is doing well.

I haven't been hurting lately.  Though numbness isn't painless, as I have mentioned.  Sometimes it's just right there, under the skin, or consciousness.  The heat presides, reigns over regular pain?  Or I'm doing a bit better?  I can't really say for certain.  Only that pain isn't as much a problem, if heat is.  Near to seeing stars at times.

On to set up medicine.  I lost track of that, but did good things otherwise.  I don't know if I can sleep yet.  So may try to get other things done later today.  If not, good night.  Though, who knows if I will be able to get back to blog or not.  Maybe, or not.  Good night, morning, and day?  Something like that, I suppose.

Sprinkling it is.

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No water, no cool, just humidity and heat.  So, I started watering.  Late, because of the heat, I was sitting, stewing, losing track.  It's going.  I have a plan, shouldn't take too long.

Oh, but... I now know what got to the eggs of one of my hens.  A skunk.  I'm going to have to sort that out.  I had thought it was a raccoon.  But, no.  As I went out, at first just to tend the ducks, I chased it off.  Not... that I chased after it.  Only that it saw me and took off.  I may have to purchase a trap.

As well, I will be closing their food up at night.  And setting the trap up where their food it.  Odd, but a peanut butter sandwich will do.  Then cover it with a towel, slowly and calmly.  They recommend taking it to a nice little park, to be released.  I am thinking it will go somewhere to die.  The trick is to kill it without getting sprayed?  I still think there might be a raccoon out there, too.  And, if one skunk, maybe more.  Blast it all.  At least my underhouse, last I checked, was well screened up.

It isn't cooling out there, pretty much at all.  Still, while watering, I am hoping to tear down boxes, open an area for the cooler, and get it pretty much set up.  It arrived, I think, with several freeze blocks.  I can get those in the freezer overnight.  Add water, perhaps figure out a hose connection.  It has a float valve, so it will stay filled... just need to make sure that works before ending up mopping.

Ugh.  And I still have to set up medicine.  I didn't get meds today, may have missed last night.  Heat, sleep cycle problems, mom, people, things... ARGH!!!!  I'll keep at it, if possible.  I have an hour and an half more watering to do.  So, there is some time.  But I do want to go down when that is finished.

Boxes first, then on to setting up medicine.  Good evening, night, and maybe morning.

It arrived today.

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The evaporative cooler.  It is too hot to figure out right now.  I am hoping, as the world cools, I will be able to set it up and get it going.  Unfortunately, humidity is high (for here) of late, 50% today.  And it is clouding up.  Still, it is supposed to offer around 20 degrees of cooling, give or take.

Up so late.

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I think it was around 16:30 when I woke.  I tried earlier.  I kept waking, and trying to get up.  I just couldn't shake sleep.  Phone calls and texts seemed to pour in.  I had to shut my phone off.  Dreams.  More dreams.  Three long dreams I remembered, though seemed to have lost since, during the sleep.

When I woke, I checked my phone to see what was up.  My brother was the important one.  A text and a voice message.  Short, thankfully.  Both just wanting me to call.  Okay, sure.  So I called right away.  Our mother is now in a nursing home, for short term care.

I told him I was surprised.  I had called recently, and she was so out of it I... I wasn't sure what to do.  He said she just gets really tired in the afternoons.  Ah... okay.  Yeah, I... get that, I... understand.  There are times, if someone called, they would think I was on dope.  Which... is why I turn my PHONE OFF.  :p

So, yeah.  And, for him?  Both of his parent in-laws have cancer.  But his wife and daughters can't stay with them where they live.  So they are bringing both of them to their home!  Boy.  It's a good relationship, with him, her, and them.  So, thankfully, there is that.  But having that much illness, for indeterminate time, doctor appointments to chemo trips, feeding and care, for two adults, when his back is toast, and... yeah.  I'll be praying for them.  My part is small.

My brother has, it seems, changed his mind on something.  Which is fine.  I am letting him take lead on some decision making.  Without fuss.  So, we are waiting to see how some things go, and some timing issues.  I can't help him there, but I can, possibly, help in other ways.  For once.  I can't do everything, but I might be able to do something.

The ducks and rabbits were tended, after the call.  I sure enjoy the critters.  Oh, but, one of the bucks broke through the retainer between cages and... I probably have a pregnant doe.  I removed him, and put a doe from the other cages, into that bin.  I had meant to do so before.  I... guess... we will see.  

Now I know what to look for, and will get a kit box in there, when I start seeing signs... usually, I am told, in 34 days.  But I will set an alarm to begin looking closely for fur shedding/piling in 29 days... just in case they birth a little earlier here.  I didn't want them breed in the heat.  I can hope the cooler weather continues, or helps.  I can't tell how long he was in there, but... I suspect for... well... plenty long enough.  Though, since she is probably pregnant, I may put him in again, tonight, to ensure a decent batch.  At least it seems cooler in the outbuilding, where she is.

Hot and humid, 52% humidity today, indoors.  I think it read 88 or 89 when I was out, around 17:00.  The swamp cooler is in.  I'll get it set up tomorrow, or tonight for tomorrow?  Of course, with this much humidity, I'm not sure it will do much good.  Will see.  Later.

A final count.

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I was able to do a close count of ducklings... the newest batch.  Between the two double mothering hens, I counted nineteen.  Now, there might be some which weren't there.  And the count was done at distance, so may have been flawed.  If there was a miscount, I am suggesting an undercount.  And, of course, if a few weren't present which is occasionally the case, that too would be an undercount.

So, I would say, in the last batch of chickadoodles, there are 18 to 24.  And, yea, that is a lot of ducklings.  Of course, if I end up with a dozen to adult, I would be extremely lucky.  So, I can't even count my ducklings before they age out.  Even then, there is always danger.  Still, it's... a lot of little fluffballs.  I do enjoy, even if for a moment.

I was writing this much earlier, when time to go arrived.  I wasn't able to finish, so that is done.  There were a few other things as well, which I will go on to tell.

I received a phone call from my mother's man friend.  He said she is doing better, and they are looking at getting her into a nursing facility, short term, in the next few days to week.  Which was a relief.  I had called her a day or so before, and... was shocked and upset by what I heard.  All I can tell you.

My brother has ideas.  I won't discuss them currently.  I am in concurrence, if limited myself.  Both of us are limited.  It's just the way it is.  Who knows.  But plans are being made, devised, refined, considered.  For once, I will simply comply, mostly.  Do I agree?  I suppose so.  That... isn't always the point.

I didn't water tonight, the lawn.  We have received rain, today, both before I woke, and while I took my second sleep.  We are forecast to have more rain, and it feels it.  It isn't cooling much, if humidity is as much a problem as anything.  While it, last I checked, was down to ~60, humidity is 57%.  Bleh.  The air just isn't moving, and humidity makes even this temp sticky.  Though that 60 isn't getting into the house.  It's in the high 70's.  The air just isn't flowing in.  Fans can't push it.

Well... it's late.  I kept wanting to cool the house off.  Lost track in the warmth and humidity.  And, here I am, at nearly 06:00, with nothing to show for it.  I did check the birds, fed and watered them as I checked the rabbits.  Then closed everything up and was done.  A nap, or out for the day?  I'll try for a nap, and to push through.  I have some things I'd like to do.  But, limits, capacity, ability, etc.  I'll do what I can.  But some sleep has to be had.  Good night, morning, and day.

Crashed.

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I thought I was up.  Came downstairs, got things started, did this and that and posted.  Went an half an hour.  Then realized it was just too hot, crawled back upstairs, and slept, hard.  I can't say when I went down, only that I probably wasn't awake more than an hour.  So around noon, or 13:00?  Give or take an half hour anywhere but before noon?  I think so.

Asleep until 17:30?  Give or take an half hour, in front or behind that number.  Did I feed the girls?  Maybe.  When I woke?  I'll check, soon.  I think so, and cleaned their litter.  Then a shower, and finally a shave.  Not the cleanest shave I've ever had, but it was pretty rough.  I'll... shave again tomorrow, or the day after, clean up the edges.  Literally.  the interior, chin, and mustache area while not perfect are pretty good.  But the beard line below, and chop areas, on the outer fringes, are a bit furry still.  Barely awake.  Glad I didn't take too much skin.  I think I only created one tine bleeder on the right side of my smile, trying to get those stupid little tweener whiskers.  I'll clean it up... probably Friday.

The house is closed up, so I can't tell.  But it looks dark and cloudy out there.  Windy, too.  Could be good news.  Though, maybe, it's just more hot wet air.  I'll have to see when I finally pop the cork and step out.  Sleep was good, and apparently quite necessary.  I couldn't have chose differently if I wanted.  It might have been the front moving in, sometimes that will bounce me.

Good afternoon, day, and probably evening for some of you.  Later.

Earlier.

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Not as early as plan.  Earlier than previously, by hours.  Earlier than honestly hoped.  Does it count?  I don't know.  I suppose, if I get some things done with the earlier wake, then yes.  Which remains to be seen.  A wonderful sleep.  Dreaming though, lots and lots of dreaming.

In the dream that came back, I was a cop.  Some mid-sized city beat.  Street cop, but with this particular city, more a glorified mall cop than a rough streets beat cop.  Nothing fancy.  Ended up with a partner, after solo for a year, a chick.  Blond.  And, yeah, it went there.  Became just a thing, pretty much living together.

One of the biggest thatches I have seen in all my women experience.  Only two would vie, though I think many women trim.  Which, I'd rather they not.  I teased this one, that while she was sleeping I'd weave that thing, make her a virgin all over again!  When I remember that line after waking, I had to get tissue as it busted my nasals open.  Anyway...

A shower, when I can wake enough.  Then chores.  A shave too.  Before or after those activities.  Awake, but heat groggy.  The upstairs had gotten up to 77 for whatever reason.  Both ac's on, fans on high, eventually brought it down, but not until half way through the sleep.  So, I think that didn't help.  Then again, it's high summer.  Not much good going on with heat.

I did order an evaporative cooler.  I'll see if that helps.  They suggest keeping the doors open, but I'm not sure that would work well?  I do think, an evaporative cooler, along with an air conditioner, would work better.  One makes it moist, one removes it, both cool better through their methods.  I don't know, I'll see how it works when it arrives.  I'll just be setting it up in this room, closing off the rest of the house.

Ugh... now to wake.  Good morning, afternoon, and day.  If the morning is just for my part.  Later.

I don't think you understand.

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I watched John Wick one and two.  I was satisfied with the answer, of two.

Quite the dream.

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I am losing the memory of it, in bits.  Vast, long.  Some of it I wouldn't pen anyway.  Some things, in my dreams, are just for me.  A rough outline, though...

I was working for the government.  Someone, good or evil, believed one of my tribes might have access, through a rite, to information they really wanted.  As a breed, double breed, I was chosen.  Not actually as a friendly gesture, but to be jerks... if I got it right by understanding the dream as it went along.  I was not a party to that decision.

I ended up on the reservation, Navajo from what I gathered.  They knew I would be arriving, and were ready.  They had to choose whether they would help me through the rite, or not.  I went to a place where the men who would choose had gathered.  They had been there for some days, before my arrival, choosing the best course.

There were those for allowing me to enter the rite.  If some of those were hoping it would kill me, while some genuinely hoped I found the answer.  As with those again, the split seemed to be to deny or to protect me.  The rite was dangerous.  Not only a peril to the body, but most seriously a potential for madness existed.

I spoke with those who would speak with me.  The main indian, the chief medicine man, was inscrutable.  I had to take him at his word, or not at all.  He seemed genuinely interested in ensuring I got my chance, and seemed to have the final say.  Even as a... what I am... he... was going to allow it, regardless of the others.  He seemed to believe there was some hope in my 'journey'.  A need, a great one, existed.  And hope was all men had left.  White, brown, red, black, yellow...  I don't think he, as I, believed all men are men.  But all needed hope, or all would go dark in any case.

While going around the room, I noticed a vial, a dark blue (looked black or smoky in the dark confines of the tent complex I was in).  It was set out for me to obviously see.  There was a man, sitting not far away from it.  But not directly near it.  A couple of seats down, on a bar like serving area.  So I sat a seat from each, but attempted conversation with him.

He suggested that anything found, would have been found for a reason.  Asked if I understood.  He was neither direct with his turn of phrases, nor would he face me squarely.  I was pretty sure he couldn't be trusted, but then, from what I had heard, even many of those who wished me to do as I intended were not doing it as a favor.  Death seemed around every corner, and quite willed at me.

I took the vial, and the understanding that I didn't have friends, and walked away.  I was heading out to my lodging, to, perhaps, consider the vial, possibly take what it contained, when the chief medicine man approached.  He asked if he could walk with me a ways, and was welcome as far as I could know.

He asked for the blue vial.  Took it.  Handed me a different one.  You would not have survived.  This will see you through.  He also handed me a small fetish, or totem?  I... I'm never sure which is what.  He told me to keep it in my hand.  He then gave me a necklace, turquoise.  I'd never seen such a thing.  It must have weighed three to five pounds.  Wear this.  Return it, but wear it.

In my tent, I prepared.  Changing into more like pajamas, for comfort.  As much as possible in the heat.  I put everything else away, cleaned up the place, and began my plans.  The necklace was put on, the totem put in my hand... with it's cord wrapped around my wrist.  And the vial the chief medicine man had given me was set on a small stool before me, as I sat on my bed.

I took the stuff.  Bitter, nasty, almost gagged.  Got it down.  I thought to drink water, to clear, but thought better.  Who knows what water might do.  Then I laid down, relaxing, ready for whatever.

Quite a ride.  I went... somewhere.  Into the stars, beyond.  Into a blackness like no other.  Lights seemed to head toward me.  I couldn't create scale, there was some fear about them.  If space ships, they might well crush me, or twist me if they came too close.  But, as they approached, no danger, immediate danger, seemed to manifest.

Small, like glowworms, flying.  They had approached so fast!  Then just slowed down, stopping right near me.  I remember other things, but that is not for you.  More, I was told what to tell my bosses.  But that isn't what I saw or heard.  Yes, there is hope, but it won't be through them, and the hope wasn't with them.

To the medicine man I told all.  As well, to a priest I had been told to contact.  I had my bit to play, if mostly it was handled by passing the information to the right people, and giving false information to people who couldn't or wouldn't help.  Then I just watched as the world changed.

So many were gone, or changed.  Neighborhoods became neighborhoods again.  People began taking the time to say hello, and ask about the others, genuinely wanting to know their condition.  Men and women started marrying, and staying married, tending each other.  Women began having children, and staying at home primarily.  Though, as all know, a woman's work, as with a man's, is never done.

Schools began to educate, churches began to preach the gospel and more, roads were taken care of, if also used far less frequently.  The world just... changed.  Nations went back to being nationalists, but not international nationalists.  Trade and such was competitive but not murderously so.

Things just changed.  Oh, sure, sin still existed.  But little things, and often checked by neighbors, friends, and family before it got out of hand.  Gossip was naysaid, theft began to be handled by the parents and communities.  Drugs were slowly shoved out of communities.  The governments went back to serving the people.  Time was slain, or a time?  Something.

Oh, well, a lot of people were no more.  A lot of institutions, and those running them, ceased to be.  But those who would live a good life, could choose such, did so.  

Just now awake?

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Yes.  Well, I did do chores.  First thing.  I can't remember when I went to bed, but it was around 04:00?  Give or take an hour?  My best guess.  I kept falling asleep, forgetting the timer had sounded.  But, yea, got through it.  Eventually.  I kept waking up, during the morning.  Just couldn't do anything beyond becoming conscious for short spits.

A true horde of ducklings.  Penguin Girl is now finished.  For good or ill, the two girls are staying together.  I am thinking this is good, as it will give more protection to the lot of the chicks.  They... actually hurt when they attack.  I sort of thought their attacks were cute, until I actually got just a whiff of one.  Take a green switch from a tree, about three feet long.  Take most of the branches off.  Then smack yourself cleanly with it.  Hard.  Harder.  I mean HARD, soldier!  Okay, there you go.  As mentioned, I just got the tail end of it, and, yeah.  Two of them?  Right.

I had hoped to get in to town, but it is too late.  Tomorrow.  I was also going to contact the post office.  My sleep is so off I can't make the 08:00 to noon cutoff.  So I was going to ask if they could possibly put my package in a locker.  But, they did that themselves.  Goody.  I'll get that out tonight.  Always more, with less.

Hot down here.  It should have been cooler, but it heated up last night instead of continuing to cool.  Not only hotter, but more humid.  For here, it is sticky humid.  Usually, when it is this humid, it is raining, so cooler.  Cooler temps, even with higher humidity, means it isn't sticky.  Hot and humid means sticky.  Bleh.

I am hoping to get a shower.  And a shave.  But not much else yet today.  I don't have to water the lawn tonight, so... should be able to get to bed early.  Always so far behind the eightball.  If it has to be done, it is, eventually.  Later.

So odd.

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Almost done.  It is 81 in here.  I almost thought I was still sitting here for no reason.  Perhaps you have never heard of the Japanese work ethic?  They stay late, for no good reason.  Productivity declines, not just as they stay into the evening.  But through the day, from having nothing but work as a living.  As well, they don't take vacation time.  Further, they go out night, as groups, and drink late.  Everything is about the company.

Well, I almost feel like I get stuck in something like that.  Not working.  But here, at the machine, as if.  Stuck, in the heat, at my desk.  Doing... essentially... nothing.  But I AM here.  It just doesn't mean anything, to anyone.  And I almost thought I was still here while needing not to be.  I actually do have a little less than twelve minutes before the last zone is watered.

I really will sleep well, if I can remember to go to bed.  I think so.  So warm, again.  Still, I got my break from the heat.  A short one, but welcome, useful, and more.  It should still be cool upstairs, though probably about 77.  Turning the other ac on, and turning the fans up, will get it to cool nicely, eventually.

Oh, but after watering, I will let the ducks have a sip.  Sit out there with them until they are done.  Then close up their food and go on to bed.  Good night, for sure, this time.  I still have an half hour.  It's all good.  Sleep will arrive soon.  Good night, and morning.

A good night.

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The driver was sleepy, crashing.  Not literally, but... he was baked.  If I didn't mention, he works twelve hours, give or take, before driving mosquito abatement spray truck at night.  And, what he does is installs sprinklers, in 90 to 100 degree weather.  Often manually trenching, or digging the valves, sometimes six feet down.  So... yeah.

It had been cooling.  But the winds picked up.  Twelve miles an hour, or knots?  Anyway, can't spray then.  But with the wind, came heat.  It was cooling, had gotten down to 71 or so, then jumped to 85.  Humid as well.  He thought a storm was coming.  I suggested the only way a storm would present, is if cold came down from the north.  It could happen, but not tonight?

I am watering the lawn as I write.  Looked around online, but most people are pulling the rugs up at 18:00 or so?  The internet isn't what it used to be.  For good or ill.  People just aren't here anymore.

Oh well.  In any case, I want to get the lawn watered as fast as possible, then get on to bed.  I cut the grass a day or two ago.  At least the front lawn.  The bit of the side lawn which is green just didn't need cutting, and I didn't want to wrestle with the hose and sprinkler to open up that little bit either.

I am looking forward to sleep tonight.  Ah, the beeper.  The first portion is done.  Now to turn it off, switch it and reset it, then do the other zones.  Later, or more likely good night.  Sweet dreams.  And all that jazz.

Well, up, finally.

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Been up for a while, actually.  No study.  Just awake, on my feet, dressed already.  Not a bad show.  Slept well.  Dreamed, but can't remember what.  Dreams have been intense lately.  I just can't bring back what I saw.  Even so, as mentioned, sleep is good.  Very good, especially when I can cool off before going to bed.

I haven't done all chores yet.  But I did get the ducks tended.  Kay is finally out, with a vast group of ducklings.  I counted, give or take, sixteen!  And Penguin Girl is sitting a few more chicks, while awaiting the last to hatch!  I'm building an army!  I am sure there is no way half of those will survive.  Even so, that is going to be a goodly number of ducks.  I think Morning Dove is out there, or somewhere, brooding again too.  Ugh.

I have three that are pretty much adult, just needing fatted out.  Three more which are senior juveniles.  One still chick, with Crow.  Sixteen little ones with Kay.  I think at least four with Penguin Girl, also just hatchlings, but looking like with possibly more on the way.  And some unknown number with Morning dove again.  Youch.

My brother called earlier.  I was asleep.  I called back, and to my surprise, he picked up.  It seems the surgery was much more severe than I had thought.  She is not just in pain, but having trouble eating, and else.  It took her sea legs out from under her, it seems.  They are considering short-term, initially, recuperative care, with physical therapy and such.  I do fear that becoming permanent.  Yes, we talked.  I... yes... we have been talking about things for a while.  On the edges.  Mother knows, but she... also... knows.  Maybe.  We will see.  We will do what we can for her.

Anyway... It's 93 out there.  I have medicine in.  I will, shortly, get out and check the rabbits.  Probably taking them out bottles of frozen water, checking while I move through.  Though most should be in good shape, food and waterwise.  I filled all, excessively, last night.  Still, I will check.  Warm indoors too.

I may, after that, go study.  Just one lesson.  Though with a test on the work from yesterday and today.  Gotta get that in my head, and to stick!  Driving me nuts that I can't remember.  Still, it's a lot to remember, and so absolutely foreign.  Might as well be tossed bone reading, or sich.  Still, it's... what I've set before myself.  So be it.

Good afternoon and day.

Cool.

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Literally.  It is 53 outside.  I've seen that, even this month.  But I haven't seen it affect the interior of the house much.  That isn't so today.  The whole house, downstairs, is 70, or less.  Oh, and humidity is down to 28.  While not the lowest, a lot lower than usually lately.  Especially since it looks like 'weather' (clouds, possibly rain on the way) is with us.  Very strange.

Oh, it is 07:24 (mst).  Surprised it is still that cool.  Mostly?  *grins*  It could actually get cold.  Who knows.  *chuckles*  Anyway.  Oh, I didn't study.  But I did what I could, when I could.  It is about bedtime.  May you find the weather you want, even just once in a while.  

I have dreams to dream, visions to see.  Good night.

A few things done.

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Can't work on Sunday, I am told.  Well, okay.  How about early Monday morning?  Had hoped to do a bit Friday night, then Saturday.  Couldn't.  Heat had pretty much shut me down.  But, after a few days of cooling, I got a bit done today.  Nothing works out as it should, always.  Always something to go wrong.  But, something was done.

I didn't shave today.  Tomorrow.  Another shower, and a shave, I hope.  Might not be able to do much else.  Study, some.  I am sticking with review, and memorization, of what has been studied to date.  As well, going over the sounds of certain of the hiragana, specifically the "r's", a closer listening to the "f/h" sound, and a few others which sort of have me confused... including the two "o's".  One is a vowel, the other is "wo", but apparently without the "w"?  It may just sound the same, but is written differently, like ate and eight?

Too bed, shortly.  Oh, I'll need to reset medicine soon.  I think I have one day left.  I am not sure how much medicine I have, but I'll collect what of it I can find, and go from there.  I have four medicine dispensers, each of a month (28 days anyway).  I doubt if I can fill one, until more meds come in.  All good.  Should be on the way.  Or did I receive them recently?  I can't remember.

My mother called.  I missed her call, twice.  She left a message.  She is rough shape, but better.  I guess I didn't think this surgery was supposed to be this difficult.  You never know, or how it will work out.  I tried to call her back when I realized I had missed the call.  She didn't pick up.  Actually she called Saturday.  Where... was my phone?  My sleep has been so off, I guess that is how it goes.

It is down to 72, near the computer, this morning.  I am enjoying it.  The fan is right on me, too.  Yes, not too cold for me, quite nice.  Yeah, I got the slow acting insulin in last night.  And fast acting with most meals.  Missed one, but... got it later.  Not eating the best, but it's what I can do.  

I did get the waterers refilled, until the last chores later at night.  Twice, when I can.  I like to check on the rabbits.  I always fear they are out of water.  I suppose they could go without for a few hours.  But, as captives really, I feel obliged to try to make sure that doesn't happen.  And, save perhaps two or three times I can recall, I have done that well.  Some of those were from no fault, such as a waterer being knocked down by some unknown happening.  Still, it bothers me, so I check often.

Good night.

Not doing the best.

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Trying to get it together.  When I finally got out, I realized the temp had dropped to 72, so opened up.  It was around... hmm...  sometime between 16:30 and 17:30?  I... can't remember.  Probably no earlier.  That is a very cool evening, for having the sun still well up.  Anyway, I opened up.  That is helping, surprisingly.  Shaving three to seven degrees off the indoor reading, near the computer, already.

It looks like some animal got to the nest, of the indian runners.  Ate all the eggs.  I heard something out there recently.  Should have known.  I really shouldn't have let that racoon pup go.  They grow up, and they are simply thieves and worse.  It won't happen again.  I should get a dog, but that's more food, and more attention.  Don't get a dog unless it is a very specific breed.  But, even then, you really have to train, to some degree or other.  And feed, water, clean up after.  Bleh.  Nasty, in one sense.  At least cats go in one place, mostly.  And don't pee on tires, or... anything really.  Still, if I could get a protector dog, I just might.  Then again, my brothers dog ate his duck eggs, so...

The other ducks have hatched out some, to many.  I just can't see.  Though Kay and Penguin Girl may be staying in there, to try to hatch out more.  I hope, between them, they can bring some more out and about.  I wouldn't mind a dozen, even if all survive though that isn't likely.  When they get fed, a lot of these will go into the freezer, a few will be offered to folk who might enjoy... a trial.  And, of course, more hens could always come in handy.  A dozen girls wouldn't be bad.  I already have two drakes, so good that way.  Just... more indian runners would be super.  I have to... sort that out.

Ducks and rabbits.

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A shower first.  It is 88 out there.  Have had worse, isn't great.  Exhausted doing chores.  I did sit out there, a while, watching the quackles do their things.  More ducklings... how many more I can't tell.  The ladies, two duck hens nesting close together, not moving.  Ugh.  Looks like... a few anyway.  I just hope they don't have a patent fight over which are whose, and lose them all.  Stupid quackles, sometimes!

It is 84 in the front room, but doesn't feel too bad.  It must be, though, as I am falling into insomnia.  Study might help.  Another lesson, or two.  Though, first, a quiz on the last lesson.  Over and over until it sticks.  Writing might be good, for some things.  And I will continue with that, sounding as I write.  But testing/quizzes are also required.

I may even require a nap, after study.  It's just the way it goes.  Later.

Afternoon waking.

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I have been awake for about an hour already.  I did Japanese study for an hour.

I... am changing my mind on something.  Quizzes.  Yes, I... think they are required.  After several weeks of wrote work, memorization sucks.  I have been doing it well, often, and carefully.  Still, little is held in memory.  So?  So quizzes will be included.  A short inverse quiz after each session, then random quizzes weekly (over the matter covered, sum total), then quizzes over material I keep missing.  Which means I have to track my quizzes.

As to larger tests?  I think quizzes will have to do for now.  I think they will be, essentially, tests.  Until I am into grammar and vocabulary, more solidly, quizzes will pass for tests, especially the "everything studied" quizzes.  But, yes, those will have to take place.  Initially, tests will be difficult to formulate.  But, later on, the Japanese proficiency tests will do quite well.  Or groupings of questions from previous tests.  I am sure, by this time, all questions have been asked, just in different groupings.  So, yeah, that will do.

A shower, after I wake a bit more... do my internet things.  Well, after feeding the cats.  Then chores.  A shave would be good as well.  Then?  Something to eat, perhaps.  Fasting blood sugar is 196, weekly average is down to 173.  I think I missed slow acting insulin last night, too.  Oh well, I do what I can.

I was so fried last night.  I got glued to my chair, in here.  It did end up cooling, but I didn't get the house opened until very late, perhaps early morning.  It did cool off quickly, somehow.  I think I was to bed by 02:00 to 04:00.  Can't be sure.  The heat just glued me to this place, a form of insomnia crept in.

Sleep was good.  Dreams... if I can remember one or several of them, I'll write them.  Though I suspect they are gone.  One of them I really wanted to share.  I thought I had it.  But, no, it's gone.  Some dreams are so nifty.  Or, I think so.  This one was just neat, the way it ended up working out.  I didn't see the ending panning out that way.  I remember that.  More a bitter-sweet?  Aye, but... a good one.  Bitter can be good, sweet can be fine, but better sweet seems more real?

On to waking.  Good day.