Day 64

Interesting way to start the day this morning.

The conversation started off well

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We were talking about what we would do for dinner this evening. After a few comments and suggestions and thoughts about cravings and what we had here to prepare, the conversation took an interesting turn.

After a pregnant pause between comments, I felt it.  I can sense when something is coming that I'm not going to be happy hearing. Maybe it's the look in his eyes.  Or the tone of his voice shifts ever so slightly.

After 56+ years of being with this man, I have become quite intuitive.

And then, he said it.

"You know, lately we haven't been eating as healthy as we should."

I looked at him and said nothing.  I wanted to let him go on to see what else he had to say.

The silence was a bit awkward, but I made no comment.  I just looked him straight in the face.

Foolishly, he went on to say that we probably should be including more salads and veggies in our daily diet.  He said that to ME, who has been in the kitchen preparing a meal every single night during this sweet period of rediscovery and togetherness.

Let me explain that his contribution to meals is simply coming to the table when I tell him the food is ready.

So, I smiled and said that I agreed. Then I went further to suggest that I would continue to prepare the main dish and sides and he could join me in the kitchen to prepare a salad  or/and some green vegetables. Now mind you, the veggies are frozen and need only to be micro-waved.  How hard is it to slice tomatoes and chop lettuce and dress the salad with a dressing I have already put together? Not difficult at all.

And then, he said it.

"I don't think so.  That's really not my cup of tea."

He should never have said that to a Sicilian woman. After all these years, he didn't know better?

Day 63

Here we are.  Isn't this where we are everyday now? For the most part, on the inside looking out.

Caught in a conundrum.....the ability to go out and safely mingle with others but tempered with the fear of doing so.

We will be celebrating our 57th wedding anniversary in July. I have to say that these last 63 days have proven to be the most difficult tests of "togetherness" we've experienced in all of the years we've known each other. 

You'll understand what I mean when I tell you that I have a good divorce attorney's phone number on speed dial.....just in case.

We are still learning lessons on a daily basis.

Some of which are:

Sometimes honesty is not the best policy.

It's good to have more than one TV in the house.

Gritting your teeth can lead to TMJ.

Biting your tongue is better than saying what you think.

My next home will not have a working kitchen.....only a microwave oven and a mini-fridge.

When I said "I do" so many years ago there was an understanding of what was expected in the marital agreement.  And that was fine.

But, I never signed on to cook meals for 63 days in a row.  Did you?

I don't EVER again want to hear the words, "Honey, what's for dinner?"

I'm ready to retire from the kitchen duties.

Day 61

Let me pick up where I left off yesterday and tell you about the rest of my day.....

My Mom loved cactus pears and considered them a delicacy and I agree.   I only got to taste them after she picked them, cleaned them and prepared them.

There are things about cactus pears I was not aware of.  They're also known as prickly pears and for a good reason.

There's an empty lot not far from our home that has several cactus type trees growing on it.  Yesterday was the first time I saw cactus pears growing on the trees and they were a beautiful, rosy color and just so tempting to pick.

So, I walked over to the lot, picked the fruits, wrapped them in cloths and placed them in the pockets of  my oversized trousers (pajama bottoms, actually)

I kinda knew right away I shouldn't have done that.  Immediately my hands started to sting and itch and so did the sides of my thighs that were directly under the pockets.

 Lesson learned...those spiny little things all over those fruits are similar to stinging nettles.  I threw away the pears, the cloths and the pajama bottoms because those things had imbedded themselves into the very fiber of the fabrics and would not come out.

I'll never pick those things again.

But, to today.....

I went through the drive through at a local bank today requesting a certified check in a larger amount than usual. Immediately I could sense this wasn't a welcome withdrawal.  I was told the manager had to approve the withdrawal.

Then I had to show several forms of identification and lots of stall tactics. And then the questions....Why was I withdrawing the money? What was I going to do with it?  Was I sure I wanted to withdraw this amount?  And finally, I got ticked off and  fed up and just told the teller that I was being blackmailed and this was pay-off money and that I needed it ASAP.

I should not have done that.

 Apparently, the teller had no sense of humor and  alerted the Bank Security Officer, who then came out to my car and searched to see if I was alone in my car or being threatened by someone hiding in the back seat.

It took a lot of talking to convince the officer that I was kidding so that they'd give me my check.

I  know ya'll think I make these things up, but I assure you this is my life.....Very few dull moments.

Day 60

Where have I been?  I don't mean physically.  I mean mentally.

I had a rude awakening yesterday. I had a reality check.

I'm  reading so much about the "vulnerable" persons that need to be protected.  The News is focused on the seniors who are frail and in need of protection from this virus. There are recommendations that they stay in quarantine even longer than the younger folk. They should have others bring them their foods and staples and not go to the stores so as not to risk contamination. They should even consider not rejoining the work force.

Yesterday was my day for grocery shopping. And since it's become my Social Event of the week, I took great pains to look presentable.

I combed my hair, applied my make-up.....with emphasis on the eyes since that's the only thing that can be seen with a facial mask on........put on a pair of big hoop earrings and was ready to go.

And I looked in the mirror.   SHOCKER.....The person looking back at me wasn't the same person looking out at the reflection.

And that's okay.

It turns out that the "They" the News is trying to protect is, in fact, ME.

I just don't relate to the age category into which I'm being lumped. Is this weird?

I "see" myself and many of my friends as persons who still have some active Life left in them.  Are we the exceptions?

To those of you in my age bracket, I ask you, " Do you see yourself as a person who should relegate yourself to sitting on the sidelines, watching the leaves fall from the trees or do you see yourself as a "kick ass" kind of person who intends to live and enjoy Life until you just can't anymore"?

I have no intention of trading my game time, kicking shoes for slippers anytime soon.

 Who is on my team?

Day 59

Geez!  So many online ads selling promises of youth and beauty to women suffering from boredom who have too much time on their hands.  They look too hard at their wrinkles, dry skin, grey roots, droopy jowl lines, saggy necks....I could go on.

.

I cannot believe how many foolish, idiotic women fall for these online beauty scams and then complain they have been taken advantage of. What simpletons!

These companies are frauds, post fake videos, have fabricated testimonies from celebrities.  They have hidden charges written in fine print. They are liars and cheats and just want to take your hard-earned money! What scumbags!!!! And for the most part, their "secrets" just don't work.  They prey on the gullible and have no conscience when doing so.

The latest is a do it yourself remedy for a saggy neck.

Apparently there is a very small type of tape contraption that will tighten the loose skin under your chin line. You're supposed to grab the extra skin under your chin and bring it to the back of your neck. Then simply tape the skin just under your hairline at the nape of the neck. 

The demo video shows a live camera shot of the before and after appearance of the much older model. Very convincing, but we know the truth.

 Another one of those "Too good to be true" pitches. Haven't we seen enough of them?

Well, it's really uncomfortable. And it would work best if you have longer hair to cover the
"lump" at the back of your neck.  And there is no way to do this without looking like a dried up old turtle from the front.  


But if you're willing to endure the process, you should be aware that if you live in Florida where it's hot on many days, and you  should start to perspire, the tape will lose its grip...and not necessarily on both sides, at the same time. 

 Those people  know that and still they sell this junk.

Day 58

I started this "adventure" as a novice...knowing little....but attempting to merely survive what I thought would be 30 days of self-isolation.

Little did I know I'd still be adventuring 58 days later. I'm no longer a novice; I now feel like a Learned Sage.

I've learned much from others as well as from my own experiences......some good, some disastrous.

I've learned that 1 pound can be gained in a day.  I've learned that this same 1 pound will take 2 1/2 weeks to lose.

I've learned a fluorescent tube light, when placed it a bag to smash before disposal will not just break, it will explode....through the bag...and send shards of glass everywhere.

I've learned that wine makes an excellent substitute for a mouth wash and gargle.  Just swallow and don't expectorate it.

I now understand why some people practice polygamy and why it's okay with the multiple wives.  I'd give anything for additional wives to be in charge of meals on an alternating basis.

Going for a long car drive can be relaxing until the reality kicks in that no bathrooms are open and available for use. It only takes one car trip to experience this and you'll stay inside for the duration of isolation.

As a result, I can be found at home if you need/want to get in touch with me.

Day 57

There are many things one could say about filters. Some things are medically related, some are fact related and some are hygiene related.

For myself, the best filter I have is the one that connects my thoughts to my words.

I promise you, that if I didn't have this filter I'd be a social pariah, shunned and ostracized and likely incarcerated.

Yesterday I was trying to recall the name of a comic whose routine included an outrageous rant of things he was thinking and wanted to say followed by what he actually did say.

I have a mouth on me. I don't always use a genteel lady's vocabulary. And I can slice with words before the first drop of blood is even evidenced.

 This comic  was years ahead of his time. While his jokes made me laugh, I didn't realize he was teaching me some valuable Life lessons

.

I wish others had watched his shows and would put into practice what he preached.

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing and reading insulting comments made "in defense" of one's political position or beliefs.  Some are not only insulting, they are cruel and intended to inflict permanently etched painful "gotchas".  People are labeled with ".......ist" words that do not apply.  Enough is enough in my opinion.

Once we begin a conversation with inflammatory words it's a signal for the other person to "put up his dukes" and the lines of communication shut down.

Trust me, if I can play nice, others certainly could, too. 

How about trying?