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[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT  

                         Dear Pam,

                          Happy New Year!  I hope that you and your family are well and had lovely holidays. I'm glad that the holidays are over.  We are still not gathering as we did in the past.

Maybe next year we can all celebrate Christmas at my son's house, again.

         Each family did their own thing this year and we delivered our gifts for each family.

          On New Year's Eve we stayed up and watched Anderson

Cooper and Andy Cohen. We have not gone anywhere fun.

         Like most winters, I pretty much stay inside during flu

season. We don't go to any restaurants until winter is over.

        This past week, I did start physical therapy for my knee.

Getting a cortisone shot has really helped with the pain. I do

know that relief will only last a couple of months. I don't know

if physical therapy will make any difference, but at least it has

not caused any pain.

        Reading (my favorite pastime) is what I have mostly been doing; either on the internet or books. Mel Brooks wrote his autobiography and that was fun to read, "All About Me".

       This past week, I finished "The Great Witch of Brittany";

historical fiction and it held my attention and I enjoyed that one.

      Do you have Amazon Prime? They offer a lot of great free

movies. At Christmas time, I watched "Miracle on 34th Street", "The Bishop's Wife" and "Our Man Godfrey".

      Last week, I watch the "Dr. Thorne" episodes  by Julian Fellows. It is a great period drama, which I think anyone who

liked "Downton Abbey", would enjoy it. It takes place a few decades before the time setting of "Downton Abbey".

     This past week, it was very sad to hear about Lisa Marie Presley. She had so many sad things to deal with in her life.

I hope that she is at peace with her son and her father.

     This last year, we lost a few relatives and friends and so many entertainers  passed away in 2022. I hope that 2023 will

be a much better year and that Covid goes away.

      Yesterday, I made a Chinese New Year card, to send to my

brother and sister in law. This Lunar Year is the year of the rabbit. I started making these cards nine years ago, featuring

the zodiac animal of the year. It is a small craft project, but it is fun. My sister in law's father enjoyed receiving my cards until he passed away three years ago at the age of 96.

     He liked that I used Chinese characters and sometimes included some ancient Chinese New Year poetry couplets.

     We all miss him, he was a very sweet man. He would include us in his Chinese New Year celebration banquets.

He would give each of us red envelopes of "lucky money".

I still have those envelopes and never took the money out

of them.

    Well, not too much excitement here. I'm just hanging out with Katie and enjoying our so far, mild winter. We are so

fortunate being in the Northeast, when there has been such devastation in other states with violent storms, tornadoes and

floods. Today, we are seeing a little light snow.

    I'm just checking in , to see if you are having more fun than

I am; no pressure, write when you get a chance.

                                          Stay well.

                                                  Love,

                                                       Donna

[PamfromCT]

Dear Donna,

Hello and all my best to you!  After my dental issue, and so much else, with you tomorrow.  My apologies.

Love,

Pam

[PamfromCT]

Dear Donna,

Hello and all my best to you!  After my dental issue, and so much else, with you tomorrow.  My apologies.

Love,

Pam

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT    Oh Pam! I'm so sorry to hear that you have been suffering with a dental problem. Dental issues can cause so much pain. I hope that you have been able to get help to take care of it.

    No  need to apologize. Take care of yourself and feel better

soon.

                                Love,

                                      Donna

[PamfromCT]

@Enufstuff 

A big hello to my friend Donna!  I might have to divide up my little letter in more than one post.

I am happy your shot helped you.  Pain is such a terrible thing to live with.  Whatever you decide to do, I support your decision.  It is hard.  My DD has a fall quite a few mo this ago, and thought she was ok.  Well, her shoulder became a problem.  After so much PT, it is looking more and more that surgery is in the picture.  PT can only do so much.  Terrible how one incident makes so many problems.

Our holidays were lonely.  first, our little GD was sick, so no visit with them.  Did go to our DD’s on Christmas Eve.  Because of SIL’s Dad, everyone takes a COVID test right before.  He is doing poorly.  Going downhill. He lives alone and does not want to leave his home, which I understand.  But they are talking about Hospice.  You cannot live alone for this, and I suggested that maybe they hire some folks to be with him 24/7.  He is also worried about his beloved dog - he adores that pooch.  DD and SIL have two kitties, so they cannot take dog.  I feel so terrible about this whole thing.

Of course, there is more.  My DB was exposed to COVID, did isolate then.  Yes, he was positive.  Glad he had every shot available because he still got ill, fever at night, etc.  And he did get the extra shot for those with COVID right away.  He is 70 and in very good health, but is finally feeling normal.  Scary.

No Christmas for him!

We do go to see my uncle in assisted living.  He loves his new CD player.  And I am very slowly sprucing up his wardrobe.  After his wife died, he just didn’t care much.  Finally got a nice jacket for him - three season outerwear.  New vest and a few little things.  And his treats.  He is a sweet man, a cute sense of humor, kind of like Bob Newhart.  

How womderful it it is that you read so much.  I have been distracted by much, including people we knew years ago that we have found out passed.  When folks move away, and we lose touch if not friends.  It has jolted me.  I feel very badly

for their families.  And it is a blaring reminder that nothing is forever.  I am determined now to write my obituary - not one of these long long ones.

I did read “Rose Kennedy” by Barbara Perry.  Quite a book!

Amd also have read “Prince Charles” by Sally Smith.  Would recommend.  I am trying to read more health-related material.

Amd trying to straighten up this house, which is out of control.  

I do do buy used books from Amazon and have a few to read. I obviously like biographies, have bio on Julie Andrews and book “The Unexpected Spy”  by Tracy Walden on her career with the FBI and CIA. 

Yes, the Cnristmas movies are so enjoyable.  We accumulated, through the years, a large collection of DVDs we try to watch every year.  Especially nowadays, when I think I am a cloistered nun, going nowhere, it does help!  I know you feel the same way, and we must still remain hopeful.

Oh, my last dental appointment tomorrow, and I am done.

And Winston had to have a tooth removed, and a few tiny ones in the front, they said.  Love how they tell you to brush 

kitty’s teeth!!!  Now that would be fun!  What was not fun was the bill - $1,000.  We are now finally going to get pet insurance.  He’s 6 years old now.  Do you have insrance for Katie?

Will continue in a while to tell you about my non-excellent adventure when I called my pulmonary doc worried about some occasional tightness in my chest, worried about bronchitis.  Oh my!

With Love,

Pam

[Patriot3]

@Enufstuff  I just looked again at your post from last July.  It is so lovely.  I just had to have a look at something summery and inviting.  It is so cold, dreary and drab outside!

[PamfromCT]

@Enufstuff 

Hello my dear Donna,

As promised, my unexcellent adventure.

I thought I was experiencing some occasional tightness in my chest, and I was worried it might be the start of bronchitis.  So I called my pulmonary doctor’s office.  She wasn’t in, so spoke to her nurse.  She said, “I want you to go to the hospital, NOW!”   Now Hartford has three major and large

hospitals, so I went to the one that doc goes to, along with cardiologist.  

So you get checked into the ER, and must go alone to the waiting room, large and full of people.  DH went to cafeteria.

We communicated by phone.  He said he heard there were people flying into Hartford from Vermont for treatment!  So you sit, wait, and they take you off for a test, back to the big room, and wait and wait.  I felt sorry for some in the waiting room, who should have had someone with them.I did know I did not have a heart attack, which I think they also knew, as I 

could have left this planet waiting.

Finally, at the end, I got to see a doc for a final examination of tests.  And really not that many.  DH was allowed to come with me.  I was sure ready to leave, completely exhausted, 

having nothing to eat and only a tiny bottle of water they once passed out to everyone.  I was there for 12 hours.  Heart is fine.

I do realize they handle major emergencies through other point of entry.  And it is not all about me.  ButI did find some humor with someone at the end,  Sne was an older lady who had broken her foot and was later having issues after treatment.  We were sitting close to the nurses station, and she starts yelling, “These people are all going to -ell.  They all deserve to go to -ell!”  I was not the only one laughing.  Good to have a wacky sense of humor.  And lastly, get home and cut wrist stuff off, and one says “Fall risk.”  Obviously, because of my age. Had a laugh at that one.

Sorry to bore you with this, but it was an experience.  Our insurance covered cost - $1,600.  I have a major talent for complicating anything.

And Yes, we are starting to watch Netflix again.  A movie that was recommended, “The Pale Blue Eye.”  Normally we don’t watch dark movies, but this was a winner.  Set in 1830 or so, about a detective hired to find who murdered a cadet at West Point, and enlisting young cadet E.A. Poe.  Actually, Poe did attend West Poimt for a few months in real life, I read.

Quite a movie.

We used to love to go to places in the Hudson Valley.  Been to West Point twice and would recommend, FDR’s home and library, Vanderbilt Home, the Culinary Institute of Amsrica, and so on.  And you are so lucky living close by to Boston, where we also loved to go.  I remember staying in Cambridge, going to Harvard’s Glass museum.  We will be trying to go to a few museums during the week, much fewer crowds, fully masked.

Did manage to find a place not too far from us that is a big fitness center with an indoor walking track.  The membership for seniors is only $100 a month.  Maybe that will get me in shape.  Will join in February.  I am so out of shape.  Not petite like you, lucky duck!  Also, will get us out of the house.

I thought of you, with your appreciation of Asian people and culture, with the horrors of California.  They are such lovely people, with a culture to be admired.  I do have my thoughts, which you can imagine.  “Beat swords into Ploughshares.”

Is that how it goes?

Please let me know how you are doing.  You always find constructive ways to spend your time.  I really do think you should write a book!  

Much love,

Pam

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@Patriot3   Thank you, I'm glad that my porch picture gave you

                  a vision of warm weather that we all look forward to

                  during these long winters.

                    I can't wait for it to be warm enough to sit outside

                  again. I just don't go out when it is too hot or humid.

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT 

               Dear Pam,

        It was so nice to hear from you. It seems that your Christmas was not the best either. At least you were able to see

your daughter. It was too bad that so many people were sick for

the holidays. Between Covid, the flu and RSV, it seems that no

family escaped someone getting something.

       My grand daughter's children, one after the other, all four

got a stomach flu and then my grand daughter got it and ended

up in the hospital. They are all better now, I'll keep my fingers

crossed. She does not stay home with all the illness around. She  seems to be going out all the time with the kids.

     I'm sorry to hear that your daughter's father in law is doing

so poorly. It is really serious when they are talking about hospice. It is so sad about his dog. Might there be a relative, friend or neighbor who could possibly be interested in taking the dog? Maybe posting a picture and a little bio at the vet's?

  It would be wonderful for the dog, if it could go with someone familiar. Even though my cousin's little Boston Terrier was with his wife, she kept crying for her Daddy for at

least a week. She is doing better now. She is 18 years old and

healthy.

     Perhaps asking a vet if they know of someone needing a dog. I think a lot of animals end up in shelters, when an elderly

person can no longer care for them.

    We think that my daughter's little shelter dog belonged to an

elderly lady. He came in a shipment of little dogs from California seven years ago, along with Chihuahuas and other

"accessory dogs".

    At the shelter, he came right to me and did not seem to like men. When brought into the house, he jumped right onto the couch. So we knew that he was a couch potato, who was weary

of men. Then, he did'nt like to go outside in the cold. He is a Mama's boy who likes to stay in most of the time, on the couch.

    We were reluctant to get a kitten, after my previous cat passed away. I would have gone to the shelter or Pet Smart for

a "used cat". But, my son wanted us to get a kitten. I told him that we would not want to outlive a cat. He said that he would keep a cat if anything happened to us. So we went to Maine for

one Maine Coon kitten, and came home with two. Sadly, our

precious Silvie only lived 2 1/2 years. So, Katie is spoiled by

all three of us.

   I'm glad that your brother is alright after having Covid. A few of the grown up grandchildren had it over the holidays and

are better now.

  It's wonderful that you have been able to visit your elderly uncle. He must appreciate all the new things that you got for him. He must be a pleasure to visit, since he has a sense of humor.

  It is sad to hear of friends and aquaintances passing. A teacher friend, who was about the age of my oldest daughter,

passed away in the fall. He had health issues for a couple of years. He and I had a passion for all things Egyptian. He was a

history teacher at the middle school where I worked. When my oldest grandaughter came to the school, he had been her favorite teacher.

  I once had an Egyptian dinner party and he came, along with my brother and sister in law and another teacher friend who had gone to Boston with me to the Museum of Fine Arts for

lectures and Egyptian exhibits.

   I decorated the dining room and bought dishes, linens and decor Egyptian style. I made all Egyptian food and my husband even wore a jallabiya and I wore a turquoise caftan and some Egyptian jewelry. Of course, we had Egyptian music,

placecards with each person's cartouche and the menu and a little favor which was a scarab from Egypt, wrapped like a mummy.

  My friend John sat at the table and said " I feel like a Pharoah". He was happy and had a good time.  I was glad that we did that. He was about 50, never married, and cared for his mother and a reclusive brother.

  My oldest daughter has had a tough year. Four people she knew for many years, passed away. Her first husband's best man passed away last week. Her ex moved to Texas years ago,

but she was still socializing with their old friends, from high

school days.

                        I'm going to end here for now.

             I'll continue after I put dinner in the oven.

[Enufstuff]

  Hi Pam, I'm back. Dinner is in the oven and should be done in one hour. I like to be able to put everything in the oven and not even use the stove top or a one pot meal. So easy. Tonight is just

a simple dinner, meatloaf, baked potatoes and baked carrots.

  One last thing to add about that Egyptian dinner. I had everything planned, from cheese filled pastry appetizers, the dinner, a hibiscus drink and dessert.

   My friend Nancy threw me a curve when she arrived with an

appetizer and a bottle of wine. She built a small pyramid with

probably about 100 little blocks of cheese! And, she brought some crackers and a bottle of Cleopatra Wine.

  Of course I accepted them graciously and served them. I had

not planned any alcohol for the dinner. But, how could I not serve Cleopatra Wine? It was a surprise and very sweet of her.

  Now, How is your daughter doing with her shoulder? Has she tried a cortisone shot? Has she scheduled any surgery?

  About ten years ago, I hurt my left upper arm and have avoided seeing a doctor for fear of surgery. Finally, it was so bad last August, I went and had a cortisone shot . That lasted 3

months. The doctor said that I need a shoulder replacement because the arthritis in it is so bad.

  Now, it is bad again, so I will make an appointment with the doctor I'm seeing now, and get a second opinion. I have heard that shoulder replacement is worse than knee replacement.

I'm hoping that this doctor will give me a cortisone shot and

send me for physical therapy. Since Covid started, I have let these injuries go, because I  didn't want to go to the busy ortho

office (19 doctors). People call it "the factory". Also, during Covid, they hadn't allowed anyone to come with you. I didn't

want to go to a busy gym either.

  They have four locations for physical therapy. Their practice is that big. The place I have been going to has not been too crowded and I wear a mask. I see clients there unmasked, even

with a sign at the entrance "masks requested". All the PTAs are

masked.

   The leg is getting stronger and I do need to address the shoulder. It is hard to get comfortable to sleep. Your daughter

is probably having a problem with that too. I sleep with 4 pillows and arrange them to support the painful areas.

  Even being stuck in the house, you have a nice collection of

movies and some great books to read.

  I finished "The Great Witch of Brittany" and just yesterday

three more books arrived from Amazon, by the same author.

I started reading one of them. Her name is Louisa Morgan and

her story telling draws you in. It is hard to put the book down.

I stay up too late at night reading.

  I'm glad that your dental work is done. That is never fun.

Poor Winston, having to have teeth removed. It is so scary to

have a cat go under anesthesia.  That is a big vet bill. We don't have pet insurance.

   When Silvie was spayed, it was over $4000. She was in the hospital for three days. There were three doctors; her cardiologist, the surgeon and the anesthetist. Plus she had 24 hr nurses for three days. The poor baby. She was fine after that until she had heart failure a year and a half later. Every time we

took her to the cardiologist, it was $600.

   Any cat that I had raised from a kitten, I never had to have teeth removed. Greenies for cats, seems to work. Katie asks for hers every night around 7:30. She goes into her little "snack shack" and I put some in a little dish. She started taking them into a cardboard box, to eat them. So, that became her "snack

shack". Does Winston like cardboard boxes? Every time an Amazon box is emptied, Katie has to jump in.

  Our babies are about the same age. Katie will be 7 in May.

It doesn't seem like we have had her that long.

        I'll address your second email and unfortunate adventure

after dinner.

                                    Bye, for now.

                                               Donna