Paul & Mary's Daily Diary | Our little space on the World Wide Web since 1996 where we share..

Earth To Doctors; Earth To Doctors

Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 by Paul

Mary slept in this morning and was not up until almost 8:00 am! I worked on Bob and Donna’s vacation pages and am now caught up to date! We sent the images to the mortuary, and they will put them into a slide show for Irene’s services on Friday.

We worked around the house a bit, walked in the garden, and made a bat-phone call to Colleen. We lit every smelly candle we could find to get rid of the burnt zucchini-garlic smell from last night’s disaster. The whole-house fan ran until 3:00 pm, when the heat outside was beginning to affect the inside temperature..

At noon, Mary got ready to go to her watercolor class AFTER I promised not to do anything but breathe. She returned about 3:30 pm with a new masterpiece!

She gets better every week!

Mary fixed a super dinner, and we watched Downton Abbey until 10:00 pm!

Mary got a call from the doctor’s office, and they said I could have the heart ablation operation as soon as we could get a date and determine if I have a heart! I need the operation because I have Atrial fibrillation.

Heart ablation uses heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) energy delivered by a catheter to destroy abnormal heart tissue, correcting irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) by blocking faulty electrical signals. Common reasons for ablation include atrial fibrillation, where the top heart chambers quiver erratically. Trivia includes that the procedure, often minimally invasive, takes a few hours with a short recovery period. Still, complete healing takes about three months, and success depends on the specific arrhythmia and the experience of the medical center.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib): A common type of arrhythmia where the heart’s upper chambers quiver, causing an abnormal rhythm.

Minimally Invasive: Heart ablation is typically performed with catheters inserted through blood vessels, making it a minimally invasive procedure.

By 10:15 pm, we were sawing logs!

I am blessed to have Dr. Mary in my life!!!

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Lose And Burn! What A Day!

Posted on Monday, September 1, 2025 by Paul

Another day of recuperation, so we did not even leave the house. Mary fixed a small breakfast and brought me my hearing aids.

I saw two hearing aids, and after putting in the right one, the left one disappeared. I panicked and called Mary. We were both searching the floor, trying to locate the missing hearing aid. After 30 minutes, I gave up and scratched my left ear, only to find I had already put it in! Dummy Award #1 of the day goes to Paul!

Oops!!

We worked in the garden for a brief time, removing the tomatoes that had grown into the berry patch. Mary told and retold the “Saga of Super Squirrel” and how she singlehandedly ridded the neighborhood of this perilous creature! Mary is even thinking about going into business with Colleen as her partner (Colleen determined the right mix of fruits and nuts to use as bait).

Mary’s new company logo!

While there, I trimmed the tops of the basil plants, deciding to make Basil Blossom Tea! For twenty years, I cut the blossoms off and threw them away!

Now they are most useful!!

To make basil blossom tea, you can create a simple hot or iced infusion by steeping fresh or dried basil flowers in hot water. The flavor is often milder and more floral than that of basil leaves, and some find it best enjoyed with the addition of a sweetener and lemon.

The tea did require a bit of sugar, but was quite refreshing.

The remaining part of the day, I worked on Irene’s Celebration of Life video, scanning old photos dating back almost 90 years.

I lost track of time, and Mary finally came to the office and begged me to join her for dinner. We had chicken drumsticks, homemade beans, eggplant parmesan, and canned peaches.

Then it happened, we smelled smoke and the microwave burst forth with a fragrance fit for only a hyena or Smokey the Bear!

Mary burnt the zucchini-garlic balls; when I said ‘burnt,’ I mean something like crispy critters, charcoal, or black rocks, etc.

I took the remains outside and considered burying them, but I was afraid it might kill the plants. I left it on the patio to see if it would have any effect on the mosquitoes. We then turned on the whole-house fan to remove the smoke, and I swear I heard the fan gasp for air and sneeze twice. Dummy Award #2 of the day goes to Mary!

If Mary offers her special “Charcoal Zuchinni-Garlic Bites”, I recommend a strong NO!

We watched Downton Abbey until 10:00 pm and then hit the sack.

I am feeling much better and hopefully will be mostly recovered tomorrow. I still cannot drink or drive for eight more days!

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Colleen Heads East! Offer Accepted!!

Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2025 by Paul

This is a day we always hate because Colleen, our youngest daughter, is heading home and we will again be alone, no maid service, no chauffeur, no “Dunkin’ Runs, etc. On the bright side, we will be with her and her family again in about three weeks when we go exploring the Caribbean with them.

Amy came over to drive Colleen to the airport! Before she departed, Colleen and Mary set a trap for the infamous Liles’ Varmint. We suspected a tree squirrel and provided it with a tasty treat of apples, watermelon, and shelled unsalted peanuts.

Guess what? We got him!

He was hysterical, especially when we offered him some water!

Later in the afternoon, Bob and Robin dropped by to check in on us, and we have Bob’s job! Deliver the little fellow somewhere else and remind him he is NOT welcome in the Liles’ garden!

Bob had to pour him out of the trap!

We sat around with Bob and Robin for a couple of hours and then hit the sack. We had not eaten all day, and after two small glasses of wine, Mary got a bit tipsy, and we sent her to bed.

We were in the sack by 8:30 pm, resting for another full-filled day around the ranch, knowing the giant five-foot-tall varmint was well away from the property.

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We Have Visitors

Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2025 by Paul

Things were pretty quiet in the morning hours. We walked in the garden and visited everyone. Colleen did a “Dunkin’ Run” so we had our morning iced latte. With Mary’s assistance, I got back in the shower and cleaned up for the visitors.

Mary tried to take a selfie in the shower, but it was too blurry. She has selfie steam issues.

Mr. Connor was first to arrive, and we spent almost two hours catching up. Connor is approaching 30 years old rapidly, I may add. Grandsons are so lovely to have around. We laughed and giggled, repeating stories of yore. He departed around 3:00 pm as he had an appointment.

Around 6:00 pm, Joe, Amy, and the varmints came to visit. I cannot believe that Charlie is now 18 years old, and Alex is sixteen and almost ready to drive. We are getting old.

We ordered a pizza, Mary made deviled eggs, and we ordered pizza!

Charlier goes after the spicy poke!

We talked for a couple of hours, laughing most of the time!

Amazing, Joe did NOT poke his eye out this time with the chopsticks!

I wolfed down two pieces of pizza, which were really good!

The kids departed right about 8:00 pm, and we crashed. I am still recovering from the anesthesia.

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Friday Was Quiet!

Posted on Friday, August 29, 2025 by Paul

I woke up at home, but I was still quite woozy. Mary helped me out of bed and got me presentable; I was not allowed to wear my fur.

Mary kept trying to feed me, but I wasn’t hungry since I had already had a latte from Dunkin’, courtesy of Colleen.

Colleen went to visit the family since she was out here, and I found out something a bout Mary. When she gets worried, she cooks! Did I say “cooks”? The woman becomes a culinary artist, pastry chef, and a sophisticate, among other terms related to a chef.

She got out all the machinery and notified the neighbors that there might be a brief power outage once her cooling appliances started up. First, the grinder was used to make itty-bitty pieces out of an overly large zucchini.

The zucchini-garlic creation was a work of art, and in fact, I filled up on them and only had a taste of the eggplant parmesan.

Double Yummey!

Next came the eggplant, and Mary used a recipe that Paul sent her. It was a load of work, but the results were terrific.

The water had to be removed, and then the eggplant was breaded.

Everything is ready to go into oven to make sure the eggplants arre toasted1

The dryness helps the eggplant absorb the sauce.

Into the oven for about half an hour and voila, bubbling cheese eggplant parmesan!

It looked too good to eat!!

Colleen was out and about most of the day, visiting family, including her mom, over in La Mirada.

We had dinner, and then I needed some rest, so we went to sleep. This operation took a lot more out of me than I had anticipated.

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Another Visit To The Doctor!

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2025 by Paul

The operation and its aftereffects ensured I slept like a baby, a baby elephant.

Mary prepared a small breakfast since my appetite has not yet returned to its pre-operation level.

Colleen stayed with us today. We did NOT go to the Elks, and this was the fourth time we have missed in almost five years! I was too weak!

I had an appointment with the pulmonary doctor, and Mary and Colleen assisted me in getting there safely.

Colleen kept me upright in the waiting room!

Our doctor is fantastic, and he loves it when we bring goodies from the garden. He told us not to start the lung antibiotic until there is an indication that I might need it. The med causes me to cough, and coughing with all the stitches and steri-strips on my neck would not be good!

We brought the doctor some gifts from the garden!

We returned home, and I was beat, so I took a two-hour nap before dinner. Robin popped by and we watched “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara; an excellent movie!

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It’s A Flase Alarm, I Am In Good Shape For The Shape I Am In!

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 by Paul

I was pleased when Mary found out I was on for a 7:30 am MRI! I got all ready and studied hard to pass the test. I was again reminded of what an excellent cook Mary was.

I was told I have Obesity!!

They came to get me in a wheelchair, and that was good, as I was a bit wobbly on my feet.

I’m getting an MRI… to find out whether or not I’m claustrophobic.

Within an hour, the doctor came in and revealed there were zero signs of stroke. He assessed my face, and besides being borderline revolting, I have some nerve damage that will hopefully correct itself. Some could be from a very slight stroke, but since Mary knew my face so well, we tossed that assessment out!

After the scan, I was feeling a little lightheaded,

I was looking down and could not see my body!

Colleen went out and got us lunch. Finally, I could eat something solid, and it was a very hot and spicy pastrami!

We headed home about 3:00 pm, and Dr. Mary was so busy that we took no more pictures. I was in bed by 7:00 pm and slept well all night (except for the Motjer Nature stops).

NOTE: My family is WONDERFUL. Colleen, Robin, and Michele were right there to help Mary through the worry window. Colleen was an overachiever (like usual) as she got a separate car working with Robin, brought meals, and otherwise ratted on me when I did something the doctor did NOT want to do! Vicky has the prayer chain going in overdrive!

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I Am Off To The Hospital!

Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 by Paul

Mary brought in her pet birds to say goodbye!

I take some photos!

4:00 am, and we are getting dressed and planning the attack. The three of us are going to the hospital, and then Colleen is going to Krispy Creme to get donuts for the medical staff in prep, OR, and recovery.

We arrived at the hospital and were checked in quickly. Mary assisted me in getting ready, and I was in the OR at 7:30 promptly.

Colleen was in the waiting room with the rest of my haren. Thank you, Vicky, Collen. Michele and Robin!

Just before the surgery, I was pestering the nursing staff with my antics!

Cut, slash, stab, chip, and crimp, and two hours later, I was in the recovery room out of light!

I did not hear a thing during the procedure.

I take some photos!

I next remember being in recovery with my mouth tasting like the bottom of a bird cage! Drymouth on steroids!

I’m getting to be a scar map!! When do I need tattoos with 3-D markings?

We brought a large bolt and hoped they could install it during the operation, but alas, no bolt was available.

The incision was about 8″ long, but felt like three feet.

Robin joined us when I got back from recovery, and Mary and she noticed I was slurring my words and my mouth was dragging on one side. Oh dear! We called the resident doctor, and he was worried that I had some stroke symptoms, not uncommon for this operation.

Robin waited as I was taken to the CT with/ contrast.

The CTI was a false positive, so they needed a more powerful scanner, like an MRI.

I had to stay overnight in the hospital, and Dr. Mary stayed right with me. I promised not to take a picture of her new hairstyle after sleeping on the couch overnight.

I was a bit worried, but in good spirits!

She found a cartoon that fit me well!

I was so full of water and other liquids that I needed the potty every couple of hours! Mary finally tied some dental floss on it so she could easily find it.

I only had one minor complaint about the surgery!

I was NOT hungry and went to sleep quite easily. I was not worried except when they said they might have to go into my pea-brain to retrieve any loose plaque.