Examining our schedule revealed we had a busy day again, beginning with our hair appointments at 10:00 am in Huntington Beach. We were driving the doodlebug today as the Silver Fox was in the repair shop getting a beauty treatment. I knew the “long way” to the appointment, but the fast route, which I had programmed into the Silver Fox’s GPS, and I arrived four minutes late.
Mary said she had an upset tummy, probably from thinking about Scout, so I went to the market adjacent to the parlor and retrieved some bananas to help. We had our lattees, and the hair game was on.
Mary is being pampered!
We called Bob Z, who just returned from a month in Europe, and he was going to the Elks for lunch, so we redirected the car toward Santa Ana and enjoyed a delightful lunch with him.
Bob told us, “My favourite childhood memory is my parents paying for my holidays.” We understood that quite well.
After lunch, we headed to Tustin Lexus, where we got our brand new car. After $2900, it should be brand new. The Silver Fox apparently also went to the hairdresser because he had new tires, an alignment, and a shampoo! When I drove out, bubbles were coming out of the air conditioning openings! I thought I was in a bubble bath. The vehicle smelled like a French House of Ill Repute!
The Silver Fox went directly into the garage because the rain was threatening. Domi and crew came at 3:00 pm, and the loss of our baby saddened them. I think Domi was in tears as Scout used to follow her around the house for two hours straight, getting lots of treats and scratching. Scout was a ladies’ man!
To stay out of their way, we visited Jeff for a while, bringing him some fresh banana-nut muffins, still warm! After Domi leaves the house, she goes to Jeff’s!
We then decided to go to the UPS store and return the Halloween moving broom. We bought two, and neither of them works, so they go back.
Ka-Putt!
We realized we still had time, so we drove over to Ace’s Bar and Grill, played country music on the jukebox, and had a light meal. Of course, Mary ordered their excellent salad while I had stuffed jalapeño peppers.
I am at 192 pounds, and my goal of 190 pounds is within grabbing distance.
Returning home, we headed for the TV room and watched Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford.
Based upon a real-life trapper named John Johnston, nicknamed “Crow Killer” and “Liver Eater Johnston” for his penchant for cutting out and eating the livers of Crow Indians he had killed (several Crows had murdered his wife, and he swore vengeance against the entire tribe).
Trapper John Johnston’s body was buried in the Veterans Administration cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. After the movie came out, Johnston’s body was reburied at Old Trail Town in Cody, WY. Robert Redford was a pallbearer in the reburial ceremony attended by 2,000 people.
We crashed at 9:30 pm after a full day of dunning around.
After the loss of Scout, we wanted to keep busy! So we did! First, we dropped off my car for its 60,000-mile checkup. We thought we needed a change of spark plugs, which would have been about $600, but the service representative said the car is good for 120,000 miles before a plug change is needed. We won! Beat a $600 bill. We can afford breakfast!
We departed the facility and headed for breakfast at Rockwell’s, our local restaurant. While there, I got a video of the various inspections that were done on our car. Alas, the car did need tires. You can’t win… Instead of saving $600, we now have to spend $ 1,000. That’s OK, I carry precious cargo!
From Rockwell’s, we went to Trader Joe’s and stocked up on the necessities of life! After putting things away, I drove Mary to her last watercolor class of this session.
S-h-h-h-h-h Artist at work!
So true, and we, as taxpayers, seem unable to stop it! Some politicians are getting rich!
We went to the Silver Trumpet and had company! Mr. Squirrel kept trying to sneak in. It was entertaining.
He wanted in for some good food!
Mar did her regular, lamb lollipops, and a salad.
Mary did her salad thing!
I went for the diver scallops on polenta, and they were terrific.
I opted for the seafood special.
I did a baddie! I went for dessert.
Key lime pie, amazing!
The weather was perfect!
We walked to the theater.
The theater welcomed us!
It was a warm 80-degree evening.
The show started, and it was supposed to be whimsical and enjoyable!
We had high hopes for this play!
We almost walked out before halftime. What a horrible performance. The main characters were obviously gay, men kissing men, and the “music” was worse yet. I fell asleep since I could not understand most of the “dialogue”. I am never going to another performance that I do not know again.
What was worse, some of the audience cheered and clapped. I managed a fart on the way out, and that was more than it was worth.
We drove home dejected, as we needed something redeeming and memorable. This performance was at the bottom of the list of the performances that Seagerstrom has managed to put on!
This morning was very different. We have been close to Scout for several days, seeing him slowly fail. This morning, he was huddled up near the fireplace, and for the third day, he could not walk. As usual, he was a happy boy, but there was something different in his eyes. He did not understand why he could no longer walk.
He watched everything going on around him, but could not even get up to greet his friends.
Scout was fifty pounds of love in one nig hairy package! We called our handyman, Tom, and asked him to help get Scout to the van so we could go to the vet.
At 10:00 am, Tom arrived, and without a whimper, Scout recognized him and went into his arms for the journey to the van.
We went to the vet, and after a lengthy discussion about options, the doctor agreed with our decision to let go. He was too good a baby to live deaf, partially blind, confused, and unable to walk.
He was taken into the back where a chetar was inserted into his arm, and then he came back out with us for his last visit.
Scout was well known and everybody loved him at first sight
We talked to him for quite a while and brought “Moosey” to be with him. Mary got Moosey the day Scout came from the adoption agency. He carried Moosey around for over ten years, never hurting him, and now Moosey sits on our fireplace mantle looking out into the room for his friend.
The last goodbye!
He was happy until the end. He was such a dear friend and loving creature.
Scout passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers.
Suddenly, he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
The rest of the day was somber. We had lunch at home courtesy of Dianne, who came to console us with burgers and fries. We then went to the doctor and finally to the American Legion for a glass of wine.
Returning home to an empty house was difficult after our own official greeter was not there to wiggle his tail and say hello and “Where were you?”.
We visited Jeff for a bit, tried to watch a movie, and gave up, going to bed at 9:00 p.m., hoping the sadness would ease.
Our son, Joe, came over this morning to breathe new life into the overhead bathroom exhaust fan and heater since I no longer do ladders! I went to YouTube and have the video on how to replace the part.
Halloween is only six weeks and a trip to the Caribbean away, so we thought we would start early when the selections are best!
Robin stayed overnight last night and decided to go to Roger’s Gardens to start the holiday season, perhaps a wee bit early?
This year, it was “The Midnight Market.”
We arrived about 30 minutes after Rogers opened and were surprised that it was not crowded. As soon as I got there, I was looking for my necks victim.
Have you ever been kissed by a vampire? It’s a pain in the neck!
The Wal-Mart Greeter was at Roger’s this morning.
The bench was wet, but since I had on jeans, I dried my spot with the old tush!
I had a thought, “Ghosts are terrible liars. You can see right through them.”
After a good walk in the nursery, we had lunch at The Farmhouse. Their food is quite eclectic. We killed off a boggle of chardonnary before departing for home via the 73 and 55 freeways.
Did you hear about the pumpkin that nearly drowned? It was saved by the life-gourd.
Upon returning home, Robin left for Corona, and we spent the rest of the day binge-watching movies. My femoral artery may be bleeding just a bit, so I needed to stay off my feet.
The day started COLD as the overhead bathroom heater went south. I called our handyman, and he came over, got the cover off, and gave me the part number. I dialed into Amazon, and the replacement part will arrive on Thursday. Then I will call Joe, or my son, to work his magic. I am not allowed to be on ladders anymore because of my age.
DOA
We messed around most of the day. Maria came over and dropped off Irene’s gold clubs, and we visited for a while. Robin stopped by before her hair appointment. We will pick her up at 3:15 to go to the movies, the Downton Abbey movie, here we come.
Great movie, and now we are in the 1930s
We decided to go to King’s Fish House for dinner and had a wonderful dinner, complete with a bottle of wine!
Paul did fish soup
Robin kept to her diet and ate shrimp!
Everything was wonderful!
Robin captured a picture of us!
We were so happy to be out and about!
By the time we got home, it was 9:00 pm, and we crashed HARD! Tomorrow, we begin to celebrate Halloween!
We got up, and Mary did the morning groin check, and I was leaking every so slightly on the right side. It was not significant enough to worry about, so we proceeded with the morning shower and a new gauze covering.
We walked to the garden as I wanted to see the pumpkin plant and talk to it.
Picking time; we loaded a large box with fresh veggies
The garden is beginning to show wear, summer is starting to end, and Fall will be here soon.
We still have 500 tomatoes on the vines!
The overhangs need some trimming, or we will have to lean over to get to the back of the garden!
We found some hidden treasures up in the overheads! There were several LARGE tomatoes in hiding.
Off to the Elks Lodge for Girls’ Night Out. We had great fun and gave away a big bunch of veggies!
Bill and Sue joined us today!
Linda was here with her bonnet of the day!
Lookin’ good, Linda!
George was in rare form; we laughed the whole time!
We are getting old; we shared our latest operations.
I ordered a steak, but was surprised!
Mary and I were asked on several occasions if we would get a room! I wonder why??
THE SMOOOOOOCH!
Guess what she whispered in my ear? Time to go home!
The day started slowly and kept going slower and slower. I didn’t even make it to he garden. As Mary says, “I ‘m keeping him on a tight leash”.
Mary’s wrist was swollen pretty badly after her fall, and not wanting to leave me alone, she called Dianne, who ran to the store and got Mary a wrist brace. It’s good to have good friends. We sent Dianne home with a basket of garden goodies.
Mary is considering a new acquisition, a t-shirt to go with my shirt that says “Trophy Husband”.
The rest of the day, Mary worked around the house, and I stayed close to the computer, trying to prepare for the last batch of Europe-O-Grams from Bob and Donna.
We both took long naps in the afternoon, and I made tea for us to have on the patio. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze. We actually put a small blanket on our shoulders around 7:00 pm.
Then we hit the kitchen and made FRESH bruschetta using items we just picked from the garden. We cut up an entire load of French baguettes. We then called Jeff, and we tootled over to Jeff’s house with two glasses of wine, and he had a post-dinner snack!
We returned home to watch TV before going to bed. We started the series FUBAR with Arnie, and that was fun.
Today is the day of the procedure, and I was not allowed to have anything but a teaspoon of water to take my morning pills. Have you ever tried to take four pounds of pills with a teaspoon of water?
Everything is going well until the phone rings, and it is the doctor’s office saying they still haven’t received insurance approval. I knew the operating/procedure was going for retail at $131,300. Needless to say, we were out of bed dialing the doctor’s office and insurance company for the next two hours. I thought for a while I would have to sell Scout and my firstborn (I could deal with the firstborn, but not Scout!)
It turns out the claim was approved, but apparently faxed to the incorrect FAX number. We got everything fixed by 10:00 am, just two hours before check-in! Good news, we can keep Scout.
I was dressed for the occasion.
We got checked in at noon, and we got called backstage a few minutes later. Mary helped me get ready, and at 2:45 I was under. Joe came and stayed with Mary for a long time.
Oops! Wrong jammies!
Transportation came to get me, and we were off. Mary walked as far as the OR.
I am ready!
I greeted the doctors with a big smile and a lot of jokes and with a BP of 130/82; not too bad for guy 80 years old facing surgery!
Counting down from 100…
As the anesthesia was taking its effect, I heard the doctors talking!
Anesthesia works by interrupting or altering the transmission of nerve signals throughout the body, though the specific mechanisms differ depending on the type. General anesthesia affects the brain to cause unconsciousness, while local and regional anesthesia target specific nerves to numb a particular area.
How general anesthesia works
General anesthesia is a drug-induced, reversible coma that induces unconsciousness, amnesia, and immobility. During the procedure, an anesthesiologist continuously administers medication, often a combination of intravenous (IV) drugs and inhaled gases.
I overheard some of the staff talking!
I was under for about two hours, and during that time, I got two catheters inserted, and the doctor did his thing.
After I came out, I was also a little worried as they didn’t seem to know what to do with the extra parts.
This situation was worrisome!
Mary said the doctor came to visit her and that I was A-OK. Mary then came into recovery and took GREAT care of me. She gave me water and ordered my dinner. The food was good, but I was also VERY hungry.
At 9:30 pm, it was decided I could go home, so Mary got the car (after falling in the parking lot).
We made it home by 10:00 pm, at which time I went to bed with Mary, checking for leaks every few minutes. I slept like a baby!
Side note: Again, I am blessed to have Mary in my life as she went and did more than the call of duty. She was my angel!
