I finally stopped procrastinating and scheduled the first of my Shingles shots. (I've had Shingels, an admittedly mild case, and do not want it again. It's a burning itch and painful. Also takes forever to go away, with periodic phantom burning itches long afterward.) Doing it tomorrow, because that will give me two-three days - in case I get sick. (I didn't with the other vaccines, so it's unlikely I will. But one never knows.)

Tomorrow - Bob Dylan's musical "Girl from the North Country" premiers on Great Performances. I'm enjoying the televised presentations of Broadway shows. Means I can see them, and so can everyone else?

Rainy day. Cool. But I have the A/C and fans on - because they are blasting the heat again. Radiator heat.

Didn't sleep well last night - due to digestive issues and restless leg syndrome. (My legs and back were bothering me.) Hopefully will be better tonight.

More May Memage...or rather I'm catching up

10. Ellen Ochoa was born today in 1958 and was the first Hispanic woman to travel to space in 1993. Would you like to travel to space?

No. I've seen spaceships - they are not made for tall people. Or anyone who is even a little claustrophobic. Also, I get motion sickness. And I know what happens to the human body while it is in space - it's not pleasant. We were not created for 0 gravity. I have enough medical issues.

I rather like what William Shatner said after going to space, which is - there's nothing there. Stay here.

11. What’s your favourite way to eat eggs?

Poached on greens with lemon juice and lemon pepper. Or scrambled with a little cream.

I had coddled eggs with mother, but I prefer poached.

12. Do you regularly moisturize your feet?

No. Probably should. But my feet are a long ways from my torso. I'm six foot, and most of my height is in my legs. I'm long limbed.

13. Do you remember when you bought your first computer?

Yes. It was in the 1990s. A Macintosh - small screen. Prior to that - my parents did - and that was an Apple II way back in the 1980s. Big a clunky, with MS DOS. It was before we had Windows.

14. Have you still got access to an Avon representative locally? Have you ever bought products from Avon?

No. No. Although there were reps at my workplace, I ignored them. I don't like spending money on makeup and buy little of it. Also we can get better products at Wallgreens or Sapphora.

15. Who cleans the toilets in your home?

There's only one. And there's only me. And I refuse to hire anyone to do house work for a one bedroom apartment. So...
( the rest )

Another photo...hopefully you can see it, I never know with FB links.

Actually, I took the following picture yesterday - on my walk around a section of the financial district. The section that is in front of Trinity Church and towards the Freedom Tower. Didn't go that far yesterday - because my leg was bothering me, and I didn't have a lot of time. At any rate I've been down this cobble stone road before -- it's completely blocked off to traffic - due to the New York Stock Exchange being on the cross street. Security and historic preservation.

The street is in front of The Trump Building (which I have not taking a photo of - because it's an ugly building, and not worth it - it's circa 1930s gothic, but it's ugly). And across from the Trump Building aka 40 Wall Street is...a Caribbean Jerk Chicken Vending Truck - smells delicious. (I'd get some - but my dietary restrictions keep me at bay.)



The Jerk Chicken Stand is kind of sticking the finger to Trump, it's right across from his Building, is the only vendor stand across from it, and the only vehicle across from the building. And about as diverse and non-white as you can get. Gotta love it. There's all sorts of subtle little protests across the Financial District.

My new work digs, as you may have guessed by now, is a photographer's dream come true. So many new things to take photos of.

Work was better today, aided greatly by sleep - I slept 6 hours and 43 minutes as opposed to 5 hours and twenty-three minutes, and that made a huge difference in my cognitive abilities. ( personal stuff - kind of boring...actually )

Anyhow, need to stop this and make dinner. But before I do? On today's walk, I discovered a little farmer's market, where I picked up gluten-free Irish Soda Bread, and gluten-free biscotti. I've never had either. So was happy with my finds.

It was just across the street from my office building. Insanely convenient.



And not much further, was Battery City Park, and this lovely little walk complete with lots of flowers in full bloom. They are hardy little flowers, and unlike the impatiens around Bowling Green Park, actually survived the dip into the 40s last night. I have no idea what they are called. I take pictures of flowers - I can't grow them or remember their names. I may be many things, but a horticulturist or botanist is not among them. The green thumb jumped over me and landed on my brother.

I got behind. Sorry about that. So you are getting 19 questions as opposed to four or five.

Brief whine? Sigh, FB at times pummels me with stupid opinions. Also it wants me to save the world? I cannot save the world. No one can save the world. It's not possible. Been there, done that, have the battle scars. I learned long ago, the only person you can save in this life is yourself and even that can be dicey, because let's face it the world is determined to kill us. Kind of hard to save something that is trying to kill you.

Oh, forgot, the Buffy Reboot has cast its Buffy - it's the female lead from The Skeleton Crew. (And yes, I thought she was a bit young for the role too. I've mixed feelings about this. But I'm also not the target audience?)

May Memage

1. The first of May – it’s Labour Day, also known as International Worker’s Day. If you’ve retired, how long (in years) did you work for before you stopped? If you are still working, how long will it be, before you retire?

Interestingly enough, it's not in the US, for various reasons they moved that to September. (I think it's because we have Mother's Day and Memorial Day in May, and that's one too many holidays? I don't know.)

With any luck it will be four and a half years. I plan on retiring at 62.
But we shall see.

2. Do you own a toolbox? What does it have in it?

I do. It's not a tool box though - it's a plastic container with various tools. And I can't find it - it's hidden in my closet. Handy - I'm not. That's my brother. The domestic, handy-man, gardening, and nurturing genes leaped over me and landed on him. He cleans, he makes maple syrup, he installs shelves and windows (even builds them) along with a loft space, he rewires his kitchen, he puts together his stove, he creates a huge five acre vegetable garden complete with a mini orchard, he takes care of his cats, his daughter, he outfits her car with a sink...the man is insanely talented. I'm lucky if I can assembly a table or a peddler that comes in the mail.

3. How old is the home you live in?

It's pre-war, so 1920s? Possibly earlier. It comes complete with a fall-out shelter.

4. Do you often wear shorts?

No, I prefer capris or pants that come down just below the knee, or long shorts.

5. Today, in 1864, Nellie Bly was born (the pen name of Elizabeth Cochrane, an American journalist). An American journalist, she is widely known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days in emulation of Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Fogg. Have you read ‘Around The World in 80 Days’ or seen a film adaptation?

Yes, I've seen the television series (with Pierce Bronsan and the one with David Tennant, the one with Tennant is better), along with the film adaptation with David Niven. If you want to see one? See the one with David Tennant, Bronsan and Niven aren't as entertaining. I may have read it - but can't remember.

6. Do you sit at a dining table when you eat a meal at home?

I don't have one, so no. Did that when I visited mother. At home? I sit and eat at my coffee table with a dinner tray.

7. Are you usually early or late to meetings/appointments?

Early. I hate to keep people waiting on me. I'd rather wait on them? Also, I have a fear of missing something or missing the appointment.

8. Do you know how to find the North Star (Polaris in the Northern Hemisphere) or the Southern Pole Star (Sigma Octantis in the Southern Hemisphere) in the night sky?

No. I used to, but forgot.

9. What was the first fandom you were ever involved in?

Buffy.

[I have to go to bed, so stopping there tonight. You'll have to wait to see the rest, I guess. Here's a picture from my walk at lunchtime today:

Miss me? Most likely not - it's not like there isn't a ton of content on the internet to weed through.

While I enjoyed my visit and being with my mother, I'm happy to be home.

For the most part, the trip went without a hitch. I got onto the island without any issues. It was pouring. But not until after we landed. And by Tuesday, the sun was out, blue sky, and temperatures reaching the lower 80s. Sunday and Monday had bits of sunshine. Actually it rained more in New York this past week than it did on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The trip back was delayed by about an hour - we sat on the tarmac waiting for inclement weather ahead of us to clear. Or so we were told by the pilot over a horrible intercom system. I could barely hear him, and spent the hour wondering if I'd heard him correctly. (I had.) When I got into Laguardia Airport, it was clearing for the most part, and I even saw spots of blue sky. However, the airport was packed - just about every flight was delayed. Apparently they were having tornado warnings in Chicago and Milwaukee, and inclement weather throughout the Northeast and Midwest.

I didn't fly out until 4 pm. So had a nice lunch with one of mother's friends, an 86 year old, tiny woman, who came up to my thigh, and had traveled extensively in her lifetime, and at one time had worked as an EMT in volunteer rescue. She regaled us with stories from that time in the car on the way to the restaurant, and she insisted on paying for our meal (since mother had paid for hers the last go time). The restaurant, Dockside at Skull Creek - had a gluten free menu, and I was able to get fried shrimp, french fries, and cole slaw, with shrimp cocktail sauce - all gluten-free. (This is a rarity.) They actually have quite a few places on the island that have gluten free menus now. (But our go-to spot, Ruan Thai, is no longer an option. They no longer have gluten free available. Sad to say.) It was a lovely day - so I got to look at the boats, and watch the egrets and pelicans.

***

Backing up a bit to Monday. Saturday - Mother's street and front yard briefly flooded, but it also quickly cleared. We drove through it on the way to lunch (which we had to wait a bit to drive to - since it was coming down in buckets).
( Read more... )
After nothing but rain on Monday, or so it seemed (we watched television most of the day, chatted, read, and relaxed), however,Tuesday was a lovely day. So after lunch, we went to a private residential beach - at Dolphin Head, which is also a bit of a wildlife refuge and recreational area.



There's no development permitted, and they've increased the sand to build up the beach and protect the marsh land behind it.



People don't tend to swim in the water, and for the most part just enjoy the beach. It's never crowded and you don't see many folks lying on the beach or playing on it.

( lots of beach pictures )

Mother and I aren't huge beach goers - I don't particularly like sand or lying on beaches. Walking yes, lying no. And while I did go down to the water, I didn't dip my toes in it. I decided it had wild life in there, and I didn't want to get my feet caked with sand or the sandals. It did - there was a lot of seaweed washed up on a section of the beach. I did watch a flock of sand-pipers fly in and out of the waves, jumping about on the beach hunting sand crabs (these are crabs that burrow under the sand, with a little air hole, some find shells - they are kind of like hermit crabs).
They are tiny little birds, and I do not have the right camera to effectively capture them.

While Mother sat on a bench and talked to her younger sister (who lives in Michigan), I wandered about on the beach.

***

The next day, Wednesday was equally lovely. Blue skies, and in the low 80s.
So after going on a brief, but productive (if somewhat pricey) shopping spree (I bought six items, three shirts, three pants, and at least two of the shirts were heavily marked down - so not too bad), we went to Jarvis Park. We did lunch first at the Sante Fe Grill. Where I had a corn Enchilda, refried beans, and salad (I couldn't have the rice - since it was coated in a wheat flour sauce - and I'm ceiliac - yes, I know, it's rice, but I didn't mind - I have issues with rice.) Also a huge chocolate mousse for desert. Chocolate Mousse is basically my favorite desert next to flourless chocolate cake.

Jarvis Park is another environmentally sustainable recreational area designed to protect the marshland and environment, and provide an area for people to walk and exercise.

Originally it was just a small pond. Then it became a small park, with some plantings, and a small pound. Now it is a huge lake, with streams, and creeks, and a water reclamation center. Also a home to alligators, egrets, birds of all kinds, fish, etc. Although I only saw a few egrets this time. Mainly because people were out, the water was high, and it was warm.

( Two pictures or views of the lake )

( An ancient tree covered with Spanish Moss )

( walking through the woods )

The lake is just over about a mile or two around, and it took me about twenty - thirty minutes to walk it. I didn't do a brisk pace, mainly because my leg had been bothering me a bit. Mother sat on a swing chatting with her younger sister, while I walked the circumference of the park. Mother calls her sister each day. Mother is doing rather well health wise, her sister, not so much.

Anyhow, it's late, and while for the most part I slept rather well during my trip, I did not sleep well last night. I never sleep well prior to a trip. And I'd eaten things the night before that undoubtedly kept me awake.
So, I must beg you all adieu and go off to bed.

I'll leave you with another photo...this one of Mother's backyard, or rather the golf course that comprises her backyard. (I'm NOT a fan of golf, but this is pretty for the most part.) This is actually about five houses down from Mother. You have to walk about five minutes to see it.