C you real soon!

Hello world! How are you all doing? Today is August 2, 2022, and you made it. Covid finally caught me. We managed to stay virus free for the past two years but apparently, this strain is highly contagious as I noticed many of the people, I follow in the CES group who also evaded the virus for the past two years, have caught it this time around. Today is officially my day 9 and aside from a little nose discomfort, I am good. Lucky for me, I did not lose my smell or taste. However, I did notice that everything tasted “extra”. By extra, I mean, food was like hyper flavored. Sweet was sickeningly sweet and Lays potato chips that Hubby had bought seemed to be loud tasting! It was weird but cool cause I could really taste ingredients and figure out a few recipes. Also, my sense of smell was a little extra as well. For instance, I knew that I had a fever because I could smell it. You see, I am not one that runs fevers, ever, even when I have an infection. When I do get feverish, I can always tell because everything my nose smells has a funny metallic aroma. Anyhow, as soon as I confirmed the fever, I took a Tylenol and upped my liquid intake. Also, I slept when I was tired (which was the first two days). One good thing happened during this past week, well, one of the many good things, I should say. I have had bad luck with finding a primary care physician. The last one that I had was not a good fit for me. I am sure she is a great physician. Anyhow, I changed to an Internal Medicine doctor instead of a Family Practice physician. I have yet to even meet this new doctor and he has already taken command of my care. His office assistant, Wes, should train other medical professionals here in the valley…just saying. I had sent my new patient forms in via email and apologized for sending them in that manner as I had told him the week before that I would drop it off. I let him know that we had Covid, and he immediately called back and made sure that I was okay and getting care. Very impressive. One thing I know for certain, I am glad that I took the vaccine and boosters as I know they work.

TacoBelle and even Jenny stayed by my side the first few days.

During the last week, Hubby was home on vacation. Originally, we had planned to take an overnight trip somewhere but with my positive status, we decided to lay low (mostly)and be responsible adults. Hubby did take me on a few drives around the valley and we did drive to Morongo Valley this weekend after my fifth day. Honestly, we both needed the rest. Especially Hubby. He works so hard for us and takes such good care of me. It was nice watching movies and listening to him play guitar. I too even got some practicing in. I love when he plays something that I know (sort of) so I can sing along. I know my voice is not singing voice, so I love that I can belt it out in the privacy of our place.

Have you met my new guitar? It’s a Epihone Hummingbird. Hubby and I saw it at a local Guitar Center, and I loved how it felt when I tried it out. It is now mine.

I noticed, during this Covid crap, the area around my scar was hot and painful. I noticed that I had more pain than usual and even contemplated going to the ER as I thought it might be a kidney stone or appendicitis. Spine pain can be like that sometimes. If I went to the ER every time I experience pain, I would always be there. Generally, I usually change positions, move, lay down or ice my back. If the pain does not lessen, then I get concerned. Each time I thought, “This is it. I gotta go.” then the pain lessens. I am sure my method is not good but if I did go for every pain, I might take those pain meds that have pushed on me. So far, I am doing okay and not needing narcotics. To any of people with Cauda Equina Syndrome that have had Covid, did you notice anything different?

The Coachella Valley got rain this weekend! It was glorious! Okay, I know there are many places where rain is wreaking havoc, like Kentucky. We are in the midst of a super draught and any rain is a blessing. Most mornings, I am awake by 3 AM. This past weekend, as I mentioned, my spine was painful, and it made sleeping difficult. I had been getting up around 1 AM. Usually, I will go and sit outside to enjoy the cool night air. Saturday morning, I had sat outside for a while watching the clouds float by in the night sky. TacoBelle followed me out there and stayed in the patio even after I came inside. Around 2:30 AM I heard her loudly crying and went to the door to let her in. What I didn’t know was that we were expecting rain (It was 88 degrees at that time). I opened the door and there was a very wet cat and rain falling from the sky. No photos of that as she ran and hid under our bed. I went out and stood in it and got soaked. (What Covid?) It was a bit amusing, if only to me. I laughed out loud thinking of all the times I warned my children to not go out in the rain in bare feet, let alone, with having a cold!

Raindrops are falling on my head…

Covid schmovid! I did what I warned my children about not doing! I went out in the rain…barefoot! I’m sure my mother was rolling over in her urn! Oh, horror! I to use to beg my children to stay dry and out of the rain so they would not catch their “death of cold”. I guess I should practice what I have preached.

This past Sunday, we took a drive to the Morongo Valley. Hubby has been so good at keeping me moving and motivated. Since I have started recording my steps and activity, I have been averaging around 4 miles of walking per day. I even managed to keep it up during my illness. Anyhow, on he took me to Covington Park. We arrived early and walked along the path. Lucky for us, there was no one around and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We spent about 30 minutes checking out the plants, trees and lizards. Lately, I have not been feeling creative or have even wanted to use my cameras. However, that Sunday, I picked up my cameras and wanted to shoot. So, I took several photos.

We headed back home after our little walk. It was already near 100 degrees, and I was wilting. I snapped a few photos of the windmills along the freeway.

The following day, we got up early and headed East, just after sunrise. Hubby drove toward Joshua Tree. The sky was gorgeous and so blue after the rain. We chose to drive through Box Canyon. This time I tried my hardest to not use my camera. I just wanted to look at the scenery and just take it all in. The place really is gorgeous. We stopped at this one trail but the shoulder we parked on was soft. I had wandered toward the hiking trail but turned around because I kept sinking into the ground. I am sure there was no quicksand, but you just never know with all the strange weather occurrences that have been happening lately.

If I would have walked a little farther, i would have been able to see some of the various “slots” in the rocks.

So, not much going on in my world. I am just thankful that I made it through Covid. Oh yeah, I think my creative block may be lifting. I have tried and tried to get motivated to paint or draw or even take photos in the last month or so. After I moved my things downstairs, I thought for sure I would be able to start painting. Nope! Anyhow, I have been going through old photos and I did pick out a few to sketch.

It feels good to finally be able to work on something without getting all distracted. I know that this will not last, so I got to run with it. Having chronic pain has made me have to approach things differently and has taught me to not be so hard on myself when I can’t complete a task. I know now that it is not because I am lazy, but because my brain is normal for me, but not normal for most and is constantly in a battle to stay focused and upright. It has taken the last year or so of really getting to know myself. I was going to apologize to all my friends and family because I have been keeping to myself but on second thought, I would like to thank you all for letting me be and not wondering if I am avoiding you all. If I never have to see another reposted bullshit “quote” or advice about isolating or shutting people out from a social media star, I will be forever happy 🙂 Ooops, I guess some things do bug me…

Thank you, dear reader, wherever you are. May today be a good day for you and wherever you may be traveling, I hope you get there safely. Hugs.