Good Report and Maybe Some Snow

A cold sunny Monday morning. After Wednesday of this week the temps drop into the highs in the 40s. Brrr...but I like cooler/cold weather. 

Saturday was our first foray into East TN. Wow! Still six weeks from the storm and it looked like a war zone. Not that I have seen a war zone in person but looked the same as the WWII documentaries on the history channel. The metal buildings wrapped around and the tanks that were probably underground stacked together in one spot. The houses, the trees and all the rocks moved by the river brought tears to my eyes. The TNDOT has done a fabulous job of opening one lane each way on I 26. We took the Erwin exit to go to Food City but if we had wanted to go to The Farmer's Daughter, turning left was not an option. Read that so many of the small bridges on the way are damaged or gone. I had read the exit for Erwin coming from Johnson City was closed but later we found out that they had opened it. Thus we stopped at Pals for a delicious lunch on the ride back home. 

Tuesday morning we noticed that the water wasn't that hot. Of course we know what that means. So we got on the phone, called around looking for a plumber. I remembered using a local guy several years ago. Roy called and he could be at our house by noon. Long story short, needed a new water heater. Roy helped a little bit and that is in the crawl space. Ugh! We had hot water by 5:30 pm. As Roy and the plumber visited, he told Roy that normally we would have had to schedule several weeks out because he was that busy...until he wasn't. Helene has disrupted his business. When water is murky coming out of the faucet you're not scheduling any repairs until the water clears up. At the right time the water heater went out. I think that water heater was about 12-13 years old. That is commendable service. 

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Today was one of those days I had been dreading for several months. We stacked Roy's ophthalmology appt and my cardiologist appt. In between the appointments we ate at Zaxby's and went to the Fresh Market. Traffic was getting worse the farther we went down Hendersonville Road. Zaxby's was a great choice because you do not want to eat a heavy meal before being weighed in at the doctor office. We did buy celebratory cake at Fresh Market in anticipation of a good appointment. We got to the cardiologist office a few minutes early. I had fixed my cough syrup in a small bottle and gulped it down. It is the only thing that stops this coughing. My Rowe Casa order should arrive this week with more cough syrup. We got in to the waiting room. I had just sat down when they called my name. All those old people sitting there hated me at that moment. I was seeing a PA, not one of the doctors. I still have kept off most of the weight I lost from the October sickness. My blood pressure was good and my heart rate was back in the 60s. They been keeping it lower but all were pleased with the result. EKG, looked really good and they have pushed back the stress test a couple of months, maybe even after my May appointment. Here's the thing...when I was checking out I asked when I should call to make a May appointment. She said, I can make your appointment today. What? Mission Hospital/Asheville Cardiologists is coming into the 20th century? I know it is the 21st century it just seems like everything moves so slow here. I then told her she nearly put me in shock with this news and guess it was a good place to be revived. That is the first time I have ever seen this woman laugh. She tends toward cranky. I left the office, got Roy from the waiting room and we were off...with a jump in my steps. 

Being in Arden reminded me too much of Houston. The traffic, the traffic and well, the traffic. I am so glad we didn't want to buy anywhere that was just like Katy or Houston. Ah, this rural life is great. It has been a while since Roy has been in a Zaxby's and although his eyes had not been dilated they had put drops in his eyes that hindered some of his vision. I order a salad and he asks about hamburgers. It got real quiet around us. Told Roy Wendy's was next door but we were at a chicken place. He ordered a sandwich and went back and got an order of egg rolls. Those egg roles were pretty good. 

We may get some snow on Friday. The fall has been a little warmer than usual so it seems like quite the surprise. I used to not get cold often but now that has changed. If I could carry a space heater with me everywhere, I would be so happy. There are no battery operated heaters, at least there weren't the last time I checked. Just checked, still not good choices. 

Found Friend, Feral Fam and Fortuitous Detective Work

 This past weekend doing the regular, an especially joyful moment occurred. I was going over lesson notes and marking for particular interest for me as well as for the lesson. An example from long ago had popped into my brain as the perfect and humorous memory of a bridal luncheon from yester year, a brief look at legalism. The story involves a coffee cup and some head shaking. Sometimes when those memories come, I google names and see if there is any social media footprints. I've looked up my vanished friend many times to no avail. Stories from those early days of being newlyweds, buying our first home and navigating the waters of being a grown up contain some of the happiest and funniest recollections. We needed those cause the being a grown up was such a hard season of life. Last week I remembered one of the funniest stories that my crazy friend D told me with the long lost friend, J. The story takes place a few weeks before J got married. J wanted D to come spend the night so they could laugh and talk about memories and such. Now D was a total opposite of J. It didn't help that J lived near the apartment pool and D thought it would be fun to go out there. No said J, so they had a very early dinner and eating dinner with J was always an adventure. The several times we were invited for dinner at her place Roy would say, either we eat dinner before we go or afterwards cause dinner with J, well, it leaves me hungry. This is way before Roy practiced portion control and J was ahead of the times. Back to the original story, so J takes a shower to get ready for bed and as D tells it, the sun hadn't even began to set. D is starving so while J is in the bathroom, D scours the kitchen for something to eat. She finds a box of graham crackers and she scarfs down the whole box, then takes the box out to the trash dumpster and makes it back in before J is out of the bathroom. Little does D know that when J returns to the kitchen, J announces she is making a special dessert for them. She begins to look for the box of graham crackers. J looked high and low. No crackers. She is getting a little perturbed she cannot find them anywhere. D never told her what she had done, leaving J a bit frustrated. That story although it doesn't seem funny as I tell it, is so funny in how crazy D told the story. 

So, this past weekend I once again looked for J and there she was, on a church website from two or three years ago when she taught a Wednesday night class. The first time I watched the video for a moment or two, I wasn't sure that it was her. I watched a bit of another video and she mentioned her husband, yep that's J. She still has a little bit of that staccato way of speaking, she still kind of laughs at the same things and her mannerisms still the same. Yep. I don't know if they attend that church or if she is still even doing any teaching. In the past I would have wanted to contact her but I don't want to. Think that is why I found her this time. Clearly with very little social media footprint, she doesn't want to be found or bothered. We would probably have very little in common to talk about now, it would be one of those constant remember when type things. When I found D that's all it was and even still being in the Houston area and I was still there too, she didn't want to meet for lunch or have the four of us, she has remarried, meet. We talked a few times and then at least for me, I wasn't interested cause it truly had been a wonderful and fun friendship back in the day but I felt I had outgrown the friendship and it came to mind, that a lot had changed with her. Always so beautiful back then but I had a feeling she had grown obese just like her aunt who never wanted to leave the house. Also, her financial situation had changed and I think she was embarrassed about that too. That would be the best grace extended, to let her go on. If memory serves me correctly about J, there was some turmoil and hurt from a church they had worked at. I had heard they had left Houston and moved somewhere on the east coast. Have no clue but if they did, they made it back to the Houston area. We lost touch with them no one we knew back then had seen them socially, but D had married and moved to Tulsa and she was the glue that held us together as friends. I am joyful that life turned out well for them. She just wanted one child and it looks like that is what happened. She mentions a son on one of her teaching videos. So joyful and happy, as I have skimmed a few videos and that is good enough for me. 

Roy just got two more of the Feral Fam to take to the ASPCA tomorrow. He said they are none too happy about it all but once they calm down a bit I will look and make sure these two are good to go. Roy said no left ear trim and they aren't the most recent kittens. Today will be a big day for the kittos, we are expanding their territory. They might not know what to do. Nah, they will know. The Kittos are recovering well. Chubola is back to being herself, not all hopped up on hormones and the attention of all the boys. She has returned to her preferred style of eating, spreading herself across the bowl so no one else can eat. I spent some time with them on the back porch yesterday. We got some playing in and of course, we had rest time too. 

The case of the maligned mailboxes may have been solved. A week ago Saturday Roy had just come home. He went to see if we had any mail. Lo and behold the mailboxes were smashed like someone had taken a baseball bat to them. Roy sent a pic and a text to our neighbor who built the mailbox area. Steve said it looked like maybe bears had messed with him cause his dogs went nuts at some smell around the box setup. I thought maybe a delivery truck had hit them. Well, the bear theory was thrown out pretty quickly...this morning Steve texted us that as he got to work on the boxes it was looking more and more like a delivery truck had done the damage. So with their notice they received about a delivery and Roy's photo with meta info, Steve is going to file a claim. Lots of great detective work happening around here. 

Wednesday, BBQ Day

 Today is a big day in our house. The kittos have been spayed or neutered, shots, and nail trim. Usually they would have stayed over night but the ASPCA is still dealing with the water situation that Helene exposed for Asheville. We are so grateful that they took these three today. Dropped them off and picked them up at 3:00. They are still high on drugs but we just gave them a little bit of food so hopefully that will settle them down. 

Yesterday was a big day as well. I got to go to Sunday School for the first time in five or six weeks. It felt so good to be back. To top off the welcome back, Katrin made some delicious iced sugar cookies. They are my favorite! By the time class was over, I was exhausted and we made our way home. When I got home I realized we hadn't done prayer requests or prayed...hope all is forgiven, class. It was the moment of joy in the Lord and a heart filled to overflowing with gratitude. 

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Tuesday. My presence at the computer had an effect on the kittos. They jumped and were so hyper to have anesthesia in them This morning, they are knocked out tired. The HVAC people come today to do winter maintenance. I might get out of the house for that. No biggie but I'd like to look at a few things. I'll have to pace myself cause stamina while getting back is still not normal. 

Once again we proved to ourselves why we are outsource people although maybe not as much as we once were. Saturday afternoon Roy was just about ready to run to the grocery store for a few things. When we heard that familiar and annoying chirp. Dang, a smoke alarm battery needed to be changed and how timely on the day that we fall back and change all the batteries in smoke alarms. We were kind of prepared to fall back but in no way were we going to do the big changeout on the alarms. One step ladder and 9 volt latter, we were ready to congratulate ourselves...when, chirp. Must be a bad battery. We repeated this process several times until I Googled Up what might be the problem. Did all that stuff...still chirp, chirp. It wasn't time to replace all the smoke alarms. We decided that Roy would pick up a new battery at the store and he left. This whole time I am praying for wisdom, how to solve this. I was now really, really tired and exhausted. I came back upstairs for something and then it occurred to me, the unplugged carbon monoxide detector sitting by the air filter. I took out the battery and my, my, the chirping stopped. When Roy got home I casually dropped the news I had solved the problem...then I told him. 

Today I did my first solo run while the AC guy was here. Ran a couple of errands. One thing I have noticed my walking and drifting right is a little more noticeable. I think it is just getting used to walking longer distances than I did all of last month. It's a journey and a process. I ended up having to go over to Mars Hill so I took the river road home. I just couldn't make the turn to Marshall. I'm not ready yet. Along the river road, several houses were gone and a business close to the river had several buildings demolished by the water. Along the other side of the river there were places with all the tree debris but the ground looked like pristine beach sand like you see in Rosemary Beach. It was the trees though, bent at an angle, neither fallen or standing set in  a position from the powerful wall of water that came through. Several houses are already being repaired but all the parks along the river are closed. Couldn't see down to verify, but maybe all the land was washed away. It is going to take years to recover.  

It is kind of funny thinking about all the thoughts that ran through my head while being down with whatever I had. Days and nights mixed up, so those late night thinking sessions were all over the place. I decided that all these brilliant and original thoughts should be written down to take apart later. So, I did that and of course I cannot read my writing. Looks like scribbles by a toddler. I do remember one thought in particular. In the big picture, it is just a blip on the screen but the repercussions of the blip are still felt today. I went against my better judgement and gut feeling to help and listen but the whole time my kindness was used to fund, betray with a false sense of entitlement empowering a false narrative. At least right now that is the end result. I did decide all through those thinking nights that I would rather deal with a narcissist, cause their tactics never change and they become quite predictable, verses someone who is passive aggressive. Their style and approach is all over the map and they are able to hide any diabolical planning. That indirect style puts you off. Thankfully, this situation is out of my hands. I don't plan on addressing it because at this point it would be futile and it would also give an opportunity to this passive aggressive to justify and express. Frankly even though I am writing about it, it does not matter to me anymore. Now, have we adjusted for any future interaction, oh you better believe it. Not to sound all spiritual but thinking through the blip and doing some soul searching on my part is healing. God binds up that long ago wound and continues to bring laughter and an element of romping. Guess like we studied on Sunday, God gives hinds feet on high places. 

Chubola reunited with her brothers Baxter and Buster and it feels so good. After surgeries, once again it is like kitten kingdom. Lots of running and playing with extended long naps in between. The ASPCA is doing this on bottled water supplies because the water in Asheville isn't safe to use. Even after a month and they are saying too, that it might be into next year when it is. 

Friday and It's November

 The early mornings have a golden hue that bathes everything even making dried out leaves and empty branches brilliant. Now, the sun is fully shinning which is beautiful as well. The kittos just came in from a long morning on the back porch. It is good for them to enjoy while the temps are a little warmer than usual. 

It is a taking it easy type of day. It seems to work in the getting stamina and strength back. I have hung up a few winter things and debating on others, whether to keep or give away. Drinking coffee in my jammies and also have on a bum around flannel shirt that doesn't match anything I have on and I love it. One of the first joys of mountain living for me, don't have to match. Okay, I try to clean up if I will be in the public eye, but somedays, it doesn't matter. I think about our neighbor Mary Joyce. She wore the look well. What is so funny now is this, Macy's have been emailing me about the new Ralph Lauren fall/winter clothes. Now, truthfully in my heart of hearts I wish I could carry off that look...the whole Chabang, boots, purse, dress, and jacket. For one, that is an expensive proposition and like I already stated...don't have the look. Now, over the years I have worn bits and pieces of Ralph. My favorite Ralph Lauren thing from the past is the room spray they sold. Had that spicy scent with overtones of tobacco and buryl wood. It was my goal to saturate our home in that fragrance so it would naturally be everywhere. It was a huge project that didn't work but gee, it was fun trying to do that. 

This morning I thought, gee where did October go? Oh yea, I remember now. Fall back tomorrow night. Thought, this is the perfect Sunday to come back cause of the whole extra hour thing. Believe me, I will need it. 

In other aspects of the simply and solitary life of the last month I have noticed that Roy's focus is sharper than ever but it is a lot of work to get him to not overfocus too much. Now, on the surface this will look like an unkind story but it is not. It just makes my point and don't worry I am going to tattle on me a little later. We went to Sam's after voting on Monday. Toward the end of shopping I decided to go wait out in the truck. Since I was coughing I got out two cinnamon mints that helps stop the coughing. Roy finished up and started loading the truck. So, I'm in the front seat and quite by accident I was going to cough but I didn't get the mints moved to the side of my mouth and when I inhaled, the two mints got stuck in my throat. They weren't very big, but it scared the peewadlin out of me. I immediately flop across the front seat and console, coughing and choking...I manage to get the mints dislodged. I looked back and Roy is so proud of his packing job. He never paid attention that I was choking until I told him. He said it just sounded like you were coughing, but here is the focus issue, I am flopping and flipping like a fish out of water in the front seat. Never caught his eye. Now add my ADHD to the mix, distracted and inattentive. I start on task but if I find something that amuses or interests me, no task is done. Roy's solution is once again now that I feel better to put me on a schedule. A schedule that fits with his. Uh, thanks but I march to the beat of a different drummer. Like having the sickness from hell has changed me into this focused and task oriented person...he has high hopes that will be dashed to the ground in no time. It's like the time we refinanced our home in Rancho de Five, the contract sat on the island untouched and not disturbed by me. Roy is pacing from the front door to the kitchen. I was sitting in my reading room watching the march of the tin soldier. Finally Roy stops and says, well, aren't you going to read the contract? Uh who is the lawyer here???? Not me! I asked if he thought I had changed in anyway because I trust him on that contract stuff but he thought I would take an interest in this endeavor. Unrealistic expectations. He left the room, I moved the contract to the other side of the island, opened it to a page. He was so happy to see that when he returned. My ADHD coping mechanism. 

I can say for the first time in a long, long while...I'm catted out! The Boys are great but the kittos have been a handful today. They have worn me out. Chubola is entering that special time in a young girls life. This afternoon we separated her from her brothers and we finally got her in from the back porch as she was attracting attention from a few of the just coming into age male cats. She is furious with us. We have ruined her life. No one is going to vote her prom queen nor will she be a cheerleader. She's pouting by lying in her litter box. We tried an experiment this afternoon that went 50% well. I brought Baxter and Buster up to the front bedroom. Buster, the alpha cat of the group, hid under the daybed but Baxter played, discovered the front window, and sat beside me. Both GMoey and Mr Mo came in and no one growled or hissed. We had a time getting Buster and then with Chubola outside and we finally caught her...thus the catted out nature of the afternoon. Nobody seems to be that upset about the split. 

Tuesday and Wednesday...A Okay

 Tuesday evening. The kittos are up, the boys have settled in and Roy is busy in the bonus room working on something. A quiet evening. Since I tried my hand at getting out and about yesterday I stuck pretty close to home. Got some things accomplished and thankful that this cough is finally settling down. 

One thing about yesterday, I saw the French Broad River for the first time and the scenes of destruction were a bit overwhelming. We voted early then gave Sam's a little bit of a try and I did okay but at the end, started coughing so I went to the truck. 

I feel like I am slowly returning to normal and believe me, that is something I had doubts over. Please do not laugh. Anyway, anything whether it was texting or moving or whatever seemed overwhelming and wouldn't and couldn't be done. Then slowly but surely I didn't need to take a nap to take a shower and then take a nap after a shower. For a couple of weeks I didn't change jammies too often cause it was overwhelming to even consider. There are some wonderful miracles that have happened during all of this and I am anxious to get them written out. Before Helene, we had every week scheduled with the ASPCA for getting the feral fam in as well as the kittos. My sickness stopped progress on getting them acclimated to the house and the boys. Anyway, they were scheduled because little Chubola is becoming a young female cat with two brothers. Last week Roy emailed with his contact there asking if we could get on a waiting list for cancellations. She responded we could bring in all three on the 4th. I tell you that is a miracle. People are vying and we are so thankful for this favor from them. 

Today, Roy was going to take the Mustang into Weaverville. Mustang Sam would not start. We have had Triple A for years and never used it until today. A bad cell in the battery and low on antifreeze. They got the car started and Roy took it over to the mechanics. Changed things out and Roy said the car is running like it is brand new. For this we also give thanks. 

I think we got our electricity and internet back around the 8th. Roy woke me up to let me know we were off the generator but I was fitful and couldn't get my mind around anything. I have often told Roy that I have a good track record coming back from health issues that should have taken me out but I also know that day is coming when it is time for me to go to Jesus and no amount of fighting can change that. The 8th I had told the Lord that if this was my time to go, I would not fight. That night after finally falling asleep my mom came to me in a dream. I rarely dream about my mom, only have those bad dreams with my father in them. In my dream I could see my mom walking toward me. She had on her favorite pair of shorts and this white short sleeve top that kept her cool in the summer. She was about 35 years old. It was as if she came to the very edge where she is in heaven and I am on the other side, here on earth. She knelt down to talk to me. She said, this is not your time to go. It is not your time to come to heaven but it is your time to fight. You have to fight this and get well. I woke up halfway expecting my mom to be there but I knew she wasn't there but I felt that this was a message from the Lord. My whole attitude changed from that time forward. Today Judy Carver told me a story about her praying for me...I just wonder if all this was at the same time? Wow! The Lord is so good!

In August I kind of stumbled upon Rowe Casa Organics. Troyer's in TN had a couple of their products. I tried the Magnesium cream first. Wow! Added Lymphatic cream and wow, wow! Since then I have added many more of their products and I credit their products so much that helped me these past few weeks. 

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Wednesday evening and I am exhausted. Another day out and about trying to build back stamina. We went to Haywood County for a couple of things. We made a stop at Barbers Orchard and I think this is the first time that I have not bought apple cider donuts, ever. Pears and apples. Went on over to Publix and first time in five weeks I have gone to the grocery store. I made it almost to the end but did the debit card thing and left Roy and the groceries. I sat in the car and ate 1/2 of an oatmeal cookie. Stopped to pick up BBQ. We were a little later than usual and they had already sold out of the brisket and ribs. I did my regular sides. One thing in these past couple of weeks is discovering Boars Head chicken salad with cranberries. I think I have had that sandwich everyday for a week and a half. Not too much sounds good, but it sure does. When we got home I rested and most probably I will stay around the house tomorrow to keep improving and getting strength back.

I am going to be back in The Joy Class on Sunday. It will kind of be SS light but I think it will be meaningful. I sure have missed the class. 

We just put the kittos to bed, so I need to finish this up or they will just sit here and cry at me. 

Penland's, One of My Favorite Marshall Places and My Friend Georgette

 

*these photos do know belong to me. Top is from USA Today and the bottom pic probably belongs to Ian.*

This is my friend Georgette. If you have ever visited me, for the day or days, we've gone to Marshall and we stopped in her store, Penland's. Her family has owned it for three or four generations. Even the the front displays carry a touch of nostalgia. The displays of modern Carhart, pajamas made in North Carolina, books about the wild stories of Madison County (there are some great stories), homemade products from the artisans in the area and sometimes fresh veggies and fruit. It is the heartbeat of downtown Marshall. 

I first met Georgette when friends took me to her store and introduced us. It was part of their Madison County tour because my friends grew up there and have a deep abiding love for that county. Cuman, Inez's husband, has some great stories and he knows the history, good, bad, legal and maybe some illegal. He has some of the best stories of moonshine days. He wasn't with us that day but he asked Inez not to take the river road to Madison. We swore secrecy not to tell Cuman we did. Oops! Anyway... Several weeks later I went back to Penland's and reintroduced myself. Her friendship took me right in. I'll forever be grateful for that. Since I was here by myself then and didn't really visit with people much, she was so patient as I talked and talked and talked to her. Then before leaving I'd always apologize that I had taken so much of her time. She was always gracious saying, I enjoyed visiting. When locals came in to shoot the breeze or pick up a few things, Georgette would introduce me just like I was from around there. Not too long after meeting her, she gave me her cell number and home phone number. She said no matter what time, day or night, call if you need help or anything. We are not that far from you and we will be there in a jiffy. I still have that note in my project desk room attached to a wall hanging so I would never lose it. In exchange I always shared oil and gas related news to her. Roy called one day and said it hasn't hit the news yet, but Colonial Pipeline is shut down. It is the pipeline supplier to our area of the country. I texted friends but one of the first I told was Georgette. Fill up your cars, your family members cars before the news hits and lines start forming at the gas stations. Over the years I sent her that alert several times. 

Downtown Marshall began a resurgence several years ago and Penland's was an anchor to that. Then Hurricane Helene came a calling and changed everything. Half of downtown, gone. Buildings that had survived the flood of 1916, gone. Six feet of water got into her store. Her family lost everything in that store, including 100 year old red oak floor and sub floor, the old display cases. Only the antiques on the very top made it, including Pee Wee Herman. Now they are trying to put it all back together. Mud removed and waiting on estimates for HVAC and other things. If anyone deserves our support right now it is Georgette. 

I am hoping that any Houston friends that stopped and shopped at her store might want to make a contribution of any size to the rebuilding of a business but so much more than that. If you come in the future, invest so that we can make a stop there. Georgette always takes care of everyone, now is the time to help take care of she and her husband and extended family to make a go of this again. Mountain Strong! Madison Strong!

If you would like to make a monetary gift to them, message me and I will send you her mailing address. So worthy of time and consideration. 

Just A Quick Yet Incomplete Update

 Howdy! It has been a while since I have posted on my blog. For the first time ever writing on Monablog, there was no fire within me to write. Didn't want to write and if I did have something to say, it was a little snippet on Facebook. Then at the end of September Hurricane Helene came rolling through but even before Helene, we had some kind of front stall out and we had 8 inches of rain the day before Helene. I will say I have never ever been through something like this. I wasn't in Houston for Harvey or Beryl but nothing like wind and rain and wind. The week before Roy and I did prep work, just like in Houston. Gutter cleaners punted on us so Roy and I did the best we could cleaning out the gutters on the back porch. We shopped, got laundry done cause we felt for certain we would lose power. Filled up the truck and the car. Like every good Houstonian, we had our hurricane prep box ready, complete with Pop Tarts. Every preparation brochure has the box and right on top, Pop Tarts. I didn't go get rain or snow donuts which is so unlike me. Many times I don't eat them but if they are in the house I am not craving them. I know now there was a reason why. 

As the storm came in Thursday afternoon, Roy stood on the back porch and read storm verses out loud to the wind. He must have been out there for about an hour until I finally called him in. The mountains were hit hard, very hard. I'll write more on that later on another post. Our little post office by the French Broad River had three feet of water in it. Houses gone. Buildings gone and the Alexander Bridge was one foot away by being over taken and probably destroyed. 

The strange thing is this, I kept asking friends about the aftermath but no one knew what that was really. Before, when tropical storms come though it is a rain event. Lots of people were making plans for Friday afternoon and night. I think now, everyone knows about aftermath. 

As the storm came and went, along came a virus or cold that attached itself to me. At first, I didn't give it a thought until I became very ill. I now would bet money I had Covid, really, really bad Covid. I wasn't ever stopped up or ran much of a fever but the coughing was killing me. I was supposed to have a Dr appointment on Sept 30th, but it had to be cancelled...no water and no clear way to get to the office. On the 9th of October we called EMS and they made a stop. With all the storm, death and chaos normally they would have taken me to the hospital, but it would take 6-8 hours for one to come and pick me up. Then most probably due to more serious and immediate emergencies, I would have probably been there a lot longer and really never seen. We all decided I had a better chance at home for now. After that and until we had to call EMS back because I had fallen and couldn't get up, I don't remember much. Not eating much, coughing up junk and no stamina, no strength. My eyes stuck together, my arms and legs would not or could not do the things I was asking of them. Roy took such good care of me. It wasn't until the 13th or 14th, that I began to believe I was going to make it. Slowly but surely I am getting better. Yesterday I had a setback but today I feel like once again I am on the road to recovery.

Next week I am going to get some bloodwork done to see if I have currently long Covid. 

Well, that is about it for now. I will try to be better with updates.

PS- Roy is taking good care of all the kitties