Well, yesterday turned out to be the worst possible day to get motivated to have an adventure. It rained all day and even the dog was hesitant to go outside. I did finally get her to accompany me to the cemetery, where we found Mary and Jesus enjoying a good soak.
We also found this curious bit of conspiratorial poetry on a lamppost. Why are people so obsessed with 5G? How is it any different from 4G, or from radio waves for that matter, or any of the other electronic noise that's buzzing through the air all around us?
Also, what's up with the random capitalization?
Otherwise, yesterday was pretty uneventful. Dave and I decided to join the rest of the Western world in watching a Christmas season favorite: "Home Alone." I remember when it came out, and it was such a cinematic phenomenon, but among all my cynical twentysomething journalist friends at the time it was the subject of much mockery and derision. So believe it or not, I'd never seen it. I enjoyed it in the way I would enjoy a marshmallow -- it was sweet and simple and then it was gone and I will probably never think about it again.
I haven't been feeling so great the past few weeks -- I've had intermittent fatigue and been generally bleah. I'm wondering if I have an ulcer. That may sound crazy, but remember how I had some abnormal results on a screening test a few years ago and wound up having to get a colonoscopy? (Which revealed nothing.) I've also had a chronic cough for years, and a couple of chest x-rays that showed nothing unusual. Well, an ulcer could explain both of those issues, plus my worsening fatigue. I think I need to see a doctor again. Getting an appointment to see our GP is always a gigantic challenge, and in this time of Covid it's even harder, so we'll see how that goes. Will I have to give up coffee and red wine? Sacre bleu!
I put the garden cam back out on Saturday, and wound up with some pretty good (but short) footage of a fox carrying what I think is a bone. Olga surprised a fox in the garden yesterday morning -- she chased it over a fence. I wonder if it was the same one? It looks pretty healthy, and it certainly moved fast when it needed to!
While I don't see the need for 5G for me, I don't know why people are so het up about it, and talk of 5G conspiracies. It's a great little capture of Mr Fox, or Mrs Fox.
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing foxes in our garden! And seeing one with a bone was a special treat.
DeleteIt still surprises me to see a fox in your city garden. What great video! Our friends' 5-year-old son just saw Home Alone for the first time and loved it. I loved it, too, when it came out but have no need to see it again. And oh how uPPeR CASe for no apparent reason gets on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteYeah, why on Earth are some of those words capitalized?! Aaargh!
DeleteHave you had routine bloods done ?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I had them done in July or so. Nothing unusual except high cholesterol, which is standard for me.
DeleteA good question John..know the base line...
ReplyDeleteThe present situation isn't helping, but you are doing well for yourself and Olga to keep walking.
We didn't step out yesterday either... miserable weather!!
Yeah, it's definitely the time of year to stay indoors.
DeleteRandom capitalization is a Sure sign that someone's brAin has been taken over By the aliens Who have lived Amongst us since nixon orDered the Faking of the First moon Landing back in '69. MAGA!
ReplyDeleteiT drIves mE CRaZY.
DeleteFoxes are amazing. Many years ago we had one slinking down the bottom of a vast garden, at dawn. Naturally, no one believed me. Till, the next day I took a shot. Not AT the fox, OF the fox. On the other hand, if I had had a shooter during those years the squirrels might not have been so lucky. As it were I just put up beer traps for slugs and snails. Hope they died a happy death without noticing the process.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your fatigue and other troubles. Thing is, and it's probably of little comfort, sometimes there is no actual physical reason to be found for discomfort. A most basic example: Your intestines cramp up. Big time. You go to the doctor. They find you as healthy as the driven snow. That's where the term "psychosomatic" comes into play. The psyche playing out via your body (soma). You know, say butterflies before an interview or getting married. Being sick at the thought of something. Now, before any of your readers groan, there is a big misunderstanding about "psychosomatic". It does NOT, can't emphasize this enough, devalue/poopoo anyone's symptoms. It's REAL. When it hurts it hurts. Alas we live in a time when we want to be given a diagnosis. Sometimes there isn't one. There is no prescription to right something. Ask a neurologist.
Having said that, Steve, please don't take "no" for an answer. If your instinct is that there is something "wrong" that can be fixed be insistent to have investigative tests.
Since you mention you had a colon what's it, here is a (to me) funny story: I was in my late twenties, my doctor none the wiser as to my symptoms sent me for same. HA! There I was in the waiting room. Waited. Waited. Waited. Plenty of time to conjure up the worst of what the test involved. I fled before my name was called. Drove back home. You know what? It was magic. I never had those symptoms again. Mind over matter? No idea.
All the best,
U
So you went through all the preparation and then bailed on the test?! Ursula! The prep is by far the worst part. But I guess things must have been OK at any rate.
DeleteYes. Get tested for the H-Pylori bacteria which is the one that causes ulcers and heartburn. If you can.
ReplyDeleteThese days are fraught with too much time to worry and fret, even for those who don't normally do so. And now I will be worrying and fretting over you! So please get to the doctor. I am sure you are fine but there has to be some reason for what you are experiencing, however benign.
Don't worry and fret over me! I'm just being cautious. :)
DeleteGreat little video of the fox. I still think it's fascinating to see these wild animals in the city. Sorry to hear you aren't feeling your best. Any aches or pains at this unusual time is distressing. It would be a good idea to get it checked.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how well the foxes have adapted to urban life!
DeleteI hope you get to see the doctor soon. I read the other day that a lot of people are postponing doctor office visits because of the virus, so maybe you'll be able to get in pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteGreat video of that fox.
For reasons that are too complicated to go into, it's very hard to get in to see our doctor. It has to do with the way they schedule appointments -- basically you can only make same-day appointments and they fill up VERY fast. I can't call and make an appointment for tomorrow. I have to join a giant scrum of people at 8 a.m. to fight for one same-day. It's a nightmare.
DeleteGet checked for covid-19 because the fatigue is one of the symptons. when i was admitted to the hospital in April for a blood infection they gave me the covid test and 4 days later told me I tested positive. I was hospitalized for 2 1/2 weeks. I was wearing my mask and being social distance as I possible could but I had to go to dialysis. I think some of the nurses or techs had it and wasn't telling to keep on working. You will never know where it came from. My son got tested and he was negative. He was the only one coming to visit me. I was given lots of anti-biotics for the blood infection and I think and most know it helped the Covid. With my underline health condition I was only on oxygen and not the ventilator. Get checked out as soon as you can.
ReplyDeleteI never knew you had Covid! Yikes! I'm glad you came through it OK given your other health issues.
DeleteSometimes when we're cooped up things seem more threatening than usual . However, after all that it would be very, wise to get things checked out. Follow what most of the comments have advised you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's better to be cautious!
Deleteyes, wouldn't hurt to get tested for covid. rained here yesterday too. almost 3".
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of rain! I don't think we had that much because it was misty and fine. But we don't have a gauge, so who knows.
DeleteI'm always fascinated at what you catch with your garden cam. I'm surprised at the wildlife you find in the midst of a metropolis. Yes, I think a covid test is in order.
ReplyDeleteThose foxes are very adaptable!
Deletemary and Joe in the hot/cold tub, getting ready for Covid Christmas, they will need all of their energy this year as many have lost faith...All of the Plane trees, greenspaces and parks in London do their best to clear the air but every time I am in London for more than three weeks I develop a little , irritating cough.As for lethargy, who isn['t, isolation takes a toll, BUT worrying none the less, If you think a doctor can help ( a little blue pill perhaps) then go see her, be told that you are fit as a fiddle- everything is "normal" - I do not know of anyone who is not low energy right now.
ReplyDeleteAre you allergic to London? LOL! Seriously, my cough could be related to external issues -- I've always thought Olga could be a trigger! But in that case I'll live with it.
DeleteHope you can reassure yourself with a doctor visit. Too much googling symptoms can scare you. Everyone does it but then you get a laundry list of possibilities that are frightening! Stay safe! Take care!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've learned not to Google symptoms, at least not too much. It's not very productive!
DeleteLove the fox! I've been feeling extra tired lately, but I am a huge hypochondriac and at my last physical my doctor was concerned about my low hemoglobin. We're pretty sure it was low because I'd recently given blood (she told me to quit going so often), but I've decided that I have a Condition and that's why I'm tired. Not because I only get 6-7 hours of sleep on work nights. If I believed that I would have to change my habits! Ha!
ReplyDeleteGiving blood WILL make you tired, at least in the short term. Maybe you should follow the doc's advice and keep more of your blood for yourself? :)
DeleteOlga Girl , What A Gem
ReplyDeleteCheers
She is a gem. No question.
DeleteThat Jesus/Mary photo is awesome! I think we're all going a bit nuts which is sort of a cover for all the grief and longing and just plain freaked out feelings. Hang in there, and please stay well.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think there's a lot of generalized anxiety about!
DeleteThat fox is amazing. Foxes in general, the way they have made cities their home. Clever creatures.
ReplyDeleteGet a blood test and a gastroscopy, which is much easier than the colonoscopy.
But I think our health in general is showing signs of slow ongoing unconscious stress and worry. For obvious reasons.
Sorry to hear you are fatigued. I hope you get to the bottom of it, and I hope it is something easily fixed.
ReplyDeleteJesus and Mary need a hot tub. They must be chilly.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Great Video. This conspiracy stuff is getting exhausting. What people will believe without one shred of evidence... And I don't know why Mary and Jesus having a good soak tickled my funny bone...
ReplyDeleteYes, get a check up, Steve. And a covid test for reassurance. In the US yesterday, they approved home tests for covid, the kind you can buy over the counter. By next summer, everyone will be able to know their covid status at any given moment. I feel a bit of deja vu to the eighties.
ReplyDelete