Living Under the Umbrella

A Biscuitless Weekend

I’m so tired of talking about being sick or the whole mobility thing or Ernie’s various health issues but it’s like a big umbrella over us. It’s hard to get out from under it sometimes. Ernie’s having a horrible day. I managed to make breakfast for him and he felt a bit better after eating. It’s sometimes hard to get him to eat these days but I really don’t want him getting any skinnier. I have to figure out how to carry plates with the walker. I’d ordered a few things but they didn’t work. I need to take a look again.

I had been tempted by the Rose Bowl today as there is a mariachi band and I LOVE mariachi bands but it was not to be. Our colds do seem to be at least THINKING about leaving the arena, we’re mostly down to just coughing up small animals occasionally and being a bit tired.

Random notes:

Why on earth are remote controls made perfectly symmetrical so you can’t figure out whether it’s upside down or not? And thus you constantly hit the wrong button and end up somewhere like Fox News. Simple design solutions are possible people!

Whenever Little Guy and I clump toward the bathroom we have to pause before I shut the door because Sack, or Little Face, as we sometimes call her, likes to accompany me. She lays on the floor and happily rolls around and then trots ahead of me when we leave.

God help me I don’t think I have any other news. I was buried in work projects this week but it was satisfying even if I was cross-eyed by Friday.

Picking this up on the next day, Sunday. There was no Biscuit Day today. Ernie’s the tiniest bit better but still incredibly weak and tired. He made one unconvincing comment about making biscuits but I ignored him. I’m trying to get lots of water into him. I got him to eat some crackers and breakfast bar thingies as he didn’t want eggs (highly unusual). Then he dozed while I ended up doing some work because eh, it’s hard to have fun when you’ve got a sad tall sleeping gnome next to you.

I forced myself to get up and make some soup for dinner tonight. I had to throw away half a bag of kale—and this is supposed to be the year of less food waste in our house, damn it. The carrots were looking iffy but I washed them in a colander and they perked up. Speaking of colanders, I think it might be time for this one to move on to its next life in the recycling pile. I’ve had it for a million years. I had a nicer one from Ikea but I gave it to Owen. 🙄 🤷🏻‍♀️

I chopped up the carrots and gathered a few ingredients in my walker basket.

I sautéed the carrots and some sweet potato along with curry powder and ginger (ground because I’m lazy). When it got fragrant I added chicken broth, coconut milk, and a can of diced tomatoes. Then two cups of red lentils, salt and pepper. No onions or garlic because, you. know, Low Fodmap.

I did pretty well gathering ingredients, ok chopping carrots, started having trouble standing when I couldn’t find the spices in the spice cabinet and by the time I was dumping everything in and stirring I was hurting like hell and gasping even though I was perched on a stool by the stove. I should have taken a break but I got through it. Good thing I am a peasant cook at heart, otherwise I’d be horrified at my rushed and careless cooking. I left it simmering and Little Guy and I clumped back to our comfortable spot. Hopefully it will turn out and taste good to Ernie.

Thanks to Heather for mentioning A Mighty Wind. I pulled it up and we are watching it and I swear Ernie looks ten times brighter and is occasionally chortling.

Olney graced us with his presence, sitting in front of the tv, then sleeping behind it, then curling up on my bed and sleeping, stretching, sleeping, stretching. I gotta say when he gallops in front of you (primarily when he thinks it’s time to eat) he is absolutely magnificent.

I wish it wasn’t so hard to take pictures of black cats.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia