Stents, Gluten, and the Heavenly Blues

Long week, longer Friday

Loooong day yesterday…even though I think I crawled into bed at something like 8 pm. I’d actually invited Ann and Bob over for dinner for last night. I figured we’d make our one pan dinner (chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and kale) so pretty much no work. Thursday afternoon, while at CSA pickup it suddenly occurred to me that Ernie waa having his kidney stent replaced on Friday. I metaphorically slapped my forehead in disbelief that I had forgotten that. When Bob came to get his vegetables I said, “I can’t have you over for dinner…Ernie’s having SURGERY tomorrow!” I don’t think anyone found this as funny as I did. Oh well. It’s not the biggest procedure but it’s still surgery…operating room…general anesthesia…the works. He has to have it done once or twice a year and although it’s routine, it’s still not fun.

Owen was up for Ernie duty as Leo has done his fair share of late. Owen’s ability to remember things and get up on time can be iffy but we called and reminded him numerous times and he showed up, sleepy, but cheerful and on time. I did some some work and had a Zoom meeting while I waited. I don’t worry terribly about this procedure, but still, it’s my boy.

I texted Owen at one point to see how things were going and Ernie was already out!

They were home not long after noon. I gave Owen lots of hugs and sent him on his way after he got Ernie a glass of water, reminded him to drink a lot of fluids and repeated all the other instructions the nurse had given them. My boys. I tell you. They are the best. Unfortunately as the afternoon wore on Ernie really struggled with the aftereffects. He ended up talking to the surgeon’s office about it. Of course this was all late Friday afternoon. Sigh. They advised that he go to Convenient Care Plus (which I didn’t know existed) or the ER if things didn’t resolve within a certain timeframe. Fortunately he rallied but we both were utterly exhausted with relief when he did.

Utterly exhausted.

And for whatever reason I had slept terribly all week…not falling asleep until almost 4:00 am one night (not like me at ALL) so I was physically exhausted as well. I checked our bank account and my check had gone in so we broke down and ordered Chinese for delivery. We shouldn’t have spent the money but we are ridiculously low on groceries and just couldn’t fathom even thinking about cooking. PRO TIP: if you order from Peking Garden and ask for extra mustard you get a little container of real mustard, a totally different animal from the oddly textured stuff in the little plastic packets.

Today, we rest and try to recover. We’re watching a marathon of Australian Masterchef. I found a link on Reddit that lets me download season 15 because it’s not on Tubi yet. Then I cast it on our tv to watch and feel quite proud of myself.

We were supposed to see friends today but we rescheduled. We need a quiet day. Later I’ll send Ernie to the store and we’ll figure out a good dinner with some of our Sola Gratia vegetables. You should see the beets. They are things of glory.

I just looked at my shopping list which automatically groups things. For some reason, russet potatoes and ginger are listed under Product Development. This amuses me greatly. I’m so very glad I’m easily amused. I don’t know how you get through life otherwise.

When I was in the hospital for seemingly forever recently I defiantly ate food with gluten because, I don’t know, it made me feel good to rebel against my intransigent body and I got tired of the salads on the menu. It didn’t seem to bother me though so I continued at home. After a number of weeks that came to a roaring halt when my body said, “GOD DAMN IT, NOOOO, CYNTHIA.” I will spare you the details (you’re welcome, Chris) but I am back to no gluten, or at least low gluten, a little bit here and there is ok, but not on a regular basis. I am finally starting to feel a bit recovered. In my reading and discussion with friends, I hear more and more that people with gluten sensitivities like me fare just fine in Europe or when eating things made with European flours. I chalk it up to our country’s overuse of herbicides like Glyphosate in our crops but what do I know. ANYWAY, Ernie found some pasta at the store that said it had been made in Italy (and it was marked down to $1 for some reason). We had it with some kale and Calabrian chili paste the other night and it blew me away. Not the kale or the chili, but the PASTA. It was remarkable and so far so good on my end (heh).

We (meaning Ernie) cooked half the package of spaghetti. then added half a bunch of curly kale, slivered, to the pasta for the last minute or so of cooking. Then he strained the pasta and kale, added a tablespoon of Calaabrian chili paste (a bit heavy, less next time), some parmesan, an extra dollop of olive oil, and salt and pepper. It was fabulous but the pasta itself was really the star.

Leftovers with an egg on top were excellent for breakfast the next day as well.

And in perhaps the most important news of all, the HEAVENLY BLUES ARE GOING STRONG!

The other morning glories on this fence had gone by and while the Heavenly Blue vines went crazy, there was nary a bloom.

And then, just when I needed it.

The zinnias keep coming too. I love them so.

If you have stuck with me to the end of this, you are a patient soul. I hope you are well.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia