Just need to talk to my friends (213)

Good morning.

Beth, I've often thought of those climbers who died on the mountain. That sounds like an interesting movie.

Carl, enjoy your show in Branson.

Iris

Beth and Carl - the book "Into Thin Air" was excellent. I read it in an afternoon. Can you imagine being Beck Weathers? Being left for dead multiple times?

I think the thing I remembered the most from that book was the statement that climbing Everest is all about pain management.

The other thing that stuck with me were the huge ethical issues. When do you help, and how much do you help? When do you preserve your own chances of survival over others? Is there a duty of care toward your other climbers? I'm not sure that k Jon Krakauer meant to do it, but there is a striking difference between him and David Breashears (who wasn't even part of their team).

And then there are the good judgement/bad judgement issues…..

As an aside, a friend of ours, who also read the book when we both did, told us that she had a recurring dream after reading the book: that somehow, out of nowhere, she'd end up at base camp, and she was going to have to climb Everest. She'd try not to end up at base camp, but would always end up there anyway.

Yes, she lives alone and should not….part of the problem.

Judith, I hope your sister will be okay in Florida.

My Bunco group exchanges gifts. I went to Trader Joe's and got everyone these Cookie Mug Hangers. I thought this was a cute idea.

We also play the Christmas Gift Game. My usual gift is a book of stamps. I like to give practical gifts that anyone can use. The ladies seem to have liked the stamps in the past.

It's time for bed now. Good night.

Iris

Good morning all.

Jerilynn— The view from your kitchen is really pretty even with the fog.

Mint— The fritter's recipe reminds me a bit of how crabcakes are made.

Ron— I bet Jessica Simpson was hoping people would ignore her. The woman gets terrible press.

Lorita— Your dogs are seniors for sure. You've obviously taken wonderful care of them over the years.

Judith— I am sorry for your latest family complications but you description of the "flying-monkey" niece made tea come out of my nose. What an image that conjures.

I do hope she sorted out quickly and with a minimum of fuss. I've heard stories of Florida's lucrative professional guardianship industry that absolutely terrify from mom's old neighbors.

Iris— The cookies are a cute idea. I may look for some if I get to Trader Joe's before the holiday. I have to drive to NJ to make that happen. How do I live in a county without a TJ???

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I've mostly been laying low at home after a very mom-centric week.

Yesterday was busy. The plumber called at 7am to say the sink he ordered for us was damaged and that he'd need to find another. It's biscuit/bone which is no longer common. Since I'd prepared to be home, I threw DH a bone and suggested we go see a movie he wanted to see. Then the plumber called back saying he'd found a sink after all and could be here at 10. One of his men came, swapped the sink and faucet out in under an hour. It was so much better than the stooges who did my hall bath update last fall. And the price seemed fair as well.

We made it to the movie. DH enjoyed it. Fackham Hall. I normally enjoy British comedy but this seemed like it could have been a 30-minute TV show. I was actually bored. As an aside, I don't normally go to big commercial chain theaters, so yesterday seemed really odd. Maybe because it as a Monday matinee? The box office was replaced by 2 electronic kiosks, there was a single person working concessions ($12 for a small popcorn???), one taking tickets and a handful of moviegoers. The whole vibe was kind of creepy— scary even. DH and I were the only ones in the movie we saw.

We had enough time to swing by mom's place and found her napping in a chair w/o her oxygen. It look like the canula dropped off when she nodded out. I did check her O2 and she was maintaining 88 on RA at rest which is pointing in the right direction. DH got out all her Christmas decor and I set up the 4' tree I lent her to use. We were able to set it up on a tea table between the dining area and living room which means she can actually see it. She normally sets up her 8-footer in the middle of her sunroom which is behind her back when she's in her chair. It's a lot of work to set up/take down and I don't have spoons for that at the moment.

I did get one tree up and decorated here in my office and set up my other 4-footer in the dining room for me to do this morning. Mom sees her cardiologist this afternoon. I wasn't able to get a slot in the satellite office so it's on the Penn campus (I've only ever Ubered to this hospital) and super inconvenient as the battery life of mom's concentrator precludes taking the train.

Below is the Barbie tree. I was kind of disappointed in it coming out of the box. It's advertised as 5'— it's actually about 54" tall in the stand. It's advertised as "pre-lit"— it is not; it came with a string of mini lights. I was going for camp and it certainly is that. I mean, once you go pink, you've abandoned realistic as a goal.

Out of the box—

And after its "Glow Up".

HB

HB are the decorations versions of barbie, princesses or ?? It made me smile.

So amazing that Beck survived, but his body took a huge hit. It was sad that Rob died; he was there beyond the 2:00 pm deadline for turning around in hopes that Doug could summit. And they both lost their lives. In the movie, Rob talks with his wife by phone and they discuss what to name the baby she was expecting. Not sure if that really happened as it wasn't noted in the book.

It was a very good book, but sad. Thank you for recommending it!

Judith - I hope you're sister's okay!!!

Iris - I love those mug hangers! I may have to make the trek to the TJs nearest me (which isn't near) and grab a couple of boxes of those. Very cute gift idea.

HB - I'm glad the whole plumber adventure worked out and that you got what you wanted.

$12 for a small popcorn? What drugs are they on?

Your Barbie tree fluffed up quite nicely! Are those full-sized Barbies? Mint-in-box Barbies? It's a very fun and festive tree - almost like candy. I only have a couple of Barbies myself, and both have had haircuts, one has a multi-color dye job, and the other one is minus a leg - it broke off at the knee (ooops). I'm afraid they are not tree-worthy.

Lorita - You've been busy!!!

Beth - I'm glad you liked the book! So amazing that Beck survived. I think I read somewhere that he became a better husband after that experience, and he also became a motivational speaker. He might still be a doctor as well. There was a lot of sadness in that book, but also a lot of bravery.

Can you imagine crossing a crevasse using a rickety ladder on the Khumbu Icefall? It's the stuff that nightmares are made of.

We're in the middle of an atmospheric river right now. Yesterday's weather was wild with lots of rain and wind, today it was fairly quiet, but is going to start up again over night and into tomorrow. We probably won't venture too far from home tomorrow or Thursday.

HB, the Barbie tree is pretty.

Lorita, my cat Adam is supposed to take a probiotic. He refused the last time I tried to give it to him. But I have to try again because he threw up a lot this morning.

I had a cardiologist visit today. He wants me to have a trans-esopgageal echocardiogram at the hospital under anesthesia. I don't know about going under anesthesia.

I'm going to bed now. Good night.

Iris

Good morning

Good morning!

Beautiful skies, Sandy and JeriLynn! JeriLynn, your lampshade is pretty!

We had a very nice day yesterday. No precipitation, no wind, temp in the 40's. Overnight the wind started with gusts up top 60-some mph. The wind was strong enough that it blew snow off parts of the yard and exposed the grass. The wind should die down, then we get some flurries. More snow for the weekend - it's been happening every Saturday!

HB, I'm sorry your knee is so painful. I suppose you've tried things like Capsaicin gel, Lidocaine patches, TENS unit. Surgery sounds like the key to getting relief. So sorry you are dealing with this. An ottoman for your mom? I use one on both of the love seats I sit on - my legs are short and would just hang, not reaching the floor, without the ottoman. That sounds like a good idea for your mom. The Nerdwax glasses cleaners are a hoot!

Mint, how were your chicken fritters?

Iris, the gingerbread mug hangers are adorable.

Lorita is your eye feeling better? I hope so.

Judith, I'm with you on the charitable donations as gifts. We do that with my sister and BIL. Oftentimes it's St Jude's but also have done American Heart Association and animal shelters. Hope things go ok with getting your sister the help she needs.

Ron and Carl, you are going through first (or ? second) Christmas without a dear loved one. I'm thinking of you and praying for you as you go through this. My only thought is to try to keep busy and don't isolate yourself. I'm no therapist and no expert but just a thought.

Carl, Linda Ronstadt was amazing and so was Norah Jones and Alison Kraus. Do you like Michael Bublé? I think he's pretty amazing as a singer and as a human being. I watch the Voice where he is a coach. He is so kind to his people and he has a great sense of humor.

Today for us, weather permitting: DH going to dentist (checkup and cleaning) and me going to pickup Trazadone for my dog and get my nails done, weather permitting. Basketball on TV tonight, Arch Rivals playing each other - have any of you heard of Audi Crooks? She's touted as one of the best female players in the country. She is all over the internet (accolades). She's had a 43 point and 47 point game this season.

Have a great day!

Beth