PERVASIVE PANDEMIC

I'm a bit ticked off today about people not taking Covid seriously.  So much false information, too many unvaccinated people, people wearing masks improperly, prominent people purposely exposing others after testing positive.  How can so many ignore history?

Pandemics started way, way back in time. 430 B.C. is the earliest recorded pandemic and happened during the Peloponnesian War. After the disease passed through Libya, Ethiopia and Egypt, it crossed the Athenian walls as the Spartans laid siege. As much as two-thirds of the population died.  Google searches listed at least 20 pandemics .. Spanish flu, Asian flu, Swine flu, AIDS, Ebola epidemic, Zika epidemic.  And from way back Bubonic Plague, the Black Death, Smallpox, Great Plague of London, to name a few.

This is the 21st century with medical miracles and educated specialists.  Why can't we learn from the Spanish flu, for example.

Any mortality comparisons between these two pandemics in the United States, 2020 and 1918, must differentiate between totals and rates. The current US population, a little more than 332 million, is more than three times larger than the population in 1918, estimated at 105 million. The 675,000 deaths attributed to the Spanish flu made up 0.64 percent of the total population, a little more than six in every thousand people.  By contrast, the more than 899,000 US deaths attributed to COVID-19 make up about 0.27 percent of the total population.  

(Newest Omicron Variant, thanks to NPR)

You have probably heard about Sarah Palin being diagnosed with Covid yet visiting restaurants in NYC.  (She really should be hung in Times Square).  And the heart transplant being cancelled as the patient refused to be vaccinated.

My family now wears N95 masks and avoid going to indoor public places, except groceries.  I canceled hair appointment, gyno appointment, colonoscopy, and dentist ... hoping to reschedule in March when the peak has passed from all the Christmas traveling and visiting.  My sister was invited to a friend's home with two other couples for dinner.  She said she'd LOVE to if everyone would agree to take a rapid test.  And everyone did, everyone negative and everyone had a worry free great time.

I feel it is time to get nasty with anti-vaxers.  Flood the media with negative consequences of not getting vaccinated ... like anti-smoking campaign and anti-drug messages?  It's almost to the point of refusing treatment to those who get Covid and have NOT had their shots and boosters.  (Feeling really mean, now, eh?). These public service announcements should get FREE air time on the Super Bowl, all sports shows and maybe the Hallmark Channel for the females.

Enough is enough!

TEN MORE THINGS ABOUT ME

I was a Nanny for two years.

I love reading cookbooks and recipes.

I was the only child of six who was breast fed.  Almost died of pneumonia at six weeks old.

People thought I was an Albino when I was a youngster.

I was generously let go while on maternity leave for complaining about sexual harassment.  

I maintained a 94 GPA throughout high school.

I played with Barbie et al even into high school.  Then I still played under the guise of playing with my younger sister.

My first airplane ride was in my senior year of high school.  Eighteen minute flight from Columbus to Toledo to visit my boyfriend's family (with my girl friend who was dating his best friend).

I learned to ski in Ohio and conquered the medium slopes.  When I went to Lake Tahoe to ski, I could barely do the bunny slope.

I love pepperoni and mushroom pizza.

NOW BUT A MEMORY

 

PROS and CONS of OREGON

Lucky for me, I was born and raised in Ohio, lived in the California Bay area, moved to Oregon, spent a few years in Maui and landed back in Oregon for grandkids.  My daughter and I are pretty close so things have really worked out well for us living together in close quarters.  Although this condo, at 1,250 sq ft 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms is a bit bigger than where I was raised ... with 5 siblings.  While I'd love to have a house with a mother-in-law suite, separate rooms for the boys and a big yard, with pandemic prices we are stuck here for a while.

We live about a 90 minute drive from the Pacific Ocean.  Unlike land-locked Ohio.  We are about 90 minutes from a 10,000 ft mountain where the Olympic Ski team practices all year.  In another direction there is the high desert country which is awesome to simply enjoy nature.

Oregon has more noticeable changes in seasons.  California just has one.  Perfect but everything is SO expensive.  First husband and I finally bought a house in the suburbs of the Bay Area ... and it was an hour and a half commute for me (each way). Too many people and too much traffic.

Ohio has high humidity and Columbus has become too populated (over 900M) while Portland which is expanding way too fast has 740M.

Oregon is a very liberal state.  Which is good in so many ways!  Recycling began in 1983.  Single use plastic bags were banned in 2020.  We started refundable bottles and cans in 1971.  Half of our electricity is from renewable sources.  We are rated in the Top Ten Green Cities in the United States.

Oregon was one of the first states to mandate masks.  And to close many indoor venues (bars, movies, restaurants).  We are still required to wear masks indoors in public spaces.  The Governor has now "asked" us to use N95 masks.

A few cons to toss in.  Two years ago we were hit with rampant forest fires.  Even our little suburb had to be packed and ready to leave.  This morning we have a tsunami warning from an underground volcano near Tonga.  We have had tsunami advisories but only 20 warnings since 1854.

Rain you say?  Yes, we get 43" of rain and Columbus gets 39".  Where I lived in Maui? 15".

But this is what keeps Oregon green and full of nature!  We have one National Park, eleven national forests, 361 State Parks and a national grassland.  We are lucky to have so many pristine and wild spaces to explore.  One State Park (650 acres) is about five blocks from home.

Life is just about as good as you make, no matter where you live.

70,000 MILE CHECK UP

This May I turn 70. It sounds old on one hand. But I feel 50 really. What number sounds "old" to you? I think 20 years older than me. It's a moving target. Should I put more investment into my health, I'm hoping for 100.


The past week I've been fighting a UTI. It won and I started antiobiotics on Weds. I wanted to just drop off a urine sample but they made me have a televisit with a new Doctor to the practice. He is very young and a little awkward talking about UTIs with a senior citizen. We survived, the lab tested and yes indeed it is an infection.


I'm getting serious about Type II Diabetes and have really changed up my eating habits. The CDC has a great list of low carb items to enjoy along with a suggested amount of carbs each meal accompanied by a list of common items and their associated carbs.




To supervise my eating plan, I asked my wonderful Doc for a prescription for a glucose monitoring system and this morning I used it. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes. I was excited to see mine was ALMOST in the prediabetes stage. A few years ago my waking glucose was 255. Now if I would just start walking I think I can reverse this disease. It's all on me.


Walking is NOT very fun or comfortable but I'm going to go three times a week. '





Bunion protection, hammertoe protection and spacing of other toes. Then bending down to tie the shoes. Otherwise I'll need to find aqua exercise.



The family is really helping me. I'm not invited to each kid meals (corn dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries, fish sticks, Mexican and Italian. I can enjoy a plain protein (chicken, fish, red meat), salads and steamed veggies. I do have one slice of homemade pizza on Friday night with a HUGE salad. Tonight Kate went out and bought salmon then baked it in a walnut vinaigrette topped with toasted walnuts, asparagus and basmati rice. Delish and I get leftovers for lunch.






I am learning to cook tofu meals and was delighted with my first attempt at crispy tofu cubes added to hot and sour soup. Next try will be Kung Pao Tofu. Eggs are just one carb. String cheese is one carb.


It's been a very busy week for me. My high school buddies wanted me to make some flyers for our upcoming 52nd class reunion (Class of 1970 turning 70). Hunger Fighters is stepping up to get a first quarterly newsletter out by Friday ... using a program I'm just learning.


My sister's husband's PSA went UP so I'm helping her stay positive and she is staying with him ... while on call they will be in Cincinnati condo, week off will be in Louisville (main residence) and NYC co-op for prostate treatment.


Life is never really easy! Chin up!!

 

DAYDREAMING

 

TO DRINK or NOT TO DRINK

Coffee.  

 

I do enjoy my morning coffee.  Every other year it is either good for you or bad for you.  Regardless, I still have one cup of homemade cold brew.  With cream (not half and half).  I make it last for over an hour.

But I was excited to see that it is "in" this year!  Maybe I'll do one and a half cups!

BONKED BY THE BOOSTER

I got my Covid booster on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday I had a HUGE headache, a big hard lump at the injection site and mostly slept the day away. I did enjoy a slice or two of Kate's fabulous homemade pizza and a salad, then back to sleep at 9:00 pm until 10:00 am.  My split of Prosecco is still in my fridge.

Saturday the headache is gone and the injection area is beginning to itch.  Still extremely tired but you know how much I love my new bed and sleeping is my great hobby.  Should be even better by the time you read this.

Let's beat this Omicron as soon as possible.  I'm now wearing N95 masks IF I go indoors with others.  I'll probably always wear a mask because I feel healthier not breathing in germs.  Many countries do this so why not us!?  

Luckily I have roommates who will do the shopping.  After my injection at Safeway, I did a bit of grocery shopping.  I was shocked at how empty the shelves were and how much prices have increased.  Little guy loves Jimmy Dean sausage links.  They have gone from $3.99 (Walmart) to $8.99 (Safeway).  Cereal is $4.50 a box.  I guess we will order non perishables from Walmart then pick up curbside.

Stay safe, connected with people, happy and healthy!  Happiest of New Years to you!!