Day 4039

Whenever I tackle a project that I've been avoiding for a long time, I usually realize why I kept putting things off. Today I cleaned the deterrgent dispenser in the washing machine. This is a long sliding drawer with slots for detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. Over time it becomes caked with a nasty black scum. You'd think that if you kept pouring soap into this thing, it would stay clean. Nope. I don't know why it gets nasty like this, but it's a bear to remove from the washing machine and clean. Today, when I removed the dispenser I noticed a crack in one of the machine's exterior panels. The cracked panel had been hidden by the dispenser and was probably caused when an appliance repairman didn't reassemble the machine properly. I can't really blame the repairman. Modern equipment isn't built to be disassembled. I've taken apart enough things to realize that it is almost impossible to reassemble something to factory tolerances.

Eventually I got the part cleaned and reassembled, but I was smart enough not to start another project. I turned on the computer and paid some bills online. This was much easier. When I saw an option to go paperless on the bill payment websites I clicked on it. The only way I'm going to get rid of all these paper documents in the office is to stop getting new ones.

I had to go to the pharmacy and pick up a prescription as well. If I don't pick these up promptly, the pharmacy keeps calling me every day. I never run out of meds now. For some reason all my prescriptions get filled way ahead of time. I've told the doctors to just wait until I run out, but everything is on automatic pilot these days. It's easier to just save all the pills until I need then than it is to get anything changed.

Janet is making progress with Dawn. They walked a little further today and Dawn didn't balk or freeze at all. Janet said Dawn seemed to enjoy her walk, even though they didn't go nearly as far as we used to. It will be interesting to see how Dawn reacts when I rejoin them. We'll continue solo walks for a few more days and then see if we can all walk together again. It shouldn't make any difference, but we don't really know what Dawn is thinking.

In an effort to keep things interesting, I walked someplace new today. In this section of the park the Double-crested Cormorants roosted in trees and there were lots of small Bufflehead and Ruddy ducks. I wasn't that far from my usual path but the lake and the wildlife looked completely different. I ended up walking about six miles and that was plenty. I still don't think I'm getting as much exercise as I was when I went to the gym, but I'm not ready to return yet.

While I was at the pharmacy to get my meds, I picked up some fried chicken and a kale salad for dinner. You might not think these two things go together, but this is how I eat. I like smoked meats and fried chicken, but I do eat a lot of green vegetables. I don't walk fast, but I do keep moving. All in all, I think I'm doing a pretty decent job of staying healthy without punishing myself.

This week has gone quickly. I've taken the trash out to the curb, looked up at the grey, light polluted sky and wondered what I'm doing in Dallas. Next week I'll do the same thing.

Kasey is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day