Monday 5/20/24

7:02a.m. I’m above the dirt and faced with another day. I had a good night with no weird dreams. I was up for good by 6:00. I turned on CNN. ICC has issued warrants out for Hamas and Israelite leaders, They were also talking about the death of Iran’s president Raisi. He died in a helicopter accident over the weekend. I turned it off when they get started talking about the Trump hush money trial.

I had a good breakfast. They served French toast casserole. The coffee was hot this time and the oj cold. I ate my breakfast and it went down ok.

I called Chocolatechip. She sounded a bit edgy. I had attribute this to her not smoking in her apartment. Chocolatechip said she had to scratch off the nutty buddy bars. She wants to make ake sure there is enough to buy frozen meals. I said that is fine, just bring yourself. Then she said she has a busy day. Walmart shopping at 11:00 plus laundry afterwards . We talked for a few minutes then she had to go.

I’m going to have another good day here in the nursing home. I hope they get me up in time for the coffee social. But no sweat if they don’t Life is still good

10:02a.m. I indulged in music therapy this morning. I listened to my favorite play list on You Tube. This consisted of a lot of old time country greats. I had the aides dancing around as they got me dressed and in my wheelchair. By the way, the aide I had was great this morning. She got me dressed and in my wheelchair in time for the coffee social.

So I made it to the Fiesta Room for coffee. Then I found out they were serving ham and pinto beans for lunch. I hate ham and pinto beans. I told the guy I wanted the substitute. So I’m getting BBQ chicken, corn. a dinner roll recipe and mixed fruit for dessert. I didn’t stay long at the social I had one cup and left.

I’m having a great day so far. I was telling my aide there is nothing like music to start your day off right. She agreed. I think from now on I’m going to play my music in the morning. It sure did put me in a good mood along with hot coffee.

I did have one slight problem. Like I said I had French toast casserole for breakfast . I got a bad case of heartburn and my stomach was very queezy. I thought I was going to be sick. I had to ask the nurse for some Mylanta. That settled my stomach somewhat but I still have a little heartburn. Remind me not to eat French toast casserole again. It does not agree with me.

I’m going to try and read my book To the Gates of Richmond by Stephen W Sears. I started reading this book last night. I read the first two chapters. I think this is going to be another interesting book about the Civil War.

11:10a.m. My exuberant mood didn’t last very long. Depression hit me all of a sudden. I dunno. I think I miss my girlfriend. I’ve been thinking about her a lot this morning. We hardly talked and she was on edge when we did talk. Chocolatechip is in inspection mode and is wrapped up with her chores. She has a busy day with Walmart ,shopping. I get all that. But I get so lonesome because I have nobody else tot talk with. I dunno I just miss my friend today.

I did try to read my book To the Gates of Richmond by Stephen W Sears but I didn’t get very far. I started thinking about Chocolatechip and couldn’t concentrate. I was thinking about the times we used to listen to music on YouTube. We would always do that after supper in my apartment. It was a nightly ritual and we had so much fun.i started missing her so much . It is breaking my heart that I have to be in this nursing home.

I should be getting back to my book. Chapter 3 is entitled “Siege.,” Sears writes that Abraham Lincoln agreed to McCellan’s plan to move the Sr y of the Potomac to Fort Monroe provided enough forces were left to defend Washington. But it was discovered that McCellan overestamed and half the forces didn’t exist. As a result Irwin McDowell’s 1st Corps was withheld to protect the Union capital.

12:31p.m. Lunch interrupted my dissertation on the Peninsula campaign. I made my way to the Fiesta Room. Lunch sucked. I was served spinach with my so called BBQ chicken. I hate spinach so i didn’t eat it. At least the coffee was hot and the juice was cold.

I made my way back to my room after i ate . I just got back in time to hear from Chocolatechip. She called from the laundry room. The shopping trip to Walmart went splendidly . She got everything she needed for inspection except trash bags. She got several tv dinners and a can of Maxwell House coffee. Everything was good. We talked for a few minutes then she had to take care of her wash.

i feel much better now. I’m going back to my book.

3:05p.m. I’ve been doing some reading. I finished reading Chapter 3 “Siege” of To the Gates of Richmond by Stephen W Sears As i said earlier Irwin McDowell’s 1st Corps was withheld from the Army of the Potomac to defend Washington. Sears writes that McCellan was furious with this move. For he would be deprived of the manpower needed to attack the Army of the Peninsula commanded by General John Bankhead McGruder. Through faulty intelligence McCellan thought he was vastly outnumbered. In reality the Union forces were out maned two to one.

McClellan’s thinking influenced his plans throughout the campaign. He was also under the false impression that enemies in Washington were out to get him. McClellan did have detractors from the Radical Republicans in the House and Senate. McClellan feared these people wanted to sacrifice him and his Army of the Potomac to prolong the war. They wanted to change it from a fight to save the Union to one of a abolishing slavery, according to McClellan’s thinking said Sears. Anyways I thought this was interesting.

4:23p.m. I could go on and on about To the Gates of Richmond and the Civil War. I don’t know why I like this period of American history so much. It has always fascinated me. I can recommend many fine authors on the subject. Bruce Catton for one. Then there was James McPherson Battle Cry of Freedom which won a Pulitzer prize. Then there is the late great Shelby Foote whose three volume narrative remains the best. These are three of my favorite authors and historians of that era.

Well it is almost time for supper. I hope supper will be better than breakfast and lunch. I didn’t get sick today because I haven’t been eating too much. This is another reason why I’m in such a good mood.

6:26p.m. Supper was ok. They served fish, scalloped potatoes, peas and a chocolate cake. I was hungry and ate it all. I ended up peeing myself for the first time today. I also got a little bloated but I’ll be ok. I’m experiencing mild belly discomfort. On a scale of one to ten the pain level is a three.

Chocolatechip and I talked a long time before and after supper. She didn’t elaborate but there is a lot of drama going on in Misery Towers . I said it’s probably drug related.She was talking to this one guy who was very strung out She said he was really flying and off the wall. Then Chocolatechip said Jenn got very pissed off at something and hurt herself by pounding her first on a table. Chocolatechip said there were a lot of other worse things going on but she doesn’t want any part of the drama. I said I don’t blame you one bit. We talked until she got sleepy and went to bed.

Chocolatechip asked me if I’m staying up to read. I said yes. I’d like to finish one more chapter. I have to study for the big test at West Liberty. She said I was delusional. I said part of my heart will always be at that college. I said I’m still kicking myself in the ass for blowing my chance in the 70s. Oh well such is life.

I’m really hurting now thanks to the hoyer pad. I’ve been sitting on it for twelve hours I hope I get a good aide who comes soon and put me to bed.