Spring Crapola

With the coming of Glorious Spring is my sister having breathing issues and now heart trouble.  Fortunately, she didn't wait too long and the doctor was able to diagnose high blood pressure, irregular heart beat and weakened heart (congestive heart failure).  So she stayed in KAISER Hospital overnight and they drained four pounds of fluid out of her lungs and ankles and feet.   I know the term *heart failure* is quite alarming, but apparently, that's what doctors want to call it.  (What about Naughty Heart Syndrome, eh, doc?)  Hopefully, she will come home tonight after two more cardiac tests.  The doctor seemed quite lovely.

Dead Pet Cemetery

According to a fabulous new book, LIFE AT HOME IN THE 21st CENTURY (2012, J. Arnold et al.), refrigerator doors are the final resting place for much of our modern detritus: advertising magnets, photos, kids' art, invitations, take-out menus, charts and real estate calendars.  While our 20 year old fridge has its share of these artifacts (I counted 47 items, oh dear!), I did notice something else: almost all the photos feature our late lamented dogs (particularly, Killer, our sweet-tempered Lhasa Apso), who were usually posing with a family member.  Meanwhile, our 35 year old box turtle wanders about the weedy garden, having the time of his life.  I expect he will outlive us all.

                                                        I liked Hideo Nomo too.

What I Ordered on AMAZON

What does one do while waiting for the Election of the New Pope?  Why, go shopping on AMAZON of course!  This is what I purchased in the last two weeks.  (No, I don't have a car and yes, the UPS man hates me.)

3 bottles of LYSOL Toilet Bowl Cleaner  (Buy 2, Get 1 Free!)  Only $7.41!  I have seen a bottle of this stuff for $4+ at the supermarket, so I think this was a good deal. Free AMAZON PRIME shipping too!

RESCUE Disposable Fly Trap, 2 traps.  $5.86 each.  This is no bargain but I can't be bothered going to HOME DEPOT either.  After about a month, particularly in the summer, you will have collected so many flies in this trap that the bag resembles a smelly bubbling stomach of writhing raisins. Delish!

LIFE AT HOME IN THE 21ST CENTURY. By Jeane E. Arnold, et al.  $16.47.  An interesting look at the way families live in the here & now.  Many many pictures of clutter.  Still, you haven't REALLY seen clutter unless you visit a flat in Tokyo.

CASABELLA LOOP 3 PIECE BRUSH SET.  $9.62.  3 brushes of varying lengths with extra rigid nylon bristles.  I could probably have gotten these cheaper elsewhere, but I like the different shapes & colors.

THE 106 COMMON MISTAKES HOMEBUYERS MAKE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM). By Gary W. Eldred. 2005. $11.35.  A little outdated, but still useful.  I purchased this for my brother who is looking for his first home.  Since his budget is exceedingly limited, I hope he doesn't wind up with some haunted fixer-upper.

HIGH CRIMES: THE FATE OF EVEREST IN AN AGE OF GREED. By Michael Kodas. 2009. $6.40 paperback.  I wish I hadn't bought this deeply depressing book.  So far, in the first few chapters, Everest seems to be populated by evil thieving Sherpas.  I hope the writing gets more even-handed by the conclusion.

LITTLE CITY DOGS Monthly Flea Control Pills, 12 Lufenuron Capsules  $25.  I was quite upset when I found that PROGRAM no longer produced the meds I used for my demon-possessed Maltese, so I am glad these suddenly showed up in my search.
                                      

                                                      

Waiting for a Pope

A deeply Catholic friend of mine flew to Rome three days ago, so she would be present for the Arrival of our New Pope.  She had never been to Rome before, so she went on a mad dash of all the tourist sites:  the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain.  So of course, for her first photo of the Eternal City, she had to email me this fantastic, unforgettable view.  LOL.

                                                    "I will never forget Rome!"