Article in my local paper says there were 69 noncompliance complaints in the past year, and yet nothing was done. Nine people have died, and 57 others became ill. Now they have closed the mentioned plant in Virginia to clean and ‘retrain’ employees. What purpose does the FDA’s Food Safety Inspections serve if they do nothing in the face of multiple infractions? Do you know how many food recalls there are every week? I get emails whenever there is a recall and it is astounding. Why do they not make sure food is safe before letting it out to be sold? I do not understand the reasoning behind this, unless of course, like everything in my country, it involves someone getting money some how, some where. Nothing involves the well-being of the citizenry, it’s all about profit for the corporations. You just cannot trust any agency, any person, any thing at all any more. Very disturbing.

Doctor advised me to stop chemo for a few days to see what happens, as what was going on with me was not normal side effects. Skipped Wed dose, was much better by Thursday evening. Brain working better, thinking happened, even got some things done. Skipped Friday as well, even better yesterday. So skipping tomorrow’s dose, and I have blood drawn tomorrow to see what this has done to my numbers, and I guess doctor will advise me where to go from here. How bad is this without taking meds for it? Are meds necessary for future survival? What does all this mean? Questions, questions. This doctor, though, is one that takes the time to listen to them and to answer them.

Been getting out more now that DD is living closer. Went to dinner a few nights ago at the really expensive but really good place just down the street from me. Can walk there with the Rollator. They have sidewalk dining, so I was okay. Turns out the town was having one of it’s summer concerts that same night, right across the street in the park. So dinner, acting silly, music. It was a very good night.

Today I got to visit my friend’s new puppy. She is so teeny and cute. Just like Gertrude was when she first moved in. Then we got a shake at the DQ, and I hadn’t eaten today, so got an order of fries, which was small, but also quite tasty. Don’t usually get anything but ice cream from the DQ, so was surprised at the good fries. Tired, but a fun day. Cute puppy is so freaking cute. Kept trying to eat my shoelaces. That’s all. 🙂

Why it does not tell you the truth. This is why they destroyed Twitter. You could get actual facts from people on the scene, anywhere in the world.

I think I fixed it. It was sticking on pages,not letting me go forward or back, then it froze on the ‘swipe’ screen, so was useless. I whacked it with my fingernails, punched the buttons, on and off’d it, restarted it. Several times. Had already tried all of these a couple of days ago and nothing. Finally, it unstuck it’s little self and is now working. So far. Whew! Discovered I can read my text files (I have a lot of fan fiction saved) on KOBO, but you can’t do anything but read and delete. I have several categories on my Kindle: Dump, Keep, Books to keep, etc., and can move things around. But reading is the main thing, and now I know I have a backup besides just reading everything on the laptop. So reasonably happy Jean is reasonably happy.

In other news, I am feeling really, really awful. All sorts of pain and just laying on the couch like a log because moving just isn’t on, having trouble thinking and concentrating. Not sure these are side effects of the ET or the drug, or just another fun thing my body has decided to torture me with. Have been getting very frustrated with things. Things I can’t do that I need/want to do, important calls I’ve had to leave messages and they never get back to me, homemakers who vacuum half the living room unless I point out there is more floor there, dearie, and who come early, come late, don’t come at all, and never notify me of any of this. So yesterday this one came late. I was already PO’d about the phone calls, feeling like trucks, many trucks, have run over me, and she is well over an hour late. ‘You’re late, says I.’ No, I am supposed to be here at 2:30. ‘No, you are supposed to be here at 1pm, like every other Friday.’ NO, that was just once because I had a cancellation.’ No, you are meant to be here at 1 and I have something else to do now.’ Well sign my phone for the visit. ‘No. Not doing that.’ Closed door. Oooo, so rude, Jean. For shame. But I just had had enough.Does she think I have no memory of all the other Fridays where she came at 1pm? If she ever comes back, I will apologize, but it is still really annoying. It’s like I am just here and they show up or not whenever they feel like it. IDEK. Over and done. /rant/

Bought the darn thing just over 13 months ago, and it has bit the dust. My Kindle Keyboard lasted over 12 years. Really, Amazon. Very, very, very unhappy.

Turns out it was a mistake at the lab. Could they not have double-checked before sending out the alert? Meanwhile, everyone is buying up bottled water and freaking out over having to boil water to wash dishes in. Sheesh!

I am feeling really awful today. No, that is not the headline, this is, and yes, it’s an old one:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/elon-musk-offers-to-end-legal-fight-pay-44-billion-to-buy-twitter

So I guess this means this disastrous destruction of Twitter, can be blamed on Twitter. Think about it. Real time posts of what is actually happening in any given crises, by the people who are actually there. Information that is not diluted by the biased media. A incredibly valuable resource for all of us, destroyed in the name of ‘Oh, my god, we are going to get so much money!’

From The Guardian: “Brain worms and dead bears: has RFK Jr finally tanked his presidential bid?”

Giving the astonishing level of idiocy a good segment of the population is exhibiting, I seriously doubt it.

Bloodwork shows numbers a a bit lower, so that’s good. No real side effects, just tired, tired, tired. Of course, I am always tired, tired, tired because of the other things my body has messed up with. And now, when I am supposed to be being super-cautious, and drinking lots of water, and blah, blah, blah, a tooth is crumbling so I need a dentist, and we are now under a ‘boil your water, even to wash dishes in’ situation. Fun times, people. Fun times. Think of that city that has had contaminated water for years now. Flint, Michigan. Had to look it up. . From our town’s website:

1 Minute 

Boil water for at least 1 minute

Use only boiled or disinfected water for bathing and food prep.

Water for drinking: There are two simple methods you can use to treat drinking water for microbiological contaminants (bacteria). Both methods are effective against bacteria in water.

1. Boiling: Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Laboratory data show this is adequate to make the water safe for drinking. You can also boil water in a microwave oven using a microwave-safe container, but it is advisable to include a glass rod or wooden or plastic stir stick in the container to prevent the formation of superheated water (water heated above its boiling point, without the formation of steam). The water should then be cooled and poured into a clean container or refrigerated until you are ready to use it.
2. Disinfecting: Use disinfectant tablets obtained from a wilderness store or pharmacy. In an emergency, you can use liquid chlorine bleach such as Clorox™ or Purex™ at a dose of 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach to each gallon of water. (Careful measurement with a clean dropper or other accurate device is required when using liquid bleach.) Let stand for at least 30 minutes before use. Read the label to see that the bleach has 5-6% chlorine.

Washing dishes: You may use a dishwasher if it has a sanitizing cycle. If it does not have a sanitizing cycle, or you are not sure if it does, you may hand wash dishes and utensils by following these steps:

1. Wash the dishes as you normally would.
2. As a final step, immerse the dishes for at least one minute in lukewarm water to which a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water has been added.
3. Allow the dishes to completely air dry.
4. You may also use boiled and cooled water or bottled water.

Bathing and showering: Sponge-bathe young children. Do not bathe them in a bathtub where they might ingest the water. Adults or older children should take care not to swallow water when showering.

Brushing your teeth: Use only disinfected or boiled water for brushing your teeth.

Ice: Use only disinfected or boiled water to make ice cubes. Freezing does not kill bacteria or other microorganisms.

Washing food: Use only disinfected or boiled water to wash fruits and vegetables or to rinse rice or other grains.

Hand washing: Wash your hands with soap and boiled water, or soap and bottled water. If you only have tap water to use, it is best to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after washing your hands. If neither is possible and your hands have been exposed to germs (such as after using the bathroom), washing with warm tap water and soap and thoroughly drying your hands is much better than not washing them at all. In these instances, try to keep your hands away from your mouth and use a hand sanitizer as soon as possible after you’re done.

Cooking: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food.

Infant formula: Use only prepared canned baby formula that is not condensed and does not need added water. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with contaminated water.

Houseplants and gardens: You can use untreated water for watering household plants and gardens. However, do not use untreated water on food plants such as tomatoes or berries.

Pets: The same precautions to protect humans apply to pets. Do not expose aquatic organisms (e.g., fish) to water containing elevated bacteria levels. If you need to refresh the organism’s water, use appropriately boiled or bottled water.

from The Guardian: ” Federal appeals court rules against Biden student debt relief program”

Remember this when you vote. The only help they are willing to approve is the help the Republicans are giving their fellow rich white men.

Unless, of course, you are one of those who think other people’s children starving is just fine so long as yours are fed.

I have now had three doses of the chemo, and no side effects. So yay. Have to have blood work done tomorrow to see what effect, if any, it is having. Hope it’s doing well so I don’t have to up the dose. No side effects is a really good thing, since I am the person who always seems to get them, even if I don’t know what they are in advance.

It has been a pretty icky summer, but here in New England, we do get days of respite. Had the windows open for a few days earlier this week, and open again today. Humidity and dew point are both decreasing. Yesterday, and a few nights ago, the humidity was 100%, and no, it wasn’t raining. The dew point was in the upper 70’s, too. Ewwww.

Time for lunch. Stay safe, wear your mask, and vote them out. Please.

Had an hour long convo with someone at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and am amazed at the amount of support they offer. Long discussion about the diagnosis and the medication, and it turns out doctor prescribed an incredibly low dose to start, and she explained the other options and why this is the best choice, so I am feeling a thousand per cent better. She was fun and funny, too, always a plus in my book. Just FYI, all this. Update: oops. Think I need to remove that image. Sorry.

I just did. Here’s a headline: Wickedpedia: Why is it called a CharlieCard? Does anyone remember the Kingston Trio? I am just sitting here giggling to myself. Don’t live in Boston, did not know it is called that, but pretty sure I know the reason. Good start to the morning.

Also: This is not Gertrude.

It is not going well, people. Not well at all. Well, some of it is going well, but in general I just cannot catch a break. New diagnosis. Genetic mutation in bone marrow causing high platelet counts, which apparently is a bad thing, and the recommended solution is oral chemo. OMG. Seriously? There are less serious choices, like phlebotomy, which works the same as donating blood, but my hematologist insists on the chemo. Was meant to start it Monday, but the saga goes like this: Could not get anyone to pick it up for me, called Walgreen’s Monday to see if they do delivery. YES! Same day delivery, but we won’t be delivering it til Tuesday. (Same day means something different in the pharmacy world, apparently) so waited all day Tuesday, finally called at 6pm to be told it was delivered. Well not to me, it wasn’t. Person checked and the DoorDash (DoorDash, the worst delivery service I have ever encountered) delivered it to the outer lobby. You know the one I have mentioned before that is open to the street. A toxic drug left in an accessible to any passerby lobby. I mean I am supposed to wear disposable gloves just to touch the bottle. Oy! They have no control over the DoorDash drivers, I was told. After some discussion, I was so not pleased that I just said ‘screw it’ and hung up. Fortunately, it was still in the lobby yesterday when my homemaker came.

Do not want to take this, but after much discussion with doctor, friends, and family, I am going to start Monday, only because youngest wants to be here when I take it just in case. Doctor wanted me to start it on Monday and not the weekend so he would be readily available if something goes wrong. That’s not ominous at all, is it? So anyway.

AND it is still freakishly humid and just will not let up. Humidity has been in the 90% range, but I think it is lower today. Do not think I would survive without the a/c, and I am wondering if my much increased pain levels are somehow related to the humidity, because even a/c cannot completely keep it not humid in here.

Please, for all our sakes, vote, and VOTE BLUE. Watched The House on Bird Street last night, and as I watching the Nazis do their thing, I kept thinking that this could happen to us, to you, to me, to our families, if we let the Republicans take over. They have already told us that it is what they are planning to do once they have all the power. Please vote, and vote blue, so they do not succeed. Not voting works the same as voting for them, if you weren’t aware, because fewer votes for the Dems means the Republicans get in.

Youngest is moving nearby, at least temporarily, and my declutter person is coming this afternoon, so good stuff still happens. Stay safe, people.