golfers, et alia

Well, I got my AMC A*List trio done today!

On Sunday afternoon, I'd ventured forth for the Sally Hawkins film about golf.

She's one of my favorite actresses, so I do try to see anything she's in.

As is par for the course, she brought her A-game to this one, as the ever-loving, ever-supportive wife of a middle-aged man who suddenly develops a fascination with being in the British Open.

(Got that little golf humor? Hahahaha!)

Based on the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, the story is delightful!

As an encouragement to all of us to follow our dreams, whether it is to be a painter in the same vein as Picasso or a late-bloomer golfer like Arnold Palmer, the most important factor is to try.

Just that: try your hand at it, you just might surprise the world.

(smile!)

Indeed, I enjoyed the film so much, I used my third A*List selection to see it again, this very afternoon, and enjoyed it as much as I had the first time.

I had originally intended to see "Lightyear" again, but changed my mind, as the animated film will still be available tomorrow, but this sports movie will not.

As for the second film of my trio, I used that for the first Big D movie I've seen in a while.

I was one of ten in a screening room that seats 500.

Sure, it was a weekday afternoon... but it may have been the movie.

I had hoped "Elvis" would be a concert-rich film, like the TV special on it last week.

Sadly, that was not the case at all.

The entire movie was told from the perspective of "Colonel" Tom Parker, a carnival huckster who spent his life dependent on the talents of others to make his living.

Rather than a story about Elvis Presley, the movie was full of the false notions of the man that Parker perceived Presley to be.

What a box of sour grapes that was.

It reminded me a lot of "The King", a 2017 movie which I saw in 2018. 

That movie's hook to tie it to Elvis was one of Presley's cars, used as the eye catcher on the road trip that was the format used.

Neither movie left me with a desire to view them ever again.

And both movies, near the end, used the exact same footage from the televised concert with Elvis in July of 1977, with him crooning "Unchained Melody".

Seeing the man miss his mom, hearing his loss still in his voice after almost two decades - that was the only part of the movie that touched me...

and it had nothing to do with the script or the director or the actor.

Better luck next time, y'all.

Now, let me go through the mail.

My other COVID tests arrived today, so I now have seven to use.

I'll run another check of my status tomorrow and hope that it's negative.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to mask up around others.

I called the cardio doc today, as per my PCP, to let him know I've got COVID.

Paige is the one I spoke to, of course, so I'm hoping she enters the note into my record.

She is certainly a vivid ditzy!

(smile!)

day 11, but who's counting

Me.

I'm counting.

And, no, I am most def not happy about it.

This makes five days that I've sent rough swabs up into each nostril, rubbing until my eyes water.

Not that I've done that five days in a row.

I don't think I could have stood that.

But I swabbed a week ago Monday, doing the process correctly, but not collecting enough sample, so that was a false negative.

Damn.

Then, on Wednesday of last week, I tried again.

That's the topmost test in this quartet of positives.

The next test was on Friday, and it was positive.

Then, on Sunday, I used the last of the home tests that I had, hoping it would say my bout with COVID was done.

No, that test again showed I was still positive, though the lines were fainter.

Yesterday's mail brought in four more home tests.

This morning I used the first of them... and thought at first that I was negative, even tooting the news to Christina and to my ex.

Only later, when I turned the light on, did I realize there was still a faint purple line under the 'T' marker.

Damn.

Damnity damn DAMN!

I feel fine, I really do.

No fever, no cough, no shortness of breath, no headache, no sneezing, no anything.

Yet, the test insists that I still have the coronavirus active in my body.

That means I could spread it someone else if I don't wear a mask.

That means I should stay home and keep self-isolating.

That means I certainly cannot sit across from anyone and share a meal.

I know Christina had hoped we could have lunch today.

So did I.

I know my first niece is still hopeful of having lunch together tomorrow.

Me, too.

Tomorrow's test result needs to be negative.

from infinity - but not beyond

It was a rainy afternoon, with a bit of a thunderstorm rattling through the neighborhood.

But that was okay by me.

For one thing, it made everything just a bit brighter and certainly a bit cooler.

Not that's it's been bad, mind.

The highs of late have been just the upper 80's to low 90's, which is a relief given the mid-teen's of the last two weeks.

You can even tell from this photo that it's cooler - 

I have the front door wide open.

And doesn't that dragonfly look lovely?!

I had not realized how well it color-coordinated with the front door until just now.

That first niece of mine has good taste in gifts!

(smile!)

Speaking of gifts, I got one from Xfinity, too!

In fact, I'll be receiving gifts from them every Tuesday until the end of July!

I'm going to regard them as late birthday presents. 

I am!

Each one will be a movie to add to my on-TV 'cabinet', to pull up and enjoy forever after - well, as long as I'm a Comcast subscriber.

To me, each gift from them represents a return of some of the money I've paid them over all these years.

Today's gift was "Independence Day"!

I had forgotten how many people I knew in this 1996 movie!

Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Will Smith, Vivica A Fox, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Harvey Fierstein, Mary McDonnell, Harry Connick, Robert Loggia...

and all of them in a 26-year-old time capsule of how they looked a quarter of a century ago.

But the one thing that most impacted me?

The Las Vegas of 1996.

Some of those famous spots don't exist anymore.

The Stardust Resort and Casino was demolished in 2007. 

The Silver City Casino has been refashioned into a shopping mall.

The Desert Inn was demolished in tow stages, in 2001 and 2004; the Wynn is there now.

The Sands Hotel and Casino was imploded soon after this movie came out; that implosion was captured on film and used in "The Cooler", while the demolition was part of the footage in "Con Air"; The Venetian now calls that patch of real estate home.

At least some of these famous signs can still be seen at the Neon Museum!

There's always a little something left behind, right?

Now, I wonder what movie I'll receive next week for the new Tina Tuesday?

(smile!)

service day at the weakest link

me: Who thinks k-pop is a breakfast cereal?

her: Lol, not me

me: :-)  Jane is on.

her: i watching

her: How did he get Peppers wrong

me: Terrier

me: So bad to miss Calvin and Hobbes.

her: Right... they missed easy ones. I got all of those correct.

me: Who's wit hit the fan? LOL!

her: lol

me: Math always gets people.

me: Fun guy!

me: Not a good round. 3 of them got no questions right? Wow.

her: Wow. I missed that round. I was pouring the kids to bed.

me: They are liquid from the pool?

her: Lol, no. My swiping finger is being lazy.

me: What a total ditz. And who has a turtle with the same birthday and age? Ditz.

me: Swiping finger of fallacy!

her: She seemed like an airhead.

me: Totally.

me: That was a good movie, but intense and sad. Promising young woman.

her: Never seen it.

me: Did he confuse a dragonfly for a moth???

her: Yes. He deserves to go home for that one.

me: Yow.

her: They suck

me: Yeah, should be a low pot at the end.

her: That would be my guess.

her: Bye jenn

me: Catty! LOL!

her: LOL. Andrew does need to go

me: Curtis is funny and kinda cute.

her: I said legend too

her: Good guess with lifetime.

me: He's had several in top ten, but not number one.

her: That round was better.

her: Wow, I didn't realize Sarah was that bad.

me: More money, too, even with fewer players.

me: Redhead is gone!

her: They are killing off people in order.

me: Yeah, I noticed that. Odd.

her: Jane mentioned it earlier. She said it was no fun knowing who was next.

her: I think that trend will end this next round.

me: Missed that. Must have been typing.

me: Well, if Andrew is next off, that will be true.

her: We shall see

me: Or am I recalling their line-up correctly?

her: You are right

me: First bank

her: Why is Andrew rolling his eyes at Gabby's 1 wrong answer?

her: Wow, Gabby isn't doing so well this round

her: WOW. Prince??? SMH

me: Bad that Gabby missed one about a Gabrielle.

her: If they don't send Andrew home I quit.

me: Lol! 

me: Well, guess I have to tell you bye.

me: Andrew still there.

her: Still going in order.

me: That seventies show!!! Lol!

her: He is making me angry... Andrew will make it to the final 2

me: Making it a slam dunk for the other.

her: Yep

her: Just to see who goes next

me: Oh, snap!

me: That's what I thought!

her: LOL, the idiot gets the deciding vote

me: I like Walter. He reminds me of Idris Elba. Hope he wins!

me: Like I said, should be a slam dunk!

her: Yes he does. If Andrew wins I will lose all hope for humanity.

me: Lol! Too funny!

me: All hope?? Lol!

her: Yep, all of it

me: Well, I think you need not worry. Andrew is toast.

me: Okay bartender! let's win!

her: Let's go Walter

her: Harlem?

me: Walter! Walter! 

her: Nope

me: Ride

me: Damn!

her: Sally

me: Walter!

her: Yay!

me: Wake up! Yes!

her: Pinterest for the win

me: That was a lot closer than it should have been.

me: Glad the right man won!

her: Indeed

her: on both counts

me: Glad you could join me!

me: or me join you!

her: Me, too. I do enjoy watching TV with you

me: <3

all masked up and out the door!

Like I told my cousin Lynn, who recently broke her wrist, "A woman living alone has to heal faster. There's no one else to do the cooking, or do the laundry, or do the sweeping, or do the dish washing, or do the shopping."

She totally agreed.

So, on Day 8 with COVID, as I am presuming I still have it as I have no more tests yet to confirm or deny it, I went out to take care of business.

First stop was the CVS on Wilmington Island.

The manager had told me when I was last there that she would make sure to order more of the Ensure for me.

It's special, being made of plant protein instead of whey protein, which is full of lactose.

I had tried both the vanilla and the chocolate flavors and much refer the vanilla.

(For comparison purposes, I'd also picked up two different brands that were lactose-free, to see how they would taste and to check the mouth-feel.

The Owyn was better than the Ripple - which always makes me think of Boone's Farm wine, though that would have been decades ago - but neither was as tasty as the Ensure, and the Ripple tended to leave an aftertaste.

Also, all three had 20 grams of protein, but differed in amounts of fiber.

The Ensure and Owyn each offered 5 grams of fiber, but the Ripple only had 1 gram.

Okay, that wraps up that experiment!)

True to her promise, the manager did have more in stock, so I bought two of the three four-packs of vanilla on the shelf.

Next on my list: groceries!

Specifically, that meant milk, of course.

Food Lion was my destination, thanks in large part to the birthday gift card that my youngest brother and his wife gave me.

Through careful shopping, I parlayed that $50 into $63, not including more than $14 in savings along the way!

Oh, yeah, I know how to shop the sales!

And I even came home with three half-gallons of my milk, four containers of hummus that was about 70% off, and the last four cans of no-salt-added Rotel on the shelves.

Oh, and cheese, of course!

Plus corn on the cob and popsicles!

Oh, yeah, I've got some good groceries now!

I'll have to be sure to write them a really nice thank-you card!

(smile!)

isle of dogs, revisited

My great-niece Ally has had her tonsils out.

She had her 13th birthday at the top of this month and really enjoyed the science I sent, as well as an Adventure Journal and a package of Bob Ross sticky notes.

She's a big fan of dogs, which means this was exactly what she needed to perk her up!

"Hope to see you back on your paws soon!" the little tailwaggers say!

I said, "Hope these critters - their fronts and their backsides! - bring a grin for you! 

This card reminds me of one of my very favorite movies about dogs: "Isle Of Dogs". 

Maybe it's one of your favorites, too?" 

with much love!

G'Aunt Tina

I had posted this love in the mail a few days ago, hoping for the best: that it would make her smile.

Well, mission accomplished!

Her daddy texted me this afternoon to let me know!

Boone: Thank you for sending Ally the card!!!

me: How is she? Back to eating ribs or still on ice cream?

Boone: Hahahaha. Noodles right now.

me: Pasta is good! Can put cheese on it!

Boone: Ok!!!! Hell yeah! Pasta is always good!!!

me: Got to maximize the protein so the body can heal. :-)

Boone: Yup!!!

me: Love y'all!!!

Boone: Love you!!!!!

(smile!)

day 6 with covid, up close and personal

The good news is: I did NOT give the disease to my brother on Tuesday!

Hallelujah!!!

I called him moments ago and he was very surprised that I called to check on him.

Of course I would!

I had called him on Wednesday as soon as I found out I had COVID.

Apparently, that very first test on Monday was a false negative.

Just like any other experiment, there is no such thing as "one and done".

These home tests are best when they are used on multiple sequential days, like pregnancy tests, to assure reproducible results.

Obtaining a clear "C" line is an assurance only that the procedure was followed correctly.

Having that "C" line does not mean your sample acquisition process was sufficient.

So, now I know.

If your eyes don't water up slightly when you're collecting the sample from each nostril, then the swab was not where it should be and you were not rubbing enough.

Good to know.

That line should be in the instructions.

And for those who are wondering how I know the source of my infection, let me add that I had contacted my sister-in-law and she was COVID-free.

That meant the Thursday-night country concert was not the source, as she and I stayed together the entire time we were at the arena.

I already knew full well that I had not been exposed at any of the three medical appointments I had on Wednesday or Thursday, as all parties remained masked at all times.

That only leaves the ballpark as the source.

I do wish the Savannah Bananas were still checking forehead temperatures upon entry.

That would definitely be a "Fans First" thing to do, right?

Keeping everyone safe and healthy?

But that practice is not on their roster anymore.

Seems like it would be, considering that they oversell every game, forcing some fans to stand throughout until families with young ones start leaving around the seventh inning stretch.

True, they have started putting chairs out on the front apron of Grayson Stadium for those who need to take a break... but that's hardly the right thing to do.

There's no view of the field from the front of the stadium.

Anyway, 'nuff said 'bout that.

Folks on fb have been sending me love!

Very nice, right?

Here, have a gander.

 

* * * * *

Yvonne Pizzo Roach
I hope it’s not severe and you recover quickly.

Susan Carlile
Oh no! Take care, hope you're feeling better soon!

Andy Peña
Get well soon, sweetie

Penny Walker Bos
Rest well sweetie pie! Wish i could cook for ya!

Jeff Powless
Please take it easy Tina! 2024 is just around the corner!

Stroud Williams
Take care. I had the first version in Feb 2021. Was no fun.

Marcia Ford
At least you will have it over with hope you're feeling better soon I love you Marcia

Faustina Smith
The government is now sending out packages of 8 test kits, rather than 4, via USPS.
Free.
https://special.usps.com/testkits

Kate Strickland
That is only if you have not ever ordered before. I have already received my 8 kit maximum and can no longer request tests. Good thing I have plenty for Friendly Neighborhood NP

Venita Johnson
Faustina, thanks. Hope you feel better soon. I think it might be in the air.

Faustina Smith
Kate, I had never even taken a COVID test until this week. The ones I have were from the initial sending of 4 to each home. I've ordered the 8-pack and am awaiting them now.

Jan Parham Williams
Take care of yourself! Prayers for a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

Lynn Lee
I got your sweet card today! I’m sorry you are sick now! I pray that it is minor and leaves you quickly ❤️
(She has a broken wrist, so I sent love through the mail. <3 )

Cathy MacGowan
Speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

Jo Coleman-Williams
My mother in law. Too weak and not feeling good. Got well enough to leave house to get hair done. Then paid the lawn care service 1:1. Only other human contact were 5 family members that checked on her. Turned out Positive for COVID. Two weeks in hospital. Now improving.

Sandra Cherise Karlin
I'm so sorry, Tina. Hope you only have a very mild case and that you get well quick! Love you!

Christian Grunow
Them bananas done got you??

Fae Hill Kameron
So sorry that you are ill. Praying that you have a quick recovery.

Linda L. Walker
I am so sorry you are sick. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rhonda S. Curby
I hope you are all better soon. Love you.

Lorretta Ruggiero
Hope you get better quickly!

Michelle Davidson
Oh no - be well soon!

Cindy LaCount Pinion
Well that just stinks! I hope your symptoms are as mild as mine was, but that you recover and get a negative result more quickly than I did!

Martin Johnson
That sucks, but glad it's not the first variant..Hope you feel better real soon 🙃

Bayshore Joe
We're around if you need us.

Susan Morgan
Get better quickly!

Stephen S Gerard
You have to be especially careful long term after heart surgery.

Dianna DiBenedetto
I’m sorry to hear you got OMICRON. It breaks through our vaccines. I tested positive at the end of January and now am fighting all sorts of weird symptoms due to LONG COVID. We will be praying for you, Aunt Tina.

Faustina Smith
Dianna, I'll be praying for you, too. What a strange trip this pandemic has been.

Sherry Moore
Hope you are feeling better!

* * * * *

Getting better quickly is certainly my game plan!

Many thanks, y'all, and please know my thoughts are with you all, whether part of my family or my friends, on or off the book of face -

i am so blessed to have so many who love me.

o - m - cron, such lovely colors you have

Day five of this coronavirus inflammation disease - better known by its nickname, COVID - has me not quite back to myself, but the headache is gone, the infrequent coughing has ground to a halt, the drip from the sinuses seems to have given up the ghost, and the bouts of sneezing have ceased trying to find new nostrils to infect.

i thank You, God.

Once I test negative, to confirm I'm clean, I know I won't be liable to catch it again for at least three months.

That's the window of freedom opened by the antigens my body had to create to rid itself of the virus.

However, that does raise an issue.

How best to clean the house, to make sure I don't unintentionally carry it back into the world with me?

If this had been the result of a summer cold virus, I'd change the bedding and the towels, wipe down the furniture, and do a load of laundry.

So, I'll do those things for removing this virus, too, though my house has a secret weapon: no air conditioning.

SARS-CoV-2 cannot survive at temperatures higher than 85 F.

In Savannah right now, the literal highs are in the upper 90's and the figurative highs another ten or more degrees further up the thermometer.

That novel coronavirus, and its many variant offspring, can curl up and die from the heat!

Of course, I won't quite be able to pull that off until I have a nice cool place to escape to for a while, and that won't be until I test negative...

but I swear I notice a difference in the air during the heat of the day, a more clean, more clear, more healthy air.

Speaking of "many variant offspring", aka mutations, do you wonder which one I have?

Well, to be sure it's of the omicron flavor...

but that beastie has six problematic forms.

Here's the thing, though.

As shown by the change in color as time (the bottom axis) has proceeded forward since March 19, 2022, up to June 18, 2022, more than one variant is always the cause of the week's infections...

and that's just what the CDC can tell from those who seek care from a hospital.

Last week, when I was infected at the baseball game, there were four different omicron variants at play.

As I did not go to the hospital, any one of the four could be the one that tagged me out.

Definitely need a score card to know the players in the game, that's for sure.
So, was it the BA.2.12.1, that variant given that richly salmon-colored hue?

That's quite probable, as it was responsible for most of the hits made that week.

However, notice the dark teal bar for BA.5 - that one's coming up fast and far outstripping the BA.4 that preceded it in time.

I predict that BA.5 will be the powerhouse hitter in the next week or two.

As for BA.2, dressed in pink as were the Flamingoes that night, chances are it was too far on its way out to have had the ability to do me in.

Still, it could have been any of those four, or even some new one not in plentiful enough quantity to be represented on this legend.

And just why are there so many variants of the omicron version of the original virus running all over the place?

People are traveling, and they bring their home-boys with them whither they go.

You'd think folks would avoid the southern states in the summer, because of the severe heat or chance of hurricanes, but you would be incorrect.

Disney calls, and they must answer.

After all, this is when all the kids are out of school!

It's summer vacation!

And the multiple versions of the coronavirus are able to mix together and make new variants, possibly as strong as the original, or maybe just a few steps beyond a summer cold virus.

We'll see in the fall, shan't we?

hell's belles, omicron

Well... my luck finally ran out.

Actually, it's more like I got complacent and didn't wear my mask around crowds.

Twice. 

At least this omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 isn't nearly as deadly as the first version, though numbers of thoe hospitalized is on the rise.

Fair warning: have fun, but beware of any around you who are sniffling or coughing or sneezing - that may well be COVID they are sharing, not a summer cold.

I had not noticed anyone doing any of that during the concert, but the out-of-town dad with the three boys was doing plenty of coughing at the baseball circus.

If I had worn my mask the majority of the time, that might have made the difference between me getting it or not.

If he had worn a mask the majority of the time, I would not be sick.

He would have been offering me 95% protection from catching his illness; my mask alone only affords me a third of that protection from him.

In any case, until the Bananas frenzy whipped up by ESPN and "CBS Sunday Morning" and Jesse Cole dies down, I don't think I'll be attending any more games this season.

I already abstained from the one last night because I was just too tired from the "summer cold" I thought I'd had since Sunday.

The house was so hot that I slept with the bedroom window open Saturday night.

I'd awakened Sunday with my sinuses in turmoil and took it to be allergies.

Monday, I started feeling a little feverish, along with my scratchy throat from post-nasal drip - still sounds like a summer cold, right?

But, just to be on the safe side, I took my first-ever COVID test.

That's right, we're well into our third year of pandemic and I only now have ever felt threatened enough to need the test.

Well, that one came out negative.

Only the C (Control) line showed up in the window.

Summer cold, right?

But I still had a bit of a fever (not that I own a thermometer to know my temperature), and I was still having the coughing from the post-nasal drip at night, so I mostly stayed home, save for one foray to help my brother with sales taxes.

By yesterday, the fever seemed to be gone, but the craziness of the sinuses stayed on.

Then came the severe headache last night... like, all night, along with the sinus soreness on the right side of my face and the usual drip and cough... but, it was the headache that got my attention.

I remembered when Christina had COVID, she had complained mightily about the headache, as had several of my friends.

So, before I even had coffee this morning, I did a second COVID test.

Damn.

Not only the Control line came up, but so did the Test line... and it was undeniable.

I have COVID.

Damn.

I feel so stupid for letting my guard down.

Now, I need to call my brother and let him know he may now be exposed.

By me.

Damn.

We'll know by Friday if I've compromised his health.

Hopefully not.