June 29, 2014

  A beautiful day, almost seems a shame to waste it on us.  There should not be napping on a day like this, but in the absence of anything else, it occurs.  Thinking the unthinkable, I have the urge to clean house.  All my previous attempts were fruitless, weak attempts, so I decided to confine my efforts to my clothing.  I can't call it a wardrobe; I don't wear any fashion items anymore; I just have pieces and pieces.  I think I have about 50 pairs of socks, probably more, and some are unworn with price tags still  on.  I probably have at least that many sweaters, and though most have been worn, I tend to wear the same garments most of the time.  Same for pants, and I own about 20 zip-up jackets and even more sweaters.
       I filled a large garbage bag with just my clothing today and brought it to the receptacle in Schaghticoke.  Another bagful went in the garbage.  Back in the room, I see no difference; it looks like a hoarder's paradise.  If any of those well-meaning, mandated-reporter health care workers get a look inside that room, I'll probably be assigned to therapy. 
   To break the monotony of despair, I initiated a drive to Hand Melon for fresh strawberries.  You can pick them yourself for $2.25 a pint at B.J.'s, but we went first class and paid $5.25 a quart at Hand Melon. What's  $.75 when you can avoid laboring like a migrant. And besides, the baskets were overflowing and the berries were good. 
     In cleaning (hah) my closet area, I was down on the floor, and it occurred to me that I should put my weight on the operated knee when I went to get up off the floor, since if there are 2 operated knees, I need to be able to get up from the floor, or the ground, if that's the case.   I hate the feeling of kneeling on it.  Some doctors recommend against it, but Dr. C. said it was fine to do so. What does he know, I can't help but think.   It feels strange  and I have avoided it, using the other knee.  So I tried it, on the hardwood bedroom floor.  I couldn't make myself do it, but I found that I can push myself up with both arms and then straighten my legs beneath me.  That works for now.  Who knows what the future holds?  (Well, some of us have a pretty good guess.)