Greetings from North Tulsa, a.k.a, Anchorage, Alaska. A fairly decent day...started out partly cloudy but we've now had a couple of evening showers. A tad warmer though...the low 60's.
Just had another reminder of why I want out of this state. The political season is heating up. Our incumbent Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski, is running her first set of ads. She's running against President Obama - voted against health care reform, financial reform, and everything else that damn socialist and the other DEMOCRATS have proposed. She's particularly supportive of small business by the way, although she just participated in the filibuster of the small business tax relief bill. I can't remember the last time I heard so much stupidity crammed into 60 seconds.
But that's not the funny part. The funny part is her tea party opponent - graduate of West Point, war hero, constitutionalist- the REAL conservative. Some Outside outfit is funding the ads and this is their number one race. They are very good ads and I have no doubt they will get some traction here in Palinburg. Bet these ads are running constantly on FOX.
Poor Alaska. Living in Juneau it's easy to forget how savage this state has become. I am now reminded.
My work here is done. Let them stew in their own crapulence. I want out.
On a more positive note, dad did quite well today. He seems particularly fond of his physical therapist and occupational therapist. I have been diligent in pointing out to him that success with these two are what will get us home. I believe he understands. He's especially attentive to the occupational therapist - a delightful late 20 something gal with a most lyrical and comforting Jamaican accent. She's great - as is the physical therapist. They both seem taken with the ol' coot who was extremely amusing and charming with them. Both gave me instructions on weekend therapy and I'm curious to see if the ol' boy will be as cooperative with me as he was with them.
Parenthetically, I note that the RNs and CNAs at both Prov and St. Elias seem to be, based on my limited observations, largely the product of the University of Alaska system. Cool! On the other hand, the dieticians, occupational therapists and physical therapists seem to be contract employees from out-of-state. At St. Elias dad's dietician is from New Mexico, his occupational therapist from New Jersey, and his physical therapist from Nebraska. All have been here since January and all are leaving in a couple of weeks. All the contract employees at St. Elias strike me as first rate. I know Juneau needs all three of these specialties and have been lobbying furiously. Not going to happen me thinks...
Tomorrow morning I will meet my landlord at the airport where he will give me a suitcase with my mail, some of dad's medical supplies, a razor, and a loaf of pumpkin bread. I am counting on the pumpkin bread to assist me with obtaining dad's cooperation with the aforementioned therapy.
And tomorrow afternoon I expect to see my cousin, Brock, and his family. Dad is now alert enough to entertain visitors and afterwards I'll take Brock and his family to supper.
Finally, I just finished Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian. The first in the long series of Napoleonic War/War of 1812 seafaring adventures of the Royal Navy's Jack Aubrey and his ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin. Good fun! But there are twenty volumes to the series and god help me if I have time to read them all before we can go home!
So there you have it! Have a good weekend everyone.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Noticeable Improvement
A fairly long day. But a good one. The ol' coot was lucid from 7:30 AM 'til I left him around 5:30 PM. We did physical therapy...got him sitting up and on the potty chair. And the occupational therapist convinced him he could do some things eating wise that he had not been able to do thus far. He has little pain. His mind is clearing. And his attitude is much improved.
He had several good bowel movements today...the first in over ten days. It wasn't pretty...but it was a good thing. I suspect I will be qualified as a Certified Nurses Aide before this is all over. That's another good thing. In fact, I think it should be mandatory for all baby boomers to get certified...so we can take care of each other in our dotage and maybe avoid bankrupting the country. Hah!
In other news, went to the Glacier Brewpub for supper. Best meal I've had so far. A grilled Sockeye fillet on a bed of jasmine rice with a citrus compote with sweet peppers. Very yummy.
Sat at the bar next to a Britisher on his way to Dutch Harbor tomorrow. Working on a seismic team doing oil exploration in the Chukchi. He worked in the North Sea for 35 years primarily for a Norwegian firm. Lives in Thailand these days. Seemed like a nice chap.
My hotel mates here at Motel 6 are also an interesting bunch. About half oil guys with Texas/Oklahoma accents doing their orientation before their first trip to the Slope. About a quarter rural folks - met a delightful older couple from Aniak last evening. And about a quarter European tourists. An interesting mix. The rural Alaskan crew is the most congenial to my tastes. The Aniak couple and I compared notes on berries and birds.
Well, gonna watch an hour of TV and go to bed. Later gang.
He had several good bowel movements today...the first in over ten days. It wasn't pretty...but it was a good thing. I suspect I will be qualified as a Certified Nurses Aide before this is all over. That's another good thing. In fact, I think it should be mandatory for all baby boomers to get certified...so we can take care of each other in our dotage and maybe avoid bankrupting the country. Hah!
In other news, went to the Glacier Brewpub for supper. Best meal I've had so far. A grilled Sockeye fillet on a bed of jasmine rice with a citrus compote with sweet peppers. Very yummy.
Sat at the bar next to a Britisher on his way to Dutch Harbor tomorrow. Working on a seismic team doing oil exploration in the Chukchi. He worked in the North Sea for 35 years primarily for a Norwegian firm. Lives in Thailand these days. Seemed like a nice chap.
My hotel mates here at Motel 6 are also an interesting bunch. About half oil guys with Texas/Oklahoma accents doing their orientation before their first trip to the Slope. About a quarter rural folks - met a delightful older couple from Aniak last evening. And about a quarter European tourists. An interesting mix. The rural Alaskan crew is the most congenial to my tastes. The Aniak couple and I compared notes on berries and birds.
Well, gonna watch an hour of TV and go to bed. Later gang.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
St. Elias
Well, another day in paradise. Went out to the car this morning and the battery was as dead as a doornail. Not surprising since I had failed to turn off the headlights. Fortunately a cab soon turned-up at the hotel and he quickly jumped the car for a mere $15. Off to the hospital.
St. Elias is a very nice facility. It's an acute long-term care facility. The only one of its kind in Alaska. I am somewhat familiar with the place from working on licensing and reimbursement regulations in my former life as a wage-slave. The atmosphere here is much more relaxed and comfortable than the controlled chaos of the acute care ward at Providence. A doc makes rounds daily and they are well staffed with RNs, CNAs, Physical Therapists, Dieticians, Occupational Therapists and so forth. Indeed it has been a steady parade of folks coming to evaluate dad today. Meet and greet day. Kinda like the first day of a cruise...OK...that's a stretch.
Was feeling a mite peevish last evening since I did not get my daily workout. Had supper and went to bed. I had a nice long workout and sauna today though and am feeling much more chipper. Looking forward to moving into the extended stay hotel on Sunday where I will be much more comfortable and can stock some essentials like milk, cereal and ice cream.
Otherwise not much to report. I would characterize dad's condition as essentially unchanged from yesterday. I expect tomorrow we will start some actual rehab and I am most interested to see how he responds.
St. Elias is a very nice facility. It's an acute long-term care facility. The only one of its kind in Alaska. I am somewhat familiar with the place from working on licensing and reimbursement regulations in my former life as a wage-slave. The atmosphere here is much more relaxed and comfortable than the controlled chaos of the acute care ward at Providence. A doc makes rounds daily and they are well staffed with RNs, CNAs, Physical Therapists, Dieticians, Occupational Therapists and so forth. Indeed it has been a steady parade of folks coming to evaluate dad today. Meet and greet day. Kinda like the first day of a cruise...OK...that's a stretch.
Was feeling a mite peevish last evening since I did not get my daily workout. Had supper and went to bed. I had a nice long workout and sauna today though and am feeling much more chipper. Looking forward to moving into the extended stay hotel on Sunday where I will be much more comfortable and can stock some essentials like milk, cereal and ice cream.
Otherwise not much to report. I would characterize dad's condition as essentially unchanged from yesterday. I expect tomorrow we will start some actual rehab and I am most interested to see how he responds.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
On the Road Again
I just met with the discharge person and dad will be transferred to St. Elias specialty hospital this afternoon. Scheduled for about 2:30 PM...so I'm guessing we've got a chance for it to actually happen before supper time. There's no doubt in my mind it's the appropriate placement at this time.
Dad apparently had a fairly rough night and had to be sedated at one point. On the other hand, he was quite alert this morning although he has now dozed-off. The big concern at this time is his very delicate skin. He needs to be on his side to take the pressure off his backside and he cannot rest comfortably on his side for long. This is going to be an ongoing battle I suspect. Bed sores can kill at his age...
Coincidentally, the new hospital is only a couple of blocks from my hotel. I will be able to walk to work the next few days. I do not know whether or not St. Elias has wifi for visitors...so my posting may be confined to the evening at the hotel.
Finally, I leave you with a picture...I forget the source...but it was a story about how the panhandlers of Manilla have taken to dressing-up their dogs in cutesy costumes to increase their chances of cadging spare coins. It has apparently become quite competitive. Exemplia gratia:
Dad apparently had a fairly rough night and had to be sedated at one point. On the other hand, he was quite alert this morning although he has now dozed-off. The big concern at this time is his very delicate skin. He needs to be on his side to take the pressure off his backside and he cannot rest comfortably on his side for long. This is going to be an ongoing battle I suspect. Bed sores can kill at his age...
Coincidentally, the new hospital is only a couple of blocks from my hotel. I will be able to walk to work the next few days. I do not know whether or not St. Elias has wifi for visitors...so my posting may be confined to the evening at the hotel.
Finally, I leave you with a picture...I forget the source...but it was a story about how the panhandlers of Manilla have taken to dressing-up their dogs in cutesy costumes to increase their chances of cadging spare coins. It has apparently become quite competitive. Exemplia gratia:
Hey Partner! Can you spare a dime?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Travels
Well, slow but steady improvement with dad's health. Yesterday he had his first physical therapy which was a half-hour exercise that resulted in him sitting up. Today we did the same drill and he was even able to stand a bit...with lots of folks around for assistance. His mind is better and so is his attitude.
He certainly has a different perspective on the past few days than I do. From what he has said today I am under the impression that he's under the impression that he's been doing lots of traveling. He was in Vegas and at Buck Island. He had conversations with lots of friends and family both living and long-since deceased. Sounded like a pretty good vacation, actually.
I just met with the social worker from St. Elias - the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital that dad may be discharged to if he meets the need for the level of care they offer. I believe it to be an excellent facility.
I'm doing fine. I've managed a decent workout every day and it's a big factor in keeping me sane. Nice club just a couple of miles from the hospital.
I've made reservations at an extended stay joint starting August 1st - booked it for two weeks. It's about the same cost as the Motel 6 but has a gym, laundry facilities, high speed internet and a kitchenette in every room. I doubt if I'll be doing any cooking; but it would be nice to have a refrigerator and a few staples.
So...things are settled into a pattern that is the new normal...at least for awhile.
On the way to the hospital this morning I saw an amusing bumper sticker: WHERE AM I? AND WHY AM I IN A HANDBASKET? Hah!
Later gang.
He certainly has a different perspective on the past few days than I do. From what he has said today I am under the impression that he's under the impression that he's been doing lots of traveling. He was in Vegas and at Buck Island. He had conversations with lots of friends and family both living and long-since deceased. Sounded like a pretty good vacation, actually.
I just met with the social worker from St. Elias - the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital that dad may be discharged to if he meets the need for the level of care they offer. I believe it to be an excellent facility.
I'm doing fine. I've managed a decent workout every day and it's a big factor in keeping me sane. Nice club just a couple of miles from the hospital.
I've made reservations at an extended stay joint starting August 1st - booked it for two weeks. It's about the same cost as the Motel 6 but has a gym, laundry facilities, high speed internet and a kitchenette in every room. I doubt if I'll be doing any cooking; but it would be nice to have a refrigerator and a few staples.
So...things are settled into a pattern that is the new normal...at least for awhile.
On the way to the hospital this morning I saw an amusing bumper sticker: WHERE AM I? AND WHY AM I IN A HANDBASKET? Hah!
Later gang.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Some Improvement
Just saw the hospital doc. Relatively good news on most fronts. Dad's kidney functions are improved from yesterday - and it appears that the infection worries from yesterday have abated. Whew! His edema is still quite bad - but he is putting-out a bit more urine. If this is too much information for my pals, I'm sorry, but I know family are interested...
His morale is not great. He is having lots of discomfort; but the downside of the narcotics in terms of his mental functioning is probably more critical than his pain. Yesterday he could not even swallow water. Today, with his mind more clear he has been able to take water and ice cream with no problem. So we're going to try to use as little of the opiates as is possible.
I'm more worried about his attitude than anything else. He is having "buyer's remorse" at having agreed to surgery. But, barring something unforeseen, he should be a little more comfortable every day.
In other news, last evening I attacked the men's clothing sale at Sears. Got some good deals and needed everything...shorts, socks, pants and shirts. Then I went to Romano's, an Italian restaurant that has been here for decades - old school American/Italian. Had a very good seafood lasagna. Serious comfort food.
Well, the PT guy will be here in a minute. Gonna see if we can get the ol' guy to sit up...
Stay tuned...
His morale is not great. He is having lots of discomfort; but the downside of the narcotics in terms of his mental functioning is probably more critical than his pain. Yesterday he could not even swallow water. Today, with his mind more clear he has been able to take water and ice cream with no problem. So we're going to try to use as little of the opiates as is possible.
I'm more worried about his attitude than anything else. He is having "buyer's remorse" at having agreed to surgery. But, barring something unforeseen, he should be a little more comfortable every day.
In other news, last evening I attacked the men's clothing sale at Sears. Got some good deals and needed everything...shorts, socks, pants and shirts. Then I went to Romano's, an Italian restaurant that has been here for decades - old school American/Italian. Had a very good seafood lasagna. Serious comfort food.
Well, the PT guy will be here in a minute. Gonna see if we can get the ol' guy to sit up...
Stay tuned...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Not Out of the Woods Yet...
Well, another morning at Providence Hospital. Cloudy. It looks like it's raining in the mountains. Pretty gray.
The good news is that dad is much more alert today. He recognized me. He's having lots of pain though; and the doc is now worried about pneumonia and/or other infections. His white count is elevated. He is retaining a lot of fluid. He's not a happy camper.
They are starting him on anti-biotics this morning. They're also trying to balance the need to keep him hydrated against the problems associated with retaining fluids.
We're not out of the woods yet; but hopefully he will improve as he continues to shake-off the effects of the anesthesia and pain medications. One day at a time...
I got my rental car yesterday and it's nice to have transportation. I need to get some new clothes and also find a laundromat. Had another mediocre supper last night. Was in bed by 10:00 PM and back at the hospital by 8:00 AM this morning.
Stay tuned...
The good news is that dad is much more alert today. He recognized me. He's having lots of pain though; and the doc is now worried about pneumonia and/or other infections. His white count is elevated. He is retaining a lot of fluid. He's not a happy camper.
They are starting him on anti-biotics this morning. They're also trying to balance the need to keep him hydrated against the problems associated with retaining fluids.
We're not out of the woods yet; but hopefully he will improve as he continues to shake-off the effects of the anesthesia and pain medications. One day at a time...
I got my rental car yesterday and it's nice to have transportation. I need to get some new clothes and also find a laundromat. Had another mediocre supper last night. Was in bed by 10:00 PM and back at the hospital by 8:00 AM this morning.
Stay tuned...
Friday, July 23, 2010
Much More Comfortable
What a difference a day makes! This morning dad is back in a regular hospital bed (the "air bed" was the source of most of his discomfort yesterday) and the night nurse said he rested comfortably during the night. Still a mite confused; but she said he was coherent most of the time. He's been sleeping since I arrived an hour or so ago so I have not yet been able to judge his alertness for myself.
Later this morning I will finally get my rental care which will give me much more flexibility - I'm mighty tired of the vittles in the two restaurants near my hotel. Been dumping about $80 a day into cabs as it is...
Still too early to have any idea how the rehab/discharge plan will play out. I expect we'll be in acute care for a number of days yet. On Wednesday I saw my ol' office pal, Jerry Fuller, and he invited me to stay at his digs which are only a couple of miles from the hospital. He was headed down the Kenai for the weekend; but I may take him up on his offer when he returns early next week. I'm paid-up at the Motel 6 through Sunday.
Once I get the car I need to go find some clothes. We were only allowed one suitcase on the medivac and by the time I had loaded dad's medical supplies and my medications and gym stuff there wasn't much room for regular togs!
The weather is quite nice here today although it's supposed to be back to showers tomorrow and Sunday. Just spoke to mom and she said it's raining and blowing in Juneau. Gee. Imagine that.
The staff here at Prov are all very nice (they were at Bartlett in Juneau and on the medivac too). Seem competent, too. That's a good thing.
Later gang!
Later this morning I will finally get my rental care which will give me much more flexibility - I'm mighty tired of the vittles in the two restaurants near my hotel. Been dumping about $80 a day into cabs as it is...
Still too early to have any idea how the rehab/discharge plan will play out. I expect we'll be in acute care for a number of days yet. On Wednesday I saw my ol' office pal, Jerry Fuller, and he invited me to stay at his digs which are only a couple of miles from the hospital. He was headed down the Kenai for the weekend; but I may take him up on his offer when he returns early next week. I'm paid-up at the Motel 6 through Sunday.
Once I get the car I need to go find some clothes. We were only allowed one suitcase on the medivac and by the time I had loaded dad's medical supplies and my medications and gym stuff there wasn't much room for regular togs!
The weather is quite nice here today although it's supposed to be back to showers tomorrow and Sunday. Just spoke to mom and she said it's raining and blowing in Juneau. Gee. Imagine that.
The staff here at Prov are all very nice (they were at Bartlett in Juneau and on the medivac too). Seem competent, too. That's a good thing.
Later gang!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Not a Happy Camper
Poor dad. Lots of pain today. The worst I have ever seen him experience. He's got the self-administration morphine and I am going to make damn sure he uses it.
He is on an "air bed" which is designed to avoid bed sores - a potentially lethal problem in this situation. On the other hand, the bed is causing lots of discomfort in his back. They have called for a lift team to try to get him up in a chair for a bit this morning. Hopefully that will help.
More later.
10:09 AM: Got dad in a chair. He seems more comfortable.
He is on an "air bed" which is designed to avoid bed sores - a potentially lethal problem in this situation. On the other hand, the bed is causing lots of discomfort in his back. They have called for a lift team to try to get him up in a chair for a bit this morning. Hopefully that will help.
More later.
10:09 AM: Got dad in a chair. He seems more comfortable.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Running Log for Wednesday July 21st
Will update this entry as the day progresses:
9:04 AM: Just received word he's headed for surgery in a few minutes. All vital signs are good. He's in good spirits. He amuses the nursing staff.
10:00 AM: No sign of the OR folks yet.
12:45 PM: Just left the ol' coot as they wheeled him into the operating room. He seems perfectly at ease. The surgeon estimates 3-4 hours in surgery. He will call me upon completion. Dad will spend at least an hour in a recovery room after surgery. So...I will post again when I hear from the surgeon - probably between 4:00 and 5:00 PM ADT. Doubt if I will see dad back in his regular room until 6 PM or so... In the meantime I am going to go have a workout at the Alaska Club and then a bite to eat. The weather has turned pretty decent...even a little sun.
5:09 PM: Just got a call from the surgeon. Dad is out of surgery and everything went well. The doc replaced the stem of the artificial hip appliance - it is now longer and well seated in the bone below the point of the fracture. The doc did NOT have to do any of the more exotic things that were possible - a bone graft or metal plate around the fracture. Dad had general anesthesia and tolerated it well - all his vitals remained stable.
Dad required one unit of blood and will likely require another one tomorrow.
The doc is somewhat concerned about his skin. He had a very large hematoma from the fracture. They have employed a special dressing of which I am unfamiliar. Somehow it maintains suction on the wound and promotes healing. I am curious to see what that looks like...
He also has some breakdown on the skin on his behind - from being in bed the past few days. They have put him on an air bed - whatever that is...again, I'm curious to see it myself.
He is now somewhat awake and says he isn't experiencing much pain...
All things considered, don't know how it could have gone much better. Of course, that is not to say that there can't be serious complications - he is 95 years old.
I am going to stay here until they bring him up from the recovery room. Will post again after I see him. Don't think he's going to be real chatty this evening.
6:44 PM: Dad just arrived back in his room. He's pretty much out-of-it; as one would expect. His color looks pretty good. His wound is wrapped in what looks like plastic wrap and is has an electric motor that puts suction on the area. He's also on a big soft inflatable bed...keeps him from getting pressure sores.
As soon as the nurses get him settled-in, I will depart.
So far so good!
9:04 AM: Just received word he's headed for surgery in a few minutes. All vital signs are good. He's in good spirits. He amuses the nursing staff.
10:00 AM: No sign of the OR folks yet.
12:45 PM: Just left the ol' coot as they wheeled him into the operating room. He seems perfectly at ease. The surgeon estimates 3-4 hours in surgery. He will call me upon completion. Dad will spend at least an hour in a recovery room after surgery. So...I will post again when I hear from the surgeon - probably between 4:00 and 5:00 PM ADT. Doubt if I will see dad back in his regular room until 6 PM or so... In the meantime I am going to go have a workout at the Alaska Club and then a bite to eat. The weather has turned pretty decent...even a little sun.
5:09 PM: Just got a call from the surgeon. Dad is out of surgery and everything went well. The doc replaced the stem of the artificial hip appliance - it is now longer and well seated in the bone below the point of the fracture. The doc did NOT have to do any of the more exotic things that were possible - a bone graft or metal plate around the fracture. Dad had general anesthesia and tolerated it well - all his vitals remained stable.
Dad required one unit of blood and will likely require another one tomorrow.
The doc is somewhat concerned about his skin. He had a very large hematoma from the fracture. They have employed a special dressing of which I am unfamiliar. Somehow it maintains suction on the wound and promotes healing. I am curious to see what that looks like...
He also has some breakdown on the skin on his behind - from being in bed the past few days. They have put him on an air bed - whatever that is...again, I'm curious to see it myself.
He is now somewhat awake and says he isn't experiencing much pain...
All things considered, don't know how it could have gone much better. Of course, that is not to say that there can't be serious complications - he is 95 years old.
I am going to stay here until they bring him up from the recovery room. Will post again after I see him. Don't think he's going to be real chatty this evening.
6:44 PM: Dad just arrived back in his room. He's pretty much out-of-it; as one would expect. His color looks pretty good. His wound is wrapped in what looks like plastic wrap and is has an electric motor that puts suction on the area. He's also on a big soft inflatable bed...keeps him from getting pressure sores.
As soon as the nurses get him settled-in, I will depart.
So far so good!
At My Duty Station
Good morning campers! It's about 7:30 AM and I am back at the hospital. Sounds like dad had a reasonably comfortable night although the pressure socks kept him awake part of the night. He had some pain in his leg in the middle of the night; but this morning he says he has none.
They have scheduled surgery for 5 PM this afternoon but are hopeful they will get him in sooner. Could be a very long day...
I feel pretty chipper myself. Got a good night's sleep. The Motel 6 is clean and quiet; but not exactly a luxury joint (inquire at the front desk if you need shampoo).
Oddly enough there are a ton of seagulls in the vicinity of the hotel. They were going nuts this morning. And the vacant lot across the street is full of seagulls and Canada Geese. It appears they nest there. Night before last I was walking by the lot on the way to a restaurant and a goose, gander and four goslings were in the middle of the sidewalk. The goose and gander were not glad to see me. Lots of hissing, spitting, and flapping of wings. Obnoxious birds.
It rained like hell last night. Mostly cloudy this morning.
I am going to surf the news. Will report any interesting developments as they occur. Should be a doc or two wandering through here shortly.
Thanks to everyone who called yesterday. We're hanging in there!
They have scheduled surgery for 5 PM this afternoon but are hopeful they will get him in sooner. Could be a very long day...
I feel pretty chipper myself. Got a good night's sleep. The Motel 6 is clean and quiet; but not exactly a luxury joint (inquire at the front desk if you need shampoo).
Oddly enough there are a ton of seagulls in the vicinity of the hotel. They were going nuts this morning. And the vacant lot across the street is full of seagulls and Canada Geese. It appears they nest there. Night before last I was walking by the lot on the way to a restaurant and a goose, gander and four goslings were in the middle of the sidewalk. The goose and gander were not glad to see me. Lots of hissing, spitting, and flapping of wings. Obnoxious birds.
It rained like hell last night. Mostly cloudy this morning.
I am going to surf the news. Will report any interesting developments as they occur. Should be a doc or two wandering through here shortly.
Thanks to everyone who called yesterday. We're hanging in there!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Never Say Never
As you may recall, dad recently announced to the world that he would never again set foot in the Juneau hospital’s ER. There is no doubt in my mind that he meant what he said.
Unfortunately, life is not that simple. On Sunday afternoon he failed to connect his ass to the chair in the dining room. Landed on the floor with a thump. Mom summoned his friend, Ron, from up the street and dad was assisted into his wheelchair.
That’s where I found him – placidly watching a Mariner’s game when I arrived to help put him to bed at 8 PM. Although his leg was painful to stand on, he was able to put weight on it to transfer from the wheelchair to his sleeping chair. I noticed he was beginning to show a bruise on his right hip and we all assumed he would be stiff and sore for a few days – but no real cause for concern.
Monday morning I arrived to help him get out of bed and the bruise looked REALLY ugly. And he could not put any weight on his leg. Damn! Called the ambulance and we were off to the ER – previous vow of ER abstinence notwithstanding.
The ER doc was not overly concerned. Dad said he had no pain other than when he tried to put weight on the leg and all present assumed he simply had a very bad bruise. But safety pays and he was immediately (that is to say an hour or two later) sent down the hall for an X-ray. And much to everyone’s surprise the picture painted by the X-ray was quite different – an ugly break in his leg and an indication that the stem of his artificial hip appliance was now loose and unstable. Double damn!
An orthopod was summoned and his conclusion even more unsettling. The fracture and appliance replacement was too complicated for the local bone docs. They didn’t have the right equipment or replacement parts. And maybe not the expertise either – although that was not explicitly stated. Dad’s options were stated baldly: 1) check into a nursing home for the remainder of his time where he would be unable to walk and be bed ridden; or 2) Medivac to Seattle or Anchorage and undergo surgery with a good chance he would be able to return home.
This was not a difficult choice for dad and three hours later we were hurtling towards Anchorage in the cigar tube with wings that is the Lifeguard Learjet. Got checked-in at Providence Hospital around 6 PM and within the hour he was seen by both a resident physician and an orthopod. No show stoppers for surgery and it is now 8:26 AM Tuesday morning and we are waiting for another orthopod to show up with the expectation he will be able to perform surgery later today.
Dad is resting comfortably. He slept well and has no pain. One tough ol’ bird.
ADDENDUM
The wifi was out at Providence today. So...it is now almost 1 PM and I am at the lovely Motel 6 on "A" Street - the bowels of mid-town Anchorage.
The surgeon came in to see dad about 10:30 AM. No surgery 'til tomorrow; but it still looks like all systems go. Hopefully I will be able to post from Prov tomorrow.
I just got back from the airport where I tried - without success - to rent a car. EVERY rental outfit was out of cars. I have reserved one for a week starting on Friday but will be cabbing it 'til then. I did get one offer for a mini-van for $260 a day...but took a pass. Sheesh.... Cabs are not cheap either and since I've got nothing but time I may try to figure out how to use the bus.
Assuming dad has surgery tomorrow, by Friday I should have at least some inkling of how this is going to play out. If I'm going to be here for multiple weeks (quite likely I suspect) I may try to get a room at Hickel House - Prov's boarding house for guests. Much cheaper than a hotel in peak season; and if I have a car so I can get out for supper and to the club every day then it would be a satisfactory arrangement.
Right now I'm going to go have a workout. And then check-in at the hospital. And then back here - will probably go back to the "Lonestar Steak House" for another mediocre supper. Will post again today if I have any news.
I now need to update my Norton security software. I haven't used this computer since last September and before I check email or otherwise get too ambitious need to make sure I'm secure.
Later gang!
Unfortunately, life is not that simple. On Sunday afternoon he failed to connect his ass to the chair in the dining room. Landed on the floor with a thump. Mom summoned his friend, Ron, from up the street and dad was assisted into his wheelchair.
That’s where I found him – placidly watching a Mariner’s game when I arrived to help put him to bed at 8 PM. Although his leg was painful to stand on, he was able to put weight on it to transfer from the wheelchair to his sleeping chair. I noticed he was beginning to show a bruise on his right hip and we all assumed he would be stiff and sore for a few days – but no real cause for concern.
Monday morning I arrived to help him get out of bed and the bruise looked REALLY ugly. And he could not put any weight on his leg. Damn! Called the ambulance and we were off to the ER – previous vow of ER abstinence notwithstanding.
The ER doc was not overly concerned. Dad said he had no pain other than when he tried to put weight on the leg and all present assumed he simply had a very bad bruise. But safety pays and he was immediately (that is to say an hour or two later) sent down the hall for an X-ray. And much to everyone’s surprise the picture painted by the X-ray was quite different – an ugly break in his leg and an indication that the stem of his artificial hip appliance was now loose and unstable. Double damn!
An orthopod was summoned and his conclusion even more unsettling. The fracture and appliance replacement was too complicated for the local bone docs. They didn’t have the right equipment or replacement parts. And maybe not the expertise either – although that was not explicitly stated. Dad’s options were stated baldly: 1) check into a nursing home for the remainder of his time where he would be unable to walk and be bed ridden; or 2) Medivac to Seattle or Anchorage and undergo surgery with a good chance he would be able to return home.
This was not a difficult choice for dad and three hours later we were hurtling towards Anchorage in the cigar tube with wings that is the Lifeguard Learjet. Got checked-in at Providence Hospital around 6 PM and within the hour he was seen by both a resident physician and an orthopod. No show stoppers for surgery and it is now 8:26 AM Tuesday morning and we are waiting for another orthopod to show up with the expectation he will be able to perform surgery later today.
Dad is resting comfortably. He slept well and has no pain. One tough ol’ bird.
ADDENDUM
The wifi was out at Providence today. So...it is now almost 1 PM and I am at the lovely Motel 6 on "A" Street - the bowels of mid-town Anchorage.
The surgeon came in to see dad about 10:30 AM. No surgery 'til tomorrow; but it still looks like all systems go. Hopefully I will be able to post from Prov tomorrow.
I just got back from the airport where I tried - without success - to rent a car. EVERY rental outfit was out of cars. I have reserved one for a week starting on Friday but will be cabbing it 'til then. I did get one offer for a mini-van for $260 a day...but took a pass. Sheesh.... Cabs are not cheap either and since I've got nothing but time I may try to figure out how to use the bus.
Assuming dad has surgery tomorrow, by Friday I should have at least some inkling of how this is going to play out. If I'm going to be here for multiple weeks (quite likely I suspect) I may try to get a room at Hickel House - Prov's boarding house for guests. Much cheaper than a hotel in peak season; and if I have a car so I can get out for supper and to the club every day then it would be a satisfactory arrangement.
Right now I'm going to go have a workout. And then check-in at the hospital. And then back here - will probably go back to the "Lonestar Steak House" for another mediocre supper. Will post again today if I have any news.
I now need to update my Norton security software. I haven't used this computer since last September and before I check email or otherwise get too ambitious need to make sure I'm secure.
Later gang!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Happy Anniversary
Well, an eventful couple of days. Particularly yesterday which, all things considered, I could have done without. And I don't believe I am alone in those sentiments.
Just before setting sail for Elderburg to give dad his weekly scrubbing, I got a call from poor Amanda who was very upset that she had just learned that the job offer at Mt. Edgecumbe had been withdrawn due to a classic bureaucratic/personnel kerfuffle. Some officious personnel functionary in the Dept. of Administration had concluded that not all of her work experience was relevant to the job for which she had applied and therefore she did not meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Any rational person would think that the hiring manager would be in a better position to evaluate relevant experience - but anyone who has worked for the State of Alaska knows better. The entire system should be taken out behind the barn and killed with an axe.
Still, it appears that the Mt. Edgecumbe folks want her...so now they will go back to the drawing board to find a clever way to reclassify the position. In the end, I remain optimistic that justice will prevail. But only time will tell and she will no doubt have to reapply and jump through all the same hoops all over again. Amanda is feeling pretty blue... Hang in there dear!
I then zipped over to the elders just in time to take a call from the doc's office suggesting that I should take dad over to the ER to get an ultrasound of his legs. A home care nurse had visited the day before and was concerned that it was likely he had a blood clot or clots in his legs. Recently he has had some tingling sensations in his left hand and left side of his face which increased the nurse's concern. No surprise with the recommendation.
However I was somewhat surprised that dad consented to make the journey. OK...off to the ER...not an easy trip given dad's lack of mobility; but the transport went satisfactorily. Then six hours of classic ER waiting around. We had blood drawn, chest X-rays and an ultrasound. The results were largely inconclusive. He has an irregular heartbeat...but no more irregular than a year ago. He has clots in his legs...but they're all old and therefore more "stable" than a new clot. The only news was that he also has a very low platelet count in his blood; but there are no further non-invasive tests that can be done and his treatment options for most anything they might find would be limited in any event. So....got back to the house around 7 PM.
We will consult with his primary care doc next week. Dad vowed he will never set foot in the ER again. Perhaps.
The only mildly amusing episode of the day was when I overheard one of the two attractive 30 something nurses who had been assisting us say that the two Elmers were "cute." How nice. My toothless 95 year old dad and I are regarded as cute - in the same sense, no doubt, that something is cute on America's Funniest Home Videos or an orphaned animal is cute. Still, I suppose I should be flattered.
For the record, however, I would like to note that I thought the nurses were also cute and my definition of the term still includes at least a whiff of animal lust - however qualified. So there you have it.
The only redeeming feature of the day was a wonderful supper of "angry pasta" courtesy of Alison. I made a pig of myself.
This morning I was back at the elders to give dad a bath when I was reminded that today is the folk's 65th wedding anniversary. I knew that earlier in the week...but had forgotten after the excitement of the previous 24 hours. Mom suggested steak for supper and while I was chatting-it-up with dad he asked me to get mom flowers which I thought was pretty special - maybe some "cute" had rubbed-off on the ol' coot from the day before.
Mom was thrilled to get the flowers and gave the ol' boy a kiss. Also cute. Auntie came out for supper and we had a nice get together.
I leave you with the folks wedding picture from 65 years ago today
Just before setting sail for Elderburg to give dad his weekly scrubbing, I got a call from poor Amanda who was very upset that she had just learned that the job offer at Mt. Edgecumbe had been withdrawn due to a classic bureaucratic/personnel kerfuffle. Some officious personnel functionary in the Dept. of Administration had concluded that not all of her work experience was relevant to the job for which she had applied and therefore she did not meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Any rational person would think that the hiring manager would be in a better position to evaluate relevant experience - but anyone who has worked for the State of Alaska knows better. The entire system should be taken out behind the barn and killed with an axe.
Still, it appears that the Mt. Edgecumbe folks want her...so now they will go back to the drawing board to find a clever way to reclassify the position. In the end, I remain optimistic that justice will prevail. But only time will tell and she will no doubt have to reapply and jump through all the same hoops all over again. Amanda is feeling pretty blue... Hang in there dear!
I then zipped over to the elders just in time to take a call from the doc's office suggesting that I should take dad over to the ER to get an ultrasound of his legs. A home care nurse had visited the day before and was concerned that it was likely he had a blood clot or clots in his legs. Recently he has had some tingling sensations in his left hand and left side of his face which increased the nurse's concern. No surprise with the recommendation.
However I was somewhat surprised that dad consented to make the journey. OK...off to the ER...not an easy trip given dad's lack of mobility; but the transport went satisfactorily. Then six hours of classic ER waiting around. We had blood drawn, chest X-rays and an ultrasound. The results were largely inconclusive. He has an irregular heartbeat...but no more irregular than a year ago. He has clots in his legs...but they're all old and therefore more "stable" than a new clot. The only news was that he also has a very low platelet count in his blood; but there are no further non-invasive tests that can be done and his treatment options for most anything they might find would be limited in any event. So....got back to the house around 7 PM.
We will consult with his primary care doc next week. Dad vowed he will never set foot in the ER again. Perhaps.
The only mildly amusing episode of the day was when I overheard one of the two attractive 30 something nurses who had been assisting us say that the two Elmers were "cute." How nice. My toothless 95 year old dad and I are regarded as cute - in the same sense, no doubt, that something is cute on America's Funniest Home Videos or an orphaned animal is cute. Still, I suppose I should be flattered.
For the record, however, I would like to note that I thought the nurses were also cute and my definition of the term still includes at least a whiff of animal lust - however qualified. So there you have it.
The only redeeming feature of the day was a wonderful supper of "angry pasta" courtesy of Alison. I made a pig of myself.
This morning I was back at the elders to give dad a bath when I was reminded that today is the folk's 65th wedding anniversary. I knew that earlier in the week...but had forgotten after the excitement of the previous 24 hours. Mom suggested steak for supper and while I was chatting-it-up with dad he asked me to get mom flowers which I thought was pretty special - maybe some "cute" had rubbed-off on the ol' coot from the day before.
Mom was thrilled to get the flowers and gave the ol' boy a kiss. Also cute. Auntie came out for supper and we had a nice get together.
I leave you with the folks wedding picture from 65 years ago today
Evelyn Klump and Elmer Lindstrom tie the knot. Al Bloomquist was dad's best man. I need to be reminded of the name of mom's girlfriend.
For their honeymoon they went out to the cabin on Lena Point. Fished most of the daylight hours. I'm sure dad thought it was very romantic... Mom...not so much me thinks. Still, a marriage that lasts 65 years is not to be sneezed-at...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dick Cheney has no Pulse
Doing a little cooking this afternoon including preparing a marinade for what I predict is going to be a VERY tasty pork ragout to be served at Elderburg tomorrow evening. Lean pork cubes are now soaking in a mixture of fresh mint and dill, raisins, dried apricots, cumin, thyme, salt, pepper, red wine and red wine vinegar.
During the course of preparing the marinade I was listening to the Rachel Maddow Show. One of her guests was a heart surgeon who described the procedure Mr. Cheney underwent last week to treat his congestive heart failure. Apparently Dick's ticker just can't pump enough blood these days.
So last week a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) was implanted in his chest and attached to his heart. The guts of this device is an impeller that spins at a high RPM pushing the blood through his heart and body. The doctor brought one of the devices into the studio. It looks remarkably similar in configuration and size to a bilge pump for a small boat. The device is powered by an external battery pack that he can strap to his belly - the wiring connected to his device through a small incision. At night he has to be hooked up to a wall outlet.
I had never heard of this device before and was fascinated. One of the odd side-effects of the implant is that the host no longer has a pulse...the blood is steadily impelled through the body as opposed to being pumped in a normal heart rhythm. So...Dick Cheney has no pulse...life imitates art once again... Hah!
During the course of preparing the marinade I was listening to the Rachel Maddow Show. One of her guests was a heart surgeon who described the procedure Mr. Cheney underwent last week to treat his congestive heart failure. Apparently Dick's ticker just can't pump enough blood these days.
So last week a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) was implanted in his chest and attached to his heart. The guts of this device is an impeller that spins at a high RPM pushing the blood through his heart and body. The doctor brought one of the devices into the studio. It looks remarkably similar in configuration and size to a bilge pump for a small boat. The device is powered by an external battery pack that he can strap to his belly - the wiring connected to his device through a small incision. At night he has to be hooked up to a wall outlet.
Dick Cheney's New and Improved Heart
I had never heard of this device before and was fascinated. One of the odd side-effects of the implant is that the host no longer has a pulse...the blood is steadily impelled through the body as opposed to being pumped in a normal heart rhythm. So...Dick Cheney has no pulse...life imitates art once again... Hah!
Monday, July 12, 2010
E-Commerce
I was reading the news online Saturday morning when I noticed my 7 1/2 year old computer was suddenly panting...actually it was squealing like a stuck pig. I figured that pig squeals were probably not a good thing in a computer...so immediately logged-off and powered down. Fired the ol' gal back up and seemed OK - but then late yesterday afternoon it happened again, the fan in the tower went batshit.
Indeed, although this is the first acute nervous breakdown of my trusty Dell, there have been numerous other aggravations that have cropped-up in the past year or so that have suggested it may be time for an upgrade. Downloading pics is now painfully slow, for example. And attempting to do anything but the simplest photo editing task will frequently result in a lock-up or various warnings of the "you have insufficient memory" variety.
I would have purchased a new computer some time ago if I had not been wracked by indecision. One part of me wanted to buy a Mac which appears to be uniformly highly regarded by folks who do a lot of photography and other media stuff. On the other hand, every time I price compare it appears that I can get a lot more machine for the money from Dell than I can from Apple. Decisions. Decisions.
Finally, I flipped a mental coin and it came up Dell. Still wonder if I made the right decision - but I can at least take comfort in the fact that my current Dell still more-or-less functions after 7 1/2 years. That's about age 140 in computer years. Dell makes a perfectly fine product although perhaps not as elegant as their Apple cousins. And although I would be happy to jettison Microsoft Windows I'm not sure it's worth $1500 bucks to do so which seems to be the Apple premium.
So...ordered a high end Dell with many bells and whistles as well as the latest version of Photoshop. Put everything on my credit card. No problem.
At 8 AM this morning my phone was ringing off the hook with a friendly computer generated inquiry from my pals at Bank of America's fraud unit regarding my "unusual" purchases of the evening before. After much button punching I THOUGHT I communicated to my bank that everything was copacetic.
An hour later I received an email from Dell saying that my purchase was being denied and I should give my bank a call. I did. Only took 45 minutes or so to get through the voice mail maze and two real live people who passed me along the Bank of America food chain. The third person finally "cleared" my account but told me that due to some very murky issue relating to the rebooting of their computer on Sunday night (sounded like COMPLETE bullshit to me) I would have to either go back and make the purchases all over again or get Dell and Adobe to resubmit the original bills.
By this time I had received three more emails from Dell and Adobe regarding my banking problem. And after studying them carefully for no more than a half-hour or so concluded that they, as a matter of course, would resubmit the charges to Bank of America.
Tomorrow morning I will go into my Dell and Adobe online accounts and see if there is any record of my purchases. I put the odds no better than fifty-fifty.
Indeed, although this is the first acute nervous breakdown of my trusty Dell, there have been numerous other aggravations that have cropped-up in the past year or so that have suggested it may be time for an upgrade. Downloading pics is now painfully slow, for example. And attempting to do anything but the simplest photo editing task will frequently result in a lock-up or various warnings of the "you have insufficient memory" variety.
I would have purchased a new computer some time ago if I had not been wracked by indecision. One part of me wanted to buy a Mac which appears to be uniformly highly regarded by folks who do a lot of photography and other media stuff. On the other hand, every time I price compare it appears that I can get a lot more machine for the money from Dell than I can from Apple. Decisions. Decisions.
Finally, I flipped a mental coin and it came up Dell. Still wonder if I made the right decision - but I can at least take comfort in the fact that my current Dell still more-or-less functions after 7 1/2 years. That's about age 140 in computer years. Dell makes a perfectly fine product although perhaps not as elegant as their Apple cousins. And although I would be happy to jettison Microsoft Windows I'm not sure it's worth $1500 bucks to do so which seems to be the Apple premium.
So...ordered a high end Dell with many bells and whistles as well as the latest version of Photoshop. Put everything on my credit card. No problem.
At 8 AM this morning my phone was ringing off the hook with a friendly computer generated inquiry from my pals at Bank of America's fraud unit regarding my "unusual" purchases of the evening before. After much button punching I THOUGHT I communicated to my bank that everything was copacetic.
An hour later I received an email from Dell saying that my purchase was being denied and I should give my bank a call. I did. Only took 45 minutes or so to get through the voice mail maze and two real live people who passed me along the Bank of America food chain. The third person finally "cleared" my account but told me that due to some very murky issue relating to the rebooting of their computer on Sunday night (sounded like COMPLETE bullshit to me) I would have to either go back and make the purchases all over again or get Dell and Adobe to resubmit the original bills.
By this time I had received three more emails from Dell and Adobe regarding my banking problem. And after studying them carefully for no more than a half-hour or so concluded that they, as a matter of course, would resubmit the charges to Bank of America.
Tomorrow morning I will go into my Dell and Adobe online accounts and see if there is any record of my purchases. I put the odds no better than fifty-fifty.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Contributors
Worthy pics from pals.
AND THE WINNER OF THE BEST CONTRIBUTING PHOTO IS?????.....
"Juneau 4th of July Kick-line (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
That be fungus (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Eric's tool chest after a walk with Elmo (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Elmo's pal Finnegan the Yorky (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Dam! (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Peaceful Lynn Canal (Photo Courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Two boneheads (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
I'ts July...I'm so confused!!!! (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
My ol' Boss Al Adams - Life Is Good!!! (Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart)
AND THE WINNER OF THE BEST CONTRIBUTING PHOTO IS?????.....
"Juneau 4th of July Kick-line (Photo courtesy of Eric Swanson)
Hiking Fools
Two beautiful days and two days of hiking. Wednesday afternoon was drop-dead gorgeous and Eric, the hounds and I wandered out to the Boy Scout Camp. The fish were jumping. Lots of seagulls and ducks around...must have been some sort of feed although it was not obvious what was on their menu.
Yesterday was even better weather-wise and we trouped up to Granite Creek Basin - one of my favourite hikes. Quite a few fellow retirees on the trail...most accompanied by hounds. Everyone smiling. Everyone in a good mood.
There were still a few patches of snow in the basin and the hounds went nuts...you would think they had never seen the white stuff before. Chasing each other around. Rolling in the snow. Quite humorous.
Yesterday was even better weather-wise and we trouped up to Granite Creek Basin - one of my favourite hikes. Quite a few fellow retirees on the trail...most accompanied by hounds. Everyone smiling. Everyone in a good mood.
There were still a few patches of snow in the basin and the hounds went nuts...you would think they had never seen the white stuff before. Chasing each other around. Rolling in the snow. Quite humorous.
Just below Granite Creek Basin...getting into Alpine terrain
Granite Creek Basin and Mount Olds
Walking through Granite Creek Basin...looked-up one of the snow slide gulches...and here comes a guy and his dog!
Eric's hounds found the snow very invigorating
Rovers in the clover
The doggies flushed a couple of ptarmigan - the only wildlife we saw...
Well, time to head over to the elders...Friday is bath day for the ol' coot. And both mom's and auntie's yards need mowing today.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Monday, July 5, 2010
'Manda's Big News
Got a call from daughter Amanda on Saturday...she was positively giddy. She had just received a call from the Superintendent of Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka - offering her a job as their activities coordinator. She accepted the offer without skipping a beat.
The job comes with a lot of responsibilities including supervising 10 folks in some capacity. Sounds like she will be overseeing both some in-school activities as well as after school stuff. It's a boarding school - 24/7 responsibilities for keeping kids safe and, with luck, focused on wholesome activities. Way to go 'Manda!
I, of course, look forward to having her within a hundred miles or so...a short twenty minute flight or four hour trip by fast ferry. She'll need to get an apartment and get a household set-up and I suspect she may be willing to countenance my assistance... No starting date yet; but it will be sometime in August. YIPPEE!
In other news, Day #2 of the Juneau King Crab Fest went-off without a hitch and we harvested four more of the buggers. Had to throw about six small ones back...but it was a very successful two day event. The elders hoovered two big crab in two days....nothing wrong with their appetites.
Friday night found me at Joan's for BBQ rotisserie chicken which was very moist and tasty. And an absolutely fabulous lemon cake with homemade lemon sorbet for dessert. Good company too.
Saturday was a wash-out and the fireworks scheduled for midnight were put on "hold" before noon. The Fourth of July was modestly better but still plenty of liquid sunshine. I elected to take a pass on standing in the rain to watch the parade and was sound asleep hours before the midnight fireworks display. An imminently forgettable Fourth of July from my perspective. But then again, I exerted zero effort so got what I bargained for...
Well, gonna do a little house cleaning and it's off to Dougie's and Alison's tonight for supper. Sounds like there may be a one day break in the shitty weather on Wednesday so will get the various yards mowed and, if I'm lucky, get out on the trails.
Cheers!
The job comes with a lot of responsibilities including supervising 10 folks in some capacity. Sounds like she will be overseeing both some in-school activities as well as after school stuff. It's a boarding school - 24/7 responsibilities for keeping kids safe and, with luck, focused on wholesome activities. Way to go 'Manda!
I, of course, look forward to having her within a hundred miles or so...a short twenty minute flight or four hour trip by fast ferry. She'll need to get an apartment and get a household set-up and I suspect she may be willing to countenance my assistance... No starting date yet; but it will be sometime in August. YIPPEE!
In other news, Day #2 of the Juneau King Crab Fest went-off without a hitch and we harvested four more of the buggers. Had to throw about six small ones back...but it was a very successful two day event. The elders hoovered two big crab in two days....nothing wrong with their appetites.
Friday night found me at Joan's for BBQ rotisserie chicken which was very moist and tasty. And an absolutely fabulous lemon cake with homemade lemon sorbet for dessert. Good company too.
Saturday was a wash-out and the fireworks scheduled for midnight were put on "hold" before noon. The Fourth of July was modestly better but still plenty of liquid sunshine. I elected to take a pass on standing in the rain to watch the parade and was sound asleep hours before the midnight fireworks display. An imminently forgettable Fourth of July from my perspective. But then again, I exerted zero effort so got what I bargained for...
Well, gonna do a little house cleaning and it's off to Dougie's and Alison's tonight for supper. Sounds like there may be a one day break in the shitty weather on Wednesday so will get the various yards mowed and, if I'm lucky, get out on the trails.
Cheers!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Crabby!
Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head....
Reveille at 5:30 AM this morning. First day of a five day King Crab opening and Larry, Curly, and Moe, aka, Dougie, Eric and Elmer, were determined to soak their pot before the masses. We succeeded.
After a wholesome breakfast, we launched Eric's well-appointed skiff at Auke Bay and were ready to set the pot by 9 AM.
After setting the pot we motored over to the boat launch at North Douglas to fish for King Salmon for a few hours waiting for the crab to fall into our well placed trap. We actually got a small King Salmon...'bout 25 inches or so...under what we presumed to be the 28 inch limit...so we threw his sorry (and I suspect now deceased) ass back.
NOTE TO SELF. READ THE REGULATIONS - OR AT LEAST THE CRIB NOTES. We could have kept the damn fish 'cause we were fishing in a "terminal area" - according to my landlord who is younger and smarter than Larry, Curly or Moe.
But King Salmon frustration notwithstanding all was forgotten when we hauled the pot...and scored 6 very appetizing legal King Crab. Huzzahh!
So...a delightful day. After we plucked the pot we added more bait and dumped it over the side to soak overnight. We'll be back to collect the bounty tomorrow afternoon.
Have a Happy Fourth of July weekend everybody
Reveille at 5:30 AM this morning. First day of a five day King Crab opening and Larry, Curly, and Moe, aka, Dougie, Eric and Elmer, were determined to soak their pot before the masses. We succeeded.
Dougie gets a week-day playdate with his retired pals
After a wholesome breakfast, we launched Eric's well-appointed skiff at Auke Bay and were ready to set the pot by 9 AM.
Larry and Curly bait the crab pot (Photo courtesy of Moe)
What went overboard accidentally?
After setting the pot we motored over to the boat launch at North Douglas to fish for King Salmon for a few hours waiting for the crab to fall into our well placed trap. We actually got a small King Salmon...'bout 25 inches or so...under what we presumed to be the 28 inch limit...so we threw his sorry (and I suspect now deceased) ass back.
NOTE TO SELF. READ THE REGULATIONS - OR AT LEAST THE CRIB NOTES. We could have kept the damn fish 'cause we were fishing in a "terminal area" - according to my landlord who is younger and smarter than Larry, Curly or Moe.
Guests from lord knows where practice their sea kayaking skills. PREPARE TO REPEL BOARDERS STARBOARD
But King Salmon frustration notwithstanding all was forgotten when we hauled the pot...and scored 6 very appetizing legal King Crab. Huzzahh!
When the pot came up...it was party time!
One minute you're walking around at 400 feet below sea level...and then, suddenly you're dismembered and going into a cauldron of boiling water!!!
So...a delightful day. After we plucked the pot we added more bait and dumped it over the side to soak overnight. We'll be back to collect the bounty tomorrow afternoon.
Have a Happy Fourth of July weekend everybody
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