Fun with technology

Saturday night, when I was on the phone with my oldest friend, Kathy texted me. She was on her way home from a little weekend getaway with her grandkids and wanted to check in to see how I was doing, job-wise.

I immediately texted her back. Or rather, my phone texted her back.

•  Can't talk, text me.
•  Driving, call you right back.
•  What's up?

Three messages within three minutes. And I was nowhere near my phone.

This completely freaked Kathy out. For I don't drive. I don't even have a driver's license. She worried that it was code that I was in some kind of trouble. Sunday morning, she asked me to text her back, something that only I would know, so she would know it was me texting and that I was OK.

I responded that Reynaldo and I were arguing about his breakfast. That satisfied her.

It was sweet of her to be freaked out. It's nice to know someone is looking out for me.

And it's funny that I used "Reynaldo" as my safe word, since it turns out he was the culprit. I recharge my phone on the kitchen counter, and I just now saw him walk across the screen. Those were auto messages I sent Kathy, and I think they were courtesy of cat paws.

From now on, I leave the phone face down when I charge it!

Sunday Stealing

COTTAGE BY THE SEA 

01  What is the worst nickname that anyone has ever called you? When we were in junior high, my older sister liked to call me "Butchy" because it reminded both us of that she was the pretty, feminine one. I will always wonder why my parents allowed her to do this.

I love 'em all!

02  Have you got a favorite flower? Carnations. They are lasting and come in so many colors!

03  Do you add a sauce, ketchup or other artificial flavorings to your food? Yes. Always. Like my nephew, I put ketchup on my ketchup.

04  Describe yourself using only words that begin with the letter 'T.'  Talkative and tender.

05  What is/was your lover's pet name for you? Moonbeam. He only used it on cards, never in conversation. I don't know why.

06  What is your least favorite color? I look terrible in yellow.

07  Who did you vote for in the last election, and did they win? JB Pritzker was at the head of the 2018 ticket here in IL, I voted for him, and he's now our governor. I think he's doing a good job.

08  What is/was your grandfathers’ names? Al and Roy.

09  What is the best present you ever received? Blaze! I just mentioned him in yesterday's Saturday 9. I told Santa how desperately I wanted him, and will always remember the glorious moment when I spotted him under the tree.

  
10  What is 17 1/2% of 97 + 42 x (6 / 2) – 137 ? No one told me there would be math.

11  What would be the best possible way you could live? Peacefully

12  Given the choice of absolutely anything, what would be your dream job?  Pet sitter

 
13  What position do you sleep in at night? On my right side.

14  What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? Too many to choose only one. That's why I love Lucy so much. She's my spirit animal!

via GIPHY

15  Who is your favorite fictional character?  Lucy Ricardo.

16  What food do you hate most in the world? Raw tomatoes.

17  When was the last time you were ill? Earlier this year, I had bronchitis.

18  If you were transformed into a wild creature, what would it be? Okapi. They're rare and gentle. They communicate with each other by making this charming little "chuff" noise.

19  What was your favorite toy as a child, and whatever happened to it? My stuffed Lassie was my favorite. She's in my bedroom closet right now.

20  What's the most amazing thing you've ever seen? Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. It still makes my heart sing.

The magic moment my guys became WORLD CHAMPIONS!

And so we begin again

Saturday afternoon, I had my first session with a new therapist. It felt good.

I made the appointment to talk about Henry. Our relationship causes me pain and it shouldn't, because I intellectually understand everything we were told when he was still in the hospital back in October 2018: we can look for him to often be depressed, irrational, paranoid and hostile. And he frequently has been. I'd like to add manipulative, too. I know it's the brain injury. I know he can't help it. I know he often doesn't even remember much of what he's done. And yet it still hurts.

We also had to discuss my impending joblessness. It will have an impact on my insurance and ability to pay for sessions, after all. She said she thought I was handling it well. And I suppose I am, when I'm talking about it. It's when I wake up first thing in the morning, alone and swirling in my own thoughts, that I'm scared.

Which is why, Saturday night, I reached out across the miles to my oldest friend. I told her that when the new shrink asked about my relationships, I mentioned that my oldest friend and I are Beatle bonded and have been buds since 1964, when we were six and seven. The doc literally sighed and touched her heart. Anyway, talking to my oldest friend also helped. I have to remember to reach out when I get weird.