Yes, indeed, it’s January and in South Dakota that means cold. Actually it is just the last few days that have been cold. We’ve had a fairly decent winter temperature wise. As one looks at the weather map one sees that the eastern part of the country is faring much worse. From tornadoes to rain to ice to snow they are receiving what we are lucky enough to miss.
Tuesday I had my pre-op physical for the cataract surgery. Then I had time to get in a couple of miles of walking before returning to the Avera campus for my blood work and infusion. Blood work was fine, according to the nurse, and the robots are back at work so the medicine was delivered promptly. I was in and out in two hours! Very nice I say.
Wednesday was take care of the car day. For those of you who do not have them one of the lifesavers on late model cars is the “side approach warning.” If someone is attempting to pass you on either side and they are lurking in your blind-spot a light appears in your outside rear view mirror warning you not to change lanes. I love this feature and it has literally saved my life more than once. As the “book” says, do not depend on these warning features entirely. Well, if they are there you begin to depend on them.
Last Thursday when I was backing out of the garage the message appeared on the dash “side approach indicator warning needs service.” Oh, joy. This is the fourth time that I’ve received that message, twice for the right side and twice for the left. I called for an appointment. The earliest opportunity was Wednesday morning. As the sun was rising I’m off to the other side of the city where the Chevrolet dealership dwells. I intended to wait for the vehicle. There were a couple of other anomalies in the vehicle’s electronic system which seemed to have righted themselves but I wanted them checked. I was advised to take a ride home since they would need the car for observation for “a while.”
The phone call came. “Chevrolet has come up with a fix for the problem which you’ve encountered four times. It involves replacing both modules with better insulated devices, and a new wiring harness. Oh, and your extended warranty expired on January 1, and you need a new battery.” So much news, so many dollars! All was accomplished, my pocket was emptied, the courtesy car returned to ferry me to my newly repaired vehicle and I was on my way to the Pavilion for my usual Wednesday gig.
After returning home I spent some time (read nap) in the bedroom recliner, cat on the lap purring like crazy. I had a blanket over me but noticed that I was getting colder. My bedroom is open to the lower floor so the heat always rises and it is never cold in the bedroom. But—it was getting there.
I checked the thermostat which said it was heating but it wasn’t. The outside temp was not particularly frigid at this point but the wind was blowing. About 6:00 I decided to bite the bullet and call the furnace repair emergency number. They would be happy to come and repair charging only the emergency fee and overtime charges. So there we are. The car is repaired, the furnace is repaired and the bills are amassing. I would venture to say that my Wednesday was one expensive day. The total was minuscule compared to that for the immunotherapy drug on Tuesday, but insurance covers that, thank God. Wednesday was all on me.
I did have to miss choir rehearsal whilst waiting for the furnace repair person. Hopefully what we are singing tomorrow is something I know or can sight read. The rest of the week has been fairly peaceful. Sophia is very happy the construction crews have moved out of the cul de sac and she can enjoy her squirrels and rabbits in peace and quiet.
I just returned from the South Dakota Symphony concert. The orchestra plays so very well it is a pleasure to hear them. This evening’s main performance was Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloe.”
I hope all went well for you this week. By this time next week I should be able to see with my left eye. I’ll let you know.
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