This past week was a bit on the rough side. I came down ill; the problem turned out to be a partially obstructed small intestine (naturally occurring). This caused severe cramping in both my stomach and abdomen — very uncomfortable conditions. I’ve had similar symptoms in past years; the treatment includes using a product called Linzess (designed to reduce constipation) to help “clean out” the plumbing.
I missed work for a couple of days while the Linzess did its work. A visit to the clinic on Thursday, complete with X-rays, blood draw, and urinalysis confirmed I did not have an infection, good news, but treatment assumes the muscles around the constriction will relax and open the passage completely. This normally takes a couple of days. I did go back to work on Friday but left a few hours early as my stamina had been greatly reduced. It will be several days before my digestive system is back to normal.
So…an uncomfortable week followed by a light-duty weekend. Pam mowed the lawn and I did odd jobs and small chores around the house. Heading to The Lot was out of the question.
There are a few other bits of news, though. We bought a replacement Honda Accord, a 2007 model with just over 43K miles on it. We have not brought it home yet, though, as it is in Colorado Springs. More on this car after we get it home but here is an internet photo of one:
2007 Honda Accord (Ours is white.)
I had driven over to The Lot last weekend to pick up a load of firewood, drain The Box’s holding tanks, top off the fresh water tank, and get one of the propane tanks filled. Checking Craig’s List, I saw this Honda listed and decided it was worth while driving to Colorado Springs to look at it. After a test drive and review of the CarFax, I thought it would be a suitable replacement for our 2001 Accord, now clocking 415K miles, and put down a deposit. Plan had been to pick it up this weekend but that did not work out (see above-referenced illness) so we will try for auto retrieval next weekend, the 17th.
Here are a couple photos from last weekend’s Sanderling trip:
24 gallons of fresh water in the back of the truck
First load of firewood, 2017
Here on the high desert, there was some interesting activity in town, sort of funny in a way. One evening we saw what appeared to be a drilling rig setting up in an alley within sight distance from our kitchen window. Pam suggested they might be drilling a well; I replied I didn’t think they could do that in town. Both of us were partially correct, as it turns out.
Residents had been complaining about a natural gas smell but the energy company could not pinpoint a leak. Eventually an old, undocumented, and leaking/uncapped well was discovered in that alleyway. The energy company brought in a rig to cap the old well, a process that took several days.
A long time resident and friend who serves as a Town Trustee told us a story about the well. Seems when, back in the day, the town was connecting homes to city utilities, a crusty old codger did not like the idea. It is surmised he drilled his own well so he didn’t have to pay the town’s fees. Eventually he died, the house was sold and subsequent owners hooked up to the city system, and knowledge of the well was lost. When it started to leak the search located it and the current capping was undertaken. Now finished, the town should be safer and the odor (not your “normal” natural gas odor which is due to chemicals being added to the supply system) has disappeared. All good things! The capped well is less than a full block from our house so we are glad it has been identified and the problem fixed.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Two Cents Worth:
Our “two weeks” of Spring now behind us, the high desert is heating up into the 90s. Ugh.
Rambler’s kittens are almost a month old! Rambler, being feral, isn’t too friendly but I can occasionally reach in and pick up the kittens, usually when cage cleaning. The birthing box has been outgrown and the feisty little tykes are starting to “adventure” out. I believe Rambler has two boys and three girls. Names are DeLorean, Aston Martin, Tesla, Lexus and Lotus.
Back outside, KitKat’s feral mom has at least three kittens (approx. 6-7 weeks old) roaming the neighborhood and coming to the feral cat feeding station. If I can trap them, I’ll hold them indoors until they are large enough for spay/neuter, then release them. (Of course, we know how that worked out last time with KitKat. She decided to be partially socialized — making her an indoor/outdoor feline.)
Rambler with her kittens
Happy Trails.
Nice to hear you’ve found a “new” pre-owned. Hopefully it provides many mostly problem free miles. 4300 miles/year would make it lightly driven, an around-town car.
Having gone through several inadvertent purges, I’d have difficulty facing one intentionally!
It would be nice if there are preventative measures that don’t involve obscure diets or lots of medication.
DeBeque is very fortunate that the gas leak was detected. A theremobaric fuel air explosive is nasty, and 1 block is probably within the initial gas expansion zone.
Unusual warmth in Wisconsin too — mid-90’s, though not quite as humid as late summer, though today’s dew point in the 70’s is coming close.
As the climate changes, the forecast is for 90’s to become “average” during the summer, and for humidity to increase world-wide (melting glaciers, more water, more water in the air). Fewer but stronger storms too. No doubt we’ll be long gone by the time it gets bad, but the children & grandchildren won’t…
Pam chuckles: Those TV advertisements for Linzess feature animated cartoon-like figures merrily going about their business, both work and play. Not so much. Writhing and groaning in discomfort would be more accurate. The newer doses are somewhat milder, to negate some of the gas build up. I always used to wonder why people our parents’ ages only seemed to talk about ailments. Ah, now I “get it.” Every morning there’s the inventory – what’s working, what isn’t? Boring, but reality.
Slight modification:
1. First we have to wake up
2. Then we take inventory
3. Finally, try not to panic too much if something is missing…