cool fresh breezes blow
sunlight streams across the porch
summer approaches
Day Whatever. Still plugged up. Yesterday, I made the mistake of searching medical sites for info about sinus congestion and ear infection, and managed to make myself worry that I was getting a brain infection and I was going to die! Even though I’m clearly better, as far as the infection goes—I’m pretty much back to my usual energy level, worked 3-1/2 hours yesterday with no problem, plus ran errands on my way to town, am feeling less pain, and my sinuses are actually fairly clear, as far as breathing goes. They’re just still clogged up way back in there, and my ear is still solidly plugged up. I wish I knew a way to help it unplug more quickly, but I’m doing what I can with hot baths and the neti pot and Vicks and so on, and there’s nothing more I can do, unless I run away to San Francisco for a week and spend half the day sitting in the steam room at the Kabuki Hot Springs. (Mmmm, it’s very tempting. But not a realistic option.)
My next paycheck (or paycheck after next, I can never keep track) is going to be small, due to the sick days. Which is not a big problem, it’ll probably only amount to $70. But I seem to be spending a lot lately. I’ve had some big expenses—fixing the generator, Fangoria, property taxes, and so on. But outside of the generator, it was all planned and known about, so it shouldn’t be a problem to take care of it. I’m also trying to put away $300 a month to savings, which is taking a big chunk out of my spending money, but I am trying to establish a pool of money to be used for these expected but not monthly expenses, like property taxes and truck insurance (which has to be paid next month, I just got the bill yesterday). I figured I should be putting the rent money Mom gives me into savings to use for expenses for her place—the property tax, repairs, and so on. I should try to save up a few thousand to get some real electricity into her place. (Maybe I should call the solar company in Mojave, since the guys at Sharpe seem to be too busy these days.)
Anyway, I’m feeling a bit pinched these days. Not sure if it’s unusual expenses, or what. Probably mostly the effect of not having that extra $300 to spend every month.
Today will be my five mile run. I’ve calculated it out to be 46.8 laps. I’m going to just run around the house again today, taking it easy. I think I’ll just do 1 lap running, 1 lap walking and see how it feels. And I’d better get out there, so I can get done before it gets too hot!
Here’s a photo of the red hills of Utah, taken from my truck on the way to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in September 2005.
