Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Fall Weather

After the clear, sunny weather the last couple of days, today's overcast with sprinkles wasn't very welcome. Plus it was 32°F this morning. More of the same is forecast for the next couple of days. Note that we are now well past the "leaves change color" stage and well into the "everything falls all over the yard" stage.

The first photo was taken on Sunday afternoon as the rain was rolling in to stay for the next couple of days.  On Monday, I was walking down the sidewalk and something in my left knee went "pop". Never a good sound. I managed to hobble my way to the clinic and after several hours, they weren't sure. And the insurance wouldn't authorize any other tests until it has been a problem for "a while". That must be a new unit of time in the insurance industry. They suggested that I come back in a week if I still couldn't walk. Health care at its best.

Today, I rode out to the coffee shop and though it's still a bit challenging to get on the bike, it isn't any worse than getting into the truck. This photo was taken out near all of the box stores on the nice road that was put in for no obvious reason.  Maybe to entice other box stores to develop the area. I stopped at the farmer's market on the way home and picked up another cabbage and some beets (yum!).

12 comments:

  1. Left knees must be an old guy thing as mine is also acting up. But, I've been expecting it since it was surgically repaired 45 years ago. Waiting for a while and having to go back sounds like a new medical term. Or maybe Alaska has its own methods of stalling?

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    1. Stalling is good for insurance company profits. But I'm walking around better today than earlier in the week.

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  2. I feel your pain. In my case its plantar faciitis on my left heel. Quite painful to walk on, used to be just very tight heels when awakening which would fade as I walked around. I think I messed something up during a recent sprint to catch the rig which was rolling away from me on Guanella Pass.

    My right calf felt like one giant charley horse but that passed, the left heel's pain seems to be "lingering". I got a cane today to get around the next few days.

    Old age isn't for the weak.

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    1. I went to a podiatrist when I had that same problem and he recommended different insoles and a cortisone shot. The shot got rid of the pain and the new insoles slowly stretched out the tendons. The problem disappeared completely.

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  3. Insurance. Pharmaceutical companies. Healthcare bureaucracy. So tired of all their shenanigans! Hope your knee heals up well with no lasting issues. Sheesh, SMH.
    On a better note. Yep, tis Autumn, or in your case nearly winter. I love the subtle colors and the fading flowers. It's like nature heaves a sigh and says time to curl up with a nice book and blanket and relax.

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    1. Too many hoops and blocks (and exhorbitant profits) within the healthcare industry. And too many CYA procedures as well. I seriously think the system needs an overhaul including tort reform.

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  4. I hope your knee feels better soon. I don't really understand our health insurance processes. Oh wait, to maximize their profits, that's right. I forgot.

    But on the other hand, cabbage and beets, yumm!! Whatcha gonnna make?

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    1. You got that right! Maximize profits (and full employment for all the lawyers).

      I just like sliced, cooked beets. Hot, cold, pickled, just about any way. And I have sauerkraut in a crock getting "aged" and the rest is for galumpkis aka stuffed cabbage rolls. A nice cold weather dish. Last Sunday, we went to an Ethiopian new year celebration and there was a tasty cabbage, potato, carrot, onion dish. When I visited Ethiopia, this was served often. I'm going to try and make that as well. An girl originally from Ethiopia explained how to prepare it.

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  5. Knee issues? Welcome to my world... I hope it will get better soon. Give it some rest, will you?

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    1. This is the first time I've had an issue with my knees. Maybe they didn't like my short "test" bike ride.

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  6. Adding another left knee, left heel story to the mix makes me feel like we're in a remake of Grumpy Old Men, and I'm Walter Matthau. The good news is that it's actually getting better. So Richard, Dom, Dude, and Sonja I'm here to say there is hope.

    As for health care and the insurance industry, they're a dismal bunch, aided and abetted by lawyers, actuaries, and sadly, a good number of doctors.

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    1. Never saw the movie so I won't try to make a comparison. I like your description of the heath care/insurance industry.

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