Monday's Road Trip

Monday dawned cool again, but with the promise (or threat, I suppose, depending on what you were planning) Frankly, I need some rain for my gardens and lawn.

I left work for good at lunch time. I have to go to Richmond to see Doctor Pop to obtain my Physician's Release for Surgery. Yes, I know I was just there on May 28th, but as she pointed out, to be a legal release, it must be performed no more than one month prior to my surgery.

It was overcast and cloudy (but still no rain) when I left. Not more than two or three miles down I-96 (heading for the "D") it started to sprinkle. By the time I turned off I-96 and got onto I-94, it was raining so hard the windshield wipers could barely keep up.

Now, I-94 is notorious for its drainage problems so cars were throwing sheets of spray and at times I was driving (slowly) through a foot of water. It was mostly stop-and-go traffic with a top speed of maybe (maybe) 30 MPH! I was sure I would be late, even though I'd left early.

By the time I had slowly worked my way to Mt. Clemens, the rain had stopped and by the time I got to Richmond, it was dusty and dry and like it had never rained. I got to the doctor's just in time (there was a little speeding involved once on dry pavement).

I went through the usual stuff (blood pressure was 105/70, no temperature, etc.) and then the doctor came in. As I said, she apologized for making me drive back. She went through her usual checks and then said I needed a new EKG. I pointed out I just had one last fall, but she insisted.

So, I got ready and they dry-shaved my chest (I hate that, because those spots will itch for the next couple of weeks). Once done, she read the results and said it was unchanged from last fall's test. Then she started talking about another stress test. That's when I really got annoyed. I pointed out I have no symptoms of having heart problems, my ceratoid arteries are clear, etc., so wtf! I am not undergoing major surgery; I'm just getting my stupid shoulder fixed!

She finally relented and said she would send in the release. Thank God! I got dressed and left.

I checked via cell phone and my friend B___ was home. So, I stopped by and we started visiting. His house (unlike mine that still has a slight acrid smoke smell) smelled wonderful, as he had a pot roast in his crock-pot, with the usual carrots, potatoes and onions.

I got a large glass of cold water while he chose a cup of coffee and we sat on his enclosed patio and caught each other up on recent events. He got a brief rain shower earlier, BTW and had 1/16 of an inch in his rain gauge.

About 4:30 PM, he asked if I wanted to stay for supper. I said that, frankly, I was hoping to get some things done tonight, but that roast smelled so good if there was enough, I would be pleased to stay. So, when his wife got home from work, we sat down to eat. She made some sour cream mix for the potatoes and he made delicious pan gravy to top the roast. There was also some incredibly hot horseradish (I know, because I had some). It was all excellent! Living alone, it is a real treat NOT to have to make yourself dinner...

I apologized for eating and running and then left around 6:15 PM. I figured rush hour traffic would be over, but, nay, nay. I took surface streets home (I-696 is still all messed up with construction) and got home around 7:15 PM.

The damn long drive had tuckered me out, so instead of the project I had in mind, I just watered all the container gardens (front and back). I checked my rain gauge and it wasn't even damp!!! Damn!

Back inside, I got out of my travel clothes and started watching some TV. Later in the evening, I wanted a snack, so I mixed up some kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. I used that to season some leftover grape tomatoes, popping each on in my mouth after sticking them in the seasoned salt. I went to bed at 11:00 PM.