Road Trip

I woke up with the alarm set for the usual time on Saturday. Why? I had to be at the doctor’s in Richmond at 9:00 AM.

I got there exactly at 9:00 AM, for a change. Everything was fine except my blood sugar levels (although well within limits) were higher than last time. I explained how her computer-generated prescription I received in the mail said I didn’t have to fast (like I always do), so I didn’t. She said I should have and had no idea why it said I didn’t.

We agreed to meet again in three months (exact appointment day/time TBD) and she entered in a new request for blood work. When it printed, it still said I didn’t have to fast (she’s apparently new to this system – they were always just handwritten prescriptions before the last time). I said I would just mark it yes in that column, but she was annoyed and wanted to try it again. This time she got it right!

We talked about that shingles vaccination. I knew she wanted the money up front so I had called about a month earlier and asked how much and if I could send it in. They said I had to talk to the doctor first (?). So, she explained that, not only is it expensive ($250) and most insurance companies don’t cover it (mine does – I called and checked) but it is in short supply. I said, “Huh? Then why do they advertise everyone should get it all the time on TV?” (and they do, if you pay attention). She said she had no idea, but told me her story.

She said the last time she put in an order (that people paid up front for) for 10 vials, she only got three! For some reason, pharmacies have better luck getting it than physicians! CVS has it available only in their “Minute-Clinics” (the closest to me is 8-Mile and Haggarty, which ain’t all that close) so she suggested I got to the Rite-Aid in Richmond and get it there.

So, when I left the doctors, I stopped at Rite-Aid in Richmond. I gave them all my information (which is why I wanted to stick to CVS) and my insurance card. The lady said it “appeared” my insurance covered it, but they had a policy: They wanted cash and I could deal with my insurance company myself! By this time, it was already hot and I was already p*ssed, so I told her to forget it, I’d call my insurance company on Monday, and left.

I had already made arrangements to stop by B___’s on the way back and told him I would call him on the cell phone when I was on my way. But, I never called anyone before on it, (only taken calls and sent texts) and couldn’t figure out how to make it work. So after several tries on the way, I finally just sent him a text: “I’m in your driveway!”

We went to one of his favorite local restaurants and he bought me breakfast. Then we went back to his house and he showed me some vacation pictures. They had gone up the east coast into Canada (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). The scenery was rugged, the ocean beautiful, the little fishing towns were old, but well maintained, and the photography exceptional.

I declined Judy’s offer of lunch (I just had breakfast, after all) and, after B___ showed me how to make a call (it took him about a minute to figure it out), I headed back to Redford.

I was back home by 3:00 PM. According to my NOAA radio, it was 98 degrees at Detroit Metro (5 miles south from my house). I watered all the container gardens in front. I’ll do the ones in back later (they’re were full sun then) if the predicted thunderstorms don’t come.

I measured how deep I need to dig down and put the lawn edging in correctly in the new garden (another upcoming project). I marked the depth on my spade with masking tape and painted the top half white (no sense digging deeper than I need to. I gave it two coats and left it on Jake’s patio to dry.

There were new growths of grass and weeds emerging in the driveway, so I sprayed them with the last of that “Groundclear” I bought for the Virginia creeper (oh, I’m sorry, Carl, for the kudzu).

I decided to run the motorcycle for the first time in a long time. I’ve had it on the trickle charger, but when I hit the button, the starter just clicked. So, I put it on a regular battery charger. I am not getting my hopes up, because I’ve been told that some bikers have buy a new battery every spring.

Okay, so it was about 5:00 PM and officially 100 degrees F. at Metro airport. It was too late to the start shower door project, and I’m still not feeling the love about caulking, so I took a nap (there’s some logic there, I just know it!)

I woke up around 6:00, hungry. So, I warmed up two chicken breast I’d thawed out and ate them on buns with mayo and salt (again). I was wondering about adding some cheese to this mixture, but all I had was shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella and good old American cheese slices. Couldn’t make up my mind, so I didn’t try it. Hmmm... I wonder if provolone slices would go well with chicken?

I watched TV after dinner. Sometime during the evening, it did rain. I’m not sure when or how much. I didn’t hear any thunder or see lightning but the pavement was glistening under the street light.

Probably because of the nap, I stayed up until around midnight, but then went to bed.