April chit-chat

[agate]

Hmm. With a question like that I'd do a Google search and try searching Amazon as well, for starters. If that's the reply you got from Microsoft Copilot, I'm underwhelmed too.

I've never liked using a cane and never used one for long. So I'm no authority on the subject. I probably never learned how to use it right. I've heard of a need to learn how to use a cane properly and have an impression some people get one through a durable medical equipment place. Might it even be covered by Medicare with a doctor's rx?

I've known people who have more than one cane, and they choose the one that suits their needs for the time and the occasion and how they're doing just then.

[flatcap]

I looked it up, and Medicare will cover the cost of a cane if the seller is enrolled in Medicare. You need what amounts to a prescription. You also have to have met the Part B deductible of course.

I am not looking for anything special, just a nice solid wood cane that doesn't cost too much. I googled them a while ago, found several, and bookmarked them. Among the places I looked was Etsy. I found a few there, but they have since been sold.

That leaves this bamboo cane I have been looking at. It costs $32.95, which isn't too bad. I like everything about it except the gold collar, but I think I could live with it. The little silver bit below the collar is a CE sticker. I assume it could be removed. I think the bamboo is pretty cool, and it turns out to be a traditional material. I found a lot of vintage bamboo canes on Etsy but they were all too long. They also uniformly had metal ferrules/tips. I would prefer rubber. This one has a rubber tip that can be replaced when it wears out.

ETA: They did show me how to use a cane when I went to physical therapy. I'm not sure, but I think I could get used to using one. If not, I won't be out too much in terms of cost. If it doesn't work out, I suppose that would mean I need to consider a rollator. I am definitely not ready for that yet. I don't believe I need that much help walking. If I do get a cane, I will most certainly have it with me when I next see my PCP. That should be sufficient to show that I am going along with the program.

[agate]

I just happened to be looking at the most recent issue of Consumer Reports where there is an article on getting around town that includes a section on canes. I can't get the article but it's quite short:

" Canes
They come in numerous styles, including the rustic wooden beauties at websites such as

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

and endlessly customizable ones from Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...."



Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...)

[agate]

My apologies for splitting up this post. There was a problem with posting the links, and this way was an option.

Article on canes from May-June Consumer Reports, continued:

..."For most people, an offset cane, with a curved top that can bear some of your weight, can go a long way in making a walk more comfortable. The experts we interviewed say a height-adjustable lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber cane with a nonslip rubber tip, such as the Mosaic Stained Window Offset Walking Cane With Comfort Grip [$29.95], is generally best.

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

For convenience, a folding cane like the 7.6-ounce LEKI Super Micro Adjustable Travel Cane ($74, Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...), can be stashed in your bag and pulled out when you need it."

[flatcap]

Thanks for the links, agate.

Looking those sites over, I think I will probably get something more like the bamboo cane I mentioned above, most likely that exact one. The cost seems reasonable, and its length is right on the mark (35"). It also looks good, if that matters — which it does to me.

No one ever accused me of not being at least a little bit vain. LOL

[flatcap]

Agate, on the previous page, you asked me to let you know about any reply I might get from my neuro's office to the email I sent them regarding billing. I was surprised that my neuro himself stepped into the conversation, letting me know not to worry about the bill they sent me. He said they would write it off.

[agate]

Trying to look smartly dressed makes sense to me. I find it cheers me up to try to look at least moderately presentable though I'm not much for high fashion. If the clothes and accessories fit and the colors don't clash and everything is clean and in good repair, I'm happy. I wouldn't want a seedy-looking cane or wheelchair or rollator either. People are dressing up their mobility aids in a big way these days but I haven't tried that.

That CE mark might be indelible but it looks to me as if it's not very conspicuous at all.

[flatcap]

Finally got my laundry done yesterday. Yay! Three full loads, then I washed my new bandana by itself to be sure it wouldn't bleed dye onto anything else. It is not color-fast; they make them to mimic textile production in the Civil War period. Everything went fine, but I am none too keen on the colorway of the handkerchief. The photo on the maker's website showed it being a red-ish color. Turns out it is more like ochre. I don't much like the orange-ish shade and probably won't be wearing it as a neckerchief. I don't know what I am going to do with it. Shopping online isn't much fun sometimes (if not a lot of the time).

I'm sitting here right now contemplating taking a shower and going somewhere to get something eat. Since I keep on procrastinating, it looks more and more like it will be later today for the shower and probably dinner out instead of a big mid-afternoon meal. That's OK: I'm not very hungry right now. I might go out for the sirloin steak salad I spoke of the other day. The place just down the street makes a very good one. Yum!

I watched some of the relatively new Netflix series, Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War. There are nine one-hour episodes. I got through the first seven. The series includes parts of several expert interviews and a bunch of bits with members of the public. The foreign language scenes are subtitled. I would recommend watching it. It is very good, if you like history documentaries. This one takes us up to and through the present day, where it highlights the Ukraine war. In my opinion, Russia has once again become a pariah state, this time under Putin. I look forward to watching Episodes 8 and 9. I just hope they aren't too depressing.

As I have mentioned before, I am not a big reader. I do read a lot of news, including in-depth stories about various topics. I have some trouble sorting and remembering names in books, in particular fiction. I don't have quite as much trouble when reading the news, even long news articles, although I sometimes do and have to return to where the names are first mentioned in order to keep things straight. I wish I was better with names. It's not that I don't care about them. In fact, it embarrasses me when I can't remember the names of people I meet in person. It sometimes seems people almost always remember mine. Maybe it's the dashing cap. LOL

Another thing that has developed in me in recent years is the incapacity to remember faces. I don't know what that is called, but I have looked it up before. I just can't remember — you guessed it — the name of the syndrome. LOL

As I mentioned the other day, my neuro is writing off the amount of the erroneous, if not illegal bill they sent me for $50.00. It has nothing to do with any copay. I already paid the Medicare copay ($36.16). They can't expect me to pay any more.

Then, yesterday, I got another call from their big billing department in the sky telling me they were writing off the $36.16 that I paid. Say what? Their billing department must be on drugs or something. The correct amount for the write-off would be $50.00, not $36.16. Even then, it would be wrong. They are not entitled to either amount. I hope the taxman doesn't catch up with them.

I'm not sure I will go back anymore. My next appointment is in August, the place is about 1½ hours away, and I'm not sure if I could make it. I literally fear making the round trip on the same day. I have thought about maybe getting a hotel room when I am there, but that's pretty expensive nowadays. From what I understand, the going rate is around $200 a night. Ouch! It's not like it would be on a vacation or something.

Anyway, that's about all the news that's fit to print. I am doing well. I hope everyone here is, too.

[agate]

Would that term be prosopagnosia?

I have trouble remembering names when reading a book involving people or when watching a movie. I often make a list of the characters or people and keep that list with me for as long as it takes to get through the book or movie. Some books are loaded with characters!

It may very well be your dashing cap that allows people to remember you, flatcap. A hat of the style you're attached to doesn't obscure the face much at all, unlike (for example) baseball-type caps such as men often wear.

Baseball-type caps often put the entire face in shadow, and I strongly suspect that some men (not naming any names here) wear them just so they won't look as old as they are......

[Virginia]

I have been reading and trying to keep up, but can't remember a lot of what I have read.

Monday I went to the grocery store. I had three trips from the car up to my steps using my cart. I am weak and still tired from being sick and dealing with the attempted theft from an account. After getting two cart loads in the house I was just dreading going back for the third when a neighbor happened by walking her dog. She saw what was happening and got all the rest of the groceries into my cart, brought them up to my steps and into my house. I don't think she will ever know how grateful I was for that act of kindness.

I stayed home Tuesday and tried to get some rest, but things just kept popping up and I didn't get to rest and read the way I wanted to. I received a letter in the mail from the financial institution where the attempted fraud took place. It stated that for one thing such as taxes they were using my residential address and for something else they were using my mailing address. Anyway, it sounded as though they had two addresses for me. I called and was assured they do not. The man I talked to did recommend that I put an additional security code on that account. He said just use one word that I was sure I would remember. Then he told me to write a letter giving them that password and gave me the address to send it to. I have that ready to go now and will try to get it in the mail tomorrow.

Then yesterday I went to get my hair done. I was about two weeks late. I had an appointment during my recent illness and I had rescheduled. I am walking with a cane now all the time when I am out of the house. The chair and shampoo bowl are about 15 feet apart. I carried the cane in my right hand and she put out her arm for me to hold with my left hand. I could tell she thought I did not look well.

I phoned an order in for some Chinese food and went by and picked that up. Their parking all around was totally full, so the girl on the phone told me she would run it out to the car to me. I thought of Flatcap because next door to the Chinese restaurant there is a sushi bar. I think they were doing a booming business. Then I stopped at the grocery store and got a pint of gelato. I have lost some weight. Not a lot but I don't want to lose any. It is enough that clothes are not fitting as well as they did before I got sick.

I saw that Snuggles has lost 12lbs. I think it sounds like she is doing great on Weight Watchers. I commend you for this. I am sure the longer you stick with it the easier it will be.

I had really bad stretching in my left leg Sunday through yesterday. It normally is only along my shin when I have it, but this time it was all around my leg. My leg got very tight. I used to have this back when I was trying to get a diagnosis and some after that. This was the first time I had experienced it in quite some time. A very old symptom flaring up worse than ever.

Has anyone ever had this?

My brother came over for just a little while this afternoon. He worked on my computer. It had gotten real slow. He fixed the computer, but my email is extremely slow. It just sits there and grinds away. He told me there was nothing he could do about that. He said it was my providers problem and I would have to call them. It will have to wait. I just don't feel like I can deal with it now.

Is everyone doing well? Flatcap hope you get that steak and salad tonight. Glad you got the neuro's office and the money they falsely said you owed all straightened out? Is there a Neuro a little closer to you that you can see? This reminds me, I have a doctor's appointment next month. This is to meet and talk to a new PCP. I think this one is Egyptian. We'll see how long he stays.

[flatcap]

Hi, Virginia,

I feel tired all the time, I think because my sleep pattern is so erratic, so I sympathize with you. It's just no fun feeling worn out, especially if you haven't done a lot to bring it on. I hope you are feeling better soon. I also hope you can get your new security password worked out. It worries me that you have to do things like that.

I didn't get any refund from me neuro's office because I hadn't overpaid my account. They sent me the bill for the additional $50.00, and I ignored it until their billing center called me about it. It took some effort to get it all worked out, but things are OK now.

There are several neuros in the hospital system I go to for the bulk of my medical care, but they won't let me see one because I have MS. They will only let me see their specialist, and she is by far the worst doctor I have ever seen. I told her as much in my last communication with her through the portal. I told her that she was the most pathetic excuse for a physician I ever had the displeasure of consulting. That closed that book, but it leaves me without a local neuro I can see for my Parkinson's. Hence, I have to drive the far distance to see someone about it. If it weren't for my PCP wanting me to have a neuro, I would probably skip it. He already has me on Sinemet, which is the standard treatment. There isn't much else that can be done about Parkinson's.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean when you say stretching, but it sounds like what used to happen all the time for me around my abdomen. It does sort of feel like stretching, but it was always pretty mild. It hasn't lately been very noticeable unless I think about it.

I did go out for that steak salad tonight. I had it with their champagne vinaigrette dressing. As usual, it was very, very good. It definitely hit the spot, that's for sure. It was one of the rare times I have a glass of beer. It was OK, but I didn't finish it. I just don't like beer as much as I used to. I skipped dessert. If they had apple pie, I would have gone for that, but they don't. That's OK, too. I'm really too full tonight for dessert.

I was going to say that, if your email is Outlook, that might be the cause of the slowness you have observed on your account, but it sounds like your email is through your ISP. My Outlook email is dead slow, but I have finally concluded it is entirely on their end. Once I am logged in, the page takes forever to load at first. After a while, the page finally finishes loading, and things will then start working as expected. I know it's not my internet. We get 100 Mbps here, both up and down, which is more than fast enough for pretty much everything else. For example, my Gmail works lightning fast. I hope you can get that problem worked out as well.

I also hope your new PCP hangs around for a while. I hope he proves to be a good one for you. It isn't easy to find one who is. I like mine very much, but he has moved into management for all but Monday mornings when he still sees diehard patients like me. I hope he sticks with it. He is one of the best doctors I have ever seen.

[flatcap]

Would that term be prosopagnosia?

I have trouble remembering names when reading a book involving people or when watching a movie. I often make a list of the characters or people and keep that list with me for as long as it takes to get through the book or movie. Some books are loaded with characters!

It may very well be your dashing cap that allows people to remember you, flatcap. A hat of the style you're attached to doesn't obscure the face much at all, unlike (for example) baseball-type caps such as men often wear.

Baseball-type caps often put the entire face in shadow, and I strongly suspect that some men (not naming any names here) wear them just so they won't look as old as they are......

That's a good idea about making a list of the characters in books. I will have to try that the next time I pick up a novel. I usually don't have much trouble with names in factual books, but if I find one wherein I do, I will try your method for that as well.

Baseball caps. What a joke those are. It sometimes seems everyone wears one. I don't know what the attraction is. I sat in the bar area at dinner tonight as I usually do, so I could watch the TV. I looked around, and everyone wearing headgear had on a baseball cap. One guy had his pulled down so low, you would think he was wearing blinders. I just don't get it.

I have to say, too, that having a logo on your cap is pretty gauche. I don't get that, either. It's not like you get paid to advertise whatever the print on the cap exclaims. Plus, it just looks stupid. I guess most people get some of their self-worth out of associating themselves with certain products or sports teams. What a waste.

I wear flat caps because, in my opinion, they compliment most men's appearance. I feel good wearing one and do think I look better than I do without. I also think my caps are age-appropriate for me. Frankly, I think they are good for all ages. I also think I would look like a fool if I wore a baseball cap, whether or not it had a logo on it.

I looked it up just now and think prosopagnosia is the correct term. What is weird is the fact that it only started around 2016. I did not have the issue before that. It can be scary sometimes.

[agate]

I agree totally about men's hats! When I was a kid I wore a baseball cap for a while and found it to be uncomfortably hot around the headband. But maybe a flatcap is hot too?

[flatcap]

Flat caps can indeed be hot to wear. In my experience, it depends on the weight of the cloth and the type of sweatband. All but one of mine has a leather sweatband. They can get a little sticky in hot weather. As far as the cloth goes, two of my caps are lightweight merino wool. They don't get too hot until the temperature reaches around 100°.

I still think about a dedicated summer cap, but I doubt I will again try to get one. Caps like mine are costly. Most I have gotten work for me in terms of how they look on me, others have not. I have to take my chances every time. I don't want to spend very much money on more caps. I have enough of them as it is, and I have several that are on their way to charity because I don't like how they look on me.

[agate]

Maybe you're a disciple of Marie Kondo? She says that if a garment doesn't "spark joy," its owner should discard it.

I've always had a problem accepting this attitude because if I spent money on a garment, it seems a shame to discard it. Who knows? I might decide I like it after all in a few years. So I hang onto clothes. They're hard to replace.

Lately, though, I've become more brutal about parting with some of them. I just took a shirt to this building's "free table" because I have hardly ever worn it and it has just hung in the closet for several years now. Maybe someone else will be thrilled to have it as it's still almost new. "Gently used," as they say.