Up and at 'em at 0500, the kitteh's wanted brekkies and I complied. Got the Spousal Unit up at 0545, we had a big morning ahead with TWO doctor appointments. We carefully loaded the family truckster with herself and I discovered the scooter does not fit in the trunk with the top down. We need the top down to get Her in without any drama... We have 40 minutes before our scheduled show time so I had to move quickly. I placed the scooter (wedged is a better description) behind the seats and we powered on into the morning traffic.
It got slow towards downtown and I only drove a bit aggressively, and we arrived with twenty minutes to spare. We sat for ten minutes and the nice nurse came out and asked us into an examination room. When the big clippers came out I slipped outside to the waiting area.
What could go wrong?
I was afraid of seeing green goo under the bandages which would indicate something going way wrong, that's what.
I went back in a few minutes later and saw an eight inch incision on the outside with a number of staples holding it all together. The wound was mostly dry with just a bit of small scabbing, no angry red welts or anything like that! In fact, it looked like she was healed, around her heel... Nevertheless, I still felt a little like throwing up.
The Doctor came in and asked how I was doing... Thanks, Doc.
He asked a few questions and looked at his handiwork closely. Then, he started cutting the staples out. I looked away, not wanting to see something that might hurt.
The Doctor was emphatic about us following his instructions to the "T", and he was getting nothing but "Aye-Aye, Sir" from us. He soon left and another Gent came in to re bandage and splint the ankle. We were now the proud owners of a $500 boot. Lots of velcro and an air pump to help keep everything immobilized. With that we were invited to the Cashier office to cough up our deductible (a mere $50!), which I paid with cash (While loudly complaining that they were taking my Dancing Girl Money!)
So now we were off to the other Doctor office. We got there and there was about twelve people in front of us but we waited for about one minute before a very entertaining lady came out and with great pomp and circumstance, invited everyone to the next area! Once there we waited another three minutes until a skinny and very young Doctor came out and asked us into his office.
When this Doctor had learned that we had lived overseas, he asked a very serious question... "Which Football Club are you a fan of?"
"Well, if you are talking proper Football it would be Arsenal."
He really reacted to that answer, with great relief and a bit of pride. Another Arsenal Fan!
We chatted about good Indian food and where to eat, yadda-yadda. We were also treated to some great news on the health front concerning Vitamin B-12, and how the body holds it for two years. Great news since somebody has been getting B-12 shots now going on three years.
After about ten minutes of warm chat, we were sent away feeling very well served. Jacksonville Orthopedics and the other place (Can't mention the name because it's unmentionable) The Something Specialists have really gone to great lengths to make us healthy and happy. The city we live in is a wonderful place for medical opportunities, why Jacksonville even has a Mayo Clinic!
So now we are back to the routine a bit more comfortable and confident of our chances for success with the ankle procedure.
Have a great week!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Fine dining at the Serenghetti Spa and Veldt Lounge
Late Saturday afternoon, the usual question was presented to your scribe; "What will you be making for dinner tonight?"
Good question, and I better have a good answer, or somebody will have to pay.
"Chicken," said I, "Vermouth Chicken..."
"Good." Said She Who Will Be Obeyed in her most cheery manner.
So off to thesweatshop kitchen I go, mentally setting up for that oldest of recipes, Vermouth Chicken.
Background:
I first had Vermouth Chicken in 1978. Our old friend, Gary had a special method of making chicken wings making use of only a few ingredients. It was very tasty (Way before Buffalo Wings!) and more importantly, cheap to make. Gary was nice enough to teach my Mom how to make them and the recipe became a very regular food for all special events throughout the 1980's, even after we had lost contact with Gary.
As everything changes due to time, so too are the improvements in foods. Chicken wings gave way to chicken thighs and legs. I can get 12 thighs for three bucks at the Commissary, which makes three big dinners for us.
I dove into thesecond level of Hell freezer and pulled out a bag of thighs. I placed them into the microwave for rapid thaw. Washed my nasty hands. I gathered the ingredients together from the spice counter.
Wondra flour, garlic powder, oregano (or in today's case Italian Seasoning) salt and pepper.
I placed a paper plate into the clean sink, removed the chicken from the microwave and washed the chicken carefully, pat dry with paper towels and readied the chicken for the annointing process.
Washed my nasty hands with plenty of Ajax dishwashing liquid. We will be repeating this many, many times.
Separate Event: There is a rice component to this meal, I place a cup of Basmati rice into two cups of cold water to soak for 20 minutes.
I liberally sprinkled the garlic powder on the tops of the chicken.
Washed my nasty hands, again.
I took a salt grinder and gave each thigh a half grind. Then the pepper and finally a liberal dusting of the Italian Seasoning. I flipped the thighs over and...
Washed my nasty hands.
Again with the powder, salt, pepper and faux oregano. The finale is a very liberal dusting with Wondra Flour on all sides of the chicken. I mean flood it with the flour! Next...
Washed my nasty hands. I have had food poisoning from chicken, so I will literally wash after every step. I feel obsessive/compulsive about this, but it beats spending a day in the Moon House.
As the chicken waits on the paper plate, I pour a very small amount of Olive Oil into a large dutch oven type frying pan. Only enough to barely cover the bottom. I turn the electric heat up to 7 and a half and wait for the oil to be hot.
The next step is to place the thighs smooth side down into the hot oil. I sprinkle the remaining flour and spices from the paper plate onto the frying chicken. Cover the chicken and fry until it starts to brown. Once the browning starts, I flip chicken over and continue frying for a few more moments.
I then pour about a quarter bottle of Vermouth into the pan (Enough to come about half way up the chicken) and place cover on pan to hold in as much steam as possible. Turn the heat down to about 3 and simmer for a half hour. I sometimes add a bit more Wondra into the soupy mix which reduces down to a thick gravy.
Wait, I need sustenance, too!
Back to cooking...
After the twenty minutes of rice soaking has finished, I turn the heat for the rice on High to get the water boiling. Then, we stir the rice once and turn heat down to simmer for twenty minutes. I use a timer so that I can hear the tone which lets me know when everything is done.
Note; Sometimes I use the smoke detecter to let me know when dinner is really done. Garlic Bread usually sets off the alarm.
Once the rice is finished we plate the rice and add chicken with Vermouth Gravy. Served with a fine Bordeaux White.
I thought the dozen roses from Wally World was a nice touch, do you agree?
Now all of you can see why; Most. Chicks. Dig. Me!!!
Dinner was fabulous and we rounded out the evening with a nice film about George Harrison.
Life is veddy, veddy nice at the Serenghetti Spa and Veldt Lounge.
 |
| Hungry Albion College Grad getting a Cat Scan |
Good question, and I better have a good answer, or somebody will have to pay.
"Chicken," said I, "Vermouth Chicken..."
"Good." Said She Who Will Be Obeyed in her most cheery manner.
So off to the
Background:
I first had Vermouth Chicken in 1978. Our old friend, Gary had a special method of making chicken wings making use of only a few ingredients. It was very tasty (Way before Buffalo Wings!) and more importantly, cheap to make. Gary was nice enough to teach my Mom how to make them and the recipe became a very regular food for all special events throughout the 1980's, even after we had lost contact with Gary.
As everything changes due to time, so too are the improvements in foods. Chicken wings gave way to chicken thighs and legs. I can get 12 thighs for three bucks at the Commissary, which makes three big dinners for us.
I dove into the
Wondra flour, garlic powder, oregano (or in today's case Italian Seasoning) salt and pepper.
 |
| We have a Spice Sector rather than just a spice rack |
I placed a paper plate into the clean sink, removed the chicken from the microwave and washed the chicken carefully, pat dry with paper towels and readied the chicken for the annointing process.
Washed my nasty hands with plenty of Ajax dishwashing liquid. We will be repeating this many, many times.
Separate Event: There is a rice component to this meal, I place a cup of Basmati rice into two cups of cold water to soak for 20 minutes.
 |
| Best value Basmati Rice, about $3. |
 |
| I like Basmati rice because of the extra long grains. Let soak for 20 minutes. |
I liberally sprinkled the garlic powder on the tops of the chicken.
Washed my nasty hands, again.
I took a salt grinder and gave each thigh a half grind. Then the pepper and finally a liberal dusting of the Italian Seasoning. I flipped the thighs over and...
Washed my nasty hands.
Again with the powder, salt, pepper and faux oregano. The finale is a very liberal dusting with Wondra Flour on all sides of the chicken. I mean flood it with the flour! Next...
Washed my nasty hands. I have had food poisoning from chicken, so I will literally wash after every step. I feel obsessive/compulsive about this, but it beats spending a day in the Moon House.
As the chicken waits on the paper plate, I pour a very small amount of Olive Oil into a large dutch oven type frying pan. Only enough to barely cover the bottom. I turn the electric heat up to 7 and a half and wait for the oil to be hot.
 |
| Note how the mangled side is up for first stage |
The next step is to place the thighs smooth side down into the hot oil. I sprinkle the remaining flour and spices from the paper plate onto the frying chicken. Cover the chicken and fry until it starts to brown. Once the browning starts, I flip chicken over and continue frying for a few more moments.
 |
| The pretty side is now showing for the remainder of the cooking. Stand By for the whoosh of Vermouth! |
I then pour about a quarter bottle of Vermouth into the pan (Enough to come about half way up the chicken) and place cover on pan to hold in as much steam as possible. Turn the heat down to about 3 and simmer for a half hour. I sometimes add a bit more Wondra into the soupy mix which reduces down to a thick gravy.
 |
| Cheap Vermouth is ok. This is about $6 |
 |
| Reducing down. Add more Wondra if needed, stir it in next to the chicken. |
Wait, I need sustenance, too!
 |
| Looking a bit parched. One more gulp and we will recharge the mug! |
 |
| Today's Beer is brought to you by the good people at Sierra Nevada. A fine Pale Ale! |
After the twenty minutes of rice soaking has finished, I turn the heat for the rice on High to get the water boiling. Then, we stir the rice once and turn heat down to simmer for twenty minutes. I use a timer so that I can hear the tone which lets me know when everything is done.
Note; Sometimes I use the smoke detecter to let me know when dinner is really done. Garlic Bread usually sets off the alarm.
 |
| Now, leave it alone for a bit! |
Once the rice is finished we plate the rice and add chicken with Vermouth Gravy. Served with a fine Bordeaux White.
 |
| As the cheezy recipes will say, "Serving Suggestion" |
 |
| Grand Vin de Bordeaux Chateau Guibon Entre-Deux-Mers |
I thought the dozen roses from Wally World was a nice touch, do you agree?
Now all of you can see why; Most. Chicks. Dig. Me!!!
Dinner was fabulous and we rounded out the evening with a nice film about George Harrison.
Life is veddy, veddy nice at the Serenghetti Spa and Veldt Lounge.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Standing by to stand by...
The greatest day of the week is finally here, the sun is up in clear skies and it should be another fine 85 degree day.
The Spousal Unit continues on the healing journey, parked in her comfy leather chair surrounded by electronics, paper notes, mug o' water and pills. She has a work meeting (despite being homebound and OFF work) at 0900, so I have to get about picking up the detritus from yesterday. I type this with Malli Cat on my lap, purring contentedly at a steady 160 hertz.
While all of this action takes place, the Barco Sin Vela is getting all of the fluids replaced along with filters and belts over at Sadler Point Marina. I'm sure they will do a good job emptying out the wallet, too. So I have a thing to look forward to, that is a ride on the boat in the next few days, bringing the Barco home to her berth.
I'm sure I will stretch that little journey to a couple hours, just because I can. Florida is so nice during this time of year. Time must be spent on the water, it's the rules!
Has everyone caught the Megamillions lotto fever, yet? Half a billion dollars to the lucky winner(s). I drove to Camden County Georgia and purchased four tickets, so I'm no fool. Can't dream unless you have wasted your own dollar or four. I don't understand the people who will blow huge amounts of bucks on this stuff, I was in line at Winn Dixie and I watched some people cash their paychecks, buy a pack of cigarettes and 30 bucks of scratch offs. The Lotto is a tax on the stupid and math challenged, they say. But I have four tickets... Who's the Dummy? I bought my tickets on Wednesday, avoiding the rush.
The time is now 0806; I better get clearing, again. Have a fine Friday and an even better weekend!
UPDATE:
I left the homestead at 1130 for a beer run. Drove over to Total Wine and picked up a keg of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and an assorted case of champagne/pinot grigio. The Barco Sin Vela crew is now rigged to endure a weekend of sloth, starting with tonight's steak dinner.
Just being an American is like winning Life's Lottery.
P.S. If we are so stupendously lucky as to score that lotto, well, I guarantee none of you will find out on this blog! But if any of you do win, keep us in mind when you buy that yacht. You might want someone to drive...
The Spousal Unit continues on the healing journey, parked in her comfy leather chair surrounded by electronics, paper notes, mug o' water and pills. She has a work meeting (despite being homebound and OFF work) at 0900, so I have to get about picking up the detritus from yesterday. I type this with Malli Cat on my lap, purring contentedly at a steady 160 hertz.
While all of this action takes place, the Barco Sin Vela is getting all of the fluids replaced along with filters and belts over at Sadler Point Marina. I'm sure they will do a good job emptying out the wallet, too. So I have a thing to look forward to, that is a ride on the boat in the next few days, bringing the Barco home to her berth.
I'm sure I will stretch that little journey to a couple hours, just because I can. Florida is so nice during this time of year. Time must be spent on the water, it's the rules!
Has everyone caught the Megamillions lotto fever, yet? Half a billion dollars to the lucky winner(s). I drove to Camden County Georgia and purchased four tickets, so I'm no fool. Can't dream unless you have wasted your own dollar or four. I don't understand the people who will blow huge amounts of bucks on this stuff, I was in line at Winn Dixie and I watched some people cash their paychecks, buy a pack of cigarettes and 30 bucks of scratch offs. The Lotto is a tax on the stupid and math challenged, they say. But I have four tickets... Who's the Dummy? I bought my tickets on Wednesday, avoiding the rush.
The time is now 0806; I better get clearing, again. Have a fine Friday and an even better weekend!
UPDATE:
I left the homestead at 1130 for a beer run. Drove over to Total Wine and picked up a keg of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and an assorted case of champagne/pinot grigio. The Barco Sin Vela crew is now rigged to endure a weekend of sloth, starting with tonight's steak dinner.
Just being an American is like winning Life's Lottery.
P.S. If we are so stupendously lucky as to score that lotto, well, I guarantee none of you will find out on this blog! But if any of you do win, keep us in mind when you buy that yacht. You might want someone to drive...
Monday, March 26, 2012
Quiet weekend and evenings
It used to be wine, women and song. Now it's Beer, TV and the Old Lady.
That was an moldy-oldie joke, but here at the Barco Sin Vela it has more truth with all of the excitement, nowadays. Except She Who Will Be Obeyed does not like beer. And because of the pain killers she is abstaining from wine, too.
Everybody is getting in on this phase of helping out the recovery act. Even the kitties are performing Cat-Scans at every opportunity, doing their part to encourage healing and defensive postures to protect the wounded area.
They use Lasers.
They seem to instinctively know which limb is not doing well, they add body warmth and patented "Snooze Action" to help healing.
The Cats have a pecking order which is reinforced by pecking and biting. Mao (The Boy Cat) has a J in his tail and always has the best position, nearest the viewer. Malli (The Malevolent One) is always in the center. Malli's sister, Saffy (The Sweet, Pretty, yet Feral Kitteh) is always marginalized on the far side.
A week into this new routine, the pain is still present but there is more mobility in the Spousal Unit. We hope that in the next ten days the pain will cease completely. She was a bit more aggressive yesterday, we spent the afternoon by the pool in the sunshine, watching the Mom Unit do the gardening functions. We have a new batch of flowers and even a couple honey dew melon plants. I pitched in by transplanting a large rosemary plant out of the ten gallon pot to the ground by our Queen Palm.
Fine dining was had yesterday evening, I grilled a slab o' ribs while enjoying the late day rays of the sun. Nothing like the smell of charcoal and burning meat coupled with the cool fragrant air of a warm spring evening. I could even smell the rosemary plant from the other side of the yard, settling into a new home in the garden.
Today is yet another glorious, sunny morning. The birds be a chirpin' and the skwiddle's are running about stealing the bird's food. I think I will go to the store to hunt and gather for later. The pool will be the gathering point yet again for us hoomans and we will enjoy the afternoon thusly.
Have a nice week!
That was an moldy-oldie joke, but here at the Barco Sin Vela it has more truth with all of the excitement, nowadays. Except She Who Will Be Obeyed does not like beer. And because of the pain killers she is abstaining from wine, too.
Everybody is getting in on this phase of helping out the recovery act. Even the kitties are performing Cat-Scans at every opportunity, doing their part to encourage healing and defensive postures to protect the wounded area.
They use Lasers.
 |
| Threat acknowledged. Activating defensive systems! |
 |
| Move away, slowly from the Mom... and nobody gets hurt |
The Cats have a pecking order which is reinforced by pecking and biting. Mao (The Boy Cat) has a J in his tail and always has the best position, nearest the viewer. Malli (The Malevolent One) is always in the center. Malli's sister, Saffy (The Sweet, Pretty, yet Feral Kitteh) is always marginalized on the far side.
 |
| The two Girls like watching TV |
 |
| Mao wants to snuggle |
 |
| Mao Lf Saffy rt |
 |
| More Cat Scan action |
A week into this new routine, the pain is still present but there is more mobility in the Spousal Unit. We hope that in the next ten days the pain will cease completely. She was a bit more aggressive yesterday, we spent the afternoon by the pool in the sunshine, watching the Mom Unit do the gardening functions. We have a new batch of flowers and even a couple honey dew melon plants. I pitched in by transplanting a large rosemary plant out of the ten gallon pot to the ground by our Queen Palm.
 |
| Poolside flowers |
 |
| Awaiting transfer |
 |
| Bay Leaf, tomato, chive, banana pepper and marigolds |
 |
| Afternoon storage area for Kittehs. The Sunroom is warm and bright. |
Fine dining was had yesterday evening, I grilled a slab o' ribs while enjoying the late day rays of the sun. Nothing like the smell of charcoal and burning meat coupled with the cool fragrant air of a warm spring evening. I could even smell the rosemary plant from the other side of the yard, settling into a new home in the garden.
Today is yet another glorious, sunny morning. The birds be a chirpin' and the skwiddle's are running about stealing the bird's food. I think I will go to the store to hunt and gather for later. The pool will be the gathering point yet again for us hoomans and we will enjoy the afternoon thusly.
Have a nice week!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Home!
And she is feeling better, the pain is growing less with each day. Percoset every four hours keeps the pain well subdued. They gave us a bottle of just less than a hundred tablets, which seems to be really enough. I have a feeling the majority will be flushed down the terlet at this rate of pain subsidence. I look forward to doing the flushing, because I hate that someone would abuse this stuff.
By the way, Someone will get their first real shower today and I get to be the assistant. Joy. Apparently a shampooing needs to happen, stat! Those sponge baths in the bed don't seem to create the same soapy satisfaction along with being rinsed by twenty gallons of potable water afterwards. Ahh, to be an American!
Later, The DC Cat will be going to the Yacht Club to watch the Orange Peel Regatta and get some cold ones with his so-called friends and acquaintances. The Mother-Daughter team can have the house to themselves in peace.
Yep, The good deal is coming up; We only have about twelve more weeks of this! I look forward to the pain being completely absent and of bones growing strongly together. Another cool thing is we get to have the next couple weeks alone here at the house. I'm really ok with that, too.
Off to the shower!
By the way, Someone will get their first real shower today and I get to be the assistant. Joy. Apparently a shampooing needs to happen, stat! Those sponge baths in the bed don't seem to create the same soapy satisfaction along with being rinsed by twenty gallons of potable water afterwards. Ahh, to be an American!
Later, The DC Cat will be going to the Yacht Club to watch the Orange Peel Regatta and get some cold ones with his so-called friends and acquaintances. The Mother-Daughter team can have the house to themselves in peace.
Yep, The good deal is coming up; We only have about twelve more weeks of this! I look forward to the pain being completely absent and of bones growing strongly together. Another cool thing is we get to have the next couple weeks alone here at the house. I'm really ok with that, too.
Off to the shower!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Home, later today!
She Who Will Be Obeyed is feeling a hundred percent better and will be released later. First the parade of Doctors and the Physical Therapy folks (Who should have been there yesterday!) will have to do their sign off.
I have been to the hospital twice, with one more visit to pick everyone up. I also need to go get my Mom's car (four door Chrysler, better for disabled passengers) and move the Barco to the Sadler Point Marina for maintenance.
Thanks for the good thoughts out there. I am really happy that the road to healing is now under our feet. So to say...
I have been to the hospital twice, with one more visit to pick everyone up. I also need to go get my Mom's car (four door Chrysler, better for disabled passengers) and move the Barco to the Sadler Point Marina for maintenance.
Thanks for the good thoughts out there. I am really happy that the road to healing is now under our feet. So to say...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
So far, so good!
The Spousal Unit was released from surgery sometime around 1800. She was back in her room (Where her Mom and I were finishing our pizza and salad!) about 1900, woozy but in good spirit. She has a dull ache in the left ankle, the toes look healthy and there is no excess bleeding. She has a little green button which issues forth pain reliever at her bidding. She had a couple mugs of ice water and watched a little tv before letting us out at 2100. She has had a very long day and wanted to get a nice night of sleep.
The nice thing is that her private room is right outside the nurses station and has a nice view of the river, looking southward towards NAS Jax.
I really like the fact that there is professional help just a yell away out the door, so I gladly came home for a couple mugs of barley pops and rest. We will be back in eleven hours.
Thanks for all the well wishes and phone calls!
DC Cat
The nice thing is that her private room is right outside the nurses station and has a nice view of the river, looking southward towards NAS Jax.
I really like the fact that there is professional help just a yell away out the door, so I gladly came home for a couple mugs of barley pops and rest. We will be back in eleven hours.
Thanks for all the well wishes and phone calls!
DC Cat
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