(Ed. note: I am bored. Recovering is boring. I know it is necessary, but doesn’t have to be mind-numbing? Anyway, there isn’t a lot to write about but I have to do something other than read Facebook or do jigsaws, or read book after book after book… So you, dear readers, are my outlet. You cannot imagine how excited I will be to get comments – any comments.)
Health update
Random Stuff
As we approach the rainy season here in Jiaxing, it is time to start renos. (Ed. note: Yesterday and today – sunny and 24º) On my first of 2 10 minute walks I see the following:
Oh yes just dump the sand and sawdust in the laneway where people used to park. At least the bags of material to be dispensed with are easy to get at.
When they gut an apartment they fill bags and bags. Then, the stuff sits outside – sometimes for up to a month.
I am pretty sure that if we wanted to add pipes to our place in Port Coquitlam, the strata would frown on this.
Now a little explanation. Tim bought me this puzzle at Walmart (Ed. note: We know there is a big anti-Walmart campaign going on out there, but here in little old Jiaxing, there aren’t a lot of choices. Sorry) It cost – get this – 10rmb – $1.60 It will be a difficult but interesting puzzle to do for a number of reasons.
- All the pieces are the same exactly the same size and shape
- Many pieces appear to fit together about 99% so it looks like they fit until you look really really closely
- They are about 1/2 the thickness of “regular” pieces so come apart quite easily
- When I took them out of the box there were about 50 sets of two which the cutting blade hadn’t quite cut and they wanted to tear if I took them apart
- On the back are letters – I think it was done in some kind of grid, so if you aren’t sure if the pieces go together, just turn them over and check the letters. I say this is cheating, Terry says “Tough”
1000 pieces of Chinese Life
The Shoe Blog
What can I say – I don’t get out much.
Guess Who
Time for Recovery Walk #1 of the day – Whoopee! (Please Write 😦 )
The puzzle should drive you to truly look forward to your 2 x 10min outside. Good news from the specialists in Shanghai. Glad to hear it. When your self portraits in the shoe blog start to include stilettos, that’s when we will worry.
Too bad you are not in Havasu recovering. Bob and I would take our lawn chairs, drive down to the main beach and sit in the sun reading. Every half hour we would walk 5 minutes down the shoreline and then back to our chairs to read again. Two weeks of that helped. The only thing better might have been if it had been March Break and all the sweet young things would have been on the beach tanning. Or….maybe that might not have been a good thing for Bob.
Gerry just had a heart attack and is out of surgery today (7 hours) and is stable but he had a calcified section on the outside of his heart and multiple arteries that needed bypasses along with one of the aortas going to his brain. He looks like a mechano object with an oxygen tube down his throat for good measure. Very interested in your after care as he has been told to walk 1 mile per day…and practise inhaling as one does not do that deeply enough sometimes. He is in his initial aftercare so I have all the candles lit……Scary. As you both know too well.
Our very best wishes to both of you. We know what you are going through. Good thoughts from China!
Are those your feet? In your little hotel slippies? Really? Isn’t that cheating? Forget Terry and crossword puzzles. Honestly.
So glad to hear the news was all good! Yay!!! Now for that puzzle… Beautiful it is, but holy #^%! It looks like the puzzle from hell! Use the letters on the back. Do it!
Glad to hear you are on the mend! All good news except the MacDonalds. There are so many great, cheap delicious restaurants in Shanghai and you go to Mickey D’s? Geoff, Geoff, Geoff! Next time go for xiaolongboa. (Dumplings). Lunch for two for about $.60.
I know, but Terry had to go and I had a driver waiting to take me back right away. Trust me – other than Mickie D there wasn’t anything.
That’s good news you received. Keep getting better. You didn’t mention crossword puzzles – they are good for boredom as well.
Good point Sue – I’ll have to look for something. I do do the New York Times puzzle online every morning, though.
You might try looking into rug hooking. Know a few men who do this very creatively after using a few kits first.
I could send you some very exciting marking that I am behind on..- animal/pet nutrition options calculations, for example. Oh wait – no – that is likely in the boring category. Might make you appreciate the jigsaws? We are all wishing you speedy recovery. I have discovered that Khan Academy and other free online courses on just about anything can be quite entertaining and quite time consuming at times. Likely why I am behind on marking.
Hi Geoff and Terry. Yes boredom is not much fun, after 3 months with Butch and his lung cancer doing nothing much, he is now better and able to get out more and more importantly get down to his boat. You take good care of yourself and stay out of McDonalds, Butch did a lot of work there and stays away from the burgers and fries for a good reason.
Geoff, Russ and I glad to read of your improvements with recovery. It must be boring though. Can appreciate that. Gerry will no doubt have the same thoughts as you as he continues to heal. Lord, with these health issues happening all around us, makes us sooo aware that it could happen to us as well, in a minute! Yes, try rug hooking. I became the ” happy hooker” when I had 3 children under age 6. While watching them play, I sat in the playpen with my wool and canvas! Take care.
I’m so pleased to learn the puzzle has “Chinese characteristics” that will provide additional challenges. You up to cooking dinner for Terry yet?
Good short term goal I’d say. Next you can focus on organizing your sock drawer.
Two turkeys to cook tomorrow here in Charleston – one weighs 22 lbs and will be fried, the other weighs 12 lbs and is destined for the oven.
Sherrie sends her best.
Tim
Hey, little brother… I’m thrilled that you are feeling well enough to be “bored! Enjoy it! Soon enough you’ll have to get back to doing “real” work! Love you, J.
Hi ho there Geoff…. YOU ARE a PuZZLE and always have been so no wonder you are master at assembling them . It takes one to know one or something like that. Anyways, very very impressed with your skill set and moreso with your patience and talented sensitive fingers to piece everything so gently. Sounds like the puzzle pieces were so flimsy also. I think in recovery, your feminine side is coming out more and more…nice to see. ( not just because you were wearing those white girly slippers, by the way). I have a great idea.. scarfs are in big time in fashion so……. for xmas I could use a KNITTED winter scarf. No thanks on the hooked rug… too expensive for you to ship out and heaven only knows how long it would take you to complete. And here is something else that might wile your time away…. why dont you learn to speak Mandarin. Try Plimsar… that is what I used ( level 1 and level 2) and it certainly helped me when I was in Shanghai. OR sounds like you are a guitar fan… why dont you learn to play guitar using online lessons ??? If guitar too heavy for you to lift… why not do ukelele. Failing that paper and comb might work also. Just some very good ideas .
We are so glad to hear of your good report from the Shanghai Drs. Certainly that should put your mind at ease somewhat . And hahaha… a man after my own heart ( oops)… going for a big MC !!!! I think I would have done the poutine at White Spot. They are so so so good !!!!!! Cholestral level just went up a notch just even thinking about them. Yes, they even surpass the famous Whitespot burger !!!! Now hopefully from here on in, you will eat heart healthy foods. Take care, my friend…. be patient: one puzzle at a time !!!!
Mare
Another thought… as you complete each puzzle, shellac them and then send them as xmas gifts to friends who you do not like. NO !!! I would prefer a knitted scarf and with bright colours please.