March Is Almost Over ..........

There's an old saying about March that involves lions and lambs.

There's also one about the middle of the month.

Friday, the 2nd, was a beautiful day. Slightly cool but sunny. I took a drive and noticed other people just enjoying  themselves.

Then things started to go downhill.

The temperature dropped and there were more clouds then sun. The weather forecast mentioned snow - a lot of snow.

By the 6th, it had started to feel like it was gonna happen. You know what I mean. I drove up to Shoprite to pick up a few things. That's where I saw this guy.

You know my problem with bicyclists. This is something new. On the plus side, he's not riding in traffic. On the down side, he's actually walking his bike in the street and not on the sidewalk.. 

I was tempted, but it was too open. Besides, I promised Doyle that I wouldn't.

The first Nor'easter of the month was predicted for the 7th, when I had some blood work scheduled. It sounded bad so I called and moved my appointment to the 8th. Apparently, they watched the News also. They called me that afternoon to tell me they'd be closed so we rescheduled for the following week.

We got a couple of inches but it melted quickly.

On the 14th, I drove down to RWJ in New Brunswick. It was dark when I left (Thank you, Daylight Saving Time) but brightened up quickly. By the time I was on the Route 27 overpass the sun was shining brightly and a lot of people were walking enjoying the walk.

The weather was quiet for the next week.

I ran some errands and read some books. I spent time with my Granddaughter and ordered a few presents for her (Easter is coming and so is her 3rd Birthday).

Then we got hit with another Nor'easter on Wednesday the 21st. I kept watching from my living room window and - although it didn't seem bad  I wound up going out twice - at bout 4:20 and 6:30 - to clean off my car and shovel away the snow.

I went out Thursday morning and had to clean off and dig out again but it wasn't too bad. I could've gotten out easily but I didn't want to lose the spot.

By Friday, a lot had melted. I was able to get out of my spot easily. I ran some errands and then spent some time with my Granddaughter. Luckily, I was able to park in the same spot.

I had a lot to do Yesterday so I was out early. There were still some icy spots but I was surprised to see how much of the snow was gone.

I ran a lot of errands early on and then met my New Jersey family to celebrate a Birthday at Seasons 52 in Edison Saturday night.

This morning I decided to get my laundry done before meeting my Granddaughter for a late breakfast. Things were running smoothly and, since I had some time to spare, I headed home to drop off the wash. That's when I got stopped by this.

There went the spare time.

Thank God March is almost over.

February. One Extreme To Another .........


The month started out pretty good. Things were going well and I was feeling good.

I haven't heard  from Doyle but I'm not surprised, the DHS has a lot on it's hands right now. I haven't heard from Gordon either. That might be because I've stopped using the Flasher. We'll see.

I didn't have any appointments until mid-month so I spent the first week and a half running errands and visiting my Granddaughter. Good times.

We had some snow but not much.

Thursday the 15th, I had Blood Work scheduled in New Brunswick. My appointment was at 8 AM but I got there at 7:15 in order to get a good spot in the garage. I took the walkway over to the clinical building.

Friday the 16th, I had a follow-up with my Dermatologist. I thought that he'd work on something just below my left eye but he said that everything looked good.

I decided to stop at Subways to pick up some lunch.





Of course, since it's Lent, I got a tuna sub.

Saturday, the 17th, was a beautiful day. I picked up breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts (my current drink of choice is now iced, decaf, French Vanilla, black) and just drove around. I stopped at the Target on Parsonage Road across from the Menlo Park Mall.

My cat is a rescue that has allowed me to live with her for almost 10 years. She's gotten fussy lately and will only use the store brand litter from here. 

We got more snow that night which continued into Sunday. They were predicting warmer temps for that afternoon so I decided to let the car sit.

Monday, the 19th, was President's Day. I looked out the Living Room window before I left my apartment.

The streets were good, the Super did a decent job with the sidewalk, and I only had to scrape off some ice from the front window. My kind of snow storm.

Tuesday, the 20th, I was out around 8 in the morning and was letting the car warm up when I saw this guy.

He was staring up at the back of my building. I didn't know why so I sat there for a while debating whether I should call the police or not when he walked away. I sat there a little longer but he kept walking so I drove away.

About 3 that afternoon I was sitting in my chair reading with the TV on but muted when I heard some voices outside. I looked out the window and saw this.

Two cops were talking to the guy I saw this morning. Everyone seemed to be calm so I went back to my book.

Wednesday, the 21st, we hit record temps and I was out and about with the windows down. I even left a few windows open in my apartment. I noticed that other people were enjoying the day, too.

Then things went South.

The temp dropped, the sky has been cloudy, and we've had rain on and off.

I drove up to Walmart yesterday to pick up a prescription. I saw this woman on my way.

It's February. We've gone from one extreme to another.

Sometimes, It's Just The Small Things ............

I had a great time with the family during the Holidays but the New Year brought back more of my yearly medical tests. 

I had a follow-up scheduled with my Urologist on Thursday, the 4th but they called to cancel because there was a snow storm predicted. That was a good thing.

I looked out my Living Room window on and off throughout the day. It didn't seem to be too heavy but the wind was pretty severe. I was amazed - when it finally stopped - to see that the cars were almost completely clear.

I had to go out in the morning to dig out from what the plow did but, at least, I didn't have to clean off the car. A small thing to be grateful for.

That following weekend we had the coldest weather we've had to deal with in 20 years. It was so bad that, although my car started, the key froze in the ignition and I had to wait for the steering column to warm up so I could shut the car off. On the plus side, I finally got around to changing the time on my dashboard clock/radio.

Another small thing.

My apartment was also effected by the extreme cold and my thermostat failed. Thankfully, the Super came by and put in a new one.

He didn't tell me how to regulate it but, at least, I have heat.

Tuesday, the 9th, I went down to Raritan Bay Regional Hospital for a Colonoscopy. 

I had to have someone drive me because there's anesthesia involved. Thankfully, I had a family member who was available. This was not a small thing and I really appreciated it.

I had to go back to the Dermatologist on the 15th. I was heading up Amboy Avenue when I stopped at a red light. It was about 8:45 AM but this corner actually had 2 of these "Yellow Jackets".

I call them that because - to me - they are annoying pests. I understand that they have a job to do but a lot of them wave their signs around without realizing it and that disrupts traffic.

Anyway, it turns out that what the Dermatologist did last month was only a Biopsy so he had to remove another carcinoma which involved Lidocaine injections, the use of a scalpel, and a laser to sear the wound. Not a small thing.

I've been out and about since the weather cleared and I'm really getting better at not using the Flasher although - I have to admit - I still carry it. Last Wednesday, the 26th, I stopped by Shoprite like I usually do. That's where I saw this truck.

I might have let him get away with taking up 2 spaces but he took 4. I drove over there.

Point, press, Flash.

Just another small thing that made me feel good.

The weather changed over night and, when I went out this morning, I had to scrape off the windows. It didn't take long and my car warmed up quickly. I picked up breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts and drove over to Wegman's just to kill some time. 

Turned out that they had my favorite soup on sale so I picked up several cans. 

I drove home.

Sometimes, it's just the small things.

Tis The Season............

I had a good jump on the Christmas Season this year having gotten most of my presents in November. I was hesitating on the last few because I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go with them. Then it snowed.

Sunday, the 10th, I woke up to this.

Not too bad, but sloppy. I went out around 10 AM and cleaned off my car.

Monday, the 11th, I woke up with a really bad stomach virus that lasted most of the week. By Friday I was better. Saturday, I went out to pick up some groceries. Sunday, I picked up the last of the presents, wrapped everything, and put out my decorations.

I was feeling good.

Monday, the 18th, I had an appointment with my Dermatologist. 

It was for 9:45 and he saw me at 9:50. He wound up taking a carcinoma off of my neck and I have to go back in a few weeks for a follow-up.

Tuesday, the 19th, I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription that they had ready for me.

The Pharmacy opens at 9 AM and I was there on time. I picked up my scrip and then spent the rest of the morning with my Granddaughter.

Wednesday, the 20th, I woke up early so I decided to do my laundry.

I like this place because they use a card system that I can reload using my Debit Card and I don't have to stockpile quarters.

Thursday, the 21st, I had a Urologist Appointment.

It was for 10:45 and I didn't get called into the private waiting room until 11:30 and I didn't get out of the office until 12:25. I have to find someone else.

Today, I woke up around 6 AM and I couldn't get back to sleep. I decided to drive up to Wegman's to pick up a few things. As I drove along Main Street, I noticed this guy.

I've mentioned before that I don't like bike riders but this guy was on the sidewalk, which is OK by me.

I picked up a few things and dropped them off at my apartment. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. I spent some time with my Granddaughter.

I swung by Shoprite on my way home. The woman in front of me stopped short in the entryway so she could look at a display and wound up blocking it up. I was only there for 1 item but the aisles were clogged and the self-checkout was backed up.

I was annoyed and I left.

When I entered my building, I saw this.

I've been here for almost 20 years and that artificial tree has always been there. This is the first time that it's been decorated. We have a super now and, although he comes across as gruff, he seems to have a soft side.

I'm feeling the season now.

Working On It .............

It's been a long month and I'm still working on my "No Events" policy, especially since Doyle, last month, suggested that I continue with it. He said that they were worried about Gordon who's signal has popped up a few times near Trump's Bedminster Golf Course. Their thinking is that Gordon has been living vicariously through what I was doing and - now that I've stopped - he might decide to shift his attention to me. 

I'm doing what I have to do but I've amped up my attention to who's around me.

Wednesday, the 1st, I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription they had ready for me.  I was in and out quickly and as I started to drive out I noticed this.

I really don't like people who take up too many spaces and I was tempted but, as I drove by, I noticed that the driver was visible in his side view mirror. 

I kept going.

Thursday, the 9th, I drove down to New Brunswick for Blood Work. I take Main Street to Amboy Avenue to Route 27. On a good day, I can do this in about 35 minutes. On a bad day, about an hour. 

This was a good day.

I was on my way home when I saw this guy.

It's getting easier to drive by.

Thursday, the 16th, I dove back to New Brunswick for an appointment with my Cardiologist. I got there very early and had breakfast in the cafeteria in the hospital. Long story short, things look good and they asked me to stop a couple of meds and to schedule my annual tests.

I got back to my car in the lot and found a note on my window.

Crap.

Doyle was right. Gordon was watching me.

On Monday, the 20th, I drove into Metuchen for a Bone Density Scan. It's a nice neighborhood and, along the way, I came up behind this person.

It's getting easier. I parked my car and walked the two blocks.

Thursday, the 23rd, was Thanksgiving and I had a great day with the family.

Friday, the 24th, was my 9th Anniversary as a Heart Transplant Recipient and I had a nice breakfast with some family members. 

Next up is Christmas and I've done most of my shopping online. I have a few things I still have to get but I'm working on it.

Kicking It Back A Notch .............

Things have changed a bit since last month.

Not everything, just some things.

I still get up early, but I tend to go back to bed for a while. I still see my Granddaughter twice a week. I still go out every day and the car has always started. Still, I've noticed an increased police presence in the area and there have been fewer people out by themselves. I don't know why this is happening but I've decided to stop "Eventing" for a while.

It hasn't been easy. I've realized it's become an addiction and going "Cold Turkey" is tough. There was this guy early in the month.

I was warming up my car when he walked by. I had a jacket on and he was wearing shorts. I was tempted but I pulled out, made the right, and drove on. 

A week later, I was on my way to a doctor's appointment when I came up behind this guy.

It was tough, but I passed by.

Last week, I was headed towards Walmart to pick up a prescription when I saw this guy.

It's gotten easier to keep on going.

There are still, however, things that tick me off. When I got to Walmart I saw this truck taking up way too many spaces. 

I relapsed. Point, press, Flash.

I was expecting some heavy rain this morning but there was just some mist. I picked up the Sunday paper and a medium, decaf coffee - French Vanilla, just a little milk (I stopped the iced tea because of the caffeine) - and drove to the Menlo Park Mall. The stores wouldn't open until 11 so it was pretty empty. I found a spot to sit, read the paper, and do the crossword puzzles.

I had been there for a few minutes when I heard someone sit down in the other chair. Curious, I looked up.

It was Doyle.

"Hey, this is a surprise. How're you doin'?" I reached across to shake his hand.

"Good, Denny, I'm good. Just busy. This new POTUS has us stretched pretty thin."

"POTUS?  .. What the ...Oh, never mind, I got it."

"Yeah, between covering him and his family and tracking down people that he's pissed off things are tight. But I'm here for a different reason.""

Doyle looked serious.

"OK, so what's up?""

"This is gonna sound strange, but we've noticed that you've stopped ..... you know .......... umm ..."
""I know what you mean. And .. Yes ...  I have. It wasn't easy but there were reasons."

Doyle nodded.
"Been there, done that, Denny. It's never easy."

He stood up and paced around. I could tell that there was something on his mind.

"What's going on Doyle?"

He sat back down, rubbed his face with both hands, and looked me right in the eyes.

"Here's what's goin' on, Denny. Gordon's tracker signal has popped up several times near Trump's golf course in Bedminster and we're worried about it."
"OK, but what does that have to do with me?

"We want you to continue not using the Flasher. The Brains think that, somehow, he's been following what you've been doing and he enjoys it. Now that you've stopped, they think he'll react."
"React how?"

Doyle paused for a moment.

"They think he'll come after you."
"Why?'
"Because you're not doing what he wants you to do."
"What does he want me to do?"
"What he could do if we weren't looking for him."

It was my turn to pause.

Before I could say anything, Doyle's phone went off. He answered it, listened for a minute or two, then snapped it closed.

"I have to go, Denny .Somethings come up."

He stood up and walked away. No handshake, no "Goodbye". He just walked away.

I sat there for a while and let it sink in.

This was serious.

A September To Remember ............

My Daughter is a Teacher and had August off so I didn't get back to Babysitting my Granddaughter until after Labor Day. Since my Son-in-law is still working nights I only swing by on Tuesdays and Fridays. I used to show up by 7:30 AM but there's been a change. They started the Potty Training process and decided that one of the Parents should be there when the Little One wakes up and develop a routine. I didn't have a problem with that and agreed to wait until 9:30.

That first Tuesday, the 5th, went well but I had a problem starting my car when I left. It also stalled out on me several times over the next couple of days. That Friday, the 8th, after my visit, I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription. I came back out, started the car, and it died. I tried for about half an hour without success. I wound up calling AAA. While waiting for the tow truck, I saw this guy heading in my direction.

I was tempted but it wasn't a good time.

The truck showed up and towed me to my mechanic on Main Street. I walked home. It turned out to be a problem with the Ignition System. He managed to get the parts and fixed it that day (for $330).

I walked up the next morning, the 9th.

He showed me what he replaced but, frankly, I don't know anything about cars so I just nodded, paid, and left.

Sunday, the10th, I stopped at Shoprite to pick up a few things. I always use the self-checkout. I decided to pay with my Debit Card and take an additional $10.

It was declined.

I called my Bank and found out that someone tried to use my card for a $115 electronics purchase and a $130 clothing purchase - both in China. My bank didn't think these charges were real and tried to contact me. When they couldn't, they blocked my account. I had to go in person to resolve the matter. Thankfully, they have Sunday hours (although not until 11 AM).

I was there when they opened and walked out about 15 minutes later with a new card and some peace of mind.

A few days later, Wednesday the 13th, I came home and found a couple of my neighbors in front of the building discussing some mail they had gotten. No one said anything to me - which is not unusual since I don't know them -  so I got my mail out of my box and went inside. Turns out the Landlord has decided to bring on a Property Manager and they've sent every tenant a new lease. I haven't had a lease in over 15 years and - although there is a rent increase - I'm OK with this.

Since the increase wouldn't start until November, I didn't act right away.

Tuesday, the 19th, I got this Certified Mail notice in the mail.

I was pretty sure I knew what it was.

Wednesday, the 20th, I stopped at the Post Office in Woodbridge to pick it up.

I was right. The Management Company had also sent the new leases by Certified Mail. I've been through this before. It's a legal way to prove that they mailed you something. I stopped at a local Dollar Store and picked up a large enough envelope to return it in (actually it was a 5-pack but for $1 it was worth it).

Thursday, the 21st, I was out early. Rather then wait for the Post Office to open at 9 AM, I bought a book of stamps at Shoprite and dropped off my signed copy of the lease in the Avenel Post Office

This morning, the 22nd, I woke up and realized that I had nothing to do. I slept in a bit, ran through my morning routine, and picked up breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. I stopped at Shoprite but didn't get anything. While I was back in my car eating, I noticed this guy.

My Daughter is a Teacher and she's off today for a religious holiday so I presumed that every school district was off today as well. When I saw this guy using a school bus I thought that he was taking advantage. I drove over.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove up into Colonia and noticed that there were the usual crossing guards and a lot of minivans dropping off kids.

Apparently I was wrong. The school's in my Township were open today.

My bad.

This is definitely a September I'll remember.