Tuesday Bag o’ Pain

bag of painI’ve had a sore back for a month and it’s showing no signs of getting better. The pain is in the saddle of the lower back. I think it’s the bed. But it could be back cancer for all I know. The doctor says it’s because I’m fat. I bit my tongue and accepted my scolding, as all fat people must, but I wanted to remind him that I’ve been fat for a long time, and that this back problem is a new thing.

So, ibuprofen morning and night, trying not to sit for extended periods of time, plugging in the heating pad when I do, thinking about putting a sheet of plywood between the mattresses. Last week I did two workout sessions at the gym and two longish bicycle rides. The back doesn’t bother me when I’m exercising and I always feel terrific afterward, so whatever it is it’s not debilitating and for that I am thankful. Well, who doesn’t have aches and pains? I’ll shut up now.

Once again I’m buried under a stack of library books. I request them from time to time, and they always come in in twos and threes. Naturally, since they have due dates, they cut right to the head of the line and I have to put aside books I’ve been reading on the Nook and Kindle. Except when I go to the gym to ride the exercise bike — the e-readers are best for that, since they balance on the handlebars. This morning I took the Kindle to the gym and caught up with a few chapters of Hugh Howey’s Dust while pedaling away. Later today, it’ll be back to ink & paper reads in progress.

Nook and Kindle, you ask? Why yes. Why not? I started out with a Nook but at some point bought Donna a Kindle. I love them both. We also have an iPad with Nook and Kindle apps, but I much prefer reading on the actual Nook or Kindle — they’re easier on the eyes, and not nearly as heavy as the iPad.

It was my turn to host our book club last Saturday. Attendance varies between eight to twelve people, so I split the difference and set out snacks and beverages for ten. Three people showed up. I’ll be snacking on surplus salami, cheese, and pita crackers for the foreseeable future. As for the beverages, the kids are coming for Thanksgiving and they’ll drink them all up.

When I came home from my Sunday bicycle ride, this is what I found:

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More precisely, she found me. I was standing just inside the back door, talking to Donna, and Schatzi homed in on the sound of my voice. I’m touched that she always comes to me when she gets in trouble and needs a hand. And look at that tail, would you? She wasn’t a bit abashed about being caught red-handed — or should I say red-headed? She’s all dog. And I love her, even when she gets into the garbage.

That’s enough sitting time for now. If my back doesn’t get better soon I’ll have to get one of those stand-up desks to do my blogging on.

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