NOW 2026

 It's a new year and I wanted to keep this blog upbeat and optimistic, for a very rare change.

As if I had enough problems, about an hour ago - - I found out I have covid. I'm not surprised. This is the most chaotic, unsanitary place I've ever been. It scares the jeeters out of me. People coming in and out of my room constantly - - coughing, sneezing.

I felt horrible during Christmas Eve and Christmas. Then the symptoms seemed to diminish. It flared up around New Year's Eve. Mostly fever, fatigue, and cough.

I don't know what the heck to do. This place is so unorganized that it's incredible.

I lied about my progress. I never know when a physical therapist will show up....or who. They come and go like farts in a bean eating contest.

I could reveal a LOT of horrifying things....but I'll spare you.

Remember one of my previous posts, when I described all the magnificent food I prepared long ago for New Year's Eve?

Well, prepare for a jolt.

THIS is what they gave us for dinner on New Year's Eve. I HAD to take a picture.

A piece of greasy ham and some horrifying inedible corn bread. That's it!!!

I thought I was on Rikers Island (look it up).

I had half a package of Chips Ahoy cookies in a duffle bag and ate them.

I will admit that we had a fairly good breakfast here on New Yrs Eve day. Eggs, sausage, French toast....coffee (very rare), orange juice (very rare). And a banana!!!! When I was in Cookeville I ordered a banana every day for breakfast.

(a nurse just came in and gave me cough medicine)

I mostly spent New Years Eve texting my oldest and dearest friend. Linda and I were raised in Southern Calif. and knew each other since we were children. We went to high school in Corona - - back then a tiny rural town, population 27,000.

Today Corona has a population way over 150,000.

One of our beloved teachers, Mr. Tindall, still lives in Corona. He's now in his 90s. Linda was in his English class, I was in his journalism class. And he still remembers us!

Linda and I are exactly the same age. She is one week older than me. We share all of our secrets (and I have plenty). I used to take her to ballets and operas at the L.A. Music Center. We saw Nureyev dance at the Shrine Auditorium. Marx Brothers film festivals in Hollywood. Renaissance Fairs.

Linda has as many health issues as I do. Her drug addicted husband left her long long ago.

She now lives in Santa Rosa (Northern Calif.) near her two children and grandchildren.

Thanks to texting and email we still share everything.

So what else to say?

I paid my property taxes. The Tennessee website didn't work on Google Chrome, so I downloaded Firefox and it worked there.

Paid all my bills. Broadband/landline phone is $90. In Texas the exact same thing was $55.

Did you know I have an ancient Egyptian scarab, I got from an archaeologist. Possibly way over 1000 yrs. old. Mounted on a copper frame in the 1920s.

I put it on a chain and keep it in a velvet bag.

Well, I've said enough.

Jon  💙

grim start to a new year