Saturday, November 29, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10:15. I quickly fell asleep, got up once at 2:22am, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

Yesterday, using a Black Friday discount, I ordered a pair of Brooks running shoes for Jeannie for her upcoming birthday. Teresa liked the shoes so much she chose a pair for herself.

I left the apt at 9am and walked to Ganso y Castor where I had a latte while going over the stress test results with the assistance of ChatGPT. Everything looks normal, at least for my age, but I should reduce my cholesterol and want to work on strengthening my heart. I texted my Internista, Dr. Ricardo Restrepo, letting him know I have all my test results and asked if I should drop them off at Docs Medical Coworking under his name.

I left at 10:45 and returned to the apt.

Sometimes, like today, Teresa literally asks me not to leave her alone in the apt. So, I don’t go for coffee but neither do I get any steps in.

Highland Park tree lighting

At 6pm Teresa sent me next door to Ara to pick up ingredients for broccoli cheddar soup. Yum.

I ordered a box of Bisquick and a container of creatine capsules from Amazon. They will be part of the package I will release from Florida after Teresa’s shoes arrive.

At 7:30 a downpour started.

I finished reading Lee Child & Karin Slaughter’s short story Cleaning the Gold (Jack Reacher #24.6)

By the time I went to bed the rain had dissipated to just a little dripping.

Today I only registered 2,518 steps.

 

FUNNY

Friday, November 28, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I quickly fell asleep, slept through the night, finally waking at 4:15 and getting up at 6:30.

I skipped gym this morning because I’m not supposed to exercise 12 hours before my stress test.

I can’t believe I scheduled a stress test the same day as my Bears game – then again who would think they would be playing on a Friday?

I left the apt at 9am and had a latte in Ganso y Castor for about 90 minutes. On the way back to the apt I stopped in Ara and bought 4 apples, 3 bananas and a bag of semidescremada (2%) milk. For the first time the guard asked to see my receipt.

At noon I had an orange and a banana, at 12:30 I had an apple and at 1pm we took a Didi to SICOR for 20,000 pesos. We checked in at the desk at the entrance then took a seat in the waiting room. After 15 minutes we were called to the cashier where I paid 372,900 pesos for the stress test. We were taken in back to another waiting room and 10 minutes later we were taken in back. A technician put 10 electrodes on my chest and  explained a few things in her limited English. She took my blood pressure then I got on the treadmill. It started at an easy walking pace then 3 minutes later speeded up to a faster walking pace, then 3 minutes later I was running. I could see on the display my pulse rate went up to 148 highlighted in red and just before it was supposed to increase again I had had enough and stopped it.

The technician removed the electrodes and we took seats just outside in the waiting room. A few minutes later the cardiologist’s assistant came out with the test results, including a summary in English. 😊

We had a 20-minute wait for a Didi to take us to Santafe mall for 23,550 pesos.

Mikeal965 finally resigned our game on the 54^th move, increasing my rating to 1538.

We had a nice late lunch in Il Forno. The mall was very busy because it was Black Friday. Teresa even skipped checking out Zara because it was so crowded.

This is the atrium with Christmas tree and ice skating.

We went down to the basement and got in a long line for a taxi. Teresa wanted to take the bus but I figured lots of buses would be full and when we finally got on one I would have to stand through long heavy traffic back to the apt. The wait for a taxi ended up being an hour and ten minutes but the ride back to the apt was only 30 minutes and 18,000 pesos.

After changing clothes, I had trouble finding the Bears game on NFL Game Pass but found it just as I was ready to give up.

I had my salted-in-the-shell peanuts (tradition!) with a Coke while I watched the Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles (last year’s Super Bowl champions) 24-15. That was fun! The Bears are now 9-3 on the season and the NFL should be on alert that they aren’t a fluke.

This is my son & daughter with my granddaughter on Thanksgiving.

Today I only registered 2,472 steps.

 

FUNNY

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10:15. I quickly fell asleep, slept through the night, finally waking at 5:15 and getting up at 5:45.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Teresa finally woke/got up at 7am and made breakfast.

I left the apt at 9:15 and had a latte in Los Porteños. I chatted with ChatGPT about what to expect for my stress test tomorrow. I received a text message from SICOR with more information: 1) no exercise 12 hours before the test, 2) no caffeine 3 hours before the test, 3) Teresa has to accompany me, 4) wear comfortable clothing for exercise, 5) eat a light lunch (nuts, fruits, juices) before the appointment.

I left at 10:30, bought a small tiramisu cake at Pepo’s Cake for 17mil and returned to the apt.

At 11am, someone rang our bell and announced that water will be turned off until 1pm. ☹

The water came back on right at 1pm and Glenn and Bianca arrived with an apple pie at 1:15. I went down to the porteria to bring him up to our apt.

The Packers vs Lions game was on as we sat down in the living room but he paid no attention to it; not a football fan.

Teresa called us to lunch about 15 minutes later. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. I had a glass of milk and Glenn just had purified water in a container he brought with him. We waited a few minutes then had apple pie for dessert.

We chatted a while then he had to leave to run some errands. I went with him down to the garage and gave him directions to get to Ave Poblado.

We soon discovered the water was off again.

I watched a couple more episodes of Downton Abbey.

I resigned a game vs Troyclough, lowering my rating to 1535.

In the evening Teresa finally called a portero and asked about the water and it was soon on again.

Today I didn’t have the step counter on while in the house so I only registered about 2,000 steps.

 

FUNNY

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I quickly fell asleep, got up once at 12:45am, finally waking at 5:30 and getting up at 6am.

Teresa had already left for her gym class.

Teresa returned at 8:30, made me breakfast and since I have to wait about an hour after eating I went back to bed for 45 minutes, only sleeping a little.

Teresa explained she has a Christmas party tonight at the cultural center and do I want to come? If it’s the same as last time I just hung around trying to get a Wi-Fi signal, so no. I told her I could wait for her at the new café we found between there and Mi Casita Parilla. I checked my blog but I couldn’t see where I wrote down its name. I couldn’t find it on google maps either. ☹

I left the apt at 9:15 and found Smartfit about at busy as usual but still had to change the order of my routine a couple times. Their wall clock had been missing for a few weeks but today it’s back although it’s still 10 minutes fast, so it’s probably intentional. I completed 16 minutes on the treadmill at 6km/hr with a high pulse rate of 128 bpm. 😊

When I arrived at Ganso y Castor I was surprised to see all the outside tables were taken. I sat down at the nearest concrete table but 5 minutes later one of the customers came over to inform me there was now a table available.

I left at 10:45 and returned to the apt.

Teresa suggested we could now be in summer because we’ve had a couple days without rain.

I finished season 2 of Downton Abbey.

We left the apt at 6:30 and walked to what was the location of Mi Casita Parilla. 

Teresa informed me they had a 10-year lease so I guess it expired. We went around the corner and down the block to the new café which I now see is named Café Fika and is at Carrera 45A #34sur-24.

Teresa had a palito de queso and a sip of my latte then went to her party. I finished a small cheese croissant and my latte then left at their official closing time of 8pm even though there were still 2 couples still hanging around.

I walked to the edge of downtown and took this photo of some Christmas lights then continued on and through La Buena Mesa to our apt.

My step count for today was a much better 6,801.

I was slightly concerned I might have trouble sleeping because of my late night caffeine.

Teresa returned at 10:15 and I went to bed.

 

FUNNY

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I quickly fell asleep, got up once at 3am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

Teresa was already gone to her gym class.

At 7:20 I ordered a Didi for 15,000 pesos and was surprised it was only 2 minutes away. Traffic was busy but at least moving. I arrived at the mall 15 minutes early and Jose was waiting for me.

We went up to Santa Leña and today I ordered 1 piece of French toast with 2 scrambled eggs and asked if they had bacon. She said, “yes” so I ordered 1 piece of crispy bacon. The other waitress stopped at our table and said something that Jose translated as they only have bacon bits so I’ll be skipping the bacon. My check came to 42,939 plus another 8,500 when I asked for a bottle of water to go.

I had the Black pieces in the first game and he got a knight deep in my territory but ended up trading it off and after that I got a strong attack and he resigned on the 41^st move.

I had the White pieces in the second game and, as he often does, makes up some opening and I didn’t stick to my tried and true opening and I resigned on the 21^st move.

Jose apologized for the few phones calls that interrupted our game – he said it was because today’s his 77^th birthday.

It was only 1:30 which would be a good time to go to Italian American Grill – only problem was I wasn’t hungry.

After a trip to the restroom, I had a Didi take me to Viva Envigado for 19,000 pesos.

I had lunch in Pigasus, their Pigasus Burger, minus the chicharrones and it wasn’t bad although the meat wasn’t very good quality and could have been cooked slightly longer. It included fries and a Coke.

I made an ATM withdrawal then went inside Dollar City to buy garbage bags. I asked the security guard for “bolsas para basura” and she looked at me like she’d never heard Spanish before. She took me to a cashier who had the same reaction. I took out my Dollar City bag and showed it to her and said, “pero plastico para basura”. Finally she understood and took me to the first aisle where they had the 3,000 mil rolls of trash bags. I purchased two and was soon out of there.

I went down to Urbania where I had a latte and this time paid the check of 12,000 pesos at my table.

I stopped in Exito and bought some habichuela (green beans) and walked back to the apt. Teresa was getting a massage but when she finished she said I didn’t buy enough of them. Well, she didn’t tell me how much (many?) to buy so there.

I watched another episode of Downton Abbey.

I finished reading the novella The Nicotine Chronicles which included a chapter from Lee Child.

We had some rain late in the evening and was still dripping when I went to bed at 10pm.

My step count for today was 3,540. I didn’t expect much for a Tuesday.

 

FUNNY

 

Monday, November 24, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I quickly fell asleep, slept through the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:45am.

Teresa soon left for her 6am gym class. She returned at 7:30 and started making breakfast.

I left the apt just before 9am and found Smartfit not as busy as usual but still had to wait on a couple machines. At the suggestion of ChatGPT, I completed 16 minutes on the treadmill with a maximum pulse rate of 124 bpm.

I was having a latte in Ganso y Castor when Teresa called at 10am to inform me she was going to Hueco to buy some “stones” and we’ll be having lunch out; she’ll call later.

I contacted Teresa at 1pm and she informed me she won’t be back in time for lunch.

I left the apt at 1:45pm and walked to Asados Rogelio where I ordered the chicken breast plate for lunch. Only problem was I didn’t recognize the juices the waitress mentioned so I had a small Coke. The check was 32,000 pesos ($8) and I gave the waitress a 5mil tip. (She had also brought me a little container of BBQ sauce for my chicken.)

I walked to Gardenia where I went over their menu. They have Eggs American Style and a lot of fancy pancakes.

But I just had a latte with a glass of ice water.

Teresa joined me about 3:30 and ordered the same ice cream cup as last time; of course, she expected me to finish it.

We left at 4:30 and returned to the apt.

Chesswiz98 resigned our game on the 22^nd move, increasing my rating to 1544.

For supper, Teresa reheated my leftover beef brisket from yesterday; still delicious.

I received an email from ChessMood that their courses will be open until December 20^th.

My step count for today was 4,603. That’s a little better.

 

FUNNY

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I quickly fell asleep, slept through the night, finally waking/getting up at 5am.

With ChatGPT’s help I re paired my JBL headphones to my LG television.

We left the apt just after 8am and Teresa went to her Pilates class in Otra Parte and I continued on to Sao Paulo. (The red light was on my iPod so I thought the battery was dead but it worked both ways and then died.) I arrived early and ordered a latte and texted Glenn I was early. He arrived a few minutes later. I invited him for a 1pm Thanksgiving dinner at our place and he accepted.

I had the American Breakfast which was pretty good

He’s looking for a nutritionist so I told him I would ask my Internista next time I see him. I recommended he get the book Outlive by Dr. Peter Attea, MD.

I stopped in Carulla and purchased 4 imported oranges for 15,000 pesos (about $1 each).

I walked back to the apt and Teresa returned about 12:15.

I logged into ChessMood and continued Tactics Ninja with Section 23 – Destroying.

I found my abdomen ultrasound “photos” on Cedimed but I can’t figure out how to copy or download them.

We had another visit from our pigeon friends.

I think my old 8GB JAL TECH USB drive is failing because every time I put it in the port it tells me it has to be formatted first.

We had a short rainstorm early in the afternoon.

I had told Teresa that the Bears game doesn’t start until 4:25 our time so we have time to go out for lunch.

We left the apt at 2:30 and walked to Palogrande. The place is much larger than it looks from the front. We took a seat and Teresa ordered their chicken and a beer. The waiter suggested their rib eye steak (maybe because it was so expensive?) but I ordered the beef brisket and a mango juice.

My meat was delicious and so large I ate half and got half to go. There was also something on my plate that tasted like apple pie 😊 but the salad was almost all onion so I only had a taste. I checked NFL scores on my cellphone and was shocked to see the Bears were in the 4^th quarter, leading 31-28. I thought the game had been moved from 1pm to 4:25pm. ☹ The check came to 139,743 pesos ($37.50).

We returned to the apt and I put the game on DAZN and watched it from the beginning, only skipping halftime.

Another visit from our pigeon friends – they must think we’re family now

31-28 ended up being the final score so finally the Bears beat a team with a winning record but Friday at 3pm they play the 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles ☹ so that will be quite a challenge – especially with all their injured players.

I won a game vs chesswiz98 in 29 moves, increasing my rating to 1538.

In the evening we had a downpour but it only lasted about 20 minutes.

I watched another episode of Downton Abbey on Netflix.

My step count for today was 3,873. Not good.

 

FUNNY

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

The cane seating on the chair I use for my desk is breaking so I switched it with the one I never sit on at my chess table.

At 8:30 I went down to the porteria and claimed my package and brought it up to the apt. It’s my Google ONN 4k streaming device.

I left again and walked down to Ave Las Vegas where I was soon on a Sabaneta bus. I got off across from EAFIT (university) and went up the stairs to an empty Mina Rica where I had a latte. (I was killing time until the 10am stores open in Monterrey mall.)

From my perch in the café I took this video of grass cutting, Colombian style

I left at 10:15, walked back down the stairs and soon was on an Envigado bus. I got off kiddy corner from the mall and used the underpass to enter.

I stopped at the first store and showed a photo of my Amazon 4k Pro Fire Stick and asked where I could buy it. He showed me a few in his display case. I took out mine and handed it to him and told him he could sell it. I think he didn’t understand until I told him it was free before I left.

Across the street I soon was on a Sabaneta bus back to Envigado. Teresa called and asked me to pick up a few things to I stopped in Mercado Madrid on the way back to my apt.

As I entered the porteria the portero handed me my other package. It contained purse handles for Teresa and 4 10oz. bags of salted-on-the-shell peanuts for me. I may have over done it on the peanuts.

I put out some lentil seeds for the pigeons but they are difficult to eat as they appear to be slightly too large. They had no problem with sesame seeds though.

My brother just notified me that the December 7^th game vs the Packers has been moved from noon to 3:25pm (CST).

I set up the new hardware and at 4pm Rob helped me set up the software which took a little over an hour.

I watched a couple more episodes of Downton Abbey on Netflix.

My step count for today was 2,974. Pretty pitiful.

 

FUNNY

Friday, November 21, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I got up once during the night, again at 5:30 when Teresa got up, finally getting up at 6am just after Teresa left for her early gym class.

I ended up with a draw against mekael965, lowering my rating to 1540.

Because the Chicago Bears have won 7 games, the NFL changed their Sunday game against the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1pm to 4:25pm.

New photos of Annie James

Looks like she had a bath.

I left the apt at 9:15 and on my way to Smartfit I observed a squirrel on the sidewalk carrying what looked like a mango in its mouth. I guess he has a sweet tooth.

The gym was a little busier than usual but I managed to complete my routine in the usual order. I completed 15 minutes on the treadmill with a maximum pulse rate of 128 bpm.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor until 10:45 then I returned to the apt.

We left at 11:30 and took a Didi to El Tesoro mall for 13,400 pesos. First Teresa checked out H&M and Zara

then we had lunch in Crepes & Waffles. She had the salad bar, I had the Cesar salad with chicken and we each had a glass of water for a total of 63,800 pesos ($17). I guess we got a table just as they opened because there was a line waiting for a table as we left.

We stopped at a Bancolombia consignacion ATM where I put 107,500 pesos in Innovation Corp’s account for my package to be delivered.

Their atrium is set up for Christmas

We went up to Doctor Juan Carlos Castano’s office and we had a wait of over an hour. The doctor went over all my test results and declared I don’t need surgery for my stones if I don’t have any pain. He recommended I drink a lot of water, don’t salt my food (no problem there), and eat a lot of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons (ick), and tangerines. My next appointment will be in 6 months on May 21^st at 1pm. They didn’t give me a paper order for my next PSA blood test but Teresa says they’ll email it to me a week before my next appointment. I paid 330,000 pesos for the appointment ($87).

We returned to the mall and Teresa had a yogurt ice cream with blueberries and coconut then we went across the aisle to Valentina Bakery where I had a latte and a crookie (croissant with a chocolate cookie baked into each end). She did a little work on her next bracelet while I perused my cellphone. At 4pm I paid the check of 45,889 and we walked to the taxi area. There was a long line but the wait was only about 20 minutes to return to the apt by taxi for 19,000 pesos.

I lost a game to Troyclough lowering my rating to 1531.

Teresa informed me the portero called and I have a package waiting in the porteria. I told her I’d pick it up tomorrow.

I watched some of The Chris Hayes Show on MS NOW then started my evening reading.

My step count for today was 6,200.

 

FUNNY

 

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 9:30. It took a while to fall asleep, got up once around midnight, finally waking/getting up at 5am.

Teresa got up with me and made breakfast and was out the door before 6am for her gym class.

I think I figured out why my Mercado Libre order didn’t work yesterday. I tried using my other debit card but it didn’t like that either. I then tried my credit card and it looked like that was going to work but at the last moment it declined it. ☹

It was 7am when I tried to order a Didi but there weren’t any takers. After I remembered that Claro wouldn’t open until 9:30 anyway I realized I was too early for my errands.

I stopped at the Gana kiosk and paid the Movistar bill of approximately 64,000 pesos then continued on to Ganso y Castor where I had a latte and a glass of ice water.

Chesswiz98 resigned our game on the 33^rd move increasing my rating to 1545.

I left at 10am and returned to the apt.

Rob ordered the item for me and it should arrive here tomorrow. I’ll put cash into his account this afternoon.

I left the apt at 12:45 and took a Didi to SICOR for 19,800 pesos. Inside I gave the receptionist my medical order, cedula, and business card with my address, phone number and email address hoping that was enough. I got an appointment for next Friday, November 28^th at 2:20pm. Outside they had this interesting parking lot – parking problem solved.

I ordered a Didi which soon arrived and took me Viva Envigado for 20,000 pesos.

I recycled a couple items, printed a chess note, and went up to the 2^nd floor. After waiting in line a few minutes in Claro the lady told me “las dos estan en cero” meaning “both are at zero”. This is unusually late but probably explains why I haven’t received a bill in my email as yet. I put 360,000 pesos in Rob’s Bancolombia account for the item that should arrive tomorrow.

I went down to Urbania and had a latte and a glass of ice water.

I used google to obtain information on my abdominal test conclusions:

I left at 3:30 and went to the cashier to pay my check. They have new staff than I’m used to seeing. I had a difficult time trying to explain I already drank my latte and I just want to pay as I handed him 13mil – which should be more than enough including the tip. Another young man came over and in broken English, asked me: Latte or cappacunino? Large or small? Did I eat anything? Which table was I sitting at? In the end the 13 mil was enough but next time it might be quicker to just pay using the waiter.

I stopped in Exito and bought a large carton of eggs and a 3-pack of Dove body soap and returned to the apt by taxi.

I got an email from ChessMood that in celebration of Thanksgiving they are unlocking their courses for one month.

I watched some of The Chris Hayes Show on MS NOW then started my evening reading.

My step count for today was 4,583.

 

FUNNY

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:45, finally waking/getting up at 5:30.

I have a 11:40 appointment today for an abdominal echogram. I don’t know if this is going to work because I’m supposed to drink 4-6 glasses of water an hour before the procedure and with my urinary incontinence I don’t know if I can hold that much that long. I guess we’ll find out.

Annie James

 

Found this online - Flight Perks for Seniors (over 60)

1. Ask, “Do you offer Senior Assistance?”.  If you don’t ask you don’t receive.

2. Some of the best seats become available, for free, a few hours before the flight, so do your Check-In 3-5 hours before departure.

3. At the counter ask, “Do you have any extra baggage allowance for people over 60?”.

4. You can request escorts, wheelchair or electric chair. Ask, “I’d like Airport Assistance for Senior passengers.”

5. To purchase your ticket, go directly to the airline’s official website, enter your age or check box for senior passenger. This Activates the Algorithm Search for Senior deals.

6. Just before boarding begins ask, “Do you allow priority boarding for Senior passengers?”.

7. Free in-flight snacks. Ask, “Do you have any special perks for Senior travelers today?”.

8. Switch seats last minute - just before boarding ask, “I’m xx years old, any seat upgrades available for senior passengers?”.

9. Delays >3 hours compensation in cash, meal vouchers, hotel, VIP lounge. Ask, “I’m a senior traveler seeking the full compensation for delays”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsyh7kUlfYQ

 

At 10am I drank 4 8oz glasses of water. At 10:15 we took a Didi to Santafe mall. After much perusing, Teresa purchased a Christmas sweater for 109,900 pesos. We took a taxi to Cedimed Intermedica and by then I was feeling the pressure from my full bladder. We took a seat for about 15 minutes, paid 243,300 pesos ($65) for my procedure and Teresa explained we need to hurry because I have urinary incontinence. Five minutes later I was called in back and while Teresa waited outside I was guided to an exam table and the doctor soon came in. She spoke a little English. She put gel on my abdomen and scanned me and told me in Spanish what I would learn later – that I have a 10mm stone in the neck of my gallbladder and 4mm stones in my kidneys. She told me results would be ready in 20 minutes and she confirmed I would be able to pick them up across the street. Finally, I was then able to go in the restroom and relieve myself.

We went to the Boulevard restaurant and had a nice lunch for 64,000 pesos ($8 each).

Across the street I claimed my test results and we returned to Envigado by taxi. I got out at the Gardenia café and walked back to the apt while Teresa continued on to the cultural center for her craft class.

I took an hour nap on the recliner and was awakened by my alarm. I stopped at the Bancolombia kiosk and printed a page of chess notes. I continued on to the park (La Buena Mesa) and was surprised to see the side street closed off to car traffic. I saw a couple police women and a policeman in bulletproof vest and he came over, shook my hand, and in English asked where I was from. I told him the US and he asked me which part. I told him Chicago and he said he would like to visit there someday. I told him I didn’t recommend visiting in the winter. He said there was no problem in the park and I continued on to Los Porteños where I had a latte with a glass of water and went over my chess notes.

At one point I needed to go to the restroom and for a change I left all my stuff back at the table. No problem except I plugged up another toilet but eventually managed to clear it again.

I left at 5pm and walked to Eduardo Madrid where I found Teresa waiting for me. She wasn’t interested in eating anything so we just returned to the apt.

I didn’t get to the gym today so I just did a few arm exercises with my 7# dumbbell.

Interesting, my next book isn’t available on my Kindle but it is on the Kindle app on my cellphone. It was a short story by Lee Child and Joseph Finder’s Good and Valuable Consideration. Since I read it with the Kindle app on my cellphone I hope it doesn’t ruin my sleep.

 

FUNNY

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. I fell asleep quickly, got up once at 5am, finally waking/getting up at 6am.

Teresa was just leaving for her gym class.

I took a Didi to Unicentro for 20,200 pesos. I found Jose outside the entrance and when we were let inside we both went to the ATM for cash withdrawals. Upstairs in Santa Leña I ordered the one piece of French toast with 2 scrambled eggs. Now they have two coffee sizes and we both chose the large and it is huge. The nice thing is, unlike other cafes, here they make the coffee HOT. My check, with tip, came to 46,608 pesos.

We moved to the food court and I had the Black pieces in the first game. I think Jose had a winning move on the 11^th move but missed it. Later I made an unusual move that prevented him from being able to castle. It was a long game, 47 moves, but in the end I was able to queen a pawn and he resigned.

We took a break and I went down to Exito where I was able to quickly and easily pay the epm utility bill.

I was only gone about 10 minutes, including a trip to the restroom and we started the next game right at noon. I managed to get a strong attack – that was fun – and he resigned on the 32^nd move. Yes, it’s a lot more fun when you win.

It was only 2pm when we finished and after a trip to the restroom, I ordered a Didi to take me to Pricesmart. I’m glad it was overcast because the driver didn’t have the A/C on and my window wouldn’t go down. (And he was wearing a long sleeve knit shirt. 😊 )

On the way we passed a small café named Alcatraz. 😊

In Pricesmart I had a slice of pepperoni pizza with a soda for 14,400 pesos.

I stopped at customer service to inquire if they had the 3 things I need in stock. No Bisquick but the guy led me to the Johnsonville breakfast sausages and the turkey breast (3) and put them in my cart. 😊

I quickly checked out for 219,600 pesos ($58) and returned to the apt by taxi. Traffic was heavy on the expressway and it was drizzling by the time I returned to our complex for 18,600 pesos.

By 4:30 the rain had stopped so I went to Eduardo Madrid and picked up my order of 16 English muffins for 40,000 pesos and stopped in Ara and bought 4 green apples for Teresa.

Teresa informed me Marcos has been trying to reach me all day. It appears the item I asked him to pick up at Walmart isn’t that easy to find. Rob says it’s easy to find here in Medellin so I’ll check Monterrey mall and if I can’t find it there I’ll ask my brother to order it from Walmart and send it to me.

I watched a couple more episodes of Downton Abbey on Netflix.

Teresa went to bed at 8:45 but first asked me if I’m going to bed soon. Laughingly I said, “We’ve been together 11 years, 365 days a year so that’s like 4,000 nights and you always ask me that and my answer is always the same – closer to 10pm.” We were both laughing together by the time I finished.

Annie James out for a stroll in the park.

I finished reading Lee Child’s Past Tense (Jack Reacher #23).

I forgot to put my step counter on today, so …well you know!

 

FUNNY

Monday, November 17, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. It was still raining. I fell asleep quickly, got up once at 5am, finally waking/getting up at 6am.

Today is a holiday – Cartagena Independence Day.

I forgot to mention I completed 2,995 steps yesterday.

Now we have the pigeons coming in the apt every morning expecting food. And yes, Teresa is feeding them. At one point I got up from the desk and was standing between the pigeon and its exit but it didn’t panic, probably because I wasn’t threatening it. I think they are the parents of the bird that was hatched on our balcony.

After breakfast I had a 30-minute nap then left at 8:30 for Smartfit which I found busier than expected.  A man was standing next to the Butterfly machine and I motioned to him and the machine to see if he was using it. In very good English he said we can share it. He confirmed he was Colombian and I told him his English was very good - he must have really paid attention in English class. He chuckled and told me he’s been told that before. I told him from his accent I would have guessed he was English or Australian.

I ran into another man wearing a Chicago half-marathon t-shirt. He didn’t speak English but told me he was in Chicago visiting this August.

Another man was wearing a t-shirt that said, “ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY” and I asked if he knew what the words mean. He said “no” so I google translated it for him to “por supuesto que si!” but with the words mixed up.

I completed 15 minutes on the treadmill at 6 km/hr with no elevation and my blood pressure got no higher than about 130-132 bpm.

I was walking past the restaurant El Trifasico and surprisingly it was open and a man and woman were sitting at a front table. I asked if they are only open on holidays. The woman invited me in but I said I had other plans. She said she would be waiting for me and I said maybe tonight.

I took a seat at Ganso y Castor and was enjoying my latte when a man sat at the next table. His name is “Thomas”, he’s from Germany, his apt is behind San Marcos church and he moved here about 4 months ago to get away from the cold.

Teresa called and asked me to buy salt on the way back to the apt.

I left at 10:45, stopped at Ara for the bag of salt and returned to the apt.

Teresa had me take a coconut down to the garage where I smashed it against the cement floor to break it into pieces.

The wound on my shin is healing nicely; I just keep it moist by putting petroleum jelly on it after my shower and before going to bed.

My Amazon package just arrived in Florida and I asked everything in my locker to be released.

I was so stuffed after lunch I didn’t want to move so I just collapsed on the recliner.

The pigeons were back begging for food so Teresa gave me some sesame seeds that I held in my hand and they were wary but they did peck a little out of my hand.

I watched a couple more episodes of Downton Abbey on Netflix.

I completed 4,262 steps today.

 

FUNNY

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Last night I took my Diphenhydramine and Zopiclona tablets and went to bed at 10pm. It was still raining. I fell asleep quickly, got up once at 4:30am, again due to a right calf cramp at 5:30am (or did I dream it?), finally waking/getting up at 7:15.

Today Annie James is 2 months old. New photo to follow…

Teresa left just after 8am to get a good spot in her Pilates class.

I found my backup cedula in the back pocket of my fanny pack with my Pricesmart card. 😊

I left at 8:30 and walked to Olivenza in Sao Paulo when Glenn was just arriving with Bianca. He now has a different table he likes to sit at. He mentioned he sees a woman sitting here for hours that he thinks is a psychologist using it as her office because she sees one person after another.

Glenn, stomach wise, is feeling the same and he doesn’t want to continue do another intestinal purge even if he would feel better. His latest hobby is creating musical podcasts with covers with the help of ChatGPT.

We left at 10:30, I bought a large carton of eggs and 2 microwave popcorns (extra butter) in Carulla before walking back to the apt. I ran into Teresa on the way – she was having a café con leche across the street at Picoricos (or something like that). She said there were only 4 people at Pilates today probably because this is a bridge weekend (holiday tomorrow).

Based on the number of steps to Sao Paulo and how long it took I did a quick calculation and I estimate it would take 90 minutes for me to walk 7,000 steps.

Friday, I ordered some purse handles for Teresa and 2 10oz. bags of Hampton Farms salted-in-the shell peanuts for me and it’s expected to arrive in Florida tomorrow.

Teresa ended up not visiting her mother so she’s hanging around the house occasionally distracting me from the game. My game was interrupted by this message that popped up on my TV.

 I think someone was trying to take control of it so I just blocked it. In the 2^nd quarter I popped my microwave popcorn and finished the whole bag with my Coke. The Bears won another nail biter 19-17 on a last second field goal.

Teresa says since tomorrow is a holiday she wants to go on a day trip to Parque Arvi. I told her I don’t want to miss gym for a week (since I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday). The Bears don’t have a Sunday game in a couple weeks so we could go then.

Teresa wanted to go out to eat tonight. I checked Chiclayo’s schedule and they close at 6pm but Rocoto is open until 9pm.

At 5:30 we took a Didi to Rocoto in Provenza, El Poblado for 11,400 pesos. We each had their Chufa de pollo (chicken & rice) and shared a bottle of water. Sitting there, there was the occasional strong whiff of marijuana I didn’t enjoy. We both enjoyed our food and the final check was 160,502 pesos ($43.14) and we returned to our apt by Didi for 13,900 pesos.

Expat commented, “Pricemart say more turkeys in a couple of weeks. Some Carullas have them, both the Butterball breasts and whole ones. Given the price of beef in Colombia now, in particular imported US beef, they are an attractive buy for expats.” Ugh, I was in Carulla this morning and had I known I would have looked.

The Eagles beat the Lions 16-9 so the Bears are alone in first place:

Woo hoo!

The Bears still have to play the Lions and the Eagles so we’ll see how that goes.

Rain in the evening and still raining when I went to bed at 10pm.

 

FUNNY