Maples Trimmed

  It was a cold (35°) morning with a light snow falling but Joe's Tree Service arrived on schedule about  9:30 am to trim the two maples nearest the house. The one on the south side has a number of dead limbs. In fact, Dave Clopper (the tree service's owner) said the tree's heartwood looks dead and may have been hit by lightning at some point in the past. There was enough dead lumber up in that tree that I worried every time the wind blew. And when we pulled out of the driveway in our cars or walked beneath it when mowing, I was always careful to listen for any unusual rustle

 The other maple is at the northwest corner of the house and it shades the kitchen and holds a myriad of birdhouses and feeders. I've noticed the eastern side is drying and asked Dave to trim any suspect branches.

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 One of our security cameras watched the two trucks arrive. One is a bucket truck, the other a chipper/shredder. Dave immediately started trimming the south tree while a young man dragged branches to the chipper in the driveway.

 Dave then moved his boom truck to the garage apron and began trimming the tree by the kitchen.

 A bit later we heard a terrible crash and I found a limb had fallen and hit the north dining room window and shattered the storm window and slightly damaged the screen. Dave cleaned up the glass and said he'd take the frames to the hardware store, have them repaired and return with them soon.

 Here's how the maple by the driveway looks after trimming. I'm happy with the result and hope we can get a few more years out of it.

Orange Flags Point to What?

  We've begun seeing little orange flags all over the township. I know they're marking telephone and power lines. But they also point towards a future something ...

11-14-24

11-14-24

 These flags run diagonally from the power pole at the southeastern edge of our property towards our electrical meter box.

11-15-24

 The company noted on the truck is USIC.

11-15-24

 Whatever they're doing, it'll come very close to my mailbox.

12-06-24

 Now large spools of orange conduit have been placed along various roads. This is just south of Hemple Road on the west side of Clayton Road, about 0.3 miles north of Pinehaven. Work will apparently begin soon.

12-06-24

12-10-24

 This morning I heard an engine running and walked out to see what was going on. There's a trencher just north of my property and moving slowly south. One man is on the machine; another is on foot. The orange conduit is being buried.

 I asked the one man what company they were working for and he said this is for Spectrum Cable. He also said they'd be hooking up customers "in about two months".

 

12-10-24

 And now the trencher is coming across the eastern edge of my property.

12-10-24

 And it's directly in front of my house ...

12-10-24

They cut the conduit near my north catalpa tree. It's a cool (46° at 2 pm) and rainy day so they placed duct tape over the end (it's 1.5" in diameter) after pushing a white cord down inside. That, by the way, is how the fiber optic cable is pulled through all the plastic tubing.

12-10-24

 And now they're south of my property trenching across Millie's. They skipped a large area from the north catalpa to here. How will they get beneath my driveway? And how will they get beneath Hemple Road to my north?  It'll be fascinating to see how this is done.

12/14/24: A new mark was added to the road yesterday. This is at the southeast edge of my property adjacent to Millie's lane.

 And this one has been near Millie's mailbox for a couple of weeks or so. 

12/17/24: The crews were back today and completed burying  the conduit along the front of my property. They then installed a box at the edge of my neighbor's property and continued laying  the fiber to Jeff's.

 Laying the conduit at the front of my property. Two pieces of fiber were joined here and a box buried just to the left of the northmost catalpa.

 These  plastic pieces were dropped off just to my south.

 And here they are being installed during the late afternoon.

 When all the workers left I walked out to see how the box looks close-up. I assume this is where individual feeds will go to subscribers.

 That's it for my area at the moment. I'll post more if something interesting happens.

Wisteria Mystery Solved

  Back in 2011, Dan Miller gave us a wisteria. We knew next to nothing about it. It hasn't bloomed much over the years so we've been happy when it's managed some color.  In fact it took about nine years before we had any blooms at all. And though we look at it every day of our lives, we've never known much about it.

 But a few days ago (11/25/24) the plant answered one question.: it is the Asian variety.

 I was taking Parker on a walk when I happened to see five seed ponds hanging on the plant (all in a small area and on the north side of the plant). They were a little startling: light gray and fuzzy and almost exactly the fur I'd expect on a mouse. That distinction is noted here.

 By contrast, the North American variety has smooth seed pods.

 I didn't want more plants coming up in my yard so I cut the pods and bagged them. Here's a close-up look:

 So the plant has essentially answered the question about the type of wisteria we have. 

 Says igardendaily.com: "The downside to Chinese wisteria is it seems more than vigorous.  In fact, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that much of the literature called it down right invasive.  A very sturdy structure must be used to support it along with a commitment to keep it in-bounds.  The other negative I came across is that it can be an unreliable bloomer and that plants grown from seed may not bloom for 10-15 years!  Grafted plants or plants taken from cuttings will bloom sooner but it still may be 3-4 years after planting." [my italics]

 So now we have a plant that will be at least 14 years old next spring. We're hoping one of these years it's covered with blooms. But while we're waiting, at least we know the variety we're dealing with.

Deep Dish Pizza

  Mondays are pizza days for Tom and I. We usually meet a friend for pizza every other Monday and the one we stay at home, we heat a frozen pizza. Not today. I decided last evening that I'd again make a recipe I have for "Thick Pizza Crust" and we'd have something special.

 I used to say I didn't like deep dish pizzas. "Too much dough". "Too much bread". But now I find I actually prefer them. They're higher calorie and I'm fat. That's probably the reason.

 I use a very simple dough recipe in a cookbook Tom bought me a few years ago:

Thick Pizza Crust

3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2-1/2 cups flour

 That's it. That's the whole dough recipe. I have found the water called for is not enough and generally dampen the dough ball as I knead it. And I 'proof" the yeast in a small measuring cup with the warm water and sugar for about five minutes before pouring it into the salted flour.

I knead the dough for about five minutes, then place it into a greased bowl with plastic warp atop. I let it rise for about 45 minutes in a warm place. The oven works well for this if you only slightly heat it beforehand.

 Then I knock it down and knead it again for a couple of minutes. I then roll it into the final shape: as wide as my cookie sheet  and about as long.

 That goes on the cookie sheet (to which I've added some cornmeal to keep the dough from sticking) and I let it rise again ... though this time for only 15 minutes.

 When It's risen slightly again (no more than a puffiness) I poke holes all over it with a fork.

 This dough needs baking for about five minutes before toppings are added. The top of the dough will dry a bit but only very slightly brown in places. If it browns all over it's been baked too long.

 Take the dough out of the oven and let it cool a few minutes so you can work with it.

 Now's the time to add tomato sauce (I used marinara) and the toppings of your choice. I only added cut green olives to my half and Tom added mushrooms to his. I sprinkled pepper flakes on my half and then we added a thick layer of shredded mozzarella cheese to the entire top.

 I baked this for about 13 minutes at 500°. 

 The result is at the top of the page. The pizza dough rises some more and tastes like a high quality bread. I imagine a pizza of this sort would sell for $20 to $30. It takes some time but it's worth it.

Cataract Surgery

  The last time I went in for an eye exam (05/30/24) , my doctor told me I was probably ready for cataract surgery. In years past, I always thought the time had  come but my eye doctor always said "not yet". This time was different.

 On August 1 I had a consultation with Dr. David Denlinger at CVP Physicians Dayton. He not only agreed with my optometrist, he said both eyes were ready. Although no one looks forward to surgery, I have had so many vision problems and they've only worsened in recent years. My night vision is failing, bright lights are very annoying and nothing seems as crisp and well-lighted as I remember in my youth.

 On September 11 I visited my family physician, Dr. W Brent Ashcraft, and he filled out a physical form approving me for surgery.

 I soon received a call from CVP setting the surgery up for November 5, Election Day. I remember saying, "My Lord! That long?" when I realized I'd have  about a two month wait.

 This was finally the week. Tom drove me to the Dayton Eye Surgery Center in Beavercreek,  Ohio. I had to be there at 11:30 am for a 1 pm surgery. But I got a call saying things were moving quickly  and could I come earlier? I could  and I  did.

 I'll describe my experience for those who might be facing cataract surgery. Your experience may be similar:

After signing in (with Tom present as my driver and immediate caregiver), I was taken back to a small waiting room. I probably did not sit there more than five or ten minutes. Everything from check-in forward was fast, organized and very  efficient.

 I was taken to a small curtained cubicle and placed into a bed and covered with a thing white blanket. I kept on my street clothes, including shoes. I answered a number of questions for two nurses such as giving my name, date of birth, what surgery I was there for, which eye, etc.? One nurse marked above my right eye.

 I was given two Tylenol with water and an automated blood pressure cuff was placed on my right arm. A pulse oximeter was clipped to a finger on my left hand. One nurse installed an IV into my left arm I do not believe any medication was added at  this time.

 Soon (maybe 15 minutes later) Dr. Denlinger came in, introduced himself and again asked many of the same questions I was asked before. He added his mark above my right eye  and said the surgery would be soon.

 A nurse soon came in and said "they're ready" and wheeled me to the operating room. I remained in bed and something that felt like a rubber pillow was placed beneath my head (presumable to keep it steady). I saw a large light on the ceiling and what must be a floor-mounted microscope that was to be used for the surgery. I did not lift up and look further.

 I believe this is when the calming drug was added to the IV. I think a woman told me what it was. At some point someone said I may remain awake or I may remember nothing. I remember the entire procedure and never felt I was asleep though I never felt any pain at all and I wouldn't call anything even uncomfortable.

 The doctor was on my right and that was the only person I was aware of.

 I specifically remember seeing lights and at one point something "sweeping" back and forth  in my field of vision.  I imagine that was when my natural lens was broken up by ultrasound waves and the pieces removed. It may sound a bit gruesome: it is not.

 It seemed only minutes (though it was likely closer to 15) that Dr. Denlinger said "That's it. We're done".

 I was wheeled out of the operating room and back to the staging area where I was given a small bottle of water and left to rest only a few minutes (or so it seemed). Then I stood up as a nurse steadied me and walked me to Tom waiting in the car outside the door.

 We got home about the time my operation was originally scheduled  to begin.

 Before the operation  I took two drops four times a day. They were Ketorolac (an anti-inflammatory) and Moxifloxacin (an antibiotic). Afterwards a third drop was added: Prednisolone Acetate (a steroid).

 Then, the day after surgery (11/06/24) I returned for a checkup. All was well: 20/20 vision in that eye! Only the pressure was a bit elevated but Dr, Denlinger added a drop and said "it's coming down". He said he was very happy with the outcome.

 Showered and shaved, I feel like a new man (though I certainly don't look it). Check out my bloodshot right eye. There's only the slightest irritation, though. It feels just fine. And I can see perfectly with it, sans glasses.

 I have one more check-up on 11/13/24 nd then all that remains is to continue a schedule of drops for a month. The left eye is schedule for 11/19/24 (two weeks after the first) and I'll add notes about that after it happens.

Later:

11/19/24: Back for the left eye. The arrival time was set for 7 AM and the surgery at 8:30 am. Tom drove of course, and though I was told I would be #3, I was wheeled beck to  the OR at almost exactly the assigned time.

 The prep was exactly  the same as noted above.

 I have been giving some thought to whether  I was awake for the whole procedure or asleep, both this time and the last. The answer is: I don't know. I remember Dr. Denlinger tell me he was ready to begin and I even remember a couple of pokes. I figured it might be a prelude to pain  ...  but it was not. Later I again remember something moving back and forth in my field of vision and I assume that's when my dissolved natural lens was suctioned out. And I remember the doctor tell me when he finished. I can't say I remember anything else. Since I certainly don't remember 15 minutes worth of time passing, I must have been in some sleep-like state. In any case, it's a painless, efficient procedure.

 By 9:10 am we were on the way home.

 We stopped at Bob Evans for brunch. And  I took this shot of the aftermath of the second surgery there.

 Back tomorrow for removal of the bandage and vision tests.

11/20/24: All's well. Perfect vision. No glasses needed except for reading and close-up work. Final appointment a week from today and then this cataract business is done.

11/27/24: Today was my final trip to the eye surgeon and he said everything was "perfect". All I need are readers but he's  referring me back to the eye doctor at Walmart who referred me to him. He said to delay about three weeks before going and should I have any concerns in the meantime, get with him.

 I only have a dry spot on the left eye and he told me to buy a tube of Systane. I stopped at Kroger on the way home and got groceries and the eye gel (about $15). Now, two days later, I find it's helping and the red/white spot is fading. It only looked a bit inflamed; it never bothered me in the least.

Later [12/18/24]. Statement received yesterday. So what did it cost? The total appears to be $7220.00. That includes both cataracts, anesthesia, and various measurements. This isn't something you'd want to have done without insurance. So far my contributions have been $385 ... but I imagine the billing isn't complete.

Colorful Season Ending

  I thought the recent drought would be the end of any colorful trees this fall. Was I ever wrong. Here's a review of what we enjoyed in chronological order ...

 October gave us only 0.09" of rain and had September not received the remnants of Hurricane Helene to water our ground, we'd have had only 0.60". The trees seemed not to care and the dormant grass also recovered.

 All in all, we had a brilliant season of autumn foliage.