Trousered Ape

An exercise in presumption.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

State of the Ape III

Three months (yesterday) since I went into the hospital.

I had my hormone shot June 28; the next one is scheduled for the end of September. We’ll find out then how they’re working. If the hot flashes are any indication (they come several times a day, too frequently to track; and very annoying they are, since they make me sweat like crazy), the shots should be quite effective.

The aches / pains / soreness / stiffness have come back a bit (together with ongoing sensations, which I can’t describe, that tell me something funny is going on inside), but not enough that I need painkillers. I find I’m getting tired even more easily: getting ready for Mass on Sundays I shave; have to rest; shower; have to rest; get partly dressed; have to rest; finish dressing; have to rest.

And it appears that my body, having begun to fall apart, has decided to do a thorough job. I had a spell of Ménière’s Syndrome (intermittent dizziness / loss of balance / lightheadedness / nausea) back in 1996/7; it came back last year from May to December, and now it’s back again (although not as bad, and so far I’ve escaped the nausea). On top of that, I went to an eye doctor last week (hadn’t had a new pair of glasses since 2016) and learned that I’m just starting cataracts.

So what can I do? Take it one day at a time; pray a lot (thank again, everyone for your prayers); and try to find the words to thank God for my afflictions.

The news isn’t all bad. On the writing front, I’m putting the finishing touches to the third story about Zoe the Flying Rhinoceros and beginning to plot the fourth. And my mother is still in physical rehab and doing fine.

Posted by Bob the Ape 9:47 AM

Friday, August 12, 2022

A Comment and a Letter to Santa

Life these days isn't thrills, chills, and spills; it's ills, pills, and bills.

Not a library full of old quartos
Or a harem of Welches and Bardots;
No, for joy I would sing
If, dear Santa, you'd bring
Me a flying stone head like in Zardoz.

Posted by Bob the Ape 8:42 AM

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Literary Announcement

My science fiction novelette for children, Odyssey to Earth, is now up on Amazon.

Posted by Bob the Ape 5:58 PM