Route 66 – February 28 to March 4

Today we continue with the trek along Route 66. One of my favorite things to do is to go for a drive with Denise and bask in the joy that being with her brings. As I often say, she is a balm to my soul. She usually responds in one of two ways. When she is feeling humorous, she will say, “Boom!” and I respond with, “not BOMB, balm!” We laugh, of course, as this never gets old for us. The second way is to respond with similar affection, which is always nice too. Have I ever said how much I love being with Denise!? 😊 She is, indeed, a balm to my soul!

Denise and I also love to go out to restaurants. This would be something we would do if travelling on the US Route 66, and we would make a point of eating at many of the vintage restaurants that apparently still exist along the highway. I used an image of a vintage tabletop jukebox as the feature image that I 3D modeled and rendered back in 2020, just to make this point. Denise and I have always wanted to do what she calls “The Great Canadian Road Trip” – that is a driving trip across Canada. Sadly, as we age, this does not seem like it will ever become a reality. Couple that with limited financial resources and you get the picture. It’s sad to think about how our traveling days are over. Thankfully we can still have day trips here and there, some of which I have talked about in previous blog posts. This summer we are thinking of splurging on a hotel for a day or two in Regina or Swift Current and taking day trips out in that area to visit some of the small nearby towns. We just have to decide that our mental health is worth the expenditure.

February 28, 2026

We celebrated my mom’s 87^th birthday today. She was quite excited because she received many emails and phone calls from family and friends. She has always been a kind and engaged person, and her life has always been full – a very popular lady. She knows so many people, through her 30-year career in the Saskatoon Catholic diocese, her lifelong attendance in church, including being in the choir, and her 58 years in Al-Anon. They all seem to love and respect her, which is nice. I gave her a birthday card and enclosed $87.00 as her gift. Holy moly – that was a lot money and it put a huge dent in my wallet. Not to worry though, Denise brought me five crisp twenties the next day to refill my depleted allowance, as I always call it. 👍😊💖 I used Mom’s birthday amount because I had talked about how she always does that for us in the last blog post – I thought it would be a nice surprise for her. Usually, Denise and I get her a gift card for Smitty’s or something like that because she goes there with friends every now and again. For supper and to continue the celebration, we took Mom to Oceana for Chinese food, which she loved. It was interesting to watch Mom order – Denise and I made some suggestions, and she went ahead and ordered what she had already been planning on, which is fine, but interestingly enough it made a point in my mind about how independent and driven she is – true to form – a first born, who can’t be dissuaded from being in charge. It was cute, but it did cost us all more, since Denise and I still ordered what we had suggested. In the end, everyone was happy, including Emma and her family since we dropped the leftovers at Emma’s on the way home so they could have a little snack of it as well. Emma said later that there were enough leftovers for all of them. Cool, I thought!

March 1, 2026

The night before, Denise and I got a call from our friend Ben, a notable friend I have mentioned before. He invited Denise and I for dim sum Sunday morning. Ben calls us about six times a year to join him and his family. There are usually about 8 – 10 of us, more so these years as his son, Benjamin, and his wife are producing grandkids for him. It’s always a nice time. We typically go to a place called Yip Hong’s, but they were closed for a week-long family holiday. A quick decision was made to go to the Mandarin downtown, the place we used to go before the arrival of Yip Hong’s. It was very good food, as always. I always try to offer some cash to help pay our way, but Ben almost never accepts it. He has let me the odd time; I think only to pacify me.

Ben and his wife, Janet, travel lots and this time they had just come back from a couple of weeks in Argentina, and an additional two-weeks on a cruise south to Antarctica, leaving I assume from Argentina. The airline lost Janet’s luggage on the way there, so first off, they purchased a new wardrobe for her. It’s interesting to hear where they’ve gone, but of course, I feel a little jealous since, as I have mentioned, travel for Denise and I is not possible. Still, I am happy for them and others who do get to travel the world. I asked Ben and Janet how they manage the airport end of things these days, and they said that because they go for extended periods the time getting there and back is not so stressful. I thought how I would never want to go through that process again. I thought back to my last trip to New Jersey by myself for work, and how much I hated that rigamarole. Give me a day trip around home any time.

March 3, 2026

March 3^rd was an easy-going day. I spent most of the 2^nd and then the 3^rd starting and finishing a 1000-piece puzzle. That makes about six 1000-piece puzzles in the last couple of months. Yeah, I know, pretty obsessive!

I had a doctor’s appointment with my family doctor late in the day and I had Denise come with me. Both Denise and I have had a severe flu for the last three weeks, so it was time to go. I figured that if I brought Denise with me our doctor would treat her as well, which she did. In her kind and non-judgemental fashion, Dr. P. said that we should have come a week or more ago, but as I said, we kept thinking it would pass. At any rate, she determined that we both had the flu and sinus infections. She gave us prescriptions for antibiotics and nose sprays. She also gave Denise an inhaler because her chest was still quite rough when she breathes. Hopefully that’ll help us finally get past all the illness.

While with the doctor, I talked to her about my intolerance to Metformin, the diabetes medication that was supposed to lower my blood sugar. She prescribed an alternative called Gliclazide and told me too that the now popular medicine, Ozempic, was coming out under a generic name this summer and the price would be dropping to about $75.00 a month. She also mentioned that some medical plans were starting to cover it if used for diabetes and others like Metformin were not tolerated. Down the road, if the new medicine does not work, we will give Ozempic a try.

Here is something weird. While the doctor was checking Denise, I went down to the clinic lab to have my blood drawn, my 3-month check for blood-sugar levels which I usually do once or twice a year if pressed. 😊 For years, getting my blood drawn has been problematic. My veins are deep and a draw almost always requires three or four pokes to find a vein, and often one phlebotomist handing it off to another. Usually both arms are tried, with and without first heating with a warmed pad. When that fails, as it often does, they try the hands. Once, they even moved to my feet to find a vein, which is, if you can imagine, much more painful. So, the surprise came yesterday when I apologized in advance for what was coming and the new gal felt my arm in the typical place, poked the needle in and drew blood. I was blown away and complimented her profusely, calling her the blood whisperer as we wrapped up. I think she liked that! 😊

Before Denise and I went to the doctor, Denise asked if I was going to tell Dr. P. that I was depressed. Having been suffering the winter blues, I decided that I would surprise Denise and do so. Dr. P. had me fill out a questionnaire, and once done, she noted that I was mildly depressed. After some discussion I decided that although I was open to some pharmaceutical help for that, I was feeling much better with spring not so far off now. She agreed and suggested that next year it might be beneficial to get something in September or October and head off the blues. I will certainly keep that in mind.

Other Issues

Earlier in the year I went to my optometrist for a regular checkup. The good thing about having diabetes is the yearly checkup is free. I had never taken the peripheral eye test before, so this year Dr. B. had me do so. The first time the results were not definitive, so she had me do it again a week later for comparison. Because she couldn’t say with one hundred present certainty that all was well, she decided to send me to a specialist, an eye surgeon as it turned out. For years I had been told that I was a candidate for glaucoma but gave this little thought. So, it surprised me when I saw the specialist and she said that I had the start of glaucoma in my left eye and that I had cataracts. I felt like I had just been diagnosed with cancer or some other such thing. I almost cried at the diagnosis. As of now, I am booked to have laser surgery on March 6^th to drill holes in my eyes to relieve the pressure that has build up due to blocked drains. She said it’s a very quick operation that’s over so quick you barely know it happened. Still, it doesn’t sound like my idea of fun. The eye doctor also said that if that doesn’t work over time to keep the pressure down I will have to use glaucoma eye drops daily. If that fails to do the trick, they will do surgery to install new mechanical drains. Dr. O. said that the cataract surgery will also help with the glaucoma issue, as well as give me better eyesight. That surgery will likely be in a year since the lines are long for all the old folks that require this right of passage, as it might be considered.

The art piece below was something I created on March 2^nd while thinking about my failing eyes – note the narrowing visions. Now that I know I have cataracts I think I can tell that I have had some issues, but not that bad, if I can say so. Others who have had cataract surgery have told me that the loss is so gradual that one just doesn’t notice, but once the surgery is done, I should find the difference quite significant. It’s so cool what modern medicine can do. Just think how many of us would be blind or become blind in old age if not for that. I am confident that I will be as lucky as most are and come through this, but I did mention to Denise that if I went blind, I would not want to live. I cannot imagine life without sight, especially as a writer and an artist.

When One’s Eyes Fail – Created by Don Cheke

Note that all my doctors, with the exception of my dentist are women! In my opinion, it’s better that a women should check my prostrate gland and my testicles. The thought of a man doing that to me is not appealing – not even a little bit. 😊 As for my dentist, he is my cousin, and he is never interested in those southern areas. Just saying! LOL!

More Deterioration

I was at the dentist just recently because I am having a problem with two teeth. I have one baby tooth, if you can believe that, and I could/can feel something weird with it, like my floss hooking on some gap that shouldn’t be there – possibly a failed filling. As he checked out the tooth he said, “that’s strange.” He said that there was a hole in the gum next to the tooth and the root is coming up through it. He said the tooth has slightly angled and it is reabsorbing itself. To confirm this, I asked Google AI, “In a 66-year-old man who still has a baby tooth, the dentist says that it has now failed and is reabsorbing itself. Is there something to this, this reabsorbing?” Googled responded with, “Yes, there is significant scientific backing to what your dentist is saying. It is entirely possible for a retained baby tooth (deciduous tooth) in a 66-year-old man to finally “fail” and begin reabsorbing (dissolving) its own roots. While it sounds strange, this is a known, albeit rare, dental phenomenon, especially when the permanent successor tooth was missing or impacted.” I am/was aware that my permanent tooth was missing. Rare means special, so I like that! LOL! For those interested in genetics, note that my dentist (a first cousin) has a similar baby tooth – mine on the lower left, his on the lower right. Dr. B. said that the baby tooth will have to be pulled but because I have such strong roots he will refer me to the oral surgeon for that. Hey, did you know that a dentist charges less when working on baby teeth, even if the baby tooth is in an adult body – at least that is true for my dentist. I think he said that was common in Saskatchewan, if not all of Canada, due to healthcare policies and set pricing.

The other tooth that is currently problematic is an upper rear molar that has a cap, or crown, as it is called. The cap doesn’t appear to be coming off, but there is a gap above the cap at the gum line that shouldn’t be there. When I floss it snags on that gap. I also feel some pain with it, and I wonder if it is infected and somehow caused my sinus infection, or the other way around. In the near future I have an appointment to have the cap removed. Once removed, Dr. B. said he can check to see what else is happening much easier. If the roots seem okay, he will make a new cap that fits better and all should be good. If there are root issues, a root canal and a new cap might be called for. Both are costly, so I might opt to have it pulled. We’ll know better in a week or so when I see him.

Speaking of pulling teeth, Dr. B. and I often reminisce about the time when he was fresh out of dental college, and I had an early visit with him. I needed a tooth pulled so he performed it, seeming to handle it in stride and causing no pain, as is his personal motto. Afterward, he told me how it was a horrid and nerve-wracking experience for him. He said that the roots were so tough that he had to cut the jawbone to help release it. He was afraid that he would cause me pain and leave me bruised and battered. He told me later in time how that case made him consider, from then on, whether or not to do removals or refer them on to those with surgical skills. I like to share that story with others – our bonding moment in time.

I know it sounds like I have no teeth now, but in truth, the removing of the baby tooth will mean three are gone. If the capped tooth eventually needs removing that will be four. Not too bad, but still too many, and depressing in its own right. I’ll have to shed a few tears for more lost parts – fingers, teeth, and my mind if that loss counts. All this adds to the burden of loss as old age moves on – depressing as I said.

Here’s one for the books – I have never had wisdom teeth, so never had to have those pulled. My dentist said that those with no wisdom teeth are farther along the evolutionary track. He didn’t say the next part, but I just thought – yah, the wisdom went, instead, to our brain. 😊 Makes sense, doesn’t it!?

Trigger Fingers

Just in case you think the above is no big deal, or not too bad, note that I have been having issues with two of my fingers on my dominant hand, my only hand with all its fingers. I cannot afford to have troubles with this hand! Think of all the things that become problematic if both hands are cause for concern. At any rate, I was referred to a hand specialist late January, and it was confirmed that my locking fingers (ring and middle fingers) had become severe enough and that the pain I was now having in the palm of my hand needed treatment. I was provided with a splint for the ring finger, which in turn magically keeps the middle finger straight as well – mostly. I was assured that this would help lessen the severity of the pain. That said, the therapist suggested that I get cortisone shots to help with inflammation and the pain. An appointment was made with a doctor in my clinic that does this treatment for others regularly. Oh my God! What a painful experience it was to have needles poked into the palm of my hand, not once but twice. The doctored kept telling me to be still, but how could I. As he is doing this, Denise comforted me from behind, and I kept thinking how there are so many ways to torture people. Needles in the palms is probably as bad a pulling out one’s fingernails, or electric shocks to the testicles, both of which I would pass on, if you get my thinking. 😊 The shots appear to have eliminated the pain, although I am continuing to wear the splint most of the day. I take it off when needed, like when I eat or make puzzles – that sort of thing. It’s been a while now since the treatment, and since continuing with the splint I feel almost normal – cautiously optimistic as they say.

Other News

Earlier in the year I got rear-ended by some young guy.

Crunched Bumper – Photo by Don Cheke

I was hauling groceries to my mom’s place when I stopped to make a right turn onto a busy street when I heard the bang and felt a jolt. It took me a moment to realize I had been hit from behind. I pulled out and over to the side of the road, as did the car behind me. A young man came out from the car behind and was immediately apologetic and saying right off that it was his fault. That was a good start. He said that he wasn’t watching ahead but instead looking for a break in the traffic while forgetting to look ahead. Because he was so apologetic, it was pointless to get mad at him, so I just offered comfort and explained to him next steps when he confessed that he didn’t know what to do. We photographed each other licence and registration and went our way. I went to the DMV, or SGI as it is called here, after I dropped off Mom’s groceries. There I made my report and received an appointment later in the month for the adjuster to get an estimate of the damage. Meanwhile, about a week or so later I received an email that said the other fellow had made his report, admitted fault, so my deductible would be paid by his insurance. I saw the adjuster on February 24^th and saw that the estimate for damage was just over $3000.00. I went from there to a body shop, Kavia in this case, and booked an appointment for the repairs. At this point, barring any issues getting parts, my car goes in on March 24^th. As part of the deal, at the other’s cost, I get a rental car for the duration. While at the body shop, I asked how much they would charge to touch up a few paint chips and the nice receptionist said nothing if it wasn’t too many. Bonus I thought – that will help my forever car maintain its beauty!

All in all, the whole accident business went smooth and easy – it was/is just a matter of going through the motions, as you can imagine.

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Note that I finished reading The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Overall, I thought it was okay, good enough as a classic. There seemed to be a lot of talk about all the places traveled through, but I guess that was the point – showing the widespread destruction caused by the Martians. The story had a few interesting things to ponder, which to me is always a good point. I won’t say more about the book, so you will need to read it if you are moved to do so. I have decided to see if I can find one or two movies based on the book to see how they compare to the book. I do remember watching the Tom Cruise version years ago, so I will see if I can stream that. In my search, I found an older 2005 version for free on Plex. It doesn’t have any actors whose names I recognize, so who knows what it will be like. Note that my Ad Blocker seems to remove ads from Plex, so not only will it be free, but also ad-free. Whoo-hoo!

March 4, 2026

Today I picked up the new meds for Denise and me, I bought a few groceries and spent some hours writing the new blog post. For lunch I had a sandwich, pastrami on fresh out of the oven raisin bread. It was fantastic! I also put on a roast and baked potatoes for supper. Yum!

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That’s all for now. A bit of sympathy wouldn’t go amiss for all the stuff that has come along in this short stretch of time. 😊 Hopefully this is not just a preview of things to come.

The road ahead is bright – spring and all! It’s so bright I might just have to wear shades – especially after the cataract surgery!

Donald B. Cheke – Saskatoon, SK