When I last went to San Francisco - Geez, I don't remember how long ago this was - I needed to buy a sun visor. Riding with my family into the California sun was blinding, so we went souvenir shopping on Fisherman's Wharf.
One particular store was selling two visors for the price of one. I only needed one - I was ready (albeit reluctant) to shell out $15 for one in AQUA. "Why not buy this PINK one as well?" the clerk asked me.
"Because I only have one head. Why don't you sell me one visor at a discount?"
Since apparently they calculate math differently on Pier 39, I ended up buying two sun visors, neither of which has gotten much use to this day.
Until last week.
Tulip had unearthed the blue visor from my rack of garden tools by the back door. She was trying to say, "Mom, your hair is too white. You need to wear this visor!"
Hmm... I gave the suggestion some thought. Then I picked the hat up off the floor and put it away.
Cats don't see color, right?
Upon reflection, I wondered: Should I really consider taking fashion advice from my cat?
And, just to set the record straight: the DMV says my hair color is GRAY. I much prefer to think of it as PLATINUM.
...most people wake up to answer Nature's call.
Not me.
I get up when I hear Tulip messing with the venetian blinds. (Yes, she's that loud).
If the blinds are down even a quarter of the way, I pull them up completely.
As long as I'm not in the kitchen or living room, Tulip can be on display in the fishbowl also known as our house.
It all began eleven months ago with a visit to the dentist. My dry mouth made that particular dental cleaning pure hell. The inside of my mouth could not "open wide" because it was full of ulcers. I was referred to a dental specialist for whom I had to wait two weeks. Then off to a Raleigh oral surgeon a few more weeks later. All had hinted they would do a biopsy; none did. I was prescribed Magic Mouthwash, which I still use today. I can no longer eat sharp, crispy foods, or tomatoes, strawberries and peaches. They all cause me pain, as if were chewing on glass.
The latest diagnosis guessed from this year's dental exam was Sjogren's Syndrome. The dental technician said my mouth sores look exactly like Oral Lichen Planus (either condition can lead to cancer).
My GP ran a few tests that ruled Sjogren's out, but I do have some type of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where, in my case, my body cannot produce moisture. Ergo, dry eyes plus dry skin.
Last week, I went to the dermatologist. It was an emergency visit for which I had to wait months. My skin was so dry, there were flakes of dandruff all over my face. Contact dermatitis and eczema covered most of my body. This doctor took a biopsy. Hopefully, I'll learn the results by next Monday, when I have the stitches removed. In over a week's time, I've made amazing progress. It's not obvious to others, but I am no longer scratching myself bloody from the insane itching. Prednisone is largely credited.
Yesterday I met with a rheumatologist for the first time because of the lupus diagnosis. My latest prescriptions are likely aggravating my dry-everything. The visit ended with more blood work being taken. What I have may still be Sjogren's. One test may have ruled out what yesterday's battery of tests will prove. I return there in three weeks, maybe with two answers.
As to my unsteadiness on my feet where I sometimes do an unscripted choreographed Doh-Si-Doh dance, that falls under the purview of a neurologist. When I have my next TeleMed visit with my GP, I'll need to ask for a referral.
Coming up, I'll visit my psychiatrist. The meds she prescribed may be affecting me too. Why the hell not?
I've made so many blog posts in the last two years; mostly about Tulip. She remains a constant source of frustration, irritation, combined with such delight, that it cancels out all negatives. So, this evening I'm compiling all the posts I hope you will enjoy.
The working title is The Trouble with Tulip.
Like my cleaning lady said on Monday, "Tulip! I just cleaned that table!"
#Tulip
#Tulipbookhat table
#mischievouscat
I was playing around with ideas for a fourth book. The draft of my third book is being critiqued this month.
What I wrote started as a poem, then it evolved into different keywords to characterize Tulip's traits.
Here's what I have so far:
The Trouble with Tulip
To me, there are few cats worth writing about;
Of the many the felines I’ve known in my life,
Only two were worthwhile that I’d want to tout.
The first one was Liberty; who wrote his own Scrapbook.
The second is Tulip, my roommate, is currently… (I ran out of rhymes)
Tulip is:
Naughty in the nicest of ways
Mischievous, but forgivable
Forever unforgettable
Incorrigible - most like a teen
Gets into trouble like I’ve never seen
Always tests limits, especially mine.
Friendly to all, even to strays
No scaredy-cat, Tulip. She's spiced up my days.
Being curious hasn't killed her (as of yet)
I'm not sure if the world needs another children's book about cats.
Maybe I will just immortalize Tulip with a poem.
Any thoughts?
