Stuffed peppers with garlic bread and salad

The problem with using AI (apart from, well, all of the problems with using AI) is that every now and again it comes up with a turn of phrase so good that I just have to borrow it, but I feel I can’t ethically claim it as my own.

And so to this afternoon, when I washed a couple of items of clothing by hand, the washing machine still being out of commission. I wrang them out in a nice purple towel, which unfortunately shed so much purple fluff that my clothes now look like they are covered in the tattered remains of a Muppet-fight. (Thank you AI for that bit if imagery.)

Before that, I called the local pharmacy over and over again, but each time the call rang out unanswered. Eventually I opted for sending an email, asking them to let me know whether or not they can supply the meds prescribed to mum, by tomorrow. I don’t imagine they’ll respond to that either, but at least I can show them I tried before I withdraw my custom.

I also had a phone call from the GP, assuring me that he had written to the hospital regarding the unreasonable wait for mum to see a specialist about her headaches. He had to write because, when he called them on the phone, they didn’t answer. Nice to know it’s not just me, I suppose.

I also spoke to Lady Friday’s employer about having her come in for another session with mum. Mum found this very upsetting, and kept saying that she didn’t want to “push her [Lady Friday] away”. And is still repeating that sentiment still the time of writing, some 9 hours later.

Most of the rest of the day was spent trying not to get whiplash as mum went from sobbing with pain to being perfectly cheerful, and back again, over and over. Today’s problem, aside from the headaches, has been an obsession with the thought that the dentist somehow missed a “big hole” in one of her teeth.

I explained that it’s her nerves causing the pain and her teeth are fine, but of course that didn’t help: I can’t imagine why I thought it would. Instead the phrase “but you keep saying they’re fine” has been added to the litany of complaints.

I’m honestly not sure which is worse: to be mum, in severe pain but with intervals where she completely forgets about it, or to be me, seeing mum in agony but being unable to help. I can only hope that either the hospital or the pharmacy – or, better still, both – get in touch tomorrow.

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Dinner today was, thankfully, easy to make as we had groceries delivered this afternoon. As mum has been complaining about tooth pain – and the pain is real, whatever its cause – I opted for the softness of risotto-stuffed peppers, with salad and homemade garlic bread. (Half plain garlic, half with cheese, both delicious because bread and garlicky butter is always going to be good.)

This evening will, as always, be something sweet (apple pie tonight), decaff coffee, and tv. Then book, bed, and a snuggly Suki purring, face buried against my leg. It’s the best bit of the day.

No Muppets were harmed in the writing of this blog post.