Blairsville, Ga (high 78, low 68)
Peaches
Since we’re in the Peach State, we have access to some really good peaches and great prices. There’s nothing quite like Georgia peaches, so I decided to make a peach pie, so I cut up a few peaches and got to work.
Poison Ivy
Al continues to suffer from poison ivy. Most people do not realize how miserable this is. It itches, blisters, weeps, and spreads. He feels horrible internally as well and is afraid to touch anything for fear of spreading the rash. According to what you read, it cannot be spread by touching the rash, but Al strongly disagrees. From his experience, if he touches clothing that has touched the rash, it spreads to the area where it has touched. Before we learned that washing clothing once was not good enough, he could put on some clothing that he hadn’t worn for a year and get it started again.
He has gotten worse and finally decided he needed a prescription for Prednisone. Fortunately, his Tampa doctor called in a prescription. He only takes Prednisone as a last resort, and he was at that point.
Here is the rash on Tuesday. We thought it was starting to clear up.
On Wednesday, it got worse. It was “weeping”, spreading, and becoming darker red in color.
We have spent a fortune on gauze trying to keep it covered and away from his clothing. I have washed everything he touches every day, at least twice. Thank goodness for my big washer and dryer we have here. He has quite a few other rash areas, but the leg seems to be the worse.
Sorry about the disgusting pictures. I decided to take some pictures to document how bad he is and to help determine if there is any improvement. He has started feeling better since taking the Prednisone. I hope that continues when the 6 day dosage is finished.
We have come to the conclusion that we both have to stay completely away from any dogs around here. Dogs like to come up and say hello and most of them jump in the golf cart with us. That is where this problem started this year. If a particular dog doesn’t get into poison ivy, it’s almost certain they have been around another dog who has, and with Al that’s all it takes.
We have some friends coming down in October and their little dog Toto loves Al and loves to sit on his lap. That’s going to be a problem because Al loves Toto too!
Burglary
Last night I was reading Facebook and just happened to read an article from a Key West newspaper. The headline caught my eye when it said there was another big rash of boat burglaries in the lower Keys.
I wasn’t too worried at first but when I read it was at BLK Storage on Big Pine Key, my heart sank. That is where we keep our boat.
54 boats were burglarized. Many had lower units stolen. We are worried about that since we have a brand new motor.
The canvas tops and covers were slashed so that they could get the expensive electronics inside. Our electronics were not in the boat, but no one would know that until they slashed our cover.
It happened over the week-end and we’re hoping since we haven’t heard anything yet, it was good news. I guess we’ll know this morning. Wish us luck.
We just spent $300 on a new boat cover. I sure hope it wasn’t slashed.
Fortunately, we have comprehensive coverage on it with only a $125 deductible. As a previous insurance adjuster, I know the importance of being honest with the insurance company, so I made sure they knew the boat would be used and stored in the Keys. I am sure there are many others who look for cheaper rates and don’t tell the insurance company where their boat is stored. I fear many will be having some problems when they try to file a claim.
Wish us luck!
