Stew in Packrat

The best stew is made up of all kinds of ingredients.

I don't cook, so this is my stew, a hodgepodge of random details of my life at the half century.

• I like saying I'm half a century old. I get a kick out of it.

• I saw a dead snake behind our government building, which is right next to my building, and even though the thing is dead and headless its body somehow crawled over to the spot where I park and where I now won't because its dead, dried, headless body is there.

• I don't know anything about zombies. Can a snake become a zombie?

• Frustrated. Doctors say exercise is the best way to manage diabetes. I've been diligently exercising since my niece arrived, had positive results. I'm taking my meds and watching my diet. I've been out of test strips and when I finally checked yesterday my reading was HIGH - as in very high almost to the level when the docs sent me to the hospital high! I'm doing what I did when it was normal (just a few months ago!!!), except that I added exercise.

• Damn.

• Funny thing, I actually never felt better. I had energy, got a lot accomplished, slept well, was awake and alert when my alarm went off in the morning (I'm not a morning person and I usually have to sit a few minutes to awaken and function), took care of my babies more quickly, and got out of the house for work earlier. I had a general sense of well being.

When I'd go to my doctor feeling good, he'd usually tell me my sugar was high.

Once my uncle left the clinic with his sugar at coma level. A concerned nurse called my mom, who got scared and went on the hunt for him. She found him at the pow wow grounds, setting up camp. She told him what the nurse said, and he answered, "But I feel good!"

I'm just too sweet for my own good. Seriously. :)

• Free Spirit is still figuring things out, but we text regularly and email some.

• I haven't talked to the Wordsmith in a while. I always have to initiate contact, so I haven't, but he always makes me the center of attention when I'm there and we're so compatible; I've known the guy 14 years and accepted that this is who he is, but lately I've been pouty...anyway, he's also an expert on the War of 1812, and I find myself in need of knowledge on that particular subject. The chief wants me to attend a commemorative event; we're invited because of our participation.

• It's funny - before all that came about I was reading up on the War of 1812 of my own volition.

• Work is fun again. I've been researching different topics in our history (that I don't normally deal with), and I was so engrossed one day that I never got up from my desk since noon (and had I not expected a visitor who never showed I might not have left it then) and the security guard scared me when, as is his routine, he peeked into my office and said, "I'm going to lock you in." I hadn't even known the day had passed!

• My cousin just turned 40. I told him that was "just cute". I said I wouldn't sing but would quote lyrics, "Happy happy birthday, baby." Another cousin said he's still a baby. Cousin M acknowledged his tendency to act like an old man and wished him happy birthday to what translates as "baby old man".

If he thought 40 meant we thought he was grown up, he doesn't know us.

• My brother's birthday is at the end of the month; he'll be 49. I tell him no matter what, he's still the baby, and even after I die, he'll be the baby. I am the firstborn.

• My mom can't get enough of her granddaughter.

• Everybody marvels at how much she looks like me; our baby pictures look like the same baby.

• I've probably said that before. Give me a break - I'm half a century old!