Zoe success mostly

Yesterday was a long day for both Zoe and me.  We were driving towards Texas A&M at 6:30 in the fog for a 9AM appointment.  It was foggy most of the way but fortunately not many cars on the road so we got there safely in the usual couple of hours.  I had given Zoe her Xanex and could not tell it was doing much so I gave her another half and then, once we got there and she was obviously still a little anxious, another half.  She's allowed two so I maxed her dosage.  She had a great day.  

The vet was busy so what would normally have been a two hour checkup stretched into four.  Zoe had half a dozen vet co-eds making up a bed for her and giving her attention and making sure she was comfortable while they waited for the EKG machine or ultrasound equipment to be ready.  I had not such attention or place to nap.  Apparently she soaked it up.  They said she was fine the entire time and the results of the tests were all good across the board.  But she would not pee for them so they still needed a urine sample.

Once they get that she will have checked all the boxes and we'll receive either the trial drug (or a placebo) the object of which is to extend the quality and length of her life.  She takes a pill once a week and I log the weekly dosage and take her back in May for a check up.

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More planning for winter

Doing my part to keep the power on.

I've been fleshing out my kit for a winter power loss that, since I've got a kit, will now not happen.  Yesterday while waiting for Zoe I went to Academy sports and bought a single burner butane stove and two cans of butane.  I'll need to test it since I've never used one before and have no idea how long a can of butane will last but at least we'll have hot chocolate during the freeze.

I also ordered some triple A battery powered LED lights.  They are about six inches high and open partially or completely to offer pretty bright light.  I bought two.  Turned out each of the two had four lamps in it.  So I'm flush with emergency light now.  The lights will burn for a long time so we should be good with that.

The one thing we need to finish out the bottom layer of Maslow's hierarchy is heat.  We're going today to look at a portable propane heater that can be used inside.  They are not expensive and we can hole up in the bedroom and run it very low to heat the small space.  I've already ordered the carbon monoxide alarm to go with it.  This heater is created for just this kind of use and with a window cracked to add fresh air is safe to use.  

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Notes from the edge of civilization

We went to a local (a few miles to the west of us) Ace Hardware today to get a shower grab rail.  Afterwards I went onto Google Maps to write a review and found this one star previously submitted:

4 months ago

Warning as of last month. Higginbotham family sold the business. The first thing that happened with the new owners was that guns and ammunition were removed from the store. Do not shop there. This store does not line up with Liberty Hill values anymore. 

I'm sure the lack of available guns at the Ace Hardware was the central theme of discussion at the Liberty Hill Cowboy Church that week.

On the bright side we did solve a problem today.  amw had asked if the new HEB had bike racks.  I can happily say they were installed yesterday.  Enough for 10 or so bikes.  No third world slouches here!!