Yes, my blood squeaked through today. And the Blood Center now has another pint of A neg.

One guy was giving platelets, and as a "reward" he had control of the TV remote.

Before Katrina the blood people talked with me about platelet donation. After Katrina it took a while for the local blood center to re-emerge and I forgot about it.

But today reminded me, and I got the info again. And they are checking my blood for (I guess) a sufficient quantity of red blood cells.

Platelet donation takes about two hours. They take the blood out, process the platelets out of it, then put the remainder back in. Basically, the donor has a tube going out and another going in. The collection bag with the platelets looks like lumpy buttery mashed potatoes. (Yuck)

Age used to be factor in donation, but no longer.

After donating I had lunch at Arby's--with a very beefy sandwich--then headed for where else? for a cup of decaf and reading.

I started reading Lilith Saintcrow's Saint City Sinners. It's the fourth one in this particular series. I read the first three and wasn't quite ready for another one. These are very intense novels. But I'm ready now, and I shall no doubt follow this one with the next in the series--To Hell and Back--which I have on hand.

Tomorrow will be another at-home day and maybe I'll get some weed-whacking done, since I don't have place I should (or want to) be in the morning. If I am feeling really heatstruck I may go back to Home Depot and check an electric trimmer. That would be a lot easier than clippers.

Dolly is still heading for Texas and northeast Mexico. We may get some of the rain on Thursday or Friday.

Just another IUD.

EXCEPT--about mid-morning I heard someone outside asking "are you okay?" I looked out and there was a neighbor (nameless) that I've chatted with occasionally as she walked her dog down the road.

I went outside and the dog was standing quietly (on leash)while the cat (Lady) sat about four feet away. They obviously have gotten acquainted at some time. Anyway, the leash says "I'm not a threat."

It seems the woman noticed my car in the driveway, and was more used to not seeing it. I told her I generally worked just two days a week at the moment. We chatted a bit more and then she and the dog continued with their walk.

It's nice to have neighbors that are aware of Things Not as They Usually Are.

(I was starting to worry about the squeaking noises coming from my AC unit. But they continue when it is off. Guess the birds are stilll using their nest.)