A "bumpy" ride

Sunday, January 5, 2025

So, I did not do what I have done the last several days with my Substack. I really enjoy the style of posts and how I have been doing them because it allows me to talk about everything that I am interested in and find interesting for that day without trying to force myself into talking about one thing only and figuring out what that one thing should be. It is fun to do these the way I do them, and I am happy to bring them to you. I hope you have been enjoying them as well.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse after I stopped writing last night. To my knowledge, I have never had a severe allergic reaction before. To be clear, it was not so bad that I had to go to the hospital. It was nothing that dangerous. However, it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I am 75% certain that the culprit behind the allergic reaction I had on my skin is that I need to change the bedding. I also need a new vacuum cleaner to remove some of the dust and pet dander, especially on my bed, because I am confident that is the reason behind what happened. I have never had bed bugs, And I know the cats do not have fleas because they have them pretty bad in the old apartment, but they have not had them since I have been here. So, I know how that looks and feels. That was nothing like when they had fleas. The cats were unphased by what I was dealing with last night.

I also know it was an allergic reaction because after having one long itch fest all over my body all night, I finally found my Zyrtec. After I took one, it was not very long before all the bumps you saw on my skin in the picture I shared here were gone. I have not returned anywhere near that bed and will not be until it is time to put the new bedding on and wash the old stuff.

The good news is that it is easier to fix a problem when you understand it. I am no longer itching, and I have no bumps. Everything could not be better in that regard. I am also not planning on doing anything to put myself back in the position I was this time last night, as I am writing this just before 11:00 PM Central Time.

I did not attend any services I usually attend at Life Church today. That was the first time that had happened in a long time, but I felt it was necessary because I was exhausted. I could not sleep at all because of the itching. Throughout the day, I dozed off and on in my recliner. The longest I slept without interruption today was three hours. We will see how things go in the same recliner tonight. I know because I will not be itching like crazy that it cannot be any worse!

I did nothing today but watch videos on YouTube, which I needed after the night I had. I appreciate all the people who reached out and checked on me today. It is yet another reminder of God's blessing in the form of, or in this case, the voice of Christ. I appreciate your care and concern and, most of all, your prayers. "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16 NIV).

I will end this post by sharing the videos I watched today: