Today is the Memorial Day Holiday. When we were teachers, we used to spend this day mostly catching up at home, and catching up with school-end reports, the end of the school year being so chaotic. We were also excited, anticipating the summer's freedom ahead. We almost always grilled out, and wondered why school couldn't end BEFORE Memorial Day.
So what did the old folks do to celebrate the holiday, since all year is one long holiday for us?
We began the morning by going to a "free" breakfast at Hoosier Park. If you are an "oldster", you can sign up at Hoosier Park for a Primetimer card which entitles you, among other things, to free breakfast every Monday morning. Honestly, I've only made it there a couple of times, but Don is there most Mondays (actually most mornings). Let me tell you those "free" donuts only cost about ten dollars each after we played the slots for about a half hour.
Then we came home and picked up Mother so we could make the trip to Muncie to see brother David. Then we decided we could pick up the flowers we had left at the cemetery, and avoid the rain predicted for evening. WOO HOO! Nursing home and cemetery! Now you know how old folks celebrate a holiday. Although, Don and I did have a lot of laughs on the trip trying to come up with some Q words for tonight's blog.
Dave looked well in his burgunday shirt, and his 500 mile race hat. We decided to rescue him from the lounge where most were sleeping in their wheel chairs. We rolled him down to the dining room for our coffee and cookie treats. The usual early birds had arrived in the dining room ahead of us. The "smokers' club" were gathered and waiting at the side door. About four residents must meet there every morning at about 11 and an aide takes them out to the gazebo for a smoke. I know that medical folks shouldn't promote smoking, but I think it is great that they try to let their residents continue enjoying some of the things they did at home. Miss Daisy and Mabel were continuing their never-ending card game at one table. And it wasn't long before the "Walking Encyclopedia" arrived. He is one likable resident that we really enjoy. He is probably over 6'5" tall, and he is either totally or partially blind. When we are in the lounge with the large TV, and he is there, he only has to hear one word from the TV, and he can quote ten or so interesting facts about that subject. This is done in a loud voice for the whole world in general.
AND I'm sure his facts are right! Evidently, today, he had just finished listening to an old Munster show, because he kept delivering Munster facts. Did you know that Count Dracula was Mr. Munster's father-in-law? Well, I didn't.
After leaving there we stopped at Burger King for a sandwich, only regretting that it wasn't called Burger Queen, and we would at least have one Q for our list. While eating , we tried to decide if we could find the Mechanicsburg cemetry driving there from Muncie. We have no trouble from Anderson, but we weren't sure about the back roads of Delaware County. It was
a quandary! Quandary? Quandary? Wow, a Q word. So, the decision was, do we make a
Quick trip home, or get lost in the Quest of our cemetery planters. So we opted for adventuresome. Why not. We could be like Don Quiote, on impractical adventures to save things.
Well, we wandered eastward through Muncie until we found new 67, then we turned toward Anderson, and it wasn't long until we saw a sign that said Honey Creek Road. Wasn't Honey Creek somewhere over around Rd. 36? We found the road, but we never did find the town of Honey Creek. In fact we faced many Quandaries: which road to take, do we turn left or right, which branch of a Y in the road. We decided on one scenic county road that just kept getting narrower and narrower, and rougher and rougher, and finally was barely more than a cowpath going through a thick woods. We were about ready to turn around when we came to a better road that went South.
Finally, we saw an intersection that looked vaguely familiar, then a farm house, then there was a sign that said Tri-County golf course, then the golf course, and finally there was St. Rd. 36.
We did rescue the flowers and we did get safely home. We may not have been as adventuresome as Don Quiote, but we did succeed in our Quest.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
"P" is for Panera, Poppyseeds, and Pajamas
I had an original plan for this day, and it was for Cheryl, Jon, and Taylor to come for hamburgers on the grill, and to listen to the 500 mile race. Cheryl and I had talked about it last week, and she said that would be great. Well, we all know that she has a sneaky Dad (you know the one I'm married to). Cheryl and Dad talk on the phone daily. Don tells her that Mom really doesn't need to be cooking. Then he tells me that Taylor would rather spend the day with his friends. Now, this is really what Don thinks, not Taylor and I. We both liked the original plan. What Don really means is that he wanted peace and quiet so he could listen to the race. See, what I mean? He's a sneaky guy.
But, he isn't all bad. He suggests to Cheryl and I that we might like to go out for lunch and go shopping. AND he financed the whole trip. He knew he could win us over with this new plan.
Lunch and shopping are our favorite Mother/Daughter treats.
So at noon we were off to go to lunch. We decided that we would go to Panera Bread. It is one of our favorite places. In the summer they serve this truly scrumptious salad. It is made up of
romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, and poppyseed dressing.
It is TRES good! So that is what we had along with iced tea. Their special today was that if you ordered an entree, you could have any dessert from the bakery for just 99cents. So we HAD to have dessert. Right? We chose a cherry pastry. mmmmm.
After Panera we decided to shop at Marshalls. We love to browse their home and gift section.
They have unique things, and they aren't expensive. And I needed to find some new pajamas and slippers for Mother.
Now, let me tell you about Mother and her clothes. She has a whole closet full of clothes, many of them ones we have bought for all the special gift-giving days. She also has pajamas in a drawer, and robes. But she refuses to wear these things. She believes that those clothes in her closet and drawers belong to someone else. She has exactly four tops, and three pair of slacks that she will wear. She also has one pair of pajamas that she will wear. Now, she often changes clothes six or seven times a day, but it is always a rotation of these items. We have washed, washed, washed these over and over. I have mended, mended, mended. They are truly getting pretty worn and almost raggedy.
So, I hoped in desperation, that I could find a pretty pair of pajamas in the tailored style she likes, that would appeal to her. Cheryl and I found the perfect pair (we thought), and some
nice white slippers like the ones of mine that she admires. I bought them, brought them home, and gave them to her. She said oh how pretty they were, put on the slippers, and hung the pajamas in that closet where all good clothes go to die! An hour or so later, I asked her if she had tried on her new pajamas. She said, "What pajamas?" So I went and found them in the closet, and asked her please to try them on.
She tried on the new pajamas, and came out to show us how they looked. They were very pretty and we told her so. They fit perfectly, and we told her so. They were lovely for summer, and we told her so. The next thing we knew, she was ready for bed, and wearing her old pajamas. She said that the new ones made her look old (she's 90), and people would make fun of her.
Oh well, I tried. Out of Panera, Poppyseed, and Pajamas, two out of three were a success.
That's not a bad average.
But, he isn't all bad. He suggests to Cheryl and I that we might like to go out for lunch and go shopping. AND he financed the whole trip. He knew he could win us over with this new plan.
Lunch and shopping are our favorite Mother/Daughter treats.
So at noon we were off to go to lunch. We decided that we would go to Panera Bread. It is one of our favorite places. In the summer they serve this truly scrumptious salad. It is made up of
romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, and poppyseed dressing.
It is TRES good! So that is what we had along with iced tea. Their special today was that if you ordered an entree, you could have any dessert from the bakery for just 99cents. So we HAD to have dessert. Right? We chose a cherry pastry. mmmmm.
After Panera we decided to shop at Marshalls. We love to browse their home and gift section.
They have unique things, and they aren't expensive. And I needed to find some new pajamas and slippers for Mother.
Now, let me tell you about Mother and her clothes. She has a whole closet full of clothes, many of them ones we have bought for all the special gift-giving days. She also has pajamas in a drawer, and robes. But she refuses to wear these things. She believes that those clothes in her closet and drawers belong to someone else. She has exactly four tops, and three pair of slacks that she will wear. She also has one pair of pajamas that she will wear. Now, she often changes clothes six or seven times a day, but it is always a rotation of these items. We have washed, washed, washed these over and over. I have mended, mended, mended. They are truly getting pretty worn and almost raggedy.
So, I hoped in desperation, that I could find a pretty pair of pajamas in the tailored style she likes, that would appeal to her. Cheryl and I found the perfect pair (we thought), and some
nice white slippers like the ones of mine that she admires. I bought them, brought them home, and gave them to her. She said oh how pretty they were, put on the slippers, and hung the pajamas in that closet where all good clothes go to die! An hour or so later, I asked her if she had tried on her new pajamas. She said, "What pajamas?" So I went and found them in the closet, and asked her please to try them on.
She tried on the new pajamas, and came out to show us how they looked. They were very pretty and we told her so. They fit perfectly, and we told her so. They were lovely for summer, and we told her so. The next thing we knew, she was ready for bed, and wearing her old pajamas. She said that the new ones made her look old (she's 90), and people would make fun of her.
Oh well, I tried. Out of Panera, Poppyseed, and Pajamas, two out of three were a success.
That's not a bad average.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
"O" - Time OUT is Official
All the OUTS are officially here- school's OUT, dining OUT, toes are OUT - so summer must surely be here!
This morning was our first morning to eat breakfast OUT on our screened-in porch. Now that it
is really summer we shall probably eat there most every morning. The porch is on the West, and is shady of a morning. It is also so private that we can safely enjoy breakfast in our pajamas.
We love it. Mother Nature puts on a much better show than does Harry Smith or Matt Lauer.
They will just have to get along without us for the summer. I may skip the morning TV news, but I still read the paper after breakfast, and do all five puzzles:word scramble, cryptoquotes, crossword, and sudoku. Although, I do have a real love/hate relationship with sudoku. It
is easy on Monday and Tuesday, then progressively harder as the week goes on. Late in the week, when I have messed it up, and can't get it unscrambled, I just throw the darn puzzle OUT with the trash.
All the kids will be OUT of school by next Wednesday. Even though they are all busy in the summer, we do get to see them more than usual. Being teachers, our lives were so governed by school schedules, that I still feel a shiver of excitement when the school year comes to an end.
I know that is silly, but that built in schedule just never leaves. The same is true in the Fall.
I feel excitement in the air when school is about to begin, even though it is not beginning for us.
When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for summer, so that I could go barefooted. My mother always had trouble keeping shoes on me. School's OUT.........my shoes went into the closet, and I didn't
see them until August (and by then they were always too small.) It was agony putting my feet back into shoes in the Fall.
Now, as an adult, I try to be more restrained. I just let my toes OUT. I will definitely be in sandals now until probably October. But as I look down at my poor feet, I realize that I do need a professional pedicure. I never would have dreamed that a new hip joint would make it so darn
hard to bend. Don has reluctantly agreed to using the toe nail clippers on my feet, but he does draw the line at nail polish. So my toes do look very scraggly. Maybe I should put them back
IN.........Nah!
This evening we pursued another kind of OUT --- eating OUT. Don and I decided we weren't too hungry, and that we wanted something light. Mother said she really couldn't eat too much either. Now, Mother loves her cookies. When I checked the cookie jar, there were about 5 or 6 white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies missing. So I guess she really wasn't very hungry with good reason.
Don and I never eat at Taco Bell, but they have been advertising on TV, and their new items
looked good. So we thought we might try it. Well, it's a good thing we weren't too hungry. We weren't very impressed. Anyway, most of the filling fell right OUT of the wrap.
But the evening ended on a much sweeter note. I helped turn OUT the lights of day by sitting on the porch until almost 9:30. What a gorgeous evening! It is great fun to watch the birds come in to roost for the night. They begin their evening ritual by landing on the telephone wires.
Sometime there are hundreds. Then they go through an evening ritual of grooming their feathers, and facing the West as if worshiping the setting sun. Then, one by one, they begin to fly off to nearby trees, and disappear into the foilage. The largest tree in our yard seems to be
a popular hotel. Many fly in with a great fluttering of wings. Some stay, but some fly right back out to try other trees. There must be a door keeper who only allows entrance to certain birds.
Then there are those birds who sing an evening lullaby over and over. But eventually, just about
the time that the sun fully sets, I realize that the phone wires are empty, and all the lullabies have ended.
It means Lights OUT...........the end of a beautiful day.
This morning was our first morning to eat breakfast OUT on our screened-in porch. Now that it
is really summer we shall probably eat there most every morning. The porch is on the West, and is shady of a morning. It is also so private that we can safely enjoy breakfast in our pajamas.
We love it. Mother Nature puts on a much better show than does Harry Smith or Matt Lauer.
They will just have to get along without us for the summer. I may skip the morning TV news, but I still read the paper after breakfast, and do all five puzzles:word scramble, cryptoquotes, crossword, and sudoku. Although, I do have a real love/hate relationship with sudoku. It
is easy on Monday and Tuesday, then progressively harder as the week goes on. Late in the week, when I have messed it up, and can't get it unscrambled, I just throw the darn puzzle OUT with the trash.
All the kids will be OUT of school by next Wednesday. Even though they are all busy in the summer, we do get to see them more than usual. Being teachers, our lives were so governed by school schedules, that I still feel a shiver of excitement when the school year comes to an end.
I know that is silly, but that built in schedule just never leaves. The same is true in the Fall.
I feel excitement in the air when school is about to begin, even though it is not beginning for us.
When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for summer, so that I could go barefooted. My mother always had trouble keeping shoes on me. School's OUT.........my shoes went into the closet, and I didn't
see them until August (and by then they were always too small.) It was agony putting my feet back into shoes in the Fall.
Now, as an adult, I try to be more restrained. I just let my toes OUT. I will definitely be in sandals now until probably October. But as I look down at my poor feet, I realize that I do need a professional pedicure. I never would have dreamed that a new hip joint would make it so darn
hard to bend. Don has reluctantly agreed to using the toe nail clippers on my feet, but he does draw the line at nail polish. So my toes do look very scraggly. Maybe I should put them back
IN.........Nah!
This evening we pursued another kind of OUT --- eating OUT. Don and I decided we weren't too hungry, and that we wanted something light. Mother said she really couldn't eat too much either. Now, Mother loves her cookies. When I checked the cookie jar, there were about 5 or 6 white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies missing. So I guess she really wasn't very hungry with good reason.
Don and I never eat at Taco Bell, but they have been advertising on TV, and their new items
looked good. So we thought we might try it. Well, it's a good thing we weren't too hungry. We weren't very impressed. Anyway, most of the filling fell right OUT of the wrap.
But the evening ended on a much sweeter note. I helped turn OUT the lights of day by sitting on the porch until almost 9:30. What a gorgeous evening! It is great fun to watch the birds come in to roost for the night. They begin their evening ritual by landing on the telephone wires.
Sometime there are hundreds. Then they go through an evening ritual of grooming their feathers, and facing the West as if worshiping the setting sun. Then, one by one, they begin to fly off to nearby trees, and disappear into the foilage. The largest tree in our yard seems to be
a popular hotel. Many fly in with a great fluttering of wings. Some stay, but some fly right back out to try other trees. There must be a door keeper who only allows entrance to certain birds.
Then there are those birds who sing an evening lullaby over and over. But eventually, just about
the time that the sun fully sets, I realize that the phone wires are empty, and all the lullabies have ended.
It means Lights OUT...........the end of a beautiful day.
Friday, May 28, 2010
"N" is for Netflix
This is strange----reallly strange. Right after I finished writing my "M" blog last night, the thought occurred to me, "Where in the world will "N" enter my life tomorrow? This blog scheme
is really too crazy!"
Then, this morning, I was gathering all the materials that I wanted to take to my Friends of the Library work time. And I remembered that I had promised Patty, a Friends co-worker that I
would ask Clara to add Patty to her E mail newsletter subscriber's list. So I was off to computer, re-read Clara's last newsletter, and proceeded to write to Clara.
In her newsletter, Clara had mentioned that she loved Alexander McCall Smith's "Ladies #1 Detective Agency" series of books. I love them, too, and had seen the TV series that had been
made from these stories in 2008. So I wrote to Clara, asked had she seen the TV series, mentioned that my movie DVD provider, Netflix had the whole season series, and would she like for me to arrange for them to send her a month's free trial membership. She responded that yes, she would be delighted, and she would also add Patty to her subscriber's list.
So, this evening, I booted up the computer and went to the Netflix site to order her free trial membership. Since there was nothing worth watching on TV this evening, I decided to browse
through the movies they offered for instant watching. My membership plan with Netflix offers me as many DVD's mailed one at a time, as I have time to watch. Also, they offer many movies that you can watch instantly on your computer- as often as you like. So I browsed and selected the
movie, "Ladies in Lavender." What a sweet movie! It provided such a delightful evening's entertainment. There was so much about it that I liked, I hardly know where to begin.
First of all, it is made from a British novel, and I am a sucker for all things British. It was filmed at a cottage on the seashore in Cornwall - beautiful scenery. The story was set in 1936, the year I was born. So Judi Dench and Maggie Smith (both favorite actresses of mine) were dressed exactly as my mother and grandmothers look in all my childhood photos. The seaside cottage was filled with whitewashed colors of the seashore, filled with furniture from my childhood,
fireplaces, soft lamp light, roses, and beautiful English china--------LOVE!
These two spinster sisters rescue a young man, a violinist from Poland, whose ship to America is wrecked and he washes ashore on their beach. They nurse him back to health, and grow to love him. The young actor who plays the violinist is both boyishly handsome, and bashfully
charming, especially as he tries to communicate in Polish, and learn some English. Eventually his
magical violin playing causes him to be embraced by the entire village.
And what music! In the credits at the end, it says that the violin music was actually played by Joshua Bell. No wonder it is so beautiful. You may remember that Joshua Bell is the young violin virtuoso who was born and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and studied violin at Indiana University. Just one more reason to appreciate this movie.
So the letter "N" for Netflix really came through for me today. It is mysteriously eerie----
very eerie how the correct letter keeps popping up day after day!
O-O-O-O-oooooh..when will "O" appear tomorr-O?
is really too crazy!"
Then, this morning, I was gathering all the materials that I wanted to take to my Friends of the Library work time. And I remembered that I had promised Patty, a Friends co-worker that I
would ask Clara to add Patty to her E mail newsletter subscriber's list. So I was off to computer, re-read Clara's last newsletter, and proceeded to write to Clara.
In her newsletter, Clara had mentioned that she loved Alexander McCall Smith's "Ladies #1 Detective Agency" series of books. I love them, too, and had seen the TV series that had been
made from these stories in 2008. So I wrote to Clara, asked had she seen the TV series, mentioned that my movie DVD provider, Netflix had the whole season series, and would she like for me to arrange for them to send her a month's free trial membership. She responded that yes, she would be delighted, and she would also add Patty to her subscriber's list.
So, this evening, I booted up the computer and went to the Netflix site to order her free trial membership. Since there was nothing worth watching on TV this evening, I decided to browse
through the movies they offered for instant watching. My membership plan with Netflix offers me as many DVD's mailed one at a time, as I have time to watch. Also, they offer many movies that you can watch instantly on your computer- as often as you like. So I browsed and selected the
movie, "Ladies in Lavender." What a sweet movie! It provided such a delightful evening's entertainment. There was so much about it that I liked, I hardly know where to begin.
First of all, it is made from a British novel, and I am a sucker for all things British. It was filmed at a cottage on the seashore in Cornwall - beautiful scenery. The story was set in 1936, the year I was born. So Judi Dench and Maggie Smith (both favorite actresses of mine) were dressed exactly as my mother and grandmothers look in all my childhood photos. The seaside cottage was filled with whitewashed colors of the seashore, filled with furniture from my childhood,
fireplaces, soft lamp light, roses, and beautiful English china--------LOVE!
These two spinster sisters rescue a young man, a violinist from Poland, whose ship to America is wrecked and he washes ashore on their beach. They nurse him back to health, and grow to love him. The young actor who plays the violinist is both boyishly handsome, and bashfully
charming, especially as he tries to communicate in Polish, and learn some English. Eventually his
magical violin playing causes him to be embraced by the entire village.
And what music! In the credits at the end, it says that the violin music was actually played by Joshua Bell. No wonder it is so beautiful. You may remember that Joshua Bell is the young violin virtuoso who was born and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and studied violin at Indiana University. Just one more reason to appreciate this movie.
So the letter "N" for Netflix really came through for me today. It is mysteriously eerie----
very eerie how the correct letter keeps popping up day after day!
O-O-O-O-oooooh..when will "O" appear tomorr-O?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
"M" - Molars, Miracles, and McDonalds
This is the first day that I have regretted the contrived alphabetical format for this blog. When I got up this morning I was absolutely sure that nothing "M" was about to happen. If fact, it seemed to me that this Thursday was going to be a totally boring, routine day filled with things that I really didn't want to do - dentist and doctors appointments. I thought that I really should abandon the format, or probably just skip writing altogether.
Then, this evening, I started watching a Netflix "m"ovie. One that I had ordered solely because Jude Law (swoon) was in it. It was a remake of an old "m"ovie, "All the Kings Men." I neglected to notice that Sean Penn had the leading role. I know, I know he is a good actor, just not one of "m"y favorites! So I watched it for a while and totally zoned out thinking about what I had done today. Finally, I stopped the "m"ovie, packaged it up to "m"ail back to Netflix, and starting writing my blog.
First thing this "m"orning, definitely too early for "m"e to be in a good "m"ood, I had to go back to the dentist, because last week he found two "m"olars that needed fillings replaced. First thing Dentist Greg said upon looking into "m"y "m"outh was, "Oh, we won't need any numbing for this job." I hate it when he says that. Now, it never did hurt. He was right. But I tend to hold my breath the entire time he is drilling. He cheerfully said, "It's okay, you'll automatically start breathing again when you pass out." Comedian Dentist!
Then we had to rush home, even though I desperately needed to stop and use the restroom, because Taylor was on his way to our house to do his Redbud "m"owing jobs, and Gramps certainly had to help him. At least Don likes to talk to the folks and help collect Taylor's "m"oney.
We had our noon "m"eal first and the guys left to do their "m"owing. I did my hip therapy exercises. "M"ainly I did them so I could honestly tell the hip doctor that I was doing my therapy. Because this afternoon I went to the Orthopedic Hospital for an appointment with hip doctor. I had X-rays, that showed that my new hip joint was doing just fine. Doctor said I was doing great, and walking well. If fact, I need not return to see him for three "m"onths! Holy
"M"ini-"M"edical "M"iracles!
Don and I celebrated by going to Hoosier Park Buffet for supper. Then we went downstairs and
gave some "M"oney to the slots.
This evening we thought we should give "M"other a little trip out. She loves to take an evening drive and have an ice cream cone. So we "m"otored over to "M"adewell's for a lemon ice cream cone. But half-way there it began to rain a "m"onsoon type rain. We "m"eandered around a bit waiting for it to stop raining, so we could go in for our ice cream. But, finally, we just detoured to "M"cDonald's and went through the drive- up for a vanilla cone, one of "M"other's favorites. She thought her "M"oments away were perfect, and thanked us "m"uch for such a nice drive.
Well, you count them. As this Thursday progressed, and the time "m"arched by, the "M"s just seemed to "m"ultiply. So it is with a "m"ixture of "m"irth and "m"odesty that I "m"ention in
writing this blog the "m"erits of this "M" "m"onologue.
Then, this evening, I started watching a Netflix "m"ovie. One that I had ordered solely because Jude Law (swoon) was in it. It was a remake of an old "m"ovie, "All the Kings Men." I neglected to notice that Sean Penn had the leading role. I know, I know he is a good actor, just not one of "m"y favorites! So I watched it for a while and totally zoned out thinking about what I had done today. Finally, I stopped the "m"ovie, packaged it up to "m"ail back to Netflix, and starting writing my blog.
First thing this "m"orning, definitely too early for "m"e to be in a good "m"ood, I had to go back to the dentist, because last week he found two "m"olars that needed fillings replaced. First thing Dentist Greg said upon looking into "m"y "m"outh was, "Oh, we won't need any numbing for this job." I hate it when he says that. Now, it never did hurt. He was right. But I tend to hold my breath the entire time he is drilling. He cheerfully said, "It's okay, you'll automatically start breathing again when you pass out." Comedian Dentist!
Then we had to rush home, even though I desperately needed to stop and use the restroom, because Taylor was on his way to our house to do his Redbud "m"owing jobs, and Gramps certainly had to help him. At least Don likes to talk to the folks and help collect Taylor's "m"oney.
We had our noon "m"eal first and the guys left to do their "m"owing. I did my hip therapy exercises. "M"ainly I did them so I could honestly tell the hip doctor that I was doing my therapy. Because this afternoon I went to the Orthopedic Hospital for an appointment with hip doctor. I had X-rays, that showed that my new hip joint was doing just fine. Doctor said I was doing great, and walking well. If fact, I need not return to see him for three "m"onths! Holy
"M"ini-"M"edical "M"iracles!
Don and I celebrated by going to Hoosier Park Buffet for supper. Then we went downstairs and
gave some "M"oney to the slots.
This evening we thought we should give "M"other a little trip out. She loves to take an evening drive and have an ice cream cone. So we "m"otored over to "M"adewell's for a lemon ice cream cone. But half-way there it began to rain a "m"onsoon type rain. We "m"eandered around a bit waiting for it to stop raining, so we could go in for our ice cream. But, finally, we just detoured to "M"cDonald's and went through the drive- up for a vanilla cone, one of "M"other's favorites. She thought her "M"oments away were perfect, and thanked us "m"uch for such a nice drive.
Well, you count them. As this Thursday progressed, and the time "m"arched by, the "M"s just seemed to "m"ultiply. So it is with a "m"ixture of "m"irth and "m"odesty that I "m"ention in
writing this blog the "m"erits of this "M" "m"onologue.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
"L" - Let's Hear It for the Ladies
Today I met with my ladies' club. We didn't dress up, or have a program of cultural or literary interest, or serve tea, or give a door prize, or charge dues, or give membership cards. We had no mission or service project, unless you count the support that we give to one another. But this group remains one of the more important involvements of my life.
This group of women, all once involved in education, have met since the 1970's. It began as a little recreational time out for those of us busy teaching together and raising young families. In the 1970's we all taught at the same school, although several members have joined us from other places through the years. Originally, we decided to meet once a month in the evening at someone's home. Our program? We ate whatever snacks the hostess prepared , we talked, we
complained, we listened, but mostly we laughed. Through the years we have tried playing cards and doing crafts. But, frankly, those pursuits interfered with the talk! During those busy years there was hardly a month when either the day or place of our meeting wasn't changed at least once because of the complexities of our lives.
Why would such an informal, unplanned group of women friends stay together and be important? Well, I think all young women should know that, important as our careers, our families, and our husbands are to us, women need women friends. Women need that safe place to vent their frustrations, and simply find sympathetic listeners. They need a place to find the absurd in things too serious, and feel relief in the laughter.
In the 1970's we coped with children's antics. In the 1980's we fretted over Teen Terrors and aging parents. In the 1990's we began planning for and rejoicing in the idea of retirement. And during this last decade, we are all retired, but dealing with our physical frailties. Of course, through all those years, we needed a place to complain about those irritating husbandly habits, God bless 'em.
At some point during those forty years, we began taking a short summer trip together - our little few day summer retreat. We have gone to Hueston Woods, to Bearcreek Farms, and often to
Lake Freeman. In fact, six of us ended up buying places at Lake Freeman. After that the retreat became quite a movable feast!
Anyway, these women have become the sisters that we didn't have - without the family jealousies. We've held one another's hands through changing jobs, changing schools, good and bad students, good and bad principals, and losing parents, kids, and spouses. Sadly, too' we've comforted one another when we have lost some of our "sisters".
Now we meet twice a month for lunch at a restaurant - our no-fuss approach to maintaining our sisterhood. We are still talking non-stop, laughing non-stop, and eating. Often now our talk is about our health: insurance, doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and the current state of our well-being. Then we stop and laugh, wondering what we used to talk about. Then we decide that when we are all well once again at the same time, we are going to definitely make another summer retreat. Keep the faith, girls, we will get there!
This group of women, all once involved in education, have met since the 1970's. It began as a little recreational time out for those of us busy teaching together and raising young families. In the 1970's we all taught at the same school, although several members have joined us from other places through the years. Originally, we decided to meet once a month in the evening at someone's home. Our program? We ate whatever snacks the hostess prepared , we talked, we
complained, we listened, but mostly we laughed. Through the years we have tried playing cards and doing crafts. But, frankly, those pursuits interfered with the talk! During those busy years there was hardly a month when either the day or place of our meeting wasn't changed at least once because of the complexities of our lives.
Why would such an informal, unplanned group of women friends stay together and be important? Well, I think all young women should know that, important as our careers, our families, and our husbands are to us, women need women friends. Women need that safe place to vent their frustrations, and simply find sympathetic listeners. They need a place to find the absurd in things too serious, and feel relief in the laughter.
In the 1970's we coped with children's antics. In the 1980's we fretted over Teen Terrors and aging parents. In the 1990's we began planning for and rejoicing in the idea of retirement. And during this last decade, we are all retired, but dealing with our physical frailties. Of course, through all those years, we needed a place to complain about those irritating husbandly habits, God bless 'em.
At some point during those forty years, we began taking a short summer trip together - our little few day summer retreat. We have gone to Hueston Woods, to Bearcreek Farms, and often to
Lake Freeman. In fact, six of us ended up buying places at Lake Freeman. After that the retreat became quite a movable feast!
Anyway, these women have become the sisters that we didn't have - without the family jealousies. We've held one another's hands through changing jobs, changing schools, good and bad students, good and bad principals, and losing parents, kids, and spouses. Sadly, too' we've comforted one another when we have lost some of our "sisters".
Now we meet twice a month for lunch at a restaurant - our no-fuss approach to maintaining our sisterhood. We are still talking non-stop, laughing non-stop, and eating. Often now our talk is about our health: insurance, doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and the current state of our well-being. Then we stop and laugh, wondering what we used to talk about. Then we decide that when we are all well once again at the same time, we are going to definitely make another summer retreat. Keep the faith, girls, we will get there!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"K" - A Kaleidoscope of Emotions
We are home from our "graduation ceremony" trip, and I have been reflecting on our day away.
I must say that that during the last 24 hours, I have experienced a whole kaleidoscope of emotions.
PRIDE - of course. When we drove up to the Evanswood home of the Olund-Smiths, we were
greeted by not only Randy and Elaine, but our two lovely granddaughters who have grown up to
be as beautiful inside as they are on the outside. I don't think I have ever had as many hugs, as I have had in the last day. And we are so proud of Randy and Elaine for the kind of parents that they are. They both have very busy, demanding careers. But their daughters have always come first, and they have always had time to be a part of their lives and their school life. And they are good kids, too. Thanks, R, E , A, and L for treating us so royally. I really wanted to stay for a week!
APPRECIATION - I loved the commencement program. From beginning to end it displayed the
energy and enthusiasm that the school fosters in its students. What an outstanding school!
SCPA is a place where diversity and individual talent is celebrated. But, at the same time. it
constantly teaches that ultimate in success is achieved through togetherness and teamwork.
And it is obvious that the teachers are totallly there for their students. Thanks, SCPA, for giving our granddaughters such an enriched learning environment.
OF COURSE, JOY - To be a part of this family. Thanks to all kids and grandkids for love,
laughs, and lots of fun. And thanks, Rod and Debra for bringing your camera to record the
moments. Put some on my Facebook, please.
ASTONISHMENT - Don and I are just astonished that we are so tired! Randy has been in
Cincinnati since 1976, and we have made hundreds of trips there for hundreds of reasons. We
used to just hop in the car, and go, go, go. Wow, are we getting old or what? We were considering how many steps were in each flight of stairs, where we used to walk blocks and blocks at the zoo, down to Graeters, out to River Downs, most anywhere. At the hotel (by the way, thanks Randy for the swanky swanky digs) we couldn't get the parking garage gate to open, and then couldn't find our car this morning! Once today I misplaced my purse. I won't say where we were when this happened, but I was moving from one machine to another. I did get it back, but the security people looked like they were thinking, "Poor old lady."
Oh, well, what the heck. We had a wonderful time. We loved all the funny and touching moments. With this family the jokes never end. I guess a sense of humor is just the same whether you are young or old.
I must say that that during the last 24 hours, I have experienced a whole kaleidoscope of emotions.
PRIDE - of course. When we drove up to the Evanswood home of the Olund-Smiths, we were
greeted by not only Randy and Elaine, but our two lovely granddaughters who have grown up to
be as beautiful inside as they are on the outside. I don't think I have ever had as many hugs, as I have had in the last day. And we are so proud of Randy and Elaine for the kind of parents that they are. They both have very busy, demanding careers. But their daughters have always come first, and they have always had time to be a part of their lives and their school life. And they are good kids, too. Thanks, R, E , A, and L for treating us so royally. I really wanted to stay for a week!
APPRECIATION - I loved the commencement program. From beginning to end it displayed the
energy and enthusiasm that the school fosters in its students. What an outstanding school!
SCPA is a place where diversity and individual talent is celebrated. But, at the same time. it
constantly teaches that ultimate in success is achieved through togetherness and teamwork.
And it is obvious that the teachers are totallly there for their students. Thanks, SCPA, for giving our granddaughters such an enriched learning environment.
OF COURSE, JOY - To be a part of this family. Thanks to all kids and grandkids for love,
laughs, and lots of fun. And thanks, Rod and Debra for bringing your camera to record the
moments. Put some on my Facebook, please.
ASTONISHMENT - Don and I are just astonished that we are so tired! Randy has been in
Cincinnati since 1976, and we have made hundreds of trips there for hundreds of reasons. We
used to just hop in the car, and go, go, go. Wow, are we getting old or what? We were considering how many steps were in each flight of stairs, where we used to walk blocks and blocks at the zoo, down to Graeters, out to River Downs, most anywhere. At the hotel (by the way, thanks Randy for the swanky swanky digs) we couldn't get the parking garage gate to open, and then couldn't find our car this morning! Once today I misplaced my purse. I won't say where we were when this happened, but I was moving from one machine to another. I did get it back, but the security people looked like they were thinking, "Poor old lady."
Oh, well, what the heck. We had a wonderful time. We loved all the funny and touching moments. With this family the jokes never end. I guess a sense of humor is just the same whether you are young or old.
Monday, May 24, 2010
"J" - Just an Ordinary Day----------Not!
This is certainly not "Just an ordinary day!" We are getting ready to leave on our overnight trip to Cincinnati. A few years ago, we took overnight trips most every week, and stayed away for a day or two, to our place at Lake Freeman or to the riverboats. But having Mother here for the last three years has kept us close to home.
So we are excited! Like kids out of school. Not only are we off for an overnight, but we get to see Avery graduate. Not only will she graduate, but she is giving one of the commencement speeches. We are so proud.
We can't wait to see Avery and Lydia, also Randy, Elaine, Debra, and Rod. We will get there about time to head for Cincinnati Music Hall where the commencement is held. Afterward, we will probably go out to eat with the gang. Then Don and I are staying at the Marriott that is about a half mile from Randy's. It is right between U.C. campus and the hospitals. Since R. and E.'s guest room is on the third floor, my hip and I are happy to let Rod and Debra use that room while we sleep at the Marriott. Then in the morning we will have the Marriott's breakfast buffet with the whole gang before Randy heads for work, and Lydia heads for school.
Sorry, Randy and Lydia, some folks have to work while the rest of us play. Lydia, in a couple of years you will be a senior, and can have that last week of school off to celebrate. I know that you have been very busy taking exams, and finishing all those art projects. Whew! Good old summer is right around the corner. But I suppose that you will start right away working on one of those ArtWorks murals around the city somewhere.
So, good bye to Anderson. Tomorrow night, dear Blog, I will let you know about our trip.
So we are excited! Like kids out of school. Not only are we off for an overnight, but we get to see Avery graduate. Not only will she graduate, but she is giving one of the commencement speeches. We are so proud.
We can't wait to see Avery and Lydia, also Randy, Elaine, Debra, and Rod. We will get there about time to head for Cincinnati Music Hall where the commencement is held. Afterward, we will probably go out to eat with the gang. Then Don and I are staying at the Marriott that is about a half mile from Randy's. It is right between U.C. campus and the hospitals. Since R. and E.'s guest room is on the third floor, my hip and I are happy to let Rod and Debra use that room while we sleep at the Marriott. Then in the morning we will have the Marriott's breakfast buffet with the whole gang before Randy heads for work, and Lydia heads for school.
Sorry, Randy and Lydia, some folks have to work while the rest of us play. Lydia, in a couple of years you will be a senior, and can have that last week of school off to celebrate. I know that you have been very busy taking exams, and finishing all those art projects. Whew! Good old summer is right around the corner. But I suppose that you will start right away working on one of those ArtWorks murals around the city somewhere.
So, good bye to Anderson. Tomorrow night, dear Blog, I will let you know about our trip.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"I" - In Case of Emergency, Call Cheryl
Tomorrow we are going to Cincinnati to see our granddaughter, Avery, graduate from high school. Not only do we get to see her graduate, but we also get to hear her give one of the
commencement speeches. The whole family is so proud of her. Her Aunt Debra and Uncle Rod are going also. Her Aunt Cheryl, our daughter, would love to see her niece graduate, but, instead, she is staying home to care for grandma, so that we can go. And that's just the way Cheryl is.
Now I know that I shouldn't boast about my daughter, but I feel like I can, because she is just like her dad. Her husband, Jon, says that she is stubborn. So maybe she gets that from her mother. As I always say, a little stubborness can serve you well. But mostly Cheryl is just the person everyone turns to when something needs to be done. Not only does she always show up to help you out, but she will make it a lot of fun, too.
Cheryl has a tender heart, a smiling face, and can always find the fun in everything she does.
Just ask the kids in her special needs class, or the families that she assists with respite care, or
all the little ladies whose houses she cleans, ask Taylor and Jon. And she will show up tomorrow in time for us to leave, and we know that everything will be just fine. AND grandma will be so happy to see her, and we know they will have a good time.
Cheryl is a blessing in so many lives, but especially in the lives of her family.
commencement speeches. The whole family is so proud of her. Her Aunt Debra and Uncle Rod are going also. Her Aunt Cheryl, our daughter, would love to see her niece graduate, but, instead, she is staying home to care for grandma, so that we can go. And that's just the way Cheryl is.
Now I know that I shouldn't boast about my daughter, but I feel like I can, because she is just like her dad. Her husband, Jon, says that she is stubborn. So maybe she gets that from her mother. As I always say, a little stubborness can serve you well. But mostly Cheryl is just the person everyone turns to when something needs to be done. Not only does she always show up to help you out, but she will make it a lot of fun, too.
Cheryl has a tender heart, a smiling face, and can always find the fun in everything she does.
Just ask the kids in her special needs class, or the families that she assists with respite care, or
all the little ladies whose houses she cleans, ask Taylor and Jon. And she will show up tomorrow in time for us to leave, and we know that everything will be just fine. AND grandma will be so happy to see her, and we know they will have a good time.
Cheryl is a blessing in so many lives, but especially in the lives of her family.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
"H" - Happy to See Harry D.
We make a weekly trip to Muncie to see my older brother, Harry David. We have always called him David, although he is named after our grandfather, Harry Lininger. David is in a nursing home. He started out there in the Alzheimer's Unit, but is now in the Skilled Nursing Unit.
We are always happy to go see David.
The last two weeks weren't such good visits, though. The Alzheimer's seems to have attacked his body more than his mind. That is the reason he must have skilled nursing. He has confusions, but he understands and makes jokes, remembers many things from our childhood, and enters into conversations making pretty good sense. In other words, he is fun to visit. But at the last two visits, his body seemed to be getting much worse. He is quite bent at knees and neck, and looked very uncomfortable in his chair. He needed a hair cut, and looked untidy. He just didn't seem to feel as well as usual , or to be as happy.
So today, as we set out, I felt a little blue and dreaded the visit. It was a grey, cloudy morning
and we had had trouble the evening before and this morning making Mother understand things.
But Mother Nature had other plans for us, and soon took over the morning. She planted a rambunctious puppy at Pulaski Park. We spied him, ears flopping and tongue out, pulling his poor owner down a path. So funny. Then across from Lucy's Diner in a muddy farm field, we
spy a Mallard Duck trying its best to believe that a mud puddle was a pond. Poor thing. When
we got on I69 we see a big old black and white cow up to its haunches right in the middle of
a farm pond. It could teach that duck a thing or two. And right then, the sun popped out!
Whew! Things were looking better.
When we got to the Golden Living Center (now there's a misnomer), we found Dave sitting up pretty well in his chair, all slicked up with a new haircut and in his Colts hat. The lounge was
already full of folks dozing in their wheel chairs, so we pushed Dave on down to the big dining room. Now I will say that the folks at this facility seem to make every effort to keep their residents comfortable, clean, and happy. Believe me. good health care workers are a treasure.
The dining room is a pretty room, surrounded by glass windows, looking out on a green lawn and
a gazebo. It was a warm, sunny place this morning. Dave thoroughly enjoyed his coffee and honey bun. We enjoyed a good conversation. He remembered working in downtown Anderson as a teen. He remembered Carl Erskine's name. Carl is the famous Dodger pitcher who still lives in Anderson. Dave and Don talked at length about it being Pole Day at the Indy 500. Dave loves the 500 Race, and worked there as a timer at many races. Of course, he hadn't realized it was May, or that it was Pole Day until Don mentioned it, but was very happy to be reminded and to reminisce about his favorite hobby. David told me he feels well, sleeps well, and has no pains.
What could be better than that.
On the way home, the sun shone brightly, and we stopped off at Cammack, a tiny little one-intersection town that is West of Muncie, and North of Yorktown. At Cammack I picked up my favorite sandals that had been repaired at the shoe repair shop there. I am so happy to have my favorite shoes back and repaired. Then we stopped at Cammack Station, a restaurant created from a historic gas station. It is charming, and the food is delicious. We enjoyed a great BLT sandwich, but reluctantly by-passed the strawberry shortcake. If you are ever in Cammack,
don't by-pass the strawberry shortcake.
After all, happiness comes in varying degrees. Grab it whenever you can!
We are always happy to go see David.
The last two weeks weren't such good visits, though. The Alzheimer's seems to have attacked his body more than his mind. That is the reason he must have skilled nursing. He has confusions, but he understands and makes jokes, remembers many things from our childhood, and enters into conversations making pretty good sense. In other words, he is fun to visit. But at the last two visits, his body seemed to be getting much worse. He is quite bent at knees and neck, and looked very uncomfortable in his chair. He needed a hair cut, and looked untidy. He just didn't seem to feel as well as usual , or to be as happy.
So today, as we set out, I felt a little blue and dreaded the visit. It was a grey, cloudy morning
and we had had trouble the evening before and this morning making Mother understand things.
But Mother Nature had other plans for us, and soon took over the morning. She planted a rambunctious puppy at Pulaski Park. We spied him, ears flopping and tongue out, pulling his poor owner down a path. So funny. Then across from Lucy's Diner in a muddy farm field, we
spy a Mallard Duck trying its best to believe that a mud puddle was a pond. Poor thing. When
we got on I69 we see a big old black and white cow up to its haunches right in the middle of
a farm pond. It could teach that duck a thing or two. And right then, the sun popped out!
Whew! Things were looking better.
When we got to the Golden Living Center (now there's a misnomer), we found Dave sitting up pretty well in his chair, all slicked up with a new haircut and in his Colts hat. The lounge was
already full of folks dozing in their wheel chairs, so we pushed Dave on down to the big dining room. Now I will say that the folks at this facility seem to make every effort to keep their residents comfortable, clean, and happy. Believe me. good health care workers are a treasure.
The dining room is a pretty room, surrounded by glass windows, looking out on a green lawn and
a gazebo. It was a warm, sunny place this morning. Dave thoroughly enjoyed his coffee and honey bun. We enjoyed a good conversation. He remembered working in downtown Anderson as a teen. He remembered Carl Erskine's name. Carl is the famous Dodger pitcher who still lives in Anderson. Dave and Don talked at length about it being Pole Day at the Indy 500. Dave loves the 500 Race, and worked there as a timer at many races. Of course, he hadn't realized it was May, or that it was Pole Day until Don mentioned it, but was very happy to be reminded and to reminisce about his favorite hobby. David told me he feels well, sleeps well, and has no pains.
What could be better than that.
On the way home, the sun shone brightly, and we stopped off at Cammack, a tiny little one-intersection town that is West of Muncie, and North of Yorktown. At Cammack I picked up my favorite sandals that had been repaired at the shoe repair shop there. I am so happy to have my favorite shoes back and repaired. Then we stopped at Cammack Station, a restaurant created from a historic gas station. It is charming, and the food is delicious. We enjoyed a great BLT sandwich, but reluctantly by-passed the strawberry shortcake. If you are ever in Cammack,
don't by-pass the strawberry shortcake.
After all, happiness comes in varying degrees. Grab it whenever you can!
Friday, May 21, 2010
"G" - Going to the Guild Garage Sale
The Victoria Guild Board is the women's volunteer group of about forty women whose primary purpose is to raise funds for the hospital. In 1996 I started volunteering at the hospital information desk. It wasn't long thereafter that these very nice women stopped at the desk and asked if I would like to be nominated to serve on the Victory Guild Board. I was hesitant to do so because I was already doing quite a bit of tutoring for the literacy council, and Don and I wanted to be free to take vacations and go to the lake.
Well, these lovely ladies assured me that I could do as little or as much as I wanted, and that the board didn't require much time or work. HA! Let me tell you right now what I have learned in retirement. Whenever anyone asks you to join a group, do a volunteer job, or take an office, they always say that it doesn't requre much time or work. This is NEVER EVER true! Now, just remember this, and that I told you so! The only time this is true, is if I am begging you to take a job or office. Then (fingers crossed behind my back) it is true.
These guild ladies are the most dedicated, hard-working ladies I have ever seen. They give hours, and hours, and more hours to fulfill the needs of the hospital. I swear that some of them sleep there. The main responsibilities of the board are to manage the hospital gift shop, and to hold the BIG once a year fund raiser, THE CHRISTMAS CORNER SALE. What a shock that first year was. I have never in my life been as tired as I was the weekend of that sale.
After baking my required $30.00 worth of baked goods for the bakery corner, I worked on Wednesday and Thursday setting up the sale. Then on Friday the sale begins at 6AM. I didn't know that anyone in the world got up at 5 AM. The sale lasted until 4 or 5PM. Oh, but that's not all. Then you tore down the booths, put everything away, and cleaned the part of the cafeteria where the sale is held. I was dead on my feet. But these chipper ladies twenty years my senior were still going strong. Why they all planned to go to the Knights of Columbus fish fry after they left there. I went home, soaked in the tub, and didn't go out of the house for two days.
Besides this sale, each member was required to serve on two board committees like blood draw or membership, etc. And you had to work two monthly shifts in the gift shop. And you had to serve on two gift shop committees. Now I must admit that even though I could have done without selling in the gift shop , I did like the gift shop committees on which I served. I was on
one committee where we changed a gift shop display case out in the hospital. It was fun to plan and pick out pretty merchandise, and try to display it artfully.
But the second gift shop committee was my favorite. The hospital owned and offered the use of a residence that was a block away from the hospital. The board held meetings there, used it for storage and pricing of gift shop and Christmas corner merchandise. But upstairs was the
best part. The ladies on the board created all the silk arrangements and wreaths that were sold in the gift shop and at the sale. And I got to work on that committee. We all sometimes worked together in the workshop, but we were also allowed a key so we could go in and work when we had time. I loved to go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, all by myself. I would turn on the radio, listen to music, and just have fun creating. I really wasn't that good. I had a lot to learn.
And I always feared that my creations would linger like poor orphans in the gift shop, unsold, then marked down, then finally a disgrace at the yearly garage sale. I would try to put one of mine in the display case that I arranged. (I'm so embarrassed.) Why, many times I bought my arrangements in the gift shop so they wouldn't linger there any longer (even more embarrassed).
Today when I went to the Guild Garage Sale, it brought back all these memories. The sale was held in the Guild House Garage. Members I had served with and loved were there: Sister Carmencita and Nellie, both much my senior and still working. I longed to go upstairs, turn on the hot glue guns, throw some clippings on the floor, smell the eucalyptus, and admire all the rainbow of silk flower colors, and the bolts of ribbon. Instead I found one of those orphan flower arrangements, really quite lovely, I thought. It was a spray for the door done in blues and greens. It would have cost $80.00 in a flower shop. There it was for $5.00. It now hangs on our front door, and, must say it looks really smashing. My prayer is that its creator didn't see it
in the garage sale.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"F" - That's What Friends are "Four"
No, I didn't misspell "for" in the title. I'm talking about the four enormous capsules of antibiotic that I took this morning before going to the dentist. Since having hip surgery, I have to be premedicated before dental procedures. Yes, medication can be your friend. Or Four Friends as this morning.
And the staff at the dental office have been our friends for a long time now. Nancy, the hygienist, started with Dr. Hudson 31 years ago. She was a classmate of Randy's graduating from AHS in '76, then had 3 years at IU dental hygiene school, and has taken care of our teeth ever since. We love Nancy. Dad always has a sore jaw after teeth cleaning. Nancy says he comes in, opens his mouth, goes to sleep, and doesn't close his mouth once during cleaning.
I told him his jaw wouldn't be sore if he would close his mouth a few times and rest his jaw.
I asked him how he talks to Nancy without closing his mouth. He said, "We don't talk. How
can she clean your teeth if you talk?'
Well, Nancy and I always talk. We love our conversations. We talk about her family, Randy's family, schools, the mess our schools are in, American Idol, food, teachers, etc, etc, etc. As a matter of fact I don't know how she gets my teeth cleaned, but she does.
Nancy has four children. They are all in college or beyond. When they were small, Nancy always took the summer months off to be home with the children. Dentist, Greg, would hire a temporary hygienist to fill in for the summer months. One summer I was in Greg's chair and I hear the temporary hygienist say to her patient, "What did you have for lunch? Your breath smells terrible!" Well, I was horrified. Nancy would never treat a patient that way. I couldn't believe that Greg didn't say something. When I was leaving, I hear the hygienist talking to the patient in the outer office. He was her husband!
Dentist, Greg, bought Dr. Hudson's practice when he was right out of dental school. He was a
baby-faced, unmarried, kid. I used to jokingly tell folks that my dentist was so young that he still wore elastic waist corduroy pants. But we love Greg. He is the kind of dentist who, when I called him in pain late one Friday evening asking for a prescription for a pain killer, met me at the office and fixed my tooth late that same evening. Don and Greg listened on the radio to the high school basketball game they were missing while he fixed my tooth.
Greg married that year. He is still a careful dentist who maintains your teeth without doing unnecessary procedures. I noticed today that he still has a baby face, but his kids are all in college. Today, I re-avow to keep these long-time good friends.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
"E" is for Epigrams - Compile a Repertoire
You already know that our mother lives with us. She is ninety plus. and just a little more than that in pounds. She is loving, sweet, cute, and physically still kicking up her heels. However, her mind is losing brain cells daily. She simply doesn't remember much. She has completely forgotten husbands one and two, an vaguely remembers number three. She really doesn't know who we are, only that she loves us. Most of her talk includes her "Mother and Daddy." I really think that she is talking about us.
Not only can she not say the words she wants to say, but she seems unable to understand our words. It is a lot like living with someone who speaks another language: say Chinese or Portuguese. In her case, I guess you could call it Elderese.
This morning I read the cartoon, "Pickles." It went like this:
Grandson: "Are you busy, Grandpa?"
Grandpa: " Yesireebob."
Grandson: "Does that mean yes?"
Grandpa: "Darn tootin."
Grandson: "I think I need an English to Grandpa dictionary."
Well, we definitely need an English to Elderese dictionary, and vice-versa.
We try our best to tell her what we need for her to know. She looks blankly at us and says,
"What?" The way it has been going is that we keep repeating this sentence about ten times, each time a bit louder (like that is going to help.) The loudness makes her think we are angry, and we are all frustrated.
Lately, when she tries to engage me in conversation, I have adopted the habit of just smiling and
saying, "Okay" or "all right" or "thanks." Which has not reallly worked or been satisfying for anybody.
This week I have been noticing that she has been going to Don and they have been having some nice, fairly long conversations. How can that be? So yesterday I made a special effort to tune in to their talk. It went like this:
Mother: words, words, words in Elderese with gestures toward her lunch plate.
Don: "What you see is what you get."
Mother: nods, smiles, eats.
Mother: words, words, words, shows Don her arthritic hands.
Don: " We are what we are."
Mother: smiles happy
Mother: walks in limping, holding her back - words words words
Don: "You only go around once. What goes around, comes around."
Mother: smiles, happy, waves and walks away.
Don: " Keep your head up and your eyes open."
Mother: waves, happy
Then it dawns on me. He is just speaking in epigrams. It sounds like conversation, and it makes her happy!
So this morning after breakfast, she patted me on my shoulder, smiled, and spoke to me in her best Elderese.
I looked at Mother, nodded in agreement, and said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
She smiled happily, and went off to her room to get dressed.
Today I compile a repertoire of Epigrams.
Not only can she not say the words she wants to say, but she seems unable to understand our words. It is a lot like living with someone who speaks another language: say Chinese or Portuguese. In her case, I guess you could call it Elderese.
This morning I read the cartoon, "Pickles." It went like this:
Grandson: "Are you busy, Grandpa?"
Grandpa: " Yesireebob."
Grandson: "Does that mean yes?"
Grandpa: "Darn tootin."
Grandson: "I think I need an English to Grandpa dictionary."
Well, we definitely need an English to Elderese dictionary, and vice-versa.
We try our best to tell her what we need for her to know. She looks blankly at us and says,
"What?" The way it has been going is that we keep repeating this sentence about ten times, each time a bit louder (like that is going to help.) The loudness makes her think we are angry, and we are all frustrated.
Lately, when she tries to engage me in conversation, I have adopted the habit of just smiling and
saying, "Okay" or "all right" or "thanks." Which has not reallly worked or been satisfying for anybody.
This week I have been noticing that she has been going to Don and they have been having some nice, fairly long conversations. How can that be? So yesterday I made a special effort to tune in to their talk. It went like this:
Mother: words, words, words in Elderese with gestures toward her lunch plate.
Don: "What you see is what you get."
Mother: nods, smiles, eats.
Mother: words, words, words, shows Don her arthritic hands.
Don: " We are what we are."
Mother: smiles happy
Mother: walks in limping, holding her back - words words words
Don: "You only go around once. What goes around, comes around."
Mother: smiles, happy, waves and walks away.
Don: " Keep your head up and your eyes open."
Mother: waves, happy
Then it dawns on me. He is just speaking in epigrams. It sounds like conversation, and it makes her happy!
So this morning after breakfast, she patted me on my shoulder, smiled, and spoke to me in her best Elderese.
I looked at Mother, nodded in agreement, and said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
She smiled happily, and went off to her room to get dressed.
Today I compile a repertoire of Epigrams.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"D"is for Digging, Duck Droppings, and Don
This has been such a beautiful Spring. The weather seems to have been just right to stimulate a
green world. Our trees bloomed and then leafed out adundantly. Flowers have flourished. Grass gas grown, and grown, and grown. Lawns have already been mown, and mown, and
mown. But Don is still in his enthusiastic lawn-care mode. It takes a bit before rising temperatures turn enthusiasm to .........oh well, you know what I mean. But our lawn has been
at its very best, and we have been enjoying it.
That is until last week when neighbor Bill decided to get cable. We were so happy for Mary and Bill right up to the time when the cable guy was marching through our yard looking for that one perfect telephone pole. Then he proceeded to create a florescent orange path that meandered over and about and all around the yard. After this he outlined the meandering pathway with
many many, over twenty florescent orange flags a-waveing the breeze. Now our yard took on the appearance of an Olympic sized obstacle course.
Evidently, the lovely little orange flags afluttering attracted the ducks that usually swim in the creek as we so flatteringly call the drainage ditch. Because the ducks were soon trying out for the Olympic obstacle course championship. Have you ever seen what ducks leave behind?
Now it sort of resembles a miniature golf course with duck hazards, and I do mean hazards.
Well, it has been five days now, and the cable people have not returned. The rain has been falling, the orange grass has been growing, and Don is itching to get on the mower and ride.
So, if you see an orange, toxic cloud over south Anderson, don't call the National Guard. It is
just orange grass clippings, shreds of orange flags, and mulched duck feathers and duck........
Well, you know what I mean.
green world. Our trees bloomed and then leafed out adundantly. Flowers have flourished. Grass gas grown, and grown, and grown. Lawns have already been mown, and mown, and
mown. But Don is still in his enthusiastic lawn-care mode. It takes a bit before rising temperatures turn enthusiasm to .........oh well, you know what I mean. But our lawn has been
at its very best, and we have been enjoying it.
That is until last week when neighbor Bill decided to get cable. We were so happy for Mary and Bill right up to the time when the cable guy was marching through our yard looking for that one perfect telephone pole. Then he proceeded to create a florescent orange path that meandered over and about and all around the yard. After this he outlined the meandering pathway with
many many, over twenty florescent orange flags a-waveing the breeze. Now our yard took on the appearance of an Olympic sized obstacle course.
Evidently, the lovely little orange flags afluttering attracted the ducks that usually swim in the creek as we so flatteringly call the drainage ditch. Because the ducks were soon trying out for the Olympic obstacle course championship. Have you ever seen what ducks leave behind?
Now it sort of resembles a miniature golf course with duck hazards, and I do mean hazards.
Well, it has been five days now, and the cable people have not returned. The rain has been falling, the orange grass has been growing, and Don is itching to get on the mower and ride.
So, if you see an orange, toxic cloud over south Anderson, don't call the National Guard. It is
just orange grass clippings, shreds of orange flags, and mulched duck feathers and duck........
Well, you know what I mean.
Monday, May 17, 2010
"C" is for Changing Attitudes
On Mondays I volunteer at the hospital Information Desk. In fact, I have had 3 or 4 volunteer jobs since I retired, and I enjoy them all. But it is interesting that even with an unpaid volunteer job, you deal with the same interpersonal challenges and irritations that go with any paid job.
At the information desk, Elaine and I check room numbers for visitors, answer various questions on the phone, and guide visitors to many hospital locations. Most of the time visitors are most appreciative, and the staff is very helpful when we have questions. But, some days, because of the enormous amount of stress in a hospital, visitors and staff can be irritable and , well, just plain cranky.
Last Monday was one of those days when the moon was full, or the planets were not in alignment. We encountered more than our share of curmudgeons. The switchboard must have been swamped, because they detoured calls to us that were not appropriately ours to answer. The callers didn't understand our floundering and became very irritable. Flower delivery people were most unhappy because the transport room was unmanned. One visitor wanted to pay for a gift shop balloon, and didn't understand why we didn't have a cash register. One lady asked where an elevator to the 4th floor was located. When I told her, she replied, "Well, I wish you would make up your mind!" I never did figure that one out.
Then there is the famous much-visited department where we must direct visitors. They have
a large main door , labeled with department name, that is front and center in the main hall. The only catch is that the staff does not want any visitors to use that door. They must have their reasons. They have asked us to direct visitors by a much circutous route that is totally unlabeled, and remember, we cannot leave our desk unmanned! Well, more than occasionally,
visitors decide to go through that most obvious, labeled door. And, when they do, the staff calls us to complain. They did last Monday.
Well, this morning as I was preparing to go to my hospital job, I remembered my new effort to try something new every day. So I promised myself that I would go to this job today with an even bigger, warmer smile than usual. I would do all I could to create a positive change. Well, you might think that we were unbearably sweet and nice at that information desk today. But, do you know what? IT WORKED!
People on the phone were patient as we sought answers to their questions. One even thanked me for my helpfulness and friendly voice. Floral delivery persons smiled and went right on to patients' rooms with their deliveries. It was pouring rain, and most people even laughed at their damp condition. I helped one lady carry a package to a room, and she gave me a hug. Two
visitors came back to our desk after visiting and thanked Elaine and I
for being so helpful. One man was delivering lunch to a nurse, and asked if he could bring us something. Such nice people on a
rainy day, responding to our smiles. Why, one person even called me "Dimples!"
And, guess what? We spied some folks going through that "forbidden door." And no one called us to complain!
So, this evening I feel like we successfully completed our challenge to Create a Positive Change of Attitudes. Now, if I can just apply that principle to those old complainers at my Friends of the
Library on Friday!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
"B" is for "Big Moment" or Taylor in a Tuxedo
I know, I know - I should save this for my "T" entry. But last night was so exciting, I just couldn't wait to share it. I got to see my only grandson, Taylor, in a tuxedo. Was he ever handsome! The "little guy" that I home-schooled for three years is all grown-up. , 17 years old, tall, dark, and handsome.
Since he took himself off to high school, he is a junior, and has a sweet girl friend, Erica. I always said that as soon as he realized that there were no cute girls at home school, he would be off to high school. How true!
But, he really did not want to go to the prom. In fact he said that he would rather break his leg.
But Erica gave him "The Look." Now all boy friends and husbands soon learn what "The Look" means. It means, "Buddy, you had better step up." And he did. But now even Taylor realizes how good he looks in a tuxedo. What is it about tuxedos? They make all men look handsome. And the ones who are already handsome , they make them look handsomer.
Grandpa Don had to tell Taylor all about his Prom experience, or rather his Prom non-experience. Grandpa and I started dating our senior year in high school. Now, he not only declared that he would never go to a prom, he also declared that he would never date a girl. Well, we were dating, I was a girl, and I must have given him "The Look." Because I had a prom dress, and he had a dinner jacket all ready to go. But, the night before the prom was occur, Don was playing in a high school baseball game. Now, he swears that he didn't do it on purpose, but he was sliding into second base, and was hit in the eye with a flying baseball -----HARD. He was in the hospital the night of the prom, and my brother was my escort.
I don't know if Taylor's romance will last 53 years. Few people are as fortunate as we have been. But my fervant wish is that this handsome grandson will have a life filled with great happiness. Thanks, Taylor, for today's Big Moment!
"A" Is for Add a Little Spice
My life, at age 73, could use a little spice. I admit, I'm no cook. Although, for the first half of our marriage, until our children married their great spouses, we had EVERY family holiday party at our house. My recipe for success during those years was to spike the punch. Everyone had fun, and no one cared what they ate.
And during this last year with my hip replacement - first in a wheel chair, then a walker, then a cane - Don, bless his heart, has filled in - in the kitchen. He couldn't stand all the messes I made when I dropped things.
But last night I read in my Real Simple magazine that McCormicks had come out with these interesting little recipe cards called "Recipe Inspirations". On one side of the card is the recipe, and on the back are these little plastic bubbles filled with the pre-measured herbs and spices needed in the recipe. Ohhh, what fun. No measuring, and no spices left on the shelf to grow old.
Now, I do try to weed out the old, stale spices. But I strongly suspect that there might be some spice left there that was part of a gift given to us at a kitchen bridal shower 53 years ago!
I chose to make Quesadilla Cassarole since I was interested in first time experiences, and I had
never made quesadillas. I sent Don off with a list to the grocery store. After only one cell phone call, and several harassed store clerks later, he was home with the ingredients. Hmmm - it just occurred to me that I should have saved this for my "Q" entry. After all, how many "Q" experiences can you have in your life? But, let me tell you, the supper was good and I think you
should check out McCormicks Recipe Inspirations for yourself. Or go to www.McCormicks.com and check them out.
With the quesadillas we had chips and salsa, and I made a fruit salad. Just a fruit salad, not my famous frozen fruit salad slush. But I must tell you about my famous frozen fruit salad slush before my daughter-in- law beats me to the punch, or the slush as it may be. You see, she also has a blog - a food blog - called Smith bites where she loves to share family food stories, and to
tell about her in-laws bad food choices. Of course, done with love, and in a fun way. You really should check out www.smithbites.com . It is a beautiful site, and fun to read.
Anyway, back to the fruit slush story. We were having a mini family reunion. We had distant relatives staying with us. Life was a bit frantic, I was a bit harried, I was making the frozen fruit slush at midnight. The next day at the reunion picnic, I am rushing to set things up and notice that the fruit is still a bit too frozen - not its correct slushy consistency. I ask my daughter in law if she would chop and stir it a bit. She is chopping away, when she says, "What is this!" Well,
frozen at the bottom of the bowl are three plastic lids that I hadn't noticed there the night before. Now, in our published family cook book is a recipe for Mother's Famous Three Lid Salad." Oh, how our children love our mistakes.
Well, our quesadilla supper was delicious, and I was thrilled to be back in the kitchen. I thoroughly enjoyed my first time "A" experience, and did indeed add a little spice to my life.
And during this last year with my hip replacement - first in a wheel chair, then a walker, then a cane - Don, bless his heart, has filled in - in the kitchen. He couldn't stand all the messes I made when I dropped things.
But last night I read in my Real Simple magazine that McCormicks had come out with these interesting little recipe cards called "Recipe Inspirations". On one side of the card is the recipe, and on the back are these little plastic bubbles filled with the pre-measured herbs and spices needed in the recipe. Ohhh, what fun. No measuring, and no spices left on the shelf to grow old.
Now, I do try to weed out the old, stale spices. But I strongly suspect that there might be some spice left there that was part of a gift given to us at a kitchen bridal shower 53 years ago!
I chose to make Quesadilla Cassarole since I was interested in first time experiences, and I had
never made quesadillas. I sent Don off with a list to the grocery store. After only one cell phone call, and several harassed store clerks later, he was home with the ingredients. Hmmm - it just occurred to me that I should have saved this for my "Q" entry. After all, how many "Q" experiences can you have in your life? But, let me tell you, the supper was good and I think you
should check out McCormicks Recipe Inspirations for yourself. Or go to www.McCormicks.com and check them out.
With the quesadillas we had chips and salsa, and I made a fruit salad. Just a fruit salad, not my famous frozen fruit salad slush. But I must tell you about my famous frozen fruit salad slush before my daughter-in- law beats me to the punch, or the slush as it may be. You see, she also has a blog - a food blog - called Smith bites where she loves to share family food stories, and to
tell about her in-laws bad food choices. Of course, done with love, and in a fun way. You really should check out www.smithbites.com . It is a beautiful site, and fun to read.
Anyway, back to the fruit slush story. We were having a mini family reunion. We had distant relatives staying with us. Life was a bit frantic, I was a bit harried, I was making the frozen fruit slush at midnight. The next day at the reunion picnic, I am rushing to set things up and notice that the fruit is still a bit too frozen - not its correct slushy consistency. I ask my daughter in law if she would chop and stir it a bit. She is chopping away, when she says, "What is this!" Well,
frozen at the bottom of the bowl are three plastic lids that I hadn't noticed there the night before. Now, in our published family cook book is a recipe for Mother's Famous Three Lid Salad." Oh, how our children love our mistakes.
Well, our quesadilla supper was delicious, and I was thrilled to be back in the kitchen. I thoroughly enjoyed my first time "A" experience, and did indeed add a little spice to my life.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Why I Am Here
I am a retired school teacher, as is my husband. We have been retired for several years, and for
the most part have enjoyed these retirement years. We did a little traveling, enjoyed our
married children, welcomed into the world our grandchildren, and have had fun together.
Now our lives have diminished a bit because we are caring for an aged mother. She lives with us
and keeps us close to home. Life isn't bad, but we feel the strain of dealing with her lack of memory and reasoning skills. You know how it is: same stories, same questions over and over.
To add to the challenges, this year I have experienced a hip replacement surgery and the ensuing recovery.
The thought has occurred to me that there are many things that I have intended to do, that are still waiting to be done. Some are possible, some are not. Now this is in no way a "Bucket List".
But I do intend to try some new thing every day, and to tell you about my new adventures. By necessity these will be simple, close-to-home adventures. And, since I am an alphabet book collector, I will try to do them in alphabetical order! Don't hold me to that promise. I am enormously disorganized. How many Z's can I find to do anyway?
the most part have enjoyed these retirement years. We did a little traveling, enjoyed our
married children, welcomed into the world our grandchildren, and have had fun together.
Now our lives have diminished a bit because we are caring for an aged mother. She lives with us
and keeps us close to home. Life isn't bad, but we feel the strain of dealing with her lack of memory and reasoning skills. You know how it is: same stories, same questions over and over.
To add to the challenges, this year I have experienced a hip replacement surgery and the ensuing recovery.
The thought has occurred to me that there are many things that I have intended to do, that are still waiting to be done. Some are possible, some are not. Now this is in no way a "Bucket List".
But I do intend to try some new thing every day, and to tell you about my new adventures. By necessity these will be simple, close-to-home adventures. And, since I am an alphabet book collector, I will try to do them in alphabetical order! Don't hold me to that promise. I am enormously disorganized. How many Z's can I find to do anyway?
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