It's been a while since I visited this spot, and shared my views. It has been an interesting two weeks that were sort of a reflection of the weather - one moment good, the next moment, not so. That's just the way it is in Indiana and in life.
One moment we have glorious sunshine, and I start digging the summer T-shirts out of the closet. The next moment we have snow showers, and I'm looking for a sweat shirt.
Life has been a bit that way, too. A week ago last Tuesday Don had an out-patient procedure at the surgery center. Actually, he was supposed to have this done next week. But anyone who knows Don, knows that waiting is his most despised agony. So he begged the Dr.'s office to call him if there were any surgery cancellations, so they did. He will be VERY HAPPY next Tuesday, the originally scheduled time, to realize that it is all over and he is fine.
Last Tuesday wasn't actually too bad, except that they were running way behind with their surgeries. Don had had nothing to eat or drink since midnight on Monday. He was supposed to arrive at the S.C. at 2:00, and surgery was at 2:30. Of course, he
arrived at 1:45 Don Time, and his surgery was at 5:30. When the nurse finally came to wheel him back to the operating room she asked if he was allergic to anything. He said, "Waiting."
Smart girl, she said she was allergic to working late. Anyway it was about 8:30 when we finally got back home. Cheryl was so great. She drove us, and stayed with me all day. Don may not have had too much fun, but Cher and I had a great visit.
Don was quite groggy and had no appetite both Tuesday night and most of the day on
Wednesday, leftovers from anesthesia and medicine. He was supposed to have a catheter and bag until the following Monday. You can imagine how delighted he was with that plan. He was so out of it when the recovery room nurse told me how to take care of and change the bag, that he didn't hear any of it. Of course, I was nervous and slow and careful about all of it. Finally, he went off in his pajamas with his bag in hand on Thursday and went over to the Emergency Room where they showed him how to take care of it himself.
I am definitely a better patient than Don is. I have patience to wait on most everything. But, he is definitely a better nurse. He took wonderful care of me throughout my surgery. However, we would both like to avoid both these roles if at all possible. When I got up Friday morning, Don was not home. When he came back, he had visited the Dr.'s office and convinced them that they should take out the catheter. They did, and he is doing just fine. The procedure was certainly a success, and he is feeling so much better.
So that is another way that our lives have been on an up and down path.
Jon is very happy with his new job. He has gotten a promotion all ready. We are all so happy that he could find such a good job so soon after being treated so badly by Marsh. I think everyone knows that Marsh Markets were bought a few years ago by a Florida chain. They have systematically been trying to get rid of all their long time employees, so they could hire cheap help. Jon had been with them for over thirty years, and they let him go the day before Thanksgiving. Talk about a company with no heart. I am happy to report that the courts awarded Jon everything he deserved from this company after he was so mistreated.
Taylor is happy to be working back on the farms, where he worked last year during the growing season. He will finish high school this spring, and seems to love the outdoor work.
Cheryl loves her job, but the schools are cutting back so much to try and balance budgets, that she is not happy with many of the changes. So again, life has its ups and downs.
Rod's rental property was damaged by the heavy ice and snow. He is dealing with the insurance company. Don is trying to help by assisting the repair guy, and going for supplies. We are hoping that they can get everything in good condition, and get both sides of the duplex rented soon. Again, it is a matter of ups and downs.
Lydia had her sweet sixteen birthday this last week. She has turned into such a beautiful young lady. Avery is back to IU after her spring break. I think she has only five weeks left to complete her freshman year. Randy,Elaine, and Lydia plan to
spend some time over this long weekend at a cabin in Brown County state park. I know that they will have fun, and Avery will be happy to have her family close by.
I hope that their spring break will actually feature some spring break weather.
Even though volunteer jobs come with their challenges, I am so thankful to have these jobs that I enjoy. I love being with my good friends. And in spite of occasional differences of opinion, I love them all. Volunteering is so nice, because you can really choose to work as hard as you want. And you can also take guilt free breaks filled with fun conversations.
And, even though we are tied to Anderson by some of our commitments, Don and I do find many activites that we enjoy right here close to home. Today we drove to Muncie to see Mother. Then we had a delicious lunch at Concannon's bakery/cafe, Concannon's is full of treats! Then we came home, enjoyed Price is Right (I know. That is such a Senior citizen thing.) Then we both took a nap. After that, we went to the casino, and had so much fun: slots, first day of sulky races, live music and dancers performing upstairs, supper at Johnny Rockets, such fun! Then home for watching Wheel of fortune and Jeopardy (I know. Another Senior moment.) Then we watch American Idol, which we love this year. Last night's Idol show was so entertaining. Every contestant is so talented this year.
Well that is about as much "Ups and Downs" as I can stand for one writing. I'm experiencing a little motion discomfort. So I shall say good night, and go off to bed.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Cheap Thrills
About nineteen years ago Don and I realized that we needed to make a serious decision. The school system was offering a very generous retirement package for those teachers who were willing to take an early retirement. We were feeling the stress of our jobs, we were looking forward to the arrival of our first grand child, and we had both already taught nearly thirty years. Besides, we did not know how long the retirement packages would be offered. So we retired. Don first, and then I retired three years later.
About four years before we had been spending time with good friends at Lake Freeman, and thought we would really enjoy the lake life. While there, we found a small
mobile home on a rented lot in a lake side mobile home park. It was quite inexpensive, and we thought we might be able to afford it. We have never been lavish spenders. Indeed, "cheap" has always been the operative word when we were talking about entertainment. So, we bought our little lake side hide away, and began some years of great leisure time fun.
The first summer we purchased a two person paddle boat, and had fun paddling around our little cove.
But while we were away during the winter we began to think that a pontoon would be fun, so that we could explore the entire seven-mile-long lake. So Don read ads, and began the search for a used pontoon.
At a local marina, he found an old steel pontoon that had been refurbished. It was heavy, painted royal blue, had no seats except for the captain, had no awning, and had an ancient maroon- colored motor. But the marina mechanic assured us that it ran like a top and would serve us well. We loved it.
You realize and we realized that we were novice sailors. Don wanted to get that huge pontoon to Lake Freeman, and into the water before there were any spectators about to watch our efforts. So early in March, before the park officially opened, we hauled the pontoon up to the lake. It was weather suitable for enjoying the fireplace, not taking a pontoon ride. But, off we went.
We opened our mobile home, even though the park water supply had not been turned on.
We went to see the park manager to arrange for docking space. He helped us with that problem, and even allowed us to tap into his water by connecting a hose between our two places. Campground people are always friendly and helpful. The next day we hauled the pontoon down to the launching ramp. Our park's docking spaces were located at the end of a narrow channel that led out into the lake. Across the channel were some permanent summer homes. But, no one seemed to be about, so we were in business.
We had on winter coats, gloves, and hats. We brought a folding aluminum chair for me, and a bottle of wine to celebrate the launch. We backed the trailer down the ramp and slipped the pontoon into the water. All went well. I set up the lawn chair and poured the wine. Don took his place in the captain's chair, turned the key, and our lovely little maroon motor sputtered right to life! Ah, all was well.
Except that, right at that moment, five or six fishermen emerged from a cabin right across the channel, and proceeded to sit down on the bank to watch us. It seemed their only purpose was to watch two fools try to launch an old pontoon on a cold day in March. And so they did.
Well, Don put the motor into forward gear. The boat moved forward and veered a bit to the left. He steered some more, the boat moved forward some more, and veered some more to the left. So it went: forward, steer, left, forward, steer, left.
And right then we hit a pier on the left, my chair tipped, I landed on the floor,
BUT I did not spill one drop of wine! We did not look across the channel!
Don said, under his breath, "Act like this is where we intended to go."
So we tied up the pontoon, got into our van (quickly), and drove up the hill and back to our place. Don called the marina back at home, and found out that the mechanic had not attached the steering cables. So after correcting that slight oversight, we did have our maiden voyage the next day, and claimed and marked our
new docking space.
I want you to know - that was one ugly pontoon that motored many miles around our lake that summer. It was fondly called "Old Blue" by one and all. We detailed it out with mismatched lawn chairs, a cooler, a boom box, a bucket for peeing after dark, and a matching blue tarp for an awning. Oh, it was a pleasure boat that had it all.
We took morning cruises to greet the ducks, geese, and the blue herons. We ate many on-board picnic lunches in out-of-the-way coves. We had terrific off-board swimming with family and friends. We watched a hundred sunsets while anchored in "Bat Bay."
We named the bay for the bats that swooped over head when it got dark. We listened to our Linda Ronstadt tape a thousand times. There is a big excursion boat on Lake Freeman that takes passengers the whole length of the lake at night. They serve food, have bands for dancing, and a top deck for sight-seeing. We loved to follow the "Madame" down the lake at night and listen to her music. And that old maroon motor kept right up, and never missed a lick all summer.
The best sailor in the family was our dog, Scotty. He couldn't wait to set sail. He loved to ride up front, and outside the front gate, with his nose up smelling the breeze. When we anchored, he loved to jump in for a swim. Of course, he loved to find dead fish on shore and roll on them. He often went home smelling like dead fish. But the best part of all was following our tiny trolling lights home in the dark, under a star-filled sky, and walking uphill and home. We often ended the night with a campfire and a chance to listen to all the summer night sounds.
Our last trip of the summer on a beautiful Sunday at the end of September. It was a glorious, colorful, autumn day, full of sunshine and seventy degrees. Our kids and Scotty were with us. We cruised the entire lake, ate our picnic lunches, then went under the bridge and followed the river through town and as far as we could go until we came to the dam. What an end to a glorious summer.
We kept our lake place for maybe fifteen years. During that time we were to trade up twice for better pontoons. The last one was brand new, shiny, and so beautiful!
We enjoyed them all, but we never had as much fun as we had that first summer on "Old Blue."
About four years before we had been spending time with good friends at Lake Freeman, and thought we would really enjoy the lake life. While there, we found a small
mobile home on a rented lot in a lake side mobile home park. It was quite inexpensive, and we thought we might be able to afford it. We have never been lavish spenders. Indeed, "cheap" has always been the operative word when we were talking about entertainment. So, we bought our little lake side hide away, and began some years of great leisure time fun.
The first summer we purchased a two person paddle boat, and had fun paddling around our little cove.
But while we were away during the winter we began to think that a pontoon would be fun, so that we could explore the entire seven-mile-long lake. So Don read ads, and began the search for a used pontoon.
At a local marina, he found an old steel pontoon that had been refurbished. It was heavy, painted royal blue, had no seats except for the captain, had no awning, and had an ancient maroon- colored motor. But the marina mechanic assured us that it ran like a top and would serve us well. We loved it.
You realize and we realized that we were novice sailors. Don wanted to get that huge pontoon to Lake Freeman, and into the water before there were any spectators about to watch our efforts. So early in March, before the park officially opened, we hauled the pontoon up to the lake. It was weather suitable for enjoying the fireplace, not taking a pontoon ride. But, off we went.
We opened our mobile home, even though the park water supply had not been turned on.
We went to see the park manager to arrange for docking space. He helped us with that problem, and even allowed us to tap into his water by connecting a hose between our two places. Campground people are always friendly and helpful. The next day we hauled the pontoon down to the launching ramp. Our park's docking spaces were located at the end of a narrow channel that led out into the lake. Across the channel were some permanent summer homes. But, no one seemed to be about, so we were in business.
We had on winter coats, gloves, and hats. We brought a folding aluminum chair for me, and a bottle of wine to celebrate the launch. We backed the trailer down the ramp and slipped the pontoon into the water. All went well. I set up the lawn chair and poured the wine. Don took his place in the captain's chair, turned the key, and our lovely little maroon motor sputtered right to life! Ah, all was well.
Except that, right at that moment, five or six fishermen emerged from a cabin right across the channel, and proceeded to sit down on the bank to watch us. It seemed their only purpose was to watch two fools try to launch an old pontoon on a cold day in March. And so they did.
Well, Don put the motor into forward gear. The boat moved forward and veered a bit to the left. He steered some more, the boat moved forward some more, and veered some more to the left. So it went: forward, steer, left, forward, steer, left.
And right then we hit a pier on the left, my chair tipped, I landed on the floor,
BUT I did not spill one drop of wine! We did not look across the channel!
Don said, under his breath, "Act like this is where we intended to go."
So we tied up the pontoon, got into our van (quickly), and drove up the hill and back to our place. Don called the marina back at home, and found out that the mechanic had not attached the steering cables. So after correcting that slight oversight, we did have our maiden voyage the next day, and claimed and marked our
new docking space.
I want you to know - that was one ugly pontoon that motored many miles around our lake that summer. It was fondly called "Old Blue" by one and all. We detailed it out with mismatched lawn chairs, a cooler, a boom box, a bucket for peeing after dark, and a matching blue tarp for an awning. Oh, it was a pleasure boat that had it all.
We took morning cruises to greet the ducks, geese, and the blue herons. We ate many on-board picnic lunches in out-of-the-way coves. We had terrific off-board swimming with family and friends. We watched a hundred sunsets while anchored in "Bat Bay."
We named the bay for the bats that swooped over head when it got dark. We listened to our Linda Ronstadt tape a thousand times. There is a big excursion boat on Lake Freeman that takes passengers the whole length of the lake at night. They serve food, have bands for dancing, and a top deck for sight-seeing. We loved to follow the "Madame" down the lake at night and listen to her music. And that old maroon motor kept right up, and never missed a lick all summer.
The best sailor in the family was our dog, Scotty. He couldn't wait to set sail. He loved to ride up front, and outside the front gate, with his nose up smelling the breeze. When we anchored, he loved to jump in for a swim. Of course, he loved to find dead fish on shore and roll on them. He often went home smelling like dead fish. But the best part of all was following our tiny trolling lights home in the dark, under a star-filled sky, and walking uphill and home. We often ended the night with a campfire and a chance to listen to all the summer night sounds.
Our last trip of the summer on a beautiful Sunday at the end of September. It was a glorious, colorful, autumn day, full of sunshine and seventy degrees. Our kids and Scotty were with us. We cruised the entire lake, ate our picnic lunches, then went under the bridge and followed the river through town and as far as we could go until we came to the dam. What an end to a glorious summer.
We kept our lake place for maybe fifteen years. During that time we were to trade up twice for better pontoons. The last one was brand new, shiny, and so beautiful!
We enjoyed them all, but we never had as much fun as we had that first summer on "Old Blue."
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