I am very tired. BUT a lot was accomplished today also. It was cold and started snowing this afternoon. We have about two inches already I think. Chelsea, of course, is in hog heaven.

This morning, Dick and I went out very early to Walmart and bought a new microwave (our current one has had a door that jams for a couple of years now and I think it is dangerous.) a new crock pot (the base on my current one broke and it is silly to prop up your crock pot when you are using it.) a new water pick and some Christmas cards. Then we stopped at Hardee's for breakfast.

I did get the buckeyes dipped in the chocolate, so everybody can relax. Then at two o'clock I drove to Falls to join the choir for caroling on Pine Street for Main Street Memories. We really had a lot of fun. I found out my friend, Fran, had never gone caroling before. We sang outside Fasse's for a bit, took the horse drawn wagon and sang the whole trip it took around town, walked through Fasse's and over to Richardson's Furniture, where we joined a pianist who was entertaining there. Finally, we walked over to to Evans and strolled through the store while we were singing.

Then we sang at the 5:00PM Mass. That means that I don't have to go to church tomorrow and can stay home ALL day.

I think I told you about the time Mother, Nora and I all tried to get a snowsuit on Bart. My Ex, Bret and Bart were visiting Wisconsin one Christmas and went to spend the day with Nora and Leif. Nora offered a snowmobile suit that Stenn had outgrown for Bart to play in. He took one look at it and said. "People will laugh at me." He was three but apparantly his self image did not include a snowsuit and the three of us were unable to shove those flaying arms and legs into the thing. We gave up. He wore the old snow pants and jacket that Mother had found at the house.

Have a happy Sunday.

Mary

Dick and I had quite a busy day. It was very cold, in the teens, but sunny and very pretty outside. We went over to Mom's and Randy helped me box up the two deer hides to take to WB Tanning in Hartford. That is an interesting experience. You get a slip that you tape or tie to the hides that you brought in. Then you just leave and two or three months later, when you have forgotten ALL about it a notice comes that the hides are ready. You send a check and they mail the hides to you. It is quite efficient. Did you know that tanned hides are not natually that pretty brown tan color but a kind of bluish gray color. When I get enough hides tanned, I will have a jacket made. I asked and I need between 4 and 10 depending on the size and style I choose. So I have a ways to go. With these two, I have three.

On the way home, we stopped at a George Webb Restuarant to eat lunch. Neither of us had ever eated at one before. They are, we found, very 50s cafe. Small. The service was pleasant but SLOW. We loved the french fries. Anyway, there were four women in the booth next to us. One of them was quite old and the others were reassuring her that her current situation was indeed best for her. We assumed that she had recently been forced to go into either assisted living or a nursing home. I felt for her - and for them. I remember that Aunt Kathleen said that Grandma Bowser was in tears when she had to go to Pine Haven. She had to move SO many times in their early marriage and when they bought the house in Falls, she wanted to die there. I think it broke her heart. I hope Mother never has to make that decision. So far so good. She is getting excited about her birthday party in January. 90 is pretty special.

This afternoon, I mixed and rolled the buckeyes. Tomorrow, I can dip them in chocolate and have them ready for shipping. Christmas is trying to creep up on us.

Love

Mary

I read an article in Good Housekeeping today about a mother who's son, while in Junior High School, began to hang out with black kids. This was a bit disconcerting for her as they were white and though many blacks tried to act white, white boys don't usually try to act black. These friends were good kids, fortunately. They were, some of them, underpriviledged, and lived in some really poor project type neighborhoods. But they were good kids. As she got to know them and their parents, she came to see them as just kids in a difficult environment. It surprised her to find that their parents were as nervious about their kids being in an all white neighborhood as she was with the reverse.

It reminds me of a time that Bart and I were watching the Jessie Owens Story on TV. There is a scene in this movie in which the coach tells the Jewish members of the
U. S. Olympic Team that they cannot participated in the games in Nazi Germany. The lone protester to this action was Jessie Owens. He was promptly told to "Sit down, Boy!" and he did so. My Bart, who in Huntington Beach California, went to a pretty ethnically diverse school, he even had a black principal for a few years, asked my why Jessie just sat down and did not protest further. I had to explain to him how much courage it had taken for that man to say ANYTHING. Bart did not understand prejudice. Isn't that wonderful? Would that it could have stayed that way. I think he is pretty open to everybody, but he is certainly aware of prejudices now.

Tomorrow, I am going to take the two deer hides that the Carpenter boys gave me down to Hartland to be tanned. When I have enough, I will have a jacket made of them.

Today, we went grocery shopping and Dick got his blood tested. He has been within the boundries for 10 months now. Sue says he is getting boring.

We had the best dinner tonight. I had leftover pork tenderloin. I sliced it and warmed it, then put it on a hard roll with a slice of cheddar and mayonese (flavored if possible). Then I grilled it and served it with a dollop of cranberry relish on top of the pork. Wow was it good.


Have a nice Friday.

Mary

We took Chelsea to the Vet today as scheduled. Dr. Zechlinsky must be either expanding or planning on retiring because he has a new associate in the office who looked at our girl. She is basically in pretty good shape, but the new doctor did discover a slight heart murmur. We decided to just do nothing for it at this time. The New Vet (I will get her name in my head on our next visit) assured us that unless Chelsea shows signs of tiring easily or developes a severe coughing problem or faints a lot that we don't need to worry too much. The occasional little fainting episodes that she does have COULD be associated with the murmur. If more symptoms appear there are medications that can help her so we will just see what happens.

I spent the rest of the day, trying to get stuff put away. Since out trip, I am way behind. The sprained ankle hasn't helped. By the way, it is starting to itch. I know that scars itch when they are healing but had no idea that sprains did. The foot is all sorts of different shades of red and purple.

Today I finally did get the deer hunting stuff cleaned and stowed and I put the Thanksgiving decorations away. Good thing, it is really time to start doing Christmas.

Love

Mary

Today was a success. I, as the Senior Saint contact person, had arranged for a morning prayer service followed by a presentation by Pat Hefferman, an expert from the Department on Aging at Sheboygan County, who told us in detail about the new Medicare D program. She was wonderful. There had been only one other presentation in Sheboygan Falls so, as a faith community, we had invited anyone interested through ads in the papers. We had more than 50 attendees who were full of questions. This was great because we learned a lot and now hopefully can wade through the information. Deacon Bill Jens presented a lovely prayer service touching on Advent and the coming of the Lord which was well received. I told him that I would call on him again when I do the next program for the Seniors.

We are watching a show about the Mamas and the Papas on PBS tonight. Dick just commented that back then this group and the really great groups just stood and sang. They did not nor do they now need special effects of gyrations or weird lighting. They just SANG. What a head and ear treat.

Tomorrow, Chelsea goes for her annual physical. She will be delighted with her ride. Then when we get to Dr. Z's office she runs in all enthused then turns right around and heads for the door. Poor Zero became afraid of riding in his older years because the only place he ever went was to the Vet. Chelsea loves to go for rides because she gets to go to Bobbie and Bill's or Mother's houses sometimes and once in a while, just for a ride.

An Old Farmer's Advice. Some of the items that were sent by a friend.
* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.


Enjoy Wednesday. We are going to filter some wine.

Always fun to "wine" a bit.

Mary

I have a very affectionate Kitty named Roxie on my lap as I post this Blog. It rained most of the day today and the temps were quite warm. All the way up into the low 50s. Wow. Sounds cold to the South but for Wisconsin in late November it is like spring.

Did I tell you that Bobbie and I had venison liver, bacon and fried onions for supper last night and was it EVER good. We had enough left for each of us to have a sandwich this noon too. And it was also so tasty. They guys weren't allowed to have liver. (Can you hear the sarcasm.) They ate ham and the rest of our side dishes, brussel sprouts, raw fried potatoes and cole slaw. Jim was not aware that there were raw fried potatoes. I know that he has eaten them. He thinks that it is more trouble to cook the potatoes and then fry them. It is actually just the method of cooking. And there is a difference is taste.

Today was full. I had bible study in the morning. As it is early Advent, we are into the "waiting" scriptures and are reading a lot of Isiah. He wrote a lot about the waiting for the savior. There was also a nice section of 2 Peter telling people not to get to impatient waiting for the second coming. As he points out A thousand years is like a day and a day as a thousand years to the Lord. Time means nothing to him (or her.)

Tomorrow, Pat Hefernan from the County Division on Aging is coming to Blessed Trinity at my request to speak to the seniors about Medicare D. I am interested in hearing the presentation, so that we can decide what we are going to do. I also have Deacon Bill Jens doing a prayer service before the presentation so it will hopefully be a full and interesting day for the seniors. (Including me.)

I have to pick up cookies, punch and tea on my way to church. We always have TONS of coffee so I never have to worry about that. People keep donating that.

We were talking about the homeless at bible study. Many of them don't want to come in, usually those with dependency problems because they have to remain clean while they are in shelters. Usually they will only come in during the worst of the weather. God bless them and help them. I hurt for the children who are sleeping out or in cars because Moms and Dads cannot find an enclosed shelter. I hope their guardian angels keep them from fear.

I understand that they are still gathering pets up from the hurricane ravaged areas. Wish I knew what to do to help.

Hope your week goes well. So far so good for me. My foot gets a bit better every day, but I still cannot see my bones and it is still black and blue.

Love

Mary

It was warm and rainy and foggy all day. The temperatures were in the mid 40's. Sure a change from Thanksgiving when it was 10 degrees at noon.

Bobbie and I worked a Rhine. We left at about two o'clock. There were about 10 people there but the traps had not even been set up because of the fog and there were plenty of people capable of handing out and collection for beer as these people watched the football games. Besides, my foot was getting uncomfortable.

I went to the 8AM mass this morning and visited with Mother until she was ready to to to the 10:30AM mass. I begged off of being Eucharistic Minister because it is too hard to stand for any length of time. There are plenty of "whole" people to do that.

On the way home I heard this quote on the radio. Bobbie already heard it but she will just have to read it again. I can't remember the source but it is a quote. "Men think of shopping as a response to an unseen emergency - such as Christmas."

We are now celebrating Advent, so Chistmas is looming. The time of preparation is upon us.

Love

Mary