That darn Chelsea woke me up at 5:30AM again. Dick was sleeping again so I got up and took her out. Actually with the temps at about 46 and nobody else out it made a really pleasant walk. We saw lots of bunnies this morning and heard a lot of birds singing. At that temperature there are not so many mosquitoes to dodge when we cut through the woods and over the railroad track to get home. I started watering right away. We are supposed to stay dry until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. Just in time for the 4th of July
That won't bother us much actually. We are planning on frying out with Jim and Michelle and eating salads and ice cream cones, but I am sure we can manage.
The rest of day was really quiet and nice. I just caught up on a lot of phone calls, paper work and miscellaneous chores around here.
I did quite a bit of writing this morning too.
Tomorrow I am going to West Bend to celebrate Fr. Mike Moran's 25th year as a priest. I prepared a basket for him for a present. It is a lovely basket and I put in it: a bottle of our wine, the Gewertziminer, a loaf of fresh banana bread and a copy of my book. I did find a very appropriate card for him too. Dick and Mom were supposed to go to but Dick is not feeling read for that with his leg and all and Mother decided that it would be just too much. I can see that. She was just exhausted after the three hours we spent at the Bachmann picnic and this would be considerably longer with a long drive home afterwards. Gloria and Dottie Ziesel are going to ride with me though so I won't be alone and I know several people from St. Mary's are going.
Tonight I am watching A Prairie Home Companion (the movie). It is nice. Very Garrison and that makes it good for me. It even has an Angel of Death in it.
Angels are wonderful creatures. Over the centuries, they have brought messages from God, saved people from harm and generally just been there for our children. I often thanked God for my children's angels. How else could they have grown up.
Summer
Hovers so gently
Tender balm for our souls
Take the time to love each other
Softly.
Love
Mary
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
It was almost cold when Chelsea and I went for our walk this morning. Of course, the little bitch, woke me up at 5:30AM. It was 46 when we walked.
Dick was sleeping. Actually, Dick had the best night of sleep that he has had in probably a year or more. I got up as soon as the girl started bugging me so as not to wake him and figured that Dick would be awake when we got back. But he wasn't.
I let him sleep until almost 7:30PM when I HAD to get him up because we had to be in Sheboygan for his blood test. The thinness one. His count was perfect 260 it is supposed to be between 200 and 300. We have to go back next week anyway because of the antibiotics that he is taking. We have to see the meds throw it off.
While we were in town, we picked up two more pair of the thigh length stockings for him.
When we got home I had a couple of hours before I picked Mom up for her eye test. We stopped at my cousin Brian's house on the way there to get my ring and the chains that I had him repair. I always have trouble finding their house. But we finally did and Mom got to visit a bit with Brian. Then we went to Dr. Larson's for her yearly eye test. She passed with flying colors and unless there is some change that she notices doesn't have to go back for another year. Boy was she glad. We found out that actually her sight has improved somewhat since she had the cataract surgery. I mean in addition to the immediate improvement.
When I got home, I spent the afternoon watering plants and gardens and getting Dick's legs massaged and treated.
Mom and I talked about the books that I got her in Galena (one on Victorian Entertaining and one on Victorian Etiquette.) They had such strict rules for these times, especially the upper classes. Then Mom and I started remembering that we too had lots of rules of dress and etiquette when I was growing up and SURELY when she was. When I was young, a woman would never leave the house socially or for business (including shopping) without a clean dress AND a hat. When I was young and even past high school, we always wore dresses to church AND we wore a hat AND we wore gloves that matched the outfit. When I moved out to California I still had several pairs of gloves and hats. They were already becoming much more liberal.
Then Mom remembered a time when Grandpa sent Uncle Noel to the feed barn for a bag of feed. He tied it onto the running board (remember them) and it fell as they went around a corner, split and spread all over the road. They picked it up the best they could and went home. Later, someone who saw it told Grandpa that "Noel was going pretty fast." Grandpa did not take kindly to criticism of his kids and told the man "Maybe he was in a hurry.'
Have a Nice weekend. Pray for rain.
Maybe Oklahoma and Texas could send us some. I am sure they would LOVE to.
Mary
Dick was sleeping. Actually, Dick had the best night of sleep that he has had in probably a year or more. I got up as soon as the girl started bugging me so as not to wake him and figured that Dick would be awake when we got back. But he wasn't.
I let him sleep until almost 7:30PM when I HAD to get him up because we had to be in Sheboygan for his blood test. The thinness one. His count was perfect 260 it is supposed to be between 200 and 300. We have to go back next week anyway because of the antibiotics that he is taking. We have to see the meds throw it off.
While we were in town, we picked up two more pair of the thigh length stockings for him.
When we got home I had a couple of hours before I picked Mom up for her eye test. We stopped at my cousin Brian's house on the way there to get my ring and the chains that I had him repair. I always have trouble finding their house. But we finally did and Mom got to visit a bit with Brian. Then we went to Dr. Larson's for her yearly eye test. She passed with flying colors and unless there is some change that she notices doesn't have to go back for another year. Boy was she glad. We found out that actually her sight has improved somewhat since she had the cataract surgery. I mean in addition to the immediate improvement.
When I got home, I spent the afternoon watering plants and gardens and getting Dick's legs massaged and treated.
Mom and I talked about the books that I got her in Galena (one on Victorian Entertaining and one on Victorian Etiquette.) They had such strict rules for these times, especially the upper classes. Then Mom and I started remembering that we too had lots of rules of dress and etiquette when I was growing up and SURELY when she was. When I was young, a woman would never leave the house socially or for business (including shopping) without a clean dress AND a hat. When I was young and even past high school, we always wore dresses to church AND we wore a hat AND we wore gloves that matched the outfit. When I moved out to California I still had several pairs of gloves and hats. They were already becoming much more liberal.
Then Mom remembered a time when Grandpa sent Uncle Noel to the feed barn for a bag of feed. He tied it onto the running board (remember them) and it fell as they went around a corner, split and spread all over the road. They picked it up the best they could and went home. Later, someone who saw it told Grandpa that "Noel was going pretty fast." Grandpa did not take kindly to criticism of his kids and told the man "Maybe he was in a hurry.'
Have a Nice weekend. Pray for rain.
Maybe Oklahoma and Texas could send us some. I am sure they would LOVE to.
Mary
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Started the morning off with a very nice walk with Chelsea. She took a bit of a short cut again. I don't think she thinks of them as short cuts - just a little different way to travel. She is quite the little adventuress you know. It was rather quiet. We only saw one other walker, an older lady with a cane that we see quite often. Nothing like yesterday when it was like rush hour. Lots of singing birds and we saw several rabbits. The rabbits are getting bolder as we come by. I think they realize that we present no danger so they wait until we are just about on top of them before they move into the woods.
When I checked Dick's foot this morning, we found that that troublesome callous was bleeding so I had him call Dr. Sharon and he was able to fit us in just before noon. He changed the antibiotic and made an appointment for Dick to see Dr. Ghandi who is a wound specialist and may be able to help. I was reassured when he said that bleeding is not necessarily a bad thing because at least it means that blood is getting TO the area. Dick seems to feel a bit better tonight already. Maybe it is the new medicine or maybe just because we have a "plan". Relief can be a useful healing tool.
This afternoon, I picked Mother up at about 2:30 and we went to Pete and Verena Bachmann's home for the annual party that they throw for the seniors of Blessed Trinity and other senior groups in Sheboygan Falls. This is the second year that I have gone. I probably wouldn't have gone this year but I ran into Pete and Verena at an Irish Program at the Plymouth Art Center and Verena said that she was expecting me to come. So I told her that I would bring Mother. We had an excellent time. Good company, card games and wonderful food. Pete was giving away basil plants. I have one on the deck but took one to put in the garden in the back at the "bottom" of my yard. The lavender, oregano, lemon balm and thyme are doing well so I have hope for the basil.
Now I am home and listening to the democratic candidates debating. Maybe I can learn something. They are covering a LOT of questions and have a lot of answers. Some are doing the Lil Abner shuffle and some have some pretty good ideas. As far as education, they should listen to the ideas that I have had for years and if we had proper education it would solve MUCH of the AIDs issue.
Obama said that people are not looking for charity. I agree with this on the whole. Most core Americans just want to be part of the solution and have their piece of the pie. As in every society there are the grasshoppers who feel that the world OWES them a piece of the pie without a trade of of time, or talent or effort. But most people just want to receive their due and want their due to be enough to keep them fed and clothed and housed and to be able to raise and educate their children and retire with some comfort and freedom when they have accomplished these things.
Have a great Friday and slide easily into the weekend.
Love
Mary
When I checked Dick's foot this morning, we found that that troublesome callous was bleeding so I had him call Dr. Sharon and he was able to fit us in just before noon. He changed the antibiotic and made an appointment for Dick to see Dr. Ghandi who is a wound specialist and may be able to help. I was reassured when he said that bleeding is not necessarily a bad thing because at least it means that blood is getting TO the area. Dick seems to feel a bit better tonight already. Maybe it is the new medicine or maybe just because we have a "plan". Relief can be a useful healing tool.
This afternoon, I picked Mother up at about 2:30 and we went to Pete and Verena Bachmann's home for the annual party that they throw for the seniors of Blessed Trinity and other senior groups in Sheboygan Falls. This is the second year that I have gone. I probably wouldn't have gone this year but I ran into Pete and Verena at an Irish Program at the Plymouth Art Center and Verena said that she was expecting me to come. So I told her that I would bring Mother. We had an excellent time. Good company, card games and wonderful food. Pete was giving away basil plants. I have one on the deck but took one to put in the garden in the back at the "bottom" of my yard. The lavender, oregano, lemon balm and thyme are doing well so I have hope for the basil.
Now I am home and listening to the democratic candidates debating. Maybe I can learn something. They are covering a LOT of questions and have a lot of answers. Some are doing the Lil Abner shuffle and some have some pretty good ideas. As far as education, they should listen to the ideas that I have had for years and if we had proper education it would solve MUCH of the AIDs issue.
Obama said that people are not looking for charity. I agree with this on the whole. Most core Americans just want to be part of the solution and have their piece of the pie. As in every society there are the grasshoppers who feel that the world OWES them a piece of the pie without a trade of of time, or talent or effort. But most people just want to receive their due and want their due to be enough to keep them fed and clothed and housed and to be able to raise and educate their children and retire with some comfort and freedom when they have accomplished these things.
Have a great Friday and slide easily into the weekend.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
This was a strange day. Dick has not felt too well. He is extremely tired and keeps sleeping for two hour stretches off and on. We wonder if it is a reaction to the antibiotics. The recurrent pains in his leg seem to be worse. At least they are much worse than they were a couple of weeks ago. We don't know why. Perhaps it is in direct relationship to better circulation. The callous is not looking good. We must give the antibiotics a couple of days to work before we panic. Tonight when I did the leg massage the ankle seemed a bit smaller. I hope that is not just my hoping that it will be. Tomorrow, morning when we do the WHOLE process, including shower and wash, perhaps we will be able to tell.
I ended up doing the grocery shopping alone. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. And I miss our getting out for breakfast together. Usually we just go to Mc Donalds or the Shoppes on Mill street, but it is kind of a date, and I missed that.
I watered EVERYTHING today. The rain we were promised never came and it got much hotter than the weather people said it would. My plants and the yard are looking quite well so I am doing something right.
This afternoon I had to pop over to the post office so I stopped to the Sewing Basket to pick up thread for the assembly of the other quilt top that I have ready to put together. I brought a picture of my Kitty/Puppy quilt (I left the quilt at Mother's the other day, you know.) and they liked it a lot. One of the gals said that I should be sure to put it in the quilt show for the Guild. Now, Do I rejoin the Guild? I am not sure that I want to be a member of ANYTHING right now.
I remember an incident that occurred on a jeep run many years ago. My friend Mary Ellen Kirby brought a parasail that she borrowed from a friend of hers. We hooked it up to the back of a jeep on a long long dirt road. I got talked in to being the guinea pig and actually was the only one that DID get up because we ran out of time.
So we hooked me up in the harness and spread the chute behind me and the whole mess to the back of the jeep. Then Mary Ellen took off down the road and some friends held up the chute to catch the wind AND I RAN. It worked. The chute caught the wind and pulled me right up into the sky. I cannot describe the peace and beauty when one is flying above the earth. The desert was gorgeous. It went on, as they say, forever. And it was SO quiet. I literally started laughing just from the pure joy of it. Such a disappointment to have to settle back to earth.
This was the REAL unknown. We didn't know anything about how the landing would be but I just floated to the ground. The chute made the descent quite easy. I did a bit of a tumble when i actually touched down. Told Mary Ellen to stop a bit quicker the next time.
I would go again in a heartbeat. I don't think I have ever been so free.
Love
Mary
I ended up doing the grocery shopping alone. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. And I miss our getting out for breakfast together. Usually we just go to Mc Donalds or the Shoppes on Mill street, but it is kind of a date, and I missed that.
I watered EVERYTHING today. The rain we were promised never came and it got much hotter than the weather people said it would. My plants and the yard are looking quite well so I am doing something right.
This afternoon I had to pop over to the post office so I stopped to the Sewing Basket to pick up thread for the assembly of the other quilt top that I have ready to put together. I brought a picture of my Kitty/Puppy quilt (I left the quilt at Mother's the other day, you know.) and they liked it a lot. One of the gals said that I should be sure to put it in the quilt show for the Guild. Now, Do I rejoin the Guild? I am not sure that I want to be a member of ANYTHING right now.
I remember an incident that occurred on a jeep run many years ago. My friend Mary Ellen Kirby brought a parasail that she borrowed from a friend of hers. We hooked it up to the back of a jeep on a long long dirt road. I got talked in to being the guinea pig and actually was the only one that DID get up because we ran out of time.
So we hooked me up in the harness and spread the chute behind me and the whole mess to the back of the jeep. Then Mary Ellen took off down the road and some friends held up the chute to catch the wind AND I RAN. It worked. The chute caught the wind and pulled me right up into the sky. I cannot describe the peace and beauty when one is flying above the earth. The desert was gorgeous. It went on, as they say, forever. And it was SO quiet. I literally started laughing just from the pure joy of it. Such a disappointment to have to settle back to earth.
This was the REAL unknown. We didn't know anything about how the landing would be but I just floated to the ground. The chute made the descent quite easy. I did a bit of a tumble when i actually touched down. Told Mary Ellen to stop a bit quicker the next time.
I would go again in a heartbeat. I don't think I have ever been so free.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
What a day. It was HOT. I went to Hunters Glen early, at about 8AM to do my trimming before the heat really settled in. I got the junipers and the Korean Lilac trimmed and swept the deck and trimmed the honeysuckle. The honeysuckle is beautiful but was really taking over the deck and looking shabby. I also swept out the garage which was getting pretty scuzzy. It still could be spruced up a bit but looks much neater.
Bobbie and Bill planted beautiful purple petunias and chartreuse potato vine in the planter in front of the house. It looks so beautiful. I am so grateful. I wanted to do something but have not been able to commit the time to keep it watered and trimmed. Thank you Bobbie again.
I was at Walgreens TWICE today. I am beginning to feel that I live either there or at the Clinic. This morning, on the way home, I picked up a prescription that had been delayed yesterday because they had to get Sue to approve it. Then when I got home I called Dr. Hodous about Dick's callous. He decided to prescribe antibiotics so I had to go back this afternoon for them. While I was there, I picked up a card for Fr. Mike Moran for his 25th Anniversary as a priest on Sunday and Mom's Centrum Silver. I also swung by the bank and did a bit of business.
After I got home, Chelsea pulled her usual pesty stuff of wanting to go out four times before she really got down to business. However, she lucked out this time. I saw something on the street and was about to go pick it up (thinking it was trash as today WAS trash day) when it started scooting across the road. It was a turtle. So I ran in and got my camera an took some pictures. I will send you one. I do love seeing nature things and then I am not so irritated with Chelsea. She does wear me out though. As Dick says, when I finish doing chores and sit down to rest, she figures that I am not doing anything so I might as well do something for her.
Anyway. I got some pictures of the turtle. He was not too thrilled with me being there and tried to retreat into his shell at one point. But I snapped a few and then let him go on his way - towards water, I assume.
Now the day is almost done. I need to doctor and wrap Dicks feet and then help him get his thigh highs on and will be finished for the day.
We had meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy for supper with a lime jello salad that has cucumbers, green onions, cream cheese and mayonese in it. I loved it. Dick was not so thrilled. It will be refreshing for the next hot days.
Try to keep cool and be safe. Think of Leslie, making her very first airplane flight. Alone too. She must love Bill very much.
Love
Mary
Bobbie and Bill planted beautiful purple petunias and chartreuse potato vine in the planter in front of the house. It looks so beautiful. I am so grateful. I wanted to do something but have not been able to commit the time to keep it watered and trimmed. Thank you Bobbie again.
I was at Walgreens TWICE today. I am beginning to feel that I live either there or at the Clinic. This morning, on the way home, I picked up a prescription that had been delayed yesterday because they had to get Sue to approve it. Then when I got home I called Dr. Hodous about Dick's callous. He decided to prescribe antibiotics so I had to go back this afternoon for them. While I was there, I picked up a card for Fr. Mike Moran for his 25th Anniversary as a priest on Sunday and Mom's Centrum Silver. I also swung by the bank and did a bit of business.
After I got home, Chelsea pulled her usual pesty stuff of wanting to go out four times before she really got down to business. However, she lucked out this time. I saw something on the street and was about to go pick it up (thinking it was trash as today WAS trash day) when it started scooting across the road. It was a turtle. So I ran in and got my camera an took some pictures. I will send you one. I do love seeing nature things and then I am not so irritated with Chelsea. She does wear me out though. As Dick says, when I finish doing chores and sit down to rest, she figures that I am not doing anything so I might as well do something for her.
Anyway. I got some pictures of the turtle. He was not too thrilled with me being there and tried to retreat into his shell at one point. But I snapped a few and then let him go on his way - towards water, I assume.
Now the day is almost done. I need to doctor and wrap Dicks feet and then help him get his thigh highs on and will be finished for the day.
We had meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy for supper with a lime jello salad that has cucumbers, green onions, cream cheese and mayonese in it. I loved it. Dick was not so thrilled. It will be refreshing for the next hot days.
Try to keep cool and be safe. Think of Leslie, making her very first airplane flight. Alone too. She must love Bill very much.
Love
Mary
I forgot to post last night, decided to let you know this morning. I will not write much but will let you know that we are OK. Just church and stuff around here yesterday. Dick's leg is still swollen. The therapist thinks we should continue as we are until tomorrow and see if there is any improvement.
I am going out to the house today to trim bushes. Hope I don't get eaten up alive by mosquitoes like in those horror movies. I guess these aren't resistant to insect repellent though.
Mary
I am going out to the house today to trim bushes. Hope I don't get eaten up alive by mosquitoes like in those horror movies. I guess these aren't resistant to insect repellent though.
Mary
Sunday, June 24, 2007
I went out twice today ( not counting Chelsea and my walk). First I went to Mass at 8AM. This morning I was a Eucharistic Minister, which is always satisfying. I still find it amazing that I can be the one giving the bread or wine that are the body and blood of Jesus to my fellow parishioners. I never get over how wonderful that is.
Fr. Van Beeck was really "on" this morning as today was the Feast of St. John the Baptist, our patron saint. He pointed out something in the gospel that I had not noticed before. When St. John the Baptist was born, the NEIGHBORS came over on the 8Th day to do the circumcision and to name him. They assumed his name would be Zacharia after his father and were SHOCKED when Elizabeth said that his name would be John. What the heck is that? The neighbors had that responsibility. Wonder what we would do now, if the neighbors came over after we had a baby to name it and baptize or circumcise it. HMMM?
The rest of the day was spent finishing the quilt. You saw the picture on the blog. (If you did not, look below as I posted it earlier.) I am so pleased. Pleased that it does look nice and pleased that it is done. I feel like the A Team. "I love it when a plan comes together."
Tomorrow, is bible study unless I end up having to take Dick in to the doctor. His leg is no better and is causing him some discomfort. Such a discouraging turn of events. We were so hopeful last week.
Last night was difficult as Dick kept getting up and down and was breathing hard. I told him, that when we get these legs squared away, he has to go back to a sleep clinic to see what else his problem s are besides sleep apnea (which we do have under control. with the sleep machine.) I really need more sleep too.
A Haiku
I wish I could fly
It's quiet above the trees
Once I WAS up there.
Love
Mary
Fr. Van Beeck was really "on" this morning as today was the Feast of St. John the Baptist, our patron saint. He pointed out something in the gospel that I had not noticed before. When St. John the Baptist was born, the NEIGHBORS came over on the 8Th day to do the circumcision and to name him. They assumed his name would be Zacharia after his father and were SHOCKED when Elizabeth said that his name would be John. What the heck is that? The neighbors had that responsibility. Wonder what we would do now, if the neighbors came over after we had a baby to name it and baptize or circumcise it. HMMM?
The rest of the day was spent finishing the quilt. You saw the picture on the blog. (If you did not, look below as I posted it earlier.) I am so pleased. Pleased that it does look nice and pleased that it is done. I feel like the A Team. "I love it when a plan comes together."
Tomorrow, is bible study unless I end up having to take Dick in to the doctor. His leg is no better and is causing him some discomfort. Such a discouraging turn of events. We were so hopeful last week.
Last night was difficult as Dick kept getting up and down and was breathing hard. I told him, that when we get these legs squared away, he has to go back to a sleep clinic to see what else his problem s are besides sleep apnea (which we do have under control. with the sleep machine.) I really need more sleep too.
A Haiku
I wish I could fly
It's quiet above the trees
Once I WAS up there.
Love
Mary
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