Yesterday was exhausting. I cleaned the kitchen in the morning and then took Chelsea to see the Dr. Connors. Thing are actually a bit better with her. The fluid is gone from around her heart. She is concerned that Chelsea is still coughing so has increased one of her meds. We determined that there will be no dental work done on her. I have concerns about putting her under being as big a risk as the possibility of perhaps developing an infection in a tooth. Dr. Connors agreed with me.

Then I had lunch with Barb and Joyce at Dairy Queen. Came home and started picking things up for that bust up at Rhine. I got the salads and rolls and went out to the club to set everything up. Then at 4, Sara Behr and I drove back to the Pig and picked up the chicken. Everything went very well except that we ran out of chicken for about 6 people. Next time much more. Live and learn. We had plenty of everything else. Bill Olsen brought his famous peach cobbler and Jean Nytes brought brownies and peanut butter cookies so everybody was really well fed.

Anyway, I got home and just was exhausted.

Today was much better. I had a quiet morning until about 9:30AM. Then I went and got gas and checked and filled the air in the tires. Next I drove out to meet Jeff and Kathy to check out and do "repairs" on our sites for deer hunting next week. Jeff helped me set up in a new place, a bit easier to get too with good views in the pines. He fixed me a lovely "armchair" with a "coffee table" beside it. We were out in the Kettles for a bit over two hours. Kathy and I were able to visit and catch up. I just wish it would be that nice next week when we have to sit out ALL day. Kathy is trying to figure out how SHE is having to go out to check sites TWICE this year when she doesn't even hunt. They are stopping back at the woods next Friday with Shane when he gets in from Florida. She is taking a four week class in applique. We figure that one of these days we can have a quilting day - just visit and quilt.

Today, Dick seemed a bit subdued. I guess everything is catching up with both of us. I am drained too. I was so glad to get a couple of nice emails from Nora. It is so comforting to hear that someone out there is thinking of us. They are, of course, getting ready for the wedding at the end of the year which will, I gather, incorporate two cultures.

After lunch, I drove over to Sheboygan Falls to take Mother her medication and some potato salad. She had told me on Thursday that she only had one of her blood pressure pills left so I didn't want to delay getting them to her. We had a great discussion about the state of the world. I was able to tell her that I quote her often. Anytime a conversation goes to the building of that wall along our southern border, I remember what she says. "Haven't we learned anything from history. Think about it. The Berlin Wall. The Great Wall of China. Hadrian's Wall." What good are they. She Is a pleasure to talk to.

We talked too, about the drought in Georgia. They are literally running out of water. Mom said they will have to learn to do things MUCH differently. Perhaps outhouses will have to be reintroduced. And people will have to share bathwater. Mother used to wash more that one load in each fill of her old wringer washer too. I remember these things. I was four of five when they got water piped in to the house that wasn't pumped from the cistern in the basement and was five or six when we got the bathroom put in the house and I remember taking baths in a big basin that Mother filled with water that she heated on the stove. Hot water heaters did not exist in that house at that time either. It is amazing what we have become to accept as normal that would have been a luxury less than 100 years ago.

Actually, I learned to get along on very little water when we went out for extended camping trips. We learned to conserve, but we knew that it was for a designated time. These poor people are really up against it.

Tomorrow, except for church, I should be able to stay home ALL day. Yippee!!!!

A haiku about the walk in the woods

The sweet smell of leaves
Crushed under foot as we walk
Fills my soul with joy.


Love

Mary

This is going to be very quick. I will actually catch you up tomorrow.

I got back from Rhine Plymouth where I worked on the bust up dinner and cleaned up after everything and am very tired.

Dick is feeling pretty good. The bleeding has stopped. WHEW! He seems to be very tired but his body is still probably getting rid of drugs from Wednesday.

I will fill you in more tomorrow. I need to be asleep now.

Love

Mary

We found out a LOT today. The bleeding has mostly subsided so we are grateful for that.

We DID get in to see Dr. Herman, an urologist, at 9:10 this morning. He believes that the bleeding was a result of the catheter and his enlarged prostate. He has ordered a cystoscopy of Dick's bladder to absolutely rule out any cysts or that type of problem. This will happen on Monday afternoon. He does not believe that it is the kidney stone because it is SO small.

After we got home, I went grocery shopping and then took a nap. For some reason, I am just drained.

Then I did cleaned the bathrooms and generally policed the house. We got Dick all ready for his shower and that is all done now. The entry point for the "procedure" looks great and there is no swelling of hard spots. So that means that it is not bleeding. So now we just have to observe until Monday when he sees Dr. Herman again.

It is really funny. Dick had appointments every day this week and I have to take Chelsea to see HER doctor tomorrow.

I remember when I was about 19 on a warm summer day. I decided that as I am SO white I would try to get a suntan in the back yard. So. I got on my bathing suit and took a blanket and went out into the back yard and stretched out. I was basking in the warm sun when my brother George happened by and he asked me what I was doing. He was about 8 at the time. So I told him I was taking a sunbath. That was a BIG mistake. He immediately started howling and ran all over the place telling everybody that his sister was taking a bath WITHOUT WATER!!!

Have a nice Friday.

Love

Mary

This has been an impossibly long day. We set the alarm for 4:30AM because Dick had to register at Memorial at 6:30. So I got up, took a shower, walked Chelsea and we left. We got there on time and got him all registered. They got him all gowned and hooked up to the many things that need to be hooked up JUST in time for the team of nurses to come and take him down.

I then went to the cafeteria for breakfast. I came back up at about 9AM and settled into the lounge until they brought him back up. When I told his nurse Debbie that I was back she mentioned that there was blood in his urine. This was not a surprise as he had had that CAT yesterday to determine if there is a kidney stone causing the discomfort in his back.

When he got back up he said that Dr. Siddique said that everything went "amazingly well". This pleased Dick because in his groggy state during the procedure he had heard the doctor say "OH Shit" which was NOT reassuring. Dick mentioned that to Dr. Siddique and he laughed so it is OK.

During the morning the catheter tube seemed full of blood and not flowing so they flushed it out and got it flowing clearly again but called Dr. Sharon. We now know that there IS a kidney stone in his kidney which is probably stuck somewhere and causing problems. We now have an appointment to see Dr. Sharon next week Wednesday.

OK, proceeding on. He was much more comfortable this time because, as he promised, Dr. Siddique ordered that his bed be put on a slant and he also ordered morphine which kept him from being miserable.

I drove home at about 1:30PM when he was able to sit up to let little Chelsea out and make sure that she was OK.

At. 5:30PM or a bit after the nurses unhooked Dick from everything and stood him up to walk. Immediately he started bleeding, fortunately not from the incision. They had strained the urine so we know that there was no stone passed and assume that this is the problem. We are instructed to bring him to emergency if it gets flowing. These bloody issues seem to be clots probably caused by the stone. We HAVE to get an appointment to see a urologist tomorrow FOR SURE. Dr. Siddique said that we are to tell them we HAVE to see them tomorrow and that if we have trouble we need to call him to put the screws on.

It is really scary. I will be glad when this episode is all over. Please pray for us.

For some reason or other during the waiting times I got to thinking about our cat Small Fry that we had for a long time at the Old Red House that I grew up in. I remember when we got her, she was a little scrawny thing and we also had a big old Dalmatian named Rebel. We would let Rebel in the house at night one night he barreled downstairs and just "inhaled" that wee little kitten. My brothers panicked and chased Rebel around until he finally stopped and dropped her. She came out of his mouth mad and spitting. One of the funniest sights in the world is a wet cat and a spit wet mad kitten is really hilarious.

I need to get ready for bed. Think of us. Good thoughts and prayers are needed please.

Mary

A good day and a not so good day.

It was windy and COLD again. The wind just penetrates one's clothes and leaves one hugging oneself to try to keep warm.

We got to the Clinic in Plymouth at 8AM. Good thing. Dick got his blood test which showed the CATScan people what THEY had to know and lets Dr. Siddique know that he is OK for the "procedure" tomorrow.

The CATScan went as planned. Dick said it was relatively easy and took only about 20 minutes so we were able to move on to the Sheboygan Clinic for his appointment with Dr. Hodous. I think I mentioned the blister that has appeared above the open callous on his left foot. Well, it is not good. I was right to have him see Dr. Hodous early. He cleaned it up and prescribed an antibiotic in case there is any infection. He took a swab to verify the fact. I felt so bad. I really thought that we were on top of things. Dr. Hodous assured me that any open sore like that invites trouble and that it can flare very easily but I still feel bad and wonder if there is any thing else I should be doing.

When we got home, I fixed lunch and we did some Quicken work.

Dick went down for a nap at about 2 and I headed out for a haircut. I am grateful that I found a hairdresser in Plymouth that does a really nice job of cutting it. I had Maria for so long but don't want to have to go into Sheboygan for more than is necessary.

Dick called from Madison tonight to let his Dad know that "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!" is on tonight. We visited for a while. "Dad" asked Dick when they would be arriving on Thanksgiving and it was pointed out that we don't know what time dinner is planned for this year. It is the decision of the host each year and Jim and Michelle have not announced the details as yet. I am sure that it will be forthcoming. After all it is still a bit over two weeks away.

This past week was pretty good for me in my Fantasy Football league. I tied with Jeff for second place and moved back into 15th place. That may not sound impressive to you but I started off with the very worst week and have been slowly working my way up. Then last week I blew it. So this was really a coup. Actually, my goal is to WIN one week. We will see.

Tomorrow will be a very LONG day. We have to be at Sheboygan Memorial at 6:30AM and probably I will be able to bring Dick home at about 6PM. I will stay except for a two hour stretch shortly after lunch when I will come home and walk Chelsea and make sure that she is OK.

Pray for us.

Love

Mary

It was cold and the wind was fierce today. It just ripped through jackets and clothes and made me very cold every time that I had to be out. Chelsea does not mind it. She took forever to do her stuff this afternoon. I took forever to get warmed up again.

Dick's back is still bothering him, so he called and was able to see Dr. Sharon at 11:30AM. So. I stopped in at Mother's BEFORE bible study. We had a nice visit. She told me another story about her childhood. I will write it up and tell you about it sometime. Then I went over to bible study.

We had lively discussions. The Old Testament reading was from Maccabees about the woman with the seven sons who were all tortured and killed because they would not eat pork which was against the law of Abraham. Those Old Testament stories are really gory. We decided that not much has changed. People are still cruel. You still hear of atrocities by people to other people.
We wonder how things like the Holocaust, the killing fields can happen. People turn away and say it is not their problem OR they are afraid. Not everybody will die for a belief and life is not an easy thing to throw away. Then Joe mentioned something about people demanding an eye for and eye. I quoted. "An eye for and eye, until everyone is blind." He had never heard it and found it wonderful. I heard it in an old Irish song. Though I know other traditions mention this too. Someone has to be the first to forgive.

It was also interesting that the Maccabees reading speaks of afterlife and the Resurrection of the dead. Jewish people did not always believe in life after death.

Dr. Sharon has recommended a CT scan for Dick to see if ther is possible a kidney stone. That is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Then we have to go to Sheboygan to see Dr. Hodous for his feet. Wednesday is the procedure with Dr. Siddique. This is turning out to be a "one step at a time" week.

Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth meeting. We put up nominations for three board members, President and Secretary. No one has come forward to be secretary. I will not volunteer for this or anything other that being on the food committee until Dick is better. I am spread too thin now. They now have it in their pea brains that a "woman" has to do it. Before Bobbie, Sara and I joined , the men did it all.


1. If you migrate to this county, you must speak the native language.
2. You have to be a professional or an investor. No unskilled workers allowed.
3. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools, no special
ballots for elections, all government business will be conducted in our
language.
4. Foreigners will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.
5. Foreigners will NEVER be able to hold political office.
6. Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs.
7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount equal to 40,000
times the daily minimum wage.
8. If foreigners do come and want to buy land that will be okay, BUT options will
be restricted. You are not allowed waterfront property. That is reserved for
citizens naturally born into this country.
9. Foreigners may not protest; no demonstrations, no waving a foreign flag, no
political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies, if you do you
will be sent home.
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be hunted down and sent straight
to jail.

Harsh, you say? The above laws happen to be the immigration laws of Mexico!

I think the above is interesting. I still say - I have no problem with immigrants BUT they must be legal. Illegal immigrants should have NO right to our benefits. They should not be allowed drivers licenses, education or social security benefits. We MUST treat them humanely and be as kind as possible. but they ARE NOT CITIZENS.

Love
Mary

I'm starting early tonight because I am very tired. Daylight savings time started this morning and Dick managed to keep Chelsea away from me until the "new" 6AM which is a minor miracle in itself. We had a very nice walk though walking in that dusky light is difficult for picking up "you know what". It was misting a bit too but was not cold and I did not get wet.

I went to the 8AM Mass. The folk choir was singing. They sang As I Go Down to the Water to Pray, which I dearly love. I sing it when I am walking or alone in the car to myself. The first reading was from the book of Wisdom. The reading says that in the eyes of God the WHOLE universe is as a grain of sand or as a drop of dew upon the earth. Pretty insubstantial. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out the we also need to remember that we were made BY God and that in itself makes us kind of special AND if we believe - Jesus died for us and that can make us REALLY special. Humility AND trust. A good combination.

Bobbie and I worked at Rhine today. It was DEAD. The Packer game was on. Bobbie left early because it WAS so dead and WHY NOT. I stayed until the end of the game and helped count the money. What a game. They won. But I guess you guessed that even if you are not a Packer fan. (Hard to believe.) I really enjoyed watching it with my Rhine Plymouth friends.

ALSO, I asked Doc to go down to the rifle range and we sighted in my 20 gauge for deer hunting. I now know that the sights are off and cannot be adjusted and that I need to aim a bit up and to the right. I was very relieved to know that it wasn't me. After Doc tried and hit right about where I was hitting, we knew it was the gun. Now, when I go out to check my spot, I won't have to carry the gun. Just get my spot ready.

Dick and I had a pastie for supper with veggies and salad. NUM NUM.

Dick still has his sore throat AND his backache. He will try to get an appointment with Dr. Sharon tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and an infection in his system could be the end of that. Pray please. Delaying just makes this whole healing process drag on even longer.

Tomorrow Bible Study and Rhine Plymouth meeting. Doc is sad because Bobbie is going to drop out of the club for a year. She had told me that. With her retirement, she wants to settle in and get herself and Bill all used to not working together. Not a bad idea. But Doc is very sad. I hope that she does decide to come back. We always had fun there.

Take care and enjoy your week.

Love

Mary