I have a poem for you. I don't know if it means much to you but is is part of my tangled thoughts.

The fragile heroes
Each day the demons haunt their souls
Kisses won't heal them

Another beautiful day. Chelsea and I started off with our walk. It was nice. No wind. Little ice. But we did not go out of Tallgrass after our adventure with the ice yesterday.

I left for Rhine Plymouth at about 8AM. We were the host club for the high school trap shooters. It was busy. I know we were sending out about 50 squads which is 250 rounds (some of them shoot twice) We were hopping. I was behind the bar with Jimmy Schirmer and Rachel Kroeplien. We serve no alcohol until the high school shoot is over. But with all those teenagers, soda, donuts and tacos went like crazy. I left at about noon and think they were a bit over half way through.

We were about an hour into the shoot when the power went out. We checked the breakers but of course, knew that if EVERYTHING went out it had to be bigger than that. Here we were with about 100 kids waiting to shoot and no way to run the traps. Jim called somebody and within a half an hour three generators were on site and started just about the time the power came back on. Our calls to Wisconsin Power and Light got the message that "They were working on the problem." No problems the rest of the day. It is certainly good to see all these beautiful, intelligent, NICE young people and to have them interested in keeping the sport of trap going.

We had leftovers for dinner. I mixed green onion and a bit of Worcester sauce into some leftover hamburger and fried that up in patties with the leftover noodles from the St John's Fish Fry with a nice salad. I went on a bread making binge. I made a Guinness Bread that I can take with some brown bread to the Tea tomorrow and put a French Bread that has always been a great success into the bread machine down stairs. The Guinness Bread is scrumptious. The French Bread sank like a ROCK and is a weird flat bread that will probably have to be thrown away. What a disappointment.

This is the beginning of the Irish weekend. Tomorrow, Kate, Toni and I are going to the Tea and if Jeff and Kathy come down I MAY go to see a bit of Blarney on Sunday evening. Monday of course, is the day and Wednesday is a program at Mead Public Library to wind it all down. May your days be happy.
Mary

May the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside, Light on the inside.
With God's sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.
May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in the window,
Welcoming the weary traveller.
May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you,
Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul
With the sweetness of litte flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God's earth be on you,
And as you walk the roads,
May you always have a kind word for those you meet.
May you understand the strength and power of God.
In a thunderstorm in Winter, And the quiet beauty of creation,
In the calm of a Summer sunset, And may you come to realize,
that, insignificant as you may seem in this great Universe,
You are an important part of God's plan.
May he watch over you and keep you safe from harm.
Words and Music By Phil Coulter, narration by Roma Downey

Today was a full day. Chelsea and I had a nice long walk. We even went through a bit of the park but I think we will wait a while before we try that again. That early in the morning it is still cold enough that there are icy patches on the sidewalks around the park. So we need to wait a bit. But she was a happy little girl. I do know that near the end of long walks she is starting to sit down and catch her breath. Poor old girl.

We left for Sheboygan at about 10:30AM so I could go to the Blood Center and give my pint. We got a "skin plug" when they tried in the right arm so they switched to the left. Then because I had what the technician called "twins", I got a prize. I have another Tshirt and it is really cool. It is a 2XL but I am going to try to make it smaller. The technician said that she has done that with Tshirts. Nothing to lose.

Next stop was Sheboygan Memorial where we sent directly to the cafeteria for lunch. They had mac and cheese so we had that. Then we went up to Dr. Siddique and he did two veins in the upper right leg. So far Dick feels OK but the leg is still numb. I hope this does not hurt as badly as the week before last. Well, he has two weeks to heal now before we start again.

We got fish fries from St. John's tonight. They do have great fish. It is rather odd that they serve noodles with it but each to his own and we will have them for dinner or lunch tomorrow. They do heat up nicely.

Dick should be in his glory. I intend to make Macaroni and Cheese this week too. It is the week for the second of the 4 ABC Good Morning America anchor's favorite Mac and Cheeses. I do like to say on schedule, even if I am the one who MADE the schedule.

On the news the other day, it showed that the deserts in southern California were in full bloom. With the extra rain they have had, it is an exceptionally beautiful year for them. When I lived there we would sometimes go out to the Mojave high desert in the spring to experience them. My inlaws had a friend out there. They actually had a celebration of the blooming plants. Did you know that there are desert areas with dry pond areas that have fish that actually only live every so many years when there IS enough water to hatch the eggs and begin the cycle. The desert is really a beautiful place, even when it is not in bloom.


Love

Mary

Do you believe that it got up to 48 degrees today? I threatened to open all the doors and windows but was overruled by the chilly guy that lives with me.

I did some cleaning today, the living room and the bathrooms upstairs. Then I had to go to the dentist. I have had a tooth sensitive to cold and heat. Dr. White is pretty sure that the nerve is just exposed. He sealed it with a temporary seal and if that helps he will put a more permenent seal on it. There is no sign of infection or decay and that is certainly a relief.

I also went to the DNR and picked up my hunting licenses for the year. So a lot was accomplished.

Chelsea got her bath today too. I really hesitated because the snow and ground are so scuzzy with mud and muck and that greasy black oily stuff. But she was gray from the tip of her fur all the way in to her pink little skin. I think the bath really took a lot out of her. She has been pretty subdued all day. But she is clean and pretty as a picture.

We have found a new channel on TV called METV out of Milwaukee. There is no printed or TV Schedule but we have chanced upon Cheers, Alfred Hitchcock, Mary Tyler Moore. So it has been fun.

Jeff called me this afternoon. He and Kathy are coming to walk in the parade with us and he MAY come on Sunday to listen to Blarney. I am excited about Monday's parade. I may attend the Tea at the Art Center on Sunday too. If Jeff comes on Sunday or if Nancy Roehre wants to, I will go to listen to Blarney for a bit too.

Now that it winter is kind of winding down, I will share a poem I wrote in the coldest months about our old red house and how cold it was in the mornings of winter.

Love

Mary

Our Kitchen

by Mary J. Kunert

The fire in the old coal furnace
In the old farm house
Barely lasted until dawn,
Winter being what it is.
Poor Mother had to get up in the cold
And trek down to the basement
To throw more coal on the ashes.
Then she shut the doors to the kitchen
And lit the oven.
We, her munchkins, woke one by one,
Left the cozy caves of our quilt topped beds
And stumbled down the stairs
To the warm cocoon that she had prepared.
We huddled, all of us, in that place
Eating our breakfast and drinking hot chocolate
Until the newly stoked fire sent its fingers of warmth
Through the house and we could again
Venture forth.

Today was shopping day. I got up at about 6 and walked Chelsea. When we were all ready we drove to the Family Restaurant for breakfast and then on to the Pig for our weekly spree.

We got a little bit of a late start today and were not home until almost 10AM. Dick took his nap and I worked on things for the Spring Fling and sorted out my desk.

At 1AM we had to be at the Plymouth Clinic for Dick's ultrasound on his leg. The nurse said it looked fine to her and the circulation seems pretty good. That is good news.

I took a bit of a nap when we got home, then went to pick up Market Day at St John's.

Now I am really tired.

On a game show, they asked what percentage of 100 women had died their husband's underwear pink. I figured it must be a pretty big one, because years ago I got a shop rag mixed in with my ex's underwear and it turned out a beautiful color pink. And do you know, that does not bleach out? It takes forever to wash out too. Needless to say, my mechanic ex husband was not a happy camper.


Hope you have a good Thursday. I have to go to the dentist. I have a tooth that is reacting to cold and heat. Hope it is nothing.

Mary

It was much warmer today. I believe it went over 40. Snow is melting and I have hope that the ice will be gone from the roof tomorrow. The edges of the grassy area are all melted and are muddy and icky. Even Chelsea doesn't like it. She keeps trying to lead me to places where she does not get muddy feet.

We had to be at the Clinic in Sheboygan at 9AM at the Anti Coagulation clinic. Everything is OK for Friday. He is right where he should be and we now have two weeks off as Dr. Siddique will be gone on vacation for the next two weeks. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to not going to a doctor or test three times a week. We got home just in time to unwind for a half an hour then I had an appointment with my eye doctor.

It was my annual. My eyes are healthy, thank God, but I do need a stronger prescription. We are using some old frames so except for the fact that THEY were so busy, it went well.

I got my hair cut this afternoon too. Now I am set for another six weeks.

We had Chili for supper again. Boy did that turn out good. I now will freeze some and leave enough out for another meal or two.

Tomorrow will also be busy but - guess what - I have NOTHING scheduled at all for Thursday. I intend to stay home ALL day. I may not even shower. But I might have to. Chelsea may get her bath that day if it is still warm. I know with the melting snow she will not stay clean but she is really dirty and even starting to smell kind of dirty. AND I want her washed before Easter.

Here is an Irish Proverb that relates to bread. I kind of liked it and am putting it in a recipe book the Sheboygan County Celtic Women are preparing for the International Spring Fling.

Have a nice rest as I hope I will.

Rye Bread will do you good,
Barley Bread will do you no harm,
Wheaten Bread will sweeten your blood,
Oaten Bread will strengthen your arm.

Love

Mary

Monday all day. It was a busy one. When I woke up it was only 7 degrees. SO Cheslea and I did not go too far. However, as we were coming around the corner of Tallgrass we ran into one of our regular walkers, Tim. We had not seen him since, I'll wager, December. So I greeted him happily and said "It has been a LONG COLD Winter." And he agreed wholeheartedly.

Went to bible study. There were 5 of us there this morning. I will not be there next week because it will be St. Patrick's Day. They said they will stumble along without me. I know they do not need me there but they seem to like it when I am. Ione was such a dear today, she brought me a St. Patrick's Day gift. Two pair of Irish Sox and a lovely shamrock pin. Isn't that nice. Helen Maurer had been having terrible pain in her hip. We have all been praying for her. She got a cortisone shot just before a family wedding and it worked SO well. Such faith. She says it is the prayers, which we all did for her. She knows it is not permanent but we are opting for a year of no pain.

Stopped at Mother's after Bible Study and brought her some chili. She was all ready to go play cards with Helen Murphy and Carol Dicke. I stayed til they came and helped her get in the car. None of them are in really great shape and any time they don't have to mess with a walker is a bonus.

It was such a nice day that I decided to to the Sheboygan for the Sheboygan Writers Club as I had not been since the Christmas party. We had a big group. The only thing I see as a problem is when we get off of the writing and on to the issues. The issues are not what we are there to discuss because we are too diverse a group and should be concerned with the quality of writing.

I got home at about 4:00PM. Just in time to clean up a few things, fix dinner and take Chelsea out a few times. She never can do things efficiently. She always has to go out and out and out.

Tomorrow will be busy too and I understand much warmer than today. I only got up to the mid thirties today. It did feel warmer because the sun was shining and there was no wind.

I had a dream last night that I actually remember today. I somehow or other ended up with custody of a little boy about 8 or 9 years old. He was a sweet little thing full of hope and trust but was thin as a rail and in need of a bath and clean clothes. I wonder what in heck that means.


Mary

Such a pleasant Sunday. Kate and I left for the Dells and Chicago at 9AM from the Kmart parking lot. The Broadway Theater is a true dinner theater. You watch the show from the table and the same place that you are served your dinner. We were seated on the second level of tables, just perfect for a good view of the whole stage without having to look up and strain ones neck.

The meal was very good. A homemade tomato basil soup served hot over the freshly grated Parmesan and the croutons in the bowls on our table, hot rolls, chicken AND beef, a nice vegetable medley including yellow carrots from California (new to me) and a baked potato.

This is one of the few regional theaters that has gotten permission to do Chicago. And they put on a very good performance. I LOVED the actor who played Amos Hart was truly super. Velma and Roxie were excellent. The only one that I would have liked something more and different from was the woman who played Matron Mama Morton. She seemed kind of blah. Not bad, just a bit colorless. They served dessert, apple cobbler ala mode during the intermission. Kate and I ordered a Tommy Gun Daquiri so we could bring home the glass. I was right, it is just the same style as three other glasses that I got on various trips so we can use them for fun when I have company.

The drive was nice. A bit of snow occasionally but none stayed on the ground and our driver made GOOD time. We were home about a half and hour early which was really nice.

I still like the stage play of Chicago a "hundred times" better than the movie.

Well we are ready to start another week. This week will hold the fifth of Dick's "procedures" then we will have a two week break and so will Dr. Siddique.

I am debating if I should go to the Sheboygan Writers Club tomorrow. I have not been for several months.

Take care and I wish you (and us) an uneventful restful week.

Love

Mary