Three pictures from the hunt. Above: The mother lode. Middle: A "friend" on the trail Bottom: A really good shot of what they look like.

Well, this has been a wonderful day, so far. Chelsea and I went for our walk this morning. It was a bit shorter than some because she cut through the path in the woods which cuts quite a bit out. But she accomplished what was needed in the time she was out.

Good thing, because I was gone from about 9:30 to 4. Jim and Michelle came and took her out twice while I was gone. Dick is just SO unsteady that it seems best. It is becoming very difficult for me to be gone if we think that Chelsea needs anything.

Anyway, at 9:30 I took my bars and cupcakes over to the Senior Center for the Condo Association Meeting which I was unable to attend. I talked to Phil Kalchthaler, who is Vice President, and a friend for many years before I left so he knew I was there. However, later, I wish I could have come. Michelle had said she would run for an open place on the board but needed someone, not in her unit, to nominate her.

However, I was committed to the Morel Hunting day with Little John. We all met at Fleet Farm at 10:15 to 10:30. There were nine of us including Little John. We carpooled. I rode with four ladies. Debbie from Green Bay, and Tina, Kris and another gal, my mind is blanking but it will come to me later, from the Mequon area. They were originally from Two Rivers and knew my cousins Ann and Marcia Bowser. Small world.

We got to the site off of Hwy 28 beyond Beechwood. I need to investigate Beechwood sometime for genealogy purposes. Little John shared one of his spots with us and asked us to please find our own. We snacked while he ran though what we would be doing and what we would be looking for. Then we started out. We had quite a successful day. We found several pockets where there were a dozen or more scattered in a close area. I weighed mine when I got home and have about 10 ounces. I tossed some of them into our common pan. Little John fried some up in Linda's homemade butter in a nice cast iron skillet on a camp stove so we could all taste them. Very good and we did not do ANY seasoning, just the butter fry. Everybody had a nice share of the harvest. It is sure fun. I am going to check the woods in back of us. Now that I know what to look for perhaps there ARE some there. I also want to go out where I go deer hunting and see if there is any luck there especially near the swamp.

They are quite distinctive. They look like little brains on a pole and when you see them they just jump out at you. They are either kind of caramel colored or a bit grayish brown. I brought home two pretty rocks and some feathers too. I liked today.

When I got home Jim and Michelle came over to tell me what happened at the board meeting. It does not sound like a very productive meeting. The board seems to do a lot of deciding, but does not respond to requests or clarifications. I sent a letter to the vice president listing my concerns. This was NOT discussed but was mentioned and they said that it would be brought up at the next board meeting, which I plan on attending.

I am going to a show at the Plymouth Art Center that Kate is singing in tonight. Not the greatest night as I am really tired, but I need to go for Kate's sake. I missed the last one she performed in and don't want to miss another. Too much is happening too fast. Tomorrow, except for Mass, I can stay home. I can hardly wait.

Love

Mary

Chelsea got me up just a bit early this morning but not early enough to complain about. We took a nice long walk. We found four big geese in the park. They grumbled at us a bit as we started around the park edge, they were pretty much in the middle. Chelsea never saw OR heard them and when they saw that we were not moving towards them they just meandered a bit away and pretty much ignored us too.

I cleaned the kitchen first thing this morning because Dick's procedure was scheduled for 10:30AM, much earlier than we usually have them. This was quite confusing. We weren't sure WHAT was going to be happening today. As it turned out it was the easy one, the Sclerotherapy procedure which just involves finding and injecting chemicals into the bad veins and virtually burning them out. It is the easiest however. Very little discomfort and Dr. Siddique then wraps the leg in an ace bandage for two days. Dick's leg is still hurting him. We have an appointment for xrays on Monday. He is hurting enough that he is willing to use a wheel chair when we are going to the doctors rather than trying to walk those long hallways.

We were home by noon, stopping at the Dairy Queen for a Combo Ultimate Burger meal which we shared. I don't know how any one person could possibly eat a whole one of those. We both took naps then. I was really tired.

I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning my desk. For two weeks things have been just piling up on it. AGAIN, I have vowed to not let that happen again. Ha Ha.

I fixed soup for Dick's supper as I went to Rhine Plymouth for the bust up party for the Spring League. Nancy picked me up at about 5:30 and we were home by 8. Just long enough. We had chicken, German potato salad and corn for supper. Bill Olson made his famous peach cobbler and Toni Nevicosi made brownies and Jean made cookies so we ate til there was no tomorrow and then had the awards. Nancy and I both got trophies for the pistol league. Nancy was SO excited, she can hardly wait to tell her kids.

Toni told me about a two day Quilts and Fiber Arts University being held on May 30 and 31. I want to go on Friday, if I can. If I can find someone to come and let Chelsea out in the afternoon, I can but Dick just doesn't feel secure walking her any more. I will check in the next couple of days and then decide. Ti wounds like a wonderful day. The possibility of four workshops each day, a speaker at lunch and lunch. Actually the lunch is a potluck and the day costs $25. The money is to help the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts build a museum. The website is http://wiquiltmuseum.com.

Guess that is all. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. Tomorrow is supposed to be lovely too. That is a good because I will be out in the woods with Little John and the others searching for Morel Mushrooms. I sure hope we have a successful hunt. I intend to cook them fresh and then use Jim and Michelle's dehydrator to preserve them for winter use. Mom said that Dad would sometimes bring morels home for us when he was out in the woods in the spring. They are easy to identify and along with puff balls are two fungi that are safe to eat. Not a good idea to just go around cooking mushrooms gathered in the wild, they can be fatal.

I plan on pictures and lots of morels.

Love

Mary

Kate and Toni and I went to N Joy this morning to wind down the Spring Fling. I had not been there before. It is very pleasant. They have an actual breakfast sandwich or burrito so I think that Dick would enjoy it for an occasional breakfast. Breakfast spots in Plymouth are getting kind of sparse as two with the best food allow smoking and we have decided that it just isn't worth it hoping that there will be no smokers in the places when we go.

We wound things down nicely and just visited for a while. Kate had picked me up. Dick has a toothache now, (will it ever end) so I got him some Orajel on the way home. He has a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so hopefully it won't get any worse in the next couple of days and they can take care of it then.

The rest of the day was spent at home. I sewed a piece onto a quilt that Mother has almost got finished, cleaned the bathrooms and baked. I also made the fourth Mac and Cheese Recipe from the ABC Good Morning America anchors and weathermen. This was Sam Champion, the weatherman's. We liked it. This time I halved the recipe and still have enough to give to Jim and Michelle, Mom and we will have another good meal and a half from it. Good thing it tastes good.

I also made some ricotta cheese out of some milk that had soured. I seldom buy gallons and this is why. The cheese is good but it is not an efficient way to get it. All you do is heat the sour milk (or fresh for that matter) with lemon juice and salt until it separates. Then you strain it through muslin or fine cheesecloth. The whey can be used to make bread too.

Tomorrow, Dick has his procedure. I think it will be a laser this time. So keep him in your prayers at about 10:30AM.

I have bust up at Rhine in the evening. Nancy will pick me up at about 5:30. Toni will be out there helping John with the meal. So Celtic Women will be represented.

Hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. I got this in an email today. Actually I took parts of the email but the part that I thought I needed. Hope you find it useful too.

Love

Mary

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

P-----pray
U----until
S----something
H----happens

It was misting pretty good when Chelsea and I went out for our walk so I did not let her go through the park. We sped along too because I do not like getting wet. I have been going over to feed and water Boots right after I walk and feed Chelsea in the morning. He is always very glad to see me but does not expect anything more than food and a little petting then. However, in the evening, he likes lots of attention and playing. He still does not let me hold him much, but tonight I did pick him up and cuddle him and he actually purred.

Dick had an appointment at the Sheboygan Clinic, then when we got there we found that we needed a lab test which had to be done right away and Dick had not prepared. So, we went home and when he was ready went to the lab here in Plymouth and made another appointment for next week to review the results. Just kind of frustrating to have that extra trip into Sheboygan.

Dick's knee and leg are really bothering him too so I did the shopping after lunch this afternoon. It was pick up day for Market Day too so we have LOTS of food in this house.

Tomorrow I am going to do some baking. I will be home all day after one early outing with Kate and Toni. We are going to NJoy a local newer coffee shop. We are going to wrap up the Celtic Women Spring Fling Thing. Tomorrow, Jim and Michelle are coming home too. My understanding is that it will be very late when they get in so I will take care of Boots morning and evening again. I am sure that they had a WONDERFUL time. Hard not to on a cruise ship.

When we were on our cruise, in my previous life, Bart was pretty young, maybe 8. They had a talent contest in one of the lounges one night and Bart decided he wanted to enter. He wanted to tell jokes. So he practiced and we got him all dressed and ready and he signed up. When it got close, he got a bit scared, so I told him that Johnstons don't quit. And my brave little boy walked out on that stage and up to the microphone. He was trembling but told his first joke and (thank heavens for cruise audiences) they loved him and laughed and clapped for him. His face just lit up and he sailed through the rest with no problems at all. He got a trophy and certificate for his efforts. I was SO proud.


Love

Mary

It was supposed to rain today but so far we have not seen a drop. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We got up at 6 on the dot and did not see a single other walker today.

Dick had two medical appointments today. First we had to go to the anti coagulation clinic to have his count checked. It was a bit low 1.7 instead of between the 2 and 3 that is ideal. That is OK for now because of the procedure on Friday. But Melody did adjust the meds a bit. Then we went upstairs to the third floor to see Dr. Hodous. That clinic is SO weird. They have the podiatry department on the very TOP floor at the VERY FAR END of the longest hall so that the people with bad feet have to walk the very furthest for treatment. Dick's foot and leg were bothering him so much that he actually let us get a wheel chair for the trip back down to the lobby. His foot is much relieved tonight and he is doing the recommended exercises so don't worry too much. But keep praying.

We got to spend the rest of the day at home. I did the herb planting today and set a couple of other things outside and watered the indoor plants too.

Tonight I spent about an hour with Boots, so he wouldn't be lonely. Actually, I fell asleep for about a half an hour so I don't know how much company I was. He seemed content to just have someone there. I can't believe that Jim and Michelle will be home in just two more days. Boy does time ever fly.

Bart called today. He is all resettled at home after spending time with Barb in Florida. He said that his critters are hanging on him like velcro. They do get clingy when owners are gone. He sounds good though and he and Barb will be together again in about two weeks. It has been a long long haul. I received a package today from Bart and Barb with my Mother's Day/Birthday present. Two Jim Shore collectibles, Milly, a very sophisticated kitty with a bird perched on top of a birdcage and Jilly, a very suave kitty sitting next to a fishbowl with a goldfish in it. They are quite lovely and I believe they will be perched up above the cupboards peering down on the activity in the kitchen.

I mentioned to him that Jim and Michelle were on their cruise and he, as Bret did, commented on how much fun the cruise we took many years ago was. He said that he really appreciated the fact that I had managed to expose them to so many different things in our lives. I still remember that little guy sitting down for breakfast on the third day or so and telling our waiter. "I'll have my usual please." AND GETTING IT. That was quite an experience for him.

Have a nice Wednesday.

Mary

A usual 6AM wake up. Chelsea and I headed around the park. There were several other walkers out there despite the fact that it WAS chilly, only about 39 degrees. I pulled out the winter coat and stocking cap.

A quiet morning then until 8:30 when I started on my LONG journey. First, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up some calcium for Mother. Then on to Bible Study. The readings today surely caused a lot of discussion. The Old Testament was from Exodus and had the Lord "continuing his kindness for a thousand generations" and "yet, not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for their father's wickedness!" We had a LONG discussion on that and have decided that as Jesus saved us from all evil, the punishing of children and grandchildren refers or at least does refer to the fact that abusive and evil ways in a home life, do follow through and continue from one generation to another unless something, goodness and kindness, change this pattern. Sometimes we do get puzzled. We also discussed loving yourself as a prelude to being able to love others. Then a question: Do plants, too, have a responsibility? of life, of blooming? We humans have the ability to choose.

After the study, I went to visit Mother. She is well and had a marvelous Mother's day. The hanging plants that Donna and Randy and Dolores and Ken give her for Mother's day are hanging. I thought I might have seen one of the "tenants" the finches that take up nesting in their "condos" every year. But I am not sure.

After the visit, I went into Sheboygan to the visitation of a dear member of the Sheboygan County Writers Club, Vera Bloemers, who died this week at the age of 100. She was truly a lovely person and her poetry was beautiful. We will miss her so much.

The Writers Club meeting was today so I stayed in town for that. Finally arrived home at about 3PM. We had a nice group. I read my poem that was accepted for the WFOP 2009 Calendar and a poem that I will post after I give it to the person that I wrote it for. Dick read it first and said that he thought it was pretty but he did not get it. The writers group DID get it and I figure that perhaps just thinking it is pretty is enough for Dick. Next week I will read it at Cream City too and see what they think of it.

After dinner, the last of the leftovers so I will begin to cook tomorrow again, I went over to feed and play with Boots. He had a good time and is letting me pet him more. He does not like to be picked up or held though. I really DO miss my Oscar and Roxie. Did I tell you that the last time I went over to Bobbie's house, Roxie seemed almost glad to see me and let me pick her up and cuddle her. Oscar ran and hid though. I am still sad.

Tomorrow I plan on planting the herbs that I bought on Saturday. They will do just fine even if it does get cold some nights. I was a little disappointed, the only herbs that seem to have made it through the winter are the lemon balm and chives which are thriving and the oregano which is struggling a bit. We have been enjoying the fresh chives in eggs and salads.

Tomorrow is a doctor day. All in the morning though so I should be able to get some things done around here.

Later

Mary

It was a strange day. There was rain when Chelsea and I went for our walk so we did not go very far. I think she was a bit disappointed but that is the breaks.

I went to the 8AM Mass, then fixed a nice breakfast for Dick and me. We had bacon, scrambled eggs with chives, tater tots and toast. Num Num.

I did a bit of yard work this afternoon. I planted marigold seeds in the front garden and cut a rogue tree out of a bush that grows on the other side of the driveway.

Since it was Mother's Day, I went to Mother's and took her a card and a bottle of wine. She said she had just opened her last bottle so that was good timing. I must remember to bring another one soon. Eileen and Mary and her husband Mike and Margaret and Gwen came in as I was thinking of leaving so the gang was gathering to be with her on this Mother's Day.

Bret called this morning shortly after Mass. He sounds great and says he is doing very well. I do miss my boys. Barb called this evening in lieu of Bart who is on a plane heading back to Oklahoma. In three more weeks. Barb will be permanently back in Oklahoma. I think she has mixed feelings but her folks need her and Bart is reluctant to leave Oklahoma, though I am sure he would if she insisted. But it is really hard to know what is the right decision. Keep them in your prayers. Bart IS doing much better these days and it would be wonderful if this continues.

We had leftovers for dinner again tonight. I still can prepare one more with the leavings by adding a couple of things. Tonight we split leftover chicken and steak.

George called to wish me a happy Mother's Day too. They will be home at the end of June for a wedding on Betsy's side. I do hope we get to spend some time together. Mother said she saw Ginnie Rammer in church today with her son Rick. Ginny is an old neighbor from Pinehurst Court from years ago. George and Rick Rammer's brother, Louis, we called him Dewey, were best friends. Mother and I were remembering what cute little guys they were. They were always together, George with his blond hair and Dewey with his dark hair. Once they put sand in Dewey's dad's gas tank. They were only about 4 or 5 and said they were playing gas station.


Have a good week. We have another marathon doctor week.

Love

Mary