What a lovely day.    I stayed in bed until after 7 and would have stayed longer but needed to get up to put drops in Dick's eyes and to feed him. 

I spent the morning making Barm Brack for tomorrow's CWI presentation and washing clothes.   I am pretty much caught up on clothes but here is always something.

The next thing that was not just catching up was going early to Mass so that I could pick up some things at Walgreens.   Mass was interesting.  We got the audio part of a video that Archbishop Listecki recorded for the diocese.  Fr. Van Beek, thought that we could imagine the video if we tried and that setting it up in two parishes was too involved.   I kind of disagree.   We are worth the whole shebang.   But what can you do.   I can see it on the internet at the Archdiocese site, if I want to.   I  just may do that.   I am a bit concerned by the donation.   Partly because of the bankruptcy declared by the Archdiocese and partly because I can't see that much of these funds, if they are indeed protected, will get to us, the worshipers in Sheboygan County.  The causes are good, but we have to take care of our close family members first.

Alicia, Mom's morning health aide, called me this morning.   She was concerned that Mother may not be getting her meds in order.   (She got out of the habit when she was in the rehab center.)  So I called Mary Margaret, who is seeing her today and she will take care of it .   Thank God, we have this wonderful family who all love Mother and each other and all chip in when the need is there.

So that was today.   I have everything ready for tomorrow's program.  If any of you would like to share the light of peace and justice that I received in Kildare from the Brigitine nuns, let me know and I will do so.   Tomorrow will be a big day of sharing and Monday also when I share it with the Bible Study.

God love you

Have a nice Sunday.   I hope the snow stops/

Mary

Friday almost come and gone.    Nancy and I went out pistol shooting for league a bit before 5PM.   We did better than last week for sure.    My first two were a big improvement but the third was not good.   My arm is still sore and I have to learn to rest longer between.    "Remember, Mary,   It isn't a race." 

Somehow or other Nancy got behind while I was gone and has to squeeze in an extra session before next Friday.   So we are going out some afternoon so that she can get caught up.

Jody came and cleaned this morning.   I cooked salmon croquettes for lunch with fried potatoes and creamed green beans.     Roxie was absolutely delighted with the drained water from the can of salmon.

I did a couple of loads of wash today including the sheets.   Jody helps me make the bed if I plan it right.   That was something that Dick and I always did together before.   It is much easier with two.

I had to make a quick trip to the bank but otherwise was home until I went to pick up Nancy.    I have figured out how to get my pictures uploaded to a Google Spot that Maureen set up for our Ireland pictures and documents.   I still have some of the intricacies to work out but the main part of the learning is done.

I also framed the posters that I got at the Navan Centre  so they are ready to go to the event on Sunday.   I also am soaking the raisins for the barm brack.   Barm Brack is So good.   I will put the recipe in here for you.

BARM BRACK

1 lb (2 cups) Sultanas (or try Craisins)

1 lb (2 cups) Raisins (Golden or brown)

3 cups strong milkless black tea

1 lb (2 cups) brown sugar

1 pound flour

3 eggs

3 level teaspoons baking powder

3 teaspoons mixes spices (optional)

Soak the fruit and the sugar in the tea overnight.

The next day, mix alternately the flour and the 3 beaten eggs

Finall add 3 level teaspoons of baking powder and the soaked fruit – tea and all. If you choose the spices,mix them in now. Then turn into 2 greased loaf pans and bake for 1 ½ hours in a 300 degree oven.

If desired you can brush the cool loaves with melted honey for a glaze.

Enjoy

God love you

Mary

Things went very well today.  Yvonne from the VNA came to change the tuba grip and check Dick's leg for the last time.   He is all healed and I am home.   Megan will be here one more time, next week, to do the anti coagulation check.  If it is normal, he will not have to go in to the clinic until April and then the weather will be much milder and it will be easier on him.

We had pork and rice and fruit salad for lunch.   I picked up strawberries and watermelon at the store on Wednesday and made a nice big fruit salad and Dick is really chowing down.   The fruit was good so I will try again next week.

This afternoon, I went into Sheboygan,  I stopped at Hobby Lobby and picked up two poster frames for the posters that I got at the Navan Centre in Ireland.  I want to frame them to take with me on Sunday to our CWI presentation.   We want it very exciting for the friends who were unable to come and will share the Brigid flame and the holy well water with everybody along with our pictures and memories.

After I left Hobby Lobby I drove to my friend Mark Miller's office to drop off the taxes.   They should be much simpler this year but we are still in a state of flux and this is the first year that I have had to take money from my IRA so things are different and I will just feel better if he does them again.   I am thinking that if things are settled down, perhaps I will be able to do them myself next year.   We will see.

On the way home, I stopped off at Mother's to drop off her Vit Eyes.   She was feeling tired but SO good.  Dolores and Eileen were there today and got the decorations that had been put away at Christmas back where they belong, all the remaining Christmas things stowed away and St. Patrick's day scattered throughout the house.   She is a happy lady and so are we.

So. Now it is the end of another full day.  We had pizza for supper.   It just plain sounded good.   So.   I hope your day was as fulfilling as mine and that you are happy.

Godl love you

Mary

A very fruitful day.  

We got a LOT done. 

I did our grocery shopping this morning and picked up a prescription at Walgreens.   All of that went well.  and I was home by a little after 9AM.

I unwrapped my liverwurst.  I am a bit disappointed.  It does not spread.   It is also a bit bland.   The taste is OK but I have an awful lot of it, so I must share.    I am experimenting with additives to moisten it and spice it up.   So far, Miracle Whip moistens it but does not add enough zip.    Better find something because there is a LOT of it.   There is no way to make a small batch of it.

I got a call from my friend Bee, who was our tour leader in Ireland today.    She received a package that I had sent last week.   All is well with her and she is hoping for accolades from all of us when Tony sets up their tour site.  I told her we would all be delighted to do so and that when Tony does CD's, we all want to know.   He is a super singer and a marvelous storyteller.

I finally figured out how I download new pictures to the disc for the Dynex viewer that Bart and Barb gave me a couple of years ago.   I have a group of Ireland pictures set to just plug in and let do an automatic slide show during our program on Sunday.  If any of you want to come to the program on Sunday, just call me and I will give you the address and details.

Then later this afternoon, Bobbie and Bill came and Bobbie helped me get Dick up and down the ramp for a doctor visit.   We went to see Dr. Sharon for an interview to have him fill out the proper recommendations so that Dick can apply for a power chair.   It is becoming pretty apparent that he will not be able to walk, at least in the foreseeable future as his legs keep developing ulcers even without walking.  Dr. Sharon is more that willing to do his part of the paperwork.   I just hope that this will be acceptable as it would provide a great deal of independence for us.  And Dick needs this.

So what a day.

Tomorrow will also be busy as I am taking the taxes in that the VNA are coming out to change Dick's tubagrip and check his legs.

I am also going to stop at Hobby Lobby and pickup some poster frames for the two posters that I got at the Navan Centre.   They are beautiful.  One of Maeve and one of Cuchulainn as a young man.  In the visitor center there were these beautiful huge serreal posters of many of the legends of ancient Ireland including the two that I got.

So lets close this day and get some sleep.

I am tired and ready for bed.

Bless you and yours.

Mary

What a nice day.   The snow had stopped by morning.    Our roads were not plowed but I was not in any hurry anyway and there were only two or three inches. 

I started off the morning by boiling the liver for the liverwurst that I made today.  Last night, I ground the pork, so I was one step ahead.   Then I got everything mixed up really good and tried to stuff it into the stuff that I had gotten for the sausage.  I immediately discovered that what I got was too small.   So I decided to look for some bigger casings when I went to see Mother today.   I wanted to stop at Fleet Farm to stock up on nuts and raisins anyway.  So, I finally started to stuff the sausages this afternoon.  But the casings I got to replace the small ones did not work either.  Shuckins!   I went on the net again and found that I could wrap them in muslin and boil and simmer the sausage for the same result.   So that is what I did.    I am done with the cooking now, and in the morning will unwrap them, divide and wrap them and freeze what I figure will not be eaten in 10 days.

With all that work, it better be damned good.

Dick decided to take a nap this morning, so I decided that was a good time to go visit with Mother.    We had a lovely visit.   I got a few things taken care of in the house, updated her on the savings and checking accounts, and sorted out her medications.   Then I shared some things from the Bridget trip with her.    When we were in Kildare, we all had a candle lit  from the eternal flame at Solas Brede.   I brought that candle and a candle for Mother.  We re lit my candle and used it to light her candle.   Now she has a wick lit from the eternal candle of Bridget which is to stand for peace and justice in this world.  Mother and I prayed for this and put the candle up next to the St. Patrick Statue.   I also gave her water from a holy well in Ireland and a stone from the grounds around the well.   It was very special.

As I was leaving, Mom's neighbor was working on the driveway and had worked a bit on her ramp, so I thanked him and we had a nice visit.   What wonderful neighbors she has.  

So this is the day.   Quite busy.  We had pork tenderloin and rice for our dinner.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for Dick as he goes to see Dr. Sharon to see if he can help us get an electric chair for Dick.   Hope all goes well.


All my love   Be Happy

Mary

P. S. Please pray for a little guy named Liam who has cancer and will not be able to go into as special program unless his white count goes up.

Also for a neighbor who has breast cancer,  the very worst kind.

Good Day.    And was it for you?    

By the time I got up, the plows had been through and our sidewalks were shoveled.   I had canceled the Bible Study and Cream City Writers meetings last night and am not sorry as I am sure that the roads were slippery and we did not need anybody sliding off the road getting to and fro from either meeting.  

So I stayed home today.   I baked some bread, did some wash, caught up on some email, Facebook and snail mail and generally just hung out.

I got out some pork and liver too.   I ground up the pork and am soaking the liver in milk.   Tomorrow, I am going to attempt to make some homemade liverwurst.    It sounds mighty good and Jeff gave me two pounds of beef liver.    I also have venison liver which I will cook up one day when Bobbie and Bill and Shane and Georgina can come over to join us.  


I thought you all might enjoy the following poem:

Lyrics to Saint Brigid's Prayer



I'd like to give a lake of beer to God.

I'd love the Heavenly

Host to be tippling there

For all eternity.



I'd love the men of Heaven to live with me,

To dance and sing.

If they wanted, I'd put at their disposal

Vats of suffering.



White cups of love I''d give them,

With a heart and a half;

Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offer

To every man.



I'd make Heaven a cheerful spot,

Because the happy heart is true.

I'd make the men contented for their own sake

'd like Jesus to love me too.



I'd like the people of heaven to gather

From all the parishes around,

I'd give a special welcome to the women,

The three Marys of great renown.



I'd sit with the men, the women of God

There by the lake of beer

We'd be drinking good health forever

And every drop would be a prayer.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2000/03/A-Lake-Of-Beer-For-God.aspx#ixzz1EeGTYdgX

What a strange day.   It was sunny and clear until after 11AM, then the winter storm that they had warned us of came in.

Dick remembered at about 9 that he was out of one of his meds, so I DID have to go to Walgreens at about 11AM to pick his prescription up.

The rest of the day was so peaceful.   There has been at least 5 inches of snow and it its still coming down. 

I was supposed to work at Rhine but called my friend Doc to see what was going on, because Dick was really upset about me going out after noon.   Doc told me not to come in, he was figuring on calling me to tell me not to come in.  Aren't my friends wonderful.  They really take care of me.


I did a couple of loads of wash and worked on trying to move pictures from one spot to another on the computer.   I still have problems but have at least gotten Facebook figured out with the help of my friend Janet.

So. I am closing early because this was a rather uneventful day.   Hope you are all save and that you stay that way.

God love you

Mary