Hello again

I'm baaack.    I was invited to a Robert Burns party at my friend's Bob and Barb Mac Ewen's home last night.    I got home close to 10PM and was just too tired to blog.

I had an appointment at Generations with a physical therapist for an evaluation.    All I learned is that I should get a doctor's order from Dr. Leben and go to therapy again.   She, Kelsey, thinks that with proper therapy my non sore muscles could take over for the sore muscles until they get a chance to heal.   Sounds probable.   I see Dr. Leben on February 4th.    So we will see.   Today seems OK.  But I have been really careful.

Then at 6PM I went to Bob and Barb's.   Barb had a spread of heavy hor de ouerves.    She avoided haggis by calling her wrapped wienies haggis.   Not a bad idea.   There was a great group of people, mainly from their church, Grace Church in Sheboygan.   I knew several and several of them know Bobbie and Bill.   The pastor, Father Karl C. Schaffenburg, and his wife and Bernie Markovich to name three.   Also, Francoise and Jeurgin Pietzner, friends from Blessed Trinity.  Francoise brings communion to Mother during the week.  One of their friends, named Gary, led us in song, Auld Lang Syne and sang a tune or two of Burns for us too.

Today was also rather busy.   I had an appointment with Carolyn and Rich from Tailwind Destinations about the Scotland trip.   A couple of my fellow travelers joined us so we have more ears than mine.   If you are interested, please let me know and I will include you on future emails. or call me.    It is going to be exciting.

I had the afternoon home and then went to Mass at 4PM.   It is beastly cold outside.   And is supposed to remain so for some days.

God be good to anyone who's sleeping out tonight.   Tuck them in and keep them warm and don't put out the light.

One of my poems was selected for the 2015 Poets Calendar from WFOP .   Yea.


Dia Dhuit

Mary

> Jay Leno: 
> 
> "With hurricanes, tornados, 
> fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the 
> country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist 
> attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Time for bed

Would you believe that I am still up?   It is 9:30PM

Had a lovely evening.   I met my neighbors, Pat and Roger and my friend Peggy at Pour Vino on Mill Street for a glass of wine.  Then we went down the street to 52 Stafford for dinner and to enjoy the Irish Session there.

I sang Whiskey on a Sunday and Inishfree durning the evening.   Totally relaxing.

Tomorrow is going to be SO cold.   I do not have to go anywhere and will not.   Time to hole up in our caves until the weather is more receptive to being out in it.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Whew

It was terribly cold today and tomorrow is looking like more of the same.

I went to exercise class today and had to stop because my neck and arm started hurting.   I wasn't using them.   I keep my right arm in my pocket, but this time it made no difference.   I am very discouraged.  Fred, the director of the program, said that he will help me work our a program that may help.   I am seeing the physical therapist on Friday and he will get her recommendations.

I went grocery shopping before going home.   I put everything away and made my lunch then I lay down on the couch and slept for almost three hours.    I feel better now.   I baked some carrot muffins this afternoon and mixed up the dough for a loaf of country bread.

Baking and cooking always lift my spirits.   I will have to share some of this.   Tomorrow I am having breakfast with friends and going to 52 Stafford for music and dinner in the evening.    It will be good to get out for entertainment.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just a note to tell you that I am just fine.



I had Bible Study, a visit with Mom, Nora and Leif this morning.   Went to lunch with my friend Peggy at the Exchange Bank.   We then went to Book Head for the  Cream City Writers Club.   On the way home I stopped and had a cup of tea with Kate.

Kate gave me a cute little owl that someone had given her that she felt looked scary. 

Then home again.  At  6:15PM I met Nora and Leif for a wonderful evening at the Blind Horse for dinner.   I so enjoy spending time with them.    We have so much to share.

So now it is past my bedtime and I better get to bed.   Roxie is so glad I am back home.  Last night after I went to bed she went, as Jim used to say, MENTAL and was running back and forth in the living room like a crazy cat.  She even knocked over Bobbie and Bill's picture which I have on the hearth.    I heard the picture fall and went out to see what was going on.   She looked at me like she wanted me to mind my own business.


Dia Dhuit

Mary

Pasties

Well, a day at home all day.

This afternoon at 1PM,  three of my Celtic Women Friends came over and we enjoyed a really super visit as we put together a bunch of pasties to share.    A great way to spend the afternoon.   I make some scones to snack on and Kathy brought donuts and Peggy brought homemade Irish Cream.   So good.   After enjoying Irish Cream and sweets we sipped tea until everything was done.   We split the pasties and my friends left at about 5PM.    Such a great afternoon.

That is really all I have for today.

Tomorrow I am going to church and breakfast and then out to shoot at Rhine.

Should be a much fun as today.\

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another Week

Another week almost gone.

Today was not too busy.   I just sorted things and cleaned the desk and caught up on some correspondence.

Had lunch with the Bank ladies at Dairy Queen and then picked up the mail for the condo assn. from the Post Office.

I made the pasty dough this afternoon for tomorrows CWI event.

So a quiet day;.   Almost time to go to bed now.   So until tomorrow, God bless you all.

I talked to Jacquie today and she sounded pretty good.   Long time healing ahead thought.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 This turned out to be quite a productive day.   I went to the exercise class this morning.   I had to keep my newly "shot" arm in my pocket, but was able to do everything else.   I am hoping this will stop my hips from aching during the night.  Twice since I came home from Oklahoma, I have had to get up and soak my hips in a hot bath.   Exercise seems to help.

Then Bonnie and one of her girls came and cleaned the house.   A day early, Bonnie had called yesterday to ask if she could come today because of a conflict.   Jody will be out for at least two more weeks.   She is really a sick puppy.

I fixed a tuna steak for my lunch.   Roxie was willing to taste bits of it too.   Then I went to the Sheboygan County Research Center to look up the Vollrath Zoo as I want to do a poem about the time I remember going there.    I told Beth I would do an article for their newsletter too as long as I am at it.  

I worked for a while on St. Michael for the Patron Saint book and on the Poem for the Spring exhibit at the Ebco center.    I think I am finally getting some enthusiasm back.  

Now it is after 7PM and I am going to turn everything down and watch The Taste on channel 12.   I like it and just want to kind of gel.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

"Whoever said that diamonds are a girls best friend, never owned a dog." Anon.

It has been a busy day.   I had an 9 AM hair cut.  Terri does a good job and is right down town in Plymouth.   She is interested in CWI too.  With her business, she keeps emailing that she hated to miss the events after they are over.     Everything unto its time.

Then I went to the Sheboygan Clinic for my appointment with Dr. Leben about my arm.   I got there at 10:15am for my 11:45AM appointment.   Good work, right?  They couldn't fit me in, but they did try.   So I went to the Glas House Coffee shop for a cappuccino and wrote out the bones of a poem that I need to have done by the end of February.  Assignment poems need to whirl around in what is left of my brain for a while and often collide with inspiration.  I like this beginning and have plenty of time to hone and rewrite.

My appointment went well I think.    Apparently, sometimes shots are the only way but we are still hoping that my muscles, ligaments or nerves, whichever it is will calm.   She got a new spot in my arm itself to try to get rid of that pain.  She is supportive of the therapist who will evaluate me at Generations for suggested exercising.   I always love it when one of my neighbors, well meaning but thinks that anything that worked for her should work for everybody, tells me what I should be doing.
Anyway, I am in a LOT of pain now because the night of the shots and sometimes the next day are a bit hard.

Home again, my niece, Vikki, called.  She was on her way home from seeing Jacquie and things are not good.   She has her good times,  Vikki experienced one while she was there.   But other problems cause sever mood swings and then she becomes very angry and suspicious.     Vikki doesn't see how she can ever go home.   Poor Todd.    Vikki talked to her Uncle Dick, my ex, and he actually was talking.    He doesn't know what he is going to do.   He says he has nobody.    I don't think he realizes that the boys, especially Bart are concerned for him.   Bart will do as much as he can.   Neither of them can have him live with them.   Dick will have to share his situation with them so they can work it out.

Another worry.    Just because I divorced him doesn't mean I don't care.   He fathered my children and he is a human being in need of help.

Guess that is all for now.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A bit of humor.


"Why does it take five Irishmen to change a light bulb?  One to change the bulb.  Four to remark about how GRAND the old bulb was." www.irelandcalling.ie

That is why it is a good thing if at least five people are around when you die.   One to bury you and five to remark about how grand you were.

Tuesday

We had snow today.   Not as much as predicted but snow in any case.   This means that it was somewhat warm, but we are being told that the cold is coming back.   Not the sub zero but below 20 degrees.    Sometimes I wonder why I came back to Wisconsin.   I left because I was young and looking for adventure.   Sunny California was sure nice for chilly bones.  Wouldn't like to live there now.  But getting away from these winters would be a joy.

I went grocery shopping this morning.   The first time for myself since before Christmas.   I still didn't need much.   I stocked up on some paper products and needed some salad items and cat food. 

Home again, I finished getting all the Christmas items downstairs and I cleaned and sorted the Christmas boxes and have that wall of shelves all organized.   I put ribs and sauerkraut into the crock pot this morning for supper.   It was really good.

Tomorrow I get a hair cut and have a doctor appointment.   Sure hope Dr. Leben has some hope for my arm.   I am pretty discouraged myself.

So the living room is back to its non Christmas status and I feel good about that.  Saturday I will be making pasties with my Celtic Friends.   Not as many as last time.   If you want to come, grab a couple of root veggies and come on over.


Dia Dhuit

Mary

This has been a very busy Monday.

First I had to go to the bank and  Walgreens on the way to Sheboygan Falls for a couple of errands for Mother.     I got to Blessed Trinity just on time, though we do operate a bit on Irish time and I am using that cushion.

We are, as I mentioned, studying the Book of Acts of the Apostle.   Very interesting.   We are in Chapter 4 Verses 30 and on when the disciples of Jesus had joined together and pooled everything and it was wonderful and no one was in need or hungry.    We discussed the fact that even so close to the time that Jesus was among them, this utopia did not last too long.   The trouble with utopia is that someone has to be in charge and also some people be their nature will allow everybody else to do everything.  Power brings problems and corruption and so does apathy and laziness.  We also discussed that this is actually communism which in its pure form seems like an ideal way to live.  Unfortunately there are always people on both ends of the scale who will take advantage of the situation.

Then I went to Mom's.   She is fine.   Kind of tired and is having some trouble remembering things.    It seems to be because she doesn't always hear things or because of her tiredness it doesn't stick.   She is still reading the paper as best she can and keeping up with news.   We got her bills paid and I put a few things back in their places from Christmas.   She does not like to wait.  Always sweet about it but sometimes I just do things because I don't like her fretting about it.

Then I went to pick up Sy Regan and we went to the Sheboygan Writers together.   That was fun.   I did have a short poem to read.   I have been rather dry the past month of so but did write one on my way home from OK.

I am not putting it here as I may want to submit it somewhere and they want unpublished items.

I would like to share one of my brother Matt's poems.   I have been reading them lately.

THE NOMAD

the nomad has
been had
his hiways have been used
and he's been refused
in the bars
and saloons 
of a society 
he never made
the nomad has 
been had
all thru these recent years
and has cried too many tears
because all he hears
is how the 
nomad
has been had

His poems were usually dark and he used no capital letters or punctuation.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sunday

Today was Sunday all day.   I went to Mass this morning. The School Kids planned and did all the readings and led the singing for the Mass.   It was very impressive.   It is Catholic School week so we were all invited to visit the school.    I had to get going though.    I took communion to my neighbors, Tom and Rita.    They had to take their grandson home so wanted to leave before noon.   Keep them in your prayers.   Rita looks pretty good but is obviously more frail.   I think she is at peace.
Rita gave me a Christmas gift.   I think she likes to thank me.   I feel that it is such a privilege to carry Jesus in my very own car to share in some one's very own house, that I don't need gifts.   But she is a giving soul and accepting is also a gift to the person who gives.  I hope that makes sense.  
I took the rest of the day rather easy.   I have everything Christmas downstairs now.  (I think).   Now I will be spending time in that back room each day stashing and sorting things. 

I called Jacquie today.   First I got Todd on her phone that kept breaking up.    But Todd called me back on his phone.   She sounds GREAT.   I am so relieved.   We want to keep praying, but we can throw thanks in along with the prayers for continued healing.   

Tomorrow I will have a usual Monday with Sheboygan Writers Club thrown in.   I will be picking Sy up again.  

I have made a vow to get back to my writing this week.    Not too big a goal.   I can start a bit each day.

Hope all is well with you.    We had temperatures hit 40 DEGREES today.  A heat wave.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a day.     My cleaning lady, Jody, is still sick, but her boss, Bonnie came at 8:30AM and cleaned the house.   

May arm is so sore.   I called Dr. Murthy to see if perhaps I could help by using a sling.   He said that it was Ok but to let it out of the sling regularly so it doesn't get stiff that way.   I just want to stop reaching for things with it.   I don't imagine that Duct Tape would be very practical.

I went to Falls and Mother's at 10:30AM because the VNA were coming.   They have determined that she is too healthy for their services at this point.   Poor Mom.   The nurse, the social worker, me, Dolores and Ken and Mary Margaret's Mike were all wandering in and out or the house.   The VNA will come two more times.     I went down because Pat, the Social Worker, wanted one of us there to be sure Mother understood what they were saying.    Her hearing is so bad you know.   If I had known that Dolores would be there, I wouldn't have come.  Dolores will be there next Friday when they come for the last time and will help her sign off and everything.

Home again, I started putting Christmas away.   I can do that with one arm if I put the right arm in a sling so I remember not to use it.

This evening, silly me, I went out to Rhine to shoot pistol.   I got our on Hwy C before I realized the the weatherman was right, nobody should be out in that icy mess.    I did make it to the club and did shoot.   By then the salters had been out.  I followed my friends Bob and Pat Becher as far as Plymouth so am safely home and they are too.  One of the guys at the club gave me his phone number in case I did get stuck or became unable to move.    I was sure grateful and called to tell him that I was safe.   People are good to me.   I am truly blessed.    On the way home I decided I needed an Angel guarding me so called on Michael.    I told him that since I am writing about him as Patron of Cornwall, he really should protect me from harm so that I can finish.   I helps to have friends in high places.

So

Time for bed.

Dia dhuit and stay safe.

Mary

Kind of a nice day.   It started off with temps WAY below zero, but by the time I had to go out at 10AM, it had warmed up considerably and there was no wind.

I just had to go downtown anyway for my dental checkup.   All went well and I now have the cleanest teeth in town.   Then I drove to the post office to mail a package, pick up the condo mail from the box and get some stamps for me.  I got some cash from the ATM as I was down to less than $10 cash.  Last I picked up some prescriptions at Walgreens.

Home again I ate lunch, rested for a bit and then made some scones to take to Kate's for her party tonight.   I also made a batch of blueberry/rhubarb refrigerator jam this morning to spread on them.  

The party started at 7PM.   She puts on a good  spread.   It was a nice party with lots of friends from church.  A very pleasant evening.  

Tomorrow will be kind of busy too but manageable.

So until then.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A Catch Up Day

It was a catch up day.    I emptied my suitcase and have almost finished the wash.

I cleaned up the kitchen and got the mail sorted and the bills paid.

I went to see Mother and have her bills all checked and taken care of. 

Now I feel pretty good about everything and will start going forward in the morning- after my dentist appointment

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I'm Home

I arrived after an easy trip at about 7PM.   Am going right to bed now.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Last Day in Oklahoma

We Just got back from dinner at the Samuri, a Japanese restaurant where they cook the food on the griddle in front of you.   It was excellent.I had salmon and it came with soup, salad, rice and stir fry veggies.  So good.

It has been a refreshing time of rest away from everything that is a responsibility and mundane.   Now I plan on hitting my life at home as if it is, which it is, a new beginning.   It is still at the beginning of the New Year. fresh and untouched.

It will be good to be home.   Home is after all where we have carved out our lives.   I miss my Roxie and having my own home around me.   I did look at several homes for sale here.   There are one or two that I could see myself in.   Time will tell.    I well be where I need to be.

I will be home by this time tomorrow night and sleep in my own bed.

Dia Dhuit

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html#fj8faMXozo2ZMO18.99

Mary

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.  C.S. Lewis

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html#kxPgSATKUXBrUjoB.99

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html#kxPgSATKUXBrUjoB.99

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html#fj8faMXozo2ZMO18.99

A rough Day :)

I hope that symbol means smile.   Bart, Barb and I drove to Midwest City, near Oklahoma City to meet Jim and Michelle for lunch and a journey to a Flea Market.   I guess it has been going on for 30 years or so.

We had lunch at a restaurant called Monterey Jacks.  I had enough food for dinner and supper.   Spinach enchiladas with rice and beans.   Nummy.   The flea market was big and interesting.   the "rough day comes from the fact that there were several puppies looking for homes.    One could hold them and I cuddled a black Labrador retriever pup.   Bart asked to hold him, and I said sure but the puppy just snuggled deeper under my chin and hung on.   I was only able to say no to him because what would I have done with him now.   Later, Bart was talking and petting another dog and when he said he couldn't have it, the puppy whimpered.    I thought Bart was going to melt into a puddle.   We are all such critter people.   But we did manage to make it out of the place unpuppied.   (Is that a word?)

So it was an altogether lovely day.  Quality time with two of my boys at the same time and with their wives who I love.It was in the mid fifties, so a good day for a flea market but as we were arriving back in Lawton, the temperature was dropping.   The wind is howling now which means a quick drastic drop is happening.     Barb said that now I know what the song from Oklahoma means.   "the wind goes sweeping ore the plains."

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Friday

This vacation is very nice.   

It is not exactly warm but MUCH warmer than at home. It looks like I will be returning to sub and near zero temperatures on Tuesday.


Last night Barbara and I went to Geronimo to visit with Adam, Lexie and the girls.   My little grand daughters, Adria and Abbie.   They have grown so much since I was here last.  I brought them my American Girl doll, Felicia, and all her belongings.    Adria has an American Girl doll that looks like her.  So my present to her was my Cabbage Patch Girl, Marcia Madge, and her belongings.    They were very happy with them.   A neighbor girl, Kate, was spending the night.  She informed me that I should bring her a doll next Christmas.   I told her, very kindly, that her grandma should be bringing her dolls.  I also had five American Girl Cookbooks that I hope they enjoy with their mom.

Today,  Bart drove me around Fort Sill just to kind of tour and see changes.

Tomorrow we are going to Oklahoma City to lunch with Jim and Michelle and go to a flea market.

We are watching the Hunger Games.  I never saw it and always wanted to.

So that is the news here.

Hope all is well with everybody I love and that the New Year is promising.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am in my glory.   I have two puppies sitting on the couch beside me.

New Years Day

Happy New Year.   2014 is here.  Can you believe. 

I am in Lawton enjoying much better weather than at home.   It was in the upper 50s today.   Barbara, Marlise and I went to Dillard's for their crazy New Year sale.    Everything that is permanently reduced is further discounted by 50%.     We had a good time.   I bought a nice outfit, a new denim jacket and a couple of things from the kitchen department.    It was a lot of fun.  I am not a big shopper but do enjoy it with other people.   

Then the three of us went to a Vietnamese Restaurant.   We all had Won Ton Soup.    It was a HUGE bowl.   I will be eating it for lunches.  I don't mind at all as it  was very good.  I have had a request for the Kunert Spinach,Noodle Casserole from Bart.    It will be our Sunday dinner.

We are planning to go to see my Grandson Adam and his wife Lexie and my great grand daughters Adria and Abbie tomorrow.    I have presents for them and am really looking forward to seeing them.

Barb made a super pizza for supper tonight.   I have finished the mint brownies so had one of them for dessert.

Have to check things you know.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday

Another cold day, but the sun is out and there is little or no wind chill.

Bart and I went out to the Mall and for lunch.   We are mainly just relaxing and "being with".

So nothing exciting to report.

Dia Dhuit
 Mary