It was almost chilly today.  We had rain last night but none today.   Nate came and mowed, probably for the last time until spring.

I got a hair cut and stopped to see how Barb is doing.  She looks good.   A little sore from the removal of that pick line, but that too will heal.

Bret called tonight, he had his are doing well.   They will be going out to the river tomorrow morning early.

I do have a "situation"   A beautiful red bird is banging on the window in the living room.   He is quite pretty but very annoying. I took everything off of that windowsill, (almost killing myself in the process, as I stumbled getting off the couch and rolled to the ground.  Carpeted , thank the Lord.)   When someone is here, I am going to hand a wind chime up there to see if it will scare the creature away.

I miss that I cannot see the Clancy Brothers in this life again.  Thank God, their music lives on.

Dia Dhuit

Mary







Liam Clancy said this to Bob Dylan

The Irish means "Safe home, My Friend."

"Remember Bob,
NO FEAR,
NO ENVY,
NO Meanness."
     William Clancy
1 September 1935 -4December 2009

Slan abhaile a chara.

We had a bit of rain last night and it has finally cooled down a little bit.  

Nicky is mighty tired of me putting goop in his ears.   Only a day or so left.   When the bottle is empty, he is done.  He will be on pills for a while but he likes that as I give it to him in cream cheese.

Paid some bills today and worked on sewing projects and studying for Bible Study. (It pays to come prepared for that:))

I finally have someone here to inspect and clean the fireplace.   It has some deficiencies that I am having him take care of.   More than I had planned and some of them could have been postponed until next years cleaning, but I decided that Dick would have just said to get it right NOW.  It was hard enough to find someone to do the inspection and cleaning anyway.   He is quite good at explaining what he is seeing, with my background, such as it is.  It all made sense to me.

Barbara had her port removed today.   YEA!!!!! this means that they no longer feel that she has a need for it.   Another plateau reached.    Thanks for all the prayers.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a lovely day in the low 80s and not at all humid.  I was home until this evening.

My cleaning lady, Leah, came this morning so I have a nice clean home.   Always good and she is really nice.

This evening I went to the writer's club.   Bart came and helped me put the poems for an anthology that our group is doing onto a zip drive.    I have a short story also to be included but there aren't really poets in our group and they thought that perhaps a poem between each story for a bit of a break might be nice, so I gave them 5.  I thought that they all had to be about owls as our group is called  O.W.L S  (Oklahoma Writers Literary and Storytellers).    So I handed over 5 owl poems.   If they want more if we have more spacers needed, I will write about something else as I am about owled out:)

Bible Study tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Happy Halloween.

For the first time since we moved to Tall Grass, I had trick or treaters at my home.   It was fun.  Nicky barked but was quiet nice and everybody attributed his barking to the "Warning, Strange Dog" sign on the door:)

I was home most of the day.  I did got grocery shopping and picked up my Powerball ticket

Spent the rest of the day just cleaning the kitchen, making carrot pineapple salad and sewing. 

Tomorrow is All Saints Day, I will be going to Mass at noon.

Writers club tomorrow night.  Bart will come to help me download some writings to a zip drive.


Take care keep all those we love and  (those we don't love:)) in your prayers.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I had an interesting weekend.  Bart and Barb have returned from a  trip to Dallas with Adria and Abby to visit Barb's son Tim and his wife Amber and son Augie. 

That means that I take care of Bart and Barb's critters.   I let them out occasionally and then sleep there.  I feel that it is best for them to not be alone.   Nicky finds it rather odd, I am sure.

Nicky's ear looks much better and he is acting more like him all the time.   I have a week or more of pills and ear ointment before he is declared healthy again.  My poor little guy.   It is one of those occasions when Dick and I would come home from the Vet and say "Is he really worth THAT much?"  Of course, he is.   I HOPE you understand our humor. 

I talked to Jim and Michelle today.  He had his back surgery earlier in the week and then ended up BACK in the hospital because he was disoriented and not well at all.  He is home again and though in pain and tired doing well again.  Please pray for my boy.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hi.  Hope you missed me.  I did not really intent to not post but obviously I did not post.

I have been busy catching up on things I got behind on when I had company  (YEE HAA for company)   (Come back and I will LEARN how to keep on living), and when I was gone.

Bart dropped by this afternoon.  Always good to spend time with my kids.  We had a nice visit.   He will be spending time with his granddaughters, Abbie and Adria this weekend which means the world to him.

The main reason you did not hear from me is that my Nicky is sick.  He has an ear infection and is not happy with the treatment required.   When he did not want to go for his morning walk, I knew that he needed to see a veterinarian.    He has an ear infection and is generally run down from that.  Cost a fortune, but he is worth it.  The only creature that is ALWAYS there for me because he has no other obligations.

Please keep praying for our Jim who is having complications from hie surgry.

Dia dhuit

Mary





"I am not a racist.   I love all races, except marathons.   I hate marathons."   unknown

Just got back from Writer's Club.   We are going to be Kindle Publishing an anthology of our work early next year.   I will let you all know when we get it out.

Was busy all day just with writing and bookkeeping and going to the bank and grocery store.   I also had a plumber by to adjust the heat levels in the guest bath.     See, Bill, I do listen to you.   I wish you were here now, though, the mirrored doors on the pantry came off the track and I don't know how to get them back on.    I'll find someone to help me.   I am learning how to ask:)

Tomorrow will also be very busy with errands.   Then I have a day at home again.  I like it when the days work out that way.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Get well quick, Jim.

I was home all day today.    I like those days, but not all the time.   You all know me and know that I am a social person.  Darned near drove Dick nuts:)    He would have been content to just be home ALL the time with just me.  (Quite a complement)   He did like family things though.   Loved the holidays and when we spent time with ANY of the kids or family.  

I got SO much done today.   I am ready for Bible study, Writier's club, the Lawton Celtic group and my CWI updates.  

Nicky and I went for two walks around the block.   I "agreed" to a second one because - when walking this morning, Bart called and I lost one of my rosaries as I fumbled for the phone and tried to hang on to Nicky and a poop bag.   Believe it or not.  I did find the rosary.   Not a big thing, it is losing beads and requires concentration but it was made by a dear friend, Esther.  Thank you Esther.

Eating is easy.  I have leftovers until at least Thursday:)

Tomorrow will be quiet too but I do have a couple of things to do and must go to the bank and the grocery store.  I am almost out of PEANUT BUTTER.    Cannot happen.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A beautiful day.  Kind of quiet after Leslie and Bill left.  I miss the company.

But a beautiful day.

Went to mass this morning and visited with my Holy Family friends.  Met a couple of new army transfers in.  Always good and always will be.

The rest of the day was quiet.  Didn't hear from a soul.  Called Leslie this evening (I knew that they were home safe and sound but wanted to just check in.) She was making minestrone soup from my knock off recipe.  I am so proud.

So now, time for settling into bed.

Love you all

Mary


Dizzy Gillespie said, "I don't care too much about music. What I like is sounds."

Just got back from a lovely soup supper at Bart and Barb's.   Marlies was there also.   We had such a great meal and visit.   Tomorrow Leslie and Bill leave for home.   So sad:(  it has been a lovely visit and iI will miss them.

Enjoy the poem

Dia dhuit

Mary 


What if you slept...
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge


What if you slept
And what if
In your sleep
You dreamed
And what if
In your dream
You went to heaven
And there plucked a strange and beautiful flower
And what if
When you awoke
You had that flower in your hand
Ah, what then?

Sorry I missed yesterday, but Leslie, Bill and I are having such a lovely visit that it just got so late that I was tired.

I have finished all of my tests to see what is wrong with my tummy.   ( I like the word tummy better than stomach.)   Bill has been kind enough to drive me and with his hospital experience is a true blessing.  Yesterday, when I was put "Out" with the GI test, he was there when I was not awake to find out what Dr. Morgan had to report.   Basically, I have an "area".  He did a biopsy and we have to wait.   Today was the CT scan.  We won't know until my doctor gets the results.   This has been the slowest process EVER.

The rest of the day was nice. Today was the Lawton Celtic Club potluck Samhain Dinner.  I took Les and Bill.  There were 8 of us there, a nice turnout for our group.  We had a super meal.  Irish cheese and crackers, corned beef, colcannon and pumpkin pudding.   A true feast and the best company.   I am glad that Les and Bill got to meet some of my friends.

This evening we went to Red Lobster for dinner.

The will be here until Saturday morning.  YEA!!!! I love having company.    Dick would approve since they are family:)

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hi You all.   I know, in the South, they say Y'all but I am still a Wisconsinite at heart.

I WAS back from Chicago yesterday morning and home by noon.  However ---- Guess what---- Leslie and Bill are visiting and we have been having such great visits and all.  And frankly, last night, I was just to darned tired to post.

IBAM was wonderful.   My talk went well, got lots of good feedback.  I even sold one of my cookbooks and traded my poetry books with another author for HER book.   It was great.   Heard so many wonderful talks at the Literary Salon and sat in on a panel discussion by three authors ( Ken Bruen, William Doyle and Turtle Bunbury).  Ant this was just Saturday.  Sunday brought more lectures, after a lovely, poorly attended Mass, in the auditorium.   I finished off the weekend with a concert by the winner of the IBAM music award winner, Tommy Fleming. 

I am so grateful to my friends, Frank and Sharry Avilla for transporting me back and forth from the hotel to the Irish American Heritage Center for those days, they are truly special  I got to meet the son of the Person of the year and Visual Arts person of the year.  Remember the black and white painting of Che on the red background.  That is Jim's.   His son is adorable and a charmer.  I have his card and he has mine so I hope to hear from him.

Loved the big expensive awards dinner and learning about and meeting the awardees.  

A wonderful experience - again.

Got home and found out that Leslie and Bill had come a day early just to be on vacation.  We have been just soaking up the family time.  Bart came over this afternoon and the five of us, Bart, Barb, Leslie, Bill and myself all went out for dinner tonight.

More to come.   I LOVE having people in the house.   Nicky likes it too as long as they don't stand up.   Kind of a private joke but he gets afraid of Bill every time he stands up, I wonder if it is because his is so tall?  Loves him when he is sitting down.

Oh well

More tomorrow. 

Dia dhuit

Mary

WELL.   Tomorrow I leave for IBAM in Chicago.    I am not packed yet, BUT I have lists and I have done all the out of home errands that have to be done prior to a trip so I have ALL day as I do not have to be to the airport here in Lawton until quarter to 5 or so.

I am looking forward to being with old friends.   I am looking forward to the Irish experience that IBAM offers.   I am working on getting the Celtic footprint here in Lawton,but it takes time and I am "old":).   I should not be expected to break new ground in a new land:)

Today was busy.   I had Mass and Bible Study this morning.   I will not be able to go next week because I have a medical test on Wednesday morning.   This afternoon, I saw Dr. Toy, my chiropractor, who REALLY fixed my poor sore neck and back.   I will be much more comfortable on the trip.  I got my Powerball ticket.   Can't forget that.

Bart stopped by for a bit this afternoon to be sure we have tomorrow set as he and Barbara are taking me to the airport.

The only things I have to do tomorrow are to finish packing and do my Fantasy Football picks.   A nice quiet day and a day spent with Nicky.   He loves being with Bart and Barb but when I come home, you wouldn't believe the noises that come out of that dog.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from the Quilt Guild Halloween quilt airing and pot luck.

Barb drove and we picked up another friend of hers, Karen, who I will probably see again.  My friend, Judy, from bible study was there also.   I am knowing more of the club members too so am feeling a part of the group.

That was all the excitement today, so I will just say Good Night and I love you all.

Dia DHuit

Mary

This has been an odd day.  I went to mass at 8:30AM with a stop on the way to give Bart his meds.   He had a bad day today.   We were going to be together, but he was so tired, that I just checked in with him often to be sure he didn't need any thing.  

I am getting ready for my Chicago trip.  Tomorrow  will be the day I get serious.  Have a couple calls to make to be sure that I get to my hotel.   Talked to my friend, Maureen Smith today and will be there to help her set up the Literary Salon for IBAM.  We will be going to the special dinner together again.   It is always fun and I figure it is a treat for myself.   I would not lightly consider a 100.oo dinner usual.   Fun to hob nob with the people who are active in our Irish heritage.

So tonight I am tired.  Tomorrow will be going to a pot luck for the Wichita Mountain Quilters, so I will be making broccoli/cauliflower salad in the morning.

Have a lovely evening.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a nice day I had.    I spent parts of it with Bart.   Barb is at her quilting retreat (Well deserved) so Bart and I had things planned over the weekend.    Today,  we rested in the morning as Bart did not feel too well, but this afternoon, we went to Octoberfest here in Lawton.  We had a great time listening to the music and eating brats and just  chattering.

We also did some checking on my phone to see why I have so much trouble with it.  We have some solutions.

We got to his house at about 4PM.  Then he stopped by this evening for a bit.   He misses his Barbara and I miss someone too so to just be "with" is a good thing.

We have had the most beautiful weather. 

I can't believe that I will be leaving for Chicago in four days.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A happy day.    Bart and I drove down to the Wells Fargo Bank in Wichita Falls and I have paid off the mortgage on this house.   We sent a certified check which will be received on Monday so as of Monday I will be free of debt again.   Ya Hoo!

I also consolidated a couple of accounts as long as I was there.    Now, I will be setting up a funeral trust in the next week or two, then investing the rest of the proceeds.   Dick would be so pleased that I don't have a house payment any more.

It was rather chilly today, never got over the low 70s.   Actually, it was in the low 50s when I took Mr. Nicky out this morning.   Nice for walking, except that it was quite windy as we had a storm go through during the night.   No hail or damage here.  Thank heavens.   So sorry for the people on the east coast.   We need to pray.

Barbara is at a quilting retreat this weekend.   So glad for her.   She really needed some time and will enjoy that so much.   Bart and I are going to Octoberfest here in Lawton tomorrow.   That will be fun.

Dia dhuit

Mary

It was HOT today and muggy.  But altogether not a bad day.  I went to Mass and Bible Study this morning and got a lot of people praying for me.   I am still having trouble with my tummy.

Then I  came home after grocery shopping and worked on some business.  

Bart and Barb were here this evening for a while.  Always happy to have bodies in the house.  Bart is going to take me for my tests tomorrow.  I would be fine, but it is nice to have someone along.   As my friend Kathy always said.  Two sets of ears are better than one.

DiaDhuit

Mary

Just a note as it is 9:30PM and I just got home from Writer's Club.     I read a couple of Matt's poems and one of my own which will go in our anthology.   Heard some good stories too.  Most of these people write fantasy/Sci Fi, interesting and good writing, but not my main expertise.   As they are willing to listen to and critique my poems, I am glad to be a part of the whole.

Had a new cleaning lady start today.   She was recommended by Barbara and seems very efficient.   She does this for a living so it will be more dependable and consistent.

I went to the doctor this afternoon because of the pain I have been having in my stomach and some other symptoms.   We are waiting for the results of a couple of tests and I have to go talk to they doctor that did my colonoscopy to see if I need the stomach scoped.   I may have an ulcer and of course we can't have that hanging on:)

I got my flu shot while I was there.

That is all.

Pray that my tummy feels better.  I can use all the help I can get!!!

Dia Dhuit

Mary

An extremely quiet day.  No appointments.   BUT my friend, Kate, called and we had a very good conversation.   Haven't talked to her for quite some time so we had a lot to catch up on.

Our bible study leader, Judy, is gone this week and assigned myself and Mary Beth to lead the Wednesday morning meeting which is also the first week of the Parish Bible Study  of the Good News of God's Mercy (Luke)   So after I read and studied a bit, I called Mary Beth.   We talked and have come to an agreement of how to approach the day.   Sure will be glad to have Judy back next week, but we will do just fine.   After all, Jesus is supposed to be in charge:)  RIGHT.

Tomorrow is extremely busy.   Will tell you about that tomorrow after Writer's club.

Dia Dhuit

Mary