It was actually chilly most of the day. I went to Plymouth to have lunch with the Plymouth gals and darn near froze in the Dairy Queen. I had ham and bean soup for lunch. I've had better. Usually their soups, except for the cream soups, are much better than that.

I spent some time sorting the fabric downstairs, now that I finished the Oak Leaf Table Runner. I put the quilt that I need to tie for the Celtic Faire on the rack and partially assembled a square that I am doing for the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild Show. So far it looks good. It is a star of white and red and then I will be putting blue petals on it, then a gold center for the motif.

Dick and I racked the batch of Gewertziminer that we are almost ready to bottle. It went so smoothly. We can never figure out why sometimes it is a breeze and other times I end up having to scrub the bench and floor because we slop all over the place.

Tonight we had good old hamburger helper for supper. I made spinach with bacon, onion, mushrooms and parmesan cheese to go with it. It was quite simple, I diced a slice of bacon and cooked it together with some chopped onion until the onion was soft, then I drained a can of mushooms and a can of spinach and added them to the pot. Finally just before serving, I added some parmesan until it was melted. Pretty good.

Tomorrow, Chelsea has to have a bath. She will not be a happy girl but she is quite gray by now and we are having guests on Tuesday. Can't have a dirty dog greeting people.

An Alex Levine said "Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all essential four food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat."

That is right up there with the theory that the Sheboygan Brat is the perfect balanced diet. You have your hard roll for grain, your brat for protein, your pickle and onion for vegetable and butter for dairy.

Enjoy your long weekend. We will be at home except that Bobbie and I have to work at Rhine on Sunday. We will watch whatever fireworks that we can see from the deck. We usually get a pretty good show.

Bye now


Mary

Another rather full day. We didn't want the waitress at Zana's to worry because we weren't there on Tuesday for breakfast, so we stopped today on our way to the Pig to grocery shop.

This afternoon, I went back to Falls to meet with Sandy at church. We tried to come up with suggestions for people who can take over the chores that Sr. Marcia was doing. Sr. Marcia is all settled in a cute little apartment in Campbellsport now. Mother said she did come back today to join her Senior Saints at their annual picnic at the Bachmann's. The Bachmann's are a lovely family who plan a picnic and gathering at their farm every year for the Seniors.

I agreed to write a couple of notices for the bulletin and call on Dewey, another church member, to help get the environment(decorating) committee together to do a long term plan. I also will call the Bachman's to be sure that they will have the picnic next year and told Sandy that I would plan programs for the Seniors to fill in the months that they don't have trips or school kids events. We figured that will involve perhaps four programs a year. I think I would enjoy that.

Tonight we "got through" the last of our German songs. Now we have to just practice. We will have one more practice alone and then two with the whole choir at the Bavarian Inn in the Milwaukee area. We told Beth that we would like to sing the German Mass for the congregation the first Sunday in August when we will know it the best. I think the congregation would really like that.

Dick's son, Dick, sent pictures of the tile and flooring that they are having installed in their new remodeled bathroom. It really looks nice. We will have to go see when they are all done.

I took Mom a bottle of both the Domaine Du Sac and the Prairie Fume that we bought at Wollersheim. She is always so pleased.

It was in the upper 80s again today, despite the promises of temperatures in the 70s. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. I know she was very grateful. When I am gone, she doesn't get walks. Jim says that he thinks she knows because she gets right to business and doesn't even try to lead him down the driveway any more. She is not dumb. Her hair is growing out a bit and she looks a bit shaggy. I will be giving her a bath on Saturday as we are having guests on Tuesday and I want her to be pretty.

She is trying to tell me that it is time for bed now so I will sign off and accomodate her. Have a nice Friday.

It is a big payday for us so we are rich again for a day.

Love

Mary

We had a lovely holiday.

The International Crane Foundation is always one of my favorite places. This year, there was in the Amoco Whooping Crane Exhibit a chick that is being fostered by the pair of Whoopers that live in the exhibit. I did get to see it for a few moments before the three of them moved behind the rushes and just kept feeding there. I took some pictures and will look at them tomorrow to see if the chick is at all visible. What a thrill. I took LOTS of pictures of all of the other cranes. Some were posing nicely and some were not.

If you want to see more about the cranes, look at www.savingcranes.org. It is a great site. I have been a member of the International Crane Foundation since the first time that Dick and I stumbled on it when we went to the Circus Museum, probably 10 years ago.

Later, after we checked into the hotel, we went to downtown Baraboo and did some shopping. Dick had found an Irish Shop online so we went there. It is a shop with all kinds of truly quality merchandise. I found a three disc set of the Women's Heart music. I had the first one on tape and the second on CD. But getting all three in a set seemed like a good idea. I will find new homes for the duplicates.

Today, we drove home via Prairie Du Sac and the Wollersheim Winery. We do like their wines. Their Domaine Du Sac is SO good. A beaugolais type. It is a smaller bottling for them so they do not often sell it outside of the winery. We stocked up a bit and will have some to share with Mother and Bobbie.

It has cooled down considerably this evening. I is 64 degrees now so Dick turned off the air conditioning and opened things up. Tomorrow it is not supposed to get much over 70 which will be a big relief. It seems that the heat wave is over. We still need rain however and there is none in the immediate future.

I did most of the driving today, and Dick did most of it yesterday. So we make a good team.

I came home to a lot of emails. Most of them were spam of course but several were from friends. My friend, Janet, sent me one with lots of really great quotes. Here is one that tickled my fancy.

I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue . . ."No good in a bed, but fine against a wall." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Til tomorrow.

Mary

Yesterday was so nice. Everyone was at Jeff's to see that baby. It was nice that his parents, Matt and Kaoru, could come from Hawaii with him too. He is a nice little man and was so good. It is not easy to be only 10 months old and have all these aunts and uncles and cousins that want a "piece of you". It was hot but we all stayed in the shade and visited and drank TONS of soda, water and beer and did just fine. The apple cheesecake was GREAT. I was able to save a piece for Jim and he approved also. I think I might make that one for the Main Street Days contest this year.


Today, again, was hot. I went to Bible Study and shooting. The shooting was awful. I only got an 11. My friend Bill says that I am constantly behind the bird. I will practice on Sunday. We do not shoot on the Forth of July.

Tomorrow, Dick and I will be going away for two days. Actually we are leaving tomorrow morning and will return Wednesday night. We are going to visit the International Crane Foundation and an Irish Shop that is in Baraboo. So you won't hear from me tomorrow.


Something to ponder...

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

Bart and Barb believe that they have found a doctor who is really listening to Bart and who Bart can relate too. Thank you for your prayers. He has requested more tests that may disclose reasons why he is not sleeping.

Have a nice Tuesday. I will post again on Wednesday.

Love


Mary

I don't think the temperatures topped 76 today, which was fine with me. I am watering tonight even if we are supposed to be getting rain. The weather bureau has been promising rain for so long that we just plain don't believe them anymore.

Dick and I bottled 25 bottles of White Zinfindal today. It has a lovely color and the bit that was left over sure tastes good.

Tomorrow we will be picking up Mother at 11:30AM and going out to Hilbert to see my brother Jeff's son Matthew and his wife Kaoru and their son Matt who is about 9 months old now. Everyone who lives in Wisconsin who can will be there to see them. They live in Hawaii now, where Matt teaches grade school. His school is a year round, so they will be only here a week or so as his vacations are quite short.

I made an apple cheesecake to take along. It is VERY heavy. You mix apple pie mix into the cheesecake before you bake it and top it with a struesel topping. I am hoping it is as good as it seems to be.

I also made some guacamole today which is EXCELLENT. It has been a long time since I had any of that.

I am really tired tonight. I have to stay up until at least 9:00 though so that Chelsea can get out for her walk. I also want to turn the water off then.

Did I tell you that Barbara called last night? Bart is having a lot of trouble sleeping and is not at all with it in the mornings. She is trying to get a doctor in Oklahoma City to look at him and listen to him. His doctor in Lawton doesn't even know what he has prescribed for Bart.


Have a nice Sunday.

Mary

It was HOT today. Dick and I went and saw Mr. & Mrs. Smith today. It was a good movie. Lots of excitement, shooting and romance (kind of romance anyway.) It is the first time we remember seeing Angelina Jolie in a movie. She is really good and quite lovely.

It was 98 degrees when we came out of the theatre. Then I dropped off the 9 extra quilt squares from Blessed Trinity to Mary Bainbridge. She will add her 3 so that we can make the lap quilt to raffle along with the queen sized one. By now it has dropped down to 74 and tomorrow will be much cooler. I am hearing 84.

I did get all the flowers watered and part of the lawn too. We had about 15 minutes of rain as the front barreled past us.

We Writer's Club Members did a little excercize at our meeting using words that sound alike but mean different things. I came up with the following using horse - hoarse and lead - led.

The hoarse auctioneer led the horse nto the ring. They were old, the horse and the man. The horse's back was bowed as if he carried lead weights on his back. The auctioneer's the weight of the world.



Til tomorrow

Mary

Just got home from choir. We are just practicing our German pieces for the choir at Germanfest. Beth, our director, is able to translate enougth so that we at least know what we are singing about. We finished going through everything but the pieces that are just for the men and just for the women. The melodies are quite easy to learn but matching them with the foreign words is difficult.

Dick got the little burr on his tooth filed and feels much better about them. They really do look nice.

It was very hot today - up in the 90s. Tomorrow will be the same they say.

Tomorrow we are going on a date. We are going to an afternoon movie. Dick gets to choose this time and has decided on Mr. & Mrs. Smith. It has great reviews. I can hardly wait for POPCORN.

I have the Cashel Dennehy School of Dance booked to dance at Celtic Faire. I am really excited.

Have a nice Friday and a super weekend. We will be going to my brother Jeffs on Sunday. I am making an Apple Cheesecake to share.

Love

Mary

Dick and I are watching Dancing with the Stars again. Two dancers have been eliminated. We are really enjoying it. There are two more weeks after this one as they elimate ONE couple each week. This week they will dance two dances. A Samba and a Waltz. I find myself getting really irritated with the judges. They are very nasty with their comments - at least the old crotchety one. I liked Evander Holyfield myself.

It was very pleasant today - the temps were in the mid 70s. I sat out on the deck for a while this evening and read. The rest of the week is supposed to get HOT HOT HOT. Up into the 90s by the weekend.

I talked to Barb and Bart is feeling a bit better thought he is still struggling and needs prayer. He will be seen in Oklahoma City on July 12 and Barb said they are taking more blood tests so perhaps they are finding some odd levels. She feels that perhaps because he is exercising more he needs to have his meds adjusted but the doctor in Lawton won't listen to them about ANYthing.

We filtered the White Zinfandal today and will do another filter tomorrow. Then we can bottle it. We will be done just in time to start racking and filtering the Gewertziminer. Got to build up the stock. We like to have it for gifts. I have been harvesting rhubarb and hope to have enougth from my plants for both wine and desserts. But - I will probably have to get some from Bobbie or Donna. My plant just isn't quite big enough for everything I want to do with it.

We got the car washed today and went to Menards. Tomorrow morning we are getting the Alantra serviced AND Dick has to go back to the dentist to get a little burr on his new caps smoothed out. Busy Busy.

Thank God that the little Boy Scout in Utah was found safe and sound. I loved his mother Jody's statement. "People say that the heavens are closed and God no longer answers prayers. We are here to unequivocally tell you that the heavens are not closed, prayers are answered and children do dome home."

WOW.

Mary

It was warm today, up in the middle 80s. We waited until after 4:00 then started both sprinklers. The rotating one is acting up. We have such hard water that they keep getting jammed with minerals. What we need is a big vat of vinegar to soak it in and then have two - one soaking, one working.

This afternoon, Dick and I met with Mary Schroeder, my friend and investment counseler, and her replacement, Tom Schmidtke, to review my retirement portfolio. They had some suggestions that I have to study. Mary is retiring, at least temporarily. I will miss her as my consultant, but will see her often, as she is a part of the group of Wells Fargo ladies that meet on Friday's for lunch.

Tonight, eight quilting ladies met with our squares for the Quilt that we are putting together for a raffle at Celtic Faire. I believe I told you about that. 9 ladies have made 39 squares that are all unique and just wonderful. We are making a queen size quilt and have enough squares left that if Mary Bainbridge makes her three will become a lap quilt for a second prize in the raffle. This was a good idea, I hope it turns out to be profitable.

I made a pasta salad today. Anything with pasta is well received in this house. It is a great one that I found on Richard Simmons' recipe cards. You mix 2 cups of elbow macaroni with four or five cups of chopped veggies (carrots, celery, green onions, cucumber, peppers, zuchinni) whatever you have, add some shredded cheese and/or sliced ham or pepperoni and stir in a couple of tablespoons of light mayonese, salt and pepper to taste. Chill and serve.

A nice quiet day tomorrow.

Happy Day.

Mary

Nice day today. We started reading Paul's II Corinthians. Actually, we just read the introduction from the study guide and the greeting. He always has quite lengthy greetings that seem to go on and on. Again, we are going to have to rely on the notes to tell us the customs of the area and the time so that what Paul says makes sense. For example, we always have to keep in mind that slavery was customary and a fact of life in his time. He actually gives slaves advice on how to be good slaves.

Then I took Mother to see her eye doctor, Dr. Larson for her bi-annual check. He did notice a slight change but not enough to warrant any action and just told her to keep checking that lined chart and if there is any change to call immediately. Then we went to the Restoration Gardens, Thyme Savors, restaurant for lunch. It is a pleasant place to eat. We had tuna and a cup of soup. I had their corn chowder and it was great. They put all kinds of nice greens on their sandwiches.

This evening I shot trap league and bumped up to a 15 score. Better than last week and CERTAINLY better than yesterday. But I am still not leading on the bird. (That is what Bill, a friend who teaches trap to high school kids says.) It will come. I am determined.

Dick got the second prime coat on the garage door today. Probably on Wednesday he will put the paint on. We also racked wine.

Old Oscar is on the desk all sprawled out with his paw over his eyes. I am surprised that he has not noticed that Dick opened the deck door and the windows. It has cooled down enough to turn off the air.

My reading in the Cadfael Book of Days by Robin Whiteman said "God is still looking your way." I like that.

He is looking at you too. Enjoy.

Mary

Here it is Sunday night at 8:00PM already. This has been a rather eventful day. As I said, the Bell Choir (by the way we are called the Trinity Tones. Not my choice but that is the name that was chosen,) played at Mass this morning. our first piece was great. The second, was moderately ok. We fell apart on the third (I think we fooled the congregation by plunging on through) and the last one was OK again. I received complements from two of our audience and will bask in that.

This afternoon, Jim, Bobbie and I went shooting. I did pretty good on the pistol range but was disappointed with the trap shooting. I have done some adjustments on my shooting vest which I hope will help when I shoot league tomorrow.

It was Father's Day and all the kids contacted Dick. Leslie called tonight and we had a nice phone visit. He has been busy lately, scraping and painting the inside of the garage door.

It was an absolutely perfect day today. The temperatures were in the mid 70s. It was sunny. Everything is green and beautiful. Wisconsin is really the prettiest state in the union. I have always said that, no matter where I lived.

Bart is having a bit of a problem with his med adjustments. We can use prayers that things can be resolved and will get better soon. He has not been sleeping for one thing.

I have the get together for Fr. Mike Shea all arranged now for July 5th at 11:00AM. That should be fun. I am going to fix "Old Rags" for lunch. I can make it the day ahead of time and just put it in the slow cooker for serving and to keep it warm. It is really good on hard rolls. A salad and nice dessert should round it off.

I was reading a sentence in a book called Celtic Christianity by Timothy Joyce. He said "Of course, there can always be a cast of too much spirits in a pub, but you can also have too much religion in a church!" It reminded me of the parish priest in Ireland at the church where Fr. Mike Moran said Mass. Fr.Mike asked him why there was not more music in the service and the priest said that they did most of their "singin' in the pubs."

Roxie just joined me for a bit of cuddling, so I will sign off now. Have a nice week.

Love

Mary

Everybody should go to the Fireside in Ft. Atkinson for dinner and the theater. We went today and saw Beauty and the Beast. What a nice feel good production. There were lots of children in the audience which is so refreshing for this type of production. At one point, when the Beast sent Beauty to find her father, one little voice said plaintively. "Where is she going?" It was so sweet.

The meal was excellent as usual. We had a seafood croquette for an appetizer with coleslaw, followed by chicken and ribs with a stuffed baked potato. Then a strawberry mousse on a lemon cookie for dessert. Of course this is accompanied by their fresh baked breads. I bought two loaves, cheese and dill, to bring home.

Now I am tired.

Tomorrow is a bit quieter. However, the bell choir is playing at the 10:30 Mass and Jim, Bobbie and I are going shooting in the afternoon. So it won't be dull. I decided to make life easy and bring out some Cornish pasties that I have in the freezer for supper to make my life easy.

I called my Bret last night just to hear his voice and ask if he had felt any of the earthquakes. He sounds much better than he did the last time I spoke to him. He was heading out to the river to renew himself over the weekend. By the way he did not feel the quake. He said that his friend Tony did but that Bret, himself was working near railroad tracks and all kinds of other stuff and did not feel it. He says he is probably kind of used to them any way and it takes a real roller like the one that knocked him out of bed a few years ago to get his attention.

Have a nice evening.

Mary

Well, I was so tired last night that I didn't post.

Went to choir practice. We are learning the German pieces we will be singing at Germanfest at the end of July. The music quite easy to follow even various parts so the biggest challenge is the German itself. We got through the Mass pieces on a "once through" and felt pretty good about it.

After choir the bell choir practiced. We will be playing at the 10:30AM Mass, Father's Day and Kathy is very ambitious. She has us playing four pieces. A pre-mass call to worship, the Offeratory - the Communion and a processional. WOW - Judy said that the previous bell choir never did that many pieces at one service.

The roof is fixed. Hallelulah. Poor little Roxie was really upset today. She spent most of the day under the couch in the livingroom, scared to death of all the banging. I am sure she thought that the roof was about ready to fall in. Old Oscar found it annoying enough that he spent most of his day downstairs where it was not quite so noisy. Chelsea discovered that it was nothing to worry about so she ignored it.

There were garage sales all over the neighborhood. Cars were parked everywhere. They will be here tomorrow too. Jim will "love" it. I ordered the rock to be delivered in the morning and he will be distributing it around the house during the afternoon. We ordered one yard the first time and this time I ordered two. Poor guy, but Dick can't do it and I sure can't.

"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes." Anonymous
I am going to be hosting a family gathering for Fr. Mike Shea on either July 5 or July 6th. I have Mom and Aunt Kathleen notified and need to reach Uncle Pat and Jeff. Yippee! I get to plan a party and I get to feed people.


Love

Mary

The roofer, Greg worked all day today and will be back tomorrow to hopefully finish the job. It was cloudy and rather cool today. We watered the front yard as this is supposed to be the beginning of a dry spell (as if we will notice as it has been so dry for so long already. The only thing that has saved us is the fact that it has been so muggy because rain has fallen ALL around us. My brother, Jeff in Hilbert, just west and a bit north has had plenty of rain.

I did get to stay home all day today and I finished the Claddagh Ring block for the church quilt. I think it looks nice. I will take pictures and post them on the blog next week. We are meeting next Tuesday to see what we have. I am sure we will have plenty of blocks. I made 4 and Dottie Koene made 5 and Beth, who wasn't even counted, made 1 so we have 3 extra already. We figure if there are extras we will make a table runner or pillows or a wall hangeing.
Whatever works.

Jeff, my brother, called last night to invite us to his home on June 26. His son, Matthew with his wife Kaoru and son Coleton will be visiting from Hawaii and he figured this is the best way for everybody to see them. Little Coleton, is the only son of a son of a son to carry on the Deeley name in the direct decendancy from my Dad. He is an interesting little mix of Matt and Kaoru. I look forward to see him in person.

Did I tell you that we are going on a bus tour to the Fireside to see Beauty and the Beast? I look forward to their meals almost as much as the performance and always bring back 2 or 3 loaves of their wonderful fresh baked bread. Usually, dill, cheese and maybe maple walnut. This was not one of their bigger selling shows. I heard that people are thinking of it as a children's show. But it really is not. Even Disney's cartoon is perfectly beautiful for adults as well as children.

There is a new movie, Bewitched, out. Nichole Kidman is Samantha but even more exciting Shirley Mac Laine is Endora. We are planning on going to see it next Friday.

Love

Mary

Kitties are taking up way more that their share of my desk space tonight. Sylvia Bright Green, a fellow member of the Sheboygan County Writer's Club, who is quite a successful writer and a psychic offered to talk to Oscar and ask him not to lie on the desk. The trouble is I don't want him to be offended and I really like his being here unless I need to spread out a bit - or if he and Roxie sprawl more than usual. Most of the time, they lie to the back of the desk and really aren't a bother. I can't see how he could be made to understand WHEN he is in the way.

I had my hair done today. What a relief. It has been getting WAY too long and sticking out every which way. I also had an appointment with Dr. Casey, my chiropractor. I had him look at my wrist and thumb. He said he felt a restriction and did an adjustment. Hopefully this will relieve the sharp pains I have been getting in the hand.

The roofer is going to start the repairs tomorrow. There are several area in need but at least the roof as a whole is sound and Jerry Ziegelbauer, the roofing contractor, says it is far from needing replacement. WHEW!

There is nothing of interest on tv of an evening anymore. We are watching Errol Flynn's The Sea Hawk tonight. It is really good. Errol Flynn, Alan Hale Sr., Claude Raines are all in it.

It was warm again today, but slightly cooler than yesterday. Tonight we are getting thunder and a little rain. I did water pots. I am really mad at bunnies. When I went out to water the beans and carrots I discovered that the bunnies have eaten all but ONE of my nice healty bean plants. I sprayed the rest of the garden with repellent. It is not a good move to close the barn door after the horse has escaped.

Have a nice Wednesday. I get to stay home all day.

Love

Mary

The phone has been ringing off the hook tonight. I got a call from Joan with three names for the prayer chain, a call from one of Nora's classmates needing her address because THEY will be having their 45th reunion this year and a call back from one of the people that I had called about the census. Mother called too.

I called Bart and Barb tonight and talked to Barb. She has been working 11 hour days and Bart is having some depression problems. They are working on that and his physical health is definately improving. So hopefully that will help him cope with the emotional in time. Barb is dieting and has lost 17 lbs. She is VERY proud as well she should be. They are exercizing in the pool on base together so Bart is becoming more mobile also. Good news and not so good news.

I must get a little package ready to send to them. Jacquie, my ex sister in law, sent some jewelry that my ex bought at one time for Bart's grandmother Lily. She thought that Barb should have it. That is a nice idea.

Tomorrow, we shop then a hair cut by Maria and a neck adjustment from Dr. Casey. I need to ask him about carpel tunnel. I think my wrist is arthritis, but sometimes wonder, as working on the computer does aggravate it. A writer/chiropractor spoke at Writer's Club today and gave us some hints on how to avoid neck and spinal problems. He was interesting enough that members kept him a bit longer than we had intended with questions.

It was hot and muggy again. We had about 1/2 inch of rain, I guess. This is not going to help much at all. I must begin watering again tomorrow. The pots and the soakers and the new grass at least.

Have a nice Tuesday.


It's a kind of arrogance to think that you are beyond redemption.





The above is a quote from one of the Cadfael books by Ellis Peters. I really liked it.

Mary

Singing for the graduates this morning was really fun. We sang quite well and two of our high schoolers sang a duet for the graduates too that was really beautiful. Jim Wilsing joined us for the Celtic Mass Music and our Offeratory Hymn on the tin whistle.

Fun.

This afternoon, I went to River Park in Sheboygan Falls for a memorial for Jack Boldt, a classmate of mine who died last October of pancreatic cancer. His daughter invited family, friends and classmates to the park for a memory trip and to dedicate a bench that she and her daughter had commissioned in Jack's memory. Jack was a jock when I was in high school, a really nice looking guy with a ready smile and the willingness to be a friend to everybody. He left a legacy of fun and joy. I started kindergarten the same year as he did and we graduated together. Then I didn't see him for 40 years. We met again at the 40th high school reunion and had a nice visit. He was proudest of all of his daughter and grandaughter, Gretchen and Samantha. I can see why, Gretchen has his eyes and his smile and I am sure his joy. She obviously loves him. What a legacy. I was glad that I had that memory to share with Gretchen.

It was a beautiful day. Too beautiful actually. 82 degrees at the highest but NO rain. River Park in Sheboygan Falls is a beautiful park. Always has been. When Randy was married, we all went there for pictures along the bank of the Sheboygan River with flowing willow trees in the background. That was 20 years ago and now their youngest daughter is graduating from high school. TODAY.

I am sad. I have not heard from any of the out of state children in weeks. I guess I'll have to start calling them because I get lonely.

Love

Mary

Roxie is being Miss Affectionate Kitty tonight. She is on my lap cuddling and purring and looking at me quite adoringly. She was a bit standoffish when we first got her but in the past month or so, she has become quite the lover. I like that a lot.

It was hot again today.

This afternoon, I picked up Mother at about 2:00 and we went to my cousin Brian and Peggy's house for the graduation party of their daughter Amanda. It was a nice couple of hours. Maureen was here from Kansas City and Chris and her husband Ron came from Sun Prairie. Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Bob were there of course and we got to see lots of their kids too. Brian and Peggy's youngest daughter, Samantha and two of her friends did a musical gymnastic act for us in the back yard. Brian and Peggy just moved into a new home. It is about the same size as their old one but the grounds are huge and beautiful going down to a creek. We were impressed. The view from the living room is spectacular.

Took Mom grocery shopping on the way home. She is having her Canasta group over this week and needed proper snacks to set out for the ladies. Usually, she asks Donna to take her grocery shopping But - Tomorrow is Jessie's graduation and then Jessie leaves for Germany two days later. To top it off, Erin's car broke down on the way home from work and Randy was trying to fix that. It never rains but it pours.

Dick is working on stripping the paint off the lower panel of the garage door because it is peeling. It is really not cooperating. So he figures it might be his summer project.

Tomorrow the choir sings at 8:00AM so I want to get to bed early. It is for the graduates.

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars.

Go for it.

Mary

Another hot dry day. I understand that it will be warm for the next few days with little chance of rain.

Today was a day that moved apace as the expression goes. Dick and I started out early. We went to breakfast at Hardee's then picked up some supplies at Menards. When we got home, I cleaned the kitchen and sorted my writing projects.

At noon, I went to Plymouth and the eye doctor for new sun glasses, the Art Center to view an exhibit by my friend Jane Kochmod of some of her poetry and photography. Then on to the Sewing basket and finally lunch with the gals at Dairy Queen.

We had hamburger patties, potatoes and Swiss chard for dinner and topped the day off by watching and old Errol Flynn movie called Dawn Patrol from 1938. It was really good. Actually kind of an anti war movie. So many movies from that long ago are dated and boring. But this was surprisingly special. Great cast too. Errol Flynn, David Niven, Barrie Fitzgerald.

Tomorrow I will be taking Mother to my cousin Brian Ayers home for a graduation party for his daughter Amanda. The next day, my niece Jessica graduates. Randy and Donna had Jessie's party last Saturday. Jessie leaves for 25 days in Germany on Tuesday. She is on an exchange program. Things sure have changed since I graduated from High School. Even since my Bart graduated. She had worked so hard to get there, I hope the trip is all she is dreaming it will be. She is a lovely girl. Did I tell you that she looks JUST like Mother looked in her wedding picture, except of couse Jessie has red hair and Mother's was dark.

I was reviewing the cookbook that I am trying to get ready to publish and thought I would share a special recipe with you.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TO DIE FOR

6 oz. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
3 eggs Separated
3 TBLSP. water
1 Teas. Instant Coffee
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Teas.. Vanilla
1 Tblsp. Blackberry Brandy

Stir instant coffee powder into boiling water in small heavy saucepan until completely dissolved. Add chocolate, place over low heat, stirring, just until chocolate is melted.

Remove from heat.

Whisk egg yolks into chocolate mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in Brandhy and vanilla. Beat egg whites in a medium sized bowl until foamy, bradually beat in sugar, a tablespoon at a time until merangue forms soft peaks. Gold in chocolat mixture until no streaks of white remain. Spoon into parfait glasses. Refrigerate at least one hour.

Garnish with whipped cream. Add a candied rosebud and mint leaf if you wish.

Recipe says 8 servings, I always make it 5. You COULD use any brandy but the flavored add such a great taste.


Enjoy

Mary

We grocery shopped today and I did a bit of quilting.

It was hot again today. We did get about a minute and a half of rain this evening accompanied by enough thunder to terrify poor little Chelsea. It wasn't enough rain to really do much for the lawn or the flowers so I am glad that I watered everything this afternoon. My plants seem to be thriving despite the dry weather. I guess that I am watering just enough. Still waiting on those peony blossems to open.

On June 28 and 29, Dick and I are going on a mini trip to replace an overnight tour that Discovery had to cancel because there were not enough people interested. We decided to go to Baraboo and go to the International Crane Foundation. We always enjoy that. Dick found a new Irish shop in Baraboo also so we can check it out. I booked a whirlpool suite at the Best Western. I find that it does my hips and knees wonders to soak in a whirlpool and it is nice if I don't have to leave the room to do it. I can do myself some therapy before we go to sleep and maybe a bit in the morning before we leave. We are thinking of perhaps stopping in Prairie du Sac at the Wollersheim Winery too. That would make a nice low impact two day getaway.

We had choir tonight. Jim Wilsing is going to accompany us on the tin whistle along with Beth on the piano. The song is You Raise Me Up and is truly beautiful. We are singing it for the Graduates at the 8:00AM Mass. It will be a nice song for Celtic Faire too - a possibility.

Pray for rain. We need it. Especially the farmers.

Here is the first verse of a poem my brother Matt wrote called sleep. Something I think I am ready for right now.

SLEEP

sleep i seek your tender arms
your gentle hands and flowering dreams
and your painless misty hiways
sleep i seek you


(Matt never used capital letters and referred to himself by the small letter i.)
Til tomorrow.

Mary

It was a wonderful day. I got to stay home ALL day. So I caught up on all the paperwork that had been piling up on my desk. I sent out about 10 mailings. Some for us and some for Rhine Plymouth. And I even got some quilting done. I have pinned the majority of the Claddagh Ring for stitching.

This evening Bobbie and I went to the quilt guild meeting. Usually they last until after 9:00PM but we were home by 8:30PM this month. We were sure relieved. I brought the three blocks that I have completed for the group quilt that we are making at Blessed Trinity and the spiderweb that I posted the picture of yesterday. People seemed to really like the spiderweb. As you can see, it is quite whimsical. Things are all in the works for the annual quilt show. Unfortunately, Dick and I will be just returning from out Washington DC trip the day of the show. I will ask one of my friends to take and pick up my entries and am going to sell the raffle tickets and make a challenge block. That will have to be my contribution this year.

I had prepared a small batch of "old rags", Cuban shredded beef a couple weeks ago and froze it. We had that with rice and peas for supper.

Tomorrow we shop and there is choir in the evening.

Ellis Peters said in the Cadfael Book The Potter's Field "To overcome the lures of evil is all that can be required of mortals." Seems logical to me. Sometimes that is impossible. I also received from a friend of mine, a quote that seems to refute the above. "Some mistakes are too much fun to make just once." Puzzle that out for a bit.


Mary

Dick and I are spending the evening watching a wonderful OLD movie called The Old Dark House with Boris Karloff, Raymond Massey, Charles Laughton and several older really great stars. It is scary in the old way and a strange little movie.

This morning we shopped and I did a bit of sewing too. This afternoon I went to help put the raffle tickets for the Celtic Faire into envelopes.

It was hot today and we were under a thunderstorm watch most of the day. Nothing came of it as much as we could use the rain. It does seem cloudy outside now, perhaps we will have some tonight. Otherwise, I must go out and water everything tomorrow. It was humid so I don't think that things have dried out too much because of the humidity.

The peony on the side of the house is just about ready to open. This is the first year it has bloomed and I can hardly wait. I have even forgotten what color I bought.

Tomorrow night is the Sheboygan Quilt Guild Meeting. It is the first one I have been able to attend in months. I want to show off my spiderweb quilt. The last time I showed up at a meeting was at the end, just long enough to drop off the two baby quilts I made for the At Risk babies at Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee.



This is the Spiderweb.


Love

Mary

Lovely day today. It was all the way up into the 80s. Wow. Bobbie and Bill brought us some primroses from their garden Sunday afternoon. So I planted them today around the birdbath in the front yard. Bobbie says that they spread. I hope so as they are colorful and beautiful. I don't have any real color in that corner so it is a welcome addition.

I met Rosalie at Sheboygan Falls Conservation for our third week of trap league. I did a 17 - not as good as Sunday, but certainly in a consistant higher count than last year. I seem to have to constantly remind myself to be calm and focus.

Bible Study was very nice this morning. We finished the fifth of six lessons on the Eucharist. This lesson was on the ending rite of the Mass that sends us out to evangelize and practice the message. Also we discussed the Eucharist itself which is the center of the Catholic Faith. We believe that the bread and wine, at the Consecration, become the Body and Blood of Christ. The United Stated Bishops state. "Futhermore, being present under the appearances of bread and wine, Christ gives himself to us in a form that is appropriate for human eating and drinking." It seems so odd to us that animal sacrifice was (and still is in many cultures) accepted. However, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and ended the need for such things. Sure glad he took care of that.

I had to go to the Rhine Plymouth monthly meeting tonight too. It is good to be home and done for the day.

Tomorrow is much easier.

Have a good week.

Love

Mary

Lovely day today. The temperatures were in the low 80s. We are supposed to be getting thunderstorms this evening, but so far only a bit of wind and it is VERY muggy. Dick turned on the air conditioner for the first time today.

The choir sang at the 10:30 mass. It was the beginnng of a special farewell mass and luncheon for Sr. Marcia, who will be leaving Blessed Trinity at the end of the month. Beth, our choir director had picked Sr. Marcia'a favorits and we sang On that Holy Mountain with the Kinder Core. The Kinder Core is really good and we do enjoy partering with them. They sang another song called Our Redeemer Lives and we joined them for the refrain in parts and on the last verse which both choirs sang in parts and a capella. We rocked.

The lunch was pleasant, ham, cheese, rolls, Veggies and dip, chips and cake. Several people spoke and Sr. Marcia did too. Bob Weber spoke for the council and then followed with some comments from himself. I think his own opinion was a bit over the top. He compared her leaving to Hiroshima. Well, I had better keep my opinions to myself. But I figure that you won't tell.

Jim and I went out shooting this afternoon. I rocked there too. I got a 19 on my trap shoot and did very well with the pistol. The trap vest is helping now that I used it twice and am getting used to it. I am not flinching as I wait for the recoil and the pain. Without it I am pressing the gun stock right to bone and was ending up bruised and sore.

Tonight, We are going to watch the Tony Awards. I am excited to see how Smam a Lot does. I would really like to see that. We had better win the lottery, so I can go again.

Love

Mary

A beautiful, sunny, stormy day. Sounds odd doesn't it. But this morning, it was kind of cloudy but pleasant so I finished trimming the privet bush. (I don't think it is really a privot, but I like the name.)

This afternoon, about 3:00, it started getting very windy, then some mild thunder then the biggest BOOM we have had in a couple of years. Poor Chelsea is a basket case and Oscar flew (literally) from the window to the door of the office without touching the ground. Dick and I went to two graduation parties. Jessica Bainbridge and our niece, Jessica Deeley. It was raining until about 5:30 then cleared up nicely. Jessica actually graduates on the 11th but she leaves on the 13th for 25 days in Germany. Wow, kids now days sure have opportunities. She has worked her little buns off to afford this trip with fundraisers and a job and she maintained her school grades and extra circular activities too. Randy, my baby brother, can be very proud of ALL of his girls and I am very proud to be their aunt.

It was fun spending time with Uncle Pat, Aunt Joan, Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Bob. Next weekend, I will be taking Mother to my cousin Brian's daugher Amanda's graduation so I will probably see them again then.

Jeff and Kathy were there too, of course, Kathy is retired now. Jeff and Randy make their annual trip to Indy this year. Jeff said it was perfect this year. The weather was wonderful and the race was great. Danica, the young lady who managed to come in fourth on her FIRST major race, was quite a draw and VERY impressive. This group of guys have been going to Indy for at least 40 years. They used to camp out and tailgate. They still do tailgating but now they stay in a nicer motel out of the elements. They aren't stupid.

Jeff and Kathy said that the currants are looking really good this year. They should be ready about the middle of July. Last year we missed them and are we ever sorry. The wine needs to mature for a year but it is REALLY good. I told Jeff and Kathy that we don't want to miss the crop again.

A dear friend sent me the following. Try it. It is great.

HOW TO START YOUR DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK


1. Open a new file in your PC.

2. Name it "Housework."

3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN

4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN

5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete housework permanently?"

6. Answer calmly, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly....

7. Feel better?

Have a pleasant relaxing Sunday.

God love you - I do

Mary

WHAT A DAY! The Plymouth ladies were all unable to come to lunch so I had to redo my plans. I ended up going to the bank in Sheboygan Falls and picking up some pins I needed at Evans. Then I went to church for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and dropped some information off to Lynn in the church office.

I stopped at Mom's for a few minutes. Randy had brought over a big box of cook books that Dolores brought to their house. Donna and her girls took what they wanted and they are spreading them around. We aren't sure why Dolores sent them down. Has she stopped cooking? Maybe so. Did she decide to REALLY clean house? Such a puzzle. I brought home a Frugel Gormet cookbook and will go through the Taste of Home but lord knows I have anough cookbooks myself.

I trimmed half of the corner bushes around the birdbath. It is supposed to rain for the next three days. I hope it starts late enough tomorrow so that I can finish the bush.

We had lasagna for dinner. I am using up things in the freezer. The sauce I made up without meat worked well for this too. I sliced mushrooms and meatballs along with three kind of cheese, the sauce and the lasagna pasta. Yum Yum. We had chocolate cake too. If you come Sunday I have plenty left for everybody. (If you ALL came I would add stuff til there was enough. One of my curses. I love to feed people.)

Tomorrow is the graduation party for Jessica. That will be fun. At least for me. I hope that it does not rain before late in the evening. I sure would make it difficult for Randy and Donna. She actually graduates on the 11th but she leaves for Germany on the 12th. So this is quite a whirlwind time for that girl. Boy, the kids now days sure have wonderful opportunities.

Love

Mary

Dick's blood test was perfect again. Sue, his technician, says that he is getting boring. We all LOVE that kind of boring. She says he should continue doing what he is doing and not doing what he is not doing.

Today was nice and warm. Low 70s. I went out in the front yard and trimmed the bush that Bobbie says is really a tree. It is under the Locust tree. If I let it go it gets way too big and tries to overtake the Locust. Trimmed, it looks nice. With any luck at all, this weekend I will get the privot hedge that corners the birdbath squared up. Everything is healthy and thriving. A good thing, but it does make a lot of work.

Tonight was choir practice, both adult choir and bell choir. Sr. Marcia, the ex-principal of our school, who has been here forever, 28 years as I understand, is moving to another ministry at the end of June. We are having a celebration of her service and a good bye party on Sunday. The choir is singing along with the childrens choir. We are singing a wonderful song along with the children called There is a Redeemer. The children will sing the first two verses and we will join in four parts on the refrain and both choirs will sing the last verse a capella. The children are so precious and we all enjoy singing together so it sounds wonderful.
Sr. Marcia will be so pleased. We are also singing her favorite - On That Holy Mountain.

Did I tell you that we have robots that do our vacuuming. They are called Roomba and are kind of like another couple of pets. After you make sure that the area you want vacuumed is surrounded by "walls" of one kind or another you turn them on. If you don't contain it, it escapes and you don't know where it will end up. They are fascinating to watch, they even know when there are stairs and turn around (usually, actually we have had the Roomba go tumbling down the stairs twice.) Anyway, I moved the carpet runners into the kitchen while we are doing the main carpet and you would really laugh to see Roxie jump on the end of the runners to get a ride.

Have a nice Friday.

Mary

We had dinner with Mother at The Villager. Mother and I both got their "Pasta Viola" a construct your own pasta meal. This is kind of fun. You choose your pasta, sauces, herbs and veggies and add meat or seafood if you want it. I keep trying different combinations and they are all good.

The Sheboygan Theatre did a fine job on Sondheim's Into the Woods. It is a typical Sondheim, full of good but not "humable" music and the story is fairytale and fun. Almost everyone dies which is really rather odd. It was a new play for Dick and me which is always an adventure.

And it is always nice to spend an evening with Mother.

Tomorrow, we shop and Dick gets his finger pricked again. He has had another long streak of being right within the perameters. We are very pleased with that. I means that his medication if working and keeping him stable.

I also have choir tomorrow night so it will be a busy day.

It was beautiful today. Well into the 70s. Dick says he is turning on the air conditioner tomorrow so summer is really here.

I am tired and hope to sleep tight tonight. Chelsea has been getting me up way to early lately. It was 5:30AM today.

Mary

What a beautiful day. The temperatures were up in the high 60s and everything is green and fresh. Days like this make me remember why we stay in Wisconsin. They almost make up for the icy below zero days we struggle through in the winter.

We cleaned the kitchen screens and windows today too. It is amazing how much that brightens up the room.

Chelsea woke me up way too early again. It was not even 5:30AM so Dick and I got out for our grocery shopping early too. But it makes for a long day.

Tomorrow night, Dick, Mother and I are going to the Sheboygan Theatre Company to see Into the Woods. Mother saw a production of the musical last year at Sheboygan Falls High School. Jessica, my niece, was one of the performers in that one. Dick and I have not seen it. Sondheim can be different. Some of his work I like a LOT and some I find rather odd. This one should be fun as it is a fantasy.

Well, I am tired. A E. V. Lucas said, "One of the most adventurous things left is to go to bed, for no one can lay a hand on our dreams." So I will start my evening's adventure. Hope yours is pleasant too.

Love

Mary

Yesterday was a lost day. I totally forgot to post on the blog.

Went to church early because the choir was not singing. The rest of the day was pleasant. Jim and I went shooting. I did pretty well with the pistol. Not so good with the trap shooting, but I was trying out my new vest. It did help with the bruising of the shoulders, but I need to get used to it. I will go again next Sunday so I have one more try before shoot league again on Monday.

Dick took Jim and I out for dinner last night. We sent to Nino's - always a good place to eat. I got pork, Jim got steak and Dick got fish.

Today was equally quiet. We fried out brats for dinner and I fixed the famous Kunert potato salad and beans to go with it. It was a beautiful day, up into the high 60s and sunny. We had lots of rain yesterday. A good thing for my new grass and I can see my bean plants coming up. Did I till you that there are buds on my peony bush. I am just delighted. This is the plant that I have thought was dead two years in a row. But it keeps coming back and this is its first year to bloom.

Yesterday, we had some really persistant thunderstorms. Our poor little Chelsea was just frantic. People in the area were setting off fireworks both Saturday AND Sunday nights and she is afraid of that too. Poor little thing keeps pacing and trying to find a safe spot. Jim and Dick both held her for a while and she just trembled. Her whole body turns into a little bowl of jello. We can't figure out why in the world fireworks are being used for Memorial Day. Neither can our girl. Hope they are out of them. I think if there were three days in a row, Chelsea will lose all hope.

Love

Mary

We had a very little bit of rain today, so I went out and checked the newly planted pots and watered the freshly laid grass seed. It was a pleasant temperature, about 68 and partly sunny.

The birds seem to be singing more loudly this spring. Perhaps we notice them more because we are leaving the windows and doors open rather than turning on the air conditioner. Dick is one to turn it on from the first warm day, close all the windows and doors and leave everything closed up until fall. However, now that we have Oscar and Roxie, who enjoy sitting in the windows and at the deck door observing the birds and the general outside, he is more amenible to opening things up rather than shutting things down. Now, he is complaining about the birds being too loud and persistant.

A peaceful day, I did some sewing and cleared off my desk. I am down to the last few projects at church, then will be all caught up.

Cadfael Book of Days had a great quote from Ellis Peters first book, A Morbid Taste for Bones today. "Well, well" said Cadfael silently to himself, and left the insoluble to the solver of all problems."

I made pizza tonight with my own sauce, the sauce I made Thursday with fresh herbs from our very own garden. Boy it was good. I made it the way I used to make a quick meal for the boys.

A frozen loaf of bread, thawed, risen and spread out on a pizza pan
Spread sauce
Sprinkle whatever toppings you want

Bake for about 1/2 hour at 400 degrees.

Have a nice Sunday. I will go to the 8:00AM mass and then shoot with Jim. I want to shoot a round of trap too so I can try out my new vest with the padded shoulder.

Love

Mary

The morning started off very sunny and quite warm. Chelsea ( or Sparky as Dick is wont to call her now that her hair is all shorn) and I had the NICEST walk. I actually slept til almost 6:30AM. It helped that Dick coaxed Chelsea out of the bedroom at about 5:30 so that she couldn't bug me. He said that she is getting wise to that trick however. She isn't so very eager to follow him out in the mornings. She knows that the door will be shut behind her.

By the time I left for Plymouth and lunch with the gals in Plymouth it had chilled considerably. I almost went without a jacket but threw one in the car at the last minute. When I stepped out of the car at the Dairy Queen and immediately got chilled.

I got a letter from Fr. Mike Shea in Thailand. He will be in the U.S. next month. He said that he is accompanying an 89 year old missionary home to see his family in Detroit for the last time. Then the old one (I love the term "old one" - it implies so much dignity, strength and peace) will return to Thailand and stay til he is called to God.

Mike said that Sarnelli has taken in three more little girls, one named WOW. I love their names. Two more will be coming in a few days and he is going to have to build another girl's dorm. He said that the donations are down a bit because many people have given their extra for tsunami relieve. He is so nice - he said he isn't complaining as that is certainly an important cause also.

Have a marvelous three day holiday. Remember our soldiers, those we are remembering and those who are still out there in danger. We must pray that those boys and girls come home soon.

Love

Mary

This evening was the last council meeting for my term. My term is actually through June but we have decided, as in years past, not to have a meeting in June. The two new members were there for a transition and information meeting. One of them is my dentist, Mark Huberty. They will be fine and I am relieved. I think that a lot was accomplished during my term and am proud of it but I need a break.

Dick has his new caps on his teeth and it looks wonderful. It went very smoothly. They said he would be 2 hours, so I went to the bank and on a couple of other errands, got back in 1 1/2 hours and he walked out to meet me. It had only taken about an hour and a quarter. He is so patient. As I said. His teeth look great.

I finished my planting this afternoon. All I had left was to plant the pots on the deck and put a couple of herbs in the herb garden. It was raining this morning but had cleared up nicely and the temperatures were in the low 70s.
I have meatballs, ravioli and ricotta cheese on hand and need to use them up. So I decided to make a meatless spaghetti sauce to divide and use for several meals. Tomorrow we are having spaghetti and meatballs.

Here is my recipe, in case you want to try it.

2 cans tomato soup
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
2 large onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
Fresh or dried oregano (to taste)
Fresh or dried thyme ( to taste)
3 bay leaves
1 teasp. salt
1/2 teasp. pepper
Olive oil
1 TBLSP Steak Sauce
6 oz. Mushrooms sliced

Cook onion and garlic until tender in 1 to 2 TBSP olive oil. Add all the tomato products, the herbs and the salt and pepper and the steak sauce. Cook for one hour or so and add the mushrooms. Cook until tender.

The weekend is almost upon us. It is Memorial Day weekend. Reminds me of the first year Dick and I were together. I still had my little house on Broadway in Sheboygan Falls. Sheboygan Falls DOES have a Memorial Day parade. We decided to walk down the Broadway and Pine to watch it. We really rushed because we started a bit late. By the time we got there it was about over. The parade consisted of 1. about 4 Veterans, the Junior High School Band, A Girl Scout troup and Bruce Mertzig driving his antique car. Dick has never let me forget that.

Love

Mary

There are only 6 more days left in May. I did a bit more planting today. When we moved in to this house, there was a basketball pole and hoop next to the driveway. A permanent fixture. The basketball hoop itself was pretty well shot and we have no need for it anyway, so we removed the hoop and welded on three plant hangers. Today I planted geraniums, sweet potato vine, begonia and coleus in the opts and got them hung. Now, the only thing left to plant are the pots on the deck and a couple of herbs in the herb garden.

It was quite warm today. I brought Chelsea outside with me for a while this afternoon. She likes being with me.

Tomorrow morning, Dick goes back to the dentist to put the permenant crowns in place. This appointment will only last TWO hours as opposed to the four for the temporaries. Still a long time and he his not looking forward to it. I don't believe that they have to numb his mouth this time.

Choir was cancelled for tomorrow night, but I still have to go to the Church Council meeting. This is probably my second last meeting. I will be very happy when the committment is over. The last project I have been steering is the census and we are winding that down now. I really need two more people to make calls for me, but somehow that doesn't seem so difficult.

Everything in its time, one step at a time. Best not look too far ahead when lots of goals are out there. It is too easy to become discouraged. I learned that when I was working. I list everything that has to be done and just concentrate on one thing at a time.

Have a nice Thursday. I must bring in the tomatoe and pepper plants. They are still "hardening" because Jeff raised them under the lights.

Love

Mary

Thursday, Chelsea, the little wretch, woke me up at 5:06AM (I can see the clock the minute I open my eyes) and insisted that it was really important. She was right but it sure left me tired today. I took a nap but am still kind of worn out.

Thursday is also shopping day. Dick and I make it a twice weekly date. We get up and move apace until we are ready, then go to breakfast, on the grocery shopping and home again. It is fun.

I also planted the pots that go under the deck today. They look very cheerful with bright red geraniums and nice green ivy plants falling over the sides. It was not the warmest day we have had but the sun shone and that always brings warmth to the heart.

Something to ponder. Jonathan Swift said, "Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best-bred man in the group."

I do agree in the sense that there is a lot to be said for good manners, although speaking up for right, even if it makes some people uneasy, is not a bad thing.

Love

Mary

Tuesday, shopping day. Chelsea, the little wretch, got me up at 5:06AM. I don't know why she gets these days. I even took her out at 10:00PM last night so she should have been fine. She was quite serious about it so I am glad she tells me but it sure leaves me tired. I took a nap this afternoon, but I am still sleep deprived.

Dick and I went grocery shopping this morning too. We do like those mornings. We get up and move apace til we are dressed and ready to go. Then stop for breakfast, go shopping and home again. Kind of a nice date if you ask me.

I planted and hung the pots under the deck today too. They look very nice with bright red ivy geraniums and lots of green. Did I tell you that the honeysuckle is all the way up to the deck and that one of my peonies has buds.

It wasn't very warm today but the sun shone and sunshine always makes the world seem more glorious.

A point to ponder - Jonathan Swift said " Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred man in the group."

Mary

Tuesday, shopping day. Chelsea, the little wretch, got me up at 5:06AM. I don't know why she gets these days. I even took her out at 10:00PM last night so she should have been fine. She was quite serious about it so I am glad she tells me but it sure leaves me tired. I took a nap this afternoon, but I am still sleep deprived.

I planted and hung the pots under the deck today too. They look very nice with bright red ivy geraniums and lots of green. Did I tell you that the honeysuckle is all the way up to the deck and that one of my peonies has buds.

Dick and I went grocery shopping this morning too. We do like those mornings. We get up and move apace til we are dressed and ready to go. Then stop for breakfast, go shopping and home again. Kind of a nice date if you ask me.

It wasn't very warm today but the sun shone and sunshine always makes the world seem more glorious.

A point to ponder - Jonathan Swift said " Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred man in the group."

Mary

I shot my first two trap league sets this evening. The first was quite good. 16. But the second dropped to 13. My shoulder is so sore form the two yesterday and the two today that I guess I was lucky to get that. I was not following through and it was quite windy. I think I will look for a shooting vest. I think the slight padding on the shoulder would help the discomfort. I am just too bony and bruize too easily. There will be no league next week because it is Memorial Day so I have an extra week to heal.

Bible study was quite lively today. We were in to the discussion of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist part of the Mass and everyone was quite enthused about it. Tom Keyes brought a meditation on last Sunday's gospel with a wonderful quote from St. Augustine that I would like to share with you all. "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love."

We had the leftover stew and potatoes and rhubarb cake for supper tonight. They Still tasted good.

Mother has been the historian for church for about 16 years. She mentioned that she thought someone else should take over that job. After all she IS 89 and as she says is not really active in the daily doings of the parish any longer. So - about 2 months ago we started advertising in the bulletin for someone to take over the job. It is not hard. She cuts out any newspaper articles, includes any picture she gets and takes things out of the bulletin and the Angelus (the quarterly paper) and upts them into scrapbooks for the archives. We tried first by asking for a scrapbooker. No luck. So a couple of weeks ago, we changed the request to a request for a historian. It worked, a really nice member of the Parish, Don Lau, who also does a lot at the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center stepped forward and came over today to collect the current scrapbook and the supplies. What a nice gentleman he is. He LOVED Mother's spoon collection which covers two walls of the kitchen.

Anyway,

That was my day.

Love

Mary

Jim and I went out to shoot at Rhine this afternoon. Pistol league is over but we want to keep practicing over the summer, hopefully to improve before Fall League starts.

The club was hosting a 50 Bird Lewis Shoot, which means that people shoot 50 clay pigeons in a trap meet, 25 from each of 2 trap houses. The entry fees are divided up between the sponsoring organization and the participants in a certain order. I have never shot a competitive event, other that league before, but wanted to practice. I was pleased with my scores - a good trap shooter would probably laugh, but I got a 15 and followed with a 14. Tomorrow night I will start a weekly two man (I suppose "person" is a more acceptable term) league with my friend, Rosalie at the Sheboygan Falls Conservation club.

We had Mother come for dinner tonight as I mentioned in an earlier post. The stew is still good and I prepared mashed potatoes, peas and salad too. I harvested the first of my rhubarb and made super moist and delicious cake.

I guess that is all. I am supposed to be remembering something from the readings at Mass this morning for Bible Study. Paul said in Corinthians 2 - "Greet one another with a holy kiss." I like that - Loving hugging is so essential to mental and emotional health.

Hugs to all.

Love

Mary

What a nice birthday. I finished a quilt square. I seeded a bit of the lawn that has been in need of reseeding. Dick took me out for dinner to the Villager. (I had a filet - for some reason I have been wanting a steak lately, probably because we eat so little beef.)

I received cards from almost all the kids and Bret called tonight. So it has been a full day.


That is all I am writing tonight.

"May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul.

May you realize that you are never alone."

From Anam Cara by John O'Donohue

Love

Mary

I just got home. It is 9:30PM. Bobbie and I worked at Rhine for the bust up party for the spring trap and pistol leagues. Jim got a first place Marksman Trophy for his pistol shooting this time.

The meal was excellent. We had barbequed chicken, broasted potatoes, potato salad, baked beans prepared by Gary Hefter. This was followed by two, count 'em, two desserts. Sara Behr prepared rhubarb tort and Bill Olson brought his famous peach cobbler. Both were excellent and it reminds me that I must check the rhubarb. I believe there is enough for a pie in my garden.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Cards started to arrive today. I received one from Mother, from my friend Esther Hasler and her son Adam and the office staff at Blessed Trinity. Bobbie brought hers with her tonight. They are all special. People are so good to acknowledge it. I can't believe that I will be 65 years old tomorrow. I remember that when I was young I marveled at the fact that in the year 2000 I would be 60 years old and that seemed so very far away. Way beyond my sight. I guess that it is important to remember that we don't have to look that far ahead. We just have to live each day to its fullest and treasure everything and everyone that comes our way.

All my love

Mary

This evening was my music night. Both regular choir and bell choir. I enjoy both so it is a good thing. I have a long way to go on the bells. I am finding out that there is more to ringing them than just ringing. You can dampen and clank and trebble and I suppose other things too. I am still just trying to keep time and remember to ring.

We got our German Music tonight. I think I told you that most of the Blessed Trinity Choir members are joining the choir at mass at Germanfest on July 31. We are going on the bus and will spend the afternoon enjoying the festival after singing. The big challenge is learning the read the German. I think I will practice the melody and beat with la las before then. We will have two practices with the main choir in July.

It was chilly and damp all day today. My understanding is that it is going to warm up by Sunday but will keep on raining. I know we need the rain but a little sun always does wonders for the spirit. Besides, I have a bit a planting to do and I also know that it will take some warmth to make the seeds I planted sprout.

You know how the song goes. "Someone bless the seeds I sow, Someone warm them from below, til the rain comes tumblin'down." We are getting the tumblin'down without the warming.

I think Chelsea is ready to go to bed. At this time of night she always looks a little wobegone if I stay up.

Tomorrow night is bust up for the pistol league at Rhine Plymouth. Bobbie and I are working too so it will be a long night. At least we won't have to be collecting any money, as the bust up is a freebee.

Love

Mary

Today I DID get to stay home all day. I cooked up a storm. We are having stew tonight but I got a big enough chuck roast to make three different dishes.

We will have the stew tonight and I also made "Old Rags", a Cuban Dish that tastes wonderful over rice and I have the dough for pasties in the refrigerator. That dough has to sit overnight and tomorrow, I will combine the meats and veggies and complete them. I think I'll ask Mom over for Sunday dinner and we can have the pasties.

The dishwasher people came AGAIN today. They replaced almost the whole machine including the drain hose which they say they think has been the problem. We will know in a couple of weeks. That dishwasher has just been a curse and Bosch is supposed to be the best. The repairman says that he advised his son to put one in his new home, so that says something.

We are watching reruns of How to Marry a Millionaire. I have watched Regis for probably 30 years or more. Off and on of course. I bring this up because when I saw him first he had a local show in the Los Angeles area with Cindy Garvey. Cincy was a lovely blond lady who was at the time married to Steve Garvey. It was a very similar format to the Regis and Kelly show. The two of them bantering and guests. She was a lot more formal but certainly the times were also more formal. One day they had a blind actor call Tom Sullivan on the show. He apparantly was visiting with her while she was getting ready and dressed for the show. She mentioned that she felt a little odd changing in front of him but knew that he couldn't see and therefore was comfortable. He simply said that he operated on sound and smell. She turned forty shades of green and moaned.


Have a nice evening.

Love


Mary

It is still rather damp and rainy in Wisconsin. I am trusting that the weather predictions are correct and that we will reach 70 by Sunday.

Friday night is the bust up party at Rhine Plymouth and Bobbie and I are also assigned to work. I always like to get two things done at once and the bust up party is easy to work because there is no money exchanged the drinks and shooting is all free. Yippee.

Today, Dick and I went grocery shopping and to the bank in the morning. Then this afternoon, I went to see Dr. Casey to have my neck adjusted.

While out, I took Ken, my sister Dolores's husband, the turkey stuff that he had lent to me and brought them the finished Wild Grape Wine that Dick and I made from the wild grapes that Dolores and I gathered from the vines in their back yard two years ago this September.

Dolores asked us to name it for her neighbor who has been their very close friend "forever." As long as they have been in their home. So. We named it Lou's Wild Grapes for Lou. I was just pleased that it made Dolores happy.

Last year, the grape crop was very bad and this year, Ken thinks the vines are dead. They don't know where they came from in the first place but it will be a shame if they are dead now that we know what to do with the fruit. This is the first true wine that Dick and I have made from scratch. We have made many fermented drinks from various fruits such as rhubarb, plum, current etc. But a true winemaker will say that wine is the fermented product of grapes. This is the only time we have had the opportunity to do so. It is good too. The color is rich and wonderful and as most dark wines is best tasted at room temperature.

Again, I have a desk full of cats. Both Oscar and Roxie are sprawled over much more than their share of the available space.

From the Cadfael Book of Days on the 14th. "A little excitement, after all need not be mischief, and does sound a pleasant counterpoint to the constant order, however much that may be loved and however faithfully served." Ellis Peters


Happy evening.

Mary

A nice peaceful day. I went to bible study this morning. We had a very animated discussion about bringing the readings of the Mass on Sunday into our daily lives. We challenged each other to try to remember something that impresses us in next Sunday's readings and bring it to the study next Monday. This was the third week of the study of the Eucharist and covered the readings, the homily and the petitions.

We are learning a lot. Some of our conversation went to the old customs, such a St. Blaze Day. That was a "feastday" that used to be very popular. It occurs on February 3rd and we used to have our throats blessed with candles. It was supposed to help keep sore throats away. Tom Keyes said that it was an important milestone years back as the farmers knew that there should be "half the hay and half the oats" left at St. Blaze Day.

I read somewhere that we should read Paul's letters as letters - as if they were writted to us instead of the ancient Christian communities. This is a nice idea if one has a knowledge of the world as Paul knew it and can take his words with that in mind. For example, his views on women, though progressive for his age, can really get one's hackles up. It is easier when a person realizes that in Paul's time, women and slaves were pretty much on a par and slavery was an accepted fact of life.

I signed Rosalie, my trap shooting friend, and me up for trap league at Sheboygan Falls Conservation Club. I hop that I remember SOMETHING from last year. We will have to shoot two rounds next week in order to catch up.

Be happy. It is supposed to be nice and warm tomorrow and I am going to plant my Mother's Day dahlias.

Love

Mary

A full but not stressful day. The choir sang at 10:30AM this morning. We did pretty well if I do say so. We sang Mozart's To God Be Joyful and also Rise Up with Him a more modern, bery joyful hymn. Today all the Confirmants were introduced to the community and given their certificates. It is a joyful thing to see all these beautiful healthy young people.

Mother and I were musing over the fact that we do not see any homely or ugly young people anymore. We decided that perhaps we are more forgiving and more appreciative.
More forgiving of any plainness or maybe a bit of chunkiness or big teeth and more appreciative of youth and innocence and just plain people. The nicest part is that we don't expect so much ourselves either.

This afternoon, Bobbie and I worked at Rhine. It was a quiet day but a pleasant one. I shot pistol. Not too successfully but not AWFUL either.

Fixed Venison Creole, fries, stuffed mushrooms and veggie for supper.

It was rather cold and damp today but is supposed to warm up as the week goes on. I hope so. The one or two days we had were like a tease.

Have a nice week

Mary

Tonight was the last performance of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra season. It was also the last season that we will enjoy the conducting of Guy Victor Bordo, who has lead the orchestra for the past 13 seasons. He has brought them a long way. He has also brought a lot to the schools and young musicians of our community and helped institute the Sheboygan Community Chorus. We will miss him.

This concert consisted of Wagner, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Gould, Faure and Spears. Gould, Faure and Spears are fairly recent. Gould's was a tribute to Benny Goodman. Spears was a percussion piece. The Strauss was the Emperor Waltz played by a string quartet. We were delighted.

The second half was Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky and we had a wonderful guest pianist named Yakov Kasman who came from Russia.

Next year they will be "auditioning" conductors. Well over 100 potential conductors have applied and they are going to have the final four each do a concert next year. Perhaps the final selection will do the last concert as there are usually five in the season.

We did not win megabucks. There is still a chance for Powerball which I understand is back over 100 million again. That would do it.

I did a bit of planting today as the sun was out this afternoon and it was quite warm and pleasant. Then it rained which SHOULD be good for everything.

We are finally able to taste the real Wild Grape wine that we made from the wild grapes I harvested at Ken and Dolores's house. It is really quite good. I will get some over to them this week.

Have a warm and fuzzy Sunday.

Mary

Friday the Thirteenth was not so bad at the Kunert Household. This morning, Dick had his appointment with a Dr. Met at Dr. Aymond's office. (not Dr. Phelan as I said yesterday. Dr. Phelan is his general doctor.) Anyway, Dr. Met said that there is no sign of macular degeneration, that there is a little swelling in his right eye (which is his worst eye) but that if it isn't bothering Dick, he doesn't have to do anything. Medication is available if it should get worse. The other eye has a "wrinkle" around the implant, but, again, if it isn't bothering Dick, there is no need to do anything. He will see Dick in two months just to see if there is any change. We were very relieved.

His mouth feels fine. He has no discomfort so that is a good thing too.

I went to lunch with the Plymouth gals today. We had a nice visit. I also got some banking done and stopped at church on the way home because Blessed Trinity has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament once a month. Mother was there when I arrived at church, so I left when she did and walked her home.

It is still raining off and on and damp and chilly. The weather is supposed to warm up by Sunday, though there is still rain in the forecast. Actually when I look at what is going on in some other parts of the nation, I am grateful for the rain and temps in the 40s.

I decided to share one of my sonnets. They are HARD. But at least I wrote one. I will keep trying.

A dream is a vision – events that might be
A dream is a vision - deep hidden fears
A dream can reveal what we cannot see
A dream can foretell what is hovering near.

To wake from a dream with an answer
To wake from a dream with a question
To wake from the dream in unbridled fear
Can leave a soul cold - full of tension

We dream when troubled in our souls.
We dream when we are full of sorrow.
We dream when joy and triumph rule.
And dreams can bring a sane tomorrow

Dreams can heal the aching heart
Let them in to do their part.

It is untitled but one of the other writer's in the Writer's Club, Sylvia Bright Green, suggested Dream or Vision.

Have a great weekend

Mary

Dick's dental work went as well as possible. He was there from 8:00AM to 11:30AM. I did a bunch of errands while he was there and got back at 11:00. He was hungry and wanted to stop for lunch. We had to bring home his coke and his chili. The sandwich was OK. The numbness is finally gone and he was able to eat and drink both. The temporary is in. On May 26 he will go in for the permenant crowns etc.

Tomorrow he sees an eye specialist who will be in Sheboygan from the Eye Institute in Milwaukee. There is some sign of minor wrinkling or something like that in the implant area, done many many years ago. Dr. Phalan assures us it is nothing serious but needs to be looked at.

Tonight I have choir practice. We are singing on Sunday. We are going to sing Mozart's Ave Verum, a truely lovely piece.

Here is Chelsea's "after" Picture.



I think she looks adorable but Jim laughed when he saw her. He also says that she looks littler.

Mary

Chelsea had her very first grooming today. We had decided that we would get her clipped this year so she would be more comfortable in the heat of the summer. She will have several months to grow back her winter length and perhaps I can get her used to being brushed more and keep snarls out of the hair. She was such a good girl. No barking or snapping and she stood still as can be.

She is ADORABLE. I will take pictures tomorrow and post one tomorrow night. I can hardly wait to hear Jim's reaction.

Following is the recipe for the Ham Strata that I fixed on Sunday. Enjoy.

Ham Strata

12 slices Italian or French bread - crusts removed
1/4 cup Lite Mayonnaise
1 TBLSP. butter
1 cup celery - chopped
1/2 cup onion - chopped
12 cup peppers -any color - chopped
1 1/2 cups cheddar, Swis or jack cheese or a mixture - grated
2 cups ham - cubed or diced
4 eggs
3 cups milk
1 teasp salt
1/2 teasp pepper

Cook the celery, onion and pepper in butter until soft. Add the ham and let cool.

Spread Mayonnaise on one side of all the bread slices. Place a layer mayo side up in a 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking dish. Top with the ham and veggies and the cheese. Layer the rest of the bread may side down.

In a blender mix the eggs, milk and salt and pepper. Pour over all and refrigerate overnight or at LEAST 8 hours. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature then bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1/2 hours until set.

Serve.

It rained most of the day so I am REALLY glad that I spread peat moss and planters mix in the gardens yesterday. It will work in nicely.

Tomorrow, think of Dick, he has to go for his major dental work.

Have a nice evening.

Mary

I have been terribly lazy for two whole days.

Sunday was Mother's Day and it was a happy day. Bret and Bart both called. All the other kids except, of course, Leslie, were here during the day and I got cards and flowers, so it was great.

Everybody but Dick and Brenda stopped in for breakfast on Sunday. I prepared a Strata. This was the first time I had ever tried one and it turned out just great. It was full of cheese, celery, onion and ham. I kind of combined three recipes, so when I get it together, I will post it for you. Dick and Brenda stopped by on their way up to see his Mother but skipped breakfast because they stayed at the Rochester Inn in Sheboygan Falls and took advantage of the great breakfast that is provided by the innkeeper.

Yesterday, I was not in the mood to post. By the time the day was over, I was exhausted. Poor Big Oscar got his teeth cleaned. I dropped him at Dr. Z's at 8:00AM, then went on to the bank and bible study. I got home at about 11:00 and had lunch with Dick. Next on the agenda was Writer's Club. I read my two sonnets. I got some positive feedback, so felt good about that. I got home and spent an hour doing house stuff, then went and picked up poor Oscar. He was a pitiful little creature. Actually he is finally back to normal this evening. He was sick to his stomach yesterday evening and didn't want anything to eat this morning but tonight he was hungry and seems to have the zip back in his eyes.

Last night I had a Celtic Faire meeting at church at 6:30PM. Celtic Faire is scheduled for September 11. I spent today, calling the vendors and musicians to confirm that we will have them. Four months seems like a long time but isn't really when it comes to booking good people.

Dick's birthday was surely a success. It is a pleasure spending time with his sister Hazel and niece Suzi and with niece Teresa and her husband Gary. We are doing more of this and hope we continue to do so.

It was nice and warm today, so I went outside and spread some peat and planting mix around. I still have more but took advantage of the opportunity to get some done so it isn't so labor intensive when I actually start planting.

Cheslea is going to get a haircut tomorrow. Imagine that.

Have a nice Wednesday.

Mary.

This is my third attempt to post today. Blogger is misbehaving.

We had a lovely dinner at Richard's tonight with Bobbie and Bill, Dick and Brenda, Suzi (Dick's niece), Teresa and Gary (another niece and her husband) Hazel (Dick's sister) and Jim.

Suzie and Hazel are spending the night and everyone is coming for breakfast tomorrow, except Dick and Brenda who are staying at the Rochester Inn and will have breakfast there. A very good breakfast. I mixed up a Strata or two and will bake them and muffins in the morning.

Went out for a last attempt to bag a turkey this year. No luck. I only saw two and they were WAY out of range. I saw three deer again. Where are they in deer season?

"There is no such thing as a good war or a bad peace." Said by Ben Franklin and we still haven't learned.

Love
Mary

Well, I have everything done that I needed to prepare for the guests that will spend the night tomorrow night. Dick never looks at this site, so I guess that I can tell you all, that it is NOT Dick and Brenda that are spending the night, but his sister Hazel and her daughter Suzi. His other niece Teresa and her husband Gary are also going to be at Richard's for the birthday dinner. It is a surprise for Dick and I think we have succeeded. Last weekend, he asked me twice, who was spending the night, I think he was and maybe still is suspicious.

I am going to the 5:00PM Mass and will meet them all after the service. This works out really well as the choir is singing AND then I won't have to leave on Sunday morning. Bobbie and Bill will pick up Jim and Dick so we just have one car at Richard's.

Dick and I took Mother to get her blood test this morning. She is relieved. That was the last part of her yearly physical. Now she knows that everything is all right, at least she will when the results come in.

We had a nice gentle rain this morning and a really great thunderstorm a little while ago. A couple more storms would really help. We need at least three inches just to catch up. The storms are supposed to be past us by midnight, which is good as I want to go turkey hunting in the morning but will not go if it is raining.

There was some very loud thunder, so we had a very unhappy little doggie. The cats didn't seem to respond to it at all.

Happy Saturday.

Love

Mary

Another disappointing day hunting. Actually, I saw a lot of wildlife, just not many turkeys. I only saw seven today, compared with 13 yesterday. Actually, I think I saw two twice (going both directions) so only spotted 5. None were close enough for a shot. I am sure one was a Jake.

I did see four deer, a squirrel and numerous birds.

Ken did get a shot off at a big Tom but missed it. I left the field at about 11:30AM as I had choir AND council tonight and needed a little rest this afternoon.

Ken was staying out for at least part of the afternoon. If he didn't get one, we will PROBABLY go out again on Saturday at least for a couple of hours. Might as well try.

I was able to stay at choir at least long enough to practice the two songs we are singing on Saturday evening. I will have to practice AVE VERUM all by myself pretty soon. We are singing that next weekend.

Council went pretty well with very little dissention and a lot was covered.

Tomorrow is a "day off". We will shop and take Mother to the clinic for her blood tests and then come home and STAY.

It was a lovely day. Chilly this morning. We started in the field at 37 degrees. But it got all the way up to 60 and was warm and comfortable.

Have a nice Friday. Today is Ascension Thursday. We celebrate it on the following Sunday now. How odd. It is kind of like the Monday holiday bill.


Love

Mary

It was a beautiful day out at the turkey hunt, but we neither Ken nor I harvested our turkey, so tomorrow we will be at it again.

I saw several but the only two that were in range were hens and we are limited to Toms and Jakes. I saw a couple Jakes but they were way out of range. Again, I was able to "play" with a group of hens who worked their way down the hill in response to my calls but they lost interest before they got to me.

Tonight was the last of the Basic Pistol classes. We just checked our tests, saw some videos on some of the shooting organizations that are around and on how to improve our skills. Then we went to the range and shot for the rest of the class. I shot my two 22s and then tried a 10 milimeter, a 9 MM and a 40 MM. I really liked the 40 MM though I would have to really practice with it to be consistant and get my stance right.

I will update you again tomorrow

Love

Mary

This afternoon, I met Uncle Ken out at the turkey hunting fields so that we could scope out our places and get ready for tomorrow morning. We will be meeting at 4:30AM or thereabouts to hike out and be ready when the sun comes up. Turkeys start moving around at dawn and are pretty active for the first couple of hours at least. This will be my year, I hope. Ken and I are both very optimistic anyway. I will be hitting the sheets early tonight so I have as much rest as possible.

This morning was very chilly and damp again but the sun came out this afternoon and it gor up to the low 50s. Tomorrow it is supposed to creep up into the 60s though I reckon it will be chilly when we are hiking out and for the first hour or so of the hunt.

Dick and I went shopping this morning and I also got my hair cut, so it really was a VERY active day again.

Today is Bart and Barb's eighth wedding anniversary. It does not seem 8 years but a lot has happened since then. And I know that her young sons, Adam and Timothy, are now fine young men and Adam is even a Dad. Wow. Anyway, a long happy life to them and prayers for continuing healing for Bart. The pain is pretty much under control now.

Simone Signoret said regarding Marriage. "Pains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. thatn's what makes a marriage last - more than passion or even sex."

I think we will have a pretty lazy dinner tomorrow. Something frozen that I can just heat up. It is, after the hunting, the last Basic Pistol class.

I'll check in and let you know about the hunt.

Mary

I took Mother to the doctor today for her yearly physical. She came through with flying colors though we do have to get her to the lab for her blood tests. They had neglected to tell her to fast from midnight on.

She got a tetinis shot. The nurse told her that it is good for five years. Mom told her that she hopes that it all gets used up.

Then we picked up Dick and went to the Parkview for lunch together. Always a pleasant experience.

Tonight Bobbie and I had our monthly Rhine Plymouth Field and Stream meeting. Pretty productive actually. There was much less babbling. We have found that these men are pretty good at rehashing items several times. We discuss and vote and then before the meeting is over someone brings the item up again. But tonight they kept it simple.

Wednesday, Turkey season starts for Uncle Ken and me. Tomorrow we are going to stake out our spots. Randy is going out with Ken and me on Wednesday, he didn't get a lisence but is going to help us call and will be there if I get one to help carry. What a guy.

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who come into the room and say "Here I am!" and those who come into the room and say, "Ah, there you are!"

Enjoy the day. We are promised warm weather again by the end of the week.

Love.

Mary

Well, it was a strange Sunday.

Chelsea and I had a very nice walk. However, as we were coming back down the street to the house, I saw a crow fly up to the rooftop accross the street with a carcass in it's mouth. When we turned into the driveway, lo and behold, there was a pile of rabbit parts. The parts were mostly fur but there were a few pieces of intestine mixed in and I had to pull a very interested dog away from the mess. I cleaned it up after church. ICH!!!!!

Then after church, which was just fine. Jim, Bobbie and I went shooting. I tried to use the tips that they gave me at the Pistol Course and shot a O - yes a NOTHING. I went back to the way I was doing it and got in the fifties and sixties. What a bummer. I asked Del if I could throw the one out because I was trying information given to me by the training and he said in effect - tough doobee , don't listen to anyone but me - which is a crock too. Excuse me but I really got upset by the whole thing. I left the 0 in the slot and I believe that I will not shoot out this league. There are only two women shooting at this point. I see no sense in finishing and getting a token trophy just because I shot. I will continue shooting with Jim but not league and try again when Fall League starts.

That was the day and I am glad that it is over. This is a busy week, starting tomorrow when I take Mother for her annual physical. She is so funny, she says she does not want any unusual testing, even her mammogram, which I understand. She just wants to be sure everything is OK. She looks good and is very busy so we are sure there will be nothing untowards.

Have a good first week of May. Happy May Day. I remember when I was a little girl taking baskets to the neighbors on May Day. They don't do that any more.

Love

Mary