I liked to day because I got to shop and shop with a purpose.

Started off a bit early, Chelsea woke me up at about quarter to six but it was not early enough for me to be really irritated with her. We had a nice walk. She took a shortcut through the playground, so we were back a little sooner than expected. It was comfortable. There had been a little rain during the night and everything was very fresh.

I left at 8:30AM for Hunters Glen and ran the water and cleaned the fixtures and sinks with Windex to freshen things up. All of the air fresheners that I had plugged in the walls in the various rooms are gone. Except for the one in the bedroom and that someone took the freshener out of. They may have needed replacing, I was going to check that today too. Tis a mystery.

Then I went over to the Mall and had a ball at the HallmarkKeepsake Ornament Premiere Weekend. I got all but one of the ornaments I need for gifts. I was a good shopper. Had coupons worth $11 and got lots of bonus points for more coupons because I did the shopping this weekend. I noticed when I got my last notice that the Hallmark store's name was Amy's Hallmark. This threw me a bit as it was always Mary Lee's. I found out that Mary Grube sold the business to an Amy, who is very helpful and pleasant.

After I put the ornaments in the car, I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to purchase wax for my hand paraffin dip machine AND shower and wedding presents for Holly and John. Successful there too.

I stopped at Mom's on the way home as I won't be able to go there on Monday because Dick has a doctor's appointment. (As it is I forgot one thing that I was supposed to give her and we will probably drop it off on our way home.) We usually have a good visit after bible study though.

I did some sewing, watering and painting of tile for pot holders this afternoon and now am ready to call it.

I hear this morning about a manager of a business who showed up at his secretary's door nude. He claimed he was sleepwalking ---- All three time.

Love

Mary

It was so pleasant outside that we left the doors and windows open all day and the house stayed very comfortable. I think windows open tonight will keep it that way.

On our walk this morning we felt like we were on a treasure hunt. When we got to the woods end of the park and headed for the path through the woods to home, I found a baseball. So I picked it up and put it in my pocket. Then when we headed into the path and next to the little creek below the culvert, Chelsea started sniffing in back of this tree and there was a plastic bag there. I looked closer and it was full of fireworks, so I picked it up too and brought it home. It had obviously been there since we had rain because there was wet on the outside of the bag.

When I got home, I cleaned the kitchen floor and helped two Culligan men to put salt in the water softener. We think we finally have ourselves on a route. When we moved in we had them bring some, told them we wanted to be serviced. But we had to call them several months later and again thought we were on a route. Obviously we were not because when Dick looked the other day, we were just plain empty. But this time, I am sure they will be back in three months because the manager even called to confirm things.

Jim Bordeau, one of the board members, came over to "interview" us for the newsletter. We learned a lot about the workings of the board and the association. Now I wish I had been able to go to the annual meeting and had run for the board.

Had lunch with Betty, Ceil, Barb and Mary at Dairy Queen today. I was hungry for a "California Burger" So ordered a cheeseburger with nothing but lettuce, tomato and pickle on it and grabbed a packet of mayonnaise. It tasted GOOOOOD!

I picked up some sox and MSM at Walgreens, got gas and YIPPEE!!! found out that Cappelle's is open. That is the local farmer's market. THEY HAD FRESH SWEET CORN! Guess what WE had for dinner. It was so good with sliced tomatoes and fresh green beans from our patio. We wondered, as my brother in law George used to say, "Wonder what the rich folks are eating tonight." They don't eat like that for sure.

I did a bit of sewing tonight, cleaned my desk and got all ready for tomorrow and Monday.

Whew. Another busy one. I hope it rains as they promised otherwise, tomorrow I will need to water.

My friend, Kate, asked me to write a haiku about a rainbow. I have written two, one yesterday and one today, I am not totally satisfied so will try again tomorrow. Her is one

Rainbow arched on high
Appearing as a handle
For the basket - Earth.

Enjoy your weekend. I am going wedding shower shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond and Christmas ornament shopping at Mary Lee's. I like shopping IF I have a purpose.

Love

Mary

Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We ran into several of our fellow travelers which is always a nice break. The walking temperature was perfect. It was cool enough that we made it through the woods without stirring up too many mosquitoes.

Then I chopped up a bunch of veggies for the pot roast that I was preparing for tonight's dinner. Dick had to be at Advanced Eye Care at 8:30AM for a check on the laser treatment that he had and to be refitted for a new glass prescription.

Home again and then I finished getting the pot roast in the slo-cooker.

Kate Hermann called. She is safely back from the mission trip that she went on to Philadelphia. It was a bit harrowing but she had a good time and felt that the kids were wonderful. We had a lot to catch up on. I am going to speak at her Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday. They are trying to become more aware of the cultural clubs and events in the Plymouth area so I will talk about the Cream City Writers and Sheboygan County Writers and the new Celtic Women Group that we are starting.

Then lunch and a nap.

We had two people come to the door today. Judy Richards, the previous owner of our condo, stopped by for a moment and someone from the condo association dropped off a flyer about the Tallgrass Picnic which is near the end of August. I think we should probably go. Anyway we NEVER have two people ringing our bell so Chelsea was VERY excited.

An appointment with Dr. Hodous to have Dick's callouses checked rounded off the afternoon. They actually look pretty good about now.

The pot roast is delicious. Way too much food of course, but we are looking forward to several more meals out of it. We had some more strawberries and blueberries on pound cake for dessert too. Boy is fruit ever good now.

My desk is SO clean. I have a little pile of stuff in the center that must be done tomorrow or everything will get out of hand again. Tomorrow is a quiet day, the only time I have to leave home is to have lunch with my friends.

When the boys and I would go out anywhere for dinner, we would always order different things and then get to try each other's choices. This was lots of fun. I remember that their father found this to be a very embarrassing thing. Of course, he was embarrassed by doggy bags too. I thought of that because of a commercial on TV. Dick and I sometimes do this, or order a sandwich plain and then one with fries and split the fries. We are amazed at how much food is put on a plate at a restaurant.

Dick is continuing to lose weight. He is not eating much which is OK but I have to keep reminding him to eat the proper things when he does eat. With his pre-diabetes, he must be very careful. We are excited about the weight loss though.

Have a good Friday.

Mary

Today was a big step up from yesterday. The weather was perfect. Maybe a bit cool, but clear and fresh. Not too hot and no rain.

We had to go to the Plymouth Aurora Clinic for Dick's blood tests this morning at 8:30Am. He had to fast so we went out for breakfast afterwards to the Family Restaurant down town. They have SUCH good bacon.

It was also grocery shopping day and that went very well. Dick was tired when we got home but not like yesterday and he no longer is suffering from that chill. He took a nap and I went out to Rhine for the first day of the Summer Trap League. Guess what - I shot an 18. Was I ever jazzed. I signed up a guy after I shot and told him that he was really going to face some stiff competition because I got an 18. He found that amusing.

I spent the afternoon sewing, racking currant wine and stuffing little dolls. It was very productive.

Tomorrow will be rather busy too. We may get some rain which we still need.

The deck plants look great. I wish the tomato buds would start producing little tomatoes. I have nice little peppers growing on those plants and my herbs are really taking off.

Have a great Thursday. Enjoy the following. My friend Janet sent it to me. I think I will take it to bible study the week after next for our opening prayer.

Love

Mary

This Pastor has guts!

Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in Protest!

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.

We had two thunderstorms sweep through the area today, one this morning late and one this afternoon. They both dumped quite a bit of water but passed by very quickly. It was hot too. In the mid 80s.

We had to move "a pace" this morning, as Dick had to be at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital for his MRA by 9:15AM and we knew that meant being there earlier so we could get checked in and all.
Everything went very smoothly. It seemed to take longer than they said it would. The technician/Nurse said it would be 25 minutes but it was a bit over an hour. Dick said it seemed to go quite fast for him except that it is SO uncomfortable for him to lie still in one position for any length of time. But we were home a bit after 10AM so it wasn't too bad.

After lunch, Dick took a well deserved nap but woke up with very severe chills. We wrapped him in that nice wool Galway shawl but he still couldn't get warm. So he went back to bed under the electric blanket. That seemed to help but he really is not feeling well.

Tomorrow he will get two blood tests. One a fasting one for his physical with Dr. Sharon. Then the second for Dr. Phelan. He needs to call Dr. Phelan because we don't think that he really needs that weekly one any more. Dr. Phelan and his nurses are hard to get ahold of though.

On the way home we were listening to the radio to an interview with a banker about mortgage practices. They were talking about redlining, the practice of denying clients from certain neighborhoods. I was remembering how things were when I first started out in the lending business at Pacific Finance Corporation when I was 20 years old. The applications we received were hand filled out by the interviewer. We scored them. The client got points for several catagories and had to have a minimum score to qualify for the loan. They got 0 through 5 points for each catagory. Now, we would be sued for discrimination on a chunk of them. There were points for age groups, gender, whether the party was married or not, the race, job and length of job. Can you even believe it? Credit bureaus were in their infancy. We did have one in the Santa Ana area. We would call with the client's information and they would call us back with "inquiries". Inquiries were calls from lending agencies. They would give us the name of the institution that had called and the date they called and then we would have to check to see if an account had been opened. We also had to call the places the client told us about and get the rating from them.

Now, agencies just contact the credit bureau through the internet and download the information directly onto an application. My friend Evelyn Green told me that recently she requested a hard file from 1992 or sometime there and found that it was one of mine and all handwritten. This was WAY past Pacific Finance but before the great computer boom.

Brave new world.

Love

Mary

We got some welcome rain this morning. Not enough but a nice steady soaking rain that lasted an hour or more. I went to bible study this morning and we prayed for rain. It was just starting to sprinkle when we left. Mary, Shirley and I thought that maybe we had better hurry back to the table and pray for world peace since we were on a roll.

Had a good visit with Mother this morning. She went to Eden with her friends on Sunday for the church's chicken dinner. She said it was very good and the new church out there is very pretty. But she still likes the old country churches better and they tore down several of them.

Tonight I attended a meeting at Beth Hoegger's house to plan the Mass for Celtic Faire at Sheboygan Falls. Jim and Alice Wilsing and Joan and Don Otto also attended and I think we got it all put together. I will get the worship folder put together and email it to Beth who can insert the music and get it to Sandy at the Blessed Trinity office. We have three months actually but it is good to get a head start and to be sure we have our musicians and all.

Now home and ready for bed. Chelsea is really starting to get pushy about that. She spends so much time sleeping. But after 9PM she wants either Dick or I in the bedroom with her. AND she lets us know.

Take care. Tomorrow Dick has his MRA. Please pray for results that can bring some help.

Love

Mary

Another hot one. It peaked out at 97 + according to the thermometers we have on the deck.
Thank heaven's for an air conditioned house.

How EVER did we get by without air years ago. But we did. I remember as a child going to bed on hot humid nights with all the windows open, lying on top of the covers praying for a breeze. We must have slept eventually but I remember feeling sticky and uncomfortable those nights.

Then if there would be a storm, it would sometimes help, but sometimes get so humid that it was almost worse. I remember one summer that Bret, Bart and I were visiting from California. A huge storm came up. Thunder and lightening all around us. There are not storms like that in California. I casually asked Mom if we should be turning off the TV. Bret asked why and we told him that sometimes lightening can come through appliances into the house. (It can too. It happened to Nora and Leif not too many years ago in Texas. They had to replace several appliances. ) Mom said that she thought we could wait and see. So a couple of minutes later, Bret suggested that we go to bed.

The boys were supposed to be sleeping in a different room than I was. BUT suddenly, I had a hot little boy on either side of me. As thunder boomed and lightening flashed they would occasionally ask, obviously scared how close it was. I was all prickly and hot but finally got to sleep. I wonder if they even remember that.

We are supposed to get rain tonight but I am not holding my breath.

I worked the 100 bird Lewis shoot for about three hours at Rhine this morning and afternoon. Got home about 2 and just have been puttering. I am glad the day is almost over. Without my nap, I am a bit tired.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. We are busy. Three medical appointments.

Take care

Mary

A real scorcher today. It was very pleasant, only 65 or so when Chelsea and I walked, but got up over 90 by the end of the day.

The only place I had to go today was to the Pig. I actually probably wouldn't have had to go but wanted to take advantage of a good price on blueberries and strawberries which will be over before we actually shop again.

The rest of the day was really very nice. Dick and I racked another of the scratch wines. I cut out 27 more denim squares for a future quilt. I am half way there. If anyone has any worn jeans, cotton jeans not blends, that they are going to throw away. I can use them. Any color is OK. Different shades and color and even weight will give character to the quilt.

I baked a cake with the small amount of currants that were left after I mixed up that newest batch of currant wine. It is actually called Red Currant Pie (Or is It Cake). Isn't that interesting. It is baked much like a pie but has a cake like crust and a meringue/currant topping. It is very good. Did I tell you that I traded some of my pepper jelly to Tom Lawonn for some of his currant jelly?

I have been working on three poems for a poetry contest that is put on by the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. I just joined them about a month ago and this contest is only open to members. I was a member several years ago but did not renew and never heard from them. This time I joined and have had emails from at least two members of their board, received a welcome packet AND a first "museletter." (Isn't that poetic.)

I remember when I was still living at home, for all the time that I can remember, that Mother canned all summer of the things they grew or could buy very cheap during the growing season. I remember an entire wall in the basement aglow with the beautiful colors of all the things she canned. Shelves full of tomato juice, and green beans, and pickles, and peaches, and pears and sauerkraut and jellies. Enough to feed 11 people (and all the stragglers that appeared at various meals) for an entire winter. And we ate good too.

I learned some of that. I never was a big canner, but do make Jelly and refrigerator pickles. I also freeze if I have excess fresh foods. I guess it is just built in to me not to be wasteful.

Have a nice Sunday. We are going to have another scorcher.

Love

Mary

Another warm day but not as warm as is projected for tomorrow and Sunday. We could get up to 95 degrees tomorrow. Thank God for air conditioning. These days, I am really glad that Chelsea gets up early for a walk. It is usually very pleasant at 6AM.

I cleaned the kitchen this morning. And Dick and I racked the chokecherry wine.

I gave blood at the Blood Center in Sheboygan. That goes quite well. So far I have always qualified. Has something to do with the iron count. I guess because I eat well. The technician said that peanuts and nuts help the iron count and I have peanut butter almost every day.

Then I went to the bank and on to the Dairy Queen for lunch with the bank people. We had a full crowd today. Even Dawn and Mary came. Hadn't seen Dawn in weeks so that was nice.

I went to Walgreens and picked up Mother's prescription and copied a couple of pictures for the Clan Reunion. Beth Dipple is trying to get information on the families that settled the area and where they came from as well as any descendants that still live in Ireland. Jeff had three pictures from Kanturk where the Cliffords (my Grandpa Bowser's mother came from). He has two pictures of the church and a picture of the last living descendant that he could find. So that is a beginning.

When I got home, I was exhausted and took a nap. Since then I have been watering. We may get rain on Sunday but I want things to stay healthy until then.

Tomorrow should be a quiet day. We have NOTHING scheduled. I LOVE that. I can sew and bake and just lay back.

My purple green beans are doing just fine. We had one meal on Tuesday and will have some more this weekend. My herbs are also thriving. I may have established lavender, thyme, oregano and lemon balm in the gardens. Now if they get strong and can withstand the winter. I hope I have enough lemon balm for wine. Otherwise, I am sure that Mother will have plenty. The lemon balm wine is such a pleasant summer wine. Kind of like lemonade with a slight kick.

Hope your weekend is pleasant and restful. We all need weekends to recover from the business of living. Even if one is retired.

Bret and I are reading George S. Clason's The Richest Man in Babylon together. (I read it years ago and have used the things I learned to some benefit.) We are now on Chapter 2. The main thrust of that chapter is to always pay yourself first. "A part of all you earn is yours to keep." It is kind of fun. He is a slow reader but is cooperating.

Love

Mary

It was HOT today. I watered all the pots because my gauge, the over planted marigolds, were sagging. Then there was a tiny sprinkling of rain shortly after we ate. I am glad it came then as I had been reading on the deck before dinner. It was really pleasant then. Kind of warm but there was a nice pleasant breeze which made it very comfortable.

Chelsea and I went for our walk at exactly 6AM and only saw one other walker and she was a new one. Then when we came out of the woods and on to Tallgrass, there was our neighbor Dick and his doggy. She is a sweet poodle and always gives me kisses.

We left at about 7:30 for Sheboygan. Had breakfast at Hardees and then went on to the Clinic where Dr. Ganju looked at Dick's legs and that open sore of a callous. He checked and says that the circulation is so poor that it will take forever to heal if ever. So he scheduled a MRA for next Tuesday and an appointment with another doctor about circulation. After that Dr. Ganju will see him again.

When we got home, I had a lot to do today. I cleaned the upstairs bathrooms, added yeast to the currant wine and had Dick go down to the cellar and help me rack the Marigold wine. Next we will filter and bottle that. We will give it two weeks to a month before we do that.

I tried a little tile painting today. It worked pretty well so I will do more. They make nice trivets and I intend to use just Celtic designs.

We had pork quesidillas and ice cream cones for supper tonight. Pretty good. I have enough of the quesidillas left for at LEAST one more meal.

Tomorrow we will have leftover brats and venison steaks and salads. Pretty easy week. Tomorrow, I am also giving blood and having lunch at Dairy Queen, so it will be a busy day. I need to get quilting again. I have a top all pinned to the backing for a cuddler and am afraid to start. I am afraid it will bet all bunched up. I need to practice first with a square.

Have a nice Friday.

Love

Mary

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Happy Fourth of July. We had an at home day. Jim and Michelle joined us for dinner. We sure had a good one. Michelle made Ramen salad, I made potato salad and we fried out venison chops and brats to go with them. I had found some nice BIG mushrooms so I stuffed them for Jim Michelle and me. We had ice cream cones for dessert. Nice and simple and good.

I spent a good chunk of the morning cleaning currants for currant wine. Got them all destemmed and washed though and did the first few steps required for wine. Tomorrow I will add the yeast.

Dick goes to see Dr. Ghandu tomorrow. Hope he will be able to help. There was some bleeding again today when we cleaned things up for the shower. All we can do is keep it clean, massage and treat with the antibiotic stuff that they have given us.

I am really tired tonight and will sign off pretty quick.

I did write 4th of July Haiku that I will share with you.

Love

Mary

Fire flowers in the sky
Bold strokes of vivid light
Etched on jet black sky.

We are finally getting some very welcome rain. When Chelsea and I took our rather short walk this morning, there was a little bit of a sprinkle and I was afraid that might be the extent of it.

Dick had his blood coagulation test this morning and despite the antibiotics is still within range, so he doesn't have to adjust his medication. He will have it rechecked in two weeks when he is done taking the antibiotics. Then we went to Hardee's for a quick breakfast.

On the way back to Plymouth, I stopped at Mother's house and picked up the currents and lettuce that Jeff and Kathy had brought with them yesterday. Tomorrow, I will be mixing up a new batch of current wine. Tom Lawonn from Rhine says he has some too and will let me know when they are ripe. I need to get three batches racked one more time then filtered and bottled. They are Marigold, chokecherry and current (all of these got a late start because of the move. I had frozen everything until I could get to mixing everything up.)

We finished our morning errands by stopping at the bank and grocery shopping. Boy were we glad to get home. I spent the rest of the morning writing and organizing my desk again. The rain has been coming off and on, sometimes heavy sometimes light and tonight we are getting thunder. Surprisingly it does not seem to be bothering Chelsea. She is either not hearing it or choosing to ignore it. Sometimes I am not sure that she hears too well.

I got my hair cut this afternoon. Boy did it need cutting and shaping. After I had it cut the last time, I did not make an appointment because I wanted to see how it turned out. Then I kept putting off calling. Jessica at Just Jane's does a fine job so I made my next appointment right away. It will be just before John and Holly's wedding.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. We will put our flag up in the morning.

I talked to Bret tonight. He sounds good. He is going out to his place at the Colorado River for a few days. He has some personal days coming and will use them with the holiday and the weekend for an extended break and a chance for his body to rest. I miss him.

Have a spectacular holiday.

Love

Mary


"One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?"

They Walk Among Us! "

This morning while Chelsea and I were on our walk, we joined up with the older women that we often meet on our journey. The three of us walked together to the end of the park where Chelsea and I turned to head for home. It was quite pleasant, about 65 degrees so the mosquitoes were not bothering us in the woods today. We heard LOTS of birds singing around us. Today we got a really close look at a robin, I was beginning to believe that he would let us walk by him without flying away but he finally took off.

We had a lively discussion at bible study. It was the reading in Luke where Jesus sends 72 disciples out without any money or shoes or extra clothes to preach the gospel. We found out that 72 was a special number because at that time there were 72 known nations. (Wonder how many nations there are now and how many disciples he would have to send out today.) So it was all symbolic. I learned from Fr. Van Beeck a couple of weeks ago that when people in those days had visitors, especially interesting ones, the neighbors thought nothing of just dropping in and lining the walls or sitting on the floor to listen to the conversations that were going on. There was little else for entertainment so this was perfectly acceptable to everybody AND was why the word of Jesus was able to spread as fast as it did.

I stopped and visited Mom after the study. She is a wonder and was getting ready to go to lunch and then to her friend Helen Murphy's house to play canasta. Jeff and Kathy came in today to help her with some bush and tree trimming. I talked to Jeff this evening. She came home from her card game at about 4 and, of course, tried to chip in. They finally convinced her to go and sit down. Jeff and Kathy brought me the currents and some fresh lettuce from their garden. We will pick them up on our way back from the clinic in Sheboygan tomorrow morning.

Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth meeting. I asked Bobbie whether it was a problem that green hickory nuts are falling from the big beautiful tree, well before they are ripe. She said that it is probably the dry weather and/or the tree self pruning. We will see how much is left in the fall when they are supposed to be ready.

Love

Mary

Hymn #365
>>
>> This is a hoot, but I expect the minister didn't appreciate it.
>>
>> A minister was completing a Temperance sermon. With great emphasis he
>> said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into
>> the river."
>>
>> With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had All the wine in the
>> world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
>>
>> And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he Said, "And if I had
>> all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
>>
>>
>> Sermon complete, he sat down.
>>
>>
>> The song leader stood very cautiously and announced With a smile, nearly
>> laughing, "For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, "Shall We Gather
>> at the River."

Just for pretty. This was on the deck at Hunters Glen. I thought it was sweet.

Mary

Today was a very pleasant one. I drove to West Bend with my friends Gloria and Dottie Ziesel to celebrate Fr. Mike Moran's 25 th Anniversary as a priest with him and his friends and family.

I had enjoyed preparing that present for him yesterday. I know money is always appropriate, but wanted to give him something a bit more personal. Last night just as I was getting ready for bed, I remembered a picture that I had blown up from the tour to Ireland that I went on with Fr. Mike. The picture is of a bunch of us. Martin, the bus driver, Fr. Mike, his brother Tim, their Dad Howard, myself and a lady that we can't remember her name around a table at the Brazen Head in Dublin. By some miracle, I found it so I added it to the basket. He did not unwrap his presents today, but I showed him and his brother and father the picture because I wanted us to share the memory.

The mass was very lovely. Prior to beginning, Fr. Mike introduced his family and then asked guests from his previous parishes to stand and finally the parishioners of his current post Immaculate Conception in West Bend. Such a nice idea. There were four priest who con celebrated with him. One of them, a classmate, gave the sermon. The reading from the Old Testament speaks of Elijah asking Elisha to be his successor by placing his cloak on Elisha's shoulders. (Guess that is how it was done in those days.) Anyway, Father's classmate said that because of his size maybe it will take TWO to replace him. He chose a lot of music with Irish roots and I am planning on using some of Liam Lawton's music at St. Michaels and at Celtic Mass in Falls.

There was a lunch served at the KC Hall in West Bend after a reception in the church hall, so he really did it up big. The food at the KC was excellent. Heavy hors d'oevres and excellent cakes. It was very very nice.

Beth Hoegger emailed to set up a meeting to plan the Celtic Mass for next Monday. I had said I would help with just the mass as I like doing that.

Tomorrow will be bible study. In the evening I have Rhine Plymouth so will see Bobbie.

Jeff just called. He is coming to Falls tomorrow and is bringing currants for wine. I can't believe that they are ripe already. He says too, that they are very early.

Have a great week. Pray for rain

Love

Mary

That darn Chelsea woke me up at 5:30AM again. Dick was sleeping again so I got up and took her out. Actually with the temps at about 46 and nobody else out it made a really pleasant walk. We saw lots of bunnies this morning and heard a lot of birds singing. At that temperature there are not so many mosquitoes to dodge when we cut through the woods and over the railroad track to get home. I started watering right away. We are supposed to stay dry until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. Just in time for the 4th of July

That won't bother us much actually. We are planning on frying out with Jim and Michelle and eating salads and ice cream cones, but I am sure we can manage.

The rest of day was really quiet and nice. I just caught up on a lot of phone calls, paper work and miscellaneous chores around here.

I did quite a bit of writing this morning too.

Tomorrow I am going to West Bend to celebrate Fr. Mike Moran's 25th year as a priest. I prepared a basket for him for a present. It is a lovely basket and I put in it: a bottle of our wine, the Gewertziminer, a loaf of fresh banana bread and a copy of my book. I did find a very appropriate card for him too. Dick and Mom were supposed to go to but Dick is not feeling read for that with his leg and all and Mother decided that it would be just too much. I can see that. She was just exhausted after the three hours we spent at the Bachmann picnic and this would be considerably longer with a long drive home afterwards. Gloria and Dottie Ziesel are going to ride with me though so I won't be alone and I know several people from St. Mary's are going.

Tonight I am watching A Prairie Home Companion (the movie). It is nice. Very Garrison and that makes it good for me. It even has an Angel of Death in it.

Angels are wonderful creatures. Over the centuries, they have brought messages from God, saved people from harm and generally just been there for our children. I often thanked God for my children's angels. How else could they have grown up.

Summer
Hovers so gently
Tender balm for our souls
Take the time to love each other
Softly.


Love

Mary

It was almost cold when Chelsea and I went for our walk this morning. Of course, the little bitch, woke me up at 5:30AM. It was 46 when we walked.

Dick was sleeping. Actually, Dick had the best night of sleep that he has had in probably a year or more. I got up as soon as the girl started bugging me so as not to wake him and figured that Dick would be awake when we got back. But he wasn't.

I let him sleep until almost 7:30PM when I HAD to get him up because we had to be in Sheboygan for his blood test. The thinness one. His count was perfect 260 it is supposed to be between 200 and 300. We have to go back next week anyway because of the antibiotics that he is taking. We have to see the meds throw it off.

While we were in town, we picked up two more pair of the thigh length stockings for him.

When we got home I had a couple of hours before I picked Mom up for her eye test. We stopped at my cousin Brian's house on the way there to get my ring and the chains that I had him repair. I always have trouble finding their house. But we finally did and Mom got to visit a bit with Brian. Then we went to Dr. Larson's for her yearly eye test. She passed with flying colors and unless there is some change that she notices doesn't have to go back for another year. Boy was she glad. We found out that actually her sight has improved somewhat since she had the cataract surgery. I mean in addition to the immediate improvement.

When I got home, I spent the afternoon watering plants and gardens and getting Dick's legs massaged and treated.

Mom and I talked about the books that I got her in Galena (one on Victorian Entertaining and one on Victorian Etiquette.) They had such strict rules for these times, especially the upper classes. Then Mom and I started remembering that we too had lots of rules of dress and etiquette when I was growing up and SURELY when she was. When I was young, a woman would never leave the house socially or for business (including shopping) without a clean dress AND a hat. When I was young and even past high school, we always wore dresses to church AND we wore a hat AND we wore gloves that matched the outfit. When I moved out to California I still had several pairs of gloves and hats. They were already becoming much more liberal.

Then Mom remembered a time when Grandpa sent Uncle Noel to the feed barn for a bag of feed. He tied it onto the running board (remember them) and it fell as they went around a corner, split and spread all over the road. They picked it up the best they could and went home. Later, someone who saw it told Grandpa that "Noel was going pretty fast." Grandpa did not take kindly to criticism of his kids and told the man "Maybe he was in a hurry.'

Have a Nice weekend. Pray for rain.

Maybe Oklahoma and Texas could send us some. I am sure they would LOVE to.

Mary

Started the morning off with a very nice walk with Chelsea. She took a bit of a short cut again. I don't think she thinks of them as short cuts - just a little different way to travel. She is quite the little adventuress you know. It was rather quiet. We only saw one other walker, an older lady with a cane that we see quite often. Nothing like yesterday when it was like rush hour. Lots of singing birds and we saw several rabbits. The rabbits are getting bolder as we come by. I think they realize that we present no danger so they wait until we are just about on top of them before they move into the woods.

When I checked Dick's foot this morning, we found that that troublesome callous was bleeding so I had him call Dr. Sharon and he was able to fit us in just before noon. He changed the antibiotic and made an appointment for Dick to see Dr. Ghandi who is a wound specialist and may be able to help. I was reassured when he said that bleeding is not necessarily a bad thing because at least it means that blood is getting TO the area. Dick seems to feel a bit better tonight already. Maybe it is the new medicine or maybe just because we have a "plan". Relief can be a useful healing tool.

This afternoon, I picked Mother up at about 2:30 and we went to Pete and Verena Bachmann's home for the annual party that they throw for the seniors of Blessed Trinity and other senior groups in Sheboygan Falls. This is the second year that I have gone. I probably wouldn't have gone this year but I ran into Pete and Verena at an Irish Program at the Plymouth Art Center and Verena said that she was expecting me to come. So I told her that I would bring Mother. We had an excellent time. Good company, card games and wonderful food. Pete was giving away basil plants. I have one on the deck but took one to put in the garden in the back at the "bottom" of my yard. The lavender, oregano, lemon balm and thyme are doing well so I have hope for the basil.

Now I am home and listening to the democratic candidates debating. Maybe I can learn something. They are covering a LOT of questions and have a lot of answers. Some are doing the Lil Abner shuffle and some have some pretty good ideas. As far as education, they should listen to the ideas that I have had for years and if we had proper education it would solve MUCH of the AIDs issue.

Obama said that people are not looking for charity. I agree with this on the whole. Most core Americans just want to be part of the solution and have their piece of the pie. As in every society there are the grasshoppers who feel that the world OWES them a piece of the pie without a trade of of time, or talent or effort. But most people just want to receive their due and want their due to be enough to keep them fed and clothed and housed and to be able to raise and educate their children and retire with some comfort and freedom when they have accomplished these things.

Have a great Friday and slide easily into the weekend.

Love

Mary

This was a strange day. Dick has not felt too well. He is extremely tired and keeps sleeping for two hour stretches off and on. We wonder if it is a reaction to the antibiotics. The recurrent pains in his leg seem to be worse. At least they are much worse than they were a couple of weeks ago. We don't know why. Perhaps it is in direct relationship to better circulation. The callous is not looking good. We must give the antibiotics a couple of days to work before we panic. Tonight when I did the leg massage the ankle seemed a bit smaller. I hope that is not just my hoping that it will be. Tomorrow, morning when we do the WHOLE process, including shower and wash, perhaps we will be able to tell.

I ended up doing the grocery shopping alone. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. And I miss our getting out for breakfast together. Usually we just go to Mc Donalds or the Shoppes on Mill street, but it is kind of a date, and I missed that.

I watered EVERYTHING today. The rain we were promised never came and it got much hotter than the weather people said it would. My plants and the yard are looking quite well so I am doing something right.

This afternoon I had to pop over to the post office so I stopped to the Sewing Basket to pick up thread for the assembly of the other quilt top that I have ready to put together. I brought a picture of my Kitty/Puppy quilt (I left the quilt at Mother's the other day, you know.) and they liked it a lot. One of the gals said that I should be sure to put it in the quilt show for the Guild. Now, Do I rejoin the Guild? I am not sure that I want to be a member of ANYTHING right now.

I remember an incident that occurred on a jeep run many years ago. My friend Mary Ellen Kirby brought a parasail that she borrowed from a friend of hers. We hooked it up to the back of a jeep on a long long dirt road. I got talked in to being the guinea pig and actually was the only one that DID get up because we ran out of time.

So we hooked me up in the harness and spread the chute behind me and the whole mess to the back of the jeep. Then Mary Ellen took off down the road and some friends held up the chute to catch the wind AND I RAN. It worked. The chute caught the wind and pulled me right up into the sky. I cannot describe the peace and beauty when one is flying above the earth. The desert was gorgeous. It went on, as they say, forever. And it was SO quiet. I literally started laughing just from the pure joy of it. Such a disappointment to have to settle back to earth.

This was the REAL unknown. We didn't know anything about how the landing would be but I just floated to the ground. The chute made the descent quite easy. I did a bit of a tumble when i actually touched down. Told Mary Ellen to stop a bit quicker the next time.


I would go again in a heartbeat. I don't think I have ever been so free.

Love

Mary

Here is the turtle. I realized that I told you about him in the post just before this. Quite back to front. This was the point where he was getting a bit offended that I was snapping his picture. I felt much like the paparazzi.

Mary

What a day. It was HOT. I went to Hunters Glen early, at about 8AM to do my trimming before the heat really settled in. I got the junipers and the Korean Lilac trimmed and swept the deck and trimmed the honeysuckle. The honeysuckle is beautiful but was really taking over the deck and looking shabby. I also swept out the garage which was getting pretty scuzzy. It still could be spruced up a bit but looks much neater.

Bobbie and Bill planted beautiful purple petunias and chartreuse potato vine in the planter in front of the house. It looks so beautiful. I am so grateful. I wanted to do something but have not been able to commit the time to keep it watered and trimmed. Thank you Bobbie again.

I was at Walgreens TWICE today. I am beginning to feel that I live either there or at the Clinic. This morning, on the way home, I picked up a prescription that had been delayed yesterday because they had to get Sue to approve it. Then when I got home I called Dr. Hodous about Dick's callous. He decided to prescribe antibiotics so I had to go back this afternoon for them. While I was there, I picked up a card for Fr. Mike Moran for his 25th Anniversary as a priest on Sunday and Mom's Centrum Silver. I also swung by the bank and did a bit of business.

After I got home, Chelsea pulled her usual pesty stuff of wanting to go out four times before she really got down to business. However, she lucked out this time. I saw something on the street and was about to go pick it up (thinking it was trash as today WAS trash day) when it started scooting across the road. It was a turtle. So I ran in and got my camera an took some pictures. I will send you one. I do love seeing nature things and then I am not so irritated with Chelsea. She does wear me out though. As Dick says, when I finish doing chores and sit down to rest, she figures that I am not doing anything so I might as well do something for her.

Anyway. I got some pictures of the turtle. He was not too thrilled with me being there and tried to retreat into his shell at one point. But I snapped a few and then let him go on his way - towards water, I assume.

Now the day is almost done. I need to doctor and wrap Dicks feet and then help him get his thigh highs on and will be finished for the day.

We had meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy for supper with a lime jello salad that has cucumbers, green onions, cream cheese and mayonese in it. I loved it. Dick was not so thrilled. It will be refreshing for the next hot days.

Try to keep cool and be safe. Think of Leslie, making her very first airplane flight. Alone too. She must love Bill very much.

Love

Mary

I forgot to post last night, decided to let you know this morning. I will not write much but will let you know that we are OK. Just church and stuff around here yesterday. Dick's leg is still swollen. The therapist thinks we should continue as we are until tomorrow and see if there is any improvement.

I am going out to the house today to trim bushes. Hope I don't get eaten up alive by mosquitoes like in those horror movies. I guess these aren't resistant to insect repellent though.

Mary

I went out twice today ( not counting Chelsea and my walk). First I went to Mass at 8AM. This morning I was a Eucharistic Minister, which is always satisfying. I still find it amazing that I can be the one giving the bread or wine that are the body and blood of Jesus to my fellow parishioners. I never get over how wonderful that is.

Fr. Van Beeck was really "on" this morning as today was the Feast of St. John the Baptist, our patron saint. He pointed out something in the gospel that I had not noticed before. When St. John the Baptist was born, the NEIGHBORS came over on the 8Th day to do the circumcision and to name him. They assumed his name would be Zacharia after his father and were SHOCKED when Elizabeth said that his name would be John. What the heck is that? The neighbors had that responsibility. Wonder what we would do now, if the neighbors came over after we had a baby to name it and baptize or circumcise it. HMMM?

The rest of the day was spent finishing the quilt. You saw the picture on the blog. (If you did not, look below as I posted it earlier.) I am so pleased. Pleased that it does look nice and pleased that it is done. I feel like the A Team. "I love it when a plan comes together."

Tomorrow, is bible study unless I end up having to take Dick in to the doctor. His leg is no better and is causing him some discomfort. Such a discouraging turn of events. We were so hopeful last week.

Last night was difficult as Dick kept getting up and down and was breathing hard. I told him, that when we get these legs squared away, he has to go back to a sleep clinic to see what else his problem s are besides sleep apnea (which we do have under control. with the sleep machine.) I really need more sleep too.

A Haiku

I wish I could fly
It's quiet above the trees
Once I WAS up there.

Love

Mary

Yippee. I finished the Kitty quilt. I don't know why I call it a kitty quilt. It has two doggies on it too.
And a little mouse but you have to seach for him.
Mary

We, Dick and I, got to stay home all day today. Quite a relief after two very busy weeks.

I spent a good part of the morning cleaning the garage windows, watering the gardens (it did not rain, as was promised) planting some herbs and repairing the wire crane. At least to the best of my ability. If it was not so rusted, I would take it somewhere to be welded. As it is, I just wrapped it in lots and lots of twine that I think is made of plastic and hopefully will not rot, at least until fall when I take the bird in for the winter.

Dick and I did the next steps on the White Zinfindal wine, that we are working on. Now it just has to be stirred three times a day for three days and then rest for about 30 days before bottling. The White Zin from the kit is really the best that we have tasted.

Dick's right leg is swelling up again. We are going back to the half stocking and wrapping for a day or two to see if it will bring it down. Otherwise, we will have the doctor look at it again. The left leg looks great. We are worried. A little prayer would be appreciated a LOT!!!

Love

Mary

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a

hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who

was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only

chance of recovery appeared to be a blood

transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had

miraculously survived the same disease and had

developed the antibodies needed to combat the

illness. The doctor explained the situation to her

little brother, and asked the little boy if he would

be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a

deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it, if it will

save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in

bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,

seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his

face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a

trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the

doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his

sister all of his blood in order to save her.

We went to Hunters Glen today to run the water and check things out. I cut the spent blooms off of the peony so it does not look so scraggly and dug up some oregano to plant here at Tallgrass. The ground was SO dry that I didn't get much root. I hope it is enough. Might be because oregano is really tough.

Tomorrow If it doesn't rain, I will water the garden areas here. They still look pretty good but by tomorrow will be parched.

I cleaned the kitchen this morning. Office Max delivered Dick's new chair. It needed to be assembled so we spent the second half of the morning doing that. He likes it. It has good back support but he liked the seat and the arms on the old one better. We will work on that.

Tonight I worked on the quilt. I am finishing up the binding, then it will be done. Unless something unexpected happens I will be done and can post a picture on Sunday. Then I need to decide what I will be doing next. I have one more quilt top done and have a Cathedral Window started. Well, we will see.

I heard on the news today that a study in Norway has concluded that the oldest sibling generally has the highest IQ. I find that quite believable.

Love

Mary

It was a beautiful day today. Chelsea and I started it with a walk at 6AM. She was a happy girl and got to bark at a couple of people too. I saw a heron flying overhead and there were lots of happy birds out there. After the rain we had last night. Not much but enough to freshen things up and give everything a drink.

After that I cleaned the carpet in the office and cleaned the upstairs bathrooms. At about 10, Dick and I drove to Sheboygan. We picked up his new support thigh high stockings first. Then we went to Office Max to look at chairs to replace the one that broke. We found one designed for big and tall people that fest good to him. When we got tot he checkout we found out that it was 65 dollars less than the tag said. So we were VERY happy campers. Lastly, we went over to Bed Bath and Beyond and picked up a Paraspa to do heat therapy on my hands with melted paraffin. It too was much less than we were led to believe so I got that today to.

Then home. I tried to nap but was unable to sleep so I read for a while, made some phone calls and just puttered around the house until dinner.

I mentioned last night that we had watched the AFI's selection of the best 100 movies of the past 100 years. Jaws was one of them and I enjoyed a quote from Steven Spielberg, regarding the movie. he said. "I had not intended Jaws to be a movie where you waited an hour to see the shark. Only because the shark didn't WORK did you have to wait an hour to see the darn thing."

This reminded me of a time that Bret, Bart and I went to Universal Studios for their tour. The tour consisted of a tram ride through the studio with several kind of "real movie" experiences. At one point the tram went on a track over a body or water and as we were going over the water, to our right and coming over our shoulder came JAWS. It was sudden and scary. Poor Bart, who was about six, crumpled and tried to crawl over me and out of the tram on the other side. He was just moaning. It really scared him. Then he realized that it couldn't be real and kept stammering "It's Just a Model.. It's Just a Model" I assured him that it was of course. Boy was that kid scared.

That's all folks

Mary

I just came in from sitting out on the deck for a while. Dick took a little walk tonight too. Chelsea liked that. She enjoys going out with both of us.

We had a lot of errands to do today. We started about 10AM because we had to be at the Plymouth Aurora sometime between 11 and Noon and it seemed most efficient to make a circle.

We went to the bank, then down on Mill Street to pay for the Review/Falls News (it had expired and I had not received the notice. At the end of last week, I realized that I had not received any papers that week, so I called and found out that I was no longer subscribing. Since I get local ads and obituaries and news from those two little papers, then share it with Mother it is worth the $44.00 per year.

We went from there to the Pig to do our grocery shopping and then to Aurora for the blood test and home. Took just about two hours, we were home in time for a lunch and then Dick took a nap.

I had some sewing and ironing and vacuuming to do. Now we are winding down and watching the 100 best movies of something or other. It is always fun to watch those kind of shows because we always have our own opinions as to what we would have chosen. It is surprising the memories that these shows bring back. They always show the BEST scenes.

Tomorrow will be a cleaning day. We are going to shampoo the carpet in the office which is really ucky from Chelsea drooling all over it before we go to Office Max and Bed Bath and Beyond in Sheboygan. We need to look at office chairs for Dick and Sandy from the Lymphodema Clinic said she thinks that Bed Bath and Beyond carries the paraffin dip equipment that really makes my hands feel good. I can also look for presents for Holly and John. They are getting married in August and there is a shower coming up too. She is registered at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Yesterday Mother told me that Dolores had called. Kurt and Jody are expecting their third son in August. Jody went into labor a couple of days ago. They have stabilized her but Jody has to do NOTHING for the next few weeks to be able to be sure that the baby is safe. As school is out, the timing is good because Kurt will be able to take up the slack. But pray for them and that little life.

Love

Mary

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a

roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if

anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the

king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by

and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the

King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did

anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of

vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the

peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the

stone to the side of the road. After much pushing

and straining, he finally succeeded. After the

peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed

a purse lying in the road where the boulder had

been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note

from the King indicating that the gold was for the

person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The

peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve

our condition.

We did get a little bit of rain last night. Enough that I only had to water a few of the planters on the deck today. And I had to add some water to the birdbath too.

Chelsea and I had a very nice walk this morning. There was a pleasant breeze that kept the mosquitoes away until we were in the woods. We ran through there so I only got bitten once. Chelsea is such a strange little dog. We walked right past a rabbit today. I saw the round brown bump out in the park with the shiny bright eyes. I could see that it was hoping that we didn't see him. Didn't have to worry about me disturbing him and Chelsea didn't see him OR the little one that was on our left nearer the woods. Pretty soon all the rabbits will just keep on grazing. They will realize that she is no harm and I certainly am not.

Dick had an appointment with Dr. Hodous to have his callouses looked at.We can't quite figure out why they are not healing. Two of them are so deep and we have done all we can with insoles and stuff. We are going to try another medication to see if that will help.

We racked the dandelion wine today. It sure is a nice color. And, seems to be getting a pleasant taste.

I also did some vacuuming and sewing this afternoon. So it was a busy day.

The rest of the week is rather quiet. I need a chance to re energise

Love

Mary

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those

who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,

a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and

sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in

front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and

studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the

waitress was growing impatient.

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied

The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on

the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice

cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress

came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the

table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,

were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had

to have enough left to leave her a tip.

It was hot AGAIN today. We got a sprinkling of rain but not enough to be really useful for the gardens. This cold front they speak of seems to be a figment of somebody's imagination.

This morning I went to bible study. We had a pre-discussion of the worms that Shirley and her family had found in one of the holy water fonts last summer. That was very lively from, what one does with wormy holy water to the expressions on grandchildren's faces when Fr. Gene told them that SOMEBODY had to DRINK it.

Sunday is the feast of St. John the Baptist. The readings were interesting. I was surprised to find it stated very specifically in the Old Testament that the "servant of God" was to "restore the survivors of Israel" AND be "a light to the nations that my salvation my reach to the ends of the earth." So he promised heaven to everybody, not just his chosen people.

Then I went to see Mother and brought her some soup and cookies. We had a nice visit. She is very well now. I stayed until a bit after 11AM when Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Bob picked her up to take her to Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan's house in Van Dyne, just north of Fond du Lac on the west side of Lake Winnebago. Some of you may not know that Uncle Pat is Mother's youngest brother. He is only a few years older than I am.

This afternoon was the Cream City Writer's club. I enjoy these meetings but once in a while a couple of our members get onto religious or political tangents that should not be part of the meeting. Today, it turned into a heated argument between Sy Regan and Don Cooper. This was a disagreement on the prison system that turned into BOTH as religious and political debate between the two. Three of us ladies just raised our hands and told them to take it outside as this is a writer's club not a political group. That ended it right away and we continued around the table and ended quite amicably. We ended as we usually do with each member present putting in a word. Then during the next month we try to use as many of the words as we can in a poem or paragraph. It is a good exercise and as the words usually have no connection we have to stretch our minds.

Maybe you would like to try. The words this month are 1. plover 2. glorious 3. tranquil
4. concert 5. flag 6. fireworks and 7. lavender.

Kate and I had coffee after the meeting. I drove her home. She hurt her back on Friday and had been unable to drive safely. We are going to go to Hobby Lobby one of these days to frame some prints that she has AND the print that George and Betsy gave me of Courtney's Silver Taps. I think I can get it done quite nicely there as I have had other prints done there. Kate is an interior decorator and has never tried them but was impressed with the framing that I had done there last year.

I did some quilting tonight. I just have the binding to do on the kitty quilt. Then I will take a picture and post it here. It is such fun when a project is finished and one sees the results. Then I get anxious to get on to the next one.

Have a nice Tuesday. We have to be in Sheboygan to see Dr. Hodous at 9:15PM

Mary

The promised rain has not shown up - again. I have watered everything outside, so will not worry about it.

Chelsea tried to wake me up at 4:45AM this morning. I was not amused. I took her into the kitchen, made sure she had water, gave her a little lettuce and went back to bed, shutting her out of the bedroom. I managed to get back to sleep and stayed so until 6AM.

We had a nice walk and I went to the 8AM Mass. Fr. Van Beeck gave a nice talk about fathers.

Bobbie and I worked at Rhine today from noon to 4PM. We left a little before 4 as it was SO quiet that we amused ourselves by visiting with each other and the guys. It was altogether a pleasant afternoon.

As we had leftovers for supper my evening has been very relaxed and easy. Dick had cards on the computer this morning from Dick and Brenda and Bobbie and Bill. Then both Bart and Dick called tonight so he has been a very popular guy. He is always so pleased in his heart when he is remembered.

I am all prepared for tomorrow. I have Bible Study and Writer's Club. I am still writing my haikus each day. I did miss two days but made it up the next day. I hope that counts. I try to do it in the morning so that I do not forget but occasionally the day starts goofy and things slip by. Some are kind of interesting when I go back and read them and some are icky. But there you are. At least something is done each day. I feel that way about this blog too. It has become a journal.

Bobbie and I had such a nice afternoon. She brought me some of her soap too. I was about out of it and am so glad she still has some.

Here is today's haiku:

Suddenly I knew
That bunnies and birds can
Bring peace to my heart.

Love

Mary

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American

woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway

trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had

broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally

unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man

took her to safety, helped her get assistance and

put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his

address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a

knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a

giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A

special note was attached..

It read:

"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway

the other night. The rain drenched not only my

clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.

Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying

husband's bedside just before he passed away... God

bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving

others."

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

Just for fun. We got this picture of a peacock in
full spread on a trip up north a few year ago.

Mary