Well, we spent a good hunk of the day in doctors offices today without any really good resolution to Dick pain problem. The good thing is that we finally know what is wrong. The bad thing is that it seems that the cure is a knee replacement but they will not be able to consider it until his circulation problems are solved (Dr. Siddique) and we have that open sore on the bottom of his right foot healed for a year. Dr. Murphy prescribed a stronger pain killer and a wheel chair so that he can keep the pressure off of the knee. Exercise will not help this problem, so I guess I have to stop suggesting walks for a while at least. It took forever. We were at the clinic from 2:10 to 5PM, not counting the appointment with Dr. Sharon this morning.

Anyway, we are tired people. And I have to cancel the Quilting Day I was going to tomorrow. Bobbie said she would be glad to take Dick to the doctor but we have to call tomorrow to make the appointment with the specialist to help us heal the sore on the bottom of his foot. It may be that we don't even have an appointment tomorrow, but we have to be ready and now we are facing a whole new set of "truths". We also have a prescription for a wheel chair and I would like to see about that tomorrow.

On our travels, we were listening to PBS. They were interviewing a man who, with six other friends, rafted down the Mississippi. I really enjoyed that interview because it brought back memories that were fun.

When I still was out in California, in my previous life, we went out jeeping a lot. One of the places that we often went was near the Colorado River. One of the fun things that we enjoyed doing was floating down the river. We would gather up inner tubes, inflatable rafts, actually anything that floated and then pile as many people, adults and kids, into a couple of jeeps and drive a couple of miles up the river to an access point where the drivers would drop us off and go back to camp or out jeeping.

Then those who stayed would tie the whole mess of floatibale objects together, pile everybody on this odd mess of an "island" and push out into the river. We always floated an ice chest with beer and soda along with us and we would drift and sing and talk all the way back to our starting point. It was always hot at the "River" and was so cool and relaxing spending the day in the water that way.

So. Hope your Friday is a nice one.

Love

Mary

Another late night. Lil Abner at the Sheboygan Theater. It was really excellent. The talent really turned out for this one. I had not seen the man who played Abner before but he sure could sing. The dance numbers were exceptional too. The only complaint that I might have had was that it was too long. We did not get out of the theater until almost 10:40 which makes over a three hour production. It was acceptable only because it was goo well done.

Bobbie, Mother and I went to Nino's before the play for dinner. Nino's is always good.


We finally got a doctor, Dr. Kapur, to look at Dick's leg. She ordered an ultra sound and blood test and ruled out blood clots and infection but really was not able to do anything else. We have an appointment at 10 tomorrow morning to discuss the ultra sound with Dr. Sharon. Dr. Kapur told Dick he could take the pain pills at somewhat closer intervals but it is not doing any good.

Well. Perhaps tomorrow we will get some relief for him. We keep hoping.

Sleep tight

Mary

This is going to be really short. It is after 10. My CWI meeting ended about a half an hour ago.

We had a great time. There were nine of us. I taught them how to bake Irish Brown Bread. We decided our next two meetings plus tentative dates for the rest of the year. Discussed a bit of genealogy and Kate told us how she reads handwriting. That was fun. We all wrote. This is a perfect day. Then she went through the letters and told us what it meant about our personalities. How cool is that?

The article that I interviewed for at the Review was in todays paper and we got a new member who called and came tonight. The article turned out really nice and I am sure we will be better known from now on.

This morning Dick had his blood tested. It is still a bit low so we are adjusting the dosage and will have to check next week as he has another procedure on the 6th. His leg is getting more sore each day. We pestered the Clinic til they FINALLY got a doctor on who prescribed a painkiller and will see him tomorrow if the leg is swollen. Thank God. Pray for him, these past days have been really painful for him.

That is all for now. Love you all.

Mary

Memorial Day. It was a quiet one. Chelsea and I had a nice walk at 6AM. It was a lovely walk. Chelsea cut it kind of close. She decided to take the path through the woods today. The trilliums are still blanketing the forest and some of them are pink now. Would you believe that there are two tulips blooming in the woods? I was surprised, let me tell you.

Jim and Michelle came over for scrambled eggs this morning. That turned out well. I scrambled them with green onions and cream cheese. Then we went on our busy days today.

I went to visit Mother at about 11AM and was able to help her move some plants from the garage to the front porch. We had a good visit before I headed back home. Jeff had brought some tomato plants for me. There were a couple of extras. That Kathy sure can get those plants started. I took a Roma and a cherry. There were a couple of extra so I brought them for Jim and Michelle.

When I got home, I did some weeding and planted the tomato plants and a few bean seeds. Hope everything comes up. It was 86 degrees here today which got the house up to 80 but it was dry so we were able to stand it because the wind was blowing pretty good too. This kept everything circulating.

I sat out on the deck for about 45 minutes which was really pleasant. Mosquitoes are really thick this year, BUT none bothered me this afternoon. So Chelsea and I were very happy out there.

Tomorrow is a doctor day. We also hope we hear the results of Dick's MRI. His leg seems to be hurting him more every day. The walker IS a big help however.

Have a good week. A short one for you workers.


A group of Americans, retired Teachers, recently went to France on a
tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry
on. 'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
'Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.' The American
said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.' 'Impossible.
Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !' The
American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly
explained. 'Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help
liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to.'

You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love

Mary

This is turning out to be quite a lovely Memorial Day weekend. So far there is no rain, though we may get a bit tonight and/or tomorrow. Actually, we could really use it so I hope we do. I actually ran the sprinklers on the gardens at the bottom of the yard yesterday, so that I could pull some of those awful wild garlic plants that are invading everything again this year.

I also planted the last of the plants that I bought a couple of weeks ago. So far I have only killed one tomato.

I went to the 8AM mass this morning after walking our Chelsea. It was a nice morning for a walk but we did not see another soul out there today. Church was full. When I arrived, the lot was pretty empty but I guess everybody was just funning a bit late. Fr. Van Beeck gave a nice Memorial Day, Corpus Christi sermon. I fixed Dick and I a good breakfast and then Jim and Michelle arrived. They installed a battery backup for our sump pump. They were doing theirs and asked if we would like it done too. It is nice to have someone watching over us.

So I invited them over for a steak dinner. Was pretty good too. This way I can get Jim to turn on the fryer. I always have to use a match. He just goes Click Click Click and off she goes.

Tomorrow is actually Memorial Day. I don't know if there are any real parades going on. I remember the first year Dick and I were married. Dick and Bart and I rushed up from our home on Broadway in Sheboygan Falls to the corner of Pine and Broadway for the Parade. We still laugh today. The parade consisted of a police car, a number of veterans, some Girl Scouts and Bruce Mertzig with his old car.

When I was a kid there was a band from one of the schools, all the scouts marched and we had to go all the way to the Sheboygan Falls Cemetery in Kohler. It was much more impressive. Now they go the the Municipal Building and do the gun salute and cememony on the steps. Maybe we have forgotten the reason for this day. Sadly, we are making more reasons for Memorial/Veterans Day every single day over in the Gulf.

Pray for all of our boys and girls over there. They need our love, prayers and support.

Mary

This "quiet" Saturday turned out to be a real exhausting day. Started out quiet enough. Chelsea and I had a lovely morning walk.

Then, I decided that since I had replaced the glass in the front door with the screen, I had better clean that side of the garage. That was my mistake. I spent the lions share of the day moving things and sweeping and washing the garage floor. BUT it is done and I have lots of trash for Tuesday. I would have even more if I had had the energy to clean the shelves too. But that can keep for another day.

Jim and Michelle brought dinner over to us today. A wonderful refried been appetizer, chicken enchiladas and warm volcano cake with vanilla ice cream. Excellent. We were all very hungry after our busy days and then finished off the evening with a game of Rummy. Dick won and Jim was close on his heels.

So. I am tired and ready for a good night's sleep. TOMORROW will be quiet. (I hope.)

Have a nice Sunday.

Love

Mary

This was a rather pleasant quiet beginning to the Memorial Day Weekend. I had no appointments or errands. I did go to the Dairy Queen and had lunch with the Wells Fargo crew for the first time in weeks. That was a nice break in the day.

I cleaned the kitchen this morning and also cleaned off my desk. Again. This time, I actually accomplished finishing up a lot of loose ends that have been hanging on and on.

Jacquie called today. She had called on my birthday while I was out for lunch with my high school buddies. I had tried to call her a couple of times between then and now and we finally connected. She is a special lady and I miss her. It is good that we do talk once in a while. We have been, after all friends for 48 years and were related for a good chunk of them. I need to email Vikki. Jacquie told me that Vikki's son broke some bones in Rio de Janero. (He is a motorcycle racer on the Kawasaki team and was sent to Rio to race there.) He came home to heal and then will be going back. I am sure that Vikki has mixed feelings about that. She sent me pictures and a poster of her son Scott. He is a handsome young man and doing what he loves.

I have been reading a journal that my nephew, Nora and Leif's son, Stenn wrote while he and his wife Bing were in China for the Chinese New Year visiting Bing's family. It sounds like an a unbelievably wonderful trip and he would like to go back. It is a marvelous journal that he sent a copy of to Mother. She was so pleased. He had a quote in the journal that suited those newlyweds, I thought. "We will fly in heaven, two birds with one pair of wings, and together on earth, two trees with branches interlaced." It was the caption for a picture of them standing in front of two trees intertwined. Isn't that beautiful?

Have a super holiday weekend.

Love

Mary

We had a very nice day.

Chelsea and I walked a pleasant walk. It was a bit early but with the pleasant, not warm, but pleasant temperatures and birds singing and the trees finally all budding out nice and green it was a wonderful walk.

The only appointment we had was with Dr. Herman at the Sheboygan Clinic. He had very good news. Dick's tests were just perfect so unless we see any changes we don't have to to back to him for quite some time.

On the way home we stopped at Adams Aurora Drug Store and picked out a walker for Dick. They had quite a selection and with the authorization of the doctors it is covered for him. At least so far. Anyway, he is walking much more securely. The pain is still as bad but now with solid support, not just the cane, he can move quite easily and doesn't feel so vulnerable and unsteady.

This afternoon, I went over to Fleet Farm and purchased a table and two chairs for the deck. I would like Dick and me to spend a lot of time out there this year when it warms up. I have several ideas to keep the mosquitos away and we love sitting out and enjoying the warm evening air and it will be so pleasant to hear the children playing in Lions Park which is just through the woods and across the railroad tracks.

We had some of Bobbie's delicious lasagna for supper tonight. Now, I am exhausted and intend to rest for the rest of the evening.

Tomorrow should be much quieter. Good thing. I have a LOT of cleaning to catch up on.

Love

Mary

Another long day after a very long night. Dick's legs are REALLY getting worse. He had to wake me up two or three times to help him get back to bed from the bathroom area during the night. His poor sore legs are just not cooperating.

We called Dr. Sharon's office this morning and we will have a walker waiting for us at the Drug Store here in Plymouth. We can even choose. We know that this will not alleviate the pain but at least it will help him to move around with the least difficulty and help me a lot. We have been having himself move around on my office chair which is an adventure in itself. I'll let you know how the walker works tomorrow night.

I did the grocery shopping rather early this morning and then left at 11AM to join several members of my high school graduation class for lunch at Firehouse Pizza in Sheboygan Falls. We have not met for quite a long time and it was really fun. I even saw Karen Kelly Hoell who I had not seen in five years. There were 10 or 11 of us which is not a bad turnout. We will meet again in July at our 50th reunion. I have difficulty believing that it is really 50 years. But it is.

Have special Thursday. I hope it will be very quiet.

Love

Mary

P. S. It was a nice birthday too. I got lots of cards and acknowledgements.

PPS. Michelle had a colonostopy today and all was well. We are very grateful.

This day ended up more full than we expected. I had my physical this morning at 9:30AM.

On the way, I stopped at the review and asked for Jack Lutz. I could hear him saying something like WHo wants to see me. He came out from the back looking really puzzled. So I told him that I was Mary Deeley from 48 years ago and the Young Christian Workers in Sheboygan Falls. He did remember and we had a wonderful visit. I learned a lot about what he has been doing and shared with him. We will have to get together again to do more catching up. I told him that the paintings that I got from him are still with me. He said he still paints but not as much and seemed pleased that I had them. It was fun. I will be so glad to tell Mother.

Dr. Murthy reviewed everything. He ended up sending me to X Ray for my shoulder, scheduling a radiology test for the pain in my side in the gall bladder area and sent me to schedule physical therapy for my knees and hips. He is concerned that I am stressed and not sleeping well too so he prescribed Ambien for two weeks to get me back on track and some meds for my stomach too. So I am somewhat of a mess. But he said that my overall health is great. All my vitals are good and I DO treat myself well as far as exercise and eating. So. We just need to do something about all these dumb achy spots.

I got the x ray done today and the other things are scheduled in the next two weeks. I will start taking the medication tomorrow. We ate kind of late tonight and I need to take both on an empty stomach. The pharmacist suggested that I take them just before I go to bed.

Dick had his dentist appointment scheduled for 2PM for his cavity. We expected that it would take about a half an hour. His next appointment for the MRI on his knee was at 3:15PM which seemed like plenty of time. BUT Dr. Joe needed to spend more time on Dick and it got to be close to three and I was in a panic. I was afraid that they would cancel his MRI and he had already taken the sedative to calm him during what he thought would be a really awful experience (he had one before). The dentist office called the clinic and told them that we would be late and the clinic said there was no problem. The doctor was waiting when we came in and wheeled him right down there. Dick's right leg is WAY swollen again and it HURTS. He is having a terrible time walking. Dr. Joseph helped us get downstairs (thank heavens for the elevator) and into the car. At the clinics they have wheel chairs so that is a big help. After we are all through with the tests and Dr. Sharon reviews everything we will, if need be, discuss a walker or wheelchair.

The MRI turned out to be EASY. They put him in feet first and his head was never inside the dreaded tube. The whole procedure only took about a half an hour. So, this was a good thing and I got calmed down too.

We got home to the amazing smell of lasagna in our house. Bobbie and Bill had arrived and Bobbie had the lasagna already cooking. I did not have to do a thing. (I did cook up the last of the Morels for Bobbie and me to eat with dinner. It seemed only fair that she get some since she WAS supposed to be out searching too before she broke her foot.) We had that delicious lasagna, peas and tossed salad with melt in your mouth caramel merengue cookies for dessert. It was all absolutely delicious. And she left everything for us to freeze for future meals. I am taking a nice serving for Mom tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be much easier. At least there are no medical appointments. That is really hard to believe.

I will be having lunch in Sheboygan Falls at the Firehouse with the gals from the Class of 58. Have not seen them for quite some time. This is our reunion year too.

I read a super proverb today. "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."


Til tomorrow

Mary

I knew that today was going to be busy but it turned out to be even more than I had planned on and tomorrow got added on to which was NOT my plan.

Started out with a nice walk with Chelsea. We saw other walkers but from a distance. So it was a nice quiet walk.

I left at about 8:45AM to stop and visit Mom. I brought her some mac and cheese and her quilt that I had done some work on for her. At 9:30AM Bible Study started. It was on the Body and Blood of Christ and we had a lot to say about that. As we are the only church that believes that Christ IS the bread and wine, body and blood of Christ. We have a special gift.

Anyway we had a lot to say.

Then I went to the Plymouth Review office for an interview with Sue there about our Celtic Women Group in Sheboygan County. I think that went quite well. As I was talking to her, we got into a discussion of the general condition of the Catholic Church as to why DON'T they allow married priests or women priests and she told me that a priest who had left the priesthood worked at the Review a day or two a week and his name was Jack Lutz. I am SO excited. I have been trying to find Jack for many many years. I knew him in 1959 or 1960 when I belonged to the Young Christian Workers a group of unmarried working people out of school who wanted to do things together. Jack was in the seminary at St. Francis and would join us during his vacations. He was charming and we became close friends at that time. He painted then. I have two of his paintings framed and hung in my den in the basement. They are beautiful. Tomorrow is as busy as today was


BUT I am going to stop at the Review on my way to see Dr. Murthy in the morning because Jack is going to be working tomorrow. They are not telling him that I am coming. Won't that be fun!!!.

After my Doctor appointment, we will have a bit of time before Dick's Dentist appointment at two followed closely by his MRI at 3:15.

Bobbie and Bill are coming over tomorrow at about 4:30. Bobbie is fixing us a birthday dinner of lasagna with the trimmings. We are so looking forward to it and with all that is now happening, I am sure glad that we picked this day. We can just come home to good company and a good meal.

Have a good day.

All my love

Mary

I went to the 8AM mass this morning. It was a nice service but neither the organist or the cantor showed up so we were as Fr. Van Beeck said "on our own". He started us in most of the hymns and we just recited the Gloria, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. During Communion, Father could not start the hymn because he was busy but some brave soul started one. Unfortunately it was one that we had trouble remembering the title so we joined her mainly in the chorus. But it was OK. I think everybody sang louder because they felt their voices were needed.

The rest of the day was spent at home. I did a lot of stuff but I don't really think that I could tell you exactly what. The most important thing was a nice hour and a half nap around noon. I felt so very tired after I got us fed breakfast that I had trouble keeping my eyes open so just laid down and was GONE.

Jim and Michelle came over for dinner so we could hear all about their cruise. They have some really great pictures and looked like they were having fun - so they have PROOF. We had cream cheese with jalipeno jelly on crackers for an appetizer, riblets, corn, German potato salad and salad for dinner. All turned out good. Jim and Michelle worked at a Diabetes Walk in Grafton today and brought Dick a BUNCH of neat Diabetes stuff. Two new meters with test strips, hand soap and lotions and some nice reference books. I have decided to start a shelf of diabetes related books so I can reference easily. Dick's foot was swollen this afternoon. I think the ace bandages they use after the sclero cause swelling, just by their nature and the sensitivity of his feet. His leg was really bothering him today. I am SO glad that we see Dr. Sharon tomorrow. We believe that he is going to do x rays.

Anyway, tomorrow will go on forever so if you think of us, pray for us.

In the Reader's Digest May 2008 issue submitted by Donald Clements. "A garden center customer picks up a container of insecticide and asks the salesperson. 'Is this good for red ants?'
'No', says the salesperson, 'It'll kill 'em!' "

Love
Mary

Three pictures from the hunt. Above: The mother lode. Middle: A "friend" on the trail Bottom: A really good shot of what they look like.

Well, this has been a wonderful day, so far. Chelsea and I went for our walk this morning. It was a bit shorter than some because she cut through the path in the woods which cuts quite a bit out. But she accomplished what was needed in the time she was out.

Good thing, because I was gone from about 9:30 to 4. Jim and Michelle came and took her out twice while I was gone. Dick is just SO unsteady that it seems best. It is becoming very difficult for me to be gone if we think that Chelsea needs anything.

Anyway, at 9:30 I took my bars and cupcakes over to the Senior Center for the Condo Association Meeting which I was unable to attend. I talked to Phil Kalchthaler, who is Vice President, and a friend for many years before I left so he knew I was there. However, later, I wish I could have come. Michelle had said she would run for an open place on the board but needed someone, not in her unit, to nominate her.

However, I was committed to the Morel Hunting day with Little John. We all met at Fleet Farm at 10:15 to 10:30. There were nine of us including Little John. We carpooled. I rode with four ladies. Debbie from Green Bay, and Tina, Kris and another gal, my mind is blanking but it will come to me later, from the Mequon area. They were originally from Two Rivers and knew my cousins Ann and Marcia Bowser. Small world.

We got to the site off of Hwy 28 beyond Beechwood. I need to investigate Beechwood sometime for genealogy purposes. Little John shared one of his spots with us and asked us to please find our own. We snacked while he ran though what we would be doing and what we would be looking for. Then we started out. We had quite a successful day. We found several pockets where there were a dozen or more scattered in a close area. I weighed mine when I got home and have about 10 ounces. I tossed some of them into our common pan. Little John fried some up in Linda's homemade butter in a nice cast iron skillet on a camp stove so we could all taste them. Very good and we did not do ANY seasoning, just the butter fry. Everybody had a nice share of the harvest. It is sure fun. I am going to check the woods in back of us. Now that I know what to look for perhaps there ARE some there. I also want to go out where I go deer hunting and see if there is any luck there especially near the swamp.

They are quite distinctive. They look like little brains on a pole and when you see them they just jump out at you. They are either kind of caramel colored or a bit grayish brown. I brought home two pretty rocks and some feathers too. I liked today.

When I got home Jim and Michelle came over to tell me what happened at the board meeting. It does not sound like a very productive meeting. The board seems to do a lot of deciding, but does not respond to requests or clarifications. I sent a letter to the vice president listing my concerns. This was NOT discussed but was mentioned and they said that it would be brought up at the next board meeting, which I plan on attending.

I am going to a show at the Plymouth Art Center that Kate is singing in tonight. Not the greatest night as I am really tired, but I need to go for Kate's sake. I missed the last one she performed in and don't want to miss another. Too much is happening too fast. Tomorrow, except for Mass, I can stay home. I can hardly wait.

Love

Mary

Chelsea got me up just a bit early this morning but not early enough to complain about. We took a nice long walk. We found four big geese in the park. They grumbled at us a bit as we started around the park edge, they were pretty much in the middle. Chelsea never saw OR heard them and when they saw that we were not moving towards them they just meandered a bit away and pretty much ignored us too.

I cleaned the kitchen first thing this morning because Dick's procedure was scheduled for 10:30AM, much earlier than we usually have them. This was quite confusing. We weren't sure WHAT was going to be happening today. As it turned out it was the easy one, the Sclerotherapy procedure which just involves finding and injecting chemicals into the bad veins and virtually burning them out. It is the easiest however. Very little discomfort and Dr. Siddique then wraps the leg in an ace bandage for two days. Dick's leg is still hurting him. We have an appointment for xrays on Monday. He is hurting enough that he is willing to use a wheel chair when we are going to the doctors rather than trying to walk those long hallways.

We were home by noon, stopping at the Dairy Queen for a Combo Ultimate Burger meal which we shared. I don't know how any one person could possibly eat a whole one of those. We both took naps then. I was really tired.

I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning my desk. For two weeks things have been just piling up on it. AGAIN, I have vowed to not let that happen again. Ha Ha.

I fixed soup for Dick's supper as I went to Rhine Plymouth for the bust up party for the Spring League. Nancy picked me up at about 5:30 and we were home by 8. Just long enough. We had chicken, German potato salad and corn for supper. Bill Olson made his famous peach cobbler and Toni Nevicosi made brownies and Jean made cookies so we ate til there was no tomorrow and then had the awards. Nancy and I both got trophies for the pistol league. Nancy was SO excited, she can hardly wait to tell her kids.

Toni told me about a two day Quilts and Fiber Arts University being held on May 30 and 31. I want to go on Friday, if I can. If I can find someone to come and let Chelsea out in the afternoon, I can but Dick just doesn't feel secure walking her any more. I will check in the next couple of days and then decide. Ti wounds like a wonderful day. The possibility of four workshops each day, a speaker at lunch and lunch. Actually the lunch is a potluck and the day costs $25. The money is to help the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts build a museum. The website is http://wiquiltmuseum.com.

Guess that is all. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. Tomorrow is supposed to be lovely too. That is a good because I will be out in the woods with Little John and the others searching for Morel Mushrooms. I sure hope we have a successful hunt. I intend to cook them fresh and then use Jim and Michelle's dehydrator to preserve them for winter use. Mom said that Dad would sometimes bring morels home for us when he was out in the woods in the spring. They are easy to identify and along with puff balls are two fungi that are safe to eat. Not a good idea to just go around cooking mushrooms gathered in the wild, they can be fatal.

I plan on pictures and lots of morels.

Love

Mary

Kate and Toni and I went to N Joy this morning to wind down the Spring Fling. I had not been there before. It is very pleasant. They have an actual breakfast sandwich or burrito so I think that Dick would enjoy it for an occasional breakfast. Breakfast spots in Plymouth are getting kind of sparse as two with the best food allow smoking and we have decided that it just isn't worth it hoping that there will be no smokers in the places when we go.

We wound things down nicely and just visited for a while. Kate had picked me up. Dick has a toothache now, (will it ever end) so I got him some Orajel on the way home. He has a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so hopefully it won't get any worse in the next couple of days and they can take care of it then.

The rest of the day was spent at home. I sewed a piece onto a quilt that Mother has almost got finished, cleaned the bathrooms and baked. I also made the fourth Mac and Cheese Recipe from the ABC Good Morning America anchors and weathermen. This was Sam Champion, the weatherman's. We liked it. This time I halved the recipe and still have enough to give to Jim and Michelle, Mom and we will have another good meal and a half from it. Good thing it tastes good.

I also made some ricotta cheese out of some milk that had soured. I seldom buy gallons and this is why. The cheese is good but it is not an efficient way to get it. All you do is heat the sour milk (or fresh for that matter) with lemon juice and salt until it separates. Then you strain it through muslin or fine cheesecloth. The whey can be used to make bread too.

Tomorrow, Dick has his procedure. I think it will be a laser this time. So keep him in your prayers at about 10:30AM.

I have bust up at Rhine in the evening. Nancy will pick me up at about 5:30. Toni will be out there helping John with the meal. So Celtic Women will be represented.

Hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. I got this in an email today. Actually I took parts of the email but the part that I thought I needed. Hope you find it useful too.

Love

Mary

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

P-----pray
U----until
S----something
H----happens

It was misting pretty good when Chelsea and I went out for our walk so I did not let her go through the park. We sped along too because I do not like getting wet. I have been going over to feed and water Boots right after I walk and feed Chelsea in the morning. He is always very glad to see me but does not expect anything more than food and a little petting then. However, in the evening, he likes lots of attention and playing. He still does not let me hold him much, but tonight I did pick him up and cuddle him and he actually purred.

Dick had an appointment at the Sheboygan Clinic, then when we got there we found that we needed a lab test which had to be done right away and Dick had not prepared. So, we went home and when he was ready went to the lab here in Plymouth and made another appointment for next week to review the results. Just kind of frustrating to have that extra trip into Sheboygan.

Dick's knee and leg are really bothering him too so I did the shopping after lunch this afternoon. It was pick up day for Market Day too so we have LOTS of food in this house.

Tomorrow I am going to do some baking. I will be home all day after one early outing with Kate and Toni. We are going to NJoy a local newer coffee shop. We are going to wrap up the Celtic Women Spring Fling Thing. Tomorrow, Jim and Michelle are coming home too. My understanding is that it will be very late when they get in so I will take care of Boots morning and evening again. I am sure that they had a WONDERFUL time. Hard not to on a cruise ship.

When we were on our cruise, in my previous life, Bart was pretty young, maybe 8. They had a talent contest in one of the lounges one night and Bart decided he wanted to enter. He wanted to tell jokes. So he practiced and we got him all dressed and ready and he signed up. When it got close, he got a bit scared, so I told him that Johnstons don't quit. And my brave little boy walked out on that stage and up to the microphone. He was trembling but told his first joke and (thank heavens for cruise audiences) they loved him and laughed and clapped for him. His face just lit up and he sailed through the rest with no problems at all. He got a trophy and certificate for his efforts. I was SO proud.


Love

Mary

It was supposed to rain today but so far we have not seen a drop. Chelsea and I had a lovely walk this morning. We got up at 6 on the dot and did not see a single other walker today.

Dick had two medical appointments today. First we had to go to the anti coagulation clinic to have his count checked. It was a bit low 1.7 instead of between the 2 and 3 that is ideal. That is OK for now because of the procedure on Friday. But Melody did adjust the meds a bit. Then we went upstairs to the third floor to see Dr. Hodous. That clinic is SO weird. They have the podiatry department on the very TOP floor at the VERY FAR END of the longest hall so that the people with bad feet have to walk the very furthest for treatment. Dick's foot and leg were bothering him so much that he actually let us get a wheel chair for the trip back down to the lobby. His foot is much relieved tonight and he is doing the recommended exercises so don't worry too much. But keep praying.

We got to spend the rest of the day at home. I did the herb planting today and set a couple of other things outside and watered the indoor plants too.

Tonight I spent about an hour with Boots, so he wouldn't be lonely. Actually, I fell asleep for about a half an hour so I don't know how much company I was. He seemed content to just have someone there. I can't believe that Jim and Michelle will be home in just two more days. Boy does time ever fly.

Bart called today. He is all resettled at home after spending time with Barb in Florida. He said that his critters are hanging on him like velcro. They do get clingy when owners are gone. He sounds good though and he and Barb will be together again in about two weeks. It has been a long long haul. I received a package today from Bart and Barb with my Mother's Day/Birthday present. Two Jim Shore collectibles, Milly, a very sophisticated kitty with a bird perched on top of a birdcage and Jilly, a very suave kitty sitting next to a fishbowl with a goldfish in it. They are quite lovely and I believe they will be perched up above the cupboards peering down on the activity in the kitchen.

I mentioned to him that Jim and Michelle were on their cruise and he, as Bret did, commented on how much fun the cruise we took many years ago was. He said that he really appreciated the fact that I had managed to expose them to so many different things in our lives. I still remember that little guy sitting down for breakfast on the third day or so and telling our waiter. "I'll have my usual please." AND GETTING IT. That was quite an experience for him.

Have a nice Wednesday.

Mary

A usual 6AM wake up. Chelsea and I headed around the park. There were several other walkers out there despite the fact that it WAS chilly, only about 39 degrees. I pulled out the winter coat and stocking cap.

A quiet morning then until 8:30 when I started on my LONG journey. First, I stopped at Walgreens to pick up some calcium for Mother. Then on to Bible Study. The readings today surely caused a lot of discussion. The Old Testament was from Exodus and had the Lord "continuing his kindness for a thousand generations" and "yet, not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for their father's wickedness!" We had a LONG discussion on that and have decided that as Jesus saved us from all evil, the punishing of children and grandchildren refers or at least does refer to the fact that abusive and evil ways in a home life, do follow through and continue from one generation to another unless something, goodness and kindness, change this pattern. Sometimes we do get puzzled. We also discussed loving yourself as a prelude to being able to love others. Then a question: Do plants, too, have a responsibility? of life, of blooming? We humans have the ability to choose.

After the study, I went to visit Mother. She is well and had a marvelous Mother's day. The hanging plants that Donna and Randy and Dolores and Ken give her for Mother's day are hanging. I thought I might have seen one of the "tenants" the finches that take up nesting in their "condos" every year. But I am not sure.

After the visit, I went into Sheboygan to the visitation of a dear member of the Sheboygan County Writers Club, Vera Bloemers, who died this week at the age of 100. She was truly a lovely person and her poetry was beautiful. We will miss her so much.

The Writers Club meeting was today so I stayed in town for that. Finally arrived home at about 3PM. We had a nice group. I read my poem that was accepted for the WFOP 2009 Calendar and a poem that I will post after I give it to the person that I wrote it for. Dick read it first and said that he thought it was pretty but he did not get it. The writers group DID get it and I figure that perhaps just thinking it is pretty is enough for Dick. Next week I will read it at Cream City too and see what they think of it.

After dinner, the last of the leftovers so I will begin to cook tomorrow again, I went over to feed and play with Boots. He had a good time and is letting me pet him more. He does not like to be picked up or held though. I really DO miss my Oscar and Roxie. Did I tell you that the last time I went over to Bobbie's house, Roxie seemed almost glad to see me and let me pick her up and cuddle her. Oscar ran and hid though. I am still sad.

Tomorrow I plan on planting the herbs that I bought on Saturday. They will do just fine even if it does get cold some nights. I was a little disappointed, the only herbs that seem to have made it through the winter are the lemon balm and chives which are thriving and the oregano which is struggling a bit. We have been enjoying the fresh chives in eggs and salads.

Tomorrow is a doctor day. All in the morning though so I should be able to get some things done around here.

Later

Mary

It was a strange day. There was rain when Chelsea and I went for our walk so we did not go very far. I think she was a bit disappointed but that is the breaks.

I went to the 8AM Mass, then fixed a nice breakfast for Dick and me. We had bacon, scrambled eggs with chives, tater tots and toast. Num Num.

I did a bit of yard work this afternoon. I planted marigold seeds in the front garden and cut a rogue tree out of a bush that grows on the other side of the driveway.

Since it was Mother's Day, I went to Mother's and took her a card and a bottle of wine. She said she had just opened her last bottle so that was good timing. I must remember to bring another one soon. Eileen and Mary and her husband Mike and Margaret and Gwen came in as I was thinking of leaving so the gang was gathering to be with her on this Mother's Day.

Bret called this morning shortly after Mass. He sounds great and says he is doing very well. I do miss my boys. Barb called this evening in lieu of Bart who is on a plane heading back to Oklahoma. In three more weeks. Barb will be permanently back in Oklahoma. I think she has mixed feelings but her folks need her and Bart is reluctant to leave Oklahoma, though I am sure he would if she insisted. But it is really hard to know what is the right decision. Keep them in your prayers. Bart IS doing much better these days and it would be wonderful if this continues.

We had leftovers for dinner again tonight. I still can prepare one more with the leavings by adding a couple of things. Tonight we split leftover chicken and steak.

George called to wish me a happy Mother's Day too. They will be home at the end of June for a wedding on Betsy's side. I do hope we get to spend some time together. Mother said she saw Ginnie Rammer in church today with her son Rick. Ginny is an old neighbor from Pinehurst Court from years ago. George and Rick Rammer's brother, Louis, we called him Dewey, were best friends. Mother and I were remembering what cute little guys they were. They were always together, George with his blond hair and Dewey with his dark hair. Once they put sand in Dewey's dad's gas tank. They were only about 4 or 5 and said they were playing gas station.


Have a good week. We have another marathon doctor week.

Love

Mary

I woke up just before 6AM so I got up and took Chelsea for her walk. She is so happy that I have "come to my senses" and am taking her for her normal daily walks again.

Dick and Brenda left for Sarah's wedding this morning at about 9. They had enough time to get there with a lunch stop and possibly time to stop and register at their hotel. We had a lovely breakfast. I prepared cinnamon rolls, toast and scrambled eggs with chives and cheese.

We had the loveliest visit. I told you that dinner was fun last night.

After they left I drove on over to Moraine Gardens and picked up the plants that I need for the pots and the garden. I found everything I wanted EXCEPT for purple basil. I love purple basil because it is so pretty. I am becoming more and more interested in the flavor of basil.

I spent the afternoon, cleaning up my hunting things. Randy had called early this morning to tell me that he would not be out in the field very long and since Dick does not want me out there alone, and that is sensible, (the good old Buddy system) besides, I AM a girl, it made sense for me not to go out hunting today. So I am done again for the season.

So I made a couple of batches of "ice brandy", cleaned my gun and sent a couple of e - mails that I have been putting off.

I imagine that Jim and Michelle are now having a marvelous time on their cruise. I remember how much fun I had on the cruise that I went on with the boys, when they were little, and their Dad. I remember that for two little boys it was quite an experience. After the second day, Bart would tell our waiter that he wanted his "usual" for breakfast and he got it. And Bret asked for chocolate milk. They had to make it with Hershey's syrup but every time we sat down at our table for a meal, he had his chocolate milk within a couple of minutes. As their father said. "I could learn to live like this."

Have a nice Sunday.

Mary

Chelsea was very happy with me this morning. For the first time in two days we had a proper walk. On Wednesday and Thursday, with the early hunting time, she did not get to walk around. Boy were we delighted when we walked by the woods between the two sections of the park and I saw that the trilliums are all in bloom and beautiful.

I had a pleasantly quiet morning until about 10 when I had to get ready to leave. I gave blood today at 11:00AM and stopped at AC Signs in Sheboygan to pick up the sweatshirts for CWI. Things worked out very well. This is an annual drive that my friend Peggy Feider sponsors in honor of her son Joe who died 10 years ago at the age of 21. In his lifetime he had used over 200 units of blood and she is so happy that these drives have now "paid back" what he used and are continuing to build in his honor. It is called "A Gallon or so for Joe". She is actually the one who got me donating blood. I do it every 6 weeks but make sure that I can attend her yearly function. (She always has lots of food and a present. This year the present is post it notes.)

Then home again. I stopped and dropped some things off at St. Vinnie's and picked up a couple of glass containers to put my Ice Brandies in. I will tell you about them and how they turn out another day.

I even had time for a nap before Dick and Brenda came at 4ish. They came to take DickSR. out for his birthday. They also brought me a beautiful hanging plant of purple double-petunias for the front porch.

I took Brenda for a quick walk through the woods to show her the trilliums. It amazes me how much bigger the blooms are in the shade of the woods than in the sunny edges of the trees.

We went to Sweet Basil for dinner. This time I had their special, a salmon dish with roasted asparagus. We had a lovely time. Then we came home and Dick and Brenda brought Cinderella, the tv version that Julie Andrews did way back in black and white. The music was Rogers and Hammerstein and was WONDERFUL.

Then Dick fixed our closet door, the coat closet in the entry had fallen off its track and I was planning on calling a repair person next week because I kept forgetting and trying to close it and just about knocking myself out.

Anyway, a wonderful day and we hate to see it end.

Love you all.

Later

Mary

Another 4AM morning. I met Randy out at the site at 4:45AM. Uncle Kenny got a Tom on Wednesday, so he is letting me use his blind if I want to. So today I did. It is nice to have the shelter and not have to be so darned careful not to move a muscle if you see a bird.

I DID have to go up to my old site first thing and pick up my blind and chair. But the rest of the morning was quiet. TOO quiet. I saw two hens. That is ALL. One of them walked withing 10 yards of the blind. It is fun to watch them graze and wander around. BUT I want to see some Toms or Jakes. It is getting pretty discouraging. I keep going out hunting and never get anything. If Randy goes out on Saturday, I will go out too. Tomorrow, I cannot go so Saturday or Sunday are my last chances. Jeff got one up near where he lives also. So there are two. Kenny is going to smoke his.

I came in at 11AM because I had to be home for Dick. Six hours is WAY long enough at one time for me anyway. I took a nice two hour nap this afternoon. I really needed that.

This evening Jim and Michelle took us out for dinner to celebrate Dick's birthday and Mother's day. We went to the Final Approach at the airport. This is our second trip to that restaurant and we have been happy both times. This time two planes coasted up next to the restaurant and the passengers and pilots came in for dinner. Isn't that cool

Jim and Michelle leave tomorrow shortly after noon for their Caribbean Cruise. I will be taking care of Bootsie while they are gone. Tomorrow, our neighbor Dick is going to a Brewers game and I will be walking his Katrina too. So for one day, I will have THREE critters to care for.

I left a message with Donna for Randy to call me if he goes out on Saturday. I said to Donna that I have not seen her in such a long time but I hear what is happening from Mother. Donna said the sweetest and wisest thing. She said that Mother is the glue. Isn't that beautiful.

Guess that is all for now.

Love

Mary

I had to get up at 4AM to meet Kenny and Randy out at the field to go turkey hunting. Fortunately it was not raining when we got up so we started out OK. Randy had to go to work at 7:30AM so he left early and let me use his pop up hunting blind after he left. THIS was a good thing. After I saw him leave, I wended my way down there and got in the tent. At about 9:30 it started to rain. If I had been up behind my blind, I would have had to head home early. I left for home at 10:00 between the rains anyway. Since Dick had to be at PT at 12:45 I had planned on going home at 11AM anyway. I figure 6 hours is long enough for an old lady under any circumstances. I did not see any Toms though I did see three or four hens. Perhaps tomorrow will be better. At least it will not be raining.


Dick's knee is starting to cause pain in his foot and calf. Jaran, the physical therapist, decided to just give us the set of exercises for Dick to do each day both now and when his knee is better so we do not have to go back.

Dr. Sharon gave us a knee brace to put on his leg and suggested warmth. I will have to get up the heating pad.

After all the appointments we went to the bank, the vet, Walgreens and shopping. Whew.

This is Dick's birthday and we went to dinner together just us tonight. Tomorrow Jim and Michelle are taking us out before they go on their trip and on Friday, Dick and Brenda will be here and take us out so he is being feted properly and I get to ride on his coattails.

We always love to spend time with our children.

The day before yesterday I went out and saw our new neighbors in front of their house, so I went over to introduce myself. They are Dennis and Juanita. Imagine our surprise when up on their roof was a big GOOSE just honking away. They said that explained why they could hear honking in their bedroom the night before.


I will send a picture tomorrow. Hope they turn out.

Mary

Dick discovered that there was a high temperature today of 79. Wow. It was warm and really nice to be out and about - and I was.

Started the day with Chelsea's walk, of course. The birds were really singing and happy so we were too.

Then I puttered around putting things away and doing a few odd chores until it was time for us BOTH to go to the dentist. We have the same dentist now and though Dick only goes twice a year and I go three times we will be on occasion to go at the same time. We both got our teeth cleaned and we were both told that we were doing good, though Dick does have a small cavity.

I called Phil Kalchthaler, our Tall Grass Association VP with questions on the information that came around for us to review prior to the meeting a week from Saturday. He was very helpful. I have known Phil for years and have always found him fair and concerned. He suggested that I email him with my concerns prior to the meeting so they can be touched on.

That is a really good idea as I will have to leave before the meeting is over in order to join up with my morel mushroom hunting class that morning.

We had grilled cheese and ham on hard rolls for lunch. Hard rolls REALLY taste good. I feel sorry for you people who live outside of Sheboygan County and cannot get them.

At 2PM I went to see my friend Debbie Brown who is working at Plymouth Professional Massage Therapy and Wellness Spa for my very first massage. I have known Debbie for years, long before she trained for this and another friend told me that she is wonderful. I have no other experience to base it on but cannot complain. She did a great job and my body feels far less pain than I did this morning. So it worked. This same site teaches yoga. I may try that too. But I think I must first have Dr. Murthy check to be sure that I am not damaged in my shoulder.

A quiet evening. I gathered everything up for the turkey hunt tomorrow and loaded most of it into the car. Kenny answered my call and we will be meeting out there at 10 to 5 unless it is raining in which case we will meet at daybreak. The rain that is supposed to come tonight, is supposed to leave in the morning so I hope that it has passed by before we get there.

Tomorrow is Dick's birthday. I will be hunting in the morning but am coming back before noon so that we can go to his physical therapy and to see Dr. Sharon about his knee. Then we are going to dinner to celebrate the big day.

He doesn't know it but I got him a present. We don't do that but I found a tshirt that I thought was perfect for him and IN his size. It says Real Men Love Cats with big yellow cat eyes staring at you.

I am looking forward to our own little party.

Love

Mary

This was a full day and I have managed to cross of EVERYTHING on my list. That is always such a good feeling. It is much warmer today. It actually reached 69 degrees. It was 55 when Chelsea and I went out for our walk. It was very pleasant and we walked all the way around the park.

Bible study at 9:30AM. I filled the tank and stopped at the Pig to pick up some ginger root to keep feeding my ginger culture so that I can make some apple soda at the end of the week. Bible study was lively. Sunday is Pentecost so we talked about the Spirit. The first reading is the story of the disciples in the room getting the tongues of fire on their heads and going out and speaking the the crowds each hearing in their native tongue. Must have really made a big impression as many were baptized and brought to Jesus. The gospel was from John when Jesus "breathed" the Spirit on the apostles. Then Paul, in his letter to Corinthians, chides those who speak in tongues for acting superior to those who don't. This is when he proposes that ALL the gifts are equal whether it is something like prophecy or speaking in tongues or service to others. All are equal. We need to know what we are good at and be willing to share.

Stopped at Mother's. She is just fine. She went to church yesterday, of course, and it was First Communion Sunday. Usually she goes up front so she does not have to walk up for communion but the first communicants and their families had all those seats so she sat in back. There are so many good people who observe things. A lady in front of her and knew her told her that she would bring communion back for her and DID so Mom did not have to walk up.

I left at about 11:30. As I was driving down Mill Street a little cute brown and white dog came trotting out across the road from Short Street. I stopped because I was afraid it would get hit. It saw me and seemed quite pleased to see me. I picked her up and stood there not knowing quite what to do. So I put her on the seat next to me. She was really sweet and kissed me and everything. I saw a woman in her front yard on Short street so drove up there and asked her if she knew WHO the dog belonged to. She did. The owner was several doors down, talking to someone else and probably not paying attention. That poor sweet puppy did not even have a collar or any ID on her.

When I got home we ate lunch and then zipped over to the Clinic for Dick's abbreviated PT. He can't do much but just the balancing and head movements. His knee is really hurting and now his foot hurts too. He has an appointment with Dr. Sharon on Wednesday. I am afraid that I will have to make an appointment about my arm pretty soon. I keep hoping it will improve and some days ARE better but then, like last night I woke up and it just ached.

We had brats with Bobbie's sauerkraut for supper. Boy was THAT good.

Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth Membership meeting. It went quite well and I was home by 8:30PM.

I am going turkey hunting on Wednesday morning and have not heard from either Randy or Ken. I have been so overwhelmed that I keep forgetting to call until it is really too late. Guess I had better tomorrow. I can be there early, as we have to be, and will have to leave at about 11PM so I can get Dick to his therapy and the doctor in the afternoon. Thursday, I have ALL day. (a minor miracle.)

Have agreat evening and day

Mary

These are several of the members of the Sheboygan County Branch of Celtic Women.

Back row: Rosemary Mugan, Toni Nevicosi, Kate Herman, Peg Payne, Janet Bieschke
Front Row: Joan Kramer and Me

Today was a beautiful day. Chelsea and I did not take a real long walk because I was had a lot to do before I left for church. I put a beef vegetable soup in the slow cooker.

I went to the 8AM Mass then left right from Mass for Sheboygan to pick up Bobbie for the class we took on Fermented Beverages from Linda Conray and John Holzwart. We spent the morning in preparation and preparing the start of a ginger culture to use in making soda out of juices. You add the culture to a gallon of juice and let it just work, then bottle it. We have to add ginger root and sugar to the mixture for about 5 days until it starts to work.

After we finished this process and tasting several different wines, juices, and even some maple sap, we were served a natural lunch. Linda served a nice mixed green salad with a homemade dressing and homemade feta cheese, another salad with various plants and black beans, she also had her own sour cream to put on the bean salad and a quiche made with leeks and morel mushrooms. Num Num.

Then we prepared a batch of elderberry wine. We got everything into the primary fermenter and were able to let it cool enough to add the yeast. They let the yeast get ready in orange juice and added that to the primary when it had cooled enough. (One usually pours boiling or very hot water over the fruit or flowers to start them releasing their flavors. However, boiling water would kill the yeast so you have to let the must cool before putting the yeast in.) Then John showed us how to rack, by racking a Maple wine that was ready for racking. And finally he bottled some of a previously prepared elderberry that was ready for bottling. We all got to bring a small bottle of that home with us too. (We got little tastes of all of these things.)

The final lesson was in beer making. We, again as a group, prepared a batch of Burdock Beer. You can actually make beer out of burdock root, dug up in the fall from new burdock plants. It is used instead of hops. I did learn a lot but since I don't like beer, will probably not use that information.

They also touched a bit on making vinegars. That I may try. I will have to do some research but it makes sense. They are making some out of apple cider and pear cider.

Anyway it was FUN and I will be going on a Morel Mushroom Hunt with John and a group of others on May 17th. I hope I can find lots. John said that you preserve them by drying them. They actually used the last of last year's harvest in the quiche we ate today so they keep well. I am excited. Bobbie WAS going to come but will not be healed enough to be walking in the Kettles that soon. She told them to just forward her reservation for the hunt to next year.

If you are interested in these teachers, John and Linda, they have a website www.moonwiseherbs.com.

Got home at about 4:30. Boy was Chelsea glad to see me. She had been out with Dick three times but waited for me to do her big stuff and boy DID she ever.

The soup was really good. I will take some to Mom tomorrow. And we have plenty left for some good lunches this week.

Have a good week. This is supposed to be turkey hunting week. I have not heard from Randy or Kenny. Well, Tomorrow is soon enough to worry about that.

Mary

A day at home. The only place I had to drive today was to pick up Nancy and go on out to Rhine to finish our league targets. It is amazing what a pleasure being at home can be.

Chelsea and I went for a nice long walk this morning. We met the older lady with the cane. She had just come back from Las Vegas and was saying that she wished she had stayed. Actually today was warm enough that I was able to just wear my denim jacket instead of the winter coat. Don't know how long that will last but one can hope.

I spent the morning working on computer projects, notably finishing that newspaper article. I am ready to forward it on Monday morning. I am just giving Kate a chance to look it over first. Toni has said it is OK.

Nancy and I left at about 10:30 and were back home by about 11:30. With no one else out there it does not take long to shoot a few targets. We had to get our league targets finished because I can't go next Friday and the next Friday is the bust up.

I made a 2XL tshirt smaller for me today. I got it free and wanted it. I did a couple of odd things to give it "a look". I think I will enjoy it this summer. I am trying to figure out how to shorten the sleeves on a jacket that I bought for Dick. To compound the problem, it is fully lined. Any suggestions.

Jim and Michelle came over tonight and we played a couple of games of Rummy. They were hot tonight and each ran away with one. It was a pleasant evening. They are going on a cruise next week. They leave on Friday so I will be taking care of the Bootsie cat.

Tomorrow I will be picking Bobbie up at about 9:30AM so we can go to the class on Fermenting Beverages. We will have a good time I know. I am glad that she won't have to miss that. She spent today taking pictures of her cast and the kitties and sending them. She got some pretty good ones of Big Oscar and that is not easy and the one of Foxy Roxie in back of the plants is just spectacular.

Today is Bart and Barb's Anniversary. They are together in Florida and less than a month until she is home for good.

Love You All

Mary

Strange weather day. It had rained during last night but was just cloudy and somewhat cold when we took our walk, Chelsea and I. She was really perky. She spent the rest of the day asking me to take her out every time I sat down, at least that is how it seemed. The only good thing about it is that this last time, I saw a deer in the middle of the green space in front of our condo.

I cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the stairs this morning. Then did a bunch of computer work.

Dick had to be at Sheboygan Memorial by 1:45PM for his procedure. We left at about 12:30 so I could pick up Mother's prescriptions at Walgreens and drop them off with a couple of other things on our way to the hospital. I took her some of the Mexican Turkey casserole and a dish of apple crisp. She is looking really well. It just poured on our way from Plymouth to Sheboygan Falls and then again on our way to Sheboygan. Mother was kind of disappointed. Today, Deacon Jens was having an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. If the weather is nice she loves to go over for part of it but she is very wise and does not attempt it if it is wet. We are so proud of her being so sensible. I was glad I stopped in. A break in her day.

The procedure was the Sclerotherapy - the easiest of all of them. Unfortunately, Dr. Siddique checked the left leg and has found a large vein in the thigh area that will have to have a laser treatment. Therefore, we now have scheduled four more procedures. A little discouraging as we thought we might be nearly done. But - encouraging as the legs are improving and this will be even more of a fix.

Got an e mail from Bobbie today. She broke her leg, an oblique fracture of the distal fibula in her lower leg. She is so disgusted. It is, after all, the beginning of the planting and yard work season and for the first time - she is retired. We are going to the class on Fermenting Beverages on Sunday. But instead of walking, I will drive her.

We are hearing thunder in the distance tonight but so far, Sheboygan County is outside of the severe weather alerts.

I went shooting tonight with Nancy. My first one was a disaster and the second not much better. I was encouraged by the last one. I guess I am just going to have to go to see the doctor about my arm. I keep thinking it will heal itself but I think I keep restraining it and need advice on to how to make it better. It just plain hurts.

We will go again tomorrow and at least finish the league targets. Nancy did really well tonight. She will turn out to be competition for Lil eventually.

Have a great evening and stay dry.

Mary

P. S. I did not forget the picture of the flower. It was raining every time I was able to get out to do it.

Maybe tomorrow.

Mary

Hello again. We had sunshine most of the day. The temperatures did not go much over 50 but there was no wind and it was comfortable. Bart and Barb called tonight and when I told Barb the temperature here, she just laughed and said that they consider it cold if it is 60. They are well. Saturday is their anniversary and I am so glad that Bart is there with her. She will be going back permanently to Oklahoma at the end of May. Actually she will get there just in time for them to turn around and go to Virginia to meet Adam's ship when it gets back from the Gulf.

We had a pretty quiet day. We drove in to Sheboygan to pay our condo fees. That was really the only time we had to go very far. I cleaned bathrooms and the downstairs den and bedroom.

Chelsea was very disappointed in me today. After my shower, I pulled her in and scrubbed her down. She now is a gorgeous fluffy white vision of beauty. She would rather be a smelly little girl.

I dug up a flower to show to Mother tomorrow. We were talking about the May Flowers and I think that this MIGHT be one. I will let you know. And if it is I will take pictures and post it tomorrow. We are stopping at her house tomorrow and I will also share the Mexican Chicken and the Apple Crisp that we have . I find I can make somewhat larger batches of things because I can share with her.

Now I am tired. So. Wind down I will and go to bed.

Take Care

Mary

Wednesday already. Grocery shopping day. Chelsea and I took a nice Long walk this morning. She was a happy girl. It was sunny, kind of cool but very still and we really enjoyed it.

Then Dick and I went to Mc Donalds for breakfast, to the bank and over to the Pig. I had to go back later to do the majority of the shopping because Dick's knee is really bothering him. He thinks he twisted it.

Then I spent the rest of the morning finishing the article for the Review on the Spring Fling and consolidating most of the leftover items so that Kate, Toni and I can dispense and disburse them when we do a recap on the weekend.

Dick had therapy this afternoon and Jaran had him do a modified version. He did not have to do anything that made the knee feel uncomfortable. So he did mostly balancing and sideways walking.

Tomorrow we get to be home all day. That will be a welcome change after the past couple of weeks.

Today Mother called. She liked the gift bag that I gave her, especially the recipe book. It did turn out nice. With my doing the book and Toni's idea for the cover it really is nice. While I was talking to her I saw the biggest bunny out in our back yard under the lilac bushes which, by the way, are starting to leaf out. Where was he when I was out rabbit hunting. Actually there are a LOT of bunnies around but this one is much bigger than the others.

I was remembering June Bugs today. Don't ask why.

When I owned my little house in Sheboygan Falls, I went down in the basement one day and there was a huge bug down there. It was the kind of bug the kids used to call Helicopter Bugs. They would catch them and put them on strings and fly them around. Anyway, I was not happy to have it in the house so I called Dick who was upstairs, and he came down and carefully took a newspaper and scooped it up ans took it outside to let it go.

The next year another one appeared in the basement so I called Bart, who was home at the time. He came down, took a look at it, shrugged and stomped on it.


Love

Mary

I slept until almost 6:30 this morning. That was pleasant. Chelsea wanted to take a shortcut through the park and I wanted to take a shortcut through the woods because we have not done that for some time. The only trouble is that I have to carry her over the little bridge that goes over the creek. The boards have gaps that are just big enough for her little feet to get caught. I was looking for May flowers. Mother and I were remembering that on the first of May, we used to make baskets and gather May flowers and leave them on peoples front doors. You never hear of that any more. I think there are a few May flowers down at the bottom of my yard next to the wood. I will take one to Mother for confirmation.

Dick got his blood coagulation test this morning and was Right On. It registered at 2.2 which is great.

Then,this noon, I went to the bank, the drug store and to Dairy Queen to have lunch with my friend Beth Hoegger, the choir director at Blessed Trinity Parish. I have told her that as long a she is there I will help her with the Celtic Mass at Blessed Trinity if they have one. We had a productive time and just caught up.

When I got home, I spent the afternoon cleaning and sorting my desk. I also worked on the article for the Review on the Spring Fling. I will finish tomorrow and send it to Kate and Toni for their review before I send it on.

I brought Dick home a cheeseburger and fries for lunch so we had snacky stuff for supper. I had salmon salad and Dick had soup.

Tomorrow we shop and Dick has Physical Therapy but I can spend the rest of the day finishing up things.

Hope you are all doing well. Wasn't it wonderful to see the sun? Not as warm as one would like but at least we had the sun.

Remember that you are special.

Mary

Another busy Monday.

Chelsea and I went for a walk in the rain this morning. She was not bothered but I was not really happy with the rain and somewhat flurries. So we headed back when I figured she was done with her business. It was rather chilly but did clear up during the day.

Went to Bible Study at 9:30AM. I stopped at St. Mary's Cemetery on the way to check Courtney's flowers. The pot was tipped over but the flowers looked great so I just set it up. With that wind I am happy that there was no other damage. The three yellow roses still looked fresh as when I put them there. We had a good crowd at the study. There were 8 of us. We discussed the Ascension which is celebrated next Sunday instead of on Thursday which is really proper. After all it is supposed to by 40 days after the Resurrection. It was cold and damp this morning. Fran Woodke commented that our Joe Reindl was wearing tennis shoes instead of his usual sandals. So we KNOW that it was cold.

Stopped at Mother's next. She WAS going to play canasta with a couple of her friends. However, two of them had sons coming into town or something and had to cancel SO they decided to reschedule the game. Mom thought if it was nice she would go across to Church and join the Senior Saints in their card games. I took her one of the gift bags from the Celtic Spring Fling. I know that she will have fun opening the bag. It is FULL of good STUFF.

Dick had therapy at 12:45PM so we at lunch as soon as I got home and hied our way over there. Time will tell. He did say that when temps start hitting 60 or better he will start going on walks with me.

I spent the afternoon trying to coordinate things from the fling and just cleaning generally. I don't think that I mentioned that when we were lunching at the Madison Avenue Inn in Cascade, I saw a china set (not complete but enough for me. because it is fun.) It is Windsor Ware by Johnson Brothers in England with a lovely rose pattern. It was priced at $20. Probably because it is NOT complete and there are no cups at all. I decided to get it. You will all, if you let me feed you, get to enjoy it. I walked up and told Brenda that I wanted to buy it and she said that "the lady over there bought it for you for an early birthday present." My friend Kate. She is a treasure. It told her that the next time Ron and she were over they would experience it.

At 4PM Celtic Women had a Telephone conference. We covered a lot of ground.

So my day is winding down. Dick and Brenda are taking us out on May 9th to celebrate their Dick's birthday. Bill and Bobbie too. That will be a busy weekend for everybody. We will be so glad to see Dick and Brenda. Sometimes Madison is VERY far away. And they, especially Brenda, are so very busy these days.

On of my Celtic friends gave me a flyer on the 2008 Mother Earth Water Walk which is being done by a Mrs. Josephine Mandamin, an Objibwe Indian who walks the perimeters of the Great Lakes to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our waters for future generations. She will be in Milwaukee Tuesday, May 6. I want to see if she will be stopping in Sheboygan. She does traditional water ceremonies which would be very special.

Mary said to just put her name in. I will let you know what I find out.

Love

Mary

This is the whole group. People from Chicago and Michigan and Wisconsin

Front row. Anne Mc Caffrey, Gail Mc Aleese, Joan Kramer
2nd row. Toni Nevicosi, Linda campana Chris Wolff, Mary Kunert, Sue Crawford
Back Row: Joan Sheehan,Betty Plowers , Rosmary Mugan, Kate Herman, Betty Gavitt, Sheila Isakson, Rosemary Beaumont, Mary Schultz, Janet Bielske, Peg Payne

These are the Sheboygan County Memberw who were able to attend the final luncheon.

Back row. Rosemary Mugan, Toni Nevicosi, Kate Herman, Peg Payne and Janet Bielske
Front row. Joan Kramer and Me


We were so pleased with the turnout and the wonderful comaradarie.

Love

Mary

It was the end of a perfect weekend.

Dick DID forget to turn off his watch alarm so I got up much too early and am quite tired now, but the morning was clear and pleasant for Chelsea and me. She seemed to be a little tired this morning. She sat down at least three times to rest. This IS a bit unusual.

I went to the 10:30AM mass with the Celtic Women. Kate had arranged for the choir to welcome us and they sang the Irish Blessing as a prelude. There were a couple of other Celtic songs too so it was a special mass. To add to the specialness of it - two home schooled children were receiving their First Communion AND Fr. Van Beeck mentioned that the next four weeks are very special feast days. The Milwaukee Archdiocese is celebrating Ascension next Sunday instead of Thursday. The next week is Pentecost followed by Trinity Sunday and ending with the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. Fr. Van Beeck has "declared" a month of "retreat" for St. John the Baptist Church. A time for us to reflect and try to get our spirits in as good an order as our corporal affairs. He says we have IRAs, 401Ks etc. and we need the same for our life hereafter.

After Mass, the Celtic Women met at Antoinettes for a farewell lunch and goodby. It is hard to part but we had SUCH a wonderful weekend that it is easy to move on and feast on the memories. I will send a picture of most of us from our Antoinette's lunch.

Guess that is all. The picture will cap everything off.

Love
|

Mary

It was just about as perfect a day as one could imagine.

Chelsea woke me up too early, but I was already having trouble sleeping so it was not too bad a thing. We had a pretty good walk but I got a good idea of how windy it was going to be on our cemetery tour.

We met at St. Patrick's Church in Adell at a little after 10AM. Beth Dippel from the Sheboygan Historical Research Center and Janet Mersberger, who is on the Committee to Save St. Patrick's met us there and gave us a wonderful history of the church. I will put a couple of pictures on tomorrow and the next few days. We then walked around the cemetery. I was to pleased to point out to Anne Mc Caffrey that there was a Mc Caffrey tombstone in the cemetery. She comes from Ireland and could not believe it. I took pictures of the stones and will send them to her.

Then on to the Madison Avenue Inn in Cascade for a marvelous lunch of chicken salad with hot rolls and fruit. Numm Numm. I told Dick we have to go there sometime because I think he would like it. Maybe we will take Mom.

Our next stop was St. Michaels out at Parnell. Beth gave us a lot of history about the church and those that settled the area. We left feeling we knew many of them personally. She is quite talented.

At that point, we came back to Plymouth to have some tea and cakes and my friend Sylvia Bright Green did some psychic readings for some of the gals. I figure I can have Sylvia read me later. She really did not have a good chance to meet Kate and that was something I really wanted. My two psychic friends to meet.

At some point there, I zipped home to change for the evening with Maya Angelou and then met everybody at Dee O Malley's for dinner. The dinner went well and I wish you all could have been there to hear Maya Angelou speak. We found out that she turned 80 on April 4. She is much taller than I expected. She said she is (or was, we all shrink as we get older) 6 feet tall. She told us stories, all intertwined. The message I took away was that we all have our roots. Our roots are those who made us what we are. We should stop and think sometimes - Will these "roots" look at us and be proud or will they say "Is THIS what we lived and breathed for?"

Then back to the hotel. I had a glass of wine and a couple of crackers with cheese then came home to my love. A glass of Baileys and a cup of decaf are capping off the evening.

Chelsea and Dick are both glad to have me home.

Love

Mary

A treasured day at home. I finished up the last things that I will have time to do before the Celtic Event starts tomorrow and cleaned.

Chelsea and I took a nice long walk this morning. We went around the entire route we have mapped out with no shortcuts at all. My new steps on the slope leading from the railroad tracks work just fine. I feel much more confident now.

I did have to go out this afternoon to pick up some pills for Chelsea. Can't have her running out. She has trouble with that cough sometimes anyway. But there have been no seizures for a long time now. That is encouraging.

The next three days will be full and exciting. I will report.

Love

Mary

A lovely warm day. It went into the 70s today. I got up at 6AM to walk the silly little dog that lives with us. We had a nice walk. She sometimes chooses to vary the route which always amuses me.

Then we went for breakfast to the Wilderness. They are now open for breakfast. The jury is still out on whether we really are happy with it. They are a bit pricier than the Family Restaurant but have the advantage of having a true non smoking section. The food is not quite as good, at least I don't think so but it is OK.

The we went to the bank and the grocery store to get the tickets. Dick was tired so I took him home and headed back to do the grocery shopping. The rest of the day was really full. With a day at home, I did some vacuuming. Then I fixed that slippery incline coming through the woods from the park to our backyard. I dug some steps and put some shale on them to make it easier to traverse. I filled the birdbath and weeded the area around it.

Dick had his physical therapy at 3PM today. On Friday they will reevaluate him to see if there is any improvement.

Today I was thinking of an absolutely beautiful day. Many years ago, I was in real estate, and all of the agents decided to take a day and go to Catalina Island on the ferry. We started at the office with donuts and mimosa (champagne and orange juice) then we carpooled down to take the ferry to the Island. It was a beautiful day. We wandered around the shops and streets of Catalina which is a beautiful tourist spot. Then Cal, one of the other agents, and myself had lunch up on a balcony overlooking the ocean. It was a picture perfect day and I felt so elegant.


Love

Mary

Hello - this was an at home day. Except for a hair cut at 2:30 for me. Then I swung by WalMart and picked up a couple of outside stuff that we needed. A new cover for the grill and a rake.

Today I had nowhere to be and could have slept late. Wouldn't you know that this it the morning that my back starts to ache at about 5:30 so I got up at 6 and Chelsea and I went a-walking. We did the WHOLE route that we have kind of mapped out which gets us really loosened up. Chelsea is like a young pup in the morning. She sure sags the rest of the day but I know she loves those walks.

It rained today. Not too hard but off and on for several hours so things did get a good soaking. We did not get the thunder and lightening that was possible. I am a bit sorry that did not happen as lightening will get the trees excited and cause them to burst into green.

I did a bunch of vacuuming today. Just have the bedroom and office left. I got behind with my tests and all of Dick's appointments.



If the population of China walked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

I have heard this before. It came in an email from a friend today with LOTS of interesting facts. My question is that if this population is walking how are they reproducing?

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Mary

Another beautiful Day. It started out a bit cloudy and when I got up the temperature was 41 degrees. I have made it a rule that if it is below 45 I put on my winter coat. So. Winter coat it was. Chelsea took a short cut through the west side of the park. Then we continued as we usually do to the east side of the park. There - between the soccer nets were 5 HUGE geese just a grumbling away. I decided that it is after all OUR park so Chelsea and I continued on our usual trek around the edges of the park to the path that leads to the back yard of the condo. Two of the geese were very suspicious and started patrolling and kind of making lots of goose noises under their breath. Chelsea never saw them - never heard them so we made our way around the park without any serious altercation at all. BOY are they BIG!

Bible Study at Blessed Trinity this morning. We had a pretty big group and a lively discussion. We are all impressed with the Pope's visit. It think he did a good PR job and addressed many of the problems faced by the church in America. We had another lively discussion on homosexuality and the church's view on that. I am afraid I do not agree with the church's position.

I think you know that I have an oven downstairs. There is a "summer kitchen" down there for those of you who don't know. It is very handy when I cook meals like Thanksgiving or if I want to bake in the summer. But I found that it bakes HOT. So Bobbie lent me her oven thermometer and I find that it cooks about 52 degrees hot on all settings. I called Magic Chef and found that this model does not have anything to adjust the temperature. She said that the sensor might be at fault but agreed that if it is consistently off 52 degrees, I should just be able to work with that and save the repair fee. So I will.

Writer's Club in Plymouth this afternoon. Everybody but Sue was here. She is still working. We celebrated Kate's, Jena's and Lynn's birthdays with cake and presents. Everybody had something to share. AND we gave new words for a challenge for next month. They are: hyacinth, really green, trellis, fishing season, crocus, morning dove, graduation, springtime. Now we have to make a poem using all or most of these words.

Is it morning dove or mourning dove?

Love

Mary

Today was absolutely beautiful. The sun shone, the temperatures were perfect, the birds were singing.

I got up at 6 and walked Chelsea early then went to the 8AM Mass. That will be gone in mid June. I will have to change my Mass time. There will only be ONE Sunday Mass at St. John's and that will be at 10:45AM. So I guess I will have to change and go to Mass on Saturday evening at 4PM or otherwise go to St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake or Kohler who will have an early Mass. Ick. When will the church wake up to the fact that they discourage so many vocations by eliminating married priests and women priests. I understand that other religions are also facing some downturn in vocations, BUT they have a bigger pool to pull from.

I picked up Nancy at about quarter to 10 and we went out to shoot. I am having lots of trouble because my arm is so sore. I guess I will have to look for some help as I am unable to heal it.
Wasn't a great score day. But We will be able to finish league. Nancy is doing very well for a beginner, especially when you consider who her teacher is.

This afternoon she and Toni came over at 1:00 and we finished the pretty nametags that we are doing for the fling. Only five more days til the event. I think we are pretty ready. Only time will tell.

Had a nice quiet rest of the day. We had pasties for supper and I tried to burn the house down. I turned on the wrong burner, the one UNDER the pasties instead of under the veggies. Dick said that Bart is right. I am trying to burn us all up.

I had the doors and windows open all afternoon. Good thing after the extra crispy pasties. Most of the smoke smell is gone. And it cooled the house off nicely.

Have a good week.

I love you all

Mary