This is a day that I will not forget.   I will take it as it unfolded as it turned out to be very productive and fulfilling in the morning and then quite traumatic in the afternoon.

I got up at 6:30AM to get my shower over with and breakfast before Jody came to clean at 8AM.  Jody is all excited.   One of her granddaughters, who she has not seen for a while, is spending the weekend with them.  Apparently a custody thing and her son now has visitation.

So I did my usual computer catchup and straightening then went down into the den to work on my quilt projects for a while.    I also took the dried apples out of the dehydrator.  They are a bit overdone, not chewy, but are more like chips and really taste pretty good.  While downstairs I sewed one more strip on the quilt top that I intend to be MY quilt and assembled the Broken Dishes square for this year's two block of the month club.   Now I am only 1 behind as I have til next month to do that one and the two we received the patterns for on Tuesday.

I joined my friends at Dairy Queen for lunch, stopping at Pick and Save for a couple of minor groceries.  Do you know that they don't seem to make Delicare soap anymore which I use for Dick's leggings and stump covers.  I did find Ivory Snow in a powder which I will try for a while.

EVERYBODY was at lunch for the first time in MONTHS.  Dawn was there for the second week in a row.   Mary came and Joyce is back from Arizona.   So we filled the table and got caught up on a lot of gossip.

This is where things get traumatic.   When I got home I stopped to get the mail and decided to take our neighbor Dick his mail and walk his dog Katrina as I told you he has been sick.   Last night I had told him that he ought to go to the doctor and he assured me that he had eaten something.  

Well, I opened the door, which he has kept unlocked while he has been sick, and Katrina came to greet me but ran right back to the bedroom.   I called but there was no answer, so I went in to drop the mail and gather the dog, calling louder as I went into the house.   Dick was lying on his bed looking very much asleep but he did not respond even when I hollered and Katrina was even kind of bumping him.  So I walked around the bed and touched his cheek and found that it was cold.   

I picked up the phone and dialed 911 as I took Katrina on her leash out of the house.   The 911 response was very professional and quick.  The police and paramedics were there within minutes.   I told them as I told the 911 operator that I was sure that he was deceased.   They went in, with equipment, and confirmed my findings.   As it turns out he probably died sometime early this morning.    I am sure glad that I went in so he did not go unloved for too long.    He looked very peaceful lying there, like he just fell asleep.  There was not sign of any trauma at all.   

Poor Katrina, I don't know what will happen to her.   She is a loveable little dog but does "piddle when excited".   I am hoping that Tammy, Dicks ex girlfriend and still his friend, will take Katrina as Tammy often watched her when Dick would visit his children.

So now you know the traumatic event of today.

This evening, Nancy and I went shooting.   Neither of us set any records.   I hope that next week is better.

So pray for my friend Dick tonight as he makes his way to God.  Perhaps he will stick around a bit until his son and daughter get here.  

God love you

Mary

Today seemed much busier than I expected it to be.   I slept until 7AM  then got up and got ready for the day.

We changed Dick's tube-a-grip and re doctored a small sore that he has on the back of his left knee and got him all spiffed up for his blood test.  We had grapefruit and toast for breakfast and picked up burgers and fries for lunch.
 
Bobbie was here to help get Dick up the ramp, the only thing I can't do.  It is handy to have wheelchairs at the clinic.  This means that we don't have to load the wheelchair into the car. 

His count was exactly 2.0, just perfect so we do not have to go back for a whole month.

Then our neighbor Dick called.   He is sick and wanted me to give him his pills and pick up a prescription for him today.   I also walked Katrina a couple of times so she got a bit of exercise.    He really needs to get to a doctor or to get someone in who can really help him.   He says he is eating.   I think the dog has done some stuff in the house because it smells but I don't feel that I should be in there as I could pick something up myself and don't want to endanger Dick.

I think I will ask Jean if she has his son's phone number.

I figured out how to use up the extra apples that I have accumulated.   I am drying them in the dehydrator.   They do make the house smell good and will be ready by morning.


I went for a walk again this afternoon.  Yesterday and today, I walked about a half an hour.  I hope this will tighten up my flab after a bit.    It really is nice outside albeit a bit chilly.   That's all right though, with little wind and a jacket, it is really rather refreshing and I am running into neighbors as I go.   I sure do miss my little fuzzy friend though.  We made a lot of good memories on our walks.

Have a good Friday.   Can't believe that another week is almost over.

God love you

Mary

Shopping day.   It went very well on this absolutely beautiful Wednesday.   Actually it was a bit misty when I was shopping, but it quickly warmed up.  I had a whole bunch coupons today so stocked up on a couple of things. AND I got the ingredients to make a Leek/Broccoli Tart that we had at the Benwisken Centre in Ireland. 

That will be a weekend treat so I can bring some to Mother on Monday.   I also stocked up on Bratwurst and want to cook some of them this weekend too.   I am getting so hungry for bratwurst and it is going to be warm enough.   

Dick decided to nap this morning and I went downstairs and started doing some sewing on the quilt top that I want for me.  I got about a third of it assembled, not too bad, a couple more days and it will be ready for the edging.   I also started sewing a square for this year's project together.   My UFOs are piling up.

I was watching a game show Deal or No Deal that had 26 pregnant ladies on it.   The contestant was trying to get money for her unexpected pregnancy.   I got to wondering what it does cost to have a baby these days.   It made me remember something that will absolutely knock your sox off.   When my Tony was born in 1963, my sweet little preemie, he was in the hospital for a couple of months until he was big enough to come home.   I think back in amazement to remember that the daily charge for his room was $10.00 with an additional $1.00 for the isolet that he was in and later for the incubator.      I went to see him every day but the nurses had the fun of really taking care of him.    At least I had him for a little while.  He would have been 48 this year.   Where have all  those years gone.   And I still miss him.

Did I tell you that I called Bart on his birthday and when he answered, I started singing Happy Birthday.   He asked if I was going to do that every year and I said Yep.

I still have him and his brother so feel very lucky.

Tomorrow Dick is getting his anti coagulation test so Bobbie will come and then have lunch with us.   We really like that.

God love you

Mary

This morning was a nice quiet day at home.   I cleaned the cat's corner of "her:" bedroom.   And sorted through some more papers in that room.   All I have to do is sort out the boxes and items on the top shelf.

Roxie really kind of liked that as I sat with her in her chair.   She does not approve of vacuuming.

We had a light lunch because Dick had slept late and had a late breakfast.   Today we changed his leggings and dressings too.  This afternoon was the quilt club meeting.   I did not have a thing to bring along with me.   Then after show and tell, somebody asked about the candle we were supposed to have and I realized that I forgot that too.   I was going to bring the Brigid prayer and the candle and share the flame with this group too.   So, I put it on the calendar for June.   One of the members, Sandi, is subscribing to an Irish Quilting magazine.   When whe is done, she is giving them to me.  What a nice treat.   The issue she gave me today has a series of Brigid Wall Hangings developed by a Mary O' Reilly.  I am going to adapt the idea to one for the Gathering.   And I will bring the magazine for any that are interested.  Boy to I have my work set out for me.

In May we are going to join the Elkhart Lake Club for a tea on May 4th instead of our usual meeting.   I am going to have last year's blocks all assembled by then to share.   As many of us who can are going to bring our tops to share with Elkhart Lake.

I also voted today before the meeting, then went to Walgreens to pick up a couple of things, Fleet to get raisins and dried cranberries and to the bank to deposit a check for Mom.  So I got home after 3PM and spent the afternoon sorting more things for writing and the Gathering, quilting and genealogy.  I think Dick is right, I have too many things that I try to do.  But I love them all.

Til tomorrow.   I just have to shop and have the rest of the day for home.

God love you

Mary

Monday,  Monday. 

They are all busy.   And I am still a bit tired from last week.   Oh Well.  That too shall pass and this WAS a good day all in all.

Bible Study at 9:30AM.   We stayed with the 23rd Psalm this week as we barely touched it last week and had all the questions to discuss.   We read the references in the commentary in the Old Testament that referred to the shepherd theme.  We were surprised how hard the prophets message was against the leaders of that time.  We are convinced that the message is as true today as it was then.   Example.   Jeremiah 23. 1-2 You leaders of my people are like shepherds that kill and scatter the sheep.  You were supposed to take care of my people, but instead you chased them away, So now I'll really take care of you , and believe me, you will pay for your crimes!

Wow.

Mom and I had a nice visit and got a lot done.   She will be seeing Dr. Fehrman tomorrow and probably will be cleared on her shoulder.   It does not bother her anymore so she is confident.


I took her information from Wikipedia on Unicorns.   She was pleased.  I printed it with big letters so that she can read it easily.   Lots of people think they are Irish, but the legends actually started in India and Greece and legends of the unicorn are common throughout Europe.   People think they are an Irish legend because the Irish Rovers recorded the Unicorn Song which is really a song of Noah.    Unicorns ARE mentioned in the Bible by the way.

Tonight I had to go to Rhine for our meeting.  It was rather interesting.   I have tickets to sell for our second annual Beer Blast in June.   Any takers?

So have a nice sleep and a good tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

A very nice Sunday.  

I cut out some more pieces for two of the quilting projects that I am working on.   Now the next step will be to actually do some sewing.

I played with Ancestry and Facebook and intend to do more of that before I go to sleep.   I have found out that my Great Great Grandmother Margareth  Brielbach Klimmer  married again after Joseph Klimmer died to a George Fruetchel (Fruechtl)  which explains why I found a prayer card for an Anna Fruechtl in Aunt Helen's things.  It is fun to tie these loose ends up.


Guess what our grand daughter Nora has done - I am going to just post the message we received from out daughter Leslie which tells the story.

First she was Airman of the Year for her medical group, I believe, then for Vandenberg AFB, then for the 14th AF, which was 5 bases, and now Space Command, which is a 10 base competition.  Next she goes to Washington DC to compete for Airman of the Year for the entire FREAKIN' AIR FORCE! 


This is a link that you can go to to read and see pictures.   She is in picture's 1 and 8.


http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123249727



Wow, are we ever proud of her.   She certainly has grown up to be smart as well as beautiful.

God love you all.

Mary

Mom had this article also. These are her three brothers who served in WWII. Uncle George, the first pictured, was with Merrill's Marauders in Burma and received a Purple Heart.

Hello World.  I slept until after 8AM this morning.   Then the phone rang.  It was Dolores calling for the number of Mother's caregivers.  They had not showed up this morning and Mother called Dolores, who couldn't find the number.   So I found it for her and Dolores took care of it.   They sent someone out right away but we are quite irritated. 

Dick and I had a great breakfast.   Egg sandwiches.  Egg with cheese and Dick had sliced tomato on his.  Nummy.

I spent the day working on Ancestry, cutting out fabric for a couple of projects and answering emails.   I took a nap this afternoon and went to Mass at 4PM.

In the Ancestry program, I think I figured out where I got names for Jeremiah Clifford's  and Johannah Horrigan Clifford's parents.   One of my other relatives Christopher Clifford was wondering where I got it and I had trouble tracing it.   I finally found the trail and have emailed a Tim Mc Laughlin, who had the information to see if he can let me know his sources.   This is really fun.  I wish I had tons more time to spend on it.

So this day is done and I am going to wind down and get ready for bed.

Tomorrow is a day at home and will be more of the same as well as preparing for this coming week which is quite full.  I called Bart tonight.  He and Barb are OK. 

If it the same weather wise tomorrow I am going to go for a walk.    It is time I start.   I know that I will feel better if I do.   I do miss my little fuzzy Chelsea.

Til later then

Mary

Well, I did feel better this morning but was tired and still felt a bit squishy, so I stayed home all day and took a couple of naps and worked on the computer mainly.

I did bake some cookies.   Really good ones.   They are coconut raspberry.   Got the recipe from Taste of Home online.   I also made a tuna casserole for our lunch.   It is after all a Friday in Lent and my system is just  not ready for fried food yet.

Jody came this morning to do the cleaning.   She told me that she thought Mom seemed exceptionally tired yesterday.   But some days she is more weary and among us all, we are checking her more often.

I have been working more on Ancestry.  Mainly the Ziegler side but am also trying to trace the source of some of the Clifford information.     When  I was visiting Mother on Monday, we were talking about the Auntie Brandl Salve.  

That is an interesting story.  Mom has a small sample of the salve - it is all dried up, of course, because it has to be at least 40 years old.   My brother George said that some of the ingredients are now illegal to have and there is at least one that nobody is sure what it is.  It was supposed to be a super healer for bad wounds and I don't know what all.

Auntie Brandl was Walburga Klimmer Brandl.   Thus, she was my Grandma Helen Ziegler Deeley's aunt.  She was a sister of Magdelena Klimmer Ziegler my great grandmother  who was married to Alois Ziegler, my great grandfather.      I need to print this out for Mother for Monday.   We were trying to figure out who Auntie Brandl was.   I remembered Aunt Helen talking about her coming to visit when Helen was just a little girl and she remembered that Auntie Brandl was all hunched over, probably severe osteoperosis.   Since Helen was born in 1905, this certainly fits with the records.

Anyway.   I am going to put the recipe here for you all.  It is kind of fun.  Mother has the one that Helen had in either her or Grandma Deeley's writing.


Wonder Salve - Auntie Brandl

This salve was used for healing sores.  Auntie Brandl sent some of this salve to Grandma Deeley when Dad had Tularemia (contracted from contact with rabbits.)  He had a sore that would not heal.   The envelope with the recipe had a note on it to "put on Hutz's toe."   My dad, Hutz, swore by that salve and after it was gone, always tried to get Mom to make some more.  Some of the ingredients are no longer available and according to my brother, George, who has his PHD in Water Pollution (Chemistry) some of them are poisonous and illegal anyway.   Mom had a bottle of sweet oil (which was probably too old to be of any use) and a small sample of the original salve. 

I am not sure if is was able to interpret the handwriting accurately when I transcribed it.   Olebaum may be oledaum or even olebalm.   If I ever find out, I will correct the recipe.

8 ounces Sweet Oil
4  ounces Red Lead
3 drams Olebaum
2 drams burnt Alum
2 drams camphor

1. Heat oil to boiling.   Add all ingredients except camphor.

2. Boil until the lead turns brown.

3. Take from fire and immediately add camphor.

4. Beat until cool.







So Now you have it.   Lots of history and I will take this to Mother on Monday.

God love you,

Mary

I really don't have anything to report at all.

I woke up sick this morning and spent most of the day sleeping.    I am feeling much better but intend to go to bed early. 

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Mary

A pretty typical Wednesday.    I got up before 7AM because it is grocery shopping day.  We had grapefruit (I got two from SHARE and was it ever good) and a sweet roll for our breakfast. 

Shopping went very well.  I got some pretty good deals, including a bag of Texas grapefruit.    Hope it is the season because that is the best.    California naval oranges and Texas grapefruit and Wisconsin sweet corn.   Heaven on a plate.

I went to the bank to take care of a couple of things and then, as a last stop, drove to Advanced Eye Care with my Drivers Liscence renewal form to have Dr. Cheryl completer the eye section for me.   I have to renew by my birthday, May 21.   I figure I will go next month.

Home again, I put all the groceries away and spent the day fixing a wonderful fish dinner.   (Actually the fish was frozen flounder and was not bad but was not good either.   As Dick said, he would not turn it down if it was offered but would not order it.)  I prepared cauliflower and hash browns too.

Then I tried to take a nap because I went to the Poetry Circle that Karl Elder from Lakeland College hosts during the winter and spring months at Mead.   I have been picking up Sy Regan, a friend that I am sure I have mentioned before.  His relationship with me goes back to before I was born.   My Dad was his Scout master and Sy spent most of his life in Scouting, he may still be active in it for all I know.    He is also a woodcarver and made me my Queen Maeve spear.   Sy is almost blind and I am pleased to be able to be his driver to this monthly event that he enjoys and we enjoy together.   Tonight Kate Herman went with us.  I think she enjoyed it a lot.

I read my "Hag" poem which you cannot hear yet because I may do something with it.

It was an exciting meeting.  Did we ever hear some good work!   AND they treat my work with seriousness which makes me feel that it is not all for nothing.


Now we are winding down.   Tomorrow I will be home all day and have a lot of things that need to be taken care of.

Be good and take care of yourself.



Haiku

As I now see it.
The trouble with winter is
Slushy Icky Snow.

Love
Mary

It was nice to be home all day.   I had to get up before 7AM because it is trash day, but I had a pretty good night/s sleep anyway.

I spent about an hour and a half downstairs, ironing fabric and cutting out a bit for future blocks.   I should be able to do some more on Thursday and then get to sewing again.   The prep is the tedious part.

I spent a bit of time working on the genealogy,  mainly on Grandma Deeley's family.   I figured out who Auntie Brandl was.   Mother and I were trying to determine that on Monday.   She was Grandma Deeley's mother's sister Walburga.   She married a man named John Brandl.   Aunt Helen remembers her coming to visit the Deeleys and being very old and hunched over and this would fit age wise.

I also copied several newspaper articles about my uncles during WWII.  I will put one of them on after I finish this.   Uncle Jack, Joseph Deeley, was in an article by Ernie Pyle, which was incorporated in his book Brave Men.   I was able to copy the article that Ernie Pyle wrote with Uncle Jack's picture.  Wow.

So that was my day.


A good one.

Take care of yourself.

And God love you

Mary

A quiet Sunday.   The sun was shining and the sky was blue.

Dick slept most of the day and I worked on the computer on my Ancestry program, (inputting the information I have on the Ziegler branch of the family) and sorting one of the baskets of papers in the closet in "Roxie's Room".  That was our old office and there is a lot in there that needs weeding and sorting.

We had our main meal this evening.  I slept close to 9AM.  Dick said that in all of the 24+ years we have been married, I have never slept that long.   I stayed until my back started to ache.   It sure felt good.  

We had a late breakfast of corned beef hash and eggs so a light lunch was in order which made us put our usual noon dinner off til evening.  I fixed a great chicken dish with fresh green beans and potatoes for our supper.

I have enough for another meal and will be able to share with Mother and our neighbor Dick.

So enjoy your evening and I hope your week is comforting.

A Haiku for you


Empty Nest

The house rememberes
Busy days of family
Joy of belonging.

God love you

Mary

I could not sleep in today because I postponed my haircut from Wednesday, the icky day, until this morning at 8:30AM.  I showered but kept my hair dry somehow or other.  That meant that I could not exercise though, hope that does not make a difference, as tomorrow I am home all day and will sleep all day and just not shower at all.   Remember that, you may not want to visit a stinky house.

Tomorrow, I fully intend to stay in bed until I am too uncomfortable to be there any longer.

I had lunch with my friend Kate at Dee O Malley's this noon.    That was a nice break.   I prepared a bowl of soup and cheese and crackers for Dick's lunch.    I ordered a small pizza with spinach chorizo and etc.  for my lunch at Dee O'Malleys.    We had a great visit. I share the Brigid Flame and well water with her.  We will be going to Galena for the Spring Gathering and rooming together at the end of April.   I need to start getting Dick's care in order.   I will be leaving at about noon on Friday and return on Sunday, probably by 6PM, so it involves two nights, which is OK but it would be good if someone was here at least part of Saturday and Sunday so he is not alone too long.  I always have plenty of meals ready and get him all cleaned up so he is OK until I am home again.

I took a nap when I got home from lunch.   Then it was time to go to Mass.   The folk choir sang tonight but they had the congregation singing along with most of the song s which is very nice.    Fr. Van Beck's sermon was on the Gospel of the Samaritan  Woman at the well.   Father talked about communication,  Especially communication between God and us.   We need to spend more time listening than asking.

Dick and I had leftovers for our dinner and now I am watching a scary movie that I never saw before to ease my way into bedtime.

Tomorrow will be a day at home.  I have several things that I want to do for ME>

Have a good Sunday yourself and God love you

Mary

Today was a funny weather day.   It as cold when we woke up and cloudy.   There was even some snow sometime just before noon.   Then as the afternoon wore on, the sun came out though it did not warm up very much.   According to the weather people, there is no sign of warm weather through next week Thursday.   Good Grief!   It is almost April.    Where is some warm weather and when will the snow be gone long enough to see how the daffodils are doing.

Jody cleaned this morning.   I washed our sheets and my towels.  I also got Dick's legs all doctored.  

Had lunch with the Wells Fargo ladies this noon.   Dawn was there today.   We had not seen her for a long time so that was nice.  I fixed Dick a Grilled Cheese for his lunch as that is what I was having at the Dairy Queen. 

Home again, I took a nice nap.   Then at 4, I picked up fish fries from St. John's for our supper.   An early dinner but we like our Lent fish fries and I went to shoot pistol league with Nancy at 5PM.   Nancy did pretty good but I was really off tonight.   Jerry says I am not squeezing.   He is probably right.  I must learn to be patient and more deliberate and not to JERK my finger.

I have fun anyway and perhaps some day will be better.

So that was today. 

A small Haiku:

The snow is melting
Under the snow - daffodils
Are awakening.

Love
Mary

I had an eye doctor appointment this morning.  It was my annual checkup.   It seemed like just yesterday that I had my last one but with all the appointments that Dick has had this past year I guess I am thinking of his.   Anyway, my eyes are healthy and there is very little change in my ability to see.

Mark Miller had our taxes done, so I drove into Sheboygan to pick them up today.    We are getting refunds on both, which is helpful.   I picked up a book at Dear Old Books on the way home and then have been home the rest of the day.

Nothing else to report.   I have been sorting and doing some writing and getting ready for the CWI Spring Gathering when I will turn over my president hat to my friend Debbie.  

I have been tearing the house apart for the small notebook that I took to Ireland with me.   I have several email and snail mail addresses in it that I have not transferred or responded to as yet.   I cannot figure out where I put it.   ST. ANTHONY HELP ME>

Have a nice Friday.   At least we are not supposed to have snow for the next few days.  

God love you

Mary

What a day.   I went grocery shopping in the morning and it was very slippery.  So I decided that it was not a wise thing to do the other things that I had scheduled.  

I canceled my hair cut and postponed it until Saturday.

I called Sy Regan to tell him that I was not going to the Poetry Corner at Mead tonight and then later I received an email from Karl Elder postponing that meeting until next week.  So I had a whole day at home.   I did a bunch of sorting of my CWI papers and tried to find a notebook that seems to have effectively disappeared from the face of the earth.

My Bret called me tonight.  He took my email and is going to have his friend Shannon send me some pictures of his place at the river after all of his painting and landscaping.   I am exited and then I can send him some pictures of my trip to Ireland and other things.

I will print out a picture of mother with her birthday cake to send to both him and his brother.

Tomorrow I have an eye doctor appointment early and then will be home the rest of the day.  Hope I can keep up the pace and get as much done tomorrow as I did today.

How sad to hear that Elizabeth Taylor died.  I posted a note on the obituary site.  I felt that I owed it to her after her foundation gave $20,000 to Sarnelli House, Fr. Mike Shea's , home for Aids orphans and his outreach for families affected by the virus.   She was an amazing women and I know that God has a special place in heaven for her.

God love you

Mary

A fine Tuesday except for the weather.   It was rainy and sleety and snowy all day long.

Fortunately, we had to go out only once to take Dick to get his anti coagulation count checked.  Bobbie came to help get him up and down the ramp.   He had to have some antibiotics at the Dentist last week and we always have to check when that happens.   His count was a BIT up but Deb decided to just let it go this time and see him in two weeks to double check. 

We had burritos for lunch today and Bobbie and I had a cupcake for dessert.   The burritos were really good.  I have not make Mexican for quite some time because it is so much and we get overwhelmed.   This worked out quite well.  I was able to send a couple of burritos home with Bobbie and we will have another meal.  

I spent the day organizing the CWI information after the telephone conference.   I still have a couple of small items to complete but am pretty much caught up.

 Now I want to go to bed early and read for a while.

God love you

Mary

A very busy Monday, as usual.  

Started off, of course, with Bible Study.    Our school worker Mary was there as it is now spring break.    We were sure glad to see her.   We finished Chapter 2 of our Psalm Study.   The study of Psalms of descriptive phrases.    Descriptions of God's love for us and his creation of the world among so many other VERY descriptive and poetic readings.   We are challenged to write a Psalm ourselves.   That should be interesting.  

Then I went over to see Mom.   She is just fine.  I helped her with a couple of things she needed done and we had a lovely visit as usual. 

Home again, I warmed up corned beef and cabbage for our lunch and then zipped off to the Writers Club.   That was very nice.   Good readings and good news.    Our members Bill Krauter and his lady Shirley are engaged and plan on being married on 11/11/11.   Isn't that exciting?

I did a couple of errands on my way home and then worked around here until supper.  

The CWI Telephone conference was at 7PM.   I think it went quite well.  A bit long, but well.   It is the last one that I have to coordinate as after our Gathering, I will be on the board as past president and not an executive as such.

Now I am watching the last bit of Dancing with the Stars.   Just the last bit.   I will not be able to vote this time.   Maybe next week.  I guess that I can vote then and not be too far behind.   The first elimination will be next Tuesday.     This is the only "reality" of talent show that I watch.

Tomorrow was supposed to be an at home day but we have to have Dick's blood tested because he was given antibiotics by the dentist.  Bobbie is able to come to help.

Our kitty has been quite needy today.   She seems to be kind of distressed.   Of course, I did not lie down for a nap today and that always throws her off.

Take care and God be with you.

Mary

It was hard to tell what kind of a weather day it was today.     I had to work at Rhine for a Lewis Shoot that we were hosting.   As it was snowing pretty steadily at 11:00AM, I came home.  I had planned on staying until noon but that seemed rather silly as there were more members that participants and Dick needed me more than they did.

I warmed up some leftover pork chops cooked with apple and saurkraut for our lunch with mashed potatoes.  Sure was good.   Now I have saurkraut for the coming week.

I took a nice long nap this afternoon.  That was probably the most exciting part of the day.

So, I will let the pictures I posted be the excitement.  

It is raining very heavily tonight and we are hearing thunder for the first time in MONTHS.

God love you.  Have a good week.
Mary.

"Queen Maeve"

The poster of Queen Maeve with the spear that Sy Regan "found:" for me in the corner of his workshop.

Another week over.    Can you believe it?

This morning, I got up between 6:30AM and 7AM to be ready to go to pick up SHARE at 9AM.   Dick and I had scrambled eggs for breakfast.   Dick couldn't eat anything crunchy because of the antibiotics in his tooth. 

I also had to get the corned beef in before I left because it needed to cook for at least three hours.  

Got a good selection of food from SHARE.  Chicken, ham for sandwiches, frozen pasta, fish, potatoes, red onions, oranges, apples, and grapefruit.

Then Bobbie and Bill came to see us shortly before lunch for the corned beef dinner which was really really good.   As I think I said, I will never buy a prepared brisket myself again.   It is so easy to prepare your own and it is so much better.

Bill changed the light bulbs in the kitchen.   They were all kind of lit but were fading and flickering.  So now I can see in the kitchen again.   Yippee.

I went to Mass at 4PM and was Eucharistic Minister.   I love that job.   It is so good to be able to present the sacrament to the other members of the community.

Tonight we were watching a show on El Toro Marine Base in Irvine California.   That base was still open when my boys were little and we got to tour it a couple of times.    Did you know that they had hangers on that base that were so big that under the right circumstances it would actually rain inside of them?

How does one dismantle something like that?

God love you.  Until tomorrow

Mary

Another Friday and another beginning of a Trap and Pistol League at Rhine Plymouth.   I had to work tonight.   We were very busy.    We signed up nine 3-man trap teams this first week of the trap league and already have 14 in the pistol league.   I didn't shoot until the end of the shift as I was expecting Nancy to come.   Then when I got home, there was a call from her saying that she could not come because she got bogged down in tomorrow's plans to go see her granddaughter.  So I am a bit ahead of her but we will do just fine.

It was an active day.    Jody came to do the cleaning this morning then  we had to get ready for Dick's dentist appointment at 10:40AM.  Bobbie arrived at about 10:15AM to help us get him there.    He was fine except for a pocket in his gum that they had to treat with antibiotics.  He said it is not painful and does not have to go again until his usual 6 month checkup.

We stopped and picked up Chinese food on the way home.   The three of us all like Chinese and Bill is not too thrilled with it so it makes a nice treat.

Then Bobbie and I went down to the "winery" and did a lot of work there.   We racked both of Bobbie's Beet wines and racked, filtered and bottled, the parsley, persimmon and lemon balm wines.   Roxie was quite irritated with us.   I finally figured out that I am sure that she really wanted for me to take a nap so she could rest.

Bobbie and Bill are coming tomorrow so that 'Bill can change the bulb in the kitchen ceiling light.  I told her they might as well come for lunch as I am going to make corned beef and cabbage with my own corned beef which is now ready to cook.

Now it is after 10:30PM and you know that I am a 9 o'clock wonder so it is WAY past my bedtime.

So I am winding down and going there.   Tomorrow is another day.

God love you

Mary

Happy St. Patrick's Day.   And a wonderful day it was.    

I slept until almost 7aM because I spent last night at 52 Stafford until almost 9PM.   I met Jeff and Kathy there a bit before 7PM so that I could enjoy a night of music by Blarney.   I don't know how much you know about Blarney but they are a musical group that we have enjoyed for more years than I can count.   Last year one of their members, Chuck Ward, died of cancer but the remaining two are still performing and doing a very commendable job.  I purchased their most recent CD.  As I told them, I do have and old 33.  They laughed and said they had found a whole bunch of them down in one of their basements.  Ran into a lot of friends there.   Nancy Roehre and her friend Warren were there.   I also met Joan Brighan's sister who I found out is married to a Wieser and Wiesers are relatives of Zieglers an therefore relatives of ME.    I have to gather up the information that I have on them for Joan's sister.  Her son Louie was there and I told him that he had better find a bride outside of Sheboygan County as everybody here is related.

This morning I left close to 9:30AM to meet the Celtic Women at the Exchange Bank.    I had a cup of tea and their last scone.   It was quite good and kept me going during the parade.   We had a meeting at the Exchange Bank then walked or carpooled up to the Family Video for the Irishman's Walk back to 52 Stafford.   I wore my Connemara Shawl and carried the spear that Sy "found" in his workshop.   What a lovely day again.  This is the third year that the weather has been good for us.    With the winter we had I think we should be very grateful.

I am too tired tonight but will check my pictures to see if I have one of me in my shawl and with my spear.   My friend Jan came from Milwaukee and walked with us and joined us for lunch.   (I had a lovely corned beef sandwich with mashed potatoes.)  She brought the pictures of me in Dublin with the corn snakes that we were introduced to by a resident of Dublin and his sons.   I definitely will share them with you.

So a day done and a nice St. Patricks day indeed.  Hope yours was as much fun.

God love you

Mary

St. Patrick's Eve has arrived.    I believe that I am ready for the meeting and then the Irishman's Walk and then the fun after the walk.

Today was a grocery shopping day.  I always go at about 8AM when there are fewer people in the store.    Didn't need a lot but I did get a couple of bargains and stocked up on them.  Then a trip to the drug store and home for the day.

Jeff called this morning to tell me that Mom's visit to Dr. Nytes, the ear doctor, went well.   She was able to tweak the hearing aids and give Mom some tips as to how to best use them.    Jeff and I have a couple of ideas too.   We MUST all practice talking a bit more slowly and when there are swarms of us to speak one at a time so that she can hear everything.

Jeff and Kathy are going to be at 52 Stafford tonight to listen to Blarney and Nancy and Warren will be there too.  So I am going over there at about 7PM and will enjoy a couple of hours of the music.  

I decided that the wise thing to do would be to write the Blog this afternoon so I don't forget or find that I am too tired when I get home.

So - here it is.


Here is a Haiku I wrote on a misty day in Ireland.   No name but discriptive.

A soft liquid day
We run between the raindrops
Faces to the sky

God love you and wake up happy on St. Patrick's Day

Mary

It is still a bit chilly but the sun shone today and all was good with the world.   Dick is having trouble staying awake the past two days.   Of course, he is still up for hours during the night.    His body is just not cooperating.

I was home all day.    Got caught up on the wash.  I am so glad that I got Gary to fix that washroom closet door.  It is such a pleasure to be able to slide it open and close it without slamming it into the side to make it move.   It is a wonder that I did not destroy it.

I am really starting to get excited about St. Patrick's Day and out CWI presence in the Irishman's Walk here in Plymouth.  We should have a pretty good group and will spend the afternoon at 52 Stafford for lunch and the festivities.    We will be gathering for shuttle service at the Exchange Bank.   We will be meeting between 9:30 and 10AM and will have a short meeting before the walk.    The Exchange Bank is at the corner of Mill Street and Stafford Street.     The parade starts at 11AM at the corner of Highland Ave and Eastern Ave,  kaddy corner from the High School (In case you cannot make it for the gathering at 9:30AM)  

I hope that Shawn has gone back to real corned beef and red potatoes for his corned beef and cabbage.   I have been corning a beef roast for the past two weeks and will cook it of Dick and me on Sunday.   I HAVE small red potatoes.   Dick likes my corned beef better than the commercial product one buys.

I disposed of a lot of miscellaneous trash today.  It is amazing how much STUFF one keeps that one things is important at the time.    I also got things ready for the Writers Club on Monday.   I do have a lot to share with the group what with the literary items I gathered in Ireland and the Writer's Conference in Kewaskum.


I am starting to receive St. Patrick Day cards.   I have not sent any out this year.   I decided not to add anything else to my super busy schedule.   So my Blog and St. Patrick's day will be one big St. Patrick's day greeting.

Love and God Love you

Mary

Today has been a blessed day.  The trouble is that  I am telling you about the day after two glasses of wine.

Are you ready.

Bible Study was really very special.   We discussed Psalm 145, fascinated by the concept of God as both male and female and then into John 1 - 18 which I had not realized was probably a hymn from the time of Christ.  I need to think about that. I always feel that a hymn is best received if it is sung.

I left from there to Mother's house.   We took care of all of her bills and things that needed to be done.  We still had a bit of time to visit.   I hate to be restricted as to time with my Mom but life deals the cards and I had to stop at Walgreens and went to Sy Regan's house to pick up a spear that he made for me.

I got an email from Sy about a week ago telling me that he had discovered Queen Maeve's spear in the corner of his workshop.   We decided that I really needed it before the Irishman's Walk on March 17.    He was gone to the dentist today, but left the spear for me  on his front porch.   I cannot begin to tell you the beauty of that spear and what it means to me.    I will be carrying it in the Irishman's walk and will have a picture for you.   I will also be wearing a Connamara Shawl which should convey a message of the history of the Irish.  

This spear touches me.  Sy really went all out for me and for my story.   Thank you Sy.   You are a special person.  My prayers will include you for your understanding.


God love  you

Mary

A Sunday and a whole day at home.   I liked that.   I am almost done changing all the clocks in the house.   I still have to hit the lower level.   Do you know that we have 9 separate clocks JUST upstairs.   Thank heavens some of them correct themselves.    That still amazes me.

We had pork chops with apples and boxty for our lunch.    The boxty was my first attempt and was rather non-discript.  I will try again.

Nothing else exciting, but I did send a little story that I wrote about Chelsea to a librarian at Kewaskum who was at the writers conference.

I will share it with you. So this won't be too boring a blog

Love

Mary

Chelsea & the Little People by Mary Kunert

Chelsea, my dog, was terrified of my Mother's kitchen floor.

The first time I took her with me to visit Mother, she zipped into the house, greeted Mother enthusiastically, ran around the living room and came to a screeching halt right at the doorway to the kitchen. But she would not set one foot on that kitchen floor no matter how we coaxed her, or chided her or begged her. She was trembling in fear.

One Sunday, my husband and I were going to be gone much too long for a little doggie to be shut up in a house without a potty break. Mother said she would watch her for us. They got along just fine, but Chelsea spent the entire day in the living room. Mother put her water just inside the kitchen door so that Chelsea didn't have to go in there to drink and she was able to be taken out to potty through the front door.

It is pitiful to see an animal so distressed. However it is also very funny. Mother and I decided that the Little People must be inhabiting the kitchen. What else would cause that poor dog to be in such a state of panic.

Irish Little People are generally leprechauns. Leprechauns, tradidionally shoemakers, live very solitary lives. They don't like to be distracted from their shoe making even for the tailoring of their own clothing. And they are not especially fond of dogs, you know.

Then, one spring, my son Bart, his wife Barbara and I went on a driving tour of Ireland. We drove around the country in a rented car. That was an experience in iteslf. Bart refused to drive as I had gotten a stick shift and he has a back injury. Barbara left it up to me. Driving on the “wribg sude if tge riad” is terrifying, especially when the roads are narrow, bordered by stone walls and populated by big wide trucks, all going the other direction. We had a memorable trip, traveling from Dublin to Athlone to Cork to Avoca and back to Dublin.

As Barbara and I were strolling down a cobbled Street in Cashel, stretching our legs and enjoying the city, we spotted a tiny little jacket on the ground. By tiny, I mean Barbie size. But it was a man's jacket. Barbara and I decided that this jacket must belong to the Little People and scooped it up to take home with us. Our Barbara is German, but Germans have their Little People too. The Irish have their leprechauns and the Germans have their gnomes. Everybody seems to have fairies.

Upon arriving home from Ireland, I took the little Jacket to Mother's house. She and I carefully placed it in a convenient place in the kitchen as a gift for the Little People. This may seem odd to you.

I am not going to tell you that that little jacKet disappeared, but the next time took Chelsea to visit Mother, she ran right into the kitchen and started exploring. You believe as you choose, but we decided that the gift of the jacket left the Little People feeling friendlier, even towards the dog.

BE GOOD TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE AND THEY WILL NOT DO WICKED THINGS OR TERRIFY YOUR ANIMALS.

 

Boy what a day.   I had to get up at 6AM, but that was OK and Roxie was sure glad as she had been bugging me for about an hour.

So I showered and got dressed, had a cup of coffee and got things ready for Dick's meals while I was gone.   I left at 7:15AM and returned at 5PM in time to get supper ready.   Supper was easy.   Dick said he wanted a hamburger so I went to Mc Donalds.  How easy is that?

The conference was sponsored by the Moraine Writer's Guild.   It was at the Kesaskum Elementary School.   I had been there once before when Caim was performing there a couple of years ago so that was easy to find.

It was a well thought out, well organized and very educational day.  It is the third year they have done it and really was sadly not well attended.  Because of the low numbers, Instead off breaking in to two groups for each session, we all attended them all.   They had speakers for Publishing. Zine, Poetry and Screen Writing.

The day started with a social with muffins and donuts with fruit and coffee and water.   A good way to start, I had not had a donut in a long time and that might have been to get me to come in itself.

Then there was a panel discussion featuring three published authors from the Kewaskum area.   The three panelists were:  Dan, (a pastor who writes religious political articles and books, I didn't get his last name and thought I could get it from two emails that he gave us but that is not working either.) Dawn Kunda (who has just gotten a romantic suspense novel called Court of Lies published.) and Laura Hetzol ( who has self published three books of poetry).

The first workshop was led by Philip Martin who does about everything with publishing that you can imagine.   He is located in Milwaukee and I have lots of notes.  

The second brought us two young men, Ben and Jarod spoke to us about Zines.   Zines are self made publications, generally not for profit, but meant to get your idea out.   They are usually paper but can be on CD.   They are easy to to and can be cut and pasted or typed and printed but are short and generally self made, often to the point of having the cover or some other part actually individually pasted.   They are usually stapled, or sewn or rubber banded.

  Sound like fun.

The last morning workshop was conducted by Laura, who told us how she did her self publishing and even how she had a friend do the cover design.   Lots of good stuff.

We had great pizza for lunch and a nice time for visiting.    Scott, one of the organizers has asked for any information that I had on story tellers, so I shared that with him during the lunch break.  

After lunch we had a session on Script Writing which was totally cool and I am not even particularly interested in scriptwriting.

The last hour was a talk by the featured speaker, Victoria Houston, who has written a series of mysteries centered near Rhinelander called the Loon Lake Mysteries.   All the titles start with Dead, the newest being Dead Deceiver.   She was fantastic.  

I left there a bit after three and went directly to St. John's for the 4PM Mass, so now I am home until Monday morning and am I ever tired.   A good tired though.

It is getting close to St. Patrick's Day.   Monday, I am going to stop at Sy Regan's House.   He said the Queen Maeve left a spear there in his workshop and that he is sure it is for me,

God love you

Mary

Well, I had to get up at about 6:30AM this morning so that I could shower and be dressed before Jody came to clean at 8AM.    Of course, Roxie was  a pest from 5 until 6 when I fed her.   But I do like going back for that extra half hour after I feed her.  Then when I get up the coffee I turn on while I take care of her is all ready too.

We got Dick's bath accomplished this morning too.  So, tomorrow when I go to the Writer's Conference in Kewaskum, I won't have to worry about him.    I am leaving him breakfast and lunch and will be home in time to fix our dinner.    The conference is over at 3PM and I will  be back in Plymouth in time to go to the 4PM Mass, then I will be home for the rest of the weekend.

I joined Ceil and Barb at the Dairy Queen for lunch.   They have the best grilled cheese sandwiches which works great for lent.  Ceil shared some stories of her trip to the Panama Canal with Betty.   They got back just about the time I was in Ireland so we had not seen each other for probably 6 weeks.   As Ceil said, soon we will have to wear name tags.   On the way home, I stopped at Walgreens and then went to the post office to mail Bob Flemings print of St. Patrick to Sr. Mary and Sr. Rita at the Solas Brede in Kildare.

Home again, I took a nap.   Boy was I tired and tonight was the bust up party at Rhine.  They had ham and cheese sandwiches and salads.  I just had a half a cheese sandwich because it is Friday in Lent.   Good bread and cheese and I am happy with that.   Boy were there good desserts.  Then, before Jim announced the winners of the leagues, I shared the peace and justice flame with the guys and gals who were in attendance along with the story of the flame and the Brigid poem.    They all seemed to be pleased with my offering and some even took a candle home with them.  

Nancy and I had a lovely evening visiting with all of our fellow shooters and planning for better shooting in the next league which starts next Friday.

I picked up the first St. John the Baptist Fish Fry for Dick for his supper tonight.    Next week I have to work at Rhine, but plan on doing the same thing.   But I will get one for myself too.

Remember to take care of your self.

Love

Mary

Hi.   I have lovely colors for my blog tonight.   I got the following email from a friend of mind and felt it was worth forwarding to whomever might read my blog.

 

 

 

 

 

AGREE OR DELETE
  
This is by a daughter of a murdered couple in  Raytown ,  MO ,
who had a Bible and Bookstore on 63rd street . 

 

She says:
When I had to testify at the murder trial of myparents a week ago, I was asked to raise my right hand... The bailiff started out "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" 
I stood there and waited but she said nothing. She said "Do you?"

I was so stunned I blurted out "What happened to "so help me God'?" 
She came back with "Do you?" I replied yes, but I was perplexed. 
Then the judge said . "You can say that if you want to." 

I stopped, raised my right hand, and finished with "So help me God!" 

I told my son and daughter that when it came time for them to testify, they should do the same.

I don't know what can be done about it, but it's time for us to step up and DO something.

NBC this morning had a poll on this question.. They had the highest number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the percentage was the same as this: 

86% to keep the words, 14% against.. That is a pretty'commanding' public response.

I was asked to send this on if I agreed or delete if I didn't. 
Now it is your turn.. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. 

Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. 
Why is the world catering to this 14%? 
If you agree, pass this on, if not, simply delete....

In God We Trust  

If You Choose To Delete 
Perhaps Then You Are Part Of The Problem 
Me? I'm Passing It On.   
It seems to get worse daily.  

 

 

 

 

 

I think I got the above graphics to stop.   Today was a fine day.   I had breakfast with my dear friend Bob Fleming and we shared art and eperiences and lots of wonderful ideas.   He is a very special person.  I am sending his Icon of St. Patrick to the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare.

The rest of the day was quiet though productive.  Gary Anderson, a maintenance expert came and fixed the closet doors in our house that were in need of repair.  He is coming back to repair the floor tile on one of the bathrooms.  I thank God, Mark Kleinhans and a neighbor for Gary.

Be safe and happy and know that you are in my prayers.

God love you

Mary

 

 

 

 

We woke up to over two inches of snow and it was still falling.    It did not really let up until close to Noon.  We were not plowed until just before noon either, but we had decided that I would just wait until the roads in Tallgrass were plowed before I went to do the grocery shopping.  

So I left after lunch and my nap, such as it was.  I think I finally did doze a bit but not much.  Shopping went well.  The roads were OK but the parking lot at the Pig was kind of gooshy.  It was a mildly inexpensive trip this week.   Always a pleasure.

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fast and abstinence in the Catholic Church.   As I am well over 59 years old, I don't really have to fast but am going to avoid eating anything between meals during Lent anyway.  The hardest part will be giving up the canapes that Dick and I enjoy together with a glass of wine before supper.

  Now that I put it in writing, I am really stuck.

Last thing this evening was the Mass and the distribution of ashes at church.  It was  lovely service.  The children's choir sang and were very good.   I finally got to see Kate.   I was so glad to see her.  Things have been rough for her lately and she has missed all the sharing things.  BUT she is going to the Gathering in Galena at the end of April and is planning on walking on St. Patrick's Day.

Pray for her friend and our neighbor who has breast cancer and is going through chemo.   At least they are doing chemo.   At first they felt that there was nothing they could do so this is encouraging.

Bless you all

Mary

What a good day.   Very laid back.    I only left the house twice.  Once to take out the garbage and take mail to the mailbox and once to pick up the mail.

I heard my first cardinal of the spring singing in the trees in back of the house.   I am sure he has probably been there sooner, but without my Chelsea to take me for walks, I do not get out like I used to.   I really miss her and she was such a good girl to keep me healthy all those years.   Every time I cut up a tomato or shred lettuce, I look around for her.

We had fried chicken, mashed potatoes and veggies for lunch.  Boy was that good chicken I breaded it in corn muffin mix and ranch dressing mix and fried it in just a bit of Olive oil.  We had Pizza soup for supper.  

Dick got me a tin of a Guinness bread mix that I decided to prepare today.   It is just marvelous.   Now I have to figure out what to do with the rest of the Guinness.

We changed Dick's tuba grip today and his leg looks just super.  Not a wound in sight.  I hope this salve that the VNA recommended continues to heal the leg as it seems to be doing.  I was developed by a man with diabetes and he says it has prevented wounds on his leg for years.    Too bad we didn't have it sooner.

Tonight I am going to sit here at my desk and go through some of my fabric scraps.   That is a constant battle.

Bless you all.   Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday already.   We are supposed to be getting a rain snow mix over the next 12 hours or so.   Hope it doesn't cause any troubles.

Love

Mary

Me in a cell at Kilhainham Gaol, Dublin. I would have been proud to be considered as a political prisoner during many of the Irish rebellions.

There were just four of us at Bible Study this morning and we had such a meaningful sharing of the Psalm 145.   We loved the commentary - I referred both the the masculine and the feminine sides of God.  This Psalm is an Acrostic and I was able to explain that type of poem to the group, though as this is a translation, we cannot really see the full implications of how it would have looked or sounded in Hebrew.  The Acrostic was the Hebrew alphabet.    That would be a real treat. 

An acrostic is a poem that, as an example, might have the first letter of each line spell the title of the poem.



DREAM
 
Don't be afraid
Run with your dream
Every singing JOY
And if you sign loudly enough
Maybe someone will hear.

Then I went over to visit with Mother.   We had a few bills to pay and then solved the problems of the world as we usually do.  

Dick and I had the last of the Enchiladas for our lunch with a nice salad.   Then I finished my tea and rested for a bit.

I did a bit of CWI work both on computer and phone calls.  I will be having breakfast with Bob Fleming at the Point on Thursday.    Should be fun.  I will be collecting a print of his St. Patrick to send to the Brigitine Nuns in Kildare.  Sr. Mary asked for one when I described it to her. 

Tomorrow I get to be home ALL day.  I will be busy with getting ready for the CWI Conference, Sorting fabric and preparing for the CWI board meeting.

So Until tomorrow then.   We are supposed to get precipitation tomorrow night, I am not quite sure what kind as I keep hearing conflicting reports.

God love you

Mary

Today started off rather quietly.  Dick had a bad night so was still asleep at 7:30AM.   I had a small problem.  

Yesterday just before Mass, Fr. Van Beck announced that they had found a garage door opener near the ladies bathroom.   I thought to myself,  Oh that poor soul.  

Imagine my surprise when I got home and found that there was no garage door opener in the car.  I was the poor soul.

  Oh Oh.  So I used the pad to get into the house and this morning, I left shortly after breakfast to arrive at church when I knew someone was there for Mass to retrieve my opener.  Mike Svitter saw me and I asked him about it.  He was so glad that I had come to retrieve it.   A few months ago, I dropped my cell phone in church and had to retrieve it.   It was Mike that retrieved it for me.

I told Mike that there must be a message somewhere in there.   Anytime I lose anything, I should probably go to church to look for it.  Maybe even my soul

I prepared the famous Kunert Spinach Egg Noodle casserole for our dinner this noon.

I spent much of the day gathering information and deleting things from the various spots on my computer.
and updating emails.   I still have to add addresses and phone numbers to a new "book" I am setting up for my new friends in Ireland.

So - not too exhausting and I am watching a 2008 movie about Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea to wind my self down to bedtime.

The coming week is comparatively quiet.  I hope nothing happens to change that.

God love you and keep you safe.    I love the quote from Isiah 40:15  "See, I shall not forget you.  I have carved you on the palm of my hand.."

Be safe

Mary



\

I was home most of the day today.   My only venture into the world was to go to Mass this evening.   It was COLD out there.   The temperatures were in the lower thirties and it was damp.  

I have been working on getting old tax papers shredded and took care of a whole trash bag full this morning.   I am trying to go through the house and get rid of all the stuff that really has no need anymore.   It is amazing how much just fits into a closet or a drawer because one either doesn't want to deal with it or it no longer has relevance.

I am trying to get a disc ready to take to Walgreen's to get prints of some of the Ireland photos and I want to upload more to the Google site.

Dick was hungry for hamburgers and fries, so I went to Dairy Queen for them at noon.   I got a couple of mini blizzards too.  They are still in the freezer.   We had leftover Mexican food for dinner.

Nothing else to report so until tomorrow.  Be healthy

Love

Mary

The quilt in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh

Hi.   This was a wonderful day.    I spent the morning baking a nice raisin bread and cleaning my desk for the weekend.

Jody came to do the cleaning at about 10:30AM.   She had switched the times with Mother.  I had no problem as I was home til 12:30PM anyway.   

Then Megan from the VNA came at about 12:30PM to check Dick's coagulation count and to change the tuba grip on his right leg for, as it turns out, the last time.   His coagulation count was 230.   Yippee!! as this is three times that it has been within the parameters, he will not have to have it checked for a month now.   So, since that will be in April, hopefully Spring, there is no need for the VNA, especially since his leg is now healed of all wounds and is looking pretty good.

Megan told Dick to tell me that I have been doing a great job with him.  That makes me feel SO good.  Because I do worry as I don't have any training, only people telling me and then the fact that I love him so.

We had pasties and salad for our lunch.

At 12:30PM I left for Joan Kramer's house for my reflexology treatment.  It has been longer than usual but with the trip and all it got stretched out.   I told Dick that he did not have to worry about my nap because that treatment is the best relaxation in the world.   We always have so much to talk about. 

She felt the tightness in my neck and shoulder so she massaged them too to try to loosen them up.  I don't know if they are totally  loosened but I sure feel better.

I will try alternating heat and cold for the next few days.

Then tonight, Nancy picked me up at 4:45PM so that we could get to Rhine to finish our pistol league.   I only had two left and she had four.   I did my two with mixed results.   My arm is still sore and Harold thinks that perhaps my trigger needs some adjusting.  He said he would check it for me.   I came up after my two to visit and let Nancy finish up on her own.   As we were going down to shoot, an Irish song.  Pretty Peggyo came into my head so I started singing it.   Everybody stared at me and kind of grinned.  I can't help music in my head

God love You

Mary

I really overdid it yesterday.   By the time 7PM rolled around I was hardly able to stay awake.   So I took it easier today. 

This morning, Nance picked me up at 9AM and we drove out to Rhine so that she could shoot enough targets so that she can finish this Friday.   Otherwise, she would have been short targets and she is actually doing pretty well.   So to be short would be a real crime.  

I got home a bit before 10AM.   Then Gary Anderson, a repairman and construction guy, came to check out my closet doors that are not working properly.  He will be back next week to fix the one that is the worst and to check all the others to see if they need some miner repairs.   He worked at some extensive remodeling across the street last year and remembered me and Chelsea walking every day.  He was sad to hear that Chelsea was gone.   I still miss her.   Every time I cut up a tomato or shred lettuce, I find myself looking for her.


This afternoon, I went to the bank and took care of the final things that needed to be done from the Irish Trip, like closing the account that I was able to set up free for us.   That is a good feeling to be done with it.  

Home again, we got Dick bathed.   So it was a good day.  But I did back off a LOT.  And I feel better tonight.

Now I just want to send a few emails and then go to bed early again.   Perhaps I can catch up after all.

God love you

Mary

Wednesday - Shopping Day.    It went very well.  I left a bit before 8AM and was back by 9AM.  

Then I spent the rest of the morning cooking and preparing things.   I got a roast all salted and in a bag with veggies.   A corning process.   The corned beef should be ready just in time for St. Patrick's Day.  Dick said he likes my corned beef better than the processed briskets that I used to buy.  I am corning a 3lb chuck roast which should be really good.   I will fix it for the weekend after St. Patrick's Day as I will be marching on the holiday and surely have a corned beer dinner or sandwich after the walk.

I also made a fruit salad and baked a cake.   So I am ahead on meals for a couple of days now.  

I swear I was busy all the rest of the day with computer, calls and getting my quilting in order.   I still have a lot of sorting of fabric to do but feel a little more organized.   I have until June to get a block done to share with the club and want to assemble the block of the month we did last year.

Anyway, I am tired.  So I am going to sign off and go to bed early tonight

God love you

Mary

Today was the mammogram day.    I had to be there just before 9AM and it went very quickly and comparatively painlessly.   I am a bit achy but not too bad.   Unless I get a phone call tomorrow or the next day, everything is all right.    After nearing about my neighbor, Freddie, I really feel that this procedure is extremely important.    Thank God that I am in a very low risk for that type of cancer, but nobody is immune.

We had T-bone steak for our dinner.   I was just hungry for meat.   We have found that we can split a steak and it is just right for the two of us.

A little before 1PM, I left for the Kettle Quilters club meeting.   I dropped some expired meds at the Plymouth police station disposal site on the way.   It is sure nice to have that in town.   Then on to the library for our meeting.

We had a good crowd there today.  Lots is going on in the quilting world.   Now that the trip is over, I want to set aside a couple of hours a week to go downstairs and get quilting again.   

Toni taught us a method of quilting that she learned called One and Done.    It seems very efficient.   I have it in my head to adapt the method it with a group of squares that I have ready to assemble.   It saves a lot of work.

It was a really nice meeting.  I was able to share the fabric that I purchased at Mulaney Brothers in Ireland and the picture of the quilt that was hanging in St. Patrick's in Armagh.   I have been unable to upload that picture because somehow the Picassa to Blogger is not working.   I am hoping it is a communication glitch and will correct.

So.  A pleasant day and the weather was just at pleasant.

Then Bart called and is excited about a new house that he and Barb are bidding on in Lawton.  The wonder of computers - I could look at it online.   It looks really nice for them.

Than Richard called.   They are in Milwaukee with only a flight to Madison to be home.   They wanted us to know they are back in God's country and had a nice vacation.

I loved today

God bless you all

Mary

Quite a day.    I am still feeling so good about the warmth and fun at our Gathering of Celtic Women yesterday afternoon.  

Today was again a special day.   Monday and the weather was beautiful.   Cold, of course, but the sun shone and the sky was a beautiful blue and there was no wind to speak of which made it very pleasant outside.

I went to Bible Study at 9:30AM.   There were five of us there and I shared the St. Bridget story and the flame with them as our opening prayer.  My dear friend, Ione, gave me two pair of Irish socks again.   She is so sweet to remember me on my "special" holiday.   Please pray for her husband, Don, who is having some health problems again.  We had a good discussion of Psalm 113.   It came up in our discussion that when we get to the gates of heaven we want God to recognize us.     He is so high up but promises to lean down to help those below and all we have to do is believe in this.   Quite a deal.  He told his people.    He said, I am your God and you are my people.   Such a deal.

Then I went over to Mom's.   She had some bills to be paid and we went through a bunch of papers that had piled up while she was in rehab.   Now she knows where she is at and I know she feels better about that.   She is very hands on, but I usually write out the checks and have her sign them because her sight makes it difficult.   We had time for a visit after the "work".  Then I came home, fixed lunch and took a nap.

We changed Dick's tubagrip and cleaned his leg.   At this point, he has no sores at all on the good leg.   If it is still good on Wednesday, he is going to try walking again.   Good sign.  He brought it up himself.

Tomorrow, I am going to get my mammogram.   Not happy about that but know that it is best.   It is brought home to you when you hear about someone who has breast cancer and how fast it can come and spread.   I am low risk but will be vigilant.

Quilt Club tomorrow.   I am going to bring the picture of the quilt I saw in the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh and the fabric I bought while I was in Ireland.   I'll put the picture of the church quilt on the blog tonight.

God love you

Mary

Prayer from St. Brigid of Ireland

Today was a lovely day.    I woke up to sunshine.   Chilly, of course, but sunshine.   The snow from last night had been plowed and shoveled, so with the sun, I was able to go to the UCC over on Highway 67 for the CWI meeting very safely and we had a nice turnout.   

My friends from the "south" (Milwaukee) did not come because they were worried about the weather.   Perhaps it was worse down there and I think they may have gotten freezing rain.    They missed a nice afternoon but with the weather we have been experiencing this month, one must be practical.

Dick slept most of the morning as he had a rather restless night and finally got into a good sleep which lasted until almost 11:AM.    So I fixed egg salad sandwiches for our lunch and then got myself ready and loaded up for the CWI program at 1:00PM.   Dorothy Rose and I got there at 1PM to get things set up.   A couple of people came early anyway so it was a good thing we were there.

We officially began at 2PM and had a nice turnout.   There were 15 of us in all.  Debbie O'Grady did a wonderful power point presentation of the trip.   She was able to show it to us on the video equipment in the church proper.   So we began our program there.   While Debbie was setting up, Joan Kramer read the reflections on the trip that she had written about a week after we returned and it was so special.   I must call Joan and set up a reflexology treatment.   I am really overdue.

After the powerpoint, we made our way to the lobby and the fireside room where, Joan Kramer, Dorothy Rose, Joan Brigham and myself had displays of some of our purchases and books displayed to share and invite questions.   Both Joan Kramer and I had set up photo viewers that were scrolling our pictures as everybody was gathering and talking.  

Then Dorothy Rose and I brought out the carts with tea (along with cream and sugar in the raw for those who wanted to drink it like they do in Ireland) and my Barm Brack, Chocolate Pie from Debbie, Scones from Joan Kramer and Cheese and crackers from Joan Brigham. 

We all visited and did more sharing.   We finished with a special ceremony.   I brought candles for everybody.   Then I lit a small pillar candle I got at the Solas Brede with the the candle that I received that was lit from the eternal candle also at Solas Brede.   We then said a prayer together- This is the prayer

Prayer from St. Brigid of Ireland

I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.
I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts.
I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord;
that I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me.
I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven's family drinking it through all eternity.

I also gave water from the holy wells of Ireland to whomever had little bottles and wanted some.   Those who did not have bottles are going to get together with me later to get their share.

Nancy Coenen and Pat Becher, who shoot with me, did not have bottles.  We have decided that I will bring the water to the League bust up party for them.   We also decided that we will light the Brigid Candle and read the poem for the crowd.    We think they would like a lake of beer.

Take care.   God love you

Mary