Today was a very mixed day for us.   The weather was wonderful.  A bit muggy maybe but really pleasant with a nice breeze and everything.  And tonight, Dick actually suggested that we leave the doors open until I go to bed, so the house is getting SO aired out.    You know Dick.   Usually he figures that the furnace is for winter and the air conditioner for the rest of the year.

Bible Study was interesting.   We had Psalm 131.   A very short psalm about trust and guardianship.   God is out Guardian, but we need to remember that sometimes he uses other to provide the guardianship and sometime WE become the guardians.

Then over to Mother's for a visit.  She seemed pretty good today.   Sometimes she seems so weary.   But not today.   We took care of a couple of bills and then settled down to just talking.   I updated her on the Wieser lunch and the cousins that I connected with and we discussed the horrible storms in so may parts of our country.

Then home again.  Bobbie was there as she came early enough to lunch with us so that we could rack two gallons of her wine before we took Dick to see Dr. Moreno.   We had twice baked potatoes, ham and fruit salad for lunch.

The racking went really well.   Next time Bobbie comes we will bottle those two gallons, both beet wines, and then we had better get to work mixing up some new ones as the winery will have none fermenting.

Dick's appointment was at 2:30PM.   We got mixed news.   The wound on the shin is healing well.   But the callous is not.   Dr. Moreno and Brian said that it is deep to the bone.   SO we had to get an X-Ray which will be reviewed and then we will see Dr. Fehrman to see what can be done.   Hopefully it is not deep in the bone and just scraping and/or chipping can remove any damaged area.  Naturally this is a big blow to us.    Please pray that all will come out OK this time.    I have notified two of the prayer chains and will get the rest tomorrow. 

Tomorrow I am home all day.   We are supposed to have the motorized chair delivered in the afternoon.   This will be such a boon to his way of life.    And I know it will lift his spirits.   I am hoping to get him out for fresh air around the neighborhood on nice days.   The fresh air will be so good for him.

That is all for now.

Take care

Mary

I got home rather late last night from the concert at the Plymouth Art Center, so decided that the picture of the flowers would do for that day.

The concert was excellent.   Dan Clausen picked a wonderful eclectic group of songs featuring George Shearing, Aaron Copland and John Rutter.   Among them - Get Me to the Church on Time and All That Jazz.   Mary Calvey's Irish band also performed during each segment.   A real pleasure.   Because I picked up Ron on my way and Kate bought my ticket for my birthday, I stayed after the concert for the cast party.   Boy do they have lots of good food and did we have fun.   I have to tell you what Kate did.   During the intermission, Lori Luther played piano background music and Kate came out and had her play Happy Birthday to me and the whole audience sang it.   WOW.

Bart and Barb and Jim and Michelle called and I got cards from Bobbie and Bill and Leslie and Bill.  I am still going through the Facebook greetings.   What a Birthday.

The day was busy besides that.  At 9AM I picked up SHARE.   Then at 10AM I had to go to the Condo Meeting.    Looks like we will have an increase in our assessment.  Not surprising since the last increase was three years ago and we all know how everything costs more now.

Sunday was supposed to be my quiet day.  I WAS home all day, But it was anything but quiet.   I went downstairs to turn on the water for the summer.   I thought that I had the faucet in the garage turned off.  But guess what.  It was NOT off.  SO.  I had to wash that half of the garage floor.  Not an easy job I tell you.

Alison had an open house at Dick's house today.   Things are moving fairly well in the complex.   Four units have sold this year.

THEN:   I had noticed that the water was running down in front of the door during the last storm.  Not a good thing. as the gutter should take it to the outside and down.  So I took a ladder out there and found that one of the filter covers had collapsed and the gutter was full of gooky stinky guck.    I got all stinky and think I got most of it loose, but it is not quite right yet.   Dick says that that should be a condo thingy.   I am not sure so I emailed Lenys and will see what the concensus is before I attempt any more.

We had stew and baked potatoes for our dinner.   Very good and I make some twice baked to freeze for future meals.    They are good too.

Got Dick's wound dressed and his bath.  SO I am exhausted.    It is almost nine so I will finish my tea and then hit the hay as my Dad would have said.   Tomorrow will be quite busy as it is Monday and Dick sees Dr. Moreno tomorrow afternoon.

Hope your weekend was restful and you are ready for the next.

God love you ,   I do.

Mary

Birthday flowers. I hope Roxie doesn't decide they are salad. Then I can keep them on the table where they are easier enjoyed. They are spectacular. Thanks Richard and Brenda

Mary

Here it is Friday again.    Tonight was the bust up party for the Trap and Pistol league at Rhine Plymouth.    As tomorrow is my birthday, I got a cake from the Pig for the dessert.

Last night was rather goofy.   Dick kept waking up.  Usually he does not really bother me but he was uncomfortable and had a couple of problems that I needed to help him with so we both had a disrupted night's sleep. 

Jody came to do the cleaning at 8AM.   I was able to wash the sheets and dry them in time for her to help me make the bed.   I also washed all the towels.   After she left I spent a bit of time downstairs.sewing boarders on my quilt and finishing all of the strips that I will need for my Celtic Square for the Kettle Country Quilters.

I cooked a hamburger for Dick's lunch.   I snacked because the bust up party is quite a mea.

Boy did I take a nap this afternoon.   Roxie was really delighted with it.   She sprawls all over me.  I am nothing but a warm bed.

Aunt Kathleen called today to wish me a happy birthday.   She is my godmother, you know.    She has heard about the end of the world supposed to be starting tomorrow also and thought it was best to call today.    She heard that the whole end process is supposed to last for about 5 months.    That doesn't seem very efficient to me.

I got a card and present from Jacquie today.   A lovely music box an a t shirt.   She sure is a dear sister in law.

I left a bit before 5PM to pick up the cake from the Pig and then drove over to get Nancy for the party.   I really had a good time.    We had chicken,  Gary Hefter's beans and Lynn's potatoes along with my cake and brownies.   I am stuffed.    The awards were given out and we are starting a Summer league on June 1.   We never had a summer pistol league before and Nancy and I are planning on entering it.

So home again and I hope this night is quieter than the last.

God love you

Mary

What good is the sun if it does not pour heat into the bones.   That is what today was.   The temperatures were in the mid 60s but I felt cool in my core all day.

This morning I was busy cleaning the kitchen counters and bleaching the sinks.   We had a pasta dish that I got from SHARE for our dinner.  It was quite good.

Bobbie got here at about 12:30PM to help get Dick to his haircut at the Plymouth Care Center.   Julie was glad to see him and Laurie from the Therapy department came to visit with him too.   He no longer looks like Santa Clause.  His beard, now totally white was curling beautifully and made him a very Santa Clause figure.

I had a lovely nap this afternoon.  We did not turn on the TV until after 4PM and that was a pleasure to me.   Quiet is nice.  But I know that Dick likes the background noise in his life and really did love the silence.

We had grilled cheese for our supper and now I am trying to be sure that I am ready for tomorrow and am caught up on mail and CWI and all the other things that I have committed to.   It will all work out as things DO seem to get done if I take them one step at a time.

So I hope you had a good day too.   The weekend is coming up and it should be a fun one.  I am going to see Kate perform at 7:30pm at the Plymouth Art Center in their Spring Concert.   Should be fun.

So Bless you all and pray for warmth and spring.

Mary

Wednesday is shopping day.   So that is how it started out.   As I got to bed very late last night so it was not easy for me to drag myself out of that comfortable bed.

But I did and got out the door at about 8AM to go to the Pig.   Shopping went well.   I got everything on the list and not too much more.   I loved the bargains that I got.  

Home again, I have just about cleaned off the dining room table AGAIN.   I am sorting some papers for Mother and that is done and I worked on genealogy for a while and then got ready for the Poetry Circle that Karl Elder hosts that was this evening.    I really had too much going this week, but when I emailed Sy Regan that I would drive him, the week was MUCH quieter.   Sy really can't go unless I take him because he can't see.

It was a nice Poetry Circle,  there were about 9 of us there.   We shared our poetry, got nice critiques and then shared books and writing tips and encouragement.   This is the last one until the Fall, if Karl can get the time from Mead again.   I think I will email Mead to tell them how much I enjoy the meetings.

I read a haiku from the trip about the flight across the Atlantic.

Darkness surrounds us.
We fly over the ocean
Held up by angels.

They liked it and Karl pointed out a double entendre in the third line.   Think about it.

God love you

Mary

The sun was out all day but it was still too cold for this lady to be out with short sleeves.  The trees are starting to burst their leaves and make some shelter for the birds who are singing gloriously.

We got Dick's hair washed and changed all his bandages changed fairly early this morning.

Then I left for the Villager to have lunch with the Ziegler cousins.   There were 23 people at this "little"  luncheon.   Lots I did not know but was glad to see the Schmitt's, Ray and Mel and Jerome Ziegler, Harold's brother who I had not seen since a funeral many years ago and Judy Ziegler Stratton who was at St. Mary's in Milwaukee, the same time that I was.   Judy and I are the same age.   She was a student at St. Mary's Academy and I was an Aspirant at the School Sisters of St. Francis and also a student at St. Mary's.   I left the convent and the school in the middle of my junior year and she finished at St. Mary's and joined the order - actually professing and was a nun for 12 years.    Interesting family we have. 

I got home about 3PM after stopping to drop some things off at Mother's and to update her on the luncheon. I will share more with her after I assimilate it.

This evening, I went over to Greg and Kathy Ziegler's home, where Judy, who is also Greg's sister, is staying while she is in town.  She and I shared some of the genealogy information we have gathered.  She gave me lots of copies of pictures and articles and I gave her several Personal Profiles and will be sending pictures of Grandma Deeley and the entire Deeley information which she does not have.    We are such a big family and Lucy Cardarele is absolutely right.   You can't talk about anybody in this county, we are all related.

So I am home again,  sharing a glass of wine with Dick and trying to convince Roxie that even if it is getting late, it really is OK once in a while.    We don't necessarily HAVE to keep a schedule.

Tomorrow is shopping day and I will be going to the poetry circle at Mead in the evening.

Dick is making noises that he is going to "Suggest" that I slow down again.    I don't know what happens.

God love you

Mary

Big news

On May 16, we received the approval for the motorized wheelchair.

 Yippee  Yippee  Yippee

Mary

What a busy Monday.

Started off with a visit to Advanced Eye Care because I lost one of those little plastic thingies that protect a person's nose from the weight of the glasses.   They got me fixed in no time at all.  I would recommend Advanced Eye Care to anyone  They care and they are really good.


Onward to the Bible Study at Blessed Trinity.  We were nine strong and really had a lot to say about the Psalm 121.    One of our participants received a necklace over the weekend that told her to DO MORE,   She found that very frustrating.  I can relate to that.  Sometimes people, outside of you, have the nerve to say to you.   Why don't you just do THIS?   They have no idea of the unease that you have had with the decisions that you have made or with the actions that you have taken with the situations discussed.   It is so easy to second guess and sometimes one just doesn't want or feel that they are able to do  just "one more thing."   This is where we rely on God to pick up the pieces.   Perhaps we need to depend on him sooner than when all seems lost.

I fixed Sloppy Joe's for our lunch and then zipped off to the Cream City Writers meeting where we had a nice group.   We had decided last month to try to write Psalm's .  I did one.   It was good to have Bev, our president there.  Her husband had a severe stroke, but will be home, with help, on Wednesday.  Please pray for Bob and Bev.

Here is my Psalm.   I hope you like it.

REBIRTH

Lord,, in my weariness

In your own good time,

You send me spring.

Though I contend with daily trials

Though I tire as life becomes difficult

Though I grow old

Though I miss friends that have gone ahead.

New life appears

And I realize that it is not my place to question

But to be confidant that I am perfect in your eyes

And that what I do in your name

Is all that is expected of me.

Home again.   We got Dick's dressiings changed and I got a nap.   Both very improtant to our health.

I am now watching Dancing with the Stars and finishing up the day.   Roxie likes this time of day and so do I.

I called my cousin Colleen tonight. I had not been as much in touch as I should have been.  She needed to know that Mother was home again and doing well.   She has a lot on her plate too so pray for her too.

So here we are.  Monday over.  I hope you are all doing well and are ready to face the rest of the week.

God love you

Mary

C

I liked this Sunday too.    Isn't it nice to have two days in a row that are cool.

Did I tell you that my God Daughter, Erin Deeley has graduated from UW. Madison with a major in Law.   She is a beautiful young woman, so very intelligent and fun.   What more could a person ask in a god daughter.   She told me once, when she was very young, that we have a very special relationship because I am her godmother.   I was privileged that she asked me to also be her Confirmation sponsor .   Yea  for Erin!!!!!!

This morning we were able to change Dick's bandages AND get him bathed so I feel better about things.   It bothers me if we are waiting until afternoon or evening to do things because I am so tired by then.   So he is all spit and polished and it is a good thing.

This afternoon, I left at about 12:30 to to to Joan Kramer's home for our first annual Irish Literary Exchange.   It was fabulous.   There were nine of us there.  We started with a meeting to firm up our regular meetings for the rest of the year.   I am so pleased with the results.   I will put them on the other blog http://www.celticwisdom.blogspot.com/ which is the Celtic Women Sheboygan Branch blog tonight.

Then we all shared favorite books and authors that we are enthralled with.   At this point we are sticking to Irish history, fiction and/ or authors.   We decided to have another Literary Exchange in November and have determined to be a book club.  This year we are suggesting that everybody read Morgan Llewelyn's books starting with 1916.   I have all of them.   So if any of you want to join us, let me know.   I am going to reread them as it has been a long time. and I need to refresh my memory of the characters.

Joan had a lovely spread for us.   Tea, tea sandwiches, scones and pastries.   Num Num.

She is the most perfect hostess EVER.

So I got home about 5PM and am winding down for now.   Tomorrow will be a busy day what with Bible Study, Mom and Writer's club.  But then I will be home until 11AM on Tuesday morning.   That will be an exciting day as I will be meeting cousins on the Ziegler side that I have never met before.  I hope to fill in holes on that part of my Ancestry .

So the weekend is all over and another week is beginning.   It does not mean quite as much to a non worker but is still important.   Hope yours is good.

God love you

Mary

I liked this Saturday.   It was a lousy weather day but very satisfying for me personally.   I slept until almost 8AM.   This is a miracle in itself.   I almost was rested.   

Dick has not been sleeping at all well.   We have determined that his CPAP was not working properly.   We think that we have corrected the problem.   Tonight will be the test of the pudding.

I spent some time while Dick was napping downstairs preparing to assemble the Celtic Square that I will be offering to our Kettle Country Quilters for my offering for out yearly project.   I also cut out and pinned the border for MY quilt.   I want to have it done by next winter when it is cold.

I took a quick run to Moraine Gardens to pick up some herbs.   I got everything but purple basil and rosemary.  So I swung over to the nursery on Hwy 23 and they didn't have any herbs yet.   I will plant what I have tomorrow and then just start looking for the others.  I want several basil to slip between the tomato plants as they work so well together.

After lunch I took a nice long nap.  I have to get caught up eventually, one would think.

Mass was at 4PM.   Poor Fr. Van Beck, fell last Sunday and cracked and broke some ribs.   He is in a lot of pain.   I was so concerned during Mass and he insists on driving himself to Elkhart Lake for a second Mass.   Pray for him.   He really should have gotten someone in to stand in for him this weekend.

Tomorrow Joan Kramer is hosting our CWI Sheboygan Branch Meeting.  We will be having a book sharing tea that sounds just wonderful.   I decided to bring the Sr. Fidelma Books and some information on the author and the society.  

The morning will be open and I will be home in time for supper tomorrow, so everything will work out well.

Have a great Sunday.

I love you all

Mary

I'll bet you missed me last night.   I tried several times to get on to Blogger but it was down for maintenance and wouldn't let me.  So I gave up and went to bed.

The past two days were busy with a medical appointment each day for Dick.  Yesterday, Dr. Moreno checked the wounds and said that they are improving but still need help in healing.   So we go back in a week and a half to check them again to see the results of a new med.

Today we went to the anti coagulation clinic and he is good so we don't have to go back for a whole month.  Glad something is working.

This afternoon, I did go out to pick up some ammo as I am almost out again and the last kind I tried was just awful.   I bought a different brand that one of the shooters, Fred, recommended that I can get at Fleet. 

I am so grateful that Bobbie is able to come out to help get her Dad in and out of the house.   Don't know what we would do without her.  

We had a "Pauper's lunch" today.   Soup, fruit and cheese.   I was remembering that there was a restaurant in California that served that.   It was quite popular.   All the soup you wanted.   I made BLT soup which was really good.   I sometimes forget about that soup.   This time I had lettuce that needed to be used and what a good way to see that it did not go to waste.

Yesterday, on the way home from the doctor, we were listening to a program on PBS about the end  of the world.   It confirmed what someone told me a several weeks ago,  There is a prediction that the end of the world is going to occur on May 21st.    As I told, whoever that was, I can't think of any more exciting way to spend my birthday and everybody will come.    Bobbie said that it should save buying a birthday present.  Which does make perfect sense.

Just so you all know and can get ready for the "party in the sky".  Otherwise,   Life is pretty good as I know it anyway.   I have people that I love and people that love me.   What more is there.

God love you all

Mary

Grocery shopping day today.  It was not nearly as warm as they predicted and we got a rip roaring thunderstorm this afternoon at about 4PM.   It is now 7:30 and I hear thunder in the distance again.

Shopping went well.  Then I dropped off a return at the JD Penney Catalog store downtown and came home in time to put the groceries away and help Dick get all ready for our appointment with Wisconsin Prosthesis.

Bobbie got here to help us at 10:30AM.  Tim at the Prosthesis place adjusted the prosthesis so that it will not put pressure on the sore spot. and is beginning the paperwork to apply for a new sleeve and all.   He will call when the approval comes in.   There are several reasons that the set is just not fitting properly.

Bobbie and I brought Dick home, then went and picked up Chinese for our dinner.   We will all be eating that for at least two days.

I took a nice nap this afternoon.  Roxie was sprawled all over me, just loving it.  Then I went downstairs and sewed one square together and cut out the edging for the quilt that I am making for myself.

I am really tired so this is about all you are getting from me tonight.


The rain reminded me about a haiku, I wrote in Ireland.

No Name

A soft liquid day

We run between the raindrops

Faces to the sky

Mary

I DID get to stay home all day.    So often something comes up and I have to get in the car and go somewhere, but not today.

I got up at about 8AM.   A little bit of a longer sleep,  I might have stayed in bed even later, but it is trash day and I figured I had better get that out.   They usually come to Tallgrass in the afternoon, but just once in a while, they come in the morning to confuse us.

My desk is almost clear.   I sorted and updated and prepared.  I sent out emails and printed documents and did some planning.   Sunday, I will turn over the last of my President of CWI to Debbie and be ready for just being the head of the Sheboygan County Branch and a member of the CWI board which is much easier.

It was gorgeous today.   I took a nice walk around the neighborhood today.   A few neighbors were out puttering in their yards.   I ran out of time for working in the yard myself.


The weather was beautiful and still is.   We have opened up all the doors to let the fresh air in.   Roxie was interested for a while but has now settled on the desk like a little lump.   She keeps wanting me to open up the screens too.  She would probably be like our Waylon.   He got out the back yard at Bart and my home on the Sheboygan River in Sheboygan Falls.   He started down the hill like a shot.  I raced after him afraid that he might make it to the river and disaster.   He stopped suddenly and looked around.   Hearing the roaring spring river and looking up at the trees towering above him, he froze.   When I got to him he climbed me, literally, and wrapped his paws around my neck as if to say.   " What were you thinking, letting me get out here.  Take me home!!!."   So I did.

Have a great evening

I love you all

Mary

What a nice Monday.   The sun was shining this morning and it was quite comfortable. I wore my jacket to bible study but it was not really required.    I stopped Mom's on the way to bring her a couple of scones.   Dolores and Ken took her to the eye doctor this morning so we did not visit after Bible Study as we usually do.

There were 9 of us at bible study today and we finished up our discussion of Psalm 16, the Miktam of David.  The bulk of the discussion was about Verse 5 - our allotted portion and desire for more and the constant struggle to balance the two.    We got every body inputting and I find that those the most interesting of our discussions.    Some of our people hold back or don't always think they have anything to say but when they do, it is always priceless.

I got home at about 11AM and prepared a steak and frensh fries for our lunch. Nothing like a good Tbone.   I buy them on sale and Dick and I find that one is plenty for both of us. 

This afternoon, the Sheboygan County Writer's had a speaker,   Marshall Cook, Wisconsin author and retired professor at UW Madison in Journalism.   I had been hearing about him for years and this was a good opportunity for me to go see him.    Jena Hoftiezer from the Cream City Writers came with me.   We were both inspired by his lecture and enthusiasm.   I wish I could have taken a class from him at some time.    I bought one of his mystery novels to read and he asked us to contact him on his email and he has a weekly newsletter so I certainly will do that.


Home again, just in time to wind the day down and take care of dinner prep and Roxie.  Dancing with the Stars was on tonight so that amused me until now.   It is after 9PM and I am ready for bed.  I received a letter from my friend Bee from Ireland today.   Also, a note from Lee Kastburg, the neighbor Dick's son.   I must write to them in the next day or two.

Tomorrow I will be home ALL day and intend to take advantage of the lack of schedule to just goof off.

God love you all

Mary

Me with the corn snakes in Ireland. Aren't they beautiful

My Mother's Day Flowers from Bart and Barb. They are so gorgeous. Two kinds of pink roses with a delicate pink ribbon wound through them. I ended up putting them on the TV because Roxie started looking at theme like they were dessert.


It was a perfect Mother's day. I heard form ALL of my kids by phone, or email or in person. That is what makes my day perfect. Richard and Brenda stayed over from yesterday and Bobbie and Bill came for breakfast. I fixed scrambled eggs with scones, zucchini bread, toast and fruit. We always like to be together. Richard and Brenda headed off at about 11AM for her parents to spend some mothers day time with her mom.

I brought out all the deck planters this afternoon. The weather was perfect. 67, sunny and still. I planted s0me seeds but now have to go to a nursery to get my herbs.

So we are starting another week. Happy Mother's day to all and sleep tight.

Mary

Happy Birthday to Dick.

What a lovely day it was.  The temps were in the low 60s, the sun was shining and there was just a gently breeze.

I spent the morning baking scones and taking care of Dick]s wounds and his bath.  As it is his birthday, Richard and Brenda came from Madison and Bobbie and Bill came over too. 

Everybody arrived between 4 and 3:30PM, just about the time I left for Mass.  I went tonight so that tomorrow I could be here the whole morning and Richard and Brenda don't have to rush.    They will be leaving late morning to go to see Brenda's Mom for Mother's Day but it is good that we don't have to be getting up at 7:30 or earlier unless we want to.

Leslie and Bill called today to wish Happy Birthday and Mother's Day.   We had a nice long visit.   I don't know if you know, but Sara and Vince are in London on their honeymoon which they planned for now so that they could really enjoy it.    Nora and Ernie were in Hawaii on vacation and met with one of his sisters.   Quite the travelers.    And Nora has been offered a prestigious job in the Air Force that she will probable not take but it is still a great honor.    Proud of both of my girls.

Bart and Barb sent beautiful pick roses for me for Mother's Day.   That was a pleasure.  I put them on the dining room table so everybody can see them when they come in.    I hope that our goofy Roxie doesn't decide that the bouquet is dessert.   She LOVES the bamboo plant that I have.

So.  Dick has gone to bed.  Bobbie and Bill headed home and will be back for breakfast tomorrow.  Richard, Brenda, Roxie and I are still up and computering.   It is a bit early to go to bed, even for me.



I will share a haiku that I wrote when I was in Ireland

MAGIC CITY

Cloudy Dublin day

Cannot dim the city's joy

We drink it all in

 Mary

What a day.   I worked all morning on Clearing and sorting things from the Galina weekend and catching up on washing.  

Jody came at 10:30AM today because of a schedule change.    I fixed lunch at exactly noon because I had to leave for Motorville for the recall on the steering wheel locking mechanism on the Passat.   From 1 to 3PM was actually quite restful.   I read half of a Sr. Fidelma book and remembered why I think I should join the Sr. Fidel ma Society.

Then on the way home I stopped at Mother's to drop off her Mother's day card and present and a couple of snacks.   Eileen was there so we got to visit, the three of us, which is a special treat.   Eileen and I don't see each other as often as one would hope as we live in the same county.   Fred came to pick her up so I got to see him too.   Blessed day.

I got a call from Judy Stratton, a Ziegler cousin.   She will be in the Plymouth the week after next and we are meeting for lunch with the Wiffler cousins too and then to share our genealogy trees.   I am so excited.

On the way nome I picked up some items I needed at Walgreens .

I went shooting at 5PM.  I got there just as Nancy was finishing, so I shot with Fred Rose, another pistol shooter.  Not too bad today.  I told him he must be luck.   As Nancy is done and not coming next week, Fred and I will shoot together next week and I am also working.   Nice to have a friend to shoot with.

I got home by 6, in time to fix a meal for a hungry husband who really wanted nothing more than to be in bed asleep.


So the work week is over.  I talked to Dick and Brenda and they will be here at about 3PM.  We can pick the place to pick up our meal.  I think Dick might like Sweet Basil, so I called and they do have take out.   I will print out the menu and we can go from there.


I will be so happy to have at least two of our six children here with their spouses.   Wish we could all be together.


Love spreads so I know they all know that they are in our hearts.


Love


Marymom

I spent most of the morning cleaning the kitchen counters and bleaching the sink which was really gummy.   Dick had to be at Aurora Sheboygan to see Dr. Moreno at 11:15AM.   When we cleaned and changed the dressings this morning,  the one under the prosthesis  bled.   It worried us, but Dr. Moreno said that that particular wound will heal easily if we can keep the pressure off of it.

The wounds on his other leg are doing OK but we need to to back next week again to be sure the infection is gone and to check the healing.

We got home at about 12:30PM.  Our new neighbor, Don, helped me push Dick up the ramp.   They are just wonderful people and neighbors.

I fixed noodles with chicken and gravy for our noon meal.   Figured Dick needed something special because of his doctor appointment.   Noodles, as you know, are always a special meal for him.

Today, Bill had his colonoscopy.   We prayed , of course, but are sure all is well.   We will see them on Saturday because it is Dick's birthday.  Richard and Brenda will be here too.   What a treat.

It was not a nice sunny day at all today and there was a bit of rain this evening.  

So have a nice Friday and lets hope for sun.

Love
Mary

I packed a lot into today.  

We got Mc Donalds for our breakfast and I picked up money at the bank on my way.   Then at 8AM, I went to do the grocery shopping, pick up a prescription at Walgreens and cash a check at the bank.   I had a coupon for Russell Stover candy so I stocked up a bit on that.  Dick likes a piece once in a while in the evening and it seems to fit in with his diet.  I remembered to take the pictures of the Ireland trip into the bank for the tellers and all to see.    I still remember how those tellers just LOVED the euros.  They are all different sizes according to denomination and different colors also so they are really fun.

We checked the dressing on Dick's left leg and were ready when Bobbie  arrived to help us to the Anti coagulation Clinic.   We were a bit worried because Dick has been on antibiotic.   He is a little bit high, 3.2, but that is not to serious.    We will go back after he has completed the prescription and probably go back to the old doses.

Home again, we all ate some of the rotisserie chicken I got at the Pig this morning with fried mashed potatoes and salads for our lunch.  

Bobbie and I both left at about 1PM.   Me to the Elkhart Lake Quilter's Tea and Bobbie home to be there for Bill who is having his colonoscopy tomorrow.   Pray that all is well.   It is routine but prayers are always needed.

The Tea was delightful.   The tables were all set up with doilies and glass plates and lovely teacups with matching saucers at each place.   They had WONDERFUL cookies and pastries for us to snack on.   After a time for visiting, they shared their quilts. wall hangings and fabric art.  I got SO many great ideas.    Such a wonderful group.   We then shared some of our things, mainly the block of the month that we did last year.   They also were impressed at what a difference fabric, color and placement makes.  I shared my Bridget wall hanging and am so pleased, because they liked it.

Home again, I puttered around trying to still catch up on things which will go on until  I finally do catch up until it was time to go to have my hair cut.   I usually go earlier in the day, but with the quilt meeting, I would have had to wait until next week, so decided that 6PM was not such a bad time after all.

So we are done now and I am trying to gather little things that I want to share with different people that occurred over the weekend.   

Tomorrow we have only one appointment, Dr. Moreno.   I hope things are better.  I hate infections and sores on my sweetheart.  They are SO hard to heal

Pray for healing.

God love you

Mary

What a day.  It was cold and dreary and very chilly.   And this is May.  

I spent the day trying to get the house in order.   There are still papers and books and just plain STUFF scattered all over the place, but I did make a lot of headway.

Today is Bart and Barb's anniversary.    We called them tonight to congratulate them.   They are home with their grandchildren.  I got to talk to my granddaughter Abbie, who I have never really met but  love anyway.  Both Adria and Abbie are beautiful children and I am proud to be their great grandmother.

We called Jim and Michelle tonight too.  They are working, well and getting along OK.  Their Chip, the dog, is healing from his ringworm so all is well.
 

Bart said that they have to have a kitten they found as a stray put away as she or he is not improving and is weak and pitiful.  It is kind to help them pass on if there is no hope.  They certainly do not know that pain can sometimes lead to healing OR not.

Tomorrow will be a very busy day.   A doctor appointment, grocery shopping, a quilt club gathering and a haircut.   So.  I am going to bed VERY early tonight.

This morning, I fed the kitty at 6AM and slipped back into bed and did not wake up until 7:15.   I could have gone back to sleep again but I needed to put the trash out.  They usually come in the afternoon, but sure as sunshine, they would be here in the morning if I counted on that.

God love you

Mary

I slept like a rock last night.   Roxie did not join me til towards morning.   I guess I was just not gone quite long enough for her to be too needy.   She pestered me this morning though, until I finally got up to feed her at 6AM.   I went back to bed for a bit though.

Bible Study this morning.   I shared a Bridget prayer and my wall hanging as I had decided to take it to show to Mother.    They liked it too.   I feel so proud that a vision worked out. 

Mom is fine.   She and I took care of business and then visited until I had to go home.   I did not cook this weekend, so no meals for her, but I did share part of the breads that I got at the Sinsinawa Centre.   She and I both are bread lovers.  Thank God for freezers so we can spread it out a bit.

This afternoon, I cooked.   I made a carrot,raisin, pineapple salad, started some chicken soup and baked a Guinness cake.  It was fun.   We have to change Dick's bandages every day and the wound on his shin looks a lot better. 


I had the Rhine Plymouth meeting tonight.   It was pretty uneventful.   Always a good thing.  Lots of business but no dissension.  Just the way I like them.    The Beer Blast is on June 10th at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds.   If anyone wants tickets, Let me know.

Enjoy the pictures.

God love you

Mary

Picture of the CWI 2011 Executive board. Rosemary, Debbie, Mary, Janet and Betty.

The Bridget Wall Hanging

I made it home from The Galena Gathering safe and sound at about 7PM tonight.    The drive both ways was perfect.   Sunshine and easy traffic and good company.   I drove both ways.   Kate Herman and LuAnn Cleary-Benninghaus were my companions. 

We left at about 11AM on Friday, and arrived by about 3PM, in plenty of time for the 4PM board meeting.  The meetings went very well,  We ate wonderful foods had interesting and exciting speakers and great raffles and fun times.



I will tell you about our gathering and scattering ceremonies tomorrow and put a couple of pictures in also.   On the way home, we stopped for Mass and to walk the labyrinth at the Sinsinawa Mount Center.  The Mass was lovely and we were able to mingle our Brigid water from the holy wells in Ireland with the water in the fonts at the Dominican Retreat Center.

It was a blessed and companiable weekend.  Thank God for my Celtic Friends.

God love you

Mary

P. S.  They loved the wall hanging and I will have a picture of that for you tomorrow also.

This day worked out OK.  But it was odd.   We were home alone all morning and I was able to get Dick bath and  all ready for his appointment with Dr. Moreno.   I did a lot of packing and preparing for the two meetings that I am responsible for at Galena.

Bobbie got here just before 1:30PM and we loaded Dick up for his doctor appointment.  It was a good thing I decided to take him in.   The callous on the bottom of his foot and the sore on the shin are still superficial but are slightly infected.    We have it worked out so that I will dress the wound tomorrow and then resume on Sunday night.  He is also on anti-biotics which he can handle himself while I am gone.   Bobbie will be coming out each day to be with him over the lunch time and into the afternoon.   I Bless her every day that I have her in my life. 

Then, after we got home, I dropped of a book at Kate's, stopped at Sun Graphics for more copies, went to Walgreens to find that the prescription that was supposed to be there wasn't.   They kindly called to check and got the precription forwarded to them only to find that they did not have the item.  They called around and discovered that Aurora had it so I went over there to get it.   In the mean time the antibiotic  precription came through so I went back to Walgreens to pick THAT up before filling my gas tank and heading home.


If you think you are confused, put yourself in my shoes.    This is the last blog that you will receive from me until Sunday night.   Hope you miss my. 

God love you

Mary

Wednesday, grocery shopping day.   I left at 8AM,  did the grocery shopping, lottery tickets and then went to Walgreens for prescriptions etc.    After leaving there, I stopped at Sun Graphics to have copies made for the CWI Gathering on Friday night.   A quick drive through the bank drive through and I was home again.


I made a fruit salad and mixed up the raw beef Dick had requested with onions so he could have it on the half and half rye (which is the proper way to eat it) for lunch and dinner.    Every so often, he asks for that and eats it for both meals that day while it is fresh.

I finished the Bridget wall hanging and have it all rolled up to take to the Gathering.   I also went and filled up a bottle from the stream in back of the house for the water ceremony.   I got the water yesterday.     I will send a picture of the wall hanging after the unveiling this weekend.

Dick has to see Dr. Moreno tomorrow.   That wound on his right leg looked like it was finally healing two days ago, then today when I unwrapped it found that it was worse again.  I just don't want to wait until Monday to get it checked.  Let you know about that tomorrow night.

That is all for today.    Hope you had a good one.   It was rainy and damp most of the day but definitely not cold.   That is a good sign.

Love you

Mary

Roxie went for her dentist appointment at 7AM this morning.   She was doubly unhappy.   She didn't get breakfast and to top it off, I put her in the carrier and took her back to Kettle Moraine.

They told me that the dental work was done between 8AM and noon and I should wait for a call.   I helped them put her into her cage in the Cattery.   There was only one other cat in there, a black cat, I think there for spaying.  It made me remember when I took Waylon in for his neutering.   I dropped him off the night before because I was working and picked him up after work the next day.   When I got there to pick him up, the lady behind the desk said, and I quote.  "Oh, you're here after that orange cat."   She had arrived that morning early to check the animals in the cages and found Waylon had opened the cage and was having a ball.    Then after his surgery to neuter and remove his claws,  he was batting at everybody who walked by through the door of his cage..

Anyway, about our Roxie.  I got a call at about 9:30AM from Dr. Pat telling me that there was not a decayed tooth after all.   Good news.  They did not have to extract a tooth.  She removed the little flap that was the symptom of the trouble so that there would be no accumulation of food or whatever that might cause decay, cleaned her teeth and I was able to pick her up at 11:30AM.

She sure was glad to get home and was very hungry, so I fed her a reduced brunch to hold her until her dinner time.

I have almost finished the wall hanging  of St. Bridget.    I just have to edge it and put a couple of finishing touches on it.    Tomorrow is shopping day and then I will start to gather things to bring along with me to Galena.  I want to be able to spend Thursday making sure that Dick will be OK while I am gone.   Bobbie will be here during the day, but there are the evenings and the mornings.   Things should be ready for him and his dressings need to be fresh.

Boy was it ever raining when I took Roxie to the Vet.    I helped Alison put Dick's trash out at about 10   We waited until then hoping that the rain would have let up and Indeed it had.   We had so much trash out there and some stuff we were not sure of.  I told Alison - Lets just get it out there and hope.   They did not come until this evening but they took every bit except for a waste basket which they probably thought they were supposed to leave.  Whew.  That is a big relief, otherwise we would have had to figure out what to do with it.

So. Until tomorrow.

God love you

Mary

This surely was a Monday.    I only had two things scheduled (Bible Study and visiting Mother) but ended up leaving early to pick up her vitamins and stopping at Evans for some thread on my way to Bible Study. 

Mom and I had our usual nice visit.   She only had a couple of bills to check out so we didn't have to do much BUT visit.  I brought home a bunch of her pictures to scan into Picasa and then into Ancestry.  I have some of them but not most so this is a real treasure trove for  me.    WWII service pictures of 5 of my uncles on both sides.   And others, some that I don't remember seeing before.

Eileen and family brought Easter Dinner to Mom's yesterday.  I could tell it was a great day for her as she was tired but not exhausted, if that makes sense.   Eileen brought turkey AND ham so what a feast.

The sun was shining most of the day and it was in the upper 50s.   Just lovely.    Mom was planning on leaving her front door open for part of the day and I think that is practical.   I wouldn't mind doing that myself.    I need to get some help changing the front door glass to the screen.     Now that we just have our Roxie, we can really leave things open if we want to.   Nobody barking - so sad.

On the way home, I stopped at Kmart and bought Dick some new t shirts and myself some new jeans.   Boy you have to try on every pair.  I got two pair in two different sizes. and they both fit just fine.

We had teryaki chicken legs and rice for dinner.   I put it in the crock pot before I left this morning and the meat was falling off the bone, literally, when I got home.    Nummy Nummy, then we finished the cookie, whipped cream dessert that Bobbie left for us.

Tomorrow I have to get up at 6AM to take poor little Roxie for her tooth extraction.   She sill not be happy with me at all. 

A Small Haiku

Sunshine followed me
All along the country road
To my journey's end.

God love you

Mary

Happy Easter!!

I got up at 6:30AM so that I could get to the 8AM Mass.  I miss going to Mass at 8AM on Sundays.   But with the priest shortage, I don't imagine that will be an option any time soon.  I was on the Eucharistic Minister duty today which is always an honor and a pleasure.   The youth choir sang.   A young man in the youth choir did a solo of He's Alive! with the choir bringing up the chorus after he finished the story song.   It was truly beautiful.   A lovely way to start Easter.

We got Dick bathed this morning and Bobbie and Bill arrived at 10:30AM on the dot.   She said they would be here at 10:30 and that is what happened.  She prepared Chicky Roll, a meal that her mother used to make for them.   It is a hamburger mixture rolled up in a dough like a jelly roll and then baked and served with gravy.   It is SO good.   Thank you Barbara.   Bobbie shared the recipe with me today.   We had corn and salad and a wonderful light dessert of cookies and whipped cream.

Then, we watched the Deathly Hollows, Part 1 the Harry Potter Movie that Dick bought for me.    Bobbie and I both enjoyed it though it is dark and some scenes are hard to see.   I will watch it some night in the dark to get the full impact.   We are looking forward to Part 2.   I don't think either of the guys are as interested as Bobbie and I are.

Tomorrow is count down to the Gathering which is next weekend at Galena.   I have my week all mapped out so Dick will be cared for properly and so that I have everything I need for the Gathering.

Have a special week.  It is the week of Easter,  the Resurrection.   A time to be happy and grateful for our Lord and the beautiful reawakening of the Earth as Spring comes on us.

God love you

Mary

I stayed in the neighborhood all day today. 

I spent the morning working on my Bridget wall hanging.  It is really coming together.   Good thing because I have to be finished with it by Thursday.   I am really getting excited about it.

At 10:30AM, I went over to Dick's house to help Alison and her "crew" empty and clean the house.   Salem UCC is having a rummage sale on Saturday and much of Dick's things will be sold there.   Some clothes are going to Rocky Knoll, some things will be going to Haiti, some things to St. Vinnies and some to Salem Green.

Then we swept the basement and vacuumed the bedrooms before I had to leave.  Alison and her friend finished the kitchen and living room after I left.   Alison ordered pizza and we had wine, from Lee, and soft drinks, coffee and cookies to go with it.   Nice people from the church.

I have a little story for you.   I told you that Lee, Dick's son and his fiance Lindsay, took Katrina, Dick's dog.  They got a carrier for her that would fit under the seat in the airplane and everything started off pretty well.   The put it under the seat so that they could lean down and talk to her through the mesh.    Well,   after a bit, they heard something of a commotion some rows in back of them.   The heard phrases like  "Oh, isn't she cute!"   They wondered what it was and after a bit looked back and there was Katrina.   She had managed to unzip the carrier with her teeth and nose and went off to meet friends.    They got her back easily enough, of course.   She would be glad to come back to therm.   Then the stewardess came and very sternly said that Katrina had to stay in her carrier.   Lee suggested that they tell Katrina.

Pretty ingenious.   Guss what happened to Roxie tonight.  I got the small ladder out of  the closet in the hall leading to the garage to replace the Bridget Cross.   Then I put it back and shut the door.   Some time later I heard a cat mewing and couldn't find Roxie,  I finally narrowed it down to that closet.   Sure enough, she had wandered in when I was busy and I didn't see her.   She is just like Waylon was when I shut him in the door, though.   She thinks I rescued her.    So she still loves me.

God love you all

By the way,  I keep forgetting to put the website of my Irish Caterer, Lynne.   Here it is.  http://www.lynnesgoodfoodguide.blogspot.com/.

Mary

This was a very strange day.   It was cloudy and cool and tonight it even rained.  It was raining pretty well when I  drove out to Rhine so that Nancy and I could shoot.   We were grateful that we shoot pistol downstairs in the pistol range rather than trap out in the rain and cold.   We both did pretty well this week.   At least I did MUCH better than last week.


I was busy this morning preparing to fix a new chocolate dessert that I got from my vegetarian caterer in Ireland.   I really need a decent food processor is I intend to do more of these type of recipes. It is very good.   I hope Dick likes it.   The amazing thing is that there is no fat and no processed sugar at all.

 It is Good Friday.    I went to Church at noon and discovered I was a half hour early, but I had plenty of people to visit with and then spent about 15 minutes of the wait finishing my daily prayers.  It was a typical Good Friday service.   First the readings, then the Passion from Matthew, then the devotion to the Cross followed by Holy Communion.    I was a Communion distributor so was able to be an important part of the celebration.

I was home by 2PM and able to rest a bit before going downstairs to work on the Brigid stitchery that I am trying to get done by next Thursday so that I can take it to the Gathering.  Why do I do this to myself?   But Ik have this vision of what I want to do and the Gathering is the place it should be presented.

We had salmon bites from SHARE for supper with tater tots and salad.   They are quite good and I have one more meal of them. 

Tomorrow I will be working on the stitchery and helping Alison get the trash from Dick Kastberg's house ready for Tuesday.   Lee, Dick's son, left us some wine to drink when we finish.   

So you rest well and I will be praying for all of you.  

God loves you

Mary

It is 9PM.  I almost forgot to do this.   As it is my bedtime, this will be quick.

I had a very busy day.   Started off the morning by going to Volkswagon Motorville in Sheboygan to have them check the car to make sure that nothing is wrong after the dead battery incident.    We have decided that the problem is probably that I don't drive enough.   The many bells and whistles on the car do a steady slow draw on the battery and I seldom do drive long enough to really get it fully charged.   The battery was a bit down so they charged it full and next week it will get a workout when I drive to Galena.   After that the service department AND the service man who came out to charge the car both suggest getting a trickle charger.   I will start looking for one.   That should solve the problem.

Then I went to the DMV and renewed my drivers license.   I am good until 2019 now.   Wow.   I swung by Gander Mountain and got some ammo for the pistol so I can finish this league.   They did not have what I wanted so I am trying another brand.   Idon't like Federal.   I get a lot of mis fires on those bullets.

This afternoon, I met Alison, the Condo president over at Dick's. Dick's son, Lee, wanted us to come over ant if there was anything we wanted to remember Dick by , we should take it.    I took some small glass topped brass tables and some frames.   Mainly I chose three framed photographs that Dick took.   I did not know until the obituary that he was an avid photographer - that is a nice memory.

Katrina is in Colorado now with Lee and Lindsay.   They took her with them on the plane home.   She was a happy girl to be with them and I am so glad that she will be taken care of.

So a busy day and now it is time for a good night's sleep.   Tomorrow is Good Friday.  Can you believe it?

Good Night until tomorrow.

P. S.  I just discovered I did everything but publish yesterday which is why you have two tonight.

Love

M ary

I slept very well last night.   The blankety blank snow was still on the ground and all over when I woke up and shows not sign of leaving.   Is this not a good thing as far as I can see.   It is April after all and almost the END of April.

I can't believe that this Sunday is Easter already.   Bobbie is cooking the Easter Dinner.   She said she will make Chicky Roll.   (Leslie and Jim must have their mouths watering now.) It is something their mother made that is really good.   Nothing to do with chicken however.    I can be the Easter Bunny.

Today, I kept myself busy most of the morning and have a very clean desk.   Then at about 10:30AM I went grocery shopping.   I forgot my cloth bags so had to be non Green.   However, I was in need of a few paper bags as I use them for papers and magazines and ended up getting four so I am a bit stocked for a while.   Fresh asparagus was on sale, so I got some of that too.   Nancy was shopping too, so I was able to thank her again for yesterday and tell her that I am doing well.

I still have a bit of a sore throat but that will pass.   I am gargelling morning and evening and it will go away.

Bart called this afternoon for Jim and Michelle's phone number.   The one we both have is disconnected.  I hope I didn't miss any email telling me of a change.   So I gave him the cell phone that I have.   Jim and Michelle,  if we are confused let us know and Bart and Barb would like you to have Easter with them if you can.

When I got home from shopping Dick was sleeping - I let him sleep because he has so much trouble.  I ate lunch and tried to take a nap.  I got about 30 minutes in when the phone rang.  It was Archbishop Liscecki  thanking me for my contributions and wishing me a Happy Easter.    A nice touch.   Of course, I had to say Hello twice to start the recording.  But it is a nice touch.

\

Just lost power with a BIG BOOM of THUNDER.    We lost connection on the TV but apparently not on the computer.  

Today I had my colonoscopy.   My friend Nancy took me over at 9:30AM and picked me up about 1:30PM to bring me home..  I was supposed to go in at 10:45 but it was about an hour later as Dr. Sharon was running behind.   All went well.   I kind of remember part of the colonocospy, it was rather uncomfortable, but it was more like a dream.   That sedation is quite effective and doesn't make me sick.    My throat is a bit sore.  I hope it is all better by morning.  Dr. Sharon said that all looked good in the colon area and also in the Endoscopy, though he did take a couple of biopsies in the stomach just to be sure.   I will hear on that in about a week.

There, now you know all is well and I am going to sign off until tomorrow.  There are 3 or more inches of icky wet slushy snow.   Icky!

God love you

Mary

 

Well, up until 3PM this afternoon it was a nice day.    

Everybody but Helen Maurer and Shirley Moioffer were at the bible study so we had lots to talk about.  Helen Morgan is back from their trip to Florida.   I think it was Florida.   She was gone several weeks.

I had a light breakfast this morning and just drank stuff during the day as they said I should.  

The Writer's Club meeting was at 1PM.   That was very nice too.   We had wonderful winter poems read for us and a chapter from Don's book.  I mentioned that my bible study had written our own Psalms and Lynn thought it would be nice if we all wrote a Psalm for our next meeting.  Peggy Gasiororski was there.   I was so glad to see her.   Her husband was the man who was across from Dick at Plymouth Rehab.

I got home and settled by 3PM and started taking all the pills and stuff that are needed to clean me out for tomorrow,

My friend Nancy is going to pick me up.  I have to be there at 9:45AM.  She will take me then pick me up again at about 12:30 or 1PM to bring me home.

So I think I will stop writing at this time and just concentrate on getting through until tomorrow.   The actual procedure is the easy part.

Til tomorrow

God Love you

Mary

Libby Tournour

Meghan, Libby and Kelsey

Kelsey

The Irish Dancers with Mary Kunert in their midst. We sponsored a wonderful demonstration of Irish Dance by Meghan and Kelsey Long and their little cousin Libby Tournour. They were wonderful teachers of their journey, the art of the Dance and the ins and outs of competion and advancing in the craft. We were so delighted with them and they answered all of our questions. We dined on cucmber sandwiches and barm brack with tea and lemonade. Next event is May 15, Sunday. A book sharing. Please call 910-893-5139, if you are interested and want to join in the fun. Mary

Sunday come and almost gone.   The wind was hard and steady tonight but we had sun a good chunk of the day which took away the chill.  Now they are telling us we may get snow tonight.    The old saying says that one should not plant before Memorial day because there is danger of frost til then.   That was true in California too believe it or not.

Dick got his bath today and all changed on bandages.  We had ham, colcannon and orange pineapple salad for lunch.  All really good.  I got a Cook ham.   They are usually dependable.

At 3PM, I drove over to Suchon Funeral Home to give my sympathies to Dick Kastburg's family.   I have now met all of his children and his brother.    They are such lovely people.   Lee and his sister will be here for a couple of more days to start going through things.   So I will take Dick's mail over and visit a bit more tomorrow.   Lee is going to take Katrina with him.   He loves her and she means everything to him because of his father and he knows her little excitement problem.   I know that she will be loved and cared for until her end.  I was so glad to be able to tell them how peaceful the house was and how I am sure that their mother was there to lead Dick to heaven.

We had leftovers for supper.  I don't want a lot of food around as I am supposed to be having my colonocopy on Tuesday.   They have not called me to schedule a time yet.  I realized that late on Friday after it was too late to talk to anybody so I am not really sure, but I have to start my prep in the morning anyway.  I will call first thing in the morning and then see if Kate is still willing to take me and bring me back, otherwise, I am going to be searching for a driver, at least for a ride home.  I can drive myself there but will not be able to drive for 12 hours after the procedure.  What a bummer.  

At least I am fairly busy until I start all the pills and stuff for the prep.   Then I won't care as I will have to stay close to the bathroom.

Bible Study,  a visit with Mother and Cream City Writers.  That is tomorrow's schedule.

Hope you have a good week.  I will post before I get too goofy tomorrow and my may get a really strange message on Tuesday.

God love you all

Mary

Meghan Long, Mary Kunert, Libby Tournour and Kelsey Long. They were wonderful.

I slept until 7 AM.   Quite a change.   I might have stayed a bit longer, but I had to go and get Share at 9AM and did not want to be rushing.

So that was my first errand of the day.   It was raining pretty good when I went to pick up SHARE.   We got a pork tenderloin,  chicken drumsticks, chicken strips, salmon and beef for sandwiches.    Plus apples, tangerines, lettuce, onions and potatoes. 

Home again, I fixed dinner. took care of Dick's wounds, (yes he does have wounds again), and gathered things up for the CWI program this afternoon.

After lunch, I drove to the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library for the Sheboygan County Celtic Women's meeting and presentation of Irish Dancing.   Bridget Long, a friend of a friend of Debbie O' Grady, brought her two daughters and a niece who attend the Cashel Dennehy School of Irish Dance in Wauwatosa.   Megan and Kelsey are her daughters and Libby Tournour is her niece.   They have been dancing for more than 6 years and were so patient with us,   They started by explaining how they got interested in Irish Dancing and then walked us through the basic steps and into the now.    I have pictures.   Tonight I will just send one of them and me.   Because I was so pleased to be there.

Tonight I  went to Mass for the Palm Sunday Celebration.   This is long mass because it involves the reading of the whole Passion of the Christ by one of the Evangelists - tonight, John.   And we also have the blessing of the palms for the next year.    I was s delighted.   As I was leaving, one of the ladies in a pew in back of me, handed me a palm that she had woven into a cross.   I am so delighted.  What a lovely gift.   It will be in back of the crusifix in the living room.   Please look for it.

So now it is time for bed, almost.   I am going to download the pictures I took today and will post one or two.

God love you

Mary

Boy was I every busy today and I did not leave the house until 12:30 for lunch at the Dairy Queen.  We had a pretty full table again.   Karen Ruh, who used to work with us, was there for lunch and joined us for a while.   She is going to try to come sometimes as she is still working, somewhere else, but has lunch at about that time. 
Dairy Queen has a new item.   It is a chicken OR vegetable quesidilla.   As it is Friday in Lent, I got the veggie one and it was delicious.

Jody, the house cleaner was late today, her son's truck broke down on the way here.    That family is having MORE trouble with vehicles lately,  But she got here at 9AM.   So I baked the brown bread for tomorrow before she got here.

I did some updating on Ancestry.   Kurt Thuemmler has accepted my invitation to get into the file.   I think he will enjoy it as he seems to have a strong interest in genealogy and is passing it on to Brandon, his son.   And I also have a lot of "leaves" to check out.

I worked at Rhine tonight.   It rained quite heavily so I got home a bit before 8PM and will try to go to bed early.  My nap got interrupted because Dick woke up from his nap just as I was getting settled.   It was a very strange day.  My friend, Nancy Coenen, is back from her trip to Israel.   She brought me a small stone from beside the Sea of Galilee and is going to share some water from the River Jordan.  Boy am I delighted about that.

At least Roxie seems to be all back to her normal self and a happy girl again.   She really had us worried.   Dr. Pat loved Jim's description of the.   "She ends too soon."

Have a great weekend

God love you

Mary

Yesterday was totally beautiful.  Warm and Sunny.   We woke up to a wet deck and temperatures in the 30s.   Of course, this is the day that Dick had to go out.   He had an appointment with Dr. Cheryl, the eye doctor.   Bobbie helped us get him there and back.    Dr. Cheryl was very pleased with his eyes.   That errant lash was again poking its way into the world, so she plucked that and we will go back in three months to check it again unless he gets uncomfortable if and probably when that lash grows again.

We picked up steak sandwiches from Chester's.   I had forgotten how GOOD they are.  In case some of you don't know,  Chester's is a drive in restaurant here in Plymouth.  It is open from March to November.   It used to be an A & W but changed during the past years and is unique and famous around the county.   They have the BEST steak sandwiches in the world.   So that is what we had for our lunch.  

We were quite concerned this morning as Roxie is still quite subdued and as the day wore on, we found that she is uncomfortable and/or in pain somewhere on her little body.   I had a call into the veterinarian regarding a supplement that we are supposed to be giving her anyway, so I asked if they thought she should come back in.  They told me that often when a cat gets two shots it can take up to 48 hours for them to recover.  So we have decided that if she is still mopey and sore in the morning, I will call Dr. Pat.   

This afternoon, when I lay down for my lap, I decided not to call her.   A couple of minutes later, I heard "mew,  mew, mew."  And here she came. So I lifted her up onto my legs and we both slept and/or rested for two hours.   She does seem much better and ate her supper but I am being careful not to pick her up until tomorrow.

I went for a walk in the cold and saw two geese who watched me with kind of a bored demeanor as I walked by them and a squirrel that had enough sense to be afraid of me.  It was chilly but I am sticking to my vow to walk at least three times a week.   Now I have this week, so if it rains as they predict, I won't have to walk in the rain.

I went downstairs and finished the Strawberry Basket Square and laid out my Brigid wall hanging.   I only have three weeks to get that done and a couple of days are already shot as I will be getting my colonoscopy on Tuesday.  

I read a poem today that a man wrote about walking with his father and it reminded me of walking with my Dad.    When I was very young, we did not have a car and often, I would join Dad walking to church, or downtown or to my grandparents.  I remember that we would often take a short cut through a woods that was between the Old Red House and Park Street.  It is all developed now.   Dad would point out bits of trees and nature to me as we walked.  One day, he stopped and said quietly, to look at the rabbit.   I could not see it until he actually flushed it out.   He had a great eye and loved the land and its inhabitants.

God love you

Mary

I took Roxie for her annual physical today at 8AM.   She has gained about 7 ounces which I am concerned about, of course.   Dick and I have a plan of action. - We are no longer giving her any people treats and cat treats will be doled out very carefully.   I think I will cut back just a bit on her two meals also.

Her teeth were not full of plaque, but it looks like she has a cavity and will have to have that tooth pulled.  Darn it.   So on the 26th, she will have that tooth removed and they will take care of any plaque that is there,,  At least that should put off any more dental work for three years or so. 

Poor Baby, she was just a bag of mush all the time she was there.   Not a sound and she acted like a stuffed animal.   We decided that she figured if she was really quiet, we would not see her and if we did at least we wouldn't kill her.

Home again, I fixed Dick's breakfast and then headed out to the bank, the Sewing Basket and grocery shopping.   By the time I got home, at last, it was eleven AM.  I put the groceries away and then fixed us a lunch of bratwurst, beans and cole slaw. 

By then I was exhausted so NAP TIME.   

When I woke up, it was SO beautiful outside, that I went out in the back yard and racked and weeded the garden and moved the bird bath back in place.   When they cut part of the tree down last fall, they had moved it and never moved it back.  The rhubarb, the lemon balm, the thyme and the oregano are coming up.  So spring is indeed arriving.   I must look at the boxes that I brought into the garage last fall.  Then I will know what I need to replace.

I have the quilt top assembled and ready for the borders and have one more seam to sew on a Strawberry Basket block.   Next I want to assemble a Brigid wall hanging that I have in my head and want to take to the Gathering in three weeks.   When I finish it , I will share a picture.

I went to church tonight for Benediction and the Stations of the Cross.   I have not been to Stations in more years than I care to think about.   It was really special.   Fr. Van Beck said that we should all try to go just once during Lent and I am glad I did.

So April 13 is over .   Why has the IRS given people until Monday to get their taxes in, when Friday is the 15th?  A puzzle.

God love you

Mary

Trash day.    I got up close to 7AM.   Roxie was very hungry.   Dick fell asleep at his desk and didn't get her fed.   We are still trying to figure out why she was not raising a real ruckus.  She is not exactly known for her patience.

Dick decided to take a morning nap, so I went to the den and did some sewing on the quilt and a square that was half done.    I had to stop because my iron stopped heating.    I thought it was broken and decided to go as far with the sewing as I could without ironing and go find a new iron tomorrow.    I also cut out another two squares for this years Kettle Quilters projects. 

Then, after my nap, it dawned on me that I should probably try another plug.   By golly, it worked.   So apparently the upper part of that outlet is for some reason broken.   How can one recipticle in an outlet break?

When I finished downstairs, I took a walk.   Perfect day for one.   I visited with a couple of neighbors on the way and got back to find that Barb Mac Ewen, my friend and Mary Kay dealer, is back from her winter stay in Florida and had my product.   She felt sorry for me because I was desperately out of most everything so she dropped it off this afternoon.   Roxie liked her.

We had soup for our dinner and then I went to church for a Penance service and for confession.   It was a very nice communal service.   It took quite a while to get to see the priest for the private confession, however, even when Fr. Van Beck actually got four other priests to help.   Good thing everybody doesn't do the private confessions or I'd probably still be there.

Now we are watching the results show of Dancing with the Stars.  Then bedtime as tomorrow morning well be very busy.   Poor little Roxie has her annual checkup.   She was so afraid last year when I took her.    She is not used to going anywhere.   Dick says she probably figures that I took Oscar away and he didn't come back.   Then we took Chelsea and she didn't come back.  So she doesn't trust us.

Be good and take care of yourself.   Dick's son, Lee called this evening.   He will be here on Friday and wanted to be sure that I knew when the service was and when he would be here.

Pray for that family.

Mary

A much cooler temperature to start.   And it did not get up to 80 again, but the sun shone most of the day and after the windy night it was pleasant.    We got none of the really dangerous weather they predicted and we got no rain either.

Another goofy day.  I got in the car to go to Bible study and it was DEAD with capital letters.  I called the dealer service and he suggested that perhaps the steering wheel had locked.  So I tried to get it to release but it would not work.  Then he said to call the roadside service which I did.  They sent someone out within the hour with equipment to check things AND to tow if necessary. However,  as it turned out the battery was just totally dead.   So he told me to run it for at least 20 minutes and perhaps have Motorville check it out.   I had already canceled bible study which was over by so I drove to Falls to visit Mom and bring her the pills and hearing aid batteries that I had for her.  I will get an appointment with Motorville to have it checked within the next week.

Mom and I  had a great visit, as usual.  She had a couple of bills to write checks for and I will cash a check so that she has cash at home.   Then we tried to solve the problems in the government, both state and federal, during our visit.    Now if they will just ask for help we can do something about it.

I got home and Dick was still napping so I let him sleep as we had lots of easy food for lunch and I could offer him choices when he woke up.   Then Kurt from Mike's Appliance called.   The part for the dishwasher was in and he came right out and installed it.   So that is ANOTHER thing out of the way.

I did remember to take the newspaper clippings that I had scanned into Ancestry back so I could transcribe the stories.   Old clippings are just kind of faded and do not scan too well.  

Thursday, June 1, 1943

STATE COLONEL NOT UNFORGETFUL OF SECURITY TALKS, PYLE FINDS

by Ernie Pyle

SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND - The commander of the tank destroyer battalion I have been visiting is Lieut. Col. Joseph Deeley of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.   He used to run a wool carding mill there.  I like his attitude toward things.   When I first showed up he was perfectly courteous but he made plenty sure that I had proper credentials and what not.   As he said, they have had plenty of security preached into them back home and this indeed is a critical period and he isn't taking any chances.

But one he had assured himself I was all right he called in his sergeants and told them to go around and tell their men they were perfectly free to show me any and all equipment they had and talk to me as freely as they wanted to.

As I told him later, I don't think he need have bothered.  for these boys, approaching war for the first time , pumped my so thoroughly on what war is like that I hardly got a chance to ask any questions of them.   Maybe I;'ll have to write some security regulations of my own just out self-protection.   Who the devil is reporting this war, anyway.



In the lower right hand corner of the story about Uncle Jack was this - part of an article about Ireland - strange.

"ELECTION IN IRELAND
WON BY  de VALERA

Dublin Ireland - (AP)- Prime Minister Eamon de Valera won a clear cut victory in Eirie's general Election Tuesday with the incomplete count of returns Thursday showing his Fianna Fail party with 68 seats in the dial (parliament) only three"

Interesting)

You might enjoy one of the family transcriptions too so here it is:

THEY ARE SERVING IN THE U.S. AND OVERSEAS

Sheboygan Falls Couple Has Three Sons In Service

Three sons in the army, two of them overseas- those are the contributions of Mr. and Mrs. John Bowser, 404 Washington Street, Sheboygan Falls, toward the nation's greater war effort.

Their two youngest sons have been in the longest, both leaving with the national guards in October, 1940.  Roman, now 21, and George, 23, left at that time together but their paths have since separated.   Roman decided after more than a year of regular military training that his real interest lay in flying, and so in March he transferred to the air corps beginning training as an aviation cadet.   He is nearing the end of that schooling now, and by January he expects to have his wings.

In the basic flying school at Bainbridge, Ga. he is classed as a pilot and all of his letters home express the utmost enthusiasm about flying before he entered service, Roman was employed by the Pure Oil Company.

George, who decided to remain on the ground, has gone into the infantry and is now stationed in Australia.   His letters home indicate a liking for the down-under continent and he has the utmost in praise for the many fine people he has been meeting there.   He has been writing regularly and the letters come through without difficulty.   In Sheboygan Falls he had been employed at the Bemis Manufacturing Company.

Their oldest son, Noel, who is 25, is a technical sergeant in the army and is doing radio communications work with the field artillery at some Atlantic overseas point.   In service since August, 1941, he had been stationed in New York, when in August of this year he left for his unknown destination.   It is believed that he went to Africa but he can't reveal his whereabouts.  He emphasizes, however, that he is keeping plenty busy with his communications duties, and since leaving this country he has attained his present rank of technical sergeant.  At the time of his entry into the army, he was employed in Milwaukee at the Stolper Steel Company.

All three of the Bowser boys are graduates of Sheboygan Falls High School.

I remember when I was about 5 and the uncles were all in town fresh from the war and most of them were not married and I was probably their sweet little niece.   We would be at the church festival and if I ran out of money to play the games, all I had to do was go see one of them and look cute and they would give me coins to play more.

Great memories and they were all SO handsome.

God love you
Mary

It got all the way up to 81 degrees today and we opened up the doors.    Roxie found that to be amusing for a while.   She does like smelling the air and the creatures outside.  She will be going to Kettle Moraine for her annual checkup on Wednesday.   Last year she was a very frightened little kitty when I took her.   I think it was the first time that she had EVER gone anywhere without Oscar.

I spent about an hour and a half in the den while Dick napped sewing on my quilting projects.  I think I can finish assembling the quilt that I am making for my bed, except for the border on Tuesday.

This noon, I prepared the Leek and Broccoli Tart from Lynne's Blog.   It turned out so good.   I will be sharing it with Mother tomorrow.   Dick really liked it.   The whole wheat crust with herbs is really tasty.

I did get a nap this afternoon.   Then with the threat of a storm this evening, I decided to go for an afternoon walk.   This is the fourth walk that I have had since I started again.   My goal is to get out three times a week minimum and more if possible.   I still miss my little white motivator.  I did meet up with some of the other residents who asked about Dick.   I was glad that I could tell them that he was a peace.  He was a good neighbor and a good friend and will be missed.

Dick and Brenda called tonight.   They are doing well, kind of getting their spring chores done after a birthday trip to Milwaukee last weekend.   They went to the Milwaukee Art Museum.   That is a great museum.   Britt used to work there.  The Gees Bend exhibit was there when Britt was there and I took Mother.   The three of us had such a nice day.

So today was a good day.   I am much settled down and grateful the quiet.

God love you

Mary