I am beginning to think that autumn has forgotten us.   Except for the trees turning, we have had a couple of cool nights though no frost, things have been lovely.  It was 78 on my car thermometer today.   Strange for October 1st.

I spent the morning washing clothes and starting to plan my days in New Orleans.    With just 2 1/2 days I want to see as much as possible.    My friend Maureen's daughter Katie lives in New Orleans and can get me tickets to the aquarium.   That would be such fun.    I will be doing a city tour, hopefully a s bayou tour and going to a cooking class.    I also want to go to Mass at the St. Louis Bascilica which was established in the 1700s.   Of course it has been changed since then but is an old old place anyway.     I am excited.   

I will be with Leslie and Bill from Sunday night to Friday.   Shreveport and Bossier City are new to me too.    It will be fun to be with them.   

This afternoon, I went to the Kettle Country Quilt Club.  We were working on the placemats for Meals on Wheels.   I told you that I made 6.   Two pair for the Meals on Wheels project and two for Mother. Their next project is not for me.   They are making wheelchair bags.   I made them once before and just didn't like the project at all.

Tomorrow is quiet except for my getting my hair cut shortly after lunch.   I have bangs down almost over my eyes, so it is definitely time.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another beautiful day.   Not too hot, not to cold.   The trees seem to know that it is autumn, at least some of them as there is more color everytime I go out.

I went to Sheboygan Falls this morning for Bible study which was very interesting.    We are in Acts, just starting and marveling over this Spirit coming down on the apostles and this speaking to people and them understanding them in their own language.    That would sure be a handy gift.   Perhaps a lot of world problems would be solved if people understood each other.

Had a good visit with Mother.   But she was so very tired.   I found out that she had fallen this weekend and bruised up her face and cut her arm.   She pushed her button  and the emergency people reached Randy and Donna who came right over.   She didn't break anything so they covered her cuts and got her settled.     She said that she wasn't faint, she just fell.  I told her she must know how to fall because she has never broken anything though that one time she dislocated her shoulder.

I left there and went in to Sheboygan to take care of my home owners insurance.

Then home and was it nice to be home and to stay here.    Tomorrow,  I have a lot to do here and will go to the quilt club at 1PM.

So. time to wind the day up.

I am watching Dancing with the Stars.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It worked out.   I was able to spend the whole day at home.   Am I lucky and Roxie is very pleased.   She permitted me to pet her tummy for a very long time this afternoon.

I stepped outside only once.   My neighbor is gone for a couple of days and I am collecting her papers and mail for her.   No mail today of course but there were the two Sunday papers.

I had fun.   I sewed, I baked, I wrote.   I transcribed some notes. and I just feel rested but more organized and ready for the week.

Time to wind this up and get things ready for tomorrow.   It will be a rather busy morning but I should be home by 2PM or so and be able to wrap up a couple of other loose ends.    The trip is coming up pretty fast.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today was gorgeous and I was able to spend the afternoon enjoying it.  One of those days to keep in your heart to bring out on a cold stormy winter day.

I slept until 8:30AM.   It was not a bad night.   Yesterday was so exhausting I don't think my body could have stayed awake any longer.

So when I got up I ate breakfast did a bit of straightening out in the soon to be office and then left for Generations, down the street here in Plymouth, to enjoy the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild's annual quilt show.   It was totally special, as usual.   So very many quilts and quilt treasures.   Such talent in our community.   I ran into so many friends.   Several that I have not seen since I left the Guild. 

I left there to drive to Mead for the 100 Thousand Poets for Chance event.    I loved it.    First I went up the the third floor to be sure sure I didn't miss anything.   Good thing I did.   They had a little event which invited poets to pick books off the shelves to make a poem and stack them on the window sill on both sides of Dick's plaque.   You know me, I have to do everything.   I picked out four.   The titles formed the following.

Dark End of the Street
The Dangerous End of Things
Foolish Undertaking
When the Lion Feeds

The exciting stuff took place in front of the library.   There was reading and music off and on all morning, I understand.   I got to that area at 1PM.    Just in time to hear Wisconsin's  current Poet Laureate, Max Garland from Eau Claire speak and read his poems.    Very nice.   Now I have heard two of them.   

After he was done, we had over an hour of open mike readings and music.    It was super and I too read two of my poems.  

As soon as it was over, I headed back to Plymouth as I was the lector for the Saturday night mass and wanted to get there early so I was sure that I knew what to do.   It went well.   I was not quite sure when to put the book on the altar but it all worked out and I do enjoy being a part of the mass.

I am truly tired again but not a frantic tired like yesterday.   I feel content and ready to move to the next challenges.

Tomorrow I will be home ALL day and plan to hide if I have to.

Guess what,  I sent my passport renewal from and all in on September 13 and I HAVE IT ALREADY. 

Want to go outside of the U. S.   I can go now.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This has been an endless day.  

I had a very bad night's sleep to begin with.   Then things started getting weird.

The morning was not too bad.  I have my homeowners/auto insurance decided for the next year.  Jody cleaned and I have cleaned the carpet in the 2nd bedroom which will soon be my office,  I did that so that I can have the desk and computer moved into it and the living room clear enough to have Schroeder's come to clean the rest of the carpets in the house.    I have found a home for the desk, but need to wait until it can be picked up.   I donated the stand lift to Rocky Knoll.   I have moved the wheelchair out into the garage so things are progressing albiet slowly.  At. least to me.

Then I got on the phone with Expedia.   I have ordered my hotel room through them and there was supposed to be a +1Expedia package that included a city/cemetery tour, food at a restaurant and discount on limo fees.  Somehow or other the person who I booked with did not include it.    I have gone through holy you know what for hours but finally have my voucher.  

I got disrupted in the middle of this by Jeff.  We have a new TV for Mother and a new carrier.   Jeff got a bundle from ATT which includes TV with Dish TV.   They installed it this afternoon and I had to go to Mom's to be there to explain it to her.   Sounds simple, right?    Not so.   The TV Jeff got does not want to communicate with the dish the way it should so at this point Mom still has two remotes.    She can do everything and has all the promised channels but two remotes.

Mom is not a happy camper.   She loves the sharpness of the TV BUT she still has two controllers and all but the main channels have DIFFERENT numbers.    She does not react well to change and frankly I can understand.   Anyway.  Tomorrow or next week will bring a resolution.

In the mean time, I am exhausted.   Tomorrow will be a play day.   I am going to the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild show and then to 100 Thousand Poets For Change at Mead.

I did go for lunch at the Dairy Queen with my bank lady friends and we laughed and laughed today.   We were all remembering goofy things that have happened to us.   What a blast.

Dia Dhuit

Be happy

Mary  

Well, it is 6:30PM.    I have been on the go since 7:00AM.

Totally busy day.    I got to Mother's at 8:30AM.   She had to be at the clinic by 9:30AM for her first appointment with Dr. Nytis, the ear doctor.  Jeff went in with her there.    Dr. Nytis adjusted and cleaned her hearing aids.   She reiterated that there is really not other solution to the hearing loss.  Mom has the best available so we will continue to be sure that she is not in situations where there are too many voices, she will have difficulty.   The aids are somewhat better but we still have to be sure to talk at Mom is she is supposed to be hearing us.

Next we went to the lab for a blood test, then up to Dr. Hancock's office for her checkup.  All of her vital signs and the lab work show that she is maintaining very well.  So she got a good bill of health.

Then we went to her house and Jeff, Mom and I had lunch together.   Then I came home.   My computer was down again.   I called Time Warner and we bypassed the wireless and it seems OK.   I will either wait until I can talk to Richard and Brenda or perhaps, if they suggest call Rob, who came in before and upset Roxie with the shorter narrower tower.


At 4:30PM I went over to the meeting place for the condo residents.   It was beautiful out there and I brought home presents.   My neighbor Pat gave me Brussels Sprouts and Peggy gave me batting for a quilt.   I forgot to say that Jeff and Kathy gave me a spaghetti squash, a butternut squash, pears and cherry tomatoes.   

I am in Harvest Heaven.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sorry I haven't posted for two days.    I forgot on Monday night and last night I suddenly could not get  an internet connection.  I have been on the phone twice today to get things ok again and am not really sure it is right yet.

Monday was a normal busy morning, followed by an afternoon at home doing the usual cleaning up and so on.

Tuesday, I had to go to an Endocontic Specialist who checked a tooth that Dr. Tim Joseph suspected of having an infection.   The tooth has a root canal and apparently there was a silly sneaky root that was missed.    I have not had any pain or discomfort from it yet, which is good.   So Dr. Hilt drilled into the root and cleaned it all out and put stuff to kill any germs in it and sealed it temporarily.   I have to go back in two weeks to have it checked again and have the permanent plug put in the tooth.   It is really important because it is anchoring my only crown.  If I think this is expensive, I would hate to have a new crown made.

Home again, after stopping at the bank I worked on the book and some sewing.

Today,  I called my doctor because my left foot has been hurting when I walk for two days or so and is getting worse.  So, I went in to have it checked because I don't want to be sore when I go to Chicago and Louisiana.   It seems that I have something called Plantar Fasciitis, which is in the foot muscles.   I just know that it hurts.   From what I am reading, I think it may be because I started walking again and should have stretched or something before I walked as far as I did.    Now stretching exercises will probably heal it and I can start walking again.    I need a doggy.   When I had a doggy, I walked as far but we stopped a LOT.

I also got my flu shot.    I spent most of the rest of the day trying to get my computer connected to the internet.    I believe that it IS okay now.

So you know my tales of woe.   It will all get better from here.    And I shouldn't complain because I am a very lucky woman. 

So until tomorrow.   Jeff and I are taking Mother to the doctor tomorrow.  Sweet little lady always hopes that he can make things better.   I told her he will probably only be able to see that she is not failing.   

Dia Dhuit

Mary



Ya gotta chuckle sometimes......


WHY SENIORS STILL NEED NEWSPAPERS

I was visiting my daughter last night when I asked if I could borrow a
newspaper.

"This is the 21st century," she said. We don't waste money on newspapers=
. Here, use my iPad."

I can tell you this..that fly never knew what hit him.

A day spent all at home.   I stayed in bed until 8:30AM.   Roxie was not happy.   For some reason there are days when she does not like me to go back to bed.

I can't tell you exactly what I did today.    Ir is a day of rest after all, but the piles of STUFF are much reduced and I Just enjoyed the day and got ready for tomorrow.

Just wanted to let you know that I am OK before I go to bed.   I did talk to Leslie and to Bart today. 

And Dave, a neighbor who is also on the condo board, came down and cut two trees down from the berm on the side of my condo.   They were growing so tall and into a lovely Maple that is out there.
Now the maple will be able to breath and there is still more than enough stuff out there.   Typical plantings.   All kinds of stuff and it looks soooo good until it grows too big.    Bushes become trees and trees are not properly trimmed.    I like it anyway.

So  Until Tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This was a busy Saturday.   Not fun Saturday but a busy one.

We had to have a special meeting of the Tallgrass Condo residents to decide if we would accept an offer of cluster mail boxes, to be paid for and installed by the post office.    There is a reason to believe that door to door and mail boxes such as ours will be required to be  cluster boxes in the future as the post office is trying to become solvent.   At that time the post office probably won't offer to install them.  We as a board believed it to be a good idea but were voted down by a one vote margin.     I figure I won't be here when it happens but would like to see the faces of those who voted no when the association has to pay for it.  The cost now is about $8000 and will be more when the demand will support it.

So that is done anyway.   I have been sorting things again and just resting.   Mass was at 4PM and now I am home until Monday morning.  

 I am going to sort and sew and bake and write.    Lots to get ready for next week.

I was a communion minister today.  You know how much I like that.  Next Saturday will be my first time as a lector at St. John's.   I must review the readings sometime during the week.

Hope I can open the house up tomorrow.   I was able to do so for a while today but it was really a bit chilly.   Speaking of Chili,   I took our a container of Dick's chili for my lunch today.   There is still a bit of that last batch we made together.

I love these memories.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I had a good day.   It rained off and on all morning, but the temperatures were pleasant and when the rain stopped it did not become humid.  So what more could we ask.

I spent the day working on my book,  working on the promotion page,  talking to people about pending things, washing clothes and frosting my Decadent Pumpkin Cupcakes.   They are SO good, I really can't make them too often.   If you want one, better get here fast.

I forgot to mention that when I went to the music at 52 Stafford, I was able to buy a dozen free range chicken eggs from the wife of one of the musicians.   She brings them every week.   I love fresh eggs and she had brown, white and GREEN.   She has aracondas.

I also talked to my Celtic friend, Kathy, who has been having a rough time of it.   Please pray for her.   She was in an terrible accident in June and is SLOWLY recovering from that and now may need a hysterectomy.   He husband Dave is having surgery on his leg this week, so we must keep them in our prayers.

Tomorrow is the Condo meeting to decide about mail boxes.   I'll be glad when that is over.    Then After Mass at 4PM, I will be able to stay home until Monday morning.

Roxie hates it when I leave at all.

Well, that is what is going on around here.   I called Jacquie today.   She answered the phone and doesn't sound too bad but she is very very exhausted and weak.   She needs prayer too.

I love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I had a very pleasant evening at the Stafford last night enjoying the music.   It started out a bit slow but by the time I left at 9PM, there were 7 musicians playing the music.   I sang a song again.   I do like to contribute and as my friend Laurel would say.   Singing, Mary, a bar.   No surprise.

Today was just fun.   I did not accomplish too much.   I did a load of wash this morning and got some things ready for baking this afternoon.  I met my friend, Barb MacEwen at the Blind Horse for lunch.   She had not been there and I was able to tell her how good it was because that's where Leif, Nora and I went for dinner the last time they were here.   Today I had a grilled cheese.   It was SOO good.   Mozzarella cheese with tomato and basil on French bread.   I also had black truffle fries.   I hear about truffle oil and taste and just HAD to try them.   They were really very good.

I then drove over to Mom's because I had a glass of wine for here and since I was so close, it seemed like a good idea.   It was.   She was glad of the company and is actually getting low on, though she is not out of wine.

Home again, I worked on the computer and made some phone calls and baked some cupcakes.   Then it was 4:30PM and time to go to visit with the neighbors at our Thursday afternoon gathering.   A small but happy group today.   It was a beautiful afternoon and so pleasant under the trees.    I got home at about six and made dinner and some pear scones.   

Now I am so tired.  Too much fun I guess.

Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary.  

I woke up to rain.   Perhaps that is why I slept so good in the morning.   I had a heck of time getting to sleep,  I stayed up until 10PM but was unable to fall asleep until after midnight.

I worked on sewing, the book and the kitchen today.   I also have my volunteers to help me at the Saturday meeting of the Condo association.  So,  now I can be there and set up on Saturday at 9AM. 

I am going to 52 Stafford tonight for the music.    I sent a message out to my Celtic ladies.    Perhaps some will come, perhaps not but I feel comfortable there because I know some of the musicians and Shawn O'Dwanny is the barkeep and will watch out for me.

So. I decided that I would blog now so you know that I am OK

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A very productive day.     I slept until almost 8AM.   Trash day.   So I hauled that out and then went to the post office and grocery shopping this morning.

By the time I got home it was time to fix lunch.   Then I spent the afternoon working on things that I need to do for the Condo meeting this Saturday, pinning the bindings on the placemats that I am making for the Plymouth Meals on Wheels for the Kettle Country Quilters and preparing a small pamphlet for the talk I am giving at IBAM next month.

Jeff and Kathy stopped by on their way home from Mom's with pears and cherry tomatoes.   Num Num.  I am going to try pear scones.   I think I'll put a lime frosting on them.   Let you know how they turn out.   

Last I drove to Grafton to meet with the Trailwinds tour people to plan the Scotland trip.     I have it enough now that I can send a tentative schedule out that will let people know what it will be.   It is still too early to be able to firm up prices, but I want interested people to let me know and we should have the prices by the first of the year so those who want to go can prepare and give a deposit.

Busy Busy.   Tomorrow is quieter.   I am home all day.  I am going to 52 Stafford at 7PM to listen to the music.   I probably will have some company but it doesn't really matter as I am comfortable there.

I wish you sun.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday! Monday!   Always busy.   Today was no exception

I started off, as usual at Blessed Trinity for the Bible Study.    We had a full room plus.  Joseph's daughter Rebecca joined us for the study.   She is visiting Joseph and Felicia on her way back to California after visiting her sister in England.   She was in England for her sister's baby's baptism.  Wow, that's a mouthful.

Good bible study.    We certainly know how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas and why there had to be a replacement.

Then I went over to Mom's.   She seemed pretty good today.   We got her bills all paid.   I brought her a loaf of chocolate zucchini bread.  Her sight is so bad.  That is discouraging to her.   Whoever is there during the day helps her choose her evening television.  She is trying Meet the Parents.    I told her the premise and she seemed to think that would be OK.   If she doesn't like it she just goes to the Antiques Road Show.     But Meet the Parents is a fun show.

I zipped home and then drove to the Exchange Bank where I met my fellow poet and friend, Peggy.   We had lunch and a visit before walking over to Book Heads for the Cream City Writers meeting.   We had some very good readings and I shared the information that I received at the Poetry Circle about the 100 Thousand Poets event which will be taking place on September 28th at Mead Public Library.   Readings by Wisconsin's Poet Laureate, Max Garland, music and open mike for local poets. 

Home again, I took a walk.   It was so chilly this morning, but had warmed up to 60degrees or so and the sun was out so I decided to take advantage of it.  Had a wonderful walk.   I gathered oak leaves for my talk at IBAM next month.

Now I am settled in and watching the first show of the season of Dancing with the Stars, the only "reality" show that I watch.    Yea.

Tomorrow will be quieter but I am meeting a travel agent about the Scotland trip later in the day.

Wish me luck

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home all day except for a quick trip to St. John's to pick up a chicken dinner that the Knights and the Christen Women were putting on.     All I needed was more food but chicken is good and it was for a good cause.    I will not have to cook ALL week the way my fridge is packed.

The Packers won.    So it was a great Sunday all together.

I got a lot of research done for the book and am working on my IBAM/Louisiana trip which is just a month away.

Til tomorrow then

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Ah.   It was a pleasant day.   I slept in until after 8AM.   Then I did my normal waking up and morning things before taking a walk to feed Bailey.   I think I told you I am on cat duty for a neighbor.   Bailey was really glad to see me and informed me that he was starving.   I stayed long enough to give him a nice petting and some love.    He purred and purred.   He is quite a wise looking cat.

Then I cam e home and cleaned up the kitchen which was full of all kinds of projects as I am still organizing the abundance of the produce.    I froze shredded zucchini for future meals and used some of it in making some absolutely delicious fritters to go with a leftover hamburger patty and some salads.  I have cukes in vinegar  and dill dressing and a nice pasta veggie salad.

I worked a lot on the book today.  

Went to Mass at 4PM.   I brought communion to my neighbors Rita and Tom.   Love doing that.

I had a chefs salad for supper.

Tomorrow should be quiet too.   I am going to send out a message to everybody to see if someone wants to see New Orleans with me next month.   Several people had expressed an interest and now I can't remember who they are.

So. Til Tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I have the doors open because I had the oven on enough that it got a bit warm in here.  I can hear the Plymouth High School football game and off and on the band chimes in.   They are playing Sheboygan Falls so there is always a lot of hype and excitement about that.   I love hearing the sounds.

I was home most of the day.   I am feeding my neighbor's cat, Bailey, while they are gone.   They will be back sometime Sunday evening.    He is a sweet cat and I enjoy visiting with him.    Sometimes he wants to be petted by me, and sometimes not.    Today he just wanted food.   He only gets canned food once a day so was very disappointed in me this evening when I didn't give him a second portion.  I haven't told him that Roxie gets two servings a day.

I did have lunch with the bank ladies.   There were only three of us today.   We are all concerned about Marlene, she was at a friend's funeral today, just 4 days after her daughter's funeral.   Hard to imagine.   We can only pray and be there if she asks.

Talked to Jim and Michele this evening.   Jim had a knee surgery, you know.   He is healing well and starting therapy.    They sounded good.    

I spent pieces of the day taking care of the produce that I have that has to be preserved.    I made a couple of salads for the next day or two.   I made chocolate zucchini bread.    I have some more shredded zucchini that I need to either freeze or use tomorrow.  I am thinking soup.

So Roxie seems to think that I should be going to bed now.   I believe she is right.

So Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It has cooled off quite dramatically today.   We even had a bit of rain around 4PM, just when the Condo people have been meeting.    We could have put up an awning but it was also really kind of chilly and uncomfortable.

I was busy during the middle of the day.    First, I had my dental appointment.   I now have sparkling teeth and have to make an appointment to see an Endodontic specialist.   Hopefully they will say all is well.   There is something suspicious under a crown that has a root canal too.   The trouble is that it is the anchor for the only bridge, a single tooth, that I have.

Then I sent to the Dukes of Devon and had lunch with Bobbie.   We had been talking about going there as she and Bill like it.  It is an English Pub and especially interested me because they serve mushy peas, which is a mashed pea with mint  recipe from Cornwall.   I have been fascinated by the idea.   The Cornish even have a song.   So.   I requested them for my side with the meal that I ordered.    They were pretty good.   Not mushy in the pasty sense and had a very good flavor.

Bobbie was able to catch me up on the trip they took up north. They had a great time.

Home again, I have been writing and paying bills.   

So I believe that I will call this day complete.

Good rest to everybody

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Not a very exciting day.     I was home just puttering on things.   I did work on the two books I have going.

This evening, however, I went to the Poetry Circle at Mead in Sheboygan.    We meet in the Loft where Dick's plaque is hung.   I read it to everybody.    We had a large crowd, 18 or 19 of us and most read.   I read a poem that will be in the CWI Newsletter this fall and they liked it.

I always feel that it is nice to be approved by your peers.

So, tomorrow the dentist, but that will be followed by lunch with Bobbie.   Yea.   I have a present for you, Bobbie.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A very productive day.    It was over 90Degrees and humid but I did not have to be out in it much so that meant little to me.

I did go grocery shopping this morning.    I needed a "couple of things" that ended up costing  $60.00 EVEN.      Then I went to the liquor dept and bought three bottles of wine,   two for me and one to take to Mom.   That bill came to $27.27.   Now I am not in the habit of telling you all how much I spend at the store, but I am glad I bought a lottery ticket today with those numbers.

Home again, I have finished the minutes for the condo board meeting, folded clothes, cleaned the kitchen and other general cleaning.   

Gary Anderson came today and started the repairs to the walls where the wheel chair dinged them.   He is the guy who fixed the door off the living room when there was the leak in the basement.   He will be back tomorrow to finish.   More than one coat is needed because stuff shrinks as it dries.   Then I will pick up some primer and get that done. 

After he left I went over to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and some Sympathy Cards.   There seems to be a lot of need for them these days.

I received a call from my niece, Vikki.   She is feeling somewhat better.   But she told me that Todd had to take Jacquie to the hospital.   She has pneumonia, I hear.

Got the prayer chains alerted again.

Dia Dhuit

Stay well, please

Mary

Way too much today.

I had bible study this morning.   It was a good way to begin the week.   We are on Acts of the Apostles, which is quite interesting.   We read Luke's telling us how Peter described Judas's death.   I thought, from Matthew's Gospel that he hanged himself which is bad enough but Peter says stuff about entrails spilling out.   Ich.   We ran out of time, so will need to go into that further next week.

Then I went over to Mother's.   We paid her bills and had a goodly time to visit as I stayed and ate lunch with her.   Good thing I did as her Meals of Wheels dish was made with cabbage.   I gave her mine which was venison and we both had good lunches.  

 Then I went to Sheboygan Via Sy Regan's house as I take him to Writer's Club with me.    We had a speaker.   A Shannon, from Orange Hat Publishing.   I need to talk to her about a couple of things.  She is very articulate.    I met her at the Book and Writers Fair in Port Washington a couple of weeks ago.    She does a great job on Children's books and I would like help with that.   Illustrating anyway.   I have several ideas about how I want to do this.  I have written the book though I am doing some revisions to spark it a bit.

Then this evening I went to the funeral of my friend Marlene Schueffner's daughter Mary.   Very sad.   We all know how hard it is to lose a child.

Lots of prayers needed.   Please pray for Denise, my niece's mother in law, who also passed away and was buried today.

I am going to go to bed.    Tomorrow can start out fresh and I have no actual scheduled items.   I probably will grocery shop but don't have to worry about that yet.  

Gary Anderson is going to come tomorrow afternoon some time to start repairing the walls and corners in the house.  

So Til Tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sunday

All day, Sunday.  Roxie and I had a lovely day.

I slept until 8AM.    Then I got up and slid into the day.    I baked Kahlua Brownies to take with me for the funeral lunch at St. John's for my friend Marlene's daughter.    Please pray for the family and of course, Mary.   This was unexpected and so sad.    I frosted the brownies with Kahlua frosting tonight.   So tomorrow evening, I can just cut them and bring on a plate.

I also baked the country bread that I had mixed together yesterday.   I LOVE that bread and it is so EASY.  

Then I fixed my lunch and afterwards took a nap.    I hope that will catch me up a bit.   I slept for two hours.    I did not take any pain pills until this afternoon and then took one of the half dose ones.    The  injections I got on Wednesday do seem to be helping.    I still have some pain in my arm, but the shoulder and neck have calmed down a lot.

I woke up in time for the Packer Game anyway.    I did take a walk at about the third quarter.    I have been trying to get myself out on the road to exercise and it was so nice today that I did not want to miss it.    Roxie and I even sat our on the deck for a bit.

I was very torn by the Packer game.   My "formula" made me choose San Francisco.   So every time either team got a touchdown I was cheering.    I frankly would have been happy either way.   The points make up a bit for the loss.   At least to me.

Tomorrow will be very busy and long.    I have Bible Study in the morning and then will be at Mom's.   I am going to eat at her house because I have to pick up Sy Regan for the Sheboygan County Writer's club in Sheboygan at 1PM.  

Home again, I will be meeting the Bank Ladies at church when we drop off our desserts for the Funeral Lunch.   We are meeting at 5:30PM as the mass will be at 6:30PM.   So it will be a long day.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day mainly at home.   That is always a pleasure.   I slept until 8AM which is also a pleasure.

I believe that the shots Dr. Leben gave me on Wednesday are working.    I have far less pain in my arm and shoulder.   By next Wednesday we should know if it has been successful.   Then we will see how long the shots bring relief.   If it is over 6 months it will be worth continuing .  Pray for this as the other option is orthoscopic surgery of the shoulder.   Don't like that at all.

I took pretty much the day off.  I made Briocoli de Manzo, an absolutely delicious dish with venison, ham, cheese, much like a rouladin and stewed in fresh tomatoes with basil and parsley.  So good, so tender.  I have three more meals.  So if someone wants to join me for dinner let me know.  The tomatoes were fresh Romas that I got from my friend Alison.

I also am experimenting with polenta.   I never could have done that with Dick here.   He would have told me that why would he try it if he didn't like it.    I sauteed a lot of celery, onions and peppers in butter and then stirred in the warmed polenta.   It is quite good.  I will have it with my coconut shrimp tomorrow.   Want to come?  I will be eating my main meal at about 12:30PM.  

I also have prepared a nice big pot of tomato basil soup with the tomatoes that were given to me by some elf the other day.   More than I could eat before they spoiled so I decided to treat myself.  I am restocking my soups anyway.    Homemade are so MUCH better than canned.

I went to Mass with my neighbors, the Bernauers this afternoon.   That was nice.   It is always good to be with someone and Rita, who I often take with me, was in Appleton with her daughter.

Tomorrow I am home ALL day and will take my time and just try to finish a couple of projects and work on St. Erwann.    You will understand when I finish the book next year.

All my love

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Hello

It was quite a day.    I was so tired this morning.   I fed Roxie at 6AM, then went back to bed for a bit.  I intended to get up at 7 but woke at 7:30.   Had to rush a bit because Jody comes to clean on Fridays at 8AM.

I am picking up the paper and mail for my neighbor and when I looked at the obits, I found that one of my bank lady friend's, Marlene, daughter Mary had passed away.    It was not expected.   The other bank ladies, Betty, Ceil and Joyce and I met for lunch at the Dairy Queen.   We are all going to meet an hour before the service so that we can drop off our desserts for the lunch after the service and have time to go through the line.  So sad.   This week has really been hard.  Please pray for Marlene and Warren and family and continue to pray for my sister in law, Doris and the family.

The rest of the day was spent transcribing minutes from the condo board, finishing the newsletter for CWI and catching up on Quicken.   I'll be doing more of the same tomorrow.   Have to get back to the new book.   Yves is waiting.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another absolutely glorious day.    Not to hot not to cold with blue skies and wispy clouds floating in the blue.

I decided to go to the Exchange Bank for breakfast as I was almost out of Alterra Decaf which is what I drink mornings.  I put the word out and Felicia joined me.   We had a good visit and made a couple of decisions about the Scotland trip.    I think she will be of help at least as far as making decisions goes.

She brought me several tomatoes and two fresh green peppers from their garden.

I told you somebody left tomatoes and cucumbers on my porch on Tuesday.   I had to do something with the cukes so I started looking online for recipes.    I found one for cucumber bread, would you believe that?   So I made it.    It is not a wow must make this again, but on the other had is pleasant and will make a good breakfast bread until it is gone.

I also have tomatoes chopped and ready to cook tomorrow for a nice creamy tomato basil soup.

Love the harvest season!

One of my neighbors, Pat, came over to show me how to use Craig's list.   I would like to sell the extra desk.   Know of anybody who wants a nice beautiful oak desk?   She showed me how to enter the thing but we couldn't figure out how to get the pictures for Picasa to Craigs list.   I am working on that.  

Last.   I had a condo board meeting at 4:30PM over at Alison's.   Got home close to 6PM.    Now I am exhausted.   My arm is hurting pretty bad, partly from all the poking that Dr. Leben did and partly because the injections haven't had a chance to kick in yet.    So at 8PM  I am heading for bed.


I did reach one of the travel agents that I talked to at the Games.    We are going to communicate by phone and email for a week and then meet on the 18th.   We should have a pretty good skeleton of the trip by then and I can start actively promoting. 

So.  All is well.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sorry I did not post last night.   I had a lot on my mind and was trying to get to bed and relaxed so that I could sleep for today's events.

I learned this afternoon that my sister in law, Doris, passed away at 10PM on 9/2.   I called Vikki, her daughter, and Jacquie, my other sister in law on that side.  Vikki is so distressed.  I wish I could go to  her .   Don't know whether I could help but hugs never hurt.   Pray for Vikki and the other members of Doris family.   She was a kind woman and I am so glad that I did get to see her again when I went west to visit Bret.    Also Pray for Jacquie.   She is experiencing health issues too.

Speaking of health issues.   I had my appointment with Dr. Leban today.   I think I mentioned that the headaches are gone, a result of the epidural in my neck.   But my shoulder, clavicle and arm are SO painful.   Dr. Leban did a nerve test which pinpointed the pain.   She says that the center is in my shoulder.   She gave me some steroid shots in vital areas.   If this doesn't help, I will be going to an orthopedic surgeon to see about orthoscopic surgery on the shoulder.

I stopped to see Mother on my way home.  She is doing very well.   We are indeed lucky.   I took pictures of my newest granddaughter Courtney and her son Cooper and a picture of her new twins, Toby and Troy to share.    Mom loves new additions to the family.   I hope I see our new Jack and Sam soon. After all they are in Sheboygan County now.

That is all, because I really am rather uncomfortable and am trusting that after a good night's sleep I will feel better.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Labor Day

This was a special day for me.    I went to Mother's house at about 11AM.  This is her and Dad's 74th Wedding Anniversary and I always (except for one year when it got away from me) bring her flowers to celebrate.   She always smile so big and it makes me feel so good.   She always tells me things about that day, way back then and about the early days of their marriage.     I took my lunch and ate with her.    Before I left, I prepared her sandwich for her supper so that she will have an easy time of it.

Home again, I rested a bit as I did not sleep well last night.   But I received a call from Jacquie.   My other sister in law, Doris, who has been living with Jacquie and my ex husband, had a massive stroke and is brain dead.    She is still living in her body.   All life support has been removed but her body is still functioning.   Vikki, my niece, and her son and boyfriend are with her.    Please pray that it is not long as this must be just awful for them.    I remember sitting with Tim.    Jacquie called to ask me to let the boys know and I will keep them informed as she lets me know. 

I will be going to bed soon as my arm has been aching all day and it has really taken the starch out of me.    I did get a LOT done anyway.   Can't stop.  I'd probably feel it more then.   I am going to put cold on it when I get in bed, and I have taken a pain killer.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

More Pictures

Bobbie, Leslie, Bill M, Brenda, Richard and Bill S. at Rupp's where we had dinner after the dedication of Dick's Plaque.  A very happy day.

Jimmy Keane playing at Irish Fest

 

The plaque with a bit of a glare, but you can see that it is between two windows in the third floor loft in a prominent position.

So much has been going on the past three weeks that I feel absolutely garbled.   Yes garbled.   But today was a quiet day with only an exit from home for Mass this morning and tomorrow I will only leave once, to go to Mother's to celebrate a Labor Day/Anniversary lunch with her.    It would be their 74th Anniversary today and since Dad is gone, I only forgot to bring flowers once.   And I felt bad about that.   

So that is the day.    I had a cup of my Highland Tay for lunch today.   I do love that tea.    I bought a pack for Mom at the Games too.
Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Pictures

Some of the drummers at the Highland Games

The Knight who performed in the Knight to Remember presentation at The Wisconsin Highland Games

Richard and Brenda at the games

 

A drummer from the parade at Irishfest letting little boys band on his big drum.  It was so cute.

I am afraid that I am too tired to spend too much time writing this though I love you all very much.

I got home from the Highland Games after 7:30 and am very very tired.

Needless to say.  I had a great time.   My friend Felicia rode down with me and we managed to see some of everything but the Scottish Dancers which for some reason or other never meshed with our ramblings.    We just finished watching the sheep herding when this guy and gal came across the grass taking my picture.   It was Richard and Brenda.   They read about it on the blog and decided to come.   We watched the Knight to Remember show together, then went our own ways meeting up at different times throughout the afternoon.    The games are really something else,   they throw rocks, and tabors and knives and hatchets.  And there are bagpipe and drum marching band competitions.  I feel that I saw a lot of everything and learned a lot about them too.    I will put pictures and some more descriptions tomorrow.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Roxie is sure glad that I am home.

I was home for most of the day.    Had to leave to cash a check at the bank, but that was it.

I have my desk cleaner than it has been in YEARS.

Nothing exciting, but tomorrow I am going to the Wisconsin Highland Games in Waukesha.   My friend Felicia is going with me.

I will tell you about it tomorrow evening.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another warm day, but we had quite a storm come through last night.   Thunder and lightening and rain pounding like a drum.    There was one clap of thunder that sounded like something was breaking right outside my window.   I like storms but not THAT loud.

I was able to be home all day long and just worked around here.    Jeff and Kathy brought me the most wonderful fresh corn, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage, beans  and apples.    So I spent a good chunk of the day getting the things that would spoil cooked and preserved.    I am ready for a long winter already.

I made a crumb topped apple pie and applesauce out of the apples.    I like those and do not eat many fresh apples.   These mainly have spots or bruises on them but I have good stuff that I will eat.  The pie is SO good.  Thank you, Jeff and Kathy.

I finished the minutes for the Condo Board meeting and put together a couple of articles for the CWI Newsletter.  

Much closer to being caught up.    The trouble is that just when I get caught up, stuff starts catching up with me.

Go figure

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A reasonably quiet day but hotter than the hinges of Hades.    It was not too bad in the morning.   I had to drive up Manitowoc to a book store for my Schlitzhagen book.   I left one there for the owner to showcase.  

She was so funny.    I liked her.   She told me that she is 83.   She has been married 5 times.   Her last husband died in May and she is online looking for another.

I came back to Plymouth, picked up a book from Sue at Book Heads, stopped at the post office to see if there was any mail in the Tallgrass post office box and did a bit of grocery shopping.   Now I have no appointments or any meetings or anything until Friday when I will probably join the ladies at Dairy Queen.  Yea.    I have so much to do around here.

This afternoon, I took a nap.   Then I started catching up on the condo secretary work.   I did my first draft of the minutes of the board meeting and will review and send them for editing to the board tomorrow.

Jeff and Kathy stopped by this afternoon with lots of veggies for me.    I will be eating fresh and preserving the rest for the nest day or two.    He brought lots of apples.   I will make a pie and and applesauce.

Got a call from Linda, the board person assigned to grounds.   She asked me to go with her to kill some ground bees.    Never a dull moment.

Kate called this evening to tell me she liked the present that MaryAnn and I gave her.   I bought two hand etched wine glasses and surrounded them with a bottle or wine and a table runner so that she and Ron can have a romantic hour or two looking our their dining room alcove together.  Her 50th Wedding party was very elegant and lovely.

While we were talking, thunder and lightening began and it rained like crazy.   It seems to have quieted down.   We could actually use more, I bet.

Well,   It is time to wind down.   I will be going to bed to read and relax.   I tried to call Jim and Michelle again tonight.   Got the answering machine.   Maybe they will read this and check in.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday was pretty usual.    I started a bit early.   There was a lot to do to get ready for the day.

I left at about 9AM to gas the car up before driving to Blessed Trinity in Falls for Bible Study.    We had a good crowd and a good discussion.   I was not there last week because of family so they had gotten started on the study of Acts.     I told you, I think, that our commentary considers Acts to be Luke the Sequel.    The very first part is about the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven.   We talked a lot about the references to the Messiah coming to the WHOLE world but not Just the Jews, in the Old Testament.

Then to Mom's.   We only had one bill to take care of so had a longer time to visit this morning.  Next Monday, Labor Day, will be her anniversary.   I must get flowers to take to her that day.   And a bottle of wine.

Home again, I am catching up on Condo, Celtic Women, Writing and Sewing things.  

This evening I went to Suchon Funeral home for the funeral of a lovely lady named Joan O'Reilly.   She is Kenny Thuemmler's aunt.   I knew her and her husband Pat for years, seeing them at Irish Fest and in the St. Patrick's Day walk.    Poor Pat, will be lost without her.   But he has faith like me that they never really leave.

So it is now bed time.   Roxie was quite unhappy with me for leaving this evening.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Sunday has been so nice.   After over seven days of activity, I had a day at home, just Roxie and me.    I love the activity but also love the days when things are quiet.   It is like being on vacation and having the best time ever but looking forward to being in one's own home (or nest as I like to call it.)

I slept until 8:30AM.   That luxury will be over for the next couple of days, at least.    I have done some wash and sorted my desk.   I have a couple of computer projects that I will do tonight and have talked to or left messages with the kids that were not here last Monday night.   That was such a special day.   I love my family and it was to good to hear the stories about my sweetheart from his employees and friends.    I am a very blest person.  

The rose that Bobbie and Bill brought to me on our anniversary is still looking good.   I smile every time I pass the counter.  

I have been occasionally letting Roxie out on the deck with me.   We sit together and enjoy the early evening shade and breeze.    I watch her like a hawk but she seems to be aware that it is a LONG drop to the ground and is content to wander around sniffing leaves and occasionally just lying down to enjoy the fresh air.  

I am planning on going to IBAM in October on the weekend of October 11-13 and then taking plane to Shreveport to spend some time with Leslie and Bill AND go to New Orleans.   It seems that this is the only way Leslie will get to New Orleans so this will be a great adventure.   Bart and Barb MAY join us.    Wouldn't that be a great event.

Til Tomorrow Dia Dhuit and I love you

Mary

Just came back from partying.     I slept until 8AM and was able to just be here until 3:30PM.

Went to St. John's for Mass.   I think I told you it was Kate and Ron's 50th Anniversary.   The celebration started with Mass.    I was a Eucharistic Minister so got to be part of the Mass for them.

Then down the hill to Amore's which is connected with Antoinette's.   It is the dining hall where we celebrated with Kate and Ron.  She is such a perfectionist.    The table centerpieces were stunning.   Those really tall vases full of flowers and flowing with ribbons.   Each attendee received a gold and white woven coaster with a bright gold star on it.    She even made the napkin rings.   Shower curtain gold rings tied with a beautiful pink rose and filmy ribbons.  

The food was excellent, the drinks on them.   I was surprised at that but I do know how much this meant to Kate.   As the dessert was being served, they presented a slide show of the 50 years plus backed by music and narrated by Kate.

An altogether lovely event.

Maryann Prust Robinson and I tried to get over the the Wagon Wheel in Howards Grove for some of the High School Reunion but got there just in time to greet a couple of friends,  Marlene Budahn and Barbara Wells.    They are both married but some of my readers will remember these last names not the married.   The drive also gave me a chance to visit with Maryann for a while.    She is great.

Now it is time for bed.   Roxie is trying to point that out to me.

So Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Leslie and Bill left at 3AM.  They promised to call me when they get home, so I probably will get a call after I am in bed.  No problem as knowing people are safe is such a relaxant.

It was a beautiful day.   I spent most of it at home.  I did go out to pick up a couple of prescriptions and a bottle of wine for a gift after lunch.  Then I took a nap.  

This evening I met my classmates for a "pre-party" for our 55th class reunion.   We met at The Other Place for dinner and a visit.   I am going to the official event tomorrow but will miss the dinner as I am going to Kate and Ron's 50th.    Seems everything happens at once.

See, Dick, I still want to do everything and do it now.

That was today.   I will not have to cook for a week with all the leftovers and things that I got out of the freezer just in case.

Jim had surgery on his knee , they repaired a torn miniscus.   Pray for healing.   He had trouble in his back and hip too.

Bless us all.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The week is just about over.  Leslie and Bill will be leaving in the wee hours of the morning already.

Last night, as I said we all spent a lovely two to three hours in Lone Oak Park with my neighbors for our annual picnic.   It was hot and muggy most of the day but there was a lovely breeze under the shelter at the park and we ate like royalty.  Bobbie and Bill got to meet several of my neighbors and vice versa.   After the picnic, as I mentioned we went to 52 Stafford for the music and stayed til the pick up band stopped playing.   I did sing Whiskey on a Sunday which is my wont.   Saw several friends also enjoying the music.

We enjoyed a glass a wine when we got home and all went to bed.  We slept late.   Actually Bill and Leslie surprised themselves by waking up after 10AM.   We had a late breakfast of pancakes and Irish white pudding, sausages and bacon.    Nummy nummy.   I had also picked up some sunflower seed butter and dabbed a teaspoon of that onto a slice of apple for us all to sample.    We like sunflower seed butter.

I finally used up the last of the soybutter by combining it with peanut butter for another batch of cookies.    And I still have people to share with.  Care packages for Leslie and  Bill.

We sent to Capelle's so that they could pick up corn and kohlrabi to take home with them.  Then met Bobbie and Bill at the Twisted Root for a farewell dinner.   We sat inside as going on the patio would not have been good with both Bobbie and Bill Smith being mosquito magnets but got a lovely view of the river.

As I say, it has been a wonderful week.  I feel like I have been on vacation myself.    I still have two more nights of  "revelry" with my High School Reunion AND Kate and Ron's 50th Wedding Anniversary but it will all be good.

So tomorrow I need to pick up a card, paper and a bottle of wine for Ron and Kate and try to find order in my life.   It has been such fun.   Life is good.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

This will be very short as AGAIN I am home late.    Monday we went out to dinner after the dedication of Dick's plaque so it was late.   

Last night I was just plain tired.

 Bobbie and Bill came to visit this afternoon, so they could spend more time with Leslie and Bill.    At 5PM we went over to Lone Oak Park for the Tallgrass Condo picnic.   That was a ball.   I brought Barm Brak and peanut butter cookies.

Then we went over to 52 Stafford for the music.   So it is almost eleven and we are exhausted.   I will give details later but MUST get to bed.

Love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another lovely day and it is supposed to be quite lovely for the next two days.   Since I will be out all day at Irish Fest, I am sure banking on that.

Most of the day was quiet.  I took a long nap.   It was odd to be spending our anniversary alone.    One of those "firsts" that come up.   Then, at about 4PM, my door opened and here were Bobbie and Bill with a beautiful long stemmed rose for me.   An to top it off, they took me out to dinner at Sweet Basil to celebrate with me.    I am so happy.   I have the best family in the whole world.

I will be going to bed early as I am trying to get as much rest as I can. 

You won't be hearing from me tomorrow and possibly not the next day either so don't worry.   I will have a lot to say when I get back.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a day.

I lolled around for most of the day just computering and  getting things researched.    I went to thedoctor today.   My head is somewhat better but my arm is still so sore.  She is going to do some kind of nerve test in early September.

This evening I went to Mass for the Feast of the Assumption.   Not very well attended, but that is normal.   I was a communion minister which I always love.

Talked to Leslie this evening so we could kind of know how to meet at Irish Fest.  She and Bill are going to join me for Mass.   I can hardly wait.  Saturday with my Suzi and Sunday with my Leslie and Bill at my favorite fesitval.

Till tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 

Such a busy morning and such a lovely evening.

I spent a good part of the morning doing errands. Grocery shopping, Picking up cat food for my Roxie, the bank and the post office.   Got home before noon and spent the afternoon working on the book, sewing and catching up on Condo stuff.

Nora and Leif are in town and took me out to dinner tonight.   We went to the Blind Horse in Kohler.  I had never been there.  It is at Restoration Gardens near O & Y and was originally a lunch place that was pleasant as could be.   The new restaurant is WONDERFUL.   I had a duck pasta that was delightful and a good glass of Savignon Blanc.  It was so good to spend time really visiting with Leif and Nora.   I will see them again on Monday at the dedication.

Anyway, it is past my bedtime so I will wander into the bedroom.

Hope you all had such a nice day as I did.

Dia Dhuit

Mary




Quote from Gary Larson creator of The Far Side.   "It's wonderful that we live in a world in which there are things that can eat us. It keeps us from getting too cocky."

It has been a lovely day.   There was rain last night so I did not have to water outside.     I had a meeting for the Condo Association this morning and then prepared my report for the board.    Then I worked on my Maughold chapter for a while.

I spent a hunk of the day trying to figure out when he was named as Manx's saint and STILL don't know.

I fixed a steak for my lunch along with some of those fresh green beans that Jeff and Kathy gave me.   I LOVE fresh green beans.  I LOVE fresh vegetables.

Had to go to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and a supplement.    I found coconut powder for a drink.   I bought it to try with the soda stream.    I'll let you know if it is any good.

I am making some fresh cherry scones as I have let the cherries sit too long and don't want to waste them.   Too many meals out.

Tomorrow  will be moderately busy capped off by dinner with Nora and Leif.    I am SO looking forward to our visit.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Today started out just beautiful.   The sun was shining and it was very pleasant.    Even if it had been that nice yesterday, we could NOT have had more fun.

I am doing some work on ancestry again.   Good thing I went.   I always end up with questions after rubbing elbows with the living visitors and the monuments of the ancestors that are out there in the graveyard.    I am sure you all know my poem about picnicing in the graveyard but you are going to get it again.

PICNIC IN THE GRAVEYARD

Have you ever picnicked in a graveyard?
It is okay, you know.
As long as the residents are relatives
or friends

they will enjoy the company
and so should you.

Anyway, today was beautiful UNTIL this afternoon.   We got quite a nice rain around 5PM.   I was thinking I would need to water, but everything should be OK now.

Bible Study was exciting.   We finished the introduction to the study of Acts.    We like the fact that the commentator calls it Luke /the sequel.  We had a lively discussion of the fact that Acts brings Jesus to the "ends of the earth".    And were interested to find that there were references of this in the Old Testament too.  Jewish people like to think that the Messiah they expected was to be for them alone and not the rest of the world. 

Then to Mom's.   She looked good today.   We got all her bills paid and I checked out her checkbook as the statement was there.  Then we had time to visit about yesterday.    She is so looking forward to seeing Fr. Mike and his sister.  I understand that he is coming next Monday.  He goes back to Thailand in less than two weeks now.

I am doing spot cleaning around the house again.   The main thing on my mind now is all the tools.   I am trying to consolidate and find out exactly what I have.    I know the small tool chest in the garage is mainly screwdrivers.   I also have quite a diverse collection in the kitchen.  Then they are all over the top of the work bench in the furnace room downstairs.    I know that I should never in my remaining life need a nail or a screw.   I also have tools that I know that I personally will never use but I always feel good if Bill, or Richard or Jeff ask if I have a tool and I DO!

St the day is winding down and I am satisfied.

Tomorrow I have a 9AM meeting but the rest of the day is unscheduled so I can continue with my cleaning and writing.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The end of a super friendly day.    It rained.   Darn, but not enough to dampen the spirits of all of the Irish and friends of the Irish who gathered at St. Michael's church near Parnell this morning for Mass and a picnic.

Fr. Mike Shea officiated at the Mass.  It was lovely.   I had forgotten to include the petitions in the worship folder so had to wing it.    I managed to squeeze a couple personal petitions in.   Good for me.

After Mass it was still raining off and on but we decided it was a "soft day".    It never got really bad and stopped often enough that we were able to wander the graveyard in search of our kin and any names that ran bells.  The three musicians were delightful.   Playing really good traditional music for us out under an awning.   We had fiddle, guitar, whistle, flute and bodhran.   Also some super singing.   I felt like I was back in Ireland and have decided that I must go to 52 Stafford on Wednesdays more often.

A lot of excitement for me.   I am very tired, but such a good tired.  AND I sold four books.  

So. til later

Dia Dhuit

Mary
 

It was a very lazy day for me.    I baked and sat our on the deck and rested and cleaned my desk.   

No pressure no rush.    Tomorrow I will be going out to St. Michaels for the Reunion of the Clans.   I have everything all ready.

I made some Guinness Cupcakes to day and to my shock discovered that I left our the 1/4 cup cocoa in the directions in the Schlitzhagen book so everybody who has one add the l/4 cup cocoa to the dry ingredients and proceed as the rest is.    I have printed up some corrections but have no way to get them to the books bought on line.  If you want one, I will send or give it to you.

Woe is me.

Oh well, I have found other cookbooks with ingredients missing.   Hopefully I can reach all my fans:-)

Til tomorrow.

Mary

This was a strange day.  Jody came to clean so the house is clean. 

I finished the first draft of the condo minutes and sent them off to the board to be reviewed and corrected or amended.  I baked a batch of lavender cookies for Sunday.

I was very tired most of the day so took a nice nap right after lunch.

This afternoon I had to be at the Plymouth Arts Center at 3:30PM to help serve food until 6PM for the Jazz Crawl that is all over the city of Plymouth.    After I was done, I went into the gallery to see the exhibit.   There were a couple of people I know exhibited in the Watercolor  event and a couple of people I know in the silent auction.   I bid on several things in the Silent auction, had a glass of wine and visited with several friends who were scattered all around.   


The winners of the silent auction are supposed to pick up their items between 9 and 9:30.   It is 8:15 now.  I think I will just zip down there in an hour to see if I got anything.

I will tell you tomorrow though as when I come home, I will go right to bed.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I cannot believe that it is Thursday already.    I slept very soundly towards morning, though I did have trouble getting to sleep again.  

This day was set aside to do the minutes for the Condo Board and work on a new chapter for the Saints book.   I got the revised June minutes done and sent and finished my first draft of the current meeting.    I can easily finish that and get it out by the weekend.

Kate called mid morning and wondered if I would like to go out for lunch.    Why not.    We went to Antoinette's and I ordered a Margherita mini pizza.    I have been hungry for pizza for the past week so this was a good deal.    We had a good visit.  

Leslie called this morning.    We also had a good visit.   She and Bill are going to leave Louisiana so they get her on Sunday the 18th and will meet me at Irish Fest.   Bill wants to go.   Isn't that great?   I told you, I think, that she forwarded pictures of Troy and Toby for Courtney.   They are beautiful. 

Sure like pictures of my great grandkids.   Marcus's latest was him in the bathtub being Michelangelo  grinning from ear to ear.   He is so precious.

This evening I walked over to the little gathering we are doing out in the green space.   It has been a great way to meet the neighbors and nobody is obligated and all are welcome.   It was just beautiful out there tonight.  Perfect weather.    I hope it holds through the weekend and the Picnic out at St. Michaels.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Last night I woke up to the wind howling like there was no tomorrow.   And then came the rain and thunder and lightening.   I know now that we had it pretty good.   Appleton and other areas near them had tornado like storms.   A church was demolished.   How sad.  

At least I did not have to water today, which was on my list.  It was a busy day.   I finished the worship folder for the Mass at St. Michaels.   I went grocery shopping.   Then I did some banking and went to the Research Center.   We got the printing done for the mass and then Beth and I went out to lunch at Ella's   I had not been there in ages and had one of their egg salad on marble rye.   I love marble rye but find that if I get a loaf it lasts too long. 

After lunch I stopped at Mom's to drop something off and to update her checkbook.   Eileen was there so the three of us had a little visit.   Mom is very disappointed because her eye doctor appointment yesterday brought no relief.   We knew better but in her little heart she was so hoping that they would be able to give her a new prescription on her glasses and her problem would be solved.   It is so hard to see her disappointed.   We wish we could fix it for her.

Home again, I am here until Friday some time.   What a relief.   Leslie forwarded pictures of my new twin great grandsons, Troy and Toby.   They are beautiful as we knew they would be.

Nora's latest picture of Marcus was SO cute.   She let him paint in the bathtub and he was laughing and painted as beautifully as the tub was.  What a guy.

So. tomorrow will be quiet.  Maybe not quiet but I won't have to be leaving anyway.  

Take care and I love you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am SO tired.   Today was busier than yesterday.    This morning was very pleasant.   My neighbor is writing a memoir and wanted to see if I had any suggestions for him.   It is for his kids and grandkids and he is very articulate.    I told him to write the way he has been, reorganize and arrange better as it is sometimes confusing.   He needs a better timeline.   If he does that, and then when he is done, just has it edited, and he said his wife can do that, for grammar and spelling it will be a wonderful legacy.  As is would be OK but is a bit confusing.

Then I lunched and baked some cookies with some soybutter that I had purchased.   I have been trying different nut butters.   Soy was one of them but I am not too fond of the taste on toast.   I have just discovered that it makes WONDERFUL cookies.

Quilt club was at 1PM this afternoon.   I shared the shams that I made for my bed to go with the denim/flannel bedspread and my book.    They liked the book and I sold five copies.   Yee Haw.

Then the condo association board meeting was at 3PM and lasted until 5:30PM.   So I have a right to be tired.   I will delve into the minutes tomorrow.    Tomorrow is not bad.   I am going grocery shopping, the bank, taking Mom some spending money and taking the Mass folder for Sunday to SCHRC for copying.   I am going to hit the Research center shortly before noon and Beth and I are going out somewhere for lunch.

But - at least I can loll in bed a bit if I want to and will be done with everything by 3PM so I can take a nap maybe.   And Thursday is a whole day at home.

I will be able to finish the board business that I start tomorrow and do a bit of work on my St. Maughold chapter.


This being retired is exhausting.   

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, I forgot to post on Sunday too.   I think I am shuffling too many things in my head right now.

This coming Sunday will be Reunion of the Clans Sunday at Parnell.    I almost have the Mass Folder done and have rounded up the people we need to the various jobs that need to be done.    Then things will START to slow down.   The following weekend is Irish Fest AND Leslie and Bill are coming AND Monday the 19th is the dedication of Dick's plaque at Mead.   Then the following weekend is my high school reunion AND my friends Kate and Ron are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Labor Day weekend I am going to the Higland Games in Wauwatosa with Gail and Rosemary.   I intend to do some Scotland planning while I am there.   And will see my friend Mike, who helped Dick and me with his motorized chair.   He saw Celtic knots on my table and we were immediate friends.    When I went to the earlier games, he and his reenactment group the Tribe of the Blue Moon were there and his wife and new baby too.  

Today I went to Bible study.   We had a pretty full house and have started our new study of the Acts of the Apostles.    We have decided to go through the introduction first so we can see the direction of the study.   I am glad we have because, we already are learning that Acts is kind of like Luke - the sequel.

Mom was doing really well today.    Her hearing is so bad, but I just make sure that she understands.  Tomorrow she has an eye doctor appointment.    I know her hopes are up but I am afraid that there is going to be little or nothing that they can do for her.   Please pray for our sweet lady.

I had an appoint with Dr. Sochi about my stomach pain.   He was very upfront with me.   The medications I have are the best for relieving symptoms.  He cannot cure the problem which is stress.   But I just have to do the best I can,  see that I get my yearly checkups and necessary tests and keep going.   Now I know and will just hang in there.

Home again.   I have been on the phone and working on the projects in order of importance.   Tomorrow more of the same.  AND I am helping a neighbor as best as I can with what I know or writing memoirs, going to Quilt Club and attending a condo meeting.

Speaking of condo - one of my neighbors, Janet, is in the hospital with strep pneumonia and an infection that developed after surgery.   Please pray for her.

That's all for today.    Hope you are all well.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Saturday

I forgot to post yesterday.   I was concentrating too much on getting to bed with everything done for today, because I HAD to be up and ready to go by 8AM.

I actually slept pretty well last night too.   Did I tell you that the shower head in my shower broke.  I broke a couple days ago, so I just used the other bathroom.   However, yesterday, I went to Manards and got a new one.    I had taken off the old one and was able to get the new one on without any help.   I am always pleased to be able to do maintenance on my own if I can.   That way I am not a pest and when I do ask for help, I really need it.

Today was a lovely day.    Writer friends, Kate Herman and Patty McKenzie, rode with me to the WJ Niederkorn Library for a book fair.   It was well put on.   There were three local writer/teacher/publisher speakers.  One was Mary Wagner who wrote Running in Stilletos.   She had also presented at IBAM and is interested in Celtic Women.   She talked about not being afraid to let life take you into new adventures.   The talk was called "It's never too late to make mid -course corrections."  

The first speaker was Kathie Giorgio from AllWriters, a writer and teacher who talked about getting it done and the last one, I did not go to because I wanted to peruse the writers out on the patio who were there with their books and venders with food and so on.

I really was not worried about missing the last one, Shannon Ishizaki who is from Orange Hat Publishing because she is speaking at the Sheboygan County Writers in September and she actually said that I should wait til then as she gives the same talk.    Lovely little lady.

Got home at about 3PM and fussed with Roxie until it was time to go to Mass.   I picked Kate up again on the way to church and stopped at Tom and Rita's to bring the sacrament to them.    Rita looks so much better.   She has the feeding tube in and it seems to be working.  Tom had to have a hernia repaired this week so they have matching tummies.   Pray for them.   But I am so pleased with Rita's spirit.   She says she is coming next week and as I am writing this,I realize that I am not going here next week because I will be going to St. Michaels out in Parnell as Fr. Mike is saying Mass out there.   Oh Well, I will visit her during the week and see if Maryann could bring it.

I am really tired tonight but it is a wonderful tired.    Tomorrow I will be home all day.

Til then.

Dia Dhuit

Mary 

It was a very strange busy day.  Starting off I slept until about 8AM.  Roxie decided that it was OK for me to sleep in today.  Probably because she started at about 4:30AM telling me she wanted breakfast. 

I just puttered at things until it got to be almost 11AM.  I did bake a cake to take to City Park.  The Plymouth Historical Society had the cake stand tonight .

 Then I had to get the car in for service.   I enjoyed my hanging around there talking to two guys until they left, doing a crossword puzzle and smiling an interacting with a sweet little 8 month old girl and her parents.

I picked up my lunch at the new A8 Panda fast food restaurant.   I probably would have eaten there, but they did not have hot tea so I came home.   I thought the food was good, I got cashew chicken.   But the egg roll was nondiscript.   Go figure.

This evening, I delivered the cake which I frosted this afternoon to the Plymouth Historical Society and then joined the Tall Grass neighbors for a social in our open area.  I had some wine.  It is fun to have a glass of wine with friends.   A lovely way to end the day.

So that is my day.   Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home all day.   Roxie is beside herself.   You know what Dick would say?   He would say, how did we get two of Roxie.

I worked on several of the projects that I am at various stages of.    Yea.   I am almost through with a couple.  One of them will be the last.    I am dropping out of the Quilt Club.   I love quilting but at my own speed and when I go to meetings I get involved with club projects which I need like a hole in the head.  The projects are all fum and usually benefit the community but I just don't have time for anything I don't plan.   I can hear Dick again saying.   "No."

That "Plantain" I thought I had was a banana.   I know because it was way too sweet for a plantain.   I would think the store would have marked them better.    Oh well.    I had leftovers for lunch and a cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich for supper.

I baked Scottish Shortbread cookies today.   Tomorrow I want to bake lavender cookies and then one more recipe of shortbread and have tasters decide which are best.

I also have to bake a cake to take to City Park for the Plymouth History Museum.   They have the cake concession for the weekly band concert.

Tomorrow, I will be taking the car in for service at 11AM.  I finally hit 6000 miles.

Ya Hoo

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It has been raining.   None all day but they said we might get a bit tonight and by golly they were right.   Those weatherpersons are getting better all the time.

I went grocery shopping this morning.   I didn't need much so I bought two experiments.    I bought a plantain.   I am going to boil and mash it.   I keep seeing them on the cooking shows and know that that silly plantain liked to fool people into thinking it is like a banana.   But it isn't.   I will try it tomorrow and let you know.

I also bought some fresh ginger root.   I have been trying ginger tea to sooth my stomach and will experiment with fresh tea.

I feel I had a very successful day with my writing.   I have been trying to download a map into a file that I can edit.   I got it into Microsoft Power Point and could print it but couldn't edit it.    Somehow, in my experimenting, I got it into Open Office Impress and I can do what I want with it so I am a happy person.   I am not exactly sure HOW but if I did it once, I can do it again.

So now I can go to bed tonight knowing that I can indeed finish the Andrew Chapter in July.   Well, maybe I will need just ONE more day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another rather chilly day, but no rain and I kind of like this kind of weather myself.

I went into Sheboygan to the Aurora Phamacy to pick up some things for MOM.   With the Medicare rules she was down to the last of some equipment that she needs.   They are really strict about how often you can get things.   And since I was going there it was just as easy for me to swing into Sheboygan rather than having Eileen or Dolores make a special trip just for that.

Bible Study was quite interesting.   It is amazing what discussions one can get into on the Prodigal Son.   Yes, I know that we are studying Psalms but the last lesson was two Gospels just to reinforce something that I am not sure of.   But the discussion was good.   We liked that the commentary specifically told us that we are to be ready for the"banquet"   and that only partygoers are permitted.    I'm ready for that.   But not quite yet.   I think I still have things to do.

Mother and I had a really good visit.  She was very tired but otherwise seemed OK.   I think she wants to go to the party.    She is just waiting for God to send the invitation.  She as much as tells us that.   But we will just enjoy her as long as we can.  I am so glad that she seems happy and does not hurt.

I was home the rest of the day.   And except for grocery shopping will be home all day tomorrow.   I will pretty much reach my deadline of having Andrew finished by Thursday.   I am trying to get some maps to insert and have a perfect source if we can just figure out how I can edit them.

So.  I am going to rest tonight and finish reviewing a manuscript for a friend. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The last week in July

It was a whole day at home.   It was chilly most of the day so I didn't even feel that I had to go out for any reason.   I know I know  It is good to get out.    I have made a little "vow" so myself that I am going to start walking in the mornings again.    I will just pretend I have a doggie to go with me.  

I can't believe that July is almost over.   August is going to be SO busy.   But fun busy. 

This week is really quite quiet.    Tomorrow is a usual Monday morning but I have no meetings in the afternoon.   The rest of the week is mine.    Good thing.   There are a lot of projects that need to be done by the end of August or prepared to be done IN August.  

I have an additional problem.   I put a load of wash in the machine and it won't start agitating.   I don't know what that means but I need to call Mike at Mike's Appliance in the morning.   It's always something.

So.   Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary