Hey, Here is ONE picture it is Eilean Donan Casle.

Well, another day and I am still exhausted.   I got my pictures uploaded to Picasa but am having trouble blogging the pictures.

The trip was so wonderful.   My only problem was that I got a stomach but the third night and my appetite was pretty off the whole trip.   We saw so much.   Our guide, Graham Bruce, was a font of knowledge and kept us informed of the areas we were traversing, both the history and the natural beauty.    He is a retired teacher and has had so many fantastic experiences because of his historical and his political involvement in his home area. 

He wears a kilt always and calls himself the Sweetie Man as he shares each day a different kind of candy with us.   The Scots and I know the Irish also refer to candies as sweets.   So we had quite a variety in two weeks.

I will tell more each day and eventually get pictures in.   Today, I went to Sheboygan to the Glas Haus on 14th Street for the 4th Annual 100,000 Poets for Change.  There were events like this all over the world.    I sang The Island as my other poet's contribution.   Then at the open mike portion read I Watched the Trees Die and Cellophane People as my own contributions.

They were all received well.  Tomorrow I only have to leave to attend Mass in the morning and hope that by Monday I will no longer be so tired and more centered.

Hope everybody is well.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Whew

Felicia and I were frustrated by our airport experience (mostly because of the length of it and for some of the odd customer service).   However,  I am today feeling very blest when I read what is happening at OHare today.   Looks like we really dodged a bullet.   We got there.   Ground travel is always more feasible.   You know Dick always said.  "If God had intended people to fly, He would not have invented the automobile."


I started this on Friday and did not get finished.   Exhaustion took over.   It is Saturday morning and I am preparing for the 100,000 poets for change event in Sheboygan and must rest again.

I promise to do SOMEthing on here tonight.

Dia Dhuit

I'm Back

It is 9:44PM on September 25.  Just returned from my grand tour of Scotland.   Have been up almost 24 hours so am tumbling directly into bed.   Well expound the next few days.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Last night in the U. S for Two Weeks

Just like everything, things seem so far off and then all of a sudden, it is here.

Joseph and Felicia will be picking me up at about 5:45AM.   I am all ready except for the last minute toiletries.   Felicia and I have been roommates before and do well.   Joseph will drop us off at the transfer in Milwaukee.   We arrive in Scotland at 6:55AM their time.   So we will be a long time traveling. 

I took Roxie to Bobbie and Bill's this morning.   She wasn't as noisy as she is most car rides and seemed relatively undisturbed by being there.  She checked everything out and settled in a front window for a view of the world.    She is eating somewhat better but seems to lick all the gravy off and leave the rest.   I would say she is having tooth troubles except when I gave her some nice pieces of chicken from my dinner yesterday, she chowed them down like no tomorrow.   Bobbie said the Molly did much the same when her kidneys started failing, so we will just have to make sure that SHE is comfortable and go with that.

I went to Rita's wake tonight.  The funeral is tomorrow so I am glad that they had this tonight.   I would have felt bad not to express my condolences in to the family.   Tom of course, knew that I an leaving tomorrow.

I will be going to bed soon so that I can get up with some sleep under my belt.  You probably won't be hearing from me, at least not often.   I will try to post occasionally so that you can tell where I am.  I remember one trip to Ireland, Dick said he could follow my credit card all over the island.

So until I return,  I love you all.

Dia dhuit

Mary

I understand that my blog was unavailable for some time during last night and this morning.    I was also having trouble with my Thunderbird but both seem to be OK now.

A busy Monday as usual.    I went to Bible Study.  A good group again.    For the next two weeks, Felicia and I will be gone to Scotland.   I have decided to light candles for all of the people I worry about in all of the cathedrals and churches that I enter.    With my Barbara and Mom and my friends Cindy and our dear Rita, I figure there should be flames of love and asking for help everywhere.

Roxie seems to be eating a bit better but has become Miss Fuss Budget.  She is picking at her food but lapped up all the water drained from the tuna can I opened tonight.   She is also very demanding of love and hugs and brushing.    Bobbie may be sorry to have her, the little pest.

It was Bobbie's Birthday today.  Happy Birthday again!!!!!

Leslie sent several pictures of our Nora settling in in Washington in her intern position.  Her office, some of her friends etc.  She will be working on the Wounded Warrior program for four or five months.   A real honor and a great experience for her resume.   So proud of her.

I went to a class at St. John's tonight for certification of a program that would permit me to work with the youth of the parish if it ever came up.   I have not done that in many years but sometime I might and then would not have to worry about being approved.   Interesting and frightening.  It is terrible how predators coerce children and we all need to be more aware of the signs.

So, a long day.  Tomorrow I will be home all day and will pack.   The next day has some commitments and I do want to rest a bit too.     There will be a wake for Rita in the evening.  

So good night. and sleep well.

Dia dhuit

Mary

I am sad today.   This morning, I received a call from my neighbor Tom.  Our Rita, my friend with ALS, his wife, passed away during the night.   I was her last visitor.  

How glad I am that I was able to see her and to tell her that I loved her and to have the communion host laid in her hand before I gave it to Tom on Saturday night.  Her faith meant so much to her.   I will miss her, but I am so happy too.   She no longer has to be trapped in that body that was giving up on her daily.   Tom told me that during the night he had been sitting with her, saying a decade of the rosary with rosaries that her grandchildren had given to her the previous week whenever she seemed to be "there".  It was apparently a very gentle and quick leaving of her spirit.   She will be with Tom until he is OK.  I know that because Dick is here when I need him.   Isn't faith wonderful.  

I can't do more tonight.  It is very hard even when I know she is safe in the hands of God.   We get kind of lonesome for our friends you know.

Dia dhuit
Mary 

  

I am very tired tonight.

Roxie is feeling better.   At least she is eating again.  She is taking advantage of my worry to insist that I almost constantly cuddle and brush her.

I had lunch with my Scotland travel partner, Felicia, and we are all set for the big travel day. Joseph will drive us to the shuttle place and pick us up.

My ribs and back are hurting tonight so I will try some cold and heat on the areas.  It started when I was walking.

So until tomorrow.  Dia Dhuit

I am going to the Plymouth History Tea with friends from the neighborhood.

Mary

This will be short.

Forty seven years ago, I gave birth to my Bret.   My children are my pride and joy.   An old cliche but it is the truth.   I know that I have given two special people to the world.  I love them so much and they make my life worth while if nothing else does.

Our Roxie has not been eating for the past four days.   I took her to see Dr. Connors today.  All of her blood readings are normal so we are baffled.  She has added a couple of appetite pills and we are going to wait a few days to see what happens.  She is not uncomfortable or in distress so it is worth seeing what happens. I leave for Scotland next Thursday so this is quite a concern.  Bobbie and I will talk after a few days and we know whether the meds are helping.   Poor Baby Girl.

So. I am tired and am going to bed.   I have been working on being ready for Scotland and have almost everything settled.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A comfortable day

I got up this morning at about 7AM.    I had an appointment with Dr. Leben at 9:45AM.  I told her that my headaches and neck are still hurting.   We are going to try a muscle relaxant along with the pain pill and ice packs to see if we can get this thing healed as the shots weren't doing too much for me before.   we will try this for a month through the Scotland trip.

Home again, I fixed some lunch and worked on things for the trip.  Right after lunch, I went out to fill the tank, check for Tallgrass mail and send a package to my Sara.   I just got her address from Leslie over the weekend.  I also picked up the prescription for my muscle relaxants.  I got home and found that I had a partial order,so I called them.   The pharmacist explained that I can pick up the rest tomorrow.   I am a bit irritated that they did not inform me of this.   I would not have known had I not noticed the discrepancy. 

Tomorrow is trash day, a day late because of the holiday.  I really have a lot since I did a lot of shredding over the past few days.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
~Your kids are becoming you.......
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially golf..
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... "what?" . ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

A nice day.   Part of it sunny and warm.  Part of it rainy, really rainy.

Fortunately.  Jeff, Kathy and I were visiting Mom during the storm.

It was a nice quiet day.   I learned how to download my pictures from my Trak Phone to the computer so that I can keep them.  I have decided that his winter will be the time that I go through pictures and get them on the computer.

Nothing else exiting .

Dia Dhuit

Mary.

A whole day at home.   Very quiet.   I took a walk after lunch.   That felt good.  It was muggy but not too hot today so pleasant.

I worked on the book today and the talk that I will be giving at IBAM.

Roxie and I sat out on the deck for a while.  She blew it.   She tarted eating leaves and upchucked.   She did stop eating leaves after that but I figured enough is enough.   At least she threw up while we were still outside.

I have been doing a bit or cleaning and throwing out every day too.   Today, I got a corner of the basement.   This winter, I will attack the pictures.

Tomorrow morning I will go to Mass at St. Fridolin's in Glenbeulah and then go to see Mother and bring communion to her and her fellow Catholic residents at Meadow View.   It is Labor Day too.  I must remember to put my flag out in the morning.    I do have the small flag in the berm.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Saturday - Holiday Weekend

This holiday doesn't change much for me other than I will not have bible study on Monday.   I am going to Mass at St. Fridolin's in Glenbeulah so that I can pick up the hosts to take to Mom and her fellow Catholic residents at Meadow View.    I have never been to St. Fridolin's.  I understand that it is a vey lovely little church so am looking forward to it.

I took a walk just before lunch as I could not seem to get my get-a-long moving this morning.  It was muggy and warm - not hot- but there was a nice breeze and it did get me motivated.

I worked on the stitchery project that I will be talking on at IBAM.  Will do more on that tomorrow.

I went to Mass at 4PM.   Visited with several people before and after Mass.  I took communion to Tom and Rita.   Rita is failing so fast but we did get her to smile that beautiful smile of hers.  She is so brave.   I know her faith is strong, as is Tom's.   She will go gentle into the arms of God.   Please keep praying. 

I shredded a bunch of stuff tonight.   The trash people will not be happy with me.

Tomorrow another day at home.  I am feeling crafty so should be busy.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another quiet day.    It was hot and muggy.   I was glad that this was not the day for the 5K walk in Hilbert.  The humidity was really bad.

I did some shopping today.   Picked up a couple of things that I need for the Scottish trip and some grocery shopping.

I finished getting the zucchini that Jeff and Kathy gave me used and preserved.   I still have two cucumbers to deal with.

This is the weekend of the Sheboygan County Fair.   I rally don't want to go alone so unless I hear from somebody will spend my weekend at home.

I took Roxie to the vet again today to get another lesson on giving her fluids.  She was really upset.  She hissed at Dana.  We were both very understanding to Roxie.  After all,she doesn't understand.   I did the actual input.  I wrote down the 1, 2, 3s this time.   Hopefully next Friday,  (I figure we should move it to Friday) will be OK. 

My friend, Jana Winchester Hertz, is coming to Wisconsin in late October.   We are planning on her spending a day and night with me.  Then she will be at a conference for Braille.   Should be fun.   We will go to Manitowoc for an Ancestry search for her.

So the day is done.  I am hoping to sleep well and only have one outing tomorrow.  Mass at 4PM followed by taking communion to my dear Rita and her husband, also dear, Tom.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day at home.  It was a beautiful day too.   Not too much going on.

I did some planning for the trip, baked some scones and did some wash.

This evening I joined the people who could come over in the open area on Thursdays to just mingle.  It got a bit cold but I kind of liked it as when it is cooler, my head doesn't hurt as much.

I tried to give Roxie her fluids today and failed miserably.   I am taking her back to the Vet's tomorrow for more instruction.    He fluid day will probably be changed to Fridays.


That is all there is to report today.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Home all Day

I fell asleep after Roxie finally roused me at 6AM (after bugging me from 5AM on).   Didn't wake up until after 8.   So I got up and ate breakfast first.

Then I got dressed and took care of all those morning things that have to be done. 

I was busy today but at my own speed.   I am working on a small ZINE - don't ask why.   It has just been on my mind and I decided to do one to take with me on my travels and to IBAM this year.   A Zine is a mini booklet printed on one sheet of paper to be folded in such a way that it makes a teeny booklet.  I am calling it Snippets and have six small poems in it.

I also got the BIG poem I Watched The Trees Die mounted on a backing.  It is 4 by 5 feet and was in the Cooler by the Lake event at EBCO.   I just want to put a simple frame around for defining and for stability.   Then I'll take a picture and post it.  What DOES one do with something that large.
  
Guess what.   This evening the phone rang and it was my darling grand daughter Nora.   She will be leaving for her internship at the White House at the end of the week.  She starts on Sept. 2.   She has all the info for getting into the White house and will spend the weekend learning her way around.   I am so very proud of her.    It will be hard for her to be away from our little Marcus, but Daddy Ernie will do just fine.  She is going to be working on the wounded warrior program in her months there.   Something near and dear to her heart.  We had the best visit.    I had not talked to her in a long time.   But I always feel in contact with them because of the uTube snippets of them and Marcus.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Tomorrow is another day mainly at home.   I have plenty of projects and goals before Scotland and am grateful for these quiet days.

Dia Dhuit until tomorrow

Mary

Finally blue skies above us

I had a nice day.

First I met my friend, Janet Bieschke for breakfast this morning.   We went to the Dairy State which is on the corner of Eastern and Mill just down from the Art Center.  This is my first meal there since it has become the Dairy State.   It changes owners quite often.   The breakfast and service were both very good, though, as with most restaurants these days, the omelet I ordered was a bit overdone.   I brought half of it home,  omelets do reheat quite well.   I'll have it for dinner tomorrow.

Janet and I had a long visit, discussing CWI things.   I am no longer on the board but she, as the current president, and me as the coordinator of the Sheboygan County Branch can do a lot to help the organization grow.   The new board has lots of ideas.   Ways to offer more for the money to stimulate interest and ways to highlight more of other Celtic Women other than Irish.

As long as I was in that direction, I stopped at the post office and then at the Pig to do my grocery shopping for the week.

This afternoon, I cooked.   I made Vegetable Garden soup and Chocolate Zucchini bread with one of the zucchini that Jeff and Kathy gave me.   I also made a cucumber salad.  The season of plenty. 

Jacquie called this afternoon.   My ex, Dick, had surgery this morning for his prostate.    He is coming home this afternoon so it was an outpatient surgery.   He doesn't tell her anything.   I have asked my prayer chain leaders to put him on their lists and ask you to do the same.    Jacquie had me call the boys.  Jacquie actually sounds pretty good.

The rest of the week is rather quiet.   Something every day but manageable.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

If who we are is a gift from God.

Then who we become is our gift TO God.

Depok

 

The Quiet Day

This was the quiet day that I had hoped for.    I did not have to go ANYWHERE.   

I spent the day finishing about three projects, catching up on phone calls and brushing the cat.   She is getting awfully demanding about getting brushed these days. 

This week is a quiet one.   I hope to use it to my advantage and to enjoy the summer days.

Tomorrow is quiet.  I will go to Bible Study and then to visit Mother.   The rest of the day I will be home. Yea.   Perhaps if it is not too muggy, Roxie and I could spend a bit of time in the afternoon out on the deck.   We both like that.

So Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home from the 5K walk/run in Hilbert.

I went last night and spent the night with Jeff and Kathy as we were signed up to walk in the Cheesehead Run at Hilbert.  

We got there in plenty of time.   We all were excited to watch the half marathoners start at 7:15AM.   We found out that there were over 1400 participants in the event, which consists of half marathon, relay and 5K run/walk.   We all did well, because we all made it to the end.  The guys, Shane and Jeff, ran the 5K.   Jeff came in third in his class.   Kathy also ran and did 3rd in her class.   Georgie and I walked and took our time.   I still did 7th in my age group but I don't know how many were in my age group.  Don't want to know either.

The serve a spectacular buffet to the participants.  We had pulled pork sandwiches, grilled cheese, breakfast casserole, potatoes and on and on and on.   Water and gatorade were also provided and beer after the race.   I liked it and will probably tbo again next year.

You get a t shirt and a bag of goodies.   You all know that I am a sucker for that.

So home again, Roxie was so glad to see me.   My neighbor fed her this morning so she was not neglected.

Tomorrow I can be home all day - I am ready.

Dia Dhuit


Mary

I 

A rather exciting day.   At 10AM, Bobbie and I took Roxie to the Vets to learn how give her fluids under her skin.   When they showed me last week, I could not see how I could to it, but with Bobbie's reassurance and doing it without her growling and hissing in fear and figuring how to do it with only two hands it can be done.   This will help keep her kidneys flushed and make her healthier.

The rest of the day, I worked on the wall hanging that I will be explaining at IBAM and working on the Tallgrass minutes

I will be going to Jeff's tomorrow night as I will be spending the night there as I will be walking in Hilbert's Cheesehead run.

So you won't hear from me tomorrow.  

Till Saturday then.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I know I know

I know, I did not post last night and some of you look for my daily posts.    I just had such a week, as you could tell, and got to bed and remembered that I had not posted.   I figured I didn't care and probably you all could use a break too.

 The rose that Bobbie and Bill gave me is opening ever so nicely.  It is beautiful and thank heaven for an OLD ROXIE, otherwise, it would not be here any longer.  She has always felt that all living plants are hers.

Yesterday was rather busy, ending with the monthly  Tallgrass Condo Board meeting.   We zipped through that very quickly.

I feel that I am getting a lot done these days.  I am looking to the Vacation in Scotland.   Away, I can let go of all of the things that weigh on my mind when I am here.   I need to find someone who can bring communion to my Mom and here fellow residents and to my dear friends Tom and Rita when I am gone. 

Today, I had a hair cut.   Terry does such a nice job.   We both ended up talking to people on those darn cell phones when I got there.   She had a business thing and Bart called me.  I was glad because I could make her feel not guilty because I love to talk to my special boy.

I grocery shopped and have been home for the rest  of the day.  I did my CWI newsletter and tomorrow will do the Tallgrass stuff.  Stuff is a dumb word but is is OK

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Whew!!!

What a weekend and Monday too.

I know that I have kind of checked in and that you know how full my weekend was.

The Cornish Cousins Pasty dinner and the following Milwaukee Brass Orchestra concert were SO wonderful.  Felicia and I sat with a wonderful gentleman who is a doctor and has worked all over the world with people who need his help the most of all.  He worked with Doctors without Borders for a while but also as a ministry where he was needed most.   Felicia and I were beyond admiration and awe.

The meal was so good.  Pasties, pickled beets, cole slaw and the best brownie bar with the Cornish Flag on it.   I ate every bite.

The concert was spectacular.  I have the playbill if you want to see it.

Saturday, Bobbie and Bill took me to dinner to celebrate one of the most important days in my life, the day I married Bobbie's Dad.           They took me to Sweet Basil, one or our favorite restaurants.   They brought me a beautiful long stemmed red rose which is opening so beautifully,  I walk by it and smile often during the day.

Sunday I went to Irish Fest with three of my Celtic Women friends.   Felicia, LuAnn and Kathy.  We left at about quarter to eight from Deer Trace park and ride.   It was a special day.   I ran into so many friends.   I did the things that mean Irish Fest to me.   I marched in the parade with my Celtic Women friends.   I ate the food that means something to me.   I shared a glass of Mead with Kathy.   It is sad to realize that so many of the artists that meant Irish Fest to me are gone.   The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem eg.   A special day indeed.

Today I went to Bible Study.  We had a good turnout and mainly straightened out the Johns and James of the early days.  Next I went on to see Mom.   Joy of joys.  Dolores and Ken were there when I arrived so I got a visit with them.  Then just as I was leaving, Mary Margaret arrived.  So good to see that girl.  I go through my life as Mary Helen.  She is Mary Margaret.  That is just fine our Mom/Grandma deserves the unadorned name.

Next I joined my friend Peggy G.  and Mary D. (fellow authors) for lunch and then a meeting at Book Heads with the Cream City Writers.

I am so glad to have all  my fun things done.  They came too close together.

How does that happen.

Love to you all

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I slept a bit late this morning after my late night.   That Cornish Pasty Meal and the Brass Orchestra concert were well worth the late hour.

I was home all day except for a quick trip to fill the gas tank.   I would have been OK but then Monday would have become too busy.   It is busy enough already.

I spent today getting ready for the Tallgrass Board meeting on Tuesday, the things I need for tomorrow at Irish Fest and cleaning our various areas of the office that were out of order.

Bobbie and Bill came this evening and took me out for dinner.  They brought me a gorgeous long stemmed red rose for our anniversary.  I have it on the counter where our Roxie can't get it.   It is SO beautiful.   We went to Sweet Basil, Dick and my favorite restaurant.   I had salmon, Bill, walleye and Bobbie the pork chop special which was spectacular.  We were reminded of Dick as we enjoyed our dinner.  How special is that.

Home again, I am going to bed early because I have to get up with Roxie so that I can meet my ride to Irish Fest at 7:45AM. 

Whew,  what a weekend.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

A Cornish Evening

Just a note to tell you that I am safely home from the Milwaukee Cornish Pasty Dinner followed by a Cornish music concert by the Milwaukee Festival Brass.

The meal was excellent, the music was superb.   Felicia and I are SO glad that we went.  My friend, Tommy O Hagan and her husband Bob were also there.  She was so happy that we had come.

I have information on Cornwall and a tshirt that I have decided to wear on Sunday to Irish Fest.

It is after 11PM and this sleeping beauty has to go to bed.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a busy busy day.   I got up at 7AM even though I would have LOVED to stay in bed a while longer.   However, I had a workman coming to clean my dryer vent at 8AM so that fixed that.

Because of the early rising, I did get a LOT done today.    I had volunteered to bring a cake to City Park for the food booth.  The Plymouth History Society had the concession for tonight's concert which I understand was Barbershop.    I baked in the morning and then had to get the cake there between 3 and 3:30PM.   I would have liked to go back, but today is the Feast of the Assumption, so I went to mass at 7PM instead.

Lots to do here, I cleaned around Roxie's box.    I started gathering fabric and drawing the plan for my next quilt picture.   I really have to have it pulled together and ready to sew before I go to Scotland because I will be talking about the process at IBAM which is just over a week after I get back.

Roxie is definitely feeling needy since her fluid input.   I called Bobbie and she said she will learn with me so that the two of us together can give them to her weekly fluids and perhaps learn to do them alone.   Roxie was so angry and frightened.   She just growled and hissed.  I hope perhaps Bobbie and I will make it feel less threatening.

So time for bed.   Tomorrow evening, Felicia and I are going to the UW Milwaukee for a Cornish Dinner and Brass Concert.  

Dia Dhuit
 Mary 

What a day.

I started off bringing my Roxie to the Vet for a blood test.   We are adjusting her meds down for a liver problem but her kidney levels are rising way too much.   Dr. Conners did an intravenous treatment for her which should be done each week to flush the kidneys.    We are trying to figure out how to do this.  She is not a happy girl and was growling and hissing during the treatment.  Dr. Conners said that she had to reassure the technician that they did not have to worry about her when they drew blood as she was hissing at them.  Poor Baby.

Then I came home and did a few things before joining my fellow high school graduates for our quarterly lunch.   We met at Chissies this time.  Good for me as it is close.   The food is always good but the service was a bit iffy.  Had some nice visits with my friends.   We are a very close class.

Home again, I had several calls to make and several email connections to catch me up with the several groups that I belong to.

Busy Busy.

I had sent cards to Leslie for her anniversary and birthday, but called tonight, a day late, to actually talk to her.  They are doing so well.    I like all my kids to know how much I love them.

Love the latest YouTube of our little Marcus who is growing like a weed.

So here we are at the end of the day.  Tomorrow is much quieter.   I will get caught up and go to Mass in the evening for the Feast of the Assumption.  Friday will start a whirlwind weekend, starting with a Cornish Pasty dinner and a Brass Concert.   I am so excited.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well  My day started out really good and except for this awful headache ended well too.

I voted at 8AM, then went and joined my friend Bob Fleming for breakfast.  Home again, I baked cupcakes for the Tallgrass Picnic.

Went to the picnic this evening.   Leslie and Bill know that it is a fun picnic.  But I have gotten this rotten headache so am glad to be home and am going to bed.

Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A Monday much too busy.

First was Bible Study.   There were 6 of us there today.  We found that we had a lot to pray for and had a great discussion about what everybody should be doing to take care of each other - even on an international basis.   There are so many questions but the answers are not easy.   Some of them are very simple but simple does not mean easy.    Then I went to visit Mom

She looks wonderful.   She did say that she was feeling weak today.  It came kind of in waves.   I gave her communion and then took it to my other little people.   We had a super visit.  Eileen is so good at bringing and rotating pictures for her to enjoy and discuss.  Today she had one of Mother when she had her pet goat.   She had it when she was very young.  They had to send it away when it was getting a bit mean and going in the house and destroying things.   But the picture is adorable.

Then I picked up a Starbucks coffee and went to pick up my friend Sy Regan to go to the Sheboygan County Writers Club.  It was a nice meeting.   There were at least 20 people there.  We try to do an assignment every month.  This month we had - something people might not know about us.  This is what I wrote.

HOW MANY LIVES HAVE YOU LED

We all can make chapters of our lives.

Some are really exciting.

Some are mundane.

But they are all woven together

Into a tapestry of our time on earth.

To share one chapter not generally known

I must take you back to my childhood.

There was a nun, a serene, holy woman

Who taught us our Catechism as it was called 60 years ago.

Until I was eleven, she was my religious model

providing a weekly lesson of the Catholic faith.

At the age of fourteen, along with ten other besotted teenage girls,

I enrolled in the convent of the School Sisters of St. Francis

with the intention of becoming a serene, holy woman myself

Obviously, it didn't work.

I spent two and a half years in the Aspirant division of the nunnery. I am grateful for the education and values that I learned there. In time I came to know that this was not the life for me. My doubts came to a head when I went home to join my family in the baptism of my new baby brother. Holding him in my arms, it dawned on me that I would never get to hold my own baby in my arms. I had not enough experience of the world to commit to that life. I do not regret those years. I do not regret leaving.

Since then, the Sisters no longer accept girls as young as we were into the training for sisterhood. A wise move. Interestingly enough only one of the ten of us professed as a sister and she has since returned to a secular life.

Sometimes I think that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

After the meeting I picked up a frame I had ordered, took Sy home,   did a bit of grocery shopping and got home.   Boy was my Roxie glad to see me.

I made a batch of Guinness Cupcakes and will make another batch tomorrow for the Tallgrass Condo Picnic.   I love to bake so this is heaven for me.

Hope your day was as good.   

Please keep praying for my friend Cindy, my ex sister in law Jacquie, my ex husband Dick and my special sweet daughter in law Barbara.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A lovely day.   It never got too hot.   There was a breeze, a gentle breeze, all day.

I baked brown bread this morning.   I had opened my house for a lesson on the perpetual calendar that my friends Cindy Matyi and Dolores Whelan put together in 2011.    Several people had asked for an explanation of how to use it.   There were three of us, so not Joan Kramer, Joan Schwabe and myself all have a pretty good understanding and are planning on getting together in a month or two to see how we are following the suggested spiritual exercises mapped out in the calendar.   Should be fun.

Please pray for my friend, Cindy, who is struggling with cancer and has been for as long as I have known her - probably 15 years now.

Tomorrow will be a usual busy Monday with Bible Study, Mom and the Sheboygan Writers Club.

Actually all of August is turning out to be busy,  I don't know how that happened.

Anyway.  Take care everybody and I will check in tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

John Milligan Synge 1871-1909

"A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned, he said, for he will be going out on a day he shouldn't.   But we do be afraid of the sea, and we do only be drownded now and again."

It was a nice day.   This evening residents of the condos met in our common area to enjoy the summer and each other.   It was a perfect evening.   Not to hot and not muggy at all.

I was home all day and it was fine.  I did some cooking and worked on a couple of my projects.

I would ask that you all pray for my sister in law, Jacquie.   Barb called.  She has been sent home from the nursing home and has hospice checking in on her.   I will be calling her tomorrow, just to check in.   Barbara sounded pretty good.  She had a chemo on Thursday so is very tired.

Lots to be concerned with.  But as Barb quotes the old saying  One day at a time.   It is all we can handle anyway.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Wednesday, shopping day.

I slept until 7:30AM.  Then puttered around until I was ready to go shopping.   I have been yearning for a donut so went right to the bakery and got a Long John for breakfast.   When I was working , I we had meetings once a month and they always had donuts so my craving was satisfied.   Now I have to occasionally just go and get one.

Went to the Post office to pick up condo mail and then to Capelle's for some fresh veggies.

Home again, I spent most of the day almost finishing St. Patrick's Chapter.   I have one more section which I plan on doing tomorrow.    He is one of the hardest chapters because I have heard so much of him from the time I was a child.  What to include that is important and what not to include.   Some preconceived notions were proved wrong or too iffy in my research.   But I do believe that I have it.   As I say one more segment and I will go on to Brigit.

I took a walk this afternoon.  It was lovely out.   Got to visit with some neighbors - when it is so nice, people vacate their nests.

Roxie has been a pest lately.   I have been brushing her more as part of my effort to keep her from choking up hairballs.   She LOVES being brushed and thinks that any time I sit is a good time for me to brush her.   You know how persistent she can be.   Of course, she is looking absolutely gorgeous with all that brushing.  My question is WHERE IS ALL THAT HAIR COMING FROM!

Another day at home tomorrow.   I want to finish Patrick, start gathering fabric for my next wall hanging which I will have ready to be assembled at IBAM in October and do some genealogy.

Sounds like a BAD storm is hitting Hawaii.   We must all pray for Matt, Kauru and the kids. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a lovely day.   The weather was part of the loveliness.   First it was sunny and reasonably warm,   not too humid and enough sun to make the world alive with the green around me.

Bible study was at 9:30.   We had all but one of our people there and ended up with a wonderful discussion of the church in Peter and Paul's time as it relates to us.   It seems that it took some time for even the Apostles to accept that Jesus came not only for the Jews but for everybody.   We sometimes wonder how we might have felt.   But it is the Spirit, that Jesus told the apostles to wait for, coming to those wishing to be baptized that made them realize the truth.   We also commented on the fact that there is an Atheist church in Madison now.   We wonder why, but perhaps the Spirit will come upon them also.

Then I had the nicest visit with Mother and gave communion to several of her neighbors.   The little lady whose husband died a week and a half ago now knows that he is gone.   I told her how sorry I was and how much I enjoyed him. 

Home again.   My dryer stopped putting out heat last week, Curt from A1 Appliances was able to get here this afternoon.  It was a fuse and he replaced both of them.   So I should be fine for a while.  I had to get out my rack last Friday as it took me three tries to notice that there was no heat and I had already washed another load.    Oh Well.   I am OK now.

Spent the rest of the day  on several projects.  I am home all day tomorrow and hope to finish a couple of them.   

Happy Birthday to Richard

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, My halo was really shining today.  I went to Mass again this morning because I was scheduled for Lector duties.  I HOPE they have now recorded that I go to Mass on Saturday, not SUNDAY. 

I decided to be very lazy the rest of the day.  I prepared a chicken dinner that will carry me over for a couple of days and called some people that I hadn't talked to in a while.

Sundays are nice.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

My only outing today was to church this evening.    I spent the day rather lazily, but did get a lot of reading and updating on my Patrick chapter of the book.

I needed money, so swung by the bank on the way to church.   Mass was good, I met a couple that I have sat near for these years and now have two new friends, Lisa and Mike.   I was communion minister of the bread.    We have a new option, glucose free hosts for those who are glucose intolerant.  I got the ciborium  that had the glucose free hosts.   This is good.  Mike told me that one lady told him that she had not been able to take the host for 10 years. 

I took communion to Rita and Tom on my way home.   Rita is so frail.  She must be very close to heaven. 

Tomorrow I will go to mass again because they got me on the Sunday "Lector Circuit".   I hope this is the last of that.   I have told the lector scheduler twice that I go to Saturday Mass.   Oh Well. 

I have several projects that I will be working on.   Among them watering lots of plants.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I liked today.   It was sunny and warm.  Perhaps a bit muggy in mid afternoon, but I was able to leave the doors open most of the day and Roxie and I were out on the deck for a while this afternoon.

My dryer is not drying.   After trying to dry a load three times before I realized there was no heat, I called my repairman who will be coming on Monday afternoon.   So I had to get out the old drying racks and drape two loads of wash.   Too bad I didn't realize the problem before I washed the second load.   Oh well, such is life.

I had lunch with the bank ladies at Dairy Queen.   I was hungry for MEAT so I had a bacon cheeseburger.   Boy did it taste good.   I stopped on the way home and picked up some catnip for my Roxie.   She still nuzzles the catnip bag from over a year ago so I decided it is time to refresh things.

I didn't have any deadlines so I just worked on various things as the mood hit me.

I was just thinking about dinner when one of my neighbors, Judy, called and asked if I was going to Praise in the Park tonight.   I did not know about it.   The Christian Radio puts on a Christian Band concert.   I was delighted with the chance to go out to a musical event with somebody, so joined her.   I had exactly $6.84 left in my wallet.   I spent $6.  on a single brat, a coke and for two ice cream bars, one for me and one for Judy.   Such a deal.   The music was super and it is encouraging to see so many people of faith enjoying a lovely evening.

Now you know why I liked today.   What was not to like.

Tomorrow should be good.   I am going to mass on Saturday AND Sunday as the Lector people at church seem to not get the message that I go to the Saturday Mass.   I have communion ministry on Saturday and Lector on Sunday.  

 Oh well, it is good for me.

Until tomorrow then

Dia Dhuit

Mary  

My shopping day.   I decided to go to the Exchange Bank for coffee and company again.  My friend Joan Kramer joined me and we discussed the Celtic Women.    An altogether good way to start a day.   With a purpose.

Then I did my grocery shopping and went to the Drug store before coming back home.

I worked on the genealogy today.   Got a lot done.   I also baked some bread and some cookies.

This evening I finished a book that has been interesting but a hard read.   I sat out on the deck to read and had the joy of seeing a hummingbird feasting at my lavender.   He was beautiful with his flashes of green and red.   I truly felt that I got a special blessing. They are like a delicate flitting jewel.

So today I feel that I have accomplished a lot. And you all know how happy that makes me.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A wonderful Monday.   Visit with Mom - always pleasant.   She looks wonderful and did so enjoy last week with George and Betsy here.

Bible study was something.   We had a full crew of eleven.   This makes for interesting conversations.   We had a question, what do we think about the changes in the church.   The part of Acts we are studying is when Gentiles were allowed as members. for the first time.  A big deal for them.

The rest of the day at home, I worked on genealogy, the trip to Scotland and CWI.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Leben about my headaches.

Wish me luck.

Dia DHuit

Mary

What a strange Sunday.   It was rather warm this morning, but I decided to take a walk at about 10AM because I should walk every day and stretch it out for the next couple weeks.    I am going to walk in the Cheesehead Run at Hilbert on August 23rd.  I will be doing the 5K walk with Kathy.   Registrants get a goody bag and a Tshirt.   They must have known that I would be a sucker for that.

I say strange because about an hour after I got back home, it started to rain.  By rain I mean - first hail and rain, then a super downpour that looked like a waterfall coming down from the roof.    I had just watered everything because it was dry and I didn't believe the weather predictors any more.  So.  Watered everything is.

I have about finished the genealogy sheet that Aunt Joan wanted me to update.   I will double check a couple of  dates when I go to see Mom tomorrow.   She has everything in her bible.

Aside from that, I can't really figure out what I did today, but I was busy.   It was nice not to have deadlines.

Tomorrow starts a typical Monday.   No writers club meetings so I will be home early in the afternoon.  

Mom had a busy week last week with George and Betsy here.   I saw them on Friday and will hear all about it from Mom tomorrow.   I know how much that means to her.

I am going to make lavender cookies this week.   Seems a good season for them as the lavender is blooming now.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

  A warm muggy day.    I did not have to be out in the air really, so it was no bother to me.    I spent the day working mainly on Genealogy.   I just about have the information checked for Aunt Joan.   Just need a couple of birth years and to talk to Eileen and Denice.

I went to Mass at 4PM and was one of the wine ministers.  A nice mass, greeted several friends and then took communion to Rita and Tom.   Please keep praying for them.   Rita is hanging in but with ALS, we all know that it is a matter of time.

Had my leftover lunch from yesterday for my evening meal.  Then I went for a walk.   I was making my last round at the end of Tallgrass when the Hurrie's, Bob and Peg, waved me in for a glass of wine.   So we rounded out our evening with a glass and conversation.   I am truly blessed.

Roxie is glad that I am home however and it is close to sleep time.  So until tomorrow. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Jean Shepherd, author of The Christmas Story, said: "Some men are Baptists, others Catholics. My father was an Oldsmobile man."

This was a perfect day.   I had lunch at Antoinette's with George and Betsy and Jeff and Kathy.   So happy that I was able to spend time with George and Betsy.   I remember coming home when I lived out of state and trying to see everybody.   It was a great lunch and a great visit.  They look so good and we caught up on children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I received in the mail today a picture of my three newest great grandchildren, Cooper, Toby and Troy from Leslie's daughter Courtney.   They are so very handsome.   I am truly blessed.

This evening I went to the Final Friday at the Ebco Center, a fundraiser for the Sheboygan Visual artists.   Ran into lots of friends and picked up a piece of art that I bought a ticket for.   Just what I need.  I hooked up with my neighbor, artist Judy Roblee, and we left there and went to Pour Vino in Plymouth (a wine bar) for a glass, in my case a fleet, of wine and a visit.  

A wonderful day and I am tired.  So to bed I will go.

Dia Dhuit.

Mary

The weather today was gorgeous.    Comfortable temp, low  70s and a nice breeze.

I kind of lazed around all day.   For one thing, after I fed Roxie at 6, I went back to bed and it was almost 8AM when I woke up again.   So I am quite rested.

I did some work on the book and on genealogy, folded clothes and sorted some of my sewing things.  Then at 4PM I went over to the Tallgrass gathering that we do every week.  We had a nice group this week.  I had sent out a reminder and a couple residents who had not been there before showed up.

Then Linda Arends, a fellow board member, asked if I was going to the German Night at Plymouth Park.  I had not planned on it, but she said that she was thinking of it so I went with her.    It was super.   The High School German Band played followed by the city German Band.  They are both excellent and I met so many people that I know and met more because Linda knows EVERYBODY.  Her kids were in the High School band.

Anyway, I am home again and tired.   I think I will sleep well again tonight.

Dia DHuit

Mary

Monday

It was one of the hottest and muggiest days of the year.   Thankfully, I did not have to be OUT in it.   I wandered all over the county but was mainly in air conditioning.

Started at 9AM going to Sheboygan Falls for Bible Study.   There were 10 of our 11 there.   A good group.   We got into a very good discussion of peace in our world that drew from the Acts when Peter is bringing the Gentiles into the mix.    We got into the world condition because it seems that not much has changed in the middle east from then to now.   There are still the prejudices and when are we going to finally accept all people as out family.  All we can do is keep crying out for peace.

Then I went to visit Mom.  She looks wonderful.  She said that she is having quite a bit of joint acheness but I don't know what we can do about that.  ( I guess Acheness is not a word,  sound it out.)

I then joined my friend Peggy for lunch at the Exchange Bank before our Cream City Writers meeting.   Good to visit with her.   The meeting went well.   Everybody had something to share.  Beverly informed me that the Cream City Writers are now 10 years old.  We are going to plan an event and I agreed to do a publicity article for the papers.

Home again.   I had to go over to Bob's house for some Condo business, but spent the major time working on ancestry.   I want to get it all caught up (The Francis Deeley part) so that I can get that information to Aunt Joan.

So Now it is time to head for bed and reading and writing.  My winddown.

So Until tomorrow.  Dia Dhuit

Mary  

This was a lovely day.    I was home all day and accomplished a lot.

I slept until a little after 8AM which was nice.   I am not sure Roxie liked it.   I fed her and went back to bed.   Then she came back and pestered me.   I told her quite politely that I really wanted to stay in bed.   She finally accepted my request then when I was ready to get up she was lying on my feet and not happy that I disturbed her.

I spent a good portion of the day updating information for Aunt Joan on the genealogy sheet that she sent me.    I need to verify a few dates from my brothers and sisters and then can get it to her.

It was so nice that I sat out on the deck for about an hour reading with Roxie enjoying the sun and fresh air too.    It was fun just watching her enjoy it.

I took a walk too.

So the day is winding down and so am I. 
Tomorrow starts a rather full week, especially Monday, of course.   I will leave at 9AM and get home at about 3PM.  Almost like working.   EEWW>

Dia dhuit

Mary

A beautiful day

What a lovely day.  One of those days when one realizes why we live here.

I got out of bed at about 7:30AM.   Kind of goofed off and just got organized for a while then at 9AM I was at  my friend Joan's house for a reflexology session.  That was marvelous.   I am feeling so relaxed and ready for the week ahead.   I must learn to bring myself to peace with the lessons I learned from Joan.

Home again, I just worked on getting ready for the next week, had lunch and then went to Mass at 4PM.  Mass was really nice and I took communion to my friends Rita and Tom on my way home.

So here we are .  8PM on a Saturday night.  I am ready to go to bed and hopefully sleep.   Last night was difficult.  I am going to use the tips that Joan gave me if I have trouble tonight.

Dia dhuit

Mary

What a day

Started out with a new cleaning lady.   I am so glad that Lori, who is going to work something else, was able to come with the new person and run her through what needs to be done.    Lori was a wonder - I sure would have liked to keep her.

Then I had an appointment with Dr. Fehrman at 10:30AM.  It seems that surgery is at this point not needed.   The shot he injected in my shoulder joint has helped a lot.   There is still some pain and weakness, but he said as good as it is, he is reasonably sure that it is the ligament which is healing.  I could try another shot in three months from the first one if it seems to be regressing.   If it starts hurting just before Scotland, we could fudge it and get me through the trip.
The pains in my neck and under the shoulder blade are muscle,  I need to see Dr. Leben again about them.  I told him that I feel that each doctor has a piece of me.

Home again, I sorted some craft items from downstairs.  Then I had lunch with my bank friends.

When I got home I went on the computer and got a message.   I thought it was from Norton - it had a Norton Logo and was telling me to call a number which I did.   As I proceeded with this call, I even let the guy in my computer, then he started making me suspicious, so I got hold of Richard and Brenda and they saved me.    I turned everything off and called ExcelNet.  Their store is open until 7PM and Matt let me bring it in.  He found no naughty addons and ran the REAL Norton and we rebooted twice without getting that bad message or the message from this bad man.  Besides Richard and Brenda, I must have some good guardian angels.   Richard and Brenda are the best..

Now I am home and exhausted.   Tomorrow morning, I am having a reflexology treatment.   I think I need it.

So til tomorrow.   Dia Dhuit

Mary

A day at home, and it was a beautiful day.   I had the doors open until late afternoon.    When it gets over 75 outside it gets muggy in the house and I close things up.

I spent the day cleaning various things and working on the book.   At 4PM I walked over to the Tallgrass summer gathering.   Those who can and want to bring a chair and something to drink.   Some people bring snacks and we just gab.

Looks like things are bad overseas again.   That sure filled up a good hunk of the day.   I'll check the news before I go to bed but rather imagine the information will be different than it was this noon.

So. Til tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just a short note.   I spent the evening with my Celtic Friends at 52 Stafford.   We had SUCH a good time.  I sang two songs tonight.   I sang the Water is Wide and Whiskey on a Sunday.
\


I did not feel well most of the day.  Just felt squishy.  So I rested a lot as I had to be at this meeting.   I did well.  Started to feel goofy once, but it passed.   I am home again and ready for sleep.  I am hoping for a good nights sleep as this squishy feeling started during last night.

Anyway.  I am a happy girl.

Dia dhuit

Mary

Home all day.  Roxie was ecstatic.  I spent the day washing, working on condo stuff and writing letters.

I called Barbara this afternoon.  She is doing well as she can.  Such a wonderful example.   She has her first chemo this week and will probably have at least one more before the surgery is scheduled.   She is definitely going to have a double mastectomy.  Please pray as this is, according to the doctors, providing a 98 % chance of elimination of the cancer but is still such a dramatic solution.   98% is worth it to keep our Barbara.

I went down to the beginning of the railroad line on Highland today to meet with Jackie Jarvis, a candidate for the assembly who tried to stop the railroad, and members of our complex who thought the railroad is a mistake.   I cannot see the economic benefit so I went.

That was the day.

I am feeling quite relaxed and ready for the week which except for Monday is quiet.   Tomorrow I will have Bible Study, Mom and the Sheboygan Writers club.  

So. it is time to call the day.  I have decided to give you a recipe today for Scottish Shortbread cookie which are so easy and so good.



Dia Dhuit


Mary



1 Cup butter
1 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Brown Sugar
4 1/2 Cups Flour



Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Cream butter, Crisco and brown sugar.   Add 3 to 3 3/4 cups flour.  Mix.
Sprinkle flour on a board or other surface and knead for 5 minutes adding flour as needed to form a soft dough.   Roll in a square to about 1/2 inch thick.  
Cut into squares or rectangles.  Prick with a fork and place on ungreased cooking sheet.  

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and transfer to rack or brown bag on counter to cool.

A perfect day.   Somewhat cloudy but if the sun had been out, it would have been very muggy.   Too much moisture in the air.  

I drove in to Bobbie and Bill's this morning and we went the Sheboygan Area Garden Walk.   It said rain or shine and thankfully we had just nice overcast and sunshine combination.   They had nine home gardens on the tour this year, which I understand is a lot.  It did not seem like too many.

I am amazed at the ideas that these people have and how much effort and love is but into these gardens.   Of course, I don't know why I feel that way,   my Dad and Mom's gardens were always full of color and imagination.   And look at our Bobbie, whose gardens are always spectacular.   Remember, last year she was a part of this Garden Walk.  My neighbor Kathy is a member of one of the garden clubs that sponsored this and worked at one of them.   I think I have a way to use a wind glass that broke and that I don't want to throw away.

I picked up Christmas ornaments on the way home (Can you believe that Hallmark has their big sale in JULY>) and then went to Mass and brought communion to Rita and Tom.   Now I can be home until Monday.  Super.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary   

An interesting day,   not too much going on which was a good thing because for some reason, I am exhausted.

I got up expecting my cleaning lady to come.  Got a call from Bonnie, the owner.   Lori, who has been cleaning is very sick.   I also found out that today was going to be her last day.  Oh darn.   She is REALLY good.   But I guess she wanted something different.  Bonnie asked if I minded if a week was skipped.    I said no, it was fine.  She would have come later, herself, but I figure a week isn't that big a thing.   I did the toilets and will hit anything that bothers me.

I did get a lot done today,  the board minutes, washing clothes, changing the sheets.  It has been like pulling teeth because I have been so tired.  

I had lunch with the bank ladies at the Dairy Queen and picked up some special food for Roxie at the vet.

Around five, I took a good walk hoping to perk up.   It felt good but didn't work.    I believe early bed and reading will be the order of the night.   Tomorrow I will be going to Sheboygan to go to the Garden Walk with Bobbie and Bill.    That should be fun.  I have never actually been on a Garden Walk.   My neighbor Kathy is working at one of the gardens so I probably will see her.  She went on the Garden Club Preview yesterday and said it is really a nice selection.

So. Until tomorrow. 

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 

I read the Writers Almanac every day.  It is an email of the Poets Corner on PBS.   Keillor does a wonderful daily column at 

 writersalmanac.publicradio.org

Enjoy

 

Taken from The Writers Almanac

Garrison Keillor

June 10, 2014

Today is the birthday of the city of Dublin, founded in 988. The area had been occupied, more or less, since before the Roman invasion of Britain, and it appeared in Ptolemy's Guide to Geography in the year 140, but the first verifiable settlement came with the Vikings in about 831. They called it "Dyflin," which came in turn from the Irish Dubh Linn, which means "black pool." The reason it's considered to be founded in 988 rather than 831 is because that's the year the Irish king Máel Sechnaill reclaimed the city for Ireland. It's also the year he first forced people to pay him taxes, so Dublin has belonged to the Irish ever since, bought and paid for.

Dublin's contribution to literature alone has been remarkable. Ireland was one of the first countries to produce writing in the vernacular, and it's long had a tradition as a nation of scholars. A partial list of writers who are from Dublin, or who adopted it as their home, includes Jonathan Swift, Francis Bacon, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Bram Stoker, Patrick Kavanagh, Oliver Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde, Sean O'Casey, Brendan Behan, John Millington Synge, and Seamus Heaney.

"When I came back to Dublin I was court-martialed in my absence and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence." — Brendan Behan

Strange day as far as weather

The temperature was nice and mild.  We had a breeze, not a strong wind most of the day.  There were sporatic showers, not very heavy but there.   I believe that they have pretty much make their way out over Lake Michigan.

I planted some giant Iris that Jean Steiner, you know her, Jim and Michelle, your neat neighbor, gave me.  I put them in the spot where I lost most of the plants.   The berm really looks good actually and things are blooming.   I also have buds and a couple of tomatoes on my plants out front.   The beans on the deck are doing well also.

I went to the Exchange Bank this morning as I told you, two friends, Rosalie Hartman and Felicia Roselund-Reindl joined me so I had people to talk to.   I always bring paper and pencil just in case I am alone and I write poetry.  Either way it is a change of scenery.

Then I walked up to Klips and Tips for my haircut.   I like it and it is good to be shorter as the heat is coming.

I then drove up to St. John's for a funeral.   I really never met this person, but she is a relative on my Dad's side.   The Ziegler Family was huge.  Rose Ziegler married a Whiffler and this is the side of the family that were there.   Jean Steiner's first husband was a Whiffler and my cousin Lorraine Schmidt and her husband were there also.   I just felt that it wouldn't hurt to go to the Mass.

I pulled out the genealogy that I received from David Mann whose wife was the decedant and am updating Ancestry.

So.  A busy fulfilling day.   Tonight I will listen to Jimmy Keane at 8PM on Concert Window.   Then go to bed.   A good day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday Monday

A typical Monday morning.  It was supposed to bet up into the 80s today and I just might have.  I left at 9AM for Bible Study.   Picked up 7 hosts for the Catholic residents an Meadow View.   I always get them before the study while the Holy Dusters are still cleaning the Church.   Last week they were done early and I had to ask Jeannie in the office to unlock for me.   Today, I just made it. 

We had 8 of our studiers there today.  A nice group with lots of discussion material.  We were trying to figure out where Peter went in Chapter 10 to meet Cornelius.   I am going to bring a map book I bought several years ago with maps of the regions then with overlays of the countries as they are now (at least how they were when the book was published.)

Then I went and had a very nice visit with Mom and giving communion to the other residents.  I almost ran out, I had to break them in half.   A couple people were added to the list and one couple had visitors.   Whew.  Mom looked beautiful and we had a nice talk.

Home again I fixed lunch, took care of the mail and other things that needed to be done at the beginning of the week.   Shortly after 4PM, I left to go to a friend's funeral.   I had not seen him in a while but his wife and I were seatmates when I went to the Mary Shrine in Champion.   Don was failing then but as Carmen said, it seems to go so fast.    She said that he was ready though.  As was my guy.

So Home again.   I am going to prepare for bed soon.   I went down after the Mass for the remembrance time and the meal.   I think it means so much to the families.   It puts off the finality of things a bit and I firmly believe that the souls are very close to us yet.

So.  Tomorrow I will get my hair cut and am going out for breakfast at the Exchange Bank at 8AM.  If you want to join me, I would be delighted.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I finished Brittany

Finally.   I am at a point with the book that I just want to get it done and then start over with a grand rewrite.   I need to rewrite each chapter and edit and make sure that there is consistency in presentation.  I may be done by the end of July which was my first goal.   If I am not.   Who cares.

It was a quiet day.   I went for a walk this afternoon.   Kind of warm and muggy but it was cloudy.   I did not see the sun peek through even once.   There is apparently a chance of rain and thunder later tonight.   Won't bother me.

I swept out a quarter of the garage again.   I sweep in quarters you know.   When I am done this time, I want to wash off the salt that accumulated over the winter.   I cleaned off the shelf that is up high in there too.  Only have to go through the shelf unit near the ramp now.

I need to find a home for Dick's desk.   How bothersome. 

Ready for the week.

I am eager for activity.

Dia Dhuit

Mary