This is going to be very quick. I will actually catch you up tomorrow.
I got back from Rhine Plymouth where I worked on the bust up dinner and cleaned up after everything and am very tired.
Dick is feeling pretty good. The bleeding has stopped. WHEW! He seems to be very tired but his body is still probably getting rid of drugs from Wednesday.
I will fill you in more tomorrow. I need to be asleep now.
Love
Mary
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
We found out a LOT today. The bleeding has mostly subsided so we are grateful for that.
We DID get in to see Dr. Herman, an urologist, at 9:10 this morning. He believes that the bleeding was a result of the catheter and his enlarged prostate. He has ordered a cystoscopy of Dick's bladder to absolutely rule out any cysts or that type of problem. This will happen on Monday afternoon. He does not believe that it is the kidney stone because it is SO small.
After we got home, I went grocery shopping and then took a nap. For some reason, I am just drained.
Then I did cleaned the bathrooms and generally policed the house. We got Dick all ready for his shower and that is all done now. The entry point for the "procedure" looks great and there is no swelling of hard spots. So that means that it is not bleeding. So now we just have to observe until Monday when he sees Dr. Herman again.
It is really funny. Dick had appointments every day this week and I have to take Chelsea to see HER doctor tomorrow.
I remember when I was about 19 on a warm summer day. I decided that as I am SO white I would try to get a suntan in the back yard. So. I got on my bathing suit and took a blanket and went out into the back yard and stretched out. I was basking in the warm sun when my brother George happened by and he asked me what I was doing. He was about 8 at the time. So I told him I was taking a sunbath. That was a BIG mistake. He immediately started howling and ran all over the place telling everybody that his sister was taking a bath WITHOUT WATER!!!
Have a nice Friday.
Love
Mary
We DID get in to see Dr. Herman, an urologist, at 9:10 this morning. He believes that the bleeding was a result of the catheter and his enlarged prostate. He has ordered a cystoscopy of Dick's bladder to absolutely rule out any cysts or that type of problem. This will happen on Monday afternoon. He does not believe that it is the kidney stone because it is SO small.
After we got home, I went grocery shopping and then took a nap. For some reason, I am just drained.
Then I did cleaned the bathrooms and generally policed the house. We got Dick all ready for his shower and that is all done now. The entry point for the "procedure" looks great and there is no swelling of hard spots. So that means that it is not bleeding. So now we just have to observe until Monday when he sees Dr. Herman again.
It is really funny. Dick had appointments every day this week and I have to take Chelsea to see HER doctor tomorrow.
I remember when I was about 19 on a warm summer day. I decided that as I am SO white I would try to get a suntan in the back yard. So. I got on my bathing suit and took a blanket and went out into the back yard and stretched out. I was basking in the warm sun when my brother George happened by and he asked me what I was doing. He was about 8 at the time. So I told him I was taking a sunbath. That was a BIG mistake. He immediately started howling and ran all over the place telling everybody that his sister was taking a bath WITHOUT WATER!!!
Have a nice Friday.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
This has been an impossibly long day. We set the alarm for 4:30AM because Dick had to register at Memorial at 6:30. So I got up, took a shower, walked Chelsea and we left. We got there on time and got him all registered. They got him all gowned and hooked up to the many things that need to be hooked up JUST in time for the team of nurses to come and take him down.
I then went to the cafeteria for breakfast. I came back up at about 9AM and settled into the lounge until they brought him back up. When I told his nurse Debbie that I was back she mentioned that there was blood in his urine. This was not a surprise as he had had that CAT yesterday to determine if there is a kidney stone causing the discomfort in his back.
When he got back up he said that Dr. Siddique said that everything went "amazingly well". This pleased Dick because in his groggy state during the procedure he had heard the doctor say "OH Shit" which was NOT reassuring. Dick mentioned that to Dr. Siddique and he laughed so it is OK.
During the morning the catheter tube seemed full of blood and not flowing so they flushed it out and got it flowing clearly again but called Dr. Sharon. We now know that there IS a kidney stone in his kidney which is probably stuck somewhere and causing problems. We now have an appointment to see Dr. Sharon next week Wednesday.
OK, proceeding on. He was much more comfortable this time because, as he promised, Dr. Siddique ordered that his bed be put on a slant and he also ordered morphine which kept him from being miserable.
I drove home at about 1:30PM when he was able to sit up to let little Chelsea out and make sure that she was OK.
At. 5:30PM or a bit after the nurses unhooked Dick from everything and stood him up to walk. Immediately he started bleeding, fortunately not from the incision. They had strained the urine so we know that there was no stone passed and assume that this is the problem. We are instructed to bring him to emergency if it gets flowing. These bloody issues seem to be clots probably caused by the stone. We HAVE to get an appointment to see a urologist tomorrow FOR SURE. Dr. Siddique said that we are to tell them we HAVE to see them tomorrow and that if we have trouble we need to call him to put the screws on.
It is really scary. I will be glad when this episode is all over. Please pray for us.
For some reason or other during the waiting times I got to thinking about our cat Small Fry that we had for a long time at the Old Red House that I grew up in. I remember when we got her, she was a little scrawny thing and we also had a big old Dalmatian named Rebel. We would let Rebel in the house at night one night he barreled downstairs and just "inhaled" that wee little kitten. My brothers panicked and chased Rebel around until he finally stopped and dropped her. She came out of his mouth mad and spitting. One of the funniest sights in the world is a wet cat and a spit wet mad kitten is really hilarious.
I need to get ready for bed. Think of us. Good thoughts and prayers are needed please.
Mary
I then went to the cafeteria for breakfast. I came back up at about 9AM and settled into the lounge until they brought him back up. When I told his nurse Debbie that I was back she mentioned that there was blood in his urine. This was not a surprise as he had had that CAT yesterday to determine if there is a kidney stone causing the discomfort in his back.
When he got back up he said that Dr. Siddique said that everything went "amazingly well". This pleased Dick because in his groggy state during the procedure he had heard the doctor say "OH Shit" which was NOT reassuring. Dick mentioned that to Dr. Siddique and he laughed so it is OK.
During the morning the catheter tube seemed full of blood and not flowing so they flushed it out and got it flowing clearly again but called Dr. Sharon. We now know that there IS a kidney stone in his kidney which is probably stuck somewhere and causing problems. We now have an appointment to see Dr. Sharon next week Wednesday.
OK, proceeding on. He was much more comfortable this time because, as he promised, Dr. Siddique ordered that his bed be put on a slant and he also ordered morphine which kept him from being miserable.
I drove home at about 1:30PM when he was able to sit up to let little Chelsea out and make sure that she was OK.
At. 5:30PM or a bit after the nurses unhooked Dick from everything and stood him up to walk. Immediately he started bleeding, fortunately not from the incision. They had strained the urine so we know that there was no stone passed and assume that this is the problem. We are instructed to bring him to emergency if it gets flowing. These bloody issues seem to be clots probably caused by the stone. We HAVE to get an appointment to see a urologist tomorrow FOR SURE. Dr. Siddique said that we are to tell them we HAVE to see them tomorrow and that if we have trouble we need to call him to put the screws on.
It is really scary. I will be glad when this episode is all over. Please pray for us.
For some reason or other during the waiting times I got to thinking about our cat Small Fry that we had for a long time at the Old Red House that I grew up in. I remember when we got her, she was a little scrawny thing and we also had a big old Dalmatian named Rebel. We would let Rebel in the house at night one night he barreled downstairs and just "inhaled" that wee little kitten. My brothers panicked and chased Rebel around until he finally stopped and dropped her. She came out of his mouth mad and spitting. One of the funniest sights in the world is a wet cat and a spit wet mad kitten is really hilarious.
I need to get ready for bed. Think of us. Good thoughts and prayers are needed please.
Mary
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
A good day and a not so good day.
It was windy and COLD again. The wind just penetrates one's clothes and leaves one hugging oneself to try to keep warm.
We got to the Clinic in Plymouth at 8AM. Good thing. Dick got his blood test which showed the CATScan people what THEY had to know and lets Dr. Siddique know that he is OK for the "procedure" tomorrow.
The CATScan went as planned. Dick said it was relatively easy and took only about 20 minutes so we were able to move on to the Sheboygan Clinic for his appointment with Dr. Hodous. I think I mentioned the blister that has appeared above the open callous on his left foot. Well, it is not good. I was right to have him see Dr. Hodous early. He cleaned it up and prescribed an antibiotic in case there is any infection. He took a swab to verify the fact. I felt so bad. I really thought that we were on top of things. Dr. Hodous assured me that any open sore like that invites trouble and that it can flare very easily but I still feel bad and wonder if there is any thing else I should be doing.
When we got home, I fixed lunch and we did some Quicken work.
Dick went down for a nap at about 2 and I headed out for a haircut. I am grateful that I found a hairdresser in Plymouth that does a really nice job of cutting it. I had Maria for so long but don't want to have to go into Sheboygan for more than is necessary.
Dick called from Madison tonight to let his Dad know that "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!" is on tonight. We visited for a while. "Dad" asked Dick when they would be arriving on Thanksgiving and it was pointed out that we don't know what time dinner is planned for this year. It is the decision of the host each year and Jim and Michelle have not announced the details as yet. I am sure that it will be forthcoming. After all it is still a bit over two weeks away.
This past week was pretty good for me in my Fantasy Football league. I tied with Jeff for second place and moved back into 15th place. That may not sound impressive to you but I started off with the very worst week and have been slowly working my way up. Then last week I blew it. So this was really a coup. Actually, my goal is to WIN one week. We will see.
Tomorrow will be a very LONG day. We have to be at Sheboygan Memorial at 6:30AM and probably I will be able to bring Dick home at about 6PM. I will stay except for a two hour stretch shortly after lunch when I will come home and walk Chelsea and make sure that she is OK.
Pray for us.
Love
Mary
It was windy and COLD again. The wind just penetrates one's clothes and leaves one hugging oneself to try to keep warm.
We got to the Clinic in Plymouth at 8AM. Good thing. Dick got his blood test which showed the CATScan people what THEY had to know and lets Dr. Siddique know that he is OK for the "procedure" tomorrow.
The CATScan went as planned. Dick said it was relatively easy and took only about 20 minutes so we were able to move on to the Sheboygan Clinic for his appointment with Dr. Hodous. I think I mentioned the blister that has appeared above the open callous on his left foot. Well, it is not good. I was right to have him see Dr. Hodous early. He cleaned it up and prescribed an antibiotic in case there is any infection. He took a swab to verify the fact. I felt so bad. I really thought that we were on top of things. Dr. Hodous assured me that any open sore like that invites trouble and that it can flare very easily but I still feel bad and wonder if there is any thing else I should be doing.
When we got home, I fixed lunch and we did some Quicken work.
Dick went down for a nap at about 2 and I headed out for a haircut. I am grateful that I found a hairdresser in Plymouth that does a really nice job of cutting it. I had Maria for so long but don't want to have to go into Sheboygan for more than is necessary.
Dick called from Madison tonight to let his Dad know that "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!" is on tonight. We visited for a while. "Dad" asked Dick when they would be arriving on Thanksgiving and it was pointed out that we don't know what time dinner is planned for this year. It is the decision of the host each year and Jim and Michelle have not announced the details as yet. I am sure that it will be forthcoming. After all it is still a bit over two weeks away.
This past week was pretty good for me in my Fantasy Football league. I tied with Jeff for second place and moved back into 15th place. That may not sound impressive to you but I started off with the very worst week and have been slowly working my way up. Then last week I blew it. So this was really a coup. Actually, my goal is to WIN one week. We will see.
Tomorrow will be a very LONG day. We have to be at Sheboygan Memorial at 6:30AM and probably I will be able to bring Dick home at about 6PM. I will stay except for a two hour stretch shortly after lunch when I will come home and walk Chelsea and make sure that she is OK.
Pray for us.
Love
Mary
Monday, November 05, 2007
It was cold and the wind was fierce today. It just ripped through jackets and clothes and made me very cold every time that I had to be out. Chelsea does not mind it. She took forever to do her stuff this afternoon. I took forever to get warmed up again.
Dick's back is still bothering him, so he called and was able to see Dr. Sharon at 11:30AM. So. I stopped in at Mother's BEFORE bible study. We had a nice visit. She told me another story about her childhood. I will write it up and tell you about it sometime. Then I went over to bible study.
We had lively discussions. The Old Testament reading was from Maccabees about the woman with the seven sons who were all tortured and killed because they would not eat pork which was against the law of Abraham. Those Old Testament stories are really gory. We decided that not much has changed. People are still cruel. You still hear of atrocities by people to other people.
We wonder how things like the Holocaust, the killing fields can happen. People turn away and say it is not their problem OR they are afraid. Not everybody will die for a belief and life is not an easy thing to throw away. Then Joe mentioned something about people demanding an eye for and eye. I quoted. "An eye for and eye, until everyone is blind." He had never heard it and found it wonderful. I heard it in an old Irish song. Though I know other traditions mention this too. Someone has to be the first to forgive.
It was also interesting that the Maccabees reading speaks of afterlife and the Resurrection of the dead. Jewish people did not always believe in life after death.
Dr. Sharon has recommended a CT scan for Dick to see if ther is possible a kidney stone. That is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Then we have to go to Sheboygan to see Dr. Hodous for his feet. Wednesday is the procedure with Dr. Siddique. This is turning out to be a "one step at a time" week.
Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth meeting. We put up nominations for three board members, President and Secretary. No one has come forward to be secretary. I will not volunteer for this or anything other that being on the food committee until Dick is better. I am spread too thin now. They now have it in their pea brains that a "woman" has to do it. Before Bobbie, Sara and I joined , the men did it all.
1. If you migrate to this county, you must speak the native language.
2. You have to be a professional or an investor. No unskilled workers allowed.
3. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools, no special
ballots for elections, all government business will be conducted in our
language.
4. Foreigners will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.
5. Foreigners will NEVER be able to hold political office.
6. Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs.
7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount equal to 40,000
times the daily minimum wage.
8. If foreigners do come and want to buy land that will be okay, BUT options will
be restricted. You are not allowed waterfront property. That is reserved for
citizens naturally born into this country.
9. Foreigners may not protest; no demonstrations, no waving a foreign flag, no
political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies, if you do you
will be sent home.
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be hunted down and sent straight
to jail.
Harsh, you say? The above laws happen to be the immigration laws of Mexico!
I think the above is interesting. I still say - I have no problem with immigrants BUT they must be legal. Illegal immigrants should have NO right to our benefits. They should not be allowed drivers licenses, education or social security benefits. We MUST treat them humanely and be as kind as possible. but they ARE NOT CITIZENS.
Love
Mary
Dick's back is still bothering him, so he called and was able to see Dr. Sharon at 11:30AM. So. I stopped in at Mother's BEFORE bible study. We had a nice visit. She told me another story about her childhood. I will write it up and tell you about it sometime. Then I went over to bible study.
We had lively discussions. The Old Testament reading was from Maccabees about the woman with the seven sons who were all tortured and killed because they would not eat pork which was against the law of Abraham. Those Old Testament stories are really gory. We decided that not much has changed. People are still cruel. You still hear of atrocities by people to other people.
We wonder how things like the Holocaust, the killing fields can happen. People turn away and say it is not their problem OR they are afraid. Not everybody will die for a belief and life is not an easy thing to throw away. Then Joe mentioned something about people demanding an eye for and eye. I quoted. "An eye for and eye, until everyone is blind." He had never heard it and found it wonderful. I heard it in an old Irish song. Though I know other traditions mention this too. Someone has to be the first to forgive.
It was also interesting that the Maccabees reading speaks of afterlife and the Resurrection of the dead. Jewish people did not always believe in life after death.
Dr. Sharon has recommended a CT scan for Dick to see if ther is possible a kidney stone. That is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Then we have to go to Sheboygan to see Dr. Hodous for his feet. Wednesday is the procedure with Dr. Siddique. This is turning out to be a "one step at a time" week.
Tonight was the Rhine Plymouth meeting. We put up nominations for three board members, President and Secretary. No one has come forward to be secretary. I will not volunteer for this or anything other that being on the food committee until Dick is better. I am spread too thin now. They now have it in their pea brains that a "woman" has to do it. Before Bobbie, Sara and I joined , the men did it all.
1. If you migrate to this county, you must speak the native language.
2. You have to be a professional or an investor. No unskilled workers allowed.
3. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools, no special
ballots for elections, all government business will be conducted in our
language.
4. Foreigners will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.
5. Foreigners will NEVER be able to hold political office.
6. Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs.
7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount equal to 40,000
times the daily minimum wage.
8. If foreigners do come and want to buy land that will be okay, BUT options will
be restricted. You are not allowed waterfront property. That is reserved for
citizens naturally born into this country.
9. Foreigners may not protest; no demonstrations, no waving a foreign flag, no
political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies, if you do you
will be sent home.
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be hunted down and sent straight
to jail.
Harsh, you say? The above laws happen to be the immigration laws of Mexico!
I think the above is interesting. I still say - I have no problem with immigrants BUT they must be legal. Illegal immigrants should have NO right to our benefits. They should not be allowed drivers licenses, education or social security benefits. We MUST treat them humanely and be as kind as possible. but they ARE NOT CITIZENS.
Love
Mary
Sunday, November 04, 2007
I'm starting early tonight because I am very tired. Daylight savings time started this morning and Dick managed to keep Chelsea away from me until the "new" 6AM which is a minor miracle in itself. We had a very nice walk though walking in that dusky light is difficult for picking up "you know what". It was misting a bit too but was not cold and I did not get wet.
I went to the 8AM Mass. The folk choir was singing. They sang As I Go Down to the Water to Pray, which I dearly love. I sing it when I am walking or alone in the car to myself. The first reading was from the book of Wisdom. The reading says that in the eyes of God the WHOLE universe is as a grain of sand or as a drop of dew upon the earth. Pretty insubstantial. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out the we also need to remember that we were made BY God and that in itself makes us kind of special AND if we believe - Jesus died for us and that can make us REALLY special. Humility AND trust. A good combination.
Bobbie and I worked at Rhine today. It was DEAD. The Packer game was on. Bobbie left early because it WAS so dead and WHY NOT. I stayed until the end of the game and helped count the money. What a game. They won. But I guess you guessed that even if you are not a Packer fan. (Hard to believe.) I really enjoyed watching it with my Rhine Plymouth friends.
ALSO, I asked Doc to go down to the rifle range and we sighted in my 20 gauge for deer hunting. I now know that the sights are off and cannot be adjusted and that I need to aim a bit up and to the right. I was very relieved to know that it wasn't me. After Doc tried and hit right about where I was hitting, we knew it was the gun. Now, when I go out to check my spot, I won't have to carry the gun. Just get my spot ready.
Dick and I had a pastie for supper with veggies and salad. NUM NUM.
Dick still has his sore throat AND his backache. He will try to get an appointment with Dr. Sharon tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and an infection in his system could be the end of that. Pray please. Delaying just makes this whole healing process drag on even longer.
Tomorrow Bible Study and Rhine Plymouth meeting. Doc is sad because Bobbie is going to drop out of the club for a year. She had told me that. With her retirement, she wants to settle in and get herself and Bill all used to not working together. Not a bad idea. But Doc is very sad. I hope that she does decide to come back. We always had fun there.
Take care and enjoy your week.
Love
Mary
I went to the 8AM Mass. The folk choir was singing. They sang As I Go Down to the Water to Pray, which I dearly love. I sing it when I am walking or alone in the car to myself. The first reading was from the book of Wisdom. The reading says that in the eyes of God the WHOLE universe is as a grain of sand or as a drop of dew upon the earth. Pretty insubstantial. Fr. Van Beeck pointed out the we also need to remember that we were made BY God and that in itself makes us kind of special AND if we believe - Jesus died for us and that can make us REALLY special. Humility AND trust. A good combination.
Bobbie and I worked at Rhine today. It was DEAD. The Packer game was on. Bobbie left early because it WAS so dead and WHY NOT. I stayed until the end of the game and helped count the money. What a game. They won. But I guess you guessed that even if you are not a Packer fan. (Hard to believe.) I really enjoyed watching it with my Rhine Plymouth friends.
ALSO, I asked Doc to go down to the rifle range and we sighted in my 20 gauge for deer hunting. I now know that the sights are off and cannot be adjusted and that I need to aim a bit up and to the right. I was very relieved to know that it wasn't me. After Doc tried and hit right about where I was hitting, we knew it was the gun. Now, when I go out to check my spot, I won't have to carry the gun. Just get my spot ready.
Dick and I had a pastie for supper with veggies and salad. NUM NUM.
Dick still has his sore throat AND his backache. He will try to get an appointment with Dr. Sharon tomorrow. His surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and an infection in his system could be the end of that. Pray please. Delaying just makes this whole healing process drag on even longer.
Tomorrow Bible Study and Rhine Plymouth meeting. Doc is sad because Bobbie is going to drop out of the club for a year. She had told me that. With her retirement, she wants to settle in and get herself and Bill all used to not working together. Not a bad idea. But Doc is very sad. I hope that she does decide to come back. We always had fun there.
Take care and enjoy your week.
Love
Mary
Saturday, November 03, 2007
A lovely Fall day. Kind of breezy and cool, but sunny. I am watching the weather forecasts. The first prediction of a hard frost and I will bring the planters with herbs in them into the garage and try to keep them until morning.
This is going to be a really difficult week for our Chelsea. Daylight savings time begins and her tummy is NOT going to be willing to accept that she has to eat and go out an hour later. We will ease her into it as much as possible. However, the world just changes, so we can't be to forgiving. I am staying up until 10PM myself to try to get ME into the new thing. One would think that an extra hour would be nice, BUT old bodies start to ache if they stay in bed too long.
I liked this Saturday. I made some sunflower brittle this morning. It is quite good.
Dick complained of a sore throat but is saying that is is a BIT better tonight so I hope it is nothing serious. With that procedure coming up on Wednesday, we don't need any sickness in his body.
I went to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and then did some Kmart shopping. I bought some bras. Mine were getting really raggedy. I hate shopping for bras even MORE that I hate shopping for jeans. Well, I found some so that should take care of it for a LONG time.
Today was the annual Craft Fair at St. John the Baptist. Part of the fair was the baskets that I helped Kate put together. The craft fair was fun and Kate should be proud of her raffle. It looked good and I think lots of tickets were sold. I went over at about 1:30 and stayed until the close at 3:00PM. I did get one of the silent auction items. 6 hand painted elf ornaments in a pretty red basket. I will either hang them on the Christmas tree or give them to someone as is for a nice Christmas present. I also bought some chances on the raffle baskets and did get a beautiful fern. I need something to put it on and will place it at the end of the living room where it should receive the best light. I need to take my corn plant out of there. I think I will move it down into the den, cut it back and see if I can get it to revive.
Michelle and Jim stopped at Bobbie and Bill's today. She sent us some of the pears that she dried in Jim's dehydrator. They are very good. She said they taste great cut up in oatmeal. Now that winter is coming upon us, I will surely try that.
Kate is going to try to write prose poems because someone told her that some of her stories would adapt to that. I gave her a copy of a great prose poem by Charles Baudelaire called "Get Drunk!" Here it is
Go into this new week with the above as your goal.
Love
Mary
This is going to be a really difficult week for our Chelsea. Daylight savings time begins and her tummy is NOT going to be willing to accept that she has to eat and go out an hour later. We will ease her into it as much as possible. However, the world just changes, so we can't be to forgiving. I am staying up until 10PM myself to try to get ME into the new thing. One would think that an extra hour would be nice, BUT old bodies start to ache if they stay in bed too long.
I liked this Saturday. I made some sunflower brittle this morning. It is quite good.
Dick complained of a sore throat but is saying that is is a BIT better tonight so I hope it is nothing serious. With that procedure coming up on Wednesday, we don't need any sickness in his body.
I went to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and then did some Kmart shopping. I bought some bras. Mine were getting really raggedy. I hate shopping for bras even MORE that I hate shopping for jeans. Well, I found some so that should take care of it for a LONG time.
Today was the annual Craft Fair at St. John the Baptist. Part of the fair was the baskets that I helped Kate put together. The craft fair was fun and Kate should be proud of her raffle. It looked good and I think lots of tickets were sold. I went over at about 1:30 and stayed until the close at 3:00PM. I did get one of the silent auction items. 6 hand painted elf ornaments in a pretty red basket. I will either hang them on the Christmas tree or give them to someone as is for a nice Christmas present. I also bought some chances on the raffle baskets and did get a beautiful fern. I need something to put it on and will place it at the end of the living room where it should receive the best light. I need to take my corn plant out of there. I think I will move it down into the den, cut it back and see if I can get it to revive.
Michelle and Jim stopped at Bobbie and Bill's today. She sent us some of the pears that she dried in Jim's dehydrator. They are very good. She said they taste great cut up in oatmeal. Now that winter is coming upon us, I will surely try that.
Kate is going to try to write prose poems because someone told her that some of her stories would adapt to that. I gave her a copy of a great prose poem by Charles Baudelaire called "Get Drunk!" Here it is
"Get Drunk!", by Charles Baudelaire
One should always be drunk. That's all that matters;
that's our one imperative need. So as not to feel Time's
horrible burden one which breaks your shoulders and bows
you down, you must get drunk without cease.
But with what?
With wine, poetry, or virtue
as you choose.
But get drunk.
And if, at some time, on steps of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the bleak solitude of your room,
you are waking and the drunkenness has already abated,
ask the wind, the wave, the stars, the clock,
all that which flees,
all that which groans,
all that which rolls,
all that which sings,
all that which speaks,
ask them, what time it is;
and the wind, the wave, the stars, the birds, and the clock,
they will all reply:
"It is time to get drunk!
So that you may not be the martyred slaves of Time,
get drunk, get drunk,
and never pause for rest!
With wine, poetry, or virtue,
as you choose!"
Go into this new week with the above as your goal.
Love
Mary
Friday, November 02, 2007
Whew. This was a busy fulfilling day. Chelsea and I went on a pretty good walk. We started at 6:30AM so I let her take me through the park as the path takes us into a well lighted parking lot but I steered her to the left and back into Tallgrass. She was quite perky. She did do some coughing just before I woke up but was quite happy walking.
After Dick and Chelsea went down for their naps, I drove on over to Kate's house to help put baskets together for the craft fair at St. John's tomorrow. We got up to 40 and there are several items that will stand alone so I think she was up to the 50 she wanted. That Katie. She is me in overdrive. You think I try to do too much. I am trying to tone that girl down but am trying to help her too. He husband Ron is doing SO much better. He is gaining strength and stamina. Thank you all for your prayers. He still needs them til he gains some weight and gets a few problems solved so don't stop.
I came home at noon and got Dick all messaged and rebandaged. Fixed us lunch (actually dinner as I had to be at Rhine this evening.) and moved up an appointment with Dr. Hodous as I have a concern with a strange blister or something on his left foot. We had an appointment for the day after his surgery, but this will be better. I don't like the looks of it.
Then I went back to Lakeland College for another workshop with Phillip Dacey, the poet. It was fun. We were with several of the college students who helped with the conference. We did a couple of exercises in connection with a class that Dacey does called. "There's No Such Thing As Writer's Block". It is a series of exercises for people who feel that they are facing such a thing.
One of the things we did was really fun. We took a piece of 8X11 paper and drew 10 lines on it. Then folded it in half. On the left half we write and adjective and passed it to the personto the left. Each person then wrote an adjective on the next line. When all ten lines were filled we turned the paper over and passed it to the person to our right. We then repeated the process writing a noun on this side. The combinations should provide breaking of writer's blocks for months to come.
Here are a couple of mine:
billowy moon
hurtful angel
georgous solorsystem
stinky brick
cranky tractor
I loved this one which was on someone elses list.
Witless hyphen.
Wasn't that fun. Now you should write womething about a cranky tractor for me.
I went right from there to Rhine Plymouth for my Friday of work. It was the last day of league shooting. All but 7 teams were already done and two did not show up for their last two lines. So it was a quite night. I shot a round of open with Bill Olson, Doc Blake and Larry. I got 14 this week and believe it or not out shot Doc on two stations. He beat me overall but I was a bit proud of myself. So was Doc.
Bobbie brought me soap. She is a good daughter. She and Bill are both feeling better which makes me feel good.
Tomorrow should be a quiet day. I want to go over to St. John's to participate in the craft fair an show support for Kate and will pick up a prescription for Dick sometime in the late morning but get to stay home most of the day. I think I will make that pumpkin seed brittle that I want to try.
Have a nice weekend.
Love
Mary
After Dick and Chelsea went down for their naps, I drove on over to Kate's house to help put baskets together for the craft fair at St. John's tomorrow. We got up to 40 and there are several items that will stand alone so I think she was up to the 50 she wanted. That Katie. She is me in overdrive. You think I try to do too much. I am trying to tone that girl down but am trying to help her too. He husband Ron is doing SO much better. He is gaining strength and stamina. Thank you all for your prayers. He still needs them til he gains some weight and gets a few problems solved so don't stop.
I came home at noon and got Dick all messaged and rebandaged. Fixed us lunch (actually dinner as I had to be at Rhine this evening.) and moved up an appointment with Dr. Hodous as I have a concern with a strange blister or something on his left foot. We had an appointment for the day after his surgery, but this will be better. I don't like the looks of it.
Then I went back to Lakeland College for another workshop with Phillip Dacey, the poet. It was fun. We were with several of the college students who helped with the conference. We did a couple of exercises in connection with a class that Dacey does called. "There's No Such Thing As Writer's Block". It is a series of exercises for people who feel that they are facing such a thing.
One of the things we did was really fun. We took a piece of 8X11 paper and drew 10 lines on it. Then folded it in half. On the left half we write and adjective and passed it to the personto the left. Each person then wrote an adjective on the next line. When all ten lines were filled we turned the paper over and passed it to the person to our right. We then repeated the process writing a noun on this side. The combinations should provide breaking of writer's blocks for months to come.
Here are a couple of mine:
billowy moon
hurtful angel
georgous solorsystem
stinky brick
cranky tractor
I loved this one which was on someone elses list.
Witless hyphen.
Wasn't that fun. Now you should write womething about a cranky tractor for me.
I went right from there to Rhine Plymouth for my Friday of work. It was the last day of league shooting. All but 7 teams were already done and two did not show up for their last two lines. So it was a quite night. I shot a round of open with Bill Olson, Doc Blake and Larry. I got 14 this week and believe it or not out shot Doc on two stations. He beat me overall but I was a bit proud of myself. So was Doc.
Bobbie brought me soap. She is a good daughter. She and Bill are both feeling better which makes me feel good.
Tomorrow should be a quiet day. I want to go over to St. John's to participate in the craft fair an show support for Kate and will pick up a prescription for Dick sometime in the late morning but get to stay home most of the day. I think I will make that pumpkin seed brittle that I want to try.
Have a nice weekend.
Love
Mary
Thursday, November 01, 2007
This was the "funnest" day. I got up at 6AM and took Chelsea for her walk IN THE DARK. Two more days til daylight savings time. Then I only have to convince her little inner clock to go to bed an hour later so she will get up an hour later.
It is a Holy Day. I have been notorious for the past few years at forgetting them. But this day I remembered. It is All Saints Day. The service was very nice. It is always good to go on these days when all of the school kids are at the service and do the readings and all. The reading was the Beatitudes. That reading has been on my mind lately.
Then I fixed breakfast for Dick and myself and headed off to pick up Kate. We drove to Lakeland where we met up with Bev Schellhaass, Jane Kocmoud, Sy Regan and Ann Pirrung and MaryAnn Hurtt who Jane and I met at the Ellen Kort workshop. We all sat together for the initial part of the day, readings by the authors: Philip Dacey, Poet and Margaret Dawe, Novelist. This is a fun way to start off a conference.
After the readings the six of us headed over to The Log Cabin restaurant for lunch and camaraderie. Then Jane, Mary Ann, Kate, Bev and I went back to Lakeland for the workshop. We all went to Philip Dacey, the poets and it was fun. I had sent in a Haiku that I had written.
COBWEBS
Friend from long ago
Do you ever think of me?
You stroll through my mind.
The workshop took the poems of those who had sent a work in. Philip had the poet read her work (all her in this case) and then the participants, except FOR the author, critiqued it and offered their interpretation and suggestions. It was marvelous. One thought was that this was an observation of Alzheimer's either from the view of the victim or the caretaker. (Of course, it could be argued that the caretaker is a victim too, but let's not quibble.) I was delighted.
Before the class, I was talking to a woman who looked somewhat familiar. We talked a bit and I asked her name. It was Marion Stewart. She was a reporter with the Sheboygan Press some 15 years ago or more and has moved to Colorado. She is here for the conference thought staying with her daughter. She was one of Dick's favorite reporters when she was here and he was still working as the director of Mead. They both have high and wonderful views of each other.
The end of the evening was in the PUB. Another session of readings from the authors with a wine and cheese event. A lovely day.
In between the workshop and the evening event, Kate and I went to Dairy Queen and purchased some ice cream treats then went over to my Mom's so I could introduce Kate to my Mother. We spent a wonderful hour eating ice cream and visiting.
Love you all
Mary
It is a Holy Day. I have been notorious for the past few years at forgetting them. But this day I remembered. It is All Saints Day. The service was very nice. It is always good to go on these days when all of the school kids are at the service and do the readings and all. The reading was the Beatitudes. That reading has been on my mind lately.
Then I fixed breakfast for Dick and myself and headed off to pick up Kate. We drove to Lakeland where we met up with Bev Schellhaass, Jane Kocmoud, Sy Regan and Ann Pirrung and MaryAnn Hurtt who Jane and I met at the Ellen Kort workshop. We all sat together for the initial part of the day, readings by the authors: Philip Dacey, Poet and Margaret Dawe, Novelist. This is a fun way to start off a conference.
After the readings the six of us headed over to The Log Cabin restaurant for lunch and camaraderie. Then Jane, Mary Ann, Kate, Bev and I went back to Lakeland for the workshop. We all went to Philip Dacey, the poets and it was fun. I had sent in a Haiku that I had written.
COBWEBS
Friend from long ago
Do you ever think of me?
You stroll through my mind.
The workshop took the poems of those who had sent a work in. Philip had the poet read her work (all her in this case) and then the participants, except FOR the author, critiqued it and offered their interpretation and suggestions. It was marvelous. One thought was that this was an observation of Alzheimer's either from the view of the victim or the caretaker. (Of course, it could be argued that the caretaker is a victim too, but let's not quibble.) I was delighted.
Before the class, I was talking to a woman who looked somewhat familiar. We talked a bit and I asked her name. It was Marion Stewart. She was a reporter with the Sheboygan Press some 15 years ago or more and has moved to Colorado. She is here for the conference thought staying with her daughter. She was one of Dick's favorite reporters when she was here and he was still working as the director of Mead. They both have high and wonderful views of each other.
The end of the evening was in the PUB. Another session of readings from the authors with a wine and cheese event. A lovely day.
In between the workshop and the evening event, Kate and I went to Dairy Queen and purchased some ice cream treats then went over to my Mom's so I could introduce Kate to my Mother. We spent a wonderful hour eating ice cream and visiting.
Love you all
Mary
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
It was supposed to be warm today, but the wind was blowing and it was really quite chilly. It was very dark when Chelsea and I went for our walk so we did not go too far. We stayed on the lighted streets in Tall Grass.
Today was grocery shopping day but before we left turned off the water to the outside faucet and drained it. Now I have to decide if I want to bring in the hose or not.
We went to Family Restaurant for breakfast and then on to the Pig. We were home at about 10AM. I did a bit of sewing on CWI Sweatshirt Jackets and then got ready to go to the bank for an appointment and to Walgreens to pick up a prescription for Dick. We also drove over to Aurora for our flu shots. Glad that is done BUT my arm is sore and I am very tired. Of course, the tiredness could be because it is evening and I am usually tired then.
I then went to my friend Kate's house to help her start putting baskets together for the basket raffle at St. John the Baptist Craft event which is Saturday from 9 to 3. We sorted enough stuff for about 25 and she figures she needs at least 50. I told her I would try to help her again on Friday Morning. Tomorrow, she, I and Bev, also from the Plymouth Writer's Club, will be meeting at Lakeland College for the writer's event that is held every year. Should be a "loverly" day. ( I am feeling a bit musical.) It continues on Friday. There are less opportunities for adults at the Friday event. But I will see what fits my schedule. I also have to work at Rhine that evening.
A little Haiku for you.
It was a good day.
Peaceful and without crisis
I am so grateful.
A haiku traditionally SHOULD speak of nature but modern poets do sometimes stray from that and this one fits the 5-7-5 rule. AND I kind of like it.
Love
Mary
Today was grocery shopping day but before we left turned off the water to the outside faucet and drained it. Now I have to decide if I want to bring in the hose or not.
We went to Family Restaurant for breakfast and then on to the Pig. We were home at about 10AM. I did a bit of sewing on CWI Sweatshirt Jackets and then got ready to go to the bank for an appointment and to Walgreens to pick up a prescription for Dick. We also drove over to Aurora for our flu shots. Glad that is done BUT my arm is sore and I am very tired. Of course, the tiredness could be because it is evening and I am usually tired then.
I then went to my friend Kate's house to help her start putting baskets together for the basket raffle at St. John the Baptist Craft event which is Saturday from 9 to 3. We sorted enough stuff for about 25 and she figures she needs at least 50. I told her I would try to help her again on Friday Morning. Tomorrow, she, I and Bev, also from the Plymouth Writer's Club, will be meeting at Lakeland College for the writer's event that is held every year. Should be a "loverly" day. ( I am feeling a bit musical.) It continues on Friday. There are less opportunities for adults at the Friday event. But I will see what fits my schedule. I also have to work at Rhine that evening.
A little Haiku for you.
It was a good day.
Peaceful and without crisis
I am so grateful.
A haiku traditionally SHOULD speak of nature but modern poets do sometimes stray from that and this one fits the 5-7-5 rule. AND I kind of like it.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
We had a very sad Chelsea this morning. We had a very nice early morning walk. Starting at 6:30AM it was almost light when we got back home. I am sure looking forward to daylight savings time. After we got home, we had breakfast and THEN I took MY shower and then make Chelsea come in for HER shower. She had wandered around under the grill on Saturday when I grilled the brats etc and drippings had gotten in her muff and on her back. I washed off most of them but she was just plain grungy.
Now she is just glowing and as white as the snow. Thank heavens for Bobbie's Puppy Love. The shower did get her a bit too excited and she coughed. No seizure though.
Dick's temperature has disappeared but he is still bothered by that pain in his back and side. We need to keep a good eye on that.
Did you watch that Packer game last night? I went to bed at 9:30 because I was so exhausted then the game got so exciting and so iffy that I couldn't sleep. Now I am so glad because I got to see that unbelievable final touchdown pass, that super first play in overtime. WOW!! How bout those Packers!
I finished the binding on the tree quilt and vacuumed the den so I could lay the thing out on the floor and arrange the TREES!!. Next step to affix and applique them on. Getting close.
Tomorrow will be busy with shopping and all. We are going to get our outside faucets winter ready tomorrow while it is still warm. I will bring in all my pots of herbs at the first warning of a hard freeze. They can just enjoy their time outside as long as possible. It was easy to enjoy today.
I baked a spaghetti squash today. Scared Dick. He knew that I was fixing spaghetti and meatballs and was afraid that I was going to make him eat the squash. He go his spaghetti, but did he ever miss a good veggie. I didn't even use the pasta. I cooked up some onion and garlic in olive oil then added the squash, black olives and feta cheese. A little salt and basil and num num. I could have make a meal of that.
Enjoy the joke below. I did
Mary
Now she is just glowing and as white as the snow. Thank heavens for Bobbie's Puppy Love. The shower did get her a bit too excited and she coughed. No seizure though.
Dick's temperature has disappeared but he is still bothered by that pain in his back and side. We need to keep a good eye on that.
Did you watch that Packer game last night? I went to bed at 9:30 because I was so exhausted then the game got so exciting and so iffy that I couldn't sleep. Now I am so glad because I got to see that unbelievable final touchdown pass, that super first play in overtime. WOW!! How bout those Packers!
I finished the binding on the tree quilt and vacuumed the den so I could lay the thing out on the floor and arrange the TREES!!. Next step to affix and applique them on. Getting close.
Tomorrow will be busy with shopping and all. We are going to get our outside faucets winter ready tomorrow while it is still warm. I will bring in all my pots of herbs at the first warning of a hard freeze. They can just enjoy their time outside as long as possible. It was easy to enjoy today.
I baked a spaghetti squash today. Scared Dick. He knew that I was fixing spaghetti and meatballs and was afraid that I was going to make him eat the squash. He go his spaghetti, but did he ever miss a good veggie. I didn't even use the pasta. I cooked up some onion and garlic in olive oil then added the squash, black olives and feta cheese. A little salt and basil and num num. I could have make a meal of that.
Enjoy the joke below. I did
Mary
GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
Monday, October 29, 2007
Today was not as planned. Dick has had a pain in his back, in the kidney area, for a few days. He told me about it on Saturday. It was still persistent and he had a slight fever this morning so he got an appointment with a physician Assistant as Dr. Sharon is out of town for the week. So far the tests have not shown an infection so we are treating the pain and resting a lot. Pray that the final test also shows nothing. Though that will also be a puzzle. What is causing it!
So, I spent the bulk of the day cleaning and sewing. I vacuumed the office. The carpet is Chelsea filthy and we WILL have to clean it soon, but it is discouraging as she keeps drooling a path between us. We tried a runner but it kept moving and became a danger for Dick as he shuffles. Oh Well, we will just have to keep working on it.
The binding on the tree quilt is almost complete. I should be able to finish it tomorrow, THEN the trees have to be appliqued on or it won't be a tree quilt after all.
We are now watching the Packer game. It is at the half and is already after 9PM. I am not going to make it. Soon, Chelsea will get her last outside of the evening and I will go to bed and TRY to watch the end of it there.
Just for fun - A comparison
Love
Mary
LADIES- To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag
with the potatoes.
REAL WOMEN- Buy boxed mashed potato mix and you don't have to
worry about the potatoes growing arms and legs.
So, I spent the bulk of the day cleaning and sewing. I vacuumed the office. The carpet is Chelsea filthy and we WILL have to clean it soon, but it is discouraging as she keeps drooling a path between us. We tried a runner but it kept moving and became a danger for Dick as he shuffles. Oh Well, we will just have to keep working on it.
The binding on the tree quilt is almost complete. I should be able to finish it tomorrow, THEN the trees have to be appliqued on or it won't be a tree quilt after all.
We are now watching the Packer game. It is at the half and is already after 9PM. I am not going to make it. Soon, Chelsea will get her last outside of the evening and I will go to bed and TRY to watch the end of it there.
Just for fun - A comparison
Love
Mary
LADIES- To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag
with the potatoes.
REAL WOMEN- Buy boxed mashed potato mix and you don't have to
worry about the potatoes growing arms and legs.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
A very active and very satisfying Sunday.
When I got up, the temperature was at 32, before it started up during the day, it had dropped down to 29. I took Chelsea for two SHORT walks. It was too dark at 6AM when I go up, so I let her out long enough for her to be comfortable, then took her out for a bit longer walk before I headed to church.
I sat with Kathy Ziegler at mass. I was also a communion distributor. That is always very satisfying. I never quite get over what a real privilege it is to be able to do that.
Dick and I had a lovely breakfast. We almost have to on Sundays because Chelsea expects nothing less. We had sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese and green onion, toast and hash browns. Really good.
I went out to Rhine Plymouth today to finish the last two targets for the pistol league. My first one, as usual, was not good but the second was much better. My average for the league was 46.5, my goal is to break 50 so I am not satisfied. Well, I will try harder next time.
This afternoon, St. John the Baptist had an event. Someone donated a brand new organ to the church and today was the blessing and a concert. Fr. Tom Lijewski, who until recently was pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Kohler and who is a classmate of our pastor, Fr. Van Beeck, was the organist. He is an accomplished organist. He has been giving recitals since 1979 and is currently the chaplain of the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He really put the organ through its paces playing every thing from Bach to Purvis.
There was a reception in the hall after the recital. I walked down with Rosemary Mugan and we had a perfectly lovely visit. Several friends form Blessed Trinity were there and I got to visit with Fr. Howard Johnson who I had not seen in a couple of years. A nice afternoon.
We had leftover hamburgers and potato salad for supper so it was an easy night for me.
Oh, I baked pumpkin seeds today and are they ever good. I found a recipe for fresh pumpkin seed brittle. I will try it this week. Bobbie is the candy maker but I will do the best I can.
A busy week is ahead. Everything from battening down for winter to a Writer's Conference. Hope yours if fun.
Love
Mary
Birds are still asleep
In the hour before dawn
Only the breeze sings.
by me
When I got up, the temperature was at 32, before it started up during the day, it had dropped down to 29. I took Chelsea for two SHORT walks. It was too dark at 6AM when I go up, so I let her out long enough for her to be comfortable, then took her out for a bit longer walk before I headed to church.
I sat with Kathy Ziegler at mass. I was also a communion distributor. That is always very satisfying. I never quite get over what a real privilege it is to be able to do that.
Dick and I had a lovely breakfast. We almost have to on Sundays because Chelsea expects nothing less. We had sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese and green onion, toast and hash browns. Really good.
I went out to Rhine Plymouth today to finish the last two targets for the pistol league. My first one, as usual, was not good but the second was much better. My average for the league was 46.5, my goal is to break 50 so I am not satisfied. Well, I will try harder next time.
This afternoon, St. John the Baptist had an event. Someone donated a brand new organ to the church and today was the blessing and a concert. Fr. Tom Lijewski, who until recently was pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Kohler and who is a classmate of our pastor, Fr. Van Beeck, was the organist. He is an accomplished organist. He has been giving recitals since 1979 and is currently the chaplain of the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He really put the organ through its paces playing every thing from Bach to Purvis.
There was a reception in the hall after the recital. I walked down with Rosemary Mugan and we had a perfectly lovely visit. Several friends form Blessed Trinity were there and I got to visit with Fr. Howard Johnson who I had not seen in a couple of years. A nice afternoon.
We had leftover hamburgers and potato salad for supper so it was an easy night for me.
Oh, I baked pumpkin seeds today and are they ever good. I found a recipe for fresh pumpkin seed brittle. I will try it this week. Bobbie is the candy maker but I will do the best I can.
A busy week is ahead. Everything from battening down for winter to a Writer's Conference. Hope yours if fun.
Love
Mary
Birds are still asleep
In the hour before dawn
Only the breeze sings.
by me
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Saturday's are really nice. I did not have to go anywhere so got a lot of little things done around here.
I baked a cake and made a potato salad this morning. Then went down and sewed the binding on the quilt. Now I just have to do FINISH the binding and applique the trees on it.
Chelsea had a pretty good day. She coughed three times quite severely but had no seizures.
I got everything ready for the Writers event at Lakeland next Thursday and Friday. I will be going to a reception on Thursday night with Bev, our Cream City Writer's president. She said it is a wine and cheese thing before the evening readings. Sounds like real fun.
I fried out a whole bunch of bratwurst and some hamburgers for supper tonight. I had some "Harvest" from Miesfeld with apple and sauerkraut in them, some original and my venison brat patties. Jim and Michelle joined us for dinner and we played a game of rummy after we were done. Dick won.
Tomorrow will also be mellow. I am distributing communion at the 8AM Mass and intend to go to Rhine to finish shooting league but the rest of the day will be laid back. With all the meat and potato salad, I won't even have to do any cooking.
Hope you have a nice one. The weather has been just perfect fall weather.
Take care
Mary
I baked a cake and made a potato salad this morning. Then went down and sewed the binding on the quilt. Now I just have to do FINISH the binding and applique the trees on it.
Chelsea had a pretty good day. She coughed three times quite severely but had no seizures.
I got everything ready for the Writers event at Lakeland next Thursday and Friday. I will be going to a reception on Thursday night with Bev, our Cream City Writer's president. She said it is a wine and cheese thing before the evening readings. Sounds like real fun.
I fried out a whole bunch of bratwurst and some hamburgers for supper tonight. I had some "Harvest" from Miesfeld with apple and sauerkraut in them, some original and my venison brat patties. Jim and Michelle joined us for dinner and we played a game of rummy after we were done. Dick won.
Tomorrow will also be mellow. I am distributing communion at the 8AM Mass and intend to go to Rhine to finish shooting league but the rest of the day will be laid back. With all the meat and potato salad, I won't even have to do any cooking.
Hope you have a nice one. The weather has been just perfect fall weather.
Take care
Mary
Friday, October 26, 2007
A perfect Autumn Day.
I was able to sleep until 6:30AM. I could have used a bit more but that was not bad. Chelsea and I had a pleasant walk. Actually she was really wild and excited. She did not cough all night. We were so pleased, then at about 9:30AM she coughed twice and had a rather major seizure. Go figure. I just don't understand. BUT overall, the episodes do seem to be decreasing.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning.
Then, at about 10:30AM, I left for a bunch of errands. First, Walgreens to pick up a prescription and take advantage of a couple of sales. Then on to the Blood Center.
This is my every eight week appointment. Today was not easy. The vein she chose tried to get away and it took a bit of poking to get the needle in. However, once it was in I filled the bag really quick. We put ice on it right away and I don't have much of a bruise. While I was eating my cookie and drinking my orange juice, I talked to Butch, the volunteer, and a woman who is having her blood drawn and stored for an operation that she will be having the same day as Dick has his next procedure. She is in need of a lot of prayer and I will be putting her on the prayer chains. She is about broke and this surgery, I am sure, will not help that situation. I promised so maybe you could all include her too. Her name is Laurie.
My last stop before heading for Dairy Queen for lunch was Miesfeld's where I bought some of the brats that they told us about at the Michael Feldman Whad' Ya Know Show last Saturday. They have apple and sauerkraut in them. We will have them tomorrow. I am also cooking my venison brat patties and regular brats as everything freezes well. I am eager to try the new brats however. We will also be having potato salad.
I am a very tired person. For some reason the giving blood really wore me out so I will be hitting bed as soon as it gets to be 9PM and I can take Chelsea out for her last walk.
Have a fun and relaxing weekend. Barbara called, sounding so very happy, to tell me that Bart had arrived in Florida safe and sound and is with her. That makes me very happy.
Love
Mary
I was able to sleep until 6:30AM. I could have used a bit more but that was not bad. Chelsea and I had a pleasant walk. Actually she was really wild and excited. She did not cough all night. We were so pleased, then at about 9:30AM she coughed twice and had a rather major seizure. Go figure. I just don't understand. BUT overall, the episodes do seem to be decreasing.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning.
Then, at about 10:30AM, I left for a bunch of errands. First, Walgreens to pick up a prescription and take advantage of a couple of sales. Then on to the Blood Center.
This is my every eight week appointment. Today was not easy. The vein she chose tried to get away and it took a bit of poking to get the needle in. However, once it was in I filled the bag really quick. We put ice on it right away and I don't have much of a bruise. While I was eating my cookie and drinking my orange juice, I talked to Butch, the volunteer, and a woman who is having her blood drawn and stored for an operation that she will be having the same day as Dick has his next procedure. She is in need of a lot of prayer and I will be putting her on the prayer chains. She is about broke and this surgery, I am sure, will not help that situation. I promised so maybe you could all include her too. Her name is Laurie.
My last stop before heading for Dairy Queen for lunch was Miesfeld's where I bought some of the brats that they told us about at the Michael Feldman Whad' Ya Know Show last Saturday. They have apple and sauerkraut in them. We will have them tomorrow. I am also cooking my venison brat patties and regular brats as everything freezes well. I am eager to try the new brats however. We will also be having potato salad.
I am a very tired person. For some reason the giving blood really wore me out so I will be hitting bed as soon as it gets to be 9PM and I can take Chelsea out for her last walk.
Have a fun and relaxing weekend. Barbara called, sounding so very happy, to tell me that Bart had arrived in Florida safe and sound and is with her. That makes me very happy.
Love
Mary
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Today was beautiful. A bit chilly when we first got up but Chelsea and I had a lovely walk. We ran into the older lady with the cane who walks early too. She said that she has been missing us as we have not seen her for a few weeks. Both she and Chelsea and I have been trying to delay our walks because of the dark so our meetings will probably be chancy in this dark time of the year.
I cleaned bathrooms, sewed and Dick and I racked the Gewertziminer. Dick took me out for lunch because I was taking Mother out for dinner tonight. I like that kind of a deal. He and I went to Antoinette's. He had spaghetti and I had a mini pizza. We like that restaurant. Then Mother and I went to Chizzy's for dinner. I had a gyro there.
I won't have to do much cooking tomorrow either. We will eat leftovers and since it is Friday, I will have lunch with the Wells people at Dairy Queen. I also am giving blood at 11AM so will be able to really eat if I want to.
Jim and Michelle came home today, a day early. They did have lots of fun and saw lots of stuff INCLUDING bald eagles and a moose. Boots was beside himself to see them. Leslie, the flowers kept beautifully. I kept them in our lower level family room which is very cool. As I was sewing a lot this week I got to enjoy them as I "babysat' them. But they are still beautiful. only two flowers gave up the ghost. They called on their way home so the flowers were waiting on their dining room table when they walked in the house.
I took Mother to dinner tonight on the way to the funeral of a dear friend of hers called Madeline. Mother and Madeline went through grade school, high school and a year of Normal School (teacher's college) together. Madeline stayed in Sheboygan Falls with the Bowsers during the year she went to Normal school. She and her husband Melvin Seiderwere married in 1941. They were married for 15 years before their only child, a son named Hal was born. Mel came to the place that Dad was working after Hal was born and handed Dad a cigar and announced that he had a son. Dad assumed that, after all those years, they had adopted and asked Mel. "Where did he come from?" Mel glared at him and said "Where do you think?" They all laughed about that for years.
Before the service I spoke with Kay Seider. The coffin was closed and she told me that Madeline had told them that a closed coffin was her wish. She further said that if they had an open coffin, she would sit up and stick her tongue out at everybody. Kay said that they decided not to take that chance. A wise decision.
Mother feels sad because so many of her friends are going. But Madeline was also 91. Mother says she feels like "The Last Leaf" This comes from a poem by Oliver Wendall Holmes. If you don't want to read the whole thing (which is beautiful) just read the last verse.
I saw him once before,
As he passed by the door,
And again
The pavement stones resound,
As he totters o'er the ground
With his cane.
They say that in his prime,
Ere the pruning-knife of Time
Cut him down,
Not a better man was found
By the Crier on his round
Through the town.
But now he walks the streets,
And he looks at all he meets
Sad and wan,
And he shakes his feeble head,
That it seems as if he said,
"They are gone!"
The mossy marbles rest
On the lips that he has prest
In their bloom,
And the names he loved to hear
Have been carved for many a year
On the tomb.
My grandmamma has said--
Poor old lady, she is dead
Long ago--
That he had a Roman nose,
And his cheek was like a rose
In the snow;
But now his nose is thin,
And it rests upon his chin
Like a staff,
And a crook is in his back,
And a melancholy crack
In his laugh.
I know it is a sin
For me to sit and grin
At him here;
But the old three-cornered hat,
And the breeches, and all that,
Are so queer!
And if I should live to be
The last leaf upon the tree
In the spring,
Let them smile, as I do now,
At the old forsaken bough
Where I cling.
Love
Mary
I cleaned bathrooms, sewed and Dick and I racked the Gewertziminer. Dick took me out for lunch because I was taking Mother out for dinner tonight. I like that kind of a deal. He and I went to Antoinette's. He had spaghetti and I had a mini pizza. We like that restaurant. Then Mother and I went to Chizzy's for dinner. I had a gyro there.
I won't have to do much cooking tomorrow either. We will eat leftovers and since it is Friday, I will have lunch with the Wells people at Dairy Queen. I also am giving blood at 11AM so will be able to really eat if I want to.
Jim and Michelle came home today, a day early. They did have lots of fun and saw lots of stuff INCLUDING bald eagles and a moose. Boots was beside himself to see them. Leslie, the flowers kept beautifully. I kept them in our lower level family room which is very cool. As I was sewing a lot this week I got to enjoy them as I "babysat' them. But they are still beautiful. only two flowers gave up the ghost. They called on their way home so the flowers were waiting on their dining room table when they walked in the house.
I took Mother to dinner tonight on the way to the funeral of a dear friend of hers called Madeline. Mother and Madeline went through grade school, high school and a year of Normal School (teacher's college) together. Madeline stayed in Sheboygan Falls with the Bowsers during the year she went to Normal school. She and her husband Melvin Seiderwere married in 1941. They were married for 15 years before their only child, a son named Hal was born. Mel came to the place that Dad was working after Hal was born and handed Dad a cigar and announced that he had a son. Dad assumed that, after all those years, they had adopted and asked Mel. "Where did he come from?" Mel glared at him and said "Where do you think?" They all laughed about that for years.
Before the service I spoke with Kay Seider. The coffin was closed and she told me that Madeline had told them that a closed coffin was her wish. She further said that if they had an open coffin, she would sit up and stick her tongue out at everybody. Kay said that they decided not to take that chance. A wise decision.
Mother feels sad because so many of her friends are going. But Madeline was also 91. Mother says she feels like "The Last Leaf" This comes from a poem by Oliver Wendall Holmes. If you don't want to read the whole thing (which is beautiful) just read the last verse.
As he passed by the door,
And again
The pavement stones resound,
As he totters o'er the ground
With his cane.
Ere the pruning-knife of Time
Cut him down,
Not a better man was found
By the Crier on his round
Through the town.
And he looks at all he meets
Sad and wan,
And he shakes his feeble head,
That it seems as if he said,
"They are gone!"
On the lips that he has prest
In their bloom,
And the names he loved to hear
Have been carved for many a year
On the tomb.
Poor old lady, she is dead
Long ago--
That he had a Roman nose,
And his cheek was like a rose
In the snow;
And it rests upon his chin
Like a staff,
And a crook is in his back,
And a melancholy crack
In his laugh.
For me to sit and grin
At him here;
But the old three-cornered hat,
And the breeches, and all that,
Are so queer!
The last leaf upon the tree
In the spring,
Let them smile, as I do now,
At the old forsaken bough
Where I cling.
Love
Mary
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
I find it difficult to realize that I really have only one more day that I will be feeding Boots. I will go over on Friday Morning of course. BUT tomorrow is Thursday already. He was silly tonight and is getting really good about trying to hide behind the couch when I get up. I have to trick him to get him out and back into his room.
Chelsea had a good day today. She only seriously coughed once and that was the only time she even came close to a seizure. When we went on our walk, however, she sat down to rest twice as we were getting close to home.
We went grocery shopping this morning after a breakfast at the Family Restaurant.
I did some more machine quilting on the quilt that I am working on. Almost done. I have a little more stitching in the ditch and then need to bind it and applique the trees on the top.
Quote from Maxine: "They hold elections in November because it's the best time for picking out a turkey."
We had leftovers for dinner. Pork and rice, carrots and salad. With apple pie for dessert.
Today we saw a commercial about a kid going through the "wish book" ads for toys with her room full of toys already. But this is an American tradition. My boys absolutely devoured the Sears toy catalog - the original "wish book." They picked out everything, of course, but were always happy and content with whatever we got them.
I remember a year when this robot toy came out called King Ding. To top it off, you could buy mini robots called Ding a Lings. (Do you believe that.) Bret wanted this toy. I told him no way as I felt I had King Ding and the Ding a Lings already living in my house.
Love
Mary
Chelsea had a good day today. She only seriously coughed once and that was the only time she even came close to a seizure. When we went on our walk, however, she sat down to rest twice as we were getting close to home.
We went grocery shopping this morning after a breakfast at the Family Restaurant.
I did some more machine quilting on the quilt that I am working on. Almost done. I have a little more stitching in the ditch and then need to bind it and applique the trees on the top.
Quote from Maxine: "They hold elections in November because it's the best time for picking out a turkey."
We had leftovers for dinner. Pork and rice, carrots and salad. With apple pie for dessert.
Today we saw a commercial about a kid going through the "wish book" ads for toys with her room full of toys already. But this is an American tradition. My boys absolutely devoured the Sears toy catalog - the original "wish book." They picked out everything, of course, but were always happy and content with whatever we got them.
I remember a year when this robot toy came out called King Ding. To top it off, you could buy mini robots called Ding a Lings. (Do you believe that.) Bret wanted this toy. I told him no way as I felt I had King Ding and the Ding a Lings already living in my house.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
I baked a pie and some muffins today. I had mixed up some "6 Week Bran Muffins" probably six weeks ago so figured that I had better get them baked.
We had gotten some apples last Wednesday and I had a pie crust mixed in the refrigerator. The pie was really good. I fixed a crumb top pie.
We went shopping for jeans for Dick today. We did not do too well. He is reconsidering and we MAY go online. The only ones we found had really wide legs and he did not like that.
I worked on a quilt this afternoon too. While I was downstairs, I checked the Gewertiziminor wine that we mixed up last Saturday and it will be ready to rack to the secondary fermenter tomorrow. I believe we are down to a system again. We have figured out how to avoid Dick having to lift the big 5 gallon jugs, which was becoming way to hard.
Yesterday, Mother mentioned that one of Aunt Kathleen's kids, I think Jim, asked Aunt Kathleen if he could come back here from Texas for Christmas with his family, even if Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Bob are south as they usually are at that time. It reminded me of when I lived in California. We, with the jeep club, used to go on a snow run every winter. We would wait for lots of snow up on Big Bear and start early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. We would then spend the day riding on the back roads and trails of the mountain. We'd slide down hills on inner tubes and build snowmen and have snowball fights, then end up in Big Bear City at a nice warm pub and restaurant for warm fire and food, then home.
Frankly, that was about all the snow I felt I needed. It would be quite enough now, though it is nice if we have snow for Christmas.
It was a quiet day overall. I spent a little time both this morning and this evening with Boots. He is warming up a bit. I had to trick him this morning to get him back into the bedroom.
Chelsea did pretty well today. She did have one seizure at about noon, but seems to be down to one a day.
Take care
Mary
We had gotten some apples last Wednesday and I had a pie crust mixed in the refrigerator. The pie was really good. I fixed a crumb top pie.
We went shopping for jeans for Dick today. We did not do too well. He is reconsidering and we MAY go online. The only ones we found had really wide legs and he did not like that.
I worked on a quilt this afternoon too. While I was downstairs, I checked the Gewertiziminor wine that we mixed up last Saturday and it will be ready to rack to the secondary fermenter tomorrow. I believe we are down to a system again. We have figured out how to avoid Dick having to lift the big 5 gallon jugs, which was becoming way to hard.
Yesterday, Mother mentioned that one of Aunt Kathleen's kids, I think Jim, asked Aunt Kathleen if he could come back here from Texas for Christmas with his family, even if Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Bob are south as they usually are at that time. It reminded me of when I lived in California. We, with the jeep club, used to go on a snow run every winter. We would wait for lots of snow up on Big Bear and start early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. We would then spend the day riding on the back roads and trails of the mountain. We'd slide down hills on inner tubes and build snowmen and have snowball fights, then end up in Big Bear City at a nice warm pub and restaurant for warm fire and food, then home.
Frankly, that was about all the snow I felt I needed. It would be quite enough now, though it is nice if we have snow for Christmas.
It was a quiet day overall. I spent a little time both this morning and this evening with Boots. He is warming up a bit. I had to trick him this morning to get him back into the bedroom.
Chelsea did pretty well today. She did have one seizure at about noon, but seems to be down to one a day.
Take care
Mary
Monday, October 22, 2007
It was somewhat cooler today, AND we are getting a little rain tonight. Yesterday was warm and the house got too hot by evening.
Chelsea and I had a very nice walk. It was dark and she had a minor spell just before we left so I kept her on beaten path and out of most of the park. The thought of carrying her though unlit parks and woods if she had another one did not appeal to me.
Went to bible study in Falls. The readings were about remembering that everybody is somebody and that God looks at all of us as equally important. The Gospel was about the Pharisee who thought so much about himself that he made a point of telling GOD how good he was and mentioned that he was MUCH better than the tax collector who was also praying and asking for mercy. Something to think about.
Somehow we got on the subject of how many children people have. I think because of the fact that we all have our own lives, responsibilities and (Yes) burdens. Peggy, who also comes from a large family, remembered her mother and some other mothers (also with multiple children) talking about the Holy Family. She remembers the comment thrown around. "And them with their ONE."
Stopped at Mother's afterwards and we had our usual fun visit. Today we were remembering the Union Chorus during the Kohler Strike. This local chorus was really quite good. They traveled. Dad got to travel all over the country with the chorus and sing at various union functions. They went by bus, as Mother remembers. Mother ran into a lady recently that she remembered was also in the chorus, so she introduced herself. The lady was quite delighted and remembered Dad very well. And then she told Mother "And there was NO hanky panky on those trips either." We got such a kick out of that. The woman was a single lady who worked at the plant.
I went over to Jim and Michelle's this morning and again this evening to feed, water and clean Boots' litter box. This evening I spent a bit of time so he won't be so lonely. He played a bit and seemed MUCH happier to see me. I bet by the end of the week, I will be just the greatest thing since white bread.
I did a bit of quilting and cut out a lot of flannel squares for the denim quilt that I will be assembling as my next big project.
Tomorrow, we are doing a bit of clothes shopping for Dick. He doesn't particularly like to do that so it will not be a real joy. I get to be home the rest of the day.
Later
Mary
Chelsea and I had a very nice walk. It was dark and she had a minor spell just before we left so I kept her on beaten path and out of most of the park. The thought of carrying her though unlit parks and woods if she had another one did not appeal to me.
Went to bible study in Falls. The readings were about remembering that everybody is somebody and that God looks at all of us as equally important. The Gospel was about the Pharisee who thought so much about himself that he made a point of telling GOD how good he was and mentioned that he was MUCH better than the tax collector who was also praying and asking for mercy. Something to think about.
Somehow we got on the subject of how many children people have. I think because of the fact that we all have our own lives, responsibilities and (Yes) burdens. Peggy, who also comes from a large family, remembered her mother and some other mothers (also with multiple children) talking about the Holy Family. She remembers the comment thrown around. "And them with their ONE."
Stopped at Mother's afterwards and we had our usual fun visit. Today we were remembering the Union Chorus during the Kohler Strike. This local chorus was really quite good. They traveled. Dad got to travel all over the country with the chorus and sing at various union functions. They went by bus, as Mother remembers. Mother ran into a lady recently that she remembered was also in the chorus, so she introduced herself. The lady was quite delighted and remembered Dad very well. And then she told Mother "And there was NO hanky panky on those trips either." We got such a kick out of that. The woman was a single lady who worked at the plant.
I went over to Jim and Michelle's this morning and again this evening to feed, water and clean Boots' litter box. This evening I spent a bit of time so he won't be so lonely. He played a bit and seemed MUCH happier to see me. I bet by the end of the week, I will be just the greatest thing since white bread.
I did a bit of quilting and cut out a lot of flannel squares for the denim quilt that I will be assembling as my next big project.
Tomorrow, we are doing a bit of clothes shopping for Dick. He doesn't particularly like to do that so it will not be a real joy. I get to be home the rest of the day.
Later
Mary
Sunday, October 21, 2007
I just wonder how long we will be enjoying this wonderful balmy weather. We all know what is looming on the horizon.
I went to the 8AM Mass today and filled up my tank on the way home. Using the Pig is giving us Pig Points. We got 50 cents off on each gallon today. This applies on amounts up to 15 gallons and I am getting pretty good. Today I got 14.728 gallons. Not bad.
The rest of the day was quiet, quiet quiet. I went over before Mass and after supper to take care of Boots for Jim and Michelle. He is not very receptive of me. He kind of hangs out in his bedroom and stares at me, occasionally wandering out and just surveying things. I think he is just not used to anybody but them and doesn't know quite what to make of me.
The children's choir sang this morning. They are quite good and it is always a pleasure hearing them.
Today is Jim and Michelle's anniversary. Too bad they didn't have this weather last year.
This coming week will be rather quiet. I will be able to catch up on a lot of cleaning and little chores.
Hope you have a good one.
"We do not remember days, we remember moment." Try to have at least one this week.
Mary
I went to the 8AM Mass today and filled up my tank on the way home. Using the Pig is giving us Pig Points. We got 50 cents off on each gallon today. This applies on amounts up to 15 gallons and I am getting pretty good. Today I got 14.728 gallons. Not bad.
The rest of the day was quiet, quiet quiet. I went over before Mass and after supper to take care of Boots for Jim and Michelle. He is not very receptive of me. He kind of hangs out in his bedroom and stares at me, occasionally wandering out and just surveying things. I think he is just not used to anybody but them and doesn't know quite what to make of me.
The children's choir sang this morning. They are quite good and it is always a pleasure hearing them.
Today is Jim and Michelle's anniversary. Too bad they didn't have this weather last year.
This coming week will be rather quiet. I will be able to catch up on a lot of cleaning and little chores.
Hope you have a good one.
"We do not remember days, we remember moment." Try to have at least one this week.
Mary
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