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.
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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

"An Irishman will always soften bad news, so that a major coronary is no more than 'a bad turn' and a near hurricane that leaves thousands homeless is 'good drying weather'."

Hugh Leonard

Not a very busy day, but I did get several things done.   I am about done writing short summaries of the Celtic Nations to include in the book of Celtic Saints for somewhat of a background of what the active missionaries faced and  why they and the other non missionary saints were chosen as patron saints.

The sun was out all day, but there is a nice comforting breeze so humidity is not an issue.  I took a nice walk after lunch.   See. I am getting better about that.

The only other "event" was Mass.   I went to the 4PM Mass and took communion to my friends Rita and Tom. Rita was very weak but her spirit just shines in her eyes.  We had a missionary priest, from the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, who is working in the province of Ghana.   He was very interesting talking about his ministry in two war situations in Africa.

So. Now I am ready to wind down for the night.   My goal tomorrow is to finish my mini Celtic Nation Backgrounds and print them so that I can review them all and be sure that they follow the same general format.

So I am going to sit out on the deck for a little bit and then get ready for bed when it starts getting dark.

Hope your long weekend has been wonderful.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I liked today.   I was able to stay home all day.   I did wake up with a headache and sore neck, but managed to control the pain by 10AM.  Had lots of people to talk to today.   I talked to my neighbor Kathy this morning.  She was going to the Farmers Market and picked up some fresh strawberries for me.  When she brought them we had a nice visit.   She lived in the Cross Creek Condos when we were there many years ago.   So our paths have crossed twice.   She belongs to one of the garden clubs who arrange the Garden Walk in Sheboygan.   She also quilts and belongs to the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild.  Surprisingly, we did not really know each other until she moved out here.

This evening at 4PM the Tallgrass residents met in the common ground for a gathering.   We have set this time 4PM on Thursday for a weekly meeting just to visit and enjoy during the summer months.
There were about 16 of us this week, we will keep spreading the word and hopefully it will bet bigger.   It is not intended as an obligation, just as an opportunity to get to know each other better.

It was fun tonight.  I brought some snacks tonight.   We seem to be alternating that quite well too.  Nobody seems obligated, but there is plenty for everybody.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.   I am going to put my flag out in the morning. 

I am going through linens and that type of thing to see what I can cull from the collection.   Not  quite the right terminology, but it sounds good.   I have so very much STUFF in this house.  Need to get rid of some of it.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary


I       

Another rainy day and rather cool.   I don't think it even got over 65.   And cloudy ALL day.   Ick.  Sunshine sure would be welcome.  Then we will be complaining about the humidity since it is so wet.

Roxie had her doctor appointment for a recheck of her blood today.   We are going back to two pills a day from 2 1/2.   I know she will like that.   She absolutely hates it when I shove those things down her throat and she is such a picky eater that I can't hide them in food and she did not even acknowledge that pill pockets existed when I tried them.  She has been throwing up lately, often with hair balls coming up.    I gave her butter Monday.   Dr. Connors gave me a tube of stuff to rub on her foot for her to lick off that will help hairball problems without adding fat.   She has regained most of the weight that she lost so that is important.  Dr. Connors also really wants her to eat the KD food so I have two brands of canned that she hasn't tried.   However, she isn't thrilled with the first one which actually smells pretty good.   It is chicken and gravy and smells like its name.   I will leave it until morning as my girl is not fond of trying new things.  

The rest of the day was quiet.   General chores.  Dusted the desk, washed some clothes.   Fixed a really good lunch.   I will just be heating things up for the next few days.

I went for a walk this evening.   I was feeling loggy and needed some fresh air so went for a walk.   My neighbor, Marilyn, was handing out some notices to non computer members of our condo assn. so I caught up with her and we chatted.   Nice to hear voices of an evening.

Some of you may remember the Norwegian Blessing I found years ago.   When I was in Ireland several years ago and shared it, the guide told me he felt that it must REALLY be and Irish Blessing.

And lo and behold I found it in an Irish book of proverbs and blessings.

"May the light always find you on a dreary day
When you need to be home may you find your way
May you always have courage to take a chance
And may you never find frogs in your underpants."

Dia Dhuit

Mary

July ALREADY

What a day.   Threatened at least twice with rain, but the clouds just passed on by.   It was rather muggy but I sat out on the deck this afternoon for about an hour reading and writing and it was just perfect.   A nice breeze moving the air around gently.   Boy were the birds ever happy.  Since I came in and have finished preparing and eating supper, it did rain a bit because the deck is all wet now.  Glad I went out when I did.

I spent most of the day just cooking and writing.   I made a rhubarb pie.   I had mixed up a pie crust a couple of weeks ago and used part of it so I HAD to use the rest or throw it away.   You know how I hate to throw things away.  

Fortunately, my friend Felicia came over so that we could get our last  payment to the Scotland Tour company sent off and I sent a couple of pieces home with her.  Now we are all set for the trip.   Just need to wait and pack and go.    I am so excited.

I took some venison out of the freezer today.   I marinated some of it in teriyaki sauce
for today and have enough left for one more meal  with the fried rice I had left.   Boy is it good.   Tomorrow, I will fix the rest of the meat in another way so I can add variety to my meals.

Roxie has a veterinarian checkup tomorrow at 8AM.   Good.   That will get me up and out of bed at a decent hour.   I do like to laze in these days.  Though it is getting better as my shoulder DOES seem a bit better.   I am crossing my fingers.

So. Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday

The last day of JUNE already.   This year is half gone. And it has been a full one.

I am still getting calls and notes from people about my Facebook invasion.   It should be OK.  I can only pray that nobody fell for it.   I got the most fun response from Suzi.   She DID refriend and ended up seeing the "big news" that my love had changed and thought maybe I had a boyfriend.   We both had a good laugh about that.   That sure would be a big change, and not one I am really interested in.  But Big.

We had almost a full crew at Bible Study.  With an animated conversation about the Jewish dietary laws and how when the Apostles were presented with the fact it was NOT evil to eat some foods, it was hard for them to accept.  Mainly because we Gentiles are ALSO part of Jesus's chosen ones.

Then on to Mother.  She looked really good today.   I distributed communion to my little people there and then we had a super visit.   I showed some pictures from the 50thJubilee and gave her the mass folder that we brought for her. On the way home I stopped off to just say Hi to Dolores and Ken.   Dolores and I had a cup of coffee together and just gabbed.  

So.  I was home a bit later than usual.   Had lunch and have been working on generally coordinating things around here. 

A storm is passing over this evening.   It is a doozy.   Lots of thunder and rain by the bucket loads.  It was very warm and muggy.  It still is muggy but the temperature has dropped because of the rain.

Speaking of rain, makes me think of the farmers.   I am seeing corn growing now.   I think SOME of it may be knee high.   As the 4th of July is in 4 days, this is encouraging.  My beans and tomatoes and herbs are really doing well.  THey seem to love this weather.

Dia Dhuit until tomorrow.

Mary

Today was both wonderful and annoying

The day was wonderful because it was a sunshiny day and not too hot with a lovely breeze blowing.  AND I was out at St. Michael's Church in Parnell for Fr. Mike Shea's Golden Jubilee of his Ordination to holy priesthood.  

We celebrated a Mass under a tent in the parking lot of the church under the sky.  At least six of Fr. Mike's priest friends and classmates were there to cocelebrate with him.   There was a small choir, those left from the closing of Our Lady of the Angels where Fr. Mike actually grew up.  My cousins, his siblings, Kevin and Brigid were there, of course and lots of other cousins that I never met before.
And just people who know him and wanted to be there.    The meal was wonderful.  Choice of pork or chicken sandwich, beans, potato salad, coleslaw and appetizers.   They had beer, Bloody Marys and water and coke to drink.  I was stuffed.   Had a short visit with Fr. Mike.   He is going to see Mother next week.   I sat with Uncle Pat and Aunt Joan, they will bring him to Mother.  Aunt Kathleen was there too.   And my friend Peg Payne.  I loved the beauty of the day.

Then I got home.   When I went on line and checked my mail, I found that someone had hacked my Facebook.   If anybody gets a friend request from me and you are already my friend.  IGNORE IT.   It is some kind of a scam.    I changed my passwords on Facebook and on both of my email accounts so (I checked with Richard and Brenda) Everything should be OK, as long as people don't respond to that request.   EEEEEUUUUUUUUU.  I hate stuff like this.

So. I have done all I can do and have had all the fun I can think of so will head into tomorrow ready to roll.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary