Saturday

I was home all day except for the 4PM Mass.    I was a communion minister.   I always like that.  Being such an important part of the service is good.

I was busy all day.   I did sleep late.   Tomorrow will be going to a dinner theater with Bobbie and Bill.  So delighted with that.   Good to get out among people with a good meal and play to go with it.

Time for bed so good night.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The only time I stepped out of the house today was to get the mail.   I was a cold and windy day.  

How nice that I could stay home.

I worked on my piece for the Members Show At the Pacific Arts Center and washed and cleaned the office.   My cleaning lady is sick so I cleaned the bathrooms and my office and washed a couple of loads of  wash.

I am eating high on the hog, on turkey dishes.   Will be freezing them in individual dinners for the next few week.

Tomorrow is reasonably quiet.   I have projects.  And Sunday I will be going to a dinner play with Bill and Bobbie called Harris Cashes Out.   There is a Christmas Show on December 7th too.  Boy what a good present.  One that lasts all year.

Til tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

May

What a day.   I had decided that I had better cook the half turkey that was in my freezer for almost a year.    I roasted the breast which I ate part of for lunch along with some super carrots that Jeff and Kathy had given me.   I have the wing soaking in soy sauce sauce for tomorrow.   I fixed the leg with tomato, onion, pepper garlic and spices with the dickens cooked out of it for sandwiches and make soup.   I will be freezing most of it in serving sizes for the next few weeks.

I went and sang with the St. John's choir tonight.   I do enjoy singing so have decided to join them.   Hopefully I will be able to fit it in with the other things I do.

I also had a chiropractor appointment today.  Dr. Leban is having me try that now that the pain and headaches are so diminished.    Hopefully that will make the pain go away for GOOD.

That's all for today.

I am glad that I was up later.   Perhaps that will help me get on a better schedule.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Busy day

I went grocery shopping this morning.   Didn't need much but Roxie needed food and I had to get my lottery tickets.    Either was enough reason to get myself over to the Pig. Got me out of the house for a bit too.

I really had quite a bit to do anyway.   I am reviewing the insurance options  for Medicare for both Mother and myself.  I have "surveyed" and then will call my agent tomorrow.    I understand that there is a special program for Mom but have been waiting for a call after I contacted AARp's United Guarantee.   I probably will have to try again.   "Heavy sigh." 

I received an email from a friend that I met on the Scotland tour.   Her daughter committed suicide.   I know the pain the loss of someone dear to that dreadful cause.   She wanted to use my Falcon poem at the funeral, so I sent it to her with what little that anyone can say for comfort at a time like this.  Please pray for my friend, Louisa.  I can't imagine and could only send the poem and my love.

I had to give Roxie fluids today.   I always feel so bad, because she must be kind of scared.   Today, I just held her in my lap rather than trying to confine her in a towel or something and that worked pretty well.    Poor baby,  she probably thinks I have lost my mind.

Tomorrow I will be seeing a chiropractor again.  Hopefully that will eliminate the rest of my neck pain and I will be able to stop taking pills.   I HATE taking pills but have not had headaches for over a week now.   That is worth pills.

Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A Sunday at home.

I was able to work on the Wee Thatch Cottage today and to review parts of St. Colm Cille and St. Maughold for the book

I was very lonely today, missing my love.  I did get to talk to several friends and relatives which helped me.   When I get these days I am sort of lost.  But Dick would not want met to brood.

Overall it was a good day.


Bless you all.  I hope you feel as blessed as I am

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Monday

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day.    I even left the front door open for a couple of hours this afternoon.

I went to Bible Study at nine.   There were nine of us there today.   Our discussion is still on Acts.   We are getting into the travels of Paul and the parts where the Gentiles were allowed to become Christian without becoming Jewish first.

Then I went to Meadow View Manor to visit Mom and take communion to the Catholic residents there. 

Mom and I had a good visit.   I told her that Jacquie died, she will be praying for the family.   She and I know that Jacquie is in heaven.   As Mom says, she went right there.   After all she helped and cared for so many people in her lifetime.

Got home about 12:30PM.   A friend, Kathy Paul, stopped by to pick something up and we had a nice visit.    He husband died last year, so we share a lot right now.  

This afternoon, I worked on the fabric art piece that I want to put in the Plymouth Arts Member show next month.   I am almost done with the machine sewing and then will work on the embellishments.

I called Richard and Brenda this evening.   They had called yesterday just after I left for the Samhain dinner.  They were recently on a trip to Florida and had a good time touring and walking the beach.  So we shared trips.  Thanksgiving is close now so I will get to see them soon.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr. Leben.   My headaches ARE better and I want her advice about when I can reduce the meds.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well this has been a nice day. 

I slept until about 8AM.  Spent a quiet day just making colcannon and getting ready for the annual Samhain dinner that we Celtic Women have.   We were at First Congregational Church again.   They are so welcoming.  

For those of you who don't know and I really think you all do by now.  

 

Samhain is known by most folks as Halloween, but for many modern Pagans it's considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us, marking the dark time of the year.

  Wikipedia

 

It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.   The dead are supposed to be much closer at this time of year, a true thin place.

Anyway, we celebrate with a nice harvest dinner and sharing.   We had 15 people this year.   Two more than last year so we are pleased and the food was SO good.

 

Now I am tired and have a reason to be.

 

Dia Dhuit

 

Mary

 

It was a full day.   I am exhausted and today I am very lonely.   

I felt that way early.   I was busy all morning but this afternoon just had to get out of the house.   So I went to JMKAC for their ethnic English  Family Festival.   I did all of the children's crafts.   I made a paper doll that will be included in the big burn on Nov. 5, Guy Fawkes Day.  I could have taken him with me, but figured he should have a purpose in this world.

I made a silver crown with jewels on it and designed a Coat of Arms for me.   I put thistles and a bird on it.

I had planned my trip there to be so that I could get to St. John's for Mass this evening.   Mary Kay had asked me if I could sub for communion,   and you know how I like that.

So here I am.   Tomorrow I will be going to UCC for the Annual SAmhain dinner.

I have not heard from too many people, so I hope they just come.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Friday

This was a good Friday.  I picked up a prescription at the Clinic to take to Walgreen's to be filled.

I filled the prescription and then went to have lunch with my bank friends. 
That was fun but is it always so much food.   I have enough for lunch tomorrow too.   I had to get some more fluids for my Roxie too.   She will probably be very disappointed in me.   Poor baby.

Tomorrow will be quiet too.   I only have Mass outside of the house.    Sunday will be Samhain with CWI.  So I will be making colcannon for the harvest dinner..   I am also digging the insides out of a huge rutabaga to make a Jack o Lantern.

Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

News

Sad but good news.   My dear sister in law, Jacquie, passed away last night.   She had been pretty much in a sleep state since Monday night.   She was not alone, Todd was there and she just simply stopped breathing.   So a peaceful death for a wonderful lady.    I am glad that she is no longer sick and in pain.   She is with her George and they are happy.   The celebration of her life will be in a couple of months because of her choice.   Her body has been donated and they will receive the cremains when all is done.    Vikki and Todd and Jennifer are planning on celebrating Jacquie and
Doris together.

This is a hard time as we are never really ready, but knowing that a loved one is whole again sure does help.

Please pray for my Todd and  family. 

Other than the above,  my day itself was pretty quiet except for phone calls.   I did clean the garage and bring in my planters from the deck.  I cleaned the two trash barrels and Roxie's litter box.  So it was not a lost day.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I had the nicest evening.   My neighbors, Bob and Peggy invited me to join them in a wine and food pairing at the Black Pig in Elkhart Lake.   It was such fun.  I learned a lot and got to actually taste pork belly and polenta as they are supposed to be served.

I am up later than usual and am very tired.  So this is all you are getting tonight.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home

I was able to stay at home most of the day and in the neighborhood ALL day.  

Just after I woke up, I received a call from my niece Vikki about Jacquie.    Jacquie now has pneumonia on top of all her other heath crises and has been taken off of any life support devises.  I have been praying all day and let the boys know.   I am praying that her journey to the other side is easy.    Mother says that Jacquie has no worries about heaven as she took care of so many souls while she was able.   We have been friends for 53 years at least.   I have been so privileged.

I spent the day washing and working on paying bills and stuff like that.

At 3PM I went over to the Hurrie's for our condo board meeting.   I got home shortly after 4PM and have been pretty much lazing around.   It is nice to not have big projects for one day.

Todd called this evening.   He is doing well- he said he will call me later.   Please keep him and his Mom in your prayers this evening. 

I am done for the evening.   Tomorrow will be a bit busier.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a great Sunday.    Jana and Sally are still here and will be leaving in the morning for the Braille Conference in Milwaukee.

It was so great to have people in the house since yesterday.    Some one to talk to  and do things with.

We drove to Manitowoc late this morning to go to the cemetery to find the graves of some of Jana's husband Tim's relatives.   Tim was born in Manitowoc.   We had fun roaming the cemetery and found several stones for her to catch.

We stopped at Legend Larry's for lunch and got to see the last quarter of the Packer game.   Yea Packers.   They really whipped Carolina bad today.

Tomorrow back to normal.   Will have the Cream City Writer's meeting.   We are going out to Don Cooper's home, he likes us to see his beautiful woods at this time of year.

So until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just a quick note to let you know that my friend Jana and her friend arrived safe and sound at about 6PM.   We have been visiting and I am so glad that I was able to have people to talk to.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Friday

I gave myself a very easy day today. 

I worked on my wall hanging for the Members art show at Plymouth Arts.    I washed three loads of wash and go them all put away.    I cleaned the kitchen and baked some Decadent Pumpkin cupcakes.   I will frost them in the morning and have them for my guests, Jana Hertz and her friend tomorrow night and Sunday.

I am so excited about having people in the house.   Roxie does her best but I have not, as Dick did, figured out how to talk to her in cat.  So we do not have much to talk about.

She is doing pretty well, but she is not eating worth a darn.  I well continue to do what her doctor has said until she is no longer comfortable or seems in pain.  She is a very Needy kitty,  but that is OK with me.

To tomorrow evening my friend, Jana Hertz and her companion will be here in the evening and stay until Monday morning.  I am so looking forward to that.  People in the house.  Roxie and I will enjoy that.

Please keep Jacquie and my "ex" relatives in your prayers.   Somehow they are never really EX.   For example my Vikki and my Todd are so dear to my heart.

Until tomorrow

Dia dhuit

Mary

I got to be home all day today.    Got up at about 7:30AM.   I did not even shower.  Tee Hee.

I kept myself busy with writing, quilting making phone calls and just all out cleaning my workplace.

Please keep praying for my ex sister in law, my friend of 53 years as she has taken a really bad turn.   I have been unable to connect with anyone there today and am hoping that is good.   That at least she is in a safe place and not suffering.  Please pray also for my nephew, Todd, her son.   He is not an ex nephew.    Nephews cannot become exes.

Dia Dhuit

Mary



Oscar Wilde saw a sign on a saloon that said, "Please do not shoot the pianist. He is doing his best," and he called it "the only rational method of art criticism I have ever come across."(From Keillor's Writers Alamac)

This has been a weird day.

I did my grocery, bank and pharmacy errads

I have talked to my son, Bart.  I have talked to Jana, a friend from my previous life, who is going to be with me this weekend.    I knew her as a little girl and now she is a mover and shaker in BRAILE.

 I will have the pleasure of her company Saturday night through Monday morning.  We are going to Manitowoc to find some of her ancestors.   How Cool is that.  While we are together, we are going to phone her Dad, Ray Winchester so that I get a chance to reconnect.   The Winchesters are among the precious memories that I treasure.

Tomorrow is a day that I do not have to go ANYWHERE.  I am going to take advantage of that.  I am even going to skip my shower.   Pretty Risque wouldn't you say.

Dia dhuit

Mary

I saw the doctor today about my stomach and we are readjusting the meds to see if we can get the pain under control again.

I heard from my nephew Todd Hiner tonight, that my sister in law Jacquie is in the hospital again.  She was vomiting stool so this is really bad.   Please pray for her and for my Todd as this unfolds.   Hopefully they can bring everything under control.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just another manic Monday.   I think that is a line from a song.

Today was one of the two writer's club meetings that I attend each month.   Today was the Sheboygan County Writers.   I pick up my friend Sy Regan for that one.   I do have to back track a bit to pick him up because I go from Bible Study in Sheboygan Falls to Sheboygan to spend time with Mother, but home is just about the same and it is worth it for Sy be able to attend.   

Bible Study was well attended.    We are talking about the journeys of Paul and Barnabas to preach all over the place.    In Acts Chapter 14 a lot happens.  Good and bad.   They get driven out of one town, Paul is almost stoned to death and they are mistaken for gods.   Our discussion question was what we encounter when we discuss the gospel.   We have all had different reactions.  Of course, we don't make trips to foreign countries to preach.   Hopefully we preach by our actions.   They'll know we are Christians by our love.   Another line from a song.

Writers club was rather exciting.   We have a lot going on.   There were announcements of several events and contests that are occurring in the county and about.   Those who had done it read the "assignment" which was to write about someone who was a great influence on us.   I read a poem about my Dad.    I also told them about my adventure at IBAM and will forward the information to the members.   Next year I will let them know ahead of time.   It is a wonderful event and some might be interested.   

When I got home, I was awfully sore so I rested for a while.    This evening St. John's had a review of the proper way to do some of the ministries.   As I do both Eucharistic ministry and lector I went to be sure I wasn't missing anything.   A lot of questions asked that will kind of amooth things out.    A wonderful group of volunteers.

So home again.   Almost bed time.    

I see Dr. Sokhi tomorrow.   Hope he can figure out what to do about this stomach pain that I have been having.

Roxie is awfully needy today.   She seems a bit off her food.   But she does not seem uncomfortable or sick.   So I will just observe and enjoy her while I can.

Til tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 I got to stay home ALL day.   What a relief.   I did not even shower.

I had made a list of things that I wanted to do and got every thing done.   Such a feeling of accomplishment.    I even went for a walk.  I have been sluffing off on that so am quite proud of myself.

Tomorrow the merry go round starts again.   But the week itself is a bit quieter.

Dia Dhuit

Mary


Alice Childress said, "Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave, and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way."