The 4th of July was really nice for me.   Adam and Alexia  invited me to their home for a 4th of July celebration.   I decided to go hoping that they invited people that were likely to be SAFE,    I think they were.    Family and very close friends of Adam and Lexie.    We had hot dogs for our meal, starting at 7:30 and fireworks to die for until at least 9:30PM        What a wonderful way to celebrate our countries Independence Day.

I am feeling pretty good.   I am getting things done around the house.   Have my planters cleared and planted (there are even very small tomatoes on some of my tomato plants) and cleaning my garage which is a mess and has leaking from the air conditioner.   I even called American Shield to get the air conditioner checked.

My Vita was terrified of the fireworks.     Then I left her.   Am I  a bad MaMa or what?   When I got home last night she refused to go outside to go to the bathroom.    My neighbors were coming home at about the same time I did and were laughing their heads off as I tried to get her to walk.    She just dragged me back to the house.     So,  can you believe, that girl went almost 18 hours without urinating because she was afraid to go outside and "good girls don't potty in the house."

Finally I took her out at 8ish in the morning and literally dragged her halfway down the block and she finally realized that there was no more fireworks.    Poor baby.    Well she has a year before she has to do this again.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku

Planting feeds the soul.
Being a part of creation
Is simple as that.

Another day safe from the ravages of the  COVID 19.    In other words I was home all day.    I did talk to one of my neighbors who wanted to use my driveway as he was getting a delivery.   I assured him I was not going anywhere today.

Finished cleaning my sunroom today.   I also did some reading and some wash.

So I kept myself from going totally stir crazy:)

Hope you are all safe and ready for the 4th.   I AM going with Bart and Barb over to my grandson, Adam's, house tomorrow evening for a late hot dog supper and I assume fireworks.    I WILL wear my mask.   The one Barbara gave me, Of Course.

Til tomorrow
Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku

Climb to tomorrow
Through a gentle peaceful sleep
Repairing despair.

Home all day.    It was stiffling hot.   Glad I could pace my outside stuff.

I did go out early and finished clearing my "flower bed" which is now going to be a sculpture bed.    I got all the junk out of it this morning and will just keep working at it every other day or so to see that I have gotten rid of the roots and such.

I also worked on cleaning my sunroom windows.   Only one more window left - then I will finish sweeping keeping things up.

It was SO hot and my Vita seems to think she has to go for a walk to do her business.    I know.    It is my fault.   I know, if I waited long enough she would HAVE to go in the back yard.    But I am a softy.   Probably the walking is good for me anyway.

Have a great evening

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Can't believe that it is July already.   I worked a bit in the yard early before the heat and humidity set in.

If I do that tomorrow, my beds will be in pretty good shape.

It got up to 96 today.   They say the humidity brings the feel heat as 108 and I believe it.

Tomorrow the same.
I am blessed that I can stay home in my air conditioned home.

Dia Dhuit
Mary


Haiku

Green is the color
That fills up the window screen
Joyfully lovely.

I went grocery shopping this morning  and got a lot of things done around the house.    It is so good to actually be eager to GET things done as I spent so much time after Chemo feeling like a slug.

I took Miss Vita for three walks.   After the last one which was short, I told her she would just have to go into the backyard:)    It is so hot and muggy.

Watered all my outdoor plants anyway.    My tomato plants have yellow flowers on them.   Wouldn't it be funny if at 80 years old, I finally got a decent crop of tomatoes?

Supposed to be hotter tomorrow.    I can stay home and cool.

Hope you can too if you are faced with this.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Haiku

A breath of fresh thought
Striding through the world with joy
Always true to you.

Another hot day, but the next two days are projected to be even hotter.    I will have to take my Vita for her long walk in the morning and short walk her the rest of the day.    I know, I know, she has a perfectly good backyard which she loves and explores and pees in but she does not like to do her serious business in it.     A good doggie goes for a walk with her Mama and poops.    Then Mama picks it up in a bag and throws it in the trash.     Nicky was that way and I don't know how, but I hage this little Vita doing the same thing.     I know it is my fault but such is life.

Kept myself busy today.    I saw Dr. Toy this morning and he says that I am doing well.    Still on a two week recall, but he is pleased with what is happening.   He calls me his Wild Irish Rose.

Got a call from Marti, one of my fellow writers.    Karlos, her husband and a fellow writer, is trying to find a spot for us to gather again.    There are only six of us, so it is at least feasible.   Hopefully we will start again next Thursday.     I need people even six feet apart and with masks on!!!!

Marti is now brave enough to go to church next Saturday.    That would prepare her for the Writer's Club.

I think we will be several years before this is all resolved, but we need to get on with life with protections and consideration for each other.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I was home alone all day today.     Got a lot of things finished up, like gathering the garden waste into a trash bag for the trash tomorrow, watering ALL my plants and emailing my Celtic friends to kind of feel them out as to whether we should meet this month.    Told them they should think about it and I will contact them about a week before we usually meet.   I'm not even sure how I will feel at that time:)  But we don't want to lose touch.

Got calls from two of my classmates.   Classmates that go back to grade school.    Nancy and Barbara,  I sure enjoyed that.   Voices of special people in my house always makes me feel good and casts such light on the day.

This week is actually very quiet for me.    The only appointment I have is Dr. Toy on Monday to get my body adjusted:)  Can't believe that the 4th of July is Saturday..      The year is half over.

A cinquain

Blessings
I thank the Lord
For all he has given me
Each sunrise granting me one more day
To be.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

My "handyman" as he and I have decided to call him, Shawn came today and did several of the things that need to be done for maintenance.    He brought his son with him and his son worked so hard.     I told Shawn I hoped he was paying his son and he and the boy both assured me he was.

I went to mass tonight.    So glad to be able to do that now.   I still am amazed at the weeks we couldn't because of the virus.    Still have to be very careful.     Not all people are.    The church is carefully marked off for singles, couples and families and the ushers make sure people follow the rules.

I did a bit of shopping today so tomorrow I will be home all day.     Have a couple of easy projects to keep me occupied.    I don't like TOO much but do like to accomplish something every day.

I miss you all
Dia Dhuit
Mary

Had a dentist appointment for a cleaning this morning at 8:00AM.   Don't know what I was thinking:)   Actually we rescheduled and this was the first date available and I wasn't thinking.
Everything went well.   I don't have to go back until November.    My teeth are doing probably better than I am.   Ha   Ha

Stopped and picked up a Mc Donald's Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit , which I really DO love for my breakfast.

Had a hair cut appointment for 1:00PM.   Kandi had to close for a couple of months but I am glad she was open.   I feel more groomed and had a visit with a real live person that I DO share some things with (something about hairdressers).   I feel great.

When I was on my way home. Bart called.   He was on the way over with soup that Barb made for my supper.     Am I blessed, or what.    Bart and I had a nice visit.      When he left, I took Vita out and then fed her so I just need dinner and a time to wind down.

Love days with people in them.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

                     Well, I kept myself busy most of the day.    I did a bit of work outside, I am trying to clear a bed that I let get overgrown.    Dan and Han, my gardeners came today and mowed the lawn.    Their doggy, Jose, that they had for 18 years passed away.    They have a new doggy now, a sweet black and white chiuhaua named Lucky.   I think he is lucky too.

I talked to Richard and Brenda this evening.   Was concerned because of the marches in Madison.    They are just fine, as I figured they would be but I needed to check in:)

Haiku

If today I try
To do more than I can do
Trying is enough

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Another reasonably quiet day.    Sure wish this pandemic would die down, but it keeps blooming in new areas every few days.

Oklahoma is not doing too badly, kind of under the middle of the really bad places.

I keep praying for all of us.   Watched a really great Irish presentation of music to support the black and brown people of our country.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbAQ9Nz6TU&feature=youtu.be.    I am hoping that with this information we will be able to see it.  again.

Anyway, It is time for bed/

Haiku

Up in the safety
Of the elm trees in my yard
The squirrels tease the dogs.

Dia Dhuit
Mary 

Basically home all day.

My dear Vita dog took me for three nice walks today.     It is not TOO hot but I was a bit sweaty mid afternoon.    She was not too inclined to lead me further either.      We do love our walks.   By the time summer is over, we will be walking up to the park which will push me a bit further.   This is my exercise and the reason I say I get a dog:)   I remember that the gym teacher at Sheboygan Falls High School used to tell Mother that Mary and Nora try hard but they just are not very good at gym.   Perhaps Nora has changed?    I will have to ask her.

I have been thinking of my Mother these days with all the things that are happening in this world.    The pandemic would have been shocking but she would have coped.    All the racial anger would have been against her feelings on life.   She loved all and I believe passed that on to us.   I wish I had her way of phrasing things.

Haiku

A hungry heart is

Somehow always open to

Both good and bad food.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

 

My uneventful Sunday got pretty full after all.

I contacted one of my Wisconsin Celtic Friends, Joan,  to get a number for another Celtic Friend, Maureen.   Joan wasn't home, so I called another Wisconsin Celtic Friend. Janet.    We had a nice long catch up conversation and I hung up forgetting to ask for the number.      Then     I FOUND Maureen's number.    Just about then Joan called me back so we had a nice long catch up conversation.     I just feel so good.

I DID call Maureen and she and I took care of what I wanted to ask her and WE caught up on each other and she asked me to think about presenting a talk on the trips I took alone to Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.    

So I spent the afternoon finding the pictures.    Now I have to figure out which set belongs to which place:) :)    They have such a similar terrain.    It will be fun.

Haiku
As we walk along
I wish I could ride a cloud
To eternity.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Usually Oklahoma gets about 4 inches of rain in June.    BUT did it all have to come tooncet.    (Sound it out.)   It means at once. 

That is what happened.   My poor Vita is traumatized by all the rain and thunder.   Fortunately it started at about noon so she had her morning potty break before things got bad.   She is really irritated with me.  I know she thinks I control these things.

I went to the funeral of a dear friend, Curtis Dyer, today.   It was a lovely mass and remembrance.  My dear friend, Robbi, his wife will be so lonely.    I know how that is and she had no children to lift her up, so I must be sure to be in touch with her regularly for the next weeks.    We have some mutual friends who all love our Robbi so this will not be difficult.    Please pray for her and her Curtis.

Still staying safe, with masks and as much distancing as one can do at a funeral.

Haiku
The rain matched my mood
Cleansing but dampening joy
I need the sunshine.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Just hangin' out.    Aren't we all?    Sure hope this thing passes quickly.    I don't have much hope though.   Whenever I DO go to a store a good 50% of the people, sometimes including the server people, are not wearing masks.     6 feet distance is PRETTY well honored, especially when things are marked.

I was home most of the day, did talk to a friend and my Bart always calls me.    I had to run to Walgreens for a couple of things.   You know that my Vita resents it when I leave her alone.     She is a good little doggie companion.

A haiku for you   ( I will try\ to do this as long as things are so DULL around here.)

Love comes in sizes
It has to, to fit all needs
Open your hearts to love.

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Well. This was a nice day. The weather was warm but not oppressive. Miss you all.   Vita and I had a couple of really nice walks. I sometimes think I am not active enough for her:) After all, she is only about 2, a teenager in dog years if that.

I took care of a couple of projects today with the Quilt Guild and talked to a couple of people I had missed.

I also read a few chapters of the book I am into – Irish Whiskey by Greeley. It is good, but I think I liked his earlier ones better. If you read them, what do you think?

Tomorrow another quiet day, though I may have to run an errand or two.

Hope you are all well.

I love you all

I believe in joy

I believe in loving you

You are the reason

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a nice day.      I had an appointment with Dr. Toy, my chiropractor today.   He says I am doing quite well, and I can attest to that.   I have far less aches and pains these days.

I did a bit of shopping on my way home.     Vita was not happy with me.   She does not approve of my leaving her at any time:)     We had three nice walks today.     The last one was pretty hot but I wore a shirt and hat to protect my skin which is reacting to the sun since I had the chemo.    Darn.

I have started reading again.     I used to read all the time, but when Dick got sick, he stopped reading and I did too.   I don't know why.    But I am reading again and this will keep my hours full.   I need stimulation.

Hope you are all well.

I love you all \

Dia dhuit
Mary

Have been keeping myself kind of busy the past couple of days.     I have started actively editing my book of the 12 Celtic Patron Saints which is good because I was so drained for a while that I did not want to face it:(

But I want to face it now.   Today I took care of several OUTSIDE things in the morning when it has been really nice around here.    Then I took care of my Lawton Celtic notices.    Had to cancel the meeting for next Friday as there is a funeral for the husband of one of our members.      Please pray for Curtis and his wife Robbie who is one of our Lawton members.

Weekends don't mean much to me, but I will be going to Mass tomorrow night.    Always glad to be back in my church and to receive communion again.

Blessings to you all

Dia Dhuit
Mary


Haiku

Summer has come on
Now we rejoice in dry heat
Yet yearn for cool rain.

Well, obviously, I got lazy the past two days - probably because being home bound loses its charm after this number of months.

I have managed to keep myself sane and try to accomplish SOMETHING everyday.    Not always easy but at least Vita gets me out of the house at least twice a day for a short walk.     It has to be short because it is SO darned hot.

I went grocery shopping yesterday and did a couple of errands and shopping today.    I am careful to follow the rules and always use my mask when I am in parking lots and stores.

All my family out here are well.   I am planning a small group of my Celtic Club to meet next week on Friday unless there is a resurgence of the virus.    Several restaurants are open and there will only be about five of us.   I am absolutely lonely.

A poem for you because I feel guilty for missing two days.

Great Horned Owl

Silently he floats
Grey ghost of the evening
Peace in the darkness.

Love you all
Dia Dhuit
Mary

A Very quiet Sunday.    Since I went to Mass last night, I only left the house to walk Vita and we did not see a single soul while we were out there three times.

The coming week, because of the pandemic and everything else that is happening, including the marches that are going on that are mainly peaceful.    It will be something to be monitored,    My life will be very quiet as I will stay home except for really important things like Doctor appointments and shopping.   I wear a mask when I go out and am very careful.

Hope you all can say the same.    God Bless You All.
Dia Dhuit
Mary